Self Starter

Maybe it's me, maybe it's her.  OK, it's me.  I haven't had Tziporah start an instrument because I don't think she'll be compliant enough with practicing.  It's sad when you're the 7th child and your mom has seen too much. You have to write your own music, dig up your own violin and giant bow and be your own teacher.  Ruby reminded me that Ptolemy and Tziporah's synapses are withering away from lack of musical training.  Ugh, I know!  Hopefully, some of those synapses are forming due to the creativity it takes just to raise yourself when your mom has already practiced with kids close to ten thousand times, and she literally can't do it anymore.  New script, please!

Sending Ruby Off

I got to take these beauties to the airport for their Christmas trip to Chicago.  On the way, Ruby almost choked up as she said, "I love traveling.  I can't wait to get on the plane and sit in that dirty seat!"  We all laughed.  Truly, Ruby loves everything about traveling.  Looking back, I marvel at her determination that got her to Europe with Golda when she was only 14.   She hasn't stopped.

Ruby, Kacie and Ally.  They froze, of course, but had a marvelous time.  On the go every second, they saw and did everything from the art institute to Gino's East.

Tziporah is not quite so adventurous.  On the way home from the airport, we lunched at Curry Fried Chicken, a Pakistani place on State Street.  Tizzy wasn't a fan.  I told her, "Daniel Tiger says to try new things."  She was adamant.  She declared, "Daniel Tiger is not real, and I don't want a samosa.  I just want a quesadilla with NO hummus On it or IN it or BY it!"

She was quite clear!  Ha ha.  Maybe a trip with Ruby would cure her of her tunnel vision. ;)

July 23, Zion NP

Chek out the pool at this hotel in Kanab.  It had a "red rock" waterfall.  Tziporah enjoyed her breakfast al fresco while the others slept in.  We wanted to rest up after our early day the day before, getting up at 4 to do Bryce and the Grand Canyon.

We were only an hour away from Zion, so even with sleeping in and having breakfast, we were on the hiking trail early.

I love the red roads in Zion NP.

Scott found a good hike along Highway 9, the southern route through the park. 

Halfway, there was a nice, shady spot to rest under an overhang.

The view at the top was spectacular.

Tizzy was a god little hiker with Daddy's help.

This is where we met Sebastien and Paulina from Switzerland.  They were doing a loop from Los Angeles, and had another week where they hadn't decided what to do.  Scott invited them to stay at our house, since one of their options was flying from L.A. to Salt Lake and driving to Yellowstone.  A week later, they came!

Making a human shield so Tizzy could - you know.

After our first hike, we drove to Springville and got refreshed at a cafe.  We parked and took the shuttle to the Narrows.  Scott had everyone prepared with good water shoes for this hike.  Some of us stayed at the trailhead and relaxed with Tizzy.  I took this picture and Tizzy added the fancy fireworks one Sunday in church.  I loved my hair that color.

We walked around in the water and watched squirrels and people while Scott, Ruby, Victor and Olympe were hiking the Narrows.

Ruby and Victor helping their child through the water.  Tizzy adored them.  She sat in the back with them the whole trip and basked in their love.  She was in heaven.

Sofia had scoped out this rock that people were jumping off.  It looked scary, but these four braved it.  Exhilarating!  Here's a video.  I took quite a few!

I'd say we had a good day in Zion.  We left late in the afternoon when the light was golden, and drove home.

Haircuts

When Ruby decides to do something, she does it.  You can't stop her.  I was reticent to see her long locks go, but she had a plan. And she had a plan for her twin, too.  We had been "working on Tizzy's dreadlocks" for awhile. I adored her matted mess of dreads, but it was time to see them go.

Tziporah, who is usually stubborn and non-compliant, was all smiles about getting her hair cut just like Ruby's. She is putty for Ruby. What am i going to do when Ruby leaves home? I've forgotten how to parent. Ruby usually does that for me!

Big haircuts signal big changes, and as we go into senior year, I have no doubt that the changes will come. Am I ready?...

...This girl is!

Maybe we can do something extension-wise for Victor. ;)

Fleetly Fleeing

This was maybe three years ago.  Now we don't have any babies, Araceli is ten feet taller, and we only see Golda every few weeks.  In three more years, our oldest two will be off on their own, soon to be followed by the next batch.

It goes way too fast.  Way too fast.  And if you want to see fast, just add an extra four kids to the mix.  We had Nikki and Clint's kids this week, and the time just rocketed by, full of games, classes, carpools and lessons; homework, dinner, breakfast and school.  One night, Tizzy asked me to lie down to sleep with her.  I hesitated because, you know, laundry for 12 people, dishes, mounds of backpacks piled up by the front door, full of things to be signed and probably rotting lunch leftovers.  I had Things To Do.

I said yes, though, because closing my eyes for a minute was an irresistible idea.  Tizzy was so incredibly delighted, I couldn't believe it.  She was happy just to have me there.  She giggled, then laughed loudly.  Then she closed her eyes and went to sleep.  She needed so little, and gave me so much in return, in that little giggle of delight.

Before I can fully appreciate her magnificent little 4-year-old giggle, Tizzy will be pulling a Mustang folder out of her school backpack and asking me to sign her reading log.  She'll be a pudgy pre-teen needing new ballet shoes every three weeks as her feet grow.  She'll be a tempestuous 14-year-old, storming out of the kitchen because nobody noticed that she curled her eyelashes.  She'll be a Davis Dart, car bouncing into the driveway whenever we're lucky enough to have her home from all the things she's passionate about.

Then she'll be gone.  She'll come back, but not often enough.  And instead of snuggling in with her at bedtime, I'll lie down in the very spot in our bed where her warm little figure once hogged the covers, sometimes forcing Scott and me to end up on couches.  I might cry because I miss her, but I'll dry my tears because that's what you do when you're all finished drying theirs.

I love this last picture.  Where did Tizzy go?  Celi and Free were probably fighting over her and she left.  Har har

She's Four!

This adorable little scrap of humanity turned four yesterday.  I can't really call her a scrap anymore, like I did when she was born at 5 pounds with just skin and bones!  Now she's a big kid!  She had a party and blew out candles, played with friends and play-doh.

Ruby came home and did her AP psychology homework by giving the girls a test.  "Which is bigger."   They loved it because she told them they were right every time!

Fiesty little thing. She actually whined and fussed all morning as we did our errands, the violin shop, picking up pizza.  She cried for an hour about not wanting bows in her hair.  Drama!

Tricia and Jim stopped by with a cute little outfit and a birthday card with what Tizzy called "a dollar!"  It was more.  lol

Cutest little group:  Lily, Ro, Tizzy, Flora and Jersey

She wanted to carry the box

Precious thing, I just love her.

The whining stage of the day

Scott took Ruby to guitar and Tizzy tagged along to party.  They went to the dollar store, and city creek.  Tizzy's heart's desire was a happy meal, so they went to the food court where Scott could get something more upscale.

These two sisters had the best time.  Scott loved it more than anyone, though.  He just loves his kids, especially when he's spoiling them or thinking of ways to spoil them.

That look of adoration!  Tziporah, we love you so much.