Micah and I had a little vacation before child #3 comes. We headed out to an adult only, all-inclusive resort in the Riviera Maya. I’ll admit, I am a fan of the all-inclusiveness. It is nice to never look at prices once you are there, and just have at anything your little heart desires. I’ll also admit that the adult-onlyness isn’t my thing. I am a fan of comotion and noise, and after we were walking around the first day, Micah and I thought we were in a horror movie, where something really creepy was about to happen. Everywhere you looked, you saw adults either sleeping or reading — but never talking. Which made it feel like I should whisper when I spoke — just so I didn’t disrupt anything.
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My favorite day there had to be the day we went nostalgic. Micah and I have known each other forever. And the thing that has been a constant in our friendship/relationship is our game playing with wages attached. Since high school, we have owed the other car washes, lunch clean-ups, and all sorts of favors. Now days, we usually stick to who drives places, who changes the dirty diapers, or we keep it really simple and just bet minutes we owe the other. (Unfortunately, I was really stupid a few months ago when I was dominating Micah in a card game, and he finally wagered naming the baby. I didn’t even hesitate, because I was thrilled at the thought of finally naming a baby without the Shmickster trying to use his VETO button in the background. Too bad I am famous for choking under pressure, because Micah is now the proud owner of naming the baby. The ONLY saving grace to this is that I know he wouldn’t EVER name him something I am not fond of!)
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So on my favorite day in Cancun, we challenged each other to everything we could find.
After being up like crazy, the wagers got a little bigger, and I started choking at the pool table. I had lost, and Micah got to pick what seat of our two on BOTH flights home. And I also had to drive home from LAX at midnight. (You would think chivalry would kick in for the 8 months pregnant lady, and although he offered to drive, my pride had me behind the wheel.)
But then we hit the life-sized chess board. Notice my feet kicked up in the bottom of the picture as Micah just stares in amazement while he sits in checkmate!
Then he started looking around like, “Did anyone else see this? I just got my trash whipped!”
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We ended up playing different things for hours, and in the end, I think I owed him eight minutes of favors (on top of the flight home stuff). So going and getting him a bottle of water wasn’t just something nice at that point. I wanted to know how many minutes it used up each time I did anything!
The next morning, Micah asked me to call up and order him room service. Since he woke me from a dead sleep, I questioned him on why he didn’t just make the call himself. He then reminded me of the minutes I owed him.
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The games were really fun, but the time together and the rest (I am talking more sleep than anybody EVER needs) and relaxation did a body good.
I guess the scenery wasn’t too shabby either.
The only drawback — the humidity was a force to be reckoned with. This picture is on the foggy side because as soon as we walked outside our glasses and camera lenses would fog up from the humidity. But it wasn’t anything a few virgin drinks couldn’t take care of.
Scout and Navy were cordially invited to be in a Pottery Barn fashion show. They were both so excited, although Scout wanted to be a wolf instead of a dog. But the wolf costume was taken, so it was two dogs for us. I’ll admit that they played the part very well.
We showed up right on time, and they asked the kids a few questions so when they were announced, the audience could find out a little more about them. Scout loves “to swim and run really fast.” Icka loves “to swim and play with her brother.”
Two pretty cute dogs.
At the beginning of the runway, Icka looked to Scout for support.
When she realized he was a bit hesitant, she took the lead as she waved to everyone in the audience.
They barked and posed for a moment at the end of the runway.
Icka was really into the attention, and stuck around. Meanwhile, Scout followed the directions perfectly, and after the brief pose, turned and walked back to the starting position.
Icka turned to make eyes at Scout like, “isn’t this awesome” but realized she had been left in his dust.
So off she went.
B and Bella both came to support. I think they were easily as proud as their very own parents.
The whole gang.
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Toddlers and Tiaras….here we come!
That would be like the sweetest music to my mom’s ears!
I had a good birthday. All day I would say, “For one of my birthday presents, could you ________.” The best part is that I always got a yes! So Tristen dried and styled my hair after my shower. NayNay took Icka potty every time she went yesterday. Nonnie tickled my back and played with my hair while I laid down. B, lotioned the kids up after their bath and put their PJ’s on. And Micah did all sorts of stuff. One of which was when he took the kids on a hike around our house while I did computer time guilt-free. Of course, once I heard them, I was out hanging with them for a few minutes.
