More Mischief

Gage was supposed to be sleeping.

I was helping the Young Women work on a project.

Ryan had left for another campaign meeting -

Telling me he had all the boys asleep.

I think he may have mislead me.

Somewhere there was a red marker lurking.

The thought process went something like this ....

"Why not make myself a beard and mustache?"

"With permanent marker?"

It took two days to wash off.

Using every method I could think of.

I contemplated using Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

But didn't have any on hand.

Eventually it wore off - just like all his little misdemeanors do.

One day he will call me and tell me of his child's escapades

and I will say something like what my mother says to me -

"PAYBACK"!

And that will be my favorite grandchild, hands down!

Moon burn

We were able to go to Saint George a couple of weekends ago. Ryan worked there from Monday - Thursday then the kids and I drove down to meet up with him and spend the weekend there. Ryan had a few campaign affairs to take care of - not the infidelity kind.

We had a great weekend, one of the most relaxing since this whole campaign started 9 months ago! Mike and Sharon and family were with us.

It was so hot there that we spent the majority of our time at the pool. And after swimming for hours during the day we rested at the house and ate. Only to return again for some night swimming - which the kids loved!

Well, most of them, most of the time.

One night, after a particularly hot and sunny day where we had to repeatedly apply sunscreen, we headed out to the pool for our nightly ritual. Gage was quite concerned about getting a "moon burn" because he wasn't wearing his swim shirt and I had not put any "moon screen" on him!

After we calmed his fears we proceeded to the pool where his favorite spot was the hot tub - in 100+ degree weather.

Family Pictures 2010 - The BIG picture

All because of these two ....

The rest of us are.

Thank you!

First Haircut

This first haircut has been a long time coming.

That's what happens when you have no hair I suppose.

But this morning I finally thought I had better trim McCall's bangs.

She actually sat pretty still and was patient.

Then she wanted her favorite hairdo - ponytails - she loves to wear the ribbons.

I think it makes her look at least 21 months old!

First Day of School 2010

With year round school in these here parts July sped by and the boys were back at it again before we even knew we had had a "summer break."

But they were so excited that it just didn't matter to them!

Connor spent some time showing Tate the ropes, told him which monkey bars to stay off of, lest he should break and arm, introduced him to the lunchroom and which table to sit at, gave him all sorts of great advice that every 1st grade child would need.

Then he was off to find his friends.

Tate was pretty darn confident. He found his class line and dismissed me.

He no longer needed me and was somewhat embarrassed that I was there.

He actually asked me to not come with him to class anymore.

What?

Connor still holds my hand, hugs me and tells me he loves me before he goes off with his friends.

Tear ...

But they are happy to be back! Not sure how the girls will handle these handsome boys.
Connor was thrilled to be with Spencer and looks for him at lunchtime and recess - his favorite subjects :)
Good luck this year boys, you will do great things.

BOY: A noise with dirt on it

It was early in the morning.

I sent Connor off to his very first Scout Day Camp.

The excitement was palpable.

He was clean.

Wearing a neatly pressed scout shirt.

His neckerchief was folded just right and clean as a whistle.

His backpack was packed with sunscreen, bug spray and a bountiful lunch.

He was returned to me like this.He thought he looked great still.

Asked me, "why?", when I told him to get into the shower.
So I had to show him in the camera what he looked like.
He didn't necessarily agree that he needed to do anything about his current state.

But then I showed him this....

and this...

It appears he didn't need the sunscreen or bug spray.

No amount of sun rays or desperate bugs were coming anywhere close to contact with his skin. He had provided a protective layer and was safe from such nuisances.

I cringe to think that he ate his lunch with those hands.

But he had the best time of his life.

Thank you blessed people who take care of the Cubs.

There is a special place in heaven for each of you!

Wash, rinse, repeat for day two!

Watch out for the couch!

Tate had an unfortunate incident while on vacation in Canada.
While his cousin came in close contact with a bear - only a few feet away and he had a dead fish in his hands at the time. His uncle nearly killed himself on the tractor. His 2nd cousin nearly drowned. But Tate took the time to show us the dangers around the home - he didn't need a bear, a tractor or a lake. All he needed was a couch.
He was playing in the basement and throwing a football in the air and catching it - that's right everyone, our mother's were right - don't throw a ball in the house! Well, he didn't take his eye off the ball and he tripped and fell right into the corner of a very tough couch.
I didn't take much pity on him at first - okay, no pity, I admit it, I am a horrid mother. He was supposed to be picking up the toys and instead was playing with them. So I told him to stop his whining, I mean how bad can it hurt to "bump" your mouth on a soft couch? He toughed up as much as possible, but still complained about it, all the while I was thinking what a softy he was.
Turns out when I saw his face about an hour later I felt horrible! He had a big bruise on his upper lip. His cheek was all swollen and cut up inside and he could hardly talk. Turns out that couch was brute! For the rest of the trip I felt a little guilty each time I looked at him. He has since recovered nicely and I don't think he will be playing football in the house for quite some time.