He's a good sport

Paige & her sidekick, Kamille, had a little fun with Christian today. And he was surprisingly willing to be "made over."

Daddy was a willing candidate, too. He just wasn't coherent at the time. :)

Haley's birthday party was a hormone & sugar-filled romp for 4 hours. We had crepes for dinner, complete with Nutella, strawberries & whipped cream,

they watched a movie (more sugar - popcorn & candy),

 we painted nails,

and finished up with birthday cake.

She had friends from her old school, current school and the neighborhood but they all played together just great.  They were bouncing all over the place on a sugar high by the time I dropped them all off at 10pm, which I'm sure their parents just loved. 

Note to self: do not let 10 year old girls (or anyone, for that matter) use fingernail polish or polish remover without supervision. They were doing great at the kitchen counter, but when a mom came to pick up her daughter and I stepped to the front door to talk to her, the girls moved the nail painting to our kitchen table. (You see where this is going, right?) Someone spilled some polish on the wood, which inspired someone else to pour polish remover on it to try to rub it off. The result is a mess of a wood table that will have to be repainted or covered. Major bummer.

She's way more fun than me

I have this friend -- Steph -- who is the epitome of 'fun mom.' And recently, she's outdone herself in my girls' eyes.

As Steph was dropping Haley off from school, she saw Elle dressed up in princess clothes (not an unusual sight around here) playing in her princess castle. Steph asked, "Elle, can I play in your castle, too?" Elle said, "You have to be a princess!"

A short time later, I hear a knock at the door ... and there is Steph, wearing the most princess'y dress she owns. She sang out, "Elle! I'm ready for our princess party!"

I might dress up as a princess if Elle begged me, but I guarantee it would never even occur to me to dress up and surprise a neighbor child. Go Princess Steph!

About the same time, Haley was telling Steph about her upcoming birthday party (which her daughter was coming to), and how everyone was supposed to come wearing pajamas. Steph said, "Oohh, thank you so much for inviting me! I can't wait to come!" Haley would roll her eyes and laugh it off, but Steph kept teasing her over the next few weeks about coming. Last night, when she came to drop her daughter off, Steph walked in wearing her pajamas, too ...

See? Way more fun than me. And my kids and I love it. :)

Double Digits

Today, my Haley turns 10.  Funny, since she was my 10 pound baby, too.  She woke up bright and early, we went to breakfast at a tiny little cafe with amazing food, and then spent the rest of the day at Lagoon.  Cousins were there, Haley brought one of her favorite friends and life was good.  Daddy even won a giant stuffed animal for her (yeah, thanks for that one, Mikey.....).   The absolute best present Haley got?  A gift bag filled with whatever Elle thought was cool from around the house:  a marker, a Barbie, a Barbie book (personalized with Paige's name throughout), a fruit snack and random dolls from her doll house.  Kudos to Haley for making Elle feel like it was the highlight of her day.

Haley is one cool kid.  She loves, loves sports and will jump at a chance to go to a game or watch a game on tv with Mike.  She can talk intelligently with him about sports, which totally goes straight over my head, and he loves her for it.   Here's something else I love about her .... she wrote this in school:

Starry Night

by Haley Mayfield

The wind carried me away to a place lost in time.

The waves and winds were calmed by my command.

All was silent for the first time in years.

My body shivered with cold.

I couldn't take it any longer.

I fell into the dream.

But death was there to greet me.

He lured me in with promises of paradise and luxury.

I never did, nor ever will, trust him.

The place I once admired for its beauty is now known as the place where death roams,

Plotting his revenge.

Christian writes novels, Haley's a poet.  They certainly don't get those talents from their mother.

Happy birthday, Haley Dawn.  I love you, chica.



End of school '11

Doesn't it feel like the end-of-school celebrations have been going on all week? Each of my kids has had a party or class auction or breakfast or movie or field day or something almost every day this week. Haley's school had a carnival for field day, with horse riding, face painting, bounce houses, etc. I didn't go because I could just picture Elle repeatedly begging to do it all, too, and I didn't want to have to fight her on it. She and I went to the park instead. Christian & Paige's school had field day at the rec center. Paige swam the whole time and Christian opted for basketball. My friend, Alison, texted me this picture.

