Just keep swimming

Swim lessons started April 30th and this is the last week. Both Kendal and Peter have stepped it up this year and have improved and grown so much in their skills, confidence, and abilities. Casey and I have switched off keeping Alice at home knowing full well she'd end up fully clothed in the pool. Kendal has been working on dives, getting to know the more complicated strokes, and treading. Peter is learning about strokes, and treading. Both are set to pass their level Thursday!

  

 

We took the kids to the Home Depot to do their craft at the beginning of the month. Alice is getting more independent and even though she can't wield a hammer and shouldn't be left alone with a paint brush, she sure tried to do it without us. Peter loves to build and I'm sure he'll continue build "creations" this summer. Kendal loves to create so she's always happy to go.

  

  

Alice and I got to go to Peter's class the Friday before mothers day for a pastries with parents activity. Alice was everywhere in the chaos, but I was happy to get some time with Peter. He gave me a sweet note, flower, and read to me.

 

Our Darrington reunion came early this year because Cody will be unavailable most of the summer. We rented a big house near Lava for Mothers day weekend. We drove there Friday after school. The kids all ran around having so much fun. They played outside a lot, basketball, baseball, night games, movies, and we brought the water bottle rocket. Saturday we had an easy going morning. After lunch we went to Lava Hot springs to play for a couple of hours. The kids had a lot of fun! Alice is fearless in the water and was everywhere! Kendal went between the deep pool and kiddie pool. Peter wandered and played mostly in the little kid pool. The adults got in some great play time with loads of games over the weekend. Each night we pulled out games and stole an hour or so each day to play something while the kids were preoccupied. I got to snuggle sweet Madelyn all weekend and loved it!! Sunday was good. I let Casey stay in the room with Alice because he'd been up with her a handful of times during the night, so I went down and made breakfast for the crew since it was our turn to cook. We all had a nice morning together. Cheryl  got the kids to make cards for their mommies and give us a chocolate bar along with a lecture that they couldn't ask for some. (Even thigh they all did.) We all rolled out in the early afternoon. I drove, kendal read the whole way home, while the others napped. It was a wonderful weekend, full of fun, laughs, and memories!

  

  

Kendal ended her school year of piano last week. She put on a mini performance with David and Becca after her lesson. She's progressed this year but not without some struggle. She's realizing it can be hard work and practice needs to be a priority. (Whether she continues to keep those things in mind is another story) I will never force piano, but I want her to want this and realize her talent and the good job she's doing!

My parents debated when to come this month. They ended up choosing the Grandparents picnic at the kids school. They came Tuesday afternoon and got to watch Kendal and Peter at swim lessons. Afterwards we all ate out at Pizza pie cafe (Thanks mom and dad!). Wednesday was the Grandparents picnic at the school. Cheryl got to come too! We ate outside and then got dragged into the book fair. It was crazy busy and just annoying. (It'll be of limits from now on!) My parents were sweet and bought the kids a book (Kendal, wings of fire. Peter, Pokemon). We got to spend more time with my parents and had to say goodbye Thursday. Peter really wanted them to stay longer, but that's life. It wasn't a long visit, but the kids got quality time with them so it was good!

 

 

Kendal met her AR goal (reading) and then some. (Little lady is such a book worm ; ). They had their party this past Friday. The kids got to go to the high school to play games. Kendal was more excited to see Brook and Meadow than the party! She came home with a big smile and a Fox face paint!

Track starts this week. The kids had to make up a Swim lesson Monday so I had Casey take them Saturday to practice. Casey said Peter impressed him (let's hope athletic Peter not stubborn Peter comes out at the meets) Kendal is determined and will have a good season. Their first meet us tomorrow!
Monday night the kids went strait from swim to Kendal's chior concert. Kendal gave a great performance and I'm so proud of her dedication this past year! She's learned the songs and sang them so much Peter's picked up a bit and even Alice learned "won won lost boy"! From the Peter pan song (also probably why she's called Pete Peter Pan lately.

Peter got to celebrate his birthday at school Monday. He requested doughnuts and Capri Sun as his treat. Each birthday kid gets to stand on their desk as they're sung to. The class got a bonus surprise when another students mom came in with a live piglet to gift to Peter's teacher Miss Breeding at the end of the school day. (She loves pigs and has lots of stuffed ones around her classroom. The pig will join her five goats and chicks at home!) Lots of happy chaos! Alice didn't know what to think, but loved being surrounded by the happy kids, eating a snack and talking about a piggy.

