Accomplishments

Micah turned 11 on Friday! I cannot believe I have an 11 year old. He's in sixth grade this year, student body VP and he's going to be in the school's play, Cinderella as the Prime Minister this Thursday night! For those of you that know Micah, this is incredible. He has really come out of his shell this year and is realizing his talents and interests. He just crossed over from cub scouts and is now in boy scouts. Life is incredibly busy but good. We have 2 boys in soccer, 2 in piano, 1 in cub scouts, 1 in boy scouts, 2 in the play (Jacob is stage crew) and I'm sure there's something I've left out. Tyler is always busy with Bishopric duties and I am in activity days now (8-12 year old girls week night activities).

Micah got a rip stick (like a skate board but only has 2 wheels) for his birthday. He was the only one that could do it, now Jacob can do it too. When no one was around last night I tried it...I definitely can't do it. I'm so glad I tried it in secret!

Tyler and I were the proudest parents last month, we had all 3 boys get Sparthenian of the quarter! It is like student of the month, they used to award it monthly, this year they only do it quarterly, and this was the first time it was given this year. We are trying our best to make a big deal out of any of their accomplishments so as to encourage them to continue accomplishing things, so we rewarded them with dinner out at Red Robin. It is times like these that I feel like I'm not completely screwing up as a parent!
I am so excited that it is now November, and cold! My favorite time of the year. Time for soup and hot cider, jeans and sweaters, warm pajamas and blankets, cuddling up to my husband at night instead of pushing him away! Thanksgiving and our Anniversary, and of course...Christmas! My sewing bug should be kicking in anytime now, I can't wait!

Star testing results, yes Ty, I'm posting them, sorry!

When I told Tyler that I wanted the boys Star testing results so I could scan them he immediately gave me "the look". The look that says it all. He said, "You're not going to blog them." It wasn't a question as much as it was counsel. I said that of course I wasn't going to blog them, which translates to...I was going to blog them but now I wont because you said that but maybe I still will but later. Got it?

So, it rubbed Tyler the wrong way to hear me tell people how well our boys did on the Star testing. He is very aware of bragging. I don't think we should brag, but I do think it's good for the kids to hear how happy we are with their success. We make a big deal when the kids aren't making good choices, so why not make an even bigger deal when they do something great? Anyway, the first week of school they had a rally and honored the kids that got perfect Star testing scores, so, in my mind, I got license to blog it! I am not bragging, I am just saying that my kids did well in something and I'm proud of their progress and efforts...WAY TO GO BOYS!

We received Jacob's results several days before Micah's and we were blown away by the fact that he scored a perfect 600 in math! Both of our kids have always tested well, scoring in advanced every time, but a perfect score? Wow! I can tell you truthfully that I am not tooting my own horn here. I take zero credit for their math success, I am terrible at math. They must have gotten Tyler's math genes and great teachers.

Many days later we were blown away yet again to find that Micah also got a perfect 600. I was especially surprised at this because he always complains about math and says how hard it is. I am now expecting great things from these kids, when I go back to school they'll have to help me with my math!

One last thing I had to add, both boys wanted to know what they scored in the other category, the exact number, just so they could see who was smartest! I didn't let them look.

I live with a PE!

The last day of school we found out that our friend Eli passed his PE exam (Professional Engineer). We were very happy for him. It's quite a test, 3 different parts, sometimes people take it and pass none of them, Tyler was fortunate to pass one part the first time and one part the second time. He didn't get in as much study time before this third and last time taking the test so we weren't expecting him to pass his last part. It's a ridiculous amount of time you have to wait to find out results, months. So, Saturday morning while we were still in bed Tyler got on his laptop to look and see if Eli's name was on the PE website yet. Eli passed a different portion, one Tyler had already passed and you find out sooner about. So, Eli was there, a Professional Engineer! Tyler was thinking about typing his name in but didn't want to not find himself there. I told him it wouldn't mean anything if he wasn't there yet, besides, we really weren't expecting him to pass anyway...

He typed his name in, and up he popped complete with our address, it was him, a Professional Engineer! What an exciting way to find out. I made him a yummy, big breakfast to celebrate. I am so proud of him.
French toast
Potato rounds
Cantelope, which I delegated to him to cut so everything would be ready together.
Perfectly cooked bacon.
And here are the two PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS. Eli came by to congratulate Tyler. Good job you guys!

