The Graduate

He did it!  Case graduated from preschool today.  He had a fantastic and fun filled year with Miss Jody and Miss Ashley.  They have been so patient and kind with him as he worked on all the important skills he needs for Kindergarten and LIFE.  He has really come so far this year. Case loves school and loves to learn, but it's not on the top of his list of "fun things to do.".  Case loves socializing, sports, being active in all things.  School doesn't come easy for him.  He really has to work at it.  And he does.  He wants to do good.  He wants to read, write, add and subtract...but on his terms. I worry about this when he goes to Kindergarten.  I worry that his attention with school will be short.  I worry that his teacher next year will not GET him.  I worry a lot about this kid.  Always have.  I love him so much.  I want his teachers to love him like I do.  I want him to excel and love school.  I am so proud of this kid and all his hard work this year.  Way to go Caser!

Case and Jefferson.  

The only boys who graduated this year from preschool.  

They were surrounded by girls this year!

Graduation can be a little long for a five year old!

A view of the graduates signing, "You're A Grand Old Flag" (is it "Grand Old Flag" or "Grand Ole Flag?") It was standing room only at this graduation. Check out the silhouettes on the wall behind the graduates.  They are absolutely darling.  Would you believe I still have the silhouette that Miss Jody made of me when I was in her Kindergarten class at MacArthur?  It is priceless!

Miss Jody and Miss Ashley are truly the BEST!  We love you both! Thank you for all the kind and funny comments about Case today.  My heart was heavy and I love all that you had to say.  You understand this boy and love him for who he is.  What more could a proud Mom ask for?

Jeremy and I with our little graduate.  

My heart was heavy and I was beaming.  Days like this make me happy and proud to be a mom! I am so blessed!

Case and his idol Brody.  These 2 brothers are the best of friends.  Sorry Ledger and Miss B.  You had to stay home today with Tayler.  It would have been waaaaay to hard for you to be at the second happiest place on Earth and not be able to play! We did miss you though...kinda!

Sugar and Case.  Thanks for the El Charro lunch after graduation Sugar! What a perfect way to finish off graduation. 

G.G. and GPa with our cute graduate. How lucky that Case had his Great-Grandparents at his preschool graduation?  There is a good chance these 2 will be at his high school graduation!

Nanny and PaPa were there too. Thanks for coming Nanny and Papa! 

The Last of First

This was Brody today on his last day of First Grade.

Here he was last August on his First Day of First Grade.

Today was Brody's last day of First Grade.  I really can't believe how fast the school year went.  I also can't believe that he will be in second grade next year.  Time is sure flying by!  I got to help at his class party today which was fun for me and hopefully him!!  We played games and had ice cream sundaes.  The kids were wild and excited but no one got hurt and everyone was smiling when they left! Here are the highlights of First Grade by Brody Felstead:

"Why did you like being in Mrs. Hunt's class this year Brody?"

 "She is a nice teacher."

"Who were your friends in First Grade?"  

"Hunter, Mason A., Chase, Reid, Jackson."

"What is your favorite memory of First Grade?"  

"Backwards day.  We got to do the workshop backwards even. Mooooooom, not like we did the workshop backwards, like we did it in the morning instead of the afternoon."

"Did you like taking your lunch to school every day or do you wish I would have let you eat in the cafeteria?"

"I liked taking my lunch."  

"I packed the best lunches right brod?" 

"Uuuuuhhhhhhh."

"What would you tell all the kindergartners who are going to be in 

Mrs. Hunt's class next year?"

"She is the best teacher ever."

"Why did you like riding the bus so much this year Brody?"

"I can see all my friends."  

"Who do you hope is in your class next year?"

"Kailey A. , Mason A., Chase, Hunter, Reid, Jackson.  That's enough Mom cause I could keep going."

 

"What are you looking forward to about being in second grade?"

"To be in Miss Anderson's class and to do more WORK!"

"What do you hope to learn in second grade?"

"Cursive and times." (aka multiplication)

"If you could go back and do first grade again, what would you do different?"

"Recess.  I would swing more."

"What did you like to play on the playground  while in First grade?"

"Star Wars."  

"How do you play?" 

 "You pretend there are invisible people that you shoot."

"How many times did you have to miss recess this year Brody?"

"Two."

"Why?"  

"Don't remember."  

"Hmmmmmm...."

