So cultured

That's right, our kids are so cultured. We went to the Folklife Festival today and enjoyed the heat. Oh, yeah, and we also learned some things about Northern Ireland (the kids loved the bagpipes and playing soccer), and the cultures along the Mekong River (Boo learned a new dance, did a puppet show, and saw some men making a boat from a tree). We treated ourselves to some Thai food, with the kids eating all the spring rolls. We didn't make it to the Jamestown exhibit because we went to check out some dinosaur bones and an elephant with no crack.

Kids Dominion

Starting around age 11, every year I would look forward to Memorial Day for one reason: Kings Dominion. I went every year, rain or shine until I was 19 or so. Looking back, I am SHOCKED my parents let me drive down on route 95 with my friends when I was 16 (no tickets or accidents, I just got lost).

I associate a lot of things with Kings Dominion: getting lost, new relationships, wet shoes, lines, funnel cake, white trash...

We went on Saturday with the fam and some friends and it is completely different with kids. Boo and Little Man had a great time on the rides, at the water park, and eating ice cream. Luckily we went with enough people that those who wanted to were able to ride some roller coasters (that's right, this third baby is going to be a thrill seeker). Plus, it's scary, but I actually have a child who can ride a roller coaster (well, S. says The Avalanche isn't a roller coaster, but I say it is!).

My line tolerance has also changed. I wouldn't even wait an hour to ride my favorite ride, The Volcano. An hour standing in line?!?! Crazy. I have better things to do with my time--like watch my kids laugh on the kid Beserker.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOO!

Boo turned 4 on Wednesday. She had a fun packed day where all of her requests were met: Chuck E Cheese and a candy necklace.

We hung out with some animals (National Zoo 10:45-3), naps, then picked up S. and went to Chuck E Cheese that evening. She had a magical day in her eyes.

Some of my favorite things about Boo:

1. She will randomly tell me that she loves me, or that I'm a good chef, or that I look beautiful. Who wouldn't want an in-house self-esteem lifter?
2. She is a really good sister to Little Man. I'm so glad she is my oldest, because if I really do have 6 kids she will help SO much. She always says, "He's really cute when...," she "reads" to him, sings to him and helps him do things.
3. Her belly laugh. It's one of those laughs that is contagious--even if you're grumpy.
4. She doesn't have a mean bone in her body.
5. She sings and dances beautifully. She can pick up a song the first time she hears it, and she can sing past a high C.
6. She's goofy--just like me and funny like her dad.
7. She has a great imagination.
8. She is loving to all of her grandparents. It doesn't matter that they can't always interact with her. She is so wonderful whenever we visit--whether in a nursing home with Great-Gma Mc, or in Great-Gma Dixon's home. She sings, and talks, and holds hands. She is not phased by others in the nursing home who are yelling out.
9. She finds joy in the littlest things.
10. Her curly hair, big eyes, and beautiful smile.

Her interests right now: Princess things, fairies, dressing up, High School Musical, Wicked, Seuss, listening to books on CD or having them read to her, swimming, being with cousins and friends, riding her bike, writing, drawing, playing the piano, singing, dancing (she made me pick her up so I could be her partner and in the air she did the splits. She came up with this idea herself), make-up (ahhhh).

We love you, Boo!

My Blind Melon Bee

Back in college we would always dress up for Halloween. One year we were a random sports team. Don't even ask me what sport--maybe basketball? We would hit parties at Seven Peaks and Golds Gym (Powerhouse then) and dance the night away. Yes, we wore short shorts (the ones I'm wearing are from 7th grade), but man, you should have seen what some girls were wearing. I'm talking colored saran wrap and duct tape. See, at BYU where there is a dress code, Halloween is an excuse for girls to dress up as hoochies. One year, my friend Hickman dressed up as the Blind Melon Bee. It was awesome. I think she might have even won a contest.

B. had her ballet and tap performance on Saturday. Her costume was $48 (uh, yeah, S., did I tell you that?). I'm pretty sure my friend put her costume together for under $5. I think they look very similar.

B. had a great time at her performance and even got most of the steps right. She looked like she was having the best time up on the stage.

Pomp and Circumstance Class of 2021

B. has finished her Joy School Career. She is officially brilliant and knows all about finding joy in everything (hopefully that means no more tantrums or breakdowns--ever). It has been a great year and she has loved being with her three friends in the class.

We had a celebration in their honor last Saturday. It's a little sad the year has come to an end, but the funny thing is all four kids are going to be in the same Preschool next year! The posse continues. I just hope they play with the other kids in the class.



ps--She's going to be so embarrassed on her 16th birthday when I blow the top picture up and hang it all over the lockers at her high school (do you think they will still have lockers then? Or are all books going to be on ipods?)

The trials of being a stay-at-home mom

Being a stay-at-home mom can have it moments--good ones, that is. Last Wednesday we had a day to make S. question how hard my job really is.

8:30-10 Wake up, have breakfast, get ready for the day.

10-10:30 Drive to Burke Lake Park.

10:30-1:00 Burke Lake Park with friends: play at the playground, go on a train, ride a carousel, have a picnic and gobble up a twist ice cream cone.

1:30-3:30 Nap
3:30-5 Play, sing, dance

5-8 travel to and go to Cousin M.'s t-ball game. Have a picnic dinner, play ball and just run around with cousins.

8:30--Pick up S. from Metro, stories, bed

What a life to be a kid (and their mom)!

Fun with the Fam

I've decided that funerals bring great memories--past and present. We were able to spend a lot of time with family over the weekend. We were just missing my sister, Mary! (She and her husband were on a cruise in the Galapagos Islands and in Ecuador for three weeks).

Some pics of the cousins. Don't they look like they're having so much fun?

In Memory of

My Grandpa's funeral was on Friday. Lots of emotions. One of the things that I know made him smile was Boo singing a solo of Have I Done Any Good. She was so great. She stood up at that microphone and her voice came out loud and clear, perfect pitch, and she articulated those words.

The words of this song describe his life so well:

Bella song 4 Gpa-10.mp3

Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad, or made someone feel glad, if not, I have failed indeed. Has anyone's burdens been lighter today? Because I was willing to share? Have the sick and the weary, been helped on their way? When they needed my help was I there? Then wake up, and do something more, than dream of your mansions above. Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure, a blessing of duty and love.

10 things I have learned from my grandfather (in no particular order):
1. Save, save, save (20% of your paycheck)
2. Serve others
3. Work hard
4. Follow the example of Jesus Christ
5. Family is important
6. Be educated
7. Be healthy (he was 98 and still exercising after his stroke in 1995)
8. Develop your talents
9. Be kind and friendly to everyone
10. Become self-reliant

He's an amazing man. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I will see him again. I know that he is running and jumping and enjoying being with his loved ones that have gone before, including his wife, Maude.

Here is an interesting story: My grandma, Maude (Grandpa D.'s wife) passed away when my mom was 12 of a heart condition. A year later, grandpa married her sister, Mabel (Maude basically asked him to before she died). Mabel helped raise my mom and uncle and cared for my grandpa by herself after his stroke in 1995. She is 98 as well. Can you imagine living alone at that age, let alone taking care of someone who is basically like a big kid? I have so much to learn.