A Week at Auntie Crystals!

The kids recently just got back from a week long stay at my sister Crystal's house.    John and I had some things we needed to get done in the city for a few days,  and we knew the kids would enjoy themselves so much more in the thriving metropolis of Rolling Hills Alberta.    

Population - I'm guessing maybe 60.  

 On a good day;)

Actually Crystal and Jeremy live on a quaint acreage outside of Rolling Hills and I'm not kidding it is probably the most charming home that I've ever seen.  (It made me feel bad for all the times I made fun of her old fashioned country lifestyle)

Seeing as we've never left our kids with anyone before - the thought of leaving them for a week was a pretty big deal to me.   However five minutes of being there and I knew my kids were going to be JUST FINE!  

Some of the things they enjoyed:

*Crafts- and LOTS of them!    The kids painted, glued, cut and Abby even sewed her own sock monkey

*  Sam loved the pulley contraption that Jeremy rigged up which enabled him to basically hang the kids high in a tree.    Beats climbing any day!

*   They travelled into Brooks one day and played at the Splash Park

*  Sam has many stories about the time he ALMOST caught one of the bunnies;)

*  They had all the space in the world to wander and explore

*   When they would get bored Crystal and Jeremy would simply build the biggest fort ever- INSIDE

*  And my favorite pictures were the ones of their afternoon Tea Party on the front veranda.   It looked like a lovely time indeed, and Jessica is STILL talking about it!

Not only did Crystal and Jeremy do all these fun things with my kids- but they soothed them when they were home sick, fed them the yummiest food ever,  got Nate to sleep through the night WITHOUT a bottle, and loved them like they were their own.  

My heart swells with gratitude when I think of my Wonderful family and the special role they play in my own kids' lives.    They are lucky LUCKY kids to have such a fabulous Aunts and Uncles!

When the cousins come to visit...

A little over a week ago John's sister Sarah came up for the weekend to visit and we ALWAYS love it when they come!    Her two boys Caleb and Malachi are quite a fun duo and their styles of play are so imaginative and creative that my kids never do get enough of them.   

That Friday we headed out to Waterton with very little "plan" and ended up having the BEST time!   

(Makes me wonder why I ever even bother to make a plan;)

 For a couple of hours we played down at "Driftwood Bay" (granted that might not be it's official name;)  which is a spot John and I have never really explored.    The kids splashed in the water, built all they could, buried themselves under the course pebbly sand and more!  At one point I grabbed my camera and tried to photograph all of the individual projects everyone was working on:

Along the shore- Sarah, Mala and Abby collected rocks and made pretty designs under the water.    Can you guess who did what?

Further down the shore Caleb successfully made a large lean-to all on his own!   This was especially impressive seeing as earlier us "adults" had tried to build one only to have it crash down dangerously more then once.    Sometimes you've just got to leave things up to the kids eh?  

Max even got frustrated watching us parents struggle with the lean-to and eventually he stepped in and showed us how it's done-building one of his own too;)

John got this bright idea to find the longest poles possible and implant them upright all along the shore.   He clearly used his fence building skills to solidify those tall posts;)

And last of all Jessica created a stick garden of sorts that she happily spent the afternoon "watering" with her  water gun!

I'm telling you- there was a LOT of creative energy flowing that day!!!

But that's just what happens when the cousins come to visit!

Other highlights of the day included playing up at Red Rock Canyon, a picnic and a hike up to Blakiston Falls.  John and I couldn't help but notice how much better my kids do when Caleb and Mala hike with them.   No complaining.   No whining.    No "how much longer?" or "why do we have to do this?"

Everything is fun when the cousins come;)

Oh and what would a trip to Waterton be without a Bear sighting?

(or two)

(or three)

I swear there are more Bears this year in Waterton then in previous years, and they are always so close to the town site.   

Perhaps they were just as excited as we were that the cousins came to visit?

Motivational Monday - Perspective

I took this picture a couple of years ago.  It's only about a 5 minute drive from my house and it's one of my favorites. It shows perfectly the exact view and image of Chief mountain that has become so very familiar to me.


The same year that I took the photo above, I joined my family on a vacation down to Kalispell.   Prior to that time I had not been to the states very many times and  I was surprised to really notice Chief mountain from a different angle.

