Go Jimmer!

In preparation for the BYU tournament game today, Jack made this sign to cheer Jimmer on.

It reads:

JIMMER

WIN

GO BYU RA GO

COUGARS

Jack wanted to write out the whole BYU fight song, but we stuck with just "RA" and "GO COUGARS".

The kids have been making up some Jimmer knock-knock jokes too.  Anything about Jimmer is super cool.

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Jimmer.
Jimmer who?
Fredette about it.  

Kate's Music Performance

Today was the day of Kate's big music performance at school.  She's been talking about it and practicing for it for a couple of months.

Too bad all the pictures I took turned out really bad.  Kate did great though.  The first and second graders sang lots of songs.  Their music teacher is in our ward and she is excellent!

Superman

Guess who just watched Superman?  Masking tape to the rescue.

Popsicles

It's snowing outside and the kids wanted to eat Popsicles.  Jack and I made some Popsicles this morning thanks to Disney Junior for giving Jack the idea.

Go Dog Go

Ty loves books these days.  One of his favorites is Go Dog Go.  He likes the shorter board book version, but can also sit still for the original Go Dog Go.  I found that if I leave books in his crib while he's supposed to be napping it cuts down on the crying.

 After I took the picture of Ty, then Kate wanted to take a picture of me (in all my "I-stayed-home-from-church-today-because-I'm-sick glory).

 Then Kate took this picture of Ty and told me that it was the cutest picture ever.  It took her a while to get him to hold still long enough for her to snap a picture.

Cowboy Jack

The other day we were going to playgroup at the park and Jack decided to get his cowboy attire on first.  I love his outfit -- he's not bothered at all by the color of his hat, his boots are cowboy boots, not snow boots, he's wearing his knight in shining armor "cowboy" shirt, and he had two ropes hooked to his jeans.  

 And since I took a picture of him, he had to take one of me and Ty.

Kate's First Piano Recital

Today my two friends and I had a combined piano recital.  All together we had 18 students (8 of them were mine) and the recital took about 20 minutes, then the refreshment eating took about 30 minutes.  The kids all did great.  Recitals are one of my favorite parts about teaching piano.

This was Kate's first recital.  She did great.  We were planning on playing a duet, but none of the other kids were doing duets, so Kate decided during the recital that she just wanted to play alone.

 Kate invited her friend Nina (on the left) to come to the recital.  Four of Kate's other friends (all 1st graders) played in the recital for their first time too.  They were talking about how "crazy" it was.

Garden of the Gods

We went to Colorado this past weekend and stayed with Geoff and Annelisa.  The kids had fun playing together.  Annelisa and I had fun whipping up some delicious food.  And Dave and Geoff had fun watching BYU together.

On Saturday we went to Garden of the Gods.  The kids had fun rock climbing.

It's a little tricky trying to get three toddlers to smile in a picture.

Valentine's Day

I wasn't very prepared for Valentine's Day this year, so the night before I hung these hearts on the light fixture in the dining room.  (Jack wanted to know why his basketball hoop wasn't decorated.)

After a quick run to Smith's after going to the gym, I was prepared.  I picked up these fabulous plastic Valentine plates that we'll use for years to come.

It's hard to keep your eyes open for pictures so early in the morning.

I made heart shaped pancakes for breakfast, but Jack mostly just ate his M&Ms that I gave the kids.  I'd prefer him not to eat M&Ms for breakfast, but at least we got it over with and he ate all of his.

After Kate went to school, we had three of Jack's friends over for a Valentine-themed preschool.  Then we fed the missionaries dinner (cafe rio pork).  Then we had our neighbor friends over for FHE and decorated sugar cookies.  It was a little bit busy.

Dave and I didn't go out on Valentine's Day (we usually don't), but on Saturday we had a date.  We went to Wicked in Albuquerque.  My sweet aunt Karen watched the kids while we went the play.  It was great!

Maybe next year I'll get around to making cute Valentine decorations and sending grandparents valentines made by the kids...

Climbing Wall

This morning I took Jack to a Mom and Tot Climbing class at the YMCA.  Jack hadn't ever climbed on a climbing wall before (besides the tiny ones at the park to get up to the slide).

He was a bit nervous.  We practiced bouldering for a while.  Jack only had to wear a helmet and got to climb with my help just a little way up the wall.  After watching the other kids climb wearing harnesses, he finally decided to give it a try.

The teacher put some stickers on the hand holds and put a plastic bug on top of one (just above Jack's comfort level).  Jack did great!  He was really scared, but he climbed up above my head and got the plastic bug (which he was super excited about getting to take home).

He's almost to the bug (which is on the gray rock with the green tape below it)

I'm excited to see him gain more confidence and climb even higher next time.