High Adventure

Preston is off to Bear Lake with his boy scout troop on a high adventure party: boating, fart jokes, etc. May the force be with him, and with his leaders.  It's always a little bit quieter when he's away:-(

Bright and early with his troop.

Tired, excited smile.

Tonight our ward had a water party.  Even though clouds threatened to spoil the fun, they behaved and the kids partied in the splash pad, at hotdogs and watermelon, and chucked some water balloons. Every activity like this takes planning, organization, and kind effort.  Thanks to all of the lovely primary leaders who pulled of such an enjoyable activity. Even our dog had fun.

*** This post is for Thursday, August 7th, 2014***

Double Duty

A few days ago I promised the kids we would go to Lagoon... Then a cousin party popped up for Chuck e Cheese's, so we did both! I love it when I play the part of cool mom, because it means I don't have to do anything remotely fantastic for several days, having made a large deposit into my kids "my summer has been great!" account. 10 points for me! FYI: You don't go to the Chuck for the food.

My family got season passes this year. We have been several times, and I really can't believe that we have never rode on the train.  I had NO idea that it was going to be fantastic.  They have loads of awesome cool zoo animals to look at, and because the enclosure are very old school (nothing like a real natural habitat) you can see each animal up close: lions, tigers, zebras, llamas, warthogs. I think I evens saw a unicorn... not really, but there truly were loads of great animals to see. Who knew.

***This post is for Weds, Aug 6, 2014***

Indoor Garden Party

The women's organization in my church gathers every year for a lovely garden party potluck.  This year was no exception, except that crummy rainy weather (which I have really enjoyed except for this one time) forced the party indoors.  The night was still fantastic.  We ate delicious salads and desserts, had chicken salad sandwiches. We chatted, ate and mingled, got to hear a lovely solo accompanied by the guitar, then a short talk on an organization that is helping families who struggle with mental illness (where we donated school supplies), and then we assembled school kits that will go to a needy local elementary school.  I love these nights with these wonderful women! I love service projects! I love good food! All in all tonight was a thumbs way up!!!

My offering for the dinner. Man, I love fresh mozzarella!

The table decor was "watermelon," which was darling.  

Loads of women, sitting, eating, bonding.

Putting our school kits together. To a quote a friend: School supplies make me giddy!

A finished packet.  I remember eating paste in kindergarten. I think my twin started it.

*** This post is for Tuesday, August 5th, 2014***

Birthday Boy Turns 15!!

Preston Edward Albert Smith was born 15 years ago in Tucson, Arizona. He arrived 8 days earlier than expected due to the monkey business of being in the wrong position. He was my first, and hopefully last, c-section.  He is tall, light, and handsome.  Preston loves to joke around, is always game for a party, plays the piano beautifully (no sheet music for him, he prefers to whip the notes out of thin air.) He is an interesting son, a watchful big brother, a loud singer, and excellent shopper. 10 points to Preston Smith.  I'm super grateful to call him my son.

Birthday Boy about to eat his Birthday breakfast: biscuits and gravy. Mmm.

Lunch at Ikea. We are remodeling our basement to create another bedroom, which will be Preston's.

Preston got this picture for his new room. Its of Amsterdam (and we've been there!) We also have Dutch heritage: You aint much if you aint Dutch, according to my Grandma!

Annie is holding a pic of Cricket when she was just a puppy. Darling? Yes.

Captain of My Soul

From a lesson I taught on agency:

What is your personal plan to make your journey illuminated? Have you pondered your many options? Have you sought guidance from the Holy Ghost? Because of the Fall, we “have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for ‘our’selves and not to be acted upon... (2 Ne 2:26) 

            Please don’t give your agency away to anyone for anything. Agency is a gift given from our Heavenly Father, for the eternal progression of His children.  He has great faith and trust in your ability to be guided by the Holy Ghost, to work in concert with Him, to direct your life as you and He sees fit. True that.

And now, an epic poem:

Invictus

BY WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY

Out of the night that covers me,

      Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

      For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

      I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

      My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

      Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

      Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

      How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

      I am the captain of my soul.

English T Party

A good pal of mine invited Annie and me to a wonderful T* party at her home. She had a lovely selection of cookies, delicious fruit punch, and peanut butter and honey sandwiches... in the shape of elephants! and grilled cheese sandwiches... in the shape of penguins! Does it get better than that? I don't think so! This is one of those girly things that I simply love to participate in.  Long live T parties!!!

What a spread!!!

Annie all dolled up, as in she totally put loads of make-up on.

You know you are at an epic T party when the hostess provides carrots in several different shades.  FYI: purple/white carrots taste the same as orange carrots, but are funner to eat because the look cool.

I'm a big fan of Soda Box art.  

* A "T" party is like a "Tea" party, except that no "tea" is served, as in herbal T, or juice or punch.  I love T and wish that there was some great distinction between a drink that contains the ingredient "tea" and a drink that is made from delicious, natural, non-tea ingredients where you get to control the sweetener... for now, I'm going with "T".

***This post is for Saturday, Aug 2nd, 2014***

Winner, Winner!

A few friend's in the neighborhood decided to throw themselves a 30th birthdya party (as her husband and her birthdays both occur pretty close to each other.  Here's the best part: they rented out a rollerskating rink and had an adults only skate party.  It was so much fun! Even better was that there was an arcade, and Ryan and I played a few games. I played the blinking light game, where a light chases around a circle, and the goal is to hit the "jackpot" button when it lights up. And I did! 267 tickets! Now that's a winner, winner chicken dinner!

Look at all those tickets in this rubbish shot!

They got me a plastic crown, 2 packages of fake mustaches, and 2 chinese finger thingies.

What a jackpot!

**This post is for Friday, Aug 1st.**