Anything Interesting?

Lucky to have survived...the Christmas Partay

2007-12-09T16:13:00.000-07:00

Photo #1 - KL's babies out of her bed are not part of the "Christmas Partay" that she and Ty had. You can see the GeoTr*xx set he is getting, it is opened and he hid the little pieces under my bed. You can also see the Hullabal** and Sc*ne-it games, unwrapped and pieces everywhere. The other mess is part of the remote control Je*p packaging. The Je*p wasn't to be his present. Since he broke it pulling it out of the twist-tie packaging, I wrapped it up and he will get it for Christmas.
Photo #2 - The Je*p and its packaging and parts of the Hullabal** game. You can also see a box of things I had already cleaned up. These items were shipped to me mistakenly by Kohl*s, in which I am supposed to be getting an email from UP$ with a new routing label and a time to be picked up.

A little side note to Kohl*s: I cannot guarantee the safe return of these items if you cannot get me the required paperwork in a timely manner. We are at two weeks and working on our third. I also have no real urge to call your customer service again since my last hold time was 30 minutes. My kids (well T really) keep finding this box and I have to keep rescuing the contents. When KL sees the Baby Le*p Fr0g, she SO wants to love on it. I am also afraid the coloring pages will not longer be fresh.

Picture #3 - The sc*ne-it parts, KL's present from Papa and Grandma, Chayse's present. Picture #4 - A closer shot of #3Picture #5 - The KNIFE used to help in the destruction.

I should have gotten a picture of the scissors that I found under our covers when I was vacuuming up all of the Styrofoam beads. I also did not get pictures of the presents opened and shoved under our bed and dresser. I cannot give every-present away. Which included my present from Shawnna (thanks!) that I was being really good about not finding out what were in those T*rget boxes. My son gave me no choice since they were opened and spread about the destruction.

Needless to say I was not happy. He got a little swat and sent to his room. For once, there was no argument from him about that. I still have more to wrap. I tried to just get the bigger things and K's things wrapped. I have threatened him heavily if he even gets close to the presents.

So much for trying my hand being prepared and ahead of the game. His gifts are not going to be a surprise and I may cry again on Christmas. The only surprise now will be the Santa gift.

I don't know how good it did to yell, he took a few already partially opened (by him) presents to his room and hid them in his closet. He also got some scissors and opened up something I was going to return (both the same day of the Partay!!)... He's getting that I guess too!

Pace yourself

2007-12-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

I have posted a month's worth (or more) in one afternoon. Relish the picts and such. You never know when you'll see more. Ha!

You know you have a boy when...

2007-12-07T16:18:00.000-07:00

ahhhh, dentists...

2007-12-07T15:52:00.000-07:00

Fresh from a visit to the dentist. He removed three of K's teeth. The one on the top was loose but just wouldn't budge, and was tightening up again with the new tooth coming down and pushing on it.

He also removed two on the bottom. The permanent tooth has been in for quite awhile and had wedged her baby tooth between the teeth on the sides and it. He yanked that one and the one next to it to allow it room to move into position.

Dr L had me come back into the room to explain what he was going to do and tell me we need to get going on "ortho". This was something I new we would need eventually since she essentially has no spacing for her bigger permanent teeth. We had switched dentists (preferred provider, blah, blah, blah) and he said he would do a full mouth scan when she was older i.e. 8 or 9 to allow her jaw to grow and then move forward with ortho depending on that. Well at 7, her teeth are coming in and have no room to come in properly.

The new dentist does not do sedation/gas so back to old loving dentist. Even at the mention that we were going back there K was more at ease. When we first got to the office, she would barely open her mouth to answer everyone's questions about how she has been, what she's been doing, etc. As they were ready, I scooted/pushed her back to the chair and went back out front to deal with the other crazy two.

K had nitrous and was quite comical. When I went into the room she said "Hi MOM!" rather enthusiastically and then proclaimed "I'm floating!" It was funny to hear.

In January we have consults with two Orthodontists to see which we like and what they're suggesting we do.

p.s. T has five (5!) cavities. I for see it's gonna be an expensive year.

The first "snow"

2007-12-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

The first snow didn't amount to much more than this. They did have fun playing and trying to eat it.

Yummy!

a few from KL's Birthday

2007-12-07T15:24:00.000-07:00

Plain cakes are always more fun with swirly candles!Front row seats.
What happens when you put a 7 year old in charge of the camera.

Reading the bunny book in the cute kitty/leopard jammies (both from grandma).

KL's first haircut

2007-12-07T15:13:00.001-07:00

She was not happy one bit, as can be seen by the pictures. But her bangs were always in her eyes and she would rub them around, it was especially nice when she had food on her hands!
Georgia did a great job. Combed everything forward to make sure however her hair fell, it would not be in her eyes. She trimmed up the back so all the stringies were evened out.
She cheered up as soon as we were done. Not too traumatic afterall!

(A month has transpired since this cut and it's nearing time for another. I suppose we are in trouble, she started crying as we pulled into the parking lot when I went to get mine done.)

H..A..double L..O..W..double E..N spells Halloween

2007-11-04T21:35:00.000-07:00

He started it!

2007-11-04T21:21:00.000-07:00

Before, cute little cupcakes.

After

Poor Grandma

Craziness ensued. If I ever figure out how to add video, I'll put it on.

Gigantic Pumpkins - Pleasing the masses...

2007-11-04T14:56:00.000-07:00

A bit of pumpkin carving in Colorado.

Podie - digging out 2 1/2 feet of seeds. This pumpkin was at least 3 feet tall!

Kirby - scooping out the icky icky goo. I love her expression!

Papa making her grab some of that icky icky goo!

Watching that crazy cousin Elissa put her head in Mr. Fat pumpkin.

Podie's artwork on the Mr. Tall Pumpkin.

Halloween picts to come as soon as my camera is charged, promise!!!!

Going Private

2007-10-23T23:10:00.000-06:00

I decided to take my blog off of public domain so the pictures of my kids cannot be stolen or used by some sicko.

Going to try and post regularly about life in our household for memory-sake. I'm not sure how this invitation only thing works, but we'll have a go at it.

K is Seven (7)!

2007-03-23T10:07:00.000-06:00

"What a loooong strange trip it's been"

Your first day..(borrowing a digital camera)

About 19 months old. (After we went digital)

Being your silly self

The "Rock-Star Beautician"

After you chopped your curls.

Our Oompa-Loompa (Listening to that darn Uncle Tim and the make-up grandma bought for you)

Our country girl

Birthday Eve, just having fun!

How would you like me to handle it??

2007-03-20T09:45:00.000-06:00

This "Stress Quiz" was on Better Homes and Gardens website - aka bhg.com

Quiz: Assess Your Stress
By Victoria Mock, R.N.

Question 10 of 12

I rely on stimulants such as excess caffeine, alcohol, and even drugs.

You chose:
Often

The correct answer is:
Almost Always

5 out of 10 Questions Correct

Almost Always??? As you can see I'm not doing very well. Just the ~~occasional~~ daily diet Coke to get me through the afternoon. I guess I need to change my addiction?

I do have to admit their answer selections weren't very good either. Four choices being:
Almost Always
Often
Rarely
Never

ssssssst

2007-03-19T23:27:00.000-06:00

K came home from her long day of school and went straight to the fridge. It was completely understandable since I forgot to pack her snack to eat before spanish.

Holding the fridge door open and turning around to look at me she says,"Mom it smells like farts in here."

hehehe - No really, it was the boiled eggs.

The Ugly Truth

2007-03-15T09:11:00.000-06:00

Me: "I want to take a picture"
Him: "You just want to put it on your blog"
Me: "Yes, but for posterity"

I am a tad upset with blogger... I had this all typed up and hit publish and for some reason it disappeared. Augh! - it will teach me to save as a draft first if anything.

Here are some pictures of a grumpy Smokes. After sitting at the Dermatology office for six (6) hours; being numbed, cut and microscopically checked, re-numbed for more excision and more checking. He got to watch the football channel (too bad the season is over...), had a half-dollar size chunk removed in total and lots of stitches.

He was NOT happy when I picked him up, but I remind him it is better than the alternative.

After 24 hours and in between bandages he let me take a few more pictures.

After two weeks it looks pretty good. He had the stitches removed last Tuesday and the steri-strips are coming off (translation - rubbed off in aggravation). There is still some swelling and discolorations (read - black and blue) around his eye. The "Zorro" scar is a bit rough and will smooth out over time.

ps - He likes to tell people I did it to him

pps - I sure wish I know how to do the strike through on some words so I could use less of these (..)

**updated to fix spelling errors, maybe I should use spell checker...**

A few picture updates

2007-02-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

Ice cream in January. It was pretty nice, considering... I love how the flash shines off the snot.

My little gymnast

Ready for school - a few years too early.

It got me...

2007-02-26T09:12:00.000-07:00

Blogger made me switch. I have been putting off switching from all the problems I've read from others about commenting and posting.

A few fast updates:

T wants wiped with Charmin Ultra. While looking under the sink for the wet wipes and was commenting on how I thought we were out, he said "I want Charmin Ultra" so I got some off the roll when he said (while pointing to the package sitting on the floor)"I WANT CHARMIN ULTRA!" Not sure how my 3 year old has become such a toilet paper snob.

While roaming around the kitchen he said "I want something Tasty!"

KL - screaming mad becauseshe can't climb on the kitchen chairslike the "Big Kids"

K wants her ears pierced. Not till she's13 though. "Then it won't hurt. " Just like santa won't be scary when she's 12.

Smokes goes in on March 1st for the removal of the Basal Cell Carcinoma.

I have been a busy beaver with the business. Spring (shipping) has sprung and things are starting to move. I just wish the back yard wasn't a brown muddy mess. Can't wait for the green and the daffodils I planted to pop up (hoping they actually survived my non-green thumb).

the bloodsucking, money hungry...

2007-01-30T10:19:00.000-07:00

Thursday, Hubby had an appointment with the Dermatologist, Dr. S. (He has not been too happy since I made his original appointment a year or so ago.) Every time he goes they cut something from here or there, freeze the top of his ears - to help renew the skin from all the sun damage*, or nip a mole or two off of his upper and/or lower back.

Thursday was no exception. There has been a mole-ish thing on his upper cheek. I have noticed, it has been growing. I was a little curious why she did not remove it at his last appointment, but as a loving wife I cannot say "why didn't you have her cut off that unsightly...", I'm not that rude. I guess mom's not either, when I mentioned they cut the thing off his face "Yeah I've noticed it too..."