End of year awards and Peyton's Snail friend Spydo

Micah got perfect attendance again this year. A feat that is amazing to me because of my own horrific school attendance. Jacob missed only one day and he missed that day because he was sent home from school the previous day because of a fever. School policy says they have to be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. Jacob actually cried that day because he couldn't go to school. He never had a fever that entire day either, it was gone just a few hours after he was sent home. Anyway, maybe next year. I am very happy though that we didn't have any illnesses with Micah and Jacob and that they didn't want to even fake being sick to stay home, good job boys!

Jacob got the school's Personal Responsibility Award again this year, a pretty big award and we are so happy that he is good for his teachers and a very responsible kid. He also got straight A's all year this year, shouldn't they have an award for that? They did when I was in school. So, GOOD JOB JACOB!
Each of the boys received a medal, below is Jacob's medal.
Tyler and I have been walking the boys to school in the morning, and today, on the way to school Peyton found this new little friend that she kept with her all the way home ( I didn't even crush it when she let it go!). I told Tyler I have never seen a snail crawl all over someone when being held, they always stay in their shell. I got to thinking though, I've never actually seen someone LET them crawl all over them! Don't worry, I washed her up with lot's of soap and water.
On the way home it crawled all over both of her hands front and back and then all the way to her elbow.

Potty Training and catching up, somewhat.

My life for the past few weeks has been somewhat consumed by potty training Miss P, exercising and meal planning. I think I can say now that my sweet little girl is potty trained! A few weeks ago I thought she was NOT ready, and now it's been something like 6 days since her last accident. She tells me when she needs to go potty and sometimes goes all by herself! Happy Day! 4 down, none to go! I hate potty training and P made it easy, as easy as can be anyway. I am so proud of her.
This, above, is my latest favorite way to do her hair. She has super curly, ringlet hair, but only underneath. The topmost layer is pretty straight, so I have found that if I wash it and brush it with a wide tooth comb it dries in perfect ringlets underneath and on top I can just curl it, about 5 additional ringlets. So Cute, and pretty quick and easy (as long as she can watch in the mirror!).

I made Peyton and my nieces these dresses and matching baby clothes for Christmas. I wish I had a pic of them all together in them.

Sept. 6th was the last Grizzlies game and we went, minus Jake who was hanging out with his cousin Essien. I now love baseball, go figure. I'm working on football, well, planning on it. I just need someone to take the time to explain all of the many details. You cannot love something you know very little about. So, do you notice how old Micah is looking? He's almost 10 now!

Peyton is pretty girlie in some ways, but in many ways she is very much a tom boy. Micah asked if she was going to be a cheerleader, she said no, she was going to play football.

The first month of school both big boys at the first awards rally got Sparthenian. It's basically like student of the month. I was very happy for that. They are good kids and I am lucky to have them.

Many years ago I did a Rainbow Fish craft with Micah and he loved it. We read the book and then made a rainbow fish. I decided to repeat it with Ben and Peyton. It was so fun to watch Peyton glue on the scales. She was so precise with where she placed each scale and she did such a good job, reminds me ever so much of Micah.

Ben wasn't nearly as particular about the placement of his scales, he was more interested in cutting out his own scales. He is learning tons in Kindergarten and enjoying school quite a bit.

Ben is playing flag football and Tyler is helping coach his team. Ben is very good at throwing and catching the football. I enjoy watching him dance around the field during his games. I think we need to get that boy in a dance class. His latest is break dancing which I think he actually has some talent in.

Peyton often joins me in my exercising. She is so cute. She now has graduated from Girl Pushups ( like Anita) to Regular Pushups (like mommy and Natalie). If you have ever done Jillian Michaels 30 day shred these names would mean something! CHECK OUT HER FORM!

Here she is, watching my dvd while EATING CHIPS!

Notice the diaper? I no longer see that anymore!

This picture I love, it's old news too, she likes to use the "Big Potty" now. Life is good, busy. I'm going to attempt to be better at blogging, but who knows.

