Hi School & Bye Summer!

We kicked off the start of school with annual father's blessings and dessert. James is in 3rd grade and Isabelle 1st grade. James says he has the nicest teacher in the school and Isabelle comes home eager to teach me all the new Chinese words she knows. Deciding which cute outfit to wear on the first day took determination, but Isabelle figured it out and looked adorable like always. I'll be substitute teaching part time this school year.

I've tried to clump and categorize parts of our summer. Check out earlier posts for more specific summertime events (like trips and my parent's return).

Cousin Playtime

We had lots of time to make up for! My kids hadn't seen their cousins Simon and Esther in over 2 years. Jeff and Lindsey and their kids came for a good chunk of the summer. Jill and Daisy were here for a few weeks too so everyone got to be together!

I read a book to the kids and the main character got to make a wish. He wished that he was an only child. Then he was lonely and sad. The end of the book was his siblings coming back. After reading the story, I asked the kids what their wish would be. James said without hesitation: "I wish that Simon and Esther and Daisy moved to Utah."

Bowling

Maybe my favorite picture. Penelope was jealous and sad that Jeff was holding Dorothy, so he quickly picked Penny up too. Notice the tears in her eyes.

Swimming

Smores

Parks/Walks

I taught Simon/Esther piano for a month

Stomach Bug

My parent's brought a stomach sickness back with them and it spread throughout the family. Some dealt with stomach repercussions for over a week. I was one of those lucky people. So was James. Others only had it a day ahem Isabelle. Throw up and diarrhea were involved. It was brutal and dragged on. Penelope threw up 5x one night, and James threw up almost 2 weeks after that. Within that 2 week period, we washed endless sheets, scrubbed carpets, and mopped up puke. Just when we thought we were in the clear, James threw up 5 nights after his last throw up incident. 

Track

The rampant stomach bug meant that James had to miss his last track meet. He participated in the first 2 meets though! Next year he wants to try running the 1600M race. James had the most success running the 400M. Once again Taft did track with James. Having a buddy always helps. We had lots of support this year at meets! All 3 of James' grandparents came!

Swimming 

The kids had swimming lessons the weeks of July 14 and August 11. Adrianna and Elijah Bradshaw swam with us in July and Elise and Dallin Boone in August. Unfortunately the stomach bug knocked us out for a couple of days in July. Thinking we might get to phase out of swim lessons soon because these kids are awesome swimmers. Penny thrived having Annie to play with during swim lessons.

Summer Reading Programs

We completed the library summer reading program twice-- I'm a huge advocate. Free books and coupons-- what's not to love?? This year we also did the Barnes and Noble summer reading program which the kids liked too.

Camp Tracy: Tuesday, July 15

There is a church camp in Millcreek called Camp Tracy and James was lucky enough to go! He was gone from 2:15pm-9:15pm. There was archery, canoeing, shooting BB guns, the trading post, and more. James brought a sack dinner to eat there. He had the time of his life and came home utterly filthy and sporting a nice tshirt! He had thrown up the day before and I wasn't sure he would be up for going. Thankfully he was! He's already talking about going next year. And lesson learned.. I will send money for the trading post.

Rec center camp: July 28-August 1

You have to be 6 years old to participate in the rec center summer camp. There are camps every week during the summer. I signed my kids up the first week they were both eligible (the week after Isabelle's birthday). The camp runs from 8am-12pm Monday-Friday. I loved that it structured our days and gave me some peace and quiet. James has asked that I sign him up for this camp every week next summer! As if! It was cheap, but not that cheap. I believe the cost was $75 per child for the week, so $150 total for us. The last day of camp there was time allocated to trading Pokémon cards. This was a favorite. The kids also got to enjoy the pool 3 of the days. They were bummed the slide wasn't open any of the times. They played group sports, made bracelets, played board games, and more. We asked Elijah and Adrianna to join us and sadly I don't know that they'll be up for doing it with us again. 

Splash camp: August 5-7

This was the second camp that the kids went to this summer at Mrs. B's house. Mrs. B is Isabelle's old preschool teacher. She lives walking distance from our house and puts on great summer camps. Earlier in the summer, the kids went to a science camp. 

This splash camp was 12:30-2:30 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The last day, the kids wore swimsuits and had snow cones, enjoyed a slip and slide, and more. Izzy got invited to a birthday party for someone she met at this camp. The Bradshaws also went to camp.

