May 2012

It has been a busy and fun May. We have had a mix of weather, but on nice days we have been outside doing lots of gardening. The kids were a big help in the garden this year pulling weeds and trimming shrubs. Here they are enjoying a snack in a clubhouse we made out of a large cardboard box. I think I agree that the best toy is a simple box, it can be anything you want!

Rachel went to a friend's birthday party in May and was very excited to have her face painted. There was a magician at the party too and she brought home her very own magic wand. She has been doing lots of magic tricks for us at home.

Rachel and Carson both played tee ball again this year and were on the same team, the Rays. They have had fun playing ball and seem to enjoy it more this year than last year. Much to my surprise, Rachel was not upset at being the only girl on the team. The best part of the game for them is the treat afterwards!

We stop at the park next to the tee ball field for some play before heading home.

Rachel's kindergarten class put on a wonderful program for their end-of-year celebration. They did some songs and rhymes and even some dancing. Rachel had a small speaking part, her first time talking into a "real live microphone!". 

Carson graduated from preschool this year, here he is in his cap and gown holding his diploma. His class also did a little show with some songs and a story. We are so proud of both of them.

Below is some of the kids artwork from school. The first one is a family of lions that Carson drew in preschool (a Daddy, Mommy and baby). The next three are Rachel's from her art class in kindergarten. She has a wonderful art teacher and is getting to be quite an artist.

Bryce 2012

The highlight of April was our brief trip to Bryce Canyon during spring break. We stayed in a great cabin just outside of Bryce and one of the best features was the on-site playground.

We were lucky enough to have beautiful sunny days but it was chilly so the first morning we were in fill winter garb to start exploring the park. This was the first trip to a national park for the kids so we started with the visitor center and gift shop, then onto the trails to take in the beauty of Bryce.

On our second day we did a short hike to a cave and a waterfall. Rachel learned how to read the trail map at the trail head and she was excited to find the cave and waterfall just where they were supposed to be!

A favorite activity - throwing rocks into the water.

For our trip home we decided to take the scenic route. There were many scenic overlooks to stop at, each more breath-taking than the last. What a beautiful state Utah is!

Carson Turns Five

For Carson's fifth birthday we decided to head to Legoland. Since Carson lives and breathes Legos - they are his favorite toy, he plays with them every day, its all he wants for birthdays and Christmas - this was akin to a trip to motherland. And Carson was in heaven being surrounded by so many Legos!

What could be more fun than driving a car when you are five/six years old?

This cool sand box had plastic dinosaur fossils at the bottom of it to discover. Perfect for our budding archeologists.

Birthday cake - Legoland style! 

More fun rides!

A room full of Legos to play with!!

Even a 3D movie theater!

We had a chance to see Veronica our first night in San Diego. It was great to see her and all have dinner together in Old Town. And it was great to see her school - USD is beautiful!

I will finish off this blog with a few other happenings this month. Below is the snow fort that the kids and I built in the front yard one day in March.

Rachel took part in the Cinderella ballet put on by her dance studio in early March. Her dance class played the part of the mice and they were just adorable.

Rachel and Carson earned their yellow belts in karate in March! After they finished an hour and a half of hard work in the testing class, we were thrilled to see that they had advanced to the yellow belt. We are so proud of them.