Kayla's First Time at the Temple for Baptisms

Kayla turned twelve years old and we headed to the San Diego Temple for her first experience in Baptisms for the Dead. It was a planned activity with the Young Men and Young Women. Sean and I were able to make arrangements to attend with her. It was a great feeling to see all of our family in the temple together. She enjoyed the evening and and felt her experience in the temple was special.

It is always something special be with family. In the temple was a great moment together.

I can't believe my baby Kayla is old enough to be in Young Women's. It was a great experience to see her in the temple. My mother Joellen Macdonald had names ready for her to do. She was able to do about 6 family names.

12 Years Old Equals Surprise Limo Ride

It is so fun to be twelve, were Kayla's thoughts. She loved her party and loved getting all dressed up in her 50's outfit. All the girls looked great. There probably aren't very many more years where they will want to dress up. So it turned out really cute. The girls really got into it!

Kayla's Birthday Party Bash...

Kayla's was so surprised! Sean completely surprised her with a limo at the last minute. The limo driver said the reaction we got about the limo from the girls was the best he has ever had. The driver even pulled out his camera, so he could remember the really heart felt reaction of all the girls.

One by one the girls ran out of the house screaming and jumping like they had just hit the jack pot! It was so worth it to see the kids squeal and be so happy. Plus it was the easiest party ever. We drove down to San Diego and the kids just danced and had the best time.

It was a sixteen seat Hummer limo and there was SO much room to mess around in there. The girls put on a fashion show and walked the isle, they danced and sang, while Sean and I could lay back and relax! It was awesome.

We had the limo for four hours. It took us to a Pizza Parlor to eat dinner and then it took us to grab some yummy dessert at Corvette Diner. We tried to eat dinner there, but it was a two in a half hour wait for dinner. It worked out great though and we enjoyed the pizza.

Coolest Costume Ever - Halloween 2009

Kayla Parry as Mary Poppins

We were luckily enough to see the Broadway play of Mary Poppins for Mackynzie's 16th birthday. From that point on, Kayla decided she wanted to be Mary Poppin's for Halloween. She had purchased the Mary Poppin's umbrella at the show and she figured all we had to do was plan out the rest of the costume, no biggie right? I called Jan Strickland in my ward and asked if she was up to the task of sewing a costume. She agreed and I was off to pick out all of the needed supplies.

I had not sown anything for years, so I was a bit nervous about grabbing everything I would need. In the store I met a wonderful lady that assisted me with all the needed details of the costume. Jan did a beautiful job on the costume and I have to say, I did a great job picking out the material and colors. Kayla looked darling.

Caveman Day

San Elijo Middle School Caveman Day.....

Outfit handmade by Karyn Parry

Kayla would receive extra credit for dressing up like a caveman. I decided I would make her costume. It was an easy pattern and I felt like it was time to whip out the old sewing machine. I thought it would be fun and it was. It was time consuming because I was rusty, but I think it turned out great.

Kayla was so happy with it. She told me, "Mom you are the best mother ever. You do so much for me. Thank you." I felt so good and those words made it all worth it. She went on and on about how wonderful I was. Who doesn't love to hear that!

Later in the evening Mack came home and was looking at the costume. She saw me working away to finish it up. Her words, "Mom you know what I worn to Caveman Day?" After a long pause she continued, "an old witch outfit." I commented back, "Oh well this is extra credit." Mack replied, "Mine was extra credit too." I chuckled and replied, "Well you learn everything on the first child and you do it right on the next one."

OH THAT MACKYNZIE CAN WORK ME. I started to feel so guilty like I had not done every I could for her. She is such a turkey. She can really get me wrapped around her figure. I am so prone to thinking I could have done more. Luckily, I caught on and laughed about it before I really gave into her woes of the sorrowful existence of a life she leads, like she needed extra credit!

Kayla and Dunya walked to school that day looking great in their outfits. I love San Elijo Middle School. They have some great activities and programs. Kayla is enjoying school and really loves all her teachers. I am so happy for her and I am grateful she can be at such a fabulous school.

Last Minute Photoshoot with Becky Kimball

We were at the Parry Reunion in Newport and Becky, Sean's sister, was kind enough to take some quick photos of us. Sean was in Las Vegas so it was just the girls. We didn't plan outfits or anything, but they turned out to be fun.

Kayla's First Dance Recital

Kayla found she had an interest in taking a Jazz Class with her friend. They had a great time in the class. The dance studio puts on quite a recital. It went for two nights and for hours and hours. We have not had our girls in dance before and it was great. It was completely different from basketball and soccer. In the middle of the show Sean leaned over and said, "This is no basketball game." However, he ended up loving it. It was so great to see Kayla thrilled and excited about it. He was her biggest supporter!

FLowers for after the show!

Brisa and Kayla

It is fun to find friends who you love to spend time with. Kayla and Brisa really get along nicely. They have a lot of fun together.

Kayla is finding out what she is interested in these days. Kayla has decided this year she is going to take ballet, triple threat (which is singing, tap and jazz) and then a singing class. She is also going to do soccer again. Oh and we can't forget piano! We will keep it all up if she can handle it with all the work Middle School will require, for now she is loving it!

A New Track Star!

June 6, 2009

Track Star for the Day!

The district for San Elijo Elementary School put on one track meet for the year. It was a big event where all the elementary schools competed in the same day. It was fun for the kids and got them excited about track and field. I was hoping that Kayla had interest in doing the track team at the middle school. Mr. Cole who runs the program was awesome to work with when Mackynzie was there. Kayla and I ran into him on the first day of school and he was hoping Kayla would be interested in the team. However, with all the other interests Kayla has she has no time for track this year. She simply told me she was too busy - which I agreed. It is fun to see how different siblings can be from each other, what floats ones boat is not the same for the other. I love watching each of my girls grow up into who they really are. They definitely have their own ideas and likings. I am just glad I get to be apart of their lives and see their great growth.

Do You Know How To Grow Crystals?

Kayla's 5th Grade Science Fair Project.

She learned how to grow crystals from salt and water.

This was a pretty cool crystal that formed on a paperclip.

Kayla worked hard at this project.  She decided to have a salt crystal experiment for family home evening.  We each helped in creating a jar to grow crystals.  Then Kayla watched the changes that occurred.  She kept track and charted it all.  It gets crazy at the end of the year with all the projects.  We are definitely getting excited for summer! 

St. Patrick's Day

What can we make green that the school will let the kids eat?

BAGELS

CREAM CHEESE

Mom helping out in Kayla's 5th grade classroom.

We had a St. Patrick's Day Party at San Elijo Elementary.  It was a short, quick party.  We ate green bagels, had crosswords and made special THANK YOU cards for Mrs. McCarthy.  Short and sweet was the objective and the kids loved it.  

The kids were excited because they got an entire bagel.  The last time we had bagels we had to cut the bagel in quarters to make it last, we did that at the end of the year party in 4th grade.  We had tons of kids so it worked best that way.  But today they got a WHOLE one.  It is crazy that something simple and small makes such big impacts. 

Who doesn't love a bagel and cream cheese?!

Mackynzie wanted out early from school today so, I dragged her in to be my little helper.  I didn't have to pull hard, she wanted to come.  But there was not much to do, so she enjoyed a bagel for herself.

Thanks Mack for always supporting your sister.  Sometimes it is the little ways that really count.

Classroom fun on March 17, 2009