School's In Session

After a month and a half break, school is back in session for the kids. We had a great summer of BBQ's, get togethers with friends, bowling, a day spent at Cowabunga bay water park, scout camp and a trip to Lagoon with Aunt Misty and Uncle Rex and a few house projects that kept us busy. I can't believe how big the kids are getting. Kaleb is in 5th grade and wasn't too excited to be starting a new year. I attribute that to his age and the teenage hormones kicking in. Karmindy, however, was so excited to be starting 2nd grade! Both kids were assigned to A track this year and both the kids got assigned to have some great teachers. Kaleb has Ms. Bator as his teacher this year and is in a portable outside the school since Midas Creek Elementary is growing and running out of room. He was excited to be out in a portable the first few days but the "coolness" factor quickly wore off once he realized that they have to leave the portable and get a special badge  that grants them access into the school to get a drink or go to the bathroom [since their isn't a bathroom or drinking fountain out in the portable]. I don't think he will like the portable come Winter time either since they will have to trudge out in the cold and snow to go into the school for bathroom breaks, lunch and drinks. The schools entrances minus the main entrance remains locked during the day due to safety reasons.

Karmindy got Mrs. Butikofer for her teacher this year and I think she is the perfect fit for Karmindy. Mrs. Butikofer has her credentials for additional training in reading and math, two areas that Karmindy seems to love but struggles a little with. I am glad she has a teacher that can help her do well! After attending back to school night this past Thursday, and getting to know both the teachers a little better, I am confident that both of their teachers will be great fits for the kids and they will be receiving the best education.

In addition to the kids starting school and starting a new chapter in their lives this year, I have also started a new adventure and applied for a job at Midas Creek Elementary[the kids school] and I am spending 2 hours a day helping out in the lunch room during lunch time as a Lunch monitor. I have been wanting a small part time job to get me out of the house since the kids are gone all day to break up the day. This week was my first week and I really enjoyed it. I work from 11:30 to 1:30 everyday. I oversee the kids helping out in the lunchroom, stock napkins, silverware and lunch trays, help with safety, keep the fruit and veggie bar stocked and cleaned and help with some small cleanup after the kids/grades have all gone out to recess to play. It is a fast 2 hours and I have enjoyed it. The only downside to the job is that it falls smack dab in the middle of my day, so before work I don't have time to get too much done and after work, I just want to sit and recoup before the kids get home from school and the business of homework, piano/dance practices, and extracurricular activities and dinner begins. Over all, I am liking the new opportunity and the out it gives me. The extra money isn't bad either!

Each year, I have tried to make a little collage of the kids on their first day of school which includes them in their new school outfit on the first day and their favorite things. Here are a few pictures of the kids on their first day of school.

Kaleb with a couple of his friends on the first day of school. LTR; Damion Ohlson, Aidan Dressen and Kaleb.

And last but not least my sweet baby girl, she was so incredibly excited for her first day of school!

Let's Dance: Winter Dance Performance

This year in Dance, we enrolled Karmindy in ballet again and decided to give Jazz a try. Karmindy has been going to dance practice each Wednesday night since August and has truly excelled. It has been such a joy to go and watch her practice on the first Wednesday of each month and see how her dance techniques and training are progressing from month to month. Karmindy has tried ballet, jazz and tap thus far but after watching her over the past two years, I think ballet is her forte. She seems to really grasp Ballet and has a knack for it.

For the Winter Dance Recital, Karmindy performed a jazz and a ballet number and did an excellent job performing both of her dance numbers. Her jazz number was entitled, "Sleigh Ride" and her ballet number was entitled, "Do you want to build a Snowman?" from the hit Disney movie, Frozen. I think her favorite dance number she performed was her ballet number because she loves Frozen. You could just see how into it she was while performing. I am sure dancing to a song you are familiar with is quite motivating.

Karmindy we are so proud of you little sister and have truly enjoyed watching you excel at ballet and jazz this year! Keep up the hard work girlie. We love you!!

