First day of preschool

August 30

I was more nervous this year to start Kate in preschool because it is 4 days a week. That is more like kindergarten.  And that means this ride is getting started.  I've long felt like once kids start school time flies and before you know it they are in junior high.  Then high school.  And then, you guessed it, college and full-blown adulthood.  They are gone (snap you fingers) just like that!  So here is this little lady, ready for school in her butterfly shirt ("'Cause I got butterflies for my birthday so I want to wear that shirt and tell my teacher that they fly-ed away!").  

Daniel started asking more and more when he's going to school.  Kate told him you go to school when your big. "I'm big. I'm 4.  You're little. You still wear a diaper.  You'll be big when you wear panties."

She was excited and nervous as she walked in to her classroom. The evidence of that was her endless hair twisting as she told the teacher about the butterflies. I love this girl to pieces. I'm looking forward to, and just a tiny bit sad, to watch her grow up.

General Conference

October 1

Traditions.  I love them.  General Conference traditions have grown since April 2011 Conference when Dad (Devn Cornish) was called as a General Authority.  I still remember that he got tickets for that session, and we were running late.  He was in the aisle waiting and ushered us into our seats just a few minutes before the session began.  I thought he seemed extra anxious about us being on time and then realized why when his name was read from the pulpit.  That was an especially memorable moment when we sustained him - Dad/Grandpa/Father-in-law.  

The following October he spoke in General Conference about prayer.  Again, we got to be there.  It was a wonderful talk that I still remember well.  After he spoke in that Sunday afternoon session, the extended family wanted to gather to talk about conference and hear more about Dad's experience of speaking.  And thus started the tradition of a Cornish/Simmons potluck Sunday afternoon after General Conference at our house.  It's been several years now, so we don't even send out reminders because they all know the drill.  Come, bring a side or dessert, eat, chat, and then gather to share thoughts and questions about the gospel and conference.  It's a delight.

We are often able to get to one session with the big kids, Matt, and I, and then eat a quick lunch at mom and dad's hotel room/apartment between sessions.  Another part of the tradition is that the Kotters come out whenever they can.  It's always a good time.  Here we are all snuggled (aka squished) into the the elevator at Mom and Dad's apartment building.  Everyone smile!

Waving to Daddy

What a pleasant morning! Matt and I went for a walk early, came home and got ready, had breakfast together, and got to come up and see the Littles before he left for work. They all ran to the window so they could wave at him as he left. I sat on the couch watching them, thankful for my husband and our family.

Fold your arms...

September 25

We were getting ready for dinner and told everyone to fold their arms.  Oliver Mac was quick to follow instructions.

Look, Mom!

September 22

"Look, Mom!  I made gears!"  This boy loves seeing how things work (usually from a distance if it is something bigger than him).  I'm not sure where exactly he learned about gears, but not only did he make some out of these plastic stars, he's got his own always turning in his head.  

Oliver Fun

14 September 2016

One man's canned food is another boys toys.  Oliver spent a good 30 minutes taking cans from the pantry to this basket in the living room and back again.  He often stacks the cans on the bottom shelf of the pantry like blocks.  I've given up trying to keep them organized because he is always building towers and fences with them.  He's quite proud of himself.  (Oliver Mac, age 1)

  

Grandma Kay's birthday

12 September 2016

We wanted to get together for Mom's birthday (she sure did pick a good time of year to be born!) at Scera Park.  Mom had a secret word that she wanted to teach the grandkids about that started with the letter "P" so all the food had to start with that letter.  We had popcorn, parfaits, pickles, pizza, pop, etc.  It was super fun.  The word mom wanted to focus on was PERSPECTIVE.  She talked about how she and Kate were looking at the mountains and that they look like they change depending on where you stand.  She also gave some examples from her recent WWII readings about how expectations change with a different perspective.  She's always a teacher.  What a lady!