Indoor Soccer Starts !!

Indoor soccer started today for the 1st of the Thornton Family Soccer Dynasty. Well, it actually was just a practice game but they are UNDERWAY !! Here is a little taste...

Laundry... This is how we do it!!

OK... so since today was President's Day, and the kids were home from school, I had them fold their laundry this afternoon, so they wouldn't get too bored! Anyway, my kids can apparently turn anything into a game....

I just LOVE doing LAUNDRY!

Valentine Boxes??

I can't think of many things I dread more than elementary school valentine boxes! Of course, the kids always LOVE and look forward to creating them... but, MY idea of a valentine box, and THEIR idea of a valentine box are NEVER quite the same! :) I remember pulling out an old shoe box, covering it with paper, and then covering THAT paper with lots of little paper hearts.... cut a rectangle hole in the top, and Vuuala.... valentine box! Not so, with my creative children.

Jordan was not so difficult, but he's only in 1st grade! He's not even supposed to have to bring a box from home yet!! His teachers are supposed to have big hearts cut out of colored butcher paper with little holes punched around the bottom of it for him to string together with some yarn... in class! Although, I believe all the OTHER 1st grade teachers followed the general "rule" this year, Jordan's teachers did not. Soooo, we found a wooden box shaped like a book which we painted and stained. Then we put a big "J" on the top and he was done! Not too bad... and he was cool with it.



Kendra, decided it would be AWESOME to build a box out of craft sticks! I have to say that I'm very glad we've taught her how to use a hot glue gun, because after we got it started together, I was able to leave her to it. She ended up doing a GREAT job... and it only took her a couple of hours!

Leandra..... ahh, Leandra. Apparently, HER class was having contests for their boxes and she was determined to win the "Funniest" category. Shall I just let the pictures do the talking??

Unfortunately, one of the BOYS in her class heard what she had planned and had his mom go out and purchase a blow-up toilet?? Anyway, there are 15 boys in Leandra's class and 12 girls... and the contest categories were decided by class vote. Any guesses as to how the "funniest" category ended up? Oh, well!! She had a lot of fun anyway!

Jr. Jazz... at it's BEST!

Jordan had an AWESOME basketball game today! He scored 6 incredible points, and was seriously working the ball! Of course, I didn't get any of his shots on film, but they were unbelievable. He put them all in from 12 - 15 feet out! It was so cool to watch! Jordan absolutely LOVES basketball!

Jordan used to practice shooting baskets at his Pre-school teacher's house everyday after school while he was waiting for me to come and pick him up. Now, 2 years later, when the elementary school sent home information on Jr. Jazz basketball for 1st graders, Jordan almost couldn't wait until the season actually started!

The best part, is that his AWESOME Dad is his teams coach. Lee has really had a lot of fun with these kids, and I have to say.... if you're ever looking for something entertaining to do on a Saturday afternoon... take a minute and find where your local Jr. Jazz teams are playing. I guarantee you don't need to have a child actually playing to be thoroughly entertained and leave with a smile that will last all day long!

Peek-a-Boo...

NOW we SEE you!!

Leandra has been sure she needed glasses since they did the vision screening at school earlier this year. So, now that we finally have insurance again... we took all the kids in for check-ups. The results are as beautiful as ever. Leandra takes after me and is a bit near-sighted. Suprisingly, Qiyana is far-sighted. It was quite a shock, since we have never had any indication that she was having trouble seeing! She has never been one to run into things, and she has always enjoyed reading her books to me and every sign we see while driving around. I am very proud to say, however, that she LOVES her glasses, and wears them like a champ! I was honestly a little worried with trying to keep glasses on a 4-year old, but it's almost like she's always had them. She is amazing!!

We have a wonderful Optometrist who is our friend and used to live in our ward,... and it turns out we were lucky to get Qiyana in to see him as soon as we did. Apparently, without glasses to train her brain to focus BOTH eyes... it is possible that one of her eyes might never have been able to focus completely! Crazy! Anyway, my tip for all would be to have your kids checked early! It's such an easy thing to overlook, but apparently, (like so many other things), timing can be incredibly important!

I love ALL my children SOOO much, and never get enough of SEEing my 2 girls new BEAUTIFUL looks!

Getting Started...

We're finally trying to get a blog up and running to help us keep in touch with family far away! Please be patient with me as I try to figure this out... There's nothing like trying something new to make you feel like something old!!