It's Been A Long Time!



Cousin Camp



Well I totally gave up on blogging during the first part of the summer. We were having way too much summer fun to be bothered with responsibilities. It is time however, to get back into it. There has been so much happening these past few weeks that I am worried I have forgotten much of it. Let's see how we do.

Before I forget, we had a family summer weeding day on Tuesday. We insisted everyone help, much to Rachel's chagrin. Finally, after a little complaining she found her niche in telling Lilly what weeds to pull next. Both seemed to be enjoying this arrangement and we were all working harmoniously until Shelby said, "Rachel when you grow up I think you will be a supervisor." Rachel asked "What's a supervisor?" Shelby said, "It is someone who is in charge." Shortly after this, Rachel climbed up high on our garden fence and started shouting orders to all of us. I think we unleashed a monster!

Carson and Rachel have this little back and forth game they play where Carson taunts Rachel until she goes after him. Then he screams and cries when he gets caught. Well during one of these games, Carson poked Rachel with a fork on her hand. She was fine, but her heart was broken. I thought time-out was an appropriate punishment. Carson was less than happy about it because in his mind Rachel got what she deserved (he was probably right). Once time-out was over I made him apologize. Now remember, Carson has just started speaking fluently within the last few months. He very sternly looked at Rachel and said "Sorry poopy-head." I had to excuse myself for a few minutes before I could give him a lecture on how this was not an appropriate apology. Despite my efforts to hide it, he knew I was laughing so the whole thing became a joke to all of us. Except Rachel, who was still licking her literal and figurative wounds.

Neither Rachel or Lilly will let me put their hair in pigtails anymore. They say it is for babies. My heart is broken. Sometimes I beg them to let me do it, but they almost never give in. Rachel is uninterested in cartoons anymore and only wants to watch the Disney Channel with all the teenage shows on it. Maybe I am a mean mom, but I don't let her. I understand her desire to be a big kid, but I can see the little girl in her slipping away and it makes me sad. I don't want to rush it!

Lilly is a little human garbage disposal! She wants to eat all the time. I am not sure where she puts her massive amounts of food. She is such a tiny little thing! She told me on Wednesday that she was "freezing hungry". I asked her what that meant and she said "not freezing cold, just freezing hungry!"



Lilly's Birthday Party. From left to right: Lilly, Allison Millward,
Zylia, Rachel, Carson, Elizabeth Lackey



You know Lilly turned 5 last week. She had a decidedly great day. We had swim lessons in the morning. Afterwards I took her to McDonald's with Rachel and Elizabeth and I let her have a whole happy meal, as opposed to the burger (no meat) and water she usually gets. After that she got to have a small birthday party with 3 of her friends. She chose Elizabeth, Allison, and Zelya. "No boys" she told me, most decidedly. In the evening we had hot dogs for dinner and cake for dessert. I bought Lilly vegetarian hot dogs because she has given up on eating regular hot dogs. In case anyone is keeping track, that means absolutely no meat for Lilly. She didn't like the Veggie Dogs, and I don't blame her. They were yucky. Uncle Cody built a fire that night and pitched a tent. The kids and him roasted marshmallows and pretended to be camping. That is until bedtime. Then mom and dad felt it would be better for everyone if the kids slept in their own beds.



Emilia and Jude at Lidia's birthday party



Just a word about Emilia. She is delightful and talkative. I am almost positive she told me she loved me the other day. I can get her to mimic most sounds and some basic baby words. I think she will be an early talker. She is very very very sensitive to stimuli. Any little knock or bump sets her off crying, which is a problem in this house since knocks and bumps are how we roll. She likes to be either held by an adult, or left completely alone to explore without being approached by a child.

Ok now that business is taken care of , about our summer fun. So far we have swam and swam and swam. The library has been hit and miss, depending on whether we feel done with our previous books. For our field trips, we have visited the sand dunes (my favorite), Sandy Point (which the kids loved), and we attempted Birds Of Prey. BOP didn't work out because I was confused. So we ended up hiking and having lunch at the park instead. We will try again next week. I also took the kids to their first ever bowling trip.  Considering it was me, three small children, and one baby I think that one went pretty well. And last week my sister Summer organized a two-day fifties-themed cousin camp, also a huge success. Next week we are hiking in Idaho City. Laundry has been on the back burner, and my house will not win any awards for cleanliness. Sleep has been a matter of convenience. But we have been having fun, fun, fun!



Carson and Mom at sand dunes



Lilly, Rachel, Mom at sand dunes