Demolition Days(s)!

I think every house in this neighborhood has got a bathroom that features, or at one time featured, this kind of tile. We inherited the green hue! Dated, but still in good condition. Livable, but not my style.

We've lived with it for the 7+ years we've been here. But as soon we decided a sidejob's pay could be put towards it...as soon as Matt gave the "go ahead" to take the tile down...I had a hammer and chisel in my hand the next morning! Sure, extra dollars more responsibly should go into savings. But, updating this bathroom is a sound investment. And, the chimney stack behind the big notch by the door needs to come down before (hopefully) reroofing this Fall.

So demolition has happened! First day (some day last week),I put in four hours with the chisel. I was proud of my efforts, especially having juggled kid-watching along with the work. My pride was dashed when Matt came home and shrugged his shoulders at what seemed to be so little. "What?!? I just saved you alot of time!!! I'm helping you out!!," my bruised Ego yelled inside.

Next day, I was tempted to keep the door closed and offer no further "assistance". But, I was determined to prove that my efforts were valid. I didn't stop at the tile. Oh no, I could pull down the entire mesh wiring! Well...until I got the tub where it was wedged behind as a bottom layer. I had no option but to close the door, answer my loud children, and wait for a day when Matt and I could go at it together...

Finally, today, is a Tuesday. Matt's day off from a work. A rare day off when his "day off" is not already alotted at countless other jobs fixing countless others' problems. I have been anticipating this day of his help! I am grateful he's home. He has been anticipating the chance to put alot of time into our bathroom. He is grateful he's home!

This morning came. We sent Meg off to school, then Paige grabbed a matching Michigan hat to get ready to help alongside Daddy. We were ready (the kids picked up a few stray pieces of garbage here and there, but were mostly banished to the next room...which was alright with them, since the hot work quickly lost its charm).

So the real work started. The real demolition. Working side by side, the ENTIRE walls piled on the floor a few hours later proved that there's no messing around! We're down to the studs, a bit more of the stubborn floor to take up, and the chimney notch.

We've taken a break while this guy naps. Though he'd like to remain atop this ladder with his trusty wooden hammer in hand, he needed a break. I stayed home (looking up vanities and paint colors online!! and quickly documenting this chicken-scratched update) while Paige shadowed Matt to the dump. It is definitely a day when I'm glad my husband has a truck.

In twenty short minutes, when Matt returns with Paige, when Ty awakes, and when Meg walks home from school, Matt's sister Lisa is coming over to scoop the kids into her car and take them for a while (bless her in advance). Then we're onto the next round of today. Heading to pick out trims and a tub. Matt's hopeful that with the coming Saturday and Labor Day Monday we can get alot of work done!

If you need us this weekend, we're most likely here within the nasty walls that were once green. But there is hope that soon our main bath will be a modernly clean place to relax. Oh, I can't wait! (In my mind the walls are already finished and ready for decor to be hung....In Matt's mind there is alot of work ahead, poor guy.)

Pinned for Listening!

One thing I worried about with Meg heading off to school is her ability to follow through with directions. Maybe that's a common concern of parents? I know, most kids filter what they really hear from a parent to what they choose to really respond to. I know, most kids respond differently to a teacher in a group setting. But, still, it seems that I have to repeat simple directions to Meg many times beyond "normal" before sending her on her way... and still find tasks undone, or her sidetracked somewhere else. Sending her off to school leaves me just hoping that she listens to the directions and then follows through at her individual desk. My repeated words as I send her on her way: "Listen. Listen to your teacher." (One, to show respect. Two, to know what you are to do.) I know she gets things. She just has to really focus to process the information. In a public school setting, I guess I just hope that she is given that time to "perform."

