Happy New Year!

It's 2008.  Feels like a good fit so far. 

We witnessed a marriage proposal tonight.  Very sweetly done...until he put the engagement ring on the wrong hand.  lol

 

That's so unfair!

Ok, something that I probably shouldn't be admitting publicly.  Sometimes I have vivid dreams about finding a bathroom and having a lot of trouble finding one...which usually means I *really need to go! 

So anyway, in the wee hours this morning I was having a *fantastic dream.  I was young and slender with a great body and fabulous long, thick, red hair.  I was taking a shower and waiting for Patrick Dempsey to join me.  And then I realized *in real life* that I really needed to go potty!  So I had to drag myself from the dream and go.  It wasn't even "I have to pee!" dream.

           ...I'm bummed.  I didn't get to see Patrick Dempsey naked.

National Treasure

I forgot...

The Movie was "OK."  It had some good points.  Nothing to write home about.

So....Christmas

 

I was Grinchy this year.  The Female Scrooge.  Just not into it.  However you want to say it. 

The Hubby came home and we have been enjoying Daddy/Hubby being here since then.  We will all be sad when he has to go back.  I had a large Honey-Do list for him, but it seems there really isn't anything to do.  Hubby pushed the button for the garage door and it went right on up.  I swear I could hear it laughing at me.  I tried maybe seven times just two days before Hubby got here and it wouldn't go up at all.  Who knew Garage Doors could be stubborn tricksters.  My vehicles radio has been on good behavior, too.  Sometimes my dashboard would click and the radio and windshield wipers would quit.  Lovely.  There are still a few things I'd like him to look at.  Nothing major like last time, though.

Christmas was a quiet day.  My kids were blessed with a fabulous Christmas from many helping hands. My Dad was here visiting for the night, so he was able to spend Christmas morning with us.  I was extremely happy and satisfied to have so much of my family in one place on Christmas Morning.  I loved it.  Christmas Eve was the same...we went to Church and then out to eat.  It was an enjoyable Holiday.  Our waitress on Christmas Eve had a limited understanding of English.  It was a tiny bit frustrating, but we did see  amusement in it, also.  We told her we had seven people.  So she came and gave us a highchair and then tried to take the sixth chair away.  We were like..."There are seven of us."  She said OK and continued to take the chair away.  "We need that chair!" She finally got it and gave us back our chair, lol.  She asked us what we would like to drink, and I told her seven waters.  She brought us six.  Then she brought us six fortune cookies.  Seven must be one of those English words that she just doesn't get.  She has it confused with six.  We were OK withit all...adapt and keep on keeping on, lol.  It wasn't like it was a big deal or anything.  It was amusing, though. 

Since Christmas we have been bumming around playing family video games, lol.  I really need to get the house cleaned up.  Tomorrow is New Year's Eve!  I don't want this years mess taken into next year.  Bad Juju.  :-)

 

 

 

My Parent-isms

I have some theories on children and child rearing.  This is one that I shared with the hubby this morning.

One child usually plays with their parent/s while demanding most of the parents' attention, but is mostly quiet.

Two children will sometimes play nicely together, sometimes fight, and sometimes demand a parent's attention, and sometimes be quiet.

Three children are LOUD.

Four or more children just encourage stampeding.

Come to my house if you want proof of the last one.

Merry Christmas!

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The Twelve Cats of Christmas

 

For those of you who are owned by cats, this is a delight!!! I pulled this from one of my cat yahoo groups.

The Twelve Cats of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas when I brought home my tree
My 12 cats were laughing at me.

On the second day of Christmas I saw beneath my tree
2 mangled garlands and my 12 cats laughing at me.

On the third day of Christmas I saw beneath my tree
3 Missing Wise Men
2 mangled garlands and my 12 cats laughing at me.

On the fourth day of Christmas I saw beneath my tree
4 males a-spraying
3 missing Wise Men
2 mangled garlands and my 12 cats laughing at me.

On the fifth day of Christmas I saw beneath my tree
5 shredded gifts
4 males a-spraying
3 missing Wise Men
2 mangled garlands and my 12 cats laughing at me.

