Greenies

Sage got to pick out a new swim suit. Since she's first in line, she gets to pick the new clothes in the next size. And because her favorite color is green (and has been for some time) everything we have seems to be green.

This is For You Kasey

I'm putting this picture on my blog for you, Kasey. Yes, it is a darling picture. No, I do not consider your dog a member of the family in any way, shape or form. Oh, and I'm appeasing you because you're babysitting tomorrow. See you then.

Summer In Full Swing

Since I don't yet have any school kids, summer really doesn't change our routine too much. But we are staying busy. I helped the girls set goals for the summer. Sage always does well with a project or goal and, so far, she's staying focused and getting a lot done.

Sage's Summer Goals

1. Learn to swim across Kino pool

2. Practice the piano every day

3. Make a quilt

4. Write her full name, address and phone number

Faith's Summer Goals

1. Learn to take a breath in the pool

2. Write her first name

3. Count to 20

Thanks to Grammy, the swimming goals are coming along - well - swimmingly. And yes, Sage is really making a quilt. I had her pick out fabric and cut all the squares for a rag quilt. With my help (lots of it) she's sewing all the "sandwiches" together in an X and then I do the side seams. She is very enthusiastic about this project. She wants to work her quilt all the time. I'm trying to stretch it out all summer so we only do a few block a day.

Faith is anxiously awaiting pre-school with Mrs. McClure and talks about it almost every day. The very thought of pre-school keeps her motivated to write her name. And though not stated, my summer goal for her is no more accidents! Man alive, I'm tired of finding wet panties everywhere.

If Jane had written out her summer goal it would read: Avoid Swim Lessons. This picture says it all.

We are doing lots of other fun things like Auntie Whitney's Dance Class, eating lots of Otter Pops and lake trips with anyone who will take us. We've got a couple family trips in the works. The girls love listening to the new Mormon Tabernacle CD (my favorite one so far) and an old Billy Joel album I pulled out. Bert continues his marathon training and Tiff and LeeAnn keep dragging me out of bed to get my exercise. We revamped once summer began and are hitting the pool instead of the bike. You don't sweat in the pool, right?

Sunsplash, Reunion, Etc.

Whitney and I took Sage and Faith to Sunsplash last Wednesday. We left the babies with a sitter so we could really enjoy ourselves. And we did! At first, the girls were timid and afraid to even get in the wave pool. I guess timid is too weak a word to use for Faith; she was downright scared. Sage warmed up pretty quickly and was game to try anything. She even did the lily pads successfully. (I was so proud!) Faith cried at Lazy River, cried the at the white tube slides and even cried at the kiddie slide. She is three, I guess. But once the girls had a good time on something, they didn't want to stop. About 2:00 (just when Whitney and I were pooping out) they got their second wind. Faith said, "This actually is fun." They begged to go down the slides again and again and they cried when it was time to leave. I spent a lot of time at Sunsplash in the good old days. Mom would cater there once a month so we all got summer passes. It looks so small and "cheap thrills-ish" now that I'm an adult. When you have kids, though, the fun of doing anything is watching them have a good time. I'm still kicking myself that I forgot the camera!

Thursday began the 3 day celebration of Papa's (Bert's grandpa) 80th birthday celebration. All the out-of-towners flew in and we packed the schedule with tons of fun stuff. We did a temple session, a BBQ at the Park of the Canals, a swim party and dinner at Rockin' R Ranch. We even took a family picture with 60+ people. It was just short of a miracle that all the kiddos were cooperative - even Jane. It was great to be together and celebrate Papa's wonderful life. Mom made him a book with pictures and memories from everyone. Before she gave it to him she said, "We all know how Papa loves to read a card so we got him a card from everyone." It was the perfect gift for him.

After all the fun we had last week, I'm looking forward to some down time. I've got to play catch-up with the laundry and various projects around the house.

Busy

I was talking to Mom Millett this morning and we decided that it's just one party after another. Last week we sent Mikey off into the CA mission field. He is going to be a fabulous missionary as he shares his strong testimony.

This week is filled with the 3 F's - fun, food, family - as we all gather to celebrate Papa's 80th birthday. Plus, I scored a couple of free Sunsplash tickets and I can't resist the option of taking the girls.

So yes, another full week. Sometimes I love being busy, sometimes I hate being over-scheduled. But I am learning to love what I am doing, no matter what it is.

With that said, look for more posts about all the great stuff we have going on this week.

BUILD DAY

What an amazing event! There was a sea of orange-shirted volunteers out for Build Day who made the impossible happen - they built a park in one day. Most of them came from all over the country but many were people from our community. Over 500 volunteers in all. And while they were there building the playground they laid paving stones in a path, installed new benches, painted ramadas and the bathrooms, spruced up the botanical gardens, had a lot of fun and moved 240 cubic tons of mulch. Here is a shot taken about 9 am. Crews were each given a small piece of the playground to assemble.While the army of volunteers was busy with all these projects, I was busy watching some of their kids. I was stationed at the Youth Activities ramada (where the real fun was happening). We potted strawberry plants, made pinch pots, took an archaeological tour and various other kiddie, crafty things. Sage even landed an interveiw with KTAR.I think the highlight of the day was The Great Bodini. My brother Micah made a fabulous (and free!) magician.

The only thing cooler than Bodini was the Cooling Station. It was like standing in an ocean mist. Where can I get one of these for my backyard? Tiffany, LeeAnn and I couldn't leave without an assortment of pictures in front of the tile mosaic. It really is a great addition to the park. People were stopping by to check it out all day.

So you saw the before shot - here is the after. Bert's efforts of the past 2 years paid off. I'm so proud of him. The build was a success because of the hard work of many, many different people. But it was his vision that got the ball rolling in the first place. And more than anything, he's made me believe that one person can make a difference. It is an empowering idea. I was honored to be a small part of such a "difference-making" project.