The Big Water Slide at Black Mountain Rec. Center

I am really proud of Jasper today.  He's worked hard on his swimming skills and was able to go down the big hydrotube water slide today.

We finally went to the Black Mountain Recreation Center.  Even thought it's only 3 miles down the road from our house on Greenway, we'd never been before.  It was an overcast day with raindrops falling here and there.  I was really leery of going at all, but I am sure glad we did. 

This morning I was lamenting the fact that the one day we FINALLY go to the BMAC pool it is cloudy, rainy and a bit cold.  Perfect weather for a bike ride, but not the pool.  I guess that's what I get for putting off going until the last day it's open for the summer.

Because of the weather, it was not very busy at all.  We got there at 11:15 AM.  I went with my friends Cydnee and Nancy and their kids.  After Jasper conquered the big water slide I called Mike and told him to throw on some swim trunks and meet us at the pool.  We left a little after 2:00 PM when it got chilly and looked like the rain was really going to come down.  

 Jasper took swimming lessons in June.  He did well in lessons and has really improved over the summer.  Every time we go swimming he says, "Mom.  I'm going to swim to you.  I need to practice for my swim test."

One time I told him that he had to take a swim test to go down the big water slides at the rec centers and YMCA's.  He took it as a challenge and has been practicing ever since. 

When we went to Hermosa Beach in August he told the lifeguard he was ready to take his swim test because he thought if he passed a swim test he could go on a surfboard.

It turns out that the swim tests are at YMCA pools, and the rec centers make you meet the height requirement (which Jasper was a little short for) and you have to be able to swim to the side after the water slide dumps you out at the bottom.

 At first we all played in the kiddie zone and Jasper loved the small water slide.  Since today was the last day the pool was open for the summer, and all Jasper ever talks about is his swim test and going down the big waterslide, I gave him a little push.  Literally.  

I climbed the stairs with him the first time and when he was hesitant to let go of the grip bar and slide I gave him a nice firm push, and down he went.


Jasper told the lifegaurd at the bottom of the water slide, "I want to go again."  After the first time he went down, and every other time too.  They just smiled at his enthusiasm.  I would guess he went down 30+ times.

 Most of the lifegaurds were super nice to Jasper and gave him a little push out of the strong current at the bottom.  The last lifeguard he had for the day told me that he had to swim all by himself to the side with no help.  And so he did!  I think that lifeguard was surprised that he could really do it.

The second time he went down I went up with him again.  He went down, and 2 seconds later a man cut in front of me and jumped down the water slide.  He was playing some type of game with a friend who was in the pool.  He ran smack into Jasper and kicked him in the head.  Luckily Jasper was okay, but it could have ended a lot worse. 


Jasper made a quick recovery.  I watched him tell his story about how someone ran into his head to everyone in line for the next 5 times he went down.



I was watching from the pool below, because he decided he wanted to climb the stairs and go down the water slide all by himself.  He told me, "Mom, I got this.  You stay here."




I watched his tiny legs go up and down the stairs no less than 30 times.  And every time I just kept thinking...he is going to take a great nap today!


Even though I was sentenced to stay behind, when Mike came he was "allowed" to go down the water slide too, and I even went down a few more times with my boys.

Jasper told Mike, "Dad, if you lay down you go a lot faster."  Once he got all twisted up and came out spinning.  He kind of scared me, Nancy and the lifegaurd.  Jasper was a little shaken up too.  The lifeguard told him it was against the rules and he shouldn't do it again.  Jasper told him, "I don't want to do that again."  Another lifeguard then told me that sometimes the really small kids get spun around because they are so small.


It cost $3 for adults and $2 for kids.  Best $8 we have spent on a family activity in a while.  If you see Jasper, he will be thrilled to tell you about the water slide.  He has asked me no less than 10 times this afternoon, "Mom, when is it going to be open again?"  We may have to start a countdown calendar.

Drop and Roll -- Gymcats Gymnastics

Sept. 03, 2011

Last week we went to a free class at Gymcats with my friend and Rachelle and her kids.  Jasper and Savanna LOVED the Supercubs gymnastics class.  

Favorite things included: Somersaults, cartwheels, back bends, rolling, tumbling, trampolines, parallel bars, jumping, running and stretching.  Balancing bean bags on your head. Not to mention working on coordination and concentration. 

Jasper is very athletic and loves anything physically challenging.  He even loved the warm-up where they pretended to be airplanes and ran around in circles.

If you are new you wear a blue circle sticker with your name on it.  Jasper would NOT take his sticker off.  He even slept in that shirt with the sticker on it.  He told me, "If I keep my sticker on they will let me come back again."  He kept asking me, "Mom, when are we going to the funnest gym in America again."

