The Pits

This week has been craptastic.  And you know what's really strange?  This exact day two other times in recent years has been the worst I've ever had.  Remind me to not get out of bed next year on this day.  I'm not even kidding.  I'm marking my calendar now to remind myself lest I somehow forget that this date is cursed for me. 

Our friends have a 4-month old baby that needs heart surgery to live.  She was born with a severe heart defect and has already had one surgery.  Unfortunately, she has spent the last week or so in a coma and has been having seizures, so she's too sick for the surgery that is critical for her survival.  Our friends are extraordinarily strong in their faith, but faith doesn't protect you from the sorrow of losing a child.  They are now praying for peace, rather than a miracle.  It's so heart-breaking I can hardly function.

Not to be dramatic with other stuff that really isn't that big of a deal, but then there's the fact that school starts next week.  In case you are a new reader (just kidding-nobody reads this blog) you know I hate sending my kids off to school.  If I could figure out a way to give myself an occasional break, I'd homeschool in a heartbeat.  Today we dropped off Buddy's school supplies and filled out all the "tell us about your child" forms and met his teacher.  He, thank heavens, is actually semi-excited for school to start, so that's progress. 

Also, I missed blueberry season.  I'm so sad and annoyed I could scream. 

THIS WEEK IS THE LAST WEEK OF SUMMER VACATION.  WAHHH!!!!!

There were a few bright points to the day and I thought I'd write them down to cheer myself up.

Sambo let me know that he'd like me to add a red Corvette to a Christmas list.  I explained that was fine, I'd add it.  But if Santa brought him a Corvette, that would use up all his money and resources and no other kids would get any presents.  Then Buddy gave him a talking to about being "ridiculous" and "greedy."

Buddy got a whole bunch of belt loops and pins tonight at pack meeting.  He LOVES Scouts and is constantly bugging me to help him work on different achievements.  I'm really happy for programs like Cub Scouts to help boys develop new skills, talents, and confidence.  Also, at pack meeting they had a drawing for the banner his Den made at Cub Camp.  Of course, all the boys wanted it, so they all put their names in a bowl and drew a random winner.  Buddy wanted it soooooooooooooooooo bad.  And low and behold, his name was drawn.  Both of my boys were overjoyed about this.  On the way home they were conspiring to either frame it or hang it by a flagpole on the outside of our house.  Buddy thanked God for it in his prayers tonight and kept asking me if he thought Nicki peeked when she drew his name because she knew how badly he wanted it.  I explained that Nicki wouldn't do that because all the boys wanted it and she wanted to be honest and fair.  But he is convinced that "Nicki must have known I never win anything and this was really important to me." 

Are you familiar with the game "Pass the Pigs?"  It's extremely simple and fun and I had forgotten all about it.  G and I bought it when we were first married but it's been tucked in the game closet untouched for years.  G pulled it out and now he and I have each spent some time playing with Sambo this week.  And this might be sort of embarrassing, but G and I decided to play a round while in bed too because why should Sambo get all the fun?

I discovered that Buddy doesn't know what a CD is.  Can you imagine?  Go ask your kids if they know because now I'm curious.  We saw a rack of CD's at Barnes and Noble today.  Buddy said, "What is that? A movie about the Beatles?"  I said, "No, it's a CD" (in a sort of he-llo! tone of voice.)  He was then like, "A CD with stories about the Beatles?"  (He is familiar with books on CD.)  And that's when it occurred to me:  he only knows about itunes and ipods.  WHAT?!!!!!!  So then I explained that back in the "olden days" people listened to music on CD's.  The really ironic thing is, Buddy's father owns more CD's than any person I've ever met in my life.  I guess I need to show them to him and demonstrate how they work.

Oh, and does it concern you that in a period of 8 days, we ate at 4 different pizza joints?  If it weren't for that delicious pizza lingering in my soul, I'd be in the loony bin for sure. 

