Garrett: Mom, did you know that the tongue is the strongest muscle?
Me: Really? I didn't know that...
Garrett: But...probably not for sumo wrestlers. Those guys are HUGE!

Triathlon!!!

 On Saturday Aug. 13th, 2011 Ty, Shayla and Garrett competed in their very first triathlon. They swam 2 laps, biked 2 miles and ran 1/2 mile. They did amazing!!!

 Getting pumped up before the big race--they were nervous and excited and ready to go. We had been training by biking and running around our neighborhood, and swimming at the YMCA.

 Here is Garrett in the pool for the swim--I didn't get many pictures, mostly videos. 

 Shayla right before her heat started...I loved watching her swim. She was pretty nervous about the swim, but once she started she loved it. She did mostly the backstroke so I could see her face and she had a smile on it the whole time.

Ty actually took 1st place in his division (10 and under)!!!

All of them did their very best and really pushed themselves.

We were so proud of them!
If you'd like to see more pics, click on this link:http://gallery.me.com/briteideaphoto#100784&view=mosaic&sel=0

Birthday Boy Garrett!!!

February 24th was Garrett's 6th birthday. He started off his day with crepes in bed.

He was out cold when we walked in--usually the birthday person is anxiously awaiting our arrival. Look at that tired face :)

Presents!

After presents we celebrated by playing basketball at the church. Parents vs. kids. Miya just chased us back and forth on the court kicking her volleyball and laughing. It was awesome! Until she got tired of that and wanted me to carry her. Then I wasn't much help to my team. I thought the parents won, but the kids thought they won...hmmm...

Nilla wafer banana pudding cake.

Friday night Garrett had a friend party-10 wrestling boys running around the house. Two hours seemed more like four but Garrett had a great time :)

Garrett is really into Legos

My basketball pinata was too wimpy or the boys were too strong. They didn't want to be blindfolded, so they were really wailing on it. The second boy broke it, so the rest of them just got to hit the remains of the pinata hanging there. Luckily they seemed just as happy to hit the broken pinata as the full one.

The whole crew--HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GARRETT!!

On a side note we just had parent teacher conferences and G's teacher said what a great kid he is. He is a friend to all, great listener and participator and always does his best. We feel the same way about our Garrett and are so glad to have him!

Grateful

I've been thinking a lot about gratitude lately. I have so much to be grateful for and sacrament meeting today was all about gratitude. Garrett has had a high fever for 9 days and today was his first without a fever. There is something about being sick (or worse, having someone you love sick) that makes me appreciate good health. On my mission everyone would always wish each other good health and I thought it was kind of funny. The older I get the less funny it is and the more I join in whole-heartedly wishing others good health. Saude!

I am grateful for good friends who have taken such good care of us this week and for family who have prayed to get Garrett better. I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in the power of gratitude, even for our trials. I just read this: "fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in EVERYTHING give thanks;" (d&c 98:1) I think that means we should even be thankful for our trials and sicknesses, for they have a hand in shaping us and teaching us. I'm pretty good at being thankful for trials AFTER they have passed, not in the middle of them :)

So for now I'm thankful that Garrett gets to go to his 1st day of kindergarten tomorrow morning. I thankful for my friend who watched Garrett this morning so I could take the sacrament. I'm thankful for those who gave rides to my kids, brought delicious food and called and gave moral support. I'm thankful for doctors who tried to figure out what was wrong with our little guy. And I'm wishing you all good health to last a lifetime!

terrible horrible no good day

Yesterday we were playing out back when Grant got attacked by a wasp, and then it turned and started stinging Garrett, too. Grant ended up with just 1 sting, but Garrett got 4--two first and then two later in the day when he bravely visited the site of the earlier incident. Notice his puffy lip and right eye. Poor kid. He was so brave about it too (after the initial blood-curdling screaming, of course). Tyler and Ty went on a wasp hunt and found and destroyed the nest with about a can and a half of wasp poison later that day. Hopefully that is our last wasp incident of the year.

On a lighter note, we have been enjoying all of the fresh fruit of the season. Raspberry, blackberry and strawberry picking and lots of fresh melons from the store. We were having honeydew with dinner and Grant said, "Please pass the honeydude, Dad!"

Grateful for Garrett

The morning my Mom left to go back home, I was on the verge of tears, really missing her and feeling overwhelmed with everything. I was trying to get the kids' lunches made, sign school papers, then get Shayla dressed with snowpants, boots, hat, gloves, etc. and out the door to catch the bus, and Miya was crying. Garrett was very distressed that Miya was crying and was hovering over her trying to get her to stop. I asked him if he could help me by holding her, and he quickly agreed. I finally got Ty and Shayla out the door in time to catch the bus, turned around and this video is what I saw.

What a sweet Garrett I have. Suddenly I knew we were going to be okay because everyone would step up and help out and somehow we would make it. Tender mercies and answers to prayers.

and the secret ingredient is...

The other day at lunch Garrett, Grant and I were eating leftover lasagna. This was the conversation Garrett and I had:

G: Hmmm, (as he picked through his lasagna) is there squash in here?

Me: No

G: Bikini?

Me: You mean zucchini?

G: Oh yeah, zucchini (sheepish grin)

I just keep chuckling about it, so I had to record it.

1st day of school 2009

This actually happened Sept. 1st, so I'm a bit behind. But the kids are doing great at their new old school and I'm proud of the way they've adjusted and made new friends.

