Marching into sunny days

Casey started track this past week. He's got a good group of kids this year and thankfully the weather's been decent and looks good (for now) this week. Casey has Judy duty this month. The first week he was put on a case that got settled the day before sho he cancelled his sub and didn't go in. This past week he went in Wednesday, but wasn't ultimately selected. So he's up for another case this coming Tuesday. It's been obnoxious for him to have to plan for subs, cancel, take important days off, and have everything shift around this. : / Two more weeks, two more weeks.
Peter has been in a reading program since January. This will be his last week. His teacher didn't push him doing it, but I figured it couldn't hurt so we've dubbed it reading club and he's been positive about it. I've seen a difference and am grateful it's added some confidence to his reading. He's gotten into his first chapter book series!! It's called Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol. . .It's challenging him just enough and he's enjoying the story line. Peter is thrilled the warm weather is back, playing outside, skating, riding his bike. Peter is also making strides with his attitude. While he can still have a short fuse; he is managing his temper and controlling himself better. Positivity and focusing on the good has been our best tool.
Last weekend I got to go to the Stake women's conference. The speakers were very good, and I felt uplifted and enlightened.  While I was gone Casey took the kids over to the school. The older two roller bladed around while Alice played around.

This past week my beehives picked interior design for our activity so I put on my Pinterest hat and taught them about design style, incorporating it in their space, and a bit on organizing. I love HGTV, and organizing. My own style is very simple and wah wah to most, but it's something that interests me.
Kendal received an award (that she earned back in December) of student of the month for generosity. I'm proud of this little lady. She often gets overlooked with a little brother who is more to manage and a  little sister in the middle of everything. She is such a good soul and really cares about everybody. I've tried to  support her more during piano practice and she's doing great passing off her songs! This past week she had achievement days. She learned how to conduct and made a batton.



Yay for warmer weather! Peter's thrilled about it, and even Alice is begging to wing and blow bubbs. Let's hope this earth weather sticks. I'm done with the iffy weather, but can't help that where we live.


Alice keeps us laughing and busy everyday. Alice is all about books and would read them all day with me. She has her favorites and is also into the look and find books. She'll scour them too find the things. She's also still obsessed with Anna and Elsa. She requests the Anna song daily and still sings randomly. Here's some accessory of the days to add a smile to the post. The

Story time at the library always celebrates the holidays a week late. The little kids got to decorate cans and pass out Valentines. Alice decorated and un-decorated her can with stickers then gave out "tandy" to the other kids. A couple of days later we cashed in Peter's Book-It's he's earned and got some Pizza Hut. Later that night Alice found a piece of Pete's pizza, put it into her Valentine can, settled in next to Daddy and ate her Pizza, then sang into the can for a bit.

We seem to have a lot of general weeks with regular happenings then weeks that are very full. So two weeks ago was our typical week, and this past one was full of the following extras:
It was Dr. Seuss week at school. The kids wore green on Monday. Peter got to eat green eggs and ham at school (and he liked them Sam I am)! Tuesday was character day; both kids wore stars on their stomachs and were sneeches. Wednesday was wacky Wednesday. Peter went pretty crazy with just odd socks. Kendal was in a mismatched outfit, with two different socks and lopsided pig tails. Thursday was read ins so the kids wore sweats and happily took their loveys and blankets to school.

Peter had the first grade patriotic assembly Tuesday. The kids did a great job with their songs. There were eight songs they all did and each class did an individual song. Peter knew the words, did the actions, and made me so proud! Alice on the other hand was a handful, but we made it through with hi-chews and letting sitting down expectations go.

 

Casey had parent teachers Tuesday and Wednesday night. Not his favorite, but he survives. Friday we had off of school. Casey and his Dad headed up to State boys basketball for the day and watched a handful of games including Declo and Kimberly play.

I had a lip sync battle with the beehives Wednesday. I pulled out an awesome rendition of "you're welcome" from Moana. (With a side of crazy Peter joining in.) Alice circled and "sang" as the girls did their songs with the kids being a bit much all around us. It was fun to see the girls personalities come out more and have a fun night without focus on goals and have tos. I got a much needed break the next night going to Sips with some gals from the ward. Indulged in some treats and night off win win!

