Reganne and Her Wiggly Tooth

We were sitting in sacrament meeting Reganne wanted to sit on my lap. As she was talking I noticed that her bottom teeth were sitting funny. I reached up and touched it. It was really wiggly. That started it. She had her fingers in her mouth touching and moving it. She showed it to everyone as they passed by her. You would think this was her first loose tooth. It was. She played with it all through primary. She wouldn't eat lunch or dinner because it might fall out.

Reganne & the wiggle tooth

Bedtime came, Dave told her to leave it alone she didn't want to swallow it in her sleep. Great Job Dad!!! She couldn't go to sleep in case it fell out. Lucky for us sleep finally came.

She was up bright and early at 6:30. She came running into the kitchen and I thought for sure she had swallowed it. She yelled TA DA it didn't fall out. She refused to eat breakfast. She couldn't eat it may hurt my tooth.

Lunch time arrived and they came and picked me up for our Monday Lunch Date. The first words I was greeted with were. My tooth is out and look at the blood. She proudly showed the kleenex she was using. She had Dave check her tooth as they were getting ready to leave. He grabbed it, gave a little twist, it popped, she jumped, and it was out.

Reganne & Her Tooth

What a small tooth.

When Rylee got home from school the fun really began. It was time to get ready for the tooth fairy. She was so worried that she wouldn't come. Rylee let her use her tooth holder. Reganne told us that she didn't want the silver money but green dollars instead. Bedtime finally arrived along with one small mishap with the tooth. She lost it in her bed. Her bed was full of toys, blankets, pillows, and whatever else she can find. Dad to the rescue. He found it.

The toothfairy came and brought her the green dollar. Rylee was bummed she never got a green dollar.

One tooth down and how many more to go?

Family Movie Night.... New Treat

Family Movie Night last night I wanted to try a new treat. Cookie Pizza made with Chex Cereal for the crust. It was really ooey, gooey when it was warm. But not so good when it cooled off. It tastes like a peanut butter cookie, only crunchier. The movie wasn't much better. "The Spy in the House" with Jackie Chan, Billy Ray Cyrus, and George Lopez. Reganne couldn't understand why Hannah Montana's Dad was in the movie or where Hannah was. No amount of talking could convince her that this wasn't Hannah Montana.

Better luck next week. We are hoping that it won't be as windy and maybe we can do it outside.

Potty Training Update

Going potty has become a power struggle. He has learned that he controls it and nobody can make him go. No amount of bribbing or yelling has work. He just smiles and says No!

He will tell us when he is wet and wants to be changed. He also will tell me he is pooping. I asking if he wants to go sit on the potty. He smiles and says No!

So for know it is up to him and maybe it will happen soon. Hopefully, before he goes to school.

Rylee and Math Facts

Second Grade requires that all children work on their math facts and beable to pass off Addition 1 to 9 and Subtraction 1-9. If they are successful there will be a Math Facts Party at the end of the school year. Each day they have a timed test for each level. The children are grouped together by level to help each other.

We didn't really work or focus on math and really pushed reading instead. In February at parent teacher's conference we discovered Rylee was falling behind and only on Adding 8's. Her teacher was concerned that she wouldn't make the party.

It was time to focus on math facts. Out came the practice tests, flash cards every day. She did really well at home with the flash cards, but the timed tests at school were a struggle.

Tuesday she finally passed of her subtracting 9's. She was so excited and quickly collected her 5 dollars from her Dad. He made a deal with her if she could complete all the levels he would give her 5 bucks.

I DID IT !!!!!

The Final Test !!!!

Wednesday, she received her invitation to the Pajama Pizza Party on Tuesday, May 25th.

We are really proud of her and all her hard work. It is hard work learning the math facts. I take it for granted now. After watching her I understand how important it.

Finally......We Made It!!

Finally, everything fell into place this week. We were able to make it to Salt Lake City to the Hogal Zoo. We watched the weather reports, flights and everything looked good. The kids were so excited they could barely sleep. Everyone was up and ready to go in plenty of time to catch our flight. The airport was packed with people and their luggage. Lucky for us they took a full plane and we make the flight We were greeted in Salt Lake by blue skys and warm sunshine. We made a quick stop at McDonalds for breakfast. They were too excited to eat.

We pulled into the parking lot and were greeted by the sight of hundreds of people going inside. So much for being early and avoiding the crowds. Lucky for us we still have our membership and zoomed past the crowds, ticket lines, and went straight to the entrance.

