Kindergarten Graduation

This morning we got up and got ready for Maelie's kindergarten graduation. Her teacher told them they wouldn't have to wear their uniform if they dressed up. Because they were allowed to 'dress up' Maelie really wanted to wear her snow white 'dress up'.

Right before we left for school.

The two kindergarten classes walked down the middle of the auditorium and took their places up front for the program. They sang 4 very cute songs, had awards (Maelie's was best female storyteller), and then we all went back to the classrooms for refreshments. It was really fun and the boys did great sitting. Denver wasn't able to go because of his really ridiculous, phobic patient.

Here we are in the classroom afterwards.

Maelie and her teacher, Ms. McGlynn. I loved her teacher! I haven't always been pleased with the school, staff and some procedures, but I am really glad she had this teacher.

Another person I am extremely grateful for is the assistant teacher, Mrs. Lynch. Maelie loved her! I did too, she was great!

Maelie and Nevaeh, her friend from our ward. I'm really glad she had Kindergarten with her 2 friends from church. It made me less nervous knowing that she knew somebody when she first started.

I got a picture of Maelie with almost all the kids in her class, but I'm only posting the ones that had multiple classmates in them. there are just too many to post them all.

Avery, Maelie, Ellyn

Ivan, Maelie, Ashirah

Johnny, Sean, Maelie, Sameenah

Chloe, Maelie, Joseph

I'm glad Maelie had such a good year. Now she moves up to first grade!

Pleomorphic Adenoma

A couple of weeks ago, I went to get a biopsy on a bump that I have under my right ear. The next day I got the diagnosis. I have a pleomorphic adenoma, which is a benign tumor. Although benign, I have to have it surgically removed because it will continue to grow and can turn malignant over time.

Removal: They'll cut an incision around my ear. It will go into my hairline so it won't leave a very visible scar. My ear will be numb forever, but I will be able to hear out of it, etc. They will remove the tumor, take fat from my stomach, insert the fat where the tumor used to be (so I don't have a big indention) and then stitch me back up. The tumor is in my parotid gland so they will have to remove part or all of it, depending on the size and growth of the tumor. The facial nerve runs through the parotid gland so the surgery is very long and delicate because if it is severed, the right side of my face will be paralyzed. The whole surgery takes about 4 to 5 hours and then they will keep me overnight in the hospital to allow drainage from the area.

Sounds fun, huh. I'm very grateful it's nothing worse, but I still have my days. I just want to look back at everything as the past. I can't have the surgery until after the baby is born so I get to wait and think about it.

Maelie's 6th birthday!

Last Thursday was Maelie's 6th birthday. She went to school like normal, but at around 1pm Garrett, Sterling and I went to her classroom to bring cupcakes. The boys got to sit at the tables and eat cupcakes and drink juice too, which they thought was great. Maelie passed out the cupcakes to her class and they sang to her. It was also Mrs. Lynch's birthday (the assistant teacher). Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of that. :(

For her birthday dinner she chose cornflake chicken and macaroni cheese.

She wanted a strawberry cake. After dinner, she opened her birthday presents. Mrs. Lynch gave her a gift filled with coloring books and crayons. Her class also made her this birthday book.

Clothes and flip flops. YES!

Her spoils. She wanted the Littlest Pet shop for her main gift. When I went shopping for them I was shocked at the price. So expensive for something so little. She loves them though and plays with them everyday. I guess bigger isn't better.

At bed time she told daddy, "I had a great day, Dad."