Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Tonight we visited the library to see the featured Greek Dancers for the Summer Reading Program. We sat in a circle on the carpet and watched them twirl and step in the bright white costumes with beautiful blue trim. Isaiah loved how the girl with a twirling bandana and a jangling necklace. Charlotte loved clapping along and how they kept kicking their feet. Then we all got to stand up and join them, learning the simple step to the Zorba. Then we joined hands in a circle and danced around to the music. The kids were adorable, trying to keep up and kick their feet high.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Today we played with stickers, or "stickies" as Charlotte calls them. Isaiah has a book of pirate stickers, so we placed ragged shirts, eye patches, hooks, and swords on the pirate figures. Charlotte came over and stole all the fish and kitties for her piece of paper.

Dear Matt,
I wish you a very Happy Birthday! I miss you.

Love,
Rebecca

Today I went on a major shopping spree with my friend Donna. We had a great time, and I bought amazing things like two pairs of gorgeous heels, a new outfit, an armful of children's books, a new pan, pretty flower plates, an orange juice pitcher, a purple tablecloth, and a beautiful wooden metronome. And all for $40. Can you guess what store we went to?

Wednesday I found that in the week of my absence, weeds have attempted to take over my garden and flowerbeds. I yanked them out, but I still think they grow overnight. In the evening I had a pillow fight with the kids and I have to say it let off some stress to whack the little angels *softly* with a pillow to their squeals of delight. Then we played outside and Seth picked us some cherries off of our very own tree.

Words of Mormon 1: 5

"...And I cannot write the hundredth part of the things of my people."

We spent an entire week in Idaho with family for the Fourth of July. We did so many fun things: breaking pinatas, fishing for prizes, chasing puppies in the grass, lighting fireworks, running around with cousins, staying up late playing games, swimming in hot springs and sliding down waterslides, lunch out with Mom and my brother, pizza parties, parades, walks around the greenbelt, cookouts, and watching the grand fireworks show. Really, the only downer was when Seth's work called and gave him the biting news: you're laid off. At least it didn't come as a complete surprise and Seth is prepared to go hunting for a new job. Wish him luck!

Last night I went to book club at Claire and David's bungalow in Ogden. It was a small group this month, and we had a lively discussion of The Razor's Edge as we analyzed how each of the characters chose to conduct their lives and find happiness. We laughed about Elliot the socialite, Larry the selfish wander, and Isabel's vanity over rich clothes and jewelry. Then we ate fantastic bruchetta and brie and fresh pineapple. I left feeling uplifted and refreshed and glad to know such interesting, real people.

Sunday after naptime we went with Ben's family to visit Grandma Gubler. We talked and laughed. Kathleen and Gren and Brian popped in to say hello. The kids fought over the swings and Charlotte got plowed over by the teeter-totter. Isaiah drove a small monster-truck like a wild 16-year-old with a new driver's license. We sat on the porch and enjoyed the summer evening and grandma's amazing flowers that were potted and planted on every imaginable surface. Then she fed us chocolate ice cream cones.

The Arizona Blacksons came to visit on Saturday and we partied! The kids ran happily together: Spencer and Isaiah were just wild; Emily calmly acted as a big loving sister to Charlotte and led her around the house and read her stories in the rocking chair. After the kids were in bed, the adults played games around the kitchen table.

Today was a happy summer day. We drew outside with sidewalk chalk, made forest friends out of pine cones and rocks, ate jello jigglers (cut out with Christmas cookie cutters), and went swimming in the hot hot sun with Lynnette and her kids. I got massively sunburned. Isaiah got as near as he could to the deep end and jumped in the crashing waves. He made friends with everyone he talked to. He reported, "I met a really nice mommy what has a cute little girl." Charlotte loved finding the images of starfish, turtles, and seahorses on the bottom of the pool. She played happily in the shallow end and made me get out with her every time the waves turned on.

Yesterday the kids and I had a nail party. I have never painted Charlotte's nails, but I finally caved when she asked and painted her tiny toenails and fingernails a blushing pink. Then I painted my toes hot pink. Isaiah mooned about us and complained, why is nail polish just for girls? Oh, I insisted, it looks so weird on boys. But then I said, oh why not? I painted his toenails a "masculine" silver. He loved it. Then we painted his fingernails, too. As anticipated, Seth hated it. Maybe we can take it off today. Later in the afternoon we went sandal shopping and bought the kids cute summer sandals. Isaiah chose Cars sandals that light up when you stomp around (something boys love to do). Somehow Charlotte ended up with two pairs: a rhinestone-studded pair of flip-flops (on clearance), and bright rainbow strappy sandals.

