Mt. Rushmore and the SD Black Hills

Looking back two months, I am still tired thinking about this trip.  We picked the kids up early from school on Friday, Ryan luckily was able to leave a little early, because it took us 10 hours to drive to the house we were staying in with my college roommate Jennie and Family and their friends the Taylors.  It was the 3rd Swa-Preece vacation, and the first Swa-Preecelor trip.  Madeline was the oldest at 8.  The car trip there was adventurous, the definition for not as fun as we hoped- lots of tempers spiked.  We listened to books on CD, played Mad Libs, listened to music and watched a couple of movies.

Sam in the Visitors Center at Jewel Cave.  His motto was "If I can't see you, then, I can't hear you, and I can't be responsible for what you say". 

Several of the happy and unhappy participants in the cave.  Ella had a standoff that was noteworthy.  We found out that Max becomes claustrophobic in caves, as he cried begged to leave "right now" for the last 30 minutes.  Sam ran away from us when we put him down and screamed when we picked him up.   

Jennie with Kate and Sammy and Max and Sam near the end of the beautiful yet torturous cave walk.

Ryan enjoying a little peace in the cave.

Madeline enjoyed feeding the horses at our Cowboy dinner and show.  

She has dreamed and researched all summer about buying a horse.  Her and Ella decided they could board it at our neighbors since our rental agreement bars any animals.

Ella practices roping.  

Max and Sam loved the horses as well.  

Sam tried to feed the horses everything, an experiment to see what they would eat.  They ate the grass he offered but refused the rocks and boards.

All the kids minus Max and Sam outside of Crazy Horse.  

Ryan and Mike enjoyed each others company.  

At Custer State park, the kids all rushed to the toilet, several of them hit buffalo pies on the way.

Everyone made it in the picture, a scenic view along the scenic drive through Custer State Park.

Ryan proudly gazing at Madeline as she tries to catch a fish.   One of the more memorable quotes was Madeline explaining as she drove with the Taylor family that she couldn't help getting mad, and she finally understood that she got mad often because she was born in the year of the goat.  

Max had multiple falls on the trip, he acquired several facial wounds by the end of the trip.

Mt.  Rushmore.  The girls have been wanting to come since we moved to Minnesota, and here we all are.  Max's biggest fall was down the stairs that are directly behind us.  

Madeline rode home with Carter, and they stopped for a buffalo viewing and for pie at the Purple Pie Palace.

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The grand finale the night before we left was roasting marshmallows around the fire.  The kids all happily wandered the near woods to gather brush and sticks for the fire.  After putting the kids to bed, we adults chatted around the fire for several hours until we became too cold.

Max with his battle wounds and the remnants of his Smore.  

One more picture of most of us. 

Here are the four oldest.  Madeline and Ella had so much fun with Carter and Kelly.

Carter took a picture of the adults, proof of our existence and the great company we enjoyed in the midst of the fun kid chaos.  We were excited to be heading home, Ryan and I like to get back home, especially when we have a garden that needs to be watered.  The kids were tired, and we listened to a theatrical version of The Horse and His Boy, which everyone loved except for Sam.  

There are only a few times that I try to discourage conversations between myself and the kids or between the kids themselves.  One of those times is our weekly 15 minute drive to violin lessons at 7:10 on Friday mornings.  This can be a dangerous time to have anyone say anything.  

Such as last Friday, we made it in the car with 14 minutes before violin started and a 15 minute drive.  Immediately Ella found that the drawing she left in the car had been destroyed by someone's careless actions (normally I point out the occurrence as a natural consequence of the infraction of leaving your prized items in the car).  But seeing as how Ella is in fragile spirits on Friday mornings (like the time she refused to apologize to her brother for yelling at and hitting him, and called my bluff when I told her she could get in the car when she was ready to apologize(what are you going to do mom, leave me?).  I was forced to hold my head high and drive a few blocks away around the corner, as I tried to figure out how I could still keep my word.  We made it out of that one, but I try not to do anything that would slightly provoke her).  

"Madeline, you destroyed my nice portrait that I worked so hard on", Ella barked.

"I did not", Madeline indignantly denied, "I am INNOCENT".  

"You are GUILTY"  Ella yelled.

"No, I am innocent until proven guilty" the accused retorted.  

"You are to Guilty, if you aren't guilty, then spell guilty"  Ella set about proving her claim.

"G-U-I-L-Y"  

"Wrong" glee could not be contained.  "I knew you were guilty"  Ella exclaimed.

