Crazy Weekend!

And it's only Friday ;)

Yesterday was July 24th. In Utah, it is a state holiday, as it is the day that the Pioneer's reached the Salt Lake Valley. Throughout the state, communities do founder's day celebrations, and our town is no different. I had the bright idea that our La Leche League group should have a float, so I spear headed and organized the whole thing. Not too bad if you can delegate...something I'm quite good at. So, on Wednesday night, the troops arrived and we put together the float. This year's theme for World Breastfeeding Week is "Go For the Gold". So, on one side, it said, "Go for the Gold - Breastfeed!". One of our leader's suggested we do something of a pioneer theme on the other side and I couldn't really think of anything. In steps my brilliant husband who suggests, "Pioneer Children Sang Nursed as They Walked..." For those not familiar, this is a song that the children in church learn, "Pioneer Children sang as they walked, and walked, and walked, and walked..." I loved the reactions we got from people. Most people just laughed and thought it was great. We had a few disgusted looks from people and one man who even said, "No they didn't!". Really? What did they do then? Have formula?? In the 1800's?!?! Whatever.

We made gold medals with our contact information on them and handed out those and fliers as we walked along the parade route (I say we, but it is a collective we, as I stood on the float the whole time!). There were many disappointed kids when they realized we weren't giving out any candy. I figure they get plenty from all the other floats, we are just not into candy that much.

We also had a member of our group make iron on transfers (which I adore!!) and we all wore matching shirts. There were ones for the Mama's - "I Make Milk, What's Your Superpower?", for the nurslings - "I Eat at Mom's" and for the supporters - "I Support Breastfeeding". All of the shirts have the International Breastfeeding Symbol on them, they really turned out awesome! We will be doing these as a fundraiser for our group, so if anyone is interested in purchasing these, let me know :) Here is a slide show of us getting ready and right before the float took off. I couldn't take any pictures while on the float, I was too busy holding up the big LLL banner and making sure my hooligans didn't escape!!

The fun didn't end there though! We went home after the parade, ate lunch and headed down to Willow Park for the festivities! We got there just in time for the watermelon eating contest. S and A LOVED it!!! A got way into it, even before it started. After it was done, they got to take their leftover watermelon and eat it. She thought she still had to lay down for that part!! Cute girl.

After eating watermelon, we let the kids get their hair painted. It was fun at the time, but I don't think I'll do it next year, I had to wash A's hair twice to get it all out!

The kids then did a couple of crafts and a water balloon fight. By that point I was exhausted and hot and hungry, so I hopped on my bike and headed home. The kids and J followed shortly after. We then had some friends over to watch the fireworks that were happening right down the street at the park. As soon as the fireworks were done, we all crashed!

Today was a bit more relaxing (for me). I took the kids to the dr. this morning, it was time for their 2 and 4 year check up. S got his first MMR and it broke my heart...always does. I am so conflicted about vaccines, but J is pretty adamant. So, we do selective and delayed. I actually delayed this one for one year more than I had originally planned...ugh, I don't like this part of parenting. Anyway, after that, we came home and hung out while J loaded up branches from the trees we cut down, and took them to the landfill to be made into compost and mulch. So, he is exhausted tonight, and I am not so much because of the nice nap I had with A today!

Tonight we had our dear friends, Bea and Ryan and their little girl, O, over for dinner. They are packing up and moving to New York City on Tuesday for Ryan to do his post-doc work at Columbia. We are SO sad to see them go, S and O are such good friends, he is really going to miss her and I imagine she will also miss him. We didn't say goodbye tonight because I'm making a sling for Bea tomorrow and we will take it to them then. We love you guys and will really miss you. Utah's loss is New York's gain.

How to have fun

5 feet of butcher paper + 3 bottles of paint + a clothing optional attitude = TONS of fun!

Another Awesome Contest!

Ok all of you cloth diapering Mamas. You MUST check out this one!
Win a Bum Genius 3.0 Starter Kit from Nature's Child - Wholesome Goods for Mothers and Babies

Here is what you'll get - The winner will be announced by email to all entrants on or before August 10, 2008. Winner will receive: 18 bumGenius diapers, a diaper sprayer, a dozen cloth wipes, and bottle of odor remover OR a gift certificate to the Nature's Child of comparable value ($250) that will be honored either online or in our brick & mortar location in Charlottesville, VA.

Again, you have until July 31, so head on over and sign up!

I Love a Contest!

Don't you?? I especially love a contest when that contest gives away something I can REALLY use! Win the Essential Babywearing Stash from Along for the Ride (one Beco Butterfly, one Hotsling baby pouch, one BabyHawk Mei Tai, one Zolowear Ring Sling, and one Gypsy Mama Wrap)

Who can't use a babywearing stash?!?! You have until July 31, so head on over and register to win!!!!

What a Weekend!

We had so much fun and are all so tired!! On Thursday night, our town did their big fireworks display. So, we headed up to the stadium at Utah State and found a great spot right outside the stadium, set up our chairs and got ready to watch! The kids had so much fun running around and dancing while we were waiting. When the fireworks finally started (10 pm) S was SO excited and A just clung to me. She warmed up to them after a bit and really enjoyed them.

On Friday morning, we got up around 8:30 (NICE) and went to get some breakfast (muffins and juice!!) and fireworks. We then came home and worked around the house getting ready to go to my brother's house for more fireworks and food. We got down there after some minor car issues (the clutch is going out in the Saturn, so we had to turn around, come back, unpack the Saturn and put everything (including sleeping A) in the Van), and had a blast. My folks were in town, and 2 of my brother's and my sister came over. So, there were lots of kids, lots of food, and lots of fun. Of course, I forgot my camera for all of that, so you'll just have to use your imagination ;)

On Saturday morning, J and I headed to Salt Lake to have an ultrasound of our little Pooh Bear (what the children have named the baby). I wasn't going to have one this time, but there is a new law in Utah stating if you've had a c-section, you must have an u/s to determine if the placenta is on the c-section scar or not. So, I complied. We went to Fetal Fotos, it was cheaper than if we went to the hospital and had insurance "help" us pay for it. The baby is there, is breech (stinker) and the placenta is NOT on my scar! WAHOO!! So, now as long as this babe turns itsself around, we'll be in business for my 3rd homebirth! After the ultrasound, we decided to take advantage of some time without the children and went to lunch. First we had to stop at the Sara Lee Bakery Outlet and get bread. Our favorite bread there is only $1.25/loaf, in the store it's close to $4.00!! We cleaned them out, 16 loaves later, we were on our way to lunch! We went to my favorite restaurant where I proceeded to stuff myself with a tomato, basil and mozzarella sandwich. Man it tasted good!!!

When we were done in Salt Lake, we went back to my brother's house, collected the children, packed the van and went to watch my sister and 3 of her boys in the city's production of "Beauty and The Beast". My 7 year old nephew was Chip and did such a fantastic job! He's such a cutie!!

We then came home, let the kids play some more, bathed them and they crashed. We did too, shortly after.

It was a good weekend. I'm glad that it's over though. Man alive am I pooped! Oh, I got some knitting done in there too! I've started to make this diaper cover for the babe. It's so tiny!! I'll have pictures of it soon. I plan on making some matching socks for him/her and maybe even a hat. we'll see though!!!