My sister rocks!

Now normally I would be talking about my kids and what great siblings they are to each other - for the most part. But I'm actually talking about my own sister. She's amazing, creative and very talented - well, they both are, but this one in particular today.

 A month or so ago, I painted the garage and the garage door leading to and from the house. At my sister's house, she has 'Return with Honor' and 'Out of the dreariness, into the cheeriness, come we in weariness, HOME'. I wanted something like this, but since my kids can't read (only Lea), words would be no use. What could I put there that would have meaning and they could still understand??

After searching several vinyl lettering blogs, I found a quote I liked and decided that CTR would be a perfect symbol for my kids to understand - they see it every week in church and more with the rings. Although Grandpa's says 'VDR' (not DVR misspelled, but VDR for CTR in Norwegian)......

I got this in the mail last week and put it up right away!

 Lucas walked passed and said 'Why does the door say 'Choose the Right?' That is so cool!" (silent victory - yes! and props to my sister)

This is what I see every time I drive into my garage. It's AWESOME! I love it! Can't really see the color, but it's the same as the CTR sign. The sun was setting and blazing through our garage windows and washed out any color in the garage. Plus my kids kept trying to open/close the door - had to be quick. :)

End of baseball

 The last day of baseball was chaos. Jeff had to be at the church because they were in the process of finding a new Stake Presidency and he had to be there for the interviews. I was on my own, not a problem, but the league kept changing the game times. When we showed up the game time changed, an hour later it changed again. Pretty soon I had 2 games at the same time and only one me.

Lucas game was only one inning, but he and Lea batted at the same time. Ran from taking a picture of Lucas batting to taking one of Lea on the other field - missed the hit, but got her running to first base. Also grateful the trophies were given to the coaches - no closing ceremonies like the league has done in the past - just awful and who really wants to come back a week later for MORE baseball......not.me.

   

Little Luke, Mason, McKinley, Lucas, Matt, Coach Steve, Ashlyn, Mackenzie, Tristan

 

 

 posing - in case you couldn't tell.....divas.

 Lea and Coach Banda

Coach Ricky, Gabbi, Evette, Della, Michael, Coach Banda

Desirea, Anthony, Valencia (Anthony), Lea, Alicia, David

Thanks coaches and good job teams!

Last day of school - 2011

Last day of 2nd grade - Mrs. Zwick - love her!
Lea was on the honor roll every semester - way to go. We are so proud of you!

After Lucas' preschool graduation, we went over to see Lea on her last day. They had a fabulous party and since their class was right next to the computer lab, the computer teacher set up Toy Story 3 for them to watch while they ate.

I was amazed at the classroom - the computers, the keyboard commands on the wall - a far cry from the computers we used in 2nd grade, if we even did. All we got to play was the Oregon Trail - I never made it to Oregon. Always died of malaria or some other horrible disease.
And don't even get me started on the horrible Macs we had to use in high school. Those were so frustrating for me.
SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!

Going to jail

 Several times in the last month, Lucas has asked what jail is like. Horrible, terrible, worst place of your life. You get to take nothing with you. Not even my toys? Not even your toys.
Not even my clothes? Not even your clothes and in AZ, they make you wear pink underwear.

So luckily to satisfy their curiosity, our ward was going on a tour of the local police station. Happens to be the one our hometeacher works at - he works nights though.

 In front of a holding cell the size of a bathroom with only a bench. The cop giving the tour said - I'd look and take picture in front of it, but I would definitely NOT go inside......just imagine all the filth in there.....ew! I practically had to bribe them to stand there - jail was not cool. (especially with the dying cockroach on the floor)

 Climbing through the back of a police SUV - she did clean it before the kids went through, but suggested we use hand sanitizer again. Only way to ride in a police car is in the back - either as a felon or if your car breaks down. Just depends on if you need to be handcuffed or not.

 Lea, Abbey and Morghan - the seats were plastic - easy clean up. Again.ew.

 sweet seats!

 She turned the lights on - the siren came on in  few minutes - everyone had their ears covered.

These next two pictures crack me up - there was not a single cop in the station and she wanted to find some to take pictures with. (It was lunch time) These cops came walking in with some detectives and you could tell they were looking for another entrance - seeing 30 kids will do that to you..... But they were good sports and came to take pictures and hand out Jr. Police Officer badges.

  Lucas & Officer Byrd

Abbey and Officer Johnson (Lea refused to have her picture taken with them)

Scripture power

I need to redeem my son from his last moment of insanity. :)

I was putting together some pictures in a quiet book - okay not quiet, but a 'Sunday-please-try-to-not-disturb-the-whole-ward-just-those-closest-to-us' book.

I was putting in this picture:

Lucas leans over and says 'Hey, I learned about that before'

From Heather @ http://www.simplyfreshdesigns.com/
(Visit her website for some AWESOME FREE downloads)

And because I teach the same lessons as his class, just a class older, I knew they had just had this lesson 3 weeks ago - which is a VERY.LONG.TIME. in little boy world.

'oh yeah?'

Yeah, that's Nephi and they have a special compass but it only works when they are good.

Nephi's brothers were bad and they tied him up. Nephi said a prayer to Heavenly Father and his brothers untied him.

me: 'What happened when Nephi was tied up?'

The waves went all crazy, like this: (he hopped up off the couch, put his hands together, waved them back and forth and wiggled his body like crazy waves move)

(A proud moment for a mom, a primary teacher and proof he really does listen......sometimes) :)

Love you Lucas, you'll be a great missionary!

Super fast!

Lucas (excited, scared and shocked!)

Mom! (quick steps to my side)

Some poop, just came out, whoosh! alot!

Super fast.

'It's okay - did you wash your hands?'

yes.

'Did you flush the toilet?'

(silence).........lemme, go check. (runs away, toilet slam)

yes!

'okay good'

June is gonna be a good month.