Trick or Treat

We had a great time trick-or-treating! That is, until the punk complained that he was cold and wanted to go home, take a bath, and go to bed. An hour early. The poor kid is feverish and miserable today. He has a Halloween hangover without even getting to enjoy his candy last night!

Bumblebee & Dragon

Cuter Bumblebee & Dragon

"Trick or Treat!"

We love our neighborhood friends!

It was a perfect Halloween night. Warm, clear, and bright. My family came over for chili. We had just the right number of trick-or-treaters, meaning I gave candy to a bunch of cutie pies, but didn't have to turn off the lights and hide behind the couch to avoid obnoxious late-comers. I was done with door duty by 8:30! Not too shabby. Now if only my punk weren't currently shivering and sweating under a blanket, I'd be content.

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.

Solo Date: Downtown

The second hour of my solo date was spent in a tiny sushi restaurant with two books and a notepad. I'm trying to write more. This here blog gives me a nice outlet when I want to share and receive feedback (Is anyone out there?), but I find something almost luxurious in writing just for me. It's not a journal. It's not a novel. It's not a status update. It's just a notebook. There's no pressure for me to record events for my posterity, or to be funny or insightful. My notebook is my safe place where I can write truth or lies and I am the only one with the burden of judging my work.

I spent the first hour on foot with my camera. After I left my boys at the home of a friend (where the legos sucked them in like a tractor beam and they didn't even glance my way as I walked out the door), I was drawn downtown; I wanted to sneak a peek at the new City Creek, which will open later this month.

I was so happy to see that the McIntyre Building is still intact. I was studying math and working in this historic building for a law firm when I met my man. The architect of this building also designed the Utah State Capitol.

When I grow up, I want to be an architect.

It's cold, but there are a few flowers that are trying hard to usher in the next season.

I'm experimenting with different exposures. Obviously, I still have a lot to learn.

I'm glad I wore a scarf. Brrrrr!

In preparing for this solo date, I had considered inviting a friend to join me for dinner or a walk or a pedicure. There are so many friends that I would like to see more often. Uninterrupted adult conversation is so rare these days. But sometimes a girl just needs to be alone with her camera.

Holiday Hike

I love the fall season. I really do! I'm just not ready for it yet. Perhaps it's because this year's winter was so unbearably long. I just feel like summer passed by much too quickly; I'm loathe to see it go. Actually, now that I think about it, it's not fall that I'm dreading; it's the season that follows it that I could do without. Fall, with its beautiful colors and crisp jacket weather, is never long enough. Winter tends to rear its ugly, grey, cold, dark head much too soon and stay long past its welcome. So today, we joined my parents for a lovely early-fall hike up Neff's Canyon to enjoy the outdoors while they are still enjoyable.

2nd Time's The Charm

During last year's Ragnar Relay, I ran 5.5 miles around Rockport Reservoir minutes after puking my guts out. (See my blog post here.) Today, I had a much more enjoyable time at the reservoir. We joined my man's parents, brother, and his girlfriend for an end of summer water party. We packed yummy sandwiches, fresh fruit and veggies, and brownies. The basher wanted some of that action, but was not allowed to indulge in the chocolaty goodness because, as the punk says, "He doesn't have any teef!"

There are very few times in my life these days that I don't acutely feel the weight of motherhood pressing down on me (literally and figuratively. The boys are getting heavy). Even when we are having fun as a family, my primary role is to bring all the right things, make sure the little ones eat and wear sunscreen, and manage their safety and enjoyment. So when my man and I left the boys on the beach with their grandparents and took the Jet Skis out on the lake, I was surprised at the euphoria I felt when I squeezed that throttle. Pure bliss! Wind in my braids, sun on my face, cool water spraying my legs, and two free hands to steer the Jet Ski? Ahhhhh...

Stabby Park

"Stabby Park." That is what my friend calls Pioneer Park downtown. As many of its usual visitors hail from rough circumstances, I'm sure on most days she's not far off, but on Saturday mornings, the place is transformed into a lively farmer's market. My three boys and I met our girlfriends for an afternoon of sensory pleasures. The people watching (there is a highly concentrated number of crazies), the fresh produce, the handmade goods, the music, the tasty food... Summertime bliss.

Baby Bird Update

Earlier this evening, the boys and I were chillin' on a blanket on the grass in the backyard, very near the tree with the robin's nest. Mr. Robin came by with a long worm folded in his beak, but didn't go directly to his nest. He perched on the fence to scope the place out. Then he flew to the roof. Then to a rock. Then to a branch on another tree. He did this for several minutes, all while observing the funny-looking animals on the BYU blanket to see if we could be trusted. I noticed, however, that the nest was quiet. No peeping, no fuzzy heads with open beaks. And I started to worry that, despite the constant stream of worms being crammed down their throats, perhaps the chicks hadn't survived.

After bathing and putting the punk to bed, I walked outside with the basher (who was up next for mealtime and bedtime) to pick up the blanket I had left on the grass. As I bent down to grab the quilt, I exclaimed, "Oh!" A scraggly, feathery brown tennis ball with a beak was staring at me!

This creature and I studied each other for several seconds. I was surprised how round he was! I guess worms do a body good. When he didn't immediately fly away, I decided to run inside and grab my camera (and stash the basher in his swing for a minute). After taking a few shots and getting closer and closer to this fuzzy thing, I ran inside to interrupt the punk's reverie. Psssh, yeah right. He had sneaked out of bed to play with his toys in his room, like he does every night. Since we had been observing this baby's parents for a few days now, I thought he'd like to say hello to the little birdie.

He said, "Hello Baby Robin!" But Mr. and Mrs. Robin did not appreciate our cordial greeting to their offspring. They angrily chirped and flapped from the nearest tree, so I told the punk that we'd better let the baby calm down and practice flying.

I have to say, I was happy to know that the little fuzzball had parents looking out for him. It must be the mama bear in me. When I looked out the window after putting the basher in bed, the baby bird was gone.

For The Birds

Ahhh, Sunday afternoon. We survived the 3+ hours at church with two active boys (and a few long-winded speakers). I've eaten a delicious lunch of blistered grape tomatoes, warmed goat cheese, gourmet olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and fresh basil (right off the potted plant in my kitchen) on a toasted baguette. The boys are taking their naps. I have just settled down with a page-turner in the warm sun when I notice an urgent peeping coming from the scrub oak to my left. There's a mama bird feeing her chicks in a nest! I ran inside for my camera and zoom lens, climbed onto a raised bed near the tree, and waited...

and waited...

and waited...

And then:

I hope you're enjoying your day of rest. Like many parents of young ones, I don't think this mama bird gets one.