Celebration!

Pictures taken June 08, 2011

In honor of Ammon finishing first grade, we had a fun family night.  He requested Bagel Pizza for dinner.  Afterwards we went to our favorite ice cream shop, Leatherby's.

Ammon wanted to go BIG, so we let him order off the adult menu.  He and I both got banana splits - mine is from the kids menu.  The man sitting at the table next to us said that the ratio between Ammon and his ice cream was the craziest thing he has ever seen.  He even offered to give Ammon five dollars if he finished the whole thing.  As it was, Ammon only ate about one-third of what he ordered.  In fact, Andrew was the only one who didn't bring ice cream home to enjoy for days to come.

About the pictures:  both of the boys were extremely happy with their cherries.  They proudly held up the empty stem after eating the fruit.  Andrew also thought it was great that he went to take a picture of me just as I was sneaking a taste of Ammon's ice cream.  I am famous for eating off of other peoples plates - even if we have the exact same food.  (Although in this instance, Ammon had different flavors of ice cream that I was wanting to try.)

It was a great end to another school year, with more family memories made.  This will be our annual tradition, and I am already looking forward to next year at Leatherby's.

Spring Concert

Pictures taken May 25, 2011

The first grade at Ammon's school put on a Spring Concert for the parents.  It was really cute.  They learned all sorts of songs about rain and sun.  Ammon has terrible allergies and they were going crazy that night.  We spent a lot of the evening watching him wipe his nose.  We were pleased when he at least used the tissue he had in his pocket.  We were mortified when he didn't.  I was certain that when he got up to the microphone to say his part it was going to be a very public and spotlighted nose-picking.  But it wasn't.  He did a GREAT job!

I think he must have gotten his choreography abilities from me.  At one point they pulled out rain jackets and put them on.  He spent the entire song trying to figure out why his wasn't fitting right.  He had put his head through one of the sleeves and never got it fixed.  Later they wore yellow vests.  His had gotten twisted around on the right side.  He spent a while trying to remedy that, but eventually gave up.  One of the songs they sung with the vests on was You Are My Sunshine.  He told me later that when he was singing that song, he was singing it to me.  Talk about a melt your heart moment!  I am such a lucky mom and couldn't be more proud of Ammon.  I love the person he is - runny nose, terrible dancing, and all!  I am constantly being told what I sweet boy he is.  He has the kindest heart and it shows!  Having Ammon in my life is one of my greatest blessings.

Field Trips and Peter's Last Day of School

Not only was I able to join Peter on his field trip, but my Grandparents came too!

We toured the local baseball stadium.

My grandpa used to play baseball in the same league that our local team is in.

He played 70 years ago - can you believe it?

When I mentioned how long it had been for him, people thought I was doing my math wrong.

But this amazing, sporty looking man turned 91 just days after the field trip.

Peter was thrilled to have his great-grandparents there.

We looked at the field, specifically walking past center field where Grandpa used to play.

We checked out the suites.

We even got a look at all the supplies that go into keeping the grass properly cared for.

It was a fun afternoon and I'm glad I was able to be there with Peter.

A few days later I attended Ammon's field trip.

His class went to Red Butte Garden.

Neither of us had ever been, but we both want to go back.

Ammon was adorably interested in all the plants and his class moved at too fast a speed for his taste.

He would have enjoyed more time to meander through the gardens.

We went through the herb garden and were given plants to eat.

We went through the medicinal garden and learned about a couple of plants there.

We also enjoyed the beautiful smells of the aromatic garden.

(Although I don't think that's what they called it - I don't remember.)

After looking at several of the gardens we sat down and had a lesson.

We learned all about the different parts of flowers.

Each child was given their own flower to dissect.

Then we spent a little more time wandering more of the gardens.

We left much unseen and definitely need to return.

Later that week, Peter had his last day of school.

We all loved his teacher Ms Emily, so we were glad to get a picture with her.

He's enjoyed his first year of school.

The last day was simply a party with food and fun.

