So begins a new tradition. Aside from our family vacation we will be doing duo vactions with the kids. This year Ethan and Mark spent the week at home and up north. And Lena and I flew to Salt Lake City to spend the week with my mom, and sisters.
Lena and I drove to Great Falls on Monday the 16th to spend the night, as our plane was to depart at an early 6:55am. She did great on the 1 hr and 20 min flight and we where in SLC before you knew it. Mom was there to meet us and we wasted no time to getting to the car--I was so excited to see Chelsi and Joy. That day we went shopping, out to lunch and then to Cherry Hill.
Cherry Hill is my favorite waterpark in the Layton area and a "must do" when I am there. Lena loved spending time with my mom, which was great so I could go up and down the waterslides with my sisters.We had so much fun having races as there were two slides side by side. Chelsi and I went down on the same mat and I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.
After a while I headed back to check on Lena and mom, and was happy to see that they were having a great time in the pool. However, as I walked closer the look on my mom's face was anything but jovial. Appartently, Lena had wondered off and within seconds, was gone from sight. My mom of course panicked and started screaming, 'My baby, my baby, she's 18 months old and can't swim!" All the moms around her reacted like volunteer lifegaurds and sprang into action. Lena was soon found dangerously close to the pool, she was actually sitting on the second step down into the water. Talk about scary! Shortly after, Lena was running to me and trip and banged her head which resulted in a horrible bruised rasberry. Poor girl, lucky thing she is so tough. So aside from that, it was a great trip to Cherry Hill, and I can't wait to do it again next year.
The following day was Kaleb's Birthday and we spent it at Lagoon Amusement park. We arrived at 11am, right when it opened and stayed until closing at 10pm. When Joy told me we were going to spend all day there, I thought, there is no way I'll last that long, but honestly, when the time came to go I want to stay for at least two more hours.
We spent the first couple of hours doing the rides and then the afternoon at Lagoon A Beach. We spent the most time on the tube ride, partly because the line was short, but mostly because it was so fun to race Chelsi down and see her flip off her tube so many times.
That evening we finished off the rest of the rides including the Sky Coaster. This is something that took some convincing,but I'm so glad I did it. It's something I'll never forget. It was as if we were flying, and it made me want to laugh and scream all at the same time. It was such a fun day!
The next morning Chelsi and I helped mom at her adorable new house and got so much done! It looks amazing. And in the afternoon went dress shopping, so fun! I found two cute new dresses, but the best part was just being with my family.
That afternoon I took Lena, Drew and Joya, to the Duck Park. It is located centerally in Layton and is beautiful! Lena loved looking at all the ducks and playing with her cousins at the park. Afterwards we went out to Lunch.
On Saturday we spent the day at Surf and Swim. Mom watched Lena so I could go and get some sun and relax. I loved the wave pool and visiting with Joy as we soaked in the sun.
After getting a thorough sunburn we decided to head home and getting ready for the evening. I had literally five minutes to get ready for the Trax. A train that leaves from Laytin and takes you into SLC. It's new to the area and quite fantastic. We were all excited (we excite easily).
Lena loved looking out the window and wandering around on the train, but most of all visiting with her cousins.
We ate dinner at Apple Bees then rushed to catch the Trax back home.
Sunday came way too soon and it was time to fly home. Our left at 3:30 and arrived shortly after 5pm. This flight was less crowded, so I was able to take aboard Lena's carseat, which helped emenously. The drive home took forever due to a two hour wait at the border. Lena was a trooper, and fortunately watched movie after movie (they were short ones) until we were finally through.
I couldn't wait to burst through the door and see my boys after being away for so long, but our reunioun would have to wait. They were still enjoying their father, son outing in Edmonton. I was so surprised when I got a phone call from Mark at 11pm wanting to know what I was wearing. "A ratty T-shirt and sweats, why?" I responded. He told me that he was in Calgary and on his way home! I was so excited, they were going to spend he night in Rocky Mountain House, but decided to drive through the night so they could be home with me.
This was a wonderful vacation, really the best part was being with Lena and my family. I love them all so much!
