Back To School!

 We now have two high schoolers and once again a preschooler.  That means that once again we're getting up at the crack of dawn for seminary and staying up late with homework and football games.  I'm already exhausted and it's only been a week. So far things have been going well, though, and Peter was fantastic on his first day.  No tears, no worries, just walked right in and started to play.  He was very happy when I got back and had lots of good things to report. It was so dark when Benjamin left that this picture turned out quite sub-par, but his smile still shines through.

The picture of the three of them was on the older kids' first day, but I wanted a picture of Peter on his actual first day too. 

Before the big day we held our traditional back to school dinner.  This time my mom got to join us.  Our theme for this year is "Go With God."  We discussed asking ourselves questions every day such as "Have I made time for Him today?" "How have I noticed Him in my life today?" "Would he want to be here?"  "What would he have me do right now?" Every day becomes better when we invite God to be with us on our journey.  Kelly also gave all the kids a father's priesthood blessing for the school year.

Peter wanted to have a fire outside afterwards and I thought that would be a fun addition to the tradition.  Of course, no fire is complete without marshmallows.

After a long week of school, Benjamin was too tired to join us for our service project in honor of the 9/11 national day of service and Bella had a scout meeting, but Peter and Christian came along to a nearby farm to weed and do other work along with dozens of other members of our church.  It was a wonderful, although very hot, day.  Peter made a little friend along the way, but the highlight for him was definitely the farm's animals.