When Life Hands you a Topping-less Pizza

Josh has been away from us on Pioneer Trek since Wednesday. Oh, it hasn't been so bad, but I've started coming down with either allergies or a cold and I really didn't feel like fixing dinner tonight. Pizza sounded like the best option, so I got a half-cheese and half-sausage, olive and mushroom take-and-bake pizza. I NEVER request my favorite mostly because nobody likes that combination, so what better time to indulge than at the end of a solo week!? The kids and I anxiously awaited the "beep-beep" that told us our dinner was ready.



As I was lifting the pizza out of the oven, when I touched the hot pan with my finger and reacted by dropping the whole pizza (you guessed it) topping side down onto the 450-degree oven rack! No topping was spared as every scrap of cheese, sausage, olives and mushrooms and sauce were now bubbling, dripping and oozing through the rack and down to the bottom of the oven, picking up particles of "oven crust" and who knows what kind of carcinogenic material. I could NOT believe that this was the fate of my perfect pizza! I cried, "Oh, NO!" to which the kids came running to inquire as to what happened.

I told them matter-of-factly what had happened and that I had "ruined" dinner and made a big mess.

Boo: "Do you want daddy?"
Amy: (glumly) "Yes."
Yaks: "Are you sthad, mom?"
Amy: "Yeah, I really wanted pizza tonight."

Then...listen to THIS:

Yaks: "Well, you don't need to cry about it, Mom. It's okay. We can justht fixth it!"
Boo: (opening the fridge as if she fixes dinner every night) "Yeah, we can just fix something else...let's see...we could have some cheese! Does that sound good?"

With my spirits now buoyed up by my little sweethearts, we dug some leftover pasta and sauce out of the fridge and ate that for dinner. Not one complaint.

My Superheroes

You Can Get Everything at Costco!

Amy (talking to Yaks and gazing into his chocolate brown eyes): "Where did you get those brown eyes?"
Yaks: "At Costco."
Amy: "Costco!? How much did they cost?"
Yaks: (sighs) "I don know. Dey were reary expensives."

Weekend Warriors

A daily question around here is, "Is Dad staying with us all day today?".  That day means it's Saturday, which usually equals something fun.  

Albion Basin - Take Two!

The last time we went hiking up Albion Basin, the kids were little toddle-tots.  Yaks had just recently realized that life with us wasn't so bad and he could stop his 22 1/2 hour crying spells and sleep longer than 20 minutes.  It was a happy time!  Little Boo was a big helper even then,  and wanted to be sure that her brother had his hat on tight and that he was offered plenty of drinks from her juice box.  

We ventured up again to Albion Basin last weekend to escape the heat and enjoy the outdoors.  Two kids fell asleep as we passed the sign to enter the park, so we let them snooze while Josh and I enjoyed the cool breeze and peace and quiet.  

Hooray, everyone can walk!

When the kids woke up, we hiked up the trails and scrambled up rocks.  The kids got a kick out of the snow patches that were still around and made snowballs to toss at Dad.  We listened to Yaks offer encouragement like, "Yur doin' a great job, guys!  We're almost to duh top!"  I was paying for it by the end of the day, but it was fun to get out and exercise.  

July 4th Weekend

We asked the kids what they wanted to do this long 4th of July weekend, and they answered with four things:  

1.) Donuts at Dick's, 

2.) Going to the farm

3.) Swimming.  

4.) See Fire "cracks"

Consider it done!  We spent Friday at Nana and Papa's, helping with yard projects to prep for a backyard wedding luncheon for these two:  

Isaac and Megan

Saturday after a trip to Dick's for donuts, the kids went to Wheeler Farm where they saw goats, horses, chickens, a rooster, and sat on the tractor, among other things.  I didn't do a great job taking pictures this weekend, sorry.

Abby and Boo

Following naps, we went to Josh's Aunt and Uncle's to swim in their pool.  I couldn't find my swimsuit anywhere, so I sat poolside and snapped pictures.  

These two kids love swimming with Dad.  

Boo's gaining confidence in the pool.

Yaks needs  a little more fear in the pool.

After a delicious BBQ at Nana and Papa's, we were all worn out.  I broke out the two packages of snaps that I bought at the store and the kids did fire "cracks".  I don't think we saw one aerial firework the whole day, but the kids didn't seem to know or care!  Sorry, America.  I really do love you!

Order Up!

Finally, one more item totally unrelated to the topic.  It's said that motherhood carries with it many roles, including that of housekeeper, referee, chauffeur, medic, teacher, etc.  Today I was reminded of my additional "job" of "short order cook".  

The kids were sitting at the kitchen table just like this when I came down the stairs in my pajamas.  Yeah, those blue file folders are "MENUS", and they promptly (but politely), told me their order:

Boo:  "Hi, I'd like toast n' eggies n' milk n' cheer-os."

Amy:  "Oh, really?  Would you like a drink with that?"

Boo:  "Um, yes.  I already said that.  I want milk...please."

Amy:  "Oh, okay...Yaks what would you like to order?"

Yaks:  "Um, I jus wan toast n' eggies, but no milk.  I like wadder."

Amy:  "Sounds great!  I'll take these menus and get that ready for you."

Boo:  "Mom, this isn't really a restaurant.  It's just our kitchen and you're you and this is just for pretends."

Amy:  "Oh, okay."

