Final Days

The end of another school year has come....far too quickly as usual. We have been very blessed this year to have had such amazing teachers. I have to say that I have been so impressed with the quality of the educators at Canyon Ridge. Our children have flourished and grown by leaps and bounds and we couldn't be happier. Brooklyn had 2 final field trips to close out the school year. I was able to attend the first with her. The Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. We learned about the wonderful wildlife here in the dessert (I have already expressed my feelings at length on this matter). We also learned of how the first people to live here in the dessert survived....without a/c. Pretty interesting stuff. I think our favorite part had to be the butterfly preserve. A big net building with tons of butterflies fluttering around you. They also had huge glass sculptures on display...beautiful!

Brooklyn taking her own pictures.
A very tired, hot and unamused butterfly...
It's a good thing it was only 90 that day. (Could someone please explain why these field trips are scheduled in May as opposed to February or March? Just a thought...)

The kids last day of school was great. The boys both had "picnics" luckily Levi's started an hour before Walkers so I didn't have to miss anything. Levi's class put on a little play and sang some cute songs. I'm not sure what it was about a cute little kindergartner singing "Time to say goodbye to Kindergarten" to the tune of "Love and Marriage" that got me so emotional. But sure enough there I was, tears and all, clapping in the back. I'm a sucker for the "I'm growing up now" stuff I guess. Levi was so proud of his certificate.

Levi and his teacher Mrs. Taylor (Sorry Holli, I had to!)

I think one of Walker's favorite things about school was all the friends he made. He came home day after day talking about his new friends. I think the hardest part of summer for him will be not seeing those kids every day. He too had a fantastic teacher.

Walker with one of his favorite people Mrs. Encarnacion

Jacob Knaggs, Walker and Ty Webb

I think besides Levi Jacob was Walker's favorite little buddy.

I wish I could've gotten more pictures of the girls but at least I got these two. The girls also had wonderful teachers. Kalysta's teacher, Mrs. Downs was so good with her. Very patient and had genuine concern and love for her. Brooklyn's teacher knew just how to challenge her and spent many hours working on ways to teach a very gifted group of kids. Brooklyn finished out the year with straight A's. She reached her goal of straight A's all year. She told me she really wants to go to BYU and knows she'll have to have at least a 4.0 or better so she feels she needs to start now. We're proud of all our smart, sweet and talented kids! We want to give big Kudos to all of the teachers who have had such a wonderful influence on our children! Thanks!!

Kalysta and her 1st grade graduate certificate!!

Brooklyn and her teacher Mrs. Speight

I also have to say our kids had a really wonderful bus driver. The kids really loved her.

Look how we've grown!!
First Day of School
Last Day of School
OK, so not much difference, but if you could see their brains....

Visitors

I am thoroughly convinced that I am INCAPABLE of writing a short post. So why try?

We've had a couple of great visits from some pretty great people. Living here in Arizona, we don't get many visitors. I know I have mentioned this many times but I LOVE it when my family comes to town. I miss them so much and so I treasure each and every moment.

First we had James' cousin Chip come from Tennessee. I truly believe that Larry the Cable guy should watch his back....he ain't got nothin' on Chip. (Have you ever noticed how contagious a Texas accent can be?) I laughed until I literally could not laugh anymore. We loved having Chip here. I got to hear some great childhood stories. Not to mention it seems that Chip and I seem to be equally passionate about politics and cooking. I think Chip's Italian chicken was a bigger hit with the kids than anything I've been able to make thus far. Chip you are welcome to visit and make us dinner ANYTIME. We love ya!

When Chip came to visit he didn't come empty handed. He and his sweet wife Tammy bought us all wonderful and very thoughtful gifts! They got James a nice Texas Longhorns watch, which James L-O-V-E loves! How could he not? Then the last time he was here I was telling him that I used to have this great Magic Johnson jersey but have somehow managed to misplace it. So, yep you guessed it, they got me a new one! I cannot begin to describe their thoughtfulness. And of course they didn't forget the kids...they gave them Wal-mart gift cards, which in this house is priceless! Thank you again!
Then the doc that James worked for while in his undergrad came into town and James was able to visit with him and show him the cerec machine. James is ranked as a "master" in cerec technology so it was a treat for the "paddiwon" to teach the "Jedi" as Dr. Foutz referred to it. He did say James was Anaquin and he was Obi-won. Although I think James actually makes a better "Luke" than Vader. That being said they had a great visit.
And lastly, my sister's Charity and Sallie and Sallie's hubby Jesse came to visit. They brought their kiddos along and we, as always, had a blast. It's definitely summer time here in Az. So we headed to the splash park. The kids always have so much fun.

And what would a family get together be like without a Lakers game? Not to mention we enjoyed watching them beat the Jazz. There is nothing that brings more joy than to defeat Utah. Jess did show his support for the losing team. But his faith, along with the Jazz defense, proved to be fruitless.

I can't say it enough. We love, LOVE our family. They have been so wonderful to James and I. We feel very blessed to call them family.

Snakes & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails

Levi and Walker have been learning about this wonderful dessert we live in (whatever). So, 2 weeks ago they were able to go on a field trip to the White Tank Mountains and I was able to chaperon. It was pretty interesting. We learned all about the super fun creatures that crawl around outside (and sometimes in...but I'm trying not to think about it). We got to see the 3 different types of scorpions that live in the Arizona dessert. One of which James killed just a couple weeks ago outside. The Arizona Bark scorpion is the most poisonous of the three....and one of the smallest. Joy. We also got to see a Gila Monster. That was pretty cool, although they are extremely poisonous. The only part I was not too thrilled about was the park ranger who did the reptile display. He was horrible to the kids. I mean come on these kids are 5 and 6 years of age and you get upset because they want to ask a question? It was tempting to push the rattlesnake cage over on top of him.

