Adieu, Adieu...to you and you and you!

Do you remember the last day of school? As both a student and teacher, I can remember very distinctly that feeling of walking out the school building and knowing the entire summer was before you. It was the beginning of endless possibilities...and oddly enough, those adventures and possibilities have remained somewhat unchanged over the years. I love sleeping in, snow cones, the smell of chlorine, staying up late watching movies, coconut suntan lotion, popsicles, watermelon, fresh lemonade, hammocks, long walks, hanging out with friends and neighbors until the mosquitoes force you inside, no homework, no packing school lunches, and vacations. I love a summer of possibilities! And every year, on the last day of school, I can't help but want to celebrate...I love celebrating all my children have accomplished and learned...and I love celebrating the beginning of all the "time" we have together to rediscover what we love and find new things to explore.

Without further comment, I now proudly present...The Last Day Of School 2010!

At 1:15 p.m., as the children were being dismissed, I had arranged for each of their teachers to hand them a sealed envelope with their names on the front. This was the beginning of the "hunt"!

The kids brought their letters outside, and after pictures with their fabulous teachers, we opened them up and read them under the shade tree on the front lawn.

These are 2 of the finest teachers I have ever known. I can't tell you how grateful I am for each of them and the huge impact they have had on my boys this year. I do not take for granted the time, effort and sacrifice that teachers make on behalf of their students. I cried on the last day of school saying good bye to each of them...we aren't going anywhere...I pray every night that they aren't going anywhere...I just have loved them so! (And I'm counting on HB getting both of them...)

The letters were from Chris and I and expressed our gratitude and admiration for the wonderful things each of them had accomplished in school this year! I adore these boys...they are so smart and eager to learn. Each of them have worked hard and done some big things this year!

At the bottom of their first clue, it gave the following hint:

Your next clue is waiting for you in the place you sit when we drive around to all these amazing adventures waiting for us! Let the summer fun begin!

And to the great big white van we ran where a new pair of fun summer flip flops were waiting in each of their seats. I love flip flops!

CLUE #2:

Put on your fun summer shoes and let’s go for an adventure. One of the things we are going to do this summer is READ, READ, READ! Your next clue is waiting at a place where all your book dreams can come true! Find the person in charge of the children’s books and ask for your next clue!

Next stop...the public library where Miss Vicki, our favorite children's librarian, gave each of the kids a brand new splendid shiny book! (Although it took a little convincing to get Matthew to believe that we got to KEEP this book and didn't have to check it out. He was really confused for a couple of minutes...)

CLUE #3:

Grab your books and let’s head for the pool. We are also going to have fun in the sun (& water)! Your next clue is at the front desk of the place where all your water dreams can come true! (But remember...you have to take your swim lessons so we can play and be SAFE!)

Next stop...the rec center. The front desk receptionist made each of them run a lap around the indoor track before she would give them their new beach towels and next clue! They loved it!

I need to mention that we were not on this hunt alone...some of our very, very favorite friends joined us! Everything is more fun with the Bradshaws!

CLUE #4:

We are going to relax and play with lots of friends this summer. You are all so lucky to have such great friends in your life! Let’s go discover a “new” place to play…in order to get there, we have to follow some “old” friends!

Next stop...we followed the Bradshaws to a FABULOUS park that we had never been to. Can you say "3-story playgroud"??? We stayed and played for a long while...until the kids found the yummy licorice and their next clue.

The latest fashion trend...you don't just "eat" your food, you wear it like an accessory...as modeled here by the CUTEST baby in the world!

CLUE #5:

You are doing great! Are you having fun??? I love a summer full of new adventures! I’m so grateful to have kids who love to explore new places and try new things. Let’s go try something new…use the directions to help mom get to the next place! Read them carefully…we don’t want to end up lost!

The kids were given directions to read out loud but didn't know our ending location.

Next stop...trampoline heaven!

At the end of some fantastic jumping, the girls at the front desk handed the kids their final clue:

CLUE 6:

Are you tired? One of the things I love most about summer are the yummy treats…watermelon, corn on the cob, and ice-cream! The Burger Boys are holding your next clue…and your ice-cream treat!


Next stop...the husbands/dads met us at the best burger/fry/shake place in town where we indulged our need for food and malt vinegar and ice-cream that hangs over the rims of cups.

CLUE 7:

SUMMER HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN! Welcome to summer vacation…because you have worked so hard at school this year, you deserve a fun break. Let’s work hard, learn lots of new things, go on some fun adventures, swim, play with friends, and be kind to each other.

Welcome Summer!

April Volcanoes Bring May Chaos

Our month of April was so relaxing and carefree. We had no responsibilities, no deadlines, nowhere to be...we ate chocolate and meatballs with wild abandon and enjoyed the company of 2 of our favorite people.
And then we came home.

