That time I tried to relax...

Whoever said Summer was relaxing - never knew me.   Or had four kids.   

I remember the moment this week when summer vacation officially commenced.  It was at approximately 12:15 on Tuesday afternoon, and began the moment 4+ kids came barreling through the front door.   They dropped their backpacks, coats, lunches, and every remnant from their desks/cubbies in the front entryway and dispersed making all sorts of demands, and leaving little scattered trails of chaos in their wake.   

One of them wanted to set up a lemonade stand (because despite the fact that it wasn't even very hot out- it was freakin' summer, so why not?), one of them wanted to have three friends over (not one, not two... but three), and the other two plunked themselves down in the office right smack dab in front of the computer.  (I knew at that moment that if I didn't do something to derail that train- that is where they would spend the entire summer!) 

This all happened within a span of ten minutes, and then things got really busy!!!  haha.

In an effort to curb the lack of control I was feeling, I sat down at my computer and began to make up a Summer "to do" list/schedule.    I calendared every appointment, meeting, holiday, commitment that I knew of.  I calendared every family visit we are anticipating, and I calendared every activity we hope to accomplish as a family.    Then,  I made a list for John ...and one for each of my kids.   I scheduled his fencing jobs, made a list of their piano songs that need to be mastered by the end of August, wrote out a list of books they each must read....that kind of thing.

Shortly after all that list making,  I came to the realization that there is a distinct possibility that I may have OCD tendencies.   ...Maybe.  

Usually I like being this way, feeling organized and stuff, but this time - it was just stressing me out and I knew there was only one thing to do, so I picked up the phone and booked an appointment with a new hairdresser in town.   Is there anything more relaxing than a head massage and fresh highlights?   I think not!

I showed up almost on time, plunked myself down in her chair and told her that I'd love a trim and perhaps a "few low lights,  with a tinge of red in them."   I sat back and left her to work her magic, all the while I could hear her prodigy son playing classical music on the piano upstairs.    (Ever had your hair professionally shampooed while listening to Chopin?    If not, you really should,  it's lovely.)

Anyways, things seemed to be fine and I felt relaxed (ur...semi relaxed) as she began to blow-dry my hair.  Strangely though, the dryer that my hair got...the more purple it began to seem!   I wasn't going to panic, because surely, surely my hair had not just been dyed purple.  I probably just needed to get outside where the lighting was better.    I paid her, thanked her, told her how much I LOVED it and ran to my van where I was finally able to really inspect things.

Yup - purple hair.   

I HAD PURPLE HAIR!!!!

 My mind instantly went to all of the things I had going on over the next couple of days.   Ward temple night...Grad ceremony the day after...company was coming for dinner...and here I was with PURPLE HAIR!     

For the next two days, as I struggled to find a hairdresser (on grad weekend) that could squeeze me in and fix things, this purple hair of mine consumed me.    I wandered around town with a hoodie secured tightly around my head, I avoided everyone, I had no patience,  and heaven help the soul who dared call me with a request.   I mean, didn't they know I had PURPLE HAIR!!!   

So much for relaxing!  

Now, here is the moral of this sad, pathetic little story.  In the end, things turned out alright.  

 Due to my appearance, John didn't let me attend our ward's temple night with him, so I no longer had to worry about that.  Nor, did I go to Grad with him the next night either, much to his relief.   And as for the company we were expecting for dinner?    Well... I was able to find a hairdresser (last minute) who worked on my hair from 6:00-10:45 pm- so I ultimately missed out on that too.    Luckily, (because I'm so hospitable;) I had left a meal in the crock pot and a note with my daughter telling them to "come on in and enjoy the meal!"   Not too classy, I know, but the point is - it ALL WORKED OUT.    It ALWAYS does!!!

WHY can't I just tell myself that right off the bat?   

Why worry?  Why stress?

I have a friend, who I admire so much, who is going through something more stressful than anything I could ever imagine and despite all that weighs on her, she has chosen to live with the phrase "Let's Just Do Today" as her mantra.    Let's.Just.Do.Today.  I mean really, how beautiful is that?   

