Girl Scout Camp

Thank you to everyone who supported Sophie in her Girl Scout cookie sales earlier this year. There have been so many rewards. The first was that she got to attend a three day camp at Cloud Rim, a Girl Scout campground located in the mountains above Park City.

The second was that I got to attend a "Mother/Daughter" overnighter (also at Cloud Rim) with Sophie over the weekend.

It was a gorgeous place. We hiked, kayaked on the lake, crafted together in the lodge, and slept on bunkbeds in a rustic little cabin. Sophie was able to show me all of the places she had told me about from her previous camp experience, including "the biffy" -- as they like to call the bathroom. Several of her camp counselors were there too so it was fun for her to see them again.

I called ahead to find out the menu and since they were serving pasta the first night, I decided to swing by 1025 Eatery -- a fantastic new restaurant in Bountiful -- to pick up a gluten free meal. I got a mock pasta dish, ribbons of zucchini in the most flavorful sauce I've ever tasted. Yum! It was a real treat to be gluten free that night. The chef is such a fantastic food artist that I felt kind of guilty pulling out my gorgeous mound of food (it was lovely even after being rocked around in the cooler and re-heated in the microwave).

In my dream life, I was planning to take Sophie shopping for hours at the outlet malls on our way up to camp. In my real life we were hours behind schedule so we barely had time to pick up a t-shirt and hat at the Park City Wal-Mart and peek inside two outlet stores before it was time to head up to the mountains.

We wanted to hit the outlets on the way home, but there were two problems: 1) again the issue of time, and, 2) ewww - we had just been camping and hadn't showered, so we weren't exactly presentable for shopping.

Sophie was determined to stop at the Justice store (which we discovered is not actually an 'outlet' for Justice but, just a regular store). And, while we were finding a place to park, she scouted out the Harry and David's gourmet popcorn shop. Oh how that lovely popcorn was calling out both of our names! I looked at the popcorn and almost didn't buy any. But, at the last minute I picked out a combination of caramel, dark chocolate and milk chocolate popcorn (by the way, the chocolate popcorn is coated with caramel before it is dipped in chocolate - oohlala!). I almost died when I saw that there were 210 calories per 1/2 cup!!! Yikes. I knew we could polish off several cups on the long drive home. So, I made a rule that we had to wait at least five minutes between each bite so we could savor our tasty treat and keep from making ourselves sick. I also made a rule that we each had to tell a story before we could have more. It turned out to be a great bonding time of sharing stories with each other and when we arrived in Ogden, Sophie said, "That was the best long car ride ever." Awww. That was great to hear.

What a gift this weekend was to me. I can't believe how the years keep passing and somehow I hardly ever manage to make one on one time with my kids. The more and more I am involved in Girl Scouts, the more and more I love this program.

Hopefully cub scouts will be the same way because one of my greatest fears came true last month when I was called to serve as the cub scout Bear leader. I've had some time to get use to the idea, but, hello? Girl scouts every week and now cub scouts every week too. Zooweemama! That is a lot of scouts.

The good news is that Ian will be a Bear in a few months, so, it will be fun to be his leader for the coming year.

Backyard Beach

With Isaac's birthday August, we seem to always be on a vacation or something like that when the big day rolls around. We end up getting a cake and celebrating with the family or friends we happen to be with. But, this year -- Birthday #6 -- we finally threw him a proper friend party.

He got SO excited about having his own birthday party that I got SO excited I couldn't go to sleep last night. I felt like I did when I woke up at 4 a.m. on Christmas morning.

It's so fun to see your kids that happy and stoked about something.

We decided to take advantage of the weather and make it a backyard water party. There was a slip n' slide, sprinklers under the trampoline, lots of sand and sand toys, a wading pool, water balloons, sidewalk chalk, and a bunch of games I had planned that we never got to.

The kids seemed to have a good time. Outdoors + water + sand = heaven for Isaac. So - to add a bunch of friends and gifts pretty much made it his best day ever.

I served a "dirt cake" (chocolate mousse, crushed oreos and gummy worms) and blue jello with gummy fish. When Isaac opened his gifts - he got about 10 mega-water-machine-guns and a whole new round of fun ensued.

I love you Isaac! Six years old. So grown up. I know you are going to have a great year in full day Kindergarten. Love, Mom

Baby Kate

For a long time - what feels like forever - and what has probably been for about a year, Brian has been Katie's favorite parent.

I don't mind him being the favorite. I recognize that he is the "fun one." I know that all kids go through phases at this age where they pick favorites.

I remember that our other kids went through a stage where they were super attached to Brian too. But, it has been different with Katie. When the other kids ranked daddy as #1, I was still a very close #2. With Katie, it's almost been as if she has to prove her loyalty to daddy by outright rejecting me. Even when he's not around.

It's been hard. She is my baby. First, she could not wait to wean herself (we barely made it to her first birthday), and then this. She hasn't wanted me to snuggle her, or rock with her, or lay with her at bedtime. She hasn't wanted me to comfort her when she is hurt or upset.

Rejection.

I've tried to remind myself that being "the favorite" isn't always all it's cracked up to be. Especially at times - like while we were at Bear Lake - when Brian would be ragged from all of the clinging and he would want a break, but, she wouldn't go to anyone else. Especially not me. I was like, "Sorry babe, I'd love to help you and give you a break but she just doesn't want me." It was kind of a relief as I remembered the many, many times I've been at the other end of that statement over the past ten years.

But, mostly, it hurt my feelings. A lot.

Kate is my baby, and I was kind of hoping she would be a snuggly sweet baby who loves her mommy for awhile. At least the first 18-years.

Kidding.

This stage passes way to quickly. I want to enjoy it.

I have also been perplexed about what I am doing wrong. None of my other kids rejected me like this. (Answer: I think it is because I don't have time to play anymore.)

In the past few weeks, something has happened and, just like that, I'm back in her good graces. Last Saturday night we went to a performance at a park and Katie sprawled out on my lap for over an hour. I held my breath that it would last and relished every moment.

It has been a gift the way she has clung to me at bedtime instead of pushing me away and has insisted that I lay beside her while her tiny eyes flutter and her little breaths become more shallow.

I am cherishing these moments.

I know Brian feels a little thwarted. He has really been basking in his time in the spotlight ("you are the favorite to all the others," he would say). I'd love it if she would just pick us both instead of one or the other. But, this is a mommy payday that I really need. Thanks baby Kate.

P.S. Have I ever mentioned that Isaac laughs out loud in his sleep? Who does that? It is one of his most endearing traits.