End of School Activities

As the end of the school year neared the kids had some fun things planned. James had two field trips with his kindergarten class. One to the zoo and one to Harmon's grocery store. I tagged along on the trip to the store. On this trip we walked to the trax station and rode the train. James had not been on the train in a long time and was very nervous walking on and when it started. He asked to hold my hand even in front of his friends. Happy Mom. But then he realized it felt like you were hardly moving. We rode to Farmington and then got off and walked to the store. The kids got a tour and taste of brownie from the bakery. Then they each got a turn to ring of a few groceries. They loved it. Before heading back we had just enough time to walk to the pet store and check out the animals before heading back. Kindergartners have too much energy!

James, Spencer, Dakota and Hunter

Emma also had a field trip. One of her classmates Dad works for KSL so they went there and had a great tour. They also got to be on the radio - FM100. Awesome but I missed it. Anyway Emma's whole second grade put on a great program. Most of it was the songs that they had been learning all year. They did great! It was amazing to watch her sing all the songs and do the sign language because she could never remember what she was learning when she got home. So  way to go Emma so much fun.

All the kindergarten classes also did a great performance. James was very cute and had a great time singing all the songs. His favorite song was I love my white shoes.

The last full day of school was field/water day. I volunteered and it was fun and hot and wet. The kids all looked like they had a great time. Most of the games were simply relay race or water fights. There was also water volleyball and an eye spy game in a swimming pool. Fun Fun Fun.

Last Day of School

Both kids were a little sad that school was ending. They both had really really great teachers. James because kindergarten is so much fun and only half day. Plenty of time to still play. Emma was old enough to know that things went really well for her this year and that she would have to leave her teacher. She is a little worried about next year. She wants to stay in second grade with this teacher. He was such a great fit for Emma and has inspired her to be a teacher when she grows up.

Emma's class was having a talent show and this was the talent that Emma decided to show. Her creativity! She built a castle with rooms and lots of details. 

It included a bird house and a Darth Emma character.

No teacher will mark you tardy on the last day of school right?

Mr Paget - the best 2nd grade teacher

Mrs. Foster - the best kindergarten teacher

(She was so great even though she was diagnosed with some form of cancer and was going through chemo the last couple of weeks. We hope all goes well for her this summer. She is still planning on coming back next fall. We hope she is still teaching when Mia is 5.)

Memorial Day Weekend Fun and More

Memorial Day was spent doing very familiar activities. I ran the 5k race and this time Emma biked it! She said it went well and I'll have to take her word because she was up ahead with friends. The race for me seemed really really hard but I still ended up finishing at around 31 minutes. Not sure how. I missed my running partners, two were camping and one was really far ahead of me (I can't keep up with her long legs). The race ran by our house this year so Quinn wrote us a message in the street. It said Go Emma and Laura! Sorry I'm still asleep.  Unfortunately we didn't see it. Emma was going to fast and I was on the sidewalk right then throwing my jacket over the fence. Thanks honey!

After a yummy breakfast the kids tackled the climbing wall. Emma tried several times and almost made it to the top. She did so well. James didn't try very hard and therefore only made it a few feet off my ground. Oh my cautious child - just go for it!

 

Then it was time for some bowling fun with the Lavenders. We all had a great time but we need to say a big thank you to cousin Sarah. She helped Mia bowl her games and was so sweet with her. Sarah didn't want to re-injure her finger so this was perfect. Thanks Sarah!

Courtney will officially be part of our family in Sept. She and Tanner and engaged. Congrats guys!

Knowing our aquarium pass was about to expire we went several times toward the end of May. We have loved going there this past year but we are excite to try something new. 

With Owen, Dylan and Aunt Carly

With friends Kate and Xander

We Love Penguins

Clear back in March, James was given a gift certificate to feed the penguins at the aquarium for his birthday. We finally made the time to do it towards the end of May. Laura got to go with James as he did this because Quinn went with Emma. James had so much fun. First we went to a classroom and got some instruction. Then we got coats and gloves on because it is cold in there - about 40 degrees.  We each got 5 fish - there were 10 of us. The penguins came in and downed the fish. None of them were picky today in how you held the fish out to them like they were with Quinn and Emma. After the fish were gone they just let the come and go into the room we were in. We were there about 30 minutes. It was mostly the babies from last year that stayed. They were so cute playing with the balls and pretending they were eggs. They also played with bubbles. We were just able to watch because penguins don't like to be touched by humans or other penguins. They all like their personal space. Thanks Grandma for a great present!

April

In April the kids were busy with swimming lessons twice a week at the worst time of the day - 5:00 pm. We are not ready to be a sports family yet and do this all the time. So glad they are not interested in soccer or baseball yet. They do enjoy swimming lessons though. Both Emma and James are improving but did not pass their class because they are not able to do the strokes well enough to move up yet. But it's coming!

James

Emma

This is what Mia does during their swim lessons. 

Next time she will be old enough to do it too!

Quinn had an important job to perform this month too. He hosted the Ward Talent Show! If you know Quinn then you know we did a great job and made it very entertaining. Carnac the Magnificent had a few appearances, as did Bat Dad. Also just a few BYU jokes. The kids joined him on stage to help him sing a little song - I'm diving down highway 40. I was going to record it but the kids didn't have a mic and it was really hard to hear. I will have to have them redo it one day because James does a great Tom Brokaw voice.

Carnac the Magnifient

Bat Dad

This girl was cute dancing to the music.

Selfie with the host!

The kids school had a family Art Night where they displayed the quilt blocks they each had made as one big quilt. However James could not remember which quilt block was his. They also had a few crafts ready to be made based on an ocean theme. 

A Jelly Fish

Emma's story quilt block

Crab hats