School's Out For The Summer

It is amazing to think that another school year is over! On the other hand, I think I am the most excited for Summer Break to start!:) I am ready for a long break from helping with homework and major projects, helping in the classrooms and planning parties, making sure assignments are turned in when they are due and catching up on ones that are missing, along with all else that comes with having 4 kids in school. And yet, I am so grateful to the teachers that helped my children learn and grow so much this year. They each worked hard this year and their good grades are proof of that!Mrs. Booth was Kenzie's Pre-School teacher for the last 2 years. She loves her and will miss her when she is in Kindergarten next year! Ms. Durfee was a great teacher for Karley!Karley's class was called "The Queendom of Durfee". Karley worked hard all year long and earned blue tickets which she exchanged for jewels and an emblem for her shield. Once she had enough to decorate the shield, which was a lot as you can see, she happily became a Knight...way to go!According to Kynlee, Mr. Dias rules!I helped with Kynlee's End Of The Year Party. The 5th grade teachers planned "Minute To Win It" rotations for the kids to participate in. The idea was based off the hit TV Show. The pictures above are a few examples: 1 minute to sort a bag of M&M's by color, 1 minute to keep a feather in the air using only your breath, and the last picture was my rotation. There were 15 plastic cups lined up and the kids had 1 minute to blow up a balloon, however many times necessary, and knock the cups off using the air from the balloon. It was fun! Matthew is so glad 7th grade is over and is looking forward to attending the new Jr. High next year where 8th graders rule!

Soccer Girls

Soccer is a sport I never learned when I was a kid, but I am definitely learning now. Matt played really well in his younger days, so one of our kiddos is bound to have soccer blood in their veins. Karley and Kenzie both played this season. Attending 2 games at 2 different times, made for crazy Saturdays, but I love watching my kids play sports!Karley has a passion for soccer and it is written all over her when she is out on the field! She has learned so much this season, including playing her positions well. Karley never made a goal, but she had great assists! Playing against boys is not intimidating to Karley. In one of the above pictures it shows her going up against a boy, who was bigger than her. When they kicked the ball at the same time it made a powerful SMACK...that's my girl!:)Kenzie did pretty good for her first attempt at a sport! She is super fast, which is only a plus in the game of soccer! Early on in the season, I told her I would buy her a candy bar for each goal she made...she got 2 candy bars!:) They both love their medals...that's what it's all about!

This Is It

Kynlee and Kenzie had their Spring Dance Recital. It was fantastic! The theme was "Michael Jackson", so all but a couple of groups danced to one of his songs. I am just so surprised at the progress both Kynlee and Kenzie showed tonight. Kynlee is really starting to show emotion while she dances, instead of being worried about each step. The whole evening was completely entertaining! Way to go Slider girls!:)

My cute little dancers!
Kenzie's first dance was called "The Pajama Dance". Her teacher made each of the girls darling, silky pajama pants! Kenzie just lights up when she is dancing...she is not shy at all!

Kynlee's group danced to "Naturally" by Selena Gomez. These girls used capes through the whole routine. I told Kynlee afterwards that it was one of the best choreographed dances I have ever seen...I was totally impressed!

How cute are these tutu's!?! Kenzie's last dance was to "Philadelphia Chickens". It was so cute watching each of these girls have so much fun!

Kynlee's last dance was to my all time favorite Michael Jackson song, "Thriller". I helped rat up the girls' hair and their shredded shirts gave the perfect Zombie look. It was amazing watching them pull off Michael Jackson moves!

A Michael Jackson impersonator came out and busted some moves...he was good!

Kynlee and Kenzie with their teacher, Sis. Jones...she is amazing!

Kynlee just had to get her picture taken with Michael Jackson!

Kynlee's group performed "Thriller" for the 5th grade Talent Show! They were chosen as one of the two finalists! They went on to perform it in front of the entire student body for the school Talent Show...the kids went wild! I was so proud of them and the courage they had!

Hope Of America

Kynlee has been looking forward to Hope of America since the beginning of 5th grade! She has been learning the songs and actions for a while. One of her favorite songs is "America Rocks". The message of this program is so great! We left with such a good feeling. This younger generation really is the Hope of America.

We just had to put on these fake nails with sparkly stars on the tips. Kynlee loved them while they lasted!

This American flag made out of hundreds of kids was quite the site! It was so cool when the kids would all do actions to the songs...the flag literally moved!

If you look closely, you might be able to spot Kynlee. She is in the middle section, 2nd row under the yellow, 7th in from the left. We thought it was cool that we found her!

"We Can Be A Light" was the last song and one of my favorites! The lights are out and it is completely dark during the verses and then for the chorus the kids shine their flashlights. It is powerful and a tear jerker!

This girl is proud to be an American!

This was Teacher Appreciation Week also. I'm the Room Mom for Kynlee's class and I just had to show off how I decorated her teacher's door. I had the kids trace and cut out their hand prints. Matt and I glued them around to make the sun and flowers. I was so happy with the way it turned out!:)

The Wax Museum was the following week and Kynlee chose to be Pocahontas. We were able to borrow some great Indian stuff...she looked amazing! Kynlee read a book about the life of Pocahontas. Her "Bio Pyramid" read:

Pocahontas
Beautiful, Curious
Most Beloved Daughter
Kidnapped By The English
Helped Jamestown Survive Hard Times
Transformed Into A “Model Indian Princess”
Rescued John Smith From Powhatans Killing Him
She Was Looked Upon As America’s First Heroine

Band In The Making

Kynlee participated in her year end Violin Recital. She has worked hard to have her pieces memorized and ready. I have also been working hard to learn to play the mandolin. After getting a few pointers, it is coming very slowly. Memorizing chords and strumming are things my brain is not used to. Only practice will make it better. I always loved the fact that my Dad could accompany me on my fiddle songs, so it is my goal to be able to do the same with Kynlee, and so far she loves it too. We are definitely a band in the making...so fun!

