Brooks couldn't be any cuter if he tried. He is learning how to test his boundaries with Russ and I and with Hallie, too, actually. He loves to be snuggled at night but I think that is mostly because he wants to look at my phone while he falls asleep. Haha! He is obsessed with Lebron James and basketball. His favorite friend continues to be Griffey. He held Breck's lizard this month, Leon. It was pretty daring of him and I was surprised he wanted to do it but he did.
Russ and I went to the Utah vs. Florida football game tonight. Russ got season tickets this year for Utah football. I doubt I will be able to go to many games but it was fun to kick off the season with him. My sister offered to watch our kiddos so we could go. But, my family wanted to have a party to watch the game so I volunteered our house so that Bre could be involved too. So, we hosted a party for my entire family at our house tonight without us even being there. Haha!
Hallie loves to be busy and is happy doing whatever it is that keeps her busy. Whether it is soccer, basketball, school, baseball, or playing with friends. This month, while at Shelli's when I worked, she got her face painted by Shelli's older girls. She lost another tooth (she's lost so many I can't even keep count). She knows about the tooth fairy and since she found out I have failed as the tooth fairy. She has gotten to the point where she just goes and steals a $1 from our money drawer when she loses a tooth. Haha! We went on a mommy-daughter date to get ice cream at Culver's after soccer one night. Since she didn't need any school clothes we didn't go back-to-school shopping. Instead I told I would take her out on a date instead and this is what she decided she wanted. We talked the whole date long and afterwards she said, "Mom? I want to talk like that more." I want to make that happen too, Hal.
A few things I want to remember. She calls Russ "Papa Murphy" and me "Mama Murphy," as in papa murphy pizza. Haha! She calls Stockton "Burnt" and Brooks "kid" when playing pretend with them. I have no idea where she got those names from. She calls Rosie her "Dynamite Gal" from the movie Wreck it Ralph and sings to her by saying "My sweet little Rosie Roo, such a sweet little Rosie Roo." I often have that made up song stuck in my head. She has the messiest room out of all my kids and hates when I make her shower/bath and brush her teeth. You would think that after 9 years of brushing her teeth twice a day she would stop arguing about it but I guess not. She still sleeps on her floor at night and sleeps on a PJ Mask foam couch that is made for a 2 year old. So, only half of her body is on that couch because she is WAY too big for it. I threaten to throw it away all the time when she misbehaves because it is so nasty and too small for her.
Brooks has grown up so much this past year! After meeting his teacher (Ms. McCandless) earlier this week, he felt more calm and ready to go to kindergarten. I wish there were some kids he new in his class but I'm hopeful he will find friends and be comfortable there.
He did SO good going into his class. He found his best friend, Griffey, and after saying hi to him he went into his own class without looking back. He had a great first day and said it was "Good!" when I picked him up.
Funny story, a few weeks after school began, Brooks told me his teacher makes him take his hat off while at school. When asked why he responded, "I don't know" but he felt embarrassed about it. After looking at the school's dress code I didn't see anywhere where it said you couldn't wear hats to school. So, I emailed his teacher asking why she makes him take it off. She told me the next day that it has become a distraction at school because it is so low on his face that he can't see the full whiteboard to learn and also kids pass his hat around the class and it is a hygiene issue. Two points that Brooks failed to tell me. Haha!
Having kids is difficult and amazing all at the same time. I am so grateful to be living the life I always dreamed of living. My kids melt my heart and I love them so much!
Rosie is the best dog I could ever have hoped for. She is incredibly sweet and snugly. She is fiercely loyal to me and follows me wherever I go. I never thought I would love her as much as I do but here I am being a crazy dog mom. It is hard not to be so attached when she is so adorable.
Slip-n-slide time while Hallie is at school. As a side note, these boys always have their shirts off, not just when swimming. Brooks started taking his shirt off a lot and Stockton followed his lead and now they do it daily. They are the cutest boys that I hope one day will become the very best of friends.
I absolutely love playing volleyball with this crew. I turn into an entirely different person when I am on the court. I am loud, passionate and never stop talking. Pretty sure that is the only reason they keep me on the team because I provide all the energy. Volleyball is good for my soul and I love playing in leagues twice a year.
Joe and Becky watched our boys while I had to work today. The boys had the best time with them. I wish they would watch them more but they are old and just don't really like to watch their grandkids, I guess. But, when they are with them, they do have a great time together.
For my mom's birthday she rented out Allstar Lanes for dinner, bowling and arcade games. The cousins love this night and it makes my mom happy having the whole family together. I loved hearing the cousins shout "Taco! Taco!" over and over again when it was his turn to bowl. His cute dimple smile was grinning from ear to ear.
Jensen, Grammy, Drew & Taco
Breck, Emerson, Brooks, Hallie, Elsa, Pratt, Lachlan, Mia, Zeke
