Ralphy the Camel and More

The new Maverik by our house (on the corner of Sunnyside and Ammon) was having a grand opening today. Ralphy, the camel, was there (I only know his name because there was a sign!) and Twinkie the Kid, and then the girls got to ride a little train ride. They loved the ride, but weren't so sure of the camel. I even pet him before they did. I kept telling Rylee just get close so I can take your picture. So at first the top pictures were as close as she would get. We went back and tried about three times. She got a little closer each time and I think she even did pet it, but I had to hold her hand and Ashlyn so I didn't get a picture! Ashlyn pet him too, but I had to hold her the whole time. (They do have a little of me in them!)

They could have ridden this all day- Rylee had to try out all the different seats. There was a soft chair at the front that Ashlyn rode on with some girl and then Rylee had to ride in that one later.

The boy in the bottom right picture in front of Rylee is a boy from her primary class that was there too. So fun!

And Twinkie gave the girls twinkies.

So much fun and it was just right down the road.
We could have walked if it was warmer and I had the energy!

Many Faces

Rylee tried on her new outfit and wanted me to take her pictures. Then she kept making faces, so I kept taking pictures. I think she went through every emotion she could think of.

Then she told Ashlyn what face to make!

Rachel's Challenge

http://www.localnews8.com/news/28052877/detail.html

My school was on the news yesterday and my name was mentioned. And the first kid they talk to is one of my students.

Rachel was one of the students killed in Columbine. Before she died she had written an essay about kindness and how the world would be so much better if everyone were kind. So our school adopted this program last year and every time a student saw an act of kindness, they wrote it on a chain link. The kindness acts were small and simple, but they made a difference to someone who noticed. My class was so excited about this chain and made the longest one of the school- it was hung in our class and it went all the way around. I'm really proud of my class for being kind and looking for kindness around the school and also for setting a goal to make our chain go around the room and accomplishing that goal. I think we can all learn from this and take on the challenge to be kind to everyone!

Feeding the Geese

Saturday we went to the river to "feed the ducks," which really means the geese, but oh well! We did see a duck or two.


This was too close for comfort for Rylee and me. Rylee isn't in these first few pictures because I was holding her. She (and I, I have to admit!) thought we were going to get attacked by the geese. So I was brave and held her while I took pictures of Matt getting up close and personal.

There were a lot of geese surrounding us!

They were all following Matt and Ashlyn,
which meant they weren't after Rylee and me-
we both liked that better!

Matt put Ashlyn down for a second . . .

. . . but she quickly wanted back up!

I put Rylee down and told her to hurry and smile for a picture!

Then she saw other kids chasing them and thought
that looked like more fun than running away from them.

So she started to chase them too!

By now she's not scared at all!

I'm sure those geese thought she was pretty crazy-
they were staying away!

Then she wanted to show me the duck in the water. I didn't think she was going to make it to the water at first, but she eventually conquered the geese! She's braver than me, but we all know that!

Rylee's Dance Recital

Rylee's recital was last night- she did a such a great job! I was so proud of her! And she was so excited to get her trophy! Thanks to those who came to watch- Rylee and I really appreciated it!

Just before we left- costume, hair, and makeup all ready to go.
That's the part that makes me nervous!
Thanks, Katria, for doing her hair!

Rylee and Hannah, a girl from her primary class.

They did two dances in this outfit-
My Spot in the World and Zip-a-dee-doo-dah.

Then they did two in their hip-hop outfit-
Dora's Dance Like the Animals Move and Witch Dr.

Rylee, Grandma, Cory, and Grandpa.
Oma came too, but left before we could take any pictures.

I'm so proud of my little dancer!

Matt's in the background- he was in charge of taking the videos.

Rylee with her trophy- and Ashlyn coming to see!

Rylee loves her Ballerina Barbie and her dress up ballerina.

Opa's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Opa!
We love you!

Rylee's Dance Pictures

Spring is Here!

Finally- it's the middle of May and starting to feel like spring! The past few days have been great- the girls and I have gone on walks to the park and played outside all evening after we get home. The first day the girls even had to get their swimming suits on- no surprise there! I even wore capris to school today- that was a big shocker to everyone, but I'm pretty sure I did at the beginning of the year, but that was so long ago that no one remembers! I always make the other teachers feel better because I'm the whitest of all! Sad, but true- even the old ladies!! It doesn't really bother me though!

Rylee is showing off her first sunburn of the season- that didn't take long!
This was Wednesday, but today she woke up and
was so excited her arms weren't red anymore.
She has a pretty good tan now-
that obviously comes from Matt!
(My sunburns go from red to whiter than before!)

Ashlyn likes me to take her for rides in this stroller.
When we go to the park we use the double stroller,
but she likes this one better.
So I just walk her around the driveway a million times in this!
Not very exciting to me, but I guess she likes it!

Here's her sunburn again- it was pretty red!