Four Forever

Kasidee and I were walking home from dropping her friend off from a playdate when she asked me to pick her up and hold her. She put her head on my shoulder and gave me a squeeze with her little arms. She said, "I want to be 4 forever."

I wish she could, too!

Chore Charts - Again

I love lists. I have an obsession with lists and writing things down. I have been a list maker since I can remember. I have lists for all sorts of things.

BUT I have made several attempts for "listing" chore charts for the girls but for some reason it just doesn't seem to work. I bought cute little magnet boards with magnetic stickers; I made fairy house posters, where behind each window or door is a chore; I've made simple lists. None of them work after the "newness" has worn off. Then I realized something. The things we tried before were too complicated (who wants to read a list of 20 things that need to be done?) and the girls got overwhelmed. Furthermore, Kasidee was sort of left out because she couldn't read yet.

So I had an idea that will hopefully work this time. I noticed that our "chores" (which also includes things to remember and do) fell into specific times of the day - Morning (before school), After School, Dinnertime, and Bedtime.

So I made a pocket for each of those times - check it out:


And then each girl has a list inside each pocket - see:


It was so easy to make - just paper, stickers, clear contact paper, and some clipart from Google Images. When the girls wake up, they each get their "Morning" checklist out and are excited to check off each thing - they just use a washable marker to "X" right over the image. Kasidee likes being included, and she knows exactly what she needs to do because of the pictures. The same goes for each time of the day. At the end of the day, I note how many things each girl has crossed off, then wipe them clean for the next day. Saturday is when we pay them allowance for what they have accomplished that week.

Here's hoping to an easier, smoother chore chart strategy!!

Wish Blossoms

Kasidee and I went to Smoot Park (she calls it Smooch Park!) this morning for a little bit. She saw a white dandelion (she and her sisters call them Wish Blossoms) and wanted both of us to each make a wish on it. So in my mind I began wishing for health and safety of my family and me, world peace, etc. When it was time for both of us to blow, Kasidee shouted out, "I wish for...gum!"

Touch of Fall

I was so excited to look out my window this morning and see my favorite trees just starting to turn! I think I've mentioned before how much I love our flowering pear trees - they are so pretty every time of year! But my favorite is when they start turning firey red in the Fall! Love it!

Little Beauty

The other morning Kasidee told me that she didn't need any help getting ready for the day. She got busy and was quiet for about 10 minutes and then she wanted to show me how she did:

10 Years

Happy Anniversary to Quentin! No, it's not our wedding anniversary (by the way, we'll be celebrating our 14 1/2 year anniversary next month!), but it's Quentin's 10-Year WORK anniversary! Yep, he's been at Fidelity for 10 years!

Over 10 years ago, he had been working at a company that does computer programming for credit unions but the department he worked in dissolved and he was laid off. We were just a few weeks pregnant with our first baby. I was working in the management office of Trolley Square at the time but planned on quitting when our baby was born. So...it was a little nerve-wracking during the 2 months he was out of work. But Quentin was majoring in business-finance and had always had his eye on Fidelity.

Long story short - he ended up getting the job and has been there for 10 years! He enjoys what he does (for the most part) and it is a good company to work for. Lots of perks and pretty good stability. And what he has learned has really benefited our lives. I'm so proud of him! Congrats, Q!

Ode to My Dryer

Isn't it funny how we take something for granted until it's not there? Well, last week I became acutely aware of how much I appreciate my clothes dryer - and I will never take it for granted again!

Last week I had done 3 loads of laundry but since it was a preschool day I didn't have/take the time to fold/hang up/put away all of the clothes and towels and socks and underwear. Thinking that I would be able to fluff up the stuff and put it away later, I made a mountain of clean clothes in my laundry room. Later that afternoon when I went to do attack it and get it put away, my dryer wouldn't work. Wha---? I had just dried 3 loads and now it won't work?! Weird. So when Quentin got home, I asked him and he had fun taking it apart and checking it out. He wasn't sure what the problem was but said he'd look at it again over the weekend. This was on a Tuesday. What was I supposed to do with all of the clothes that were clean and dry, but horribly wrinkled because they had been squished in a big, mountainous pile? (P.S. I have a horrible secret - the only time I ever use my iron is do melt those perler bead crafts that my girls and every other kid in the neighborhood come over to do!) It's so much easier to just throw things in the dryer to "iron" them, even though it probably isn't the "greenest" option!

So... I tried my best to ignore the pile of clean clothes and to ignore the laundry basket of dirty clothes that began piling up. But - Saturday morning Quentin figured out the problem, got the 5 dollar part and fixed it. Easy-peasy. Quentin can fix just about anything - yay!

