Date night and First Tandem Ride

What a great four day weekend...and it's not even over yet!

Ryan had Friday off work, so we packed a picnic lunch and went to a park. This park was huge, and crowded...I guess the whole town also thought a picnic in the park was a good idea! After that it was off to my moms. She invited the girls over to spend the night...yay!! They LOVE sleeping over, they think it's the greatest thing! My mom even watched Piper for an hour so Ryan and I could go out to dinner! When we came back to take Piper home with us, Haley kept saying, "Okay, can you guys leave now." Goodness, no separation anxiety for her!

Saturday morning was so quiet!! It was very weird to have only one little baby in the house. Later, we took the tandem out for my first ride since last Summer. And can I just say...holy tailbones...my bum was hurting so bad!! That saddle is some kind of torture device...it needs to be switched out before I can ride it again. But besides that, it was a very nice ride. It was a little strange not to have any control, and the fact that I could not see a thing in front of me...but I got used to it. Actually I could sight see so much easier when I don't have to keep my eyes on the road...the mountains were beautiful! I think we could really get that thing going if I were in decent shape.

Kick off to Summer!

Yesterday we celebrated Haley's last day of Kindergarten!

They had a really cute program with lots of singing...I was wondering why Haley was singing "Start spreading the news..." (one of their songs, slightly tweaked) this past week. She did excellent, cute as ever. I actually was getting a little teary watching her up there! If I'm already getting teary for Kindergarten, I wonder what High School or College will be like...or her wedding?!! Aaahh, I'll be a wreck!! Oh, Haley please stop growing up!!

Haley with her teacher...

...and her BFF.
The whole family.

Haley with Grandma.

After her little graduation program we headed off to breakfast. We were lucky Ryan got to join us...he took the morning off, yay!

After we completely gorged ourselves we said farewell to Ryan, and then we went to the Paleontologist museum on BYU campus. Not bad for a free museum!

Pretending to be Dinosaurs.

After that museum we went to the Monte L. Bean Life Science museum, also on campus.

This picture is of an actual Liger!

I couldn't help but think of Napoleon Dynamite...if you haven't seen that movie...well, you probably have no idea what I'm talking about. Anyway, very cool.

ROAR!!!

Piper enjoyed it all from the stroller.

So now we are officially in Summer, and it's a beautiful day for it to begin! We started the morning off with homemade coffee cake and eggs. Later we had to go to the store where Haley promptly reminded me that because it was finally Summer they could do Yucky Cereal Week. So they each picked out their "yucky" cereal...which happened to be Trix for each of them. I think they only picked it because it came with a squirt toy. So after the store we had a picnic lunch outside then we set the little play pool up. They played outside for the remainder of the afternoon. Just lovely! Now, they're exhausted watching a movie before dinner. And I'm thinking BBQ for tonight!

Ah, Summer...how I love you!

Motherhood

Some women say the most perfect things. They always have the perfect thing to say to those tricky questions our kids ask. Or when a friend is going through a hard time...they know the comforting words that make it all better. They can send the most thoughtful "Thank You" card, or say uplifting and motivating things to a recent grad. Newly married? They know the right way to give advice without sounding like a "know it all".

I want to be that person. I never know the right things to say in any situation. My kids ask something tricky, or maybe they're sad about something...I'm always stumbling over my words. I think they walk away more confused. When someone is spilling there guts, hurting over something...I'll just stare back, trying as hard as I can to say something comforting, or helpful...but nothing comes. I'm just not good at saying the perfect things. It's a gift that some people have.

Anyway, I enjoy following this blog. And today I absolutely loved her post! So much in fact that I had to post it on mine to share. So...as much as I wish these were my words...they are not. But I think she captured motherhood perfectly! When I'm having a bad day, I'll go back and read this to remind myself what a blessing motherhood is! I am so lucky!

I love to watch mothers interact with their children. Different discipline styles and displays of motherly-affection intrigue me. I watch for what works and what doesn’t work. I am a mother-of-three who still is trying to learn to be a mom. You see, these children of mine, they change so quickly. A strategy that worked one month will fail the next. They are smart and changing; I have to be on my toes. I have a feeling that as soon as I figure motherhood out, they will be out of the house. Is that how it goes, experienced mothers? Will I always feel like I don’t know what I am doing?

I have learned a few things about motherhood, though. Here is my very unsolicited advice:

::Sleep is a valuable commodity. Teach your children to sleep. Put them to bed early. Encourage naps. Catch some zzz’s yourself, whenever you can.

