Happy 12th Birthday Erin

Erin's birthday started out a little rough this morning. She asked us to take her to the Gila Valley Temple for her birthday. This morning the van wouldn't start. We had to wait for the store to open and install a new battery before we could take off. Then while waiting to go, Erin made herself some monkey bread. She forgot the pan handle had been in the oven and when she grabbed it, she burned her hand really badly. After getting a blessing and fixing the van, we convinced her that she would probably feel better as we drove. She was fighting back tears all morning. But fortunately, she felt well enough to do baptisms.

We made a quick stop at Taco Bell and the LDS bookstore. She got a new CTR ring and a Jenny Oaks Baker CD. Then we made it back just in time to get the boys from school.

For dinner she chose turkey burgers with cheese fries. Mario made her an ice cream cake. Now, Erin is off to Mutual for her first official night.

Her gifts included Harry Potter piano music, Mickey Mouse t-shirt, ring, and CD. She got a frisbee from Nathan and $1 from Zachary.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Happy 14th Birthday Eric

New Adidas shoes, sunglasses, Forrest Gump DVD (favorite movie) and Nerf tomahawks, swords, & ax (all to play with the twins). Those were the birthday gifts from the family. They were all on his wish list. Oh, almost forgot the $1 bill wrapped in granola box from Zach. Eric requested egg, bacon, and cheese burritos for breakfast and taco salad for dinner. Mario made him an ice cream cake.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Hermit Crabs

My boys bought crabs several months ago with their own money. The fun wore off really quick. Now they only feed and give them water when I remind them which is evey few days. We are always afraid we are going to find them dead. So I told the boys we have to give them to a family that will take care of them. Zach took the news hard when I told him I found a home for them. He was quite upset I was giving them to my friend Rachelle's 4 year-old. Apparently he doesn't think she'll do any better taking care of them than he has.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Breakers

The kids read 36 hours this summer to earn tickets to Breakers. Since birthdays are Monday and Tuesday, Eric and Erin invited Cameron and Dawna to join us. We had lots of fun and Nathan even braved all the waterslides that Zach went on. Hooray Nate! Some bribes did the trick...I owe him a Happy Meal next week.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Possible PCS

Mario came home yesterday and said he is on the list to PCS in the spring. We thought we had 2 more years here. Mario has asked his colonel about transferring down to Sierra Vista and then commuting the 120 miles (roundtrip) each day so the kids could stay in the same school district for 6 years. Both Mario and I are ready for a change and a move but we feel bad for the kids. So our first priority is to stay and commute. But if that doesn't work out, looks like I may finally get out of the desert. Does it make me a bad mom to hope it doesn't work out? At first the kids were opposed to the move, but we told them Scott AFB may be an option again. We were there from 2005 until 2007. We showed them houses in the area and the beautiful green lawns. Eric and Erin put in a request for woods behind our house and both agreed to move...not that they have a choice in the matter. Mario is waiting for a list of options to come available and then he'll start working the system. I hope for Scott or somewhere that is close to the ocean. Alaska is NOT on my list and nor is North or South Dakota.

I love the excitement of moving. I love the guessing game of where we will go. I love it even better when we know and can start our research on homes and schools.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Eagle Scout, Piano, and Dawna

Mario was trying to motivate Eric last year by telling him that once he made Eagle he could quit piano lessons. Eric has taken lessons since the day after he turned 7. He is finally good enough to play in Priesthood meeting and so he does when the Bishopric asks him to. When I first heard of this "deal," I immediately disagreed with it. I think he needs to continue to play or else he will forget everything.

Erin was recently talking to some young women about what they were looking for in a husband. The typical LDS responses came up like, attended seminary and went on a mission. But some said that they would only marry a man who knew how to play the piano. One girl that has this requirement is Dawna Herr.

Eric may deny this, but I think it was love at first sight when Eric and Dawna first met. Too bad they were only 12 at the time and they still have 2 1/2 more years until they can date each other. I say too bad because Mario and I love her family and we would be thrilled if Eric married someone like her. But we may not even live in Tucson long enough for them to ever have that first date.

Anyway, back to quitting piano. While we were discussing Eric being able to quit last night, Erin looked over to Eric and told him that Dawna said he couldn't quit piano. I knew why since Erin had told me about her conversation before. So Mario immediately said that no, Eric would not be able to quit even after Eagle. He was convinced that it was in Eric's best interest to continue piano.

At that point, Eric threw up his arms and said, "I'm not even dating her or married to her and she is already controlling my life!".

We all got a good laugh and he went back to practicing the piano. I wonder if he will still ask to quit now.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

MacBook

Eric liked all his new teachers. He said the Spanish teacher was a little weird. But the rest seem very good. He is LOVING his new MacBook, which we only have to pay $150 a year including insurance. After 4 years, if he stays at the school, he gets to keep the computer. Not a bad deal. He has no books to lug around.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone