Comical Connor

Lots to blog about, but Connor has said several funny things this past week & I wanted to write them down before I forgot. Can I just say how much I love this kid? He is definitely my mini-me...

Story #1: I was watching the show "House Hunters" on HGTV the other afternoon while I was feeding Viv a bottle. Connor sat down & started watching it with me. I was totally surprised! This kid will usually only watch Star Wars or shows with animated characters that turn into aliens. But, he was totally into it & voting on which house the people should buy.

After the show was over, he turned to me & said, "Mom. I hope I get a scholarship to college."

I said, "Yeah, me too." Inside, I was thinking "What a random comment! I wonder where that came from?" Then I got my answer.

He said, "Because if I get a scholarship to college, then I won't have to spend all my money on school & I can save it for a down payment on a house instead."

Huh?!? Did that statement just come out of my little boy's mouth??? Inside I was thinking, "You're eight-years-old?!? What eight-year-old is planning for a down payment on a house?" My next thought was, "You are sooooooooooo my child." And my third thought was, "Dave Ramsey would be proud!"

Story #2: Last Sunday, Mike & the boys were at my parents house for dinner. For some reason, the subject of singing voices came up. Connor said, "I don't like to sing because I don't have a good voice. My singing voice sounds like a girl. I want to have a deep voice like yours Dad."

Mike said without thinking, "Well, you'll go through puberty in a few years & then your voice will get deeper like mine."

"What's puberty?" Connor asked.

"Well," Mike said, "Puberty is when you change from a child to an adult. Your voice will get deeper and you'll start growing facial hair...and things like that."

I guess the other members of my family tried to egg Mike on with comments like, "And what else happens Mike?" and "Yeah, keep going." But, Mike stopped there & Connor was content with the answer. I was totally unaware that this conversation had happened since I was a work.

The next day, as the kids & I were eating lunch, Connor asked me, "Mom, how old is Uncle Dan?"

"Oh I don't know," I said. "27, I think."

"So," Connor replied, "You're older than Uncle Dan?"

"Yep," I said.

"How is that possible?" Connor asked. "Because Dan already has his beard & you haven't even STARTED to get yours yet!"

Oh Connor, Connor, Connor...let's hope it stays that way!

I seriously love that kid to pieces! He is an old soul & always has been. I love how logical he is about everything. He is always planning out how his life is going to be (where he's going to go to college, what he wants his career to be, and who he is going to marry). Sound like anyone else? Yeah, I basically planned my life out at the age of nine...and deviated very little from it.

We always say that Connor is a mini-version (and male-version) of me. Heaven help this world, right? Our similarities are probably the reason that the two of us butt heads so much. Oh boy, do we butt heads sometimes!

One time, Connor & I weren't getting along about something, and Connor was sure that he was right & that I was TOTALLY wrong. My patience was wearing thin, so I asked Mike if he could talk to him. Mike was able to calm him right down within just a few minutes. I asked Mike what his secret was. He said, "I've had over 10-years of experience with you. That's my secret!" Haha! So true!!! Connor is definitely my little mini-me. Love him!!! --Lindsay

Swimming Lessons 2011

The big boys finished another year of swimming last week. They both had a great year & learned a lot. Connor is becoming a pretty good little swimmer. His only weaknesses are treading water (kind of important) and his backstroke. Neither of these surprise me. He sinks like a rock...just like his Daddy. Hence why Mike was on the Diving Team in High School & not the Swim Team. Here's Connor with his class. Sorry the picture quality is so poor. It's hard to get a good shot from the parents' watching area...


Aiden still can't swim all by himself for long periods of time. He does great when his teacher is helping him, but doesn't go far when he's by himself. He had fun though...and, he made his teacher earn her money BIG TIME most days. Here's a picture of his class. They're the ones in the distance...

On the last day, they got to play with all the fun water toys for a few minutes. Connor's favorite activity was getting dumped on by the big bucket of water...

And, Aiden loved running back & forth through this waterfall. He's the one that's right behind the waterfall about to run through it. I was just a tad too early in taking the pic...

Cohen & Viv hung with me on the sidelines for the two weeks. Cohen was good, except for when he was torturing Vivvie. BOYS!!! And, V just loved to sit and smile at the other moms around us. Her fan club was quite extensive by the end of the two week period.

So, another year of swimming lessons are behind us. The boys always LOVE taking lessons and look forward to them each year. I like them too, but I think I'll like them better once all four of the kids are old enough for them & I can sit quietly and read a book...rather than play referee. --Lindsay

Summerfest 2011

One of the things I love most about living in Utah is the summertime festivals. Each town as their own festival celebrating something different...Swiss Days, Strawberry Days, Onion Days, Steel Days, Pioneer Days, etc. Well, in the town I grew up in, it's Summerfest. It's just like all the other festivals...there's a trashy little carnival, art & food booths, a parade and fireworks. I've looked forward to this festival each year for as long as I can remember. So, each year, we head down to parents' house for this fun family tradition. Since it falls on a Saturday each year, I usually have to work. But, I decided to take it off this year so I could spend the entire day with the family.

We took the kids to the carnival early in the afternoon. I forgot to take the camera with me, so I tried to take pictures with my blackberry, but they all turned out blurry. The kids had a blast...as always. They rode on the cars, the swings, a little mini roller coaster, etc. The weather was perfect. Temperatures were in the 70s and the sun was shining...a far cry from last year when it was 50 degrees & raining.

After the carnival, we headed back to my parents house where the kids played in the kiddie pool for awhile...


After swimming, we made panini's for dinner & then headed over to the parade...


The kids had a blast begging each float for candy...

Vivvie slept through 90% of the parade...even the cannons couldn't wake her up. I guess when you have three wild & crazy brothers, you learn how to be a deep sleeper...

Kristin did what she does best & took self-portraits of herself...

Eventually, Viv woke up toward the end of the parade & loved watching the floats, marching bands & dance groups pass by her...

Later that night, we walked over to the park that is near my parents' house where we could get a good view of the fireworks display. I thought Viv would be scared to death, but she just sat there mesmerized by the bright colors & loud booms. Seriously, nothing fazes that girl.

It was a fun day! I love Summerfest! It's a great way to kick off summer each year! --Lindsay

So...I'm Kind of a Big Deal (Insert Sarcasm Font Here)

See this...


Yes, that's my name. I was interviewed for this newspaper story...

It was about the crazy weather we've had this year & how our mountains are still covered in snow in the middle of June.

Why is that so cool you ask?

Well, because the story was in this newspaper...

On the FRONT PAGE!!!

Wow! Never in a million years did I think I'd ever see my name on the front page of the NEW YORK TIMES!

Here's how it all happened...

The other afternoon, I was at work. Our receptionist walked into the newsroom & came over to my desk. She said, "Um Lindsay. There's a phone call for you."

I thought it was weird that she had walked back to my desk instead of just calling me to tell me I had a phone call. I thought it must be one of our slightly-obsessed viewers that call from time-to-time wanting to talk to us about anything & everything they can think of.

"Okay," I said. "Who is it? A crazy viewer?"

"Um, no." She replied. "It's a reporter with New York Times."

"What?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yeah," She replied. "She wants to interview one of our Meteorologists about why we've received so much snow this year. Do you have time to talk to her?"

"The New York Times?" I repeated. "You're asking me if I have time to talk to The NEW YORK TIMES?!?"

"Yep." She said with a smile.

"Okay," I said. "Transfer her back."

Next thing I know, I'm being interviewed by the New York Times for a story that ends up being published on page A1!!

Now, granted, the only reason I was interviewed was because I just happened to be the meteorologist working at the time, and I'm only in 2 paragraphs of the story, but still...how many people can say they've seen their name on the front page of the NYTimes?

If you want to read the entire article, the link to it is right here.

So, as you can see, I'm kind of a big deal. Haha! --Lindsay

Seussical the Musical

Earlier this week, a friend of mine offered me three tickets to see "Seussical the Musical" at Hale Center Theater. I was so happy! I've always heard great things about this show and I was so excited to go see it. We decided to make it into a Mommy-Son date. I took Connor & Aiden with me to go see it...

They both LOVE Dr. Seuss books, so I thought it would be a fun night out for all of us! Here's our attempt at a family picture before the show started...

Well, a few minutes before the show was going to start, I told the boys that if they had to go to the bathroom or get a drink, they needed to do it now because they wouldn't be able to go during the play. They both told me they were fine. Uh huh...right! I should have known better.

Five minutes into the show, Aiden leans over to me and says, "Mom! I'm really thirsty. I need a drink."

"Aiden," I replied. "I told you that you should have gotten a drink before the play started. You can't go out right now. You'll have to wait until intermission!"

"What's intermission?" he asked.

"Intermission is the break in the middle of the play. You'll have to wait until then to get a drink."

"So, when is that going to happen? Like in 5 minutes?" he asked.

"No," I said back. "It will be in about 1 hour."

"One hour?!?" he gasped. "I can't wait an hour! I'm dying of thirst. What if I don't make it?"

Can you say DRAMA QUEEN?!? I told him I was sure he could survive one hour without a drink & to quiet down and watch the play.

He gave me a pouty look and started sulking in his chair.

About five minutes later, Aiden leaned over to me again & whispered, "Is it the middle yet?"

"NO, it's not the middle yet," I replied. "They are in the middle of a song...of course it's not the middle yet!"

This charade went on every 5 minutes for the entire first half of the play. Even Connor started getting annoyed with him & told him several times to stop whining.

Finally, we hit intermission. I bought the boys a drink, some sour patch kids & tic tacs from the concession stand. That appeased Aiden for the remainder of the play & the second half was actually quite enjoyable...now that I wasn't hearing "Is it the middle? Is it the middle? Is it the middle?" every few minutes.

At the end of the play, I asked Aiden what he thought about it. He said it was "kind of boring." BORING?!? There were people dressed in crazy costumes doing all sorts of wacky tricks & dances in an imaginary Seussland and you were bored?!? What a kid! I think he was just a little too young for it. Maybe in a few years.

