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Sunday, September 8, 2019

august 2k18: everything else


We bought a new car! We finally pushed the van to its limits... aka it wanted a new a/c compressor and we gently reminded it that it just got a new a/c compressor two summers prior and it said it didn't care, still insisted on a new one and since we don't negotiate with terrorists, we had to bid it adieu. We switched gears a bit and craigslisted our way to owning a very nice Saturn Outlook, good times. Don't let my cheery smile fool you, saying goodbye to the Uplander was devastating. In fact, it actually sold while I was at work one day which probably saved me from awkwardly sobbing as the new owners drove it away... but also, I feel like I missed out on some closure. I still see white Uplanders in parking lots sometimes and have to stop myself from walking towards them. Oh man. Sorry. Tough subject. Let's move on...
Will tells me frequently that meme screenshots are his favorite parts of the blog, so rest assured buddy: this one includes a lot. 

Speaking of Will, one afternoon we had a seemingly special moment together as recorded on my social media: Will is πŸ’―% my least snuggly kid- our most epic wrestling matches occur when I’m attempting to kiss him on the cheek or linger during a hug πŸ™…πŸΌ‍♂️πŸ˜‘. So when he proposes that I lie the couch and relax while he curls up on my back to do his 20 minutes of reading, imma take him up on it with absolutely no thought to the laundry waiting for me on the other couch ✌🏼.

Alas, I was completely bamboozled and issued this statement the next day in the interest of full disclosure hahahaha.

One of my fave facebook memories - look at how darling she is! Look at how perfect my hair was!

Meanwhile, here's Carma living her best life - all the accessories (including wearing tiny hair things as rings... cutting off circulation... yeah, that got stopped pretty quick...), books galore, 'stuffies' aka stuffed animals, 'under arresting' Chuck, and just being a yahoo in general. We love her!

Meme time! This is one of my favorite instagram accounts but oddly enough I don't follow her, I just check like once a week and binge on all her recent posts... and laugh a lot:



Yiiiiikes. So me. So, so me.

Cute Clyde. He generally has an annual check up re: Hirschsprung's and generally gets treated to comfort food afterwards for being brave. This time he and Chuck apparently went for pancakes!

Chuck took this picture (I can't remember where he saw this taped up). I think it's pretty reflective of how he takes care of me all the time even though I'm annoying haha.

Speaking of Chuck:

this one made me laugh possibly an embarrassing amount.

Fave holiday rolled around on August 17th, woooo!!!

Celebrated with this instagram post: In honor of National Thrift Store Day yesterday, here’s the (for now🀷🏻‍♀️) finished product of the wall next to our kitchen table - all but two of these are via thrift stores (‘let’s stay home’ is from the dollar store and ‘let all that you do be done in love’ was Seagull Book clearance 🀩). Thrift stores are excellent for the earth ♻️🌎 and for my twice weekly therapeutic shopping without bankrupting us outings πŸ˜…πŸ’Έ and that’s my story! {Also, running into thrifter extraordinaire and all around delightful individual @bethanyrweed at DI yesterday was basically the best way to celebrate the holiday πŸ‘―‍♀️- picture next time, eh? There will def be a next time πŸ˜‚}

Ahhh parenting memes. So handy to know that I'm not alone!

If I take papers straight out to the recycling bin instead of the 'holding spot' in the garage, you better believe it's because I don't want to risk kids seeing what school work I'm getting rid of...

Chuck likes people to think he's real law-abiding BUT...

Oh man, this was the happiest two weeks ever until Target finally believed me and legit updated the sticker - they started carrying the larger size of Nutella uncrustables but the sticker showed the same price as the smaller box - even though the sticker clearly says it's 27oz, 15 ct. 15 uncrustables for $2.89? Don't mind if I do! I went in three different times over that two weeks... EVERY TIME I told at least 2 Target workers... I watched them pull down the sticker a couple times... and then the next time, there it was again. The boxes rang up at the 'correct' price ($9 something) but you best believe they price changed it for me. Yellllllo, I'm trying to help and point out the issue, but yeahhhh I'm also gonna take advantage of it. Anyways, thanks for stocking our freezer for quick lunch prep in the mornings, Target. I was pretty sad the day I walked in and the sticker had finally been fixed.

Ummmmm these next three are me. That's all haha:



Ehhh nine hours is honestly a little low. Maybe if there's an afternoon nap in there too.

And finally, please enjoy the time that Chuck documented me wrestling with the boys. I like to take them down every so often just to humble them a bit:




 It just feels good to pin all three of them, ya know? Especially since I know my time being able to do so is limited. Sunrise, sunset.

Saturday, September 7, 2019

august 2k18: last few summer adventures...


So at one point in August 2018 it was apparently over a hundred degrees for a couple days in Nampa and I was NOT okay with that. I decided we needed to power through our final few summer bucket list items to signal that the Izatts were at peace with fall approaching early if it so desired...
Carma's tip to beat the heat involves heavy application of deodorant and anti-perspirant - preferably some of mine that she squirreled from my room at some point...

We did use Carma's slight preoccupation with make-up to our advantage: girlfriend got legit bribed to peace out from her pretty serious diaper addiction. Chuck and I went on a shopping spree at the local dollar store and now there's cute little pink and purple and Frozen underwears making their rounds through the laundry cycle along with the boys' manly boxer briefs ;).
I'll tell you what, you might expect dollar store make-up to wear off quickly BUT turns out it's (possibly excessively) long-lasting. And Carma applies it liberally. Which means for a few weeks there, she went EVERYWHERE pretty dolled up - like over to the dog park to put Grandma's spare tire on.

