Emily Turns 10

    Emily wanted a book-themed party with a nod to the Odd Squad's flying book skit. So I copied a few of her favorite books and got them ready to hang. Then on the day of the party, it started raining. So we had to reschedule. Luckily it worked out pretty well. I made a book cake, and Lizzy decorated it.

The park we were at had steep hills, and the girls loved rolling down them. 

Devon graciously brought Teddy back to the top.

    We played the one-word story game, and then they illustrated it. The story started nicely, but took a dark turn. It was pretty hilarious, though.

The kids had to retrieve the "books" that were flying around the park.

I had the guests share their favorite books. It was fun to hear about them. I think it worked pretty well overall.

July

 I took the kids to the splash pad for the first time this summer. I feel like the summer has really gotten away from me. June was all summer school, and July has so many camps and things, it feels like time is slipping away. 

    I did my FoE Craft exchange this month's theme was sci-fi, and I was so excited. My partner loved The Martian series and many old-school sci-fi books, and I was immediately caught with the idea of doing the iconic Project Hail Mary book cover with elements from other books she liked. I floated her the idea and she was on board. I knew I had to finish it quickly so I could mail it out before my trip. It was fun researching the different book series and deciding what to include. Here's my painting:

    I really liked the way it came out. She responded with the most amazing crocheted Firefly and a bookmark that was themed from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I love them! She also included a Ray Bradbury book, which was so nice, as I have read most of his work, but never owned a copy myself.

We celebrated the Fourth of July with Tina's family. They had come up to visit, and it was fun to see them. Our ward had lunch at Pink Hill park and Daniel had smoked over 20 lbs of pork for it. 

    The event started nearly an hour late as they decided to grill hot dogs there at the park, and only started the coals when we were supposed to start. It made for some grumbly hungry people. And of course, they ran out of said hot dogs halfway through the line. Another brother had smoked pork too, but I think he must have finished it in the oven because it was very grey and was mostly avoided until Daniel's meat was all gone. There was plenty of it left over. The kids played GaGa ball and baseball. It was unbearably hot. But I was introduced to a fellow Jane Austen enthusiast, so all was not lost.

    Afterward, we relaxed at home before preparing to go see fireworks with some of the ward and neighbors. The Johnsons live on a street that ends with a rather large parking lot. So each year they have kind of a block party and set off fireworks. This year, I offered up Daniel as a DJ. They were happy to accept. I made sugar cookies and had the kids decorate them. Devon understood the assignment, but the younger boys, not so much.

    Daniel and I do not buy fireworks, really, but enjoy watching them. I told the kids to be respectful and not touch the fireworks. They were given some to play with, though from others. Devon was pretty resourceful and picked up all the discarded, but unpopped poppers. He amassed quite a bit of them through the night as the other kids would throw the whole box at once, and only a few would pop. At one point, Emily noticed that Devon had some, so she asked me if she could as well. I said if she found some like he did, then she was welcome to them. She just heard "yes" and took a new pack from off the ground. When I realized what she had done, I confronted her and she put them back. I also witnessed this impressive multi-person backflip.

    It was a fun night. The music was great and the kids had a great time. Then we celebrated Emily's and Ron's birthdays with the Blacks and the Markhams.

We also went to Home Depot for the bird project. The kids had been looking forward to this one. They turned out so good.

Adam-ondi-Ahman

 Our ward had a fireside up at Adam-ondi-Ahman. It was the rescheduled event, so we packed our lunch and I had made lemon brownies for the occasion. Some of the kids declared them too lemony, but I liked them. I used this recipe: https://lifestyleofafoodie.com/lemon-blondies-lemon-brownies/ 

    The former stake president gave the presentation, which was based entirely on his personal recollections and beliefs. It was interesting. I am always shocked when a presenter refuses to use the actual revelations or scriptural text to present something. It often leads to misinterpretation and a cycle of misinformation. But perhaps I am too strict on the subject. In any event, we had a fine picnic, and though it was warm, there was a nice breeze. 

    Afterwards, we explored the other areas: there are three lookouts, and Daniel had only ever been to the Spring Hill one. One has a significant drop off, and Henry was determined to run off it!

Lizzy took this shot, and I really liked the composition.