Bear Lake-No Water Necessary

We have been trying to go to Bear Lake nearly all Summer. But things kept getting in the way; someone (cough, cough) would get sick, busy holiday weekends which the lake would have been packed, and I really, really wanted to go with my sister’s family, however, we constantly ran into scheduling conflicts. We deiced, “Oh, well-we’ll just plan better next year” and didn't give it much thought after that.  Heidi Anne had other plans. She kept asking when we would be going to the Lake with Kayla? When were we going to get the yummy ice cream shake?" Char decided we should go to the lake, even if we didn't go swimming or play in the water.  He couldn't let the potential memories slip away. So we took the scenic drive through Logan Canyon to visit Bear Lake. 

Do you remember that old computer game “Oregon Trail”? You know the game where just after you haggled away your witch-hazel for 100 pounds of bacon Little Timmy died of Mountain Spotted Fever. 

Poor Timmy. Oh well, Pass the Bacon

Anyways, one of the stops on the game was Bear Lake – I didn’t know it was REALLY part of the Oregon Trail until I saw various historical markers. Since we had been in the car for quite sometime we made a little game of it. Every time we saw a marker, a historical billboard, or anything to do with history, we would get out of the car and wander around. We weren’t able to go around the whole lake, which means we have an adventure for another day. (We’re hoping for next summer!)  

In addition to the shakes she wanted to get lunch at the “fun pizza place we went to with Kayla!” I have no idea how she remembered it, yet she did. We love Bear Lake Pizza too, it was lunch time, so that's where we went.  She said she missed Kayla but the pizza was still just as good.

Dadad, I'm STARVING!! 

Being a little Clown

We finished our mini trip by getting those Raspberry Shakes for Heidi Anne (Weird to think the main reason for going up to the lake in the first place was how we ended it. Meh). We got those tasty shakes from the most popular snack shack. (It’s hard to describe the place but if you’ve been to Bear Lake you know what I am talking about.) 

The "Famous" Shake Shack

As we waited for the shakes, Heidi Anne went exploring, climbed some trees, wandered in the little field behind the building, just having a good time outside. 

I wasn't climbing the tree-What makes you think that?

At long last she got her beloved raspberry shake. I don’t know why, but watching her jumping up and down with excitement for her treat, then savoring it as we sat in the shade is one of my favorite adventures, so far. 

Hhhmm-Dat's Good!!

Heidi Anne's First School Performance

Heidi with her "boyfriend" James-Ahh Puppy Love

I adore Heidi Anne's daycare and all the teachers that work there. Four of the teachers finished their Education Degree this spring.  They will all be teachers at different elementary schools this fall. 

Kylie- A.K.A "Kylie Kool"

These four teachers all love the kids they've been teaching, you can tell by how happy they are when they see the teachers in the store or when a child is dropped off and the run to hug their favorite teacher. There are a few children (like Heidi Anne) that have been involved with their lives since they have been 5 weeks old. 

Kimber 

The teachers deiced to go out with a bang. They held an official school performance with the kids for all of their families. They have been practicing and preparing for weeks. Heidi Anne has been super excited about the show, she would be singing in her room and Char asked what she was doing. She proudly told him with a grin "I am doing practice, practice, practice-so I can sing pretty for all the parents!" 

Mallory with Heidi 

At 6:30 we arrived at the recital hall where nearly 30 other children from 18 months to 10 years old were getting ready to sing. They were all on the stage singing a verity of songs. I then realized the irony of school plays. Your kid will sing any and every song at the top of their lungs, but once they are on stage they mumble the lyrics. Odd.

I forgot what I was doing-Oh well

Bubble, Bubble-POP!!

After the kids sang, the teachers passed out cups of popcorn while we were treated to a surprise movie. In addition to putting on the recital the teachers made an adorable video of interviews with the kids (think "Kids Say the Darnest Things") mixed with pictures of the everyone doing their favorite activities. 

 The Shark family-Do, Do, Do, Da Do

 It made me realize the from now on there will be many, many more school performances to come. 

Take a Bow, I don't remember that song...

The Admiral

Over the last year we've started to change our home decor from an Asian theme to "Refined Rustic". Do not get it mixed up with "Crappy Country" . Our refined rustic has earth tones (greens, blues, and different browns), pictures of Wasatch / Teton forests or the little critters that live there. Well, maybe a grizzly bear isn't a "little critter" but you get the idea. Recently, we have developed a taste for older (1920-1940's) antiques and electronics. On top of this Char has started of refinishing furniture as a hobby.

