Things That Don't Get Old and New Beginnings

We've had the luxury of experiencing some 97 degree heat lately....fabulous.  I just love feeling sweat dripping constantly - even when I'm not moving.  Fall sure is taking it's sweet time getting here.  During all this heat, I have boycotted cooking (which results in cereal, sandwiches, or pizza for dinner) and we have played outside as much as we can (since it pretty much doesn't matter if you're inside or out - you're still going to sweat).  You might as well make the kids happy and let them play rather than be stuck inside, sweating, while you clean.  At least - that's what I tell myself.  We've had some fun play dates, and even babysat my friend's little girl, Paige, while she went to a doctor's appt which turned into her being admitted at the hospital to have her baby. :)  He's a beautiful baby by the way.  Gorgeous head of dark hair.  I digress...

Back to the heat.  It's been hot.  BUT - there's nothing like a couple of boys hearing those sweet sounds of a garbage truck approaching.  It's like catching Santa Claus come down the chimney or something for them.  Ross always freezes in his tracks, perks up his ears to make sure he heard what he thought he heard, proclaims the garbage truck is really here, and bounds for the window to catch a glimpse, or if mom's really nice, the door to see the magical moves of the garbage truck.  This happens regularly...like since he was a baby.  He really is all boy.  I figured we'd catch it on camera for once.

Scampering seems to be the best word for what these boys were doing on their way to the garbage truck.

The dumping is the best part!

Watching and starting the trek back.

Saying farewell to our beloved garbage truck and garbage man - he always waves.  I think he may be every 1-5 year old boy's hero.

I think these faces explain exactly how these boys feel about the garbage truck's performance.

Cute Ross story:
One morning this last week at breakfast, Ross bit his cheek while he was chewing his food.  He was pretty sad about it (okay overly dramatic to put it plainly).  I had him drink some water, even rubbed some salt inside his cheek thinking maybe he had a canker sore, but none of it was satisfactory.  Ross kept telling me something which I couldn't figure out until he got out of his chair and walked over to the closet where he stated through his moans, "Batteries fix cheek!  Mommy get batteries to fix my cheek!" - Side note - from the first time we ever changed batteries in one of his toys, he's been excited about getting tools and batteries out to "fix" anything he can - whether or not it needs to be fixed.  So new batteries make toys all better and working - why the heck wouldn't it make a Ross feel better?  Right?  He's very logically - unfortunately I didn't feel it quite safe to try out this hypothesis of his.  And, for the record, his cheek did feel better later - mostly after we got him distracted. 
 
In other news - I've been putting off transitioning this kid into a toddler bed for many reasons: A) He goes RIGHT to sleep and stays asleep for a solid 3 hour nap and 12 hour night.  2) He never tries to get out of his crib anyway. And D) He needs to stop growing up so dang fast!  Just thought I'd put those out there.  My good friend, Michelle, told me her son, Davin, would still stay in his bed until she came to get him for a good while when they switched him.  Ross knew right away he could get out and took full advantage.

First encounter with "the bed"

He's like "you know I can get out this right mom?"

His "cheese" face once again. :)  Do you like those stacks for diapers in the background?  This toddler bed is prep for those babies getting cleared out!

The first nap in the new bed resulted in every toy being pulled out of it's place onto the floor.  After going in there, cleaning it up, and getting him back in his bed, we tried again...which resulted in round two of every toy being cast onto the floor.  Don't worry - I learned this time.  I just left it all and tucked him back into his bed.  After the 45 minutes of all the fiasco, he finally went to sleep and slept 2 1/2 hours.  I realize we gave him no real explanation of how you stay in your toddler bed, and he thought it was really cool that he could get out of it.  (He does stay in his room though and doesn't try to open the door yet - hooray.)  That night he it took about 45 minutes to get to sleep.  Win right?

The next day - it took an hour and a half for him to get the message to stay in his bed and go to sleep.  I caught him sitting on the floor reading a book (so hard to be mad at that) multiple times.  The problem was, I found, I didn't interrupt his "play time" enough for him to realize he was tired and to lay down.  My good friend, Kim, was having issues with Wesley - who's even still in a crib - playing instead of going to sleep.  She mentioned what worked for her was interrupting him every few minutes to cut to the chase of "it's time to go to sleep."  I tried this out and the next day it only took 15 minutes before he was out (I'm sure it had to do with missing out on a good few hours of sleep the previous day too).
 

