Mother's Day flowers and memories...

My good- looking mom mowing our lawn! Those were the good old days. :)

My beautiful mother and her beautiful flowers

Flowers for me from David and the 16th ward :)

A handmade gift from Emmy

My sweet, creative daughter's card for me

Flowers for my pots was a perfect Mother's Day gift to myself! :)

Being a mother is the ultimate gift and challenge of life. My children have taught me more in their short lifetimes more than I'd learned in the 28 years prior. I am grateful to be a mother in Zion, and to have a mother who nurtured and taught me in priceless ways.

Kidschool

Painting with feet- the kids went wild on this one!

An Easter craft

Noah found a friend

Science is more fun in the bathtub!

Relaxing in a "bird's nest"

A trip to Willow Park zoo

Adam found some glasses at Sally's to keep him entertained!

Storytime!

Over the homeschool year, we developed a tradition of meeting with our friends once a week for "school", going to storytime at the library once during the week, and doing crafts at Grandma Patty's once a week. Combined with Mom's yoga class/ playgroup, Emmy's dance class, and playing with friends, we had a great variety of outings along with our at-home learning. The natural learning that occurs in young children is astounding. No curriculum required- just a little guidance from Mom and Dad! The precious innate desire of my children to learn and discover has been preserved this year.

"The term 'education' comes from the word 'educe', meaning to draw forth. True education is that which is drawn from within the person. (It) can be encouraged. It can be brought forth by enticing, by inspiring, by rewarding, and by loving."

-Dr. John L. Lund

Family Easter/Birthdays Party!

Ooh.. this looks fun!

Wow, Mom, my very own drill!

Pretty cousins

A fun new game!

Hub, stepkids, kids.... L to R Kiley, Adam, David, Noah, Christopher, Emmy and Colby

For the kid's birthdays and Easter we invited some family over to celebrate with us! We had a barbeque, sang Happy Birthday and ate cupcakes, and had an Easter Egg Hunt outside! Lots of people came and had lots of fun.

Emmy's birthdays remembered...

Age one- partying with friends! (If you call crying partying.)

A little help from Dad with the candle at age two!

Age three.... birthday party at McDonalds!

Age four... opening a doll house and loving it!

Emmy had a great time at her 5th birthday party. She loved the game where we hid her presents and she had to find them!

Emmy turns six! A friend from down the street surprised her with a hoodie that matched her own! Emmy liked it a lot.

Emmy gets taller and more beautiful every day! She is such an independent spirit- strong willed and has great managerial skills. :) We're so glad Heavenly Father sent her to us!

Noah turns FOUR!

A present from his big bro Christopher....

Noah is a natural at baseball, and got just what he wanted- a Better Batter baseball set!

Yes, he's four, but he'll always be my baby.

Whoever invented balloon pumps is really cool!

Noah likes building a fort with his siblings and playing in it!

Helping Daddy is one of his favorite things!

Yes, time flies and my little Noah is four years old. He is all boy, and sometimes I don't know what to do with myself! But then he tells me, "Mom, you look pretty!" or "Mom, I love you!" and my heart just melts. Noah is the class clown at our house... always joking around or trying to be funny. We love his sense of humor! Happy Birthday, son!

Adam is TWO!

On Adam's second birthday, we were at a homeschool conference in SLC. Upon arriving home that night, Adam spilled red kool-aid all over the carpet, crumbled an entire loaf of bread on the floor, and plugged the toilet using several bars of soap and other household items, all within a matter of about ten minutes. I thought to myself, 'Is it normal for kids to hit the terrible twos on the actual day they turn two?' Luckily every day since then has not been like that. Yes, my little sweet-ums has a little attitude now, and is very proficient in using the word "no", but he is still my little angel, especially when he is sleeping. :)

Adam loves his baseball cap. Sometimes he even holds onto it while taking a nap.

He wants to be just like his daddy. :)

Adam's new set of wheels!

I couldn't have picked a better present for Adam's birthday. He LOVES it. He pushes it up to the front door, climbs in, and gets a sad look on his face until I come outside and push him around. It's very sad, but very effective. :)

David turns the big 4-0

"This is dad when he was little."

"Then he grew."

"And he was smiling."

"Then he grew a little bit older with long hair. He was kinda young."

"Then he grew to have no hair and just a mustache. That's when we got our pictures taken."

"This is what dad looks like when he's driving. He wasn't smiling very much but he still had a beard that was kinda short."

By Emmy Ward

Happy Birthday David!