love of local in Utah
Things I Loved This Spring Part 2
Reagan had such a fun last year at preschool. The whole year she asked to have her “BFFs” over for a playdate. So here are her BFFs from school; Brooke, Qoiah & Neva. They are some sweet and fun girls. When Reagan graduated she was given the “Never a Dull Moment” award. REAGAN?! Get that, why? hahaha.
We even got to accompany her on her last field trip to the aquarium. Although before entering, while waiting in line, Reagan accidentally headbutted Shae’s open mouth. She was bleeding quite a bit and someone had to take my kids while I cleaned it up. I did not think it needed stitches and after a few minutes she was back to having fun with her friends.
Reagan also got to spend a lot of time this year with her BFF Tahlia (the babysitter). Every Wednesday afternoon just the two of them got to hang out. Wednesday afternoons are crazy and I didn’t want Reagan just sitting in the car for hours. So she got to hang out with her friend!
I took a night off and invited a new friend to come with me to NHMU to listen to a lecture on FOOD. It was with Andrew Zimmern who was so interesting to listen to. I laughed a lot, thought of things in a way I never had, and learned a lot about the way I think.
I also failed at getting through the stack of books I have to get through. I have NOT failed at promising myself I would not buy any new books in 2017 until I got through my stack.
Tyler was supposed to accompany me to the Chocolate and Cheese Festival for my birthday but went out of town for work instead. So Reagan was my date. We attended a class on how to use high quality chocolates in baking the right way.
Shae and I had a random morning alone together. So she asked if we could go to the zoo and I learned of her love of posing for pictures. Boy does she hate taking pictures with her sisters. But alone? She asks for it non stop.
But she still doesn’t love it as much as baking, that is her first true love.
Reagan continues to keep us laughing, tired, and on our toes. She has this burst of energy and is so fearless. It is the exact dose this family needs to keep us alive and having fun. We could do with less screaming though. This particular day she had an outfit, jewelry AND a hairstyle she asked for. She told us she just knew that EVERYONE at school would say, “Wow Reagan you look beautiful” when she arrived. And you know what? She was right, she got the compliments she wanted and had prepped for!
Untitled from Vanessa Brown on Vimeo.
Shae continues to work hard at speech. We took the summer off and she has regressed a lot so I don’t think she is quite done with speech. We will have a therapist come again during the school year. But her teacher Heather was so patient and fun with her this year.
The girls and I also were excited that a new NHMU exhibit came, on VIKINGS! We listed to a podcast on Vikings before we went that told us the facts and also the myths to do with Vikings. It was fun to walk through the exhibit and see those things that we had learned there in print or in artifacts.
Honey is still alive. And during her 20 hour long naps she wakes up with different bed lovies. The girls like for her to feel comfortable and are very good at sharing.
As season pass holders at Utah Children’s Theatre we saw a lot of plays this spring. Can you tell we saw Pinkalicious this season? We also saw Treasure Island, The Wizard of Oz and AnnE of Green Gables. It was a great season. But next season we are even more excited for…they will be doing Parent Trap. Which is the movie (both versions) that we watch almost every Sunday.
The girls also finished up another series of homeschool theatre class during the Spring. This one was on body movement in plays. This was their group’s performance:
Play with Presence from Vanessa Brown on Vimeo.
The girls grew up even more this spring. I seem to have a larger age gap than I used to have. With how much Abby has grown and matured this past year from her sisters. It almost seems like 3 of them are in one group and Abby is in our her own world.
We got a lot of our favorite pastries this Spring. Every time I had a rough day at the kennel I would go get one of these. Which would explain why I am not loosing weight that I would like to be. oh well, gotta do different things to survive.
Cameron finally learned to ride a bike! My girls take the longest time to learn how to ride. It is almost comical. Maybe Shae will finally learn when she is 9 like Abby & Cameron did.
We explored different parks, meadows, and outdoor spots. Then it got hot fast and I am getting ready for more Fall hikes. I am a vampire and do not handle the summer heat well.
Untitled from Vanessa Brown on Vimeo.
Treating ourselves to breakfast with curlers in her hair was another thing that happened a lot during dance season in the Spring.
Shae begged to go to the mall, which we never do. So I obliged!
My cousin Candace came over and did twinsie hairstyles. I wish Candace lived closer, she is like another aunt when she is around.
We did our annual pictures with Kim (those will come later) and got our hair done. This snap I took of Shae in the hair studio cracked me up. We did pictures in the tall grass behind NHMU. I learned I am severely allergic to that tall grass. My eyes swelled shut, my throat starting swelling, my tongue was swollen and itchy, my body was covered in red. It was CRAZY. I had to run to a drugstore and get bendrayl. Where the lady had it behind the counter and was grilling me on why I needed it. She must have not had her glasses on and couldn’t see my face. Afterwards we went to eat downtown and walked around. I must have looked like Will Smith from Hitch, but I was starving.
My brothers see the girls a few times a year. I do wish we saw them more. It is hard when you live totally different lifestyles (student life/single life) to have schedules that match up. BUT I did talk them into coming with me to New England when I go with just the girls this summer. That should be fun.
Lastly the girls just worked their buts off in dance. Shae was very serious in her classes and liked to get every move done the right way. When other students would mess up she would hop in the car after class very frustrated. She wanted to her recital pieces to be perfect. She worked so hard this year.
Shae gets to join Abby & Cameron’s dance team next year. I wish I could have all four of them in at the same time! But this will be Abby’s last year on this dance team, it stops after 6th grade.
I had fun being “classroom mom” to the dance team and doing their spring board.
Reagan is a natural in dance. Her body is built like a strong gymnast and things come so natural to her. She will be fun to watch in her little dance career.
That was our spring at the Brown house!
Busy, busy, busy. I’m always amazed at all the things you find to do. I should come out and go with you to the chocolate place and then spend a week reading through all your books.