Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day started bright and early with a Labor Day Triathlon for me.  It was definitely a race for the books.  I got all the way to the transition area with my bike and all my gear when I realized that I left my timing ankle bracelet at home.  So I had to have Seth wake up both of the kids and drive it over to me.   I couldn't believe I had been so forgetful...Seth to the rescue!  I swam the 350 meters in 9:10.  I was doing great on the bike until a little half way through the course I crashed...I still am not quite sure how it happened.  Luckily no other bikers were nearby and my bike was still ride-able.  It really happened so quickly.  I was on a bike path and had a thought to get a little further away from the edge...because I was afraid there might be thistles...and then I was over my handlebars and on the ground.  I got some road rash on my left elbow and a huge bump/goose-ache on my shin...3 weeks later and I still have a bruise from where all the blood has drained.  My left hip was also pretty sore and bruised.  But with that said...It could have been worse.  I was proud of myself for getting back up on my bike and continuing on to get a final bike time of 52:56.  I was a little stiff for the run and my 5K time was 35:19.  Overall my time was 1:40:58.  It may not have been my best race...but it also wasn't my worst.  I am proud of myself for pushing myself to do hard things and I hope my kids follow the example I am trying so hard to set in this area.

After a shower we headed out to Lagoon for the day.  This was the first time Seth has been able to join us.  We ended up spending the majority of our time at Lagoon-A-Beach...and most of that time in the lazy river with our two cute fishes.  My favorite part was cuddling with a sleepy Millie.

Phin was able to convince Seth to ride the new Jungle Safari ride.  Then we headed home for naps.

ZAP Celebration

We participated in the ZAP Summer Passport Program.  By visiting 5 of the destinations on the Passport we earned a celebration party at the Clark Planetarium.  It was held on a Wednesday evening.  They had shut down the whole Planetarium for the event and it really wasn't that busy.  We enjoyed seeing some of the new exhibits.

We also got free popcorn (Millie's favorite) and drinks.  Then we watched a dome theater show.

First Day of School

Phin and Millie had their first day of school on Tuesday, August 29th.  They were pretty excited to finally get to go to school. 

I was a little worried about how Millie would handle this new change but she was an absolute trooper.  She was so excited to get to go to school with Phin.  She marched right in that first day and didn't look back.  When I came to pick them up at the end of the day she excitedly said "Mom" and ran up to give me a hug.  Phin and Millie's classes are together at the beginning of the day, for recess and at the end of the day.  The first day I picked them up, I found them playing together.  

23 MONTHS

Millie hit 23 MONTHS on the day of the eclipse back in August.  Unfortunately I had to work that day...so we don't have any fun pictures.  I had a student give me a pair of the special eclipse glasses and I sent them with Phin and Millie to Nona's so they were able to see part of the eclipse.

Millie has loved going to Lagoon this summer.  She is so independent and loves most of the rides...

She has really turned into a pretty good eater.  She will take bites of almost anything at dinner.  This month we found out that she has a love of chickpeas.  I made a chickpea curry and she would pick all of the chickpeas out of it to eat.

She finally got 2 more teeth and is up to the grand total of 8.  

She has an adventurous little spirit and loves to climb.

 

 

She loves girl toys.  When we go to the Children's Museum the house area has to be her favorite.

Followed closely by the water station.

Something about seeing her with her Daddy just melts my heart.

She loves her cousins.  

She also loves cooking with me.  This stool has been both a blessing and a curse...she can be up high enough to help...but she also drags it all around the kitchen and gets into things she shouldn't.

If I am doing sit-ups she insists on being right on top of me.  If I am doing yoga, she crawls under me.  This past month I was lifting weights and she tried to lift some of my lighter weights...which happen to be about 25% of her body weight.

She has loved having Uncle Jeff's dogs up for the summer.  She particularly likes taking Teenie out for walks.

Millie and Phin are playing together more and more.  There are sometimes squabbles...but for the most part they are great playmates.

Millie loves slides.  She will go up and down over and over again.  I think she got her love from Phin.

She honestly watches Phin's every move...and good or bad starts to imitate. 

Work

Our garden started to produce...those darn cucumbers get so big when you neglect them for a few days.

I headed back to work and my mom was sweet enough to watch Phin and Millie before their school started.  In the picture above they were feeding their teddy bears.

In this picture Millie is combing/raking Phin's hair.

Summer 2017:Week 11

We visited Tracy Aviary on a beautiful Monday.  Millie and Phin loved watching the ducks.  I loved watching my little duckling follow me around carrying her purse.

The flamingos have to be my favorite...

Phin's favorite thing was the giant sandbox.  He could have spent all day here.

This was our first time attending a bird show at the Aviary.  We had tried to watch the earlier show...but the hawk got loose and they couldn't let any of the other birds out until it came back.  The video is from the first show...check out Phin's moves.

The birds literally flew inches above our heads...I was kind of afraid they were going to hit us.

After the Aviary the kids enjoyed their last free lunch of the summer in Liberty Park.

A few days later we headed out to Conservation Garden Park.  It was a beautiful garden and the kids loved running around on the paths.

We spent a ton of time under a shaded arbor as they moved around giant chess pieces.

After the garden we headed to the West Jordan Library and checked out one of the parks there that we haven't visited before.  Millie was quite brave and ventured out to climb.

I had my first official day back at work at the end of the week.  Fortunately I just had to work in the morning so I could meet the crew at Lagoon.
 

This is a common site these days.  Phin is participating in the UPSTART program.  He spends about 20 minutes 5 times a week practicing his letters, etc.  Millie loves sitting next to him...she can't be left out.

Summmer 2017: Week 10

We started the week off with a Scavenger Hunt down in Memory Grove.

Rachel, Spencer and Ella joined us for the Scavenger Hunt and then for free lunch to follow.  The kids loved throwing sticks and leaves in City Creek Canyon and watching them float away.

We also spent a day at The Leonardo Museum.  Millie was terrified of the airplane exhibit...I still have no idea why.  Phin was entertained with pretty much everything.

The Lego area was a favorite.

They had a new section with everything made out of cardboard.  Cardboard table tennis anyone?

It seems like everything Phin built was a weapon...this was his BATTLE AX.

After the Leonardo we headed over to the Library for another Free Kid Lunch. 

I found a great deal on cherries and bought a ton to freeze for smoothies.  Phin was an excellent helper. We both ended up with stained hands and full bellies.

On Friday night we headed to our local park for Summerfest.  We enjoyed some yummy fair food and enjoyed people watching as well as the International Dancing.

On Saturday we were invited to celebrate Connor's birthday.