Last Day as a Kindergartener

My OLDEST is no longer a kindergartner, but on to 1st grade.

Ame was quite sad to finish school, and would have been

happier if she were continuing through the summer.

And I think even more scary for her is when she

returns to school in the fall, it will be at a NEW school!

But we will jump THAT hurdle when the time comes :) I joined her class the last few minutes just to snap

some in class pictures. Two of her friends, both named Breklyn.
And some more classmates

Ame, Mrs. Amy, and Irelyn

Ame was so funny. She insisted on wearing

THIS dress on the last day, because it was

the dress she also wore on the first day of school.

Oh what a girl!

We couldn't be prouder of Ame and all the

accomplishments she has made this year,

considering she was ready for 1st grade, even

b4 she began Kindergarten. She has been an

outstanding peer mentor and helper in her class.

She has also become quite the reader and has

done so well in the Accelerated Reader Program-

not typical for a kindergartner. But thanks to

grandma Asplund, Ame started out with quite an advantage.

Ame is extremely self-motivated and LOVES school.

We sure hope both of those continue for years to come!

Water Party

This post is two fold.

One, to tell about the fun water party

the Kindergartners had,

and two, as a means of procrastinating having to pack.

Usually I am soo on the ball and start getting

organized with packing far in advance,

but I just can't bring myself to get motivated.

Luckily I only have half the job this time,

because a good amount of out stuff has remained

packed (knowing this was a temporary move).

So I will just blog, instead of pack, at least for these few minutes :)

There were several water games/activities that each group rotated to. I was incharge of Water Gun Painting (I wish I could claim it, but was not my idea), which was great fun. Each kid got to color their picture using 10 squirts of 3 paint filled guns. They surprising followed the rules well, and didn't paint each other.

Although AMe thought it was funny to paint her mom, while I took pictures

Kaipo is the lucky sibling of a kindergartner, who gets to tag along when mom volunteers and join in on all the fun. He LOVES to join the BIG kids! Can't believe these parachuets are still around and such a great hit!
OK what to do now..should I exercise or pack? Tough decision? Don't feel like doing either one!

Preschool Program

This morning Kaipo had his end-of-the year

Preschool Program.

There are about 20 kids total, between the 3 classes

she teaches, so they had quite the variety of kids,

ranging in age from 3-5.

Kaipo has had some kind of allergic reaction to some

thing and has gotten this bad rash on his arms/legs the past couple of

days, so I gave him some allergy medicine again this morning

and this is what is does to him...

he is quite lethargic and kept saying how tired

he was. And I had given him medicine like an

hour and a half b4. He did get a little more

involved as the program went on.
All of this so unlike our usual energetic Kaipo.

It did make for a well-behaved boy

during the program though :)

here is the presentation of his

certificate and what his teacher said about him

After the program the FUN began. His teacher planned a big lunch & water party. Ame got out of school right after the program and there are several other siblings in Kindergarten, so Ms. Michelle said EVERYONE was invited. As you can see the kids had a BLAST!!! water-balloons

playhouse and sand box
swings
slip-n-slide & pools

the preschoolers even got to make visors
Ms Michelle was quite an impressive teacher. SO on the ball, organized, creative, patient, and fun. We were so grateful to have found her. Even though the small setting wasn't quite as ideal for Kaipo and his personality, she was soo good with him-stern, but loving and patient beyond belief!!

the kids meet their NEW cousin

On our way to Hula Lessons Wednesday

we stopped by the hopsital so the kids

could meet Taylor.

Ame fell in love and I KNOW

would LOVE to have a sister! Kaipo was pretty smitten too.

He felt like such a big boy holding her.

Ash was pretty interested as well.

But our visit was short because we had to get to

lessons, and the boys were driving mom crazy

in that hopsital room-playing with the curtains,

sink, chords and everything they could get their hands on!

We all think Taylor is pretty adorable and are excited

to spend more time with her & get to know her!

She's Here!!!

Here's Karli trying to get some rest,

amist the LONG, emotional, exhausting day

and here she is:

Taylor Jane Grover

what a beautiful girl!!!

