My Preschool Princess

Ok, I admit it's a corny title, but look how cute she is! After a slight delay, preschool is back in session. It has moved to a new school, and after some concern, Emma has decided that she likes the new locale. As we drove there the first day she told me, "When I was 3 I was scared to go to preschool. I'm 4 now so I'm not nervous." She will be attending five days a week, from 11:45 to 2:15. That's twelve and a half hours a week, minus driving time, but who's counting?? Hmmm, what should I do with all that glorious free time?

Back to School

Can you believe that summer is already over? I now have a fifth grader and a third grade! The best news is that Kim now happily wakes up in the morning. I no longer have to sit on her bed and force clothing on her body! It makes the morning so much more peaceful and enjoyable. This summer she became an early bird. She woke up today at about 6:30 AM, and was totally ready for school by the time I got out of bed at 7. Anyone who has ever tried to wake her up in the morning knows what that was like. She got the third grade teacher that she wanted, and happily goes to school. (Her first couple years of school did not go so smoothly...) I hope that it continues.

Suzy is enjoying being the top dog at the elementary school. Fifth graders get to work in the cafeteria, and she's the first up in her class. Friday she got to hand out the pickles, and thoroughly enjoyed it. She was a little nervous about her assigned teacher, so we'll have to see how it goes.

Emma doesn't go back to preschool until next week. After her sister's left for school on Thursday she gleefully announced, "It's just us - we can do whatever we want!" But, by Friday morning at 10 she wanted the school day to be over. We invited a friend over, and that helped the day go by faster.

What happened to July?

Well, July came and went without a single blog from me. So, in case you were wondering (or in case I want to remember) here's what we have been up to since my last post:

June 28th - got called to be the YW's President in our ward

June 29th - left on a two week vacation (do you like the timing of that!). We spent a couple of days in Albuquerque while Dan has some work meetings.

July 1st - drove from Albuquerque to St. George, with a detour to go to the Four Corners.

July 2nd - drove from St. George to Provo, to hang out with Dan's family.

July 3rd - Took some family pictures. Went to Seven Peaks - and had a blast. My favorite ride was the Boomerang!

July 4th - We started the day with the Provo Parade. I lived in Provo for 8 years, and that was the first time I went. What's not to love about people walking by and throwing candy at you! Then we had a BBQ and games at the Church Pavillion by Spencer and Joanna's house. My mom and sister took Suzy and Kim to the Stadium of Fire where they saw (SCREAM, WOW) The Jonas Brothers! They has so much fun - thanks again ! The rest if our group watched the fireworks from outside. Emma and Kassidee had a wonderful time getting to know each other and playing together.

July 5th - Today, Spencer and Joanna's baby, Bianca, was blessed. It was neat to have so much family together.

July 6th - We went to the Oquirrh Temple Open House. The last Temple Open House we had been to was the Manhattan Temple when I was pregnant with Emma. It was the greatest feeling to be in the Temple with my children! Then, we drove around our old Utah haunts. We went to Lehi Elementary, where I taught fourth grade the year I was pregnant with Suzy. We toured BYU, and bought souvenirs at the Bookstore. We saw the outside of our old condo - the girls wanted to go inside, but when we knocked on the door nobody answered.

July 7th - Karen bought Kim's baptism dress. I can't believe sh's almost 8! Then, we had lunch with my old HS friend and BYU freshman year roommate, Maren and her husband, Nate. Maren was with me the night I met Dan. We went to Hoogie Yogie, which my girl's thought was the greatest place to eat, ever. Then, we drove back to St. George.

July 8th - Along with my mom, sister, and niece Laura, we went to Touachan and watched, "Annie." It was so fun. We own the movie, and the girls love to sing the songs. That was I movie that I loved as a little girl, too.

July 9th - 1 word - SHOPPING...

July 10th - Hanging out with Aunt Kathy, and my favorite cousin Jenny.

July 11th - Our Belated "Pearson Family 4th of July Festivus." Many astouding Feats of Strenth were displayed...

July 12th - After church in St. George, we drove partway home. We stayed in a hotel in Gallup, New Mexico.

July 13th - We pulled into our garage at about 5 PM, so happy to be home. We opened the car door, and knew we had a problem. I can't even describe the horrendous smell! At some point while we were gone, the circuit breaker in the garage flipped. So, our freezer FULL of food sat in the extremely hot garage. Not a good combination. We spent about the next 4 hours cleaning that mess up.

July 14th - 15th - Unpacking, laundry, avoiding the garage because of the lingering smell, etc.

July 16- 18th - went to Youth Conference in Mayhill, NM. Joann and I had so much fun with the Young Women. (I'll never be able to play the game "Spoons" again without thinking of them and laughing!)

July 18th - As I drove into town from Youth Conference, I got a text from my best friend Kim, telling me that they were moving to Utah the next Friday! Not only was I devestated, but my kids are really good friends with her kids. Also, my niece Ashley was born early after a very scary day. (She and mom are doing great!)

July 19th - I got released as YW's 2nd Counselor, and sustained at YW's President.

Ok, that wore me out just typing it up. The rest of the month wasn't as busy! That's what I've been up to. What have you been up to?

Disneyland

Right after school got out, we took our kids to Disneyland. It was their first time, and our first trip there since right after we were married. We had such a great time! It was a 14 hour drive, plus stops. Dan's mom met us there. Emma loved meeting the characters, especially the Princesses. Suzy loved the scary rides - her favorite was California Screamer (at California Adventure). Kim hated the scary rides. Her favorite ride was Dumbo was Autotopia. There is an Aladdin show that was amazing. The 3d shows are really fun, too. We bought a 3 day park hopper, so that we could do as much as possible.

The first night we went to a Princess dinner. It was at Ariel's Grotto. You meet her as you walk in, and pose for pictures. Then, as you're eating, one at a time four different princesses arrive and come around to each table to meet you. They served a yummy 3 course dinner. If you have any princesses in your group, I would highly recommend this.

Dance Show Scrapbook

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! It's so fun to get new Easter dresses!! Grandma Karen sent these cute dresses to my girl's. I got a new dress, too! After our Temple Trip in Lubbock yesterday, a few of the Young Women helped me. It was like having my own very cool stylists! And, it's great to be in a real mall. You guys can be my personal shoppers anytime!

Easter Story Cookies

We make these cookies every year. It has become a fun family tradition. I hope you enjoy! Happpy Easter!


Easter Story Cookies

Make these the night before Easter.

1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon or a wooden meat hammer
duct tape or packing tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300*F. (Do this right when you start)
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon or hammer to break them into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste. Then put your pinch of salt in the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus's followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing!

Add 1 cup sugar to the bowl.

Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 10 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks form.

Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheets.

Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus's body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door.

Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

Leave the kitchen. If you've been making these cookies just before bedtime, GO TO BED!

Acknowledge that the kids are probably sad that they've worked hard to make these cookies, and now have to leave them in the oven overnight. Explain that Jesus' followers were in sad when Jesus died and the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Ask the kids to notice the cracked surface. Have them bite into the cookies. The cookies are hollow!

Explain that on the first Easter morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

HE HAS RISEN!