Lorin Lovin' Life

APRIL FOOLS! and on to 4th grade

2010-08-27T10:16:00.000-07:00

Though I am writing this in August, Lorin's April Fools Day was noteworthy enough to go back in time and tell a good story:

Thanks to my auntees growing up, April Fools day isn't complete without a memorable trick. And thanks to last year's AF (which included Lorin in the tub, and me telling her a kid just stole her bike out of our garage...encouraging her to get dressed in whatever she could find and run after him) I knew Lorin was a good sport and seemed to get a kick out of it all.

So...this year I came up with a plan, emailed her teacher the night before and ran it by Cory to make sure I wasn't going too far. The next morning I told Lorin "Your teacher emailed me and said that it's Sherlock Holmes Day at school today--all the kids are suppose to come to school with a mustache." "Really?...cool!" was the response. The pictures above show plenty. What they don't show is Cory taking the pics while he's laughing it up and me, in my pregnant glory, giggling the whole time I'm using my eyeliner pencil to draw it on. There was "Why are you guys laughing" from Lorin and amused looks from Izzy and Ryan.

This is how it went in my mind the night before: she will barely get there on time, head straight to class, her teacher (forewarned remember) will tell her April Fools! from Mom and she will wash it off. Done.

On the contrary, according to Lorin and the other eye-witnesses I was able to interview, here's how it went: I forgot I had to be to Izzy's cancer appointment that early and so dropped her off 15 min before the bell--just enough time to be questioned by her classmates in which she replied "It's Sherlock Holmes day, didn't you know?" They, of course, thought they must have missed the memo. Meanwhile she and a friend get asked by the office to appear on the Morning News that will be broadcast in every room via TV to wish Mrs. Gullickson, her teacher, a happy birthday. On my way to Plano, I am sweatin' it, wondering if I had gone too far this year. I even tried to call Mrs. G to make sure she was laughing and not crying, but to no avail. Her appearance at class created the exact response I had anticipated with the teacher saying April Fools! and Lorin going "Moooooooooom!" Before she could wash it off (and it was very washable) she got scooted out the door to P.E. She sat on the floor criss-cross-apple-sauce to listen to instructions with her class and the other class that joined them. She put her elbow on her knee and then her hand up to her mouth--licking and discreetly wiping...deflecting questions with "What are you talking about? I wasn't on Morning News!" On her way back to class a 5th grader asked her "Hey aren't you the girl that had a mustache?" to which she responded, "Oh no, that wasn't me, it was my twin sister...her name is...Sara...she's in Mrs. Heiner's class." He totally bought it and questioned no more!

I finally finished with Izzy's doctor, and raced back to Wellington Elementary in time to have lunch with Lorin. As soon as she saw me she ran and gave me a big hug. Whew! I was relieved! We chatted in the hall for a while about how it all went down. She mentioned it was the most embarrassing thing ever and I apologized. To my surprise she told me she was glad I did fun things like that. When we went into the lunchroom to sit by all of her good friends, they were laughing it up and saying "that mustache was awesome!" and "I wish my Mom did stuff like that." OK, I'M NOT MAKING THIS UP! They really did say that! Before Lorin ran off to recess she told me I was the best mom ever. REALLY, I'M NOT KIDDING!

Needless to say, she is quite the amazing girl. I really could not / would not have done that to just anyone. It will go down in the April Fools history book though, huh?!

This is her and her daddy-daughter Invention Convention project.
This is the morning of the first day of 4th grade (1st for Izzy). Another quick story...2 days into 4th grade Mrs. Alday asked for people to pick their opposite gender partner for science lab. Boys choice. None of them would choose (cooties much?!), so she opened it up to the girls. Lorin was the only one who raised her hand and said, "I want Jeff" very unaffected and matter-of-factly. Her teacher replied, "Wow, you are very mature, Lorin." She was pretty proud of that later. I asked her why she chose Jeff and she said it was because he's the smartest boy in the class.

As much as I feel bad about how tough we have been on our first born, she has turned out to be one awesome girl!

