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.

It Finally Happened...Scissors !

I have always been worried that the girls would cut their own hair. That every pair of scissors are up in a cupboard where they can't reach them. When Rylee & Reganne learned how to cut in school I let them practice at home. Ryder followed along and has always just cut paper and does really well.



Imagine my surprise Thursday night with this little surprise. They had asked for scissors to finish a school project. I walked out of the kitchen to change the laundry. Ryder followed after me with the scissors in his mouth. Before I could take them away he said ouch and walked off.



I came back in the kitchen and was greeted with this wonderful site. I asked him to open his mouth and blood poured out. I quickly reached for a dish rag and tried to clean him up. That is when I noticed the bare patches on top of his head.

He earned an early hair cut from dad, broken scissors, and a sore mouth. The next day Reganne said she needed to tell the truth. He didn't do it all by himself she had helped.

These two little minds working together really is starting to scare me.

Easter Weekend 2010

Dave and the kids headed off to Hurricane for the Easter Car Show. Once they arrived Reganne wanted to go and play on the bounce toys. Rylee & Ryder were fascinated by all the cars and the crazy activities going on. Dave finally gave into Reganne and let them pick which one they wanted to play on. They picked the bouce house.

The Arts Festival was also this weekend. Each year is larger than the last. However, this year I can't say it was better. There really wasn't much variety available to look at. This year the majority of the displays were photographs. They were all really good, but too many of them. The kids quickly tired of walking around. Until...

We happened onto this display of making ice cream. All churned with this small engine. The girls noticed that it was a John Deere Tractor and they wanted their picture with it to show Grandpa Chris

Grandpa Chris this picture is for you. Lucky for us or not so lucky depending on how you look at it. The line for ice cream as way to long so I bribed the kids with ice cream at home.

Easter Baskets

Easter morning arrived and the eagerness to dig into their baskets. They each dug through the grass and discovered Nerf Guns w/ extra bullits, Crayola Magic Molding Clay, and Cotten Tails (Candy)

Reganne, where is the chocolate hiding???

Both Reganne & Ryder quickly pulled out the grass and decided to bury their toys in. Before I knew it there was grass all over the house with eggs scattered around as well.

Ryder & Grandma's Easter Eggs

I emptied all the eggs and Ryder quickly gathered up as many as he could. He then proceed to fill them up with any candy he could find. When I asked him what he was doing. His reply was making eggs for grandma. So Grandma will need to check her room when she comes for a visit. The little Easter Bunny left a little surpise for her.

What a weekend !! I think I need another one get ready for the week ahead.