Superpaige's Pad

The Trials of a Busy Mom

Category: summer fun (Page 6 of 7)

I’ve got some new shoes on

July 15, 2009 / / 5 Comments

If you want the full effect of this post, you should click HERE in another tab so you can hear the background music that I would attach to this post if I knew how to do that.

Yesterday I went to return some character shoes I bought at Payless. As it turned out, I’ve been able to wear some black flats that I already had. As I was returning them, I just took a little look around to see if there was something I could exchange them for, when I saw these little beauties.

It was love at first sight, I tell you, and I had to have them. And when I looked them up online to get a picture to show y’all, I see this.

These shoes are NAMED for me!! And I didn’t even know that when I bought them! It’s like….we were MFOE (meant for each other. And if you don’t get that reference, then it’s been too long since you’ve watched Sleepless in Seattle, I’m tellin’ ya.)

Now I’m going to have to go and work on my pedicure because my toes are just not doing their best to look as cute as these fun shoes.

I could use a nap

July 7, 2009 / / 1 Comment

Oh, the busy time of summer–it’s here.

Last night the girls and I were at rehearsal until after midnight. Seriously. They kept the kids there that long. We got there at 5. When we’re working with new props and new scenery and microphones and music cues and all that, it’s understandable to have the run through take that long, but the kids are not used to being there that long. Tonight I’ll take more stuff for them to do, and more food. They get to play in the greenroom and eat snacks and things, so it’s not like they are sitting around totally bored, but they do get tired.

We’ll do it again tonight, but hopefully we’ll be home before midnight. But when we only have a few more rehearsals before opening night, we want to work it until it’s right.

When I got home I was a little surprised to see my brother’s van parked there. They had said they would be staying with us on Monday, but I kind of figured they might change their plans again and wouldn’t really be coming. But sure enough, they were here. Since they were only going to be here until noon today, we skipped our summer movie so the kids could play. And my brother even weeded in my flower beds and my nephews helped Cole clear the weeds and grass from around our fruit trees! I like guests who help out! They’ll be staying here all week, which is nice, but they have a lot of their own plans, which is also nice!

But the cousins had plans today, so off they went after lunch time. They took Cole with them, though, so that’s fun for him.

Megan left for girls’ camp this morning. I had to get her to the church by 8. Thankfully she was up and ready by the time I got up. Good girl. I’m sure she’ll have a superfun time. I’ll be going up there tomorrow to help with an activity, and also on Thursday, so it’s not like I won’t see her for three days. But it’s nice to have her off doing fun things with her friends.

John’s got two friends over now, playing and eating, and eating and playing.

Natalie and Jenna, who should be taking a NAP, are watching tv. Hopefully they can find friends to play with sometime today. Natalie gets to go to a two day adventure camp at the aquarium tomorrow and the next day, so that will at least be something fun for her to do for a few hours each day. And lucky her, she gets to go with a friend!

So, yes, we’re into the really really busy time around here. I love, love, love it, but it stresses me out.

Bring it on. And send chocolate.

And thus ends the softball season

July 4, 2009 / / 2 Comments

We had quite the softball season here at Casa Erickson! With four kids on four different teams, I think we had about 50 softball games. Seriously. They started in April with John’s cute little 5-6 year old team, the Rivercats.

They were so much fun to watch, and it was fun to have all 8 of his neighborhood friends on his team.

Jenna enjoyed her softball team, the Pirates.

She turned out to be quite the softball player, and she got a hit every time she was up to bat! Of course, in her age division, they give the kids as many pitches as they need, and then they bring out the t.

Natalie had a great time with her team, the Green Giants, and I was glad that my friend Lisa was willing to coach that team and make sure the girls all had a positive experience.

Machine pitch was pretty scary for the girls, but they got used to it, and they all improved over the season.

Megan enjoyed being with the same girls she played with last year, and most of them were on her basketball team in the winter. It makes it nice to know all their names, and it’s even nicer to have people to carpool with.

Megan’s team, the RAZZ, did pretty well in the regular season, but came alive in the tournament.

