Feels like summer then snow

The weather tricked us into thinking it's almost summer - it was warm and sunny one day and then we had snow!!

 After cleaning up the backyard together on Saturday, we ended the evening with a fire where we cooked hot dogs and s'mores. Our backyard really is so cozy and we feel like we're camping. 

We met some friends at the park! Yay for sunshine and friends. 

Adelaide created happy faces for everyone in the family. 

Eleanor's writing is taking off. These cute notes in her school bag made me smile. 

Austin was home sick for several days. Adelaide was thrilled to have someone home to play with her. Several of us got sick last week, but poor Austin got his the worst. Our home wasn't the same without his energetic energy. We're so grateful he's started to perk up! 

Eleanor had her first music concert! She sang her heart out. "Home is where the heart is. That is what they say!" She knew all the words and actions. She was the star of the show. 

Last minute, Mrs. K, the music teacher, asked Eli to help read a part for Eleanor's program. How cute is it that Eleanor gets to go to the same school as both Eli and Austin? Eli did a great job speaking clearly and reading so confidently. 

Eleanor's art! I've been looking at some summer art classes Eleanor can take because she really does have a talent for art and I want to help foster her creativity.  

Look who has new glasses!! These ones don't have a strap behind her head like her very first pair did. She suddenly looks so grown up. 

Aaron's friend from the academy was in KC so we met up with him for dessert. College friends are the best. These two talked the night away like old times. 

More great weather. These two played outside with bubbles. 

For FHE, we had s'mores on a cute solo stove I gave Aaron for Valentine's Day. 

Temple walk: on Tuesday, Adelaide and I walked to the temple! We've lived in KC for almost 5 years and I still can't believe what a blessing it is that we live so close to the temple. We walked around the temple grounds and looked at the pretty flowers that were recently planted. Spring is so close! 

I caught these three making up songs on the ukulele and laughing their heads off. Siblings are such a blessing. I tell my kids all the time that they'll forever have their siblings are their friends!

On Wednesday morning we woke up to SNOW! Winter is still sticking around! We laughed that one day it was 80 degrees and the next day there was snow. 

The girls and I sang primary songs together before bedtime tonight. Adelaide is enjoying sunbeams and is learning the songs so well. I told the girls the things I love about primary and I got teary eyed as I said the best part is serving in the primary presidency right now while all four of my children are in primary. What a tender mercy! What a memorable year for us all!

Weekend Happenings

We went to the library where I found this little book by the Dalai Lama. This quote was inspirational to me - Aaron loves being in nature and I love that the weather has warmed up a bit and the kids spend their afternoons outside in the sunshine. 

The kids didn't have school on Friday. Sickness hit some of us so we stayed home and rested for the day. We did order pizza for dinner. We do have a tradition of pizza and movie night on Friday nights, but it's been a while since we ordered pizza. I usually make it or we grab some frozen pizzas. It was a treat to have Dominos. Adelaide looked so cute eating this piece as big as her head. 

The church where Eli plays basketball has a playground inside that the kids love. 

Megan came to visit with her kids. Here is the cheering squad for Eli's game. Eli had been sick, but was feeling better by Saturday evening and wanted to play in his game. He ended up making 12 points. His team lost, but he had a great game despite not feeling his best. 

Sunday after church we went out to Duane and LeeAnn's for dinner and visiting family. Megan's van was having issues so Duane and Aaron worked on it while I took the kids on a nature walk. 

The kids fell asleep on the drive home. Eleanor still cuddles her hedgehog each night. When I see her like this, she instantly turns back into my baby girl that loves her blanky and hedgy. 

Aaron was off on Monday for President's Day and the kids had the day off too. We slept in and then Aaron treated us to breakfast at Ihop. We rarely go out for breakfast and the kids were so excited! After breakfast, we went and walked around this beautiful nursery that we've grown to love. We never buy anything because everything is overpriced, but the flowers are lovely. After some shopping, we cleaned up the backyard and ended the evening with hot dogs and s'mores over a fire.  

Eleanor seems to always have a pen in her hand. She's either drawling or writing. I found this in her journal. I love seeing her sound out words. 

 

School Valentine Parties

Adelaide and I went to the school to see the kids during their Valentine class parties. This was Eli's last elementary school party. The kids had fun exchanging Valentine's with their school friends and loading up on sugar. 

As we left the school, we spotted Eleanor's art - a picture of her when she's 100! Her class did an art project for the 100th day of school. 

 

Super Bowl

Eleanor's teacher posted this picture of their class website. Austin's class goes into the kindergarten room to help and I love that these two get to see each other. Austin told me that Eleanor runs and gives him a hug!

Adelaide and I made a last minute trip to Ikea after music class and we invited our friends to join us. We had the best time shopping and then grabbed lunch together. 

Adelaide had her checkup and she looked so big sitting in the chair by herself. She told me she didn't need my help in the chair. She's so grown up and had her first real appointment where she told the Dr what pictures she should see on the screen. 

Look who is getting new glasses! 

I picked up this stool at Ikea. I can't believe Adelaide is my last baby and I'm just now putting a stool in the downstairs bathroom. 

Adelaide and I went and had lunch with the boys. 

I love seeing my kids' friends. With Eli headed to middle school next year, I want to have lunch with him as much as possible during his last few months during elementary school. I wasn't able to make it to school for Eleanor's lunch on this day so she'll be up next for a lunch date!

Eleanor came running out the door from school with this headband on in preparation for the Super Bowl. 

Friday night fun - we went swimming together at the Y. We're all so happy in the water. 

The church where Eli has his basketball games was all decorated for the Super Bowl. We snapped a few pictures pretending like the kids were at the game. 

We found a house that had a light show set up for the Super Bowl. We listened to the music and loved the excitement in the air for the Chiefs!

Saturday evening I prepared sour dough for English muffins. We have church at 10:30 a.m. and it's the perfect amount of time to sit down and have a nice breakfast together. We had breakfast sandwiches. 

After church we made KC sugar cookies for the super bowl. Our friends' hosted a fun party. We didn't plan to stay for the whole game, but we got sucked in and then the Chief's WON in overtime! 

We got home late and Grammy had left the kids notes on their chalkboards. Duane and LeeAnn were headed on a business trip and stay the night at our house. 

Since the Chief's won the Super Bowl, the kids didn't have school on Wednesday so we enjoyed a day at home watching the celebration parade. Eli didn't feel well and I also didn't feel that great. It was special to enjoy Valentine's Day together. The kids made their Valentine's and then we heart-attacked our friends' doors with hearts and candy. 

There was a shooting at the parade as the celebration downtown ended. It was heartbreaking for our city after everyone was so excited for the Chief's victory again. I was grateful we didn't go downtown after all. Eli mentioned how he didn't want to get sprayed with alcohol, which was a possibility with the way people celebrated after a super bowl win. I cried tears of gratitude that we stayed home after all and we were all safe.