Happy Birthday Kelsie!

Today was Kelsie's actual birthday. I felt bad that she was kind of sad at her birthday on Saturday and so I want to made sure that she had a fun birthday. She woke up to presents and her birthday crown.

Kyle had to take a class at the hospital for the day and so he could not spend it with us. But before he left he made her her favorite breakfast panCAKEs. We piled seven candles on there and sang Happy Birthday.

 Good Morning Sunshine!

 After her breakfast she torn into her gifts. One thing that she was really wanting was a tennis racket and balls. She wants to become a famous tennis player and a private eye. She got her tennis racket and is excited to hit the court.

After getting ready we headed out on the town and went to McDonald's for ice cream. 

Got have ice cream on your birthday!

  Then headed to the bounce house in town.

"Jumpin Junction" 

 She loved it!

 She also loved getting all the calls from family far away calling to sing Happy Birthday!!

Thank you to all those that called and sent cards.

Then a second trip to McDonald's for dinner of Happy Meals, her choice.

She was one happy girl.

Happy Birthday Kelsie we love you and all the joy you bring to our family.

Kelsie's Scooby Doo Birthday Party

For Kelsie 7th birthday party, she wanted to have a Scooby Doo birthday party, which was great because she already had her Velma costume from Halloween. Her birthday was after school had gotten out for the summer. So we passed the invites out on the last day. Two weeks later we had the party, she was hoping for a big turn out but I had a feeling that no one was going to come. Only one family had RSVP. But we were grateful they came. She had this one friend in her class, named Keith, that was her best friend, she was counting on him coming. She waited by the window and said that Keith is coming he would not miss my party he said he would come. It just broke my heart when he did not show. But we started the party once I cheered her up.  

 To start the party we made necklaces for the girls and magnets for the boys.

 Here are all the party people, making their crafts.

 After they were done making their crafts, we went outside to played pin the tag on Scooby. After everyone had gone and even some twice, I asked the kids if they wanted cupcakes. They wanted them, but one kid was confused on why we were having them so soon into the party. I told them to sit down and I will be right out with them. I went inside for the cupcakes, but came out with a note. I told them that the cupcakes were gone and this note was left in their place. 

I handed it to the birthday girl to read out loud, this is what it said;

Birthday Gang you have a mystery to solve.

 I know you can do it if you all get involved.

I'm the Birthday Ghost and I have your

 cupcakes. If you want one too, here is your

 first clue listen carefully so you'll know what to do.

Clue #1: Find the place of paint and figure out what to do.

 Once you are finished you'll have clue #2. 

-The Birthday Ghost

 After they read the clue, they went on hunt for the paint. 

They found it in the garage.

 I wrote with glue on  poster board a message. 

 In order to read the message they used markers to reveal the clue.

Clue #2  Find a ghost that is for play. 

Spill his guts and he will show the way.

 The kids hunted around the yard till they found a ghost pinata. Funny story about this pinata: A week before the party I tried making a homemade pinata like my mom used to do with newspaper, flour and water. Well with it not being so warm here it was taking a lot longer to dry and then when we went to put the candy in, it could not bear the weight and broke. So I had Kyle run to the store and grab any pinata that we could throw a sheet over and call a ghost, it was cute because he came home with a cowboy pinata and it worked perfect. 

 Kelsie was the first to take and whack at it and , it feel of the string, the body part did. But the hat of the cowboy was still there (above picture). So we let the kids take whack at it. They had fun, and then we broke into the body where the candy was,

 Inside the ghost I had put tootsie pops with tissue over them to look like ghost and had a clue tied to them. With lots of other candy. This is was the clue said:

  Clue#3 Find some ghostly creatures that look like a treat.

 Using a ring toss one to get one to eat. But be aware

 of what you are doing, hiding somewhere within will

 be your next clue.

 The kids the search for those ghostly treats and did a ring toss.

 Inside one of the ghost I hid the clue.

 Jaron found it and read it to the group as they all enjoyed their treats.

 It said:

Clue #4 You are on you own from here on out.

Keep your head down and you'll figure it  out.

Run and search for your last clue once you see

it you'll know what to do.