He came home with a band-aid over what was once a "lovely beauty-mark", one over what they "punched" off his leg and another "punch hole" on his back (which was one of the mole-ish reasons I scheduled his original appointment). All the while grumbling about how they are just "bloodsucking, money hungry..." Hence the title of this post. He also can't work-out until the stitches are removed so he doesn't pull anything, etc. (Which adds to the grumbling.)

I just asked if he would rather wear a band-aid for a week or die an untimely, painfull death?

How's that for support and love? Purely selfish on my part, I can't stand the thought of our kids growing up without their daddy. He is such a good daddy! Or the thought me growing old without him just makes me cry. I have completely lucked out in the spouse department. Some of the stories my friends tell me about their spouses or significant others and fathers to their children - sheesh. I am SO completely lucky.

So he called me this morning with the pathology results from his back and face - they don't have the one on his leg back yet "maybe it got lost in the mail?", he says. Could you imagine running across a mole floating in fluid - yuck. Anyway, the back was fine but the one on his face was "basal-something, and Dr. W's nurse is going to call and set up an appointment to remove more", as he recounted non-chalantly. Me on the other end, trying not to flip my lid saying - "BASAL CELL CARCINOMA is CANCER!" Dr. W was my dermatologist for a few years, then about two years ago (before Hubby started going in) he changed to only performing dermotology-related surgeries.

So, now he goes March 1st at noon for more to be removed. At this point, I am grateful for those "bloodsucking, money hungry...". And am grateful I am a nagging wife who makes him do the things that he would rather not do. I am also praying that everything was caught in time This road to be traveled is much smaller and less of a big deal than what my imagination has been leading me down. I should also add, that I don't know the actual diagnosis, just the "basal-something" from hubby.

This is just what my family needs right now, more "good" news. (I hope you get the HUGE amount of sarcasm in that statement.)

*For those who may not know Hubby has spent his ENTIRE life outdoors. Working, playing, sitting, etc. He would probably go off the deep-end if he had to sit at a desk all day. Even on days off, if he happens to just be sitting, he'll continually be commenting about how he should go out and do "something". He also just likes to say things repeatedly like "I should go out an do something" and ask the same question over and over in a slightly different way because he knows it aggravates me. :>)

Has it really been 3 weeks???

2007-01-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

Nothing deep - just trying to get back into the groove.

Conversations with a three year old.

Just now, Mr. T. was kind of digging into his behind through his jeans.

Me: "Do you need wiped or washed?"
T: "No, just trying to get the noisy things out."
Me: (stifling laughter)"You have noisy things on your bum?
T: "Yeah, there's Monsters in there."

**edited to add another converstation(before I forget)

lunch today:

T: "I'm going to grow into a balloon and fly up way in the sky"
Me: "Why don't you become a pilot and fly airplanes in the sky, or an astronaut and fly into space?"
T: "I would be to sca.a.a.a.a.a.a.ary."

Hanging with the Family

2007-01-07T22:08:00.000-07:00

We have been with a LOT of family the weeks over Christmas and New Years. Here are the blogger limit of five pictures a post and will add more, like Colorado and Dad's - fun, fun, fun (for those of you who come for pictures anyway)!

Tedi & Grandma

Tedi, K, T & KL all on Grandma's lap in the glider

A couple of wrestling pictures - Tedi, T & K

Well, Tedi - you should have know this one was coming. Chances are it was already cleaned out since that is the "resting spot" for his finger anyway.

Confessions

2007-01-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

So, on Friday I picked K up from school. On the way home (that short two blocks), I asked her if she stayed on the green, and she said yes. Two days in a row she was in the yellow for disrupting class. She then told me that she did something today, and when I asked what it was she told me she wrote me a note so I would have to wait and read it.

Decoding the letter...

Dear Mom:

I kissed Daylon today and I got in trouble. It was a bad choice. I talked to the principal. I won't do it again.

Love Kirby
To: Mom

What????
Shock....Awe...Disbelief

I talked with her a bit and she here are a few things she said

"it wasn't like I kissed him on the lips or anything, I kissed him on the leg (while pointing to her HIP of all places) and on the arm."

"Ellie does it" (We are not talking about Ellie here)

"the principal told me when I have a boyfriend and I'm eighteen I can kiss him."

The playground used to have a wooden play house that a friend told me that last year first graders were hiding and kissing in it. (It was torn down last year most likely because ot was old and rickety but the kissing probably didn't help save it.) I'm sure my thoughts and words were probably similar to this. "Tsk Tsk, where are those kids learning this behavior. What are parents teaching their kids these days." All the while holding my nose up thinking My daughter would never do anything like this...

Then the real kicker, they weren't hiding anywhere on the playground. They were in class on the carpet during story time or something similar.

While I was reading the note, Kimber happened to be downstairs and read it with raised eyebrows. She then proceded to go up and tell grandma and great-grandma. They got a great laugh out of this, especially when I told them where she kissed ON him.

A bit later, I called daddy to give him a heads up. He kind of chuckled and said "It's probably just innocent". When he got home from work, he said "I know mom already talked to you so I won't say a lot, but we don't kiss boys."

She did say she was embarrassed and so was Daylon (sometime around the Halloween party she had admitted to me that she loves him). I hope that it was embarrassing enough to not do it anymore.

When she showed me where she kissed him, all I could think of was "What are people (ie Ms H, Ms M the principal, etc.) going to think of me?" (Because I'm insecure like that, and I thought that of the parents of the 1st graders last year.) I am praying this was just an innocent, isolated incident. We don't need to be worrying about such stuff yet. She's only 6!

What to do......

Oh, they start early

2007-01-03T19:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first day back to school after Christmas Break. If you read this, you know how wonderful a vacation it was!

K started off by telling me how not happy she was about having to go to school. Then she was eating her breakfast at the table and while rubbing her belly said, "Mommy, my tummy doesn't feel well".

So, me being the overly sensitive, caring mother that I am, said "It's probably because you are hungry and need to finish your breakfast."

She then procedes to rub all over her arms and torso, "Mommy, I feel itchy all over."

Mind you, this is that overly sensitive mother that I am speaking, "Nice try K, You are going to school."

She then sits and finishes her breakfast, brush teeth and hair and we head off to school without incident.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

According to the TV it is now officially 2007. This last day of 2006 was filled with church, giving a talk no less, crabby kids (mostly KL), a head-ache, oh yeah a nap!

We were invited to a friends party that included kids but did not start until 9pm. KL was in bed before then and the other two were not too long after. I'm kind of bummed we didn't go, but I'm not sure how fun it would have been with a baby who would not let you put her down or get two steps from her. She's not been eating much and is still having issues with her bowels (it started last week when she was thowing up, constantly blowing out her diapers, messing her clothes, etc.).

I'm going to bed.

Pandemonium, Presents & Puke

2006-12-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

Go to the bathroom now, this is a looooong post. I started writing it late Wednesday, and it is now 8 on Sunday.

We are back from our trip to Colorado for Christmas! We left early in the morning Friday. We had a lot of fun spending time with grandma and papa, cousins, uncles and aunts. They had a ton (well, not a ton but 25 inches) of snow, and the kids had a bunch of fun sledding. There was so much going on, I think I'll just go chronologically so I (hopefully) don't miss anything.

Friday, the traveling went surprisingly well. The kids usually seem to travel well and the roads were pretty clear for the most part. We made good time and arrived about two. The rest of the afternoon/evening was just sitting around visiting and dealing with over-tired kids.

Saturday was filled with a small amount of shopping trying to find a few last minute items, and the stockings - which I forgot to bring! How can Santa fill them with all that stuff? Thanks to T@rget for their cheapo $.99 ones. The stores were amazingly crowded and bare, thanks to the two feet of snow to stop shipments out of Denver and hold all of those last minute shoppers hostage in their homes. The parking lots were even worse, with half of the spots covered with mounds of snow. In spite of all this, we got all that we needed (and more). I also FORGOT to bring my make-up (How did THAT happen?).

We also bought a toboggan at the sportsmans store, it turned out to be well worth the money and the effort in trying to find one. T@rget was out of snow pants, boots and snow toys. (You'd think that snow caught people off-guard). We made it back to grandma's house (one-lane, snow filled road and all) and suited up the kids for fun. Bring on the sleds! There was even laughing when they wrecked, aside from T saying "I didn't want to do that". Turns out, K likes it but is a screamer! Even grandma went down with the kids.

Wake-up! Wake-up! I'm still telling our story here. Later, we were bathing the kids, getting them ready for bed. I had just gotten KL out and turned to wash up K. All of a sudden T (who is standing near the back of the tub) starts throwing up! K starts freaking out as it continues to mix with the tub water. I tell her, "just stand on the side of the tub". She continues to freak as he throws up a bit more, so I got her a towel so she could wait in the bathroom while I cleaned up T and the tub. I highly recommend the tub for throw up when someone doesn't make it to the toilet and/or you have a three year old who is still a bit unsure of what is happening to his body. He continued throwing up for awhile, and he got to the toilet every time (other than in the night when he launched on the sleeping bag).

Sunday, Sunday. Christmas Eve, filled with more sledding and fun, crab legs for dinner (ham for the kids and those who don't like), Yummy snacks, family and birthday cake for Brandi. They open their gifts on Christmas Eve and then Santa comes in the morning.

In total, there were 17 people on Christmas Eve opening presents (at once) in the Living Room. I'm not sure who got what from whom, so thank you all for everything.

Monday, Merry Christmas, Santa came. The kids didn't wake up real early they came out and just stood back by the couch. No running to their loot, no look mom! Santa came. T finally walked over to his stuff and just looked and shook like he had Parkinson's. Finally K said (as she bopped her head) "I have to wake up my brain." She gradually made her way to her stuff, commenting on how Santa must not have brought her the guitar she asked for (Santa was sneaky and wrapped the "big" presents this year, just in case they happened to see anything on our travels), and how she threw up last night. What??? Really?? Then breakfast and cranky KL to nap - 3 hours, she has never slept that long. When she woke up, we put her in the high chair for a snack and she really wouldn't eat and continued to be cranky. DH got her our to wash her up and she launched all over him and the kitchen floor. She launched all over grandma a bit later. Meanwhile... K is napping, which she NEVER, is repeat NEVER does. Later, Tonya and I are watching some sappy Christmas movie the H@llmark CHannel and I just don't feel right. Guess what! yay for me, I have it too. Whilst I'm running into the bathroom, K yells, "Grandma, mommy made it to the bathroom in time!" Then T comes in and says "Yuck! why's it red?" (Holiday oreos if you must know.) I couldn't even keep down water, but that was better that dry heaves. Lovely aye? I even slept on the couch for easier access to my porcelain friend.

