snip, snip

My baby is growing up.

Her scraggly ends have been bugging me for months. Brian was very against the haircut, but I just sat her down while Diego was on one morning and there was nothing he could do about it. I think it's darling, but it does make her look a lot older.

That's not the only thing that was cut. No more souci. I still wasn't ready to do it, but then I noticed that her teeth were starting to move from sucking and I knew it had to go.

My poor girl said, "Souci, broken?" every time she went to bed, but she didn't cry about it. She'd just hold it and chew on it and after the first two days she didn't even care if the broken souci was in there with her. It went much better than we ever imagined.

But.

Guess who's really done with naps now? Like, really. For good.

I am speechless about the fact that my 20 month old baby doesn't nap.

Please feel sad for me.

At least I like her a lot.

thoughts on a sunday

• My camera is back! It took way too much time and way too much money to fix, but at least I feel whole again. And, absence does make the heart grow fonder- I like it more than I remembered.
• We were driving home from dinner when we heard that Michael had died. I looked over at Brian and said, "OH MY GOSH! Michael Jackson died on your birthday! What does this mean?!" Brian said to me, "I feel like lots of historical things happen on my birthday." I'm still laughing. . .because, what historical things?
• Tonight I talked on the phone with Buffy for three hours and I loved every minute of it. I really miss that girl. Really, really. I love good friends that you can talk to on the phone for three hours.
• I think that this rainy June has been mother nature's way of preparing us for Oregon. I don't even know how I feel about it. I think maybe I don't like rain, but I can't quite be sure. I don't like when the bottoms of my pants get wet, I know that. I guess I'll find out soon enough how I really feel about it.
• All the sudden Ellery is saying "mine!" about everything. This is something that totally drives me crazy. I know that it's a normal phase that every kid goes through, and I think it even has some sort of psychological developmental purpose, but I just hate it. And it happened over night. Brian and I are trying, in vain I'm sure, to correct it, but that girl is stubborn. And she doesn't care at all when we try to discipline her/tell her no.
• Are you watching The Next Food Network Star? Brian and I kind of love the shows on Food Network Nighttime, and that one's our very favorite.
• McKay gave another talk in primary. How come he's giving so many? Does he volunteer every time they ask? I think he must. Anyway, he totally rocked it this time! Before it was his turn he was sitting in the front mouthing/waving to Brian in the back "I can do it myself. I don't need help!" When they told him it was his turn he got up and started to talk into the microphone, but Brian stopped him just before something great was going to come out, I just know it.
• This time the talk was audible. Clear even. But some kids got the giggles when his first line was delivered a little too close to the mic, so it was really loud and muffled. They laughed through the whole talk. McKay was so focused that he didn't notice, but I was standing in the back about to flick some heads, I tell ya.
• Still, no one wants to buy our house. Actually, no one wants to even look at our house. We lowered the price. I am keeping my house spotlessly clean for nothing.
• Nonnie is here for good! McKay is so happy about this, he loves her so much. And Elle is warming up quite nicely to her as well. I really love when Nonnie's here.
• Lisa discovered coconut M&M's. They are a limited edition flavor. Try them. We all like them. I'm giving them as visiting teaching treats this month since I haven't done much visiting. Treats are always better than a message- I always say.

Happy Sunday

for them

My kids are so lucky. They have a really great daddy.

There really isn't anything I would change about Brian as a father.

Well. . .actually. . . there is one thing. He can be a tad bit over-protective.

But if that's my only complaint about him in the parenting department, you can see how he must be pretty great. He is such an involved, adoring, hands-on dad.

And today we want to say Happy Father's Day Daddy!

And, of course, we can't forget the other two dads in our lives.

I can't be too mushy when it comes to these guys. But it's safe to say . . .

that I really love my dad.

and

I really love Brian's dad too.

rain or shine

I feel bad for Brian.
Summerfest has come and gone.
Our last one for awhile.
It rained off and on all day
but
The rain was kind
and always let up just when we needed.

At the carnival

Biggest rainstorm of the day had just let up
Grass was a muddy mess
Shoes were gross, pants were rolled
Big slide was the favorite
Until the "obstacle course"
Elle stayed happy with a sucker
from a friendly police officer

The parade is the best part

McKay was serious about collecting candy
Almost died when Captain Hook asked him to join his crew
Ellery got a handful of rings
that she's been wearing everyday
Bri got a tie
like always
We all enjoyed sitting with family
On the same yellow and red blankets as always
And
rain poured again as we were walking home

Notice

that this girl held on to her treasures

for a good two hours

never opening her fist

She could have gone on forever

and was completely content

just clutching them tight.

it must be summer. . .

because my boy's head looks like this:

Looks like Daddy won again.

