We drove to Flagstaff yesterday since we needed to pick up Austin and Molly from EFY (Especially For Youth) at 7 a.m. this morning. It was nice to 'get out of town' even though it was such a brief trip. Austin and Molly both had a great time!
The four hour road trip home was enjoyed by us all - ha, ha! But, it is good to have them home.
Yesterday morning Reid and Ryan had a blast playing with the water hose. It was about 8 a.m. and already hot!
Ryan had his last day of 'dinosaur camp' yesterday afternoon. They made these dinosaur egg pinatas. It was exciting that he actually put his hands into the gooey glue mixture to make the pinata and that he painted the egg himself. He is doing really well with some of his sensory issues. He also separated with me extremely well, only having one bad day where he clung to me. Overall the camp was a huge success - we are hoping this continues for a smooth transition to kindergarten.
When we got home we opened his egg and found the dinosaur themed treats his teachers had hidden inside. He got dinosaur fruit snacks, a party blower, a small dino toy, and a dinsosaur sticker.
Last night the Mia Maids and Laurels had our activity - a box/bag dinner swap - at Purple Heart Park. Everyone brought a dinner in a decorated box or bag and we all swapped. It was pretty funny that all but one brought a chicken meal.
This picture is pretty dark but Haley joined us a little bit late so of course I wanted a picture with her in it too.
After we ate we made ice cream in a bag! It turned out to be a fun activity for all of us and really yummy too!
The girls had a great time shaking their bags for five minutes! The ice and rock salt mixture gets really cold.
This week has gone by so fast - I can't believe it is already Wednesday evening! We had a nice relaxing Father's Day on Sunday. James was able to attend our own ward and sit with us and help Ryan out during primary. After church we hosted our friend, Cassie, for dinner. We had a nice relaxing evening with good conversation. At the end of the evening James opened his presents from all of us - the kids made him cards and we all gave him some simple gifts: three shirts, some chocolates and a CD of a book from the church bookstore.
We love you for so many reasons! You are a good sport by being silly on behalf of your kids. (Above: being Greg Wiggle for Ryan's third birthday party)
You know how to have fun! You enjoy riding our quads, going camping, attending the kids' ball games and scout activities as well as daddy/daughter dances.
You live your life by the scouting 12 core values: citizenship, compassion, cooperation, courage, faith, health and fitness, honesty, perseverance, positive attitude, resourcefulness, respect, and responsibility. You truly demonstrate all these qualities on a daily basis.
You hold, hug, tickle, kiss, and love your children.
You hold the priesthood honorably and by being able to perform the different priesthood ordinances you bless our lives.
You love your family and although we live far apart our children know and love them too.
You love your mom and show your kids by your words and actions the importance of showing such love.
On Friday the boys and I all went to my friend Lucinda's home to escape the heat in her swimming pool. Thanks Lucinda! The little boys and I so enjoyed the pool while Austin hung out inside with Lucinda's son, Kyler playing video games.
They did a terrific job! After they sang we went back to our home for dessert and more conversation. A very relaxing evening with friends.
Molly was invited to sing the National Anthem at a game of the local little league championship. She invited her friend Marissa to come sing with her - they did a fabulous job.
Molly will perform again tomorrow night - tomorrow she is bringing along her former middle school choir teacher, Mr. Dees. Molly is much too unsure of herself to sing solo - Marissa and Mr. Dees are such good sports to take time to come perform with her.
Here is the handout I made for our pre-camp meeting. I presented the spiritual thought to all the women who will be attending camp this summer and wanted to give them a small something. Of course I told them that I am giving them the army people not to promote violence but as an analogy of the daily battle our sweet young women are facing each and every day against the evils of the world. Here are the thoughts that I shared: 
Monday I went to a parent meeting for a summer camp Chase is attending - afterwards on the spur of the moment I went across the street and got a pedicure. It was so needed. I regret spending the money on myself but am actually glad that I did at the same time. Can I tell you how weird it is for me to have a post of my toes here - strange...
My friend Hannah stopped by today with these gorgeous lemons. Have you seen the price of lemons lately? Crazy! I love to have lemon slices in my ice water and the kids love fresh squeezed lemonade so these will be enjoyed. It was especially nice to sit and visit with Hannah. I miss her since our ward split a couple months ago.
