Catching Up

I am still trying to keep things somewhat normal for the kids as Burke is spending as much time with his parents as he can.

I have taken the kids to the park, to the library, to the doctor, the grocery store, the movies, and to the amusement park (Burke came along for that one). Despite all the rain we have had lately--I thought we were back in Michigan for a while--we have had a lot of fun.

I let the kids run through the sprinklers and of course that requires jumping on the trampoline

Nathan and Kade challenged me to get a picture of them doing synchronized flips. Unfortunately, the only shot I got of Kade was his little backside sticking up behind Nathan.

For Father's Day, we had my family over for dinner. The weather was nice, so we ate outside and let the cousins go crazy.

Adrienne and her cousin played dress up while everyone was here and loved every minute of it.

Kade had another belt test on Saturday. He tested for his Brown Belt. He was so excited...and nervous. I was nervous for him.

The test took two and a half hours, but he did very well and we expect to see him awarded his new belt this evening when he goes to class.

Burke wasn't able to be there, so I braved it with all of the kids (they did great!) and took lots of pictures and video for Burke to watch later.

In other news, Burke was called as a member of the High Council in our new Stake yesterday. He is excited about his new calling, but will really miss the Young Men he worked with.

And, although I will probably be sick of it in a few weeks, I am excited to announce that we will be eating zucchini from our garden for dinner tonight! Yum?

Never Enough

Where are all the pictures from the family parties, the "just stopped by" visits, and the I-traveled-1000-miles-to-work-on-your-house-and-play-with-my-grandkids visits, the birthdays, the holidays, and the Grandpa-is-dancing-again opportunities?

Why don't I have more video to show my kids of happier times?

Where did all the time go?

How did I lapse into assurance that there would always be another party, another visit, another opportunity?...

I think there are never enough pictures, video, or memories.

Dads

My van waited until I pulled into the garage...then it completely shut off.
What are the chances that it made it until I got home? That's the big guy looking out for me there.
Alternator.
Bummer.
My dear sweet husband spent the evening fixing it, and didn't get to bed until 11:30 PM, even though he has to get up at 5:30 AM to go to work.
Before the kids had to go to bed, Kade spent some time in the garage hanging out with his dad. I am so grateful for a husband who is able and willing to explain to him what an alternator is, and what it does.
Then I thought about the man who taught my husband what an alternator is and what is does, and how to change an old one and make a car "go" again.
He taught my husband how to fix stuff, how to work hard, how to be an honorable priesthood holder, how to save money, and how to be a good father.
He is a dad, a grandpa, a brother, and a husband. He is also very sick. We are going to lose him.
We love him so much and ask for prayers on his and his wife's behalf.

Just Askin'

I love it when kids say funny things (not embarrasingly funny, just regular funny).

The other day I was driving to the grocery store and Adrienne asked if she could play a game when we got home. I asked her which game she would like and she said Mr. Frog-Head.

It took a while, but I figured out that meant this:

The girls and I were driving past a park the other day when Annika saw a bunch of blow up bouncy things to play on. It was obviously some sort of party. Annika and Adrienne both asked if they could go play on them. I explained that it was a party, and they weren't invited, so they couldn't go play. Annika then answered, "Ask, mom, and ye shall receive. All we need to do is ask."

At church on Sunday a little Sunbeam excitedly announced to me it was Father's Day. I asked her if she had wished her dad a Happy Father's day. She told me, "Yes, in the bathtub!" Her mom looked at me and said that it was the girl in the bathtub, not the dad.

Most Embarrassing

Who wins the title of "Most Embarrassing?"
You decide.

I never knew how humbling motherhood could be until my first child was able to speak and able to say things that are truly embarrassing.
Each child has, in succession taken his place as Embarrasser in Chief. It is currently Annika's turn, and her reign has been long and fruitful. Here is the latest:
We make the kids do chores on Saturday mornings. Nathan and Kade do the bathrooms, Annika vacuums and dusts, and Adrienne wipes down the walls. Of course, there is much complaining going on while the jobs are (or are not) being done.
One week Annika decided that Burke and I do nothing but sleep in while they are working. I just rolled my eyes and ignored that statement as I mopped the floor, did laundry, and helped Burke with the yard work. That was a mistake. Annika had a playdate at a friend's house about a month ago. When it was over, the little girl's mom stopped by to let me know what Annika had said. Not a good sign. Apparently, in front of all the other children (and the mom) present, Annika said, "All my mom and dad do on Saturday is lay around in their underwear and kiss."
Although this sweet mom was laughing, I had to try hard to laugh along with her as I concentrated on suppressing the horrible flush that was creeping into my cheeks.

We had a little talk, and I don't think it will happen again.... Although with Annika, you never know...