Good news is that Chuck was there to supervise and step in if needed! Theoretically I know how to change a tire... like theoretically I know how to do CPR... and theoretically I know how to plunge a toilet... and theoretically I know how to combine ingredients to "prepare" "dinner"... I just prefer to allow others to jump in when a situation arises where any of those skills might be needed. You know me - not one for attention or glory ;).

The formidable duo of Chuck and Carma combined their talents a different day to take care of a darling Kaitlyn K while Emily and I went to the temple. Much like the changing of the tire, Carma's recounting of this task would be that she was the primary source of help and that Chuck's role was more support/supervisorial. 

The aforementioned temple trip/babysitting adventure occurred whilst the older Izatt and Kirkendall kids were at 'Learning Peace' camp! 
Insta caption: The boys attended Learning Peace day camp this week and had such a great experience. They learned about nature and meditation and conflict resolution and art and music/dance and how to regulate emotions ☯️🎨✌🏼🌿. I’m especially proud of Clyde; he was a little wary after the first day but after a (pretty amazing if I say so myself) parental pep talk about attitude and choosing to have fun, he jumped back in and made friends and helped out and did awesome and legit liked it 😎🀩☺️. [PS this was a totally free day camp, such a cool collaborative effort from local churches and sponsors including our dentist’s office πŸ™ŒπŸΌ. We were so impressed and grateful our boys could attend!]

Alas, not all of our last minute adventures were fun - it would appear that at some point Carma and Jack and I went to the DMV haha.

And some adventures might remain a mystery, as I have no idea what to make of these pictures of Clyde and Will riding their bikes one random morning. Coming home? Leaving? Why is Clyde wearing safety glasses? WHY ISN'T HIS HELMET BUCKLED, GRRR? Well, I hope it was something fun!

'Solo' hit the dollar movies so we put out a call to join us on $1 Tuesday! The kids were VERY excited that Bri and Eli (and Aleesha!) could come, as well as Grammy Pammy:
Not sure what Clyde said to warrant Will's anger but this photo series makes me laugh!

 Jack scored a morning outing alone with Daddy to go shooting. I love that Chuck prioritizes spending this time with Jackers, talking and teaching him and building this little boy up... and possibly boring him to sleep on the way home haha:

Trampolines are loads more fun when cousins are involved!! 

Random day with all six of us home + two cute Walker boys? Discovery Center it is!
 Jackers started piano lessons in August! He's a little young but we did a 'trial run' lesson and he jumped right in and loved it. Insta caption (from a bit into school)Jack in school all day every day has been his dearest wish (and miiiiine πŸ˜…πŸ™πŸ»πŸ˜¬) for most of his life and we are so happy it’s hereπŸ˜ƒπŸ˜ƒπŸ˜ƒ! He loves the structure and friends and was so so thrilled to have homework today πŸ˜‚. In other long-awaited news, Jack got to start piano lessons a month ago and is currently the cutest and most willing practicer in the house 🎹🀩. Jack continues to be a scallywag and we mostly πŸ™ƒ wouldn’t have him any other way 😜

 Will has been asking to use his little paint spinner (from Christmas? yikes... maybe just his birthday) forever, and I finally said yes. It was a perfect Sunday morning activity for all four kids!

Family bike ride... to lunch in the park? I think? Also not sure why my helmet isn't buckled... might be where Clyde gets it, whoops... 

A few days before school started we found ourselves at the Western Idaho Fair with Grandpa, one of our favorite and newer summer traditions! The STEM bus was there again, to everyone's delight:

Although the virtual reality booth was probably Clyde's favorite. 

Carma talked her way into a fairly in depth tour of the St. Luke's ambulance this year, complete with being buckled/strapped into the stretcher and pulled out of the back while the boys watched haha:

A way awesome Lego hobby group was there hosting a competition for building tall but sturdy towers so all four kids competed at various times, with Clyde and Jack as a team for theirs. The boys all 'placed' in their time brackets and came home with legos to build a sweeeeet rocket ship. SO cool! 

Will and Jack were very taken with the STEM demonstrations - I love watching Will's reaction face in each photo!
 Overall a hot but VERY worth it afternoon with Grandpa. We love you Dad, thanks for always finding such fun things for us to do together!!

Random mishmash of a few other summer staples: popsicles, icees, huge pancakes (?), random naps - Carma with Clyde in his room, also Clyde randomly in Will and Jack's closet? Who knows. 

Costco is always a favorite adventure but randomly running into my awesome cousin Trent and his family was the best! Trent and Mikelle and their gang were making a pit stop on their road trip from Washington to eastern Idaho and just happened to be at the Nampa Costco food court right as I was walking out. Mikelle is one of the most genuine, hardworking, fun, kind people I know - all of which I can attest to despite the fact that 98% of our interactions are via instagram haha. Anyways, their family is darling and it totally made my day... maybe even week... to see them and get this picture with Mikelle!

 Ahhh speaking of selfies with incredible women, we sneaked over to Janell's on her birthday to say hi and I forced her to take a picture with me. She's incredible and we're so grateful for her friendship with our family!

 I don't make it out to see Cody as often as I'd like but I love hanging out with him when I can get there... and generally insist on buying a picture in case there's another long lull between visits haha. Instagram caption: You know those things that you had nothing to do with but are still randomly proud of? Mine is having cute brothers πŸ’πŸ»‍♀️πŸ€—✌🏼