"No really I don't!"

"Did you have to go the principals office this year?" 

"NOPE!"

"Who is the coolest Mom in First Grade?" 

"Just kidding Brody?"

"Who was the smartest kid in your class this year?"

"Kailey A.  She got the planet in Math Blasters."

"Who is super proud of you and loves you more then anything in the world Brody?"

"My Parents."

"Mom, you didn't ask me anything about Mrs. Hunt."

"O.K., tell me about Mrs. Hunt."

"Mrs. Hunt likes ladybugs, blue and pink.  She has been teaching for 20 years."

"Thanks Brody, that concludes our interview, now go get in the shower please!"

 

Our walking yearbook.  Instead of having his friends sign his yearbook, Brody decided to let them sign HIM!  He has Sharpie autographs all over his legs, feet, and arms.  

Here are some funny things about Brody this year.  When he started First Grade he weighed 41    pounds and was 45  inches tall.  On the he last day of First Grade he weighed 44.5  pounds and was 47 inches tall.  I think it was a successful year!

Even a little message from a girl on his bus.

Priscilla, Brody and Megan with Bus Driver Lloyd.  He was seriously the best bus driver ever.  He would pick up stragglers who were late for the bus.  He was awesome!

First Grade Fun!

I have been having lots of fun these past couple of weeks with Brody and his First Grade friends!  Not only did I get to go on the field trip with him, I got to help out at his water day and go to P.E. with him.  Let me just tell you, P.E. about killed me.  It was rope day and WOW...it was HARD!  As a child I would flip and swing all over the place when it was rope day.  Well...not any more.  I could barely hang on to the rope and swing let alone climb to the blue tape or flip like a monkey.  I left exhausted and embarrassed!!  If only I had my camera that day.  I would have gotten some sweet shots of Libby and I doing "The Dairy Queen," "Michael Jordan,"and  "The Monkey Tail." It was classic, DANG I wish I had taken my camera!! Oh well, Libby managed to shoot this picture of Brody and his friends at water day.  It was fun but chilly!! Thanks for not being embarrassed of me and letting me help out at your school Brody!  I  love it!!

Totally Worth It!

Today I got to go with Brody and his First Grade class to the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix.  

I got a little motion sickness headache during the 3D Imax "Under The Sea" movie.

The long, LOUD bus ride home didn't help any.

We got in the car to come home for the day and I asked Brody, "What did you like best about the field trip today?

"My favorite thing Mom, was that I got to spend the day with YOU!  Usually I'm in school all day and I don't get to spend a lot of time with you.  I like that we got to spend the day together."

Was this field trip totally worth this nagging headache I still have?  

You Betcha!!

You Are My Sunshine!

  I am in love with this little Sunshine!  I've been like this with all my kids.  I can't get enough of them!  That's why it's hard to believe my little lady is 8 months old today!  Seriously...what is going on?  I want the time to STOP!  I want my kids to stay put and stop growing.  Last night while watching Brother's and Sisters, this weird commercial came on (can't even tell you what for) but the jest of it was a teenage boy and his terribly messy bedroom.  He was sprawled out in his bed like he had been there for days. There were clothes all over the room, dirty shoes and old food.  It was gross. Jeremy and I looked at each other and almost cried!  We don't want that day to come.  The day when our kids think we're DORKS.  The day when they are too cool or too busy to hang with us.  That will be a sad day for me.  But never mind that cause today is a happy day. Can I just tell you that my little lady is the funniest thing ever.  She cracks us up all day long.  First off, she LOVES to look at herself in the mirror.  She giggles and laughs and does this pose where she puts her arm up to her hair, like she is posing.  If ever she is not happy, all we have to do is put her in front of the mirror.  She claps at everything.  We say to her, "yeaaaaa Miss B." and she starts clapping her hands.  She is so proud of herself and everyone around her.  She is crawling like you wouldn't believe.  She is so fast in fact that the boys like racing her down the hall to see who is faster.  She loves to crawl to things and pull herself up on them and stand.  The problem...she is hunched over while standing and often hits her chin or head trying to get down.  The other day when I went to get her out of her crib, she was standing while hanging on the the side railing.  SCARY!  I feel bad cause she spends most of her day crawling after me from one room to the other while I try to get some things around the house done.  She gets frustrated chasing me and starts screaming.  Speaking of screaming.  This GIRL has got the scream.  Did she learn it from Ledger?  Is it really a girl thing to scream?  All I know is that it is LOUD and really high pitched.  Just like I remember from the screaming first grade girls I used to teach.  You won't believe me when I tell you this, but yesterday, Miss B. started saying "DaaaaDaaaa."  I really almost fell over when I heard it and then I got a little upset.  Why do babies always say "DaaaaaDaaaa" as their first word?  It's not like "DaaaDaaaa" is changing all those diapers, feeding them stinky turkey in gravy sauce or even holding them on their hip while trying to vacuum or help another kid go to the bathroom. Why don't they say "MaaaMaaa" first since we're the one's who spend the majority of the day with them?  Frustrating!  Anyhow...we love this little lady and her wiggly, giggly, feisty personality. I can hardly wait to see what she does this next month since she changes and learns new things daily. 

