A Mother's Love

{Trust Me.  You do not want a picture of this event.}

This morning while I was walking Calvin to school I heard him sneeze loudly and exclaim, "Mom, I need a tissue!"  I turned around to see him bent over with the world's biggest snotty booger hanging out of his left nostril.  

And I had no tissue.  

And from where I was standing, I couldn't find even a leaf. (A disadvantage to living in the desert.)

So, I did what any mother who loves her child would do.  I let him wipe his nose on my shirt.

And it grossed me.

And I rolled up the bottom of my shirt onto itself so as to hide the grody (pronouced GROW-DEE, as in slang for gross) booger from other people, and I (with dignity) made my way home.  

Thank you Jenn, for standing by me.

Summer: What We Did

Wyatt dressed up as a favored Nintendo Character, Link:  Hat (check), green tunic (check), Iron Man Underwear (though not part of Link's costume, check), Shield (lid tucked into underwear, check).  

 I went shopping and upon finding these t-niny shorts in the juniors section realized I am too old to be dabbling in juniors any longer.  

 Enjoyed several beautiful sunsets while out running.  

 Enjoyed visits from grandparents and my double chin.

 We went to Costco A LOT.  And loved every second. (Costco, I love you.  You complete me.  Thanks for the deals you give me.  xoxoxo)

 We hung out in the backyard.  Just chillin'.  Steady chillen'

 I went to Girl's Camp and discovered that while I missed my family so much, i still had a very fun time. I stayed up way to  late, laughed way too hard, and slept way too close to the latrines.  You live, you learn.

    We had Calvin (a.k.a The Guillotine) take our picture on Noah's birthday before church.  Happy Birthday Honey, your present is Bon Jovi hair.

 I experienced the strange mix of emotions that comes with the passing of a loved one:  Happiness that they are not suffering, Emptiness that they are gone, Sadness that you didn't have that last chance to say goodbye, Joy to see relatives that you haven't seen in at least ten years.  (Hardy girls, why didn't we get a pic???????)  I am glad to have gone to my Grandma's funeral and celebrate her life, but I have found myself yearning to have one last visit with her.  Rest in Peace. 

 Adorable Cutie at Pioneer Day.  

 Cyrus and I logged a lot of hours watching Calvin and Wyatt swim it up at swim lessons.  They are certainly more fish like than they were a few months ago.

The boys traced themselves and colored them.  And yes, I don't make my kids wear clothes that match during the summer.  

The boys opened a very successful lemonade stand and made $4 each.  Regular tycoons, I tell you.  Plus, it was just adorable.  

 We went on several evening walks and let Cyrus lead the way because let's face it, he never gets to lead the way!  

Summer, as always, it is a bitter parting.  But we shall meet again after Spring.  Don't forget us!  And don't forget to get us pool passes next year!  Much love, Shafers.

Splash Pad

Because summer is almost over here, I decided to make the most of the few days that we had left.  I said farewell to a clean house for the week, and tried to just focus on fun, fun, fun.  We went to the splash pad and took our fun neighbors with us.  I wish that I had gotten more pics, but I was too busy  lazing around.

 The one time that getting dumped on is fun and refreshing.  

 Cyrus and his smoking moves.  Bonus:  those are not his flip flops.  In fact, I don't know whose they are, but he enjoyed clomping around in them anyway.  

We ended this week with Friday being "Do whatever you want day."  (Thanks Ortons for the idea).  Much to my surprise, it wasn't all that huge of a disaster.  The boys started off their day by not doing their chores.  They had to go to Costco with me, even though they didn't want to, but they decided to order churros for lunch.  Then they spent the rest of the day sword fighting in their underwear, watching Pink Panther, and eating hot dogs for dinner.  They fell asleep in our bed, after which Noah and I moved them to their beds so we could get some sleep.  I am sad that Calvin is starting back to school tomorrow, and that Wyatt starts preschool this week.  The house will be so quiet!!

Livin' On A Prayer

I woke up with Bon Jovi hair this morning.  I'm just as confused about it as you are.