A LITTLE GIRL & AN EASY BAKE OVEN

A few years back Bailey Rose got an Easy Bake Oven for Christmas just like most little girls want. We baked and baked until all the mixes were gone and then Grandma Smith bought her some for her birthday and again we baked and baked until the mixes were gone. It sat in a box for a few years after that and I was considering donating it because I figured she never talked about it and it hasn't been used in years. I assumed she had grown out of it. Then one day we walked into the 99 cents store and there on the shelf were Easy Bake mixes. She gasped in delight and then begged me to buy her a few mixes. I knew in her head she was thinking how much fun it would be to get down the box and rediscover her Easy Bake Oven. I caved and bought her a few mixes. Just like I thought she got down the box and well need I say more?













The difference in the experience this time was that she could do it all by herself without help from mom and she washed the dishes and cleaned up without mom. It was quite enjoyable just being able to sit watch her enjoy her Easy Bake Oven.

THIS & THAT!

Bailey Rose made this really cool piece of art in art class. They had to collect their own material for the piece and create whatever they wanted to create. The end result was pretty awesome I think! She calls it "Lady Gaga". I think the name fits the art piece perfectly!




This weekend we drained our pool and refilled it for the summer. It took about 5 hours to drain and about 2 days to fill. I am going to love the water bill next month! The kiddos thought it was cool to be able to walk down into the pool without the water. It is now refilled and more then ready for the summer of daily summer.




Well today is the last day of school! Bailey will move on to the 5th Grade and Keaton onto Jr. High. It is hard to believe how fast this school year has gone. Next year holds new adventures for both the kids. I will have them at different schools for the first time. As a matter of fact, they will not be at the same school together again until Keaton is a Jr. in High School. Even though next school year is the last thing on their minds I know they are excited for it! Here's to a FABULOUS summer!

SIXTH GRADE SCIENCE FAIR

Friday we had the pleasure of attending the 6th Grade Science Fair. Keaton was very excited to display his experiment and it to my surprise lots of the children from all the other grades really seemed interested in what he did. It was a simple project yet it had a good amount of data to record and then explain. Keaton did such a GREAT job at explaining the procedure and demostrating it and explaining the outcome and why. I was thrilled at how confident he was and at how much fun he was having. It was fun to see all the different experiments by all the 6th graders, they all did a GREAT job! I still find it hard to believe that he only has 4 more days of elementary school left. Next year Jr. High! Time goes by too quickly.

Keaton with his project:"Which has more electrical potential a potato or a lemon?"




Keaton and his Best Bud Nathan!

Bailey was happy to have Daddy at school!

FLOUR SACK BABIES!

Keaton's 6th Grade class is doing a flour sack baby experiment. They each brought in a sack of flour and then they were told if they had a boy or a girl. They have to carry it with them all week and take care of it as any parent would take care of their own child. This is to give them an idea of the responsibility a child brings into one's life. We did something just like this in High School only we were given a husband and a wife and jobs and a budget etc. on top of the flour sack baby. It is a fun experiment! Now Keaton was not thrilled about getting a girl baby. However, I made sure we dressed it up to make it look like a girl since he had to carry it around for this next week. Even though he wasn't thrilled about it I think deep down inside he is having fun with it all. Bailey Rose is always asking if she can babysit the baby which my 11 year old named, "Peach Toadstool Roth". ( Any guess at what his favorite pastime is?) I am not sure how much my ll year old son will get out of this experiment but, it has already sparked many questions about caring for a baby.

KEATON AND HIS FLOUR SACK DAUGHTER

"PEACH TOADSTOOL ROTH"

ALL DAY MONOPOLY

Yesterday morning the kids and Kevan started a game of monopoly. It was quite early when they started and lasted the entire day with a few pauses while chores and errands were done. It was actually nice to see them so entertained with one another as they bought and sold monopolies. I am not even sure who won the game but, boy did they have a blast! The kids love spending time with their dad and I love to watch them all interact! Kevan complained that the sun was too bright coming through the windows so he played most of the game in his sun glasses. I always call him a vampire since he always will sit in the dark to watch t.v. and seems to prefer the dark to the light!

SWIMMING SEASON BEGINS!

The kiddos decided it was hot enough for a swim this last weekend. Keaton was the brave one and stayed in the pool to swim for about 45 minutes. Bailey Rose on the other hand was in about 10 minutes and then moved to the trampoline. Smart girl! Though the weather is getting real warm the pool still needs about a week of 100 degree temps. before it is comfortable for extended swimming. However, they had fun!

LEADING UP TO THE WEEKEND!