Connor & I, on the other hand, both really liked it. Although, Connor did make the comment that he thought there was too much singing in it. Uh...hello...it's called a MUSICAL for a reason. Sigh...

Our favorite character was the guy who played the Cat in the Hat. He was awesome! And, we even got lucky enough to snag a picture with him after the show...

So, that was our Mommy-Son date to Seussical. Remind me never to take a five-year-old to a play EVER again. --Lindsay

School's Out For the Summer!

Well, the kiddos have officially finished another year of school! Aiden actually got out the Friday before Memorial Day, but Connor didn't finish up until this last Friday. They both had great years & learned so much! Here's Aiden with his teacher, Mrs. York...


She has been a great teacher & has really pushed Aiden along in his reading. He was supposed to have one reading day each week (a reading day is the day they read to the teacher to pass off their book & get a new one), but Mrs. York tried to do two reading days a week for Aiden because she could see how quickly he was picking it up & she felt she needed to challenge him more. Well, it worked! Aiden is now reading at a 1st grade level...and he's not even in Kindergarten yet! Way to go buddy! I just hope you're not bored next year. The picture above was actually taken before the last day of school, so we had a picture of Mrs. York looking normal. Here's what Mrs. York looked like on the official last day...

The last day of school at Learning Dynamics is always Circus Day, so all the teachers are dressed up as clowns. But, you HAVE to take a picture on the last day...even if your teacher is dressed a little strange. :) As you can see, we decided to give the teachers flowers again this year. It's easy & who doesn't love a big ol' bouquet of flowers? Thanks Mrs. York for a great year...and for putting up with Aiden's WILD personality!

Connor's last day was this past Friday! His teacher this year was Mrs. Murdoch & she was GREAT...

Mrs. Murdoch has been such a fabulous teacher! I can not believe how much Connor has learned & grown from being in her class! He is turning into quite the mathematician. He absolutely LOVES math & is great at it! Mrs. Murdoch told me on several occasions how impressed she was with Connor's ability to grasp math concepts. He just gets it...instantly. Mrs. Murdoch also really helped Connor with his reading fluency. Connor has always been a really good reader. If you gave him a word...any word...he could always sound it out. But, he's never been a very fast reader. In fact, halfway through the school year, he was barely meeting the 2nd grade benchmark for fluency. So, Mrs. Murdoch started working on it with him. And, she gave us some tools to help him at home. Well, I am so proud to report that Connor is now reading VERY fluently! It probably didn't hurt that a few months ago Connor decided to hold a special fast in order to ask for his Heavenly Father's help with his reading fluency. I have no doubt that Heavenly Father helped him! Connor's fluency improved so quickly! At the end of January, he was only reading about 75 words a minute (barely benchmark for 2nd grade). But, just a few months later, he was reading at almost DOUBLE that speed! That doesn't just happen. I'd say Heavenly Father had a hand in that, wouldn't you?

So, a big thank you to Mrs. Murdoch for all the help & special attention she gave Connor this year! It has been one of his best school years yet & given him a great foundation for 3rd grade!

To celebrate the end of school, my friend & neighbor, Kelly (a.k.a. Superwoman), had a great idea for the last day of school! She decided that all the moms should meet the kids, as they were walking home from school, at the front of the neighborhood with popsicles to celebrate the start of summer. Not only did she come up with & organize the whole event, but she went to Smiths Marketplace & bought out ALL THEIR POPSICLES for the event. Yes, she literally cleaned out the store!!! We had three or four coolers full of popsicles! It was so fun & the kids were so surprised. I hope it becomes an annual tradition...except I hope next year, Kelly lets some of us help her with the popsicle purchase. I love my neighborhood! I live around some SERIOUSLY awesome people & I love every single one of them...

Here's Connor & one of his best friends, Hayden. These boys were pretty much inseparable this past year! They get along great & have so much fun together...

So, there you go...a great school year has come to an end! Now, it's on to Summer '11! Here's to hoping it's a fun-filled one! --Lindsay

Memorial Day 2011

Memorial Day Weekend was pretty low-key for us this year. We (and half our neighborhood...thank you neighbors) put sod in our backyard on Saturday. It looks beautiful & I'm so excited to finally have grass! I'll have to do a post on it soon.

Then, on Sunday night, Connor & Aiden had a sleepover at Nana & Poppy's house.

On Monday, Mike & I slept in and enjoyed only having 2 kids for a little bit. Seriously, what did I do with all my time when I only had 2 kids? I remember thinking I was so busy, but now when I only have 2 kids, I feel like life is so easy! The weather was cold & rainy that day...like it has been this entire spring...so we planned some indoor activities for the day.

At lunchtime, we met Nana & Poppy & the big boys at McDonalds (boys' choice) for lunch...


After lunch, I had to go into work, so Nana said she would babysit Vivvie while Mike & Poppy took the boys to see this movie...

The kiddos LOVED it! In fact, they told me later that night that they thought it was better than the first one...which is really saying something since they love the first one & watch it all the time.

So, that was Memorial Day. Not too exciting, but what else can you do when it's 50 degrees & raining outside. --Lindsay