Fat Cats * * * June 15, 2011

We started our summer 2011 off with a bang!  We made chore charts again because they worked so well last year, and kept them motivated to do their chores and other jobs.  Each day that they completed their jobs, they got to put a sticker on a chart that ultimately led them to getting a reward.  For the first reward (or Family Day as Tanner named them) the kids chose to visit Fat Cats.  Bowling, arcade games, and Pizza Factory!  A recipe for success.

 Yeah Ellie!  She was so excited!!!

 I think she'd just missed getting a strike.

 But turned it around to get a spare!

 Yes, she finally got her strike....she was getting mopey that she hadn't got one yet.

Such intense concentration!

Great job on your chores guys!  Next "Family Day" reward: drive-in movie!

Tanner 2011 AYSO Spring Soccer

Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 was Tanner's first time playing soccer.  Oh boy was it hilarious to watch.  First of all, the kids just swarm around the ball, and its a miracle that the ball even moves anywhere.  Secondly, Tanner had a huge perma grin every time he was on the field.  And thirdly, I think he spent more time on the ground than he did upright.  So funny!

  Exhibit A: on the ground

(maybe a little football with his soccer?)

 He had great defending skills....but it looks a little more defense for basketball than soccer ;)

 Just about to kick a goal!

 See, I told you.....on the ground.

 His teammate and new best buddy: Derrick

They were friends from the moment they met.  So cute.

 again!

Nice work this season Bud!  I'm glad you had so much fun!

Meagan 2011 AYSO Spring Soccer

 She is really improving and learning so much.  Her coaches are amazing and do so much for the girls!

 Coach Ryan Turner

 Coach Aaron Turner

(yes, the coaches are brothers)

 Some pretty awesome spectators! :)

Meagan's bread and butter: her throw-in.  She's really got a knack for it and is usually the one that throws it in.  Her team did really well during the fall and spring, only losing 1 game.

Graduation and History Fair

Tanner's Preschool Graduation

May 18, 2011

I know I'm a bit biased, but Tanner is the cutest little boy I've ever seen! :)

He absolutely LOVED preschool.  Teacher Nancy is amazing and did so much for Tanner this year.  He learned his letters, numbers 1-25, colors, and so much more.  His favorite thing about school was his friends.  He is such a social boy!  He is very excited for Kindergarten to start...and that makes me just a little sad.  Sad for me, but I'm so excited for him! 



I wish I could've downloaded all the videos of him singing.  It is hilarious!  He knew the words to all the songs and sang it out!  You could totally hear him above the other kids.  Way to go buddy!



 *  *  *  *  *

Meagan's 4th Grade Utah History Fair Program

May 18, 2011

 

The 4th graders learned all about Utah this year and put on a great program for us.  They sang songs about Utah ("Utah Train" - a song of all the counties in Utah, "The Wedding of the Rails", and "Utah, This Is The Place!").  I was lucky enough to play the piano for them during the year as they practiced their songs.  I had a lot of fun helping them out.

Every student did a History Fair project and Meagan chose to do hers on Fossils.  She made 3 different kinds of fossils to display with an explanation about each one.  She did a fabulous job!  Way to go Meagan!

Lindsay's Dance Recital

Lindsay has been so excited for this day.  She did an amazing job and we are so proud of her!  Way to go Linds!  We love you!

 May 11, 2011

The Dance Shack Recital

Morgan High School 6pm

 Brad's mom came down the day before the recital to give Lindsay a gorgeous bouquet of gerbera daisies and a "Star" necklace.  She felt so bad that she wouldn't be able to attend the recital, but she wanted Lindsay to know that she loved her and that she was a "Star"!  Thanks, that was super sweet of you.

Ellie turns 3

May 8, 2011

Poor thing.  Sick on her birthday.  There's like a law against that....right?  No fun at all.  I think she actually enjoyed herself, it was a fun birthday after all, but still, would've been better sans fever.

 She had been waiting all day to FINALLY open her presents.  They'd been sitting on the cedar chest....calling her name....all day long.  We had to wait until church was over and Brad was back from his BBall clinic in Vegas (boy, were we ever glad to see him!.....notice the death grip Tanner has around his Daddy.  It was a long weekend for him too with no other male around.)

