Technology

I have a little beef with the world these days. It's technology. The reason I am writing this is to remind myself that life without computers, phones, and Facebook is possible and actually quite fulfilling. (Just in case someday I am persuaded to turn into that person who is texting and apping and whatever else it is people are doing on their phones 24/7). I feel like I'm single-handedly trying to stop the world from evolving and it's just not working.

It was nice to open my Parenting magazine and read an article that supported everything that I believe. Like this:

Our collective whatever-ness about technology has become a smidge scary. Roughly one in five adults admits to poor mobile etiquette but continues the behavior because everyone else is doing it. It's time to rediscover undivided attention, eye contact, stillness, the nothings that happen between the somethings.

I love that! I totally agree - so many people are not looking at each other or even talking to each other because they are so busy staring at their phones. We have more than once walked into a restaurant and seen a couple sitting side by side working their phones. I don't know why I care what they are doing, but it irks me. Brian and I had a long conversation and wondered what we can do to stay focused on human beings and how we are going to raise kids in a time like this. We always have said no kid of ours is going to have a cell phone, but I am beginning to wonder. I'm the one who forgets my phone half the time. And I still take our phone off the hook every day. Am I the only one who doesn't want people to find me at a moment's notice?

Last week, after reading this, I took a week long break from Facebook. It was not a bad thing. I love FB for the networking part - and less for the I-need-to-know-what-my-2nd-grade-best-friend-is-doing-this-minute kind of thing. It's love/hate, I guess.

The article also talked about stay-at-home-moms who need some social outlet. Someone to talk to. I think that's me. I have a few favorite blogs that I love to read and somehow that makes me feel more connected or that I'm not doing this mom-thing all on my own. But then just today one of my favorite blogs wrote about the need to sometimes be bored here at home. That's just how it's going to be. And I think I'm starting to get it. For me, it's the need to not be plugged in all the time.

This is a whole bunch of randomness about nothing, but that's all I've got right now.

Back to the routine

We have had a blast this summer. I feel like summertime with two little ones shouldn't be as busy as it was, but surprisingly, we had so much going on. I didn't even make time to blog about it. I may or may not get back to doing that in detail. But, in a nutshell:

• Lynsey and her boys came to visit for a week. Carnival, rodeo, crazy fun chaos with five little boys.
• Brian and I went on our Stake Trek as Ma and Pa. Walked 18 miles in 3 days. Loved our nine teenage kids. It was so neat to literally see them be touched by the spirit.
• Brian went to Clear Creek for a week.
• I attempted to do an olympic distance triathlon in Echo Canyon with my cousin Jourdan and aunt Susan. Almost drowned. But learned a lot from the experience and told myself I would try again...after I learned to swim in open water.
• Bear Lake with the Robinson clan. Two days was too short. We're going back every year. I love it there.
• Taught two district classes - one with my friend Michelle. It's always fun to talk to teachers and remember how much I truly love it. Wondered if the participants thought this stay-at-home-mom teaching them about reading comprehension and writing was a fraud.
• St. George with my dear friend Karen and her four kids. The two of us and our six kids took the condo by storm and finally were able to relax for the first time all summer. Brian and Jason joined us for the weekend.
• I left from St. George with the boys while Brian headed back to work and made the trek to Arizona solo. Bravery! Had a great time with my sibs and their kiddos. I really, really love my brothers and sisters. I drove the entire way back all by my lonesome. I haven't done that since college. The boys were SO good and I pulled over once for a "fifteen."
• The summer ended with a triathlon sprint with Brian in Bear Lake. This time I did not freak out in the water and had a great time completing the race with Michelle. I've caught the tri bug. I'm not fast and I'm certainly not going to win any medals, but it's been fun to get off my can and work for something. I have shocked myself trotting around in public in spandex. I never ever thought I would see the day.

I saw eight of my siblings this summer (everyone but Mark and Anne). Lynsey, Dave, Nate and their families all came to our house and we drove up to see Britton in Salt Lake. The rest we saw when we visited AZ.