Lorin's Baby Boys

2010-02-01T06:45:00.000-08:00

Lorin has fallen in love with her baby boy cousins! Who can blame them for falling in love right back. With Lorin's energy and fun-loving spirit their aint no lil' buddy she can't keep happy and comin' back for more. And honestly, who can blame her back...look how cute these little guys are! All born within 7 months of each other:

Caleb

DonavanLuke (I can't believe I don't have one of him with Lorin--slacker photographer! But he too has had many cousin Lolo adventures.)

OK, admittedly "Jakester" enjoyed her better reading books than going wild crazy on the trampoline

...though he's not complaining in this shot :)

She claims to have taught Caleb how to crawl and walk. Swim next perhaps?
A favorite game Lorin invented.

She has wanted a little brother for as long as she can remember and since I found out I was prego, she has been patting my belly goodnight and calling it "Zach." Call her a fortune teller (not necessarily with the name however), but she will have her own baby boy in 3 short (unless you're the pregnant lady...long) months.

Scary Skeleton

2009-11-02T06:39:00.000-08:00

Mother Hen

2009-10-18T18:38:00.000-07:00

It was kind of crazy sending Izzy off to kindergarten on her bike, but honestly, with Lorin by her side every step of the way (and I mean that to the extreme), I really wasn't nervous. Lorin has learned (because I've forced her to) to clean up my whole house if I ask, to bathe her sisters...just about anything I ask her to. Naturally, she has learned to be somewhat of a responsible mother hen.

My friends who see Izzy and Lorin on their way to school often tell me how great they are together. Lorin will be dictating instructions to Izzy from behind her on her bike the whole way to school--every twig, bump, crossroad, puddle or curve, Izzy knows about it ahead of time (and she is in front!). And then when they get off their bikes Lorin helpfully grabs the handle on the top of Izzy's backpack and lifts as they walk--you know--to relieve the heavy burden. Now how cute it that?!

I have been a tough mamma on Lorin--to the point of feeling bad about how strict I was. I will have to say though . . . she is one great kid!

4th of July Baptism

2009-08-17T20:33:00.000-07:00

Lorin had been thinking of this day for as long as she could remember. It finally came and couldn't have turned out more beautifully. Great Grandmas Walker and Costley were both there even! Grandma Kofoed gave the talk on baptism and told a funny story about Lorin turning her Mom's hair white with her sins--a story of which she repeated the next day at church during her testimony. Grandpa Costley gave the talk on recieving the Holy Ghost and used a tuning fork as the object lesson--she got to keep it and thought it was the coolest. Just before getting baptised Lorin and Izzy sang a duet "I want to be a Window to His Love" and sounded as sweet as could be with their arms around each other. Her daddy then baptised her and she felt "so warm and clean." She then asked "I wander what my first sin will be?" I was a beaming mother and so proud of her beauty. As we talked about the Savior's example that morning, I could tell she was ready. What an amazing gift!

Lovin' being 8!

2009-06-04T06:39:00.000-07:00

8 years old has been a much anticipated age for Lorin due to the excitement of finally being old enough to get baptised! She is awaiting that special day on July 4th in Utah.

Meanwhile she's livin' it up. She loves school! Loves soccer! Loves volleyball! Loves swimming! Loves wrestling (and pinning) tough boys and her Dad! Loves playing with friends! Secretly enjoys piano! Loves riding her bike! Loves her sisters! Loves life! Seriously.

She convinced me she's old enough to get her ears peirced. We decided to jump on it due to it being the one completely feminine thing she has chosen to do amidst all her self proclaimed tom-boyness. She mentioned it hurting a little when it happened. It was Izzy who got the horrified look on her face (while covering both ears with her hands) and the funny reactions from the window shoppers.

What a girl!

A Heroic Tale

2009-03-03T19:04:00.000-08:00

Upon a warm day at the culdesac I say to Lorin, "just let Izzy try your remote control car..." with lots of reasons to deflect Lorin's complaints about Izzy not knowing what she's doing with it. With a "fine, but just for a few seconds" out of Lorin, Izzy licked her lips and took the controller in hand. I am not kidding, she pushed the lever and we all watched in horror as it headed straight for the huge street drain (Texas style street drain--you can't see it just below the curb, but a 5 year old child could easily slip down the big slot). Lorin and I let out a few squeeks and I think I said "stop her Cory" since he was the closest to Izzy. But it all happened so fast and before we knew it the car was gone with an echoing clack after a long fall.

