Little Things May

Here is my little effort to keep up as a record keeper. The little things of May.  

Lilly played in her last cello concert in elementary school. She has made so much progress. I'm excited to see what she will do in Jr High.

This was a cute teacher appreciation gift that I got from one of my students. It is always such a treat to feel loved.

I have really been enjoying Luke, my little reader.  He asks to read together I can never say no.

Lilly made her first trip to the temple to do baptisms.  She did 11 family names.  I love that I can go to this scared place with her.

I just had to snap this picture so so many cups laying around I'm sick to death of it.

I was quite pleased with how the preschool mother's day cards turned out.

Luke got to celebrate his unbirthday this month. He was so delighted that he would get a day at school. He was pretty upset when he realized that he wouldn't be in school for his real birthday.

Max celebrated a real birthday.  10 years old, a whole decade, double digits. Still not sure how this is happening but I just have to roll with it.

I found this beauty on the side of the road. I have big plans for it but like usual Laura fashion it is still in my garage waiting for attention.

Mother's day. I'm pretty happy!

My very last field trip with Smarty Pants preschool. We went to the pet store and they gave us a great hands on experience. I think my Smartys had a good time. We got to hold all sorts of critters. I'm chalking it up as a success.

Golden Scholar night. Lilly and her friend Mary were both recipients.  Oh how I love to see her be rewarded for her efforts.

My teaching credential finally finally came in the mail.  It took FOR EV ER!!!! But its true. I am a certified teacher in AZ.

This is now my 3rd running partner to leave me. Yes three of my dearest friends have moved to other states. I will miss Amy so so much she has been such a constant in my life since moving to Arizona.  I could go on and on about the things we have done together, from summer art classes, to swimming, Primary presidency meetings, temple trips, education week and on and on. Oh she is a forever friend and it will be fun to visit her in Idaho.

With the end of the school year comes my preschool year book. It was shipped here just barely on time. I love doing this project for my kids every year I hope they know how much I love them.

Luke had his Kindergarten celebration. They sang one of my favorite songs A B See  you later.  He was cute performer. We will miss Mrs Smith, she was good for Luke and she was a great help to me as I was getting ready to renew my credential.

And here it is the last day for school. Last day that Lilly will be in elementary school, last day of 4th and last day of kinder,

On the last day the school held their power house meeting. My Lilly sang a lovely little solo, I thought it was a great way to wrap up her elementary career.

 Such a big day for my Maxo he was revived the Kid of Character award for this quarter in his class. Only four kids a year per class get this award and our Max has never gotten one. He is really turning into a great young man.

The other day I really had a craving for German pancakes so I made them and they were awesome.

Nana and Papa are in town we headed out on a little camping trip to Watson Lake. But to start off the trip we made a stop a 5 Guys for dinner. All was well as we where enjoying the burgers when Luke jumps up and says "Mom, my tooth"

His very loose tooth that he was trying so desperately to wiggle out had indeed fallen out during dinner as he bit into his burger but we never did find the tooth. We are pretty sure that he swallowed it.  It makes for a good story so Luke was okay with it and the tooth fairy found him even when we were camping and even without a tooth.

Lilly never was able to pull out one of her teeth even though the permanent tooth had already grown in. We needed the dentist to pull it out. I think it was a great experience for her because it was so easy and painless that if she has to have work done in the future she won't be so apprehensive. I have to look on the bright side because the little procedure cost $62.  Not bad but I would have rather gone out to dinner.

We had some cousin time this week and couldn't stop laughing at the funny bathroom sign at Pie5. I love how the boys are trying to mimic it,

This year we decided that it would be fun to buy a family pass to the pool for the summer. As we were hanging out in the house I hear Kevin say spontaneously "hurry hurry, we have 1 hour before the pool closes"  So we are all running around trying to find a suit and get out the door. I had decided that I wanted to swim laps, I found my cap busted out a 500.  I think I will like to swim this summer, The kids can play and I can do laps.

Our summer reading is going pretty good. Max has found some books that he has really liked and has been reading up a storm.  He has finished 4 books already and will read for pleasure. I caught his last night reading not wanting to put it down. Secretly it makes my heart so happy and I would probably let him read all night if he wanted to. Its summer so we can do that kind of a thing.

November: little things

Trying to keep up with life is great and hard and exhausting. So here are the little things this month. Lilly really wanted to girl date to go pick up things for science camp. She wanted to be all ready. This sign was at the door that day now we have half of the days left. YIKES!!!

My super dishwashers. I was a little surprised how well these 2 washed the dishes. They will sure have a lot more practice since our dishwasher motor has died and we won't have the part installed until next Friday.

One of my many trips to Costco this month I was hit by a tiny moment of sadness.  As I stood in line to have a receipt checked I realized that I will not get a smilie face on it because my kids are all big and in school.  And I do recognize that shopping solo is a luxury for many but, I missed my big kindergartner that was my constant sidekick his whole life.

I'm so nerdy but really under $2 a gallon just makes me happy.

I know this picture is out of focus but what a happy occasion this was. We found, or should I say Lilly found the lost case of DVDs. We were sure they were lost forever on a road trip somewhere. But no Lilly had taken them on a babysitting job and found them in her bag. yeah!!!

This is totally embarrassing, and funny, and well a real moment from life. One day I was feeling board of all my clothes so I said hey lets go try on whatever I want with no intention to buy anything. And then I thought "I should take pictures of all these outfits and pretend I'm some famous Instagramer that people care about what I try on in the store." I went to a really fancy store, Target, and then hoped over to Down East.  Well my no intention to buy held strong in Target but I really really wanted the pants I tried on. However in Down East I caved. I found a dress and 2 shirts all marked down super cheep and I had a gift card so they came home with me. And now I have some cute things to wear when I'm subbing. I did go back and buy the pants form Target a couple weeks later. It was a sign I had to have them because they were 50% off.

