preschool graduation

phew.  jill has officially graduated from preschool.  we were a little nervous she wouldn't make it.  there were so many demands on these young preschool kids but, she toughed out the rough schedule and academic challenges.  congratulations on a job well done, jill.  we love you.

truthfully, it was a nice day, and we will forever be grateful for mrs. cawvey.

she nurtured, taught, encouraged, sheltered, praised, and helped jill love school.

in my mind, there is no better gift a teacher can give. 

so, thank you to mrs. cawvey.

we will miss our daily visits and reading the big giant cat book over and over.

Jill's Quiz

Jill's 2013 End of the School Year Quiz

Favorite color:  purple
Favorite food:  peaches
Favorite movie:  Oz
Favorite TV show:  sopia the first
Favorite trick at gym:  back straddle roll
Favorite thing to do with dad:  go out to lunch
Favorite thing to do with mom:  snuggle time
Favorite thing to do with Sam:  Shoulder ride
Favorite thing to do with Zach:  pups
Favorite thing to do with Maggie:  she sometimes plays with me on the tramp
Favorite thing to do with Casey:  play dad with him
Favorite thing to do with Anna:  jumping practice
Favorite friend:  Will
Favorite Toy:  dream light
Favorite Primary song:  I am a Child of God
Favorite song:  Gethsemane
Favorite book:  falling for rapunzel
Favorite Princess:  Brave
Why is Brave your favorite?  when she is little, she is cute
Favorite Animal:  elephant . . . baby elephant
Favorite thing to do at school:  number line
Favortite friend at school:  Ashby
Favorite ice cream flavor:  chocolate
Favorite restaurant:  rosa's
Favorite scripture story:  Brother of Jared
What are you good at doing?  cartwheels
What do you like about yourself?  i don't have my leg cut off
What makes you happy:  when people give me cards
What are you afraid of?  buffaloes
Favorite thing that mrs. cawvey does:  she likes my little heart that i did that says, "i love my teacher"
What new thing would you like to learn this year?  instead of quitting, doing my roundoffs
What would you do with $100?  spend them on a toy, lots of toys
What do you like to do for other people? make some cards
What are you excited to do in kindergarten?  school lunch
What is your favorite thing to do in Arizona?  spend time with nana
What is your favorite thing to do in Missouri?  throwing rocks with ashby in the lake
What do you want to do in 10 years? do what sam does
What do you want to be when you grow up?  eye doctor


 

where is spring?

A snow day in March?

Who would believe it. Where is Spring?  I am so ready.

After my pouting fit, the girls and I decided to dig and tug the sled out of storage to take a spin on the four wheeler. Both girls were full of giggles until Anna was convinced we were going to smoosh her rubber duck that was buried somewhere under the snow.  

That was the end of Anna.

Jill lasted a little longer and decided to make a cute little snowgirl with a little help from me.

 It ended up being a fun morning with just the two little people and a lot of snow.

 

Jill is 5

Jill had a birthday a month ago.  Whew.  Time to get a Birthday hello for this awesome five year old.  So, here are five reasons we love Jill.

1.  Her curls are amazing.  A long, long time ago, when I was in my early twenties, if I would have looked into the future, and imagined a family picture, I would have never placed a bouncy, curly headed girl in the midst.  But, we sure have one, and we wouldn't exchange the curls for anything.  I love to watch the sun shine through and highlight the rings.  I love to watch her hair crimp up at the first sign of Missouri humidity.  I love to watch the static get the best of her as she jumps and twirls on the tramp.  I love the way one curl in the back gets longer and longer throughout the day so it hangs below the rest at bedtime.  And, I love that her curls are just the slightest hint into a personality that jumps and laughs its way through the day.  

2.  Jill loves school.  She tells me that Mrs. Cawvey knows best and I better believe it.  I know from experience that for one year, the Mrs. Cawvey year, mom takes second seat to the teacher.  Mrs. Cawvey is just a favorite.  Jill loves to cut and color, to sew and play kitchen, to do puzzles and eat snack, but most of all, Jill loves reading time.

