Open House night at Westwood Charter Elementary

For Westwood Charter's Open House, Amber came dressed as Betsy Ross. She looked beautiful!! Her classroom was covered with multiple art projects, self-made poetry, and pictures about famous Americans that they've studied for the past semester. Amber's creations were focused on Betsy Ross.

Mariah and Cody also had amazing art projects and displays. Mariah had completed a research project on Joseph Smith. She had made golden plates, a bucket of beans--where the plates had been hidden, and a self-made journal entry from Joseph Smith. I was sooooo impressed!! Cody made a family tree, and he too had multiple art projects displayed around the room. So many parents complimented me on my fabulous children. It was a sweet "mommy moment". I walked away feeling so proud of my kids. YEAH Mariah, Amber and Cody!! You are amazing! I love you!!

Family comes to town!!

We love spending time with Granny Jo, Grandmother, and Natalie. Here are some of the pics when they were leaving us last Sunday. Thanks for coming!!!

NO GO ON THE CA BAR :-(

So, the Hunt-man didn't pass. Bummer!! We've finally recovered from a week of shock, and we're ready to move forward again. We have lots of different options. We're not certain, yet, which road to take, but we're leaning toward moving to Snowflake to stay with family while Hunter prepares to take the CA Bar one more time in July. Rent is so exorbitant here that it seems ludicrous to stick around and drown in debt. So, we're aiming to be up and out of CA come June 26th. It's not concrete, yet, but it feels right. Who knows what will come next for our family. We're doing everything God's commanded us to do, so were sure it will all work out :-). We had my Grandmother, Mother, and sister here with us last Friday when the results came in. Poor Hunter was traumatized when it all went down, but he's going to take a week out with the boys, camping in Minnesota and Canada this next week. When he gets back, we're going to go crazy packing. Wish us luck.

Mother's Day "Tea Party"

Today, I got to go to Cody's kindergarten class for our Mother's Day Tea Party!! This was the best school event I've been to!! We really lucked out with Cody's teacher, Mrs. Kaufman--who (in my opinion) is one of the finest teachers in the world!! Every year, she prepares the children with art projects and songs to sing for their mothers on the Friday before Mother's Day.

Each student created a paper machete hat with paper roses and all for their mothers!! They also brought food (cookies, fruit & apple juice) to our tables and had class-made gifts (wrapped and all) for all the mothers. It was a tear-jerker moment! I was so impressed with all of the children. YEAH FOR FANTASTIC TEACHERS!!

Cody sang each song to me, and he insisted that I hold his hand through the whole song. I wasn't about to let go of his hand!! I jump at every opportunity to smother him with affection :-)!! He also insisted that I look directly into his eyes (as his teacher had instructed). I JUST LOVE IT!!

April sum-up!

LIVE ACTION DANCE CLASS PHOTO!! Fuzzy, but you get the idea :-). Each week, 5-10 girls come to the church to take dance. I love spending time with them. It's always exciting to teach those who wouldn't otherwise get the chance to learn--those who LOVE to learn!!

So, life is HECTIC, but great!! We're on pins and needles waiting for the CA Bar results to come next Friday, but we've got plenty to keep us busy until then. The kids have had so much success with their schooling. They are all excelling! YEAH!!
Hunter and I are enjoying our time with the LA youth in our church callings, and we're trying to socialize more with those who live in our neighborhood. We've had some fun get-togethers with families from the kid's school. There are so many great people in this area!

We're trying to focus on all the good LA has to offer. Fortunately, we moved to an ideal location for elementary education. Amber and Cody are not as gung-ho as Mariah--as far as schooling goes, but they are really finding their niche.

Hunter is working like a mad-man lately, as work has become more intense. He's also taken on P90X!! He's been sweating up a storm!! I am so impressed with him! Of course, I haven't been inspired enough to join him, yet, but I get tired just watching him :-)!! And I am doing all that I can to just keep up with this growing family! We don't know what's going to happen once the Bar results arrive...new job, no job, move, stay, relocate to another city or state...who knows??? We'll keep you all posted. Here are some pics of our April events. Enjoy!!

Cody had his first book-share experience in Kindergarten! He had 75 different options for "sharing" his favorite book, and he chose to create a car for his costume. Both Hunter and I helped prepare him for the big day. Hunter and Cody had a blast spray-painting the box-car, creating a designer license plate, cutting out and painting the wheels and attaching rope to wear over his shoulders. Cody then told me what he wanted to say for his book-share. He read it all by himself in front of the whole class last week!! We were sooooo proud of him!
What a great kid!!

STERLING LOVES FOOD (below)--can you tell? Yes--he's still nursing--14 teeth and all!!! I love his flesh-rolls hanging over the lip of the high chair! HAHA!

Last week, the Spector/White family took us to the LA ZOO! Janet (mom), Claire and Oliver (kids), showed us around the park. It was a great day!!

Slumber parties are the best!! We had Madison Smith, Laura White, and Juliana White over to play all night long!! These girls asked for a gymnastics class around 9:30 p.m. I mustered up enough energy to spot them for an hour, but I had to hit the sack at 10:30. They stayed up and played well after 1 a.m.! They love being together.

Mariah now fits into MY clothes...AGH!! She is also donning the beautiful necklace her Grandma Lana (Nanna) gave her. Isn't it gorgeous?!

Cody (above) keeps loosing more teeth! The Tooth Fairy is going BROKE!!

Sterling (below) loves going on dates with Mommy and Daddy. He's a great 3rd wheel!!! LOL