World's Greatest Dad!

Happy Fathers Day

2011

Don't worry. That is Cream Soda you're seeing there just in case you were wondering. :)

There is no denying that these girls LOVE their Dad. They can't get enough of him. I don't blame them. I feel the same way. He seriously is the best. He is a kid at heart and loves to play and wrestle as much as they do.

Caymbree's questionaire about her Dad (age 4)

My daddy's name is TROY

He is 8 years old, BIG tall and weighs 8 pounds.

His favorite food is HOT DOGS

My daddy is really good at WRESTLING

He loves to EAT DINNER

My favorite thing to do with my dad is PLAY WITH HIM

I'm just like my dad because i BEAT HIM UP

What I love most about my daddy is HE'S FUNNY

It makes my Dad happy when I GIVE HIM HUGS

Lovin the LAKE

We headed to Bear Lake this weekend to celebrate Grandpa Tom's birthday and Fathers day. It was a quick trip, the weather was cool, and the lake is missing its beach but the kids were still in heaven!

It's funny that my girls are SUCH girly-girls yet they love creepy crawly critters. We found this salamander and Hope and Caymbree couldn't get enough of it.

Once the weather hit 60 degree's the girls figured it was warm enough for swimming! They lasted about 10 minutes at the pool. Good thing grandpa has a hot tub!

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Grandpa Tom! Thanks for letting us celebrate with you! We love you tons!

Empty Nesters

Well....it happened. We are officially EMPTY NESTER'S! The birds flew the coop but it wasn't without a little drama. Caymbree and I went to check on the birds. We carefully opened the window and got quite the surprise when all four little birds took one look at us and took off in flight. Unfortunately, it was bad timing. Really bad timing. We were in the middle of a huge wind storm and the birds could barely make it to the sidewalk. The wind was blowing them all over the place.

It didn't take long to realize that they had no chance making it back up to the nest. We ran outside to try and usher them to safety and ended up with one little birdie in the middle of the road. The kids were terrified that it was going to be hit by a car and I was horrified of having to deal with the aftermath. It took a little while but we finally got the bird across the road where it was greeted by it's anxious mother.

THE RESCUE MISSION

You'd think the story ends there. Ya right. Later that night as we backed out of the driveway headed to a BBQ we saw one of the babies next to our house. The wind was still crazy and I knew it had no chance of getting back into the nest. Then Troy sealed the deal when he reminded me that neighbors cat would have one heck of a meal tonight. That did it. I did what any kind, loving, slightly crazy person would do and we began the rescue mission. Troy ushered the little fella into a box where he would be safely protected until we got back home. At 10pm Operation-back-in-the-nest began. Not as easy as it sounds and to make a long story short instead of landing in the nest it took flight never to be seen again.

I know you all think I've lost it. And I probably have. It was just such an amazing experience to watch this cycle of life take place right before our eyes. Goodbye birdies. We will miss you!

Could you say that again?

NO CAVITIES!!! Did you hear that? NO CAVITIES! This is big news for children who were cursed with a mother who has less than stellar teeth. It's not often that I get to hear those words for myself so I was overjoyed to hear them!

This was Caymbree's first full appointment (she has had the quick "let's just look in your mouth" type before). I wasn't sure how she would do. Luckily she sat in on Hope's cleaning and the hygienist was super cute and animated. By the time Hope was done Caymbree was begging for it to be her turn. She was a super star! The hygienist just kept saying how shocked she was (apparently most four year olds are NOT big fans of the dentist). Caymbree thought it was awesome! Then came the x-rays. They warned me things might take a turn for the worse. But she was amazing. Her little eyes started to water as the film started cutting into her gums (totally can relate) but it didn't seem to phase her much.

Hope was pretty funny. She was SOOOOO excited to go to the dentist and started counting down the nights she would have to sleep until the big appointment. I thought it was kind of funny but it's Hope so I didn't think much about it. A few days before the appointment she started asking me if you have to get silver teeth or if you could choose gold or any other color. Again, weird but Hope is always a little quirky :).

While at the appointment they announced that Hope was cavity free. I was thrilled. Apparently, Hope was not. She had been SO looking forward to getting a silver or gold tooth?? Hallee has a silver tooth from when she was about Hopes age Hope was really looking forward to having the same? Oh Hopers. You crack me up.

Lemonade for sale!!!

Wanna make a kids WHOLE day and become a hero all for .25cents??? Take two minutes out of your life and stop by a lemonade stand.

