Beautiful Girl

Wednesday Cassidy had her dance pictures taken. It was quite the set up. The pictures were taken at Jaylynn Studios. We got there at 5:00 pm, and she went back to get photographed. She had three stations she went to, each several different poses, against different backgrounds, and then the class picture. She was so cute, and it was so fun to watch her get into it. She seems to be a natural in front of the camera. There was one photographer that I could tell was just taken with her. She came over to show me how well some of the shots were turning out. "Look how beautiful that is" she said. I was a proud mom. I can't wait to get them back. Here she is at home, in goofy mode, and I with my less than professional skill and camera. But she is still BEAUTIFUL!

We loved to see the Temple

The kids and I went to the Draper Temple Open House on March 13th. We had the most wonderful experience. Cutter was such a good boy, and we all felt the spirit. We pulled into the parking lot of the chapel we had been assigned, and walked right into the Relief Society room to see the 12 minute video about the Temple, Draper and Temple work. We then walked out to the Shuttle for the 6 minute drive up to the temple. We listened to our host read about the temple and how the tour would work. It was such a beautiful sunny morning, and the kids enjoyed the ride on the bus. We got off the bus and walked through the maze of tents (to keep people dry and protected through the elements) to get to the temple. We entered through the Baptismal entrance. I was just amazed at how well Cutter did. He enjoyed what he saw. He did almost take a left turn right into the baptismal font (full of water of course)and it was a little of a challenge for him to have to stay in line, he wanted to move faster and get ahead. We all enjoyed the time in the sealing room and listening to a couple share their feelings and information. We enjoyed looking in the mirrors and seeing "forever." As we exited the temple, we went through more tent mazes, and ended up at the church next door. There we found refreshments (cookies and water), the Sweden Temple (we waved and said "hi Alex") on the wall that displayed many of the temples in operation today, and stopped to take a picture. On our way out to meet the shuttle Kenzie was able to find a way out of the tent maze and get a picture of the temple. It was a wonderful experience for all of us.

Kenzie's art

Kenzie looks forward to being off track, because that mean Art lessons! She loves art, and has learned so much. Here are some pictures. The Panda was one of the two projects for this time. The puppies and Cupid her teacher found in her drawer. Kenzie has started them at another time, and was able to finish them this go around. She also did a ceramic rabbit, but we don't have it back yet. It still needed to be fired. I'll post a pic of that when we get it back.

Cutter Capers

Here are some pictures of Cutter, or his antics. 1st sleeping in front of the computer. He wanted to watch CARS and C was watching TV so we set him up at the computer with his "B" (blanket). He was soooo quiet after a few minutes, I thought "Wow, he is really getting into the movie." Then a few minutes later I looked over at him and he was sound asleep. 2nd the "mountain" of clothes. We spent a Saturday morning not to long ago putting all the clean clothes away. Cutter enjoys helping and was way into it this time. I usually send him with the same type of items (pants etc) to put in their proper drawer. Well, he kept coming back for more so quick. Off he went with more and more piles of his clothes, then he started taking C's clothes as well. I told him to stop, but he just giggled and off he went. So, I went in to retrieve his dad's things and found the "mountain." 3rd driving the boat. Cutter's preschool had a fieldtrip to the Aquarium last week. His teacher came around to get a pic of him, and he ended up on the boat driving. So I had to take a pic as well.

"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praisewortly, we seek after these things." A of F 13

This article of faith kept coming to my mind yesterday as I sat in Parent Teacher Conferences with my girls. They are all of these attributes. I love them so much!

Our appointment with Cassidy's teacher was first. She is one smart little cookie and LOVES school. She loves her teacher and loves to learn. Cassidy is reading at a third grade level, and is comprehending most everything that she reads. She gets math and loves it. About a month ago she was invited to start doing advanced spelling tests because she was consistently getting 100% on her tests. She still is getting between 95 to 100% on her tests, and the words are like nephew, strewn, interview, etc. She blows my mind. Her teacher loves her, and is so great to give her the things she needs to keep growing and learning and not get bored. All A's for Cassidy.

On we went to Kenzie's teacher. He is a former Principal, retired and came back to teach because he loves to teach, and loves the kids. We sat down, and he looked at Kenz, and said" what can I say? Kenzie is great, a delight to have in class." We looked over her scores, and he addressed the two areas that she was a little low in. The 1st, independent reading. She does it, she just needs to make sure she is getting it recorded. Easy fix. 2nd, problem solving. He was so great. He recognizes as well as C and I do that it mostly boils down to believing in herself. He told me "I know she can do it, I have seen her do it. She just needs to BELIEVE that she can." You could just tell how much he really cares for her. He wants her to succeed, and knows that she can. He reminded her that she has confidence in everything else that she does. She excels in public speaking, science, social studies, etc. He told her to remember that and how she feels when she does those things, and apply that to math. He is LDS so I felt comfortable to say in front of him that I remind her that Heavenly Father gave her a brain she needs to use it, and she needs to ask him for help with the things she struggles with. He went on to say "You know what the best part is? He gave you a perfect brain, not one that was used or broken, it isn't defective or anything. It is just right, and just right for you." We both left happy, satisfied and grateful for wonderful teachers that believe in her. She left with confidence. Her grades? 2 B's and 3 A's. Nothing at all to be ashamed of. I was happy dancing for sure!

"New Beginnings"

Our Kenzie is becoming a young women. She was invited to "New Beginnings" at Young Womens. I was able to go with her. The YW introduced and welcomed all the incoming girls this year. Kenzie was so excited. She is one of the last in her little group of friends go into YW, and she has been waiting anxiously. The evening was special. The YW did skits introducing Personal Progress the theme for the year, the activities they do, and the YW Virtues. Then they introduced and spotlighted the new girls. Jessica M spotlighted Kenz. That was fun to have her do it. She used to babysit for us until Kenzie was old enough. Here is what they had written for her.
"McKenzie was born on.... Her favorite colors are blue and yellow. Her favorite hobbies are soccer, collecting things, trying new sports, singing and acting. She has been in several plays. She loves science and won for her grade this year. She got to go to BYU for a science fair last year. She is happy, fun and active. The candy bar that best describes her is Nutrageous. She is outgoing and a little outrageous. She is a special Daughter of God." I couldn't help but get teary eyed. My first is moving on, she is growing up, maturing, no longer my baby. She gets to experience such fun new things. Not only here in YW, but also in school. It just blows my mind. It truly is a new beginning not only for her, but for me as well. My dear friend leaned back and said "I remember when she was just 2 and was twirling around in the isle in sacrament meeting." Her daughter said, "I remember her sharing her fruit snacks with me." What a sweetheart she is. She is such a good girl, a great big sister, a good friend. We love her so much.