9.10.12

Alrighty then, since I'm back to blogging, I feel this pull to write and write and write.  I was going to post this yesterday, but didn't want to send all five of my readers into cardiac arrest ;).  With all my "the kids will be gone before we know it" laments, I guess it's about time I become more vigilant and capture our daily lives.  In a perfect world, I think I would try and blog every day, but let's not let things get out of control here.  However, with the thousands of pictures I've managed to take during 2012, I'm thinking if I could just post a little something every few days I would feel on top of it.

Here it is, a few moments from yesterday:

Monday's begin with a long walk or hike with Lucy, and yesterday my friend Dorothy and her dog joined us in Neff's Canyon.  It was gorgeous and overcast and the scent of fresh rain was intoxicating.  So far so good.  My hikes invigorate me for the day ahead and I'm actually enjoying coming home to a quiet house and getting a few things accomplished without interruptions . . . I baked some pumpkin bread, attempted to organize the giant mess of a basement, and listened to quite a bit of my audiobook ("Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel - intriguing).

At 3pm, I leave to pick up the girls (dumped the carpool this year and do all my own driving - a little bit of a hassle, but I sure do enjoy having extra chat time with them before and after school). Monday's are the best because we have no scheduled activities or lessons and the girls can take their time finishing homework and practicing piano.  It's a very relaxing day . . . so far.

Caroline comes home from tennis team practice, Ryan's busy with homework, Chris arrives and the guys settle in for football.  We fix a casual dinner and Caroline bakes cookies to answer the boy who asked her to homecoming.  It's sprinkling a little outside, the clouds have moved in, and everything feels snug and cozy.

Liza and Sophie go outside to play in the rain and enjoy some outside time.  Sophie doesn't realize that with the windows open we have full access to the rude, snide remarks she makes to her sister.  It doesn't take too long before we call the girl in for an explanation.  This is how the conversation goes:

Me: Sophie, come here now.  What did you just say to your sister?

Sophie:  I didn't say anything.

Me:  Yes you did, I heard you.  I'm not happy that you're being so mean.  You're finished for the night - go upstairs and get ready for bed.

Sophie:  (beginning to fume) - Well, it wasn't THAT mean . . .  I didn't make her cry.

Me:  Oh, that's nice.  Get upstairs, you're done. (Chris steps in to second the motion - sternly).

This is usually the time when Sophie completely loses it, and she did.  She screams and continues to argue at the top of her lungs that she wasn't "that mean" and we're horrible people, then proceeds to stomp up the stairs and slam her door (it's the routine).  The family is so used to her meltdowns that they have become quite comical, however, we worry that there may not be an end to her lack of emotional control when she is frustrated/angry/sad, etc.

Many years ago, to help her release her emotions, I would have her write down how she was feeling. Now she does it out of habit (and as a way to get back at us). Caroline found it quite humorous to find these three notes floating down from upstairs landing into the entry . . .

I know we shouldn't laugh, but Chris, Ryan and I were trying to stifle our giggles while reading these notes (absolutely under any circumstance do you let Sophie know you're laughing). Caroline was horrified and thought Sophie was just plain cruel (in Caroline's mind, she would NEVER do such a thing), but I just had to remind her of one of our family's mottos: "Words said in anger are never from the heart" and she understood and chuckled along with the rest of us. I'm used to the notes - I think I have several of the "you're the worst mom EVER" genre tucked away in my nightstand.

My heart really does ache for my girl and I think she may always struggle with keeping those passionate emotions of hers in check.  After 11 years with this sweetheart, I've realized that she is extremely tender and protects herself by putting forth a rough exterior at times.  She has definitely been our most difficult child and many of my prayers focus on how I can raise her to fulfill her greatest potential.  I look forward to what the Lord has in store for this feisty little one . . .

More than any of the other kids, she needs her space and thrives in peaceful settings - she's my best hiker.

