It's Daddy's Favorite

(As told from the mind of Hallie)

I have a teacher in Primary and she is the candy teacher. She brings us candy and I like her. Today, she let me choose M & Ms or Dots, and I chose the box of Dots because they are Daddy's favorite. I am going to share with him because I love him.

I saw Daddy after church and showed him the Dots. I told him I chose Dots because they are his favorite and that I am going to give him one. He picked me up and hugged me. I love my Daddy.

I got into the van and put on the seatbelt. Now I can open my Dots and eat them and share them with Daddy!

Wait ... THERE ARE ONLY 3 DOTS IN THIS BOX.

I ate a red Dot and a yellow Dot because they are the yummiest. Now there is only 1 Dot in the box and it is green and I told Daddy I would give him one. Daddy hasn't asked for his Dot yet. Maybe he forgot. Maybe I should eat the Dot because he forgot. Maybe Daddy wants me to eat the Dot because he forgot.

No, I promised I would give him one.

Maybe Daddy doesn't know what the Dot looks like. I can pull off just a piece of the Dot and now I just ate it.

Maybe Daddy doesn't know what the other side of a Dot looks like. I can pull off a piece from the other side of the Dot and now I just ate it.

I need to give this Dot to Daddy. I promised him! It's his favorite!

This Dot smells really good. I still want more Dots. Maybe if I just lick this Dot, Daddy won't know.

There, I licked it and the Dot is still green and I put it back in the box for Daddy. I handed the box up to Daddy and told him it was his Dot. I am so happy that I am sharing with my Daddy because Dots are his favorite.

Why is Daddy just looking at the Dot? He has it in his hand and he just keeps looking at it. Doesn't he want my Dot?

There, now Daddy has eaten the Dot. He turned around and says "Thanks Hallie. Dots are my favorite."

I am a very good girl.

Daisy Turns 6!

Or as the kids say... "that's 42 in dog years." We love you girl.

2nd Annual Christiansen Day

Last year Colin asked Mark and I if we could have a Family Holiday. A Holiday that celebrated all that we are. Mark and I thought this would be a fun idea, so "Christiansen Day" was born.We decide on the 2nd week of June, because it worked for our schedule. Our first Christiansen Day was a huge success now it is a family tradition. This year I really got into it and with the help of the kids (before) and Mark (on the day of). It was just what we wished it to be.

We started the day how we start every Saturday this time of year, at a Swim Meet. We were up by 6 AM and out of the house before 7. The meet ran until 11:30 and then we cleaned up and headed over to Rough Hollow where we had barbecue and enjoyed a bouncy Castle and Horses.



We were home by 2 and then on to finishing our preparations. The kids and I filled up the kiddie pool with water balloons, while Mark hid the clues for our Treasure Hunt.

Our 1st Relay Race consisted of

Run around the house
Get a water balloon out of the pool (using just your lower body)

Hula Hoop

Jump rope with a Water Noodle
Potato Sack Race around the House

I made a finish line out of dish towels I found on clearance at Target, some fabric straps, and some canvas.

Water Potato (Hot Potato w/ Water Balloon)



Winning is always fun, but this year losing was just as great. The losers got to throw water balloons at the winner.

We had a Sponge Relay Race, with teams passing a full sponge over their head and then squeezing it into a bucket.

We had a water balloon tossing contest, trying to hit targets from a distance away. We had to go through 3 rounds of sudden death, but Dad finally won.

We added Rock Band to our competition this year. Reagan and Hallie both played the drums for the first time. (Mark: According to the game, TARA was the best singer and best guitar player. Reagan swept the Junior division. I was called the "Most Gutsy" singer; wonder what it meant by that?)

I made this cute bunting to go along with our Race theme.

Caitlyn and all the kids helped bring out the food and set the table for dinner. Mark and I cooked and prepared.

Cool Mint Water

An alfresco Dining was just what we needed after a fun day of play. After dinner we cleaned up and then had a Treasure Hunt to find our dessert (a raspberry Sherbet mixed with chocolate chips in a hollowed out watermelon)

We were then off to watch a movie in the park: "Despicable Me"

We were home by 11:30. We were all tired, but extremely happy.

Happy Christiansen Day

Teachers Gifts

Today is the last day of school and our family's last chance to say thank you to our teachers. I thought long and hard about how to show our appreciation. We had the traditional go in on a gift card, but I wanted to do a little extra. A long time ago Reagan asked if she could have a domino necklace for her teacher like the ones that I've made in the past. I thought now would be a good time to do it, but decided to extend it to all the girls' teachers. This was the first necklace that I made for Caitlyn's teacher Ms. Hawley. It looked cute, but needed a little something more.

Then I remembered these jars which I had found with Mariah when she was last in town. Notice the Number on the side. I called around town until I found a Tuesday Morning which still had enough Number 1's. After all my kids did have the best teachers in Kindergarten, 3rd and 5th grade. I made the cute topper, naming them The Number 1 Teacher, filled the jar with Hersheys Hugs and Kisses and then tied the ribbon through the necklace around the jar.

Of course right as the kids were leaving Reagan tried to pick up her teacher Mrs. Formby's jar and broke it to pieces. Luckily I had this canning jar on hand and was able to remake the gift in just a few minutes. Pretty cute for a last minute exchange.

Reagan's Graduation

Our sweet Reagan has left the cares of kindergarten behind and is off to the exciting world of 1st grade. We are so proud of her and all her accomplishments, but mostly we're proud of how cute she looks in the outfit.