Lorin ran to the drain in all her dramatic glory, fell to her knees, put her fists to the top of her head and let out blood-curdling "no....no....no" and on and on. Meanwhile a classic Izzy moment--not a word or change in expression.

"I think it's gone" came from Cory. I mentioned the possibility of holding on to Izzy's legs to see if she could reach it--not thinking too clearly--perhaps a bit unnerved by Lorin's wretchings. But we could still hear it down there when we pushed the lever on the controller, and we determined it had turned over onto its back. So we decided to pass an Operation Remote-Control Car rescue bill. After 5 or 6 trips back and forth from the garage, we came up with the right assortment of tools (many not pictured) to get the man-hole opened and a ladder. Here's where, according to the fair madens watching, a hero emerged. Cory climbed deep into middle-earth and re-appeared triumphant, remote-control car in hand...never again to be an ordinary dad...rather a real-life hero!!

Lorin noted a stronger family bond shortly thereafter!

Crazy Hair Day

2008-11-19T13:32:00.000-08:00

Lorin's morning routine: Gets herself up way too early and has herself dressed, fed, hair fixed, lunch made, and piano practiced (which is when I wake up) 1/2 hour before she heads off on her bike to school. On crazy hair day I helped her so we also had time for some homework.

Second grade at Wellington Elementary has been a lot of fun for Lorin. They really keep her on her toes. It has been great to see her enjoy learning and getting all responsible. She helps me a ton at home. I'm afraid I've made her grow up too fast--a mother's got to worry about something, right?

Sunday Talk

2008-10-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

Lorin was asked Saturday evening to give a Primary talk on Sunday. I mentioned that the more she practiced it, the more comfortable she'd be in delivering. She took that to heart and practiced about 30 times before church. I couldn't have been more proud as Lorin stood up in front of about 150 primary kids and teachers and delivered a completely memorized 2 minute talk complete with exciting voice inflection and personal application on how to "Love God with your Heart, Might, Mind, and Strength." Then Izzy got called up to be spotlighted (where Lorin was sitting at the stand) and Lorin gave her a sweet smooch on her way back to her seat. Later that night Lorin prayed that we'd serve God with the above-mentioned actions. What a good girly.

Just a cute shot of the two women who rule the roost :) ha ha!

Poor Lorin :(

2008-10-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

A little horsin' around with Dad lead to a split eyebrow and an Insta-Care run for her and mom. Thanks to liquid stitches (aka glue) Lorin didn't have to face her worst nightmare (at least that's what she made it sound like all the way there) and get stitches. Out of all the sobbing comments on our drive, I think my favorite was "I should never have made that choice to steal Ryan's blankie..." which was what lead to Izzy and Dad attacking in honor of the helpless princess who's Cinderella dress was just too hard to handle on the run. Of course this was about the 20th time Lorin had delivered said offense--no mention of regretting the 19 before. Poor Lorin :(

Lorin lovin' Texas! (and 2nd Grade)

2008-08-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

Staying cool in Texas is hard to do. We spend a lot of time swimming (and of course Lorin is a complete fish), but we also find other ways to stay cool like washing the car and running in the rain:Starting school is never scary for Lorin even in a brand new town and a school with 900 kids. She has an amazing attitude and just gets excited. She got "the nicest teacher in the whole school," Mrs. Kinney and has loved the first 2 days. Our first day was crazy with all those kids who each had 2 doting parents and a sibling or two.
What a cute 2nd grader!

Summer in Idaho and Utah

2008-08-26T14:02:00.000-07:00

Our summer was bitter sweet as Lorin's Grandpa Kofoed passed away amongst so much fun with family in the west. I want so badly for Lorin to remember the 7 years she had with my dad, my hero. She will miss him.

