What the big kids do...

What is it that big kids hang out at the pool for?

That's right - they go to chat up the local boys. Whew...these teenage years are creeping up way too fast!

Rusty's Favorite Activity

Going for a ride.
The dog drives me crazy, but he really is a cute little turd. And the way the girls light up at his every move makes even the messes worth it. Well, maybe not the pee on the carpet, but he's getting better!

Pool Days!

Pool Days are finally here! Wooo Hooo! We love to swim and have hardly been able to wait for the pool to open. It was supposed to open Monday, but Monday dawned wet and freezing, only reaching about 55 degree's, and then Tuesday was worse. So you can imagine our excitement when we woke up to beautiful sun and warm temperatures on Wednesday.
First picture is Brooklyn and Baily trying to run from the camera. I guess they are getting to the age where they don't want their picture taking in a swim suit. I tried to tell them that they will one day look back on these pictures and wonder what happened to that cute body!
Here's Rylee wondering if she should get in on the shallow side, or the deep side.
No messing around for Brooklyn, she just dives right in. Rylee on the other hand, likes to take her time. It was colder than she remembered it.
Other things on the agenda this week were: Bible School. Each year we have a community Vacation Bible School for the kids. For the past few years I have been the "Crazy Game Lady" and last night I even had blood on my shirt to prove it! Anyway, Bible School week is one of my favorite weeks of summer, and this year was the best one yet. The lessons were from Exodus and the kids just loved the drama between Moses and Pharaoh. A lot of times that stuff just flies right over the kids head, but it was such a neat program this year. Rylee has been telling me all about the plagues and how sacrificing a perfect lamb to save your first born son was foreshadowing the greatest event in history, the sacrifice of Gods perfect Lamb, Jesus, in order to save us from our sins. Wow! For a kid to get that out of bible school is amazing. There were also several kids who went home after the first night and read the whole book of Exodus because the couldn't wait to find out what happened. I feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of this community, and a part of these kids lives as they learn the Word of God. I don't have any pictures (remember, I'm the game lady and a lot of our games involve water. Not a good place for a camera) but Anna did get some video of the musical program last night. As soon as she e-mails it to me I will post it. Well, I better get some lunch cooked so we can get to to pool! Happy Summer!!!

Mommy Flowers

One of my favorite things about summer? Mommy Flowers!!! There's nothing like walking into a boquet of lilacs and dandylions to make a girls day.

A Day at the Park

We decided to kick of the first day out of school with a day at the park.
Picnic - Tennis - Disk Golf - Water balloons - Playground - Bike Rides - Frisbee were a few of our activities as we spent 6 hours in the sun.
Today's activities? Applying aloe to mom's back. I always make sure my kids are sunscreened, but sometimes I forget myself!

Last Day of School

The girls have decided that Rollerblading is the best means of transportation for the last day of school.

School's Out For Summer!

Once again, we have reached that bittersweet milestone of another school year come to an end. Sweet because I love summer. I love to have my kids at home. I love to forget about homework, and AR points and just read because we like it. Bitter because, well, it's another year gone, and these years are just slipping away way too fast. So tonight, as the kids lay tucked in for the last school night of the year, I want to write down a few things to remember about my 3rd and 5th graders before they become 4th and 6th graders.

First, a note to my firstborn about a few of the milestones and memories of being the parent of a 5th grader:

Well, Brookie, as you know, you are the first. And being the first comes with a lot of responsibilities. Not only do you have to forge the path of growing up in our household, but it is also your job to teach me what it means to be a Mom. And what a teacher you are. This year you grew up in many ways. Scholastically you went from being a struggling reader to reading all 7 Harry Potter books, all 4 Twilight books and countless other books along the way. Today you brought home an Outstanding Reader Award. I am so proud of you for working so hard on something that began as such a struggle. And I'm also so glad that we have such a wonderful thing in common. Our love of books gives us something to talk about when we don't seem to agree on much else. In math you went from struggling with Multiplication to being a long division wiz. The many hours I spent correcting your math work this year, only to have the teacher send it back because it was wrong has been a good lesson to us both on how important it is to work hard in school. I always let my math slide because it didn't come easy to me when everything else did, but you have worked so incredibly hard, and your excellent report card proves it.
Also this year your body has begun to change into that of a young woman. Emotions are often raw and we have had to purchase things such as training bra's and zit cream. Growing up is such a difficult process, and often it hurts, both physically and emotionally. While at times your temper has gotten the best of you, you continue to think of others before yourself and work hard to make sure your family is taken care of. Your little sister knows how to push all your anger buttons, and yet, you still show her love and kindness when she needs the love only a big sister can offer.
You have many wonderful friends, but most especially Bailey. I love to see your friendships grow as you grow. I have the most amazing support system of friends a woman could ask for, and I want that for you. Your friends truly are the family you weren't born with. Continue to work hard on being a good friend, and you will continue to see your friendships grow.
Boys have also entered the picture with a vengeance! You seem to be adamant about not having a boyfriend, but there are definitely some cute boys that have caught your eye. Both famous and not. We all love to watch Dad cringe when he answers the phone to a boy voice asking to talk to his baby girl. And the posters of all the cute famous Boys you like on your walls makes dad sick! I am proud of you for not having a boyfriend. For trying to understand when I tell you that you will have plenty of time for boyfriends after your 16th birthday.
You have tried out many sports this year. It was so much fun to watch you go from being the new kid in Basketball, to being a relied on part of your team. I watched you go from a skinny little stick figure, to a skinny girl with awesome muscles as you worked on your strength and conditioning all through basketball season. Dance continues to be a favorite, at least that's what you say. I hope you don't say that just because I love it. I want you to find your own hobbies, but if you love dance, well, I'm all for it! You also tried your hand at Volleyball and we found out that you have quite a serve. This year in your extracurricular activities you learned many lessons that will stick with you for your whole life. You learned about being a good sport, about the payoffs of hard work. You learned how to deal with teammates and coaches you didn't often agree with. You learned about setting goals and aligning your priorities. I have been a very proud mommy on the sidelines of all your activities.
Brooklyn, you are growing into a wonderful young woman. I look forward to all the experiences to come as I hold on tightly to the memories of my little girl.
Next is my wild second born:

Well my Rylee Jay. What can we say about you.
You are the laughter in our house. Your quick whit and dry sense of humor keep us all on our toes from morning till night. Occasionally your sarcasm can get your into trouble, especially with your moody big sister, but seeing the twinkle in your eye makes my days happy.
School has always come easy to you, and this year was more of the same. In the past we have never really studied spelling words or worried about your work, but Third Grade offered more challenges, and you have had to learn some study skills. Practicing your spelling words and studying for your Science and Social Studies tests has renewed my yearning for learning. (Hey, that rhymes!) I love the way you come up with things to help you remember the answers. You have jokes or rhymes for almost every question and it has certainly worked as you continue to get A's in most everything you do. Your teacher's only complaint is that you are way too quiet. I guess you must get all the noise out at home, because we certainly don't consider you too quiet!
You also continue to be our social butterfly. Each day after school the phone rings off the hook with one of your many friends wanting to play. Your best friends change with the seasons, but you seem to have a very strong group of very good friends: Amber, Aishlee, Hannah, Maddie, and Emerson to name a few. I sometimes worry that you don't think of others as often as you think of yourself, but then something happens to prove me wrong, and to prove what a selfless and loving little girl you are. You worried so much about Hannah when she was sick this year. You made her presents, wrote her letters, and visited her at the hospital and I was very proud of you for being such a great friend.
In our home you are the prankster. We can always count on you to be lurking around the corner ready to jump out and scare the next person to walk down the hall. Your laugh echoes threw the house all day long and it cracks me up. You tease your sister and your Dad ruthlessly, but are the first to stick up for either of them if they are teasing each other. And you are very protective of your Mommy. You always bring me a blanket, or a glass of water, or just check on me for no reason. I love your care and concern for your family.
So far the only boy to enter your thoughts is Rusty. He continues to be the light of your life. The first thing you ask me when I pick you up at school is "How was Rusty today?" You don't complain about feeding him, walking him, or picking up his poop. You love him, and all animals, and plan to be a Vet when you grow up.
You re growing like a weed, and it makes me so sad. You are supposed to be my baby, and I find myself buying you clothes that are too small, and then we have to return them for the correct size. You fit into most of your sisters clothes and love to wear her things (much to her chagrin). You also love to sleep in my shirts, which drives me crazy because they are never in the closet when I need them!
Rylee, have grown into an amazing young girl. The end of Third Grade makes me very sad because I know the young girl will soon be leaving me to become a young woman. I just want to hold onto your sweet innocence forever and ever, but it's not working. The tighter I hold on, the faster you seem to grow up.
Girls, I love you both more than words can say. Clear up to the sky and back and then some. I look forward to another wonderful summer together.

For my kids

I want all this and more for my kids. Paul Harvey's words are wonderful!
Paul Harvey Writes:
We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.
I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.
I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.
I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.
It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.
I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.
I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.
When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.
I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.
On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.
If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.
I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy/girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.
May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.
I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it.. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.
I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.
May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.
I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Hanukkah/Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.
These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.

MMMMM...Coffee Cake....

Christmas Morning. Warm River on Memorial Day. Easter at Lake Powell. Fathers Day at Hyrum. 4th of July at Lake Powell. Family get togethers. Licking the bowel. The smell of Mom's house. On the boat with friends, eating a whole one after kids went to sleep. Chandra's hate of it, because she thought it was made with coffee. Melting butter. Gobs of honey. So many memories engulf me when I smell Coffee Cake. Sometimes I make it for that alone.

