Kindergarten Graduate!

Katelee graduated from kindergarten on May 22, 2012.

 We are so proud of Katelee.  She has worked hard this year, and has grown by leaps and bounds.  She has learned how to be a better friend and listener, has become a proficient writer (she is writing a story right now about a picnic-ing princess and some food-stealing bears), and can now read at a 3rd grade level.  She is funny and bright and caring and energetic, and we love her with all our hearts!

We gave her flowers to celebrate her special day, which seemed to really make her day.

As part of the graduation ceremony, each child was asked in advance what they wanted to be when they grew up.  Then, the teachers gave them a little rhyme to learn and recite at the graduation.  When asked, Katelee told her teacher that she wanted to be a wrestler when she grew up.  Ha ha ha - I couldn't stop laughing when I heard that.  She did a great job, and was even chosen to help recite the very ending.  Here's a short video clip of her recitation.

The kids also sang some songs.  My favorite was "1st Grade, 1st Grade," sung to the tune of "New York, New York."

Katelee receiving her diploma.

Our family on Katelee's kindergarten graduation day.

After the graduation ceremony, everyone met at the park for cake.  Helping plan this party was my last official duty as kindergarten room mom, and it was a relief to have it all done!

Katelee and her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Nugent.

First grade, here we come!

"I Hope You Have a Child Just Like You Someday..."

Dear Mom,

Do you remember how I used to always have a book in my hands?  And when you would ask me to do something, I would keep reading instead?  And when I was supposed to be going to sleep, I was reading instead?  And when I was supposed to be doing chores, I was reading instead?  And sometimes I tried to do my chores and read at the same time (I could totally wash those dishes and read at the same time!), and it must have made you crazy?

I think I'm starting to understand how you felt.  At least a little bit.

Maybe it's because this habit of Katelee's is still fairly new, but I secretly love it, even when I act annoyed that she's not doing what I've asked instead.  Maybe that will wear off with time.

Anyway, just wanted to say that I'm sorry I didn't put the book down and help you more often.  I guess now I'm getting my reward . . . or punishment.  :)

Love,

Jennifer

Sunday Photo Shoot

Look at my two cuties!
I feel like the happiest, most blessed mother in the world.

Katelee is so beautiful and so grown-up.  She amazes me everyday.  She is my girl, my side-kick, my friend, and I have so much fun with her!

And this handsome man! Just look at how big he is getting!  He gets cuter and sweeter everyday, even though I don't know how that is possible.

 

I am a very, very blessed mom. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing moms that I know!

Chipmunk Research Paper

Katelee recently completed her first research project.  Each student was asked to research and write a report about a wild animal.  Katelee chose to do her project on Chipmunks.  She loves chipmunks!  Last week, every student presented their reports to their class and the parents.  Katelee did a great job reading her report.  She did a fabulous job writing and illustrating it, as well.  We are so proud of our smart, confident girl!

Dance Recital . . . Almost . . .

Does anyone else ever have those days when you realize that you are really, truly the worst mom ever?

Yeah, I had one of those recently. 

It was the night of Katelee's dance recital.  We left with just enough time to get to the church on time.  I thought the recital was in our stake center, the place where they had rehearsed in the past.  We got there, and the parking lot was full of cars.  Running into the building, we found the stage covered with Cinco de Mayo decorations and the gym set up with tables.  Hmmmm.... this was not the dance recital.  We ran to the next church.  And then the one where we took pictures.  No luck.

By this time we were late.  Katelee started crying.  I started crying.  It was horrible.

We ran home, and I checked my email.  Nothing.  I had long ago thrown away the paper with the recital information on it, after I had written it on the calendar.  There, on my calendar, it said the location was the stake center, but obviously it wasn't.  So, I tried calling one of the other moms from Katelee's dance class.  Thank heavens, she answered the phone.  I could hear the music in the background as she whispered to me where they were and how to get there.  We drove like the wind.  Katelee and I ran into the building to hear the music for her dance number playing.  I started to cry again.  We had missed it.  I found the door to the stage, and she ran on and joined them for the last half of the song.  We were in such a hurry I forgot to put on her ballet slippers, so she was dancing in her flip flops.  And she was worried that she didn't know where to stand.

And I was standing on the side looking like a crying mess.

