The Most Fattening Lunch

Preston got to eat lunch at school today.  All the kindergartners did.  He was so excited.  He hopped off the bus and said, "Mom!  That was the most fattening lunch I ever had!"  I'm pretty sure he thought that was a great compliment.  Chicken nuggets, ketchup, french fries, string cheese, fruit smoothie, chocolate milk.  He loved it.

Preston helped Mike with a project when he got home.  They were getting some of the cabinets up in our house.  Preston loves it when Mike is on call.  He likes to follow him around and ask him to play with him.  So cute.

Preston & Mike

 Preston

Stockton and Preston have their dive/swim class at the same time.  That is nice.  I was watching Stockton when I noticed that Preston's class had all climbed on the starting block on the other side of the pool.

Preston's class

I knew Preston had been anxious to jump off of the starting block.  He is using it more like a diving board, but it is adorable.  He was so happy jumping off of there.  At the end of class, he climbed in and out quite a few times before I made him get out of the pool.

Preston

It takes him quite awhile to get to the other side, but he can do it!

We had a YM/YW activity tonight.  We were down at the cemetery putting flags on the graves of all the veterans.  Next year I'm going to try to remember to bring something to dig into the grass before trying to put the flag in.  Sometimes they were really hard to get in.  The cemetery had little grids of all the veterans.  We had no luck at first.  I'm pretty sure the guy we were working with started in the wrong place.  We did the best we could there.  Camee was in charge of the list on our next section.  It went a lot easier!  The weather was great while we were there.  It turned out really nice.  Maysen and Stockton walked home, they did not want to wait while I rounded up all of my beehives!  They all walked home too.  It took me just a bit to find them.  They went to find Brother Kunz's grave.  He was their Sunday School teacher last year.  They were all teary eyed when they left.  Hard lessons.

FHE Blocks

Preston tripped yesterday.  He was coming in from swimming with his towel wrapped around him.  He tripped on his towel and didn't have his hands free to catch himself.  I was at the airport when it happened, but Mike said he was bleeding a bit.  Anyway, today Preston's face is so swollen.  When he talks, only one half of his face moves.  Kind of like getting numbing medicine at the dentist.  It is so sad.  I tried to get a picture of it, but the picture definitely doesn't do it justice!

Preston

Preston is now swimming on the lanes.  I can't believe it!  I'm so proud of him.  Today he swam the entire length of the pool (without the kick board).  It took him a long time, but he did it!  Jorja did a 100 freestyle today.  I timed her.  She did it in 2 minutes and 28 seconds.  I have no idea if that is a good time or not, but she beat the boys she was swimming with!

Preston swimming to his coach Tripp

Stockton has started diving with the neighborhood this week.  Two of his friends are diving, Noah and Jaxson.  They are brothers.  That will be fun for Stockton.

Stockton - isn't this view amazing?

Monday Mike finished a project for me.  I have wanted these Family Home Evening blocks for a long time.  I am terrible at crafts, so I always procrastinate.  Mike just did it himself.  Well, I had been asking him for help on the computer.  I'm still mixed up as to how the new computer works..... anyway, I love them!  He did a great job.  I'm so glad he finished this for me.

My new blocks

Mike rolled the blocks and chose things for everyone.  We had FHE today.  I think we are just going to look at the week and choose the day, instead of picking one specific day of the week for FHE.  It seems like our schedule is constantly changing.  Anyway, Maysen had the lesson for today.  She did such a cute lesson, I wish I had videoed it. Describing it would be too hard, but it was short and very funny.

We let the kids roll the blocks to get the assignments for next week.  I doubt we will always do that.  We don't want the same person giving the lesson every week.  But . . . how can you resist rolling giant dice? We had to do it at least once!  Here is a close up view of the dice with our assignments for next week.

Jorja - conducting, Maysen - opening prayer

 Stockton - song, Mike - lesson

 Preston - closing prayer, Stephanie - treats

Anyway, speaking of projects that I don't finish . . . for Mother's Day my dad finished another one of my projects.  He put pictures in this tree I got back when we were in Nauvoo.  He was tired of looking at the boy that came with the tree.  Thanks for doing this dad!

