Audrey's special day

I like my nieces and nephew. A lot. I recently started taking them on dates for their birthdays where we do whatever they want. Within reason. So it's summertime, you know, and I thought it would be fun to take them on a summertime date too. Because that's what summertime is all about! Summertime.

I'm taking Tor to see "The Little Mermaid" at Tuachan next week and Brayden will be accompanying me to my ward campout ("and we can do other things too, right?") so I had Audrey sleep over last week. I picked her up after lunch and we decided to go shopping first. We found an adorable pink swim suit with an attached tutu at Target and she loved it, but I knew that Ellie would want one too. Justification? Like I need one, I'm an aunt. But just for fun, here it is: I'm not taking her on a date since she's just so presh and little, so she needed a present.
We went to the Oquirrh Park Fitness Center to go swimming, and I was super glad that they have an indoor pool because I forgot the sunscreen; or "sumscream" as Audrey calls it.

I didn't get a picture when we were swimming.

We went over to my house and she watch Spongebob and ate goldfish while I showered and then Tracie got dropped off at my house. We picked up Cafe Rio for the big kids and stopped at "FicDonalds" to get A some chicken nuggets and a chocolate milk. After we ate dinner with Grandpa, we came back to my house and watched Re-punzel ("Brook-a-lin told me that he [Flint Ryder] is a real person and I said, yeah, he is a real person"). When my new roommate Kali asked her how old she was, she thought for a minute and completely seriously said, "ten."
Audrey slept really well, but I didn't. That girl was crazy! She was all over the place. Pretty sure she kicked me in the face at one point. When I woke up early in the morning, she was more on my side than on hers so I went over to her side. She woke up and said, "why did you switch?" I really wish I could remember more of the funny things she said because she's hilarious. My favorite was when she kept referring it to her "special day."

In the morning we had to drop Lucy (our family dog) off at the groomers. Lucy HATES the groomers. I don't know what they do to her there, but she is definitely a-scared. So, I wasn't very surprised when Audrey yelled, "Lucy pooped!" because she had. All over the front seat. At least it was solid and cleaned up easy. She talked about that a lot. Then we went to Lowe's and picked out some flowers for my front garden. She was so cute pointing out all the pretty ones and saying, "oh! This is boo-a-ful!" She loved the pink and purple ones the most. We came home and she helped me plant them.

She picked this one out.

She loved to dig the holes but hated getting the dirt on her hands.

It was a lot more fun doing it with her than by myself. There is still more work to do, but I'm excited about the progress.

before

after


After we went to the park and played on the swings, we got ready and left to meet April and the other kids at a splash pad in Herriman for a picnic.

She loved my sunglasses until they trapped hair that kept itching her nose.

Audrey fell asleep, which was good, because we went to bed too late. She was a bit ornery when she woke up but became happy enough after some time in the water. It was fun to see the kids play and little Ellie hammed it up and entertained everyone.



I love this girl. I love her sassy-pants ways and the hilarious things she says. I love it when she snuggles and gives me her big giant hugs. I love it when she told me "you were right, huh Aunt Kat. But sometimes Audrey is right too." Being Aunt Kat is the best job ever!

Once upon a time. . . .

This one time I took some pictures of two precious little girls at Temple Square. That day they were also celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. I went into the building to charge my camera battery before the girls got there and was wondering why there were so many people dressed up. . . . the hosts who greet people in the lobby and others who work there were invited to dress in era clothing and hats and such. I couldn't help myself, I had to take some pictures.



They were having a huge banquet in the lobby where many many important people would be celebrating the history. It was probably the most exquisite layout I have ever seen in real life.





Two other things I observed on this spectacular day at Temple Square:
This couple sat there forever all lost in their own little world. This is usually behavior that is more typical of younger couples, but I'm pretty sure they were middle aged. I just thought it was funny. It was just really random to me.
I noticed this girls dress and thought it was so original and cute and when I complimented her on it, she told me she made it!! Who makes their own wedding dress? Awesome. I really like it.

PS: these are the beautiful little ladies I took pictures of. Easiest kid shoot EVER.

Remember when I used to update my blog?

I do too. Those were fun times, right? I think that the great evil facebook has often taken over my blogging, but I should rage against the machine and just quit it. I really do have a love/hate relationship with the fb. I hate that I feel like I have to check it all the time. That I can't post unless it's super clever. I hate that it takes so much time. But I love staying in touch with friends and family that I probably wouldn't as much without it. Like Laura and Tracie. I never talk to them unless it's on facebook. Anyway. I don't want to talk about it anymore.

