My Little Pirate

 Yesterday Elsa wanted to wear a bandana.I tied it on her head and told her she reminded me of a pirate.
She proceeded with "ahoy, matey" and "Arrgghhhh".
Myles told her what she really needed was a sword. When Chris got home she asked if he would make her one. It's a bit more like a dagger. Then Myles supplied her with a belt so she could stick her sword in it and use it as a holder.
The two of them had a couple of duals. Her motions looked more  like that of a gunslinger...........too funny!
So far, in the last 17 hours, the sword has not left her side.

Summer Days

 We are enjoying some lazy days for our short summer break.
The kids have been enjoying their time swinging, reading, riding bikes, and playing with Legos together.
The other day we made the trek over to the home of my best friend's parents. They live on five acres, and we usually go twice a week. The kids have two forts that they work on, as well as just roam the wilderness there. When we were there on Monday Myles caught a snake and enjoyed holding it for quite some time. I think this was the first time he was actually able to catch it all by himself.Aeva dug up a rabitt. They had found it just after it died two months ago. A fun science experiment in decomposition. At least she thought it was very interesting, which very much surprised me. I love how I am always learning something new about my kids.
Rhaevyn had her first official babysitting job. It's a hard industry to get into in our ward at church because there are so many young women. She was super excited and it went really well. One of the little girls cried when she had to leave.
Aeva held her second Paparazzi party. She loves playing hostess. She earned herself two necklesses and two headbands. Elsa enjoyed getting to pick out a new headband, since her other one is about worn to shreds, and a new bracelet.
And while the party was going on Myles and Chris were off having some fun of their own. Myles said he just could not be here while the party was going on because it was a girl thing, and the boys would have to be off doing something else. So, Chris took him out to the "country" and they went target practicing with bow and arrows. Chris didn't tell him what they were doing. It was a total surprise, and Myles came  home on cloud 9!

 

 

 

Rhaevyn started her cooking class on Tuesday. It has started out a bit rough and not what she had hoped..................it's been an eye opener as far as all the not so nice things that go on in public school. Today they are supposed to start cooking and running the restaurant onsite. We are praying that it gets better for her, and we keep reminding her that there are only three weeks left with two days off next week.
I had a grand time last Saturday getting the rest of the school books. I really have so much fun doing that.
One more week of summer vacation left and then time to start up again...... just in time for that 90 degree weather.

Short and Sweet...Just as Promised

A family is made of loving hearts and helping hands, 

and we're adding another loving heart and pair of helping hands to ours.

Busy as can Bee

 It's been quite some time since the last post, and I have plenty of catching up to do.
It's been a little crazy around here.
Let's see...........
Aeva and another girl at church put on the Ward Talent Show for one of their Personal Progress projects.
Things were pretty crazy during the planning process, and it wasn't looking too good. I will admit I think I have a few gray hairs because of it. It ended up turning out super fantastic, and the girls did a great job putting it on. There was a bake off included in the talent show, which Rhaevyn entered. She made Creme Brulee. I had never tasted it before. It was soooo yummy. Wish you all could have tried some. She ended up winning first place in the bake off. We were all so excited for her!
Rhaevyn is going to be taking a summer class at the local vocational high school. It's a cooking and baking class, and the students will learn to run the restaurant there. She is really excited to start that.
Aeva had her piano recital. She actually chose a song from Lord of the Rings to play for one of her songs. The other was a piece by Beethoven. I loved listening to her play that one. Since she is just about done with her books and is moving into uncharted territory with her teacher (she's never had a student make it this far), we've come up with a compromise. Aeva gets to pick one piece of music that she really wants to learn, but she also has to learn a piece of music that I want her to learn. We actually came to an agreement on my first song for her. I love ragtime, and Aeva does not. However, she found one for me that I like and one that she doesn't mind so much. I believe it's called Dixie Dimples. And no piano lessons for the summer, which is a first for her.
Rhaevyn is saying goodbye to her violin teacher of three years and hello to a new one. We are hoping it proves to be a good move. She recently had a free hour and  a half lesson with a true Suzuki violin teacher. Amazing!!!! I think we both came away learning a lot we didn't know. It was very clear that there has been a lot lacking in her lessons and practice. However, that said, we feel very fortunate that she's been able to take lessons at all, and that is in part to Heavenly Father and the wonderful teacher she has had for the past three years. If it weren't for her, Rhaevyn wouldn't have even been taking lessons. They are extremely pricey.
Anyway, a gentleman in our ward, the son of the true Suzuki teacher that we had a free lesson with, has agreed to teach Rhaevyn for the price we have been paying for the old teacher plus some babysitting on the side, which Rhaevyn will be taking care of. He actually taught for his mother and went to Juliard, so he knows what he's doing. Plus anytime his mom is in town she will teach Rhaevyn for cinamon rolls :)
He's basically going to start at the beginning with Rhaevyn, which she isn't thrilled about, but knows deep down that is what needs to happen. Her former teacher took it really well............better than I did. She truly is a wonderful lady and was so gracious about us moving on. she had prepared us a couple of months ago that the time was coming to decide what Rhaevyn really wanted to do and that we probably only had a year left with her. She is super excited for Rhaevyn and hopes that her new teacher will make her play in public since she didn't.
Moving on...................
The weather has been amazing! School is over until after the 4th of July. The kids have been out having a blast. Myles got a new slip and slide, as his had a big hole in it. It is getting used quite a bit.

