The ice cream man cometh!

 

It is late in September, and there is a slight chill in the air. The kids are outside playing, it is coming up on 5:00 or so, and Cutter comes running in the house "Mom the ice cream truck is coming, I need money." Yeah right I am thinking to myself. "Cutter, I don't think so, it is too cold outside." Out he goes. Then comes Cassidy. "Mom, I hear it too, can we have ice cream?" Still thinking to myself, no way. "Fine Cassidy, go get your money, and if he comes, you can have some." Now, this has been a fun treat this summer for my kids, the ice cream truck has come every so often, but not so much to be a problem. It is so cute to see all the neighbor kids come running with there money. So, not to much later, sure enough here comes the ice cream truck. So, here are the neighbor kids, enjoying their treat...the ice cream man made a haul, and the kids are happy, in there jackets, eating ice cream...I even treated myself this time.

Labor (Free) Day

 

In years past we have gone on a camping trip over the Labor Day weekend. But, with our upcoming Disneyland trip, we opted to forgo the camping. Instead we decided to go for a bike ride down Provo Canyon, and roast hot dogs at one of my favorite picnic spots, Whiskey Springs with all the Jensen's. We had so much fun. My SIL and I dropped the kids and the dad's off at the top of the Canyon where the Provo River trail starts, and met them down at Bridal Veil Falls. We met up with C's sisters family there at Bridal Veil, and they rode down the rest of the Canyon with the group. C got to put his newly acquired bike to the test, and Cutter pedaled all the way. What a little trooper. Cass did great too, but both little girls decided they were done at that point. We collected everyone at the bottom, and headed up to Whiskey Springs, were we met up with Grandpa and Grandma J. We ate, visited, and did a little hike. It was a great day!

A Witch Hunt

 
When the kids are off track I try...try being the optimal word...to do at least one fieldtrip or activity. This off track we had success. We went with the cousins that are also off track to Gardner Village to see the witches, and have lunch. Every year they decorate for halloween with the most amazing stuffed, life size or bigger, witches. This year (Thanks Kami for the heads up) they added a "hunt." We printed off a paper with 12 witches to find, and their location. This was great fun for the kids, and at the end the "treat" was a cookie from the bakery. I think we all enjoyed it.

P.S. Cutter refers to this witch as his girlfriend!

First Snow Angel

 

Tuesday we had our first snow storm. I got in the car to pick Cutter up from Preschool, and it was just overcast. 10 minutes later as he comes out to the car it is starting to snow, and by the time we got home (less than an mile away) it was sticking to the ground. He was beside himself with excitment. "Mom I get on my bibs and play? I want to make a snow angel." So, I bundled him up, and out he went. He had a great time. He made his snow angel, and worked hard at filling up his snow brick. He even went out again after lunch with a friend, by then there was more snow, and the fun continued for another hour or more.

What a "dump!"

This cubby is usually filled with fabric drawers that are filled with toys for my kids, and babysitting kids to play with such as Cars, Little People, balls, magnets, dinosaurs etc.

There is another one in our laundry room also filled with Barbies and Polly Pockets. We also have a pop up hamper that the kids enjoy playing in, it can be a doghouse, or used over their heads like a ghost. One particular morning Cutter came up to me and asked if he could use the laundry basket for his Cars. I agreed, and said, "just don't make a big mess." He agreed and he and his friend that I tend went about playing with the Cars, and the basket. I went up to the kitchen and proceeded to go on with my routine. I could hear them having fun, giggling and enjoying themselves. I continued to work in the kitchen, and upstairs as well. An hour or so later I came downstairs to discover all the fabric drawers empty, from both the family room and laundry room cubbys, and discovered that their contents were now all together in the laundry basket. They certainly had not made a mess all over the floor, but had dumped ALL the toys, from every drawer into the laundry hamper. Now for those of you that are not familiar with Polly Pockets they are little dolls about 3 inches tall, and we have probably over 1000 little tiny clothes and accessories (little rubber shoes about 3/8" by 1/8" etc.) for them. They were now mixed in amongst the little people, dinosaurs, Cars, magnets, Barbies and all of their clothes and shoes etc. In the hamper......So we the boys and I spent the next hour sorting all the toys back into their appropriate bin. Needless to say, that was not nearly as fun as "dumping" them.

Good Neighbors and Friends...

We are so blessed to live in the ward that we do, and the street we are on. We have such great friends and neighbors here. On a usual day, someone is out playing or visiting. Everyone is so kind, and we enjoy them all so much. This summer we have been treated to ice cream parties, and campfire fun with roasted marshmallows, smores, and good conversations. We love it here!!!!

Arrrgggghhhh My PIRATE!

Every year the City has a musical for the children to perform in. Both girls were excited to tryout. Kenz has been in it twice before, and this year Cass was going to be able to be apart of it hopefully. They attended an audition workshop and loved it, but we realized that Kenzie would have to decide between a cousins trip or Pirates. She chose the cousins trip. Cassidy was excited, and nervous to tryout. But, she knew the songs, and she knew the dances they had taught them. So, she auditioned, and we waited. Then the list came out, and sure enough, Miss Cass was in and she was a wench. For the month of August she practiced Tuesdays and Thursdays for about 2 hrs. The house was filled with Pirate music, Cutter and Kenzie knew the songs as well as she did, and they knew the dances too, for we lived and breathed "Pirates, the Musical." It was so fun, we made arrangements with our Cousin Ellie to ride up with us, and Laur picked them up. The two girls grew close and enjoyed each other, and E kept an eye out for Cass. The last week was craziness, they had practice every night, and then it was here. Oh, the excitement, oh the nerves, but she was ready!!!!

Let me tell you, this girl is an actress, she got into her part, she made sure she was up front, she managed a few waves, the I love you sign, and lots of smiles our way. And, when I got the camera out, she was all over it. What a girl, what a star. Her costume was so cute, and she was just adorable to watch. A STAR HAS BEEN BORN!




King of the High C's