Summertime fun at the pool

Another fun day at the pool. We arrived at 11:00 am just as the pool open for the day. We left after Griffin's swim team practice at 5:30pm. It was a very fun day!

Hayden fell asleep, my friend Natalie and I moved his chair to the shade. He slept for almost 2 hours!

After the nap, Carter (our sand child) and Hayden went to build sand castles in the volleyball court.



Griffin is ALWAYS in the pool or on the tennis courts. He is also on the swim team this year.





Hayden has graduated from the baby pool to the shallow end. It is a real milestone for us. We joined the pool a few months before Hayden was born and we have ALWAYS sat by the baby pool. We finally get to shift down to the shallow end of the big pool.

Boys will be boys..and that's just fine with me.

NEWS FLASH

Boys are different than girls and that is the way it is supposed to be. I gave up matching outfits by the time they were old enough to say, "I don't want to look like him." They keep their hair short so they don't have to comb it as often. I am thrilled that the pool is now open, the chlorine can get them cleaner than they clean themselves in the tub. They are rambunctious, but they just have more energy than they know what to do with, they need direction and diversions. Boys are different, but that doesn't mean they are bad. Different is good.

So before you pity me and try to keep your daughters away from my adorable and active boys remember this: your girls may sit nice and color with matching outfits and perfect hair, but someday they will get to be snotty teenage girls and then I will say "oh you have girls, so sorry."

Yes, there is a story behind this, but I am too nice to post the whole thing.

It's almost over

Is the school year over already? For my kids the answer is yes. Wednesday is the last day for Carter and Griffin. The School in the Woods (SITW) had the end of the year celebration last Tuesday. I am sure you know by now that SITW is a special 4th grade school for our school district. A handful of students get chosen to attend for the year (lottery based) and they learn everything other 4th graders learn but with an emphasis on nature. Pond sample studies, animal tracking, weather observations, hiking, etc, it is truly an amazing experience for these kids. All of the pictures are from the school, our district has access to over 640 wooded acres for these kids to explore.
All 52 kids came hiking in to where the parents waited singing songs of naturalists.



The students took turns telling everyone what they would take away from SITW, Carter said "a new love of the natural world."



Then we enjoyed some cake and fellowship with the other families. And Hayden enjoyed the hula hoops.



"Really mom, I don't want any pictures."


"Fine just a couple of my tile for the tile wall." Each year the students make a tile, that is proudly displayed on a large frame with all the other student tiles on the side of the school.




This was a fantastic year for Carter. If your children have the opportunity to experience anything like this, do it! I know other schools are trying to use SITW as a model for their own nature school, I hope one pops up by you.

I went to the store for a half gallon of ice cream...

Really kids, ice cream used to come in half gallon containers.

Do you remember a few years ago when they (the big ice cream companies) changed from half gallon packaging to the 1.75 quart container? Tonight something at the store looked funny. Different size containers in the ice cream aisle. It probably would have taken a while to notice except I was at the store before the old size sold out and the new size took over.

Dear Uncle Jimmy,
Why, why, oh why did it have to happen? It is ice cream season and now the half gallon size, oh excuse me 1.5 quart size, only has 12 servings (really who can get 12 servings out of that?). I understand the economy, blah, blah, blah, but your nephews really like ice cream. Isn't there someone at the Big Ice Cream company where you work that can get us a half gallon size container? We may have to switch the gigantic store brand barrel soon, oh the horror.

Love,
Your Colorado Ice Cream Loving Family

What type of mother are you anyway?

Crazy Mom with 4 boys had this great quiz on her blog this morning. Take the quiz here:What mothering type are you? Leave me a comment with your mothering style or put a link on your blog.

When I told Ben about the quiz, his answer was "um, control freak?" So, ok sort of, but here is the way Motherstyles put it.

Your type is: estj —The “How-To” Mother
“We’re the mothers you like to carpool with. Not only are we on time, we organize the driving schedule for everyone.”

Organized and comfortable being in charge, the ESTJ mother knows “how to” get things done, make things happen, and accomplish much on behalf of her children. Whether she is encouraging them to get involved in organized activities or talking with them about their personal concerns, children of the ESTJ mother learn “how to” succeed in life.

