I'm crazy!

So I got my van back yesterday! I am thrilled and have committed to driving the kids to school today and tomorrow because we have a heat advisory for them, over 110 both days. I don't know what next week looks like, but I am hoping we can go back to the bikes soon. I've found that I prefer riding my bake around as a mode of transportation when possible, but am so glad I now have a choice. Today I decided to go shopping on my bike again. I have three reasons to explain this insanity...
One- It's better for me. I get my cardio workout and everything.
Two- It's better for my car. Less wear and tear and gas and everything.
And last but not least,
Three- I spend less when I have to haul it all home in a trailer behind my bike!

So, after I dropped the kids off at school, I hopped on my bike and set off for Fry's. As I was passing the bank, I nodded to one of the workers their as they left. I proceeded across the street and parked my bike at the rack and grabbed a cart, and entered the store a few steps in front of the same bank worker. I did all my shopping and was checking out when this same guy got into line behind me. I left the store, loaded in the trailer and started home and passed the bank again as this same guy was pulling into the parking lot! I thought it was funny that he in his car was slower at this errand then I was on my bike.

I made it home but I had to really work for it. I discovered as I loaded the groceries up the one of the tires on the trailer had gone flat. I dug around in my purse for my cell phone to call Care to see if she could come and help me out only to discover that I had left it at home on the counter. Left with no other choice, I just had to ride home and expect to have to replace my inner tube before using the bike again. I made it home with only minimal problems, and put away the groceries and then I went looking at the tire. Surprisingly, the tube was still intact, so I filled it with air, only to have it go flat 10 seconds later. It has a small, annoyingly persistent leak in it that means I would have had to replace it anyway. I guess I'll be going to Wallmart tomorrow after all!

Growing up

Re: morning school

I totally thought you were going to end the post with 'over excited child' - priceless.

SKT

Live-blogging kindergarten, part II

New clothes on...check.
Homework in backpack...check.
Backpack on back...check.
Pictures taken...check.
Tummy full...check.
Time to leave yet...not for 45 minutes.
Over-excited five-year-old boy, roaring like a dinosaur and literally knocking over furniture...double check.

Live-blogging kindergarten

Ezra is berating me that I didn't put him in morning kindergarten. Because then he could be in school RIGHT NOW.

He woke up this morning, and before he even got out of bed he was caroling "First Day of School! First Day of School!" This woke up the baby, but it was charming nonetheless.

We did his first homework last night. (A get-to-know-you booklet.) Ezra needs to learn to stay on task. Mommy needs to learn to let Ezra do his own thing, even if it looks raggedy and messy.

More later! (With pictures!)

Celebration of School

We had a feast tonight to celebrate Ezra's first school year. I put some more pictures on my Momma Volcano blog.

Sibling Rivalry

Telima,

We are going all out now. I hear that you are taking our dear sweet innocent mother away from my visit to Vegas over Labor Day weekend. AND you are blaming your baby girl for this. That's it. On that same weekend, you are no longer invited to come over to my house to play. So there. :-P

I love you tons and I do hope the baby blessing is fantastic. We are sorry that we can not make it up there. I admit the distance is a slight problem. The thought of spending Friday and Saturday travelling up there just to spend Sunday and Monday coming home to be back in time for work on Tuesday, does not give me hope to attend the blessing. But we do look forward to seeing her in the future as I doubt we will never see each other again.

SKT

Baptism and other stuff

Congratulations on your baptism, Jacob! I hope it was everything that you wanted it to be! We love you so much and really wish we could have been there!

Keryn, those pictures are adorable. Mercy's hair gets browner every day and I love it! You have great kids. =)

And speaking of great kids, Brooke is being blessed over Labor Day weekend. I don't expect anyone to be able to come (except of course Mom and Keryn), but I just wanted to let everyone know that you are all invited. =) We would love to see any of you! Love you all so much!

Gone Camping, Back Later...

"And 'X' never, ever marks the spot."

Gideon discovered that he can move the little trike backwards AND forwards.
And turn it around.

Mercy is just excited to be alive.

Ezra and the amazing marshmallow-toothpick structure.
(He made it all by himself.)

"Whatcha cooking, Dad? Can I see it, can I see it?"

A very tired Heber, gazing at the campfire.

Stomach churning excitment

I made an offer on a town home and it was accepted!!

My stomach is now churning and my thoughts are whirling and I really pray this is the right decision!

I'm already crying because I'll miss my ward but excited to have my own place again.

Wish me luck!

The Hike Must Go On

I wanted to post this for the enjoyability of this. Yesterday, Saturday, I took 3 of my 4 Webelos Scouts on a hike near our home. Near enough that I did not have to file a tour permit with the BSA. Yeah for me. As a side note, the missing boy was disappointed he missed the hike. Anyway, I took Adam with us. We planned for either a 2 mile hike or a longer just short of 4 mile hike depending on how the boys handle the first mile.