I miss his hair.

thoughts on a sunday

• When is life going to settle down? I'm still waiting. I'm getting sad about this because summer is going to fly by, and then we're off. I want to savor these last few months here, but that might not be possible due to our calendar that just keeps filling up.

• The other day I asked McKay to clean up his room. I was trying to tidy up the rest of the house so we could head out. He was whining and whining about it and finally I told him to just do his best and I would help him when I was finished. More whining. More pep talks on doing his best. In a frustrated tone he said to me, "But mom, I don't have any best in my body!" I assured him that he did and he comes back with, "But mom, my best is way down low." He eventually raised it.

• Do you want to buy our condo? Because you can if you want.

• Ellery is very into testing her limits. Today she hit me on the head with a car and I sternly told her no. We then had a staring contest to see who was in charge. She finally gave up and I won. But she spent the next three minutes raising her arm up and down, car clenched in her hand right in front of my head, starring me in the eyes. I really tried not to laugh. I can't let her get me!

• On a different Ellery note, Brian and I are quite disturbed. Whenever this girl sees a bug she gets all excited. She gets all excited, and then she says, "Step on it!" and promptly stomps the life out of the little guy. Every time she sees a bug! What little girl's first reaction to a tickle bug is to kill it?

• Our yard sale was a huge success. We raised over $1700 for camp- exceeding our goal by $700! I was so happy that all our hard work paid off and proud of our girls. And, we got away with only a light rain shower instead of the dramatic downpour that happened an hour after we cleaned up.
  
  
• At the yard sale a really old couple, who had a van packed from floor to ceiling with loose items, combed our tables looking for more stuff to add to their collection and they bartered like nobody's business. They would go add their items to their van then come back for more. We finally had to refuse their offer for a box full of random books and knick knacks so that they would leave. Brian thinks they were hoarders, others thought they'd re-sell the junk. Either way I was disgusted yet fascinated.

• I am feeling sad about Jon and Kate, and their eight. That's all.

little tumbler

We signed McKay up for a little four week gymnastics class.

He went.

He stretched.

He flipped.

He jumped.





He got a medal.

And he was very happy about that.

glad to be back

Got home from a three day youth conference in St. George on Saturday night. We packed a ton of stuff in and all of it was great- holding a fund raising car wash, a spiritual ropes course, several inspiring devotionals, swimming, temple, historical tours and hiking Kanarra Creek. We were busy!

Youth conferences are so great. I remember mine when I was younger and it was fun to see them from a different perspective. First, I realize how annoying I must have been to my leaders. Embarrassing. Second, it's so great to see these kids feel the spirit and to know that for some this is their first time experiencing it. That part of it was very cool.

Here we are after our two hour car wash was complete. I had the unfortunate job of making sure all the kids took turns holding up signs and jumping around waving their arms at all the cars driving by, since all of them wanted to be using the hose instead. This means that I jumped and waved my arms around for nearly two hours. I learned a lesson: it's more polite to do a little wave or friendly honk to someone holding a sign and jumping, than to pretend you don't see them. Just so you know.

Another lesson: I kind of like my husband. Well, I already knew that, but it was a lesson refreshed. I found myself wanting to talk about him constantly. I felt myself getting annoying. So, I toned it down and moderated my Brian comments. But that didn't stop me from thinking them!

I had a lot of fun- and more importantly so did all the kids- but I'm glad it's over.

Next up? Girls Camp Garage Sale!!! 5:30am will come mighty early on Saturday. And after that? I can focus on Brian's favorite day of the year.

big jack, little jack

While packing up my parents garage I came across this old hat:

I knew this hat was not meant for the DI pile, but had greater purposes.

(including transforming this boy into Jack Kelly)

It was my PopPop's hat. He wore hats like this every time he went outside. Every time.
He also changed into slipper shoes every time he came inside.
He had the most wonderful British accent and was such a doting husband/father/grandfather to all us girls.

He was a man who had lived a lot of life by the time I was around to know him and he would tell fascinating (often very long) stories about his life's adventures.

When I was younger I would listen to his stories to make him happy.
I sure wish that I would have paid more attention. . .
because now, listening to his stories would make me happy.


I've put in a request that when Brian is an old man he will wear hats like this

every time he goes outside.

should i be worried?

nope.

he's calling it our pool.