Kindergarten Celebration and Dance Recital

 Bekah had her Kindergarten celebration this week.  The children performed some really cute songs for their families, and then came back to their class rooms for end of year certificates and yummy treats.  Rebekah received the award for "Most Diligent Worker."

Bekah has had such a wonderful year in Kindergarten.  Bekah lucked out with the best teacher in the elementary school and a class full of great friends.  Bekah has learned so much this year.  She has learned to count to 100, read like a pro, explore the world like a scientist, read the basics of music, and paint like an artist, among many other accomplishments.  She has had so much fun and we are sad to see the year come to a close.  We can't begin to express our gratitude to Bekah's teacher, Ms Dahse, for all of the time, love and effort she has given to our little Bekah as she has helped her begin her academic journey.  I just wish we could take her to 1st grade with us.

Bekah also had her end of year recital for her creative dance class.  Her teacher was so nice and it was fun to get Bekah all dolled up for the performance.  The little girls were so cute to watch perform.  Bekah did a great job.  She knew most of the steps and was good to pay attention to her teacher.  It's a pity she doesn't enjoy dancing more, I think she has a talent for it.  Oh well, we can't love everything we try.  :)

End of year activites for Loyd

 Loyd's last day of Trooper School was this week.  They had a little end of year program for all of the Trooper students and gave them awards signifying one of their accomplishments or unique traits.  Loyd was awarded "Most Helpful" and I received glowing reviews from his Trooper teachers regarding his behavior this past year.  I'm glad to know he minds somebody.

 

 We also had Loyd's last soccer game of the Spring season this week.  It's been an interesting season of watching Loyd meander around the field, not chase the ball, find spots of dirt to play in, and generally find all sorts of activities that don't involve soccer during his games.  I will say, he was pretty good at protecting the goal when his turn as goalie came around.  I guess it's all part of the 4 year old soccer experience.  :)

 At the end of the season all of the kids received participation trophies.  Loyd is pretty proud of his and has carried it around the house for 2 days now. 

 

We also had the chance to go to the first Buttler Longhorn Museum Civil War reenactment in League City this weekend.  It was fun to watch the battle reenactment with the kids.  They have never seen guns in person before and were startled by how loud they were.  Xavier needed the safety of Daddy to help him brave the entire fight.  The boys were on their best behavior just in case one of those guns got pointed their way.  :)   It was neat to see all of the actors dressed in period clothing and to wander through the park grounds looking at the period campsites and handicrafts.  It was also a neat opportunity to introduce the kids to an important segment of American history.   Hopefully they do this again next year. 

Happy, Happy Birthday, Bekah Dear

 We finally made it to 6 years old!  Rebekah celebrated her birthday this week and we've had a fun week of birthday treats, presents and Angry Birds.  Rebekah discovered root-beer floats this week and has marveled at their delicious ice cream and soda happiness.  She thinks I'm pretty amazing because I introduced her to this small miracle of the desert world. :)   We then had key-lime cupcakes for her birthday party.  Yum yum!

 Bekah requested an "Angry Birds" party theme, so we put our heads together and searched the internet for fun birthday ideas.  Dustin built this great Angry Pigs cup wall that the kids had to destroy with Angry Bird bouncy balls.  They had a ton of fun tearing down Dustin's masterpiece.

 Check out Dustin's slow motion video of the destructive "Angry Bird" fun.  :)

 Then we had the kids use bean bags to knock Angry Bird characters off the garage wall and win golden eggs as prizes.

After all of this destructive fun we ate cup cakes and opened presents.  It was a fun morning. 

Happy Birthday Bekah!  We are so glad we could spend another birthday with you!  Lots of love!

...doing the things that a spider can...

 

Itsy Bitsy Spider PJs!

 

 Yes, it's really that hot already.  Bring on the beach!

Soccer Star Extraordinaire....

...Sometimes.

Man, what a week!

Oh, and by the way...It's a girl!  We're excitedly expecting a baby girl this September.  :D

Soccer Saturdays

 Loyd is playing soccer this spring.  His team is called the Sharks and they are a pretty fun team of 3-5yr olds to watch.  :)  Here are some pictures of our recent Saturday soccer experiences.  :)

 Loyd - Goalie extraordinaire!  He caught 2 balls in mid air protecting his team goal during this game.  I'm sure you can see how focused and intent he is during game time.  :)

Happy Easter and Various Quotes

We had a wonderful Easter. We colored hard boiled eggs, enjoyed several egg hunts, ate lots of yummy treats and talked about the great miracle and gift of the Atonement.

We've also had an explosion of funny quotes that I thought I would share. :)

While dying hard boiled eggs Rebekah asked, "So, what kind of candy is inside of these eggs?"
(Maybe I should boil eggs more often. :D )

Extremely tired and 40 minutes after he had been put in his room for nap time Loyd calls, "Mom, you have to take these toys out. I can't stop myself from playing with them." I took the toys out, Loyd was asleep 5 minutes later. Silly kid. :)
~~~~~~~~~~~
Dustin came home from work feeling a bit under the weather. With some concern Loyd snuggles up to his Daddy and asks, "You're not feeling well? Are you growing a baby in your tummy too?"

When Dustin told him that Daddies don't grow babies in their tummies Loyd asked with real sincerity and authority in his personal observation, "Then why is your tummy getting fatter?"


Xavier Speak Translation:
"Bo-bot" = Robot
(A very important word at our house this month with the high school FIRST robotics competitions.)

"Bummy" = Bunny
(Also a very important word this month due to the happy visit from the Easter Bunny himself.)

Ta-da! Rebekah finished her first project in her sewing class. She made this very stylish Hello Kitty sewing bag all by herself. She is doing a great job and really enjoys going to sewing class. her teacher says she works very hard and has a great deal of patience and concentration. Good job Bekah! Maybe she'll be an excellent seamstress one day and follow in the footsteps of her grandmothers.

She is currently working on a peasant shirt for herself. We'll post a picture of that finished project when she completes her next masterpiece.

The Future Professor "X"

Mr. X's Favorite Sayings:
"I try! I try!" whenever he sees something he wants to see, do or have.
"Jyes!" when he responds in the positive about a question.
"O-tay" - that's just so cute!
'Daa-ad," when he calls Dustin on teasing him about something.
"Woyd (Loyd)! Woyd did it!" when tattling on his big brother's endeavors.

Mr. X's Favorite Food:
Milk!
Oh yes, and "bapes" (grapes) and any other kind of fruit

Mr. X's Favorite TV Shows/Movies:
Calliou
Curious George
Shaun the Sheep
Veggie Tales

Mr. X's Favorite Things to Do:
Snuggle
Drink milk
Play with his family and friends
Watch TV

Mr. X's Favorite Thing:
Yellow Bumble Bee Pillow Pet - He can't sleep without his beloved pillow pet. He drags that poor thing all over the house.

Mr. X's Favorite Toys:
Water and dirt with a good bucket and shovel
Star Wars - both the space ships and the light sabers (especially the light sabers)
Flash Lights
Choo Choo Trains
Bikes and play cars he can sit in and push around
Play Dough
Paper and pens

Mr. X's Best Talent:
His very expressive face. He has a pouty face you have to see to believe. He's got the expressive face of a master actor.


I hope you got to know our little Mr. Xavier a little better. We sure love him and think he's special. He brings a lot of joy to the house every day. Love you, Xavier!