Back-to-School

Monday we did laundry from the trip and opened a few packages--we had ordered the girls one new pair of pants, a shirt and new socks and underwear in preparation for school this year. Andrew was feeling a little left out so I let him pick one of the new bird socks (it came in a 5 pack so this way the girls each got two and Andrew got one). Oh and I ordered them hoodies since they have outgrown theirs so I had them try those on and fortunately I had bought Andrew a couple of hoodies on clearance at the end of spring because heaven knows he loves his hoodies so I pulled out his new hoodies and he walked around like this for the day.

Then I took the girls in for their annual checkup and Marcus 6 month checkup. I asked a question about whether or not Marcus could come to the clinics for flu shots and they said, we have a shipment in now do you all want to get one and I said, "yes please." So I quickly told the girls they would be getting a flu shot (I had promised no shots--oops) and told them I'd take them to lunch afterwards so they decided on Wendy's so they could get a frosty. There were a few tears and Marcus screaming--it felt like a circus for a bit, but the nurses were awesome and now we've already been immunized for flu this year.

Tuesday afternoon/early evening I dropped the boys off at my cousins house down the street so I could take the girls to back to school night and meet their teachers. It was a fun crazy night. I bought the girls school shirts and we enjoyed meeting their teachers. Both of their class sizes are way smaller than the last couple of years.  Ellie has 22 kids and Lila has 24 compared to 29 the last couple of years (I guess the new school has helped).

This morning I climbed into bed with them and begged them not to go back to school. I'm really not ready this summer has felt too short. They laughed and assured me it was an early out day and they would be home soon.  Steve took them to get their traditional donuts and then I took them to find their class lines and into class for the first time as 2nd and 5th graders.

When I got back Andrew said, "where's the girls?" I told him they went back to school and in Andrew fashion he said, "WHAT?!?"

Every Kid in a Park

With the free national park pass offered to 4th graders we decided to plan a trip to Zion National Park. It would be our little trip this year. I started looking into places to stay in January (because I was not going to camp with a new baby and toddler--ok maybe I just don't like to camp). I made a reservation for a two bedroom place with a kitchenette.  So I began packing last Monday and making food plans for the week.  Tuesday I had to run a few last minute errands and ended up at the grocery store and library with all 4 kids (I think it may have been the first time I'd done that--I usually try to grocery shop in the early morning or after the girls are at school) so I snapped a picture.

Wednesday morning Steve loaded up the car, we said a prayer and off we went. Marcus fell asleep rather quickly and slept until Beaver. So we pulled off there to get some lunch and take a break. Traveling went rather smoothly. We pulled into our hotel and went to check out the room and found this spectacular view waiting for us.

Andrew had been asking when are we going to the beach all week so we grabbed the sand toys and went down to the little beach area that was just a few yards away.

There were deer that came right past us up to the pear tree just outside our room to eat.

Thursday we woke up went down to the hotel breakfast and then headed into the park and were pleasantly surprised to find our hotel was within a 5 minute walk of the park where we took a shuttle to hike Emarlds Pool. I didn't know if we would make the upper pool hike, but the kids did great and so we made it the whole 3 miles round trip up some steep stairs with the kids.

It was hot, getting busy and we were tired so we headed back to the hotel for lunch. Put the boys down for a nap, the girls relaxed and played a game then I took them swimming and the boys caught up with us there a little bit later. Everyone swam until they were even more tired then we called it a night, had dinner and put everyone to bed. Friday morning Steve and the girls wanted to hike The Narrows so we headed down the River Walk trail with everyone which was enjoyable--the squirrels there get fed way too much from people and will come right up to you begging for food (Andrew dropped a grape while we were snacking and one ran under me to grab it at the same time I was reaching for it--freaked me out). I found a nice shaded spot by a little pool for Andrew to play in while Steve took the girls down The Narrows (we'd managed to find sticks for them to use while walking down the trail, but forgot to bring the waterproof case for the phone/camera so no pictures of them in The Narrows).

They hiked about .5 mile in (were gone for 1.5 hours) came back and ate sandwiches out on this little peninsula. 

Then we headed back to the hotel for more lunch, swimming for hours before dinner and bed (kind of a pattern: get up, hotel breakfast, hike, lunch, swim, dinner, bed). Steve and I did manage to hit the hot tub together this evening for a few minutes while the boys slept and the girls watched a movie.

Saturday we could tell the park was getting much more busy and everyone was a little tired so we did a small hike to Weeping Rock.