Summer

I just wrapped up an epic summer of having a steady stream of visitors -- including lots of boy cousins for my kids to play with.  First we had G's parents come for the 4th of July.  They helped a ton with the kids (like always) so I could run errands in peace and get my hair done.  They were here for the annual neighborhood block party, and were here to help out with  my kids when my sister-in-law had her baby so I could be available to watch her son and pick her mom up from the airport.  And visit the baby minutes after he was born. We always love having Grandma and Grandpa come!

Next we had G's sister and her family come.  We ate good food and spent a full day at a new waterpark nearby.  We arrived at the waterpark when it opened and stayed until nearly closing and yet my kids were still in tears when we left because they couldn't bare the thought of leaving.  My boys' idea of a great time is going to warterparks.  They both LOVE to swim above doing anything else.

 My boys with their cousin, Logan.

A few days later my sister, M, came with her husband and two boys (ages 4 and 1).  We hadn't seen them in more than a year and a half, so this was a huge treat to have them visit.  Luckily I talked them into extending their stay by several days because we couldn't handle the idea of them going home so soon.

Here are some highlights from their visit.

• The Zoo.  Especially when all the cousins were running every which way and nobody was listening to their parents because they were tired from jet lag and/or excited to be with their cousins.  But the best moment was when both of M's kids fell in the water feature there at the zoo.  I knew right then and there I was glad my sister had come.  It's nice to associate with kids as busy/crazy as mine. 
• San Francisco.  Her husband was presenting a research paper at a conference in SF, so I talked her into tagging along with him for 4 days of peace and quiet.  I held down the fort with the kids, while they were gone and while G worked long hours.  It was exhausting, but I knew what I was getting into.  I was responsible for the 4 MOST hyper and talkative little boys you'll ever meet, but I did a fine job, if I do say so myself.  (Note:  they are also the smartest and most charming kids you'll ever meet.)  We had no major incidents and everyone was happy the entire time.  And I only did a small amount of 'emotional eating.'  But joking aside, it was a huge pleasure to be with my nephews. I love them so much from afar, so bonding with them and getting to really know them was so enjoyable.  It didn't hurt that her younger son called me "mama" the entire time.  

• My new nephew's blessing.  The kids were perfect in church.  The blessing and party after were awesome.  The baby was darling.  And Tahsha's parents are awesome too.   
• Sunday night dinners and riding bikes outside.  My brother, sister, and I have two boys each.  So when they all are here, it's craziness.  So Sunday evenings we'd sit outside and watch the kids play.  One Sunday night Tahsha's dad brought over salmon from Alaska for dinner.  I don't eat salmon, but my family loves it, so this was a huge treat.
• All our other meals.  Most nights we'd have a big meal and whoever in the family was available would come over  and eat.  My sister is a genius in the kitchen.  Shrimp tacos, homemade bread a few times, flank steak, black beans, and fajitas.  I cooked too, so we ate well the entire time she was here.
• Happy Hour with G, my sister, and her husband.  Date night/having a babysitter for the kids is always a hit with me.  Now that she's gone I'm wondering why we didn't do this every night she was here.  (????)
• Talking to M and her husband about all they have learned lately.  Impressive and Inspiring.
• Long talks all day and all night with M.  She is so smart and has great ideas and is such a deep and spiritual thinker.  Plus her advice and attitude motivate me to do more and do better.  The list of new hobbies and skills she's picked up lately are mind-blowing. 
• Feeling validated by M in my parenting.  She gets it like nobody else.
• Getting personally trained in Pilates.  M is newly certified and is an amazing teacher. 
• Jordan giving me a back and neck adjustment.  Wow! 
• Insanity workouts.
• Holding Tahsha's baby so much.  I'm so glad we have a new baby in the family.  Holding babies is my very favorite thing to do, after all.
• When Henry told me and G in all seriousness that his name is "Darling Dorothy."
• When Henry told me and G in all seriousness that his favorite band is "Kid Rock."
• Finn's hugs and his talking.  He made me change my mind about my typical "not-a-fan of 18-month-old-children" attitude.
• How much all the kids worship Buddy.  He's the oldest cousin by 4 years, so he's everybody's favorite.  Camden has always loved Buddy.  Henry's best friend was Buddy.  Sambo was jealous of how much Henry and Buddy clicked.  And Finn spent the last few days saying "get wowa" or "wowa has" over and over again to indicate he wanted Buddy or what Buddy had. 