 As they looked down there were footprints that I had cut out,

 that led them to the kitchen where there stood a ghost eating a cupcake.

 They took the sheet off to find out that it was just Kelsie's dad who taken the cupcakes. When the took the sheet off Kyle said the classic line, "I would of gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you mendling kids". All they kids got kick out of it.

After all the crime solving we were able to sit down and sing

 Happy Birthday to Velma, I mean Kelsie.

 Here is a close up of the cake creation. I wanted to put scooby snacks on the cupcakes. But they don;t carry them here at our Safeway. So I made some of my own doggy bones, out of gingerbread cookies. The kids really thought that they were real doggie treats.

 Then we open gifts.

 After the party was over I took all the helium balloons and tied them together and gave them to Kelsie. She was excited and nervous to hold them because she thought she would float away. But soon realized that she wouldn't and had a blast with them.

Last Day of School

Today was the kids last day of school...

 This is inserting picture of the kids as they left for their last day of school. 

The kids had awesome teachers that welcomed them in to class and help them adjust and grow to all Alaska has to offer them.

 Kelsie and her 1st grade teacher, Miss Jamison

 Kallie and her 6th grade teacher, Miss Edwards

Jaron and his 3rd grade teacher, Miss Buben

Mother's Day

It was a great mother's day. I was treated as a queen. Kyle made me breakfast in bed with this new recipe. And the kids gave me cute handmade items, Jaron gave me a frame picture of his head and told me it was titled the floating head with a sweet card that went along with it. Kelsie made me this cute card at school with a very colorful bouquet of flowers on the front. Kallie made me an armful if friendship bracelets. They all helped out around the house and wished me Happy Mother's Day all day long.

In Primary Karlee's teacher  helped her fill out this form for me, it was funny to see what Karlee thinks of me;

The color of my Mother's hair is Brown.

My Mother is 2 years old.

My Mother's shoe size is 4.

My Mother like's to wash clothes.

My Mother is happy when flowers are bright.

My Mother is sad when she sees dogs.

The funniest think I ever saw my Mother do was fish.

The funniest thing I ever did with my Mother was fishing.

I like when my Mother cooks bacon for me.

I like to help my Mother.

My Mother's favorite food is frosting.

My Mother does not like to eat cupcakes.

If I could give my Mother anything, I'd give her cupcakes.

My Mother works at home.

The first thing my Mother does when she wakes up is make her bed.

I love when my mother cooks.

I love my Mother because she cooks fish.

The color my Mother likes best is blue.

By: Karlee age 4

For Mother's Day we got the kids bikes, the plan was also to get me one too. But we have not found the right one for me yet. But the kids are having a blast with the bikes. There are many bike paths around town and we are excited to explore them this summer.

We hope that everyone had a Happy Mother's Day. We are so grateful for the mom's in our lives and all they do for us and the great example they are to me. We love you Ma2, Grandma Kenner, and G3!!

Missing Two Front Teeth

In November of 2007 Kyle took Kelsie and Jaron to a sport store to just look around and kill some time. Kelsie was two an half , Jaron was four almost five. As they were walking around the store Kelsie tripped over a basketball standard (the ones that feet poking out so they can stand up). When she fell she knocked her mouth really good (fat lip bleeding and a wiggly tooth front tooth). We were hoping that the tooth would firm back up in the gums and all would be good. Over time (about three weeks) her tooth started to change color. We knew that it was dying and it was going to have to be pulled. I was hoping that it would hold out until after my sister Alycia's wedding. It did. But the following Monday after the wedding we pulled the tooth...and ever since then she has been without her tooth. Fast forward four and half years...

 Last Tuesday as I was preparing dinner. Kelsie saw that I was making corn on the cob. She was so excited. She showed me how much her front tooth was wiggling and was excited that her tooth would have a way out in this dinner. She attempted many tries in trying to eat the corn. But had to stop each time as it would give her pain as she bit into it. She left the table many times to go check out her tooth to see if it was coming out. Kyle told her to leave it alone and that he could cut her corn off the cob for her to eat. But she refused and was determine to have that tooth come out that night. She left to the bathroom once more...

