Teacher's Gifts - Nate liked them too!

Does school in Missouri seriously end on May 19? That's so early! Well, I guess that's my excuse as to why I didn't have any gifts ready to give to the girls' teachers. So one morning we whipped up some chocolate dipped oreos in some of my leftover gourmet chocolate from truffle making. Nate thought that oreos make a great breakfast. I would typically do this activity during Nate's nap - but we were pressed for time and had to get them done.

Nate enjoyed his chocolate breakfast so much - that he had to have more! He discovered some blocks of chocolate on the counter and was about dig in before I caught him. I had to grab the camera first.

They turned out cute, delicious and free!

The girls dressed Nate today

Show and Tell

Ashlyn had a couple boys in her class that didn't believe her that she really had a snake at home. When she told me that, I decided I had enough bravery to show those boys. It was scary for me...that I had to be the one to bring the snake to school, but I survived. The girls did a great job teaching their classes about ball pythons.

Dave helped the girls research some interesting facts about ball pythons. Here is Sadie with her clipboard of notes to read to the class.

Too bad Dave couldn't have watched his girls show off their snake. He would have been proud. The classes loved it and I think the girls loved it even more.

Kids' Day!

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was probably Sadie's age. My dad took us to a ward pancake breakfast. Mom didn't come - had no clue why. After being there a few minutes, Dad said "Let's go home" and somehow talked us all into it. We came home to a big surprise - it was Kids' Day at our house! Mom was home getting things set up. My favorite thing was the fishing booth!



Well, I alway thought that someday I would do a Kids' Day. Over the past few years, Ash has contemplated around the Mother's Day and Father's Day holidays...why we don't have a kids' day. I agree with her. Some moms might say that EVERY day is Kids' day, but I think kids deserve a day to be honored and to not have to lift a finger.


Saturday morning the kids woke up to Kids' day. They each had a little present (hula-hoops for the girls and playdough for Nate) waiting for them with a "Happy Kids' Day" sign. We ate donuts (a rare occurance in our house) while watching cartoons as a family (another rare occurance). We watched and lazed for a long time. Then we did the fishing booth. It was so fun hooking little prizes to the fishing line and the kids loved it. Crepes with strawberries, banana and yogurt for lunch. The girls didn't have to do their hair, no chores, no cleaning after meals. Just lots of playing and having a relaxing day.

At one point in the day, Ash said "This is one of the best days of my life." Wow! She's easy to please.

Crazy. No other words for this picture. I didn't even know this happened. I just found this picture on the computer.

Karla sent Nate his very own watering pail. He is so proud of it and helps me water every day. He sets his pail right next to mine on the deck.

Baby Ever

Nate needed a diaper change. I scooped him up in my arms and held him like a baby while walking back to his room. He loves being held like this. I looked down at my baby who is growing way too fast and said "Will you be my baby forever?"

Nate replied: "Baby Ever, Baby Ever, Baby Ever."

He kept saying this throughout the diaper change.

I loved it.

Then he sneezed the remains of his oatmeal muffin all over my face. That quickly ended my perfect little moment with Nate.

And such is life. Sometimes the perfect moments last only a few seconds, but at least they can last as a memory forever.

Nate is my baby ever.

Lots of working and a little bit of playing

While I was in CA, Dave and the girls made these planter boxes.We planted some vegetables and herbs to put on the deck so the chickens can't get to our garden.

This morning while I was doing piano with Ash, I looked over at the stairs and saw Sadie reading a book to Nate with a witch hat on.

This is what we've spent the last Saturday (all day) and Monday and Tuesday night doing as a family. It might not look like very exciting landscaping. I wish I had taken a before picture, because then you could appreciate all of the work we've done. We dug out a bunch of ugly bushes, made the brick border, hauled TONZ of rock, planted flowers, rose bushes, built the arbor (that would be Dave), and put the lights in (my job). We had a lot of fun working, but are glad to have it done. I can't wait for the climbing roses to climb up the arbor.

The hard workers- standing on the rock pile.

It was cold out - so I knew Ash was working hard when she took her jacket off.

Nate LOVED the pushing job. He was really good at it!

Easter morning. The girls loved their white gloves and purses from Karla. And thanks to Grandma Walton for perfect Easter dresses from Jason's wedding last year. No need to buy new dresses!

Just a random picture.

The girls and I went on a date to St. Louis to Powell Hall where we saw The 5 Browns perform! They were amazing, and we even got to meet them and get autographs!

Spring Soccer has begun. I love Ashlyn's face in this picture. She has so much fun playing soccer and is super frustrated when they cancel a game or practice due to weather. She thinks they should practice in any weather!

Meet Caroline. She is the mouse that Rolly ate. They (Dave and the kids...I'm not part of this activity) got the mouse, but it took a few days for the snake to finish shedding and be ready to eat. So the girls kept Caroline in a box in their room. It became a pet for a few days. Ash was so upset about the circle of life...that snakes have to eat mice. LOTS of tears over this one.

Sadie smiles the whole time she is on the field. She's a happy girl out there.

A Most Special Day

Dad and I with Karla on her baptism day. I didn't plan to match them, but I surely fit in with the "white" theme. Thank you for letting me be part of your special day, Karla! It was a day I will always remember. I'm still smiling about it.

Grandma was helping thirsty Nate find a drinking fountain.

Seeing lollipops on all of the children's headstones was a first to me. Nate has a an expression that I can't really put into English words, but it's the cutest hand expression and his own made up words for "Where did it go?" He knows how to say Brie's name so well - I love it. It used to sound like "Bee" and now I can hear the "r". I told Nate where we were going, and when we got to the cemetery, Nate did his "Where did it go" version while saying Brie's name first. Good thing we know where she is - it makes it all bearable. He must know that it's a special place - because he's always his sweetest when we're there.

Nate loved baby Matthew - so much that he wanted to lay on top of him for a long time.

With a mother as a hygienist (Shannon) and a father as a periodontist, no wonder these two were busy at work cleaning Matthew's first tooth.

It was such a treat to get away for a quick weekend of good food (always) and wonderful memories.