School of Hard Knocks

I've been enrolled in a class. Oh, you didn't know I went back to school? Well, I think continuing education is very important.

I really wanted a Tuesday/Thursday schedule but the only one I could get was everyday. All day! It's pretty demanding.

The instructors are pretty good. Kind of unpredictable, really hands-on, and lots of fun. They team teach so it's never boring. And I know they have my best interest in mind. They just want to help me be a better person, I'm sure.

The class is called Mom-Improvement. My usual lessons are learned in a what-not-to-do type of process. And most of this week's lessons were taught by Professor Poopy-Pants as Dean Diva was out sick. He's trying to get me caught up in Toddler Boys-What Not to Do 101. I thought I'd share some of the things I learned.

Lesson 1:

Do not let little boys play with the $50 Dish Network remotes. Or throw them in a bathtub full of water. Even after you shake out all the water, they won't work. But if you leave them out to dry for a couple of days, they'll come back to life.


Lesson 2, including 2 mini-lessons:

Fig. a

Fig. b

Do not leave the bathroom doors open. Do not leave toilet paper on the dispenser. And above all do NOT ever, ever leave the lid up on the toilet unless you want to scrub your Toddler Boy from head to toe in antibacterial soap.

Lesson 3:

Fig. c

Fig. d

Do not leave food or cups of water near the edges of any table or counter. Otherwise, when Scavenger Boys need food or just to satisfy their curiosity, they will pull it on top of themselves. If, however, you are feeling lazy or sick, you can take heart in knowing that they will find sustenance and won't let themselves starve.

Lesson 4:

Fig. e

Do not let faces like this take over your better judgment or put you at ease. Because when you let your guard down and start thinking that something so sweet and cute couldn't do any harm, it's all over.

Howa Old Is Time?

You know how you see something everyday, like your kids, and even though you know they're growing, it's just so gradual you don't even notice?

That's how it's always been with me. And lately the comments have been about Luke's hair.

"When did he get so much hair?!"

"He didn't have this much hair the last time I saw him?"

Really? He didn't? Seems like it's always been like that. Anyhow, over the past two weeks it's as if I've watched Ava physically grow right before my eyeballs. I haven't measured her but I am sure she is an inch taller.

Some of you commented in my last post that she looked bigger, and I swear she is! Her face is looking so much more little girlish, less baby.

And have I mentioned that she looks taller?

Seriously, this dress was not too short a few weeks ago.

And it may not even look too short in the picture because she's leaning back. But she her legs were hangin' out of that dress.

When I uploaded this picture to the computer I immediately saw in my mind this picture from April 26, 2006,


I don't know if it's the little side ponytail and the pink outfit or what but it's just funny to see her now in how she looked then.

And remember the princess dress from Grandma Linda? She has spent every waking moment in that dress. The very first thing she says when she wakes up in the morning or from her nap is- "I wanna wear my blue dress!"

And here she is in her dress singing her rendition of Beauty and the Beast. If you are not overly familiar with the the song let me refresh your memory.

Some helpful lines from the real song:

"Tale as old as time
true as it can be...
Ever just the same
Ever a surprise...
Beauty and the Beast"

Ava's version just recently switched from:

"Berbabe's in the sea,
Booty and the Beast"

to

"Howa oldsa time?,
Howa was suprise?,
Booty and the Beast"





Edit: I got curious and measured Ava when she woke up from her nap. Apparently I did exaggerate but only a little. She has grown a 1/2 inch since June 18! (She's 39 1/2")

Fruit Basket Turnover and the Sick Circus

Yesterday we bid farewell to an old friend. Actually Dan bid farewell while I was was paying homage to the porcelain god.

We sold our truck! The dear truck I decorated on our first Valentine's together back in '01. The same truck that leaked air conditioning water on Dan's sister's leg all the way from Utah to Texas. Oh it was a sad goodbye!




And believe it or not, but we made another midnight deal on a 1996 Corolla last week. So in 2 weeks we have 2 totally different cars. And we owe it mostly to Craigslist.

She's not much to look at, but she has ice cold AC and a backseat. We have low expectations. She even has less miles than our old Corolla.

My only complaint is the paint.



It's not so bad from the front, but if you take a closer look, it's not pretty.



So far, so good. Dan is really enjoying not being soaked with sweat when he gets home from work.

