Fishing or Family DRIVE?

Yesterday we decided that we wanted to take the family fishing. So we packed up what we thought would be the perfect lunch (since we had had a lot of hotdogs lately) and headed for "the hills." Unfortunately our first site choice after 2 and a half hour drive turned out to be closed. No fear we felt we just went 20 minutes the other direction to another favorite spot "Silver Creek." Here we did picnic which ended up being an experience in kid food vs adult food ending in Doug and I having a lovely lunch and Saddie enjoying lots of "people food" while the kids loaded up more on the giant Cheetos (oh well?). Then after investigating the HIGH water and speedy current we loaded up again and headed to Sage Hen Reservoir. After another movie length drive (THANK GOODNESS FOR PORTABLE DVD PLAYERS) we finally put our poles in the water. I enjoyed a small hike with the boys to the dock. It was truly beautiful. Ethan and Saddie scared a snake and Ethan saw his first, out of the zoo, Bald Eagle. I loved this Geese family swimming on the water and took too many pictures of them. Kimberly and Doug the die hard fishers DIED HARD. They didn't catch anything except a glimpse of a frog but as reported by all three kids it was a fun day. Of course we did ask the question at home while eating pizza, but I think they really did have a good day. Here's to Summer!

End of Year Assembly

Last Wednesday I was able to attend the older kid's assembly. It was so much fun to see how many kids are enjoying school at Wilson. Ethan had two exciting awards. He got "The Great Author Award" for his story about his pet hamster at his mom's house. His inspiration was the Disney movie "Bolt." He also got the "Good Citizen Award" for being such a sweet heart!!! Kimberly also received three awards, "The Presidential Academic Excellence Award," "Honor Roll" (for her straight A report card (and yes I am bragging!)), and "Perfect Attendance for the Year." Needless to say we were very proud. Grandma Lauretta was able to come to the assembly and see them shine and Grandma Margaret took them (and me too) to McDonalds for dinner to celebrate! All in all it was a great way to highlight the end of the year.

CJ STRIKE

We had so much fun Sunday! We went on a picnic and fishing trip with Sam, Robin and their family. It was the perfect day. Despite being crowded we found a great fishing spot. Then thanks to Sam's ingenuity we had delicious hotdogs for lunch. Sam and Robin and Doug and I brought our dogs, who did very well despite all the people and excitement. Thought Doug did blame Saddie for two fish that "got away." Jayden caught, count them four FISH!!! His friend Wade was very excited for him. Adrian was determined to do just as well only it was not in her cards that day. We did throw one back but we did come home with three of "his" fish. Doug also caught three of his own and we kept two. It was so nice to see the look of contentment on Doug's face knowing that we finally had a successful fishing trip. However, our friends informed us that we had too much luck on our side. We all turned out to be typically unlucky at catching fish so we were not too prepared to have so many treasures. Thank goodness for us my dad was willing to have us bring them to him to clean and prepare for a big fish fry we hope to have some time SOON!

Ethan is an Artist

Ethan had the opportunity at school to learn from an expert in the art field. Mrs. White's class had a curator from the Boise Art Museum come and share some art tips. They did a watercolor landscape and a oil chalks picture on fabric. Both of which she told Ethan he did very well. We are very proud! Maybe he takes after Dad and will be an artist?

On To PreKindergarten

Jayden has had a very busy week. Okay we have all had a VERY busy week. Monday was Kimberly's game, Tuesday was Jayden's 1st game, then Kimberly had another game, then tonight was Jayden's again. Jayden's big events this week are however not game related. He had two "Preschool Celebrations." He and Miss Rachel who is the assistant in both his classes had a busy two days. Wednesday was Jayden's last day in Miss Kim's class. They had a wonderful program. Miss Kim had them sing about shapes (Jayden was a rectangle). Then she made us all cry by sharing a sweet country song about "Letting Them Stay Little." If the song was not bad enough she had the kids hand out roses to their moms. Let me tell you Jayden handed the rose to me and I did okay but when he turned back to hug me and I lost it. SO SWEET! Then today at Miss Karalee's Celebration Jayden got to be a monkey complete with a tail (he wouldn't stay still long enough for me to get a picture). They did 5 Little Monkeys. This was very special to me because since Jayden was born he has been my "little monkey." His favorite stuffties are all monkeys too. It is really weird to know he is ready to be a PreKinder KID! What happen to my baby?

