School's Out!

It's that time of the year again. The kids are all mine. Cameron told me this morning when I was doing her hair for her last day of school that she felt like she knows her teacher better than she knows me. I said that's because she spends more time with her teacher than she does with me. Sad. I think I'm going to have to do something about that this summer.

I have to admit, though, that I tend to get a little frazzled trying to please every child in every way every day. So, I forsee some complications to my good intentions but at least I'm starting out with my heart in the right place.

'Course, as soon as the kids were home today Cameron was off to a party, and has another one tonight, and Dallin went camping with his best buddy. So it was me and Eden and Austin, like everyday. I guess summer officially starts tomorrow.

Dallin's class program was on May 26th. They learned a lot about Utah this year so all of their songs and dances had to do with Utah and it's history. My favorite song was a silly one about all the unusual and hard to pronounce cities in our state. Cute.

Dallin's always such a good student. He does his best in every subject and tries to help others when he's done.

Dallin's teacher was very sweet. It was fun getting to know her a little better this year.

Cameron's class program was on May 15th. They sang some songs in the gym and then we went back to her class where we learned a little more about what they learned this year.

Cameron is a very talented writer. She wrote some creative stories and poems that I'll try to post soon.

Cameron's teacher did a wonderful job. She's a friend from our old neighborhood but she's also an amazing teacher. I'm grateful for her patience and creativity teaching all the kids in her class.

Wild Nights

I wish I had a picture of this one for you. Austin woke up at 4 am last night. When I got upstairs to check on him he was sitting up in bed brandishing a plastic golf club straight up in the air. His pillow was on the floor and he was telling me he was ready to watch Dora. I told him it was the middle of the night, the sun wasn't up yet, and he needed to go back to bed. He refused, of course. So, I ended up carrying him back to bed with me where he slept soundly until 7:30.

I, on the other hand, was woken up again at 6:45 am by a fly buzzing around in my face (welcome to summer). Why do they do that anyway? This is all after I stayed up too late and was convinced to go to bed when I saw it was 11:30 pm, because that was when Eden fell out of bed and hit her mouth on her desk.

So, I'm hoping the kids got worn out enough playing in the sprinklers today that they'll sleep through the night out of sheer exhaustion. I know I'm exhausted.

By the way, when I got Austin dressed this morning I found two ping pong balls in his t-shirt drawer (which weren't there before he went to bed). What was he doing last night?

Gone

Ryan's officially gone on his big MBA trip. I thought it would take a couple of days before I really noticed, since he's gone a lot anyway for school. But seeing as I didn't sleep at all last night I realize I already miss him. It's crazy that I sleep better with him snoring beside me than when I'm all by myself. I also felt his absense strongly this morning. Even though mornings are crazy and he is usually busy getting ready for work, just his presence is a comfort. Is it okay for me to say I can't wait for him to come home when he just barely left?

I Survived

I survived my trip back to the dentist today and I'm happy to say it went better than last time. I only shook for a couple of hours afterwards instead of a couple of days like last time. Thanks for all the words of comfort and sympathy, it was really helpful.

A Bad Day at the Dentist

Last week I went in to get a temporary crown put on a tooth that's been bothering me for a while. After the appointment it was tender so I avoided chewing on that side but by Sunday I was in a lot of pain. I went back on Monday morning and they attempted to file down the crown hoping that would help but it didn't. I ended up on a lot of pain killers until they could get me in again Thursday night. It had been a busy day which didn't allow me to think about the appointment much, which was good. The dentist had said something about taking the nerve out and I thought well, it could be worse, it could be a root canal. Turns out, it was a root canal. I guess taking the nerve out is more of an accurate description. Either way, it was painful and stressful and I came home a nervous wreck.

Frankly, I'm still upset by it (childhood fear of the dentist that I've never gotten over). Especially since I have to go back next week for him to finish the work. I just can't stand the thought of going through any of that again. I've even debated not eating anymore (why not lose weight and avoid tooth decay at the same time). My mouth is still tender and I have a feeling I'll never be able to chew on my right side again. (Okay, I'm being a little dramatic. It's only to convey how truly distraught I've been by this whole experience).

