Swimming Lessons - Part One

Oh man I was NERVOUS for this time of year to come. I can count on one had how many times Walker has been in a pool when we have gone swimming! He just dosen't like the water. Now that Hayes is running all over the place I just had to make sure Walker was able to be ok in the water.

We put him in a 2 week semi-private lesson. He struggled the first 3 days. The funny thing is he would cry but the minute I would walk out of his sight - he was volunteering to go first every time the teacher would ask. Carmen is his best buddy and they did great swimming togther.

 Don't you love Carmen's goggles...SO CUTE!

 Miss. Rochelle was great! Highly recommend her! He was really shy at first but by the second week
he was swimming under water to her, floating on his back without the teachers help, and jumping
off the side of the pool.

I am just trying to keep this guy in my sight. He is all over the place! I forgot how busy they are at this age - exploring everything! He was a trooper to come and sit for 30 minutes and watch Walker swim.

I am happy to report that we went swimming last weekend in Park City with my family - Walker was the first one in the pool and he played for a long time! He kept showing us all his new swimming moves. Good work buddy! Next session starts next week!

Happy Birthday Walker

We had such a fun time planning Walker's "first official friend birthday party" He wanted to do a Pirate theme - he loves Jake and the Neverland Pirates. ( I am sure we have all seen the show:)) He had a list of 16 kids - well I had to cut it down to 16 - wowsers!! It was time to put my semi-crafty skills to good use!

We decided to do a message in a bottle as the invite. Empty water bottles - check! The invite inside was super cute - it was a message telling the kids where to come. We burned the edges to make it look like a real treasure map. Props to Jake for doing that!

A super HUGE thanks to many friends around the valley for letting me steal your Huggies wipes cases! I painted them brown and added each childs name on top hoping they would look like treasure chest boxes.

 I think they turned out pretty cute! It was a lot of work - but well worth it in the end! Each child decorated their own box and took it home with goodies inside!

 Super cute kiddos decorating their boxes with Pirate stickers!

The kids really loved them. I had lots of moms tell me that their child carried

 that thing around for at least a week!

 We did tattoo's, wore pirate hats, eye patches and had skeleton whistles. For our game we "walked the plank" We set up a kids swimming pool filled with water and had a board over the top that you could walk on. The water was filled with creatures and sharks! AHHH!

 Walker got lots of great presents! He was so excited.

 Our cake was SO cute! I wanted to make my own - but man I ran right out of time! Appreciate Walmart and their cupcake cakes!

 We also had a pinata - the kids LOVED IT! I was sad that the treasure chest box was sold out - so I had to go with this pirate guy. He looks kinda creepy. But it did the job. We filled it with treats, gold coins, and fun treasures.

 And she broke. Mad dash for the candy!  Finally hitter #16 broke it!

 ARRRRR! The kids had such a great time and Walker loved having them over. He keeps asking if he can have another party with all his friends. Maybe next year buddy - mommy needs a rest!

We gave Walker a "big boy" bike for his birthday. He loves to ride it! He still loves his orange Kettler tricycle but he is "letting Hayes borrow it until he gets bigger" Thanks for sharing buddy!

I would also like to thank my cute friend Lindy...she brought a Diet Coke to me while I was hosting the party. Something every gal needs after 16 crazy kids!

Boondocks, you are on next year for planning the 5th Birthday Party!:)

It's better without clothes...

The other day when it was nice Walker was so excited to get his sink out and play in the water.

So we busted it out. They had the best time!

After a while they came up front looking like this. "Mom we got all wet"

Walker had his underwear on and had put his sock and shoes back on.  They played
outside almost the rest of the day like this. Walker kept telling me how much fun it was to play
outside in his underwear!

They are so cute! I LOVE that they are playing together so well. Walker is always asking for Hayes and Hayes is always following Walker around.

I love this little guy! He is getting so big.

Preschool Graduation!

Is this really true? Walker graduated from his first year of preschool. I am dying! Where did the year go?

I was so proud of Walker at his graduation! He sang every song, did all the actions, and even memorized his very own part! He has loved going to KinderLove preschool and Miss Denise is an ANGEL!

The theme was "Marvelous Me" She asked the kids to dress "fancy". Walker was HILARIOUS - everytime I would say "we have to dress fancy" he would say "Mom, stop saying fancy!"

 Walker and Carmen. They are best friends!

 My handsome graduate! Love you so much buddy!

 His speaking part. "Hi, My name is Walker. I am Marvelous because I love trains, I am a puzzle expert, I am friendly, and I love to sing" I have it on video, but it isn't the greatest quality.

