Annual Kite festival

The annual kite festival moved! Instead of having it way out of town with buses trucking people in and out it was moved to the college. It was brilliant. We hit soccer games and walked across the street and boom we're there. The kids had fun choosing books (Taryn) and kites (Jocelyn) and getting snow cones. Then because it was crazy crowded we went home and flew the kite in the caldesac. It was the  perfect windy day and made us all thankful to live where we do.

4th grade word bash finalist

So at the end of the  year there was a 4th grade word bash. The kids worked all year learning math/science terminology but I actually never heard about the competition. One day Taryn just came home and said oh by the way I am a word bash finalist. Apparently each class held a terminology bee then the finalists had a school wide competition. Taryn did great and made it through several rounds. In the end she missed a question that she knew the answer to  so she was bummed but really she did so great!

Cotton Days 5K.....

Once upon a time there was a girl who loved to run...and get honors credit.....and this lovely girl had a rock star uncle who indulged her desire to race....even in the pouring freezing rain early in the morning....

Cami wanted to get honors credit in every class she could including PE. To do this she needed to run in a race outside of school. Luckily Uncle John was able to run this 5K with her. It is amazing how proud it is possible to be. She finished strong and said at the end I felt good like I could go more....So here's to a high achieving girl who I cannot even say enough nice things about.....and a rock star uncle.

• 
  

Best buddies...and mischief makers

Our house is never quiet. Jocelyn and Creed are generally running around screaming (usually in a happy way...sometimes not) and bringing on the crazy mischief. If it is quiet there is probably a flood occurring in the bathroom or play dough being mashed into carpet or an entire closet unloaded....That is why when I stumbled on this scene I had to take a picture....Jocelyn reading Creed a book on her Kindle....Oh sweet heaven...no mess to clean up...I love that these two kindred spirits have each other. They are so lucky to have a buddy to play with and grow up with and I am so lucky to be their mom....even with the frequent disasters and mischief.

Science Fair

So somehow I got pictures of only Taryn and Jocelyn but not of Cami who actually won. Oh well. Cami studied reading speeds (electronic vs paper). It was pretty interesting. The best part was I didn't even know it was science fair time. She did it ALL herself without prompting or encouragement. It was just done and by the way mom I won....High five for that! 

Taryn busted out a project and always does a good job making her posters look nice. I make her type all her stuff out because the typing practise is good for her despite the fact that it takes three times longer to do...Luckily she is a hard worker. She studied if a balloon filled with water could withstand more weight without popping than a balloon filled with air...

Jocelyn was really into her science project and I love it when real life curiosity coinsides with assignments...I was genuinely interested in her project and it was so her. She wanted to know if chemicals in a pool really keep the water cleaner. She tested the water in two containers (one with chemicals and one without) for clarity every day and took pictures. She learned how to make a chart and insisted on doing it all by herself (again high five for independent learning). It was fun and we are now committed to keeping the pool chemicals in check. 

I am proud and love these kids for all their hard work and curiosity and learning. It is so fun to see the world through their eyes!

Spring Soccer

I love soccer season every year! This spring Creed, Jocelyn, and Cami chose to play. It was really fun to see their improvement...like Creed willingly ran onto the field for his turns and Jocelyn stratigically cut across the field instead of follwing the ball cluster to cut off goals. Cami had a lot of fun playing with her team and has really improved as well. 

I hope my kids learn how to work as a team mate and how to lose gracefully and how to share and be a good sport and how to work hard for their goals. So many good lessons can come from playing with a team. But hopefully most of all I hope they learn that their mom will always be there for them as their biggest fan cheering for them no matter what they are doing or what life throws at them. 

Mom's pay day

A mom's pay day is when her kids like each other and are nice to each other without me prompting them to be thoughtful. I was really worried about Jocelyn going to kindergarten this year. She really struggles with change in general and starting school is a BIG change. The one thing that has made it easy for her was her sister.  All year I would drop her off and Taryn would take her by the hand and walk her to her classroom. She didn't ever cry or complain (except when Taryn wasn't there and I walked her to class). She was able to do this hard thing for her because her sister simply showed she cared and took the time and initiative to help her. This made me so happy all year long that I just had to get a picture or two. Taryn thank you for being a rock star in the sister department!

Spring swimming....the first time

The pool doesn't have a heater...and lets face it..its stinking hot here so we wouldn't need one really except the kids were sick of waiting to go swimming before we even moved in. So early in may we let them despite the water being really still pretty cold. They totally didn't care. 

Jocelyn is a particular fan of swimming. She always has been....but she was smiling ear to ear and shivering the whole time. I gaurantee so many good memories are going to be made here. 

The pool was really something we were leary of when we looked at the house. It was a serious drawback at the time-we didn't know if it could be resurrected or if it would be a ginormous money pit. Luckily so far so good and we have LOVED it! (Their faces say it all)

Cousins and conference

Two weeks after moving into the new house the cousins came down to help with some projects/unpacking. It was awesome to get their ideas and feedback. They came to Cami's soccer games and helped me choose out curtains. They had ideas for relandscaping and Fred and Brent built and painted the storage room to perfection. In between all that we listened to conference and took naps on the couch....We are so lucky to have such great family! We love them all!

Easter and the gang

Easter was super fun because we got to spend it in the new house. Luckily the Easter bunny knew where to find us somehow. We were also lucky that the cousins from up north had spring break and could come down and hang out with us. Also we were lucky to not have soccer games that weekend so we could spend the time playing with them. We went hiking on a new hiking trail and had an easter egg hung/bbq in the backyard. It was really fun!