I took pictures of the littles in the Provo Orchard. I do think they are lovelies.

Awww . . .

I really like this one. I think it’s magical.

That red stuff: nailpolish. For as much as is on his leg, there was just as much on the carpet. Text to Wyatt read: “What ever you think you’re going to do to Calvin, I’ve already done it. Just remember, this is why we chose the cheap carpet!”

We went to Manti over memorial day weekend for some VERY MUCH needed R&R. We went on “be-ventures” in the field, Cal needed to be carried of course.

Olivia looked for treasure.

And with every treasure she found, suggested with great enthusiasm that we call the museum.

I spy with my little eye . . .

Even Everett got into the spirit of it! (Of course, he wanted to put all the treasures in his mouth).

We painted in my sketchbook.

Then Cal decided to paint Bret.

And Olivia and Cal went shooting.

I went to St. George for a day to help my sister with her wedding plans. I returned with bird houses for the kids to paint.

We had a summer treat night under our tree . . .  the light positively GLOWED as a storm threatened for hours over head. Finally it exploded upon us, complete with lightening and theatricals. We moved to the porch where more treats and conversation were consumed beneath the drama.

Photo of lightning bold by Rick Smith

And rainbows were given as the final desert of the evening.

But it was a nice evening in any event.

Ick. Sick. Again.

A fever yesterday set the evenings tone. Olivia is sick.

Every few hours in the night: Children’s tylenol, cuddles between Wyatt and me. Calvin in, Calvin out. Feed the baby. More tylenol. Check Calvin. Check baby. Check Olivia.

A couch day today. “Just rest.”

But Cal isn’t sick, and the sun was so promising today. So he went out to play. “Mommy, mommy! I found a million ants!” – Sure enough, he has found an ant hill. He sets about to collect them for his tricycle trunk. And then: “Mommy, come see the creature I caught.” Beneath the plastic snow thrower is a big black beetle. Another excellent addition to his trike trunk. Boy. Boy.

And then some drama. Because this would make for a boring post otherwise.

Olivia’s temperature at approximately 3:45: 105.7º  -

that can’t be right. Take it again: 105.3º -

not making me feel any better.

Take it again: 105.5º

Call Dr.

Consult.

Take Baby Sunshine in for a visit.

Temperature has gone down (or thermometer read incorrectly).

“Yep. She has a fever. Make sure she get’s plenty of rest and plenty of fluids. Give her tylenol.”

Later that night Olivia and I are on the couch. Daddy and Cal are outside cleaning the garage. Baby Everett is asleep.

“Tell me a story.”

Okay.

One day Olivia and her best friend ______

-CALVIN!

One day Olivia and her best friend Calvin were walking through the _________

-JUNGLE!

And they walked and walked and walked until they came to a _____________

-RAINBOW!

And they ___________

-WANTED TO SLIDE DOWN THE RAINBOW

So they climbed and climbed and climbed to the top of the Rainbow and then slid down the rainbow into the _____________

-OCEAN!

And in the ocean they swam with _________

-FISH

And they grabbed the backs of the fish and swam all the way across the ocean until they met a __________

CRAB

and they had dinner with the crab in the crab’s house which was__________

A SEASHELL

and the seashell was so beautiful, it was pink and purple and green and yellow striped. And they had dinner with the crab in the crab’s house, and they had their favorite food ___________

FISH

Fish and ____________

BROCCOLI

Fish and broccolli. Yummy! And when they were done they rode the fish all the way back across the sea to the beach. And it was raining _____________

SILVER

and they sat in the lovely silver rain and enjoyed the evening. Finally it was time to go home. And Olivia’s mommy asked: Olivia! Where have you been?

ON A BEEVENTURE!

After our story on the couch, Cal came in. He needed a bath. Boys who clean garages need baths. Calvin literally had streaks from the dirt on his face and hands.

One clean little boy and warm cuddles later and Olivia and Cal are off to bed. Olivia shows me the page she colored while Cal was in the bath. There, written neatly across the top is the word “TREE” – I didn’t tell her how to write it. But I’m pretty sure my child is a genius.

Sweet kids.

I don’t know about you, but I think that’s impressive.

Along with a big birthday party last Saturday, my sister-in-law, Katie, set up for Grandma to attend a Jazz game.

Grandma LOVES the Jazz.

Not only did she get to go, but she sat in Jazz-owner Greg Miller’s seats.

Apparently they had a big to-do about it during half time.

I’m sure grandma was thrilled.

Check it out:

Olivia wanted a pet. She’s wanted a pet for months and months now. At first it was deep sighs and desperate pleadings for a kitty {and why not? Lyssy and ‘Azanah have at least seventeen!) And then it was gentle recollections: “remember when we had a doggie, Mom?” One day a few weeks ago Olivia asked me first thing: “Mom, can we go visit Cowboy today?”

An explanation of why that was not possible was followed with the statement, emphasized with all the feeling of a four year old heart: “I want a pet so bad.”

And so on Monday Wyatt surprised us all, saying: “Tonight for family home evening we will go to the store and get some pet fish.”

That evening, kids in tow, we visited our local PetSmart. We looked at the brightly colored canaries in their cages, we oohed at the bright tree frogs, and awed at the ginormous gilla monsters. Then we looked at the fish: Gold Fish were only 13¢ per. But the Betas: 30x more in cost, were 50x more hearty. So we were told by the acne-prone teenager with his pants cinched too high. I’m partial to Beta’s myself. Our 26¢ excursion turned into $11.79 with food.

As we climbed into the car, balancing plastic tuperwares of fish and water, we asked each elated child: what will you name your fish.

Olivia said emphatically: Cursey. I don’t know where she came up with the name.

And Cal said, as if he had thought over the “coolness” implications long and hard: “Fish, the Dawg!”

Daddy sent one back.

And he sent one to Olivia for good measure.

No one sent me a post card.

PS – Notice that Calvin used proper punctuation.