I'm a Soccer Mom

As of today I am officially a soccer mom. The first soccer practice was a little chaotic and a little disorganized, but a lot of fun! I think someone needs to tell the coach that the bulk of the three year olds in the class don't really know the difference between left and right and they need some explanations of terms like "dribble" and "pass." But I'm sure we'll get there eventually.

Breakfast at the Fire Station

I've been spending a lot more time reading blogs lately than writing on my own! I was just checking out some friends' sites to see if there was anything new when I realized how long it had been since I posted!

So much has been going on lately, but most of the pictures from the exciting things (like Evan's birthday party) have yet to be downloaded from my camera. But, I have downloaded some pictures from our breakfast at the fire station. Evan wore his fireman suit jacket (the pants are getting a little too little) and spent the morning pretending he was the fireman.

Here I am. Check out that belly. It is growing by the minute!

After we got home, Evan gave us all a lesson in fire safety.

In case you need subtitles, it starts like this, "When your house is caught on fire, you’re supposed to cheer really loud and talk really loud so we can hear you." We all took turns practicing how we would yell if we were ever trapped in a fire and Evan rescued us. It was a successful mission.

What Are You Taking to Thanksgiving Dinner

A friend of mine shared this link on Facebook and I thought it was hilarious. A woman gives a VERY detailed list of what each guest is expected to bring to dinner and how it should be presented. I've never actually taken anything to my mom's or my mother-in-law's house for a meal, since we're already staying there, but I can't imagine they'd ever create a to-bring list like this, which makes me grateful.

And, this year we are having dinner with Granny, Bryan's grandma. I'm in charge of dinner rolls, pumpkin pie and an appetizer. Hopefully I won't mess any of it up!

Redskins v. Broncos

Bryan got tickets to today's Redskins v. Broncos game through his office. They weren't just any tickets--they were tickets to the Owner's Club Suite, which means we were 29 rows up and just about on the 50 yard line. It also meant we had endless food and drinks and some VIP treatment.

Evan had his heart set on ice cream. Unfortunately, there wasn't any in the suite. No problem--a nice lady who works for the Redskins simply directed Bryan and Evan to the press box where they were able to sneak away a couple of ice cream bars.

Evan did find some popcorn.

And some cookies. Those are orange sprinkles dripping off his chin.

The Redskins beat the Broncos. I will admit that I was cheering for the home team, but I felt a little like a traitor. Growing up in Utah, I was a Broncos fan (when I was cheering for a particular team). My cousin Jason is the biggest Broncos fan I know. I wish there would have been a way to bring him to the suite with us.

The Redskins cheerleaders stopped by. Never one to pass up a photo opp, I asked the blonde one to hold Evan for a picture. He batted his eyes at the girls. He is a total flirt.

It was a great day! Bryan and I decided Evan has no idea what a special treat it was, but we took plenty of pictures so we can remind him of it one day.

The Sun Hat

I'm a hat nazi at our house. I don't even like for Evan to walk from the house to the car without a hat on--I prefer sun hats, but I will accept ball caps in a pinch. The hats are in addition to 50 SPF sunscreen I slather on at every opportunity. How on earth this kid has developed three freckles is beyond me. 

He got the hat he is wearing in this picture at the beginning of summer and has been wearing it ever since. He was so excited when we entered a little shop and saw this dog wearing the exact same hat. Evan even asked to have his picture taken next to the pooch. Aren't they sweet? 

I'm a Big Lady

For weeks Evan has been pointing at me and saying, "You're a big lady." I've tried not to take it personally and have hoped that he never points to someone else and says the same thing. A stranger may not take it with a grain of salt like I do. 

Finally I asked Evan why he is calling me a "big lady" and he said, "You can reach the freezer." Ahhh...yes, the freezer. The square box that holds all the juice pops, frozen yogurt and ice cream. It is a wondrous place that Evan can't get to on his own. Now that I know what he is talking about I feel like I hold such power, such strength--I am the freezer keeper! 

