Busy Weekend

We’ve had a very busy weekend, filled with many different activities. Our weekend started out with the arrival of Johnny’s parents who came for a long, overdue visit. Since we had not seen them for a while, we really had no choice but to pack in every activity and event we possibly could (not really, but we did it anyway). We went to the Western Idaho Fair, where Elle got kissed by a seal, we fed butterflies, we viewed animals, we pet sting rays (barbs removed), we checked out the latest cars (the boys, including Hudson, loved this), Elle got an animal balloon (which Hudson pretty much popped), and we drank yummy lemonade.

But the fair was only part of our busy weekend. We also went swimming three times, Elle built a locker at Lowes, Johnny and his dad went to school, we viewed open houses and different areas of Boise, we watched movies (actually only one movie, Alpha and Omega—it is Elle’s latest obsession right now), and basically we never really stopped. It was a very busy weekend, but we all had a lot of fun.

Superstar

Everyday, at Elle’s school, the teacher chooses one student to be the superstar. This student shows the teacher that he or she is being outstanding in some way. And the other day, Elle was ecstatic to find out that her teacher had chosen her for this honor. She could not contain her excitement, and was very happy to show off her sticker and tell me about her accomplishment.



I am very proud of Elle and all she has accomplished. I know that school at times seems a little long for her, and I also know she misses being home and playing with Hudson and I. But I am so happy at how brave and strong she is being. Even though school is not her favorite thing right now, she goes and she works hard. I am grateful for her positive attitude, and for her perseverance. I just love her.

Family Home Evening—Fish

Our theme for family home evening this week was: fish. For our lesson we learned the story of when Jesus fed 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two small fish. We then colored our own paper fish. After that we bought two real goldfish and put them in a fish bowl (the kids loved this—getting a new pet is always exciting). And lastly, we had goldfish cupcakes which were a very yummy treat.

End of Summer Event

The end of summer signals an annual event in many counties: fairs. We, as a family, like these annual events. We especially like to attend the Gooding County Fair and Rodeo at the end of each summer, because we get good food (unhealthy and not much nutrition is more like it), fun entertainment, and we get to spend time with my parents. All of which we really enjoy.

This year, we again attended the fair and rodeo, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Elle and Hudson both liked the fair (although Hudson was not tall enough to ride on any rides—something that is a little hard for a one-year-old to understand). They also loved all the unhealthy and non-nutritious food—scones, sno-cones, lemonade, french fries, cotton candy and kettle korn. And they really liked the rodeo (the broncos and bulls were an easy favorite—Hudson kept signing more when the rider’s eight seconds were up).



But the fair and rodeo were not the only fun items on our weekend agenda. We also enjoyed spending time at my parent’s house. The favorite thing to do was ride and drive my father’s new zero-turn lawn mower. Hudson would sit on it and scream, “Papa!” until my dad would turn it on and give him another ride. I think Hudson spent most of his time just sitting on the lawn mower. Elle liked to drive the lawn mower, too, but she liked to drive it by herself. She, too, could have ridden it all day.



Another favorite thing to do at my parent’s house was play with my dad’s dog, Rusty. Both kids ran and played with this dog until he was completely worn out. Hudson ran around yelling, “Gog!” (dog for anyone who does not read Hudson), the entire time. It was very entertaining.



And lastly, Elle loved riding horses with my dad. Elle is quite obsessed with horses, so any time she has the chance to ride one, she takes it. Poor Hudson was taking a nap while Elle was riding, so he did not get a chance to get in the saddle. Maybe next time.



All in all, it was a very fun trip, and we were glad that we could yet again attend the annual end of summer event.