Weekend Highlights

We had an awesome downpour on Friday

Jolie and her best buddy watched with me from the front porch.

Playing in the water afterwards

Saturday we headed for South Towne Mall to hang out and have lunch. The kids reminded us that the last time we were here we promised they could go on the Merry-Go-Round. We did? Do you remember that? No, I don't remember that. Who cares? it was fun!!

It was only after the ride was going that I wondered "Why didn't I bring Jolie?"

Bike riding fever has infected this little one

Sunday we went for a family walk Olivia and Jolie had a water fight in the stroller

Kurt, Austin, and Nyah walking in the dry river bed (and Dade too).

Summer Fun

For birthday's this year we are letting the kids pick a family activity for us all to enjoy. We weren't able to do Nyah's activity this past weekend because Kurt was gone. But today Kurt had work off for Pioneer Day, so we went to our local beach for Nyah's activity.

Olivia and Jolie getting in the water

Kurt, Austin, & Nyah getting ready to swim across the reservoir.

Waiting for Dad to come back

On the far side

After Olivia and Jolie were too cold to continue waiting in the water for Kurt to come back, I decided to show them the art of building a sand castle. They decided to show me the funner art of demolishing a sand castle. Olivia finally started to get into it by bringing me little shovel scoops of sand.

Warming up after swimming across the reservoir- I could hear whining of how cold they were when they were on the other side.
Austin and Nyah wanted to bring our snow sled to see if they could surf on the water, but Jolie was the only one who could stay afloat on it. She wouldn't give up the bag of raisans either- they came home ruined with mucky water and sand.
Playing in the water

Panning for sea shells

Snorkeling for sea shells

Playing ball in the water

Working together to find more sea shells

And where was Olivia most of the time? Digging in the cooler for snacks. The last time we were here she didn't like the sand. This time she was much more willing to play in the water and sand, and even proudly showed me her sandy hands or legs or arms or feet and would say " I'm dirty!"

Happy Birthday Nyah!!

2002

2003
2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

TODAY 2009

Happy Thoughts

Lest you think our morning was all doom and gloom due to my previous post, here are some happy moments:

Playing with blocks- Olivia's house

Doing a nature journal entry together (on clover)

Jolie's new talent- rocking horse. . . . er rocking bear skills.

My Greatest Fear as a Mother

All right, its time to reaveal my greatest fear about being a mother with 4 kids. Wait. . . . maybe you are wondering WHY? Because I woke up after a nightmare at 5 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep, it involves an activity we are doing practically every day so I think about it every day, and I need to vent it all out to hopefully get it off my mind.

Yesterday we were at our pool. Austin and Nyah had jumped in- they sort of know what they are doing. I'm walking down the stairs with Jolie when I turn and realize Olivia has already jumped in without her arm floaties. She is an arm's length away, underwater with a huge grin on her face, and (of course) has no idea she is on her way to drowning. Thankfully I'm right there and snatch her up before she even knows, only to have her demand I let go. This prompts yet another rule for ME!! for going to the pool-- Olivia and Jolie have to have arm floaties or life jackets on before they can even go through the fence to the pool. I wish they could wear them and fit into their car seats, because that would be easier for me.

My nightmare: I'm at a river with my kids, Nyah decides to jump in and Olivia follows. I have to decide who to save. I jump for Olivia. I am reaching for her but I can hear Nyah calling for me behind me. And then I wake up. I do the little game of day-dreaming my nightmare into a happy ending, but it doesn't really make me feel better.

Water activities are my kids' favorite activities. Water and kids is my nightmare.

So, what do I do?

First, talk to Kurt about swim lessons- we had talked about giving them to the kids on our own (Kurt grew up by the ocean and I did swim team), but we haven't had time so maybe its time to find out about other options. He gives me weird looks until I tell him about my dream, then he chuckles at me (which is okay with me because he knows how I get), and then says to look into it, but that maybe we can find the time after this weekend because he's going to be gone the whole time.

Second, breakfast conversation with Austin & Nyah- what to do if you are in trouble, what to do if you see someone in trouble, its important to know that anyone Olivia's size or smaller shouldn't be under water for more than a second, where I keep my cell phone in our swim bag, calling 911, getting a grown-up, never get into the pool without a parent around, stay where you can touch unless you have a floatie or noodle and hang on at all times, stay with me- if I'm in the big pool, spa, or eating lunch at a table then you should be with me, and so on. I hate coming across as the paranoid mom I am sometimes, but it helps me feel better, and its good to review our family rules before we go swimming anyways.

Then, we go swimming- sometimes (or is it always?) I blow things out of proportion and I have to face it. At 5 a.m. my resolution was to never go near a body of water again. Not exactly a realistic plan. At the pool, Austin and Nyah mostly followed our rules, and there were no mishaps with the little two.

Finally, share, i.e. blog, i.e. pour out all my mental drama in a cathartic attempt to get it off my mind- I can't get Olivia's face, underwater with a huge grin on it, along with the thought "this is how it happens," out of my mind.

Yuck, aren't you glad you stopped by today? I'll post some happy thoughts later.

Austin's Day Camp

Austin had his scout day camp a couple days ago. He was gone most of the day (WooHoo). I went to the store with my 3 girls and couldn't help thinking how easy it was. He came home happy and very pleased with himself.

In preparation for day camp I had to get his scout shirt ready by attaching the patches. After looking over my sewing machine and a needle and thread, I opted to find some Liquid Stitch. I think I can safely say I will never hand stich patches ever again. It was awesome.

Austin's Baptism

Congratulations Austin!!

We had a wonderful day Saturday- the baptism was at 11 am so we didn't have to rush around and we had a semi-peaceful morning. The program was wonderful, the baptism better, and getting ambushed into giving my testimnoy was not a highlight but not horrible either.

Austin & Kurt Trying the family picture thing again.

Me and my snuggle-bug.

Austin with Grandma Brenda and Papa.

I can't believe he's so grown up already!! I won't say "time flies", because it certainly seems a lifetime ago that he was born, but it seems to have passed in a flash.

Weekend

Here are a few pictures from our weekend:

Olivia taking care of her baby.

Jolie can climb onto this table and our barstool-size kitchen chairs-- I suspect she will be falling on her head very soon.Some of my family was here for Austin's baptism. We decided to attend the Oquiirh Mountain Temple OPen House. It was wonderful and beautiful. We tried to get a family picture, but with 4 kids odds are someone is likely to object to posing.

My parents, Aunt Beth (my mom's sister), Olivia, Nyah, Justin, Jesse, & Keshia.

Trying to get a family picture again.

The Girls- Nyah, Keshia, Jesse, Me, Jolie on my lap, and the back of Olivia's head.

Austin and Nyah talking to each other through the vents while they are in time-out. You would never guess moments before they were fighting with each other and then throwing tantrums about having to go to time-out.

At the Beach

We spent part of our afternoon today at a little (a.k.a. tiny) reservoir only a few blocks from our house. From what I hear, there will only be about 8 feet of beach when it is completely filled up.
Nyah making new friends (I think it had something to do with the big turle). She has on the red life jacket.
Austin playing with some kids from our neighborhood who were also there.
This is where we spent most of our time- laying in the sun soaking in the warmth! Austin, Olivia and Jolie were too cold to stay in the water. Olivia also didn't like walking on the sand.

Stealing my chair when my back was turned!!