What the kids have been up to, Graduation, Sports day, Beach with Browns

Preschool Graduation was actually before our camping trip (June 2nd just for posterity.) We have truly enjoyed 0ur preschool ,and graduation was just as great. Brian and Katie got to preform. Brian went first, he sang, "This is the Season" Right before he went on he said to me, "Mom, I love taking into a microphone." I hope he never grows out of that! He did a great job, he forgot how the last two verses begin and leaned over to me to say, "mom, whats next?" it was sweet. He did very well and looked very handsome in his Sunday best.

This year Katie also got to preform. Last year she was too scared the only thing she said into the microphone was "NO!" This year she was so good! She sang "If You Chance To Meet A Frown" I had to tell her every line even though she has it memorised. Then she would sing very clearly into the microphone. She was very well liked. She also likes to be on stage and perform. The video camera stopped working during Brian's performance and the camera didn't pick up Katie's singing very well.

The Graduation ceremony was sweet. Teacher Marina has never had such a big graduating class so it was a little crazy with 19, 5 and 6 year olds on the stage then adding 10 or more to that with the younger kids. Still thought it was sweet and the children's performances were fun to watch.

We we were able to get a couple pictures of the kids friends. One of Brian's pictures is with Tally a girl who he told the whole class he loves on Valentines Day, In front of everybody she said, "I don't love you." I guess he didn't believe her because they still play together. One of Katie Bella's pictures is with her friend Bella. I made her shirt for a service trade with Bella's mom for Acupuncture!

The Saturday after camping was the primary Sports Day. Brian thought it was a holiday and wanted to decorate for it. He was so exited! He practiced running and really wanted to win a trophy. The activity was a success! Brian and Katie had lots of fun, they did not to a race like Brian wanted, but he had fun with all the other games. He was in the group with one of his favorite teachers, Sister Richie. We love the Richies. Brian (Sr.) and I agreed soon after we moved here that Brother Richie remind us more of Daddy then anybody I know. Sister Richie and Brother Richie taught Nursery when we first moved here and now she teaches Music in Primary. The kids love her! She is so comfortable with them and they genuinely feel like she loves them.

At the activity Susan got to socialise with lots of her friends. She especially enjoyed Pam. Another teacher in primary who loves the babies in the ward. Susan was drawn to Pam from the first time we sat next to her. Pam is so friendly and animated she and also genuinely loves Susan. Pam, and Susan's other good friend Cindy, used to watch Susan every Sunday while Brian and I taught primary. Susan and all my kids love Pam. Pam teaches Elementary School and she is such a good teacher, she treats kids like they are her friends in the way she talks and disciplines them, it is very effective she is awesome.

Brian did not get a trophy at the activity but he did get a gold medal and they everybody had a great time.

On Friday we had another Beach day. This time it was with the Browns. Jenny, my sister and brother in law Shawn Brown and this was with his extended family family. They are very welcoming always lots of fun and great food! They invited us to Huntington Beach for a bonfire and cook-out. The beach we went to was a state park which means, it was clean, there was lots of fire pits, not too many people, great parking all worth the fee to get in.

Brian and Katie fit in so well with them! I think there was 10 kids all under 10 (or just barley? under?) That sounds crazy but they all played together well and kept each other busy enough that the parents could relax. Soon after we got there Alex one of the little Brown cousins ran up to me and said "Katie is my new friend." Brian played well with the boys there were 4 of them and they all like to play the same way he does. Digging, running, throwing stuff into the fire. After the kids played in the Ocean they all wrap ed themselves up in towels and 6 of them snuggled next to each other, it was very cute!

Aunt Jenny is always fun. She took the kids to fly a kite. She told them to yell up! up! up! When the kite would start to go down. In this video the kids are yelling and jumping up to get the kite up. The camera picked up more wind noise then anything but its still cute. They had a lot of fun with Jenny, Shawn, Lacy and the Browns! Thanks for inviting us!