July in California

Since we moved to Utah we like to go back to California for a few weeks every summer to party with our family.  The Fourth of July wouldn't be the same without the parade and baseball.

 Lou 10 months, Silas 5, Jude 6, Mimi 8 me freaking 34 and three months pregnant with baby 5.

 LouLou's first baseball game

 Bea, Teddy, Alice and Mimi

 In efforts to make myself completely useless (being a zombie from pregnancy and barfing) I went ahead and broke my toe on Pam's aggressive couch.

 Cousin day.

 Standing and trying to walk. Definitely my earliest walker.

 And super dangerous, although she does seem to have a healthy fear of the stairs.

 Trying out for the Rockford Peaches.

 SF excursion with Ellie and kids.  We went to Clement Street (real Chinatown) and ate food, shopped at the weird asian stores and hit the crazy aquarium/fish store.

 Danger baby showing off.

 SF excursion with Camille and Pam.  We went to Telegraph and hung out.  Cam's area is so beautiful.  She's living on Belvedere, one of the most attractive streets in SF.

The Grateful Dead house on Ashby.

The Summer List of Crazy Activities

This year my children made a list of things they wanted to do that they would ordinarily not be allowed to do.  Because I am just that kind of anarchistic mother I have made their crazy list our summer agenda.

The primarily feature of the list is "All Day". The things they want to do they want to do All Day Long.

Ha. Fools. Nothing is fun all day long.

So our list is just as much fun for me as it is for them because I enjoy moderate torture and lesson learning.

Here are our adventures:

Screens All Day. 

Unlimited screen time is the holy grail around here, so I scheduled Screen Day for the first day of summer. If they took their eyes off a screen for more than a minute they would be grounded.  They also did not have to get dressed all day.  To me that sounded hellish but they were in pig heaven.

Little did they know that at the end of Screen Day they would be handing over all of their iPads and remotes for doling out at my convenience for the rest of the summer.

The next day they needed a screen detox so it was a good day for Outside All Day.

Outside All Day meant that they were ushered out in their bathing suits as soon as they woke up. They ate all their meals out there and drank from the hose.  They were not allowed to scream into the house.  If they needed something inside they had to hold their breath and run while inside or they would be grounded.  (I don't know why grounding is a punishment, but the sound of it is awful for them. To me it sounds like paradise).

The beginning of the day was rough but once they figured out all the fun to be had outside they were happy to be out there. 

Since it was a 24 hour outside plan they also needed to sleep outside, which was also on the list. For Backyard Camping  the kids recruited our dear neighbors to join them in camping in the backyard.  It was a success and nobody woke us up nor snuck inside during the night.

Our next adventure was to Stay at a Waterpark until it Closes.

This activity was made possible by trading one baby for three neighbor kids who could swim. Jude always bursts into tears when he has to leave parks before they're kicking us out. He doesn't like the fun to end.  This activity was mildly successful -- we stayed until it was getting cold and nobody wanted to do slides anymore. But it was tons of fun! At least I think it was. I took a two hour nap while they played.

We had to take a few weeks break while we went to CA and had a few day camps.  But when they got back we were back on the list.

The first activity was Stay Up All Night.

Ugh, this one sounded brutal.  But I was surprised at how much fun we had!  Not having to think about bed time was freeing for me.  Anybody who has been around my house knows that bedtime is the finish line for me and when they're down I'm off duty.  So there was no off duty for me this night BUT I found that there was also less pressure and we could play games and do puzzles until they were done.  The highlight was playing ghost in the graveyard at midnight downstairs.  I schooled them. Always hide in the bathtub.  Hush and I left them to their own devices after midnight and when we went down to check on them they were out by 1am.  They slept and slept the next morning and two of them took a nap in the afternoon. 

Candy All Day was the next event.  This morphed into Junk Food All Day because it was more practical.  BL and I ate normally, but the big kids consumed pie for breakfast with chocolate milk, kitkats, gas station candy, whole cans of coke each for themselves, more candy, donuts, ice cream sundaes for dinner and whatever garbage they could get their hands on.  Silas would ask, "Can I eat this or is it healthy?" They did great until about 6:30 when they started to have sugar rage.  When I told them we would be continuing to eat Junk Food for the next three days they very clearly and wholeheartedly objected.