I still remember how nervous but brave he was on his first day.

Peter conquered this school year and is already looking forward to the next one.

My Little Scientist

Pictures taken January 25, 2011

Ammon came home from school and asked for an orange and a pencil.

Before I knew what was happening, he was giving us a little science lesson.

Frog and Toad

Pictures taken November 19, 2010

One day, while riding the shuttle to class, I noticed the playbill at Kingsbury Hall.

Frog and Toad All Year

"That sounds like the books Ammon has been reading at school this year," I thought.

"I wonder if this play would be good for kids!"

I love plays, and any excuse to attend one is good for me.

But I got busy and didn't do anything about it.

A while later a note came home with Ammon from his teacher.

She explained that the play at Kingsbury hall would blend well with the book they just finished reading.

"Perfect," I thought.  "I definitely need to take Ammon!"

But I got busy and didn't do anything about it.

And that is when my friend stepped in.

Her son is in the same class.

She mentioned that she wanted to take him and asked if we wanted to go along.

"Sure," I responsed, excited as could be.

"If you order the tickets, I'll definitely pay you back."

And that is how it happened that Ammon went to his first play.

He told me about the story as we drove over.

The play was done in a musical style.

Some things, I was informed, were different than the book.

Other things were the same.

At one point Ammon took his program and bent over by the lights on the stairs.

Apparently reading the little booklet was more interesting than the play itself at that point.

Next time we'll get to our play earlier, so he has plenty of time to explore the program to his satisfaction.

Overall, it was a great night - we both loved it!

Thanks Shae!

Conversations With Ammon

A New Season

The weather cooled down for a few days, just as a teaser, and it warmed right back up.

And so it seemed almost without warning that summer was over and school began.

And this year my oldest baby started first grade.

One thing I love about Ammon is his energy.

I was shy and timid and scared.

Not Ammon; he was excited and jubilant.

We planned to get to the bus about ten minutes early.

There, I would take plenty of "first day" pictures while we waited.

I snapped these couple on Ammon's way out the door, but was called back by Peter who was lagging behind.

Of course this cute little guy wanted to do everything Big Brother was doing!

Ammon got ahead of me and when I got to the bus stop, he was in my neighbors van.

The bus had come SUPER early and a couple of us had missed it.

So we drove over to the school together.

When we got to the school, Ammon and his friend jumped out of the van and were off.

I tried to yell for him to wait for me, but to no avail.

I spent the next several minutes scouring the school for any sign of Ammon.

I checked the cafeteria and the playground.

I turned around to heard towards his classroom when I saw he and his friend duck into the library.

Apparently his friend LOVES the library and tends to end up there everytime he disappears.

(Good to know.)

I caught up with them and we headed to the cafeteria for breakfast.

He enjoyed his first meal at school.

It was a fun experience.

Peter was jealous.

He screamed and screamed and screamed the whole time.

He wanted what Ammon had.

The school bell rang and it was time for class.

I intended to walk with Ammon to his room, but he ran ahead.

By the time I caught up with him, Ammon was already in his classroom.

Peter and I headed home.

He was still pretty distraught about not getting to do the things Ammon did.

On our way out, he determined that he wanted a trip to McDonalds.

And on the third day of my school, I already felt the conflict of my own schedule.

 Mom vs Student.

I only had an hour before my own class started.

That wasn't enough time to give my precious three year old the time he deserved.

And that is when Daddy came to save the day.

Andy rushed home from work and spent the afternoon with Peter.

Including, of course, a trip to McDonalds.

I got some much needed organizing done with my schedule.

And Ammon was gone at first grade.

All day.

It was long (for me).

When it was time for school to end, I worried Ammon wouldn't find the right bus.

So I sent my secret spy: Daddy.

He hung out at the school long enough to watch Ammon bounce out with his friends

And climb onto the correct bus with no problem at all.

Then he came home and the three of us waited to hear all about it:

Ammon's first day of first grade.

He loved it!