As Schrute Would Say... "Question : "

Do any of you do this?
(I know, first the compost, now this. Next, it's no shaving...)
Do any of you really have a plethora of reusable bags for your grocery trippage? I like the idea of saving some plastic trees (good)... I also see myself in the check out line cursing because I left my eco-bag bunch in the car (bad). Again (idiot). Yet I recycle the store ones, so I am being a responsible consumer, right? (good?) IknowIknow, that's still wasting (bad). But could I still practice my super-human finger strength and knit six bags handles in each of my fingers (milk weight included, baby!) from the car to kitchen using these? I mean, I have practiced that for, like, ever. (So boss)
I have reusable bags for smaller shop trips like the occasional Trader Joes/Whole Foods visit and remember to use them there because I feel like such a felon when the W.F. checker gives me a shameful look under her dreadlocks...
But seriously. I want to know your thoughts on this and if it's a good plan. Cuz if I do it, I dig these simple, modern and well designed pretties. Plus, they are priced well. For as many I would probably by, $7 a bag sounds down right decent. Am I off? Advise me, wise shoppers!

It's ALIVE

In case you were wondering...
The garden adventure is going pretty well. Though, I have noticed that others who currently have gardens have fruit much larger than mine already weighing down the plants. We'll see. I was as giddy as a school girl when there were finally leeetle-tiny tomatoes hanging there. The kids found them first and were all jolly to show me. And we cheered a little. I have also had to make a few transplants. Some Basil expired and the other one is still alive by some miracle but I swear it's not changed in size at ALL. I planted some carrots (in the bottom right corner) and had them in a pretty row, or that's what I thought. That is not how they are growing. I fear I'll be uprooting a ripe, orange knotted organ when it's time to harvest, like a big pumpkin size mutation of connected growth. I feel so 'Frankenstein'!
I took these photos a week ago and after being gone over Mem. weekend, they have already grown so much more. It's really cool to watch it change so fast.
Anyway, I see peppers, I see France, I see someone's... zucchini plants!

Memorial Weekend

We joined some friends over the long weekend and went to Huntington Beach. The weather was great... plenty of warm sun and calm breezes. We didn't really do much the entire time, just the things you are supposed to, like sitting around and visiting, watching humorously bad films on T.V., eating yummy food (we're getting into a tradition of trying new fish varieties from the farmers market) and going to the beach. Which, is still a bit cold for me, as I am a wimp. But after being pressured by Erica, we (well, she - I just drank a lot of the ocean) did some body surfing and frolicked in the waves like kids. We also built "Ellie-Land" along Elliet's legs. It was a short city life span, that...the inhabitants should have known better to build on such a fault line...
We got in some pretty runs and bike rides and some tasty Balboa Island frozen bananas & soft serve. Our friends were so nice to invite us to join them. I hope our crazy, energetic family didn't disrupt the peace for everyone else too much, but we had a nice time.
The one bad thing about going to the beach is coming home! :)

Boldly Go

It is a very good question...
What would James T. Kirk do?
I'll tell you what he'd do...
He would get his galactic rear to the new Star Trek Movie, that's what he'd do!
If you haven't seen this yet, GO. It was super-space awesome.
It has ignited a strong ambition in me to acquire a good vintage "Dammit, Jim..." Dr. McCoy t-shirt.
The retro Enterprise is very cool with it's upgraded features and sound effects and the actors were fab, exhibiting just enough mannerisms of the real peeps to make it fun.

