School's out let's party!

 

 

The kids finished up their swim lessons last week. Both were so brave, and gave it their all this year. Kendal progressed with her stokes, treading, and distances swam, and worked so hard. Pete's fears seemed to dissolve this year and was so brave in swim lessons. He was willing to try and do! He progressed with swimming, floating, and getting the basics down. I'm just so proud of these two and the growth they had this year. (Also couldn't resist a picture of Alice sporting her accessory of the day, big sisters swim goggles.)
Casey got to go fishing for hobby day this year. He even found a bit of time to catch a few fish!
Casey had a Nerf  gun war with the kids a couple of Saturday's ago. They had a blast running around the back yard playing. I love this sight below. Casey and I have been more conscience of using or devices around the kids. Kendal tends to read at breakfast, and Casey's been joining her in their breakfast book devouring.

 
Peter had a couple of field trips the week before school got out. He went to Windsor nursery and brought home a pumpkin seed he planted. He also got to go to First Federal park east lunch and play for his last Friday of school. He played hard and feel asleep on the bus home.
Kendal had her piano recital last Friday. Aunt Vanessa had been awesome and taught Kendal this year. David, Becca, and Kendal each played two pieces they'd memorized. They all did great! Kendal has really enjoyed piano this year and has grown and learned so much. Alice and James gave an encore performance where they played then clapped over and over again!

 

I took time to go to the temple last weekend. While I was gone Casey took the kids out for some fun. They went to pizza hut to get their last book it pizzas from their reading program. Afterwards they went out to the canyon rim to walk the new path that leads to the Evil keneivel jump site. It was a nice day and a good walk. They ended their fun getting  volcano drinks from the soda shop that they earned at school.

 

 

We had a low key memorial day. Just hung out, played games, and took it easy. Instead of visiting graves we chose to share stories of our grandparents with the kids. It was nice to share and reminisce about our sweet memories.
Peter had his last day of school Tuesday. They had a field day with rotating games. Alice and I joined Peter and got to go around with his little group playing games. At the end of the school day they had a summer birthday party. Peter and a group of kids got to be sang to and pass out special snacks. He gave hugs and thanks to his teacher and helpers. Mrs. Makings gave praises for Peter's work this year and enjoyed having Peter in her class. Peter had a good year, while he had some anxieties surface this spring overall his year was good and he ended on a good note which is huge.

 

 

Kendal got to go to some reading parties the last couple of weeks of school. One was for points reached in her AR reading goal. The kids got to have a carnival at the high school. She also reached her bonus honors goal (which not many do) and got to have a root beer float party. Then she had yet another party for getting above 100 on AR chart where they had ice cream. She was the top reader in her class all but one month during the school year, and has high goals for her summer reading. Her teacher Mrs. Saxton has had nothing but good things to say about Kendal, her sweet personality, how smart she is, and how great she's been to have. Tuesday the second graders got to have a picnic at the park. Wednesday was Kendal's last day. They had a partial field day till it rained, then played in their classroom. She was so sad to leave her friends, her great teacher, and a wonderful year.

Can't forget this sweet squirt. I love her little personality. She talks all day long (She even talks with her hands sometimes) and loves to explore. It's so fun to watch her grow, she's going to love this summer with brother and sister around to be playmates all day! 

 

Casey ended his school year with a rainy trip to Nat su Pa Thursday, and he's got a work day today. I'm currently in Utah with my parents while my mom is getting tests done to figure out her path to help with seizures. I dropped the kids off to play at Grandma Darrington's for a couple of days. 

Rainy days, sunny days.

Kendal had a field trip on the second. They went to the Herrit center at CSI and then to First Federal park. Kendal got put in a group that combined three classes so she got to have her best buddies, their mom, and David in her group. At the museum the kids got to check out the displays, watch a planetarium show, and see a reptile presentation. Afterwards they went to the park for lunch and some play time for a couple of hours. Aunt Vanessa got to tag along and be there for the day so she sent me pictures.

