Pop Quiz

You know your kid likes playing soccer when:
a. After his 1 1/2 hour practice he comes home only to play more soccer.
b. He asks every morning what day it is, hoping that it's finally Saturday, the day of his first soccer game.
c. He stuffs his soccer uniform, cleats, socks and guards in his backpack so he can change when it's recess.
d. All of the above.


Aaron got signed up for Fall soccer with Taylorsville Rec Center, and this kid is all over the game of soccer. It killed me when I emptied out his backpack to find all his soccer gear. He said he changed for two recesses. I still can't figure out how he did it all. He came home wearing the same clothes I sent him to school in. His coach said at the first practice that he was going to treat this team like a competition team and not just a rec team. So, between Coach Joe and Crazy Kid Aaron, I think we are going to have soccer running through our veins. Just don't consider me an official soccer mom yet.

Confessions

One Magic Eraser = $2.49
A clean kitchen wall = Priceless


So besides drawing on walls, Alex has also taken to emptying off the contents of shelves - any he can reach. Be it books, Tuperware, or videos, he'll clean it off in no time. This is no big deal, just a fun thing to constantly keep up with.

The other day I was putting away some videos Alex had found. Yes, we actually still have a few VHS videos. They are inside the tv cabinet. Among them are some classic church missionary videos, old family video footage, and some Denise Austin workout tapes.

While I was putting them away, Aaron said, "See Mom, these are the bad movies. I think Ethan was looking at that girl. She doesn't have any clothes on."



All I could think of was Aaron telling the whole Primary, "Ya, my mom has some bad movies she hides under the tv. The ladies don't wear clothes."

I quickly explained, "You're right, she isn't very modest. See this is her swimming suit. She must have torn it when she jumped in." I strategically placed my thumb over her bare stomach.

So thanks a million, Denise! I still don't have a super stomach (but that's not really your fault) and my son my soon have my neighbors looking at me funny!

Moral of my story: Get rid of any exercise tapes you have right now. I'm just saying.

Petey C and crayons

I know, not much in the way of posting. I will get back on the wagon, I promise. Just wanted to share where Mark is taking me tomorrow night. I'm a little excited for a night out with my guy, under the stars in the cool autumn air. We'll be taking a trip down memory lane (to celebrate our 12 years of marital bliss) and seeing Peter Cetera in concert.

While we dated, heck, even after we were married, Mark and I had to drive to see each other. We didn't live with each other the first nine months of our marriage. So, while driving, we often passed the time listen to this guy. He brings back so many memories.


Back to reality: Alex is into everything. I am actually online trying to look for ways to remove crayon off my walls. This little guy!! I don't ever remember the other two boys drawing on the walls with crayons. Oh, Alex! I go from one mess to another; he's keeping me busy. Guess he knew he'd have me to himself, now that the two big boys are off to school all day. Really, I can think of other things I'd rather do with my time than follow this tornado around!

The not so secret Cecret Lake

Our goal to hike more often this summer hasn't panned out as successfully as we'd like, but this past Saturday we did get up in the mountains and enjoy some magnificent views!

I really just need to purchase the book, Best Day Hikes in Salt Lake so I can quit putting it on hold and waiting for my turn at the library. I knew this hike was listed among the many in this book and wanted to try it out with the boys. Alex is still too little, so he gets to be packed around by some lucky party, namely his dad most times. The two other boys are really enjoying our hikes, now that they have their own hydration packs. Thanks, Costco!!



Cecret Lake is located in the Albion Basin up Little Cottonwood Canyon just beyond Alta. We were lucky to get a parking space at the campground and didn't have to take the shuttle. There were tons of people there hiking as well as many others there for the Wildflower Festival.



The hike was about 3/4 to 1 mile each way, depending on what map you use; just right for little people. It was a rather steep hike at the end, and I was feeling sorry for Mark having to pack Alex on his back.



The boys loved seeing snow, climbing rocks, and I loved the beautiful flowers. The lake really was pretty.



When Mark asked Aaron what he would have changed about the hike, he simply said he wanted to go longer. Crazy kid! He carried home a HUGE rock in his backpack. It was super heavy too! After we got home, I caught him putting his small boulder in the microwave and setting the timer for 100 minutes. When I asked him what he was cooking for so long he told me he wanted to see his rock melt. Okay, where does he come up with these ideas? Really!? I'm not sure our microwave could take melting a rock. It dies after popping microwave popcorn. Mark hates the poor thing!

Alex did some rock climbing of his own while he and I waited for the big boys to explore the lake and venture off the beaten path.





All in all, Cecret Lake was a great hike for us! Mark it off our list, Mark thinks we're going to do all the hikes in the book! We'll have to see about that!

I hope she'll come home with me...

The new van is still at the lot. She couldn't come home with me on Friday. I get to pick her up tomorrow and take her to our mechanic to have her checked out. If it all pans out...I'm bringing her home for good. I hate to even say anything just in case something does go wrong. I don't want to even think about that.

2005 Sienna - I'm not sure if she'll get the title of van car or not?!

Mark leaves for Wisconsin on Monday morning, so needless to say, I get to buy her all by myself. What a big, grown-up girl I've become!

Where are you?

The summer is nearly half over, and where have I been? Not at home. I will most definitely have to post the events of our summer thus far. For the last week that I have been at home, all my extra time has been spent on the computer, but not blogging. I've been searching for a new car.

Yes, it's true! The van-car is no more. After a very dumb accident, one that I'd rather not talk about, she has gone home to Honda heaven.












This is what she looked like.....

Everyone is fine, except for my arm which is still giving me trouble. If it weren't my left arm I may seriously take the doctor's suggestion of having it amputated. Thanks, airbag! The thought of replacing the van-car has been a bit overwhelming and one I'd rather not repeat anytime soon.

All that said, I just spoke to Mark and he said, "I need you to pick me up at 5:00 p.m. Bring your checkbook."

Yeah! The search must be over! But I'm starting to get worried that we're saying goodbye to the balance of our savings account! Bye, bye money for a new road! Bye, bye money for a new house!!

And in my own girly-girly way all I am wondering about is -- is it going to be the red one or the gray one?
Pictures coming soon of the new addition to the Gull Family!!

Summer Vacation

Yesterday I checked my phone messages and heard Mark's voice on the other line. His message to me: "Two questions, first, how did swim lessons go? And second, are you ready to send the boys back to school?"

Yesterday marked the beginning of summer vacation for us. And of course, another busy week at work for Mark. He has a big project that needs to be completed by next Wendesday and they just doubled the scope of the project. Needless to say, I was tired and fell asleep watching the 10 o'clock news and never heard him come home last night. He was off again this morning with only a quick kiss goodbye. I guess I get the boys all to myself both day and night. Hope they don't get sick of me!

Friday after school I finally let the boys get out the slip-n-slide. I thought it would be fun to celebrate the last day of school, and it was finally going to be 80 degrees outside - a must have for water fun at the Gull house.

A few of the neighbor kids came over and we played outside in the water and had treats. A friend brought down some treats too and had a bag of licorice that wasn't opened yet. Ethan came up to me and said, "Mom, this is the best party ever. And if we open this bag of licorice it will even be better."

What a kid!! Then when we were finally making them come in for the night. I think it was after nine Ethan said, "I can't believe it. When I wake up in the morning, I don't have to do anything!" Then he just giggled his Ethan giggle! I think the kid is excited for summer.

I remember to pull out the camera for some pictures of the kids outside on Friday. I took one picture of Alex and Katie and then the battery died. Just my luck!
It wasn't even that great of a photo...oh well. Next time, right?!

Bring on summer, I'm ready!.....I think.