Cracks me up that when she said, "Smile!" they all went for this super-stud-I-can't-be-bothered-with-picture-taking look.  Jr. High, here they come.

Look how cute & super creative I was for each of the kids' teachers.

There are Rolo's inside the little pencil. Cute, huh?   Or I may have just bought them at a little boutique, but I'll never tell.

There are a few end-of-school parties tonight (not that we offered to host one, don't worry) so Elle is getting a mom & dad date all by herself.  Everyone's happy.

Here Comes Your Man

I'm loving this song & video today.  Meaghan Smith has a cool, old-fashioned kind of voice.  Reminds of me of She & Him with Zooey Deschanel. Elle has this video on continuous re-play and keeps shouting at Meaghan, "Turn around!  Your man is right behind you!"  Enjoy.

Here Comes Your Man

Mayfield Mayhem Turns 500

This is my 500th post on this blog.  I started the blog as a replacement for scrapbooking.  I was so ready to ditch all of those hours cutting and taping and arranging paper & pictures. With a blog, I could immediately upload pictures and journal about anything and everything and be done.  At the end of every year, I have it printed and hard-bound and add it to my scrapbook collection.  (Well, to be honest, I haven't printed it yet but I have big plans to.  Someday.  When I get around to it.)

This blog has been my soapbox, my venting place, my bragging corner, my humor outlet and most importantly, my journal.  Thanks for coming along for the ride. :)

Mayfield Mayhem Fast Facts:
First blog post: May 2008
Number of Posts: 500
Number of Views: 38,010
Average posts per month: 13.8
Most Viewed Posts: My Dad's Auto-Obituary, followed by Ooops..., and Paige Is In Sooo Much Trouble When I Get Home Tonight.
Most commented on Post: Sunday Afternoon Nap

How cool ...

* to hang out at the park tonight with the fam. No one had lessons or scouts or church stuff or dance or homework or anything. Summer is definitely around the corner.

* to finally learn what quinoa is and how to cook it. Went to the new Whole Foods Market at Trolley Square today with my mom. Literally laughed out loud when we saw Rainier cherries for $10/pound. Ummm, no thanks. But there was some cool food there -- lots of quinoa salads, interesting fish burgers and soups, plenty of vegan stuff (the free cake samples were "vegan green tea" flavored)... Worth a visit, if you're in the area.

* that my kids are excited for us to go on trek, since it means that Emily Pitt (they always call her by both names) will be staying with them while we're gone. Thank heavens for good hired help. :)

* that the weather app on my phone says it will be sunny the rest of this week?!?!?!!

* to have our annual moms' & kids' trip with friends to St. George just around the corner. For us, that truly signifies the beginning of summer.

* that Haley is planning her own birthday party for 14 ten year old girls. She said she'd let me know if she needs my help. Hallelujah!

* (this one's dripping with sarcasm, just in case you don't know me well enough ....) to have missed the U2 concert. Boo!! We had tickets for last year's concert but then missed the boat somehow when tickets went back up for sale the second time around. Mike didn't want just any tickets, either. He wanted to stand next to the stage, down on the field, which by then equaled $275/ticket. Major bummer.

My sweet life

Elle graduated from preschool this week and, as in years past, Miss Mikel gave each parent a book of their child's artwork, things they've achieved and the funniest list of questions/answers.  Throughout the year, Mikel asks the kids questions and then writes their answers down verbatim.  Here's some examples:

What is your mom afraid of?
* Some answers included spiders, tarantulas, dogs & cats, snakes, "ghostes" ...  One girl said, "My mom's not afraid of anything, but she screams when she sees spiders."  Elle's answer?  I'm apparently afraid of "dinosaurs and snowflakes."   Those creepy little snowflakes.

When I grow up, I will have ...
* Lots of answers about pets (a Nemo, a puppy, a rooster, even an elephant).  One girl said, "A bronchiosaurus.  But my mom is done with pets."  I can only imagine how many times that mom has said that exact line.  I'm done with pets!  Elle's answer: "My mom and dad said I can't have ANY babies OR cats or dogs or chihuahuas."  Meanest parents ever!  Guess you can tell we've had the 'Mommy's all done having babies' talk. :)

Other questions were "What makes you lucky?", "Who do you love?", "Who is your favorite friend?"   But my favorite question/answer was this...

