Jenna's "Moving Up" Ceremony, A Great Weekend, and My Birthday

This past week Jenna's preschool had a "Moving Up/Graduation" ceremony. I have to agree with Mr. Incredible that this is a ridiculous thing to do, but I am obviously in the minority here because they have these for every tiny step in school these days. I would rather they just put on an end of the year program (which is essentially what this is, so just call it that). Anyway...I will get off of my soap box now.

Jenna did a great job. She sang and danced. I have been very impressed with the improvements she has made in preschool this year. She was painfully shy at the beginning of the year. Although still a little shy, she has come a long way with this. The fact that she would get up on stage at all, let alone sing and dance is huge. As many of you know, she has struggled with her speech the last couple of years. We had in her speech therapy in Utah before we moved. Her therapist was great, and helped Jenna improve a lot in the few weeks we were with her. After being in preschool this last year, her speech has gotten so much clearer. She is still working on a few sounds, but the improvement is impressive. I have been really happy with this preschool. She will go there again this next year.

Jenna with her class


Jenna dancing and singing



Jenna and her best friend, Alex


We had a great weekend. On Friday night Derek, Kevin, and Jared went to a father/son camp out put on by our ward at church. It was held in a field in someone's back yard. They had a great time. Unfortunately, they didn't get very much sleep, and therefore they were all very tired and a little cranky (not Derek, just the little boys) the last two days. Getting through church with Jared today was a little difficult. :)

The look on Jared's face pretty much sums up how he has been all weekend. :)


Since the boys were gone on Friday, Jenna and I decided that we would have a girls night out. We had mac and cheese (she had been asking for it for a while) while we watched a movie. Then I painted our nails. After the movie was over we went out for ice cream. We had a lot of fun together. I really enjoyed the opportunity for some one on one time with her. She got to bed a little late (around 8p as opposed to 7:15p), but I was OK with that. The best part was that we both slept late the next morning. I woke up around 9a and she woke up around 9:20a when the boys got home from their camping trip. I haven't slept that late in years. It was awesome!

Isn't she cute?


Saturday we went for a run as a family (Derek and I pushed the kids in jogging strollers). It was fun to run with Derek. Running is something we both love, but rarely get to do together because of the kids. Then I took Jenna and Kevin on a half mile run with me. They have both been begging to run with us. They wanted to go up a big hill. Kevin made it up no problem. Jenna struggled a little, but wanted to keep going. Afterwards Kevin said he really liked it. Jenna said she didn't. She doesn't like the hills. That's a problem in our neighborhood because it is all rolling hills. I told her that we could run on a little track at a park in our neighborhood next time because it's flat. She was OK with that suggestion. Then Kevin rode his bike while Derek and I took turns running with him. He still has some trouble getting up the hills on his bike, but he is learning.

After we all got ready for the day, we went to a kite festival that was being held at Pleasant Grove (a local park with huge amounts of open space). It was fascinating to see all of the kites. The people that put it on had such amazing control over their kites. One guy rode around in a little buggy that was pulled by two kites. Another guy had a kite that could land on a tent and then pop back up and fly again. The kites would do amazing dives and tricks. We even got to see a mini kite fight (those of you that have read Kite Runner will have an idea of what I am talking about). This was a Japanese version, so slightly different than the Middle East version, but definitely neat to see).

A view of several kites at the festival


Jenna and Kevin with their Snow Cones and Cotton Candy. Jenna was not a fan of the cotton candy.


Today is my 29th birthday. One more year in my twenties and then it's downhill from there. Just kidding. I'm actually looking forward to being 30 in some ways (I'm also not looking forward to being 30 in some ways). :) We kicked off the celebration yesterday with Papa John's pizza for dinner. I love their pizza, but now that we live the glamorous college student life again we can only get it for very special occasions (like my birthday, which is a VERY special occasion - haha).

Last night my sister, brother-in-law, and their son, Levi, drove up to help celebrate. We had a great time. Thanks for driving all that way. It made the day special. We all went to church this morning. Then Levi came home with us while David and Rachel went to David's brother's graduation (he graduated from the University of Virginia). Levi slept most of the time, and is the most pleasant child I have ever met, so he was super easy to take care of. Plus, since it was my birthday, Derek did all the work. I just played with Levi. :)

We all took naps today. I take a nap every day, so I would have been sad to miss one today. :) Then Derek made us all pancakes, eggs and fruit for dinner. I love breakfast for dinner. I always have. Derek makes the best pancakes and eggs in the world. It was delicious. We followed that up with a delicious DQ Blizzard Cake. (A tradition we have kept from my family).

Thank you to everyone that called and sent gifts. You are the best! This was a great birthday. It was relaxing and fun. I found myself smiling for no specific reason a lot. Here's to a great year!!!

Jenna, Rachel, and Kevin


Levi, David, and Jared


We promised Kevin we would do a "silly face" picture


Kevin was supposed to make a "normal" face in this one...oh well


Once again, Kevin just will not make a "normal" face


Here's Derek bringing over the cake. That's A LOT of candles. :)


This is Jenna getting ready to lick some of the ice cream off of the bottom of the candles. One of the best parts of having a birthday cake. :)


Me with my cake


P.S. - I added a post about Kevin's trip to the zoo, but because I had started it last weekend, it put it in following the Mother's Day post. Blogging is all for my benefit, but I thought you should know in case you want to see it.