A Quiet Trip to the Park

The day started out easy enough. I decided to take a long walk, stop at the park so Evan could play and then planned to come home in time for lunch. We're in the midst of a heat wave today, so I really should have decided to take Evan to the pool instead, but I decided I should try and get a little more exercise.

After an eternity on the swings, Evan was ready to move on to some other equipment. He climbed up one side of a jungle gym apparatus while I moved over to wait at the bottom of the slide. He is easily sidetracked (I think he gets that from me) and stopped to play with a steering wheel. He reached up, let out a loud shriek and pulled away. As I looked up I saw three bees flying away from Evan. I had to coax him over to the slide, then I snatched him up to examine the damage.

There was one mark where he was stung and his hand was already swelling. This being his first bee sting, I had no idea whether he was allergic or not. I've thought about carrying Benadryl with me for just such an occasion, but of course I never went out and bought any. There was no one else at the park, so I couldn't even bum some off of a better prepared mother.

I put Evan in the stroller and RAN home. Literally ran home, dialing information and the pediatrician's office en route. I think my huffing and puffing may have made the doctor's office think it was a prank call since they put me on hold and never came back. I slowed to a fast walk when I called the second time. The nurse asked me if I had any Benadryl. Umm...no...I'm a bad mom. The kind that thinks she should do something, makes a mental note and then never gets back around to it. The nurse told me that it was unlikely he was going to have a breathing problem or else he would already be showing signs, she said. Actually, she was a bit of a smartie pants and the conversation went more like this (imagine the panic-stricken voices you hear on the 911 calls):

Me: "My son just received his first bee sting. What should I do?"
Nurse: "Is he allergic to bees?"
Me: "I don't know. This is his first sting." (My inner monologue: LIKE I JUST SAID LADY!)
Nurse: "Do you have any Benadryl?"
Me: "No. I don't. I don't have any!"
Nurse: "Well, he'd probably already be having trouble breathing if he was allergic."
Me: "How long does it take for breathing problems to occur?" (Inner monologue: Since you really have no idea if by "just" I mean three seconds ago or the five minutes it has taken me to dial information, call you, hold, then call you again and explain the situation).
Nurse: "Well it isn't like it would happen tomorrow."
Me: "Are we talking 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes?" (Inner monologue: I really need to switch pediatricians).

Anyway, at that point, I was pretty sure Evan wasn't allergic, but I wanted to be careful. As soon as I got home, I ran in and grabbed my wallet. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Sweat was dripping from my chin, I had giant sweat rings under my boobs, of all places, and my pits?? Well, let's just say it wasn't pretty. I had calmed down a little by the time I got in the pharmacy. Mainly because as I was walking in, Evan broke free and headed for the candy aisle. At that point I knew the worst was over. I spent $33 on Benadryl and Benadryl-related products, should we ever need them again.

Evan is no worse for the wear and he even conned me out of some Tic Tacs. And as for me--I'm thinking I really need to take up running just in case I ever need to conquer the neighborhood hills again.

Say Hello to Baby K

Meet my niece Cadence. We call her Baby K. And by “we” I mean Bryan, Evan and me. Evan started it quite some time ago and although he can now say Cadence perfectly, Baby K persists. I think that is mostly my fault, as I can’t seem to break the habit. I’m pretty sure I’ll be calling her Baby K on her wedding day.

Baby K, along with her dad and mom (Bryan’s brother Travis and his wife, Juli) and Grandma Betty and Papa Stu, paid us a visit.

Just like Evan is all boy, Baby K is all girl. She is so delicate and sweet. I’m already missing her and wishing I could pick her up and give her a squeeze.



She may be all girl, but she had no problem keeping up with Evan’s tendencies. I think she even instigated a few things. The two of them had a ball running through the rain. In her true feminine style, Baby K ran like a girl with one hand out most of the time.






