Snap, Crackle, Pop...

We celebrated the 4th with immediate family and invited others to join in later for fireworks.  Loo had her wisdom teeth out on the July 2nd, and we decided to keep things pretty low key. We had burgers and fixings, with Popsicles,  and banana cream pie for dessert right before the fireworks.

The boys were in the kitchen, good thing, Jakes was on a potty talk kick... what is it with little boys?

 Glow bracelets on...power up!

 Getting ready for the show.

  Kids enjoyed poppers and sparklers first. Papa was a good helper.

 One, two, three, throw your popper!

Then the noisy ones started...Jake was happy to sit on Papa's lap for a while.

 This one was called, "Bad to the Bone... Brandon enjoy it!

Jarod picked out some great ones this year.  So thankful to celebrate this great Country's Birthday! Thanks for hosting, Bri and Jarod!

Ending June with a BANG

Plenty of excitement and activity for the Wallace grandparents the last two weeks. Saturday, the 29th of  JUNE, was a pretty spectacular day. Started off watching Ike and Jake play basketball.  It is kinda of painful to watch a 3 year old play basketball, but it can be entertaining too. Jake spent a lot of the time sad because he got stuffed from behind while trying to shoot the ball.

Loved this photo click on it for 3D effect...

Ike is pretty chill when it come to Basketball.  Makes his basketball playing parents a little crazy. His competitive nature comes out strong when he swims.

Then it was off to Ike Invitational swim meet... Ike took 1st place in his division in the back stroke

That evening we went to watch the Fairfield Ward Primary talent show. Bayley and Benson displayed their artwork, and Pippy danced to the Nutcracker Ballet music. They all did great.  Bay and Benson were a little disappointed to say the least, that they didn't get to present their art work on stage. Arrangements were made and they got their wish. Pippy danced her little heart out, and received one of the loudest applause's that evening.

So blessed that we can watch my grandchildren participate in special events. Counting the days when Jamie's family is back in Houston so I won't miss out in any more of their special days either.

A Little Pixie Dust...

Everyone needs to be dusted with a sprinkling of culture every once and awhile. Growing up it was given to me by my parents, and Auntie Jane and Uncle Allen.  I have seen Peter Pan on 3 different stages, 4 if you count the movie theater.  First time at the (Bountiful) Valley Music Hall where we watched Mary Martin, in awe may I add.  I can still hear her rooster crow through the ears of my past. Second, with my children at Pioneer Memorial Theater, University of Utah. The kids loved it. Third, last Saturday at the Houston Ballet with all the grace and playfulness of the character's.

Mary Martin



Looked all over, can not find the 1984 program from Pioneer Memorial Theater, but I haven't given up. I am so unorganized. I think I remember gathering them up and putting them somewhere.

Sara got us great seats. Middle section right behind the orchestra pit, they were a bit pricey, but worth it.  After the Ballet Sara invited us to come back stage. They were having a dance group from the Houston Area there also, but we made our way through the crowd to get some pictures.

Sara danced flawless as usual, boys thought it was great to watch her perform.

Jacob was a little concerned about sitting by Captain Hook!

Jakie wasn't to fond of Peter either.

Ike was trilled to pose with Tinkerbell.

Mrs Darling was a little scary

Its always good to be sprinkled with a wee bit of Pixie dust and some culture too.  Looking forward to more great experiences.

What Was That!

 Have you ever been woken up to the sound of exploding glass?  That was the experience, I got to enjoy this morning. I went rushing out of the bedroom to find that the glass on my fairly new (2 1/2 years old) microwave shattered, and glass shards spewing all over the kitchen.  First thought off the top of my head was, what if this would have happened with a kitchen full of my grandchildren?  Then I was enraged.  I called the manufacture and ask them have you ever heard of this.  The agent lied to me saying it had never been reported.  Rick got on the Internet and found that this had happened before, and the same manufacture  had been reported to, and they just blew the incident off.  Those that know me know,  you don't mess with me when I am already upset,  because it brings out the Warden in me. I preceded to call back the manufacture, and got the same agent I had talked to previously. I unleashed in a firm, but professional manner. Yes, my microwave will be fixed for free. But, I still don't feel good about it. I had a FB friend say her oven door exploded 20 feet into her family room (luckily while they were gone).  My question is, where is the consumer product safety board?  Why hasn't this issue been addressed? (Or will Obama deny it ever happened), sorry just couldn't resist. The shards of glass have razor sharp ends on them.  A person standing too close to the oven, would definitely endure some pain.  So, until I think about this, we need to be aware of the possibility (reality) of it happening.  Get the word out, maybe someone will address it.  I do think I will make a call to the consumer products safety board today. I really don't like to overreact but...think I will today. Here is a picture, I taped it because it is still popping and dropping glass as I type.

P.S.  Made the call, more red tape, imagine that!  But I made it, and will fill out the long forms and consent to have this issue reviewed.

Reflection

I have been in a real reflective mode lately, probably due to the fact I have read others blogs and face book comments. Some which I agree with, and some I don't.  I am amused at what constitutes rants, and struggles for some, and what brings joy to others. It has enlightened me to ponder about what my thoughts would have been as a young single, or a young mother struggling to raise my 3 children.  I have now, almost been through all stages of motherhood.  Full house to empty nest.  What did I learn?  What have I cherished?

What I learned.

Let go of the little things... Finger prints, spilled  milk, broken treasures, runny noses. LITTLE THINGS WILL NEVER GET A SECOND THOUGHT, WHEN YOUR HOUSE IS EMPTY.
Things aren't always fair...How many diapers you've changed, how many times you had to get up with the children, how many times you bathed them. No one cares, no one is keeping score, just let it go.  IF YOU FOCUS ON LIFE BEING FAIR, MANY PRECIOUS MOMENTS WILL BE LOST.
No amount of complaining is going to change things...Focus on yourself and be the best you can be.  Your husband and children will follow your example, and everyone will start to value each other far more. CHANGE YOURSELF FIRST.
Don't put things off... Just do it!!! Dishes are harder to wash the next day,  laundry is more daunting to fold if there is a mountain of it, bathrooms are easier to clean weekly... Helping your children with projects and such, gets a lot more stressful when tackling them last minute. Start projects early, enjoy the time you spend together on them. LIFE RUNS SO MUCH MORE SMOOTHLY IF YOU DON'T PROCRASTINATE!
Don't  let a to do list take over your life.  I try to make a mental note of the things that HAVE to be done that day. Usually no more than 3 things.  It is hard to be the taxi driver, cleaning lady, worker, chef, bath time giver, teacher (home work), story reader, and live up to that ever important list.  GIVE YOUR SELF SOME DISTANCE BETWEEN WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE,  AND WHAT YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE DONE.
Don't create bad memories. Sad but true it is easy to remember the times I acted out of sorts with my family, and harder to remember the good things I did. FOCUS ON MAKING GOOD MEMORIES.

What Have I Cherished?

Holding my babies
Bedtime stories
Driving to and from school
homework /projects
Shopping for school supplies
Chats on my bed after school
Raking leaves/yard work
Sunday drives
Hugging my teenagers
Late night talks
Ballgames of every sort
Decorating for holidays
Holiday traditions
House full of teenagers mine as well as others
Playing catch with my boys  #hardballsthrownbyteenageboysscary
Vacations/the very few we were able to take
College graduations
Marriages of my Children
Grandchildren

Most of the things I cherish have to do with the times I was charitable. Not gifts, not electronics, not going to the spa, not girls night out, not self interest, just charity, imagine that!

For what its worth, if only to me.