California/SeaWorld

The last weekend of the summer before the kids went back to school we took a much needed vacation to California. Heading to California meant we HAD to make plans with Jenessa. She moved to Califonia (LA area) earlier this year and I needed some Nessa time. We got to play with them at the beach Saturday and spend most of the day together Sunday. We hung out at the beach most of our trip and then spent a day at SeaWorld. I LOVE hanging out at the beach but not so much the process of actually getting there. Parking is always a fiasco and I'm sure we must look like a traveling circus with all our equipment and supplies. We must be pretty amusing to watch loading our kids up with toys, towels, food, umbrella and boogie boards. Once we picked a spot we just camped out and stayed for hours, only moving to avoid the incoming tide. 

April was not a huge fan of the Ocean, but she loved the beach. The crashing of the waves scared her and she was very aware of the incoming tide getting closer and closer to our towels and she made sure to let us know when we needed to move back. She kept herself occupied shoveling sand, playing with toys, and searching for sea shells... oh, and I can't forget making friends at the beach. At one point I was trying to take pictures of the boys and Callie on Boogie boards so I would take a pic and then glance back at April in her spot by our stuff. She always stayed in the same area so I didn't worry much about her wandering. One moment she was in her usual spot and the next I couldn't find her. I panicked for a second and scanned the crowded beach looking for her. I was relieved when I found her plopped down on a towel next to a 20 year old girl and what appeared to be a coloring book and crayons. The girl apolozied and explained that she had invited April over to color. As surprised as I was that April had accepted the invitation I couldn't help but smile. I think it's cute when people see how sweet April is and want her around.

Callie wasn't a huge fan of the water either. She did get in a few times and even wanted to try to ride the boogie board.  She caught a couple waves and actually liked it and admitted to having fun but I think the salt water taste wasn't worth the fun to her. She enjoyed playing in the sand with April, sea shell hunting and just hanging out.

Noah was the biggest surprise of all. That kid was fearless and LOVED the Boogie Boards. He scared me a few times because he would just disappear and take off with the board. I'm so happy that he really enjoyed the ocean this year. This was a complete difference from past years of apprehension around the ocean where we could barely talk him into getting in. 

We even found a Sea Slug. Sooooooo gross. I have never heard of one before it felt rubbery and squishy so creepy.

Mason was the same ole crazy Mason.  He and Noah spent most of the time together boogie boarding. The lifeguards had to tell him multiple times to not go out so far from shore. That kid has no fear and just lives to experience everything. I LOVE how he takes life on with out a care in the world. 

I really enjoyed watching Ron out in the water with the kids. Not only does he look really good with out his shirt on he's so good with the kids and kind of a kid himself. 

On Sunday we visited La Jolla Beach to check out all the Sea Lions. Mason and Noah even touched one of them (shhhhh you aren't suppsed to). 

   Then we went to the San Diego Temple and later visited the Mormon Battalion Historic Site. The Mormon Battalion was a really fun and engaging tour highlighting the history of the Mormon Battllion as told through the eyes of a few individual's life stories. All our kids were entertained and I was surprised by how much I really enjoyed it as well.

Sea World was... I'm not sure how to explain it. I would say Sea World was an experience. A hot, humid, grumpy, tiring, exhilerating, enlightening, rushed, crowded experience all bundled into one day. We arrived at Sea World right when it opened at 10am and didn't leave until it closed at 10pm. In hind sight there are a few things I would have done differently. For example. I wouldn't go in the month of August ever again. LOL Sea World has always been this magical place to me. A place that is entertaining and fun for all ages. Because there is a wide variety of things to do I don't feel like it's ever too crowded. Well... I've never been to Sea World in August before. It was a little more crowded and a million times warmer! Blah. Some of the highlights from Seaworld:

Callie riding Atlantis for the first time and LOVING every second of it. She wanted to ride it over and over. 

April LOVED the Shark Tank aka Fish tank

I had April at the Polar Bear exhibit while everyone else was riding a roller coaster. We got to see a walrus up close, feel the ice wall, and look at some beautiful Balooga Whales. As we were leaving the exhibit April turns to me and says "Mom. I want to go see the Unicorns now" She can be so cute sometimes... I just love this little peanut.  

    

 Sea World has a new ride called the Electric Eel. This ride can only be described as a bunch of loops with forward and backwards motion going 0 to 60mph in an instant. Noah refused to ride it which is fine, I wasn't going to make him. I have learned with Noah that he just has to think about things for a while, and in this case, he needed more than a day to decide to ride it. Unfotunately we only had one day at SeaWorld so he didn't get to experience it. On the ride home our family was discussing our favorite parts of the trip. Mason's was the Beach, Callie answered "Atlantis" and I laughed when Noah said something along the lines of "riding the new Electric Eel ride." When I pointed out that he didn't actually ride it he responded "I know. But I want to ride it the next time we come. I'm sure that would have been my favorite" Oh Noah. 

