The Last Two Games

Baseball season is over! And I have good news and bad news.

The good news - Bentley liked baseball all season long.

The bad news - Bentley liked baseball all season long.

We made a deal before baseball started, that if he enjoyed

playing baseball for the entire season (never happened before),

we would think about letting him play little league next year.

Maybe he will change his mind?

Anyway, on to the last two games.

The second-to-last game was awesome.

We were sure it would get rained out. The forecast called

for thunderstorms at 11, and as our game started, so did the rain.

We all got soaked, but no onecomplained about the heat! 

Bentley played well, and the other kids played in the puddles 

left by the rain. The thunder and lightening never happened,

so maybe that's why the games weren't called?

Bentley's last game was another hot one. It was also really close.

No official score is kept, but the boys do their best to keep track,

and although they claim a win, it was a narrow one.

Ruby, Jonah, Maxwell, and Milo found the puddles again.

John and I got to enjoy most of the game by ourselves.

Great job, Bentley!

Odds and Ends

Jonah lost his first tooth!

Which is to say, a tooth of Jonah's fell out on its own!

(Last November, the dentist pulled 4 teeth.)

Milo is usually afraid of haircuts, but after watching Heidi

cut Ruby's hair last week, (just a trim) and Maxwell's

haircut yesterday, he ASKED for a hair cut.

He was so brave and so happy.

Milo got a balloon at Little Caesar's on Saturday evening,

and a few hours later, Ruby accidentally let it go outside.

Both Milo and Ruby were devastated. Too make it up to him,

Ruby had a party for Milo. The kids blew up a bunch of balloons,

wrapped "presents" in blankets, and played games together.

Without computer or TV, the kids are reading more.

They read a lot of books from the library (lately about cats

and dogs because they REALLY want a pet), and sometimes

they read books together. I think that in this picture,

Bentley was reading the kids a Bakugan comic book.

We bought a new grill about a month ago, and have had fun

trying out new recipes. I finally remembered to buy smores

ingredients, and we had those for dessert the other night.

(It has been a long time since we had a working grill.)

At last week's Pack Meeting, the boys pulled a "handcart"

around the church to different stations. At the last station,

they roasted (burned) hot dogs. Bentley cooked three for himself.

After dinner, the boys retired three American Flags.

Bentley had already left for baseball practice, 

but Maxwell was able to participate in that part of Pack Meeting.

We love summer and are trying to enjoy every minute of it!

The Deal

A couple of weeks ago, the kids discovered something

called Monsuno. While the older boys initially thought

it was the stupidest thing they'd ever seen (Jonah bought one),

they quickly changed their tune. Bentley, especially,

spent a lot of time trying to come up with ways to

earn a lot of money very quickly so that he and his

brothers could buy a lot of Monsunos. After a weekend

of little progress, he came to John and me with Plan B.

He asked how much money we would give him if he

didn't watch TV or play and computer/video games

for one month. John and I decided that rather than

give them money, we would buy some Monsunos for them.

We rejected their $250 wish-list, and compromised

at $100 worth of Monsunos. The agreement was that

we would purchase the toys after a one-week trial period.

The kids would then be locked into the deal and couldn't

back out. In the past week, they have changed their

minds frequently about what toys they really wanted.

(They have also gone back and forth about whether the

toys were really worth such a huge sacrifice.)

Monsunos, wizard staffs, Bakugan, and most recently, 

toy guns. Tonight, after FHE, John took the older kids

to Target, and they each picked out their prize.

(Milo was originally part of the deal, but he couldn't hack it.)

Ruby chose Merida's wig.

Bentley got a nerf shot-gun and a Monsuno.

Jonah picked two Bakugan (and will get to order

a specific and very powerful Bakugan online).

Maxwell also chose a nerf shotgun,

and will get to order his favorite Bakugan online.

Let's hope these toys keep them happy for

three more weeks.

Swimming Lessons 2012 - Day One

The kids started swimming lessons today!