"Mom, Ella says I can't spell guilty.  Tell her you spell it G-U-I-L-Y."  (If there is anything that puts Madeline in a fragile mood, it's being out-spelled or out-mathed by her younger sister.)

I quickly considered whose wrath was more lethal that morning, and decided that I would honestly reply, despite the consequences, especially since we instilled the delightful consequence of running laps around our large yard when someone looses their temper.  

"Guilty is spelled G-U-I-L-T-Y", I replied matter-of-factly.

And as if the forgotten T proved the theory that Madeline had destroyed Ella's drawing, Madeline hung her head in shame, as Ella crowed, "I told you you were guilty".  

"OK Guys, let's talk about our plans for tonight", I tacitly changed the subject, and we survived another Friday morning, none the worse for wear.

Happy Birthday, Happy Max

It was with great excitement that we celebrated Max's 4th birthday.  Remembering the rainy morning, 4 years ago that he was born, all 9 lbs 8 ozs of him, born in a birthing tub in our bedroom while I listened to Nancy Griffith, was a treat for me.  I hope all of my children will have as peaceful a birth with at least one of their children. 

Max had been looking forward to his birthday for a long time, not really with expectations of anything in particular, but aware that a big day was coming up and wondering how many more days.  Madeline and Ella were out of school for spring break, so it made his birthday celebration that much more fun.  Since Max requests German Pancakes and to do 3 floor puzzles the last thing before he goes to sleep every night, I figured we would start with German pancakes and strawberries for breakfast.  Naturally, it was a hit.  

For lunch, we headed to McDonald's for Happy Meals- an annual occasion in our family.  Last time was for Ella's birthday when she turned 6.  Now that I am fully aware that an occasional Happy Meal won't turn a child astray, I can relax at McDonald's, but I did stop at Panera for a sandwich/salad for me beforehand.  The McDonald's play area was just renovated and all the kids had a wonderful time there.

When we got home, I made a strawberry cake, as per request, wrapped presents, and cooked hotdogs and hamburgers for dinner.  Max loved and savored every part of his birthday, an admirable quality, and we all enjoyed the day with him.

Max opening presents with Ella, the official present overseer.

The next morning, Max asked me how many more days before his birthday, and then cried when Madeline and Ella told him his birthday was last.  He continues to tell me daily what he wants to do for his next birthday (Pokemon cake, Thomas train tracks, new lego set, etc).  He has savored every one of his birthday presents.  He loves to get out his crayons and coloring books at all times of the day.  He loves  when someone will build something with him from his new legos.  And, he loves to play with his roller and front loader with Sam and friends. 

The Height of Marital Bliss

A stroll through a peaceful Chinese garden in the heart of Chinatown

Several years ago I saw some couples riding tandem bikes, and told Ryan that I wanted to get a tandem bike to ride when we were older.  I romanticized that two wheeled, two seated bike- thinking those couples must have reached the height of marital bliss.  I thought they must be so unified in life that they naturally are unified riding the same bike.

Unlike the time Ryan and I canoed down a river when Madeline and Ella were little.  We were not naturally unified in our canoe strokes, and both of us attributed the discord to the other.

Ryan eyes the dried octopus outside a Chinese market

Our recent trip to Vancouver gave us a great opportunity.  A must see in Vancouver is Stanley park, and I decided it was the perfect time to try out a tandem and see whether we would like to buy one in the future for our bike rides.  The wise attendant suggested we practice braking, peddling, and turning in the parking lot before we headed to the roads and bike trails.  This was a good suggestion, as we discovered that still, several years after our canoe trip, we do things differently!  Perhaps because Ryan is right handed/footed, but he preferred stopping and starting on a different side than me.  Also, much to my chagrin, I discovered as we biked 7 miles that Ryan prefers to pedal consistently the whole time, whereas I prefer to pedal/coast, pedal/coast.  Ryan snagged the front seat before I got my wits about me, so he also had the better view(not that Ryan's backside isn't sweet to gaze at).  I decided a tandem bike was lovely to test our ability to work together (there was only one occasion when Ryan almost threw me from the bike as he braked seriously fast with no warning), but to me the height of marital bliss lies in riding beside each other, so you can ride how you like and still talk to each other at the same time.

The view from our hotel window

Much to my surprise, when I told a friend we rode a tandem bike, she snorted and said, "Hah, you know they calls those the divorce machines don't you".  I can now see why.

