Happy 4th of July

We had a great 4th of July Independence celebration this year. We began the morning by not doing too much. Met up with some families at Troy and Becky's home. Troy and Becky were out at the lake with Taneal and Camie, so we stayed outside at the pool. And we had so much fun. It was really strange having a holiday without Taneal and Camie, but I knew they were having a blast water skiing. And as much as I like to have them around, it isn't all about me. Gavin is still 2 and not a swimmer yet. But just wait. He will be. I was successful and getting him to at least get in the water and swim around in the life jacket. This entire summer he has refused to get out of the baby pool and go into the big pool. Being in a backyard pool didn't really give him the option of a baby pool. Whatever the case, he made huge step this day to go out in the water on his own and swim around. (And yes, that's our new dog in the background. I still can't believe I let the kids talk me into getting a dog).

Danielle had her good friend, Lindsay at the pool with her. They played well together and had a great time. I love that my kids are such good swimmers and have such confidence in the water. We were at the pool for 4 hours and they never got bored! I don't think I could have done that as a kid, and probably because I didn't grow up in the water.

All the kids jumping off the rocks. SO much fun.

Jana was so nice and brought a fruit pizza decorated like a flag. So patriotic. 

I can't wait till those boots fall apart. I was hoping they would when I saw him wearing them in the pool. Nope, didn't work. He still LOVES those nasty boots and wears them all the time.

Evan taking his usual nap. Enjoying the day.

Danielle and Lindsay.

Super swimmer Spencer.

We got Taneal and Camie back for the evening. They came to the shopping center parking lot with us. It was nice to have them back. I was surprised at how much I missed them. And Taneal was such a big helper. I had the crazy idea of making ice cream while we waited for dark to watch the fireworks. I didn't plan well and ran out of ice and milk. I had good intentions. I'll give it a try again next year and I will succeed.

Spencer eating his homemade icecream soup.

Taneal and Camie hanging out with all the older kids. And boys. WHAT WILL I DO? They are growing up!!!

Gavin thought the fireworks were too loud. After a while he finally took his hands off his ears. 

Spencer and Nathan enjoying the show.

Taneal loving on Gavin, like always. She is such a great big sister.

I made Jello. Didn't have time to layer the Jello, so I used whipped cream to create the allusion of a flag. My kids love jello and it is so exciting to see them get excited to eat something as simple as jello.

Potty Training

Gavin is finally potty trained. Well, except when he is acting like a dog. Finding him without clothing is the norm. But I am super proud of him for wearing underwear for 3 weeks now. I can take him out and about and he stays dry. Rare accidents. Way to go Gavin!

Mourning

Sunday morning, after we had our dog 4 days, the clippers were taken to her face. 4 of my kids cried. You would have thought she died. Camie cried for probably 2 hours. She said she couldn't even stand to look at Paisley because of how ugly she looked. Paisley did look pretty bad. But her hair will grow. The next day I found this on the banister:

A note written by Danielle.

Happy 7th Birthday Spencer

My oldest son really is growing up. This little guy finished kindergarten. He is the fastest swimmer in his age group on the swim team. He is the most kind, considerate, loving child I have. I don't know that I know any other children that are as tender and sweet and kind as Spencer. Whoever marries this boy will be the luckiest girl alive because he will treat her with absolute respect and kindness. I worry he is so sweet that he will be taken advantage of.

Some questions I asked Spencer:

Who is your hero? Jesus and Mom and Dad

How would you describe your family? Most of them have brown hair

If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be? My eyes. I want them to be blue.

What is one thing you would like to learn to do well? Math

Who is the kindest person you know? Mom. Why? Because you're nice.

What are you most proud of yourself for? For swimming good

What's something that makes you angry? If someone makes me eat a food I don't like

What's the best thing about your teacher this year? She's nice

If you could only keep one thing, out of everything you have, what would it be? My blanket and pillow

What three words describe you best? Spencer, brown eyes, and smart

What is your favorite color? Blue, red, and green

What is your favorite movie? Mary Poppins

What is your favorite food? Hawaiian Haystacks

What is your favorite thing to do? play outside

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? cookie crisp cereal

What do you want to be when you grow up? Call people and see if they want it. What Uncle Troy does.

What is your favorite scripture story? Alma the Younger

What is your favorite song? 7 Brides for 7 Brothers Spring Song

What is your favorite thing to do at school? run and play all around

Spencer is already getting excited for next year. He tells me all the time that he is almost 8. Because when he is 8, he gets to join cub scouts and get baptized. All kinds of grown up things happen when you are 8.

Spencer's 7th birthday was on a Saturday, a day we had a very long swim meet. I knew we wouldn't be able to do a whole lot to celebrate his birthday, so I wanted to make the swim meet seem a fun sort of celebration.  I made about 150 cupcakes and let Spencer pass them around. At first I made the person who received the cupcake sing Happy Birthday to Spencer, but that sort of embarrassed him. So, I just had whomever was getting the cupcake know that it was Spencer's birthday and that was the occasion. Spencer felt pretty special. 