Kindergarten Field Trip to Farm Country

Today I spent my morning with my baby girl on her first field trip! Her kindergarten class had the opportunity to go to Thanksgiving Point and visit Farm Country. I volunteered to be a chaperon and I am glad I did! We left around 9 am and returned back to the school around 12:15. During our 3 hour jaunt to Farm Country we got to go on a wagon ride, pet cows, horses, see rabbits, ducks, pigs, pet a baby lamb, eat lunch and play at a park. The field trip was jammed pack with fun activities! I was assigned to look after two of Karmindy's classmates/friends to be in our group: Eden Dressen and Presley Fisher. The girls had fun palling around with each other. Karmindy also hung out with her friend Jake Simmonds who is in the morning Kindergarten class. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to go with Karmindy and see her have a fun time on her field trip with her friends.

Lunch Date

One of Karmindy's strengths is that she is a friend to everyone she meets. Karmindy has a lot of gal pals but she also has a lot of guy pals too! It is something I admire about her. She truly loves everyone and when she sees a friend it isn't unusual for her to go up to them and give them a hug or pat them on the arm. She is very tender-hearted and just loves people. I am pretty sure she gets this trait from her mom because I also love being around people and making friends. She makes me a proud momma! 

Since Karmindy had an all girl birthday party, her cute neighborhood friend Keegan was a little disappointed he wan't invited to her princess party. We didn't think any boys would really want to be invited. My bad and a lesson was learned for next year! However, Keegan still wanted to spend some time with Karmindy for her birthday. So I made Keegan a deal and told him that we would have a playdate and we would go to Chick-fil-a one afternoon for a playdate. He seemed to perk right up. Keep in mind, Keegan and Karmindy's favorite place to eat and eat together is Chick-fil-a. On the day of the lunch date, we picked Keegan up and headed to Chick-fil-a. Keegan and Karmindy both have a love for Scooby Doo things right now and so knowing how much Karmindy loves Scooby Doo, Keegan wrapped up a Scooby Doo movie and some Scooby Doo action figures for Karmindy's birthday. (The movie has been viewed at least a dozen times and the Scooby Doo action figures haven't left Karmindy's side). Both Karmindy and Keegan had a great time eating their "nuggets" and playing in the playplace. After Chick-fil-a, we went back to our home and let the kids play. It was a nice afternoon for both of them. I sure love my little social butterfly!

Kindergarten Lunch

Its a tradition at our school where the Kindergartner's get to have school lunch one day in the cafeteria. By doing this, the kids get to run through what they will do when they reach 1st grade when lunch time rolls around. Having lunch in the BIG CAFETERIA is an event that all the kindergartners look forward to participating in. Since I am the Room mom for Karmindy's class, it comes with some perks and I am able to go and assist her teacher when they have activities like this. I was happy to go and help and it was so fun to watch Karmindy and her classmates get their "taste" of what school lunch will be like as a big 1st Grader. The kids were so excited! I was able to snap this cute picture of Karmindy and her two friends, Avery Wallin and Megan Loeffler. I remember loving lunch time at that age, not only because I like to eat but also because of hanging out and visiting with friends. I truly enjoy watching my kids go through these fun rites of passages!

Frozen Birthday Party!

One thing for sure about me, is that I love to throw parties for my Children. I delight in the planning, the prep work, the research, the baking, the crafting....everything! Planning parties for my kids usually starts several months in advance, one, because I hate leaving things to the last minute and two, I love to have time to see what things are out there to include in making my parties fun and memorable for my kids. I hope Kaleb and Karmindy will remember the parties that I have worked so hard to throw for them over and throughout the years! It really is a labor of love and I love celebrating them, their lives and their interests!