  

Myles and Elsa super excited to go try the slip and slide.

 

And I just realized I don't have pictures of them using it yet.  Oh well, next time.

They all like the new one, as three of them can slide at the same time and have a race.

 

 We did some yard work. I moved our pile of flat stones and discovered lots of dead beetles, three black widows, several huge brown spiders, and lots of egg sacks. Yuck! But the front porch looks nice now. The kids helped me wash down the chairs and table, and the girls helped me move the flag. I think they really just wanted to use Christopher's drill.One of the sisters I visit teach donated two day lilies to our flower bed.
Today the little ones and I went and picked out a few plants. Elsa was all about the smells of the plants. Myles was all about how tall the plants would get, and I was thinking about color. It was a lot of fun picking out the plants together. Then we came home and the two of them helped me do the planting. Here are Myles and Elsa relaxing after their hard work.

 Myles is pointing at a gang of ants.

 

  We are going to take a stab at year round school. We start in July with 12 weeks of school and one week off. It all looks good on paper, and we are hoping it proves to be successful. Next week my goal is to get the rest of everyone's books.
Christopher's big bike ride is coming up the second weekend in July...............Seattle to Portland. There is a group of about 15 of them doing this together (all in one day). He says it's been fun, but he probably won't ever do it again. Lots and lots of riding on weekends and not time to do much else. In fact, a lot of the group is saying the same thing. I'm glad he will be able to say that at least he did it once in his lifetime.
 A couple of other small items of interest.............

 Rhaevyn did a cooking/science experiment making rock candy.

It's kind of blurry, but the color was pretty. The kids enjoyed watching the crystals grow.

 We played musical beds two weeks ago.

Aeva hit her head on the ceiling, and she said  she didn't want the top bunk anymore.

So, this is Elsa's new place to sleep. I was a bit worried about having her up there,

but she's done amazingly well. Every morning she comes in and says "Look mom, I didn't break my ankle getting down." All is well in the bed world for the girls.

 I tried to get Myles in action, but failed.

I happened to look out the front window a few weeks back, and

I saw four little boys army crawling through our tall grass. Then they went tearing through the gate to

the back yard and the gun battle began. Love watching boys be boys!

 

 Aren't these cupcakes so pretty? Another lady I visit teach brought these to me. Her daughter is getting married and they've been trying out bakeries. We all enjoyed them very much, but I had to get a picture before they were eaten. I just loved the pretty flowers on them.

 And..............that's a wrap. I hope I didn't forget anything.
The next post should be short, sweet and well worth the wait :)

Mother's Day Picnic

 The day before Mother's day we were invited to a picnic and boat ride at Yale Lake.
We had a beautiful spot right on the lake. The sun was out, and there was a nice breeze.
We had a very relaxing day spent visiting with old and new friends, having a bbq, and taking
an adventurous boat ride.
Here are some pictures of the kids, their first time ever, on a motor boat. Myles was a bit nervous at first, gripping his seat with white knuckles. Elsa had a death hold on my hands and would  not let them go for anything. Once we got going there were lots of giggles and screams of delight.
We all had a blast, even though the boat broke down four miles north of the boat ramp.

 Here we are starting out.

 

 Weeeee!

 

 When the boat broke down, Myles moved up to the very front......

 and so did Elsa.

  So, Chris and Bryan broke out the oars and starting rowing. I don't think they were making much progress.
Here is Chris taking a slight break from rowing. Elsa was singing "Row, row, row your boat..." for Bryan and Chris.

