Goodbye to Bubba

Beth's summer job here in Maryland unexpectedly ended in July (which we won't discuss since we are still not pleased). Being the resourceful girl she is, she had herself a lifeguarding job in Utah less than 24 hours later. Sadly, it meant she would have to leave us. In the few days we had left, we tried to fit in some fun things we had been planning to do this summer. First, a visit to Plumpton Park Zoo for the feeding of various animals. 

Catherine was hesitant. She threw food rather than let them eat from her hand:

Seth was not hesitant: 

Nor was Aaron: 

Aaron was THRILLED with the whole process: 

The zoo crew: 

Beth lecturing the alpaca who stole Catherine's cup of food: 

Said alpaca was unrepentant: 

Beth feeding a sheep: 

Seth and Catherine feed the whiny donkey: 

Aaron tries to feed the animals small rocks after his food runs out: 

Climbing is hard with short legs: 

We also made the "hike" to Kilgore Falls for some water fun. Between carrying lunches, water toys and Aaron, I didn't bring my camera along. But much fun was had, and we apparently wore the girls out: 

(A common Beth position. Very uncommon for Catherine)

The kids were not happy to see Aunt Bubba go home. Aaron in particular was very attached to Beth and could get her to do almost anything for him. Good thing she'll be back soon!

A Very Good Day

Not only did the kids get to have some great fun and do service at the Stake Pioneer Activity...

(assembling a bat house)

...they also got to hang out with DADDY, who FINALLY came home from (another) trip: 

(Aaron shows affection by sitting on faces)

Daddy never seems to get to stay home for long, but we are grateful to have him when we can.

Wrapping Up July

First, the child who is determined to give himself permanent brain damage by climbing onto things and then falling off of them onto our ceramic tile floor:

Next, the time my daughter decided to practice her levitating on the kitchen table: 

Third, we rewarded ourselves with some crab soup after surviving yet another week of Jon being on travel. Yes, it was sweltering that day. Doesn't deter me from crab soup. Or Aaron: 

Fourth, this is what an awesome aunt looks like: 

And, fifth, this is what happens when Mom is sick, Dad is gone and Aaron is unsupervised: 

Anyone up for a V8 cheerio, olive, marker, bottlecap mix?

Backyard Fun

For his birthday, Catherine got Seth some sweet slingshot rockets. We decided that Sunday after church was a good time to try them out.

Seth & Beth

Bubba Jo Everdeen

The Pantsless Wonder

Apparently I will never again get a normal picture of Seth.

Aaron has a special love for Aunt Bubba.

Can't get a normal picture of this one, either.

Very serious about her reloading.

A total goofball about his reloading.

Not pictured: the part where I shot (from our patio!) a rocket into the giant trees on the hill behind our house. Also not pictured: me, in my dress, climbing in an attempt to locate said rocket. Luckily it fell down the next day so Seth forgave me. 

Catherine's Turn

Catherine insisted on getting an interview when Seth did, so here are her responses:

1. How old are you? "Four."
2. What is your favorite thing to do? "Jump on the couch."
3. What do you like to watch? "Rapunzel."
4. What is your favorite song? "Follow the Prophet."
5. Do you like going to Primary? "Uh-huh." 
6. What do you do in Primary? "Sing."
7. Do you like to sing? "Mmm hmm. Follow the Prophet." (note to self: sing that more often)
8. Are you going to go to school? "Yep."
9. Who are you going to go to school with? "With Miss Murphy (Seth's old teacher)." 
10. "Do you know which princess I like? Elsa. Because she's blue."
11. Why are you wearing a cape? "Because I like to be like a superhero."
12. Do you like your new house? "Mmm hmm."
13. Do you like your new room? "Mmm hmm. Because it echoes. It used to echo (before we put her furniture in--her floor is laminate). 
14. Do you sleep in your own room? "Not anymore. Because I don't like to sleep in my room all by myself."
15. Who do you sleep with? "Seth."
16. Do you stay up too late? "No." (Me: Yes you do! And you get up too early.)

Seth at Seven

Oh, my Seth.

I've told several people lately that the Seth we know now is nothing like the Seth two years ago. That little boy who wanted everything quiet and alone is LONG gone. You are a little social animal now, always on the lookout for friends to play with. Even your new favorite game on the iPad (Roblox) is your favorite because you "play" with other people online. You are friendly and fearless, always asking questions of everyone around you.

