In a package from Daddy

In case you didn't know, those are WORLD CUP jerseys. Honduras qualified for the World Cup this year--for the first time in 20 years--so this is a really big deal! Go, los Catrachos!

Not really an update...

Wow.

The past few weeks have been something of a roller coaster. One moment we're 90% sure moving to _____, and the next moment we're positive we're moving to _____ instead, and then two days later it's obvious we're moving to _____. And then we hear something that causes us to rethink everything.

At some point this has to stop, and we have to move somewhere.

If I dare say it, I think we're pretty darn sure where we are going. Sure enough to have a real estate agent and plans for house hunting, if that counts for anything. I apologize that I am not ready to announce it to the world. (But it is one of the schools on this list.) I just can't bear the thought of posting it on my blog...and then have the situation change again.

The problem is that I'm still not sure the roller coaster ride is over...

but I sure hope so.

Speaking of really awesome teachers...

I forgot to include this picture somewhere in my last few posts. This is Mary on the last day of school with her wonderful teachers, Ms. Kara and Ms. Jennifer. (They adored Mary! But, then again, how could they not?)

They created a loving, safe, secure, inviting, and exciting environment for their little class of toddlers. Mary thrived at school. THRIVED. She felt so loved and special. I enjoyed getting to know her teachers. They are wonderful women! So caring and patient and consistent and gracious.

You want to know how awesome they are? On the busy, crazy last day of school, they patiently, lovingly dealt with three puddles of pee-pee. That's why Mary has no pants in this picture.

We will miss Ms. Kara and Ms. Jennifer!

(Have I mentioned how much I love this preschool?)

Best grad party EVER

David's class had all the elements of a FUN-TASTIC (yes, I just used that "word," and, no, this is not an advertisement for Six Flags) grad party! Really, it was a super-dooper success.

There was...

pizza! (Of course.)

And did you notice the graduation decorations? Very festive!

There was gift-giving to the teachers...

Want a closer look?
It's a flower pot decorated with the children's finger prints. Isn't it adorable? (Tuck that idea away in case you're ever a room mom.) The teachers were also presented with wonderful scrapbooks one of the moms had put together.

The best part of any grad party is FRIENDS...

The large majority of the class was girls, so the three boys, Hayden, Jack, and David formed a special bond. Aren't they adorable??

I snapped a picture of these four girls, Krista, Mia, Leah, and Reagan, who are great friends and with whom David likes hanging out...

A chocolate fountain!!

Did YOUR graduation party have a chocolate fountain? Seriously, these kids celebrated in style!

What would the last day of school be without some outdoor fun...involving water play...

They had a great time running around outside!

Mary was there too. But she preferred to stick with the sidewalk chalk. (At least at the beginning. Later on she was fully integrated into the pack, running around throwing ice with the best of them.)

And if all of that wasn't enough...

they made ice cream!!

I had no idea you could make ice cream in ziploc bags! Here is David and Krista throwing their baggie around to make the ice cream.

(Do you see silly Mary in the background? Yes, she has no pants. Give her a break--she's been out of diapers less than a week. No body is THAT perfect.)

Now would be a great time to insert a picture of the kids eating their ice cream cones. But by then I was happily talking to some moms who are from the area we are most likely to move. Oh well. But isn't that a sign of a really great preschool party? When the moms have fun too!

The party ended with an emotional good-bye with Ms. Lisa. She has been the perfect teacher for David this year. And she has been a much-needed mentor and guide for me. I have valued her insights and support so much this year. I know that she loves David and appreciates him for the creative, imaginative, enthusiastic, tender boy he is. She admitted to me he's a favorite of hers (shhh!), and she will miss him tremendously. Yet again I have been reminded of how much I need loving teachers in my children's lives. A teacher's love is a wonderful thing.

Pomp and circumstance

Everything is bigger in Texas. And that includes preschool graduation!

After the program on Thursday, the Pre-K grads dressed in their robes and marched down the aisle again.

There's my little grad.

He was easy to spot, owing to the bright orange Crocs.

Also, he was sporting his cap on the back of his head, making his tassel look like a little ponytail.

A solemn occasion for David. (Almost as solemn as Mary's fishy song.)

See the tassel ponytail?

Can you spot my angel?

There he is!

They had to wait very patiently for each grad's name to be called. This is not a small preschool. So it was not a small wait. I figure that if a kid can survive the ceremony without rolling around on the floor, the kid definitely deserves to graduate!

Finally, David's turn!

Those are his super fabulous, wonderful teachers, Ms. Melissa and Ms. Lisa.

This calls for a close-up.

Congratulations, David! You made AMAZING progress this year!

Onward and upward!

End of the school year program

Today was the last day of school! Do you hear me weeping?

The preschool put on a wonderful end-of-the-year program! The theme was the Creation. David's class was first. They represented night and day.

Here is David marching down the aisle with his awesome teacher, Ms. Lisa, behind. Notice their cool shirts, which show light separated from darkness.

There is my sweet boy!

They sang a song about night and day.

Can you tell this part of the song was about night?

Mary's class sang about the fifth day, when God created birds and fish. This is Mary's entrance down the center aisle.

Look at those cute fishy shirts!

Mary knew the actions to her song about fish really well.

Oh, she's just so sweet! And getting so big!

She took her job very seriously.

