Caleb's program and celebrating the End of School

Caleb finished his 2nd grade year with a wonderful program. His favorite song from it was Lean on Me, and he memorized his part with out telling us that he had one. He's had such a good year and grown and learned so much.  He even started multiplication and fractions this year...and he's actually excited enough about it that he brought home two math workbooks that he wants to work in this summer.  If I didn't know better, I would swear he wasn't related to me.  But I am glad that he's excited about math.

He loved his teacher this year and was sad when she announced that she'd be teaching at a different school next year.   

After school on Wednesday the kids (mostly our social Felicity) wanted to invite friends over, and I wanted to try out something I'd seen on Pinterest...a water balloon pinata! But instead of groping them all together, we hung them all over the tree. They looked like colorful rain drops falling from the tree and lasted about that long. The kids and some friends had so much fun, I think we can call this a success (even though it takes a lot longer to hang them than to pop them!) and do it again.

Friday was the last day of school, so my three little helpers (hmmmm) helped me get ready to welcome Felicity and Caleb to summer!

Always excited and a little sad for the last day of school, but they had fun breaking through the streamers so we could officially start summer--first thing is otter pops!

Next we finished gathering everything for the first camping trip of the year.  We just got a tent trailer and were so excited to try it out.  Farris got off work early and we headed up Diamond Fork Canyon to find a camp site.  Of course, it was Memorial Day weekend and we hadn't reserved a site so it took a little (a lot) of driving to find a site that was empty but we were really excited to find a place that wasn't packed with people and was at a trail head.

We quickly set everything up and went for a hike before the rain started!  We got hit by a few drops but what smells better than rain in the mountains in the spring?  Abigail was in a carrier backpack and loved looking around at all the trees, especially because she got to munch on graham crackers. 

After a dinner of tin foil dinners and peach cobbler (it's always surprising how much you can eat in the mountains) we roasted marshmallows for s'mores.  And then after pjs were on we did a un-camp like thing and watched a movie on the laptop.  In the morning the clouds were still threatening and a cold wind had come up so after breakfast we packed up and headed home, making plans for all the future camping trips we'll take this summer.  So ready for summer!  So excited for swimming and camping and water fights!  Bring it on!

Beginning of End of School Stuff

The end of the school year always brings lots of activities, field trips, and programs.  This week has been a little crazy, and we still have one more week to go!  Felicity went to the This is the Place State Park (her teacher took a picture of her next to the Burnett Cabin, our ancestor's cabin.) 

Joseph went to the Hogle Zoo.  Oh, the craziness that is the Kindergarten Trip to the Zoo!  I didn't get to go this year...I love going, but it's almost a relief that I had an excuse!  They both had fun, anyway.  Caleb had an All-Second Grade Kickball game that he was so excited about, it was boys against girls.  He's not sure who won, but he had much fun playing.

Another kindergarten tradition is the Kindergarten Store.  Each kid makes 10 things, labels them as $.05 each and brings fifty pennies.  Then they get to shop each others stuff and bring home ten new things and fifty new pennies.  I got an idea from the Parents magazine website and we made clothespin airplanes.

http://www.parents.com/fun/arts-crafts/kid/simple-wood-crafts/?page=4

I did the gluing (he tried to help but burnt his finger on the glue) and he painted.  It kept him busy for about an hour and a half and since he did it outside there wasn't much of a mess.  I have a feeling we're going to more of these projects

Felicity's class did the play "The Lion King" and Felicity was Nala.  She worked really hard memorizing her lines and was so excited when it was time to perform.  I painted her face before she left for school that day and she wouldn't wash it off the rest of the day. 

Getting a snuggle from Seth.  Every time one of the lionesses came on stage, he'd ask:  "Is that Sissy?"  He was pretty excited for her.

Joseph's Kindergarten Graduation.

He likes to pose for the camera, what a funny kid!  He's grown so much this past year, it's incredible. His teacher says he's so friendly with everyone, it doesn't matter what table she puts him at, he still finds someone to talk to.  Not sure if that's a good thing...  We've also been stopped at the grocery store with some little boy waving excitedly "MOM! That's Joseph!"  He's a major celebrity in the kindergarten world.

 His teacher did a marvelous job, we're so sad she's going to another school this next year. 

Here's our kindergartner!! Good job, Joseph!!

 Felicity's program was later in the day on Friday.  This year they learned about the history of Utah, starting with dinosaurs, moving up to the native tribes from this area, the pioneers and mountain men and then on to each individual county.  Felicity's favorite song?  The Beaver Song.  You'll have to ask her for a performance the next time you see her.

Lissy's teacher did a great job this year, too.  Thanks to all our wonderful teachers!

I realize this was a very Joseph and Lissy heavy post, but Caleb's program is next week, and he's having all his fun things next week, too (water day, PPPPP Party), plus his baptism is in just two weeks.  Here's the picture I took for his announcement:

Such a handsome kid!

  I seem to be only writing these posts about once a month...well, better than never!

Today I get to write as I listen to the kids and Farris make dinner and clean the kitchen for Mother's day.  Love it!

We had Stake Conference in the middle of April, and at the adult meeting on Saturday (by the way, the adult meetings are wonderful!) we were encouraged to take our children to the temple often.  We hadn't for awhile, so for FHE we took them to "touch" the temple.

Of course, they have to splash, err...enjoy the fountains.

Even Abigail got in on the action!

I do hope that they will grow up with the temple as an integral part in their lives, and I'm glad that we live close to so many so they have many chances to be touched back.

From 3rd grade to 6th grade (I think) the kids can do events in the Hersey's Track meet.  We've gone the last two years to cheer on Felicity.  This year she ran the 50 and 100 meter races and did the softball throw.  We were only able to watch the 50 and the throw, but Felicity was having fun. 

We're proud of our Lissy Lou!!

Abigail turned 9 months the other day, crickey! She's had a busy month.  Her first two teeth have popped out--we often see her rubbing her tounge back and forth over them.  She's gone from sort of crawling to a full fledged mover, inluding in Sacrement meeting.  Whoops. She's even started pulling herself up on everything, she is so determined to join the kids in their noisy games.  Her love of dancing is very entertaining, she even was rocking out to some people singing Happy Birthday in the park, and even joined in on the clapping at the end.  She does love music.   Her biggest adventure ended with my heart pounding and a carpet burn on one cheek:  she rolled all the way down our stairs.  We are so grateful that all she got was a red cheek, and we're all better at making sure the gate at the top is closed all the time.  She makes us giggle with her inquisitive personality and wiggly ways.  Love you sweet baby!