They were undefeated going into the championship game. Which they lost. But, since it was a double elimination round, and the team who beat them had already lost one game, that left them tied at one loss each, so they had to turn around and play another game that night. And that game, they won.

They were thrilled and excited to win.
And I am proud of all my softball and baseball players, and I’m glad we made it through the season. Now there will be no more panic about “where’s my hat?” or “MOM, have you seen my mitt?”, or the worries about how we were going to get this girl to her game, that boy to his practice, and Mom and two girls to play practice. I’m glad it was a good experience for them, and that they are learning skills, learning to be team players, and having fun. Good job, kids!

Around the world in 80 days

June 22, 2009 / / 8 Comments

As a family, we’re trying a new little “educational experience”. We’re learning about different countries this week. Our first stop was Italy. We picked Italy so that we could make our own pizzas.

Because it’s all about the food, right?

After dinner, we each told one or two interesting things about Italy, and showed where it was on the map.

So, today we’re talking about Spain. Hmmm. What kind of Spanish food can I make? Spanish Rice? Is that even Spanish? I guess I’ll be searching for some easy Spanish Recipe. So, even though it may not be the MOST educational experience, it’s kind of fun.

What are you doing to keep your kids’ brains alive this summer?

Our weekend in pictures

October 20, 2008 /

This weekend we took a little vacation.

After checking into our hotel, we had a little fun at the pool.

After our swim, we went out for dinner.

In the morning, we had a fabulous breakfast and it was off to the amusement park. You know how when you go to Disneyland you have to get there an hour before the gates open so you can park and get your tickets and all that? Well, at Lagoon, you don’t have to get there so early. The park was scheduled to open at 11:00, and we drove into the parking lot at about 10:25. There were about 6 other cars in the parking lot. No joke. I should have taken a better picture of our parking spot, since we were the FIRST car in the row after the handicapped spots. We bought our tickets (thankfully, we only had to buy two, since I had won one season pass and four regular one day passes) and waited in line for them to open the gates.

The it was off to ride the rides! I stayed with the little kids in the kiddie section, while Ryan took the bigger kids on the icky rides (you know, like the roller coaster, wicked, and other things that make people sick). I really do enjoy hanging out in the kiddie section, anyway. The rides are so colorful, and it’s so much fun to watch the kids–both my kids and other people’s kids.


Of course, mine are the cutest.

We even had time to “try on” some Halloween costumes. Some of us are more enthusiastic than others, you know?

While the big kids endlessly rode the Rattlesnake rapids (I rode it once, but decided I was wet and squishy enough from that one ride), We let Jenna and John try their hand at the shooting water game.
It only took two games (at $6 each for the three of us) for the two of them to win stuffed animals.

We enjoyed how the park was all decked out for Halloween.

John and I rode the train.

While Ryan took the bigger kids on more icky rides.

We enjoyed the dancing of the Hackenslash chainsaw gang,

and the musical musings of Elvira and her crowd.

Soon it was dark, and we were getting tired.

We decided to call it a night, and head home.
The kids said it was “the best day ever”, and the greatest vacation they’ve had all year. The only vacation they’ve had this year, but who’s keeping track?

On Saturday, we went and saw Wal-E, and today, Monday, they STILL have off of school, and I’ve let them play and play and play. Right now there’s about 8 little boys and two extra girls over here watching Cole play Wii. Now that’s the sign of a good day off.

Call me the party planner extraordinaire. Call me crazy. Actually, just don’t call me.

September 4, 2008 / / 3 Comments

Tuesday was John’s 5th birthday! Happy Birthday to my baby! He was so excited about his party, we’ve been planning and talking about it for the past week. We were planning a “water party” in the back yard, but then with the weather turning cold, we worried about if we could actually do that. Then we went to the party store on Monday to pick out a pinata, but they were closed.