 
We took the kids to the Home Depot build a couple of weeks ago. Peter is always happy to build and create and Kendal enjoys it as well. We had some nice sunny days between the rainy ones and it's been wonderful. The kids played in the back yard that afternoon. Alice loves it when she gets to go out exploring, eating dirt, and finding rocks! We also celebrated "May the fourth be with you" that weekend and rented the most recent Star Wars that the kids and I haven't seen. Casey and I are Star wars fans. Peter has definitely become a Star Wars fanatic and Kendal isn't obsessed, but likes it also.

 

Casey's track team had their district meet on the first. The seventh grade boys and the eighth grade girls won, the seventh grade girls took third and the eighth grade boys took second. Overall a decent season.
We got to have the missionaries over on the sixth. Elder Kartchner, Elder Walker, and Elder Quiner joined us for some tacos. The kids loved having them over. They gave us a thoughtful message about reading scriptures and challenged us to give pass along cards out. (Kendal has been the only one brave enough and gave a card to her friends Brook and Meadow.)
The kids have swim lessons this month! Both kids are being confident and doing well in their lessons. They have two weeks down and two to go. Peter is growing a lot this year and is improving each lesson. Kendal is strengthening her skills and is loving lessons! The first lesson I was in the open swim area with Alice because I knew she wouldn't leave the water alone. She was in and out loving the water. (A little too fearless for my liking.) Since then Casey and I have taken turns going  while the other stays home with Alice.

 



Sarah graduated nursing school this past weekend. Kendal and I went to her pinning ceremony with Grandma and Grandpa. After the ceremony the whole family (plus Sarah's family and a few friends) showed up for a surprise party in Sarah's honor.  It was held at the local Boys and Girls Club so their bouncy houses were pulled out and the kids had a blast. We're proud of Sarah and her accomplishments. I loved that Kendal has a wonderful example of what hard work and going for your dreams can achieve. Congratulations Sarah!
Despite Peter finishing off a cold and Alice being sick I had a good Mother's Day. Casey let me "sleep in" then made pancakes. Peter made a card and painted a flower pot and planted a flower for me. Kendal made a pot holder at achievement days and made a thumb print necklace for me at school. Casey got me a phone since mine has had a slew of problems. We played Ticket to Ride  in the morning before meetings. We decided to just go to sacrament meeting since we had sick kids,  plus Casey had meetings and the kids were singing. After Sacrament meeting we went to  Raft River to spend time with Casey's parents for Mother's Day / their anniversary. It was raining and sometimes pouring the whole weekend, but as we were leaving Raft River we spotted a rainbow.
Besides a very sick Alice it was a nice Mother's Day with good bits. I'm so lucky that these three are mine for eternity. I come up short often, but I'm trying my best, learning and changing for the better, and just loving these three blessings I get to call my own.

As the years of mommy hood continue I am more and more grateful for my mom and Casey's mom. My appreciation and gratitude for them has grown ten fold over the years. I am blessed by their love, light, example, and care. They are amazing mothers and wonderful grandmas!
We noticed Alice wasn't herself Saturday, and at the party she was burning up and super unhappy. It continued into Sunday and she spiked a temperature of 103 after sacrament meeting. Poor girl was upset, lethargic, and wouldn't eat or drink the whole day. She had a rough night so I took her in this morning. With her varying symptoms the Dr. decided to put her on an antibiotic just as a precaution. She perked up today, but still isn't 100% and needs to eat and drink better. Hopefully the medicine and a better nights sleep will continue to help her get better.

 

My kids are the best!

Casey had two home meets the last two weeks. We went to the second one. The kids hung out with Brook and Meadow watching their older sister jump and doing cartwheels. Peter went between them and Casey who was timing on the finish line. When I let Alice down she was everywhere doing her own thing. Districts are tomorrow then Casey's done for the season!

