Spring Break Begins

Spring Break began after school on Friday, March 8.  I started feeling pretty sick during the evening on Friday, March 8.  I had a nasty hacking cough and was really congested.  Saturday I couldn't even hardly get out of bed.  (Side note:  I was up coughing like crazy at 6:00am on Saturday and woke up all the kids to come watch a movie.  The next morning was daylight savings and we have 8:00 church, which would feel like 7:00 church.  It worked great, they were all tired and went to bed an hour early Saturday night.  You wouldn't even have known it was daylight savings.)  By Sunday the kids were already getting bored, but then they decided to build forts, and were busy the rest of the day.

Zach & Savannah also made a "carnival" complete with games and prizes.

 We rearranged Savannah's room so that Connor could have a "sleepover" with her.  Her room looked like this for all of Spring Break.

  I love that the kids are good friends (most of the time) and enjoy hanging out together.

Rocket Derby

On Saturday, March 2 we attended Zach's cub scout pack meeting and Rocket Derby.  First he received his  Bear badge and a few things from his previous Bear den leaders. 

Then he received his first pin from his new Webelos leaders.

We had some dinner and then the derby began.  All of the kids loved watching the rockets except for Zach.  He was much more interested in the food.

He did at least watch his own rocket race a couple of times, and even won one of his heats!

Zach was pretty excited when they opened this box to make cookie ice cream sandwiches.

President's Day

We had a fun break from school on President's Day.  We took our friends to the park with us at 8:15am.  The weather was overcast and perfect and we had the whole park to ourselves for almost an hour.  It started to rain just as we were leaving.  Jacob and Zach loved climbing the trees this time.

 

 

 

 

After the park we had some different friends over for a movie picnic on the family room floor.  Then we had MORE friend time all afternoon.  It was a fun day with good friends.

Happy Heart Day

Connor was very excited for Valentine's Day this year.  Parties at school are always something to be excited for!  He very diligently wrote every name for his valentines to pass out to his class.  Landon and I stopped in at his and Savannah's school parties for a little while, but I forgot to bring the camera.

 Sugar cookies for breakfast and new beach toys for our upcoming vacation!  They were a little bummed that they only got to eat their little cookie for breakfast and had to wait to eat the giant one after school.

I found this awesome beach umbrella for super cheap at Sam's Club and we tried it out when Savannah's friend was over.  The kids are on the countdown to the beach!

Connor is 6!

Connor turned 6 on Sunday!  Luckily Dallin didn't have meetings before church that day, so he got to open his presents nice and early before church (we leave at 7:40am).  He got nice new clothes from Grandma & Grandpa Strong.

 I had been looking online for a snake shirt for him and could only find really scary or really cheesy snakes so I didn't get one.  Then in the Phoenix airport I found this shirt and he LOVES it.

 Connor asked for 3 very specific things from us.  He wanted dinosaur stamps, an original Hexbug, and this Webkinz iguana.  He was so happy to open it and register it on the computer.  He named him "Izzy."

 After church we did the webcam with Grandma & Grandpa LeSueur and he opened this cool flannel map from them.  He loves putting on the labels and animals in the right countries, and doesn't even need the cheat sheet.  I bought some little command hooks for his wall so we can take it down when he's not using it.

 Landon was in heaven with all the "boons" to play with, but they caused so much craziness and fights that we popped them all that night.

 We had spaghetti and cupcakes for dinner, per Connor's request.  He got his awesome birthday hat at school on Friday.  His primary teachers also brought him a birthday sign to wear and made cupcakes for his class.

 On Monday after school he had his first ever "friend party."  He chose to have a reptile themed party.  We found out that one of the new boys in his primary class that he invited was also having a birthday that week, so we combined it and made it a party for both of them.  Connor is so sweet that he was really excited to "share" his party.

I think all the boys' favorite game was the "snake jump."  Jacob and Zach were the helpers all afternoon.

 Most of the boys doing the snake jump together.

 We also had a "reptile hunt," played "pin the reptile on the continent," and made snakes to take home.

 The best part of the party for Connor was opening his new friend Adam's present.  Adam gave him the exact same iguana that he got the day before from us, and Connor yelled out "TWINS!!!!!!"  I asked him if he wanted to trade it for a different Webkinz and he just looked appalled.  He loves Izzy and Dizzy and carries them all over the house and sleeps with them every night.

Happy Birthday Connor!  We love you!

Valentine's Dance 2013

On Saturday Savannah and Dallin went to the annual Daddy-Daughter Valentine's Dance at the rec center.  Savannah waits for this for months and was so excited it was finally here.  She even missed a good friend's birthday party because this was much more important to her.

 

They danced, had snacks, got a caricature drawn, and Savannah got her face painted.  I'm so happy they have this fun night to share together each year.

I already got some flowers as an early Valentine's and it makes me so happy every time I walk through the kitchen.  Love you Dallin!

Zach's 4th Grade Musical

Zach's musical was last week and he did a great job!  

They sang songs from the 80's and some country stuff, which is why some kids are dressed up.  Zach will NOT dress up though if he doesn't have to.  

Jacob's Yellow Belt

On Friday, Jan. 25 Jacob had his first judo belt test.  Connor came with me to watch.  They demonstrated all the moves and techniques they've learned.  To me judo seems a lot like wrestling, but with throws and trips along with the pins.  Some of the techniques they practice are to learn how to fall correctly and not get hurt.  Jacob loves going to judo and we're very grateful to his instructor for giving of his time and talents for these kids. 

 Instructor Dario Alvarez "threw" all the kids to demonstrate falling

 

 

Receiving his yellow belt

 

 Great job Jacob!  We're so proud of you! 

These videos are for Grandma.  They practice jumping over kids to learn how to fall correctly.  Some of the higher rank kids jumped over 7 kids.