May Weekend #2

Oh.My.Goodness.
I cannot express the fun accomplishment of having this weekend come and go.
I feel like a large hill of expectation has finally been summitted and the rest is downhill for a while. Because? Because the school play was FRIDAY.
The school play that I was helping to costume and prop. That school play is over! (I was up late Wednesday night gluing pretend muffins, butter and orange juice into Little Red's basket and wondering if it would ever end.)
Everything turned out so cute! My parents drove down for the weekend to partake in all the kids events. My Mom happily accommodated me to the school an hour before the performance where Jackie (A classmates mom who I worked with during all this and was amazing) and I got all the kids in their costumes, painted their faces, etc. It was cute to see them all get excited as they saw each other in character. After they were ready we returned to the multi-purpose room where families started filing in. Scott's parents also came. How cool for Elliet to have both of her grandparents there! Thanks Mom-Dad/Mimi & Bobba for coming. The show went well- no stage fires or backdrop collapses (exciting idea for next year?). Elliet received flowers from another student Mom for being one of the lead roles and that made her day. She thought it was so cool to receive an 'actress' bouquet. Here she is being "Ima Lonely" (the Mother who baked the Gingerbread Boy), next to her edible son, then Mr. Lonely, the Wolf and the Bear.
Later that night we went out with my parents for dinner and took them to the new Star Trek movie (worthy of it's own post). It was great to be with them and have a fun night out.
Saturday was the big dance recital. I had to take Luke to a soccer game that morning, so after those requirements and a little swimming (my Dad became the official pool kid-tosser), we got ready and headed over.
The recital was in an elementary school gym which was PACKED when we arrived. My Mom hurried the girls backstage while I parked the car and saved seats. This picture of Sadie performing isn't the best (she is on the far left) because we were so far back. But no worries- the whole thing was professionally recorded so that took the pressure off of video cams and zoom pics. The girls did great and I think it was good for them to see something through to the end of all that practicing. Now they have some pretty elaborate dress ups to add to the stash.We spent the rest of the beautiful, hot day having a family BBQ for Scott's Birthday.
My parents left this morning. It was a fun weekend but short! Packed with so much going on. They will be returning in two weeks so hopefully we'll have some more time to play then. But we had a super time while they were here. Great play, great recital and we're whittling down the weeks of upcoming fun.

Happy Birthday SCOTT!

Today is my fabulous husbands Birthday!!!
My blue-eyed, amazing best friend and partner in this crazy life that we live. I usually go easy on posting about him because he doesn't really like it when I I do that, but since it's his BIRTHDAY, I feel a little giddy about being able to abuse my limitations.
I LOVE Scott. The first thing I noticed about him were his cool shoes (because ladies, you know this says a lot about a person) and I wanted to find out more about this guy. Well, he did not disappoint! :) He is so funny and witty- I felt dorky on our first date because he would get me laughing so hard I was worried he would be bugged at how easily I was amused. But he really was SO funny. And he still gets me laughing that hard even today. I wish I could say it was the other way around (sorry, pumpkinlips). He is quick, sharp, very very smart, confident and clever, honest and forgiving... has a strong and pure testimony, has honorable desires and ambitions and on top of all this greatness, he will shop with me, go to concerts with me, hike with me, bike with me, surprisingly he actually likes to hang out with me. I know! How great is that!? (Perhaps, as with Elliet, it is because I cook him "delicious food")
Scott, dear pooh-heart (We don't use pet names but this is too obnoxious and fun)...Scott, bear-button, candy man, shugah-shuug....You... have.... GOT IT. Just like Dorothy Gish. I love you love you and don't know why you are still with me but thank you for loving me back and being such a fun father, husband and friend. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Mothers Day!

This is late, but I wanted to wish all the great Mom's I know a Happy Mothers Day. A friend of mine was baking cupcakes the week before and said she was going to give them to some of the women that influence/inspire her. I thought that was a cool idea and wish I could have had the time to do that in honor of this day. Hm. I think I'll have time to do that in, let's see, July. So watch out, friends! I may surprise you with an honorary cupcake months from now.
It did make me realize how many incredible women I know. I don't know if I could make that many cupcakes. My Mom is obviously at the top. I am so grateful for her wisdom and friendship and love. My sister for the rainbow of fun she is, My sister-in-law Jess for her strength, endurance and faith, my Mother-in-law for her example and knowledge, and her daughters (my other sisters!) for their love and smarts. My friends!.... there are some AMAZING moms out there! The women in my ward impress me every week: At play group, at church, at activities.... people I work with at Elliet's school... friends who I have reconnected with after so many years and can keep up with via their blogs (Thank goodness they blog! (Thank goodness they are open!))....
I just felt really blessed thinking about how lucky we are to be surrounded by good examples of what we can be. If you read this, then most likely you are someone I know. And I feel lucky to know you. YES YOU! So, group hug. Fine. Group cheers, then. Thank you for sharing your talents, your lessons, your weaknesses and strengths because they help me want to be better.
OK- no more mushy. I did return home from our weekend to some loving notes and letters from the kids that their teachers influenced. These two cards are from the twins via Ms. Jamie. Can you guess who wrote what? And I am so guilty as charged because one thing I wanted to actually DO on mothers day was sit and play Star Wars with Luke. So I did. We cleared a new level. We are awesome. I know. I am pathetic.
Elliet brought home letter which read:
"The important thing about my Mom is that she cooks me delicious food. She makes food for me when I am hungry. I like it when she gets me books from the library and we have so much fun together on the beach in California. She draws really good pictures for me and I like it when she calls me an artist. Another importatnt thing about my Mom is that she loves me! She loves me because I was her baby, and now I am six years old. My Mom loves to hug and kiss me, too. But the important thing about my Mom is that she cooks me delicious food."