Our first stop was the train. Reganne was concerned that there weren't any doors on the train. What if she fell out. Once the train started she forgot all about falling out and enjoyed the ride.

Rylee & Ryder in the Discovery Zone

The kids ran and played while we waited for Grandma JeanAnn and Grandpa Chris to arrive.

Reganne & Rylee....My Little Ducklings

Ryder trying to help the little ducklings hatch. He wanted them to come out and play with him.

The girls love the monkey bars, but they always want my help holding them up. So no pictures of that. As I turned around Ryder yelled Mom take a picture of me on the monkey bars. This is what I saw. He was swinging for all his was worth on the side bars.

Reganne & The Elephant

This was were she really wanted her picture taken. Ryder wanted nothing to do with him, he made strange noises. We waited patiently for the little girl to finish her turn. After about five minutes of waiting we asked if she would let Reganne sit there. She reluctantly moved off and Reganne climbed on. However, the little girl wouldn't move away and stood there the whole time. Notice her face she wasn't going to let anyone take her spot. I looked around for her parents, she was completely by herself.

Kids and the Conservation Carousel

Rylee and the Bison, Ryder and the Monkey, Reganne and the Poisen Dart Frog. I was standing between Reganne & Ryder for support and to make sure Ryder didn't fall off he isn't 42 inches tall.

Uncle Bryan, Aunt Becca, Rylee, and Reganne

We were glade Bryan & Becca were able to come and spend the day with us as well. They were all watching the Gorilla slowly move around. Reganne was mad that I interrupted with a picture.

The Peacock & Reganne

She was fascinated and a little scared of the peacock. He started crowing and Reganne started to mimic him. He moved slowly towards her and she freaked and moved back. When he stopped Reganne decided to talk to him again as he moved around the grass.

When we asked what their favorite thing in the zoo was. Rylee's was the gift shop, Reganne's was the gift shop, and Ryder's was the Tigers. They had saved their allowance for the month so they could buy something. Rylee bought pencils to share with her friends. Reganne bought an elephant stamp, butterfly necklace and tattoo. Ryder bought a semi-truck.

Reganne, Breeonah, and the dogs.

We made a quick visit to Grandpa Waters. He looks pretty good for just waking up and having the kids run around his room. Then we stopped by the old house. We were greeted by Brandon, Kim, and Family, Kelly and her friends. They were busy working on the house getting it ready for tile. Dave quickly jumped into help. The kids quickly found the dogs and played with them until the dogs ran away.

We caught the late flight home and everyone slept in their own beds by 11:00pm. It was a great day having fun with family and enjoying the great weather.

Boy Toys

Two 1/2 years ago we didn't have any boy toys. Today we have too many boy toys and they are everywere. Trucks, cars, motorcycles, and airplanes you can't move without stepping on one. Ryder loves to play with everything dumped out and spread out around him. However, Dave keeps trying to teach him to play in his room with them. But, it works for a short time and then they are back out in the kitchen or living room.

Who am I to argue. While I am in the kitchen working he is playing with his toys. It is fun know to listen to him. He has started talking to them. How fast he is growing. His official weight as of last Friday was 24 pounds.

Saturday Fun in the Sun

We arrived at the Tonaquint Nature Center for Saturday Morning Exploration. However, it had been cancelled due to other activities around the city. We had brought bread to feed the ducks that were there. The kids quickly ran to get their bread and started to throw the bread. At first Reganne & Ryder were down below. Until the ducks started swimming towards them. They quickly ran up on the deck beside Rylee.



Ryder was naming the ducks. There was mommy duck, daddy duck, brother duck, sister duck, other sister duck, uncle duck, and finally aunt duck.

Of course Reganne & Ryder ran out of bread quickly and started begging Rylee to share with them. Which she did, but with a lecture to go slowly and break them into small pieces.

The Duck Family

So much for a planned activity.... It was fun to see the kids imaginations come alive. We also went on a nature walk and found little acorns.

Washington City Cotton Days - Rec Center

The Kick Off for Cotton Days was a Birthday Party for the Rec Center. Admission was one dollar and many fun activities. When we arrived the line stretched out the door and around the fence to the stop sign. Inside the fence was full of people. After watching the line and trying to find a parking place. No movement on either. We turned around and went home. The kids were so disappointed they wanted to get wet. Out came the sprinklers and on came the water.

