School Days

Hyrum is attending Joy School this year, today was his first day! With 6 children in the class, I'll be teaching every 6 weeks. I'm excited for him to have his own school to attend. He is even more excited than me. Last night it was all he could talk about. He even made up a song called "I Love Joy School".

Hyrum's goal for this school year: Learn to play the drums (said as he's playing air drums)
My goal for Hyrum: Learn to write his name


Roderic is one happy kid, ready to start First Grade! He has become much happier over the summer. He still has some issues about respecting the personal space of others. During the last few weeks, he has decided that he CAN read with the family out of the Book of Mormon, although he only wants Mom's help on the big words.

Roderic's goal for this school year: Wants to be a really good listener
My goals for Roderic: Learn to tie his shoes [and swim trunks]; learn to ride a 2 wheeler


It is hard to come to terms with the fact that my baby is now in 6th Grade! And what a great girl she is. A month ago she decided that she should play her violin for 20 hours before the school year started, which was an hour a day, 5 days a week. She met her goal, so now we're in the planning stages for a party!

Sabrina's goal for this school year: Run a 9 minute mile
My goals for her: Keep a tidier room/desk; budget for school clothes

First day of School August 25, 2010

5 months

Leo is now 5 months old. He sleeps fairly regularly throughout the night. He has one tooth and a second one coming soon. He weighs about 16 lbs. He is an agreeable baby - puts up with a lot of rough love from his older siblings. His eyes are blue. His hair is flesh colored. He likes to smile. He will laugh if you tickle his belly and laugh at the same time. He holds toys in his hands. He is wearing the onesie that my visiting teacher made for him (although his second middle name is misspelled, it should say Ryker).

The View from Sunday

Sabrina and 2 of her friends played "Faith of Our Fathers" in Sacrament Meeting today - a violin piano trio. It sounded great, although a little soft. They were more used to the acoustics in my music room compared with the chapel.

Hyrum learned a very important lesson in church today:

He can be a friend to both his Dad AND Darth Vader!

After taking Toto on a long walk around our neighborhood, Roderic grabs an apple, climbs up into a stack of 4 chairs, puts his feet up on the table and says, "Ah, this is the life!"

Indeed, it is the life!

And in case you're wondering, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now has 134 operating temples in the world. The newest is in Kyiv Ukraine!

Ryan Gibby and Gordon Roylance: at the Kyiv Temple to attend the Cornerstone Ceremony.

It's going to fall over

In July when we were all out of town (Ryan at Scout Camp and Malauna & kids in Utah), we had our floors redone. To prep for that, we had to take ALL of our pictures/decorations off of the walls in the entry, kitchen, dining, hall and music rooms. I decided it would be a great time to change things up in the main room. I don't have a recent before picture (you can see one from 2008 here), but here is the after:

The first thing Ryan said when he saw it (after more than a week of absolutely nothing on the wall), "It looks like it's going to fall over." Moments later, Hyrum copied and said, "Mom, it looks like it's going to fall over." Ryan laughed. Later that evening, Sabrina said, "Mom, it really does look like the wall is going to fall over."

They haven't said it in a while, so I guess they are used to it. Oh, and by the way, I love the look of my newly refinished floors (and the pictures on my wall)!

OUCH!

Leo has been slobbering quite a lot. I thought it was much to early for him to get teeth. I was wrong. His first tooth cut through on Thursday (8-26). 4 months, 26 days old. I am currently rethinking my stance on nursing him until he's 18 months old.

It's a good thing he is cute.

Sesame Street

Leo with his new Grover plush.

I have been a fan of Sesame Street for the last 30 years. I've encouraged each of my children to be a fan as well. I don't like all of the Muppets they've added over the years, or all of the sketches (Elmo's World, Baby Bear's Super Guy, Abby's Flying Fairy School, for example). I do like it when they have celebrity parodies (Norah Jones with Don't Know Y, Mel Gibson and Danny Glover with Lethal Weapon 3, for example.) This is a new one that cracks me up EVERY time I see it. I'd love to have it on my mp3 player. So far I've only found it as a video.

4 Months, and Growing

Leo is now 4 months old. He smiles on demand. Puts his hands in his mouth. Babbles and coos.

This morning was his check-up at the doctor's. He got two shots. He cried for the pain of the needle prick, but as soon as I picked him up, he was just fine. (Unlike all of my other children.)

Weight: 14 lbs 8.6 oz
Height: 26.5"
Head Circumference: 16"

Praying for Missionaries

For the past 2 years, my children have been praying, "And bless Uncle Colter on his mission." Every. Single. Prayer. That has been a hard habit for Hyrum and Roderic to break since my brother returned from his mission to Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 9. They are still praying for him daily! (Although now it is "And bless Uncle Colter that he can drive home safe" because he recently went on a road trip with my parents.)


They will soon be praying for Grandma and Grandpa Gibby and Aunt Meggan who will be serving a mission in Rochester, New York. They enter the MTC on August 30. They're really excited about praying for them because we get to take care of their dog, Toto!

picture from May 2007 - Roderic loves Toto