I got to work, and I swear I will never complain about doing laundry again. I'm so happy to have my dryer running again. I have tried in the past to hang things to dry, but they get as stiff as a board! My dryer just makes my life easier and...I (heart) my dryer!

Harvest

It has been fun having a garden this year. We planted corn, carrots, onions, peppers, zucchini, cantaloupe, honeydew, peas, and tomatoes (Early Girl, grape, cherry and yellow pear.) Some things did better than others, but we were happy that we got at least some of everything to grow.

Last weekend we harvested all of our corn - 15 stalks gave us over 3 dozen ears of corn. What we didn't eat we cut off the cob and froze - we got almost 2 gallons of corn! It will be fun to have a taste of summer in our winter soups!

Also last weekend we made fresh salsa.... (Quentin couldn't wait - can you see his spoon in the picture?)



And we harvested lots of tomatoes - Yummy!

We've been enjoying some of our cantaloupe, and tonight for dinner we had fajitas made with our zucchini and carrots and onions and peppers. Oh man, garden fare is the best!

Preschool

So...I just finished my third week of teaching preschool (this is my third year of teaching.) Can I just say how much I love it?! Sure, there are days when I can think of something I might rather be doing and of course there are days when I feel like a horrible teacher. But overwhelmingly IT IS SO FUN! I think 3- and 4-year-olds are so cute and so fun - they're so sweet and they just crack me up. I love their curiosity and sweetness. They're just fun to be around!

I've told people before that I wasn't looking for a career when I go into this, and I wasn't needing to do this for the money. It was just an opportunity that sort of presented itself and I wanted to make it work. I've had so much support from my family (especially Quentin, who shares the theater room with the preschool!) and if I ever had to have a career this would certainly be it. I love being able to prepare and work AT HOME and only "work" about 6 hours a week (including prep time.) I also love that it's a creative outlet, it doesn't eat into family time, and the money isn't bad. And it's just so fun!

When I was a teenager, I used to do a free, fun preschool in the summer months for some of the neighbor kids and kids I babysat. It was just fun, but I never dreamed I'd be doing it in "real life" when I got older. I feel like this year I feel much more confident than I was last year and I'm just having fun with it - I have a really great class of 12 kids (6 girls and 6 boys.) I especially love having Kasidee with me, and I'll sure miss her next year when she goes to kindergarten.

But I just love preschool and had to share!! :)

Wow

Can I just say I have the sweetest husband and kids ever? I know I'm biased. But boy, do they make me happy! They are thoughtful and supportive and genuine and soooo sweet!

It's been a busy week and I've been feeling sort of guilty for having lots of things to do without them. I know it's probably good for them, but I've been spending a lot of time away from home and away from them - and I've sure missed them!

Friday night, Quentin and I went to a play and had his mom watch the girls for over 3 hours. Saturday I was gone to a far-away funeral (Quentin stayed with the girls) from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and then came home and went to a bishopric social till past 10:00 pm. Sunday after church I had a Young Women's Board meeting for a couple of hours. Last night I went to Book Club from 8:00 to almost midnight (yikes!), and tonight Quentin and I will take a class for a couple of hours.

Like I said, I know it's good for Quentin and the girls to be together. But I figured in the last week, I spent about 24 hours away from either Quentin and the girls or just the girls (and that's not including the girls' school and being apart at church, etc.) That's a long time, and I've really missed them.

So...imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning with a sign on my bedroom door that said, "My wife Kellie is...." and over 100 "dots" on the floor all over my house! The dots said different things like "special," "considerate," "beautiful," etc. Then at the door to the garage there was a note that said, "You are everything to me, my Kellie!" and 3 little notes from the girls! I think I could literally feel my heart melting! I've been out gallavanting this week, feeling guilty for "ditching" them, and they took so much time to let me know much they love me. Wow - I am blessed!

Sweet

The other night as Kiera was saying our family prayer, she said, "Please bless our worries...."

Long Bike Ride

This summer we made a checklist of things we wanted to do...and I'm amazed that we actually crossed off most of the things! But one thing on there - "Long Bike Ride" we had purposely left unchecked even though we had gone on a couple of bike rides to Dairy Queen or on the Lagoon Trail or to the park. We left it unchecked because we were waiting for a REALLY long bike ride. We decided Labor Day was the perfect day to do it. The temperature was cool-ish, it was overcast, and there was a slight breeze. Perfect! So we went on Legacy Trail - we started on Clarke Lane in Farmington and rode all the way to Layton. It was over 10 miles total (both ways)! It was such a nice, flat, pretty trail and we would have kept going further but someone needed to use the bathroom so we headed back. But we were gone over 2 hours and it was so fun! We all just love riding our bikes!