My parents and Katherine decided to get away for the weekend and come and see us. The kids waited (not patiently) all day for their arrival Friday. Like my Dad said Skype just can't compete with a real visit and the kids loved having them come.
Saturday we left Alice with Katherine and my parents so we could hop over and see Bryker baptized. He's one of four cousins getting baptized this year. I love the spirit that comes with Baptism and the priceless family time.
While we were gone my parents took Alice around town to a few places and to eat. She loved the bookstore, pulling out books and animals to enjoy. ( 100% busybody ; ) Later that afternoon Dad treated Peter and Kendal to a some fun at the climbing gym. Kendal did great and kept pushing herself more, just her height restricts her abilities, because she is fearless otherwise. Peter  is getting a bit braver, but he's also on the short end so his abilities will continue with time. We all meet up at panda express for dinner. Not really the kids jam (not what mommy makes at home) and Alice was enjoying freedom to run amuck, but delicious for Casey and I. (Eating out these days isn't easy.) We all went to church this morning and had a nice meal and gospel discussion over dinner. It was a nice weekend visit!

  

Bonus pictures that make me smile. : ) 

 

 

End of basketball and more.

Peter had his last two Basketball games on the 2nd, and 9th. His team won their game on the second. His team was short a few players on the ninth, so Peter played almost the whole game. It ended in a loss, but I was so proud of his willingness to get in there and play! He's grown a lot this season and gotten comfortable with the game. He says he enjoyed basketball and wants to play again! The high school girls lost on the fourth and were officially out of the tournament, so no state this year. (Can't say I'm super bummed about it though ; )

After Peter's game on the second we went into town to do the Home depot craft. Since we were late they were out of the scheduled craft, however the kids happily got to make airplanes. Alice just wanted to hold the hammer and hit the table, then she got into painting and wanted to paint herself. Peter and Kendal got to work and made theirs all on their own. Since it was late we stayed in town and took the kids to chick fill a for lunch. Terry, Sarah, and their crew ended up being there as well so the kids got a bit of play time in with cousins.

  

 

Our next kiwi crate came and I decided it would be for both kids from my parents. (They bought two months worth to go to both kids.) The kids loved putting it together, learning how out works, and it's been a fixture in their room since. I got a bonus crate I let Kendal have which was making her own stamps. She loved carving them out and we used them to make Valentine's for family. She was so proud of her work and she did a great job!

Wednesday the sixth we took the kids to a chili night fundraiser at the high school along with the boys basketball last home game. I had to leave after the first quarter to go to mutual. Casey and the kids stayed awhile. The kids played, snacked, and wandered around having their own fun. At mutual the beehives had a paint like Bob Ross night. Let's just say it's easier said than done, and it was more mess than masterpiece, but a good time nonetheless.
We had our typical routine over the next week. School, piano, choir, reading group, watched cousins a bit, etc.
The day before Valentine's was busy! The young women did a cupcake fundraiser for girls camp. So that morning I helped Carrie make cupcakes. (We ended up with well over 850 mini cupcakes! ) Early afternoon I made frosting (and Casey's better than Samoa cookies for his Valentine's). Later that afternoon the girls frosted, packaged and delivered the cupcakes. Alice must have swiped at least eight cupcakes during the day. Kendal had achievement days also on Wednesday. They read a story and heart attacked the bishops office. Peter was in between achievement days and my activity, and Alice was either swiping cupcakes or in the nursery with Aubrey till Casey came.
I heart attacked the kids and Casey for Valentine's day. Sharing notes of things we love about them. They also got cupcakes I brought home. Casey and I exchanged sweets and cards. (Yep, we're super romantic ; ) Kendal and Peter had fun days at school with class parties. There's been a lot of sick going around and out caught up to Casey, he didn't feel good before and on Valentine's and topped it off with a crown coming off at school. They had so many teachers sick and asking for subs for Friday that they cancelled school. The kids got a free day to play and do what they wanted. Since Casey was home I stole a couple of hours and went to the temple! Saturday we had an easy going day. I gave Kendal a trim, the boys hair cuts, and ran into town for my own cut. Casey got his crown fixed that afternoon. We decided to end our lazy day going out for dinner. We took the kids to Ihop (thanks mom and dad for the Valentine's gift!)
Last Sunday and today we got a lot of snow. Last Sundays was only half a foot and the warm temps melted it by Thursday. Today's dump neared a foot and just kept going all day long. Church still went on with a few less in numbers so ie for sucked into nursery help. We're getting into a groove with lessons at home. Peter still picks his moments of good / annoying, but overall he participates.
We're gearing up for Disney later this year (most likely). So Casey's been introducing the kids to more Disney songs (especially since we're sick of Alice only knowing "let it go!") We've also started watching Disney flicks. A bit of Mickey mouse, 101 Dalmatians, Alladin, Alice in wonderland. We'll keep going till all our beloved characters are covered, and Disney fever is in full force.
These last pictures are just for smiles and reminders of silly Alice.