Jorja's 1st Violin Concert

Jorja has been going early to school two days a week in order to learn how to play the violin.  That's awesome!  She is in the beginning orchestra.  Tonight they had a concert, combined with the intermediate orchestra.  She was so cute and did such a great job!  I don't have a really good picture, but this at least documents that she was there.  After the concert, I took the kids to get yogurt.  They were all happy with that!

Jorja's concert

I picked my dad up from the airport today.  He had been in Ohio for John's graduation from law school.  He was supposed to get in at 11:30. Instead I picked him up at 4:45.  5 hour delay.  Yikes!  Good thing he wasn't traveling with children, especially since he spent almost the entire delay on the airplane.  He said the thing that saved him was the huge lunch Cassie packed him.  Thanks Cassie!

17 Long Years

My mom died 17 years ago today.  She also died on a Monday, and today is a Monday.  I hate it when that happens.  I don't know why.  Today wasn't so bad.  I used to dread the entire month of May.  Mother's Day and my mom's death day so close together would get to me.  It is getting easier.  I think it is because my kids are getting older.  Or maybe because I'm in Utah now.  Whatever the reason . . . thank goodness!  I still miss her a ton.  I still hate cancer.  I still wish she was here.  I'm still jealous of people who get their children doted on.  The usual.  At least it is getting easier.

Preston with a picture of me and my mom.

We had Bubs family and Matt & Sam over for dinner tonight.  Sloppy joes and fruit pizza.  It was nice to have family around.  Matt brought over Mom's patriarchal blessing.  I have wanted to read it for a long time.  I never have before.  I'm glad he did that.  We also stopped by the grave and played Dominion.  Actually we played Dominion after we got home, not right there on her headstone.  Matt dominated, so he was happy about that.  I wanted a picture, because I always want pictures.  I wish Stockton were smiling more, but I think it was more about his braces hurting then about being grumpy.

Mike, Stephanie, Jorja, Stockton, Maysen, Preston

 Take two

 Matt & Sam

Preston wanted pictures of just himself.  By the grave, on the grave, and laying on the grave.  Wacko.  But a cute wacko.

Preston

First Flag

Wow!  What a crazy day!  Busy, busy, busy.  I woke up early today and started making cupcakes.  I have a new beehive coming in this week! The cupcakes take me forever to decorate, so by the time I was finished and dressed, it was time for church.  After church I headed straight to Whitney's house.  I met with her and her mom for about thirty minutes. Then I was off to Heather's house.  We were meeting with some of the other runners for the race in June.  I'm so excited Jordyn's going to run it with us!  I talked to Heather for a bit after the meeting.  Once I realized the time I hurried home.  I got home just in time to see Erica & Shannon pulling out of our driveway.  Erica was driving!  In her new car!  That's crazy.  Mike had driven Maysen & Stockton to their fireside since I didn't make it home in time.  After a quick hello, I went to find them.  I got there about three minutes before the meeting ended.  I grabbed the kids and headed home.  They were excited to know that the cousins were still at our house.  Well, Stockton was excited Brandon was still there.  I made one stop along the way to drop the P flag off in front of Paige's house.  I hope she notices it!  I hope the girls enjoy passing the flag.  I also hope they actually do pass the flag!  We then headed home just in time to see the rest of the cousins leaving!  At least they got to say hello/good-bye.  I was so tired once I finally had a chance to sit down.  At least I got a lot done and enjoyed everything I did today.

Finished Tree House

Jorja has been anxious for me to get sidewalk chalk.  She was thrilled when I came home with a giant bucket!  She has already put it to good use.

Jorja with Peppermint & Padz

Mike finished the tree house today!  He said, "Yay!  I finished a project!" The entire floor is wood from the deck of his house growing up.  Pretty cool.  The kids are so excited.  Jorja and Preston want to sleep up there. It is supposed to rain, so for right now the answer is no.

