It's a hot one

The "feels-like" temperature today was 116. That's what it said on weather.com at least. I told Sam I was going to take their word for it. We didn't crack the door today--not even to go get the mail. Yesterday we weren't as smart.

Right about 3:00 (which I discovered later was the absolute peak of the day at about "feels-like" 110) we headed outside with scooters and stroller only to be greeted by oven-like heat. It hasn't been too hot this whole summer and we really hadn't been outside at all so we had no idea what kind of weather awaited us. At that point though it was too late to turn back on the plan we had talked about all day, although I couldn't imagine that we looked anything but ridiculous trudging up the deserted hill of our neighborhood in the blazing heat. The kids were insistent so I persisted. Thankfully the park is truly just around the block otherwise I'm not sure we would have made it. When we did arrive we were all dripping and Max was begging for water (we didn't bring any, what were we thinking?). Ruby and I plopped down in the shade, while the boys attempted to play ninjas for approximately 30 seconds before they too joined us in the shade. At that point Reed made some wonderful analogy about how the sun was like sin and the earth is like people and how the sun tries to go after the people in the shade more than the others. It almost made sense. Clearly the heat was on his mind and maybe even starting to get to him.

It didn't take more than a couple minutes for everyone to have had enough. We raced home using the shortcut and made it home before we all melted. I don't think walking through the door ever felt so good.

Reed was pretty excited that he had frozen a water bottle earlier, until he realized it wasn't going to do much to quench his thirst immediately. "Take a picture of me with the frozen water." I think my kids are starting to get used to my picture taking habits.


Ruby was pretty happy to get some water in her too, however she wasn't asking for a photo op.

This is the face Ruby gives when I tell her to smile. I think I'll stick to catching her off guard for now.

Max almost seemed traumatized by the excessive heat. "I never want to go outside again", he said.

Instead of playing at the park we stayed cool inside and played with our new Jenga blocks. Real Jenga is not ideal for playing when Ruby is around so the boys came up with a game called "Trees". They try to set up as many trees (blocks) as possible while Ruby tries to knock them down as fast as possible. I thought it was just a simple little game until Reed said, "Hurry, try to get 5 trees up so you get to move to the next level with unbeatable trees."

Max setting up.

Ruby thinking of her first move. This is her thinking face.

Ready, set....


Go!


I just checked the 5 day report and it looks like we have a few more days of "trees" in our future. Is it too early to be looking forward to Fall?

Bathing Cutie

I'm not one to go on and on about how cute I think my kids are, but I have to make a quick exception to say how adorable I think Ruby is in her swimsuit. When I saw it back in October I just knew she had to have it. I really don't splurge on her clothes....ever really, so I didn't feel too guilty this time especially when Sam said it might just be the cutest thing she's ever worn.

Yep...dressing this girl up never gets old.

Sports Boys

When I was pregnant with Reed the first article of clothing we ever purchased was a pair of overalls from Baby Gap with a little football player embroidered on them. This was a bit of a bold purchase, since at that point I wasn't sure if we were having a girl or boy. I just had a "feeling". I didn't know much about boys, but I did know Sam, and I knew that if he had anything to do with it our boy would be athletic.

When Reed was born at a hefty 9 lbs. 7 oz. I figured college football was certainly in his future. Reed wasn't just heavy as a baby he was also quite strong. He loves for me to re-tell the story of when I took him to the doctor for his 3 month appointment. When the nurse attempted to give him his shots she struggled to pull his leg straight and said, "This boy is as strong as an ox.".

Despite his strong start to life, the start of his athletic career was a little weaker. T-ball didn't interest him at all, soccer was marginal, and after a somewhat emotional basketball season I worried that maybe this wasn't going to be his thing (I feel like a terrible mother even saying something so pigeon-holey about my SEVEN-year-old boy). I am only OK with this admission because I can immediately admit that I was wrong.

Reed recently finished up a basketball class and I was amazed at what a difference a few months had made. He was no longer on the sidelines waiting for someone to pass him the ball---he was going after it. He was stronger and more consistent with his shots. He was so much more confident, competent, and really starting to coming into his own athletically.

I think all Reed needed was more experience and a lot more confidence. I am happy to acknowledge that he is well on his way in both areas.

This was Max's first time doing basketball and he was beyond thrilled. After watching from the stands for a whole season, he was ready to get into the action. And into the action he did get.

Max was in heaven playing a real basketball game...


I guess my initial intuition was better than I thought. I don't know about college football but if things continue in this direction I'm sure there'll be plenty of "real" games in our future.

Flat Skin

Max is my child with widest range of dispositions. He can be the grumpiest, growliest foot-stomping boy ever and then a few hours later be the most benevolent, loving, thoughtful child. When he is the latter version of himself, it is often accompanied by a very distinct squinty-eyed, nose-scrunched chipmunk-like smile. With his special smile he will often snuggle up next to me to say something like, "You're the best mom ever."