I feel so blessed to live in a neighborhood where people are so amazingly kind and generous. My heart was full as I saw the joy and excitement for each and every cup sold. I got reports by the minute as one of them would run into the house and yell at the top of their lungs, "WE JUST SOLD ANOTHER ONE!"

So in behalf of four little girls who had the "best day ever" I say THANK YOU!

It's a start hey?

Little C woke up, got herself dressed and "made" her bed. I had to chuckle when I saw it. Guess we all have to start somewhere...

Bird update

Seriously who knew that a little family of birds could create such a world of wonder. We now have a stool placed next to the window so the kids can get in on all the action. We are all truly fascinated! The birds are getting so big and barely fit in the nest anymore. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we will get to witness their first flight attempt which should happen any day now.

Do you see it? Zoom in close and you will see that momma Ruby has a cricket in her mouth and the babies are anxiously awaiting. (By the way - we discovered there are actually FOUR babies).

Ruby and Rudy (aka mom and dad) are constantly on the search for food. Seriously. ALL DAY. They only stay by the nest long enough to drop the food off and then they head out again. My favorite feeding was a worm. She kept one end in her mouth at all times and would drop the other end in the babies mouth and once it closed it's beak she would pull - breaking the worm off and then continuing the process to each one of the babies. Am I the only one fascinated by this??

Out of the mouth of babes

Caymbree is too cute. You never know what is going to come out of her mouth lately and I'm beginning to think she is spending a little too much time with Hope and becoming her mini-me.

I wanted to document a few of our funny moments from the past week.

DURING TESTIMONY MEETING ON SUNDAY
C: "When am I old enough to do that?" (referring to the girl bearing her testimony).
M: "In a little while."
C: "BUT mom. I'm big. See? (standing as tall as she can)
M: "Well, what would you say if you got up there?"
C: "I would say, Jovie is my best friend. Amen."
M: he he he. "I think we better wait a little longer girlfriend."


AFTER RECEIVING A BIRTHDAY INVITATION FROM THE NEIGHBOR BOY
C: "Why did he give this to me?"
M: "Because he wanted you to come to his party."
C: "I am SO NOT GOING." (full of attitude)
M: "What!!!! Why not."
C: (giggling) "Oh mom. I'm just kidding."

HER BLESSING ON THE FOOD (Paraphrasing here)

"Dear Heavenly Fader. Tank you for dis day that we can have a good night. (Way to kill two birds with one stone there). Make sur to be nice. Make sur to not whine. Make sur dis food is healfy. Make sur we be good. In da name of Jesus Christ Amen."

We were all struggling to hold back the giggles. Make sure???? Where did that come from? The only thing I can think of is we probably said "make sure to bless the food" at one point. Cuteness!

We had babies!!!

And by "we" I mean Ruby (the robin that I affectionately just named for the purpose of this post). Ruby became part of the family when she built her nest right outside our window filling our days with the anxious anticipation of our new additions. First we saw the eggs. Three of them to be exact. Bright blue about the size of a quarter.

And then they made their debut...

Can you see the little guy with mouth wide open waiting for his mamma to feed him?

Same shot just with mouth closed

This is RuDy. The dad. Did you know that dad Robins take a very active role in feeding their babies?

Seriously. I'm getting a little attached to these little fellas and sad to know that they won't be here much longer. I cannot BELIEVE how fast they grow. A few days ago they were just little balls of feathers but it seems like they are getting bigger by the second. Mr. Google says they will probably take flight in 10-14 days. It will be a sad day at the Hodges house. In the meantime we will just continue to enjoy watching this miracle of life take place right before our eyes.

Miss Hope

Hope had her final dance recital last weekend and did beautiful! True to form we did have a "hope moment" but fortunately it was during the dress rehearsal (however I did get it on film :) ). About four seconds into the routine her earring got caught on her costume basically attaching her ear to her shoulder. It took me a minute to figure out what in the world she was doing because she didn't miss a beat! I was laughing hysterically. (And yes it did finally detach itself).

And now may I present Miss Hope in all her camera glory...

{gangsta}

{sweet}

{shy}

And so the dance season for the Hodges family officially ends (although the new season starts for Hallee in two weeks). As decisions for the next year were being discussed I gave Hope some options of what she would like to do. Tumbling, dance, singing, or soccer. Her choice - she wants to sing, dance and act. Say what??? So I found a musical theatre class for her and we will see how it goes. It will probably be perfect for her. Can't wait to find out.