Off he goes

It's time for another year of preschool! Nolan had been saying things like, "I just don't like my new teacher," and "I don't like my preschool class." I knew he was just being silly, trying to get a rise out of me. But in the back of my mind I was wondering if the first day would go smoothly. Luckily, it did! He was happy to find his seat and start socializing with his friends. He came up with this little pose when I took his picture before we left the house. Then, at school, he did the similar hand sign again. He didn't want to get too close to his new teacher, Marissa, but I think he'll really love her after a week or two. She's going to be great!

Last night, Justin started off Nolan's school year with a father's blessing. Afterward, we started to leave the room but then Ezra started yelling, "Mama! Bless me!" We came back and Ez was sitting in the chair with his arms folded, ready for his turn. Justin obliged, but halfway through Ezra kept moving his head around and saying, "Ow, Daddy!" Yeah, it was real painful! What a nut.

This morning, I let Nolan have some juice (which we rarely have) with his breakfast. Unfortunately, I forgot to have his use the bathroom right before school. I remembered when I got home. I was counting on getting a phone call saying there had been an accident, but thankfully he managed to stay dry... juice and all! When I picked him up he said, "Mom, every game we play at that preschool is so funny!" He didn't say much else, but it seems like it was a good experience.

Space Museum

We went to the Clark Planetarium with our friends last week. Nolan called it the space museum. We had a great time and I had fun socializing with my friends Brianne, Nellie, and Marissa (who will be Nolan's new preschool teacher). After checking out the meteorites, walking on the moon and Mars, and checking out the "wrecking ball" (the Foacault pendulum), we headed to the food court at Gateway. After that it was off to the fountain for some cooling off. I didn't do a great job with pictures this go around, but it was a great to get out of the house!

A Day Out

Our membership was running out, so we went to "This is the Place" Park one last time. Other than the train ride and getting ice cream, we captured most of the highlights in the pictures below.

The petting area is our favorite. The pigs were fun to watch as they kept harassing the goats. And then we laughed as two goats licked out our entire stroller. First they started with the basket underneath and then moved to the seat. I know, it's pretty gross. Have I washed out the stroller yet? Nah.

Nolan met up with some kids who were acting as pioneers for the day. One 5 yr.-old know-it-all was busy moving rocks into the wooden train so that they "could build a new temple." Nolan joined in and soon found a rock to contribute. The older boy said, "No, we can't use those rocks. They have to be granite! And I'm the prophet!" Wow, he took his acting seriously. Nolan said, "I just think it would be beautiful with both kinds of rocks."

I love the picture of Nolan sitting down with the goat. They're having a deep, heartfelt conversation together.

Like I Said...

... the kid really can sleep just about anywhere!

And he's recently taken up drawing mazes and maps. This one is quite intricate.

In the band

When Justin was in high school, he was a drum major for his marching band. He went to school in San Diego and their band was huge. It was quite prestigious, not really like my high school where it wasn't that cool to be in the band. Anyway, I think some things run in the genes because the other night we were on a walk and Nolan's ears perked up when he heard the band practicing at the high school down the street. So we went and got the car then drove over to have a closer look.
Nolan sat on the grass and watched the pep band practice. Pretty soon, several girls were motioning for him to come closer and help them play. He ran over to me and said, "Mom, those girls want me to play their instruments." I could tell it was a casual practice because some kids were messing around and their teacher wasn't caring. I told him it was okay. So one of the girls came over and taught him how to properly play the tambourine. Every time the teacher started up the song, Nolan could be heard playing perfectly on beat! He eventually joined up with the band, standing just feet away from the teacher. He did a great job, until the teacher stopped the songs and Nolan would keep on playing. Oops. We let him play for a good ten minutes, until Justin walked over to get him. Nolan reluctantly gave the tambourine back and the girl told him to find her at the football games and he could play the tambourine again. He was so thrilled! For several days he would say, "Mom, I played in the band! Can you believe that?!"
Maybe someday Nolan really will be in the band, just like his Dad!

So sleepy

Nolan is my deep sleeper. He can't help but take a nap in the late afternoon nearly every day. Here's where I found him after an episode of Phineas and Ferb had ended (he watched on the computer through Netflix). This kid can sleep anywhere!

