Welcome to the Jungle!

For the past two summers my friend Sharee has headed up a summer children’s music theater program. My kids were able to participate in last years show, “Davey Crockett,” and loved every minute of it. Because Sharee was expecting a baby at the end of June she was not going to do it this summer. After a conversation Sharee and I had at the park one day we somehow got the idea that if we worked together we could make it happen this summer after all. I love this kind of thing, and wanted to learn how Sharee made it all work.

I organized everything and took care of all the logistics and most of the set, and Sharee mostly ran the rehearsals. She has a music degree from BYU, and it was fun to see how she taught the kids the music and came up with the choreography. There was definitely enough work for both of us—I can’t believe she did it all by herself in years past!

Here's some of the set without the banners and flags.

We had 47 kids participate this year—more than other years and I was nervous, but they were such a good group. We rehearsed for three weeks and then held one performance. Our main play was “Welcome to the Jungle” based on Aesop’s fable The Lion and the Mouse. Since it was only twenty minutes long to beef it up we added two other Aesop’s fable skits and songs. The younger group (entering Kindergarten and 1st grade) did The Tortoise and the Hare and the older group (all others to 11 years old) did The Fox and the Grapes.

To simplify costuming since our cast were all to be jungle animals we ordered t-shirts in four different colors and face painted the kids different jungle animals for the final performance.

Jared was the Hare in The Tortoise and the Hare and had two lines taunting the Tortoise--he was hilarious and one of the best parts of the show if I do say so.  I didn't know he could be such a ham!

The day after the performance we left for Utah to help before Abby's wedding.  We flew Mom out to help me drive out since Scott couldn't miss work.  I was so glad she could see what I had been working on, and we put her talents to use as she helped face paint the kids.

Two of the parents in our group had performed in Cats on Broadway.  They organized the face painting, and I can't believe what a fabulous job all the parents did.  All the kids looked awesome!

Kaitlyn was the cutest hippo!  I LOVED her eyelashes.

Brynn made a darling Zebra too!

This banner in the front of the stage matched the front of our t-shirts.

I was really glad to be a part of this and had a blast.  I think it was such a good experience for my kids and all the kids involved.  It was a welcome change from the monotony of motherhood and a chance to use my talents in a different way, however it was nice to get back to a normal routine. 

Say Cheese!

Abby had a photo booth at her reception with unlimited prints.  People could get their pictures taken and then got to take home a copy for them and put a copy in Abby's guest book with a note.  I thought it was so cool and told Scott I wanted to take a million pictures in it.  Scott told me that was weird.

I wasn't the only one who wanted to spend all night in the photo booth.  Brynn and Kaitlyn went in a million times--they watched the line like a hawk and jumped in as soon as no one was in it.

We even got some pictures with Max and Cheryl.  I love how Jared disappears in the last shot.

I love the big orange glasses on Scott. Unfortunately I was busy most of the night and couldn't take more than a couple of pictures.  I want to do it again.

A Lazy Summer Day

We just spent the last hour reading The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Everyone is enthralled--especially Jared as we are returning to the tale of his hero Peter.  Now we are eating fresh, hot homemade bread for lunch--we're already working on our second loaf.  Brynn told me it was so good I should open a bakery--you gotta love when your kids tell you something like that.  Ellie broke her leg on Sunday and has a full leg splint until tomorrow when she gets her cast on--I will post more on that later.

We got home late Saturday night from two weeks of non-stop fun with cousins in Utah.  I loved every minute of it and as always feel a bit melancholy now that it is all over and I know it will be some time before we get to see everyone again.  But this is close to a perfect moment with the kids, and I love it.

Miss America

I went to a fourth of July party in the morning (July 5th). I got a flag painted across my face. I got home and went to the grocery store with my mom. When we got there the store manager said I had the best Fourth of July outfit then anyone who ever walked into the store. He gave me a rose. It was a really fun day.

~ Kaitlyn

Ellie Turns Three!

Our little Muffy (as she prefers to be called) turned three on May 17th.  We celebrated with her friend Wyatt Holmes and his family with a barbeque.  Unfortunately, my camera batteries were dead so I don't have any pictures.  However, we did take lots of video footage.
Where do I start about my Ellie?  She keeps me on my toes and is filled with personality.  She is a girl of extremes.  She is either so ornery and strong willed I can't stand it, or she is so cute and endearing I can't stand it.  She continues to be the best little mom to Nate.  She dresses her stuffed animal bears in his clothes and diapers and takes good care of them too.

Ellie loves to play in water and has flooded the bathroom sink more than once.  She wants nothing to do with any thing pink or princess.  We have some great dress-up dresses that she refuses to even touch.  She is thrilled to put on our little bear costume and any of Jared's capes or superhero dress-ups.  I have to fight her every Sunday to wear a dress and have even resorted to bribing her with a piece of gum (her favorite) if she will wear the dress I want her to wear.  She goes through phases of her favorite outfits--her favorites seem to always be my least favorite, and she never keeps the barrette in her hair to keep her bangs (which we have been desperately trying to grow out but were recently cut against my will by the hair stylist) out of her face.

She loves to play anything with Jared and especially loves to get every blanket and pillow in the house out and spread across the entire floor.  Jared and Ellie can spend hours doing this.

She loves to collect rollie polly's in our backyard and recently named a big one she caught "Jacob." 

She does silly things like climb in her hamper.  We have been taking her out on her bike, and she is so proud of herself for being able to ride it (training wheels on).  Now she keeps saying she can't wait to show her grandma when she comes to visit that she can ride her bike.

She loves her brother's and sister's and sings "I love Nate!  Yes I do!" all over the house.  We are so lucky to have this spit-fired little girl in our family.  Her little voice and fun personality make us smile.  Happy Birthday!

FHE Lesson by Kaitlyn and Brynn

Kaitlyn and Brynn love to plan the Family Home Evening lesson, and ask if they can do it every week.  Their lessons are so creative and fantastic that I've decided I need their ideas when I plan Sharing Time for Primary.  A couple of months ago they planned a lesson on goals.  They spent hours drawing a large soccer goal and making smaller soccer balls with string attached.  On the back of the soccer balls we were supposed to write our goal for the week.  They had boxes to check for every day we accomplished our task.  When we had all the boxes checked, we got to put our soccer ball in the goal. 

Scott and I were so impressed by their thorough and creative lesson.  They even had certificates made to give to every person as they completed their goal.  They dressed up as "special visitors" from The Friend magazine who made and accomplished goals.  They always plan a game (usually a treasure hunt to find the lesson) for Jared and Ellie.  Where did these kids come from--they are amazing!  I especially love when Kaitlyn and Brynn work together nicely as they prepare the lesson.  They both have great ideas, and it brings such peace to our home.

Great Grandparents

We took Nathan to Utah to make a premier among many family members for our Spring Break.  My grandparents came down from Bountiful to join us for Family Home Evening. I'm grateful to have some cute pictures with Nathan and Great Grandma and Grandpa Porter.

Grandma and Grandpa have three children, 18 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren with two more on the way.  They even send a card to everyone on their birthdays--my kids always look forward to their card (especially since it always contains some cash!)  We love to go see them.  I especially love the email updates my grandpa sends occasionally.  He sealed Scott and I in the Bountiful temple which was very special. My grandma always has treats to share when we go to their house.  I love these great people and wish we could see them more.