4.  Jill loves her dad.  A highlight is going to see dad at work.  She is usually successful in securing a drink and snack and then a hug from dad.  She is so excited when dad gets home to do a "trick" (being thrown into the air).  She likes to go on errands and tell him all about her day. 

3.  Jill is good to Anna.  It isn't easy to get bumped as the youngest, and sometimes it still isn't easy.  But Jill is extra special to Anna.  They are best friends and get along well most of the time.  Anna waits all morning until it is finally time to pick up Jill.  And then, she peeks around the corner waiting for the preschool line to appear.  Jill is patient, forgiving, and very helpful with Anna.  They love to play dolls and kitchen at home and Jill often helps Anna sneak get something to snack on during the day.  We are very grateful Anna has Jill to look up to.

5.  Jill loves to relax and read.  Jill will sit and read story after story with me and even will huddle under the warm blanket with me.  She loves to read her Book of Mormon reader at night and makes sure she gets to stay up long enough to fit it in.  Her favorite books are Max and Ruby, Falling for Rapunzel, and Lauren Child's Princess and the Pea. 

We super love Jill.  She is wonderful and we feel very blessed to have her in our home.

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?

jill's picture

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

water

It started out as watering the flowers.  But, it was such a nice day, the water got the best of them.  Through many clothing changes, they had fun making rainbows, watering the dandelions, drinking out of easter eggs, and soaking pretty much everything.  Grateful for two fun girls and a beautiful day to go with it.

Jill's quiz

Favorite color:  purple and pink
Favorite food:  applesauce and pancakes and cream
Favorite movie:  Anastasia
Favorite TV show:  Octonauts
Favorite trick at gym:  crab walk
Favorite thing to do with dad:  Go and get an ice cream cone
Favorite thing to do with mom:  Go to Walmart (I about cried)
Favorite thing to do with Sam:  Shoulder ride
Favorite thing to do with Zach:  Back ride
Favorite thing to do with Maggie:  race
Favorite thing to do with Casey:  race
Favorite thing to do with Anna:  jumping on the tramp
Favorite friend:  Lauren and Ashby and Will
Favorite Toy:  Dollies
Favorite Primary song:  I am a Child of God
Favorite song:  Anastasia's "Once Upon a December"
Favorite Princess:  Ariel
Favorite Animal:  It starts with a "B" . . . b. . .b . . . b . . . Bunny Bunny Bunny
Favorite ice cream flavor:  Blue Moon at Spring Dipper
Favorite restaurant:  McDonald's
Favorite scripture story:  Shadrach Meshack and Abednego
What are you good at doing?  Jumping
What do you like about yourself?  That I can sing
What makes you happy:  Going to the beach
What are you afraid of?  Monsters
What new thing would you like to learn this year?  Front limber without touching my head
What would you do with $100?  I would leave a lot home and buy a Dora toy
What do you like to do for other people? Getting diapers for mom
What are you excited to do in preschool?  Play with Mrs. Cawvey
What is your favorite thing to do in Arizona?  Play witch with Nana
What is your favorite thing to do in Missouri?  Go to Ashby's
What do you want to do in 10 years? Nothing
What do you want to be when you grow up?  An artist with a paintbrush and some paints

Hair cuts

I had to go to church early last week, so Ron was in charge of bringing the bunch.  For some reason, when they arrived I saw my kids through a stranger's eyes.  I decided it was time for hair cuts.  So, off we went with bribes of suckers and smiles.  Thanks, Lacey for putting up with us.

Jill today

Jill.  Socks.  Silly.

Homework with Jill

best of the day

Happy Leap Day.  Happy Birthday to Will.  

My kids think it is awfully funny that Will is finally one. 

Walmart.  Not the best, but a story.  Needed hot glue sticks.   Went to Walmart.  

