Finding Krissi

My youngest son is in our school district’s full time gifted and talented program. I should be honest and let you know that he is not gifted. He is however talented. I have been asked many times what the difference is between gifted and talented students. Gifted and talented are often thought of as the same thing, but they are not the same thing. A gifted student is gifted. They have strengths above average in one or more academic areas. Often gifted students don’t quite know how to be children. Their brains are on the go, they are thinking twice as fast as you and I, and they probably know twice as much as you and I. Probably even more. A gifted student will correct you when you’re wrong. A gifted student will struggle with what is considered normal behavior. Talented students like my little guy are usually bright. School is fun for them because it isn’t hard. When learning a new concept they will usually catch on pretty quick. Talented students get how to do school. They know h...

The Holiday season is officially upon us. The day of Trick or Treats is here. The pumpkins are carved and sitting on the doorstep. The costumes are ready and the kids are excited for the night to begin. If there is anything that makes me feel young it is the holidays. The holidays feel me with excitement, creativity, and hope. Basically, in my opinion there is nothing better than the holidays. Yes, in this particular post I am choosing to ignore the stress that often accompanies the holidays. What stress? Last week was a very busy week. Tuesday night was the pinewood derby.  H. was a little intense when it came to building and constructing his car. He spent weeks researching learning all the tricks and tips. He grew increasingly impatient whenever Brent tried to interfere during the construction phase. The night of the actual competition his mom could see the look of intensity and competition written all over his face. Even as he casually looked over the competiti...

This morning the girls participated in our home town parade. It was lots of fun to see them and celebrate. Recognizing our Veterans Appreciating ingenuity. Waiting for Candy! Enjoying Al's Unique Smile Hey, I take what I can get. Cheering! Happy Birthday America.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend day camp with all the cubs. They are such an adorable group of boys. The day was full of activities and RAIN. By the time we left camp we were soaked and tired. A few of the boys even fell asleep on the way home. My favorite part of the day was a rope bridge the boys had to cross. The leader in charge of the activity was awesome, and kept all the boys cheering for each other. It was obvious that some of the boys were scared to death, and that crossing the bridge was a major accomplishment. I was thankful to be there and see how valuable these activities are for boys. They grow so much in the moments where they climb past their fear and do something new and hard. I was so proud of all them. I just love the smug little grin of accomplishment on his face. Such a guy thing. I would post all of their pictures but I don't have permission. Just imagine the look of accomplishment on their faces as they each completed the activi...

The softball/machine pitch season is coming to an end. The season started out with rain, rain, and more rain. The result has been a longer season than normal. Really that has been ok as Al. and H. have kept somewhat active through June. I should say Al has remained active because H. is never not active. That boys wears me out. Due to the rain and a baseball schedule that conflicted with school I feel I am seriously lacking in the picture department this season. Although, I did catch one of H. and my favorite of his many sport faces. Yup, this is the face. It makes me laugh every time and lets you know just how into the game the boy can get. Funny thing is this picture was taken just a moment before. That is the thing with baseball wait for it.... wait for it... wait for it.... GO!!! This is not my favorite picture of Al but when I attempted to get closer I was rewarded with a hard ball to the leg. Apparently, these girls have learned to hit and you have to watch ...

Summer is well underway. We had a very busy first week basketball, baseball, swimming, testing, school, and EFY. The kids had a blast and are looking forward to another busy week. This week we have grandma, swimming, baseball, youth conference, school, piano, and cub scout day camp. In addition, to all the summer fun, I like to remind the kids that they are going to have to go back to school. There are certain activities that will help the beginning of the school year go smoother. For example, reading. Reading is a great summer activity, and a way to prepare for the up coming school year. For the past several years we have had summer reading lists and summer reading goals. My oldest three have always been on board. Well, for the most part. There was reading going on, and summer reading goals being met. Ours is a family that reads and enjoys reading, always! Yup, I said it I said the word that will surely bring about a curse. I said, "Always." Saying always is equi...

Today Al. officially entered the following song for, "Our Summer Song," contest. I went on Youtube and checked out the video... read through the lyrics.... and read about the artist.... You know what sometimes you just have to be proud of your kids. Wonder how in the world did I get this lucky. Take a listen and tell me what you think. I'm thinking that this is probably the winner. Headphones lyrics She gave it her best She tried to fit in She tried to be cool But she never could win Her mom says she's great The kids think she's weird Honestly she wish she could disappear Why you try, try to be like the rest of them When you know there's so much more within There's only one you Here's what ya' gotta do Whoa, whoa... Anytime you feel alone, put on your headphones Love, love's coming through your headphones Anytime you feel alone, put on your headphones Love, love's coming through your headphones L-o-o-ove is...

It is among my summer goals to do my best to reconstruct the past six months. In short, life turned into a whirlwind of events. Between family, church, school, and work this blog was pushed to the side. My creative juices, and time were beyond depleted, and this blog was the biggest casualty. Well this blog, and the laundry room. How creativity and laundry work together is a mystery, but that is my excuse. Meanwhile, life marched on, and now I have a folder bursting with pictures, and another folder bursting with videos. All of those pictures and videos must land somewhere, and this is the place my friends. This is the place! So over the next few weeks expect posts that begin like this: Dear Blog, blog friends, and cyber world I'm ignoring you because I am (was). . . ... watching soccer. Another soccer season has come and gone. This season the boys played and Super S. reffed. Every Saturday Super S. found herself on a soccer field for seven hours of reffing fun. A...