• Analyzing why Henry and Sambo don't get along better.  They are only 3 months apart, so that contributes to the problem, I'm sure.  But they have the most fascinating (and frustrating) LOVE/HATE relationship.   

 It took a lot of effort on the adults' part so Buddy could practice the piano.  Otherwise he had a posse bugging him the entire time. 

• Buddy's love for the new baby.  Buddy is enamored by babies -- always has been.  Every time the baby was around he begged to hold him and got all up in the baby's grill.  I love this about Buddy, though.  Sambo, on the other hand, is clueless about babies and doesn't even notice they are there.
• Going to the numerous parks.  We went to several and the kids had a great time at each one.  I particularly enjoyed our Saturday night pizza party at the fountains with all the grand kids, all the siblings and my parents.  Only my sister's husband was missing. 

 Here are all six of the boys!

• Going swimming twice.
• M and her kids getting to meet Sambo's birthmom and her family.
• Our hike at Multnomah Falls.  The kids rocked the hike.  But the true hero was L, who held a sleeping Finn all the way down after also carrying him all the way up.  And then he dealt with the fighting and loud children in the backseat of the car on the way home.

• Our beach trip to a new favorite spot, Taft Beach.  The weather was incredible.  I've been itching to go again ASAP.
• Listening to M and L debate and discuss the merits of each of L's job possibilities after he returned from several job interviews.  We've all got our fingers crossed for them.  We really hope they return to the this area so partying like rockstars can become a frequent thing.  But we also know that this is their choice and they know what's best for their family.  Even if it might not be best for mine...
• Watching the Olympics every night.  So exciting!
• The Children's Museum with all six of the cousins.  We only lost kids a few times and for short periods of time, so all-in-all it was a success.  
• Parade and Fair.  Every year I walk my kids with a few adoption friends in the parade kicking off the start of the county fair.  After the parade, we always enjoy the fair -- the animals and especially the food.  This year was particularly fun because a childhood friend (who recently adopted a baby girl) came too, plus M and her kids, my mom, and Tahsha and her kids.  I must be simple-minded because I find the parade and fair great fun and I look forward to it every year.  And to make it even better, my adoption caseworker came along too and it turns out he grew up in the same town in Michigan my sister now lives in.  Small world, right?! 

We were so busy every single day between our activities and making meals and taking care of all the crazy kids.  We stayed up way too late every night and got up way too early every morning.  Most nights we only got a few hours of sleep.  For more than two weeks we kept up that pace.  But then they had to go home...  And it took a few days to fully catch up on my sleep.  I'm not sure if it was my exhaustion or my depression that they were gone that was the problem.

No pressure, M and L, but we really need you to  move back.  

Kindness At Its Best

After face-painting

The following story is old news, but I really wanted to record it to remember it.  This happened in June, right before school got out.  

Every year Buddy's school has a Field Day to celebrate the end of school.  I volunteered this year and of course had Sambo tag along with me.  He LOVES going to Buddy's school.  He loves anticipating going to school and loves to feel like a big boy like his brother.  Plus he and Buddy are really close, so he enjoys being with him and seeing what he does.  

As expected, Sambo was super excited to do all the games with Buddy.  However, the school pairs all the students up with the partner and they are required to stick with their partner the entire the.  Since a lot of the field activities were partner games, that meant if Sambo wanted to participate (which he did), Buddy or his partner had to sit out so Sambo could play.  At each station the two older boys would talk amongst themselves to work out who would play with Sambo and who would wait in line.  Then they’d switch if the line wasn’t too long.  I never asked them to do it, or even dropped any hints that they should include Sambo.  I was in charge of taking photos of the event, so I was doing my thing the entire time.