Not all of them were excited, but I think they were pleasantly 

surprised. At least they were all smiles after the lessons.

(Post-swimming snow-cones might have helped with the smiles.)

This was Milo's first swimming lesson!

He isn't really afraid of the water, but he is a little nervous about it.

He moved into the pool slowly, but eventually joined the

class and let his suit get wet. When they played

"fishy in a basket," the teacher let them choose what to be.

One boy chose a shark; a little girl was a princess;

and Milo wanted to be a "strawberry in a basket."

He is so funny. It reminded me of Jonah's corn dog comment in Joy School.

Today I was able to find a fairly good spot to watch.

From my seat I could see all five kids -

This swimming session is short one day because of the 24th

next week, so . . .  1 day down, 7 to go!

Swimming lessons past

2006 - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
2008 -   1, 2, 3
2010
2011 - 1, 2, 3

This is our Ruby

photo by the talented Raquel

(I already posted this first story on facebook, but I want it in my blog book.)

 Last night, Ruby was not going to sleep (as usual).

When I went into her room to check on her,

she told me that she was having trouble sleeping because

she was trying to decide what to have everyone

wear to her "acception." (wedding reception)

After she ran one of her ideas by me, she sighed

and said, "And what am I going to name my babies?"

She has weighty matters on her mind.

Tonight after dinner, John, Ruby, Milo, and I went on a walk

around the neighborhood. Milo sat in the stroller, and Ruby

rode a little ahead of us on her bike. As we turned a corner,

I saw a group of 5 or 6 boys playing basketball, and noticed that

Ruby had ridden quietly past them. I remarked to John that

it was unusual for Ruby to see boys without drawing attention

to herself in some way. A minute later, she turned her bike around

and rode back towards the boys. This time, she took her

feet off of the bike's peddles and stuck her legs out to each side

while laughing and shouting. Much more like our Ruby.

Little Heroes Basketball Camp

Bentley, Maxwell, and Jonah participated in the Little Heroes

Basketball Camp last week. Travis Hansen and his wife started

the Little Heroes Foundation with the goal of helping children

throughout the world. It is a really neat company, and the

basketball camp was awesome. To start with, they had 2 coaches

for every 5-7 boys (amazing ratio), and they focused on

developing fundamental skills and having a positive attitude.

They also gave all of the kids the opportunity to participate

in a service project on the 2nd day of camp. For the most part,

the boys loved it. The competitions were sometimes rough

on them, but they were good sports and brave boys.

Here are some photos from their three days at camp.

 Jonah waiting for his turn.

 Bentley and Maxwell take a water break.

 Jonah ready for a dribbling drill.

 Bentley and Maxwell work on defense.

 Travis Hansen and BYU's Coach Dave Rose (guest speaker)

 Jonah works on his shot.

 Bentley shoots.

 Maxwell's turn.

 Bentley and Maxwell played Lightening with BYU's

Brandon Davies. Bentley almost got him out a few times.
Charles Abouo and a couple other players from BYU were also there.

 Jonah, Bentley, and Maxwell listen to the camp director.

 Coach Steve Cleveland was one of the coaches at the camp.
He mostly worked with the 5 and 6 year old kids.

I thought it was so cool to have him helping with the camp,

but a lot of the kids didn't really know who he was.

This is the closest I came to getting a photo of him with my boys.

 I take that back, here's another photo of the three boys
 and Coach Cleveland. 
They were doing warm up drills with a trainer from BYU.

Coach Cleveland was also the guest speaker on the last day.

The kids each got a bag with some goodies in it.
Bentley and Jonah asked Travis Hansen to sign the back of
their shirts. Maxwell wanted to keep his clean.
None of them were interested in getting autographs
from Davies or Abouo. At least we didn't wait in line, right?


And here are a couple of pictures of the
boys helping with the service project:
hygiene and school kits for a local school district.