Ten minutes later she ran out with such excitement and very toothless grin. Ready to show us all that she has finally lost both her front teeth. I never thought that day would come, but it did (means she is growing up too.) And she was so excited for the tooth fairy to come and get the tooth.

Water Safety and Sport Show

This weekend they had a water safety workshop. I guess they have done it for the last couple years. It is very well put together, Kyle and I were really impressed and the kids had a great time.

 When we first got there they had the kids color a t-shirt iron on and got it ironed on a shirt, while they waited for their group to be called.

 There was five kids in our group (one other girl beside our kids). And four stations/classes in the cafeteria. First one talking about always making a plan, and telling someone of your plan when you go on your outdoor activities. Second one talking about not polluting the water where the fish live. Third one is a pictured above, talked wearing life jackets and make sure they are the right ones and that they fit. Kallie and Jaron are giving examples of the wrong life jackets to wear.

 The last class in the cafeteria was talking about how Alaska waters are very cold and that you can get Hypothermia very quickly in them. The kids are putting their hands in buckets of ice trying to get out coins before their hand gets to cold.

 The kids then got in their swimsuits, and fitted into life jackets that are their size. And they are all ready to get in the water. Each part of the pool had different stations. 

 At the first station they once again talked about Hypothermia ...

 got into the water...

 learn how to float if you are alone to stay warm...

 and if you are in a group to stay warm you do the huddle.

 Rode on a banana boat and learn how use it.

  They also had fun being flip in the banana boat.

 In this station they were learning how to fall in the water from a boat. Grabbing your neck with one hand and the back of your thigh with the other hand, curling in a ball and falling into the water. Jaron and Kelsie had pretty good belly flops when trying, Kallie was able to make a ball.

 This is after the event by the rescue boat.

 After the Water Safety Workshop we headed over to the local sport show, to see all the fun things to do in Alaska. Lots of FISHING!!

And the wildlife.

 The kids were enthralled with the helicopter.

 Can you see it?

Checking out the vehicle that everyone seems to have here in Alaska.

It was a fun family day

80's Dress Day

Today the kids had a dress up day at school: The 80's.

When I found out that they had this dress up day, I was excited. It was the decade that I was in their ages. So I tried to remember all the things I wore in the 80's and what the boys would wear in my class. We did the peg jeans, knot in the skirt on the side w/ a tank top underneath, leg warmers, double layer socks, side ponytails ratted up, the look of an exercise girl in neon colors. For Jaron we spiked his hair with lots of mouse, wore two polos with the collar up and pegged jeans. To bad we didn't penny loafers :0) It was so much fun to dress them up.

Shoe or Nest??

For Easter all the primary children got a chick with a basket in primary, one of the ladies in the stake made them for all the primary kids. My kids loved them and gave them all special homes; on Kallie's night stand, on Jaron's bed, amongest Karlee's stuff animals or...

In your brothers Sunday shoe.

Kelsie had taken all the grass from the all the kids baskets put in a box, she had made a nest out of that but felt it wasn't good enough for her chick. So she used her brothers shoe. As I was cleaning their room I saw it and got a kick out of it and wanted a picture before I put the shoe away. I got the picture and was called away as quick as I could get the picture leaving the shoe in the box. Forgetting about it until the following Sunday as we were trying to get out the door for church and Jaron upset that he couldn't find his shoe...I remembered and told him to check out Kelsie's nest, it was found. But returned right after church but I don't think by Jaron. :0)

My Super Her-O

Kelsie- What a girl! 

She is so cute her personality is really shining through lately. She loves to help everyone and gives hugs. She is drawn to babies and she loves to go up and try to get them to smile :0). I love her freckles and they seem to be multiply by the days, but she wouldn't Kelsie without them. She is against wearing jeans or anything tight on her so her best friends are stretch pants which she loves. She has her own sense of style and I love seeing what she comes up with. Karlee loves to do what ever Kelsie is doing and follows her lead in everything she does.  

 One day we she wanted to be a superhero. 

Of course I wanted pictures and she was sport and had fun with it.

I love it she is catching some air in her jump.

 Coming in for a landing.

 She really wanted to have some black and white pictures taken, "like what they had in the olden days."

I Love this girl, always on the go.