Science Project

I hate how much homework and how many projects come home from school!  I want to send in a note telling these teachers that when my kids come home, they are mine and we will not be spending our time doing project after project and homework all night!  UGH!  I HATE it!  Our lives are crazy enough without adding more to the chaos.  The latest project was a weather project. Brena had to build some kind of weather instrument and then collect data for 5 days with it.  She choose to make an anemometer.  It didn't spin all that well, but it did work.  I didn't even care - just get it over with!

My Girls

My sister wanted to do this cool project she found on Pinterest for our Grandma for Christmas this year.  We took pictures of the girls for it and I can't wait to see the final picture.  But, these girls were too cute not to share!  So, we have a picture of the girls, then I hold a picture of them, then my mom will hold that picture, then eventually my grandma will be holding a frame with all of us in it...yeah, it took like 10 explanations from my sister for me to finally figure it out!

 Can't wait to see the finished project!  Thanks Steph for being on top of things!

Violin

Brenalee decided she wanted to try out playing the violin.  Virginia Tech does a strings project for beginning students and it was perfect for us.  I hope she likes it and continues with it!  Although, I'm pretty sure she is in it more for the socializing since some of her friends are there too...

Happy Birthday Brenalee!

We had 2 celebrations for Brena.  One while grandma Franklin was here, and then one on Brena's actual birthday.  Grandma and the kids made cupcakes and then Brena got to open a couple of presents.

She got a pretty dress, leggings and doll clothes from grandpa & grandma Landes.

 She had been dying for her own camera forever, so she was very excited to get this from mom & dad!

 And grandma Franklin made her her very own apron and gave her some cash.

She said it was the best birthday ever!  Happy birthday to my favorite 9 year old!  I hope you are always this spunky, creative, happy, energetic, social and overall awesome!

Pioneer Day Celebration

The activity day girls put on the Pioneer Day Celebration again this year at the church.  It started at 7, so I stayed home so Bristol could go to bed.  Her bedtime is 7, so keeping her out until 8:30 would be disastrous to say the least!  Instead of making butter like last year, they made ice cream in a bag this year.  Brena said her's was too salty.  It's really sad to think that we won't be here for this next year.

 Brenalee was happy to be in charge of the yarn dolls again this year.

 She loves teaching the little kids!

Friends and shattered windows....vacation day 1

We left Saturday afternoon and drove to Pennsylvania to stay with long time friends the Curtis family.  I first met Andrea and Ally when Ally was just a brand new baby almost 16 years ago!  They were in the NAVY like us and we hit it off and started running together, doing book club together and hanging out a lot.  I remember babysitting Ally one time while Andrea went somewhere.  She told me to make sure Ally finished her dinner.  I took that literally (I didn't have kids - I didn't know what I was doing!).  Ally had this chicken rice veggie bowl she was supposed to eat and she was so stubborn!  She kept the first and only bite she took in her mouth the entire time her mom was gone - over 2 hours!  I had NO idea what to do!  She seemed to eat her dinner better now :)

Sunday we went to their ward in the afternoon and came home and had a good dinner.  The kids were playing outside and the next thing I knew, the window we were just sitting in front of was broken!  I couldn't believe it!  We went outside and Tyler and Scott were just standing there and Brenalee was no where to be found.  The boys said she wanted Ally to come play with them so she decided to throw a rock at her window to come down... I guess I never taught her that you don't throw rocks at windows???  I thought it was just common sense...

I was HORRIFIED!  They just moved into this new, beautiful house and we broke their window!  I felt SO bad.  They were so calm and collected about it.  They were really a great example of how to show patience and love.  Brenalee hid behind the bushes for a good 30 minutes before she could come out and apologize.  I think she learned a good lesson she won't soon forget, about a few things! 

After that we were able to have some 'smores!  It was a perfect night catching up with friends.  We stayed up WAY too late talking!

Last day of 2013-2014 School Year

The kids have a half day of school today and then they are out for the summer! 

 Last day of school, June 20, 2014.                                 First day of school, September 4, 2013.

 There they go.  Bristol and I always stood at the door waving and blowing kisses every morning. 

 It's weird to think that they will no longer be walking to school together anymore!

First Swim of 2014

The pool got uncovered a few weeks ago.  The workers have been here almost every day trying to get the chemicals right and the water clear.  Thursday they said it was good to go.  Brenalee has been bugging me like crazy to get in.  I totally thought she wouldn't be able to even get in, it hasn't been that warm and the water is cold!  I was wrong - she and the neighbor girl swam for a while today.  It's still way too cold for me!

Mother Daughter Spa Night

The activity day girls had a mother daughter spa night for their activity tonight.  Brena did a really good job of painting my toes!  They made a wonderful sugar scrub too that works really well.  It was a fun night getting pampered by Brena!

Ducks

Last spring we had a duck couple who loved hanging out in our pool.  Well, they are back!  They were in the front yard today and Bristol was screaming at them, so I took her out there so she could see them.  She promptly started chasing them while Brenalee tried to feed them bread.  They weren't too fond of Bristol...

 I love the look on her face in this one - it kind of captures her excitement at chasing these things!

  

This video is great, but be forewarned - I thought I had hit the stop button at the end.  I didn't.  So, don't watch that part or you might get sick!

Daddy Daughter Dance

Brena and Tj went to the daddy daughter dance last year and Brena loved it.  She has been so excited for this years dance to happen.  She talked about what she would wear for days.  She even had a fashion show for us so we could help her decide on a dress.  Of course she wouldn't let me touch her hair (nothing new there).  Every time I tell her that her hair looks terrible (is that bad??) she says "no one is going to judge me mom!"  HAHA!!  She cracks me up.

While they were gone, Tyler and I watched House Hunters.  We love that show.

Gymnastics

Brena's been doing gymnastics for about 15 months or so.  I made her do ballet for about 4 years.  I just think since we are so tall, ballet makes more sense.  But, she begged and begged to do gymnastics.  She loves it, she never loved ballet {sigh}.  She has made a lot of progress, and it's amazing to see what she can get her body to do!  She sure is flexible.  Tonight there was a ribbon ceremony.  Brena earned her red ribbon.  One more ribbon to finish up this level, then on to the next!

Here she is practicing more of her back bend kick overs.  She is so good at them now, she practiced and practiced these to get them just right.  She even got to ring the bell when she learned it, since it was above her level.

And earning her red ribbon in Leaping Lizards 2!

Back bend Kickover!

Brenalee has been working so hard on her back bend kickover.  It's crazy to me how flexible she is!  She doesn't even need help anymore to do it.

She also earned her red ribbon tonight.

Brena-isms

On the way home from gymnastics last night, Brena started telling me what she was looking for in a husband.  This came out of nowhere and made me laugh.  She wants someone who is at LEAST 2 feet taller than her, he has to be romantic, he has to love children, he can't smoke, drink or drink soda!  She also said she wonders what he's doing right now.  I remember sometimes thinking about my future husband when I was little, I guess it's normal. 

At gymnastics last night she got to ring the bell for pulling up on the bar.  She hasn't been able to do this, so it was very exciting.  You get to ring the bell if you do something above your level.  There is a little bell in the middle of the gym, when you go ring it everyone in the gym stops what they are doing and watches you.  Then they clap.  It's exciting and she loves ringing the bell.  I think this is just the 3rd time she's ever done it. 

Comparing

We got Bristol dressed for church today and remembered when Brena had worn the same outfit.  Hmmm, do they look alike??