I FORGOT MY CAMERA! Whaaah!

Today was Toby's 11th BD Party. It wasn't his "real" birthday today so I'll save the special BD post for later. But as for "the party" was great! I made a list before we left the house to make sure I had everything squared away and everything went off without a hitch until 1/2 way through the party when I realized I FORGOT MY CAMERA!! I was SOOOO sad. We had 9 boys at the pool and they had a blast diving and playing with splash balls. We were lucky to have some friends who were parting with an Xbox and lots of games- they gave us a killer deal. So Toby was ridiculously spoiled with that big gift and also generous amounts of money from most of his friends. I made his favorite cookies (m & m covered chocolate moonpies) which he requested instead of cake. The weather was great, the boys had a blast and if I had just remembered MY CAMERA the day would have been perfect! (I did take a pathetic pic on my cell phone which I don't even know how to post- so just picture in your head nine scrawny 11 year olds posing- yeah some were actually flexing- in front of a pool on a sunny beautiful day. They actually cheerfully cooperated for the pic on my pathetic phone which they would NEVER do if I had a real camera present. )

Pioneer Day

For July 24th Bloomington Hills Stake puts on pretty cool little celebration. First I ran a 5k and felt so accomplished because I came in 5th overall (I won't mention that only about 20 people showed up for this run/walk). Jim had to work in the evening, but I took the kids to the church for the festivities. Crystal & Mylie joined us. In the evening every ward sponsors an activity on the baseball field next to the church. There's even a little parade to honor the Pioneers and their trek into and establishment of Utah. One of the wards organized little spelling bees that ran hourly. Toby competed and won a couple times. He got to take home a big, yummy caramel apple as a prize. Arielle's highlight involved horses (of course) The Son's of the UT Pioneers provided a nice wagon ride. Arielle and her friend Annie sat up front and felt so special!

Webkinz!

Webkinz! All the rage this summer. What are they? Glorified beanie babies with a high tech passport. Arielle's best friend's mom bought her a Webkinz and she has loved playing with it ever since. She even saved up her own money to buy a 2nd Webkinz. Now she's a proud owner of a cocker spaniel and a Terrier. She can get online and play lots of fun games and design a home for her pet. She can even "buy" her pet clothes and accessories. She gains these items by winning games & quizzes. You can even play online against friends who also have Webkinz accounts. As a Mom, what I like about it? #1, Its a safe place for her to play online. #2 She can play live with her best friend who lives 5 hrs away! #3 The "quizzes" that help the kids buy embelishments for their Webkinz are actually educational (like math & health quizzes). Arielle could spend all day playing with her Webkinz. She really won't like it in 10 days when school starts and we're back on a strict "computer time limiting" schedule!

Memory Game

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Pine Valley

I have a whole new respect for weekends now. I relish every minute of them now that I'm a 8-5 Mon-Fri. working stiff. We decided to have a little day trip up to Pine Valley this Saturday to enjoy cooler temps, water and yes, even TREES! (as great at St. George is, the one thing its missing is more trees) Scott, Crystal & Mylie came along too. We had a great time hiking around and picnicking. Toby & Arielle even made makeshift fishing poles with a stick, fishing line and a soda tab that they found laying around (didn't catch anything, but had fun trying) On the way home we stopped to pet some horses including an adorable miniature paint.

Business and Pleasure

I have started a NEW job as a social worker. Its been a long time coming. After all, I did go to school for psychology. It took the mortgage market falling apart for me to be motivated to start in the social work field. I'll be working for the State of Utah helping victims of domestic violence. Heartbreaking for sure, but I'm up for the challenge! The new 40 hr. a week schedule is taking quite an adjustment for a spoiled gal like myself who has been working from home (for the family owned business) for the last 10 yrs. I have jumped right into this new tightly structured job in the summer with the kids home from school. My dear sleep deprived husband (who works night and takes care of the kids during the day) has been a wonderful support. I couldn't do it without him! As part of my new job, I had to go to SLC for training last week. Jim had to work so I took both kids and roped my parents into helping watch them on the days I had training. Arielle ended up going to the Titcombs for most of the time. They are so sweet to have her and spoil her rotten. She came home with a new "twin dress" (Anna and her got matching outfits that they wore to church together) and a new Webkinz toy. I know she was in great hands and treated like a princess while I was working. Thank you Julie, Brent & Anna! Toby stayed at Daybreak and had a blast too. He got to be the "big kid" and stay up late watching movies in the theatre room and playing cards & settlers with the adults. He got some great one-on-one time with grandmom & grandpa while they took him to shoot some hoops, kayak, and play miniature golf. The trip was mostly work for me, but I did enjoy chilling at mom & dad's and spending time with them. Evenings at Daybreak are cool and delightful, my favorite time of the day. We like to walk around the lake or take the kids to the little community parks (of which there are many!) I also got to sneak in a quick lunch with Shmeg, Henry & Sheaner. Its always a treat to spend time with "my gals".

Toby's Track Meets

The last couple of years we spend most every Saturday in June at Track Meets. Since I run myself, I can find no better way to spend the day but hanging out at the track around a bunch of running nerds and cheering for my little track star. Toby's relay team went to Region where they won 2nd, then State where they won 3rd place. Now all the teams are awaiting results of the paper meet between the western states to find out who will get the opportunity to travel to Hershey, PA to compete. (our road probably stops at the state level...) Toby also competed at the Utah Summer Games where to took 3rd in the long jump and 1st on his relay team. I was esp. proud of him this year because he was a 10 yr. old competing against 11 & 12 yr old (it goes by how old you'll be the end of the year and he'll be 11 in Aug.) He didn't lose confidence and gave it his all even though he ran against much bigger kids and sometimes was last in his heat. To me, that willingness to go for it against the odds is a much better accomplishment than winning medals. Go Tobes!