Kindergarten Theater

Excited for the program to start.

Nicole's kindergarten class put on a lovely and lively rendition of "Peter Rabbit" for their family and friends last week. Nicole played the role of Narrator One very convincingly. It was super cute. Grandpa Gee came to watch, which made Nicole very happy. Grandma and Grandpa Gee had to split up because Isabelle was having her kindergarten program at the exact same time in a different school.

The play even had scenery.  So cute!

Mrs. Barzee has been putting on the Peter Rabbit play for more than 35 years. Some parents were watching their kids do the same play they did with the same teacher they had in kindergarden. Amazing. Mrs. Barzee has officially retired, so Nicki was one of her last students. We sure feel lucky that both girls had the opportunity to have her as a teacher. She is literally the best - kind of a celebrity in these parts. I wonder how she felt watching the play for the last time.

Nicki and the fabulous Mrs. Barzee.

Father and Son's Campout (but not really)

Last Friday night, David took Joshua on his first Father and Son's camp out.  Of course, Joshua has never slept in a sleeping bag before and we didn't think this would be the best place to try it out (especially since David was in charge of the breakfast the following morning and couldn't keep an eye on Josh) so they just went up for the evening. It think they had a great time.  Josh got to stay up WAY (and I mean WAY) past his bed time.  He basically ran around the whole time.  That's usually what Josh does when he gets tired. He just gets more and more wound up and runs around aimlessly.

Hey!  Come back here!

Stay out of the fields, please.



Um, is Josh part of the show?



Needless to say, David didn't really watch the program much or do any of the activities, but he had a great bonding experience with his oldest son.  They had their first father and son's outing of many, I assume.  On the way home, David accidentally hit the rumble strip on the side of the road and Josh said, "Too far over, Dad!  Too far over!"  Backseat driver! 

The rest of the family had a fun night together as well.  I took the girls to the grocery store and told them they could get anything they wanted for dinner.  What would you get?  A fantastic sandwich or salad?  Craigo's pizza?  Perhaps a TV dinner or pot pie?  Well, the girls chose...Lunchables.  Of all things they could have eaten, they chose $4 crackers!  I let them choose anything they wanted from the produce department, so at least they had fruit too. 

Ramblings

I feel like I have a new lease on life!  Last week, we started putting Bronson down in his crib and letting him learn to go to sleep on his own.  He did a really great job. If he cries at all anymore, it's only for a few minutes.  What a champ!  I still get up to feed him once or twice per night, but it feels so great to have a couple of hours to myself every evening.  So, let me tell you how I've been using all my new found energy and freedom.

There's my big boy!

For one thing, I'm gainfully employed.  Not really.  I've just started cooking for Suzette.  She's busy and doesn't love to cook so she was eating out a lot.  Now, she pays me (more than she should) to cook one or two things per week and separate them into individual portions.  That way, she eats good, healthy and much cheaper food than restaurant fare.  I like doing it - it's fun for a foodie to think about food and I love to think about what kinds of things I can cook for her.  We've only been doing it a couple of weeks now, so we'll see how it goes.

Last week, we gave our older chickens to a friend in the ward who lost her flock to a hungry dog.  Then, I spent three days cleaning out the coop.  It takes a little bit longer than usual when you can only work in 20 minute intervals during naps.  I scooped out all the old stuff (which might well be the worst thing anyone can experience in this life.  Are you aware that chicken poop is so dry that it turns to dust, covering everything within a 20 foot radius with a think layer of white?  I had to wear a bandanna to keep it from getting in my lungs.)  Since I was doing it in 20 minute intervals, this required complete clothes changes and face/hair washings many many times.  I carried the old stuff across the field to a pile so it can start composting.  What a workout!  It took 7 or 8 wheelbarrow trips.  Once the coop was empty, I dusted, scrubbed it down, sprayed it with bleach, disinfected all the old feeding equipment, and spread out a new layer of wood shavings.   Finally, we had a beautiful, clean coop for our new chicks.  I hope they appreciate it.  I told Dave that I probably didn't do as good of a job as he would have, but I'm pretty sure I did a better job than most other people would.  Our chicks are spoiled. 

As far as coops go, that's sparkling clean!

Now that you've heard way more than you've ever cared to learn about coop cleaning, let me tell you about some other things that have been going on here. I had a group of Relief Society ladies here last Thursday morning for a little conference-issue book club meeting.  I served chocolate chip cookie covered brownies (from Jenny), fresh salsa (from Katie) and make-it-and-love-it veggie dip (from Amy).  All three were a HUGE success.  People kept going on and on over all of it.  I felt rather proud of myself, even though they were not my recipes. 

Speaking of food, we haven't done a THING on our garden yet, but a few perrenial and volunteer things have started sprouting.  I've been using my chives and spinach a lot.  I made a rhubarb cake the other day - delightful!  And I've gathered enough asparagus that we'll be eating it for dinner this evening.  Can't wait!  There's nothing quite like garden-fresh food.  It makes me very very happy!

Clockwise from bottom: Chives, a lone pansy, mint, garlic.  Surrounded by weeds.

Nicole had a great week.  She found out that she's the student of the month for Mrs. Barzee's class.  She received a certificate, a cupcake, and a coupon for a free Jamba juice.  Hooray Nicki!   She also had a hot dog roast at Mrs. Barzee's house last week.  Talk about fun!!!  Mrs. Barzee invites all the kids in her class (10 at a time - she's not totally crazy) who have read a certain number of books to come over and celebrate.  It is one of the highlights of the year for these little kindergartners. 

Sweet Nicole.