 Spencer got Super Mario Brothers game for his birthday He thought that was an awesome gift, especially since I don't really like gaming and don't want to promote it with my kids. He also got an mp3 player that he had a lot of fun listening to.

Paisley

I'm going to tell the story like it is so it can never be twisted, misconstrued, or changed.

We went and got a dog.

It all started at Cici Pizza. Petco is next door. We ate at Cici and after, Evan suggested going to Petco to let the kids see the animals. Somehow, somewhere, Camie convinced Evan to get a guinea pig. She, of course, would have to earn it, but it would be attainable.

I do not want a pet. I especially do not want a guinea pig. If that thing got out of its cage, I would have to touch it. And it would of course get out of its cage.

I told Camie I would rather have a dog than a guinea pig. And my kids know how bad I don't want a dog. We will never have a dog. The only way I would have a dog is if I was a single lady and feeling the need for protection. Dogs are gross, dogs stink, and dogs really don't serve any purpose. And, you have to interact with them

I don't know what happened after that. Camie somehow got a hold of Evan. She worked her magic and convinced him to let her earn a dog. Evan is allergic to dogs (or so he says) and has also said we would never have a dog.

One night while sitting together at the dinner table, Evan told the girls that we could get a dog if they could earn it.

What?

I wasn't privy to this news beforehand.

So Camie earned her points and Taneal searched in Internet high and low for dogs.

Then Nathan had his problems with being allergic to cats. I had him tested and he is also allergic to dogs. However, the allergist said a poodle, maltice, or shih tzu would probably be fine. And he isn't super allergic to dogs like he is to cats.

With points earned, how could I say no? I do way too much for my kids.

We found a dog on Craigslist. And we bought it.

We got a maltipoo. She she grow to be about 10 pounds. Right now she is just under 4. She is 2 months old. And not potty trained.

My kids are in love. She is a gross dog. My kids are in love. She pees on my floor. My kids are in love. She poops on my floor. My kids are in love. She whines at night being left in her kennel.

But my kids are in love. And what you going to do about that?

Superstar Students

Taneal wasn't the only one who is an amazing student and full of awards. So were my other 3 elementary students.

Each class gets to pick the best person in the class. The students vote. Spencer and Danielle were both chosen.  They both were awarded for good grades.

 Camie was also awarded for good grades and got the Presidential award. I wasn't able to get a picture of her. But way to be superstar students! My kids are awesome!

Taneal's School Awards

At the 7th grade award ceremony, Taneal was awarded 3. All A Honor Roll, Orchestra, and Science. Each department was able to choose 1 student to honor. Taneal was chosen by 2 of the departments. What an amazing girl. And I'm not the only one who sees just how amazing this daughter of mine is.

This is Mr. Rackleff, Taneal's science teacher from 6th and 7th grade. He thinks Taneal is pretty special too.

Dr Pepper

Costco no longer carries Dr. Pepper. That is a sad day.

Cici Pizza Coupons, nail polish, and Divisionals

What do you get when you mix Coach Josh, nail polish, and the coveted Cici Pizza coupons?

Let me explain a little more.

When the 10 and under groups beat their time at swim team, the reward is a Cici pizza coupon for a free kids buffet.

My kids love to get those coupons. We basically will only go to Cici pizza if they have coupons, which means we pretty much only go in the summer around swim team time.

It isn't always easy to beat your time. To take off time at every meet is really hard. Between each of their strokes, each one of my children will usualy get at least coupons. Sometimes as much as 3. But usually one. They love to get these coupons.

So when Divisionals came around (yesterday) and all the swim team members were encouraged to pain their nails in the team colors, my boys said there was no way they were going to participate in that.

Coach Josh even offered an extra Cici Pizza coupon if Spencer would paint his toe nails. Spencer still refused.

Until JT agreed to do it if Spencer also did it!

Of course Gavin had no hesitations of joining in.

Then JT changed his mind. We were trying all kinds of bribes and to no avail.

I decided to try something to maybe break the ice with him, because he was beyond the point of even being able to enjoy himself.

I told him I wouldn't paint his nails without his permission. No matter what, I wouldn't do it unless he agreed to it. That softened him up a little. I then told him I needed his help painting my toes. I asked a 4 year old to paint my toe nails! What was I thinking?

He didn't just paint my toe nails, he painted my toes! Beautiful silver all over my big toe. Once I explained I just wanted to nail part to have paint on it, he did a rather great job. Spencer joined in and painted my other foot in blue. 

It was purty!

And then I asked JT which toe of his did he want red? Just one. He pointed to the toe I was now allowed to paint. Then he allowed me to paint the next one blue. I tried silver next and he about lost it. There was not way a football player painted his nails with anything sparkles. Red and blue were okay, but no sparkles.

Aren't these swimmers the toughest boys you've ever seen?

And I think the nail polish made them swim faster. Spencer placed 2nd for backstroke at divisionals and 3rd for freestyle. He competed in his age group against 60 kids. 6 teams. That is one fast swimmer!

And Coach Josh gave them an extra Cici Pizza coupon.