I was reminded of the importance of that this week as I worried, and fretted about summer logistics, and hair logistics, and every other logistic that just doesn't really matter.  Not in the end.   

So I'm going to start summer all over again, and I plan on enjoying the whole summer one blessed day at a time!  

Even the days that are a little more purple than others!!

Waterton Wildflower Festival

Some friends of ours were camping in Waterton for the week (last week) and on Monday night, John, I and the kids went out to join them for dinner.   It was their daughter Olivia's 12th birthday AND it was also Day 4 of the Waterton Wildflower festival - two PERFECT reasons for us to get out there and enjoy a beautiful evening!!!

We went up to Lost Horse Creek, where Shauna threw together a delicious Taco dinner.   

The kids explored, quoted "The Lego Movie" incessantly, whittled sticks, and paired off in little groups.   (ninjas over here...spy kids over there...)   

Thanks to all of the rain we'd received the week before, the rivers and creeks were RUSHING!   

...And the mountainside was BRIMMING with wildflowers!!!   

It was a perfect evening, spent in a beautiful place, with some of our favourite friends!!!

Not a bad way to kick off Summer, if I do say so myself!

One VERY stinky Day

Last week, on a particularly warm summery day, John and I decided to take the kids for an evening walk to my sister Jewel's house.    We don't live far from her, but the walk involved crossing through a couple of alleys overgrown with lush, tall grass.     

As we neared my sisters house I glanced down to my left and jumped- startled to see that Sam had almost stepped on an itty bitty little SKUNK!!   The funny thing is that the skunk was playing around a giant steal trap, door lifted and ready.   I instinctively started backing away from it and encouraged the kids to do the same.   I've always heard that "baby skunks can't spray" you, but I wasn't about to take any chances, so we RAN the rest of the way to Jewels house.

After visiting with Jewel, Kendall and the kids for awhile we gathered up our things (and our courage) and prepared to head for home.   I was a little bit nervous we'd encounter that skunk again, but I figured that surely it has moved on by this point.   That turned out not to be the case, and as we approached the trap this time around, we laughed to see that little baby skunk happily rooting around inside of it - trap door still open!   (The little thing was to light to set it off)   

I pushed John towards the trap and told him to put the door down securing that baby skunk inside.

We ran and got Jewel and her kids, and we all sat there for awhile enjoying how cute it was. 

 And, it really really was cute!

Naturally, the skunk was named "Bob," because, well doesn't that sound like the perfect name for a skunk?    

The poor thing was so scared of us, it kept its tail up the entire time, and was constantly turning itself so that it's bum faced us.    It seemed to be "trying" to spray us, and I remember feeling pretty darn thankful that baby skunks don't spray!!

After a few minutes of this we grew tired of scaring the poor thing, and one of Jewel's neighbors prepared to haul it away to a ..."safer place." (At least that's what he said he was going to do with it;)

We said our goodbyes, and headed on home.  

As we walked home though I began to notice the faint mild aroma of a skunk. That little stinker had been more successful in its attempts than I'd originally thought!!!  Luckily, it was a wee little thing, and the stink that remained on us was somewhat subtle, and much less putrid then it could have been, that's for sure.

But boy am I glad John wouldn't let us keep it as a pet!!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

The kids came home from church today and wanted to decorate the house before John got home in an effort to wish him a Happy Father's Day.  

I was happy to oblige their request, but reminded them of our "No tacks or tape on the walls rule" before disappearing for a bit to work on a few things.   It wasn't long before I could hear these 4 industrious little kids of mine decorating in what must have been the only way that seemed possible:

They'd managed to toilet paper the.entire.house!!! 

I'm pretty sure John felt the love.

Reunion Time!

This past weekend we met up with our Rausch family at the Magrath Campground for a couple of days of fun and games.  (John and I only attended on Saturday mostly because we are wimps and didn't want to deal with the rainy weather more then once!;)

We got out there early Saturday morning and enjoyed a delicious crepe bar and spent the morning playing games and getting reacquainted with cousins.

Some of the more hard core family insisted on water sliding - even in the pouring rain!!  

They obviously aren't afraid of getting a little bit wet.

