He's three! + our happenings

Our last week was pretty casual with a few going ons. Wednesday we met up with Aria and her girls at the new park in Twin. The kids had so much fun playing all over the fun equipment. The girls especially loved the track swing that zoomed them across part of the playground. (p.s. the first time Casey has ever gotten motion sickness was sitting on these spin chairs at the park that just keep going around and around and around.)

Thursday we took the kids swimming at the Y pool. Kendal was so happy to be back where her lessons were and Peter had to warm up to the idea of swimming. The pool was a lot more crowded than I thought, but we still found spots to wiggle and move around. Kendal was showing off her skills to us and loved every minute of the pool. Peter enjoyed the shallow end where he could wander freely, and went down the little slide a bit, but as soon as we put on life jackets to go into the deep part he just wanted to cling to us or edge his way up and down the side of the pool. We pulled him off a few times to try and enjoy the open water, but he liked being able to hold his own (ground, wall, or the skin off our backs ; ). Kendal loved being able to float without trying in her life vest and was sad when we made our way back to the kiddie area.

We went to the school to eat lunch twice this week once on Thursday and once on Friday. After our lunch on Friday we took our kites over to the park to take advantage of the optimal wind conditions. Kendal and Casey had the butterfly kite up and down many many times and the duck kite flew the whole time with Peter holding it for a bit, then chasing its shadow for a while.
My parents and sister came up Friday night to spend the weekend and celebrate Peter's birthday with us. We attempted kite flying with them again Friday evening but the wind had died down to much, so the duck kite never really flew and the butterfly kite gave a couple of feeble attempts before we gave up. It was  a nice relaxing time though in the shade enjoying a summer evening.
Saturday morning we hit up a couple of stores in Twin and then had a picnic lunch at the park in Kimberly. It was hot but the shade was nice and the kids enjoyed being outside. Saturday afternoon we decided to hit up some of the parade of homes in the area. We made our way to five houses. I envied all of the tubs and wondered why some people dump money into different things in homes. It was a good time out of the heat though in air conditioned homes with a couple of cookies along our journey. My parents treated us to Applebee's for dinner. After dinner Kendal, Peter, and Katherine had a Mario kart fest till the kids went to bed.

 Sunday we got to celebrate Peter's birthday and Father's day. After a pancake breakfast we let the boys open their gifts. Peter was so happy with all of his cars loot from my parents and sister, and was so happy playing the rest of the morning with the gifts he received. After lunch we went to church. We left a bit early and headed out to Casey's parents for dinner. We had a wonderful dinner and had a nice time being together. We sang to Peter and ate cake and he got to open a t-ball set from Grandma and Grandpa D. The kids spent most of the time playing outside or downstairs with the little kitchen. It was a nice evening and a good way to end our father's day and Peter's birthday.

Peter's the yet old stats. Weight 28 lb, height 35 3\4 in. He's still on the small side of the scale, but he's higher percentages than he's ever been before! 

Peter is 3

Peter is a daily source of laughter in our home. He says and does funny things that make us smile and wonder where this ball of laughs came from.
Peter is generally good and easy going. However he has a good stubborn side to him which comes out when he's tired, or when things aren't going his way. When he's in his stubborn \grumpy mood he tends to hit and throw things, we can't get him to do anything, and he gives a great glare. (Terrible twos came at the end of being two and seem to be rolling over into the tyrannosaurus threes.)
Peter has an engineers mind. He loves to create with his Lego's, and is inventive with his toys. He is always trying to figure things out, how they work and how they come apart ; ).
We never know how Peter will be meeting people. Sometimes he's friendly and will play \ flirt with people. Other times he wants to cling to mom and dad for a bit then he'll warm up and be friendly.
Peters favorite things to do are ride his bike, play Lego's, and play with his cars. Peter loves his bike that he got from Campbell. He took to the biggest bike quickly and lives to maneuver it all around. He still goes for his little trike when he's in the mood to collect rocks or go fast down our neighbors sloped driveway. When were outside if Peter isn't riding his bike we can find him digging in the dirt.
He still has a general fear of animals. Dogs scare him (with time though he can warm up a bit like he did to chum my uncle's dog), and he's weary of cats. If ones around he won't play he'll just watch it to make sure it's not coming to get him.
Peter and Kendal get along pretty well these days. The only downside to this is they'd rather talk and play together instead of going to bed at night.

Interview with Peters favorites -
Color: "blue, like my bed"
Toy: "lightning mcneen"
Animal: "monkey"
(After these questions Peter turned into his stubborn self and stopped giving answers so we filled in some, and gave up on the rest.)
Food: peanut butter
Song: bang bang choo choo train, the dance, & over the rainbow
Snack: yogurt, bananas, or fish crackers
TV show: dinosaur train
Favorite comfort items: his monkey and blue dot blanket that he won't sleep without.
Nicknames: buddy

Plus happy father's day to my amazing husband and daddy to my dynamic duo, to my sweet father in law, and my wonderful Papa Pill! You three men are so special to Kendal, Peter, and me! Love you all!

Sad Goodbye & weekly happenings

Sometimes things happen that make you more appreciative of what you have, that make you pause and thank the heavens that your trials are indeed few compared to so many others. Casey's cousin and his wife lost their baby this past weekend. Their last obgyn appointment there was a good heartbeat; sadly though she passed away sometime over the weekend and was silently born early Tuesday. We attended the funeral Saturday morning. The spirit was so strong and the messages were focused on Christ and his atonement. I know all the challenges we suffer through in our lives have already been taken on by Christ. He knows our trials, has felt our pain, and makes it possible for us to be whole again. I'm grateful for the Holy Ghost that comforts like nothing else can. I'm grateful for the plan of salvation that leads us back to Heaven to be with our father in Heaven, to be whole in body and spirit, and to live again with those we've loved and lost.