 –If anyone has some kerosene or miners lanterns they want to unload-I’ll give them a very happy home. I Promise!

This leads us to Char's birthday. We went to some of the antique stores looking for a coffee table or a school desk he could fix up for Heidi Anne. He found a beautiful desk for Heidi Anne no serious repair was needed. Another surprise was a 1948 Admiral radio that still works!! Oddly enough, the best radio station it picks up is the Oldies station. It's as if the radio has a memory of its own with music preferences to boot.  

Yes, I said "He", we call it "The Admiral".  On the side of Admiral there is a list and diagram of all the parts he uses. On the bottom are some basic repair instructions. I’m starting to understand the “they don’t make them like they used to” cliché.

 Unfortunately, despite our success, we didn't find any coffee tables or other items to refinish. Instead, he bought some lumber and started to build a coffee table from scratch. Considering we don't have a jig or miter saw it's looking really awesome. Bonus-I now have some ideas on what to get him for Christmas. I can't wait for his next project-whatever it maybe. It may sound like a slow uneventful birthday but he had fun. Not to mention The Admiral is so cool!

Wildflowers and Slushies

Stella Lily

Lately Heidi Anne and I have been doing wildflower adventures, where we walk around the neighborhood or vacant lots, find, and pick wildflowers. We bring them home to identify them then we preserve them using our flower press. Last Saturday Char had to work so I thought it would be fun to finish our wildflower adventure with a surprise-her very first Slushy.

After our successful hunt of the elusive Common Sunflower and Stella Lilies. We went to 7/11 celebrate our triumph. The employees looked at use like we were from Mars. A little girl in a stroller, loaded with flowers, having the following actual conversation.

Me: Heidi Anne, would you like a Slurpee?

Her: What’s a Slurppy?

Me: It’s like a melted popcicle.

Her: What’s a popsicle?

            (Insert very puzzled looks from customers and employees)

Me: It’s an otterpop on a stick.

Her: Okay, I want a Popsicle.

Me: How about a Slurpee?

Her: Yeah! That sounds fun!!!

We find the Slurpee machines, trying to figure out how to operate the thing, where the cups are, which flavor would be the best. I got a Coke and she got banana. As we headed to checkout Heidi Anne said "I'm getting hungry." I figured since she already had a Slurpee for a snack why not go for broke? We both saw those rolling hot dogs at the same time and we both wanted one! However, I couldn't eat it-but at least she could. As soon as we paid I told her to go for it. We were still in the store when she took her first bite and first sip. After which  exclaimed "This is the BEST hot dog I ever had!! Oh, the Banana  Slurpee  is so yummy! No-this hot dog is Yummier!" Somewhere along the way she got me to trade my Coke  Slurpee  for her Banana. 

That is how Heidi Anne got her very first slurpee , gas station hot dog, had any Coke, and hoodwinked her Momma to trade slurpee . Honestly, the Coke was so great, I  am still wondering how she did it.

Our Hero Dinner Adventure

We don't eat out much (due to my weird diet restrictions) but when we do it tends to be at a sandwich place.   Normally for our date night, Char and I go to lunch every few weeks instead. This time we thought it would be fun to bring Heidi Anne with us. 
We picked her up and she wanted to know what's for dinner. We told her we're going out to eat. She replied with "Yeah, I love picnics!" I deiced that's when you know you don't go out to eat very often, much less take Heidi Anne with us.
Our sandwich place of choice was Logan's Heros. Don't let the small size fool you, this joint has some of the BEST subs in the valley. They have got to be one of the yummiest sandwiches you'll ever have!
Heidi Anne was so excited she was jumping up and down when we ordered dinner. She got to choose the booth we sat at. Heidi Anne and I shared a turkey sub - right in half. She almost ate her half of the sub. 
(Char got something with beef or ham-when I can't steal bites of something I tend to not pay attention to what he gets). 
She kept talking to the other people seating around us how good her food was and how much fun she was having at her "Dinner Adventure". I say the trip was a success. Heidi Anne is growing up right before my eyes. One thing I absolutely love is that she still finds adventure in every day to day life. 

