Letters to Lyla and Lottie

Baking with the kids "helping" is always an adventure but today was particularly comical. Lyla decided to dump her mixing bowl full of cereal (ya do what ya gotta do to keep her busy) on the floor. While i was sweeping that up, she cracked at least 3 eggs over the counter. So there i was, frantically grabbing things using my arms legs, and boobs., rushing so I could get screaming Lottie out of the bumbo. All the while smashing Captain Crunch beneath my bare feet. Did I mention I forgot the butter softening in the microwave? A little while later, Lyla had a code brown in the tub where she was washing a quart of finger paint off every inch of her body. I watched it all happen helplessly sitting on the toilet nursing Lottie.

We went to a family friend’s cabin for a couple days.  It’s right on Panguitch Lake; so obviously beautiful.  It was nice being in the outdoors and spending time as a family.  I brought some crafting stuff I wanted to make for Lyla’s birthday (more on the later!) and Jenny brought sewing stuff.  It was a little crazy trying to craft with the kiddoes, but we still had a lot of fun.  Lyla just loves the outdoors.  We went on several walks while we were there and picked wildflowers.  We also roasted weenies and smores.  The first night, Lyla turned from a happy crazy outdoor baby, to a cranky little monster!  She was teething.  And she screamed for almost an hour straight.  And she woke up Lottie.  And the whole cabin.  So we packed everything up and went home at 1am.  That was one of those “earning your stripes” kind of moments.  She was much better at home.  We went back up the next day and spent the day enjoying the beauty.  And went back home that night  

We took the kids to the Greenshow for their first time.  It was some type of anniversary for the Shakespearean Festival so they did a different type of performance than usual.  We didn’t love it and wished they’d sing more.  Lyla loved when they did sing.  She would dance away like a little free spirit.  Lottie even bounced to the rhythm.  One lady said she was more entertained watching Lyla than the show.  LOL

We had the Gambles Family Reunion of the 24th of July.  We had it coinciding with the Swan Lake Centennial  Celebration.  Swan Lake is 100 years old! They celebrated big with a parade and gathering.  I don’t think Swan Lake has seen that many people in, well, maybe ever.  Lyla had a ball with her cousins.  She ran and played all stinking day long.  It was sure fun showing Lottie off.  The grandkids rode in the parade (minus Lottie) in Grandma’s jitney.  Lyla rocked it.  We went to a firework celebration that night which was also fun.  Lottie slept through the whole thing and Lyla clung to me in terror the whole time.