Thrill Seekers

We've been looking forward to going to Lagoon to get our latest olde-time family photo-- and here it is!  Everyone was very cooperative.  Clark wanted to be a civil war soldier, but that was 25 years too early for this photo and you know how very authentic and accurate we need these pictures to be.

I like this one too, but we are entirely too happy, so it will never make the olde-time photo wall. 

I'll just admit it.  I love amusement parks.  A few years back I threw a bit of a temper tantrum to Abe when I felt I wasn't getting my fair share of turns on rides because I was always watching the little ones.  Prior to that incident, Abe hadn't realized how much I enjoyed the rides.  But I DO.  I love rides.   So there.

  Abe, being the wise and considerate husband that he is, finally grasped how much I love amusement parks.  He said to me, "I won't even buy a ticket to ride the rides.  I'll just watch the little ones and you can go on all the rides with the older kids."

My dream come true!!!!!  It will be just like when I was a young and carefree teenager!

It was a great plan for me.  I was so excited.

Except...
I've gotten older.  I've had a lot of babies.

The rides were not that fun for me.  They did not make my body feel good.  Sadness!  I'm past my prime for amusement parks.  "No really, Abe.  You go ahead and go on this one.  I'll happily sit with the boys."

 I used to think the zoo train was a waste of time.  But this go around I was so grateful for the very slow moving train.
I knew I was losing some of my adventurous spirit, but I guess it's official now.  I'm not "young" anymore.  I guess I'm good with that.

This was an exciting and new thing to let the three older kids go off on their own to do rides.  Both sides were happy with the arrangement.

Shouldn't it be tragic to see young children pointing guns at one another?  Why do we think it's okay to yell, "Faith, shoot them up!"
Who knows, but they loved this ride. 

At about 4:00 we gratefully took the three youngest kids to my parents house in Farmington.   We then returned with just the five of us for more fun and adventure.  Holy smokes we could move fast!  There was no stroller (weird!) and it was so relaxing to travel around the park with no concern for anyone getting lost.  Abe and I could walk together and hold hands and trust that the children would be there. 

I know amusement parks are kind of trashy.  I would say a great majority of the people need to go put some clothes on.  Really, no one ought to be wearing daisy duke shorts and tube tops under any circumstance anyway.  But since almost no one actually looks good in them, they really should not wear them.  And to the mothers of teenage girls-- would you please advise your daughters on what is appropriate.  You are the parent!  You can and should teach them what is appropriate and enforce it.  (excuse the soapbox moment)

But aside from the trash factor, I have very fond memories of amusement parks with my family as a child.  My dad was a trooper and went on rides with us long after he stopped enjoying the rides.  So although I may be past my prime, I'll continue to ride the rides and enjoy the thrill of the children as they conquer their fears and savor a day of mindless pleasure.

The Fruits of Our Labors

Our piano recital was a grand success this evening!!!!!!
I am the proud teacher and mama in the back with all of my students.  I LOVE these kids!  I was very pleased with how everyone played their songs.   I know they get nervous, but they aren't the only ones.  It is very rewarding to see the fruits of all our labors, but it is a bit nerve racking for me as well.

Bethany did double duty tonight on piano and violin.  She has played the violin for five years and she is quite good and enjoys it, but she recently told me she felt a little left out because she was the only one who didn't play the piano.

"Sister, you've come to the right house!  It just so happens I teach piano lessons!"
I offered to give her lessons, but explained that she would have to practice piano just like the other kids AND the violin each day.  She agreed and has been very diligent.

Tonight she played her two piano songs and a song on her violin.  I obviously do not teach her the violin (she has a teacher for that), but I think any chance to perform is beneficial and since it's my recital, I can put her on the program.  Besides, I really love to hear her play.  I think I might have missed my calling in life to be a violinist.  The trombone is great, but does it really stir your soul?  

 

 Clark-- what are you?  Going into the MTC next week???  Is it possible that you are still only 11 years old?  Get thee on a mission, or at least to Young Mens!
Clark played Sonatina in G Major by Beethoven and The Entertainer by Scott Joplin.  He practiced so hard to get these songs ready.  I was so happy he was able to play them as well as he had practiced them.

Oh, there was a A LOT of practicing at our house this week!  Elinor memorized her song in the nick of time.  And no--- 20 times is not too many times a day to play a song.  But she did get it and she did it very well.  She is making great progress and I quite enjoy her personality and working with her.

Oh, my heart! 
Faith loves to play the piano.  I probably would not have started her on the piano quite yet--she just turned 5-- but she begged and pleaded.  Like, I could possibly resist the face above.  She regularly reminds me to come and practice with her.  Love, Love, Love her.

