Our 8th grader

Today was Madison's last day of school. She had such an amazing year. She made lots of new friends and had amazing grades. I can not believe that she is only a year away from high school. I am just now getting used to the idea that she is in middle school. Madison had a pretty laid back day at school today. They had a year book signing with all the 7th graders.

It was a great day for Madison so see all of her friends before summer begins.

7th grade was a great year for Madison. She grew in so many ways. We are so proud of Madison.

They keep me on my toes

Today was a rather busy day. I remember when the girls were younger and I thought I was busy but no that was nothing. I am way busier now then I ever thought I would be. I miss those days of staying home with my little kids. I love the stage that my kids are in now. I just wish that I got to stay home a little more. My day started out this morning with an award ceremony at the middle school. Madison has worked very hard this year to maintain a 4.0. She is such a dedicated student. I wish that I would have been more like her when I was her age.

Words can not even describe how proud I am of her. She is an amazing daughter.

When the assembly was over I headed to Albertson's to meet up with Ashley's class. The timing was just perfect because they had just got to the store so I didn't miss any of the field trip. Non of my other kids have ever gone on a field trip to the grocery store so this was a first for me. I didn't know what to expect. The kids had a great time learning about all the different foods there are at the grocery store.

The kids stayed in engaged throughout the whole tour. It doesn't hurt that they gave the kids food.

At the end of the field trip each kid in the class were able to ring up a cheese stick.

It made Ashley's day that she was able to use the cash register.

When we left Albertson's we headed over the park next to the school to eat our treats.

Then play in the park till it was time to go home.

We took one more class picture before the day was over.

After lunch we headed back up to Chaparral for the talent show. Allison was playing a piano solo.

She did a great job. I love how much she enjoys the piano. I love hearing the music in the house.

We finished our day out with Allison's soccer party. She really enjoyed playing with these girls. I hope they get get to play together again.

Allison is unsure if she wants to play again next season. She told me that she would definitely play again if her coaches did a returning team. I hope they do.

 Today might have been a crazy day of running around but I don't mind.  I am doing exactly what I want to be doing.  I am raising three amazing little girls.  This is exactly how I imagined my life when I was younger. 

Soccer comes to an end and a dance recital

Today Allison and Ashley played their last soccer games of the season. Ashley's was first. She was so excited because she made a goal. The girls played such a good game.

Ashley's coach isn't sure that he will be able to do returning team next season. We will be so sad if he isn't able to. He has been a great coach. After the game we did had the party really quick.

Ashley had a great season and can't wait till next season.

I didn't get to watch Allison's game because I had to get Ashley to her dance rehearsal. Kevin says that it was a great game. They tied a team that beat them earlier in the season.

Allison really enjoyed herself and wants to play again if her coach does a returning team. She had really enjoyed the girls on her team and her coaches.

Once soccer was over for the day it was time for Ashley's dance recital. Ashley's teacher wanted to make it a cultural night so she invited siblings to show off their talents too. Monique(their piano teacher) thought it would be a good thing for Madison and Allison to work toward. All the girls were excited for the night but also a little nervous. Ashley preformed a tap dance and then also a ballet dance.

Ashley always looked so serious on stage. She was concentrating so hard. She did a great job.

I am so proud of her.

Madison was the first to preform on the piano.

She was so nervous. I am so proud of her that she did this. I never could have preformed in front of all those people. Madison is always amazing me. I love that she will so things that are out of her comfort zone.

Allison preformed next.

Allison also did an amazing job. This was great practice for this week. Allison will be preforming in her school talent show. She has always been such a go getter. Nothing is going to stop this girl from getting what she wants in life.

 Kevin and I enjoyed watching our girls preform. I do not know how we got so lucky. They are so amazing. I love that I get to raise them and see all the amazing things they will do.

I thought it would be fun for the girls if we invited Miss Dawn and Capri.

The girls loved that they came to support them. Ashley has enjoyed this past year in dance. She has learned a lot and loved that she was in class with her best friend Elahn.

