Memorial Day & the Dirty Thirty

We are less than theatrical around here when it comes to anniversaries or parent birthdays. I always try to get my free food (Cafe Rio credit, Jamba Juice & Firehouse subs), but we otherwise spent it relaxing as a family (Mr Smith cleaned up the house) & attending Gpa & Gma Smith's gravesites. I was very imoressed with Mr Smith when he walked up to an elderly lady we passed. He asked her who she was visiting with Lexi and she proceeded to tell about her brother who served on a boat. Lexi didn't realize why that was important, but I know it touched her that we were trying to teach our children. She teared up talking about her family. I was grateful for Eric's example of taking time to touch a stranger. We are grateful for all the brave men & women who fight for freedom. Those we lost, are not gone forever & definitely not forgotten. There is so much joy in teaching our children that.

Earlier that week we had the awesome opportunity to tow our van out of the driveway. Of course a new starter wasn't on the list. The next week it ended up being the battery. That van will be the death of me. I was at least grateful Mr Smith could handle the battery part. And Geico handled the towing.

Mr Smith also decided to force the training wheels off. Lexi was petrified, but was somehow convinced when Dad promised her $10 for the Dollar Tree if she could learn. She earned a couple dollars that day as she was able to ride without Dad holding her up. She is still scared to start & stop on her own, but it was great to see her prove herself wrong, she COULD do it.

We also hit up our first splash pad for the summer. That following weekend we came back with Dad to show him our favorite park & they tore it down (the playground part)! Dallin fell asleep in the car & was only wanting snacks after + school was out, so that was all a bummer. Such is life. We try. We have still watched too much TV & stuck it out at home for too many hours, but I'm trying to get my groove back. What's it like to have THREE kids? We can't just go swimming in someone's pool. Getting well-dressed & on-time happily is a big challenge (i.e. church only). Someone is always needing something. Crumbs are everywhere. The house is clean for only a few minutes before the next mess begins. I depend even more on Lexi. Bedtime had to get more objective. The smell of pee lingers. Laundry is outrageous. But it just works out. 5/28/18

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