Finally Silas was the last man standing and not in a sugar spaz so he was rewarded with noodles.

The next day, of course, was a much welcomed detox.  Eggs in the morning, healthy sandwiches and veggies, etc.  It was a good sugar break.

We still have a few things left on our list but we have all of August to accomplish them.  That is assuming I have it in me to Wrestle All Day as is waiting on the list.

The Summer List assessment and review:

This has been an amusing and accidentally educational project.  It gives us something to focus on during monotonous summer days with nothing planned.  The kids have thoroughly exhausted the activity that they had been vying to do and don't look back when the All Day whatever is over.  They enjoy being grounded for things that are normally good behavior: eating healthy, peeing inside, falling asleep early.  It's made summer topsy turvy and fun.  I highly recommend letting the kids have what their hearts desire IN EXCESS so that when they are expected to live like rational human beings they understand why good things are good.  They know what they feel like when they eat junk all day and they're no longer interested.  They appreciate being locked outside occasionally.  They know that screens can get very boring and sunlight is desirable.  

I think I'll make this project a summer standard.

Invitation Accepted

Dear Baby Five,

We are delighted that you have accepted our invitation to become part of our organization!  After some deliberations between the founding members it was decided that our youngest member needed a cohort, thus the invitation.  Between us I don't know which co-president is more excited to welcome you.  We will both be there for your imminent arrival, one of us ideally more drugged than the other.

From experience we've calculated the best time for you to come on board will be at the end of January, 2016.  That way the current junior member will be 16 months -- providing us with all the benefits of creating "Irish Twins" like unto the age difference between team members Jude and Silas, and Mimi and Jude. 

 We've since informed the junior members of the team that we'll be adding to their ranks and, because of the overwhelmingly positive reception of the addition that occurred last fall, they are thrilled at the news you will be joining us. At present they are referring to you as "Tiger Uppercut" but we highly recommend you come with your preferred name on a business card, perhaps, or maybe via bolt of lightening. Barring that we will be pressed to choose a name for you, a process we find very stressful.  We've decided to respect your privacy regarding your sex until the day you arrive.

By accepting this invitation you will now be entitled to unconditional familial adoration and affection upon arrival and throughout your journey with us, regardless of behavior, attitude, or personality.  In the first few years with us we pledge to selflessly monitor and foster your growth and development as well as keep you safe and well loved. Co-Presidents will do our very best to run interference between you and your adoring fans. 

In the years following we will hone your behavior into an intelligent person palatable and desirable by the larger community.  You will be exposed to culture and inundated with music and theater, which you will eventually be expected to perform.  At your fingertips you will have access to literature and media that we hope will teach you about the world and its people.  The committee will do its best to encourage mathematical skills, but we cannot promise aptitude.  We will make it our life mission to prepare you -- spiritually, emotionally and physically -- for the challenges that lay in the world outside our immediate network.

I'm sure you've noted in your research that our projects thus far have had fairly successful results, but so that you can see the current status of our members I give you the following exhibits:

 A. Girl, 8.

B. Boy, 6.

C. Boy, 5. 

D. Girl, 10 months.

In choosing our organization you will be joining Mimi, Jude, Silas and Betty Lou in their daily routine, but you will have some grace period before you will need to add your abilities to theirs.  They are excited to have you and see great potential in your arrival.  Do not let them trick you into doing their part.  In the meantime, your duties include first, growing to a viable human, then once arrived you will be expected to smile, coo, and generally delight us with your very presence.  Rely on Betty Lou to show you how to wrap every single one of us around your finger.

Needless to say, we are excited to officially meet you, though your transportation unit is somewhat daunted by the physical task ahead. By the way, it has been much appreciated that you've been considerate in not causing too much turbulence in the first few months.  We consider our team so fortunate to be able to invite you into our lives -- to have the means, the inclination, and to be granted the blessing of corporate expansion.  

Eagerly awaiting your arrival!