George loves the music he hears all day every day.  He also enjoys the kids who come for lessons.  He likes to crawl under the bench and play with the foot pedals.
Cannon and some of the other little brothers enjoyed running around the recital this evening.  It was in a rather large room in the Sandy Library.  These kids are used to my house, where, hard as we try to keep things quiet during lesson time, there are occasional distractions.  I figured the little boys were all right and perhaps actually helped the kids focus more, since that's what they're used to.

I've been teaching lessons now for two and a half years.  My group of students has steadily grown and I really enjoy all the kids I have.  It has been a real blessing to me in many ways.  It has helped structure our days and weeks better so that, rather than a detriment,  I feel we actually get more done now, than before I taught.    I also think the other students help inspire my own children.  I am learning so much about how different each child is and how they learn and what motivates them.  They are all such interesting little people.

And the kids like it that their friends come over on a regular basis.  Even if they do come over to see their mother and not them.


A few notes by Abe:  First, huge congratulations, Betsy....the recital was wonderful!  Next, the young man in the baseball uniform came straight from his game to the recital.  Lastly, Clark is sporting, for the first time, his soon-to-be-ordained-to-the-priesthood suit.

Star, Fun, and Angel

Clark was awarded his Scout rank of Star this evening.  As usual,  I went up front to accept my mother's pin-- and was racked with guilt since I do nothing to help him earn his awards and yet I get a moment of honor. 

 

George is too much fun lately.  It seems that getting his hair cut has made his personality explode.  He is so expressive and mellow at the same time.  I am really enjoying the stage that he is in.  Where is the "pause" button on children.  If only.

Back to Clark.  He is consumed with a new project-- he's making a movie.  It is in the planning stages right now.  The script is written, the set is being built, special effects are being planned, casting is complete, and filming schedule is yet to be announced.  

He is serious.  And I'm having trouble keeping up with all the good ideas.  Not to mention every good idea comes with a good amount of mess.  Oh, the price of fostering creativity!

Are you missing anything at your house?  Have you misplaced an important item and can't find it anywhere?  Perhaps it's under the bed, between couch cushions, buried in the linen closet.  THIS little sweetie can find ANYTHING you've lost.  It's miraculous.  We don't know how she does it.  And she does it silently.  You need only voice that you are looking for something and then, like an angel, she miraculously appears holding the very thing you need.  

I think she actually IS an angel.

Sunday Odds and Ends

Our 8-11 year old Activity Day girls--including Bethany and Elinor-- went and hiked Ensign Peak this last week.  I was so excited to go with them.  Abe and Clark are doing all sorts of hikes this summer in preparation for the 50-miler scout camp in August.  We ladies were feeling a wee bit left out, so this was good for us.

This is a very satisfying, short hike, but whether or not it is considered "easy" would depend on how good of shape you are in.  Let me just say for myself that there were moments when it didn't feel that easy.  Enough said.

See that young man playing the piano?  He is one of my very talented piano students that will be performing at our piano recital this week.  He plays a very entertaining version of Y.M.C.A.  His siblings and my kids love it when he plays this song, so for the last couple of weeks we've had a Y.M.C.A. dance party when lessons are done. 

 

It is good to have a light moment with piano lessons as things tend to get a little intense leading up to a recital.  I suppose it can be a tough gig to have your mom teach you piano lessons.  I know if they aren't practicing!  Of course, since I am their school teacher also, we're kind of use to working together that way.  I suppose it is a bit of a different mode of operation.

This evening Abe announced that it was "time for bed-- tonight is a school night".
Honest to goodness, Elinor said, "What is a school night?"
How did we miss that key phrase?  Wait!!  Maybe we missed the whole idea of a consistent bedtime!  It's not too late-- maybe we can get that right with George.

Vision and Skill

Georgie got a haircut.  It is not easy to cut a baby boy's hair, but this hair cutter did a pretty good job. 

Okay, okay... you'll never guess- so I'll just tell you.

I WAS THE HAIRCUTTER!!!

I knew I'd done a pretty good job when Clark asked if I'd cut his hair like I'd just cut George's. 
Why yes-- I will!

Not too shabby.  Where did I learn this skill?  I don't know-- it just came to me.  Suddenly I had vision and skill.  I've always wanted vision and skill.  Guys like girls with vision and skill.

It does help that they have great hair.  But still--vision and skill.  By the way, George really liked looking at himself in the mirror with his new cut.

