America the Beautiful

For the fourth of July this year we hiked to Timpanogos cave with my parents. My dad has wanted to do this for some time and we thought it would make a great activity for the day we celebrate America and it's beauty and freedom. We packed a picnic lunch and spent the day in the mountains. The hike was a 1,000 foot climb up the mountain. The kids did great and it was us old folks who were complaining. The cave was awesome and the hike downhill was even awesomer. I'll let the pictures tell the story.......

Cody's monkey backpack leash kept him from falling off the cliffs. It also helped Cody tow his dad up the hill.

Connor the photographer

My cute parents

Sure glad dad held that rock up for us (one of Connor's great pictures)

Cody getting a lift. Made for a great workout for me.

Some of the cool stuff we saw in the cave.

The views were spectacular. One benefit of an all uphill climb.

My new best friend

With a crazy 3 year old boy who likes to wander, explore, get lost and sometimes just run away, we invested in a child harness for the summer. Cody has named it his 'monkey backpack'. Oh how we love the monkey backpack. I was reluctant to get one, but man it has saved our lives (and Cody's several times). A common phrase with our family is, "Where's Cody?" If I got a dollar everytime those words were uttered I would literally be rich. With our monkey backpack, we don't have to worry because he can't be more than 5 feet away. Cody loves it and will ask to wear it when we go places. It is his new friend. Oddly enough, he doesn't mind the restrictions of it. We have clothes-lined several people with the leash(that is always fun), and we get sick of people saying,"He's got a monkey on his back." We love the monkey backpack so much that he might be wearing it until he's 12, or 16, or maybe even 21.

It's what Fun is.......

LAGOON!

This year the kids saved up and earned season passes to Lagoon. This has been such a fun thing for us to do several days a week. It's free (well, paid for), fun, and the kids love it. Our favorite thing has been family nights there with all of my family, and lately with the hot weather, Lagoona Beach. Connor's favorite ride is Wicked. He loves to quote 'The Incredibles' when he gets off by saying, "That was totally Wicked". Lauren's favorite ride this year is also Wicked. She has to make sure and take her glasses off as they almost flew off on her first time. Cody's favorite thing is the train. We can't leave Lagoon without a ride on the train. I love how he yells, "all aboard", when the train starts to move. Tony loves not going on any rides that make him sick. He is totally happy watching the kids have fun. I just love being with the family and having a great time! Their slogan is so true....'It's what fun is....Lagoon!'

Territories

ter⋅ri⋅to⋅ry/ˈtɛrɪˌtɔri, -ˌtoʊri/ Show Spelled Pronunci [ter-i-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] - noun:

1. domain or province of something.
2. the area that an animal defends against intruders.

So....with summer break in full swing, there has been some territory marking at our house. Keep in mind that I have a 9 year old boy, 7 year old girl, and 3 year old boy. My 9 year old, Connor, thinks he rules the roost. Naturally, being the oldest, he should be in total control, right? My Lauren is the only girl. She is sandwiched between the boys. If one brother isn't bothering her, the other is. And Cody, being 3, also thinks he rules the roost, and is 3 years old. This mix of everyone home together 24/7 for the summer has created some territory disputes. Most are minor and easily taken care of. These are the usual complaints I hear.....

"She made that mess in my room."
"Why do I have to pick up his stuff?"
"Stay OUT of my room."
"Don't touch my stuff."
"Can't you keep him out of my things?"

Now.....in self defense of one's territory, my children like to post on the door to their rooms some 'territory markings', if you will. They get quite creative in their tactics. After one particular dispute, I happened to get pictures of their best attempts to defend their area against any intruders.

Lauren's signs usually have the words 'no' and 'boys' in them.
(I liked the addendum of 'only dad' in this one)

Connor's signs are usually full of drawings with very specific terms and conditions.
This sign says:
KEEP OUT
Mom and Dad accepted
Lauren and Cody not accepted
Friends accepted
OR
Death!
(notice all the ways of death that are portrayed)

I especially liked Lauren's grave on this one :)

I actually find all this territory stuff quite humerous. And yes, I do remember growing up how important it was to stake your own claim. I guess I should feel blessed that my children make signs instead of urinating like most animals (don't give Cody any ideas!).

Supercalafragelisticexpialadocious

Cute Lauren finished-up her year of tumbling at Syracuse Dance Academy. She almost perfected her handstand and learned that her back handspring is going to take a lot of practice. Tumbling was a great outlet for Lauren each week. She had fun with her friends and was able build self-confidence as she worked on new skills. The only downside is that now Cody is going around the house doing all kinds of tumbling 'tricks' as he calls them (no blood yet, but I'm sure it will come).

Lauren's tumbling year ended with a recital last month. Her group showed off their skills to the song 'Supercalafragelisticexpialadocious' from Mary Poppins (hence, the umbrellas). She did a great job and we are so proud of her!!!

Father's Day 2009

Cody shared this poem in primary on Father's Day.....
(And yes, Tony was there with a grin from ear to ear)


What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The wamth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need.

Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so,
He called it.....Dad.

