Fishing with Accountants

We had a really fun week! Last week I forgot to tell a story about Amelia. We were at Salvation Army, Amelia came up to with a flimsy plastic bat and said "Mom! We should get this for Dad on Father's Day so he can beat us when we are bad!" Justin was quite delighted with the idea. Several folks in the store looked a bit shocked. I laughed and gave her a hug, we settled on a different gift instead.

Monday we visited the local pool on suggestion of Mrs Cassie. She came by to pick up some toys I sold her when she mentioned an afternoon at the pool. It was quite humid and hot, so off we went. I still have a little girl swimsuit obsession, Evelyn looked very cute in swimsuit number 3 out of 9. Amelia wore a new thrifted suit I found last week, it has reversible bottoms....um....freakin' adorable, especially for only $2. Evelyn is quite courageous in the water. She likes to sit down even when the water is above her head, she pops up with a huge grin on my face. The poor lifeguard (and I) were on our toes the entire time. I LOVE the reusable swim diapers, pretty much a plastic and cloth lined diaper. We stayed until the pool closed and shooed us out. We enjoyed a simple dinner of something or another. I taught a FHE lesson on how to bear one's testimony. Amelia helped me write on the chalkboard ideas and guidelines. Everyone bore their testimony with our play microphone. Poor Amelia was so tired she melted down with a nasty crying spell, missing the rest of FHE. Everett lead us in a rousing game of "Father, May I?"

Tuesday was the hottest, clearest day of the week. We visited Sterling Pool for another afternoon of fun. Evelyn continued her fascination with pool bottom sitting. She even walked clear over her head into the water with a huge grin on her face. Phillip was done swimming after an hour. He sat huddled under a towel with a bag of crackers. Everett and Amelia love to just swim and swim. Amelia found her friend Crystal at the pool. The girls practiced swimming under the water. At one point Everett disappeared. I looked in the baby pool, the wading pool, the picnic area, and on the water slides. I found the little bugger all alone in the indoors pool floating happily on his back. He was not happy I made him go back outside with us.

I finally got around to cleaning the kitchen and mopping the kitchen floor. Amelia earned a chore magnet, helping me mop the floor 4-5 times. It was gross...but gosh darn it, I LOVE my mottled brown floor tiles. Phillip, Everett, and Evelyn joined the fun dusting, wiping windows, and cleaning Lego's at least three times per day. We had a fun picnic on the floor for lunch since the dining room floor was still wet. We live the high life over here! Last Tuesday Amelia convinced me to help her make sugar crystals. She decided on a double recipe of 2 cups water and 4 cups sugar. She flavored the crystals with kool-aid powder. We heated and stirred the concoction until it was boiled down. A couple chopsticks, cups, and clothes pins finished the process. A week later we checked the crystals! Finally! Crystals large enough to enjoy a sugary treat. Amelia enjoyed a nice play date with Lily Bowcutt. The girls played and played until dinner time.

Phillip and I had optometrist appointments this week. The last time I visited the optometrist was three years ago, my poor glasses are quite beaten up. Phillip has excellent vision so far. He passed his kindergarten checkup. I picked out new frames and a pair of sunglasses.

I was in charge of combined YW this week. We cut fabric and sewed up a quilt top for girl's camp. I enjoyed hearing the whir of sewing machines at church. Made my heart flutter. The girls made a cute diagonal pattern with 10 inch squares. Next week or the week after we will finish sewing it up and binding it. The girls will tie it at camp.

I had 5 photo sessions this week. Tuesday I had four then a newborn session on Friday. Gina Hill, the YW president, had her baby early, early Tuesday morning. Baby Kate was perfectly sleepy and poseable. The other sessions were mostly pro bono work for folks who deserved gorgeous photos. One little baby had the cutest bit of red hair. Another family purchased a gift certificate at a school fund raiser, she is the manager of Auditing at Cabela's. Justin works closely with her at times. Justin was quite patient that evening as I was gone a couple hours.

Friday afternoon we drove to Sterling Lake for a fishing party with Justin's department. Someone grilled up hot dogs and others provided salads and chips. The kids snacked on chips the rest of the afternoon. I knew the pull of the lake would be too great even though it was only 65 degrees that day. Sure enough innocent toe wetting turned into damp pants, then wet undies, then full-fledged swimming. I had packed extra dry clothes! Sometimes it is totally awesome to get wet in your regular clothes. Everett sported an awesome plumber's crack because of his wet drawers and skinny bum cheeks. Some folks enjoyed fishing. I fished for a while using Phillip's Star Wars pole and wet wriggly worms. Sadly, the hook was not large enough to actually hook a fish. All I got were nibbles a stolen worms. As I rejoined the party I noticed an orange shirt floating and thrashing in the water. I was sure Evelyn was drowning. I ran into the water knowing I was too far away. Thankfully, my yells caught the attention of Justin's coworker who saved little Michael Wood. Both babies wore orange shirts. I am still dreaming about bobbing orange shirt and waking up with a cold sweat imagining a floating baby in the water. It was a little terrifying. Michael is totally fine, other than a new exposure to pond water/bacteria. Evelyn drank her fill of lake water, she suffered a day or two of nasty diarrhea. Partly cloudy skies made for a lovely backdrop for photos. I had a blast! We left in a hurry to get home in time to feed the Elders. I quickly whipped up some chicken enchiladas and salad.

Saturday we volunteered to help out at the handcart station for Gold Rush Days. Amelia wore her cute prairie skirt and apron. I could not find her prairie bonnet in time for the event. More folks showed up than anticipated so we ended up just enjoying the festivities. Shane set up his black smith booth, and made fun items using 1800s black smithing techniques. The kid's favorite stations were the gold panning, holding goats/bunnies, and the cotton candy booth. Sister Franken managed the candle dipping station. The boys ended up with funny shaped candles that looked like head bonkers. Justin and I took turns carting the kids around in the handcarts. Everett loved on some nice lady when we rode the horse and wagon. He started by sharing his cotton candy, by the end of the ride he was almost in her lap. One guy dressed up as a trapper showed the boys how a snap trap works. The boys got to spring the trap with a long stick. The trapper dressed the boys up in skins and gave them weapons. That was memorable! Amelia stayed a while longer with Ella. The Elders said participating in Gold Rush Days was the best experience of their missions! They got to talk with lots of folks using the pretense of pioneers and handcarts. An Elder escorted each handcart since the carts were stake property. I am glad they felt so successful.

In the evening I snuck out with Amelia to meet Gina and baby Kate again. I noticed Sister Elliott's tea roses were in bloom. Since Kate was such a sleepy babe I wanted to get some outdoor photos. She was so cooperative that 10 minutes later we were done.