Salem Days "caught it!"

We just finished a weeklong celebration of Salem Days, the theme this year is "Spirit of Salem, catch it". It’s a great way to end the summer and we have so much fun every year.


Tuesday: Austin and I played on a team in the kickball tournament. Amberlee, Alli and Trevor were all on the team as well.  We had a lot of fun, the competition was fierce. We were playing until 9pm. Our team lost all 4 of our games, but it was good fun.

Wednesday: Lydia was in the baby contest for the last time. She did great and she was so excited to wear the outfit she had picked out. She was very personable, telling the judges her name, age, favorite colors and even that Fiona was her best friend. That night we went to the movie in the park. They had soda, popcorn and glow sticks all for free and the kids had such a good time.

Friday: I decorated the kids’ bikes with balloons and streamers and they rode them in the children’s parade. It was the first time for Fiona and Lydia to ride their bikes, they’ve always rode in the wagon before. They both did great and kept up with their brothers well. After the parade we found out that Lydia hadn’t won the baby contest, but her picture sure was darling. I don’t know how those judges didn’t see it.

Saturday: We went to the big parade in the morning with 4 plastic sacks and came home with bags loaded with candy. We saw a tractor with 3 dogs riding on it, lots of horses and Lydia saw the ‘grumpy’ fireman. She was so excited to shake his hand as he walked by. waving to the Mayor (aka Grandpa)
In the evening we went to the pageant and watched local talent perform.  A boy from our ward did a Hawaiin fire dance that was awesome.  And they had a fabulous rockabilly band, Kenzie James and the Knockouts. After the show we watched the fireworks over the pond. It’s so beautiful how the water reflects the colors; I think they are my favorite fireworks every year.



on a side note:
Lydia is progressing in potty training finally. We figured out how to motivate her, and it was quite by accident. I’ve tried everything. We had a sticker chart, candy (even chocolate), toys, and the promise of a party with cake as incentive. But one day while she was crying as I was sitting her on the potty I started singing the ‘itsy, bitsy spider’. She stopped to listen and started to pee. Then she smiled at me and laughing said, “I just peed on the spider!” Now when she has to use the potty she runs to pee on the ‘bipsy, yipsy spider’. Austin & I laugh about it every time.  She gets quite a kick out of it now, too.  Austin tells her not to pee on his spider friend and she's proud to tell him that he died again. We may have her potty trained by next week, I’m so excited.