Everything I need to know...

...I learned in Me-Toos:

1. Fire Ants are NOT our friends!
2. Pepperidge Farm's Colorful Goldfish are the greatest snack ever invented!
3. It's much more fun when you're NOT 8 months pregnant.
4. Magnets and paperclips don't always get along...
5. But fake worms and craft feathers do! (who would've thought)
6. "Fishing Poles" make great swords too (I should have seen that one coming).
7. Squirt bottles are excellent Water Propulsion Devices.
8. Tails and fins on fish are highly overrated. They really aren't necessary.
9. Leaves should be square.
10. No matter what colors you mix you eventually get "icky".
11. Shoes are not required...no matter what your teacher says.
12. Duct tape really does keep the world together...one floor tile at a time.
13. Fishing pole, fishing line, bait= $0. Your very own finnless, tailess, most colorful fish=priceless.
14. Markers and glue sticks must NOT have a cap!
15. Crayons without wrappers are much better to color with.
16. Duck calls are the most fascinating noisemakers!
17. It's great to see a child cry...but only when they have to leave at the end of Camp.
18. A preschool-age child is ALWAYS hungry.
19. Snowcones fix everything.
20. If you don't have blue lips and a blue tongue...you're a minority.

We had fun and I felt like I really got to know each little Me-Too that participated. Although, I still got all the handsome, blonde-haired boys mixed up!

Until next year!!!

2 Down...1 To Go

We're down to the wire now...

The craziest day--day 3.

The funnest part is packing it all up and bringing it home when we're all done. And then "leave no trace!"

1 Down...2 To Go

The week of Cub Scout Twilight Camp!

Aidan's first year as a true Cub Scout with the Wolf Den. Hunter's first year as part of a Sibling Group (those kiddos age 6 or older who are not Cub Scouts). And, once again I'm heading up the Me-Toos program this year. I'm tending to 24 preschool age kids! That's a lot of little people (I'm actually bigger than they are). No, I'm not crazy...just INSANE!

It's a blast! We love it!!

We'll be completely exhausted by Friday night! It'll be weeks before we get everything back together again.

Only 2 days left...

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Dear (Great) Grandma Gold:

I know we are far away and can't physically come and wish you a Happy Birthday. But please know that if we were there we'd certainly serenade you like this:

And give you lots of:And finally show you how much we love you by giving you these:from our own backyard!

We love you and miss you Grandma! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

My Cup Runneth Over

Two years ago when I attempted a garden for the first time I got nothing...not even a single tomato and certainly not any cucumbers. I was prepared for another unsuccessful year. But, the opposite happened this year--we're buried in them! I don't have any green beans or bell peppers pictured here as I've already prepared them for the freezer. I've even made some stewed tomatoes.

So, I'm inviting all of you close by to come and pick up a few tomatoes (mostly cherry and grape) and cucumbers!

Quack quack. Honk honk.

Apparently, I've got my own flock of geese right here!
Or are they ducks?

Our Little Helper

So she's not vacuuming the floor or mowing the lawn (unless pulling and eating qualify as mowing) but she sure helps out in other areas:

Doing the dishes
Folding the laundry
Helping us exercise
Tending to the garden

Bitter Sweet

This is how I chose to kick-off my summer! I've been busy preparing for our end-of the-year piano recital. I only had a few students for the year (I cut back after Robyn was born) so I guess this was an opportunity for me to really show how much I appreciate them.

So, among other things, I've been working on these fun creations:Yes. It was very tedious work. About two bags in I thought I'd never get them done. I started second guessing the vision that was dancing in my head concerning these bags. But, I sewed on. After finally finishing the last one just minutes ago I can indeed say that I'm surely giving myself a big pat on the back for this accomplishment. (and yes--on the handles are hairbows that I made for each of the girls). I am so pleased with how they turned out that I'm a bit anxious about giving them away tomorrow.

I hope that my students can appreciate them. Course, now I have to top this next year...oh great :-}

Adding One To Another

This is just a peek from Hunter's kindergarten program. I was so impressed with him I had to share this little portion!


Does anybody notice what "numbers" Hunter is displaying?! Leave it to my kid to be different. And there was no coaxing from us. His daddy taught him weeks ago and I'm sure he had no idea that he uses it everyday at school.

Just so you know, Hunter is now asking to learn more numbers. Hey, that one semester of Sign Language at BYU has finally paid off.

Boxes and Tutus

Mom and Dad Fort, you should be proud! It's the infamous BOX! All of my kids have had fun playing in their very own boxes when they were little. There's nothing better than a perfect, played-with box for entertainment!

Aidan with his box in 2002Seems I was crafty back then (2004)...Hunter's box became an airplane. I don't think it ever flew...I'm not THAT good with a box.And, we'll never forget our "house" made from boxes. That was loads of fun (2004).Finally, here are the boys simply introducing "the box" to Robyn.

Please try to ignore my messy house :}


Robyn looks absolutely darling in her homemade tutu! Thanks Amber B. for whipping one up for her! She loves it...mostly as a piece of fabric to suck her thumb with. But she cooperates rather well when we insist that she wear it. Course, I have not yet gotten a picture of Hunter wearing it on his head while "fighting the bad guys." That's entertainment right there!