Primary activity days camp: Thursday, August 7 and Friday, August 8

Our stake put on an awesome camp from 9:30-noon back to back days. They went all out. I was grateful James could attend. There were different stations that the kids rotated through. They sang the song "My Own Sacred Grove," played pioneer games, had a scripture study class, learned about Joseph Smith, and more. One day, the kids got popsicles and the next day, doughnuts. James got a cool t-shirt that a had a picture of the temple on it.

Hiking

• The "Y" in Provo: Saturday, August 2 and BYU creamery ice cream
• Distance: 2.25 miles roundtrip

My parent's get to hike with us again which means more pictures are taken! Thanks mom. This hike was steeper than I remembered! The kids were champs! James practically ran the whole thing and could have gone further. The graham canyon ice cream flavor was sought after!

• Battle Creek Falls in Pleasant Grove: Saturday,  August 16
• Distance: 1.2 miles roundtrip

We had a good gang for this hike! Jessica's family came as well as my parent's.  George's first hike was a success! This is an easy trail and a great hike for families. Battle Creek Falls isn't far from where we used to live and I've been on the trail a number of times. We have many pictures taken here throughout the years. The hike was shaded and the perfect way to start my Saturday. (After going to high fitness of course.)

 

I have more hikes up my sleeve...

Friends

Lots of playdates. Couldn't resist sharing this cute pic I snapped with Jordan and Alex Bai.

Sundance Theater "The Wizard of Oz:" Monday, August 4

I'm always up for a girls night out! After having to change the ticket date not only once but twice, I wasn't sure that we'd actually make it. We did! It was a gorgeous evening! I couldn't help but giggle at my mom who was in full blown winter mood after the show. She was wearing a warm jacket, had a blanket, and needed her hood on. She's had Brazil blood for 3 years.

Jill was initially supposed to come with us and sadly she couldn't. Grandma Lynda (Gigi to my kids) was an excellent replacement. This was my 3rd time going to this outdoor theater. The "Wizard of Oz" was not the best production I've seen put on there. It was hard to hear Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz was laughable and disappointing. He was a giant blowup. The scarecrow stole the show and was incredible! The butterfly light up wings were special. In one of the dances, some of the actors did the splits and wore the silliest smiles. 

We had a great night and lucked out with a close parking spot.

BambooHR Work Party: Tuesday, August 5

When Andrew said he had a work party I did not expect a full blown carnival. It was unbelievable. We got food vouchers and got to pick from a number of food trucks for dinner. We also were given dessert vouchers and had snow cones later (The churro line was too long). There were over 10 bounce houses, face painting, caricatures, a rock wall, a zipline, a train ride, and more. We can't wait until next year!! And surprise surprise.. I ran into someone I went to high school with. I actually went to a school dance with him and he was in Madrigals with me-- Caleb Smith.

Temple: Wednesday, August 6

Doing sealings together was special and we chatted after while indulging ourselves at Rio Acai. Our babysitter didn't let us pay her and she made my day/night/week.

Lindon Pool: Saturday, August 9

The wicked stomach flu destroyed our original pool plans. Thankfully we rescheduled. Sadly, the weather on August 9 turned out to be crummy swim weather. In fact, my phone said it "felt like 73 degrees." It was very overcast and Penelope was shivering and Izzy cried. We last for 1 hour and 50 minutes before ending the misery.  Most people were beelining for the exit. On our way home we drove by our old house. Even though it wasn't the pool day we envisioned, we still loved hanging out with the Hendricks. 

Catching up on the Restaurants

Since my parent's missed out on several tasty places for a few years, we have tried to make up for that. We've been to Tonyburgers, Mi Ranchito, Papa Murphy's, Cafe Rio, etc.

One evening, my parent's babysit all the kids while we went to a new Ramen place in SLC "Mensho Ramen." (Andrew was working.) It was $$$ but tasty though I don't have much to compare it to.

Random Facts we learned this summer....

Penelope still enjoys eating dirt!!! Sigh...

James has a good arm! At my parent's ward picnic, he dunked the bishop multiple times by hitting the target with a ball. James then volunteered to sit in the dunk tank himself which was a dream come true for him.

Playing in the bed of a truck still entertains my kids for long periods of time.

What a summer!