A Day Out With Friends

On February 27th, 2009 we took a quick trip into Albuquerque to visit the zoo, aquarium and the botanical gardens.
Our friends the Larcher's came into town and stayed with us over night. The kids had so much fun playing and laughing together again. I find it strange that kids can go without seeing each other for such a long time and then when they do see each other it is like no time has passed at all. The chair that the kids are sitting in is one of Caiden's favorite things to do at the zoo. His nick-name is King Caiden and so he gets a kick out of sitting on a throne.
King Caiden and Princess Paige


Caiden and Paige- BFF's


The weather has been absolutely perfect and spring is popping up everywhere you look.
The brilliant purple makes me excited for all the lilacs, iris' and tulips to start blooming... I love spring!!!


The first Daffodils of the season. They just look happy!

Caiden wanted a picture of these because they reminded him of the eels off of the movie
'The Little Mermaid.'

They are scary looking creatures and Caiden did not like seeing them opening and closing their mouths.

April, Peyton, Paige and Caiden. They were watching the model trains at the botanical gardens.
We ate lunch at the botanical garden. Caiden ate his first (from our home) peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I know he is 4 years old, but he has always hated P.B. and J. He now eats peanut butter on waffles, pancakes and sandwiches. I am so glad that he finally likes this kid friendly food.

Peyton was a bit sad because the kids told him that he couldn't get up on the chair.

When they finally scooted over, the moment of happiness was over!!!

To our friends: Thanks for coming up to visit us. We had so much fun with your little family. Good luck on your new house. We can't wait to see it!

A Field Trip to the Mall

(Kids in the picture: Layla, Iliana, Kara, Keith, Lorenzo, Carlos and Caiden)

Caiden's school had an interesting field trip this month.
They took the kids to the Coronado mall in Albuquerque. The things that kids did were: had story time at Barnes and Noble bookstore, went shopping at the Disney store and ate sack lunches out on the grass.
Each child took money to buy something fun. I was glad I got attend this field trip so that I could share in this experience with Caiden. I helped keeping track of his friends Kara and Keith.
While we were at the mall we also went to the pet store and the pretzel stand.
I was surprised that not a single child got lost or hurt. That is amazing because there were over 100 kids that attended the field trip.
On the bus ride home all the kids fell asleep. Caiden and I also fell asleep. We both had really sore necks when we woke up.

Caiden playing at the train table.

Caiden loved all the different books in Barnes and Noble. He bought 2 new Berenstein Bear books while he was there.

Princess Kara looking at herself in the mirror at the Disney Store.

Keith studies a dinosaur book

Ever Wonder about Animal Sacrifices?

Scott and Caiden were reading about Solomon's Temple and burnt sacrifices.

Caiden asked, "Why was there fire in the temple?"

Scott said, "Because they burned animals for sacrifices."

My sweet innocent child then asked, "Because Jesus didn't like animals anymore?"

Scott then had to do his best at explaining the concept of sacrifices to prepare people for the sacrifice that Christ would later make for us.

Caiden's response.... "Oh. That's why."

Caiden then took the opportunity to teach Scott that he (Scott) and I had been prophets teaching people up in heaven while the earth was still being created.

Sometimes you wonder if he is a four year old saying four year old stuff or if he is a four year old providing deep doctrinal insight.

What are people teaching their kids these days???

Caiden's Home Visit- And a shout out for HELP!!!

Preface- I realize my child is only 4 and that he is learning and progressing at his own speed.

Have you ever heard of teachers making home visits to strengthen the bond between them and your child? NO? Well I hadn't either. We had our first home visit by Caiden's teachers today. Caiden was thrilled to show them his toys and to show me all of his art work that he has been working on in class. Having his teachers care enough to make time to see all the students in the child's own home is just another example of the exceptional care and education that Caiden recieves daily.

During the home visit we talked about Caiden's progress (of course). We also talked about all of the things that Caiden needs to improve on. It is very neat to hear all the wonderful things that he is accomplishing. It is a totally different experience discussing the areas that need improvement.... (WHAT? MY CHILD ISN'T PERFECT? GASP!!!) I was so humbled to hear all the many things that we will be improving on.... EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. He is so advanced with letters, phonics and pre-reading. But numbers, well that is another story. BE PATIENT, BE PATIENT, BE PATIENT. At one point during the visit we were discussing Caiden's areas of need. He turned to me and said... "Mom, BE PATIENT!" OK, so I can be patient and let him progress and flourish at his own pace, but what are some techniques that I can help him to learn and progress in his number recognition?

We do flash cards, we rote count all the time, we practice writing them too. At times I will ask him a number that he has been identifying all week, but then it becomes some random number. I just don't understand how to help him. He loves playing number games like- Let's see how fast you can put your shoes on; how many green peas can you put on your fork; I am going to count to 30 and see if you can beat me by getting your jammies on first. We identify numbers that we see on speed limit signs, packages and billboards. We are doing everything that I have been told to do... I think!
Of course I am internalizing it as a failure on my part. Not that I am a failure as a mother but that I have failed him in someway. Part of me knows that I am doing my very best and that I have exhausted my capabilities in teaching number recognition. (that doesn't mean that I am ready to give up.) The other part of me says that there is a problem and that I need to help him fix it.

