1st haircut

Rebecca got her 1st haircut today. She's been talking about getting her hair cut for weeks, and today we had time to get it done. She's been wanting to get it cut because it gets so full of tangles, hurts to get brushed and she cries almost EVERY TIME we brush it.

She sat so patiently and quiet while her hair was getting cut.

We had about 4" cut off, which pretty much got off her baby hair which had turned light and was always tangled. It looks so much bouncier and more even.

Capturing Rebecca in a time bubble

Today I tried to capture our sweet 3 and a half year old with her bubbles, babies, absolutely adorable freckles on her checks and nose and her fancy high heels. She loves all these things especially when she's outside enjoying them. 

There's only a few more weeks while she's 3 and we'll be telling people our baby is 4 years old. Man time really does fly by when your having fun and when your busy.

This Cabbage Patch kid was mine when I was about Rebecca's age. I LOVED baby dolls just like she does, and Corrine did before her. When my mom gave me my Cabbage Patch kids, diaper bag and clothes I was so excited for our kids to play with them. They have stood up to so much love and clothing changes over the years! Rebecca was so sweet helping her doll roller skate today.

Class of 2019

Simeon with his awesome Lemme Teachers.

Front Row-Mrs. Spicknall 2nd grade, Mrs. Hynes 2nd grade, Simeon, Mrs. Christianson K, Mrs. Hackbarth 1st grade

Back Row-Mrs. Johnson 3rd & 4th grades, Mrs. Gordon 5th & 6th grade, Mrs Hall 6th grade (Lego Robotics & Science Club), Mr. Balke 6th grade

Simeon the big 6th grader on campus!

"It's Great to be a Lemme Leopard"

Door 3 where he 1st started at Lemme with Mrs. Christianson. Simeon has grown SO MUCH in his 7 years at Lemme. Simeon started kindergarten looking so healthy, but just a short 5 weeks later we found out he had Leukemia and was extremely sick. Looking at him now, you'd never know the battle he fought to be where he is today. 

Simeon-you've worked so hard to over come some pretty big educational delays from all the chemo and missing so much school the 1st few years. You're an amazing reader with such a high level of thinking. We're over the moon excited to watch what you make out of your future. You're such a bright, compassionate, energetic kiddo that can go so far in life. Keep putting one foot in front of the other with that smile on your face and kindness in your heart. Even when life gets hard, and you want to take a break, remember the fight you gave cancer and what you've overcome already in life.  You are going to do AWESOME things!!

We love you Simeon

Last day of school

Today is the day-the LAST day of school.

With Simeon being in 6th grade there were numerous activities at the school that he was in, so we spent a good part of the day up there and the in between times cleaning the house in anticipation of Nani & Papa's arrival this afternoon.

The day started with a 6th grade awards ceremony and slide show. Simeon got a graduation certificate from 6th grade, a Patrol certificate, a Student Council certificate and a Band certificate. In the slide show he said his favorite memory was when Joe Ring fell out of their chair in math.

Then we went up for the all school picnic. Rebecca and I ate with Corrine and Lauryn, Joslynn joined us after eating. Rebecca had a fun time running around playing with the girls.

Lauryn, Joslynn & Corrine

Corrine and her awesome teacher Ms. Schuers. This was her 1st, last and only 4th grade class as Ms. Schuers, because she's getting married this summer!!

We then went up for the 6th grade vs. teachers kickball game. Simeon got to be 1st pitcher, but sadly they ran out of time and he didn't get a turn to kick. He's been nursing a sore hip for weeks and just got cleared to play in the game a few days ago. This kickball game is talked about since the kids are in the younger grades. The teachers always end up victors and each year the 6th graders say they're going to win. This year it was no different!

6th grade class of 2019

 After the kickball game the kids hung out outside dancing and playing until they needing to go inside to get their bags. Ammon hung out watching the other kids dance. His friend Andrew came up and his head was the perfect height for an arm rest. It was a picture perfect moment.

And then the BELL RANG and all of the sudden we had a 7th grade Junior High student, a 5th grader, a 3rd grader and a Preschooler. Seriously they are growing up so fast!

Good bye Lemme (for the summer). 

Next fall we'll be saying Hello to 3 schools. Simeon at South East Junior High, Corrine & Ammon at Lemme and Rebecca at Shimek.

Still loved after all these years

When Simeon was about 2 years old a toy store went out of business and all their Thomas Trains were half off. That started our collection of these awesome wooden trains. We've added to our collection over the years.

Rebecca asked to get them out and make a track to play with. We used almost every track we had and made a really big and fun track. When the big kids came home they all gravitated to the track and started playing on it together.

I love how all the kids play with them and have such a fun time together. Simeon and Ammon made the longest train they could. Rebecca was being as patient as she could be with their train that was getting in her way and braking because it was so long.

These cute trains will be part of our family for many years to come. They've already earned a spot in the "Keep for the Grandkids" collection!

Life lessons at the Gas Station

Today I realized another reason why I love our van-the middle windows roll down so when I pump gas the kids can be watching and learning how it all works!

Corrine, Ammon & Rebecca loved being able to watch and ask questions about pumping the gas. Ammon & Corrine got out and cleaned the windows for me. They ended up dirtier then before-but it's a learning process.

