My Dancing Boy

*photo from Amelia Earhart Elementary website

Max is now taking ballroom dance in the afterschool program at school.

I must admit, at first

I wasn't keen on this idea.

Images of Strictly Ballroom kept flashing in my mind.

But, I have come to realize the benefits of ballroom dance.

(especially at his age.)

He enjoys it.

It gives him an opportuntity to interact with girls.

Ballroom dance teaches respect for girls.

It gives him a creative outlet.

He's gaining confidence.

He's actually pretty good at it!

Out of all my children, he is the most coordinated

and honestly,

he comes by this naturally.

My Grandpa Peterson was an excellent dancer.

Fred Astair reminded me of my grandpa.

(He kinda looked like him.)

Anyway,

for now

Max is enjoying it.

He won't be in any competitions any time soon though.

I don't want that for him at this point.

I'm not sure if he'll want to do this into high school or not.

I don't really know how far he will want to take this

but don't worry...

I put my foot down on any kind of spray tanning.

I'm serious.

I don't want my son to look like an oompa loompa!

Becoming Real

It's starting to become real to me.

I've been telling everyone,

"Oh, Jake's leaving this summer."

as if it's a long ways away.

Well, the truth is,

it's coming up fast.

We've been getting his paperwork ready.

Dentist and Doctor appointments are being made.

Summer plans are being talked about such as Scout Camp, Youth Conferences, Family Reunions and it makes me realize that Summer's around the corner.

I'd be lying if I said this doesn't make me kinda sad.

I think when it's the first of your children to do something big like this it is extremely hard.

When we dropped Elisabeth off at SUU the first semester,

I cried from Cedar City to Fillmore.

It was the most difficult thing I had to do.

But then it got easier and easier for her to leave.

Not that I didn't miss her as much, I think it's just that I knew she was doing what she needed to do and I could see she was doing well.

When Jake left for college, it was hard but I think I knew what to expect so it was a little easier.

(Also, I think it was easier knowing he was just a short drive away!)

But this mission thing is a whole other ball of wax!

Don't get me wrong,

I know it's what he needs to do and I know it will be great for him.

I am excited to hear where he will be going.

I am excited to hear of the good things he'll be accomplishing and the many lives he will be touching.

I know he'll be a fantastic missionary!

He's already shown the love he has for serving others and I know he will love those he is called to serve.

He already is an excellent teacher and I have no doubt that others will learn much from him.

I know it's the right thing to do.

It's just all starting to become real to me

and I have to be honest,

it's kinda hard.

Ew

I was at (not so) Fresh Market today and saw this...

In case you can't make it out,

it says

Misc. Meat.

Yeah.

Does this scare anyone else?

Ahhh...Sunny Days!

Yesterday the park was screaming our name!

So, we gave in and had a wonderful time.

Emma was so cute showing Kylee all around one of our

favorite parks in Provo,

Paul Reams Wilderness Park

(lovingly called in our family, "the hidden park"

because it's hidden in the trees off the river

trail)

The pond was frozen over (I'd never seen that before)

but the ducks were happily playing in the Provo River.

We enjoyed watching them from the bridge.

Also, you can't go on the bridge without throwing one or two

(or a hundred) sticks in the river!

Which caused her to break into her happy dance!

Flashback a few years...

I remember one time we were there and I told the kids, "Just one stick!" Well, Cole, when he was probably 8 or 9, found a huge branch that was probably eight feet and came walking up to the bridge with it! Cole was this skinny little guy carrying this huge branch.

That was really funny!

Back to yesterday...

Emma's finally comfortable on the big kid swings.

Woo whoo!

Swinging is her favorite and now that she can pump herself,

it's even more fun!

Then we headed over to the slides which Emma usually hates but she was having a great time with Kylee.

Check out Emma's expression in this picture! Cracks me up!

I was thankful we took advantage of the short break in the winter temperatures.

It looks like more storms are coming but it was fun to get outside!

Spring, we're anxiously awaiting your arrival!

Oh Boy.

I live with wahoos.

Want proof?

Apparently my phone has this cool little option that allows you to put funny hats on your pictures. Just the thing for a family of wahoos!

I'm guessing he was just really thirsty?

We really do have glasses in our house!

Lee got the 50 piece McNugget deal for the Super Bowl.

Have you ever seen more excitement for McNuggets?

Seriously, I know what to get him for Christmas now.

She's been working with second graders for the past month and a half.

I think it might be getting to her!

I don't even want to know...

Handsome!

Scott with his cute date, Boston,

and his new snazzy suit!

Seriously,

isn't he a handsome kid?

So fun!

P.S. For the record, she told him her dress was crimson, cream, and black. She walked in wearing hot pink and I'm thinking "Great. The red tie and red rose corsage will look wonderful with that!" Oh well. We tried. She looked really cute though!!!

Going Private

Well, I have been reviewing the traffic on my blog and have decided to go private.

I'm not feeling comfortable with some of the people who are viewing my blog (worldwide). I don't want a bunch of sickos looking at pictures of my kids. So, I'm sorry if this is a pain but it's what I feel like I need to do right now. I'm not sure how they are finding my little blog but I looked up their websites and YIKES!

So, Time Flies will now be private.

I {heart} you!

Cari

Kids are funny

I babysit a really cute little girl

(seriously, she's a doll!)

two times a week now.

It's been really fun to watch

Max and Emma with her.

They really have fun with her and

it's been good to have a little one around.

The other night, her mom needed a babysitter so

she came over for a little while.

I went upstairs for a second and came down and found Max and Emma playing Follow the Leader with her --

Follow the Leader with wooden shoes!

It was pretty funny!

I just love how well they play together!

The New Emma

Before...

(many tears over tangled hair)

After

(no tears--by her anyway!)

I keep telling myself that it'll grow again!

At least she can still wear pigtails.