Rock Star Parker starts 1st Grade

Yep, my baby is all grown up and off to first grade.
This day kind of snuck up on me,I knew it was coming (even looked forward to it sometimes) but it happened too fast.  You know the feeling, when you know something is going to happen but as it is happening you think "wait I'm not sure I want to do this".  I had that feeling almost 7 years ago when I went into labor with him and I felt it again as I was trying to leave him in his class.  My baby is now on his path to manhood, I'm not the center of his universe...I don't even get to spend the majority of the day with him :(  He has a wonderful teacher (we know him from our old ward) and that made it a little easier.  Parker on the other hand was super excited to go back to school, to eat school lunch and to see all his friends from last year.  The day started with German Pancakes (yummy) putting on his new shoes and good-bye hugs.  Jordan was so sad that he didn't get to start kindergarten today (it starts next week) and followed the car down the drive way waving :(  He will (does) miss his brother SO much !  Parker and I hadn't even gotten out of the car before a little girl ran across the parking lot yelling "Parker,Parker".  She was super excited that he was in her class and put her arm in his and off they marched to class. (Her Mom was so glad, she had apparently cried all morning...at least until she found her Parker)  As we walked inside Parker was gathering a little crowd of friends, and saying "Hi" to everyone (how does he know all these kids!) 

We got to his class and two more kids ( a boy and a girl) ran up to give him a hug, I guess that is okay in 1st grade. We met his teacher (again the sweetest lady around) and found his seat.  Mommy was starting to have a hard time walking away (especially seeing several children crying around me) until I saw my little Parker having the time of his life...he barely noticed me kiss him good-bye and leave ! 
I went to work and then went to pick him up (wow he was there longer that I was at work...what a long day) It was so much fun to see his beaming face and to hear all about his day...the highlights THREE recesses and a super yummy school lunch!  I asked him if it was a long day and he said "No, it was cool" he then told me that they watched a movie to rest and some of the kids fell asleep on the floor...but he didn't because there was so much to do :)  I don't know where he gets this awesome personality, but I'm grateful for his ability to make friends and his brave outgoing spirit.  I love this kid and his gorgeous grin...how could you not !

ONE WICKED BIRTHDAY !

This year I had decided NOT to celebrate (then it wouldn't happen and I wouldn't be any older...right ?) but my amazing husband had other plans :)
We started off with a crazy plane ride to Salt Lake on Friday evening, when we arrived we found THE birthday sign up alerting everyone to my sisters and my birthday (her birthday is the day before mine)  The next day we started off the day bright and early with a breakfast buffet at Golden Corral, wow that was quite a spread !  The boys were excited to find the cotton candy and chocolate fountain...I think 95% of their morning intake was straight sugar !  Then Ryan and I were off on our "URBAN" adventure, while Grandma took the children on their own adventures (thanks Mom and G.G. !)  Ryan and I caught the Front Runner in Farmington and rode to SLC, then took TRAX  to the Capital Theatre.  It was super fun to ride the "train" and we felt so Urban doing it, coming from a little town with two (I think) buses this was a big deal for us
("I guess we aren't in Kansas anymore ")
At this point I must apologize, we forgot to take our camera with us so the following pictures were taken with Ryan's phone :) 

When we arrived the street was packed with excited people, we have been waiting  YEARS for this !  We took some fun pictures (before we were "STERNLY" told "NO PICTURES"!), bought a water and treats, stood in a WICKEDLY long line for the restroom and then settled down for the show.
All I can say is AMAZING!  It was more than we imagined it to be...we knew the plot, the songs but we had no idea the "experience" of Wicked was so wonderful!
(Hummmm maybe I am secretly WICKED!)
LOVED LOVED LOVED IT...WHAT MORE CAN I SAY !

After the show, Ryan and I continued our "Urban" exploration...we walked along Main Street and then shopped City Creek.  Again I have to say how beautiful this new mall is, wow what an upgrade !  I had fun popping in and out of the stores, Ryan kept busy trying not to look interested :)  We found cool street art and fun fountains.  There was a stop at the DISNEY store (of course) this place is definitely a Princess Heaven and one dangerous place for all the Princes that have to budget the kingdom :)
We made our way over to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner, we found a great table in the bar in less than 5 minutes instead of the 60 minute wait they had told us!  Wow, it must be my birthday !We had a great dinner then took home some Cheesecake to share with everyone at home.

Thanks again to everyone who sent Birthday wishes and to all those who made this day such a great day!

Parker's Acting Debut

Last month Parker had the opportunity to go to a fun "Pre-1st Grade" summer camp put on by the best kindergarten teacher (luckily Jordan's teacher this year) in her home.  Parker loved going everyday and seeing some of his friends from school that he has missed this summer.  They read,played,created (he made a super cool white board and t-shirt)and had so much fun.  The last day she had the children put on a cute little play for the parents. I was impressed that the children could read thier own parts and had practiced and knew them so well.   Parker was in  THE LITTLE RED HEN and starred as THE DOG.  He really did a good job looking out into the audience and speaking loudly, I was (as always) so proud of him...maybe this is the beginning of an awesome career in acting (the new Brad Pitt?)  Anyway this is for all of you that were too far away to make it to the show...

Everybody Needs A Little...

LAUGHTER !  We just wanted to share a little laughter with you today...enjoy and feel free to laugh along :) :) :) :) :)