Shayla 1st grade
Ty 3rd grade

The whole gang

Shayla's backpack hook

Shayla with her substitute teacher--her regular teacher had a baby

and won't come back until December.

Shayla feels extra special to have not one, but two teachers.

Ty in his class--ready to learn!

Garrett and Grant on the 1st day of Joy School

It was at our house so Grant got to attend.

I don't know who was more excited--G1 or G2.

Snack time--a favorite of all

Tick Season

Sorry to gross you all out, but it is tick season here. Oh, how I love tick season. And this year seems to be particularly bad. And the ticks seem to love Garrett the best.

Yesterday we were sitting in church, getting ready for the sacrament prayer so I was trying to get Garrett to sit reverently on the pew (trying is the key word here) when I happened to catch a glimpse of something black in his ear. Hmmm, that's odd, he had just had a bath an hour before. Upon closer inspection, I saw that it was a TICK!!! I tried not to panic, told Garrett to hold still while I pulled the tick off. Well, since it was inside his ear, I couldn't get a hold of it with my fingers, so we quickly left the chapel in search of some tweezers. We hadn't taken 5 steps when I ran into the gadget king of the ward who upon telling him my predicament whipped out a pair of industrial tweezers from his handy gadget belt. I was so thankful and was able to remove the tick, which was imbedded quite deeply.

Last week we were sitting at track practice when Garrett ran past me and I noticed what looked like a dark freckle on his scalp (I can see his scalp because Tyler gave the boys a buzz not too long ago). Yes, you guessed it--it was a tick. And I count it as a tender mercy that I had forgotten to cut my fingernails that morning and then again later that afternoon, because with my long fingernails I was able to grasp the tick firmly enough to pull him out, head and all (and as a bonus I also got a little chunk of Garrett's flesh--lucky me).

So, why am I grossing you all out by telling you all of this? Because I am so grateful for the Lord's tender mercies and timely answers to prayers. He hears my every prayer and helps me right when I need it, by placing the right person with the right tool in my path, or by helping me to be the tool I need at that time. I am continually humbled by the power of prayer and the whisperings of the still small voice and the daily guidance we are all entitled to. And not just when it comes to removing ticks :)

Garrett's graduation

Oh, boy...I've got joy, I do, do you?
That song is so stuck in my head! Any of you who have done Joy School know exactly what I'm talking about! But it's a small price to pay for the great experience it has been this year doing Joy School with Garrett and his buddies. (notice the 2nd boy from the left--nice.)


Garrett was so proud today at his graduation. He is such a fun, sweet, enthusiastic kid and we sure are proud of him, too.


One more year of preschool, then off to Kindergarten! It couldn't be soon enough for him, but as his mom, I want to soak up this last year of having him all to myself.
(G. eating his graduation cap treat)

Future Joy Boys

Garrett's Fire Field Trip

Garrett's Joy school group went to the fire station--we had a blast!


Garrett in fire-gear


Yes, six boys. No girls.


Grant and his buddy Shawn.


My favorite part--shooting the fire hose. Everyone got a turn--mom's included.
I was giddy like a little kid--love it!

Oh, where to begin...

I'll start with Garrett's birthday. He is officially 4 now! Okay, he's been 4 for a month, but man it's hard to keep up.
He loved his cinnamon roll breakfast in bed, and teenage mutant ninja turtle party with his best friends. Here are a few photos...

Cinnamon rolls and grapefruit, some of his favorites.

It's all about the superheroes, TMNT's, and monster trucks.

Pinata time! Tyler had the great idea to let the kids do ninja moves to break the pinata instead of the traditional beat it with a stick. They loved it!

Trying to get them to hold still for a group shot--not easy :)

Make a wish, Garrett!

Garrett putting the moves on the pinata, followed by Grant. Ever since this pinata kick, Grant walks up to cars in the parking lot and kicks the tires. It is a bit embarrassing but so funny. Luckily he hasn't set off any car alarms. ..yet...

Garrett took karate for a month and loved it. Look at that mad face--he's a natural.
Now he is doing gymnastics.
Here's to a great year, Garrett!

Garrett strikes again...

Garrett woke up from his nap the other day with a big smile on his face and said, "Mommy, do we really have a gorilla or was that just a dream?" I wish I could have seen that dream.

Quicker than snot

We were watching "Tyler, a real hero" today (documentary about high school football star who became a parapeligic after a car accident...), and a rival described Tyler as "quicker than snot" on the football field. We were all laughing about the lovely description (the movie was made in 1994--was that a popular expression back then??!!). Anyway, a few minutes later, Garrett was still chuckling to himself and said, "Wasn't that funny when that guy said he was faster than a booger?" Man, I love this kid!

Garrett-isms...

So Garrett is three, and what a fun age that is! Tonight at dinner everyone was telling stories, so he said, "I have a story. Once upon a time there was a boy walking down the street. And then he met a chicken. The end."
Hilarious little guy, isn't he? I guess when you are three, you can say anything and it is funny.
Here are some of my favorite things he has said lately:

• After receiving the pink cup, instead of the blue cup he wanted he said, "You get what you get, and then you trade!" (the real saying is "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit.")
• After helping me make dinner, while eating together he announced, "You guys need to tell me, 'thanks for dinner, Garret.'" (I think he's heard that one from me before :)
  
• I turned on the microwave, and Garrett looked around for the source of the noise. "What was that?!! Oh, it was just the microphone." (Later I told Tyler what Garrett had said, he overheard me, laughed sheepishly and said, "Yeah, I should have said micro...whatever it is."