Update

Liv spent the past weekend being sick.  She even missed school on Monday.  We watched movies all day, including Parent Trap-which she loved.  Liv had a big week at gymnastics and finally mastered a skill on the bars she has been working hard on, so her coaches finally agreed to move her up to compete level 4 this next season.

She also had fun one afternoon when the weather was nice cruising around the streets in a scooter with her friend.

Liv also went with her school class yesterday to see the play Charlotte's Web.  She has spent the past month reading the book and really enjoyed the play.



We are in full soccer mode over here.  Cole had three soccer games on Saturday.  Cole also ran the mile last week.  He was really nervous about it and wanted to get a good time.  He even asked to run on the treadmill before school a few times to help him prepare.  He got 6:40 for his time and came in second.  Cole also had the maturation talk at school.  It was so funny.  He came home to tell Shawn and I about it and the first words he said was, "Mom, it was completely inappropriate.  Do you know how many times they said the P word".  He told a few other funny things and we had a good laugh about it.

Cole had a  field trip last week to Madison.  They went to tour the capitol and learn about our government.   He got to ride in comfy tour buses.  Each seat had a TV and there was nice air conditioning.  A great improvement from regular school buses.

Cole also had a writing celebration at school that Shawn and I were able to attend.

Cole finally got a new bike and is ready to terrorize the neighborhood.

Ethan also is full swing into soccer season.  He has a tournament this weekend, which should be fun.   I took Ethan shopping last weekend.  His birthday is coming up soon and I can no longer shop for him.  He is too picky.

While getting Cole's bike last week, we had the mechanic look at Ethan's bike.  We found out that he has been pretty hard and it has over $200 worth of repair work.  After a few Youtube videos and some fiddling around I was able to make it so his bike will work.....kind of. Hopefully it was last one more year.  Otherwise, he will have to ride in this around the neighborhood...

Dubsmash Videos

I found a few funny video clips on my phone that the kids made.  We discovered the Dubsmash App a little while ago and the kids are having a blast recording themselves.

They crack me up!

Liv's Bday

We had a big birthday yesterday.  Liv turned 8!!

She started the morning bright and early opening presents.

Her big gift from Shawn and I was a kip bar and balance beam for gymnastics.  We put it up downstairs and she was so excited to see it.

Liv also got a cute new Brewers Shirt, some new sparkly hightop sneakers from Ethan and glittery Moon Sand from Cole.  Shawn also bought her some beautiful roses for her birthday.

Liv went out for a birthday lunch with the family to the Cheesecake Factory.

She had gymnastics last night from 4-6 so she brought treats and celebrated with her friends there also.  The birthday tradition at Gymnastics is standing up on the balance beam while everyone sings.  Liv was able to enjoy that tradition last night also.

Following gymnastics we had birthday cake and ice cream with our neighbors and Liv's best friend.

We finished the night with Liv's birthday tradition of the floating lantern.

Easter Weekend

I went to Liv's class this past week to read with her class.  

Here is her cheesy smile while she was in the library!

The kids are having fun writing quotes on the back hallway chalkboard.

This one is from Ethan (not sure where he came up with this one)

This one is from Cole

This one is from Liv

Liv also got an Easy Bake Oven this week.  She has been working on mastering a skill at gymnastics on the bars that she hasn't been able to figure out.  Shawn told her when she got it he would buy her an Easy Bake.  This week was the week!  She has already put it to good use and made cookies for the family the other night.

Shawn and Ethan went out for Sushi.  A tradition that Shawn does before Priesthood Session during General Conference.

Shawn and I got the kids a doubleshot basketball game for Easter.  

It was totally worth it as they have spent hours downstairs playing already.

Shawn worked a lot this week.  So the kids had to pitch in and help make Easter Dinner.  They did a good job.  Ethan made cheesecake for dessert, Cole made the potatoes, and Liv helped with the ham, setting the table and making place cards for everyone.  She wrote something she liked about each person on the back of their place cards :)

Easter morning the kids and I got up early to watch the sun rise.  I mentioned it to them the night before thinking that would say no, but they all were excited and got up with me the next morning.  It was a little chilly, but a nice morning.

We dyed some eggs with our neighbors and had fun playing with them.

The kids enjoyed getting easter candy and cracking the Cascerones!