Just a little side note, we gave Cadence that pair of Crocks she is wearing. They used to be Evan’s, but Juli allowed us to pass them along even though she is opposed to the rubber shoes.


Cadence introduced Evan to the joy of yelling while running, but that was in the house. The next morning Evan told me, “Baby K make a raucous.” Then he laughed like crazy. It’s no wonder Evan hasn’t been able to stop talking about her since she left.

Here's to hoping they'll be lifelong friends. 

Family History

One of my goals is to scan in all of the family photos I am currently storing in a big box. I inherited the box from my great aunt when she passed away and I love to pull the photos out and sort, stare and read the little inscriptions written across the back. Usually it says nothing more than Great, Great, Great Grandpa Lowry, which is what this photo says (and then I have to try and figure out if it was my great aunt's great, great, great grandpa, what does that make him to me?)

I do know that my ancestors were pioneers, and I think you can read so much in the photos. I always love to think about what people were doing just before and after the shutter snapped. Had Grandpa Lowry just finished fishing, or is he getting ready to catch his supper? Is the wagon parked for the night or is he getting ready to head out again.

This photo is also one of my favorites, and I am drawn to the woman in the picture--another great grandparent.

Every time I look at her standing in front of her house I want to thank her for her bravery and pioneering spirit.

These pictures are newer--the woman on the far right is my Grandma Jensen (then a Stevens) along with her brother and sister and my great grandpa as he drove them off to boarding school. I love the hats!

Here they are as little kids. The photo reads, "Playhouse back of Grandpa Stevens granery--Ferron, Ut." If I remember correctly, a coffee company used this photo in a calendar--notice the coffee can next to my grandma (the one in the middle).

I love the dog in the picture, Bubbles. My Aunt Melva told me countless stories about Bubbles and how he used to follow them to school each day, sit outside the school and wait for them so they could all walk home together.

I think the reason I am progressing so slowly on my scanning is that each time I pull out the box, I get too caught up in each picture and the details and what I know or don't know about the people in the picture. Before I know it, an hour has passed and I've only scanned two photos! Wish me luck.

Help Me Organize Evan's Toys

I need help! I'm looking for some cute and discrete ways to store Evan's toys that we keep in the living room. I have some shelves with baskets, which do a nice job. But, there is one big basket on the floor that keeps overflowing. I know the living room is family space, but it is the first room you see when you walk in my house, so I want it to be uncluttered. Any ideas?

Evan's First Skating Lesson

I took Evan for his first ice skating lesson yesterday. I was afraid it might scare him away a bit since skating is harder than it looks, but I think it has made him love it even more. He is still too young for the group classes, so we are doing a few private lessons with him. His teacher is so sweet. And, she even prefers to work with the child without the parent. So that gives me 30 minutes to sit on the sideline and watch. Of course, I didn't discover this until after I had paid my $11 ice and skate rental fee yesterday.

They have large signs posted that say "No Flash Photography," but I'm sure that doesn't apply to moms whose sons are taking their first lesson, right? Plus, any skater worth his or her salt should be able to skate right through a few flashbulbs going off.

I was trying to stay out of sight so I wouldn't distract Evan, but I failed miserably. I was pretty far away (hence how tiny Evan looks), but Evan still spotted me. At the end of this video he starts signing mom.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

This is the final video just as his lesson is ending.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

A New Tie!

You'll never guess what Bryan got for Father's Day...come on...guess... Give up? Okay--it was a new tie. With stripes! Even though Evan had given away the secret on Saturday, Bryan played along as he was unwrapping it. Evan helped speed up the process, too.

We went out for dinner to a new restaurant (well--new to us) that Bryan has been wanting to try. The waiter snapped a pic of us. I'm posting it just to prove that I do blow dry my hair once in a blue moon. Usually it is in a clip.

Some days I try to tell myself that Evan looks like me. Then I see a picture of him and Bryan together and, well, I have to admit they do look a lot alike.

