Track and Field 2014!

Stretching

Sometimes you need a balance buddy.

Getting lined up for the mile.

We thought they looked like a relay team.

Starting the final lap. Wanted to give her some encouragement.

Yay Etta!! A 10:20 mile. Not bad for a 6-year old I think!

Ping pong ball toss.

Standing broad jump. 4 feet and a few inches I think.

Trying to get more distance.

The one event Mae did. One time. Look at that air!

Long jump. I don't think she really got it.

A bit better the second time.

Etta and Maddie in the 3-Legged Race.

All lined up.

It took them a loooooooooong time to get it figured out.

Tug of war.

Gunny sack race.

Getting some help.

Loved our big kid helpers!

Off we go!

She had to go to the bathroom so it gave her some motivation.

Etta was a lot more aware today than she was last year. She has been looking forward to field day for a long time. Tomorrow is her spring concert and kindergarten graduation!

Performance Day

A couple of weeks ago the Beacon kids ran a service at the church in Clarkston.

Etta's teacher led out song service and a bunch of the kids joined in. That's Etta's good friend Brenna next to her.

Then her class did a Reader's Theatre. No, the big boys next to her aren't in her class, they were filling in for sick kids.

She read her part very well.

Etta has also been participating in the school's drama club. She really enjoys herself and loves going.

The first time I watched she wouldn't put her head down because "it hurt [her] neck". But I'm glad that she was able to fully dive in.

That Time of Year

It's that time of year again.

Popsicles in the shade on a warm afternoon.

Mother's Day 2014

We woefully under-celebrate most things at the Wicks house. Not that different holidays and events aren't fun and a chance to change things up a bit but ... well, I'm just not that into things. I try to do other special things on not-so-special days and create excitement in the little things. (But if you've see any of my attempts at cake decorating you'll see that I'm not that great at that either!)

I don't expect much in the way of gifts. I don't really want gifts for my birthday or Mother's Day or when ever. On my birthday the girls kept asking me what I wanted for my birthday and I kept telling them that I wanted time with them. "But we want to get you a PRESENT mommy!"

Thankfully Bob works in a building full of women. Women who teach children. And who have an arsenal of gift ideas for "moms who don't want gifts". So this was pretty fun. He did a great job. And he's not even on Pinterest!! (Thank you Mrs. Repp.)

I think that the best part of the whole weekend was Mae's continuous commentary. The girl is never quiet.

Never.

They got home from running errands Saturday morning:

Mae: "Mommy! We bought you some flowers!"

Etta: "Maaaaaaaaaaeeeee! You weren't supposed to tell!"

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I got home from a movie Saturday afternoon:

Mae: "Mommy! Daddy did Russell's hand print!"

Bob: "Mae! It's supposed to be a surprise!"

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Sunday morning during breakfast:

Mae: "Daddy! When are we going to finish the hand prints for mommy?"

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But it didn't matter. The end result was still so special. At church the kids got to pick a flower 4-pack for their moms. The girls went out to the foyer - alone - holding hands, and came back with a 4-pack of pansies. Etta: "Because they're your favorite mommy!"

Heart melting.

So they came home, banished me to the house and finished their gift.

And I love it.

Proud of their work!

My mom got the girls these planters for Etta's birthday. Etta's is the cat and Mae's is the dog. They had leftover potting soil and flowers so they were filled up.

A little more color and fun in our front yard!

Surprise for Mom

I really, truly, honestly don't mind when the children get dirty. (It's not my favorite, but usually it's okay.)

But not on Monday.

Monday when I was sick all day.

Monday when I was alone because Bob had school and then theatre rehearsal.

Monday when I had made it through the day, dinner done by 6:30, and with bedtime firmly in my sights.

Monday when I heard through the open kitchen window,

"Daddy, daddy, daddy! COME LOOK AT US!"

No.

No. No. No. No.

And that is when moms are done being sick and are back to being moms.

But it was okay. I didn't yell. I didn't spank. I didn't punish.

(Although I might have gone a little too far with the hose. But they were still laughing, so it was all okay.)

I got the big chunks off and got them in a warm bath, warm jammies, cuddles for stories and then off to bed.

Because that's what moms do, right? And it's just mud and it washes off. And someday, way sooner than I want or expect, there won't be muddy faces or clothes or hair and my life will be calmer, but a lot more boring.

Happy Mother's Day to two of the three that made me a mommy.

Here are some quotes:

"But we were doing the Dirty Dash!"

"We wanted to make mud pies!"

"We just needed to be in the mud!"

Little Red Wagon

For my birthday my mom got me a "Little Red Wagon". Only it's not metal, it has "off-road" capabilities ("the tires can drive on the grass mommy!), and can hold up to 150 lbs. Which means that all three kids can fit in it to be drug around pulled for a nice evening stroll. Which we tested out at soon as we could.

Cheese!

Aerial shot. 

Happy kids, happy mom.

Thanks Montana Gram!

Grandpa & Me

When my dad is here is usually stuck with gets to spend quality time with Russell. Although Russell doesn't much like to sit on laps and not touch stuff at this point.

Up and away!

Getting situated.

What's that? Can I touch it? Drink it? Throw it?

Or maybe read the paper.

And apparently my dad always brings the same pajama shirt to Idaho. This post was in October of '08 when Etta was 5 1/2 months old. (His beard may be a bit grayer now. But I think it's Erik's fault, not the grandchildren.)

More Movies!

Grandma Cynthia was quite popular with her Surface and any and all videos that they watched.

Even Russell got in on the action.

Ah ha!!

Ooooooooo. Buttons!

Fry Kids

Last Thursday we picked up lunch at Sharp's and took it home to eat. All Mae wanted was fries. Apparently that is all Russell wanted too.

I guess they would be Fry Kids. I guess we all need to "Keep our eyes on our fries".

Ha ha! Look, he's having some fries!

What?! Fries are good!

Uh, don't you think you've had enough fries?