Little Fingers

Our youngest can do so many things these days! (Including using 'the potty' - although, I don't count them 'potty trained' until they can do the whole thing by themselves.) There are times I wish she would stay little for a bit longer. She's doing a pretty good job - considering she's small for her age. But, her development seems to be right on target. (She might even learn to read 'early' - not child genius - just earlier than the rest of our kids. She already knows the sounds of many letters.) Anyway...something I love about her is how she holds my hand. It reminds me of infants and how they take all of their tiny fingers and hold on tight to one finger of the bigger person. Rachel does the same. When she grabs my hand - she'll take all of her little fingers and wrap them around my pinky. It's often a reminder to me that she's still my baby.

My Mom Rocks!

Just in case anyone was wondering - this is what my children think of me.:} Really...they tell me so everyday. (Alright, so maybe not every day.)

Another List

I've mentioned some things we've been working on - here's a list of what we like about living here.

Tree Lined Streets

Our Ward

Walking Distance - Library, Parks, Duck Pond, Chapel, Grocery Store

Central Air

Automatic Sprinklers

Garden Out Back

New Places To Go/Things To Do/People To See

Windows in Every Space Possible

Storage

Parking: don't have to pay/visitors don't need a permit/kids are safer when we head to the van

Two Car Garage

Big Window in Front Room

Multi-Cultural Center

Trails

Freeway Access

Airport Close

Temples

Sprinkler System: Check

We did get the sprinkler fixed. Layne set up the timer and we now don't need to go out and switch the above ground sprinkler head/hose every few minutes just to water the lawn. It's a beautiful thing! (OK - so, the lawn isn't exactly beautiful right now. We're still doing our best to just keep it alive. Truthfully, I'd rather just take the front lawn out.)

It Runs in the Family

This morning Rachel did something cute and I told her she was, 'so funny'.

Jonny then came up with - "It runs through the family.".

He's got a great sense of humor and makes me laugh. I didn't realize all of us were funny.:} I guess it's good he thinks we actually laugh around here.

New Window!!

Now all our neighbors have to look at is this (minus the dutiful child standing in the picture). Because...

we finally have a NEW window!!!

We Have a Garden...

...A Lovely Garden...

I don't think I've ever mentioned anything about our garden. As you can see - the pumpkins are taking over and the corn is not tall enough to be growing tassels yet. We'll know more of what we're doing next time around.

One Step At A Time

We're trying to get things done around the house/yard. It's a 'one step at a time' process around here.

Layne dug a hole...a BIG hole. The sprinkler is broken in the front yard. We decided we were cheap and didn't want to pay someone else to dig the hole. He found the trouble spot and called 'the guy' (you know - the professional that comes to tell you it's broken). So, now we have a big hole in the front yard waiting for 'the guy' to come fix it.

Layne came home from a local thrift store with this table - that actually fits our whole family without a leaf in it. Yea! We've been working on this one since Rachel was old enough to sit at the table. We could even put the leaves in and have people come over now! That's a good thing. (I keep hesitating to have people over because I'm not sure where to put them - and, we still have the rest of the house that looks a bit retro. Oh, and I'm not that great at the whole cooking thing - it would have to be when Layne would be available to 'whip something up'.)
He also bought a new mattress for Megan. She's been using a toddler bed since - well, since she was a toddler (and Rachel 'kicked' her out of the crib). How many 5 year olds do you know that use a toddler bed? I know...our poor children! Rachel will now use the toddler bed with the mattress from the crib. She feels like she's moving up because - well, she's been using the crib mattress on the floor (ever since she climbed out of the crib onto the changing table). But still - how many 3 year olds do you know that are still using a toddler bed? (It's more than the number of 5 year olds I'm sure.) It's a good thing she's still toddler size. The mattress from the toddler bed went straight to the trash! We need to paint the room and the trundle bed they'll share before we buy a mattress for Rachel and get it all set up.

Dog Poop!?!?!

I was just watering our lawn and found some dog poop in the back yard! It's bad enough to find it (along with whatever the cats leave behind) in the front yard. But, the back yard? I didn't even know animals could get back there. The worst part? WE HAVE NO PETS!!

My children don't poop in the neighbors yard - why do their pets get to poop in ours?

It Has Begun

We received the class lists for the kids this past week. It feels like my 'feels like a part time job' is creeping up on me. I got roped into being the coop/snack schedule person for the Kindergarten class. It's part paper work and part mentor. So, I get to do school stuff before school even begins. It seems odd that summer is half over and it's time to get ready for another school year.

Acclaimed Accomplishments

Jacob's working hard at becoming better at skateboarding.

He's also taking a guitar class and has gotten his first blister.

We played 'Clue' the other day. Jacob amazed me with his progress in figuring out a strategy. He did pretty well. Maybe he'll think like his Dad some day.:}

I've been into clouds lately. Here's a picture of the sky right before a storm the other night.