Yeah, the mother of the year award isn't coming my way anytime soon.

Needless to say, I felt absolutely terrible.  Katelee was disappointed.  I pride myself on being an organized person, but sometimes I just seem to be one big mess. 

We tried to make it up to Katelee by taking her out for frozen yogurt.  She ended the night happy.  Still, I hope I never make that mistake again.

Fun Run

Katelee's school does an annual Fun Run as a way to earn money for the school.  Students are supposed to get money pledges, and then do as many laps as they can to earn the money.  I'm a little against asking other people to donate money to a school they don't even affiliate with, so we didn't get any pledges.  But every student is still asked to participate.  The night before the Fun Run, Katelee was feeling a bit nervous.  But we encouraged her to go, and she ended up having a great time.

The morning of the Fun Run was sunny and beautiful!  Parents and families are encouraged to attend.  Blake and I showed up and did a couple of laps with Katelee for fun!  Then we spent the rest of the time cheering her on.  Katelee did 6 laps.  She wanted to stop at two, so I'm proud that she stuck with it for a little longer.

Of course, I forgot my camera, but I did take pics of her in her running gear when we got home.

Following the Fun Run, Katelee's class had an ice cream party.  What a fun day it turned out to be!

Dress Up Buddies

If you know Katelee at all, you know she is a dress-up girl.  From the time she could toddle around, she has constantly been dressing up, as the many many pictures on this blog can testify.  But, with a baby brother in the picture, Katelee's passion for dress up has a new outlet - she LOVES to dress up Blake.

Sometimes it's as simple as hat.

Fun side note: this hat belonged to Blake's great-grandpa Blake Reynolds.

Sometimes the costumes are a bit more elaborate.

 Rock on, rock stars!

Katelee has a knack for dressing up Blake while my back is turned for only a minute or two.  It's always a surprise when I leave my baby for a minute and come back from the bathroom to find a cowboy wearing a snow scarf instead!

Yee Haw!

Katelee Videos

Gerald took these fun videos of Katelee riding her bike and at our Easter Egg Hunt. She is getting so big!

Some Days are Just Like That

Yup. One of those days. I had tried everything and it was just a sad day at our house. So instead of crying myself, I decided to take pictures. :)

It doesn't help that both of my kids sympathy cry with the other. Thought Katelee might stop doing that as Blake got older, but nope. If one of the kids is crying - really crying - the other inevitably joins in. I guess it's sweet, their bond, in a way. But one crying kid is enough for me to handle at once. :)

Baby Cougars

I have noticed that I take a lot of the same pictures of my kids at about the same stages of life. I'm sure this is pretty typical. I ran across these pics the other day of Katelee in her BYU gear at around a month old. So, I had to find the pics I took of Blake in his BYU clothes near the same stage of life to compare.

Blake is about a month older than Katelee is in these pictures, but they are still both the cutest little BYU cougars!

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Cougars!

AWESOME!

Look at what my girl can do!

AWESOME!

She's such a sweet little mother and the best big sister and helper ever!

In other news, Blake has had a hard time sleeping the past day or two, because he keeps
ROLLING OVER
in his sleep. The trouble is, he can't roll back the other way, and so is like a little turtle stuck on his back. Poor thing! It's equal parts adorable, frustrating, and exciting!

Beautiful Bride

Confession: I like to watch those wedding shows on TLC like Last Bride Standing or Say Yes to the Dress.

The other night I was watching one with Katelee and she began to ask about my wedding dress. So, I jumped up and pulled it out of the closet. Katelee was astounded that I happened to just have it on hand, but even more amazed when I asked her if she wanted to try it on. Of course, she looked beautiful! She asked if she could wear my dress when she gets married someday. I told her of course she can, but we'll see if she still really feels that way when that special day comes. :) She might have a lot more growing to do before it fits perfectly, but suddenly the time I have left before she is really a bride seems much, much too short. I told her on the spot that she must stop growing! But every time I tell her that she just giggles, so I don't think I'm really getting my point across.

My Kids are Adorable

Okay, so maybe I'm not the most humble mom. :)
But just LOOK at these gorgeous pics my talented friend Tamara
took of my kids.

ADORABLE.

Now I just have to decide which ones to print and hang on the wall. Opinions, please!