January

 We've been back into the swing of school and life since coming back from Christmas break. Casey had three games the first week we got back from break and a couple the second. His team has pulled out a couple of wins during that time. He finished off the month and his season with three more games and won two of them! It was definitely one of his toughest years of coaching with only 6 girls and 2 borrowed for some of the season. He had sick and broken girls quite often this year and a lot of losses, but he did his best for the team. JV had their tournament yesterday and pulled out second place. He's got two weeks of districts and then State in a few weeks.  

Kendal is no longer a library aid or taking piano seminar. This Semester she gets to be in Photoshop and Greenhouse. She's happy with both classes and looks forward to what she gets to do. She does have the stress of a 50 hr ag project looming over her time this quarter, but she'll figure it out. Kendal's first BPA event was on 19th. She had to do an impromptu speach and a word / document event. Her topic (chosen right before) was about public speaking helps in life. She said it was hard to collect her thoughts and she felt scattered, but overall scored well. She took first in the word / document event and that launches her to State!! That same week she had to go take a test for her HOSA club on physical therapy. She spent a day at CSI this past week to do the in person physical test. She had to perform skills that a physical therapist would do. She took second in the event (out of two) but doesn't really know her score or how she did in comparison to others since they had to pull in a last min. judge and the whole thing seemed to be patched together. Even with all of this Kendal finds time to run winter track after school most days and keep up with her school work as usual. I've also volunteered Kendal to take tickets and do the score board this season for the Middle school to make a bit of money here and there. She honestly doesn't like doing it, but is thankfully willing and it doesn't hurt to earn some money along the way. 

Pete is taking PE this Semester and got out of a class by being Casey's aid for the rest of the year as well. He finished out his first Semester with all A's and were proud of his effort and hard work this year to make his grades better. Pete is kind of whatever about being a basketball manager this season. Despite the chill attitude Pete does well takes stats for each game and is doing a great job helping out and doing what's needed for the Coach and team. Pete had another cares event with friends in twin a couple of weeks ago. They had a movie night and made resolutions / talked about their accomplishments this past year. Pete got set apart as a Teacher this month. Watching him grow up and progress in his priesthood responsibilities had been so neat to watch. He is such a willing and happy / helpful young man. We are proud of his choices and the good young man he is becoming. Pete was asked to be the Secretary for the Teachers and was set apart today. (That makes Kendal, Pete, and I Secretaries for our callings. : )

Alice gets to start honors reader at school to finish out the school year. She got to have her first Valiant Activity Days this last week getting to know the new girls in their group and making goals for this year. Alice had a wonderful birthday which I wrote about in the last post. She has been in a birthday mindset for the whole month with decorations and obsessing about her party, the food, and the fun. I love her enthusiasm for celebrations and her party! Alice got to have a birthday party on the 23rd! She had a bunch of friends over for games and a movie night. It was such a fun time with a cute group of girls. Alice has been doing well in piano and we'll continue to work on skills and lessons with her this year. I'm hoping to put her in Winter swim lessons this coming month. We got some snow this month and Alice was more than happy to shovel with me, and get a snow angel in before it went away! 

 

A few extra pictures this month! Recess shenanigans that Shaylah caught at school. Sometimes they don't fight, but can handle life with each other. Pete is our Mango King!