Arghh.

I finally made time this weekend to haul everyone to this spectacular park my friend Yolanda told me about. Like what usually happens when you plan an outing with four children, one of whom is a very active little 16-month boy, the plan went somewhat awry.

Thanks to this:

(notice background)

Photo 1

Photo 2Photo 3
Argh! Jack was determined to play in the stream. He made 543 beelines for the stream. He was fixated. He would not even contemplate doing anything else. I planned this little outing mostly for HIM--because he loves to ramble and play outdoors, enjoying the freedom of running around on 2 feet instead of crawling.

But no.

We wanted nothing to do with the huge field of grass. Didn't want to run around with Max and Sis, who were having an epic nerf battle. He wanted to throw rocks into the stream, precariously close to the edge, having absolutely no balance. Not only that, but he threw a fit every time we dragged him away from the stream. A FIT. EACH & EVERY TIME. Basically, he had a miserable outing and I had been positive he would have a great time.

(insert the Mother-of-Four Eye Roll.)

Here he is, making a break for it.


I managed to snap a few quick photos.

Isabelle, 8. Max, 10. Jack, 1. Mimi, 6.

Here's Mimi, with my SAME 6-yr old smile.

I love this one.

I love this one, too.

Aqua Boy and me.

Isabelle wanted so badly to have her picture taken with just her & Jack. Can you tell he was THIS CLOSE to losing it? Must...get...to...water...Throw....rocks....Jump....in...

I don't know the name of the park, but it was deep into the canyon and just surreal. I'm dying to return with just myself, my recliner camp chair, snackies, a book & a small cooler of chilled Diet Coke.

Also, there's a road that begs to have me run on it. On a day separate from the camp chair and the snacks.

Tomorrow is Another Day, a la Scarlett O'Hara

Today is the official First Day of Summer not on the Lunar Calendar (summer solstice), but on the Crystal Calendar: it's the first day the kids DON'T go to school. I think I feel more giddy about summer as an adult than I did even as a kid. I relish the freedom from schedules so much more now that I am in charge of all those schedules.

So. I had big plans of morningtime structure before the kids disseminated throughout the neighborhood, but today it just didn't happen. Why? Because I slept in until 10:30am. Oh, sweet bliss. When the mom is snoozing away in her bed, her Big Plan of a morning routine kind of goes awry.

It was totally worth it.

We'll begin anew tomorrow.

So rewinding a bit to the last day of school (last Friday): For teacher gifts, I framed these wordles for Max's & Isabelle's teachers. I loved doing it! The kids typed in the text at this site and we printed them out, framed them and sent them off to school be-ribboned and with a sugar cookie in cellophane. (oh, I've learned a thing or two from this cellophane-loving, ribbon-licious girl) I had plans to have the wordles printed at costco in poster size, which would've been so much more fun, but there were issues with the printing. Next time I'm using iPhoto. Harumph.

Isabelle & her beloved Mr. Felt, who integrates music into his curriculum (go HERE and see!) and who held a "Wednesday Jam" every week after school for his guitar students.
Hands down, the best teacher we've ever had.

After school was the 2nd Annual Neighborhood Waterfight Party, which was so much fun this year! Instead of surprise-pelting the kids with water balloons at the bus stop, we met at the park about 1/2 hour after they got home and had the waterfight there. It lasted much longer and was much more of a block party instead of a quick waterfight. My friend Emily, the genius party planner, brought a huge tarp, greased it down with crisco and set the hose going. Wa-la! Giant slip-n-slide! Here is a view from the top. Looks a little steep.

And here we have the ensuing mayhem. I wish I'd had my camera with video, because the unfiltered sounds of kid-delight were priceless.

We tried to form 2 lines and have them go down two at a time, but there was a mutiny.

I spent the time 50/50, laughing one moment and cringing the next. Laugh, cringe. Laugh, wince. The kids were fearless and after getting a foot crammed into their solar plexus or a knee in the neck, they bounced right up and scampered to the top for another go. I watched in fascinated horror.

Max.

Isabelle, all nice & dry, who never did go down. Smart girl.

Mimi unleashed.
This photo says it all.

