Do you mind if we park for a while?

Of course, because of the heat, we had the park entirely to ourselves, with the exception of the middle-aged businessman who was sitting across from the play structure making calls on his smartphone. We fit in several favorites, including Monster-Chases-the-Mice and Coordinated Swinging, before going on a surprise trip to the toy store for clearance water equipment.


Tonight was the kids' favorite meal: salads and homemade pigs-in-blankets.

sweaterobics

Unfortunately, our vacation coincided with the third week of consecutive hundred-plus degree days. This didn't keep us from spending plenty of time outside, but our stamina was greatly reduced.

But we had plenty of time between soccer games to make one of our favorite dinners, spaghetti with leek and sausage ragu.

departure

With Mama gone on her vacation to Utah, the children and I decided that we'd have a vacation of our own. After a half day at work, I went to pick up the three from the play date where Jen had deposited them before driving to the airport. We spent some time discussing our options for the next few days: what games we'd play around the house, what places we'd visit, and what favorite foods we'd eat. (These got progressively more involved as the week went on.) Tonight: tacos!

farewell

The day finally came when Linus's much-loved Primary teacher moved away. Linus wasn't exactly sure how to say good-bye, but spent a lot of time making a farewell card the night before and requested a photo with his teacher.

spritely

We try not to be too irreverent in our house, but Casper is hilarious when he prays. For the longest time, he would ask Mama or Daddy to help him pray, but instead of repeating our words, he would just agree:
Mama: We're thankful for today.
Casper: Uh-huh.
Mama: We're thankful for our dinner.
Casper: Okay.
Mama: We ask Thee to bless it.
Casper: Yes.

Now, when it is his turn to pray, he will softly mumble out a few short sentences on his own, but when someone else is praying, he will usually bellow his own version of the prayer at the same time.

archaisms

Gwennie: I think that Mama wanted to talk with all of us about something, but I dare say she's not in the mood now.
Daddy: Gwennie, did you just say, "I dare say"?
Gwennie: Yes -- I don't know what it means, but I keep reading it in all these books!

somnambulist

At least once a night, Linus gets up to use the bathroom. Really, this is just sleepwalking because the kid often wanders around visiting other rooms and beds and sofas before he realizes where he needs to be. Then, after he's done, he staggers around a bit more before he remembers where his bed is. I often feel some compassion and help him out, but other times, it's just good entertainment.

in one floppy ear and out the other

Each Sunday after church, the children rush over to the Bishop's office for a lollipop (his way of ensuring that they aren't afraid of visiting him). Yesterday, before passing out the sweets, the bishop spoke with Casper about how he needs to be more reverent during Sacrament Meeting (and boy, does he ever!). So later, I asked Casper about this conversation.

Mama: Casper, what did the bishop talk to you about?
Casper: About the possibility that cranes can pick up things.

grateful sunday

This week I am thankful for:

• My sweet husband who always helps me see the other side of things when I get too worked up or emotional about things. It's been an emotional week and I'm so thankful that I have Todd around to keep me grounded and give me a shoulder to cry on.
• My sweet Gwendolyn. She has grown and matured so much this summer. When she isn't pushing her brothers' buttons, she is a shining example to them and a tremendous help to me.
  
• My loving Linus. He's such a cuddle bug and I love his goofy little smile. He's sensitive, but so easy-going. His loving, affectionate nature is just what I need some days.
• My little Casper. I can already tell that 3 is going to be tough with this assertive, energetic guy. But for now, he's still my baby (just don't tell him that I called him a baby) and he cracks me up.
  
• All of my dear extended family, many of whom I'll get to see in the upcoming weeks due to a trip to Salt Lake and Gwendolyn's upcoming baptism. Sometimes I just sit and marvel at how blessed I am.
  

second loss

Gwennie actually lost a second tooth today. Once again, she wiggled the thing right out of her head. I hadn't thought that it was as loose as it apparently was, but now that she has a front tooth missing, she really does look like a little snaggle-tooth. And so much older!

She loves the tooth fairy and believes whole-heartedly. She even helped Linus clean up his room before bed so that the tooth fairy and our house fairy, Lilac, could meet. Which they apparently did (Lilac left a note explaining that she and "Toofie" are neighbors in fairyland). I love this sweet little girl of mine.

aw, shucks!

While he was working, he kept chanting, "Shucks!" I don't think he got the pun.

grateful sunday

This week I am thankful for:

• My health, which has been questionable lately (and also provides my excuse for the lack of recent blog posts). I've had a few good days recently and I'm so grateful.
• The rain we got this week. It seems I mention being grateful for rain every time we get a drop, but I really am.
• Good neighbors. Our little house is surrounded by some really good people. I'm thankful to know them and for the ways in which they touch my life.
• The wonderful teachers my children have at church. Linus's teacher is moving in a couple of weeks, and he's brokenhearted. (Linus is pretty sad about it, too. He came to Todd at the end of church last week and said, "Daddy, the saddest thing happened today -- Brother Farrer is moving in three weeks!") Casper still talks about and misses his teachers, who moved away weeks ago. I know my kids are loved and cared for in their classes. What a blessing.
• Knitting. I love this craft. I started a new project this weekend and it feels good to get my hands in wool again -- it's been a while. It also reminds me of my awesome Boston friend, TGL. She rocks.
• My sister Tiffany and all the good, happy things going on in her life. She rocks, too.
  

poolrats

shutterfinger

Linus got a kids' model digital camera for Christmas from his Granny and Grandad, and it is one of his favorite things in the world. A few weeks ago it went missing, and just when we thought that it might be lost forever, Mama found it on a high shelf in the laundry room (in a box full of cleaning rags -- I have no idea how it got there, but I think it must have been me). Tonight we downloaded the photos from the memory card for the second time in the past 6 months. Here are some of the keepers:

dino days

We love the library. Love it. This week there was a special kid-friendly lecture about dinosaurs and ice age creatures at one of our local libraries. The big kids were enthralled, the little kid whined and asked to go home the entire time. It's hard to be the youngest. Especially close to lunchtime.

