Brecklyn recently finished up her swim season. Her final swim at Regions was an awesome PR on the 100 Free! After a lengthy tiring meet, Talia set up a little spa time for Breck in the bathroom complete with chocolate pudding, brownie, scented towel, etc... Talia spends a lot of time taking extra special care of Rhyse, or doing kind deeds like this.
I can't believe the progress that Breck has made in a her swimming in just a little over a year. I remember two summers ago trying to teach her (at 12) how to do the strokes, and really thinking to myself that she probably wouldn't ever learn to do the strokes. And here she is competing well at a high school level. I am so proud of her work ethic, determination, and sacrifice. Here she is extremely nervous before her 50 free. She learned that swimming is a very mental sport. Breck had a wonderful season, making lots of new friends, and enjoying every minute of all the pasta parties, hair dying (her hair is still pink from a failed Skyview blue dye attempt), bus rides, overnight meets etc.... It was fun to see her completely relaxed and being the funny, happy, optimistic person that she is with her pals. I even heard tell that a senior boy had a crush on her!
Lan has been playing with the teacher's church bball team. He's had a great experience and loved playing with a good team. I had to post this picture just because of how cute he looks in a mans jersey! The funny thing about Landen is that he doesn't ever think about the fact that he might be a lot younger or smaller than his teammates. He just plays intensely till the last minute. He played almost the entire season with a broken finger, simply adjusting his shot to use just two fingers on the right hand.
Rhyse has a fun mom's preschool this year. This is there group at Firehouse pizza, learning how they make their pizzas. One of my favorite things that she has learned this year is a lesson on manners. She took this simple lesson to heart and has seriously improved 100 % on using her kind words, complimenting, and being gracious. I'm not sure I've ever seen such an amazing transformation! In fact, after I picked her up from a friends house, the Mom said, "It was the funniest thing, but Rhyse did nothing but compliment me for the first 5 minutes she was at our house.!"
Rhyse and some of her best buds, dressed up and having a tea party. I was happy to see that she was willing to divide up all her valentine treats to provide the food for the occasion!
Valentine's day was the day Capriel's Chinese class celebrated Chinese New Year. Rhyse and I got to go and help and learn all about how to use chopsticks, try a number of different Chinese foods, learn a CHinese dance, and learn more about the Chinese culture. Capriel doesn't speak Chinese at home much, but it has been fun to watch her begin to add Chinese characters to her artwork, and speak it with her buddies.
President's Day, celebrating my decade long desire to actually raise a flag on special holidays.
This is the only picture I captured from a fun day with our dear friends the Ellis's. We had a great time hanging out, and catching up on play and talk time.
In the last couple of weeks Rhyse has begun to decide that she is willing and capable to engage in many of the typical preschool activities. Most of these she has absolutely refused to try and engage in previously. Cutting, drawing, and writing are the main activities I can think of right now. It is so fun to see her relax and be willing to risk trying things. The above picture is a snack she creating all on her own one day. I thought it was pretty clever:) The picture below is her version of a snowman and its baby that she took a picture of herself.
I'm loving my new camera, and though I have an incredible amount to learn I love that I can capture a decent shot now and then. Capriel loves to just toss a backhandspring in now and then.
Rhyse and I stole a VERY simple valentines breakfast from Pinterest this year, and was probably the most popular one yet. (Even more, believe it or not, than the flesh colored German pancakes, heart pancakes, and other previously tried but not super successful Valentine breakfasts)
Here is Talia's Valentine box that we made late the night before. It did involve plenty of frustration, and tears, but I think she was happy with it after a few hours of sleep.
I love this picture of Breck because it shows how Not-Completely-Awake the big kids are as they shove down a couple of bites of breakfast, and sprint out the door still trying to pull themselves together and try and catch the bus at 6:55 each morning. Note the Valentine's hair and color coordinated outfit!
My little Valentines helper.
Talia is loving gymnastics and soccer equally and trying to decide where she wants to spend her time. She is working to master her back tuck, aerial, kip and giant.
1 comment:
You guys are so active!
Post a Comment