As I mentioned above, I've been sick. So has Ava. Luke, too. It mostly started on Friday with some up-chucking and down-chucking, if you catch my drift.

The big problem was that Ava and I had a Mommy/Daughter date to the circus on Saturday that we'd been looking forward to for weeks. I love the circus! Dan doesn't really. So I have to take these opportunities to go whenever I can. I was pretty sure Ava would love the circus.

I figured we would at least try. We wouldn't touch anything or talk to anybody. If we could just make it to our seats, we could sit there and enjoy it. So off we went with Pepto in our tummies and a prayer in our hearts that there would be no pooped pants or throw-up involved.

I totally forgot that we'd have to walk a 1/2 mile from the parking lot to the stadium. Luckily I did remember the stroller, so that really helped.

We made it to our seats, and I bought Ava the popcorn I promised her, but she couldn't really eat it.

She sat riveted for the first little bit, just taking in all the acrobats and animals. But soon, the misery began to outweigh the pleasure and she said, "Mommy, I just want to get in my bed." and I wanted to say, "Me, too" but I didn't.





After a valiant effort, we left after an hour. I really don't know how we made it back to the car. But we did. And Ava slept the whole way home.


And, little Ava, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm so sorry I took you to the circus.

Strange Stuff

Last week within two days of each other we encountered these weird things.

As we drove in the entrance to our neighborhood, we spotted something crossing the road. I slowed way down but we still couldn't tell what it was. So as any camera-toting-always-be-prepared-blogger would do, I pulled over and ran out to 1st: see what it was and 2nd: take it's picture.

The funny thing was, that we still couldn't tell exactly what it was! It was scared and/or mad and made it very clear that he did not like us gettin' all up in his face by rearing up on his back legs.

So here he is,




After a little research, I am pretty sure he is a Crawfish. What I am not so sure about, however, is why he was crossing the road in the middle of the afternoon. Maybe he lives in the lake in our neighborhood, or maybe he escaped the certain death of a backyard boil.


And a day or two later, I innocently handed Ava a small bag of Doritos to eat with her lunch. In a minute I hear her little voice ask, "Mommy, what is dis?" I turned around quickly to see this,



I think it's about 50 Doritos all burned up and coated with powdered cheese. I've yet to complain to Frito Lay but you bet I'm gonna insist on some type of compensation, maybe a lifetime supply of chips, although after seeing this, I'm not sure I'd want it.

We did it!

Minute Maid Park

In our 3 years and 2 months of being parents, we have had approximately 3 dates, give or take 1. How sad, right?

As a young girl I did not enjoy babysitting. I dreaded it. I wasn't the kind of Beehive who wanted to hold other people's babies (now it depends on the baby!). For this reason and a couple of others, I have been very hesitant to ask people to watch my kids. We have mostly stuck to the Grandma's because we are sure that they will still love us even if our children are obnoxious.

But 3 dates in 3 years just wasn't cutting it. We have been saying for months now, let's just get a babysitter and GO! And we knew once we had one good experience with it, we could probably keep it up. But we let the weekends pass, not knowing who to call and not wanting to inflict the same dread I felt on some poor Young Woman.

Then last week Dan and I got invited to his work's box suite for a Houston Astros Game. When he called me from work asking if he should accept, I said yes, knowing it would force us to get out and get a babysitter.
And there is one girl I know who LOVES to babysit. Remember Sarah?

Prom hair-do

Or rather, remember the back of her head?

She has been telling me for a long time, "Just go, don't worry, things will be fine!" Much to my relief she was available and we went to the game last night.

Photo snapped as we hurried from our car, late.

And on all accounts the night was a success!

It wasn't really a "relaxing" time because Dan's big boss was there and some other people he doesn't know that well. So we felt like we had to be on our best behavior.

The food in the box was delicious! Fajitas, rice, beans, and tamales. The only tamales I've ever had were from a can. Needless to say these were much better.

As we were driving down, Dan asked me nonchalantly, "So are you going to get in there and take all kinds of pictures for your blog?" It was posed as a question but I heard the message loud and clear "Don't take a lot of pictures of the food and embarrass me."

So no pictures of the tamales.

We also got ice cream sundaes with all the fixins'. Again no pictures.