Ammon turned the camera around and got his view of me pumping the gas.

This may have seemed like such a small thing to someone else at the gas station, but to me it was a big thing. I became a mom to raise our children. To teach them about the world, and in turn to be taught about life. This was a way for me to be able to pass on knowledge that I have to them-even if it was just pumping gas into the van.

Having fun in March with Rebecca

This sweet girl and I have had so much fun playing this month. She loves to learn so we find ourselves doing lots of school activities. This month as flown by will very few updates so enjoy a collection of Rebecca pictures from March.

Letters, letter everywhere. From the bathtub to Banana grams, to Bob books to writing family names before bed time on her magnetic writing board.

Crafts and learning. I get to teach Rebecca's class at church. We learned about being thankful day and night. We made these pictures with glow in the dark stars. We also made a tent in the classroom and went under to see our stars glowing.

We did some shopping. This girls LOVES to shop and is mostly happy to talk with me while we shop, as long as she's not hungry or tired. Our favorite stores are Target and Costco. The samples at Costco really help make that store super fun! Any where we go she can make it fun. At Target on day she found a mirror to make silly faces and crazy actions into.

Winter just doesn't want to go away. On our way into swimming lessons it was snowing big snow flakes. We stopped and played in them and catch them on our tongues. She exclaimed "It looks like Christmas!" 

Rebecca had her last dance class this month. We were able to be in there to watch. She was so excited to show off for us. She loved her dance class! She wanted to bring her teacher flowers, and also give one to each of her friends. It was the sweetest thing!!

Rebecca has really gotten into giving HUGE hugs and kisses. She needs to give hugs and kisses at random times during the day. She also needs to give and receive at least 2 hugs and kisses before bed every night. She'll get up from dinner and give everyone a hug and kiss before going back to eating. It's simply adorable!!

Oh Rebecca you are such a joy to have in our family. It's amazing how much love you have brought into our family and how much love you have to give to all of us. 

I think you sweet girl and made out of love, hug & kisses.

Valentine's Day

The kids have been so EXCITED about Valentine's day for weeks. Rebecca has been asking to put decorations up and get the house ready. With every thing else going on we didn't decorate until LATE the night before, and Rebecca was wide awake after a long fever induced nap that afternoon.

The kids combined had 67 Valentines to make. I had another 18 to make between my Spanish kids and my little Sun beams.

Simeon wanted to do something more grown up, so this year he gave cans of Izzie sparkling juice out. Corrine gave pencils and lifesavers. Ammon gave out pencils and Rebecca gave her preschool friends a bubble wand.
For Spanish I gave them Valentines in Spanish with a few treats. For my Sunbeams I went a little over board and gave them a bigger goodie bag with a bracelet for the girls, or desquise for the boys, bubbles, goldfish, fruit snacks and a sucker. April (we co-teach) Rebecca and I went and delivered them. Rebecca also gave her friend Kinsley a matching heart sweatshirt as an extra gift. Those 2 have so much fun playing together!

I was asked to make heart strawberries on skewers for Corrine's classes Valentine's party. I think they turned out so cute. Corrine said all the kids really liked them. Their not hard to make, you just have to figure out how to make the 1st cut correctly. I learned the fatter strawberries were the best to use.

Our teacher gifts this year were Valentine's dish towels I found on clearance at Kohl's the day before. I wanted to do something that didn't involve food. All 3 of the big kids are taught by 1 amazing teacher, so they all gave her a set of towels even though she isn't any of their homeroom teachers. All the teachers really liked them!

Valentine's Day was our normal busy Thursday. I did get up and make breakfast before we all left for Spanish. Since Rebecca was recovering from her fever she didn't go to dance class. We all went to Taekwondo, then went to Panda Express for our Valentine's Day dinner. The kids loved it, I didn't have any dishes to do and it fit perfectly in before swim lessons.

It's kind of sad to think that this is Simeon's last year of giving out Valentine's. His teacher had a really fun party for the kids. They all made boxes to collect their valentine's in. I'm so glad she did that and gave those 6th graders one last Valentine's exchange. I'm not ready for Simeon to go to Junior High. He's grown up was too fast.

Pinkalious Rebecca

Seriously this little girl melts my heart! She's growing up so fast and I so want to find the pause button and push it for a good long while. But since I haven't been able to find that pause button I do my best to soak up her (and the older kids) and take lots of pictures so I can always remember these special times when they're young.

Today Rebecca was our Pinkalious Girl. From head to toe, she had something pink on. Her overalls had pink flowers on them. I love that this pink princess hat is finally fitting her just right and it looks so cute on her. Her shoes are pink converse I got over year ago on a huge clearance at Target.

Lately Rebecca after getting her hair done, or putting on an outfit will ask if she looks pretty. I tell her she looks pretty in whatever she wears, but that she's also very pretty inside too. She's pretty because she loves thers, she gives us hugs and kisses, because she shares, cares about others, plays with us, laughs, is kind, loving and friendly. I've been trying to tell her everyday what things she does that make her pretty on the inside so she doesn't start to think that beauty is something just on her face or clothing choices.