I think I still deserve a big tip, don't you?  

Children Are Friends, Not Food

I'm slowing down, friends.  Things seem to take me twice as long and wear me out twice as quickly.  My patience included.  Two kids seem to be conspiring against me as they find "creative" ways to play (read: big messes).  Yesterday they pulled down all of Josh's ties from his tie bar (it takes at least 15 minutes to put each tie back), and they dumped and scattered a whole bucket of miscellaneous lego pieces all over the family room.  I wasn't happy.  They helped me clean it up and I think I lectured them the entire time about why I was upset.  

After lunch, we settled down on the couch to watch a movie together. Finding Nemo.  The part came on where Dory and Marlin are attending the Shark's 12-step "Fish are Friends, Not Food" meeting.  Dory just got clocked in the face by a scuba mask and the Great White Shark "BRUCE" gets a nice whiff of her bloody nose and turns nasty.  "I'M HAVING FISH TONIGHT!"

Yaks casually said, "Is this duh part where duh shark gets mean like mommy?"  

What?  

He repeated himself, not an ounce of sarcasm in his voice.  He really related my upset scolding earlier in the day to that of a blood-thirsty shark on the hunt.  Ouch.  

I tried defending myself, but was left just feeling chastised and humbled, and resorted to an apology instead.  I've resolved to be more careful with how I speak and how I "correct" and work on my "tone" being less SHARKY.   

Bleth Awl of Our Family

A frequent joy at our house is listening to Yaks pray. It always includes "Hen'ly Fawder" and lots of "bleth". "Bleth the gospow, bleth our cheekies, bleth daddy at work, etc." Boo always reminds him in the middle of his prayer to "say lots of things". She's then shushed by me and Yaks and he must start his entire prayer over again. Then he'll clear his throat and start over. Then he'll open his eyes and see that Boo isn't folding her arms and say, "Boo, fowd yer arms!" and then he'll start it over again. Needless to say, there's a LOTTA praying going on around our house! One of his all-encompassing phrases has been, "Bleth all of our fam-i-lee," which has taken on a new meaning this week.

My brother Tim became ill this past week and was hospitalized for several days with an infection, accompanied by dehydration, fever and unconciousness. I remember when he was young and in poor health, my mom would stay home with all of us kids and my Dad would be the one to stand vigil at the hospital, go to work and then return to his bedside after work. Now that my Dad is in poor health himself, it was really touching to see that our "first responders" were Ryan and Josh (both brothers-in-law), who both left work to give him a priesthood blessing, searched Tim's apt. for his medications, relayed updates to the family, and stayed there with him for much of the day.

The following day, I was anxious to go check in on him, assuming that he wouldn't have any visitors. My aunt Janet called and offered to watch my kids so that I could go, and not only came over to our house so that they would be more comfortable, but brought "new" toys, crafts, treats and lunch along with her! Little Yaks told me to tell Tim that when he's feeling better he could, "borrow my Kun Fu Panda show or come to my house and sit right here and watch it wiff me." The kids had a marvelous time playing with Meg and Paige (Thanks, Sarah for coming along), and I don't think they missed me a moment!

Little did I know, Tim would have LOTS of visitors. Cath came up, my mom came down, Cousin Rachel (the doctor of the family) came over from work, and Josh stepped through the door, just as surprised to see me as the other way around!

Yesterday was Father's Day, and Josh selflessly sacrificed his Father's Day doting, for a drive up to the Cache to spend the day with the family up there (Tim's recuperating under mom's watchful eye and a plate of oatmeal cookies). My Dad is having some testing done this week in preparation for a Deep Brain Stimulation procedure at the end of the summer (like a pacemaker for the brain). Once again, I was surprised to see that Peter & Catherine, Emily, Andy &Jill had all made the trip with the same desire to help and support. The boys rigged up mesh nets around the cherry tree so the birds won't devour the cherries, the girls fixed lunch for everyone, and the kids enjoyed the yard and the toys. 

I didn't realize it, but it's been my moms first real break in a long while.

It's been fun to see all of us kids growing up in every way, and becoming more responsible for ourselves and for eachother, instead of relying solely on our parents. I'm particularly touched to see how our in-laws fill in the holes with their skills and talents. I sure love each of them!
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Last week for FHE, we did a little lesson on the roles of a father. In addition to talking about all of the things our Dad does, I quizzed the kids on some Dad (Josh) trivia to see how much they knew. Some of their answers made me laugh aloud.

1.) What color are Dad's eyes?
Boo: Brown     Yaks: Brown

2.) What is Dad's favorite food?

B: Cucumber        Y: Pickles (insert chirping crickets here. Whaaaa?)

3.) What is Dad's favorite restaurant?
B: The restaurant by his work where he eats pizza. (The Pie Pizzeria) Y: A Cars one

4.) What is Dad's favorite thing to do on vacation?
B: Play with the puppies      Y: Play games

5.) What is Dad's favorite movie?

B: Pirates      Y: Batman

6.) What color is Dad's favorite tie?
B: Purple      Y: Blue

7.) How old is Dad?
B: 30     Y: 3

8.) What is Dad's name?
B: Josh       Y: Y-A-K-S!

9.) Who is Dad's favorite friend?
B: Puppy's mommy (she calls herself "puppy's mommy" to her stuffed dog) 

Y: Dell (our next door neighbor)