Joys of Spring

I love it when we finally get some nice days in Spring. We've been spending a lot of time at different parks, BBQ's with friends, swimming and running through sprinklers in the yard, Parker has been busy with soccer, going on lots of walks/bike rides and we even went to see Peter Pan at The Old Barn Theatre. The kids thoroughly enjoyed seeing Peter Pan. I don't think either one of them moved through the whole performance. Very cute. Below are some pictures of the kids running through sprinkler's at the Schmelter's house. They had a BBQ for Jude's birthday and everyone had lots of fun.

Kindergarten Sprint

Today was the Woodruff Wildcat Run. Every kid at Parker's Elementary has been training for the mile run for about a month. This year was the first year that the Kindergartner's got to participate. Luckily they didn't have to run the whole mile, their run was more like running around the block. It is quite the event, the radio station was there, police to block off streets, tons of kids and tons of parents. As pathetic as this may sound, for some reason it even made me get a little teary eyed. Maybe just the thought of how old Parker is getting already, maybe it's the pregnancy...who knows. It was a lot of fun to watch and I was so proud of Parker. Apparently he even fell once during the race, but got right back up and continued running. I was so proud!

Willow Park Field Trips

Madi and Parker both had field trips with their classes to the Willow Park Zoo and it happened to work out that I was able to go to both of them as a helper. So lucky me, I got some pictures. Madi's favorite animals were the monkeys and Parker's were the Bald Eagle and the Monkeys.

Madi and Annie. Madi's favorite thing to do at the park is swing, in fact that is the only thing she does at the park. I really need to get her to learn how to pump.

The Willow Park instructor. She talked to the groups for a while about some of the animals, birds and snakes.

Parker and one of his kindergarten buddies, Joshua Higgenbothem.

Parker's kindergarten class. His teacher is Ms. Flanery, the one on the right side of the back row in the dark blue shirt.

Luckiest Mom in the World,

That's me! I really am the luckiest mom in the world. I've got 2 wonderful kids and 1 on the way and a great husband as well. I am truly blessed. I'm also grateful for my mom and what a great example she has been to me throughout my life and for Lynn's mom who raised such a great son. The Thursday and Friday before Mother's Day, my parents had come down to visit. They came to Parker's soccer game on Thursday night and then we just did some shopping errands and things on Friday. That afternoon, Kevin, Lynn and my Dad went golfing and Candace came over to teach me how to make a frame necklace. Then they all stayed for dinner. It was great to have the visit and the kids were sad to see them go. Lynn gave me a new lens for my camera and we had the chance to go golfing with Val and Lannis the night before Mother's Day. On Mother's Day, Lynn and the kids made me breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast. It was delicious. In fact, Parker loved his dad's eggs so much that he won't eat mine anymore, they have to be made by dad. I guess I need to get Lynn in the kitchen more often. The kids each made me a gift in school. Parker painted a flower pot/can that was filled with sand and cookie flowers. Madi made me a cute caterpillar picture frame with her school picture in it. I love my family very much and am so glad to have these great kids in my life. They are truly a blessing.

Then to top everything off, Parker had a talk in Primary. Lynn helped him prepare it so I had no idea what it was about. He read the whole talk all by himself and by the end I was crying because I was such a proud mom. Below is what he said:

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. He was baptized in the river Jordan. A lot of people came. After he was baptized a dove came down out of the air. The dove represented the Holy Ghost. A voice from heaven was also heard. It said, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him".

John though Jesus did not need to be baptized because he never sinned, but Jesus said he needed to follow all of God's commandments.

We are baptized so we can be a member of the church and so that we can be with Jesus again and also so we can become clean from our sins. We are baptized when we are 8 years old.

I am excited to be baptized when I am eight years old. I want my dad to baptize me. I want Mom, Madi, and my new brother or sister to be there. I also want my grandma's and grandpa's to be there and my friends.

I also want to say to mom on this mother's day that I love my mom! Thanks for being such a good mom. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Madi Tumbling

Today was Madi's last day of tumbling so parents were invited to go watch. She did a great job, even though she may have a little bit of the Mullen rhythm issues. She is a great listener and was really excited to show us everything she has been learning. She is growing up way too fast! This was also a fun class because 4 of the girls were friends. Doing a handstand.

Doing a cartwheel.

Towards the end of the class they always pretend to be different animals and do the animal action around the mat. Then the teacher will say "Stand like a soldier." and all of the kids are supposed to freeze and listen to more instructions. The funny thing about this is that every time the teacher says that, Madi and Annie hurry as fast as they can over to the teacher and have to stand right at her sides. It is really funny to see them scramble.

All of Madi's tumbling buddies (Annie, Kate, & Natalie), minus Madi. By this time she had had it with pictures and refused to be in this one as well.

What Jesus Does...

Today Parker came home with a book from the library at school titled "What Makes the Weather?" He was reading the title to me and then looked up and said "I already know what makes the weather, Jesus does!" I love all the fun comments from kids.

Golfing for FHE!

The kids have been begging to go golfing every time we pass the golf course so we headed to the course for Family Home Evening to let the kids hit a few balls and give ourselves a little practice. Neither one of them wanted to hit at the driving range, Madi just wanted to go where there were "little flags just her size". So we just practiced our putting. It was a lot of fun and always peaceful to be on the course. The kids patiently waiting for us to get our clubs. They really are the best of buds and I love seeing precious moments like these.