Last day of school

Today was Bentley's last day of first grade. Yesterday he got his year book and came home with a bunch of work from the year. Today school began at 8:50am as usual, but then the kids were released at 10:00am! Can they really call that a school day? Oh well, they had an awards ceremony at 9:05am, and that was it. Bentley was excited to get three awards which included a trophy for the spelling bee. Way to go Bentley T!

Just out back

After a long weekend, Tuesday felt like Monday all day to me, so our Tuesday night activities felt like it should have been FHE. With that title or not, we had fun out back on Tuesday night as a family. We played a rousing game of crochet, moved over to horse shoes and the swings and then ended off with some cowboy golf. I think it honestly was the most fun I've had out back at the cabin in a long time. Yeah for summer nights!

Good friends at the Gateway

On Memorial Day we met up with some good friends from the college days. We met Cody and Bethany at CEU, and then lived across the parking lot from them in two different apartment complexes while attending USU. It is amazing how our families have grown. We met up at the Gateway and had fun reminiscing, catching up, watching the kids get wet, playing with the train set at B&N, enjoying some good food, and just having a relaxing evening.

Girls at the Zoo

We had a girl's day out (kind of a end of year Joy School field trip) to the zoo today. The weather was perfect, the animals were out and moving around, and it was so nice to have a break from the at home scene.

Luau at the Library

The girls and I have enjoyed the library's story hours held on Wednesdays this year. To finish off the school year they hosted a fun Hawaiian themed activity. The girls were able to learn about Hawaii, listen to stories, play games, enjoy some Hawaiian snacks, and even try a little hula dancing.

Happy Birthday Tom!

Today, the love of my life turned 32!
Wow, that sounds old;) We celebrated with his traditional Korean cuisine. I've been given a hard time in the past about him cooking on his own birthday, but it's what he likes. He really knows how to cook too. I'm usually in the kitchen for moral support, but he does most of the work. This year even Bentley ate and enjoyed, I might add, the seaweed. I love most of what he makes, but seaweed has not been my favorite in the past; today however, it was pretty tasty. The other excitement of the day was that I can now add "bought a gun" to the list of things I've done in my lifetime. Tom now owns his own shotgun. It was what he wanted, and besides the fact that Emma randomly shouted out, "Benelli shotgun" yesterday morning and informed him that he was not to enter a certain room... I think he might have been surprised. Ok, NOT, but still I figured the anticipation was probably just as fun as if it had been a total surprise. Other than that, it was a pretty quiet day with the exception of the phone ringing off the hook more that I can remember in a long time. This made Tom's day for sure, so thanks to all the birthday well wishers, and Happy Birthday Honey! Love you forever!

COMD

Saturday we had a USU/COMD get together. For those not familiar with the jargon, I got together with some of the girls that I went to school with at Utah State in the Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education program. Its hard to believe that it has been five years since we graduated. Since that time a few things have changed. The most evident being that between the six of us there are now (if my count is correct) 14 children with 2 more in the works. Its fun to remember the "good ol' days" with some of the best things about those days being the friendships made. These are some awesome ladies that I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to associate with.

Shhhh!

Today we ran to Provo to get something fun for Tom's birthday which is on Sunday. The girls were so excited to surprise Daddy. I'll just hope they can keep a secret.

First grade field trip

Back in the fall, I went with Bentley's first grade class to an apple farm, but I forgot my camera. On Thursday, the class went to the Gateway Children's Museum. I remembered my camera this time, but it is acting funny. The flash isn't working correctly, so the pictures are pretty bad. Still, better than nothing I guess. I had never been to the Museum, so I was excited to see it. The kids all seemed to have a good time, and other than the bus ride, (I forget how miserable a noisy bus can be.) I enjoyed myself as well.

Ahhhh! Warmth!

I love warm weather! Apparently, Bentley does too. We were leaving in the van this afternoon, and I had all the kids in and buckled except for The B. He had been playing outside, so I called his name several times with no response. Finally, I took off around the house to see were he was. This is what I saw as I came around the house.















He had found what he said was some "warm grass".
Winter... we don't miss you!

Happy Mothers' Day!

Mothers' Day was such a wonderful one this year. It is so great to be a mom! This is a picture that Bentley drew of our family for me for the occasion. So cute!

Mouse in the House!

Ewww! One of the many reasons I am so glad to have a hubby around the house. Discarding rodents is not something I'm too fond of. It did produce quite the excitement however as all three children were chanting, "mouse in the house! mouse in the house!" in between the screams and shrieks. I'm glad to say that the poor little thing didn't last very long in the green house and has now been layed to rest in back of the cabin (pronounced 'cu-ba-bin'... where are my IPA characters when I need them).

The Happiest Mommy Ever

Just wanted to share what my mom gave me for Mother's Day. (That seems a little backward doesn't it? But that's just the type of Mom that she is.) I opened it early, oops, but she sent the sweetest book. Whether it is because I'm truly having a happiest moment ever or just need a reminder to create one, I have loved reading it. My Mom said she got it because it was (with some minor order of events corrections, the story of my life:). Here's the summary from Deseret Book's site.

In this delightful children’s picture book, a young boy asks while making cookies with his mother, “Mommy, what is the happiest you’ve ever been?” His mother reflects on her life and responds, “Well, once when I was just about your age, I was in a dance recital . . . when I was done, the audience clapped and cheered for me. I was so happy.” The boy persists and asks, “But Mommy, is that the happiest you’ve ever been?” Upon which the mother tells the boy other stories of joyful moments in her life: winning the big volleyball game; graduating from college; getting married in the temple; and having a new baby. After each story, the boy asks, “But Mommy, is that the happiest you’ve ever been?” Finally, the mother says, “A few years later, that little baby grew. . . . He was a big boy now— a big boy that I love to make cookies with and tell stories to. I am so happy.” One more time the boy asks his question and the mother responds, “Yes, THIS is the happiest I’ve ever been.”















It doesn't really convince the kids that I'm truly happy being with them when I read them the book and cry every time. Each time Ali says, "You sad, Mommy?" She's very confused when with tears in my eyes I tell her that I'm happy. I'll have to work on that one.

Dance and Hip Hop

Last night was the Spring Dance Recital. Emma has been taking dance all year; and, this spring they started a boy's hip hop class that Bentley decided to try. Emma has just blossomed this year and gets on stage without an ounce of apparent fear. Bentley, who has always been my full speed ahead, independent child, was nervous to get on the stage and told me more than once that he was "going to die." On the way to his dress rehearsal on Tuesday, he and Emma were talking in the van. Bentley asked Emma if she was nervous about the performance. She nonchalantly replied, "no". He, obviously nervous about the whole thing, didn't bring it up with her again. Well, he's still alive and did really well. Emma was cute as always.

Soccer

We counted soccer season as a success this year! The season was three weeks long with six games. Last year it was so cold that half the games were canceled, but this year the weather cooperated. The kids were able to play every game. Bentley absolutely loved going out and playing! He told me to write that they won every single game. Even though an official score is not kept, they kids always know what it is. He scored three goals throughout the season and was definitely the cutest boy on the field;)

You're supposed to be happy!

Don't you love the feeling of a new outfit? I just love putting on something new. Over the weekend we went summer shopping for the kids. Most of the time they're excited about new things. This morning however, the girls were not in a good mood. The cute clothes with the sad faces just didn't seem to go together. Still, sometimes the sadness is worth documenting too, and I think it is somewhat comical when they see the sad pictures of themselves. At least they know what they look like when they throw a fit. Funny girls.