So, on Tuesday, we had to clean up the house, go to the party store, buy a pinata, hats, treat bags and candy for the pinata. Thankfully, it was warm enough to play outside and even get wet, although a couple of the kids shivered wrapped up in towels after getting soaking wet jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler on. We also launched our favorite water bottle rockets and had out little splash pool set up. Each of the boys also got their own squirt gun that they had fun filling and then shooting each other. It was pretty unstructured, with me just acting as the timer for how long they could jump on the tramp when others were waiting.

Of course, the birthday boy ended up in tears no less than three times.
1- He and his friend bonked heads
2- He didn’t think he should have to take turns on the tramp, with it being his birthday and all
3- He somehow got his hand injured

But I got him calmed down each time and we continued on with having fun. We had some snacks, opened presents, and then I let them come inside and play with the new birthday presents. Because it’s not really a good birthday party unless one of the brand new toys gets broken, right? They played with legos and the crash-em-up cars that we had given John, and he wanted to me to build the new lego car. So, he “helped” and I built his cool new little lego car. Hopefully no one will take that apart, because I don’t know how long we’ll have those instructions. After a little while of playing, we took the party back outside to whack the pinata! I hung it from the swingset, and it was a success. Sometimes the pinata actually breaks off it’s hanger thing and then we have to whack it while it’s on the ground, and really, how much fun is that? But this one hung on through all the whacking and eventually properly distributed the candy on the ground. And the boys were happy. Because nothing says “party” like candy!

After the candy mayhem we came back inside for our low key cupcakes. Sing the song, blow out the candles, and eat the cupcakes. Easiest party ever.

After that was over, I had only a few hours to get ready for our young women and young men combined activity, which as Mia Maids advisors, we were in charge of. It was a hugely hectic afternoon, with piano lessons, band, and a soccer game. There was no way I could be at every event, so it’s good I have some back up carpoolers! Cole had a nasty cold and decided to skip marching band practice, which also helped me.

At 6:30, I was over at the neighbor’s house getting set up for our “Fear Factor activity like the one found here. We did the bubble trouble, yummy gummy, slimy swap, and in your face. Also fun were the chill out, and one we called fling thing. The youth seemed to be having a fun time, although I was kind of stressed. I had to yell all the instructions, and should have thought to borrow the megaphone from one of my ultra prepared friends. Maybe next time. Natalie, who isn’t old enough to come, but came anyway, LOVED it, and wants to do fear factor for her next birthday party. Megan said it was an “awesome activity, mom,” and my friend Serena, who was in charge with me, thought it went GREAT. I guess I just couldn’t be objective, so I’m glad that they all thought we looked like we were organized and knew what we were doing. We didn’t think about a few things, and if we were to do it over again, we would put a great big garbage can in the middle for trash. People were throwing their egg shells and wrappers on the ground, and then our sweet Laurels advisor seemed to be the one picking everything up. Sorry about that.

After all our fear factor activities, we roasted marshmallows and made s’mores. We held the activity at our neighbor’s house, specifically because they had a cool firepit to use (and he’s the Teacher’s quorum advisor). So, it was so cool to just be able to roast our marshmallows right there, and make our yummy treats. Unfortunately, one of the kids put a hot roaster stick right on the jacuzzi cover, melting it in two parallel lines. Oh, no! Now we have guilt! I just hate to use someone’s yard for an activity and then leave things damaged or ruined.

After the day and night of activities, I was wiped out, but satisfied. Things had gone well. People had had a good time. And I was done. So, yeah, you could call me the Party planner extraordinaire. You could call me crazy. But, really, I’d rather you just not call me at all. Let a poor girl rest, for heaven’s sake! (No, really, feel free to call me. I really do value your friendship and would LOVE to hear from you. Just don’t ask me to plan something for you.)

Where did the summer go?

August 13, 2008 / / 6 Comments

It’s back to school time for us. That means we are buying notebooks and pencils and backpacks, also making sure everyone has shoes and clothes that fit. Then we get to go to the “Back to school nights”s and Open houses and get everyone excited to go back to school.