I am giving a shout out to request any ideas or suggestions that you may have.

Dawa'ee, Mrs. Juanico and Miss Charlie for taking time to visit with us in our home. I hope you were able to gain some insight into the loving and structured home life that we try to provide to Ka'shesh.

Valentine's Day Loot

Another first happened for Caiden today. His class had their Valentine's Day Party. I didn't manage to get any pictures of the party but was able to get a quick one before he dug into all the sweets. I am so lucky to have Caiden be able to attend such a fabulous school. They really do a wonderful job making sure each child feels special and cared for. Caiden has missed the last couple of days of school because he has not been feeling well. We gave him some medicine to control his cough and runny nose. He made it to school just in time for lunch and the party. I thought it was so kind of his teachers to make sure he had a box to put his cards in. Mrs. Juanico and Ms. Charlie will probably never know how much of an impact they have had on our little man.
I am also impressed that the administration knows each child by name and greets them as they come to school in the mornings. Thank you to our friends at the Haak'u Learning Center. We are truly blessed to have you be a part of our lives. Thank you for allowing Caiden to attend and be a part of your culture and community. We will take these memories with us and cherish them always.


Caiden loved his party. These were the actual Valentines. For the party, they had pizza, cookies, cupcakes, apples with caramel, veggies and juice. I am so impressed with the amount of parent participation that his class has for class parties.

So much candy!!! When I was younger I remember only getting a few conversation hearts and maybe a sucker. HOW MUCH FUN!!!

-Thinking Inside the Box-

One of the things that I have enjoyed most about Caiden's personality is his amazing imagination. I love watching Caiden play and when given the opportunity, I also try to join in his 'free play' moments.
He found a really big box from the shed and created many fun things from it. It was a train one day, a bed the next, it also became a drum set that you would wear if you were in a marching band. He had chopsticks for the drumsticks and marched around happily playing the songs he was making up. I put string straps on for him so that it wouldn't keep falling off. What a joy it is to make little memories. The best part? It didn't cost a thing.

Little Drummer Boy.

Making and Baking

Caiden is becoming quite the little chef. In fact, that is what he insists that I call him when we are baking. I don't know where he gets his love of cooking, it is certainly not from his mom. He has really been into baking cakes, cookies, cheesecake and any other dessert that he can think of. He loves to be in charge of the treats for family home evening and has only wanted homemade treats lately.

Even though I do not enjoy cooking, I don't mind baking. I actually might even enjoy it. I have been enjoying it even more now that Caiden is wanting to participate. I was surprised to realize just how much teaching can happen in that 15-30 minutes of prep time. It is fun that Caiden knows the basic ingredients of cookies.... Flour, sugar, salt, 'banilla' and of course chocolate chips. Baking has allowed us to work with numbers and fractions. It is a way of sharpening his memorization skills as well. We will put ingredients in the bowl and then ask him to recall what items we have already used. Simple but effective!

The lesson that is taught after they are baked, is sharing and giving service. Whenever I bake we will eat or keep only 1/4 of the batch. The rest is given away at school, work or to neighbors. What a blessing such a simple task has become.

BOOKS FOR BIKES

At Caiden's school they have implemented a literacy programed called 'Books for Bikes'. The program has been designed to get parents involved in their child's schooling by allowing parents to take time to read on behalf of their child in the classroom.

It is extremely important to Scott and me that we show support and dedication to Caiden's education, so I read several times throughout the month of January. Scott also took an afternoon off work to go read. I feel so blessed to have a daddy for Caiden who wants to be involved as much as I do.

And the winner is.... Caiden Mitchell.

Caiden was so excited to win the bike. When I asked him why he had earned it, I was surprised at the clear understanding that he had. He knew that we had earned it for him by coming to read for him. He thanked both Scott and me for coming to read to his class as well as the others.

Will he remember the effort that we as parents are putting forth? I don't know. What I do know is that I will be able to look back with a clear conscience and know that I have helped my son to succeed. Also that, I didn't let an opportunity pass by to spend time with my son. That is a gift.

Being able to watch my son succeed and progress is an amazing blessing. For that, I am grateful.

A Day At The Park

Caiden's School went on a field trip to the library, another head-start program and then off to the park. The park was by far the funnest part of the day for each of the kids. I was able to join Caiden and see him really enjoying free play. It was neat to see him interacting with the other children outside of the classroom. After the field trip to Grant's, we went back to the school and ate lunch. Caiden's school tries to do two field trips a month. I think that is amazing. The kids were so well behaved everywhere that we went. It is so much fun to get to participate along side of my little boy.

Miss Charlie and Layla- I love that Miss Charlie plays with the kids. They loved having her chase them on the jungle-gym and swinging them on the swings.


It was kind-0f a cold dark day. Look at those bright pink cheeks.


Kaweshchima is Caiden's best-friend.

Caiden just being silly behind the puppet show curtains.