Big Day

Saturday was a very sad day in the state of Arizona.  

So, it seems slightly inappropriate to post about all the fun we had that day.

And it seems wildly inappropriate that the fun was mostly gun related...

marshmallow gun, that is.

Brad made kits for all the boys and helped them with assembly.


I supplied the ammo.

January is the perfect month for an outdoor party around these parts.

The kids had target practice and played capture-the-flag until the sun went down.

Jake has made so many great new friends here, it was a delight to gather them all together.  They are good, good boys.  Respectful and fun and active and goofy.

We weren't just celebrating Jake's 12th birthday.  It was a day to celebrate the long strides he's made and the buddies who are helping him make them.
 

I've been so sad learning more about the tragedies in Tucson, but I'm also sad when I hear commentators blaming the state of Arizona and calling it a hate-filled place.

Because we have found it warm and welcoming and full of wonderful people.

Happy wishes to my two birthday boys!  I love you.

The First of the Lasts

I'm giving myself exactly 26 minutes to blog tonight.

I do not have time to spend on the computer. But I want to a place for all these memories while they're still fresh. So please excuse spelling and grammatical errors.

Right now, life is full. I am just trying to soak up every last day of our Bucks County existence. The calendar is packed with celebrations of all kinds and "just-one-more-time" kinds of outings. It's a month of lasts.

Jake's last concert with The Amazing Mr. Capriotti

Today was our last piano lesson. Not terribly sad.

But, earlier, we had our last pediatrician's appointment and I almost cried. It was hard to say thank you and good bye to my home-away-from-home of more than a decade.

That office kept me well-stocked with Amoxicillin and Cefzil for years. They always squeezed me in when someone had strep. And, on one particularly heinous visit with all four screaming darlings in tow, the receptionist told me that even though my kids were sick and miserable, I looked good! She made my day and I will never forget her.

A last shot of me & Danelle... I love her even though she wears a size 00.

I've had some "lasts" with my sweet friend, Danelle this week. Over the years we have been side by side in so many places--Target, baby showers, spin classes, presidency meetings, book club, birthday dinners, temple trips, visiting teaching (Oh, those lucky ladies who were fortunate enough to have us and our parade of preschoolers come spread sisterly cheer into their home each month!).

Now D and I are side by side in parallel moves Out West. Moving within days of one another. It's been fun to have someone to compare real estate agents and moving companies together. We share the excitement of being closer to families and the wistfulness of leaving dear friends. Still, these venting sessions are numbered too. We'll be in the same time zone, but probably not in the same spin class. I am going to miss her.

Another last...I discovered I'm not really a yard sale person this weekend.

Right now, I feel caught between my two realities. Am picking cabinets and carpets for a new home while still filling and vacuuming the old ones. Just because your life is topsy-turvy and there are 150,000 things on your to-do list doesn't mean you get to quit your day job.

Our neighbor's amazing backyard " Welcome Summer" bash. This is probably the last summer party I'll attend wearing a rainjacket.

Also, hopefully, the last time I ever sing all 14 minutes of Bye Bye Miss American Pie, karaoke-style. I blush just remembering.

Some lasts I am looking forward to: last ball game, last day the alarm rings at 5:03 AM, last homework assignment, last rush to catch that wretched midday kindergarten bus--which is either so early we're breathless or so late the twins have lost their shoes and backpacks.

Also hoping this is the last time Em "trims" her own hair. She has a history with self-barbering, as many of you will remember. A few years ago she looked like a young Haley Joel Osment. Now her bangs look just like her dad's.

I went over my self-imposed time limit by 11 minutes. Oh well.

The Perfect Pause

"Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter."

- Carol Bishop Hipps

Ahhhhctober... I love it so much.

Yesterday Brad left for Palm Springs. Any other month I would be completely green with envy. But the thought of leaving crisp mornings, golden afternoons and cozy evenings is unthinkable. (Which is convenient, since me leaving for Palm Springs is equally unthinkable at the mo. I'm crazy busy and the kids are just plain crazy. So no California for me. Oh well...)

Our neck of the woods is so amazingly gorgeous right now. I was thinking that I wish someone would invent a Weather TiVo. Seriously, wouldn't it be so great if you could just record a couple of Indian Summer days and replay them during August's hideous humidity? Or after a string of grey January bummers? I'm surprised nobody is marketing this yet.

Of course, October has its bittersweet moments. In the four weeks since school started, I have had three sick children. Today it's Lukey's turn. Stomach troubles and fever. I worry most about Mr. Luke when he gets sick. Maybe because he had a rocky start in the NICU or maybe the Lyme disease...which is technically still in his system. He just seems to be the most fragile of my litter.

But I like having him home alone. It's rare that we have bonding time without Sam around. Right now it's just the two of us (and Tom and Jerry, of course) along with ginger ale, dry toast and a curly straw.

In other family news, Jake is learning to cook! He made this Banana Cream Pie last week. Other new specialties include Peanut Butter Brownies and Lemon Cake. Is there anything better than a guy who can bake?

Yes! A guy who changes diapers. He assisted me in babysitting this little cutie last week. I have noticed that Jake is extremely tender and patient with babies and animals. Shall I get him one? (Kidding)

In a rare crafty moment, I made these centerpieces for a going-away party we hosted for dear friends. Apples were the motif of the evening, so we served hot spiced cider and "Mormon champagne" (cold cider and ginger ale) alongside Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle. So good...

Last but not least, today our driveway was recoated! Doesn't it look good?

Babe, I took these photos just for you. Enjoy your California sunshine. I'll be crusin' on this smooth stuff and enjoying beautiful Ahhhhctober!

p.s. Happy to report my dad is home from the hospital and celebrating his 63rd birthday today!

Happy Birthday, Opa!

Soup Swap

Holly is a genius! When I heard about her great soup swap idea, I had to try it myself. I hosted a soup swap for our church cooking group this week and it was a huge success! It was a fun excuse to get together, socialize, eat and leave with dinner for our families.

Here's how to host your own:

1. Ask some of your friends to mix up a batch of their favorite soup.
2. Tell them to bring 4 containers full of deliciousness(we required 6 cups per bowl) to your home.
3. Make your own steamin' pot of soup and serve to your guests with fresh bread.
4. After everyone eats, chats and shares recipes, send them home with 4 new bowls-- a variety of homemade concoctions to save, serve or share!

Fun, food and leftovers to spare!

Breakfast Birthday Bash

Em's pajama pancake party was the easiest birthday party ever.

Menu: dad's pancakes with assorted toppings, jake's bacon, fruit kabobs

Games: pass the parcel, don't eat pete!, treasure hunt

Guest list: eight (well-behaved and hungry) little girls