Happy Memorial Day!

The girls were going to head out with Brad for the day, so this morning we went and got Bapa and went to the cemetery to see Great Bapa and Great Grandmere's grave.  I've never brought the girls here, before, so it was really a nice morning for me.  I sure miss these guys.  We ran into Pete and Susan while we were there, which was a fun coincidence.

Primary Teaching

I've been working a lot on my calligraphy, and wanted to try and do some faux calligraphy, so I called the skills into action with the signs I did for my primary lesson today.  It's fun to do and looks pretty good!

Leiden's Friend Party

Leiden decided a long time ago that she wanted her party at a swimming pool.  As all of mine are proficient to mostly proficient, I decided I could handle that.  Leiden was in charge of writing out all the invitations.

We headed out to Dimple Dell and had a great time.  There was tons of swimming, pizza, drinks, and presents.  I didn't get a picture of them, but Leiden requested red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting for her birthday party treat, instead of cake!

Friends and cousins were happy to come help celebrate.

The rec center was pretty funny.  As part of the 'tropical' theme Leiden chose for her party decor, they hung up these little paper sized posters of tropical destinations.  IF ONLY I was hanging out on a beach at sunset tonight!

The party went well, although with a bit of girl drama from friends.  I still shake my head that we are there in her life experience, with girls who cause problems and behave badly, but we didn't let it ruin the fun!  Leiden had a great time with her friends, and I think they're all worn out!  This was the last of the birthday celebrations for Leiden.

Happy Birthday Leiden!

The big day has arrived!  Happy Birthday my first sweet girl!

As always, presents in the morning.  She got a really cool detailed coloring book.

A new umbrella!

And last but not least, a voucher for another betta fish!  She got one at her dad's house, but I thought she would like having one here at home, too.

This spunky little girl is 11!  I can hardly believe it.  She has changed so much, and I know more change is afoot.  She has really developed her nurturing side a lot this last little while.  I notice it a lot with Thomas...not so much her sisters, though!  With them she is still very much a sister, not a nurturer!

We went to the pet store, and SOMEHOW I got talked into TWO betta fish!  She picked out a cream colored one and named him Angel, and a black and red one whom she named Dude!

This afternoon was Leiden's patriotic program, which was SO fun to go listen to.  It's the exact same program I produced with my two 5th grade classes 11 and 12 years ago, so it was a special treat for me.  I still remember almost all the songs, and they did a great job putting their own spin on it.

Mimi wore her flag shirt to help celebrate!

The birthday festivities will proceed through the weekend, drawing birthday out as usual!  

Happy Birthday, Leiden!  And many more!

Soccer Spectators

At soccer tonight, all I got a picture of was a couple of the spectators!  It's still pretty chilly most nights, so we were prepared with jackets and blankets.  The girls aren't super sold on soccer, so we likely won't be doing it again.  And that's fine.  They have to have the experience to know if they like it or not, and it's good to get out and run around in the fresh air.

Leiden's Family Birthday Celebration

Leiden has given a lot of thought to her birthday this year, and quite a while ago she requested a 'naked' cake!  But not a chocolate with light frosting naked, no.  A yellow with chocolate frosting naked!  So it doesn't look quite like the stunning cakes you see in the wedding magazines or on Pinterest, but it is exactly what she wanted!  Today I worked hard to get it ready for her party with our family.

She was very pleased with the results.  She has always been a cake supporter in the cake vs. frosting war, so this is right up her alley.

She helped put the candles in.

And now we're ready to light!

Of course then there were presents!

A cute little FinFun mermaid tail for her American Girl Doll, just like the other girls got at their birthdays.

Shopkins made an appearance, much to Grandmere's chagrin.

Last but not least, she got a FinFun blanket tail, like the other two girls as well!  What fun gifts!

We are a little early, but I can't believe she's going to be 11 years old.  Time flies by so quickly.

Thomas Friday

Because of a switch with Grandmere, we have Thomas on a Friday!  We LOVE having this little man come over and spend time with us!  He's pretty happy about it as well.

Kindergarten Field Trip

Today was finally the Kindergarten field trip to the zoo!  Mimi has been SO excited for this day, asking me all the time 'how many days until we go to on the field trip???'

Her group had fun with the giraffes,

with the elephants, both fake and real!

They got to ride on rhinoceroces

and relax with lions.

Mom even got in on the fun with the gorilla!

This sweet little girl was fun to watch with her peers and enjoy the day with!  Hurray for bus rides to the zoo!

2nd Grade Field Trip

Today I got to go with Mac on the second grade field trip to Draper!  They were put into small groups, and I was in charge of Mac's group.  She got to be with her friend and a couple other girls.  They visited City Hall, where they learned a bit about the local government, as well as a little trip through the police department.

Next stop was IFA, which was fun.  We got to all stand on the huge scale they have for semi trucks.  We all weighed a lot, but not as much as a semi!

Here's Mac's class with Mrs. Jensen.

I was so excited to be able to go with Mac.  As always, the favorite part appears to be the bus ride!

Mondays mean Master Thomas!  He enjoys the walk to get Meemer, despite what his face says!

He loves snack time, too!

We usually take him outside after he wakes up from his second nap.  Today he had the glorious backdrop of storm clouds for his contemplation.  He really is the sweetest.

Tonight we went to Wheeler Farm with Meghan and the kids.  It was a gorgeous night, and we had a great time just wandering around and playing on the playground after a picnic dinner.

All the kids together, looking at the camera is just this side of impossible!

This video of Thomas today is HILARIOUS.  He was being such a funny little guy.  I took another video, too, but the file was too large to load on the blog.  This one will have to do!  You have to wonder what is going through their heads to make them do such funny things.

Happy Birthday, Thomas!!!

Happy Birthday, Master Thomas!!!  This little man turned one today!  We were invited to a party at his house this evening.  There were lots of presents for him!

Mad and Joni had prepared for a little ball pit for him.  A little swimming pool and several people gave him the balls that go inside.  He wasn't quite sure what was happening at first.

He figured it out soon enough.  We had a hard time keeping the OTHER kids out of the pool!

He got a fun busy board that Madison made him.

After dinner it was time for the cake!!!  The best part of the party!

Very timid at first, which often seems to be the case.

Then he started to get on board.

Frosting is the best part, Thomas!

Here we are with some live footage!

Happy Birthday, Master Thomas!  We had such a fun time celebrating with you!