week 14

April begins my soda-free month.  It's hard to say goodbye, but I need to face my addiction.

I love driving up to my house and see all the tulips in bloom--pure happiness.  I actually think the world would be a happier place if tulips bloomed year-round.

Picking up Christian at lacross practice.  He loves it.

I can't wait to watch it again, this time with the kids--we just have to find a free evening.

The Young Women sidewalk-chalked our driveway for Bev's upcoming birthday.  She turns 12 and begins Young Women's.  I am so excited for her.  She will be with a group of amazing young women.

I love to watch this kid play.

Bev's next project--magic duct tape wallets.

We spent the Saturday evening Priesthood session in Spanish Fork.  It's tradition.

Christian had been asking about getting a briefcase--not sure why?  My mom overheard him talking about it and offered him her old one.  He uses it for his Pokemon stuff.  He even mentioned the possibility of taking it to school or church sometime.

I love General Conference.  It's a time to get a few things done at home while hearing some great talks.  Mike and the kids went to visit Grandma and Grandpa while I worked on the headboard.

The kids built their traditional forts.

Christian had to do a book report on a biography.  He picked Abe Lincoln.  I helped with the report.

Mike helped him with the poster.

It turned out so great.  They used pennies for the buttons.

Jessi has started the Magic Treehouse books and she is breezing through them.  She has become such a good reader.

week 15

Hokusai was our artist in Meet the Masters this month.

Bev got a fortune that definitely fits her.

I got to help at Christian's Kid's Marketplace. 

He was an inventor, and dressed the part, Harry Potter glasses and all.

I love this program for 3rd-graders.  It's sort of a lesson on real life.  They buy housing, furniture, etc.  Christian spent most of his money at the animal shelter on horses and dogs, meanwhile, sharing a small home with three friends.  I was in charge of the transportation table, and he chose a motorcycle.  He then said, "I got a motorcycle, but don't tell my mom."

Bev and Jack got to perform together at the District Monster Orchestra concert.

Jack uses the violin my sisters and I learned to play on.  That violin has played a lot of Boil 'Em Cabbage Down throughout the years.

 This dog is so obedient.  Mike bathed him and told him to stay on a towel.  He did.

Living on the edge--I had an estimated one mile to go before I ran out of gas.

Freddy watching Mike coach Bev on kicking before her soccer game.

I introduced the kids to Les Mis on film, fast-forwarding through a few inappropriate parts.  The kids really liked it.  Jessi and I are the criers of the group.

week 16

Although practicing is not his favorite thing, and he doesn't usually do it without a reminder, he does it without complaint.

With four kids, I often have to ask the older two to help with the younger two.  It's a great way to help them develop patience:)

I have got to deal with our pet food situation.  It takes up the entire floor of the pantry, and that doesn't include the dog food kept in the garage.  Yes, we have four different cat foods--Tiger is one finicky cat.

 Girls' night with my mom and sisters--it's always a good time.

Bev had to finish her book about Eleanor Roosevelt, so she went where she could have quiet--her old bed.  Of course, wherever Bev is, Tiger is also.

She made a book cover for the report.  As she read the book, she told me bits and pieces about it.  She mentioned that Eleanor had a hard life, and she was mostly concerned about the fact that her husband cheated on her.

The big day finally arrived.  Bev has been very excited to get her braces.  Here is the before shot...

and the after.  The first few days were really painful, but she has adjusted well to them.

Drew was not as excited for this adventure.

I told him that one day he would be grateful.

Mike had a late soccer game so I invited the kids to my bed to watch Survivor.  When I got out of the shower, Christian and Bev had started sorting the socks.  I thanked them and Christian said, "It's the least we can do...you do so much for all of us."  He can be so darned sweet.

With the kids being off-track, they missed taking birthday treats to their classes.  One morning before school, we got a bunch of cupcakes to celebrate their belated birthdays.

Teacher appreciation.

Dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Jones.

As usual, I went to Home Depot for paint and ended up with some shrubs too.  Some ladies like buying shoes (I guess I like that too) but my favorite thing to buy is plants.

The girl is about to have a birthday, so I have to get her room done.

Mike took the kids to their triclass while I painted.

Christian's lacross game.  (He is in the green shorts.)

Poor Freddy gets very bothered when I yell/cheer at the kids games.  He gets up and tries to walk away from us.

Bev's soccer game.

Man and his best friend.

Bev has been working hard to get her Faith in God requirements completed before her birthday.  She finished them up during Sacrament Meeting.

As we were doing school shopping a few months ago, we stopped in at Gymboree.  When we walked in, I asked Jessi what things she liked.  She paused, looked around and then said, "it's sort of a baby store, but if you want I will find something here."  I wonder how long she will let me put these ribbons in her hair.

Before church, Christian walked into our room wearing his fedora, holding his Red Rider BB Gun and announced that he was "mafia."  Mike asked him to clarify what he meant, and what he understood the mafia to be.  He said, "Bad, tough guys."

Sunday evening we headed to the park to play baseball.  It was a great time.