Registered!

I registered Johnny for Kindergarten today!

Will he be ready? Will I be ready?

They noticed that he's a little farsighted. They will test him again next fall to see if his eyes have adjusted. He cut on the line. He named almost all of the letters and shapes. He was embarrassed to jump on one foot or hop like a bunny. But he did it and he even proved that he can catch a ball. When it came to writing his name however he worked very carefully to write it upside down for the teacher so she could read it across the table. Really, that was considerate of you Johnny. So they say he's ready. Will he listen to a thing the teacher is telling him? Will he sit in his seat? Will he try his best? Will he make friends? Will he be picked on for being small and "energetic"?

I'm optimistic.

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And a little nervous.

Feeding the Ducks

Today Johnny had a field trip to a local park. His teacher made it educational or course, but mostly we were there to feed the ducks. At least that's what the kids will remember. I've driven past this park before but I've never taken my kids there. It's out of the way and I've just driven past on my way to another destination. It is a beautiful park though and it's always nice to be able to interact with the ducks. There was one goose there that noticed his reflection in one of the car's chrome bumper. I'm not sure if he just liked his own reflection or if he thought it was another goose and was lonely. It circled the car the entire time we were there and when she tried to leave, the goose sat in front of the car and had to be shewed away so she could drive off. It honked after her for awhile, distressed that she was leaving him. It was the funniest sight. I can't believe we only have one more month of school left and tomorrow is Kindergarten registration. Johnny in Kindergarten?????? Is that possible?

One on One

I've always known that one on one time with my kids is very important. I've learned recently that it really doesn't matter what you're doing when you're with them though, as long as you're having fun together. I was going through the pictures on my phone and wanted to share. The pictures above are from a little shopping trip Alex and I went on together. When it's just the two of us, she opens up a bit more and tells me all about what's on her mind and what's been going on in her life. It's hard to admit that she is independent and living in the world around her. But I can't hold her in my grasp forever and it's good to know what goes on in her quickly maturing mind. It's nice to laugh together instead of arguing over chores and meals and homework.
Over spring break we went skiing together, just the two of us, and our favorite time was when we were sitting on the chair lift and could watch the snowflakes land softly on our jackets. It was the first time either of us have seen an actual snowflake in it's true form; with all of the branches and crystals formed in little individual patterns. It was magical and we were able to experience it together.

Then yesterday Johnny and I had optometrist appointments. He was nervous and curious at the same time. We played the game boy together as we were waiting for our turn. I went first in the big chair and he watched closely as they did all the usual tests on my eyes with their "spy gear" instruments and little flashlight. He impressed everyone with how still he was when getting dilating drops in his eyes and when they had to take pictures of his eyes. He thought it was so weird when he couldn't see very well (because of the drops) and that wearing my glasses (top picture) helped him see a little better. We had fun trying on the different glasses they had there in the shop and picking out ones for each other to try on. The doctor wrote him a Rx for a TCBY treat and gave him glasses to wear out in the sun. I left my shades in the car so he held my hand and guided me to the car and then unlocked it for me since I couldn't open my eyes very well in the light. It was fun one on one time with Johnny and it was just a visit to the optometrist. By the way, he is a little far sighted, which I guess is normal in a lot of little kids so there isn't anything to worry about. No glasses at this stage for him.

I guess my point in all of this is to make sure and take those little opportunities where it's just the two of us and make the most of them!

Happy Belated Easter!

What can I say? It's been one of those weeks...

We did have a great Easter weekend though. We found the time to decorate some Easter cookies and the kids got very creative. I think Johnny's objective was to see how much frosting he could fit on one cookie before I snatched it away from him. Alex took the time to give all of her cookies faces and wings and ears and beaks.

Since spring break brought the blizzards our way (so much so that Alex and I took off and went skiing one day during the week) we moved our cousin's Easter egg hunt to a church building and hid the eggs throughout a few rooms for the kids to find. Not exactly the spring background you hope for on Easter weekend but the kids didn't mind. The eggs were still filled with candy and they still got to spend some time with their cousins!

Easter found us cozied up in our house eating bunny shaped pancakes and watching general conference. I let the kids go at it with their candy so it didn't linger around the house too long. Alex was so impressed that the Easter bunny strung her beads back onto her basket that fell off the day before. I actually think she forgot this time around that her dear old Mom plays Easter bunny and I looooove that. The kids both wanted to dress up for Sunday even though we didn't have church that day. Alex got a cute spring dress from my parents and Johnny wanted to wear his new shirt he got from Brad's parents. Well, we did make it over to Brad's parent's for some Easter lunch between conferences so the outfits didn't go to waste.

Then Alex couldn't wait for school on Monday to wear the new shirt from Nana and her new shoes from Grammie because they matched perfectly! She even got to wear her blue blow that she couldn't wear before because she didn't have any blue outfits in her closet until now. Oh the joys! Sorry it took so long to post pictures. We did have a wonderful spring break and Easter weekend though!

Spring Break

Spring break and Grammie and Grandpa made it out to Idaho for a visit. They even surprised the kids by bringing their cousin Rogan out with them! Hunter and Rogan are like brothers so Hunter was especially excited to see him. We took a video of Rogan waking Hunter up the morning after they got here. It was cute.

We started off their week with a day at "Monkey Business", an indoor play gym. They had a blast and Johnny could've lived there all day without wearing out. The kids each tried rock climbing and air hockey, but most of all they loved the big slide.

They all fought for Rogan's attention during his entire visit. I think he was getting a little weary of his popularity. They had fun playing games together and we even took them to see "How to Train You Dragon" on Tuesday. My kids don't get the opportunity to go to the theater very often so it was a real treat. My favorite part of the movie was when Alex ran out of popcorn so Johnny put his box in the middle of them so they could share. Then once his was gone he reached down in his seat and found 2 more pieces and gave one to Alex and ate the other one himself. Yum. It's the thought that counts though right?

They kept us entertained for the first half of our spring break. More to come on our second half!