Play with him, I like to play mario Kart, I like to play Wii, I like to play toys, and I like to eat carrots, I like it when Daddy chases me, I like to go at the Hot Springs with Daddy, and to be at our home, and I like to go to the Church and sit with him. I like to play computer with Daddy, actually, Daddy doesn't play computer with me, he plays with blocks.
Happy Father's Day,
I love you!
My daddy loves me very much he shows me every day,
I know it when he looks at me in that special way.
When I wake up early and bright, it’s Daddy that's so desired, A hug and a kiss from the man that I love, the one that is oh so tired.
I’m fresh and clean, and dressed for the day, thanks to my Daddy dear,
Breakfast was good, now it’s time to play, with a screech I make it clear.
Chase me daddy, chase me, around and round we fly,
Catch me, Daddy, catch me, and now throw me to the sky.
Hate to see you go so soon, hugs and kisses at the door,
Another and another--oh please, just one more.
I’ll see you soon, can’t wait till then, it’s the highlight of my day,
What a joy it will be when you come home to play, and play , and play.
I’m just a little girl right now, but someday I’ll be grown,
I’ll remember all you’ve taught me, and all that I’ve been shown.
You’ve given me the greatest gift, one that’s more precious than time,
Because of you, I know I’m loved, I’m yours, and forever you’ll be mine.
I love you Daddy
Happy Father's Day, 2008!
My calendar is full of on-coming events, random phone numbers, recipes, telephone messages, and little scribbly notes containing important reminders. Recently these notes are about Ethan. The things that he says, to me, are priceless. I've tried storing them away in my Bloggin-Noggin, thinking, "Oh, I'll remember that, for sure!" But as is the case with many moms, life takes over and daily stuff crowds your mind, and we only have room for so much. So scribbly notes with one or two words suffice--most of the time--sometimes I'll read something like "bugs, sticky, peanut butter"...and I'll be like--"Did I write that, is that even my writing.." Because--no clue!
Ethan: "Mama, can I play the Guitar Hero?"
I was trying to get ready for church, so...
"Well, Guitar Hero is for grown-ups."
Ethan: "You're not very good at that game, huh."
"No, I need to practice more."
Ethan: "But, dad's good at, because he's a grown-up."
"Am I a grown-up"
Ethan: "No, just Daddy."
Then he looks at me for a second and says,
"Well, you're a little bit grown-up."
Mark was in Nursery today helping with Lena (she's still having a hard time staying in by herself). So when Ethan needed to use the washroom, Mark was there to help him get 'set-up' on the toilet. Ethan looked at Mark and said,
"Uum, Daddy, I need some privacy."
Mark was about to leave.
Ethan: "Privacy is when you're a-lonnne."
Ethan loves hotwheels. Every morning he wakes up and wants to go to Walmart to buy either a new hotwheels car or track. I was trying to teach him that he can't just ask for something and get it, and that he needs to appreciate the toys that he does have, plus I was getting sick of hearing it. So I told him:
"If you ask one more time, I'm going to take away the hotwheels that you do have."
I know, mean, but it worked.
Ethan had gone for hours without asking for hotwheels. Then without thinking he said,
"Mom, I sure wish I had a new hotwheels Track."
I gave him that one-eyebrow raised mom-look, like, did you really mean to say that.
Ethan: "I was just talking to myself mom, just talking to myself, not to you."
So funny!
The next morning, I was tidying up and Ethan was following me around as usual.
Ethan: "Mom, I'm just going to talk to myself for a minute."
"OK"
Then he whispers, "I really like those new hot wheels tracks. I wish I could have one."
He kind of looks at me sideways, to see if I was listening.
So clever.
Drip, drop, down comes the rain,
It's fun to watch and it's fun to play in.
Crash, boom, thunder and lightening,
Mommy loves it, but I think it's frightening.
Swirling, whirling, puddles of joy,
Mud, and muck, it's so fun to be a boy.
Jump, splash, Mama shouts, then giggles,
Shiver, and shake, wiggly, wiggly, wiggles.
Slush, slog, off one boot and then the other,
One wet boy, and one happy Mother.
