My baby, I mean my big boy, turned 4!

Johnny is growing up!  I mostly love it.  Each new phase represents progression in our family and I consider that a very good thing! Johnny is the kind of kid that would like me to do everything for him.  I took advantage of his birthday to make some progress with his independence.  About a month ago I told him that he couldn’t have a birthday until he put on his own seat belt every single time.  He got to work and mastered that.  The day before his birthday I was wiping his bum and told him that moms don’t wipe the bums of 4 year olds so he is taking over that job too.  He is becoming independent, but he still loves his hugs and snuggles.  I’ll take those as long as I can get them.

We celebrated his birthday in style by going to SLC to spend time with some of Josh’s siblings.  What four-year-old wouldn’t want to go to Chuck E Cheese for their birthday?  April bought everyone suckers and they had a blast playing games.  We swam at a hotel and hung out with Christina (Josh's Sister) and her boys in the evening. 

I think Josh may have been more excited than Johnny about the airplane Josh picked out for him for his birthday.  Johnny was mostly excited about the candy.  My mom always spoils the kids and she gave him a set of cars in a semi truck case.  He is growing up . . . I guess I can’t call that extra 15 lbs baby weight any more!!

SOS (Summer of Service)

My goal for this summer is to create opportunities for my children to recognize needs beyond their own selfish and entitled world.  I have put together a group of moms to help me in this goal and together we are planning a Summer of Service.  Each mom will plan one service project this summer.  I was in charge of the first one of the year.  We sold cotton candy and popcorn in our neighborhood and near Walmart to raise money for hygiene kits that will go to girls in developing countries with the organization Days for Girls.  We raise $160 and the kids all had a wonderful time.  In return for their efforts they not only have the good feeling of helping others, but they got a whole lot of cotton candy!!

Last day of school!!

The last day of school is one of the most fun days of the year around here.  Our neighbors, the Millers, throw a giant party that seems to grow every year.  This year they added the dunk tank and it was a huge hit.  They also have a loving kitten that Cara could have held all day.  Caleb is like a bowl in a china shop at big parties.  I keep thinking he is going to grow out of getting tattled on, but so far I continue to hear a lot of Caleb did this and Caleb did that. 

For me the end of school is bitter sweet.  I love the routine of school, but the flexibility of summer is nice too.  This year I'm letting go of the early bedtime.  My kids are awesome at sleeping in so we will just rotate to “summer schedule.”  They can easily sleep until 9 or 10 so I'll let them sleep in and go to bed around 10.  I've found that saves a lot of trouble and fighting at bedtime.  They still ask for a late night or a movie every single night.  Apparently 10ish isn't late enough for them! 

We have a good summer job program in place, and for the first week of summer they seem to have caught on and they are getting their things done.  I know it won't last, as we get more busy, but these first three weeks of summer are really open for us so for now we will stick with being responsible for at least a few hours of the day and for a few weeks of the summer.

Ali and Taya are enjoying the ultimate kids treat. Fruit Punch sucked through a licorice straw. 

After 10+ attempts at getting a good picture of Andy and his friends this is what we ended up with.

 

Craters of the Moon

For the three day Memorial weekend we thought we'd better take advantage of having the RV (we will be renting it out to other family's most of the summer) and go on a little camping/road trip.  I went to Craters of the Moon when I was in 4th Grade and I distinctly remember not having enough time there so I decided, with it being only 3 hours away, it would be a good destination.  It really was quite incredible.  With the most recent irruption being only 2000 years ago some of the lava looked so fresh.  One of the favorite things about the National Reserve was the lava tubes, where the lava had cooled and created caves.  It was a great place to spend a day.  We had anticipated camping there, but it was really windy and dusty so we ended up at a KOA with hook-up and grass in Arco.  I guess that is where I draw the line as a camper. April and Ethen joined us for the weekend. 

We made the most of our time away with a stop at Dawnata Hot Springs on the way there.  I love playing in warm water.  Cold swimming pools, no way, but if I feel like I'm in warm bath water I'm more than happy to join in the swimming. 

On our way home we stopped at the location of the very first atomic energy libratory and plant in the United States.  It is known for being the place where safe use of atomic power for energy was discovered. The science was way over my head, but the museum was fascinating.  Cara was incredibly good at controlling the electrical arm.  She put a whole puzzle together.  I dropped both pieces I tried to manipulate.  We enjoyed the stop.  