They played, got wet, and we had ice cream in the backyard. Not the rec center for sure, but less crowded.

Washington City Cotton Days - Staheli Farms

Washington City invited everyone to Staheli Farms for a family free night. Come and enjoy playing on the farm, playing games, and petting the animals. Rylee was so excited to go. Ryder kept asking for the corn maze. Reganne wanted to see the horses.

Get your picture with the cow and get a frisby.

Reganne found the horses. She was so excited until they told her that she bites. She was quickly done.

Ryder & Dave

He found the cows and just wanted to stand and watch them. They looked at him with bored expressions. Ryder was fascinated with everything they were doing. They were eating, pooping, and mooing. Each of these were preceeded by "Look at the cows...."

Reganne & Ryder on the train

The train was the only thing that could get Ryder away from the cows. Ryder wanted his own car. However, we had watched them take off and knew it would go to fast. When the ride was over Ryder had the shell shocked express on his face. That was fast !!!

Rylee on the Rope Swing.

Ryder and the Slide

Ryder & Reganne at the bottom.

He landed so fast and hard that he just sat there for a minute. He told us he broke his bum.

Reganne, Ryder, and Dave on the teeter totter.
Reganne didn't like being up in the air and promptly started to panick.

All in all it was a fun night on the farm. Again, we came home with runny noses and scratchy eyes. Dave has been sick ever since with allergies.

Washington City Cotton Days - Tractor Display

Washington City Cotton Days started with a bang this year. They had a smart idea to increase visitors and participation. Invite all the second graders in Washington County School District on field trips about the pioneer history of the city. They learned about making soap, cotton, and pulling a handcart. Rylee was so excited to share all that she learned have as much fun as she did. At Veteran's Park was the display of old wagons, tractors, fire trucks, and more. Looking at the wagons brought back memories of Grandpa Johnson, his wagons, and all the rides.

Rylee & The Handcart

She was one of the lucky children able to try and pull this cart a short distance. She did as good as the boys in her class. Of which she was so proud.

It was fun to walk around and see the whole display. Ryder loved the firetrucks & tractors and quickly ran to each one asking for a ride.

Zoo Trip...Almost

It's time for annual Hogel Zoo Trip. For the second time in two years the weather has not cooperated with us. This past week we watched the weather reports trying to decide on our course of action. Do we brave the weather or do we stay home and spend the weekend together. The weather reports changed daily we were in a holding pattern. As Friday approached it was going to be iffy at best. Next we checked the flights and surprise surprise. They had filled up overnight. Everyone else wanted out of town with the Ironman competition in town for the weekend. Saturday turned into catch up day and family day. We caught up on projects that needed to be done. Then the kids broke out the games. As Dave was playing checkers with Rylee & Ryder. I was making pizza with Reganne.

Rylee contemplating her next move...Ryder asking his 100th why question.

Dad turned his back for only a moment.

We didn't touch anything....promise.

We ended the day with homemade pizza, a movie, and snicker bars for dessert.

Stake conference was today. We decided since we were in town that we should go. Dave thought the Relief Society room would be the best place to sit. Soft chairs and front row seats. All was well to start. Ryder needed to go potty 4 times, Reganne twice, Rylee once. Pictures colored 10.

Ryder decided he had enough and was ready to go home. He turned to Dave and said I don't like this show, change it. Repeated 4 times each louder than the next.

Rylee's Special Day

The day finally arrived for Rylee. She waited so patiently to turn eight. However, she wasn't prepared to wait for her baptism. For the past two weeks that is all she has thought about. She prepared family home evening lessons and proudly gave them. She went to her bishop's interview and came back all smiles. Why wouldn't April 24th come. Finally, the weekend arrived and so did family members eager to share her day. I don't think the smile ever left her face the whole time.

Rylee & Dave

Annie, Rylee, and Kate

They are good friends and were excited to share the special day with each other. They planned the program together and picked out their favorite songs to sing. They also sang "I am a Child of God" for a musical number.

Rylee's Family & Friends

She was so excited to have so much family come and share the day.

Rylee in her special white dress.

She felt like a princess in her special dress.

Grandpa Chris, Rylee & Grandma JeanAnn

The Party...The Food

We had great weather, lots of family, lots of food, all to celebrate a special girl.

On our way home her comment was we wait and wait for this day to come. You never want it to end, because you will never have another day like this since you only get baptised once.