If you have no idea what "it" is, then you probably don't care. If you know what "it" is, then woo-hoo, we bought it!
P.S. stay tuned to find out what "it" is. The next few days will be busy for sure, but I'm sure we'll put something about "it" on the blog.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Mr. Mom
Maleen left for the Shakespeare Festival yesterday morning. Since then, it been 1 man vs 5 girls. To make a long story short...they're winning.
A few examples should suffice:
I wasn't ten minutes finishing the dishes until I went outside to find Pearl. As you've already figured out: she wasn't there. I checked both cul-de-sacs, no Pearl. I jumped in my car and blazed the island: no Pearl.
I was forced to call in reinforcements—so I got Maleen on the phone. She'd only been gone a few of hours at this point.
Any parents who have lost a little one know the feeling. While that feeling is bad enough, it's much worse knowing that your mother now knows that you've lost a child and will bring it up in every conversation for months and perhaps years to come.
Pearl's ride ended happily when she rolled around the corner from the other side of the neighborhood—where we never ride. She had become lost and was retracing her steps. Smart for a 3 year old! Total "lost" time: 34 minutes.
I still beat her, of course. Ok, I didn't really but we had a talk about not going outside without a buddy.
A few examples should suffice:
Pearl's Ride
While I finished up the dishes, Pearl went for a little trike ride "around the cul-de-sacs." There are two cul-de-sacs on the other side of the street, and she knows to just ride around those and come home.I wasn't ten minutes finishing the dishes until I went outside to find Pearl. As you've already figured out: she wasn't there. I checked both cul-de-sacs, no Pearl. I jumped in my car and blazed the island: no Pearl.
I was forced to call in reinforcements—so I got Maleen on the phone. She'd only been gone a few of hours at this point.
Any parents who have lost a little one know the feeling. While that feeling is bad enough, it's much worse knowing that your mother now knows that you've lost a child and will bring it up in every conversation for months and perhaps years to come.
Pearl's ride ended happily when she rolled around the corner from the other side of the neighborhood—where we never ride. She had become lost and was retracing her steps. Smart for a 3 year old! Total "lost" time: 34 minutes.
I still beat her, of course. Ok, I didn't really but we had a talk about not going outside without a buddy.
Daisy Snuggles
Daisy is my snuggler. She likes to come up in the night or early morning and snuggle with Dad. No problem. I kind of like it. I'm sure she'll grow out of it soon enough, but I relish it while I can.
That said, Daisy came up this morning about 5:00. I wasn't getting up yet, so I told her she could snuggle with me for a while.
I should mention that shamelessly stole Maleen's side of the bed last night. It's closer, has better pillows, etc. And hey, it was novel.
So Daisy came up and ended up sleeping on my side. No problem. Well, no problem until I realize that the reason Daisy was awake at 5:00 was because her micro bladder had informed her it was time to hit the potty. Hmm, I forgot to remind her to visit the potty before snuggling...
6:00 came soon enough, and with it came recognition of the above facts. My side of the bed was...well it needed some scrubbing.
We'll Change the Oil For Mom
It was getting about time to change the oil in Maleen's car, so I figured I'd take advantage of her absence to get the service done. We popped over to Honda. They are AWESOME.
While we were waiting, we watched some of ICE AGE 2, sipping hot chocolate and munching popcorn. Fun, I'm a good dad.
Well, it was fun, right up until Pearl dumped hot chocolate all over herself.
So now I have a child swimming in luke-warm hot chocolate punctuated with soggy popcorn. I'm frunning (which is short for frantically running) back and forth snatching paper towels to mop up the mess. There were two moms there, just enjoying the show. It felt a little like a, "oh we'll just sit back and watch this guy pretend to be a parent" conference meets a "oh now he'll understand how hard our job is" meeting.
Child screaming and crying.
Movie interrupted for all.
Hot chocolate dripping on everything.
Now a mostly-naked diaper-clad, giggling toddler is cruising around Honda while her father stands by with a fistful of sopping clothing, while the Honda techs explain some of the finer points of brake inspection.
