Springs Preserve

Well we finally made it to the Springs Preserve. Ronnie's parents were in town and Kyle was out of school and it just seemed like the perfect thing to do. The kids were so excited they pretty much ran through it. Luckily we got a season pass so we can go back and actually read about the exhibits.

Kyle is really excited about the nature exchange they have. How it works is you bring in something from nature and they assign a point value to it. Then you can save up you points to get something else. Kyle is a rock collector so he is thinking of bringing in dead bugs and exchanging them for rocks.

Lana scared me to death on the playground. The next time we go back I think we will have to get lost and somehow never find the outdoor playground. I think when it's 115 outside she will be as happy as can be playing in the indoor play place that has nothing you can fall off. She really loves looking at all the animals.

There was a lot we didn't see , this place is huge! They even have hiking trails, which we might go on in the fall. I really want to go back and see the conservation area, maybe I'll go by myself when the kids are in school. Then I could really take it all in without being pulled one way or another.

This place is really neat and very family oriented which we are always looking for in Vegas. If you haven't been I highly recommend going.

Fashion Diva

Lana's fashion sense is beginning to scare me. When I found out I was having a girl I was so excited and went shopping that very same day. I loved dressing her up in all the cute girly outfits. I loved finding bows to match each outfit exactly (after she finally grew hair). And don't get me started on the shoes, lets just say she has more than me and she is still growing! But now it's not so easy to dress her. She has a mind of her own. I can't tell you how many times I have been to the store and wanted to let her walk without holding a hand so that maybe no one would know she belonged to me. I'm not just talking about the fairy/princess outfits either. Lately it's been the socks. She never wants to match the socks to her outfit. Then once I finally give into the socks not matching she insists on wearing sandals with them to really show off the socks. Then I thought she finally grew out of the drawing on herself phase...but I was wrong! She now can draw on her face so that she looks like different animals. I guess I should be glad she is finally out of the Nacho Libre phase...but I have a feeling that might make a comeback also.

Teacher Appreciation

How I love those individuals that answer the call to teach.  They really are the most important people because they are helping mold the minds of the future.  Teachers leave a imprint on our children's lives that will last a lifetime. 

I can remember my kindergarten teacher, whose name escapes me, allowing me to stay in her classroom after throwing up.  She knew I was sick, but she also knew how shy I was and I would have been scared waiting for my mom to pick me up in the nurse's office.  We lived 30 minutes away from school and my teacher knew that was a long time for me to be around strangers.  My 1st grade teacher taught me it was ok to pray the way I wanted to.  In a class room full of Baptists, a little shy girl saying a prayer the Mormon way kind of sticks out like a sore thumb.  A lesson you would think would came from a Sunday school teacher surprisingly came  from a grade school teacher.  I can remember my 2nd grade teacher Mrs. Zinke, who with her perfectly placed salt and pepper hair taught me proper cursive.  Then there was my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. McGee with her phrase "Buttocks to the back" taught me good sitting posture. My 4th grade teacher, Mr. Hebert who taught me harsh words are seldom forgotten.  That's the end of my elementary years and I will spare you the boredom of continuing on.  I know that Kyle's teachers have impacted his life greatly and I am so fortunate that Kyle and Lana have had great people to teach them. 

This year for teacher appreciation week I made this cute little gift for Kyle's and Lana's teachers.

The F is empty because I didn't have any quarters on me at the time.  Each day their teachers get to open a box and find a little surprise.

Sunday - You really measure up! (measuring tape)

Monday - A note to let you know that you are a wonderful teacher (sticky notes)

Tuesday - Thanks for holding everything together. (paper clips)

Wednesday - You were mint to teach.  Thanks for your hard work.  (mints)

Thursday - We are stuck on you! (magnets)

Friday - Soda you know that we think you are a great teacher? (quarters for the soda machine)

Saturday - You are as sharp as a tack. (push pins)

Like everything I do it wasn't my idea, I copied someone.  The website I have found is called Skip to my Lou and I copy lots of ideas from this super creative lady.  She makes it so easy by giving us prints outs and everything.  I'm so glad there is someone out there thinking of the slackers of the world. 

So go forth and take a few minutes to appreciate a teacher today.