ME SO BLUE

Remember all those days this summer when they were driving me nuts? And they made the house a lot messier? And we actually had to start turning the dishwasher on EVERYDAY? And they fought over LEGOs, movies, who gassed (my kids new word for flatulence---and I admit I love it!), what to have for snack and anything else they could think of? And I would make all my empty threats and finish off with, "I can't wait for school to start!!"

Well, I didn't really mean it. Insert frowny face here.

See, even Syd is sad they're going to be gone all day being socialized by people not nearly as qualified for the job as their mother. In my next life I'm going to home school....

A boy's best friend

Our neighbors went on vacation. And while away they asked us to take care of their dog, *Skip. (Being as I don't have their permission to post about their dog I feel I must change his/her name to protect his/her identity. I'm a responsible blogger that way). Anyhoo, it's been great for all involved. Skip stays in his yard (OK, yes, Skip is a male--this his/her stuff was going to drive me nuts) and keeps his bodily waste on his side of the fence while my boys get to play with him and take care of him and feel the love all boys should have for doggies.
As you can see in the above picture Ethan has a healthy respect for him. He prefers to admire Skip through a fence or at least 15 feet away. And Noelle knows that you need to always be out of jumping reach of animals. Here she is perched on our garbage while the boys and Skip were in the garage waiting out a thunderstorm.

But alas, this fun 'chore' has come with some follow up begging of "When are we going to get a dog of our own?"   And I have to realize that taking care of the neighbors' dog once a year isn't going to cut it.
Hub and I grew up with dogs and have very fond memories of them. But we both didn't grow up in suburbia like we do now. Our dogs had room to run and relieve themselves and bark away without many people even noticing.  So it's hard to transfer that childhood memory of doggy ownership into the reality of our current living situation. However, considering the amount of dogs in my neighborhood, it really must not be that hard.

Anyway, the idea is definitely on the table. And one day it may happen. But for now I am quite content with letting the neighbors go on vacation as much as they want so my boys can steal a little bit of Skip's love.

Killing Time

Syd is just showing off her future dreams of modeling......
Hub is gone again to commune with men in the woods. And some bad stuff happened like my cell phone coming into contact with water. And wonder of wonders, not working! And I tried to not have a tantrum about it, but I failed.  And then Ike threw a tantrum this morning because some of his new Space Mission LEGO pieces were missing. And every other child has also surpassed their quota on tantrums. But that just means we're tantrummed out, right? Or maybe we're just stocking up for a rainy day.
But for the Good News Minute---Ike had his 10th Birthday!

Isaac is so great with Sydney. If I had to hire a nanny I think I'd really just hire him. And since he's my kid and I think it's part of his responsibility to help out around home I wouldn't even  have to pay him! See how I just got a free nanny?
Having a ten-year-old is nuts because I look like I'm only 18, but what can I do? He celebrated by seeing  The Sorcerer's Apprentice, had a sleepover, ate apple crisp, Alfredo and pizza (not in that order). And he got some new books, clothes and LEGOs. He's easy to please.
Now we're off to kill some time at a rockin' new splash pad. Good thing I don't own a cell phone anymore because it'd probably get wet.....

....and the kitchen sink. Again.

The above is just a sampling of some of our summer fun. You name it, we've done it. (OK, not really. But somedays I feel that way) I would blog more about it so you can be super jealous of our fun-ness, but then that would mean I'm home. And when I'm home there is just way too much noise and mess and sunblock to apply and forty loads of laundry to do. And let's just be real--I'd rather use my computer time to read your blogs than to upload 300 pictures to mine. L-A-Z-Y is my middle name, I know.
We survived Lake Powell, a night of camping at my fam reunion (the first time all of us have been in the same tent and a lesson learned to never do that again), a baptism, lots of swimming time, park time, family time, friend time, hiking, rock climbing, viewing Toy Story 3 for me and the boys, viewing Eclipse with my sisters, and other stuff that I can't remember or didn't take pictures of. I hope you feel updated. Because that's all you're going to get!

Lo and Behold

We're so proud of Syd's new climbing skills. It keeps us all alert to know that whenever we turn around she's in a dangerous place.

Father's Day was fun. How can you not love being a dad when you have two older boys who pose for pictures like this?

We like to tour  BYU with my dad around Father's Day since he was Employee of the Month there for 39 years. (does that lie even make sense? Maybe Employee of the Year would have worked better....) See how he's yelling like the screaming toddler he's holding? You know you're a good dad when you  can emote with the wee ones.

And lastly...it's the time of year we try on the life jackets to make sure they still fit for the upcoming trip to Lake Powell. For some reason this is a blast. And we'll wear the life jackets around all day. Don't believe me? Keep looking.....

You never know when a tsunami will hit while practicing the piano!

