Grammy's Book Club - Elmer

This past Sunday after Sunday dinner, Grammy read the book about Elmer the elephant to the kids, and then we did a related art project.

Reading the book

For the project, my mom had colored squares of tissue paper, and the kids painted some thinned glue onto a piece of card stock, and then stuck the tissue squares to it.

Kate, Beth and I participated too

After the whole card stock was covered with colorful squares, we traced an elephant shape onto it and cut it out.

The finished colorful elephants (and snake)

The kids holding their elephants

Beginning of School

The day before school started, the elementary school had their open house so the kids could come and meet their teachers, and get familiar with their classrooms.

Evie with her teacher

Checking out the kindergarten reading nook

Nora with her teacher

Getting a photo with the school mascot

Nora was the first one to start back to school on Aug. 20

Lining up on the playground

My parents were at education week at BYU that week, so we met up that evening to have dinner all together at the Blue Lemon. What a fun way to celebrate the first day of school!

Evie started school a week later. She was very excited for Kindergarten, and getting to go to school 5 days a week!

Someone had set up this cute photo op outside the kindergarten gate

Evie went right in and found the seat with her name tag all by herself!

Two days before preschool started, Sam and I went to the preschool open house. Here he is with his teachers.

He was so excited when it was his turn to go to school!

He got right to work working on his worksheet

So far, all 3 kids are loving their teachers and classes!

Birthday Time for Reece and Mike

We had a double birthday celebration at Sunday dinner

Those candles didn't stand a chance

The girls both wrapped their own presents for Reece, and drew pictures and taped them onto the paper. I was a little nervous, because they wouldn't tell me what was inside the presents because, duh, it's a surprise!

Evie telling Reece about all of the little pictures

When he opened it - it was her pirate beard and pirate hat from day camp! She has been carefully keeping them in her closet the past few weeks. 

Nora telling Reece about her drawings

She had wrapped up some sparkly pebbles

The kids helping Mike open his presents

Ev giving Reece a big hug

Later in the week on Mike's actual birthday, we celebrated again with a GF cake

Birthdays sure are exciting!

Nora wanted to help cut the cake

The next day, we gave him his presents (my planning was not that great this year, but it's more fun to spread the celebration out through the whole week, right?). Nora did a great job wrapping them.

I love the Sammy peeking over his shoulder, hehe

Happy birthday!

Red Butte Garden

Before school started, we had a fun play date with friends at Red Butte Garden. I had never been to the kid's section of the garden, and it is so fun!