Our Day with the Dinosaurs

Saturday after our chores were done, we headed up to Thanksgiving Point to spend some time with the Dinosaurs. The night before, Eric and I broke down and let the kids watch Jurassic Park. We were worried it would be too scary, but Tessa thought it was the coolest movie ever. 

Tessa and Adam both wore their shirts from their Dino Dash to the museum. 

 Gwen was freaked out by everything. Even random noises sent her running back to us when the kids were building their own dinosaur. 

 She finally cheered up when they got to play in the sand. 

 Tessa was in her element. She sure loves her dinosaurs. 

 And then we got to the shark. Making Gwen get close to it made her scream and run for her life. That made the rest of us laugh. 

 As always, Caleb was perfect and had fun watching the other kids run around. 

 We finished our day by digging up some dinosaur bones. 

The kids are already planning our next trip back. We are lucky to have such a fun museum so close to us. I don't think Tessa is going to get sick of dinosaurs anytime soon. 

End of the Year Show What You Know

 The school year is finally coming to an end, which means end of the year programs. Both Adam and Tessa participated in their end of the year Show What You Know programs. Their classes performed several songs and poems that they memorized throughout the year. It is amazing to see what these kids have learned. I am pretty confident they are both smarter than I am.
Both Adam and Tessa were blessed with wonderful teachers this school year. Adam's teacher, Mrs. Gregson, gave Adam the Most Optimistic Award. She said she loves that he always says that he is "Great!", no matter what is going on, and that he hasn't stopped smiling the entire year. She told me that she told her husband if they ever have a boy, she hopes he is just like Adam.

Tessa's teacher, Mrs. Hernandez, has often told me throughout the year how sweet and kind Tessa is. She told us she is blown away by how smart Tess is. Mrs. Hernandez is a rock star...she had a baby 8 weeks ago and hardly missed a beat of school. Tessa has loved her as a teacher.

Switching to such an amazing school has been an amazing blessing for our family. It's been a lot of hard work and some serious commitment, but we have no regrets. We love APA!

Tessa's Solo



Last week, Adam and Tessa's school had a very special assembly for Memorial Day. 2 days before the assembly, I got an email from their choir teacher, letting me know that Tessa would be singing a solo during the assembly. Tessa hadn't said anything about this solo, so I was surprised to get this email. When I asked her about it that afternoon, she said, "Oh yeah. I auditioned and got the part." Like it was no big deal!
Eric and I were able to go and listen to her sing. All the First Graders sang, "America the Beautiful" and Tessa sang the 2nd verse. I was so nervous for her, I was shaking (hence the blurry pictures). She stood there and sang with such confidence! We were so proud of her. She will not perform for us at home, so I don't know why big crowds don't phase her. She has a beautiful little voice. She is one talented girl!



Adam Turns 9!

It's hard to believe that our Adam is 9 years old! Time goes by so fast when these kids are growing up. He has been so excited for his birthday to come. We did lots of celebrating the last couple of days.

Last Thursday, Mommy and Daddy took Adam out for his special birthday dinner. He chose Iggy's again this year. He couldn't wait to watch a playoff game.

                                      



As usual, his eyes never left the screen. He got to watch the Rockets and Golden State Warriors play. Everyone around us got a kick out of watching him cheer. He gets a little excited....

He was excited to get a birthday treat and a song.

 

Sunday evening, we had all the grandparents over for a birthday dinner. Ben and Andrew came too.

Adam requested chicken enchiladas for dinner and a Nutella Strawberry cake for his birthday cake this year.

He got lots of fun presents from his grandparents. 

Mamma and Bampa gave him this cool game. Adam is proud of himself for being as smart as his Big Uncle Ben. Mamma told Adam she gave this game to Ben when he was 35.

He got more games and water guns from Mamma and Bampa.

Money from Great Grandma. 

Ma and Pa gave him a subscription to Boys Life.

He also got a new book from Ma and Pa and a new basketball!

The Birthday Boy!

He almost got all of his candles.

Monday was his actual birthday.

 He was happy to wake up and be officially 9.

For his birthday breakfast, he requested French Toast and sausage. 

He was a good sport about sharing his birthday with other Memorial Day festivities. We went to a program at the cemetery in the morning and then we had a bbq at Ma and Pa's house in the afternoon. He was happy to get to play some basketball with his uncles. We took cupcakes for everyone at the bbq and he got more fun presents. 

From Mommy and Daddy, he got a new BYU hat, a new video game, his Bear Scout stuff, a Glider and Badminton. 

He got some Hardy Boys books from Uncle Danny and Aunt Shannee.

All of his fun loot!

Happy Birthday, Big Guy! You have made our home a happy and fun place to be and  you always amaze us with your smarty brain and your kind and sensitive heart. We are so thankful to have you in our family and that we were able to celebrate your big 9th birthday! Now stop growing!!