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!

Last Full Week of School!

This last week has been fun with all of the end of school activities.  Last Monday Lauren got to go on a field trip to Hee Haw Farms in Pleasant Grove.  It was kind of a cooler rainy day, but she said they didn't get too wet and had a fun time.  The rest of the day was pretty normal Monday routine.

Tuesday was another fun day for Lauren.  All the kindergarteners (morning and afternoon) went in the morning.  They got to practice the jello dance for the last day of school dance festival.  They also got to meet the first grade teachers and eat lunch in the cafeteria.  Jared also choose to have school lunch that day.  In the afternoon we played outside for along time.  We did squeeze in homework too, but we are looking forward to not having some soon.

Wednesday Alan and I went and juggled for Lauren's class (Bradley and Connor got to come too).  We had a fun time.  The kids always get really into it.  The next day one little boy told me he really liked our tricks and some of them he had never seen before.  Lauren also got to celebrate 2 birthdays in her class.  Between all of the fun things I'm not sure she had to do much of real school.  Bradley Connor and I also went to the library to return Harry Potter 4 and to check out some new books for Jared and Lauren.  They have been working on reading Harry Potter 4 at bedtime for several months and they finally finished it!  It was another nice day and we played outside.  That evening we went to a little marriage class that someone here in Wymount has to do for their capstone project.

Planting a few flowers in the evening.

Helping and being cute!

Thursday we just got some things done around here in the morning.  Lauren got to have circus day.  They dressed up in costumes and performed a little act for their class.  Lauren's act was walking on stilts....she dressed up like a clown.  It is a pretty fun day.  Mrs. Porter also dressed like a clown (complete with wig) and they got popcorn and everyone got to bring home a balloon.  I loved seeing all the kindergarteners come out to leave all dressed up.  One of my favorites was a girl in bib type snow pants (no shirt?) and huge flippers.  There were lots of good ones.  Jared and Lauren both had early release.  We played outside in the afternoon.  Then in the evening we went to the Computer Science Barbeque.  It is for faculty, alumni, and grad students.  It is always a fun little party.  Jared, Lauren, and Bradley were looking forward to the ice cream bars and pinata.  Alan went back to work after the party that night.

Lauren the clown

Bradley got to make a perler bead creation at a friend's house in the quad....pretty good for a 3 year old.

Friday was field day.  Bradley, Connor, and I went to help out.  We got to be at the parachute station with 3 other parents.  There were 2 parachutes and 2 classes would come at a time and get to play for 10-15 minutes then they would blow a horn and everyone would rotate.  There were also relays, obstacle courses, musical chairs, and a few others I can't remember right off.  Bradley wore a red shirt just like the adults helping, so he felt like he was a big helper.  He was good at throwing the balls back on the parachute when they fell off and making sure Connor didn't wander too far away.  It was sunny and warm!  We were all happy to get our otter pops when it was over.  Since Lauren was almost done with school then we just waited for her.  We came home and had lunch then went back for Jared.  We walked home (like most days this week) and it seemed like most people were already gone on vacation.  Several families around here went places for the weekend too, so the quad seemed quieter than normal that afternoon.  Alan got home around 8, just as we were finishing dinner.

over under

Saturday we cleaned up in the morning and went shopping.  Then in the afternoon Jared and Lauren went to a birthday party at a martial arts studio.  They had fun trying some new things.  They gave the birthday boy some marshmallow shooters and a bag of marshmallows.  (We really should have a huge war at the reunion this summer.)  We were able to make 10 simple marshmallow guns for under 5 dollars.  After the party we played outside some and Alan cleaned the bathroom for us.  Brett came up to play for a bit and had dinner with us.  I love when it is warm enough to eat outside.  I think partly just because it is nice, but partly because we are all eating at a table...or in the grass.  We watched a little more of Bedknobs and Broom Sticks (started it the night before).

Today was just a normal Sunday.  Alan did sub in primary and taught Jared's class.  There were only 3 of them today (so better than the 15 he taught a year ago).  I also did singing time.  We learned the 3rd verse of We Thank Thee, O God, For A Prophet.  We also learned a little about William Fowler (the composer).  Then we played a game with a cootie catcher...some review, some name that tune fun songs.  It was a fun day.  This afternoon we enjoyed eating outside again. Alan went home teaching and the rest of us talked to Ashley and Will for while he was gone.

We are excited for the holiday tomorrow!  And we are really looking forward to later in the week when school's out for the Summer!

No school week for Lauren

Last Monday Lauren just had to go to school for her walking assessment.  Which meant we went with her and went to some centers with her while she showed us what she has been learning all year.  Jeff came and babysat Bradley and Connor so Alan and I were both able to go with her.  She got to come home right after that.  We walked down to pick up Jared (and some neighbor kids we were also picking up that day).  It was super hot!  Over 90.  It was our first day over 90 for the year.  Our first day over 80 was just on the Friday before.  The weather man said that there are usually 38 days between the first 80 degree day and the first 90 degree day.  This year is just weird.  It did feel really hot.  We had snow cones and a water fight when we got home that afternoon.