In there somewhere, McKay learned to walk (about 14 1/2 months) and has several molars coming in. He then turned 15, 16, and 17 months old. Walking has been the best thing to ever happen to this kid. Now, over two months later, he is getting faster and faster and is pretty much running (with some biffs in there, of course.) He finally started to say mama (about last week) and says me, ball, makes sounds for an owl, lion, dog, car, and fish. You know what a fish says, right? He signs all done, more, eat, and drink regularly and can tell us what he wants with pointing and walking us to wherever that thing is. He's finally over the screaming-until-mom-figures-it-out phase. Phew.

Gavin and I have been doing "Mommy School." It's the best time of our day. We wait for McKay to go to bed after lunch and then we sit side by side. We are working from the Mother Goose Time kit where everything is prepared for me - I just have to open the book. I am lucky to borrow the stuff from my friend Steph and just pay $5 per month or two just for the craft supplies. Gav's naps are iffy - we're about 50/50 for how many days he will sleep. But he does do quiet time and will stay in his bed until I tell him the time is up. He used to kick and scream and want to come out. He's getting better about it. He is learning to do chores and is a big help (when he wants to be). On good days, he walks in and says, "What's my next job, mom?" Other times, he selectively ignores me and goes on doing what he was doing. Typical three, I guess.

With the start of a new school year and after this crazy summer, the school routine is just what I've been waiting for. I know I don't have kids in school, but I think my brain just functions that way. I know the free-for-all is over and it's time to pretty much stick to our nap schedule, get out and play, clean up, run errands, and be to bed at a reasonable time. I feel relief and am again reorganizing the house. Less is more is my theory these days. Lots of stuff is making its way out.

Brian is back to work at Summit and now is working Tuesday and Thursday nights from 5-10 to get his internship hours for his LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). I'm so used to him being home by 5:00 or 5:30, but this year and probably next I will have to get used to that change. It will be nice because then he will be able to work a few nights a week and be a therapist and bring in some extra money. He loves his job at Summit and this will just be a bonus for him.

And after all of that, I'm tired. Ready to move on and keep up and record the memories once again. Bring on the fall! I'm going to the crawl space to get the decorations right. now.

Summer 2011 Highlights in Photos

Me lately

There are so many things I need to record here - I'll get there eventually.

But for now, I am more tired than ever. Going, going, going has finally gotten the best of me. I'm putting things that should be refrigerated in the pantry and trying to push the gas on a car that hasn't been started yet. Lack of sleep, too many things at once, Brian out of town. Tomorrow will be a good day. (Not that today wasn't - Seven Peaks with the boys and friends, naps, exercise, dinner and shopping with Mother.) Tomorrow we'll fold the mountain (literally) of laundry and play with the boys. Slow and steady, I always say.

Echo Triathlon on Saturday. That's what's really making me nervous and tired!

Fourteen Month McKay

You lately...

cruising, grabbing, pulling, investigating

daring, climbing

not walking yet...but soon

grass, dirt, sand, cement, scraped knees

bonking, bruising, crying

swimming, laughing, clapping, waving

daddy, nana, hi, doggy

making your voice and opinions heard

we hear you, buddy - loud and clear

And then he was three...

We had a marathon birthday weekend with parties and activities spanning two full days. Gavin's "Spiderman Birthday" has been on his mind for months and months.

We had family over for a BBQ yesterday. Brian got the yard all spiffed up the entire Robinson family came.

Gavin specifically asked for a Spiderman cake. I wasn't sure how I was going to pull this off until I found this cake pan. It was a little time consuming, but I think it turned out pretty well. I kindof felt like a star-tip-caking rock star.
Gavin's cousin Madi has a birthday next week. They love celebrating their birthdays together. When Gavin goes to heaven, he's certain that mom, dad, McKay, and Madi will be there. He also wants to marry her.

