Class of '98 Reunion

Okay, not a fabulous picture but none the less we went to my 11 year high school reunion. Andy went somewhat begrudgingly, but he was there with me and that's whats important.

I sat at the sign in table for the night before dinner started. Jami Hoopes (new last name escapes me at the moment) was a close friend in high school and I haven't seen her for ages!!!! HI Jami! So good to see you! Let's stay in touch now, okay? She came up from L.A. just for the reunion--I'm so glad too, because otherwise when would we have seen each other??

Andy and Mauri, I'm not sure why Andy is so happy. Maybe because it's almost time to go.

All the choir folk that were at the reunion got together for a photo shoot after dinner. Good times had by all!

Squinty eyes

I haven't quite figured this one out yet. He does this when he's eating and wants more of something. He's making a "Mmmmmm" noise too. He'll squint his eyes and then open them, squint 'em, then open until you give him what he's asking for. We're working on narrowing down that communication so it not just a guessing game. But it's dang cute!

The Great Outdoors!

Everyone eats rocks when they're young.



The ground never got quite dry so Robert was either playing on the tarp or. . .

in the pack and play. He would squoosh his nose up like a pig and then laugh because it felt so funny. The net got all gross, but he was entertained. This isn't the best picture to explain it, but it's the best picture I have of him doing it.

I love this picture--it was such a nice time of day. We went for a little stroll.

Robert loved camping last weekend! He loved being outside, we loved having him there. Naps were a little confusing at first, but he got used to it.

Everything is just so funny these days!

And of course, we enjoyed the campfire. Between the six of us there, we kept it going despite the occasional rain.

It was overcast sometimes. . .

Robert has a long-sleeved onesie, warm footed pj's, and his cookie monster snowsuit on to stay warm through the night.

Out tent has the green bottom--that's where Robert slept in his pack and play all bundled up. Andy and I went over to the orange "condo" that Brent and Lindsay just purchased. Bob and Sheryl set up a little apartment.

All in all, it was a great trip!

My New Mantra

"Don't eat rocks!" and what does he hear? "Eat Rocks!" Instead, "Spit it out."

So here's my thing. Robert is starting to get into things--no surprise, he's 10 months old, completely expected. It dawned on me the first couple weeks---why do people say "No" as the baby is reaching for the stereo, the CD's, tearing books, etc.? No is a response to a question.

Mom, can I sleep over at Grandma's? No, not tonight. Mom, can we buy this new toy? No, we don't need it. Mom, can I have ice cream for dinner? Hmmmmm, that's a tough one--go ask your Dad.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for telling kids "No" and teaching them they can't have everything their little hearts desire. No means no, because I'm the Mom that's why.

So here's my new mantra--it's stemmed from my Child Development class in college. TELL CHILDREN WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO INSTEAD OF WHAT THEY CAN'T DO OR A WEIRDLY PLACED "NO", an answer to a question they didn't ask. For example: "Get down", "Let go", "Stop", "Come here", "Shut the door", "Stay away", I'm just pulling these out a hat here--not literally. I use the first 3 a lot, with a very occasional "No". I use "No" when he looks at me. . . . . before he pounds on the doll cabinet or stereo or whatever, followed by "get down"--because usually he's pulled himself up to something. Or just when a habitual "No" gets out.

In my mind telling him what I'd like him to do, instead of whatever he's doing, actually teaches him something. On the other hand, just saying "No", it's like I expect him to already know what he's supposed to do or not do without having taught him in the first place. As his parents it is our job to teach him the difference between right and wrong. The more he learns what's right, the more he will recognize right. and vice versa. Then as he gets older he will know what he's NOT supposed to do, because we've taught him, and if he does it anyway? Well, that's when he gets a swat.

So when it comes down to it, I think we--society in general--have established an improper use of the word "no". I'm trying to use "no" in its appropriate usage. AND . . . . we'll see how long it lasts :)

The Next Step

Today is officially my first day of Summer Vacation! I'm realizing a whole lot #1 My family is the best! I know all of you would probably say your family is the best, but that can be easily settled with an arm-wrestling competition (hehehe). I've made a decision, see, to miss out on....well, let me backup a little.

Many of you know, I teach Children's Musical Theater to 6-9 year olds, well, this last year has been AWFUL, down right awful for CMT and my family. CMT, actually went quite well. Christmas was a hard performance, but they pulled through. And this spring (because Christmas was so hard and EXASERBATING) I had a team teacher; I taught Monday, she taught Wednesday, but it was still hard because I'm a working Mom. I would pick Robert up after work and then have to go to CMT for class. I just wanted to be with my little guy--hence me not teaching next year!

(Robert loves his bathtime and rubber ducky!)

So their Spring performance is coming up. ALL the CMT classes have combined for one BIG show, "Seussical" It's really going to be great. Here's the hitch, we planned a camping trip the week of the performance. At first I was going to stay home for the performance and let Andy go with his family camping. He and I would go camping the next weekend with my brother and his family--well that fell through--they're going on some fantastic bike ride in Washington. So, (here's where my decision is) DANG-IT-ALL, I'm going camping with my family because they are #1 and the best family I could ask for and CMT will just have to do without me!

(This is a picture of where we're going camping)

This is a big step for me. It's seems kind of silly though....I'm mean really CMT or family, CMT or family? Hmmmm, of course I pick my family! I wouldn't be who I am without them. Andy makes me such a better person--I love you, Luv! I seriously would be a racing lunatic, basket-case, incredibly busy, unfulfilled person without him. And our little guy, Robert is the icing on the cake. To think that he was just with God and now is with us......I'll tell ya what, it makes me want to read the scriptures and pray a whole lot more so I'm ready to teach him what he already knows and he can teach us what we've forgotten!