Gymcats classes are not in our budget right now, but they sure are a lot of fun. And they have open gym from 12:00 - 1:00 PM which we are planning to go to some Fridays.  It's $6 for non-members.

 

 

BYU Football Baby

Four years ago Jasper was born on opening day for BYU football.  BYU beat Arizona that day, 20-7. That was something to smile about. (Yes, Mike was listening to the game at the hospital, even though I was in labor.)

My last assignment for work was at BYU, so I received a lot of BYU themed baby gifts for Jasper.  He was fully decked out in BYU garb in the hospital.

And just like 4 years ago, BYU won their opening game today.  GO COUGARS!

You've Got a Birthday -- Shout Hooray!

(Photo of Jasper & I nine hours after he was born, snuggled up in a blanket my friend Jeni Starley and I made.)

I'm a member of the mother's club who wonder how the days fly by so quickly and kids grow up in the blink of an eye.

Four years.  Today Jasper is four years old.

I love this photo of him when he was brand new.  I remember being so excited to hold him.  And so grateful my pregnancy was finally over.  I worked full time (plus) as an IT Business Analyst and traveled throughout my pregnancy.  Jasper has stayed over 75 nights in Marriott hotels and flown over 25,000 miles before he was born.

I loved my job.  I left because I can always go back to work, but I can never get my fun-filled days of endless Jasper adventures back. I'm grateful that I was able to leave my job and be a full time wife and mom.

This is the first year that Jasper has been SO EXCITED to have a birthday.  Jasper has been waiting 8 months to go up front and be sung to in Primary. The long awaited day came last Sunday and Jasper couldn't have been happier.

Jasper has been saying, "I'm growing to be 4 on my birthday." Yesterday he asked me, "Mom, am I going to have any more birthdays after this one?"

Yes Jasper, you will have more birthdays.  I just hope they won't come so quickly!

   (Photo of Jasper taken today on his birthday while we were walking around the Las Vegas Temple.)

Happy 4th Birthday Jasper

Our Weehoo Bicycle Trailer is Here!

Jasper's 4th birthday is tomorrow and his big birthday present arrived just in time.

We are so excited to take our Weehoo out for a spin!  Ever since our first test ride we have been ready to roll!

Jasper had a great time helping Mike assemble all of the pieces.

I sold our Chariot Bike Trailer to help pay for it, and my parents and grandpa sent Jasper some birthday money so we could get it.

Jasper calls it "my new red bike."

THANK YOU to Grammy and Papa Havens and Grandpa DeArmitt for the best birthday present!

I Will Be Happy On Earth

(Photo from our fun trip to Hermosa Beach two weeks ago).

While Jasper and I were out running errands this afternoon we were listening to some Primary songs that we're trying to learn for our upcoming Sacrament Meeting presentation on October 23rd.

One of the lines from the song "I Will Follow God's Plan for Me" says: "I will be happy on earth."
After Jasper heard that and said, "Mom, I want to be happy on earth."

It was so sweet and sincere.  I thought, "I want to be happy on earth too!"  It always catches me off guard when I realize that Jasper is really listening to every word of the song lyrics AND thinking about their meaning.

I asked him what he needed to do to be happy on earth and said, "I need to make good choices and not go in time out."  

I'm grateful to be Jasper's mom and to constantly be reminded to be more like a little child.

Here's the link to listen to and/or download the song for free.

And here's the link for all of the songs we are learning for the presentation.

I Will Follow God's Plan for Me
My life is a gift; my life has a plan.
My life has a purpose; in heaven it began.
My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth
And seek for God’s light to direct me from birth.
I will follow God’s plan for me,
Holding fast to his word and his love.
I will work, and I will pray;
I will always walk in his way.
Then I will be happy on earth
And in my home above.

Words and music: Vanja Y. Watkins

Girls Night Out Baby Shower for Nancy Ashby

Save the date and come celebrate!
Date: Thursday, Sept. 8th
Time:  6:00 PM
Place:  Angela Davidson's home

We're having a girls night out to celebrate Nancy having her first baby BOY!  

Join us for an evening of Nancy's favorite things.  We'll eat Cafe Rio style salads for dinner.  While we visit and Nancy opens her gifts we will treat ourselves to a foot spa / pedicure. 

Rachelle and I will provide the soaking salts, foot mask and lotion.  Come soak your toes and scrub your heels and get your feet feeling great.

 



We are so excited to give Nancy some baby BOY items!
Nancy needs:
Size 2, 3 & 4 diapers
Bath items (soap, lotion, diaper cream, etc)
Pacifiers
She has her eye on a bedding set that we're getting for those who want to contribute to a group gift.

