Hazel is kind of awesome, as are the other 2 little Palmer people. She stayed on the same soccer team for the Fall, but this league is all girls and it's outside. So now it's bigger field, less subs, and longer games. Hazel is fun to watch out there. She runs all over the field and is great at defense. The coach's wife does photography, and she caught a few cute ones of Hazel.
She was also given the Sunshine Award at school, which is given to 1 student out of the whole grade each week. She was the first one for Mrs. Garcia's class. We're so proud of her! She definitely brightens our day every time she comes home from school. Grayson and Jada just light up. It's so cute. Funny fact: Mrs. Garcia told us it was a secret that she was receiving the award, so on Friday at Tibbals Tracks, they announced her name, and she didn't even hear it. They said it a few times, and finally a friend walked over and helped Hazel get up on the stage. Next time, I'll probably let her know!
It used to be painful to try and get her to sound things out and attempt to spell. Now she comes home from school and recreates things she did at school. She's told me a few times that her teacher has shown her work to the whole class as an example of quality work. Again, so proud and impressed! This picture is just what she quickly did after school to show me what she did at school.
During General Conference, Hazel drew President Uchtdorf. I'm always amazed by her drawings. She just whips out stuff all day every day. She says Art is her favorite class at school, then P.E.
Grayson is pretty awesome as well! He started a preschool co-op with 4 other friends, and he said he really liked it. He's looking too big!
It's true he's a little more reserved and cautious, but he's learning to step up and be the man of the house while it's just Jada, him, and me at home. I'm bringing him to a lot more playdates, and I think he likes getting more attention. He's such a sweetheart and tells me he loves me several times a day.
I mean, look how helpful he can be. Jada was hungry, so naturally she needed several choices for dinnerware.
He's getting more confident and is trying more things at parks too.
My favorite thing recently is when James and I heard him recite Hazel's part for the primary program on his own out of the blue. We cracked up. That morning I had been going over it and over it with Hazel so she could get a treat at church for memorizing her scripture. Well, I guess Grayson was listening because he knew it perfectly - big words and all. "For behod, this is my wuk and my gwowy, to bwing to pass the immotawity and etornal wife of man." Nailed it. He's a smart one. He's pretty good at math, and I'm also finding he knows pretty much all of the letters and sounds, which is impressive because I don't really go over them that much.
Then there's sweet baby Jada. I love that her name is "Baby Jada". She has her own jingle that is sung multiple times a day: "Jada Christine, you're the cutest baby I ever have seen!" She really is the epitome of a cute baby. She's squishy, happy, and perfect. We eat her up all day long.
The squishiness!
She knows what she likes (and that's not the bottle).
She is so patient during soccer practice, etc.
She lets us dress her up and play with her like a babydoll.
She loves tummy time and is getting pretty good at pivoting and scooting back.
Her favorite hobby is doing yoga.
She's tried some foods, and she's pretty open to new flavors, as long as they're not cold. She puts herself to sleep now, and is just the best baby ever during the day. At night I think she wakes out of habit, and I can't tell that sweet face no. Most obvious of all, her hair is super impressive. Not an outing goes by where her curly mohawk is not mentioned. We're pretty proud of it.
These are just a few of the recent brag stories that I want to look back and remember. James and I can't believe how blessed we are to have these 3 precious kiddos. Mommin' ain't easy, but it's so worth it.
