GOOD THING...

This afternoon, as Hudson was eating his lunch, he stopped eating for a second, turned to face me and said, "I'm glad I'm a male." Well, bud, I'm glad to hear you say that. 'Cause it sure ain't changing anytime soon.

SUMMERTIME: LIST II

As promised, here is my 2nd list revolving around summer...

THINGS THAT I REALLY HATE ABOUT SUMMER

• Heat, heat, and more heat.
• Not being able to spend much time doing fun things like visiting the zoo or going to the park because of said heat.
• Going to the public pool. Two reasons for this: 1) it's crowded, and 2) someone always looks better than I do in a swimsuit and it makes me feel bad. Refer to Summertime List I.
• The fact that our AC doesn't keep up with the heat. It has been running non-stop today and it is 80 degrees in the center section of our upstairs right now. Barf!
• Nights when I step outside at 11:00 and it's still over 80 degrees. Barf again.
• I go barefoot or wear sandals/flip-flops all the time and while this is totally fantastic, my feet get super dry and the bottoms of them and my heels crack and peel. Totally un-awesome.
• Not being able to cook or bake in my kitchen without seriously over-heating both the room and myself.
• It has the audacity to wedge itself in between my favorite two seasons: spring and fall.
• One word: sunburns.
• I not only sunburn, but I don't really tan either. I get my precious freckles and what I call my "pink tan". Even though I may not actually be burned, people are always making comments like, "Oh, honey! That looks like it hurts." or "You really got burned when you were out walking the other day!" I'm not always sunburned, people!
• It's our dog's 2nd shedding season...he does it in the spring and just when you think it's over, the summer heat hits and he does it all over again.

Had enough of my griping about summer? Too bad. Here's some more:

• The sweat that literally drips off my face when I go on my morning walks....and trust me, I am well aware that this is really gross.
• People who think that summer weather is perfect. What's wrong with you?!
• Feeling overheated the second I step out of the shower and then having to stop mid-way through drying my hair because I'm about to suffer from heat stroke.
• Our electricity bill.
• Explaining to my son again (and again) that the sun being up doesn't mean that it isn't still bedtime.
• In the winter, you can put more and more layers on if you get cold. Summer? You can only remove so many layers of clothes before you find yourself naked.
• It's too stinkin' long!

I guess that's about it for now. I'm going to go upstairs and console my summer blues with some ice cream.

SUMMERTIME: LIST I

I haven't received any complaints, but I know that each and every one of you 8 people that read my blog are just chomping at the bit for me to write another one of my marvy lists. So I'm going to oblige and provide you with just that. And just to mix it up a bit, maybe I'll even write two lists over the next couple of days. Here we go:

SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT SUMMER

• It's BBQ season...bring on the grilled shrimp, ribs, homemade burgers, steak, chicken, kabobs, salmon, etc. Okay, so we grill year-round. But when summer rolls around, it's officially that time of year.
• Summer thunderstorms and/or micro-bursts.
• I get tons of freckles on my arms and shoulders and a few on my face/forehead and the backs of my legs.
• Sitting on the lawn in the shade of the trees on our little back hill/slope.
• Going to our public pool. Two reasons for this: 1) it's fun, and 2) someone always looks worse than I do in a swimming suit and it makes me feel better about myself.
• No one thinks I'm weird for wearing short sleeves (some people think it's weird to do so year round).
• Fireworks on the 4th of July.
• Any of the following combined with fresh peach chunks or slices: Breyer's natural vanilla ice cream, any other vanilla ice cream, Cheerios, Rice Chex, or sugar (okay - sugar can be added to any of the previous three, too).
• I can let Huds stay up late without worrying about whether he's going to pitch a fit about going to school in the morning.
• All of the great "summer salads" that are out there. Whether it's potato, green, pasta, fruit, or any other kind of salad, I just can't get enough!
• Flip flops and sandals.
• 'Tis the season for Perseids.
• All the fresh fruit that is in season: strawberries, watermelons, peaches, raspberries, pineapple, etc. I just love me some fruit!
• Speaking of fruit, fresh strawberries are also most excellent over vanilla ice cream.
• Watching my kids run through the sprinklers or under a "rainbow" of hose water...nothing like seeing how thrilled they are to get soaked.
• Shave ice shacks.
• It comes right before fall.

