As one last note, some before and after photos of this school year
Ah they grow up so fast!
Monday, July 20, 2015
School Finale cont.... (seriously this is it promise!)
Yes, Yes I am a fan of my kids and I have shared every single thing they've done, but this is for me :)
As one last note, some before and after photos of this school year
As one last note, some before and after photos of this school year
School Finale
Well all the kiddos did great this year. Very proud of them! Both Garrett and Embrie worked extra hard to complete some extra tasks in school and earn their Mountain Lion Award. Good job dudes!
Garrett has and end of the year school (opera/musical) play. He played a Shepherd in the play
"Jack & Jane & the Beanstalk"
He is not a fan of singing in public. He did a stint in school choir, but for the most part it's not his thing. His teacher put him in charge of stopping and starting the stage music too. He was so excited to be the "tech" guy.
He also received a "Knights of the Math Table" Award and was "knighted" by the principle. For excellence in passing off his math facts.
And Finally I was also able to go with Garrett on his class field trip to the Red Butte Gardens and the History Museum. That was fun as I have never been there. (This field trip was rescheduled due to bad weather earilier this spring so it was at the tail end of the school year.)
Garrett and his teacher Ms. LeBeau whom we also loved! So great that we had such awesome teachers!
Finishing up the pre-school year
Maren is a doll. She had a pretty big class in preschool this year, but we continue to love our family preschool teacher who does a great job with the kids. Maren grew and learned so much this year! Here are some cute pictures from her preschool program at the end of the year.
This little miss is NOT shy which is a new thing for our kiddos. She loves to sing and dance so this program was right up her ally! She also memorized her part and spoke loud and clear with little persuasion.
It took her a little while to make friends partly because she is the youngest (and smallest) in her class, having an August birthday, and partly from the number of kids in the class, but she ended up with some buddies and loving it.
With Ms. Bre`. Love her. Maren has learned so much this year!
Finishing up our school year
Embrie did a lot of great things with school this year too, however, I am finding that I don't have as many pictures of her stuff for some reason. When she first started Kindergarten she was very shy. Probably my most shy child of the three. During her first meeting with her teacher Ms. Purvis, Embrie was shy and quiet. There were no friends that she already knew in her class, it was all new. Throughout the school year we noticed just how much she had blossomed! She is much more outgoing at school. She is even more confident in sports and dance! It is amazing to see how much she has grown.
This picture was taken in the van when I dropped her off at school one day this year. What a pretty girl!
on the 100th day of school they dressed up as grandmas & grandpas and then got to do a computer photo to make them look older so funny! Embrie made the picture on the right to show what she will look like when she is 100 years old.
She also wants to be a vet when she grows up.
I was so lucky to be able to go on her class field trip to the Zoo and this was our crazy group!
Ms. Purvis and both her AM & PM classes.
Embrie with Ms.Purvis on the last day of school. We loved her teacher, she was so great! And Embrie did so well this year. She mastered everything. Her report cards were always fantastic and her final one was absolutely perfect! And she is far above grade reading level. I was so happy for her, she does work very hard. (yes yes I know it is only kindergarten but a mama can still be proud!) 1st Grade here we come!
Saturday, June 27, 2015
The Confessions of a (former) Primary President
If I told you that my heart belonged to 223 children you might think I was exaggerating (and no, I am not the old woman who lived in a shoe, thank heavens!). Well whether you believe it or not it is true. Last Sunday I was released as the Primary President in my ward. It happened quickly, it went by too fast! Maybe I took for granted seeing the faces of those kids and teachers that I had grown to love so much, but because it was my last official day in that office of primary, I spent all of those two hours crying or trying not to cry. I am sure on hidden camera it would have been hilarious to watch myself and two dear friends crying and smiling our faces off. Don't worry, we did explain to the kids that we were indeed fine, after some concerned glances in our direction.
It was my privilege to serve them, to learn from them and to learn along side them.
So what did I learn from my time in this calling? A lot of things! I won't share them all, but I will share a few experiences. My testimony changed and grew, sometimes in ways I didn't even think could or needed to be changed.