Awww.... good thing I cook delicious food. :)
Happy Mothers Day everyone!

Saturday- Brian Regan

After a hard day in the Subway, we weren't up for much on Friday night. Scott left to go meet up with Luke at the Father/Sons and we all hung around the house for dinner, visited for a while (Johns family was very forthcoming on some interesting stories regarding his past:)), got some frozen custard and went to bed.
Saturday was nice and relaxing. Us girls did some shopping. Those Tingey gals know some good haunts and I obtained some great treasures, esp. something awesome for Rich & Randi's wedding. After some lunch and secret-location yummy cookies, we got ready to head to Bri-ohn!
The show was held at Tuacahn, which I have never been to. It's a beautiful venue and the weather was absolutely perfect for a night out like this. We ran into a few other friends among the crowd before the show which was fun, I threw all logic out the window and bought some nachos with the oozy cheese (delightful) and we headed down to our seats whilst Coldplay was playing. Ah yes- I think they have become the official band-before-the-show-starts music. Have you noticed this? Pay attention. Betcha within the year you'll go to something and they'll be playing Coldplay. Anyway...as I was, um, focused on the subject at hand...
The comedy was great. He had a lot of new material which succeeded in giving me cheek cramps (upper cheek cramps, silly). A lot to go through for a short weekend but very fun and worth it.
The next day was Mothers Day and we didn't want to miss that, so Scott and I headed home after the Regan show. We were sooo tired! It was during this fatigued drive that Scott told me he didn't do anything for me for Mothers Day. These are good male tactics.... I was too tired to care and it made the day like any other since I knew not to expect anything. :)
(Should I remember this for his upcoming Birthday?)
We had a really great time with such special and great friends. I am thankful for the chance we had to do this and to be SAFE, and grateful for the loving friends/family who cared for our kids while we went. May weekend #1 done! Three more crazy ones to go..... hang on