A VERY proud daddy, who was a great support for Karli
the nanny/auntie
I was mostly incharge of getting the video for Karli &Chris. Which was funny story. They got a new camera just for this special occassion. I started getting video clips here and there as Karli began to push (all censored of course) and then as the baby was "oh so close" to making here appearance into THIS world, the camera battery died. Luckily... auntie Brittany came to the rescue and had here camera on hand to finish off with the best part. But I will save all that fun video for mom and dad to edit and share at their own discretion. Chris also took lots more pics which I am sure they will share soon! I just had to get a few pics posted for grandma and grandpa sake. It was awesome to have them apart of this whole experience via skype and the webcam. My mom called about every couple of hours, through THEIR night, just to check on Karli. I am sure grandma didn't get much sleep. Karli did an AWESOME job and had a long, tough day, with a few set backs and emotional moments, but once again I will let HER share the experience when she is up to it. I was so grateful to be there as some kind of support, but don't know how much help I really was. It was truly amazing opportunity, and soooo different as the one on the other side of the experience. I am proud of you Karli and think you are one tough girl!!! Thanks for letting me be there and I am soo excited to get to know Taylor!

The BIG recital...just for Grandma & Grandpa far, far away

Mom can't believe we paid close to $70 for this costume,

but I kept my opinion to myself because

Ame really liked it! I guess it did go along pretty well

with the song/dance they performed.

Plus, after seeing some of the others-some were definitely cuter,

and others were definitely NOT!
trying to wait patiently b4 it was time to head
backstage.
Mom went early to save seats and dad brought the boys
just in time for the performance-almost missed it
because he forgot their tickets and to hurry home to
get them. Quinn's dad and Ame's cousin Ella also came to
enjoy the show!

Ame has been debating whether or not to continue with

dance or try some others things. The decision became even

harder when they gave her a SPECIAL note on her last day of class

inviting her to try out for the competition team.

Being in competition would limit her options to try other

things-music/sports, and if we pursue that

route it is A LOT more $$$$$ and time.
But no matter what, we are super proud of our great little dancer!!

(Ame is front and center-in case you can't pick her out)

Sounds great...

I just signed up for this, it SOUNDS like a great idea: www.utahsrealdeals.com
Get your Utah Kids Club family membership for 1/2 off with Utah's Real Deals. For just 6.00, each family membership gives you discounts to over 100 family fun centers. Buy one get one free at Boondocks, Hollywood Connection, Fat Cats, Mulligans, Sparetime, Olympic Oval, Laser Assault, Treehouse Museum, Scera Theatre, Showtime Utah, tons of rec. centers, deals at the Planetarium, Aquarium, Hogle Zoo, Ogden Dino Park, Cherry Hill, Seven Peaks, Jumpin Jacks, Jump On It, and sooooo many others. You'll also have access to the website with a calendar of special events featuring 20+ activities to do Daily with your children, most of which are FREE. As well as access to the Kids Eat FREE calendar. We even throw in 2 FREE kids meals at Applebees for you!! You Only Need One Membership for your whole family. The membership card is "transferable" meaning that Grandma or even a babysitter can take the kids. The discounts can also be used for mom and dad. There is no age limit. One family per card, no sharing please. We don't require you to buy an annual pass--Each membership is on a month to month basis and can be cancelled at anytime. By ordering through Real Deals, you will recieve a certificate that can be redeemed online to recieve 1/2 off your membership for as long as you like!!

A grateful mother

I can't say I was super grateful at 5:30am

when Kaipo came into my room crying to tell me

he had peed his bed (something he hasn't

done since he started potty training). What a choice day to do it,

especially to start this mom's day off great!

After that episode, things turned around.

I threw all his sheets/blankets in the washer

and then we all crawled back in bed for awhile.

My kids love to make me breakfast in bed,

and Mother's Day is no exception-and on this day

they actually gets daddy's help, so I get more than

just toast or cereal :) There was no relaxing though

since we have 9:00 church. Here is the beautiful lei Quinn got me

(he also got one for his mom). I love this tradition,

especially because I know he didn't just run out

last minute to pick up some flowers, but it took

some planning ahead to get it ordered to arrive on time for ME! I LOVE the kids homemade gifts from school.

They get so excited to bring it home and then

keep it a secret from me until MOther's Day!

Here is the note on the back of Ame's card.

And coincidentally they both made me
fridge magnets.

I have wanted a cruiser bike for awhile and got it

today. Ame and I are excited to go on lots of bike rides

together. Kaipo may join us sometimes, those will just be

A LOT slower rides!

We spent the rest of the day in Provo with Quinn's mom

and family-eating, playing games, eating, relaxing in the

beautiful weather, eating, and the kids driving their moms crazy!

Hope all of you Mother's had a FANTASTIC day!

I am so grateful to be a mother, even though most days

my kids may wonder if I really feel that way.

