Fail

I didn't post yesterday, did you notice? I tried, I really did. You see, we weren't in the state. Or within internet range.

I'll provide details of our week-long adventure next week, but here's a teaser in the meantime.

You Don't Know What You've Got 'Til It's Gone

I love the ocean. I love the beach too. You'd think that growing up so close to two things that I love would have meant that I spent lots of time at the beach.

But I didn't.

I think it's the tourist phenomenon. If you go on vacation somewhere then you want to do as much fun stuff as possible while you're there. But if you're a local, well, the beach is always there right? There's no need to rush off and get all sandy and sunburnt.

When I went to college I realized just how much I missed the beach. Too much time spent around mountains causes me to feel claustrophobic, and BYU is surrounded by gigantic mounds of earth. Conversely, the beach and the ocean relax me.

While we were in California we took advantage of the lack of mountains and the proximity of the ocean and went to the beach. Grandpa Marc and Aunt Paige kindly accompanied us.

Grandpa and Phoebe hung out on the sand most of the time. She did put her toes into the water, but she was not a fan. Isn't that a darling little swimsuit?

Sand digging.

More sand digging.

Cooper loooooved the water. Peter raaaaan from the water.

Here he is running from the water with Aunt Paige.

By the end of our brief visit Phoebe was wrapped in a towel for warmth and demanding that my dad feed her puffs. But she still looked adorable.

Dinosaur Roar

I have memories of visiting this dinosaur sculpture when I was Peter's age. It resides on the community-college campus next to my parents' house. I'm sure it was an art project of a now long-gone student, but it has no plaque, so I can't be sure.

At first we were afraid it was gone. We walked all around the art building and found nothing but restrooms and designated smoking areas. Then we turned a corner and I saw the tip of it's nose through the trees.

I think a hidden dinosaur is rather magical, don't you?

Why Proofreading Is So Important

Catch Me If You Can

Timeout Grandpa

While we were at my parents' house last week my Dad kindly (and generously) took on the task of administering timeouts. Bryan was away at a conference and I was thankful for the help.

The first full day we were there Peter pulled out all the stops and threw a doozy of a tantrum. It lasted for more than an hour and involved lots of screaming (from Peter) and hitting and kicking (also from Peter). I started to deal with it when my dad stepped in. He calmly read his iPad while he kept Peter in timeout and reminded him that the key to getting out was calming down. (Edit: I was wrong. There was no iPad reading involved, only timeout enforcement.) I know I would not have been as serene in handling the situation.

Prior to this, I can't remember a tantrum ever ending with Peter falling asleep. But that's what happened this time. Forty minutes later, when he woke up, he was a much sweeter Peter.

There were a few more timeouts during the course of the week (most of them were the result of Cooper using inappropriate language), but none that lasted as long as this one. As much as my Dad enjoyed having us visit, I think he was happy to retire the role of Timeout Grandpa.

Across the Generations

Insects Beware

We got to spend last week in sunny, beautiful California visiting my family. The first full day we were there we went to a bug exhibit at the San Diego Botanical Gardens. The highlights of the day included Cooper holding a bird (twice), Cooper petting a giant yellow snake (and Peter getting within six inches of the snake without having a complete meltdown), and a massive tree house that the boys didn't want to leave.

Oh, and Bryan ate a bug.

Super Peter

After months of persuading, cajoling, and pleading, we finally agreed to throw Peter a half-birthday party. At first he wanted a pirate party. But he's been to three pirate parties this year, so I suggested we go in a different direction.

And that direction was awesome.

First the kids got their invitation.

Then I stayed up much later than was prudent and made decorations.

The best part? Bryan's mom made capes for all the kids. They were fabulous. And they were hand delivered when Bryan's brother came up to go into the MTC. She made half of them blue and half of them red. They were the best part of the whole party.

The party was supposed to happen at our local park. In fact, part of the reason we decided to do the half-birthday party was so that it could be held outside. So when I opened our garage on the day of the festivities, all loaded up with decorations and children, I freaked out a bit at the downpour that was taking place. We walked over to our clubhouse to see if we could relocate there. It was booked. Bryan and I surveyed our garage as a possible party venue and started hauling things out to make it safe for small people.

And then the rain stopped.

We went ahead and did it at the park, I just ditched putting up streamers since I arrived at the park approximately three minutes before the party was supposed to start. I did what I could with the time I had.

Then we partied like superheroes.

First we handed out capes. The kids had the chance to decorate with fabric markers and could even add their name or initial.

Next I told the kids that they were going to learn how to be superheroes. For each skill they gained each child was given a sparkly, foam, star sticker to add to their cape.

The games were:

• Pin the shield on the superhero taught the kids how to use their X-ray vision. Imagine pin the tail on the donkey, but with shields instead of tails and capes thrown over heads instead of a blindfold over the eyes.
• Pass the Kryptonite (Hot Potato played with a green glow stick) taught super speed.
• The last game was kind of an obstacle course that involved saving stuffed animals and taught super strength (because animals are so heavy) and the all-important rescue ability.
• Finally the kids ran over and took turns spraying a picture of our villain (we called him Thunderhead and Bryan said that he was causing the party-threatening storm, but it was really a picture of Doomsday) until the paper melted and we declared ourselves triumphant.

