What comes with a new backyard?

Well, much of the same I guess, lots of playing, singing, sitting, eating, etc... it just looks a little different. It has actually been really nice having a larger porch than previously. We have our table and chairs and the glider on the front porch perfect for morning or evening eating and relaxing. And then we have a few chairs and lots of toys that adorn that back porch for anytime fun. Our home faces west, so the backyard is super warm in the morning, but cools off nicely in the afternoon and evening shade. And it's been such a nice warm spring that we've already spent a lot of time outside. Especially, since Esaias has not lost his love of the outdoors.

We also have a small playground across the street, that allows me to keep on eye on the kids when they need a little more room to venture out. Esaias knows the parks/playgrounds in our neighborhood well, as he and Tara would visit them often. Next to the playground is an open field, where we get the pleasure of being visited by "tows." No, that's not a typo that's how Esaias says cows.

We finally got out to try out Esaias' new pool, and after much coaxing and Mom's help Esaias finally embraced the cold water. Of course once we got him in, we couldn't get him out!

 Finally, a picture of Isaac in the backyard. He really is "too cool" to hang with us much outside, and he's usually sitting inside reading! But when it came to swimming, he could throw out his "too cool" attitude and join the fun!

Can you tell that she likes to pose for pictures?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Tara!

We are sad to say goodbye to Tara as she ventures off to Virginia to try something new. We are thrilled that she is taking advantage of her youth and trying new things, but we will miss her greatly.
Tara was one of my young women a few years ago, when I had the pleasure of teaching the 16 & 17 year old girls at church. She has since then graduated high school and gone to college on a volleyball scholarship. However, when the college thing wasn't all it was cracked up to be, she came home and needed a job. Well, she was an answer to our prayers! We needed a babysitter for Esaias while I was working. It was a perfect fit! Not only did Esaias love having her come everyday and play, but most days it was difficult to pry my other two children away for the school day. They only got really one or two days off school and an evening to spend time with her, but every morning & afternoon they were eager to tell her all the events and happenings of the day. She became a part of our lives. The first day we were home for summer break, and the door opened, Esaias shouted his usual morning greeting, "Tawa." I was sad that I couldn't explain that she would soon be on a plane, and not coming as usual. We will miss her a lot! But we wish her all the best in her new adventures!

My Boyz Birthdayz

 Even with all the spring craziness we did manage to pull off a small family & friend Sesame Street birthday party for Esaias. He was very happy to be turning 2 years old. Of course he didn't really know the reason behind all the present opening, but I don't think he cared much. He truly enjoyed finding the surprises hidden beneath each varied wrapping.

 Friends like Jen and Chad were there to bring him more packages to open.

 Mom and Dad's gift means lots of crashing in the backyard! His favorite thing to do...be outside and crash things.

 Auntie Risa helps him blow out the candles on a chocolate birthday cake, that Danny insists Esaias chose.

 2 weeks later, Isaac's 12 year old birthday came and went fairly quietly. This was a special birthday as he accepted the honor and was worthy to receive the Aaronic priesthood. It's not the first time in his life we shared Mother's Day together as we celebrated this special moment. Because it was Mother's Day most of our family was unable to make it for dinner and cake that Sunday afternoon. Thanks to the Stohl family for "crashing the party." Or should I say making the party. Our new neighbors came by and helped it feel like a party as we shared ice cream and cake for Isaac's birthday.

Happy Birthday to my boys. They sure are growing up, each in their own way.

School Year Accomplishments

So I am sure you are wondering, why I have pictures of eggs. Well, one of Marina's accomplishments this year was earning 2nd place in her Science Fair. As a mother, I must confess, I hate science projects! No matter how hard you try, they can't do it all on their own, and it is suppose to be a project that they do. Every year, you can tell which projects were done by parents, which ones are done just by the student, and which ones were done by students with adult supervision and help. The latter is by far the hardest. Being patient and allowing the kid to work through the process on their own with guidance takes time, time, and more time! (One thing we are all short on these days). Although I have taught science, I really don't enjoy the science process...sure there are some cool experiments, but trying to let kids do the experiment, and then write up the process, and put it together on a board...takes a lot of parent work. Nonetheless, we did it, and she had to answer to the judges all on her own. And she did it! She wanted a ribbon and I kept telling her she needed to be proud of her hard work, even without a ribbon...but she earned that red ribbon!

