{Life is in balance...again}

Kenny left after dropping the kids and I off in Colorado back to California to work, while he waited for the paperwork to be ready for purchasing All Pets Center.  We were separated from him for 3 weeks which was really difficult for Owen!  Owen had the hardest time with moving only because Kenny wasn't with us.  I talked about being brave all the way down to the bus stop, but he still cried as he got on that bus.  He cried a lot at school too and I even received a call from his teacher and from the school secretary, informing me that he has been really sad, but to just keep sending him and hopefully he would acclimate soon.  Owen kept telling his teacher that he missed his daddy.  I'm sure she thought he came from a broken home!  I encouraged him not to cry at school and challenged him to go one full day without crying, and if he did, I would go eat lunch with him.  He met my challenge, so I thought, so I went to school to eat with him.  I told his teacher that he told me he didn't cry and she just laughed and said, "He did, did he!"  I guess he suckered me!

Owen loves his new teacher Mrs. Kennedy!  She was so patient with him and was great at helping him adjust to a new school.  Mya and I brought in pizza and chocolate milk and had fun eating lunch with Owen.  The poor kid couldn't relax.  He just kept saying, "Mom, you don't have to leave.  You can be Mrs. Kennedy's helper all day."

  This was a letter that Owen wrote to Kenny.  It reads:  "Dear Dad, Love Owen.  I miss You and I love. I so glad when you back."  He wrote him at least 3 letters to him while we were separated.

Owen had fun taking us out to his playground for recess.  When the bell was about to ring I saw Ian, who was just getting ready to go and eat, so Mya and I joined him for a second lunch.  Owen kept saying, "Your coming back mom right?"  

Ian and his friends finished off the last of the pizza and were eager to get outside to play.  As he was leaving the lunch room, Drew walked in, so I decided I might as well stay for a third lunch and hang out with him!

 He scarfed down his food, so he could catch up with Ian at recess.  I was able to eat and play with each of my boys at school that day!  I had a blast meeting some of their new friends and talking with their teachers.

I joined in on the boys basketball game and even made a couple of shots!

We tried to make the separation from Kenny easier by keeping busy.  Mya helped grandpa make several batches of homemade peach ice cream!

 Which then we had to make a homemade peach pie to eat it on!

The kids cousins came from Denver to play for a couple of days, which really helped the time to pass by.

We hiked and of course Owen got hurt and has a new scar.

We swam and Owen has a new love for the high dive!

And the girls did fingernails and toenails!

 The girls not only painted each other's nails, but grandmas too!

Kenny told the boys he would be arriving on Tuesday, but decided to come a day early and surprise the kids.  He traveled to Colorado with the three dogs in the back.  He had to drug them to keep them calm for the long car drive.  

The kids had been making forts in the field, so when he arrived in Grand Junction, he let the dogs run out to find the kids!  

Leo found Drew first and both of them were so excited!

Then Owen found Kenny!!!

His smile was priceless!!!  

Cassie and Shelby loved joining the boys at the fort, while Kenny found Mya!

Daddy was back home with us, so everything was right in the world again!

Kenny is such a great dad and my kids need him and so do I!!!

 Kenny surprised me with a gift from Melina.  He brought with him in the car my favorite Andes Mint cupcakes!!!  Oh I couldn't have been happier!  I had my husband back and I had 12 of the yummiest cupcakes to eat!

 I shared them with my little chocolate aholic!

The next morning the dogs and daddy took the boys to the bus stop.

Dad, cousins, and dogs...everyone is happy!

Kenny went to Owen's school the next day and met Mrs. Kennedy and brought the kids treats to celebrate his arrival back to his family!  Owen didn't shed another tear after that day!

{New School}

Our Motto for the new school year is "Be Brave!"  We thought this was fitting since the kids are starting a new school year at a new school,  meeting new teachers, and making new friends.

Drew - 9

Ian - 8

Owen - 6

The older boys did not seem anxious at all.  Owen was a little apprehensive, but put on a strong face...the first day!

They were most excited about riding the school bus.  I too couldn't wait for the bus.  My days of sitting at the school everyday in long lines waiting to pick up my kids is over!

they are off....

The sun greeting the boys as they walk to the bus stop.

 Here comes the bus!

Wingate is the school Kenny went to when he was in elementary school.  It is a great school and I know our kids will thrive there.  I'm anxious for them to start at a new school, but know they will do great, as long as they be brave!

Mya started preschool at Ms. Angie's house!  She was ecstatic to go and loves going there twice a week.  When I picked her up she didn't want to leave!  I guess thats a good sign :)

{Family}

To welcome us to Colorado, the aunties drove from Denver to visit us.  We were so excited to see baby Penny!

 I love this little brown eyed beauty!

 Mya pretty much thinks Penny is the greatest thing on earth and smothers her with love!

Drew kept trying to make Penny laugh, but it had the reverse effect!  We like to blame it on her hunger pains!


We took the kids to the Rocky Mountain PBS Healthy Kids Fun Fest at the Lincoln Park.  The kids loved playing games, winning prizes, eating candy, and playing instruments.

Mya even made the newspaper!

Mya bonded with Auntie Kim while she was here...I mean how could she not when Aunt Kim dressed up as Cinderella also and danced with her throughout the room!

 The aunties always get a workout when they are around my kids!

Kim also let Mya paint her nails.  Luckily, it washed off after one hand washing!

Aunt Catherine was sweet enough to cut each of the boys hair, so they would be already for school to start.  

I sure love my sister-in-laws and am so grateful that we live closer to them!  I am hoping to see them at least once a month, I have to get my Penny fix somehow!