Back to School

Mason 6th Grade

Noah 4th Grade

Callie 2nd Grade

It was a little crazy heading back to school. We didn't get home from California til around 10pm but I am always so grateful for the fact that my kids are natural early risers. They were up and ready in no time. We even had time to get some pictures in and Father's Blessings before heading out the door. I took the kids to school even tho they wanted to ride the bus. We were in California during "Meet the Teacher" so I wanted to make sure they all knew where their class was and I got to briefly talk to all teachers. The kids walked around school like they owned it didn't even skip a beat. April and I left the school to attack the post-vacation hurricane waiting for us at home. I decided last minute to make some cookies and take them up to the kids at their lunch time. This was a little tricky since I couldn't "test-taste" the batter. I started going gluten free this summer but April was happy to take on this job and I figured since she downed 2 cookies in about 30 seconds that was a good sign they were yummy. LOL Noah's lunch was first and he greeted me with a "what are you doing here?" Not rude just kind of surprised. Callie gave me a hug and we left Mason cookies at the office. His lunch was way later and April was REALLY tired and done hanging out. Kids came home in good spirits and I'm excited to get to know their teachers. (Callie has the same teacher Noah had in 2nd grade. Mrs. Rathkey. She's super sweet)

  

Back to School

I can't believe school is back in full swing! I'm just happy I had enough time on the first day to take pictures! Unlike last year... Mason is starting 6th Grade, Noah in 4th and Callie in 2nd. I can't believe that Mason will be in Jr. High next year. All my kids at one school I am trying to relish every moment. I'm nervous for teenage years and what that brings but I am do look forward to watching them grow and learn.

   

 April and I couldn't miss the first day of school lunch time.

Just look at how they have grown?!?! Where did my little rugrats go??!!

Waterpolo for Mason and Noah

The boys tried waterpolo out this summer and LOVED it. Their team won 3rd place in the City of Mesa tournament yesterday. I’m so proud. Noah scored his first goal of the season and Mason scored about 7 goals with an additional 4 assists just in the two games yesterday. Of course I didn’t really get any of it on video. 🤦🏼‍♀️ I was enjoying it too much. I don’t fully understand this sport but I’m amazed every time I watch. All I can think is “How do they do that?! No way could I tread water that long!” They worked really hard and it was so fun to watch them improve and see their little light bulbs go on! One of my absolute favorite moments of the season was watching Noah’s aggressive switch flip when he lost his temper and fought an annoying kid on the opposing team. 😂😍 #badmom #goNoah👊🏻

Mason's Appendicitis

Last Monday afternoon at about 4pm Mason started complaining of a stomach ache. He had been laying down reading/resting for about an hour prior to this.
At 4:30 he was holding his right side doubling over and softly wincing/crying a little about the sharp pain.
I almost immediately headed for the hospital. When Mason complains of pain you know it’s bad. This kid has an incredibly high pain tolerance and never complains about anything unless it’s an unfair lack of tv/video game time.
Our next door neighbor Kenzie came over to watch the kids. My brother Nathan happened to call me as I was leaving the house. He was in town and offered to help with the kids as well.
By 5pm Mason and I checked in at Cardons children hospital.  We didn’t get called back for about an hour. We were not at all prepared for the wait. Mason didn’t have his book or tablet and my phone battery was quickly dying. At the front desk they asked Mason a series of questions. One of the questions was “on a scale of 1-10 what is your pain?”. He answered about a 6. So as we sat waiting for them to call us back Mason could see all kinds of other people getting called back. He commented that certain people were going back that checked in after us. I explained to him that they probably were more sick and needed more immediate attention. Almost immediately Mason responded “I should have told them my pain was a 10. Then they would have taken us back sooner” lol. This kid sure cracks me up.
Around 6 or 6:30pm they brought us back and did some blood work, urine sample, x-rays and an ultrasound. The urine sample was pretty funny. The nurse quickly explained the process of peeing in a cup and Mason’s immediate response was “Wait. What?”
Around 10pm it was confirmed that he did have appendicitis. He’s such a funny kid. He hasn’t complained at all since we got to the hospital. But he did get a little teary eyed when I told him he couldn’t play water polo this week because of surgery.
At 11pm they transferred us to our hospital room for the night. I was helping him get ready for the night. And I moved his IV tower a little so the light wouldn’t be right in his face and he yelped “Ow!” I jumped and thought I had pulled on his IV cord too much. Then he smiled and said “just kidding!” I love his sense of humor and good attitude even when things are not going his way.
Surgery was scheduled for 9am the following morning.
There are a few things about the hospital I don’t like. I DON’T like that I can’t go back with my child while they put them to sleep. I totally understand them not wanting me there during surgery but I want to be there when my kid goes under. Mason on the other hand could care less. He is so trusting and confident. I remember when he had his first eye surgery, my little 7 yr old getting wheeled away and I started crying. He turned and waved a happy excited wave. Oh Mason.
I REALLY don’t like that after surgery they don’t let you come be with your kid until they wake up. After surgery the doctor came and told us all about how it went gave us this cool picture of his appendix and then said “Ok. They will come get you when he wakes up” ... 45 agonizing mins later!!!! Why can’t I go wait by my kid until he comes to? I should have asked but I don’t like to be annoying or high maintenance.
We hung out at the hospital all day just playing card games, watching tv, and going for walks in the hospital hallway. Mason is such a jokester and a funny kid. As crappy as the situation was I really enjoyed some one on one time with him.