 Miss Denise! We are going to miss you!! I think she might be the nicest lady in the history of nice ladies!

 Walker and Luke...so much fun in preschool together!

 This is is "Marvelous Me" poster that he made!

Our family is growing so fast - sometimes I feel like it is passing us by! I love my two - or I mean three boys!

Easter Time

"Easter time is the time for eggs and the time for eggs is Easter time!"

-Mimi

Jake's grandma has sang this little song for - ever! We taught it to Walker this year and he was loving it. He would sing it all the time! Easter was a crazy couple of days around here. We started off dying eggs at Megan's house (forgot my camera) and that was lots of fun! We went to the Easter egg hunt at Cactus and Tropicals on Saturday - Walker loved it. He got his stash of eggs and a temporary tattoo and he was excited to go home and show his dad! The next two days were filled with family and egg hunts!

Finding eggs at Cactus and Tropicals

 Found lots of eggs. He was so excited!

 Walker and Ashton - proud of their tattoo's!

 Checking out what the Easter Bunny brought!

 Searching for the hidden eggs. He found a few and then was done. I think he was all "hunted" out:)

 Ashton, Walker and Boston. So excited for their Easter basket from Grammy Michelle and Papa Mike

 Walker grandkids minus Beckham

 Typical Hayes. He would find a few eggs...sit down and eat all the candy!

That kids had enough jelly beans to feed an army!

 Walker and Jack

 Mauss grandkids - ready for the hunt

 Eating the candy again!!

Walker and Bowen

We had a fun filled, eventful weekend! My kids have enough candy for the rest of the year! Bad news for me...I am sure I will give in and eat plenty of it myself!

Soccer

We put Walker in an indoor soccer league with his buddies Nick, Bowen and Luke. We had 8 games...he cried for the first 6. He didn't want to run around and get the ball from all the other kids. He wanted to be the only one kicking it. I just had to keep reminding myself he is only 3:) We then realized that he enjoyed being goalie...so he did great the last two games! The ball came to him, he picked it up, and threw it to his teammates! Thanks to Megan for being the coach! Good Times! Bring on Tee Ball!

 Goalie Walker

 Trophy...MVP (of tears that is)

Nick, Bowen and Walker

Treat time was the best time!

And he's off...

Hayes is walking! It is so crazy. These last few months Hayes has really grown up. He has been walking now for about 3 weeks, but just the last week or so he has been walking all over instead of taking a few steps then crawling to his destination. I love when they first learn how to walk and they look like a zombie. Arms out and straight legs.

Nice work buddy - we are so proud of you. But can you stop getting so big so fast!?!

St George

Oh St George how we love you! We took a little family va-ca in March down to St. George. It was so nice to get out of the nasty Salt Lake weather and get some sun shine down south! We picked a great weekend it was 75 the entire time! We wish my sisters and their families could have joined us - next time gals - but were were excited my mom and dad could make the trip. We did lots of fun stuff!

Because it was so warm...

 we went to the park! I am pretty sure Walker has his hands up and is singing

 "St George is the best place ever" Really folks...it is!

 We rode our scooters. Even Hayes wanted in on the action.

 and Hayes found the tissue box. Oopsie...

 We played games with grammy and put together lots of puzzles. Walker LOVES my mom. He talks about her all the time. The other day he asked if she could live with us!

 Boy was he tired! He didn't nap the whole time we were down there. One morning while Hayes was napping,Walker started to cry over something so small so my mom picked him up and he fell asleep in her arms. He NEVER does that!! I guess they say that happens when you are used to a 2 hour nap everyday!

 We got ice cream! YUMMY! Hayes actually did really well with his own kiddie cone.

 My anut and uncle live in St. George so it was so much fun to be able to hang out with them the entire time. I am so mad I didn't get any pictures of all of us! I don't get to see them that much..but we when we do get together...it is a blast! Walker was loving Hannah! We also went to my cousins (super cute 17 year old twin boys) ward basketball game. Honestly...it was INTENSE. I thought I was at a Jazz game! It was a sad overtime loss...but some great basketball was played! It was fun to see Matthew and Clarissa too. Down from Utah State relaxing over their spring break!

 and the ride home...I expected this. It was one fun filled weekend. Shopping, eating out, golfing, riding scooters, getting into HOT cars (my fav), and just being crazy! We weren't even to Cedar yet. Tired couple of kiddos!

and our emergency stop! This was the first time we have "traveled" with Walker being potty trained! Good job buddy. He needed to go instantly so we had to pull over!

Oh St. George how I miss you. I am starting to realize that two HOT HOT months there is way better than 6 FREEZING cold months up here! I could for sure move there!