Pirate Island

During Teegan's School Spring Break we headed to Orem to have lunch at Pirate Island. We went to the stage where a pirate read us a pirate story. After story time we watched a man sketch a picture of a pirate. We did a skeleton puzzle and the Pirate came around and let the kids take 3 gold coins (tokens). Then the kids got some stuff from the craft table and we headed back to our table for lunch. After lunch the kids had a great time spending their gold coins (tokens) in the arcade. The Twins spent most of their time on the pirate ship going down the slide while Teegan played games.

Teegans Homemade Robot

Teegan has always liked Robots and enjoys making Robots out of anything and everything. A few months ago, he was building a Robot out of Lego's and it kept falling apart. He then asked for the Tinker Toys and made another Robot that also kept falling apart. As he began to grow frustrated he asked me for some glue. I told Teegan that we are not going to glue the Lego's or the Tinker Toys together because then nobody can play with them. I told Teegan to talk to his dad about building a Robot out of scrapes that his Dad would more than likely have in his office. Teegan talked to his Dad and they were not able to find anything in Dad's office. When I came home from work they both told me that they needed to go shopping for Robot parts. After a couple of weeks and many shopping trips to the DI, Radio Shack and Home Depot -- Teegan had enough parts to build his Robot. Teegan did a lot of the work while Dad was responible for the lights and the beeping noises that the Robot makes when controlled. Almost $100 later we know have a new member in our family named Attack Fire.

Our visit with the Easter Bunny

All of the kids were so excited to go and see the Easter Bunny. Once we got there the boys were all over it and ran right up to the bunny. Lucky for us there was no one there. Jaida was not so sure once she saw the bunny and we could not talk her into going and seeing the bunny.

After a little bit of begging and pleading (and some bunny ears) she agreed to go up with mom.

After a lot of high fives from the boys and trying to chat with a bunny who doesn't talk much we decided to take a break and get some dinner. After dinner we made one last stop to say goodbye. Jaida came completely out of her shell and was fine with the bunny.

We hope you all had a "Happy Easter"!

The Utah Hogle Zoo

Thanks to the Pond Family for the invite! It was great fun...

Swimming Lessons

The kids have been taking swimming lessons for the last three sessions. The twins are still too small so they are in the parent tot class with mom and dad. Teegan is solo and started in level one, where he did so well and passed into level two with no problems. After level two the teacher felt that he was border line and thought he should stay in level two for one more session.


Because the classes fill up so fast (we have missed them in the past for waiting a week before to sign up), I was for once (I thought) on the ball and registered Teegan for level three. After the session ended his teacher advised that she would keep him in level two again. I told her I had already signed him up for level three. She said, well I was torn and I think he will be fine in level three. She then went on to tell me that the level three class is in the lap pool and not in the regular pool where the deepest point is only 3.5 feet deep. The rule is a parent must be in arms length, which means we have one parent with Teegan and one parent to hold two toddlers during parent tot. Not sure how we would have done it without the help of Grandma Cyn and Mike for coming to the rescue for several early Saturday mornings to help with swimming. Grandma Cyn helped with the twins while mom and dad took turns watching Teegan in his class. And Mike of course was our photographer and video man.

I was the lucky one to get to watch Teegan during his first class in level three. When we got there and introductions were being made I realized he was definitely the youngest and smallest in the class. All other kids in the class could touch the bottom of the lap pool without holding onto the side. Teegan could not. The teacher started off telling the kids the rules of the pool, and the most important rule was don't you leave the edge of the pool until your name is called. Things were going pretty well and I was thinking to myself, Teegan's got this. About half way through the class they were pushing off the edge of the pool and trying to get some distance into the pool. Teegan was one of the last ones to go and was patiently waiting until out of know where he went without his name being called and after pushing off out into the middle he began to sink. I of course panic, calling his name. The teacher immediately had to grab the girl she was working with to take her along to grab Teegan from going down and down. It was horrible and you could tell he was very embarrased. The teacher gave him the lecture and explained again why it is so important to wait for your name to be called. Teegan said he thought she did call his name (I'm not quite so sure of that, I think he just got tired of waiting and was feeling pretty confident).

During the second class, dad watched and all was well. During the third class I was back with Teegan. After about 5 minutes into the class Teegan looked at me with really sad eyes and told me that he did not want to swim today. I could tell he was uncomfortable and really wanted out. As I'm sure you can tell where this story is going -- we stopped level three and will join again after soccer season and we'll be back in level two. Teegan has advised us that he does not want to go into level three until he can touch the bottom like the other kids in the class.

St. Patricks Day @ The Childrens Museum

Wednesday, March 17th was a "thanks to the community" free day at the Childrens Museum, so I encouraged Neil to take the kids. I had a full schedule at work and was not able to take the day off to attend with them.

It is also standard practice at our house for me to pull out the next day outfits for the kids to make things easier on Neil in the mornings. So "green" it was for all of them.

Taking the three kids out is a challenge in itself, but to take them to a public place on a free day and to dress them in the same color as everyone else -- made it an even bigger challenge. I was impressed that they all made it home and no one got lost.

Daddy is our Valentine because he ...