Family BBQ

During Labor Day weekend, Ben and Jen (my cousins) were so nice to invite the whole Johnson clan to their house for a BBQ. It's always fun to get together with them, and I love how the kids can all play for hours and get along so well! And it's so fun to see our girls get right in on the soccer action with the boys!

Brain Day

A little over a week ago was "Brain Day" for all of the fourth-graders. Kiera was so excited, and I just thought, "Well, have fun - but be sure to wash your hands before you come home." But then the parents got invited to attend too. We all thought Quentin would enjoy it much more than me, but he couldn't get time off work - so it was me who got to go. I was happy to be with Kiera, even though I wasn't thrilled about seeing brains.

So...first of all the kids had "Brain Food" - apples, veggies, trail mix...and a jello molded to look like a brain. How lovely.

Then we got to spend time doing "Brain Puzzles" before we actually got to see the brains. Yep, real sheep brains. Whoever wanted to touch them could put on gloves and pick them up, rub them, feel them...just not poke their fingers through them. (Doesn't that put a nice image in your head?!) Kiera was brave - and actually excited - to touch it. She said it wasn't as slimy as she thought it would be, and I think it looked quite a bit like Spam. Ugh. But it was fun to hear some of the students point out the pituitary glad or other parts of the brain that they've been learning about. I guess that's what it's all about.

After that, we got to watch a PowerPoint presentation about different optical illusions. It brought me back to my college days when I studied psychology and took a class on perception. So fascinating!!

Swim Party

Last night was the annual neighborhood swim / hot dog / ice cream party at our neighbor's house. It's something we look forward to for celebrating the end of summer. We were there over 2 1/2 hours and our girls were one of the last few kids out of the pool! It's fun to go swimming, especially when you know everyone there and can swim (or sit and chat) with your friends!



EVEN THE BISHOP GOT IN ON THE ACTION - SHIRT AND TIE AND EVERYTHING! WHAT A GOOD SPORT! (I'M NOT SURE IF HE ACTUALLY GOT PUSHED IN OR IF HE PLANNED ON JUMPING IN!)

Funnies

More funnies from my girls (at least I think they're funny!)

* Makenna had an "owie" and when it touched the warm bath water she said, "Ouch! That's spicy!"

* Kasdiee asked me if the milk had "re-spidered" yet.

* Kasidee calls hand sanitizer "hanitizer."

* Makenna said, "I hit my arm on the chair and it fizzed!"

First Day

So here we are, first day of school. Kids, parents and teachers are all excited and nervous about this Big Day. But I think the hardest part for the mom is putting on a happy face and pretending you're excited and that all will be well. I HATE the first day of school. I can't stop crying, it's way too quiet, and I feel lost. Of course, in a couple of days I know I will relish the routines and the structure, and I will remember how fun it is to have the whole day alone with my Kasidee. But today I just feel lost.

I put on my brave face this morning even though Kiera has had doubts all summer about going back to school. She's really excited about her teacher, but none of her closest friends are in her class. But what she has been really nervous about is that the "School Bully" is in her class. She has heard lots of horror stories about this boy and is terrified that he is in her class. So of course - when I take her to class this morning the desks are set up in pairs. And she is sitting right. next. to. The. Boy. Her face crumpled as she turned into me. Her tiny, quivering voice whispered, "Mama, I can't do this."

Oh man - I felt like my heart would break! I mumbled a few words which seemed to help and she pulled it together. She bravely sat down at her desk. I gave her a quick hug and kiss and kept glancing over my shoulder as I left the room. Then the tears started coming. And coming. As I walked outside, I passed a few moms I know - one said, "Are you really crying?! Boy, I am shouting for JOY!"

Kasidee and I quickly walked home where I was able to do my "Ugly Cry" and talk to my own sweet mom on the phone. I just love having my girls home with me, and I don't like having to wonder and worry about how their day is going when they're not with me. I know, I know - soon I'll be able to focus on the projects I've put on hold and I'll enjoy having some quiet(er) time. But I feel like time is just going too fast! When my girls were babies I thought it was so cute how they would reach out and try to grasp the bath water coming out of the faucet. No matter how much they would grasp, over and over, they just couldn't get a hold of that water. That's how I feel with Time - I keep grasping and grasping, but it just keeps going and I can't make it hold still!

