Fieldtrips for Mrs. Wilson

One of the great things about being a teacher, is going on field trips. What's better? Being able to take my own kids on MY school's outings (and the boys' schools):


Peter Piper Pizza to learn about fractions. What a fun field trip for kids. Not educational at all, but a great excuse to let the kids play and eat pizza during the last month of school when no one can focus!





Krispy Kreme with Isaac and papa (I only wished I had gone to eat my free donut!)




Field Day for Wesley at Paradise Education Center. He loved the tug of war. I did too. Wesley got chased by so many girls too. I was surprised! He says he doesn't like it, but he was grinning from ear to ear the whole time.





Austin at the Fire Station:

I took Wesley with me and the ACA 1st graders to the World Wildlife Zoo here in Surprise, AZ. It was a bit boring with just Wesley and me walking around by ourselves. He didn't know the other students, and I missed having my other boys around to show all the fun animals. The weather was overcast and cool, perfect for animals to come out and play.

Wesley is such a poser! He propped up his own hands on his hip and cocked his foot.




Wes loved touching the sting ray and chasing them around the pool to touch their slimy bodies (it felt like a bar of soap). He got so excited when they would wave, "ciao" to us.



Feeding tortoises was really an entertaining thing to do....I liked that they eat broccoli and carrots, just like we do at dinner time.


Wesley wasn't so sure about the giraffe's tongue...look at his face! They are my FAVORITE part of the zoo. I love feeding them, touching their long purple tongues, and watching them stretch up.



This Zebra's tail was so cool looking...is it white with black stripes or black with white stripes? The sign said probably black with white stripes.

This Tiger was less than 6 feet away from us, with a chain link fence separating us. It was a bit scary to make eye contact with it. Wesley wanted to get even closer. I said, "No way!"



I took my 3rd grade ACA students to Cabela's, the outdoor sporting goods store. Jared met me there with Austin and Isaac. Austin loved the shoot guns, the large animals and Isaac loved the stuffed animals.




Teaching does have it's benefits! Enjoying my kids' company, getting paid and learning :)

A great blog

A friend told me about this new blog: http://askingjane.blogspot.com/. I have had a few extra minutes to read some of this Mother of 11's insights on parenting, relationships, budgeting, the gospel, balance, etc. It is so refreshing to see her perspective on the little things that get all of us overwhelmed at times. She said:

"One final and perhaps the most important thought is this: Never lose the vision of what you’re really doing. It’s big. There are no shortcuts to the family you want. It’s going to take all you’ve got. But the whole process is a good one and the whole outcome is amazing. Keep before you, the vision of what you want your home to be today and what you want the final outcome to be. Then keep reaching for it. As the days go by, you'll have more and more satisfying moments. Home really can be a heaven on earth. Pray aways and be believing." Pretty good stuff.

I wonder what it would be like to be a mother of 11 children? We have been wanting to get pregnant with baby #4 now for several months, but p.a.t.i.e.n.c.e. is what I am learning as we haven't conceived yet. I think my heart still aches for Isaac's twin that we lost. I still feel the void.

I love the idea of a large family...the meals, chaos, large holidays and shared bedrooms all sound like fun to me. Coming from a smaller family, where I grew up "alone" during my jr. high and high school years, I felt lonely at times and always wanted to have siblings nearby. I love my boys and want more!

So, I am looking forward to my journey of motherhood, and with Jane's suggestions, I hopefully will do a better job each day.

ps....allergies + yoga are not a good combo. The AZ wind/plants/flowers are attacking me!

La Pascua

This year's highlights of Easter:

Mesa Temple Easter pageant (a school night for the boys, but well worth the trip. Isaac got frightened when Jesus got crucified, but settled down with popcorn and papa's arms). Wesley and Austin thought the soldiers were the best part. Jared enjoyed Pete's Fish 'n Chips for dinner. I of course just loved being together as a family in the warm weather with pretty flowers.

Flashlight Easter Egg hunt at the church. The boys got new flashlights and were ecstatic about it. We were so happy to have been invited! Lots of kids, hot dogs, treats and screams of joy.

Deer eastr Bunee I em guna Be at ucol leree haws. I am guna leev ceris. Wesley Austin Isaac (Dear Easter Bunny. I am gonna be at Uncle Larry's house. I am gonna leave carrots).

Easter Day was spent with Uncle Larry, and Grandma/pa Wilson. Coloring eggs, trying to "listen" to General Conference, hiding eggs, going for walks and just being lazy. Always wonderful to spend the holidays with those you love.

Isaac thought it was a little too early to be hunting for eggs at 6am.