Ruby doesn't see what the big deal is.  I love Ross's face here. :)

Glowing McQueens are always cool (Thanks Uncle Dallas and Auntie Janae) :)

He's also been experimenting with places to fall asleep.  His favorite place is the floor, but he's also fallen asleep in the rocking chair as well.  Silly boy.  

So the transition hasn't been as terrible as it could be, but I do miss him realizing he's got his four walls and to just lay down and go to sleep.  Oh well - at least I still have Ruby imprisoned for the time being.  Good thing she's got those walls too - that girl would roll or scoot off a building if I let her - she's a busy girl!

Our last bit of news is our revisit to the Swifts.  We took a picnic with us and headed for the show.  Conveniently we found an excellent parking spot (don't you just love those?) and moseyed over to the elementary school where we settled at the corner of the soccer field.  Steve was really itching to go play since it was a pick up game - he was a trooper to us though. :)  The swifts started gathering and swarming all over the sky.  Steve compared it to the EAC (from Finding Nemo - one of Ross's current favs).  You could see them follow a swirling path that laced around itself before they would dive bomb into the chimney.  The concentrated dive bombing only lasted a few minutes this year (I think it's because there's not as many since it's still pretty warm outside).  We did enjoy seeing the falcon ( or hawk - we have no idea) that would try to go after one of the swifts and then be swarmed by all its friends and chased away.  It was a like a giant wave trying to crash over it.  Great action my friends...great action. :)  
 

Another "cheese" face from Ross and Ruby's shirt (that really does fit her) that keeps scrunching up above her belly!  We had a cardboard box for sliding down the hill, but didn't get around to it.  Don't worry - we don't pack boxes of pampers around with us everywhere. :)

Ross showing muscles

The swifts are gathering - a repeat picture like the one from last year. :)

My cute kiddos

I think it's much more exciting for this girl this time around. :)  Better view anyway.

If you look close you may be able to see the EAC path :)

Some swirling :)

The dive bomb!

It was fun having Ruby actually be able to see it this time around instead of just present in my belly.  She mostly enjoyed the snacks and when Ross would run in circles around her.  It was also nice having Ross be able to actually stay by us this time instead his crazy determination last year to run away every 5 seconds.  All in all - a great family outing which ended in a Voodoo donut run (hey - it was only 10 minutes away with only a 5 minute waiting time - we HAD to) where I enjoyed their delish Mango Tango and my always favorite - blueberry cake donut.  Ross enjoyed his plain one (Voodoo donuts being located next to a stripper bar and it also being night - we opted for the kids and me to stay in the car while Steve grabbed the goods) which was chosen for the desire for less mess.  Ruby enjoyed hers later after it was converted. ;)  

This girl is rousing the crowd!

Cutie

My cute boys :)

I love enjoying the simple pleasures that happen every day, the traditions we do and create, and, yes, even the new things we encounter as our family grows.  

  

 

Survival, Pre School and Showers

Well...we survived Steve's ridiculous 6 day work horse schedule.  It was the first time he's had to work on Sunday, and I have to say - I didn't like it.  I did church by myself which, tender mercy, went surprisingly smooth.  We missed Steve like crazy though.  I got to attend Relief Society this time, a break from teaching Primary since I had to keep Ruby with me, and I was very nicely edified and spiritually fed.  I was so glad when Tuesday came around and we got to have Steve around.  Ross was a bit of a wreck through the week.  He missed his number one hero pretty bad - considering for 6 days he only saw him in the evenings for maybe 45 minutes or an hour before it was bedtime (okay we let him stay up a little later a few times).  Ross would cling to him and behavior would go downhill if Steve was out of sight or had his shoes on even (a sign of him leaving) - since he was desperate to spend time with him.

During the week Steve was so busy we did do a few things including another trip to the farmer's market (my favorite).  Ross started his pre-school - aka glorified play group introducing a form of academic structure.  Some of the moms around here got together and we decided to do a twice a week for two hours each little school.  We rotate who's teaching each week - meaning that the other 7 weeks you're not teaching, you get to get things done.  For me, Ruby takes her nap then, so it really is free time for me!  Woot woot!  Really what I've done this week is exercised and showered (both essential for the day).  Ross has learned about the letter A and number 1, apples, and the rules song.  He came home singing it the second day "Never hit, never hit, never hit" - I'm glad he at least learned that important rule.  Hopefully he's keeping it and not just singing it. :)  He's sporting his McQueen backpack thanks to the Vosses for snagging it for him - he LOVES it.  My week is in October and I'm pretty excited to teach.  I miss it these days (not all the grading and disciplining all the time, but the introducing something new and guiding discovery - it's fabulous).  I'm pretty much expecting play group, but it will be fun to try out the teaching.