For your pedicure, please bring:
-- A foot tub (i.e. dishpan).  We have quite a few, so don't go out and buy one.  But if you have one, bring it.
-- A thick towel to put under your foot tub (i.e. pedicure station) and a hand towel to dry your feet with.
-- Nail polish, foot scrubber, favorite pedicure items.

RSVP by Saturday, Sept. 3rd to:
Angela Davidson or Rachelle Abbott
Please let us Rachelle know if you want to bring an item for dinner.
Please let Angela know if you want to contribute to the group gift.


HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Beach Rock Collage

Jasper and I are headed to the beach in California next week, and I think this would be so fun to make when we get home. I think we will use shells instead of stones.

Ghost Rider

Yesterday Jasper was outside drying off after our water adventures.

I glanced out my kitchen window and saw him pedaling a Hot Wheels bike around with a towel over his head.

He thought he was so funny! I ran out to record the Ghost Rider (video below).

What Are You Searching For?

Mike and I are sitting on the couch cracking up right now.  He is excited because my blog has almost 20,000 hits.

Of my last 500 blog hits, 20% of them came from Google searches.  Weird and silly Google searches.

Mike looked up the key words that people are searching for when they land on my blog.  The top search is:

CAN YOU REFRIGERATE A CAMELBAK?  Here's the link to my Camelbak blog post.

I find this funny because it was a pretty lame post, and I got NO COMMENTS whatsoever.  I have even contemplated taking it down because it was so random and I wondered if no one commented on it because everyone now thinks I am weirdo!  But obviously it is a HOT TOPIC!

Another favorite search I am getting hits on:  "What's the name of the bad guy in the Smurfs movie?" Here's the link to my Smurfs post. 


I write my blog so I can remember our everyday life and so our family and friends can take a peek into our home.  If I end up solving the questions that other people are pondering, then I guess that's a nice bonus!

So here's my blog marketing advice to those of you out there making money off your blog and trying to get more hits....write a blog post about a weird topic that people have a question about.

The photos of Jasper "working" on my computer are from December 2008.  This random bonus photo is from the same time frame.  Jasper is trying to get out the front door of the house we rented on Monument Point...with my keys in hand.

Slide and Sprinkler Fun in the Sun!

I realize that 107 degrees isn't as hot as it gets in the summer in Vegas, but it sure felt HOT today.

We were supposed to have some friends over this afternoon to play on our big blow up waterslide.  But when Mike went out to blow it up, and we have a HOLE!

Jasper and I had been cleaning all morning, so we were ready for a little fun.  

We filled up the play sink, the tug boat (that doubles as a mini pool), broke out some rocket popsicles and got our feet wet!

Then we broke put the sprinkler and some balls out for some more fun.

Below is a video from this afternoon.

We're Selling our Bike Trailer

I just posted our Cougar Chariot 2 Bike Trailer/Stroller on Craigslist.  I am surprisingly sad to sell it. 

We've had it for less than a year, but it's brought us a lot of fun biking memories.  We bought it used, 5 years old with only 20 miles on it for $150.

Jasper BEGS to get in the trailer for a ride and always shouts "Wheeee" when we start riding.

The above photo of him with the red bandana under his helmet was taken on a very  really windy that day.  to keep out the wind I wear a bandana under my helmet to cover my ears, so he decided he need one too.

I had to include the view from my handlebars when we have to stop so Jasper can take a potty break on the side of the road.  My apologies to the residents in the San Jacinto streets area.

We're ready to move up to a Weehoo iGo Trailer Bike and make some more great memories. It's hard to believe Jasper will be 4 in a month!

Post script:  It sold in less than 24 hours for $50 more than what we bought it for a year ago.  Here's my listing:

Chariot Carrier, Cougar 2 -- Bike trailer and/or stroller

Chariot makes a great bike trailer with many wonderful features.  There's plenty of room for your child to have a drink, a snack, books and toys in the trailer with them.

Every time we start our bike rides my sons says, "Wheeeee!" He begs to go on bike rides in this trailer.

Features:
Seats 1 or 2 kids -- up to 100 lbs total.
5 point harness
Adjustable spring suspension -- adjusts according to passenger weight
Cargo pocket plus large rear storage bag
Adjustable height handle
Top shelf accessory cargo rack ($80)
Stroller attachment -- 2 front wheels ($75)
Bike attachment ($70)


Folds easy for storage in garage or to fit in your car.
Colors: Red/ Black and Grey

This Chariot has always been stored in the garage.
I would love to see this go to someone who's kids will enjoy riding in it as much as my son does.
This trailer is 6 years old and is in good shape. The price for a new Chariot Cougar 2 is $620. This one comes with over $225 in accessories. It would cost over $800 for a new Chariot Cougar 2 with all of these accessories.