Do you see that tall narrow peak?

It's still the same mountain.

Yet it's not the same mountain I had always thought it was.

What makes the difference is simply - where you are standing.

___________

I think there is a life lesson in that thought,  and even now, I sometimes look at Chief and let it remind me how different "things" can seem depending on where I am at.  

 And  at this moment- I'm grateful to be standing where I am.


****************

"One of the great blessings the gospel gives us is the lens through which we can see with proportion. Special perspective comes from the marvelous and overarching principles of the gospel." -Elder Maxwell

Sam strikes again!

Remember that video of John sleeping that Sam had made several weeks back?    I had truly been impressed at that time to learn that Sam even knew how to record movies let alone do something so clever as to video tape his Dad in such a funny way.

However, this past week John came across even more footage (this time on our cell phone), made by ...none other then Sam himself.     

I'm afraid this kid is shaping out to be a real Steven Spielberg in the making.  

  Granted Sam's technique is quite raw and unrehearsed, but the dialogue in this particular footage had John and I laughing hysterically for quite some time after.
  My favorite part is when he confesses to Jessica about all the times he was mean to her back when she was a baby.    CLASSIC!!!!  

PS:   It might be hard to actually understand what Sam is saying part of the time, but hopefully you hear the funny parts.   Or perhaps this is just one of those moments when you have to be the parent to actually enjoy it;)

Cute + Awesome= my kids + their Dad

A couple of times this summer we have gotten the kids out after dinner to enjoy an evening bike ride.   We try to tell the kids that the exercise will be good for them.    Somehow though, we always wind up at the nearby park, and Jess almost always gives up before we are even half way there. 

 But it's fun just the same.  

I got a little chuckle last week as I surveyed my family while they prepared to leave.   For a brief moment I wondered if I should really let these kids out in public.   Aside from the fact that I looked horrible, I couldn't really say that my kids looked any better.     In the end I decided that it really doesn't matter what we look like and I should just accept and embrace my children's styles of choice.  

It's who they are!

Abby for example rocked a pair of pink plaid shorts and a black checkered hoody.   

Most kids wouldn't be able to pull that off with the flare that Abby does.

I got a kick out of Sam's outfit only because of his socks.   

Earlier that day I had come home with 12 brand new pairs of socks for him to wear and he was SOO excited!

I think he tried on half of them within the first hour!

Really though- Sam and Abby have nothing on Jessica.

Her outfit is truly the one that made me nervous to venture outside of our cul de sac.  

I mean - what exactly does this outfit say?

More importantly what does it say about us?  Her parents!

I think what Jess was trying to convey with this outfit is:

"I'm cute and awesome and I don't care what people think!"

And she's right!

Speaking of Cute and Awesome:

I think I see where the kids get it from!!!

The moment when all is right

The other night we went on yet another fishing excursion.   

Not far - just to St. Mary's.  

John's Dad came along with us this time, and I always like it when he comes along.   

It gives me a reason to sit in the back of the van with the kids.

 And sitting in the back of the van with the kids - is a real treat!

For fifteen or twenty minutes (each way) there are no dishes to do, no calls to return, and no messes to clean up.  

In fact - my entire TO DO list is left at home, and the only thing there is "to do" in that moment is talk and visit with my four little ones. 

It's quality time I tell ya.  

Abby tells jokes.

Sam tries to shoot me with his laser nerf gun.  

Jessica gives a detailed play by play of every animal she spots out the window.

And Nate watches on - smiling and sometimes dancing from the confinement of his car seat. 

When they ask- I tell them stories and try to make them as good as possible.  

We're all together.   We are all happy.  And for a little while- they think I'm funny.

It's a precious,  PRECIOUS moment!

Dear: Dad

"Please please please PLEASE can we get a dog?   The neighbors are getting sick of sharing theirs."    

Love from, 

Your kids.

...and wifey;)

Sam's Birthday Party: Next year...the kids will sign a waiver form!

Sam turns 6 this coming Sunday, (August 14th) and he has been begging me for about a hundred million days now to let him have a birthday party.    I can't say I love Birthday parties and I realize that makes me a lame boring old mom.   I think my lethargic attitude about Birthday parties has more to do with my lack of creativity then anything.  

