Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Mid-Winter Break

 We enjoyed a week off from school for our mid-winter break. We did a little something every day of the week and had lots of family time. 

Nate had Monday off, so I enjoyed grocery shopping by myself., Nate went to the thrift store with Paige, and Baylor had swim lessons. It was a day to get some errands done and enjoy some time at home.

Tuesday Paige spent most of the day sewing. Baylor had a doctor's appointment and then I met with some ladies in our ward during the afternoon. (Paige watched her sisters and they had fun doing some science projects.) She made some matching scrunchies for Baylor and a friend at school. Awhile back she saw this idea on Pinterest, and she got two sweaters from the Goodwill Outlet and put them together. I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but it turned out super cute and she did such a great job.
Wednesday was our Seattle day. Nate took the day off from work and I got free passes to the Seattle Aquarium through the library. Since McCall is still young enough to be free, we all got in for free! It was a great day spent at the aquarium and we loved seeing all the different animals and fish. 
The girls loved touching the sea anemone, sea cucumbers, and star fish and having the poky anemone "hug" their fingers. Nate eventually convinced McCall to try touching the sea anemone and she thought it was pretty cool but refused to touch anything else.
The octopus was very active when we were around it which was so cool. 
Then we wandered around the rest of the aquarium and saw some seals, sea lions, otters, more fish, and some birds.
Then we got to check out the new part of the aquarium and the big tank is impressive and has so many cool things to see- fish, sharks, and sting rays. The girls loved finding Dory and Nemo.
It was a cold day, and so we had lunch in the car and enjoyed a little bit more time in the aquarium before enjoying the waterfront.
We checked out the new playground which is pretty fun and the gorgeous view of the city and the water. We wandered through the Curiosity Shop before heading back home so could be back in time to get back for Baylor's swim lessons.
Thursday the morning was spent sleeping in and doing some science experiments. Then we went with Celina and her two kids to Family Fun Center. We each got the Get Out Pass so I'm sure there will be many adventures together. Paige and I did the XD theater which was pretty entertaining since I am a screamer with the 3D glasses and Paige thought it was so funny. The rest of the kids spent two hours playing on the play place and kept busy chasing each other, climbing, sliding, and having so much fun.

Friday we got invited to try a whole bunch of different foods at the bowling alley. The owner is in our ward and was taking some new pictures of foods and needed some people to eat it afterwards. We were there with a couple of other families and I invited Celina and her kids to join us. We had wings, loaded nachos, grilled cheese, fried egg sandwich, nachos, mini corn dogs, mozzarella sticks, and fries (normal, cheese sauce ones, and garlic ones). It was all so good and Celina said it was such an American thing to do and she loved it. Then Nate and Paige went to the thrift store and then Celina came over for dinner and we did make your own pizza which was fun and the kids had so much fun playing together.
Saturday's adventure out and about was going swimming at the aquatic center for an hour. I stuck with McCall and the other two had fun playing, jumping off the diving board, and just testing out their swim skills. McCall is pretty brave and loves to jump off the side into my arms and practicing "swimming" all around.
And then Sunday was a day spent with extended family. We drove to Ellensburg and got to listen to Blake speak for his mission farewell. He gave a wonderful talk and then we enjoyed some lunch afterwards. The girls loved cousin time and we loved visiting before making the drive home.

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Love Day

Valentine's Day was filled with love, gifts, fun, and family time.

It all started on Friday, the day before Valentine's Day, when Baylor had her class Valentine's party. She loved buying Valentine's for each of her classmates and getting everything all ready for the big day. I was able to volunteer in her classroom for most of the day which was fun. They played some games and had a pizza party for lunch. She came home with a bag filled with Valentine's from her classmates and she loved going through them all.
The girls woke up on Valentine's Day to candy sprinkled down the hallway and a fun heart streamer to burst through to their gifts from us, Nona and Pops, and Grandma and Poppy on the table. Baylor and McCall were the first ones up and McCall was so excited and kept coming to get me up saying the sun is up. She just wanted to show me everything and was so excited about the gifts on the table.
They kept busy waiting for big sister to wake up.
Paige finally got up and then it was time for gift opening and gift giving.
Paige got a signed Benson Boone picture that Nate got online and she thought it was pretty cool. The picture on the right was her teenage reaction when I said she could hang it on her hall and kiss is every night before she goes to bed (just like Aunt Erika when did growing up with a big Justin Timberlake picture in our room.) :)
Folded heart from Nona.
Paige made this cute pillow to go in their room as a gift to them. She did a great job. Baylor in the morning quickly made some little Valentines to give to everyone too which was very thoughtful.
Paige made Nate and I these cute wooden heart and Nate and the girls got me this poster with some things that I love. It says, "Happy Valentine's Mom! We love you to the "Milky Way" and back! We're so lucky you are our mom, no ifs, buts, or "Andes". You're sweet like "Lindor Chocolates"! If we could, we would "White Out" every worry you have! You're so cool like an "Arizona" drink! Love Your Favorite People.
We had heart-shaped, pink pancakes for breakfast. I made some chocolate covered strawberries to give some to Nona and Pops along with some Valentine's and I enjoyed some myself that evening. We had our traditional dinner of spaghetti, salad, heart shaped cheesy toast, and pink Jell-O. It was a wonderful day spent with the people we love the most!
We did our traditional countdown to Valentine's Day and Nate and I wrote things we love about each of our girls. Each morning they woke up to a new heart on their door. 
Here's what we love about Paige:

- I love you!!! Love Dad

- You are true to who you are. You are a kind, genuine, person.

- I love that you love going to the outlet with me.

- I love our guess the music artist and conversations in the front seat.