Nailed it.
And the moral of the story is...
For all you power moms out there, let me be perfectly honest: we men are woefully bad in this area—at least this dad is. It took me a few kids to learn the humility to admit that, but I can admit it. So I want to publicly give credit where credit is due: Maleen is awesome and I'd be lost without her. She's is the anchor of my life, does an amazing job at raising our kids, and I can never shower enough praise on her. She deserves every bit of it.
Second moral of the story: never let Meleen leave.
Children crying...gotta go.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Rigamarole
Yep, it is just like it always is, except that each child gets a bit bigger each time. It is BACK TO SCHOOL time!! This year should be very exciting. Daisy will finally be at school with her sisters, even if only for half the day. Pearl will probably drive me crazy. Life will settle into a routine. It will be great.
I got some pictures this morning, but I should not take pictures by anything with lines. You'll see why....the lines are never straight. Oh well. Minor. Let's see what the kids are liking this year.
June clearly has problems choosing a book.
Robyn seems chipper and consistent.
Ivory (the glasses are new from last year) is my new favorite child since cleaning in on her list of favorite activities.
Someone else got in the midst of the photo shoot, so we'll list his favorites as well.
Here is to a great school year!
I got some pictures this morning, but I should not take pictures by anything with lines. You'll see why....the lines are never straight. Oh well. Minor. Let's see what the kids are liking this year.
June clearly has problems choosing a book.
Robyn seems chipper and consistent.
Ivory (the glasses are new from last year) is my new favorite child since cleaning in on her list of favorite activities.
Someone else got in the midst of the photo shoot, so we'll list his favorites as well.
Here is to a great school year!
Monday, August 19, 2013
Trek Gallery
I really need to wrap up these Martin's Cove posts because so much is happening in the meantime. I finally took Robyn's birthday pictures (almost 4 months late), we celebrated Fete Day, and school starts tomorrow. Not to mention that we move in a week. Huzzah!
But there were some photos that I loved and don't want to forget. There are no captions. Just enjoy.
But there were some photos that I loved and don't want to forget. There are no captions. Just enjoy.
THE END.
Three Special River Crossings and the End of Trek - Day 2
The women were tired after pulling, but we weren't done yet. We pulled the handcarts across the ridge where we met another missionary who spoke to us. I like this shot through the wagon as we continued our journey.
The ridge is comprised of mostly rocks. Hence the name 'Rocky Ridge.' However by this point you can see that people cared little where they sat. Rocks are just as good as another ground cover.
I don't remember much of what they said at the top of the hill. I held Charlotte for a while and then took pictures. Seeing sister Holcomb packing around her baby reminded me a lot of last time we were on trek, when Pearl was four months old.
Here is our fearless leader, Captain Fairbanks.
The missionaries did have each of us pick up a rock and think about something in our life that we could get rid of; maybe akin to emptying our handcarts of unnecessary items. The rock would represent that and on our first river crossing we would throw our stone into the river, leaving that thing behind. The first crossing was also supposed to be silent, I think.
Tyler and I were the first to cross all three times, because we wanted to be able to take pictures of everyone after us. I had the camera and Tyler used the GoPro. We made a good team. I had pictures of everyone, but for the sake of this blog, we will show mostly family here. June and Hannah crossed carrying Pearl and Daisy.
Robyn came across with Josie.
Ivory looks so cute holding her shoes and socks.
The second crossing was a very special crossing. They called it the priesthood crossing and only the boys and men holding the priesthood were supposed to touch the water. Tyler carried me across first and I took pictures from the shore.
Tyler got Daisy next and carried her across.
Then he picked up Hannah. I'm not sure how comfortable that is.
Here he is carrying my oldest and my youngest.
Ivory had been riding in the Lau cart for some time, and she opted to have Marek take her across.
All the little kids had left the wagon and been carried across, so Robyn looked a little lonely in the cart. Or, you could say, she looked a bit like a princess with her entourage.