Tuesday brought on more sickness, DH, Uncle Tim, Grandma, Cousin David and Baby J. I couldn't sit on the couch without falling asleep, and still had chills all day. I was glad we weren't coming home until Wednesday.

I didn't go see anyone, or go do anywhere I wanted to go. Hopefully next time we will all feel better and we will get to visit other places than the bathroom at grandma's and papa's.

Since we've been back, we have passed our germs on to mom, Tedi, Laren, Devon and Grandma. Laren and Tedi got to spend an extra day because of it. I bet they are GLAD we came back. I called dad to check to see if they've been sick, so far no, thankfully.

My Baby has a Shiner

2006-12-22T01:14:00.000-07:00

This is what her eye looked like yesterday after T hit her with a truck. It was an accident and not intentional. BUT - He was doing what we have asked him not to do. (He makes his trucks "fly", mid-air, or up and down, they fly on top of things, into things, all over.) I have said "trucks don't fly" a thousand times or more. He was in our bedroom "flying" his semi-truck and KL came up behind him at just the right time. She instantly started crying, then T started. He knew he was in trouble. I could tell he felt bad. For his "flying" he lost his truck. This totally set him off, screaming, crying and yelling. I was trying to console KL and each seemed to be trying to out-cry the other. Kimber was over and tried to help T understand why he lost his truck. Needless to say, it took awhile to reach a tolerable decibel level.

This is what her eye looks like today. The swelling has gone down a bit, but more dark under her eye.

I'm amazed that KL is the first with a black eye. There have plenty of time that I thought "that's gonna show", but never a mark.

I have a feeling that KL's going to have a lot of firsts, not the good kind either.

I'm NOT ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-12-21T07:14:00.000-07:00

We are to leave for Colorado in the morning and I still have so much to do.

1. K's school Christmas Party -

a. I'm in charge of prepping a craft for 51 (both 1st grades) students.

b. Purchasing the Raspberry Sherbet for this YUMMY punch (party is at 1:30 and it's 9:13)

c. find string for jngle bell game

d. prep treat bags for 51 kids

2. Work - end of year, so much to get ready for

a. How to pay ourselves

b. organizing expenses

c. 1099's

d. Kim's being pampered for Christmas today, so I'm solo (not that we've been busy, load wise)

3. Packing for trip

a. Wrap presents

(1) Pick up remaining presents from Kimber and Mom's homes

b. Finish laundry

c. Find suitcases

d. Find snow gear - CO got 25 inches!!!!

4. Christmas Cards

a. letter printed

b. fold

c. lick

d. stick stamps

e. labels printed, stick

f. mail

So, on top of this, I still need to take care of my personal hygiene, feed kids breakfast and lunch, and finish the cards for K's teachers (Ms. H and Spanish teacher Senora R) all before 1:15. (I'm sure there's more but with this mind it will come eventually)

ps - This was typed in the appropriate outline format, but somehow it won't publish that way.
I had better stop posting this long overdue post and start finishing my procrastinated projects - nothing like the rush of working on overload!

Awww, I Love You Too, sweetheart.

2006-12-12T19:19:00.000-07:00

Mr. T has been coming in our bed in the wee hours of the night. He is usually pretty good about staying in his bed, but this week has not been a good one.

It shouldn't be a big deal because our bed is king size and there should be lots of room for a three year old, right? Ha! You'd think so, but no. He needs to either be right in my back or sleeping horizontally between dream guy and I.

He also tends to wake up before the rest of us. Which is NO fun if you've not slept well (with a kid in your back). So being the grouchy morning person I am, I was not too willing to wake up early on a Sunday morning. He kept fidgeting, squirming and scratching at his excema.

I was trying hard to get him to go back to sleep. Holding his hand (to keep from scratching), putting my arms around him, etc. Then I hear this sweet little whisper "I love you". Just as I was ready to tell him that I loved him too, I looked over to see him take his animals "Puppy" and "Baboo" and kiss. THEY were the object of the affection.

I was totally bummed and awake. Might as well get up and finish my RS lesson.

Not-guilty until proven otherwise...

2006-12-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

T, hmm what do I say? He was coloring with marker ON his truck. The marker, of course was not waterproof, but not a Sharpie, so it didn't dry. (See exhibit A)

I was upstairs making dinner and he was downstairs with K, who was doing her own "projacts". When he came up, I noticed he was all pink. I started investigating and quickly found the source. Unlike the day I thought he was in the Jello (but after more digging and no jello pouch around) I found the ripped KoolAid pouch. This would explain the cherry scent and the stained red fingers (I bet THAT was yummy).

More evidence: There were two(2) hand prints and because blogger seems to limit you to five(5) pictures, I have chosen to only submit 1 to evidence.

Final evidence:

Defendant knew the evidence was damning and just before the verdict came, plea-bargained for a lesser sentence. No markers until he's 10!

BTW - those Magic Erasers really are Magic!

For Eckles

2006-12-11T21:04:00.000-07:00

It's about D@%& Time!

2006-12-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

Was what I was going to say when I posted pictures of KL's 1st Birthday (Oct 28th!)

But, thanks to Blogger, you will have to wait some more...........................

No surprise here!

2006-12-04T23:04:00.000-07:00

I guess there is a ranking for bloggers. I'm a D-lister, no big surprise. I'm sure if I were a celebrity I'd be at least a W!

Where do you rank?

loss for words...

2006-12-01T22:42:00.000-07:00

I just came across this fun little item. If you are that desperate, not sure this is the answer.

Who would really pay for this?

Sorry if I offended anyone.

Ramblings of a Random Nature

2006-11-30T22:37:00.000-07:00

I have been lurking at a lot of other blogs lately. Not accomplishing anything on my own as you may have noticed. I've thought about commenting on a few, but you see, I don't want them to come over and see my lackluster, poor writing and story telling skills. I also have not posted in (to quote my little sis) "11, eleven, e-lev-en" days. Though my eleven does not have as much personal angst, but have been there. ("It's okay dear, everyone has at least one big jump", says nurse to me during my monthly check-up while preg with baby KL, "But this is my third big jump!") .

How come everytime I come to actually post something, everything that I was going to say escapes me? I remember everything after I shut down the computer and go up to bed, the thoughts start flowing. And now, here I sit again and can't remember squat.

There are two 1st grade classes at our school, both at max capacity of 25 students each. In this school district, they have open enrollment, which if done properly, I think can be a good idea. A month ago, she told me the other class had 26 students for a day and the teacher(Ms. O) said, no, "Too many, too crazy, can't do it". So a student was to be "bumped" out to accomodate the new child who moved into the actual school boundaries. It just so happens around the same time, a friends child in that class was moved up to second grade, (she does seem very smart and was reading before kindergarten). I can't help but think maybe they moved her up so the other child did not get bumped. Said friend told me the teacher came to her and said "This is what we need to do"...

Another friend called last night to tell me she spoke with K's teacher Ms. H (her twins are in the same overfilled class). There is another new student in the boundaries. In the other class there is only one left that has transfered in and K's class has 3 or 4. The mother of the child in Ms. O's class says she only rents and if needs to, she will move this weekend into the school boundaries so her child does not get bumped. So this leaves one of the children in K's class. Of these children, one has a brother in third grade and the other has hearing issues, (our school has special things, classes, integration, etc. so she may be spared for this?) The other frustrating thing is, there is a school not more than a mile from us that has two first grades also and they only have 19 and 20 students. I think with this open enrollment, they should have a percentage that if the class is say 94% full, they will not allow transfers. It totally disrupts the child being bumped and if their boundary school is full, then do they bump another child to accomodate for the new one???

Sometimes I think maybe a private school, but around here, the only real option is parochial. I do not feel I am structured or consistent enough for home schooling. Options!!?!?!?

Anywho, back to the topic... My neighbor who is building a house in another schools boundary, (the house will be done in approx 4 weeks) was trying to get her daughter enrolled to start the year in the new school. The school was full and would not allow her to be an indistrict transfer because they have a "first come-first served basis". So when their house is done, E will transfer to her "boundary school" and the "first served" will be bumped in the middle of the scool year. How much sense does that make?

I can't help but feel that K's learning may be a bit impaired because of the class size. Ms. H is mainly just herding children here or there. I really think a percentage full has got to be the best approach? Any ideas?

I have been looking and dreaming of different houses. I have found a beautiful place but its about $100,000 over our budget (okay 50,000 if I'm really good with budget) But still, yeah right, without selling my soul to the devil. It has four acres and three car garage, great setting. A huge plus - a new school district. Awesome elementary school, but not so in love with the junior and high school (stricly based on the people whose children have attended). but as DH says, it all depends on your friends and the crowds you associated with. The high schools here are MUCH bigger and those negative things are wverywhere. Augh! There are cheaper houses in that area but not so big yard, setting, etc.

I could possibly afford that house in a year if I quit blogging, stopped driving looking a houses I cannot afford (for the record, I did have the work phone forwarded) and started putting some more effort into work not just waiting for them to come to me...just saying

Okay, I'm sure I have forgotten some points I wanted to add, but I need to get ready so I can take three kids by myself to the Dr. for so they can get their flu booster. Yay for me.

So glad we go to church

2006-11-19T23:12:00.000-07:00

Today during Sacrament Meeting, T was having a little snack, turned around squishing the empty package and said "Sh*t, they are all gone". I looked at Kimber and said "Did he just say what I think he said?" and she verified. We laughed a bit (probably too much) and she sent a text message to Smokes telling him this latest and he says "that's my boy". If he's not gagging himself and throwing up during Sacrament, then it might as well be "naughty words".

I wonder what he'll do next...

School Projects

2006-11-14T23:19:00.000-07:00

K made a booklet of her senses, she had to write the word and draw a picture of said thing;
page 1 - I can see: mom; Sydney (a girl at school); dad
page 2 - I can hear: horse, toking; me
page 3 - I can smell: flawrs; food; stinke breth ha
page 4 - I can taste: spgety; pars; crakrs
page 5 - I can touch: cats; horses; me

this made me laugh out loud. I will have to keep this one for sure. She's the one who put the ha on the page. LOL

Okay, not totally robbed

2006-11-14T22:04:00.000-07:00

I took a picture of her mouth full of baby teeth before the dentist. I was not sure what he would do today and I wanted to remember how cute and teeny her teeth were.