We celebrated our victory by eating cupcakes and having Peter open his presents.

Phoebe was a very good sport and spent most of the party kicking it in the stroller. Cooper enjoyed getting to eat way too much candy and running around with all the big kids. My favorite part was getting to work with Bryan as we introduced and facilitated the games. We make a very good team.

Peter enjoyed it too.

Last Minute Movie

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, here I come!

Fanciness

Have you met Nancy?

This is Nancy in her first adventure. She's had many since this one was published in 2005.

At first glance these look like girl books. Okay, they probably are girl books. But I read them to my boys. Why? Nancy has a fantastic vocabulary. She uses lots of large words, and then immediately explains what those fancy words mean.

Even though she's a girly-girl, I think she's swell.

Uncle Time

Speak Up

Do you ever mishear things? We do.

Cooper: (at the park, after being told there was a lizard over by a bush) So, where's the lazer?

And on a separate occasion:

Peter: Are all volcanoes distinct?

Yes they are, but he meant extinct.

Pesky similar sounding words...

A Believer's Life For Me

Girl's Camp for our Stake starts tomorrow. I'm not going at all this year, and I'm okay with that. I was able to make one contribution despite my lack of attendance. The theme is the thirteenth Article of Faith, and we're going with a pirate motif. My assignment was to rewrite the lyrics of the song "A Pirate's Life For Me" using our theme.

I think it turned out nicely.

The Song:

Yo ho, yo ho, a believer's life for me.

We're honest and forthright in all that we do:

Believe me 'earties, yo ho!

We strive to be modest; we're chaste and we're true:

Believe me 'earties, yo ho!

Yo ho, yo ho, a believer's life for me.

We seek for the praiseworthy, lovely, and good:
Believe me 'earties, yo ho.
We strive to be faithful and do what we should:

Believe me ‘earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a believer's life for me.
With charity, kindness, compassion, and grace,
Believe me 'earties, yo ho,
Benevolence shines, with a smile on our face.
Believe me 'earties, yo ho.

We’re pillars of virtue, although we are youths:

Believe me ‘earties, yo ho.

We’ll strengthen our families by living these truths:

Believe me ‘earties, yo ho.

We’ve been through a lot, and we hope to endure:

Believe me ‘earties, yo ho.

By serving our neighbors, our blessings ensure:

Believe me ‘earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a believer’s life for me.

Media Consumption

The boys have discovered the Disney Channel show Phineas and Ferb.

I'm not sure this is a good thing.

On the one hand it does have lots of clever humor, and I do love cleverness. On the other hand, the main plot of each episode revolves around the two brothers causing mischief. It makes me think of an animated Calvin and Hobbes.

At least everything gets cleaned/put back to the way it was by the end of each installment.

Does this mean we've moved beyond Curious George and Word World? I don't think I'm ready for that.

Getting Ready for Sunday

I walked into Cooper's closet a few minutes ago and saw him wearing this ensemble. He informed that me he was ready for Sunday now. I get the tie, but I don't seem to recall us ever letting him wear a ball cap and slipper-socks to church.

He had a song that went with the outfit. It's both simple and to the point. Also, he may think today is Saturday.

Peter at Bat

T-ball ended yesterday. It was time. We enjoyed it, but I think we're ready to have our Tuesday and Thursday nights back. How do parents with lots of children in multiple activities keep up with everything? Between T-ball, Itty-Bitty Ball (which should have it's own post), and swim lessons, I'm exhausted.

My favorite T-ball moment was when Peter was on the pitcher's mound during the first game. He decided that he was done with the whole "watching the ball" thing and started doing an interpretive dance. It was awesome.

Here's Peter at one of his first games. See that glove? We couldn't find it before last night's game. I'm hoping we haven't lost it.

Here's Peter and his very patient coach during the last game. I think I captured the moment just before his coach told him he's right-handed and not left-handed.

I'm not sure that Peter has really gained any skills over the past month, but he did have lots of fun. And he can tell the bases apart now, so that's something.

The Still, Small Voice

During the first few minutes of Testimony meeting on Sunday, Peter turned and, with big brown eyes staring wide, began to interrogate me.

Peter: Mom, why aren't you up there? Why aren't you bearing your testimony? Do you HAVE a testimony?

Me: Yes.

Peter: Then I think you should bear it. I think you should go up.

And so I did.

Thanks Peter.

Pool Party

We celebrated Independence Day by going to Bryan's aunt and uncle's house and playing in the backyard. They had a kiddie pool and the sprinklers going. The boys had a ball. We brought Phoebe's inherited swimsuit (thank you cousin Clara) and prepped her for her first pool experience.

She was not a fan.

Don't worry, she enjoyed the rest of the day.

It's All Fun and Games Until Someone Starts Spitting

We've been working on our memorization skills. Hello, Lewis Carroll. Perhaps we'll do the Jabberwocky next?