Family Olympics

Last Monday we got the kids ready for the impending Olympics. I love the Olympics and look forward to them, so I wanted to introduce the kids to them as well. First we talked about our bodies and what a gift they are to us. We discussed how eating lots of good fruits and vegetables can help us grow strong and healthy so we can run and play whenever we want. And then we talked about how at the Olympics some people get to compete for their nation and what a privilege that is. After that we headed to the Oval (our neighborhood park) for the first ever Family Olympics. We had dressed in our shorts and tennis shoes and brought some necessary track and field paraphernalia.

The first even was the shotput, using a grapefruit sized red rubber ball. Although Dave will tell you differently, I clearly won this event. Next was some running events, first the 100 yard dash. You can see Hilde running in her heat. Actually, she ran a lot of heats on her own she was having so much fun, and who can blame her when you win every time you are in a heat by yourself. Other events included a family relay race using a wooden spoon as the baton, soccer ball kicking contest for distance and height, and Enoch's favorite competition (one he won handily)......BUBBLE BLOWING.
Dave has posted some more pics on his Flickr set, so you can check them out there.

Running Buddies

Yesterday Hilde and I went on our first run together. We got on our shorts, tee shirts, and running shoes. We put our hair up in pony tails. We headed out the front door and Hilde determined our route. Then, we were off. We ran about two blocks and then walked, and then ran some more. Then it was mostly walking to the end of our street where we took a break and Hilde played at the park for a few minutes. Then we headed back. Just when I thought that things had gone really well Hilde says the following:

"I am so tired, I don't think I can walk home. I really wish we hadn't gone for a run, I don't have any more energy, will you carry me?" Well, I wouldn't call it a grand success, but I CAN call it a start. And overall, it was fun. Maybe next week we can run 3 blocks. And you KNOW that I am planning on signing us up for a little 1 mile "race" sometime.

Babysitter Notes

When looking for a picture to use with this post, I came across this old one of Hilde and couldn't pass it up. Boy has she grown. On our refrigerator we have one of those magnetic boards that you leave details for your babysitter. Here is what ours currently says:

We are at: Partying it up
We will be home at: home
You can call us at: the telephone
If you can't reach us, call: upon your inner strength
at: the moment of your dire need
Mealtime is: tasty
Bedtime is: never soon enough
Snacks are: small amounts of food eaten twixt mealtimes
Doctor: Doctor, can you see I'm burning, burning!
Phone: 867-530Niyeyiine!
Special Instructions: Turn off the grill when not in use

Mormon Guilt

GUILT
We all have it. Catholics are famous for it, but Mormons may be masters of it. Gordon B. Hinckley was great at asking us to do just a little bit better everyday, and that makes things more manageable. But there are some days when you start to ask yourself: did I read my scriptures today? did we do family scripture today? did I write in my journal? have I helped anyone in need? did I do anything remotely related to geneology? when was the last time we went to the temple? do we have enough food for the week let alone two years? have I done my visiting teaching yet? should I have volunteered to make dinner/babysit/drive/clean for XYZ? when was the last time we did FHE? when are we having the missionaries over for dinner? On the list can go on and on indefinitely.

As I was sitting in Relief Society on Sunday, listening to a so-so lesson, my mind started racing with all sorts of things I wanted to get done, mostly temporal. Then I started down the Mormon Guilt path and I thought to myself STOP. Remember that it is the little things that are important, the desires of our hearts, the good we can do in the moment, and our overall spirituality. I think Heavenly Father will understand that right now there are some things I can do, and some things that I can't. And although we strive for it, we ARE NOT perfect, and never will be. So breathe, slow down. Love your family, develop your relationship with God and others, and don't worry about living up to anyone else's perceived perfections. Because after all, I don't want anyone else's life but mine. And by the way, I think I am getting a little better everyday, with some exceptions, and isn't that the whole point?

Congratulations to E

After months and months and months of trying, this week Enoch made some real progress potty training. Daycare has helped a lot. They asked us to put him in underwear this week, and it has paid off, even if our cumulative laundry for the week probably tripled. This week, whenever Enoch has had to go, he says "I have to wee in the toilet". And off we run. So he is finally consistently going and is very interested in being out of diapers. Congratulations to our big boy!

National Ice Cream Sundae Month

Yippee, today I saw a sign reminding me that July is National Ice Cream Sundae month. A whole month of ice cream sundaes...too bad I didn't see the poster until the 16th. I have a lot of lost time to make up for.

My ultimate ice cream sundae would include homemade butter pecan ice cream, hot toffee syrup, whipped cream from a can, crushed peanuts, toasted coconut and a little chocolate sauce. I am salivating just thinking about it.

So, what is your favorite sundae? Remember all online Sundaes are calorie and fat free, so have at it.