It is kind of sad that it is over. Miss Stephanie has been a great teacher and Ashley loved her. Tonight was great night.

Rendezvous with Allison

Today Allison attended Rendezvous with her 4th grade class. I had the privilege of chaperoning. I really enjoyed going with Madison and looked forward to going again. I don't think the weather ever cooperates for this. The year I went with Madison is so hot. Today the wind blew all day and it was cold. In spite of the weather we had a great day. Some of Allison's favorite booths were.

Calf roping. Allison did better then I did. She could at least get the rope to the cafe. My rope wouldn't go more then a foot or two from me.

I am not a cowgirl.

Allison also enjoyed throwing the Atlatl. Allison's arrow didn't go in the direction that she would have liked it to. It landed not even two feet from her.

The cannon is always a favorite. The cannon went off every half an hour. Madison told us it scared her during lunch(we were at the middle school).

Allison was excited for the gold panning but ended up walking away disappointed because she never got a turn.

These guys were pretty popular. I heard many kids talking about them when we left. They acted out a skit about Lewis and Clark.

 I am so glad that I got to come along with Allison's class. it is always fun to see her interact with her friends. Allison got to know this one little boy really well when they were studying for the Idaho History Bee. Andrew is such a nice little boy and Allison enjoys hanging out with him. I think she has figured out that boys don't bring drama with them like girls. She relates well with him. Every time I turned around today she was with Andrew.

I think it is cute. Allison was also happy because her class got paired with Bri's class so they could hang out too.

It was great spending the day with Allison's class.

I loved spending the day with Allison. I love that I have the best job in the world so I can spend as much time with my girls as I can. I am so blessed.

Visiting the Fire station

Today I had the privilege of going with Ashley's Kindergarten class to the fire station. I have gone with my other girls but it is fun every time. There is a fire station not too far from the school so we walked. The kids did really well, there wasn't too much complaining about the walk. Once we got to the station the kids were shown a video on fire safety.

After the video was over they ask the kids questions about the video. Some of the kids said the darnedest things. All the parents had so much fun listening to them. This has to have been one of the most informative visit that I have ever been on to a fire station. They had the kids practice stop drop and roll.

They talked about what to do if your house was on fire and what some of the safest ways to escape. They talked about exiting through a window and then let each kid try it.

I wasn't sure Ashley would do it because she is such a different kid at school. Next we moved onto the tour of the station and the trucks. Again we the parents were entertained by the kids and what they had to say.

Once they were done looking at all the compartments on the truck, each kid got to climb up inside.

There was one last thing left before the firemen were done. One of the firemen dressed up their gear to show the kids there is nothing to be scared about. Once he was all dressed up he encouraged the kids to come up and high five him or hug him.

Ashley wouldn't go up and give him a high five. She is changing before my eyes. I can't believe she is getting shy. It kind of makes me sad. Before we left everyone posed for a class picture in front of one of the trucks.

Ashley had a fun time and learned a lot. It is always fun to see her out of the house and see how she interacts with her friends.

It was a fun day. I am glad that I got to tag along.

Last band concert of 7th grade

Tonight Madison preformed in her last band concert of her 7th grade year. She has been very excited about this one because of one song. They preformed the theme song to Mission Impossible. I think both Kevin and I have been ask at least 5 times each if we knew the song when she was playing it. She is such a funny kid. I guess if we knew it then that means she was playing right so maybe that is the reassurance she was looking for.

I am so glad that Madison stayed in band this year and that she will play again next year. I really enjoy listening to practice and get better each year.

New pictures of Macee

Today the breeder sent us new pictures of Macee. She is 3 1/2 weeks old and weighing 1.1lbs. She is even cuter then she was in the first set of pictures. She is opening her eyes and her fur looks darker.

The girls didn't believe us on how small she was so we ask if she would take a picture of her with a ruler. The girls are just amazed at how tiny she is. They are getting so excited. Time can not move fast enough.