Nature's Cool, Man

 

Nature Photography Day

June 15 was Nature Photography Day so I took the good camera down to the Provo River and got some pictures of the June suckers. 

It's been a few years since any of us specifically went to see them even though we know the Provo River Delta was specifically made to help those fish.

While I was there, I made sure to get some juggling pics and videos. 

 I also took pictures of birds.

The cliff swallows and house sparrows were nesting under the same bridge. The sparrows were probably using the swallow nests.

 

Later I stopped by the Orem Library and helped take down the balloon triceratops skeleton and pick up the framing materials for it. It was definitely time. 

I had a good chat with the librarian who was taking it down as we worked together. She is also a birder. A few of the librarians at Orem Library are birders. I love it. It makes me smile, which is appropriate since June 15 was Smile Power Day.

You know what also makes people smile? Balloons. 

 

Family Picture

I feel like it makes a difference when you get a photo of the whole family looking at the camera and smiling. It doesn't always happen.

 

Celebrating 20 Years of Fablehaven

I have made no secret that we are fans of Brandon Mull and especially the Fablehaven series. From listening to audiobooks on trips to Halloween costumes to recipes (you know I love my Fablehaven cookbook) and even book reports, we love to celebrate Brandon Mull and Fablehaven.

Last Monday, some of us were able to celebrate at an event at Provo City Library for the new illustrated edition of Fablehaven. Brandon Dorman, who did the original covers for the Fablehaven series, did the full color illustrations for this book. It was great to hear him and Brandon Mull talking about it, as well as hearing a little update on how things are going with the Fablehaven film. Yes, they're making a film!

We got our new book signed, got a commemorative pin to go with it, enjoyed seeing artwork by Brandon Dorman, and enjoyed activities and games while we were not in the signing line. We got a Fablehaven activity book and chocolate milk to drink. If you don't know what "Drink the Milk" means, read the book.

I'm glad we went to this. Thanks to all who put work into this event. My kids couldn't stop reading the illustrated edition that night. 

Garden Update

I don't think that bell pepper plant is going to make it.

But the jalapeno is doing great.

Yay! A Flag!

June 13 was Kitchen Klutzes of America Day. Dinner? FFY. Fend For Yourself. Except... I needed to eat so I fixed some pasta and chicken and if other people ate it, so be it.

 

June 14 was Flag Day. Since it was on a Sunday, the boys helped put up flags the day before.

On Sunday, as we were driving somewhere, Jet looked out the window and saw a big flag.

 

Jet: A flag! For President's Day!

Mom: It's Flag Day.

Jet: Yay! A flag for Flag Day!

 

I love the enthusiasm. 

 

June 14 was the birthday of one of my choir buddies so we sang Happy Birthday to her in choir then afterward while we were chatting, we were talking about how it was also Pop Goes the Weasel Day and a few of us started humming the song. We had a fun discussion about celebrating. 

Smoothie!

Sometimes I get hormonal. It's true. PMS is a thing.

Sometimes I get so hormonal that it reminds me of pregnancy hormones- the irrational way I felt at times during pregnancy. Cravings, crying at the drop of a hat, grumpiness. I am not pregnant, though.

One day, I figured out I was hormonal. I explained to my husband I was craving a smoothie so much to the point of feeling like crying. I was trying to figure out how to make a smoothie without yogurt because we didn't have any.

My sweet husband drove to the store and bought me yogurt and bananas so I could have a berry smoothie because we did have berries in the freezer.

My sweet husband. I didn't ask him to do that. I didn't expect him to do that. He's just that wonderful.

Marriage is give and take. Jeremy and I definitely support each other in different ways and we are grateful to each other for how we do support one another.

I always hope that our children learn from our examples (the good examples because we have our weaknesses, too). 

Jet has many times when he wants to be helpful. When it's time to bring groceries down, he runs to grab his shoes to carry or help carry items.

He also loves one on one time. When Jeremy went to get yogurt and bananas (and some other things we needed), he asked Jet if he wanted to go with him. Jet jumped at the chance. He was a big helper and enjoyed his time with Dad. He did get a special treat as well.

Earlier that day, we needed to get the windshield on our red car replaced. Jet and I went to pick up Jeremy after he dropped off the car and when we went to pick up the car later, Jet really wanted to ride in the car with Jeremy so he did. He enjoys bonding time. 

I won't complain when I get my morning snuggles.

All of our children enjoy one on one time with their parents. I'll tell you later about some of the other kids' recent bonding time with Jeremy.

 

Here I go again starting with a blog post about how I got a smoothie I'd been craving and then continuing on talking about other things. Well, this is me. 

  

By the way, that smoothie took care of that craving.