Then on the shuttle back Ellie asked if they could go to the museum. So Steve took Ellie, Lila, and Andrew to the museum while I headed back to the hotel with Marcus to feed him and put him down for a nap. After lunch I decided to take the girls to the Nature Center while the boys napped. We walked in and around and accidentally got on the Watchmen trail before turning back and getting on the Pa'rus trail to the Nature Center--it was hot and that little extra jaunt was exhausting, but a memory.  They had fun exploring the center, drawing a picture for their Centennial badge that they are going to laminate and display and working on Jr Ranger booklets. 

We stopped at the gift shop on our way back and checked it out then hit a few stores just outside the park where we managed to score smashed pennies for their collections, vanilla ice cream to go with our chocolate mug cookies and some post cards. We got back to the hotel just after Andrew and Marcus had woke up so we had mug cookies with ice cream then went down to the beach to play.  Andrew came and got my hand and said, "Walk with me in the river Mom. I want to hold your hand." How can a momma say no to that.

They seriously played for hours on the beach and at one point were doing ring around the rosie after falling down Andrew started doing sand angels when I grabbed the camera to capture the moment he went running away and stepped on a stick and wouldn't stop crying--I did pull out 5-6 silvers out of the bottom of his foot with tweazers that evening.

Just as I was getting ready to head back in with Andrew and Marcus I heard Ellie who was in the river say, "Uh, mom." I really thought I was going to turn around and see her holding a snake or something, instead she was holding an iphone in a water proof case (we didn't know where to turn it in because people were accessing that part of the river from all over so Steve brought it home and is trying to figure out who the owner is to return it).

Sunday morning we loaded the van and walked into the park to turn in the girls jr ranger books.  Here they are taking their oath--when I looked at Andrew during this he was a few feet away shyly holding his hand up--it was cute so the Park Ranger gave him a sticker. :)

We mailed our postcards and bought them each a coloring book as a souvenir then headed out. We heard several different languages while in the park and the girls asked why and Steve explained that this is a famous site that lots of people from all over the world come to see--they thought it was pretty cool that they were at a famous place. As we were heading out the girls were talking about how much fun they had and that they love Zions and are going to miss it and to be honest I had a little ping in my heart too--it was a fun albeit exhausting trip (Marcus did not sleep well the last couple of nights). They also decided that when Lila gets her 4th grade national park pass in a couple of years (if they determine to keep the program) that we should go to the Grand Canyon--they dream big, but I'm glad they enjoy spending time with us exploring this beautiful world we have!

Sweet Summer

This summer has been full of sweet treats (maybe that's why I haven't been able to lose the rest of this baby weight--hey enjoy the day right). I found this new delicious coconut pecan cookie recipe that may have been made every other week this summer. We've made blackberry/raspberry shakes (mostly fruit with a little ice cream the kids ate up), popsicles (Andrew knows how to open that freezer drawer and get a popsicle, but if it keeps them outside enjoying summer I'm all for it).  One day after picking the girls up from sewing class I took them to get a snow cone. They thought it was great. After we had been enjoying them for a bit Andrew said, "Wait! Where's my dinner?"  I explained I was letting him have a treat before dinner and he said, "WHAT?!?"  It was pretty funny.

The girls did another round of swimming lessons, tennis, sewing class where they made a pillow case and cute bags. Then Mimi took them for a few afternoons and they sewed quilts together.

Ellie competed in the Clearfield kid triathlon again.

Swim: 2:43.3; T1: 2:56.6; Bike: 8:15.8; T2: 17.6; Run: 3:27.7 (she's shaved 30-45 seconds off each year, but has a goal to do it 3 minutes faster next year).


Our sweet neighbor let us come swimming one morning before the activity day girls came that afternoon which I coordinated and we managed to snap a picture of us all in the pool.

I moved the girls into Ellie's room together, Andrew into Lila's old room and Marcus up into the baby/guest room.  I'm hoping the basement will start making progress and we can move the girls downstairs and Marcus into the big room and turn the other room into a craft/sewing room.  For now the girls are good about sharing and Andrew enjoys sleeping in a big bed.  I started moving their stuff while they were at sewing class (mainly so I could discard a few things--a little clean out while I was at it). Then while they were moving the rest in together Lila had the bright idea to turn the childproof handle on the inside of Andrew's room and that's been working like a charm. I thought there would not be a better time to try a bed out then in an empty room since I just moved all of Lila's stuff out and with the childproof handle he can't get in and out, it hasn't been completely smooth sailing, but an easier transition than it could have been and we've been slowly moving Andrew's stuff into the room and decorating it with dinosaur stuff. I love sweet productive summers. :)