Baseball Season

The kids played baseball this season. Beaner wasn't really excited about playing but she was a good sport about it when she found out her BFF was going to be on her team.



She never whined about going to games. She just didn't have her heart in it. I don't blame her, I wasn't in to sports at her age either.



She was a little scared of the ball but she did get a few hits and even made it around all the bases a couple times.



Now Bud was another story. I don't know if it's just a boy thing but he was so excited to play baseball he'd stand in the outfield dancing as he'd wait for the ball to come to him.



He took direction very well. Every time his coach or I yelled at him to try some thing he did it and he was great.



I'm not going to lie to you, I did have to yell at him to stand up a couple times but I think that comes with the age.



Bear was so excited to play baseball. He was so patient watching his siblings participate in sports and all sorts of fun stuff that he's been too young for. This being his first year playing sports he was super excited to learn what to do.



He was a little distracted by the female players on the other team, the little flirt. Every time he'd get on base he'd start chatting up the other team players. I'd have to yell at him to run so his teammate could take their rightful place on base.



His coach was really good about giving the kids a turn at trying to catch the ball. The hard part was teaching the kids what to do with the ball once they got it.



Of course, Bug had to tell me at every game how unfair it was that she's the one who really wanted to play baseball and she's the only one who didn't get to play. In my defense I really tried, her age group started their season a whole month earlier than the others. So, Bug had to come up with other ways to entertain herself. I think she did a pretty good job.

Primary Activity

We took all the kids, that were interested, to the temple for a tour and a picnic. A lot of people thought we were crazy for wanting to take that many youngens to the temple grounds. They all did fabulous!



Bug standing in front of the Baptism for the Dead entrance which is going to be remodeled starting next month.



Bear and Bud standing next to one of the oldest trees. It is a Linden tree and it will probably be ripped out in the near future.



Beaner is standing in an arch that they use to take bridal shots.



Bear is standing in front of the temple holding his card he received from the visitors center after we watched movies about sharing.



Beaner enjoying being center of attention. She's going to make a b-e-a-utiful bride one day.



Bug hopefully practicing for when she comes back to get her bridal shots in front of the temple, but not for at least another ten years.



Bud showing off his card as well. I don't know why they felt like they needed to hold those up, maybe they were just proud of their trip.

A Day of Haircuts

The Primary Presidency took all the kids from Primary to the temple for an activity. We had a nice tour of the grounds where they showed us plants that aren't grown anywhere else in Idaho Falls (just because they won't grow) Flowers that are going to be ripped up next month to make a reflecting pool, and the entrance people usually use for Baptisms of the dead which too is being remodeled next month.

We watched some movies in the visitors center, learned about nebulas (places where stars are born), and how tiny our planet really is in the grand scheme of the universe and all the Lord's glory.

On our way home Bud got ahold of some putty which ended up in his hair, so guess what we got to do when we got home?



We get to cut hair. Since I had to cut Bud's I figured I'd torture Bear as well. If you look close you can see the putty in Bud's bangs.



This is how he looked after I just removed the putty. I asked him if he wanted me to leave his hair like this, he said probably not.



I usually shave both boys head, and Big D's too, but I wanted to leave it a little longer on top with Bear, Bud didn't have that choice anymore. I think they turned out pretty cute. It will be a nice summer haircut, at least for two weeks until we have to do it again.



The girls and I decided we wanted nice summer dos too. We looked at a bunch of different hairstyles on the internet and which haircut looks best to match the shape of our faces. Each girl picked the cut they wanted and we were off to the barber.



Beaner chose a cut pixie haircut. She has so much trouble with her brushing her hair, it's so thick and gets rats nests so easy. She gets mad every time I make her brush her hair ten times before it looks good. I think this is the best choice for her, I'm glad she decided on this one.

Bug and I actually chose the same do, a layered bob. I think it makes her look so much older, which I tell her every day she really must stop doing. This will be nice because she wanted it off her neck, which it is, but it isn't too short as to accentuate her round face and make it look rounder (if that is even a word).

Both girls have already had a lot of compliments and I can't quit running my fingers through Beaner's hair, because I can.