Very seriously.

For the finale, the entire student body sang two fun songs. Can you find David?

There he is!!

(Mary was sitting down in front. Without some serious X-ray vision, there was no way I could have seen her.)

Oh, David. What a sweetie.

I wish this next picture was in focus! David looks so happy. (But you have to take what your camera can give you. As David would wisely say, "You get what you get so don't throw a fit." Isn't a preschool education a wonderful thing?)

Afterwards, the kids paraded out. Here is a proud and pleased Mary with her special friend Ryder.

And there's David! (Why did both of my children feel the need to stick out their tongues as they smiled?)

It was a wonderful program! Our family has been so blessed to have our children attend such a fun, fabulous, loving preschool! We will miss it!

If you are moving to Flower Mound, I can recommend a great preschool!

The potty post

My sister-in-law is so awesome that she suggested to her mother, "If you really want to help Alisa, you should potty-train Mary." So Grammy offered to potty train her sweet granddaughter. And I would be an idiot not to take her up on it.

So last weekend was Potty School at Grammy's house. It went well. Very well. So well, in fact, that I haven't dared post anything lest I jinx it all.

Not only does this prove how awesome grandmas are, it also shows how different children are.

Potty training David was the one of the most miserable experiences of my life. I think I'm still recovering from how much energy and bribery that took. But it couldn't have happened any other way.

Mary, on the other hand, is a very different child. She was finished with the timer and the potty treats by noon on the first day. And that was that.

Now, she was prepared for success, having had previous practice now and then.

She was also very excited about her Hello Kitty underpants. I showed them to her the night before she was to begin "potty school," and she carried all fourteen pairs around with her. Here she is, reading a bedtime story with Grammy. Notice all 14 pairs clasped to her chest.

Then she insisted on sleeping with them. (It was so funny--it took all my self-control to keep a straight face about it.) The following day, Grammy provided her with a basket for them. All weekend she carried her Hello Kitty undies around in a cute little basket. Oh, I love that girl.

Now that I have easily, successfully potty trained a child, I should write a book about it. Except that I had nothing to do with it. It was all Mary, God, and some love and guidance from Grammy. And I cannot express how grateful I am that this went smoothly.

Now for the binkie...

...hmmm...

...I think we'll save that adventure for her dad.

One thought

This past weekend was stake conference--a weekend of multi-congregation meetings. At the Saturday evening session, Elder Webb said the following about seeking answers from God:

The Lord allows time for us to work through our issues in order to get our QUESTIONS right.

"Hold your peace"

In May 1829, the Lord had the following to say to Hyrum Smith, the brother of the prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith recorded the words, and now they are among the writings that make up the Doctrine and Covenants.

For behold, it is I that speak; behold, I am the light which shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these words unto thee.

And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good--yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy;

And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me . . . in faith believing in me that ye shall receive. . . .

Wait a little longer. . . .

And then, behold, according to your desires, yea, even according to your faith shall it be done unto you.

Keep my commandments; hold your peace; appeal unto my Spirit;

Yea, cleave unto me with all your heart . . . be patient . . .

But now hold your peace.

No commentary. Only the thought that I believe these words were not for Hyrum alone.

(You can read everything the Lord had to say to Hyrum that day in Section 11.)

A tale of two balloons

It was the best of times...and then it was the worst of times.

Friday morning on our way home from Mary's gymnastics class we stopped at Sonic (because we're Texans now). Oh happy surprise! The car hop brought my children each a balloon! They were thrilled.

As we drove home, I was filled with happiness. My children were gleefully playing with their balloons, and my heart was warmed by their ability to be amazed and entertained by such simple things. I was reminded of how much I love my children.

With my heart swelling, I thought to myself that those balloons were a good omen. It was going to be a good day.

Then we got home. Have you all seen big Texan suburban homes with their super steep pitched roofs and accordingly high vaulted ceilings? They are DEATH TRAPS FOR HELIUM BALLOONS.

Not surprisingly, within 3 seconds of entering THE BALLOON DEATH TRAP, David's balloon was a goner, tangled in a moving fan twenty feet up.

While I was trying (unsuccessfully) to retrieve David's balloon with a ladder and broomstick, Mary's balloon succumbed to the high ceiling above the staircase (where a ladder cannot be placed).

Happy hearts to broken hearts in less than thirty seconds.

Let's just say it did not turn out to be a good day.

More May flowers

Last week we visited the Dallas Arboretum again. It seemed like a very May thing to do.

There was a village of flower-homes from the books of Beatrix Potter. David and Mary even saw Peter Rabbit himself!

Grammy and the kids checking out one of the homes...I think this is Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle's house...

Here is Mary helpfully posing for that lady's picture...

Mary inside one of the flower-homes...

We explored new (for us) and exciting parts of the arboretum. David found an armadillo to ride...

And a buck...
(Can you tell that kid is in gymnastics?)

Mary took a ride on the buck too...

The highlight OF COURSE was the splash fountain...

Fun! Fun! Fun!

On our way out, we saw Peter Rabbit again. Very exciting. He apparently made a big impression on Mary, as she frequently tells me, "Miss Peter Rabbit." She also informs me that Peter Rabbit eats carrots. By the way, she also misses her daddy, as I hear "Miss Daddy" sometimes too. Oh, and her daddy eats grapes.