friday

This past Friday we ventured out to the Utah State Fair.

Will and Jake had fun at the Little Hands on the Farm exhibit.

Will was too short to go on the rides Ben and Jake wanted to go on,

so I took him on the ferris wheel where we got a wonderful view of our surroundings.

There are always strange animals to see, like this pigeon filling up its chest with air.

Love the tractors

But this is the real reason we came to the fair. In June Ben started an oil painting art class, and he recently finished his first painting. We missed the county fair, so with the nudging of my friend Jolee, who's daughter Ady is in Ben's class, we entered Ben's painting into the state fair. Ben's art teacher, Linda, told us that even to have your picture hanging on the wall at the state fair is a big honor, even if it doesn't win anything. Ben entered the junior amateur division, which is from ages 6-11, so we knew it would be tough competition.

We entered the fine arts building, and found his division in the back, and there was his painting of Point Bonita Lighthouse (near San Francisco)...with a second place ribbon!! Let me just say that Ben is amazing, and that he got absolutely ZERO art skills from either Daren or me, but my mom and brother, Darren, are great artists, so I guess it will be carried on through him. Congrats Ben!! Love you honey!
p.s. funny thing--I finally got my camera back right before the fair, but forgot to bring an sd card, so these pictures are still from my cell phone. Now I'm back in business!

first week of school...again

After three months of summer vacation, Ben and Jake finally, FINALLY, started school again this week. They had waaaaay too much together time this summer, and had just about worn each other out with their teasings, tauntings, and all around craziness that comes with being boys. We celebrated their return to school on Monday night at Chuck E. Cheese. One of my favorite things there is the picture machine. Will did his picture on his own and I LOVE it.

Seriously, I don't know if Jake is capable of keeping his tongue in his mouth...ever!

The next morning it was off to class. Ben is starting 4th grade(?!) and Jake is starting 1st grade. They both have great classes and I love their teachers already. These guys are growing up way too fast!!

After school I picked up the boys at the bus stop, and on our way home I asked Ben how his day had been. I specifically asked about his science class, because my friend Kim (whose son, Reggie, is one of Ben's good friends) just took over as the science teacher for grades 3-5. (Previously one of the 5th grade teachers) She has so much energy and is a lot of fun, and I knew she would be a great science teacher. So, when I asked Ben about Kim's class, he said it was better than recess. Now that is impressive!!

3 boys in school all day, 5 days a week. What ever will I do with all this "free time"? (At least until Will goes off-track in a couple weeks!) I spent the first couple days running around doing errands, i.e. walking up and down almost every isle of Target, taking my time, enjoying a bit of freedom from having to rush. It was glorious! But, with spending lots of time comes spending way too much money--what can I say, the Halloween decorations were calling my name!

And don't worry. I have PLENTY to keep me busy for a very long time. I'll be ok.