Ready for school!

Gotta show some muscles before he goes!

This is Ruby's "pre-school" time. :)

She's still smilin'

We had a few play dates too which was nice and a good way to mix up the week. 

But now we've got Steve for 5 days and we've been soaking him up.  I must say - I'm not a fan of this starvation and binging schedule of Steve time.  I'd prefer consistency to be honest.  In the few days we've already had with him, we have been pretty busy.  Ruby decided, in celebration, to start crawling.  Really?  She's not even 8 months yet!  It's the army crawl, but if there's a toy in front of her - she can sure as heck get to it.  She also enjoys being on her hands and knees and rocking back and forth like crazy - it's like she's just charging herself up before she takes off.  I'm getting sad that her sitting and not going anyway phase is coming to an end so quickly.
 

Can't you just see why we want this guy around all the time!

Some girl time!

Ready for another farmer's market trip :) I LOVE this hat.

Ruby likes to make all kinds of noises - raspberries, helicopters, frogs, growls, grunts, squeals, burps, shouts, - you name it - she does it.  She likes to sit and play with her toys for a while, but if she wants something she happily pitches forward to her belly and scoots on over somewhere else. I've decided she's little Miss Disneyland.  She is always up for a smile and a laugh - even if she's whining about something for a second, the second you catch her eye and smile - she's got a big ol' cheeser on and is ready for some fun.  I just have to squeeze her all the time!  The only thing I wish is that she'd be in to snuggling more - she just wants to be moving ALL the time. 

Ross is currently in the mode of being addicted to outside.  I let him back on our back patio sometimes when I have to still take care of Ruby - if I can't see him I call to him and he says "Coming mommy!  Coooommming!"  - regardless if he really is or not.  I think he thinks if he says it to me - he can keep doing what he's doing and keep me at bay for a while.  Little stinker pants.  He loves preschool and has been able to become better friends with Jack since we got to swap babysitting so we could go to the temple.  It was so refreshing to go to the temple and remember and renew our covenants.  They had a new temple film which we enjoyed too.  Oh how I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know it's true and I know only following His commandments are what will make our lives fulfilling and happy.  

I've gotten into a sewing nitch lately too.  Since I was throwing my friend, Kim, a baby shower, I got the juices flowing on what to give her.  The Sunday we were without Steve I noticed that Ross was pretty much too big for his ties, so I decided to make him some which led to my baby shower present.  I got in a bit of a tizzy and spent quite a while making them throughout the week.  I also did a freezer meal swap with some friends which was the best idea ever from my friend, Jessica.  It was like trick-or-treating for moms.  We all made 8 of the same dinner to freeze and then swapped them so we could each have 8 different dinners.  We're set for a while - I just wish I had a bigger freezer to be honest.  Oh well.

The baby shower went beautifully.  My friend, Kristen and I threw it for Kim.  Kristen did the decorations and delicious cake pops and I did the rest of the food.  We made a few scrap book pages for the baby's 1st year, chatted loads, and opened presents.  It's always fun to get together and chit chat - it's what we ladies do. ;)  

The set up and spread :)

The party :)

The Party Girl - it's now okay for this baby to come!

Later that same day I went to my friend, Rebecca's baby shower and came home to Steve and his fellow BYU cougar fans trying to watch the football game.  It had gotten delayed 2 hours, so the wives showed up and we all finished it together.  It was really fun and went pretty late and we won against Texas of course.  Go cougs!!  It was a lot of socializing that day to say the least. :)  
 

The shirtless Ross.  When I asked him where his shirt was - he said "All wet - popsicle got it all wet" to which Steve promptly said "I told you not to tell your mom!" since he apparently had eaten 2 popsicles by 10 that morning.  Glad he's so easy to get information out of.  I'll remember that in the future. :)

You gotta have a Mac sticker if you're not going to wear a shirt!

This girl always seems to be blurry in my pics these days - she's always moving! Enjoying a book here :)

Girls of all ages have to socialize! :)

Nothin' like watching the game with cougar fans!

The group

The guys trying to watch the kids outside and the game at the same time.  This is where they hung out.

To cap the night off, Jack and Ross bid a large slug good night.