The Lord does qualify who He calls. Not to say that I was from that point perfect.... ha ha ha sadly no, that didn't happen. There were plenty of mistakes made I assure you. However, I was able to learn the names of all the kids much quicker than you'd think. I had spent a lot of time with the younger kids in the ward and knew a lot of them, but didn't know the older kids very well. I was amazed at how quickly I loved them and grew to know them better. Also, no matter how stressed I became, no matter how challenging it was to fit all of it in to my already busy life, I never would have traded it for anything.
Also, my testimony of service in church callings changed. I had been taught, and I believed, that if you were asked to serve in a calling that you should serve willingly if possible and that you should do your best. I have never turned down a calling (never needed to) and I had always tried my best. Done, right? Well I never stopped to look around me or notice what others were doing or how they were serving. I'm not telling you that I received a great testimony of service because of what I did...no. I could see from a different point of view all of the many people who were serving all around me. The time and the effort that they put in. In my ward it takes 46 people to run primary on Sunday. That doesn't include the non-Sunday callings of scouts and activity days that takes another 16 people. Not to mention that I was in closer contact with the other auxiliary presidencies and the bishopric and was able to see some (not all) of their efforts. I am amazed and grateful for each person that I served with and their example to me. That's not even all! There were Sundays when I needed to cover primary classes at the last minute. Anyone who knows me really well, knows that I like to prepare. I don't like to be asked at the last minute to teach a lesson or take on a task if I can help it, I need time! I found myself in the position of needing to snag people sometimes 5 minutes before primary began. In the beginning I was petrified. I thought that for sure people would say no! They would ignore my phone calls or texts and they would come to dread seeing me in the halls at church. Much to my happy surprise that was not the case. Just when I thought that primary would not be covered and all was lost (maybe a little dramatic) people that I asked would say "sure, where do you want me?" ....what?! I came to know that I could rely on my ward members, that they were willing to help. They knew that their service was needed and they stepped up at the right time. Bless them!!!! I am so grateful for the example of selfless service.
I was given the chance to bear my testimony at the baptisms of those kids that turned 8 and made that decision to do so. I found myself baring the same testimony and wondered if maybe I was just getting into habit, and if I needed to change what I was telling them. It changed a little depending on the child(children) I was talking to, but was it getting old? Whenever I thought about it, I would get a strong feeling that, no, the testimony was true for each of them, for each of us, no matter how many times I shared it. That testimony applies to us all and it is this: That we are children of our Heavenly Father, that He loves us and knows us. He knows us better than our parents know us, better than we know ourselves. He knows your favorite breakfast cereal, or maybe that you don't eat breakfast. He knows that sometimes your brothers and sisters make you mad. He knows when you've had a bad day and when things are hard. He knows when you are happy and joyful and things are going just right. He knows, and He wants to be there, to have a relationship with you through all of it. He knows we make mistakes and that is why He hasn't left us alone, but gives us the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us, parents and teachers who love us and guide us. That is why He sent His Son, for you. Because He loves you. Your worth is great, so great.
I am still thinking of them as "my kids". And I hope that they will know as they grow that their worth is great. I hope that they'll treat themselves accordingly, as a child of God should treat themselves, with kindness, respect, forgiveness, and to hold them selves to a higher standard of living like the Savior. Because they deserve it.
I served with the greatest people, all of them, teachers, leaders. Amazing music leaders! (wow!) And 5 (5 because there was a little change in the middle as because I was blessed with 3 counselors and a secretary!) of the most amazing friends are sisters that served in the primary presidency with me. They inspired me, kept me on my feet, and were perfect examples. And I know that they each shared that same love for the children that I did. Two of them will continue on as part of the new primary presidency and I know that they'll be great... that "my kids" are in good hands.
As for the rest of us... well, we'll be ok. As I was struggling with being a little sad, my little brother gave me some good advice in the form of a song, "I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord..." I am grateful that the Lord invited me to serve as primary president for that time.
