Little Valley 4th Ward Spring Kick Off Movie Night

This ward party was full of fun, excitement, and good treats. There was a good turnout with something for everyone.

The Game...Kids vs. Adults

The Movie...Toy Story

The consesus was this is a great party!

2010 Dixe REA Kite Festival

The day finally arrived for the annual Kite Festival. Wouldn't you know there was no wind. The weather was great. Rylee completed all her reading with minutes to spare. They were all excited to go and ride the school bus and train. It was Saturday and I was on my own. I wondered if we would all survive.

The first thing Ryder noticed was the row of school buses lined up in the parking lot.

Rylee & Ryder...All Smiles.

Reganne..she couldn't stop talking long enough to smile.

Star Wars Picture Moment

They weren't too sure of posing with them. Reganne was eager, Rylee did it because Reganne was and Ryder wanted to hold the gun.

There were plenty of free games for the kids to play. This is a water pump that they could try.

Rylee...She made all but one hula hoop on the peg.

Reganne..She tried and got all but three.

Ryder.. He managed all of them before he was done. They let him put them on instead of throwing.

Ryder and the golf club.

It was taller than him. Rylee tried to show him how and he refused. He kept trying until he made all three holes.

Phoebe, Robin, and Reganne...Strawberry Ride

All morning Reganne wanted to ride the strawberry ride. We met up with their friends Phoebe & Robin Bock. They decided to try the rides. Rylee chose not to ride this one.

Best Friends

Ryder wanted to ride the train. All week he told everyone that he was going to ride the school bus and train. I couldn't disappoint him. Under protest Rylee rode with him.

Robin & Reganne.. When will it start?

It was a great day full of sun, fun, and friends. The highlight of my day was picking out the kite. Rylee took Reganne over to the selection booth and let her pick her favorite one. The volunteer handed it to Rylee. She then handed it over to Reganne for her very own. They are both excited for next year when they both and get one.

Rylee and the Track Meet

The Little Valley Elemantary Track Meet this year was open to Second Grade. They were able to participate, but not qualify for distric. Rylee picked the Long Jump, Softball Throw, and 50 Meter Dash.

Get Ready, Set, Go.....

The finish line. I missed getting her picture. She came in 5th place. Everyone stopped about a yard away from the finish line. Looked around and then crossed.

Record Keeping...They had to wait patiently in their lanes until their times were recorded.

Rylee @ the long jump.

They wouldn't let anyone down on the track. My camera wouldn't zoom in that far. She did really good and had fun. The kids were excited to spend the day outside with all their friends. She is eager to participate next year

Meet The Newest Members of Our Family

All Rylee wanted for her birthday this year was a goldfish. She even did her persausive letter project in school about a goldfish. Dave tried everything to change her mind. We decided that Reganne & Ryder's present to her would be a fish.

We all went to Petco to pick out the new family members. Petco wouldn't sell us fish until we had a tank set up and ready to go. It had to complete one cycle.

The seven day waiting period was finally over on Monday. We were off to get the fish. Rylee picked out her birthday fish. Then we let them each pick two with their allowance. They each proudly paid for two fish.

Welcome to Our Family

Dave dropping them inside the tank.

The kids supervising

Done !

They are finally home and swimming.

Week One Update: We have lost 3 family members this week. Ryder's response is they died and flushed down the toilet. Reganne's response Daddy flushed them down the toilet, but they were still alive, because their tails were moving. Rylee wanted to know if they had spirits and would go live with Heavenly Father.

We think the next round will be guppies. We heard their survival rate is much better.

Easter Outfits

Easter Sunday was a beautiful day. However, with General Conference they didn't get to wear their new outfits. The next Sunday became our Easter Parade and Fashion Show. This year after many failed attempts at finding Easter Dresses. I took the girls with me to pick their own dresses and try them on. These dresses were the final selection.

Reganne

Reganne is going to be our fashion model when she grows up. She loves to pose in the strangest ways. I started snapping the camera since she was having so much fun.

Ryder & His Purple Tie

I started out with a green pastel tie to match the girls dresses. The tie was too small. Ryder then asked for a purple tie. I told him to ask his Dad. Dave just looked at him and rolled his eyes. Why not Blue? Ryder said no a purple tie. Lucky for me we found one that fit. He picked this one out at Kid to Kid. He was so proud to wear it. However, after church it was covered in nursery and bishop treats. I discovered that it could be washed and look as good as new.

Rylee

So much for getting a group picture this year. Ryder took off running and the girls started fighting.

Happy Easter !!!

I Am Not Crazy !!

I love coconut & chocolate. When I found a coupon for free Coconut M&M's I was so excited to try them. I asked everyone to keep their eyes open for them. No luck !!!

Ryder & I went shopping at Walmart while the girls had a playdate. I told Ryder he could have some Yum Yums (M&M's) for being so good. As he was picking his out, I noticed these sitting right beside them. I asked Ryder to get me a package and he quickly picked up two.

