Another fun thing the kids like to do is to set up the Book Fair. Back in September, Grant's school had a Book Fair, and, since it is for a good cause, we could go there and get some books. Grant just had to have Pete the Cat, and Audrey found a Minnie Mouse book she loves. Ever since then, they love to set out our books like they did at the book fair, and look at all the ones we have.

Too fun!

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Happy Birthday to James

November 7th, marked James' 35th birthday. We managed to stretch his birthday across the weekend, which I think makes it more fun!

He wanted a birthday dinner at Winger's with the kids. And the kids were fabulous. James is always trying to get our family to read scriptures better, so the kids and I gave him a Family Version of the Book of Mormon.

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He wanted a pumpkin cheesecake for his birthday cake, and the kids had fun with the 3 and the 5 that were on the cake.



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Playing School

One of the things the kids like to do when they get home from school is to play School. It is so funny the things they will do, and have me do!

Grant gets out a chair, and sometimes he will get a stool. He will say his name is Ms. Ross (which is his teacher's name), and will tell Audrey that her name is Ms. Gina (the kindergarten's aide's name.)

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He will show me something on the iPad, or in a book that I should know. He sings his calendar songs to me, and make me sit "Criss Cross, like a pretzel." I have to raise my hand to say anything.

And sometimes a few more members of the class will show up:







And we all have to listen attentively, or go to Time Out. I love these kids!


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Same trip, new day. We took the kids to Temple Square. I love it when they see it and identify it. We talk about it so much, it was fun to go and see it. We took a tour of the conference center and took a few pictures around it. We have taken the tour before, but the guy that did it this time, was so fascinating while talking about it, I learned lots of interesting things. Of course, we had to take a picture at the top of the Conference Center. The kids do okay during tours, but I think they were glad to be done.




I'm sure glad that our family is forever! :)


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Finally Hogle Zoo

We tried to do this trip a month ago, but it didn't quite work out. We finally made it so that we could go to Hogle Zoo on Labor Day weekend in September.
I loved going this time of year. We thought it would be so busy, but it really wasn't. The sun stayed behind some clouds, and it was actually really fun to be outdoors.

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This bear was super cute. It was really interacting with the crowd.










I like giraffes. They deserve lots of pictures. :) We liked this mama and baby giraffe. It makes me smile!












This tiger was pretty cool, too, but when it was all said and done, the kids would rather be doing this:












While I was still intrigued by these little guys:








Pretty scary. I was very grateful for the barrier between us. I don't know how I would do in that Everglades Park in Florida. I think they have crocodiles that just wander around...no thank you.




Touring the zoo took us all morning. It would be so much fun to go again, since every experience is different. We sat at these little tables and at some lunch. We brought that in, so Grant stuck to his diet the whole time we were there.







Another cute one of Audrey and Daddy.




Since we spent all morning at the zoo and we were so close to the This is the Place memorial, we packed up, and took the kids to those sights.







I think places like this are more fun for Mom and Dad then they are for the kids. Hopefully as they get older, they will be more fun to take to stuff. I don't think they were quite getting this, after our morning at the zoo. We will try again another day!




We also took them to the State Capital. It was open, and quite vast and pretty going inside. By this time, I think the kids were done, but I loved going inside that big building I used to look at while going to Aunt Melba's apartment. :)



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Grant's Official First Day of Kindergarten

Grant gets to go to Kindergarten this year. Holy cow, I cannot believe I just wrote that. Where did all the time go? He's five? Really? This kiddo has grown leaps and bounds, and is super ready for Kindergarten. I think it might be rough in the beginning, but he will soon get how to be in the classroom.

He was way super excited to wear his new school clothes, and kept changing his mind on what he was wearing. He finally settled on his Blue shirt that says CHIEF, and some khaki pants. He looks so handsome with his freshly cut hair. Look how tan he is!

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I managed to sit him down and pose with his sign, just as we had done with Audrey on her first day of preschool the day before. She desperately wanted to be by him, so I took another one:




Two cute kids. Can we tell they are brother and sister? :)



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Audrey's First Official Day of Preschool

One excited little girl this morning! She is thrilled to be able to go to school, just like Grant has done, for, pretty much her whole life! She is three, and we are so thrilled that she can go to the school district's preschool this early, and that she is getting Grant's old teacher. Audrey dressed herself this morning. She did pretty good. I insisted on putting the leggings on, so she wouldn't get chilly while playing outside. I find the SUU balloon she is holding very appropriate for the occasion. Our home teacher was over the night before, and gave each of the kids a balloon. If you know my Audrey, she loves balloons. Sweet girl. I also managed to get her to hold this sign we made, and take a picture.

She started school on Monday, and Grant started on Tuesday, so I got to spend a little alone with Grant while she was at school. Grant sure missed Audrey. She is his favorite playmate that is for sure.

Audrey also gets to ride the bus home. It is nice because the preschool bus comes right to our house, so we can be there for her right when she steps off.

She loves school, and as soon as she comes home, she will empty our her backpack and show me what she did for the day. I'm so glad she likes to go to school!
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