Today was Kendal's field trip to the fish hatchery and fossil beds nearby. I ended up not being able to go because James was to sick for Vanessa to take Alice for me. Thankfully the rain that hit us didn't follow them and they had a good day!

Casey has had a busy month as well, between testing and othst end of the year happenings he's had to condense and change his plans and projects for school. At least he's been able to steal away some time to see Captain Marvel and Endgame!
Our packed week continues with babysitting, track, Swim, and feeding the elders. School's out next week. I can do this! (I think ; )
And just for smiles: little lady and all her business and silliness! Plus my three little loves!

 

 

April showers. . . bring on the Mayhem

The day before Easter we went to Raft River. All of the siblings made it this year!! 16 grand babies! I stole and snuggled sweet Madelyn for a good part of the day!! We hung out while the kids had fun playing around the house and outside. After lunch the kids got to do an egg hunt outside. Casey's mom always goes all out for the hunt. The kids are very spoiled and very happy!

 

  

Easter Sunday Casey got to stay home from extra meetings! Kendal and Peter found their baskets quickly and set to work finding their colored grass. Alice slept in longer, and had plenty of help finding her goodies. I didn't get pictures of the hunt (just enjoyed the moment, chaos, and joy.) Each kid got new summer sandals and a shirt. Kendal and Peter got a little Lego figure. Each child got an activity book. Kendal got Mad Libs, Peter a maze book, and Alice got a coloring book. The older two got gel pens with their books. Alice got a Pez bunny also. Church was great! I snapped a couple of pictures after church of our trio (too windy outside). I'm so grateful for my little family. Because of Him they are my forever!

 

 

Wednesday for story time the Library did an Easter hunt. There were 700 eggs for seven kids to hunt down. Alice gave up after a bit and started putting her eggs back. They ended by handing in their eggs for one filled with candy.
That afternoon I went with the youth to do baptisms in the Temple. It's always a good experience (even if I'm stuck on locker room duty every time).  After the temple, we had a dinner for the youth at the church. Because I was gone, Casey took the kids to Arctic circle for dinner (Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the Easter gift!)

 
Last week was Peter's turn to do the math club that built mini bunk beds. He enjoyed the club, but was more excited to use the big tools on Thursday when everyone who did the club this last month and their parents went to the school to build real beds. Peter quickly found he couldn't handle, and wasn't given, the big tools, but he got to help here and there. Kendal was at a screwing station for a while, then tried to handle a sander for a couple of minutes. Both kids goofed off and wandered for part of the build, but it is hard for smaller kids and the oldest group plus parents kind of took over. I found myself sanding for an hour and a half trying to keep track of a wandering Alice who happily found a bucket of ice with water bottles. The kids were very proud of the little beds they built and what we were able to do in the big build.

 

  

We took the kids swimming Saturday to  prep them for their lessons this week. (Learning from past years they need a refresher and warm up before lessons start.) Alice was a bit cold but still enjoyed herself. We encouraged (cough cough bribed cough cough) Kendal to swim across the width of the pool and she did! Peter was confident and happy which is great going into lessons.
We had a ward dinner that night at the park. The kids ate their fill of treats over dinner and played with their church buddies. Alice stole helmets and wore them for a bit, followed kids across the street, and got down on all fours to lick her brothers cookie for him. So eventful and fun all around.

 

The kids started swim this week. They have two lessons under their belts and are doing good and growing in skill already.  I didn't think I could keep Alice from the water so I took her swimming Tuesday. She's definitely fearless and wanted to be in the deep end like brother and sister. She was everywhere! Thankfully, track is done now and Casey kept her today so I could just watch the other two without my active sidekick.

 

 

 Casey is officially done with track for the season. His boys had a good season and overall won most meets. It's getting harder for the students to come in with a good drive and work ethic anymore in sports. While there are a few who give it their all the rest of the kids lost steam by the end. : (  I'm proud of Casey and the dedication, time, and heart he puts into coaching and teaching; theses kids are so lucky to have him!
We have a busy month ahead. The kids have swim, then track starts in a couple of weeks. Darrington get together is next weekend. Field trips, tests, plus other school happenings, then school ends. Piano, and choir performances. We'll be busy, and I'm sure it will go fast.