"Yeaaaaaa Miss B." show us how you clap!

There's those 2 bottom teeth I told you about.  They are growing like a weed!

Sooooo Happy!!

A Letter To My Bishop

Dear Bishop Hatch,

I wanted to thank you for the wonderful job you are doing as Bishop.  I have really noticed how you are trying to get the ward together more often for activities.  Although difficult, I like how you invite us to come to sacrament 10 minutes early to listen to the music and settle in.  If you don't mind though, I would like to make a small suggestion that I feel will help the well being of everyone in the ward.  You see Bishop, as I type this, my almost all male family is away at the Father's and Sons camp out near Globe.  As you know Bishop, I LOVE my boys so so much.  They are my life and I really think they are the cutest boys on earth!  However, since they left yesterday at 3:00 in the afternoon, I have been able to accomplish more things then I have in the past 7 months.  I was able to wash, fold and put away that big mountain of laundry that had piled up.  I cleaned out my pantry last night while blasting 20/20 on the T.V.  This morning, I danced with my little lady in the kitchen while listening to Taylor Swift on my computer. (Normally, I would be flipping pancakes and wiping up spilled milk. ) Miss Berkley slept for 2 whole hours because my house was so quiet this morning!  And Bishop, are you ready for this.  I vacuumed my whole house AND mopped the floor.  Do you even understand how amazing this is?  This is unheard of around here.  So Bishop, I ask you now.  Is there a reason we don't have Father's and Sons once a month?  Really!  If you could see how clean and organized my house is right now, you might see why I am requesting this small little thing.  My stomach is fluttering because I am so happy!  I feel like I can now make it through the day.  Like I have conquered the world.  I do realize how silly I am sounding right now, but I am ecstatic, giddy, happy beyond words. So it made me think, other Mom's in the ward must be feeling the same happiness as me right?  Think about it Bishop, happy Mom's equal happy husbands and kids right?  So why can't we work it out that the hubby's take the kiddos to a camp out once a month?  Is it the budget, lack of time, too hard to organize?  I think I could put together a committee to plan and prepare the whole thing so you don't have to worry.  So whatta ya say Bishop?  Would you consider my plea or at least bring it up at your next meeting?  Let me know how I can help get the ball rolling on this VERY important matter.

Sincerely Yours, 

Lindsey Wood- Felstead 

Spring Swim Championships

Last night Brody and Case finished their spring swim season with a championship meet at Moon Valley Country Club.  Brody chose to swim freestyle, Butterfly and the 100 IM.  Case chose Breaststroke, Butterfly and the 50 freestyle.  Case ended up with medals in all 3 events while Brody metaled in butterfly and the 100IM.  Jeremy and I were so proud of them both and all their hard work this season. Way to go Brody and Case!

Case showing off his medals.  Third place in the breaststroke, Sixth place in the butterfly, and eighth place in the 50 freestyle.  For a minute there I thought I might have to rescue my little 5 year old from the 50 free.  He barely made it but hung in there and didn't give up!!

Brody got a 6th place medal in butterfly and an 8th place medal in the 100IM. Now that he is 7, he swims in the 7-8 age group.  I hate it cause he is the younger of the group and the other boys TOWER over him!! No big deal though for this awesome swimmer!

Case had his game face on last night!  He was all business!

He had just perfected the dive and then they made him go off those tall starting blocks.  They are way high to a little guy!! Check out the dude in the black and green suit in the lane next to him!

