A camping we will go

We are leaving tomorrow and spending the next few days camping. Camping always seems to bring out the best in me(not). You know mosquitoes, smelling like a camp fire... late nights followed by early mornings...dirt, dirt and more dirt... all the things a girl loves. But I found my happy face and I put it on this morning. My boys are sooooooo excited; I've got to learn to at least LIKE camping. I'm sure we'll have some great pictures and fun stories to share when we return.

A day at the Zoo

Yesterday we went with a friend of mine, her 20 year old daughter and 10 year old son... to visit Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake. We had a great time seeing the animals and watching how excited the boys were. Every time we would stop to look at an animal Taylor would look at it for a minute then pull out his map and say "Lets go look at the snakes"... But when we finally got to the snakes he didn't seem nearly as excited. I don't know what he was expecting... but he was done with the whole snake thing in about 10 seconds. We also went to the bird show. Ryan and Colby loved having the birds fly close to their heads, Taylor on the other hand, was not so sure he liked that... but they all loved hearing the talking/ singing parrot. And I loved having a day with my boys.

" I ride my bike ?"

Taylor has decided that he is too big to go for rides in the bike stroller any longer and insisted on putting a helmet on and riding his bike to the library today. Round trip it was probably a couple of miles... but on the way TO the library it is all up hill.

I came prepared with the bike stroller and a bungee strap, fully anticipating that about half-way there he would get tired and want a ride... but the little stud rode all the way there AND home and then rode his bike tonight to and from Ryan's baseball game. ( the ball field is only a couple of blocks away but STILL) I kept asking him if he was doing okay and if he was getting tired... He just kept saying " No, mom, I okay"

Rite of Passage

I know that there are certain "rites" of passage that one must incur in order to complete the childhood experience. I also know that as a mother of boys that those customary rites lean more toward the physical nature of things as opposed to the social or emotional. I must also say that as a mother of three young, vibrant, active boys that I have been very fortunate thus far in my parenting, to not have spent any more time at the emergency room than I have... and yet it is hard to prepare oneself for this....

Ryan... met the trampoline, Trampoline... meet Ryan.

Needless to say this did not help the boys argument in favor of purchasing a trampoline.

No Excuses

Okay... so it's been way too long since I've posted on my blog. And as much as I would love to give you a reason as to why I haven't posted in so long.... I really don't have one. So rather than give you all some really lame excuses I'm just going to start 'fresh' and try to catch you up as to what's been going on in my absence.

In March we enjoyed our annual backyard Easter egg hunt. The whole experience was made that much more memorable hunting for brightly colored eggs among the remaining snow piles.

April was spent watching soccer games. Both Colby and Ryan had great seasons. Wade, Taylor and I had fun watching them... we only wished the weather could have been a little warmer. At their first games we had to resort to pulling the winter coats and hats out.

In May my boys made me my first "mother's day breakfast" and to say the least it will not be one I will soon forget. Nor will I forget the adorable smile on Colby's face as he came to announce that my breakfast was ready.

Breakfast of Champions= Shrek cereal, graham crackers and a glass of milk ........

Over Memorial Day weekend, our family participated in a backyard project, and we made a little 'addition to our firepit. Wade dug out the grass, then he went and got a load of fill dirt and he and Ryan woke up early to go spread and tamp the dirt. He asked me the night before if I wanted to get up early and help him. I think he could tell by the look on my face I was not excited for the early hour... so he opted to have Ryan's help instead. Something was said to the effect that I'm not the most pleasant person to be around when I don't get my sleep. And as much as I would love to argue the point I have to admit I like my sleep and anything before 7:30 a.m. is pure torture to me.

We spent the afternoon and early part of the evening laying pavers and then purchased an outdoor table, chairs and a new grill. We have enjoyed quite a few dinners there and several evenings sitting around talking.