We have had a busy last few days leading up to our weekend and really enjoyed each of the events. On Thursday night Keaton performed for the last time in the 6th grade band. They did absolutely great! It was just so enjoyable to go and listen to the talent being shared. He loves to play and it looking forward to next year playing at the Jr. High. We are so proud of the all the effort he puts into practicing his trumpet and the piano and delight in his talents he is developing!





Keaton's Band teacher for these past 2 years, Mr. Bannon. Keaton has really enjoyed having him as a band teacher and will miss having him since he doesn't teach at the Jr. High.

Grandpa & Grandma Smith and Aunt Deb came to hear him perform.



6th Grade Band Playing "America" & "Chester"



On Friday afternoon Bailey Rose had her "Fly Up" Ceremony for Girl Scouts! She is now a Jr. Girl Scout! It was fun to see her get her certificates and award pins. She moves to a different color uniform now and excited it! She enjoys Girl Scouts and until she goes into the Young Women's program at church I am glad she has something extra to participate in that she enjoys so much.






Then this morning my sisters and I took my mom out for a special Mother's Day Breakfast! It is a tradition we started when my parents moved here from San Jose, Ca.
It's fun for all of us to get together and treat my mom to a "yummy" breakfast in appreciation for the WONDERFUL mom that she has always been. I appreciate her and all she has done and continues to do for me. She has made many sacrifices for her children over the years and her love for her children is so evident. She is a beautiful, loving and giving mom who I just LOVE so much. Thank you mom for all your guidance and support over the years. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!



( My mother has a black eye because, she tripped and fell a few days ago and messed her eye up really bad - my poor mom!)

CATCHING UP!

I can't believe how long it has been since I last updated this blog of mine. I am not even sure if I will be able to catch up on everything that has been going on.

Actually not much that is different has been happening. I consider this a good thing since it means that our life is going along just as it should be with very few "hiccups" along the way.

Keaton has lately been real involved in making short video movies. He enjoys using the camera and then gets on the computer and adds music and sound effects. he is quite good at it and has made some videos that are just hilarious! He reminds me so much of my own dad. Their interests are very similar from magic, to both playing the trumpet to video and film making. Nothing could make me happier then to have Keaton be so much like my dad. He is a wonderful man who is an incredible father who I LOVE so very much.

Bailey Rose cut off her beautiful LONG hair short. I tried very hard to discourage her from doing this since she had such beautiful hair but she insisted. It has taken me a while to get use to it, but I really think it is a cute cut on her. I curled it for Easter Sunday and just loved the outcome! However, she likes wearing it straight. I think the cut makes her look older and that is probably the one thing I don't like about it.



We found out last Friday that she needs reading glasses. This will be another look I will have to get use to and she is not thrilled about it in the least. However, she will only need to wear them when she is at school and when she is doing computer work and when she reads and does homework. We are hoping that this will stop the headaches she has been suffering. The eye doctor was surprised at how long she had been able to fly under the radar with the school eye testing. I highly recommend that children have their eyes checked by a real eye doctor a few times throughout their childhood. Even if they are passing the school eye testing, because these tests done at the school are not eye exams just minor testing. An eye doctor can catch what the school nurse may miss!

The kids had a good Easter and had fun dying Easter eggs. This year my last little one learned of the "secret" behind the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy! We figured going on turning 10 she was old enough to be in on it. She took it very well and though a bit sad at first she still understands the fun in believing in the spirit of all these fun things. It will be nice to be able to put even more focus on the meaning of these special holidays! With the Tooth fairy she was just bummed at not receiving any more money for teeth. I'm just glad I do not have to make excuses for why the Tooth Fairy always forgot to come. I was not real good at that part, I always seemed to forget!








For Easter Dinner we got together at my dad and mom's house for a ham dinner with all the fixings and then the cousins went on an Easter Egg Hunt out in the greenbelt by my parent's home. They had fun as usual and it was fun for all the adults to sit and watch them. The weather was so beautiful! won't be long now before outside activities have to involve water to stay cool. The kids are ready though for swimming weather and with only just barely four weeks left of school they are VERY anxious for summer to begin! I am so glad they get to spend time with their cousins and build relationships with them. This was something that I was able to enjoy when I was young and even to this day we all still love getting together and spending time with each other. This past weekend my cousin Sharon married her best friend Dan and we all got to see each other again and it was fun to be together again if only for a short weekend. Cousins are just the BEST!
















It was an enjoyable holiday and I am so GRATEFUL that I have a testimony of Jesus Christ who overcame death and made it possible for all of us to live again and be with our families again someday. I am grateful for the knowledge I have of the Gospel and the peace and happiness it brings to my life.