Activity Day!

Twice a month I get together with these great girls. Last October I was called to work with two other women to serve the ten and eleven year old "Activity Days" group from our church. I love this age group! They are exceptionally sweet, helpful and happy to be involved with every activity.

We meet during the week and do a variety of activities that help them learn and live the gospel, serve others and develop talents. For example, we have made blankets for the needy, played Ultimate Frisbee, had a Daddy-Daughter game night, provided babysitting, made journals, planted flowers, had a voice lesson from a finalist in the Miss America pageant, and this Tuesday we learned about Family History.

This is a church calling that I would be happy to have forever!

Socializing without Smothering

As parents we do our best to teach our kids how to be polite at the table. It's a never ending list of dos and don'ts and slowly over time children become socially aware and able to function without being offensive. We teach them basics like not to belch and not to say rude things like "That smells disgusting!" or "Ew! That looks just like (fill in the blank)!"

Unfortunately in all this socialization, expressive children often turn into average adults that say polite-but-dull things like, "Thank you for dinner, it was delicious."

Imagine if adults listened and learned from some of the positive things kids say. For example, "This is great! Could you make this for my birthday?" Or, "Mmm! I think this is the best ever!" Surely that kind of unrestrained praise would go over well with any host. My new personal favorite came from Camen last Monday when he kneeled in the seat at dinner and belted out with heartfelt enthusiasm, "This is the JOY OF THE UNIVERSE!!!"

Give it try! ;)

Almost but not quite...

There's a familiar combination of sounds in our house. It's the fearful cry of Naomi and two pairs of feet running. I know exactly what is going on, Savannah is on a rampage and Naomi is fleeing for her life. Yes, it's also surprising to me that our sweet Savannah can go on the offensive like that, but it happens.

This morning I heard the familiar noise and the girls met me in the family room. Naomi was truly worried and told me something about Savannah trying to hurt her face. I looked sternly at Savannah and asked her what was going on. With a harsh tone she simply stated, "I'm going to say sorry - MEANLY!"

She then walked over to Naomi and said a quick "sorry" without even a hint of sincerity. Savannah then gave her sister a half-hug that ended with whacking Naomi on the back!

Well, we are half way there.

Let's FINALLY Go Fly A Kite!

Our kids have been asking to go fly kites for a long time, I would rather not specify exactly how long because it's quite embarrassing. Today we went shopping for a birthday present for Camen's friend and while we were wandering through the toys we found three cheap kites. It was seven dollars well spent! We had a great time this evening while we played on the playground, took some fun pictures and waited for the evening breeze to pick up. Everything was perfect! I only wished I had more hands so that I could help the kids with their kites and hold the digital and video cameras all at the same time.

Lunchtime Conversation

We all sat around the table eating when Camen asked, "Mom, how much money do you have?

I rarely have cash on hand, but this time I happen to have more than usual. "I'm not telling," was my response.

Exasperated he cried, "Oh! That's not fair!"

Trying to satisfy his desperate curiosity, that I'm sure he inherited from me, I answered, "I'll say that it's more than ten dollars.

"Just tell us!"

Silence. (Except for whatever Savannah is talking about, but I can't remember because there's always some kind of chatter and I find that I can quickly disappear into my own thoughts.)

A minute later Camen casually inquired, "Mom, when you die will you leave your money with us?

A little taken back by his indifference to my death and eagerness to get some unknown sum of money, I said, "No. I'm taking it with me!"

"You can't do that!"

The offense began to sink in and with perhaps a little hurt in my voice I asked, "What kind of question is that!?"

I look over and notice the pained expression on Naomi's face. I'm touched that she doesn't want me to die. So trusting that one of our more sensitive children will console me. I ask, "Does that make you sad Naomi?"

Naomi softly answers, "Yes." She sinks in her chair and covers her hands over her eyes that are quickly becoming wet with tears. "Because when I go to heaven I want to take my teddy bear and Minnie Mouse with me."


Feel the love!

Swimming Sensations!

Our kids are crazy about swimming lessons. It's the highlight of their day and I feel bad that this is the first year we've really participated. (I can't count the the mother/baby class I took with Camen years ago.) Savannah especially struggles with trying to be patient for the four long hours between the time she wakes up and the time lessons start at the pool.

Camen, Naomi and Savannah are all in different classes that meet at the same time. I sit with Mason and try to make sure they don't drown in all the commotion. (Thankfully there was only one close call.) It's really nice to sit and act as honorary lifeguard while nice teachers work with them. I'm confident that their good teachers persuaded my kids to do things that I would not have been able to do. Camen jumped off the diving board, Naomi jumped off the racing platform and Savannah cautiously reached out to her teacher from the edge of the pool! They are all pretty timid and it took the firm persistence of kind teachers to make all the progress they did.

Land of the Free and Home of the Brave

We had a great Fourth of July weekend this year. Provo puts on a stellar Freedom Festival and it's one of the many reasons we like living in Utah County.

On Thursday night we attended the Colonial Days. It's my kind of family event - free, educational, outdoors, and something of interest for everyone. The volunteers dressed in colonial costumes and there were a number of displays and activities as well as plays, music and dancing for entertainment. Some highlights include the Mayflower replica, the kids's colonial games and the smell-free port-a-potties. :) The Mayflower display included a list of passengers and we found Russ' ancestor, William Bradford. (One of the great things about knowing your family history is making personal connections to America's history. Russ is also a descendant of Jacob Bloom, a signer of the Constitution.)

On Friday morning we went to the parade. We found a good spot and ran into some old friends (The Giles Family.) I had the misfortune of sitting close to an anti-American. I know there are plenty of Americans that don't like America, but why would one go to the 4th of July parade? This individual's refusal to stand when the color guard brought the flag down the street, and telling her brother "you know me better than that" when he suggested she put her hand over her heart was quite irritating to me. I tried to be patient and blamed her sour attitude on her ignorance. Her general disposition kind of rained on my parade. Next year I would like to gather a large group of patriotic and very lively friends to view the parade together. I will supply plenty of otter pops, flags, blankets and chairs for anyone who will stand when the flag goes by, waves at the WWII veterans, cheers for the BYU float and claps enthusiastically for the Freedom Festival Award Recepients. Please let me if you are interested, it's going to be fun!

Russ made us "Patriotic Pancakes" for lunch, (there wasn't time in the morning.) The kids took a nice afternoon nap and then for dinner we had a delicious barbeque with the Shearers. My parents made some awesome turkey burgers and then we went to Great-Grandma and Grandpa's house to watch the fireworks. Here's a little video of Mason an hour before the fireworks. (Forgive the gushing and Motherese, for a doting grandmother and I are in love with this boy.)