Hairy Little Monsters

Adam's new little friend from school has been wanting to have a playdate with Adam for awhile now.  His mom and I finally coordinated our schedules so we could meet up at the park yesterday after school.  The kids played on the playground while the friend's mom told me how much her son admired Adam and wants to emulate him.  Then she said,

"He doesn't want to comb his hair because he says,
  'Adam doesn't comb his hair so I don't want to comb my hair either.'"

She had just told me she was a hair stylist. Haha!

So I'm not so good at styling my boys' hair.  Actually my solution to the problem is usually to cut their hair off when it gets too long to look good without combing.  And, it's time to do that again.  But I still think they look adorable, my little monsters.

Just Chips

At lunch yesterday Brandt declared,

"I don't want a fruit or vegetable.  I just want chips."

I had the feeling the other boys secretly agreed with him, though they wisely ate their meal, fruits and veggies included.  Which is why I decided not to fret about the remark. Brandt will come around in time. I hope. And he actually did eat a few carrots eventually.  

I know that being an example of a good eater is important.  And I do my best.  But the truth is, once in awhile I just want chips.  Or, more often, chocolate.  

Flatiron

I've been wanting to do this hike for a long time.  It's the one people talk about, have stories about, and it's the one they point out, "you see on the mountain right there?" when in sight of the Superstition Mountains.

Let's borrow Wikipedia's photo to give you a visual:

Flatiron is the first jagged peak from the right. 

Mitch has hiked it several times with friends, family members... a random hiker group.  He's even done it in the dark!  

You can imagine my excitement when Mitch asked me earlier this month if I'd like him to take me.   When I gave him a hard time about not bringing me before he said, "Well, you're finally not with child."

Right.
Well, every time a previous trip was planned I was either pregnant or nursing a little one. By the way, this whole trip was made possible by my amazing parents-in-law who agreed to watch over said little ones.

We got up early to hit the mountain by about six (in Arizona it's important to beat the sun).    The air was cool and the light a little dim when we got started, with all the colors muted.  The thing about this hike is that it's steep.  And rocky.  And steep.  Just getting to the first real landmark, Siphon Draw, my heart was really pumping. 

 And then we were scrambling up the slick rock, pausing for breath, and then plunging ahead to hike up the ravine, climbing rocks, weaving between branches of  a few scattered Mesquite trees, and climbing more rocks.

And yes, I am wearing a dress.  Big mistake.  I wouldn't recommend it for steep hikes. 

 Ahem. 

Anyway, as we reached the "first top" as Mitch termed it, I had just gasped out, "How many 'tops' are there?" when I was momentarily stunned by the sight of the hoodoos, stark against the sky and lit up with the rays of morning sunlight, desert plants scattered at their feet.  It was such a beautiful sight!

 Mitch pointed out Flatiron:

Mitch took this picture in 2008.  We forgot to take one.

And then we continued to the summit.  

The 360-degree view was spectacular.  We rested as we sat together quietly, taking it all in.  There was mixture of reverence and triumph in looking out together at the desert floor below and the mountains around us.  Of solitude and togetherness. A good feeling.

The hike down was seemed to go by in a flash.  I had so much fun, and I was so happy that I finally got to go!

Dallin's Baptism

Last Saturday was a special day for this little boy.  Only he's not so little any more.  In fact, I could hardly believe it when this big day came and went.

It was the day of Dallin's baptism.  He was so excited.  He was excited to become the newest member of our church, and excited for friends and family to come celebrate with us.

His dad baptized him the same way Jesus was baptized, only Dallin might have actually preferred a river to the font.

Congratulations, Dallin!  We love you, and are proud of you.

Crazy Hair Day

Today is Crazy Hair Day at the elementary school.

The kids normally have short, short hair and in the past we haven't really participated in Crazy Hair Day beyond a few gelled spikes.

This time the kids were determined (and they have a bit more hair to work with).

Dallin dearly wanted to dye his hair, but since he has blonde hair, and his baptism is tomorrow morning, I convinced him that may not be a wise choice.  He had to settle for spikes and pick-up-sticks.

He was alright with that.

Since we didn't plan ahead beyond bedtime last night, I didn't have hair dye (and was too lazy for a nocturnal run to the store) we ground up our last bits of blue chalkboard chalk and used it to color Caleb's spikes.  He decided they made a good sea for his little tropical friend.

Adam's interested in aliens right now so I thought it would be fun for him to sport some "alien eyes" among his locks.

He agreed.

What am I doing with my own hair for crazy hair day, you ask?  I'm thinking a ponytail sounds good right about now.  Sheesh. I have new respect for the daily morning routine of moms of little girls with long hair.

Moon Companion

We were on our way to soccer practice a few evenings ago and as I turned out of our neighborhood I noticed the moon: bright, round, and nearly full.  Brandt noticed too.

"Mom! The moon is moving!"
I could hear the smile in his voice as he watched the moon, which appeared to be keeping pace with us as we flashed by trees, streets, and homes.

A few seconds later he added, delightedly, "The moon is going with us to the park!"

And you know, it did!

Backpacking Poetry

Yesterday I sat cross-legged on the floor of our study, listening to the Ravel Piano Concerto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftJ-gJ-l5HQ
I grabbed a notepad and pencil and wrote this poem.

O, to lie
Under the sky
With my one
And only hon
Twinkle stars
The view is ours
Eat taquitos
(No mosquitos)!
Up with the sun
Time for some fun
Get across
Don't get lost!
Breathe the air
Way up there
Get that shot
(We'd smile a lot).

This goes to show that serious classical music can sometimes inspire goofy poetry.  I imagined it illustrated with simple animated stick figures of Mitch and me: in sleeping bags under twinkling stars, yawning in the rays of the rising sun,  hopping a creek, and waving from the tip-top of a pencil-drawn mountain.  I guess it's time for a backpacking trip!
(Are taquitos considered lightweight backpacking fare)?