This afternoon Kendra, Ethan, Lena, and I went to the park behind our house. We had so much fun playing make believe. We were everything from Knights gaurding a castle (I was the Mermaid in the mote, very suiting, and Lena was the baby Dragon...again, very suiting).
Then Kendra decided to sell rocks for $25 a handful. I said,
"For that price, they had better be magic."
"Oh, they are!" She replied. "If you plant them then they will grow a gaint beanstalk, and if you climb it you will find a gaint cat with wings who will try to catch you. Then it will take you places, far away places."
Pretty good for a 7 year old imagination.
So then somehow I became the winged cat, and a mighty game of chase insued, for nobody wanted to be taken away, to far away places. That led into a riveting game of playground tag, only the playground was no longer just a normal playground, but a pirate ship. I was Captain Mama Sparrow ( I have a little thing for Captain Jack Sparrow), Kendra was Captain Stinky, but then changed it to Captain Nim (like the movie, "Nim's Island") and Ethan insisted on being called Captain Jack Black (no relation to the actor). Lena didn't really have a choice in the matter and Captain Jack Black decided she would be called Captain Baby Dragon, which actually sounds quite fearism. We all had to be Captains. Captain Mama S. looked to the sky and knew that a storm was a brew (for real). So with some quick thinking, and well honed story telling skills...
"Our enemy Pirate ship was close behind us and we must get home. The only way home is to walk on the floating bridge over the ocean."
The floating bridge was the paved path, the grass had been chemically spray that day, and Pirates or no Pirate, we are no match for chemical fertilizer. Well, maybe Baby Dragon, but I wasn't about to find out. Baby Dragon was loaded into the tiny boat (little tike wagon), and we tally hoed, to a shout from Captain Jack Black of, " Come on, let's go Captains!"
On the way home we played follow the Captain. Jack Black went first and did a fabulous side-windy walk, Capt. Nim then did a little skippety hop move. But soon treasion was in the air and Jack Black was getting grouchy, even little Pirates need naps (which he refuses on taking), so to qualm his whining we played...
"Ok, Captains, the enemy Pirate ship is close behind and we must be very, very quiet."
It did the trick and Captain Nim was right in to it, so of course Jack B. followed suit.
We beat the storm just barely. I ran around closing all the windows, then settled down with Kendra for a little Nancy Drew and the Mysterious Sleepover. We have been reading this book for a while now, and it is getting exciting. We both have our theries as to what's going to happen...who done it? I can't wait to find out. She is such a good little reader. We take turns , she reads a page and then I read one. Ethan likes to listen and Lena wanders around the livingroom, looking at her books.
Kendra left, then the rain really picked up, poured actually. So fast that the drain system couldn't keep up with it. I LOVE THE RAIN! I always have, fora few perious moments, while the kids were happily playing inside (watching Blues Clues) I sat on my little chair under the protection of the overhang and just enjoyed the sounds and smells of hard rain. As the puddle in front of my neighbors swelled to a small pond, my mind wandered to all the fun times I had as a kid/teenager puddle jumping, and thought, Ethan would love this! I went and got my Scaredy Squirell, who was quite enjoying his Blues and told him to get his Gum Boots on.
"We're going outside" I exclaimed.
"But, I'm going to get wet." Whined Ethan.
"I know, won't it be fun!" Said I.
We rushed around getting ready (Lena was having a snack and enjoying her Blues time) and headed outside. I left the front door open, and knew that if Lena needed us she would come on out. My mom reads this...so I had to add that for her sake :)
At first Ethan was a little apprehensive. But I held his hand and togeter we jumped off the curb into the warm, rainy, yucky, wonderful water. Thunder crashed over head closely followed by lightening, Ethan was a little scared, but was doing great. He wanted to changed into his crocs, then kept on playing, he was getter braver and braver.
Finally it was time to go in.
"Wasn't that fun Ethan!?" I asked
"Yeah, but I was scared of the storm." He replied.
"Oh, there is nothing to be afraid of, Hun."
"Right." He said and then paused for a couple of seconds. "Except for the storm."
I just love him!
This week the weather was beautiful! So we had lots of fun outside as a family and with friends.
