Easter Photos

 I always wait too long to go shopping for Easter dresses, so I can never find the ones that I like in all the right sizes. This year was even more complicated because I had three different categories of sizes that I was trying to match (baby/toddler, young girl, and girl).  So, after looking at several stores unsuccessfully, I finally found some I liked at Kohl's, but of course not all in the right sizes.  I managed to find 2 sets of dresses that I really liked in Emily and Kaitlyn's sizes, but not Addy's.  I decided to buy all 4 dresses anyway and then go check some other stores for a matching or similar dress in Addy's size.  However, just in case I couldn't find one that matched one of those 2 sets, I bought the one set of dresses that I sort of liked that they had in all 3 girls' sizes.  So, in all, I left Kohl's with 7 dresses!  Thankfully they have a great return policy!
Luckily, I managed to find a similar dress, that was just the opposite colors, for Addy at another store, so I could go with the cutest dresses!


They wanted to show off the back also.

I loved this dress and Emily only makes it cuter!

Addy often dares to be different, so her dress being opposite was actually fitting!

 We tried to get a picture of Kaitlyn, but she was not happy about it.

So we tried again,

 And again,

 And again, with only mild success.

 I tried to talk Cole into a new tie, like a bright green, orange or purple one to add a splash of color.  But apparently he's too good for my color scheming and I ran out of time to find one anyway.  So, we went with the black and white square polka dotted one!  It's a good thing he's cute anyway!

 As I was deciding what I was going to wear for Easter, I remembered Chad had gotten me a new dress for Christmas that was...black and white polka dots! 

At that point, I decided we were going to be that cheesy, matching family for Easter.  So Chad willingly found his black and white polka dotted tie.

 Since Cole is old enough to take pictures, we even managed to get one of the two of us.  (This was about the third attempt though.  Thank goodness for digital cameras!)

Since we all matched and looked so cute, I decided we were going to attempt to take a family picture.  Our last one was a few kids ago I think!  Chuck willingly got out his fancy camera and found a good spot for us.  He took multiple pictures for us.  I was so excited to finally have an updated picture.
However, apparently my kids did not want an updated picture because I don't think Kaitlyn looked at the camera for a single picture and Cole did not tuck in his shirt like he was told to.  Oh well, Shot down in a blaze of glory!

At least my kids are cute!?!?!!?  (And I think Kaitlyn is finally smiling in this picture!)

My First Field Trip (As a Mom!)

For the first time ever (yes, my oldest is in 2nd grade!), I went on a field trip with one of my kids.  It was actually a lot of fun!  Although after riding on the bus for just a few minutes, I really wondered if I was going to survive a bunch of second grade boys for a whole day!

This field trip was all about farming and agriculture.  So their first stop was the local supermarket so they could learn all about what goes on there and how their food gets on the shelves.

They got to back in the freezer with all of the ice cream and good stuff!  (Cole is the one in the blue jacket.)

One of the most popular stops was behind the milk aisle.  There are doors that open up so they can refill the milk shelf from the back.  There were a few startled shoppers when the 2nd graders poked their heads out and talked to them as they were selecting their milk!

Another popular stop was the loading dock.  They got to see how the dock raised and lowered depending on the truck that was there.

The best stop of all?  The bakery of course!

Free cookies for everyone!


This grocery store actually has a tv room where they do training and even broadcast food shows.

Second graders love to see themselves on tv!

Our next stop was lunch at the local park.  I began wondering again if I was going to survive these boys!

Thankfully after shoving their food in very quickly, they had some time to run off some energy.

The final stop of the day was the Utah County Farm Days.

This poor sheep had no idea what was coming!

That's right, they sheared the sheep with all of the kids watching and cheering.

The poor, naked sheep didn't not get proper sympathy from the kids!

After that intro, they split them up into groups and talked about various agricultural things around Utah County.

The kids were probably most intrigued by the beekeepers.

 

 Although the baby animals were also pretty popular.

 

 Especially when they discovered that they could pet them!

The adults were probably most intrigued by the mink farmers.  If I recall correctly, that coat hanging up took around 40 minks to make and cost $10,000ish. 

They also learned about fruit trees and fruit farming,

 

 Growing wheat,

And nutrition from a talking tomato.

 They finished by posing for a class picture. (Although is class was split into 3 groups so this is only part of it.)

It was definitely an educational day.  And, thankfully all of the kids made it back to school in one piece!

The Zoo Program--Elephant Style

The Kindergarten Zoo Program was a success as usual.  I'm not sure if they picked their parts or if the teacher was nice enough to put them all together, but Emily's 3 best friends got to be elephants too.  Emily the Elephant and all of her friends did a great job!

 

 The Crazy Elephants

The Elephants during the program

Emily and her best friend

Here is a large portion of the program for your enjoyment.  Soon you too will be singing about going to the zoo!

The Kindergarteners started out marching in animal style!  (Or kindergarten style or maybe those are the same thing!)


Then, they welcomed us to their zoo.


Next, Emily and her class taught us about animals.



You will be singing this song for a long time after you hear about them going to the zoo!



A song about Jack and Jill, the birds not the nursery rhyme characters!


One of my personal favorites, Never Smile at a Crocodile.



It got a little spooky when we saw the dancing zoo at night!



Then, it was the Elephant's turn.


More of the Elephant's turn.



And even more of the Elephants.

 

What kids don't know how to monkey around!!

This was their scary song.  They were worried about scaring the babies, so they warned us to be ready!

This shows what happens to kindergarteners who spend all day at the zoo!


Their thank yous.


And the bows!

Way to go Elephant Emily!  You did awesome!

Pinewood Derby 2012

Even though Cole wasn't quite 8 yet, since his birthday was so close, he got to participate in his first ever Pinewood Derby!
Chad and Cole made a great team.  Chad did the research and then Cole put that research into action.
Chad found some designs and Cole picked out the one that he liked best.  Cole picked the colors and painted the car (with just a little touching up by his Mom when he wasn't looking!).
Then, they sanded the wheels and axles and applied lots of graphite.




 Then, they tested the wheels and repeated the process. 

 Who knew a Pinewood Derby car was so time-consuming and MESSY!
The final product, known as the Coco Wave.  (This was because it looked like a wave and it was in honor of cousin Coco.  Cole used his football number and the Spanish Fork colors in his design.)

The finished product with the proud creator.
The proud creator on race night, with a little more weight added.

The Wolf Den posed for a picture together before the big races started.

Finally, it was time to race!

Almost too slow on the camera!  But I did barely catch the blurs as they went by.

 Waiting for the cars to come
The Coco Wave was the first across the line.

Cole was very careful with his car between rounds!  It was a definite treasure. 
 After many rounds, the winner of the Wolf den (and 2nd place overall) is....Cole Gwilliam.

The spoils of victory.
Well done Cole! (And Chad!)