Perfect Attendance and Personal Responsibility

By some strange fluke neither Micah nor Jacob got sick this year, so we went with it and didn't let them miss a day to go to Father's and Son's early. They were both awarded with perfect attendance and received a cool medal. Jacob also recieved the Personal Responsibility award. I had never heard of it, but it's apparently quite an honor. Tyler and I are both so proud of our boys and how well they have done in school. I know I nag them a lot and sometimes feel very frusterated with them, but when I really think about it, these kids are good and smart and responsible. Thank you boys, keep up the good work! I love you.

This is Jake with his Personal Resposibility award

Perfect Attendance. I'm really very proud of both the kids and myself for this one. It was a combined effort, and honestly, something I never even got close to.

We had more than half an hour between lower and upper grade awards so the little ones (mine, Margaret McCauley's and Alicia McFarland's) had fun running around the cafeteria and enjoying bags of snack mix kindly donated by the cafeteria lady. I have to say, when Peyt wears her hair in piggy buns, I love her even more.

Micah with his Perfect Attendance, the kid to the right is his buddy Colton.

Ahwww moments from the end of April

I just haven't been in a blogging mood lately and have loads to catch up on. Since I am sitting here at 6 in the morning with no kids to watch, I thought I's just get it done! Tyler and "the boys" are away on their Father's and sons or Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration campout. Woo Hoo, I love my girls weekends. It's just me and Miss P and she is asleep right now, like I planned to be, I stayed up til 1am and was going to sleep until she woke up and I guess I just can't sleep in anymore. Anyway, to start this weekend off, I always clean the house first. I love it, I get to watch it stay clean for 2 days!!! Last night I picked up Panda Express for Peyton and I and we sat on the couch together and watched a show and ate right out of the container. I was great. After she went to bed I cleaned and scrapbooked and watched 4 episodes of 24. Tonight my Mom and Sister Morgan are coming over for the main event. Subway for dinner and chick flicks, and of course chocolate. This is our second annual girls weekend and I love it, I secretly look forward to it all year. It's a great bonding experience.

Ok, on to the pictures and mini stories from the month of April

This is of course my little mommy diva. There is no shortage of Girlie in her!

We had the tent set up in the front room for a week or so and she loved it. Her and the dogs played in there together quite often.

Peyton now likes Baby Signs and Baby Einstein! Ben still likes them too, so it's really cute to see them watching together. They'll talk to each other and giggle together. Very sweet. In the pic below they are both doing the sign for book, Peyton's needs a little work, she's getting there though!

My sweet girl also sometimes thinks that she is one of the dogs.

The boys dressed up for Rodeo Day, Benji was sad he didn't have cowboy boots until we convinced him that when cowboys work on their ranch they wear workboots. I thought they all looked so adorable.
We love our zoo and go quite frequently. I loved these pics. Ben asked me to take the one below and posed for it all on his own.
He loves his sister.

We went to Red Lobster for Aunt Mo's 17th birthday. The kids have been wanting to go there for a long time. Micah tried some of Papa Louie's Lobster a few years ago and has said ever since that it is his favorite food. Well, we didn't get any kids, or us for that matter, the lobster. They had to settle for the $8 a kids plate snow crab. Ben had fun playing with his crab legs and making them dance. They all liked the food but I don't think we'll be taking the kids to eat there again in the near future, it was a small fortune.

Jacob got Sparthenian of the Month! It is a very big award and I will be putting the bumper sticker on as soon as I wash the car. Micah said he just got it because his teacher ran out of good kids to give it too. That is so not true. Jacob has been working hard at school and his teacher noticed and told me how well he's been doing. Micah is very jealous. They are both straight A students, but it takes much more than good grades to get Sparthenian. It is a very hard thing to be on top of your game all the time. Micah, I know that if you keep working hard and don't give up you can get Sparthenian too! You boys are doing so well in school and I'm proud of all your hard work. I love you two so very much.

This is Miss P sporting her Alice doo. I love her hair!

I better get on to May soon before it's JUNE!

My little ones and my Star Reader

October 9th
I have a feeling that these 2 are going to be great friends!
Is she adorable or what?
Good job Jake! Yay! Another reader in the family!!!