It was my privilege to serve them, to learn from them and to learn along side them.
So what did I learn from my time in this calling? A lot of things! I won't share them all, but I will share a few experiences. My testimony changed and grew, sometimes in ways I didn't even think could or needed to be changed.
The Lord does qualify who He calls. Not to say that I was from that point perfect.... ha ha ha sadly no, that didn't happen. There were plenty of mistakes made I assure you. However, I was able to learn the names of all the kids much quicker than you'd think. I had spent a lot of time with the younger kids in the ward and knew a lot of them, but didn't know the older kids very well. I was amazed at how quickly I loved them and grew to know them better. Also, no matter how stressed I became, no matter how challenging it was to fit all of it in to my already busy life, I never would have traded it for anything.
Also, my testimony of service in church callings changed. I had been taught, and I believed, that if you were asked to serve in a calling that you should serve willingly if possible and that you should do your best. I have never turned down a calling (never needed to) and I had always tried my best. Done, right? Well I never stopped to look around me or notice what others were doing or how they were serving. I'm not telling you that I received a great testimony of service because of what I did...no. I could see from a different point of view all of the many people who were serving all around me. The time and the effort that they put in. In my ward it takes 46 people to run primary on Sunday. That doesn't include the non-Sunday callings of scouts and activity days that takes another 16 people. Not to mention that I was in closer contact with the other auxiliary presidencies and the bishopric and was able to see some (not all) of their efforts. I am amazed and grateful for each person that I served with and their example to me. That's not even all! There were Sundays when I needed to cover primary classes at the last minute. Anyone who knows me really well, knows that I like to prepare. I don't like to be asked at the last minute to teach a lesson or take on a task if I can help it, I need time! I found myself in the position of needing to snag people sometimes 5 minutes before primary began. In the beginning I was petrified. I thought that for sure people would say no! They would ignore my phone calls or texts and they would come to dread seeing me in the halls at church. Much to my happy surprise that was not the case. Just when I thought that primary would not be covered and all was lost (maybe a little dramatic) people that I asked would say "sure, where do you want me?" ....what?! I came to know that I could rely on my ward members, that they were willing to help. They knew that their service was needed and they stepped up at the right time. Bless them!!!! I am so grateful for the example of selfless service.
I was given the chance to bear my testimony at the baptisms of those kids that turned 8 and made that decision to do so. I found myself baring the same testimony and wondered if maybe I was just getting into habit, and if I needed to change what I was telling them. It changed a little depending on the child(children) I was talking to, but was it getting old? Whenever I thought about it, I would get a strong feeling that, no, the testimony was true for each of them, for each of us, no matter how many times I shared it. That testimony applies to us all and it is this: That we are children of our Heavenly Father, that He loves us and knows us. He knows us better than our parents know us, better than we know ourselves. He knows your favorite breakfast cereal, or maybe that you don't eat breakfast. He knows that sometimes your brothers and sisters make you mad. He knows when you've had a bad day and when things are hard. He knows when you are happy and joyful and things are going just right. He knows, and He wants to be there, to have a relationship with you through all of it. He knows we make mistakes and that is why He hasn't left us alone, but gives us the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us, parents and teachers who love us and guide us. That is why He sent His Son, for you. Because He loves you. Your worth is great, so great.
I am still thinking of them as "my kids". And I hope that they will know as they grow that their worth is great. I hope that they'll treat themselves accordingly, as a child of God should treat themselves, with kindness, respect, forgiveness, and to hold them selves to a higher standard of living like the Savior. Because they deserve it.
I served with the greatest people, all of them, teachers, leaders. Amazing music leaders! (wow!) And 5 (5 because there was a little change in the middle as because I was blessed with 3 counselors and a secretary!) of the most amazing friends are sisters that served in the primary presidency with me. They inspired me, kept me on my feet, and were perfect examples. And I know that they each shared that same love for the children that I did. Two of them will continue on as part of the new primary presidency and I know that they'll be great... that "my kids" are in good hands.