What does your mom do while you are at preschool?
Elle: "She goes to a fun place with shopping and massages.  It's really, really fun!"

I would LOVE to know where that really fun place is!  I go shopping and have massages every time she goes to school?  SWEET!   Admittedly, I am very lucky to be a stay-at-home mom -- to go volunteer at school, take Elle to the zoo or wherever, spend time with grandma ..... There's obviously also plenty of daily monotony (cleaning, laundry, errands).  I just had no idea that Elle's perception of what I do during the day involves shopping and massages.    I'd really like to know where that fun place is, too.  Anyone wanna come with??

From the Desk of Mike Mayfield

May 26, 2011

Dear Elder Spencer Blake:

I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to you before you left on your mission to Novosibirsk, Russia.  I have to tell you, I'm really going to miss you.  You are seriously one of my all-time favorite people.  Your Aunt Darcie asked me to write down some words of advice to you that she would combine with advice from your other uncles.  This letter is my advice to you.

You have always been an achiever, Spence, and I have no doubt that you will be an excellent missionary.  In fact, I am so confident in your abilities that I would like to put a little challenge to you.  From my perspective, the Church has a real need for the talents that only a few specific people have.  You are likely to run into these people in Russia.  I would consider your mission an unmitigated success if you could introduce the Church to the following Russians:

1. Mikhail Baryshnikov, dancer.  Dancing has been a part of the Church since pioneer days.  Lately, we've lost some of that heritage.  I blame Footloose.  I have a feeling that Brother Baryshnikov can do for the BYU folk dancers what Sister Gladys Knight did for the Tabernacle Choir.  We need this guy, Spence.



2. Oksana Baiul, skater. The demands on women in the Church have never been greater.  Multi-tasking is essential to salvation and there are few people who can both skate and style their bangs into a killer claw like Sister Baiul.  It's a skill set we just can't do without.



3. Ivan Drago, boxer.  Church security has been a bit lackadaisical since the days of Porter Rockwell.  Ivan "I must break you" Drago is the solution.

4.  Yorgi, former soldier in the Russian army and current leader of Anarchy Ninety-Nine.  Yes, he has authority issues, but with Larry H. Miller gone, the Church has a real need for a talented car salesman with contacts throughout Europe.

5.  Sarah Palin, reality TV star.  Sure she's not technically Russian, but she can see Russia from her house.   We need a new editor for the Ensign and considering her extensive background with magazines, this maverick is exactly what we are looking for.  She's probably the next Sheri Dew.

6.  Andrei Kirilenko, NBA player.  He'll have to give up the free "pass" he gets from his wife and the new tattoo probably needs to go as well.  Still, BYU fans tell me that the Church's highest priority is to find someone to play defense for Jimmer when he goes to the NBA.  A.K. will be that someone.

7.  Marko Ramius, submarine captain.  Brother Ramius's talents are crucial.  Can you imagine General Conference with President Ramius and President Uchtdorf sitting next to each other in the red chairs?  That is some serious spiritual candy--am I right, ladies?  Go get him, Spence.

8. Natasha and Boris, hunters. I know what you are thinking .... there are already too many squirrel and moose hunters in the Church. Heck, they don't even hold Church in Utah County during the fall hunt.  But, there has never been a greater need for examples of how husbands and wives should work together. Natasha and Boris do it with style. I'll take them.

9. Tevye, village milk man. He's not a rich man, but Brother Tevye is a bona fide biblical scholar ("As the good book says....").  He does seem to be a bit locked into tradition, however, so mazel tov with this one, Spence.


10. Emmett Fitz-Hume and Austin Millbarage, occupations classified.   No, these are not the A.P.s  and they are not Russian (although they were last seen in Russia). But, the Church needs resourceful people to help get our missionaries into foreign nations where governments are not cooperating.  These two are experts in slipping past border guards and blending in with the locals.  We gotta have ‘em.


11. Ivan Vanko, inventor. We need strong scientists in the Church.  We also need more discipline in the primary.  Brother Vanko fills the positions of Scientist and Reverence Ranger, perfectly.

And last, but certainly not least.....

