The Smell of Summer

Do you ever have things that take you back to a moment in time that changed you somehow? Or perhaps a beautiful memory that takes your breath away? Or maybe it's something that takes you back to a time you never want to forget. Sometimes it is a sight, or a song. And sometimes it is a smell. 

Tonight Landon was coming off of a very fun day and night and was having a hard time falling asleep. Quite some time after putting him down he was still talking to himself. So I walked in to tell him it was really time to go to sleep. But instead of just telling him and having him roll over he reached for me. And I picked him up and sat down with him in his chair. 

I sat there for a little while rocking and just drinking him in. The sight of his messy, bleached-from-the-sun blonde hair. His rocker jammies. And the beloved bear he was clutching protectively to his chest.

I just kept inhaling. Willing myself to never forget that sweet toddler smell. Everyone talks about how babies smell (oh the delight of the new baby smell!), but I think we all overlook the toddler smell. It isn't quite as sugary sweet ... but the feelings are just as strong for me.

Landon smelled like a fun late-afternoon swim and water gun fight at Grandma's in his baby pool. Like maple syrup (we went out for dinner and he proudly ordered himself a pancake for dinner). And like little boy sweat - he insisted on three blankets for bed (THREE - in the middle of summer!). And how I never want to forget those moments and exactly how he looked and smelled!

Sometimes it seems he never sits still long enough to really drink him in - so instead I take snapshots in my mind (and on my camera if I can get him to stand still!). Just this week alone it seems like he has grown up in leaps and bound - he's gotten so brave and independent on the playground, around the stairs, and with his friends that it breaks my heart and makes me so proud in equal parts. But when the moment is right and we can really snuggle I drink in as much as I can. 

And someday (a really, really long way down the road!) I hope I'm blessed with a grand baby just like him so I can drink that same Landon-toddler-ness all over again.

A Chocolate Surprise

I was putting my adorable, but very exhausted two year old boy down when I heard a little knock at the door. I assumed it was my nice neighbor wanting to chat about books or children or such. When I got down the stairs I opened the door to knock on her door in return. And what to my delightful surprise?! A box! I wasn't expecting anything ...

And it was taped shut with Godiva tape. 


My day just got a whole lot more interesting.

I promptly took it to my kitchen and opened it up. To find lots and lots of dark chocolate!! And a kind note from a co-worker who appreciated something I did. What a sweet (pun totally intended) surprise!


I can't tell you how much I love dark chocolate ... and Godiva no less! 


I may or may not have already indulged in a couple (okay few) truffles. Heaven, I tell you, HEAVEN!


I don't know when the last time was I felt so appreciated!! Or when I felt like I might be slipping into a chocolate coma :)! 

Guys Day!

My mom called this morning ... she said that my dad (who is home for the week) and James wanted to take Landon to a movie and then out for a Happy Meal.

It was to be a guys-only day. Cutest. Thing. Ever!! 

Landon just arrived back home ... cheering and shouting about how much fun they had. They saw a "monster" movie (Monsters vs. Aliens) and he got a toy in his Happy Meal (still a novelty to him). Little boy heaven!!

Love it!

Collective Soul

Once upon a time a cute boy asked a girl if she would go to a Collective Soul concert with him. She didn't know who Collective Soul was (or any of their songs) but she loved hanging out with him so she said yes! 

It was a cold night in January and it was an outdoor benefit concert in Park City. They rode the gondola up and that was the moment he decided that someday he would propose to that very girl.

They had a fabulous (albeit cold!) time and have never forgotten that magical night.

Fast forward seven and a half years. They are a bit older. That same girl still only knows five Collective Soul songs, but when she heard they were coming to town she simply had to take that boy. You know, to tell him what a great guy he is. 

So she surprised him with tickets. And they made a date of it. This time it was the middle of summer, in SLC, at an indoor venue. And they left their two-year-old at home with a sitter. 

But it was still a fabulous night! This time the girl sang along (to those five-ish songs). They had a great view of the band and a magnificent time.

The End.

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful fathers out there ... and most of all to Jeff and my dad!!

Today at church we discussed different things that make great fathers. It was wonderful to reflect on my own upbringing and how many things my own father passed on to me. I am very lucky to have him as a dad.

And I feel so lucky to have married a man who is such a great father himself.

We woke up and treated Jeff to breakfast. Then he opened his presents - a hand painted tie from Landon, and some new socks (what he actually requested).

Real men wear their kiddo's creations - didn't you know?!

We finished off the day with an awesome steak dinner!! We love you!!

An American Creation

I am terribly behind! I have so much to blog about - do you ever compose blog posts in your head and then never find time to actually type them? That's been the last couple of weeks for me. I'll catch up ... but I had to post this tonight because I thought it was so cute.

For Family Home Evening this month we are talking about America and freedom (in preparation for the 4th of July). I was so surprised when we showed Landon the flag again tonight he remembered what it was (yay for tiny successes!). For our activity we let him make his own flag... 

Cute huh? He was really focused on the stripes - I think it is a pretty legit rendition.

Then ... the evening took a more creative turn :)!

Gotta love freedom of expression, right?