End of Summer

We had a great last day of summer. Just the kids and me (until Michael came home). I planned a scavenger hunt (which ended at the Kawaii shaved ice shop), we made yummy treats, made "Crowns of Righteousness" for FHE, Michael gave them and myself blessings, and then we ate said yummy treats. I love my boys, but school and structure are good for them. The past week we've all been a little "testy." They will be sorely missed those long hours at school, but I have no regrets about our summer. We had fun, we pulled from the summer fun jar, learned new words of the week, played with friends, lots of pool time, weekend trips, Utah trip, learning the computer (poptropica, lego.com), and even borrowing grandma's Wii.

Here we are in the morning making our FHE treats. Homemade ice cream sandwiches. It was fun (and a bit messy). The baby seemed to be sad right at the moment that my hands were full. I set her down (its ok to cry sometimes) and the kids pick her up. She's still sad, but it makes them feel better to help.

We then went on our driving scavenger hunt. I made 8 clues and put them in sealed envelopes for them to open along the way. I incorporated things we have done this summer.
Nothing fancy. Clue #1 above--go to neighborhood pool and do swim strokes. Below: Go to Ethan and Carters house and get a snack (Miss Jackie always has great snacks to share)
Another: Go to Garrett's and ask him what are his 5 favorite Pokemon cards.

Chillin' in the car

Tyler took this.

Go to gymnastics and do 10 jumping jacks (Alyssa opted out of this one). Then to shaved ice and last was go home and play the Wii (even though I said they were done for the day). It was a mandatory step in the scavenger hunt.

We made pigs in a blanket for dinner and ate it on the trampoline--per the kids request.

Making our crowns of righteousnesss. I basically had them put words on there that would help them be strong at school. Kindess, honesty, happy, prayer, scriptures.

We ate the treats.

All of us with our crowns.
Then for haircuts
All ready for school!
Now rewinding a bit.....

For the last week of summer, I thought it would be fun for the kids to choose the meals. I gave them free reign to pick food for one full day. That meant breakfast (any cereal), snack, lunch, dinner, and dessert. They got all excited. Tyler got cheese Doritos, Matthew got mint oreos, and Alyssa got rainbow goldfish. I normally get regular goldfish, but rainbow is what she wanted that day. They chose Macaronni and cheese, nuggets, and corn dogs for their dinners, but I convinced them (for daddy's sake) to have those for lunch and to help me make a "mommy meal" for dinner. So they picked their favorites: Alyssa--spaghetti, Tyler--crunchy tacos, Matthew--soft tacos. Here is Matthew stirring the hamburger. It was fun to have them involved and have ownership over shopping and planning and eating the food they chose.

Weird angle on this one, its kinda scary but funny.
Love that tongue.

Bugsy eyes --she gets them a lot going from a light room to a dark room, or when Alyssa gets too close to her.
We went to the Rockin' River water park in RR. I went a few years ago, and I remembered it being crowded. It still was crowded, but cheap fun! It has a lazy river, 2 water slides, and other fun water stuff. $12 for our entire family! We went with my friend Jessica and her family that she had visiting. With her guests was an 8 year old boy, Odin, that Tyler and Matthew had fun playing with.

The boys had to get over the fact that the only tubes available were pink.


I got wet, but mostly was cuddling with Cali in the shade.

Kids singing to Cali in the swing. She loves the swing if she is placed in it while happy. Dislikes it if she is already sad and I am thinking it might make her happy.

I forgot to post a pic of the Wilkinson Quints 2nd birthday. I took one or two with my little camera, then grabbed Rachelle's and snapped for her so she could enjoy the festivities.
The bumpo is fun.

Cali and her boyfriend, Kemp. I keep meaning to post pictures of myself and my friend Tamiel very pregnant with these two, but this is much cuter. Trust me:) We like to hang out and watch cable on her couch and eat. Cake Boss, Jon and Kate, NoTorious.
I love this little video of Cali rolling--mostly of her cheering section. It makes me smile.

Tomorrow, the first day of school.