We had a crazy weekend, typical of our house. We finally, after nearly 2 months of constant procrastination, finally had a party commemorating the kids birthdays. I suppose I will blame it on my desire to party all summer. I was a smashing success if I do say so myself. Two things that you hope for in every party: 1) Everyone has a good time! 2) Everyone will want to come back! I personally had some side goals that were sly and sneaky at best. I am looking for that compatible group of delightful children and parents to join with me in providing cheap and fun play dates in a non-denominational parenting group that I am spearheading. It could be called the alternative parenting group, or the eclectic parenting group, or the frugal parenting group I have yet to discover a name. Anyone have any suggestions? We will hopefully be non-judgemental, cheap, dedicated, conscious parenting group. I also have yet to discover the medium in which I will launch this group. I am wanting it to be an invitation only group with a calendar set up online. I will place things on the calendar which parents will visit and determine which events they will want to join us in. This way when we go to the free mushroom farm tour, the art museum, etc.., anyone who wants to can join us! Was that a long enough explanation?! I am just not having success with existing parenting groups that are either too elitist or not selective enough.

I though I would share this bit of brilliant parenting that occurred the other morning. The kids arrived at the breakfast table to discover that N had made muffins. T immediately was unhappy with the morning selection and this quickly brought me to attention. I explained that this was breakfast and she was not allowed to be disrespectful to daddy. How did this make daddy feel?, I asked. She must thank daddy for the delicious breakfast and eat the muffin or she has to go to time out and have no breakfast. She thanks N and takes a bite of the muffin through strained compliance. Then she again refuses to eat the muffin. Fine, get down from the table and go play. This is breakfast and if you choose not to eat than go right ahead and not eat, but there will be no food until snack time and that will most likely consist of the non eaten muffins.
Both T and L went and played and left me scratching my head as to why they would not want to eat or rather why was starvation a better option than muffin eating? Ahhhh.... the idea crossed my mind that maybe I should try the muffins. Turns out the baking soda and baking powder were mixed up resulting in salty, metallic tasting nasty muffins. After my own taste test I resorted to milk, juice, and water to try and wash the taste out. Now what? If I serve the kids something else for breakfast they will learn that I am wishy washy. If I admit that they were right and muffins were meant only for the compost bin then how do I tell them the next time that they must eat what we serve them! In to their room I venture and here is what I told them: "Hey guys, I am sorry but the muffins got ruined and now they are yucky so if and when you are ready to eat then you may come and have yogurt and fruit instead." The kids took pity on me and allowed my explanation to stand as they frolicked back to the table. Polite, and respectful they thank us for breakfast and ate everything we gave to them. Score 1 for taste testing first before serving hand made items! I seriously had flashbacks to Dads oatmeal and the courageous kids who ate what was before them. At least the oatmeal was a consistency issue, I tried to force my kids to eat metal with a dash of salt!

Rain Fun!

There is nothing this momma loves more than a fresh rain and two eager kids! Even better if it is still raining when a walk commences. We have had an abundance of rain and we couldn't be any happier. One evening the lightening and thunder ended after bath. The kids decked out in raincoats and pjs loved stomping and jumping in the puddles.


T would spend all of her existence airborn if she could and L just loves to copy every action of his cool big sis. We stayed out until the light was gone and I was able to capture this cool shot with L where it looks as though the background is black and white. No touchups needed!

Since our neighborhood drains water very quickly, it is a rare downpour that gives us puddles. We are fortunate that we have a green belt in back that if we walk a little ways turns into a large concrete drainage area. After one downpour we walked through the marsh in the ditch and down to the concrete. There is a little ramp that the kids unsuccessfully tried to slide down but nonetheless had a great time getting wet. We were visited by a couple of horses and L rescued an abandoned frisbee. The sky was beautiful, the light was perfect, the air was warm, and the kids were wet: What could be better!!!!!!

Still in the past.....

I am trying not to overwhelm you all with a mass of postings, I just really need to catch up.

We attended a birthday party in June where T got to play "What time is it Mrs. Fox?". The silly chickens ask the question and then take steps foward until the answer is "It's Dinner time!" where they then run away trying to not get tagged by the fox. T in the green dress is completely airborn (pretty normal actually).


N had a car that he worked on in a car show downtown and our friends K and E joined us. I think many of these shots capture the depth and structure of their relationship;)

I love this pic of the three of them!




T is really into holding hands which is great because L is really into not ever holding hands. (He is definately establishing his independence.)

I couldn't get them to look at the same time!

A day at our neighborhood park.

I am starting a club that will be called the EX-PC's (exhausted parents club). Membership is open to anyone who is exhausted (parents or non-parents). We will be meeting once a week at Catalyst coffee for some much needed caffiene and socialization.

