Meredith Turned 5

Meredith turned 5 this month...

 Five.  Wow.  I think I need a moment to take that in and a little more time to write a post.  So, I'll post these pictures before the new year begins with a promise to write more about this spunky five year old and her pink lemonade party soon.

Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!!!

First Day of School

First day of school and only three weeks late.  (  =

This little guy started first grade and we couldn't be happier with his teacher this year!  He had an amazing kindergarten teacher last year and we were a little nervous this year but we so excited he has Mrs. Iverson.

And despite his less than enthusiastic face so is he!

8th GRADE!!! (Crazy how fast they  grow!)

 PRESCHOOL!!!

John Turns 7

 John turned seven last month and this month he started first grade.  He was suppose to start the day before his birthday but school was delayed 2 weeks due to construction.
He was totally ok with that.

Instead of being cooped up at school he got to run around the park with his friends and eat smores cupcakes and talk about Plants v. Zombies and his favorite movies.

And I got to hang out with him all day instead just delivering cookies to his class.  We went on a mommy & me date to Walmart to shop for a special toy.  But instead of picking out the 2 toys we agreed upon, he picked out one small toy and  then walked over to the home section.   We looked at fun throw pillows.  We both liked the velvety white one and then instead of getting a second toy he asked if he could get the velvety white throw pillow.  Then he handed it to me and said he wanted me to have it for his birthday.


He continues to amaze me with his sweetness and thoughtfulness.   As he grows he is becoming more patient  and calm.  He still likes to climb walls, and gives hugs with a running start and he still loves Spiderman.  Hello, Halloween.  We're ready for you.

He still has so so much energy and constantly forgets to change out of his church clothes before he climbs the fence to grab our neighbors berries.  Sorry, neighbors, those berries are just too appealing.

 He still loves sitting in the back yard digging a hole with his favorite stick and  making up new games to share.

And of course he still says the funniest things.  A few weeks ago I when I was washing dishes he  saddled up to the kitchen sink. He was holding a lego man and using the counter as a make shift launch pad.

     "Mom,  when I get married do I have to change my last  name?"

 "No.  Usually it's your wife who will change her last name after you get married."  I replied as I put the last dish away.

      "Oh man!"  He exclaimed.  "I wanted to change my last name!"

       "Really? What did you want to change it to?"  I asked curiously.

        "Johnny Fufu."  He said as serious as can be.

 "Hmm...Well, I guess that is something you will have to discuss with your wife."  I said trying to unsuccessfully stifle  a smile which is REALLY, REALLY hard to do with this kid.

Bella is Eleven

Bella turned 11 this month... eleven (sigh).  She's off to middle school this year.  Next year she'll be off to young women's and girls camp.  She would of given anything to have gone with her older sister this year but she'll just have to spend one more year home with us... except I got to go to girls camp this year with that older sister...and it was amazing...so I can see why she is so excited to go.

She's my kid that is up for anything.  Nothing like me.  Stand up and sing a scat solo in front of a crowd?  No thank you.  Give a graduating speech for the fifth grade class? Nope.  Come into a brand new school and run for student council?  Not if my life depended on it.

She is amazing.  Not because things come easy for her or everything always works out but because she has already figured out what a lot of adults haven't...you can learn from your failures as much as from your successes.

 She's funny and witty and a talker like me and her Nana.  I love how she'll sit beside me as I flip through magazines or surf the internet for new recipes or decorating ideas.  She'll put  in her 2 cents and sometimes... her ideas are far better than anything I suggest.

 I love how confidant she is and how she has her own sense of style like the unusual shirt she made in fourth grade by cutting up old clothes and sewing them on a  different shirt and then drawing different designs on the shirt with markers.   I proclaimed it a master piece as she modeled it for us.  Best homemade shirt ever (just like that homemade Cheshire cat in the tree...thank you, Cardin).  But the next morning when she was headed out the door to school with her homemade shirt, I wasn't so sure that was a good idea.  Not everyone has your keen sense of fashion I explained.

  "Don't worry, Mom.  I'll be fine. I don't care if the other kids don't like it.  I love it."  I learned a lot that day: (1) It turns out 9 year old girls have a totally different opinion on what is fashionable.  Not only did the kids not make fun of her but several of them wanted her to make them a shirt too and (2) that kid of mine is going to be fine.  I wish I had that kind of confidence.

 I love her excitement and enthusiasm and her penchant for creative design.  She keeps a box full of ideas, stories, yarn and fabric...so, so much fabric under her bed.  She's always working on a project: sewing a flag for school, making a sculpture of Hernandez Cortes, or writing  a story about portals and magic.  But most of all I love her kindness.  She stretches herself to be more than she is now and allows the difficult situations in her life to mold her into something better.  She's amazing, and funny, and smart, and sweet and boy is she humble.  If I said any of these things to her she would blush and be embarrassed...so we'll just keep this little post to ourselves.  Happy Birthday, Bella.  We love you.

Easter

The Saturday before Easter we headed up to James' parents.  Even though it's  only a little over one and half hours away the kids hate being cooped up in the expedition.  Someone always wishes out loud that  grandma and grandpa lived closer...followed by why do we have to drive so far?

 Hmmm...I think we are still recovering from our drive across the country last summer. But passing the camera around the car to take pictures of the scenery as we cruise down 95 seems to make the drive go a little faster.

 As soon as we arrive at the grandparents, a  group of us went for a bike ride.  It was nice to get out and stretch our legs a little.  After our bike ride,  the kids painted eggs and we had a quick Easter egg hunt.

And then we headed off to dinner to celebrate this sweet, sweet kids birthday who happened to turn 8.

But  my favorite part of the weekend by far was getting up early on Easter morning and attending Forrest's baptism.  I'm so grateful for our Savior and for the plan of salvation and  I'm especially grateful for this sweet little boy.