Red Butte Garden

Field Trip Time -- I think so many classes go on field trips in the Spring because the teachers need a break from the regular school day.

I got the privilege of joining John's First Grade class on a field trip to Red Butte Garden. In the 26 years I've lived in Utah I've never gone, so I was excited to see what they were all about.  Mark wanted me to go as a spy for Thanksgiving Point!  I didn't even know where they were located except in Salt Lake.

They rented a school bus so they didn't have to get as many drivers and chaperons to go. John was so excited to ride the bus until he got on with the other two first grade classes. He wanted to know why they would not be quiet.  So he and I hooked up the ear phones and listen to music to block out some of the noise.

We first stopped at This is the Place to eat our lunches.  It was a little chilly but the kids loved getting out to stretch their legs. We then hopped back on the bus for a short ride to the Garden.

Instructions are always important for first graders! They got the rules and regulations and then we were divided into smaller groups with a tour guide.

Mr. Mark took this cute group of kids around.  And we were lucky enough to get John's teacher in our group. He has loved Ms. Reyes-Cairo this year.

It was worth the trip just to see this view of the valley.  It was a beautiful spring day and you could see across the entire valley.  We learned a lot about plants and roots. Red Butte is on the side of the mountain so it was a lot of up and down hiking.  It was more natural landscaping than Thanksgiving Point has. Of course Thanksgiving Point will always be our first love since it does provide the monthly paycheck ;)

It ended all too soon and we were back on the bus to head back home.  The noise level did not go down much for the ride home.  But I did catch a few kids asleep by the time we got back to the school.

Spring Break

This year for Spring Break we hung around town.

We planned a few things throughout the week.

The weather did not cooperate very well but we survived.

Monday we enjoyed the dollar movie and seeing The Spy Next Door

Also had fun Monday night swimming at the Rec Center

The children especially loved Clean The House Tuesday . . . NOT!

But I enjoyed a clean house the rest of the week.

Wednesday was errand day.  It is so nice having kids old enough that I don't have to take them on every errand I run these days!

And Thursday the sun finally came out and we got to play at Thanksgiving Point.

We met my sister and her kids and wandered through the Gardens.

We were hoping to see some tulips but there were not many out.

This was the most we saw in one spot.  But rumor has it they have lots more flowers out now, so be sure and stop by for Tulip Festival that runs through May 1st.

Check it out for yourself on the Web Cam!

Can you spot the Owl nesting in the Water Fountain?

Can you find the Owl now??

How about now??

Isn't that amazing how she blends in.

She has been there for several weeks now.  And rumor has it there is a He Owl that visits as well.

Here is proof I was really with my children that day.

After the Thanksgiving Point Gardens we moved onto the Children's Gardens so the kids could get some more exercise and exploring done.

And then we wandered to Farm Country for a Wagon Ride.

After 4 hours in the sun me and all my children got sunburned, oops!

By then Dad was off work and we piled in the car and drove to Salt Lake

To visit the now famous Little Chocolatiers' Hatch Family Chocolate Shop

And they did not disappoint.  Hand made, hand dipped chocolates -- YUM!!!

And the kids loved going someplace they had seen on TV!

And really loved dessert before dinner!

It was nice not having to get up early and get the kids out the door for the week.

Really nice not having to do homework every night.

But I did not shed a tear when they returned to school the next week!

How long is Summer Break??????

School Programs

You can tell it is getting to be close to the end of the school year.

We are starting to have lots of programs to attend

Jessica and Ashley finished up their ballroom classes.

Here they are with the group trophies they earned this year.

The second year group did a really fun 50s number 

And here are all the first and second year students after doing a wonderful performance. 

I think Jessica was excited/embarrassed that her beehive class came to see her.

She had a great cheering section!

And we've attended the 6th grade play.  This year they did Pinocchio and Jessica was a puppet master!

Easter 2010

Our Russian Easter Eggs!

Easter began with of course dying eggs.

But this year we had the privilege of using Russian Egg Dying Kit!

A friend returned from a trip to Russia right before Easter and brought us back this fun kit.

They were vibrant and colorful.

Then of course we had a Family Easter Party with Mark's Family.

But I did not make a single Deviled Egg this year, shocker!

Somehow we always gather around the food!

We are running out of small kids to go egg hunting.
Ashley and Jacee were the oldest!
Jessica opted out this year.  She can't be that old!

John did manage to fill his basket!

It was wonderful to have General Conference the same weekend as Easter this year.
It really reminded us the reason we celebrate Easter.
Not just for the eggs and candy.  It is to remember our Savior.