Preschool

Preschool was at our house this week. The topics were obedience and decisions. On Tuesday the kids learned about preschool rules and local rules aka "laws". We learned about the letter K by tracing k's and doing rubbings of keys on paper. We had a heart hunt around the house. The shape of the week was a heart and our number to learn was 11 so the kids had to find the hearts in numerical order. This was the only glitch in the day. Kendal had found most of the hearts by the time preschool had started so I had to hold her back during the activity. I also didn't anticipate kids not knowing what numbers looked like. I would call out a number and some of the kids were clueless as to which number went with what I said. We read some books about characters/animals with good/bad consequences; and then had free time. The kids were very into basketball and Mini's house.
On Thursday the kids learned about decisions and choices. I stripped down the lesson and made the day all about choices. The kids got to pick from activities that I set up, craft, snack, and stories. The kids liked the freedom to do what they liked; I kept group time to a minimum only to talk about decisions. We had Becca join us for the day. She and Kendal made heart owls and the boys made dogs (they went on a barking and hooting spree after).
I learned more about how different kids can be. How they act, and what they know. Kids all have different personalities and ways of learning. Kendal is a very vocal learner. She wants to talk, be involved, and absorb everything. She was definitely my most active participator (but that might have been because it was home and she was answering Mommy). It was a good week and as usual Kendal cannot wait for the next day of preschool to see her friends and learn some more.

I wish there were pictures to go along with this post but Casey had the camera because he was talking videos of plays for his students and parent night.

What big sisters are for

Kendal fills her role as a big sister to a tee. She likes to be in the know of things, she likes to be in charge, she loves bossing her brother around, she's good at picking on her brother, and she smothers him - which means when I say give your brother a hug she tackles him, when I say give him a kiss she squishes his face.
The other day Kendal wanted a dance party. I told her she could put on a dress while I found the music. Kendal made Peter put on her pink tutu to dance around. He didn't love being shoved into the tutu, but enjoyed spinning around to music with his sister. A few days later he came to me with the tutu in hand and wanted it on. We had another dance party with both spinning around having a blast. About a week ago Kendal had on her fairy wings during the day. Later that night Peter came out with the wings and kept saying on to me. I put the wings on him and he happily played for a while (until he realized he couldn't climb as well with them). There are many aspects of Kendal being the big sister that can be frustrating, (pushing, telling her brother what to do, taking his toys, etc.) but moments like this when it works out and they both have fun it's nice to see.

 (I know Peter will dislike these pictures in the future, but for now they are a sweet reminder of life at this age.)

Casey and I -
Casey is officially half done with his school year. He's enjoying this year (minus a few pesky kids in some classes; but nobody can escape those).
Out of Casey's 15 + basketball games his team has played this season they have only lost one so far. The rest they have won and sometimes smashed the other team. We went and watched a game last week where the final score 48 to 1. Even with injuries making things hard at times his team has pushed through and played very hard this season. He has four more games this month and will then be done coaching the C team. JV and Varsity will have districts and State in the month of February. JV should do well, Varsity we'll see.
Right now I'm doing two callings for the ward. I teach the 8 year old class in primary. This is my third year in primary. I taught little kids with Casey in Logan, Primary Chorister in Challis, and now 8 yr olds. I enjoy primary and have a good group of kids. I am still the ward chorister for sacrament meeting. I was promised a release, but they asked me Sunday if I could go a bit longer. I was hoping for a release but I'll work with it.
I am babysitting two to three times a week. They are good kids, but are very indulged at home which is not how I run things. I am not one to coddle or let kids have things their way. Overall I'm fine with it, and the extra money doesn't hurt either.
Next week is my turn again for preschool. As long as I go with the flow and go into the week prepared, it will be a good week. Kendal loves everything about preschool. This month she has learned my phone number as a goal in school. She put a little song to it and now has it memorized.

Happy Day!

On Saturday we got to go down to Draper and see my brother Andy get married. Andy and Carly were married in sweet and simple ceremony. Kendal was thrilled she got to see the wedding. Kendal had a lot of fun running around with Lyla and dancing. Peter was happy to eat food and flirt with everyone there. We are all happy with the marriage and the new addition of two new cousins in the family. Carly has two sweet kids Rexton and Lyla. How wonderful they are speaks volumes about the kind of woman Carly is. We are happy for the cute couple and hope all of the best for them and their children.

Sorry about the quality of pictures. (I'm still learning how to use the new camera)

 Pictures above:
Lyla didn't want to be in pictures. Kendal was thrilled to get some flowers.. Carly's sister-in-law was even a good sport and played ring around the rosies with them.

We added a couple of things to the day. Before the wedding we stopped off at Ikea. Never been there and I wanted a couple of things. David and Anica were about to leave when we went in. They hung out with us for a bit and fed the kids so we could get our items. It was a hastle to change Kendal and Peter thus making us a bit tardy for the wedding, but we made it, messy hair, no tights, and all.
After the wedding we went bowling. A bit different for a wedding day activity but if was fun. Peter went home with my Dad because he was bushed. The newly weds and their crew joined us. As usual we got schooled by Anica with Casey coming in a close second.
We said goodbye to the happy couple and headed to Logan; with a stop at Maddox of course. (We didn't want to drive all the way back to Kimberly that night.) We went to church with my parents, spent time with the family, and headed home.

New Years

We had a low key New Year's Eve this year. Casey was scheduled to have basketball practice, but the girls talked them out of if so he had an unexpected night off. For the past couple of years we've gotten to be around family and have some fun game nights with Kendal staying up way way too late. This year we were happy to have a fun night at home making pizza and a special treat with the kids, we made blower's and put the kids to bed on time. Casey and I watched Superman, and the bonus features till 11:40 got ready for bed, kissed at midnight and went to bed ourselves. It was a simple and perfect for us this year.
I do have a few New Years goals this year. I want to drink more water and be more physically fit. I don't need to loose weight but I know I could be in better shape than I am. I'm doing well with the water, but I detest being cold, and running so we'll see what I can do to get fit.
Another goal I have this year, which is my main goal is to be a better role model for my kids. I don't count myself as a bad Mom, but I have my moments of impatience and times when I could do or say things differently.
Joseph B. Wirthlen stated.
"The things that you say, the tone of your voice, the anger or calm of your words - these things are noticed by your children and by others. They see and learn both the kind and unkind things we say or do. Nothing exposes our true selves more than how we treat one another in the home."
I connect with these words because sometimes I see how Kendal is with her brother and I wonder if I taught her that. It is my and Casey's job to teach, nurture, and love our kids. I am doing my best to go into this year harboring more patience with what life dishes out and being a good role model for my kids to learn from and follow.

Friends

A few years ago we had to say goodbye to our dear friends the Spear's as they left for grad school  in Washington. When they come down to visit family twice a year we try to sneak in some time to get together. Casey grew up with Rhett and we spent the early years of our marriage living near each other. They are true and wonderful friends; I'm glad we know them.
We got together over Christmas break to visit with them. Rhett and Aria now have three little ladies. Jenae, Brooke, and Kylie; all cute and sweet (even if Brooke won't smile for me ; ). We played around Aria's parents home and got to catch up with each other. We went out and skated / walked on the ice pond that was outside the house. This is probably the second time Casey has put skates on; he did well but didn't love trying to keep his balance. Kendal kept falling on the ice, but had Jenae to help and give smiles so she was good. We pulled out lawn chairs and pushed the kids around. Peter liked going around in the chair until he tried walking and fell.
It's always good to see the Spears' and we hope this next year brings them closer to us again so we can have more fun times together!