The Moore's were cute. Tyler made an announcement at the shore, "Anyone whose anniversary it is has to stop mid stream and kiss. It's a tradition." Of course there is no such tradition, but maybe there should be. They stopped and kissed mid-stream: it was their 11th anniversary that very day.
The last woman to cross was Sis. Sigua. She has a lot of boys, so it was funny to see them carry her like a queen, complete with foot rest.
The last crossing was open to interpretation, but everyone was invited to enjoy the water. June had a funny journal entry for this crossing, "I don't remember what the last crossing was called, but it was called something like The Fun and Games, and Get Soaked Crossing. I asked Dad if I could get sopping wet, and he said, “I don't know. Go ask your mother.” He clearly thought Mom was going to say no, because when she said yes, Dad came over and said that I actually couldn't get soaked, so I only got half way soaked, and went into the deep parts until my skirt was completely soaked, and just the edges of my shirt weren't dry." She had a good time.
Pearl was carried across by Dad.
But she later dipped her toes and played a bit.
Ivory waded in again, but actually didn't spend much time in the water.
Robyn (and I think Daisy) crossed via handcart.
Daisy I found later playing in the water, but I didn't see Robyn. (There was a lot going on.)
Hannah made it across just fine.
I love this picture of Bishop carrying Thomas across. He fell asleep right before the water part. But don't worry, he woke up in time to play.
When everyone had crossed or was in the water, Captain Fairbanks led us in three cheers for the pioneers!
And then he relaxed. I think it was a great blessing to have trek behind him.
One last picture for the trip. Thanks Will for joining us for the photo.
We reached camp, changed clothes and drove straight home. Or as straight home as you can get with a few stops along the way. We didn't caravan. It was easier to make our own time. The kids were very good and napped a bit along the way. My favorite part was June and Hannah in the back singing 'Buffalo Gals.' They had no idea how the tune went so they made up their own version.
A couple good quotes on the way home:
I was driving and watching a field out of the corner of my eye. I could see lots of dandelions growing and then suddenly they looked different, so I asked, "Are those sheep or really big dandelions?" Tyler thought that was amusing, but I said it was best that I guess and keep my eyes on the road. (They were sheep.)
Also, there were a whole BUNCH of signs requesting that you watch for motorcycles. Most would read, 'Look Twice, Save a Life.' It really bugged me because twice and life don't really rhyme. So Tyler started saying, 'Look Twice, Save Lice.' (Thank you...someone who can rhyme.)
The best quote of the entire trek was on Friday night when the kids were playing in the empty camp. We had Pearl in our tent because she was supposed to be going to sleep, but with the others running around outside she was naturally distracted. We opened the tent window so Pearl could see and Hannah ran by looking inside. She said, "I can see you P." 'P' is Pearl's nickname but it sounded so funny when Hannah said that. Yes, potty humor always reigns supreme in the Cazier household.
And so ends another amazing adventure. I had a great time and I think the kids really enjoyed themselves. I will have one more post with some of my favorite pictures that weren't included previously. I know that we can never truly understand what those pioneers went through, especially those in the Willie and Martin handcart companies. But to walk a few miles in their footsteps still brings us closer to our Heavenly Father.
The ridge is comprised of mostly rocks. Hence the name 'Rocky Ridge.' However by this point you can see that people cared little where they sat. Rocks are just as good as another ground cover.
I don't remember much of what they said at the top of the hill. I held Charlotte for a while and then took pictures. Seeing sister Holcomb packing around her baby reminded me a lot of last time we were on trek, when Pearl was four months old.
Here is our fearless leader, Captain Fairbanks.
The missionaries did have each of us pick up a rock and think about something in our life that we could get rid of; maybe akin to emptying our handcarts of unnecessary items. The rock would represent that and on our first river crossing we would throw our stone into the river, leaving that thing behind. The first crossing was also supposed to be silent, I think.