Me & Emily's self portrait.
Emily=fun and in a swimsuit, getting wet.
Me=curmudgeon in clothes, snarling, "don't squirt me!"

Afterwards, we party-hopped to my friend Ali's, where the other 2nd Annual Last Day of School party was underway. Ali began this tradition last year of getting together and chilling (chillin'? I am so uncool) in her back yard while kids of all ages run amok. This year she rented a huge blowup waterslide, which was a hit. I love this party because it's the perfect end to the hectic pace of the last two weeks of school. Everybody brings something to share and we just...sit and relax, chatting while the kids run wild. Everybody wins.

Jack tested out his first popsicle. I think it felt good on his gums, where SEVEN teeth are coming in. Poor tyke.

And this was how the afternoon ended. Laid out flat. All of us were in similar shape.

...more later on the fun & frolic that was the last week of school.

"Oh sleep! It is a gentle thing."
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Max, 9 yrs.

Isabelle, 7 yrs.

Mimi, 5 yrs.

Jack, 4 mos.

Last Day of School!

Oh, how I LOVE summertime! I love the freedom of setting my own schedule, I love the blue sky and happy, warm weather, I love filling our days with loafing and outings--depending on the mood. I'm so giddy with the feeling of summer days ahead! Go to the park! Go to the pool! Roast hotdogs up the canyon! Take the kids fishing! Little road trips to see family! Tour the cave up the canyon! Hiking! Trail running (not THIS year--sniff)! Sidewalk chalk! Backyard picnics with my friends and all the kids!

This year I haven't scheduled the kids for a thing--not even swimming lessons. I plan to ride out the end of this pregnancy (3 weeks!), have the baby, and just let the summer days roll. I love to be out & about in the summertime...but on my own terms. No school, no lessons, nothing but laid-back "what should we do today?" Yay!

Today as the kids got off the bus on their last day of school, a few moms were waiting to surprise them with water balloons and water guns. Thanks to my friend Emily's fun idea, this was the PERFECT way to kick off summer!




Afterward, we went to Ali's house for a "School's Out Party." We ate pizza & chips and the moms sat and talked while the kids played their guts out. It was a perfect way to welcome the lazy days ahead.

I caught THE FUNNIEST EVER pictures of Mimi, doing "splits" on Ali's trampoline.

Easter Weekend

Mimi at the egg hunt in the park.

Easter weekend (last week) was relaxed and fun. On Saturday morning, we went to the park for the city egg hunt, which was well-organized and fun for my kids. There were different "hunting grounds" partitioned off by age, so I didn't see too much of Max & Sis wildly scavenging for eggs. Mike went with Isabelle & I supervised Mimi. Max went off by himself, which I am still becoming accustomed to. It feels so strange--and liberating!--to have a kid old enough to self-supervise. I had the camera, so most photos are of Mimi. She was so cute!

She threw herself wholly into it, running and darting for eggs.


Here is Isabelle, at the end of her hunt.


I was curious to see if Max, being the ripe old age of 9, would get into it or if this year he would hang back and try to play it cool. It made me smile to see him run around full-throttle, gathering eggs. There is some little boy left in him yet, it seems. Phew!


I gathered them for a picture, during which time Sis tried to snatch a smooch from Max. Typical brother smooch-reflex here.


That evening we dyed eggs. I got a kick out of these pudgy little fingers.


Mimi, waiting for her pink egg to turn "pink enough." She kept checking it and then proclaiming, "It's not pink enough yet!" It was fuschia. But apparantly not pink enough.


Saturday night we watched a movie about the last days and resurrection of Christ, which was the perfect ending to our day. I love our cozy FHE movie nights; I really feel the Spirit strongly with us when the kids are all nested up on the couch and so willing to learn about the gospel. They are much more quiet and attentive during these times than they are when I'm giving a lesson. I am always a little surprised at how powerfully visual media delivers a message. My kids really soak up the church dvd's, paying close attention while we watch and asking questions for days afterwards, at random times.

Sunday morning they found their baskets from The Bunny and we had plenty of time to get ready for church--one of the perks of 1pm church! It was relaxing to have time to enjoy Easter morning together and not be in a rush. Mimi was irked at the Bunny for not bringing a basket for Lima Bean. Oops.