Bailey Family

It was a busy but nice weekend. We watched a movie as a family Friday night with "movie candy"...normal Friday, but a little extra. Then Saturday morning, Rob and I were able to go to the temple with some friends who went for the first time. We left right after that to drive up to my grandma's where we had supper with her and visited with her for her birthday. That night, we arrived at my brother's house (very late) - the kids went straight to bed - and we finished off the weekend with Jacob's family. We stayed with Jacob and Brittany and busy little Thomas for Easter. I think Thomas was excited to have all the kids around (at least for a short time). And we had fun watching how much he's grown (gotten faster) and talking when the kids all went to bed. Then left first thing Monday morning to make it back in time for family things here in town. (Beth went to a funeral for her mom's cousin Fran and Rob made sure all the kids got a good nap so ...

We rarely see ALL the Baileys. We see Bob and Julie (my in-laws) about twice a year. We see his brother's family and his grandparents less, and the cousins, aunts, and uncles...well, I've only seen them once or twice! In October, Rob's (Bailey) grandparents celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. But it wasn't a BIG celebration...until March...  The last time was 5 years ago when Meme and Pepe Bailey celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. So, Julie (and Bob) -  planned this reunion - (they had the organizational planning down to a science) -  It was to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Meme and Pepe...and everything else that's happened in the family lately. And I got to "re-meet" all of Rob's cousins and uncles/aunts. I really enjoy the Bailey's - they're welcoming people that make you feel comfortable and at home even if you've only met them twice.  Most of my kids each made friends quickly - Caroly...

Seth got his braces adjusted...this is first time he needed anything for pain (not the spacers or the first month of braces caused any pain) - but he's adjusted after a few days and he's all green for March! (I can already tell the difference from last month - can you?) And while we're trying to fix up some of the things about the house that bother me and that will make it more sellable anyways when we try again later, I had to go a break a window. (Yes, me; not one of the kids. I hit it with the ironing board setting it up and it went right through that single pane glass.) Rats! The good thing? Rob knew how to fix it right away (and glass is cheap compared to other house costs this month) - and he didn't complain or fuss or say anything about my mistake. (I wouldn't expect him to...but I gripe when bad things happen and I have to take time out of my day to deal with them.)  And Kaitlyn had a piece in the district art show at school. 

Yes this is totally one of those brag on my kids post. :-) Alee has been working on behavior with an incentive base system... In other words, if she behaves well, she earns something. (It's slightly backwards because she actually loses something she doesn't yet have but whatever... Close enough!) This idea was inspired by mom. Alee starts off the day with the prospect of getting 10 m&m's at lunch. When she misbehaves she loses one. She usually gets about seven average. A few days ago she got all ten. This Friday she went down to her lowest yet-five. She likes to report to Rob at night how many she got at lunch that day. Sometimes she reports with phrases like, "I lost my thumb because I ran away in the store." Or "I got six m&m's because I was bad a lot." Two Sundays ago I had left a box of honey buns on the table as a treat for the kids that they could help themselves to-they know only one each. Alee came to me as I was abo...

We have re-instituted chores (we took a break as the school year got busier and busier). Here, I had to be sneaky so she wouldn't see me with the camera and think positive thoughts - she was in trouble for spreading cracker crumbs ALL over the den floor and couch while I was busy with another child.  I love to hear, "Mom, me and Kaitlyn are best friends!"  Alee has found life again outside the tv. And although she still gets her daily dose so I can get some things done outside of naptime, she has found toys and crafts again - and we have had fun. And she's in charge. :) We've been working on learning letters (this week is "e"...which we haven't gotten to yet! yikes - the week is almost over...maybe today), so we've found fun ways to learn them. Mostly I just point it out everywhere I see it - in books, on signs, etc - but we throw them spontaneously into our playtime...nothing planned, just fun. Pinterest has great ideas...I...

My post titles are getting more boring by the month, right?  More awards ceremonies for 2nd quarter -  Funny story - Natalie was talking to me about getting her award afterwards and she made a comment that she didn't really like going up in front of all those people for the award. :) She's so shy this year. She's never been very outgoing, but I think she's become more shy since kindergarten began.  Seth's last (3rd) pinewood derby - he did a really good job on designing and carving/cutting and finishing his car, but because of the amount he carved away, it was very light and we didn't know where to add weights that could support them, so it didn't do super well in the races. But he loves to make things, so I think in the end, he wasn't too disappointed in the outcome. Another Seth moment - he got braces. If I remember, I'll try to post a picture of him each month - his teeth are already moved since this picture and it's only bee...