I often get completely overwhelmed with the position of parent and I am sure that I am not alone. My life is further complicated by the lack of husband job stability and therefore income, having a health condition that makes any amount of energy difficult to achieve, and a whole slew of things. I know every parent has their own set of issues to overcome and there is no reason or need to search for equality in difficulty. Sometimes I observe other at home moms with expendable incomes and no comprehension of living with less. They tend to have more oportunities for alone time without the kids, which is vital to any parent trying to stay sane! Babysitters, Nannies, Double Jogging strollers, Trips and vacations, Gym memberships with childcare, and gas monies and cars for driving to and from activities. None-the-less they have a hard time squeezing in moments of solitude or adult conversations without interuption. Most certainly even these items that might be affordable carry with them the guilt that they are not with their children constantly. Any parent that is able to exist outside of the home for a minimum of an hour day, regardless of activity, will be refreshed with a new found sense of enjoyment out of their children. I am trying to remember this as I try to figure out what it is today that I want to do to refresh. Here I am at home and writing alone. This rare moment of quiet allows me to think and to reflect. Here is what I know: Women are amazing! Mothers are incredible! As a society we tend to underestimate and undervalue the job of giving birth and raising children. Finnally there is little real (non-judgmental, open, free, accepting, loving) support for mothers. Mothers are the greatest activists in the world and have the least amount of energy, time, and resources. This is why I am constantly amazed by the moms I know! I just have to remember to let their acomplishments serve to inspire not as something to judge myself by.

Lastly the greatest single feat a human can perform occured yesterday morning as K gave birth to a healthy baby girl! Once again I am amazed and inspired by her experience. Congratulations!

So they were giants!

I have been a bad little blogger and have missed some great photo sharing, fun having, events. We went to the Denver Art museum with our friend K and her friend M and had a spectacular time. I was truly surprised by the numerous activities there were for kids. This is definately a place that you have to visit more than once. Our original intent was a fun family outing while gathering data for a class project that I had due in a few weeks.

Of course Daddy had to get a little kid throwing in. L is not quite the acrobat that little T is but he is still so much lighter than she is.
We meant to go back this summer and I am bummed that I missed the quilt exhibit but there are just so many fun things to do around here (without spending gas money).

Some of you might remember Kimber and Mikes dog Strider (yes a name from Lord of the Rings). He happened to get sick about a week ago and it was discovered that he had a couple of large cancerous masses. He is such a cool dog and at only 4 years old we are hoping for the best for him.

Here's lookin' at you pup!

No Bears.

Our Red Feather Camping Trip


In June we headed up to Red Feather for a vacation. Thanks to cousin Scott we were able to locate a beautiful area in which to refresh our parched souls. It was soooo quiet and peaceful and we were happy to unleash our horde of wildness into the wilderness. We were hours from civilization and miles from any other human being. While mom's desire to see a bear up close and personal was not met, Dad was able to achieve a long time goal of pooping in the woods. Even daughter had previously met this acomplishment but for Dad this was a first time experience to not be near a structure designed for waste removal. (Sorry Dad but I just had to share;)) Here is our campsite.

















Saturday we arrived and set up camp. After exploring and enjoying the peace a quite we retired. Warning to parents....children 5 and under do not sleep when camping and therefore neither do you! Sunday was spent with Mom nursing a migraine all day while trying to enjoy our trip. We were able to drive into Red Feather to purchase a fishing license for T. (She is the only one with a fishing pole.) We tested out one lake before deciding to move to a quieter area.
We swam, enjoyed playing with T's remote control boat, and even caught 1 fish. After returning to our campsite we explored and I was able to nap briefly to try and heal my head. Sun, heat, activity, and no sleep contributed to a whopper of a migraine.

That night we all slept........ ahhhhhh. Monday we went on a hike at a nearby area. T decided to become a "forest scientist" so she could fix the visibly ailing pine forest. After a short hike we returned to the campsite to pack up. Of course it decided to rain while we were taking down the tent. A wet tent is not so much fun to work with:) This provided some needed cooling and the kids were excited to have a little rain and thunder (natures fireworks).

Our camping site. Daughter took the pic of Dad, Mom, and son. L was ready for nap time but we pushed on to capture these moments.

Our family vacation 2008. Can't wait to go again!!!!!!!!!!!

Team Hoyt

Watch this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPSUrR3ipQc

Brief

The kids and I are in Kansas spreading around the fun and the flu! We arrived in the midst of a nasty flu bug that Landis didn't develop until about 30 miles away from Pratt. Too late to turn back. The bug has run its course through Landis, me, Grandma Lee, Papa Ken, and now Aunt Katie and cousin Paxon. We are hoping the the remaining two uninfected individuals (Uncle Joe, and Teilee) will continue to avoid the nasty illness.
Meanwhile we have encountered several severe tornadic thunder storms and I am definitely not used to the anxiety. We had one twister that went through Cairo which was about 5 miles or so from Grandma Lee and Papas house. While the kids and I were visiting Katie, Joe, and Paxon, Mom and Dad had another tornado that was just South of them a few miles. .....and this isn't even tornado season!
Since last week we spent a majority of our time recovering from this stomach bug we are finally getting to really enjoy this beautiful Kansas experience. We have been able to catch some wild animals. A couple of box turtles that we captured got into a territorial fight before we set them free. Teilee and Landis have loved getting their hands onto a couple of toads. We have seen some snakes, crawdads, lots of beautiful birds. Teilee has enjoyed feeding the cats, dogs, and chickens. I promise to write more later of our fun time here.