Blue and Gold

 This year was Jackson's first Blue and Gold Banquet.  I'm not sure what to do about this little guy growing up.  I want to keep him in a protective bubble.  He seems to enjoy scouts.  I feel bad because I don't really understand it all and I'm trying my best to help him pass of his achievements.  Somethings he is really into (learning about pet care) and other things, not so much (basketball). I think we are on track and that he's having a good experience.  So the question is, do I keep pushing him because I want him to get the awards or do I just let him not really force the issue.  Bleeck.  Sometimes being a parent is no fun.

Jacee sure likes the cub activities because here are two really smart boys in our ward and in her class at school.  She gravitates towards the smart ones (like her mother!)  It's going to be weird when they are older and all that comes with that...

Anyway, jut a few musings on a day when I feel overwhelmed with knowing how much to push my kids and how much to let go....

First Formation Competition

 Well, it is official.  Jacee is following in my footsteps.  She just competed in her first formation team competition with the BYU Preteen team.  They did great!  1st in Standard and tied for 2nd in Latin.  Most of the time she loves it.  I sometimes wonder about putting her in too much.  I'm sad we don't live in the day and age when kids can try a lot of different things before they really need to commit to something.  I hope she doesn't burn out of ballroom before she even gets to college - or hs for that matter!  She wants to try lots of things - swimming, piano, choir.  She would love to take karate and an art class and be in drama..  We only have so much time and money.  Are we missing out on something by committing her to  such an intense program so early?  The things we worry about...

It's Gone

After four years of the long golden locks...they are gone.

 90s

 Toupee

 Downtown Abby Style

Ahhh, perfect.  He looks great - even though I'll miss running my fingers through that wonderful head of hair.

Timpanogos Ballroom Comp

Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day!  This was the first year we attempted to make our own Valentines.  Jacee wanted iPods.  I think they turned out pretty cute.  And the best part was making them altogether.  We had some serious assembly line workage going on.  Jacee and Jackson LOVE scotch tape!

 This was also the first year in Utah that Jacee got to make a Valentine's Box.  The younger grades make a bag at school.  The best part is the glitter!

 John and I went low key and didn't get each other anything this year.  I did sneak and got him his favorite red velvet cake.  He was almost too tired to eat any when he got home.

 Jacee's special lunch.  Love dust - colored sugar for strawberries.  Cupid's arrows - strawberries on fuzzy toothpicks.  Love Nuggets - assorted chocolate candy.  Love potion - strawberry juice box and I made a heart shaped ham sandwich.

 Our traditional "Cheers" at breakfast.

 Our breakfast is usually in two shifts because Maddie goes to school an hour and 15 minutes after the big kids.

Maddie wanted to pose in her Valentine's Day outfit.

It was a fun day.  Love Valentines!

It's Still Not Over

Here is my poor Jackson.  I thought he was escaping the worst of it.  Nope - threw up early this morning and has been throwing up every few hours since then.  And to add insult to injury - one of his very favorite cousins, McCoy, is here from Florida.  I don't know if they just bond because they are the only boy cousins their age on John's side or if they only have girl sibling in their families (until next month - Amber's having a boy in March!) or if their fathers are similar so they "get it".   Well, for whatever reason, these two boy sure play together well.  They LOVE being together and just seem to pick up right where they left off even though they only see each other once a year.

I sure hope  he feels better soon and isn't out for five days like Maddie was.  This may be another loooong week!

Poor Maddie

 This has been a rough year for the flu and our family was not spared.  Jacee threw up a week ago Sunday, but was feeling much better the next day.  She has always been our most healthy child and usually doesn't catch every thing that comes around.  And, true to form, she got over it quite quickly.

Unfortunately, Maddie was next.  We were not so lucky with her.  She threw up everyday for five days.  The first day was pretty rough, she kept missing the bucket and would throw up on my bed, in the van, and elsewhere.  After that, she got the hang of it and we filled quite a few "throw up buckets".  She mostly slept and watched tv.  Poor little girl.  She was in PJs for six days straight.

 Here is Jackson photo bombing my pic.  I thought it was so cute how Pouncer was snuggled up to Maddie.  Whenever someone is not feeling well, Pouncer seems to sense that.  She will seek them out and sleep with them.  It's really quite tender.

Below is Maddie on day two.  Really the worst of all the days.  Fever, stomach ache and lot of throw up.  I felt so bad for her.  Look at her little rosy cheeks.

On Thursday, she finally felt good enough to get up and get dressed and to fix her hair.  I still didn't send her to school because of cough and sniffles, but it sure was great to see her darling smile again!

I sent her to school today and was kinda sad!  Not that she was feeling better, but we had a week where we were together either snuggling on the couch or in my bed the entire day.

She is up to her usual silly self today and up to teasing her brother and sister.  Glad she is feeling better!

Late Start

Well, we are late in starting for this competition season, but at least we are up and going now.  Jacee has a great partner and they had some early success at the Center Stage comp.  A 4th, a 5th and a second place.  They looked great and they had a wonderful time!  I am so proud of them!

Finally - Snow!

 We have had a very cold winter without very much "fun" snow.  We finally had a great snow storm and Maddie and friends have spent hours playing in the snow!

 Here they are making a snow castle!

Another version!

It has been so fun to have the kids play and play and play in the snow.  They sure had a great time!