Memorable Memorial/Birthday Weekend

I'm officially 31. And it feels great. I'm healthy, happy, and I have a great family. Sunday is a pretty quiet day to have a birthday. We had fondue for the birthday treat--very nice because there wasn't a huge cake around to tempt us all for a week. The boys were very thoughtful in picking out my gifts--I loved them all. I really do have the greatest boys--all three of them.

Memorial Day was a good day for the gopher patrol. While at Lone Mountain park on the west side of Las Vegas, we had a gopher sighting! One of the little critters was digging a hole right by the sidewalk near where we were eating.

It reminded me of an incident last summer when Ben was still a wee little tyke. He was the happiest little chap all day. Then, one moment, he started screaming bloody murder. We had no idea what had happened. We picked him up, soothed him, and then he was back to normal. A few minutes later, it happened again. Again, soothing. Finally, we caught the culprit the next time when a little gopher head popped out near Ben's feet. Ben was terrified by this unknown little creature. Funny story.

But, more to the point. We had a great Memorial Day. For once, we decided to stay home on a day Ryan had off instead of traipsing off in the car for states close by. We went to the park and did a short hike up the rocks to overlook the valley. We wanted to hike to the top, but didn't park near the trailhead, evidentally, and we were too lazy to move the car. The boys enjoyed scaling the steep rocks, though, and we had a nice morning. Then, we ate a picnic in the park (packed in my cute new picnic basket--thanks Rachael and Bill). After that, we exchanged a few birthday presents.

When we got home, it was down to some serious business of Dance Dance Revolution. Todd was mainly responsible for driving my birthday present this year. He chose Dance Dance Revolution (the Disney Version). I got two dance pads and the game. He is getting to be quite the dancer. We had our first dance offs. Both of us were sweating up a storm--then we realized the air conditioning was turned off. We even got Ryan and Ben up and dancing a few times. Ryan is avoiding it so he doesn't look silly, and Ben just isn't quite coordinated enough. But I think we're going to have some fun dancing times ahead. Watch out "So You Think You Can Dance"--Steph and Todd are going to take you all by storm--hah! (some of you Indiana people remember clearly how well I can dance).

Overall, it was a great Memorial Day/Birthday Weekend.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Look carefully at this picture. What is the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps the fact that I am the only one in it? That's right. My delightful mother-in-law invited me to California for a girls weekend while my boys were at the father and sons campout. Actually, Todd got sick that weekend, so it ended up being an at home campout weekend for the boys, but I was already flying off into the sunset by that time.

I sure love being a mom, but a little break was divine. I got to ride on an airplane all by myself, which meant I only packed one small carry-on and carried a cute purse, not a bulging diaper bag designed to rip my shoulders to shreds. I read a book for the entire flight. I sat by the window and did not feel compelled to give up my seat so my kids could have a better view. I even sat in an exit row.

I did have one brief moment in downtown San Francisco where my heart stopped as I realized I wasn't holding my children's hands, only to remember they were not there.

Glenn, Kathy, and I went to Jeremy's graduation in SF and we spent the day with Liz and Jeremy (a little funny that I was there and Ryan was not, but so nice that I get along with Ryan's family and feel like they're my family, too).

Saturday, I slept in and felt no rush to get anywhere. When we finally got moving (Kathy is still recovering from a recent surgery) Kathy and I went shopping in Monterey and Pacific Grove. She spoiled me for my birthday with some fun new clothes and then we ate lunch at a quaint little restaurant that would not have been enjoyable with kids, but was divine without. Then we went home and I made cookies with Jordan (my brother-in-law still at home). Then off for more dining out at Phil's fish market down on the beach in Moss Landing.

By the end I was missing my family as I realized how much they would have enjoyed the trip, too. But was I sad that I went? Not even. I had a great time. Thanks, Glenn and Kathy. I sure love you.

Legoland

Overall, Legoland was a fun adventure. I have to say I wouldn't go if I didn't have a good coupon. Paying $50 a pop would be too expensive for this super cheap mom. But, with a good deal it was definitely worth it. Todd really enjoyed it and would continue to do so for quite a few years.

We started the day off with a car racing class. We got to design and build lego cars and then race them on tracks against the other kids in the class. Todd did a great job and learned a few things about slope, velocity, weight, and the fact that legos fall apart if rammed in to other legos at high speed.