 Combine my parental patheticness with the fact that Sam's birthday is in the summer and you can understand why our cute little guy usually misses out in the party department.   

This year though- I was determined to throw him a "Real" party.   

And according to Sam it had to include "real friends.  Not just sisters"    (His words-not mine.)

  

* So his big day birthday celebration began with Jessica and I setting up the annual "Wall of Fame" which we do for the kids when they have a birthday.   For a week or so our kitchen wall is covered with some our favorite and most embarrassing photos of the birthday kid.   I LOVE this tradition as it brings back lots of fun memories.

*Then it was breakfast in bed.  All of Sam's favorites:  Eggs with cheese, vanilla yogurt with dumb dumb cereal (don't ask;), and a cup of milk that he got to drink with his new silly glasses straw!   Thanks for that Aunt Crystal!

*Then it was time to party!!!!   6 kids, ('cuz he's 6)  one big bounce house, water games, cake, ice cream, launching home made rockets high into the sky, and a home made Pinata!   John made the pinata himself after Sam requested to have one shaped like a rocket.    I was so happy John made it because who wants to spend $25 on something that a bunch of kids are just going to beat to death?    (sorry-have I mentioned that I'm a lame mom?)

The hit of the party was without a doubt the game John made up where kids took turns sitting on a giant inflatable skidoo while he sent them flying across the slip n slide.    

Luckily there was only one collision.

Oh and there was also that one time when Everett went flying right into the Raspberry patch, but other then that- it was all good.

(If Everett's parents are reading this: -Don't worry. He enjoyed the ride!;)

All in all - it was a lot of fun, and Sam can finally say that he got to have himself a party.  

And you know what- he deserves it!

This boy is such a special part of our family.  He's a little bit crazy.  (certifiably;)  He's LOTs of fun.   He's happy 99.9 percent of the time.  He's a sensitive boy who feels deeply.  He's an entertainer.

 And he's still willing to cuddle with his mommy.  

This kid is definitely worth celebrating.    

Happy Birthday Sam!!!!   

**********

John made up this video of his super fun and SAFE (sarcasm intended) activity he did with the kids.

I'm thinking a waiver form might come in handy next year.

  

Glacier

We are falling in love with Glacier.  

We haven't made much of an effort to explore it as much as we have Waterton but every time we do we are surprised by how stunning it is.   

It's HUGE.   And chalk full of kid friendly hikes.   

I read through our Glacier Hiking book and dog eared the pages of TWELVE hikes that we plan to do with the kids.

John is determined that we spend all of next summer exploring this beautiful place.     

Usually when we go to Glacier we walk around swift current lake and then finish off with some fishing there as well.      It's the perfect stroll and just long enough for a group of kids who lean towards the wimpy side when it comes to outdoor adventures;)    Yesterday we decided to push the kids just 10 minutes further and check out Lake Josephine.     It's about a 0.3 km hike from swift current lake (the one right below the hotel)  yet it is soo much more secluded.     Even Sam was happy that we'd gone the extra short distance by the end of it.   

As always the kids had to ride on the "Elephant Trunk,"  a name we gave this tree trunk when we all unanimously agreed that it looked like an Elephant's head.   

As we neared Josephine we found this tree that had recently been used by a Bear as a scratching post.       

We also found this beautiful butterfly that stayed still for over an hour!  No matter how close we got to it, it never moved!

 

   I tried to identify it later at home and the best I could determine was that it is a Papilio-multicaudata or the two tailed swallowtail.   

At least that's what I told my kids it was, and they totally believed me;)         

Which is perhaps why hiking with kids is so much fun.    

Even when you have no idea what you are talking about - they still think you know everything!

I'd better enjoy that while it lasts;)

It's not about the fish

I have to admit the kids enthusiasm for fishing is beginning to wane this summer as we have failed to catch any fish.   And we've made A LOT of attempts!   Considering our successful evenings fishing in Waterton last year it has been a bit deflating for the kids to never even get a bite.    

Still- John is determined that we utilize our naively purchased Alberta fishing licences and stick to the nearby lakes and rivers outside of the park.   