 Man it was cold!   I bet it was barely 7 degrees out when they were water sliding, and I had to question the sanity of any parent that would let their child waterslide in such conditions.  

 (PS:  The one on the right is mine;)

When the kids got too cold to waterslide, they ventured down to the creek and caught frogs.  

Thankfully, my Aunt Loni and her daughter had come prepared with LOTS of fun crafts for the kids to do as well.   (There is nothing better on a rainy day then a craft table, that's for sure!)

We left late Saturday evening, but not before finally getting to enjoy a little bit of sun.  (Horray!!)

This marked the first of several reunions that we will be enjoying this summer and it definitely has us looking forward to all of the fun that awaits!!!

Special Places

  This past week was a frustrating week for me.  One in which I have felt a need to re-connect with the things that matter most, and with the things that energize me.   Perhaps John could sense this, because on Tuesday night he kindly offered to put the kids to bed before his meeting, so I could go for a drive to Waterton.  (I've been wanting to for weeks but just have not been able to find the moment.)      

I knew as soon as I started heading that way that it was going to be a beautiful evening!
This charming little family of geese were heading home (at least I think so;) just past Leavitt.   I pulled over and watched them for a few minutes.   Watching birds is really quite interesting as you can really see family dynamics play out amongst them.    So cute!

Waterton was breathtaking!   As I drove up to Red Rock I could tell that the park was on the brink of exploding with wildflowers.    I identified three new flowers that I'd never seen before, and got tonnes of pictures of these favourites that became familiar to me last year.    (Old Man's Whiskers is what I think they are called?)    

Balsamroot seemed to be the dominating plant everywhere I went.  They dotted every hillside and lined the road.  I drove past them for the most part, not really thinking of them as special, perhaps because they were so common and abundant.   At one point though I came over that famous bump along red rock road and was greeted by an entire FIELD of them.   The sun was shining in a way that illuminated them perfectly, and finally I saw them for the beautiful plants that they are.   

During this drive I saw several deer, lots of ducks and birds, and I laughed as an Elk wandered along the road ahead of me for quite a stretch.   He seemed very disoriented, though I imagine having me on his tail wasn't helping.  I tried to hang back and let him find his way to wherever it was he was going but we really just inched along, toward red rock, him and I.   I thought of taking a picture, but it would have only been a photo of an Elk's bum, so I decided to just not worry about it.  
You're welcome!;)

On Thursday I needed to go up to Calgary for an appointment.  As with most of my Calgary appointments, I had a narrow margin of time to spend enjoying the city,  but this time I chose to avoid ALL shopping malls and retail outlets, which John had better be thrilled about!!! haha.   Instead, I decided to wait out the dreaded "rush hour" by attending a session in the Calgary temple for the first time ever.    

Of course I had to change into a dress in order to go in, and after battling with bad directions, and congested traffic, and barely getting to the temple in time, I decided it would be fastest to just get changed in the van right there in the parking lot.   This actually turned out to be a not so good idea, as it was until after I'd changed that I noticed the caretaker mowing the grass just a little ways off.   Ahhhh!!!!!

So... that was awkward;)

Luckily things improved from that point on, and I truly enjoyed having the chance to take in some of the details of this particular temple.    It is gorgeous!!! 

While I was sitting in there I thinking back on the first year of John's and my marriage when we were living in Edmonton and would go to the temple every single Thursday evening.
What a fun memory that is now!

I was glad I got to go, and it was the perfect way to find balance amidst a busy day in the city!

As I look back on this past week, these two trips are really what stand out as highlights. 

  My two chances to escape to two very special places!!!

Jessica's To Do List

Our youngest daughter is...a doll!  That is all there is to it.   

If I had to pick a kid that I worried the least about - it would be this one.

She's pleasant 99.9% of the time, doesn't waste her time on the computer, never prefers to watch T.V, and when given the choice, would prefer to live her life in the great outdoors!   

She actually reminds me so much of my own younger sister Crystal, and I  love that about her.