I did come to a conclusion about baseball though. If you want to go to a game to watch, sit in the stands. And if you want to eat really good food and not watch the game (which is A-OK fine with me) sit in a box. You know, if you have the choice.

Our view from the box

There is just much more atmosphere in the stands, which I need, to keep me focused on the game. Once I'm in the box with the food and the couches and the TV's I don't really have much desire to pay attention anymore.

But isn't the stadium amazing. I've never been to an indoor MLB game before. It was spectacular to see.

Just inside the stadium

And that big roof is retractable. I couldn't believe it.


We took off early and were like two teenagers out on a Friday night, wondering what to do and not wanting to go home before their curfew.

So for old time's sake, we found ourselves sitting on the floor at Barnes and Noble perusing books. Dan even bought me one.

We got home to find our children sleeping peacefully and the babysitter not full of dread or woe. She said that Ava was even nice to her. Hallelujah!

The only disappointing thing of the night is the fact that Sarah leaves for college in 3 weeks. So I guess we're back to square one.

This and That

Last week we celebrated Luke's birthday again, with my parents who were in town.

Luke really liked the cake.



He even managed to get some frosting between his toes.



He is really good at "showing his muscles". This makes me smile every single time.



He is also walking everywhere now and has been for a week or two.

Here's a little video of both:





He developed a little 'tude while we were in Utah. When he is upset he "flops", throwing himself backwards and hitting his head on whatever is behind him or in most cases, the floor. Ouch! Apparently, as a baby, my father did the exact same thing.


I have been busy with my latest sewing projects, and I really thought I'd outgrown my procrastination habit, but apparently I haven't. Between an unusually busy week and a little procrastination, I was sewing a present for a friend's baby shower the following day, into the wee hours of the night before.




This was the first time I hit a road block that I could not get over. It turned out okay, but my vision was grander than my ability! On the burp cloth I wanted to top stitch the letter "J" which was white, with a contrasting brown thread. But no matter how many times I sewed, ripped it out, and resewed, I could not get the stitch to be even from the edges and curve perfectly. That was a tight little turn! So I ripped it out a final time, cut out a whole new "J" because the other one was practically mutilated, and sewed it on with white thread which was much more forgiving.




My new goal is to one day be able to sew a "J" and have it be perfect. I hope she likes it. I couldn't see her reaction and don't know what she thought because we went to College Station this weekend cause Ava's man, Corbin, was turning 3!

Unfortunately they don't get to see each other that often anymore, but whenever they do get together, they fall right into step.





We met them at the splash pad,



where everybody had a good time!


And then we spent the rest of the day at Tiffany and Andrew's house. The fold down baby seat in our new van came in really handy. I just realized I still don't have a picture of the outside of the van! Why can't I remember?!




The guys went to see Dark Knight and Tiffany and I stayed home and caught up while the kids napped. And may I just take a tiny moment to say, I love you, Tiffany! Really, what a wonderful friend you have been to me! My parents still mention their "friends from graduate school" and I never thought much about it. But now 30 years later and they still keep in touch, that's gonna be us, okay?

And isn't it fun when your friend lets you help open his presents?



And isn't it even more fun when your friend gives you a present even though it's his birthday?


Ava thought so! She hasn't put her Cinderella down for a minute. She even slept with her! And she loves the My Little Pony too! Thanks, guys!

Carter and Luke are in the same little place in life. I am sure they will be friends too. Luke kept wanting to "pat" Carter.



Finally, we checked the mail on the way home from church today and found a box from Grandma Linda and Grandpa Don.

Inside was a sewing book and DVD for me! (Yay!) and a beautiful princess dress and flower bouquet for Ava. (Big thanks, Don and Linda!) I cannot tell you how excited she was when she saw it!

She was saying, "This makes me so happy! This makes me so happy! I'm so excited!" as she ripped off her Sunday dress and shoes and socks, "Let's put it on! I'm so happy!"

After a quick call to say thank you, I took a few pictures. Maybe it's just because I'm her mom, but I think she looks like a princess.

One more "thank you" and The 4th

I realized right after I made the last post, that I forgot one of the other special parts of our time at the lake.
My sister Chandra made the drive with her kids down from Rexburg for an afternoon at the lake. Unfortunately I have no pictures to document our time together, but it was a special time to be able to spend with her and my nieces and nephews. We are so far apart and the occasions to see each other are never often enough, so it made me so happy that she would drive 6 hours just to be able to see each other for 3. Chandra and I are cut from the same mold and sitting next her on the beach made me feel content.

