Changing Classes

I decided I have to write about the biggest news this past week, even though I have no pictures to go with it. It's no secret I haven't been happy with Ashlyn's class this year. Being in a split class, with none of her good friends when she's one of the youngest wasn't my idea of a good year for her. And while I grew to like her teacher (well enough), I still wasn't thrilled with it all. On top of all of that, Ashlyn was starting to struggle. She's always been a good student and has always worked hard, even though school is just not her favorite thing. Like I've said before, she's a pleaser, so she does her best despite her circumstances. But sometimes a mom's gotta stick up for her sweetie. Because honestly, who else is going to. So when Ashlyn started really showing signs of stress in class (working on homework all afternoon, telling me how the other kids in her class were finishing their work way faster than her, having to stay in during morning recess to finish her work and then having to go to the 5/6th grade lunch and never seeing her friends, crying herself to sleep because she couldn't get her homework finished but was so tired), I decided enough was enough. So even though her Principal had denied me my request to place her in another class at the beginning of the year, I thought I'd try again. I was getting desperate. Even to the point of contemplating pulling her out for the remainder of the year and homeschooling her if I needed to. So I wrote up an email explaining her situation. How we have given it a good try, but that I honestly didn't feel like a split level class was a good match for her. I talked to Ashlyn of course before doing all of this to see what she thought, and if she was okay with me trying to get her moved. She said yes. So I sent the email and waited, prepared to fight the fight if need be....in the nicest way possible. I definitely wasn't trying to burn any bridges. I do understand schools are struggling and split level classes are sometimes necessary. And I do understand that it is, in some ways, a compliment to have your child placed in a split level class. But for us, it just wasn't working. Well, miracle of miracles occurred and her principal emailed me back within a few hours telling me he understood my situation and that he would be moving her the next day in to a straight 4th grade class. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! I was so happy that when I called Paul to tell him about it, I had to repeat myself three times before he understood what I was saying. I guess I was talking fast. 

That afternoon when Ashlyn got home, I told her the news. She seemed excited, but nervous at the same time. I knew she would initially miss her "comfort zone", but hoped she would get in a good class. And she did. She got placed in Mrs. Smith's class with her two best school friends. And honestly the look on her face after the first couple of days told me I had made the right choice. She has much more attention from the teacher. Ashlyn even told me Mrs. Smith got on the smart board and showed them how to do a few of the math problems before leaving them to work on them. I guess her last teacher was so pinched for time she often just went over one or two problems and then gave out the assignment and moved on to the 5th graders. She said they got to play games during inside recess time and that she had science and social studies in the same day! She gets to have lunch with her friends again and even gets to be a "buddy" for a student in Leah's class (something her old teacher opted out of, again, for lack of time). Her homework load is much more manageable and age appropriate. And while she tells me Mrs. Harris's class was way ahead of Mrs. Smith's class, I don't even mind. It wouldn't hurt Ashlyn to have some review. I feel confident she will still learn everything she needs to for her state testing this Spring. 

I just tear up every time I think of it. I really feel like we were being watched over and that Heavenly Father heard my pleas. And I know it may seem kind of silly to some, but it was important to me. It's like, you know your children have to grow and learn and that we don't always get our way in life, but when you can help them out a little, it definitely makes one feel good.

 I just love that little girl. She's just about as sweet as they come. 

A little Randomness

Brandon's view of me while waiting in the valet line to pick up the girls. 

Speaking of the valet line, here's a nice story to show how pleasant of a person I can be (insert sarcasm). So I pull up to the valet line about a week ago at the same time as the lady in front of me. She proceeded to get out and put her purse in her trunk and lock her car. I looked at her and motioned to her that she can't "PARK" there. She came over to me and I rolled down my window. I told her that she was in the valet line and she couldn't park and leave her car. She said she did it all the time and that there were lots of cars in front of her. I said, the cars in front of you have PEOPLE in them (see...I'm so nice). Then I directed her attention to the NO PARKING sign and told her that was because it was reserved for people picking up their kids in valet. She looked at me like she never considered the fact that the NO PARKING sign actually applied to her. Then she again told me she did this all the time, as if doing it all the time made it right. So I just said, well you've been doing it wrong for a long time then. I wonder if she'll continue to park there everyday. Probably, because clearly the rules don't apply to her....ugh.....

My latest card club creation. Birthday theme. Our group has dwindled to 8 people, but I think us 8 are committed. I hope so because even though it's stressful to me sometimes, I like doing it. Forces to me use what few creative brain cells I have, with the hope that using them will keep me from losing them.

