Bits and Pieces of Summer

This has been a great summer for the kiddo and I. We've done a lot of things, and we're both growing and progressing in unexpected ways. Here's just a BIT of the fun we've been having:

We went to Red Butte Gardens with our friend Benson and the boys managed to start a few water fights...... some of them still live on to this day.

Benson and I went to Energy Solutions Arena for the 2011 NBA Draft party. Part of me was hoping for the Jazz to get Jimmer, but it wasn't meant to be and Sacramento snatched him up. Not that you can see, but that's him on the screen right as he's chosen.

The moment it was announced that Alec Burks would be coming to Salt Lake.

We took a mini road trip down to Manti for the temple pageant, and as everyone knows, road trips require yummy snacks. This was the tower of colby pepper jack (yes they make such a delicious thing), on a Triscuit and topped with a blueberry.

Benson showing off my purple flip flops.

I'm slightly intimidated that he can work it better than I can, but I'll get over it.

Fireworks at Sugarhouse Park on the 4th of July

Britt came to visit and gifted the kiddo with a Slip N Slide.

We've since renamed it the Slip N Throw N Slide cuz once Britt helped with the momentum, the kiddo wanted it to continue.

Cherries picked from Britt's friend Chris's backyard tree.

Thankfully we've had rain on and off all summer and the mountains are still holding onto the green! I love it!

The kiddo and I went to a movie in the park down in the valley, and prior to the feature they had a live reptile show. The kiddo said he wanted to go pet the Albino Burmese Python, so even though the thought made me squirm, we did it!

This was an attempt to make food more fun. I'm not sure I'm a fan of hot dogs in mac and cheese (un-American, I know), but it was fun to put together!

Gigi bought the kiddo a new suit, and he's been so excited to wear it every Sunday to church.

I'm totally in love with the purple tie.... and the kiddo who wears it!

I took a Music 1010 class which required me to attend 5 concerts throughout the semester. In true Honor fashion, I left 4 of them until the weekend before the final day of class and spent most of it on Temple Square which, thankfully, provides SO many musical opportunities. On Saturday morning I went to a Tabernacle Organ recial and got to meet Richard Elliott afterwards. Since none of you are likely to remember who he is.... he's THIS GUY (the last video of the post)!

He invited me up to see the organ - closest I've ever been to this structure that I've seen on hymnbooks my whole life! You don't know how tempted I was to spin around and play it!!!!

This is the view the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has from their seats!

What an incredible day!!!!!

Today was the day of my last final. I went on a date with a friend from institute - getting ice cream to celebrate the occasion and then headed to Temple Square to relax, sit in my spot, write in my journal and breathe for a few.

I love the flowers there!

Found the little purple pansies!

Wish I'd brought my real camera instead of just my phone, but I was rather impressed with how this one turned out regardless! Aren't the colors amazing?!

Ahhh Springtime fills the jar rather nicely!

I Am a Child of God

Grant said he wanted to sing me a song before bed last night and I decided to record it on my phone. I'm so glad I did! This is the new age of baby tapes Mom!

Jar Full

I Love WYOTK.... still!

So I'm still fostering a semi-crush on an almost celebrity. And YES I'm still posting about it (see here for initial confession). I just can't get enough of the Winn Brothers. I'm still waiting for my friend who wishes to remain nameless but has a connection to them to hook me up with Brett, who my sources tell me is single and now that I, myself am 100% completely and officially single. While I trust my source, I'm still not holding my breath. I AM still watching and laughing my arse off though! Here's a couple of my latest favorites:

D( = a full jar.....

OOO WYOTK

Happy Birthday Kiddo!!!

The night before the Kiddo's birthday, while he was spending the evening with his dad, I set about decorating our apartment. Nothing big, just having fun with crepe paper streamers and bows. Following each of my siblings and my births (home births) my mother would tie blue or pink bows on our front porch to announce to the world our arrival. Since I didn't get the chance following the Kiddo's birth, I took the opportunity to do so now even though my bow tying skills simply cannot compare to my mother's.

Streamers in the doorway always seemed to be rather magical as a child and I hoped it would provide a bit of fun for the Kiddo.

I REALLY thought I blew up more balloons than that!

And of course, I had a small cluster of gifts waiting for him,

with the BIG surprise being his new bike.

I picked the Kiddo up in the morning and we headed off to the aquarium.

He thought the fish were kinda cool.

Although, they didn't captivate his attention for very long -

-especially once he discovered the interactive displays!

The Amazon.... get it? Wah wah wahhhhhhhh. Yeah, lame, I know.

We made it over to the very popular penguin exhibit-

-only to find that the buttons that produced frog sounds next to the penguin exhibit was MUCH more interesting

We were only half way through the day but he was exhausted!

I tried my best to carry him into the house and put him to bed, but when he saw the presents and decorations, nap time was OVER!

I had stashed the bike in my room in hopes that I could set up a photo op when he came out of his room, but when I tried to get him to stay in it while I brought the bike out, he thought I was punishing him and started bawling and saying, "I'm sorry Mama!" Heartbreaking! THAT one didn't go as planned! If you can see the little bit of red in his eyes, that's why.

The trauma was soon forgotten as he took his bike for it's maiden voyage around our parking lot.

After getting his fill, we came inside and made his birthday cupcakes. Kiddo took the opportunity to man the camera.

He did a VERY good job of carefully helping!

We learned a few things this year:

1.) Kiddo couldn't care less about fish and penguins when there are buttons to be pushed.

2.) Mama should just go with the flow instead of trying to set up photo ops.

3.) It's really hard to blow out a candle when you're laughing really hard.

4.) The great thing about a 2-person birthday party is that you can keep relighting the candle as many times as you want (providing the candle still has wax left)!

It's so hard to believe that it was 4 years ago today that this little man entered my life. He's the sweetest, most loving little soul and I'm so blessed to be given the opportunity to mother him. I've never been worried about the years slipping by. I've known since day one that I was raising an adult rather than a child, but I will forever cherish the moments I spend with him while he's my darling little boy. Oh how I love this little one! He fills me with more happiness than I can contain.

Mom Jar = Overflowing

I love you Kiddo!