Ike's Last Day of School

Every Friday morning , all school year long,

 Grandpa Jack took Ike and his cousin Ava to breakfast before dropping them off at school.

Ike looked forward to it like you can't believe.

There was a dance made for it and code names assigned.

I was asked to come along on their last B. T. Q. T  "Breakfast Time at Quick Trip"

and document their weekly tradition....since it was the last day of school.

I made a video of it, but I did happen to snap a few pictures too.

Ava's little sis, Sophie, was invited along for the last trip

Ike was quite lively.   

I had to check myself and remember that I was 

along for the ride and was not invited to play the role of mom on this excursion.

The breakfast of champions begins with a chocolate milk...the perfect compliment to the chorizo breakfast burrito......followed by a foot- long doughnut to top it off.

I am masking my internal freak-out with a smile.

This is Quick Trip manager, Tony--looking into the bright 7:30 a.m. sun.

 He was a good sport to come out and visit

while they ate their breakfast outside on the curb.  

He fainted because the breakfast burrito was just that good. 

 I was told this is part of the ritual.

(Grandpa Jack makes me want to be more fun and relaxed)

After their curbside breakfast...

Grandpa Jack then drops them off at school
 and back to reality.

Ike's first grade teacher, Mrs. Paguia.
  She was full of spunk and made learning fun.
I think Ike will be able to put her in his pocket by next year.
She was a  cute little petite Hawaiin thing.
I really appreciate that she emphasized appreciation for the little things.
She helped the children realize that knowledge is a gift....love her for that.

Despite the frying -pan like heat, these kids had fun playing games outside for their end of the year party.

This game was simple and everyone had fun.  

Perfect game for this age....wish I had thought of this one before.

Tie a balloon around their ankle, set some boundaries, and then let them loose trying to pop the other's balloons, while protecting their own.  Winner gets a popsicle.

Just kidding, when it is this hot---popsicles all around!

Ike has a few cutie pies that wanted to get a picture with him.

Who could blame them with that toothy grin?

We think his big chicklets are adorable.

Can you pick out the one that was a little possessive of him?

Tap Tap Tapping

Summer and I just got back from Powertap Nationals.

It was a quick, fun trip to Utah.

Powertap is kind of like clogging but with more dance movement.   

That is a pretty lame explanation...I know.

 Anyway, we got involved in it when our nephew married a professional powertapping cutie pie named Veva.  When they moved to Arizona, she began a studio and this group of cousins were her first class.   

Veva has been a great teacher, motivator and example.  It has been a great experience.  

The competition was held at Lagoon.  It was a beautiful spring day in Utah.
There is still a lot of snow on the mountains, but the day was sunny and warm.

As the girls were warming up, Veva's little girl Millie was taking it all in from her stroller.

Just a sidenote--The last time I was at Lagoon-- I was 15. 

 I got really sick on the Flying Carpet ride and threw up in my hands and hair.
I was mortified.

I am really pathetic at amusement parks.


This latest experience at Lagoon was much better.

Although there was constant pounding music and tap tap tapping...

it was so much fun to watch Summer and my nieces compete.

Look at those snazzy pants.

Summer,  Lizzy,  Janie,  Nicole,  Joanna,  Sophie,  Cosi

The girls won Overall Studio Grand Champion.  

Summer made the Junior All- American team

in challenge, show and line solos.

This Weekend

Friday night we had the first half of Meg's gymnastic recitals.

 2 on Friday and 2 on Saturday.  

I will refrain from offering my opinion on

 having 4 performances of the same routines. 

Meg loves it, so I jumped on board.

Saturday morning we held a bridal shower for Jordan, our nephew's fiancee.

After the shower,

We got together with our good friends visiting from Utah.

  We miss the Zaharis family.

 Summer,  Kiley Barney,  Elle Pothier,  Karli Okland,  Meg, and Cole

We couldn't stay as long as I would have liked to...

  remember we have some more gymnastics to get to.

The elusive back tuck was landed.

We were so proud of her.

This is a blur of her right in the middle of it.
I love that it looks like the background dancers are cheering her on...but they were just dancing.

{Later that night}

We dressed my youngest brother, Chad, up and celebrated his

graduation from BYU.  He didn't do the graduation walk 

 so we thought we would hold our own.

Clint rummaged up his old cap and gown and we forced Chad to obediently wear it.

 No graduation gift if he did not humor us.

This guy has survived so many brushes with death.

I know that there is a purpose and plan for him.

I can't wait to see what the future holds.

{Sunday}

Mother's Day was beautiful.

I woke up to a drink being spilt on the floor,

as my kids were carrying my breakfast in on a tray....trying to be sneaky.

I pretended to sleep as they quietly rushed to clean it up.

After breakfast, the boys gave me a foot rub while feeding me my favorite jelly bellies.

Tom suggested that he take over the jelly belly feeding since they had lotion on their hands.

Thanks Tom.

The kids like to have me close my eyes and guess what flavor of jelly bean I am eating.  

We have done this game with them since they were little and they still like doing it-- 

OR they just want to have jelly beans for breakfast.

 My favorite part is opening up the drawings, art work and cards.  

I love it.
 This is a Japanese Cherry Blossom tree that Meg drew for me on rice paper.

Isaac made me a little book that was all about me.  Those are informative.  Isaac never disappoints.

I couldn't have had a better start to Mother's Day
 in my pink zebra pants, dark circles and uncombed hair.

I am so grateful to be a mother to these four children and

 for a sweet husband that made sure I felt loved and appreciated.
I am also thankful for the great examples that surround me.
I am watching and learning from many.

A week of this and that

 I love how well Cole takes care of our yards.    

He just loves to find me stalking him with the camera.

Being the youngest, Isaac feels like he shouldn't have to work outside.

I don't know what that is all about.

We have these great big pine trees that provide plenty of 

droppings for my little man here.

A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down.

 A little music in the earphones was all the sugar needed.

Annual Father's and Son's Outing. 

 I think it was approximately 14 hours long this time.

 Summer's Dance Recital.
I love to watch tapping feet...brings me back to my childhood days of
watching Fred Astaire movies.  I love watching my kids work hard and enjoy something.

Back to my youngest --- Mr. Independent does not want me touching his hair anymore.

Why do all my kids think they have to get ready in my bathroom?

Voila!  Pleased as punch with himself.

Summer completed a 10 hour project for her Personal Progress this week.

Thanks to our great friend, Melody, 

these two learned how to make sugar cookies, rolls, eclairs, 

and helped prepare and serve at our 

Laurel/Priest dinner

These eclairs were ridiculously good.  Probably one of the best desserts I have ever had.

I am wishing right now that I had snuck some home and stuck them in my freezer.

The sugar cookies were yummy too. 

 However,  I over did it on sugar cookies about 6 months ago and the thrill is gone.

And for my 3rd child, Meg.  This week is big.  

She has been working hard on landing her back tuck and it finally happened!   

Joyous celebrating took place when she came home from gymnastics.

Hard work yields a sweeter victory.

She has her gymnastics recital this weekend and hopefully I will be able to capture it.