Also, I enhanced a picture of her "11th" tooth that I took before we left for the dentist. Can you see it? It is about double the size of her baby tooth. It is coming really fast. She got her teeth cleaned and the dentist told her to keep working it. The roots of the new tooth will push on the baby tooth and it should loosen up. He says it is not uncommon for this to happen, and the tooth will move into position when the baby tooth is gone.

With all the fingers in her mouth this afternoon it is Loose! She laughed with glee when I answered her "yes" after she asked me for the 10th time "is it really loose?" The other thing is that she has no space for the larger permanent tooth to fit in. He says orthodontia is likely in our future. He will do a full scan of her mouth when she's 7, 8 or 9 depending on how her jaw grows and expands.
I included a picture of T just to show how much spacing he has in his mouth already at 3. This pict is from a few weeks ago when he brought me the camera and asked me to take his picture. I also included a pict of KL just because.

K has been Robbed

2006-11-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

She has been waiting, and waiting, and waiting - impatiently, I might add for a loose tooth. On Sunday, after church, she showed me this thing in her mouth. A TOOTH, her permanent tooth is growing under her baby tooth, inside her mouth (duh), toward her tongue. Nothing is loose, and nothing has moved in order to make room in her tiny mouth for this large tooth. It is amazing how fast it is growing. At church, you could only see the three bumps on the top of the tooth. Today you can see the whole top of the tooth. I take her to the dentist Tues. at 3:10 to see what to do. I hope it goes well, this is a new dentist and hygenist. We'll go from here... I hope orthodontists are not in our future. Not off to a great start.

Halloween

2006-11-02T22:38:00.000-07:00

Inspite of the freezing cold outside, the kids had a great time. We had a suprise that day when Valarie and her family came to town. We Trick or Treated in my freinds neighborhood, she has a wonderful neighborhood and her house was a lot of fun. Here are a few pictures of our Halloweeners.

Our Little Beaver

The "Buckin' Cowboy"

The Purple Dragon

Our Little Cowgirl and her friend "Cloaked Spiderman"

Little Cowgirl at her school party

Long, Long Weekend

2006-11-02T22:19:00.000-07:00

We spent Saturday the 28th staying at a motel, swimming at their waterpark and celebrating KL's 1st Birthday. Working from home has made it hard for me to get anywhere and I was TIRED of my house and being in it. Kimber was extremely kind and used her air miles and rented us the room, this way we only had to pay for the wrist bands, which were kind of expensive. I had fun being a kid again and riding on the big waterslides they have. I was abit apprehensive on some of them (must be my age showing - I'm a chicken - bak-bak-bak). They also had a lazy river that was fun to float on tubes with the kids. (KL didn't have as much fun with the spraying water). Then on Sunday we went to The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. I bought the pass to go in May or June after K had bugged us about going there and it expired on Oct. 31st.(I had to use it, I got a discounted price but was still nearly $40) We had a ton of fun, but it completely wore us out.

All three kids really liked to see the horses. I thought it was pretty cool. Mostly the history of the land.

The current owner purchased it from the two original homesteaders who were brothers in law. One road was part of the old Pony Express trail with the "mail-box" still there (I included a pict). They also have a Sun Dance site for the Lakota people. In early spring they fast and dance for four days (I included a pict of the tree and circle). They use a cottonwood tree because it has a star in the center, not rings. Everything they use symbolizes something, heavens, earth, people, etc. The dances were outlawed for awhile after the Wounded Knee Massacre, and sometime in the 70's were allowed to start again. They were allowed to come back to the original dance site after the land was purchased for this sanctuary.

There have been many movies and commercials shot on the 11,000 acres. Other roads were once the cattle trail from Texas when they were bringing the cattle to sell in Chicago and one other place.

Some of the horses blood lines are 100's of years old. They keep these separated to keep the blood lines pure. They are really friendly. Some of them were trying to get in the bus with us. (didn't seem so wild, but did spook very easily.)

T's 3rd Birthday

2006-11-02T22:13:00.000-07:00

A few pictures of T on his birthday. At first he decided he didn't want a "bursday", but once he realized you get presents and cake, he was all for it.

The crazy kid slept with some of his presents. (He usually has a Hot Wheel or two, but never a large car.)

Lately he has been taking the wheels off of everything (Grandma & Papa brought his present when they came up from CO, a really cool off-road car set that you charge up, then push a button and it races off and over things, He destroyed it within 48 hours) so I told a few people not to get anything with wheels.

Mom was going to give him the pj's I bought for him (thus, the wheel-less present idea was not passed on to her), but decided at the last minute to get something "fun". Well, he squealed like a little girl when her saw the big black car (evidently Mommy doesn't know best, i was just tired of him breaking all of his cars and trucks and finding choking hazards all over, babies love little things). He also got a fishing pole (thanks Grampa and Jeanie, he says you have to take him fishin'), and some baseball gear - he hits pretty well (ask Ber-Ber her chest might be a bit lopsided from one of them), a new leap pad; a GeoTrax train system and much more, he's having fun with it all. I'm trying to find places to put it. Square footage is definitely something we lack!

T - When I found out you were a boy, I was worried. Our family has girls, what do you do with a boy??? You have definitely taught me what to do, it has been so much fun. It has been trial by fire. All the things I thought would be hard have gone much, much easier than expected. I love the way you ask a question, your voice gets a little higher at the end of the question and you crinkle your eyebrows at the same time. You are such a rough and tumble boy but, so caring and giving (unless it is your favorite truck). You want to be a buckin' cowboy when you grow up. You love to give KL hugs and kisses, sometimes a lot rougher than I would prefer, but KL loves it and laughs.

You are addicted to gum (thanks Ber-Ber). So darn independent. You love to pretend you are Chayse, and K is Harlee and I am Aunti Tami, you won't do somethings until I call you Chayse. You also think you are six. It seems as though you have jumped right past toddlerhood and are trying to be as old as "ger-ger".

I laugh at your cute sense of humor. When you go in the potty chair and bend over to pull up your pants you tell me "don't dump it on my head". When you "do's this" and stand up at the big boy toilet, you hit your hip 3 times to shake it out? Very comical. Teasing is in your blood, you love to play "I was jus' kiddin' " games.

Drama 101, Bedtime... Try outs at noon Today!

2006-10-22T22:39:00.000-06:00

Act 1

Mommy: "Okay, time to brush teeth, get your rinse, give daddy and KL kisses, and go potty."

Kids: Reluctantly head to the bathroom, K brushes teeth and T brushes the mirror w/toothbrush and paste. Come out for their "drink" give kisses and hugs then K goes potty.

T: "I already did goed potty"

Mommy (can substitute daddy): "T, no you didn't, please go potty"

T: reluctantly goes potty.

Kids: Take a few minutes to gather all of your sleeping requirements (i.e. K - sift through toys in closet looking for a new bedtime friend; T - look for cars, tractors, etc. to sleep with) and then climb into bed.

meanwhile...
Daddy: get the baby ready for a bath

Mommy: "Get into bed!"; then climb ladder and tuck in K and give kisses and head-hug. Then climb down and tuck T in and give a big hug and kiss. say "good night, I love you".

T: "I want to say prayer".

Mommy: "Okay, Dear Heavenly Father...continuing with prayer whilst K vocally inserts the things she wants me to add and T clasps his hands and climbs out of bed to lay by me kneeling...in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Mommy: "T - You had your drink, gave kisses and went potty, if you come out I get your puppy."

T: "Okay mommy"

Mommy: Go sit in the recliner and finally read the newsaper.

Daddy: Giving baby KL a bath

T: wait 3 minutes and then come out, "I need to go pee".

Daddy: "Okay, (with lack of believability) but if you come out again I will paddle your bum".

T: "Okay, mommy don't take my puppy" (T, be so occupied with mommy going into the bedroom to get KL's pj's that you don't go pee).

Mommy: Tuck T back into bed. "If you come out I get your puppy"

Mommy: get baby KL ready for bed

Act 2
T: wait ten minutes and then come out "Mommy, paddle my bum so I can go potty".

Mommy: Try your best not to laugh and say "go pee and get to bed!"

T: go and sit, then say "I need you to tuck me it"

Mommy: tucks T in and takes puppy

T: whiny voice "Mommy, don't take puppy!"

Mommy: "I told you if you came out again I would take a puppy."

kisses, hugs, re-tuck into blankets

Act 3
Mommy: go sit and read paper; Daddy watching news

T: Come out carrying another puppy, drop in the kitchen and say "here, I need to go potty"

Daddy: "Get into bed"

Daddy to Mommy: "What was that?"

Mommy: "The Sacrifice"

Drop curtain

Things I have learned

2006-10-21T12:37:00.001-06:00

- Orange Juice stains, Soy Sauce does not. How would T, barely 3, know the "lid" on the soy sauce had holes on each side? Or that when you try to pull off the lid from the sippy cup with your teeth it would spill (he should know this one)?
- I don't look forward to hair cut day
- A set of Wahl clippers from Sam's Club does not a Barber make
- A 1/4 inch in blade guard sizes makes a HUGE difference - sorry DH (maybe my secret way of getting an extra week or two in between hair cuts, not really just a slight oversight).
- A week of headaches really puts you behind, i.e. dinner, housework, laundry, etc.
- Newton's Law applies to laundry, for every load washed there is a new one
- I am not a good publisher of thoughts
- I'm know there was more but can't remember it anymore...

Crunch, Crunch, Crunch

2006-10-20T23:36:00.000-06:00

Just adding a bit to Valarie's crunchy granola post. I have increased a tad bit, am no longer instant oatmeal, but sprinkled with granola. Not sure if this is good or not. Some of the questions are BIZARRE (at least I think so, who makes their own personal hygiene items!!!). (I also might be a 15 on the nerd score - I inserted three links!)

Went to dinner at some friends tonight. Had a good time other than the dog kept trying to "get it on" with my leg. Never had to deal with that before. Gross, I thought they had him fixed. Maybe I just bring it out in him. Maybe I was getting mixed signals? Who knows, but don't need to do That again.

Mark was holding KL and was wanting to trade for the dog. T went to get her and asked Mark to "give him his baby". He also calls her like a puppy when he wants her to come play with him "come here baby-girl, come on baby K". Sorry, don't think we'll be trading.

The many faces of KL

2006-10-16T22:13:00.000-06:00

Her newest smile with a little sweet potatoes.
Having fun with daddy, she loves to be chased
A silly girl
Mad because I'm not showing her the picture on the digital camera.

Another of her newest smile, and a view of her "gap"

A giggle I forgot

2006-10-16T19:14:00.000-06:00

The other day I was up feeding KL, and T was with me. Kimber was downstairs and yelled. "oh crap! I forgot the cable guy was coming this-morning."