This year, Frozen parties are all the rage among the girls Karmindy's age. Now, please note Karmindy likes princess things but hasn't gone gaga for them until now! Karmindy L-O-V-E-S anything Frozen with a capital L! Karmindy's favorite princess is Elsa and you can find Karmindy on most days, in her room singing and humming all of the songs from the popular Disney Movie. Again, this behavior isn't typical for my daughter since she loves all things tom boy. I think that may come from having an older brother. I also think that Karmindy is growing up and the girly things like dolls, princesses and makeup are becoming more enticing to her, which I love because as much as I love to rough it with the boys (yes me) I also can appreciate all things girl...glitter, clothes, shopping make up, mani-pedis, crafts.

I really consider myself more a girly girl so it is so fun for me to have a little girl that gets excited about these things too!

So let me give you an over view of the party I threw for Karmindy. Several months prior to the party, as I was searching pinterest for ideas, I came across a beautiful Elsa dress on an etsy site. I decided Karmindy needed a Elsa dress for her party and bought her one. I figured she could wear it for her party and it could also double as a Halloween Costume this year! Bonus! Win. Win. A little background on the dress....The gal that sews them sells all different sizes and customizes them to the size you need for the princess in your life. She was also kind and not only sent the Elsa dress I paid for but as an added bonus, crocheted Karmindy a snowflake clip to wear in her hair. Karmindy was thrilled with her Elsa dress and was so excited to greet her friends all dressed up when her party rolled around!

Now Back to the over view, before the princesses arrived, the girls were greeted by this Olaf sign welcoming them into our home. Upon arrival, the girls were given an Elsa crown to wear that I made out of blue foam that I had cut into the shape of crowns and then fastened them  in the back with blue sparkling ribbon. Each crown was also adorned with a sparkly snowflake jewel sticker. Thank goodness for living close to a Hobby Lobby because they saved my bacon when it came to finding all the "right" supplies for this party. After being crowned, the girls made their way to the Living Room where they watched, "Frozen," until all the guest arrived. 

After all the guests and by mean guests, all 15 little girls! Gah! One of Karmindy's friends wasn't able to make it and we missed her. So we would have had 16 girls in all. I was stressing about having that many little giggly, screaming girls but it turned out to be wonderful and not stressful or dramatic. In fact, it didn't even seem like I had 15 little girls in my home. Anywho, after the girls arrived, we went down stairs to make Elsa Pendant necklaces. I found some cute Modge Podgeable pendants and Modge Podged purple or blue jewels to each pendant and then let the girls thread their pendant and add blue and purple beads. The girls were thrilled with their necklaces!

After making necklaces we headed up stairs to open presents! Karmindy made out like a bandit and was completely and utterly spoiled by her friends, like every princess should be. Right? Seriously though, Karmindy has some very sweet friends who really made her day showering her with gifts.

After presents, we headed down stairs again to play several games. We played pin the nose on Olaf and Cold Snow Flake (Like Hot Potato). The girls had a great time playing the games. 

After games, we headed to the kitchen to sing Happy Birthday to the Birthday princess and eat cake and Chocolate Icecream! Karmindy was in heaven!

After eating cake and Ice cream and drinking waters, the girls headed out side to play. The girls seemed to all have fun and all seemed to really enjoy themselves. When the guests parents arrived to pick them up, we sent them home with little gift baggies to take with them. I thought they turned out so cute. I filled the gift bags with blue and white swirled suckers (blue raspberry flavored), hug chocolates, little rice krispie treats, and tiny little hand sanitizers that had glitter in it. The party guests were over the moon!

Planning this party was so fun, I think our little "Princess Elsa" thoroughly enjoyed the morning and enjoyed spending time with her girl friends!

Karmindy's party guests:

Back Row LtR: Sienna Evans, Emilia Pidcock, Cambree Albrecht, Eden Dressen, Megan Loeffler, and McKenna Rowe.

Middle Row: Lulu Ewell, Claire Trimble, Avery Wallin, Teagan Smart, Madison Jackman, Erin Tavita.