After the meltdown, the skies opened up just as the sun was setting and the sky literally lit up - it was on fire - one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.  We grabbed the girls (even Sophie was allowed out of her room) and walked outside to watch.  Sophie hesitantly sidled up to me as I walked to the corner and slipped her hand in mine . . . her signal to see if I was still upset, and my signal that she is ready for a hug.

Sigh.  All is well until the ticking time bomb decides to explode again.  Until then, I'll look for all the best my little girl has to offer.

The sunset from Caroline's bedroom window.  WOW.

Of course, the night ended on a high note:

Caroline on her way to answer her best friend Jacob after he asked her to Homecoming.

She made cookies and baked letters (Y-E-S) wrapped in tin foil inside three of them - cute!

sweet sophie

I had to find some time this evening to post Sophie's precious talk she gave in primary on Sunday.  Yes, that would be the same Sunday I just wrote about, the one when I ran out the door in record speed to get to my Snowbird post.  As I was frantically making myself presentable, I suddenly remembered Sophie had to give a talk that morning.  My parting words to my 10-year old were, "I am SO sorry Sophie, but you're going to have to write your primary talk during sacrament - good luck - hopefully I'll make it back in time to come see you."  A bewildered Sophie just stared at me and asked what she should talk about, and I gave her three safe options (prayer, choose the right, or baptism), told her to pick one and again, wished her the best of luck before I flew out the door.  My parting words to her went something like this, "don't let Dad see what you're doing or I'm really going to get an earful!"

Apparently she took her little notebook and a pen to church and dutifully picked up the slack that her forgetful mother left behind, because when I found my way into the primary room, she was already up front holding a little piece of paper where she had written her thoughts.

I was so touched by her talk considering Liza's baptism this week that I just had to post it:

For my talk today I will be speaking about baptism. Baptism is very special in our lives.  All your sins will be wiped away when you are baptized and you will come out of the water perfect and clean.  But after that you will have to repent to Heavenly Father when you do something wrong and ask forgiveness.

My little sister Liza is getting baptized this week.  I'm very happy that she's making this choice to be baptized.  I also hope that she will feel the spirit as much as I did. After she comes out of the water she will dress in a pretty white dress.  She will be the newest member of the church and be confirmed and receive the Holy Ghost.  I'm very grateful for this choice that Liza will be making and I know that she is a child of God and that Heavenly Father loves her and is glad that she is getting baptized.

our little writer

Sophie has loved to write as long as I can remember.  Ever since she could hold a pencil, she was creating characters and plot lines to rival anything my lame imagination could conjure.  I've held onto notebooks where page after page is filled with her lively little stories and I'm sure one day they'll offer Soph hours of entertainment.

It had been awhile since I read anything Sophie has written until the other evening when she asked me to print the story she had just written for a class assignment.  I did remember her coming home from church Sunday and going right to work on it that afternoon.  In about 45 minutes, she emerged from the other room with five handwritten pages that needed to be typed.  No rough draft, just her ideas straight from her head onto paper.  She then proceeded to pound out her story on the computer and after printing it I took a moment to read the first page . . .

OK, I know I didn't write anything like this when I was ten because I can barely do it now.  Obviously, it has tones reminiscent of a young, inexperienced writer, but HELLO, it's engaging and descriptive and interesting:

I got dressed feeling strange and lonely.  I sat on my bed wondering and thinking of what I would do.  I kept on gazing into my thoughts when suddenly the door jerked open.  Taken away by my thoughts I turned my head to see who it was.  "Fisk," I said in surprise . . .



Way to go Sophie.

Keep writing my sweet girl!

Happy 10th Birthday!

Our spunky Sophie turned ten a few weeks ago (July 31st), and spent her birthday driving home from our California trip - how fun for her.  She actually didn't mind much since we had a few mini celebrations beforehand - getting her ears pierced in Newport, ice-cream cake with grandma and grandpa in St. George, birthday dinner in Old Town, and a special "happy birthday" sign and recognition on our dolphin expedition.  She also loved the fact that we had to drive past the American Fork hospital on our way to pick up Lucy and reminisce about the day she was born and those first few months we welcomed her into our family.

