Summah Time pt.1

We have already had an overloaded summer! I always feel like I don't have enough planned but looking back, we have packed a lot into a month. Just a few of the things we have done so far-

• Chalk Art Festival with Mimi/Papa, the Thomases, Ty, Jade & the boys, Britt & Garrisan. We had a blast roaming around the deserted Gateway and even let the kids run through the splash pad (much to Mark's chagrin). 

A little chalk art and a little gelato at Capo. 

Had a little hail storm.  

• We discovered the South County Pool has $2 Mondays. 

Cousins (Brynlee & Mc have matching swimming suits)

Swimming Seesters- props to Bree for going off the high dive.  

• We definitely have been putting our Thanksgiving Point pass to use this year too. We hit Farm Country to ride the ponies and see the new babies, then went to the Dino "seeum" and had ice cream (we have already been at least 2 other times since, including just yesterday). 

• On Friday the 13th, I had planned to take the kids to Super Sport Camp at the Rec Center. We invited Porter Moeller, Brynlee Jade, Cash and Azia. Summer camp was a bust because they were supposed to get to swim the last 1.5 hours but, a kid pooped in the pool so they got to hang out outside where it was 100 degrees. I picked them up early and decided to take them to the Lego Day at the Library only see a sign that says, "Lego Play Closed: Due to Illness". L A M E. We hung out at the library for a minute and then went to get an ice cream at the janky Arctic Circle. Kind of a bust for the kids. A true Friday the 13th.

• I LOVE float preview day at the Expo Center! I would love parades if they were air conditioned and I didn't have to sit for hours with my kids as I sweat to death. The kids love to vote on their favorites and all the free stuff. Plus, it's cool to commemorate the Pioneers- those people truly are the original super heroes. I wouldn't have made it. 

• After an exceptionally crazy, summer day, I decided we would wake up early and head to Provo to the Bean Museum. For being free, it was surprisingly entertaining. Also air conditioned and on a 100 degree day, it was ideal. We got to see Shasta the Liger- I remember her being housed at the Hogle Zoo when I was little. I was most impressed by the art gallery from Boyd K Packer. He was an amazingly talented artist (both painting and sculpting). 

Shasta the Liger

The ever observant child. 

My Flamingo Girl

Boyd K Packer original

And since we were already down Utah County way, another trip to Thanksgiving Point. We watched the 3-D Ocean movie (dark & air conditioned so I may/may not have paid $6 to take a nap), played in the sand at the Dino Seeum and then had our traditional ice cream. 

en4zo

Four. F O U R. How did you get so big? My tiny baby boy. My last 4 year old. What a blessing you are in our lives. We love having you as part of our family. At 4 you love Tate LeFevre, Transformers, "diggers", kinetic sand, shrimp, juice boxes, a bath tub full of toys, playing in the sand, Puppy Dog Pals, ice cream (clearly) and playing with the big boys. 

Our sweet, Lorenzo Niels. Our tiny Hulk. You emotion "big" and want what you want, when you want it. I looked at you this morning in your "digger" jammies and realized that you look SO big- that last little bit of toddler is fading away. You are growing and learning so much and some days, I wish I could go back and snuggle you one more time as a tiny baby. 

You head to three days of preschool this year with Miss Amy (one of your favorite people in the whole world) and we can't wait to see what this year brings- just make sure it doesn't go so fast this year, ok?

Sleeping with the crane Mimi & Papa gave you. 

For your birthday, we gave you the option to pick Build a Bear or the Aquarium- aquarium it is (and let's be honest, it cost about the same and I don't have  stuffed animal laying around). We showed up about 1.5 hours before it closed and almost had the place to ourselves.

And for tradition sake, a picture of my boys on their check up day- Enzo 42 lbs and Kingston 51 lbs. I don't think it will be too much longer until these "brudders" are the same size.

Kingston is 7!

the big 7- Hulk Cupcakes were a must. 

My big 7 year old!! This year, it really seems like you have grown into your own. And, you are actually growing! You finally have grown out of some clothes are certainly getting taller. You lucked out this year on your birthday! We got to stay in a swanky hotel in Park City for dad's work training- you got to swim, sit in the hot tub on the balcony, have ice cream, and have presents waiting for you in the morning. 

Hotel swag. Bottled soda, pringles and gum, 

Since you and Enzo are so close we always celebrate your birthdays together at Mimi's. Lots of presents and spoiling for a whole month. Lots of legos, Battle Bots, clothes, outdoor toys, bike helmet, "I Survived" books and gum (your all time favorite).