Heidi Anne's Birthday Bowling Adventure

Side Note-My family doesn’t really use the whole “Aunt” or “Uncle” thing.  Heidi Anne calls all my siblings just by their first names and her kids do the same with us. Char’s siblings use the Aunt thing. I guess I feel like being “Aunt” makes me sound so formal (okay, being honest, it also makes me feel so old.)

Aunt Millie

Back to Heidi Anne's birthday. 

After a little nap, Char’s youngest sister, Aunt Millie, came up for Heidi Anne’s birthday activity. Heidi Anne picked bowling-she had a ball. (Bad pun-I know)

Heidi Anne was jumping up and down as soon as we got into the alley. She got a purple bowling ball, which she shared with Momma, she got to use the bowling ramp with the bumpers, and she got the second highest score. She told me proudly that she didn’t get any “Utter Balls!” (gutter balls). The alley we picked wasn’t exactly the best by a long shoot. The good news was we didn’t have any other real plans for the day and Heidi Anne could have content to spend the whole day there.

To top it off we got her a ice cream cake. She’s never had one before. We went to Cold Stone where she picked a mint chocolate chip and chocolate cake. I learned that mint chocolate chip is her favorite ice cream.  It took us nearly a week to finish it off.

 She Loved This Cake!

I wondered at first if this would be as fun and memorable as a traditional birthday celebration. I am comforted by the fact that she keeps telling people about her “Bigger, Bigger” birthday where she got to see cars, a teddy bear, and bowling with Aunt Millie as if it were yesterday. 

Birthday Girl and Her Bear

My sister has this cool tradition of doing a family activity for her children’s birthdays. The birthday kid gets to choose the activity. I love this idea, it removes the focus from presents to makes it a real celebration of the children in the family. I love that idea so I tried it this year with Heidi Anne. It was awesome!

            Heidi Anne has been so excited for her birthday. She was doing a countdown to when she would be “bigger bigger” or as most other people call it-4. She wanted to go bowling and a teddy bear. How can you say no to a little girl wanting a Teddy Bear?

After Crusin' we took her to pick her own teddy bear. It was the first time she’s been in a toy store (not an aisle at Wal-Mart). She had so much fun just looking at the different toys or playing with the display. Naturally, the teddy bears were in the back of the store. Ever try to get a little girl with ADD to the back of a toy store, when you have a husband with ADD as well?

Heidi Anne's Favorite Car 

I think we played with every display, let me tell you, it was so FUN!! Somehow we made it to the back of the store. Heidi Anne was faced with soooo many teddy bears. With Daddad’s help she finally found her perfect teddy bear ( she also found a little ballerina bunny to go with Teddy Bear and to be friends her Dolly at home). Then we began the trek to the front of the store. 

Crusin' With Heidi Anne

Every year in Cache Valley we have “Cursin’ on Main”. 

It’s a real popular tradition where people come to showcase their classic cars which are proudly driven up and down Main Street. 

It’s a huge event here. People start claiming sections of the sidewalk on Main street days before the event. 

Cursin’ is right around Heidi Anne’s birthday. 

And she LOVES classic cars.

I think she honestly believes that the Classic Car show is for her birthday.

Water Days

At Heidi Anne’s day care they have a Water Day once a week, differentdays too. They have water gun fights, slip n’sildes,  go through sprinklers, sometimes they go to the local splash pad at the park.

Heidi Anne talks and talks about how much she loves waterdays. Since she’s Char’s little girl and it was a freaking HOT summer day, wegot her a little wading pool. As soon as we started to fill it up we realized that we left her swim suit at Susu’s and right from the tap water is freezing!

This week went better. We filled up her pool with a sprinkler (a new one at that). Char put the sprinkler right in the middle of the pool. She then ran through the sprinkler, while filling up the pool, andplaying in the pool all at the same time. She was still a little hesitant to get in the water. Out theory is she’s brave and adventurous with her friends but at home she can be so shy and timid. To help her get used to the pool onher own-we did what any good parent would do. 

We started a water fight with some spray bottles. Once HeidiAnne saw Momma could do it, then anyone can. She played water war with Char.When she turned around guess who was standing in her pool and playing with her toys. Hehehe. She ran to the pool, jumped in, and said it was her turn. I never got my turn again.

Art Festival

I often wondered how family traditions start or how many times do you do an activity to make it a tradition? I know, deep thoughts.

