D.A.R.E.

Justin's sixth grade class had a big graduation for the work they had done in the D.A.R.E. program. He received a t-shirt, a certificate and a pat on the back from the local D.A.R.E officer.



I remember when Levi had his D.A.R.E. graduation that I looked across the gym at all of those sixth graders and realized that I was looking at his graduating class. I wondered how many of them would make it to their senior year applying the things they had spent half a school year learning during the D.A.R.E. classes. Again, with Justin's class, I looked across the gym, found my own son in the crowd and silently prayed that he would always remember what he had learned about drugs, alcohol, tobacco and all harmful substances and that he would have the courage to stay away from them.

And in May I will look across the gym at Levi's graduating class again, for graduation. It has gone by so fast!

Happy Easter 2010

Due to the windy, snowy, drifting conditions of our Easter weekend morning, we sponsored our own egg hunt at home. LeRoy had way to much fun hiding the eggs (especially since we are accidentally finding eggs 24 hours later . . . at least they are all plastic not hard boiled) and the kids seemed to have fun running around the house looking for hidden treasures. I know they enjoyed munching away on their sugary loot and pressing on their cutesy butterfly and animal tattoos. It was fun to have the cousins over to make it feel like a real event instead of just a lame hunt for hidden plastic eggs. Ok, so maybe it was still a lame hunt for plastic eggs but I don't think anyone was disappointed.

Even though LeRoy and Derek left for the priesthood session, Erika was working and Kellie was feeding her baby, I attempted a brief egg coloring session with six ambitious little kids. It ended with Hyrum trying to play ball with the eggs which was only leaving eggshell all over, yellow dye spreading across the plastic table cloth and dripping onto the chairs and rug and the only pictures I have are of Kellie's kids because they were the only ones actually smiling and having fun. Too bad I don't have the pictures of me frustrated, Nathan crying and Hyrum throwing an egg.

And then the puking began. First Justin, then Nathan . . . all . . . night . . . long! Erika's morning began with dedicated worship of the porcelain throne and the afternoon brought on Derek's turn. At first we thought maybe it was just too much sugar (really though?, this is NOTHING compared to Halloween!!) but soon it was evident that everyone was going to take a turn. At least that is what we are expecting and if the rest of us are spared we will celebrate (quiet enough to not annoy the sick crew).

It seems to be a 24 hour bug and by the time Nathan hit hour 29 he was hungry! I was trying to offer soft, bland foods for his first try at things going down to his stomach instead of coming up but his request was for a big carrot, two pieces of toast and a bowl of oatmeal. He ate it all, wanted more and cried when I told him he needed to let his tummy munch on that for a while. So far, so good.

Now we begin a new week with half of us sick, no work to speak of, no school for Monday, 3 doctor/dentist appointments, Levi starting a new job, Nathan's 4th Birthday, Justin's DARE graduation, my LASIK touch up, a Relief Society mini-class night and all the other stuff that comes in a normal week long schedule.

If I could make just one wish for this week it would be for warm, sunny, play outside weather. Pretty Please?

A week later, after all the sickness had cleared, we brought on the rest of the Easter goodness that we had planned but postponed. Peeps in a nest . . . mmmmm

All in a Day's Play

Here is the photographic evidence which proves that my children are still children, even though they claim that they are "practically adults".

He's just a little kid stuck in a really tall body.
The younger kids were tossing their balloons around for simple entertainment. Derek took a minute to add a face to his balloon then stuffed it in his hoodie and suddenly Phil the entertainer came to life. Phil? Where does he come up with this?

Where are the circus sign ups?

I don't even know what to say. Levi + headband + plastic cups = really creepy pictures.



I told them they should do something active instead of watch TV. Evidently that translates to "go jump off the furniture and be sure to take pictures".

Bean Bag Body Slamming. Very mature.



It's a good thing we built the basement with a nine foot ceiling.

Life will make them grow up fast enough. I'm glad they haven't outgrown their imaginations and daring abilities. It provides us with hours of entertainment.

April Fool's Food

Derek and I had some great laughs as we spent a little creative energy in the kitchen this afternoon. We prepared an April Fool's food prank to take to some of our favorite love-a-good-laugh people. Everyone else was gone when we began our trick bakery but when they got home they were doting plenty of praise for our look-a-like dinner presentations and begged for their own snacky sweet meal.

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches - angel food cake with orange cream cheese frosting
Broccoli - green apple Tootsie Frootie Rolls with frosting and sprinkles
Homemade Fries - sugar cookie strips tossed in sugar