Girl Time!

It's a rare blessing for a mother to have some away time but as the years have passed I've seen how finding this balance helps me to be a better wife and mother.  We also wanted to prep Bubby for the time I'd be gone for my brother's wedding so I took a trip with a girlfriend for 3 days to check a few things on a bucket list.

I've known Natalie since I was a newlywed and loved how close their family lived to us.  She'd served a mission with the Thai people and loved Asian food so we could always share Chinese goodies with their whole family.  This meant I could safely plan on this fun food stop for Xiao long bao and know that's she'd enjoy it too!

We attend a bookclub that's been around for around 15 years so the Last Bookstore was a fun find for us.  They used books to decorate and the haphazard arrangement of shelves made each turn in a corner a new adventure with lovely little nooks for reading comfortably and browsing.

The little shops in the bookstore had a few clever items, but this one was particularly funny to me.

I have a thing for farmer markets, so of course we had to stop here.  Much too much to eat and try.

I was told Roscoe's chicken and waffles was a must so once we got our place in Hollywood we went out for a late night dinner.

So the real purpose of the trip was to get on to see the behind the scenes of The Price is Right.  I'd only ever seen one episode, but my kiddos had watched it with Helen Young, their adopted grandmother.  They loved it and Natalie always wanted to see it in person.  I'm always up for an adventure so she made us matching shirts and we went.  Just next door was another farmer's market where I had fried oysters for breakfast!

We had a ton of  fun despite the hot long wait.  It was neat to chat with people from all over and it was amazing how efficient things run on a set.  Our show airs October 18 and both Natalie and I were shifted around during the show to fill in gaps.  Neither of us wanted to be a contestant but we should show up in the background.  That's all the claim to fame I care for!

Dinner at the farmer's market again, gumbo!!!

The following day we took a drive to Randyland, an artist who works with glass and has it installed in his backyard.  He wasn't home (apparently he isn't often there) but we got a view from below.  I suspect when the light shines through the glass and you're right under it it gives a beautiful effect.

The night before we'd watched a short documentary on Madame Tussauds which made the wax museum fun to see.  Natalie was the best for pictures!  So fun to just be goofy together!

I'd never been to the Chinese Theater next door so we stopped in for a short time.

Our last stop was an area with a high concentration of Ethiopian people.  I really wanted to try their food so we stuffed ourselves before leaving for home.  Injera was the 'bread' used for scooping and dipping into the food.  It had a spongy texture and was slightly sour in flavor - a truly unique experience for me.

It was a blast and one I think we need to repeat! (hint, hint Natalie) Girl time  means we can get in all those things our husbands don't care to do and feel footloose and fancy free - even if it's only for a few days!

Bug-love is Nine!

My beautiful Bug is official 9!  She’s a wonderful, sensitive soul and has a huge heart.  For her birthday she wanted to share the experience of swimming with a dolphin.  It was a blast for both of us, our animal loving hearts. 

We got to swim in the 10ft water, play games with Ping and receive and give kisses  and even dance.  Their tails are so powerful and amazing.  At one point Ping’s tail push up against one leg and the muscle, motion and movement of the water gave me an idea of  force it was capable of.  To watch her eyes close in pleasure as we ‘petted’her was lovely. 

Even more wonderful was to see my girl’s response to the wonder of it all.  The whispered anticipations and questions, her smile that lit up her eyes and her renewed desire to help protect all things living. 

This girl is just a bundle of love, for everyone and everything.  If someone is hurt or sad, shes the first to think of ways to cheer them up or to give loves and hugs.  A bug that needs saving from the pool will occupy her until it revives again and she sends it on it's way.

Ladybug watch

I have loved watching her relationship develop with Isaac.  While there are still the usual fights between siblings close in age, she is the first to defend him and when she calms down she can see things from his point of view.  They joke with each other more and she practices patience to play the many games he makes up for them.  

Pumpkin adores her!  She's alway's mimicking her style and Keila has found pride in teaching her sister the things she has learned and doing things that only girls can truely enjoy together, like painting nails and doing their hair.

Bubby seeks her out when he needs a hug.  If neither Kent or I are avaliable, he turns to her next which says a great deal about her character.  The great thing is that she truly seems to understand him, even with as few words as he has.  Perhaps this is why he feels so secure with her.

Our birthday dinner out.

She is thoughtful in nature, seeking to understand the characters in books and the actions of friends around her.  Randomly she'll ask me why someone might do as they do, or offers different perspective when the other kiddos are struggling with other's choices.  I've often wondered if her struggles with anxiety has made her more compassionate than most children her age.  

We went with an ocean themed cake and I tried ganache and used molding chocolate for the decor.  

I'm so grateful to be given the blessing of being her mother!  She brings a tenderness to our whole family and we can't imagine life without her!

Ward Campout Day Trip

I use to love camping... the fresh air, the quiet of nature, the beauty around me ... and then I had kids.  Actually, it really wasn't the kids, but more about Eli and his autism.  Camping is 'too' new and different and creates all sorts of anxiety for him.  For that reason I've left camping to Kent and the other kiddos but with having just returned from Mexico, he didn't have the time off work to take them to our annual ward campout.  We settled on a compromise of sorts.  I took the kiddos alone for a day trip, enough so they could play with friends and roast smores and then we went home to sleep in our bed.  The older two understand the sacrafices that Bubby goes through for these sorts of trips and happily consented .

'Hiking' with friends!  Pumpkin might be little but she was right there with them!

Bubby did find some comfort with the familiar books and items I brought along but every moment he could, he was sure to remind me that he wanted to 'goh' home!

Hide and seek with friends.

Lots of games played between exploration.

Pumpkin adopted another older sister while there!

Kiddos got sugared up good with all the treats everyone bought to share.

Helping some friends put up a tent.

Roasting of marshmallows and starbursts.

We were lucky since there was no rain, only the glorious cool of Flagstaff.  We ended up driving up there with some friends which made the 2hrs much more enjoyable for me.  Good fun for all and perhaps what we'll do again next year.