Good times

Kendal and Peter finished swim lessons last week. Both passed their classes and both are excited to practice and continue growing and getting better this summer.
 The kids got to go off the diving board in life jackets on their last day! Kendal loved it. Peter had to be coaxed, then "helped" down so he only went two times than swam on his own for a bit.

Mom, Dad, and Katherine came up for the weekend. We enjoyed some leisure time Saturday morning then went in to Twin to explore and visit a few places. Mom and Dad were so awesome and took us out to dinner that evening. We watched the Princess Bride that night. "Inconceivable!"

Sunday was my parents Anniversary!! (Happy 35 years Kenny + Cheryl, and Mom + Dad) We are lucky and blessed to have you as parents and love you all so very much!
We all went to church. Casey sang a wonderful song with the choir. After church we ate some pork roast and then brownies before Mom, Dad, and Katherine headed out. After they left we had the kids watch Pirates of the Caribbean. (At first they didn't love the Pirates, but after a while they found it all funny.) We are two weeks away from our Disney trip with a few movies left to see. We're all excited to go and get our Disney on!!
Kendal has four days of class left and two days of field trips to finish out her school year. She's excited to be a first grader this fall! Casey will finish up classes on the 3rd and his teacher work day is on the sixth. Then we get a summer of wonderful family time!

Just keep swimming

The kids have had swim lessons for the past three weeks, and will have their final two lessons this week. Kendal is doing very well. She's getting better at going longer distances before stopping to catch her breath, and she's getting down the basic strokes very well. She loves her little class and enjoys learning and practicing her skills. Peter is doing well. He's picking up on skills and trying hard to impress his teacher. He'll even look my way throughout the lesson for a thumbs up and gives me a thumbs up back. It's his first year so he still doesn't have floating mastered, but that's something we can work on this summer.

A couple of Monday's ago we finally pushed Kendal into pulling her second tooth out. Kendal's new tooth was growing in towards her tongue and she was resistant to get the baby tooth gone. It was a battle leading up to it and we knew we just needed to get it over with. The pliers even had to come out this time. After many tears, and only two pulls the tooth was free. We're just hoping the rest of her teeth are easier / less of a fight or else the tooth fairy is going to need a raise.

Friday the 6th we had a little family outing with a couple of errands followed by dinner and frozen yogurt. The kids were happy to finally redeem their yogurt coupons and watch Toy Story. Saturday we went into the kids workshop at Home Depot. The kids built bird houses. The kids had a bit of help starting the nails, but they did the rest of the project on their own. While waiting for the paint to dry Peter found a lady bug that he talked to for a bit.

This past Wednesday the Kindergartners went on a field trip to a local Nursery. Peter and I went along to "help". The kids got a tour of the green houses and different plants and tree's. They got to plant a pumpkin seed and then enjoyed some popcorn before heading back to school. Peter loved following the other kids around the nursery.

Yesterday we wanted to get out and enjoy the nice day. We decided to go to Rock Creek Park. We followed the path and played some disc golf. After our walk the kids had fun playing on the play ground.

Casey finished track two weeks ago. The boys won the district meet and the 8th grade girls won too. We've got three weeks of school left!! Casey found out he'll be moving to seventh grade next year. Another teacher is required through his masters to teach the subject content Casey was to be given next year, SOOO Casey will be going down a grade and teaching world history to the seventh graders this coming year. (Not ideal, but he'll work with it because he's awesome like that!)


extra : )

 Red nose day fun!                         Peter played with his cars in his helmet.

