School's Out for SUMMER!!!

The Last week of school was a busy one, but fun!  Monday was Memorial Day.  We got up and went to Camp Floyd for a civil/ revolutionary war camp re-enactment.  Brett went with us.  It wasn't very big, but there were some fun things to see and fun stories to hear.  The doctor had a pretty good one about hard tack saving the life of a soldier.  They also had cannons and guns they would shoot off periodically.  Bradley really didn't like the noise.  They also got to enlist in the army for a short time and have a pretend battle.  Bradley was too busy covering his ears, but Connor and the others really wanted to enlist.  Alan and Connor were part of one army and Brett, Jared, and Lauren were part of another.  At one part Lauren was pretty excited because she shot dad! (They could just fall over whenever they wanted)  We hurried home from Camp Floyd and went on a picnic with Jeff, Elizabeth, Stephen, and Kari.  We decided to go Hobble Creek.  We found a nice park to picnic at.  It wasn't too crowded.  In fact by the time we were leaving (at 5) there were only a couple other families at the whole park.  We had a great time and a fun picnic.  We came back home and made homemade ice cream that evening.

Getting Ready

Learning how to shoot

Connor insisted on getting dressed up too.

and joining the ranks (but I couldn't talk Bradley into it)

Ready for battle

The losing side

Bradley was nervous about the loud noises of the cannon and guns the whole time.

fishing

chowing down

soaked, muddy, and happy

A really funny tree that looked like a bird from the side...with a crazy hairdo.

Tuesday was a fun day at school for Jared and Lauren.  Lauren got to have her kindergarten picnic in the park and practice for the school dance festival.  Jared also got to have a picnic lunch and take a teddy bear friend and blanket to eat on.  He took robot to share his lunch.  He took a peanut butter and honey sandwich because honey is the color of clean oil...that way he was able to share with robot.  Jared also got to have a talent show in his class.  He tried to juggle for them a little bit.  I went to the doctor in the morning too and Jeff came over for a few minutes to babysit while I was gone.  After school we decided to walk home.  For Lauren it was nice, but for Jared we got poured on!

Wednesday Lauren got to take a book to share with some friends in her class.  Jared got to have a jungle bargain sale in his class.  They are able to earn jungle bucks for different things at school.  Then when they have a bargain sale they each take one or two things for other people in their class to buy.  Mrs. Stewart has a few things there too.  I don't remember what Jared brought home, but he always loves it.  Jared and Lauren also got to bring home most of their supplies this day.  We were able to play outside after school for quite awhile.  That night Alan and I went to a marriage class put on by some students doing a capstone project.  If we go to all 4 session then we get a 15 dollar gift card at the end.  I guess that plus the free babysitting and the refreshments were enough to get us to go.

Thursday was the last day of school.  Mr. Giles (the custodian) asked us if we would be a pre-show for before the dance festival started.  Alan took a couple of unicycles and we juggled before it started.  Jared was also able to come ride his unicycle for a few minutes too.  Brett got there to see the dance festival and watched Bradley and Connor while we juggled...and ran to the car to get Jared's unicycle.  Lauren did great in the Jell-O dance and Jared was good at the Chinese ribbon dance too.  Alan had to hurry to work right after Jared's dance, but Brett was able to stick around and watch all the grades.  After the dance festival school is over.  You go pick up your child at the classroom and SCHOOL'S OUT FOR THE SUMMER!!!!!  Jared was pretty sad that the school year is over.  He had a good teacher and some good friends in his class.  Lauren was more vocal about being sad and missing her friends and Mrs. Porter.  Thursday afternoon we just relaxed and played outside.  That night was the first quad potluck of the summer.  It was small since it was the first one, but still fun.

J-E-L-L-O

jell-o jell-o say hello

Chinese ribbon dance

Friends we'll miss!

Mrs. White (one of the aids in Jared's class) and Jared

Mrs. Stewart and Jared

Mrs. Porter and Lauren

some of the crazy construction around campus

Friday we just had a nice relaxing day.  One of the first with nothing on the calendar.  We played in the morning and cleaned up.  Jared was excited that he was able to go to the office to pick which bread we got.  In the afternoon we went ice skating.  Alan took a break and went with us and so did Brett.  We had a fun time skating and these guys did great.  Bradley was even brave enough to go short distances by himself.  We didn't try to have Connor skate.  He really wanted to so I let him take just a few steps on the ice with his shoes on.  After that he was more content to just sit with one of us and watch.  We skated for almost 2 hours!  I don't know how these guys can last so long.  Alan came home and ate dinner with us then went back to work.

Just getting started

getting the hang of it

Winning the race around the rink

Bradley braved a few steps on his own

Saturday  Alan went to work.  We went to the Summer reading kickoff at the library and the book sale there too.  We got The New Kid on the Block and these guys have enjoyed reading the funny poems in the book.  We have since checked out some other books like Where the Sidewalk Ends and other funny ones and these guys have loved it.  In the afternoon Jared, Lauren, Bradley, and Connor helped Jeff and Elizabeth wash their car while Brett and I went to Winco.  We ate a quick dinner when we got home from the store and then picked up Alan to go to the Men's soccer game.  Brett met us at the game after a little while.  We didn't stay until the end since it was getting so late and Connor needed his diaper changed.

Sunday Bradley got to give the scripture in Primary.  He did a really good job.  I just played piano in primary, but we started learning When I Am Baptized.  Since it was in the program last year they all pretty much know it so it was more of a review.  The rest of the day was normal and a good day.

The sun was bright!

The flowers were amazing!

It was a really fun week, but we are all super excited that it is Summer vacation!  We have lots of fun things planned this Summer!