On the sixth day of Christmas I saw beneath my tree
6 fallen angels
5 shredded gifts
4 males a-spraying
3 missing Wise Men
2 mangled garlands and my 12 cats laughing at me.

On the seventh day of Christmas I saw beneath my tree
7 half dead rodents
6 fallen angels
5 shredded gifts
4 males a-spraying
3 missing Wise Men
2 mangled garlands and my 12 cats laughing at me.



On the eighth day of Christmas I saw beneath my tree
8 shattered ornaments
7 half dead rodents
6 fallen angels
5 shredded gifts
4 males a-spraying
3 missing Wise Men
2 mangled garlands and my 12 cats laughing at me.


On the ninth day of Christmas I saw beneath my tree
9 chewed through light strings
8 shattered ornaments
7 half dead rodents
6 fallen angels
5 shredded gifts
4 males a-spraying
3 missing Wise Men
2 mangled garlands and my 12 cats laughing at me.

On the tenth day of Christmas I saw beneath my tree
10 tinsel hair balls
9 chewed through light strings
8 shattered ornaments
7 half dead rodents
6 fallen angels
5 shredded gifts
4 males a-spraying
3 missing Wise Men
2 mangled garlands and my 12 cats laughing at me

On the eleventh day of Christmas I saw beneath my tree
11 broken branches
10 tinsel hairballs
9 chewed through light strings
8 shattered ornaments
7 half dead rodents
6 fallen angels
5 shredded gifts
4 males a-spraying
3 missing Wise Men
2 mangled garlands and my 12 cats laughing at me.

On the twelfth day of Christmas I looked at my poor tree
12 cats a-climbing
11 broken branches
10 tinsel hair balls
9 chewed through light strings
8 shattered ornaments
7 half dead rodents
6 fallen angels
5 shredded gifts
4 males a-spraying
3 missing Wise Men
2 mangled garlands and my
12 cats laughing at me.

Good Housekeeping Tip
Another Maxine Tip...

Always keep several

get well cards on the mantle...
So if unexpected guests arrive, they will think you've been sick

and unable to clean.

 

Behind again

The Hubby flew in Wednesday night, so I have been pretty busy.  I would say I have been pampering him, but he has pampered me, also. I didn't even have to cook dinner last night.  We had yummy food.  For the first time ever, all six of us went to a restaurant and didn't have any leftovers.  Every bite was eaten.  Guess we should feed the kids more often! 

So far we have been pretty busy as a family.  We have gone to the local Museums and had a blast.  We have been out to eat and played some Wii together.  Of course, there are only 4 players/controllers, so the youngest and I usually sit out.  I've gotten to play a little, though.  Mario Party 8 on the Wii is a lot of fun.  We have determined that a man has definitely created the games and the hand motions to go with them.  I was a little appalled to see some of them.  To play some of the games, you have to wipe your mind clean and be innocent as innocent can be.  Just trust me.

It's time for some Mommy and Daddy time on our own.  We are off to our favorite place for a good show and some good food.  Mostly, though, we will enjoy each other.  We might even catch the new National Treasure movie if we have time.  I'll let you know if it's any good. 

Hard to believe Christmas is only 3 days away!  I still have a little work to do in that front.  I baked some cookies today to give to friends, so I'm moving along slowly.  LoL

Fun times right now.  Fun times.

Better

Monday got better.  The school day hadn't progressed very far when the school nurse called me.  She said my son was in her office complaining of a headache.  I go to the school to give him Tylenol.  He didn't even have a bump on his head.  I think maybe his John Lennon hair-do saved the day.  I chatted with him for a minute and my conclusion is that he just wanted Tylenol.  He likes it.  His Teacher had told him to tell him if his head started hurting or anything.  Well, he will use any excuse to get Tylenol.  I asked him about his fall and he was like "Huh?  OH!" LoL.   He's fine.  My daughter informed me after school that she landed on her bottom, not her head.  So all is good.  I walked them all out to their buses today.  We don't need any repeat incidents.

Later Monday morning I went to the school where the school bestowed my kids with gifts.  I cried many tears and gave many hugs. 

The day ended up with some frustration, but I rested up to face today.  Today was a whirlwind...we shall see what comes of today's events. You just never know...

