I Wish You Never To Get Sick Whilst Camping

Hello Dear Family & Friends!

Here is Lake Spaulding:



Anita-The-Super-Mother-In-Law planned a wonderful camping trip at Lake Spaulding for Memorial Day. We were only going to spend one night there (because part of my new "enjoying parenting" philosophy is to "know my limits"). We had a lovely time at the lake Saturday. Gretchen, of course, loved the water. She even went on a little jet ski ride! I know! She had a super cute little baby life jacket on. Ella, of course, stayed firmly on land. Though she did stick her toes in. Whoa, Ella. Careful. You might get your knees wet!

After a delicious dinner of fried chicken*, successfully keeping Gretchen from throwing herself into the campfire, and a rousing game of cards (I read my book), we went to bed. I'd bundled the girls up in about 3 layers + stocking caps and felt mildly prepared. BUT THEN. At around 4am, I knew something was wrong. I had the stomach flu. I couldn't get out of my mummy-sleeping-bag fast enough. I spent the rest of the morning shivering in the front seat of my car so that I could avoid the gag-inducing smell of stale campfire smoke and quickly open the door when I needed to puke. It was lovely. When Colby woke with Gretchen at 7am, I said, "Dude, we need to go." And dude, we did. Then I slept 24 hours straight. Then I laid around and felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. Then I felt better. Moral of the story: I hope you never get the flu while you're camping.

*How do you make fried chicken while camping??? In your portable gas cooktop, of course! And where do you use the portable gas cooktop? On your CAMPING KITCHEN! The Stotts are serious about their camping accessories.

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In other, non-whiney news, Ella's new favorite recording artist is Eartha Kitt. Her favorite song is "I Want To Be Evil".

Ella: Mom, why does she want to be evil?

Me: It's just a silly song sweetie. Do you want me to skip it?

Ella: No. Mom, why does she want to shoot the pool?

Me: No, she's not going to shoot a swimming pool, there's a game you play with balls & a table. It's called "pool". And when you play it it's called "Shooting pool".

Ella: Oh. Mom, she said she wants to throw mud pies. That isn't nice.

Me: No, that would not be a good choice. This is just a silly song.

Ella: Yeah. On the muppets they threw pies at Hermit.

Me: Kermit?

Ella: Yeah. Kermit. That was funny. But we don't throw pies.

(pause)

Ella: Mom, why does she want to spit tacks? What are tacks?

Me: Ok, lets listen to something else sweetie....

Yesterday when her friend was over I went up to check on them. They were both dressed in fabulous outfits & Ella was singing, "I want an old fashioned house with an old fashioned fence, and an old fashioned millionaire".

That's right baby.

I think we need to bust out the primary songs again.

What? Where Are The Pictures?

Hello Dear Family & Friends! Guess where my camera is? On the kitchen counter. Guess what it's doing? Drying off. Because Gretchen threw it in the pool.

I hope it still works.



And what is this pool, you may ask? It's a plastic storage container filled with water. I've been cleaning out baby clothes (three big fat boxes shipped back to a friend, another two waiting to be delivered to my sister...) And I noticed on the plastic containers that they had a little sticker with a drowning warning on them. I thought, "Weird, why would you have water in these?" Then I thought, "Hey! That's a great idea! Then I don't have to blow up a stupid blow-up pool only to have it A) Make a huge dead circle in the grass, or B) Pop when we move it to the patio!" Plus it uses less water. And the girls love it. LOVE IT. They splash & play & pour out the water with their little watering cans. And yes, I know it's horrible. Like looking at the tag on the hairdryer and thinking, "Wow! I could get ready so much faster if I used this in the tub! I never thought of that!"



Don't worry, the girls aren't allowed to play out there without me. I know. And we only fill it up a few days a week. And after I found the poop in it last week, I scrubbed it out with Comet. I'm pretty sure it was dog poop. Also, kids are disgusting. Also, apparently I wasn't watching as closely as I should have been, being more worried about hearing drowning sounds while I read my book. Sigh.

Ok, now I'm getting paranoid & I'm going to go dump the water left over from our afternoon frivolities. That Warning Label is just so sad! I promise not to leave even a "small amount of liquid" in the bottom of our Ghetto Pool. I promise, Warning Label! I heed your Warning!

