Monday, August 27, 2012

The Zoo Crew

I'm a little backwards. Sorry;)

The day before school started we said good-bye to summer with a trip to the zoo.  My boys are obsessed with maps and have been since day 1.  You would think with as many times as we have been to the zoo, we wouldn't need a map.  But, no. We HAVE to have a map.  Jana and I were trying to get a group picture, but my little map nerds could not pull their noses out of their maps. 
 The new polar bear exhibit at Hogle Zoo is so cool.  I could sit there for hours watching that cute polar bear.  Ava agrees.  After seeing it for the first time, she was immediately in love with it, which brought up all the things in life that she loves as well.  She was sharing this with Aunt Jen and it went something like this, "Jen, Jen you see the polar bear at the zoo?  Its so fluffy I could die. It's so cute and fluffy and rainbows and kittens and glitter and pink.  I love them all.  You love them all?"
She is such a girl.
An interpretive dance of the swimming polar bear. 

We love our zoo friends.  It was a good trip, even though it was a short and hot one.  
'

Back to School


I am not a mom that loves when my kids go back to school.  I like having them around and miss them terribly when they are gone.  I am excited for them, for the experiences they are having and I know it's good for them to get away and learn from others, but it also means they are growing up and becoming more independent.  Sniff, Sniff!

Carter started Pre-Kindergarten this year.  Carter is my most mellow kid.  He is happy to go to school or he is happy to stay home.  Either way, he will find something fun to do. When I picked him up from his first day, I asked him how his day was.  His response was, "Good.  I'll go back." So I guess that means he liked it. Throughout the day he gave me a little more insight as to what his school day looked like.  They read a book about Chilly Willy the Penguin, who is to cold so he moved to Hawaii. They had bananas and pretzels for a snack.  His teachers name is Miss Trisha. And there is a boy named Logan in his class.  I love this little face and can't believe he is almost 5!
 Carter started school before Bennett, which made it fun for Bennett to be able to send him off.
 Bennett started 2nd grade at his new school today.  He is doing a dual immersion program learning french.  Which means half the day will be taught completely in French, no English.  The second half of the day is in English.  He was a little nervous to start this program since he is a year behind the other kids in his grade.  On the way to school this morning he said, "I wish I was allergic to something right now".  Meaning he wanted an excuse to not go.  He is such an outgoing, smart kid.  I know he will catch up and make great friends.  
 Ava felt a little left out, so we had to take her picture.
 My 3 beautiful babies are growing up to fast!
 Oak Hollow had the red carpet rolled out.  Literally, they had a red carpet leading to the front door for the kids to walk up.  It was the royal treatment for these kiddos.  Even the school mascot was there.
 Bennett was cool with everything, until it was time to go in the classroom.  Then he got really nervous and didn't want me to leave.  The mom in me wanted to scoop him up and take him home.  However, the teacher in me knew it was best to walk away and have faith that he would be fine.  I am tearing up just writing about it right now.  Sometimes the hardest things to do as a parent, are the best things for our children.  When he saw me after school he burst into tears.  I immediately burst into tears not knowing what his day had been like and assuming the worst.  It turns out he put his lunch box in the wrong bucket and couldn't find it.  Well that was easy to fix and he has been all smiles since.  


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Bitter Sweet

Today was a bitter sweet day.  This is Bennett with his speech pathologist, Helene.  Bennett has been seeing her since just before his 2nd birthday.  She is his first best friend.  He has spent many hours playing games, talking, singing, laughing, and being completely frustrated with her.  It has been a long road and not always an easy one, but today was our last session.  I am so proud of Bennett. Part of me is jumping for joy, and the other part is sad to see it end.  Helene has been a great friend to me as well.  I am grateful for her knowledge and patience in helping Bennett attain all of his goals that we set.  It has definitely been a group effort, but the biggest award goes to Bennett.  
Way to be awesome, Bennett the Brave!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

LAGOON

So, Lagoon is  not usually my favorite place to go with the kids.  We have spent way to much money in the past at amusement parks (including Disneyland) and my kids are to afraid to ride any of the rides.  So we end up just walking around.  Last year for Scott's work party we left the kids home with Grandma Christy and just Scott and I went.  Well, we got a lot of flack from Scotts coworkers for that, so this time we brought the kids with us.  IT WAS SO FUN! I don't know what happened, but my kids LOVED all of the rides.  They were so brave!  Lagoon is much more fun when you can watch the looks of pure joy (instead of absolute terror, why did you do this to me, mom?) on your kids faces.
 I couldn't believe how outgoing the all were.  Even Ava.  I think she would have gone on all of the rides if she had been tall enough.  After every ride she would shout, "Again".  She sure doesn't take after her brothers.  


 Carter figured out how to let just enough people go in front of him so he could get the green car.


 Scott met us there for dinner and Bennett was so excited to ride some of the "extreme rides" with his dad.  He was a totally different kid.  Here he is on The Bat.  His first big ride, and he loved it.  He is sure growing up.

August 2012

Carter and Ava started gymnastics

Carter rode the train at his new school
(he can't wait to start)

Ava started tap and ballet and LOVES it

We love living in Draper
The paragliding park is just up the hill from us
It is so fun to go and watch them take off and land

July 2012

Wow! July was a busy month.  I'm tired just looking through the pictures.

Breakfast up the canyon on the 4th

Happy 4th of July

Ringo Starr concert with my mom and sister

Draper rodeo in the rain

Mutton Bustin' :(
(If you ever think it sounds fun to sign your kids up for this call me)

Hiking with Dad

Days of 47 Float Preview Party 2012
 Dragon Bennett
 Spiderman Carter (again)
 A Fluffy Pink Kitty for Foofa

Bennett's birthday party at Hangtime Utah

Days of 47 Parade goers



Bennett's Silly Olympics Birthday Party

Girls Night Out at Snowbird

Mountain Scooters for Kent's Birthday

All of Aunt Jackel's Loves 

And Bennett wraps up the month with his 3rd black eye



Monday, August 20, 2012

June 2012

The boys finally learned how to ride their bikes


Ava picked out a cute unicorn helmet
 Ava pooped in the potty. YES!

Bennett's last day of 1st grade

We had an awesome baby shower for Stephanie

A trip to the Church History Museum 

Ava got a balance bike

Happy 7th Birthday Bennett

Waddell Family Reunion at Bear Lake