So, any words of comfort would be nice. And I'll tell you right now, if you say something like "it's not that bad" then you aren't my friend anymore (yeah, that was dramatic, sorry, I sound like a four year old, but the root canal was one of my worst nightmares come true).

Eden's Preschool Program

Eden attended Little Wizard's Preschool this year. She learned how to write her name and to recognize all the alphabet letters and to count to 100.

It was great having her friend Jocelyn in the class too.

Artistic Expressions

I was tending a bunch of cute little girls this morning when Austin came upstairs looking quite deflated. I could tell he'd had enough of the girls telling him to get out of the way and stop knocking over their play houses and destroying their setup. So I asked him if he would like to color at the counter. He said he wanted to paint instead. A little while later I walked by and was really impressed. He said he was painting this picture for his Dad.

I could tell he was really focusing on what he was doing and the colors he was choosing. It made me think of my family, all artists. My Dad makes some incredibly amazing things out of wood, my aunt uses water color professionally and I have several of her stunning pieces, my Dad's wife can crotchet, my sisters can all draw and paint, and even my children love to color and are improving frequently. I too have to admit I have a talent for drawing and coloring. Unfortunately I don't have time to explore this talent as much as I'd like. So, when I saw Austin coloring today I felt that quiet stirring that so often comes when you recognize a familiar passion. I remembered how relaxing it is to just sit and focus and pour your heart onto a piece of paper. (Well, maybe he wasn't that into it). But I used to find so much peace through artistic expression. Not that I'm despairing. It might not happen right now but I have several works of art hanging in my house that my grandmother painted later in her life when she had time for classes and time to sit and focus. My time will come. For right now though I enjoy watching my children express themselves and develop their talents. I think it's beautiful.

Dallin's Track Meet

Dallin's Hershey Track Meet was on Thursday. Once again I missed his races but that was because I was at the dentist getting a cap on a cracked tooth. (I get the crown in two weeks, ugh). The dentist asked me which Hershey the track meet was named after. I didn't have a clue. Anybody happen to know that one?

So, once again I got there in time for the Softball throw. And then I took him and his buddy home for the rest of the day. They had popcorn and watched Harry Potter in the basement because Dallin said he was tired of being outside. It was a gorgeous day but I can sympathize. Sitting on bleachers for a few hours in the sun waiting for a race kind of takes the fun out of being outside.

Cameron's Track Meet

This has been a busy week. Tuesday was Cameron's Hershey Track Meet. It was supposed to rain so I wasn't planning on going to watch but around 11:00 I noticed the sun was shining and thought I better run over there before she got too sunburnt.

I missed her first two races but got there in time for the softball throw.

It was a long wait for Cameron's turn so I gave Eden the camera. She took some interesting pictures...

There were also some pictures of perfect strangers that I'm choosing to leave out.

Finally it was Cameron's turn. Such good form!

Then we all got to go home and have lunch together. What a treat!

Dallin's Field Trip

Dallin's grade had a fieldtrip up Diamond Fork Canyon on Monday. We divided up by classes and then met with different representatives of the Forest Service to learn about trees, birds, river life, and archeology.

Here the kids were using binoculars to look at birds living in the big dead tree in the background. Ryan would have loved this group.

And here the kids put on waiders and sifted the river water looking for living things. Many of them caught small fish but some of them caught things I'd rather not remember live in our rivers.

The weather started out nice but turned cloudy and cold. I was glad I got to go with Dallin's class but couldn't wait to get back on the bus to warm up. I think of all the fieldtrips I've been on with the kids this was my favorite. It was interesting to learn about the wildlife and flaura/fauna right here around where we live.

Night Time Silliness

Ryan was tucking Eden into bed and she says, "Dad, take a picture of me". So he came down and got the camera and went back up and took her picture in the dark. This was what he got. She made some other silly and somewhat scary faces but I liked this one the best. The funny thing is Ryan didn't see any of it until he came back down and looked at the pictures on the camera.