Next list: the things that I really don't like about summer...

WAIT...THEY'RE GETTING ALONG?

I know that I'm not the only mom who get frustrated with her kids and their yelling at or scolding each other. As my husband says, if you want to know what kind of parent you are, just watch how your older child treats your younger child. I second that statement with a very heartfelt "amen". Every day, I hear Hudson telling Claire, "We don't do that!" or sternly and firmly saying, "Claaaaire!" Then I hear Claire shout back or see her give him the "stink eye". But in the midst of these are times when he stops parenting her and she quits sassing him. And the world becomes a happy, beanbag-sharing, cuddly place. Cue frustration melting away:

Now if you'll excuse me, I think I hear my kids fighting upstairs.

VACATION EXTENDED - AGAIN

Holy moly, moly holy! That's one of my personal fave "Hudsonisms" and I think it's rather fitting considering that I haven't posted in a week. And for once, I even feel like I have stuff to post about. And I have pictures.

As stated in my previous post, after the very difficult time we had relaxing in Tahoe and at my sisters, we decided that we should treat ourselves to another break and head to my parents' place instead of going home. We were originally going to leave Anne's place on Wendesday but ended up heading out a day early and left after lunch on Tuesday. Turned out being a good thing as that night, Max wasn't feeling so great and came down with a fever and nasty cough (much like what the kids and I had at Tahoe).

Just like at Tahoe and A & J's place, we had a very nice and relaxing time at my parents. Max was sick the entire time we were there with his fever lasting for a solid 3 or 4 days...I felt SO bad for him! But as rotten as he felt, he did get a trip to the park in on Tuesday evening before he got sick and even when he wasn't feeling well, he did go out shopping with the kids and I a couple of times, and joined us for a Saturday morning trip to the Farmers' Market. But really, for the most part, he was content to sit at the house while the kids and I had our fun out and about with my parents or just my mom and I. Not that we went out a ton. More than anything else, we just spent time at the house, enjoying one another's company, letting the kids play (and get wet in the wading pool and with the hose), checking out Grandpa's "pet" blue belly lizard, and basking in the perfect weather.

Claire and "Ba-Pa" in the greenhouse/deck.

Hudson and Grandpa with the pet lizard. It was either just after or just before this picture that Hudson was holding the lizard and it leapt off his hand and crawled up the side of his face and head. Quite the surprise but Hudson thought it was great!

Claire having some quality time with the hose water while Grandma gave her plants a drink.

We did get to the mall and took a fun day trip to the Boardwalk (always a debate as to who has more fun...the adults or the kids), complete with going out of our way on the drive home for a stop at Gayle's for a few goodies. These goodies purchased included, of course, a Princess Cake. NOTE: if you are not a fan of marzipan or you don't want to read about my obsession with food, just skip the rest of this paragraph. I could have eaten the entire cake by myself. In one sitting. After a huge dinner. With both hands tied behind my back. However, I put my needs aside and over the next few days, I shared it with my dad (who bought the thing - I guess he was entitled to a slice) and mom. Max thinks it has too much marzipan. I know, seriously! I wish I had a picture of a Princess Cake to share with you. And to frame and put next to my bed. But I couldn't find a good close-up online. If you would like to take a little peek at one, click here. There are a few of these delectible beauties in this shot...they're the cute little scrumptious pastel domes in plain green, pink, and purple with a rosebud powdered sugar on top of each. Holy moly, moly holy...tonight's dessert of vanilla ice cream with fresh peaches is no longer cutting it! But enough about one of the greatest bakery masterpieces of all time.

Our last full day there happened to be Father's Day. With much assistance from my parents in getting the last minute details taken care of, I officially surprised Max for what I think is the first time ever. Sure, I've baked him unexpected goodies or brought home something I knew he'd like in the past but never have I pulled off something like this. Back in May, I took the kids for a session with a super fab photographer outside of Park City. Hudson knew that it was a present for Father's Day and kept his lips totally zipped for a good month - I was so proud of him! Anyway, the gift that I actually gave him that day was these three pictures, all framed:

One of Hudson's solo shots.