Which brings us to our Payne Lake trip on Thursday evening which I  like to refer to as:

"Our Family Fishing Gong Show" 

 (Take:  SIX!)

And gong show it is.

Once we finally decide where to fish (which is a feat in and of itself) there is the task of getting the kids and the dingy ready.   John spends a couple of years  (I exaggerated slightly) inflating the boat while the kids jump around inside it.

I let them- because I know John secretly enjoys that;)  

While John struggles with the kids, and the boat, ...and the gear...

I pretend I don't know these crazies and venture off to take pictures of the beauty around us.

I'm all about appreciating the beauty around us.   

(Especially at times like this.)

After a while some of the kids get tired of waiting. .....

But eventually...after the 20 minute drive there and the 30 minute set up...finally it is time to start fishing.  Usually John gets to be the one to take the kids out - while I remain on the shore.   

I generally spend this time fishing, taking photos, playing with Nate (who never lasts long on the boat), and listening to the sounds of my families voices float across the water.

    

Yep.  I have a lot of love for the people in that there boat!

Sometimes Grandpa joins us, which is always a treat.   This week he even brought along his brand new fly rod!   

He has some great fishing stories!

 Nate often stands at the waters edge anxiously watching for the boat to return.  It is amazing how a little bit of slime and mud can keep a little boy happy.  

Eventually, (as in an hour later!)  after the mosquitos have eaten me alive, and just as Nate becomes whiny - the other half of our family comes back.     

Empty handed.  (Again.)  

But still happy.

And it is in that precise moment, as I watch them approach with the sun setting behind them, that I realize

It's not about the fish!!!

And suddenly the fight it took to get the kids out here seems so utterly and delightfully WORTH IT!

What "the funnest day in the WHOLE WORLD" looks like:

My brother Chad has been spending a lot of time with his family this summer at a quaint campsite near pincher creek.     On Monday we drove out to spend the day with them and it turned out being one of the kid's favorite outings of the holidays so far!

But of course, how could it not be?

*  Beautiful scenery

*  Fun in the nearby lake

*  Bocce ball 

*  Quad rides 

* Splash parks

* The BEST tinfoil dinner EVER made

* AND an outside movie while the sun set behind us

It was delicious, and fun and relaxing.

And Perfect!

I love this picture of Jessica.    

Not only because she brought me a handful of handpicked flowers (my favorite thing ever!), but her entire self is covered head to toe with dirt, sunscreen, chocolate, and melted marshmallow!  

                       

In case you were wondering- this is what "the funnest day in the whole World"  looks like!!
Just ask my kids;)

When the kids are bored....

We're officially halfway through summer break and the kids are beginning to complain more and more that they are BORED.   

 Am I the only Mom out there who is NO FUN?

Luckily they found a pack of balloons one day and managed to make their own sort of fun by creating little people water balloons.    

I thought it was cute when I found Miss Pinky (because she was pink of course;) sitting on our couch with a pile of books.    

(She clearly likes to read.)

I figured it was getting out of hand when I walked past the bathroom later that day and noticed Abby actually bathing her little balloon Baby in the sink.     

 Still, I held me tongue and didn't say anything because I'm striving for "fun mom" status here.

However, I had to draw the line that night,  when I found TWO of these little water filled friends tucked snugly into bed.    Water balloons in BED?!!!

Even a "Fun Mom" has to draw a line somewhere.   Right?

Our front yard in July- An old folks home perhaps?

I posted a collage much like this in June showing what our front yard looked like then and figured I should do the same now.    It's fun to see the changes as some plants begin to bloom and flourish.    

My favorite plants this month have been the lilies and the bee balm.    

I also love how much the clematis has grown since last year.    You can't see it but on the left John built a 4 lattice frame for yet another vine - a Virginia creeper-which I know I am going to really enjoy.   

 That's FOUR plants climbing up the front of our house now!!!

I've been a little self conscious lately that our home officially looks like a couple of old people live here,  with such a scattered arrangement and assortment of things growing.     

Luckily, we usually have a plethora of bikes, balloons, dolls, balls and kids clothes scattering the lawn to indicate otherwise;)  

Saturday Fun

We spent Saturday afternoon outside...  in the hot HOT sun!

