ten and soprano

what we still had to learn about opposable thumbs

2014-05-13T10:39:00.000-07:00

Dear man in the fancy suit who walked in to the orthodontist's waiting room and sat down across from me,

You look very important in that fancy suit. And very busy. Your half-crazed eyes are fixed on that little phone in your hand, thumbs flying, and you're giggling like a pre-adolesent who just peeked at his first Playboy magazine.

You look a little demented, but'ya still got it. You're still charming.

Excuse me for bothering you, but did you notice that person sitting next to you? No younger than eight, no older than ten? Big soulful eyes and long brown ponytails, head turned away, arms wrapped around her long, thin legs, knees tucked under her chin, rocking back and forth?

Could that be your daughter?

Some people call that the fetal position. Do you think she might need something?

(Oh wait, he's going to speak to the young girl....)

Now we all know that your pressing matter has a name...."Georgia."

This information doesn't seem to be quite as fascinating...or comforting to the young girl as it is to you, but you insist upon elbowing her, because Georgia sent a picture, and your daughter must be eager to see it.

That's why she's pretending to smile. Head's turning away again. Rocking again. Now her thumb is moving too, right up to her mouth. But you don't seem to notice that.

She is young to be at the orthodontist-- and old to be sucking her thumb.

A little extra attention won't straighten teeth, or change a habit, but it would seem to be in order here.

Maybe you'll make the connection when the office woman comes to talk about the payments. Maybe you will turn to her and hold her in your arms, and give her what she needs, or maybe you'll go back to your phone, and put braces on her teeth.

(Wait he's making physical contact...)

You lean your head against hers. Cheesy smile at the phone.

"Selfie at the orthodontist!"

(I can't believe that just happened.)

Georgia must have been impressed because she replies with a video.

Now you explain that she has a British accent....

because she is from England...

Oh. That's why.

We are all relieved.

Do you ever worry, man in the suit, where will she be when she finally gets your attention? What will your daughter need to do to fascinate you?

You let one hand leave the phone so you can reach up to the top of your head, and rub that yes-it-is- thinning spot, a gesture that is often endearing, but not really today. Because you seem worried about losing something.

But other things, not so much.

surprise snow

2014-04-22T09:13:00.000-07:00

Now that my tulips are dropping their lovely coral petals, and the daffodils bowing their heads in resignation to the roses, who just last week, seemed to show no promise of life, and are now leafing out like reminders of summer mornings, I think it is safe to say one more big thank you to God and Mother Nature for the mild winter of 2014.

Thank you for a handful of snowy days, lovely enough for pictures, including this odd late March snow squall. I promise you that five minutes before I grabbed my camera, we had warmth and sunshine. An enormous wind blew in through the canyon and brought a mix of rain, snow, and sleet. I saw Olivia dash through the back gate, running in to find like-minded playmates.

Olivia, I love that you let weather fascinate you. I will not be surprised at all if you grow up to be a meteorologist.

the many faces of birthday

2014-04-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

I felt quite happy that Kyle's birthday request was to do pretty much the same thing as last year... a boy after my own heart. We had our traditional gyro lunch at Burger Supreme and went to a matinee with Ben, Monuments Men.

Kyle's bright green cast was still the star of the day. The word of the month, definitely malleolus, even Sophie's been enjoying a larger anatomical vocabulary. Right posterior malleolus, to be exact...fractured in a skateboarding accident, just in time for his birthday.

Kyle's birthday dinner has become a tradition as well, chicken pot pie, admittedly from Costco. Kyle, thank you for becoming remarkably easy to shop for...banjo music, records from my day, and a few new additions to your favorite collection, beards.

We all had a great time celebrating with you.

valentines 2014

2014-04-08T11:40:00.000-07:00

Valentine's day 2014

Mary's artwork.

grandma's v-day crafts

2014-03-30T23:26:00.001-07:00

Thank you Grandma Martha, for February craft night.

Ready for the big day.

macbeth

2014-03-27T17:03:00.000-07:00

In February, Ben and Sam performed in their high school's MacBeth.

The same week, Ben's honors art class held an exhibit at the school.
Proud of you, guys.

downs, dumplings, dinosaurs

2014-02-25T13:19:00.002-08:00

The first weekend in February the girls insisted on dumplings to celebrate Chinese New Year,

and bread bowls and clam chowder on Superbowl Sunday.

Sophie's preschool class went on field trip to the BYU Paleontology museum.

Grant tried to be brave around the T-Rex.

like penguins

2014-02-23T22:38:00.002-08:00

I think God has been merciful this year. Our January passed, and I had no complaints about the weather. There were only two real snowfalls. This was the second. William and Sophie and I met Grant at the kindergarten bus, and we threw rocks at the ice on the pond, and they rode the swings, and slid down the big hill "like penguins," since we had not brought the sleds. Then we went home for cocoa, of course.

science and celebrations

2014-02-21T18:18:00.000-08:00

In January, we woke up early for our fourth annual Academy Awards nominations breakfast. Olivia is always eager to be helpful in the kitchen. Thank you, Olivia.

It was our first year to celebrate National Blondies day. Thank you for the head's up Annie! I never knew there was such a thing. Ben is the master.

Caitlin and Olivia chose good friends as partners and entered the science fair. I'm proud of you girls!

january's big snow

2014-02-16T16:42:00.000-08:00

new year's eve 2013

2014-02-16T16:21:00.001-08:00

I've given up hope of retrieving my Christmas 2013 pictures. They are stuck somewhere in file-not- supported limbo. The kids and I had a lovely New Year's eve together. Homemade pizza has made a comeback around here.

Our generous neighbors moved out the week before New Year's and we inherited the contents of their kitchen cupboard and refrigerator. Nothing inspires a pizza like feta cheese, pesto, artichoke hearts, balsamic vinegar.

Kyle brought his record player and folk music records upstairs and played D.J. until it was time to go out to the park at midnight. We used the last of our fireworks leftover from July. It was a great start to the New Year.

our birthday 2013

2014-01-09T13:23:00.001-08:00

The first week of December our birthday arrived with the first big snowfall of the season.

The snow was on William's wish list, and the orange rolls and cinnamon rolls for breakfast were on mine. I felt like I spent the day driving through the snow. Not to complain, what better thing to do on your birthday than face your fears. Grandma treated us to lunch at Carl's Jr. When Kyle and Mary came home, they took William out to the park for sledding. I still had a lot of dropping off and picking up from dance to do in the evening and went out in search of the pinata that I had promised William.

Success! He loved it so much, the monkey received a pardon, and still sits atop of the television cabinet today.

Later, we had pizza and presents. William agreed to postpone Nickle City until the following Saturday, due to the weather. I was harried from the bad driving conditions, and he was ready to play with his new toys.

My Superman.

Kyle was quite pleased with the present he found for me. I named him Hugh.

My dear friend Robin brought us this Red Velvet cake from Costco. I love sharing a birthday with you, William.

Next day, home from the preschool celebration.

November 2013

2014-01-01T00:16:00.001-08:00

In November, Bethany turned twelve on a Sunday, and graduated from primary to join the Young Women's organization at church.

Ben performed in his high school's production of Damn Yankees.

Grant's kindergarten class made oatmeal drums for the class powwow,

and William came home from preschool looking like a pioneer.

Wednesday before the holiday, Aunt Judy and the cousins joined us for dinner at Pizza Pie cafe and a long awaited sleepover. The next day, Grandma Julia and Uncle Jeremy came down for Thanksgiving dinner.

Halloween 2013

2014-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

my cell phone went missing

2013-12-31T11:52:00.001-08:00

My cell phone went missing in December along with all my pictures, and intentions to upload them and catch up with my blog before the new year. It being just barely the afternoon of the thirty-first, I'm still hoping to be current by 2014.

I feel grateful for each day with my children, in all honesty, notwithstanding the fact that I just excused myself to pound the mop on the dining room floor in futility, my effort to quiet an argument in the girls' basement bedroom. So I will gather up what pictures I prudently posted to Facebook, and call it my archives for the past few months, although I know that there are many that I've neglected, and are now lost somewhere in the memory of my very cracked iphone, in a random drawer, under the bathroom sink, tucked into Sophie's glittery dress-up purse. The possibilities are endless with a three-year old in the house. Much better to post pictures quickly, I've learned.

Lovely Olivia turned ten in August.

The present opening.

Grant started Kindergarten.
Sophie's third birthday in September, and the first day that Grant got to ride the school bus.
Our front yard,
the day of the great flood of September 2013.
Our favorite event of the year, The Riverwoods ward September Salmon fry.
Another favorite Fall memory, picnics with Grandma Martha at Paul Ream nature park. Hunting for leaches.
And feeding the ducks.
The kids performed on the hay wagon ride at the Spanish Fork Harvest Moon celebration.
Grant turned six in October.
We celebrated with a picnic lunch in the canyon, and dinner at Nickle City.
And just before Halloween, beautiful, spirited Mary turned nine. She hosted a small party with friends, and dangled doughnuts from the ceiling fan--one set of pictures I really hope to find again.

Lagoon 2013

2013-12-31T11:07:00.001-08:00

In August, some of the big kids and I drove up to Lagoon. Thank you to Grandma Martha for entertaining the little ones at her house. It gave Sam the opportunity to torture me on all his favorite roller coasters.

The moment before Caitlin's first roller coaster. She was actually fearless from that point on, and accompanied Sam on all the rides.

Sam bought everyone shakes when it was time to go. This was definitely one of my favorite days of the summer.

beijing friends 2013

2013-11-12T12:37:00.000-08:00

I found a note that Caitlin wrote to Amelia shortly after our impromptu Beijing friends picnic in August. It said, " If I could see you again it would be like Heaven." It's funny that I had thought the same thing about seeing our friends again.

Our traditional reunion spot is Rock Canyon park. Bethany, the naturalist, took to the trees to photograph creatures and siblings.

It was great to see these guys together again!

alamosa family

2013-10-07T12:46:00.001-07:00

In August, after I returned home from California, my Dad and I took a drive to see my sister, Anne, and soon-to-be brother-in-law, Eric, in Alamosa, Colorado. We were excited to meet the newest addition to their family, Jessie, a Blue Heeler.

We were excited to see you too Shelby,

and Jake too.

The night that we arrived, Annie had to work until after mid-night. Eric made us a fabulous meal of grilled squash, Chilles rellenos, and vegetable tamales.

The next day Eric gave us a tour of their greenhouse.

We had breakfast in a little diner in town. It was great to see Anne and Eric, even if we just had a short time together. Annie had to go back to work after breakfast.

After we said good-bye to Anne, Eric showed us his gorgeous photography exhibit at the Alamosa Public Library.

Eric was a wonderful host. He accompanied us out to the Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa in a little town called Moffat, Colorado, where we soaked in the thermal pools as a storm rolled in. Then we said good-bye to Eric too, and started on our way back to Utah. Thank you, Eric and Anne. We can't wait to see you again this month!

my soul mate is a pelican

2013-10-06T01:05:00.003-07:00

Last day of walks on the beach to post--I promise.

Thank you, Amy. Whenever you asked what I wanted to do, with the exception of finding Hugh Jackman on Hollywood Boulevard, it always seemed to be walk on the beach. I loved Oxnard Beach. It was my first time to spend anytime there, and that night in particular, it was otherworldly.

My soul mate is a pelican.

santa barbara

2013-09-22T15:19:00.001-07:00

Monday morning, my last day in California, Amy let me use her car to drive up to Santa Barbara. I did favorite thing to do there, walk around aimlessly for hours. This is the courthouse.

View of the Arlington theater from my favorite parking lot by the library.
I walked from the harbor down to the East Beach Grill.

Thousand steps on the Mesa. This was from our Saturday trip to Santa Barbara. We met our good friend Tara for lunch. It was so good to see her again.

ventura breakwater

2013-09-22T15:10:00.001-07:00

Sunday evening Amy and I had a picnic dinner by the Ventura breakwater.

los angeles

2013-09-22T15:04:00.000-07:00

I spent another morning enjoying the heavenly ocean air, walking down to the pier and back into downtown Ventura, where I wandered about until it was time to meet Amy. We drove down to Los Angeles to the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple. Where we experienced just a few of God's tender mercies, really too private to discuss here, but Amy was again, my angel friend in disguise.

After the temple we drove into Los Angeles. I really have always wanted to go to Hollywood Boulevard. I love that Amy is always ready to make the most of the day. She was an excellent tour guide.

I think you know who I was looking for.

Almost a dream come true.

On Sunday afternoon, Amy drove me to the Paramount Ranch, continuing with our movies theme. Thank you, Amy. I am blessed with wonderful friends and wonderful memories.

Does this look familiar? This was the set for Dr. Quinn.

ventura pier

2013-09-11T20:34:00.000-07:00

In August, I had some time to spend by myself, so I flew to California to see my good friend Amy. Amy works at an educational resource center, primarily for migrant workers, in Oxnard. While she was at work, I wandered around downtown Ventura and walked down to the pier, and to the fairgrounds, and bird refuge. I was grateful for new opportunities, for peaceful, beautiful views, and time to think...but here I am missing my family.

This is my dear friend Amy at her office. She is my proof that God sends angels disguised as friends who listen. According to the math, we have been friends for twenty-nine years. And still possessing eighth grade humor. Thank you, Amy.

One evening we went kayaking in the Ventura harbor. I was watching a cormorant dive for a fish, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a sting ray swim underneath my kayak. I thought it was auspicious.

timp falls

2013-09-07T22:03:00.002-07:00

In July some of the school aged kids took part in Jessica Knight's folk music camp. They met daily for two weeks. Jessica offers several sessions throughout the summer. This session happened to be at an elementary school in Mapleton, a small town to the south of Provo. While the big kids were off with their banjo, cello, guitar, and violins, I took the little ones to Mapleton Park, that we called Shady Park because of the beautiful, large trees, presumably maples.

On Pioneer Day the class met at Mapleton Park to perform at the small town celebration.

The kids enjoyed the carnival afterwards.

My good friend Janis and I persisted in our coercing our children on hikes. This is the parking lot at the Timpanogas Trailhead. We hiked up to the Timpanogas falls,

Which was just right for Grant.

fourth of July 2013

2013-09-04T19:17:00.004-07:00

First thing in the morning I dropped Bethany off at her final Stadium of Fire rehearsal.

And as tradition states, we went to the Provo Freedom Festival parade with Granddad,

and passed out Red Vines to new friends.

In the afternoon we went to the movies with Grandma Martha.

And in the evening we were grateful to be invited out to our home teacher's ranch for a BBQ.

Meanwhile, Bethany was getting ready to dance in the Stadium of Fire. I was so proud of her in this moment as she walked in to the crowd all by herself. She worked hard out in the heat all week long and never complained.
At home Ben and Kyle set off flowers and smoke bombs in the park, and helped the little ones with sparklers.
Bethany returned home after midnight. As you can see, she had a wonderful time.