Our Little Monkey

T-Ball

I could say volumes about how FUN it is to watch our "class clown" play t-ball but I will just let the pictures do the talking. This was his first game last Tuesday night. He is on AMES Electric with his buddy Tucker. LOVE IT!The Boys

You're Going THE WRONG WAY!

You put your mitt on your hand not your head!

Awesome Game

Kimberly played her third game. What a game it was they ended in a tie but let me tell you it was intense. Kimberly made some key plays. She is second base man and yesterday she caught two hits and got the runners out at first. It is funny to me how God gives you such pride and emotions for your children. When she struggles I get so stressed for her and when she has a victory I am just BEAMING!!!! What can I say being a mom ROCKS!

What a Weekend

Can I possible put down all the exciting events of our families last four days. I will do my best.... Thursday night after my mom's Pamper Chef party Jayden (my mom's hero) spent the night with her protecting her because of my dad had gone fishing. This was only the second time Jayden has spent the night away from either Doug or I but of course he had an incredible time. This worked well for me because I stayed up until after 1am doing all my student's scrapbook pages. Friday Doug and I took Jayden to Pizza Hut for his Book It Pizza. He was on cloud nine when they brought him a little Book It trophy. That night Kimberly had dance rehearsal and Jayden had tee ball practice. This was all in preparation for Saturday. Saturday started BRIGHT and EARLY. We went to the park to see Jayden in the tee-ball parade. Followed by his team pictures. Then we got ready and headed to the zoo. Oh what fun it was to get to see the new giraffe and hyena. The kids had a blast riding the Merry Go Round. My mom and my mother in-law came along which was a BIG help since Doug had to work. Lucky for me Doug did get home in time for Kimberly's best recital ever! She did fabulous. All the girls were amazing! It was a lot of fun to see them dance to Musical Broadway hits. Kimberly even did the title song for "Footloose." Then we all had Chinese at my Mom's. Jayden and Kimberly stayed the night. Today we finally took a little break. After church we came home to relax. Well I will say the kids relaxed a little with the new little swing set we got for $10 Doug hooked the hose to it and put out a big piece of plastic on the grass to make an amazing slip and slide. Doug also put together our new "patio cover" that we got at a yard sale with the help of both our Moms. I had to work on report cards but it was nice to get to watch the kids play. Doug made great BBQ chicken that we ate on our covered porch. Now Doug and I are getting in a Quantum Leap episode (we check them out from the library) before going to bed to face another CRAZY week. Thank goodness for the Sunny weather with Baseball Games every night this week let's hope it continues.

Wagon Ho

Yesterday I took part in Kimberly's amazing field day. This husband and wife team go around to all the schools in the valley and teach "hands on" history to Fourth graders. Fourth Grade is the year kid's study Idaho History so this project makes their history lessons come alive. They bring an old wagon, and tons of authentic tools. The kids go around to twelve stations where they do everything from wash clothes with a wash board, to making butter, to roping a steer. They even worked with a bow saw. My favorite was the branding. Not to mention the dutch oven lunch (yum!). Kimberly and her friends had an amazing time. She and Emily looked so cute at the "dress up" station. It was COLD and windy but SO unforgettable!

Softball Champs

Kimberly's team won their first Soft Ball Game tonight! Looks like we are off to an exciting season!