Today Chase finished day two of sensory camp. He hates leaving the house to go but enjoys it once he is there. I brought all the kids with me to pick him up and then took them all to Dairy Queen for an ice cream treat. When Chase saw all of us there to sign him out he had a huge smile on his face. Many of the teachers got to meet all the kids which was nice. I really do not take all five kids out together, we are always going different directions and now the older ones can watch the younger ones while I run someone somewhere so it was brought to my attention today that five kids still draws looks and comments. Luckily for us it was good glances and nice comments about a 'large family' today. I really don't think of us as a large family but many in the world do it seems.
I had grand plans to get up today and get so much done but as the day is coming to a close there is not much checked off my 'to-do' list. I must admit this day has come and gone and I have not even left my house.
Last night was our young women personal progress mutual activity. We concentrated on the value Integrity (and it's assigned color: purple!) We each wore the color purple and had small purple prizes for everyone that participated.
We took a quiz with lots of questions that had us ponder the strength of our integrity. We talked about different scenarios that may challenge our integrity - we wrapped purple yarn around one of the girls each time someone mentioned something that might challenge our integrity, for example: gossip, or remaining silent rather than standing up for what is right, being honest, etc... The yarn soon wrapped the girl in a 'web of lies'.
We had purple frosted cupcakes and dark chocolate Hershey's kisses since they are wrapped in purple foil...
The girls loved the coloring activity!
An Integrity paper. This is one Molly's.
They each received a handout to stand for truth and righteousness. Attached is a square mirror at the bottom.
Here are some pictures of some Young Women handouts I've put together recently. Above are some baggies of gummy bears with the expression, "We 'bear' testimony with our words and also with our lives." Our young women camp theme is B.O.O.T. (Building Our Own Testimonies) Camp. I made these as part of a handout for our devotional meeting when we gathered all the ycl's together and had a spiritual meeting before the fun of camp this summer. Also is a paper with scripture studying hints and a ycl list of things to remember to bring to camp...
This past Sunday was our first Fast Sunday where, as Young Women, we all met together. We will have the lessons taught by a member of the YW Presidency and will have time at the end for the sharing of testimonies. Some of our girls are very quiet and shy so I made this 'testimony journal' so they can write down a written testimony.
Here is the inside of the testimony journal. We put some words regarding testimony from President Uchtdorf and a quote on the importance of sharing the light of testimony from President Kimball. I was so thrilled when one of our quieter young women asked if she could take the journal home after our lesson Sunday!
This is a package of tissues that each girl received before we began testimony meeting. The note says, "Your testimony is like this package of tissues; if they stay in the package, they do no one any good, but if they are taken out and shared, then everyone benefits. Share your testimony...Don't let it 'dry up' and 'blow' away!"
Today I had my monthly lunch with Susan. She said she had something for each of the kids and passed five envelopes across the table. I thanked her and put them in my purse. We had a wonderful lunch (I ate way too much but it was so good!) and when I got home I gave each of the kids their envelope. Enclosed was a hand written note to each of them with the sweetest sentiments inside along with a 5 dollar bill! Susan had taken the time to write to each of our kids about different things they have accomplished recently. For example in Reid's card she wrote about the poem he wrote recently, Chase's card talked about his soccer season, Austin's about his lego robotics... Those that know me know how much I appreciate a hand written card and the five that were given to our kids today are so very appreciated. They will be saved for many years to come. Thank you Susan for taking the time.
Ryan and Chase both had their last soccer game of the season on Saturday and both received their first trophies. They were very excited! Chase had his name spelled wrong on his and they gave him a girl instead of a boy (not sure how the team mom ordered that one wrong, but mistakes happen) so today I took it back for them to fix that error and he will get it returned soon.
I'm not sure where I''ve been all season but it wasn't until Saturday morning that I noticed both boys have the same jersey number. Pretty fun coincidence! Soccer was a lot of work for mom and dad but the boys both had showed a lot of growth at the end of the season and we are glad we participated.
Here are a few more pictures that came home on James' camera from his time up on Mt. Lemmon.
James brought Austin over to visit with Reid and Chase during their cub scout day camp.
Here is Austin during Bishop's night , just hanging out with the guys...The bishop brought popcicles for all the enjoy.