Impromtu family picture. Love this tribe of mine. 

A story for posterity and a good reminder about doing hard things. For a whole week, we went to swimming lessons. Every day. Day one & two weren't terrible but by day three, Kingston was petrified of the pool. He would cry. Seemed to be visibly distraught as he waited for his turn to swim across the pool and almost drown his poor teacher trying to get out of the pool mid lap. We prayed the morning before. Talked about being brave and went back every day. This picture was taken on Thursday- he went from being completely scared to jumping off the diving board over and over and over. I asked him what changed, "I just kept trying". It was a great life lesson for everyone. Some days, the deep water is too scary. Most days, it's easier to stay in the shallow end where we can play and be comfortable. This kid proved he can do VERY hard things and I was so proud of him. I am also SUPER grateful that he isn't afraid and can swim on his own.

Kingston Grant- we LOVE you. You are softhearted. Persistent. Dedicated. Committed. Whiny (ha!), Loving. Determined. A Lego fiend. Shrimp Lover. Bike Rider. A good friend. A cool kid. A great help for dad at the flip house. My only kid that will do ANYTHING for a dollar.  Brave. Truly the King of our hearts.  WE LOVE LOVE LOVE you.

SCHOOL'S OUT

We almost didn't make it to the end of the year (or so it felt). We had SO much going on- choir performances, award ceremonies, Spelling Bee,  Field Day, birthday table, Teacher Appreciation Day, end of year teacher gifts, and getting ready for girls camp. The kids had an amazing year at Midas Creek and Enzo excelled beyond expectation with Miss Amy.

Kingston said goodbye to Mrs Greenwood. He did really well reading. He made new friends, decided he actually does like school lunch and made so many new friends. He came home most days with a phone number from a new friend who wanted to come and play. He earned his Mt Lion Award and is super excited to move on to 2nd grade.

Mc had Mrs Birch- a newer teacher that was very strict on cleanliness and order and really engaged the kids in reading. Mc made new friends, sang in choir and wasn't sad to leave "the group" (the mean girls at her old school) behind.

Enzo left his first year of prek knowing how to write his name, identifying shapes and colors and being madly in love with all things Miss Amy. He learned SO much and I can't believe I will be sending him off to THREE days of school next year.

Here's the to the crazy of summer!

1st Grade End of year Assembly. Hand made tie dyed shirt. 

Mc in her choir performance- she was SUPER difficult to spot. 

Mt Lion Award

Mt Lion Award

Last day of school! 

Enzo and Miss Amy

Less is more

Sometimes, you go to Library Lego Day and you spend three seconds with your limited three year old building ability and create a race car. Then you go to race your car against all the other kids (even some older kids), you win. Most of them probably thought it was just a fluke but then you win again. And again. And again. Never mind that your tiny car busted apart at the end of the track every.single.time. Forget that there were kids with bigger, better cars. You were just happy with your tiny, propellers on both ends car. I was happy to watch you win and the surprise on your face every time.

Jane

 

Preparation for the Wax Museum began when Mc started to try and decide who she wanted to represent. We looked through hundreds of "Who was...." books on Amazon. Men, women, politicians, musicians, artists, actors. When she saw Jane Goodall, she immediately decided that was who she wanted to be. From that moment, she began immersing herself in research (perfect mirroring of Jane). She got multiple books from the library and found a National Geographic special to watch. The best part, she watched the special and totally cried when a baby monkey passed away- so emotional she even wrote in her journal about it. We started collecting stuffed monkeys from all our neighbors, bought some khaki shorts and she was ready. It also helps that her ponytail was spot on.

They had to memorize a 30 second "sketch" about the person's life and she was PERFECT ("She contributed to many girls wanting to be scientists."). Her poster had pictures of Jane and her monkeys and little drawings of monkeys and Jane that Mc contributed.  She tried her best to have a British accent and held character the entire time. Such a special kid. Sure love her.

15 Years a Williamson

15 years. F I F T E E N! Blows my mind what we have been through thus far in our marriage. We have moved, remodeled, had 3 kids, moved again, moved again, started another remodel, vacationed, struggled, loved, cried, and holidayed. Mark truly is my better half- the only person I would want to navigate this life with. He puts up with me and all my crazy. He is an ideal father. He is patient. He is trustworthy. He is such a hard worker (currently working two jobs). He loves me no matter what.

We spent our anniversary at Fleming's, walked the Gateway (mainly to find the sign above), had delicious Gourmandise for dessert and talked about the past, the present and future. Love me some Mr Williamson.