An Eventful Week

This week was quite busy at our home.  It snowed all day Sunday, we got a phone call Sunday night saying school was delayed (yes!) we let the kids stay up late playing a family game since they could sleep in for a few extra hours, then at 6:30 they called to let us know school was cancelled (oh man!).  We love it when school is delayed, but when it is cancelled we have to make it up, and it didn't help that they called at 6:30.  I ended up getting a stomach bug and couldn't hardly stand up all morning, but the kids had fun in the snow.

The baby bird the kids were feeding on our back porch

The mom that came to eat too

Building a snow fort

snow fort complete

The snowman they built

As you can see from this last picture, the snow did not last.  This was about 11:00 a.m. roads were clear by around 9:00 which is why we didn't want school cancelled, but we are glad the kids had fun while it lasted.

Valentines day was on Tuesday.  I had parties all day.  Justin's was in the morning they had breakfast.  I had a crepe bar for the kids.  It ended up being really fun and I think the kids all loved them.  A lot of the kids had never eaten a crepe before.  I have no pictures because I was too busy running the party. Abigail's party started at 11:15.  They sang some songs about love for the parents, it was really cute.  I made Abigail's outfit with my new sewing machine.

Abigail and Molly showing me their rings in their mouth

Singing their love songs

Abigail in her love bug hat

Abigail

Ryan's party was last.  They had ice cream sundaes, decorated a picture frame, and played some games.  I just did the games in his class.  I used the same games we used in Justin's class. 

Ryan showing us how to tango with one of his Valentine gifts

We had two basketball games Tuesday night so we didn't even have our nice Valentines dinner, we all ate in shifts.

Ryan in the dentist chair

Wednesday Justin, Ryan, and Abigail all went to the dentist.  It was Abigail and Ryan's first time.  They both did really well.  They let me hold Abigail which helped her. 

Thursday Emily had a tennis tournament.  She made it to the consolation championship game, but it started to rain so they cancelled the rest of the tournament.  Friday we had two basketball games and our neighbors birthday party.  Saturday we had two more basketball games, an indoor soccer game, and Abigail had a birthday party to go to.

Today we are ending the week with a Bishops Fireside at our house.  It hasn't been easy getting the house cleaned up and ready since I haven't been home much, but we made it. 

BYU Cheerleader

Abigail wants to be a cheerleader when she grows up.  I don't know if she will always have this dream, but it is interesting to watch her because she loves to cheer people on.  The other day she had on a cheerleading costume and was practicing her cheers while standing on someone like the cheerleaders do.

Abigail as a proud cheerleader

Abigail decided she needed two people for a pyramid

Now she looks like a "real" cheerleader.

If you look in the back ground you will notice BYU is playing basketball on the TV.

Ryan's Birthday Party

At the end of January Ryan finally was able to have a "kid" party.  I have decided for our family and our busy schedule during the holiday season we need to try to have Ryan's birthday before Thanksgiving, otherwise it ends up being the end of January when we get around to it.  Ryan decided he wanted to have a party at the rollerskating rink.  We have an old one that is kind of ran down, the advantage of this one is they don't care what you use on it so people are welcomed to use scooters, bikes, etc.  Ryan loves to roller blade, but a lot of kids his age don't do this yet, so we were glad you could do other things.  The other nice thing about this rollerskating rink is it is the same price for up to fifty people so we were able to invite his friends and their families.  We all had a wonderful time.  Here are some pictures from the celebration.

Ryan and Archer getting ready to race

Ryan, Archer, and Laney (Laney loves Ryan, we laugh because you can tell even when they are sitting down there is a big size difference).

opening gifts

opening gifts

Abigail's Independence

Most of my children have been very independent and done things on their own at a very young age, Abigail has not had as much of a desire to be independent.  Since she is the youngest I don't think I have encouraged it as much, but I realized I needed to start.  I think children are happier when they can accomplish things on their own, so I have been working with Abigail more.  I have been successful with some of my efforts and not so much with others.  One thing she has learned to love to do is make her own lunch.  She can get her tray and put a fruit, a main course and a dessert on it.  Her favorite thing to make is a pizza with a hamburger bun.  Here are a few pictures of her making and eating it.  Her face shows just how proud she is. 

Spreading the sauce

putting on the cheese

watching to see when it is done

enjoying her lunch

a proud chef