That being said, I went to "Back to School Night" last night and had a few minutes to talk to her teacher afterwards. After asking a few basic questions (one regarding a note that had been sent home about an "advanced enrichment group" they want to pull her, and a few others in first-grade, once a week for...see, I know she gets it!), the teacher made a point to say how amazed she is with "how well Meg comprehends things. She listens very well and can recall all the details of what she just heard. For example, after reading a chapter book to the class I asked who the main character was...her hand shot right up. She knew." I was caught off guard a bit. My initial reaction (thought silently to myself) was, "I hope she isn't that child on the carpet that answers everything and irritates peers around her." My next (silent) reaction was, "Listening! Ah, she'd doing it! She's focusing!!" I quickly recapped my concern of follow through to her (new, young) teacher and expressed how grateful I was that she was paying attention. I left comforted!

Then, today, Meg came home and immediately showed me a pin (Can you spot the one inch of pride?) tacked onto the corner of her shirt. As positive reinforcement throughout each school day, the students get "tickets" for doing good things. They plop these "tickets" into a box in hopes that theirs will be one of the lucky five pulled out on Friday for a prize. Meg received two tickets. Two tickets FOR LISTENING! Then, come the lottery moment, hers was pulled out. She was able to receive a prize!

Now, of course I'm not promoting the tangible thing in her hand. I am just grateful that she was recognized as a listener. More, I am grateful that she was given the chance to see the skill of listening as an important thing - a thing beyond a nagging reminder from Mom. But yes, a part of me is grateful that luck was one her side and that a pin could seal the deal about listening being a good thing. Feels like we're starting this year out on the right foot!

Way to go Meg. I'm proud of what that pin means! I'm proud of you choosing to do what it took to earn it!

(Usually a journal topic takes some prompting. "What about you eating school lunch? or recess? or your new teacher's name?" Today's took no guidance! In her own words: "Today I got a kitty pin. I got two tickets for listening. My ticket got pulled out.")

New Duo at Home

There has been some coveting of the backpack during this first week of school. Both siblings would tag along with Meg each day she heads off to school, if it were an option. But since its not, they are left home. A new duo.

For the first few days Paige quickly stepped into oldest mode - wanting to decide what and when. But, they've also played well together - exploring, dancing, and bonding over princess books. After enjoying the separated silence of Quiet Time, they happily wake and seek each other out again.

I am hopeful that these two will build a special friendship during the next few years.

First off to First

First grade snuck up on us. The FIRST day of FIRST grade for our FIRST has now come and gone.

When it came to collecting school supplies, I didn't rush out and do much. I figured there was no reason for a new backpack. I figured she has plenty of bright, new-looking shirts in her drawer that we got just a month ago to get through the summer. My mom generously stopped by one day with some shirts...another day with some shoes...and took Meg with her another day to load up on individually wrapped food for school lunches. What a blessing. Beyond that stash, I think I picked up some underwear and made sure she's good with pants come cooler temps. Not too bad on that end.

When it came to this actual morning of, we had plenty of time to put on the clothes that were set-out the night before, double-knot the new shoes, snap the now-traditional-sign-holding picture outside, and walk up the few blocks. The herding into new classrooms went much smoother than I had visualized. We were able to sneak in a side door, thanks to the kindergarten door being propped open for us. With just a few other students already there, we quietly found her bag hook, found her labeled desk, read other names to guess which friends she already knew, and explained to the teacher that either Margaret or Meg may appear printed at the top of her work (Meg's still undecided and likes using both options). Similar to last year, I said a quick goodbye to her and returned to the other two who were waiting (loudly) at the exit door. Meg showed no hesitation. No need for me to stick around. Just smiles as she took it all in! She's ready!

When it came to pick up, we met her at last year's spot. For this week, we'll do the drop off and pick up. To be involved. But come next week (or possibly even sooner) she'll be walking up and back with Rachel next-door.

One day in and it already seems like we're right back at where we left off. Same familiar parents parking curbside to get their kids. Same hustle to find each other among the crowd. Same routine. Just a longer day, a different door, and a different teacher. It almost feels like Summer never happened.

