I’m quite the crafter lately.
Thanks for the lesson Ashly!
Sweet Treats
Butterfly Garden
B got Scout a butterfly garden for his birthday. We watched them grow and grow. Then they turned into larvae, and spent a week and a half in hiding. Finally (of course while we were at the river) all five butterflies opened up. We were lucky enough to have B babysit them while we were gone (Nonnie wasn’t to keen on the idea), and we got daily updates. When Scout and Navy got home, the first thing they attended to was their litter of butterflies. With the help of B, they set them all free. It was pretty cool to see the whole process that these little creatures go through — especially for Scout who was really into it!
Recycling
Scout and I came up with a great way for him to earn money for his mission fund. So about three weeks ago, he started collecting bottles and cans to take to the recycling plant. It started out as a novel idea, but became a little less exciting as the process went on….
Scout made comment after comment about how dirty everything was.
Nonetheless, he helped separate the plastic from the aluminum.
Because he was too short, I got the dirty and stinky job of feeding all of the bottles and cans through the machine.
Scout got the job of collecting the receipt that would turn into cash.
He started liking everything a bit more when things were clean.
Here he is posing with his $9.63.
We immediately went to the bank to deposit it into his account.
He was a massive fan of the quarter he got to keep for a gumball machines that are a rip — and that I never fund.
And possibly better than the quarter, were these suckers for Icka and Scout from their buddy at the bank.
It was a good process for my children to see. When can exposure to bums with horrific language ever be bad? I was so glad that our experience didn’t taint Scout, because as soon as we got home and he saw an empty water bottle, he exclaimed, “Mom…LOOK….we can recycle this!”
First Boo Boo
Navy got her first official boo boo. She got in a fight against a razor, and lost. As a responsible parent, I put it far out of her reach…but as a stinky child, she made it within her reach. Live and learn. The good news is that I had an outfit to match her new, fashion-forward band aids.
Scout’s been there, so he lent some comfort.
Fathers & Sons
Micah took Scout on his first Father & Sons outing this past Friday. Scout was sold. The entire idea of playing with other boys all evening and morning had some serious appeal. Apparently there was a great park that Scout and Ezra made their stomping grounds. When I initially explained to Scout that he got to camp with his dad, and a whole bunch of other people, Scout couldn’t wait to show Icka the tent. When I told him that no girls were allowed, I thought it was so cute that he protested for Icka. But in all honesty, I think he liked the all boys thing in the end.
Regret
I thought Sissy’s hair seemed a little stringy. I kept telling my mom that it needed a trim. Since she is the usual trimmer, and wasn’t down with the idea, I had to take matters in my own hands.
Look at this cute hair from last Saturday.
When my mom saw my work, she said, “Go away….I don’t even want to talk to you.”
Whoops!
When I asked if she liked it, she said, “No I don’t like it….she looks like a fat sumo wrestler.”
Double Whoops!
Well, at least there is a career choice on the horizon.
17 Short Years
The oldest grandchild — Jake — turned 17! I literally can not believe it. I remember being at the hospital while he was born, and it seems like it was only a few years ago. Yeah Jake! I will have to say that out of all of the cousins, I am really glad you are the oldest. You have set the perfect example of what a nice, dedicated and happy child is. If I could wish my Scout turned out like anybody, it would be you. I am so glad he is obsessed with you.
XOXO
I got the job of making his cupcakes.
So when I saw these flower cupcake holders, and they just screamed “JAKE”, I knew it was a purchase worth making!
Nursery
Micah and I can never believe how good Navy is in nursery. In fact, the nursery leaders regularly tell us that she is the easiest one in there. (They also told us that she is “enamored by the vertical angle” AKA she’s a climber.) Anyway, whenever Micah and I leave my class, we stop to check in and see how nursery is going for both kids. And to our delight — it is usually great. We usually see the following scene:
Surprise - Surprise!
Navy is happily eating next to Scout.
