Pictures and Thoughts

Recent Summer Happenings

Ryan and the kids at a Pioneer Day Celebration with our Stake.

The beloved tire swing. I get dizzy just watching them.

The kids and I have been taking field trips with friends every Thursday this summer. We hit up Stew Leonard's most recently--I would describe it as "Chuck E. Cheese meets grocery shopping." Each department, from dairy to produce, has singing food and interactive displays. It takes kid-friendly shopping to a whole new level.

There was even a giant chicken that had the kids in a fit of giggles.

Davis, straining to see the singing cows above him.

I scream, you scream, we've eaten way too much ice cream! They really pack on the sprinkles at Stew's.

Friday nights at our house we can almost always be found eating pizza and watching a movie. This particular night was a special treat because the kids got to invite friends along for a "late-over" (our substitute for sleepovers). 

My children rarely take me up on the offer to make cookies together ("You can just do it, mom!"), but Maddie loves to help make pizza. Davy joined in as well and must have said, "Mmmmm! Yummy in my tummmy!" a dozen times as more pepperoni ended up in his mouth than on the pizza. 

Celebrating at a friend's "Pirates and Mermaids" themed birthday party on the beach. The kids were in heaven with a treasure hunt, a pinata, a visit from the ice cream truck, and sweet goodie bags, not to mention face painting and matching homemade costumes for all the guests. 

• The final weeks of summer are upon us and I feel like I'm on the brink of entering a new phase in my life--having a school-age child. Is it odd that I am more nervous about sending little Maddie off to formal preschool a few mornings a week than I am about sending Isaac to kindergarten? I am still questioning my decision to enroll her in preschool, whereas with Isaac I don't feel that I had a decision to make at all. Time will tell if it is what is best for her, and if it's not, I won't hesitate to keep her home with me a little while longer. 
• Davis has recently picked up an aversion to his Sunday nursery class. When we ask him if he's ready to go play with his friends, he emphatically declares, "No Way!" and we have to leave him crying each week so Ryan and I can teach our Sunday school courses. This is my first experience with separation anxiety--any advice?
• In a couple of weeks I get to fly home to Utah by myself to spend a few days with my family and see Wicked with my mom, sisters, and nieces. I can't wait. I am beyond excited to spend time with family and of course I'm looking forward to getting away for a few days. I've never left all of my children for more than one night so it should be an interesting and liberating few days. I'm sure they will love the quality time they get to spend with their dad. 
• I love the Olympics, especially the summer games. Unfortunately, I realized too late that we wouldn't be able to access the sporting events via the internet (our antenna doesn't pick up NBC). I've been going through major withdrawals, so Ryan and I headed to a sports bar for dinner the other night and watched Gabby Douglas make history and Rebecca Soni beat the world record in the 200 meter breast stroke. It was just the pride-in-America boost that I needed (not to mention spending a little time with the hubby was refreshing). And I learned my lesson---we will be getting cable before the next Olympic games. 
• I love this talk by Elder Holland.  I don't know that I've ever read a more powerful testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. And this talk by Sister Beck about having a "Mother Heart." Sister Beck says that women with mother hearts believe that "To nurture and feed [children] physically is as much an honor as to nurture and feed them spiritually. She is “not weary in well-doing” and delights to serve her family, because she knows that “out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33)." I remind myself of this when making muffins and quesadillas starts to feel mundane.