We spent the rest of the day trying out the rides. The highlight for Todd was the car roller coaster (he's a coaster junkie like his mom). The major low point for Ben was the pirate water ride. Each boat had water guns and there were more water guns off to the side of the ride that passersby could aim at you. For some reason, my 2-year-old looked like a prime target. He got soaked. I blocked him as best I could with my body, but he was screaming bloody murder by the time we got off that ride. You can't win them all.

On Tuesday morning we hit the beach for an hour of waves (chilly waves they were) and then another dip in the condo pool. It was a great weekend. Thanks, Sarah and girls for the planning and persuasion!

Little White Lies

We went to Legoland on Monday. Just me and my boys (minus my big boy Ryan) with our friend Sarah and her girls.

One of the rides was a driving track with little cars (made to look like legos, as was the theme). The sign stated Ages 3-5. Ben will be 3 in August, but he's pretty smart and coordinated and frequently people assume he is 3. So I decided we'd give it a try.

As I neared the front of the line, I could see the attendant. He looked at each kid and asked them how old they were. By this time, we had already snaked through quite a bit of the line and Ben was totally psyched. So I did the only thing I could think of. I looked down at Ben and said, "If he asks you how old you are, hold up these fingers and say, three, OK?"

So we get to the front of the line and the ride attendant, true to form, asked Ben, "How old are you?"

Ben came through with flying colors, "Three," he said, and held up three perfect fingers.

So he rides the ride, is so proud of himself, and even gets a little card that says Drivers License on it. And I'm sure that is the end of our little fib.


But, later in a moment of confession, I told Sarah about the incident. So she tests Ben's skills. "Ben," she says, "how old are you?"

"Two," he replies confidently, "'cept if I want to ride car, then I'm three."

And there's the sting. Not only did I teach my kid to lie. He knows it. And has it down pat. That's one for the books.

Some Things Don't Matter

Sorry I've been absent from the blogging world for a while. No excuses. And now I'm just mostly going to sound preachy, but you'll just have to live with that.



We had some friends over to dinner tonight. Their daughter was diagnosed a few weeks ago with leukemia. As we hung out together tonight and I watched her so weak and frail at age four, and I was reminded that some things matter and some things just don't.

It is so easy to get caught up in things and stuff. But really, it doesn't matter what kind of car we drive or what kind of house we live in. It doesn't matter what clothes we wear or if our shoes or handbags are the latest fashion. Petty disagreements about small things really are just that--petty. Occasionally I feel sick or tired or a bit under the weather. Sometimes my kids get the sniffles. Sometimes I'm a grouchy mom. Sometimes I'm mean to my husband. I know in the future I'm highly likely to do or be all those things again.

But as I sat with Livi tonight as her mom and dad cleaned up her puke mess, I combed through her hair and thought about how much all that really doesn't matter. In the whole eternal scope of things, all that stuff is just stuff. What is real is family and friends and eternal relationships and covenants.

Leave it to Todd to lighten what had become a heavy moment. Livi was holding a big puke bucket and Racheal asked for a smaller bowl. I came out with the smallest thing I could find that wasn't breakable. Todd took one look at the little metal bowl and said totally straight-faced, "I'd go with the big one." We all laughed--and we needed to.

Later, after stories and prayers, I went to give Todd a hug and he whispered in my ear, "I hope Livi gets better."

I hope so, too.

So, if you have an extra moment in your prayers tonight, or any other night, pray for our friend Livi, and for her amazing mom, dad, and brother.

What a Talented Prophet!

Ryan came home from the Priesthood session of conference with the news that President Monson shared his amazing skill of ear wiggling during his talk. We found a post of the very entertaining story. It really is worth a few minutes of your time.

Bird Lady

We were driving home from California and were greeted in Las Vegas by the usual assortment of billboards, some naughty, some nice.

At one point, Ben was watching the signs pass by and said, "What's that?"

So I chose the least offensive billboard in the cluster and said, "Oh, that's a little girl with balloons."

"No, Mommy, not that one." Ben said with his face all screwed up in thought, "Yucky one."

"Balloons aren't yucky," I insisted.

"No. That lady holding a bird." He said, "So yucky."

Of course, he was referring to a Bally's billboard, in which a woman is bedecked in feather, jewels, and not much else.

"You're right Ben, it is yucky."

Good times as children notice everything. At least he thought it was yucky.