I’ve kind of been lamenting the fact that the summer is coming to a close and we haven’t done many of the things I’ve wanted to do. We didn’t go on any kind of a vacation, not even in state. We haven’t gone to Lagoon, even though I won one season passport for one of the kids. We haven’t gone to St. George or Park City or even Logan. The farthest away we’ve gone as a family was Syracuse, for heaven’s sake.

But as my kids were driving me crazy with their incessant fighting and teasing, I told them I didn’t have the money or the inclination to take them anywhere else fun. They needed to find something to do AT HOME and use their creativity instead of just watching tv. I began to realize that Yes, we have done a lot this summer. Just maybe not all together. I mean, we have been awfully busy. What Have we done this summer? So, I put together a little list. It’s not all inclusive, and not every kid did everything on the list (John obviously didn’t go to girls camp, you know). But it’s a good reminder of all the fun we’ve had this summer.

Soccer camp
Got ice cream from the ice cream truck
Girl’s camp
River running on the Snake river
Gone to Jackson Hole and seen the Bar J Wranglers
Gone to Seven Peaks
Drum lessons
Classic bounce, skate, and waterslide
Had their cousins come and stay and play for a week
Kangaroo Zoo bouncing
Family barbeques
Played in the river at the park
Dinosaur Museum
Played in the river at a friend’s house
Had sleepovers
swimming lessons
Parades, parades, and more parades
Marching band camp
Got a new parakeet
Played softball, softball, and more softball
Had friends come and stay for a week
Gone to a baseball game
Birthday parties
Splashed and played at the children’s garden
Gone to Jump on it
Gone to Museums, movies and more
Swam with their cousins
Hiking
Decorated their bikes for their bike parade
Neighborhood barbeques
Night games
Seen the Osmonds perform with the Tab Choir
Camping
Been in a play
Swam and canoed at Payson Lakes
Thanksgiving point farm country
Ran a 5K
Fireworks (both at home and professional)
Worked in the sound booth for a play
Gone to China (ok, that was only Ryan, but it looks impressive on the list)

So, if you look at it like that, we’ve all had a pretty darn busy summer! And I need to stop feeling guilty that I didn’t win a trip and take my kids to Disneyland this year. Maybe I should print this out and give it to the kids when they go back to school. Just so they won’t forget. Or I could send them here to look at all the fun pictures we’ve taken of our summer adventures.

And in a TOTALLY unrelated light, do you think a Happenings Book would be a tacky gift for a wedding shower? I mean, they will be newlyweds, and they’ll need coupons, right? And by buying them, I would be supporting my son in his fundraising needs. Why not kill two birds with one stone, if you know what I mean? What do you think? Too tacky? Not tacky? Or just tacky enough?

4th of July Weekend

July 6, 2008 / / 0 Comments

Oh, I hope you all had a wonderful Independence day. We had a great weekend here. On Friday, we went to the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo. We haven’t ventured south for this parade in many years, because, honestly, it’s just too big. Too many people! You have to park so far away and then try and find a spot to sit, it just didn’t seem worth it. Until I have a son marching in the parade, and then my attitude shifts. Cole had to be at the school at 7 am, and the plan was to drop him off and then head to Provo. Well, Ryan wasn’t feeling well, so he wasn’t going to go out and venture too far away from a bathroom (if you get my drift). I had to decide if I take the 4 kids BY MYSELF to the parade in the 100 degree heat.

I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and decided to stop being a chicken and take the kids to the parade. We got chairs, a blanket, an umbrella, and lots and lots of water, and packed everyone into the car. Along the way, I got a call from my sister-in-law, telling me that they had saved a spot, and if we wanted to join them, to meet them at 750 E. Center. Ok. We took a detour through the BYU campus, since 9th east was closed, and hoped I could get somewhat close to center street. We ended up parking along 7th east at about 6th south. Only 6 blocks to haul everything–that’s not so bad, right? We decided not to bring all the chairs, because, really, who would carry them all? With the water and the snacks and the blanket and the umbrella and the two chairs we had, everyone had their hands full.

