Independence Day in Boise

The kids were so excited we were going to be in Boise for the Independence Day this year.  We had been out of town for at least the last two years.  All they could talk about was going downtown to see the parade.  We got there a little late, but still managed to find a shady spot to wait for the parade to start.

There was some boredom while we waited.  We also had enough time to read two chapters from Elijah of Buxton.  If you're reading this, you should read that book!

Finally, the parade began!  And it was not everything the kids remembered.  It seemed a lot longer, with less interesting floats, and there was hardly any candy.  They each managed to get about three pieces during the entire parade.

Finally, though, the best part came.  The fire trucks!  The fire trucks follow a simple rule.  If you squirt them with water they will squirt you back.  Alas, we did not bring water guns.  We did have water bottles, though.

 Here is Sam all poised to throw water on the firefighters.

 Here are the firefighters retaliating.

Here is Sam crying in deep, soaked despair.  The big kids loved it.  Grace had hidden herself away so she would not get sprayed.

We went to Winco and got popsicles to make up for the lack of candy goodness at the parade.

We also did fireworks in our alley, instead of going to the big display down the hill. Ethan even bought himself a few fireworks was thrilled to light them off.  Michael bought some fancy plastic goggle things which enhance your firework watching experience, which I think was the highlight of the holiday for his dad.  There are no pictures, but it was lovely. 

Bling!

The Boise Bicycle Project hosted a bike-a-thon during the month of May to help raise money for their Raise the Roof campaign.  My kids solicited donations from around the neighborhood and from their (very generous) family and friends.  Then for the entire month of May they tracked their miles biked.  They asked to bike to their grandparents, offered to bike to the store, and biked to school almost every day.  They were bike-riding fools.  By the end of the month Ethan and Libby had almost 150 miles each and Grace had only about ten less.

The BBP hosted a BBQ and party at the beginning of June.  We biked (of course) down to the park to join the festivities.  After a delicious and nutritiously void supper the festivities kicked into high gear.  All the kids who participated received a bag of prizes including a bike bell, a bike lock, and numerous stickers and patches. We were all well satisfied with our delightful prizes.  Then they announced the riders who had the most miles.  Grace came in third place and received a membership to the BBP.  Libby took second place and got a membership and a day pass to the zoo.  Ethan took first place and won a membership to BBP and two passes to Roaring Springs!  Ethan took second place and won passes to Roaring Springs.  Libby took first place with 142 miles, thirty more than her brother!  (Their mother has a faulty memory, they do not not).  Then they were endowed with the coolest prize yet, their medals. Look at that bling; made entirely out of recycled bike parts.  These are simply the coolest medals, ever!  They are hung with love, and prominently displayed on their respective walls.

Mother's Day

Sometimes I think my family is full of ungrateful urchins.  I get cranky about doing so much...and NOBODY even NOTICES!!  And other times they are so thoughtful I feel ashamed of those awful thoughts.  For Mother's Day, my little kids picked out this fabric and had a neighbor sew the dress for me.  We will ignore the fact I rarely wear it because it goes straight down to my ankles, making it hard to walk in, and the top is held together by numerous safety pins because it was so large. 

My older kids pooled their money and bought me chocolate.  They planned on buying it from The Chocolat Bar in downtown Boise but it was closed.  They ended up at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company instead.  The chocolate was still lovely!

The family also picked out some beautiful flowers to put on the back porch, which I still have months later.  They also did all the cooking all day long.  I was so spoiled.  It was awesome!

Grace's 7th Birthday

No matter what I say, no matter what I do, my kids insist on having birthdays.  Also, some random kids at the park insist on celebrating with us. 

Grace requested a chocolate cake with raspberry icing.  I made said cake.  She did not eat said cake.  The adults enjoyed it.  The kids did not.  I may stop taking cake requests from my kids.  They frequently request very specific cakes and then decide they do not like the flavor, usually without even trying it.  On the other hand, I certainly enjoyed the cake.

Grace is now seven.  She can read, tie her own shoes, do chin ups, and loves her gymnastics class.  She is more talented at seven than I am at thirty seven.

From Ugly Bug to Beautiful Butterfly!

In March we received a cup of caterpillars in the mail.  We put the creepy looking little things on the counter and watched them.  They came complete with food, so all we had to do was watch.  A couple weeks later, after molting several times, they created their chrysalis, and metamorphosis began!

Watching them emerge was pretty incredible.  The little bugs popped out of their shells with tiny crumpled wings.  They started beating their wings quickly and within an hour, we had beautiful butterflies. 

A couple days later it was time to release them into the wild.

All the kids gathered, including some neighbor children, and our butterflies experienced freedom. 

One even rested and waved goodbye.