Other Summer Highlights

While I was in the hospital after Jace was born, Kate and Faith stayed with my mom and dad. When we went to go pick them up, Papa and Kate said they had a surprise for me. We went outside and Kate showed me this:

I was surprised, alright! No training wheels?? Good job, Papa and Kate! She LOVES to ride her bike now, and will have a difficult time parting with it during the winter.

We all went to the Western Idaho Fair (even 2 week old Jace - he loved it) and had a great time! Kate also won a free Taekwondo class at one of the booths. She loves Kung Fu Panda, so I thought she would really enjoy it.

The parents got to watch on a TV screen in a different room. There were lots of "Yes Ma'am!" 's and "HeeeeYAH!" 's. Only Kate said, "HeeeeYah!". She was very quiet, but was smiling most of the time. I asked her how she liked it after it was over, and she said that she didn't. "But you were smiling during the class," I countered.

Kate said, "That's because I didn't want the teacher to feel bad."

Okay, then. At least we got a cute little Tae Kwon Do uniform out of it.

Faith took swimming lessons and had a blast! Sorry, I neglected to take any pictures. But I did get some of Faith's first haircut! Yup, we chopped it off. She twirls her hair into knots while she sucks her thumb. I've had to cut them off so many times that she was developing a mullet. So here she is

Before

"Awww, poor child, don't you have any parents?"

and then

After

MUCH better.

Jace laughed for the first time just a few minutes ago.

It's enough to make me want to compose some really cheesy song.

This boy is an angel. He is the best baby, and I don't know how I got lucky enough to be his mommy! He naps anywhere, sleeps 8+ hours at night, rarely cries, smiles at anyone, and now he giggles too. It's almost too much.

The Many Faces of Jace

The "What do you mean I have no eyebrows?" Face

The "Seriously, I don't have eyebrows?!" Face

The "Do you think my lack of brows makes my forehead look big?" Face



The "Eh, who needs eyebrows? I'm still ridiculously good-looking" Face

Look what I made!!!

#1

I decided to make a picnic table for my mom for her birthday. I got the plans from Knock Off Wood, and I hope it's not my last project! I didn't really know what I was doing, but the kids have tested it and it hasn't fallen down yet! I wanted to have it done before the baby came, but no luck. I still have to finish painting it. Thanks to Mike and Kate for helping me make it!

#2

Okay, I also had some help making this one :) Introducing wee Jace Allen! He was born on August 11 @ 7:12 in the morning. I was scheduled to be induced that day at 7 am, but thankfully, labor kicked in on its own! For a very detailed description of the birth, see Mike's blog.

Jace is such a sweet baby! I am amazed at how much love I feel for the little guy, and how he is already such a part of our family. He rarely cries, enjoys sleeping, eating, and snuggling. The girls adore him and are always ready to help. I'm one lucky mama!

Jam on it

In celebration of Mike's birthday a few weeks ago, I wanted to do something memorable, something out of the ordinary. And I wanted it to be a surprise. With some help from my awesome cousin Tenielle, it came to me.


Roller Derby

When we walked up to the Qwest Arena, Mike thought we were going to a basketball or hockey game. Luckily, he didn't notice the plethora of girls in short skirts and fishnets hanging around the building. Even as we walked inside and he saw a bunch of them handing out programs, he assumed they were the half time show. Then we entered the arena and saw this:

He was very surprised. Mission accomplished!

After a short video explaining the rules, the bout began. Unfortunately, our team got their fish nets handed to them. I think the final score was 71 to 174. Ouch. But it was still a blast to watch! And if I weren't so very pregnant, I would be all over this sport.

Here are my favorites from the evening:

Favorite jammer: Candy Assassin (she scored most of the team's points)

Favorite name: Crash McCrasherson (simply because it reminds me of my friend Angie:))

Favorite moment: When Fire Hazard burst out of the penalty box and took out not only the other team's best jammer, but two refs to boot!

Favorite Ref: Bipola Lola (because you're never too old to wear your underwear over your tights.)

Now for a few tips to help your next derby experience be safe and enjoyable:

If you go to the Treasure Valley Roller Girls website, it says that you can purchase tickets ahead of time at a number businesses. One of the suggested businesses is "Discreet Secrets". I strongly discourage buying your tickets here for 2 reasons:

1. The contents of this store in no way resemble nor approach any definition of the word "discretion".

2. The cashier informed me that they are not selling derby tickets this year.

I ended up going to Need to Bead, which was a much more family friendly and helpful place to buy the tickets, and I didn't even need to soak my eyeballs in bleach afterward!

Here's to hoping we'll see you at the Spud Town Smack Down in September!

Guest blogger

Check out this video on Mike's blog. This spells trouble. From here on out we are going to be pushing sports. Heavily.

Something is missing...

Mike and I were in the car the other day when I looked down at my right leg, which was resting on my left knee, and noticed that my ankle had disappeared. I asked Mike to verify that my ankle was, in fact, gone, and he said, "Whoa! It's like Strong Sad!" and I couldn't help but bust up laughing. For my friends that do not know him, I give you...

Strong Sad

Unlike Strong Sad, I do not mourn the loss of my ankles. The arrival of cankles can only mean that the man child is coming soon! 3 or 4 more weeks! (The coolness of his name will be determined by how late/early he comes. That's right, it's all up to you man child.)

*On a side note*

I told my dad about the tent when he got back in town. He put the tent up himself to find out what the problem was, and it looked just like mine. Ha! Turns out there was a POLE MISSING! At this time I will graciously accept apologies from all scoffers and ridiculers.