Tid-Bits

Yep, still need to blog the fourth. And this is why I blog so often people. So I don't get behind. I don't like it.

And Martin's Cove is right around the corner and that will be more pictures.

So I give you a few tid-bits so I can catch up on my thoughts.

We have a lot of children's books. I moved a book case from one side of the room to the other and I was amazed at how many books are on that thing.



Oddly, they didn't all fit back on. Did they multiply while they were on the floor? I wish. I can't get enough of kids' books.

The bottle battle is going really well. Pearl has accepted the bottle with panache. Robyn had her turn feeding her, and I think her cheeks are getting fatter. (Pearl's, not Robyn's.)



The best part so far was the other day when I took a nap that lasted longer due to the fact that Tyler got Pearl up and fed her a bottle instead of getting me up. Okay bottle. You hurt my pride, but I think we can be friends.

Plus, what would Ivory do without you?

Beware of Muggles

If you have never been Geo-caching, the first question you're going to ask is, “What is Geo-caching?” Well, according to Wikipedia.org (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geo-caching) it's “an outdoor activity in which the participants use a GPS receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches").

According to Geo-caching.com (http://www.Geo-caching.com/faq/), “Geo-caching is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure. A geo-cacher can place a geo-cache in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geo-cache’s existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS unit can then try to locate the geocache.”

According to me, Geo-caching is a good way to get lost with the family and not have to worry about asking directions.

The next question is usually, “How do you do it?” You can find caches online at www.Geo-caching.com. With a free membership, you can be off to finding geo-caches ANYWHERE in the world. And there are more than just a “few” caches lying around. Within five miles of my home there are 598 caches to be found! And if I'm willing to go ten miles, I could find up to 1,366 caches! Grab some coordinates, load them into your GPS, read the post (some times there are useful tips on finding these caches), load the family into the car, and use the GPS to guide you to the location. Note that these caches are generally expertly hidden (to avoid muggle curiosity, see below), so the GPS will get you to within five feet of the location—but from there, it's just good ol' fashioned common sense that will help you find the cache. Once you find it, sign the log book (you always have to do that—it's like saying, “I was here” officially). If it's a larger cache, and you've brought some treasures you can trade treasures with what's in the cache.

Couple of rules of the game:

1. Beware of Muggles. Don't let people who are not geo-cachers know what you're doing. In the craft, they're referred to as “muggles.” It's not bad to tell people about geo-caching, but it's forbidden to allow other people to witness you finding a cache. This sometimes takes great skill as some of the caches are literally located in the middle of the street.
   
2. Keep an accurate log. Always sign the log book, and then find your way back to Geo-caching.com to log your visit and mention if the cache has been “muggled” (what happens to a cache when a muggle finds it and either tampers with it or destroys it); or tips on finding the cache; or praise to the original hiders of the cache.

Be fair warned, there are some fanatics around that have hundreds or perhaps thousands of Geo-caching notches on their belt. I won't even try to brag about our cache list—it's not long enough to brag about yet.

Now that you know the terrain, here are some shots of some recent muggle-avoidance we've participated in recently.

Up in Washington, we went geo-caching with Grampa and Tim. Grampa thought it was cool; Tim loved it. Here we are in the woods of Washington. It looks like back country, but to anyone who lives in Washington, this is about 150 paces out of the parking lot. We stopped at this ant hill (3:00 to 5:00 in the photograph). It was swarming with an ant hive. Kids thought it was awesome.

But it was Robyn who pulled out the win on this cache. She's pointing to this AMAZINGLY well-hidden cache. It had moss over the top of it. It took a lot of looking to find this one.

Tim and I went to find several other caches. June and I found some other caches. One of my favorite cache's coordinates led us to a round about with a big eagle's nest bronze statue on it. Ironically, we didn't find that cache, though I'm told it has been found recently--so it must exist.

On another cache that we did locate, the girls and I hunted around for half an hours after arriving at the coordinates. There wasn't much to search through though, since there was just dirt, a fence, and more dirt. We searched a lot of dirt before we started feeling along the chain-link fence for any sign of something. Dad was lucky enough to put a hand down on the fence post cap and feel it shake a little bit. It was too loose to be held on just by gravity, unless there's a chain attached to it, hanging down inside the fence post. Awesome hide.

July, What?

This going out of town thing is killing me. I have all these fun pictures and no time to post. We just got back from Idaho and I haven't even downloaded my goodies yet. But I feel actual pain when I see a week go by with no new posts. (Okay, not actual pain, but something close.)

So instead of Idaho, you get some leftovers from Washington. We went to a park one day and just played. Pearl was digging the swing.



She is so small, she gets almost lost in that seat, but she seemed to enjoy it.



The girls tackled the tire swing, which made me almost sick just watching.



Tyler would spin them at a supersonic velocity and they would scream with glee. I remember doing something similar at that age, but long gone are those days.

We all took a turn swinging somewhere.



