Crazy Hair Day!

Valley Springs Elementary celebrated Spirit week during the last week of school.  Crazy hair day was one of the days we participated in.  And when I say "we", I mean all of us!  Okay, everyone except Kendri.  She had a field trip to Big Trees and decided that would be embarrassing going out in public with crazy hair.  Although she did put some gold colored streaks in there......but by the time she got home from school I couldn't even see them so I didn't snap a pic.  Oops.

 

Go Bulldogs!

Catch-all Catch-up

I would be lying if I said we haven't been busy lately.  There have been major changes in our little home but more on that later.......for now here are some of the hap-hap-happenings that have occurred over the last couple of months. 

 

We were at the mall and the kids were begging to try the bungee cord jumping.  It was pretty reasonably priced so I said, "Go for it....I expect to see some flips!"  They didn't let me down!

 

 

T-ball ended and while Kyson loved it, he was also ready for it to be over.  We had a constant battle of staying on task for that little guy.  He just loves to be active and the outfield is NOT where it's at.  We had our fair share of dirt angels, playing catch with the mitt, twirls, dirt drawing and many more inventive things.  Go Storm!

But he's very proud of his first trophy! (Everyone gets a trophy.....don't get me started.)

 

Our sweet neighbor Frank called the kids over to show them this cool car.  It belongs to his cousin who was visiting and the kids couldn't wait to jump in!  I was a nervous wreck trying to keep their shoes off seats and fingers from scratching things up......

But they were lovin' it!

Lexi had a field trip to the caves for the end of the year.  She was able to mine her own gems and also split a geod open.  Talk about a field trip!  She was the envy of the household for that day.  She was kind enough to think of her siblings brought each them home a special rock. 

And meanwhile, Kyson has become quite the snake expert!  This is Pumpkin, our neighbor's pet snake. Kyson loves having playdates with them (Evan and Logan...perhaps you've heard him talk of them.  He has their phone number memorized and tends to call them several times a day.  Sorry Tina!) and let me tell you, I'm not sorry that I don't have a pet snake.  Although this one is pretty cool.....

This little decapitated rattler was found by Kyson also.  But he wasn't decapitated at that point.  In fact, Kyson was playing right next to it and getting excited about finding a snake while the snake was busy coiling up and hissing like crazy.  I walked over just in time  It was Frank (neighbor with cool car) and his trusty shovel to the rescue!

Meanwhile Shayli has decided bedtime is negotiable.  And because she's the 4th child, it is. 
Translation: Momma's tired.

(Is it just me, or does she look like she gained about 4 years from the angle of this picture??)

Softball

Softball is officially over!  The girls really improved and are starting to smack that ball......nice!

We had their last game yesterday where they got medals and cute little cupcakes.

Lexi playing catcher



Kendri ready to boot it

The girls are batting as lefties to really improve their chances of making it as professional ball players.  ;)  Our biggest problem this year was the fact that the coach couldn't pitch to them anywhere near the strike zone.  And the other problem was the fact that I consistently missed the important parts of the game.  And when I say important I mean the only parts that I went to watch - my kids.  Typically I'd watch like a hawk for one of the girls to get to bat.  And then Shayli (who was running around like an orphan) would decide to run past her imaginary boundary and not look back.  So I'd run after her knowing at any minute Lexi or Kendri would be up to bat.  And that would be the time they decided to hit the first pitch.  Just as my back is turned.  So I'd get back to the bleachers in time to see them get to first base.  Or maybe Kyson would be at the top of the 20 foot fence he had just climbed and I'd be yelling at him to get down just as Lexi makes a double play. That kind of important.  But don't worry I'm pretty sure I saw every strike out. :) Oh well.  There's always next year!

Shayli

I was going through my pictures and realized I have a ton of pictures of Shayli.  Probably because this age is just so cute!  And the older girls get busy and aren't at home as much as they used to be.....anway, Shayli loves to swing!  She was cracking me up while she was throwing her head back and swinging.  She certainly is fearless.

 

We started potty training.   And then stopped.  She is also stubborn.  She did great the first day.  I think she peed 3 times on the toilet.  The next day she decided she wasn't up for all that work.  She refused to sit on the toilet without kicking and screaming.  Refused.  In fact the only way I got her to stay on the toilet was if I held her there.  And then she'd scoot her little rear to the side so if she did go pee-pee she'd go all over the floor and seat.  Did I mention she's stubborn? I gave it 2 more days and then left for Colorado.  I decided I'd start back up after we move.  Or after her surgery.  We'll see.  The good news is, she has started sitting on the toilet again by herself.  Obviously if I tell her to go sit on the toilet, the answer is NO!

