Friends and Fun

It’s been a week of friends for the Nutt House and we’ve loved every minute of it!

Early this week both little Nutts chose a friend and off we went to the Natural History Museum where we enjoyed sharing a family fun spot with friends.  We explored the dinosaurs, panned for gold, became paleontologists for a bit while uncovering dinosaur bones and a variety of other activities.  Watching four little ones all run in four different directions to examine what appeals to them all at the same time makes for an interesting outing for this momma Nutt, but oh so fun!

Fun on a femur bone

Watching the flash flood go by

Four friends at the museum

Riding a pteranodon

Kara was the first to find gold!

Look!  We found dinosaur bones!

Looking for more dinosaur bones

Let us out of here!

Putting a Native American pot back together is
harder than it looks

I always knew these two were stars!

Then, to continue our weekly trend of a trip to the zoo (now making me think we need to find the time this hectic week for a trip there too) while this weather is so zoo perfect we met up with friends for a zoo day mid-week.  Our route throughout the zoo was different as we let the kiddos choose what we were seeing which led us from one area of the zoo across to another to halfway between the two then back again, etc., etc., it was fun though as the kiddos worked together to devise a plan for maneuvering around what they each wanted to see.  I think we spent as long at the zoo as we ever have in one visit, but it was so much fun and different I think we’ll utilize this approach again on a future visit.  Our zoo trip ended with an overdue and long promised carousel ride for the little Nutts. 

Off to the zoo we go!

Loviin the new tiger exhibit

And, the close up of the tiger isn't bad either

Friends make our days brighter

Balance beam walkers

Practicing her dance moves every chance she gets

Showing off for the flamingos

These two argue like siblings!

Love these two

Strategizing the second half of our zoo day trip

Huggin' the Komodo Dragon

Friends

Check out this shot of the jaguar...  kinda proud

Future farmer here!

We always make time for the goats

Saddle up cowboys!

Piggy back rides from friends top wooden
horse rides anyday!

Under the sea 

Check him out

Elephant riding

Giddy up lion!

Zoo time is fun time

Girl power

The carousel!!!

The carousel!!!

In addition to fun with friends the Nutt House enjoyed family time.  One evening we journeyed over to Apache Junction for a visit with Great-grandpa McIntire.  His spirit is so sweet and the kiddos eagerly wait for the times we can visit with him.  While Brent and I enjoy the visit the little Nutts enjoy planning with the stacking dolls and his marble run as much as any other part of the visit. 

Checking out the Church President stacking dolls

Then Saturday, we engaged in morning of service by heading over to Lost Our Home Pet Shelter to help out with an Eagle Scout project.  Fortunately, the project allowed for the entire Nutt House to help out as we emptied and cleaned up a storage area for some remodel work that was going to take place later in the day.  The service was hard work and rewarding for each member of the Nutt House though the little Nutts enjoyed a little extra treat playing with some kittens after our work time was done. 

Unloading the shelves

Kitten time!

Through all the activities that make up the lives of the Nutthouse, we do strive to find the little moments to just enjoy time together.  This week we managed to do that through a bike ride/walk to the park for a little play with Brent's new quad-copter.  

Watching the quad-copter go

Of course, our week would not be complete without our standard activities.  Kara enjoyed school and dancing this week.  The addition of a tumble mat to our home has helped her to feel more comfortable practicing some of her dance and tumble moves at home, especially now that the floors are harder. Additionally, last Sunday she finished a stitching project she’s been working on for ohhh so long.  So proud of her and the tenacity she displayed keeping with this to finish up her first needle point.

Practicing her handstands

Her finished stitch work

Both little Nutts had fun helping in the kitchen this week, relishing in the job of licking the spatula after whatever we may have been baking was cooking.

Nothing like licking the spatula

Swim lessons were a big deal for us this week.  Kara had her final test to graduate out of the Starfish class up to the Seahorse class this week.  The test required her to jump in the water with clothing and shoes on then successfully swim back to the side.  Of course our tenacious little girl stuck with it and succeeded!  Now, we have one Seahorse and one Starfish swimmer.  Both still loving the water as much as ever.  Not to be outdone, Kaden enjoyed an extra swim lesson this week where they were teaching new teachers, thus allowing the ratio to be reversed – 1 student to 3 teachers.  Kaden enjoyed the extra attention for the class.

Go Kara, go!

Almost finished

She made it!!!

So many teachers so little Kaden

Kaden had a full week himself with his sports class and preschool.  This week his group was learning the letter K so they had a K is for Kaden day.  He couldn’t have been more pleased… sharing who he is, what he likes, all of it.  He had such a great day, the look in his eyes warmed my heart. 

Balance beam time

Kaden and friends doing his favorite puzzle

My favorite superhero

And with that, that’s a wrap for our week.  We look forward to all this next week has to offer and we enjoy Thanksgiving and the start of the hustle that comes with the Christmas season.  (and now, I’m determined to find time to make it to the zoo this week, let’s see if we can make it!)