Lorin had quite the amazing summer--3 months to bask in the fun of cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents in Idaho and Utah. Her spunk and fearlessness provide for some memorable moments:
The girls at Bear Lake!
Grandpa held on for dear life when it was Lorin's turn :)
"Say it aint so" from Rock Band was what she sang (yelled) as she bounced up and down.
Abbie, Jocelyn and Izzy made for fun horse-riding companions
Lyndsay, Tyler, and Jaquelyn played with Lor on the tramp for endless summer hours.
Extreme fun Costley style!

Bye Bye Bryant Elementary

2008-04-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

Today was a big day for Lorin as she said goodbye to 1st grade, her amazing teacher Mr. Brines, and her friends. We showed up and partied with the class for about an hour. They all hugged her one by one and shared memories about her. I dare say, next to his own son, Lorin was Mr. Brine's favorite student as he's ready to betroth the two :) She shed some tears on the way home (and so did I). She will miss the awesome school experience she has had in Ann Arbor!

This is where Riley, McKensie (two of her best friends) and a couple boys in her classed danced to a song they made up at recess with the chant "stirin' up the cake...stirin' up the milkshake" over and over. It was hilarious and had a lot of impressive hip action involved!

Kalahari Waterpark and Easter

2008-03-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

We continue to try and party as much as possible with Ann Arbor friends before we move and while Izzy is feeling well. We spent Thursday night in a 3-room suite at an indoor waterpark in Ohio with the Maynors and the Ingmires. We had such a fun time! Lorin, as usual, didn't slow down once. She even went with me (even though she probably didn't quite meet the hight requirements) on the toilet-bowl ride with 6-foot drop at the end!

Always posing :)

We celebrated Ryan's 2nd birthday and Willa's first while we were there.

The girls have loved the Easter festivities!

What a cutie!

Friday Night / Saturday Morning the Easter Bunny came and hid our shoes (a long-time Kofoed tradition) and each girl's treasure hunt notes and dropped off some candy.
(The candy has put them into a trance apparently.)

Disney World: Wishes Do Come True

2008-03-05T09:46:00.001-08:00

We had an amazing trip to Disney World this last week. Thanks to everybody who helped us get excited about and ready for the trip--UM Stars, Disney bucks, Disney toys, Make-a-wish, Give Kids the World and the amusement parks. Lorin's energy level found just the right match for it.

Warning: Slew of pictures to follow.

Monday
We knew that we were in for a fantastic vacation when the limo showed up to pick us up in the morning and take us to the airport.

We spent the rest of the day at the Give Kids the World Village (GKTW) that was a mini Magic Kingdom where we stayed for the whole week.

(They had free ice cream at GKTW, and the shop was open from 7 AM to 9 PM. You can guess how many trips we made there.)

Tuesday
Tuesday we took the Magic Kingdom down to china town. They gave us a permanent fast pass to use on all of the attractions which was incredible, but it also made for a day of little breaks as we went from ride to ride to ride.

(Lorin watching the "Believe and your dreams will come true" parade.)

(A pretty freaky little roller coaster)

(We had a sweet Florida rain storm hit us as we were heading to our car for the night--Yes, I was excited)

Wednesday
We spent another fun filled day at Disney World, specifically Animal Kingdom in the morning and then Magic Kingdom in the afternoon when the girls had their dinner with the Princesses.

Thursday
Thursday morning we spent some quality time with Mickie and Minnie and then headed to Sea World to hang with the dolphins and friends. Lorin was not at all afraid to feed the sting rays and the dolphins. That night GKTW had a Christmas parade during which Santa and Mrs. Claus showed up.

(Dang I look good in this one. The girls were wearing me out.)

(Lorin got to be an angel that handed out candy in the parade.)

Friday
We decided to take a day trip to the East Coast and let the girls get their first taste of the ocean and a little sunburn. That night the girls had a Princess party at GKTW.

Saturday
Our plane didn't leave until 7 PM so naturally we decided to spend some more quality time at Disney World after one last ride on the GKTW carousel. We rode on this carousel literally 5 times a day, every day of the week. I got close to puking a few times. At the Animal Kingdom, Lorin and Izzy got to be in a Lion King Festival show.