We found our cousins playing cards, and set up our chairs and blanket. Only an hour and a half to wait before the parade starts! But the time flew by quickly once more people got there. One trip to the bathroom (which was only a couple of blocks away) and it was time to start. It really was a good spot they had picked out, with big trees giving us shade. Since it was a little overcast that day, we didn’t have to worry so much about sunburns, although we applied the sunscreen anyway.

Cole’s band was number 49 on the schedule, and at about 45, I got ready. I had the camera out and told everyone around us to cheer for him, but darn it, he was on the other side. Again. I decided to try and catch him at the end of the parade (only about 4 blocks away) and bring him back to us. He looked so hot and tired, but he had made it. I’m proud of him. We got his flute case and his hat box and then walked the 1/2 mile back to the place where his cousins were. Then we enjoyed the last few minutes of the parade.

On the walk back to the car, my helpers were not so willing. Somehow our stuff had gotten heavier, and even though we had one more person to help us, his arms were full with his band uniform, so there were even more things to carry. After only one trip and fall, we eventually made it back to the car.

The kids earned lunch from Wendy’s, since no one got lost or complained too awfully much, and since Cole had marched the whole way.

Once we got home, we rested and spent a couple of hours at home before we went to my sister Chrissy’s house for a picnic dinner. The kids had so much fun playing with all their cousins, and it was a lovely evening. We even did some fireworks in the backyard once it got dark.

Driving home, I hoped I could stay awake, I was so tired. It helped that we passed all kinds of fireworks on the way home.

My brother Scott’s family came home with us, too. Scott is back at home so he can work, but his wife and four kids are staying with us for the next week, and the kids are having so much fun! They have two boys for Cole to play with, a boy for John to play with, and a girl Jenna’s age. If only they had a nine year old girl, they’d be nearly perfect! Since we don’t get to see these guys very often, it’s oh so much fun when they do come, even if it is kind of chaotic here at the house.

Saturday we kind of played it slow. I think everyone was pretty tired from the festivities of the day before, and the Arizona crew has been running around a lot for the past week, so we didn’t plan anything. The kids just had so much fun PLAYING, that we didn’t want to disturb them with organized activities. Megan and Cole and the two boys even jogged or rode bikes to the grocery store to buy some snacks.

We ended up lighting some fireworks Saturday night. They “blew up” a headless Barbie, and had a lot of fun doing it.

Today at church was a bit different. They split our huge ward last week, and now we’re kind of a small and lonely ward. We’ve been getting there 20 minutes early just to get a seat. This time we got there about 10 minutes early and there was NOBODY there. I guess we don’t have to go early anymore. Even with my brother’s family there, it seemed so sparse. I had been asked to lead the music in primary, since all the primary music leaders have gone to the other ward. We went from having three primaries (junior, middle, and senior) to two primaries, and those were both pretty small. But when you ask the kids to be quiet, it’s actually possible, so that will be nice.

We’ve had a nice day with the family. The meatloaf took too long to cook and we were hungry, but other than that dinner was nice. Ryan is now making cinnamon rolls. It’s kind of a nice SLOW day, in preparation for the VERY VERY busy week ahead.

I hope you also had a fun filled or relaxing time with your loved ones this holiday.

About another boy

July 1, 2008 / / 0 Comments

John recently got training wheels on his big boy bike. A bike he’s been waiting to ride for quite some time now. So when Dad got the wheels ready to go on, he was ready to help.
john

And as soon as those little wheels were on his big boy bike, he was ready to ride.

Then we got out the helmet. He was less than enthused.

But he willingly put it on, and the elbow and knee pads that came with it.

He’s so excited to ride around outside. I let him go down the driveway, along the sidewalk to the front door, and back. And the other night we let him ride about 1/2 mile to a friend’s house while we walked alongside him. He has a little balance problem, however. He only wants to lean to the right. That left training wheel? It’s just for show in his mind, because he leans to the right all the time. If we try to lean him to the left, he shouts, “Don’t Mom! You’re freaking me out!” Yes, he really said that.

