The answer of course is an absolute and resounding anytime...with a clause of course, "You understand that there is nothing to do, don't you?"
"How about August?" they suggest.
With that one there is no hesitation, no clause, it is a resounding, "No. It's way too hot! We would just sit around, staring at each other, and sweating at the same time."
Most days it is over 100 degrees here. If it dips into the nineties it is like manna from Heaven above. About a week ago we had some storming and it got close to being down right cold at 85 degrees. Can I just say the wind is wonderful when it is so incredibly and inescapably hot, it makes 115 degrees feel like 110. Awesome, right?
So what do you do in the summertime when the world is scorching hot? Do you jump in the pool, or climb in the fridge, or run in the nude all day? Is that what you do? So do I! (Sorry, I find I can answer most questions with a reference to the Primary song. I know, I'm cool).
Anyway, we swim, every single day, after having slathered every inch of our white bodies in 70 spf. Well, after having slathered my white body, Maddie's white body, and Tommy's brown body in 70 spf. It is quite unfathomable that boy. I promise he wears sunscreen religiously everyday and right now he is a little Oreo cookie. Brown back, brown legs, with a little white booty in between. It is funny!
The other day we were at the pool. Maddie was playing in a little kiddie pool that is just barely too deep and she is brazenly too brave. So subsequently I am watching her like a hawk. She happened to slip and fall. Her face went into the water for about a millisecond but enough time for her most beloved binkie to fall out. I grabbed her out, checking to see if she is okay, and while she is gasping for breath she is frantically looking about and saying, "Binkie, binkie, binkie!" Sometimes I think she likes that thing more than me!
Yesterday we thought we would take a road trip to Amarillo, Texas. Now George Straight sings a song about Amarillo, Texas, so I assumed that Amarillo would be impressive. Hmmm, I'm not quite sure why George is enamored with that place but that is beside the point.
Highlights:
-Michael's Craft Store.
-Petco (I know, I know, you must be thinking, "Golly these here folks must be from up yonder in Guymon, Oklahoma. They been fixin' to come to Amarillo and they come to this here Petco fir fun." Well you're right.)
-And finally an actual destination that is worthy of a two hour road trip, Wonderland Amusement Park.
Well I learned precisely three things from this wonderful Wonderland trip.
1) (Amusement Park + Texas) Heat = Torture. The only way an amusement park in Texas in the summer could be fun, or rather tolerable, is if you were covered in sunscreen of course but running about sans clothing.
2) Tommy is not a fan of roller coasters yet. He was dying to go on a log ride. You know the kind, a log in a stream, they carry you up a hill and then drop you down the other side with a large splash along the way. He was incredibly excited. He and I got into our log raft, all laughter and smiles. As the ride progressed his smile began to waiver and the laughter all but faded away. As we climbed the hill his little body tensed and the brisk patter of his heart seemed visible through his shirt. When we got to the top of the hill I would have given anything to stop the ride and get my little buddy off...but such is the fate of amusement park rides...down we fell. I clutched him as tight as I could attempting to reassure him that in fact he would live through this. As the torrent of water splashed us at the bottom, a torrent of tears fell down his face. I'm sure people were looking at me thinking, "Way to go Mom, take your little kid on that scary ride." So, yet again, Mother of the Year Award coming my way. Really do these events have to happen in such quick succession?
3) Finally, it has been way too long since I have unabashedly screamed while riding a rollercoaster. Confession: I love them...too much...really. My idea of a super fun vacation would be sending the kiddos to Grandmas, hopping on a plane, and heading for Six Flags. It would be awesome, I promise.
So the moral of the story: don't visit Guymon, Oklahoma, but if you must (say because two of your cute grandchildren are here) then come, but only once the temperature has fallen. December perhaps?
One last thing...Have a happy Independence Day and all my Utah family and friends, enjoy your fireworks for me please. It is so hot here and surrounded by dry (and by dry I mean dead) grass fields meaning no fireworks. You could probably start a fire just by thinking about fireworks, really, it's true. So enjoy! Maybe next year we will enjoy them too!
Love to all!