T proceded to go down the stairs asking, "Kimber, do you need to crap? Kimber, do you need to crap? Kimber, do you need to crap?"

The funniest part is that he doesn't know or understand the meaning of "crap". And why Kimber and I kept laughing at him. He just kept asking (like he does when he doesn't get an answer - over and over) because no one could answer through the laughter.

Notes from K's Teacher

2006-10-15T08:22:00.000-06:00

We had Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday the 12th. Was gearing up for the worst. My friend had them for her twins the week before and stopped by after, on the verge of tears, to tell me how unprepared she was for the not-so positive things the teacher had to say. She told me not to go alone (her husband was at class for most of it). Figuring it was only 5 weeks into the school year and trying to adjust to the all-day school, there would be a bit more leniency on the requirements. Guess not.

We were totally prepared for her to tell us how rambunctious K was. [i.e. One day K came home to tell me how she got in the "red" for cartwheeling in class. (Levels of class behavior - start in green, then yellow is their warning, red - they have to sit at a separate desk and fill out a "stop and think" sheet about what they did, etc. and last, black - the principal.)]

So when it came time for her to go over K's Conference Planner, we were pleasantly surprised.

Here is what Teach had to say...
Strenghths
- Hard Worker
- Good beginning reading & math skills
- Helpful to others
- Has lots to share
Areas for improvement
- Neatness (letter formation & spacing between words)
- Listening & following directions (This has improved since the beginning of the year)
Additional comments or concerns
Kirby has made improvements in dealing with things that might not go the way she wants. K is an asset to our class. :o)

She went on to say how much she loves K, and she is a lot of fun to have in the class. She will also be moving up to the next level of reading books next week, and is in the higher group of readers in her class.

She knows all her letters, sounds, etc. (Duh! I thought, what first grader doesn't, but sadly there are a few in her class that don't know all of them. I have worked with them out in the hall when I go to K's class.) She has greatly improved on things that don't go her way. Teach said that K was having a hard time getting her letters in the right spot - not floating around in the space. And was willing to put herself in the "yellow" because she was having such a hard time. Teach laughed and told her, you only go to the yellow if you refuse to fix it, but you are working and trying to get it. Teach really got a kick out of it.

Am I a braggart? Possibly, but am so proud of her. It was a really good conference. I do question, was it better because I was expecting the worst? Do I need to change my expectations? Nah, just take it as it is.

More Tidbits

2006-10-10T21:40:00.000-06:00

Move toward the light... a picture of DH grinding the concrete in the bedroom to break it our for the egress window (I do not recommend this EVER - we put the plastic up and a fan to blow out the window to protect the rest of the house - HA! there is a fine layer of dust - and not the bunny kind - on everything.

T says "augh, Daddy breaked our house, mommy's gonna be so mad"

helpful hint - don't spraypaint an egress window after installation - especially on a windy day, it will make you a sticky, yucky paint-filled mess.(fyi - you don't need to paint it at all, we just thought it might reflect more light into the room on this sunless side of the house - who knows) and no, I'm not that gray, it's paint.

And our house - no longer "breaked"
It was T's 3rd birthday today - had fun and will add picts and comments later - I promise to do it very soon. LOL

Yes, we are still here...

2006-10-09T16:33:00.000-06:00

Here are a few pictures of things we've been up to; Being silly; Grandma and Papa came to visit...

An overdue update

2006-09-25T21:51:00.000-06:00

We have had kind of a crazy week or so.

KL has had some sort of infection in her throat. Her fever started Saturday night, I was just thinking it was her teeth since the top ones were starting to poke through. But by Tuesday and she was still fevered, not eating and drinking much and soooo snuggly (which I loved), I decided I'd better call the doc. I felt horrible when he looked in her throat and I seen her tonsils, all red, swollen and full of puss pockets. With the other two, they always got fevers when teething and I would rush them into the doc and nothing would be found, this is what I get for just assuming all was ok. She is feeling MUCH better, and acting like herself again. Which has been wonderful considering the sleepless nights and little attitude that seemed to come out from out of the blue.

K has been doing great at school, and we have not had any more melt-downs!! Especially surprising since she started Spanish classes Mon & Thurs after school and the school day is longer. She got to spend the night with grandma, which will hopefully curb the asking for awhile. She got to go to her first Birthday party at McDonald's. She was funny before she left, she seen the McDonald's toy T got in his Happy Meal from lunch and said "No Fair! How come T got McDonald's" I had to remind her that she was on her way out the door to go there. She had a lot of fun, but attitude was awful, is this what the teen years are going to be like?

T is still TOTALLY obsessed with how people go to the bathroom. Every time he stands to pee, he'll come out and show me how he did it. He showed grandma last night how he pees. (She didn't need to have any boys, she's getting her fill with T and W!) He even sits on the floor and tells me "Kimber goes like this" or some other person he's fond of. So hard to keep from laughing. Three is definitely on its way! He has a more determined attitude and will tell me "Don't tell me no" or "Don't say that" I just have to remind him "I did tell you no, now please ..." Yikes.

Business has totally been a roller-coaster. Crazy busy days and some dry as the Sahara days. But I feel really good about what we have accomplished these past few weeks. Hope everyone else feels the same. We got our first checks on Saturday. Not amounting to much considering what invoices we have out there, but it's starting.
My house is messy, but it seems as soon as I clean, it rains, or the "*&$#^@#" bleeping apples that are falling get smushed and tracked all over the house. I have such a love/hate relationship with that tree.

We got the locates for the window-well today, so when we start digging for the egress window, we don't dig up any cables or gas lines. We are going to put K and KL downstairs, hopefully this will give K the alone-time in her room that she requires and alleviate some of the fighting when she needs this time.

A Cautionary Tale

2006-09-16T11:11:00.000-06:00

Oh so bright, oh so insane, where was my brain. I guess I didn't think about how this might feel. Until she really started to yell.

Okay, Last night I had the thought that I should help K's neck and those muscles to loosen up and put a GOOD helping of Ben Gay on her neck and shoulders. (More than I normally would have used, but a bunch came out and I couldn't get it back in the tube.) Who knew that it doesn't feel good when you're six? She started crying, "It burns, owwww, it burns". (Maybe it was because we told her it would feel warm. I really think it was a true reaction though. Pretty hard to fake that.) Lots of tears later, her neck IS feeling better this morning, still pretty stiff, but she has more movement.

So, to all you out there whose kids fall off freezers and hit their heads, don't use Ben Gay - get Sportscreme or something that doesn't burn :o). I would stay away from Icy Hot too, just to be safe.

A week of Firsts

2006-09-14T23:09:00.000-06:00

KL climbed up the stairs. Then made it halfway up before mommy or daddy noticed. We are in trouble now.

K's first "melt down". I'm guessing, tired from this whole school thing.
K's first school lunch, supposed to be mac and cheese and chicken nuggets, turned out to be hamburger, with corn and apple slices. She only ate a few slices of apple because she now refuses to eat corn that is not on the cob and does not like hamburgers. I think this had a very integral role in the melt down.

K's first chiropractic adjustment. She is continuing to have problems from her fall off the freezer. (I can't remember if I've posted this, but she was dancing on the chest freezer in the garage to her favorite song and fell off, hitting her head on the concrete.) Doc Bill said her C1 was definitely out and she needs to come back Monday. I had to literally pick her up and force her to lay on the table, but she was much happier when she got to pick a prize from the "prize room". He also said her lymph nodes were swollen. When I asked if this was a result of the fall, he said she probably had multiple things going on. So does this mean I need to take her to our family doc???

T, T, T what do I say about this escape artist. Going and visiting with the neighbor, going out front and rummaging through Kimber's car for gum. Trying to pee standing up - mostly outside. And telling me "I do'd this and peed all over."

Taking an idea from Val

2006-09-11T22:20:00.000-06:00

Did I tell you that...

KL has started saying Uh-Oh and loves to look at herself. To the point of getting upset if you don't show her the picture you took of her. Think I'll have problems with her and vanity later??

K enjoyed her first day of school, other than "the teacher got her in trouble". She has completely shocked me with her school lunch. I packed her a sandwich, strawberries, gogurt, juice box, cheetos, and cookies, she ate all but the cheetos and cookies. Shocking to say the least.

T has started peeing outside. Even funnier - K came in the house telling me that T said he peed outside "I got down and smelled it, it smelled like pee" proclaimed K.

He is also obsessed with how people pee. "Daddy do's this, grandpa do's this, but I do this" Picture a little boy standing and moving his hips forward for the "stance" and then squatting for how he do's it. (No my grammar isn't this bad, I'm trying to do it like T says it) It's hilarious, and hard not to laugh.

He also mooned grandma the other day. We were trying on new pants and adjusting the waist band and while pulling them off, his unders would slide a bit. So I asked him if he was showing grandma his bum again and he pulled them all the way down and stuck his butt out at her. I couldn't help but laugh. No controlling it then.

I just remembered that I forgot to call Valarie back yesterday. - Sorry Val

I am LOVING having use of Dad's laptop.

This is my 50th blog - not very regular but here you go.

There were so many other things, but you know how my brain works...
I will add things later as memory permits.

New Beginnings

2006-09-04T22:46:00.000-06:00

In the morning, K starts First Grade... DH asked if I was excited and if I was ready for her to be gone all day. Me, NO. I worry about how she will do, will she eat enough at lunch, will she go pee when she needs to, will she sit still and pay attention, will she like her teacher????? So many unknowns, and I don't know what to do. I know she is getting older, every time I look at her I see how grown up she is getting.

Her clothes are sitting on the couch, she will shower in the morning, and I have made her sandwich, cut her strawberries, put her cheetos and a napkin in her Hello Kitty lunch box, and her backpack is filled with her supplies. Getting up early and we'll see how it goes.

She waffles back and forth from hating school to liking it. Tonight I talked to her about how learning makes you smarter and about all the things she will learn. This seemed to help some of the anxiety, I hope it will get her through tommorow. I also talked to her about praying to Heavenly Father and he will help her with anything she needs to get through her day.

Mother of the Year?

2006-09-04T08:39:00.000-06:00

Saturday, KL was crawling around and was getting pretty close to the stairs. I was in the kitchen talking to her. Then she turned and practically dived. To my horror, I watched her flip down the stairs. Screaming and running over to her, watching her fall - so close to the edge of the long staircase. Thankfully she only fell the three stairs and stopped at the landing. She cried for so long, I felt horrible.

