Easter 2014

I could not get super excited about Easter this year.  Not sure why, just didn't.  We did finally get some eggs decorated.  A couple of Linden's kids were here, he was helping Dad fix his chicken run.  Kd and kids were here, and Kell and kids were here on Saturday.  It was just us on Sunday.   Brad flew out of Twin Falls Sunday morning to go to Wisconsin.  So it was a quiet Easter Sunday at our house.  My kids don't know how to act on Sundays when there isn't anyone over.

 I didn't even get a group shot of the kids but here is Livee and Aleena in their Easter dresses.
We did finally get around to rice crispy nests.  Sunday evening we made them.  Kids kept begging.

 Hallie came home with this large bunny.  She bought it when she went shopping with Lexey for her birthday.  Livee was having a sad, grumpy moment and the bunny was just what she ordered.

 Savanna and Talon joined in the fun.  They were starting to get a little crazy with their bunny/ chick scenes.

 We made one giant nest with the extra.  

Dance Competitions 2014

This year they did two dance competition.  One one in Twin Falls, Releve.  The other was in Logan, UT called Utah Dance Festival(?).  Last year we had to get a Hotel Room and stay the night, but this year we didn't have to be there until 10 am and were done by 6 so we just made it a day trip.  Aleena is always excited about going but when she gets there is clingy to her mom, something always hurts and seems a bit stressed out.  Hallie tends to get a bit stressed out to and is a bit on edge until they have done a couple numbers.  For example, she had to have a bump in her bangs and a hi pony tail.  I lost count of how many times she redid her bump/pony because it wasn't perfect, and she was getting a bit crabby about it.  I just do my best to not let take their emotional behavior to heart and just stay calm and say little as possible and give Aleena lots of hugs.  So that description makes it all sound like a negative experience.  It really isn't.  It is stressful some of the part but fun the rest.  Hallie had 4 dance numbers and everytime I tried to get a picture she would turn and give me her back side.  Aleena was pretty willing for pictures.  Aleena has decided to take a break from dance this next year.  I will miss getting her all dressed up like a little beauty queen.

 Hallie is the blurry one.

They used some super cute headpieces this year.  

Aleena's foot was hurting her most of the day.  She had been wearing these slip on boots that weren't giving her foot much support and I think that is what made her foot sore.  We made a quick trip to Walmart after she was done and got her some shoes and an outfit.  She said her foot felt better just putting on the shoes.

 She has the longest eyelashes ever.  She has commented before "Beauty hurts, doesn't it mom?"  yes, it does.

We took of advantage of a nearby Hobby Lobby.  Savanna and Talon needed a mask for Prom so we are going to decorate our own.

Livee and T-ball

Livee finished her first T-ball season.  It was a fun time.  Because we wanted to have Oakley practices we combined girls and boys.  We actually played all boy teams.  It is a Recreation District out of Burley and so it gets a little challenging to have practice in Burley.  Brad helped out when he could, but was gone, so my kids, myself and Kristen J helped out.  

 Kinsley, Camdon, Sydney, Taylin, Candyce, Presley, Daniel, Hazen, Tragen, Livee

Logan and Sarah are missing

For an end of season prize, they gave them these drawstring bags.  Good job Livee.  You were a rockstar out there.

Kaicey and Livee

Kaicey and Livee have been having a great time.  They are always getting along and always have the giggles.  

They want to go on a walk every single day.  Sometimes I just send them with the little dogs to walk to Aunt Kaydee's road and back.  

 We had snowcones on all the hot days.

 Kaicey found Zane at the baseball games and would wrestle him.

 These two would always find a new spot to sleep almost every night. 

This spot was their favorite.  They each made a bed in a laundry basket.  They did this one a couple of nights. 

I was making bags for a class and made them each one to match.  

I am so glad my kids have cousins that are their best friends.

swimming

We went swimming for the first time of the year the first week of June.  The pool was pretty full so Livee was unable to touch at the bottom of the slide but she wanted to give it a try so I got in and caught her at the bottom.  She shot out of there like a rocket.  She has to go under the water when she hits the pool.  She comes up and says with fear in her voice "I think I am going to wait until I am Aleena's age to try that again!"