Last Sunday she found an empty Kraft Dinner box in the recycling pile (her own little treasure trove) and instantly set off to begin yet another craft.   (She's always saving garbage for a future craft:)   Anyways, after a couple of hours she came to me to show me her new "baby."   The Kraft Dinner box had been delightfully decorated with hearts and flowers, and the words "Baby Lola" were thoughtfully printed on each side.    When I peeked inside, I doubled over laughing.   

Trust Jess to not use a doll (which we have many of) but a Banana instead!!!!

Her baby banana Lola had a face drawn on it, with a soother and everything.   

She has had that banana tucked in his crib for several days now.  

The poor thing is turning BROWN for goodness sake, and I'm thinking that it is about time that another one of Jess' creations mysteriously goes missing.    ....again! ;)   

This morning as I was making Jessica's bed (I'm convinced that her inability to clean up after herself is the one thing holding her back from absolute perfection;) I found a scribbled "To Do" list lurking under her covers.   I imagine she scrawled these words late at night when I thought she was fast asleep.   John and I got a good laugh out of it:

I know her printing/spelling is not great, but she's in grade 1 -cut her a little slack!  Haha.  Besides, these creative minds can't be bothered with technicalities like that;)    Let me translate her writing:

To Do List:

- Regret not getting a book order

-Read to my Mom

- Beg my mom to let me invite Kady (ahem...Katie;)

- Write a story about "Fatty"

- Earn money somehow

- Have a funeral for my fish (who happens to be alive and fine...for now?)

- Make a craft, I know just what to do

- Maybe have a laugh attack a few times

- Tell Sam to stop annoying me and go jump in a lions mouth

- Try to not get booed

- Punch a pillow in Sam's face

And that, according to her, is "Jessica's Hardy To Do list"!!!   haha

I love the age my kids are, and I feel so grateful for the fact that right now, at this moment in their lives,  the only thing they have to worry about are matters such as these.   

Oh, to be SEVEN again!!!!

I think I'll try to learn a thing or two from her.   Excuse me while I go revamp my own To Do list;)

High Jump Highlights and other track and field Fun

I think it is official and safe to say, Track and Field for this little family is done!!! (hallelujah!)    I’ve neglected to share highlights from Jessica’s big day which was held a few weeks back.   

Jess made me laugh the whole time.   Unlike Sam and Abby, this girl really didn’t care how she did compared to other kids in her grade.   n fact, that’s exactly what she told me at one point, after she’d done a round at the high jump.   I'd called out to her, wanting to share a quick pointer, to which she distractedly called back-  “Yeah, Yeah...I don’t care!”    

And just like that, I was brushed off!!   (She should have listened though.  I was pretty good at high jump back in the day, if I do say so myself;) 

  

At any rate, she didn’t care how she did, that's all there was to it, and as a result she had so.much.fun!   Jessica has been known to have fun at the dentist though, so really, I shouldn’t have been surprised with her attitude.   She just pretty much loves everything about the whole world.   ...Always!   

She did pretty great, getting second place ribbons in any event that counted ...which, naturally she didn’t care anything about! ;)  

She's such a doll!!!

********

Abby received a note last week from school notifying her that she had secured a spot at the upcoming divisional track meet and would be competing in High Jump and the 400meter.   Abby was thrilled, if not also a little surprised, and I was so happy to see her enthused about sports.    

Knowing that she’d be competing with other (more experienced) kids in the division, Abby set out to “train” a little more intensively.   For several nights in a row, John took her down to Walker Field so he could help her with some running skills.    I’d occasionally accompany them as well, to cheer Abby on, take some pictures, and contradict all of the tips John had given her with tips of my very own.    (Sometimes I just like to get in there and pretend that I know what I’m talking about, you know?) 

John was super ingenious one day and he rigged up a DIY High Jump mat/bar in an effort to help Abby master that technique.   He pulled up Sam and Nate's bed from their room, and used a long pvc pipe as the bar.  Naturally, the front lawn seemed like the best place to practice, no?   haha.

I'm sure we didn't get a single strange look from any passerby;)

Abby competed this past Tuesday and, according to her report, tried her very best.  I wouldn't know because I had to stay back and babysit.  Luckily her Auntie Jewel went (to watch Mya) and took some photos for me, bless her heart;)

I'm sure proud of these kids and the effort they put forth this year!  