Bought 45 dollars worth of who knows what.  Got home.  NO glue sticks.  Frustrating. 

Oh.  The birds were back again today.  With more friends.  Getting creepier. 

Now for the best.  The park with Michele and Ashby.  No food.  Kids don't eat at the park.  Finally, I get it.  Beautiful day.  Lots of rides on the frog.  Lots of rides on the "chickmunk".  Lots of rides on both horses.  Wet from tornadoish storms.  Pouting lips.  Muddy feet for Anna.  Giggles.  Sliding into leftover puddles.  Fights over the red baby swing.  Lots of driving the firebus.  And, lots of posing by Jill.

party and a project

Jill got to go to a fairy party and took along our new project for a present.  She was so excited and quite enjoys posing for pictures.  She was a little sad to send the art case away and asked if I could please make one for her birthday.  Hopefully, it can be recreated.

Btw, I think the socks add to the ultimate fairy.

not to be left out

 When the camera started to flash, Anna and I found we had company.  Love this girl, and her slippers that walked into the civic center today, and her wild hair, and her awesome, interesting conversations. 

She did it!

Since Jill was about 3 months old, she has sucked on her left thumb

and pinched her belly button with her right hand.  

Exhibit A

 She couldn't wear onesies, and freaked out one night as a six-month-old because I forgot and put her to bed in a onesie.  She loved her thumb.  It gave her comfort, and helped her fall asleep.  But, about 6 months ago, she started telling me that when she turned four, she was going to stop sucking on her thumb.  We would talk about it every now and then, but never did I think it would happen.  Well, it happened.  She did it.  The night of her fourth birthday, we put yucky thumb-be-gone stuff on her thumb.  She tried putting it in her mouth once and then just cried.  She cried and she cried.  She begged for her thumb to be back the way it was.  So, after about 20 minutes, we wiped off the stuff with her sobbing still a bit, and she never looked back.  It took about 3 nights for her to learn how to go to sleep without her thumb.  But, she did it!  She is amazing.  It has now been almost 3 weeks since she sucked her thumb and I have to admit, there are times I would love for her to just stick her thumb in her mouth.  But, what an awesome example she is to all of us.   She is amazing.

Happy Birthday!

Jill is four and has been counting down for 42 days.  Hooray!!  It has been a little bitter sweet for her because she proclaimed when she turned four, she wouldn't suck her thumb anymore.  Well, we will see.  We love you tons, Jill!  And, here are four reasons why . . .
1.  You spread sunshine wherever you go.
2.  You have an awesome vocabulary and say things that make everyone laugh.
3.  You have energy and spunk and can stand up for yourself.
4.  Your curls that you let go untamed and wild.

Jill's party

Last Wednesday, Jill invited her favorite friends to her party.  She made Tangled invitations for Maggie, Casey, and Guinea Pig (Zach).  Sam felt a little left out, but managed to get a verbal invitation.  Jill was so excited and could hardly stop talking about her party with her friends.  She decided that they would have cupcakes and go to the park.  It was all set.  Then, at Pack Meeting, Jill spontaneously invited her friend Ashby to come to her "birthday party" the next day.  The mom, Michele, was thrown off because she hadn't remembered Jill's birthday being in September.  So, I quickly informed her that Jill was throwing her own party and why didn't she bring Ashby over for a party with Jill before the kids got home from school.  So, on Thursday, Ashby showed up for Jill's "birthday party" bearing fairy wings and a balloon.  They didn't seem to mind that it wasn't really anyone's birthday and happily made cupcakes and painted.  She was as proud as could be and I decided she knows how to get what she wants, even if it involves a little racketeering.

Caught ya

more first day of school photos

Just a few more pictures from our back to school bash.  Somehow, Sam escaped, and the missionaries didn't want to show off their eyewear.  But, school is off and running.  It has already been a much better year than last year.  A little less crazy without football and adventures all around Missouri.  So, hopefully the good will continue and the bad will stay away for a really long time.