So what have you been up to?

Utah/Birthday/Mothers Day

Hello Dear Family and Friends!!!

We missed posting last week cause we were driving our tired and cranky chillins back home from Utah, where we visited beautiful Logan to see my cousin get married. Beautiful town, beautiful church, beautiful bride & happy cute groom!

But before we start with those pictures, here's a little public service announcement. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR MARKERS UNATTENDED!



What? What?



Did I mention that we spent my birthday driving to Utah? Leaving at 4am? And Gretchen & Ella thought it was such an adventure that they decided not to sleep? Awesome. But Wonderful Pretty Nice Auntie Angel let me take a nap when we arrived in SLC & even watched the girls while I slept. So we didn't have any more red-pen-incidents.

My super awesome friend Janeece sent me a mysterious Birthday Package that she wouldn't let me open till my birthday. So I pulled it out whilst en route and found THIS! My own MINI POCKET EDWARD! In homage to our favorite Pocket Edward, I took some pics of him enjoying our trip. Of course you can't be in Utah without passing about 5 gagillion Wal*Marts. Look, he's totally pondering the homogonization of our society.



We BARELY MADE IT to the wedding (apparently it IS possible to get lost in the grid system that is Utah City Planning). But we're so glad we did. My cousin Khemmer seemed overwhelmed with happiness, and it was so sweet to see him so proud and in love. But apparently not sweet enought to ACTUALLY GET ANY PICTURES OF THE BRIDE OR GROOM! But I did get a picture of my Cousin Mark taking a picture of the cake-cutting!



Cousin Mark & Sharon's dogs were in the car, so we took a break from the wedding to meet them. And fall in love.



Colby wiping the Wedding Luncheon from Ella's face... Look at the expression on both their faces. Ha!



Cousins with Grandma. Woot!





Edward was glad the weather cooperated. Nothing like overcast skies to bring a smile to a felt-mini-vampire's face...


Here's Mini Pocket Edward on Shay's side of the bed...



...And Mini Pocket Edward with Shay's wife...



We were so sad we didn't get to see our Favorite Kate while we were in Utah. Apparently Family Reunions should not be left to the guys to plan. Next time I'm totally calling Meghan.

Colby obliged my request and we stopped at the Salt Flats on the way home. But remember the rain? Yeah, they were covered in about 6" of water. So we just stood next to them. And it was freakishly windy. Look at my brave girls...



Ella took this one. Good job babe!






Come wind or rain or watery salt flats or more pen markings on her leg, Gretchen will persevere!!!

Today (Saturday) Ella's preschool had a Mother's Day Brunch. It was a dress-up Brunch. And no siblings or Dads. Here we are before leaving.



And here's Gretchen left at home. That girl has some crazy hair.


Happy Mothers Day to all our peeps! And Grandmas! And Aunties! We love you all!!!

xo

What???? Two times in One week!!!

So I thought I was doing pretty good. My kids haven't tried to cut their own hair.......until this week. As we know Britton cut his bangs a few days ago, now Maita has joined the club. She did a better job. Note picture #1. My only options to fix the hair would be a mullet or a cute little bob.




I should have gone with the mullet, it would have taught her a lesson. wink, wink.

Wahoooo!! Angel can Post.

So I can no longer make excuses. I really can blog.


I realized the other day that I am being a slacker Mom. By 4 months old, my other children have had plenty of pictures to fill dozens of photo albums (although most are still located on the computer). So Grandma and Grandpa here are a few of your darling grandbaby.





Britton and Matia went to the new Mcdonands the other day and got their faces painted. They were so proud that we had to take pictures. Unknown to his mother, Britton also cut his bangs (not pictured here) because he could not see his skeleton properly. Hence the hair cut yesterday.


Cousins Ella and the Gretch came to visit for the weekend. Not long enough for the Schott's but I think too long for their Dad (lack of sleep doesn't make for happy kids). We took pic's just before they had to go home......see the unhappy children?


AWwww.....But they can be cute.



Thanks for coming to visit and thank you Apryl for being so crafty. We hope you can stay longer next time.