 She loves Tangled.  We were pretty sure she'd be excited to get Rapunzel.

 Happy Birthday dear Ellllliiiiiieeeee!  Happy Birthday to you!

 After having a fever for 3 1/2 days, she didn't have enough "umph" left in her to blow out the candles.

Thanks everyone for making Ellie's day so special.  I wish I would've taken a picture of all her fun things, but I didn't.  oops.  She really enjoyed each and every gift!!  Thanks Mom for coming up to sit with Ellie while the rest of us went to church.

Fun things at Age 3:

**S-A-S-S-Y: This word pretty much sums her up.  She's not a mean sassy, though she can be,  but it's more of a 16 year old mentality trapped in a 3 year old body.  She can be a bit dramatic at times.

**Full of life: This girl can't sit still for 2 seconds.  She's always bouncing around or dancing.

**Loves to see the letter E and will excitedly point it out when she does.

**Loves playing with her family and friends.

**Loves putting together puzzles....and doesn't like to have help.

**Enjoys nursery at church.  The teachers get a kick out of her.  A couple of Sundays ago, I picked her up from nursery and they told me that Ellie had been talking to me on the pretend phone, "Mom, I TOLD you I was going to call you."  complete with eye rolls and exasperated voice.

**Loves to be outside swinging or riding her bike.

**Very determined and knows what she wants.  Don't even think about telling her what outfit to wear for the day.

**Very sweet.  She still likes to cuddle with me and gives kisses.

We love you Ellie!

 I took this picture a couple days later.....feeling much better, thank you.  And loving her new jammies.  Do you think they come in my size?  I want to look that cute when I go to bed. :)

It almost didn't happen

The Mother's Day Dance Recital that almost wasn't.....let me explain.

Saturday, May 7th, we were supposed to be at my mom's house for a Mother's Day BBQ with my family and grandparents.  The kids had been excited to go....playing with cousins and being at Grandma's house.  And I had been looking forward to it too.  For those same reasons and because I was going to get a "break".  Brad was going to be out of town at a basketball clinic and the bbq was going to be my "break" from being the only disciplinarian and person-in-charge.  You get that, right?  It's tough being the only parent available for days on end.  Exhausting.  So anyway, back to the story.

 

Brad left Thursday morning and that same day Ellie woke up with a fever.  great.  By Friday night, her fever was super high and she had a cough to go along with it.  Darn.  I had to make the highly unpopular decision of not going to the bbq (ooooo, the kids were so annoyed with me).  We had to  stay at home instead.  BUT, it turned out to be a wonderful present for me.....and my neighbor Natalie.  Our kids spent all day planning, practicing, getting costumes ready, setting up chairs, making a band stage, and coloring invitations to the "Mother's Day Dance Recital."  The kids were so adorable....and so excited too!

The Band: Tanner, Emma, Lindsay, Meagan, and Abbie

Lindsay

 

Meagan

 

Tanner

 

Abbie

 

Emma

 

Each performance had:

1. band members

2. singer/lip sync-er (?)

3. dancer

4. awesomeness!!! :)

Meagan performing to Jonas Bros. "Heart and Soul"

 

Linds and Emma jammin it out!

 

The last song, Bruno Mars' "Just The Way You Are" was dedicated to the moms: Natalie and I.  It was so incredibly sweet.  We both ended up in tears.  It doesn't take much, but when your kids do something like that, with so much love involved....it's bound to cause the tears to come. :)

Best Mother's Day gift ever! 

I was lucky enough to be allowed (yes, I had to get permission from the kids) to record part of the dress rehearsal. In one part of this video, I tell Lindsay to "Look Alive!"  I wasn't trying to be mean (visions of Toddlers and Tiaras are running through my brain) I just wanted her to smile while I was videoing.  I wasn't criticizing, I promise!

Lindsay chose to dance for her performance. She has a dance recital this Wednesday, so it was good practice for her.

 

The Finale and our dedication

Oh so sweet.  Afterwards we were presented with flowers (dandelions) and hairbows.  I told ya......so cute!  And to think, if Ellie hadn't gotten sick, we wouldn't have even been in town.  There is a silver lining to everything!

Happy Mother's Day!!!