I just had to chuckle.  I think it just was quite a bit faster than she thought it was going to be.  So she went for about 2 weeks just content playing in the water.  We had a few days off from the pool and when we finally went back, we were noticing the water level wasn't as full and she could touch where you shoot out of the slide.  She decided she wanted to try it again.  I had Jase catch her because he was in the pool.  She did it 100 more times that day.  It was like the first time every time.  I tried to capture some pictures of the process.

 Climbing the ladder

 She always very cautious and checks for someone in the way at the bottom.  Sometimes it takes her 4 or 5 checks on the top before she goes.  She is very aware when it comes to safety.

 The big shoot out

Splash. 

Aleena kind of had a rough day at the pool the first time.  In order to swim in the deep end, you have to pass the swim test which is swimming across and back using the front stroke.  She tried in the first few minutes of being there but couldn't get across.  So she came over just crying and sad.  She cried for like the next hour.  Yes, it was starting to really get on my nerves.  It didn't matter what I said to her like " keep trying" or "we have the whole summer to learn how"  she was pretty sure she would NEVER pass the test.  All her friends came over and wanted her to play but she was too busy having a pity party. Poor thing.  So two laters, I sent Hallie with the kids to the pool and I get a text that says "ALEENA PASSED THE SWIM TEST"  I was in shock because she had me convinced that it was way too hard and so I figured it would be a good month or so til she did it.  I was so excited for her.  After a couple more days she was already doing tricks off the diving board and having a great time in the deep end.  

We are so lucky to have this pool in our town.  I am not sure what we do without it.  My kids want to go there every single day. 

Aleena is back

I finally got to see this cute face again yesterday.  Oh how I missed her.  She stayed at Aunt Michelle's the last time we were there on June 10 and we took Kaicey home with us.  She had a great time.  She did not want to come home yet.  Kaydee was actually in Boise on Thursday and was able to bring her back and KellyRae was in Twin so she grabbed her in Twin.  Zane came back with her to stay.  Aunt Michelle is actually going to bring her other kids up this weekend so they can stay the week.  She will come back next Sunday and stay another week with them til the 6th.  It will be a fun time.

 This is from our small trip to Boise.  I only brought Hallie, Livee and Aleena.  Jase had to stay home for baseball and Savanna had to sing in church on Sunday.  The cousins always have a great time together.  I came in on Sunday June 8 so that I could get Brad to the airport.  He flew out to Wisconsin for 12 days.  I also wanted Brad's friend look at my car.  The heater won't turn off.  He was able to at least get it stuck on cold instead of hot for the summer.  The kids played in the water and had a great time.

 They actually all had a moment on the couch where they were so tired they could barely move.

 I was car-less and babysitting Monday so I brought my sewing and made this apron. As I was pulling out my sewing I thought of my mother.  She used to always bring her sewing places when she drove bus.  She would find a classroom and sew while waiting for the kids.

 Hallie had Doctor appointments on Tuesday.  First we saw Dr. Showalter for x-rays.  She is at 23.6 degrees.  It is up a little from last time.  She hasn't been wearing very good at all.  It is getting harder and I wasn't getting after her very much.  We then had to visit Dr. Tom.  He just checks the brace to make sure it is fitting ok.  He said it is getting short in her pelvis area, which means she is getting taller, but that she should be fine for the next 6 months.  She doesn't love to see the Dr's because they always give her the speech of wearing it.  Her and I did have a discussion and I am going to be on her more and there will have to be consequences if she isn't doing her part.  I hate being the bad guy but I don't think she can quite wrap her brain around the future and how un-fun a metal rod in her back will be.
We had a little time to kill in between our appointments so we hit the park.  I had Kaicey and Livee with me too since we were headed out of town as soon as our appointments were done.

It was a great little trip but am so glad that I was able to drive home with air conditioning and the windows closed.  It was heavenly.