Montessori House 2011

Spencer got to go to Montessori House for the two weeks before his new school started. We miss Miss Sherie! She's the best! Thanks for the wonderful times!!!

Oldest classmate, Duke

Duke's home

The famous ball of string

Best friends, Hyrum, Spencer and Warren

The Palo Verde Class, Aug. 2011

Quality Time

The boys love playing games with Dad. Spencer loves playing chess and is getting good! Drew's favorite game to play with Dad is ABC bingo, but Uno is good too. I am so thankful to have a husband who spends time with the kids!!!

Who says quality time is more important than quantity?
This months Ensign has an article called "T-I-M-E Spells Love."

Spencer's Baptism

Spencer was baptized by his dad on June 18, 2011. What a marvelous day! We are so blessed to have the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in our lives! Spencer made the choice to follow Jesus' example and be baptized. We believe baptism, done in the correct manner and with the proper authority, is the first saving ordinance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we are baptized we make a covenant, or promise, with Heavenly Father. We promise to take upon ourselves the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and always remember Him and keep His commandments. When we keep our part of the covenant, we are promised that we will have the Holy Ghost in our lives to guide and comfort us. I am so grateful for the opportunity to make covenants with a loving Heavenly Father. I am thankful for a son who wants to follow Jesus, who knows he is a literal child of God and who is willing to make and keep sacred covenants. Spencer is a shining example for his younger siblings. 

Slip and Slide

Spencer got a slip and slid for his birthday from Uncle Max. Luke loves it and so he makes is hard for everyone else because by the time they move Luke and back up to get a good running start, Luke is back on the slip and slide and they have to put on the brakes or crash in to him. It's so funny!!! I get to be the bad guy and keep Luke off long enough to let the kids have a turn. 

Swimming Lessons

The kids did a session of swimming lessons this summer. 

Drew was in Sea Otters. He was the most improved of my kids because he went from being terrified of getting his face wet to diving for rings and attempting to touch the bottom of the 12 ft. deep-end as he held on to a pole the instructor had.  

 Bria was in Sea Sprites. She loved the first week, then she decided she didn't like getting her eyes wet. She still had fun singing, "I'm a little pancake round and flat..." and doing all the other fun things they did as long as the teachers respected her wish to not get her eyes wet. And she was firm and unyielding! 

 Spencer was in Swim Stars. He got to learn all about the different strokes and floats. He enjoyed teaching them to Travis and I at Aunt Karen's pool. He probably loved swimming lessons the most. All in all it was lots of fun!

 

Birthdays

We just finished birthday season at our house. Since I'm so far behind I figured I'd put all the recent birthdays in one post.

First, we have beautiful Bria. Bria is our little princess. She lets her personality shine even though she's surrounded by all these boys. She loves dresses that spin and things that are pretty. Bria has a talent for organizing and likes things to be in order. Every night she asks me to make her blankets beautiful. Bria's favorite things are horses and chicken nuggets. 

 Next is daring Drew. Drew has the sprit of an adventurer. He loves to play anything with good guys and bad guys. He dashes around the house with his swords, making as much noise as he can get away with and play-fighting with any one brave enough to take him on. He loves stories and cuddles but NEVER kisses!

Third is loud and lovable Luke. Luke is such a joy. He is so noisy and so busy! Watching Luke at Spencer's baptism my mom commented, "It's like taking a monkey to church!" That is exactly what it's like! He jabbers away as he darts around the room. He even loves bananas. He isn't walking yet, but has taken a few steps and has super balance. His favorite things are his older siblings, Papa Lenny and Papa's music toys.

Fourth is Silly Spencer. Spencer is a great big brother. He has been teaching Drew how to count to 100 recently. He loves silly jokes, drawing, making up games and reading. He catches on to new ideas quickly and loves to have late night conversations about nearly anything. Of course his favorite things are cards (club penguin, pokeman....) and LEGOS!

Spencer is super excited to be a cub scout too!!! 

And finally is nifty Nana. Nana is nifty because she loves us all so much. She loves a good story, especially a good mystery or fantasy, but never anything sad! She loves to help others and most of all she loves the gospel of Jesus Christ and her family.

Well, that does it for birthdays around here for awhile, although Max has one coming up pretty soon....

Crazy Hat Day

Spencer decorated one of Papa Bob's hats for crazy hat day at school.

Of course Drew wanted to wear one too.

How about this one instead?

 

Umm, maybe not!

We'll stick with these!!!

Bevell's Farm

I had the pleasure of participating in Montessori House's spring field trip to Bevell's Farm. It is only a mile away from school so we got to walk.

The flowers were beautiful! Luke wasn't sure what to think.

Hyrum found the tiniest praying mantis I have ever seen. 

  Warren showed off on the swings.

Hyrum, Warren and Spencer have great times together.

Aren't rolly-pollys the best bugs ever?

The kids got to hold the baby chicks.

 The blackberries weren't ripe yet, but they made my mouth water just thinking about them!

 After having time to explore, the kids were sent on a scavenger hunt.

The class all had a wonderful time.

Spencer gives this field trip an A+!

Spencer's Talent Show

Spencer's school performed songs from Sound of Music and showed off some of their awesome talents. Spencer did a tongue twister, a melodrama, and a magic trick. He did great! I can't get the videos to post or I'd put them on. Next time you see him ask him to perform for you. I know he'd love it! Do you see him on the left?

Bria always looks for Charlotte the school cat when we are there.

The cotton candy didn't have a chance!

Happy to have a chance to PARTY!!!

Spencer and Hyrum are great buddies.