Before we left the parking lot he had devoured half his package. The saying still holds true. The chocolate will melt in your mouth not your hands. But the candy coating will get allover. Ryder was green, brown, and white.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words or Maybe One TROUBLE!!!

I turned around last Sunday and was greeted with this scary sight. Ryder found the boxing gloves and decided to give them a try. I can only image what is in store for us as he learns something new each day. Doors no longer provide an obstacle unless they are deadbolted. He is not afraid to go and get Harley and let him in. Of course he keeps letting him in and Harley promptly wants to go back outside. He discovered the pantry, but only for the stool. I can't wait until he discovers that the food is in there too. He is a one boy wrecking crew.

New Saturday Activity

I am always on the look out for new adventures for Saturday. This week I discovered Saturday Exploration @ Tonaquint Nature Center" This month's activity was "Plantastic" the explanation was come and learn out plants and prepare to get dirty. This description fits perfectly into my plans. Getting outside and playing in the dirt, what a perfect Saturday morning.



The downside soon appeared since we couldn't find the place and drove around looking for about 1/2 hour. The kids were sure that Mom was crazy and we would never find it. I was able to determine that it was between the cemetary and park, but how to get there was a mystery. I took a chance and kept driving down this back road. Surprise it was right there. Rylee quickly told me that she had been there before and that is were she hurt her foot.





We were greeted by a path filled with trees. We kept on walking until we found the Nature Center.

Rylee, Bobcat, and Reganne.

We finally made it and were greeted with a wonderful world of plants and animals. There was so much to see in this tiny place. Inside the building were displays and small animals. The teacher had a couple of ferrets in a cage for the kids to see. Outside were many paths to walk down and also a small pond with ducks.

Ryder getting ready for the class to start.

Learning about Germination with a Sunflower Seed Project.

Rylee & her project.

She was so eager to try everything and can't wait for her's to start growing.

Reganne & Ryder

Were there is water you will find Reganne. She like the nature walk, but the pond was much better. She kept inching closer and I was sure she would fall in. Luckly accidents were adverted and she remained dry. Ryder soon joined her for rock throwing. We learned that ducks like lettuce and spinach much better than bread. I asked Ryder was ducks eat and he promptly replied "Rocks".



Rylee wondered back along the path and wanted to take pictures of the plants we had talked about. This is a yellow rose and it smelled wonderful.

Rylee's self portrait

She was trying to take pictures of herself and the tree. I think she did a really good job.

It was fun to be outside and amongst nature, even though we really were between a cemetary and a tennis court.

Little Valley Elementary Art Show

The school year is winding down. The first sign is all the activities they pile into each week. They finished Meet the Masters Program presented by the PTA. The kids were able to pick their favorite project and display it for the whole school and parents to see. The hallways before the art gallery with everything on display.

Rylee & Her Class Display

Rylee's Project "Mobiles"

Of course her's was on the top row. She did a really good job on all her art projects. It was hard for her to decide which she wanted to display.

As we wondered the halls it was fun to see everyone's projects and visit with other families.

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

Easter weekend started bright and early on Saturday. The annual neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt started at 9:00 and don't be late or you will miss the whole thing. We delivered our eggs the night before. Ryder didn't want to leave his there it was all we could do to get them out of his hands.

This year there was sunshine and not a cloud in sight. The bad thing was it was cool enough that the kids wanted jackets.

The kids were divided into 4 groups. 0-3, 4-6, 6-9, and older kids. Each group had their own yard to search.

Ryder's Group

Ryder thought he had it figured out. He picked up an egg and shook it. If it rattled then he put it in his basket. It not he threw it back down. I told him to look inside. The look of surprise was priceless. He was off and running. Reganne finished with hers really fast and quickly ran across the street to help Ryder.

Friends & Neighbors

What Next???

It was over way too soon for the kids. They took their eggs back home and quickly opened them to find out what was inside. Reganne promptly asked if we could do this again.

Dave and the kids were off too breakfast and the Easter Car Show. I was off to the basement to get our taxes done. What a way to spend a holiday.

Happy Birthday Rylee #8

The special day finally arrived !!! Rylee was finally 8 years old. At 11:35 she asked me if she was really eight years old. My replay was yes for the past 10 minutes. She let out a loud scream and started jumping around the house. The next thing out of her mouth was I am now closer to being baptized. WOW !!!

This is the year for the big birthday party. She has been planning for the past 6 months and was eager to get started. I stood back and provided support and cleanup when needed.

The Group Photo

Phoebe, Reganne, Rylee, Ryder, and Robin.

Bella, Kate, Angel, Sammy, and Annie

The relay races.

Scooter Races

Swinging

The Pinata (Hannah Montana)

The Presents

Finally, The Birthday Brownie !

She almost blew them all out in one breath.

Her new bike

Riding her new bike.

It was a great day for her. She loved all of the attention.