Preschool, Preschool I love you! L is for lion.

No thanksgiving tree this year, everyone just made a long long list of all our blessings and boy do we have many.

My friend let Lilly and I try out these curlers. I'm so silly for not taking a after picture but she had curls all day. That is unheard of for this little girl of mine. We can't wait to try them again.

Perhaps the most exciting thing this month is that we got to dog sit for a week. I'm still not a dog person but is was fun to have this little guy around. The kids were a great help and to be honest we kinda missed him when he went home. Oh he was a good dog. 

Two things that I don't have pictures for.. 

Subbing: I got to sub at the kids school this month. I loved it!! Now that I have been around I know how great our school is and I loved being down the hall from my kiddos. I got to see them at lunch and they came to my room at the end of the day. It was awesome. 

Pack meeting Carnival.  For pack meeting this month the boys planed and put on a carnival. Best pack meeting I have ever been to. Cotton candy, popcorn, games and photo booth. Max has such great leaders and I am so grateful for the time and effort they put into their callings. We are truly blessed.

October little things

Here are some snap shots from our October. On conference weekend. It was wonderful to hear the talks. I took note and some of the kids took notes. Luke's notes but I'm not really sure that it is about anything he heard in conference.

Primary program was this month.  They are happier about it than they look. It was Lilly's last one *sniff, sniff 

 

 Preschool pumpkin patch field trip always a good time. I love my  job and I love my class.

 Since we were headed to the pumpkin patch we had to learn all out the farm. Cute little piggies.

My smarty girl came home with this 100% on her math test very pleased because she was the only one to get a perfect score.

 Max had a pumpkin project this month. They had to make a pumpkin resemble a famous Arizona native. Cesar Chavez was his assigned person.

Max got to go to a fun morning of cub scout day camp.

I'm all caught up with Downton Abbey. I'm a little embarrassed to admit how few days it took me to watch all the episodes. It was a great escape.

The kids made it over to the cousins fall festival.  I couldn't resist getting a picture of this cute pineapple.

September Little Things

Mega Post, mega dump of our family history.  

Max found a bag a rubber bands and they were all over the house I mean really everywhere. I think we managed to pick most of them up. He played with them for a good 2 weeks making them into things, and wrapping them around anything that he could. Sometimes it's good to put up with the mess when they enjoy it so much.

I got a girls day with some of my favorite people. We spent the day paddle boarding on Saguaro Lake.  This is such a fun thing to do out on the water with friends is just awesome. This is me on the lake.

To add to the beauty to the whole trip we got to see the wild horses.

Our girl Lilly go new specks. She went with brown this time and they are a womans frame.  Oh goodness she is just growing up so fast.

More fun for the record this month we were able to plan and execute a Relief society retreat for the sisters in our ward.  My friend Amy was able to hook us up at her family ranch in Pinedale, AZ. Oh it was just so pretty to be up there in nature in cooler weather and with sisters.  We hiked, walked, crafted, played, laughed and ate. Everything that would encompass a good time we did it.  It was just for Friday and Saturday but I think that everyone that came had a good time.   Kevin was able to come up with us as he was our cook and helper along with Ben. I can't tell you how grateful I am that he was able to come and just be his awesome self.

Since Kevin and I both went that means that our kids had to be with someone. Now that mom is retired i called upon her services.  I'm so thankful that they made a special trip out here to be with my kids. The kids love spending time with them. Of course they do they are spoiled rotten but isn't that nice.
Max has become quite the artist

 I have never been so grateful for an author in my life. Jeff Kenney and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you did it you made my none reader carry his book around and read whenever he has a spare minute. He would read at breakfast and while helping with dinner. He would gladly read his 30 minutes. He is so proud of what he is reading always counting the pages reflecting how many pages he can read.Its a great start and I for one I'm just thrilled.

My Luke is my other reader. Although his reading is coming along, he loves, loves to be read to. Our latest must have book that is funny, clever and entertaining is The Day the Crayons Quit. Luke loved it so much he took it upon himself to draw a favorite part from the book.

When one of your preschool kids asks if she can have a gold star on her paper. I head out that day to find it for her.

We met a sweet sweet baby this month, My friend brought over her new new baby along with the proud big sister for an afternoon. My kids love babies can you tell.

Rain gutter regatta for pack meeting this month. Not a big winner this year but he built a great boat and raced some fun races.

Bummer thing of the month I hit another car with my car.  So lame and I'm so mad that I did that. Everyone it fine and guess all in all a good reminder that I do drive a car that is not invincible and to always be cautious when driving. No damage to my car and insurance is taking care of it all.

Date night. Kevin and I got out with the Elders Quorum for a night of bowling we were both winners Kevin won for second highest score and me for the most gutter balls. How awesome is that. Most of all I love to spend time with Kevin. He proves himself to be just as funny as the day we met, a huge reason why I married the guy. 

One of my most favorite days of the year is the General womens broadcast. The talks were wonderful, uplifting and something to sooth my soul. Lilly and I make a date out of it with dinner to follow. We teamed up with Lilly's best friend Mary and her mom. Oh oh how I love that she has this girl in her life and equally grateful to her mother for being awesome in her own right.

Lastly we have the blood moon. You guys we didn't die but we saw the moon in all its splendor. I brought all the kids outside to witness the event. They were impressed and then quickly unimpressed. but still it will be something they remember. I'm so grateful for this beautiful world that God has created for us to enjoy. From natural wonders to people we are lucky enough to associate with.  When posting about all the little snap shots of our month I have so so much to be thankful for.