Ethan is 6!!!

Ethan had his birthday a few days after I got home from camp so my party planning efforts were really lame. But we did have a few friends over and got him an ice cream cake. Ethan you are my sunshine. I love you.


And for my b-day on the day after girls camp- I got my kids back. (they were at Grandma's house) I missed them so much!!!!!

Girls Camp!!!!

Wahoo! Girls camp was girl's camp. I got to go to girls camp this year as a leader. It was Monday through Friday and it was a looong week for me. But it was worth it. I had some great spiritual experiences and grew closer to some of my laurels.
The pics are all out of order- Above: Helen and I getting ready to go paddle boating. Yes we are both leaders. Commonly mistaken for YW.
The theme was Dr. Seuss- "Oh, the places you'll go" with an emphasis on the temple. The laurel with her ear to a flower is my oldest laurel.
All the stake leaders did an amazing and hilarious song and dance. Two of them even did splits at the end. But I didn't get a picture because who knew old ladies could do the splits!! and I didn't have my camera ready.
My cabin did a "America's got Talent" skit.

"Simon," "Paula" and "Randy" as the judges

The lake we had to hike to was 50 min. away! And needless to say a group of girls (with leaders) got lost on the way back. Fortunately I was not one of them. But hey, what's girls camp without someone getting lost? right?

We had the treat of having Sister Dalton (YW General President) coming to speak to us about the new value of virtue and unveiling a virtue flag at the camp. She was amazing. One of the highlights of the week.

Helen and her sister on the bus going there. She got to bring her little sis from St. Louis.

One of my laurels, Kelsie on the bus ride there. I love Kelsie. Doesn't she just make you smile.

This is my cabin group eating lunch. They had to make their own food and clean up too. They were such great girls and we hardly had any drama. hardly.... (only one of them is in my ward, they switch up the whole stake) I wish I had more pics. So much happened and I had such a memorable week.

pet snail

Who has a pet snail? we do. His name is Mr. Mc Squizzy, or Jr. It's so fascinating the kids watch it for hours. Hey, at least is easy to take care of, it was free and and we can let it go when we get board with it.

Kindergarten Graduation

Yeah! Ethan finished kindergarten with flying colors! He learned so much this year.
This is the class library. I love the kid size reading chairs.

I made this quilt for Ethan's teacher. She loves elephants and has an elephant theme in her room.


This is his wonderful, sweet, amazing teacher. We love her.

I thought it was too cute. She let me put real flowers in her hair.

Coconuts and Strawberries

We got a coconut for fun. The "milk" was gross. But I heard it's good to cook your rice in. The boys had fun cracking it open but didn't care to eat it.

After seeing the boys repulsed reaction to the milk she was no dummy and didn't want to have anything to do with this strange thing.
After 30 minutes of grating, I only got a small amount of coconut. I recommend buying it pre-shaved.

Can I just say, I love summer and strawberries!!!
I made some fresh strawberry jam with some of these!

Spring Break

For Spring Break the kids and I took a trip up to my parents in Boise. Mike was gone for a conference in Texas. It was so fun to be with my family. My brother Scott and his family were there too. We like to make short movies with him and this time we did a music video. Scott did all the hard work with the editing. It's awesome! Thanks Uncle Scott!

http://vimeo.com/4382977


Music video for Acceleracers from Scott Durrant on Vimeo.




We also did other fun stuff that I don't have pics. of yet. Mike had the camera with him in Texas. I'll post it all later.

Potty training?

No, I don't think we're ready for potty training, but Claire did "poop in the potty. " Yesterday and today!
Bathroom talk warning;
she was taking a bath. I heard some bubbles, looked over from my eye brow plucking and quickly grabbed her and sat her on the toilet. After she calmed down about being yanked from her bath she was able to go. Wahoo. Then today we saw that she was about to go and we asked her if she wanted to go in the potty and she nodded her little head. We put her on the toilet and wa-la.
This probably won't go anywhere but it's still exciting to a Mommy.

Easter

The Easter Bunny surprised us and came early on Saturday. The kids were surprised and excited for their new toys. Andrew got a skateboard. He had really been wanting one.



Ethan got a scooter.

And Claire got a ball. But all she really cared about was all the candy!!!! She probably ate a pound of candy before noon.






Then we went to Mike's Mom's house for a fun Easter party.
She just got back from Hawaii and bought everyone leis.


Grannie Annie is so much fun. We did bubbles, had an egg hunt, played with her bunnies, went on a walk and had a great lunch.


Jake and Aimee playing football.

Mike loved "being at one with nature" amidst all the bunnies.
I think this picture is so funny because he had two bunnies in his hands but by the time I took the picture they had both jumped out of his hands.

Even though Claire looks concerned, she loved the bunnies. She even picked one up. (I got it on video but not still)
As you can tell Andrew and Ethan weren't as into it.

(I didn't get any stills of the egg hunt because I was taking video, but I'm sure you can imagine what it was like)



Andrew learning to skate.

Mike though he would show him how it's done. This is a must see video!
The boys have been wanting to submit a video to America's Funniest Home videos for a long time, so we actually submitted this one. We'll let you know the air date. :0)

Mullet or Bob

Claire's hair was becoming more and more of a mullet (where it's long in the back and shorter in the front). It just grew like that. And although it was fun for pony tails (and once I tried a little french twist), it had to go. I was sad after I cut it. She has no more baby curl and not enough for pig tails. But it will grow and it looks cute. I think the new "do" matches her personality too.

Before

In this picture her pony tail had come out and it's a little funky.
This is her new pose when she knows she is getting a picture taken.


Just a little bit of hair on the floor

"cheeeese"