Front Row: Kiya Smart, Karmindy and Takara Chasten.

I sure love you little Miss Karmindy Rose! Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

VIP for a Day!

Every Friday throughout the school year, all the kids in Karmindy's Kindergarten class had their own VIP day. Karmindy had hers today and she was so excited! Ms. Calhoun, Karmindy's teacher, had each child make a poster telling about themselves. The poster included their likes, dislikes, favorite foods, favorite activities and a little bit about their family. Also, instead of bringing treats to share with the class, her teacher, asked the parents to bring a favorite book of the child to share with the class and then come up with a game or craft that coincided with the book for the students to play or make. Karmindy had a hard time deciding which book to share (she loves to read and has several favorite books) but finally settled on the book, "Princess Peepers." Princess Peepers is such a cute book that talks about a princess who wears glasses and gets made fun of by her peers. After trying to prove to her peers that she doesn't need glasses, the princess learns that it is okay to be different and wear glasses because its the only way she can see what's going on around her. She also learns that she cant get ready for an upcoming ball without them. In the end, the Princess meets the amazing Prince in the land and through a series of events finds out he also wears glasses. It was love at first "sight" and they lived happily ever after. It really is a cute story about accepting your differences and learning to love yourself. Instead of a game, we decided to make heart pipe cleaner glasses with the class. The kids loved making the glasses. Also, for Karmindy's spotlight she also wanted to bring Kozette for her show and tell portion. All the kids loved meeting our puppy and Kozette loved meeting all of Karmindy's classmates! It was a fun afternoon and Karmindy loved being the center of attention!

The Birthday Girl Is 6!

Its so hard to believe that our baby girl is 6 years old! For me it really does seem like yesterday that we brought her home from Primary Childrens Hospital after her open heart surgery and our stay there for a month. Those are days I wish to never repeat or relive again. Each day I am grateful for modern day medicine and gifted and talented surgeons. I know that if Karmindy had been born even 15 years ago she wouldn't be here with our family today. Each day is a gift with both Kaleb and Karmindy and being their mom has been such a blessing to me in my life. Both of them are so different, yet so similar. They both bring so much love, laughter and joy into our household. I am truly a blessed woman!

On the day of Karmindy's birthday, life went about pretty normally. We had our usual morning routine of getting both the kids ready and off to school. After the kids got home from school, we hurried to open presents from Mom & Dad, Kaleb, Grandpa & Nanna D and GBob and Gma Laurie. Karmindy got extremely spoiled by everyone. She received money, Frozen dolls, new dresses, a Fabric doll and a friendship bracelet kit. What a spoiled little lady!

After presents were opened, we had to hurry and get ready to attend Kaleb's Spring Piano Recital that evening. After the piano recital, we headed to dinner at Chili's. Chili's was Karmindy's choice and she was so excited. We learned later why she wanted to go to Chili's and it was because, "They sing to you and bring you yummy icecream!" I think our little lady sure enjoys having lots of attention! Karmindy seemed to have a nice day and we hope we made it nice for her. Since her birthday fell in the middle of the week, we decided to throw her birthday party on the weekend so we would have more time to celebrate. We love you Karmindy! You bring so much joy and laughter into our home. You have an amazing little spirit and keep us laughing with your quick humor and loving nature. We love you sweet heart!

Summer Dance Camp

Karmindy has really loved attending Summer Dance camp this summer with her neighborhood friend Madison Jackman. Each week her teacher has a theme and the girls in her class make a craft and dance to a dance that corresponds to that theme. Karmindy looks forward to dance each week! I have loved seeing Karmindy develop her talent of dancing!