T is closing in on Three

2006-09-03T22:32:00.000-06:00

Sitting in Sacrament today T wanted to color. Not a problem, with all the extra things that come along in my church bag, I can find colors lickety-split. Or so I thought. No crayons came out with each desperate grasp, trying not to make any extra noise. (We had already been laughing with K - she got her first Wet Willy today). K got a vet kit and decided to bring everything to church, i.e. syringe, stethoscope, water dish, etc. in her church bag, and it rattled too loudly so I put them in my bag. Every colored pencil tip was broken, or in desperate need of sharpening. Alas, a washable marker...But he was so carefree and flailing the marker about the pew I got nervous and took the marker away. Trying to make a crying two year old comprehend why he can't color with the marker is near impossible. I asked him to hush, with no effort. "Do you want to go to the van" was next, no better. So I picked him up to take him out to the hall. He is still crying and yells out "I don't want to go to the van".

After Sacrament Meeting I got a few comments. One friend, "you made a great exit", 2nd counselor in bishopric, "I heard your son on your way out", and another recapped a story tol by some apostle that when he was taking out his son, the son turned and yelled for the bishop to help him. They were all in fun, and we had a great laugh. Kimber even admitted she was laughing. Her day is coming!!! As many times as she has laughed at what my children do...

Hang on to your boot straps, its gonna be a rough ride...

2006-09-01T14:23:00.000-06:00

Thursday we went to Meet the Teacher/PTA Pizza party. Had a good time inspite of T wanting to run crazy all over the place. We sat with a few families from church and visited while we ate. I sarcastically said, so Parker is starting kindergarten huh? And was shocked that their son truly was, I said to them "but he was just born". In my mind, no one grows up and when I find out their age it blows me away.

We then started discussing how old are subsequent children were and how T is finally liking nursery. Well, by liking, I mean not screaming and crying the whole time and I can go to class. And by no surprise they released the Nursery Leader, with only a few months left until another adjustment to Sunbeams.

K then pipes in how she "hates church". I said to her, "no you don't, you always have fun with your teacher and you love to sing." K then says "not their songs". So I told Tealen, have Wendy put a country twang on the primary songs and she'll love it. My friends husband then started to sing an awful country rendition of I Love to See the Temple. He was then asked to never do that again. :o) And I was told that I was in TROUBLE. (Her favorite song is Going through Hell by Rodney Atkins. though she does sing heck.)

I really think she just dislikes the idea of church. She is always saying it was fun when I get her from primary. She is definately strong willed and has her own ideas of how things should be.

Tuesday is the first day of 1st Grade. Her teacher is brand new to this school, but has been teaching for 17 years or so. She is coming from General Beadle (a school across town). Hope K likes her, she is very different from K's kindergarten teacher. I'm sure she's great.

We'll see how this all-day thing goes. I'm a bit worried about the tiredness and whininess that may come from this. That seems to be the hardest thing for me to deal with. Because when she's over-tired or hungry, she has a really hard time coping with things. The only fix is sleep or eating, and I can't make her do anything. We may have compounded this by enrolling her in an afterschool Spanish class two days a week. She is excited about that though.

We gave Aggie to Stephanie and Devin. K has mixed emotions, sad that she won't get to see Aggie every day, but glad that she can play outside without the dog trying to bite her. I'll be very glad to not her her screaming AAAAGGGGIIIIIEEEE, in that whiny, shrill yell that she has.

finally, the chickens

2006-08-24T22:29:00.000-06:00

cleaning up, after a fun day at the farm and fun with aunt Tonya.

My first few days of working from home...

2006-08-24T22:14:00.000-06:00

Crazy, chaotic? The kids are doing very well. Not interrupting too badly and behaving for the most part. A few minutes to themselves upstairs and a bottle of baby powder proved to be a bit too much for the curious boy...

and yes, that is a Furby lying amongst the fluff.

KL is fully crawling which is making some things a bit more of a challenge. i can't just sit her down and know that she won't get into anything. She loves the cords and finds the teeniest items to pick up. How those chubby fingers pick up some of it???

Dad has been a Huge help getting us going and teaching us what we need to do. (And no, I'm not just saying that because he reads this :o) I would be so lost (even more than I feel) if he wasn't willing to sit in my laundry fllled basement teaching us the ins and outs of the business.

On the Road Again

2006-08-19T09:42:00.000-06:00

We just got back from a trip to SF and P with Grandma and Tonya. It was a lot of fun visiting Auntie Tami and cousins Chayse and Harlee (We missed Taylor by a few days). We went to the T County Fair (I am still amazed at how large it is with P being so teeny of a town). The kids watched 4-h-ers show sheep, rode rides, ate corn dogs and had the "best ice cream in the whole world" dubbed by K. Even threw a few darts to pop balloons and win those glass picture that are so prevalent at fairs.

K got to ride horses and spent time at the farm chasing chickens and helping pull weeds. She tells us she got stronger from that and then shows us her bi-ceps. She also told Auntie Tami that she wasn't ever going to leave.

T rode the horses too with those talented horse-riding cousins. It was really fun to watch Chayse and T on the little pony "Chocolate" trying to trot. More funny that anything.

The kids (and myself) are plum tuckered out! We had a great time though. Even without a pool at the hotel! We had Chayse and Harlee at the hotel the first night and it was pure chaos with 5 kids. But luckily we knew SF well enough to find the Chuck e Cheeses so they could run off energy.

Tonya took some great pictures of K, Chayse and Harlee with the chickens. I will get them from her to post. Very cute.

I have included (blogger permitting) a few pictures of these events.

To all you checkers out there, I tried to post this yesterday but blogger was not wanting to upload my images.

a few tidbits from KL

2006-08-11T21:57:00.000-06:00

She was tagged by Howie (a little bit of interesting news - I inserted a link - this 4 on the nerd scale just bumped up to 10!)

3 things that scare me:
*strangers who get in my space
*K or T jumping at me from behind
*my mom helping me to roll over

3 people who make me laugh:
*T
*K
*myself

3 things I love:
*the sound of water filling the bathtub
*to see daddy come home
*my boyds bear-blankie

3 things I hate:
*getting my face washed after eating
*when daddy doesn't come pick me up right when he walks in the door
*rolling over

3 things I don't understand:
*why I can't move forward, only in backward circles
*why my brother and sister run around without me
*that walking thing

3 things on my floor: (living room)
*T's cars
*baby toys
*dad's work boots

3 things I'm doing right now:
*sleeping with my head in the corner of my bed
*sucking my thumb
*whilst holding aforementioned blankie

3 ways to describe my personality:
*loving
*I'm hilarious
*sweet

3 things you should listen to:
*K singing her "western" songs
*me laughing at myself, remember, I'm the most hilarious 9 month old I know
*me talking in my sleep

3 things you should never listen to:
*mommy sing - only after you understand she can't
*T and K arguing
*K's high-pitched gna-gna-ing

3 things I want to do before I die (in other words, 3 things my mom wishes for me):
*be generous
*be a kind and loving mother
*be in a real crib in my own room

3 things I love to eat:
*pears
*num num = breast milk
*sweet potatoes

3 things I'd like to learn:
*to crawl
*to say daddy
*walking

3 "shows" I watch:
*mommy pumping
*mommy pumping
*mommy pumping :o) (get the picture, I feel it's all I do)

3 babies I tag:
*my mommy doesn't know any other bloggin' moms

Are you talking to me?

2006-08-08T08:25:00.000-06:00

K finished up swimming lessons on Friday. Last year she I enrolled her in Level 1. She did so well that they skipped her to Level 3. They changed up he levels a bit so, to be safe, this summer I enrolled her in Level 2.

She did not pass to Level 3. Quote from her instructor: "K has done well this session of Level 2, but she won't be able to move on to Level 3. On some days, she wouldn't participate or try what I asked. To help her to move on, K will need to start listening, following directions and being confident. Good Job!!"

A mother's justification: In my daughters defense, I don't think she lacks any confidence. She doesn't think she needs lessons because she "already knows how to swim"(frantic floundering and splashing is more like it, but she thinks it is swimming). She also would not participate in the end game on a cloudy 70 degree day (she was turning blue at the side of the pool).

But that listening and following instructions. She has such a hard time with this. I did hear the instructors tell her, "K, wait by the side, K, you need to wait at the wall". When the instructors were taking other kids, K is dunking her head, jumping around, playing in the water.

It's like dance all over again when she only got one stamp because she was playing tiger when the teacher was helping other kids. This is when I told her I was disappointed because she didn't listen and she told me "I bet you are!"

I am tempted to try Karate or Ju Jitsu, these are very disciplined and teach self control right? Any ideas?

I have a feeling First Grade is going to be rough.

Drivin' in a Car

2006-08-02T22:27:00.000-06:00

The road trip through South Dakota and Minnesota, then Iowa and Missouri and home again, quite the mileage but we had fun.

K would ask to "turn on her radio" (it was her singing and giving weather reports - she was the whole kit and caboodle, DJ and Singer). Fun to hear her and her love of singing.

Plum tuckered out.

T kept wanting his "phone heads" so he could listen to the movie. And had a lot of fun playing with grandma's hats.

And KL - other than exploding out of her diaper in Albert Lea and having to clean her up in a bathroom with blaring and scary hand dryers and no hot water... she traveled very well.

High above ol' St. Louie

2006-08-02T22:14:00.000-06:00

Finally, I am posting about our trip to Missouri. A few of us drove to St. Louis after the reunion to see the arch. It was blasted hot! There was an hour wait in the security line out in the sun and then an hour wait inside. There was a really cool museum and other interesting things to do. Strangely enough there was no concessions - we were there over lunch with hungry kids. It seems odd to me since you have to wait? Maybe, just maybe the wait was long because we happened to go on the busiest holiday weekend they have. (July 4th). It was very interesting, it took me until the doors opened up to ride up to understand how it all works. Talk about BRIGHT!

Fun at Storybook Island

2006-08-02T17:26:00.000-06:00

Isn't that the cutest?

Howie came to visit us this week (okay, his parents too!) Grandma had a great idea to go visit Storybook Island, a local children's park. The kids had fun running around to the different places, and I had fun snapping pictures (as always).

Following in Valarie's Blogsteps...

2006-07-26T22:41:00.000-06:00

I googled Jennifer Needs and here are some of the responses

Jennifer needs a smack daddy. Oh hell yes.
Jennifer needs to recognize that both of you do a good job
Jennifer needs Your Help
Jennifer needs a cold shower - What??
Jennifer needs to post -
Jennifer needs to be in a mental health facility right now
Jennifer needs a break
Jennifer needs to make sandwiches that satisfy her and prevent late-night bingeing.

