Last Week of School

I wish I could help more at my kids school during the year, but because of preschool, I lack that ability.  However, the last two weeks of school I try to help and support as much as I can.  And there were a lot of events those last two weeks of school!  

The first big event was the fun run.

The kids all participated in the fun run and completed the mile race! 

The last week of school I was there for about 8 different events all within four days!

On Tuesday, Cedric had a teddy bear picnic.  It was more of a rotation of outside games with stuffed animals than a picnic, but Sophie and I had fun helping at the playground.

Then we ran home real quick to make lunches and headed over to Jamba Juice, then back to the school.  Since Lily's birthday is in the summer, and I try to eat lunch with my kids at school on their birthdays, we decided to meet up with Lily for her birthday lunch that day.  She was having a hard day and I think the surprise Jamba Juice made her feel better.

Wednesday afternoon was the awards assembly for the kindergarten.  Cedric was acting like such a ham when his teacher gave him his awards.  He also performed the nursery rhyme "Hickory Dickory Dock". 

His awards included the "Skittles" award, for being the most colorful personality; his kindergarten diploma; and the "Leader in Me" award for being such a great example of the seven habits they practice all year long.

Cedric loved Mrs. M! 

 Thursday we got up early and headed over to the school for the third grade awards assembly.  Jeff got two awards... He also got the "Leader in Me" award and the "Rockin' Reader" award for doing the most reading. 

Here he is with his teacher, Mrs. K. 

We stopped outside on our way out and found Lily with her teacher.  They were having a pet day for the sixth graders.  Lily really liked Ms. M! 

 We came back later Thursday afternoon for the sixth grade awards assembly and the kindergarten field day.  Sophie was such a trooper to sit through three awards assemblies!

Lily got a "Perfect Attendance" award for having close to 100% attendance throughout the year. 

 I headed back out to the kindergartner's field day (the assembly was at the same time) and found Cedric having a blast with his friends in the water.  Thursday was the last day of school for the kindergarten.

Sophie got into it too, but she was starting to get tired by the end of another long day. 

Friday was another early morning.  I decided not to bring Sophie or Cedric since they had been outside in the sun all day the day before.  They went and played at friends houses instead.  I was grateful they weren't there, not because of the sun, but because of the cold!  It was a windy, rainy, cold morning!

My friend, Kristi and I had pretty much lived at the school together the entire week.  Friday was national doughnut day and the PTA had provided some for all the volunteers. 

We worked really hard to get everything set up for the students.  It was still so cold when they came out, that most of them were using towels for blankets! 

Despite the weather, they still managed to have fun and get soaked!

Eventually the storm passed and the sun came out!  It finally started feeling warm! 

Just in time too!  The sixth graders were invited to sign up for the dunk tank.  The weather warmed up just in time for Lily's turn.  She was so brave and it was fun to watch her get dunked. 

School was out by 12:30.  Lily and Jeff walked with friends over to Arctic Circle for a "school's out" party.

Tom was gone Thursday-Saturday, so I was flying solo these last few busy days.  I decided to do something to celebrate the start of summer break and so we went with our neighbors to Pizza Pie Cafe.  (Minus Jeff, who chose to stay home and went to bed instead.) 

The next day was a summer kick-off party at the city park!  It was a lot of fun and we met up with my sister-in-law, Maren and niece, Charlotte there.  It was a fun party with a lot to see and do.  However, after a busy week and so much time outside, I was EXHAUSTED!  

We are only a week into summer break and have already done some fun things!  But it's late, so I'll save that story for another day.

Jeff's 9th birthday

Jefferson Max was born on May 22 2006. 

This cute little guy is now nine years old! 

He enjoyed getting a few gifts when we were with family the Sunday before.

The day of his birthday I got Arby's sandwiches and Cedric (who was off for kindergarten testing), Sophie and I ate lunch with him at school. 

That night we did a little party. 

 Even though everything was really from Tom and I, we let each of the kids give him a present.

 Lego Bionicls from Sophie.

Spy gear from Cedric. 

 And Lily gave him a spy brief case.

Tom and I gave him a new jacket, Sunday clothes and shoes and a Darth Vader watch! 

Jeff wanted to light his own candles.  We had Reese's Pieces cupcakes with green vanilla frosting. 

That night I let Jeff and Lily stay up late to watch the 3rd Star Wars.  They have been watching all of the trilogies, but they were most excited for this episode.  Probably because I let them watch a PG-13 movie. 

The next day we went to Boondocks.  Even though it was a non-friend birthday party year, we let him invite four friends because the coupon we had was for 10+ people.  Although it was a little cool and rainy, we had fun. 

 We got soaked on the boats and were freezing!

 Some play mini golf, these boys played scrimmage golf.

The simulated rollercoaster!  Fun, but not worth the long wait in line! 

Afterward, we dropped off the friends and headed to Golden Corral.  Jeff's dinner consisted of popcorn shrimp, Mandarin oranges, ice cream with gummy bears and lots and lots of cotton candy!

He still has his birthday date with Grandpa Kent and Grandma Suzy coming up and is hoping to buy a pet turtle.  He also got lots of money from his other grandparents, friends, etc. and is excited to use that for the turtle.

Here are nine things that make Jeff a special boy.