Coming home was hard...we missed our home and dear, sweet friends but I did not miss responsibility, deadlines and having multiple places to be...sometimes at the same time. We had missed LOTS of school and had LOTS of stuff to make up and turn in. I started working part-time in May and while I love my new job, it was a little stressful to start when I did. (I was supposed to start next fall!) I am working as the new parent volunteer coordinator at my children's charter school. Love the woman I work with, love the amazing volunteers at our school, love all the fabulous events that take place, love being a part of things...it was just a little sooner than I had anticipated. Things have been crazy...but we have also had some very bright moments. Here are some of the highlights of the last month:

1) Matthew & Jacob finishing their spring soccer seasons!

Matthew defending that goal with his life!

He was such an intense, dedicated player!

And everything is more fun with your best friend by your side.

You will have to trust me that Jacob played soccer as well. Apparently we didn't document his season very well. I love that my boys love soccer. It is a fun sport to watch and both of them have gained alot of confidence and skill in their playing. Their games are actually exciting and I find myself jumping up and down in my lawn chair and a little hoarse at the end. One of these days I'll break out my little pom outfit for the games...show some real spirit.

2) We celebrated our favorite spring birthdays!

Two of my darling nieces and one amazing grandmother all have their birthdays during April and May. Each year, Chip and ML have hosted a stunning birthday party in their splendid backyard. It always feels like we are shaking off the horrid cocoons of winter and emerging into the warm, lovely days of spring. We eat out on the patio under the white pergola and watch the kids race from one end of the yard to the other and devour food that is delicious and fresh and marvel at ML's grace and eleganced unbelievable culinary skills. I love our spring ritual...

The birthday girls!

3) A 3rd Grade Roman Festival

If you have the chance to be a room parent for one of your children...do it. We have had loads of unusual fun! This was no exception...we wore togas and sandals. 

We feasted, crafted, played games, and lounged on pillows while watching the chariot scene from Ben-Hur...when was the last time you watched that scene? It is absolutely fabulous!

BEN-HUR Chariot Race

4) Preschool Graduation

Two of Hannah's favorite preschool friends!

Waiting on the bleachers for the action to begin.

HB had a riveting part in "I Know An Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly." We laughed, we cried...we are expecting a Tony nomination.

Contemplating her recent diploma.

HB's other favorite preschool buddy!

5) A Mustache Fetish

A few days ago, my sister posted a fabulous blog about fake mustaches. And just a couple of days later, I was cleaning out my oldest son's drawer and I discovered a "stash of 'staches". Is it possible that it is a genetic thing?

6) A Snowstorm That I Don't Want To Talk About

These are pictures from the END of May people. Can you appreciate my pain?

There was also a dance festival, field day, dance class, end of school, etc.

Stay tuned for the last day of school blog...we had an adventure that included a 3-story playground and a whole bunch of trampolines!

Good Times

"Do I have dreams? Do I have aspirations? No, but I have a toliet bowl that's spring time fresh!"

Click here for: Family Dog, Part 1

Some serious good times care of the 80's. Ah, the memories. I'm going to go put on a little blue eye shadow, get a spiral perm, and have a good laugh!

P.S. Probably not for kids...especially boys that already think "popping bunnies" and such is hilarious...did not help my case by letting them watch the clip this morning. Bad mom...bad, bad mom!

P.S.S. I can't stop...Family Dog...Part 2

P.S.S.S. OK...let's just finish it off. Family Dog...Part 3

Just Thought I'd Drop a Line

Dear Woman in the car leaving Costco,
I'm fascinated by how a person drives a stick shift car, smokes a cigarette, and talks on her cell phone all at once. Talk about multi-tasking...you were quite a sight.

Sincerely,
Me




Dear Woman Weeding Her Yard,
You were a lovely lady but if you are going to wear very short orange shorts and bend over in them to weed, you might want to consider a change in outfit. It was a little alarming to look up and see so much of you.

Sincerely,
Me



Dear Me,
How is it that you finish every day with so much stuff all over your clothes? Really, it is alarming. You might consider a big bib. Just a thought.

Sincerely,
Me

A Viking Report by Jacob

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My Own Little Singing Bush

Those of you who know my daughter know that she likes to sing and talk to herself. It is a gift...she can do it for hours...as evidenced on the 9 hours bus ride we took last Sunday where she sang for 7.5 of the hours and slept for the other 1.5. Now she has done this for years...we call it "going to her happy place". She is a complete, compact self-entertaining unit and our ears have learned to tune it in or out as we need. But put her in a car with someone new, and you come to appreciate it all over again. My mother found the perfect description for her and we have lovingly embraced it...she is a singing bush.

Exhibit A: The Singing Bush

OK, and since we are already here, please enjoy one of my favorite movie clips of all time.

Lip balm?

European Adventure, Part 2

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Eurpean Adventure, Part 1

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An Ash Plume

OK...let's take a closer look at what is really causing all the stink in Europe.