Summer Dance Camp

Dance Lessons for Karmindy ended at the end of April but luckily her Dance Teacher holds summer dance camp. We jumped on board when we found out she would offer summer classes. For summer dance camp, the girls have a 45 minute class where they make a craft and then dance to a dance that pertains to the theme for the day. At the first of the month, parents are welcome to attend and so I ended up going and watching Karmindy. The theme for the day was Dancing at the circus. The girls made elephant hats and then their teacher Ms. Charlee taught them a dance to the music Afro Circus. It was so cute! I love that Karmindy enjoys taking dance. She has really improved this year and it is so fun that summer dance camp is being offered so the things she has learned this past year can be reinforced. I love watching my little girl learn and grow and do something she loves. Karmindy was once again able to take summer classes with her neighborhood gal pal, Madison Jackman. It sure makes it that much more fun when you have a friend who can join you!

Spring Dance Rehearsal and Recital

Dance for the Spring came to a close last night at Karmindy's Dance Recital. She did a wonderful job dancing. She knew both her dances from her tap class and ballet class and it showed on both her Rehearsal and Recital night. Most of the other little girls in her class watched and followed Karmindy because she knew all the steps. What a proud parent moment when you see your child excel and enjoy doing something that they love. We are so proud of Karmindy and all the hard work she has put into learning her dances this Spring.

On rehearsal night, Karmindy's friend Emilia Pidcock came to support her and watch her perform. It was so nice of her to come watch Karmindy. After Karmindy's performance, Emilia gave Karmindy a red rose to congratulate her on a job well done. It was so sweet! I am so grateful that my kids have sweet and kind friends. I am also grateful for sweet friends.

On the night of Karmindy's recital, Karmindy outdid herself again. She loves to dance and perform and gets so excited! On this night Karmindy's friend, Madison Jackman was also their to perform with their class. (Madison wasn't able to make it the night before to the rehearsal because of a high fever). The girls did a great job. Karmindy has truly enjoyed having Madison in her dance class his year. It is so fun to do things with friends! I think all the girls were a little nervous on this night because they ended up watching their teacher do the moves through most of the dance, Karmindy included. Nevertheless, all the girls did a great job performing.

We are so proud of you Karmindy and all the you have accomplished and learned throughout this year!

Friends & Frozen Princess Night

We have been so fortunate to have new neighbors move into our neighborhood. We are particularly grateful for our friends the Albrechts. Crystal and Joe Albrecht moved into our neighborhood with their two children, Cambree and Tevan about a year ago. We have become fast friends, and they have become like family to us. I have especially enjoyed getting to know Crystal,  we have so much in common. She is like a lost sister I have always known. I am also so grateful that our kids are around the same age! All four of our kids have also become fast friends and we enjoy the time we get to hangout for "game nights!"

Today was the last day of Spring break before heading back to school, so while Kaleb and Tevan went over to the Albrechts to play, the girls came here to our home for a play date.

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Karmindy and Cambree truly enjoy being together and when Cambree got here the girls played hide and seek and then spent the rest of the time making cupcakes with Karmindy's cupcake maker. The girls had a fun time giggling and decorating their cupcakes. I love the little relationship these two girlies have. It is so fun to listen to their conversations. 

While the girls were playing, we got a special surprise in the mail. Mark and I ordered Karmindy an Elsa dress from Etsy to wear for her birthday party/Halloween this year. When it arrived, we immediately had to try it on! Karmindy was thrilled and enjoyed twirling with and singing with the pretty sparkly cape.

 After Cambree left that evening, Mark came home from work and we headed to dinner with the kids to celebrate our last day of Spring break. I happened to also know that Chick-Fil-A was doing a Frozen princess night from 5 to 8 p.m. and knew that Karmindy would love to meet the princesses from the Popular Disney Movie. Elsa is her favorite princess and I knew she would flip if she saw them. When we arrived at Chick-Fil-A it was a nut house. I swear everyone this side of the valley was there. After a while it died down but it was still pretty busy with customers and the lines to see the princesses were long; however, We figured it was still cheaper than a trip to Disneyland.! Bahaha!

Karmindy enjoyed watching the princesses sing, "Let it Go!" and enjoyed meeting them in person. I think the movie has come that much more alive and real to her after meeting them! We are so glad we could indulge Karmindy's small obsession with the Movie, "Frozen."