1. He is self confidant in school and sports.

2. He is smart and loves math

3. He loves Harry Potter, Minecraft and Star Wars

4. He is memorizing the Articles of Faith with Lily's help.

5.  He says really sweet family prayers.

6. He loves basketball and baseball... or any sport.

7. He is talented with piano, even though he doesn't like learning new songs.

8. He is an early bird and just moved downstairs into his own room again.

9. He loves to help with Sophie, making dinner or other "fun" jobs.

Happy Birthday, Jeff!

(Update 6/13/15)

Jeff had a fun birthday date with Grandpa Kent and Grandma Suzy.  They went to Arby's for lunch and then he chose to keep half his money to go toward his turtle and with the other half bought a box of Otter Pops.  He ended up selling them on the sidewalk and made quite a bit of money doing so!

We took Jeff to the pet store to price out turtles, and with all the equipment and the turtle it would've cost around $90!  So we decided to look on KSL instead and we found a slider turtle, with all the gear for only $40.  Jeff had just enough birthday money to buy it!  So we took a family drive up to Farmington one Saturday to pick it up.  He named the turtle, Tank and is pretty excited about him!

May Updates

Lately I've gotten in the terrible habit of going back to bed after the kids go off to school.  Sophie's good to just sit on the couch with the iPad and juice, or play in her room and usually lets me get a little bit more sleep.  Then, when she's ready for me to get up, she climbs in bed with me and "snuggles".

The weather has been so crazy, as it typically is in Utah.  One day Cedric was dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans, whereas Jeff was in a jersey tank and shorts!   

Lily bought herself a bow and arrow with her own money.  She looks like quite the adventurer!

Sophie's starting to become quite social.  She loves play dates.  One day she had three friends over at the same time! 

Lily performed in the school talent show and did so well she was asked to perform again at the end of the year assembly!  She sang "My New Philosophy" from the musical "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown".  The school, especially the teachers, just raved at how talented she is!

 I love how naturally smart my children are.  Here are some of Jeff's spelling test scores.  He definitely didn't get his good spelling gene from me!

Cedric's been off this whole week from school because of kindergarten testing.  It's been fun to have him home.  He says the funniest things sometimes!  For example, the other day he asked "why do girls have long fingernails, but boys don't?"  I explained that boys can have long fingernails too, it's just less common.  He said, "I want to grow one of my fingernails really, really long... like a sword.  Then if any bad guys break in our house and try to steal important things, like food... and money, I can cut them with my fingernail".

 Sophie is starting to learn how to draw people.  This is actually a dog, but you get the idea.

 

She is also learning her name.  She can verbally spell it, although needs help with H and E, but this is the first time she wrote her whole name by herself (I just told her the letters and what they look like).

 So the last/first weekend of April/May Tom and I decided to do a spontaneous over-night date, just the two of us.  We haven't done anything like this for a while, and it was so fun!  We stayed at the Homestead up in Midway and had fun looking at the hot springs crater next door.

 This was our quaint little room.

 That night, we went across the street to the Zermatt resort for dinner.  Then went to the local grocery store for snacks and a Redbox, then we went and sat in the hot tub.  We then spent the rest of the night in our room and watched our movie and ate our snacks.

The next morning we slept in, then ate at the resort restaurant.  We did a little shopping at the gift shop too. 

Then we headed over to the hot springs crater and went swimming! 

 Tom was in his element, complete with snorkeling gear.

I struggled a little bit at first, but soon got used to the idea of swimming in the warm, fish-free water.

After swimming we went and did a round of mini golf.  It was such a nice day and we had the course practically to ourselves! 

Afterwards we left Midway and headed into Park City.  We shopped for a bit at the outlet stores and then headed back into the valley.  We ate a late lunch/early dinner at The Olive Garden and then headed over to the Megaplex to see the newest "Avengers" movie.  Then we headed home.

Our niece, Savannah was so nice to stay with the four kids while we were gone and they had a fun time together! 

 Tom and I recently introduced our kids to the Star Wars movies.  Lily and Jeff especially love them!  I'm kind of proud my kids enjoy something I've grown up with my whole life.

Mother's Day was a good day.  I have some awesome kids and a husband who spoils me.  Although Midway was part of my Mother's Day present, he got me a nice, new University of Utah jacket as well.

 I love my four little blessings.

Yesterday I had my preschool graduation.  They were my 18th and 19th classes and it was my tenth year of teaching.  I'm quite proud of this milestone.

And Today was Jeff's birthday, but that's another story.

3 questions

Tonight I asked Lily three questions... 

#1 Out of 100 people, 100 being the happiest person in the world, what number would you be?

Lily: average, 75

#2 who are the most important people in your life?

Lily:  Heaven Father, Jesus and the Holy Ghost. (On earth) my family

#3 what is the most important thing you do in your life? What do you contribute?

Lily: I'd need to confirm this with others, but being humble and grateful.

She then asked me what I would answer.  I said the following...

#1- 80

#2- Tom and my kids, also my siblings and parents

#3- being a mom. To know that I sacrifice my whole self for these four beings makes it the most important thing I do.  My greatest contribution.

It was a special moment to sit and laugh and cry with Lily as we talked about these three questions.