The Mother of Geese

If you answered walking around with carpet cleaner you would be correct sir! The bribes...His love language is metal die cast with real rubber tires please.

To Celebrate the last full week of summer vacation I told the kids there would be no workbooks, or reading requirements, or restrictions on TV. They probably logged in enough TV to make up for the whole summer, but I didn't really mind. Especially when the girls were inspired by an episode of Phineas and Ferb to have a Spa Day for me. The spa day included hot foot soak, foot rub, manicure, shoulder massage, scalp (pound), and water with mint (leaves from neighbors bushes). The lights were low, and it was very relaxing.

First Day of School Fashion Show (music provided by La Roux and Bulletproof, the unamimous favorite song of summer 2010)

The invitations: (they say "I really absolutely would love for you to come to my birthday party". Must be said in a Lola like voice.) Opening Activity: Dance with "Mawrv and Soren Lorenson" Games: "We honestly and promisely can look after your dawg" "Walkies with the egg" "This is actually my party" The food: "Moon squirters, orange twiglets from Jupiter, green drops, cloud fluff, ocean nibbles" Decorations: Pink, yellow, and orange. Because those are Lola's favorite and her best.

We are adding a new member to our family and the great news is I don't have to endure the agony of pregnancy and recovery and she is already a teenager! We are hosting the most delightful girl from Japan this year while she goes to high school. The kids are already in love with her and we are looking forward to a great year with our new daughter.

Facts: The pill bug (also called the wood louse and the roly-poly bug) is a small, segmented land creature that can roll into a tiny ball for protection. The pill bug is NOT an insect, but is an isopod (another type of arthropod). It has 7 legs! Habitat and Distribution: They prefer moist areas, often living in soil and under decaying leaves, rocks, and dead logs. Life Cycle: Relatively short with my children in the area. Diet: Pill bugs eat decaying plants and animals and some living plants. They do NOT apparently eat cereal or leftover hot dogs. Predators: Pill bugs are hunted by Max. Their main protection is rolling into an armored ball.

I decided to make a practice cake for Max's birthday party, then do another one for his birthday so at least I would have somewhat of an idea of what I was getting into. Max was more than happy to assist in the making of the cake. In the world of 3 year olds, there has never been a child more excited about his birthday than my Doodle.

Tractor Tipping with Mater The Cake Birthday boy designing his race car

This summer Bradfo and I had the opportunity to plan a camping trip for 40. I was in charge of food, and Bradfo was in charge of logistics. While on one of my runs I saw an old old old freezer sitting on the side of the road. Bradfo noticed it to, and decided we needed this freezer to keep all the food cold with dry ice instead of using many coolers. I was afraid to open the freezer feeling for sure it housed either a large family of racoons or remains from a serial killer. Mostly I was concerned with what we would do with the freezer after we stopped using it. (Keeping in mind that I already own a stand up freezer in the basement, a fridge/freezer in the garage, and my regular fridge/freezer beast in the kitchen.) No joke the freezer was called "The Coolinator". I googled it and found a picture of it. Brad assured me that the gentlemen from Rocky Mountain Power would come and pick it up and give us $30.00 as part of a cool saver program. I was convinced that they would take ...

I have realized lately in a matter of fact way that Bradfo has really missed out a lot this summer on our fun. When I mentioned that we should take the motorcycles up the canyon and hang out as a family he was ALL OVER it! We packed the extra table, beef jerky, cheese and crackers, fruit, chips, granola bars, water, book, sand toys, chairs, and had a blast. The weather was warm but we were cool by the shade and river. I can not believe I live in such a beautiful place. It's ridiculous. Yes indeedy they wore the helmets the whole short trip up the canyon Resting up for the big ride Abbie. I hate how big she looks on the back of the bike. Boo for growth. Amelia. She liked to hot dog it by standing up during the large bumps. Thrill seeker. Max getting properly outfitted. Brad has taken Max on 3 solo trips with him this summer. The two boys have an amazing time. the ever present crack issue The return trip Waiting for their go Like a fish to water, this one.. Notice a barefoot Max in t...