There it was. Shiny, green, new. Just poised there, calling him, beckoning him.
That darn WalMart. For months Max has been dreaming of the day his parents would actually let him take home the 12 Volt motorized John Deere Tractor Mower from the store, rather than just taking him gawk at it (usually as reward for good behavior while grocery shopping). It is the dream of every 3 year old wannabe lawn boy. Never mind the two seater Escalade, the Power Quad 4 wheeler, even the motocross bike. Nothing would do but the tractor mow. And it's all we've heard about for months.
The Scooby Doo 2 Week Sleeping Chart
The value of money is not an easy thing for a 3 year old to conceptualize. I mean the literal value of money. There was no good reason his jar full of copper shouldn't be enough to bring home his dream mower. "Max that costs a lot of money" was sure to be followed by "Mom, I got monies."
So parent #1 decides that perhaps throughout the summer, a lemonade stand, selling frozen treats at parades, earning money for "extra" chores, would help him learn the literal value of money, along with other beneficial lessons like saving, work, etc. Parent #2 gives me a half mocking look and I can read his thoughts instantly: "Like selling lemonade and otter pops is going to make any sort of a dent in the price tag of this mini John Deere." (Not the point parent #1 reminds him).
Putting the final sticker on the 14th Scooby
So without any consultation with the parent trying to teach our child the value of a dollar, Parent #2 cuts a hasty, off the top of his head, deal with the child. Child can earn the "Tractor Mow" by going to bed without any help, going to sleep without any help, and by sleeping in his own bed throughout the night for 2 weeks. (Granted Parent #2 is the one who usually has to get the child to sleep.) Child happily accepts the deal and Parent #1 is off to make a Scooby Doo Sleeping Chart, complete with a visual clip art of the expectation (sleeping alone in his own bed) as well as a picture of the prize--SHAGGY driving his new Tractor Mow. I also remind Parent #2 throughout the next 2 weeks in small moments of regret that there are no take backs. He must make good on his promise.
I DID IT! Now I can go to sleep all by myself and I just earned myself a TRACTOR MOW!
The Texans finally arrived in Utah after a 2 1/2 year absence! After a long, hot drive I thought I would envite them all to Lehi Foam Day. Although I had never been, it sounded like fun; it was free, cool, and outdoors...all things I thought my nieces and nephews and their parents would appreciate. Max and I arrived first while the firemen were still spraying the foam (we left Ryan and Luke at home to study and sleep). 
Max was excited and apprehensive. I suppose he would have been more apprehensive had he known that bees like to hide in the cool foam. He wasn't in there for 30 seconds and he got stung by a bee, so it was off to the first aid station where we got some ice and sat and waited for my sisters and their kids to show up. Max was so excited when all the boys came around the corner! 
Turns out the foam also stings if it gets in your eyes, as several of the little ones found out. It also sticks to your legs and your shoes stick to it. I'm pretty certain we lost some flip flops in there. I think the big boys enjoyed it more. So maybe not the best "Welcome to Utah" outing, but it was something to do and vow not to do again. 
A big thanks to the Lewis' family for inviting us for some great 4th of July jello cake and fireworks. It was Max's first time doing Sparklers and the first year he wasn't afraid of the fireworks. Luke on the other hand didn't quite know what to make of it.
Can you put a price on that smile? Or on the fact that we've shaved about an hour off of our bedtime routine?
Luke wants to know, "What's in this for me? No Fair!"
Luke's obsession with the horse started probably around the time he was a year old. Of course he calls almost every animal a "whorse", but none the less, he loves horses and thourougly enjoyed the parade. 
Likewise Max still has an infatuation with horses, especially since he's been on numerous pony rides and got to ride Uncle Jim's big horse, Jane, on his 3rd birthday (and he is still talking about it). This year, Max was not going to be found at the horse parade without his boots, holster, and gun! It was our first parade of the summer, and despite the heat, it was a lot of fun for the boys!
We actually had to go to Ryan's work on this day and I hadn't planned on going in, but we did. His co-workers got quite a kick out of their dress-ups.
close to family or awkward in any way. I smile and tell them we wouldn't want it any other way. Mark is such a great help to me and my family. He is always there when we need help with anything at all. He has jumped in as babysitter, chauffeur to the hospital, doctor, lawn boy, gardener, cook, you name it.
But above all, he is so great with my kids. Each week, sometimes twice a week, he makes sure he calls Max when he is going to mow his lawn. He knows that Max loves to mow and he works it around Max's nap time so that he can come and get him. He brings his truck down, loads Max's little mower and weed eater in the back, plops Max on his lap and lets him drive the five houses down the street to go mow. It is a highlight of Max's week.
We love you Mark and wish you all the best this year!
