Dumpster Diving

So I need to write a post of our trip to Northern Idaho and the swimming party we had today, but first I had to write this post, if only so I can remember this moment when my children are grown.

About three weeks ago I bought a sheet of stickers for each child at the Dollar Tree--Emma had sparkly sea creatures and Ira had sparkly robot alien things (totally up Ira's alley). Then I printed a coloring picture for each off the computer--Emma's had sea creatures, Ira's had an alien landscape. They had a great time coloring and then decorating the pages with their stickers.

Well, today Mark and I were cleaning and I decided that they had enjoyed these pictures for long enough and threw away Emma's picture (Ira's had already been disposed of earlier). A little while later I was in the laundry room and overheard the following conversation in the kitchen:

Emma: Daddy, why is my picture in the trash can?!
Daddy: Gosh, it must have accidentally blown into the trash can, huh?
Emma: You don't belong in there, silly picture!
Daddy: That's right, what a silly picture! Here you go.

I could not stop laughing. It was probably even more hilarious considering Ira, only a few days earlier, discovered I had thrown away his broken nerf gun (sand had clogged it). He took it out and said, "Mom, you didn't know I still wanted this." "But it's broken," I try to explain. "I can still pretend that it shoots!"

Yes, my children are dumpster divers.

Sprinkler Fun

Today was a beautiful "summer" day. I had become tired of the relentless wind that has been battering us for what seems like forever (to the extent that I started to daydream of where we could move to where I wouldn't have to deal with this awful wind!). Thankfully the wind died down just enough for me to put the thought behind me (besides, it costs too much to live anywhere else).

Mark was gone in the morning for work, but made it home just after lunch. We all went outside to enjoy the *light* breeze and heat. At which time Mark decided to give the lawn some much needed love. Unfortunately our little patch of grass needs some major work. So Mark mowed, seeded and then turned on the sprinklers to give it a nice little soak.

As soon as the sprinklers came on Ira said, "Let's get our swimsuits on and play in the sprinklers!" Well, the sprinklers are only on for 5-10 minutes, so I suggested that he and Emma strip down as fast as possible to enjoy the brief time they had. Yes, I encouraged my children to run naked through the sprinklers--and they had a glorious time. Only one neighbor drove past the house (Sorry! We're a corner lot with chain link fencing). No pictures, although I was tempted to run and get the camera--at least so I'd have blackmail pictures when they got older.

I hope tomorrow is as nice and toasty as today because we plan to enjoy a picnic lunch at Mojave Narrows and play in the water playground--with swimsuits on of course!

Fast & Furious

A few nights ago the family went outside to enjoy some family time together just after dinner. Ira decided to ride the bike Mark's parent gave him for his birthday. He is doing quite well (it has training wheels). Every once in a while I would get a little nervous as he would take a corner rather fast. Because we have a retaining wall, I fear he will ride off the concrete path and past the wall, or be thrown past the wall when falling. Mark didn't seem to be nervous at all--every so often he would give Ira a little push to send him off faster than before.

Emma had tried to pedal the tricycle for a while, but she had not gotten the hang of it until that night. In her previous attempts she neglected to steer; instead she would turn the handle bars side to side as she pedaled. The result was her running into the outside pillars, grass or rocks. But that night everything seemed to come together and she was OFF!

The only time Emma stopped pedaling was when a grasshopper jumped out in front of her tricycle. She said, "Quick Mommy! Catch the grasshopper for me!" As I have said before, I am NOT the person to ask to come catch bugs. I freak out at the sight of most bugs. However, for my dear sweet daughter, I cupped my hands around the grasshopper so it would not escape. I couldn't stop from flinching when it bounced against my hands, but I held strong! And my daughter was happy to take the grasshopper away as soon as she could get off the tricycle. *WHEW!* Sometimes being a mommy requires more than I ever dreamed!

As you can see, we haven't removed the tag on his bike yet!

Emma so proud to be riding her tricycle! (And yes, that is a skirt! :p)

Mommy and Baby just after coming inside from the fun.