Pirates and Kindergarteners

Rachel's kindergarten class is through with the alphabet--which means that they no longer have a letter collage due each Friday. Which in turn means that each Friday the kids now share a current event--they are suppose to read a news article with a parent and tell what occurred. I thought it would be very exciting to tell the story of Captain Phillips being saved from the pirates, so, I printed off an article and Rachel (who is a pretty advanced reader I must say) read it and shared the story in her own words with the class (which I didn't see but can imagine how animated she got with the story) she said the boys thought it was pretty cool.

Not too much after this assignment was completed all the parents got an email saying "please don't use stories about guns or drugs, it is not Kindergarten appropriate." Surely no one used a story about drugs, because let's face it, that's not exciting at all. And since the rest of the class told the story of the Obama's getting a new dog (boring!) I am guessing this email was directed straight at me, in a round about way to not be offensive. Now I'm trying to decide which story to do for tomorrow; maybe something about Madoff.

Jane's blessing

Grandma and Grandpa Madsen brought the Powell kids for the weekend to attend baby Jane's blessing. On Saturday the younger kids had a fun time at a primary activity while Lindsey, Ben, Daniel and Grandpa went to the air and space museum. Then the day was filled with swimming, yard work, and making braided bread. The kids had a great time!

Sunday was the blessing and here is what I remember of it: (My mom and my grandma Groberg--who knows how far back it goes--would record blessings and write them out for keepsake. This is my measly attempt at that, just main ideas). Janey would bring happiness and joy to others. She would have a clear mind and learn from the world and the gospel. She would stay close to her Heavenly Father and seek for the best things in life. Be a good friend and sister and share the gospel to others. She would have health and strength.

It was a beautiful weekend, even the weather was pleasant. I am so grateful for my little family and for my extended family, on both sides. Having a connection between, or better yet, a belonging with my kids and their cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents etc., is so valuable, and I am glad that our families try hard to build good relationships. I am looking forward to seeing a lot of family in June!

(The dress was worn by all my girls and made by my sister Jenette out of my wedding dress fabric).

Art Work by Gracie

3 year old Gracie has been into drawing and writing. This is a picture of me and the one below is of Janey. She laid right beside her and drew the picture. When I went to pick Janey up Gracie protested because she wasn't done with her pencil drawing. There is a picture I want to post (but can't find it) of Gracie writing lots of letters with chalk on our driveway. They were organized in a rainbow shape with 30ish lines of 20 or so letters each. (Some weren't quite letters, but she is intent and a self learner--no one has been formally teaching her letters). We think she's a great little artist!

Rachel's start to her first novel

I copied and pasted this from a word file that Rachel was working on. Here it is, a mystery!


The big not b ig but huge Mistrey



You know thears a mistrey well heare it it. Weer are all the tvs !do you know .weaare they are .ha ha thricket you. bake then thear was not aney tvs!

Planning

I read today that if there is a confirmed swine flu case within a school that the recommendation is to temporarily shut the school down. I shouldn't wish for this. But all day today I was thinking of how much fun we could have. I'm sure I would get tired of it, but if we were home bound , truly homebound, not able to leave for an extended period of time, what would we do? That has consumed me. I've come up with schedules (which is a little crazy if not hormonal). We would swim a lot. Make lots of bread. I should probably go buy some fabric so we can have quilting projects. (Should that be part of a year supply? I probably should finish my un-finished first). I wish we could have chickens and a cow (but please, no pig). Wouldn't it be fun to be self-sustaining? I don't think a garden works well in the summer here, but we could start seedlings indoors come fall. Doesn't this sound great? I could teach Rachel piano. Lindsey and Kimmer could excel on their own. We have lots of black and pinto beans and rice. We'd save a lot of money! Maybe I should do a little more shopping. I'll make a list.

Sweetest Little Lady

Gracie has taken it upon herself to be the greatest little friend to baby Jane. She is often the first to respond to her cries--pats her back and tummy with the real intent to calm her. If that fails, she tries to pick her up and hold her--Janie is yet to appreciate this, but the thought is beautiful. When Gracie walks away she reassures her that she'll be right back. She whispers in her ear that she loves her. She's even asked me how Janie was doing with eating, wanting to make sure this whole nursing process is successful. She asks where Janie is if she doesn't already know. I'm not kidding, she is the greatest sister.

This is a picture of Gracie who was helping Jane take a nap, not intending to nap herself. She was just there to put the passie back in her mouth when it would fall out and Janie would cry. She would replace it and pat her tummy until she calmed down. Then lie right next to her until eventually they both fell asleep. I had to take the picture, it was such a sweet moment.

Gracie is willing to sleep in the pink room if Jane is in the crib, which she isn't yet, but the eventuality has her willing to be in that room. (This has been a big issue, before Jane was born she insisted on sleeping with one of the girls). There have been nights where Gracie has joined us in bed (making four) and once I awoke to Gracie's arm under Jane's neck and her other arm over her. It's so sweet (even if dangerous--it's only happened once)!

When I have "just me and Gracie" time, Gracie always prefers that Jane join us and asks why she can't come. Jane has no idea how good she has it. And I now have this post to remind Gracie how much she loves her baby sister!