Happy Campers/Workers

Everyone who knows me, knows that camping is not my favorite activity. This is no secret. However, when even the SUPER 8 hotel in Moab is over $100/night I have decided I can rough it! (The Super 8 was going to be "roughing" it for me!) An old dive hotel or a campsite are equally uncomfortable for me (much to Bill's surprise!). Now for the really strange part-- I actually had a wonderful time. We picked a tent only camp site along a stream with grass and flowers and a clean bathroom. The whole experience was not nearly as filthy as camping tends to be. Plus, we ate all our meals in restaurants so there was no outdoor cooking and cleaning (which for me is the worst.) It was pretty much just sleeping al fresco.

We took the kids out of school (something we never do) and made a long weekend of it. Anne was going to be in Moab on business (in Moab, who knew?) and that was just too close to pass up seeing her. She was working during the day, so we were able to get a great hike in Canyonlands National Park. We hiked up to the Landscape and Double O arches. I had so much fun taking photos along the way and enjoying so much time with all my boys. With Bill's semester in full swing again and William and Romney still in school, we get busy and haven't had enough time to just enjoy each other. It was great to be outside enjoying the sun and the amazing views.

But that was not the end of camping this weekend. (Just the end of camping for me!) William's class at school had it's camp-out on Saturday night. After a full day of soccer (3 games for 2 boys!) Bill took both the boys and headed north up Logan Canyon to hang out with some of our favorite OC families. All of William's best friends made the trip and both he and Romney had lots of fun playing outside with friends and having a giant camping sleepover. Between the games and the camping trip, Bill was able to go to lunch with all of his siblings. That was a rare treat to have both Anne and David in town at the same time. He got some good Barber time before he took off again.

I was the one who had the best time, though with Anne. We went out to a nice dinner at my favorite downtown restaurant and enjoyed having some adult chic time. We came back home and watched a great movie. It was nice to be an adult for a minute.

All in all a wonderful weekend.

When Flying Pigs Attack

Hard to believe there are only 3 more weeks of school for my children. This is the time of year when I start contemplating what I will do to both educate and entertain my boys in the summer months. I am such a geek that I even go to the district web-site, download the curriculum for the upcoming grade. Then I sit down with my "summer folder" and brainstorm games I can make, activities we can do and places we can go that will support the next year's learning. (See I told you-- GEEK!)

The challenge is always making it seem like so much fun they don't even realize that they are learning something. Sometimes I succeed at this, sometimes fail miserably. But I think, by George, I out did myself this time. William is so excited to create his very own blog! Little does he know it will teach journaling skills, writing skills, spelling skills, computer skills and typing skills all in one fail swoop! He started it tonight. Picked a title: When Flying Pigs Attack (Now you know it is all him!). Wrote a few sentences in the "About Me" section and picked a background. I set it up to invited readers only (a few of his buddies and his cousin) to keep all the "bad guys" away. And I have had more hugs and thanks and kisses tonight than as long as I can remember. He is so excited to take pictures with his camera and write stories and about his adventures.

Romney has decided he needs a BLOG too. Is he too young to type?

Year End Bonus

When employers want to show their employees appreciation for a hard year of work, they dole out bonuses. This is done in an effort to help the employee feel valued and to help prevent the employee from seeking employment elsewhere. Today I received a wonderful bonus from my employers. Unbeknownst to me, Bill had taken on a side job to make sure I got a substantial year end (if your calendar runs from Mother's Day to Mother's day) bonus. Bill handed me an wonderful letter holding a wad of cash and said "No givebacks" (oh, he knows me well!) I was stunned and touched and moved to tears.

But those little ones with limited cash funds also made my day wonderful. William made me a fun piece of art and Romney made me a pot to plant some flower seeds in. The biggest gift was that they both willing went up to the front of sacrament with the rest of the primary and actually sang to me. This is no small thing when you have one very shy, reserved child, and one child who likes to be in front of a crowd and act silly! I also have had every meal made for me, a new set of dishes that match my current set, so that if I break one, I will still have enough for a big set. Not to mention the beautiful roses, Bill picked out for me.



Truth be told, I have had a week of wonderful gifts. Last weekend our family went to the Garden store and picked out a bunch of plants and flowers to plant in a space that has been bare since we bought the home, but has been put on the back burner while we worked on more pressing yard issues. (You know, like removing old headstones and such!) Bill and the boys worked hard putting in a stone pathway that leads from where we get out of the car in the driveway, to our grass. They added moss and planted all of the plants I picked out, and now I am happy to see them all greet me when I enter our driveway.

All in all, it has been my favorite Mother's day of all time. Here's wishing all of you other hard working Mommas a similarly fantastic day!

P.S. The irony of this post next to the post about going on strike has not escaped my attention. Guess the strike worked!