On Monday Ethan spent the morning at his friend Megan's house, as he does every Monday. Lena started out at Megan's house, but didn't last too long. She is still going through her "I need to be with Mommy at all times" phase. So I picked her up and headed home to finish up some never ending yard work.
Tuesday Megan came over in the morning to play, and we had a great time outside--Ethan and Megs play so well together. It's actually a very nice arragnment that we have going on. It gives me a chance to get some things done on Monday morning and then Meg's mom can have some time to herself on Tuesday morning. Plus the kids get to play, which is great for them.
Wednesday was a great day. In the morning we headed to Gyro park to meet up with some friends including Tandy Jones, Vicky Forsyth, Carrie Weibe, and Jasmine Burton and their kids. Everyone had a great time playing. Ethan especialy loved to run up and down this little hill and follow around the "bigger kids." Lena of course, wanted to be on her own and do her own thing. Including climbing up to the slide by herself and exploring the surrounding field. Both
kids loved the swing and I loved visiting with the moms and
enjoying the wonderful weather. It's amazing how much I enjoy a sunny morning after spending about five months indoors.
That afternoon Kenzie came over to babysit, as she does every Wednesday afternoon--I love Wednesday afternoons--I get two hours to run errands, or catch up on housework, or whatever I want to do--it's great. Ethan and Lena love, love, love, Kenzie. Lena, though she is going through her mommy phase--as soon as she sees Kenzie looks at me and says, " Bye, Mommy." She can even say "Tenzie."
Later that evening we went for a little family outing, with Mark on the bike pulling the kids in the trailer and me leading the way on my rollerblades.The kids love these outings and do so well sitting together.
On Thursday Janelle Fyfe and Jackson came over to play. Jackson and Ethan love to play on the trampoline together. Later that night I went to Sis. Forsyth for our monthly girls night out and back home again to watch "So you think you can Dance." It's our favorite.
Friday morning we left bright and early to make the monthly 50% off sale at Catholic Charities. Kendra needed some new summer clothes and I wanted to get there before everything was picked over. We walk into the store and Lena starts going crazy, saying, "oos cues, oos cues." Her little hands are just going, making the sign for Blues Clues. I didn't think much of it, until it was time to check out and she started up again, "oos cues, oos cues." Low and behold, sitting up on the shelf that she is pointing at are four stuffed Blues Clues puppies. She picked out two (for a grand total of $1) and could not be happier. She calls them her babies and carries her favorite one around with her. It was quite the find.
On Fridays, Kendra, my "after school daughter" gets here by noon. We called her friend and invited her to come with us to the Spray Park. The spray park is a favorite summer time activity. We hadn't been for nearly a year, but Ethan remembered all about it, especially the rainbow sprayer. There were older boys there and Ethan ameddiately gravitated towards them and joined in on the fun. Boys will be boys!
Later that night I finished the flagstone pathway that I had been working on. With advice and some tools from my garden saavy neighbors, I was able to install it myself. My across the street neighbor even donated some extra slate he had laying around--which was so nice and deffinately helped to cut costs. I finished the project around 10pm, then Mark and I built a campfire in our pit in the backyard and sat and enjoyed each others company. It is rare that we get to just sit and visit lately, with Mark being so busy with work.Sometimes I forget how funny he is and how grateful I am to have not only an amzing husband, but a best friend.
In the morning I climb into the sink,
You put on your make-up,
And I sit there and think...
I hum and I ha and I plan and I plot,
I sure like that make-up,
I like it a lot.
Just waiting, biding my time, the ultimate plan,
Those colors, so dazzling, in my hot little hand.
Lipstick and blush, bronzer glore,
So much, so much make-up for me to explore.
If only you'd leave, but wait..there you go, here's my chance,
My moment is here, my moment at last!
The lipstick, the blush, or eyeshadow, I can't decide,
Should I put it on here, or waste time and hide.
Time is a ticking, what to do first?
The lipstick, of course, in Bubble Gum Burst.
It's thrilling, it's new, it's smeery, so fun to be a girl,
I'm such a pretty princess, watch my fancy princess twirl.
