Some Excitement at Casa Riley

Just when I think I'm going to be able to keep up with my blog, my modem DIES and I'm without internet for a whole week! So, here's what happened during the WEEK WITHOUT INTERNET ACCESS:
Emily lost her very first tooth! Yay, Emmy! We noticed last Monday at dinner that her new tooth was coming in behind it - OH, NO! So, with the help of her biggest sis and Aunt Amy, Emily managed to wiggle that little wobbler right out. The Tooth Fairy is very generous for first teeth, so Emily was excited to find a $5 bill under her pillow AND she left the tooth for Emmy to show her class.
Lauren had her own bit of excitement the Saturday before last. She spilled a steaming bowl of Top Ramen all over her foot. That doesn't sound so bad, right? Yeah, it probably wouldn't have been, but dear Lauren wasn't supposed to be eating on the couch. So she panicked. Instead of cleaning the boiling hot soup off her foot, she chose to try cleaning up the mess first to possibly avoid being in trouble for eating in the Forbidden Zone. The resulting severe 2nd degree burn turned out to be sufficient punishment. She hasn't worn anything but flip flops for the last 10 days, and actually had to get a doctor's note for it because of the school's dress code. How many kids do you know actually need a prescription for flip flops?
On Friday, the girls and I visited the September 11th Memorial Flag Field in Sandy. I didn't think that, 8 years later, hearing the speech President Bush gave that day, or seeing all those flags could still make me cry. But they still do. Lauren and I talked about what happened that day, and what it meant to our country. Even the little girls walked reverently through the flags, holding hands. I really pray that they all grow up with the same freedom's and opportunities that we've enjoyed thus far.....

Our last post was in July? Really?!

Wow. I am reeallly behind. So, maybe this will be just a highlights post......
July - lots of fun, relaxing.....
August - Cheer stuff, school starts, soccer games....

Maybe that's a little TOO short. :)
All 3 girls are back in school at the charter school. Yep, even Lauren by her choice. She occasionally waffles back and forth about schools, but seems happy at the charter school overall. Apparently, they have the coolest parties, and she gets to take a photography class that the jr. high doesn't offer. Lindsey is still adjusting, but we're confident that in a few weeks she'll have more friends than ever. She really likes her teacher, and getting out at noon every Friday. :) Emily is a happy kindergartner this year. Her best friend from dance and preschool is in her class, so she's super excited. All three are learning Spanish, and Em also gets to explore Chinese and Arabic this year.
Lindsey and Emily are playing soccer, Lauren is cheering. Every single game for all 3 (plus all soccer practices) falls on the same 2 days of the week. It's crazy trying to get everyone where they need to be those days! We've decided to preserve what's left of my sanity by not starting dance or tumbling classes until October when things die down a little. Lauren is also trying out for a school play this week (also on the same 2 weekdays - of course!). She's so excited and nervous!
Maybe I'll be better about posting after this. :)
Check out the slideshow below for a picture update of the last 2 months: