Logic Based Thinkers

I dusted the house yesterday. A serious dusting--the kind where you dust your fans and think, "Hmmm..how does all this grossness get on my fan blades when they are always in motion?" It felt good. I also reminded myself of these documents that were created....many, many months ago by Ryanna and Owen. They are worth documenting. They show the serious thought that each child puts into his/her ideas about what he/she believes in. They show creative genius! They ask the reader to sit back and question his/her own beliefs about strength and the value of happiness. And, they are frankly, super cute.
Exhibit #1 is Ryanna's Manifesto. Ryanna loves dogs. She has always loved dogs and if she were to record her memoirs at this point in time, they would probably be titled, "My Life as the Only Girl in a World of Boys Without a Dog to Understand Me" or "How my Parents Didn't Love Me Enough to Buy a Dog or Produce More Female Offspring." Or perhaps, "A Feminist's Life Before She Found Love--Puppy Love".
Why do we deny her the only thing that would bring her happiness--other than piercing her ears--of which we are the only parents in the universe that won't allow her to pierce her ears--or she thought that until last week when she located the other sole survivor of this group of oppressed 9 year olds living in a world without piercings. I'm sure that the Earring Issue will be Manifesto #2 and is part of a trilogy as all good writing is these days.
This document below was strategically left on our pillows every night for an entire week. Each night we would read it and chuckle and place it to the side and each night when we went to bed this document had moved back to our bed. You have to admit she's thought this through. She's willing to give up what she views as the only free time she has (her movie time) to take care of her beloved pet. I also have to appreciate that she's already convincing us that should we buy her argument, the sex of the dog should contribute to the female population in our home ("I'll never let her get run over.").

The next document is actually a collaborative effort. Owen designed the cover, but at the time these thoughts were consuming his mind, he did not yet know how to write, so he enlisted the help of his very able sister. All of the illustrations are also his own. You will note that all of the letters to form his name are on the cover, but not necessarily in the correct order.
It's also important to discuss why this book would have meaning to Owen. He is a bit obsessed with strength. He notices physical strength in humans--he thinks I am strong because he sees me exercise every day and has even done some of it with me and he can't do it all, so he concedes that I may have some physical edge on him. His interest with strength is not confined to muscles alone. He also is always creating scenarios and quizzing me on which item would be stronger. For instance, "Mom, I know that metal is really strong and I know that lava is really hot, so if metal fell into lava, which would last--the metal or the lava?" This explains the origins of the first page. Actually, he used to say, "hot llama" which was really cute and he doesn't do anymore.
The pages which discuss Pokemon and Bakugan are also so typical of his personality. Owen keeps finding books at the library which tell the (much too detailed) history of Pokemons. I am constantly being asked to read words that sound like total gibberish to me--did you know that Pokemons evolve and the main character is named Ash Ketchup? Bakugans are a lot like the Pokemon craze--apparently we have a son who would've enjoyed a childhood in Japan. The Pokemon and Bakugan story lines go back to strength as well as each character has certain characteristics which allow it to be stronger or somehow beat another character, but yet, even the strongest Pokemon/Bakugan can sometimes be defeated in battle. All the time Owen will come up to me and excitedly say, "Mom! Mom! Did you know that El Drago got beaten by Pegasus?!?!?" I just shake my head in disbelief since asking questions usually results in a detailed explanation of the power structure breakdown of each character--and there are LOTS of them!
Really, doesn't the love of these Bakugans and Pokemon really show a precursor to his love of sports? Even as he's telling me all the details, I keep hearing my husband, "Did you see the recruiting class that BYU has this year?"
Last, but not least, rockets. They are strong BUT they can fly. This goes back to the lava vs. metal question. He knows that a serious piece of metal is strong and therefore heavy, but, it can still overcome gravity!!!
I realize my own explanation of this work is longer than the work itself, but I want to remember how these kids came to understand the world around them and break it down into parts that they could compare and contrast. Wouldn't it be fascinating to see how each human mind begins this journey?

Caleb's One Year Photos

My friend Alacey came over and took some pictures of Caleb for me. Isn't he adorable?

 This one (above) is my favorite!

Our Summer in Review

Our summers are only six weeks long with Ryanna's school schedule being a modified year round schedule. We managed to pack a lot of fun into that short time. I was feeling really overwhelmed with documenting it, so I did a very quick recap with photos.

The boys took a cake decorating class and LOVED it. You can see the dinosaurs that they made here. 

 Ryanna did a dance camp with the theme of Green. It was really cute and she was dressed up for mismatch and crazy day in this picture.

This picture really fits Caleb's personality. Waving a sword in one hand while biting off the head of a turtle. He is our maniac child. We love every loud and crazy second of him.

 Owen woke up at his usual early hour and wanted to run through our sprinklers. Why not?

 Can you see the fun exuding from his pores?

 Ryanna was given tickets by her grandparents to see Le Cirque by Cirque de Soleil for her birthday. We went and were amazed at every single act. 

 This is one of the rock formations in Monument Valley--on our way to Lake Powell. 

 This is the road we drove up just past Valley of the Gods. It was just a teeny bit scary.

 Owen driving the boat with Papa Mike.

 Cruising for adventure!

 Mmm--I love sand. Maybe this is where he picked up hand, foot, mouth?

 So, I said I would pay her $10 if she could catch a fish without a pole. See that fish? She actually caught two and then tried to renegotiate terms. Can you tell I'm raising a lawyer's daughter?

 Eli is getting ready to slide down the water slide on the back of the house boat.

 Ryanna and her cousin Samantha met for the first time in their lives and they were best of friends.

 The biggest Crappie that Gram has ever caught. Ryanna is her lucky charm.

 All of the grandkids in one place. Patiently waiting for...

 The pinata!!! Do you see that intense focus? He was the first person to crack the pinata made of steel.

 Eli helped Gram to wash her hair.

 We stayed in Colorado for a week with my grandparents. They have this really cool rock in their front yard, so we did some action shots.

 I'm training him to be an action hero.

 The grass really is greener in Colorado.

 We love our Papa. He makes us homemade ice cream every time we visit. 

 This picture accurately portrays what it's like trying to get a photo with my kids. Ryanna was ready with a huge smile, Owen is looking in the opposite direction and before I can snap the photo Caleb pulls Ryanna's hair.

 Did I mention that we get to ride the 4 Wheeler when we visit?

 Waiting for the 4th of July Parade to start.

 Visiting the Ute Indian Museum.

 Beautiful and happy in Red!

 We also get to ride a red tractor.

 We love Pop & Gram!

 Gram drives the 4 Wheeler too. In our family the women drive--takes a strong man to handle that I've learned. 

 Dad with his iphone--Caleb happened to be there too.

 I love this tree in my grandparents' yard. It took some hard winds during its growth. It just looks so artistic to me. I'm not good enough to do it justice. 

 We made slime one day. Green, blue and pink!

 If it's raining in AZ you better get a coat. I mean, it might drop to 107 or something.

 First day of 4th grade and Kindergarten!!!

My baby turned one. I love the happiness and giggles this picture captures.