Get away

 After more than two years, Matt and I had a little weekend to ourselves. Hooray!

It worked out that two would be at camp for most of the time so the Grandmas would only have to wrestle two wildlings for a couple days each.

 We decided to stay in town, enjoying our own home and the best of Boise's eats. Once Matt was off work and the boys were settled in, we headed straight for Tin Roof Tacos. Our new favorite in town, the fried chicken taco is killer!

 We hiked up Table Rock and took some awkward photos to prove it.

 Matt finally got to try Bleubird in downtown Boise.

 And! We tried out a new place for both of us, Bacon.

 To cap it off, we all met up at Sockeye to celebrate Father's Day.

And then, because I was feeling particularly rested, I wrote this little tribute to my dad:

Cheers to dads who get ruffle-y socks to match puffy-sleeved dresses. Who take little girls to see Broadway shows and Clint Black concerts. The guys who teach their daughters the names of flowers while they complain about the weird smell of Home Depot. Who have a panic attack about the mention of a crush but want all the details. Cheers to the man that made me creative and fierce. Miss you, Dad.

Idaho Botanical Garden

My dads sister Tina was in town for a bit. She is a fun aunt who loves get out and explore. She told me the Botanical Gardens were have some kind of scarecrow competition and invited the boys and I to come check it out. I count these kind of excursions as school time so it was a two-for ;)

My cousin Becky was able to join us to boot! We lucked out on the perfect fall day, the place was full of gorgeous autumn color.

The perfect outing until I asked Aden to stand next to these cattails...

...exactly one second after this picture, he fell in the water! He likes to tell people I pushed him in. (he changed with some clothes that were thankfully in the car and was promised a video game for his trouble)

 Sometimes this homebody just needs to get out and see this beautiful place we live, thanks Aunt Tina!

60

My dad would have turned sixty this week.  He was always the birthday wizard, making special days extravagant. I'd like to think all my party planning madness came from his genius. So I thought it only right that I do a birthday post.

I happened upon a website where you enter your birthdate and it spits out a mostly right-on analysis of your personhood. (gee-golly am I ever a sucker for that type of thing!) My Dad's said it perfectly, in regards to my memory of him;

 "... July 23 people also have a great deal to offer the other party in a relationship: their highly developed problem-solving abilities, compassion, understanding and human qualities are invaluable....
The emotional complexity of those born on this day, their warmth and human struggle, generally makes contact with them meaningful."

A whole lifetime of meaningful packed into his 42 years. Cheers, Dad!

storytime

 
How was your weekend? Matt was out of town for Sunday so I sat around all day & let the boys entertain themselves. I had entire pints of ice cream & caught up on all my shows, like I had just had a bad break up. I even did the ugly cry when Will Schuester proposed on Glee.
 Matt & I had a terrible dating relationship. Our very first break up was so silly. I was going to see my dad & I said I would miss Matt, he would not say it back. Well, I really didn't think we had anything left to say after that. (double snap!) We worked it out later over the phone, me in Arizona, but Matt was in front of a living room full of people at his mom's. (back when you were tethered to the wall to talk on the phone) He started crying & got a bloody nose. Now tell me, would it not have just been easier to say, "I'll miss you, too"?!
image found here

green thumb

 This little gem popped up in our yard about a month ago. Eep! Eep! More pink flowers? I know I am in the right place. Also, hummingbirds are consistently found hovering around it.

 Kaleb has always had an interest in nature. He is happiest covered in dirt & looking for wildlife. I appreciate his green thumb because no one else in the family has it. I think his shaggy 'do goes with his personality so good, looking all the more like Grandpa Jeffrey as well.

I snapped a few photos of his on his first day of school. He is a 4th grader this year. (Whaaa???) Parker, Kaleb, & Aden are going on the adventure of Virtual Academy with me this year. It is public school curriculum done at home & a certified teacher is available for meeting standards & help if needed.

 The flexibility in schedule combined with the uncertainty going on in our life right now, were the reasons I thought it would be a good fit. Wish us luck! (I will post the other boys pictures as well. Kaleb started first because his materials came in the mail first.)

And another

My dad with my sis & I. Going out for New Year's Eve, maybe 1993? And this got me to thinking about another parenting tactic we Archuletas subscribe to, DO IT ANYWAY. When WHATEVER WORKS fails, DO IT ANYWAY.

Should young girls stay out late on New Year's? No, DO IT ANYWAY.

Are strapless dresses appropriate for said young girls? No, DO IT ANYWAY.

And, I am glad Dad did. He always played the carnival parent on our visits with him & it made for amazing memories Linds & I still smile about.

Matt & I try to work this in when we can. Like the other night at the latest Harry Potter flick. Did it give the boys nightmares? Yes, we did it anyway. Were the 4 Diet Coke refills & jumbo tub of popcorn excessive? Yes, we did it anyway.

Should I be blogging about parenting? No, BUT I AM DOING IT ANYWAY.

Tired

I was trying to find a way to blog about how I am feeling with Thanksgiving coming, then I found this pic that said it all. My dad with Lindsay & a very grumpy me.

Parenthood is hard. It is all about staying in the game. Not winning or success, just hanging in there to see another day. Matt & I are tired. And that my friends, is why we are eating take out for Thanksgiving. If it makes our day as easy going as we think it will, then it will be an official Archuleta tradition.

That is another parenting gem; WHATEVER WORKS.

Beach Babes

I came across these beauties from 1990, yesterday. They still had the hand written note from my dad attached. He died when I was 14, so his handwriting is one of my favorite ways to remember him.

I love how free Linds & I were at this age. For the record, she is totally rocking that itty bitty red bikini. He was always a Dad that let us be weird & giggly & all things girl. I miss that, I miss Him. Lindsay has been dreaming about a sister road trip for years. I think this San Diego Beach will be part of the trip.

And dear sister, I will find you another awesome red bikini.