Iris=2, kids in school

Iris’ birthday and the first day of school fell on the same day this year, so there was revelry all around. We had an impromptu celebration for Iris’ bday. I bought nothing—she’s still at the glorious, wonderful age that I can get away with that. Claire and David spend at least 364 days planning their parties. Instead I invited the fam over and made dinner. Cupcake decorating turned into baby decorating (I’m determined to call her my baby regardless of age). She enjoyed it until the candles were added; she kept screaming “fire! fire!”

Even though the piñata was homemade, it was Mexican in its own sense. Doesn’t it look like 3 bloody heads?

And the first day of school.
Elijah entered first grade. His best friend lives down the street and E already finagled a wad of money out of him.
Claire entered pre-K.  Claire has remarked several times that her best friend is named Birdy. I thought Birdy must be an imaginary creature, but no, the 2 girls giggle and play tag at school.
Iris entered rehab for the chronically un-clothed. She is actually particular about her clothes and calls them “pretties.” Her nakedness is more a product of her upbringing. Favorite activity: When she wants to go swimming, she yells “soup,” which accurately describes the temperature of our pool these days, but she means it in reference to her bathing suit. 

PS. Contrary to an earlier post, I’ve decided bike riding is no longer “wholesome.” Nothing is wholesome in 115 degree weather.

Garcia Reunion

The Garcia reunion was forever-and-a-day ago. I didn't break it up into 2 posts, but there is a plethora of collages. Activities: Boat races and merry-go-round at Lafreniere Park and swimming at the beach at Fountainebleau State Park.

With so many toddlers, "mine" was a common theme.

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa Ruth.

Trampoline time

Madison's photo shoot. She dodged the camera better than I dodged the mosquitos.

We went camping somewhere along the border of Louisiana and Mississippi.

Attempts at fishing:

This has got to be my favorite picture. Not all were thrilled to experience the great outdoors. Daily rain, stifling heat, insects feasting on our flesh, excite only a few. But all were good sports.

I showered with this little guy. The amphibian, that is.

The brave camping crew

Firecrackers on the FOURTH, before we were scolded.

Snowballs back in the city. Notice Madison's maternal instincts kicking in.

Ice-blocking on the levee

Trolley to the river.
The monkey climbing, per usual.

And several visits to the Abuelos.

Love you, miss you, I would invite you,

but you don't want to come to AZ in August.

udall reunion part 2

On the way back home, we stopped at Montezuma Castle: "a 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff; one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America."

Swimming at our place:

Then the dreaded cross-country trip which had a forecast of scratched-out eyes, fang wounds, and maybe even an annoyed-to-death fatality. But it really wasn’t too bad. My little sis had the whole thing choreographed perfectly with activities, presents, homework, snacks, movies. We made it to Houston in 2 days with 3 adults, 9 kids, and 2 cars. I had many fond memories as we drove. The last time I made that drive was with David right after our honeymoon when we drove through AZ on the way back to BYU. As a teenager I did the drive with my family most summers to visit grandparents and cousins in AZ. I mostly read, slept, and drove on those trips, but once I got so bored that I mooed for quite a while in hopes of losing my voice. Patient parents.

We stayed in Houston. A few days with one sister checking out downtown Woodlands:

And a few days with another sister and an extra-terrestrial:

Then on to NOLA for some Garcia time...

Udall reunion 2012

The Udalls congregated in Arizona.
We re-visited Slide Rock
Family #1:

Family #2:

Family #3:

Family #4:

Matriarch:

The patriarch maintaining sanity:

The brother maintaining insanity: Who jumps off something like that?

We stayed at a cabin outside of Flagstaff. Activities included: hot tubbing, snoozing, stick pulling, nail painting, crafting, chilling, fort making, climbing, marshmallow roasting.

The dudes celebrated Fathers' Day by doing a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim in one day.

The women frantically tried to keep their kids from falling into the hole in the earth.

Some of the older grandkids went down on a short hike. Iris, of course, ate the Grand Canyon.

A professional photographer visited the cabin. They should pay that woman--Look at the impecable placement!

More to come...

Poser

Iris = poser

First pose of the day:

Climbed from TP onto D's drawer in order to rearrange his toiletries.

I swear I just don't know how to keep this girl's feet on the ground. Pediatric leg weights? Super glue? Ball and chain.

Pose #2:

David walked into the entryway to find this:

Like her outfit? I made it myself.

Yesterday Iris appeared in front of me. I stared at her and scratched my chin as I thought, "there's something different about this baby, what is it?....clothing." Can't keep clothes on her. Enjoy it while you can child!

David bought me a bike for our anniversary. Bike-riding feels wholesome. The same feeling as when putting on an apron, smelling baking bread, tasting homemade applesauce. And now I’m loving summer, we have hit our stride: solitary run, pack a breakfast for the kids and bike to the canal or park, possibly some yard work, dip in the pool, lunch, quiet time, mommy homework...

A summer epiphany:  I used to sit the kids in front of a movie during quiet time if I needed to get something done, but the kids were always grumpy and restless afterward. In the past 1.5 weeks they have watched very few movies. Instead I send them upstairs to play during quiet time. Even on the longer-than-long road trip, they were happier without the tube. Result: The kids are best friends and rarely ask to play with other kids (even though they do—love the playdates!). Also, if they bicker, they are sent to a room to “learn how to play nicely with each other.” It works.
I have concluded that one of a mother’s greatest joys is seeing her children enjoy each other.
Love my kids!

first summer day

Yesterday was what I consider to be the first day of true summer, meaning no vacation, no camp, no traveling. Just me and the kids at home. I ran. We pulled weeds, biked to the canal where ducks were traumatized, then swimming, cleaning, reading, math and writing homework, movie, nap, lunch with daddy, sewing sock puppets, fort making, cleaning again, painting, browsing family pictures and reminiscing, interspersed with spontaneous dance parties….and I’m wondering whether I will survive another month of summer break. As a wise woman once told me, “they grow up so fast, but some days not fast enough.”

A highlight: Elijah did a full airborne flip into the pool. I put the fear of death into him and he did it no more.

A comment: There’s nothing like Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons that makes me want to put my fist through the wall. “Easy” should be replaced by “Sadistic.” Claire might be slightly easier than Elijah, but that’s not saying much. He got about a dozen sadistic lessons (the last one ended in tears from both parties) and then we went to Bob Books which was much better for him. We are on sadistic lesson #11 with the girl. No crying yet, but I feel it coming (from me mostly).

Love my kids! Despite the craziness, there are so many sweet moments. The hugs, snuggles, laughs, the imaginations gone wild. They might turn out alright after-all. With faith. Lots of it.

back in town

This is what Arizona does to you.

A hot, dry sucker punch.

He's gotten 2 bloody noses so far today.
And yes, yes, it's time to update the blog with the vacation pics, but it's about ten-millionth on my to-do list, out of 10 million and 1. Plucking the beard always earns last place on the list as I'm sure most of you have witnessed.