The Tooth Fairy delivered big

We have been teasing the Tooth Fairy for weeks now... She must have fluttered around our house numerous times thinking today was the day, just to find out we were crying wolf. Lutza's first tooth has been wiggling for months and she was fully convicted that she is the only almost second grader who didn't loose a tooth yet. It became a pastime activity for her to sit in the grass and wiggle that tiny tooth. Finally she pulled it out yesterday: she just closed her eyes and yanked it. She cried and laughed in the same time... And so did I. The Tooth Fairy delivered big: she got a fat silver dollar .... I am seeing us going broke in the next years to come with two boys waiting in line...

The 2013 Epic Roadtrip

Life does not get any better than rolling down the road for days with three children in a white van ... than catching every insect specimen in the Western United States on your grill ...

... than climbing immense dams, and getting geology lessons from Dad... 

 

 

 

... than finding cool 'swag' (as J would say it) and stopping for target practice...

 

 

... than eating sweet sugary treats ...

 

 

... than walking in wheat fields ...

 

... than stopping for my most favorite 'cheese' of this trip ...

 

 

... than seeing old friends ...

 

... than stopping on the river to cool off...

 

... than being one of the first ones on Yellowstone's boardwalks ...

 

... than finding the great Grandpa Tatanka ...

 

... than waiting on Old Faithful ...

 

 

... than spotting a ground squirrel for the first time in Jackson ...

 

... than sporting new belt buckles and hats like Josey Wales ...

 

... than getting the sweetest cowgirl boots EVER ...

 

... than pulling the trigger ...

 

 

... than giving only a half heart attach to Mommy in Arches National Park ...

 

... than feeling nature all around us ...

 

... than conquering ...

 

... than seeing Daddy's excitement when stopping at the coolest steam depot ...

 

... than smelling the diesel ...

 

 

... than playing in the sun ...

 

Life does not get any better then snuggling with these three and their Daddy in a tent .... just wished the rainfly was on when it started to rain at 4 am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I am down, I get up and dance...

 

It was that time of the year ... pink tutu and red lipstick.

A few of her favorite things.

She dreams about being an inventor ... today.

And then she dreams about being a famous dancer ... but only if she can wear the red rouge.

 

 

Daddy Day

The children truly spoiled their Daddy this year: he got countless cards, drawings, a customized new lunchbox, a beach date and a heaping plateful of jalapeño poppers. We love him soooo ...,

And why on Earth are our children obsessed with rolly-pollies, I will never know, but their daddy is the one who rolls logs over for them, chases trains with them, lets them eat sweets before dinner, and hugs them the tightest.

Another school year came to an end

 

Another school year came to an end and we finished strong. This is my Little Guzman singing his heart out so that his face is turning red because his teacher told them to be loud so Mommies and Daddies can hear them. I heard him all right.  

 

 

 

Vidor and his class learned the books of the Bible in a song form ... they pretty much rocked it. My little man did great at practices and at the performance .... until he spotted me with a camera (next time I may have to go under cover).

 

 

My Beautiful Lutza sang a solo at her program ... Over the Rainbow form the Wizard of Oz ... needless to say tears were streaming down my face it was that beautiful. She also got the Achievement Award for having willingness to see things through.

 

Since we have been counting down the days to summer I had to give the children the pleasure to run through the finish line as we got home.

 

Vidor's amazing teacher two years in a row, Ms. Amy.

 

Guzie's Lovely Ladies ... I mean teachers.

 

And Lutza with her First Grade Teacher, Mrs. V.

 

Perfect summer day

Flat 101

Our little boy is almost 6 ... Cannot be true. He is smart, emotional, funny, responsible and so full of love. He eats belpeppers even though he hates them, along with asparagus and spinach... Simply because he knows that is what he should do. And he is sure now how to fix a flat ... Important skill for a rider like himself.

We got two fold bikes (sweet '70s) and one needed some TLC. Age 5 is just the right time to learn some basics, right? With his daddy's help he learned how to fix a flat. It was bigger than Christmas.

Checking for bubbles .... In the meantime I am trying not to blink (that's what the elderly ladies keep telling me in the grocery store).