summer goals

I set goals for our kids this summer. Yesterday I explained our goals. Today we started them. One goal for Whitney was to read the handful of beginner books her Grandma gave her. Today she already read one - yes, these are the same books that a while ago I tried to get her to read and after trying she said to "give them back to Grandma." At this rate she'll accomplish our reading goal next week. I thought it would be a summer long goal.

One of Travis' goals was to learn to ride his bike without training wheels. After all, one more year and he'll need to be able to ride his bike to school like the others. So we tested it out this morning. I prepared for a struggle. I gave him a pep talk. I tried not to get frustrated. And this is what happened:

Apparently I need to set higher goals for my children.

The Many Faces of Kindergarten

Today Whitney had her final assessment. Teacher said "she's ready for first grade!" Whitney was quite thrilled to hear that. It has been a fun year. I'm sure I'll say this each year, but it went fast. I loved hearing all her stories and songs. I'll miss eating lunch with her each day next year. So, now that's her first year of school is over, here are just a few of the many pictures of kindergarten.

first day soccer

crazy hair day

loosing her front teeth

halloween party

Christmas elf party

100 days of kindergarten

the leprachaun

birthday celebration

graduation day.

I had to stop from being to sentimental at graduation - on stage I could see my 3 year old girl up there on stage - only now she's 6 yrs. old.

come and play sun

We have absolutly loved our sunny days, if only they would happen more often! The kids have had plenty of sun and enjoyed every moment outside playing with friends. Travis and Gracie have had fun fighting bad guys and playing soccer and basketball. I love that they have to dress the part. Gracie is Travis' BFF next door. I love this girl. Travis has been sporting a new BYU outfit. How could I pass this up at good 'ole Walmart. Now he wants a Jimmer jersey :)

Doesn't Hailey looked thrilled.

Hailey has turned 20 shades darker these last couple weeks. Her hair is lightening in the sun - just like her siblings did as toddlers. She is so entertaining to watch and listen to. She dances, tells stories, makes dog noises, and has a 2 second attention span. It would take a miracle to get a picture of her actually LOOKING at the camera. Trust me I've tried!

Checking out the flowers

Kid shot - okay, so I should rephrase. It would take a miracle to catch Hailey both SMILING AND LOOKING at the camera. They don't happen simultaneously.

Loving this stage.

The last couple weeks I've been reading a book. The book is great. I would recommend it. Ploblem is, I think it's triggering a third-life crisis (I hope I'm not considered mid-life yet)! It's about accomplishing your life mission. I have so many things on my list. But for starters now I am VERY itchy to go back to school for a masters. Anyone know a good college that has online classes for a masters? I've got some ideas. I'm pretty sure Aaron is just hoping this idea will blow by. But I've had a slight itch to do this since graduation from BYU - now it's stronger. Another thing to do on my list write/publish the handful of books in my head. So, I'm not even close to patient, but I'll give myself a ten year deadline to get a masters, publish at least 2 of the 5 books, and get all my kids here while keeping my body somewhat together. Despite all these ambitions, when I step back and look at my life my family is what really matters. Nothing I can accomplish will be more important. I'll just keep repeating that in my head when thoughts of school and books spin in my mind at 11 pm. tonight.

Ummm.... it's the end of April?

Wow, April has been an event-filled month! I thought of dozens of thoughts/feelings/experiences I could blog about, but never found the time (and sadly, I remember very few of what I was going to write). So, like a last day visiting teaching lesson, here is a quick rundown of our month before it's over.

For spring break we had a lot of play time. Playtime inside with toys and long days outside playing with friends. We went to Chuck E. Cheese, Jump on it, McDonals and Swimming. By the middle of the week I'd already worn the kids out. Here's them "surfing" at home. Random comment: A couple days ago Travis told me with a big smile about a cool dream he had. "You let a big wave of water in our house and I surfed on it. It was awesome!" That made my heart proud :)

I love creativity. So it makes me happy to see my kids do something like this. What a comfortable seat for a movie - made by Whitney. Who needs a couch?

We had lots of visitors and family this month. Especially around Easter. We hosted a graduation party for Jared - which was a LOT of fun, held our first annual Hoopes Passover meal, welcomed Neal home from BYU Jerusalem, and had a festive Easter day. Our first Passover together as a family was definately toned down so the kids would know what we were talking about. Our FHE before that Saturday was about bondage and Slavery - which the kids got to experience first hand for five minutes. They didn't like doing hard work and everything we said - so me and aaron held noodles (our whips :)) to keep them motivated. We laughed pretty good and I think it got the point across. Our bitter herbs were Cry babies, we played a rice pudding game (though only I enjoyed the pudding) and had our four glasses of wine (grape juice). I look forward to this tradition and being able to get deeper and deeper into the meaning of passover/Easter on the Eve of Easter.

Here are our kids anxiously awaiting company.

Whitney discovered the beauties of toilet paper. The bathroom is her amusement park - gotta keep that toilet seat down!

