Short Course Jr Olympic Swim Meet

Ryder was invited to participate in the Utah Swimming Short Course Championships or Utah Jr Olympics on a relay team of 10 and under boys team for SUSA,  The other boys were from the SHAC Team and needed a 4th member to complete.  Ryder had the speed they needed and we were available to get him there.  Ryder and I made the drive North for three days of swimming.  We made it to Grandma's house in time for lunch, kidnap her, and headed to Bountiful.

The welcome was official.
The rules were very strict only coaches on deck.

Found the team
and the parents gathering spot.
A little nervous and excitement.

The pool is calm
as everyone gets into position.

Warm ups begin
and the noise reached a fever pitch.
The kids were ready for the Finals tonight.

SUSA boys took 4th place

Ryder swam the first leg Backstroke.  He held his own and kept up with the other teams.  The event took under 5 minutes and he was done for the night.  We headed out to visit the MacPherson Cousins at home.  The kids were soon hanging out making slime, eating dinner, and even chasing each other around the house.  We had a great visit it was soon time to head back to Grandma's house to get some sleep for tomorrows relay.

Fabulous February Finally Ends

Recapping February with a few additional pictures.  I believe I spent more time at various doctor's appointments this month than I did when the kids were little.  Rylee has been suffering from hip pain over the last 4 months.  So much pain that it is hard to sleep, stand, or pretty much be in any one position for long.  Official diagnosis is Bursitis of the hips.  Treatment a series of exercises to loosen her hips and Aleeve for the pain at night.

Selfies while waiting for the doctor.

Crutches & knee brace
for a week.

Official diagnosis a sprained LCL.  Treatment ice, crutches, and a knee brace for a week.  She has been doing better and moving around without crutches.  However, not completely ready to for soccer and all the running.

Winter finally arrives

We are all ready for spring.  However, our wild weather decided we still needed to have a little bit of winter.  The snow arrived in tiny snowballs that covered the ground.  I was amazed that the slush lasted the rest of the day.  It hasn't warmed up yet.

The Beehives & Leaders

We have 20 Beehives and the amazing leaders let them try decorating cakes.  They had so much fun and even invited a couple of friends to join them.  They were all smiles and eager to share their sweet treats.  I do believe that they left more sprinkles in my van than on their cakes.

We are marching onto March with a lot of fun activities to look forward to.

CVE Choir Trimester Concert

It was a no swim night tonight instead it was a choir night.  Good news swim team had to be moved an hour earlier so there was time for both.  The kids were so excited to perform.  I was settled in my seat when I realized I couldn't find Ryder.  A few adjustments in seating and then finally standing up on the side I had a perfect place to watch him.

Peter Piper with actions.

I may need to sew
his pockets closed.

They sounded pretty awesome!!!  It is amazing to watch these kids sing, remember the words, actions, and sound so great.  The concert ended and Ryder was out the door for some food.  We are so proud of him and the hard work he puts into everything he does.  It's also hard to believe that the 3rd Trimester is starting.  The end of the year will be here before I am ready.

Blue & Gold Pack Meeting

Pack meeting this month was the Blue & Gold Banquet.  The boys were asked to make a cake and decorate it with their Dads.  We almost forgot but Dave & Ryder put their heads together.

Made and decorated in the spirit of the Olympics.
It really promotes the feeling when that is what
Mom watches each night.

Awards & handshakes

He earned 3 awards all thanks to good leaders that keep these crazy boys on track.  It was then time for....cake & ice cream.  The kids loved all the different cakes and devoured them.  I was hoping for dinner like previous years but the boys were all over treats only.

Presidents Cup Soccer Tournament

We are ready for some soccer this weekend.  Reganne was excited since she was missing school to make the first game at 11:30 Mesquite time.  The girls were ready to stretch their legs and hopefully come out on top.  It was going to be a Mom & Reganne day so let's get the party started.

Ready to roll

Good throw in 

It was a good game but didn't turn out quite the way we would have liked.  The score was 1 to zero.  They played hard and tried to get one in the net.  They were not successful.  It was time for some lunch and a lot of rest.  What could we find to do that would accomplish both of these?  We went to the movie.  There wasn't much to choose from so I left the choice up to Reganne.  The Greatest Showman was the winner hands down.  We settled in with hot dogs, chips, drinks, and ice cream.

Movie Selfie
Reganne captured herself perfectly.

It was soon time for the second game of the day or rather the evening.  Once the sun goes down it really cools off.  Thank goodness for my sleeping bag I was nice and warm.  The girls started their warm up routine.

Team cheer!!!

Playing her position
with all heart.

What happened to the other girls?
Reganne positioned herself by the Keeper.

This game was against a much harder team.  Our girls were struggling to find their groove and play together as they have practiced.  They made it down the field towards the goal and as the ball was kicked towards the goal.  The next thing I see is Reganne on the ground clutching her leg and crying.  I quickly made my way down the field towards her as her coach and the medical person.  

We got her positioned and carried her off the field towards the golf cart.  We were off the the heated trailer to hopefully figure out what was wrong.

