Boondocks & Capitol Reef

So, what do I have to talk about this time? A few things. Last week I finally had a chance to take the girls to Boondocks. We've needed a "fun day" for a while, but I've been waiting for a good Tuesday to go, when it's only $12. I thought it would be good to wait until after school started, but it was eerily uncrowded. I didn't mind too much, but the girls thought there should be more kids there. There was some company who sent their employees for the day, so it was pretty much just us and a bunch of geeky men. We played 2 rounds of miniature golf, rode the bumper boats at least 4 times, the speed way several, and lots of the 4D movies and flight simulators (Sophie did not like the ones that went upside down).

The following day we had a hike to go on with a group of homeschoolers. We hiked up to Battle Creek Falls in Pleasant Grove.

Friday we took a little vacation and went camping. Finally made it to Capitol Reef. The first thing on our agenda was to find the open orchards so we could go pick some free fruit. They only had apples and pears at that time, but that was good enough. We got several apples and filled our bellies. We drove around and stopped at a couple of the historic sites -- the schoolhouse, the petroglyphs, and the Gifford Homestead. Couldn't pass up the pies there. Then we went back to our campsite to make dinner and eat our pies. Then we went for a short hike and wandered through another orchard before it got dark. Our neighbors all quieted down by 10:00, and we had a good nights sleep! Our first camping trip this year we didn't freeze! I could have stayed another night. In the morning we packed up, and then went hiking. We drove the scenic route and stopped at a few places to climb on the rocks. I don't know what it is about those rocks, but the kids just love them.

You can view all the pictures from camping here.

Sunday I made a decision I've felt needed to be made for a long time. I closed my kitchen. I don't know how you do things, but I've never been one to believe in being a short-order cook for my children. You either eat what I make or you don't. More often they choose not. So, what's worked for us for quite a while (years) is that they make their own breakfasts about 1/2 the time (if we have pancakes or muffins they'll eat what I make -- usually), they always make their own lunches, but I insist that they eat dinner with us. If they try it and don't like it they can get some fruits or vegetables to supplement, but not much else. Well, being responsible for themselves for such a long time you'd think they'd be really good at taking care of themselves. But they're not. They have such a hard time with the clean-up. I don't want to be too hard on them and be nitpicky about every crumb, but it really bugs me! I finally decided that if I want my kitchen to be as clean as I need it to be, that I have to be in charge of it. So... no more making their own meals. They now have to eat whatever I fix for them. They thought it was going to be miserable at first, but they're doing pretty well. I think they even like feeling like I'm serving them. And I gave them the privilege of filling out the menu so that they get to pick the meals I make. But just between you and me, I absolutely hate making the menu (one of my least favorite chores), so it's a win-win.

Monday night David McCullough was speaking at UVU -- on Constitution Day. But it was FHE, so unless we made it a family activity I couldn't go. My family didn't want to go, so we didn't. I only mention it so some day they will know what a huge sacrifice I made for them. And maybe you can offer me a little sympathy?