As for the rest of us... well, we'll be ok. As I was struggling with being a little sad, my little brother gave me some good advice in the form of a song, "I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord..." I am grateful that the Lord invited me to serve as primary president for that time.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
School is winding down part #2
Garrett has done great in math, it is one of his favorite subjects. At the beginning of the year he seemed to struggle with reading suddenly, which was new for him, but since that first report card he made and kept a goal to get to a certain reading level and he has even surpassed it now! His teacher this year Ms.LeBeau had come from teaching 6th grade to 3rd and she has been a lot of fun. Since he can get a little restless and rambunctious she is quick to point out his good points too. For instance, how enthusiastic he is and that it is contagious. The only thing he seems to struggle with is tests, even when he knows the information, I think its that restlessness that makes it hard to concentrate and sit still.
He doesn't have as many close friends this year, but it sounds like all the boys get a long well and they like to play kickball, football and basketball at recess. Oh yes.... and we can't for get the kendamas!
Fun things in 3rd Grade:
Career day!
The kids got to choose from a list of jobs and come to school dressed as those type of workers. They were given a monthly pay check and then had to go about to the different stations and decide how to spend their money. I got to volunteer at the "fun" table. It was funny to see how many kids waited until the end to go to the housing table!! Ha!
Can you guess what Garrett's profession was?
Truck Driver
Grandparent's Day
Grandpa Blain & Grandma Sheri came down to spend that time with him.
They had interview questions for their grandparents
Did an art project
Read a book
(And Played Games, thought I didn't get the pictures of that.)
Choir
He chose this year to participate in the school choir. He only stayed for the fall session, but I was proud of his hard work and his cute performances.
This was his cool valentines box that he made... and by "he made" I mean that mostly dad made.
3rd Grade History Wax Museum
They could choose anyone from history and he chose Theodore Roosevelt!
He did a written report, a book, and then prepared a 30 second speech about "Teddy" and dressed up like him for school.
They made a "button" then They were to choose a pose and parents and other classes from school came and when his button was pushed he recited his speech. It was so fun. He was really excited about it and he learned a lot about our 26th president, even things he taught me!
Now all we have left is his field trip (which early date had been cancelled due to weather) and the science fair! This last month is going to be a great one!
Then what will I do with a 4th grader????
Then what will I do with a 4th grader????
Sunday, June 7, 2015
School is Winding down part #1
At this moment my kids are enjoying 3 more days of a short 8 day off track break and then we're on the count down to one more month of the school year. This year my kids had gone from D track where almost all of our neighborhood friends are to B track knowing no one. I worried for Embrie going into Kindergarten without a friend to cling to since she was soooo shy.
I knew by now that Garrett would be fine, he too went to kindergarten without knowing any other kids (up to that point he being younger had played with kids that were just a bit younger than him and didn't make the age cut off) and had been fine, but he had been with many of the same kids for 3 years and now would be going to 3rd grade without any of them. I worried about him keeping up in school as the subjects tend to be more challenging from here on out. Moms worry, right? Whether for big, little, important and completely dumb reasons, moms worry.
Here are a couple of things they did together:
Now lets find out what they did one by one in the next post....
I knew by now that Garrett would be fine, he too went to kindergarten without knowing any other kids (up to that point he being younger had played with kids that were just a bit younger than him and didn't make the age cut off) and had been fine, but he had been with many of the same kids for 3 years and now would be going to 3rd grade without any of them. I worried about him keeping up in school as the subjects tend to be more challenging from here on out. Moms worry, right? Whether for big, little, important and completely dumb reasons, moms worry.
Here are a couple of things they did together:
This was the 1st day of Kindergarten for Embrie, Garrett had been in school for a week. They both love school and despite what I may sometimes wonder, they love each other too!
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This year both kids participated in the Reflections art program and competition. They decided to paint a picture and. This took place within the first few weeks of school.
Here was the theme they had to use to inspire their project.
Now lets find out what they did one by one in the next post....
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