I must admit my "one treat a day" resolution isn't going so well so far. Oops. I have all year to perfect it right? Let's just say it's a work in progress because darn it if cookies aren't delicious to eat and fun to make. And look, it's quality time with Brandon. I can't deny him that right? Haha....

The boy LOVES Pumpkin bread.

Grammy and PopPop mailed legos to us that Paul and his brother's played with growing up. I guess his brother's didn't care about having them. Lucky us, because our kids were in HEAVEN. Paul too for that fact. They played for over an hour. I think there are more to come. 

A hike and the beach

The weather was beautiful today for MLK day, so we headed out to Malibu with some friends and went for a hike. We weren't quite sure where to go at first, but we found a nice trail to take and hiked to the top. On the way out, we found lots more trails, so I'm sure we will be back. 

Hyrum decided he need to carry around a small tree for a while. And then throw it off the cliff. 

After the hike, we were so close to the beach so we decided we just couldn't pass up on the opportunity. The kids kicked off their shoes and rolled up their pants and had a blast running from the waves.

I am quite sure this little boy is going to have a VERY fun summer at the beach. He can't get enough of the sand and the water. I scored an awesome picture of him jumping in the air throwing sand into the waves. 

And this little cutie decided she needed to bury herself, even if she was in jeans.

We ended the night at The Habit for some yummy burgers and fries. Well, Paul and I had a burger and fries. Our two skinny friends had salads. LOL!

 I think it was a successful day. 

Back to reality

School is back in session, which means life is back to normal. Back to schedules and routine. I guess it's a good thing.....I guess. Leah was happy to go back to school. She thrives on seeing her friends on a regular basis. Ashlyn asked, again, if I could homeschool her. She didn't want to go back. Ultimately I think she would miss being at school if I really did pull her out. But if she gets put in another split level class next year, I might be very tempted to do something drastic. 

Brandon is back at speech and preschool and is loving it. How could he not? His preschool is super fun. He's starting to ask more questions about kindergarten. What it's going to be like? Who he's going to play with? If any of his preschool friends will be with him? (They won't unfortunately. He will be the lone kid at Valley View.) He told me he's a bit nervous. Makes me sad for him. I know he'll do great. I try to encourage him with the hope that he'll have the same teacher his sisters did. I'm crossing my fingers on that one. I'm pretty sure he will though. Even if I have to bribe her with the promise of being her room mom. Haha....

Carter is getting back into his routine too, which means he's napping better again and not putting up such a fight. He's still barking orders at me, but I think that's pretty par for the course at this age. I just keep reminding him to use his manners. He'll get it eventually right???

Leah had a playdate with her little buddy Ashlynn. They of course spent the whole time painting their nails and toes, putting on make up and having a fashion show. So perfectly matched.

Paul and I celebrated our 12th Wedding Anniversary on the 12th of this month. We went out to The Cheesecake Factory and stuffed ourselves silly. This is a picture of a picture since we were married back in the day BEFORE digital cameras. Or if they had them, no one was using them yet. I must say I still love my bouquet, my dress, my cake, and most of all my man! Lucky me huh! And if you are a "Downton Abbey" fan, notice my bouquet....YUP! Same one that Mary had at her wedding. She copied me. ;-) Ok so hers was a bit fuller, but still, my mouth about hit the floor when I saw it on the show. 

And while Leah is definitely our biggest drama queen around here, she still is the sweetest thing around. Always writing notes for everyone and giving hugs. She's definitely full of life.

Now to just get her to like anything I make. This pizza was made specially for her. She helped me make it too. Pepperoni's....yup....just for her too. Did she like it? Nope! It didn't taste "right" according to her. So last night I tried again. Scoured Pinterest looking for something she might like. Found a bacon ranch chicken pasta. She LOVES bacon. I thought I couldn't go wrong. NOPE!!! She didn't like it. Wouldn't even try it. Spent an hour in her room before I gave mercy on her and let her come down after the fit she threw. I don't recall getting to have an opinion about what I ate when I was a kid. Even the mac and cheese I make isn't always the "right" kind for her. I told her I hoped someday she'd have a kid just as picky as her. She told me I was mean. LOL.....but I kind of hope she does.

Ashlyn on the other hand, as picky as she was as a kid, will eat just about anything I make. Or will at least try it....even if it's not her favorite. She's definitely a pleaser. I'm okay with that though. I need one to humor me right? 

This is her idea of cooking. Playdough style.