Post-Op instructions: 

1. No immersion in water for a week (showers are ok) oops... we didn't quite make it a week.

2. No contact sports for an additional week (no water polo)... does wrestling with your brother count? or Dodgeball with friends? oops.

This kid is pretty incredible. He only asked for Ibuprofen 1 time after surgery. His pain tolerance amazes me. The first night home from the hospital they told me to set my alarm and wake him up every 3 hours to give him alternating pain meds Tylenol/Ibuprofen. I set my alarm for 2am and collapsed in bed soooo happy to be in my own bed and not on a makeshift cushion mattress in the hospital. I was so tired I had forgotten to turn the alarm ON! I woke at 5am and JUMPED out of bed alarmed and worried! I rushed out to Mason on the couch only to find him peacefully sleeping. I woke him up and gave him some Ibuprofen. 

After his first shower on Wednesday he jokingly told me "Mom! This is my first shower with out an appendix take a picture!" lol So of course I grabbed my phone to document. Mason took it easy for about a day and then was pretty bored. People have constantly asked me how he's doing and I have to remind myself that he just had surgery. He has begged to play water polo and get back into the swing of things. Poor kid. I don't know what to do with him. We went to Sunsplash yesterday and he said he was good. I'm really hoping that the surgeon doesn't get mad at me this next week at our post op appointment.

Callie’s magical hug

I was recently called into the Relief society presidency. While I have mixed feelings about it all I’m trying to embrace the change. I miss Primary like crazy. That by far was one of my favorite callings in the Church EVER. Working with kids (including my own) It was such a privilege to sit with, sing with and occasionally dance with little angels from heaven. 

This last Sunday I was in charge of the “RS discussion lesson” All the women in the room sit in a circle and discuss a specific topic as we share insight and personal experience. As the “lead” my job is to make sure the discussion stays on topic and I add my own insight and ask questions where needed. I was really stressed. I haven’t taught adults for years. I don’t do very well with spontaneous and not knowing what’s ahead of me. Teaching an actual lesson is so much easier because you have all the material to go over. A discussion I have no clue what people are going to say and I worried a lot that it would go off topic or the spirit wouldn’t be felt. I felt like I had prepared a great deal for this but Saturday night I started panicking and found myself crying over the stress of it all. Earlier in the week I had sent an email out to all the women in the ward with my chosen topic of discussion and a few questions for them to ponder. I also enlisted women that might not be attending the discussion to email a response if they wanted with their insight or a personal experience if they wished to share. I was blown away at some of the responses. Mostly from my friends in primary. That was a tender mercy and helped me greatly. Right before my lesson as I was standing out in the hallway I could feel the doubt and the stress creeping up again. Tears started to well up in my eyes as I fought back panic. Then out of no where I felt Little arms wrap around me. I turned and found my sweet Callie had wandered down the hallway to give me a hug. I bent over and whispered a thank you to her and her magical hug. That was just what I needed. She skipped off to primary and I turned to face Relief Society. I think the discussion went well I know I felt the spirit and I’m grateful for all of my tender mercies along the way. 

Noah at the Diamondbacks game

Noah cracks me up and surprises me on a regular basis. He’s definitely our chill kid. Stays out of drama and is very obedient. He is very task oriented and will remind me plenty that I have promised certain rewards for certain achievements. He has a texting app on his tablet and sent me a couple texts while I was out jogging one afternoon. 

The other night we went to a diamondbacks game as a family. The kids were all excited to order food at the different kiosks. Noah’s dinner choice was a soft pretzel and cheddar cheese. He only ate about half of the pretzel and so he wrapped the remaining half up to save for later. At one point he leaned over to me  during the game and asked if he could give the rest of his food to a homeless man we saw sitting outside the stadium when we first walked in. My heart instantly melted and I was touched at his thoughtfulness. I hope he is always giving and thoughtful of those less fortunate.