Where's my other Mama?

Emma is adjusting to first grade so well! She loves it. I thought she would be exhausted, but she comes home happy, hungry, and hyper. The only thing she talks about is lunch and recess. That's okay because she is so excited when she does. She got blisters from the monkey bars, but was so happy she did them all by herself.

There's one person who is still having a hard time.

Abigail.

If you want to make Abigail excited in the afternoon, just say Bus. She'll shout, "BUH!" and run to the front door. It is so cute. Mornings are sad goodbyes though. Emma is always the last one on the bus because Abigail gives her so many hugs.

Abigail misses her friend, but Emma is also like a second mother to her. I never really took notice until recently. Emma is so responsible and mature when it comes to Abigail. She kisses her owwies, helps her put shoes on barbies, stops her from getting into messy things, refills her bottle, wraps her blanket around her, and puts her shoes on before she goes outside. And Emma loves it. Emma's been trying to take care of Abigail since she was a baby, and finally Abigail will let her. It is quite the wonderful situation. I love my sweet little girls, and I'm especially grateful for what a great big sister Emma is. She is going to make a great Mom someday.

My Tree of Wonder

A little while ago, I was running in the desert. I was looking for a trail Mark and I could take our bikes back from riding the first half of the loop. Anyway, it was about 1:30 in the afternoon. I didn't take water because I didn't think I'd be gone very long. Well, I was on a trail and I just had to see where it went, so I kept going and going. I was in the middle of the desert, and I came to a lone, big tree. It was perfectly round like one of those LEGO trees. It may have been because I was dehydrated, but I thought it was amazing. Next to it, was a really big rock that looked like an upside down triangle. It looked as though it would fall over if I tried to climb on top of it. It was a very cool site.


Two weekends ago, my mom hosted a granddaughter getaway. I took all the girls on a hike to my tree. It was a really fun hike, and the kids loved climbing all over the rocks of course. I was just glad that it really existed.

Here, see for yourself

The pictures look a little wierd because I had the camera on the wrong setting





We had a great view







I LOVE the tennis shoes





We found a really cool tortoise



Abigail, making friends



and building stuff




Here's everyone except me, the photographer

9-1-1

Okay, I have been sick lately, and my brain has been so fuzzy - really up in the clouds. My mom says it's my blonde hair. (I've been getting that wrap my whole life - mostly from family) Anyway, it seems like one dumb thing after another. This one was a big one.

I was vacuuming the car out at the car wash. I took Abigail with me, and she was playing in the front seat pretending to drive. The car was on because it was at least 100 degrees. She was messing with too many buttons and windshield wipers so I turned the car off. A few hot minutes later, I strapped her in the car seat and went to get in myself. But I couldn't. locked. oh crap. Abigail had locked the doors when she was playing, and the keys were in the ignition, dangling ever so hopelessly out of reach. After frantically checking every door, I ran to the office. The car wash guys already thought I was stupid because when I was going through the wash, I couldn't figure out why I was going so fast. It turns out all the yelling I couldn't understand was "PUT IT IN NEUTRAL!"

Seriously, I have been really sick.

Anyway, I called my Dad, but he couldn't find my keys, so I called the police. I stayed on the line, and gave the operator updates on what Abigail was doing. She wasn't crying, but was really sweaty. They called an ambulance, but the police man got there really fast, and got her out very quickly. So we called off the ambulance. He did a great job. I'm going to have to write a thank you note. It felt so good to hold my sweaty little baby.

I went inside to give the guys their phone back and get Abigail a drink. I had turned the car on when I got her out to cool it down. I strapped her back in and shut the door. CRAP!

The keys were STILL in the car!!! I freaked out for a good 10 seconds. At least the air conditioning was on this time. I walked around and pulled open my door. Oh yeah, I unlocked the car when I got her out. Phew.

Four and a half hours

I did it. I sent Emma to first grade. ALLLLL DAY! 7 1/2 hours! She is awake for 12 hours. That means I get 4 1/2 hours with her a day, and the days she has ballet and soccer, I have even less. And most of that time is spent getting ready for school, dinner, and getting ready for bed. Wow. I miss her already. *sniff*

I was thinking how precious those few hours with her are, and how I want to make the most of it. But then, all our time with our kids is precious. I want to enjoy this time, and I do. I would not choose another way to be spending my time than at home with the kids. (If I was good enough to snowboard, or play basketball professionally, I can see me struggling with that one.) But realistically, I am SO grateful that I am able be home. That's not to say I don't have so many regrets and worries. Am I too mean, too nice, am I teaching them the gospel, do they watch too much tv etc. etc. etc. etc.