JOB POSTING

    Nearly a month into our summer vacation! For the most part we're loving it. Most days feel too busy but there have been a few days where I feel like we're scrounging around for something fun to do and praying for the return of Wipeout to TV. Sadly, I'd love to share the memorable times with you all but I noticed a definite lack of worthy photos in my album.  So this is what we need------


WANTED : Family photographer/videographer. Willing to work without pay and be available at all times.  Has to take great action photos. Bonus if you can get face shots. Preferably over the age of 10.  Also great if you can photoshop normal smiles for my boys. And give me a nicer hairdo.


     This would solve many a problem. For example, Mitch had a very fun food fight Birthday party. It was very hard to take photos, video and hand out Jello-Jigglers to throw all at the same time.
      Ethan has had so much fun at tee-ball. Hopefully he'll remember the good times because nobody is taking pictures. Hub is too busy trying to keep Syd off the field while I'm coaching. Then there are Ike's track meets, Mitch's games, swimming parties, park days, tender outside moments with the girls....
      And when we do take pictures? They turn out crappy. Sorry to use harsh language.
So please apply.
Meanwhile here are a few samples of  what we have......

Can't Compete

So we were at the library today and I was trying to check out my contraband (3 books over the family  max of 25!) when Noelle says wistfully, "I wish she was our mom." I whip my head around to see who she could be talking about. Definitely wasn't the older grouchy librarian....not the balding man....that left the chick who looked maybe 19, in a bright floral halter dress, bright red lipstick and black curly hair. Yep. Noelle was staring right at her. It wasn't like she was doing anything fun in the library like creating balloon animals or ribbon dancing. She was just standing in line for the computers. That made Noelle's judgement rely solely on physical appearance. And apparently mine doesn't measure up. Not enough lipstick? (or any?) Must I dress up to go to the library?  My shallow 3-year-old wants to trade me in for a younger, more vibrant version. As long as Hub doesn't feel the same way, I can live with that. (happy 12th anniversary to us tomorrow!)

The Season for Snow Cones

It was the first official day of SUMMER VACATION today. All children slept in until 8. I can get used to this.......

We've been/will continue to be busy with various sporting events of our choosing. Ethan and Mitch are doing baseball, Ike is doing track, Hub is going to take over swim teaching duties (I'll let you know how this experiment goes by the end of the summer) and the little girls are along for the ride. Good thing Noelle is good at picking up new friends at the baseball field, or we'd have some really long nights.

As a bonus here are a few recent photos to be entitled Things I Love.

Kid Picnic Table----who cares if you spill your milk or get crumbs everywhere?? Not me! Bring on the ants----better outside than in, any day of the week!

Kindergarten Graduation---Easily the most superfluous event of all. I don't remember anybody getting very excited when I graduated from this grade, and there's no way my mom brought me flowers and balloons like I witnessed some moms doing.  Fun anyway to see the little ones dressed up and hopefully they'll be that excited to wear graduation caps in 12 more years.

Spontaneous Dancing in the backyard--Need I say more?

Last Day of School Blues-- This was seriously the fastest school year for me. Mitch will not miss 2nd grade, but Ike had a great year with a teacher who focused on art and PE and reading--everything he loves. So I kindof think his 'sad' face is genuine. (though he'd never admit  it!)

Trivial Matters that Matter

After Mitch and Ethan hanging out at Lego.com, Ike checking his scores on espn.com and trying to beat the computer at chess, it was my turn for the computer.  But alas, my turn was cut short as I noticed out the window Mitch and Ethan making several trips to the garage. When I saw Mitch running with the pogo stick I had to go investigate. A scene straight out of our family favorite movie The Sandlot was in play. A ball had landed in our neighbor's backyard---A backyard with two barking dogs. The neighbors weren't home but the boys could see the ball through the fence and thought if they used enough brooms, pogo sticks and smarts they could retrieve the ball themselves. Meanwhile the dogs were barking enough at the fun things being jimmy-rigged their way that I thought doggy seizures were imminent.
That little paragraph was just to share a moment of the excitement that is our life.
***Onto some more exciting news...we had Mom's Day. Love this day. Here's me and my brood.

And here is this year's Mother's Day flower pot. The flowers are a little too planned out this year and I am suspicious that Hub was influencing the kiddies too much at the gardening center.....

***I was in charge of our family night treat this week and went all out by making some peanut butter bars. I didn't have a recipe I loved and didn't feel like reading everyone's reviews on allrecipes.com where they 5 star the recipe after changing most of it (does this bother anyone else?!) So I went to our ward cookbook. There were two nearly identical recipes, but one called for a whole cup less of sugar. I was in a healthy frame of mind and made that one. 5 days later this is still sitting on my counter:

Moral of the story: Cut out a whole cup of sugar and be amazed at your ability to not chow down on peanut butter bars. Of course you might get angry that nobody else will eat them either....

***And in more unrelated news....Syd had the most awesome hair this morning. I just had to share. (Her loud outfit was not supposed to be part of the picture, but she was playing 'dance class' with Noelle and had to wear a leotard over her clothes.)