Perserverance

There are a multitude of things I would like my children to learn in this life. If I were to boil it down, though, to just a few things that I've had on my mind lately, those things would include the following:

1. Be nice. That means to everyone. You don't need to be a pushover, but know that everyone's life has tough moments, and everyone deserves a little kindness.

2. The world doesn't owe you anything. I think those who have a sense of self-entitlement are wretched. I hope I can teach my girls that it's okay to have to work for what you want, and that we should give to others and not just sit back and see what we can collect.

3. Another's good fortune doesn't diminish your chances of having an equally good fortune. You know when something really awesome happens for a friend or acquaintance, and you tell yourself you are really happy for them, but really on the inside you are thinking, "Why in the world don't I have that?" I've done it, which makes it obvious that this is something I'm personally working on. I want my girls to know that everything good in this life is abundant and available to all: another person's happiness doesn't take anything away from them.

4. Don't quit and always try your hardest. I can't count the times I've had someone say to me, "I wish I could play piano..." or "I would love to be able to run..." and I relatively consistently reply, "I teach lessons," or "I leave for the gym at 4:30- want me to pick you up?" Shockingly, no one has ever taken me up on either. I have some natural talent for music, but I really have no natural athletic ability, and thus my success on both counts has come down to the fact that I have outworked a lot of people. When others have decided to quit piano or give up on fitness, I've squeezed in a few more miles, a few more lessons, or a few more hours of practice. I've no more God-given talent than most.

Kate's been a shining example of #4. She has loved gymnastics lately, and so when she asked to go to a three day gymnastics camp I quickly agreed. Although the flier stated the kids would be working on a variety of skills, it was understood that this was a back handspring camp- they would spend most of the time trying to achieve that. It was a very big deal, and at the end of each camp session, those who had achieved their back handsprings either on the tramp or mat got to demonstrate them for the whole class and then received a special prize.

Three days of camp for Kate, and no back handspring. She was devastated. For once, I played it cool.

The night after the last day of camp, Kate was jumping on the tramp, and I told her to try for her back handspring. She half-heartedly went for it, and of course fell on her head. A little encouragement from the on-lookers was necessary, and then this:

Honestly, I'm more proud of her than I would have been if she had performed a perfect back handspring the first day of camp, because she worked and worked; she felt a little mini-failure; she tried again and didn't give up; she finally succeeded. She's been back handspring-ing all over the neighborhood, so I know she feels the accomplishment too- I'm a little grateful that it didn't come easy for her, because I think she learned something important.

How To Be the Favorite Aunt

If you want to be the favorite aunt (like I obviously am), here's a few tips:

You should take your charges to the splash pad and then for ice cream.

You should go on a picnic at the river park with cousin Porter and Grandpa Jack.
You might try dinner with Grandma Ellie at the Spaghetti Factory.

Favorite aunts don't care about manners.

Favorite aunts have a pass to Kangaroo Zoo.

I also suggest a short hike to a local waterfall.

Favorite aunts pack in treats even though the round trip is a single mile.

Favorite aunts also pretend they don't hear any whining.

Turn over the reins to someone with serious "favorite" experience.

Favorite aunts know where the best ribs in town are.

Try saying, "More ice cream? Why not?"

Favorite aunts know the aquarium is always fun.

Favorite aunts aren't afraid of a little friendly competition...

...from favorite uncles...

...or from more favorite aunts. I hope there can be more than one favorite...

...otherwise I may have been knocked off my pedestal.

A Few Words About Kiki

There's so many things I'm loving about Kiki right now...

She enjoys a dirty bum.

Really, I guess she enjoys activities that have a dirty bum as a result.

I swear I could take her on a limo ride to a Ladies' Tea at a hotel and she'd come home with a dirty bum.

She loves to eat. She mainly loves to eat things that would give our pediatrician heart failure, like this big plate of ribs.

Her approach is a little unorthodox.

She loves amphibians and reptiles.

She said, "When I grow up I want to raise baby alligators and baby cheetahs."

I tried to explain that such a set-up would be a never-ending blood bath but she continues to dream.

She loves penguins, too.

I just recorded a "Planet Earth" that was about penguins and polar bears, and I was interested to see that in the scene where the polar bear attacked a herd of seals, Kiki loudly cheered for the bear.