Her favorite gift was the book of photos celebrating the last two years . . .

Sophie Ann Cantera
Age 8 - 10 | Make Your Own Book

Livin' the DREAM

Cowgirl Heaven

Last week Sophie's dream of riding a horse for days on end and even participating in a rodeo came true.  If you are not aware of her fascination with all things HORSE that began at age 6, you can read about it here, here, and here.  Even her bedroom is decorated with a sweet horse quilt, a framed horse watercolor she painted, and plenty of "Breyer" horse collectibles and stuffed animals.

So, after a few years of riding lessons and realizing that we are obviously not ranch people nor will ever own a horse, I made a deal that if she discontinued the lessons she could have an entire week at "rodeo camp."  Sophie readily agreed, and after finding the perfect cowgirl hat, boots, rodeo shirt, and silver buckled belt, she was off to spend a week in breathtaking Island Park, Idaho with other kids who love horses as much as she does!

It turned out to be the stuff dreams are made of, and the morning I went to pick her up, she was begging to stay another week.  While she was at the camp, Liza and I had a mini vacation ourselves which is just what our neglected child needed - one on one time with mom . . . win-win.  I'm sure this will become a tradition because Sophie is already talking about next year and how she is definitely going back . . .

 Riding into the arena

 Watching her was pure joy

The kids even sang for us and line-danced too!

What a fun evening with my girls!

 Spying on Sophie and camp kids as they ride in from the lake

 Embarrassing Sophie as we check in while the kids are having dinner

Liza taking it easy at Mack's

 Heading out on a hike - such a trooper to stick with me for 5 miles

 That's my girl!

 We even enjoyed an evening of culture on the banks of the Henry's Fork - these kids were amazing! (my friend's daughter is in the center)

For more pics of our time in beautiful Island Park, click here.

How sweet it is . . .

when a child reaches another milestone signifying more freedom for me and more independence for them.

Today's moment came when Sophie rushed in the house breathless, asked if she and best buddy/tennis partner Carli could grab their gear and ride bikes over to our friend's backyard court to play tennis.   The girls have only ventured across the busy road that connects our neighborhoods once, and they made it home in one piece, so Carli's mom and I figured they could give it a go again.

We filled water bottles, sprayed sunscreen, snapped helmet straps on tight, and sent them on their merry way . . .  a couple hours later Sophie appeared in the house with a silly grin plastered on her face that read, "see, I can do it all by myself, and oh ya, we had a blast!"

And I finished vacuuming.  Everyone wins.

Tennis bag packed, ready to go

heading out on her adventure

and they're off!

Soph

Today at Jordanelle

Our Sophie is growing up.

It's been a good week with my girl . . .

Mother/Daughter book group with our Oakridge friends, watching a spectacular sunset together, making carmel corn, taking a bike ride, and relaxing on our front porch this evening - just the two of us, shooting the breeze and eating ice cream on our comfy new bench.

I love ya sweetheart - you make me so happy!

"I don't want to hear it!"

I can't speak for everyone out there, and I'm really not sure how much of the "he said/she said/he did/she did . . ." nonsense and tattling goes on in your families, but it's reaching new heights in the Cantera household.  So I'm back to making the kids WRITE their grievances so we can discuss them when the heat of battle is over.  I have to admit, this tactic is great way to diffuse the war zone because the opposing parties have to sit, breathe, and write out their thoughts.  And the best part is that I don't have to referee while listening to their continuous complaints about each other, but rather smile while reading their notes (see this post for some amusing complaints from Sophie a few years back).  It is mostly Liza and Sophie who are constantly bent out of shape over some percieved injustice inflicted by another sibling, so I just look at the bright side, which is the entertainment value these scraps of paper provide.

A few notes from this weekend . . .