My week is about to improve 100% because I'm about to see the hubby.  Yay!

Are you Serious?

I am well aware of Manic Mondays, but give me a break!

It's just past 8:30 and my day is all ready shot.

I woke up late (nothing new there, though) and the kids were running around in their underwear so I told them to get dressed.  Five minutes later they were still pretending to be dogs in their underwear.  Come on now, get dressed!  They get dressed and they are so LOUD that they wake up my youngest.  My youngest instantly becomes a choker necklace on my neck.  He starts screaming and hollering every time I put him down.  So I trying to rush around like mad trying to get the kids off to school with a 31 pound toddler attached to my leg.  Literally, he was riding on my foot screaming.  I managed to get everyone their coats and everyone breakfast and shoes (not in that order).  The bus came, and I told the kids "Watch out for ice!  If it looks wet, it's ice!"  They get safely to the curb and the bus doors open and they step out into the street and BOTH of them went down.  Clunk!  Heads on the curb.  I rush out in my socks with my girls swinging free because I hadn't had time to put a bra on.  My daughter got up and got on the bus and the bus driver oohed and ahhed and rubbed her head for me (Her head landed on her folded up hood!) but my oldest was standing on the curb crying yelling at me that it was all my fault.  Yeah, it probably was.  I should have walked them out the garage door.  So I came back in the house (good thing about socks on ice, you stick!) and called the school to talk to my son's teacher.  I told her what happened and asked her if she could please watch him.  I wanted her to know what was up if he was out of sorts or his head started hurting, or he started vomiting, etc.  He Clunked it pretty good.  I thought for sure he had split it, but he didn't.

So, now it's time for my third born to get on his bus.  I tell him I'm taking him out the garage door.  I had already given him his heavy coat.  I mean, it's not even 20 degrees outside.  It's COLD!  I turn aroundand he has on a little jacket.  @@  I signal to his driver that I'll be out in a second and find his coat.  I ended up walking him out the front door.  I walked him, though, so we could avoid the ice.  After he was safely on the bus, I went back inside and grabbed the trash to take out through the garage.  Except one thing.  The garage door only went halfway up and then stopped and rolled back down.  I just wanted to scream up to Heaven "WHAT NEXT??"  This house has fallen apart in the last week.  The sink in my kids' bathroom has sprung not one, not two, but three leaks.  Out of both handles and the drain pipe.  My toilet in my room has started leaking.  *Something* is making a motor chugging sound in the garage.  I think it's the deep freezer.  And our sump pump has been cycling.  And NOW the garage door won't go up?  We just had it fixed two years ago.  Brand new springs. 

Today is going to be one busy day.  I don't' have time to be sitting here typing this, but dang it....I have to vent.  My morning has been so crazy. 

Please...nothing else in the house break...and let my kids stick to the ice.

           ...maybe I should have let them go in their socks, too.

No Way

Less than 10 days until Christmas.

I'm not feeling it right now.

And there is even snow on the ground.

I'm just grumpy.

Maybe I need to get out my Nativity scenes as a reminder.

::tear::

So, I was working on making a scarf tonight.  My kids asked me what I was doing and I told them I was making a scarf.  "But why, Mommy?"  I told them I was making them for the Church so that the Church could take them to people who don't have any place to live.  I explained that the scarf I made would help keep a man warm this winter who otherwise would have had nothing to warm his neck and face.  So my daughter made a tag for the scarf.  It's really cute...she made a scarf out of a paper towel, and on the bottom she put a little square that says "A scarf is love to you."

It choked me up.

2nd son:  "I'll pour juice for you!" (speaking to 3rd son)

::pours juice::

2nd son:  "Whoa, I missed.  I need to get the paper towels.  Just wait, please."

Mom:  ::just chuckles softly to herself and subtly tosses a towel to her sons::

Was that in my job description?

My four-year-old peed in the potty and then my two year old threw little paper tags into the toilet.  So guess who had to reach in there and pull the cards out before the toilet was flushed?

I really don't remember that being in my job description.  Sadly, it's not the first time I have had to "go fishing."

