Girls' Weekend

Last weekend, I went to Park City with my best friend Jayne for our annual Girl's Weekend Away. We like to go the Friday and Saturday of Father's Day---to let our guys be Fathers. Luckily we have the best Hubby's ever, even if they do stink at Pinochle. They enjoy the time with their kiddos and always have fun things planned. Thanks boys!!! It will be a yearly tradition until...we are dead.

Caitlyn took this picture just before we left. We are just a little bit excited. It's always Pepsis on the way out of town. Shopping at the outlets. Lunch---don't go to the Loco Lizard!!!

We always come back to the hotel to look at our LOOT--and believe me there is always a lot of loot. Then it's off to the Alpine Slides/Coaster. We have been so lucky to always have such wonderful weather for shopping and the slides. Then of course we load up at Rocky Mountain Chocolates. This year we were done early enough we went to a movie--only after doing our own Glitter Toes (I'm sure the housekeepers loved the carpet the next morning).

The next morning we had a crappy breakfast in the hotel. We are sticking to Subway and lite breakfasts next year. My stomach rumbles just thinking about it. The weather turned crappy on Saturday morning and our stomachs were unsettled, so we called it a weekend. The boys were surprised when we showed up so early.

Like our backpacks?
We felt like every teenage girl that walks into Seven Peaks!!!

Riding up the tram to the Alpine Slides. I pulled ahead right at the end to win the race.

The Coaster is our favorite!!

Thanks for the wonderful weekend Jayne!!!!! I really do love you and appreciate our friendship. Your husband isn't so shabby either,,,even though he doesn't "give a rat's ass!!"

"Well, That Was Weird!"

We had Father's Day dinner at Grammy's last Sunday. It was loud and chaotic (as always), but Kristi's kids were in a particular "mood". Mantha and Alex were running around when they were supposed to be eating. Kristi couldn't get them to sit down and eat. Grammy even used her stern voice--and that didn't work. Now Kristi had been alone with her little angels while Andy was out of town for business Thurs and Friday. Then he left again Sunday morning and isn't supposed to be back until Thursday. Understandably Kristi was on edge, and when the stern voice of Grammy and Grampy was not heeded, she left dinners uneaten, picked up the kids and left---all within about 20 seconds. The rest of us were left in stunned silence, literally. We all just sat looking at each other, not eating and not saying a word. That is until Cameron broke the silence from the kiddie table----"Well, that was weird."

Oh how we laughed.

Save the Trees!!!

Look at those beautiful trees!!! Even more important--look how they shade our deck and living room window. When I took this picture, the temperature was just 73 degrees,,,but believe me, when it is in the 90's it's a big deal. Honestly, the trees are part of the reason I had Chad build the deck off the front of the house, rather than the back.

Well, Springville City, in it's infinite wisdom, has decided that the trees need to be cut down. We are fighting like crazy to stop the impending ax-hacks!!!! I actually am not in the mood right now to type the entire story---but Chad got permission to break up the concrete this weekend, so we can see the exact placement of the roots. And since I don't trust the city arborist as far as I can throw him, I will be calling my own arborist to come and take a look at the roots. Chad will be leaving his Prizm parked right by the trees to prevent the phantom tree hackers from attacking while we aren't home.

As a side note,,,when we were driving home from Cam's ball game tonight, guess who has 2 new little trees planted in his Less-Than-Legal-6-Foot-Mow-Strip????? You got it---the Great Mayor of this fair town!!!! It must be good to be King. (Actually I think he SHOULD be able to plant the trees where he did. But don't make one follow the rules, if you aren't going to make all follow the rules)

I will keep you posted. We are NOT going down without a fight!!!

Oh, I also forgot to mention that the purple robe locust we planted in the front island was large enough that it was shading both boys bedrooms until a microburst broke it last summer. So we are starting over with that tree, and if they do take the front trees, there isn't a great place to plant a new one in our yard (5 feet from the sidewalk). So please do a "save the trees dance" for us and maybe the tree gods will smile down upon us.

Good Gravy!!

I have noticed lately that I say "Good Gravy" an awful lot. And it isn't in reference to Sunday dinners at Mom's or Pat's (although I really can eat gravy like soup---love it, love it). Chad even says it now and then. I think I say it as a replacement for the shits, damns and hells I am trying to get rid of. When I am talking to both boys, it's "good gravy children!!!". And in the singular, "good gravy child!!!!". Cam looked at me weird when I first started saying it a lot. He doesn't look at me weird anymore.

mmmm, I'm hungry.

THAT'S why the TP is always wet!!!

I have noticed lately that the last sheet or two on the roll of toilet paper are wet. Not soaking, but a little bit wet. Whatever, I am a busy woman, and potty stops for mommy are quick and efficient, so I never think to find out why. Well, tonight we were getting the boys ready for bed, which includes: jammies, potty and brushing teeth. I am helping Cam brush and Chad says,

"SPENCER, TEAR OFF THE TOILET PAPER WHEN YOU USE IT,,,DON'T JUST ROLL IT BACK UP!!!"

Yes, the little stink was, and apparently HAS BEEN, wiping the last dribble or two from his pee-shooter (thanks again for that name Carly) without tearing the sheets and then just rolling the tp back up.

EEEEWWWW!!!!