And this has nothing to do with it, but check out the awesome artichokes in our garden. They are so delicious!

Last Joys of Summer

Nolan is only in preschool, but school starts soon and it feels like summer is coming to a close. I'm sure we have lots of warm days ahead, but we're trying to squeeze in as many fun activities as possible.

We checked out "Jump Around Utah" after getting an online deal. The place isn't really big, but the kids had a blast and it was easy to keep track of them because it never got too busy. We'll be going again since we have one more coupon to use. The only little problem was that the front door was always open a little bit and Trav kept trying to sneak out. We laughed because his hair would blow straight up every time he walked back in. We love his hair! They only have swamp coolers, so it was a bit warm in there. Nolan did so much jumping that his hair was soppin' wet. Euw... time for a shower, buddy.

After all of that jumping, we went to eat at "Mo Bettah Steaks." It's a great Hawaiian quick -style restaurant. They have delicious macaroni salad as a side dish, their meat was fabulous, and we cooled off with a giant snow cone to share. So yummy!

Some friends and I went to Herriman Reservoir to meet up with our friend, Terrah, who moved away some time ago. It was fun to catch up with her while letting the kids play in the sand and water. Nolan keeps saying that he wants to go back to the beach! There were lots of little boys to play with. It got quite exciting when all the youngest ones were throwing dirt at each other.

And last of all, we enjoyed the fireworks show nearby that celebrates our little community. I am amazed each year at how great a show it is. It was nice that it was over around 9:30 or so... it was much easier for the boys to stay up than it was for the 4th of July.

More Progress

The past two weeks have brought about much progress in the basement. We've got closet organizers installed, bathroom floor (which we love!) and a working toilet, and I think I've finished painting my last batch of trim. This is a huge milestone. I think I painted 7 or 8 different sessions, each one about 2 to 3 hours. I typically have to do it during Ezra's nap, and if I paint longer than that, my kids go crazy or the paint supplies begin to dry out. Usually it's the kids, though. If only I didn't have hours and hours of touch-up painting ahead of me! My Dad is such a hard worker and the kids will really miss Grandpa John when he doesn't come up as often. The ironic thing is that we'll finally have a guest bedroom, but my Dad won't need to stay in it very often since he won't have work to do! It won't be long until carpet now... maybe only 3 to 4 weeks!

One of my favorite places

Yes, we went to Park City..... again. We stayed at a Bear Hollow condo and had a great time! The kids enjoy playing (and sometimes fighting) with each other, and it's always nice to be with my sisters and my mom. We missed my Dad (he never wants to come, though) and Grady. Here are a few of the things we did:

Stopped in at the cemetary to wander around and take pictures. It's such a beautiful little place.

We laughed at Ezra's expressions in the car.
Went to the mountain resort to ride the alpine slide and get caramel apples and sugar crystal suckers. Bryson and Blake are such good cousins to my boys... they're always tossing them around and keeping them busy. There is some teasing, too, because at the end of the trip Nolan kept telling Bryson that he couldn't be his friend anymore. I'm sure Bryson was crushed.

We played at the city park, which we love! It's all fenced in so that kids can't escape. They have dirt diggers (always a hit with Nolan) and fun things to climb. The main attraction was the zip line. Even Aunt Lacey gave it a try but it hurt her hands. There was also this really large, boisterous Dad that gave it a whirl, too. His shirt came up and his pants nearly went down as his feet were dragging on the ground. Lacey and I couldn't hide our giggles. Nolan did a great job hanging on the entire time.

Justin and Nolan even found a great 3 mile hike nearby. They had a good time together.

We ate at Kneaders, went swimming, did a little school shopping, and took some nice walks in the cooler Park City air. As we were leaving, Nolan got all quiet and sad and then asked, "Why can't we just stay at the Park City hotel for days and days?"

Just before arriving home I realized that I'd forgotten my big cosmetic bag. Justin asked if it was really worth the gas money it would cost to drive back up to get it after church. Well, it had our sonicare, the kids' sonicare, my flatiron and blowdryer, and all of my makeup. Yeah, I think it was worth it. After picking it up we then drove over the mountain to the Brighton area and walked around Silver Lake. It was a nice end to a lovely week!

Unashamed

I want to remember these...

I never knew freckles could be so precious.