Congratulations Graduates!

We had Joy School graduation last night. It was definitely the event to top all events! The kids have been participating in Joy School since January. We have been in a group with 3 other families in our stake. Josh was the youngest participant, and Emily, of course, was the smartest! For the graduation ceremony the kids sang their favorite Joy School songs, got diplomas and mortar boards, and walked to Pomp and Circumstance. It was so cute! I was in charge of making the mortar boards. I think they turned out really cute. I just used squares of foam posterboard (like you use for your science project display) that were already black. Then I glued on bowls that I had spray painted black and added a yarn tassel to top them off.

Emily thoroughly enjoyed herself. The event was held at her best friend's house - another Joy School participant. She had so much fun jumping on the tramp - in her dress even (not something we would normally let her do) - and playing with her real pom poms. Her hair really sucked up the static electricity! She sang her heart out on all the songs and walked gracefully across the stage as she received her diploma.


Josh, on the other hand, doesn't care much for these big social gatherings. Even though he had been around these people for the last 5 months, he appeared to have a little bit of stage fright. He stood on the stage looking at us all like we were a bunch of lunatics! All he could think and talk about was getting his "graduation hat and pom-pom (the tassel)." When it came time for him to receive his diploma, he froze and wouldn't move until I put my arm around him and walked across the stage with him. Pretty typical for Josh.

This was such a fun night for our family. It's always fun as a parent to get to watch your kids shine and enjoy the absolute sweetness that oozes out of them.

Artwork of a 5-year-old

This is what happens when a five-year-old sneaks the camera out of the house when her mother is paying attention to the work that needs to get done and not her children! This first one is Josh being Josh.


This one is just looking up into the sky from our backyard. Quite artistic! I think we could sell it as a postcard!

This one is a mega close-up of Emily's Dora watch. Does anybody know what time it is??

Happy Easter 2006

This is a little late in coming, but I just couldn't resist posting these pictures. We had an Easter celebration at Grandma & Grandpa Larsen's house. Among the activities was coloring eggs. I think Josh & Emily got tired of trying to use the flimsy little dipper that comes with the kits. So they just used their hands. Emily did quite a nice job of sticking with the color theme of her outfit, don't you agree?!! She sort of looks like she's turning into the Hulk! I'm not sure what look Josh was going for, but it's definitely his personality to try some of everything! There was still a little bit of color on their hands for Church the next day, but fortunately not too obvious. Give 'em an inch and they take a mile!

What a Mess!

We had a guy come trench our yard on Saturday so we can put in a sprinkling system. The kids were totally fascinated as they watched him maneuver around in his little tractor. We did have to change the trench layout that we had worked so hard on that morning - measuring, spray painting lines, etc. In the end, everything worked out, and we got a whole bunch of deep roads, dirt piles, and more rocks to clear away. Home ownership is so rewarding!!

Loose tooth!

Emily, our five-year-old, recently told me she had a loose tooth. Since she says this quite often, I was a little speculative and said, "Ok, show me." Sure enough, she was right. I don't think I've ever seen her more excited! She went from window to window shouting, "I have a loose tooth! I have a loose tooth!" She even put up a sign in her window to announce the news to everyone driving by. It's been about a week, and the tooth is still hanging in there, but getting more wiggly every day. Maybe by the end of the week the tooth fary will have made her first visit to our house...

Brand New!

I decided to give this blog thing a try. After all, everyone has one, right?!! Hopefully we'll be able to keep those we love, who are not so close, a little more updated on what's going on with us.
Enjoy!!