This is the rock they stopped on for their snacks of pears and chips.
Icka got dropped previous to the rock stop, and played with a chalk egg they found and watched them from afar.
I thought Scout was on his way to retrieve a treasure from nature. (Last time he found a real live bone — probably from a bunny or coyote.)
But then I realized he was just being one with nature.
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I like birthday favors.
Glad so many people obliged!
Skilly came to my rescue. Sissy, who is completely potty trained — nights and all, still likes to have accidents. The only reason I know she is being a stinker is because first of all, that is who she is. And second, she is somehow capable of being perfectly fine every day that I attach something to her staying dry. I guess I should take the blame for not bribing her any longer. But hopefully me letting her walk around in wet pants after her accidents will work also. Anyway — after an accident, and before I could give her a little talk, Skilly saved her and put her in a sink bath. I’ll have to admit that I can never be mad at a kid in a sink bath because it drums up good memories from when I was little. But look who knew she was in trouble the second I saw her.
I NEVER take naps. But when I woke up with a massive headache, a nap is what I was hoping the doctor ordered. Unfortunately, my kids were up to no good. Especially that Icka!
This room was spotless when I left them.
But apparently Icka got the nap bug also. When I asked what happened to the room, she said, “I taking a nap….I needed to get cozy.” Well…her idea of nap time was a good indication that I needed to take her into her real bed and put her down. So that is just what I did.
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She is sitting right next to me as I type this, and just said, “You see me (while laughing)?” I said I did, and she said, “Dat’s so funny. I love you so much…I not gonna do dat anymore.” When I seemed excited, she said, “I love you a LOT and a little too.” Then she gave me spanks, kisses, and flicks to my lip. Do you now understand the roller coaster ride she can take me on in mere seconds?!
I have a thing for costumes. So when Costco’s costumes came in for Halloween, I told Scout he could earn them by being really good. So after a long car ride up to Utah, an entire stay in Utah off half the required sleep, and a long drive back –all of which he was well above average in the being good department, I figured it was time to pay up. His first pick:
Captain America!
Best looking Captain America I have ever seen!
Utah in the summer might be one of my favorite trips. I grew up going every summer, and have carried on the tradition for my kids. As soon as I can, I will get my kiddos in the BYU camps, but while they are still young, we adjust it a bit. The past few years, I have gone to Education Week. I honestly couldn’t love it more! I have two darling girls watch Scout and Navy for the first few days, and then they head up to Seth’s house for the remaining few. My kids are in heaven, I am in heaven, and then we join up in the evenings and are all in heaven. Unless the hotel room doesn’t get cold enough because Bella turns the air conditioning up!So education week is great! I found some great lecturers this year, and can’t wait until next year.
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After Friday, we headed up to Bountiful. All of the cousins are at such good ages, that they all had a blast together! It is literally like I am watching the little rascals cruise around all day long. One day, Covey had manufactured a bow and arrow. He, Scout, Christian and Grant played with it for hours.
The artisan.
Covey shared so well, that he let everyone have a million turns.
Since this is the only time I ever got my camera out while in Utah, I tried to get some sort of group picture.
My kids were really cooperative!
At least this time they are sitting up — even if they are being naughty.
Still making their Mama proud.
Finally a decent one. But I will stress that it is only decent!
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We were about to head off to church, so I called the kids. My little rascals had been into a little bit of trouble –
Such as a water gun fight that was forbidden.
Poor guy had to go to church with sopping wet shoes and pretty damp clothes.
And thank goodness I caught Navy before her makeup went too far. We all know that this was two seconds away from being EVERYWHERE!
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Between the cousins, Education Week, visiting Brett’s family and getting a call at 1 am to tell me to get home because my kids who were supposed to be sleeping were in the bathroom putting soap all over their hair and having a party with the rest of the cousins, fabulous dinners — especially at Tiburon, making bracelets, BYU bookstore stops, chanting B-Y-U as we drove into Provo, getting no sleep due to heat/nightmares, stopping to see my cousins, shopping every Utah kid store, Hanging with my family, and driving through the most insane rain storm in Barstow….it was a great trip!
