Recall

We heard from Josh and Tawnya, that if you emailed a picture of your trampoline (and the destroyed RECALLED net) the company would send you a new one.

Emailed. 

Net sent.

Should be here in the next 2-4 weeks.

Nice!

PS-Taylee has been tirelessly sewing and re-sewing ours with fishing line for months, until it just got WAY too ripped to repair. Whew.

Cantus Finale

After picnicking and playing in the park (Audrey's baptism celebration), Jason and I headed to Nampa for Rylee's Cantus Finale concert.

Of the 3 concerts each year, this one is my favorite. 

The songs are more relatable and the atmosphere more relaxed... but still very professional, of course.

Michelle Pederson was the guest performer. Her singing was powerful and FUN. 

Michelle is the new "Voice Over" instructor and also teaches Rylee voice lessons.

They ended with their signature "He Lives in You".

Well done Rylee..well done Cantus!

Audrey's Baptism

It was fun to attend Audrey's baptism.

She looked beautiful in her layered white dress and seemed especially happy and excited that day.

Abree liked seeing that Audrey wore her borrowed flowered headband...something special they can remember about each other's baptism day.

Who's next?...Lizzy, want to borrow the "baptism headband"?  I don't think Kyrick will take us up on the offer. :)

Sydney-Katelyn-Abree-Audrey

Cute cousins!

Sweet Waite Family..with baby boy on the way.

We went to DeMeyer Park to picnic and play afterwards.

We love you Audrey!

Beautiful Rylee

I've been wanting to replace our out-dated pictures, on the wall. I decided I would take them myself..sometime.

When a friend mentioned the location of her recent kid's photos on Facebook, I knew exactly where it was.... passing by that old fire station dozens of times without seeing the potential.

While the rest of the kids were at school, Rylee and I had some free time. On the spur-of-the-moment, we decided to do a little photo shoot (before her big date) AND run some errands.

Here are some of our favorites.

  As we continued our errands, we passed by this red wall. I thought it would POP, so we stopped.

 Here's our secret: the red wall was at the old Eddy's Bakery outlet. 

 We took these back at home, in our front yard..after a little wardrobe change. :)

 The moral of the story... you don't have to have a lot of time, a fancy camera or expensive props to have a successful photo shoot. 

But it doesn't hurt to have a cooperative and beautiful subject like Rylee.

Wish me luck with the other kids.

Taylee's Piano Recital

Taylee has taken piano lessons for about 2 years now. 

Her first piano teacher was Margaret Tew (a sister in our ward). Margaret and her family moved to Colorado this winter, so Taylee then started taking from Gloria Small (another sister in our ward).

On the evening of the last day of school, we attended Taylee's piano recital in the Small's home.

Gloria did a great job and made it a special night. 

She had sent out invitations, decorated, made programs and treats.

Gloria Small-Grace Baldwin-Taylee-Alicia Small

Madison Jensen-?-Ainsley Ashby

The day of the recital, Taylee told me she didn't want our family to attend. As we talked more, she told me she was embarrassed and felt awkward being the OLDEST piano student. She said it was frustrating seeing the younger students playing better than her. I told her I understood her concern, but still wanted the family to support her by going. She wasn't happy about it...but we went anyway.

At the recital, I noticed Sister Small's daughter-in-law (married with 2 kids) was also taking lessons. I commented to Taylee about her not being the OLDEST student....but it didn't really make her feel any better. 

The Small's also set up a video recorder, so that the audience could see the pianist playing. 

I took some video on my phone...enjoy!

I'm proud of Taylee for participating and think she is doing a fine beginner's job.

Go Taylee!

OUCH!

I was in my room, as Rylee came home from school on Tuesday, "Oweee, owee... my leg just got run over by a car!" Through the whimpering, I heard Jason try to calm her and find out more details. 

Even after asking questions myself, I was still not clear on WHO and HOW.

She said as she was getting into the car to come home, a guy ran over her leg. He rolled from her heel over her leg/ankle/foot. She and her friends yelled to the driver, "Get off her leg! Get off her leg!" He had to actually back up to free her.

She is not forthcoming about the driver's name..she says I wouldn't know him. 

Hmmm. 

My motherly-instincts say otherwise.

I asked her if she went to the school nurse. No. Will you go see her tomorrow? Yes.

The next day...still DIDN'T see the nurse.

With school year coming to a close, I felt it was important that someone at the school know about this. I called and talked to one of the assistant principals. He said he would talk to the resource officer and Rylee and make sure she went to the nurse. 

I knew Rylee wouldn't like me interfering, but didn't feel like I could let it rest without reporting.
I didn't hear back from the assistant principal, before school got out, so I'm glad Rylee is healing and having less pain each day.

Through the grapevine (my source will remain anonymous) my motherly instincts proved correct! I DID know the driver. Mother's, trust your instincts.
Rylee was shocked when I approached her about it.
"How did you find out?"
"Mom's just KNOW things. Always tell your mom the truth!"