I thought this was sweet

On Mondays I teach piano lessons to Lindsi and Lacie England. They take turns; one is doing a lesson while the other one is waiting. Well today the sun was shining and the weather was beautiful (which is weird because there was 6" of snow yesterday) and so after Lindsi's lesson she took the kids outside to play. You can't see it very well in the picture (because I was looking through the window while teaching my lesson) but Lindi is helping Maylie go down the slide. It was so cute and Maylie was LOVING it. I am so lucky to be able to have such wonderful kids come into my home each week and share in the lives of my own children.

Rain or Snow; Rhev will Go

Yesterday= Rain

Today= Snow

My boy LOVES the outdoors!

DYW Fitness

Kim and I have the opportunity to teach the fitness routine for Snake Rivers Distinguished Young Womens program (formaly Jr. Miss). We really enjoy it and we expecially love the girls! This years group is by far one of the best group of girls. They are just crazy! It is SOOOOO much fun! This year the theme for DYW is "Aloha Spirit". so Kim and I took that and made our routine have a surfing theme. We use steps that you would use in step areobics and the girls use them as surf boards. They put so much personality into it. It makes it really fun to watch!

Back row- Kim, Karenika Hutcheson, Dezi Sommercorn, Savannah Jenkins, Kaylee Hansen, Katie

Middle Row- Randee Wayland, Racheal Hepworth, Kaylee Shawver, Jentry Robinson, Williams, Savannah Williams

Front row- Katerian Turpin, Talia Dean, Smith, Phalecia Lee, Coral

 

 

Outside Helpers

The weather is finally being nice enough that I could go outside and do some much needed yard work. Today's job was burning all the weeds. I am so lucky because I have 3 of the best helpers. One of them is the CUTEST helper I have ever seen!!! I loaded them all up onto the 4 wheeler. I buckled Maylie in her car, had Trayvn hold onto her and Rhev rode in the front. They really enjoyed being able to get dirty and help me out.

Thank you to Luke Grandma for the fun hat that kept little miss from getting a sun burn. It also made her totally irresistible!

I got you a flower Mom

Luke Grandpa's Daffodils are blooming so beautifully right now and Rhev thought I needed one to wear in my hair. 

I agree. I needed the flower :)

State Cheer and Shopping

Thanks to our husbands my Mom, Kim and I were able to go to Boise, without kids, to watch the State Cheer Competition and to do some shopping. Kim's birthday was yesterday so it was the perfect excuse to be able to go. It was so crazy being able to drive and not have to stop and take breaks for the kids. We did however have to stop and get some frozen yogurt from the KiwiLoco in Twin Falls. Once we got to Boise we headed to nampa to watch the 3A competition at the Idaho Center. Being there really made me miss coaching.

Afterwards we went over by the mall to the Olive Garden to eat. All 3 of us were starving because the only thing we had to eat all day was the yogurt. Needless to say, we filled our bellies until they couldn't hold anymore. After dinner we headed over to our hotel. It was only 9:00 and I wasn't ready to go to bed yet so I convinced them both to come with me to workout.  I think I got the best ab workout I've ever gotten. We were laughing so hard. Kim was so funny. It was such an epic night.

The next morning we got ready and went over to the mall. We shopped all day. We discovered that shopping for a little Maylie is alot of fun to do. Around 3:00 our feet were getting a little tired so Kim and I decided to go and get our hair chopped off.

 

I love the way it turned out.

 

We stayed at the mall until 8:30 and then went to panda express for dinner. It was a late night driving home and we almost made it home without Mom getting pulled over. She got stopped in Aberdeen for driving too fast through the town site. I was hilarious!

 

It was such a blast! I love that the 3 of us have such a good relationship. They are my best friends and I am so lucky to have them. I can't wait until next year when we can do it again :)

Monkey Boy

I just had to take a picture of Trayvn and his neck pillow. We got it for Rhev when he was Trayvn's age and Trayvn just discovered it. He has been wearing it around the house all day. He liked have a friend wrapped around his neck.

Rhev's Now 5!!!

I still can't believe it, but my little boy has turned 5! He is now officially old enough to attend school. I can't believe just how fast these last few years have gone.

We started off the morning with a bug surprise from Candy Grandma. She has these really fun yard signs that people pay her to put up on their yards. As a gift to Rhev she put one up for him. He was so proud of it. As soon he woke up he came in a found me and said "Mom look, my name is in the grass and it says Happy Birthday Rhev". It was fun to see him so excited!

We let him open one present before Dad had to go to work.

He got 2 skate boards. What's funny about the skate boards is that he didn't want them to actually skateboard with. He wanted them to be used as wheels for when he builds his box trains. I'm not going to lie, I thought it was a great idea!

After box train building I had both boys take a bath. Rhev got to open another present which had a new shirt and a new pair of play shoes. He was looking so handsome with them on.

Luke Grandma then came and picked up both boys to take them out to lunch and to the park with Tucker. I was so grateful to have the break, because I was seriously struggling making Rhev's cake and our house was a disaster and needed cleaned for Rhev's birthday party.

I think they had a GREAT time.

As soon as the boys got home it was time for his party. Luke Grandma, Grandpa, Kimmy, boys, Candy Grandma, Grandpa, Great Grandma Christensen and Kayl all came to the party. He was feeling really special.

His first present was from Mom and Dad and was some new "cool blue" basketball shoes.

