Grandparent's Day

A big, giant THANK YOU to Papa for changing his plans at the last minute and flying out to spend lunch with the kids on Grandparent's Day this month.  

I appreciate you, Dad.  I know that I can always count on you to do your best.  Even though you never say it, we know it's a sacrifice and we know you love us.  You're the best! 

college week

The kids represented my alma mater during College Week this month.  

O Rise and Shout, the Cougars are out

Along the trail to fame and glory.

Rise and shout, our cheers will ring out,

As you unfold your vict'ry story.

On you go to vanquish the foe

For Alma Mater's sons and daughters.

As we join in song, 

in praise of you, 

our faith is strong.

We'll raise our colors high in the blue,

And cheer the Cougars of BYU.

Ra, ra, ra, ra, ra

Ra, ra, ra, ra, ra

Ra, ra, ra, ra, ra

Goooooooooo, Cougars!

ward talent show

The 10/11 year old girls in our ward performed a lip sync on Saturday.  I've attached a link to the video on YouTube. 
Sunshine was over-the-moon to be in it.  She wore a white lace top with jeggings, white gem stone sunglasses, silver ballet flats, and full stage makeup.  The girls were all sooooooooo excited about the makeup. 
I love this age!

this is why people have twitter

I saw the funniest commercial ever this week and I'm going to tell you all about it, because I don't have a Twitter account.  *lol*

Alec Baldwin was in a classroom, acting as the teacher.  

Student: #1:  Where is Mrs. Davis? 

Alec Baldwin:  She took an early spring break thanks to her double miles from the Capitol One Venture card. What would Mrs. Davis teach you?

Student #2: Spelling.

Alec Baldwin: That’s not a subject, right. I mean..Spell Check.  That’s a program.

Student #3:  Alegbra?

Alec Baldwin: Okay!

Oh, dear me.  I thought that was hilarious.  Spell Check.  hee hee hee.  Love it.  

And here is a photo of me and Donsito.  Aren't we cute? Yes, we are. 

our precious little Pocket

Our beloved little Pocket was chosen by her teacher to be one of her three Star Students this week.

When her name was called, she completely froze.  No movement whatsoever.  Her teacher had to walk down the aisle, take her hand and lead her to the front.

Polly stayed at the front, completely frozen until we got there to meet her after the assembly.

Thanks, Aunti Bekah, for coming to share this special time with us.

Sunshine and Peyton Manning

When Sunshine was a toddler, we realized that she was really, really coordinated for her age.  She excelled at sports and Don joked that if she was a boy, she would be the next Peyton Manning.  Sunshine really does have a laser rocket arm.  

For someone who was born without the use of the rhythm that I *must* have passed down to her, it always amazes us how great she is at sports!  

Apparently, the PE coach at school agrees, because he chose Sunshine to be one of the three students he honored as a Star PE Student this month out of the other 600 students.

Well done, Sunshine!  Keep rockin' it, girl.  

This is a group photo of Sunshine with the other 5th Grade students who were chosen as Star Students in academics, art or music. 

  
Look how much taller the other girls are!  

We had warned Sunshine that she hadn't been chosen as a Star Student for academics by her home room teacher, so that she wouldn't be disappointed.  When they called her name for PE, she was sooo shocked.  Here is a photo of when she heard her name called:

all about our boy

Buddy's teacher asked all of the parents to write a letter introducing their children.  It was due today and I put it off all week long.  It's silly, but I kept thinking that the later I waited, the better I would get to know him.  

Also...

I didn't know how to say all of the great things about him in a believable manner.  He is outstanding, but how could I highlight his strengths in a way that the teacher would really, really understand how lucky she is to have him in her class?

I didn't know how to explain his struggles, without making him sound crazy-train.  (He is kinda crazy-train, but in the sweetest way.) I wanted to tell her things that he needed help with, without making her overly concerned.

I didn't want us to sound bad as parents or as home school teachers.  

I didn't know how to explain his special needs without making her upset/concerned/annoyed that we sent her a special needs child.  I didn't want her to think he would be a burden, when really he's such a lovely burden. 

I didn't know how to make our letter stand out among the other 17 letters she'll receive, but I didn't want it to be super obvious or I would look like a crazy-train obsessed mom. (I am kinda crazy-train obsessed with Buddy, because he's FABULOUS!)

So, we told her funny stories about him, the things that people always compliment him on, about the recent birthday party theme he designed, his unique nicknames given by Aunti Bekah, some of his talents, and a few of his obsessions.  We told her about his sensitive nature and what that means - the good and bad.  We told her about his recent losses and things she can say to help him hold his peace.  Finally, we told her the good things we had seen in her already and the positive things Buddy has said about her that made us feel safe leaving our little guy with her all day. 

We did not tell her explicitly about his temper.  

We didn't tell her that he is most likely ADHD, but we home schooled him for three years instead of giving in to that label.  

We didn't tell her that I thought he was autistic for a long time, but stopped thinking that after he adjusted to different settings so well for a few years.  Or that I think he is, again.

In the end, we composed a letter that was three pages long.  

Wait, wait!  I know!  

But...I formatted it in table form, so it was visually more appealing and that ending up taking more space. 
And...I wanted the font to be clear and unique for each section, so that made it longer.  

And...I talk too much, so that made it longer.  :)

I hope she treasures him.  

He deserves that.