Labor Day Part 2-Payson Lakes

After The Grotto, we decided to continue up the canyon to Payson Lakes. We had never been up there before and decided to check it out. It was absolutely beautiful. So quiet, cool and peaceful. We had fun walking around one of the lakes. We had to stop a million times so that Tate could throw leaves into the water and watch them float away. Tate had fun using his walking stick to help him hike around. We had such a great time and are excited to go camping there next summer.

Tate and Dad. Tate loved playing in all of the dirt and collecting rocks and leaves. He was filthy by the end of the day, but he loved every minute of it.

Tate and Mom throwing leaves together.

What a cute smile. He loved using his walking stick to help him hike.

What a fun day! We will definitely be going back.

Labor Day Part 1-The Grotto

We had absolutely nothing planned for Labor Day. We sat around that morning trying to come up with something to do. We finally decided to go for a little hike to The Grotto. My sister had told us about it and so had a few other people. It was a short, perfect little hike for Tate. He had fun crossing over the bridges and hiking. He wasn't too impressed with the waterfall, but loved everything else.

Mom and Tate
Dad and Tate

Tate loved stopping to sit on the logs for a rest. He was just so tired.

Once again, another rest. Really just an excuse to sit on another log. Oh the things that entertain.

A Work of Art

Well, it finally happened. Tate received his first bee sting. He was playing outside on the swing set with his cousin when he came running in the house screaming and grabbing at his ear and rubbing his cheek. Through the tears we figured out that he was stung by a bee. Or possibly two. Tate is convinced that there were two bees, one that got his cheek and one that got him in the ear. His ears starting getting swollen and he was itching his nose like crazy. I was worried that he might be allergic to bee stings. With all of his other allergies, I was was somewhat worried about another allergy to worry about. So, we quickly gave him some Benadryl, had the Epi-pen ready and soon enough Tate calmed down.

In all the craziness, I forgot to take a picture to document the whole even. Well, I actually wouldn't have taken a picture. But, the next day Tate was telling his Grandma about the bee sting and told her that he would draw her a picture so she could see what happened. He then asked me to get him some paper and some crayons so he could document the even. This is what he came up with.
I love this picture. It is the first picture that he has actually drawn that looks like something. I was quite impressed and a little bit proud of our artist. I of course had to take a picture of the picture so I could send it to his dad at work. At least we know have something to document the bee sting, which is still being talked about on a regular basis.

Tate's First "Real" Day of Preschool

I have been teaching preschool out of my home since Tate was only one. So, he has a few first days of preschool. But, this year, Tate is three and he now has to stay downstairs the whole time during preschool and actually be a part of the class. In past years he has come on gone. He would come down for the important things like coloring and snacks and would leave when he actually had to sit still and learn something. But now that Tate is three he gets to be a part of the class and stay the whole time. I really should have been a better mom and taken some better pictures, but I guess I was so worried about making sure everything was all ready for the kids to show up that I forgot to take pictures. It wasn't until everyone else was there taking pictures that I clued in and took a picture or two. They really aren't very good pictures, but I guess I have to document that day somehow. I wish I would have taken some better pictures. But, I guess you get the idea.

Sitting at his seat waiting to start his preschool day.
Cooper and Tate ready for preschool. I think Tate's backpack is as big as he is.

Two Dollar Tuesdays

I had heard about Thanksgiving Point and there Two Dollar Tuesdays during the month of August. So, I decided we would try it out. I thought I was being smart by waiting until the last Tuesday of the month when all of the kids would be back in school. Apparently I was not the only one with that idea because the place was packed. We ended up waiting in line for about 45 minutes just to get inside the building. Then once inside there were so many people everywhere. But, I guess it was worth the wait and the crowds because Tate had a great time. He loved seeing all the dinosaurs. He says his favorite part was getting use the "paintbrush" to dig for fossils. Tate and his cute friends Hannah and Micah. Tate and Hannah must really love that dinosaurs leg.

Tate was creating his fossil. They had little stations where you could do rubbings of different fossils.

Playing in the sand and water table. This is always a favorite.

Tate and Micah about to be eaten by a shark.

The favorite place of the day, digging for bones. They would have stayed there all day if I would have let them. I couldn't actually get a picture of their faces. They wouldn't stop digging long enough to look at me.

Tate and Micah outside of the Dinosaur Museum.

After the Dinosaur Museum, we headed over to the Children's Gardens. We didn't stay too long, but it sure was fun. It was a little cool and rainy, but they insisted on putting on their swimsuits and playing in the water.

Tate and Micah playing in the water.

I love this picture of Tate and Hannah. It was so cute. Hannah was trying to put her arm around Tate for the picture, but he wouldn't get any closer to her. She finally just put her hand on his elbow. I love the look they both have on their faces.

Cooling off under the water fountain. It took Hannah standing underneath the water to prove to Tate that he could do it too.

Rub a Dub, Dub Tate is in the Tub

I just love this picture too much not to post it. Tate was taking his usual evening bath and found his goggles. He of course needed them so he could finish his bath. I just thought he looked too cute with the little smile of his and the goggles. Tubbies don't get much better than this.