He then opened a gift from Great Grandma Christensen (aka the other grandma). She got him a ton of fruit snacks, a box of animal crackers and a fun mini horse figurine set. It was a Mommy, Daddy and baby horse set.  Rhev had the best expressions while opening her gift.

Next he opened the tractor Lego set from Mom and Dad.

Then he got a new swimming suit from Mom and Dad to wear at swim camp.

Last he got to open the HUGE bag from Candy Grandma and Grandpa. It was a new T-ball set, some writing practice cards, and a preschool learning book.

The boy sure was spoiled and happy.

We finished off the party with cake and ice cream and Kayl and Candy Grandpa helped Rhev build his Lego tractor. Rhev went to be so happy and loved!

About Rhev

Rhev is such a a wonderful young man. He is so smart and catches onto things quick. He has the most amazing sense of direction. He absolutely adores his little sister. She can do no wrong in his eyes. He is a really good helper just like his Dad. He loves to work. He has the most creative imagination. I've never known a kid who could imagine things like he does. Everyday he surprises us with something new. He likes to play the piano and has been taking piano lessons for about a month now. He is very skilled at drawing. He doesn't like to color much, but he loves to draw things out. Rhev is also the most independent kid I've ever known. If he wants something he will figure out a way to get it. He is always making his own food and snacks before I even know what is going on. He is very observant and can usually figure something out by just seeing it once. There will never be another Rhev in this world. He is one of a kind. He is bold, tough, strong headed, independent, creative, sweet, smart, kind, aggressive and 100% boy. I am grateful everyday that I have my Rhevy. I couldn't imagine a world without him. I am so lucky to be him Mom.

About Rhev from the mouth of Rhev and his Favorites:

Primary teacher- Sister DeAnn Murdock

Nickname- Rhevy Tev

Color- Blue

Movie- Hotel Transylvania

Show- Daniel Tiger, Paw Patrol, Scooby Doo

Toy- Baby puppy, Mommy puppy, Daddy Puppy

Book- The Christmas Train By Thomas S. Monson

Food- Spaghetti Noodles (dry or Cooked)

Snack- Fish Crackers

Best friend- Luke, Brock, Erik, Livi, Ryker, Tucker, Allie

Scripture- O how great the plan of our God, 2 Nephi 9:13

Hero- Chase and Kayl

Activity- play with my Train

Sport- basketball

Place- Luke Grandma and Candy Grandma

Build- Block tower

Collection- Rock collection and Shell collection

Game- Candy Land

Shirt- A Dinosaur Riding a Snowmobile

Song- Once there was a snow man

Animal- Puppies

Holiday- St. Patrick's Day

Breakfast food- Pancakes

Thing to do Outside- Play on the trampoline and look for birds

Sleep with at night- baby puppy, mommy puppy, daddy Puppy

What to be when he grows up- A Police officer

Person- Daddy

St. Patricks Day

St. Patrick's Day this year was the best one we have ever had. It all started last night with the building of the Leprechaun trap. I thought that Rhev did a great job,

He borrow some of my figurines to help the Leprechaun think that is was his friends playing. He made a sign that said "Don't climb the ladder" to trick the leprechaun into climbing the ladder because leprechauns are naughty and don't do what you say and Rhev really wanted the leprechaun to climb the ladder and fall into his trap. Then at the top of his box he put a girl leprechaun that looked like his girlfriend to try and get him to kiss her and fall into his trap.

It was quite the elaborate trap!

That night while the boys were sleeping that sneaky little leprechaun decorated our house all crazy.

He even turned Rhev's path of noodles green. (Rhev set up the noodles to see if the leprechaun would eat them).

He even took a bath in our sink and stood on our toilet to go potty. They he painted a rainbow on the toilet. He also turned their toothbrushes green.

The sneaky little man walked on a painted their shirts and socks.

Rhev checked his trap, but the leprachaun was too sneaky and got out.

He did kiss he girl though.

The leprechaun also painted the boys faces green while they were sleeping.

The Leprechaun wasn't done doing tricks just because they woke up, he was sneaking around the house all day doing tricks. He managed to turn all their food green when we weren't looking.

He "made" their beds

He played with their stuffed animals and tied green ribbon around their necks 

He also got out all of their green toys from the toy box and put them in a pile 

The shirt the leprechaun painted for Maylie was sure perfect. 

She is our little "Lucky Charm"

During the afternoon we were lucky to have Livi and Graeme come play with us. They helped us all afternoon hunt for that tricky, sneaky little guy. 

He turned their Spaghetti O's green too.

It was truly the most magical day ever. The kids had sooooo much fun trying to find the leprechaun and I know the leprechaun had alot of fun tricking them.

After Livi and Graeme went home the boys went over to Candy Grandma's to see if they had caught the leprechaun at her house. They got candy, colored pictures and made some green play dough. They always have something fun and creative for them to do over there.

Once they got home they were both so tired from their adventurous day. We said family prayers in Rhevs room and as soon as the prayer was over, Rhev realized that he didn't catch his leprechaun and that it was going to be a whole another year before he would be back. 

They both cried and cried. It broke my heart. Reluctantly we managed to get them to fall asleep.

The next morning they woke up to find the leprechaun had once again left time a surprise. He left them rainbow lollipops and decorated some more for Rhev's birthday.

He also left one last note on the window. 

"That was the BEST Day EVER!! You almost caught me. Maybe you'll have better luck next year!!! HAPPY TRICKING!- the Leprechaun"

They are already planning their attack for next year. I can't wait to see what kind of trap they will conjure up. You better watch out Mr. Leprechaun!!!