He Can't Keep a Secret

All week I have been telling Evan that tomorrow is Father's Day--a special day for daddy. This morning we went to the mall to buy a surprise for daddy. Later in the day Bryan, Evan and I were sitting in the kitchen when I asked Evan what tomorrow is. He looked at Bryan and said, "Tie daddy. With stripes." Bet you'll never guess what Bryan will be unwrapping tomorrow.

Homemade Bathtub Paints

There were so many different things I could have used for a title of this post. "The Worst Idea I've Ever Had," "My Budding Artist," "A Bottle of Mustard Explodes," "Evan is Looking a Little Jaundiced." But, I opted for the straightforward approach.

A few weeks ago I decided to whip up some homemade bathtub paints for Evan's amusement. It was really easy--just use some baby wash, stir in cornstarch until it is your desired consistency and then add some food coloring.

Evan enjoyed every minute of it and painted almost every square inch of the tub. Bryan got home from work right at the peak of the painting and looked in at the yellow mess and proclaimed it may have been the worst idea I'd ever had. At that point, I was beginning to think he was right. Then Evan smiled and all was forgiven.


The tub wiped up easily and Evan was only yellow for a day or two. Kidding. It washed right off. I would do it again, although, I haven't, so I'm not quite sure what that means. Give it a try! Let me know if you do and how it worked for you. I want to let someone else experiment with some reds and blues before I try it out!

A Trip to the Farm

Since we live in the city and all, we decided to take Evan on a nice little drive out to a farm a while ago. As Evan was looking at the animals it hit me just how different his childhood will be from mine. I was no stranger to farm animals and in fact was scared to death of the chickens on my grandpa's ranch. I can still picture all the chickens crowding into the back of the chicken coop when my mom would go in and gather eggs--shudder. Evan didn't seem to share my fear. 

I know it is a little wrong that whenever I see sheep all I can think about is having leg of lamb for dinner. 

They should be worried. Very worried. At this point I was also thinking of the rice pilaf I would fix to go along with the lamb. Evan just thought they were soft. 

My two boys. The cutest guys in the whole world. 

If you live in Virginia and haven't been to Frying Pan Farm, you should check it out! 

Daddy Visits Evan's School

On Evan's last official day of preschool, the parents were invited to attend a party, sing songs and have snacks with the kids. Evan LOVED having his daddy there. He absolutely loved it. He sat in Bryan's lap the whole time. 

He showed him around the classroom. 

And he even shared his juice box. 

Since then Evan and Bryan had talked several times about the day that daddy went to Evan's school with him. I think they have both forgotten I was there, too! It must be because I was behind the camera. Yeah--that's it. I'm sure. 

Potty Training Woes

We've been working on potty training Evan. I will be the first to admit I don't know all that much about how boys do it, but I do know that it seems pretty simple. They stand up (or sometimes Evan sits on his potty) and they pee. Logically, the next step (at least to me) would be to wipe, right? So the other day, Bryan and I are standing in the bathroom cheering Evan on as he stands on a step stool and pees into the toilet. When he finishes, I pull off some toilet paper and lean in towards Evan. As I'm reaching across Evan, Bryan says, "What are you doing?"

"He needs to wipe," I reply innocently enough.
"He's a boy. He doesn't wipe."
"Well, I know, but he should at least dab it off."
"Boys don't 'dab it off.' DO NOT teach him to dab it off."
"His underwear will get pee on them."
"Seriously. Don't teach him that."

I continue on my path bound and determined to clean up that drip of pee I can see . Meanwhile, Evan is just sort of looking at us both and waiting for his sticker. Bryan's tone picked up a notch and he asked, again, that I not "dab it off." So, I relented, since it seemed to matter so much to him. Although, I still think it is wrong. What do you think, dab or no dab?

Bubbles Bubbles Everywhere

I don't quite understand the allure of bubbles, but I do know, they make my little guy very, very happy.




He cracks himself up.