Neighborhood Party

We live in the best neighborhood!  Monday afternoon I talked to a neighbor who said they were organizing an impromptu BBQ as a good-bye party for another neighbor who is moving after the summer.  They just wanted an excuse to have a party. ;) 

At 5:30 we walked down the street where there were tables and BBQ grills set up with something to share and our own meat.  The kids played with their friends before we ate and then after we ate OUT CAME THE WATER BALLOONS!!!  The kids had an all-out war.  Kids from 16 years old down to 3 were in the fight and it was hilarious.  Ethan kept going after the teenaged boys and, toward the end, one neighbor began filling the water balloons with shaving cream instead of water.  It was great and the kids had so much fun.

When the balloons were beginning to run out we noticed that another neighbor (who is a firefighter and EMT for Ivins) was driving around in the ambulance checking fire hydrants.  Someone persuaded her to check the hydrant next to where we were having the BBQ and she complied.  So kids and adults got to run in the water sprayed from the hydrant and it was hilarious!!  One teenager even got his skim board out.

When it got dark we decided it was time to put the kids to bed.  They showered and then slept great that night.  Ethan summed it up when he said "We have the best neighborhood!"

Here is Ethan getting ready to lie down in the gutter:

 Ethan going after one of the teenage boys:

 Still lying in the gutter:

 Courtney and the "big girls".  Courtney is in the green skirt/shorts in front:

 The wet neighborhood kids (Ethan is in the burnt orange shirt on the left and Courtney is next to him):

 More wet kids:

 Getting ready for the hydrant to open:

 Being sprayed!

Mother's Day Hike

We go on an annual Mother's Day hike as one of my presents.  Ethan and Bryan got home from the Father's and Son's, showered and then we loaded into the van and drove to Zion to do some hiking.  It was the perfect weather for hiking and there weren't a ton of people.  We didn't have a lot of time so we only did one hike but the kids had a great time and I loved being with my family.  It was a fun pre-Mother's Day present.

Taking a break:

 On the shuttle:

Father's and Son's Campout

Bryan and Ethan had the Father's and Son's Campout last week.  They went to some property up by Gunlock and camped near a stream.  Ethan has a habit of falling into streams while on campouts and this year was no different.  Luckily, he brought his swimming suit to change into but not until after he had already fallen in.

But they had a great time playing in the wilderness with no mother supervision!  They came home alive and with a lot of stories.

Piano Kids

Here are a couple of pictures from the recital of all the students.  Ethan is on the 2nd row to the right of the middle.  He is sitting on the piano bench (I think).

Piano Recital Video

Here is the video from Ethan's duet piano recital.  I think we did a pretty good job!

Cute Boys

Ethan has been focused on Mother's Day a lot this week.  He asked me what I want for Mother's Day and then, after his piano recital, he decided that Courtney and I needed pedicures.  So, for our FHE activity, Bryan gave me a pedicure and Ethan gave Courtney a pedicure.  It was so cute to see Ethan filing Courtney's feet and rubbing them.  He kept asking Bryan how to do things and Bryan would give him pointers and tips.  It was a lot of fun.  That is real service and given with a lot of love.

I am lucky to have such wonderful men in my life!  I love them both so much!

Ethan's Piano Recital

Ethan had his duet piano recital last night.  The video will be coming but he did a great job.  He asked if I would be his duet partner so we have been practicing every morning to get it just right.  He was pretty nervous but said that he liked playing with me better because he doesn't like sitting next to "strange girls".  I made the only mistake in the piece but no one said they could tell. 

Great job Ethan!!