Lagoon With Ruth

Ruth got a coupon from school to go to Lagoon at half price for one day only, yesterday. Ruth asked if we could go, but we did not have the extra money so the answer was no unless she wanted to pay for it herself. It took a while for Ruth to decide if that was worth her own money. Finally, at about 8:30 yesterday morning, Ruth wanted me to take her to Lagoon and she would pay. So I went to Lagoon with Ruth and rode all of the scariest rides. (I used to really like that sort of thing-- now I do it to spend time with my kids.) But this was truly a once in a lifetime outing for Ruth and I. John took the 6 younger kids for the day and I went alone with Ruth to an amusement park for 7 hours. (Timing was good because I am not pregnant and the current baby eats solid foods) We had a lot of fun. I enjoyed having the company of just Ruth. She is quieter without Kate. We had fun trying out the roller coasters. We liked the "Wicked" the best. It was really fast with a lot of extreme twist turns and hills. Funny enough, I think Ruth and I were more frightened stopped over the park on the ski lift, then we were hanging upside down in a roller coaster. But what a treasure to have that much time with my little girl!!!

Now, on the other hand, the environment at Lagoon was not good. We seemed to be surrounded and inundated with vulgarity, immodesty, and inappropriate displays of affection. Ruth and I stood in several lines beside groups of teenage/young adult boys who were swearing and talking loudly about bad movies and music and drugs and sexual activity. At one point a father with some young daughters asked some boys standing in front of us to change their topic of conversation. I was grateful for this. I think I need to be bolder in these situations. A lot of women and young girls were wearing very little clothing. There were also groups of decent looking teenage girls using a lot of vulgar language, including the f-word. Another thing that shocked me was the number of kids, Ruth's age and a year or two older at the park without any adults around or even there.Then there were the couples real young like Ruth's age and up into the mid twenties, who were well I'll just say disgusting in their display of affection. We have been to amusement parks in a few different places and they have all had all of these same elements, but just not so pervasively . I am not sure if I should go back with my kids???????Maybe, it was just a bad day there. John and I will have to think about this some more.

Odds and Ends

A whole mess of unrelated things that I want to write:

1. We asked Johnny to get Ruth and Kate for family prayer this morning. When he came down alone, I asked him where Ruth and Kate were. He said they were "doning." (Our interpretation: a cute way to say finishing.)
2. John and I took just Rachel out to Applebees for a date. When she ordered she very cutely said, "I want a corndog with ketchup and french fries." She also spent a great deal of time jumping up and down in the booth.
3. We had a to buy Rachel a new pillow during the recent stomach flu episode because her pillow did not make it through the dryer. Anya, loves that pillow. She took it over immediately and guards it closely. Fortunately, Rachel likes the old pillow better. John learned that it is not going to be a sweet time putting Rachel and Anya to bed if he starts by laying Anya down on the wrong pillow.
4. Joesph finally had a well baby check. He has now gotten his second set of vaccinations. The doctor seemed rather confused at how to proceed from here because he has missed so much. I think we just need to make nurse appointments instead of well baby checks. But I finally know how much he weighs etc. Jospeh is 16 lbs 14 ozs (5th%) and 27 1/2 inches tall (30%). Last check at 2 months he was 15 pounds  (90%). So he is following along with his siblings after all.  Just a little taller. Adam has always been a little bigger at 25% for both height and weight. Johnny's been in the 10% for heighth. So Joseph is my tallest little guy.
5. Ruth, Kate, and Johnny started their new school this week. Johnny came home the first day and said, "I am the smartest in the class. I know more than everyone else." John thinks he needs to be bumped up a grade to help his pride issue. I some how doubt that will help too much. Johnny has also been running everyday because his need to be number one is pushing past academics and video games and now including sports. Johnny has to be the fastest kid too. (Although he hasn't had any trouble with asthma since he began racing.) I have to say that I admire his determination. This need to compete and be #1 is definitely a Robertson trait. In my family, we just accepted being a loser as a family trait and all energy to compete ended there.
6. Ruth says that the kids in the 6th grade swear a lot here. I am sorry about that. I know it bothers her. She probably tells the teacher every time she hears swearing. She also is signing up for Jr. High next week. Poor kid. I think Jr. High was the absolute worst. I hope she can make a couple of good friends to make it through. What a hard time to have to move-- poor girl.
7. Kate has finally begun to read on her own. She has read 2 books in the past five days. That is hard to believe of my stubborn non-reader. She also seems to be caring if she is competitive academically. Gone are the days of painfully making her read and do her homework. (How nice for me :)).
8. I found out that one of my old roommates from Ricks College lives about a half hour from here. We are going to have her family over for dinner. It will be really fun to see her again.
9. I finally got my Utah drivers license yesterday. Now all of my Kansas ties are gone except for those few good friends that I don't want to lose touch with. I guess I am officially a Utah resident in every way. That feels weird. I still feel like I don't belong here. There are a lo of things that are just foreign to me. 
10. Last thing: If I tell Rachel she is pretty, she corrects me and says that she is just cute. When I asked her if she was going to be cute when she grew up, she said no, "I am going to be beautiful." Funny girl!!!!!