TRANSLATION:  Sophie said Caroline said I was being annoying, and then Sophie said I was being annoying, but I wasn't, but I wanted to look at American Girl Doll books but they wouldn't . . . 
(I'm thinking "let me" might have come next if she had room).

On the back:
I had a bad morning.

From Sophie, a few days earlier:

Hopefully they'll see the humor in a few years :-).

The LION KING

I love, love, love this production.  The beauty, grace, and pure artistry that encompasses The Lion King is unparalleled.  Julie Taymor is simply a genius, and it was a delight watching the show again last night, this time with Liza and Sophie.  It was their first time experiencing the magic, and I made sure our tickets were in the orchestra on the aisle so the girls could view those amazing animals up close as they made their way to the stage, as well as truly feel the rhythm and pulse of the African Savannah through inspiring music and dance.  It was also a treat to have Chris' mom along for the evening.  The girls were so excited to surprise grandma Pat with this special outing and we all enjoyed our time together.

Before the show - so excited!

With Grandma Pat

Almost curtain time

Perfect evening with the girls

For old times sake, here are some pics from the first time we took Ryan and Caroline to NYC in 2005 to see the production . . .

They were so little (notice how they were the same height . . . I remember people asking if they were twins - haha) - seems like yesterday!

Happy Birthday Sophie!

Our little Sophie is growing up - much, much faster than I would like.  She turned NINE yesterday and I can't believe how quickly time is passing.  I miss the days when the "S" sound was so difficult, and she pronouced her name, "Ho-hee," almost as much as I miss her round little face, pudgy cheeks, and pigtails!  Sophie has now become our resident athlete with a love for soccer, track, and tennis.  She has no desire to ever put on a leotard or ballet shoes again, tellling me in a matter-of-fact tone that "dance just isn't for me."

We are so grateful to have Sophie in our family, she adds enough spark to keep everyone on their toes and enough sensitivity to help us remember what is truly important.  I've always felt she was a very special soul and need to remind myself that when those emotions of hers are just too strong for one little girl to handle, she just needs more love, time, and attention.  Don't we all?

Excited to open gifts - 9 years today!

Birthday request - Peter Breinholt concert - and thanks to our friends, Pete sent Sophie a personal "Happy Birthday" from the stage!

Birthday outing - movie, then meeting up with Uncle Travis for dinner.

Blowing out the candles on her cake that Caroline made.

Good-bye school, hello SUMMER

Ahhhh, the final day of the school year.

Desks and lockers emptied, yearbooks signed, hugs goodbye, even tears (notice Sophie - she and her best friend ADORED their teacher and were very, very sad to have to say "good-bye") . . . another year of school has ended with it's usual fanfare of parties, field trips, field days, and excitement.  I think this has to be one of my favorite parts of being a mom - when those last few days seem to bring back memories of the pure freedom associated with the end of school and beginning of summer vacation that I remember so well from my own childhood and adolescence . . . quite nostalgic.

Liza and friend Kate at field day

Sophie helping the girls team during tug-a-war

The local firemen surprised the kids with their trucks

Soph and friends were SOAKED!

After field day, I raced over to the Jr. High to set up for the 9th grade promotion party LUAU.  Thanks to Caroline and Jodelle's daughter Hannah for their help!

Here they come - tired boys after a day at Lagoon . . . let's get this party started!

Ryan and best buddy Sam Peterson  - boys will be boys . . . sigh.

Awesome party - shaved ice, dinner, live band, and yearbook signing!

Our boys didn't mind too much having us there - Jodelle always keeps things lively!

Caroline signing yearbooks this morning w/ friends Maddie and Sophie

Our teacher gifts - a special cookie and movie gift cards.

Liza saying "good-bye" to her kindergarten teachers, Mrs. Pope and Mrs. Oakeson - what a great year!

Sophie and her absolute FAVORITE teacher of all time, Mrs. Menssen.  She will be dearly missed!

Sweet Hunter gave Sophie a hug to help her feel better - she did manage a smile!