Who Fired the Maid?

My house is a disaster. How do small people make such a giant mess?

Now, I realize that Bryan and I add to the mess. We wear clothes that then need to be washed. We eat food and create more dirty dishes. But most of the mess that we make comes from taking care of the other three.

I think Friday will be spent digging out of the crazy.

And maybe Saturday too.

The Best Two Years

We had a very exciting day today. Bryan's youngest brother entered the MTC in preparation for his mission to Russia. We were lucky enough to be able to drop him off. It wasn't until we drove away and I pointed out that missions last for two years that Peter seemed to realize what had just happened. I guess he had forgotten that we wouldn't be seeing Spencer again for a while.

I love the look on Peter's face in this one. Doesn't he look proud of his uncle?

Recharging

Cooper was extremely grumpy before church on Sunday. He was throwing a fit over something (I can't remember what) and there was lots of high-pitched, high-volume screaming. While I was tying Peter's shoes the screaming stopped. I went to see why.

I'm at my grumpiest when I need a nap too.

Oh Happy Day

Today has been wonderful! Bryan took the day off from work and we had lots of great family time, including surprising the boys and taking them to see Cars 2. We capped the day by having dinner with our very good friends.

Other good stuff happened too, but I'm worn out from all the fun. I'm going to end my birthday by getting a good night sleep.

Happy 31 to me!

Is This Boy Logic or Five-Year-Old Logic?

Peter: (after taking a big swig of pear juice) Mom, did you know I backwash into everything?

Me: (wondering if I heard correctly) Um, why?

Peter: Because that way everyone will know it's mine.

Skillful

Tonight at Peter's T-ball game we encouraged Cooper to run around the grassy sidelines as much as his little legs would allow. After calling him off the field a handful of times we asked that he stick to the short hill behind us. After about twenty minutes of running he came over to me and the following conversation took place (I'll write this to include his pronunciation):

Cooper: Mommy, I have stills.

Me: You have what?

Cooper: I have stills.

Me: You have skills?

Cooper: Yeah, I have stills.

Me: Awesome. Tell me about your skills.

Cooper: I have running stills and falling down stills. I turn them on lite this (flaps his arms three times) and then you clap (which he does, three times) and then the stills wort. And you turn them off lite this (repeats the flapping and clapping, but just does each one time.)

Me: (very amused) Cooper, I love that you have skills.

Cooper: And now I will go fly, because I have stills.

Two In a Row

Last Thursday Peter's smile looked like this (except less blurry):

On Friday it looked like this:

Then on Saturday it looked like this:

The top two teeth in the middle are also loose. At the rate his teeth are falling out he'll be gumming his food soon.

He was really excited to lose those two teeth. I was just a little sad. I'm happy to see him grow, I just wish the whole process could slow down a little. Does that make any sense?

An Ode to Summer

Oh summer, how I love thee, let me count the ways:

1. I love the warm weather! I know most people prefer cooler temperatures, but I say bring on the heat. I am perfectly content keeping my house at a balmy 80 degrees.
2. I can wear flip-flops almost all the time. I don't wear them to church, but otherwise they are my footwear of choice.
3. It probably goes without saying, but I'll throw it on here anyway. Watermelon.
4. I can open the windows in the morning and not close them until I go to bed. I love fresh air. And I love when that air is not freezing.
5. I'm rather partial to the Fourth of July.
6. More time outside!
7. I don't have to make sure everyone has a jacket on before we leave the house. Granted, I do have to remember the sunscreen (thanks for the recommendations the other day, by the way), but once that's on I don't have to worry about it. Jackets get taken on and off and laid on park benches or handed to me to keep track of. Yes, sunscreen is less of a hassle.
8. There's more daylight. I love that the sun doesn't set until 9pm.
9. There's a kind of carefree feeling about summer. Even this summer when I'm being pulled in more directions than I'm used to with each boy doing a sport and both boys taking swim lessons, I've felt more relaxed during the day. The term "lazy days of summer" comes to mind.
10. I was born in the summer. And I was married in the summer. It's a season of celebrations.

How do you feel about summer? Do you love it like I do? Or do you loathe the stickiness of the heat?

Happy summer!

It Only Takes a Moment*

I had seen people sharing this on Facebook and I finally sat down and watched it. I would argue that it's one of the best Mormon Messages that the church has made so far. And Dad, watch this one carefully, especially around 2:17.

*What am I quoting folks?

Living Doll

For being nine months old Phoebe has a pretty awesome vocabulary. She says hi, mama (and knows that means me), dada (and knows that means Bryan), and doll. Actually, she says dolldoll, twice right in a row. I think that must be what she's named the doll that Bryan's mom sent to her.

Based on the fact that it's one of her four words, I would say that she really loves that doll. I tried to get a movie of her affection for her little cloth friend, but apparently she also loves the camera.

Phoebe caught sight of herself in the mirror the other day. She got really excited, pointed at her reflection, and started saying "Dolldoll! Dolldoll!"

I think she's a doll too.