Graduations

We had two graduations back to back a couple weeks ago.  Yes, my kids are already into their second week of summer break! And I'm just now catching up!  Minnie had kindergarten graduation on Thursday and then Tink graduated from elementary school on Friday.  There were five kindergarten classes graduating, so it took quite a while.  The funny part was when they had all the kindergarteners stand and get the wiggles out.  They did it once because it was getting kind of loud in the gym, but then they did it again a second time and this time added on singing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."  One of my friends realized something was up, so she got up and went to see what it was.  Apparently, one of the kindergarteners stuck her head through the hole in the back of the chair and got stuck.  I heard that they had to cut her out, but I'm not sure if that part was true or not.  It just reminded me of the time when PC and I were newly married and just had one child (oh, wasn't life so different then!)  and we were attending the University ward.  There weren't too many children in that ward since we were all students, but one time there was a boy who stuck his head and arm through the hole in the chair and got stuck. I remember our friend who was speaking that day, just stopping and looking helpless for a second and then coming around to help the kid's mom.  It took a while and a few men to get him out, but made for a memory, that's for sure. 
But I digress.  Back to Minnie's graduation.  They sang a cute song, and I just love watching Minnie sing.  She sings with all her heart and soul.  I love it!  I think it's because for soooo long she would not talk to anyone in public.  She's still very quiet (Uncle Dan says she sounds like a little mouse) but when she sings, she belts it out and I feel so proud of her when I hear her!
Tink's graduation went a bit smoother.  We were all very proud of her when she received the Math Award.  She is loving math these days. 
We signed Bucko out of school early that day and we all went out to Chick-Fil-A for lunch.  (Bucko had a hard time saying goodbye.  They will be switching schools again because we'll be in our new house by the time school starts, so they will have to make all new friends.....again.  I didn't expect him to be so emotional, but we did love his teacher and he made some great friends.  Some who we will still keep in touch with even if we will live a few blocks farther away than we do now!)

Child-isms

PC and I have had this great opportunity to help out in Primary for a little while. We've been teaching the 5 and 6 year-olds.  Not only has it been nice to serve with my best friend, it has been so much fun hearing the answers these sweet kids give.  For example, one day we were discussing temptations.  One little girl in the class has something to share. She said that "one time, Satan gave [her] brother a temptation to kick [her] in the crotch."  Too funny! That same day she made a comment that sometimes her dad doesn't feed her.  Totally straight faced.  PC and I looked at each other and it is so hard to not crack up laughing, but we do pretty well and I just try to write them down so we can remember them later.  (We both know her parents don't starve her.  But I can understand how a child would feel like that, because as a parent, I often tell my kids they can't eat a snack right before dinner or they need to wait for some other reason.  It was just so funny.)
The other day, Bucko was helping Goofy say prayer at dinner.  (Goofy used to say the best prayers, but then he started to refuse to say them at all.  It's been just recently that he has agreed to say them again as long as someone tells him what to say.  Not sure what happened, but at least he's trying again.)  So Bucko would say something and Goofy would repeat it.  It was going well, until Bucko said, "Thank thee for our bodies."  Well, Goofy repeated it, "Thank thee for our potties."  I held it in for a couple seconds. Literally...I was holding my nose and trying not to breath so I wouldn't laugh, but alas, a giggle escaped and I was beyond saving at that point.  Luckily, Bucko ended the prayer soon after that.

Tink's Camera

We bought Tink a camera for Christmas.  She was showing me her pictures the other day and I finally put them on my computer. Some of them were so cute, I just had to share!

Pictures of some of the family over at Christmas.

Christmas morning--opening presents

Playing with cousins

A glimpse into normal days:  Bucko doing something awesome on his DS and his first day at Cub Scouts; Goofy "reading" at bedtime; me in the kitchen; Minnie posing.

Sky Sox Game

Friday night we took the kids to their first ever baseball game! Colorado Springs has their own team, the Sky Sox.  PC's brother was able to get us all free tickets, so we figured "why not?"  The kids had fun, though they couldn't wait for it to be over!  They do fireworks at the end and that was what they were waiting for.  By 8:00 pm, Goofy kept asking when we were leaving because he was tired and it was bedtime! 
They really did like the Sky Sox Fox mascot, though.  Goofy and Minnie spent a lot of time just looking for him.  The Sky Sox won, so that made it even more fun.  We got some funnel fries, which is just like a funnel cake but in strips like french fries.  Easier to eat and I think you get more for your money too.  Everyone liked those.  The fireworks were not disappointing either.  Everyone enjoyed them. Though right after they started, I glanced over at Minnie and saw her head all the way back on the bleacher, watching the fireworks, but looking pretty scared.  I was already holding Goofy, so I told her to come over and sit with PC. She enjoyed them a lot more after that.  The kids all fell asleep on the way home, though.  Thank goodness the game ended early!

 

Family Home Evening

We had a great Family Home Evening last night. One of those I hope I never forget.  Tink did a great lesson.  She did a path through the house with yarn.  When we came to a "fork" in the road, we had to answer a question.  If we chose the wrong answer, we went to a dead end.  If we chose the right answer, we went on.  She called it the "Journey to Frog" because the end was when we ended up at her new frog stuffed animal.  The best part for me was when PC "rappelled" down the stairs with the yarn when we were finished. I hope I never forget his hopping onto the landing backwards, holding onto the yarn like it's a rope.  Wish I had my camera for that, but I'll just have to remember it in my head. 
We played hide-and-seek for games.  Goofy and Minnie picked that.  The funniest part was when PC hid in the corner of the dining room behind the tree and Bucko found him last.  It gave "hidden in plain sight" real meaning. 
Papa picked up dessert for everyone last night.  The kids were so excited, they all jumped up and gave him hugs and told him thanks.  You can see how happy they are in the pictures.

Snow in May

We had snow last week.  Yep, I guess that is CO weather for you!  It was fun, though, with big flakes coming down.  The kids were so excited!  Here's some pics of the backyard.

Spartan Race

So PC and his brother have been waiting for this Spartan Race for a while.  PC wouldn't even shave until it was over.  Here are pictures of him before he shaved and then right after.

He was able to get some good pictures of the race too.  It seemed as if they both had fun.  Definitely got muddy and several scrapes, but good times and good memories.  It was over 4 miles long and had a bunch of obstacles, though the one PC remembers "best" is the low crawl.  He said it went on forever.