Cute Sisters

My Mom's Visit

We had a lot of fun while my mom was here. Most importantly, she spent time with each of the kids and everyone was soothed into a state of happiness. I'm not exaggerating. But we also finished the cards I was supposed to make for Relief Society, made some yummy freezer jam, took dinner to a few friends, celebrated Dallin's birthday, and got to enjoy Dallin being ordained to a Teacher. It was a busy and fun week. We also did a lot of GF cooking and baking. My mom has gone through literally hundreds of pounds of flours experimenting to find just the right mix. She has come up with some pretty good recipes for cookies and bread. She spoiled us every day. Thanks for coming Mom! We love you!

Everyone Sunday afternoon - Ed's parents came for the ordination too.

Dallin's birthday cake - there are 14... look at the orange one on the very bottom. Dallin put in the candles.

Homemade freezer jam is soooo much better than Smuckers!

Cards to donate to RS for the year. I can't take credit for anything other than applying glue.

Optimism

Campbell always sees the positive in every situation. Every Friday she takes a timed fast facts test for either addition or subtraction. At this age, addition is much easier. Her tests look something like this:


Subtraction is harder and she is steadily getting faster. She never lets herself get discouraged. She brought home this paper last Friday (which was her best yet):


This is how our conversation went:

Cami: Look how well I did on my test this week!
Me: Great job! This is your best yet!
Cami: I know... I only needed about 30 more and I would have finished. So close.

I wish I could see the world through her eyes more often. She really knows how to find the joy in every situation.

Surprise!

We flew Grammy in today to surprise the kids. They were really surprised! When we went to pick up the girls from school, she hid under a blanket in the back seat. Once they were belted in and ready to go she started to talk to them and then jumped out from under the blanket. The look on their faces was priceless. They were thrilled.

Dallin had choir today and got home a little later. After picking him up, I called home to pretend to check on the girls. This was Grammy's cue to hide in the coat closet. When we got home, I ordered him to go and put his backpack away. Right before he got to the closet he spotted her purse and turned to ask me if Grammy was here. Just at that moment of distraction she jumped out of the closet and scared him to death! He gave her a big hug and turned to me and said, "I can't believe you did that to me!" As usual, Grammy can do no wrong.

We're really glad she's here and look forward to a few days of spoiling!

Talents

The thought this morning was about the parable of the talents. The thing that stood out to me in reading it this time was that all the servants knew what was expected of them. They knew that their Lord expected to reap more than was given. The first two were rewarded for their obedience and hard work. The third let fear get in the way of moving forward. Even though he knew what was expected, he didn't want to try for fear of failing. He tried to tightly hold on to what he had been given instead of letting it grow and bless others. He was punished for simply showing up with what he had in the beginning.

We followers of Christ know what is expected of us. It is not enough to simply try to make it through life. We must grow and serve others with the blessings and talents we have been given. Where much is given, much is expected.

Dinner Winners - Hawaii

ALOHA!! We chose a Hawaiian theme for Dinner Winners. We're currently very tired of being cold. We enjoyed lots of fresh fruit, smoothies, salad, Hawaiian haystacks, and chocolate fondue. The girls watched Nim's Island after dinner and enjoyed unwinding those plastic leis you get at the party store (they're really long). Thanks to all the girls who worked on Personal Progress the last 3 months. I want to see EVERYONE at the next dinner - we'll bring in as many tables as necessary! Mahalo to the leaders for their help!

These girls were very disappointed that there were no fire dancers, so they tried to create their own entertainment - what's that smell?

Don't they look so warm and happy? I wish we were really on a beach!

Making our haystacks.

Everything tastes better dipped in chocolate!

Valentine Pancakes

For some reason Taylor's class wanted to have pink pancakes for Valentine's Day. Somehow the two people who can't even eat pancakes got put in charge of making them (I'm not sure if they really thought that one through). The kids enjoyed having warm pancakes in class, and even shared them with teachers up and down the hall. Happy Valentine's Day!

Notice the Dibs container on Taylor's desk, I brought her ice cream so she wouldn't feel left out.

100th Day Costume

Cami dressed up like a 100 year-old lady for the 100th day of school. She really liked playing the part. She walked bent over using her cane and shook her fist at the kids at the bus stop yelling, "Get off my lawn!" (She doesn't actually know any grouchy old ladies, but it got exactly the reaction she hoped for). She referred to her teacher as "young lady", but drew the line at calling the Vice Principal "sonny". Only a few 2nd graders were brave enough to be centenarians - I'm glad she was!

Commitment

Commitment was the topic of Sacrament meeting yesterday. The speaker compared commitments and covenants. They are not the same. When people speak of making a covenant (a promise between us and God), it is generally is yes or no terms. Commitments (obligations to other people or institutions) are often spoken of on a spectrum. People will ask, "How committed are you?" I liked the challenge given to start considering our commitments as "yes" or "no". I know some things require a spectrum of commitment, but more things in our life could use a simple "yes, I am committed." If we have already made the commitment in our heart, the decision doesn't have to be made over and over again when faced with action.

The Fan Club

It's been a long week. If there's one thing I could use today, it's this:

I was about to partake in a little self-comforting by baking cookies. As I reached for the apron, I realized it was from dear friends who love me and I felt better, even without cookies. I mean... everyone should have a fan club:)

What? No English?

In Sacrament meeting on Sunday a man in our ward (who is moving to Switzerland) was bearing his testimony and mentioned that this was his last chance to hear testimony meeting in English.

Cami turned to me with a panicked look on her face and said, "You mean we're going to stop speaking English in Sacrament meeting?!"

I simply answered her by saying, "Si senorita". JUST KIDDING, I reminded her he was moving to Switzerland and all was well.

Reading Chart

Cami has a spiffy new reading chart and when she finishes a chapter book, she gets to do something fun (which I assumed would include me and her at McDonalds). She finished her book and I asked her where we should go.

She replied, "Actually, could you and Dad go out to dinner and have Molly and Hayley babysit? Oh, and Taylor and Dallin should go with you, because it wouldn't actually count as babysitting if they were home."

So, I asked Molly and Hayley if they would make her dream come true and they showed up at my house looking like this:


They laughed and played and made cookies (um... we may need to have a cookie decorating lesson in YW):


Thanks for a fun night girls! The next book WILL include me and McDonalds, but the request was too cute to deny.