::Stop worrying over little things. Kids spill. Kids are loud. Kids are rambunctious. Kids don’t sit still. Let them play. They will grow up too quickly, so enjoy these moments while you can.

::No matter how hard you try, your clothes will not be clean. Your shoulder will never look the same. Avoid black shirts when you have a bouncing, burping baby.

::Take time for yourself. It will make you a better mom if you can step away, even for a moment.

::Get dirty. Play with the playdough/mud/fingerpaints with your children. I promise you’ll see a twinkle in their eye when you do.

::Babies will completely change your body. (I hear that even adopted mothers experience a little body-changing.) Perhaps it is all the goldfish and fruit snacks we consume ourselves. Or maybe it is that you will no longer have the time you once did to think about yourself. Who knows.

::Your children will break something you love. They will. Be prepared. Leave the room and recover before blowing up.

::After a hectic day with a child, sneak a peek at him sleeping. It will soften your heart and remind you of how much you adore that little rascal.

::Don’t forget your spouse. Nurture that relationship. Continue to date. Dress up for your outings like you used to. Wear his favorite perfume. Motherhood shouldn’t make you forget your love.

::Motherhood will change you. These little people will change your dreams. (I dreamed of being a successful business woman in a fast-moving city. Motherhood has made me wish for a slower, quieter life at home.) You will have a newer and better purpose in life.

::Motherhood is a joy. Enjoy the little, everyday things. The chubby fingers. The late night feedings. The darling giggles and trusting eyes. Motherhood is a blessing. There is no greater calling and no love comparable.

Catching Up

Well, I tried to again to do the 30 days straight...FAILED again. I guess I'm just not a blog master.

Here's a few highlights of the past couple of days I missed.

Ryan has been sick. He actually took the day off yesterday to see a doctor...well, actually he ended having to go to an Urgent care since our doctor was booked. I also found out that he has NEVER been to our family doctor. Incredible, considering I've been to see him like a gazillion times! Turns out he has a respiratory infection...ugh! So the girls and I went to spend the afternoon with my mom so he could get some much needed rest in a quiet house.

Oh, and we woke up to snow yesterday morning...the HORROR!! I won't even get started on how depressed I was to see that. Luckily, we'll be seeing some nice weather this week...about time!!

Haley's last day of school is tomorrow. It will be nice not to rush around in the morning to get her on the bus, but the thought of all three children now in the mornings is kind of exhausting to think about. I hope I can handle it!

Morgan's little red tricycle was stolen...I'm so upset about it! I actually think it was stolen last week sometime, but we didn't notice it was missing until Sunday. A few people thought they saw it in the bushes near the entrance of our neighborhood, but by the time we got down there, it was already gone again. It was probably some punk kids who took it. I just want to kick their @#$!! How dare they do that to a three year old!! I think I'm the most upset...Morgan got over it pretty quickly, but I'm just devastated! After we realized it was missing, Haley and Morgan ran around the yard yelling, "We need to find the thief!!". I either need to get training wheels for her other bike or she needs to learn to ride a two wheeler very soon! Summer is here and I need to go on my walks!! And Morgan not having a bike is a problem...walking for her just won't do, we'll never get anywhere!

Ryan watching the Tour of California with his girls.

You can tell his eye is all messed up...a symptom of his

respiratory infection.

Today I finally got started on some much needed weeding in the front yard. I'm taking it slow...one section at a time. Anyway, I was wearing some shorts, and my oh my...I need a tan! You can definitely tell that my legs have not seen the sun in...oh...eight months?!

Aaaahhh...my eyes!!

The girls wanted a picture of their legs too.
Haley
Morgie

We're ready for Summer!!!

Day 19

Not much to report. I wanted to get a post out before I head out to my moms for the evening. I don't want to be sitting in front of this computer late at night trying to bust out a post.

Ryan has an awful cold. Snoring all night. Last night I tried to roll him over, I thought I was pushing on his shoulder...apparently it was his face. Oops..sorry. But seriously, he sounds like an old man hacking and snorting...just awful! I do hope he feels better...poor guy. He's still racing today though in Sugar House. This race would have been a good one to watch, it's one of my favorites. But the weather is kinda crappy, so I opted out. Actually, it's kind of been a blah day. I didn't get much of anything done...basically dragging my feet all day. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be a bit more productive!