1st trip of the year

This past weekend was GORGEOUS!  Beautiful.  Sunny.  Warm.

We spent a large part of Saturday morning debating whether we should head east to St.Mary's or west towards Waterton.   In the end, St.Mary's won out because we needed to get home sooner to attend the adult session of stake conference.    

It has been awhile since we'd been out here (the fall really) and the kids went immediately to the "bridge" to catch minnows.   Sam caught his minnow in a matter of seconds and did what he always does with his minnows.  He put it in a water bottle full of pond water and brought it home as a new pet.  (I believe he named it "fatty?")   

The dam was open which meant for a fun time looking for fossils below the spillway.    Of course we didn't find any, (some people do-but never us;) but the kids had fun just the same.    

I pulled out my flower twicher for the first time this year and was able to identify two new flowers that I'd never before seen.        

When we all got bored of playing along the shore, we stopped off at the playground for awhile before heading home.   It felt so good to be in the sun and all outside together enjoying each other and nature.   I instantly began looking forward to Summer Holidays with more intensity then ever!!!

Summer can't come soon enough!

S'mores and Such....

It's been a LOVELY week here!  No snow...;) .... a few little showers.... and lots of SUN!!!!

On Friday evening we spontaneously decided to have a wiener roast in the back yard.    It wasn't really spontaneous seeing as the kids had watch our neighbour have one the week before, and jealously declared that "they had more fun next door then us!"

   (Clearly I had to remedy that and work a wiener roast into the schedule;)

To throw it absolutely over the top - we had Jewel and her kids over, because really, that is all it takes for my kids to be happy.    

My niece May showed us that if you put a wiener on a stick in a wavy way it will stay like that once it is cooked!  haha

We enjoyed some S'mores after (of course) and had a great visit!

Speaking of S'mores - Here's a fun little recipe sheet I found online that is full of great variations for S'mores.  I'm looking forward to trying some of them out pretty soon!

Birthday Fun

There is an awesome elderly couple in our ward, who have really taken our kids and adopted them as their own, in a lot of ways.  They often attend the kids’ recitals, choir performances, and sporting events.   And they are constantly surprising them with fun little things like stacks of loose leaf paper and craft supplies.    This couple is so Nice!   

This past week Jean stopped me and asked if she could perhaps borrow our kids for a couple of days as they needed some help with their yard and garden.  She insisted that she wanted ALL of the kids to help, and I immediately jumped at the chance to volunteer my kids and hopefully return some of the kindness that they've shown us.  So, on Tuesday, after school, all four kids walked to their home but not until after I’d lectured them good and long about the importance of working hard and serving others. ;)    The kids came back that night with lots of stories about all they'd helped to plant, and they'd even promised to return on Thursday to do it all again!

Thursday rolled around and I was feeling kinda bummed that I’d committed my kids to help on this particular day.   It was my birthday, and with the kids being gone, it was starting to feel a little bit boring.   John suggested that he and I take Max out for dinner to celebrate, which I was willing to go along with, because hey- what else were we going to do?   I’d  much rather have had my kids with me on my birthday but I could tell John was trying to take the initiative and spearhead something, so I wasn’t going to argue with that;)  haha.    Shortly after picking Max up, John swung us by the Gladdings house as the kids apparently needed me for a second.   When I went up to the door, the kids all jumped out (dressed in aprons) and welcomed us in for a “Surprise Birthday Dinner.”   It was awesome!!!   

Jean had put each of the kids in charge of an aspect of the meal - even Nate!    They’d made spaghetti, fruit salad, garden salad, garlic bread, and homemade chocolate fudge cake.   Yum!!!   We ate and visited, and listened to the kids share (in great detail) all the tasks they had to do in order to pull this off.   





 It was so sweet of the Gladdings to arrange this, and to spend two days planning things with our kids, and I was so happy that I got to spend the evening with them after all!  

  Happy Birthday to ME indeed!!!!

Piano Recital

There are certain milestones that we reach each year, that serve indicate to me that summer is near, the kids' annual piano recital being one of them.

