Having Fun Is Hard Work

The slogan of this year's Utah Arts Festival is "Look Dirty. Have Long Man-Hair." I didn't see this slogan in print, but I did see lots of festivalers who took it to heart. 

We took the boys to the Arts Festival in the hope that with exposure to art, music, and diverse crowds (scruffy dudes included), they will develop an appreciation for our lovely city and the people in it. It is my hope that my man and I will always be able to provide a level of exposure to the arts, sports, social groups, and nature that will enhance our boys' lives and help them to grow up to be self-aware, compassionate, and educated. All these hopes and expectations, however, must be tempered during a family outing with two little guys. The lofty goal of cultural enlightenment takes a back seat to the immediate realities of heat (100 degrees), hunger, fatigue, and little-boyness.

We spent 90% of our time in the Art Yard where the boys visited the musical instrument petting zoo, listened to an animated storyteller, enjoyed sandwiches and chocolate milk, and made their own works of art. Maybe someday, we'll be able to visit the grown-up section of the festival. Until then, we will do our best to balance education with enjoyment.

Me: "You look confused."
Tim: "That's just my face."

Play Me, I'm Yours

Ten painted pianos have been installed on the streets of Downtown Salt Lake City for our enjoyment. This project called Play Me, I'm Yours by British artist Luke Jerram is presented by the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, and is on display through the end of June. The public is invited to sit down and play Mary Had A Little Lamb (the punk's current masterpiece), Solfeggettio by Bach (a piece I learned in junior high, and the only one I have memorized), Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater (a black-keys-only number, which Grandma Caryn taught the punk today), or a personal composition (which the basher shared with his grand audience of bicyclists and passersby).

Go! Play! Enjoy!

(Here's the website, with a map of the piano locations.)

Dusk

Awesome

After we enjoyed a delicious meal made entirely by my man: burger-dogs (hamburgers shaped like hot dogs so they would fit into the hot dog buns we had in the pantry), homemade fries, watermelon and red grapes,

Tim sighed, "I am still basking in the glow of my awesome meal."
Me: "I wish you would bask in the glow of my awesome meals."
Tim: "Then you'd need to start making your meals more awesome."

Ain't he sweet?

(Frame of reference: This week's meals included a vegetable cheese torte, tomato basil orzo soup, and chili corn muffins. So... vegetables are not awesome. Meat is awesome.)

Happy Father's Day, Mr. Sass-mouth!

Summer Shenanigans

We gave the basher a haircut. It suits him.

We carried a giant diaper box down the street and went grass sledding. This is so much better than snow sledding! Instead of bundling up in coats, snow pants, boots, gloves, and hats, we just threw on our flip flops and walked out the door.

We have lots of fun things planned this summer. All of them will require sunscreen on the basher's head.

12of12: June (Tuesday)

On the 12th of each month, I take 12 photos to document my day.

[Click on the block of photos to enlarge.]

1. Breakfast: leftover vegetable cheese torte. 2. We love that Uncle Davey has decided to stay with us until he gets married. (Photo by the punk!) 3. Enjoyed a sandwich from Oh Mai Vietnamese Sandwich Kitchen for the second day in a row. I just may go again tomorrow. You should too. 4. Grandma Lynn watched the boys while I attended a staff meeting. She has pretty flowers. 5. In the summer months, the boys almost always leave wet from her house. Hose, fountain, sprinkler toys... a happy childhood is built upon water fun. 6. Peas! 7. Cake break. 8. After quiet time/nap time, the boys had a grand ol' time throwing blankets back and forth over the top of the crib. 9. I taught one piano student with both boys clinging to me. Then the basher took a turn on the keys. 10. Clean hair and foam letters. 11. Uncle Joe gave the basher a rocking' new 'do. 12. Squeezing in a workout.

His Idea

Four hours ago, I declared to my man that as soon as the boys went to bed, I was going to take a delicious, hot bubble bath. Of course, when the time came, I found other things that needed to be done: laundry, cleaning up, and some work on the computer. Finally, I felt like I had accomplished enough for one day and was ready for a soak. So I pushed back from the desk and said, "Well..."

Then my man interrupted: "Go get in the tub, Woman!"

"Oh, you think if you say it first, it's your idea?"

"It is my idea. Put some bubbles in it."

"Uh huh."

"And make it hot."

"I'd be so lost without you."