Routine

We're in our fourth week of school here and I'm finally feeling like we're getting into a routine.  It's true that I still couldn't find a better time to blog than at 10:30 at night, but still, things seem less hectic than they did a few weeks ago.  Here's what we've been up to:

We spent Labor Day in Teton National Park hiking, picnicking, skipping little rocks and climbing on big rocks, water-bending, and enjoying the beauty of nature.  Our only complaint was having to get back to real life the next day.

A 3+ mile hike satisfies some Webelos requirements!

Gordon practicing his water-bending skills

Since school is back in session, the boys no longer have the luxury of staying up past a certain time every night.  It doesn't really seem fair to send all three boys to bed at the same time, though, so usually we've just let Tom stay up and read in his room for a while before he has to turn out the lights.  For the last several nights, though, Tom has been going into his room at the same time as the other kids, waiting a few minutes, then sneaking back downstairs to play a game with Chris.  They usually play Mastermind-- it's quick and fun and they can get several games in before I send anyone back upstairs.  It has been fun to see these two enjoy some one-on-one bonding time.

Gordon is playing soccer and had his first game last week.  He loves it, of course, and has been negotiating his reward for if/when he scores a goal.  So far, we've agreed that we'll go out for ice cream after the game. 

It seems a little bit cruel to post a picture of us in all of our red gear after such a painful game (painful even for the winners) on Saturday, but I would be remiss if I didn't share that football season is alive and well in the Hansen home.  Chris had the boys singing "Utah Man" and marching around in their matching shirts all day long.  Little goobers.

I need to update my book list with some books I've read over the past little bit.  My favorite of those has been The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma.  Additionally, Gordon and I have been reading books from the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems and they are just plain awesome.  Five stars, thumbs up, and huge recommendations from me-- if you have an early reader, they are a must.

Favorites

The first week of school has passed and it's official:  the boys love it!  The homework hasn't been too much (so far) and Tom has a class full of old friends while Gord is busier than ever making new ones.  They wore shorts every day last week which makes the transition from summertime to school time a little easier.  Here they are on the first day...

When asked what his favorite parts of his school day are, Gordon replied, "lunch and recess."  No surprise there, although he is a very good student.  Tom enjoys writing and decided to bring home his journal with the first week's entry, titled "Ten Years from Today." 

 

"Anything could happen ten years from today!  Flying cars, mutated animals, and probably some new restraunts!  Nobody really knows if those things will exist in ten years.  All I know is that I'll be twenty years old!  I'll also be an inventor!  First I got to go to college.  Wait, college is an estimated ten years from now!  Perfecto!  What kind of college, you ask?  I know I live in Idaho at the moment, but I'm going to Utah Utes College.  I'm going to live in Utah, too!  Go ahead.  Boo all you want."  (Okay, so a couple of small spelling/grammar issues, but isn't that cursive lovely?)

I know it's a proud mom thing, but I am completely in love with Tom's writing!  It just cracks me up!  I love all of the exclamation points (I wonder where he gets that?) and his little defensive strike against any Utah naysayers.  I think I should make him journal every day.  

At home, our cherry tomatoes are ripening and I am loving going out for mini harvests every day.  I'm trying to perfect a sweet balsamic vinaigrette (hint, hint Nonny & Debra!) to dip them in.  They're as delicious as they are lovely and even though we have so many, they don't last long. 

Chris and I were in Teton National Park, one of our favorite places on Earth, with the Crawfords, some of our favorite people, to celebrate our anniversary last weekend.  It was the perfect little get-away, and the perfect way to relax a little bit before jumping into the madness that is back-to-school. 

Lucky for us, we get a Labor Day break and we're going back to the Tetons tomorrow, this time with the boys.  Can't wait!

The Duck Song: Robot and "Cool" Versions

Tom and Gord love The Duck Song.  They have all of the lyrics memorized and even made up their own versions of it.  It's pretty funny.

Don't mind the moving car...

It's Game Day

Just in case you're confused about who we root for in this house, you could always drive by...

or ask one of the kids...

Go Utes!