May

Well, May was quite busy, so I don't think I'm going to get it all in one post, but we'll see.  Bella's party was on the 9th, but I was going to jump back one day and start on the 8th. 

May 8th

The kids elementary school was having a Mother's Day Luncheon this day.  They've never had it before and so I thought I'd go since all the kids were excited for it.  The kindergartners and 3rd graders have lunch starting at 10:25 AM.  So, I went and ate lunch with Bella and Paige then.  Lunch for the moms was provided, or you could bring yours from home.  I had school lunch since I wanted to see how good the food was.  It was Thursday and they were having cheese sticks with marinara sauce.  They are Paige's favorite!  Bella decided to buy her lunch for the first time today so she tried it too.  They were ok.

Lydia's lunch didn't start until 11:45, so I read my book and waited for her to come down.  I didn't eat a 2nd lunch, just sat there while she ate hers. My friend Beth had picked up the boys from preschool and brought them to the elementary school.

Soon after, I had to leave because Maggie was having her piano festival in Beaverton.  I just took Bella out of school, since she gets out at 1 and that's when the festival was. 

Maggie's piano festival. 

She really hates going to these things and I don't blame her.  She asked Kate, her piano teacher, if she could get her music early (like in December or January) so that she'd have plenty of time to practice her two pieces and get them memorized.  Even with all her preparation, she was incredibly nervous.  Because it was scheduled in the afternoon, I told her that she could stay home from school until then, but she wanted to go so she would be distracted from worrying.

I had Garrett pick her up from school since I was a little late leaving the school. When she got to the place, she was pretty upset.  Last year's experience wasn't the best.  Of course, she was set to go last--random drawing-I guess.  But when she played, she played them both beautifully and got a score of 'Excellent'.  She was relieved and so was I. 

 This is the photo I snuck of her while she was playing.  We're not supposed to take pictures. 

 I forgot to take a picture of her after her performance with her award, so we took one at home after school.  I sure am proud of her for facing her fears and doing hard things.  I wish I were as courageous as her when I was younger.  I used to take lessons, but I hated performing at the recitals, so I quit.  I'd be able to play the piano really well by now, but I let my fears get the better of me.

May 10th

We spent the morning rearranging our master bedroom because at the same time that we ordered our new table downstairs, we ordered a 'chair and a half' for our bedroom.  We've wanted it for awhile and have never found one we really liked.  But we finally did, but to get it in the fabric we wanted, it was going to take about 6 weeks to arrive.  We finally got it, but needed to change things in our room around so it would fit.  It's a big room, but we've got a lot of big furniture in it and my treadmill, so we were trying various options.  Later in the afternoon, Garrett and the kids (minus Maggie) went to grandma and grandpa's house to help spread some bark dust and do some other yard work. 

 Lydia loved driving the tractor

Actually, I had Jim and Georgia think of a reason to invite Garrett and kids over to their house because I wanted them out of my house because...I was planning a surprise 40th birthday party for Garrett for that night.  Yes, it was after his birthday, but it was the earliest time that I could do it. So, they were out of the house and I had my handy helper Maggie to help me get ready.  We had to clean the downstairs, decorate, come up with a game and make a cake.  Maggie made the cake while I cleaned.  I had Maggie then start looking through Garrett's pictures for a decoration that I was going to make.   Soon after starting that project, she started getting a migraine.  We tried her medicines right off and tricks that we had seen on pinterest and even an essential oil that we thought would work.  But...nothing.  It came and lasted till about 10 or 11 that night.  I felt really bad that I couldn't help her, and even worse that I had to leave her to go and get pizzas and balloons, and then host a party.  So while she was suffering upstairs, people started coming.

Before Garrett had left, I told him to be home at 7:30 (because I told people to be here at 7).  My excuse was that the kids needed to get to bed.  He was so mad that I was telling him what time to be home--like he was a little kid.  Then he told me that he had to go to the store on the way home to get stuff for my Mother's day dinner the next day.  I was freaking out because I had people coming over.  I didn't know what to say to make him come home without giving anything away.  So, I told him to drop the kids off first and then told Lydia (in secret) to think of something to get him to come into the house before going to the store.  So, I hoped that would work. 

He texted me that he would be home at 7:45, so we waited...and sure enough we saw him pull up.  The kids started coming in the house and I asked if dad was coming in and they said yes.  So, I started filming, but I didn't get a picture.  And, we actually SURPRISED him!  He knew nothing about it!  I kind of felt bad because he worked really hard at his parent's house and he was all sweaty and tired.  So, after we yelled 'Surprise', he went up and cleaned up a bit. 