Your Family

Easy Listening

I've recently emerged from a music rut.
You know what I mean?  Like when all music starts to feel old and played out?  Sometimes it happens with food too -- nothing sounds good (except chocolate, let's be real.)
It was Paul Simon who helped me out of my rut.  I've found there is always another Paul Simon song to discover.  This time it was Slip Sliding Away, which I'd forgotten existed.

My musical whiz of a husband makes playlists with me on my beloved music app Rhapsody.  If you don't have Rhapsody and you're still dinking around on Spotify, YouTube or heaven help me Pandora then you are on the wrong App. http://www.rhapsody.com/  (Dear rhapsody, pay me money.  I stunt for you all the time.)

It costs a little bit of money.  I think it's less than $10 a month, can't remember.  But Hush and I use the same account and we have saved playlists from the last few years.  The way the playlists are generated is just by whatever we happen to be listening to that month, so if I go back to June of 2013 I am transported by songs into memories.  The lists ideally tie together, but lots of times they're just songs we are into that month or that we want the kids to know.  Or it's what we've Shazam'd.  Or a song we'd forgotten that needs to be part of our lives again.


June 2013:
Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard
Abandoned Love -- Bob Dylan
Situation -- Yaz
White Lines -- Grandmaster Flash
Jesus was Way Cool -- King Missle
Teenage Dirtbag -- Wheatus
Gimme Shelter -- Rolling Stones
Begin the Beguine -- Artie Shaw
You Got the Silver -- Rolling Stones
Domino -- Van Morrison
Baba O'Riley -- The Who
When the Music's Over -- Doors
Patience -- GnR
Don't Fear the Reaper -- Blue Oyster Cult
Champagne and Reefer -- Muddy Waters
Hurt -- NIN
The Beautiful People -- Marilyn Manson
The Man Who Sold the World -- Nirvana
Debaser -- Pixies
The Black Jack White -- Spirit Animal
Crazy Baby -- Joan Osborne
Carry that Weight -- Paul McCartney
212 -- Azealia Banks
The Final Countdown -- Europe
Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth -- Primitive Radio Gods
Christiansands -- Tricky
My Name is Trouble -- Keren Ann

Last month Hush hit me with this mix which included covers by people I like more than the original bands.

The Scientist -- Willie Nelson
Satellite of Love -- (Betty) Lou Reed
Mary Ann with the Shakey Hand -- Petra Haden
Mozambique -- Bob Dylan
Bang the Drum all Day -- Todd Rundgren
Eminence Front -- The Who
Go Down Gamblin' -- Blood, Sweat, Tears
One Toke Over the Line -- Brewer & Shipley
Low Rider -- WAR
Riptide -- Vance Joy
Other Side -- Family Portrait
Don't Sweat the Technique
All Night Dinner -- Modest Mouse
Stuck in the Middle With You -- Stealers Wheel

Our musical taste is very similar with Hush (and Mimi) tending more toward country influences like Johnny Cash and Classic Rock like David Bowie and Queen.  There's a pretty sweet playlist they made around the time Lou was born including Golden Years and Way Down Yonder in the Minor Key by Billy Bragg/Wilco.  If you don't know that song you should.  Jude and I prefer the harder rocking songs like Green Day and Beastie Boys.  Silas just likes The Final Countdown.  I feel a moral responsibility to my children to provide them with a vast and thorough musical education. It cracks me up when their friends are around and they demand to rock out to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons like it's a favorite amongs the kindergarten crowd.  Well, it should be.  And sometimes they come to me asking for a Nickle Bag of Funk from Digable Planets.

Right now I'm putting together "Shameless Pop Songs that are Just Great Songs"  and these have to meet both mine and Hush's satisfaction to be on the list.  Right now the list has:
Jessie J -- Bang Bang
Britney -- Toxic
Katy Perry -- Roar
Timber -- Kesha/Pitbull

Got any idea of other songs that need to be on there?  Anything garnishes a listen and we're fairly accepting.  I have even gotten sucked into a Jonas Brother's version of Poor Unfortunate Souls.

This month it's all about Mr. Paul Simon in all his many varieties for me.  Sometimes you just need to go back to the classics.
But that doesn't mean that some completely weird song will suck both of us in as the witching hours approach.  And on those days you get a little something like this:

Just Me Myself And I.  My favorite line is the end when Hush says, "That has to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever done."