Spring Dance Comes to a Close!

Its hard to believe that Karmindy has taken dance for a year now! Today was her last official day of Dance for the year! Karmindy has been so fun to watch over the course of this past year. She has gained more confidence and has grown as a little dancer. In dance this year, she focused on Tap and Ballet. She really excelled at both genres and did a great job. She has improved so much from several months ago at her Christmas Recital. Her classes were held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. before she had to head to Kindergarten. At the first of each month, I was able to go and watch her and what a joy it was!

Karmindy will have her final recital next week and she is more than prepared. Her teacher, Ms. Charlee Mascaro, offered the girls a sucker for a reward if the girls would pass off their tap dance to her with out any help. Two weeks after the challenge was given, Karmindy passed off her dance. She was tickled pink and so proud. I was so proud of her as well.

Luckily, we have Karmindy enrolled for a month of Summer Classes before starting again in the fall. We are looking toward to signing her up again for ballet and jazz this next year. I am excited to see her excel and improve upon what she has already learned.

Karmindy we are so proud of you and how hard you worked this year in Dance! We love you Sister!

Today as the girls were leaving, one of the mom's made these darling cupcakes for the girls to say thanks to all the girls! The girls were so excited for the cupcakes! I had to take a picture of them and Karmindy with her cupcake because they were both too cute!

The Tooth Fairy & 100 Days of Kindergarten

 Karmindy had a couple of exciting days this week.! Not only was it her 100th day of Kindergarten but she also lost her two bottom front teeth. She was so excited about her 100 days of Kindergarten at School. Her teacher, Ms. Calhoun, had the kids bring 100 items for show and tell. Karmindy brought 100 macaroni shells because she loves Macaroni and Cheese. 

Earlier on in the week she lost her two bottom teeth just a day apart from each other! The tooth fairy found Karmindy on both days and left her 2 sparkling dollar bills under her pillow. Karmindy was so excited about her money and loved showing us all her toothless grin!

 Its so exciting that our little girl is growing up but it also makes me wish that time would slow down so I could enjoy her childhood a little more!

Rain Drop Plop!

Spring is right around the corner and we have been getting a lot of storms coming through in Northern Utah. One Sunday after church it was raining pretty hard and Karmindy begged to put on her galoshes and take her brand new umbrella that she received from Santa in her stocking for Christmas outside to "make sure it worked." We let her go out and she had so much fun being out in the rain and I had to take a picture of her enjoying the beautiful little rain shower we were having! I love my silly cute girl!

Cute as a Cupcake!

Well, Hello There Cupcake! For Christmas this year, Karmindy wanted an easy bake oven so badly. However, I was having a tough time breaking down and buying her one since they are so expensive and make gross food. To be honest, I also wasn't sure how often Karmindy would use an Easy Bake oven! I figured it would probably get used like once or twice and would be forgotten about, so I dragged my feet when it came to buying one for her.

I know, every little girl needs and easy bake oven but I didn't get one when I was little and survived even though I did always wish that I had one. I was almost ready to break down and get one for Karmindy until I came across the Baby Cakes Cupcake maker at Wal-Mart. It was half the price of an easy bake oven and could actually use real cake mixes instead of having to buy special mixes. I thought it was a win win situation, So I collaborated with Santa and he said he would pick one up for Karmindy for Christmas. Karmindy has loved her cupcake maker and has enjoyed making cupcakes with me. The cupcake maker actually works and actually makes good tasting cupcakes and it seems like less work then heating up the kitchen. Score!! We have used the cupcake maker several times since Christmas and have had fun spending time in the kitchen together. I love my little chef!