Brody has finally decided that going off the starting blocks gives him a head start rather then going straight down from the side of the pool.  Again, check out the rad dive from the dude two lanes down from him!

The best part of the night was not those shiny medals my hard working boys won.  The best part was when Case happily handed over one of his medals to Katyln who was crying because she didn't get one and said, "Here Katy, you can have mine, I already have 2!" He happily let her wear it all night and even to dinner at Nellos.  He didn't even say anything as we were loading up the car to go home until I brought it to his attention.  We flagged down Kim and Case asked if he could have his medal back.  Katyln handed it over and we said good-bye again.  As we walked away, Case said, "Mom I was worried that Katy might cry if I asked for my medal back." He may act like he doesn't have a clue what is going on around him.  He may seem goofy and silly, but you know what... he is kind, loving, caring, and sweet. He is in tune with others and their feelings.  He gets IT and he will go far because of his sensitive, caring nature. He would give you the shirt off his back and that is why I love this kid.  I can only hope that next year his Kindergarten teacher will see his strengths and love him for who he is.  This was the best moment of the whole meet! Way to go Case Felstead!  Way to go!

Yep folks...We survived another baseball season!

I'm really not sure how we did it, but we survived another season of baseball.  It is really hard to have 2 boys playing ball at the same time. Having games 4 nights out of the week about killed us off!  I can't imagine what we will do when Ledger starts baseball too! Case finished his season last week and had his party tonight, which I was in charge of but unable to attend due to swimming championships.  Brody finished his season last night and had his party at the park right after.  It was tons of fun and I am so relieved that it is over.  Both boys made great progress from the beginning of the year until now. They had awesome coaches who really worked with them and encouraged them to do their best.  It was a great season for both Brody and Case!

 The Express 2010 Coach Pitch Team

Eliza B. Brody, Troy B., Jackson, Tyson L., Tate L, Kailey A.,

 Ryan C., Drew S., Drew H., and Cal S.

(Not pictured, The coaches son Cole C. who broke his arm before the first game!)

Eliza's Mom was in charge of snacks after the last game and she brought an ice chest filled with water guns and extra water for the kids to shoot each other with.  Boy did they think that was fun...especially since they soaked Coach Kent!

The party at the park was a huge success.  We grilled burgers and hot dogs and everyone brought something to go with it.  The kids played and soaked each other more!  I made picture books for all the kids on both teams again this year and I think they really liked them.  Jim got great shots of the kids hitting, catching and running.  I hope they will treasure them as they get older.  They have made such great friends and memories this year and last!

Look Out Beethoven!

Tuesday night Brody and Case had their "Let's Play Music" recital at Poston Jr. High.  How weird is it to be back at my old Junior High watching my own kids perform?  WEIRD!  Case performed first using his tone bells and awesome voice.  He LOVED singing B-I-N-G-O leaving out a letter on each verse. He did super when he had to play, "Three Blind Mice" using his tone bells. Even though he had his grouchy face while up on stage, he did great and really did have fun! Brody was next to perform. He had to write his own piano composition that he titled, "The Peace Of Music."  "Not the piece, like a piece of something.  Peace like how it makes you feel inside." He did so good and we were super proud of him.  It was fun to see my little Men on stage sharing all they've learned this year.  Good job boys!!

Case stayed right with the beat when he had to play, "Three Blind Mice" on his tone bells. 

Look at the intensity on his face!

Case really enjoyed the puppet shows in music class this year.  

He loves doing the actions with the songs.

This was a super embarassing thing for Case.  He about died when we asked him to sit by his awesome teacher Miss Debbie for a picture.

When it was Brody's turn to play he got on the microphone and said, "My name is Brody Felstead.  The name of my song is "The Peace of Music" and I like my song cause I like the title...

Then he walked right up on that stage and played all his chords just like he had been practicing. We were super proud of him and all his hard work!

Sugar and Nanny came to watch these cute boys perform.  Brody was thrilled that he got a trophy for completing his third and final year of Let's Play Music.

Brody loves Miss Debbie because she is so enthusiastic and kind.  She loves teaching Let's Play Music and loves the kids.  She is the best.  Brody cried himself to sleep after the recital when he realized that he wasn't going to get to see Miss Debbie each week.  He really loves her!

The BEST Mother's Day ever!