12. Anna Kournikova, tennis player.  I can't really disclose what Anna brings to the table.   All I can say, Spence, is on behalf of every Deacon, Teacher and Priest in the Church, please, please find Sister Kournikova and bring her into the fold.  Just trust me on this one. 

Good luck, Elder Blake!  See you in two short years.

Love,

Uncle Mike

- Just finished reading The Art of Racing in the Rain -- a book told from the dog's perspective.  Loved it.
- Still no lawnmower to mow our shaggy lawn, but...
- it feels like we're living in Seattle these days with non-stop rain so we can't mow anyway.
- Went swimming with the fam to celebrate the fact that Elle went to her primary class and actually stayed there (celebrate the small victories).
- There were 4 catalogs in the mail today - sweet!  I so rarely order from them but I love to just look and feel like I've been shopping.
- It must be the end of the school year 'cause I actually let Christian go with Mike to a late movie last night (sometimes a boy just needs to see Pirates with his dad).
- I have the same discussion daily with Paige that she can't wear her favorite outfit 3x/week (note to self: hide that outfit!).
- Greatest new discovery: shellac french manicure (still my own nails but the french manicure lasts 2+ weeks and doesn't chip).
- Buying a cheap trampoline may not have been the smartest choice ... the big kids were jumping with friends and after one big bounce together, they bent the frame and tumbled onto the grass.
- Just saw a movie where the girl chooses the cheating guy over her best friend, adorable John Krasinski.  I'm still thinking it must have been a joke ending.  Hello!  John Krasinski! 
- Must remember that my kids read this blog, too.  Paige just busted me for not really "babysitting" her stuffed animals the other day. 

Pix

Ahhh, 6th grade boys. Love 'em.

Try to figure this one out.

'Tis the season of recitals.

Gotta teach them the important stuff ... fries dipped in ice cream.

Creative fort building.

Haley's 1st voice recital.

Pajama day at preschool. Wish my pj's were as cute.

After Haley's school program.

An excerpt from one of my favorite new authors

(Christian's newest beginning of a story....)

Sniffing the air, I slowly took a step forward. I could almost feel the animal in my hands. If I was right, she was just around the tree to my left.

I pulled out my bow as I took another step forward. Now I could nearly smell her, as if she was right in front of me. For all I knew, she could have been. I had my eyes closed. I opened them and pushed my back against the tree. Just as I was about to turn and shoot, I reconsidered my approach. As I slung my bow back over my shoulder, I pulled out my knife.

My body tensed up. If I made even the smallest mistake, it could not only mean my death but the people behind me, too. And if we died, a whole lot of people would as well.

My buddy gave me the 'okay' signal and I shot to the side, lodging my knife on the back end of the tree. But nothing was there. It was just me. I could have sworn she would have been there.

Just as I was about to yell at my friend, I felt a foot dig into my back. I flew forward and hit the bush in front of me.

I stood up and faced my attacker. It was her! She smiled. At least I thought she did. It was a mix of a scold and anger. All together it strangely looked like a smile.

"You've got to be faster than that!" she taunted. I charged. But she disappeared. She literally vanished. Now I was angry!

"Get her! Search every part of this cursed forest!" I screamed at my team. I watched as they scrambled over each other, looking everywhere. I was furious! How could the same stupid girl get away from the most skilled team in all of Alduraq?

I grabbed the end of my knife and tried to pull it out of the tree. I must have really tried to hurt her because I couldn't get it out. I spun the handle to make a bigger hole, until finally I got it out.

Now I was not going to let her get away.

70

Today is my mom's 70th birthday! That used to sound so OLD to me :) but not anymore. She's as young and vibrant as I ever remember her.  People say that I look like her in her younger days.  What do you think?

My sister & I arranged a birthday lunch for mom and her friends, and of course we tagged along, too.

Kelly scanned a bunch of old pictures and made a photo album of mom's life, which was so fun to see. We had a "How well do you know Joanne?" quiz and came up with some very unique-to-my-mom questions. For example, "What are some things that she freezes that aren't typically frozen?" Answer: bread, cheese, candy, donut holes, cookies ... pretty much everything.

The winner of the quiz got this porcupine dessert, that is one of mom's favorite things.

And her cake was marzipan, mom's other absolute favorite dessert.

Happy birthday, mom. You are one unique lady and I love you for it. :)