Our fourth stop was Kanab, Utah. We visited Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Pipe Springs National Monument and Pink Coral Sand Dunes State Park. We also went swimming, motorized raft on the Colorado River, and horseback riding. Grandma and Grandpa joined us for a week and spent time with the grandkids that included star gazing. I wish I’d spent some time star gazing but I kept putting it off (sun went down after I went to bed) and it never happened.

7/18/2023

Whoo-hoo. We hiked Angel’s Landing at Zion National Park today. This was a stretch for us. (Angel’s Landing is a 5 mile out and back hike with 1 mile of rock scramble to reach the pinnacle. Popular enough you have to have a permit. After missing the early lottery last spring for a permit, I scored one yesterday in my first day before attempt.). My oldest and my husband decided not to join us. Oh wow, it was fantastic. The 10 year old started off grumpy, picking on siblings etc., etc. and I took my own advice, took a breath, looked around and Wow it is beautiful. It provided enough space for me to ask the 10 year old why he was grumpy. He didn’t have a good night sleep and that provided enough connection that he settled out after that. Then on the way back down, he took off way ahead by passing a message through his siblings about his plan. Oops, that led to a couple meltdowns that I was able to acknowledge and validate. Also, not freak out about the fact I basically lost a child and calmly take care of Mom as we sat down for lunch even though I didn’t know exactly where the 10 year old was. I was starving. And one 7 year old cried the last quarter mile because her legs hurt and she didn’t want to go any further. We were on the hottest part of the trail (100 degrees today by the time we finished) and we couldn’t stop. (Mom wouldn’t have started again.) I acknowledged, validated and accepted the crying and promised her when we got to the bridge I would carry her. I couldn’t carry her farther. Once she laid down a little waiting for the shuttle bus back to the car she rebounded. And now we get to say look what we did. Oh and the other 7 year old got her black bear, but it was her turn to I could say yes.

7/25/2023

1. Hummingbirds are tiny.  And how do they move their wings that fast?  One 7 year old said they look like big bugs.  At first, I thought they might be big dragon flies.
2. Grandpa and Grandma joined us for a week of exploring Southern Utah. And I can totally see a few of my parenting strategies as I watch my father interacting with the kids.  It really is generational.
3. The grandparents took all 4 kids yesterday to explore the national parks.  It was so quiet at the house while I was trying to work, I didn’t know what to do with myself without all the interruptions.
4. We went horseback riding at Bryce Canyon.  I was worried about a couple of my kids as they are occasionally afraid of heights.  So for 7 year old #1, I took her aside and explained what it would feel like and put her on my knees to simulate the horse.  I didn’t do this with the other one because she isn’t usually afraid of heights.  So they load us early onto the horses, and the horses start shifting weight and 7 year old #2 starts crying.   And then, 7 year old #1’s horse moves on its own and she starts crying.  And I am sitting on my mule away from them saying it’s going to be okay.  It is okay to be scared but you won’t fall off.  They both sat with it and calmed down and once we go moving had a great time.  7 year old #2 wants to go again. It is really hard when you can’t go to your kids and they are upset. And it taught them they could handle it.
5. It is amazing what the earth’s movement, wind and water can do and the varieties of formations over 200 miles.  If you want to be in awe and feel your life span is only a flash in the pan, come see the many canyons of Utah and Arizona.

7/27/2023

1. Sand sledding is harder than snow sledding and sand stings when it is whipped up by the wind.
2. Kids need downtime and choice.  Wednesdays are the slow days as I have morning and afternoon work meetings.  Activities are short and interspersed with the meetings. For this Wednesday, we were going to make the short drive to the Sand Caves and a museum.  All kid expressed interest but when time came to leave only one wanted to come as the others were engaged in playing.  When I told my husband I was leaving 3 behind, he asked why I wasn’t forcing them to go.  Once they get going they usually have fun.   In his mind, this is their one chance to see this and it shouldn’t be missed and they can always play later.  I told him that is generally true but that they needed to have a choice.  And for me, the stress and yelling of getting kids out the door, the bickering when they don’t want to go affects the activity.   I had a relaxing trip with one kid who wanted to be there and came home to 3 kids playing, excited and having fun.   They didn’t “miss” anything.  Kids don’t need to experience everything and downtime isn’t wasted time.  Why are we always pushing for every moment to be an experience or learning opportunity?
3. My kids miss home.  They miss their space and their stuff.  They miss their routine and the familiar.  Both girls were over tired and crying how they didn’t want to share a room anymore.  They like sharing a room once a week but not continuously.  I validated their feelings and told them that sharing a room is hard.  I think we will see if we can mix it up a bit next location.  Being the youngest and twins gets the short end of the stick on room assignments.
4. My oldest has diagnosed ADHD.   My husband is anti-medication and so far that is not a battle I am willing to have.  My father made a profound comment when talking about the 12 year old’s addiction to the screen, that he is using it to calm his mind.  We can have the medication calm his mind or the screen or to teach him other techniques but I am not sure anything will outweigh the ease and shininess of the screen.
5. Umm….The 10 year old needed a haircut. The photo says it all. Brett may be out of the hair cutting business.