End of School Year Events

We began our end of school year festivities with a end of year picnic and program at Jackson's preschool. They did such a great job. They sang several songs (which we had received a few previews of prior to the performance). They went through lots of colors and shapes that they knew. They finished up with receiving and end of year picture book and a paper/certificate that went through all the things they had passed off on at the end of the year. Things like colors and letters recognized. What a fun way to end the school year. I even packed a real picnic in a real picnic basket. What a great job this preschool does. Jackson really enjoyed the year and he definitely loved going with his cousin Owen. He'll go back again next year but for 3 days instead of 2 and hopefully it will have him well prepared for kindergarten. I can't even believe we're talking about kindergarten already! As soon as Jackson moves on from preschool to kindergarten it will be Wyland and Xavier's turns to start preschool. Where is the time going I ask?

I just thought this was funny.

They seem disturbed to be sat next to each other.Jackson and Owen were sat next to each other

in many pictures in their school photobooks.

Singing songs.

Smashing up their baby bumble bee's ...

Jackson is such a poser.
Pledging Allegiance to the Flag
One of Jackson's teachers.
Spring Performance
Terra Linda Tones

So this week also marked the final performance for Baylee's school choir. Every Tuesday and Wednesday we drive Baylee to school early so that she can participate in the choir. She really has enjoyed it all year long. She did excellent in her Christmas performance. She looked angry but at least sang in her Winter performance. However the Spring performance didn't go so well. Myself, Grandma and Uncle Evan all came to watch. It seemed like things were going okay. However, she wanted to wait for Grandma to arrive before she headed up on stage. I finally convinced her to go because they were getting ready to start. While we were waiting there was a girl that came over and was really nice to Baylee. She told her how great she did during the day performance for the school. And she also went on and one about how pretty her hair is. Funny how people can't help themselves from touching it!

So here she is going to find her place in the group.

Seems things are progressing okay...

Then it began and she refused to stand up and sing.

I wish I could say that there is an explanation as to why she does this. But it's unpredictable and just happens for no reason. There was nobody that upset her prior to beginning. It was disappointing that people drove all the way out west to watch her and she wouldn't participate. But well ... that's just the way it goes with Baylee sometimes. As mad as it makes me I try not to make too big of a deal about it. If I get mad and tell her it won't change it happening next time. Honestly I don't even think that she knows why she does it. All that matters at the end of the day is that for two mornings a week all year long she enjoyed participating in choir. She got to participate in a school activity for perhaps the only and last time. Next year she's on to Middle School. While kids have been for the most part nice to her in elementary school, I'm not nearly as optimistic about middle school. We've had a fantastic teacher for the last two years (best one ever actually) and I don't expect to get that lucky again. We shall see .. guess I'm a little pessimistic.

Boys Will Be Boys

Here's just a couple random photo's from my phone. Now that it's getting warmer (sort of) the boys will play outside in our back yard until we literally force them to come in. So the other night I walked out to check on them as I was making dinner and found Jackson hanging over the top of the fence to the neighbors yard!! It just struck me as so strange that he would have climbed all the way up there by himself (I guess I didn't think he would be able to). I'm still not convinced that he could have managed to climb back down. I was shocked to see him up so high and immediately in my sternest Mom Voice, "Jackson get down from there right now, you're gonna hurt yourself!!!" His response, "Why Mom?" HAHA! So I went and retrieved him. Guess I'm gonna have to watch out for my little fence climber from now on.

Here's another random photo from my phone. I just thought Wyland looked so cute and funny asleep on the couch with his full on Ted Bundy belly hanging out. He takes after his father in this picture!

Girls Night Out

So I had the BEST time tonight. Ironically enough for Mother's Day I picked up a gift certificate for my Mum to get a pedicure. She and my Dad are going on their annual trip to Mexico next week and I figured she'd be needing pretty toes. When she opened my present she kept laughing at me and proceeded to give me MY card which inside was written, "This includes a pedicure." Do great minds think alike or what? So tonight was our night. The salon was pretty busy so we both easily spent at least half an hour just sitting in the massage chairs with our feet soaking in roasting hot bubbly water. It was pure luxury! After we were both finally finished we took a quick cruise through the mall. My mother is pretty much one of the most generous people I know. Jeramie and I have been on a major financial diet lately as we save for our upcoming vacation. My mum bought me a bottle of lotion from Bath and Body Works (which I LOVE for my footrubs that my loving husband gives me on a regular basis). Then she took it one step further and bought be a handful of things at New York & Company. I got this adorable sweater thing that I've been really wanting for several months now. Oh but it didn't stop there after that we went and had dinner at Olive Garden. It was so much fun just to hang out by ourselves and just talk. Most of the time we're competing with my kids for conversation. It was a rare moment just to have adult talk without getting interrupted by my kids and just enjoy each others company.

This by far ranks in the top 3 evenings out this year. Thanks Mum .. you mean the world to me. I aspire to be like you, loving, smart, generous, practical, amazing mother, best friend. If I grow up to be half the woman you are then I couldn't ask for more.