Just for Laughs

For some reason, I have had my share of embarrassment by Cody over the last few weeks. Bless his heart, he is just so friendly, carefree, outgoing, loud and honest. Of those traits, it is the loud and honest parts that I've been struggling with the most. Wherever we go he likes to talk very loudly to the people around us. On a good day he says something friendly and funny. Most days he says something loud and honest. This is usually not a good thing. And I hope that the people who are victims of his observations realize that the mom with him (me) does not endorse, condone or agree with the views expressed. Let me give you a few examples......

To the man in the Wal-Mart salon getting a pedicure:
"That man must be a girl."

To the substitute teacher in his primary class:
"You have a big belly like me when I eat a lot of food."

To the lady in the quilt store:
"Mom, that lady has a BIG BUTT."

To the man walking on the trail without a shirt on:
"That man has big beebee's(code word for boobs -and of course he's pointing)."

I could go on and on but my face is turning red and my blood pressure is rising just re-living these accounts. And how do I react in these instances you might wonder? Well, through my red and embarrassed face I usually give a nice smile to the person, then I turn and run away as fast as I can with Cody in tow. Now call it honesty, observation, bluntness, 'straight-up just tell it how it is'. I suppose that one day this might be a good trait. But when you're 3, it is a little tricky.

So, if Cody happens to say something loud and honest to you, let's just hope it's on a good day. And if it's not? Well, as they say on Madagascar....."Just smile and wave boys. Just smile and wave". And know that I, of course, do not endorse the views and opinions expressed by my sweet toddler. For, oooooooohhhhhhhhhh how I love him so!!

The thought that counts

I was given a special present from Lauren today.
It was 2 sticks of gum....
and a rock.....
wrapped in a kleenex......
held together by an orange scrunchie.
Priceless!!

Piano Recital 2009

Another Piano Recital has come and gone. I figured that I've been teaching piano for 9 years and that this was my 8th recital. Wow, that makes me sound old. But, I love teaching and I love doing recitals. There is such a feeling of accomplishment when your students work hard and are given an opportunity to perform and display their talents. I do lose sleep the night before worrying about each of them, but they always do awesome. This year was special because two of my kids played in the recital. I never would have thought that when I started teaching piano I would one day have two of my own kids in a recital. They both did great and I am so proud of them!! And, I am sleeping much better now that the recital is over :).

Lauren's first piano recital. She played 'The Caravan'
and 'Long,Long Ago'.




Connor played 'Blues Scales' and 'Dublin Town'




I played 'Dawn' from Pride and Prejudice and 'The Midnight Fire Alarm'

Run Family, Run

What does family night + running + family = FUN!

Last week the kids school held a 5K/1 mile run fundraiser. We all signed up and had a great night! I ran the 5K and Tony and the kids did the 1 mile. The kids were pretty serious about their 'race'. Tony commented afterward that if he knew the 1 mile was going to be so short he would have done the 5K (maybe he will come out running with me afterall :))! It was a great way to start off the summer and a fun event for the whole community.

(that's me in the pink)

the whole family, gold medals and all

Last Day of School

School's out for summer!! The kids are so excited! They did, however, LOVE school this year. They both had excellent teachers and learned so much. Lauren's favorite thing about school this year was keeping a journal. Each day her teacher let them write anything they wanted in their journals. I had no idea what a writer Lauren is. She came home with 2 books full of stories, thoughts, feelings and ideas. It has been fun for me to read through them. The first thing she asked for when school got out was a journal. Such a girl :). Connor was "the man" in his class. Now, I don't say that just because I am his mom, but because each time I would visit his classroom, he was always surrounded by the kids in his class. Everyone wanted to be Connor's friend. One day at Lagoon we saw a group of girls from his class and upon seeing Connor you would have thought the saw a celebrity. They went crazy for him. I think he will miss all of his friends the most over the summer. How blessed my kids are to go to a great school and how happy I am that they love to learn.

Connor with Mrs. Medina

Lauren with Miss Nottingham

Left the nest

The birds have left the nest. After less than two weeks they have 'flown the coop' and are off on their own. They gradually left, one at a time, and only one hung around long enough for us to catch a picture (through the screen on our window). After my quick pic, he jumped right through the railing and flew off, just like a pro. It was as though he had been flying for years. I thought it was interesting at how the nest had expanded to make room for the birds. From eggs to empty, the nest accomodated for what it had in it. Interesting..

I hope that we'll see them flying around the yard. Or maybe they'll make their home somewhere else. I just hope the neighborhood owls don't have them for dinner.

This 'leaving the nest' experience has come at a unique time in my life. I have been thinking just recently that Connor is now 9 and a half. Assuming he leaves on a mission when he is 19, I am halfway done raising him. Halfway through teaching him all that he should know. Halfway through preparing him to be on his own. Halfway done having him as my little boy. How could I be halfway done already??

Have I taught him enough? Have I made a difference? Is my nest widening to prepare him to fly on his own? Since time is something you can't take back or do over, I hope that I've made good use of my time with him so far. Now, can he do his own laundry? No. Can he cook a full meal? Probably not. But he is learning and I'll keep teaching him all that I think he should know. And hopefully he'll be ready.

I hope that the next 9 and a half years don't go by as quick as the first. I definitely want to cherish the moments more, take it all in, and enjoy every minute. I want to seek out more opportunities to teach him and try a little harder to set a good example. And I'm sure that through the second half of our time together he'll teach me more than I'll teach him. And hopefully by then, we'll both be ready.