I'm Behind = Summer Photo Extravaganza

Wha? How is it possible that I've gotten this far behind?! I'm pathetic I tell ya LOL. Well, I'll just blame the kids, because they kept us crazy busy this summer. Here's a summer photo montage of the kids in July and August.

So You Think You Can Cook

After the toilet became old and boring Colin discovered a new favorite place to play - my cupboards. I think I remember this stage from the other kids, but I don't quite remeber the frustration from walking into a trashed kitchen five times a day. He LOVES to get into my lazy susan cabinet where I keep my baking supplies. For the longest time that corner of the kitchen smelled like black licorice because he spilled all of my anise extract. Then there's the time he found the baking soda, and then the food coloring. (((SIGH))) This too shall pass, right? The funniest thing about the whole kitchen-as-playroom phenomenon is that the older kids have gotten into it too. They often join him in the kitchen for some make-believe play. I'm sure that in 10 years I'll remember this game fondly (when I'm not having to clean up after it LOL).

Hero turns 9

I can't believe I've been a mom for 9 years. 9 just sounds so grown-up. Hero had a crazy-busy birthday. Prep started on Saturday night because we had to have everything ready to go by the time we left for church at 9:15 on Sunday (yes, we were late again, but only by a few minutes this time). After Sunday School finished up we took the kids to Nana and Papa's house for a quick change into swimsuits, abbreviated piano lessons, and a quick lunch, then it was off to Roaring Springs for a day of birthday merriment. It was Hero's 3rd birthday party in a row at Roaring Springs and the biggest one yet. The guest list included Hero, Allegra, Ian, Oriana, Taylor, Hope, Kvande, Hailey, Mom and Dad, Colin, Aunt Jennifer, and Nana and Papa. As soon as we got into the park the fun started - the kids went off to ride Viper's Vortex and we set up camp with all of our stuff. Much fun was had by all - Allegra spent most of the day in the wave pool, Colin loved the Endless River, and Ian had fun on the slides in the Kiddie Pool. Hero rode on everything except for The Avalanche - maybe next year. In addition to playing in the water we enjoyed some birthday games, pizza, ice cream, and cake. Hero got lots of fabulous presents including a pink Ninendo DS (finally, she'd say). We stayed at Roaring Springs til close and afterwards headed to our house for a huge sleepover. We thought that they would've been tired out from 7 hours of swimming and sun, but no... They watched Spirit (Hero's choice) and then we shut them all (plus Ian) into the playroom and fled upstairs. I think they got some sleep, but probably not too much. They were up bright and early in the morning and enjoyed a scrambled egg and blueberry pancake breakfast a la Chef Dad. Whew, another birthday party behind us. See you in 2009, Roaring Springs!

Ian "Woods"

LOL - No we aren't harboring any illusions about our son's possible PGA career, but we do think he looks pretty darn cute at the very least. Ian can be, hmm, how to put it, tricky, so we were unsure of how he would take to his golf lessons. He absolutely loved them! We broke down on the third day of lessons and bought him his own clubs. We figure that Colin can use them too eventually. James and Ian are at the driving range this morning, as a matter of fact.

July Playlist

Happy July! I can't believe we are more than halfway through 2008. In honor of a new month I've added a new playlist to our blog. This month's list is completely random (and nonsensical, LOL). As a shout-out to Independence Day I added the favorite tear-jerker God Bless The USA (please tell me it's not just me who cries when I hear this song accompanied with either a parade or fireworks, LOL). Otherwise you've got a pretty huge mix. Paralyzer is a song I always turn up when I hear it on the radio, but can never remember to download it onto my iPod. Hero LOVES to rock Fergalicious, so that one is for her. In light of feeling very suave and nonchalantly hip after reading David Sedaris' newest book (before it even got to paperback!) I decided to add some Thelonius Monk for some sophisticated flavor. I haven't a clue as to why I included the Barber Adagio for Strings, other than that I've played the piece several times and have always loved it. Trivia tidbit - it was played at the funerals of Princess Grace of Monaco, FDR, and JFK. Finally, as an afterthought I added Escape (The Pina Colada Song), because, gosh darn it, it's an awesome song celebrating that summer staple - the froufrou blended tropical drink, and, even better, have you ever seen the dude that sings the song? Wow - just be glad that it came out prior to music videos and 24/7 celeb tabloid coverage because Rupert Holmes is definitely NOT good-looking, LOL.

Summer Schedule

Summer is officially here - it is hot, a famous Idaho windstorm has blown over (and destroyed, gosh darn it) the backyard gazebo, and the kids are driving me crazy! LOL Just kidding, the kids aren't doing bad at all (although Hero did spill neon green juice on my rug today, grr), but we've been taking the "keep-em-busy" approach this summer. They're doing VBS this week, next week Hero leaves for Camp Pinewood and Ian has golf lessons. The week after next the three older ones are all in swimming lessons, and Hero and Allegra start figure-skating lessons which last through August. Prevention is the best cure for stir-crazy kids.

Happy Birthday to James & Party Pics!

Happy 32nd Birthday James, we love you (even though you are getting SERIOUSLY old :-P). Here's some pictures from Colin's birthday party last Saturday. We had it in our backyard - you'd think that June would be a safe month to plan an outdoor party, but it was cold and windy. We braved the elements anyways and it was a good thing we had the party outside due to the extreme mess Colin made with his birthday boy cake. He ate an astonishing amount of it and then he began to play with it - sticking his feet in it and crawling all over it. It was priceless!