Swimming Pool

We got a new above ground swimming pool in our backyard.  It is a 15 foot circle and holds about 4,000 gallons of water. Wow!  Kyle and I set  it up on Saturday, It took most of Sunday to fill, and then I put the needed chemicals in on Monday, so today was the first day the kids could try it out.  It was cold, but everyone of them got in and played.  Wendy was super excited she could touch on one side.  It is on a very small slope, about 3 inches different from one side to the other, but it means there is a shallow and deep end.  I am super excited to have it this year.  I love swimming and Mississippi has the weather for it.  

   Here are Wendy and Eric telling about our new pool.

   

Zachary's Book of Emotions

This is Zachary's Book of Emotions.  I thought he did a very good job and thought I would share with you.  I know it is quite light, and the spelling very phonetic, so I have included what he wrote below each page.

I feel joyful when I play tag.

I feel nervous when I am alone in the dark.

I feel excited when I am on vacation.

I feel angry when I don't get what I want.

I feel sad when I get hurt bad.

AGM 2013

 AGM 2013 ~ PHOENIX ARIZONA

 We had a great time at AGM this year.  We went to Phoenix and enjoyed wonderfully warm weather.  My mom was able to come and be our Nanny.  She was a great help!  The vacation began on Thursday, with plane flights out.  The second leg of our journey was delayed so we were able to play at the play area in the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.  It was very secluded and entertained while containing the kids quite nicely.  It had something for every child, computer games, climbing toys and a slide.

After we arrived and got checked in we did a little exploring and relaxed until the evening activities.  

The evening was based on a county fair.  All the kids tried out sack racing, painted a pot, Zachary & Eric tried bobbing for apples, and Wendy & Hyrum spent time creating masterpieces on the giant chalkboards.  Kyle did a little exploring and discovered hats that he collected for us.

Friday we swam all morning and some of the afternoon.  We then did a little exploring and playing at the family part of the hotel. 

After a fun day we prepared for our evening activities.  The two older boys got to go to the kids event which was based on UFOs and aliens.  They had a great time.  The two little ones played with Grandma.  Kyle and I attended the adult event.  This year it was Fast En Blanc, which meant we all wore white, ate where no one had dined before, and had fun. 

 

The kids insisted we have a photo with the fountain at the entrance of the resort. 

Saturday morning brought more exploring, we went through the gardens and saw a lot of dessert fauna.  We then went swimming.  The afternoon was again a time to relax before going to the family event, which was an Indian affair.  One room was dedicated to the West, Native American Indians then as you walked through a tepee into another room dedicated to India, or the "Eastern Indians".  The kids made bead necklaces, Wendy learned a dance and performed with other little girls, my mom and I got beautiful patterns on our hands with Henna.  We were also able to eat great food and watch some amazing performers.  One did a Native American Hoop dance which I really enjoyed.

 Exploring the Gardens

The Family Night Activities ~FUN!

Wendy with her "teacher"

This young man performed, at the end of the night.  His father performed earlier.  The Indian dancers also had a group of young performers at the end of the evening.  It was fun to see how youth continue to learn.

Sunday we left bright and early to get on a plane; however, the plane had oil pressure problems so we ended up getting home 23 hours later than planned.  The airline put us up in the Residence Inn, where we were able to get in one more swim.  Now we are home sweet home.

Hyrum's Birthday

Hyrum had a great birthday.   He loved his cake!  Below you can see that he sampled it before I could get it frosted :)  I just melted the frosting and poured it onto the cake, it made some very frosting rich pieces that were delicious.

  Hyrum got a monkey flotation device, Duplo blocks, and  a ball popper.  He understood gifts were for him and was super excited and possessive.

Hyrum is still a little boy, 23.5 lbs and 32.5 in.  That puts him in the 5th and 7th percentile for weight and height.  Hyrum loves his mamma and is still willing to give kisses and hugs.  He does not like going to sleep, sharing what he thinks is his, and not getting what he wants within seconds.  He likes to eat, play outside, watch our turtle Tiny Tim, build things, and put his shoes on.

Since the last post. . .

 We had a very simple Easter weekend, but it was fun.  We dyed eggs Saturday morning and then had an Easter Egg hunt that afternoon.  Sunday we had a relaxing day.  The kids all wore matching Easter clothes that I made.  The boys had vests and ties, and Wendy had a dress with accents from the same material that the boys ties were made from.  I did not take pictures, but when they wear them again I will.  Kyle prepared a ham and homemade macaroni and cheese for dinner, YUM.

Superheroes

Eric missed his Kindergarten program due to our trip to Disney World.  I was excited to learn that his class was chosen to perform at Kindergarten Registration.  He did a great job!