Cox Family Adventures

Griffin is so happy that the kids are out of school.  Now they can play with him all day!

May Day was a fun day to watch the kids performs their dances.  This is Madison's 4th grade in a big "sit circle."

Madison getting her move on!

Madison with Miss Bone.  

The kindergarten had some fancy moves as well.  AJ did great.

AJ with his teacher, Mrs. Keisel.  

The kids with Grandma.  This was her last May Day as Principal :(  Yep, she just announced she is going to retire!  I am so happy for her!  She will be deeply missed at Manti Elementary.
Last of all, check out these jeans.  It is a real good thing school is out because AJ was going to have to start going to school in his underwear!    That is a sure sign it is time for summer....school clothes are all worn out!!  
Now, on with Summer! Yippee!

Everyone needs a Buddy!  When you find one, make sure to make a "Bude List" of activities for you and your "Bude" to do!  Take it from these two...they have the "Bude System" figured out!

THE BUDE LIST

1. eat a Popsicle

2.  play cowboys

3.  make a tent

4.  go on a trip (this means a trip around the yard with backpacks and binoculars)

5.  make thank-you cards (when I asked about this one, they both smiled and said, "cards for you and dad.  Don't tell Dad")

6.  make a barn

LANE AND ALEX

I love it!  They started at the top and worked their way down the list.  They only made it through #3 (make a tent)  Probably because they made the tent, watched a movie inside, and Lane ended up asleep!  They plan to carry on tomorrow. 

Oh, and I almost forgot!  They have a buddy chant.  At the beginning of "buddy time" they put their hands together and say,  

"1, 2, 3, buddy time!  No being mean!" 

 I crack up laughing every time I hear that little chant!  

Griff turned the big 4 months this week!  I love his chubby cheeks, sweet smile, and sparkling eyes!

That was the challenge given to the students at Manti Elementary this past school year.  If they read one million  minutes then Mrs. Eliason had to spend one full school day on the roof.  Well, the students did it!    With the help of Andy and a safe electric lift, she was able to fulfill her end of the deal.  She was such a great sport and the kids LOVED it!  I thought our family would like to see these shots...so enjoy!

The morning started out with the Mayor of Manti coming and awarding the school with a special plaque for their accomplishments.  Then each class presented mom with a "gift" to help make her day more enjoyable on the roof.  The gifts consisted of magazines, books, snacks, a dvd player with movies, Diet Coke, a large sombrero , binoculars, and even a portable bucket for a toilet :)

After the assembly we headed outside for the lift-off!  

Some cute students giving Mrs. Eliason the "thumbs-up!"

The local radio DJ was there playing music.  The kids were cheering and dancing with smiles from ear to ear!

Andy was her lovely assistant.  He set up the EZ-up for shade and made sure she made it up there safely!  

A view from the playground...

Another view.... if you look closely you can see her sitting under her shade, waving!

The kids sent up notes to her.  They also sent up lunch.  

She tried squirting kids with a squirt gun from up there! 

 The afternoon got a little bit windy.  She was ready to come down after spending a total of 5 hours up there (without coming down!)
On her way down she thanked the kids for being such great readers.  Once again they cheered and danced!
Way to go Manti Elementary and Way to go Mom!  Like you said mom, "In all your 25 years of education, this will be the ONE day you are remember for!"  :)

Finally, some sunshine!  We spent the day "Down on Grandpa's Farm!"  Gramps had prepared a nice fertile garden spot for us.  We planted potatoes and pumpkins!  That's it...perfect!  The kids are most excited to watch the pumpkin patch grow.  They learned all about watering with furrows.  It was beautiful out there!

Andy and Lane watched the sprinkler through the old cattle manger.

The Professional Farmer with his garden grew!

Madison kept that water flowing down the furrows!

Griff enjoyed the sunshine too!

After planting our crops we headed over to the pond to catch some FROGS!  

Check out Andy's "frog catching stretch!"  

The little buggers (frogs) were making so much noise....croaking and croaking.  As soon as we would start to walk they would quite down.  We had to sneak around the pond in order to hear where we might find one.  

Finally...success!  

Check out this face.  We have some sucker and dirt mixed together on those cheeks.  What a perfect little three year old!

It was so nice to see GREEN again!  

AJ went in for a frog catch.  His wellies helped.. but not that much! :)

We ended up with only 2 frogs in the bottle.  Good enough!  
Our day on Grandpa's farm proved to be a success.  Sunshine, dirt, water, mud, and frogs!

Oh this little man melts my heart!  He is in that "smiley" stage where whenever he sees a familiar face, he just grins from ear to ear.  He just watches us and gets so excited when we talk to him.  Last night Griffin was cracking up at some of Andy's choice sound effects.  I had to record a few of his little chuckles.  Notice that Andy gets the biggest laugh from him on the "tooting" sound.  Never too young to get them started on potty humor!

Spring soccer season has come and gone.  The kids had a ball!  What great exercise for this time of year.  After being indoors for the winter, they loved every minute of running after that soccer ball!

Madison never stopped running in her games.  Really!  She was everywhere.  

(green shirt, red cleats)

She was able to hold her own this year...although most of her opponents were twice her size! (see girl in yellow!)

Here she is avoiding a soccer ball to the face.  She was also careful to NOT use those hands!  Nice move Maddie!

Alex was the big kid on his team this year!  Finally!  Him and his buddy Drake had a fun time kicking goals against 4 and 5 year olds.  Whatever it takes to build some confidence right?  He loved it!  

Andy coached again this year.  Way to go team!
Now on to baseball and softball!  My favorite!!