Friday- The Subway

So here is why our week/weekend was a little busy...
We acquired tickets to Brian Regan months ago. He was performing on Saturday, the 9th in Saint to the George. At the time, no problem- nothing was scheduled. Fast forward a couple of months. The ward Father & Sons outing gets planned for Friday, the 8th through the morning of the 9th. So no problem. He'll take Luke to that and we'll join our friends on Saturday for the show. Scott had planned a trip for the scouts in late July to hike the famous Subway in Zions. Since he was going to go, now I wanted to go (uh, not with the scouts). And my friend Erica, Ms. Outdoor girl extraordinaire, was more than willing to take me through, so I asked her to tour me on Friday, the 8th. Upon hearing I was going, Scott wanted to join us so he could know what was in store for the scouts. Following all this? So here we are. All three, bright and early Friday morning to hike the Subway. Planning to whip through and be done early afternoon so Scott can meet Luke at the Father/Sons and join us the next day. Don't we look bright eyed and bushy tailed? Are you giggling yet?
It was a stunning descent. Great open slick rock trails through, as the map so quaintly declared, "delightful" forestry. Here are Scott and I on our perky start. Erica and I stopped to take a photo at one of the first steep downgrades (you can tell because the mountain horizon behind us keeps getting higher). We go a couple of miles through all this before a very steep and sketchy descent to the start of the Subway. Perhaps this is well illustrated in the photo of Scott showing us his fine rear view.
Here we are at the base, ready to begin. The map said that the beginning was the opening behind us, a "dry river bed". Well, as you can see, there is water. Lots of it. Already a couple of inches. It's cold. We laugh it off hoping it won't be too bad, even though this is evident it's in vain.
We go a bit through ankle deep areas and I slip while stepping on a mossy rock and ram my right knee 90 degrees into a boulder. I tried to walk it off but could feel the nausea coming so I quickly laid down to recover. What fun! I tried to walk it off and was able to manage well enough, but had a nice goose-egg cartoon knee the rest of the way. The lame thing about it was I felt very tenacious the rest of the way, something you can't really afford to feel when hiking this gnarly thing, but whatever. We trudged on and I was glad to be in good, fighting company. You can't be a wimp doing this because... here come the deep pools.
It's May. The winter run off is a bit COLD. I was at Target earlier in the week and had, what I thought was, a nifty plan. I purchased a cheap inflatable water floaty donut thing. Figured- hey! If we come to any deep pools, we can just float across the top on our donuts! I'm a genius! I grab three and we each had one. Well, here we are, facing the pools and no one will use my brilliant idea except me. So I did it. I blew one up as Scott and Erica snickered at me across the way. "Just you wait and see!" I says to them I says. I wade over where it drops to a deep pool where Scott has already crossed and is shivering. We sent him with the cameras so he takes this picture of me poised and ready to beach myself on my blue device. One... two.... and whoop! The small waterfall forces the tube right out from under me and halfway to Scott. I was deflated and laughing too hard at myself at the same time and tried to jump on it, landing short and COMPLETELY in the water. Ohmygoshitssooocooooldswimswimswimswim.....!!! Did you read a curse word in there? We would never! (Okay, fine. I'd like to see YOU do it explicitive-free.)
So there we stood. Barely beginning our adventure on a shallow rocky shore, dripping, freezing, shivering, laughing and wanting to cry a little. Packs are all wet, our garbage bags didn't keep the water out and therefore, did not keep our cameras dry. So it's like the Blair Witch project. I can prove we were there, but the darkest, most crazy moments, most beautiful places, were never captured. But we did it! We had to rapel 4 different times, amid waterfalls and uneven walls, we had to hike slippery, mossy tiers covered in bugs, we had to try and warm up in occasional spots of sun and put on wet 'layers' of warmer clothing that was supposed to be dry for those very moments. But we did it. It was hard and it doesn't let you off easy, either. The 2+ miles out of there make you work the whole way, climaxing with an incredibly vertical climb to your car. But I was so glad to be with strong people. Scott and Erica are tough cookies and were great teammates. Thanks, Erica, for taking us through (And John for babysitting so she could go)! Scott made it off to his scout camp just in time. Poor guy was wasted, though, but they ended up having a really great time.
Hope this wasn't too wordy (if you even read it all) but I didn't want to forget these few details. Have any of you done it? Would you do it again?
And PS- My blue donut ended up being a hero by the end of the day! Go blue.

Thursday

Oy Vey- what a week we have had...
Elliet had field day at school on Thursday and we all went to go watch for a little while. Do you remember how fun those days were as a kid? I think it's cool they still do the water games and run through tunnels for cheap, printed ribbons. I still have those from my Field Days of Glory stuffed in the dusty box of my past... so here's to tradition! Then the twins and I whisked away to their tradional Teddy Bear picnic with their preschool teacher, Ms. Jamie. This was kind of a special one because Elliet did it for two years when she had Ms. J, and this is the twins second, and final, year. We have loved Ms. Jamie and it's sad to think that soon I won't be driving any kids to attend anymore. We will miss her! Here are the twins with such beautiful, sincere smiles... especially Luke. How natural, that... he looks like he just ate a disagreeable twinkie. Oh but we love her- We'll miss you, Ms. J!
This teddy bear picnic is always set up so fun. She has each child bring a favorite stuffed toy and has a couple of games and treasure hunt to do with them. Here the kids are playing duck-duck-goose but saying teddy-teddy-bear instead. Luke chose Sadie to chase him and he outran her. Barely. It was a beautiful, perfect day to sit in the shade and cool grass. I liked being forced to hold still for a couple of hours.
Amid the crazy schedule we had all week, the weather was outta sight, dogs. It was hot (but not too hot), sunny and beautiful. The nights were breezy and perfect. The solar heated our pool to perfect mid 80's temps so the kids swam practically every day. And you know what that means?!? TOOT THE SUMMER HORNS! It means we officially broke out the Little Snowie! Let the snow-cones of summer... BEGIN. So far the flavor of the mo is Lemon Lime. We have tongue color contests. We kind of like snow cones.
After all this fun, Scott and I packed our bags and headed to St. George for some crazy adventures --- all done within 48 hours. More to come...