It's funny how all this works - those smart techies. Some of these could really apply to me, latenight bingeing, help, recognizing others helpfulness, posting - okay Kimber ;o).

Kind of fun...

Starting Already

2006-07-25T09:06:00.000-06:00

We stayed at the pool after swim lessons to play. It was bloomin' hot, so nice to be near water. The kids had fun, except KL - she's not thrilled with the pool.

K is in lust... There was a life guard that she thought was "so cute I couldn't take my eyes off of him", "mom, did you see that life guard with the hat and white sun glasses? I hope he comes out again"

SHE'S ONLY SIX!!!! It was cute to see her at pool break try to sit near his station, but we are in trouble.

Coming up for air

2006-07-23T18:59:00.000-06:00

I am feeling overwhelmed by my cluttered house. About once a month or so, it makes me feel a tad edgy. But on top of this usual feeling We have been out of town 9 days out of the last three weeks. So trying to catch up on all the laundry, and normal household chores has been a losing battle.

ON top of trying to start a business, clearing out my desk and making space for office equipment and another person, AUGH. No wonder I'm a "crabby lady" [as my dear husband called me today - all in fun (I think)] I do think it may be a bit justified.

Kirby also starts her first week of swim lessons, this will not help with getting anything done since some days we will have to stay at the pool and play. Only because it will be darn hot and the kids have been bugging me ALL summer. It should be fun but there is MUCH to do.

So, I am updating my blog after one sister asked if I was going to do it regularly. My intentions are good and am trying. This is nothing exceptional but it's a new entry. I still need to post about our trip to Missouri, just one more thing to do...

Vroom, Vroom

2006-07-18T14:41:00.000-06:00

We just got back from a quick and last minute trip to Colorado. We left here just in time to miss the 111 degree weather Rapid City had. Lucky for us, the highest high in CO was 103. I guess anything over 90 is miserable for me.

We brought back a motorcycle we purchased from Smokes' dad. I don't even know what it is. They all look the same to me. The kids are excited though. (Smokes too!)

The kids are such good travelers. We took the truck, so they were all crammed in the back and had no movie. I guess the dvd player is not a necessity (duh!) They did just fine without it. As long as K could listen to her "western" music all was well.

We had fun just hanging out. Not going anywhere (other than shopping with Shawnna - Target of course)

Love Everyone

2006-07-18T14:34:00.000-06:00

I don't despise them. I am just clueless.

A story about a frog

2006-07-09T22:56:00.000-06:00

My daughter has proclaimed, "I love frogs more than horses!" For many of you that may come as a shock. For others you may know she can be fickle about her favorite stuffed animal (flavor of the week) but does indeed love those horses. In Missouri, she found a teeny frog. (That is her holding "Katey") How she came across it I will never know, it was dusk and they [her first cousins once-removed (I learned how that works last week)] were playing near the trees at Aunt Elaine's. They had a lot of fun speculating about this from and the home it would have in Rapid City. Some really concerned that we were taking it with us. But alas, all this excitement came to a tragic end. K took her new friend out of the container and it fell through the cracks in the deck.

I guess I am not the best mother, I would not go under the deck to retrieve the frog. K was afraid of the spiders so in her distress wanted mommy to do it. I had to let her know I don't touch frog or spiders. ( I feel horrible admitting I wouldn't do this) She was so sad and she has great cousins. Hear is a few pictures of them searching for the frog.

In these pictures (sorry not really any faces) Sarah and Tyler H. and Morgan C. Sarah is in the yellow shirt and pink shorts, Tyler in the orange shirt and Morgan yellow shirt and white shorts. They never found the frog, It may have survived and skedaddled, or maybe so small it fell to its demise. (I'm glad they didn't find that!) It the last picture they claim to be looking at the frogs "tracks". They did have fun together. I will post more about the trip later.

No longer living in a Fishbowl

2006-07-09T22:20:00.000-06:00

I know, it has been forever since I said I was going to make them. First, I had to get the fabric - on sale of course! (So... I had to wait for a sale) Then sewing, I am not skilled in this area by any means and this was a bit gutsy for me to try. I had them sewn but could not decide if I should make hem Roman shades or not. In the end I decided to use ties made out of the fabric, but I ran out. So, two curtains were installed and then I went on vacation. Yesterday I bought another yard of fabric - (full price AUGH!) but, I had to finish them, the other two panels were laying over the back of the couch waiting to be installed but needed the tie strap.

Not to be boastful or anything, but I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out. There are a few things that I might have done differently, but they work and look okay.

Next, the kitchen...

Stand and What???

2006-06-28T22:39:00.000-06:00

The kids and I went to lunch with Kimber and Reba at Taco Bell today. Of course, my children need to pee at every restroom and place we go, I hope they soon learn most are disgusting. I took T and the lid was a wee (he he) bit dirty and there were no paper covers/protectors. So I thought I would have T stand there, him being a boy and all, no touching the lid necessary. Well no go, not sure it the concept was too foreign or what. The next stall opened up and he assumed the position most familiar to him. Oh what fun...

Going to on our trip to Iowa and Missouri tomorrow, hope to post about the FUN we had.

Nakie in 0.2

2006-06-26T12:56:00.000-06:00

I have ruined a few washer mechanisms by washing my rugs in them, this in turn has changed my way of cleaning the rugs. I now hang them over the fence and spray them down with the hose. It's not the best way, it's wet of course, and it leaves a puddle and they take forever to dry. It does save me from having to pay to have my washer repaired.

I finished spraying down the rug yesterday and came in the house leaving T and Emerson (the neighbor girl) outside playing. Within seconds, Emmy came in after me to tell me that T took his clothes off. I went outside to get him - stark naked- and he was telling me he was going to play in the *"pool". Should I worry that he cares not who sees him or his peanut? Poor Emmy!

*definition of pool - the puddle from the rug cleaning

D' ough

2006-06-22T22:47:00.000-06:00

Today, I was in the "milk shed" and K came down to tell me that T was cutting something. I asked her to put the scissors away and she went up to do so. A minute later she came down with a package of rolled pie crust and said that "this is what T was cutting". I then asked her to put it in the fridge.

A few minutes later, both of my children came down the stairs, each of them eating their own roll of dough. Like a foot long corn dog. I told K that it is not healthy to eat that much raw dough and to put it away. Then she came downstairs crying to tell me that she was afraid, and didn't want to get a belly ache. Well, if you eat a whole raw pie crust... She did not, only a bite or two and then threw them away.

The Blog of Many Pictures

2006-06-20T22:35:00.000-06:00

On Saturday, we went four-wheeling. It was a ton of fun. (Personally, I think we had as much fun as the kids!) We took the Barbie Jeep for T, K and W to drive around the trucks and trailer. T went straight for the hill climb immediately after DH took the Jeep out of the truck. Then continued to go off-roading (the jeep has hard plastic tires, and kept getting stuck in the tall grass or rough terrain). T would get stuck, then just sit and wait for someone to come get him out.

We all got pretty muddy (as usual) and had a great time going faster and jumping more than we should.

There was one accident - Dad rolled his. Thankfully Jeanie had gotten off previously and dad is still able to move fast. Though he was roughed up a bit

The Big Conundrum

2006-06-20T22:18:00.000-06:00

I originally started this blog so I could keep a journal of things and to update family on our boring lives. I find myself thinking of the many things to blog. Then, when I actually have a spare minute, I sit here and either can't remember what I wanted to blog about or I think of the things I should be doing instead (that damn laundry!)

I hope to blog more regularly, but can't promise it will be of any substance! I just have to remind my self this IS a good thing for me and my lack of any type of memory, and for our family that doesn't get to see us very often. The laundry will always be there.

Early Lessons

2006-06-18T22:49:00.000-06:00

K and I were getting ready to go for our walk the other day, when she asked if we could jog. That would be a great idea, if only my chest was about 5 cup sizes smaller! How do you appropriately explain to your six year old about such matters? Hopefully she is not nick-named "Perky" or "Jugs" by stupid boys like her mother was (preferably this gene was not passed to her).

My Sweet BOY

2006-06-11T22:14:00.000-06:00

I was trying to find my keys to go to church yesterday, and just grabbed DH's. I then found them hanging out of the ignition of the van. When I showed DH he said, "so that's what he was doing in the van." (Thankfully DH was able to straighten without breaking or damaging the door controls on the key.)

I wonder if he was trying to escape again? He has quite a fixation with playing in the van and I try to keep it locked, but I don't always remember. Obviously, I need to make a better effort. LOL

You can't help but love him inspite of his boyish ways. This is a picture of my latest "Bursday presnt" (anything T gives you is a present). Not sure if his sister has noticed what he did to her Lip Smackers. Hopefully she won't.

Nope, Not Collagen

2006-06-10T15:07:00.000-06:00

These are some pictures of K after drinking a Gatorade and then sucking the bottle to stick it to her face. She came upstairs to show me her funny face. I was stunned, to say the least. Her lip was so swollen and purple - broken blood vessels and Gatorade. Then it started to hurt. Regardless to say, after several ice packs, everything is back to normal with just a few traces of purple.

I would say the best lessons are learned the hard way. (Who else has done this? Val, I don't recall the swelling though, only the purple. Maybe that's because yours wasn't so centralized? Who knows.)

ps Val - You can also see KL sitting in the background

My Sevens

2006-06-09T14:19:00.000-06:00

I was tagged by Valarie - I'm pretty slow at this but here it is.

7 Things I want to do before I die:
A pull/chin-up
See my grandchildren (tormenting their parents - as they are doing to me :P)
Go to Australia with my husband
Get control of my clutter
Have a real kitchen
git sum skoolin ;P- some sort of degree, not just hard knox
teach my children how important family is

7 Things I cannot do:
A pull/chin up
Keep my laundry pile down
touch raw meat
speak a foreign language
program a computer
water ski
lately - complete a project

7 Things that attracted me to my spouse
watching him play around with softball team members' kids
his amazing blue eyes
cute little butt - even in coveralls!
his wittiness - he is hilarious
ability to do almost anything
work ethic
he is laid back, takes things in stride

7 Things I say often
Is that a good choice?
holy cannoli
so,
if you need to go potty, just go
no _________, you need to eat breakfast first
thank you for asking so nicely, but we don't have any______
juice or milk?

7 books I love
What Color is Your Underwear?
Sheep in a Jeep
All of the "How do Dinosaurs say Goodnight, Clean their room, etc."
Not the Hippopotamus
Harry Potter - All that I've read so far
Can you tell I don't get much of a chance to read novels?

