We're a Talented Bunch Folks . . .

Over the last month we've been out and about showing off our various skills to anyone who would look or listen. Gunner, who has enjoyed a heavy dose of sports this spring, just wrapped up his first track and field season by qualifying with his relay team for the Junior Olympics. We went to watch them win their heat and subsequently get disqualified. A major bummer since they probably would have won the final and subsequently their school, Pine Tree, would have placed first instead of third in the meet. C'est la vie, bet they'll never botch another hand off again. Earlier that morning Gunner had pitched in one of his many Little League Baseball games. The following week he went on to pitch his first, "No No." In case you are thinking something scandalous, I'll explain as it was told to me. It is an inning where the pitcher allows no walks and no hits. Gunner is turning out to be a good little athlete but of course his abilities have ups and downs. Often, throughout the season, daydreaming in the infield has cost him some runs. What do you zone-out about as a nine year old boy? Bakugan, The Cheese Touch, Darfur, your favorite pants? Who can know? We do know that in spite of a few losses here and there, Gunner loves sports and we are happy to watch. The same day of the track meet/ baseball game, our ward put on a talent show for the children age 3-12. Tess wanted to sing but at the last minute chickened out refusing to sing the practiced song (Reflection from Mulan) or go on stage without Scottie by her side. She opted for a completely unknown song, "Doodle Bugs." I was just glad to have her try it. She was darling and we can't wait to see her up there again. (Thank you to all those who clapped.) Rounding out the talent portion of our blog post Scottie wowed us all with her free-form poetry, jam session at her fist grade choir concert. It is a true testament to Scottie's likable spirit and willing attitude that her teacher let her tell a story at a choir concert. At this point in time Scottie has a tonal range only a mother could love and I thought it was nice that Mrs. McElroy allowed her to participate with a talking part.
In other news Joe treated me to a terrific Mother's day night out. We ate at Paolo's (so worth the wait, everything I ate from salad to dip to pasta had something to do with Gorgonzola) and saw Iron Man 2. What could be better? I am a big Robert Downey Jr. fan (I even sat through the Shaggy D.A.!! If that's not a true fan I don't know what is.) The following morning I was showered with cute gifts and cards, including a picture where Betsy's hair looks like she has been in a fire. Gunner, realizing too late that in a 4th/5th split at school you don't get to make cutsie gifts for your mother, fashioned me this fabulous crown out of pipe cleaners and fruit loops. It will go down in history as one of my all time favorite gifts. Joe and the gang made me a delicious breakfast as well.

Finally, we all had fun at Scottie's school, Millennium's, Carnival eating sugar until the kids literally could not keep from screeching and hurting each other. Scottie loved showing all her friends that her mom was actually in charge of a booth! And at one point the bouncy house relay was unmanned so all the kids took advantage of that. Later in the month, Tess went to meet her teacher at Kindergarten Round Up. One nice little surprise for us is that due to the ultra ghetto nature of our school district and the Superintendent's desire to educate us out of crisis (suck it tax payers) Tess now has all day Kindergarten. I really don't like it and am praying for a miracle by September. Despite this however, she loved riding the bus, meeting Mrs. Beeles and finding they have a shared love of pearls and being stubborn.

And Finally, Gunner and Joe went on the Father and Son camp out. Gunner, the brotherless one, loves these little outings and I think it shows.

Betsy had a Birthday, shout Hoo-Ray!

On May 12th, Betsy turned three! She got everything she had wished for except a castle. This included a fluffy, new, princess dress, gum and even make-up though she was quick to point out that it was fake. She requested lunch at IKEA, where she would finally be allowed to go into the ball pits now that she was three, and a rainbow princess cake. I did the best I could with the time allotted and she was happy with it all.Betsy is a girl to the core and loves all things shiny, pink and flouncy. She sneaks make up and lipstick and high heels and hates getting dirty or getting too much "nature" on her. She is a delight and we squeeze her daily in an attempt to stunt her growth and keep her small forever.

Pinatas and More

In keeping with tradition we celebrated Cinqo De Mayo this year though we left out the Satan flavored candies. Instead I filled the home-made Pinata, (With the impending layoff we opted for inexpensive this year.) with goodies that came in four to six packs at the Dollar Tree. Gum, flutes, tiny boxes of breakfast cereal and wiggly straws were just a few of the goodies that showered down on the kids after Gunner dealt the fatal blow. We did find out that Cardboard boxes are MUCH harder to bust open than a regular pinata, so all the kids got several tries at cracking it open. Joe was brave enough to hold the swinging box of goodies but next year I'll feel more comfortable if he wears a cup. Thanks to Scottie, Tess and Joe who took the time to create our Mexican Masterpiece. In other news, Joe continues to study for round two of the patent bar and frustratingly, they've cashed the check but haven't mailed the OK-to-go-ahead letter to him so we still have no test date. I admire him for going through it all again. Studying is a DRAG!

Gunner has almost finished his track season and Baseball is heating up. Scottie is finally done with Physical therapy and the Doctor says her arm looks good. We are waiting one month to monitor her growth before she can get back to flipping and twirling her way around Gymstarz. Tess and Betsy have been laying low, mostly playing in the sand box or trampoline. Although Tess is a great help to me right now. Accomplishing more in a day than any of her siblings chore-wise. If only it would last.

All the ladies in the house had fun with hair cuts, Betsy getting her "first."Finally, I got to head south to my Alma Mater for Women's Conference last week. I loved roaming the old halls of campus and seeing the changes and the great things that are still the same (Yes they still have the aquariums in the basement of the Widstoe but apparently now all the fish there have cancerous growths and lesions.) The classes were, as always, excellent and I seemed to get on a roll of good ones. One great quote from a class was about the Internet, the instructor said, "Go with a purpose and leave when you are done." Just to show how this works, Today the little girls had Mom's day Out. It's my three hours a week to get stuff done. Instead of going back home and wasting the day online, I checked my email and realized I had an appointment I'd forgotten about. I got up and managed to get a CT scan, a blood draw, return stuff to Walmart and Big 5 sports, drop of old clothes at a thrift store, head to the post office and box up stuff from the garage to take to the Waste Mobile tomorrow. Ahh, what a nice feeling. The conference was good, it was good to see my sisters and even better to come home and see all the people love here, especially Joe who was Mr Mom and Dad so I could get away!