A Week of Discovery and Fun

We are wrapping up another fun filled week at the Nutt House. 

During the course of the week Kaden participated in his last Brain Time learning class and enjoyed another week of his Little Sports class.  This week in his sports class Kaden practiced walking on a balance beam, bouncing balls on a parachute, kicking soccer balls, completing cart wheels and playing bowling.  While he was bowling I sat opposite of him so that I could set up the bowling pins after he knocked them down.  The intense level of focus displayed in his face while he bowled was fascinating.  As he discovers different activities, identifying what he enjoys and what he doesn’t it’s easy to recognize his interests based on his facial expressions.  Through Kaden’s sports class I’ve learned he likes bowling (or at least rolling a ball to knock objects down) and he likes soccer (or at least kicking a ball around).  Baseball or tossing a ball he could take it or leave it.   It’s strange, I know Kara has and continues to go through this same discovery process but as she identifies what she is interested in it is less pronounced in her face and more prevalent in the amount of effort she puts into what she enjoys where with Kaden the look of focus or the smile radiating from his face clearly shows what he enjoys.

He made goal after goal after goal AND he can do it with either foot!

Kara enjoyed another typical week of preschool, dance, play dates and swim lessons.  This smart, determined little girl continues to do her best, pushing herself to improve with visible results.  While we waited for an oil change on the car to be completed this week Kara became bored with the toys at the service center and instead of handing over my phone for game playing I handed over my phone for a little learning and Kara started utilizing the Hooked on Phonics app to start reading.  To my amazement she picked up the first set of words faster than I anticipated and by the time Brent was home that evening she was able to read a short story full of words she had learned.  While she is not yet ready to read Shakespeare or even Fancy Nancy books (her current favorites) the fact she was able to read any story on her own was amazing in itself. 

Kick, kick, kickin away

"What time is it Mr. Shark?"

I love her free spirit

Life is better with friends

Reading her first story "Nat Sat"

This week Kara also gave her first talk in primary.  She was so excited, weekly Kara asks if she can go up and be a helper in primary and you can’t be more of a helper than to give the talk.  Thanks to Google, a mom who can take an idea and with a little tweaking make it our own Kara had her talk on How the Holy Ghost Testifies the Truth of All Things.   We had friends over for dinner last night with a busy day leading up to the evening so practice time for the talk was minimal, that said, Kara still did a good job and had a bursting with pride mom lurking in the background of primary sneaking a quick picture while she gave her talk. 

The Nutt House enjoyed some time at a splash pad at the mall with some friends this week.   While the temperature outside was almost perfect at 86ish degrees the water felt much colder to our two little Nutts.  That did not stop our little Nutts from enjoying the water before enjoying some lazy outside playtime with friends. 

Learning the joys of sunbathing early

He is starting to develop a real love of the water

Our after church relaxation time today consisted of pedicures for the family.  This has been something Kara has been asking to give me for weeks after hearing the idea in a Fancy Nancy book where Fancy Nancy gives her mom a pedicure before sending her off on a date with her dad.  Anyway, we finally had the down time and my feet were aching from my heels so today was the day. Kara eagerly took command of the situation, had me in a chair with Brent assisting her in filling up a tub with a foot soaking solution (salt, water, marbles and more).  After a good soak my feet were treated to a lotion massage before Kara carefully applied the polish.  When Brent came back in the room he helped to clean up my nails just a bit before the roles were reversed and Kara was receiving the foot massage and fresh polish from me.  By this point Kaden had woken up from his nap and wanted to join in the action and have his toenails painted too.  Blue with a sliver crackle were applied to his little piggies before Brent conceded and joined in the polish party having his toes painted to match Kaden’s. 

Kara focusing so hard

Brent doing a little corrective painting

Brent's

Kaden's

Mine

Kara's

After toes were dry we journeyed to the East Valley area to spend time wishing a cousin happy birthday and relishing in a surprise visit from Papa.  What a perfect ending to our week – time with family!  And with family we don’t spend enough time with at that!

 

Funny that the best picture was the funny face picture