Eat Your Heart Out Swiss Family Robinson!

Every boy needs a tree house. . . so of course I asked the master play house builder himself to come for a day and build one.  I have the best Daddy in the world.    

 Later in the afternoon he got some "real help".  Not just three little boys at his heals, helping, but not really helping.  They sure love their Papa!

 Then some more help.  It was fun having my Daddy, Hubby, and good Buddy around for a bit.  It was good to see you Arty, we love you!

 And of course, we had two happy boys in the end, who think their Mommy is really mean because she wouldn't let them sleep up there. 

 We love you Papa.  Thank you; you're the best Papa in all the world!

Visitors

We love most the visitors we get down at our place.  Here's who visited this week:

 Witt coaxed her down the hill with a yummy treat, but that's about as close as she got. 

Lots of fun.  We've also had other exciting stuff like skunks, raccoons, all kinds of snakes, squirrels, blue herring birds, the Canadian Geese in the fall and early spring, coyotes and even a bobcat once.  It's pretty exciting!

I'm ready to go FAST

Witt told me last week he was ready for Daddy to take off his training wheels.  He was ready to go FAST.

Yep, he's ready and having a blast.  Daddy on the other hand is trying to keep up, and about to pass out. 

All the neighbors came out to cheer him on.  He was famous, "just like a race car driver" he said. . .great.

So yes, now he's cruising up and down the road going way too fast.  Daddy is tired and sore. 

4th of July

We love the 4th of July.  I think it is my favorite holiday.  Our little community is filled with retired, patriotic people.  I think that makes it even more special. 

We got up early to shoot rockets off with the Boyce Family.  It's kind of a tradition now.  Love it.

We love walking up the street to the parade.

We love our friends.

We love watermelon.

We love jello cake!

We love rain! It just so happen we got our first monsoon storm on the 4th.  It was awesome!

And of course, we love fireworks!

But most important, we love the United States of America.  Despite all the things I gripe about daily; I know this is a blessed and choice land.   

I love the talks in the car with my kids.  While driving a couple days before the 4th, a car commercial came on the radio, "We sell cars to the greatest nation on earth!!..."  I quickly turned the channel, because you know how annoying those car commercials are...so much shouting, and talking so fast you can't understand what they're saying.  

A couple minutes later Witt asks, "what's the greatest nation on earth?"  The thing about Witten is, he is ALWAYS listening, and he asks more questions than anyone I know.

So, I turned the radio off and said, "Well, the United States is."

"Why?"

Ok, how do I say this simple because there are SO MANY reasons, and so much history, and prophesy... "Because we are free Witt."  I waited for the next question that I knew would follow.

"What's free mean?"

"It means you can be whatever you want to  when you grow up if you work hard enough."

"Oh ya, like I can be a cowboy."

"Yes, you can be a cowboy."

The conversation went on.  It was beautiful.  I'm so grateful to live here, and raise my family here.  I'm so grateful that Witt can be a cowboy when he grows up if he chooses and Race can be a cartographer if he wants. 

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th!

Missoula

What a fun and busy summer we're having.  One of the early highlights of our summer was watching Race perform with the Missoula Children's Theatre that did it's annual stop in Camp Verde.

This was our first year participating, and I'm so glad we did (because we almost didn't).  What an amazing program, and experience for all the kids!  Many kids these days don't get to experience the "Arts" any more because of all the budget cuts in the schools.  It's sad, it hurts the kids. . . but that is another story for another day!  Don't get me started!

This was such a growing experience for Race.  It really pushed him, and like I've said before, he has a real gift with music.  But even knowing this, I almost didn't take him to the try outs.  Why?  Yep. . . you guessed it.  FEAR.  I was afraid of how he would react if he got cut.  I know, I know, it's going to happen some day right?  It happens to everybody at least once.  They don't get the part they want, they don't make the team, they lose.  And yes, I know, losing is healthy every once in a while.  But not yet, not for him.  Fear. 

But I got over it.  And I took him.  And he made it.  And he didn't just make it, he did very well.  He has a beautiful voice.  Right on pitch.  He is LOUD.  So, that always helps in Theatre right?  He smiles ALL THE TIME (except during melt downs of course).  And, he's not shy. . .ever. 

So Race became a Pleasure Isle Kid for a week (yes, he turned into a donkey).  And he and I went to play practice every day.  And he worked.  He got tired.  And he worked through his tiredness and the overwhelming moments without one melt down (a couple almost's, but he pulled it together).  I was so proud of him.  And the parts where he was on stage, yes, he stole the show (either that or I'm just one really proud mom!). 

On top of participating in Pinocchio, he got the "High Ticket Salesman"  for the production that week.  And no, despite what many of you may think, he did a lot of the work.  It just wasn't me selling the tickets.  He went to our neighbors, made phone calls, he counted money and helped me keep track.  He worked.  Then he impressed me once again by picking from the prize table something small, (probably the cheapest prize there), but something he wanted to share with his brother.  I love this kid.  I wish I could be more like him. 

 I wish this picture wasn't blurry, it sure was a good one of him.  I love the pose!

 The one thing Race asked for after it was all over, was a picture with Pinocchio.  So here he is with Hannah, the star of the show.  She was so kind to Race all week, he sat by her at lunch every day and talked her ear off about the Wii.  And she loved it.

Thanks to everyone who bought a ticket!  Thanks for all the support.

Another BIG step for us. 

I love you Race. 

Daddy's Day

I'm really behind on my posting, so this is a little late.  Father's Day came and went and it was a simple, yet special day for our Daddy.

The boys made him breakfast.  Race made him chocolate syrup, I mean milk.

 Witt made him toast with LOTS of butter because  "he likes it that way" Witt said.

 And Daddy ate and drank it down like a champ!

 We really love our Daddy.  He does lots of cool things.  "He's real strong and he knows how to build cool stuff like houses and forts."  Witt said.

 Lane thinks he gives good piggy backs.

 Race says he is fun and reads good stories.

Thank you Daddy for working so hard for us and being such a good example to our boys.

We love our Daddy!

Toilet Time

Look who's so big!

Oh and don't let the picture fool ya, he's not potty trained by any means (like I have time for that...).  This is just what he likes to do before bath.

Potty training...can I just say I didn't potty train Witt.  I really didn't.  Nope, I was too busy bending over the toilet myself puking, being pregnant with Lane.  So, I give all the credit to Race.  Yep, no lie, Race potty trained Witten. 

Kira's Farm

I love my friend Kira.  And my boys love her "farm" (as they call it). 

 Thank you friend for treating us to an afternoon at your place. 

I am so blessed with amazing friends.  Love you Kira!