A Claire solo shot.

The kids sitting together on a really neat covered wooden bridge...I can't recall what he was telling her but I just love how his arm is around her and she's so obviously listening to what he has to say.

Max was totally surprised and even though I know he loves the pictures, I think the homemade card from Hudson was every bit as special to him. There are more pictures of the kids but I since I just barely finalized by order, I haven't recevied my package with the disc and such yet. Therefore, I can't post any more right now...but I'll do so when I get the goods.

Now, I failed to mention in my post about going to Anne's that while at her place, we got "the call" from our genetecist's office telling us that the results on the kids' bloodwork had come in. Turns out that while Hudson is in the clear, Claire has my condition. It stinks but there's obviously nothing we can do about it. I'm honestly just grateful to know...knowledge is power and knowing is half the battle (G.I. Joe!). Now, we can move on and instead of worrying about the "what if's", we can focus on life as it is and treat her at a much earlier age than I was treated. Anyway, point is, It really was so nice to go and spend some one on one time with my parents, especially considering the news we had just gotten. As always, my parents were so accomodating, thoughtful, generous, etc. and I can't thank them enough for all they did while we were there.

We left my parents place the morning of Monday the 22nd and took the gloriously long and boring drive home. While Hudson kept asking "How much longer?" and "When are we going to get there?", Claire was a little gem and was content throughout the drive. Not that Hudson was bad - he's just at that age where energy is high and patience runs low. A couple of hours after dinner that night, we stepped inside our house for the first time in 18 days, 7 of which were planned, and all of which were a very welcome and fabulous break. After living in Vacation Land for so long, it took me a while to get back in the groove of normal life. But I think I'm finally back...

OUR EXTENDED VACATION

Sorry for the break in posting, y'all. Things were just a bit busy around here with the holiday weekend and all. Now back to our adventures in Not Real Life Land...

At the end of our stay in Lake Tahoe, we decided that it would be most prudent (not to mention fun) to extend our vacation and head to my sister's place for a few days. We hadn't been there in, say, nearly 4 years. Yikes! For a while there, I got out there about once a year and then that tradition pretty much went town the drain. But that has nothing to do with our trip. So I'll move on...we had SO much fun visiting at A & J's. While Anne and I filled our time during the day with a bit of shopping, lots of talking, grocery shopping, swimming, etc., Max and Jordan worked on fixing the waterfall in their backyard, went to a movie, hit a few balls on the tennis court, and played Rock Band 2. And whilst we adults were preoccupied with ignoring them, the children jumped on the trampoline, played in the sandbox, partied in the play room, and interfered with Max and Jordan's plan to get perfect scores on Rock Band 2.

Becca and Claire chillin' on the trampoline.

Hudson catching some air.

Max and Jordan rocking out while Hudson plays the drums (or so he thinks) while Claire and Becca look on.

Claire burying her own foot in the sandbox...I think roughly 5 cups of sand came out of her shoe when I took it off.

In the evenings, we pulled out all the stops, eating dessert and watching the High School Musical movies. I'd heard a few of the songs before (and honestly found them to be quite catchy and entertaining) but had never treated myself to the Oscar-worthy productions and acting that are so undeniably present in these cinematic masterpieces. In all honesty, I thought that they were actually rather entertaining. My favorite songs come from the 1st and 3rd movies and aside from Troy (let out a scream, girls!) and whats-her-face, my fave character was Ryan (plays Ashley Tisdale's brother). We had one other night there and while Max and Jordan watched a "guy flick", Anne and I visited in the kitchen and then went searching for some very little but seriously loud frogs at the base of their waterfall. We found three frogs, caught one, and later saw and tried to catch a tadpole. It was rather far along in development with four very tiny, cute legs (it actually jumped a couple of times) but it's body still fat with the tail sticking out at the end.

The cute little froggy we caught.

In short, I am so glad that we took the time to go to Anne's place. We really appreciated Becca giving up her room for Max and me, Ben sharing his room with Hudson, and the kids clearing out of the play room each night so that Claire could sleep in there. A & J are always great hosts and they really outdid themselves (wink, wink). We love you, wildcats.

