First day of school

Don't you love the feeling of the first day of school? I love the excitement and unknown of the year to come. Katherine, Emilia and Elliot were up early and ready to tackle their first day. I loved it because every chore as done, rooms were clean, nobody asked to watch t.v., piano was practiced and everyone was looking cute and groomed by 7:30! What mom wouldn't be happy with that?

I also love the first day of school photo. It was raining so we didn't pose in front of the rocks like we usually do.

You can't tell in the picture, but Katherine's braces match her shirt (blue and green bands) and her nails are painted green. Everything Elliot bought has something to do with soccer and Emilia is as usual just stinkin' cute.

The report from the day was positive. Everyone has friends to hang out with and most teachers are liked ( in 8th grade it's hard to like all your teachers.)

9 months till summer..... 12 to another first day of school. Lucky me, I don't have to miss my kids because I can check up on them at school.

I am a survivor

Trek: Accomplished. Matthew and I ended up having a great experience on trek. Amazing that our 8 kids were willing to push that handcart like they did. We never had to ask them, they just did it. I think they learned the lesson of hard work and I know one little girl learned that she could do things that she thought were too hard. I truly learned to loved all my kids. They were so very different but came together nicely.

I should chronicle all of the kids but there is one in particular that needs to be described. Garrett was the funniest kid. He adopted this "country boy" persona complete with the look and accent. (He is the boy laying down in the front row)He certainly kept us in stitches. On the last day in camp he decided to catch seagulls. At first they were going to get under a tarp with some bread on top. Then they would jump up when a bird landed. Didn't work so well. They moved on to a lasso with chips in the middle. They spent hours at this little game and never caught anything, but we certainly laughed at him.

I understand why those who have gone on trek before have nothing but positive things to say. I guess when you are put into a situation where you must work hard but are with great people, it becomes unforgettable.

Heaven's Help

Ok, So tomorrow Matthew and I will embark on what may turn out to be a disaster. We are going on Trek. The weather forecast? Nothing but rain, lightning and thunder. Not the best idea for being on the high plains of Wyoming. So, I guess I am just keeping my fingers crossed, saying a little prayer and hoping for Heaven's Help.

Karate test

Elliot began karate 1.5 years ago. He wasted an entire year at a worthless school. Now, he is at a great school with a master that really teaches. Last week he tested for a new belt. We were surprised this week when he skipped a level and earned the orange stripe. (For everyone like me who knows nothing about karate, a stripe is one level above solid color belt) His master said it was the best test of all last week, so I knew we needed it recorded for posterity. I cajoled Elliot into redoing the form in the backyard.

Wow, that is one noisy cricket.

Lessons learned

Last weekend Matthew and I spent an entire day in the middle of nowhere pushing a handcart trying to prepare to be a ma and a pa for trek. Apparently we didn't get enough. Yesterday, after planting 15 bushes in our yard, we headed out in search of treasures hidden in the desert floor. Yep, geode hunting. Of course we took Matthews car, why put the miles on one we actually own. Off we went into the vast Utah dessert. You might think we were alone, but you would be wrong. We learned that anyone with an ATV heads out that way for Memorial weekend, we watched crazy ATVers doing things I never want to see my own children doing. Finally, after 50 miles of dirt road we arrived at the Dugway Geode pits. WHEW! That was a long ride, thank goodness for the miracle of having every ounce of music we own on an ipod. (Miracle #1)


Now, remember we already dug 15+ holes back home? Now we get to dig even bigger holes, in the desert floor. This isn't nice soft Sahara sand, we are talking about anciently packed and hardened sand and clay. This is a lot of work. Elliot and I had a pretty good system. He would loosen up the dirt with a crow bar, then I would shovel out. Emilia sifted through what I shoveled out looking for promising rocks. Katherine busied herself with carving her name into a rock. What can I say, she is a self absorbed teen and wants the universe to know she was there. After two hours, we came up with two small geodes, at least we think they are, we haven't cut them open yet. ( I believe this qualifies as miracle #2)

Remember again, we took Matthew's car even though my car has a higher clearance? Remember also, 50 miles dirt road? When we got back into the car to leave we had a completely flat tire. YIKES! We are out in the middle of nowhere. See picture below.



We are surrounded by those crazy ATVers (many of whom are carrying guns) and there is absolutely no cell coverage. But all is ok, right? We have a spare, we know how to change a tire (0k Matthew knows). Getting back into the car we realize that we are now on the one and only spare, one other tire is now at low pressure and we have fifty miles of rough terrain to traverse. Oh yeah, no food in the car. It is now 6 pm and we haven't had a bite since noon. Emilia is certain we will all die. I even feel like we are in the opening sequences of a slasher movie. But we make it, 50 miles to highway 36. (miracle #3)

Side note: Emilia is able to make herself pee on a tree (miracle #4).



Food in Tooele, safely home, decent movie after for Matthew and I (Seven Pounds).



This morning on the way out to church, Matthew's other tire is flat, and Matthew still managed to make it to Sacrament meeting (miracle #5)



Lessons learned. Digging holes in your own backyard produces treasures enough, no need to go out into the desert.

What does every mother want and need for mother's day? Beer, of course. I laughed hard when Matthew presented me with my 24 pack of Busch beer yesterday. I had actually asked for it. Now, before you all send me links to AA, let me explain. I use beer in a recipe my father gave me for the lawn. My lawn is very thirsty right now and I am too much of a chicken to go out and buy beer. Matthew, however, loved going out on a Friday night and joining the beer buying/partying crowd.

I never thought I would want to drink it, but after a long day of emotional Emilia, defiant Katherine and poutty Elliot, I did hold one in my hand for several long seconds. My biggest reason to not partake? I hear it doesn't taste very good.

I hope you all had a good mother's day. I bet none of you got beer!

Wii Fit

I have been on the look out for the Wii fit board. Finally I found one and picked it up. We have all enjoyed it. I thought, this is great, the kids aren't just sitting on the couch. However, now I have a few misgivings about it. First, my darling little Emilia, who has just started her growth spurt, was way at the top of healthy weight range. She cried for an entire day about almost being overweight. Then, Elliot, asked me if I were in the healthy range, then proceeded to talk about how he needs to eat more at every meal because he is in the underweight range. I have tried to tell them that the program is probably written mostly for adults and the important thing is eating right and moving around. They give the the "whatever" look. What if this fun little toy turns my now healthy children into obsessive, worried unhealthy kids? I can only hope that the newness and excitement of Wii Fit will wear away like DDR and Rockband.