I feel pretty, so beautiful, so sheek,
Here comes Mommy, oh what will she think.
Out comes the camera and I give my best pose,
Just like mommy, a killer smile, and cautious of my nose.
Into the tub, all that hard work down the drain with a glug,
I'm all clean now, with a kiss and a hug!
This story took place last spring. I've been meaning to record it for sometime--and now is the time.
One Sunday morning Mark woke up with a sore throat and flu-like symtoms, so he decided to stay home from church. The day before, he had taken our tithing out of the bank (in cash), filled out a tithing envelope, placed the money inside, and sealed it up.
Because he wasn't going to church he handed it to me with a warning---"There's about three months worth of tithing in that envelope, so make sure the bishop gets it."
"Of course, of course." I promised and slipped it into the front pocket of my church bag.
Church was church, wonderfully busy with two little ones to think about, not to mention-- teaching a lesson, and all that goes with that. The meetings ended and I still hadn't handed the tithing to the Bishop. I headed home, children in toe, and bag in hand.
The next morning Mark asked me. "Did you rememeber to pay our tithing?"
"Oh, I forgot, it's in the bag out in the car still, I'll go get it."
My heart sank as I opened the unlocked car door to find the bag was missing. Maybe I left it at the church I thought, but in my heart I knew it wasn't there. Mark went and looked anyway, to no avail. Tears of guilt streamed down my face as the reality of the situation sunk in. Someone has stolen the bag and we will never see that money again. Now, to the Lord it wasn't a lot--but to us it was a signifigant amount. I'll never forget Mark's reassurance as he tried to console this panicking wife. He calmly, and lovingly said, "What's done is done, I'll always love you, and of course I'm not mad at you, everything will be just fine." And that was that. He didn't bring it up, or harp on it or say one word,
About a week went by and the sting was starting to fade, when I got a phone call from Mark. There was a bit of a crack in his voice, " What now?" I thought, not able to handle another crisis.
He said,
"You'll never believe this, but, a man just walked into my office and asked me to follow him to his truck. He opened the door and pulled out the bag."
At this point I'm thinking, " well at least we got the bag back."
Mark continued...
"The tithing envelope was still in it. It had been opened, but not one dollar had been removed."
The man with the truck had found the bag under a tree. He read Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints on the tithing slip. He was not a member but just happened to know one. Long story short the man with the truck was able to find us through that person.
That was the only time Mark has missed church due to illness since we have been married, if he would have gone to church none of this would have happened. Sometimes we are given heavenly remidners or experiences such as this. It reminded me that Heavenly Father is aware of my family, that He cares about me as a busy mom who made a mistake. As soon as Mark put that money in that envelope it was no longer ours, but the Lords and He took care of it.
How grateful I am for a loving, understanding Heavenly Father. How greatful I am for tithing.
It has been raining for the past three days--along with rain comes bordomitis---a common disorder caused by being cooped up inside for extended periods of time. Side effects include frequent yawning, restlessness, excessive whining, and laziness due to lack of outdoor activity. According to Dr. Mom (aka me) the quickest, most effective cure is an afternoon spent swimming.
So, Kendra, Ethan, and I packed up our things and waited for Lena to wake up from her afternoon nap. Unfortunately, she had a little "help" waking up from two very anxious children, and one mommy tromping around looking for her comfortable, keep everything in the right place, swimming suit.
We arrived at the pool just as Ethan was falling asleep in his carseat--so I knew I was going to be in for it, but we had gone to the trouble of getting there, and I did not want to go home. So in we went and he was just fine. In fact, just as we walked through the door, he exclaimed, " I am so excited!" in such an ethusiastic way, I knew my remedey was starting to take effect.
Stan Sewick is a great pool because they have these wonderful family changing rooms perfect for keeping everyone in one place. Lena likes to wonder off, and has underdeveloped scaredy squirel senses. Scaredy Squirel is Ethan's favorite book about a squirel that is scared of everything. Ethan, I wouldn't say is scared of everything, but there's a reason why he loves Scaredy Squirel so much--let's just say they have a lot in common. That is percisely why this afternoon was so much more than just swimming--something extriordinary happened today in that pool.