For nearly 5 years now, every Father's Day weekend we go to the Summerfest. Summerfest is a festival showing / selling beautiful works of art. This year Heidi Anne really got into the spirit of things. She would run ahead a little and shout "Momma Daddad, come here! This store has pretty pictures." Or she would try to drag us away she would say things like "Those are bad arts!" or "The other store had prettier pictures". I have determined that an art show is the only place you can analyze someones' work and not be in to much trouble.

We have started a tradition of resting under a canopy, snacking on a funnel cake, and Heidi Anne being content with her surgery treat while on Daddy's lap. Whenever I get to take that picture is when I really feel like Summer is starting in the valley. 

Happy 3rd of July!

A few things about the Valley-

 1) They do the fireworks on the 3rd of July. I am not sure if that's because a lot of people are out on the 4th or they just like it here. 

2) The stadium where they ignite the fireworks is on the top of the hill. 

3) It can get freaking cold at night here still (We had a nasty storm that came in on the 1^st  bringing temps down to the 50's). 

4) We have a room (it's our office, reading, and craft room) that has two big windows facing the mountains. This is a pretty view no matter what-but when there are fireworks involved it's awesome. 

       As I said above, we the 3rd of July. To start the night off we had hamburgers and I got turkey burgers. While we were cooking, Heidi Anne kept jumping up and down (really she was jumping up and down).

It got to be  9:00, that last hour before the fireworks show . This is when kids can either be amped up to stay awake to see fireworks (to be ah and amazed) or to sleep and miss it (thus a very grumpy child for a week or two).

We opted for the happy kid. But it wasn't the easiest thing. 

Towards 9:00 pm we all went outside. We set up our camping chairs and ate some ice cream. While eating ice cream Heidi Anne saw her first neighbored fire work show. Making her even MORE excited.   

9:30, that last 1/2 hour before the fireworks show. Daddad brought out the fireworks. First we played with the Snap Pops. Heidi Anne loved them; she had so much fun watching Momma / DadDad she picked it up in no time. Well almost no time, sometimes she couldn't throw them hard enough, so the snaps wouldn't pop.

At 9:45 Only 15 minutes to go. Bring on the Sparklers!! She LOVED them. She would squeal with delight as she watched me hold a few. We had her be super careful and took precautious. We're very careful because I really, really did not to cause a fire and get in trouble.

9:55-5 minutes to go so we packed up our gear to go watch the show from the office room. As soon as we go into the room-the show was starting. It started 5 minutes early. As soon as she saw the fireworks she was bumping up and down on the sofa. Shortly into the show she stated "These fireworks are fun, but aren't as pretty as the firework stars last year." It's amazing what kids remember. 

Next year we'll try to get closer to the show-maybe that will make them firework stars again for her.

Smartest little big girl ever!

I would soo LOVE to get her a desk like this!! 

I love Heidi Anne's day care, (I really hate calling it that because it's more like her second home). Anyways, I love it. One of benefits of being in a college town is that the teachers are going to school getting degrees where their major is child development, early childhood education, or family and consumer science. This in turn helps my Heidi Anne to excel.

Every so often, students (non-teacher ones) from the University come to observe the kids. A the most recent observation Heidi Anne asked Susu "Why is the lady watching us?"

Susu explained to her that the person was there watching them to make sure everyone was having fun. Heidi Anne responded to Susu, "We do have fun; I will just go tell her."

Before you know it she walked right up to the lady and told her "We have lots of fun here. Visitor you can go home now."

Besides doing observations the non-teacher college students do tests with the kids. Nothing horrible, just the "What color is this?" "If you have 5 apples and you share 3, how many are yours?"  Today was a testing day. When the instructor would ask a question, after Heidi Anne gave her answer she would add "I know it, huh?".

I just wish my little girl had more confidence when it comes to her education. ;D

See? I Told Ya!

I One thing I love about this age is how honest little kids can be, they aren't trying to be rude, they just call it as they see it. Heidi Anne's new catch phrase is "See, I told ya." She says this when something happens or someone does something she warned about. 

"Hey, the cat is going to knock over my drink on the floor." Que cat accidently knocking over the cup while playing about an hour later. We hear from her room upstairs "See, I told ya'!" 
It's nice to know, in a weird way, that she isn't just up front with us. She does it at school. When playing with her friends, she'll warn of impending doom or that snack time is coming up. When it does she say's proudly "See, I told ya!"

See, I told ya. 