Love you

Lately I've dwelt on my insecurities and shortcomings as a mother. It's easy to get swept up in the things I wish I could do better as a mom. Amongst all of the mothers day messages at church today the one that struck me the most came from my Bishop. He spoke of young mothers being in the thick of things, and things may not always be easy. But what matters is trying. If we are trying we are succeeding, even if it's not always prevalent. So I will try to go forward trying a little more everyday to seek the good in motherhood and try my best to be the mother I hope to be.
Last week as my Nana watched my kids play around she made a comment about it being amazing she had seven kids because just watching my two made her feel busy.
I often think about my mom, mom-in-law, and grandmother's. They raised many children. They did it in different generations where there weren't modern convienences current mothers can't live with out. They raised large, wonderful families. They are the ultimate examples I look up to in many many ways. I love them for all they have done and continue to do. I marvel at their amazing work. Thank you for your care, your love, your sacrifices, and your examples. I love you all.
To my sister. Your motherly influence reaches father than you know. Your work is special as are you.
To my sister in law's; in the trenches of young motherhood; you are amazing as well, and you are appreciated and loved more than you know.
Happy mommies day my wonderful family!

play, swim, love, repeat

Middle school Track is winding down. The last two meets were at home. The kids and I went to the meet two weeks ago. The kids got a general view of the different events and learned a bit more about track. They spotted Daddy and Uncle Brett. Casey was busy helping wherever needed so we watched him and yelled at him from a distance. Kendal started running fast back and forth along the side of the track to "show" her speed. Casey took her to practice that Friday. She enjoyed herself. She ran the bleachers with the kids, got to know the students, and hid in the team room when the wind / weather got to bad. Casey's last meet is tomorrow in Filer. The students / athletes should do well (most likely win!).
We went to see cousin David play soccer a week and a half ago. It's definitely entertaining to watch Kindergartners play. He was distracted but did well. The kids had fun on the sidelines watching and bugging each other.

Sunday the 24th we had Casey's parents, Terry - Sarah + their trio, and Brett - Vanessa + their trio over for dinner. Thankfully we were in between rainy days so the kids could play and enjoy time outside. We enjoyed a baked potato bar and caught up with each other while the kids ran wild all around.
Any sunny day the kids get the go out and ride bikes with the neighbor kids. It's an almost daily thing and they're happy to finally have some younger kids in our little street to enjoy time with. 
This past week the kids started swim lessons. Peter has never been a pool / lake lover, but it was time to put him in lessons. He protested and wasn't happy so I have an incentive going that if they are good during lessons and try they'll get an extra prize from our Disney trip next month. Kendal is the top in her class and doing so well. She floats like a champ and is working on strokes and holding her breath better as she swims. Peter surprised me by being very cooperative and great in lessons. He loves his teacher and will do whatever she says. Normally he clings to Casey and I and wont go into depths of any water. His teacher has him doing everything. He was even floating on his own (till he realized his teacher wasn't holding him then he'd drop). We are amazed at how well he does for others (church teachers, swim, etc.). I guess he just chooses to show his stubborn side with mom and dad : /.

My Dad contracted a serious infection and was hospitalized for almost a week. It's been very rough on him and we hope he continues to recover and get better. The kids and I went down Friday to spend the weekend at my parents. For the first time in my life I push mowed a lawn. (I had a friend in high school who lost her toes mowing the lawn and I had three capable siblings to do it growing up so I had excuses to get out of it.) (Casey pointed out I have mowed with a ridding mower many times though.) The kids were happy to see Grandpa and Grandma. We got to see Katherine, David, Anica, Elliot, and even a small bit with Campbell during the weekend. The kids snuggled and watched movies with Grandpa and played around with Katherine. We ran errands with Grandma and tried to be helpful. After church Sunday the kids went with me to pick up Nana and we got to enjoy her company for dinner along with Mom, Dad, David, Anica, and Elliot. We were grateful for the short visit, and hope my Dad is on the mend and feeling better each day.

Above pictures (Elliot, he played peek a boo with me and made sweet car sounds all weekend with tractors and cars.) ( Peter in his play zone.) (Kendal got a tractor with battery powered wheels twisted up in her hair. It was a good fifteen minutes and many tears / yelling to free it.) (Treats with Grandpa, wouldn't be Grandma and Grandpa's house without sweets.) (Kendal swipes my phone lately and had some selfie time.)