E-I-E-I-Cold!

I really wish I was able to help in my children's classrooms more.  Since I really can't commit to be a frequent and consistent help in the classrooms, I at least try to sign up to help with one party or field trip event for each teacher.  For Spencer, I signed up to help chaperone a field trip to Harward Farms. It turned out to be a wonderfully educational experience sponsored by USU Extension Services and it involved the 4H organization and farmers from surrounding communities. (I look forward to signing up for this field trip when Garrett is in second grade.)

When we arrived, Spencer grabbed a bucket on the front row and watched as the entire group was able to witness a sheep shearing.

After, each class was organized into groups that rotated through a number of different stations.  They would listen to a presentation that lasted about three minutes or so before a large horn would sound, and the groups would move to the next location. I think there were around twenty stations in all.

We moved in and out of barns and trailers and learned about the farming process of grains, chickens, pigs, beef, dairy, mink, bee keeping, etc.  They also discussed things like farm safety, hand washing and germ prevention, and the latest government nutrition guidelines (MyPlate.gov).

Although the weather was quite cold and rainy, the field trip was a wonderful activity to be a part of, although we were relieved to climb into the heated bus when it was all said and done.

This post authored by Amber

Eggs-tra! Egggs-tra! Read All About It!

Coloring the Eggs

Even though we were planning to be in California over the Easter holiday, we decided to make the most of decorating eggs and participating in egg hunts before we left for the "golden coast."  Jason picked up a number of egg dyeing kits that boasted results of speckled eggs and swirly, glittered eggs.  The colors (and processes) were much less exciting than the boxes indicated.  We decided that for next year (and always), it's best to just stick to the plain-old, standard egg dyeing kits.  They produce such vibrant, picture-worthy eggs.  Oh well.  We all still enjoyed eating the three dozen semi-speckled/semi-swirly glittered, pastel hard-boiled eggs.

This next sequence of pictures makes me smile:

It appears that waiting for the eggs to take their color was a miserable ordeal for Ella.  It's funny.  Garrett responded almost the exact way when we've colored eggs in the past.
 

Hunting for the Eggs 

We were fortunate that Nu Skin held a company egg hunt for all the employees' children up to age seven.  On the location of the warehouse grounds, the field was divided into separate areas for individual age groups.  Ella was assisted by Brevin, while Spencer tried to keep up with and help Garrett.  Jason and I worked the field taking video footage and snapshots.  Garrett and Ella each came away from the event with more candy, salt water taffy, and toys than was necessary, but they had a fun time collecting it all.

This post authored by Amber

Spring Has Brought Me Such a Nice Surprise

My magnolia bush has blossomed.  Isn't that fabulous!  The little buds emerge as a teaser and let me know that Spring is a bit closer, and at the first sign of balmy weather, they seem to explode with excitement to announce the season's arrival. 

Utah weather can be temperamental in Spring, so I've learned to take pictures while I can.  For all I know, a snow storm will come and dump on my pretty little blossoms (or wind will scatter the petals across my lawn).

And if you've driven by and paused to admire our lovely landscaping, you should know that Jason is primarily responsible for our home's curb appeal.  He did have some extra help this year when it came to pulling weeds and adding fresh compost to the flower beds, though.  Garrett got quite engrossed in the project.  He had to keep reminding me, "Mom, I'm too busy for taking pictures."

I took them anyway.

 This post authored by Amber

The Month that Was April

 While it sits among the list of shorter months, we were still able to stuff April with enough celebrating, tradition keeping, and vacationing to make the past thirty days seem to burst at the seams with excitement.  And while I did not spread out the blog posts into manageable, consistent musings, I decided it would be a bit much to try and write a post for each event retrospectively, so I've resorted to a picture summary of all that took place with brief descriptions (because Heaven forbid if no one in cyberspace knew of all that we do in the Park household!).

And now, for your viewing pleasure, THE MONTH THAT WAS APRIL:

We thought the last of major storms were over and felt it safe to set the trampoline up.  It was a bit premature because a huge snowstorm dumped on General Conference weekend (and there were several smaller snowstorms to follow). Gotta love Spring in Utah.

Parents were invited to a RAD Kids demonstration to show what the students had learned during the past year in the program. I'm so glad that Brevin was able to participate in the personal empowerment program. And nobody better be messing with my kid!

We made a near week-long trip to St. George for Spring Break.  We had a wonderful time with the Olson family who invited us to join them in their parent's home.  We did a lot of hiking, visiting with family, and soaking in the practically perfect weather.  It was fabulous!

 Jason was gracious enough to share his birthday candle blowing with Garrett.  He also shared his special day with a Cub Scout Pack Meeting that was unexpectedly given to my charge on the Friday we returned from our trip.  Because the Pack Meeting was on Tuesday, we celebrated Jason's birthday the day before with dinner at Joe Banditos and angel food cake.  Thanks for being such an angel, Jason, and working with me on that one!

Ella at Three Months:

This girl is "all girl" and not because we constantly dress her in pink and frills (because she doesn't have much of a choice in that).  It is because she likes to talk.  She also loves to be talked to.  And don't think about leaving  her in a room all alone, because she knows when she's alone and she will protest with emotionally charged cries.  I'm telling you, it is a different cry than anything my boys ever did, and good gravy!  It's pathetic!  Thank goodness she is a relatively content child.  Ella's smiles make up for her cries anytime, and she is also doing that a lot more now as well, so phew!  

NuSkin holds an Easter-egg hunt for children of employees every year.  Brevin is no longer eligible to participate so we had him assist Garrett in collecting eggs while Jason and I ran between two areas of the field with cameras, trying to get equal shots of Garrett and Spencer. And yes, they "cleaned house" (too bad not literally).

Everyone had a fun time coloring the 3 dozen Easter-eggs that I hard-boiled......well, maybe not everyone.  (Actually, Garrett had a blast, too.  Every so often he would make this face, though, as he waited for his eggs to color.  It was hilarious.)

The Easter Bunny came, and Ella won the prize for healthiest goodies.  Her eggs were empty and she got rice cereal.  It's nice when your kids don't care what they get, isn't it?

And finally, what would Easter be without all the Park grand kids posing together before being released to hunt for their eggs.  Garrett was searching for orange, Spencer for sports-themed, and Brevin for Spiderman eggs.  All eggs were located and so it was off inside for a scrumptious potluck meal before the rainstorm moved in.  Gotta love Spring in Utah!   

This post authored by Amber

Easter Morning

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."     --Isaiah 1:18

This post authored by Amber