May Round Up

In early May in the year of our Lord 2015 these happenings happened.

Jude did his Kindergarten music and dance show.  His favorite song was Never Smile at a Crocodile. I can't remember which song warranted the frog head piece.

BL, nearly 8 months, had her tummy zerbeted.

Silas went on a field trip with his Pre-K and I attended. Natural History museum.

Si wore Jude's Komodo Dragon mask and terrified yours neighborhood.

I was finally awarded my unicorn horn.

Worked on my dreadlocks, week two. Yes I wash them.  They're all my own hair. 

Mr McHandsome hung out at Jude's most spectacular soccer game.  Here's a text write up by grandpa Jim: 

Report from Jude's soccer game: MVP 

The opposing team scored an opening goal. That was a mistake. They awoke the sleeping monster: JUDE  He got a look of determination on his face and promptly scored two goals. There was no stopping him. 

Next, standing a few feet from his goal an opponent kicked the ball that became lodged between Jude's legs. Rather than dropping the ball Jude hopped over to the front of the other teams goal and then dropped it so he would have a good shot. But he was only getting started.

A player from the opposing team got a hold of one and kicked the ball so hard into Jude's head that it snapped his head back. The field and spectators went silent: you could hear them thinking is this kid seriously hurt? The ref walk over to Jude who had jumped to his feet. Jude sees that everyone is stunned besides him. In the confusion he runs to the ball and sends it half way down the field everyone else looking on with their mouths open. The kid is tough and smart. College scholarship and pro soccer get ready for Jude the Terrible. 

LouLou had lift off. She's already crawling, pulling up on everything, cruising and now she's trying to stand by herself. Slow down, kid. You're barely 8 months.

With busy hands I try to dictate into my phone. Apparently I am asking Siri to act against her moral code.

Mimi has inherited her grandpa's love of contracts.  Favorite parts: be supportive! Don't sit around doing nothing!  

Mimi's hair is thick and lovely but hard to style because she runs away every time I try to brush it.  Her hair also prevents her from being first place in our morning getting ready contest.  This is our temporary solution and I think she looks absolutely fabulous! Next she's going to get big gold hoop earrings.

I just love this kid. Her outfits have always been fantastic. She was born with style.

There were some tears.

Hush has started our family on nightly meditation through an instructional app called Calm.  Every day the kids get better at the ten minutes of stillness.  The first night was a chore but every night since then they beg to do it. It's been good for our family.

We're getting pretty tired of waking up for school. LouLou helps them wake up by crawling over their faces and then they all pile in one bed to snuggle.

Just baby Lou being beautiful.

I've started exercising and I hate it. How could anyone ever enjoy exercise?  This pic for Christine and Rebekah who couldn't picture me in workout clothes.

Surly Silas' Mother's Day picture.  I love my mom because "Her give me food." He just cannot lock down the she/her pronoun and it has become a trademark.

Mimi had her school singing performance.  Her line was "I can save the planet by avoiding fast food wrapping". I cannot agree to that.

Working on a new project. Inspired by Van Gogh's Starry Night and Irises. Oh, and Gaudi, mosaic master. 

And starting another new project that required me going to city hall. Utah has no grocery delivery service. I'm going to try to start one.  I'm a big ideas small results type of person so we shall see how far this new activity goes.

All my kids want to do is play play play.  Right now they're doing a lot of swords and guns in the backyard.  They get mad when we have to load in the car and go places.  We are ready for regularly scheduled programming to end. School wake up is at 7:50. Tuesdays Mimi and Jude have piano and Jude has soccer practice. Wednesday is Mimi's activity days with primary.  Thursday Mimi has dance class which ends soon with a recital. Friday Mimi has drums and Jude has guitar. Saturdays Jude has soccer.  Silas has pre-k four days a week and has to be toted along on all of our activities, as does BL.  Every activity is wonderful and necessary and most just require walking rather than driving, but we long for the summer days of having nothing planned.

Untill, of course, they all start driving me nuts and I can't wait for school to start again!