A Visitor

We have known that bunnies frequent our yard and drive Harley nuts. We didn't know how brave they were, especially the little ones, until last night. This is our deck, which is right outside of our sliding glass window. The window that Harley sits at and stares out of on a regular basis just looking for those little taunting bunnies.

After seeing this little visitor, Mackenzie wanted to keep it for a pet and was insisting on setting food out for "the cutest little bunny ever" to eat.

Holes....in pants

Alexa and Dayton are the worst on pants. Almost every pair of pants Dayton owns has holes in the knees. He even puts holes in the patches. Mackenzie came home from school the other day with a hole in a different spot.

Needless to say she was embarrassed. A nice little girl on the playground told Mackenzie about the hole and Mackenzie wore her jacket tied around her waist the rest of the day. She wanted me to fix them because they are her very favorite jeans but they are beyond repair. I shared with Mackenzie that when I was in the second grade I had an accident and proceeded to wear my big, heavy, winter coat in between my legs the rest of the day.....I was sure no one suspected a thing. (Yeah right!)

3rd grade state report

Mackenzie chose to do her state report on Utah. This made it really easy for us because Alexa did her 3rd grade state report on Utah also and we had a ton of stuff ready to go (thanks to family that lives in Utah). They had to do all of the project at school. Mackenzie wanted to take salt water taffy in to share and the last time we had bought some at Sam's club but they didn't have it this year so we ordered it from the Taffy Shop in Salt Lake. When they heard that the taffy was for a state report at school they sent some extra goodies. A salt crystal and additional brochures about the salt flats, Salt Air and the Great Salt Lake. These things only added to the many colors of sand from southern Utah, a geode, water from the Great Salt Lake, and all of the information she collected online. Mackenzie did a fantastic job on her report.

Famous Artist

Mackenzie brought home a letter from the art teacher this week informing us that one of her drawings had been chosen to be framed and displayed permanently in the halls of her elementary school. She is thrilled.

I was at the school and ran into Mrs. Stevens and she had the nicest things to say about all of my kids. Although Alexa is no longer at that school she remembered her and asked how she was doing. Mrs. Stevens also inquired if there were any more Page children to come after Dayton...um, no. I am so proud of my kids and grateful to be their mom. Sometimes it is nice to know that others think they are pretty amazing too.

(Picture of Mackenzie's vase of flowers to come later)

Released

Today I was released as the young women's president in our ward. I have known this day was coming for the past 2 months and it has honestly been a LONG two months. I initially was concerned that I hadn't done all I was supposed to do in this calling. Had I learned all I was to learn? Did the girls know how much I loved them? Then as time went on I was frustrated. It was hard to put my all into something that I knew I was done with. And finally, I was excited...I know and love the new young women's president and she will be fantastic.
I love each and every one of those young women! They have strengthened me. They are amazing!
While serving in this calling, I was amazed at the love I felt immediately for each girl, some of whom I didn't even know. It was, I think, a gift from a loving Heavenly Father who allowed me to see how precious these daughters are to Him.
One of my favorite parts of being in a presidency is the friendships that are made while working so close together. I have been privileged to work with the most amazing women who have taught me so much. I could not have functioned without them.
My favorite musical of all time is Wicked. These lyrics perfectly describe how I feel about the past almost 2 years.
"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are lead to those who help us most to grow, if we let them. And we help them in return....I know I'm who I am today, because I knew you...I have been changed for good."

Ice cream...Mackenzie

As a third grader, Mackenzie created a beautiful picture of ice cream. Mackenzie loves art and although we may be a little bit biased, she does a fantastic job.

Mackenzie loves to read. She especially loves to read the Harry Potter series. She has read the entire series now 4 times. Her last reading of this magical series was completed in 27 days. As much as I love the fact that she finds such enjoyment in reading, I do want her to participate in other activities.

She wanted to document the fact that she had completed this last reading in such a short period of time and so she wrote out the following and then asked all of her family members to sign it:

I, Mackenzie Rae Page, being of sound mind hereby witness that I read the entire Harry Potter books beginning, April 20, 2009 and ending May 16, 2009 encompassing 27 days.

Mackenzie Rae Page

Witnesses:

Jaime K. Page (mom)

Nathan R. Page (dad)

Dayton J. Page (brother)

Alexa A. Page (annoyed sister)

Lex was playing Mario Kart and was not very enthusiastic about stopping to sign her name, obviously.

Young Author Book

Dayton has the same teacher this year in first grade that Mackenzie had as a first grader. After the kids have completed their young author books, she has an evening for the kids to come with their families and read their books to an audience. It is a fun evening. Dayton has always been our shy kid. He would rarely look someone in the eye or acknowledge some one's greeting. But last night he confidently stood up and read his story for all to hear. Perhaps his shy streak is over.

Dayton is perhaps the tallest first grader ever...he is taller than Mackenzie and a good head taller than all of his classmates. Watching him stand at the podium last night and then seeing those kids that followed him it was pretty obvious that he is a giant.

Dayton and Leyton

While doing a unit on measuring, Dayton needed to bring in a baby picture and a string that was the same length as he was when he was born. Then they made flowers showing how tall they are now compared to then.

Peeling Oranges

Nathan bought some oranges at the store a while ago and we found them in the garage yesterday. The kids decided to help peel them and found it to be a little bit juicy.

The solution.....

Night of Notables

This year Alexa was William Shakespeare for her Night of Notables. She had to do the research, write a report, come up with artifacts representing Shakespeare's life, create a display board, write a speech and memorize it. The culmination of the project was last night and she did a great job. She was animated, articulate and super cute.