The week prior to Easter we redid/moved our trampoline. It was a TON of digging. Me and Aaron worked hard on it. The weather didn't want to cooperate with our plans though. Here is a pic that is hard to see but makes me smile big. Here's Aaron putting up the tramp in the rain with Travis' assistance. Travis thought it was awesome and came in beaming - he informed us that because he worked so hard Dad was taking him for some icecream. I love their father/son relationship.

Yes, I know these pics are in random non-chronological order, but deal with it. Here's Jared's present pinata for his party. Kids loved it and he was, as usual, a good sport about it. And yes, there is a tassle on the cap.

Hailey is walking all over the place now. She loves three things: Walking up and down stairs with my help, walking outside and on the tramp, and PIZZA! (Don't worry that's not nasty pizza on her tray - it's chicken noodle soup)

I'm aware, one shoe is missing. She managed to pull it off.

Yesterday I had to take this picture of Travis playing football with the neighbor boys. It made me laugh out loud to watch him kick it off and tackle them. I love that he has to get decked out in order to play sports.

And that folks is a very brief run down of our April. I've enjoyed some goods books and conversations with Neal remembering my BYU Jerusalem days. I've also had a blast playing old womens basketball. Sometimes I forget how much I miss sports until I get the flavor back in my mouth! Here's to a hopefully warm May, we're just a couple weeks away from Kindergarten graduation. Oh, the fun.

Birthday Girl

This is Whitney at 6 Her birthday seemed like a week long celebration . . . because it was. Family came the Sunday before her birthday to party

She got spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa

Is she smiling wierd? Yep - she's got a nice fat lip from the trampoline the day before.Then Saturday was the friend party. Heaven help me if I do that again soon.

Teaching them the beautiful game "heavy heavy hang over thy poor head."

After spashing piniata patrick open.

Wearing the special hat for family dinner/party.

Way to many presents!

Whitney is such a great kid to have first. She is always happy. I love and appreciate that. Especially on days when Hailey feels like being difficult. She is so social. Her teacher praised her for being so nice to EVERYONE at school. She loves school, and although she doesn't like reading she's getting quite good. She loves to decorate, color, play school or house, party, and dress up. She is still the princess of the house - and I'm still always the bad guy :) She's doing gymnastics now and is freakin' buff and fearless. And lastly, she still loves to talk. When she's home, it's rare to find a quiet moment. Happy Birthday Whitney!

Spoiled!

Last weekend I got completely spoiled . . . and surprised. It was better than a usual Friday because we had 'going to Ruby River with the kids' planned that night. I enjoyed the day and the weather looking forward to breaking out of my bubble.

About 3:30 pm my husband arrived home. Much earlier than his usual time. I was told to get ready and painted - that we had a date and his sister was coming to babysit.

I didn't hesitate. I spent the next while showering, doing my hair, and doing something that happens bi-annually -applying paint to my face. I looked hot :)

A little after four there was a knock at the door. Excited that his sister Bethany was here, you can imagine my surprise when I saw my parents on the front step. Did they stop in spur of the moment for a fun visit? Not likely. Not when you don't live next door.

So I greeted them into my home completely confused. I was then informed that I was being let go from my job for the weekend. My parents were taking me to play and to the spa and I would check back in Sunday night for an early birthday party for Whitney.

Sounded awesome! Shock factor - absolutely!

I quickly packed, and still, a little hesitant if this was for real, said good-bye to husband and kiddos.

We went to Olive Garden, a soccer game, did flowrider (loved!!!), worked out all by myself without hitting the pause button every three minutes to cater to a child, shopped, got a pedicure, read a book in silence, ate at Cafe Rio, watched a basketball game, ate a ginormous cinnamon roll, talked - to grown ups, enjoyed being a kid again in my parents house. It was perfect and fantastic. And although I missed my husband and kids I didn't let that spoil any fun because I knew my shift would start again Sunday night.

It was the perfect amount of time. Completely rejuvenating. I owe a shout out something fierce to my husband for setting it all up. I enjoyed every minute, and every minute I enjoyed reminded me how blessed I am to have the husband and kids I do!

She's 1

She's 1! I/She made it! Made it to the fun part of babyhood. I love the one year mark, for me, this is when the party begins. Apparently Hailey knew it was her birthday because she has taken learning to walk a lot more seriously lately. She's about there. We started celebrating Saturday by doing a kid favorite - Chuck E. Cheese with G & G Rasmussen.

Then on her birthday we had her favorite meal. This kids is serious about her pizza. She freaks out from the moment she sees the box in the store, cries as she has to smell it in the car on the way home without having any, and wants it the second we walk in the door. Happy to be eating pizza.

Then came cake. Well, not really cake. She doesn't like anything spongy like bread or cake. So - we had a great oreo no bake. She loved. Soaking it in.

Offering some, what a sweet girl.

The result - beauty!

All cleaned up and ready for presents.

As dad assembled her new amazing four wheeler, the kids had a blast with the box.

Testing it out in her new jammies.

Happy Birthday Hailey. You definately run the show. A few things I love about you right now: When you open and close your hand to wave to me in the rear view mirror in the car. The way you love to tease and be teased. Your love for outside - you already take me to your shoes and jacket every morning. When you give me a hug or a big smile - it melts me. love you!