goodbye school year 2012-2013

School has been out for a few weeks now, it felt like the middle of summer by the time they got out.

This year has been a big growing year for both the boys. Physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. We are proud of the hard work these boys put into the year.

Especially with their homework.

I loved getting to come in and volunteer in both boys classrooms. Especially fairy tale Friday. I have been so impressed by the amount of work their teachers put into each child. I am hoping each of our younger children get those same teachers. (I brought my camera to school on the last day and just as I was getting ready to take pictures of the boys with their teachers, my battery died.)

The programs were spectacular. There is something about watching those kids up on the stage singing their hearts out that may just bring tears to my eyes. Even if it's during 'Must be Santa'

Can you spot Taylor? One of the only kids in a blue shirt :)

Now we are shuffling through the stacks and stacks of paperwork and artwork that they brought home and we're filing them away.

Can't believe they are done with 3rd and 1st grade.
Now bring on summer.

love these four boys

I know mother's day has come and gone. But I'm okay to think about how much I love being their mother everyday.

Having four boys can be somewhat exhausting at times. Probably not any more than anyone who has four kids in general. But I'm not sure if girls are dragging in every cool rock they find outside. Not sure if they drag legos is every single room in the house. Not sure if they are wrestling each other everyday. I just don't know. Are they? 
But I'm okay with all that boys bring because I really kind of like these boys. I just can't imagine it any other way.

Whenever we are all out running errands, I get at least one comment like this...

"wow you have your hands full"

"oh, I'm sorry"

"you need a girl"

No, please don't feel bad for me. I am so happy. I would never EVER trade one of these boys just to have a girl. 

Would that be tacky to tape a sign to me that says that??

but then sometimes I get this comment...

"I have all boys. It's great."

On another note.

I sometimes feel like I am failing as a parent because our boys aren't in every extra curricular activity. They didn't go to pre-school. And we don't take our kids to every theme park around. I know *gasp*. For some reason, they get excited to jump on the tramp, play in the sandbox, be creative with what we have at home, read books with mom, and make treats together. We will be having one of our first big family vacations this year....and it's not to Disneyland! I know our boys are happy, but again, I still feel at times that people look down on us because we aren't giving our children more.

Then I read a fantastic article in the ensign last night!

For one year, they chose to forgo dance and sports; instead they prepared meals, learned Primary songs, visited museums, and played outdoors. “Our children were able to feel the Spirit … because we took the time to stop and listen,” Amy says. Their children may not be the top sports and dance stars, she says, “but they have a testimony of the Savior.”

Love! Love! Love! And that is my goal as a mother.

I also hope that I can discover who they are, what their talents are, and then help each of them grow into the man that they are meant to become individually. Thank goodness Justin is my partner in this!

 And while I am discovering and trying to do my best, I hope that they feel my complete love for each one of them.

busy happy corby

We just love this boy! Who just so happens to have had lots going on lately.

he had the ever popular pinewood derby.

which he proudly painted himself.

Corbin was so excited to hang out with his friends and watch the race. He especially loved that his best friend was right there by him. 

(I wish I had video of the two of them waiting for the race to begin.)

 Corbin's car raced five different times. The first four times he got last place... 

by the time he got to the last round he was a bit sad, but still so hopeful.  As it raced across the finish line, his car got third place...not fourth...

you would have thought he won the gold medal. 

I love this kid!!

Corbin is not a die hard athlete, but he is an active one and loves to be outside. He loves playing basketball with his friends at school and then at home with dad. He also loves tossing the frisbee with dad. He's getting pretty darn good at both. 

The 3rd graders had a wax museum.

Corbin chose to be Dr Suess.

 

He worked really hard on this project and got many compliments on being the BEST and CUTEST dr. suess. 

We've known for a very long time that Corbin is an energetic, fun-living, silly boy. These class pictures are confirming what we already knew.  Can you spot him?

ya. He thought he was being hilarious...