I want to know what the secret is. Redheads know how to write, how to sing, how to bring it all together to make amazing music.


I absolutely love Florence + the Machine. (really cool website, BTW) She had an amazing debut album: Lungs. She is an amazing combination of the vocal power of this redhead, the quirkiness of Kate Bush and the artistry of Siouxsie and the Banshees (Cameron came up with this combo and I totally agree). I love her lyrics, the whole sound, so rich.

Lately, I've really enjoyed getting re-enamoured with Tori Amos. In her words, I see so much of me. I've been listening to Little Earthquakes again and live recordings. She is the lyricist that blows my mind more than any other female lyricist. Love to Tori, here.
Hayley Williams (of Paramore) writes great rock and sings it with her heart.

Miki Berenyi (of Lush. Please, please come back) was incredible. I miss hearing more from this awesome band and Miki is just gorgeous. Lush stopped making music together right as their sound was evolving and the sassiness increasing. Pity.
On the home front, I have two redhead writers whose work I really love: my friend Rachel and webfriend Terresa (and they have real red hair and amazing talent).

We begin with Dane. Very excited to be going into 4th grade. After two days of attending, he keeps talking about all the "opportunities" that come with 4th grade. It'll be interesting to see what he takes advantage of this year.

On the same day (July 26th), Bryce got to attend the Kindergarten open house. He loved doing work at all the stations there and meeting his teacher. He couldn't stop beaming and pretty much danced back to the car.I officially enrolled at SLCC, starting small with a required math class, online. One small step for me, heading to the education I've been putting off for so long. No one will be surprised that I'm going for an English degree and I'm really excited about this. The best part is seeing how proud Dane and Ella are of me. They keep mentioning it to other people. Perhaps it's just that it's a novelty to have Mommy go to school at the same time as them, but either way, they think it's cool.This whole school thing seems to be a theme around here as Cam continues to teach at the Univ of Phoenix. He seems to really enjoy it. Its something that probably neither of us could have foreseen as something in his future, but it's been a pleasant surprise.

Today was Ella's first day of school (we met briefly with her teacher yesterday), her first day of first grade. I was so sad after B and I dropped her off. It was quick as we had to rush home to catch a delivery. It didn't bother her that it was quick. She got in line by her cousin (another school surprise) and went right in. My she's grown up! She is so much more confident in who she is. She loves all the girly-girls she hangs out with at school.After the delivery of our kitchen cabinets, Bryce and I rushed back to the school to meet Dane's teacher.

Later, while everyone was at school, after he lamented that he didn't get to go, Bryce used his "squirt-gun syringe" (obtained after this accident) to make designs in water on the deck. He LOVED it!We also worked on his handwriting. I've let him get into so bad habits with his letter forming (though it seems to be a theme with all my children). He had his moments of frustration and elation.

Here comes Ella! Fresh off of her first day. Mommy is much relieved to see her happy face and to hear she had a very wonderful day.We have an assessment Bryce's teacher in the morning. Nothing like jumping right back into things.

No, not the kitchen remodel.

Not the labor intensive backyard landscape alterations.

Summer.

Is it over yet?

The kids radio ears have me completely tuned out.
They are no longer capable of not hitting/shoving/biting?/"stabbing" each other.

Of course, the prospect of entrusting my final child to the hands of the public school system has me excited, but I'm afraid that this last four days is just going to do us all in (and even then Bryce doesn't officially start until August 3rd).

I'm so sad. I've really made a good effort throughout July, despite surviving kitchen remodels and evening swim lessons, etc. to be generous with playdates, activities, patience... You try, but it's a bummer when they've learned from all your pre-Summer faults. Where is the love?

It's list time.

Here is a list of the things I am most looking forward to accomplishing when all the kids are in school (you love lists, I know you do):

• weekly trips to the temple



• housework without interruptions



• volunteering in each classroom



• going back to school (me)



• more genealogy



• quiet time



• going to the library by myself



• joy at seeing my kids at the end of their day and feeling like I can take them on with enthusiasm

It's a simple list.

I'm not going to do it all the first week. I'm going to savor this list and savor this time. I think I've earned a little bit.

Our busy/crazy week started out with a bang on the Fourth of July. We made our annual trek to Provo for America's Freedom Fest and the early morning balloon launch. We set out our blankets, the kids are still in their jammies and we have breakfast while the balloons fill around us.The extra special balloon this year was none other than his Darthness. Very cool for all of us. He was 69' wide and 85' tall and fulling sanctioned by LucasArts.Cam amidst the Kids Area chaos.The kids got their faces painted (um, that's a tiara)and had fun doing crafts under the tent.On Tuesday, came the joy that I will never have to clean this kitchen again, because as the day continued...the room disintegrated into this

then this,

then this.The kitchen demolition began and has continued through the week.

On Tuesday, my friend Angie and I started a kids summer activity effort, beginning with painting rocks masked with letters from their names. Each kid will get a set (it took me a while to get the paint sealed for the out of doors) when they're delivered. (We have since done a fireworks notebook and pen craft and a field trip/walk. Tomorrow, we're going to attempt making animal zipper pulls out of polymer clay).

Tuesday night, my friend Anisa stayed at our house with her kids. Our kids had a lot of fun together, like no time had passed. After bed time, Anisa and I got to do some scrapbooking...until her little boy woke up, his mouth full of blood. She finally took him and his little brother to the ER and I stayed up, in the fear that her oldest would come looking for her and find everyone gone. Since my craft room is right across from my guest room...I got a lot of pages finished! Anisa stumbled back in the door at 5:45 AM and she and the boys crashed. I got to sleep for an hour (thanks, Bryce) and got Brenner and my kids breakfast. After a reasonable rest, Anisa headed home to get her boy to the dentist (where the trouble originally started).

I basically stumbled through the rest of the day. Not well.

Cam started his new class that (Wednesday) night.

Thursday, Cam and I went to the Gallivan Center to see Toad the Wet Sprocket.

It was so awesome! Cam loves this band and he had a great grin on his face the whole time. He sang along (I did too, but) and we danced and jumped around with the crowd. Glen Phillips has such a great voice and was so gracious and down-to-earth. I really enjoyed myself.

I spent all Friday looking for a present for THIS WEDDING!

My little brother got married!

Ella and Addy were flower girls, my new nieces (the bride's daughters) are just behind them.

Eric and Stephanie make their vows.

The wedding, luncheon and reception were all at the house of a friend of Stephanie's parents.

Parents of the groom.

It was a wonderful, beautiful wedding. The rain had good timing. My brother is so happy with his new wife and new family. I think he's doing quite well with being insta-dad.

My little brother's getting married. This is Stephanie, his financée, and her daughter and my daddy. The groom is the one with the big grin on his face. We got the two families together at my aunt's family's property in Hobble Creek canyon. It's so heavenly up here.Bryce see-sawing w/ Stephanie's older daughter.Bryce is going down the zip line with my brother Ryan. He did it a few times. Considering he'd just had his stitches put in the day before, I was a bit freaked about it.Mom! I did it!!!Ella's getting more comfortable with swings all the time.This is near the end of the party when it was just our side of the family left.Someone left Grandpa's cool cycle unsupervised, so I told Bryce he could try it out. That's his tough guy face.
Eric's only going to be single for EIGHT MORE DAYS!!! We are so excited to have not only one bride, but three new people join our family! Hooray for weddings!