Now the only one who needs a haircut is Big D, where's my razor?

My Babies are Growing Up

I just sent my two girls off to Florida for a week with their grandparents. I am excited for them but stressed for me. I've never had my kids that far away from me. The mother in me thinks of all the things that can go wrong as I'm stuck on the other side of the country.

Big D gave each of us a Father's Blessing on Sunday and that has really helped. I've actually been more excited for them. This is a once in a life time opportunity and I'm happy they get to experience it. I'm extremely grateful that Papa Guy and Grandma Honey invited them to go. I know they are in good hands.

I tried to get the girls set up for what ever they may need. I bought them snacks and activities for the plane ride. I even asked some people to write the girls letters about a vacation they had or something special about the girls. I wanted them to have something to read if they got scared or homesick, which I bet they will be having way too much fun to have that as a problem.

Thank you to everyone who helped me with that!!!

I also wrote each of the girls a bedtime story with them as the hero saving the day. I think they turned out pretty cool. I'm excited to hear what they think of them. I put the stories and letter plus some other surprises in the carry on bag and told them they couldn't peek until they were on the plane.

Big D said I went a little over board, I say it's just the mother in me wanting to cram a weeks worth of love in a tiny backpack.

I hope they have fun and I look forward to hearing from them. Grandma Honey and Papa Guy are pretty good about having the girls call me to check in. I think they just know that I freak out a lot.

I worry that I'm a bit too over protective and I'm smothering them. I guess I'll never know until down the road when I get a phone call from their therapist inviting me to a session.

Piano Recital

Wrapping things up for the end of the school year the girls had their piano recital. They both did a great job playing their songs and wowing us with their new talents.



Auntie Rae was impressed with Beaner, she was the first out of all her students to memorized her recital song. It made her feel pretty special having Auntie Rae tell people how proud she was.



The girls love to play the piano but just like Auntie Rae, I'm sure they are excited for the summer break. I just hope the girls don't forget all they have learned this year. I think next year Bud will start with piano lessons.

Stranger Danger

I had a meeting the other night so the kids went with Uncle Brook to Brook Jr's baseball game. During the game Bud needed to go potty so Beaner took him across the park to a remote corner where the latrene was located.

While they were waiting their turn Beaner noticed a guy who was parked as close to the latrene as possible, but also as far away from the crowds as possible. His music was blaring, which is what got her attention in the first place.

When she looked over at the guy he motioned for her to come over to him. This kind of freaked Beaner out so she went on the other side of the latrene so she couldn't see him anymore.

When it was finally Bud's turn to use the restroom he went in and locked the door and Beaner went back behind the latrene to wait.

After Bud was done they hurried back to their group and told Bug and Lynn what had happened. I don't know if they thought she was just being dramatic, because Beaner is definitly our drama queen, but they didn't do any thing about it.

Awhile later Bud needed to go potty again so Beaner took him back over and the same man was still there. Once again he motioned for her to come to him. Freaked out this time she went inside the latrene with Bud.

When she got back to the group she pointed out the blue truck to Bug but still they didn't do anything about it. They never even told Uncle Brook. Beaner said she didn't want to bother him because he was helping with the game.

When she got home she told Big D and I. We let her now how serious the matter was and she needed to tell Uncle Brook immediatly. We also let her now how proud we were of her for not approaching the man and for staying so close to Bud.

That night Big D was freaked out about the whole situation and couldn't sleep. The next morning he told me that he wanted to reward Bud and Beaner for doing the right thing but also teach them what else they needed to do if it happened again. He also thought it important to go to the police and give a description of the guy and his truck so they can look out for him if he lingers around parks again.

I was a little nervous about going to the police because I didn't know how they were going to treat the matter. I know there really isn't anything they can do now so I didn't want them to treat Beaner like she was waisting their time and turn her off to ever wanting to go to the police again.

The officer was very respectful to Beaner and made her feel like she was doing an important thing by coming and giving them a report of what happened. He then told her that if she sees this guy at the park again to please call so an officer can come and talk to the man.