  

 
 

Finishing off January

Alice's birthday was easy going. She had the morning to herself and opened her gifts when she wanted to. She got a Duplo Lego set and baseplate from us. Since Casey had an away game that day Alice and I took him lunch so she could see him. We ate "doodles" and enjoyed a little visit. Kendal had choir and Peter has a reading after school program so we picked them up later and the kids happily finished their day played Legos together.

  


I was in charge of combined mutual in January. We did Chocolate Wars! The youth were put into groups and did relay races involving chocolate. (Coco krispies on a spoon, Oreo face, whopper blow, m&ms separated, oven mitt kisses, doughnuts on a string, digging for chocolate in whipped cream, and whopper catch) It was loud, crazy, but a lot of fun for the youth. I gave a lecture about team work and working with / supporting the team your given, because that's what life gives you so might as well make the best of it.
Wednesday Alice had her well check. She's growing and thriving! She is 25 lb (50%) and 36 in tall (90%). People tell me Alice is pretty tall and now I believe them and guarantee she'll pass up her siblings someday.  Poor girl had a rough few days at the end of that week. She caught some sort of bug and threw up many times.
I took the kids to Casey's last two home games. They happily slurped down popsicles during the Thursday game. The following Tuesday we went to the game vs Declo. Grandpa D  was with us that night (In town with Grandma to help with cousins, see later in post) We finished Casey's game and stayed for part of JV till Alice was done! Casey's team finished their season strong with winning 12 of their 18 games.  JV was out the first day of districts and varsity is squeaking by, so we'll see where they end up.

  

Friday the 18th the kids had school off. We started the day with a playdate at the mall playground with the Birks. Peter was a bit much with his demanding / grumpy / temper / attitude (something that's gone on awhile). Alice just wanted to go everywhere but the playground so it wasn't our best outing. After lunch my parents and Katherine came up for the weekend!!
Saturday was Peter's first game. Kenny and Cheryl came up so Peter had a lot of support and love. He did great (played defense nearly the whole time ; ). He even shot a basket and made it! His team won that game! We had a lunch and a belated birthday cake for Alice. Alice got Legos, pjs, and a book from my parents, a shape sort from Auntie K, and grandma and grandpa D have her a set of water wow coloring books.  She's enjoyed all the gifts, (even though she'd rather destroy Legos than build she's obsessed with the little people figures)! It was fun having family in town. The kids got in some quality time and battleship games with them. Both Peter and Alice threw up Saturday into Sunday so I kept them home while the rest went to church. We had a nice dinner before my family left to beat the snow.

 
 

Monday the kids had school off for Martin Luther king Jr day. Casey  was at CSI doing workshops. We ended up watching cousins so Vanessa could take James to the Dr. Poor kid had to be admitted tho the hospital for a few days with a virus that affected his asthma something awful. The kids went nuts playing around all day together.
Tuesday Alice and I visited poor James in the hospital. After choir / reading group we went to Casey's game. (I wrote about it above.)
I had my first just beehives activity Wednesday we made cookies and went over personal progress. We're (yes me too) are all committed to finishing personal progress this year before the program ends. I've put a lot of time into taking apart and organizing everything so these girls can succeed. I feel a bit overwhelmed some moments, but I know I can do this even if it makes me crazy and adds a few grays.
Saturday Peter had his second Saturday of games. He had two games 10 and noon. Both were losses, but he worked hard and enjoyed playing. Alice just wanted to escape to the playground each time and was over it. That afternoon Casey took the older two to skateland. (Both worked for, and saved up for roller blades and since our outside is : ( I wanted to enjoy their reward). They had a great time with Peter showing his natural athletic ability and Kendal continued to improve her skate skills. I had baptisms with the youth that afternoon. My beehives were bundles of nerves, however they had a good time overall.

 

  

Sunday we had church. After church we've been doing the come follow me program during Alice's nap followed by family games. We're slowly getting a routine going and the kids working with us. We watched cousins that night so Brett and Vanessa could take Becca to its great to be eight.
Tuesday the was the kids parent teachers. Both got good reports from their teachers. Miss Breeding gave us insight into Peter's test scores (that came out the same as fall) saying he had a hard / frustrating time testing and even retook them in December. (Maybe why the poor kid has had a difficult attitude lately : (. We definitely gained some perspective. She did say that he is great at school and even makes him an example to others in class. (Basically he saves all his balled up ? to unleash at home in his "safe" place. : /.) Kendal's teacher had nothing but positives and praises for her and his class this year. She's had a rough year making friends, yet lately I feel she's had some consistent friends at school. We took the kids out to Sizzler tonight (thanks mom and dad for the gift card! ) to celebrate their positive reviews at school.
Pictures: Adventures of Alice and Peter's shadow from school conferences.