lego minifigure trading at legoland

At Legoland California Noah and I traded minifigures, the little Lego "mini figurines". we brought along ones we thoght we had too many of, like one of our 4 or 5 original Kai(s). We then traded with "model citizens" (legoland employees) (they had minifigures on their nametag) for ones we thought were cool and we had none of. we traded all of the 8 we brought. we got in return: a guy with headphones,

a pirate with a mini musket pistol,

a mummy

, a small clown (a little bit different from the minifigure series one)

, a robber

, Velma StapleBot,

 a knight

, and a weird girl that had a messed-up expression. That last one was Olivia's idea. we lost in trading: motorcycle mechanic (we had a duplicate of), flaminco dancer (duplicate of), harry potter (like 4 of), Kai (like 4 of), Lasha(three of), cowgirl (three of), and two others. we would have traded one of our three viking women if we could find her dress.
overall, we had a great time trading.

--harrison

Swim Lessons

Starting in May a girl in our ward started teaching swim lessons in her parents pool in their back yard.  Since soccer season was ending, and I wanted them to improve their swimming skills, I signed them up.  Olivia was already taking lessons at an indoor pool, so she had to wait until June to take lessons from Jenna.  It has been fabulous.  The kids love taking lessons with their friends, and I love that they can ride their bikes to their lessons.  It's probably about 1/2 a mile, and they do have to cross a somewhat busy street to get there, but I really like that there is something they can do independently like that and take some extra responsibility.  I think that there use to be a lot more of that 50 years ago, and it's so good for kids to have.  Any way, I'll step off that soap box now, and leave you with some pictures:

Jenna has been the best teacher my kids have ever had, and they've all improved so much.  Harrison and Noah just started the July session of lessons, and then we'll take a break, as Jenna will be having a baby the beginning of August.  I'm so glad we had the chance to take some lessons from her this summer!

A Fresh Start

The First Day of School

2012

Harrison, 4th grade

Noah, 1st Grade

  As I mentioned before, Harrison will be going to another new school this year, so the boys will be at different schools.  Thankfully, they provide a bus, which picks Harrison up at our home school, so Noah and Harrison still ride the bus together.  Harrison was glad to be returning to a class-full of familiar faces for once, and a friend from church also joined his class this year, so that's nice for him.  Noah was hesitant about starting school this year, but quickly got over that when he realized his best bud was going to be in the same class this year.  The boys both seemed to have settled into their new routines nicely, and both come home with reports of a "great" day.

Last day of Freedom

School started on a Tuesday, so we spent Monday making some last minute preparations.  Sam was able to take some time off, and we took the kids bowling in the morning.

None of them are able to truly bowl, but they each developed their own strategy of getting the ball down the lane, and they all had a great time.

 The local bowling alley has a "Kids bowl free" program every summer, so maybe this will become a new family tradition.

Monday night, at Family Home Evening, Sam gave each of the children a Father's blessing for the coming school year.  I loved how excited they each were for their turn, and I'm confident they will each have a great year!  I am looking forward to the new schedules, some time at home with just Levi, new projects, cooler weather, and crunching leaves.  I love the fall.  The kids are excited and nervous at the same time, and it's so fun to watch them grow through these experiences.

Last day of school

This year has FLOWN!  Poor Noah was home sick on the last 2 days of school.  Harrison had a great last day. Knowing that it would be his last day at this school (the KOG classes are moving to a new school next year), his class went around and got autographs from everyone around the school.  Wasn't too hard to say good-bye since he'll have all the same classmates, and the 3 KOG teachers are staying the same.  It's been kind of a crazy year for him, 2 new teachers, 2 new grades, and going into a new program, but it's been a great year.  He's really grown a lot, and I'm really proud of all he's accomplished.  Next year will be another new adventure, at another new school (this makes it a new school for every year of elementary school for him so far!) 

Here's Harrison on the last day of school:

And, to compare, the first day:

Good Neighbors

We have the best neighbors.  Just tonight, Pete from next door came by and fixed our sprinkler leak, and taught Sam the ins and outs of how to do it himself next time.  A couple weeks ago, he gave all the kids a ride on his motorcycle (Harrison declined. Olivia asked for a second turn.)

It's so nice when you are so far from family, that you have people around you that feel like family.

Fall pictures

We took the kids back to the same spot we took pictures last year, to get some updated ones for this year.  Here's a sampling of some shots we got.

Pumpkin Patch

Every year at our Elementary school, the Kindergarteners take a field trip in the fall to the pumpkin patch.  Harrison's class did this, but I was not able to chaperone, as they didn't have room for any parents on the trip.  With our new school, any parents (or siblings) that want to come are welcome.  You just have to get there yourself.  So Olivia and I took advantage, and came along. It was a great time for everyone.  If we had come on the weekend, it would have cost our family of 5 over $30 to do what we did on the field trip for $6.  And that wouldn't have included a pumpkin, and the field trip did. 


There was a hay ride

out to a pumpkin patch.

Noah had to get a picture with his best friend Dallin.

These two are like 2 peas in a pod.  The are in the same class a church, but different classes at school, but that doesn't stop them from playing with each other at recess every single day.  

Next came the huge hay bale climbing tower.  This made me a bit nervous.  It was really, really tall.  But the kids LOVED it.

 And then there was the hay bale maze.

Olivia definitely felt right at home with all the Kindergarteners.  She would even line up with then when their teacher asked them to line up:

I got a group shot of his whole class.  It's a lot bigger than Harrison's class. I think Harrison's was close to 20, and Noah's is almost 30.

There was also a petting zoo, complete with bunny rabbits, pigs, goats and a reindeer!

Noah could read the signs that were posted stating that the animals may bite.  So he kept his distance. 

Everyone had a great time, and we enjoyed fabulous weather.  I can't wait to go with Olivia's class in a couple years!