Wednesday we drove to Salt Lake and visited Seth for lunch. The kids loved seeing where Daddy spends his day and saying hi to all of his work friends. Especially since all of them have toys on their desks. It's a fun office. We went to Nachos Libre for lunch; it's a little mexican restaurant based on the movie. They had hilarious paintings of Nacho on the walls, and a man in full Nacho luchador costume parading out front.

This morning I worked yet again on the flowerbed near the driveway. It is finally *almost* done. I planted the irises next to the stunning new fence. I placed the curly ground cover near the red brick edging. I think we just need to add a flat of petunias and it will be gorgeous. (That and spend hours upon hours rooting out the morning glory that I know will appear the second I turn my back.) Charlotte and Isaiah are drawn like magnets to the neighbor's house and front steps. I keep calling them back, but there they play, climbing on the railings, laying on the grass, losing toys in the bushes.

Yesterday afternoon we went to the park. The weather was gorgeous. Charlotte played on the slide and swings. Isaiah ran himself ragged around the merry-go-round. I sat and read the end of the Grapes of Wrath: what a phenomenal book! I wish we would have had time to get ice cream cones, but it was already dinnertime. So we raced home and made spaghetti.

Today we celebrated Father's Day. I'm so happy to have Seth in my life and I think he's a wonderful father for our children. The kids were so excited for him to open their presents: Isaiah chose a superhero t-shirt for him, and I wrapped up the chocolate M&Ms in Charlotte's name. She happily gave them to him, then of course begged for some.

Saturday we destroyed our driveway flowerbed in order to rebuilt it anew. We ripped out all of the morning glory, the rest of my plants, and the lame plastic edging. Seth spent hours building 25 feet of fence along the back of it. Isaiah never left his side; he handed him screws and planks, marveled at the pile of sawdust, and came back and forth to beg me for cold drinks. Charlotte ran with glee "out side, out side!" and was devastated when I made her come in for a nap. I dug a trench for the sprinkler line and Seth helped me put it in. As evening approached, I planted a few of the wilting plants...the irises will have to wait until the fence is stained. It already looks a million times nicer.

Friday night we tried out fake camping with some of our friends. It was awesome. I borrowed a fire pit and roasting sticks, Seth built a fire in it in our very own backyard, and our friends came over with hot dogs and watermelon. We added macaroni salad, chips, koolaid, and ingredients for s'mores. It was yummy and so fun. Isaiah was mesmerized by the fire and kept adding logs despite our pleas that he leave the fire alone. Charlotte wolfed down THREE hot dogs ... I cannot believe her appetite lately. We roasted marshmallows and played card games and laughed for hours. Then we slept in clean beds instead of tents. Ah, that's camping for me!

Thursday morning the kids played in the front yard while I transplanted flowers from one flowerbed to another. A few years ago I stuffed my one available flowerbed with a laughable quantity of flowers. Now it is overgrown, needs the fence finished behind it, and the sprinkler hose buried beneath it. So, counting on the upcoming destruction of the bed, I salvaged as many plants as I could to our new park strip flowerbed. Isaiah helped me pat them in their new places. Charlotte filled her boots with rocks. For the first few hours the salvias, California poppies, dianthas, and hot pink ground covers looked beautiful. Then they wilted. Now they look dead. I'm praying they all survive, but I guess only time will tell.

Today Kelly and I had guitar club. Our crochet club has morphed into a funny little group with vast interests. A few weeks ago we discovered the three of us all want to learn to play the guitar. Last week at Courtney's we poured over a library book to decipher the A major chord, and watched a few youtube videos on "guitar for beginners." And we laughed a lot. This week Courtney couldn't come, but Kelly had had a mini lesson from her 12 year old nephew, so she taught me everything that he had taught to her. He knew amazing things about alternative fingering, sliding techniques and strumming (the glory of taking actual lessons). Kelly played Edelweiss for me, which she had recently learned. After strumming her guitar, I decided I definitely need a new one. The ancient one I acquired seems to have an irreparable twang and everything sounds wrong. Maybe I'll spend my money earned teaching piano lessons on buying a guitar....surely that makes sense.