Saturday was fun and busy.  We exercised, cooked, cleaned, and started putting a foundation down for our goat shed.  It was a beautiful day.  The kids were allowed to play with the hose for the first time all year.  They were thrilled and totally filthy - good practice for this summer when they'll get that dirty every single day.  In the evening, Dave, Bronson and I went to a wedding reception and out to eat while the big kids stayed home with a babysitter.  We all had a great time.  Now that Bronson's getting older, David and I hope to get out on dates more often. 

Working on the goat shed.

Sunday was our ward conference.  The choir sang (have I mentioned that I recently got called as the new choir director?  Apparently, our ward has very low standards).  I think they sounded wonderful.  After sacrament meeting, several people told me how beautiful the music was and also how entertaining it was to watch Dave try to control our kids while I was up there.  -sigh-  Somehow, we'll all survive this calling.  During Sunday school, I quickly fed the baby, then handed him off to Dave while I performed my other calling which is Nursery music leader.  Usually, this calling consists of me hamming it up for 15 minutes while 15-20 toddlers stare at me like I'm an alien.  This time, however, they were really animated and some of them even sang along.  We had a great time!  After that, I ran to the primary room to set up for music time there.  Our whole primary meets together, so you have to try to teach Sunbeams and 12 year olds at the same time.  I was released from this calling a few months ago, but I was substituting this week.  Hmmm - convenient that Sister Linford just HAD to be gone on the week of ward conference when the Stake Primary Presidency is watching and the song I have to teach is "Praise to the man."  You try teaching three year olds "Kings shall extol him and Nations revere."  Just kidding.  It actually went super-well.  Sometimes I think that when I'm a little bit under-prepared and stressed out, I pray for help and I'm able to be flexible enough to teach it in a way the kids can respond to.  Anyway.  Glad that week's over.  I'm sure David is too - he had lots of baby-time. 

Alright,  I guess that's enough rambling for one entry.  Just a little slice of life so that I can remember what it's like many years from now.  By the way, we just had our septic system pumped while I was writing this entry.  I take back my previous statement about chicken coop cleaning being the worst thing you can do.  Seriously!  I don't think I'll be eating lunch today!   

Mother's Day Report

I sure had a nice Mother's Day last week.  It actually started on about Thursday, when Nicole and Joshua began bringing in bouquets of "flowers" (aka weeds) from the back yard for me.  For three days, I was bombarded with bouquets and little heart-shaped notes, some of which were no bigger than confetti.  It was very sweet, even though it was quite messy.

For me, the Mother's Day celebration started on Saturday.  David watched the kids for me in the morning while I went to the temple for the first time since Bronson was born. It had been about 8 months.  What a great, emotional, beautiful way to start the day.  When I came home, Bronson was napping, so I was able to eat breakfast and get a few things done around the house.  I was able to exercise and even take a nap in the afternoon, thanks to David.  He sacrificed most of his Saturday to watch the kids and take them Mother's Day shopping.  They came home with a couple of pretty roses as an early present.  After the kids went to bed, Dave gave me an early present too - a giant double-scoop-waffle-bowl of ice cream!

On Sunday, Dave got up with the early risers and let me sleep in.  When I finally strolled out of bed, the kids all jumped on me with hugs and kisses and "Happy Mother's Day!" wishes.  For me, Mother's Day is fun because the kids want it to be.  They get so dang excited to take care of me and show me that they love me!  It's hard not to feel good when they try so hard.  They gave me some wonderful gifts.  Both girls had something special from school, plus some of my favorite candy, a book I had been wanting and a new set of scriptures!  All I can say is David Gee is one heck of a bargain shopper because I know for a fact that we only budgeted $20 for Mother's Day presents.

Church was nice - as nice as it can be when you spend most of it in the halls with loud children.  After church, we ate BLTs, soup, and fresh watermelon.  Perfect!  Then, we ate an angel food cake frosted with fresh fruit and whipped cream.  It was as delicious as it was beautiful.  We visited Grandma Shirley that evening and had a nice time (and more treats).

Throughout the day, I was reminded of how grateful I am for all the women in my life - mothers or not - who have made my life more full, fun, and faithful.  

A Little Photo Journal

Last week, Alison's class went on a field trip.  She had so much fun!  She took her camera along to capture the highlights.  They started out by visiting a local doughnut shop to learn how to make doughnuts (um, didn't they need parents to come along?!?!?)  Of course, they all got a doughnut to eat. 

Wow!  Great picture, Ali!

Then, the kids walked to Broulims grocery store for a tour.  They got to go behind the scenes in every department except the butcher because there are way too many sharp things back there.  They have a "no one under the age of 18 admitted" policy, which I fully support!  They were treated to bread sticks from the in-store pizza cafe. 

I guess the girl really likes doughnuts.

Next, they walked over to the fire department.  They all took turns getting in the truck, then they took a tour of the quarters, etc.  Alison had lots of questions for the fire fighter who was taking them on their tour and took lots of pictures. 

An ax on the fire truck.

The bus picked the kids up at the fire department and took them to a local park for lunch.  After that, they went to the hospital for a tour.  Alison accidentally left her camera on the bus for this part, so you'll just have to use your imagination.  Each kid was required to bring a stuffed animal from home for a "teddy bear clinic."  The animals got check ups and immunizations.  They learned about all types of healthy things from food to dental care to drugs, etc.   For a snack, they had Teddy Grahams (it was a teddy bear clinic after all) and milk.  What a fun day.

Ali's "patient"

Ali and her friend, Abbey.

Speaking of Alison's camera, she sure loves that thing.  She bought it with her birthday money last year.  Now, she takes hundred of pictures.  She loves finding artistic ways to photograph her favorite things.  I have to include a few of my favorite photos.  It's like getting a glimpse into life from her perspective.