May 2013

May is the season of planting for the Petermills (Petersons/Whitmills).  We look forward to planting our own vegetable and herb gardens.  We also LOVE helping Papa plant his tomatoes and planting flowers at the Denver temple!

Tori loved her first year of choir.  She was happy to have the chance to sing with her cousin too!  It was a really fun year for them, and we are grateful for a fun music teacher that provides this opportunity!

She also made the tinikling team.  You don't know what tinikling is?  Well, most people outside of the Philippines probably don't either.  It is a traditional dance from the Philippines that involved sticks being pounded rhythmically on the ground while the dancer jump/skip/twirl between them.  T had fun. 

I'm so glad that I get to go on field trips with my munchkins!  It makes me so happy to be with them, meet their friends, and most of all, to be near them and NOT have them be embarrassed or ashamed of me...yet.  I know it's coming, so I am going to savor the time when they will hang out with me in front of their friends.

After a lovely bus ride downtown we met our tour guide.  We were broken down into groups and toured downtown Denver.  It was fun and SO informative.  I would have enjoyed a little less rain, but beggars can't be choosers I suppose.

After many years of the hard and fast NO ANIMALS rule in the house, the girls came home from piano lessons in March with a plan.  Their friend was selling his hamster and they were going to enlist O's help and funds and buy it.  I said NO!  There was no hesitation.  This was NOT happening.  As we sat at the dinner table trying to eat dinner amongst sniffles and sobs, Dad came up with a plan.  He began, "I will make you a deal..."  The Evil Mom eyes came right out, but Dad ignored them.  "If you will do your chores every single day for a month, (EVIL GLARE EATING HIS FLESH OFF AT THIS POINT) then we will get you a hamster."

I about DIED!  He guaranteed me that they would never make it.  Well, they made it for about 29 days before T missed a day.  HALLELUJAH!  That was a little too close for comfort.  Dad's response, "We will give you another chance."  WHAT?!?  Seriously?!?  Another month goes by, and this time ALL three kids did ALL of their chores EVERY day.  Fantastic...  Meet Cookie the hamster.  

April 2013

This was a first for the Peterson ladies...ALL of the Peterson ladies.  I had never shot a gun before, and my six and 9 year olds both had their first experiences the same day I did.  It was a little intimidating, but I wish I had a picture of myself shooting and my target.  I was pretty proud of myself, and I was a decent shot.  Much better with a hand gun than the rifle.  I think it was good to expose the girls in this atmosphere.  Uncle Chris is a patient teacher, and Mom was learning with them.

DANG!  That little gun is LOUD and has A LOT of kick!  I shot through a couple of clips, but T was done after exactly one shot.  

Another first for us in tinikling.  You've never heard of tinikling?  Seriously?  Oh, well, nobody else had either.  It is actually a traditional dance from the Phillippines.  It was fun to watch, and really good exercise.  T was super excited to be selected for the team and got to perform at the Wellness Summit and in conjunction with the choir concert (that was an interesting costume change...).

It was a fun spring concert, and she loved her first year in choir!

March 2013

We had to snap a few of these:

Before we did this...

Zac's first haircut. March 30, 2013

Such fine flyaway hair!  

Then there was the late March snow that led us to...

a chilly Easter Sunday!