It was actually a pretty nice day, but still hot. We had to keep spraying the kids down to keep them cool.

The boys were obviously very in to the reptile display.
Walker with his "buddy" Marquis

Levi with his "buddy" Bryce

And of course who doesn't LOVE touching snakes?

We had a lot of fun. I feel very blessed to have these opportunities to spend with my children. I enjoy seeing them with their friends and classmates. To see their genuine interest in the simplest things. Things I take for granted every day. I know I complain about living in the dessert but there is true beauty here. My children helped me see that.

We also had the Mother/Son Spring Fling the week before the field trip. I simply have the best looking boys, hands down. Not to mention the sweetest. They were so excited for our little "date". I loved spending time with my 2 little men. We had some bar-b-que chicken and then went to the gym where we danced and played basketball, hoola hoop and hockey. It was one of the best date nights yet!

Who could resist a kiss from two extremely handsome men?

This is the photo they took at the school. The boys look so cute!!

I love these two little boys. They are wonderful! I have enjoyed watching them grow so much this year. I can't believe how grown up they both are!! I love my little boys and have to agree with Walker when he says he wishes he could just stay 6 years old forever.

Smarty Pants, Busy Bees and The Helper Fairy

Once again I find myself playing catch up. Our lives have been verging on the insanely out of control. As the school year draws to a close (14 days and counting) it seems that the the kids have more activities, plays, assemblies, and field trips planned than they have had the entire year! So with that I begin this entry. Kalysta has been learning about insects for the last month. They had a cute little play last week in which Kalysta played a bee. I would argue that you have never seen a cuter little busy bee!
After the play they sang a few songs....the classic "Ants Go Marching" and "Here Comes the Sun" ...her Papa would've been proud to hear her belt out the great Beatles tune so well ;-).


As most of you know (because I tend to brag a bit too much) Brooklyn is in the G.A.T.E program at her school. Canyon Ridge's gate program is self contained and there are only 4 4th graders in the entire school district who have been able to pass the test which allows them to be a part of this program, Brooklyn is one of them. On a side note, the tests should be a little less stringent as I believe there are many more kids who can benefit from this program. Personally I think they are trying to get rid of the program and therefore make the test nearly impossible to pass to show that the funding could be put to better use, i.e. football, basketball, after school programs. And here I thought the primary function of the schools was to "educate". What foolish thinking. Sorry, that is a topic for another day. To the point...Brooklyn is not only in the gifted program, but at the beginning of the year set a goal to get straight A's. So far so good. Here are a couple pictures of her at the last honors assembly. Brooklyn has been on the "Principle's List" all 3 quarters so far. We are so proud of you Brooklyn!

We are so lucky to have such amazing kids! Which brings me to my final post for today. Over the last couple months I have noticed a "disturbing trend". Our children, as fabulous as they are, seem to have it in their cute little heads that mom and dad have the sole responsibility to make them happy. To be there at each and every beck and call. To clean up after them and make a 5 course meal every evening. HA! Poor souls. Last week we decided to sit them all down and have a discussion about each of our roles as members of this family. We told them how much we loved them and that we are proud of each of them. Then we told them that it was time for a change. No more will mom pick up after you. No more will I have wining at the dinner table. No more making demands. No more fits when things aren't done the way you think they should be. No more snotty remarks. We told them that it was fine to make a mess. They're kids, they can make messes. However, I will not be cleaning them up anymore. They can choose to leave them but if they do so I will put the toys in a garbage bag and it will be donated to the church nursery or D.I. or Goodwill. You get the point. Well that night after going to bed we had a little visit. When James and I awoke there was a note on the dresser.
Not only was there a note but the ENTIRE house had been cleaned. Turns out our "Helper Fairies" set their alarm and awoke at 2 am to clean the entire house. I'm still amazed. Not only that the next day we were doing the rock in our yard and they all came out to help. Grabbing a shovel and working for a couple hours. They have been helping around the house. When I ask them to do something they get up and do it. I know that I will have to work diligently to help encourage this behavior, but I have to say I couldn't be happier with our children. Not sure how long this will last but so far they have done a fantastic job. That concludes this entry. Check back tomorrow for more. I have to go paint....and do laundry...and make the bed....and dust....

DIstance

From the time I was little I would look forward to summer. It was then that we would go visit my grandparents and my aunt Becky. As I got older these trips became even more enjoyable. I have loved the time I have been able to spend with them. In particular my aunt Beck (name change is due the fact that after 25 years she finally decided to tell me she hates Becky). She was more like a sister than an aunt. When she went to school at Ricks we would go stay the weekends with her. When we would go visit her in Colorado I loved to just ride around in the many "cool cars" she had. In fact she even let me drive on of these when I got my license. After high school I lived with her just before getting married. From that time I have truly loved every event, every trip and any amount of time I have had to spend. Beck and her husband Mike and their sweet children will always hold a special place. They have moved away and while I am immensely happy for them, I can't help but feel a little selfish in wishing they hadn't gone so far. Vegas is a much easier drive to make than Alaska.

I want you both to know how much we love you. How grateful I am to call you family. You will be missed.

I was able to make a quick trip to Vegas the weekend before they left. It was great! I got to visit with them, my grandparents and my mom.

Sweet little Chase