Solar Eclipse and the Hogle Zoo

Monday was the day of the big Solar Eclipse.  Sunday evening over dinner we had briefly talked about it (moon in front of the sun, don't look at at, etc.) and Monday morning Hayden came down dressed in his sun shirt and had his sunglasses on, all ready for the eclipse!  I can't believe he remembered!  Kylie was going to be at school while it happened.  Her teacher took her outside and they got to look through glasses at it.  Then they kept them inside during lunch so none of the kids would accidentally look up and burn their eyes.

I had no plans on what to do with Hayden, though.  I started dinking around online, thinking of maybe making a pin hole box to look through, or maybe the library was having a special party we could go to, when I saw that Thanksgiving Point Garden's was having an eclipse party!  On a whim, I called up Grandma Shari and asked if she was free, and then we all went over to the gardens for the eclipse party they were having.  It was a fun idea, but it was also CRAZY busy.  We waited a long time in line just to get in, but the good thing about so many people is that so many people offered to let us look through their solar glasses, since we didn't have any.  Eventually one kind family just gave us a pair!  It was really cool to be able to see the eclipse, and Hayden really got the concept down.  Plus he loved this one-on-one time with Grandma Shari.  We enjoyed the beautiful gardens and the few activities they had as well as feeding the fish.

Kylie was NOT happy that she didn't get to go, but she still had fun at school.

The rest of the week was quite normal.  Hayden is getting used to going to Daycare a few times a week while I go to an exercise class, and after school both kids just play outside with all the other kids until I have to drag them inside to eat and take baths.  I even had to force them to go swimming on Friday since the outside pool will be closing soon at the Rec Center and I wanted to go one last time.

Saturday we got up early and went to the zoo with Grandma Shari!  Aunt Connie was supposed to come too, but she broke her toe and wasn't able to make it.  The kids had so much energy running from one animal to the next, as well as pushing our stroller with all our lunch and snacks on it.  There were also huge mechanical bugs everywhere that the kids loved seeing.  We also got to go to the elephant show and bird show.

We came home so worn out!  It was super fun and the kids are the perfect age for enjoying the zoo.  Hayden had such a good eye for finding all the animals and Kylie as very helpful with the stroller and keeping us all together!  Thanks Grandma Shari for such a fun day!

Back to School

Monday was Back to School Night, where we got to explore Kylie's new school and meet her teacher, Ms. Asay.  Kylie was a little shy at first, but as usual she warmed up quickly.  Hayden followed her around and pretended that he was going to go to school too!

Afterwards we played on the playground for a bit.  They have a fun climbing area that both the kids really liked.

Tuesday was the first day of school!  Kylie was so excited because she gets to take a lunch this year!  I also pack one for Hayden in the morning (so he doesn't feel left out), but he's been coming back after dropping Kylie off at school and eating his lunch at 9 AM.  Silly boy.  Anyways, Kylie was really excited for her first day.  For some reason the school does things really weird and won't open the doors to the school until the first bell rings, and then instead of going to their classroom that they found the day before, they herded all the kids and parents dropping off the kids into the little gym to find their teachers for the 'Welcome Back To School' assembly.  I think they should have re-thought that since it was very crowded making sure your kid found their teacher and then either staying for the assembly or trying to make your way back out again.  Hayden and I left after seeing Kylie safely to her teacher.

After a week of school Kylie doesn't say much about her class.  She does like it and she seems to be making some friends, though she doesn't remember their names.  Her favorite part of the day is lunch and recess.  Typical.  This week was all half-days, so she got out at 1.30 instead of 3.20.  I feel that it will help her transition to full school days next week.

Hayden and I have been having fun while she is at school.  He plays outside with all the other little kids, and comes inside to eat or color and draw with me.  I tried teaching him to write his name and we built puppets from his lunch bags.

Thursday we got to go to a park with Grandma Shari and Grandpa Gary after school.  Even Grandma Fae showed up since the park was next to her house!  It was a really fun park and even though it was pretty hot, the kids ran around like crazy and enjoyed themselves.

Even us adults had fun!

When it got too hot we went over to the Orem Mall to play there and get some dinner.  We had such a fun time!

We've really enjoyed living up north and seeing both sets of grandparents so often.  Living with Grandma Tess and Grandpa Pete has been really fun as well.  The kids play outside every chance they get and then tell Grandma and Grandpa all about their day every night.

Brandon took the kids for the weekend on Friday and they are coming back today!  It looks like Hayden got a haircut, and Kylie a trim!

Swim Party!

This week we hit the Rec Center HARD.  Well, it wasn't hard for the kids, seeing as they got to play the entire time they were there, but it was hard for me as I was trying out all these new exercise classes.

