Category: Lily

Lily was excited to be the host of her first whoville party. She even helped me come up with the rhyme we put on the invitations: "Don't be a grinch, it's really a cinch. just come to my late night whoville, you'll even get a free meal. There will be games and a movie, it will be really groovy." They were also invited to wear pajamas, bring a gift for a gift exchange, and wear a "who" do (if desired). She decided to invite 12 girls! I consented thinking that they all wouldn't be able to come last minute (she handed the invites out the day before). But to my surprise they all came – in fact, we ended up with an extra girl who was spending the night with one of the invited. I had 14, nine and ten year old girls here!  It was loads of fun and giggly and loud.  I really love this age.

Games played were Christmas Pictionary, Musical Max (they passed stuffed animal Max around in a circle and whoever was holding Max when the music stopped had to sit out), Hide the Grinch was their favorite. It is basically played like the Hot/Cold game. One girl went out of the room, the rest of the girls hid the Grinch stuffed animal and when the girl came back into the room they group sang, "Jingle Bells" loudly the closer they got to discovering the Grinch and softer if they walked away from the Grinches hiding spot.

p.s. Interesting to note that the girls weren't all that interested in watching the movie – they wanted to play instead.

Lily also participated in her school Christmas Program. She was such a cute doll!

Lily participated in her first fall piano festival. She had spent many hours refining and perfecting her pieces and it paid off! Her nice ritardandos, good rythmn and wonderful dynamics were spot on and best of all she had fun. The judge gave her a 99. She played "Mr. Jazz Man" and "Dance of the Marionettes".  She was also able to play the grand piano in the foyer of the BYU-I Snow Building, something (I think) she has wanted to do. Her recital was the following night. Her new piano teacher is Holly Miller – Lily and I both love her!

I was lucky enough to get to help out at Lily's Class Party this Halloween. Her party was on my anniversary and Lily asked if I should wear a dress and look fancy since it was my anniversary. I said I'd pass. 🙂 She was also concerned with the fact that I had lost my voice. On Tuesday I woke up hoarse and unable to use my full voice. When she came home from school and we looked at different options for the party she asked several times, "do you think you'll get your voice back before Thursday?" I think she was worried I'd get sick and not be able to come OR maybe she was worried about being embarrassed. Either way, we were covered because I got my semi-normal voice back Thursday.

She decided we should do a spooky & gross game because the boys would think it was cool. We decided on the Ghoulish Guess game. Students had to put their hand into a hole in a box and feel random items and decide what it was – I gave them 2 choices to help the game go more quickly. It helped. It was soo funny to watch their faces and see their reactions when I told them the different choices and they touched it. Lily got some gross objects to feel – Dracula's Heart & Eyeballs…. It seemed to be a hit even though it was scary for a few – I don't think I scarred anybody for life.

Mostly I loved being there with Lily. Life is going by quickly and she is doing such great things in life. She is a fabulous student and very concerned with following the rules. The teacher she has is perfect for her….she comes home to play school with Olivia and I see the things she is being taught. She teaches Olivia all that she knows – book smarts and street smarts. Olivia is a luck girl to learn from Lily.

Lily was very disappointed that her school didn't participate in any sort of spirit days during homecoming week. She was confused each morning when Mason and Lexi came dressed up in their designated attire to soak in the school pride, yet she was given no direction. She asked more than once, "WHY NOT OUR SCHOOL?"

Well her time has now come. The scholastic book fair has made its way to Central Elementary and with it a list of things to do each day to go along with their "Hero" theme. Today was Grandparent's Day and she dressed up as one of her Grandparents. The instructions given to parents were "simple costumes with no help from parents." Since I haven't been feeling too great I wasn't very on top of things to remind her to dress up last night. I shouldn't have been surprised (because Lily is very particular and responsible) to see her dressed up in a white shirt and tie this morning at breakfast. She proclaimed that she was, "Grandpa Baldwin – a school teacher." She wanted to tuck a hand crafted pen that he made her in her pocket but I had to draw the line, we couldn't risk something like that getting lost! (Somehow she didn't put seminary teacher (Grandpa Parker) and school teacher in the same pot – even after we mentioned it?) She communicated to me at breakfast how she felt disappointed that she could only be one grandparent and rationalized that she could be a missionary too, because ALL of her grandparents were missionaries (lucky girl!). It was a bonus and extra special treat to have both Grandpa & Grandma Parker show up at school for lunch with pizza. It was the highlight of her day. Grandparents have a lot of work keeping up with all of their grand kids – we feel grateful for all of the sacrifices made to make the little people in all of our families feel special.

