Tales of a Cheesy Retro Motel Pool: Part III: The Ringers

On our last night in Cedar City, Savvy and Auz insisted on swimming in the pool--even though it was FREEZING and WINDY.

Only a few fools kids braved the elements.

In the pool, were my two knuckleheads, my dad {who was too nice to say no to the begging}, and three showoffy girls who were doing cartwheels and tricks into the pool.

Grandpa and the twins were having lots of fun diving after dive streamers into the pool, when one of the girls swam over to Savvy and Auz and asked, "What's your names?"

They told her.

Then she said smugly, "Hey, wanna have a race across the pool?"

Savvy and Auz looked at each other and said, "Okay!"

The five of them started at one end and the girl said, "On you mark! Get set! Go!"

The swimming commenced.

Sav and Auz won the race quite easily--and both said, "Let's race again!"

The girl declined.

"Let's do dives instead!" she said.

"Okay," Sav and Auz replied.

My dad and I laughed.

{Those poor girls still didn't realize they were challenging

a couple of ringers.}

Tales of a Cheesy Retro Motel Pool Part II: Texting

Savvy and Auz just love that

teeny, tiny retro pool.

Last night, two random kids challenged them to a chicken fight.

It was pretty hilarious to watch.

I sent a text to El Jefe informing him of the events.

Me: "First round of the summer games: Chicken fight! H-kids dominate!"

El Jefe: "Awkward."

Me: "The only thing awkward is the chubby chick in the bikini."

El Jefe: "Hopefully she's not the one in the chicken fight."

Me: Giggle-snorting poolside, all alone, looking ridiculous.

Tales from a Cheesy Retro Motel Pool

We are in Cedar City this weekend, watching my kids swim in the Summer Games. Two months ago, when my husband made reservations for a place to stay--he discovered that the motel we are staying at was the last motel in town that wasn't sold out. He booked it. Let's just say it is very retro. Clean. But, retro.

Last night, Savvy and Auz wanted to swim in the cheesy retro motel pool. Grandpa (my dad) and I took them over.

After a 4 hour car trip--Auz was feeling a little wild. He kept trying to dunk my dad! Luckily, my dad has some serious dunking skills--and ended up being the dunker instead of the dunkee most of the time.

At one point, Auz was trying to get away--and my dad grabbed hold of him around his waist. Auz put his hands above his head like an arrow--and started spinning around in circles. He got away pretty quickly.

My dad said, "You were doing the alligator death roll."

Auz replied, "Yup. I learned it on animal planet."

{I don't know what's scarier. The fact that Auz knew to do a death roll as a means of escape--or the fact that my dad knew exactly what he was doing--down to the name.}

"Alligator Death Roll" -- who knew?

The Sunday Funnies

Last week, I stopped by the library
to pick up some books.

Auz and Savvy's favorite activity isn't to read at the library--but to head straight to the computers so they can play online games.

Trying to be a good parent, I informed them that they needed to find at least one book to read--before playing Poptropica.

"But, Mom. I read the Book of Mormon every day," Austin said. "I don't need another book."

"Auz. I still want you to check out a book," I said.

"But, I like non-fiction!" he argued.

Then the teenager piped in, "Mom! I can't believe you are telling him not to read the Book of Mormon!"

"If he wants to play the computer, he has to check out at least one book to read," I replied.

"Mom! You're evil!" Auz replied.

{I'm afraid he's learned the truth about his mother at a young age.}

An Alarming day at the Library

This afternoon, I stopped by the library to pick up some books on hold.

Auz and Savvy had no desire to go in. So, I told them they could wait in the van. It was a fairly nice day so I opened the sunroof and rolled down their windows.

As I jumped out, I locked the van with my keychain--not thinking about the fact that I had also engaged the alarm.

I had been in the library for about three minutes when I heard a car alarm going off in the parking lot. Figuring it was my two knuckleheads, I speedily checked out and came outside.

Sure enough, Auz had decided to get out of the van and the alarm went off.

I laughed as I saw both of them cowering in the backseat.

Then, Auz told me that a lady had also seen them hiding in the backseat. She asked them what their mom's name was--so she could have me paged in the library or arrested for child neglect.

"And Savvy totally gave up your description and told her your name!" he said.

"You gave my real name? First and last?" I asked.

"Yup," she said. "But, I was under pressure."

It was such a proud moment for a loving, yet neglectful parent.

{I'm so coaching them to give the
neighbor's name next time.}

P.S. Sorry in advance Petal

Boy Howdy...I love this boy!

Tonight, as I was cleaning up dinner, I asked Auz to bring over the dishes on the kitchen table.

I watched him bring over a cup.

Next, he brought over a small plate.

Then, he brought over a fork.

He continued bringing items over one by one until I impatiently said, "For the love, Auz, it's okay to bring over more than one dish at a time."

Auz replied, "Sheesh mom! What do you think I am--an acrobat?"

Happy Mother's Day

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

Marjorie Pay Hinckley