Nicole's Preschool Graduation

On May 19, Nicole performed for her preschool graduation.  Dave and I were the only ones that went.  Grandma Peterson stayed behind in Mendon and shuffled Hannah and Ashley to soccer games.  What would we do without grandma?

Nicole was determined that she was going to wear her May Day skirt for graduation.  I think she looks pretty cute!

Graduation was held in the backyard at the preschool.  The kids sat up front and sang the audience songs that they learned throughout the year.  Nicole sat on the front row and did an awesome job singing.

Leaving the graduation and seeing all that she learns at this school, this helped me make the decision that this is where she needed to go in the fall for daycare.  Aunt Emma was sad not to be watching her anymore but Marissa would be going to 1st grade and that wouldn't leave anyone for Nicole to play with.  After seeing how Nicole has been progressing this year, we have decided that this was the place for her to be.

Here's come cute photos from graduation:

The Theme:


Spring Soccer

Hannah and Ashley both played soccer this spring.  I loved each of the teams they played for and both of their coaches were in our ward so they did a great job with the girls.

Hannah had an interesting season playing with a broken arm.  I questioned at first if she would still be able to play.  I was told that she just had to wrap her arm in something soft....like bubble wrap.....and she'd be fine.  So that's exactly what we did.  Bubble wrap it was.

 

It was so much fun watching Ashley play this year.  She has made tons of stride and has the natural ability to play soccer.  I loved the little team she played on this season.  I was sad when all of the other little girls created a competitive team and Ashley was one year too young to go with them.  :0(

 





Life is so crazy when soccer season is in full swing but I love going and watching and supporting the girls.  It's totally worth it!

May Day 2012

Springtime brings a bit of chaos to our house with soccer practice, soccer games, singing and of course May Day practices.

This year practice started the first of April and consists of three days a week.  Thank goodness for Grandma Peterson and her willingness to transport Hannah and Ashley to practices so they are able to participate in this Mendon tradition.

Another thanks to Traci for making the cute skirts....and even being willing to make one for Nicole so she doesn't feel left out.  They turned out so cute!  Nicole and Ashley love spinning in them!

This will also be known as the May Day with Hannah's broken arm and matching purple cast to go with her skirt.

A few poses from Nicole while we were waiting for the festivities to begin:

 

I love that these two can be partners.  We only have one more year left where they can partner up so I'm going to soak it up while it lasts.

 

 

 

After the poles are braided, the program inside the church has ended and the poles have been unbraided, we went off and had a little photo shoot of the girls in their cute skirts.

 

 

After all of this, our tradition is to run home and get the girls out of their dresses/skirts and head back to the square for the opening of the hamburger stand.  I just love the smell of the first grilled hamburger of the year.

 

Oh what fun!  Until next year!

 



Ashley Turns 7

My cute little Ashley turned 7 on April 27.

This was her off year for having a friend party so we just celebrated amongst ourselves.

We celebrated by having dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  The favorite for eating here is sitting on the saddle and being sung Happy Birthday to.  We were joined this year by Aly (cousin).  She had moved in with us a week before to watch the girls for the summer.

Still searching for the Texas Roadhouse pictures. They were taken with Dave's phone but are currently MIA. Sure hoping we can find them!
On Sunday we celebrated with a dinner of Ashley's choice and instead of a birthday cake, Ashley chose cupcakes.  I made these cute cupcake from a funetti cake batter and then frosted them.  Ashley loved them because they turned out looking like roses.  It's so great when you can make a child think you're magic.

 

Ashley -

You are such a sweet girl and we are so blessed to have you a part of our family.  You are amazing at art and it is so fun to watch you draw your creations.  I hope this is something that you will continue to practice.

 

I love how you are so willing to do what you are asked.  You rarely complain.  You just go off and get it done.

 

I love your beautiful blue eyes and your infectious laugh.  You also have the cutest smile.  I love it when you smile and all I can see are your cute big front teeth.  I know some day you will grow into them but for now they are so cute and I could just eat you up when you smile.

 

You are the middle child and I know you kind of fall into the background.  You're not very demanding and you just do what needs to be done.  For that, I am extremely grateful.  You are amazing and we love you in our family!

 

Ashley found this awesome dandelion in the backyard:

 

Hannah's Ceramic Frog

After Ashley's play, we went down to the art room to check out the frog Hannah sculpted from clay.

Isn't he cute?  He even has a fly on his tongue.

Time Out for Women 2012

This past Friday and Saturday was another wonderful Time Out for Women Weekend that a group of us attended.

Friday night we got to hear from Jason Wright, author of Christmas Jars and Wednesday's Letters, and Brad Wilcox.  The music entertainment for the evening was Michael McLean.  For his last set at the end of the show, he was joined by a gal and they gave us a taste of his new skit that they just finished recording.  It was so good and the girls voice was amazing!

The first speaker for Saturday morning was a gentleman by the name of Chris Williams.  He started his talk with this Mormom Message.  Grab your Kleenexes.....you're going to need them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7zwQ_7q-fU

Wow!  What an amazing man.  I can't even imagine going through this trial.  What a way to start the morning too.  I was sobbing so hard in my chair that I was holding my breath and I consciencely had to tell myself to breath so I didn't get a headache.

Jericho Road was the singing group for Saturday.  We also got to hear from D. Kelly Ogden, Merrilee Boyack, Emily Watts, the gals from Our Best Bites, which is a great blog that has amazing recipes.

I have to say that I was very blessed to share this weekend with some amazing friends.  Our group consisted of: Me and my mom -  camping friends Cheryl & Tif - Primary Presidency Jenn, Shalon & Kirsten - ward member sister who we didn't was sitting by herself Karina - Sister-in-law Kendal and some of her ward members whom I remember from living there.  In all there were 12 of us and what a blast we had.

I can't wait until next year!  The calendar is already marked!

Ashley's School Opera

On April 26, 2012, Ashley's 1st Grade class performed an Opera that was written by the entire class and the music written by her teacher.

For the play, Ashley was the lead role, Princess Alora.  There were three girls that wanted to be the Princess and the decision was made by rock-paper-scissors.  What an awesome way to decide.  I chatted with Ashley's teacher at a soccer game just before the play and she said that the girls came up with this way to make the decision all by themselves.  Cute!

If any of you know Ashley, you know that she speaks very softly.  Dave and I sometimes get upset with her because she talks so softly that we can't hear her.  She also is a bit shy in front of a group of people so you have to understand that when we watched Ashley perform as the lead role we were totally taken back.  She was bold, loud, did her movements large so those in the back could see.....she did an amazing job.

The play lasted about 8 minutes, which was perfect for a 1st grade attention span.  This teacher did an amazing job.  The opera was awesome!

Enjoying life in the forest and picking some flowers.

Run Princess Alora!  Don't let them catch you!

 

Too Late!  They got you!

 

Oh no!  Now you're being brainwashed!

 

But don't worry.  Your friends came to your rescue!

 

The entire cast.

 

Take your bow.