The Tape Made Me Do It

I am so excited to share this that I have double-blogged (I put it in Academe but don't know how many people go there). I heard about Japanese masking tape months ago and have no idea why, but immediately wanted some. What would I do with a rainbow of colored masking tape?! I don't care. Just look at it! The colors are awesome and modern, nothing bright and weird. So I craved and desired in a blasphemous way and every resource I found was sold out. But NOT TODAY! I just ordered a bunch of it from here. Think of all the possibilities! Posting pics of my kids (on our huge wall scrapbook), closing uh... stuff, wrapping around my Vans...Shucks, I have no idea. But sometimes art supplies like this will get used in many places because I am just so stoked. I'll even post my first use to prove it was a wise investment. Anyway, Happy Tape has just made my Happy Wednesday!

Pink Peek

The girls have been in dance since last fall. In January they announced the plans for a May recital and needed commitments if we wanted to participate. I talked it over with the girls and they were up for it. They have been practicing hard for these past months and it has been so funny to watch, especially Sadie's tiny class, try and do synchronized choreography. They just look so cute in their teeny tiny ballet shoes trying to balance on one foot and pose. The teachers have been wonderful and chose some really cute songs and costumes. Elliet's class is doing 'A Spoonful Of Sugar' from Mary Poppins which explains their costumes a little better. Sadie's class is doing a simple song called "In My Ballet Shoes" so what better than complete pink and frills? It will just make the performance so freaking cute, and certainly sweeten their magnified trips and mix ups. They had a rehearsal last week and pictures (yes, this added to my hectic schedule) and these shots are from the picture appointments. Thought it would be fun to share. This may be something boring that only a mom thinks people will be interested in (?)..... but seriously- little girls in pink tights!? It's, like, so Degas. :).
Elliet's school play is next Friday, the recital is Saturday. My parents will be visiting that weekend to see the fun. We're all looking forward to it!

Holy Bellagio

Yikes! It has happened again. An entire week has gone by where I didn't have a minute to update. Man, last week was SO busy. I had so many things crammed into every unit of time that I could feel myself emotionally fracturing at the demands of it all. But whatever- you can't stop, right? I finished nearly all the school costumes and we tried those on the kids this week. I have only a few remaining loose ends to finish (did most of them this afternoon) so that will finally be behind me. Still in the middle of some design deadlines to meet as well as more school stuff.... Things are just a-crazy, goodness knows....
I snapped these pics last Monday. The weather has been so wonderful and the evenings perfectly temperate, so we decided to be brave and venture out to the temple for our FHE with the kids. We grabbed dinner on the way and got there ready to have a nice evening stroll around and discuss some cool things. What do you know... we are just launching into our tour around and Sadie says...!!! "Mom- I need to go to the bathroom..." You have got to be kidding me. It's closed on Monday. NO restroom access anywhere. So much for that. We hurry around and spout off some quick lesson and then hurry into the car. Halfway down the road the urge has left. It's as if it never was! Go figure. We dicide to now do the opposite of righteous and head to the Bellagio to check out the garden and fountains. Now, what part of the evening do you think the kids will remember the most? I think so, too.
They had all kinds of butterflies (I swear some were the size of smart cars) flitting in these cool green houses, neat water tunnels and displays. The fountains never disappoint and it was fun to hear the kids slowly say "waaaaooooooowww" at everything. Everything so worldly and pretentious (haha-jk).
They didn't want to leave but home to real life we must go. We never really go down there and haven't taken the kids before, so to them it was super duper. But, ahem, the best part was our first stop at the Lords house.

This sunset was from another night last week. I can't remember which one, could have even been the same, but it was so pretty. I took about 15 photos of it changing colors. The west is the best, is it not?! I love this desert sky. This time of year is so so so magical. Even going on my boring training runs in the morning makes it worth being outside.
Okay. That was a nice quick breath but I'll have to update the rest of my pics tomorrow (hopefully). Happy Cinco De Mayo, Amigas!