 This was the picture decoration that I had Maggie working on.  Current and old pictures of Garrett made into the number 40.

I think Lydia snapped this picture.  It's the only picture I got that night.  I totally forgot to snap any pictures.  We had 4 couples show up plus Garrett and I.  We had a fun time just eating and talking.  The one 'game' I came up with--although it was not really a game--was that I had come up with 40 facts/interesting stories about Garrett (with Georgia's help).  I cut them out and put them in a bowl and passed them around and had everyone grab a couple.  Then we went around and read them.  There were some good laughs and stories told off of his stories.  I think we all had a good time. I've wanted to throw a surprise party for him for a couple of years, so I'm glad I did it and that I actually surprised him. 

May 11

Mother's Day

Needless to say, Garrett didn't get to the store the previous night, so he kind of improvised for the dinner.  We had Jim and Georgia over after church for dinner and gifts.  Garrett made us chicken and steak kabobs with rice and vegetables.  It was yummy. 

 Bella, Garrett, me and a very excited Maggie with my new laptop that I got for Mother's day.  Don't you just love Maggie's face.

Jim brought me these beautiful flowers for Mother's day.

May 13 and 14

 Just a beautiful day...kids enjoying the warm, sunny day, jumping on the trampoline with sprinklers.

 Then moving to the front yard to ride bikes.  I love the swim suits and snow boots.

 The next day...

 I love these next pictures because Paige is getting a little payback.  She likes to be in charge of the hose and squirt people.  Sarya got a hold of the hose and was getting Paige back.  I thought it was hilarious!  I took the picture through the blinds. 

 Then she got the hose back again.

 May 15th
Noah's preschool had a field trip to a place called 'Smith Berry Farm' where they got to see/feed chickens and goats, and then learn about planting seeds and flowers and gardens.  At the end, they each got to plant their own sunflower seed to take home.  Unfortunately, I killed it before it got very big. 

 Trevor, Cooper, Ethan and Noah

 Teaching the kids about soil and how to plant seeds.

 Getting ready to plant their seeds

 playing in the dirt

 feeding the chickens

 feeding the goats

 Bella brought her 'Farm book' home from kindergarten.  They worked on it for awhile at school and she was very proud of it.

 They were out playing in the yard again and I caught Noah sitting here watching them.  I think he looks like an old man.  Cute little thing. 
Well, that was only a week's worth, but I think I'll end here for now and try to finish the rest of the month soon.

The Rest of October before Halloween

Oct. 15th--Tuesday

Noah's Preschool had a field trip to a pumpkin patch, so I went with him.  This is a different pumpkin patch that I have never been to before and I really liked it.  It's called The Plumper Pumpkin Patch.  

 We went on a hay ride around the patch first--trying to take our own picture

 then a friend took this one of us when the ride was over.

 they had these big old slides to slide down made of these black bumpy tube things.  I went with him on a couple of them to show them that it wasn't scary, but he had a hard time going on this really tall one by himself.  That's about as far up by himself that he got.  

 Then we found some other ones and he went down those ok.  We'd race down them, either one after the other or when were two slides together, we'd go at the same time.  They were quite big and fun.  

I thought it made for a cool picture.  

Noah coming out at the end. 

 More fun slides.  This place was great--it had so many fun places for the kids to play.  

another slide with a bridge to cross

 This was right by the field where they picked their pumpkins.  Somehow I didn't get a picture of him with his pumpkin.  

 Sign on the back of the wagon for the hayride.

 Mrs. Farmer and little Noah farmer

We ate a little snack there and then played with these dump trucks and tractors for quite awhile.  It was quite the fun place.  

Oct. 17th--Thursday

The elementary school had a family reading night on the 17th.  I usually don't go to those things unless my kids are directly involved in one of the activities of the night.  Paige was this time.  Her 3rd grade class was reading Charlotte's Web and the reading group that Paige is in wanted to put on a play for the reading night.  It turned out that it was only 2 minutes long, but by the way Paige talked about it and how excited she was about it, you'd think it was a full Broadway production.  :)  She was the Goose.  She got to dress up in a pretty white dress and wear a white feather boa.  She was so excited.  She had the whole "play" memorized--not just her speaking parts, but all of them.  She even put a little southern twang into her speaking parts.  She was so cute!  This was right up her ally and she really enjoyed doing it.  

 The stage and all of the actors.  The pig is her friend Hailey.

 She's such a little actress.  

