How do you survive 108 degrees in the summer?

This last week the kids and I went with my sister-in-law, cousins, and my parents for the annual Grand kids and Grandparents (and moms) getaway in St. George. If you are ever planning on being in any location where 108 degrees is the norm in the summer, here are a few survival tips.

1. Before leaving, spend two days at a mountain resort playing in the bounce house, alpine slide, and bungee trampolines.

2. Then take a tram to 11,000 ft above sea level and snuggle in your sweatshirt. You now think that 108 degrees sounds wonderful.

3. Upon arrival, go swimming. All day. (Sorry no photos)


4. Bring spray bottles while hiking. This will not only allow you to cool off by spraying yourself with water, but it will allow you to spray the sand and play in the mud so you don't even notice the heat.

5. Hike in water. It helps when the river is freezing. 

6. If you are under a year, sleep in the stroller.

7. Eat ice cream. You will be more cool if it covers your entire face.

8. Play in the slightly cool bathtub with cousins. Bubbles required.

9. Stay inside and do a craft project. (Grandma's are necessary for this step to be completed without mothers pulling their hair out or children loosing interest.)

10. Visit the air conditioned visitor center at the St. George Temple.

11. Go to a shaded location and crawdad fish with a stick, a string, and bacon.

   11. Go to the outdoor evening performance of Alladin. At midnight when the show ends it will be 90 degrees but by this point, that will feel cool. 

Random Thoughts Thursday

The best way to make 95 degrees feel cool is to spend a week with cousins in St. George in 108 degree weather hiking, crawdad fishing, swimming and going to plays.

One of the absolute best things about our house is the neighbors. We have one neighbor who has Christmas lights all though the very large trees in her yard...and she turns them on every night. It really is beautiful.

I vacilate between loving my yard and being overwhelmed by the weeds. By the time I've made it around weeding the flowers in the front the part that I weeded first, needs to be weeded again.

Nathan is sleeping for THREE HOURS right now! This is huge because for the last week I've been lucky when he's slept for longer than a hour during the day and a max of a three hour stretch at night....The downsides to vacationing with baby.

Savannah has finally decided on an animal theme for her birthday party. This is option number 200 that has been discussed in the last six months. She is not allowed to switch this option in two days like all of the other ones.

Today I sat down and watched Annie with my girls. It was gloriously relaxing and, I felt, an educational necessity for them.

Random Thoughts Thursday

Before I was pregnant with Nathan and after I had potty-trained Savannah, I talked to my mom about how I might be interested in trying cloth diapers with my next child because I have several friends that use them and love them. She, as a baby gift, bought me a kit of cloth diapers.Me and my big mouth. But today, for whatever reason, mostly just not to waste them I thought I'd give it a go. Things are great so far...but we haven't had any poopies yet.

Since we moved into our house the ice maker in the fridge hasn't worked. A little light next to it flashed red. but it hasn't made the list of things to get taken care of yet. Yesterday for no explicable reason it started working. The red light is still flashing. I'm just grateful to have ice in the summer.

My mother-in-law is staying with us this week. In addition to helping me get a nap, and make my "I forgot an ingredient" run to the store, she has been helping me identify the myriad of plants in my yard that I don't know what they are or how to take care of them.

I just re-read The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. Still loved it, but am now on the hunt for new reads.

I am addicted to two things. Reading and milk. In my ideal world I would read a book and drink an gallon of milk a day. I'm not really joking.

I really will get pictures of our house...promise.

When we moved into our house we decided to get Netflix streaming, and not cable. So far this seems like a good choice for us. Anyone have any Netflix recommendations?

Happy Birthday!

Sorry, no Random Thoughts today, Because today Abbie turns 6. Abbie has grown up so much this year. She is friendly, daring, and fun. She is my adventurer that loves fast bike rides, roller coasters, and slip and slides. She has a tender heart that cares about everyone and everything around her. She makes sure if we find any bugs in the house they are humanely taken outside (she did not get this trait from me). If someone is sad, Abbie tries to do what she can to cheer them up, but this hasn't stopped her from become a hilarious tease. She loves to be silly and crazy and make people laugh.  Abbie has such a strong desire to do what is right even when it might be difficult. Abbie loves reading and math. She was given some math facts to practice over the summer by her old school. I was planning on ignoring them, but she was so excited to do them and asked if she can do more. I love my Abbie so much and am so excited for what this next year will bring for her.

Parenting Advice?

We are one week into Summer Break and if I hear, "I'm booorred!" One more time I think I might scream. I don't believe it is my job to constantly entertain my kids but they seem to want to do nothing but watch My Little Pony's on TV (something I am not okay with). So....how do you encourage your children to play with their toys, go outside, get creative, or sadly just have fun when they are boooored?

Random Thoughts Thursday (Friday Edition)

Sometime I'll get back on the ball to doing these on Thursdays. Now I'm just grateful to remember to post anything.

For all those wanting pictures of the house I apologize. At the moment you would see pictures of half set up rooms, combined with boxes everywhere and decorations on the floor because we don't know what to do with them. I'll get to it, it just might take a bit.

I went geocaching with the girls today! We found one of the two caches we were looking for. I find this an incredibly addicting activity. The girls like treasure hunting.

Nate Update: Nathan's nick name, at least from me, has been Mr. Smiley. He is such a happy kid and very content with the world.

Russ has to work late tonight and some this weekend. Blast.

We got a new washer and dryer yesterday The benefit was twofold. First, I actually enjoyed doing laundry. Second, the girls got a big cardboard box to decorate and turn into a house.

Savannah is starting to read. She is so proud of herself and wants to do it All by myself!