Updates on Goliath

You know how a few months ago I told you about a guy I keep seeing in my neighborhood that seems to be eight feet tall and also seems to have his own climate. Well today I saw him again and I decided his new nickname is going to be Goliath--not because he's bad, because frankly I really don't know that or not and I don't feel right to judge. That is his nickname because I don't know the names of any other sort of giant-ish people.

Let me give you a short description of the fellow. He is tall, long sandy hair, beard, bushy eyebrows, and has a lack of appreciation for the above head personal space of random passers-by.

Anyway, I was finishing my jog today and walking the last block to my house to cool down when I happened upon this man. I smiled at someone else I was passing and out of the corner of my eye saw the guy. As he passed me leaned down practically into my personal bubble of space and said sarcastically, "How do you like my weather?"

What did he mean by that? How should I have responded? Should I have said, "Thank you for your good weather, good sir. It couldn't get better." or "Your not the one responsible for this fine weather. [I would have sounded incredulous--respectfully incredulous.] Someone much bigger than you is in charge of everything."?

I may have told you before this guy kinda scares me. . . once again I am reminded why.

I am learning that one must face one's fears, mustn't one?! I am truly tempted to say to the guy next time he does something like that, "I'm fine, and how are you?"

Do you think that would rock his giant-sized boat? What is your opinion on the subject?

What makes you happy?

Having fun at the park with my family has always made me feel super glad. :D These pictures were not all taken the same day.

Sugar = ?

New studies, apparently, are showing that we need to reduce the amounts of sugar we take in, by drastic amounts. Sugar is in practically everything we eat and it can impact us exponentially. Insomuch that NYC has a new sign they are posting in many subway trains for 3-month-runs. You can find out more about it by going here (where I got the picture).

Isn't it telling though. How many of us thought those drinks were doing that to us? Doesn't it make you want to hide your sugar soda/drink so no one sees you drinking it? It is very to-the-point.

Good thing this doesn't seem to include candy or pastries or I would think I may be in trouble. How much of that gunk is in my system now? I shudder to think. Dollar store candy, you are the bane of my existence--and teeth.

Realizations of a 10-er-um-twenty-something-year-old

Today the kidlets and I went to the beach. It wasn't just any beach either, it was a pay-$8-a-vehicle beach. It was . . . . drumroll please . . . the Robert Moses Beach. You know it has water when it has Moses in the name right?

It felt like I was 10 again. Let me tell you why. Before we went to the beach we stopped by my favorite dollar store--commonly called Dollar Tree--which for some of you might be incredibly uneventful. Sure, we have 99 cent stores around us (some may argue that we have too many), but their names are indelibly misleading because most things in them cost $1.49. That extra $.50 adds up pretty quick in my mind so I buy half as much as I would if they actually sold things for 99 cents (sad but true).

Back on target-------okay, so I bought about $5 worth of junk food--carmels, jolly ranchers, heart-attack-in-a-bag-bugels (seriously 40% dv of sat fat and you know you can't eat just one OR just one serving), and fruit juice. I forgot to mention I bought sugar-filled cookies and candy--cough--granola bars. Bring on the simple sugars. Needless to say we were all feeling pretty happy.

W was out of school by very rare happenstance and he came too so when we got there I took Tommy and we played in the water then I gave W the babe and grabbed R by the arm and played in the waves (which were delightfully dandy).

This beach is very different from Coney Island Beach because
1. It is much cleaner (bathroom, showers, quick outside shower for your legs and feet too)
2. The sand is actual sand-not mud.
3.I didn't see any glass in the sand (Coney Island has a rich assortment of colors broken into their sand)
4. I actually saw a crab at R.M.B.
5. People had kids and were for the most part modest, which makes it more comfortable for everyone.
6. Did I mention the place was clean?
7. Bigger waves--ohhhhhhh.

You may think I am one of those mothers that delights in sitting and watching my child play in the sand and build sandcastles and cheer them on. I do like that. If I have a good conversationalist with me I could do it for hours watching all my kids build sand castles--if they didn't move from their spot but kids never stay in the same place for more than 10 minutes.

Playing in the water holding R's hand and knowing the others are safe with a responsible adult (like W) is so heavenly. Memories flood my mind with the new ones I make as I feel the water on my body.

I didn't initially mean to get wet, I mean I had on my cute cut-off capris and a hot pink shirt, but T got pummeled by a wave and I had to save him. Since I was nearly half way wet I decided there was no problem getting all wet. I figured with what I was wearing it would look somewhat like a wet suit--at least the wet part.

I got a few funny looks, especially when I was running as hard as I could, stepped in a hole and face planted into the water. It was wonderful. I love playing in the water. Every time I fell and got back up and fell immediately down I could not help but laugh gleefully. I saved the kid's toys several times and must have done so heroically because some of the other mothers were cheering for me (thanks).

Overall it was delightful to play like crazy and to enjoy all the gloriousness of the ocean. Thanks W for letting me play like I was ten and for allowing me to splurge on the candy until Halloween time.

