No jobs = no fun and something smells fishy

Today we had plans to meet with my cousins and their kids at a splash pad and have a picnic. I excitedly told the kids this and reminded them that we had to have jobs completed before we could go.

Beckham had a nana night scheduled and wouldn't be joining us, but I told him the same rule applied to him. No jobs = no fun.

It was so surprising to me that we still had the same battles over jobs we have every day. EVEN with the added incentive of something extra fun at the end.

We were an hour late to our play date.

I'm glad we went. They had a wonderful time.

We came home and just hung out reading and playing the Wii for awhile.

Then one of the school board members, Larry Smith, called me and talked for 45 mins about reasons behind the board's decision, well the maintenance manager's decision, to take out all the permanent goal posts at the schools...except for the ones on the soccer fields that the soccer club, Forza, doesn't use...because they claim they were safety hazards...except for on those fields Forza doesn't use. Apparently, those goals they are willing to take a risk with. OH and the board also claims they don't care about the soccer clubs. They only care about the kid's safety during school hours. Except, what about those permanent posts they've left remaining?

Right. I smell something fishy too.

I've sent a number of emails and keep chipping. They keep trying to cover something up. Thankfully, I don't get intimidated easily. They have sure tried.  Still, being lied to is exhausting.

 I'm grateful for Larry. He thinks they are hiding things as much as I do. It's nice to have an ally on the inside.

Kevin took Karaia to a baseball game. She had a great time and got a few signatures.

Tennyson and Sanders and I watched the movie "Elosie". Tennyson's pick. They were both so tired though that by the end they were wiggling everywhere just to stay awake.

It was really fun to just be me and the littles tonight. It reminded me of when it was just me and Karaia and Beckham at those ages.

Saying sorry is good

Beckham and I have a rough go of it today. I'm sorry was said in both camps. Sigh. Days like this make me really wonder about my ability to parent these amazing souls. I

I want to document all the wonderful things I know about Beckham.

I love his thirst for knowledge. That kid can't learn information fast enough.

I love his dimples. They only come out if he is really, truly smiling. If you see those you've hit gold.

I love his ability to eat broccoli even though, second to tomatoes, it is the worst tasting food to him.

I love his retention of gospel related things.

I love how he loves his siblings.

I love to hear him play the piano.

I love how quick he is to say he is sorry. And mean it.

I love how he is a good friend.

Of course the list could go on, but it's a good start.

The 4th

"I'm going to try the walk away slowly method next time."  -Beckham

This was said after he lit a few fireworks on his own and high taled it out of there to save his mom's heart from dying from stress.

After he successful slowly walked away from a lit firework with a humorous gettin on his face he contemplated,

"I feel like such an adult when Uncle Alex hands me the lighter and a fire work and I walk away slowly."

All I know is, I'm an adult, and I see it as life perservingly necessary to run from a lit bomb.

No matter how colourful the explosion promises to be.

Swimming

We started swimming lessons today. Each child has a private half hour lesson because that way I find that they actually learn how to swim.

Case in point Tennyson jumped off the diving board today and swam over to edge,all by himself. It does my mom heart good to know that he will be safe in the water.

Sanders has quite a ways to go but he thinks he can swim...which is kind of dangerous.I'm grateful that his teacher is helping him learn to be safe.

I wasn't able to watch Karaia and Beckham because Tennyson had piano lessons at the same time. But I hear they did great.

Tennyson and Sanders actually had two sessions of swim lessons today. One this morning and one in the afternoon. Because of the 4th of July holiday they won't get a full week so we're craming a full week into a few days.

I'm really exhausted.

Slacking or balance

I can't decide if my lack of posting is because I am a slacker or I am finding my balance.

I do want to document my daily goings on, but not enough to add it to my daily to do list. I already have so many things on there, like laundry--folding it and getting it put away mainly--that I don't get to that I just leave blogging off the list so it doesn't stare me in the face mockingly when it's not crossed off.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with my house at the moment. So. many. piles. that I have just not taken the time to find a home for. I know exactly what I want my house to feel like and even look like, but putting forth the effort to get it in that state makes me feel even more tired than I already feel.

I sit here, with my first world problems, trying to figure out why they are indeed problems. I'm not sure. All I know is I am coming to terms with not being able to do it all and really not caring much how the outside world feels about that. That may or may not be a good thing.

In other news, the slide off the deck is functional! Man oh man did we run into all sorts of obstacles with that thing! One of which resulted in a chunk of the bottom of the slide being cut out only to realize later that that was unnecessary. Ah well. The kids don't notice or care.

AND we got a new niece, Aurora, today. I haven't met her yet, but I am sure that when I do my unfolded laundry will be the furthest thing from my mind.

Mr. T is 6

Tennyson turned six today!

He has been so excited.

I felt really bad though because I ordered his presents online, well in advance I thought, but by the time they shipped everything told me they wouldn't get here until Tuesday.

I explained the situation to Tennyson and he was so understanding. I told him I'd make him a super big breakfast of whatever he wanted. Eggs, hash browns, sausage, bacon, toast, and Orange juice was the order. Done and Done.

I kept asking him if he was really going to be ok with no presents to open on his special day. He kept telling me yes and wanted to know why I kept asking him. SUCH a great kid!

So we stuffed him for breakfast and then got to working on installing the slide on the deck. I know I am painfully behind on updates, but taking a break from blogging was a necessary insanity saver. I'm learning my boundaries and that I don't have do do everything. Anyway, the slide. And since It was his birthday, Tennyson didn't have to do any chores today. AND because mom was feeling super guilty about no presents and being so busy on such a special day he got to play as much wii as he could even imagine in the morning.

But the magical part was during all of the this Tennyson's presents arrived!!!!!!!!!! But he didn't know it and the slide was only hanging on by a few bolts and couldn't be left at the moment so we had to wait to tell him. 

We stopped working on deck stuff around 1:30 and took everyone out to Tennyson's restaurant of choice, Chuck o' Rama. (we still didn't have time for presents yet) Everyone makes fun of that place, but we love it. The kids don't have to wait to be served and the is something everyone likes.

At 3:00 we went over to Kevin's parents home to help put back together a playhouse that had been blown over in the big wind storm a year ago. We worked until about 6 and then headed to an Elder's Quorum BBQ. We stayed until 9 and then headed home.

I wish I would have had a camera in my eyes when we told Tennyson his presents had come. Pure joy!

Tennyson is such a bounce back kid. He sure has his emotional, irrational, moments, but when it really matters he is so good to see the big picture and go with the flow. His eyes and smile and giggle kill me. He is so kind to his siblings and rarely selfish. He is an excellent reader now and I love, love, LOVE his inventor's brain. He comes up with the best ideas!

I am so lucky I get to be his mom!

Almost there

One week left of school.

WE can do it!

I'm having a lot of fun with the launch of my new line, Personality, for Modern Yardage. My in-laws sewed something with each of the four colorways and it's been wonderful to have their help!

I find myself saying, "Hey! That looks like real fabric!" and "Oh, that's cute....wait, I designed that!"
I've been looking at these designs for so long now as computer files, that when they are in print I keep forgetting they are mine. Funny. 
 
I was short with the kids today. Lack of sleep. Extra things to do. Not enough hours in the day. I read all my friends blogs who are always making these great memories with their children. I need to be a lot better in this area. It's amazing how quickly the love I wake up feeling for them thins when the whining and disobedience begins. How does Heavenly Father do it?

I tried to start the day out with some scripture study and work on my Personal Progress, but I was having trouble with the log in and then real life started. I am just now remembering I never got back to it. Do you think I get an "A" for effort?

Beckham had his last regular season baseball game tonight. Playoffs start tomorrow.

Today was Sanders' last day of preschool. They had a water party. He must have had fun because he came home and didn't take a breath during his 20 minute recount of the afternoon.

I feel like I am super behind on my business web site. I know how to make a site successful, but it takes a lot of time. I'm just not sure I want to spend that time, but then I think I am missing out on this great opportunity.

But my young family is a better opportunity and that is just the way I like it.