The 18th was early release for Kendal and no school for Peter. Peter got to have his friend Sam over in the morning. They spent almost the whole time playing Legos. (Something his sister isn't as obsessed with so it was great having someone over who loves them as much as he does.) That afternoon Brook and Meadow Virnig came home with Kendal. They played mostly outside enjoying the sunshine. Alice joined them for a bit eating dirt and finding rocks.

Saturday (the 21st) was Brook and Meadow's birthday. They wanted a day with Kendal so their mom surprised them by having Kendal join them for the whole day. They met up at a Rock climbing gym that morning. Casey and Peter joined the fun and they all got to climb. Both kids did great! Kendal reached the top countless times and did really well. Peter kept getting higher and outdid his best a few times. He liked the smaller wall that lead to a slide and did that the most. Casey got in a few climbs and enjoyed himself too!
At noon Casey took Peter for lunch and more Daddy time. Peter wanted McDonald's (aka happy meal and play place). After lunch Peter chose to go to the First Federal Park to play for awhile. Peter played on the zip line swing the most. They made a pit stop for snacks at WinCo and saw Grandma and Grandpa D at Home Depot before coming home.
Kendal got to climb a bit longer than they went out to lunch at Pizza Pie Cafe. She got to go back to Brook and Meadow's farm. (She's been wishing and waiting for a visit to their farm, and was elated to go!) She fed a baby goat, shot a bb gun with the girls and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon with her best buddies! She loves these girls and thinks the world of them. They are so kind, friendly, and all around good girls. (They even spent their own birthday money buying her a fingerling (little electronic / interactive monkey.) She's adored it and even more she adores her wonderful friends!

  

  

Since the climbing passes were good for the whole day we had an early dinner and went back for a fun family night. The kids and Casey climbed some more and showed me their sweet skills. Alice toddled all around and was happy to explore. 

Peter had his kindergarten program this past week. He did a wonderful job in all of his songs! Grandma and Grandpa D, Vanessa and her little ones came to watch also. I was proud of Peter for being courageous and performing. We got doughnuts and enjoyed them after school to celebrate! The other picture is  of flowers he took for secretaries day at school. He had a good week of not begging to stay home! Distractions, positivity, and some mindful exercises are helping. Not everyday is perfect, but we're trying. 

 




Kendal was awarded Student of the month for Responsibility this past Friday!  I had to hold in the secret all week; she spotted me quickly at her assembly so I thought I'd ruined the surprise, but she'd been told that morning so she was hoping I'd be there. I was honestly tearful for a minute. Kendal gets the least at home lately. Little brother is requiring more help / effort, and baby sister is always vying for mom's attention. Kendal is our easy child and often overlooked. So I was so happy to see her recognized. Kendal received a certificate for ice cream with her award so we took the kids to get cones after dinner. Peter dubbed himself the burger king at the restaurant and on the way home they became knights!

 

Alice had her 15 month Check up  last week. She is 31 in. tall (about 60th%) and 21 lbs (about 50th %). She's only gained a few ounces since January. I  personally think she gained then lost a few pounds. I blame teething, getting picky with foods, and turning into a full on busy body. I have a running text to my parents with Alice's accessory for the day and mission for the day. Examples below (Accessory of the day: my purse, mission: to climb everything- - Accessory of the day: brothers backpack, mission of the day: to be a busy body - - Accessory of the day, a bruise from climbing, mission: to eat all her noodles) If you look back on previous posts you'll see her accessory of the day in most photos. We are loving her silly, girly, energetic personality. She spent the last hour of church  toddling around the chapel in our fifth Sunday meeting greeting, taking marshmallows, crawling under benches, and eating someone's pen.
  
 
Some pretty proud moments these past few weeks. Even on the longer days of parenthood it doesn't take much reflection (or reminders from Casey ; ) that we're blessed with some amazing kids! Love these three so much! You too Casey. 💙