Here we are with our rescue squad. They had passed us heading north.

When they were on their way back they came over to see if we needed a tow.

Yes please!!!!

Birthday Trip

 We took a little trip up to visit Ben and Stacey for a few days and to celebrate my birthday.
We relaxed, visited, ate scrumptious food (it's always better when someone else cooks :) , and

made our traditional trip to Mukilteo. The kids had fun playing with Waffles and Belgium. Elsa enjoyed giving them treats.We had a fantastic time with Ben and Stacey, and as usual, it is always so hard to leave and say goodbye.

Each evening when it had cooled down we walked to the playground

to burn off some energy.

Myles was using his manpower to push Chris and then the girls on the 

"Christmas Tree"

 Aeva jumping up and pushing Elsa..........weeeee!

 We paid a visit to the local dollar store and got

bubbles, chalk, and badminton rackets.

 Myles and Ben playing badminton.

 The kids enjoyed the ferry ride so much last time, that

they wanted to do it again.

It was an absolutely beautiful day.

We purchased our fish and chips and headed on board.

 We ate our yummy lunch and then disembarked the ferry

while they did their security sweep. Then we got back on and 

enjoyed the sunshine and breeze out on the deck.

 

  

 

 

 Once the ride was over we walked the 

shore of Mukilteo. There was lots to see...

Tide pool, sea urchins, crabs, seals, and lots of seashells.

 

 

  

Can you spot the crab?

 

 After our walk along the shore we cooled 

ourselves off with ice cream cones.

 Last but not least my birthday dinner was fantastic. Pesto pasta, french bread,
ceasar salad and this fabulous cake that I've been wanting. Thanks Ben for driving me to Costco and getting it for me (thanks Stacey for insisting on it) I was not disappointed!

Apple juice, banana and spinach smoothie....Mmmmmm :)

 

 We've discovered two new smoothie recipes that we love..............although when I say we that does not include Rhaevyn and Aeva. Aeva says she has super sharp taste buds so they taste everything that goes into this smoothie. I must not have super sharp taste buds because while I can detect the banana in it, I cannot detect the flavor of apple juice or spinach. And I think the whole color thing just throws Rhaevyn off. I can understand. It can be a mind over matter thing. Well, Myles and Elsa absolutely love it, and I like that :)
The other smoothie recipe has Odwalla mango juice, banana, strawberry and spinach. It's always fun to see the kids' eyes light up when they discover something they didn't think they would like actually turns out to not taste so bad.

Aeva made this circle out of her Lego's. She was pretty thrilled that it turned out to be a success.

Two Birthdays and a Goodbye

 We celebrated two birthdays this past week.
Our little Miss Elsa turned 4, and Miss Rhaevyn turned 14. I can hardly believe that Elsa is 4. She was just born. And as far as I can remember Rhaevyn just turned 5. I feel like someone has life on fast-forward sometimes.
While at times I wish that I could make time stand still so I could just snuggle with them a bit longer, I love seeing the people that they are becoming. That is really a lot of fun.

Here is Elsa showing her new Barbie movie from Oma and Opa.
This was a big hit, as it has been all that she has talked about since seeing that Barbie was going to have a new movie out. And she loves singing and dancing to it.

Aeva made a chocolate pie for Elsa's birthday, and Rhaevyn has been eying the red velvet cake at Costco, so that's what we got her.

It was fun seeing how excited the siblings got for Elsa and Rhaevyn to open the presents that they had picked out especially for them.
 Myles and Aeva got a Lego set for Rhaevyn.  Rhaevyn picked out puzzles for Elsa.
 
 We spent Sunday putting puzzles together as a family. It was really a lot of fun.






Chris tracked down the Lord of the Rings trilogy  (extended version) for Rhaevyn; She was so surprised! Yes, she is a LOTR fan.

Rhaevyn's Mia Maid class came and heart-attacked the house for her birthday. It made her day since she has been sick with bronchitis. They left some very sweet messages on the hearts for her.

And then there was the goodbye...........
Rhaevyn said goodbye to her friend of three years..................her violin. I know she wished she could have kept it, but the selling of it is helping to pay for her new violin.

Last but not least, one of the little neighbor girls brought me this sweet little bouquet of lilac the other day.
Oh it smells so good. I have it sitting in my kitchen window.

That's been our week. Now it's onto another fun week :)