Trophy

May 30, 2012
Tonight was Pearl's last Tball game.

I was really torn about going or not because it's also Wednesday.  Which means it's YW night... and we were going to Boondocks. I felt it was a lose-lose no matter what I picked. I could be a bad mom or a bad YW leader. In the end, I figured it would be easier to live with my kids and husband if I didn't abandon them one more night.

I'm glad I went. My parents surprised Pearl and showed up right before the game started. We didn't think they'd be able to get off work to see her last game but they did! Pearl ran over and jumped into their arms. Cole was busy practicing his swings but yelled, "Gampa!" and smiled the moment he saw them.

I think Jeff is glad to have Tball over with. It was starting to get hot and he was running out of ideas to keep 10 kids busy while they waited for their turn to bat. I think all the kids had a lot of fun. All of them made progress during the season - even if it was to just not have to go to the bathroom during the game! The kids had a blast tackling him after the game, learned some cheers (the "twins'" dad told us they did a "Go Dodgers!" - the team's rival - during sacrament meeting one week!), were able to hit the ball with coach pitch, and even learned to run the bases.

But the trophies were the biggest hit of the entire season! Jeff even got one for himself... to use as a Dundie award at work.

Big kid class

May 29, 2012
It was a bittersweet day for me. And Cole.

Cole got kicked out of the toddler room and sent up to the preschool class. I knew the day was coming but it's easy to try and deny the fact that your baby is growing up when they still get to go to the infant/toddler room. And for Cole (and all the kids), it's always fun to go "visit" the big kids but the minute you're stuck in the big kid class permanently, it looses all of it's appeal. Not even the allure of playing outside four times a day kept Cole from clinging to my legs and crying when I dropped him off with Miss Karen. And she is super nice! He kept saying, "No. Babies," and trying to run inside to his old class with Miss Kori. And the poor kids in Cole's toddler class... the second they saw me, they all shouted, "Coe" (think long o sound). 

Hopefully the transition isn't too bad. For Cole or me.

"Po-leen"

May 28, 2012
The kids' birthday present finally came today!

They had absolutely no clue what it was. When we picked it up from Walmart, we kept asking Pearl what the box said. She got a little upset with us because, in her own words, "I can't read big words yet!" But as soon as we opened up the box she knew EXACTLY what it was! And it didn't take Cole too long to figure out that the box had a "po-leen" in it.

I think this might be the single best investment we've made as parents. Those two haven't stopped jumping since.

He does what he wants, when he wants

May 27, 2012
It didn't rain today.

There wasn't any water on the ground.

And this picture was taken almost 10 days ago.

But it's cute. And since Fern pretty much does as he pleases around here - he could care less if he gets in trouble for it too - I thought it would be appropriate to post a picture of him doing just that. What he wants, when he wants. The day it was taken was his birthday anyway so he got away with just about everything. Even sitting down in the puddles, soaking his shorts, and riding home in just his diaper.

Popcorn blossoms

May 26, 2012
Those aren't popcorn kernels all over the lawn. Nope. They're blossoms from our Catalpa trees. We finally get those trees to bloom and the wind comes and blows them all over the place. 

Young love

May 25, 2012
I have never seen such a big, genuine smile on Pearl's face before.

It could only mean one thing.

Young love.

Pearl's Benny boy (her first boyfriend) moved to Colorado several months ago and life hasn't been the same. This morning, I surprised Pearl and told her Benny boy was coming to school to visit. I've never seen her get ready for the day so fast. She was BEGGING me to hurry up! Me!

Ben was a little shy and wouldn't go in Pearl's class to talk to her. He just stared at her through the window. But the minute those two were alone, their little faces both lite up. It was so cute. Ben's little brother Alex is only a month younger than Cole but I'm afraid they didn't seem to remember each other.

Pearl was all giggles when I picked her up from school. I figured she was still giddy from seeing Benny boy but not so. Apparently, she has a new boyfriend. A boy in her class named Rylan. I've heard about Rylan before - Pearl says he is nice to her and cute - but figured she'd forget all about him once she saw Ben this morning. Oh no. She kissed Rylan today! Kissed him! She begged me to not tell Jeff because "Dad will be really mad I kissed a boy." We went through this same discussion when Benny boy was still here and they kissed on the playground and Jeff wasn't too pleased about it. I kept my promise but I don't think her twitter-patted state will fool her Dad for long.

Pearl's school program

May 24, 2012
Pearl has been VERY excited about her school program today. She even made me an invitation to it a few weeks back, with a "love Mom" written on it.

Each kid in her class had to recite something they had learned during school this year. Pearl's part was, "O is for orbit the path our planets take. It takes 365 days for the Earth to go around the sun." She said it perfectly (she remembers EVERYTHING... even her teacher Ms. Penny mentioned this tonight) but refused to make eye contact with us. She didn't crack a smile the whole time either. Maybe it was her nerves.

We are so proud of Pearl! She is such a smart girl and has done so well in school this year. She can read, count, do simple additions, knows all kinds of things, and has outstanding behavior in class. Miss Penny said Pearl is nice to everyone and everyone wants to play with her. Hopefully her hoodlum brother will follow in her footsteps.