For the most part, what could have been a horrible experience for all of us, turned out to be very education for the whole family.

Last night we ended up doing a FHE on what we should and shouldn't do when approached by a stranger. All the kids got to take turns trying to get away from Big D as he tried to grab them.

First he had them run while he tried to catch them, they all did good and got away when they ran. Then he had them come close enough that he could grab them and they were given permission to do every thing in their power to get away: kick, bite, scream, punch, etc. None of them were sucessful.

My nephew, Brook Jr, was watching the kids as they took turns. He got a bit cauky and said he could get away so Big D gave him a turn. He got close enough and Big D grabbed him. He started kicking pretty hard so Big D reached down and wrapped around his legs. All of a sudden Brook Jr realized he couldn't move at all and started freaking out. His eyes started rolling in the back of his head and Big D let him go before he passed out.

I think it was a powerful FHE for everyone.

Music Festival

Our kids' school has a school wide Music Festival, which is just a fancy way of saying choir concert. It is mandatory for all students and last year when we went it was three hours long. It's one thing to listen to your own child sing but it's another having to stay and listen an entire school take turns. Oh, and my kids' school goes up to the eighth grade.



The principal must have received tons of complaints after last years performance because this year it was only about an hour and a halfish. It was still too long for Bear. We had to try and entertain him so the parents around us didn't freak out on us. He enjoyed taking pictures with Big D's phone for awhile until he got it taken away because he kept pushing buttons he wasn't suppose to.




After the kids were done singing on stage they'd walk by us on their way back to their seats. Bear was so bored that he had to make sure and butt in when it was time to take Bud's picture. I guess he was entertaining us as much as he was himself.



Beaner is learning about potatoes this year so her song was about potatoes. That is one thing that is pretty cool about the kids' school, they make up their own songs and music to go along with it. Here is Beaner as a potato. Doesn't she look delectable? I especially love the eyes on the potatoes, very creative.

Twisted Family

Beaner made up this new game with an old twist: ABC Twister.



We enjoyed playing the game as a family.



Some positions were a little easier than others, like when I laid on top of Big D. Of course, he ended up losing that round.



Turn abouts fair play, I guess. The real challenge came when Bear would jump on one of our backs. It was all part of the game.



The kids lasted longer than the adults. They have way more stamina than us old folks.

"Biggest Loser" Night at Our House

We love love love watching the "Biggest Loser" show on TV.



If nothing else I love watching the kids try and out do each other.



They are pretty good at motivating their mother too. I ended up walking on the treadmill after they were all done playing on it.



I think these guys really want to go to Disneyland, what do you think?



I guess you could say I'm running my own "sweat shop".

St. Patty's Day Breakfast

I love messing with my kids. Every year for St. Patrick's Day I make my kids a green breakfast and a green lunch.



Bud, being the boy that he is, decided he wanted to call the food items something other than what they were to stick with the holiday. So the applesauce became leprechaun toe jam, the muffins were leprechaun brains, and the scrambled eggs were leprechaun throw-up.



Out of all my kids he was the most taken back. The others are used to this practical joke but Bear had to keep asking, "What does this taste like?" before he'd eat it. Needless to say, I could not get Bear to eat the eggs. I don't blame him after his brother renamed the eggs.



Everyone else had no problem with their meal.

Goof-and-a-Half

My little ones love to go to the little play area at the mall. Most of my kids are too old and too big to play there but it doesn't stop them. I do make them walk on their knees if there are small kids around so my kids don't plow the babs over.



My boys were seeing how far they could go on the wall without touching the floor.



I don't know if they is technically cheating, maybe we'll call it a little helper.



I was a bit nervous the boys were going to go over the wall and land on their heads on the tile. They never did thank goodness.



I don't know if they were trying to hide from me, but I found them.



Peek-a-boo, I think they found me this time.



You can't tell that I'm raising drama queens can you? I need to get them into theater.



I think this is Bear dying at the bottom of a water fall. Ahhh too bad, he will be missed.



What a brave soul, taking a header.



I love having kids, even when they all are a little goof-and-a-half.