Two months later, I still get tears in my eyes thinking about the way the older boys acted.  They were so incredibly kind to Sambo and were not only tolerant of him, but genuinely happy to give him a good time.  I gently asked Buddy and his partner a few times if the were OK having Sambo tag along.  I didn’t want to give them the impression I thought they were weird for playing with him but I wanted to respect that this was THEIR activity.  Over and over again they assured me they were having a great time.  

There is nothing I’d rather have then a kind son.  He treats Sambo good at home, but watching him treat Sambo well when he’s with his friends made my year.

 Tug-of-War

 Collecting Marbles with Their Feet

 Wheelbarrow Races

 Three-Legged Races

More Words of Wisdom

Here are some more words of wisdom from my children.

These first two happened a few months ago but are too funny not to share.  I love the wit and banter that comes from having a slightly older child.  I can't decide what's more funny.  The cleverness of Buddy's speech, or the naivety of Sambo's.

• My friend, Nicki, went to Alabama for Porsche Driving School.  I was telling Buddy about this and after he asked when she'd be back, he said, "I hope when she comes home from Alabama she has a banjo on her knee."  

• Buddy's middle name is Jesse.  Near the end of school a new girl named Jessie joined his class.  He came home from school and told me about the new student saying, "When my teacher told us we'd get a new student named Jessie, I assumed it would be a boy.  And if it was a girl, I would have assumed she'd have red hair, a lasso, and a horse named Bullseye."

• Sambo was talking about animals.  Because he couldn't talk during the years and months kids learn about animals and the sounds they make, he still gets confused about stuff like that.  So on this occasion, he said, "What's that squirrel called that squirts stink out it's butt?"  (A skunk?)

• I still make my kids ride in carseats, even though it isn't legally required.  We had a friend (age 4) over for a playdate.  I had to pick Buddy up from school while he was over, so I put the friend in Sambo's 5-point harnass, I put Sambo in Buddy's booster seat and Buddy sat in the middle with a seatbelt.   

          Buddy: "How come if Spencer is taller than Sambo, he had to be in the baby seat?"
          Me: "Cause that's the type of carseat his mom puts him in."
          Buddy: "Oh, so his mom is paranoid too."

• Me:  Do you still have a crush on Ch___?

          Buddy:  No.  I have crush on E___ and Cl____.  I certainly don't need three.

• I've been teaching Sambo to read.  He was sounding out "got" and by mistake said, "God."  I said, "Close..." and immediately he changed it to "Gosh." 

• While reading the Doctrine & Covenants, Buddy read about Orson Hyde (section 75).  He suddenly stopped reading and said, "Oh.  For a second there I was hoping this was talking about Mr. Hyde.  You know from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  But this really isn't a story about monsters, so it makes sense that this is somebody else."

•  Sambo was putting his arms in his shirt at Safeway because he was cold.

           Sambo: This is my baby (putting his hands in his shirt to puff it out like he was pregnant.)
        
           Buddy: Boys can't have babies. (pause) They can help, but we don't need to explain that to a 4-year old.

Cub Scout Camp

Building a trebuchet.  Buddy and I learned mommy isn't so good at building things.  But by the end of the week, I definitely got better. 

The boys launching rocks with their trebuchets at the castle.

The long-anticipated week finally arrived.  Buddy went to Cub Camp!  Sambo and I tagged along all week, which turned out fun too.  I think I actually had more fun than Buddy.  There were 19 boys in our group, so we split into two "packs."  It was a ton of fun playing with the all the boys in our group.  I was so impressed with what respectful and fun boys we had.  I loved getting to know them on our long drives to and from the camp every day.  And watching them be supportive of each other and learn new skills made it worth it to be there.  I'll spare you my full feelings on the matter, but unlike most parents, I actually enjoy being with my kids.  So hanging with Buddy all week and supporting him in his activities was the best part of all. 