Oct. 18--Friday

This was our ward activity.  It was a Chili cook-off, Halloween Party, Fall Festival--whatever you want to call it.  The Young Women were in charge of it though.  In our ward, since we no longer have an activities committee, the ward council divides up the responsibilities of ward activities to the auxiliary leaders.  So, the YW were in charge of the whole thing, but we delegated assignments out to the other groups.  So, we were in charge of the food.  Whew, that is a big responsibility!  We tried to get the actual young women to help out where possible, but we, as a presidency kept busy all night long.  It turned out great though and I think everyone had a fun time.  

 I only got a few pictures of the night.  I didn't even get pictures of my own kids in their costumes, but I guess I got pictures of them on Halloween, so they'll be on here later.  One of our counselors, Holly is a great storyteller, so for one of the activities, she took the kids up on stage and told Halloween stories.  

 The Primary President--Cruella deVille and her husband Woody, took care of other activities for the kids and did a great job!

 The Relief Society was in charge of decorations and set up this photo area for people to take pictures.  It looked great!

Oct. 19th--Saturday

Today after getting chores done, the kids went out to play in the leaves, after Lydia raked them up for her chore.  

 kind of blurry, but cute

 The girl in the striped shirt is Paige's friend Hailey

Then we went to the Pumpkin Patch.  Of course, we talked about going somewhere new, but we went back to our old standby--Lakeview Farms.  The kids love it there, so we went there again.  

 Our group waiting to get on the train to go to the pumpkin patch.  Lydia's friend Kali came with us. 

 Not too cool to ride the train.  

 Lydia is hiding her face because the train goes through a tunnel with scary masks and things hanging up and she refuses to look.  She does this every year!  :)

 Bella going through the hay maze.

 At the end of the maze

 Tough guy riding in the wheelbarrow for 2 seconds before he realized he didn't like it.  

Bella liked it.  Paige did too.

 Found our pumpkins!

 The train heading back

 Riding the boat back

 Watching for the dragon to pop up out of the water

2 cute little scarecrows

22nd 

Some projects I was able to finish in time for Halloween:

 The finished Halloween quilt--I love it!

 I was having a hard time with the quilting, but finally figured out what to do.  I liked how my spiderwebs turned out.  

I didn't have a Halloween wreath to hang on the front door, so I made this one.  There are 2 others that I want to make.  I have the supplies already, but didn't have the time.  Maybe I can finish them sometime before Halloween next year.  

On the 27th, it was the Primary Program.  The girls did a great job with their parts and all the kids did a great job singing!

It was also my turn to teach all the young women--we usually have one of the presidency members rotate once a month.  The bishopric really wanted us to teach a lesson on modesty, so that was my topic.  I had been researching ideas for a couple of weeks, and wanted to focus on why we are asked to dress modestly.  So, I focused on how it is our goal to return to live with our Heavenly Father and the way to get back to him is by going through the temple and making covenants with our Heavenly Father.  Satan doesn't want us succeed at all and so he tempts us to misuse our bodies.  I love this quote that I found by Elder Bednar and I used it in my lesson.:

“Because a physical body is so central to the Father’s plan of happiness and our spiritual development, Lucifer seeks to frustrate our progression by tempting us to use our bodies improperly. One of the ultimate ironies of eternity is that the adversary, who is miserable precisely because he has no physical body, entices us to share in his misery through the improper use of our bodies. The very tool he does not have is thus the primary target of his attempts to lure us to spiritual destruction.”

And so we talked about how Satan tempts us to dress immodestly and how that leads to greater sins and takes us away from getting to the temple.  I also had asked some of the young women to be prepared to answer some questions about dressing immodestly and those led to a great discussion, so much so that I wasn't able to get through all that I had planned.  But I loved that the girls were participating and sharing their thoughts and ideas.  

Oct. 29th

Lydia was able to go to her friend, Audrey's birthday party which was a "Cupcake War".  They broke up into teams and made and decorated cupcakes.  They came up with names for their teams and made up a poster.  Then they just played.  Lydia had a fun time.  

 Lydia took all these pictures on her itouch.  I think these girls were on her team.  It's Elise and Katelynn.

 Lydia's cupcakes

 I think these were all the cupcakes from her team and the poster behind it.  

That night for mutual, there was a tri-ward Halloween activity.  So everyone was supposed to dress up and they had all sorts of fun activities.  Maggie was red-riding hood and I was a queen.  This is also Maggie's friend Emma, who was a fairy.  I included this picture because I don't have another picture of Maggie dressed up.  

Next posts:  Carving pumpkins, Family Halloween Party and Trick-or-Treating!!