Summer Reading!

Since I'm so far behind with catching up, I'll share all the things I'm going to post about library Summer Reading programs in one post instead of splitting them up like I do most years.

We again participated in Summer Reading programs at Orem Library and Provo Library.

Jeremy again created balloon sculptures for Orem Public Library's Summer Reading Program, "All Together Now."

Jet had fun saying Hi to the characters Jeremy made. 

While he was building, Jeremy and Lucky found some of Jet's toys lying around and decided to have a little fun. 

It was Lucky's idea to color coordinate.

 

I took a few kids to the kickoff event. They had activities and different booths to go to with free stuff and prizes. Jason Fun did another magic show.

Provo City Library had a kickoff event this year. I took all my kids to that one. The ballroom was full of games and activities to get into the swing of Summer fun.

We did a few Provo Story Trails, although after a while there were some repeats of past years so it kind of fizzled out because we were so busy with other things. 

"How the Beaver Got His Tail" at Lions Park.

"The Toothpick Warriors" at Paul Ream Wilderness Area. This is where we traditionally play "Three Bill Goats Gruff," but not this year. The river was sooooo high.

The kids and I went hiking to the Alpine Poppy Fields again. It was closed last year so we couldn't go but we got to see them again this year. And got to check things off for Summer Reading activities.

We also spent plenty of time doing activities at both libraries.

We did some take home activities from the Orem Library.

The last day of June was busy with activities we were able to count toward Summer Reading. 

I took some of the kids to the Museum of Art at BYU to do a library activity there. They had a display of quilted art. Amazing. If you look from far enough away you wouldn't be able to tell the pieces were sewn, but looking up close, you can.

 

Then we went to a Provo Story Trail. "The Goat Faced Girl" at Spring Creek Park.

 

That evening, Nichole and I went to watch Derek Banks in concert again. It was so nice to hear him playing the piano. He did an encore of Clair de Lune which is one of my favorite pieces. It always makes me think of my grandma because she used to play it on the piano.

 

When we got home from the concert, Jeremy and I headed to the tail end of a wedding reception. We had to get the bride and groom their present later because while Nichole and I were at the piano concert, my three year old got a hold of the present we were going to take and ripped the wrapping paper off of it and lost a part that went with it. Sigh. We got it to them eventually, though.

After the reception, Jeremy and I were able to do some service. We had jumper cables so we were able to jump the bride and groom's car. Sigh. We wish them a long and happy marriage (with less car trouble).

 

O.K. I changed my mind. I'm going to make this into two posts since it's long enough just talking about June Summer Reading activities. Sound good? Sounds good to me. Tell you more later.

Supporting a Friend

Remember this kid? International award winning pianist, Derek Banks. Not such a kid anymore. I first started talking about him on my blog back in 2014 when he was a young man and playing the piano in front of the balloon Starry Night. I last mentioned going to see him play in 2019 while he was getting ready for an International Competition in Japan. Guess what. He got third place in that competition. Woohoo.

Now he's studying music at the Manhattan School of Music but was home for the Summer and put on a concert recently. I went to show support and represent our family as Jeremy had a show that night and wasn't able to go. He would have if he could.

Derek is doing amazing things and it is so nice to be able to see where his talent (and hard work) is taking him. Keep up the good work.

Catching Up on the Last Five Months- 1

July found the kids and me heading to Oregon to visit my parents.  Bye Bye, Jeremy.  We'll miss you.

We stopped in Idaho to visit friends.  Love those friends.  They even sent us with breakfast the next morning.  Thanks, friends.

My parents met us halfway to their home and caravanned with us the rest of the trip.  Nichole and Jr. had fun with Grandpa and the littler boys had fun with Grandma and me.  I love my parents.  Thanks for dinner, too, Mom and Dad.

Things we did in Oregon:
Played games and with toys and with family members

Celebrated the 4th of July with fireworks

Picked and ate blueberries

Played in the bamboo forest

Fed the fish and Jr. skimmed the duckweed off the pond

Grandma put the kids to work helping with yard work

Played piano

Celebrated Nichole's birthday (Jeremy joined in)

Bonding time with my brothers

Here's Paco with his homemade electric ukulele (you can see him in action playing ukulele on his YouTube channel)

Went on a walk with Uncle Travis at the local nature area

Watched plenty of critters around my parents' house including a family of gray foxes

Jr. got a hold of the camera

Celebrated Embrace Your Geekiness Day on July 13 (Again as I like to call it Embrace Your Geek Day)

 That was our trip to Oregon.