Under the right conditions, most people would look at this amazing image and stand in awe at how small humanity really is next to Mother Nature's awesome power and splendor.

If you are at your parent's house in Stockholm, Sweden with a magnificent temple in the front yard, Marabou chocolate and meatballs in the pantry, a washer and dryer, soft beds with dynes, a clean bathroom, and your favorite Mo and Papa, then this is spectacular.

If you are being bled to death financially in a hotel, wearing dirty clothes, sleeping on a cot in Amsterdam, eating another 10 dollar hamburger at McDonalds, and using public restrooms that you have to pay for, then this is a nightmare. 

My heart and soul aches for those people who are suffering in any way because of this event. I spent several days paniking about how quickly we could be in trouble financially if we had to continue to pay for a hotel that raised its rates 50% the night after the volcano erupted or how I would be handling it if our family were stranded at an airport with no where to sleep and absolutely no information and/or options.

I have thought several times about how this event would have affected me if I were at home as an observer versus being on this side of the world trying to find a way. 

We have been so incredibly blessed. I have had the thought several times that really in life we aren't always going to get what we want but we sure are lucky to get exactly what we need...whether that be physical, emotional, spiritual, mental...it all applies.

We were in Copenhagen when the Icelandic volcano erupted. The plan was to leave Copenhagen on Saturday, fly to Amsterdam then to Minneapolis and on to Utah. In a moment, not only did all that change, but we had no idea how it was going to play out. Our flight was cancelled because the airport was closed but our airlines did not contact us and they could not be reached. We were staying in a hotel that raised its prices 50% after the volcano erupted...but we realized we were lucky to be able to have a place to stay. The hotel did not have a single public phone to be found...not even phones in the rooms...and all we had were our American cell phones with outrageous international rates. Staying on the phone for 2 hours to talk to an airline representative would have cost us our children's meager college funds. Luckily, my husband had his laptop.

We ate lots of McDonalds cheeseburgers. We finished off a jar of Nutella. We ate lots of oranges and pears and bread. But we were lucky that we had food and weren't hungry. We spent 2 days at the National Museum in Copenhagen because it was free and had oodles of cool stuff to look at and play with. And we tried to figure out what to do.

We wanted to come back to Stockholm but we didn't know if that was going to create problems with our original flight itinerary...we kept checking the trains and buses and they were selling out fast. Finally, we decided we needed to be with my parents...not only financially, but emotionally. We were in the center of Copenhagen and we had no idea how long this was going to last. Saturday night we got online and found the only bus/train left out of Copenhagen for the next few days...we booked it.

Sunday morning we climbed on a bus and braced ourselves for a 9 hour bus trip to Stockholm. Now remember...we have been in Scandinavia for 17 days with a 9, 7, and 5 year old. They have been on trains, ferries, buses, rental vans, and cars. They have been dragged all over for days at a time on foot. They have been to different hotels in different cities and watched lots of German cartoons. We felt like we had pushed them pretty far and hard. But we climbed on that bus and never in my life have I felt the prayers of others so vividly. I knew people who loved us and were concerned about us were praying that we would be safe. I could feel that. I felt peaceful and calm. My 3 children sat on that bus without one incident. They sat quietly and calmly and were happy without anything more than a couple of activity books, some blank paper and a bag of Littlest Pet Shop figures. And as the bus pulled into Stockholm, Chris and I looked at each other and marvelled at how blessed we had been. We found a way back to Stockholm.The bus ride literally went by in the blink of an eye...I don't know how to describe it...time wasn't time. It went by so quickly and we were in awe at how powerfully we felt the blessings of the Lord. And waiting at the bus stop was my father who loaded us into a car and drove us back to their beautiful home in Stockholm. I just feel so grateful.

Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for the tangible love and support and encouragement we have felt. While this experience has not been one where we were in any danger or life-threatening situation, we did feel very concerned about the financial implications and how our children would handle not only the stress of the last 17 days, but also the stress of having a volcano erupt and what that meant for getting home safely.

I am so grateful to my parents. I am so grateful that they helped us find a way back. I am so grateful that they didn't blink an eye at welcoming 5 people back into their home and lives. I am beyond grateful for this extra time with them. When I said good-bye to them in Roskilde, I stood and sobbed in my husband's arms. It was so hard to see them go. This is a gift...

And so I'm re-learning that I am not in control. I will continue to make plans and set goals and try to be prepared but I will also remember that ultimately, I'm not in control and I'm grateful because over and over I get exactly what I need...and it is so much better than always getting what I think I want. I'm learning it is OK to let go of the control and learn to relax and savor the journey.

I think the volcano is magnificent. The chocolate is so delicious. And tonight I sat in my parent's living room in Stockholm with the sun setting through the window and listened to my 3 children give a Family Home Evening lesson about the temple that took my breath away.

What a journey!