Bethany had her ballet recital this evening.  I saw her dress rehearsal the night before and I warned Abe that she is definitely past the stage of just looking sweet and cute up on stage.  She is doing actual ballet!  Go figure!  She has progressed so much in the past year or so and she did so well tonight.  I particularly think she has lovely hands.

 

And now dance is done for the summer.  That is good too.

We got two new doggies at our house!  Elinor is their owner.  She was a very resourceful girl--when she couldn't find any tape she just glued their whiskers and noses on. 

Her collar tag has her owner's name on the other side so if she gets lost people will know whose little doggy she is.  Wouldn't it be sad to see this lost doggy on the street?

For the Love of Cold Cereal

Abe loves cold cereal.

I mean, I like cold cereal.  I regularly eat it for breakfast and occasionally for a late night snack.  But Abe LOVES cold cereal.

1997
We were first married and I was giving myself a crash course in cooking.  I slaved in the kitchen trying to duplicate the recipes my mother made with such ease.  She had made me a detailed cookbook, but I didn't have much experience and it was quite an effort for me.  While I was struggling in our little yellow countered kitchen, Abe would waltz in and pour himself a bowl of cereal.

Me:  WHAT??? What are you doing???  I'm making dinner!!
Abe:  I'm just getting a snack.
Me:  Yes, but I'm making dinner, and with great effort, I might add.
Abe:  Thank you for making it.  I'll eat it.
Me:  But you won't really be hungry.


Another day in 1997
I am still trying to learn to cook, but I'm getting better.
Me:  How did you like dinner tonight?
Abe:  It was really good.  Thank you, Sweetheart.
Abe clears his plate and proceeds to get out a bowl, spoon, cereal, and milk.
Me:  What are you doing?  We just had dinner.
Abe:  I'm just topping it off.
Me:  If you're still hungry, you could have some more dinner.  That I just made for you.


Side note:  In hindsight--The man should be able to eat whatever he wants, but I was a new bride and very sensitive.

The Fox House Anytime Between 2000 and 2011

Me:  I'm sorry, Honey.  I had a lot going on today and I haven't gotten dinner going.
Abe:  Well, let me make dinner.
Me:  Really?
Abe:  Yeah!  Let's just have cold cereal?
Me:  I thought you were going to make dinner.
Abe:  That is dinner.

May 2011
Me:  I haven't had a chance to get to dinner yet.
Abe:  I'll make dinner tonight.
Me:  Wow-- thank you.  Will you make sure the little ones get fed, too?
Abe:  Of course.  We'll have chili.(canned chili)
Me:   That's fine, but please remember that half of the children will not eat canned chili-- and I completely support their decision.  I won't eat it myself.  And just for the record, opening cans of chili does not count as making dinner.


June 2011
Me:  I'm going to make some eggs for dinner
Abe:  How about if I make omelets.
Me:  Oh, I love omelets.  Thank you.
He begins making omelets.  I cleared it with Abe and I called my sister-in-law Lori because it's been a long time since we got together and my other plans for the evening fell through.  Lori and I decided to go get some dinner together.
Abe:  If you're going out then why am I making omelets?
Me:  Well, there are six other people here that need to eat.  You are making dinner for them.
Abe:  Well, then, we're having cold cereal!

Abe and I make a great pair, but we have very different expectations when it comes to the family dinner table. To my memory, my mother made nice homemade family meals almost every single night of my childhood.  The norm was a sit down home cooked meal.  Abe's mother is a remarkable woman who loved and nurtured her children.  And there were sit down meals with all nine children, but according to Abe, there were a lot of cans opened at dinner time, and the children could often help themselves to what they wanted for food.

In the tradition of my mother, I have really tried to have nice dinners very regularly.  Abe likes it, but I think he'd be just as happy (if not happier because he wouldn't have to wait) for a quick bowl of cereal.  It's hard to stay motivated to cook in the face of that.  Do any of my sister-in-laws feel my pain?  Am I alone in this?  I know I should be glad my husband doesn't have unreasonable expectations of his wife, and I am, but it's just hard for me to understand.  Abe insists I am "gourmet" and I don't need to go all out on every meal.
For the record, I don't go all out on every meal and I am NOT gourmet.  I do use my can opener regularly.

But in the words of Abe this very evening:  "This whole making dinner thing can be taken too far!"

Memorial Day 2011

Our Utah group was rather small for the traditional gathering at the cemetery.  My dad, our family, Uncle Lane and Aunt Diane, cousin Kathryn, cousin Christy and Matt (who are not in this picture because they came late) and their boys.

