Farewell 2nd ward!

So Kass is picking up on the copy-cat stage of life that most little kids go through. It's amazing to watch her and see how much of what we do rubs off on her. I guess it's a little incentive to only do good things so she doesn't give our faults away by doing them in public! Today at church she did a couple of these copy cat acts. First, Kassidy took my chapstick and started writing on the chalkboard and talking like she was teaching a class. She picked this up from assisting Kevin in his study group he teaches twice a week at the University. Second, Kass has learned how to throw things in the garbage can, which is good when she throws away the right things. We always clap for her when she throws a piece of garbage away, so today at church Kev gives her a piece of Laffy Taffy (he hides treats in his suit and pulls them out to coax Kass to be his buddy, like she isn't already enamored with him) and tells her to throw the wrapper away. She does and then turns to us and starts clapping and yells, "Yay!" right in the middle of class. Everyone turned around and laughed. Kids, gotta love 'em! Today was also our last day in the 2nd ward since Kevin and I just got released and we no longer live in the ward boundaries. We both gave talks in sacrament today and were replaced in our callings, so we're free to go to our new ward. It's really quite sad and we'll miss all the wonderful people and Bishop Rees. See you around friends!

BaCk To SnOw CoLleGe

Last weekend we made a quick day trip to Ephraim to go say congratulations to Kevin's old Chemistry professor who was retiring. Kev's mom came with us and while we were there we watched the football game. I took some pictures of Kev and Kassidy that I thought were really cute. Kassidy has this glowing adoration for her father. She always wants to be around him, but then, who wouldn't? This sometimes makes me feel a little like chopped liver, but Kevin is a great dad and I'm grateful for his involvement in helping raise his daughter. Kevin is a very hands-on dad, never afraid to change a diaper or take Kassidy out and play with her just the two of them. I don't know how I was so lucky to find a man like him!

All is well

Hmmm...I really need to get a life so I have something wonderful to post about. As usual, Kevin and I are totally immersed in school and busy as all get out. Kassidy is a peach and has adapted well to the new schedule and unfamiliar adults watching her at daycare every day. We're truly blessed to be able to get our education and love it as much as it is possible to love something you dread doing every day:) I promise to take some pics and put them up soon...Kass is growing like a weed and cuter every day.

From the world of a first grader

So I've been thoroughly enjoying my experience in first grade these past two weeks. Hard to believe that a bunch of six year olds could make you laugh and want to scream in the same minute. But I'm really lucky to have such an amazing mentor teacher who works with me and helps me learn what I'm supposed to. I've been teaching a unit on self and community and we had a lesson on friends the other day. The kids make accordion style books and drew pictures of their friends in them. One of my cute little boys asked if he could put me and Mrs. Prisbrey in the book. This is the beautful illustration that followed:


Yes, it's true, I have a skullet! Isn't this hilarious? I loved it and needed to share it with you all. Besides that I just wanted to thank my Dad & Cathy for letting us come and visit this weekend. Thanks for entertaining us, we had a blast playing with you all!

Student Teaching

Just a quick report on my semester thus far...I'm supposed to be working on homework. For those of you who didn't know, I started my last semester of school Monday and I'm doing my student teaching at Fiddlers Elementary in Cedar City. My first placement is in 1st grade, and after 30 days I'll move up to 4th grade (yay!). It's gone pretty well so far, and I'm remembering why I love teaching so much. I have an amazing mentor teaching and she's all too willing to help me to become a better teacher. Tomorrow she'll be gone all day and she's hired a sub but told her that I'll be teaching the entire day. So cross your fingers that I don't mess those kids up in one day! There are definitely some down parts to teaching first graders, like I tie about 50 shoelaces a day, hand out 20 bandaids and yesterday a kid pooped his pants...for real! It's very rewarding too though when the day's over and I get to go home feeling like I've done something productive. Kassidy's adapting fairly well to Daycare but still crying occassionally. It'll take a bit of time to adjust, but I'm proud of my little boppy. Kevin's doin well at school too, working on a senior research project (testing steroids on fish), taking a full class load of upper division courses, and being a TA for two professors who absolutely adore him. We have high hopes for Pharmacy school this year. Thanks for thinking of us and know that we miss you all!

M-Dawg's wedding

This last weekend I had the opportunity to escape, to flee from Cedar City and motherhood and all responsibility and just have a wonderful girl's weekend. I am so thankful that Kevin stayed home with Kassidy and made this possible...you're wonderful honey! One of my best friends from HS got married, so I got to go up and hang with the old crowd and get in some sister/mother bonding time. Marie's wedding was beautiful and she was the prettiest bride I've ever seen! James is a lucky guy to be getting a gal like Marie. I rode up to Logan to the temple with Hawken and Eric and Janelle and we had a ball! The boys were a little worried that since I got married I wouldn't be any fun, but I think we laughed and talked the entire drive up and back. Alyssa met us up at the wedding breakfast, so if Jen had been there it would have been complete! We missed you Jenny-poo! After all the wedding hoopla, me and my mom and sis went to the movies and saw Mama Mia! If you haven't seen this movie, take a bunch of girls who you really like and be prepared to laugh for 2 hours! It was fabulous and I had a ball with my girls. The weekend was fabulous and I was a little reluctant to come home to "life" again, but my house wasn't burnt down and Kassidy was happy and well, so I feel like I wasn't too much of a delinquent. I took too many pics to post, so I'll put them in a slide show if you're interested.

My little Mozart

Kassidy loves to play the piano, and I'm amazed at how she already knows how to push all the buttons to change the songs and the voice of the piano. She's a regular little Mozart...I just wish we lived close enough for Grandma Shelly to teach her piano lessons in a few years!

Here's the little master at work. "Look Mom! I can even play backwards!"
Cheesy grin...Ta Da! I did it!
And...she's done. "That was exhausting!"