I can't believe b4 the year is through I will be a mom of 4!!!

***What a blessing***

And quite a bit of craziness!

Friends Reunited

On Saturday we went to Salt Lake to see one of QUinn's really good friends Ivan. They grew up together & were snowboarding buddies for years, and Ivan has since moved to Washington. But Ivan's mom, Pam (who was like Quinn's 2nd mom) still lives in Salt Lake, so we all got together at her house for brunch. It was great for the guys to reminise and catch up. Believe it or not these two both use to have LONG hair. As you can see Kaipo's makes friends instantly and is very affectionate!

Ash being silly-trying to pose

the kids all had a blast hangin' outside, playing with this old tree and running wild

it was such a beautiful, crisp day

Ivan's mom, Ivan, his daughters-Amethyst(11), Sophie(3) and Ivan's wife

what are we looking at???

This would be some attempts at getting close-ups pics of the STAPLES Kaipo got in his head last night. He was being his crazy Kaipo self, fell and hit his head on the edge of my dresser. That thing started bleeding like you wouldn't believe! I was scared, and so was he seeing all the blood. His back side was covered with blood b4 mom could get a towel on it to apply pressure. It did stop bleeding rather quickly, but the gash was pretty deep. Luckily he continued to ACT his crazy, normal self, so we were pretty sure he didn't have a concussion. Luckily Quinn was home and did some research online, asked Kaipo some memory questions, and then we called the hospital. I did end up taking him about 8:30pm to the 24 hour WEE CARE PEDIATRIC. He got 5 lovely staples right in his head, no numbing or anything. The Dr. did give us the option of applying something that would take the edge off, but he would still feel it, plus we would have 20-30 minutes for that to kick in, so he suggested we just do it quick. After Kaipo charmed everyone in the office with his smile and personality, he shed some tears & screamed when he realized what was happening. Who could blame him?? I mean STAPLES in your head! I think I would scream too. But he was very brave, got a handful of suckers and has been fine ever since. Now he thinks it is pretty cool that he has actual staples in his head. We have to go back in a week to get them taken out, but the Dr assured us it hardly hurts to get 'em out. I sure hope he's right! And luckily Kaipo already has a buzz so they didn't have to shave any of his head.
I just can't believe we haven't had to do anything like this b4 now!
Cross our fingers we don't have to again for at least a few more years!!!

Kindergarten Program

This morning Ame had her end of year

Kindergarten Program.

Ame and Irelyn
Her simple part:
Everyone is special, wouldn't you agree

They sang A LOT of really cute songs

It was a great length and not to long.

Nothing like some programs that just go on AND ON...
Way to go OUR shining star!

Can't believe this school year is almost over.

Then we will have an ALL day 1st grader-WOW!

Some pampering

I don't do things like this for myself very often, and I have NEVER had a pedicure. But have always wanted one. This being the week of Mother's Day, I thought I deserved it, so I made myself an appt for a Spa Pedicure. It was fantastic-from the scrub, to the hot wax wrap, to the hot rock massage. I don't know what was best. But it sure was nice!! Now I just need a tan on those WHITE feet :)

house update...going to be done SOON

We went and visited our house on a Tuesday evening and WOW is it finishing up quickly. They tell us now it could be done as early as June 7th. The outside is mostly complete, except the front door needs to be stained, the garage doors put on, and whatever they do to the foundation along the bottom. Oh yes and they are putting in our front yard. The inside has cabinets, paint is done, lights fixtures & doors on. So it is definitely moving quickly. It is exciting to see it all taking shape and coming to its finishing stages!!

one to remember

I am not very good at remembering to document things my kids say, but I just had to jot this one down:
The other day Ame and I were on our way home from her Hula lessons and the traffic was terrible. I had the radio on and a commercial was on about chewing tabacco. She was obviously intently listening because she started asking questions about tabacco. And we discussed that it is the same thing that is in cigarettes and that some people like to chew it instead of smoke it. I was trying to give just enough info to answer her questions but not go into too much detail. So she was quiet for a minute and then said, "Isn't that the stuff dad like to eat?" I said WHAT? And she said, "yeah the hot stuff he is always putting on his food". I thought for a minute and then realized she was talking about TABASCO. I had a good chuckle inside, but tried to not laugh out loud too much because she gets so sensitive about making mistakes and someone laughing AT her. I just responded, honey no that is tabasco and is NOT the same thing. She said "oh yeah" and got a huge look of RELIEF, knowing that her daddy wasn't eating TABACCO...the really bad stuff :)