Warrior

My day was made when I opened up a letter from Emily's middle school to discover Emily was chosen as May's Warrior of the month in her middle school!   

It's quite an honor coming from a school of 1100-1200 students.  Emily exemplifies everything a warrior should be.  She's responsible, kind and inclusive to others, a creative thinker,  optimistic and forward thinking! 

I love watching the lady Emily is becoming and am so pleased when others notice it as well!

Nacho kid

Spencer loves his clothes.   He loves them so much he changes them about 10 times a day.  He also has his favorite clothes and can be found dumping out his clothes drawer and all the laundry hampers  or he will climb right in the dryer buck naked looking for whatever specific sports shirt/shorts he has in mind to wear.   

Jane knowing what Spencer loves most wanted more than anything to get him a new sports shirt for his birthday.   Knowing the best selection and deals for that style are found at Burlington Coat Factory we snuck off one raining afternoon.   

Jane isn't one to settle for the first thing she finds searched and searched through Nike, Adidas, Under Armor and Hurley apparel but wasn't content until she came across this shirt.  

Here's our conversation:

Me:  Really Jane?

Jane:  Yeah it's perfect.  Cause you know Spencer isn't just any kid. 

Me:  I know that, you know that and of course Spencer has always thought that of himself but this shirt is so ugly!

Jane:  It is not it's totally Spencer.  I have to get it and it's only $2.50

Me:  OK but if he grows up with a complex that he owns the world don't blame me.  

Later I asked Spencer what he wanted on his birthday cake and he said umm... just a soccer guy kicking a soccer ball.   Not sure how to proceed  I tried to tone it down to just a soccer ball but Spencer wouldn't budge.   Jane then suggested a stick man and ball and soon enough with her help his vision turned into a reality.  

We celebrated pretty simple this year with presents after church and cake and ice cream at Nona and Papa's.  3 year olds are easy to please.  Dollar store items for the win 🙌

Spencer was head over hills for the binoculars Nona gave him.  He kept looking into them and then enthusiastically saying "I see you mama". 

 A couple days later he was so excited when I got the mail and yet another present and card from the Preston's were for him.   He carried the cards around very possessively for days.   My mom knows Spencer best.  More athletic clothes for him to change in and out of each day!

How boring would life be without our "Nacho kid"  He's a live wire I tell you and it's either sparks of Joy, enthusiasm and gratitude or sharp deathly shocks of anger.  There really isn't any in between with him.  But what else would you expect but big emotions  from a Nacho average kid!!

Easter 2019

A couple of days before Easter I told my kids we were going to dye Easter eggs after school and Aaron looked confused and asked what that meant.  I guess it's been a few years since we've dyed Easter eggs. It made me realize just how long it had been since we've celebrated Easter with my family doing the age old tradition of rolling Easter eggs down red sandy hills.     I just don't see the point of dying Easter eggs just to let them sit around till after Easter  and the thrown away.  Dyed Easter eggs should be rolled down a hill.  Aaron quickly got on board and soon they each had a dozen eggs ready to go with us to Goblin Valley State Park  

We arrived around lunch time and after starting our picnic and then being kick out of our spot under a pavilion from a rude east coast ranger we explored the "Goblins"  then made our way onto BLM property and continued our picnic and hid money filled eggs around the hills for all the kids to find. 

It was fun to relive some of the age old Pace traditions again and all the kids loved spending time with the cousins as always! 

She's so Snazzy

Feeling the weight of 4 kids I introduced a new rule a couple of years ago that you can only have a birthday party every other year.  The day after Emily turned 11 she has been planning her 13th birthday party.    For a while she was on the kick that she wanted to have her party at All Star bowling.  When we looked at booking the party she soon realized that she would have to limit her invitees to less than 9 girls.  We started looking at other "store bought" parties and became especially interested in a Harry Potter Escape room but all roads ended with a limitation for less than 10 girls.   Emily being an  inclusive person just couldn't narrow down her list and each time she tried she would tell me how much she hates being left out and doesn't want to leave anyone out either. 

In true Emily fashion,  she decided she wanted to do a home party,  at the church with more room, and invite all 19 of her friends.   She wanted a backwards themed party and came up with every single detail.  She gave me the shopping list  and followed orders.  (It's the best way with Emily who cannot be stopped once the ideas start rolling)

Everyone came in and got their take home treat bag first.  Then we immediately sang to Emily and instead of a cake it was krispie kreme donuts for all.

 Up next was opening presents.

I then served "breakfast" instead of dinner.  Crepes for the win!!!

Next up was a crazy loud run through the church game of "Sardines" (the game that's opposite of hide and seek)


Then they divided up in groups and lip synced to their favorite kid show theme song.

The last game they played was a opposite take on musical chairs.  Basically you take away a chair each time but nobody ever gets out.  The circle of chairs get smaller and the pile of girls on top of each other gets larger.  It was all fun and games until an elbow took an eye out and the party was over.

Last of all Emily took selfie's with all of her friends!   The party was a hit, maybe a little bit too crazy.  Teenage girls are loud and hyper and Oh so fun

The celebration finale involved the traditional cake at Nona and Papa's after Sunday dinner. 

Welcome to being a teenager Emily!   You are going to rock these upcoming years with your energy, confidence in who you are, sense of humor, inclusive personality, hard work, happiness and great friends.   Can't wait to watch the ride!