Post Script:

Seeing her picture on the screen, Meg wandered over as I typed and questioned, "What are you writing?" As my lines got longer, she added, "I guess you like to write." Got me to smile but also realize how much of this blogging/documenting is one-sided from my opinion. So slanted to the angle I take it from. Wanting to make her day a bit more from her, I asked a few quick questions of her first day in first grade:

"What was your favorite thing today?" -the teacher

"What was you favorite time of the day?" -math

"Who are some favorite friends that are in class?" -Tili, Amanda, Meghan

"What was your least favorite part?" -recess
"What are you excited for tomorrow?" -the long day

"Did you miss home?" -no

"What do you want to learn this year?" -"ice cream math" with a scale that levels

Sayonara to Summer

(Ice!)

(Ice!!)

(Icecream!)

Homemade peach icecream. Handcranked in the backyard. Tonight's perfect "sayonara" to Summer!

(Does school really start again in the morning??)

Three Early Risers

I am not a morning person.
But, when I made it into the kitchen this morning and found all three waiting for their cereal...
waiting in the same chair...
waiting with smiles and stifled giggles...
my day began alright!

"Hannah Montanas"

There are always those few mispronounced phrases that a child says - either because they can't make all the phonetic sounds, or they are wrongly repeating what they thought was said. Enjoying it until they realize their phrase is nonsense, I assume they'll eventually grow out of saying it.

I was surprised when one such misunderstood phrase was repeated by Meg, yesterday. I repeatedly corrected her months ago, but it looks like this one's still stuck. It always comes up when she is explaining a butterfly picture she has just drawn. Such was the case with her most recent chalk drawing on the back patio (duck and fish in a blue pond, surrounded by flowers and purple-winged butterflies).


Pointing to the obvious antennas, she always questions, "see the Hannah Montanas?" Ha. Yes, I do!

I just smile and am grateful that those are the only "Hannah Montanas" that have made it into our home. If things follow my influence, the curly swirls above a butterfly's head are the only "Hannah Montanas" that will ever be promoted here! :)

Camping - That's Good! That's Bad!

We got away for a short, overnight camping trip this weekend. The planning of it was anything but short. My oldest sister has talked of going along with us for a year and many recent phonecalls to coordinate were made. The crew going had me visualizing anything but easy. They've got a 6+ month old babe and a hyper dog. Add them to our three and our we'd-rather-leave-you-home-but-they're-taking-theirs-yes-we'll-take-ours dog, and I had visuals of things going real bad. Real bad.

But, now that the camping has come and gone, we survived and it really wasn't bad. There was good mixed in. The whole trip actually reminds me of a picturebook titled That's Good! That's Bad! where the events flipflop between fortunate fun and an unfortunate twist. One moment good. Immediately followed up with one moment bad. Then back to another moment good! A "That's good. That's bad." storyline explains our weekend's experience:

A sister to head up with and split the food assignments with. That's good.

Another car ride requiring buckles strapped over wailing boy. That's bad.

A lunch break in Kamas for heavenly small town eats. That's good.
A line forever long of hungry folks who know of this roadside drive in. That's bad.

A pitstop to revisit Provo Falls that we'd taken Meg to when a babe. That's good.
A dog (our black mutt) inhaling the river water and then puking all contents of his stomach near tourists' feet!! That's bad.

A drive past the Uintas' beautiful pines and lakes. That's good.

A drive into our campground (Moosehorn) to realize the site isn't too removed from the highway's loud traffic. That's bad.

An ample amount of space in the huge borrowed tent. That's good.
A rocky campsite which had us pitching the the huge dome on the driveway's wide patch of gravel. That's bad.

A couple of girls who entertained themselves by 'building their own fireplace' in the site's trees. That's good.

A yucky-nosed boy who managed to fall and skin his knees repeatedly. That's bad.

A potty-trained boy who toddled around in dundies, woke up dry, and waited to pee over the (nasty) vault toilet. That's good.

A boy who took no liking to peeing by a tree, no matter how much encouragement. That's bad.

A picturesque lake that we slowly enjoyed at motorless speed. That's good.
An anxious dog sitting shoreside that barked loud enough for all fishermen to hear each time we rowed out of sight. That's bad.