Katniss Hair

Lately Heidi Anne loves to have "Katniss Hair". In case you don't know Katniss is the heroine in The Hunger Games. What is Katniss Hair you may wonder. Well, Katniss has a cool French braid that goes from one side of her head, traveling along the back of your head the whole way. Once your on the other side of your hair you make it into a normal side braid. (I know, very intricate hair style).

One of her teachers asked Heidi Anne why she loved having Katniss Hair. She promptly responded, "Katniss is brave and when I have Katniss hair it makes me feel brave, too."  

Take that Bella there is a new role model for gals. Sure Katniss is on the slightly violent side of things but I will take that over a whiny girl any day. 

So That's Writer's Block...And Heartache

A few month's ago, my friend who's done blogs since before they were popular, didn't blog for like 3 weeks. She said she had writer's block. I was very puzzled by this, she always had things going on, memories to preserve, true and honest feelings to share, two sweet little girls always doing something. But she was blocked.

Well, now I understand. Sometimes life happens, but you aren't sure how to explain it from mind to paper. Sometimes, things happen, and you don't want it saved. You just want to hit delete-erase those memories, the sorrow, the pain. Because if you write it and hit print. It's there, forever, in writing, somewhere on the interweb, or deep in your mind and heart.

So I am going head-first. Yes, I have used many a tissue (and I don't cry easily). There, that is your warning (More so for me).

Last few weeks have been hard, I have a change in meds-which is fun. Enough said.

Heidi Anne has been wanting her kitten for nearly a year. The kitten we promised her, the one that once she was potty trained she would get. So since she is nearly 4, and she had been asking twice a day everyday (very nicely). We found a perfect orange kitten (that was one of the "demands"). It was to be orange to go with the other 2 black cats we have.
We found "Lily" - properly renamed "Pumpkin", and her sibling "Avi", renamed "Boo" came along as well. We get Heidi Anne from daycare to find the kittens in the car. The next morning "Boo" seems a little off, Saturday, something really seemed off with Boo. We talked with the shelter, only to be told that their brother was adopted recently, and is at the vet. The shelter gave us some antibiotics for our Pumpkin and Boo.

After the second dose, poor Boo went downhill, and fast. Wouldn't drink, couldn't eat, sneezed, and sneezed, and won't move. Not good and heart wrenching. We take Boo to the vet. The vet teats little Boo so symptomatic, gives us kitten ICU food, meds for both kittens, and instructions. Ways to help them breath, stay warm, help their noses, ect. They suggest we call the shelter to see if we can get more history on the kittens. Strike 1

I call the shelter to get more info on them. All they know is they were found in a field, maybe ferral cats, but alone in a field. Just before I end the call I am told their brother, who was adopted a little before them, had just died. He had gone to the vet, and unable to revive him-not 100% sure what it was, distemper, cold, they don't know. Strike 2

The last 7 (10?) days have been a battle. They both take a nose dive. It's been a battle to get them their meds (which only Char can do because I'm allergic to their meds). We feed them with a syringe.Water, meds, gatorade, food. --Yes, you can feed kittens food with a syringe. It's been an up and down 2 weeks. We make some progress just to drop down. Boo became known as Scrappy. Just losing weight and little cuts aren't healing. (Scrappy Boo fights when we try to do anything for him, feed, meds, just scratch himself.) Pumpkin has become more chubby and exploitative. Ball 1

We thought Scrappy Boo was turning the same corner. Until last night. Won't eat, won't sleep, just there. Tonight I have to add won't drink, meow, or really move much to the list. Worst part, Heidi Anne realized or voiced what we wanted to avoid. Her little kitten won't be around much longer. We cuddle her, she cuddles her kitten, and everyone cries. Strike 3. We all cling to Char, who is now "Daddy-fixer of all things-and has to be strong-because we're ALL clinging to him." 

Little Scrappy Boo-First Night Home

So little Scrappy Boo is now laying beside me. As I tell his little tale. At least someone will remember the little kitten, who was so loved and wanted by a little "almost" 4 year old girl. Now we wait. My little girl has cried herself to sleep. I wonder if he'll make the night (wishing like nothing else their was a 24 hour vet in the valley that doesn't cost an arm and a leg) and sick to my stomach of what if he does or doesn't make it through the night. Sadly I feel this is GAME OVER. 

PS-A little heart broken girl is one of the somberness things I have ever been through. I hope and pray she won't have many of these heartbreaks. It rips at us like nothing I've ever felt. Another box of tissues please.