Kynlee's first piece was "Allegretto " by Suzuki. Then she played her first fiddle piece, "Bile Them Cabbage Down". I was excited to assist in accompanying her on my Grandpa's mandolin. It added a nice country sound!

Both teacher and Mom were proud of our little violinist!

Two Wheelin' Fun

When the snow melted, I promised Kenzie that I would teach her how to ride her bike with no training wheels. The time has long come, so we headed up to the basketball court where it is nice and flat. I learned with my other girls that it's easier for them to catch on quickly with the littlest bikes. I jogged behind her and held on with one hand, but it wasn't long before Kenzie got the hang of it! It was so fun to watch her face light up when she realized she could do it all by herself! Way to go Kenzie...Mom is so proud of you!

What a cutie!

Look at her go!

BYU Ballroom Performance

Kynlee and I joined some other moms and daughters for the BYU Ballroom Dance Company "Encore" performance at the Marriott Center. I have never been, but after hearing lots of good feedback from others that go yearly, I knew that it would be something that Kynlee would enjoy. It was very entertaining! The dancing and costumes were amazing! Ballroom dancing is a big deal here in Utah. They offer it on the High School level. I will be very proud of Kynlee if it is something she eventually decides to do.

It was wonderful to spend the evening with Kynlee! We will definitely be making this a tradition!
This was at the end when all the dancers were on stage...quite the site! Kynlee and I loved all of the girls' dresses! They danced to lots of different kinds of music. A lot of the routines were funny, and one of our favorites was when there was a black light and they all glowed in the dark while they danced.

We got frozen yogurt afterwards...what a yummy treat!

"Egg"ster Fun

I am so grateful for this Easter season! I love remembering and talking about the life of Jesus Christ. We were so blessed to have General Conference this weekend...it really set the tone. I am thankful for a living prophet, President Monson, and other General Authorities who lead and guide us. What great messages we heard! The kids also enjoyed the regular Easter activities.

The kids had a lot of fun coloring their dozen eggs! I was surprised at how creative some of them turned out!

Believe it or not, this was what we woke up to Easter morning! Are we being teased, or what?

The kids quickly emptied their treat filled Easter baskets to make room for the big egg hunt. The Easter Bunny followed tradition and hid throughout the house all 48 colored Easter eggs.

Once the eggs the Easter Bunny hid were found, each of the kids took turns hiding them for the others to find. Matt and I thought we had some pretty cool hiding places...we didn't fool them for too long!:)

We enjoyed the company of loved ones at our yummy Easter feast. Love the sillyness!

Donna made some cute little goodies!

The kids loved finding plastic eggs filled with treats and surprises with all the cousins!

Cute cousins!

The cousins with Aunt Marie.

We were excited to get a suprise visit from Aunt Marie. She is a Medic serving in Iraq. We are all so proud of her! Kynlee wanted to show her off and invited her to come talk to her 5th grade class. The kids had some great questions for her to answer. Thanks so much for visiting Marie...we love you!

One Whole Hand

Happy 5th Birthday to Kenzie! This Birthday has made me realize that my baby is not so baby anymore. Kenzie is still, and I'm sure will always be, spoiled like the baby of the family is. For instance, she is well more than half my height and yet, when she wants me to, I carry her around on my hip!:) She pretty much gets what she wants, if within reason, and it drives the other kids crazy. But we all love her to pieces! Kenzie loves playing with friends, coloring pictures, going to school and dance, being a helper, acting silly, and giving hugs! This day was Birthday celebration from morning until night!

Kenzie's yummy birthday breakfast in bed: scrambled eggs w/ ketchup, toast, strawberries, and orange juice. I love how she's holding her glass to drink...so funny!
Kenzie opened up cards and gifts from Grandmama and Uncle Shane's family. Grandpa and Grandma Debbie called to sing "Happy Birthday". Thanks!

What a cutie in her Birthday outfit!

Kenzie has been showing interest in getting her ears pierced and I thought it would make the perfect Birthday present. We headed for Claire's first thing. She picked out beautiful, sparkly flower earrings. This is a before and during picture. Kenzie was so brave! It was over pretty fast. She only said, "Ow"... not a single tear was shed!

Kynlee and Karley convinced me to let them miss school so they could see Kenzie get her ears pierced. They were so sweet with her! I love these girls!

We went to McDonald's for her Birthday lunch. She enjoyed her chicken nuggets Kid Meal!

After being Queen of the Day at Pre-school, I brought the kids from her class and met others at our house for her "Soccer" Birthday party. This was her first friend Birthday party. It was rainy, so thankfully a neighbor offered their basement for our soccer game. The kids had a blast!

The little soccer pros!

We came back home and had cupcakes and Powerade drinks.

Kenzie and her friends had a lot of fun at the party!

Kenzie loves her Baby Alive doll! We ended the fun filled day with her favorite dinner, Hot Wings. Happy Birthday to the sweetest and cutest 5 year old...I love you so much Kenzie! Grandma Slider took Kenzie the next day to Build-A-Bear Workshop for her Birthday gift. Kenzie had fun picking out her purple bear, bathing and brushing her, dressing her, and giving her loves. She named her bear, "Snuggle Bug"...so cute! I know Kenzie enjoyed having Grandma all to herself for a little while. Thanks Donna!