A couple of guys with tackle boxes to help the excited girls learn to fish. That's good.
A couple of dogs that either tangled themselves in the line or barked at the unknown string, and unsuccessful fishing. That's bad.

A late night to enjoy the full moon, glowsticks, and campfire flames. That's good.
A night that was filled too late with the loud stories from other campfires. That's bad.

A line of sleeping kids that didn't fight the sleeping hour. That's good.
A rainstorm that rolled in right at the sleeping hour and kept Mom awake all night. That's bad.

An authentic soundtrack of rain on the rooftop. That's good.
A puddle of water on everything left out. That's bad.

A crisp early morning in the pines. That's good.

An earlier pack up hour and missed hikes. That's bad.

A chance to have escaped the heat of Suburbia for a final time this Summer. That's good.

A reality check that Summer has come to an end and school starts up in just a week. That's bad...and good!

While there switching goods and bads in each moment, I'd still vote that the trip wins as good. Even with dogs that were a major pain. Even with the mess of repacking in the wet morning. Even with the kids saying how glad they are to be back home. We all still claim to have enjoyed it. Any trip out of town holds some redeeming good.

Over Aggie Icecream

There are a few places that get me missing my Grandpa Farrer. Occasionally, it is in a section of clothing racks that resemble the old Logan mall area he'd walk us through for a new school shirt. Always, it is at the Utah State Creamery. When we'd visit my grandparents in Logan, us kids would often pile into the car with him and drive the few blocks for a scoop of ice cream. After peering through the glasscase display, we'd select the BEST flavor. With choice in hand, we'd head outside to sit atop the cement retaining walls. We'd slowly lick away the drips in the summer heat.

My kids lined up along the exact same cement walls last week. Not much has changed there. While watching them, I savored my chocolate almond and carmel cashew scoops and the chance to remember Grandpa in such a traditionally wonderful place. Things are good over Aggie icecream.

Tony Grove. Breathtaking.

About this time last year, we really enjoyed a hike through the Albion Basin. Wildflowers in full bloom everywhere! I figured such a site would be hard to beat. I assumed that a place with such wild beauty would remain unmatched. But, a heads-up from a cousin that her recent trip to Tony Grove held wildflowers at the peak of their season, gave enough wind that there was a place that could potentially beat out Albion. Add both the reality that we haven't hiked much this summer and a location I had often driven past but never been to...and I had reasons enough to prompt a drive up North!

The drive up was long. The 20 month old who hates to be buckled in the car. The girls needing pitstops along the way. Ugh. But, once we made the turnoff following the official signs things started to look up. Wildflowers began appearing in patches along the switchbacks. Then a parking lot came into sight! A parking lot to stretch out legs SURROUNDED by wildflowers. Then a lake within walking distance. A beautiful lake SURROUNDED by wildflowers. Then an easy trail - I won't even call it a hiking trail, it was that easy. But a trail non-the-less SURROUNDED by wildflowers!

The picture below does not do justice to the thousands of bitty flowers among the green masses, but it gives a sense of Paige SURROUNDED by wildflowers.

We headed off. Following a trail that circled the entire lake, the girls were in hunt of a place to dip their toes in the water. I was making a slower hunt through the flowers. I need to buy me some sort of wildflower identification book...

Occasionally, Tyler would walk my pace and smell the flowers.

Occasionally, they'd wait for me to catch up.

Occasionally, Matt and I would be standing in the same place.

But mostly, it was Matt with the kids several paces ahead. Here they stopped long enough to gather rocks to chuck into the lake below.

Mostly it was me bringing up the rear. Urged on by Paige's LOUD "Come on, let's just leave the photographer!"

I was content to watch the fam from afar and bend down to enjoy what was close. I'd guess the following (overload) represents only a third of the variety that surrounded us! Yep, worth the drive. In my opinion, Albion remains close, but THIS will be the place now annually revisited! The area was breathtaking.