Roller-Rama!

For Ethan's birthday, I finally got on the ball and threw him a party. He was thrilled to go to skate world and invite all of his friends, and I was thrilled to have the party somewhere besides our house! (I'm so naughty!) The kids had a wonderful time, and Ethan was a super skater. He is getting really speedy! It's fun to have a seven year old! He's getting bigger, older, but still thinks it's cool when his mom wants to skate at his party. I know my days are limited on that one. . . Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Chandler didn't get to come to the party. The rink is only open in the afternoon, so he had his nap at Aunt Keren's house. He felt a little left out, but only about the cake. (he didn't really know what he was missing, I suppose!) Last night, thirty minutes after I had put the kids to bed, I went downstairs to find the fridge wide open, and the remains of the cake nibbled on. Apparently Chandler made sure he got his fair share last night when I wasn't looking! That little stinker!!!

So Busy!

Summer time is so busy! We've been running around town and so busy these past few weeks. Too busy to scrapbook and I've been a posting slacker too! Here's some catch up. . .

Basketball class all week last week. Sun, rain, you name it. It was fun!
A second go round at rock climbing. We got a free pass to the club this is in and were able to take everyone. Aidan loved it as well and made it to the top 3 times! Ethan enjoyed showing off his bouldering prowess to his brothers. That kid can grip a wall!
We went berry picking again. . . mmm. . . boysenberries. . .

and made several batches of jam. Cooked jam this year, not freezer. We're loving it.
Emilee started rolling. . . no more naps on the couch for this girl!
and my littlest buddies are really enjoying each other these days! It's fun to see them making friends!

And today brings Ethan's birthday party (only a month late) at the skating rink. We're all very excited and hopefully I'll get some pictures on tonight and stop getting so behind. Have a good one!

a (very) little night music

Ethan's piano teacher caught wind that he had been listening to a Mozart CD and enjoying it. So for his lesson this week, this is what he came home with. He's loving it and can often be heard playing the piano for an hour at a time. We haven't had to ask him to practice at all, in fact, we've had to tell him to stop! I'm loving it as well. I'd much rather listen to the classics than row row row your boat, any day!

Aidan Wilde, Mail Commando. . .

Aidan is forever hunting through the mail to try to find something addressed to him. Most days he's disappointed, of course. He dutifully writes to Grammy all the time, and she does her best to keep up. Today he got a letter addressed to:

Master Aidan Price Wilde
"Mail Commando"

Inside he found the cutest card with $10 taped inside and instructions to plan a family date, take us out for ice cream afterwards, and then write a letter (in pictogram I'm sure) back reporting on how it went and what we did. He says it's the "best mail ever!" He's already been scheming and I heard something about a berry patch and then cold stone afterwards . . . sounds like Heaven to me! Thanks Grammy! This is a great letter and a great project!

Joining the Club

Two weeks ago I had a momentary lapse of sanity and decided I would train for and race in a sprint triathlon at the end of August (1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, and a 5K on the end). Peer pressure got the best of me, I suppose. Many of my girlfriends in my ward train for and compete in these races, and after going to see them race and take pictures for them, I just couldn't stand it. I just can't let them be so much cooler than me any more!

So I've joined the club. The club of 30 somethings whose metabolisms just aren't what they were when they were 20 somethings, and need some motivation. Add in a child or four and there you have it, I need to workout more. Busting your booty just to work it out just isn't really very fun, but training for a race has been really fun! (especially with friends) I'm learning to swim and I've already gone 4 1/3 miles in the water in two weeks (I'm kind of proud, can you tell?). I never liked lap swimming before, but now that I'm really learning how to do it, I'm loving it. It's my favorite work out day. Bike day is my hard day. My legs are weak sauce.

I'm sure I will regret this decision (like at about Mile 8 of the bike), but so far I've had a lot of fun trying to get ready. 5 weeks to go. 24 workouts left before the race. Oh, and one baby to get on a bottle by then. Heaven help us if she decides she's hungry and I'm just hopping off my bike. :) Maybe we should be wishing Gordon good luck? (love you hunny!)

Anybody else want to join the club?

Rock Climbing

For the kids Birthdays, Gordon and I have been trying to avoid "stuff" and give them a memorable experience. So far, this has been a great success! For Ethan's Birthday a few weeks ago we gave him a week long parent/child rock climbing class with Daddy. Every day last week I dropped him off with Dad after work, and they climbed at this indoor wall. Ethan did great! He loved the experience, and is looking forward to more climbing in the future. His teacher was impressed with his strength and ability to pull himself up on about anything! He really loved the low climbing or "bouldering." Here's some pics. . .

Berry Sweet!

Keren comes up with the best ideas! Today it was picking raspberries at a local farm. The boys had a great time, especially Ethan and Aidan. They picked SO MANY BERRIES! We are going to make Jam sometime next week. I'm hoping to head back for boysenberries (my favorite!) next week as well. What a fun summertime thing to do! Thanks Keren!