The four older kids all participated in Reflections this past year. This year's theme was "look within." They did some pretty amazing artwork! We're really proud of them for working so hard and adding beauty and interest to the world. Addison entered in the visual arts category. He painted our backyard. He got the Award of Excellence. Pretty dead-on, eh? Bryn entered in visual arts and photography. She made a collage of an awesome "tide pool" that we found at Zion National Park, and also entered a great photo that she took from there. She is such a nature-lover. Her pieces totally reflect her. She received the Award of Merit for both of her works of art. Leah did a 3D art project. It was a book of photos that she took. Asa wrote a story called "The King of the Universe." It was fun to be his scribe while the creative juices were flowing. He earned an Award of Merit. ...

We've got some sweet neighbors who treat our kids like grandchildren. Back in June they were nice enough to invite us to come along with them and their official grandkids for a day of fun and exploration at the zoo. We jumped at the chance and had a great time!  The meercats were so fun to watch! Emmie got a real kick out of them. We thought the art they had on display was super cool. The artist used garbage she collected from oceans to make huge creatures! They were actually really pretty and also great for I spy. We got to ride the carousel and the train. We had extraordinary luck in the big cat sighting department. Look at the tiger! We'd never seen it before!  The snow leopard was snoozing in a very visible spot. And you will never in a million years believe what happened in the bird show. Our bird-loving Brynny got chosen as a volunteer to hold an actual dove! It was the greatest day of all our lives! Th...

This year I volunteered to be in charge of the Reflections art competition at the kids' school. They hadn't had it in the past, because they didn't have anyone who was willing to run it. My kids loved participating at their old school, and there's not a lot of art going on in their current classrooms, so I wanted to give them the chance to do it. Looking back, it was so much work. Like, a ton. And I didn't have any volunteer helpers, so it was really just me, and the poor, poor, wonderful office secretary, and Nate on tech support. But it was really a success! We had fifty-something entries, gave out tons of awards, and actually have two kids from the school who have made it to state. Additionally, I now know where the district offices are, where every classroom is, where every teacher's box is, and I can call the principal and vice principal and pta staff by their first names, and they recognize my face, if not my name. That said, one year was enough for me...

Addison and Bryn both participated in their school's Reflections competition this year. The theme was "The World Would be a Better Place If . . ." Addison chose the visual arts category this time around and Bryn did 3D art. They really enjoyed everything about it. We bounced ideas around for several days, they drew up preliminary plans, and they went to it. Addison's was a poster about choosing to recycle. Bryn's was called "Animals in Danger," and she made clay models of lots of endangered animals. They both got awards. Addison was third in his category and Bryn was first in hers! We're so proud of them both! It was fun to go to the awards ceremony and be there for them to get their medals and prizes. I always like seeing them at school. The cafeteria was packed! All the participants. Bryn is on the bottom left and Addison is the one holding the big green poster.  Our cute kiddos with their artwork.   A closer look at B...