A couple of days before our planned trip home, we decided that we needed a vacation. So, instead of heading home after our stop at A & J's, we headed to my parents' place for the final leg of our trip...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MATT-MOO! - EDITED

I'm a very bad little sister. I realized on Friday that I failed to call my brother Matt for his birthday on Thursday. You know when I finally called him to wish him a very happy - and belated - birthday? Never...still hasn't happened yet and I seriously need to get it in gear. While I'm waiting to do so (and while I could actually be calling him), I'm going to do a belated birthday post. Here are some of the great things I love about my eldest brother, Matt:

• He's very calm and very much a peacemaker - a good guy to have around when there's tension or you're upset.
• He married a beautiful, funny, and super tan girl (none of us can tan so this is a very desirable quality in a spouse).
• He has three ridiculously gorgeous children. Seriously...they got way more than their fair share in the looks department.
• He was totally cool with his little sister flying out and visiting him when he was in college.
• He's very empathetic and understanding.
• He'll still answer to the name "Matt-Moo".
• He looks a lot like our dad...it's neat to see younger pictures of my dad and do a double-take when I initially think it's Matt.
• He introduced me to quality late 80's and early 90's music such as Beastie Boys, Biz Markie, Young MC, and Run DMC.
• He's easy to talk to and always makes me feel like what I'm saying matters to him.
• He's very tall. As in 6'7". Why is this so great? A) It's cool to be tall. B) When he imitates a toddler or little kid dancing, there's no way to escape laughing.
• Being very tall, he played basketball in high school. I loved going to his games and hearing his friends cheer for "Matt-Nute".
• Like my other brothers, he is always happy to lend a helping hand and pitch in, even if the help isn't really needed.
• He has a great sense of humor.
• It's fun to watch him duck a little when he walks through some doorways.
• He is always thinking of other people.
• He kept his cool and didn't get mad when as a kid, I tried to fix a flat on his mountain bike by super-gluing the tire to the rim (what...there's another way to do it?).
• His freakishly white (not to mention long) legs look great in knee-socks.
• He will undoubtedly forgive me for not calling him and for taking the time to write this post prior to doing so.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MATT!!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and write myself a note so I that I can once again forget to call him tonight after he's home from work.

7/1/2009

NOTE FROM ANNE:

Now it's my turn to add reasons I love Matt...

• Matt can always make me laugh. He is so funny!
• When we were growing up, if I was ever (rarely) upset at him,it ended quickly, because he would say or do something hysterical.
• He lives in California.
• He likes good food as much as I do.
• He eats more than I do, which always makes a girl feel good.
• We used to have late-night talks after "lights out," and one of us would have to bolt back to our room when we heard footsteps coming up the stairs.
• He was really easy to share a car with at BYU.
• He gave me good advice on dating and guys.
• He is a people person.
• He is thoughtful and generous.
• He makes awesome pasta.
• He speaks Italian, which is one reason I want to go to Italy with him.
• He has a Jim Carrey-ish plastic face.
• Just like our other brothers, his deep voice is awesome.
• He was one of my best friends growing up.
• He never complains about anything.
• I could always talk to him about anything.
• He is easy-going.

Happy Birthday, little bro!

Love, Anne

A WEE TAD MORE FROM ME:

So, after reading Anne's comments, I have to say a couple of things...

• She mentioned his pasta and is SO right. Not only does he cook fabulous pasta, but his homemade bruschetta is to die for (I think I'm going to start drooling now).
• I almost said the exact thing about his face being like that of Jim Carrey. He's got great physical comedy!
• She mentioned that he eats copious amounts of food...it's not only nice to have him eat more than me, it's actually fun to watch him eat and see how many platefuls he can pack in! Now, the way I feel about his staying skinny all these years with that kind of eating is another story.
• He taught me cool Italian words like "schifoso" and "puzzolente"...be nice to me or I might fire off one of these words in your direction.

P.S. I never made that note that I mentioned in my original post yesterday. And therefore, I never called the birthday boy. Let's see if I can manage to remember to do so after putting the kids down in a minute...