Tueller Children Sang as They Walked and Walked and Walked...

Look! They are dressed in the Primary colors...Red, Yellow, Blue...I didn't even plan it.

Squeezin' my baby!

She slid down the hill. It was sandy, can you tell?

Come on, guys! Let me take a photo of us together! (Response: "Umm, Mom, why are we all looking at the back of your phone?")

Oh!!! We get it! Smile!

Poolside

The weather broke a record this year! We have had more 90 degree days this summer than any other recorded in North Carolina. If I remember right, the year we moved to Indiana was one of the hottest summers on record...what is up with us moving somewhere during their record heat years?!? If we ever move again, I hope we plan better, or else move somewhere cold so they can thank us for bringing some heat. heh.

Anyhow, we spend quite a bit of time splashing around in our pool. So much so that little Zac has a tan line from his goggles. He's the opposite of a raccoon. Oh, and hey, look! That's our townhouse in the background--well, not ours. That's the neighbors, ours is gray, theirs is red, but they are built the same.

What goes up, must come down, or children are listening better than I thought they were

Last night, Zachary and Chayce decided to climb to the top of Chayce's 4-drawer dresser (which is taller than either of them) and jump from it onto Chayce's toddler bed. Most of the wooden cross-beams cracked like ribs getting kicked by a horse, though we did not discover this until asking Chayce to go to bed. She said she couldn't go to bed, because her bed was broken. I assumed she meant the fitted sheet came off and just told her to fix it and get in bed. Payge said "nooo, dayee, iz broken!!".

I an attempt to teach them to be careful with things, I took Zachary up to his room and said "what would you buy if I gave you $20?" I of course expected him to answer some toy, which I would then point out that when he is not careful, he is considering the opportunity to break something more desirable than the toy. A good way to teach basic economic theory and introduce opportunity cost, I thought.

His answer? He would buy Payge a new doll to replace the one Zachary had defaced with permanent marker. I felt quite blessed that he had obtained some awareness of the consequence of his actions and that he wanted to make up for them.

So then I went back to Chayce, intending to use the same strategy with her. I asked her what she would do if I gave her $20 and she could spend it any way she wanted. She said she'd buy a new bed.

All in all, it looked like the lesson had been learned before I had a chance to teach it. These children must have a good mommy.

Heaven On Earth

Our theme for Stake Women's Day was Heaven on Earth. We held the meetings today after many weeks of scrounging for supplies for the hygene kits we were going to donate as a stake. Our stake completed 758 hygene kits (I think...give or take 10, it could have been 748, or 768...I caught the 7_8 part during the announcements). Either way, WOW! I was impressed with the women of our stake. Want to know something else that impressed me?

The organization of Stake Women's Day. I don't know the women in charge here yet, I haven't been here long enough to get to know them, but I do know that whoever they are, they must be amazing. To start off, registration for today started two weeks ago ONLINE. There was an awesome website. You really should peruse it to see some of the options we had! WOW!

Hmmm, I wonder how many times I'll say WOW today.

I participated in three classes:
Partners in Achieving
Candid Kid Photos--taught by the amazing Melissa E.
Tantalizing Terrariums

So many things to learn!!

What really impressed me was the work that went into the day. Above each door was not just a printed piece of paper with the classes on it, but hanging signs (almost like in the airport) that showed the way, made in a very well thought-out manner. Lunch was a wonderful South American stew, made with black beans, chicken, and sweet potatoes. Mmmm. Not only that, but there were gluten free and vegetarian options available (though I'm glad I didn't need them). The musical numbers were all beautiful as well. A Trio from our ward sang a song I'd never heard named "My Sister's Hands" and I loved it, as well as the many instrumentals, that were played by others.

Anyhow, I just want to give kudos to the ladies that did all the work, and the time the teachers took to prepare for today. I'm grateful to have had the chance to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Down Days

I often wondered if I was the only one who had days where she'd really rather not be "The One" everyone ran to in the house. The one who planned and carried out school, the one who cleaned up during the day after projects, the one who would say things like, "Hey! Are you ignoring me? I just asked you to [fill in the blank]!", the one who has to take the kids outside to play (and someday, I'll have a yard with a fence where they can go play and I won't have to worry as much, but I'll still worry.) rather than sit and read. Of course, these are only sometimes feelings, and then there are days I could take on the world. Anyhow, though I only have three adorable clones running around, I found this post on another woman's blog quite helpful. I suppose I should say reassuring. I hear her youngest is 11 now, so her others are grown and gone, and doing fine...it's always good to hear from someone who has done it!!
http://askingjane.blogspot.com/2010/06/do-you-ever-have-down-days.html

It's a good one. Love it. Though her site has been pretty helpful in general.

A Day at the Park

Cheeeeeze! Loved the rocking race car.
Sporting some Irish love!
I only have one thought on this photo...why did I let my son wear that turtle-neck in 90 degree weather? What was I thinking? Really?

Chayce's Hair Cut

Miss Chayce has decided that she can handle bangs, and a few layers in her curls. I must say, it makes her look a little older than I hoped.