Goodbye August, Hello SCHOOL!

We spent our last week of Summer at my mom's house.  We enjoyed the backyard, ice cream bars, and one last week without a bedtime.  We also lucked out, and overlapped with Hil and C.  Aside from spending one day at the hospital for Bronwyn's MRI, the week was pretty perfect.  I can't complain though.  Bronwyn was so brave, and we had the best MRI experience to date.  I felt strongly about going back to using IV sedation instead of putting her totally under.  It was a big risk since the IV sedation gave her horrible side effects several years ago.  But I followed my gut, and come to find out, they are using a new medication now!  3 hours later Bronwyn was completely back to normal.  It was amazing.

Todd and I were mean and left Ty with my mom while we took the girls to Lagoon.  Best. Decision. Ever.  It was great to not be outnumbered, and to not have to spend all of our time on the kiddie rides.  I keep thinking that someday I will be a selfless mother who is willing to sit and watch everyone's stroller, or ride the lame ride with the young kids...  But that hasn't happened yet!  I get to an amusement park and I want to PARTY!  I really lucked out because I teamed up with Magdalen, and she let me go on some pretty crazy rides!  I love that she lets me influence her so greatly, but it makes me worry a little bit about everyone else influencing her...  Bronwyn is the opposite!  I wish she would let me tell her what to do more, but I feel like she won't be as easily swayed by peer pressure.

As always, Todd was the sweetest dad on the planet.  It always melts my heart watching him with the kids.

Let's pretend that Hilary looks pregnant here.  I think she is 19 weeks in this shot.  HELLO!  I'd have to hate her if she wasn't my twin sister and best friend of all time.  So instead I will be happy for her... maybe.
PS... It's a GIRL!  And as always, I guessed wrong.

I took the girls to a hair salon for the first time ever for back to school hair cuts.  Yep, you read that right.  Up until several weeks ago their only haircuts had come from me!  Scary.  It was time to upgrade.  Magsy was brave and went for a cute A-Line cut.  I was worried she wouldn't like it, but she actually likes it way too much!  She is getting ALOT Of attention for being so darn cute!

Poor Bronwyn.  Long think hair, long skinny legs.  Life is rough when you're drop dead gorgeous.  Can you say mermaid hair?

My mom threw a princess party at her CURVES and totally spoiled the girls with these new dresses!  Halloween costumes: CHECK!

We also found some time to stuff our faces with my awesome cousin, Susie, who is going to BYU.  Love her!  We decided that she and I look way alike.  Long lost sisters!

When we got home from Utah, I had a whopping 48 hours to get ready for the first day of school.  The girls were a little nervous, but mostly excited.  Todd drove Bronwyn to school, so I felt a little left out.  Obviously not left out enough to load up the other two kids and make the journey though.... :)  But it was weird sending her off, not even knowing what her teacher looked like.

I can't believe I have two kids in school this year.  And I gotta say, it's awesome!  The girls love it, and I love having a couple hours a day to get things done around the house.  Then when they come home I can give them my undivided attention, and they are so excited to see eachother.

I couldn't resist peeking in on Bronwyn's class after I got Magdalen all settled in Kindergarten.  She was eating school lunch for the first time, and oh so excited.  I leaned against the stage with one of the moms I knew from last year.  We quickly realized we were the ONLY moms in the lunchroom...  Aren't we allowed to be helicopter moms on the first day of school?!