Ants

He catches them. He eats them. I let him. He comes and shows them to me, pinched between his fingers and in his teeth. It's gross, I know, but I figure, if I had poisoned them, I'd worry. Since I haven't, he can crunch a few. He's a boy, and he's just hunting.

Little Miss Jump Rope

In her last few weeks of kindergarten, Tatum took to jumping rope. Talked about it all the time, and when I'd come up to the school, we'd have to go out to the playground so she could show me.

Until yesterday, we didn't have one of our own. We used to, but I remember throwing it out because Braiden kept tying things up with it and it was making me nervous. So Tatum has improvised with a plastic slinkie, a computer cable, and my pajama pants.

Yesterday Grandma Francie came to the rescue. She brought some jump ropes as party favors for the Braiden and Tatum birthday barbecue. Tatum is in heaven.

My baby is two

Two years ago tonight I had a newborn baby. Who wouldn't nurse. But that was really my only concern. Teague was a beautiful, healthy, 6 lb. 3 oz. boy, and it had been a beautiful day. The things I remember most are, of course, how quickly he got here, how much he looked like Tatum did at birth, and how much I loved him and wanted to get to know him.

Really, his birth wasn't quick; I'd been in labor since the night before, but since I wouldn't admit it to myself until about a half hour before he was actually born, it seemed quick. And we were blessed and lucky to have made it to the hospital in time. What a whirlwind that was, and how miraculous birth is.

He was born at 1:58 p.m., and today at his naptime, I snuggled him longer than usual. I felt so nostalgic about this little boy that I'm so blessed to have in my life. He is a joy, a miracle, a bright spot. Thank you, Teague, for being my son.

Her official first day

Quinn and I went together with Tatum to her first day of kindergarten. She wasn't nervous at all; she didn't even expect us to go in with her. But we did, and we took pictures. We even got one of her with her teacher, Mrs. Hiatt.

After school she hopped into the car and said, "Recess is awesome!" I noticed that she was minus her tights. She said it was way too hot on the playground. We'll save the tights for colder weather.

She also told me that the principal read them The Gingerbread Man, and then they made gingerbread cookies. Tatum got to put the butter in. She had a delightful first day.

Thoughts on Kindergarten

It's just hitting me now, the night before my little Tatum starts kindergarten, how fast the time has gone. I have so many thoughts that are just now surfacing. I've been so focused on making sure she has school clothes, shots, registration, and meet-the-teacher night taken care of that I haven't had time to realize what a momentous occasion this is. Didn't we just barely have her? Weren't we just remarking that she was walking? And now, school. The little-kid days are over. The home-with-Mom days are over. Starting tomorrow at 11:30, Tatum is in school, and life is different forever. It's her official transition to becoming a big kid. I'm so proud of her and nostalgic at the same time. This is the first time I've really felt the way it tugs on my heart to know that everything I'm teaching her is preparing her to leave someday. It's bittersweet. I've been so excited for her to start school, and now I don't know if I'm ready to let her go.

Football Camp Rocks

Braiden did four days at BYU football camp this week and loved every second of it. It was two hours a day, which he said was not enough. "It went by too fast," he said. The night before it started, he was so excited at bedtime. I wanted to be sure he knew what to expect, so I said, "Braid, you know this isn't just playing. They're going to drill you and run you and work you; they're going to be teaching you football techniques." The whole time I was talking, a growing grin crept across his face. This kid has the spirit of a competitor!

At camp, they drilled for the first hour and a half, then scrimmaged for the last half hour. Ethan was at camp, too, which made it all the better for Braiden. They got into the same group and on the same scrimmage team, and had a great time.

The last day, Bronco Mendenhall spoke to the kids. For Braiden, having him sign his T-shirt was good, but an autographed belly was even better.

At one of the popsicle breaks, Braiden commented, "I can't believe Bronco Mendenhall allows red popsicles..."

Teague's Top Ten Rules for a Happy Day

10. Fingers. I use two pointers to show you where my nose is (one for each nostril). Same goes for ears...

9. Noise. Anything worth anything makes noise: lawn mowers, ambulances, and anything I can bang on. And if you growl at me, I'll do it back.

8. Drinks of water. If you give me some of yours, be warned that the first drink is a drink and the second drink is for blowing bubbles.

7. Gadgets. If you're watching TV, the remote is for me. If you're on the phone, the phone is for me. And if I just find the phone, I might call 9-1-1.

6. Playing catch. I'll do it longer than any dog. Besides, I laugh.

5. Sleep. If I wake up in the night, don't come get me unless you want me to sleep on you.

4. Light switches. If you carry me by one, pause so that I can flip it.

3. The bath. I love it, so don't get me out. I'll start climbing out myself when I'm done.

2. Drawers. What's in them (and I mean everything) must come out.

1. Tooth brush. Mom thinks I should put it back in the cup when we're done with my teeth, but that's for the birds. I like to take it to bed with me.