Week #20: Motivation From a Seven Year Old

This Week...

...we took a family walk for Family Home Evening. There's nothing like being out with the family.

...we had dinner at Grandma Erickson's for Mother's Day. We saw her impressive hibiscus. It brought Studio C to our minds..."Bisque!"

Emma made me this wonderful bouquet in honor of Mother's Day. Now I can't say that I never get flowers.

...I caught a rare, quiet Ben moment. He picked up my Mary Engelbreit fairy tale book and started reading.

...Claire sent me some motivation. This is by far my favorite note from one of my children. If she believes in me, I can do anything.

...we had s'mores at Ryan and Amie's. This was so fun! There was quite a bit of wind, but it was so fun to sit with friends and visit. Greg and Shelly Olson came too.

...we went to the river with our cousins. We planned on a walk, but the kids were too interested in the toys and the ducks.

Then we finished the day off with a girls play date. After the park, Cousin Jenna stayed with us and we picked up Emma's friend, Zoey Orton. We picked up Lainey's friend Mallory Hull and asked our neighbor Danica Schabb if she wanted to stay and play when her dad came by. Girl party!

...Emma finished her Betsy Ross pop bottle doll. She did such a good job figuring everything out and getting the details just right.

...Emma completed her school unit on the Iditarod. They had to pick a musher, do a report, and make a poster.

...Lainey and I went to her Kindergarten information night. She's so excited! We saw quite a few kids that we recognized. We got a picture by the Mustang with our neighbor Eva.

Once we got home, she pulled everything out. The older kids were excited to help her with everything. Benjamin tried to quiz her on all the new sight words. Only, there were a lot she didn't know. 

She was ready to get at it!

...we watched a great video for Family Home Evening. This really touched us as we thought of serving others even when it isn't always convenient.

...Lainey's view as we were getting ready for bed.

...Lainey was just relaxing, watching T.V.

Week #19: Be Awesome!

This Week...

...we had our seventh annual Grandkid Luncheon. The theme this year was Be More Awesome! featuring Kid President. This kid has created such an inspiring movement-kindness, happiness, silliness, positiveness, awesomeness.

I sure love Kid president. He makes me laugh and want to do good things for others. I feel goosebumps when I watch his videos and a determination to make the world better. I wanted to pass that feeling on to my nieces and nephews. I wanted them to realize how awesome they are and their potential to do great things every day. Here's some of my favorite Kid President Inspiration:

We were out the door, everything and everyone packed in the van, until we found this in the tire-a screw. (Later we found out it had barely penetrated the tire and was not a threat. But we sure didn't want to risk it at the time.)

We didn't want to risk a tire blowout, so we all repacked into the Taurus. And I mean packed.

Lots of friendly faces at church. (Vicki Sabin's handbag and back of chair)

The boys are showing Grandma some funny videos

Jason sneaks a nap after church

Grandma's snowball bush

Gathering everything to head down to Kirk and Sharee's for the Luncheon. Grandpa Zirker is telling stories

Jenna and Allie-making wishes

Ready for the Grandkid Luncheon

Trenton on the wind up, Uncle Kent up to bat

Aunt Reecy was hanging out with Lainey and Allie on the porch swing.

As part of my message, I asked Aunt Cherice to talk to the kids. She read a storybook called Flight School that was really cute. It's about a penguin that wants to learn how to fly.

Corn Dogs for lunch-That's what Kid President would do. Katie, Lainey, Trenton, Paul, Alex, Sydney, Claire

Look at these two hams, aren't they handsome?! Ethan and Trenton

Grandma with Jenna and Allie. Getting ready for lip smacking good food.

Uncle Kirk-"This is my good side."

Us girls getting in a selfie.

I asked them to write down their own responses to the question, "The world would be more awesome if...." These are their responses:

...we made a trip to Chico's for my dad's birthday! We were able to get a room and it was nice to be in our own area.

Love that Hochstetter!

...Lainey hosted me at her preschool muffins with moms. We sat with Aunt Julie and Allie.

...we went to the Temple. Time spent here always calm troubles and fears.

...Lainey was my helper at Winco...and Les Schwab...and in the pantry. I realize she won't be my little sidekick for much longer. She'll be going to Kindergarten next year.

...Sister Votaw and her daughter Hannah taught the Cub Scouts about Norway and Japan. Then they taught them how to make an origami crane.

...we sent some love to the teachers. What a blessing teachers are.

I helped on the committee to provide lunches for the teachers at Emma's school. They're the leopards. My Sister-in-Law, Julie Marie, led the project and her talent really came out. I was so impressed with the lunch she thought of right down to the forks and napkins on the box. Included: Chicken Salad Croissant sandwich, grapes and strawberries, pretzel chips and humus, cookies, and Andes mints.

Here's the pineapple chicken salad recipe:
(It comes from Six Sisters Stuff, but I liked the instructions from Together as Family better.)

4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (or use rotisserie chicken)
1 cup mayonnaise
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1 20 oz can pineapple tidbits, drained
1 1/2 cup red grapes, sliced lengthwise
1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped

1 cup slivered almonds

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

croissants

1. In small bowl, heat cream cheese for 15-20 seconds in microwave. Add in mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix.

2. In large bowl, combine chicken, celery, grapes, almonds, green onions, and pineapple. Pour dressing mix over top and stir together.

3. Store in fridge for three hours. the Longer the better. Serve on croissants.

...I played some softball. First game of the season! We have a really great team this year. It's so fun to get out on the field with these ladies.

Here's my cheering squad-our Family Home Evening activity.

Coach Amber Riner, Corianne Froughton, Sharae McShane, Whitney Chapman, Sam Powers (behind Whitney), Richelle Davis, Kaitlin 

...our neighbor, Jessie, shared some delicious cupcakes with us. She was practicing for her daughter's birthday party. Yum!

...we found a friend at the park. Hello friend.