Fiddle Recital

Every year I have a fiddle recital in my backyard for all my students. I usually have it the first part of June but since we will be out of town, we had it on Monday. It was kind of early but some of my students got out of school on Wednesday and were leaving town this weekend.

My niece, Casidy, my mom on the right and me on the left

I love getting my yard all ready and gearing the kids up for this. It's a chance for them to play in front of people and a chance for the kids that are playing in the contest(s) this summer to practice playing their contest songs. I have everyone bring a blanket or chairs and a picnic dinner. I provide ice cream and brownies for dessert after they sit and listen the whoooole time. :)

This year I had 17 kids playing, including Makayla and Emma, so I was a little worried it would be kind of long for everyone. The parents all said how much they enjoyed it and loved being outside and letting the little kids run around and play on the playground. There was no pressure for them to keep a crying child out somewhere. We did, however, have my two boys and my nephew constantly riding trikes through the "stage" though but I don't think anyone minded to much.

Jared making the rounds

Makayla playing her contest songs

The kids all did great and we had a really good time.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day at pre-school is one of my very favorite days of the year. All the mom's of the kids get to go and be treated to lunch and "entertainment" for an hour. We get seated on these tiny chairs in front of a tiny table with place settings for each person. We wait for the kids to come in and perform their program.

Derek made the placemat. It's Derek, me and our house

It's so adorable to watch all these little kids come in single-file with aprons on the girls and men's dress shirts and ties on the boys. They sit in their chairs and sing a couple of Mother's Day songs.

You Are My Sunshine

After singing, they file out again and come back in each carrying something in for the lunch. They go around and serve each Mom with what they are holding. We had chicken salad sandwhiches, fruit, veggies and dessert. Derek got to carry the "to-die-for-800-calorie-a-bite" fruit dip and veggie dip.

The good stuff is on the left...

Enjoying our meal!

We all sit around and visit and the kids are just thrilled to have Mom come and eat lunch with them. I had the lady across from us take a picture of us and she kept saying, "ok, one more! Derek, look at me! Let's do it again!" Here is why:

I swear he does this in every picture..

Kind of creepy sometimes (his eyes, not me...)

This will do!

Happy Mother's Day!

Easter

Yeah, I know it's like a month and a half later...

Easter Sunday the kids woke up to find their Easter baskets on the couch. They got a new Sunday outfit, a book and a toy. I put an extra Angry Birds shirt in for the boys which they loved!

Then we moved outside for the hunt. This year it was actually warm outside so it made it all the more enjoyable. We choose a color for each kid for the eggs. Makayla was orange, Emma pink, Derek Blue and Jared Green. Obviously we (Mark) hide the eggs harder for the girls and it always takes forever for them to find them. They always need help at the end and we try and remember all the spots we put them.

Morning at our house

Since our ward split in March, we only had sacrament meeting for several Sundays. Easter was one of those so we only had 1 hour of church. It was really nice! (as I peer around quickly for lightening bolts...) My mom always has a fun Easter planned so we headed out to her house after coming home and changing.

Dinner was a-mazing! as usual and we had ham, potatoes, rolls and veggies. A slab of butter and lots of garlic is her key :)

Jared eating after the aftermath. He fell asleep on the way there.

The kids had their egg hunt afterwards with every kid having a color for themselves. It's a lot of fun and when they are all done, they get to choose prizes from the pictures inside their eggs at the "prize store." There were bubbles, books, little stuffed animals and of course candy.

Finding eggs in the prickly roses

the hunt is on!

Cashing in at the "prize store"

Enjoying the loot

What a fun day!!

Baby Bowling

Jared was cracking me up one day when he set up the bowling pins in the pantry and became the bowling ball hinself to knock the pins down. He has been watching Derek do this and thought he'd try it out for himself. I happened to have my camera.