Transportation & Trailer

Ice & waiting

She continued to cry in pain.  How were we going to get her home?  The assistance we were given was amazing from TOSH, coaches, and refs they quickly got her settled down (when she wouldn't listen to me) got a brace on, loaded her back on the the cart, and helpedGot me get her to the van.

We tried to make her comfortable in the back of the van with blankets, pillows, and what ever else I could find in the back.  Got some Advil and McDonalds and we headed home.

We made it home in one piece.  Thanks to her coach helping me get her inside & settled for the night.  It's a holiday weekend to we will have to wait it out until Tuesday.

SRIS Winter Choir Concert

Thunder & Lightening Choir have been experiencing a really rough couple of weeks which required them to have a new teacher.  The circumstances were sudden and threw the class into chaos.  Luckily the retired choir teacher stepped into fill the void until a permanent teacher could be found.  The kids were still able to perform at the District Intermediate School Festival and had a great time.

The new teacher decided not to have the evening performance but instead invite the parents to a performance during their class time.  This made it nice so Dave could attend with me.  We arrived just in time.  Oops the new teacher got the times wrong and they started 20 minutes earlier that was announced.  Thank goodness Dave likes to be early and I was glad that I didn't argue with him.  

A few smiles
They sounded really good.

A little smaller group

They sang their hearts out.  The one thing they need to work on was smiling.  These kids have worked hard each class period as they tried to learn a different teaching style.  They succeeded and I am so proud of Reganne for sticking with this during a really hard time.

It is not onto a new trimester with new goals, skills, and hopefully acceptance from both students & teacher to form a new group.

Happy Valentine's Day

How time flies it wasn't so long ago that we were doing Valentines & treats for each kid.  Now we are down to only one that needed Valentines, treats, and a bag or box for his class party.  Not so long ago we were their main valentines and eager to spend the evening with us.   Not so much this year and I was a little sad.  Dave had to work but we were lucky enough to sneak off for lunch without kids.

Ryder had swim team, Rylee wanted to hang out with friends, and Reganne was helping a friend make cookies for her Valentine.  I had a surprise up my sleeve which I hoped they would enjoy pizza for dinner.

I was in for a bigger surprise!!! Reganne wasn't helping a friend.  Instead she made me chocolate chocolate chip cookies.  A few were special heart shaped with butterscotch chips made especially for me.  They looked so yummy I could hardly wait to enjoy.  The  adult in me took over and dinner must be first

Yum!!!!

We ate and enjoyed the night together.  The cookies were really crispy.  When I asked Reganne how long she cooked them?  30 minutes...Why?? isn't that how long you cook yours for?  I asked her what recipe did she use?  Recipe?? I did it from memory.  They may have been hard as briquettes but the love oozed out of them.

The day turned out really great full of love and service.

Saturday Soccer

 It has been a while since we could enjoy soccer on a Saturday.  It was the perfect day to be outside and enjoy the sun.  The team was from Springville and had been practicing indoors since October.  They were excited to play outside and enjoy the sun as well. 

Reganne was once again playing Right Wing and was eager to get out on the field.  This was going to be a good warm up for next weeks tournament in Mesquite.

Watching the ball

I'm open

Where did  sun go?

The weather started out really warm & beautiful.  The clouds slowly drifted in and I was glad that I had my jacket.  The girls continued to play and soon my jacket was zipped all the way up.  The girls were tired and the game ended with a tie.  The girls has a few more practices to get ready to next week. 

Fourth Grade Field Trip...Art Museum

 CVES 4th Graders first field trip of the year was schedule for the first week of the month.  Ryder asked me to come to at least one.  My choices were the art museum or the dinosaur museum??  It was a really hard choice but the art museum won.

I met the school bus along with the other mothers who volunteered to help out.  Ryder's group was 4 of his friends and him.  We met out volunteer and set off to see the first show of all recycled plastic sculptures.  The boys were immediately drawn in and soon asking questions.

Can you see what is she
used to make it?

The second show was sculptures made out of metal.  Once again the boys followed along asking amazing questions.  They seemed to be really enjoying themselves. 

It was now time for the Utah Live portion.  Actors portraying Southern Utah Pioneers there was Jacob Hamblin, Orson Pratt, and a judge (can't remember his name).  The kids were really attentive and respectful.

Ryder got to be on
the jury.
No hangings or jail sentence today.

Everyone had a great time and they were soon headed back to school.  I was so amazed at this class of 4th graders.  They were really well behaved, listened, and participated.  I for one was worn out and ready for a nap.  I did get a quick hug and thank you from Ryder which made my day.

Super Bowl Sunday Plus

It was a double party not only was it Super Bowl Sunday it was also Dacoda's 14th Birthday.  We are ready to eat, watch football, and eat birthday cake.  The only way to watch football is on the big screen with plenty of munchies. 

Finding time for a
few presents.

Birthday Boy!!!
When did he get so tall?

Who wants a balloon?

Did Spencer take a balloon?
Maybe a sugar rush will ease the lose
a little better.

We all were in food coma's by the end of the night.  Who needs alcohol when you can have sugar instead?  It was time to get some sleep and hopefully miss the sugar hangovers.