Grandma Robinson pulled out all the stops and completed the Spiderman theme. A shirt, hat, swim shorts, and personalized scooter were favorite gifts.
He was a little less excited about the baseball hat and preschool books we gave him.
But we won with the Black and Decker Junior tool kit. Willingness to share comes and goes.
My little worker boy. Sometime earlier this day Brian said, "You can cut his hair if you want to..." Yes, I want to. We've been growing it out for six months so Brian could have his dreams of a surfer boy. I don't see surfer. I see raggamuffin.
In the morning, on his REAL birthday, we put batteries in his tools and he played and played. After a swim lesson, he got a haircut and sported his new baseball hat. How old does he look??

After naps we went golfing and 4D rollercoastering at Trafalga. "This is so much fun, mom!"

And, as per new tradition (free coupons!!), a Baskin Robbins birthday scoop. "I want green."
Ran to Walmart to pick up some toys using Grandma and Grandpa Woolf's birthday money. He scored a Spiderman action figure and helmet. He's all set.
A letter to my three-year-old Gavin:

I remember specifically the thoughts I had one year ago today. I knew you were changing. And it seriously happened in an instant. It was literally the day you turned two that we started conversing. I mean really talking about things - and you understood. Two was cute. Really, really cute. I've said it before, but I could have just bottled you up. Minus a few episodes, of course.

I've seen signs of your three-ness for awhile now. More independent, more stubborn, more I can do it by myself, thank you very much attitude. Even today, I see a shift. I've been warned by others, but I've fully been expecting a revolt from you. I have a feeling it's coming. You are strong and have your own mind. You negotiate and question. I think we both want to win and I'm wondering how that will turn out. I'm guessing we'll take turns. I'm guessing I'll get tired some days, and other days I'll be the boss mama. I told your dad today that I need to be so patient and so emotionless when we get into those things, but that's hard to do when I'm in the moment. I want to be kind and fair and I want to teach you well. I'm nervous. I'm guessing I'll always be nervous because I don't totally know what I'm doing. And you're the first. I'm making this up as I go. I'll do my best, but hope that you'll forgive me later.

At the same time, your growing up has shown me how much compassion and empathy you have for everyone around you. It is not uncommon for you to worry about people's feelings. I love that about you. I love that you still say, "I love you, mom" all the time. You tell us we're your heroes. And that I'm gorgeous. And that the food I make is delicious. And thank you for doing this fun thing with me. And that you need a snuggle friend. And call me Gavvy Bear. Or Monster Gav. Or Super Gav. And will you protect me? You say such funny, smart things.

At age three, you:

*still will take a nap most days

*recognize all of your letters and can usually come up with a word that starts with each one

*can count past twenty

*love to build forts

*love to be outside - you love your bike and love playing tag with your friends in the front yard

*watch How to Train Your Dragon and have it pretty much memorized

*have an incredible memory - I can't believe the things we talk about that you connect and remember

*love to sing and repeat songs you hear after just a few times (I knew I had to be careful when you started singing some Lady Gaga song I had on a random CD in the car. Then there was the time you busted out How do I get you alone?? from my Glee soundtrack. Yikes. Likewise, you know most of the primary songs I've taught the kids at church this year. Now that's cute.)

*have a hard time with your brother. Well, you can't stand him, really. You rarely want him by you, touching you or any toy that you may or may not want to play with, or making any noise that you can hear

*are doing more focused and imaginative play by yourself and with friends

*think Sacrament meeting is torture - right when we sit down you say, "Are we done yet?"

You are a special, special boy. You are loved. Thank you for teaching me and loving me despite my weaknesses. I guess that's what you do when you're in a family. And I'm so glad you're in mine.

Love,

Mommy Bear

Another year

I have triathlons, St. George trips, McKay's monthly write-up, and other things I want to write about. But right now I just cannot seem to get over this:

June 6, 2008
2009
2010
2011
Three? When did that happen? I've been here virtually every minute and yet it is still mind boggling how entire years seem to pass so quickly. Crazy. He's his own person, that's for sure.

I love you, Super Gav - sassy and all.