- I love how beautiful you have become inside and out!

- I love shopping with you when we have time.

- I love your silly moments.

- You are so creative and you have beautiful hand writing.

- I lobe watching you learn new talents.

- I love watching you do gymnastics. You are so grateful!

- I love watching you grow in confidence.

- I love being in young women's with you.

- I love your kindness towards others.

- Happy Valentine's Day! We love you! Love, Mom and Dad


Here's what we love about Baylor:

- I love you!!! Love, Dad

- I love that you are always up for an adventure.

- I love when you are kind to your sisters.

- You are an amazing friend!

- I love your love for the outdoors and rocks.

- I love being in your class at school and seeing what a good student you are.

- I love how you are a trickster, to a point.

- I love your zest for life and you are full of fun and joy.

- I love your eyes when you smile.

- I love that you love science projects and math.

- I love seeing you excited and hearing you laugh.

- I love your dance moves and singing.

- I love how you love your family and grandparents.

- Happy Valentine's Day! We love you! Love, Mom and Dad


Here's what we love about McCall:

- I love you!!! Love, Dad

- I love the funny things you say.

- I love how you say Paw Patrol.

- I love that you are my errand buddy.

- I love how you cuddle with me.

- I love how polite you are.

- I love when you hide under blankets with me.

- I love doing preschool with you and that you are always excited about it.

- I love your funny faces.

- I love chasing you and your laugh when you are caught.

- I love how you can't stay still when we fake sleep.

- I love your random "I love you's" and hugs.

- I love watching you learn new things.

- Happy Valentine's Day! We love you! Love, Mom and Dad
 

Letter R

Letter R took a little longer to complete but we did it. At the end of last week, it got busy and so I only go around to a few letter R activities so we finished it up the beginning of this week since I wasn't planning on doing preschool with the girls off school all week for mid-winter break.

Day One: McCall started the letter R week off with tearing pieces of Red paper and then gluing it on the uppercase R.
Then she did a Rice sensory bin. There were letters, pom poms, and coins to find in the rice.
Day Two: She first created a Rain art project. She first drew some flowers and a person for the rain to fall on. Then she glued cotton balls on for clouds and last she painted the Raindrops with her finger in blue paint.
Then we did a Rainbow science experiment. She lined a plate with skittles and then she poured some hot water on them and watched her rainbow appear.
Day Three: Baylor was around and wanted to help so first Baylor asked if we had any Red food to try and we had Raspberries.
Then together they worked on a Robot. I cut out a whole bunch of different shapes and Baylor helped her create a robot.
Then I had some Robots to cut out and we worked on putting them in a pattern based off the colors.
Day Four: First we created a Rocket. She cut out the squares and then glued them in a line. She added star stickers and then she wrote her own name on each of the squares of the rocket. She can now write her own name and it is the cutest thing.
Then I had to leave for a bit and Paige babysat so I had them do Road play with McCall. Baylor took some pictures.
Day Five: We started off creating a Rabbit. I drew the uppercase R on a paper and McCall glued on cotton balls and drew on the ears and face for a cute letter R Rabbit.
Then to end our R week and we did some Rock painting. I suggested to do things that start with R or are the color Red. So of course, McCall painted one of hers blue for Chase from Paw Patrol and her other rock she painted Donald Duck's hat. :)

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Letter Q

We made it to the letter Q! In church the other day, I was seeing what uppercase letters McCall knew and she could tell me all of them except 2. I was super impressed and I think this preschool stuff is really helping her out.

Monday, she first started out making a Queen out of the uppercase letter Q. She cut out the crown and added jewels to it and then made the cutest face, arms, and legs for her queen.
Then she went on a Quest. She hade to find the ingredients to make peanut butter cookies all over the house. Once she hunted them all down, we made the cookies together. She loves to help me bake and is an excellent taste tester.
Tuesday was our Quilt day. First I showed her a quilt that I had made. We talked about how you cut squares out and then sew them together to create a blanket or a quilt. Then she cut out pieces of fabric (which I ended up doing most of it because kid scissors don't cut fabric) and then she glued them onto the letter Q.
Then we did a quilt matching game.
Wednesday she did Q-tip painting. I first had her painted the uppercase and lowercase Q and then I let her create how she wanted.
Thursday our focus was Quarters. First I had to write the word quarter and then I placed quarters under the paper and she colored over the top of the quarters with crayons to create quarter rubbings.
Then I took the quarters and had her stack them and count them.
Friday was our Question day. I had her color and trace some question marks. I first showed it to her and I asked her if she knew what it was and she said a mystery. :)
Then I asked her 20 questions and I love her answers. They were so McCall and so cute!
- How old are you? 3
- What kind of birthday party do you want? Paw Patrol and Princess
- How old is Mommy? 2
- How old is Daddy? 18
- How old is Baylor and Paige? 8, 8
- What is your favorite color? Blue
- What's your favorite toy? Paw Patrol toys- especially Chase ones
- What is your favorite book? Paw Patrol Search and Find
- What is your favorite thing to watch on TV? Paw Patrol
- What is your favorite song? I love to see the temple
- What is your favorite thing to eat? Donuts
- What is something that you don't like? Ghosts
- Where is your favorite place to go? Play Group with Matilda
- What is your favorite animal? Cat
- What makes you sad? Bugs
- What makes you happy? Daddy
- What is something you're very good at? Painting
- What do you want want to be when you grow up? Tall like Baylor
- What is your favorite part of the day? Playing with Matilda
-Do you have any questions for Mommy? Can I take a bath with you? (I told her I was going to take a shower after preschool.) And then I asked her any other questions and she said "I love you Mommy!" 
Another great week of preschool!