Snow Day Fun

My kids made me "pretty."

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Pollution

Has put Mother nature into Menopause.  She keeps having Hot Flashes!

Down to the teens early this week but up in the 60's at the end of the week? 

                     ...yup...hot flash.

Me:  "It's cold in here!"

My son:  "No it's not.  I'm warm, and I don't have a shirt on."

Me:  "I'm freezing!"

My son: "You are always cold.  You are weird like that."

All of this in a soft voice as he played his game boy and never even looked up, lol.

I'm very proud

Today my oldest found a wad of money on the floor in a busy place.  It was a $20 and a bunch of ones.  He asked the people around us if it was theirs.  They checked and it wasn't.  So he took the money to the front desk and told them he found it on the floor.  I think he gave it to someone who didn't actually work there, and that the guy pocketed the money, but the point is that Jacob did the right thing.  He didn't keep what wasn't his.  The best you can do is the right thing and hope that the next person does, too.  I don't really think anyone went up to claim it, but it's the principal of the situation.  My son admitted he wanted to keep the ones so he could play more games, but he knew they weren't his. 

::beams with pride::

Contemplations

It's my grouchy time of month.  Which means I am yelling and I don't like it.  So I'm trying to stay to myself right now.  It's better that way.

Let's see what has been happening here.  We had a Birthday.  My oldest is eight now!  I can't even believe I've been a Mommy for eight years.  I sometimes like to sit and think about the past years and try to see how I have changed as a person and a Mom.  I seem to be in a constant state of metamorphosis as a parent.  Always adjusting.  Always tweaking.  Always trying to attain that mythical state of being called the "Perfect Parent."  I know I shouldn't set those kinds of goals for myself.  I mean, that would be like trying to become a Fairy.  We all know Fairies don't exist...so we don't try to be one.  You would think my intelligent side would take over and I would just try to be the "Best Mom I can be." 

December has hit with a bang.  I'm full hog into Christmas Shopping.  It does make it rather difficult for me that I can only go shopping on Mondays in the morning.  I have to arrange it around work hours, pay checks, and the kids being in school.  I don't know what I am going to do next year when my youngest will be too old to take Christmas Shopping with me.  I guess I'll cross that hurdle when I get to it. 

I've got about half of my cards signed.  Need to address those and put a picture of my third born in them and send them off.  I'm not really sure why...but my third born is my only child who had never had a formal picture taken of him by himself.  He would point it out every now and then.  I had to sit and think really hard about how I would feel if I had three siblings and they all had pictures of themselves on the wall and there were none of me.  I did take a soccer picture of him and stick in the display of my oldest's picture book, but that hurt my oldest feelings.  So anyway, I ordered his picture from school this fall and when the Hubby comes home I will ask him to help me hang it on the wall.  I also have some wallets to send to family. 

I don't think there is anything else. Trying to keep up with life while still trying to stop to smell the roses.  Same old, same old. 

 

My Kids are at it again

There I was, innocently driving down the road...sound familiar?  And there were two Doberman type dogs (they looked like they were mixed with something) in a car riding in front of us.  They had a power back window and it was cracked so the dogs could stick their heads out.  Well, my windows were cracked.  At a red light, my kids started all going "Bark, bark, bark, bark" really, really loud and all in unison.  Well, except my youngest.  He was making a high pitched "oo" sound like a woof, lol.  The dogs went bananas.  Absolutely Bananas!  They went crazy.  Barking and running in circles in the back of their vehicle. I had to roll my windows up...all the barking was driving ME bananas!  From the four legged dogs and the two legged "dogs."  The driver looked back in his side mirror and I could see him cracking up.  Glad he was a good sport.

He should NOT do that while I am driving!

There I was, innocently driving down the road today.  I had my two youngest with me.  I'm not sure what we were talking about, but all of a sudden my third born suddenly became very serious as we stopped for a red light.

"Mommy, you have to be quiet right now.  My little butt is very busy organizing it's next poop."

Omg, I was bent over the steering wheel. 

ACK!

I was carrying my sleeping toddler upstairs and I kicked at my daughter's coat which was at the bottom of the stairs.  I didn't want to slip on it.  Well, I kicked at it, and it got up and ran away. 