Independence Day

We stayed in Utah for the 4th this year because of the boys'

basketball camp. We missed the festivities in Idaho,

but had our own low key celebration at home.

John spent a lot of the day putting our new dresser together,

and in the evening we had some friends over for dinner.

After we ate, the kids set off smoke bombs and

we lit sparklers. Hopefully the combination counts

as fireworks. The kids seemed happy, anyway.

We got the kids to bed relatively early (for the 4th)

so that the big boys would be well rested for basketball

the next day. I'm so grateful for our country

and all of the blessing that come from living here.

More Odds and Ends

The kids made their own pizzas the other night.

Some ended up being pretty creative,

Milo's looked a little angry.

The Quail Fire is old news, but on Monday it was kind of scary.

I walked out the front door and saw this:

20 minutes earlier I hadn't seen a thing.

I'm so glad it didn't do more damage and that it's mostly out.

The boys and friends eating kebabs one evening.

John and I bought a new dresser!

(Two of the boys are going to share our old one.)

Now if we can just get the boys OUT of it.

Bentley was happy to shuck corn for our

dinner on the 4th. He even taught Milo how to do it.

Last up, Ruby fell asleep next to Milo on Sunday night,

and I thought it was cute so I took a picture.

Evidently she wasn't satisfied with the results,

because the next night she pretended to sleep next

to Milo and asked me to take another picture.

This is the one she set up:

July 5 (on the 6th)

Yesterday was full.

Although I knew it was the 5th, I forgot all 

about getting a photo of my 5.

So . . . today we gave it a shot.

Actually, we gave it six shots,

and Jonah thought it would be funny to

close his eyes in the pictures.

I finally did get one with him looking,

but by then the other kids weren't.

Here's the one I picked.

updates:

Bentley - Still loving baseball. Enjoying basketball camp.

Close to earning his Webelos award, but not super interested

in getting it any time soon. Loves to watch any "Zach and Cody"

tv shows or movies on netflix. Seems to have adjusted to the

idea of a new school next year, although his mother hasn't.

Maxwell - Liked tennis lessons, but never got to play a real game.

Seems to like basketball camp. I think he is happy to have

Bentley in his group at camp. Says he is looking forward

to being a Bear (my group!) but isn't interested in 

earning his Wolf award (sigh). Still doesn't know where he is

going to school next year, but doesn't seem to mind.

Jonah - Was ready for soccer camp to end when it did.

He suddenly developed an interest in basketball,

so I signed him up for the camp with Max and Bentley.

He is working hard and hopefully having fun.

Rediscovered Pokemon this week because there isn't a movie

about the card game "Magic," and Pokemon was the

closest thing that he and Max could think of.

Ruby - Skips everywhere she goes and is looking forward

to a new dance class this fall. Enjoys piano lessons and 

practicing the piano. Wants a baby sister so badly.

Has decided that the Grandmas and Grandpas on our street

are happier in her company. Whenever she sees one outside

she rushes over to join them. She helps with yard work,

visits, and then asks for a treat. We've got to figure out a way

to stop the treat requests, otherwise she is doing fine.

Milo - also known as the Hulk. Likes to yell

"Hulk Smash" at ballgames, at bedtime, or at church.

Is very nearly potty trained!!!

He still loves backhoes, other construction equipment,

and garbage trucks. The other day he got himself 

dressed and then asked John and me, "How do I look?"

He was so pleased when we said he looked great.

He is growing up so fast.

Summer is passing way too quickly.

I love having our kids home.

Of note (to me anyway) -

12 years ago tonight, John and I got engaged!

and then it rained

(rain for the first time in over a month! it was wonderful)

Maxwell's Day at Camp

Maxwell has watched Bentley go to Day Camp for the

past couple of years, and this year it was his turn!

We woke up super early and met the other boys

and leaders at the church, then drove up the canyon.

It was really cold in the morning, but as soon as the

sun came up over the mountain it got really hot.

