Commencement Ceremony

Today, Cason's work had a Christmas potluck. Our whole family was invited to attend. Boy are we glad that we did- because they held a graduation ceremony for Cason! (To our surprise and HIS!)

Cason's boss had "something for him to do..." and while he was away for a few minutes the chairs were set up for the ceremony and friends from the other City Departments joined us.

Then when he returned, pomp and circumstance was playing!

The mayor came to present Cason with his "diploma" and turn his tassle.

His diploma reads:

The Utility Billing Department, City of Pocatello and a couple of other people that don't matter, in recommendation of somebody important at 

Idaho State University

have conferred upon

Cason Chambers

In recognition of finally finishing the requirements, the degree of

Bachelor of Science (All B.S.)

in Political Science, Spinning and Guitar

With all the rights, privileges, and honors therein pertaining.

Given at Pocatello, Idaho this 19th day of December, two thousand fourteen.

 

He was very embarrassed but also really touched by their gesture. He doesn't want to walk at the ISU commencement ceremony, so this was his big day!

2014 Graduate

We are happy to announce that Cason has graduated from ISU this December!

He really deserves recognition for this accomplishment. He is a busy man and has a lot of responsibilities. While attending school he has always worked full-time, 5 years at the Pocatello Women's Correctional Center and now a year and a half at the City of Pocatello, Utility Billing. He completed an internship with the City of Pocatello, Department of Planning and Development. For over 3 years now he has also served faithfully in his calling as 1st counselor in our ward's bishopric. He is a great father to our two children- they think the world of him and he is always happy to spend time with them. He is an amazing husband and is very sensitive to my needs.

Cason would love to work in planning, but is applying for other jobs that he feels qualified for. We trust in the Lord and his plan for our family. We know as we seek his direction he will guide us to what will be best.

Congratulations Cason!

Shoe Model

Like a true girl, Macey Jo LOVES shoes! Here she is wearing her brother's boots!

She may be "America's Next Top Shoe Model".

Superhero Halloween

This year our Halloween was awesome with our Spiderman and Supergirl.

We started our festivities a day early at Creighton's preschool. Creighton was in a play called "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything". (It is a book) Creighton was responsible for playing the castanets when the narrator read the part of the book about the gloves and hat. He did a wonderful job and paid close attention and always knew when it was his turn to play his castanets.

He is certainly not an attention-seeker. He was very shy and while singing "The Five Little Pumpkins" and "10 Little Ghosts" hid behind the other children. It was also very difficult to get him to look up at me. He was very embarrassed because of all of the people that were there and stared at the floor.

He also had a Halloween parade and got to trick-or-treat. Macey Jo got to join in on the action as well!

Halloween day we started out collecting our loot at the City of Pocatello offices where daddy works. Everyone there was extremely generous and the kids got plenty of candy. Macey Jo's little hands are very deceiving- she can grab several candy bars at one time!

Then off to mommy's favorite Halloween tradition, Halloween pictures at Gordon Photography!

Eric Gordon always does such a great job! I love displaying all of my kiddos Halloween pictures from him when October rolls around.

We decided to go trick-or-treating in Grandma and Grandpa's neighborhood. It didn't take too long for the kids to be done which was fine because they had plenty of candy!

Happy Halloween!

Student of the Week

Each week at Creighton's preschool, it is a different child's turn to be the "student of the week". It was recently Creighton's turn. We got to make a poster all about him and he could present it to his teachers and class.

He was so proud of his poster. (And didn't get mad when sister drew all over it with a Sharpie.)

I interviewed Creighton about his favorite things and put them on the poster. Some of his answers were:

Favorite Animal: Jaguar

Favorite Color: White

Favorite Book: Cat in the Hat

Favorite Friend: Daddy and Sister

Favorite Food: Donuts and Cinnamon Rolls

Favorite Movie: Oliver and Company

Favorite Trip: Big Daddy's house (Arkansas)

These favorites of Creighton's are constantly changing. There are so many things that he loves!

First Day of Preschool- Creighton

Today was Creighton's first day attending Leapin' Lizards Preschool!

We have been talking to Creighton about attending preschool all summer. He has been excited! His teachers even stopped by to visit him at home a few weeks ago. He was glad to have them visit and showed them all of his toys and how he plays with them. He gets along with them great! Then Monday night there was an open house at his school where he got to see his different classrooms and explore with a "scavenger hunt". He got a "special" preschool haircut and new school clothes. There has sure been a lot of preparation on our family's part and his teacher's part to make this transition easier and to make him comfortable.

This morning I could not take him to preschool which was a little sad for me. It is one of those milestones as a mother you hope to be a part of. But if it couldn't be me- the next best person is Creighton's best friend, grandpa! But surprise- daddy got to leave work for a few minutes to see Creighton attend his first day of school!

I worried about him all morning, Will he make friends? Will he wonder where I am? Will he have fun? Will he listen? Surprise- I was able to pick him up from school because I had a patient cancel. When I picked him up though, he told me that he did not have a good time and he did not want to go back ever again. I was so sad but tried to stay positive. All he wanted to know was if it was time to go back to grandpa's house.

Then I worried even more about him that afternoon.

But a little time to process the morning helped I think because when I went to pick him up he was telling grandma how "awesome" preschool was and then later when Grandma and Papa called he told them it was "so fun" and that he was going back tomorrow.

I really hope this will be a good experience. I know that it will be. He needs the structure and to spend time with other kids and begin learning to take direction from someone besides his parents and grandparents. 

His school, Leapin' Lizards, is wonderful and I am already so impressed with the schedule and learning centers and all that he will be offered there. 

I hope to be able to blog in May 2015 about his wonderful experiences in preschool over this coming school year!