In the Middle of May

We had some seriously nice weather in May, which meant we spent a lot of time outside.  The chalk road we drew on the sidewalk one beautiful day kept Isaac and Grace occupied for a whole morning out in the sun.

It was hot enough to break out the kidwash and the pool (there weren’t enough hot days to use the pool at all last summer, let alone in May!).  We even had a water playgroup in our back yard one week.  We were all amazed that the kids could get wet so early in the year. 

We used the fire pit for the first time this season and toasted up some yummy s’mores. 

We made the second round of s’mores with pink heart marshmallows and shared them with La La.  Later that evening she introduced us to Wackee Six which has since become a favorite game.

We got to play outside with lots of different friends.

Lee built Isaac a tee so he could play baseball all by himself.  We both like pitching to him, but it has been nice to have other options…

The middle of May didn’t bring only fun and games.  We spent some time making a dent in all the yard work that needed to be done.  We also helped clean up a local cemetery.  Isaac and Grace were so looking forward to that activity.  They remembered doing it last year and whenever we pass a cemetery they talk about it.  Isaac was especially excited to be a “worker” and help.  He did work for awhile, but I think it ended up being Grace who showed the most worker effort!

Emma and her friends found a cute little frog that provided some entertainment.

The warmer weather meant more walking and biking traffic on the way to school and poor Emma got mowed down by a biker one morning.  She ended up with a pretty nasty owie on her knee.  It made swimming hard for a couple weeks.

Finally, there also must have been love in the warm air.  I snuck this picture when I was subbing at the piano in Primary.  If you look close you can see Grace’s friend Philip with his arm around her.  So cute!  Dusty and Janeece, I wonder if it’s too early to arrange something now??  :)

The middle of May was busy, but the warm weather allowed for some good times in the midst of it all.  Now we were only hoping it would stay…

Mother’s Day

I was definitely spoiled on Mother’s Day this year.  Lee and Emma made me a delicious breakfast and they all gave me some fun gifts. 

Once again Lee showed his talent of giving good presents.  He got me what I needed (the shoes) and what he wanted to get me (the treats).  But then he showed that he listened when I mentioned I would like a clear iPhone case so I could make my own custom case with different scrapbook papers.  He also put thought and effort into MAKING me earrings.  Let’s look a little closer.

He and Emma picked out some beading accessories at the craft store and then he made them into earrings.  He had all of the kids make the bunny cards to put the earrings on.  What a creative guy!  Most of all he made me feel loved and helped me to remember how blessed I am to be a wife and mother. 

We are pretty lucky to have some special mothers in our lives, and we celebrated with the ones who live close.  We had a yummy dinner after church at Granny and Grandpa’s house and we also took advantage of the beautiful day by playing outside.  Lately playing outside has involved a Frisbee whenever Emma and Tenley are together.  Mother’s Day was no exception. 

Isaac loves to join in the Frisbee fun.  Check out his awesome throw.

Not only did Isaac get in some Frisbee time but he also talked Tenley into playing his new love of baseball with him.

Grace spent most of her time twirling, dancing and coloring in the back yard.

Once the beautiful weather was sufficiently enjoyed we moved inside to celebrate Grandma Dorothy and Granny.

We may have laughed at Granny a little after she showed how excited she was to get her beloved Doc Martin DVD’s. 

I am so grateful for the love and example of my mom, grandma’s, and mother-in-law’s.  They have blessed our lives so much.  But mostly I feel so blessed to be the mother of my own children.  What a privilege it is!

PS  Thank you Kaitlin for the pictures!!  :)

Emma Goes to Outdoor School

Sixth grade means Outdoor School, which meant excitement, fear, and trepidation for all of us.  Emma was nervous to be away from home and in the unknown, but excited about it at the same time.  Lee and I were sad and nervous for her to leave, but excited for the fun she would have and the new things she would learn.  People kept telling me that it was good prep for Young Women’s Camp and the trek this summer, but really those are two very different things.  Lee will be at camp with Emma, and both Lee and I will be on the trek with her.  So, we were really sending her off on her own with the influence of her school peers for four days.  Thankfully, we all came out unscathed!  Emma was all smiles on the morning of departure and seemed ready for what was ahead despite the butterflies in her stomach.

We got daily updates and pictures from one of her teachers throughout the week, which helped her sad parents who missed her.  I was so worried about her staying dry, it rained for most of the time they were there.

So when the time came we gladly welcomed her home, dirt and all.

Isaac and Grace were so happy to see Emma.  They asked me several times a day if Emma was going to come home soon.

They helped me decorate her door to welcome her home.

It was so fun to hear Emma’s Outdoor School stories and experiences.  It brought back many of my own Outdoor School memories.  She was so happy that we sent her mail to read while she was gone and we were happy to read in her Outdoor School journal that she actually missed us and does love us!

Here are some pictures that Emma took.  I had to give her a crash course on how to use a disposable film camera before she left.  That’s kind of hard for somebody who has only known digital cameras! Unfortunately she forgot my tip of turning on the flash every time she took a picture indoors, and lots of her photos didn’t turn out. :(

Emma and her cabin mates.  They were the Silver Spotted Butterflies.  She was glad to have her friends Lacey and Sierra in her cabin. 

Their cabin.

The mudslide outside their cabin.  Apparently this is an important photo because lots of people fell in it, but it doesn’t do it justice.

Her counselors were “Sapphire” and “Bambi” .

Slug licking.  Ewwww.

She saw several trilliums. 

She especially liked the campfire site.

She also came home with tales of the night hike and the “moon rocks from NASA”, interesting sensory activities, field studies (she especially liked the animal and plant studies), and the really good food.  We were just glad she was home!