I recently had my own embarrassing experience from my own actions, though. Nobody to blame but me.
Nathan just had his first real hit in baseball the other day. He was so excited and I was so proud of him. He had been practicing and finally had success!!! The game was over and I went to congratulate him with a sportsman's slap on the backside.
I slapped, and then looked up and saw Nathan standing by his dad watching me in horror. I had just slapped his teammate, who turned around and looked at me like I was a weirdo-- which I guess I was! I apologized profusely, then started laughing, then with the blushing... I hate that.

Summer Fun?

The weather lately hasn't been very summer-y and the activities haven't been very fun-ny. Yesterday the kids and I went to our second summer movie. It was Hoodwinked. A very lame movie I didn't enjoy the first time I saw it, and have enjoyed less and less with each subsequent viewing. I think I am on #4 now... The kids had a good time though.

After the movie, we went to see a special train that was coming to our area for only one day. It was supposed to be great and fun, but instead was a line for three hours. I decided that nothing is worth standing in line for three hours with four kids, so we played in the fountain instead. I think they liked it just as much as they would haved liked the train.

Monday, the kids and I weeded the jungle--I mean flower bed in the front yard. It had been postponed, delayed, and ignored for much too long and had become something to behold, but not in a good way. What I expected to take about an hour ended up taking about three. It looks much better now, but all of us have sore muscles, and I think I lost about twenty tulip bulbs in the chaos. Oh well, you get what you pay for, and the labor was free...

Except for the Happy Meals they got when we finished.

Here are some picts from yesterday's fun in the fountain after the train trip was aborted.

Excuses

Mmmmm....

Check out this site and see what today is.

If you ever needed an excuse, I've just given you one.

Enjoy!

Whew

It is over!

The first Primary Quarterly Activity I have done is over!

And I couldn't be happier.

I haven't decided if it was a success or not, I am just glad it is done.

Woo-Hoo!

We had a relatively good turnout, made some cards for a teacher who needs some good thoughts right now (among other things), and had ice cream at the end.

What's not to like?

Burke is just glad I slept through the night for the first time in a week last night. I had nightmares about the activity every night all week long (I know, I know, completely ridiculous). It was heavenly when the last child left and I locked up the church.

I was so relieved that I made Burke take me out to lunch as a celebration that afternoon. Hopefully the next activity won't be so traumatic to my psyche. Maybe I just need to relax... Hmmm... Where have I heard that one before?

Mr Roboto

Nathan had a robotics day camp the first week out of school. He was able to go every day for one week and bask in the joy of mixing circuits, computers, and Legos.
He was very grateful to have one of his buddies sign up for the same camp, so he knew at least one other person there.
The task was to build an Aquabot that was supposed to work in an underwater environment and be able to deliver mail, lift things, and generally be helpful to "Base Nautilus". He loved it, and can't wait to do it again. Perhaps he will be able to move up in rank from his current "Cadet" status.
The camp was run by the 4H club in our county. They did a really great job with the kids and I think Nathan actually learned a lot about programming, and hopefully about teamwork, as they worked in pairs.

Here is his Aquabot:
His partner is actually behind him in the green shirt. They were definitely two peas in a pod.

May the geeks inherit the Earth:

I am so proud of how hard he worked, and so happy that he had a good time. He deserved a week of pure joy. Which the camp was, since he has two nerds for parents.

Dancing Princesses

My girls are officially done with dance for the year. They had a great time and were more than thrilled to be able to wear makeup and perform for mom, dad, brothers, and Grandma and Grandpa on a real stage. A big stage with lights and a dark audience and a pit that rises and falls. Intimidating for a three year old and a six year old. They did a great job and looked beautiful.

This first video clip is out of focus and I'm not sure why, but it is the best I could do. It is of Adrienne's second dance, and she's wearing SpongeBob Pajamas. In the video there is a little encouragement by me for her to speed up her march around the pillows. She is always late to her spot and since she is in front, she makes everyone else late too. Sigh. But I'm not a stage mom, I promise.



Annika also did two dances, but I will only post the second because I think I already did the first one when she had a competition a couple of months ago.
I really loved this dance, but the class didn't know it very well because their teacher got really sick with mono and then had her gall bladder out. The poor thing was gone for about a month and the girls (especially Annika) didn't have enough time to learn it completely. I think you can still get the general idea though. Plus I really love the song; it is The Call.



Have I mentioned how much I enjoy having little girls? They are great. I had so much fun watching them learn about dance this year. It took me back... I would love to take an adult dance class. Maybe next fall.

Along with the yoga class I would like to take and the karate class that looks like fun too.

Too many interests, not enough time.

Annika complained nearly every week when it was time for dance, so I debated about signing her up for another year, but decided to make her do it one more year. If she still didn't like it after next year, then she could quit. Much to my surprise, after the dance review she asked me if she could do it again next year. I hope she will really enjoy it with a different teacher (Annika and Adrienne will have the same teacher next year, and I really like her). I think I will try to work with her a little bit myself. None of my kids believe that I know anything about dance or tumbling. Come to think of it, sometimes they don't think I know anything about anything.