Upbeat and matter-of-fact, the ESTJ mother is intent on her children having the best. She puts her skills and talents to work to this end, from planning trips that supplement their studies to raising funds for new playground equipment. She is happiest when her efforts produce concrete results — children who try out for teams, participate in academic competitions, or are leaders among their peers.

The ESTJ mother runs a tight household. She is apt to have predictable expectations, consistent routines, standard procedures, and well-defined boundaries, all of which help her children feel protected and secure.


Oh, by the way, Wilson Christian Preschool will need new playground equipment in the next few years and I am already thinking up fundraisers to organize. My sister has threatened to drop off her infant so I can put him on a schedule. I am currently investigating "fun and educational" stops for our trip to Moab. Scary huh.

Liar, liar pants on fire

Hayden: Mommy can I have a piece of gum?
Me: No.

a few minutes later...

Me: Hayden, what is that in your mouth?
Hayden: I'll spit it out.
Me: Come here and show me what is in your mouth.

Hayden shows the gum in his mouth.

Me: Why is there gum in your mouth?
Hayden: I don't know (and he spits out the gum).
Me: Didn't you ask me if you could have gum and I said no?
Hayden: Yes
Me: Then why is there gum in your mouth?
Hayden: I don't know.
Me: You asked me if you could have gum and I said?
Hayden: No.
Me: Then how did the gum get in your mouth?
Hayden: I got it from school.
Me: So, after you asked if you could have gum and I said no, you went to school and got gum?
Hayden: Yes
Me: No, you didn't. Where did the gum come from?
Hayden: It just appeared.
Me: So, after you asked if you could have gum and I said no, gum just appeared in your mouth?
Hayden: Yes.
Me: No it didn't. Where did the gum come from?
Hayden: The big jar.
Me: And you got gum after I said no?
Hayden: No, Carter got the gum.
Me: Who unwrapped it?
Hayden: Carter unwrapped it.
Me: Where did Carter put the gum?
Hayden: In the garbage.
Me: So Carter got the gum, unwrapped it and put it in the garbage?
Hayden: Yes
Me: So how did it end up in your mouth?
Hayden: I don't know.
Me: Did you get the gum from the big jar after I said you could not have gum?
Hayden: I'll just go to my room.
Me: Good choice.

I'll take a bottle of red.

Hardwood floors are easier to care for than carpet but they are LOUD. Our main level (and stairs to the upper level) is hardwood. The basement is loud because of the loudness of the main level. Boys are seldom quiet (unless something is going horribly wrong, see mud post)

Here is reasoning I remember from Philosophy class:

Hardwood floors are loud.
Boys are loud.
Therefore Mommy needs wine.

My house will be much louder next Wednesday. The kids will be celebrating the last day of school...but that isn't it. My mother's piano will be delivered Wednesday morning and 4 boys in our house (yes, daddy too) want to take piano lessons. If all 4 boys want to serenade me, fantastic, can't wait until lovely music comes pouring out. But until then...

I prefer red, a nice Cabernet Sauvignon or a Pinot Noir, I am sure by Wednesday night I will take anything. Donations accepted... Better yet, invitations accepted, I'll come to your quiet house and have a glass with you.

An oldie but a goodie

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Track Star

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Rocker

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Carter's Arch Nemesis

We purchased our house when Carter turned one. The tree was big then. Carter has always wanted to climb that tree. This may be the summer he figures out how to get up there. Here are some photos of his recent attempt.

Safety first: he wears a helmet and finds clothesline to repel down from his victorious climb.


He ties the clothesline around himself, including through the belt loops.


Now, to get the clothesline over the branch of the tree...Ahha, the trampoline.


Now make a "triple slip knot." A what?


Try swinging to the top..nope that doesn't work.


Maybe this would work better if I wore shoes. On no, wait, I tied myself to the tree and the rope isn't long enough to go inside.


It is very difficult to untie a "triple slip knot."


Especially when your little brothers are hanging from the rope.



Yes, shoes work better.




If Griffin thinks he can do better, just let him try.






I know what this tree is missing. Foot holds, also known as rusty nails. I see tetanus shots in our future.


And so the tree remains the arch nemesis. No one has climbed the old girl in years. Maybe this summer she is conquered. Or maybe this summer she falls over from too many nails in her trunk.

Why I love boys

My flower vase is always overflowing with beautiful flowers.



Would anyone like a nice Dorito-face kiss from Hayden?