Emma's school starts at 8:55. She was still asleep at 8:00. I went in to wake her, and I couldn't. I think it's mean to wake up a 5 year old. She did finally get up and we were still on time. Her teacher had a baby one month ago, which I was bummed about, but her substitute is awesome, and lives in our ward, just around the corner.

When I picked her up and bombarded her with question, she was most excited that they had 3 recesses! And she liked eating lunch at school. Today when I packed her lunch she said, "Mom, why do you put so much stuff in my lunch. When I'm at home I only eat one thing, so I only want one thing at school." I said, okay, what do you want. She said, "toast".

She did really great, and I think she'll have a good year. I'm not sure how much she'll actually learn, but that's a subject for another day. I gotta to go get Emma now. Yay!

When are babies not babies anymore?

Yesterday Abigail fell asleep on my chest which is one of my most favorite things. She hasn't done that since she was a little baby. I took naps like that with all my kids when they are little. It's just so cute and cozy. I am little shocked that she is almost two. She is just a baby. A big 2-year old baby. I've got to remember to cherish this time because they grow up so fast.

It's Over

*Warning* This post is long and kind-of boring. It's mostly just for me so I can remember the trip. Also, I only took pictures in Lake Arrowhead, but when I get some from Lindsay, I'll put those on too.


Well. It's official. My vacation is over. I'm not sad though. I extended it just the right amount of time, and now I'm ready to take advantage of the last 2 weeks of summer. The last two weeks before Emma is gone at school ALL DAY! I'm not going to go there

Here's a brief summary of our family reunion/vacation.

First of all, I love that my family reunion is classified as a vacation. A great vacation. I love my in-laws. I married into an awesome family. They're like my own family, but nice. Just kidding. My family's nice too. most of the time.

Because the house was very full, and because Mark and I love Lake Arrowhead, we went there first. We got there Saturday afternoon. We shopped, got settled, and enjoyed the mountain lake.



Sunday we went to church. The ward was very friendly, and I particularly enjoyed the Sunday school lesson on missionary work. Later we walked around the village and let our kids ride the little rides, and have ice cream. It was a very relaxing day.



Monday, we rode the kayaks to the village for breakfast. This is one our favorite things to do at Lake Arrowhead. We were playing on the island for a while in the morning, when we got a surprise call from Grandpa who drove up to hang out with us. Mark and I knew what that meant. We had someone to crew for us! (so we could go wake boarding) Mark and I got some good wakeboarding in. (even though the wake board is barely ridable) It was a nice surprise. Lesa and Kevin got there that night and they got some rides in before lake patrol cited us for being out too late. I love how Lesa and Kevin are always ready for fun. We stayed up late talking.





Tuesday was a fun day on the lake. Abigail fell asleep on the boat. We were having too much fun to go home for naps. We stayed up pretty late talking again, and were asleep before we hit our pillows.





Wednesday we put some sheets in the laundry and headed out on the boat again. The lake was sooo smooth. Really great. Kevin had to leave to go get some work done. We cleaned the boat, got the cover on, and were ready to walk up the hill when Kevin called and wanted to get in another ride. Lesa and her kids stayed and Mark and I headed to Long Beach. I love that they stayed. I would have been like, "we are all packed up, lets just go." But I would have missed a great few hours. All their girls got up on the wakeboard which is awesome. I would have missed it because it was a little bit of a hassle. I love that - what a great lesson.

It felt so good to get cleaned up at the hotel. Our room was so nice. Two stories with a full kitchen and three big flat screen TVs. The best part was the beds, so comfy. It was great to have a quiet, clean, place of our own to go "home" to.

After getting squeaky clean, we headed to the house for some ice cream, swimming, volleyball, and most importantly greeting long lost family members.