We loved the food in Vancouver, Ryan and I always enjoy trying new foods, and we weren't disappointed.  In Chinatown, we had a local refer us to a Dim Sum restaurant where no one spoke English.  We followed the lead of the other tables, managed to avoid the chicken feet, and while I'm not sure of everything we ate, we really enjoyed the food and the loud, family atmosphere.

Halfway through with our bike ride.  

We enjoyed sushi, Chinese and Indian food.  I also spent a lot of time reading "The Great Train Robbery", and enjoying the harmoniously clean, very quiet room that overlooked the harbor and the swimming pool.  The hot tub and sauna can't be over-rated either.

The famous totem poles in Stanley park, part of Vancouver's celebration of First Nations

Ryan's highlight in Vancouver was when I asked the concierge at our VERY NICE hotel if he knew of a nice massage parlor in Chinatown.  Nevermind that I was looking for a reputable, reasonable priced massage.  He looked at me with open curiosity, glanced at Ryan to see if perhaps he was the one who wanted to know, and stammered that he wasn't sure of any in Chinatown.  What followed was a painfully embarrassing conversation, as he thought I was looking for something lecherous, and I was trying to help him understand that I just wanted a cheap massage.  I walked away in humiliation, with Ryan beside me, and the concierge still confused.

A part of the primitive forest in Stanley Park.

We didn't talk to our children while we were gone for 5 days, we had no international access, and knew they were occupied with their Grandparents' Swapp.  They had as much fun at home as we had being away.
We were happy to come back home, to visit with Ed and Jayne for a couple of days before they left town.  Now I will have to seek some other symbol of marital bliss.  It might just be the times we look at each other over the dinner table squabbles and noise and wink, knowing in a few short hours, it will be quiet and we can sit in our rocking chairs and watch the sun set.

Getting Sold on St. Patrick's Day

I had no intention of celebrating St. Patrick's Day.  I assumed the green cupcakes I made was celebratory enough.  In fact, I knew nothing of the holiday other than there is usually a lot of green in the stores.  However, Ella and Madeline came across a St. Patrick's Day enthusiast at a childcare while Ryan and I played tennis, and came home quite excited.
"Mom!" Ella said, "Did you know if you hang your shoes the night before Saint Patricks day, they will be filled with gold?"
No, I thought, I didn't know that, but this sounds suspiciously like you're trying to talk me into celebrating this holiday.
"Can we look on the internet to find out how to make a leprechaun trap?"  Madeline asked.  

In the end, this is the trap they came up with.  The hammer-like thing sticking up is an arrow, pointing the leprechaun to the underneath section of the triangle, where he will be lured by the gold coins and fall into a hidden hole in the middle of the covered portion.
Just to be sure though, both girls insisted they would sleep in the living room to make sure the leprechaun didn't get away once it was trapped.
Grandma and Grandpa Swapp were swayed by their creativity or their pure belief, and ensured their shoes had one dollar come morning.  As for the leprechaun, Ella asked me last thing before she went to sleep whether I thought her trap would catch the sneaky fairy.  I could think of no way to trap anything resembling a leprechaun and keep it, so we left the trap empty.

Back to the Doldrums-

After six weeks traveling, we arrived back to Minnesota the same weekend that winter arrived.  Seems some of the tropical weather we had in Florida and the DR had wafted to MN, and they enjoyed an unseasonably warm winter.  January and February didn't treat us too badly either as we settled back into the grind of a schedule.  Following is a conversation I had with Ella smack dab in the middle of sacrament meeting as the speaker commented that they knew Jesus Christ lived:
Ella (leaning over and whispering):  "Mom, how do we know that Jesus Christ really lived?"
Jenn: "Well Ella, that's a good question, and sounds like a great conversation to have when we are finished with church." (standard answer when I need to think about how to respond)
Ella (quiet and contemplative for a few seconds, then leaning over again):   "Ooh, I know, I bet they found the fossils of the wise men."
How could I give a more definitive answer than that.  From now on, I might have to borrow that answer in the future.

In January, we happily celebrated Ryan's birthday.  Madeline and Ella planned activities the whole drive back from Florida, and prepared many presents for him.  We enjoyed thinking about him and planning that special day with him, and of course, everyone enjoyed birthday cake.

Max had to cover Sam's mouth so Sam wouldn't blow out the candles.  Even with that difficult task, he still managed a smile.  

the kids all claiming a candle to lick.