Tyler and I were the first to cross all three times, because we wanted to be able to take pictures of everyone after us. I had the camera and Tyler used the GoPro. We made a good team. I had pictures of everyone, but for the sake of this blog, we will show mostly family here. June and Hannah crossed carrying Pearl and Daisy.
Robyn came across with Josie.
Ivory looks so cute holding her shoes and socks.
The second crossing was a very special crossing. They called it the priesthood crossing and only the boys and men holding the priesthood were supposed to touch the water. Tyler carried me across first and I took pictures from the shore.
Tyler got Daisy next and carried her across.
Then he picked up Hannah. I'm not sure how comfortable that is.
Here he is carrying my oldest and my youngest.
Ivory had been riding in the Lau cart for some time, and she opted to have Marek take her across.
All the little kids had left the wagon and been carried across, so Robyn looked a little lonely in the cart. Or, you could say, she looked a bit like a princess with her entourage.
The Moore's were cute. Tyler made an announcement at the shore, "Anyone whose anniversary it is has to stop mid stream and kiss. It's a tradition." Of course there is no such tradition, but maybe there should be. They stopped and kissed mid-stream: it was their 11th anniversary that very day.
The last woman to cross was Sis. Sigua. She has a lot of boys, so it was funny to see them carry her like a queen, complete with foot rest.
The last crossing was open to interpretation, but everyone was invited to enjoy the water. June had a funny journal entry for this crossing, "I don't remember what the last crossing was called, but it was called something like The Fun and Games, and Get Soaked Crossing. I asked Dad if I could get sopping wet, and he said, “I don't know. Go ask your mother.” He clearly thought Mom was going to say no, because when she said yes, Dad came over and said that I actually couldn't get soaked, so I only got half way soaked, and went into the deep parts until my skirt was completely soaked, and just the edges of my shirt weren't dry." She had a good time.
Pearl was carried across by Dad.
But she later dipped her toes and played a bit.
Ivory waded in again, but actually didn't spend much time in the water.
Robyn (and I think Daisy) crossed via handcart.
Daisy I found later playing in the water, but I didn't see Robyn. (There was a lot going on.)
Hannah made it across just fine.
I love this picture of Bishop carrying Thomas across. He fell asleep right before the water part. But don't worry, he woke up in time to play.
When everyone had crossed or was in the water, Captain Fairbanks led us in three cheers for the pioneers!
And then he relaxed. I think it was a great blessing to have trek behind him.
One last picture for the trip. Thanks Will for joining us for the photo.
We reached camp, changed clothes and drove straight home. Or as straight home as you can get with a few stops along the way. We didn't caravan. It was easier to make our own time. The kids were very good and napped a bit along the way. My favorite part was June and Hannah in the back singing 'Buffalo Gals.' They had no idea how the tune went so they made up their own version.
A couple good quotes on the way home:
I was driving and watching a field out of the corner of my eye. I could see lots of dandelions growing and then suddenly they looked different, so I asked, "Are those sheep or really big dandelions?" Tyler thought that was amusing, but I said it was best that I guess and keep my eyes on the road. (They were sheep.)
Also, there were a whole BUNCH of signs requesting that you watch for motorcycles. Most would read, 'Look Twice, Save a Life.' It really bugged me because twice and life don't really rhyme. So Tyler started saying, 'Look Twice, Save Lice.' (Thank you...someone who can rhyme.)
The best quote of the entire trek was on Friday night when the kids were playing in the empty camp. We had Pearl in our tent because she was supposed to be going to sleep, but with the others running around outside she was naturally distracted. We opened the tent window so Pearl could see and Hannah ran by looking inside. She said, "I can see you P." 'P' is Pearl's nickname but it sounded so funny when Hannah said that. Yes, potty humor always reigns supreme in the Cazier household.
And so ends another amazing adventure. I had a great time and I think the kids really enjoyed themselves. I will have one more post with some of my favorite pictures that weren't included previously. I know that we can never truly understand what those pioneers went through, especially those in the Willie and Martin handcart companies. But to walk a few miles in their footsteps still brings us closer to our Heavenly Father.
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