The BEAT of Arizona

Something strange is going on with my kids, particularly #3.  They are into Hip Hop/Pop music.  How this happened, I'm not sure. All I know is that when we are in the car and everyone is going crazy, screaming, fighting, crying, uncontrollable emotions, the only thing that will create absolute peace is 92.7, The Beat.  The deep bass of Rihanna or the melodic syncopation of Mariah calms the waters the way Raffi, Susie Tallman or Sesame Street apparently can't.  Although it is empowering knowing that with the mere touch of a pre-programmed button I can bring harmony into our world, I'm a bit embarrassed and ashamed to be driving a dance club on wheels.  Spouse and I have always been on the outskirts of (and sometimes feeling superior to) the popular music scene. It humbles me every time to surrender to The Beat.

Is this a sign of things to come?  I have frightening visions of #3 wearing one of those awful, oversized trucker hats or #2 sporting a swirly tattoo.  

Trying to think positive here.  #3's got rhythm.  She can bounce with the best of them.  She is currently perfecting her signature move.  Arm raised high, fist pounding the air to the beat, (think Usher, "Yeah, Yeah").  I know, I know. She's only one.  But to have this much talent so early on... I might as well start shopping for one of those pantyhose caps, the ones with the little knot in the back.  I wonder if they make them in 24 months?

Possibly the worst thing about The Beat:  I try to resist.  I really do. But the power of The Beat is too strong, it sucks me in every time.  Thankfully #1 is more immune to the siren call and brings me back to reality, "Mom, stop dancing."

The Joys of Motherhood

Joy #1: Conversation with #1 after informing her our friends would be joining us for dinner tonight (names have been changed to protect the innocent)

#1: I was thinking that Ivana looks just like Sister Grey (her primary teacher) {They look nothing alike}

me: Oh really?

#1: Yeah. Except that Ivana is chubby like you and Sister Grey is flat. {Ivana is not chubby}

me: hmph. (suppressing laughter)


Joy #2: #3's hair is long enough for pig tails! Yay! Joy #2 1/2: Retrieving her from the front of the Spanish branch's Sacrament meeting where she had quickly run for the two seconds my back was turned.


Joy #3: Discovering that #2 has sneaked into the kiddie pool wearing his Sunday clothes while Spouse and I were enjoying after-dinner conversation with our friends. He was already soaking wet, so we just kept on talking and let him enjoy himself.

Week Four

Here it is folks, what you've all been waiting for! My summary of the fourth and final week of our stay in the promised land, aka Utah. We were hosted by the generous and patient In-Laws. The children were treated to many an indulgence such as in impromptu tea party with cousins, school shopping with Grandma, breakfast made to order, a pioneer day treasure hunt and for the ladies (#1 and #3) a Fancy Nancy party complete with boas, high heels and parfaits. The week also included: a visit to the Jensen Historical Farm, where #2 chased a goat and #1 helped churn butter; a performance at the Utah Festival Opera for #1, and I; water-skiing for #2 and I compliments of Brother BJC; a massive family reunion for Spouse's maternal grandfather's side with a rope swing, tree house and corn on the cob; and an arduous and long drive home for the whole family.

Until next summer.....

#1 with her grandfather at massive family reunion

#3 with sweet 13 year old cousin.... look out 8th grade boys!

My little pioneers at Jensen Historical Farm just after #2's shirt was nibbled on by a defensive mother goat.

In the barn just after #3 was nearly attacked by an angry turkey. #2 was on the spot and chased the possessed turkey out of the barn.

#2 and I on the lake, between skiis. How I love to ski.

****Addendum*** However I came to neglect to mention one of the shining highlights of Week Four I shall never understand. How could I forget the the excitable nausea that comes with drinking large amounts of diet coke in the middle of the night, mixed with insane laughter as the wee hours tick into the morning? The lovely ladies of my former high school days are 2 cool 2 be 4 gotten. A picture would have been a nice addition to this post.... wouldn't it Jami? But some people insist on having private blogs so there will be no linking to a beautiful digitally scrapbooked page of this joyous H.S. girls SLC getaway, as I uncharacteristically forgot my own camera. Thank you Mom-In-Law for watching my little ones AGAIN so I could par-tay like it was 1995 (minus the Dr. Martins). *****

Post Vacation Let Down

So if you haven't noticed, I haven't posted "Week Four" of my four week vacation.  It did happen, and maybe when I get out of the rut I'm in I'll write a bit about it.  For now: it was great.

I'm in the midst of post vacation let down.  I've always been horrible at closure and transitions. I hate finality; of things ending.  I've cried myself to sleep for the past 3 Christmas nights. When I was young I cried when my cousins went home after a stay at our house.  And the first week of school I missed my mom and family so much it hurt.   Just thinking of things ending fills me with sad nostalgia.  Here I go, getting sad just writing about this.