Lily finally talked us into getting her hair cut. She has been asking for several months. I finally decided she must really want it short.

We went to Paul Mitchell Hair Academy with Brooklyn as the hair stylist. Lily felt so special and pampered for the 3 1/2 hour it took! She hasn't ever had the opportunity to go a salon  (if that is what we are calling this).

She loves it has hasn't missed her long locks.

She is a cutie with long or short hair. We love her!

Comments:

Michelle said…

Wow Lily-cute hair! I love it!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 10:23:44 PM

jessie said…

I love it!!!I just got one too!
Friday, July 30, 2010 6:37:52 PM

Lily said…

Jessie, thanks. I want to see a picture of yours!
Sunday, August 01, 2010 6:42:34 PM

What would we do without her? She is one of a kind!

Lily has been taking swimming lessons and has now officially passed her mother. She is doing flips in the water and side breathing – even the breast stroke. I have loved watching her become more and more confident in the water…it gives me hope that maybe I can be like her someday.

Way to go Lily.

Lily recently wrote an awesome poem for Family Home Evening about the Sacrament. I am planning on sending it to the Children’s Friend…be in the look out for it sometime! She is going to be famous. 🙂

She also participated in her first track meet – Hershey’s Track and Field. She did the standing long jump and 50 & 100 meter dashes.

Trying to run to the end of the rainbow	Lily made up a show about “kindness begins with me”.
Lily is a great nanny to Olivia and teaches her all that she knows!		Lily heard me talking about how my mom would hate to see all of the bird poo on the headstones. When we were loading up the car we looked back to find her trying to clean the headstone of my Grandpa & Grandma Beattie. She is a very intune & sensitive gal.
Crimped hair from Lexi

Comments:

Michelle said…

Wow Lily-you have been busy. I love how you are such a good sister and so talented.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 9:13:35 AM

Anne and Sami said…

Lily that looks like so much fun!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 2:29:20 PM

Lily began looking up scriptures for the Scripture Cookies found in the March Children’s Friend today during sacrament meeting. Alexis, sitting next to her, decided to help her out. When the meeting ended they both asked if they could make them after church – I’m sure their fasting made the prospects of eating the cookies more delectible. I was happy to let them, especially when I saw the sparkle in Lily’s eye. They reminded me that they did not want lemon extract & dried fruit in their cookies – they would be substituting coconut extract & chocolate chips like any respectable kids would do.

So after dinner they set out to make the cookies unassisted. They had fun (Olivia even got in on it) managing the kitchen on their own, but were a little deflated with their deflated cookies. Apparently the recipe should have called for more flour?! Mason and JT thought they were swell though.

Lily came home from school a couple of weeks ago with a note in hand and excited expanations that there was a cheer camp coming up. She really wanted to particpate, "please, please?" She was very excited do something like her big sister Lexi, and also wear blue & white…Lily really has the Digger Pride! She was able to attend 3 after school practices and perform at the High School Basketball game last Friday Night during half time. She made such a cute little cheer leader.

This past weekend Lily was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. December 5, 2009, was a memorable day. Many family members were able to attend and show their support – I’m sure Lily felt very loved. She was excited to be baptized in the dress that Grandma Baldwin made for the girls at our house. (Alexis wore it previously) As we were pulling out that dress to see if it would fit well she noticed the dress that Alexis was confirmed in and then the dress that I wore to my baptism. When I asked her she wanted to do for her dress, she asked if she could wear mine and that is what she did. It was so cute on her and such a nostalgic moment for me personally.

Before she went to the Church to get baptized Saturday morning, Stephen showed her the baptism video he had been working on for her. I also gave her the testimony book I had been working on, complied from testimonies of many family members. It was fun to watch her excitement and delight. I love it when my children get a moment to feel special – all on their own. It was a wonderful time for the rest of our family to realize what a better person we are because of Lily.

