Summerfest 2013

Kids: "Dad, Dad we HAVE to go on the the Gravitron", 

Me:"No, it makes me feel terrible"

Kids: "Can we?"

Me: "If you want and you are Tall enough"

They loved it!

He did not.

Following the Gravitron ride the other kids had a great time while C stayed put. 

Even Mom got in on the fun. I do not like these rides...motion sickness. 

After the Gravitron, this was about all C could handle and with a recently broken arm this is all B could do (carnivals restrictions, not hers, she was ready to go).

She was doing a great job steering that bike. C, was bored. 

The day was full of face painting, balloon making, snack eating, line waiting, ride riding and finally firework watching. (Luckily no Parade - They get too bored)

I still think this is the best summer carnival around for kids. 

Nice Job Orem. 

South Fork Snowshoe

We own 10 pairs of snowshoes, four adult pairs and 6 children's. My children love getting out in the wild and had been begging to go snowshoeing all week. With nostril freezing temperatures for weeks, it had been too cold. last Saturday seemed perfect so with the three youngest in tow I headed up south fork in Provo canyon, a great place for snowshoeing with kids. 

Properly suited, snowshoes on, and ready to go. I like the kids MSR for children over 7 and the tubbs bear paws for kids under 7. The can walk in them with little tripping.

We headed up the trail for about 5 minutes, but much like their father, they became bored as it was "too easy". So we headed up a drainage. 

After ascending the drainage, imaging survival situations (they love Bear Grylls, survivorman, etc.) My ten year old pointed to a small chute and asked if they could climb it, always the adventurer lovers, we started our way up.

It was S's birthday (in Red) and he proclaimed this the best celebration ever.

Our six year old thought we were going too slow, so she passed us and paved the trail. She is the most energetic, fearless and fun loving girl I know. 

After climbing to near the top, where the rocks began, we slid down. They wanted to slide down first, then me, so the snow would cover them like an avalanche.

After about an hour we headed back to the car, drank capri suns, then headed home, exhausted, they all fell asleep. Upon arriving home they re-counted to their mom all their adventures. I was all smiles as they helped me put the snowshoes away, you would have thought they just climbed everest.

Some tips for snowshoeing with little children.

1. Buy snowshoes that work for them.

2.  Go where they want to go. We wandered through the trees near the parking lot for quite some time. It has to be fun for them.

3. Bring snacks and drinks. We snowshoed for about an hour.  We had caprisuns after 20 minutes, then little treats then another caprisun at the car.

4. Keep it short. When they are done, head back.

5. Remember it's their trip, not yours. 

Orem Summerfest 2011

In the past Orem Summerfest Always looked like a disaster...tons of people, a long parade, more people, carnival and finally more people. This year we decided to go...and...I can;t believe we haven't gone before the Kids loved it.

They had many free activities including; Crafts (they could make one each day), Balloon animals (amazing ones), face painting, games, car show, etc. The kids loved it all.

Black Bear

Cougar (BYU)

Dog with two different colored eyes.

Even mom got into the fun.

Maceys had a free Breakfast- flag raising - prize drawing - live band - fun time in the morning.

Monkey climbing a tree

Snake

Purple Dog

Besides all the free kids fun, there were all sorts of rides for the younger and older children, which were very reasonably priced. We stayed with the younger kids as they rode and the older ones went off on their own.

My favorite part of the night;

Text from Esther: "I hate the zipper"

Me: Why?

Esther: I just threw up.

Me: Ha ha ha

Esther: Come get me.

Me: Where are you?

Esther: By the Garbage can.

After the day we went to the Parade...I hate parades...this was no exception. After about 20 minutes Our youngest Boy turned around and said, "Dad, this parade is a waste of our time."

We left immediately.

After arriving home the fireworks started, we had a perfect view from our front yard!!!

It was a great day and a very successful summerfest. It is now one of our kids favorite summer activities.



Locked in the bathroom...

The need has risen for some posts labeled, "fun with kids". These posts may or not represent the true meaning, if there is one, of "fun", but with a large family that word has an equally large meaning...

Let me illustrate....

Last night I was downstairs learning PhotoShop and some html editing, while all of the children, mostly of whom are sick, (three bronchitis, one pneumonia, one severe rash (no idea), two bad coughs) were upstairs watching one of the Harry Potters for what must have been the 100th time. Dawn was gone, so it was just us.

All is quiet...then about 8:30 we gather for scriptures and prayer...it goes like this.

Me- Where is youngest daughter *not real name*?

2 youngest girl  - Locked in the bathroom. (it locks from the inside)

Me- why?

2nd youngest girl -She took off her diaper and spread poo all over his bed (pointing to youngest *5* brother). She doesn't want to get punished so she locked herself in the bathroom.(she's four)

Me- What? Let's go clean it up.

Youngest son- *remember 5* I already did, its in the washer. (And it was, someone must have helped him) *I love, love, love independent children but those are different stories*

Me- I'm going to go clean her up. ( youngest girl was out by now)

2nd youngest daughter *7*- Can I ?

Me- No I want to do it! *Are you kidding, sure you can*

And she did...a very good job...bath and all.

This all happened in 1/2 hour.

Did I mention we have a huge 55 gallon plastic container full of cockroaches? Ah Yes, we are breeding them to feed the two bearded dragons.

See what I mean...FUN, and it really is, I wouldn't change any of it for the world.

Just a few months ago when we moved, I ran to the store to grab a few things and arrived home to see a cop on our doorstep.

He had our youngest *4*.

She accidentally let the dog out, and decided to Chase him, without telling any one. He found her a mile away, chasing our stupid cheagle. *fat half Chihuahua and half eagle*. But even more remarkable, she led the office back to our house. He was amazed.

Mmmm....

Bad parenting...maybe...no probably. But  I don't know any perfect parents. I think we all have bad parenting moments, if you haven't...you're a liar (but I mean that in a good way)

Or is it something more?

Nurture?

I want my children to be independent, atleast as much as they can. I teach them to think and act on their own. When a problem arises, I let them figure it out, or help them find a solution. If they want to buy something they talk to the people and make the calls.

Or Nature?

But, honestly, they are a lot like me when I was young; Playing with cars in the middle of a four way intersection, because I wanted to. Exploring on my bike in California. Jumping off a bike jump into a kid because he wouldn't move, sluffing school *89 times in one semester*, etc.  The list goes on *and on and on and on if you ask the right people*.

Families are fun, kids are fun... all the good and bad that comes with it. I think our family and mice is what we make of it, why not make it fun. We decide really.

The end.