We started out at Waterton Dam where the kids enjoyed playing and wading in the water.   Abby's friend Cody was there and so she spent most of her time playing with him and riding on his family's jet ski and tubes.

  Nate was happy so long as he could hold the cell phone.   

(Some kids just can't be torn away from their toys;)

Sam and Jess dug for shells and buried each other in the sand.  

We finished off by fishing at Payne Lake for awhile.    

Is there any better way to end a day?

I think not.  

"I didn't plan to be a witch: And other suprises of a joyful mother."

The title of this post is actually the name of a book that I once came across a few years back.    I never did read the book (because sigh...I didn't think I needed too;)  but that title is one I've never forgotten.   In fact, it's usually the first thought that pops into my head right after I've lost my temper about something.    

Like the time Abby and Sam decided to set up a a veterinary clinic in our front room and made toilet paper casts for each.and.every.one of their stuffed animals.   

There was toilet paper EVERYWHERE!  (except where it should have been)

One look at that mess and the "witch" in me came out as I threatened to wrap THEM up in toilet paper if they ever made a mess lake that again!  

Or there was the day last week when Abby and Jess decided to paint their fingernails with bright green nail polish that I bought for them last year.  It didn't take more then five minutes for Nathan to get his hands on it and dump the contents of the bottle all over our white fluffy basement carpet!  

Yeah...I definitely got "witchy" then!   

It is always in moments like this, that that darn book title pops into my head.  Without fail, I feel a pang of guilt as I realize just how hard it is sometimes to be the JOYFUL kinda mom I want to be.

  

I tell ya-being a witch is way easier.   It just is.

Speaking of witches- Jessica was thrilled this week when I came home from Calgary with a costume for her to wear this Halloween.    I had intended to put it away for the next couple of months, but Jessica wouldn't hear of it, and insisted on trying it on right then and there.  

She wore her "witch outfit" to dinner that evening while she ate not one -but TWO helpings of spaghetti and corn:  (Frankly, she can wear whatever she wants if it'll help her eat that well;) 

She was still wearing her witch outfit when we all decided to pile into the van later that evening and go for a little drive:  (Doesn't she look excited to be going?)

I have to admit- she seemed a bit out of place as we followed Grandpa through a field to check out an awesome fish pond that he knew about:  (the broom is a nice touch eh?)

John, Max and I got a kick out of watching her excitement at feeding the trout and watching them jump: (I mean really it was quite a sight;)

And my heart melted when she got her fingers pinched in the van while coming home and she cried like a baby, but still insisted on wearing her hat.  (like any brave little witch should;)

As I looked over these pictures of her from that evening I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming gratitude for these little kids that are testing me daily yet at the same time (hopefully) shaping me into something I would never have been without them.   

Sure I have my "witchy mom" moments but I'm more inclined now to be a little bit more accepting of myself.

Because as Jessica has so perfectly demonstrated:  

When done right- being witchy can actually be pretty dang CUTE!

The Fort AND Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump

We recently took the kids to the Fort Museum in Fort MacLeod and had a great time!   John and I hadn't been here since we were both kids, and we were pleasantly surprised to see how kid friendly it was.   

We had fun touring each cabin and exhibit and the riding demonstrations were very cool!

They had a little booklet for the kids that contained pictures of various items throughout the park.  IF the kids could locate every item in the book, they got to choose a treat!  It was a great way to keep them interested as John and I tried to explore as much as we could. 

This photo I love.     I love how Nathan is freaked and genuinely wants out.   Jessica has just gone and figured out how to get out.    Sam on the other hand doesn't want to simply squeeze between the bars.   He's clearly aiming for a authentic jail break.   And Abby is perfectly content to remain behind bars.   

John and the kiddos in front of the Cavalry.   

Man I wish I lived back in those early frontier days.    John would have been a handsome cowboy.   

We had planned a picnic for lunch but the rain started to pour as we left the museum, so we decided to eat in the van and drive 10 minutes further to the Head Smashed in Buffalo jump.     The kids enjoyed that museum as well-though I didn't take any pictures so I clearly must have been feeling a little worn out:)   

That's 2 of our summer items checked off the "To Do" list.   

And in one day!

How efficient are we right?