Shayli also likes to be neked! Sometimes I succomb to peer pressure and let her run around without her clothes on.  But usually she's not happy until her diaper is off and then she decides  "why not take a bath?" For like the 4th time in the day.  It's easier to keep her clothed and busy!  Although she would definitely benefit from several baths a day.....

She is the mascot at Kyson's t-ball games.  She insists on sitting in the dugout no matter how hard I try to keep her out.  Luckily Kyson's coach dotes on him and by default likes Shayli too.  These coaches are pretty laid-back.  And as you can see in the picture, they let Shayli run the roost over there in the dugout!

And when she does finally get in the tub, there must be every roll-on soap that we own accompanying her.....scrub-a-dub-dub!

Her hair is finally long enough for pig-tails.  Heaven forbid we actually do her hair.  She gets rid of any hair tie, clip, headband within 30 seconds.  Sigh.  One day she'll look at her mullet hair and wonder why her mother allowed it.  And I'll say because you made me. We love Shayli and all her personalities!

Grandpa Sim

Last month I flew out to Colorado for a quick weekend for my Grandpa Sim's funeral.

My flight was for 6:30 in the morning and is over an hour away.  It was an early morning but I thought I had left plenty of time to get checked in.  Until I realized that the only people in the entire airport were standing in the exact same line that I had to stand in.  It was rather horrible actually.  In fact, they were calling my name over the intercom as I was booking it to my gate.  But I made it and so did my bag!

 

 

This is the day before my grandpa passed away.  He was asking for my grandma.  I thought that was sweet.

 

 

My grandpa was the youngest in his family.  This is his oldest sister Francis talking with my dad.  She turned 98 just a few weeks ago. 

 

 Gramps lived a full life and certainly gave all of us grandkids "Hall Pride"!  Some of my favorite memories of him are: 

state basketball
boxing with his gloves
getting "skeeter" pinches with his broken thumb
the phrase "Let me tell you something..."
granada produce
skip and turn and out the door
laying on the floor to watch tv
peanut brittle
vinegar
his laugh "Hee hee" with the last "hee" going up an octave

There are lots of memories but these are some of the best!  We'll miss you Gramps!

We also had some late nights at the bowling alley.  My brother, Phil, just became owner so we had to break it into the family! This is my dad and his oldest brother, Sim Arthur, reliving their childhood.....

 Meanwhile, the rest of us were setting family bowling records!  Not.  I must say my aim and skills are slowly deteriorating.  Hopefully with the new addition I can work on getting my skills back.  And by that I mean breaking 100. ;)  Here are some of the family that made the trip.....my cousins, sister, and sister-in-law.  It was fun getting together with everyone even though the occasion was sad. 

Lindsay, Amber, Heather, Kellie, Jessica

 

And my sweet family missed me!  They had a surprise waiting for me when I got home! 

 

Kendri Turns 7!

This year Kendri's birthday was a little different.  I missed it! I left for the weekend unexpectedly when my grandpa Sim passed away.  Fortunately, I have awesome in-laws who were able to make it a memorable experience in a good way!  Ryan took the kids down to Tracy after their softball games and when they got to Aunt Jenny's house, Ryan made sure Kendri opened the door.  Much to her surprise, everyone yelled "Surprise!".  Kendri had no idea she was headed there for a birthday party for her!  It was the day before her actual birthday but I didn't hear her complaining.....

She was very adamant that she have an oreo cake.  Luckily, Gammi knew just where to find one!

You can't beat a swim party with the cousins.  I'm starting to worry that we won't be able to live up to it next year.

At seven Kendri is:

a great helper

very hard worker in all things

fun sense of humor

silly

model student

learning the scriptures

can be very moody ;)

awesome big sister

still likes school!

We love you Kendri!

Teeth and T-ball

Kendri has been busy losing teeth!  Actually this happened last month.  She lost her first tooth...

 

And then the next day lost her second tooth!  Can't get much more exciting than that!  I dare-say she's catching up to Lexi....

 Kyson started his first year of t-ball.  He's thrilled to finally be playing something!  Although he is quite a bit smaller than most of the players......

His first game didn't go quite as planned.  After not getting the first couple of balls, Kyson proceeded to throw his hat on the ground and stomp around.  (Think major leagues when the ump and coach get into it and start throwing their little temper tantrums.)   And then he did it again and again.  Pretty much after each batter hit the ball and he didn't get it.  I, needless to say, was astounded.  But after thinking back to my early years of marriage I vaguely remembered threatening my own husband that if I ever saw him throw his hat on the ground during his softball games again, I would never watch another game of his.  Nor would his future children.  Genetic?  Seems strange....

But I'm happy to report that after a "stern-talking-to", Ryan Kyson came around.  The next game had no temper tantrums.   We actually have another game today.  Hopefully it goes well!

And as you can see, t-ball is tough!