(Apparently) The Smurfs Are Back!

One of the movie trailers for Kung Fu Panda 2 and Cars 2 was for a movie about the SMURFS!  Major flashback to the 1980's for me.


Today Jasper went to the new Smurf's movie for Peyton's 5th birthday party.  He came home happy as could be.

He scored a Smurf goody bag full of trinkets and candy.  He got some popcorn at the movies...which he thinks is so cool.  

This morning Jasper told me that he really hoped there would be cupcakes at the party.  He LOVES cupcakes, and was so happy that they had cupcakes with blue frosting.


He was pouring over the party invitation during breakfast and asked, " Does this mean they will have Smurf toys to play with at Peyton's house from now on?"


He loves blowing his Smurfette party blower.  He kept asking me to read the words on the blower, which say, "SMURFY" (of course.)

 After the party he ran through the front door and said, "I don't remember the name of the bad guy.  I don't remember the name of the castle.  And I don't remember the name of the machine." 


Later on Mike came in to get the scoop on the party and movie and blurted out, "Gargamel".  He then felt a bit embarrassed that he remembered the name of the "bad guy" from his childhood Smurf days.


Jasper thinks bad guys, castles and machines are pretty cool, so I'm sure he liked the movie.

It's only the third one he's ever been to in a movie theater, and the first movie he's gone to without Mike and I.

So far he's only been  to the Cinedome on Greenway in Henderson.

Post Script: We asked Riley's brother Peyton what the machine in the Smurfs movie is and he said it's a LEAF BLOWER!

Duel

Jasper is at a Smurf birthday party right now. 

He left our light sabers on the ground so we could pick up our duel where we left off as soon as he gets home.

I'm the tiny blue sword.  :)

More Vitamin C needed!

The last few days we have all been sick!

Jasper had an ear infection, and since he has tubes in his ears, that means he has goop draining out of his right ear.  Jasper tells everyone, "My ear is leaking", and it is.  He was also congested and had a cough.  The Dr. prescribed a Z-Pak antibiotic and some Ciprodex ear drops.  Since kids recover so quickly, Jasper is now bouncing off the walls!

I've had a major sinus infection with plenty of congestion and coughing, and then passed it on to Mike.  I'm happy to say that we are finally feeling better and on the mend.

Here's the advice I got from about what to take.  Delsym is the best cough syrup.  Instead of Dayquil, take Claritin-D or Zyrtec-D if you are congested.

Mom, What's Your Status?

It cracks me up when Jasper repeats what we say.

Mike often asks me, "What's your status"?  Meaning -- Am I ready for bed, still writing in my journal, etc.

So today Jasper asked me, "Mom, What's Your Status?"  It sounded so funny coming from his 3 year old lips.

His favorite question to ask the last few months is "What's your day today?"  He is trying to ask, "How is your day going?", but it always comes out somewhat jumbled.  It's a sweet and sincere question that he asks me at least twice a day.

He loves it when I answer, "My day is going really well.  I have a little boy named Jasper and he is making a lot good choices today and minding -- which makes me very happy."

Aspen Grove Recipes

I've always dreamed of spending time with Mike and Jasper at Aspen Grove.  I hopped on their website to see about possibilities for next summer or fall, and stumbled on this recipe gold mine.

It feels like their recipes would be top secret.  Maybe they get so many recipe requests that they decided to just post them all.  What a treat to be able to explore all of their recipes.  I still feel like I'm peeking into someone's treasured recipe book.

Grilled Chicken Cordon Bleu sounds delicious.  That same page lists a recipe for Grilled Chicken and Avocado Corn Salsa.  I really want to try the Balsamic Grilled Chicken Breast with Roasted Red Pepper and Corn Salsa.

Their recipes for Heavenly Potatoes and Beef Stroganoff confirm my cooking theory that every recipe that is "to die for" contains cream cheese or heavy cream.  :)

And for you BYU Mint Bownie lovers, they list that recipe too!

Who Painted the Sky?

Last night Jasper ran to the sliding glass door and summoned me over to look at the beautiful  pink and purple sunset.

Later that night while riding in the car he asked, "Mom, who painted the sky?" 
I tenderly explained that Jesus Christ helped to create the Earth under the direction of Heavenly Father. 

He then asked. "Who painted the trees?"
"Who painted the grass?"
"Who painted the rocks"?
I answered the same.

I thought we were having a somewhat spiritual conversation until he asked, "Who painted all of the street signs?"
I stammered to reply, "The sign company." 
Jasper quipped, "Oh.  Is the street sign company office far, far, far away like Heaven?"

When we got out of the car he announced, "Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ created this beautiful Earth for me and you and all of the people to live on." 
Amen.