How do I have 1000s of pictures and not one of the chipmunk smile? This one is close, so it will do.


Recently at church he snuggled up to me with his signature chipmunk smile, climbed on my lap and said, "Mom, I love you. Do you know why I love you?"

"Why?"

"Because your skin is so flat." Of course, I had to inquire further as to what he meant exactly, to which he said, "You know...not bumpy and wrinklish like Dads."

I was feeling pretty good (about my skin at least) until he said, "And do you know why I love Dad?"

"Why?"

"Because he's just so awesome!"

In my vanity I am content with the flat skin compliment and think it's great that Max thinks his dad is awesome. I totally agree.

Independence Weekend

I know the 4th of July was a couple weeks ago now, but since this is the only record I have of my life I'm not going to worry about that. Thirty years from now I wont care how behind I was. I'll just be glad that I did it.

Independence Day was much more than one day for us this year. We really tried to make the most of it and celebrate all weekend long. We started off the festivities with a Ward breakfast. It was nice to continue getting to know our new ward and enjoy the patriotic program. Unfortunately, we packed our morning a little tight and had to basically rush straight from that to a bike parade at a farmers' market. We were running a little late and arrived just as the bike parade was heading out. Watching the parade take off without them was a less than perfect way to start the activity. Thankfully, the parade did make another loop so the boys were able to join for the second round. Sadly this didn't solve the problem for Max who was pretty disappointed in the parade route, "This isn't a parade--it's just an oval!"

Reed was happy to ride around the booths checking things out in his Americana wear. Silly little side note: Reed has always loved patriotic clothes---and not just for the 4th of July. He really loves anything that has to do with the flag, USA paraphernalia, etc. He was very disappointed to discover that the American flags we just purchased were, in fact, made in China. I think it's very cute he has so much USA pride. When we went looking for something festive to wear he wanted to find the most red and white and blue things possible. I think he succeeded.


Max, however wouldn't have anything to do with the "parade".



Luckily, Ruby was mostly just cute and oblivious to any parade drama.


The event was looking to be a complete bust (especially when they started giving out awards to those who had officially signed up for the parade--we hadn't) until someone in charge saw our sad, teary eyed little group and (I believe) gave us an impromptu "most unique" award...since we were actually on scooters in a bike parade. Very unique indeed. It was a stretch, but it worked especially when it included tokens to get a free ice cream cone at a local ice cream shop.


After the parade we headed to the ice cream shop where everyone felt much better. Our biggest problem here was choosing a flavor. I've never seen 24 flavors of soft serve.




I'm sure it was Ruby who ended up with most ice cream. She couldn't decide which flavor she liked the best so she made sure to take a turn with all of them.


On Sunday Ruby was the only really festive one, wearing a little sailor dress that had once been mine. It has been passed on and enjoyed by all the other little girls in my family so it was extra special to have Ruby getting her turn. She was pretty adorable.



On the actual 4th of July we went to Virginia to meet up with some old friend, the Fifes and Phelps, from our old ward in Provo. It was great to catch up and see how our lives have changed and stayed the same in so many ways. The additional 9 children between us had a pretty great time to running around together too. I didn't bring my camera, so I don't have so much as a blurry firework picture to document the event, but it was pretty great.

Pillow Fight

Growing up without brothers, the frequent need to tackle, wrestle, pummel and "fight" with your siblings is still pretty foreign to me. It is, however, not foreign to my children, who feel this need quite frequently (especially my middle one). I want my boys to be boys, but I am still not a huge fan of the friendly brawl, since no matter how innocently it starts, it almost always ends with someone crying, usually because half way through being rolled over they decide they don't want to play any more. It happens that way so often that the only play fighting that I can truly approve of is the pillow variety. Now, I'm not personally a pillow fighting expert myself, but I've done it enough to know it's pretty safe and people usually get worn out before they get injured.

Today when I didn't want to hear any more arguing I suggested that we do a pillow fight instead. As averse as I am to fake fighting, I much prefer it over the real thing.

The idea excited them enough that they forgot their current dilemma and switched activities. In fact, they took the whole thing very seriously. They started with stretching....


and continued the warm up with some push ups.


Ready, set...


GO!!




Of course, Ruby had to get in on the action. Her ridiculous outfit is so Ruby. It's often frustrating to fold laundry when my little fashionista is around. She goes around collecting my clean clothes like Halloween candy--and, of course, wants to wear it all...simultaneously. Let's just say those polka dot sweats aren't the only pants she has on--not even one of two. She's lucky I love her so.


No doubt--she's going to be one tough little girl.


I got to fight the winner (which actually turned out to be both of them since they tied--we are a big fan of ties in this family). I thought they were impressed with my skills until Reed said, "Wow...if Dad was fighting us he would have us down with just one hit." So much for my moves. After the fight, they wanted to show me their best moves.




In the end, my plan mostly worked. They forgot about whatever super important thing they were fighting over, no one was injured, and my kids once again think Sam is cooler than me.