We really look forward to this activity each year-- rain or shine.  And it seems we've had more bad weather than good for the past several years.  It was still wonderful, even with a smaller group.  And on a side note-- there are not very many women I feel short around.  It is somewhat refreshing!

Georgie's first Memorial Day.  Awwww.

It was cold so Grandpa shared his ear warmers with Faith and Cannon.  I'm not sure if he tried to dissuade them or not, but perhaps he sensed resistance was futile.

All right, friends.  We need to have a little informal poll.  How do you feel about bagpipe players at cemeteries?  My dad, never one to be shy about expressing opinions, does not like them.  And I quote, "What gives him the right to destroy my peace?"  

Um, I don't feel quite so strongly about it, but it did raise the questions, does the cemetery pay for this guy to come?  Or does he just volunteer his services?   Does he have a band of bagpipe playing friends who spread out across the valley on Memorial Day to help with the ambiance of the cemeteries?  And why should the Scottish corner the market on grave site music?  Could anyone bring out their violin or flute, guitar or trombone and provide the same service?  

What do you think?  Do you like the bagpipe player at the cemetery?

I like George.

Like father, like son.  

This was right by Abe's great-grandparents, Mary Leona Johnson Jolley and Jesse Levi Jolley.  Sadly, we didn't meet up with any Jolley family this year.  

Abe headed back to work for the afternoon while Grandpa and the kids and I went to Memory Grove to visit my Great-Uncle Hugh's memorial.  He was 21 years old when he died in a WWII naval battle in the Pacific.  Grandpa grabbed a few twigs and bark pieces and mapped out what happened in the battle and how Uncle Hugh's ship sacrificed itself so that several other American ships could get away.  Clark had a lot of questions about the war that Grandpa could answer for him.

As per tradition, we enjoyed a fun lunch together.  Remember that I told you that my dad wasn't exactly the shy and retiring type?  He's on the school board in Davis County and I casually asked, "So Dad, are you stirring any pots on the school board lately?"

Oh, yeah!  Makes for good lunch conversation and I think the kids enjoy the drama. 

Yesterday I logged a pretty serious complaint here on the blog that I didn't get to do any of the lovely, relaxing things I wanted to do yesterday afternoon.  I am happy to announce that I did indeed get to take a happy nappy this afternoon while my little boys slept.  Oh happy day!!!  Lark Rise to Candleford--- HERE I COME!!!!!!

I Am Mother, Hear Me Roar

I had 3 things I wanted to do this afternoon.  They were calm, lovely, soothing things.  They were uplifting, rejuvenating, good things.

In no particular order I wanted to read my book, take a nap, and watch Lark Rise to Candleford (English period drama).  I didn't really think all three would happen, but maybe one and a half? 

"Children, I want you to play quietly in the family room.  You don't have to do any picking up.  You can completely trash the family room with your toys.  Feel free to graze in the kitchen for any food you want to eat.  Yes, you may watch a Sunday kind of show.  I will let you do just about anything you want-- just don't argue and be relatively quiet.  This is a good deal.  I suggest you take it.  Another offer like this is not likely to come around for a few weeks.  Complete freedom in exchange for your silence!"

There were no takers. They were-- how shall I say?-- high maintenance children today.   I didn't get to do any of my soothing, relaxing, lovely, uplifting things.  POOK!  They just couldn't leave well enough alone.  Cannon was--- how shall I say?-- a little monster after his day of showering gifts and attention on him.
THAT'S IT!  No more fun for you, little mister!

Kids!  I don't know what's wrong with these kids today!!  
So I said to myself,  if I don't get to relax-- NOBODY GETS TO RELAX!!!!

Enter:  Sargeant Mom!
Sargeant Mom is an imposing woman.  She strikes fear into all those she commands.  She rarely resorts to violence, as her intense and forceful voice is sufficiently powerful.  (That's a nice way of describing "yelling")  Sargeant Mom is able to summon the troops, mastermind and execute the picking up of the family room, playroom, living room, and kitchen is roughly 20 minutes.  It's not pretty and I don't like to go there, but Sargeant Mom is very effective.  She gets the job done. Dear children, if it is my attention that you need-- Oh, you will get it! 

Fine!  I will make you dinner if grazing is not what your delicate pallet desires.  But so help me if even one of you offers up one single complaint about what you are served! 

Now dear children,  all is not lost.  Tomorrow is a holiday and you will have a chance to redeem yourselves.  If you let me do even one of my lovely, soothing, relaxing, uplifting things, all will be right again.  Sleep well little ones... and consider!  Consider what excitement and freedom awaits you if you will but let your mama have a moment.