I have such a Considerate little boy

So, a couple of days ago we were getting ready to walk to the park, packing up water bottles, snacks, and getting the stroller out when Rex suggested we call some friends for he and Lucy to play with while we are there. I said we could maybe stop off at Will and Jane's house to see if they would want to come and that was that. A few minutes later, Rex said in a very mature way, using his hands quite a bit to talk, "Mom, why don't you call some of your mom friends to come so you will have people to talk to while we are playing at the park." I couldn't believe how sweet that was for him to think about.

Again yesterday, Rex asked to call a friend over during Lucy's nap. As you can see he is a complete extrovert. Anyway, a bit later he came into the kitchen and said, "Mom, maybe we should call some of your adult friends to come over and see your new stuff." I replied, "What stuff?" He said, "you know all the new furniture and stuff that dad and randy brought in." I realized he was talking about a few new small pieces of furniture we inherited from my aunt. He really just thought I would enjoy showing it off, I guess. It was so sweet of him to actually think about me and my needs. I wondered how often I actually thought of my own mom's needs at all growing up , let alone age 4. I mean c'mon, Mom's actually have needs????

Macy's Garden

Inspired by this post, I thought I'd share a little piece of what makes it so nice for me to come home every night, courtesy of Macy and her gardening designs. We've tried to make this garden in front of our house pretty in past years (or, more precisely, I have) but it never really worked until Macy got on board, picked the right plants, and started taking care of it. She used to say she has a black thumb, but it seems to have turned a nice deep shade of green now.

I never would have guessed a little thing like a flower garden would have such a nice influence on a place. One of the bright little lessons you learn when you live with Macy (who gardens a little less as it becomes more impossible for her to bend over).

(Not pictured: the large yellow spot in the lawn that somebody appears to have spilled tiki torch oil on).

Pioneer Day!

We have the most darling little 24th of July celebration in our little neighborhood. You would definitely think we live in a small town when you see it.

It starts with a children's parade around the park near our home. All the kids in the neighborhood decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons, strollers, etc. The parade is just once or twice around the park with booming patriotic music in the background. Even though it is very simple my kids love it, and can't wait every year. Then our little comittee for events put on a great little carnival afterward. There is food, games, and entertainment. It is always on these days that I never want to move!

Here are Rex and will gearing up for the parade.

Lucy and Ikey riding in the parade.

Rex, the fireman!!

Lucy on the firetruck

Here is Andrew and Elizabeth's new baby, Peter. Isn't he a cutie!

Peter and his big brother, Henry.

Lucy waiting for her nails to dry.

Still waiting.......

Lucy holding her nails out to dry, roughly a half hour after they dried.

Rex's First Primary Talk

Rex gave his first primary talk yesterday. When we first told him about it, he was nervous. In fact, it was something we'd never seen him do before. He fretted for the better part of an afternoon about it. But when we explained to him that we'd have him well-prepared, he started to get comfortable with the idea.

The theme was "My family can follow Jesus Christ in Faith." We told him the theme and mentioned that he should think about what to say. Then Macy and I forgot about it. A few days later, we brought up the talk, and Rex said "Dad, I thought of a word to say in my talk." I asked what that was, and he said "Jesus loves families." I asked Macy if she'd fed him that line, and she said no. I was impressed that he'd thought about the talk, considered the theme, and come up with a relevant thought. It was very cute. Later he asked Lucy "Lucy, can you think of a word to say in my talk?" Unfortunately, she didn't have anything. She'd have done better if the talk had to do with princesses.

Anyway, yesterday came, Rex put on his suit, and gave the talk, doing very well. This is the exact text of the talk, which he delivered with solemnity, and with very little prompting.

Jesus loves families. My family tries to follow him in faith. When we were going on vacation, my mom asked me to wear my crocs [shoes] on the airplane. But we couldn't find my croc. My dad and I searched everywhere, but we couldn't find it. So we decided to have a family prayer. We asked Heavenly Father to help us find the croc. Then we got up and had another look. Right before we had to leave to the airport, my Mom found it in my sister's dressup box. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father heard my prayer. I know that if we follow Jesus Christ in faith, we'll be happy. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

It was a proud moment.

Chocolate on Vanilla

They handed out creamies today after church.

(Click to enlarge, for more detailed view of dainty chocolate stain patterns)

We probably should have gone home and changed first.

A Hike up to Cecret Lake

Last night our little family went on a hike to Cecret Lake up Little Cottonwood Canyon. It was so beautiful, and much cooler than down here in the valley. Our kids always love going up the canyon for campfires, drives, or hikes. They both noticed everything about the nature around, and loved picking wild flowers, singing songs, and throwing rocks in the various little rivers we passed along the way. It was a great family time.

(Rex took this shot of us without any warning (or instruction), with our digital camera)

However, I didn't know exactly what I was getting into, just 4 weeks before my due date. We had heard this was a great, low key, family hike. But much of it was kind of uphill, and we were not prepared. I naively wore my flip flops, Lucy was in a sun dress and crocs, and we didn't have any water. I was a little worried at the beginning when everyone we saw heading up was changing into hiking shoes on the tailgate of their cars and most had small backpacks too. About half way up I started getting comments like, " when are you due?" or "Did you choose to go on this hike?" When I saw the final steep hill with a few switch backs before the lake I knew this wasn't going to work, at least not for a couple of more months, and definitely not in my flip flops. At that point we decided to turn back. The kids luckily enjoyed every second and didn't care at all about not getting to the lake. They enjoyed the journey. It is always nice to get out of the city, and get up to nature for a bit even if you don't make it the final destination. We will have to try this hike again soon.