In February, we celebrated Valentine's Day.  Gratefully, Ryan and I went out to dinner the previous Saturday, because V-day itself was rather busy.  We had a candlelight dinner (all 6 of us), something Madeline has been requesting for a year.  By the time I had the food and the table prepared, I was too tired to take any pictures. We all enjoyed the steak dinner, with rolls, potatoes and salad, and complete with Apple-juice/sprite drink, and red velvet cake for dessert.

This is how all the cooking and baking happens in our house.  Two little boys sitting on the counter-tops, helping add salt, cinnamon, and other essentials, touting their toys and costumes.

Sam tries out the Valentine's Day cake

Max enjoys the cake batter

Madeline had her first sleep-over last night (one where parents don't spend the night too).  She has been begging us for this, as she feels it's a right of passage.  Her good friend, Allison, had a sleep-over birthday party, and Madeline and 4 friends survived the night (as did her parents).  The big take away for Madeline was that it was the best time ever, and that she wanted to buy a Nintendo DS, since two of her friends have one, and she played it at the party.

She started doing some research when she got home, and when she discovered they cost between $130-$170.00, she decided to make a paper Nintendo DS until she could afford a real one.  Interestingly, she convinced Ella of the utility of it, and Ella now has a paper Nintendo DS as well.  They have also created a couple of games to play on them.  This project occupied several hours today.

Mad-ella share a candy stick that one of them earned from my treat basket

While in Florida, do as the Floridians

Actually, if we had done as the Floridians, we would have spent our time inside, coming out in winter coats and jackets.  But 60-75 degree weather is perfect for us Minnesotans.  We spent much of our time outside, and many afternoons found us at the Jacksonville beach.  Since it was winter, the stores had no sand toys, and until my sister Flossie came to visit and left us with sand gear, we made do with kitchen supplies purchased at the dollar store.

When we arrived at a beach, all the kids would drop shoes, clothes and towels, and run full speed towards the water, where they would play, fully occupied and entertained for hours.  There is something about a wide expanse of sand and an immeasurable amount of water that assures children they will never become bored.  We chased birds, watched kites, played in the surf, and build hundreds of sand castles.  When the tide was going out, the kids, headed up by Madeline, would find the divots of land that still held baths of warm water, and makes houses in them, one being a bedroom, one a kitchen, and so forth.The girls noticed left-over cardboard boxes the homeless left (it seems that the homeless will sleep on the beach), and worried about the fury of the wind, they dug out areas of refuge in the sand.  The kids collected jellyfish on the beach, as well as more shells.  We watched the surfers and fishermen, and the fishing boats further off the shore.

Sam would play with his siblings for a spell, then come back to the blanket, sit on my lab and watch the beach with me.  We started playing a game where I would dig a little hole, big enough for his foot, put his foot in and cover it up. He wanted to play that every time we went to the beach, and I loved the time spent watching the three kids playing with Sam peacefully sitting in my lab, turning around every so often to stroke my face and say, "You're cute".

Our most unfortunate experience with the beach involved a sand crab that I caught and gave to Ella.   Ever on the lookout for a pet, she named him Crabby, and insisted he was coming home with us, to which I acquiesced on the condition that he would reside in a sand bucket outside the apartment.  I helped the girls identify on the internet the crab type and what they eat-algae.  We decided we would collect algae the next time we went to the beach, and that in the interim, Crabby would likely subsist on water and left-overs.  Ella loyally checked Crabby's sand-bucket every day, sifting through the sand until the found him, tossing in food she suspected he would enjoy, and we all lived in peace for a few days.

One day,  unbeknownst to me, Ella, overanxious for the well being of her crab, walked down the lake right outside our apartment, passing the sign which states in enormous font, "For your safety, please do not approach the lake" (Alligators are a problem in Florida).  Max, curious, followed her.  Ella bravely collected algae from the brackish water, and brought it back to feed crabby.  By this time, I was looking for Max, and when I discovered the breach of family rules, I, with passionate determination, took Crabby's sand-bucket down to the lake and hurled him into the great abyss.  Ella boldly accused me of  surely sentencing Crabby to death at the jaws of the alligators, and even Ryan looked at me as if I had killed the family pet.

Aside from this misadventure, we mostly enjoyed the each others company, and when we didn't there was plenty of room on the beach for separation.  After a fun-filled afternoon at the beach, we would often stop at Chick-Fil-E for an ice cream cone on the way home, spent and content, listening to Ella Enchanted or Rosanne Cash as we drove home.