My First Crochet Beanie

When I used to work at Discover Card I had many employee's who would crochet while taking calls. It was one of the few things that was allowed. Not entirely sure why since technically you need two hands to crochet. Anyway when I was a little girl on one of our many visits back to England my Nanny taught me how to crochet. This was a really long time ago, but I think that it's the kind of thing that once you learn how it comes back to you pretty quickly when you attempt to pick it up again. While at Discover Card I had many people try and re-teach me. I especially wanted to learn how to make beanies. They're just so cute. I just didn't seem to be able to pick it up though. None of these people followed patterns, they all "just knew" what to do. I just don't think that my brain functions like that. So a couple years ago I picked up one of those "Teach Yourself to Crochet" books. I retaught myself and I'm pretty proud of it! I can follow patterns and I actually feel a huge sense of relief to have a road map to follow. I have made several baby blankets, they're easier because they're smaller and take less time. So this week I found a beanie pattern online and attempted to make it. Needless to say it just didn't turn out well, it looked like a Russian hat. You know, like kind of square? Not good. However, from this pattern it did steer me in the right direction and I was able to freelance on a beanie for my kids. It turned out really cute if I do say so myself!! Actually perhaps too cute, and maybe a little girly. I will try different yarn next time. I made this in like an hours time though! So I'm here to say that if you've ever wanted to try it get one of those teach yourself books and get started. It's a really relaxing hobby. I can sit in front of the TV and feel like I'm being productive at the same time. In the background of one of these pictures you can see a pink blanket folded up in the corner. I've been working on this blanket for Baylee for practically a year now. I go at it for awhile and then set it aside for months because it's so never ending. I still think I'm not even halfway yet but I have at least picked it back up to work on again. Check out my amazing domesticity (does this count as being domestic?) By the way both boys are wearing the same beanie because I only made the one. I think it actually looks better on Jackson because his head is bigger.

Jordan School District Sports Day

Today was the Jordan School District Sports Day. This is Baylee's big event of the year. Sadly enough I think it will be the last time she participates as she will be moving on to Middle School next year. I don't think that middle school does anything like this, but hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised. Basically what they do is have four events that kids can participate in. Cross Country Running, 50 Yard Dash, Softball Throw, and Long Jump. The kids only participate in one of the running events and then the other two. Baylee always does the 50 Yard Dash. They get all the different special education classes in the school district together to compete with each other. It was so much fun to watch Baylee not only participating but also cheering on her classmates while they participated. Grandma and Grandpa attended as always. Then myself, Jeramie and the boys. As always Baylee had a big cheering section. She placed 3rd place in the Softball Throw. She had a minor melt down and actually didn't participate in the 50 Yard Dash. Then she placed 4th in the long jump. It was a great event and like I said we'll be sad not to be participating next year.

All the schools getting ready to parade in.

Yay .. Terra Linda!
Awaiting the National AnthemBaylee is such a loving friend. She was comforting
her friend Sydney who was upset after her race.

Mrs. Duncan had Baylee practicing for the softball

throw by looking at the sky when she threw the ball

in order to make it go far!

The boys enjoyed some let loose time.
Papa assists in the long jump.
Award Ceremony

Birthday Parties

So Jackson basically had a birthday weekend. We began by celebrating with Jeramie's side of the family on Saturday. We headed over to his mom's house for cake and ice cream. Jackson got to open a few presents while we were there. Then Sunday (which was also Mother's Day) we had a BIG celebration at my parents. Since my parents went to Las Vegas over my Dad's birthday weekend we hadn't celebrated his birthday yet. So this was included as well. So this weekend we celebrated the following (it's so long it HAS to be a list):

Jackson's Birthday (day of)
Amber's Birthday (day of, Jackson and Amber share a birthday)
Dad's Birthday (from Apr. 24th)
Rachel's Birthday (May 15th, they'll be in Vegas that weekend)
Mother's Day

That equals a LOT of presents let me tell you. My mum prepared a delicious buffet lunch. We had Chicken Enchiladas, two kinds of quiche, Wedge salads, chips, veggies and dip, hot dogs and bratwurst! It was so yummy! We just hung out in the back yard, ate, opened present after present. It was a great day.

Birthday Cake number 1.

Jackson LOVES this part.

Mike and Amber's kidlets. Don't they look cute?

Jeramie caught taking a nap.

Me and my boys. "Ooo" says Wyland, "what's this one?"
Yep .. I think you're all too big to be playing on that!
Then there's Evan and Rachel. They sit back

and take it all in. Make the most of it you two!

Soon it'll be us watching you try and juggle kids.

Wyland giving Jackson a birthday hug.

Jackson turns 4.

I feel like such a bad mother! I didn't write his birthday blog before his birthday and then ran out of time. So here we are a couple days late. I better start writing Wyland's now!

I can’t believe that Jackson is already turning 4 years old. I can hardly remember my days before he was born and yet it seems like it was only yesterday. He is such an amazing child. Being that he is my first boy many things have been a first for me as a mother. Our first trip for what we expected would be stitches but only turned out to need super glue. I’m sure it was the beginning of many trips to the doctors for similar injuries (however I hope not). Jackson has such an incredible vocabulary. He did many things early, including talking. He also very caring. Out of the blue he will say, “I love you Mom.” Or he’ll say, “You could give me a kiss.” Which is just his way of saying that he wants one. This year he began preschool and while it was a little bit of a rough start for the first couple weeks he now loves it. I can hardly believe only 1 more year and he’ll be going to kindergarten.

Some of Jackson’s favorite things right now:

Batman
Dinosaurs
Monster Trucks
Transformer Cars
Playing with his brother.

He is such an amazing big brother. Wyland is going through this phase where every time he hurts something he had to have someone kiss it better for him. Well the other day I watched while they were playing and Wyland hurt his hand. They were playing on the floor and I was just sitting on the sofa. Wyland walked straight over to Jackson whining a little and Jackson just kissed his hand for him. Neither really said anything, it was like this most natural thing that they just do all the time. Which perhaps they do while I’m at work. It just warmed my heart to witness such tenderness between brothers. I’m so happy they have each other. I feel so lucky that I get to watch him grow up into the amazing child he already is. I can’t wait to see what age FOUR has in store for us!

One of our first pictures together.