7 Movies I could watch over and over
Shag
Nanny McPhee (Just seen tonight - love'd it)
Shrek (listening while driving you catch a lot more of the humor)
Peter Pan - Kirby's description - "the one with that shows his boob and belly button" (not the animated one)
can't think of any more, just not My Little Pony's or Barbie Movies - Augh!

people I'd like to hear Sevens from
anyone who reads this

We are approaching the Trying Threes

2006-06-06T14:58:00.000-06:00

T got into my make-up again. (Should I worry ? :P) Covering himself, the Barbie Corvette, his "older" sister, the couch and his rocking dog. In the midst of his time-out, he kept crying "T wants Kimber, T wants Kimber" So I told him, Kimber is not coming to save you. That was not a good choice and you need to sit. Then he said "Kimber come save me." It's hard not to laugh at that.

Within 20 minutes he was outside dumping big blobs of baby lotion all over - the wagon, both of K's bikes, T's bike, the Barbie Jeep, his Wiggles car, the patio, and the dog. (Maybe we have too much stuff) K let him know that Kimber is not coming over to save you. I guess that doesn't make me sound great, but he has to have time-out regardless of whether Kimber comes over or not. Maybe that just tells me she is his comfort, like Baboo!

Mr. Independence or Mr. Disappear?

2006-06-06T14:39:00.000-06:00

On Sunday DH and K went for a bike ride. T really wanted to go, but I had him stay home with me and KL. T was outside driving the Barbie Jeep and I was making dinner. I ran downstairs to get the Ragu and noodles and came upstairs to look out back and not see or hear T. I ran out the front door and found him halfway down the neighbors sidewalk riding his bicycle with his helmet hanging on his arm and trusty Aggie following closely behind. Then I went into the motherly speech of how it's not safe, I was worried when I couldn't find him, etc... He gave me a hug on the leg and said "don't be scared mom, it's okay". (Note: this is not his first escape. I was running around the house trying to find him home a few weeks ago, and the neighbor from across the street was bringing him, and Aggie, saying they were in front of her house. DH and I have gone off in different directions around our block looking for him, only to find him in the van. We have also resorted to putting a padlock on the gate.)

That night while putting the kids to bed, DH and I were talking to them about the importance of staying in the yard and he said, " but T come back dad!" DH had to leave the room so he didn't openly laugh. It's nice to see the innocence, but scares me that he's so darn independent.

Note to Self

2006-06-02T23:47:00.000-06:00

When you are feeding a child some runny oatmeal, keep the bowl away from ALL moving objects. Her happy arms and legs will almost assuredly be frantically moving about and the bowl is bound to get flipped over.

Not just once, twice - immediately after I cleaned up the first flip. Grandma only witnessed the first mess. Boy will she think I'm ditzy - too late for that! Good thing her carpet is the color of oatmeal. Sorry Grandma, I did clean up after the second time too!

My kids and makeup

2006-05-31T15:28:00.000-06:00

While I was in the shower, I thought Ty was busy watching Wonder Pets, evidently not. The make-up (mostly mascara) went well with the orange and yellow highlighter he put on while I was on the treadmill.

My first sucker

2006-05-31T15:15:00.000-06:00

I can honestly say that for all three of my kids, their first sucker came from Grandma Joan! Oh, how they love her (and not just for the suckers!)

Look at that Lady!!!

2006-05-31T15:07:00.000-06:00

K noticed a lady up at Estes Park this last, fast weekend. She was in fact quite large and must have had that elephantitus or whatever that is called when your largeness hangs over you ankles and such (what is the politically correct way to say that?) After a gentle reminder from cousin Shawnna that she shouldn't say things like that, witty and quick on her feet, K said, "She's cute! What? she's cute!" Then Shawnna had to gently remind E. Kids say the darndest things.

Bubblemania

2006-05-31T15:00:00.000-06:00

What happens when you use a whole bottle of bubblebath, Thanks Ty!

Counting my blessings

2006-05-23T22:43:00.000-06:00

After talking with a good friend about her troubles with her husband and then witnessing another friends husband push her down in the park yesterday, I am not having the best faith in men. I am not sure what to do or how and if I can help in either situation.

I just happened to be waiting for play dates at the same park where I saw my friend having a picnic with her estranged (separated) husband and four of their five kids. I seen him push her then walk to his car and throw things at her and leave. I wasn't sure what to do, so I did nothing (I hate that about me). I did call her later to see how she was doing. She came over to visit and then I watched a few of her kids today while she went to visit with the local womens shelter about what to do. I feel worried for her and her girls.

It makes me so happy for my life. Even with kids who stress me out at times and a messy cluttered house. It's all good. I am so thankful for my husband. He is such a wonderful man, great provider, terrific father, so patient and fun. He puts up with me and my quirks (laundry and all)! He makes me laugh, doesn't make me fall bad about myself, or threaten my physical being. I hope he knows that when I tell him this, he understands how true it really is.

Not the garbage!

2006-05-21T22:33:00.000-06:00

While shopping yesterday, we gave the children a piece of gum, (addicts thanks to Aunt Kimber!) and then spot something white in KL's mouth. T put his wrapper in there! I told him again (after a jelly bean and marble) that we don't put things in her mouth. But he said "It was garbage". Not sure what he thinks she looks like, but must have wanted to share somehow.

The envy of the neighborhood

2006-05-19T17:54:00.000-06:00

I am guessing the noises heard coming from our open windows this lovely day in May is making all the neighbors yearn for days gone by. When their kids were young. note: we are the only family on the block with young kids.

Most likely, they are laughing at us being grateful they are beyond this stage.

Peeky, Peeky, Peeky

2006-05-17T11:37:00.000-06:00

Saturday at the recital I took him to the bathroom, and he kept asking who the other little girl was. I did not know who she was, so he kept asking and trying to look at her. Then as I was drying my hands he came over whimpering and saying, "she hit me". Well, she was locked in her stall and he was peeking under the side. All I could say was, "Well stop peeking under the wall."

Evidently, being hit did not teach him a lesson. I was reminded of Saturday as T opened the curtain on an elderly lady in a local restroom today. He flipped open the curtain and asked "who's that", she responded, "It's a grandma in here"! I'm happy it was a "who" not a "what" type of question.

I really need to work on his curiosity.

Love the new windows, but...

2006-05-16T22:08:00.000-06:00

I have to clean them. The others were so dirty between the panes that you couldn't see any smudges. Oy vey, you can't have it all. I guess I would rather see out the clean glass.

The Insignificance Of Us All

2006-05-15T16:39:00.000-06:00

I have recently come to realize that the things we think should be most important to us aren't. Or they aren't given the attention or care that they deserve.

The next stunt doubles?

2006-05-15T14:03:00.000-06:00

I am reminded daily that I am not a kid anymore, and am astounded at the things my children are not afraid to do. A few pictures of their most recent adventure.

Rehearsal for the Recital

2006-05-12T22:48:00.000-06:00

Here are a few pictures of Kirby at rehearsal. She was so excited to wear make-up. She told me that she could put it on (may I remind you of oompah-loompah?)

I'm just going to sit here and cry...

2006-05-12T22:35:00.000-06:00

Is what I said when I called my husband to confess that I had just backed into the cement cone at Target. Why is it that I am acquiring the "talents" of my mother? She is the queen of backing into things. I do believe both of her current vehicles have dents in the bumper.

I did have a near miss about a month ago, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches, how I missed that billboard post???

I guess the lesson here is to pay more attention? Not sure.

Another lesson, beware of what comes out of your mouth when it happens. Luckily Ty's new favorite saying (all afternoon now) is "I'm just going to sit here and cry." Not the repeated, "shit, shit, shit" that I said first. It's pretty cute how he says it, he puts his hands on his face and pouts.

Confessions of a Homemaker

2006-05-11T14:33:00.000-06:00

I must admit I did not put the towels away, Smokes did( I love him!). I olny re-folded a few things, they were originally folded inside-out. Pretty good for me. I've been known to grab a towel he just folded to re-fold it my way, or grab all the towels and pull them closer to me so I can fold them first.

I too am known to reload the dishwasher.

The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right?

Potty training my Boy

2006-05-10T15:29:00.000-06:00

He is doing great, we haven't had any type of daytime accident in weeks, #1 or #2. Things sure have been different with him! The grossly funny thing is he always wants me to come see. "Mommy, come see, Ty did a big one" Yea! Wonderful! At least then I can dump it. It is really scary when he does it, so carefree and quick. GERMS, Augh, yes I am closely related to Val - just not as strong a germaphobe.

What a life! This is what I wanted to do from a very young age. I was so naive, or maybe mom made it seem better. I really do enjoy. They make me laugh, unless they are painting the dog or patio, just a few more wonderful additions to our Sunday.

Obsessive Compulsive or just a smidge anal?

2006-05-10T08:41:00.000-06:00

To start, I am ALWAYS drowning in laundry. Every time I think I've got it under control it seems to explode again. All I seem to do is laundry. Smokes will ask "So, what did you do today?", well other than feeding and playing with the kids the other answer is laundry. The question I have is, "Can't you tell I've done anything?" I seem to be going all the time, but nothing gets accomplished.
We are trying to get the house put back together after the windows, and for his parents to come this weekend. So my wonderful husband helped me last night by folding the laundry. I am going to put it away and NOT re-fold anything! This is my goal for today. I'm not sure what it is but I always seem to refold everything to how I would do it. The towels don't need to be perfect, we go through them so fast they don't sit on the shelf very long. Plus it defeats his purpose by helping me. Maybe it's a control issue?

2006-05-07T10:28:00.000-06:00

Glad I went to church?
All morning I tried to talk myself into staying home. But thought I really needed to go and take the kids. Ty really needs to get used to class. We went, a few minutes late but thankfully made it in time for the Sacrament (only because there was a baby blessing). We are now home (leaving before closing prayer) because Ty kept gagging himself, eventually throwing up! AUGH! What am I to do. I kept taking his hands out of his mouth, but then he just kept "playing". I let it go thinking the old adage, if you ignore they will stop...Then I looked down at him lying on the floor throwing up his nutritional breakfast of chocolate chip cookies. He sure knows how to get out of going to class!

Glad we came home?
Now at home we are having fits because some 6 year old wants to wear a summer shirt and shorts and it's only 65 degrees. So I told her to compromise either a jacket or pants, depending on what she wants more, summer shirt or shorts. And they are fighting, Kirby now has a raspberry on her chest from where Ty bit her while fighting over a chair. Isn't my life grand?

On the flip side, the kitchen windows are getting trimmed because I have such a great and hard working husband! Only 6 windows left.