How hot is this Daddy, and how awesome is her hair...always.



Sometimes you just got to unwind and let your hair down.



Hope you all had a great Fourth!

Gallery

This has been a bit slow in getting here, but better late than never. I took Robyn out for her six year old pictures a while ago. They just haven't reached the blog. But without further ado, here she is, in her six year old splendor.



Then I had fun playing with some effects in Photo shop.



Lastly, I really enjoyed this post on a friend's blog saying that we should take more pictures with our children. Good thing I got one that day.



I'm lucky to be the mother of Robyn. She is a beautiful girl, both inside and out.

Define: Pearl Lite

Definitions range from tampons and beer to soil and legos. But our Pearl Lite is just another child who is struggling to gain weight on my short supply of milk. I took her in for her four month check-up and low and behold, she is low on the weight scale. I would like to chalk it up to my having small children (which I do), but I am no fool. She is trending exactly in Daisy's footsteps and I know where those steps lead.

And so with a heavy heart, I decided that I will supplement. I know this isn't a big deal, but I like not having to worry about bottles. I love breast feeding, in fact. If you don't count the first two weeks breast feeding June which consisted of pain, cracking, toe-curling, bleeding, crying, and more pain...then I really enjoy nursing my children. There is something calming from that little tug; knowing that you are giving your child sustenance. I think it is a very natural part of motherhood. (Although I don't judge those who choose to bottle feed.)



Now I feel like I have failed in some way. I shouldn't be surprised. My mother had a hormone deficiency that messed with her milk supply big time and bottle feeding was mandatory. I always thought I escaped, but in retrospect, I was 2 out of 4 and now that this baby is declining, I guess the score is 3 out of 5. I fail.

I haven't thought about much else today. I have snuggled my baby and teared at the thought of having to use a bottle. I don't know why this bothers me so much. After all, a bottle affords much more freedom. I started thinking of all the luxuries a bottle would offer me. I could go on a date with my husband, WITHOUT the baby. I could go to the temple and do a whole session. My kids could have a turn feeding her. (Which they are very excited about.) Tyler could get up in the middle of the night and feed the baby. (Woot!) Traveling and feeding would be so much easier.

And yet...I still wish that I didn't have to do it. Although I will, because I am slowly starving my child and that is a less savory option. I could tell that Pearl has been hungry. I have been feeding her more like every one and a half hours in hopes that she would be nice and chunky at her appointment. (Okay chunky is far fetched. I would be happy with overly slender.) No dice though.

I came home from the appointment and cracked open one of the emergency formula kits the hospital gives you. (I had a sneaking suspicion that my milk would be stupid again, so I had kept one on hand.) She hesitantly drank one ounce at first and then three more later. And then she decided that was enough. Now she just cries when I try and give her a bottle. I am secretly thrilled that there is no substitute for mom, but frustrated at the same time, because this would be easier on both of us if she would just take the bottle. I sense a rough road ahead of us, with me caving often because I would rather nurse her in the first place and she seems content to cry until I give in. She can sense my weakness.

Curse you skim milk.

Bless you baby. We can do this.

Could You, Would You, On a Train?

I have known Rita for all my life it seems. She told me that she met me when I was two, but for all intensive purposes, that is basically my whole life. Rita sews, amazingly well. She made me clothes when I was little. Some of my first memories are standing there being measured by Rita. She has made me curtains, and an apron, and when I was older, she made my temple dress. I owe her a lot.

Her husband Mike is pretty cool too, but in a boy way. He does trains. When I was little we would visit at Christmas time. The tree would be up and there would be trains galore underneath. They were cool trains that ran by themselves and some would do things like load cows, or unload wooden logs. They were just cool. I think my Dad liked them even more than we kids did. Here is the table 'o trains, without the Christmas tree of course.



So when we went to Washington, I had to take my kids to see the trains. (And Rita). I was in for a surprise as well. They have trains outside too.



I guess they don't use them as much in the winter, so I had never seen them before. They have these trains that run along through gardens and around a pond.



Oh, I forgot to mention, Rita is an excellent gardener as well. I told her it wasn't fair that she has so many talents.

The girls watched the trains and we even played Superman. (You know, faster than a speeding train.)



Eventually all the rough-housing led to the flipping.



I think Tyler was showing off for Rita. We did some balancing where Tyler holds them with one hand straight up in the air. (Don't fall Ives!)



They sure do love it. And I love the crazy hair that comes with it.





Behind Robyn is a shed where the trains live in the winter. They actually have a hole in the side where the trains drive right out. Super cool.

Pearl was content to stick with Rita.



We had such a great time and I feel blessed to know someone like Rita.

Then and Now

My fear of being behind on posts is that I will get so focused on finishing up Washington that I will neglect to mention what is happening now. So today, you get a little of both.