Tree House

Fancy People Don't Smile

Busy, busy, busy, busy day!  It started early.  Mike made crepes for breakfast for Maysen.  I got everyone off to school while Mike took Stockton to IHOP.  Stockton had chocolate pancakes and loved them. Why did Mike take Stockton out to eat?  Because he got his braces on today!

Stockton after shower, before braces

Stockton said getting the braces on wasn't nearly as bad as getting the spacers in.  That's good.  He only has braces on the top teeth right now. With his bite the way it is, if he had braces on the bottom he would probably brake the brackets off, or worse - chip a tooth.  His bite comes down too far in the front.  They are going to try to fix the top teeth before they fix the bottom teeth.  Too bad.  I thought his teeth were going to turn out to be perfect.  At least I was really hoping they would be.

Stockton with braces

Stockton was pretty excited when he was told that cold things are really good for his mouth right now.  Especially ice cream and milkshakes. For dinner I made him a chocolate milkshake with a Carnation Instant Breakfast packet in it.  He thought he was in heaven.

Stockton

Why did Mike make crepes if he was going out to breakfast?  Well, Maysen had her AP Geography test this morning.  She had to be at the school at 7:00.  I was a little worried I might forget.  Friday is late start at her school.  That would be horrible.  Of course we didn't forget.  I was so nervous for her!  This class has been so hard!  Especially since Maysen doesn't like anything that falls under the Social Studies category.  Maysen texted me around 11:00 to come and pick her up.  She said the multiple choice section of the test was easy.  The 3 essay questions were another story.  She thinks she did good on one, okay on another, and not good on the other one.  She thinks she did good enough to pass.  I hope so!  She won't find out until July.  Even if she doesn't pass, this class has been good for her.  She has earned As in the class, so that will look good on her transcript, and she now has experience studying!  

After Maysen's test I took her to Cold Stone and then we came home and relaxed.  Maysen, Preston and I were in the computer room when I decided to try to find something in the filing cabinet.  I looked in, and to my shock what did I see?  SHIVER?  What the?  I have searched and searched this house for him.  I never thought to look in the filing cabinet!  Jorja says she remembers Preston putting him in there.  I don't know what he was thinking!

Where Shiver has been hiding

I wish I wouldn't have said anything until I got a video camera ready. Then I could have had Preston look in there.  Instead, as soon as I saw him I said, "Hello, Shiver".  That got Preston's attention!

Top drawer no less

Preston was so happy to have Shiver back!  I am so happy to have Shiver back.  It is crazy how much he loves that mangy puppy.

Preston & Shiver

 Shiver giving Preston love

Speaking of love, Jorja and Preston were playing at Audrey's house. Jorja ran home because she was trying to get a picture.  She said, "Apollo is hugging Preston.  It is so cute!"  She took my phone and ran away.  These are the pictures she came back with.  Ummmmm, yikes!

Preston, Apollo, Darth Maul

 Oh geesh

 Really Apollo?

Stockton, Jorja, Preston and Audrey played downstairs for a long time. They were making up plays.  When I asked Preston if I could take a picture of him he said, "Okay, but fancy people don't smile."  Except he pronounced 'fancy', 'fahncy'.  So funny!

Fancy Preston

Mike and I went to his Aunt Karyn's 75th birthday party tonight.  Her kids threw her a surprise party.  I can't believe she is 75!  She looks great!  It was fun to talk to Mike's cousins.  His cousin, Diane, told us how Scoop was her very best friend growing up.  They had stories of watching Mike's house being built, and hiking up there right after he bought the property.  It was pretty fun to listen to her.  She also said that she needed to get together with Steve so they can invent things.  I guess it runs in the family!

Airport Run

Preston and I took my dad to the airport today.  He is flying to Ohio to see John graduate from Law School.  Awesome!  I talked to John for quite awhile today.  It was so good to talk to him.  The first time I called he was taking a practice test for the bar.  Whoops.  He will take the bar the end of July/first of August.  Something like that.  I don't envy his summer.

