Bear Lake

Shortly after school got out, we wanted to take the trailer camping and decided to head to the KOA near Bear Lake. We had never been there before and I had heard really good things about it. We read online about all the fun stuff to do and I thought it would be fun for Trace to bring a cousin with him. We asked Fischer and his parents and they said okay! Fischer and Trace had a great time! They played mini golf, made crafts, rode bikes, swam in the pool, played on the playground and bounced on the "bounce pillow" almost every waking moment. We all had a great time! We had a great spot and were really close to the amenities, we couldn't have picked a better spot. Definitely a place we'll have to go back to one day.

The boys made a friend and they palled around a lot together

This is the "we're waiting for our ice cream" face

Okay Fish, I guess you CAN fit the whole orange in at once.

After jumping and jumping until both boys were covered from head to toe in dirt, they cleaned up and settled into our bed to watch a movie and eat popcorn. I don't remember my camping trips being so comfortable when I was a kid.

Riding a Bike

Last summer Kevin and I bought Trace a 'Captain America' bike with training wheels and he liked it, but quickly outgrew it. Since then, every time we would mention getting Trace a larger bike without training wheels, he was insistent he didn't want to learn how to ride a bike without training wheels. When my father heard of this, and being a man who had many an adventure on his bike when he was young, became adamant that Trace learn how to ride a bike without the hindrance of training wheels. Considering Papa was too busy working to teach me how to ride a bike when I was a kid and I just ended up teaching myself because I'm both independent and impatient, I thought that this would be a good bonding experience for both of them.
So, Papa and Nana bought him a 20" bike and Papa began to take him to the school parking lot every weekend and teach him how to ride. At first, Trace was terrified and it was a good thing I wasn't there because I would have rushed in to rescue him and he'd never return to try again. After about three times with Papa, I went along to see the progress he had made. When I got to the parking lot, Trace hopped on his bike and with only a little steadying from Papa, he was peddling all by himself! I was so proud of my little guy! Papa was exhausted, but very happy that Trace could now enjoy the fun of riding a bike fast and for fun. Trace proudly told me and Kevin; "I found my balance!". As the summer progressed, I went riding on my bike with Trace a couple times and he was able to ride faster than me and was certainly more agile. Such fun memories watching this sweet little fella growing up.

Better off Dead

Sometimes when I'm at work and Kevin and Trace are left home to their own devices, I get strange recreations of Kevin's favorite movies via text. This is one where Trace is channeling his inner John Cusack. Boy I just love those two boys of mine.

A boy and his dog

I was getting ready for work and came out of the bathroom ready to go wake up Trace and get him ready for the day and what did I find? Trace and Raven, snuggled up in MY bed on MY pillow, content as could be. Good thing they're both cute, I would have had to kick them off the bed.

Last day of School

That's it! That's all she wrote! Trace completed the first stage of his long educational career. He graduated Kindergarten! The last day I was able to go to his school and take pictures of he and his friends as they cleaned out their desks and participated in last day celebrations. It was fun to see all the kids as they wished each other and good summer and Mom's exchanged phone numbers. The really cool thing is that his teacher, Mrs. Goodwater, is planning to move to teaching the 1st graders next year, so there's a chance Trace will have her again. She really is one of a kind and has even been voted the best teacher of the year several times at East Sandy Elementary. Here's to the end of Kindergarten, onto the next adventure!

Mrs. Goodwater and Trace

Trace, Matthew, Bella and David

Here's Ryker that we had with us at the zoo

Bella, another kid in our group at the zoo

Matthew, Trace, Sebastian, Ryker and David in front

Big Thinker

Conversation at our house tonight:
Me: "Hey Trace, if I take you out for a celebration lunch after you graduate from Kindergarten tomorrow, where would you like to go?"
Trace: (Thinking hard and looking up at the ceiling)
Me: "I'll let you choose anywhere you want to go." (Preparing myself for the word 'McDonalds' to come out of his mouth)
Trace: "I want to have lunch at LEGOLAND!"


Well, I did say 'anywhere'....look out world, this kid is a big thinker!