THEN

The first night we were in Washington, my mom took us to an art show. Featuring many LDS artists, there was plenty to look at: photography, quilting, paint, ink, live music, and what I went for...my mom's crosstitching. They ran out of time when they were setting things up and they didn't put her name next to any of her pieces (lame), but it was fun for the girls to go around and see if they could figure out which ones belonged to grandma.

I snuck off for a few moments to feed Pearl, and Ivory came with me. We were in a LDS chapel, but I couldn't find the nursing room, so I stepped into an empty classroom. Ivory spent her time building a bridge from one side of the room to the other while I fed the baby. She was so proud of her work that she brought all her sisters back to see it later. And oddly enough, with all the art there, it was the only picture I got that night. (Sorry mom, we still love your stitching.)



NOW

Back at home, I realize that my kids could probably use less art and more geography. Here are a few conversations that I have had with June recently:

I had asked June if she wanted me to paint her nails.

June: Yes, and we should do the Spanish Cross.
Me: The Spanish Cross?
June: You know, with the white stripe at the top.
Me: Do you mean a French Manicure?

Later, we trying to think of a state to name a drink. (Don't ask.)

Me: What state should we use?
June: Paris
Me: Nope, that is a city.
June: France!
Me: No, that is a country.
June: Spain!
Me: Country.
June: England!
Me: Do you know any states??

(I think she knows Idaho, Washington, California, and Utah—the states for which we've already named drinks. It's a long story. And after this conversation, she knows Texas. We will work on the rest.)

THEN

The Zoo is a must when we visit my parents. I have always loved the Point Defiance Zoo and I think my children had a good time, although I am ashamed of all the little ways they are making money. Feed the goats=50 cents, ride the carousel=$1, ride a camel=$5, pet the dog from the show=$1. (WHAT!?! A dollar to pet a dog? Needless to say, my kids did NOT get to pet the dog.) Besides the obvious scalping, the animals were still interesting to watch. The seals swam upside down for us, the walrus was amazingly graceful despite his tonnage, and the polar bear was being fed. (Quite the show.)



June found a more cuddly polar bear later on. She gave him a "bear" hug...Get it? Nod. Nod. Wink. Wink.



The day was beautiful and Tyler was smart enough to bring a hat and sunscreen for me, so we all went home happy. I think the only thing in focus here is Pearl's hair. (Man, I am being upstaged by the hair.)



This is the hat Tyler makes me wear because he's "conditioning" the children to look for the red hat with eyes on it if they ever get lost in a populous area. It is the You-Can-ALWAYS-Find-Your-Parent hat. We wear these hats to zoos, amusement parks, swimming pools—you know anywhere there are lots of people. We haven't lost one yet (a child, that is).

NOW

Speaking of animals, or creatures back here in Utah, the summer predators have arrived. Yes, the mosquitoes are back. Tyler is their favorite flavor, but they dabble in other Cazier delicacies when they have the chance. Ivory got bitten by something, although I am not ruling out spider, and she ended up with a goose egg above her eye that slowly made her eye swell half shut. I should get some tiki torches or something, because just when the weather gets lovely in the evenings, it is dangerous to stay out and enjoy it.

To answer the rumors Ivory has been spreading about how "Mommy hit me in the eye..." No, no...honest. It was the skeeter.



THEN

Daisy was/is a handful wherever she goes. My dad quickly learned to keep an eye on her, and I would find him lurking around corners watching her carefully. One afternoon, my dad walked through the room where we were playing a game and said,

"I haven't seen Daisy for a while. Does anyone know where she is? This could be a problem."

"Oh dad, she's just taking a nap."

But I don't blame him one bit for being cautious. She got into plenty while she was there. But she was a great napper and I love the day Tyler found her like this. She had found the hair straightener and must have been busy examining it when she fell asleep. (It was not on, thank goodness.)



NOW

Daisy made me laugh today. Robyn has been begging to get dog treats for Moxy. (Probably because of the trauma that dog went through when we left—another post.) I took them all to Pet Co this afternoon to restock our snacks for the hound. They have a 'treat bar' there with an assortment of treats in shapes and sizes that often appear much like people food. They have one treat in particular that looks exactly like small chocolate chip cookies. Daisy was fascinated by the treat bag and was eventually crying because I wouldn't give her one, despite my firm admonishments that she would not like them.

I finally decided to teach her the easiest way possible. I fished out a cookie-shaped dog treat and told her to go for it. She gingerly took a bite and chewed away happily. I asked her questioningly, "Does it taste good?" She nodded yes and went for another bite. This intrigued me, so I took a sniff. It certainly didn't smell bad. Daisy finished off the entire cookie. Great, now I will have to hide all the dog treats in a good spot, to keep them away from, not the dog, but Daisy.

THEN

My parents house has an awesome tub. It is huge and has bubble jets. It was so easy to throw all four kids in at once, and Tyler would take Pearl in to calm her down. (That child loves the water.) Tyler snapped a picture of the monkeys one morning.



Aren't they sweet?