Outside Oasis

Ok, so our backyard isn't exactly a tourist trap yet - but, we like having one.  This is one of the days last week when the girls and I read outside.  We've also had some 'picnics' outside before taking Megan to preschool.

Jonny Will Be OK

Last week, while in Jonny's class - they had a substitute.  They had done some art before recess and were expected to clean up as they were leaving.  (Their usual teacher gives them a few minutes beforehand to clean up.  This time the sub told them it was time to go and clean up all at the same time - needless to say, some of the kids had some issues.  Life just isn't fair!  They actually missed a whole five...maybe ten minutes of their double recess (30 minutes) because they were expected to clean up their own mess.  So sad.:})  Some of the paint brushes and other items had just been left in the sink. Jonny and some of his classmates voluntarily stayed in to help clean up.

Here's Jonny hanging out with the gals.  (I hope he continues to choose good friends - all of these gals are cute, fun and just plain good.  I'm also hoping that as he gets older, I still have a chance to know the kids he associates with as well as I do now - huge benefit from being in the classroom so much.)

I had to put this one in here - because it's just plain Jonny.  Smiling and telling me all about a story he's writing.  There's always more telling than writing.  He has a great imagination!

So, to sum up - Jonny is great at helping wherever he's needed, is comfortable hanging out with the gals (as well as the guys), is creative and cheerful.  All of this coming from the guy that thinks he doesn't have any friends and doesn't feel like he has much going for him.  Truth be known - he's going to be OK.

Simple Machines

Jacob's class has been learning about simple machines.  Last week they each had a chance to make a catapult that would launch a marshmallow.

Setting up for the launch.

Eating the results.

(The boys with Jacob are the ones that made sure he had a t-shirt earlier in the year so he wouldn't feel left out.)

Dancing Debut

The girls have been taking a dance class.  They have loved it.  This is the performance during the last class.  They were ice cream cones and then a scarf was draped over them to represent a 'flavor'.  The sun (yellow scarf used by the teacher) would come and melt them during the day (crouch on the floor/floor routine) then at night they would become 'ice cream ghosts' and would then get up and do their dance steps while moving around the room.  The teacher would then come and 'melt' them again.  They did pretty well.  It was cute to watch.  I only caught the last part.

'Bumping into' Elder Perry

Yep!  It's true.  We saw Elder Perry sauntering (with great purpose) from one meeting to another yesterday.  We eventually ended up being at the same corner waiting to cross the street.  Jacob, being the 'in motion' kind of a guy he is backed right up to the tall, lanky gentleman without even noticing.  I had noticed the man and told the children who it was - obviously very nonchalantly.

Here's some proof that my children have 'selective hearing' when it comes to discerning my voice.  I brought the topic up today and they had no idea what I was talking about - and no recollection of any of the previously mentioned event.  Such is the life of a mother.