Oh, the SUMMER we’ll have!

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Summer Vacation is upon us.
I nearly started panicking this morning …
knowing I needed a plan … before the last day of school arrived.

The kids are eager.
Hannah wants to go to seven peaks tomorrow – the last day of school.
With me and all 5 kids.
Whoa-nelly.
Let’s have a plan, sister.
We’ll do fun things this summer…
but we’re also going to work… read… stay at home… chill… sleep…

This is our plan (subject to change on a daily basis depending on Mom’s abilities)

I saw this idea on Pinterest to make lists for each area.
We’re just going to put a few things in each category … and we MIGHT get to all of them. Might.

I really am glad to have the kids home all summer.
Hannah and Abe are good helpers.
As crazy as it gets around here, I like keeping the tots close by.
It’s nice to have chill time to read/play and enjoy the sunshine and blue skies.

are we having FUN yet? – the planting of the garden

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The day finally arrived to plant the garden. We enlarged our box by 50% this year. I’d almost take one twice as big but that will have to wait until we have a larger yard. And ask me in August if I want a larger garden. We planted lots in our 4’x14′ box. Tomatoes, Corn (1st year… we’ll see if we have enough for it to pollinate and grow), cucumbers (1st year), zucchini, purple and petite-n-sweet carrots, beans, and peas (the kids really, really wanted peas!). It’s amazing how chaotic planting the garden can be with 4 tots. The 9-year-old was upset that I took her shoes away and had a sour attitude about everything today. The 7 year old was trying to be in charge of the littles. The 4 year old just couldn’t wait to plant the purple carrots… 10 minutes is an eternity. The 2 year old was bean-plantin’ happy. We might have lots of random bean plants in the garden. But – it’s planted. Hopefully it’s onward and upward from here.

a good, good day

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Abe: “Hey mom… you know how this morning you said,
‘Today’s gonna be a good, good day!’?
Well. It has been a good, good day!”

Imagine that. The power of positive thinking.

Was it a perfect day.
No.
There was fussing and fighting and loads of work to be done.

But Mr. Abe did his work without complaint.
He made it a good, good day!

hi

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This is a snapshot of our weekend. Jimmy is expanding our garden box which required removing sod. Tru and I pretty much failed at our efforts… but we tried.

We got new water bottles for the summer. I’m hoping they will last at least 3 years. Love those bright colors! Our old Camelbak ones worked well for about 2 years. We also expanded our magnetic cups on the fridge. Now everyone has their own color. They are “supposed” to use this cup for just about everything… but mostly it just gets used for water consumption.

We did Abe’s puzzle he got for Christmas – 550 piece. It was a bit hectic when Max and Tru insisted on “helping” but everyone got it done. Abe and Hannah pooped out, but Jimmy persevered on that solid blue sky. Abe showed up to put the last 12 pieces together. Nice effort fam!

I quickly did a project to reupholster our old chair cushions. They are kindof falling apart but will hopefully last another few years. We use them when we do haircuts and in the kids rooms. They were utterly nasty. And all the hair stuck out of the fabric cushions. Ick! So I found some fabric and bought some cheap vinyl at Walmart. Snagged the staple gun and made an effort. I had no idea what I was doing, but they turned out well. One of these things doesn’t belong… I had finished one and then wanted to do the other 3 in the clearance fabric from Walmart. Now they are easy to clean. Yay!

a little bit of this … a little bit of that

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While listening to the 2012 R.S. Auxiliary Training, I was able to look over the photos from this weekend.

I love the colors, the sunshine, the memories. We worked, we played, we coughed (well, I coughed up a few lungs), we swept the garage, we picked up dirt clods, Jimmy worked outside fixing sprinklers and the swingset, he shopped and hauled Macey’s caselot home, we sorted food storage and 72-hour kits, and then we showered and ate waffles! I love good weather weekends!  My brain is fuzzy and I know I’m forgetting all the HARD of the weekend… but … let’s focus on the JOY today!


I wish I had a recording of the awesome conversation in the back of the car on the drive to Thanksgiving Point this afternoon.
“Mom, how do cows make milk?”
Mom explains.
Lots of confusion.
Mom explains further.
“Mom, when do you have to milk cows?”
“I think in the morning and in the evening.”
“Why can’t you milk a cow in the afternoon?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you can. Would you like to go to a dairy farm and learn about milking cows?”
“I just want to live on a farm! But that would cost more than like $700 dollars. We’d have to buy animals…”

It was just plain random and funny.

p.s. Great Auxiliary Training…
Vision, Lifted & Sustained,
Strengthen the strongholds – the homes & families,
Temple – biggest protecting wall around us.
Prepare children for Temple Covenants.
Prevention Business… not ambulance business.
Definitely not in the Entertainment business.
Daily Personal Effort
Daughter of God – help them know & feel Love from the Lord
Engage in the work of Happiness
Do not be discouraged in your work or sphere
Nourish by the Good word of God – Doctrine changes behavior.
Stick to dull BASICS – the Why of the Gospel. No need to be frilly. Teach the Gospel!

It’s half the fam

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Today we had a great bbq in the backyard with the Smith kids. The weather was absolutely perfect. I’d keep it like this all year long… or we could move to San Diego. We were noting that half of the Smith kids are now living in Utah. Jimmy (and our fam), Julie (& Brock), Paul (& Jill), Peter (and girly friend Jenny), John, Michael. Fun times.Tru was beyond excited that Julie was bringing Koda and Brock. In his bedtime prayer Max said, “Grateful I love John.” Jill & Jenny encouraged Hannah in gymnastics stunts. Eliza tried to eat grass. She was a pleasant little soul who sat on anyone’s lap. Tru watered the fence (and his outfit). Koda scared the daylights out of Abe when he zipped around the corner. The food was good. The cake was fun. The weather was perfect. It was a great time together.

Spring Tulips

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A lovely spring break day for viewing tulips with Grandma & having lunch with Dad.

This is Significant

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After 4 years and an estimated $3650 we finally have a fully fenced yard. Let’s all shout ‘Wahoo’.

Wahoo!

Jimmy and his brothers dug oodles of holes for the side fence and gates. Remember how we live in the Rocky Mountains. The soil is exactly that – rocky! I so appreciate every bit of sweat and blister and hard work they put in. It took so long because of the gigantic expense (and it was way cheaper because Jimmy did the work)… What a long/hard project! The fence was finished in 4 different sections over the 4 years.

But on this very last step of installing the very last gate, see who showed up to work! Yes, Eliza. She really is a great helper – at least a cheerful inspiration.

Yay! Now all tots can safely roam in the confines of the back yard. Next step – install locks on gates.

Thanks Babe for all your hard work!

Family Time

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Just had an interesting experience. Miss Hannah’s friend asked her to go to a movie today or tomorrow. I didn’t want her being gone for so long when we have stuff planned as a family. Going to play at a friend’s house seems different than going to a movie (that I hadn’t heard of). Anyhoo… I told her ‘no’. I knew she was disappointed, but I asked if she understood. Her answer: “Yes, Family Time is Sacred Time and should be protected.” Wow – does that girl listen to Conference or what?!

We do have a few things planned for this week of spring break… a little fun… a little sun… a little work… a little chill home time, play time, exercise time, quiet time, family time. I hope it’s a good, good week.
(p.s. this picture is from Easter. Do ya think the boys thought it was too bright outside? Yep… all three did.)