I will admit that I am constantly telling the boys not to waste things,,,but this is ridiculous!!!

For all who are wondering,,,,it was Grammy who taught him to wipe. I figure, if you can shake it, shake it.

This Scientist just made a NEW Discovery!!

I think I have made a very important discovery at the Hall house today. Being the scientist that I am---because every mom is a scientist regarding her children---exploring the unknown, making hypothesis, testing those hypothesis, failure after failure, just like a real scientist. And one day, you make a discovery that just might change the world,,,or at least YOUR world.

My discovery of the day is that Cameron REALLY hates (and we don't say hate in our house--we may say shit, damn and hell, but not hate) to be grounded from going outside. Cam has been having issues with (to say it delicately) not taking the time, when he is playing, to come in and use the bathroom. Particularly #2, probably because it takes more time. I have had it!!!!!! We have taken away video games--for 2 weeks even. Didn't work. Taken away precious toys. Didn't work. Yelled, talked calmly, explained that they won't let him in Kindergarten, we have done everything we can think of,,,,nothing has worked. Yesterday was a dooo--zey!! So I told him he couldn't go outside at all. No friends IN the house either, and no video games. He hasn't even asked about the video games today (I guess he's used to those being taken away). But I will tell you----it KILLED this kid to see his brother and all the neighborhood kids playing out front. This day has also been punishment for me---I have had to endure the whining, the asking when "today" is over and all the tears....but I do feel a bit of satisfaction in seeing him so miserable (it's like squirting my kids with the hose--I like it a bit too much). Cam has gone #2 twice today and shown me each time that there isn't even the slightest hint of a streak in his underwear. Saints be praised!!!!!

I do expect some setbacks, but if this does change our world then woo hoo!!!

Do you think I could get a government grant for my efforts--lots of scientists and moms for that matter live off the government, why not me?

A Day in the Life of Spencer and Cameron

When my boys were tiny, I was obsessed with schedules--when they woke, ate, napped, how many times they were up in the night, and at what time they woke up, even what color their poop was (just kidding on the last one). I wrote every detail down on a calender. It was a little much, but every woman copes with the baby blues in her own way.

Old habits die hard. Now days I don't write every detail down, but I wanted to document the typical day and week of my babies this past school year before the summer craziness begins and I forget that we actually did have a schedule.

Our days usually begin between 6:30-7:00. They turn on the TV, get their chocolate milk from the fridge, and now that we have 2 couches, they watch their cartoons like angels until Mommy gets her lazy toosh out of bed.

Chad got a picture of how we typically eat breakfast on school mornings. Yes, we all sit on the floor and eat cereal. It's the only way (without yelling, threatening, or timers) that I get them to eat more than 3 bites of cereal. When they were younger, I used to feed them in the tub (kill 2 birds with one stone). Chad HATES feeding them in the tub, or on the floor, but I prefer to have their bellies full for longer than 30 minutes.

Tuesdays they go to Grammy's---and let me tell you, they LOVE going to Grammy's!!! They get to wear "comfy clothes". One of their favorite things is to sit on their little couches and watch a movie while eating lunch. (Although, Mom just told me 2 days ago that they don't like their little couches anymore. They want to sit on the big couch now--how quickly things change).

From 5:00 until Bedtime (minus actual eating time) it is all about Daddy--wrestling with Daddy, beating on Daddy, watching Simpson's with Daddy, being chased by Daddy. Daddy, Daddy, Daddy. So Mommy can cook, clean, and enjoy her own thoughts in spite of all the hollering, squealing, and giggling. Chad always offers to do the dishes to which I reply, "I will do dishes, your job is to keep the boys AWAY."

Ouch, a winter picture. I enjoy May much better. Chad is just smiling for the picture. Because believe me, there aren't many smiles at our dinner table. Typical kid stuff---"I don't like this!"
"I'm allergic to this--it will make my stomach hurt" "It's too hot".

Daddy always does the bedtime stories, but I try to work of phonics books or sight words earlier in the day.

Of course there are video games with friends. Hallelujah, the weather is nice now, so they will actually play outside too.

Cam and his carpool buddies. Cameron LOVED pre-school this year (although he insisted it was school, not pre-school). He was very excited every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. I'm a little nervous not to have the routine of school. Maybe we will be busy swimming at 7-Peaks and Kristi's pool on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (woo hoo).

Every Friday is TGIF at Air-Time Gymnastics. For $16 you drop your kid off at 10:00 with a lunch, and they spend 4 hours jumping, playing and doing crafts. Spence really liked it, but we usually opt for the mall and lunch with Grammy.

Cam is showing a typical lunch in the Hall house--ham and cheese quesadilla, carrots, and grapes or apples. They really never tire of it.

Thursday's were fun and crazy this last year. Shell-bell taught a class at UVU, so we would swap babysitting. She would come over early so I could go to the gym. Then she would leave and I would take the kiddos to the Library for story time and then Wal-Mart for shopping (yes, I would voluntarily take an extra child shopping). The kids usually did really well and it longer we stayed out, the cleaner my house was.

And here we are with Daddy!!! This picture means that it is 6:45 pm. The boys have gone potty, brushed their teeth, and they are reading books before 7:00 bedtime. Oh how we loved 7:00 bedtime. Now that the boys are getting older and it is staying lighter longer we struggle getting them to bed. Oh well!!!