The Rest of the Story (July 4)

This afternoon we went to This is the Place Heritage Park. The weather was great and we did some things we hadn't done in times past. They have a 'new' playground. It's several small building for kids to pretend they're in a town from times past. We missed the staged 'bank robbery' (in a different part of the park) because the kids were busy getting Layne while he was staging a 'train robbery' in the playground area. The kids also went for a pony ride (except for Jonny), we went on the small train - we love this one. The whole family went. It's track goes around a pretty pond and the view is great. Today was also our first time in the "Indian Village". It's one of the newer parts of the park. All those that wanted to had a chance to make an arrowhead necklace. It's fun to be there with the workers/volunteers in costume. The gentlemen helping at the Indian Village told us some things that Jonny and I got to learn about this past year in Social Studies. I actually knew something Layne didn't - kind of amazing.:}

After the park - we came home, had a BBQ (chicken, corn on the cob - two grilled favorites...fruit salad, tomatoes/cottage cheese and a drink Layne did (with the boys) - limeade, lemon/lime soda and strawberries...yumm.), did some sparklers and a couple of fireworks, played tag in the backyard and called it a day.

We had beautiful weather today. Sunny, some clouds, rain for a few minutes and warm but not 'dying of heat' hot.

Happy 4th of July

We went to a concert in the park last night - we heard the Army Band play some patriotic favorites. Fun show!

Today we have participated in our stake's program/parade/breakfast and gotten a couple of productive things done.

The morning is almost gone and we're trying to decide which of the outdoor plans to go with today - or, we might just stay indoors considering it has sprinkled and looks like more rain is coming.

Right now we're just doing low key stuff. Layne and Jacob are playing golf on the Wii and the other kids are watching a show Megan chose at the library yesterday.

We're hoping to BBQ a little later on.

This past week, our family has talked about our country, the freedoms we enjoy and how lucky we are to be a part of this nation. We are very blessed! Happy Freedom Day to all!!

What? No Camera

During the summer, I usually have my camera attached to my hand (or at least in my pocket). It seems like there are just too many 'picture moments' to put it away. My current issue is that the battery compartment won't open! So, the camera works, there's plenty of memory space - just no power. I've found if I wait a day or two there's just enough juice to take another picture or two. I know - sounds so desperate. Now, I'm hoping that by waiting a couple of days I'll be able to download some pictures. (I've been downloading more often these days - just in case.) Wish me luck!

Here are some things I would post pictures of if I had them (some I just plain didn't take and some might be here in the future if I can get them to download).

I had a GREAT time at Girls' Camp a couple of weeks ago! Wonderful gals, cool leaders to work with and a beautiful setting. (Thanks to babysitting grandparents who made it possible - Layne was even out of town on business part of the time.)

The boys are taking guitar classes and the girls are taking a music class. They're through the community and are a great deal.

We went downtown last week for Disney's Water Day - kids running through water and getting free Creamies were the highlights. (They weren't too interested in dancing with the 'Disney dancers'.)

The kids and I went to the library for an 'interactive' viewing of the Incredibles movie.

Our garden is taking shape. We're excited to taste the 'vegetables of our labors'.

Both of the boys went to their respective Scout Camps and had a great time.

Jonny has completed all of the requirements for his Wolf. (He should receive it during the next Pack Meeting.)

We went to an outing in the park for both Megan and Jacob's classes. It was fun to spend time with classmates/families outside of class.

I've been doing some fun things with the Young Women. This ward really does have some great youth.

Aunt Kerri came to visit. The kids were bummed she and their grandparents couldn't stay longer.

We've played in the backyard - the kids are starting to associate that with 'otter pops'. It's hot!

We finished putting together the fountain in our backyard - and, the roses are finally pruned.

The kids and I have gone a few times to 'free lunch' at the park.

We tried a new park a couple of days ago. It has a skatepark (Jacob liked that part) , a couple of playgrounds, plenty of shade, and is home to the International Peace Gardens. (It's also one of the 'free lunch' sites - so, we didn't even need to pack a lunch.) We might try it again.

We've gone to several 'Concerts in the Park'. It's good music and an informal setting - so, it works great for the whole family.

I had a Birthday that I got to celebrate at camp and then we also went out the night we got back from camp. (Not sure it was an actual Bday celebration - but, it was fun to do something with the whole family and g.ma/g.pa.) We went to dinner, a concert in the park and then for a scoop of ice cream.

The kids and I went to the 'Spring Fiesta' (in June) at the Multicultural Center that's not far from us. It included 'bouncy toys', food, live music, water and all the cotton candy/snow cones they could eat. We went home tired and happy.

We've been doing some things with our ward - a Primary Activity to Temple Square, the Scout BBQ, Father/Son Camp-out, Ward 'Olympics'

We've also gone to a couple of gatherings with friends - BBQs, Birthday parties and 'Showers' (baby and bridal).

We're looking forward to: celebrating the 4th of July, a family reunion, Pioneer Day, events at the library, more outings, free days at local places/events, a ward reunion/camp-out, more classes (guitar/music - next month...TaeKwonDo and tumbling).

Now, if I could just get a better learning time/job routine going it would be great. I usually start the summer with more of a plan in place. This time it seems there's so much to work on I'm a little overwhelmed.