Ok, so I shouldn't be so negative about her. She is sweet and adorable and thoughtful. And she doesn't hate everything I make.....just a large majority of it. LOL. She'll grow out of it eventually. Funny thing is she ate the best as a baby. Weird how things change. All I ever hear is how if you feed your kids well as infants and give them a good variety, they will be good eaters. It's been quite the opposite for me I would say. 

Snuggle time with Daddy! Too cute.

Tomorrow is MLK holiday, which means Paul and the kids are home. Gotta think of something super fun to do. We spent most of Saturday cleaning the house and lounging around. And while I would jump at the chance to have a regular housekeeper if I could, it is kind of rewarding to work together as a family to get the work done. Plus I hope the kids are learning a bit about how to respect and take care of their property. So they don't get to college and not know how to clean anything (trust me...I had roommates like that. It was pathetic).

I have to find the positive in spending half my Saturday cleaning right???

Oh Carter

Now everyone knows my little boy is adorable and sweet and lovey (yes I'm biased, but he really is.) But he has a stinker streak too. Couple that with the terrible two's and we've had some major fights. He's also always had a sensitive gag reflex. He use to throw up all the time as a baby, but now he has learned how to make himself throw up. Especially when he's mad. He knows I would have to clean up the mess and I seriously think he does it to get back at me for whatever horrible thing I've done (like make him take a nap. Lol). Well today he was screaming and yelling at me about his nap and starting to do his cough that causes him to throw up (yes I know "the cough"). I walked over to his crib and told him if he threw up he would have to sleep in it because I wasn't going to clean him up (yes I was bugged). And you know what he did? He stopped crying, laid down and went to sleep. Score one for me.

I wonder if it'll work every time. I might have to live up to my promise if it doesn't. Oh boy.

Spoiled

I must say I got pretty lucky in the "Inlaw" department, which is really no surprise since I have such a great hubby. He was definitely raised by great parents. 

We were very lucky to have Paul's parents come out for 5 days this past week. It was perfect timing too. Just as the holiday were coming to a close and not much more was going on, they came to give us one more week of fun before the kids have to go back to school.

And we were DEFINITELY spoiled by them too. I think we went out to eat twice every day they were here. We went shopping, to the movies, took the kids to a bounce house, to the park and had fun at home too. Grammy started to teach the girls to crochet. Leah picked it up in a snap and was making necklaces for everyone by the end of the day. Ashlyn had a little bit harder of a time, but kept practicing after Grammy left and now has a nice long chain herself too. I commend her diligence. She practiced hard. 

Pop Pop did some odd jobs around the house. Had the fire place and chimney cleaned out for us, bought and hung new curtains in the girls room, bought new rugs and towels for the kids bathroom, checked out a leak under our sink and did a few other odds and ends trying to help us be more comfy in our home. 

We also got Grammy (and Pop Pop too) hooked on "Downton Abby". I think we watched two episodes every night they were here and finished the first season before they left. Then Paul had season two shipped to their house, so it will be waiting for them when they get home. 

We are truly going to miss them. Thanks for making the trip out to see us. We sure are a lucky family.

Leah tried to help Carter up this steep climb...

But she just couldn't do it. 

And yes, Brandon is choking here. LOL. But not really. Just swallowed his drink wrong or something and I caught the photo at just the "right" time. 

The girls new curtains. It keeps their room nice and dark in the morning now. Leah even slept in until almost 8 am today. That's HUGE for her.

The girls learning their new "craft". At least someone will be able to teach them crafty sewing things. 

So sad

Paul's parents are in town and we have been having a wonderful time so far. So grateful they made the trip out here. I know it's not fun or easy to travel.

Today we went down to the Glendale Galleria and the Americana on Brand. We did a little shopping, ate some lunch and then me, my girls and my MIL went to see the Cirque De Soleil movie. It was really good. Almost like being at the show. In someways it was better because it was up close. In other ways, you really can't beat a live performance. But it was still, as Leah put it, "incredible"!

Now to the sad part. While us girls were in the movie, Paul and his Dad hung out with the boys. They were at the playground in the Galleria. Carter got turned around for a minute and couldn't find Paul. Well he started crying hysterically, as he often does when he can't find us (I don't blame him actually). The kind of cry that is so sad because you know he's scared. Paul ran over to him but it was too late. He gets worked up so fast. And if you know him, you know that only means one thing ...... he was gonna throw up. Paul tried to pull him to the side but basically Carter emptied his stomach right there in the play area. They had to buy him new clothes and everything. Quite the mess from what they told me.

The saddest part though was tonight when I was bathing him. I asked him why he threw up today (just to see what his answer would be) and he said, in a quivering 2 year old voice, "No.see.daddy". Well that just about broke my heart in two. My poor sweet little boy.