Tyler's Train book

Tyler just finished a big project at school.  He and one other kindergartener did this project. 

I may not keep this book forever so I scanned it and put it on my blog so I will have it forever. 

Ms. Latoni his teacher wrote me this email. 

Tyler's book.  He did an amazing job!  He did research and selected a few different types of trains.  He wrote the story well.  Just enough detail and information on each one.  His drawings were terrific and the labeling was nicely done.  I made copies for our listening center. 

Next I will have him read the book to his classmates and the principal.  I will then have him record it for the listening center and his friends will be able to hear it and see it again.  I will then send his original home.  If there are other students that want to give it a try I will have them do the same. 

I think he really enjoyed it and I think he did a fabulous job!  

This is  a mail train. This is how they delivered the mail in the old days.  

This is a fast steam engine. This engine carries passenger cars. 

This is a diesel engine. It runs on diesel power. 

This is a high speed bullet train. It can go very fast. 

This is a really strong steam engine. It can carry a lot. 

This is a monorail. It does not have any wheels. 

This his story board.  Where he outlines prior to writing, all the topics he was going to cover. 

A few of the words in the pictures were written backwards for some reason. 

I love some of his spellings like

engine- enjn

carry- cere

high- hie

very- veree

station- stashun

I love his sounding out abilities. 

My kids

I really love my kids. Today we went to the local library. They were hosting a Lego racing party. Both kids enjoyed building a race car and zoomin it down the tracks. Tyler's car was amazing. I laughed a I watched him hop between each pile of Legos that was dumped out on the floor.

Then we went to my Grandma Harstons house. Tyler and Ella's great grandmothers. I don't know why I didn't get a picture. So sad. I did take one of Ella singin' while Tyler played. Ella also played her guitar. They loved all the praise they got.

The Allen's here

My plan had been to take more pictures of fun cousins but there just wasn't time/energy/or any thinking about that!

Jenny and Eric went to Mexico for a few days.  Their three kids were here with us.  

We had a lot of fun. 

We are missing Sophie the leader/oldest of these cute girls.  Sophie is the style, the cuteness and the know how of this band of girls.  We are so glad she was the first granddaughter born.  She will be here in a few weeks. 

Tessa. Grace. Ruth. Beth. Ella

We did a lot of activities while they were here.  I started off strong with going places, events, outings.  I finished with ... could you go play in the backyard for a while.  I know they had a great time regardless. 

Tyler and Isaac made play dough weights to get a work out with. 

We went to Kennocott one day.  Candace and her crew joined us. 

This cute thing reading books is where most of my energy went.  

You wouldn't think that smile would have an inch of difficulty behind it. 

This little guy, Miles, doesn't like to eat.  He can go forever. 

And if he doesn't like it... He won't eat. 

This was the last morning I had him.  He had baby oatmeal ... with a splash of chocolate in it.  

Yep... he ate it all up!

I loved thinking all week about the nice time Darren and I are going to have in 3 weeks when Jenny has my kids.  A great trade for sure!

Goldilocks, a Birthday Party and a Bees game

May 12th was a fun weekend.  

I woke up early and rode a hundred mile ride with a few girl friends.  It is called Goldilocks.  

What a great location. Bluffdale, Saratoga Springs, Herriman.  

Great ride.  

With rest stops every 20 miles, 100% perfect weather and the ability to draft ... the ride was great. 

I am in the red and white jersey second from the left. 

Then we headed up north for my nephews birthday party.  

It isn't often I remember to get a family photo but I did this time.  

Everett loved opening presents but I think Tyler loved it more.  He helped Everett every step of the way!

I love to spend time with family.  We got to see a lot of the Balls family and the McFall family (Corie's family). The McFall family is Hawaiian blood so they make you feel just like family every time you see them. 

Then we took off and spent time with Harston family.  My dad had arranged a fun night at the Bee's game.  I let Tyler sit by Darren because Tyler asked questions about the game 99% of the time. The man sitting next to us commented to me that he had learned a few new things just listening to the conversation. 

Family weekend times is the best. 

Zip line

Tyler is always trying to engineer some device outside ...today it was a zip line. I love to climb so I figures sure. Why not. So we made a little zip line.
The kids loved it. I need to take them climbing.

May brings sunny days

Here are a few things we have been doing. 

We cleaned up Tyler's room.  We have had legos spread everywhere for about 2 years now. and it is so nice to have them picked up.  Tyler has music he listens to while he builds.  Ella built her first toy.  It was a lightening McQueen car from Grandma Balls.  

Ella has been taking an art class.  She has to dress up for it.  

She made a crown to wear to show her teacher.  

We have enjoyed many walks and bike rides with friends.  Tyler loves little kids.  

This picture made me smile.  He wanted to help Penny walk.  

Also, Tyler is playing soccer.  He has made several goals.  

Our neighbor made Ella some shoes.  They are just cute little tops actually. 

So you can look like you have shoe on.  

We have spent lots of time reading, doing piano, making our yard look nice. 

I love sitting down and reading with the kids. While Tyler was reading to me about steam ships the other day Ella decided to read to her babies.  

Darren continues to train for his iron man race at the end of July.  Its a lot of hours.  

He also has his busiest time of year right now.  We don't see him much. 

I on the other hand am winding down on some of my training.  I have 100 mile bike race this Saturday and then my next one is in 3 weeks.  and 4 weeks after that I do another half marathon. 

We find out Monday if we made it in to the St. George marathon. Its not until October so I have time to ramp up the training again!  I have never wanted to run a marathon but I have so much fun running with my friends at 5:30 am, they convinced me I could do it. :)

Two different kids

Tyler loves music.  He is always putting music on while he empties the dishwasher. He puts music on so Ella can dance to it.  He played the drum with the couches and a yard stick.  

He just finished the primer level of his piano books and is going on to level 1.  

While Tyler was playing the piano at our friends house the other day, Ella danced.  She has quite the moves and the fashion when it comes to dancing.  

We went to a Zumba class the other day.  They both love it but Ella loves to dress up for things.  She has on two necklaces, a belt, sparkle shorts, a shirt for modesty, and a polkadot dress.