The Silver Lining

I have a really amazing friend who has been going through a living hell for the past 9 months. On her blog, she has started making a list of just a few simple things that she is grateful for, to help keep her focused on what she has been blessed with.
I think it is a great idea, and probably something I need to do myself right now. I am under a tremendous amount of stress, and all I can do is wait for the other shoe to drop... probably in the next two weeks. I am not patient, so I need to spend my time thinking about the positive. Not my strong point, but here goes:
A few simple things to be grateful for:
children who know how to read, children who will read to each other, a husband who had a wonderful spiritual experience and wanted me to take part in it, breathing without wheezing, counselors who support me, a mom who listens to panicked phone calls and gives good advice, daughters who love to dress up, being able to buy food without worrying about money, three cars that run, Pinching Your Pennies, hair blogs, good instincts, newspapers, green grass that is growing where it should be, the ability to go to the temple whenever I want, a college degree that I can always fall back on, summer.

The GC Extravaganza and Girl Fun

A couple of weeks ago a bunch of guys that Burke works with organized the third annual GC Extravaganza, basically a big guy party. It takes place in a very very remote tiny little town, and was complete with overnight camping, four-wheeling all day, and eating lots of good stuff.
Each year, they all invite their wives and kids, but the ladies all know that the invitation is just for show. It is all guys, all the time that weekend. Burke took my boys so that they could get their infusion of manliness, and I stayed home with the girls.
The Ladies played beauty shop, went shopping, had dance pictures taken, and saw the movie "Up". It was just a really fun weekend for all of us, and nice to take a break from the craziness of life. The girls and I liked the movie a lot. I laughed, I cried, I can't wait to go see it with the "boys".
Hmmm.....
I got some free movie tickets through the grocery store a few weeks ago. They're good for the drive in. We LOVE the drive in. Wanna go?

On the Lookout...

The kids and I have been on a quest to keep busy and have fun. The other day I asked them what they wanted to do, and each one gave an answer. Adrienne said that she wanted to go to the "crazy park".

I have no idea what she is talking about, but the kids and I asked her many questions trying to figure out exactly where the crazy park is. The result was a very frustrated three-year-old who believes that we are all idiots.

Everyone knows where the crazy park is, right?

I guess we will just have to run into it. Until then, let me know if you find any crazy parks.

School's Out?

How did the school year go by so fast? I now have three and a half bored kids who are finding the only things they are interested in doing is bugging each other and myself.
I decided that we would brainstorm some ideas for things to do during the summer, and then make a weekly schedule. (Although I hate scheduling things more than an hour in advance, I hope this will keep them motivated to do their reading, chores, and "school work" in the morning before the fun starts.)
We divided our activities into "free" and "not free". We found that our "free" list was longer than the "not free" list, thanks to a great deal I got on a museum pass (half-price) that gets us into multiple museums.
We also had hiking, biking, and geocaching. The library has bi-weekly activities, and I got some inexpensive movie passes for us to go see a movie once a week.
I also found a great thread on Pinching Your Pennies that has to do with summer activities in my area. Here is the link: http://www.1hourscrap.com/Misc/AreaActivities.zip
Or, for more ideas, check HERE

A Pretty Lake

I got an unwelcome phone call at 8:00 this morning telling me that our yard was flooding.

We had developed a nice lake in our front and back yard because a farmer didn't monitor his water turn appropriately.

The water ran across the backyard, under the garden area, and pooled in the front. It flooded our yard, and the neighbors.

The farmer got an earful from me when moseyed on up to the irrigation canal.

It better not happen again.

The First Fruits

Mmmm. Found these in the garden today.
Now we just wait for the tomatos, peppers, peas, watermelon, canteloupe, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini.
Yum!

Falling Behind

School's out. So many things to talk about...the final talent show, the peer leader party, the video of Annika's poem, the GC Extravaganza and girls' weekend out.
All coming right up...
As soon as I get caught up.
I have been working hard to get in any sort of shape to run any sort of very short race by the end of the summer, but I have not been able to make much progress.

I finally noticed that when I run, I cannot breathe, and my lungs make a whistling sound to match my huffing and puffing.

Makes running kind of hard.
So I went to see the doctor, who gave me some medicine that was $$, and now I can breathe better, but not great. Went back to the Dr and got some more medicine that was $$$$$!, so hopefully it will help even more.

Isn't how it works? The more money you spend, the better the medication works, right? I certainly hope so.
But the medicine makes me feel shaky and makes my heart race.
Blech!
We have had some fun stuff going on around here, so I need to get some posts done before I forget everything.
I'm catching up as fast as I can...
Puff, puff, wheeze, wheeze.