Happy Birthday(s) to Me!

In true Clark fashion, I've spent the last three days celebrating my birthday and it's been grand! Friday, Adam and I went to the George Strait concert and on Saturday, we packed up and headed for Raging Waters in Salt Lake. Each year, my mom's and my students perform there, so we get discounted tickets. It was the perfect way to spend the 100-degree-plus day.

Amber was the star of her class during the performance. She recently moved from the Tiny team to the Mini team (she looses interest if she's not being pushed), and I was worried that she wouldn't be able to pull her weight on a team of girls who are much older than her. To my delight, though, she was the only one who remembered the routine and she smiled like a super star the whole time. It was darling! I'm mad that I completely forgot to take my video camera to the park because her attitude and pizazz were priceless. The best part was the beginning of the routine, where the girls were supposed to mouth the words, "Oh, you're so funky and hot!" along with the music. Amber yelled it out, but it came out sounding like "Oh, you're so f%#@ing hot!" Too funny!

I was sure the kids would be crazy about all the cool kiddie pools and slides, but all three of the kids doffed the usual sposts and spent all their time in the wave pool. Amber was really brave and rode on her own tube, and Karli sat on my mom's lap in the tube to catch a few big ones. Rex loved to run right into the waves and let them knock him over. Despite the gross-ness of a public swimming establishment, I had a great time and Adam even got to save a life (Kinzie passed out and he saved the day...the lifeguards were so inept) and ride the H2O Coaster.

After a stop at McDonald's and some short naps, we loaded the kids up and drove to Draper Park for the concert and fireworks to celebrate Draper Days. Adam and I went before we had kids and it was great fun, so we couldn't wait to revisit the event. We had to take turns chasing Rex everywhere, but the girls got some cool glow sticks and loved the music. My favorite part of the night was the finale of the fireworks set to the 1812 Overture, which is better known as "the song from V for Vendetta". If you've seen that movie, you'll know what I mean. It's the perfect firework soundtrack. We headed for home and the kids and I went to bed. Adam had to stay up all night to study; it was so nice of him to spend the day with us and sacrifice his sleep to prepare for the cursed test (only nine more days!).

Today I woke up and showered right off the bat, since Sunday mornings are always madness at our house and I'm lucky to make it in if I hesitate at all. Then, the kids and I made waffles with the ingredients Leslie picked up (thank you!) the night before. I doused mine with strawberry jam and wolfed it down in time to head to the church to copy the bulletins. When I dropped off my kids at my parent's house to beg for 20 minutes of babysitting (Adam had gone to bed only one hour before this all occurred, so I felt too bad to wake him up), my mom said, "Oh, Marianne (my little sis) is planning to get your kids ready for you this morning. Just bring their clothes over and she'll take care of it." Score! I was thrilled, so I ran to the library, did my copying and folding, and strolled home for a nice, peaceful get-ready session. I got to use my awesome new flat iron that Adam bought for me, and I had time to do my makeup (eyeshadow and everything...that rarely happens!), find my cute shoes and earrings, and pack a well-stocked diaper bag for Rex. It was fabulous. By the way, the girls looked darling and even got a bath. That was awesome, Marianne!

After church, my parents and Leslie cooked a delicious meal of grilled chicken, teriyaki steak, and pot latch salmon, fruit salad with lemon dressing, creamed peas and potatoes, and lemon cake for dessert--all of my favorites. The food and company were wonderful and I appreciate every one's effort to handle the toddlers in my parents' house. Now, I'm spending my evening blogging and scrapbooking. This has been a marvelous (three) day(s)!