Thursday I woke up early and went to a spin class. It was fun to see what other classes are like. It wasn't as good as my usual classes which I'm glad for. As soon as I got back, Mark went to play golf with Dan, Karl, John, and John. I tried to take the kids ice skating. Yes, tried. They wouldn't let me take a stroller which made it difficult. We spent more time putting on our skates than actual skating. But the kids had fun for the 10 minutes we were there. Emma actually did okay. She was able to skate by herself by staying by the wall. This was more out of necessity since Abigail and Gabe were pretty much dead weight to be pushed, carried, or dragged around. I sensed disaster quickly and got out. Later that day, I had my own melt down from lack of sleep, and cried over not getting to have fun or something. I can't really remember. Or maybe I just blocked it. We'll just move on. After I recovered, the rest of the day was heavenly. Swimming, eating, volleyball, and enjoying each other's company. I had a couple of great games of basketball with Quintin, Kevin, Levi, and Spencer. Spencer and I played a game against Levi and Quintin that left me laughing so hard. We were playing one handed which wasn't enough of a handicap so Mark suggested Spencer play with no hands. It was a crack up.

Friday we took family pictures. This is quite the feat for all 52 of us. Although everyone was crying on the inside, it was my son who decided to let his feelings show. Gabe absolutely refused to take the picture and we had to physically hold him in place to take it. Our own individual family picture were just as bad. Mark had to go to work for the rest of the day so the kids and I hung out at the house and then went back to the hotel for naps. Emma and Gabe have been talking about Knotts Berry Farm so much since we last went, we decided to make a quick stop. We learned you can get a shopping pass and go for free for 45 minutes. It was a little stressful for me because I knew we'd have to pay 120 bucks if we were late, but the kids loved the little trip. Gabe got his cotton candy, which was his favorite part. After long naps, we headed to the beach for a BBQ. We had corn cooked in sea water and smores. Very tasty.

Saturday we went to the beach. We all had a lot of fun. Mark got to surf some really big waves. I tried to surf, but after eating it pretty hard, I gave up. Emma and Gabe loved running from the waves. It took a bit of persuasion, but I finally got Gabe to go in the water with me. Abigail had fun in sand all day. Mike and Julie's family, Dan, Parker, and Caleb came to the beach too. After the beach, we went back to the house for more swimming and volleyball. We all wrote a letter for Grandpa Ward and Lindsay made it into a book. We gave that to him for his birthday and watched a power point of pictures and exerts from the book.

Sunday we filled the church and especially the primary. I think we added 30 something kids. After church, we relaxed at home. It was nice to sit at talk for a while. We had a talent show sometime in the afternoon. Emma did a finger trick, a cartwheel, and sang, I'm proud to be an American. It was cute. I wish I video taped it. We played I'm a loser which I won. I'm still not sure if I'm a loser or a winner. Later that evening we played Mafia. It was really fun.

Monday we packed up and went to the house for one last swim. Mark and I had a diving competition with Lesa and Kevin. I bruised my heel doing a back flip and landing on a plastic filter thing. I'm glad we swam even though it would have been easier to just head home. The drive back was not too bad. Our car trips have been pretty easy lately. It's nice to not have a little baby in the car.

So that was it. Mark and I talked about our favorite thing, and we both just love being with the family. There's always fun when the family is together.

I'm Back! . . . or am I?

You know the term, "I need a vacation from my vacation"? I have felt this way many times before when returning home from a "vacation" with the kids. Sometimes vacation with kids can be wearing. The long car trips, trying to figure out schedules and entertainment while fitting in naps, and somewhat healthy food. Dealing with the effects of sleep loss and an unfamiliar environment has on the kids. Trying not to be disappointed because of the things you're missing because the kids are with you. Then coming home and being worn out from the car trip with a mountain of laundry, no food in the house, kids are more grumpy and off schedule, the car is a mess etc.

Well, the complaining stops right here because it was not the case this time. we had such a great time, instead of needing a vacation from my vacation, I just want more of my vacation. And I am taking it. Sort-of. Usually I can not wait to get back to the schedules and routines. The early bedtime, clean clothes and productiveness. My planner is usually filled before we get home. Not this time. I am still on vacation. I've stayed up late and slept until nine. I haven't exercised and am still eating plenty of junk food. I've read my book in my "spare time" and I took a nap today. Okay, I did do the laundry, and went to the store but I would do that if I was still on vacation. I cleaned the car, but lost the floor mats because I took them out and left them (vacation brain). I wonder if I'll ever come back? Will I exercise again? I'll write a synopsis on my awesome vacation when it's over. If it ever ends.