Bailey Family

Carolyn took Jazz/Ballet She danced to "I dream of Jeannie/Genie in a Bottle" remix & "One Jump Ahead" (from Aladdin)   Kaitlyn and Natalie took Tap/Ballet (same class) They danced to "The Greatest American Hero" & "Sunshine Day" (Brady Bunch) This was the twins' first recital and Carolyn first 'real' recital (The year before last she had a recital with the rec center dance class but the recital was just her class showing all they'd learned the past months, not a memorized song on stage with many other classes. And last year her 'fake' recital was on a Sunday so she only got to do the dress rehearsal anyways.)

Ok, you're right - it's not really graduation when she'll be returning to our preschool group in the fall, but that's what we called the end of the year preschool party. Alee and 3 other friends met together (with moms!) each week during the school year. She learned about animals, foods, things that go together, shapes, weather, bugs, and bodies. Mostly, she learned to take turns and sit through books and activities and cooperate. (Funny, as I post this - about 2 weeks after preschool ended, her level of cooperation and attention span has plummeted...here's to hoping preschool in the fall will bring it back!) See that last picture? (I took that 'offer of help' so that I could look at it and remember she does care about and like people and is not always so contrary and grumpy!) :) *My friend Mary (who was in charge of this preschool party) made the 'diplomas'...I should have put Alee's handprint on it first because I wrote t...

Our "Playroom"   (the biggest room in our house that at one time in history was a 2-car garage that got closed in) - has always been changing - I don't think it has stayed in the same arrangement for more than 2 months since we moved in 3 1/2 years ago. (It's become much more than a playroom) Here's the last 'before' arrangement  It wasn't awful - I mean, I constantly fought it to stay clean,  and in pictures, things like carpet stains and completely smudged up flat paint walls were somehow hidden. But in real life, you'd walk in the room and it looked....well, like it was the most used and at the same time the most neglected room in the house. Here was our thought process.... Myth: If I organized it well enough, no one would notice the carpet stains, smudge/drawn on flat paint, etc. Fact: this room was unmarketable and needed new paint and flooring. Decision: Might as well take care of it now and enjoy the money and wo...

School is almost out -  we're finishing up projects (not just school, but the house projects, scout projects, etc)... and I can already feel life slowing down just a little the closer we get to summer. Here's a quick peek into what we've been working on this month Preschool field day (I volunteered for this one - you should try out trying to get (4) 3-4 year olds to cooperated with planned activities and be happy about having fun) We're finishing up the playroom - the "big reveal" (i.e., I show you before and after pictures) coming up next post! Being allowed to paint something was a 'reward' for them for behaving that week. We are trying to grow some plants from seeds - believe it or not, even the drowned ones (from N and A) have somehow survived and are sprouting...now what do we do with them?? (I believe this one is Kaitlyn's zinnia) And then we had some clay creations and other art (for scouts, for school,...

I love to see the temple. I'm going there someday to feel the Holy Spirit to listen and to pray For the temple is a House of God, a place of love and beauty. I'll prepare myself while I am young. This is my sacred duty. I love to see the temple. I'll go inside someday. I'll covenant with my Father. I'll promise to obey. For the temple is a Holy Place where we are sealed together, As a child of God, I've learned this truth, A family is forever.* *Lyrics, "I Love to See the Temple" by Janice Kapp Perry, Children's Songbook, page 95

Life was crazy this year with our house projects, so I put off some non-necessary traditions (the fluff - like dying eggs) - and I said I'd do them later. And we did. at least that one. I won't pack up the plastic eggs until I have hidden them outside for an egg hunt. Seth helped me boil the eggs - then ate one, then went next door to play with a friend - so much for family activity! our blank canvas Mixing the dye - vinegar, food coloring, and boiling water - that was so easy! I noticed on the food coloring box last time I bought some it had egg dying instructions - how had I never noticed that? Forget those little tablets they sell around Easter. This is easier and more 'real'. And we can make different color combinations than the standard tablet options. And we like to measure, mix, and pour Turns out markers, like crayons will keep the dye from coloring a part of the egg, but (being washable) it doesn't really stay like cr...