I asked Adam if he wanted to go on the hike. He, of course, wanted to be with Daddy. I was desirous for him to come with me as, in a few weeks, I will be taking him on the Mary Jane Falls hike near Mt. Charleston. Adam performed wonderfully. The first mile he walked fabulously. I told him he needed to drink lots of water. The middle mile and a half he got tired and needed to stop. But I couldn't ask my Webelos Scouts to take a pace of a 5 year old. So, during the times Adam needed a break, I carried him piggy-back style. I was able to keep up with the Webelos with Adam on my back as he still doesn't weigh more then a heavy overnight pack. The slight problem is Adam does not have straps to easily carry him with. We managed. During the last mile and a half we were able to spot the American flag located next tot he Ranger station. At the top of each little hill I would here Adam say, "I see the flag!" He got so excited he ran ahead of me to join the 2 scouts in the lead about 100 yards ahead of me. I had to force him to stop to drink some more water. As a result, I'm pretty sure Adam will be fine on the hike in a couple of weeks.

For your information:
I am desirous to make Labor Day, or another day like unto it, a yearly hike somewhere with any grandkids of our parents. David and I did Mt. Charleston last year around this time. Obviously we went by ourselves and did not take any of our children. We decided we wanted to try this as a yearly event. I tell this in a place where I hope you will all see as an invitation for you all. I do not think that this Labor Day any of you will make it to Vegas to join us. As Telima is taking care of a baby blessing around the same time, and those others of us possibly not able financially to go to Vegas with 3 weeks notice. This is to inform you that in the future, any grandkid over the age of 5 is welcome to join us if they can make it to the meeting place. I will personally take responsibility for the safety during the hike and after of your kids. I love you all. As the kids get older, and possibly as I get a little more income, we will be doing harder and harder hikes in the area. These include Pikes Peak, Grand Canyon, and Pine Valley, just to name a few. Have fun. We will try to take picture of our little hike and will post them here as well on facebook, I imagine. Until next time.

Monday morning, the kids were all getting ready to walk out the door for school, when Heather started to empty her backpack on one of the couches. I came over to see what she was doing and she looked up at me and beamed and said, "My desk had all these papers in it and I wanted to clean it up so I brought them home!"

She then wandered off to pack her lunch, leaving the small pile of papers sitting of the edge of the couch. I started to pick them up and stack them, intending to throw them away as soon as the door closed behind her and she could no longer object, when one paper caught my eye.

It was a request by her teacher for permission to test Heather for the Gifted Program at school. I filled it out and gave it to her to give back to her teacher so she can be officially tested.

Heather didn't even know what it was. I explained. I don't think she realizes it even yet, but I am excited. Not that her teacher had recognized her amazing intellect, although I am glad for that. But Heather has struggled for so many years with her reading. I know that she has felt stupid on many different occasions as this skill seemed out of her grasp. By requesting this testing, her teacher has told her that she thinks Heather is smart. Heather might not realize exactly what it means if she does get into the special program, but the boost to her self esteem was immediate and that is what is important. I really don't care if she 'passes' or not. She won't spend this year thinking she is stupid and that is what counts.

Story

So I saw this last Friday on Slate.com.

http://www.slate.com/id/2224050/

I already told some of you about it. They got most things right. In any case, it's fun.

Just a note for our family...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY ONLY SISTER-IN-LAW ON THIS SIDE OF MY EXTENDED FAMILY.
Just in case you might have missed it. Happy Birthday to Amy. I hope all is well and you and David had a great weekend.

P.S. You are almost 'old.' Ask Caren how 'old' is 'old' and then don't tell any of my older sisters as they are all 'old.'

Our Mother is OLD

I'm just saying this because it is the natural conclusion from Keryn's last post. Since the new Ocean's 11 is 'our' Las Vegas and not the one from 50-60 years ago, this leads us to believe that the older version of Ocean's 11 features the Las Vegas of our mother's youth. Yes, she is indeed old as she does like that version over the 'newer' version. I love you all.

I might add, I'm glad our mother is old, otherwise we might all have been in the family. Being one of the youngest I still would be, but you older siblings might not. just a thought. Love you all.

SKT

RE: Remakes

Ah, it's a good point, Mema. I really shouldn't be rooting for the baddies to succeed. But, but, but...why the heck did they put the money in the casket in the first place? Why didn't they leave it in the dump? Or get it FROM the dump and just drive it home? It's not like it was part of the plan from the start, because he actually really did die. And how sad was that?

Oh, well. I think I still love the remake because, as you say, it was the one I watched first. And, also, it's my Las Vegas, as opposed to the Las Vegas of the late '50s-early '60s. And it doesn't hurt that there is some pretty nice eye candy, too.

Remakes are never like the originals

Keryn, Now you know how I feel. There are some movies that I loved the way they are. I never like the bad guys (robbers, thieves, etc.) get away with it. Never mind that the man they stole from is worse than the bad guys (maybe). It was such poetic justice for the money to burn and nobody getting it. What can I say. I liked the old one.

Re: Earthquake

To answer your question....
No, I did not feel it. Unless it was that instant exactly when I stubbed my toe on the door frame, I don't think I felt much of anything that was with the earthquake. Granted, I do have a great wife and we do, occationally, do some earth shattering stuff. I won't say any more about it. SKT

What the...?

Okay, I just watched the original Ocean's 11.

Um...what? I mean, WHAT? That guy really died? And the money? Whatever happened with Mrs. Ocean? Um...okay.

(If I might venture an opinion...don't waste your time.)

Jen&Jeff, Samuel&Caren:

Didja feel it? Didja?

Quake rocks Baja, felt in Phoenix