Our final stop of the three-day weekend was at Lava Hot Springs.  I went there for my 8th birthday and probably haven't been there for the last 30 years.  It has improved!!  The Olympic diving platforms are a hit, and Caleb had the courage to go off the 2nd one.  Once again, it was nice warm water so we were all happy.  They also have an incredible indoor splash pad that they younger kids loved. 

As a side note: Andy is rarely anywhere to be found.  He likes to lay low and just do his own thing.  He'd rather not be noticed.  He gets out of a lot of chores that way, but consequently he doesn't often make it in pictures.  Cara on the other hand is always asking me to take her picture so there may be a disproportionate number of pictures of Cara in these books although I do a lot of editing and make a conscious effort to make them as even as possible.

Another School Year Complete!

It amazes me how much effort goes into the end of school with programs, field trips and special events. Luckily Johnny's Joy School kept things simple this year and ended with no fanfare.  Ali had a few end of school events.  First, she had her violin recital.  She is making good progress and seems to enjoy music.  I’ll just be glad she likes it for as long as it lasts.  She also had an adorable end of school program at school.  Her teacher, Miss Sharp, is probably my number one favorite teacher at Providence Elementary, and there are incredible teachers there.  Her classroom management is jaw dropping.  Her students love her so much and want to be so good for her. She is great at parent communication with texts and instagram.  She does a lot of rewards and praise, and the students seem to thrive in her class.  Of course her program was top notch.

First grade is so hard!!  Andy's teachers had them working right until the last few days of school.  It is especially hard transitioning into 1/2 day French, but Andy was a champ!  The first graders didn't have their own program, but they did participate in the school wide singing program.  He is on the far right 3rd row up in the picture, and was goofing off with his friends in every picture I took. Andy's soccer has kept us busy this spring.  He has loved playing with his friends and even participated in a tournament.  He is choosing to play tackle football in the fall, and some of his friends will be moving on to competitive soccer so this may be the end of Andy’s soccer career.  It was a good run!

I couldn’t believe all of the programs and events Cara had at the end of school! For the second year in a row her art was selected to be displayed at the district art show.  She loves to create things!!  Due to her iPad she was also able to "Rock the Halls" this year by getting enough reading points.  That was a big accomplishment for her.  The fourth grade put on an "opera" about the "Bear Lake Monster."  Cara was an Indian and had a lot of fun!  As if the Opera wasn't enough, the 4th grade also did a musical program about Utah.  They made county floats and sang their hearts out.  She also had her end of year orchestra concert and a few field trips.  She has been very busy!  The final event I'll mention is the Wellsville Mile.  Cara was a dedicated runner and made it in the middle of the middle heat.  She pushed herself hard and c0mpleted the race in under 8 minutes. 

"Fun Family Activity"

We decided that in addition to family night, where we council together and have a lesson, we need a "fun family activity" night.  I wanted to try letting the kids plan our "fun family activity" each week, and they are LOVING it.  I appreciate their creativity, and the fact that they come up with ideas and activities that Josh and I would have never come up with.  When they decide what we are doing they seem to have more fun.  I have a calendar we are rotating through and each week they can't wait to find out who's turn it is to decide the "fun family activity" and what they are going to decide.  Of course Caleb tries to persuade everyone to go with one of his ideas but ultimately it is their decision. 

We haven't been doing this for long, but here are some of the fun things they've come up with.  Caleb headed up a family nerf gun war.  It was fun as parents to participate in the war and to learn the rules of the games they play. That night we also had a neighbor over with a big remote control helicopter and he took video of us shooting at him.  We had a lot of bullets become casualty to the helicopter, but it was super fun.  Cara chose painting ceramic piggy banks for her activity.  It was fun to sit around the table and visit and paint.  Both of these activities were things I would have never done without their encouragement. For Andy's activity we had pizza in a park and played.  Ali also chose going to the park.  We were lucky enough to feed baby ducks and find a boat to race down the creek on her park activity.  This week it is John’s turn to choose the activity and we will be going swimming and out for ice cream. 

Another new tradition we've implemented is dates with mom.  I have a calendar with whose turn it is to go on a date with me each week.  I have to keep it public so that the children will hold me accountable so that we make it happen.  Life can be so busy that those important but optional things slip right through the cracks.  We get to spend a couple of hours together doing whatever they choose.  With such a big family I really have to concentrate to create one on one time with each of my children and this new plan is working like a charm!