Mother's Day was A Wonderful Carnival Ride

Yesterday was a wonderful day. Doug and the kids made the day so special to me. It started at 7:15am with Jayden fully dressed (even shoes and socks) in his church clothes with my handmade (at school) mother's day card in hand waking me up. It was SO sweet! Then Kimberly came in with her beautiful goodies (a bookmark, card, flower picture, and CHAI taped to the card :)). Doug got up and made my FAVORITE french toast for breakfast. Then at church Julie the children's pastor recorded the kids sharing was is good about their moms. Ethan and Kimberly made me smile. After church Doug made grill cheese and took me to JCPenny to spend my $10 coupon. I got a pair of shorts and he threw in a cute brown top. He is so good to me. Then on the way home we went by the Carnival for the umpteenth time and Jayden began to freak out again but then suddenly Doug stopped the car. We ended up riding a few rides. Jayden didn't care much for the roller coaster (I wish you could see his face). He and I went on the Spinning Apples. His comment was, "That was a good ride, not the other one." Then if that was not enough of a full day we road our bikes to Grandma Margaret's and had a fabulous dinner and played "Masterpiece" a game we love. I thought it only fitting on Mother's day that I had the million dollar painting :) and Margaret got me a really beautiful new blue shirt. All in all it was a perfect day! I am so BLESSED! Thank you Lord for a wonderful family!

Happy Mother's Day!

Ethan is a Reading Champion

Ethan has been working hard preparing for yesterday's "Battle of the Books." He read "Polar Bears Past Bedtime" (a Magic Tree House), "The Indian in the Cupboard," and "Fantastic Mr. Fox." Then yesterday they competed. They have to answer comprehension questions about the three books they read. His team got THIRD!!! Yay! He is so proud of his new medal. Congrats Ethan!!! You are the best!

Ending of Awanas

Tonight was the closing ceremonies of Awanas. Jayden has really enjoyed the preschool church program "Cubbies" and Ethan and Kimberly love TNT. They did very well this year working in their memory books. It is exciting to watch your children spending time "hiding God's word in their hearts." They all did very well. Kimberly finished three books this year which is a lot of work. She loved getting two trophies. It will be strange not going to Awanas on Wednesday the next few months but it is good to rest and recharge for fall. The adults who help are so fantastic it is amazing the time they put in to help my children come to know Jesus better. I am SO THANKFUL!!!

Jayden is a Diamond Back

I so LOVE T-ball! Jayden is so hilarious. He has had two practices and both were in the rain. In fact Jayden's comment today was "It's raining I have baseball." He is having a BALL literally. He comes home singing (truly) how baseball is his game. When he throws the ball his coach told him to take a step and throw. His interpretation is do the splits and throw. He is not big on getting his balls if they get past him so he has a gofer (his brother) when I had Ethan come over with me my beautiful YOUNGEST had his coach chasing his balls. Got to admit he knows how to LEAD! Keep watching for more on this new hobby. His team is sponsored by our really good friends business AMES Electric. What that means is his best buddy Tucker is on the same team. It should be a great couple of months.

Playing Catch Up

I am a holiday gal. Truly I love to celebrate! This last weekend was literally crazy because I love even the small days. Friday was May Day some may not even know what that means but hopefully my kids do. We managed to surprise three neighbors with planting flowers on the front porch. I loved watching the kids roll around "hiding" in our front yard with Doug. This all after going to Fiesta (just 4 days before Cinco De May (hee, hee) for Carrie's belated birthday party. That day I also hosted our Bunco Group. We carried on the "flower" theme and one of the ways we chose to celebrate was to each bring a flower to put in a big pot. Debbie ended up not only getting first in Bunco but she won the flower drawing. I have a feeling she will be a May Day lover from now on. It was truly a full day.


Saturday brought with it excitement and disappointment. Jayden had scheduled his T-ball parade that due to rain got postponed. He was pretty bummed. I had a Creative Memories conference so I was a little happy because I wouldn't have to miss his parade. It turned out to be a great day after all. The conference was really good and inspiring. I so want to get busy on my albums. Then my mom, Kimberly and I went to a "Mother-Daughter Tea" at my Grandpa's church. There were several ladies from England so we learned some new edict rules which was insightful. It was really a nice day.



Sunday however can't be beat! Doug and I finally after years of attending became "official" members of our church. It was nice to declare our allegiance in front of our church family. That night after nice long naps. We went to the stage production of "Footloose." In attendance was Doug, myself, Kimberly and my good friend Robin. My mom had gotten sick so Robin used her ticket and really had a good time. Kimberly was very excited because her dance group is doing the title song as one of her dances this year so it had extra meaning. The play was packed. It was absolutely wonderful. As always I LOVE MUSICALS! All in all this weekend was packed and perfect!