Monday, August 20, 2012

August 12

On Saturday we decided to recreate with some friends. We went on a 6 mile hike at Mt. Lemmon, which is about an hour from our home. We were happy to get out of the heat. (The temperature differential was 30 degrees!) Underfoot and Hurricane did a great job. We were really surprised at how well they handled the hike. At one point Hurricane fell asleep on Mama's back. We laid him down on the dirt and he slept blissfully.

Mama and I both sore today!

Hurricane and Underfoot started music lessons this week.

Hurricane is testing boundaries. Hurricane started Joy School last week. This week Mama hosted Joy School for Hurricane at our home. Before Joy School started while Mama was in the shower, Hurricane took frosting from the fridge and worked it into the carpet. The boy is exceedingly talented at pushing his Mother's buttons!

When Underfoot started school, Hurricane figured out that after dropping Underfoot off at school Mama would take a shower. The five minutes of unsupervised time was ample for him to get out the bucket of ice cream and have a treat. His routine has progressed. Now, instead of getting out the bucket and eating directly from it, he gets out a bowl and the ice cream scoop. On more than one occasion, Mama has found the melted bucket of ice cream on floor, either in front of the freezer or in the living room.

I had a long board meeting. The problems that the HOA deals with don't ever seem to change... people are petty, don't get along with each other, and often forget that when they purchased their home, they agreed to live by certain rules.

Mama had a meeting with some friends about participating in a triathlon. She is excited about having a goal. She will compete in her first triathlon in November.

We also celebrated our wedding anniversary or our "family birthday" this last week. Instead of Lance and I going out on a super romantic date for our anniversary, we had a family birthday party. We made egg roll, stir fry, and carrot cake. We sang happy birthday to us and enjoyed an evening together. 

Be well.

August 19

This week... with pictures for our family birthday and cherry pie. Project pictures to come as soon as it is more done.

Hurricane has upgraded his subversion tactics. He now makes sure to put the ice cream back into the freezer, so that no one knows he's had some. (He hasn't quite learned that ice cream on his upper lip is a dead give away.) Hurricane has made it a habit that he won't eat a lot of breakfast so that when he returns from walking Underfoot to school he can help himself to ice cream while  Mama showers. The other day  Mama and Hurricane were running late and needed to hurry out the door for Joy School. Hurricane started to cry and said, "I haven't had my ice cream yet."

On Saturday I made changes to the irrigation system in preparation for grass in the back yard. With the help of a strong teenager, we got the next portion of the back yard ready for rocks. The plan is to move the rocks this coming weekend.

Underfoot loves Legos. He must get that from his father. He loves to build space ships for Luke Skywalker. Underfoot had a great week at school participating in the school's specials which are the extras that all-day children participate in. They are Spanish, music, P. E., and one more.

Hurricane continues to demonstrate strong will and expansive curiosity. Often I must ask him lots of questions to find out why he doesn't want to do something. Once we've established what it is that he doesn't want to do, there is usually some compromise that will work.

Mama continues in her triathlon training. This week she pulled her calf muscle after a run and has been dealing with this small setback. She over estimated her bike ride on Monday and went 7 miles instead of the 5 she planned on. Her determination is enthusiastic.

Be well.