{a last day}

Henry graduated from Lakeview Museum's preschool today.

  I can't believe the year is already over.  This experience has been a learning oportunity for all of us.  We chose this preschool because it was science and art based.  Henry really got to experience some amazing things.  They had so many hands on activities, went to the planetarium, worked on projects in the art studio, visited the exhibits and so much more.  I am really glad Henry has been able to have all these experiences, but am glad to have him home and start a different journey.  After much thought and prayer and researching I have decided to home school Henry next year.  I feel so good about it and am excited and nervous for this new adventure.  We plan on having Henry go to full day kindergarten the 2013-2014 school year.  Henry had a graduation ceremony and did a terrific job!  The teachers interviewed each child and Henry was very funny!:)

(Congratulations sweet boy!  We made it!!!)

{bikes}

We have been wanting to buy bikes for our family for a long time.  It was just never the right time and the funds always needed to go somewhere else.

...Well, we finally decided to go for it!

It was a long day in the bike shop trying to find the perfect fit for me, and for Chris, and also pick out a bike trailer.  We also ended up buying a bike attachment so Henry could ride in back of Chris' bike while he was riding.  We finally got everything picked out and we were able to go on a ride that evening.  It was so much fun!  I think this is something that can really bring our family together as the years go by.  Henry was absolutely thrilled!  He loved riding with Dad and this has been a special thing that just they do together.  I have also loved going out with the kids in the morning.  It can be a lot of work pulling two kids, but I am getting stronger and healthier all the time:).



{water, neighbors, and...dirt}

Just a fun day in the hot sun with lots of water and lots of friends and LOTS of dirt. 

 I really did not think that I was going to be able to get Henry and Eliza's swimsuits clean.  The neighbor kids for some reason did not get as dirty as mine:).

This picture does not even begin to show how dirty this girl was.  I had to scrub until she cried.  She seriously looked like a coal miner.

{a treasure hunt}

Henry's preschool decided to have a treasure hunt outside on the museum grounds.

  The kids were so excited and they collected some great things.  We were told that parents could come watch and Eliza was thrilled to be a part of all the kids and the excitement.  There were even extra popsicles for the siblings afterward.  This was her first real popsicle and she just kept saying "yummy" and "like it".  Henry had a great time with his friends eventhough you can never tell from pictures:).

(Talmage, Henry, and Graham)

(Eliza sitting by her friend Gabriella)



{pigtails and sleepovers}

Eliza is finally starting to grow some more hair!  I decided to try and put her hair up in pigtails and it worked!  She is getting so big and she knows it!

* * * * * * * * * * *

Henry and Eliza decided to play "sleepover" in our bedroom.  They were so delighted with themselves and each other.

(must have:  lovies)

{a mother's day}

Let's face it...

sometimes Mother's Day is not all that it's cracked up to be:)!!

BUT, sometimes it is magical!

I had THE best Mother's Day I have had for a long time.

sleeping in late
strawberries with whipped cream

sweet kids

sweet husband

leisure morning

peaceful sacrament meeting

wonderful and delightful and thoughtful gifts

homemade cards

a dozen roses

more cards from husband

more presents

A NAP

dinner made by husband

dessert

sweet kids

 sweet husband

THANK YOU!!!

{for my kids:)}

{love mothering both of you!}

{race for a cure}

I am usually not a joiner.

 

I have never been a joiner.

I just never join anything, not a club or an organization, not anything.  This is the way I have always been.

  This year I joined a book club...I know!

  I own quite a few books and even have a library right off our entryway (it's supposed to be the dining room) and yet I have never in my life joined a book club. 

I don't know if it is a commitment problem:) or that I have never been that much into anything organized (sports, dance, etc.).  Hmmmm.

Well, I guess I am changing and evolving because I joined a race.

  There is a sister in my ward that is fighting breast cancer and the ward put together a team called "Susie's Angels".  The ward kept emailing about the details and it was also posted quite often on our yahoo group page.  I read it and kept thinking I wanted to do this for Susie and also to give my children that experience.  I waited and waited until the week of the race.  I had to pay a late fee, but I signed up and received some shirts for me and the kids.  Chris had to stay home and babysit painters:).

We got up early and got ready and were out the door. 

We had to park far away and walk up to where the race was being held.  I somehow forgot to make sure the ward knew I was going and I did not get added to the email list to find out where to meet up.  It ended up being just me and the kids and thousands of people.

It was so powerful!

There is something to be said about a group of people united in purpose with a clear voice proclaiming something important.

  Strangers walking with strangers and family walking with family.

  

I was hit with unexpected emotion as I walked with my two children among people who had signs on their backs telling of who they were walking for. 

Some were walking for their grandmothers. 

Some were walking for their aunts.

  Some were walking for their mothers.

  And some were walking for all three.

  The signs would say "In memory of..." if that person had passed away.  There was one sign on a child's back that really got to me.  It said that she was walking for her mommy! 
How heartbreaking and also perspective changing. 
This was an important teaching opportunity that I was able to reach Henry with in a very poignant way. 

It was a great experience to realize that there is power in joining and power in a group. 

 I thought of something else that I joined many years ago. 

I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

I became a member of a large group united with one purpose.  I have reaped the blessings of this amazing organization wherever I have lived. 

I have felt the power of a very large group of thousands of people in a conference center raising their hands to support a prophet. 

 I have felt the power of singing with a large group of people a fervent testimony of the restoration.

  I have felt the power of people loving people.
I have been given a sense of belonging and fellowship no matter where I live.
 I always have someone to call when I am in need.

...I guess I am a joiner.

  I am a member of the true church...how glad I am!

All those who belong to this church made a sacred covenant when baptized that they would comfort those that needed comfort and mourn with those that mourn.  As I walked among strangers with tears in my eyes I felt a similar feeling that I do in church.  People supporting each other and joining together to help everyone through the battle of life.
 That is power!

 

{new jammies}

Henry loves his pajamas! 

I am sure that is probably in part because of me and my unwavering love for my pajamas:).  It was time for new summer jammies and Henry was thrilled.  He tried them on and then wanted me to take a picture of him in them!  He knew he looked great!

 

{dressed up}

This was Eliza's Easter dress this year.  Easter was a very busy Sunday for us so pictures did not get taken.  Henry dresses himself now for church and his finishing touches were not quite on yet:)



{bed head}

A serious case of bed head.

(I guess it was a rough night:))

{miss independent}

Little Miss Eliza is now Little Miss Independent. 

 She is talking so much and can really say almost anything she wants.  Two of her favorite phrases are  "thank you mama" and "here mama".  She wants to be just like Henry and do everything that he does.  She wants to ride a bike and eat in a regular chair and dress herself, and drink and eat like Henry, etc..

She mostly loves to try and get clothes on.

  Usually it is a clothing item that belongs to Henry or Daddy.  One day I came into Henry's room and this is what I found...a very tiny girl in 5T jammies.  She was SO proud of herself.  It was a running late kind of morning and the bed did not get made and Henry's jammies were still on the floor.  Henry made it to preschool, but the mess was left...to Eliza's delight! 

(This is one of my favorite face expressions:  proud, accomplished and acting demure about it, no eye contact:))