One token cute shot of Sambo.  He spent the week with the younger kids in a daycare-type area at the camp. 

Buddy had a lot of fun, even though it was super stressful at times for him.  He gets overwhelmed by lots of rules. (Heck-I got overwhelmed by all their rules too.  I'm a rigid rule-follower by nature, but I was ready to run myself over a cliff by the end of the week.  I was so tired of enforcing the camps strict rules all week.  No running!  No touching sticks!  Put that pine cone down!  No having any fun!!!!)  Plus the stress of learning new skills and not being perfect at everything was hard for Buddy.  Then halfway through the week he got really sick and eventually had to miss the last day.  But despite the ups and downs of the week, we really enjoyed our first time as a cub scout family.

Turn the Volume Down

This one is for my sister who sent me an email tonight saying she is worried about how loud and crazy her kids will be when they come to visit in a couple weeks.

No need to worry.  G came up with a solution today (before she sent her email) because of how loud OUR kids were during lunch.

Recipes

A very few of the berries we picked.  

This week the boys and I picked 45 pounds of strawberries.  We must have hit the perfect day to pick because in less than two hours we came away with twice as many berries as we had planned on getting.  I'm a berry fanatic and pick a ton every year, but I outdid myself this year.  It helped that Buddy is a really hard worker and was bound and determined to work hard enough to earn some money.  He picked almost 20 pounds himself.  Needless to say I've been washing and freezing and jamming and eating berries nonstop for the past three days.  Tomorrow I'm picking up some cherries I ordered so I've got to make room in the fridge for them too.  Bring on berry season!

I've been pinning and trying new recipes like crazy from Pinterest. Today I tried a new strawberry pie recipe.  I have several tried and true recipes I love, but this one caught my eye because it combines all my favorite things:  cream cheese, strawberries and chocolate.  I modified it a little, so I'll list the recipe I made here as well as a link to the original recipe. 

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pie

10 chocolate graham crackers
6 TBSP butter, melted
1 quart fresh strawberries, sliced
1 (8oz) package of cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
4 oz white chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the crust:
Process the graham crackers in a food processor.  Mix the melted butter and the cracker crumbs together and press firmly into a pie plate.  Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.



For the pie:

Melt the white chocolate chips in a double boiler.  Set aside.

Beat the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar until it becomes thick.  Set aside.

In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, the other 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, and the white chocolate.  Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.

Spread the cream into the chocolate pie crust. Don't put all of the cream in the crust at first. There is a lot of cream and it will overflow as you fill the pie with berries. Then, press the sliced berries into the mixture.

Melt the milk chocolate in a double boiler.  Then either drizzle the melted milk chocolate over the strawberries.  Or... my chocolate wasn't really drizzling consistency, and my berries were so small I didn't slice them, so I plopped a generous dollop of chocolate over each strawberry.  

Enjoy!  This pie is TOO DIE FOR.  I ate two pieces.  And... I ate several additional chocolate dipped strawberries.  I had to do something with the leftover melted chocolate!  I've been eating berries and salad all week so my dessert(s) tonight were acceptable.  So don't judge...

***

In other cooking news, Buddy made me proud today.  I had some leftover waffles from dinner the other night that I offered the kids today for lunch.  Buddy said, "If you have waffles on hand, I found the perfect recipe for lunch."  He then thummed through an old Friend magazine until he found a recipe for scrambled eggs and a slice of cheese between two waffles (like a sandwich).  He explained that he's been waiting for the perfect time to make it because it "sounded so good."  I was so overjoyed that Buddy (who is normally clueless about cooking) has possibly found an interest in collecting recipes.  Like mommy, like son.  Maybe I should teach him about Pinterest too.