(Hopefully our missionary’s teaching is better than their picture taking.)
According to the nursery leaders, both of my kids eat a lot.
I love that both of my kids are in nursery together.
But what I love the very most……
is that Navy has been in nursery since she turned one.
She technically still has five weeks before she is supposed to be in there, but of all the blessings in my life…..
the nursery leaders are close to the top!
The River 2010
Bree and Micah gave their dad a retirement trip a few months ago. The original idea was a biking tour, but after a few adjustments, we ended up heading out to Tim’s stomping grounds — The Colorado River. Their family spent their summers at “the river”, and everyone was excited to take a walk down memory lane. It ended up being really fun. I was initially worried about the kids being so close to the water. But after a fall in the water on the first day, Scout was overly cautious — and Icka just wasn’t interested — thank goodness! The weather was 106 - 111 degrees, but there was a breeze the entire time that made our days pretty comfortable. Minus my stomach flu that appeared on the second day, everything was great.
Here is a little dock time.
These two are really turning out to be best friends — which could not make me more proud.
Here was the set up. The best part — all of the toys were only feet from the air-conditioned house.
Here is Ickity trying to get out to the action. Notice the sunscreen she has a hold of….it became a way of life out there.
While I was taking pictures, Scout said for me to take one of him. Here he is posing for the camera. I am not sure what the pose is, but I am sure that there is a little “Micah” oozing from him in this shot.
Scout got a few shots at driving the boat, and loved it. He kept taking us in circles and thought it was the funniest thing.
Despite the wind, we had calm water in the morning — perfect for skiing.
Ickity was not too excited about her life vest.
But a Badenoch’s grilled cheese helped the mood.
One afternoon, Scout came running in and screaming, “Mom — Mom — Daisy and Donald are HERE!” Scout thought our ducks from home came all the way out to the river to be with us on vacation. How freaking cute! So just like home, we had to feed them. A few hours later, there was a duck family with three little ones, and Scout was so excited that D + D finally had their babies. (BKaNayNay didn’t see the ducks at home for a few days, so they told Scout that they were at their nest having babies. Apparently so.)
Scout and Micah are just hanging out on the back of the boat. More than likely, Micah is trying to convince him to jump in. More than likely, Scout didn’t.
But he did jump in one morning to go wake-boarding. They used an unconventional method where Scout bear hugged Micah while they went. Doesn’t really matter how they went, because Scout tells everyone he wake boarded, and the reaction he gets makes him so proud.
This girl kills me. She is just Icka. There isn’t another word that describes her as well.
Three generations “chillaxing”. Or trying to anyway.
Scout was hesitant to get on the tube, but mid ride he held up his hands and said, “look…I can go with no hands!” Apparently his comfort level shot up, and he ended up really liking it.
Our kids were wiped at the end of each day. Scout was tucked in the covers between Micah and me, and Ickity was in a crib in the bathroom. I still couldn’t tell you why she was up the entire first night, but with a little night-time cold medicine the next three days, she slept like a log. (Yes, I know cold medicine for infants is a no-no. Carruthy gave me permission! And YES — she did have a cold.)
Ickity Dickity Dock had a great time.
And so did this handsome fellow.
Speaking of handsome – I am obsessed with his new 50 freckles.
I was always scared of a “freckled Asian”, but this combo is to die for!
A Mystery
Navy was pretty upset in her bed — post nap — so I immediately took her to the place where all of her dreams come true.
Her highchair for a snack.
It wasn’t until she was mid snack that I realized that she lost in a fight against a red Popsicle, or she had blood all over the top of her outfit.
I went back to check her bed, and saw that three of her blankets were stained red also.
I never did get to the bottom of it, but my guess is that it came from the mouth region.
(I never got to the bottom because her lips are stronger than my fingers that tried to pry those lips open.)
Oh well — like I said….I took her to her happy place, and it did the trick.
Let’s hope Spray’n Wash also does the trick!
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