Today we got to have Steve with us at church and enjoyed having the Sabbath together.  There's nothing like having the family together.  I love it. :) 

Classy Dinner Parties

So I have to say I have some classy friends.  They were quite creative and, as we women like nice things, they threw a dinner party.  But, considering how we all live in small, old, semi/mostly ghetto apartments, they decided to scout out a beautiful spot to set up dinner.  I was VERY impressed and thrilled to be invited.  It had a fresh lemon theme in the table setting and menu.  I loved it.  We dressed in semi-formal attire.  When we arrived, I noticed Stephen didn't bring a tie which distressed me for a moment (since I wanted the night to be nothing but classy), but he was saved by one of the other husbands also going tie-less.  Lucky for him.  

This was our view - at the top of David's Hill Vineyard - amazing.

The setting...

Amy and Kim threw the party and it was us, the Woods, Horchs, and Steenbliks there.  We had salads and appetizers to start.  I made my signature Olive Garden salad and we had some delicious bruschetta accompanied by lemonade of course.  The for the main course we had salmon with pasta and green beans.  I'm not a fish sort of person, but I savored every bit of this salmon.  Mmmm - I could totally go for some more right now typing this.  

The guys standing back while we take pictures of the classiness.

Cameron was trying to battle the bees.

The gals :)

While we were enjoying our breathtaking view and settling down to eat.  As soon as I drizzled the Italian dressing onto the salad we had another guest invite themselves in...quite a few of them actually.  A bunch of bees were quite keen on that salad and didn't want to leave us alone.  We tried to make it through our salads with some giving up their seats for a while to stay away from them (some of us have issues with bees, and one had never been stung and wanted to keep it that way).  Later we thought they would leave us alone, but we had no idea that salmon was also a favorite of theirs.  We watched as bees would literally land on a bit of salmon and take a piece that was as big as them and crookedly fly off with it.  Did you have any idea that bees liked salmon?  I didn't either - it was quite humorous though.  

Aside from the bee problem, I very much enjoyed myself with good conversation that ranged from our personal phobias including the claustrophobic feeling of having the bedsheets tucked around you too tight, the feeling of latex balloons, bees, and spiders to favorite foods and things we want in life.  All in all - it was a wonderful night.  

On a side note, it was the first time we had a paid babysitter - one of the young women from our church.  Ross had his buddy Wes there too so it turned out well, if not a little crazy for the babysitter with two best friends bouncing off each others' energy.  At least it was all happy bouncing. :)  Anyway - it was a great night - quite classy!

I Have a Dream...

My book club has been reading The Help this time around and, while I mostly laugh and drink in the culture and characters of the book, it did make me reflect a little more about what it must have been like in a segregated time period.  Today, of course, marks the 50th anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech and everyone is talking about it.  I grew up in the west in the 80's - VERY far from where segregation was mainstream in both state and time.  The African-American ethnicity were a minority to say the least.  Usually if you saw a black person you were in awe.  They were few and far between growing up.  That being said, I never would have thought to think I was any better than them or anyone for that matter.  To be honest, I have found it very hard to understand why we couldn't all get along anyway.  If you treat someone nice, you would think they would treat you nice as well.  Funny world we live in.

The things we teach our children are so important for them and their future.  Too many times do I see incidents in the news or around me where I'm thinking how completely opposite that behavior is to what a mother or father would be teaching their child to do.  I tell my son, "we don't hit" or "we don't take something that's not ours" or "we share our snacks or toys with others."  These simple habits and behaviors we try to reinforce in our children and even had reinforced in our own childhoods have somehow, by some, get tossed aside once teenage/adulthood hits.  I still believe the scripture, "Train up a child the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6) and will do everything in my power to teach my children who they are, what their purpose here is, and how to become who they are meant to be.  I think too many of us forget that and are distracted by all the evil and hate that go on in the world.  

I think Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision went even further than simply blacks and whites achieving equality.  I think it had a lot to do with how we treat everyone around us regardless of our race, color, or status.  We need to stop worrying so much about what someone else has that we don't, and start worrying about what we do have and how to work to make more of ourselves so we can help others do the same.  50 years later after his infamous speech, I know a lot of headway has been made in the equality of blacks and whites.  There still is much to be done in terms of forming a real brotherhood with each other, but it all starts with us - as individuals, but more importantly in our families.  I hope that in being the mother I've found myself to be that my children can appreciate the freedoms we enjoy and count all the blessings they have been given while working hard to show their gratitude for it and share that with others.  In short, I want my children to always stand up for what is right and DO what is right as our Savior has always done for us.  That is my dream and I'm working hard to make it a reality.