Guess what! It's summer time! I just finished a two week, two class course for my ESL endorsement through Weber State. It's a one year program and I'll have 18 credits at the end. The best part is that the district is paying for it. Can't pass up such a great deal! It wasn't useless, most of the information was really good and interesting, but sometimes it was just presented in such a boring way! Now, though, it's done and I can chill in my hammock.

Speaking of the hammock, I plan on spending a lot of time in it this summer. I need to invest in some mosquito repellant and a sunshade umbrella before I spend too much time, but it is probably the best thing I have bought for myself in a looong time.

Other plans for the summer include:

• sleeping
• watching CSI
• work on projects
  
• read
• plan the next school year (just a little, don't worry)

For the final item, I will explain. You know how my little rollerblading goal-setter hasn't moved in a few months? It's because I have pretty much maintained, give or take 3 or 4 pounds. I went through a two month period where I would lose the 3-4 pounds throughout the week and then mess it all up over the weekend and then do it all over again. Two months, people! Apparently it takes a lot to teach me a lesson. I was ready for the tri and it was a lot of fun and I'm excited to do it again next year, but since then I haven't been working as diligently. Luckily, I haven't messed everything up and can just pick up where I've left off.
So, I'm using this gift of time that the summer allows me to work really hard and hit the gym biggest-loser style. Well, almost. I don't want to hate summer. So I have plans. And I'm excited to see that little lady skate farther to the right. I'll keep you posted, and you'll keep me accountable.

PS I don't know why I'm seeing a baseball player on the beach instead of my roller-blading chick. . . . tried to change it, hope it's a glitch?

I'm a triathlete! Woot woot!

Yep. Do you even need captions? Awesome. So glad I did it. Looking forward to next year. PS my costar is the Wink of KatWink, my friend Sarah Winklekotter. She's cool.
This just in: My final time was 2 hours 13 minutes. I feel good about that.

Debbie Downer

This will be a sad post.. . .but I'm just thinking about it and want to get it down. My students are writing memoirs via multi-genre project. This is pretty much a glorified portfolio. Anyway, their assignment yesterday was to write about "home." We've been reading excerpts from "The House on Mango Street" as examples and I wrote a little blurb about my "home." We talked about the differences between a house and a home. This is what I got from one of my best students:

"I have never lived in a stable home. I have always been moving around from place to place not because my parents couldn't take care of me but because they didn't want to... I lived a very hard life learning to cope and live with seeing things that a 8 year old boy or any age person should have to see. For example, one day I was at my friends house playing blackjack, were laughing having a great time. He was my best friend, I could talk to him about anything and everything. I could always count on him and he was always there from me when I needed him most and when no one else was. . .
While we were playing he asked me something, he asked me to promise him that we would always be there for each other and that we would be best friends no matter what happened. Of course I promised but then someone started shooting at the house we were in. I pushed and told him to get at the ground but I guess I was too late, he had been shot twice in the chest and once in the stomach. As he was passing I held him in my arms and he told me 'Remember our promise, friends forever' I told him of course just hold on you will make it. He smiled and said thank you. He died right there in my arms, that is something nobody should ever see of have to go through.
I have never had a real home, I don't know what its like to have a home or a place to get away. . ."

It absolutely broke my heart. I had no idea. He is a soccer star. He's popular. He's got a girlfriend. He got one of the highest scores on the CRT. For real? Today I had a chance to talk to him and just said, "Really? Is what you wrote for real?" and he just nodded. I don't know if he acted sheepish or embarrassed or just sad. I told him how sorry I was that he has had it so hard. I told him that he could live with me but it was probably illegal. I told him that he could "get away" in my classroom any time, and to let me know if there was ever anything I could do. I gave him a high five. He didn't say much. It was a different side of him. It's just not fair.

And the Winner IS. . . .

Check it out HERE!

Family Picture Giveaway!

Fun, right? It's springtime (on the calendar anyway) and I want to take YOUR picture! To kick off the "photo season" I am doing a GIVEAWAY! I haven't ever done this and I'm super excited! If you are chosen, you will receive:

**Family sitting (just immediate please but I can do extended!)
**2 digital disks with all images
**1- 11x14 enlargement

To enter, just leave a comment ON MY PHOTO BLOG HERE about when the last time you had your family picture taken! Don't forget to leave a contact email! I know for some, it has been too long! That will not determine who I choose, I promise to make it random. The deadline to enter will be Wednesday, April 20 at midnight! Check the blog Thursday morning to see who the winner is!