You are definitely a little boy. You love war games and Nerf guns and pestering your siblings. But you have a soft heart. If I'm ever feeling worn down, you are there with a pillow, blanket and drink of water for me. One night at the beach with the Bloods we had a big FHE together where Grandpa Mark shared his testimony. It was a special moment and there were some tears shed. I almost snapped at you when you headed off to the bathroom while Grandpa was talking, but I'm glad I didn't. You came back with some tissues and passed them to Grandpa and Aunt Mary. You are so thoughtful.

Unsurprisingly, you are an iPad junky. It used to be all Minecraft, all the time. Then Jocelyn introduced you to Roblox and you've totally swapped over. Legos are still second best, with general weaponry in third. You'll also pick up books whenever you see one laying around. Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Minecraft books are your favorites.

I love watching you move into big kid territory. You are very confident and independent. You love school and you tolerate Primary (Sundays in general are not your favorite). You are also a great helper with Aaron.

Happy birthday, sweet boy. I can't believe we're just a year away from turning eight...


Seth's official seven-year-old interview:

1. What is your favorite color? "Most of the colors. All of the colors. Especially zombie blood color. My favorite color is pink."
2. What is your favorite food? "Ramen with eggs." (After I reminded him about mandarin oranges): "Oh! Those are my favorite!"
3. Who's your best friend? "G-A-B-E and Jocelyn. I really like Jocelyn and Gabe."
4. What is your favorite movie? "Hmm...Narnia. Voyage of the Dawn Treader."
5. What is your favorite show to watch? "Garfield and Friends."
6. What's your favorite toy? "The iPad."
7. What's your favorite game to play? "Roblox on the iPad. It's fun."
8. What's your favorite snack? "Holly Ranchers." (Me: "What?") "JOLLY RANCHERS. They're so yummy and it gives me extra dessert."
9. What's your favorite animal? "Creeper. Cause a creeper is actually an animal. It has fuzz and four legs. And zero arms."
10. What do you want to be when you grow up? "A Roblox instructor. It makes new games on Roblox."
11. What's your favorite song? "Build Your Own Tycoon...something. It's in it. It's in the game (Roblox)." (Me: What's your favorite Primary song?) "Gethsemane. My mom's favorite. Whenever people sing it beautifully she gets goosebumps." (Truth).
12. What's your favorite book? "Minecraft construction books. They help you do stuff in Minecraft." (Me: commenting that he never plays Minecraft anymore) "I DO, excuse me! I'm distracted from it a lot. But I still like it!"
13. Do you like school? "Yes. Because I used to have my teacher Miss Murphy. Funnest teacher ever."
14. What do you want to learn about in school this year? "Science!"

Seth Turns Seven

You know it's someone's birthday (or we're late for church) when there are PopTarts for breakfast:

Last year we joined forces with our friends to celebrate Seth and Peter's birthdays together since they are almost twins (one day apart). This year we opted to do the same, figuring we could use our huge backyard for some sweet water fun. 

The cake, of course.

I'm not big on the party games thing.

We had squirt guns, sprinklers, water balloons and sponges available.

The kids needed very little direction: 

Aunt Bubba even came to join the fun.

For the record, my aim with the water gun is vastly superior to hers: 

Water balloons were taken and thrown as fast as they could be filled: 

The birthday boys: 

Blowing out the candles: 

Aaron was very, very happy to have his Lydia there. 

As were his parents: 

All the party guests

(good thing our yard is so dang big): 

Crazy kids: 

Opening gifts: 

A Minecraft book and a sword!

Those two items pretty much define Seth's world right now: 

The next day was Sunday, and Seth's actual birthday.

We started it off by Skyping with Grandpa Russell: 

Skyping with Grandpa Russell always means a wrestling match.

Then it was on to presents! 

Seth was greatly spoiled, yet again.

Weapons, books, Legos, Minecraft paraphernalia...he was very pleased.

Our windows make great Nerf target practice.

Happy 7th birthday, my Seth Man!

Back to Reality

My mornings consist of three babies, chocolate milk, and screen time:

A very attractive Aaron & Mommy selfie: 

The water table is a HUGE hit, but Aaron won't go outside alone.

Luckily Catherine can usually be persuaded to join him: 

Princess Catherine sending pictures to Uncle Aaron: 

How could you not miss this sweet face?