This is the Place for Luke's Birthday Adventure

Even though we weren't able to be together on Luke's birthday, we did get out and have a family adventure in honor of his birthday the following weekend.  We went to This is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake.  It's a big historical-education site located in the area where the LDS Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley.  It's a small town with period houses and businesses, some dating back to the 1800s and others newly-built, where families can go to learn about and get a feel for what life was like for the early Saints in this area, as well as Native Americans and prospectors farther west.  We spent the most time with the chicks and other animals in the farm area, and panning for gold.  We also enjoyed the blacksmith, the school, the miniature train ride, and the doughnuts.

Lincoln Log Chicken Coop

   

Learning about the Deseret Alphabet

We couldn't resist.

I dont' know if Ben would have made a very good prospector.

Luke's 6th Birthday

Luke's birthday fell on a weekday, when Ben was out of town, and the older kids had activities all afternoon/evening (literally starting at 4:15 we were running around to and from piano master classes, gymnastics, Cub Scouts, and YW). It was tricky to find a time to celebrate, and we were actually never together, though I tried to make that happen.  I planned to video chat with Ben early in the morning before school on Luke's birthday, assuming we'd at least all be together at 7am, not realizing that Cat would need to go to school early that day to make up a test she'd missed when she was out with her concussion.  Oh well.  Best laid plans.  I did detain her long enough for a picture with the birthday boy.  How do you like her unibrow?  It was Spirit Week at school and this particular day the theme was "Dress Like Art." Good thing Aunt Suz gave her this awesome shirt.  (P.S. We LOVE her nerd school.)

So once Cat left, the rest of us had fun watching Luke open presents, and we sang to him and had cupcakes for breakfast.

Later that morning I joined Luke's class to share treats (Rice Krispies Treats) and join in the birthday festivities.  They have a tradition of standing around the birthday child and singing a fun birthday song, then giving hugs.  And after the treats are handed out, they eat the treats while watching a book video on YouTube.  Luke chose Give Me Back My Dad by Robert Munsch.  His teacher also gave him a bag with a pencil, some little stickers, a homework pass, and a fun balloon.

When school was out, Luke wanted a playdate with a couple of his cousins.  So we picked up the two closest to Luke's age and headed to the playground.  It was a beautiful day to play outside.  Then we had lunch at Costco and went back to our house for a little more play time and (round two for Luke of) cupcakes before the boys' parents picked them up, and the older kids started arriving home from school.

The last birthday-ish thing was a festive frozen corn dogs and frozen fries dinner.  We sure know how to party in our family!

Luke is probably our most feisty and fiery child, but I think at least some of that comes with the territory of being the baby and having to keep up with the older kids and not let them push you around.  He can also be very sweet and mild-mannered, even shy around other people.  He's growing and learning so much, he expresses himself very well, and he's doing great in school - reading and doing math like a pro.  But he still loves to play and have fun and holds my hand in public, which is the best thing.  Hard to believe he's 6 already - but I think he'll rock it.

Retsae & Easter

We try to do most of our non-sacred Easter activities the day before Easter and we call it Retsae.  (Mostly, I call it Retsae, but that's okay.)  With everything going on the day before Easter - kids who took a really long time to practice piano, a trip to share local fare and the Tulip Festival with Uncle John, and a TabChoir Easter concert that night, well, we only did Easter baskets.  The Easter bunny hid the baskets "in plain sight" - on top of the shelves in my office.  The kids enjoyed their little treats and surprises and church-y books/activities.  Cat opened the box of Nerds to make sure it actually contained Nerds, since the wounds of last year's ingenious April Fool's joke haven't completely healed.

After Church on Sunday we spent 2 or 3 minutes trying to get a decent family-selfie.  Oh well.

Curiosity about a villain in the new Book of Mormon card game that
was in his basket, Jack went straight to the source to get more information.

Rersurrection Rolls are always a hit.

That evening, cousins joined us for a ham dinner.  The kids had fun playing, doing an Easter egg hunt (something we'd originally planned for the day before, but the plans had to change), and running around outside.