Out of the changing room we venture, Ethan leading the way, being very careful because the floor is "very slippery, Mommy." Kendra is next with Lena and I close behind, I am holding Lena's hand, because there is no way she will let me hold her, and it is all I can do to keep her at bay. Lifejackets on, zip and buckle, tighten those straps, and into the pool. Lena, oh my Lena, she was in heaven. Just happy to be out of the house, happy to be floating around in a little fish shaped floater, with a tether. We played for a while and pretended that we were going to Africa to look for aligators, it was really a distraction tactic, because Ethan had been crying for the last five minutes about not having a ball to play with. It worked wonderfully, we were on a boat in the rivers of Africa and we had to be quite or the alligators would find us--and I wonder why he has scaredy squirel issues--I tell him to be quiet so the alligators don't find him--well, it worked. Bytheway, Eventually he did get a ball and he would not let go of it for anything--he was so happy.
After a dip in the hot tub we migrated toward the little slide. And so the extordinary thing begins...
"Mommy, catch me Mommy...mom, stand right there."
"I'm here, I'm right here."
Catch and repeat many, many, many...times.
After awhile I am beginning to notice that I'm not really helping, and that he doesn't actually go under the water, So...
"Ethan, you can do it, I promise, I'll stand right here."
Down the slide he goes (green ball, clutched to his side, still) and I don't catch him. I let him swim to the edge, about two feet away and stay right close by him encouraging, but not touching...because, his face, oh his face, I will never forget it. He was not one bit scared, he was proud of himself. His little legs paddling, and his one arm following suit (he was still clutching that ball), he reaches out, grabs the edge of the pool, looks at me and says, " I did it mommy.' Again and again he went and soon his confidence had grown so much that he was jumping off the edge into the water chasing after his cherished green ball.
Later in the changeroom I expressed to him what a big boy he is and how proud I am of him.
This was a moment for me...one of those priceless moments that will be cherished always.
My dear, sweet, courageous boy--you did it! There will be so many times in your life when you will need to be brave, to be bold, and do things that are difficult, things that you may not think you can do--but you can. You have parents who love you, and a Heavenly Father that will bouy you up and support you just has that lifejacket did. You're amazing to me!
This family vacation was a lot of fun and highly anticipated. For the weeks leading up to it Ethan would ask (out of the blue) "Are we going on our adventure yet"? Then he would say, "Do we get to bring our new van?" He really likes our new van that we bought so trips such as this would be more enjoyable. We all love it and the best part is the DVD player--Ethan and Lena love to watch movies--especially Blues Clues, it's Lena's favorite. It used to be Ethan's favorite at her age, but then he grew out it. But Lena has renewed his love of Blues, which is good because it's all she wants to watch and one of the few words she can say. "oos cues"
Anyways, we arrived in Fairmont after a four hour drive. The drive was quie pleasant until, we got lost on a very curvy "vomit inducing" road. I final convinced Mark, "this couldn't be it" and called the resort for some much needed directions. We all breathed a sigh of relief as we pulled into the resort parking lot. Mom and I couldn't get out of the van fast enough and anticipation was building as I pictured soothing Hot Springs, room service, a cushy bed, and a bottle of Tylenol. All hopes were soon dashed as the front desk had no records of our reservations. It turns out we were at the wrong resort and ours was only down the road--hopes were soaring again and the end was in sight. We approached the van, triumph in our hearts, but wait, what's that smell, could it be--oh please no, yes--yes it is--a huge pile of throw up all over Lena, her car seat, and the new van. You have got to be kidding me! I guess that horrid windy road was just too much for her little stomach--by the way, how does so much vomit come out of something so small.
On a brighter note...the villas were beautiful and more than I could have ever hoped for--paradise. That night, since it was my birthday Mark and I ventured out to a nearby restaurant for a delicious birthday dinner. And it was fabulous while it lasted. Food always tasted better when eaten outside anyway...Lena had woken up and was inconsolable, so mom called us and we made a hasty retreat doggy bag in hand and finished our meal on the balcony back at the villa.