Fifths Disease

What's Fifth Disease?
Especially common in kids between the ages of 5 and 15, fifth disease typically produces a distinctive red rash on the face that makes the child appear to have a "slapped cheek." The rash then spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs. Fifth disease is actually just a viral illness that most kids recover from quickly and without complications.
Fifth disease begins with a low-grade fever, headache, and mild cold-like symptoms (a stuffy or runny nose). These symptoms pass, and the illness seems to be gone until a rash appears a few days later. The bright red rash typically begins on the face. Several days later, the rash spreads and red blotches (usually lighter in color) extend down to the trunk, arms, and legs. The rash usually spares the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. As the centers of the blotches begin to clear, the rash takes on a lacy net-like appearance. Kids younger than 10 years old are most likely to get the rash. Usually, kids with fifth disease feel fairly well and need little home treatment other than rest. After the fever and mild cold symptoms have passed, there may be little to treat except any discomfort from the rash itself.
Those are the symptoms...now look at my baby. Well, actually, she's 11 and doesn't like to be called my baby.
She was at home all week, but this next week is the last week of school. She has some finals and some parties. Things she doesn't want to miss. The Dr. says she should be fine to go back to school Monday, but it's a little weird for a 5th grader when you look like this!

Waxing

You know you have reached a new level of friendship when you begin waxing together. What dorks. And talk about serious pain!

Fargo Marathon

Saturday was the 5th annual Fargo Marathon here in North Dakota, and Carla, Anna and I just had to be a part of it. Not the Marathon itself...but the 5k. Which, for as much as I love running, feels like a marathon! We took off from Carrington on Friday at noon. We had to get the the Fargo Dome to pick up our information packets and check out the Sports and Fitness Expo and Jonny Corino's Pasta Feed. (Now you know the real reason I wanted to go!) We had fun checking out the shops and the energy from all the fabulously fit runners. We listened to some speakers and ate some pasta. My favorite thing I heard one speaker say (his name was Dane Rauschenberg and he ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks, whoa!!!) was to wear your metal everywhere, and when people ask you what place you got, say 2nd. Nobody remembers the name of second place, so you can get away with it! Anyway, I bought myself an awesome headband: and so did Carla: then we took off, went to a movie, and then to Anna's cousin-in-laws house to crash for the night.
Next morning, we woke up at 4:30 (don't ask me why...my friends are freaks!) and headed out for the Dome at 6:00. The race started at 8:00. There were over 14,000 runners. 5000 in the 5k alone. We went in the crowded Fargo Dome for a warm up and some goofy pictures.
And a few more goofy pictures.
And then it was time to line up. Now, keep in mind there are 5000 people in the same race we are in. CROWDED! It took several minutes from the time they said go, to actually cross the start line. (We had chips on on shoes that don't start your time until you cross the start.) And then we were off. Now, I'm not a fast runner, but were were a tone of walkers and I was weaving in and out of people for about 2 miles. It was a pain in the butt! Next year I hope they keep walkers on one side and runners on the other because I'm pretty sure I would have finished a couple minutes faster had I not had to weave so much. Anyway, I finished. My time was 30:09. I was the 937th person to cross the finish line. Not bad out of 5000. Next year I'm doing the half. Eeerrrr, at least the 4 person relay. And here are a few pictures of us with our second place medals!

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day!!!

I know I'm going to miss some people...I just know way too many amazing moms. But I have to send a few specific shouts out to a few specific moms on my mind today.
First of all ~ My Mommy! I have the most amazing mom in the world. Her energy, her example, her love for her family inspire me every day. Happy Mothers Day Mom!
Next is ~ Ryan's Mommy or my mom-in-law. Debbie welcomed with open arms into her family when I was still a stupid kid. I have grown up with Debbie as my Mom-in-law and nobody could have a better one. Grandma Kimball - who continues to be an inspiration to me, every day. Grandma Weezie ~ With whom I have so many wonderful memories of wonderful times!
Next is Becca and Cheryl, my two beautiful Muir sister-in-laws. This is the first of many Mothers Day for you two amazing women! And of course, Happy Mothers Day to Stretch, or Debo, or whatever we are calling her today. Not only is this woman one hell of a mother, but she also puts up with my brother, and my whole crazy family. And somehow, she seems to love it!
Like I said, I know I'm missing a lot of moms on this list, but I don't think there's enough room in the blogging community to mention you all. Just so you know, I love you all. Your examples make me a better mom, and a better person.

I'm obsessed!

Summer Summer Summertime!

Well, maybe not quite, but eating burgers and Ceaser on the deck sure makes it feel like summertime! Check out this house in Jamestown. Wow. I always think I want to live by water, but this doesn't look like much fun. Now a little reminder to you all to charge your iPods before you go for a run. It sucks to get two miles into a run and run out of batteries! I decided that the reason it's so much harder to run without music is then I can hear myself breathing. I always feel pretty good, but when I can hear my own wheezing gasps for air, it's a bit discouraging! Needless to say, iPod is now charging.