We watched the Tour of California last night. I wanted to see it because they were racing to Big Bear. They went through Crestline, past Lake Arrowhead...basically through some of my old stomping grounds. My grandparents have a cabin in Lake Arrowhead so we've spent a lot of time up there. I enjoyed watching the race go along Highway 18...I tried to find things I recognized. Also, Rory Sutherland got second! His wife, Cheynna, was a childhood friend of mine and we reconnected again (oh, the joys of facebook!). We both raced as Juniors. Anyway, I love reading her blog. They have a baby, he's a pro cyclist so he's on the road A LOT...and they make it work. I admire that...because I know it's got to be tough especially with a little baby! I would definitely classify her as a supermom! So anyway, I was thinking about their little family last night when Rory was up on the podium.

Well, that's all for now! Off to my mom's!

Shake what your mama gave you!

I went to my workout this morning. My abs are killing me...it hurts so good! We did a few aerobic routines...I'm still pretty awful. But I got to thinking while we were doing some belly dancing to Shakira...I'm holding back. I think it's common with women...we have a tendency to get caught up with our insecurities and we don't just let loose! Go with it! Have fun! Who cares what I look like! There is another woman there that does just that...I admire that. Plus, the instructor...of course she can shake it pretty good...and she's looks good doing it! Anyway, I want to be like that. I need to loosen up!

Oprah did a show forever ago helping women "loosen up" and do something wild. I guess they were caught in a rut or something...I forgot the details of the show. So anyway, the women needed to think of something crazy to do and Oprah would hook it up. One woman wanted to sing on stage in front of tons of people. One woman wanted to dance with the Rocketts. (There were a bunch of others, but I forgot what they did.) Anyway, one woman wanted to pole dance. Ever since that show, I've wanted to take pole dancing lessons! No, not that I want to be a stripper or anything (although we could bring in some pretty good money...and I already have a name, Firestar!....KIDDING) but I think it would help me loosen up...embrace my body and learn how to move it without looking like an idiot. Plus, it's sounds like so much fun!

So maybe this year I'll actually do it...take a pole dancing class. Anyone want to join me?!

"30 Days of Content" Day 18

Stamping Class

My mom and I had been planning on attending a stamping class at the local paper crafts store for about a week. I really enjoy paper crafts (scrapbooking and what not) so I was really looking forward it. And it's a hobby that I've put on the back burner for a looong time! So I couldn't wait to dive into it again. As soon as Ryan got home, I was out the door as I was already running late...it was a long day and I was a bit flustered when I left...but I was anxious to have a girlie evening! Ryan stayed with the girls and I took Piper with me.

So I race into the store pushing the stroller and immediately see my mom. As soon as I get up to her the woman at the register asked if we were there for the class, we say yes. Then she says, "Oh...we don't allow babies in the class." I was crushed. And I don't know what's going on with my emotions lately, but I nearly burst into tears at that very moment. "PLEASE! Just let me in!! You don't understand what kind of day I had!!". Okay, I didn't say that...but I was definitely thinking it. Luckily, she still let us in. But first she made it very clear that if she fusses I would have to take her out. Fine.

So we go into the classroom and everyone is already seated...I'm a little uncomfortable...people kinda give me "the look" as we sit down. Then the teacher kinda gives us the look too. So I say to her, "I know about the baby rule, but the lady out front said we could still come in". The teacher says back, "Okay, that's fine...but if she makes a PEEP...you better take her out!". And I kid you not I think daggers were flying out of her eyes when she said that to me! Now, I'm really uncomfortable, and feeling slightly unwelcome.

Of course, within two minutes Piper starts to fuss. I scoop her up as fast as I could and try to cram a pacifier in her mouth. It's not working. The teacher pauses every so often to glare at me. I start to panic. I wanted to scream..."ALL I WANT TO DO IS LEARN STAMPS PEOPLE!!! STOP GLARING AT ME!!" Then my mom offers to take her out...she was determined to make sure I had fun and knew I needed a break. (she's the best) So she took her out. But I was still very flustered...and nearly at my breaking point. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes...and I know that the teacher noticed. It took everything I had in me not to walk out that door. I'm not sure what my problem was...overwhelmed I guess. But I got control of myself...and stayed.

I'm glad I did because I really did enjoy myself...eventually. And I learned quite a bit! It felt good to unwind...and do a hobby that I enjoy doing. I just wish I could have shared that with my mom. So I have to thank her for sacrificing her evening to give me a much needed break. She ended up pushing Piper around the mall and even had to take care of a blow-out poop. Now that's love! So thanks mom...you're the best!