Summer List

Every summer I have my standard list of things to do and then I try to add some new things. I try to read a classic book, go to a museum, bake a bunch of goodies and spend time in the sun. I'm trying hard to come up with some new good stuff but I seem to be falling short. Help me out a little. Kiran is coming up and all I can think about is hanging out with my sisters.

The classic I picked out to read is Little House on the Prairie. I thought it would be great, my 8 year old and I could read it together, I liked the show when I was a kid, but I have to admit, I couldn't get past the first 3 chapters. I kept thinking "I am waisting precious magazine time on this drivel, I could be finding out what is happening in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, and Yemen, and I am sitting here reading this Ma and Pa crap." Maybe there is something wrong with me. I did however, stumble upon this little gem, it is about the history of Malaria and after finishing a book about Polio a couple of months ago, I have to admit I love reading about infectious disease!

So this is my Summer List of thing to do:


1. Read FEVER How Malaria has ruled mankind for 500,000 years.


2. Take a trip to San Fransisco with Spencer.


3. See if San Fransisco has a good cupcake shop.


4. Visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, which is currently exhibiting Matisse, Picasso and an Avant Garde Collection.


5. Learn how to fire a 22 simi automatic handgun.



My list is pretty short, so if you think of anything good to do, let me know.

Cottonwood Beach underwater

This is the movie theater where I hope to spend a lot of summer afternoons. That is until the Smurf's come, then I will pay full price. I can't wait to see that. We still watch Season 1 on DVD all the time.

Father's Day 2011, the only thing missing...

Leland and his family, Kiran her family, and Will and his family. I always say that the greatest gift my parents ever gave me were my brothers and sisters. They were noticeably absent yesterday among all the festivities. But in spite of their absence we did have a great time. I'm wanting to add Father's Day and Mother's Day to my favorite holidays.

The avaitor shades Kiran got for our Dad, a huge hit.

Max, Jake and Warren laughing it up.

"You don't look a day over Fast Cars and Freedom"

For my parents 40th Anniversary they combined 2 things each of them love, cars and museums. Saturday we went to the Portland Art Museum to see some gorgeous cars. It was amazing and I love a good museum any day and every year I promise myself that during summer I'll go to the Portland Art Museum. Mission accomplished, summer's going great. Congratulations to my parents on 40 great years, 5 cool kids and 13 grandkids.

"Each Night Before You Go To Bed My Baby"

I loved being surprised, especially by my kids. Max usually surprises my by bringing me things from outside, (i.e. flowers, grass, even rocks) Auri surprises me when she tells me she likes a song on the radio,... I didn't know she was paying attention. But the other day, this one came out of the blue.

I have 1 very strict, unmovable, non-negotiable rule in my house-BEDTIME. It sounds harsh, but trust me it is for their own safety and so they don't see me turn into a demon/crazy woman, however, that said, I provide each of them with a reading light, plenty of books and I say they can stay up as late as they want in in their own beds as long as they are quietly reading. Well, Warren took this one step further.

He felt like his reading light wasn't getting the job done, so he turned his pillow around and moved his bedside table so it was closer to the hallway so he could read late into the night. I thought it was awesome. I love it when my kids surprise me.