Luckily, we did the boat station (Bozeman Trail Ferry)

just as the sun started to peek over the mountain. 

It was beautiful, and much warmer than moments before.

Other stations: Archery Adventures, Shoot Out at

Ok Corral (BB Guns), Handcarts, Native American Pow Wow

(games), lunch, Tipi Technicians, Lasso's Lair (rope

making), and some dunking booth type game.

Maxwell wasn't sure about Archery of BB Guns,

but I think he warmed up to Day Camp by the end of the day.

I'm so glad that I got to go with him.

Next year - Jonah gets to go!

Bentley's Day Camps - One, Two, Webelos

whY Hike?

Three months ago, the other Bear leader and I made up

a schedule for our den meetings. Unfortunately, we didn't know

that this June was going to break the pattern of being cold

and rainy. It was HOT for most of the month. When the

appointed day came for our promised Y hike, we really

wanted to postpone it in hopes of cooler weather - sometime.

In the end, we decided to stick to our schedule, and to

go ahead with our hike. Greg had the morning free,

and of course my three big boys wanted to come.

Our original group of 2 leaders and 2 scouts turned into a

group of 3 adults and 5 boys - we looked like a real scout group!

The weather was thankfully a little cooler that day,

and we had a fairly pleasant hike. I was grateful that Greg was

there to keep up with Bentley, Maxwell, and Jonah

(the three of them could probably run up the mountain like

their Dad used to do in his college days). The other Bear

Leader and I stayed behind with our two boys and

encouraged one who wasn't sure the hike was worth it.

The thing that I like about the Y Hike (besides a short drive

to the base) is that the kids can see the Y from our neighborhood.

Hopefully they will remember they hiked up to the Y,

that it was hard, and that they can do hard things.

Like hiking the Y on a hot June morning with our Den.

Odds and Ends

The last few weeks have been pretty busy.

It's busy in a good way, though.

I have a couple of large posts to finish catching up, but

here are a few random snip-its from summer so far.

At last count, there were 8 fires here in Utah.

On Thursday, I was in Provo and the smoke was very

thick downtown. The first picture was taken at

University Ave and 200 N, looking south towards the Tabernacle.

The second photo was taken at 500 N and University Ave.

I should have taken a photo looking north, because the skies

were blue and mostly clear. It was bizarre.

Ash was raining down and our car got a nice coat of it.

We didn't celebrate Father's Day until after we got back from

St. George. John had asked for new slippers for his birthday,

but they were unavailable. They were supposed to be here

before Father's Day, but were waiting for us when we

returned from our vacation a couple of days later.

The kids were so excited to watch John open his gift. :)

Brent, Carla, Hugh, and Emily came to visit last week!

We were so glad to get to see them. The kids got to play a game

of Wacky Six with Hugh and Emily. The grown ups got to have 

a nice dinner at La Jolla Groves (so good), and Hugh and Emily

picked up there things and moved to a new apartment in CA.

This weekend, my Dad and Warren came to town.

Warren came for his "new" car, and to play games with the boys.

My Dad came to drive the backup car, and to see Bentley

play baseball (they also came to pick up Greg for the week).

Bentley played a great game (much to his relief) and Pa

gave him so batting tips. We went to dinner and the splash pad.

Maxwell had his last tennis lesson of the summer.

John and all 4 boys have been playing basketball.

Jonah had his last soccer camp. At the end of the final day,

the coach came out with what looked like a leaf blower.

It was really a fancy water gun, and he sprayed all the kids

Well, not Jonah. He is in the neon green off to the right.

We said goodbye to our old swing set.

We planned to take it down three years ago when we bought

the new one, but the kids have loved it.

When a neighbor came to pick up the pieces of our old metal shed

(John tore it down), we decided to send the swing set with him.

We got a few raspberries this year, and the four younger kids

had a great time making "raspberry juice," otherwise known as

a big mess. They were thrilled that everyone sampled it at lunch.