Fun moments from last week.

Raspberry's pretend birthday party (her suggestion)
We sang "A Very Merry Unbirthday" from Alice in Wonderland.


Fireworks







Laughter

Self portraits (all taken by raspberry)




Lost another tooth. Scored big money from the tooth fairy.

happiness in lemonade.

Life has been a stress feast lately. Last night, I relaxed for the first time in about 8 weeks. I decided, while listening to the sounds of the Utah Symphony, laying on a blanket, and staring up the mountains, that I need to try a little harder in finding joy in the little things in life. So here are four little things that gave me joy today.

1. Drinking ice cold basil lemonade. It was so good.
2. Listening to Beethoven's 5th Symphony. All 4 movements.
3. Watching the stars as they slowly appeared over Deer Valley.
4. Driving home, listening to my favorite songs.

A new line of cards from Hallmark

This is the card that I received last night from Raspberry. She has designed a new line of cards for Hallmark-- for that moment when your mom gets after you for being mean to your brother.

I broke her heart, gave her a sad face, and just in case you didn't know, I'm currently a bad mommy.

oh, the drama of it all.

Where I get to go this week.

Hallelujah! A break from work. All I need is a small spot on the grass and a blanket...and maybe a drink. What joy!

ok. It is kind of work related, but can you really call this work?

Only four more days...

Our five weeks of summer camps come to an end on Friday. Here are a few of my favorite conversations from check-in over the last few weeks. I still need to get some from Nichole and Kari. I love the mothers. They make check-in so much fun.

#1
Mom: Where does he eat?
Me: At the ______ cafeteria.
Mom: No, they tore that down.
Me: Actually, they did tear down the halls, but the cafeteria is still there.
Mom: No it isn't. I drove by. They tore that down.
Me: They did remove the buildings that housed the students (didn't we just cover that?) but they left the cafeteria intact. We just used it this past Friday with another camp.
Mom: Well. I think you are wrong, but as long as he gets to eat. I guess it's okay.
Me: (Didn't speak, just nodded. It is safer just to nod.)

#2
Mom: When does he perform?
Me: At the _____at 6:00 p.m. and again at 8:00 p.m.
Mom: What time?
Me: (maybe I didn't annunciate) The groups perform at 6:00 p.m. and again at 8:00 p.m., the soloists will perform at one of those shows.
Mom: What time does he perform?
Me: (maybe I need to include more info) His group performs at 6 and 8 and performance times for the soloists will be decided on Wednesday morning.
Mom: I'm sure he will be a soloist.
Me: aaa... that's great.

#3
Mom: If she performs at this time (pointing at the 7:30 p.m. sheet), she has a better chance of making it as a soloist. Right?
Me: Well, actually, it doesn't really matter what time they perform.
Mom: Oh, no! I know that last year no one got in that performed at this time (pointing to the 10:00 p.m. slot)
Me: (Really? How does she remember that?) Last week we had participants in all four time slots make it.
Mom: Well, I think she will have a better chance if she performs as the 9th person in the 7:30 time slot.
Me: Here's a pen. Good luck. I'm sure she will do great.

#4
Mom: You need to sign up for the talent show.
Daughter: I don't want to.
Mom: You practiced for three weeks with this song.
Daughter: I know. But I can't sing like her.
Mom: You sound wonderful. (what a great mom)
Daughter: I don't sound anything like her.
Mom: Well, maybe you should sign up anyway.
Me: You can sign up now and if you change your mind, you can let me know.
Mom: I think you should sign up.
Daughter: Fine! But, I don't sound anything like her.
Me: Like who?
Daughter: Celine Dion!
Me: oh. Well, she is 35-40 years older than you. She's had many years to practice. So don't worry, I'm sure you will be great.
Mom: Celine is not 50. She's 20 something.
Me: (not really the point I was trying to make, but I know she isn't 20 something) Sorry. I didn't mean to offend Celine.

Mom! I didn't know you could do that!?

After a very LONG week at work with singing and dancing teenagers, the kids and I had some fun this weekend relaxing with Grandma, Grandpa, and Hank and Sara. They live right off of a golf course so we decided to hit golf balls. CC handed me the golf club and said, "You try mom." I sent a couple into the dirt, and one high, but only about thirty feet. Then Dad said, "picture a white circle, this part of the circle is red, swing faster in the red part." I have to say, I love to connect with a 7 iron. 145 yards straight ahead, high in the sky. CC looked shocked. MOM! you can play golf!

Well, I don't know about that, but I can hit a 7 iron. Thank you very much.

July 4th photos

The haircut

For the past few years I have refused to let anyone cut Raspberry's hair. With the exception of the Alberton's incident, we have had relatively few mishaps with the scissors. Except for the one time at her school when she tried to cut it herself. She only managed to grab a handful and cut it with school scissors; all it did was curl up around her face. Lately though, it has been getting a bit too long and scraggly, and since she is going to her Dad's wedding and needs to look "darling," I decided to get it cut. Of course, I have to go to a stylist. No, six bucks hair cut for this child (I know, I know). I made an appointment with my friend Courtney, who cuts my hair. She is talented, fun and incredibly patient (the latter being the most important element for Raspberry). She looks so cute with her new haircut and it's even curlier than before.

If you want Courtney's number, you will have to email. Don't get any ideas, she's available for hair only, she is otherwise spoken for.

The one word

Cush! You were right. It came to me when I least expected it.
Here it is.

Rare.

Finally!