Kiki says things like, "I washed my hands and NOT in the toilet," or "I don't need to suck my thumb as long as I'm eating a donut."

Every day with this kid brings something new and delightful.

So You're Saying No One Stole My Camera

We had family up for breakfast today- Jack and Kay, the Shelton's, Dan and Angie, plus all of our kids, and I wanted pictures. Even though I could distinctly remember leaving my camera on the dining room table, it was AWOL. I pestered and pestered the kids about it, even veering into out-and-out accusation territory, yet they all insisted they hadn't seen it.

Later, Dan found my camera shoved between the cushions of a chair.

These pictures were on it.

Life lesson, kids:

Don't lie to Becca. I have a nose for the truth.

Also, if you DO lie, make sure you have plausible deniability.

Ode to Mrs. Hatch

For most kids the last day of school is filled with rejoicing and reveling in temporary (perceived) freedom. For Kate, the last day of school was one of impending doom/grief/something to do with a pit of despair.

She has had an incredible year with an amazing teacher, Mrs. Hatch. We've gone through the year with Kate raving about Mrs. Hatch, how much she loves Mrs. Hatch, Mrs. Hatch is the best person ever... It's been a little hard on my ego. I admit to trying to convince myself that I was the Mrs. Hatch she was referring to in her rapture, but we all knew I wasn't.

All kidding aside, I have hoped that she would have a good year in school, and Mrs. Hatch made that happen for her. She took the time to really know Kate and take an interest in her. She even came to Kate's piano recital. So, it made the last day of school a sad one for Kate.

My mom and I tried to assuage the pain with a lunch and movie date.

We saw Kung Fu Panda 2. Don't ask me if it was good because I fell asleep.
Merrilee teased me about falling asleep, then admitted that the only reason she knew I was asleep was that she woke up before I did. So don't ask her, either.

The date seemed to help, but what made Kate feel the best is this:
Mrs. Hatch is expecting!
If it's a girl, they think they'll name her Kate.

Memorial Day

Kate had been begging and begging to run a race, and fortunately there was a 10k/5k/1 miler on Memorial Day near home. We signed up weeks in advance and she was very excited. I even purchased "real" running shoes for her.

Our crazy Utah spring continued Memorial Day, and it was rainy and cold. I was dreading the race and wondering if it was even worth the bother when I saw her notebook open on the bar:

Yeah, we bundled up and went, even though the weather was this:
That's snow on the ground. On Memorial Day.

Bruce was running the 10k and Kiki was being a real punk, which was worrisome since we had an hour to kill until the 1 mile race. Then I realized that in the excitement of the morning, no one had fed her anything. An entire McDonald's Big Breakfast seemed to cure what was ailing her. Bruce ran great, then it was Kate's and my turn.We hadn't even turned the first corner when she started begging me to walk.

By this point, we had been hanging out in the snow and cold for almost 2 hours waiting for this race to start. I told her, "If you feel like walking now, we might as well just turn around and go back." I'm sure anyone who overheard the conversation that followed is still having nightmares about my parenting/lack thereof, but I hadn't gone to all of that trouble for a leisurely stroll. She did walk a little bit, but ran the mile in just under 12 minutes. She was way excited by everyone cheering for her, the smoothie at the end, and the shirt.We breakfasted at George's and my mom's with the Hunter Bunch. Jody, Kate, and Jamie

I said, "Smile so I can take your picture."

Go-Go was disoriented enough that she smiled, but didn't connect that I was taking the picture from behind her, so after the shot was taken she worried aloud that maybe her eyes were closed.

Uncle Chance and the girls.

Amber and Kate

Our final stop of the day was at a get-together with some of our favorite neighbors.

Even though it was still freezing we braved the elements and grilled hamburgers and ate homemade ice cream.

We have so many cute kids in the neighborhood- it made for a fun night.

Nobody Puts Baby In a Corner

My piano has been in the same spot ever since we moved in- 8 years this month.

It seemed like a good spot at the time and then laziness took over.

Four days ago, though, I got fed up!

Between lessons and my own practice I very regularly spend 20 hours a week at the piano, and I realized that for 20 hours a week x 52 weeks a year x 8 years I have been staring into a corner when I could have been looking out the window.

So I moved a grand piano all by myself to the opposite end of the room.

And the 8 x 11 rug, which was also quite heavy.

And, even though my quads burned for 4 days, it was totally worth it.