New Additions

They are cute, fluffy, cuddly, soft, darling, and I really hope they make it through all of the love that is being showered out upon them. One is named Carrots Kate Super Bunny, and the other is named Black Eyed Susan Super Bunny.

Good News

Last month I posted this:

http://thoserobertsons.blogspot.com/2010/03/frightening-sexual-education-laws-in.html

about new sex education laws in the UK that would really limit parental rights. Well, that part of the bill has been removed. Here is an excerpt from the United Families International blog:

British Parliament removes mandatory sex education reform

In Parental Rights, Religious Freedom, Sex Education on April 20, 2010 at 1:32 pm In an effort to pass new education legislation, the British Parliament has removed a reform that would have denied both parents and religious schools of their rights. This comes as welcomed news after the House of Commons passed the bill with this dangerous reform last month.

Rachel: 4 Going on 13

Rachel has always been a little more emotional and a lot more like a teenager than any of my other girls. Rachel tears up a lot easier, but most of all she is concerned about things that most girls don't even think about until they are at least 13. Rachel cares a lot about clothes. As soon as she could walk, Rachel LOVED picking out her own clothes in the store and trying them on. Rachel was a happier more relaxed baby in a clothing store. At 15 months, Rachel would throw a temper tantrum if I put the "wrong" outfit on her. (At first that was really cute. But by the third time it got her stuck in time out with what ever outfit I had picked out for her on.) As her hair grew in, Rachel became concerned about her hair. If I did her hair in a way that she did not like, Rachel would scream until she was either put in time out, or I changed it. Now, that Rachel is 4, she has been verbalizing some of these feelings rather than just screaming. I have been rather surprised at some of the things my little 4 year old thinks.. About a dress that Rachel likes to wear she said, "I look awesome in this dress. That is why it is a good dress." When I told her that she had pretty eyes, Rachel looked at herself in the mirror and said, "No. I think I have ugly eyes. I do not like the color." Rachel likes her hair best in two pony tails. When I asked her if I could put two cute braids in her hair, Rachel thoughtfully replied, "No, I hate braids, because they make me look ugly." I do not think Ruth or Kate ever thought the word ugly when they were this young, especially in reference to themselves. At 4, Ruth and Kate were the most beautiful princesses in the world. As is the case now, Ruth dressed for comfort (or not at all. Okay, so she does stay dressed now.), and Kate was very particular about her clothes and how they fit, and the color, and how it matched etc, as she still is. But if Kate did not like an outfit or a hairdo the fault was with the style or color, not with how she looked. Ruth and Kate both thought they were absolutely gorgeous. I would have to confess that I worry about Rachel's negative emphasis on her looks at such a young age. I expect this from girls older than 10. I  wonder what this will translate into as Rachel gets older?

Johnny on Spring in Utah

Okay, so this happened about 2 weeks ago, but we have been so busy, I didn't get it posted. On Easter Sunday, I looked out of the kitchen window with Johnny at the 4 to 6 inches of snow on the ground and said, "Snow and it's April. So much for spring." Johnny replied, "I hate frickin (A Utah word that shocks me every time I hear it.) Utah. There is no spring here!" I laughed instead of scolding him for saying that word. Wichita is definitely warmer, and spring does come earlier. But we are set. Utah is our home, so we will just have to get used to the weather.

Ruth's Music Program

Ruth has been working with a group of 5th and 6th graders since January on this little musical program where the kids sang and danced to famous musical songs. I had to drive Ruth back and forth to her Lehi, Ut school for her to finish all this past week. But I am so glad that I did. Ruth had a small solo in one of the songs and she was so excited about it. The kids did a great job.  Ruth sang her part very well, and it was a lot of fun to watch.