Lillian - Preschool

 Lillian and I are still plugging along with Preschool.  It's been enjoyable having this one-on-one time with her and watching her love of learning grow.

Our local Library has been putting together "Adventure Kits" to do at home.  We grabbed the "Dinosaur Eggs" activity and were not disappointed!  Lillian helped make the dinosaur eggs, hide the dinosaurs inside, and then after waiting a whole day to bake and set, she got to dig into her eggs.  She spent HOURS playing with the dinosaurs and broken eggs...and yes, the hammer and screwdriver were necessary to crack these puppies.

When we studied the Five Senses Lillian LOVED this game of finding objects in a sensory bin and identifying them through her sense of touch.

What better way to learn about dental hygiene than with marshmallows, right?

So grateful for this time with this sweet girl!

Take 2

The missionaries asked if Geoff and I would help out with another Facebook video.  I asked for them to give us the details and we'd let them know.  The original script had Geoff and I screaming at each other, me throwing a glass at him, missing and the glass shattering on the wall.  We immediately turned them down.  They changed the script and came back to us, but the video still involved Geoff and I being angry with one another, glass breaking, and then our problems were 'resolved' by a missionary giving Geoff a smile and a pass-along card.  I sent them a different approach of focusing on how the gospel of Jesus Christ can help us resolve our differences.  Crickets.  I don't know how a film date was actually set because I don't remember coming to an agreement on what the video would look like, but the missionaries reassured us that everything would be fine.  So they showed up and it still involved us arguing and a glass breaking.  Hmm.  I shifted my focus to making the video relatable.  I didn't feel the argument we were having was solvable through a pass along card.  Geoff and I brainstormed and he came up with the idea of us being stressed due to moving.  From there we were able to develop a storyline where our problem WAS solved by a pass along card and Geoff and I felt much more comfortable with how everything was coming together.

We filmed for three hours--and a good majority of it was done outside with Geoff not wearing a coat!  And here is the final result!

Those bunny slippers were made by one of the Elders and I was so glad the shot didn't show how much of my heels were hanging out the back!  Ha ha!  Grateful it worked out, but even more grateful that we have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives to help us through everything and guide us in the right direction.

Scientists in the Making

 Pappy sent the kids a few science kits to give them a chance to explore, discover, and learn.  Needless to say, they have been LOVING all the experiences it brings.

Geoff has taken lead on helping the girls explore the world of science

A Winter of Snow...and MORE Snow!

 Once the snow started to fall in early January, it didn't stop until the end of February!  We were buried in white for 2 solid months!  Geoff was a trooper keeping up with all the shoveling and the kids had a blast anytime we were able to get out and play.

After one of the more accumulative snowfalls, Geoff made an epic pile of snow so they could dig out a fort.  When the girls saw the massive snow pile, they got out their paper and pens to design the most elaborate fort I had ever seen--bedrooms, balconies, and even a kitchen!  But once the girls saw how much work was involved to dig out the fort, they settled on a cozy one room model.

Eliana checking out the roomy fort!

It wasn't what I deem "snowman snow", so Lillian and I did our best to construct an Olaf

Kyron wasn't sure what was going on

Poor Olaf got buried just a day or two later...

School Days

 Hylie and Eliana's Elementary School has been putting forth a huge effort to make things as fun as possible during these crazy circumstances.

Eliana got to dress up like a 100-year-old to celebrate the 100th day of school

Her kindergarten teacher was so kind to take and send pictures of them at school

Hylie and Eliana were also pretty excited to dress up as your favorite book character.

Eliana was Ralph from "The Mouse and the Motorcycle" by Beverly Cleary

And Hylie dressed up as Abby from the "Whatever After" series by Sarah Mlynowski

Hylie's Perfect Day

The "Perfect Days" we initiated in 2020 were a success, so we decided to continue the tradition.  The day after Kyron's birthday was Hylie's perfect day.  She picked Lucky Charms for breakfast, McDonald's for lunch, and Waffles for dinner.  Her activities were to read and chillax uninterrupted, a snowy obstacle course, and Minute-to-Win-it games.

 

Kyron participated by helping eat the m&m's

and that cookie made it to his mouth the quickest...but he cheated and used his hands!

Kyron's 2nd Birthday

On February 13th we got to celebrate this fun boy!

Nobody had to show him what to do with a wrapped gift!

Kyron is pretty big into dogs.  Anytime he sees a pup, you'll hear him doing his little "hmm-hmm" bark.

 

Giving his "thumbs up" for the cake!

Like last year, Kyron wanted NOTHING to do with getting measured.  We tried on his actual birthday with no success.  A few days later, Hylie showed Kyron how easy it was and we were pretty hopeful he'd cooperate...but the instant he felt my hand above his head

he screamed and was OUT.  

Kyron brings so much joy, action, and volume to our home!  He's a busy boy with very little fear and a lot of love.  He'll give kisses and hugs to anyone and anything, will jump on anything and everything, and never wants to be left out of his sisters' shenanigans.  He's a man of very few words.  If he wants anything, you'll usually here him yelling, "MOM!"  His other favorite words include: Dad, ball, La-La (Lillian), Hy-ee (Hylie), car, sna (snack), go, more, and taw (stop).