I <3 Freecycle!

Freecycle has got to be one of the coolest things ever. It is a great way to get rid of your unwanted, but still good, things around your house. You can also get other people's unwanted, but still good, items that you want/need. It really helps to clear out your home, and at the same time help others clear out theirs. Especially since yard sales are a lot of work and not always prosperous.

I have been able to get rid of furniture, clothing, baby items, toys, etc. As well, I have been able to receive the same types of items. For example, shortly after Angela was born, I received a bag of baby girl clothing in great condition, and all I had to do was drive to pick it up. Today I was able to get this much needed dresser for Angela.

The spot on top will fit a changing table pad, and the opening on the bottom has a pull out rack to hang her little dresses on. It has a few scrapes to be touched up and needs some new drawer pulls, but, all in all, it is AWESOME!

I am so excited and grateful for Freecycle. If you haven't already, check it out. You never know what you will find or the lives that you will bless by sharing your unwanted things.

A friend of ours got a pool for the kids to play in our backyard. In the mornings, the back yard is completely shaded and it is not too hot out yet. The boys went absolutely crazy the first morning that they were able to play in it. It took Levi a few minutes to decide that it was okay to get in. Once he did, he was splashing all over the place.

Hyrum lost a lot of his inhibitions about water while playing in the shallow wading pool. It was fun to watch him let loose a little bit.

The pool is small for Ben, but it didn't keep him from enjoying the cool water on a hot day. He can turn pretty much anything into something fun.

Adam is also pretty timid around water, but he was a wild man in the new pool. I don't think he stopped squealing with excitement the whole time.

I had to drag the boys out of the water when their lips started turning blue. They would have played all day if I had let them. Now, every morning they ask if they can go play in their pool. I just wish they could have this much fun cleaning their bedroom.

Planting with Sis. Stover

Sherrell Stover came over on Thursday to have a fun activity with the kids. She brought flowers for them to plant in the front yard. They had lots of work ahead of them making a plot for the flowers. They had to dig up the grass, get out the rocks, and make holes for the flowers to go in.

After digging the holes, they put each of the flowers into the dirt. Adam really had fun covering the plants with soil after they were planted. Ben was the water carrier. He kept filling up the watering can and bringing it to the plot to make sure the soil was nice and moist for the flowers.

Hyrum really didn't like getting his hands dirty. Here he is helping dig some more holes for the smaller flowers after the marigolds were planted.

Levi really enjoyed digging in the dirt and getting all muddy. But, most of all, he loved getting cleaned up after all the work was done. Daddy was having a little too much fun washing the boys with the hose.

First Swim of the Summer

We had our first swim of the summer yesterday evening. It was a very hot day and the cool water really hit the spot. We are very thankful for a good friend in our ward that let us use her pool.

This was Angela's very first time swimming. She was very indifferent at first, but at least she wasn't unhappy with the experience. Later on she was reaching down to touch the water and smiling when Daddy sprinkled water on her head.

Cookies!

Last week we made oatmeal raisin cookies. I was supposed to be making laundry soap but cookies sounded much more fun. Hyrum was chosen to be my big helper this time. He got to pour the ingredients into the mixer and closely watch as everything got mixed all together. The cookies turned out perfectly, even though the afternoon was very hot. Especially with the oven on. Next time we will make them in the morning. After the cookies had cooled for a bit, we were able to do the best part of making cookies, the eating! I heard no complaints from anyone. Even Angela got to enjoy her very first cookie. I am thinking we might have another "Cookie Monster" on our hands.

School's Out!

We have survived another school year and all of the end of year awards ceremonies/graduations/parties that go along with it.

Adam graduated from PK-3 and is excited to be the third of our children to be in Mrs. Deloach's PK-4 class next year.

Hyrum graduated from Kindergarten and is so excited to be going to 1st grade next year. He actually has teachers asking to have him in their class next year.

Benjamin received a lot of awards some of which were A/B Honor Roll and Excellence in Music. Now on to all the summer activities!

End of Year Chaos

Today is the last Monday left of the school year. Today is also the beginning of a week of almost constant motion. This afternoon is Benjamin's 2nd grade awards ceremony. Tomorrow morning Angela has her 9 month check up closely followed by Adam's PK-3 graduation ceremony and party. Tomorrow evening I have a RS crafting group activity to make temple bags. Wednesday is Hyrum's kindergarten graduation as well as an early release day. Thursday is the last day of school and also an early release day. So basicly, I have to cram in a bunch of end of year activities into 4 days and still be able to keep laundry, dishes, and the house clean. This promises to be an interesting week. I will be posting pictures of graduations and awards later this week if all goes well.