Off Track Fun - Week 1

First week off track was a success! We have quite the to-do list while Mylie's out of school for the next month.  

Yes! Month! 4 weeks off.  I'm so excited to have my girl home!

We've compiled a list of fun activities and hope to be able to accomplish them all.  

We had some obligations outside our home this week, but we sure managed to squeeze in tons of fun! 

The summary of it all...

MONDAY

Going to the Children's Museum and meeting Justin for lunch is ALWAYS the very first thing Mylie wants to do when she goes off track. 

We have it pretty much down to a system now.  We head there first thing in the morning, work up an appetite and then head over to meet Justin. We were the only ones at the Church History Museum for the majority of the time.  

It was so nice!

Then of course, lunch with this guy and a little stroll to see the fish at City Creek.  It was a gorgeous day!

The kiddos spent the rest of the day outside! We played t-ball, jumped on the tramp, played with sidewalk chalk and let their imaginations run wild. 

TUESDAY

Such a busy day! After I dropped Luke off at preschool, I dropped Mylie and Ethan off to a friend's house and headed to the temple. It was such a lovely session on another gorgeous day. 

Afterwards, I picked up all the kids, I ran home and tidied things up for before my VTers arrived.  Ethan enjoyed a nap while we visited and the kids had a blast in the backyard.   

When Ethan woke up, we headed to the 'swing' park to get more Vitamin D.  Not before long, we had to head home and whip up a meal to take to our neighbors.  The big kids were sweet to help me with Ethan during witching hour and Luke loved helping me deliver it. 

Other exciting news... Ethan started folding his arms during the prayer at meal times. So fun! Whenever we ask, "Who wants to say the prayer?" Ethan eagerly raises his hand.  It makes me laugh every time.  Then he proceeds to fold his arms... even if he has his lunch in hand and it's half devoured. 

I captured this moment afterward when I asked him to recreate the moment for me. :)

WEDNESDAY

Only a few more mornings of early morning choir for Mylie! Woohoo! My friend Carrie drops off her kids and picks up Mylie.  It's a win-win! I don't have to wake up my sleeping kids and she doesn't have to fight hers at the school while she helps with choir. 

After doing choir and chores and after I 'attempted' a workout and to clean the house... I made a last minute decision to make menus for my kiddos and let them plan their lunch.  I was inspired by a book I'm reading and thought it sounded like too much fun! Well, needless to say, it was a HIT! The kids loved it. 

After lunch, we decided to bake cookies and take them to families in the neighborhood. The kids definitely wanted to bake them with me initially, but when it was time, they were busy with their art projects at the counter.  

They were good company anyway. :) 

I don't want the kids to think this time should be spent only doing chores so they can have fun. I want service to be apart of our break too.  I'm still trying to come up with other things to do.. so we'll see.  

Each kid picked a family that we'd deliver to and so did Justin and I.  We plated them pretty and I drove the kids around while they delivered them.  It was actually really fun! 

After our deliveries were complete, we babysat a little boy Ethan's age for the neighbors.  Ethan was down for his nap, but Mylie and Luke kept the little guy entertained for a few hours.

THURSDAY

Our morning was filled with chores, laundry and everything else not fun but productive!  A trip to Trafalga was a good motivation to get everything done quickly! 

We babysat a few other kids in the morning and after Ethan's nap we headed to Trafalga.  The kids were elated! Mylie and Luke climbed the rock wall, Mylie rode the froggy ride and then we all played a little mini golf.  They sure love this place.  We only lasted an hour though... it was a little tricky keeping track of the big kids while chasing the little brother. Luke was in tears when we left because they weren't done having fun... I felt bad but it was getting busier by the second and Ethan was on one!

After Trafalga, I dropped the boys off at home to Justin, who was home with a headache, and Mylie and I were off to dance. I ran errands while I waited for her and then we had our traditional pizza night. 

FRIDAY

After morning chores... like our trend?... we headed to Petco.  

Poor man's zoo?? :) The kids love looking at all the different animals and it's a nice free little outing.  

Ethan thought he was big stuff.. romping around with the big kids.. no stroller or shopping cart for him! 

There's not that much to see there.. so it was a short and sweet trip.  No tantrums involved.  Success!! 

Mylie's allergies started to kick in and we jetted out of there. 

The kids took a trip to Mom's Restaurant again... such a blast... and then Ethan took a short nap.  

Once he was awake, we headed to the gas station for drinks and headed to the Boat Park. 

We were the only ones there!! It was dreamy!

My little drink thief...

We played HARD! Freeze tag, normal tag, trap tag (Luke's new version), red light/green light, cuddles and more. 

 And of course, there's always a little pouting at some point, right? :)

 This girl is amazing.  Even if she does pout... her tender, nuturing and loving nature sure makes up for it! 

She loves her brothers more than anything!

 It was a gorgeous day! Thursday was pretty nasty and the kids were itching to get outside again. 

Boy did we make up for lost time! 

What a week! It sure was a great start to our off track adventure. 

I can't wait to see what next week has in store for us.