It's that time of year

First day back to school.
Two first - graders and a fourth-grader!!
They've grown up way too fast.
I told Emily she's not allowed to grow up any more after 4th grade!

28 papers to be filled out & signed

They are not the ones with homework on the first day...
I am!
(and of coarse the KIDS get a prize if they turn in all their signed paperwork the next day)

Multiply those 28 papers times 3 students...
I know what I'll be dong all evening.


I'm so happy the kids had a great first day back!

Photo update

He just didn't want to stick his bum up in the air like other cute babies.
He would rather pee over everything. (you can click on a pic for a slightly better image)

Baby William

It's been a long long time. As many of you know, we had our 5th child on Aug 4, 2009. His name is William Jibson Southwell.
8lbs. 6oz, and 20" long. There's a full long story to this pregnancy that Kelly can explain later, but long story short... My beautiful wife, after all her months of hard work, was told she had to have a c-section. After surgery, all she wanted was to hold her baby. This background may help explain the story here...
Photos and details are coming but I have to skip town tomorrow so this video will do for now.

No Longer My Baby...

I have such bitter-sweet feelings about this little one growing up. It went by too fast.
But I have been so lucky to have the past 3 days to spend with only HIM!

While the older 3 children are entertained and busy camping with G'ma in the great out-doors,
Ez and I have been able to share 3 days of fun together!

We've gone on walks, chased the birds (his favorite out-door activity lately), been shopping around- well, browsing, taken naps, late-night movies with lots of pillows and blankets, eating ice cream and playing lots of games. He even got to join the ladies playing Bunco for a GNO! He was a hit! I love eating scrambled eggs with him (as second-breakfast) almost every day at 10:00. He always requests them as "yellow eggs please Mom?" He amazes me at his Memory Game skills and his puzzle abilities. Most of all, I love when he blasts the music to Indiana Jones, Star Wars and Superman and dances around the house to those theme songs (of course, dressed according to each part).

I love his little vocabulary and how it grows every day. He learns so many new things (not always good) and loves to be a big kid and do things himself. I'm glad he's more independent... it will be helpful in about 2 or 3 weeks when he's a big brother! But I'm sad to let go of his little toddler years. I know he's excited to be a big brother and I think he'll make a fabulous one!