Cowlick

Just an illustration of the towering challenge that faces Rex's barber each and every month. Those who have criticized the barber in the past would do well to keep in mind the brutal terrain in which he is forced to labor, and moderate future judgments accordingly.



Thank you in advance for your kind indulgence.

Our First Lemonade Sale

At the beginning of the summer I sat down with Rex, and we made a list of the things he wanted to do this summer. I knew there would be some bored times so I decided to have a list for him to be able to go to whenever he couldn't think of anything to do. He came up with a lot of outings and playdates (which is very typical Rex, not my home-body at all), but I had to really pin him down and help him come up with some activities he could do right at home. One thing he said he had been wanting to do was have a lemonade sale. I told him that was a great idea, and that Lucy would love it too.

So, last week we had a day at home, and I reminded him of his idea, and he decided this was the day! Rex and Lucy both love their friend Lizzie from a couple of streets away, so we called her to join in the fun. It was interesting how the girls were loving the process of it all, creating the signs, making the lemonade, what colors to use, and how much each cup should be. As for Rex, he couldn't wait to get out there and get selling. Enough with all these details, let's get to it.

After all the preparing and setting up they finally sat down and waited for people to come. Unfortunately we don't live on a street with alot of kids, or very many people that are home in the daytime. The kids waited for a long time before anyone stopped. The girls kept making signs, but Rex was getting a little bugged. He kept saying, "Mom, why isn't anyone coming?" and " How can we get anyone to stop?". I realized because our street was a little busy people just weren't wanting to stop. I figured I had better call for reinforcements so I called both of my sisters who live close by. Sure enough, Molly and her little boy drove right over and of course pretended like they were just searching for a lemonade sale. Rex, Lucy, and Lizzie were very excited and surprised to see them. Then another lady who ran by, went home and drove back to help these little tikes out....I think feeling a little sorry for them not having sold much. I told Rex he needed to hold a small sign, and really jump up and down yelling, "Lemonade for sale!!" He did that for awhile, but he was still a bit frustrated.

Then one lady came by and gave each of the kids a dollar for one cup of lemonade. Rex was really disappointed by that, and after she left he said, "Mom, I don't want dollars, I want change." He still has a lot to learn about money. After a couple of hours went by, my other sister, Ali came by "unexpectedly" and bought a cup. It is so great to have family so close, my kids would be lost without them. By this time, the kids decided it was getting hot and it was time to go in.



Even though they didn't make alot of sales that day. I loved watching them go through this experience at such a young age. They really enjoyed figuring what to say on the signs and how much people should pay. Rex suggested $3 a cup at first, and I had to explain that was a little much. They were just so invested in all of it. I tried to stay back and let them really handle it, and it was so fun to see them act so grown up, coming up with ideas, and handling the customers too.

There is nothing better than seeing a few kids having a lemonade sale in the summertime!

Funeral

My dad just sent me the picture below. It was taken at the funeral of my last surviving Grandpa a few weeks ago. On that emotional day, it was interesting to watch as the military paid their respects to Grandpa right before he was buried, and then to watch Rex, at the opposite side of the circle from us, inadvertently wander out into the middle of the circle somehow, seeming a little lost. I wondered what he must have been thinking as he watched the military honors, and stood next to the coffin of an old man he knew I loved, separated from the rest of the crowd.


This photo really captures the poignancy of that moment for me- with hints of childhood innocence, mortality, and family all thrown in together. Thanks for thinking to snap that shot, Dad.

More Beach Vacation

Here are some more beach pictures of Rex, Lucy and their cousins!!!

Lucy's Disneyland Dance

So Lucy got a little wired after a long day at Disneyland. Click for the dancing, keep watching for the change in tempo:

Sunset Beach '07

We just got back from our annual Sunset beach vacation with my family. We had an amazing time. Our kids were so good and easy. What a wonderful stage we are at. It has been a great summer! We are adding another child at the end of the summer and we hope three doesn't put us over the edge. I have loooved two so much, but am also very excited to meet this little baby girl too.

We went to Disneyland one day and Rex was just tall enough to go on all the big roller coasters. He looved it. Lucy and I, and my mom, who kindly came along to help out, and brought Tenley, my cute little niece went on all the kiddie rides and more importantly the princess extravaganza. It was quite the scene. At one point we heard a mom telling a Disneyland employee that her daughter had been in her Cinderella costume for 3 days straight and she needed to find Cinderella now!! At that moment I decided I needed to be pretty low key about this princess thing with Lucy. I could see her going full force if I let her. She still can't stop telling people , "that Snow White did hold my hand."

At the Hungtington Beach Fourth of July Parade

My sister, Ali, with Rex, Lucy, and cousin Ike

Lucy on the Circus Train at Disneyland

Ryan, Rex and Lucy on the Jungle Cruise

The beach was a blast. Both Rex and Lucy were super brave in the waves, and couldn't get enough of it. It was so fun to watch them. The first night we got there Ryan took them both out to just put their feet in before bed, and Rex basically just dove right in, got totally soaked without a care in the world. He is my brave, independent little boy.

Strong Man Rex

Mermaid Lucy

Lucy waiting for her turn with Dad in the waves.