Cutest Dolls Ever

This past year I have had the amazing opportunity to get to know a woman by the name of Jenny Bracken. Jenny is a talented doll maker that lives in Southern Utah. I had seen her darling heart dolls on several Friends Facebook pages and fell in love with them. The heart dolls have the little scars along the chest of the dolls and I wanted to have her make one that looked like my nephew Bronson and got in touch with her to make a special doll for him while he was going through all his heart surgeries at Primary Children's.  Jenny has also makes custom dolls that look like their owners for any type of occasion. After she made Bronson's doll, I decided to surprise Karmindy with a ballerina doll for Valentines Day last year. Jenny made Karmindy a beautiful ballerina doll that looks just like her and has her name embroidered on its foot! Karmindy has cherished that doll and sleeps with it every night. 

One day while I was searching on Pinterest, I came across the cutest picture of a cute little handmade doll and tagged Jenny in the picture and messaged her and told her she should make some dolls like the one I had seen in the picture since she is so talented. Jenny responded and said she would love to make a doll like that one day. After I sent it, I didn't think of it again, until I got a message over Facebook from Jenny saying she had made Karmindy a doll. I was flattered. The doll ended up looking like the doll of the picture that I had shared with Jenny months earlier. Jenny mailed Karmindy the doll that she made several days later. We were so excited to receive the doll in the mail. Karmindy was especially excited to have another dolly that looked like her ballerina doll. Karmindy fell in love with her new doll and named her, "Dot." Dot for all the cute red polka dots on her scarf.

I am so grateful for the sweet friendship that Jenny and I have developed over Facebook. I still haven't met Jenny but have felt like I have known her for years. I am so grateful for all the many special and kind people that have come into my life...what a blessing they have been to me and I have appreciated their example of kindness and love.

Best Friends & Sunday Wear.

Before Church this morning, I had to get a picture of Kaleb and Karmindy in their Christmas Sunday Clothes. They looked so cute in their new duds. I truly love how close these two kids are. They truly are best friends. I am so proud of these two little ones and I am so proud to call them mine.

Christmas Dance Recital

 Karmindy had her first dance recital this week. She looked darling in her costume and she was so excited to perform the two dance numbers that she has been working so hard on with her little dance class. For her tap class they did a dance to: "Santa is coming in a Boogie Woogie Train." For her ballet number, she performed a number to the song, "That's what I want for Christmas!" Karmindy did an excellent job performing and it was so fun to see her progression since starting in September. She has really improved! Karmindy has also been fortunate to have her friend, Madison Jackman in her class this year. They are the cutest little friends!

 Congrats Sissy, we love you and are so proud of your accomplishments in Dance this year!

Out of the mouth of babes....aka Karmindy

Karmindy keeps our family on our toes. Everyday she keeps our family laughing. We often wonder where she comes up with these things.... There are two incidences that I need to record before I forget them.

1. I don't remember the specifics but Karmindy kept pestering me for something that she wanted and I kept telling her "no!" In one last effort to get what she wanted she replied, " But Mom, I thought we were best friends!"

2. Karmindy has been real pill when it comes to cleaning up her room. This girl can make the biggest messes but when it comes to cleaning them up, you would think she was dying or on her death bed. It's amazing the excuses she makes. To try and combat this little problem, I told her there would be no watching tv anymore in the mornings until her room was cleaned. I promised her that when she cleaned her room, that she would be able to watch cartoons before kindergarten. After breakfast, Karmindy headed to her room, she was in there for an hour! She tend to get distracted when she cleans, because she finds toys she hasn't played with for awhile and takes "breaks" to play. However, Every fifteen minutes or so I would call to her and ask how it was coming. She must have gotten sick of me asking because she came in holding a set of plastic keys and in a very sassy tone, said to me, " when I am done cleaning my room, I will ring these keys, but until my room is clean then I won't ring them!" I told her that was fine and she needed to get back to work. Hee hee. About 15 minutes later I heard her shaking her plastic toy keys, informing me that the task was complete. Heaven help me with this spit fire! On the plus side, her room got cleaned...it only took an hour and a half!