Until next year!
Poor Icka — I am about to divulge something a mother should never tell. Stinks for her! Icka baffles me sometimes. She is a complete charmer, and is completely adored by everyone. But she is an original! Just this morning, after a night of waking up with her because she had nightmares, I woke up to the sweetest little thing. She kissed me all over, stretched with me, and sang “You Are So Beautiful” to me. Of course I was charmed. Who wouldn’t be. And then she said something to me. I couldn’t really understand her, so I asked for a repeat. Unfortunately, I guess I heard correctly the first time. She said, with a little finger up her nose “If I find a booger, I’m going to eat it.” I told her how disgusting that was, and to not eat it. She then said, “No, Mommy….they are so yummy!” And then she did find a booger, and she did eat it. I tried to stop her, but she was as disgusted with me as I was with her. After telling her that boogers can give you worms (which she has had before, and DIDN’T like), she said, “No Mama….dirt gives you worms.” I guess I use the “worms” excuse too much.
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So after this episode of grossness, I was ready to get up with her. But before I moved, Icka was admiring my newly painted toenails. We were oohing and aahing, when all of a sudden, Icka started to try and bite my toenails. She has bitten her nails since she was born, and quite often tries to nibble on mine. But I guess her addiction got to her as she saw such shiny and beautiful toenails.
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Yep — she is definitely an original. There aren’t many like her. She is stubborn as an ox and as sweet as candy all at the same time. But I guess I can’t roll my eyes too quickly, because just the other day, a friend said, “I have a feeling she is exactly how you were when you were a kid.” I don’t exactly know. But my mom has told me for years, that I was the biggest boss known to man. I just don’t know if I was a booger-eating, toe-nibbling boss.
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(Another original story from yesterday–We were at Five Guys. Icka decided to stand up on the chair and do a dance with a huge booty shake in it. We were all looking at her not knowing to be appalled or laugh. Afterward, she looked at each individual person and asked, “You like it?” After we all answered yes, she got to Scout and he said, “No.” She immediately gasped very dramatically. Then said, “I gonna do it again. Scout watch.” She proceeded to dance bigger and better. She then asked Scout again if he liked it. He still said no. This went on several times until I gave Scout the hint to just say he liked it or she would never stop. So he did, and she sat down with the most satisfied look smeared all over her face, as Scout and I high-fived each other under the table.)
By accident, we all went to a 3D movie. I don’t care if it is 3D or not, but the price tag really pushes me towards 2D. But Trey and Chloe were in town, and everyone was excited….so we headed out. I’m not a huge fan of animated anything, so I took the opportunity to jump into a movie with Megan and my mom while Skilly, Trey and Chloe watched the kid movie with my kids. So apparently the movie was lame. Icka was pretty restless. “It should have been a PG” because there were a lot of ugly words in it. And everyone was thirsty.
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BUT the glasses were a huge hit.
Especially after they popped out the lenses and made them “cool”.
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Thanks guys…and my movie was great!
I guess 3D or not — the price is ALWAYS worth the extra money if you are getting free babysitting along with it!
Our really cute neighbor holds a week long day camp for kids. Although Icka is technically too young, both kids are invited. And both kids have a blast. When I went to pick them up after the first day, I asked Scout how cam was, and he exclaimed, “It was AWESOME!” Well, I guess that says it all. But what says it even better is that Icka has been wearing big girl pants each day, and hasn’t had one accident. That weasel is, and has always been capable — it is just a matter of if it is important enough to stay dry. When I told her that if she had an accident then I would have to pick her up and bring her home — I guess she decided it was “important” enough to stay dry.
A blurry picture of our walk over on day one. (Actually — day 2. On day 1, I blanked that camp was even going on. Whoops.) They had their bags filled with towels, a lunch, and a water bottle.
They had a little free time at the beginning, and Icka was helping push Scout on the swing.
When Ezzy showed up, they all hit up the play set. I love how swollen my kids eyes are because 9:00am is early for them. Who knows what I am going to do when Scout has 8:30 preschool this year.
At the official start, I was proud of Scout and Icka for lining up exactly how they were supposed to.
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Nice work Lexi — and don’t ever grow old enough to not like this week long reprieve for us parents!!!
XO
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