I don’t know if I like this new found sense of freedom he has now that he can “ride his bike”. Maybe I need to take the training wheels back off.

Temporary beef induced insanity

June 25, 2008 / / 2 Comments

“Why do we always have to park next to the smiling girls?” John asked today.

“Maybe because you are so cute,” I said.

“No, I’m NOT cute!”

Allright. You’re not.

Today, in an effort to “get out of the house for heaven’s sake before I throw you out” yet not spend a lot of money, I took the kids to the library and out to lunch. The library was fun, although we still cannot find that one darn video. No more videos or DVD’s, kids. I MEAN it.

After the library, I scoured the Happenings Book and came up with a plan. We’d drive Burger King and get a buy one get one free burger, then we’d go to A&W and get a free burger and drink when we buy a burger and drink. A good plan, in theory. At Burger King, I ordered two of the hamburgers listed on the coupon, and they told me they don’t carry those burgers anymore. Oh. I asked if they would still honor the coupon on another burger, and she said yes, on the steakhouse burger. Um, ok. Two of those should be fine. When I went to pay, it was $5.15 for the burgers. Was that with the coupon? Yes. Uh-oh, who pays $5 for a burger? Whatever.

So, then we go to A&W and go in. We’re a little bit more successful there, although my two “Plain” cheeseburgers looked surprisingly like regular cheeseburgers with lettuce, mustard and tomatos. Does that say plain to you? No, they had to go back and I had to wait for them. I’m glad I decided that two of us could each share those monster Steakhouse burgers, because they are HUGE. HUGE. And As I was splitting them and giving them to the two girls who actually like flavor, and I see, what’s that? Onion ring crumbs? On the hamburger? Who does that? I had to tell them to just scrape those off, and ripped those off. Megan and Natalie each had a half, but no one else wanted any of THAT kind of burger. Cole and Jenna at the plain 1/4 pound cheeseburgers, and John just wanted fries. They shared the two rootbeers and the two large fries I got, and I was left with a whole big huge burger for myself.

Ugh. I should NEVER have eaten that whole thing. It’s like telling my body, “you know those 2 and a half miles you walked this morning? Just ignore that because I’m going to stuff down this entire burger which must have at least 4000 calories.” Burp. I have to kind of agree with this review here.

At least the kids had enough to eat, and I did share a few bites of my burger with Natalie, after I scraped all the offensive parts off. Burp. Oh, excuse me!

Then, since we were out, we decided to go and wash the car at my favorite place, although it’s kind of counter productive to try and vacuum a vehicle while the 5 kids and their library books are still in it. They sat in the car and read their books while Megan and I tried to vacuum around them. Well, we tried.

And if that weren’t enough, we decided to stop at Target. Because we just haven’t had enough together time. And I kind of needed straws (which I couldn’t find), shoes for Megan, and birthday presents for both John’s friend and Megan’s friend. Now, when a mom pulls into a Target on a hot summer day and she and five of her kids pile out of the car, it’s like she’s wearing a sign on her back that says, “Go ahead–Shoot me now and put me out of my misery”. Because at least then the torture would be done. Instead I dragged them around the store making them try on shoes (oh, the torture!), while NOT buying John every single pair of shoes he wanted, and also none for you, Natalie, you little shoe hog.

After the shoes, I should have just left the store with my passel of whiners. But no, I’m stupid that way, so we proceeded to…. are you ready for this?….the toys. Yep. What was I thinking? You NEVER go through the toy department with children! NEVER!! You let them think that all toys come from the North Pole and they will only receive toys at Christmas time or their birthdays! But we’ve got these birthday parties coming up, and I must have been temporarily out of my mind from the large amounts of beef and crispy onion thingies I consumed earlier, and I trudged forward.

I won’t go into all the details, but we’ll just all agree that it wasn’t
a-pretty
b-productive
c-short enough

And whatever the heck we picked up for those birthdays will just have to do (silly string and poppers and a “It’s my birthday” badge for a 12 year old girl? Come on.)

Then we came home and I took a small nap.

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