Last Days of School Pics

I got a picture of Nichole the day after finals.

I got a picture of Jr. the day after finals.

I got a picture of Jr. Jr. before school the last day of school.

I got a picture of Lucky and Jet before school the last day of school.

Jet and Lucky both made cards to give to their teachers along with a treat and a balloon flower. 

100th Day of School

For the 100th Day of School this year, the elementary schoolers (and teachers/staff/etc.) were told they could dress up like themselves if they were 100 years old. It was fun to see the principal and others outside before school dressed up and welcoming the students. 

Lucky told me this is how he would look at 100. Ha Ha Ha Ha.

I gave him a quick haircut and put some gray in his hair since we still had some left over from when he was Brigham Young for the wax museum last year. We also had a discussion about how we don't know what his hair will be like when he gets older- genetics. My dad is bald with gray in what little hair he has on the sides. Jeremy's dad has a full head of naturally dark hair. Who knows what will happen?

Jet didn't want gray hair but was happy with the 100th Day hat he got from school and the treats he got to bring home to eat.  

Mommy, Look

Jet: The ghost wants to watch Doc McStuffins.

Come on, ghost. Sit down.

Orem Reads: Fahrenheit 451

I enjoyed Orem Reads so much last year when we read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I enjoyed the kickoff, the Chat & Snacks, the finale. 

This year I looked forward to participating again. This year's book? Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I had never read it before this program. It's not one I would have just picked up on my own. I'm glad I was able to read it for Orem Reads. It was interesting and definitely made me think.

The kickoff had a presentation by Shannon Hale. Before it started, they were playing music that had to do with fire or books. "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash. "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys. "Paperback Writer" by The Beatles. I got a kick out of that. I also enjoyed what Shannon Hale had to say about book banning.

This year they had something new during Orem Reads. A murder mystery date night. Stephanie Blanchard wrote a murder mystery for the library to use for this event. It was a potluck so Jeremy and I brought rolls and got to enjoy some yummy food while trying to figure out whodunnit. It was my first murder mystery dinner and I enjoyed it.

Before we left, we made sure to feed the boys. What they ate? Dino nuggets because October 16 was National Fossil Day. Teehee. It was also World Food Day so that fit with both chicken nuggets and potluck.

The next day I went to the only Chat & Snack I was able to go to for Fahrenheit 451 because of other commitments. It was another good discussion with mostly librarians and a few others. Since it was a lunchtime Chat & Snack, I brought cucumber sandwiches... and Peppermint Patties because I know Amy Sorenson (in charge of programming) likes them.

Speaking of Amy, she once again did a great job with this program, along with the other librarians who helped. Have I mentioned I love the librarians at Orem Library?

The day I went to the Chat & Snack, October 17, was also National Pasta Day. Nichole made cheeseburger pasta and sent me a picture, then she and I met at the Bean Museum for a UCB meeting about Boreal Owls. Jeremy watched most of it online when he got home from work. 

Nichole drew these while we were there. "If you give Nichole a medium." This medium was... "Inktober"... sort of.

The Orem Reads Finale was a Titles & Treats Gala. It was like trick or treating but with books. Tables were set up with librarians to give recommendations of books. We were also given a little treat bag to get candy at each table. So not just trick or treating with books but with candy, too.

I loved chatting with the librarians (some of it wasn't even book related). Costumes were welcomed so I dressed up as a birder with camera, binoculars, hat, and field guide. 

I also made sure to get a picture with Amy and her fun "book fairy" costume.

Besides the book recommendation tables, there was also a book craft and Fall treats. 

Mmmm, hot chocolate.

I am again grateful I got to participate in Orem Reads this year. I let the kids know this is my October thing and I appreciate them helping with their little brother so I can go to these events.

Once again it was a great program from kickoff to finale and I'm grateful for my participation in it.

FHE Treat

I was in charge of Family Home Evening treat one night and didn't have to put a lot of thought into it. I opened "A Season of Family Meal Plans" volume 1 and looked at the desserts listed for the week I was on. We had everything on hand for "muddy buddies," they were easy to make, and... there you go.

Orem Library Told Us To!

In the children's section of the Orem Library, there are calendars with daily activities you can do with your youngsters, from reading to crafts to games to all sorts of fun learning experiences.

Since July 5 was Graham Cracker Day, we followed the suggestion for making edible rainbows. They were fun to make and fun to eat.

Pioneer Days

Pioneer Day, July 24, was on a Sunday this year, so there were celebrations throughout the weekend with the main day being Monday.

I got my traditional picture of the kids with the American flags.

For Family Home Evening that night, Lucky talked about pioneers and made a covered wagon out of marshmallows and pretzels, etc.

We'd already been telling pioneer stories throughout the month, including that weekend when we went to Southern Utah.

Summer Reading Continues

Here is some of what we've been doing with Summer Reading programs for Orem Library and Provo Library, in no particular order:

Provo Story Trails. It has been so much fun to see them fit with the theme of "Oceans of Possibilities"- they have all been water themed.

"How Water Lillies Began" at Lions Park

"The Golden River" at Riverview Park

One of the activities was to take pictures of a body of water and edit them to share on social media. The river along the trail already looked a little golden so I just changed it to make it more so.

"Tokoyo & the Sea Monster" at Rock Canyon Park.

Jet got a huge kick out of watching his brothers roll down the hill.

 

"Why the Sea Moans" at Spring Creek Park

This park is always so hot when we visit to do Story Trails so we have to make frequent stops in the shade. The kids also got a kick out of the iridescence on this beetle and wanted a picture.

Those last two stories we did while having a busy Summer Reading activity filled day. That same day we also listened to Jr. Jr. read to us from "Treasure Island" along the bank of a river,

hiked to Bridal Veil Falls,

and drove around Utah Lake while listening to a book on CD to get more reading time in.

 

Jr. stayed up late one night to make monkey bread for Jet (make a gift or treat for someone). Jet's gotten on a kick where almost every time we ask him what he wants to eat he'll say, "Umm... monkey bread."

The kids and I went to the Jason Fun Magic Show at the Orem Library. It was fun entertainment that fit in with the theme. He was so nice and let kids get pictures with him at the end and ask questions.

We tried out a new treat from a cookbook we checked out from the library. It was Rocky Road Popcorn from Sweets & Treats with Six Sisters' Stuff. You know I like Six Sisters' Stuff.

 

We made crafts from both libraries, all fitting in with the theme.

The boys had a friendly water fight.

We picked up some of our prizes.

 

We're still going strong with Summer Reading activities. I love it.