Not Quite Spring

We had a few days, almost a week, of amazing weather. It was beautiful and warm. Now it is just freezing! During the cold days I have been trying to keep Lilly busy. I recently started teaching her how to read. It is a very slow process, but I think she is catching on very quickly. We have also been reading a lot of books, doing worksheets out of her preschool workbook, and practicing writing our letters and numbers. She loves to learn and just soaks it all in.

 She loves to have someone color with her

Lilly has also been taking swimming lessons and ballet. Lilly's ballet class came to an end last week. She loves it so much and is excelling quickly. When she found out it was ending, she cried. So what did I do? I signed her up for another one. She wont have any friends in this class but she said that it was okay and that she would just make new friends. I love her attitude. She is such a different child than I was at her age.

 

Lilly has Joy School 3 times a week. One of those days they go on a field trip. Last week I taught and we learned about animal habitats. For our field trip I took the kids to a Children's museum in Maryland that has a fun animal room. They got to pet rabbits and hold lizards. Lilly was in heaven! She is such an animals lover.

Lilly saw this picture and said, "Oh, he is smiling at me!"

On the weekends we have been letting Lilly lay out on the couch and watch TV with us until she falls asleep. She is so sweet when she is asleep.

We are excited for the weather to start warming up again so we can get outside and run around!

Capital Elephant Parade

Every time the Ringling Brother's Circus comes to town they parade the elephants in front of the Capital. My friend Denisse and I decided to venture into the city with the kids to watch.

We had a hard time finding a parking spot at the metro but eventually found one and took the 45 minute train ride in.

The kids loved riding on the train but were REALLY ready to get off after 45 minutes!

It was a beautiful day to hang out outside. The kids had fun playing tag and hide-and-seek before we staked out a spot on the sidewalk.

The parade was a little shorter than I had imagined but seeing the elephants holding tails made it all worth it.

After the parade we headed over to the water. Lilly and Brielle threw their leftover sandwiches into the water for the ducks and seagulls. It was such a fun outing.

Smithsonian Insect Exhibit

Last Wednesday Lilly's Joy School group went to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History for a field trip. They had been learning about insects and the Insect Exhibit at the museum was the perfect place to go.

When we arrived, there were two scientist letting the children hold some of the insects. Most of the kids stood around and looked at the bugs, but only a few actually wanted to hold these nasty creatures. I mean these weren't normal bugs, they were bugs on steroids. They were all massive! Of course Lilly walked right up to the front and asked to hold them all. She held a cockroach, a black centipede, a grasshopper, and a caterpillar. She is a brave soul.

On the way out of the museum we had to stop and see the dinosaurs!

It was such a fun day of learning!

Trip to the DC Zoo

On Wednesday our Joy School group took a field trip to the zoo. The weather was beautiful! It was the perfect day to get out and enjoy the animals. 

They ran around all day. It's been a long winter.

All the kids were admiring this Tyrannosaurus Rex head, and Lilly just stuck her head right in. That pretty much sums up how Lilly lives her life. Right on the edge.

We were able to see four baby lion cubs. They were adorable! The best part was when one of the cubs walked by his mom and growled and the mom pounced on him and bit his head. I feel like doing that to Lilly sometimes.

I love this picture. Such sweet kids.

The elephants were Lilly's favorite part. After the little performance, the trainer came over and talked to the kids. It was so fun for them.

Lilly Says and Does

One night I went in to check on Lilly after she had fallen asleep. I found her like this. The next morning I asked her why she had worn her sunglasses to bed. She told me that she wanted to wear glasses to bed just like me and Gus do. So cute. 

While we were at KA's wedding dinner Lilly sat by Gus's 22 year old cousin Stafford. After he had talked to her for a few minutes she turned to me and Gus and said, "Well he's a cutie!" We later found out that she was rubbing his arm while he was talking to her. I am scared for her teenage years!

When I picked up Lilly from Joy School one day her teacher told me that she loved the vegetables that she had given them for lunch. Lilly was standing next to me and I asked if she like them and she said that she did. So, the next day I picked up these same vegetables from the store and made them for Lilly. When she saw them on her dinner plate that night she said, "Gross, I hate these vegetables!" I said, "Lilly, you told me that you like them!" She responded, "Well mom, I didn't want to be rude. I always eat my vegetables at my friends houses so their moms don't feel sad." 

I absolutely love that Lilly has such a great imagination. The night we returned from Utah, Lilly made this little sign and pinned it to herself. She told us she was a dog hair stylist and was wondering if we had any dogs that needed their hair styled.

Lilly has been working very hard the last 4 weeks to learn the States song and she finally got it. We were so proud of her!

Another Idaho/Utah Vacation: Part 2

On Thursday morning we set up for the reception which was on Friday night. Lilly had a great time running around with Sedrah while the rest of us set up for about 4 hours.

That night we went to the Joseph Smith Memorial building for KA and Clint's wedding dinner.

On Friday afternoon we headed to the Salt Lake Temple to see Ka and Clint get married. While the adults were inside, cousin Amy took care of the kids. Amy was so great to help out and play with the kids. Lilly loved her!

The kids had fun running around while we waited for KA and Clint to come out of the temple.

Grandpa and Lilly

Brothers

Finally the new couple came out.

That night we geared up for the reception. 

Lilly told me that Taige was the "Present Boy" and she was the "Card Girl" as they sat at the beginning of the line and took presents and cards from the guests.

 Lilly and Amy

At the end of the reception there was a dance. Lilly and Taige hit the dance floor and it was the cutest thing ever. They have some serious dancing skills!

Another Idaho/Utah Vacation: Part 1

We had been home from our Christmas trip for only 6 weeks when we boarded a plane and flew back out West to Utah. Gus's sister KA was getting married and we wanted to be there.  

We stayed in Utah for a few days and then my parents came down and picked us up. They came down for Berkley's basketball game and then stayed the night in a hotel. After the game we headed over to the hotel to swim.

Afterwards we got the kids McDonalds.

The next morning I headed to Rexburg with my parents. Lilly had a great time hanging out with my parents, brothers, and of course the cats until Megan, Mike, and the kids got there for the weekend. 

My dad gave each of the grandkids a penny whistle

On Saturday, the 12th, my mom had tons of fun Valentine stuff to make Valentine cards. The kids had a great time making them. Lilly made one for Berkley and she was SO excited to give it to him.

That night my dad took the kids around on the snow machine. The sled was incredible and could hold all 4 of them. They had such a great time!

We celebrated Berkley's 6th birthday while we were there.

Lilly could often be seen carrying Rocco around like a baby. That poor dog.

We had a such a great time there. Lilly loves spending time with her cousins.

On Sunday, February 13th we went to Sacrament meeting to hear my little brother Brayden give a talk and then we packed up Megan's van and headed back down to Utah.

Before all the wedding festivities began, Lilly and I hung out with Megan and the kids everyday. We hung out for 3 days and did lots of fun things with the kids. I wish we lived closer to them!!

Riding the train at the mall

Eating ice cream at Thanksgiving Point