They grow up so fast, don't they?

This week we had the opportunity to help care for the cats and kittens of our good friends. We have a special place in our hearts for these kittens because they happen to be the grandchildren of our kitty, Plume, which also makes them the nieces and nephews of our kitties Spats and Pudge. Pictured below is Gurgi (aka "Key") nursing some of her brood. And here she is almost 13 months ago to the day nursing with her brothers. Amazing the difference a year will make, huh?

goodbyes

Late last week we learned that our very sweet next door neighbors have sold their home and are moving. We're very sad to lose such great neighbors (they've been here since our houses were built in the mid-60s). Gwendolyn has been especially broken up about the news and has wanted to go visiting every single day. The kids made some sweet goodbye cards and we dropped by as a family for one last visit this evening. I hate goodbyes.

stump speech

Casper: Can we watch Wall-E and Eve?
Mama: No, today is Sunday.
Casper: Can we turn it to Friday?

Casper: I tell you a tory? One time there was a little boy doggie named Toffee and he played with Casper!

shade

Linus, asking Mama to trim his fingernails: Will you fingernail my hands?

watch out for this one

Casper, to Mama: You say uh-huh and I'll say mm-mmm.

Casper: I want some crunchings and munchings!

Casper, holding out his left hand and then his right: This is my light singer and this is my zapper.

fun with faces

after (making what you might call my Glenn Beck face) . . .

. . . and before.

toothless

Well, we weren't sure it would ever happen, but it finally did! Exactly 8 weeks shy of her 8th birthday, Gwendolyn lost her first tooth (bottom left). She's been wiggling it for well over a year, and the adult tooth is half grown in behind it already, but a couple of weeks ago it was jarred (by the cat) and has been slowly threatening to come out. Tonight she wiggled the thing right out of her head and she could not have been more thrilled.

37

My sweetie is 37 today. We had a really fun day with him. He took the afternoon off of work, and we told him that we'd do whatever he chose (for once) -- so we ended up going to a matinee of Toy Story 3. (Actually, the children "planned" this as a surprise for him.) After I bought him a kebab, we all headed over to the cinema for the movie. (Casper told us yesterday that he is a particular fan of "Buzz Light Beer").

The kids relished giving him their presents (assorted books, a handmade bookmark, and a beautifully wrapped paperclip!), then we went outside to take a whack at Gwendolyn's homemade pinata (created with layers of wet toilet paper and filled with confetti and a single piece of candy from her stash).

Todd made an amazing birthday dinner for himself (pasta with leek and sausage ragu, the usual garlic bread), but had to rush off to a church meeting before he could sit down to enjoy it. We're going to keep the celebrations coming for the next couple of days. I think we have to, since the (German chocolate) cake isn't even iced yet.

Not as good as Jeff's action shot from Todd's last birthday pinata, but two years makes a tradition!

This birthday has also spawned some funny comments around the house:

Gwendolyn: How old will Daddy be on his birthday?
Mama: 37.
Gwendolyn: 37! Whoa, he's almost 40! I thought he was turning 63.

snakes and lizards and turtles, oh my!

Our library system has a series of summer events for kids; this week, one of the libraries held Reptile Day. Gwendolyn, my animal enthusiast, wanted to pet and cuddle every snake, turtle, and bearded dragon in the room. She made special friends with this California king snake.

There was also a giant turtle who took each of the boys for a ride (the turtle's owner just picked Linus up from behind and placed him right on top of the turtle, which startled Linus, but didn't seem to phase the turtle). I think we've seen this friendly turtle around town.

grateful sunday

This week I am thankful for:

• Independence Day. I'm thankful for the people who fought for our liberties so long ago so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. We've spent a lot of time reading about and studying the American Revolution the past couple of weeks, and this week, we got to visit Todd's library to see an early printed facsimile of the Declaration of Independence. We then went to see the state's 1950 replica of the Liberty Bell (all 50 states have one, and Texas' just happens to be a few yards from Todd's office). [Todd is offering a bigger and better tour on Wednesday morning. Let me know if you want in.]
  
• Rain! This week has been mostly overcast, cooler and wet. We've needed the rain and I'm thrilled that we got some.
• My bed. I don't know how I end each day so utterly exhausted, but I love our bed and it makes me so happy to be able to collapse into it at bedtime.
  
• The good conversationalist that I'm married to. Somehow, we've found some time this week to just sit around and talk, which is one of my favorite things to do with Todd. How thankful I am that I get to spend eternity with such an interesting person.
  

Happy 4th!

See these cute hats and necklaces? Lest you think I suddenly got all creative and talented, I want to throw all the credit where it is due -- at my friend Robyn. Everything she touches looks fabulous, so when she invited us over to do some festive crafting on a rainy Friday afternoon, we jumped at the chance. The kids were thrilled to wear their patriotic attire at the annual pancake breakfast/bike parade on Saturday. Thanks again, Robyn!

underwater

Linus didn't pass all the requirements for his level in swim lessons (did I mention that he sinks to the bottom?) and was disappointed that he didn't get a fancy certificate. Instead, he got this cool underwater photo that his teacher took of him. I love it. Orange on blue may be my favorite color combination.