Summer is Here!!

Our Neighbors rented a water slide for a party this weekend, and it was the hit of the neighborhood. The kids had a great time welcoming summer with all the water fun. Thanks to the Williams for sharing! Forgive the repetitive music, I know I used it on another video, buy my creativity is waning tonight.

End of the Year Dance Festival

Manila Elementary celebrated their annual school Dance Festival last week. Cassidy's grade danced to a medly of rock songs and Mark's grade did the Eye of the Tiger, hence the sweatband he is wearing. It was fun to watch them shimmy, shake and grove out on the grass. (Click on the picture to see it larger)

Memorial Day at Grandma's

Tree house+ water guns+ cousins= fun all around

Ry the science guy!

Ryan has always loved math and science. This year was his first year in Chemistry. To say he loved it would be an understatement. He recently received an award at BYU for the top first year Chemistry student at his high school. High schools were represented throughout Utah county all the way to St. George. He was happy with the award, but the best part for him was getting to be on his favorite campus, getting a tour of the chem building and seeing things blow up and other experiments. After it was over Kelly and I walked with him around campus and remembered our days there. Congratulations Ryan!

Happy Mother's Day!

I have an incredible mother. I could write a book about all her talents and wonderful things she has and continues to teach me, but instead I settled for yet another one of my poems. As always, I write what comes to mind knowing I'm not an English major. Forgive all the gramatical and punctuation errors and know I just love to use words to express all my thoughts, both the silly and the serious.

To my mom on Mother's Day:

Words completely fail me
on this beautiful Mother’s Day;
for how do you express feelings in rhyme
in a sincere yet witty way?
How do you transfer the thoughts of gratitude
that have accumulated over the years.
All the times of service, laughter, understanding
and even an occasional tear.

You were there through the teenage trials,
with advice I did not want;
but when your wisdom proved correct
you never once did flaunt.
I remember the day in a college apartment
when the car lights faded away--
And I thought my life would be better
without a mom there every day.

All the sudden I grew up quickly,
which is what happens when left alone;
and I realized how much you did for me,
things I never really had known.
I began to appreciate the skills you taught,
the ones I complained about as I grew.
For who would know that years later--
cute boys would like them too!

And suddenly to me, you had changed
right before my very eyes.
You were now a mom and best friend
which caught me by surprise.
I had the best of both worlds,
and now your advise I did seek--
As finally came the realization
that you weren’t an antique!

Now the time has come that I’m a mother
and the job seems much too large.
It is so very intimidating
now that I’m the one in charge.
When times get overwhelming
and I wonder if I’m on the right track;
I look toward your example
and try to make up for what I lack.

Some days my kids will tell me
words I whined to you long ago,
Things like “I won’t do that when I’m a mom”
and it seems so apropos.
Life has come full circle
and time marches on too fast.
I find myself trying to be a mom like you are
even though I'll never surpass.

Thank you so much for all you’ve done
for me throughout your life.
You’ve helped make mine easier,
and filled with much less strife.
I love you so very much,
please forgive my inadequate prose;
for when it comes right down to it,
words of love are hard to compose.

Operation Clean Room

I have noticed some modes of operation that happen every time I send a child to clean their room unsupervised. It is done with military precision and we call it operation clean room. The way this mission is carried out goes as follows:

Stealth:
First and foremost try to sneak out of mom's radar and leave the vicinity as fast as possible without being detected and sent back.

Counter Measures:
As mom is heading upstairs toward the target, methods of distraction must be employed to detour final destination. "Mom, you look cute today" Mom, what is that outside the window?" "Mom, have I told you what a great mom you are?" And if all that fails there is always the tried and true last resort, "Mom, I have chocolate!"

Grab and Stash:
This method is used when the above counter measures do not work and the countdown is on. Stash anything available into places not readily seen by the naked eye. No nook and cranny should go unutilized. This must be done with the greatest speed and accuracy.

Undercover:
What is the big deal about making a bed anyway, no need to straighten sheets, remove pillows, stuffed animals, toys and yes and even snacks! Just drag the comforter over everything, surely the lumpy exterior will go unnoticed.

Camouflage:
The only thing important is what you see. If your beanbag chair, area rug, dresser, bed or closet can be useful why not make the most of them. As long as x ray vision is not employed safety is insured.

Black Out:
All lights out, (burned out light bulbs work best) blinds pulled, lamps unplugged. Works very well unless mom brings her night vision goggles.

Mine field:
This is what happens when all the above missions fail. Disaster is imminent. Explosions start occurring all over the room as the objects that were stashed, covered and camouflaged suddenly reappear in piles and destruction commences. The question that is most pondered is "how did she know to look there?"

Denial:
When all else fails the innocent look of "I have no idea how that got there!" is employed and when that finally fails--


Go to work!

Cassidy was in the Hope of America Student Showcase last night at the BYU Marriot Center. There were over 4,000 children involved on that night. They think this is the largest choir ever assembled in America, over 72 schools (mostly 5th graders) and nearly 8000 children performing over two nights. Her school was on the floor so Kelly was able to get some close up shots of her.