Mother's Day

We took an impromptu drive yesterday afternoon. We visited many fun Southern Idaho sites including the Twin Falls, Shoshone Falls, Cauldron Linn, and the Milner Wind Farm. It was so much fun to explore our little neck of the woods and have a chance to truly appreciate the beauty of this beautiful earth. I especially enjoyed a Mother's Day nap as we drove!

I was completely spoiled by my sweet husband and kids -- a lovely breakfast, thoughtful gifts and cards, lots of time together, and a nap! What more could any mom ask for?

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I feel the need to mention what a dear and angelic soul my own mother is. She is a person to try emulate in all ways. I've never met anyone as patient, kind, and quick to forgive as she is. I hope to someday have a few of the qualities she possesses in great abundance. She lives a life of quiet service and devotion. Her greatest joy is her family and how she spends her time and resources bears witness of that fact. I love you, Mom. You are one of my greatest blessings in this life.

The Many Faces of Kate Wilson

What happens when you hand your iPhone to your bored 9 year old on a long car ride ...

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You also get a few of these -- which is nice. :)

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It's Been a Good Week

I hope Kate doesn't expect every week to be as great as the last one. That would be a tall order!! Besides winning 2nd in the PBS Kids Young Writers and Illustrators Contest, she also won 2nd place overall in her school science fair -- and 1st place in the 3rd Grade age group. Science day and the science fair were INCREDIBLE!!! Such fun and amazing activities. She learned so much and really understands that science isn't scary -- it's amazing and interesting!

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She won a trip to Science Camp this summer, but we'll be out of town that week. :( Bummer!! But as a consolation prize she got a fun little triops aquarium. And, of course, the coveted blue ribbon!

Some Fun News!

Kate-a-roo got some exciting news... she won 2nd place in the 3rd grade division of the Idaho PBS Kids Young Writers and Illustrators contest this year! She is invited to an awards ceremony this Saturday in Pocatello and is one HAPPY little girl!! On June 1st you'll be able to read her story online, but for now, you can just follow this link to see her name listed among the other winners. :) If you're in Pocatello on Saturday let us know, we'd love to see you there!

From Collages

Update: It was a wonderful day... Kate got to read her story aloud to the audience. She did a fabulous job! I'd forgotten what a cute and creative book she had made. It will be available to read and view online in a couple of weeks. I'll post a link. :) The 4 little girls in the picture above are all winners from Rupert Elementary. Go Rupert! We were well represented.

Easter Fun At Grandma Rose's

Kate's Science Fair Project

Kate is such an interesting child. She is sweet, thoughtful, deeply caring, sensitive, smart, quirky, and unique. She recently decided to research "brain freeze" for her school science fair project. After some research and study she was able to focus in on the question "Does brain freeze go away faster if you put your tongue on the roof of your mouth?" An incredible local frozen yogurt store called "Kiwi Loco" let her come to their store one night last week and subject willing customers to "brain freeze". They donated 50 little cups of yogurt and even posted a Facebook invitation to help her out. Talk about generous and supportive. Wow!! We are so grateful! Her science fair is next week, but we though you might enjoy seeing some of her pictures...

Something About Being the Youngest...

Are your youngest kids just hilarious? Something about feeling SO very sure of yourself and your place at the very center of the universe gives you the freedom to be ... I don't know ... larger than life, I guess. Jack is developing more and more a sense of humor, and loves to make everyone else laugh. He is starting to understand puns and double meanings, and gets a kick out of the silly things that little boys get a kick out of (like bodily functions). Truly, he is the sun in my universe on many days! Here's one of the many conversations that illustrate why:

Jack: Kate, quit tracing me... (said in a rather annoyed voice)

Kate: I'm not tracing you (i.e., what the heck are you talking about?)

Jack: I mean, quit COPYING me!

Love, love, love how a five year old's mind works. :)

Here are just a couple of cute moments I've caught him in during the past couple of months.

* One is him grabbing a quick drink from the bathroom faucet, sans cup --

* Another is after a long day of play, he literally collapsed in a heap on my bed with his hat still perched on his head. He didn't even wake up when I put his jammies on him.

* The last few are of another sleepy moment that started out as the scare of my life... I hadn't seen him for a while so I went looking for him. I called his name, yelled outside, walked through the house, walked around the block, checked the backyard, ran through the house yelling his name, panicked, panicked a little more, stopped, said a prayer, calmed down, and noticed him in the corner, tucked between his train table and the wall, fast asleep -- as calm as you please. What a turkey!