I guess that's what life is all about, and I am reminded that I need to be grateful my girls are still young and not off to college or something. But time just goes too fast. But at least I am loving every single minute! :)

This is the Place

As a sort of last hurrah to summer, we went to "This is the Place" last Saturday with Corbin, Nikki and kids. "This is the Place" is one of our favorite places - there's so much to learn about and do and there are different activities every time we go. And it just feels different there! Anyway, check out some of the fun things we did:

Birthday, Birthday, Birthday!

I just haven't taken the time to blog as much as I'd like this summer, but I wanted to make sure I "documented" Makenna and Kasidee's birthdays! Having their birthdays 2 days apart is great for some reasons and hard for other reasons. My main concern is making sure each girl feels special on her day, but it's also fun to have like a 3-day celebration!

Makenna's birthday (#7) was on a Sunday, which is hard for a kid. She was bummed that we couldn't go somewhere fun (besides church!) but she really looked forward to having the grandmas over that evening. It was quiet and nice and really helped to be able to focus on HER!

The next day was the friend party day. Makenna and Kasidee both wanted a backyard pool party with a few friends. My first thought was great - we'll just invite everyone and have a big bash. But no - they each wanted a separate party even though they would be doing the same thing. So instead of dividing it between 2 separate days, we decided to do both parties on the same day but at different times. It was a long day, but it was fun - and nice to have it over with in one day!!

Anyway, the party was fun - sprinklers under the trampoline, slip-n-slide, and inflatable kiddie pool. We had whale crackers and Swedish fish for snacks, and watermelon cupcakes and watermelon popsicles.






The next day was Kasidee's real birthday (#4) and we asked her what she wanted to do. She replied with what she had been asking all summer - Kangaroo Zoo. So we went there, then went to Olive Garden for dinner. Yay!

So Great A Cause

For the last few months, our Stake has been focusing on how we can provide service to others beyond our Stake boundaries. Ward goals, family goals, and individual goals were set, and last Saturday was the "culminating event" of everyone's efforts.



There was a carnival (each "station" symbolized characteristics needed in strengthening our testimonies and building the kingdom of God.) There was food and music, an art exhibit, and a program with songs. All the work that went into this event was pretty impressive.

COTTON CANDY - YUM!

WATERMELON EATING CONTEST - MAKENNA WON, EVEN WITH HER TOOTHLESS SMILE!

PETTING ZOO


Perhaps the coolest thing was the monument that will be placed at the church. The monument houses a time capsule that each ward contributed to - we were even able to submit our family's goal. The time capsule will be opened in 20 years, when our Stake turns 50 years old. It's weird to think that in 20 years I will most likely be a grandma! But what a special experience for us, especially the girls!

THE 4-FOOT MONUMENT AND TIME CAPSULE


The other "coolest" thing was a big map of the world - and there was a list of everyone in the Stake and where they served (or are serving) their missions and/or military duty. Everyone that was there was able to put a pin in the map of where they went - what a neat thing to see that people of our Stake have had an influence all over the world!

Camping

We went camping last weekend with Quentin's brother Corbin and his family, and his brother Dallin. We ended up having lots of fun but there were a few things that really "tested" us. On our way up to Big Cottonwood Canyon, our van overheated. It just totally died and we had to pull over for a few minutes. We realized that our poor old van can't pull a tent trailer and run the a/c at the same time. So to cool things off a bit, we drove the rest of the way up with the heater on and the windows rolled down. At least we made it!

Corbin got to the site about an hour before we did and got the very last spot. Out of about 100 spots. We were able to all share the spot, so that was pretty lucky.

But then as Quentin was cranking up the top of the tent trailer, he got it up maybe a foot and then it just fell. The dumb cable that makes the top go all the way up broke, leaving our tent trailer unusable. Great - now what? I felt so frustrated, and I just wanted to go home and cry. But we emptied out the stuff we had put in the trailer and Quentin and Corbin ran the trailer back home (thank goodness we were only about an hour away from home!) Then he picked up a new tent for 88 bucks at Walmart. We set it up and were good to go. I felt a lot better then. The tent was nice, but man - we realized how much we really love our little tent trailer! We sure missed the comforts and safety of it!

I think after that (besides a few scrapes, mosquito bites, small bike crashes, and some stinging nettle on Makenna's fingers) things were okay. We had a fun time and made some good memories - and we can't wait to go again next year!


RIDING BIKES

GEOCACHING

HIKE BY DONUT FALLS

"FREE WOOD FOR SALE"

Swimming Lessons

The girls took swimming lessons this summer - this was Kasidee's first year! They all loved it and did really well. They hated to see it end!

KIERA



MAKENNA



KASIDEE



THREE BATHING BEAUTIES!