Sisters that live near me I think we should make a Robert Moses Beach day. That way we can converse, watch, and play all we need. It is so relaxing. Ahhhhh.

Sadly I forgot my camera and my phone so I have no pictures, but hopefully a video of us leaving will come soon. :D

Click Clack Moo

Sorry the pictures are a bit blurry b/c the room was fairly dark and I was using my camera. You can see our friends there too, Stacey and Samuel.


We went to the free summer-time theater for kids at the Lucille Cortel Theatre we saw "Click Clack Moo."

It took the kidlets a little time to warm up to it. All the actors were hilarious and kept me laughing. In the story book the cows have a typewriter but in the play they have a laptop (which of course the cows know/learn how to use) and they have a printer. They also watch movies about cows on "Mootube."

It was sweet. A member of our old Church ward, Sarah Gee, was in it and it was fun to watch her. The play's target market was children 4-8. There were a few babies. It was so fun to hear S call out at one point, "That's NOT a duck, it's a person dressed up as a duck."

It was fun to see the foibles of cows and chickens involved in a strike. The strife of a farmer keeping his farm out of foreclosure as well as keeping the chickens and cows appeased, not to mention his spunky granddaughter that dislikes the structure of farm work and prefers to email and such--which is how the laptop and printer end up in the barn.

It was great--I would definitely suggest seeing it. It may take a bit for your kids to fully enjoy it, but they will be happily delighted by the end. It happens at 10 a.m. Mon-Fri with a 6 p.m. show on Thursday (I think there are other times, but I cannot remember right now), you can Google it if you are interested in going. Pictures to come. Arrive early, tickets go fast.

The Television

The television has been off all morning. The kids have been involved with other childhood activities and the television seems to know it.

"After all," the television winces, "good ol' friend, friendship has its limits. Why do I sit here lonely, neglected, underpaid, and sometimes over-utilized. How could they leave me alone?"

Somehow you can sense its silent grief.

The alluring power button that though it does not have a light seems to beg to be turned on. "Please, watch me. You love me. You cannot leave me alone for so long." It seems to wale in its own above-human-ability-to-hear-high-pitched whine.

"Oh, pity me," it weeps at it is splashed with the water of the across the room water painters.

It feels like it is getting a slap when a spare ball of play dough gets thrown in its direction. It can smell the icky odor of cookies baking (because tvs only like to eat electricity--they can't adore that tantalizing aroma).

The happy hollers from the children seem to deafen the dear, television. "Why," he wonders, "would children like to play and make noise? When they watch me they sit in one place transfixed for hours on my beautiful pictures and noises. They are stunned into silence and obedience. Why can not they be like that now?"

Poor, poor television. What a sad life he has. . . . if he ever had any.

Spider

Yesterday as I was speaking with my mother on the phone S shouted, "Mom, R is in danger!!" I ran back to the room to hear blood-curdling screams coming from under the bed. I (level-headedly panicked) put my phone down (sorry I hung up mom) and I began rapidly pulling stuff out to dig him out when I finally understood what my son was saying, "THERE'S A SPIDER AND HE'S GOING TO BITE ME!!"

Somewhat calmly I told him he did not need to scream like that if there were a spider. Screams like that are reserved for dire situations, like if you're dying. During this short lecture I inquired where the spider was and with superwoman courage I smooshed the spider. Normally my kids would have been examining the spider, but this time they were very afraid. I am not sure why there has been this great change.

Sorry to those that read this and feel a deep sense of loss for the spider and feel he should have been lovingly removed through the downstairs door, but I am for the quickest and swiftest solution when pressed.

Scripture Power

Yesterday night we were reading the Book of Mormon as a family. We were reading about the letters or epistles (which we discussed in detail) where Moroni is determined that he will not switch the prisoners unless Ammoron gives up his scheme to take over the Nephites and submit them to his will.

I tried to explain to them why Ammoron was a bad guy and was determined to take away the rights. Moroni was defending the people and their rights, therefore the good guy. By the time we were done the kids were jumping on the bed hollering, "GO MORONI!"

When S was saying her prayers, she thanked Heavenly Father for Moroni and that Ammoron--that he could be a good guy. We're still working on "please bless" but I figure the Lord understands.

I love it when they get involved in the scriptures.

P.S. It took them awhile to go to sleep. Moroni sure is inspiring.

Yellowstone Park

Monet-ish Idaho Sunset--beautiful

Grandpa with a huge fan club of grand kids following.
Holding hands please, we're crossing a street.

Ashley in the Yellowstone Park Gift Shop

Uploading photographs takes awhile, sorry folks. There are 430+ of them (which family members can attest to). I'll try to get more up that you can enjoy. It takes me awhile though.

Backyard-love-ems

After going without a backyard for over a year my kids thrived at the opportunity to play, play, play. Jumping, swinging, singing, eating, sandbox playing, etc. It was like heaven. Someday I think we're going to have a yard--YAY!

The cousins were so fun and exciting. We love you!