You are not going to believe what I did for Mother's Day!  Last night, I went on a date.  Not a typical Saturday night date though.  Last night I went on a date with my Guys!  All 4 of them!  I was picked up in a limo (or limbo if your 7, 5 or 2.5 years old), treated to dinner at City Hall in Scottsdale, and taken to Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall to get an outfit.  I didn't end up getting an outfit, but I did get a sweet chair massage at Brookstone!  The boys LOVED the limbo ride, especially since there was a no car seat policy.  They were like floppy wet fish in the back of that limbo.  Every time the driver would go, they would fly to the back of the limbo.  Every time he stopped, they flew to the front of the limbo.  It was hilarious!  They blasted the music and danced all around.  The changing colorful lights were beyond exciting!  They would fade from one color to the next creating ooooohs and ahhhhhs all night long.  They never got tired of it!! Dinner was awesome.  Case and Ledger shared a filet while Brody got the chicken.  No dinner at a fancy steak house would be complete without lionnaise potatoes, sauteed broccoli, lettuce wedge salads and shoestring potato fries.  Jeremy had been prepping the boys all week on manners and behavior so they did super.  The best part had to have been the trips to the bathroom.  Jeremy gave each boy a 5 dollar bill to put in their shirt pockets.  This was to be used in the restroom as a tip for the restroom attendant (what are these people called any ways?) So first up to have to go to the bathroom is Case (no surprise there!). He walks in the restroom, does his business and heads over to the sink to wash his hands.  He lathers up, rinses, flicks the water into the sink.  He then proceeds to reach into his shirt front pocket and whip out that 5 dollar bill.  He hands it to the attendant who quickly grabs a towel, dries my 5 year olds hands off, gives him a mint, a squirt of cologne, and sends him on his way.  Well, Case comes running across the restaurant (mind you, a FANCY restaurant as we here folks call it) yelling to the brothers, "Guys they have candy in the bathroom!" Brody and Ledger hear this and of course want to go potty.  Luckily our food arrived and we tell them they have to wait until after dinner. Next up to use the bathroom...Brody and Ledger, together.  Jeremy takes them to the restroom where they proceed to get their hands dried off on cloth napkins (for $5.00 mind you!)  They receive a mint, a squirt of  cologne and off they went. They LOVED it!!  If only I received $5.00 every time I dried my boys dirty little hands off...I'd be RICH!! One of my favorite moments from the night was when we first got in the limbo and Brody shuts the privacy partition between us and the driver and tells everyone to say on thing they love about Mom.  Case says he loves that I'm so pretty.  Jeremy says he loves that I am pretty and...well I can't tell you what else he says, but don't worry, by now the boys are discovering something new about the limbo and aren't paying attention to Jeremy.  Brody says he thinks I'm really really really nice and Ledger chimes in with "I love Mom." It was perfect! I can't believe I got to go on such a fun Mother's Day date with all my Men.  It was definitely a night I will never forget.  These kiddos make being a Mom worth all the wrinkles they have caused me.  I am so lucky that I have four of the most awesome kids ever.  I love them so much and am so lucky they chose me to be their Mom. Happy Mother's Day to all you Mom's out there.  

What a surprise to be picked up in a limo for a date with my Guys!!

Case was a dance maniac!  He blasted the music and rocked out as we drove down the 101 freeway to Scottsdale!

Of course Ledger copies whatever Case does so he showed us a move or two!!

Here they are.  Sorry ladies, they're taken...by ME! 

Me and my Guys at City Hall Steak House.  

Fun Friday

Jefferson, Ledger, Tayla, Sage, Jackson, Priscilla, Brody, Chloe, Megan and Madison.  

Not pictured:  Case and Brooke

So you all know how crazy our life is right now right?  Well we do have a little fun ya know!! On Fridays, I let the boys invite their friends over for a little Fun Friday, just to play and be kids.  Before they go to school, they tell me what yummy goodie they want when they get home and I make sure it is here.  Some of the most popular yummies have been Root Beer Floats, Sprite Floats, Krispy Kreme Donuts, Ice Cream Sundaes and just good ol snacks (pretzels, fishies, fruit snacks).  The kids play on the tramp, swing on the swing set, and play hide and seek and tag.  It is tons of fun for the boys!  Feel free to bring your little cuties over for fun Friday (but please call first so I can make sure I have enough junk, I mean treats!)