I know it sounds trite but those nieces and nephews of mine are getting so big and growing so fast. I remember clearly, visiting Chandra and her first born, Brayden now 15, in the hospital the day he was born. Oh how I love you guys!

Thanks for making the trek! I love ya! That's about all I can say-I just love ya!

And now, it's nearly August and I am posting our Fourth of July pictures.

It was just kind of funny how the day turned out. All day Dan and I debated whether to take Ava to the fireworks. They wouldn't even start until 10:30pm and we know what happens when Ava gets tired, but we also knew that Ava would just love the fireworks.

Jared and Ashley were already planning on bringing Olivia and Lucy and so by that evening we decided to join them while Luke slept at home under the watch of Grandma Linda.

We were lucky enough to find a spot to spread out the blanket and we sat down and enjoyed the live music.

Here is Olivia rockin' out,


And Lucy was chillin' too,



Aunt Ashley knows how to start a party and returned from the nearby Target with berries and Goldfish crackers,



necklaces, and glow sticks!



And after a bit the fireworks started!

Here's the other Colton Family, taking them in,




Notice Olivia is not looking too thrilled. This picture was mere minutes before they started getting really loud and poor Olivia got scared to tears and Jared rushed her back to the car.


Lucy on the other hand ,


was snuggled with her Mama and thoroughly enjoyed herself. She talked about the "purple pops" for the remainder of our time there in Utah, and probably still does.

And the ever-unpredictable Ava surprised us again.



Dan and I would say "ooohh!" and "aaahh!" and "Look at that, Ava!" as the fireworks went off above our heads. And her only response each time was, "Can we go home now?"

The time up until the fireworks was fun for all the girls. And while the fireworks, themselves, may not be classified as "successful" for our group, I think Lucy enjoyed the "pops" enough for everyone!

The Lake

Our time at Bear Lake was such a blast! Right off the bat, Ava was having fun chasing the cottonwood "cotton" that was swirling around. For a while there, it even seemed like it was snowing.

The lake was a bit chilly at first but was easy to get used to. Luke played some in the water, floated in his tube, and splashed in the little lagoons.




And when he got tired of that, I could buy a little more time by putting him in the stroller with a bottle.




All the kids played football and it was so nice because the bottom of the lake stayed shallow and smooth for a really good distance.



We had a pretty sweet set-up at the beach, too.




Ava thought the water was a little chilly but her favorite thing to do was float in a tube next to Dan.





Another of favorite was this little guy, Oliver.


Ava was so glad that Wendy and Troy brought him along.


She fed him scraps of food and leaves and branches, and they played, played. And Ollie was a really good sport.


Another fun thing we did was tie dye T-shirts.


They turned out pretty good!


And one of my favorite things about camping (even if you are staying in a nearby condo) is a campfire.

And there were alot of firsts for Ava.

First campfire,



First marshmallow roasting (even though she kept calling them mushrooms),



First s'more (even though she didn't really like it and was upset we made her try it),


We sat around the fire each night, and even played a game or two.



Little Lucy tried to fall asleep by firelight,

Aunt Kelly told a ghost story ,

And we just had a really fun time being together.

I felt like I had my hands full with my kids for a lot of the time, so now as I post these pictures I realize that there are so many more that I wished I had taken (even though you're probably in picture overload if you've read this far.)

But I wish I had a good shot of the little girl cousins together.

And I wish I had a picture of each of the adults, each of the families together, and our Camp Chef, Troy.

There was a lot of planning, and time, and effort, and work that went into this reunion. Things just seemed to go so smoothly and I know that's because of all the work done by everyone, especially Wendy and Troy-Thanks you guys. We ate like kings and everything was so delicious.
And there would have been nothing to cook without all the food provided by you, Don and Linda! And we know that your family is very busy, Kelly and Paul, and we are lucky to be able to overlap our time together!

Every time we make our visits back to Utah, we feel really blessed to be welcomed back even though we bring such a disruption to the house. Jared and Ashley and Don and Linda, thanks for having us, feeding us, sharing toys, sharing cars, letting us ruin naps, and change schedules.

We're really glad to have such a generous family-Thank You all!