Smarty Pants!

End of the year...and end of Kindergarten. What a difference a child makes - this even was a breeze compared to the previous child's graduation and so much more enjoyable! Ya Ya picked out her outfit weeks before graduation - but all was spoiled when it was cold when she woke up! (Isn't she adorable! I want to kiss those cheeks!)

Juliana is a slightly shy girl - she avoids the spotlight at all cost. So I was very happy when her teacher gave her a dancing part; behind a mask. That way, she wouldn't worry endlessly about what she was supposed to do. She practiced and danced for weeks. She sang the songs so she wouldn't forget them and was well prepared for the big event.



Our school has hundreds of students. I knew that, but I was still surprised when I saw how many kindergarteners we have. The teachers did a combined program then we went to our own classrooms to have a personalized graduation.

I barely had enough time to snap this picture - she wanted that certificate and was back in her proper place before any of us could blink! (See! Told ya!)

This is Juliana's teacher, Mrs. Williams. I am so thankful for her! She understands my daughters needs and is so kind and loving with her. When we first moved here, I went to take Juliana out of school early. Protocol is to go to the office and the office will call them out of class. Apparently, they called Juliana's name and she withered with embarrassment! She cried and cried. The teacher's aid came to get me in the office and when I got to the classroom, Mrs. Williams was holding Juilana and comforting her. Later, Mrs. Williams said, "I don't think we will call her name on the intercom again - it is too distressing for her." Isn't that sweet? I am thankful for teachers that "get it" and understand that not every child is the same. That scenario would NEVER upset my other children, but it does her. And it is good to know her teacher understands.

We all got our photo taken with the graduate. She is so special! I hope we don't have another graduation for her for a long, long time! ;)

Recorder Concert

I've been wanting my children to be musically inclined for a long time - I just haven't enrolled them in any music lessons yet! (Always an excuse...) The 3rd graders have the opportunity to learn how to play the recorder. Now THAT is one job that doesn't get paid enough, let me tell you. I listened to about 150 children play that instrument for 30 minutes and my head was ringing. I have a new appreciation for music teachers and an even greater appreciation for my own job - which, by the way, DOESN'T include instruments. Or 3rd graders.


Anyway, Jake joined the class half way through the school year. He was apparently supposed to practice, but the parent-child communication isn't stellar at the moment. In fact, I didn't know he even played the recorder until a couple of weeks before the concert when he gave us all a personal preview to what musical elation lie ahead.

I arrived early to the annual 3rd grade recorder concert (I wrote the wrong time down) and secured front row seats. Might be the first time ever!

He did a marvelous job. Cute boy too, although I did noticed half way through the concert that he was FAKING IT!!!! Check out his hands here:
He is using the wrong hands! HA HA! I can't blame him for not knowing the in's and out's of the recorder- he arrived half way through the year AND he never practiced (yeah, mother is not to blame here...). Don't get me wrong - he still knew the basics like "Hot Cross Buns" but I am pretty sure that "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" isn't in his repertoire. I'm still proud - he's my boy and I sure love him.
And because she is so stinkin cute, I had to add her and her sister...

Mother's Day...A Day of "Rest" HA!

Mother's Day...not exactly my favorite holiday. Sure - I love honoring my mother, taking a nap and getting "homemade" cards. I love getting the "treatment" - but here's the problem. I don't feel the "I don't deserve this" crap - nope, not me. If anything, I get irritated that there isn't MORE specialty treatment! (HA!) I didn't get breakfast in bed (kind of my fault - I got sick of waiting) and I had to get everyone ready for church because hubby didn't finish his talk BEFORE Mother's Day (yeah, we were asked to speak that day. Nice..)

Needless to say, I work all the time so I think I deserve a day of rest. The rest of the family does their best, but still requires my assistance in everything. Day started out the evening before with a proclamation by me: "I will be sleeping in tomorrow. Don't wake me up." Worked fine until Jeff couldn't find the instant waffle mix! (I know! The tragedy!) That would be because I don't use a mix - I home make it. Therefore, waffles were out. Eggs ok? Sure whatever. Just let me sleep. Hubby pulled through and made homemade waffles. He gets a point.

Then I spent the morning cleaning up and bathing children while he worked on his talk. I kept getting more bitter, I mean, WHY have this day if I am still doing everything? That's exactly my point - Mother's Day is too anti-climatic.

We headed off to church. I was late (and still had to speak) because baby was hungry RIGHT before we left.) I made it to church before the sacrament and realized - I forgot my talk! AHH! So I rushed home to grab it. Talk about stress! My sweet friend Susan came to help me watch the children while we spoke. She came prepared with treats, toys and coloring books - she's pretty much awesome. Anyway, we made it through that. I headed home with a crying baby and took a much needed nap.

My dad and brother's showed up to fix Karalee and I dinner (Mimi was in Texas with her own mother): delicious BBQ Chicken. Anything is better when you don't have to cook!

Things got better from that point on (Papa did the dishes). Then the gifts came: (the best part!) Jeff presented me with my very own wheat grinder. And I was giddy! (Now I know I am getting old!) Even the children love it! (Guess the best way to get over being cranky is give me gifts!)


And I think I have found that "perfect" whole-wheat bread recipe. Boy, it is delicious. There is something so grounding (is that a word?) about making your own bread. It makes the hustle of life feel a little slower when there is homemade bread in the oven.


And the very best part of Mother's Day is the homemade gifts. Sweet Ya Ya made this for me. I can't bring myself to use it - so I display it. So sweet.



And this little one makes life so enjoyable.

You know, Mother's Day is what I make of it! If I don't work, someone else will! Ah-ha! I finally figured it out. Rather than mope around because I am working, I'm just going to sit there and enjoy my day with my sweet little family. From now on, that's the way it goes around here. At least on Mother's Day.

Tulip Festival

We look forward to Thanksgiving Point's Tulip Festival each year - although this year it was about a week late! I love walking through the paths and seeing all the color combinations: red and yellow or pink and white. Just a friendly reminder that we will escape the monotony of winter in just a few short days (weeks or months, if you live here in Utah! Crazy weather we've been having!) I'd love to have even an eighth of a garden that they do!

We spent the afternoon with Papa using our renewed pass. He got one too since he works right there. We went for a "lunch" but stayed much, much longer. It was a GORGEOUS day, so we picnic-ed by the waterfall, then went for a stroll.

It was baby's first time - she loves flowers like her mama does!
See - aren't they stunning? Rows and rows and rows of these babies...

One thing I absolutely love about my Addy - she always takes time to stop and smell the flowers. Whenever we walk anywhere, she stops, sniffs and begs me to join her. Most of the time I do - these precious days won't last forever!