a quick one . . .

A quick one before we vamoonse, lest I forget.

Jill has been hilarious lately.  I think it comes naturally easy for this four-year-old.  I love her smiles and curly, bounces that seem to flit and freely dream daily.  I'm not sure what she fills her day with, but it sure is a lot of fun.  So, a little journaling so I can remember these oh-so-quick four-year-old days.

Jill:  Mom do you know what my favorite ice cream flavor is?  I'll give you a hint.  It starts with a vanill....
Mom:  Is it vanilla?
Jill:  Yep, you got it right.

Mom:  Do you want to play trash?
Jill:  Of course. 
After a few rounds . . .
Jill:  I didn't come to play to trash to lose.  I came to win.
(Jill  is princess of trash right now only because Kat says she can't be the queen yet.  You better get your game on, Kat.  You have a challenger and only one more month to practice.)
Jill:  Mom, does Will know Ashby?
Mom:  No.
Jill:  Mom, does Will know Lauren?
Mom:  No.
Jill:  Mom, does Will know any of my friends?

last day vs. first day

Why is the last week of school so crazy?  And, why are we already done with our last week?  School is officially out and the kids are settling into the fact that EVERYONE is home ALL DAY.  It was a much better year for most, but we still had our snags and growing pains.  Talking about growing, we (I mean the children) all grew a ton this year.  I even have pictures for comparison.  So, here is to the last day of school and all of the excitement that it entails.

After 180 days together, Casey was finally cool enough with his teacher to 

let me take their picture together.  

Mrs. Jackson is one of his favorites and we will miss her next year. 

What I learned about Casey this year:

He likes little trinkets that he brings home in his pockets and loses in the wash.

If you want to know what is going on in a situation that he is not involved in, just ask, he will tell.

If you want to know what is going on in a situation that he may be involved in, don't bother asking unless you are willing to wait possibly hours to hear the story.

Casey is shy until he gets to know you and then he is your friend for life.

Casey gets his way most of the time

What Casey learned this year:

Kids can be very manipulative

Recess and PE really are the best part of the day

 It is always best to have the nice teacher

 

 

What I learned about Maggie this year:

Maggie loves water balloon fights, but does not like scary movies, at all.

Maggie has very tender feelings that she does not show to anyone hardly ever.

Maggie is happiest when she is in charge or being productive

What Maggie learned this year:

That she loves math more than ever

How to be a great big sister to a younger brother who needs it

That it is much more fun to hang with a friend that is always nice

 

The hair wasn't an accident. Z purposefully did it like that for the final day hoopla.

What I learned about Zach this year:

Zach thrives with structure

 He likes making people laugh through slapstick type humor

Zach is going to achieve whatever he wants to

What Zach learned this year:

School can be great if your teacher is awesome

 How to be himself

Hard work pays off

Best quote of the year

An eighth grade girl came up to Zach at a track meet and was telling him he looked just like Sam and kept rambling along.  Zach turned to her and said, "I don't even know you, so just be quiet."

Oh, if only we all had a little of that confidence.

 First day photos

First day

 I find it funny that he wore the same shirt for the first and last day.  He said he was embarrassed to hug Mrs. Tackitt on the first day, but now he would give her a hug anytime.

Just ignore the almost closed eyes.  This photographer doesn't get paid.

Oh yah, 8th grade graduation

This was a new one for us in many ways.

1.  Sam is the first to graduate from eighth grade.

2.  I did not officially graduate from eighth grade.

3.  But, wouldn't you know, Ron did.

4.  Yes, we had to buy the cap and gown.

5.  Is Sam really going to high school next year?

 6.  Am I getting that old?

6.  And, no, you aren't getting a graduation present, Sam.

CONGRATS to Sam for whatever needs to be congratulated.

Katie's Quiz

Favorite color:  blue
  Favorite food:  Rosa's salmon taco, Grimaldi's pepperoni tomato garlic pizza, Mango's salsa and veggie burrito, margherita pizza at Pizzaria Bianco, crispy potstickers at Pei Wei, rice and black bean salad at Cafe Rio, vanilla cupcake at Sprinkles, anything at the bakery
 Favorite number: 7
Favorite Candy:  conversation hearts
 Favorite movie: Mary Poppins
  Favorite TV show:  cupcake wars, kinda
 Favorite thing to do with dad:  go out to eat
Favorite thing to do with sam:  watch sports
 Favorite thing to do with zach:  go swimming
  Favorite thing to do with Maggie:  cook and craft
 Favorite thing to do with Casey:  listen to his enormously long stories
Favorite thing to do with Jill:  water the flowers and go to the bakery
Favorite thing to do with Anna:  pinch her chubs and sing her songs
Favorite sport to watch: college football
Favorite sport to play: running
 Favorite song:   September by Earth, Wind, and Fire
Favorite Primary song:  I know Heavenly Father Loves Me
 Favorite Animal:  dolphin
Favorite ice cream flavor:  Baskin Robbins mint chocolate chip
Favorite Restaurant:  see favorite foods above
 Favorite Scripture Story:  the whole book of mormon
 What are you good at doing?  being impatient
 What do you like about yoursef?  that I have a hard time making decisions
  What makes you happy? my family
What are you afraid of? my kid's making sad choices
 What new thing would you like to learn this year?  photography and crochet 
 What would you do with $100? save it, spend it, or lose it
What do you like to do for other people?  make them treats
  If you could go anywhere where would you go?  the beach or London or Paris
What do you like about being a mom?  that I get to see tiny increments of growth in each of the kids and that I get to share love with the people I care about most
What do you wish was different at home?  that things always got put away and that the floors were magically clean and that we were all kind all of the time
What is your favorite thing to do in Arizona?  see favorite foods above
 What is your favorite thing to do in Missouri?  go to the restore and go on mini trips
What do you want to do in ten years?  be less impatient
What do you want to be when you grow up? a mom and a missionary

jill's picture

Can you tell which one is Jill and which one is Anna?