Daddy's Great

Ah yes, the third Sunday in June has come, and with it, the chance to treat those fathers we hold dear to wonderful gifts and treats. This year Cliff asked for a new set of scriptures and a bag with a handle. Done and done, although there is a bit of a funny story with the bag. The kids originally found another one, with a little cargo mesh pocket and compass on front, which Nadia thought was perfect since daddy gets lost at church all the time. Then Brandon saw this basketball bag and all discussion was over. Even though he prefers baseball, the kids knew he would love it and use it. And he does.
Now besides the scriptures and new case, Cliff also got beef jerky and a nap. These are required to make Father's Day an official holiday. I don't know which one he liked more, but they were both enjoyed greatly. We love you, daddy!

Cars and Camping

The boys recently had two Father and Son outings: one in our ward, and the other with my dad. The first one was a derby for the the males to show how creative and crafty they are with tools, paint, and decals. This is the Sharp car, which Brandon named the Pirate Racer. Arr.
He wanted to name it Speed Racer, but Cliff convinced him to think of a name that went with the pirate theme. Brandon was disappointed that daddy couldn't make it look like the Ferrari picture he found online, and also when it didn't win every time. But he did still have fun.
Cliff was also supposed to make and bring a treat to share, and I am sure that if we looked on a chart, the results for treats would have looked a little like this: 50% chips with some kind of dip, 10% assorted grilled meats, and the rest would be something that the husband had begged and pleaded his wife to make for him anyway. We fell into the last category because I am a sucker, and made banana pudding.

My dad's ward had a Father and Son campout, and since all of his sons are in different states and he likes Clifford the best anyway, he invited him and our boys to come. Brandon was a little worried when I told him he was going on a campout, because it would be in the woods. I told him it would be all right, but he started to get a little scared again after seeing all the trees. Wild animals live in the woods, you know.

However, there were lots of fun games to play, and I am going to brag a little bit now. They decided to do a Highland Games theme, and had a caber toss (a very long and heavy log), boulder throw, etc. Cliff was the champ. And he even has the legs for a kilt, if he wanted to wear one.

Brandon was nervous until he made a friend named Johnny and found some good sticks. Then it was all okay. They arrived in time to eat ribs, made S'mores after games and dinner, and had a lot of fun. He got a little scared during the night when the wind really started to blow, but cuddled up with DanDan which helped.

Hey, I am not the one with the camera here. I just post the pictures. Maybe this was an exceptional port-a-potty. I don't know.

The next morning they had a traditional heart attack breakfast, went for a hike, and then packed up and headed home. Amazingly, Benjamin had no serious accidents or head injuries up there, and really liked camping. Brandon left the sticks there at the campsite for the next little boy to use and play with. And yes, Clifford did come up with that line so Brandon would leave them. Which he did.

Mammoth Cave

Huzzah, the camera is found! Hooray, I can post with pictures! Yippee...oh my goodness, do I have a huge back load of pictures to put on here. Yikes. Good thing someone invented Mountain Dew. But don't tell my new bishop I said that.
Well, first on the list is the visit to Mammoth Cave. This occurred when Jenny and Beaner and their cute kids were here for Caleb's baby blessing. Yeah, that little tiny hole is the opening to the cave. Not named Mammoth Cave for it's size, let me tell you.


This is Braedon right inside the entrance to the cave. The kids hung out in this area quite a bit, especially after the flashlight batteries decided to die after the first 3 minutes. One of the reasons why you go for the name brands in batteries-life support machines have to run longer than 3 minutes.

This is why it's called Mammoth Cave. Apparently, some teenage Neolithic vandals kept telling their parents they were bored and there was nothing to do. The parents grounded them and to take up some time they drew animal pictures on the walls of the cave. Here's Clifford looking at one that says, "For a good time call..." WAIT A MINUTE!

The kids really did have a good time exploring. Afterwards, Brandon told me he'd like to explore caves when he grows up. Only they have to be light. And not have any animals in them. And no, I did not laugh and say "Good luck". Well, maybe just a teensy weensy little smirk of a smile.

I just had to end on this picture. I also need to let Auntie Marlene know that at every prayer there is some variation of "Please help Aunt Marlene to get better". We love you!

Late Night Musings

So it is 11:30 at night and this is the first time since my last post that I have had time to sit and write. This is because school is out and I now have to parent all of my children all of the time, and because Caleb has decided to be like the others and grow.
I have a big problem with both of these things.
Now I have to devise some kind of schedule for all of us that will keep everyone alive and sane until school starts again, because I've already paid the fees which means they have to go back.
The other issue is a bit harder to deal with: how do you keep a child from growing up? Caleb is back to eating at least every 2 hours and will go to sleep at 11 and wake at 4 because he is starving. The obvious thing to do is suck it up and just buy some baby cereal, but then what? Let him grow more? Who will be my little baby then? And why does he think it's okay for him to get bigger, even if I've let the others?
To get off of that depressing subject, I do have a great pic to show next time of Nadia's Sunday dinner. And another of Brandon's wooden derby car. And hopefully by tomorrow evening, I will be able to post all of this and the latest kitchen update from our own house. Cross your fingers and a little nagging wouldn't hurt either. ;)