Lauren didn't have normal school at all last week because of the assessment and testing.  Tuesday was a testing day, but not hers.  She just got to be home all day.  We played and cleaned.  In the morning we also took Brett to the social security office so he could get another card so he can work on campus.  Watch out library custodial crew here he comes!  It was another warm day, but only high 80s :)  In the evening we went to Tate's baseball game at Pleasant Grove High School.  They won.  It was a nice evening for sitting out at a game.

Fields full of dandelions at Tate's baseball game.

Wednesday Lauren did have her testing first thing in the morning.  I went and waited at the school while she did it.  Alan was still home to be with Bradley and Connor.  Mid-day we went to the meeting before ready to learn and got to have pizza lunch there and then stayed for ready to learn.  It was a substitute lady teaching this time (She used to teach several years ago).  She is from Kanab and her dad was Great-Grandma McAllister's home teacher for years.  She also kept chickens in Great Grandma's back yard for a long time.  We walked down to get Jared then played outside and ate popsicles.

Guacamole and black bean and corn salsa for dinner, but no one would sit still enough for a picture!  (Alan tried to take several!)

Thursday our day was totally open (except for Jared's school).  We cleaned up around here, and played outside.  It was nice to eat munch outside almost every day last week.  After school we took the ice shaver outside and shared snow cones with friends.  I thought I had enough ice blocks and I would have for the kids that were out there, but when kids see it from their windows they come out of the woodwork.  I made them for 45 minutes, but of course ran out in the end.  Next time I need more ice and smaller cups.  I think Thursday was the day...you know just one of those days...some how Connor punctured a soda can the spilled in the kitchen, Connor spilled bubbles Bradley had left open in a place Connor could reach, and Lauren and Connor spilled smoothie on the floor.  I don't remember right off which days, but Brett came up to visit several times during the week too.  We always love it when he stops by to say hi.

Friday was another wide open day.  It was a little cooler, so we didn't play outside until after school.  But Jared gets done early every Friday.  Brett came up in the evening and after dinner I cut his hair while the filthy other guys piled into the tub.  It was a good day.

I don't know what I'll do if this kid stops dressing up!

Saturday morning we were able to sleep in a bit.  Alan went running and Jared, Lauren, and Bradley cleaned their room with a little help (ok really a lot of help) from me.  Then we went to the children's book festival at the Provo library.  There was a midevil theme.  They had tons of fun activities for everyone to do.  Making crowns, making other hats, ribbon wands, a maypole, artist to watch drawing, jugglers, cookies, games, puppet shows, and a free book for each child.  From the library we picked up Brett and went to Winco.  After dropping Brett off and our groceries and having a little snack of apples and peanut butter we went to home depot to look at some plants.  Alan let me get some fun ones to have on the balcony this summer.  Mostly flowers, but we did get a dwarf cherry tomato plant (Jeff and Elizabeth gave us a regular tomato plant that had been started at Elizabeth's work) and a few little okra to try to grow too.  When we got home from home depot I noticed the Moore's car in the parking lot and saw some of their kids running in the stairwells up in quad 2.  I said we could go up and say hi.  They were having a ward barbecue to say bye to bishop.  He got released today.  We played for about an hour, but then came home and ate dinner and watched Wall-E.  Brett stopped by about half way through and stayed until the end.

The second time doing the maypole Jared and Lauren were joined by a gorilla.

Several fun characters were there too.

Today was a good day.  I just played piano in primary and Alan wandered the halls with a sleepy Connor.  For singing time we learned more of We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet using Sister  Linton's time machine which all the kids love!  The stake was also visiting in primary today too.  I stayed for just a few minutes after church for a visiting teaching interview and then our home teachers made a quick stop by.  Jared and I worked on 100 piece 3D puzzle.  It took us a while...3D puzzles are hard!  Then Alan pulled out a 1000 piece puzzle we have never done.  We got the border put together, but that's as far as we got.  Jeff and Elizabeth stopped by and told our kids their exciting news.  They were all super excited.  Lauren giggled uncontrollably for quite awhile.  We got a new family scripture today (Alma 32:21).  It has been a year since we started doing a family scripture.  (We have a scripture that we memorize each month as a family.  We say it all together before we read family scriptures and by the end of the month we have it memorized.) I'm not sure we know 12 scriptures since some months we were a little slow about changing, but we know more than we did a year a go.  There have been times in meeting like sacrament meeting and conference when someone uses one of our family scriptures in their talk and the kids get a knowing look in their eye and just smile.  Learning these scriptures has blessed our lives.  We are looking forward to this coming week and warming back up just a little (to the low 80s) since it dropped into the 50s at the end of last week.  There are also a lot of fun things coming up too since the end of school is getting so close.

After church Alan was giving me a piece of chocolate.  Connor walked up and said please...so he got one too.  (We've been trying to get him to say it recently when he wants something, but he doesn't always.  This time it came out very clear though.  He must have really wanted some.)