After four weeks of sparse posting I've been desperate to find an interesting subject or incident to write about.  But this post vacation let down has made for a rather dull week.  So rather than wait for some excitement to come my way, I'm just going to completely bore you with some mundane trivialities.  

1)  Spouse is sure he (we) have Giardia or some other water-related parasite.  I did a bit of research on the subject and decided that I'm unwilling to turn in a "stool sample" just to undergo the tortuous treatment needed to get rid of the parasite.  I'll just have the Big D for 6 weeks thank you very much.  

2) School starts August 4th.  Well, one school does.  For all those holding their breaths waiting for my final decision, keep holding on because I'm still undecided.  Currently, we are enrolled in two schools and one online homeschool program.  Tick tick tick, the countdown to my daughter's doom is imminent.  

3) This week we've been enjoying the by-products of hanging out with cousins for a month.  #2) It's not fair!  #1) I can't stand it! #2) Neener neener neener.  #1) Rubber butt!  Me) SHUT UP!  

4) How much TV/movies/wii can a child watch in a week before turning into a vegetable?  This week we are out to set new records.  223 hours and counting and they are still breathing.  Speaking of TV, So You Think You Can Dance is going to be starting soon (no DV-R in this house! we'll get cell phones first) - better cut this short.

Week Three

Week Three: The White Cloud Mountains

Who: Spouse, #1, mi madre y padre y hermanos y hermanas y dos uncles, aunts and 4 otros children

What: 5 mile hike to base camp; 2.5 mile day hike to high mountain Walker Lake (elevation 8,500); 14 miles total

When: Tuesday to Friday

Where: Near the East Fork of Salmon River in Idaho in the Sawtooth Mountain Range

View from our campsite. This glacial stream was ice cold and full of rainbow trout.

Not looking too bad after only one night. By the fourth day without showers we weren't lookin' so hot.

Who knew #1 was a closet pyromaniac?

#1 new best friend, my brother's dog Sammy

Spouse and #1 at Walker Lake. Brrrr. It was cold.

#1's first fishing experience revealed that she may be a future member of PETA. She thought it cruel and unusual.

View from the trail to Walker Lake. #1 was a hiking champ.

Spouse and Dr. Dallas (bro in law) pumping water through water filters.

Week Two

Week Two - Bear Lake

We vacationed with the In-Laws for a week at Bear Lake. Spouse flew in on Wednesday night to catch some of the action. Hooray! Spouse has 5 siblings, all with med-large families, and with only 3 condo units at the lake, a couple of us were lucky to stay in their 'cabin' in Logan Canyon, a 15 minute drive from the lake. But we didn't miss any of the fun.

All my kids loved the freezing water and playing in the sand. #1 palled around with her cousins and spent her shell-collecting prize money at the little store, buying lip gloss and suckers. Her older cousins painted her nails and doted on her like a pet. She ate it up.

The freedom of the beach was enough to satisfy #2. What more could a 3 year old boy wish for? Sand, water, a boat and no shirt. Oh yes, and unlimited soda and treats. Many of you are familiar with #2's adventures in potty-training and the beach proved to add one more learning experience. Spouse was approached by an irate woman who claimed #2 "took a leak" right in front of their beach space. Spouse replied, "Did you leave him a tip?" The woman was confused. "For the show." She was not amused. I'm sure she thought me a most neglectful mother.

#1 and cousins

Spouse and #2 at the 'cabin'

The 'cabin' was surrounded by these beautiful wild flowers. My mother in-law couldn't resist posing the kids for a picture. Isn't it beautiful?

Coming up: Week Three - Backpacking the White Clouds

Week One

Lest my faithful readers lose all hope of my return, I've finally acquired a computer to report upon my month's long retreat in the big U.T.

PS. Where was Spouse? Bringing home the bacon back in death valley, I mean AZ.

Week one was spent at my parent's home languishing in the shade and company of beloved family. Brother B.J.C. entertained #1, #2 and I on the lake for a day. #1 decided she was scared of the boat and spent the entire time curled up in the space below the driver's seat, excepting when the boat was still. #2 couldn't keep his hands off the steering wheel and practically jumped out of the boat several times. As for me, to put this mildly, I had the best ski since entering motherhood. Thanks B.J.C.




One afternoon I took the kids up the canyon to "hike" the river trail next to the Logan River. Our mileage probably totaled .45. However, at the end of the hike was a sweet treat: a swollen stream to wade through. Or fall into, as #2 did.




Fireworks on the eve of July 4th. Say what you will about small towns and their provincial celebrations, the fireworks show at Romney Stadium surpasses anything you'd think appropriate for a town this size. Of course, this is only possible because the largest fireworks manufacturer in the US happens to be in Cache Valley.



4th of July in Bear Lake. Just a day trip spent on the beach with cold sodas, chicken salad sandwiches, and a good uncle who helps the kids with their sandcastle.



Stay tuned for Week Two; A week in Bear Lake/Logan Canyon with the in-laws. And Spouse!