Catch-up Hadden’s Birthday

I should have named this “The post of a billion pictures”…

Hadden did turn 6, even if I forgot to mention it until now.  He had a friend party on his birthday afternoon, during which there was much decorating of pumpkins…

The finished products

And then, there was eating of donuts…

This is my favorite!

Then, they got to introduce themselves and their costumes.

And go trick-or-treating around the basement.

And eating of birthday cake.

And receiving of presents.

And spooky food.  Monster fingers.

And Monster Mouths.

And Rotten Apple Punch.

And much crepe paper, because we are decoration challenged.

Hungry Kiddos.

Birthday dinner, that evening.  Hadden also got to bring home the class show and tell bear, Mr. Bear for the whole birthday weekend.  How fun!  Happy Birthday, Hadden.

Ho Ho Ho

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Love-to-Cook---Black-Friday-Specials.html?soid=1101394868032&aid=aQeZ1ubvFXg

UEA

We originally planned an elaborate trip for UEA and then decided we really just wanted to have fun without dragging ourselves so far from home.  So…we did what we could that was fun around our house and in Salt Lake.  I think we managed OK! 

Picnic at the park.

Walking around the nature trail at the park.  Calla was all too happy to play “mom” to Tyler and push him in the stroller.

Holding the new cousin, Nick

Swimming at the pool by Grandma and Grandpa’s house

Visiting Thanksgiving Point

Especially the Dinosaur Museum!

We also managed to see the last day of the Salt Lake City Farmer’s Market.  This…

was Hadden’s favorite part. 

Lions Everywhere

We’ve been busy in October, though the blog doesn’t show it, so here are some catch-up posts.  Hadden and I were able to go see the traveling Broadway production of The Lion King.  Our very expensive seats weren’t that great, and there was a family of totally obnoxious kids behind us, but it was still AMAZING!  I had seen it once before in New York with Chris and this was equally as good.  Some of the actors were even the same!  Hadden loved it.  That doesn’t even do justice to how he felt about it, but I don’t know how else to describe it.  He sat on the edge of his chair the entire time.  He was a perfect gentleman, using only his whisper voice if he had a question.  He is our little music nut!  Here is our picture outside before we went in…

Meanwhile, Chris took Calla to the zoo with my brother and his little boy.  From what I heard, there was much running about and naming of animals.  Both kids loved it!

Calla wasn’t so sure about the porcupine, though…

Loving the carousel…

Beautiful

Now that’s something I can believe in!

Frustrated with Fruit Loops!

Everyday Hadden eats a snack at school.  They get some sort of cracker/”cookie”/sugar and a choice of milk: either regular or chocolate.  We have talked about this at home and decided, together, that he can pick chocolate milk once a week and white milk the rest of the week.  His starches have included fruit loops, graham crackers (these are cookies, people!) and Ritz crackers.  Several times each week he tells me he gets up to the snack table and there is only chocolate milk!  That’s right.  No choice.  I honestly have no idea who is choosing these options for the kids, but I am truthfully frustrated!  NONE of these things are healthy!  Chocolate milk is not healthy!  (I know I’ve posted that link before, but really, do watch it if you haven’t).

Then today, I saw this.  Disillusioned.  That’s what I am.  These kids need healthy options!!! 

Thanks for hearing my rant.  :) 

First Day of Kindergarten!

It almost seems like for the last year, I’ve been living Groundhog Day.  Everyday waking up just waiting and waiting for Hadden to be old enough for Kindergarten.  Hadden is a VERY inquisitive kid, plus most of his friends started school last year and have been telling him how great it is ever since.  He was ready in every sense.  So, without further adieu…

Mr. Kindergartener

Mr. Kindergartener, with The Ham

I think the photoshoot was nearly done here.

So proud!  I didn’t cry, though.  Chris thought for sure I would.  I’m just so proud of this amazingly smart kid!

His teacher suggested we take him to school so his first time on the bus would be coming home with just Kindergarteners.  So, when we got to school, all his friends and neighbors were getting off the bus and going into the school.  Hadden got a big high-five from his buddy Noah and then they dashed off.  (We were chopped liver by this point, believe me).  Their backpacks are reflective and they were so excited to be in school together that they moved quick!

Outside his classroom is a “Welcome to Kindergarten” sign.  We tried to give him a hug and tell him goodbye, but he was sooooo excited that he ran right into his room.  We had to insist on the hug and then he went right to work and was done needing us at all.  It was short, and tearless!

 

Calla waited patiently for the bus to bring him home.  It was 20 minutes late, but finally…

There he was!  He, Madi, and Mason (the twins who live next door) were all sharing a seat and peeking over it to see us waiting.  They were the last 3 on the bus.  It was so cute.  

He was just so proud and excited, but also trying to be a big kid and keep a straight face, hence the totally weird expression in the above photo.  I think the bus may have been at least equally exciting as the actual school day, but he did say his favorite time was storytime.  Good kid!