She was the only child from our ward to be baptized and our Bishop forgot about her baptism. We had to wait for a little while for him to show up. He felt so badly about this. While we were waiting for him to get there Lily started getting more and more nervous, she wanted to know why she just couldn’t get baptized without him? It also gave her a little extra time to wonder if the hair floaty she detected earlier in the water would still be there, and how to tuck her dress in between her legs so it wouldn’t float up in the water. Also to wonder if the water was getting too cold. I tried extra hard to distract her with lots of positive vibes and it seemed to work. 

Both Grandpa Baldwin and Grandpa Parker were the witnesses. All of her worries were washed away with her as she stepped inside of the font (that is except the worry of the water being cold – which became a reality). Stephen and her knew just what to do and with a few powerful words in a sacred prayer she became an official member of the church. I met her as she exited the baptismal font and helped her change her clothes and she shivered profusely. She had a pure smile and bright shiny eyes and such a happy countenance, I recognized what a privilege it was to be in her company. We were so fast changing that she beat Stephen getting dressed. Many uncles were there to stand in the circle as she was given the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

After congratulations were received the clan headed to our favorite restaurant in town – Bajio. It was quite a crowd!

Stephen and I appreciated everyone who took time out of their busy lives to show their encouragement and love toward our little girl.

 

Comments:

Grandpa and Grandma Parker said…

It’s so good to be part of the true church on the earth today. Lily will be a great addition to the already great Sugar ward. It was fun to see her excitement.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009 9:16:03 PM

michelle said…

What a special day for a special girl. We are so proud of your decision to be baptized. We sure wish we could have been there. Thanks for sharing the fun pictures.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009 9:25:15 PM

Dad said…

You made a great choice Lily. I am so happy to see you walking in the ways of the Lord.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 9:15:30 AM

Lily finally made it, she wouldn’t accept that she was 8 years old until 3:24PM today.  We were talking with Bishop Hymas and he asked her if she was 8 now, an she replied nope not until 3:24 PM.  I thought to myself she is pretty set on being 100% honest, and good for her.  She is set for her baptism date of Dec 5 and she so excited, I wish I could capture her spirit and share it here.  She can be heard often playing "When Jesus Christ was Baptized" on the piano, and adding little twists to it to jazz it up a bit.  I love it you can hear her excitement as she plays and smiles.

Jodi held a great birthday party for her with a long list of her closest friends.  She even invited one boy :-).  They each made their own little dish of Lasagna, baked it and ate it.  The house was like having 10 blenders and vacuums on at once, 10 little girls and one little boy can get pretty giggly and loud.  I would call it Chaos when I was trying to lead them in a game.  They had fun and that is the important part,

This morning Lily woke up happy and excited again, she opened the gifts from her siblings and Mom and Dad, she was a real treat to watch.  She was so excited when she opened each gift, but I think the Scriptures from Mom and Dad took the cake.  To top it all off Grandma and Grandpa Parker came to church with us today to see Lex give her first talk in sacrament meeting and to help babysit as Jodi and I sang in the ward choir.  Lex did a great job, but we will have to hear more from her on that.

Lily was able to Skype Grandma and Grandpa Baldwin this evening and she gave them about a 30 minute concert on the piano of all the songs she is learning.  She received a piano book from her birthday from Grandma Baldwin (via Jodi from the BYUI bookstore ask Jodi how the CTR ring fit Lily sometime) and within minutes she had learned a new song out of it.  She really loves to play the piano and to play on it.

We are all excited for her to be baptized in couple weeks, to make her a baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She will be a great addition to the fold.

Comments:

John said…

What a great little lady. It looks like a good time was had by all. We can’t wait to see you next week. We are so proud that you are getting baptized soon.

Monday, November 16, 2009 9:12:30 PM

michelle said…

Happy birthday Lily-you are a great girl. Looks like a fun party-I love the aprons and hats.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 8:27:23 AM

Patricia said…

Lily, your birthday party looks like you had so much fun. Your Mom did a great job of putting everything together, huh? She amazes me! You look so happy and cute in the pictures. We are sure luck to have you as our grand daughter. You certainly are “grand”. Thanks for playing all of the piano songs for us. It was so nice to see and hear how good you are getting at playing the piano. I can’t wait to see your new music book, too. We are especially excited to come up for your baptism. We sure love you.
Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin
Friday, November 20, 2009 2:20:27 AM