 Marina also made the Jumpmaster's team this year. She had to try-out for the team, and of course this athletic little girl made the team. She had the opportunity to perform during some half-time shows during high school basketball games. It was fun to watch her do her front walk-over into the rope.

Marina also participated in another year of choir and learned some new songs to add to her already large repertoire.

Marina also earned a perfect attendance this year and even better she earned a special character award for "Fairness" given to only 2 out of 100 3rd graders. She is a very kind and helpful peer. I wish some of that would pour over to her brothers, but I guess it's good that she applies it somewhere. She is very driven by being fair...this comes genetically from a long line of fair grandparents. We can trace this several generations back. Her 80 year old great-grandparents still send cards & money to all their posterity for birthday and Christmas. Each one is carefully given a specific amount based upon their generation. They never forget a single one!

Other accomplishments this year have been memorizing her multiplication facts, taking her first CSAP tests, and rocking her music and P.E. classes. She was far-out doing the boys at field day, and was more than thrilled to report that the girls beat the boys 3 times in tug-of-war. She is one tough cookie. She is athletic, a quick study when it comes to hands-on learning and activities, and is learning that she can do hard things, if she just believes it!

A little while back, Isaac and I had a discussion in the car about public recognition. I am definitely not one to like much attention, let alone public recognition. Are you sure he's my kid? He loves the praise and attention...always has. I was trying to encourage him to think about feeling good about your accomplishments and not needing people to recognize it, when he replied, "but it is nice sometimes." I thought, "Oh this is a lost cause." Not necessarily in a bad way, just that I wasn't going to come out "right" in his mind. 

So, to Isaac's long list of accomplishments. He is our scholar. He was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society this year. Quite an honor for a 6th grader. He has maintained a 3.5-3.9 GPA this year and was publicly recognized with a certificate at the end of the year for this, although he was a little disappointed commenting that he was only one "A" away from having maintained a 4.0 GPA all year. There were only 5, 6th graders who earned that recognition and medal. He was bummed that he wasn't up there, and set his goals for next year already.

He was acknowledged for his creative writing skills, science excellence (this one was a surprise for him), and excellent achievement in Speak Up for 6th grade boy. His Speak Up class was the one elective I, (his mother) made him take. It was a class where they give speeches and perform. His teacher loved him, and he excelled...no duh! He loved it too!

So on to his electives, he has done very well playing the saxaphone and wants to continue on to next year. And those of you that think he's a nerd (well he is a little), should know that this boy can run! He set a new 6th grade record of 135 pacers. He also ran the mile in 7:10. He wanted to get under 7 minutes, but didn't quite make it before that semester ended. (And those of you that knew Isaac when he was the fat little pudgy toddler/kid, that thought he was super fast, but was really slow-can appreciate that!) 

That's our Isaac, nothing stops him. He believes he can do anything. And this belief carries him a long way. His friends love him, even though he talks too much, his teachers at school love him, even though he talks too much, his church leaders love him, even though he talks too much, and even his parents love him, even though he talks too much. His career test that showed he would be enterprising, came as no surprise. We know he will excel at whatever he decides to do!

Apology for being gone so long

Today is my first day of summer. I have been wanting to blog for months, but life has gotten in the way. So, I just kept saying I'd get to it, as soon as I was done with work for a bit. However, I was surprised to get online and quickly realize how much of your lives I had missed out on. I let my life keep me from seeing yours. So, I feel like I have to apologize because not only have you missed out on much of mine, but I have missed much of yours too. I have missed births, celebrations, and sadness. Although, many of you may not have even noticed I was gone, I still feel bad for being to busy to be there to read about you all. It's amazing how many of you even far away are so much a part of my life. And I hope that I am a part of yours by sharing our small sad and happy moments with each other. So, here's to getting back on the wagon...and "blogging." I have many things to catch up on, and I am looking forward to sharing! Love to you all! Vycci