Today is the very first day of Summer vacation. I keep waiting for the feeling of no responsibilities to settle in around me. So far that feeling has alluded me. Probably because as much as I want to pretend that summer vacation is a time out from our busy schedule, our summer is quickly feeling up. Today was spent preparing S. for EFY. Tomorrow I will take her to her cousins house, and the next day my sister-n-law will deliver both girls to camp.  This will be the first time that I have ever spent an entire week away from S. I'm excited for her and at the same time not so thrilled. Where in the heck did my baby girl go? (The date on the picture says 1998 but I swear it was yesterday) (2001 I don't think so. More like 10 minutes ago!) (This is a current picture except the date says 2002) (2004 :( 30 seconds ago. I swear!) I really need to deal with the fact that all of my monsters are growing up. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal? :) Anyone... an...

I don't know about you and yours, but I can tell you around here we are "crazy" excited for summer vacation. The kids are all home from their last day of school and I officially have a 9th grader, 7th grader, 6th grader, and 3rd grader. I'm currently refusing to deal with how crazy it is to have the kids in three different schools next year. For now it is all about summer.

About a year and half ago Al received a keyboard for Christmas. I think at the time Brent and I figured it would gather dust, and even though Al said she wanted one... well kids say they want many things. After a few months, Al started asking for piano lessons, and so she started piano lessons. Again, Brent and I figured it would just be a matter of time before she lost interest. In September, Al started with the first book, by the end of October she had moved into her second book, and in April, she moved into her third book. Much to Brent’s and my amazement, Al practiced. She practiced daily without being asked. When it was time for her first recital, she chose a hard song. A hard song! Our Al chose a hard song! A song that I felt was way above her abilities. It is hard to describe the transformation Al has went through this year. Piano is only one of the areas that she has impressed Brent and I. Her grades in school have improved dramatically and her motivation to do her b...

Yesterday was a day full of surprises. First off the boys had an orthodontics appointment. I have been dreading this visit because this was going to be the visit in which I would walk away 5,000 dollars in debt. A. started phase 1 orthodontics at 9 years old, I have been told, since his first dentist visit at 4, he would need braces. There was also a point in time that A. would not smile because of his teeth. So I accepted the brace debt and have known it was coming. The same pattern has repeated with H. at his first dentist appointment I was told that he would need braces. So you see going to the orthodontist was bound to happen. It was just luck that the boys had to do it at the same time. So there we were, at the orthodontist, a guy who has already fixed S.'s teeth, and performed a small miracle on A.'s teeth. I like him, he is a nice guy, even if he is an Orthodontist. Like I said there we were Brent, the boys, and me. First up was A. he jumped in the chair as t...

I have picked up a little slack from a friend or two about not sharing information. Sometimes I am a big open book and I let the whole world in. I tell you guys everything even stuff I probably shouldn't. On the other hand sometimes I am a closed book and I don't say a word. It is a mystery when I choose to do one or the other. :) A mystery I have yet to figure out. So I didn't say anything but then the news kind of leaked out like news does. Even when you don't think it's news it's just life. Have I built up the suspense enough? Well the friends who gave me slack already know as for the rest of you here it is. Last week S. was elected as a ninth grade officer at her school. She is thrilled, over the moon, thinks this is going to be the best year EVER! She worked hard preparing for the election. At her school you have to prepare a portfolio. For the portfolio you have to come up with ideas for several activities.  Activities like a school dance...

I am now the mother of my fourth second grader. That is right I have seen three children through second grade and I am currently on my fourth. Second grade is an awesome year. The kids are reading and their learning is really taking off. Happily, all of my kids have excelled in the second grade. I was pretty sure I had this second grade thing down. Like I said THIS IS my fourth time through (well technically speaking I was second grader once upon a time so it is my fifth time through). Turns out I may have been a bit naive about second grade. Before I get to the current issue let's review. First up S. second grade. We had been living in Utah for a whole year and she was thriving. At the end of first grade she had completed all the levels of swim lessons and was now on the swim team. She loved swimming and her only goal was to have fun with her best swim pal Sophia and to beat Sophia's big brother in the pool. Stupid boy was not going to swim faster than her. S. was an...

The below video will make no sense unless you read this post, " Ninja Obsessed ." Once you read the post come back here and watch the video. Which was secretly recorded while my son read my "Ninja Obsessed," post. Video posted with said son's permission. :) Happy Monday Everyone

Now that the holidays are over I feel it is safe to post pictures. Pretty much my tradition is to give all the grandparents pictures. Every now and then they read this blog and although they can pretty much expect a picture I wanted the pictures to be a surprise. A whole of lot explanation that you probably didn't need to hear. Oh well! Don't let my copyright fool you these pictures were taken by the talented Brock Able. If you live in the Weber/Davis/Salt Lake area check out his site here . Here they are the four most beautiful, wonderful, children in the whole world. Said without any bias whatsoever. Thanks Brock, you're the best. My Boys My Girls Possibly, my most favorite picture. Oh, I mean this one. No, this one! Okay, this one is my favorite picture. Look they like each other. This one made me laugh so hard. One day he is going to be a daddy and this is the look he is going to give boys who date his daughters. Man, when ...