On the way home from the airport I dropped by Bubs & Ange's.  They weren't expecting us.  I told Preston they might not be there or Ella might be asleep.  Ange waved at us to come it.  She called for Ella and said, "If you're not asleep you can come and play with Preston."  We heard a giant thumping sound (Ella jumping off of her bed) and Ella was out in an instant.  Ange said she had just sent her there about 90 seconds before we arrived.  Good timing.  Ange looked great by the way. She was all dressed up.  She had a really cute pink skirt on and looked super skinny (of course).  I told her she looked great and she said, "I feel like living today."  Haha.  Isn't it nice when you feel like that after a baby!

Millie is growing up so fast!  She can sit up by herself already!  I can't believe how fast time can fly.  Preston and I stayed there for about an hour and a half.  He played with Ella non-stop, so it was pretty awesome.  I just got to sit and talk with Ange.  Bubs came home right before we left, so we got to say a quick hello to him.

Mike has worked some more on the tree house.  He now has one wall of railings up.  I will feel much better about it when that is done!  Jorja and Preston are so happy with it right now.

Trap Door

Mike has been working on the tree house.  He recently added a trap door.  The kids love it.  Especially Preston and Jorja.

Lock

Okay, so I didn't like Mike's rice krispie cake yesterday.  I decided to put it in the fridge to see if that helped.  Oh boy did it make a difference!  I had a couple of pieces and said, "Preston, you will have to save me from myself!  I keep eating the rice krispies!"  Preston took that to heart.  He spent the rest of the day 'locking' the fridge.  He had so much fun!  It was so dang cute too.

Preston's note he taped to the fridge

 Combination lock

 Love the ping-pong paddles

Preston also taped up his robot.  He loves that the arms stick out to give hugs.  Every time Mike walks by he gives Preston's robot a hug.  Super funny!  Preston loves that!

Tonight I took my YW to Erica's softball game.  Erica hasn't been able to come to YW because of softball.  She is a catcher and is just awesome.  Their team dominated.  I lost track as to how far they were ahead, but it was a lot.

Paige, Rachael, Zoe, Riley, Nicole

 Nicole & Erica

Mike picked up Jorja from swim team while I was at the softball game. He sent me some pictures.  My Porgie sure looks cute!  Mike said she had a lot of fun today.  Especially since her coach kept commenting on how she was beating the boys!

Jorja

Mike Turns 39

Happy birthday Mike!  Today was his 39th birthday.  I peaked in on Preston in his class.  He was busily making Mike a robot.  Mrs. Moon said Preston was excited they had free centers today.  He said, "That's good because I have so much to do!"  He spent the entire center making this robot and making a birthday card for Mike.  So cute!!!

Mike, Preston and the robot

Mike had the day off and spent it with his birthday present.  He got a fancy new tool.  Aren't we nice? He got a lathe.  It is supposed to be awesome.  He is very happy with it.  We also got Mike a bratzeli iron.

Swim season also started today!  Jorja and Preston are swimming this year.  I have been excited about them swimming together for a long time.  I hope Preston likes swimming as much as Jorja.  I also hope that Jorja continues to love it.  Eden was so excited to see Jorja at the pool.  Preston was excited that Maggie is swimming too.  She is in his Kindergarten class.  She moved here from Chicago in January.

Preston is in the orange

 Maggie & Preston

 Jorja

After swimming we went to Planet Play for Mike's birthday.  We had a lot of fun and stayed out quite late.  Especially since all of my kids have tests tomorrow.  The older three have CRTs.  Preston has his Kindergarten testing with his teacher.  When we came home we ate "cake".  Mike wanted a rice krispie cake with icing.  He also wanted the store bought letters on it.  It didn't look very pretty.  Too bad it didn't taste very good either.  I think the icing made the rice krispies too soggy. Oh well.  At least he had something. :)

We are so lucky to have Mike in our lives.  He is the best Dad and husband.  He spoils us, and we love it.

Mike, Preston, Jorja