Always, around this exact time, I find myself swarmed with evening soccer/baseball games to attend, nightly homework for the kids to complete despite the fact that we've all mentally checked out,  field trips and more!  It is always such a welcomed thing for me, when the piano recital rolls around as it means there is one night...one precious night  when we are all together.  Just sitting.   Just listening.  I LOVE it!  (In fact, I think I enjoy listening to other kids' performances as much as that of my own.)    

Sam was really, really nervous to do his piece.    (He played "When the Saints go marching in" but it sounds so sophisticated to call that a piece, doesn't it? ;)   He was sitting beside me doing deep breathing exercises right up until the moment his name was called.     

 He did a super job, and he even remembered to bow after, so I was really proud of him!

Abby is a great piano player, who would be a lot greater at it if she'd just apply herself and practice a little bit.    It's coming along for her, and she is very good at it, but she just doesn't try at it, and this bothers me.  I feel so proud of her and the level that she is at, but I suppose she doesn't always hear this amidst all my yelling at her to get practicing!    Sigh... I'm really looking forward to the day when she comes to me and says, "Mom, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to create beautiful music."  Someone tell me that day will come.
I'm truly clinging to that hope;)  




Sam has expressed a desire to continue practicing throughout the summer, and I suspect this has something to do with the fact that his wonderful piano teacher has tried to tell her students that they will "get out of it what they put in."  I decided to offer these two a little financial incentive if they continue to practice  and develop their skills over the next couple of months.  (When I ran this by Sam, he was thrilled and is looking at it as a summer job.  When I told Abby about the plan, she cried.  haha.)

Wish us ALL luck!!!

Garden Time

Last weekend (May long weekend to be exact) was one of the most productive weekends we've had in a long time!  (and I LOVE feeling productive;)   

The forecast didn't look good for the later half of our holiday and so John and I knew we'd have to rush to get the garden in ASAP!    As soon as John got home from work he started up the rototiller and got to work!    

(John loves it when I make him pause and pose for a photo.   He absolutely never finds it annoying;)

This home we are looking after is a beautiful home, but the yard....the yard is AMAZING!   

On the north side of the house there are two garden boxes.    In the longer one we planted onions, beets and carrots.    In the largest garden box we have planted corn and beans.     Oh, and peas!  Because is there anything better then fresh garden peas?  

(in case you are wondering...no there is not.) 

This year we allowed each of our kids to plant any plant/vegetable of their choosing.    (For the most part they've planted their chosen veggies in little individual planters, but Sam here actually got a small section of dirt right next to the asparagus.    

Sam planted 4 pea plants, 2 tomato plants, and broccoli.   (I'm particularly excited to see how the broccoli turns out;)   Abby, Sam and Jess stuck with peas and a beautiful blue flower that I forget the name of.   They're definitely partial to peas!;)

These are two haskep bushes that we salvaged from our old home.  I wasn't sure if they'd survive the transplant- but low and behold they did!!!    They'll do well here this year, (I hope) and may even produce some berries,  but this won't likely be there final resting place. 

 I plan on transplanting them one.more.time! ;)   

Here is the awesome Raspberry patch!  John and I thinned it, removing all the old canes and weeding among them.   This was a week ago.  If you could see it now, you'd see bright beautiful bushy leaves all over!   There is nothing more beautiful then fresh raspberries!  (well..except perhaps fresh garden peas, but that's already been mentioned;)

This photo makes me happy because it shows the make shift sprinkler system that John rigged up for the garden.

Now all we have to do is hook a hose up to the hose that is wrapped around that cart and both gardens get perfectly watered without having to move around any sprinkler.     John's a genius!!!  (We're pretty sure the owners did it this way too, but that doesn't diminish John's genius in any way.)

The kids keep asking to have a hot dog roast, but I never quite seem to want to deal with campfire smoke!  

This is the other half of the back yard, and it is fairly easy to weed and maintain.   I originally wanted to sell our trampoline and not have to deal with one at all, but John persisted, and in the end, it fit on the back patio perfectly.     

We're definitely looking forward to many lovely summer evenings!!!