Catherine's Lake Jul7 27, 2014

Baba and Ari hiked to Catherine's Lake.  I was having a tough day and needed a mommy time-out to watch the beautiful summer sunset :-).

Dear Leigh

Dear Leigh,
When you turned 5 years old, your Auntie Lisa remembered you loved princesses and dress-up.  I was very proud of myself- I shopped online and found you what I thought would be a fun, dress-up kit that had nail polish and lip gloss, perfume, even a crown and mirror.  Your parents decided not to give you my gift. Instead they purchased a trivia game and said it was from me.  Your parents thought I sent you lipstick, blush and make-up. My feelings were hurt that your parents didn't call me or text me to say the present was not to their taste.   I love you little Leigh and I love my own little girl who loved lip gloss and nail polish and princesses too.   I wish your parents had given the gift away and never said anything to me. By telling me they disapprove of my gift they really hurt my feelings!  I will never send you another gift that takes time to choose and is thoughtful.  I will send impersonal checks made out to your dad so he can pick out gifts like trivia for you.
With all my love and sadness,
Auntie Lisa

Ping Pong Summer

We are cool parents! We took Setareh and friends to Park City for a picnic and to watch Ping Pong Summer, a Sundance film in the park. A few of the girls spent the night in our tent in the back yard and overall we all had a great time.   Setareh said there were a whole bunch a kids at the skate park all dragged by their parents to see the movie.  Pretty funny.  The movie was horrible but so bad that it was funny.
So much food left over we had our friends over the next night and I forgot to take picture

July 24th - Grandma and Grandpa 48th Anniversary!

I FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES!
Great time - there were fireworks all over the valley celebrating their 48 amazing years together!  48 years!  Wow!
I love you mom and dad and am in awe with all that you have accomplished!

Bubble Wrap My Kids?

I just want to keep my kids safe!  There are a gazillion articles about kids not playing anymore and my kids are incredibly lucky...they play outside EVERYDAY! However, the reason most kids don't go out to play is because the world is a scary place and making a good choices can be hard.  It's even harder when grown-ups make bad choices.

I am shocked by the lack of supervision that occurs at the pool next door.  It is irresponsible and reckless and I hate that my kids are a part of it!  13, 11, 9, 8, and 4 are the ages of the kids in the pool, in the dark completely unsupervised!!! I let the kids swim unsupervised for about 20 minutes sick to my stomach during each minute and then I went over and supervised the pool for another 20 minutes, blown away that a grown-up never came out to check on the children in the pool.
I woke Setareh up at 1:30am for a heart-to-heart after another safety issue.  Ahhhhh I feel like I am surrounded by danger in a video game trying to protect my kids.  After our talk - i felt like Setareh was honost and open and that is the only way I am going to keep her safe.  Siamak thought I was crazy but I felt much better.  Even though I want to wrap my kids up in bubble wrap to protect them all the time, I can let loose every now and even go for a bike ride to Yogurt Stop sans helmets....livin' dangerously!!!

Ranney Ranch

I feel really close to Tina Ranney  - from 100's of latka's made for Hannukkah '98 to Kelilah's challah pin she made for me when she was in kindergarten and holding the chuppah for Roger and Tina to renew their vows in 99, they were all at our wedding and FINALLY this weekend we got to see their South Jordan homestead.  Wow!  The work and the dedication to livestock and rural life is amazing.  Kelilah helped Ari ride a horse for the 1st time and to see a foal up close and huggable was incredible.  Fun outing!  My mom has an assignment to figure out the Movitz, Segal, Cohne relationship.  I think Tina's dad and Sonia are some how related but it would be great to know how.  Setareh and I are inspired to raise chickens...Ari thinks the work for owning horses would be fun and Sia thinks...been their done that. I think, if I had been born pre-allergy/asthma medication- I would have never made it.  Allergy pill and inhaler required...4 dogs, 8 horses, 2 cats, 2 dogs, 10 chickens, 2 goats, 2 bunnies and a cranky goose.

Camp at the J

When I was growing up my summers were spent almost entirely at the JCC on 17th South.  I was an incredible experience and realize I was very fortunate.  I learned a ton, grew a ton and shaped much of who I am.  Lip syncing has been a huge tradition at camp.  I am thrilled to see Ari enjoying and growing at the J too!  Here are the pics from, "I Believe I Can Fly" - Boys Maccabiad July 18, 2014.

Volleyball Camp

Both kids took up new sports this summer - I am incredibly proud!  Ari took up diving and Setareh is planning to try out for high school volleyball!  She has been attending camps and workouts at school and I am so impressed!  Setareh is athletic and confident and I am amazed that she can pick up a new sport and just go for it!

Kids

Setareh came home from camp on Sunday night.  So exciting to see her, squeeze her and snuggle with her (she is getting a little big for the our little bed in the basement).  Setareh slept from 6pm on the 13th until noon on the 14th. On the 14th was Ari's 1st 2 night overnighter at the JCC.  LaserQuest, Cowabunga Bay the movies and when he got home...after his 2nd dive meet (coach's parting words..."Ari go take a nap!") on the 16th Ari slept from 5pm on the 16th until 7:30am on the 17th!  Summer Fun!!!
Ari's day home: Soccer practice (1st one all summer), piano lesson, and Farsi class - then some night games.

Mountain Biking With the Boys!

ughh those boys are in shape....
Beaver Creak Trail was a blast but it kicked my ass!  It has been a long time since I worked so hard and had so much fun.  Sissy was at camp and we missed her. Great use of Subaru and the bike rack! Awesome fun!

4th of July!

3 whole days in a row with NOTHING on

the calendar! Spectacular weekend.  Mom and Dad headed to Chicago for David and Maya Springer's Wedding and we were happy to stay home and dog sit.
Lulu loves staying at our house and she is fun to have around in spurts.
We spent the 4th at Alta Canyon watching Ari dive and the 6th at the JCC watching Ari dive.  Ari was so cute with his sparklers Baba bought him at the $1 store.  Yesterday he lit them by himself in the back yard and was very enthusiastic and simultaneously sarcastic about saying, "Happy 6th of July."

The 4th was injury day too...while we were at breakfast I got a call from camp stating Sissy had a jammed her finger playing basketball.  Ouch she dislocated her little finger and had to go to the ER...the only time she's ever needed the ER - so glad it was minor injury.  Looks like she is having a blast despite the hand!  We missed her!

Athletic Ari

During the month of  June 2014 Ari has:

• Attended U of U Soccer Camp
• Competed in 2 3v3 Soccer Tournaments 
• Played Hockey
• Attended Brighton Basketball Camp
• Competed in 3 Track and Field Meets 
• Attended 2 weeks of JCC Maccabiad (Sports Camp)
• Joined the JCC Dive Team.

Right now he is loving diving.  After 3 classes his quote of the summer, " I have learned so much in just 3 days, I love diving!"

Setareh off to Shwayder 6/30- 7/13 2014.

Setareh loves going to Shwayder and I love that she loves this experience.  Sleep-away camp was not for me but I never had the confidence or independence my sweet girl has.  When she 1st went to camp 2 years ago - it was really hard on me to have her away for 2 whole weeks.  This time, we may have needed a little breather and we both knew what to expect so I feel better.  She has grown-up so much since she was my little 11 year old two  years ago.   Beth Levine says "at least eight inches." Literally that's for you Setareh, literally.  MMM I love you - so glad you are building amazing memories and enjoying all the things that make camp such a special and magical experience for lucky kids. 

 

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