We went every day Tuesday-Friday and for one purpose only.  No, not to get me fit, though that is a nice bonus.  We went to get Hayden used to the daycare there with Kylie before she heads off to school next week.  I was hoping he would get used to it with her there to help, and then next week when he starts going alone while I go exercise he won't be freaking out as bad.  We will see if it worked!

Throughout the week we also visited the library, went swimming at the rec center, and took Kylie school shopping.

Saturday was the fun day - going to Grandma Shari's and Grandpa Gary's for a swim party!  They had gotten their pool up and running and invited lots of family over to play.  It was fun for the kids to meet so many cousins their age (really they are second cousins or third cousins or something like that) and run around playing in the water.  It was so enjoyable and we played out in the water for about 5 hours before we went back home to fall asleep.

Little Sickies

The past week was a little rough because we were all a little sick.  I had a slight headcold, and Hayden had a little cough.  On Wednesday we went to the splash pad and played for several hours, and afterwards Kylie wasn't feeling so good and even puked a few times.  So we didn't do much after that!

We did go explore the new children's section in the Orem mall which was lots of fun.  And of course went to the library for more fun at their building exhibit.

And there was still lots of playing out in the back yard with all the other neighbor kids.  For a few days we became the weirdo's giving everyone Otter Pops as a way to meet the kids and learn some names.  (Also we had a ton to get rid of haha!)

We also registered Kylie for first grade at her new school.  It starts in a little over a week from now!!!  Crazy.  She is a little nervous, but she usually excels at social situations after a few minutes (unlike Hayden and I).

Snowbird!

Living with Grandma Tess and Grandpa Pete is so much fun for Kylie and Hayden.  Their favorite part is having a huge grassy area and park right outside the back door.  There are always other kids to play with (though sometimes they aren't so inviting...) and Kylie and Hayden spend the entire day going in and out and in and out while I am able to sit by the door and do some work and watch them.  It's the greatest!  Plus it's nice not to melt every time you go outside too!

On Tuesday we joined Grandma Shari, Grandpa Gary and Uncle Jordan up in the mountains at Snowbird!  Kylie and Hayden are just realizing that Snowbird is a Knudsen tradition, but Kylie recognized it immediately and was so excited to be back!

Of course, one of the first things they had to do was go out on the deck and play on the hot tub.

It was nice and overcast, so we actually had to wear pants and a jacket!  So nice and cool and green.

After getting settled we went on a walk to the park.  For some reason, the first thing Kylie does when she arrives is climb on top of the large bug and wants her picture taken.  Every single day we went (3 days in a row) she did the same thing!

After playing at the park we decided to do the casual hike to lookout point.

After all our exploring and fun we always like to take the ski lift back up the hill and then walk back down to our rooms.  Walking down is way easier than walking up ;)  After dinner and the arrival of Grandpa Gary (who was at work) we all went swimming!  The pool was nice and heated and the hot tubs were nice and bubbly!  Kylie impressed everyone with her quick swimming.

Wednesday was our big activity day!  We went to the park first to occupy some time, and when the rides opened at 11 we got busy.  First we did the trampoline.  I actually went with them, and it was my first time ever doing flips and showing Kylie and Hayden what to do. By the end I got both of them doing back flips and I was ready to get off!

Next we did the Mountain Coaster a few times.  It's everyone's favorite ride!

Then on to bounce houses, rock walls, tree climbing, alpine slide, and even the ropes course 20 feet in the air.  Kylie just flew around the ropes course and it was all I could do to keep up with her.  Hayden also did really well, but Grandma chickened out when she got up so high and an attendant had to come lead Hayden around.  Kylie was even brave enough to try the zip line with me!  Something I never thought she would want to do because of the super loud noise it makes when it stops.

Then we took the tram up the mountain and had lunch at the top of Hidden Peak.  It was so cool to watch the clouds roll by underneath us, but it was pretty cold!  Afterwards we went back to our room for a little break (I needed a nap!).  When Grandpa Gary arrived after work we did it all again so he could have a chance to ride everything with the kids!  By the end of the day we were sunburnt, worn out, and happy! I let the kids into the room's hot tub for a little bit to wind down that evening.  They love the idea of having a hot tub just for them!

Thursday we walked around the shops and got the kids some Snowbird shirts (because they are ultimate fans now) and then went back to the park one more time.  The kids could have stayed up there forever (Hayden thinks it is Grandma Shari's new home), and I know next year when we come they will be super excited!

Friday was the first time Brandon took the kids for the weekend.  It was a long drive down to Cove Fort where we swapped the kids.  Kylie and Hayden were excited to spend some time with their dad, even though Brandon called me with a crying Hayden at bedtime that first night, poor little guy!  We are going to try an every other week schedule since we live so far apart now.