How cool ...

* to hang out at the park tonight with the fam. No one had lessons or scouts or church stuff or dance or homework or anything. Summer is definitely around the corner.

* to finally learn what quinoa is and how to cook it. Went to the new Whole Foods Market at Trolley Square today with my mom. Literally laughed out loud when we saw Rainier cherries for $10/pound. Ummm, no thanks. But there was some cool food there -- lots of quinoa salads, interesting fish burgers and soups, plenty of vegan stuff (the free cake samples were "vegan green tea" flavored)... Worth a visit, if you're in the area.

* that my kids are excited for us to go on trek, since it means that Emily Pitt (they always call her by both names) will be staying with them while we're gone. Thank heavens for good hired help. :)

* that the weather app on my phone says it will be sunny the rest of this week?!?!?!!

* to have our annual moms' & kids' trip with friends to St. George just around the corner. For us, that truly signifies the beginning of summer.

* that Haley is planning her own birthday party for 14 ten year old girls. She said she'd let me know if she needs my help. Hallelujah!

* (this one's dripping with sarcasm, just in case you don't know me well enough ....) to have missed the U2 concert. Boo!! We had tickets for last year's concert but then missed the boat somehow when tickets went back up for sale the second time around. Mike didn't want just any tickets, either. He wanted to stand next to the stage, down on the field, which by then equaled $275/ticket. Major bummer.

My sweet life

Elle graduated from preschool this week and, as in years past, Miss Mikel gave each parent a book of their child's artwork, things they've achieved and the funniest list of questions/answers.  Throughout the year, Mikel asks the kids questions and then writes their answers down verbatim.  Here's some examples:

What is your mom afraid of?
* Some answers included spiders, tarantulas, dogs & cats, snakes, "ghostes" ...  One girl said, "My mom's not afraid of anything, but she screams when she sees spiders."  Elle's answer?  I'm apparently afraid of "dinosaurs and snowflakes."   Those creepy little snowflakes.

When I grow up, I will have ...
* Lots of answers about pets (a Nemo, a puppy, a rooster, even an elephant).  One girl said, "A bronchiosaurus.  But my mom is done with pets."  I can only imagine how many times that mom has said that exact line.  I'm done with pets!  Elle's answer: "My mom and dad said I can't have ANY babies OR cats or dogs or chihuahuas."  Meanest parents ever!  Guess you can tell we've had the 'Mommy's all done having babies' talk. :)

Other questions were "What makes you lucky?", "Who do you love?", "Who is your favorite friend?"   But my favorite question/answer was this...

What does your mom do while you are at preschool?
Elle: "She goes to a fun place with shopping and massages.  It's really, really fun!"

I would LOVE to know where that really fun place is!  I go shopping and have massages every time she goes to school?  SWEET!   Admittedly, I am very lucky to be a stay-at-home mom -- to go volunteer at school, take Elle to the zoo or wherever, spend time with grandma ..... There's obviously also plenty of daily monotony (cleaning, laundry, errands).  I just had no idea that Elle's perception of what I do during the day involves shopping and massages.    I'd really like to know where that fun place is, too.  Anyone wanna come with??

From the Desk of Mike Mayfield

May 26, 2011

Dear Elder Spencer Blake:

I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to you before you left on your mission to Novosibirsk, Russia.  I have to tell you, I'm really going to miss you.  You are seriously one of my all-time favorite people.  Your Aunt Darcie asked me to write down some words of advice to you that she would combine with advice from your other uncles.  This letter is my advice to you.

You have always been an achiever, Spence, and I have no doubt that you will be an excellent missionary.  In fact, I am so confident in your abilities that I would like to put a little challenge to you.  From my perspective, the Church has a real need for the talents that only a few specific people have.  You are likely to run into these people in Russia.  I would consider your mission an unmitigated success if you could introduce the Church to the following Russians:

1. Mikhail Baryshnikov, dancer.  Dancing has been a part of the Church since pioneer days.  Lately, we've lost some of that heritage.  I blame Footloose.  I have a feeling that Brother Baryshnikov can do for the BYU folk dancers what Sister Gladys Knight did for the Tabernacle Choir.  We need this guy, Spence.



2. Oksana Baiul, skater. The demands on women in the Church have never been greater.  Multi-tasking is essential to salvation and there are few people who can both skate and style their bangs into a killer claw like Sister Baiul.  It's a skill set we just can't do without.



3. Ivan Drago, boxer.  Church security has been a bit lackadaisical since the days of Porter Rockwell.  Ivan "I must break you" Drago is the solution.

4.  Yorgi, former soldier in the Russian army and current leader of Anarchy Ninety-Nine.  Yes, he has authority issues, but with Larry H. Miller gone, the Church has a real need for a talented car salesman with contacts throughout Europe.

5.  Sarah Palin, reality TV star.  Sure she's not technically Russian, but she can see Russia from her house.   We need a new editor for the Ensign and considering her extensive background with magazines, this maverick is exactly what we are looking for.  She's probably the next Sheri Dew.

6.  Andrei Kirilenko, NBA player.  He'll have to give up the free "pass" he gets from his wife and the new tattoo probably needs to go as well.  Still, BYU fans tell me that the Church's highest priority is to find someone to play defense for Jimmer when he goes to the NBA.  A.K. will be that someone.

7.  Marko Ramius, submarine captain.  Brother Ramius's talents are crucial.  Can you imagine General Conference with President Ramius and President Uchtdorf sitting next to each other in the red chairs?  That is some serious spiritual candy--am I right, ladies?  Go get him, Spence.

8. Natasha and Boris, hunters. I know what you are thinking .... there are already too many squirrel and moose hunters in the Church. Heck, they don't even hold Church in Utah County during the fall hunt.  But, there has never been a greater need for examples of how husbands and wives should work together. Natasha and Boris do it with style. I'll take them.

9. Tevye, village milk man. He's not a rich man, but Brother Tevye is a bona fide biblical scholar ("As the good book says....").  He does seem to be a bit locked into tradition, however, so mazel tov with this one, Spence.


10. Emmett Fitz-Hume and Austin Millbarage, occupations classified.   No, these are not the A.P.s  and they are not Russian (although they were last seen in Russia). But, the Church needs resourceful people to help get our missionaries into foreign nations where governments are not cooperating.  These two are experts in slipping past border guards and blending in with the locals.  We gotta have ‘em.


11. Ivan Vanko, inventor. We need strong scientists in the Church.  We also need more discipline in the primary.  Brother Vanko fills the positions of Scientist and Reverence Ranger, perfectly.

And last, but certainly not least.....

12. Anna Kournikova, tennis player.  I can't really disclose what Anna brings to the table.   All I can say, Spence, is on behalf of every Deacon, Teacher and Priest in the Church, please, please find Sister Kournikova and bring her into the fold.  Just trust me on this one. 

Good luck, Elder Blake!  See you in two short years.

Love,

Uncle Mike

- Just finished reading The Art of Racing in the Rain -- a book told from the dog's perspective.  Loved it.
- Still no lawnmower to mow our shaggy lawn, but...
- it feels like we're living in Seattle these days with non-stop rain so we can't mow anyway.
- Went swimming with the fam to celebrate the fact that Elle went to her primary class and actually stayed there (celebrate the small victories).
- There were 4 catalogs in the mail today - sweet!  I so rarely order from them but I love to just look and feel like I've been shopping.
- It must be the end of the school year 'cause I actually let Christian go with Mike to a late movie last night (sometimes a boy just needs to see Pirates with his dad).
- I have the same discussion daily with Paige that she can't wear her favorite outfit 3x/week (note to self: hide that outfit!).
- Greatest new discovery: shellac french manicure (still my own nails but the french manicure lasts 2+ weeks and doesn't chip).
- Buying a cheap trampoline may not have been the smartest choice ... the big kids were jumping with friends and after one big bounce together, they bent the frame and tumbled onto the grass.
- Just saw a movie where the girl chooses the cheating guy over her best friend, adorable John Krasinski.  I'm still thinking it must have been a joke ending.  Hello!  John Krasinski! 
- Must remember that my kids read this blog, too.  Paige just busted me for not really "babysitting" her stuffed animals the other day. 

Pix

Ahhh, 6th grade boys. Love 'em.

Try to figure this one out.

'Tis the season of recitals.

Gotta teach them the important stuff ... fries dipped in ice cream.

Creative fort building.

Haley's 1st voice recital.

Pajama day at preschool. Wish my pj's were as cute.

After Haley's school program.

An excerpt from one of my favorite new authors

(Christian's newest beginning of a story....)

Sniffing the air, I slowly took a step forward. I could almost feel the animal in my hands. If I was right, she was just around the tree to my left.

I pulled out my bow as I took another step forward. Now I could nearly smell her, as if she was right in front of me. For all I knew, she could have been. I had my eyes closed. I opened them and pushed my back against the tree. Just as I was about to turn and shoot, I reconsidered my approach. As I slung my bow back over my shoulder, I pulled out my knife.

My body tensed up. If I made even the smallest mistake, it could not only mean my death but the people behind me, too. And if we died, a whole lot of people would as well.

My buddy gave me the 'okay' signal and I shot to the side, lodging my knife on the back end of the tree. But nothing was there. It was just me. I could have sworn she would have been there.

Just as I was about to yell at my friend, I felt a foot dig into my back. I flew forward and hit the bush in front of me.

I stood up and faced my attacker. It was her! She smiled. At least I thought she did. It was a mix of a scold and anger. All together it strangely looked like a smile.

"You've got to be faster than that!" she taunted. I charged. But she disappeared. She literally vanished. Now I was angry!

"Get her! Search every part of this cursed forest!" I screamed at my team. I watched as they scrambled over each other, looking everywhere. I was furious! How could the same stupid girl get away from the most skilled team in all of Alduraq?

I grabbed the end of my knife and tried to pull it out of the tree. I must have really tried to hurt her because I couldn't get it out. I spun the handle to make a bigger hole, until finally I got it out.

Now I was not going to let her get away.

70

Today is my mom's 70th birthday! That used to sound so OLD to me :) but not anymore. She's as young and vibrant as I ever remember her.  People say that I look like her in her younger days.  What do you think?

My sister & I arranged a birthday lunch for mom and her friends, and of course we tagged along, too.

Kelly scanned a bunch of old pictures and made a photo album of mom's life, which was so fun to see. We had a "How well do you know Joanne?" quiz and came up with some very unique-to-my-mom questions. For example, "What are some things that she freezes that aren't typically frozen?" Answer: bread, cheese, candy, donut holes, cookies ... pretty much everything.

The winner of the quiz got this porcupine dessert, that is one of mom's favorite things.

And her cake was marzipan, mom's other absolute favorite dessert.

Happy birthday, mom. You are one unique lady and I love you for it. :)

love notes

Paige is the queen of writing notes to people -- little love notes for us or for others. Like this one for the tooth fairy...

This was her list of instructions for me while I "babysat" her 2 little stuffed animals while she was at school....

I love that she asked me to "treat them like (my) own children."   And when she asked me if I had followed her instructions, I replied, "Absolutely."  They'll never be able to tell on me, anyway.

mi familia

Christian:
   * Catchphrase -- "What the devil?"
   * Getting better at the guitar, will be going to a composition summer camp
   with his teacher
   * Has started wearing Mike's cologne, which smells great but kind of weirds
   me out a little since I associate it with my honey, not my son
  
Haley:
   * Just finished a cup stacking competition class at school, but came out
    cursing the fact that she couldn't ever beat her nemesis, Max
   * Has just started playing lacrosse and has discovered that she really
   enjoys it;  I just wish it wasn't 4 days a week
   * Loves taking voice lessons, although was literally scared to tears at her
   1st recital this week

Paige: 
   * Catchphrase -- "Hurtful!!"
   * Has recently started taking piano and thankfully practices without me
   ever having to ask her
   * After having the same adorable haircut for her whole life thus far (a
   heavily stacked a-line bob) which I love, she's finally getting to grow it out.

Elle:
   * Not necessarily catchphrases, but very frequently repeated phrases --
   "I'm hungry."  "I just need you!" (as she buries her face in my neck)
   * Knows how to spell everyone's name in our family and often makes
   individual name cards for the dinner table
   * Asks me daily, "Where should we go to lunch today??" and scowls when I say, "How about home?"

My happy place

I love to mow the lawn. Always have. It might stem back to the fact that we always had the longest, shaggiest lawn on the block when I was a kid and I was always pretty embarrassed by it. It might just be because I love to see a beautifully cut lawn, preferably with stripes still visible. It just makes me happy to see this ...

The difference between the long and the short. Makes me happy. It must be the same reason that I love a good haircut for me and a solid, clean line of new cut hair on my girls.

Christian often mows the lawn, too, which I tolerate.  j/k  Today, I started to teach Haley how to mow.  Unfortunately, she ended up mowing over a dark green metal bracket that was hiding in the grass and totally destroyed the mower.  As gas was pouring out of the bottom of it, Haley burst into tears and vowed to never mow again.   Which may not be such a bad thing for me anyway.

When you take 12 year olds to a park ....

... they adapt the playground equipment to fit their level of fun.

What do you do if ....

.... your youngest child has recently started crying before preschool, primary and dance? Crying before anything that will separate her from mommy for any amount of time. Is it that she's my baby and we spend a lot of time alone together? All of my other kids would run into their classes or whatever without so much as a backwards glance. Elle ... not so much. I don't want to scar the child by shoving her out of the car but it's getting to be a bit much.

Thoughts and suggestions welcome.

The sweetest Mother's Day card EVER

You guys.  I have the cutest son. Ever. Fuhreals. And on Mother's day, it was more apparent than ever with this amazing card that he so tenderly made me.

I know, right????? Awwww!!!!!  I'm so blessed. :) :)

Lagoon

I'm going to really like Lagoon (our local amusement park) this year - I can already tell. We decided to buy season tickets for our fam this year, which is a first for us. We only live 5 minutes away from Lagoon, so duh right? But it makes me happy to think that we can go for just an evening one day or spend the day at Lagoon-a-Beach, without feeling the pressure to go-go-go like in years past.

Sadly, as each year goes by and I try to ride the big rides that I used to love so much, I realize with increasing dismay that my stomach just cannot handle them anymore.  I get queasy just looking at the giant roller coasters and other rides.  Was it the years of morning sickness that has done me in?  The Tidal Wave used to be my favorite ride but I nearly lost my lunch yesterday when I rode it with Christian & Haley.  Sadly, the boy next to Christian literally did lose his lunch during our ride, which may have had something to do with my feeling of queasiness, too.  Blech....

If any of my local friends want to join us at Lagoon, feel free.  We'll probably be there all summer long.

Can we buy it?? Please, mommy?!!?

Look what we bought today at Costco, honey.....

K, just kidding. So stinkin' cute (as my sis, Erin, would say), but I had absolutely no desire to lug the ginormous bear home and try to find some empty corner to put him in. So I convinced Elle that the bear lived at Costco and wanted to stay with his other bear friends. And she bought it. My story, that is.

Pre-trek

Mike and I are helping to plan a pioneer trek re-enactment for the youth in our church. We're in charge of planning all activities for the kids (someone dubbed us the 'cruise directors' of trek), which will be fun once we figure out what we're doing.

Yesterday, the committee went up to the trek site to have an early look at the trail and get a feel for where we'll be come July. Being on the high plains of Wyoming, no matter the month, you never know what the weather will be. Yesterday, we had 30 degrees, snow and thick, heavy mud. Yay Wyoming!

Our guide who showed us around the huge ranch. The trek is near Ft. Bridger and we'll cover 26 miles in 3 1/2 days. 250 kids, 75 leaders pulling handcarts along part of the actual pioneer trail. We saw rust marks on rocks that were from the pioneers' handcarts,

saw 'Brigham's Arrow', which was an indicator Brigham Young made to help direct the pioneers to come,

and saw several pioneer graves, both marked and unmarked. This trek will be difficult but hopefully unforgettable for everyone that goes.

Mike & I are having fun already...