Jace's End of Year Program

Abbie and I had a fun time going to see Jace at his preschool program. He was really excited to sing for us.

He had such fun, nice teachers this year. Camille and Teresa. They gave him such a fun start to learning!

I hope he continues to love school like he does right now. He just can't get enough!

2010 Spring Choir Concert

We went to the girls' choir concert this past wednesday. It was all about Hero's. They were supposed to wear a hat that represents their hero. Natalie's hero was me. Her mom. Because "she rocks!" I will enjoy her saying it while I can get it. Hopefully, she will still like me in a few years!

Hallie's hero was her dad. "Because he works hard for us to get us the things we need." They have really liked choir and they haven't even complained very often about having to get up early to practice before school! I am so glad there are teachers at their school that are willing to donate their time and energy to the kids at our school.

Thanksgiving Point

Here we are at another field trip to Thanksgiving Point. We come every spring for someones class. It is a cute place and the kids always have a great time.

It is always fun to see the baby chickens, goats, and bunnies. Luckily it was one of the only good weather days we have had this spring.

We also went to Chick Fil A last Saturday and it just happened to be their 2nd anniversary. They were pretty crowded but they were giving out free dessert to everyone which is awesome. Jace went in to the play land and came out like this!! He wanted a "shawk" (shark) because that is the name of his soccer team!

Abbie's First Dance Recital

Abbie has had a lot of fun this year in her first dance class. She gets to see her best friend Kezia at class each time and I think that has made it all the better. Her recital was at the same time as soccer games so we had to decide what to go to. She had a bit of a hard time deciding because she loves soccer too.

She did a great job and she looked really cute. She had been a little nervous before the show to dance in front of a lot of people, but you would never know it when it was her classes turn! It will be fun to see if she decides to keep dancing or if she wants to move on to other things like her sisters have done.

Aquarium field trip!

Jace had a preschool field trip to the Aquarium. Our older kids were off track so we got to make it a group activity. It was our first field trip there, and for a mom on kid number four it was nice to do something different!
We had a lot of fun looking at the sting rays. The kids were more daring than me and they touched them!
Abbie wanted to see if she was a big as a Penguin. They had just added a penguin exhibit that the kids loved.The penguins were swimming around like crazy so they were fun to watch. The aquarium in this town is so small. Hopefully someday we can get Salt Lake to get a great aquarium to visit!!

My poor house!

Ok, you might recall me saying a while back that I need to do some home improvement and touch up around this house. I have done quite a bit of cleaning and a little organizing. There is still much to be done-hence no pictures.

I need to declutter this place like you wouldn't believe. We have saved so many things we will never use again. Our kids have so many toys from grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, us, each other. They came from people who love them, maybe that is why I don't just get rid of them. But it is time, no it is way past time! I think I want to take a more minimal approach to stuff. We don't even look at a majority of the things in this house. Oh, and that was a ramble to get to my real reason for the post!

My poor house. Almost five years and it is having issues. I can't imagine what happens in houses that aren't new when you move in! Anyway, we have a chunk out of the doorway where Nat hit her head turning out the light in the playhouse because she didn't duck low enough. (ouch!)

We have little lovely chips out of the wall in the upstairs family room because texture that sticks out of the wall a little is just screaming "pick at me" to some of my kids (ok, Jace).

One of our trees in the front yard is dying. Today I learned it is because is has bores. Lovely. The nursery better honor it's guarantee or they will have a not so nice Tricia to deal with. Trees aren't cheap. We sprung for a good sized one and it has only lasted like a year. Not cool.

We also have a huge problem with the shower in our master bath. It was once beautiful. The whole bathroom is slate and I loved it. But now, not so much. The slate in the shower has been peeling off and has been leaking water out of it. Yes, you heard right. The shower is leaking water. Yesterday we found out that a moisture barrier membrane was never put under the shower like it should have been. So for the past 4 1/2 years our slate has been soaking up water. It is a mess. The floor is even starting to get ruined. This membrane is an inspection item in the building process. Someone passed the inspection without even looking at it. Do I have any recourse? Probably not. I am going to be looking into it though. It is so frustrating. Now we get to redo the shower and part of the floor. Yea us.

Like I said, my poor house. There are more things I know need fixing and probably tons that I will soon discover! Wanna buy my house so I can start again? Didn't think so.

How do I figure it out?

"Everybody is a Genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid."

-Albert Einstein

When I saw this awesome quote it really made me think. So much of our lives are spent comparing ourselves to others and their abilities instead of searching out what our own abilities are. I know I do it. A lot. Other people around me seem to have it so together. They have so many talents. They are good at so many things. I am one of those people that is a "knower of many things, master of none." I need to learn where to find MY genius. Actually, it is probably too late to become a genius at something-but hopefully not. However, it isn't too late for my kids!

I often wonder if I am finding the right activities for them. Am I giving them enough variety of life experience? How do I see where their strengths really lie? Do I have a genius child that isn't getting their chance to shine because I haven't found the right outlet for their brilliance? I have great, smart, good kids, but am I stunting them from being even better? I do wonder about these things. Often. They really came to mind after Jace was in the hospital last year. And many times since. Two times in intensive care in 3 years of life. He survived both. He has a reason to be here. Am I going to be a good mom and help him find that reason? Am I the only one that thinks this way?

Well, I guess I will add this to the list of things to do. Try and help my kids find their inner genius! Maybe I can find mine along the way. . . .

A Boy's First Kiss!

Once upon a Friday there was a feisty little boy who went across the street to play with a darling girl. An older woman in fact. By one whole year. She is so cute.They spent hours at her house playing, riding bikes, jumping on the trampoline.

When he got called home for dinner he made an announcement to the family. "I kissed Amanda."
A question from his sister "Where?"
"On the lips" was his reply.
A question from his mother, "Did someone tell you to?"
The boy: "No I wanted to"
Another sister: "Do you like her?"
"Yes"
"Do you love her?"
"Yes. I think I will give her my heart."

If that isn't the cutest thing you ever heard, something is seriously wrong with you. My little wild boy has a seriously sensitive side and I am glad it shines through sometimes. I love that boy. He has since promised to just give her some hugs from now on. He is so funny.