 Our week:
Monday we had David, Becca, and Thomas over. We took the kids to the park to play and had a picnic lunch.

Tuesday we pulled out the little pool and the kids had a fun afternoon out playing in the water.
Wednesday the kids and I went to our weekly library time then met Casey at the school for their summer lunch program. We had another afternoon of pool time. Peter has a love hate relationship with the pool. He'll love it for a while playing and splashing. Then something will happen and he'll be grumpy and refuse to go in the pool for a bit.
Thursday we walked to the schools for lunch then played a short round of Frisbee golf around the middle school. We had another afternoon in our little pool where the kids did a lot of ring around the Rosie's and jumping in the pool.
We're enjoying the relaxed days of summer with daddy at home. We're back to our weekly Popsicle making, art projects and outside fun (till the heat gets to us). Casey has basketball practice Monday through Thursday nights this month.

 Friday afternoon we headed out to Raft River to spend the night and attend the funeral Saturday. The kids played outside a bit, and got to go for a ride with Grandpa Saturday morning.

After the funeral we caught up with Rhett, Aria, and their trio of girls. We went to emerald lake to picnic and fish. After a bit of no one getting bites we decided to head over to part of the snake river to fish. Everyone was able to catch a fish while there. The kids mostly wanted to play with the worms, explore, and throw rocks. I ended up manning Kendal's pole and caught three fish. Two let go on their own, but Casey had to come to the rescue me with the last to unhook it because I sure wasn't going to.

end of. . .

This week marked the end of school for Casey and Kendal.We went to the park on Wednesday with the other preschoolers and mom's for a picnic lunch to end out the preschool year. Kendal has enjoyed her year with these kids and their Mom's. She's ready and excited to go to Kindergarten this fall.
Below is our attempt at an end of the year picture.

Casey had testing Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday was an Eighth grade celebration, and year book day. Thursday the students went swimming; Casey stayed back and cleaned up his room. Friday he finished up his list of to dos,and  played some softball with the other teachers. The kids and I took some doughnuts to the middle school to share with the teachers and Casey for national doughnut day.

Casey and I have never had a night away from the kids. Vanessa offered to have the kids overnight so we gratefully took the opportunity to have a night off on Friday. We took over some carne asada and ate a delicious dinner before we left the kids. We went to see the movie Tomorrowland. It was decent as far as Disney flicks go; we didn't leave blown away but we enjoyed the movie and it was a good story. After the movie we went to Sonic for a late night shake. We talked for a while and enjoyed our treat.
Saturday was my birthday. The kids were dropped off early and we had a casual morning at home watching the French open. After that we picked up some tennis balls and headed to the park in Kimberly to play with the kids. Kendal enjoyed learning to play and I just had to keep reminding Pete not to bash my rackets on the ground. Casey's Mom came up and treated us to lunch then watched the kids so Casey and I could go to the Temple. It was nice to be able to go to the Temple with Casey, it doesn't happen often. It was special to go because on my birthday nine years ago I was endowed. We even got to see one of the newer temple videos! (A million thanks to Vanessa, Brett, and Mom D! Two dates in two days was a dream come true and made for a wonderful birthday!)

Before dinner we set up the Croquet set in our backyard (The jungle grass had finally been mowed after over a month of growth.) The kids shot their balls all over while Casey and I played (Casey win both games, no shock there ; ). Thanks to a birthday gift card to Sizzler from my parents we went out for dinner. Afterwards we had some Gelato ice cream at home. We ended our night with some Crocodile Dundee for some laughs.
Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday. It was truly a great way to start out this year that will end my twenties.

Blessing and more

Kendal ended her swim lessons this past week. We're very proud of her for being brave and doing her best in her lessons. She passed her level and we'll keep working on her new skills this summer. She's had a blast and and is itching to go back. Pete wants to join so I think we'll probably have both kids in lessons next year.

Friday night after swim we went and spent the night in raft river. We got to spend time with Casey's parents and Cody. We heard about their fun trip to Alaska and got to see pictures. We put the kids to bed and watched the imitation game. It's a decent movie that came from a true story during WWII.
Saturday we went to Logan. We made or usual trip to Gossners for flavored milk then took a bunch back for lunch at my parents. Everyone was there and we spent a great afternoon together eating, watching the kids play, and catching up. My Mom and Katherine put together lunch and a yummy cake to celebrate my birthday a week early. My Uncle Tony came by and had his dog Chun with him. Peter freaked out at the sight of the dog, but with some coaxing and time he got more comfortable with the dog and was willing to walk him around on his leash by the end of the visit. We roasted mallow after dinner with the kids. After dinner we watched Paddington; the kids loved it!

Sunday we got to go and see sweet Elliot and his Sessions cousin Alexis blessed. After the meeting we went to a park in Hyde Park where we ate and played. Kendal, Peter, and Campbell played with my cousin Paula's two boys Spencer and AJ. It was so nice to see family and enjoy the good weather.

Afterwards headed back to my parents house and let the kids play some more. We ate some dinner and headed for home around the kids bed time. Foolishly we were thinking they'd fall a asleep. Kendal gave up around 10:40, Pete went out quickly but had a night terror that took a bit to calm him down from.

Today should have been Kendal's last preschool day but it was canceled due to pink eye. So we're doing our own crafts and looking forward to a park play day with our preschool buddies to end out the year on Wednesday.