Book Suggestions

I need your help. I need some good books to read. I want the books to be sourced by our small local library, I am trying to be more "green" these days. So, what have you read that you would A) recommend and B) find at your local library?

Hunger Strike

About a month ago on our way to work, we passed a tent on the side of the road. Outside was a big banner stating "Hunger Strike". It turned out to be one guy, protesting the US installation and the US in the Middle East. At least, that is what we suppose it was for, since there wasn't any public statement or anything (at least that we knew about). A week or so later the guy, the tent and the banner were gone. But it has got me thinking.

What type of people participate in Hunger Strikes? Do they crave attention or are they consumed with a deep need to just DO SOMETHING, and a Hunger Strike seems like a logical thing to them? And how does that ever seem like a logical thing to do???

I can't think of many causes that I would attend a rally for, much less do a Hunger Strike. Is it my voracious appetite, my love of cooking, my lack of willpower? I assume it is my belief that a Hunger Strike is not a real successful way of protesting anything. In looking for a picture, I came across a lot of information on the Irish Hunger Strike. Those people sure felt that they had a lot of reasons to protest, but it seems like there had to have been a better way. In our local case, the hunger strike had no impact on policy, work, public opinion, traffic, or really anything. Was it worth it? I suppose that to the hunger striker, it was.

As for me, I love my family, my friends, my religion and my country. And one of the ways I show love is through cooking. So if you are having a potluck, give me a call. And if you are having a hunger strike, count me out.

Birthday Festivities

Last night Enoch got to pick a restaurant for us to go to for dinner. He picked Pizza Express and once there devoured his pizza. This morning he got to open one present before we headed off, and it was swords. He was THRILLED. After work we headed to dinner and then the "Bowling Lalley" for some Cosmic Bowling and cake. Then we headed home for more present opening. Here are some pics from the day:

E turns Three

Happy Birthday to the best little boy any parents can ask for. May you forever stay full of a love for life, and may you never stop giggling. We love you!

Independence Day

We celebrated Independence Day on Saturday July 5th here. There was a big party on the base. They had two tents set up, one with kids activities and the other with food and music performers, including a really fabulous Elvis impersonator. Then there were outdoor activities and some food and music in the Club - one of the buildings on base. And the Strike Zone bowling alley was open. Since Enoch was sick, he and Dave had a nice quiet evening at home. Hilde and I headed up around 5 to have some fun. She insisted that we stay all the way through the fireworks, which didn't start until after 10:30 since the sun doesn't start to set until after 10. Hilde's favorite thing of all was having her face painted. She was especially thrilled that they painter her lips gold. She has been asking for make-up lately and being told NO every time, so this was her dream come true. Here are some of the pictures of all the fun we had:
Elvis in his very cute younger years. It was very funny during song breaks when he spoke in his british Elvis voice. But singing you couldn't tell he was a Brit.
Disco bowling.
Dancing the night away.

Diagnosis Please

Enoch is sick again, poor guy. Here are his symptoms:

Saturday morning - doesn't eat his pancakes - sure sign he is coming down with something
Saturday late morning - takes a long nap, on his own, it is going to be bad...
Saturday afternoon - has a fever of 101
Saturday night - vomits
Sunday morning - no appetitie
Sunday - off and on again fever
Sunday night - rash all over his body and vomits again
Monday we go to the doctor and he is diagnosed with.....TONSILLITIS
Luckily he is really good at taking medicine and should be fine in a few days.

Flight Time

During our last trip we had a layover in Chicago. When we arrived in Chicago, the pilots stopped our kids as we were getting off and took them into the cockpit. They got to sit in the seats, where the hats, and even push some buttons. They were in heaven. The only bad thing was for all the other flights they thought they were allowed in those cockpits too.











Enoch watched a movie during our super long (almost 4 hour) layover in Chicago. He was super cute.

Vacuum Heaven

Ever since Dave first read about Dyson vacuums, he has wanted one. I wasn't willing to pay the price tag. When we arrived here, the housing office issued us Henry - the UK spec canister vacuum that you drag behind you everywhere you go. After only a few vacuuming sessions, it was clear that Henry and I (as well as Henry and Dave) were not going to be able to make our relationship work. So, we started shopping in our Base newspaper for used vacuums. After a few near misses, we bought a used Dyson. It is teal and purple, not our first choice, but I must say, it is fabulous. It glides over our carpet picking up all of the gunk, and is very lightweight. Also, it creatively uses all of its space. I love it, and we may have to get a nice new American spec one when we return to the States - I think I'll let Dave pick it out.

Enoch the Ferocious

Our fabulous Enoch. He spent a lot of time looking like this while he ran around chasing ducks. Both kids used up all of our bread in record time to feed the ducks several times a day.