An Amazing Trip
After 24 carousel rides, 10 rounds of Buzz Lightyear's Coaster, 2 rides on It's a Small World, 1 ride on every spin in a circle and go up and down attraction, an African safari, Pirates of the Caribbean, Shamu, sting-rays, dolphins, a trip to the beach, 3 days at Disney World and one day at Sea-World our little Izzy's wish was fulfilled and our family has more strength to keep fighting.

Thanks again to everyone who made the trip a reality.

Big Sister No Tooth

2008-01-27T10:36:00.001-08:00

Lorin has been an amazing big sister to Izzy through her hard cancer days. Sometimes if Izzy is not feeling well she asks for "To-to" (her own nickname for Lorin--a spinoff of "LoLo"). Ryan also gets so pumped when Lorin comes bouncing off the bus and wants Lorin to chase her and make her laugh. For me, she has been a huge help not only with the younger sisters, but I can tell she has found cleaning up and helping when I ask kind of fulfilling--she knows she is the only other one (when Dad is gone) that can get the job done quickly and completely. For me, at this time in my life, Lorin's help means the difference between an ok day and a great day!

I just got done helping Lorin yank a tooth while simultaneously taking video of it.

We went to the Detroit Auto Show. Lorin and Dad were very IN to this car.

Jolly Holidays

2008-01-02T05:40:00.001-08:00

Izzy sang a duet with Lorin in our ward Christmas program. I tried to upload the video...didn't want to work. They did the cutest job, standing up there smiling and singing out. Granted there was a little microphone trouble, but they handled it really well. The first verse you could hear Lorin best and the second verse Izzy announced "I want to sing too" and took the microphone in which you could hear her best. Lorin just smiled and kept singing, so it was really cute.

Lorin, LoLo, Squishy and Being Six Years Old

2007-12-17T13:58:00.000-08:00

I'm a little teary eyed thinking of my biggest girl, my oldest daughter, the "funniest person in the family," the "best big sister ever," the "wild one" (and Izzy is the "vegetable eater" and Ryan is "destructo-girl"), the "tom-boy," and the "cool one with Dad and Ryan...and Mom and Izzy are the pretty ones," and I could go on and on.
I wanted to start a blog for Lorin as I have noticed how precious it has been for Izzy to have one (which was started for keeping people abreast of her Leukemia). I can tell a great story about Lorin everyday--so let's get started!

Yesterday we had the biggest snow ever since moving to Michigan. As soon as it hit and Lorin's eyes popped open, she wanted to be out there in it. So for two days straight I have spent a good amount of time pulling on snow pants, zipping coats, and making sure ears are covered. Today Lorin was heck-bent on finding a big snow-hill and Dad knew just the place. After many runs on the biggest hill for Lorin and Dad or Lorin and Mom, the rest of us were ready to go home--cold and tired. Lorin of course was not. So Dad and I agreed she could go on one more on her own. After a fair amount of debating on how she should gitter dun, I convinced her to just pull her feet up on the sled and let it take her....so she did. After about 5 inches, the sled turned backward and she was headed down blind to what lay ahead. Of course she was heading straight for the man-made hugest jump. Cory tried to yell for her to hang on tight--to no avail. This jump launched her and she went sailing backward into the air while the crowd above all let out their cheers or moans or "oh craps" she ended with a hard knock to the head and Cory headed down as fast as he could on the other sled. By the time they got back up the hill Lorin was raving about her adventure..."that was aweeeeesome!" (A common Lorin phrase) and "when I hit, snot flew out of my nose and landed on someone's hat."

And that about sums her up. She is a tough, adventuresome, go-gettin', intense six-year-old. Rather than stating in so many words what kind of kid she is, I will post some good stories every now and again. Hopefully this is a good start! (this is more a scrapbook than a blog--people won't be commenting)

OK wait. I wouldn't do Lorin justice to not mention her extremely loving and tender side. Just a few nights ago in our family prayers, she prayed, "please help Ryan and Izzy to be good girls and please help me to grow up and be just like my Mom." I tell you what, it melted my heart, because I am really tough on her...always have been. She does her best to roll with my constant lecturing (won't mention the spanks) and using her as my motherhood learning tool. She's one amazing girl!