ACK!

That completely freaked me out!  Then I noticed the coat had an orange tail.  One of my cats was apparently huddled under the coat trying to keep warm, and then there I come along and kick him.  I think I mostly just brushed the coat and scared him.  Hopefully.

I'm very sorry Franken Kitty!  I didn't know you were there. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

From my Turkeys to yours.

More oldest son fun

He's playing Pokemon and he was calling out cards and stuff to me; I guess I am half-heartedly playing.  Well, finally he goes "You lost your HooHoo!"  What?  Turns out he was trying to say "Hoothoot" and it was coming out "HooHoo."  We spent some time trying to get that t on there.  LOL

Some humor

Thanksgiving Divorce

A man in Phoenix calls his son in New York the day before Thanksgiving
and says,"I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your
mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.

"Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams. We can't stand the
sight of each other any longer," the father says. "We're sick of each
other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in
Chicago and tell her."

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like
heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this,"

She calls Phoenix immediately, and screams at her father, "You are NOT
getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm
calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't
do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?" and hangs up.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Okay," he says,
"they're coming for Thanksgiving and paying their own way."

My oldest...

...is trying to make me old, LOL.

We have had the movie Transformers for over a month now and he has refused to watch it or let anyone else watch it.  Why?  "Because I can't watch it until I'm EIGHT, Mommy!"  What?  He has been adamant on this.  He hasn't changed his mind.  The good news is, next week...we can watch it.  Whatever floats his boat, I guess!

Today he tried to give me some kind of attack.  The bus came, my daughter and the neighbor got off, and the bus drove away.  What?  Where was my son?!?!?!  I immediately called the school.  They called his teacher's room.  They did an All Call for him.  They didn't find him so they got back on the phone and told me they were calling the buses.  There were substitutes so they thought maybe he got on the wrong bus.  They came back on the phone line and told me he was safe and sound on the correct bus...he just didn't get off at his stop.  My daughter was telling me the same thing while I was on hold.  "Mommy, I saw him get in the back of the bus."  So I wasn't really freaking out too badly  after that first moment of panic.  I was impressed that the school found him very fast.  I didn't time how long I was on the phone, but it was less than five minutes.  There was no hesitation.  They went through all the steps and called the bus garage quickly.  The response from the bus garage was fast, too.  I'm glad they don't take this kind of stuff lightly.  Thank you County schools and buses for figuring out what happened quickly!  The bus came back and my son came in the house going "I know, Mommy, I know.  I'm grounded."  Ha!  No, he wasn't grounded.  I asked him why he didn't get off the bus.  He was busy trading Pokemon cards.  ::blows out a sigh::  I told him he couldn't sit on the back of the bus anymore.  He said he didn't even notice that he missed his stop until they went out onto the main road, but by then...the bus driver had already been contacted by the bus garage and was calling his name to see if he was on the bus.  That's just how fast all this happened...the main road is not very far away.  This was like a fifteen minute ordeal, tops.  Maybe less.  So, Kudos to the school and eye roll for my son for not paying attention and giving Mommy an attack.

Huh.  And now the UPS man just came and dropped off a can of High Heat Pam.  I wonder if I signed up for a free sample or something? LoL I just don't know.  I remember signing up for a free sample of something...but this is an entire can of Pam.  Hmmm.  I'll try it out...

Dining Without Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this Thanksgiving. I'm telling you in advance, so don't act surprised. Since Ms. Stewart won't be coming, I've made a few small changes:

1. Our sidewalk will not be lined with homemade, paper bag luminaries. After a trial run, it was decided that no matter how cleverly done, rows of flaming lunch sacks do not have the desired welcoming effect.

2. Once inside, our guests will note that the entry hall is not decorated with the swags of Indian corn and fall foliage I had planned to make. Instead, I've gotten the kids involved in the decorating by having them track in colorful autumn leaves from the front yard. The mud was their idea.

3. The dining table will not be covered with expensive linens, fancy China, or crystal goblets. If possible, we will use dishes that match and everyone will get a fork. Since this IS Thanksgiving, we will refrain from using the plastic Peter Rabbit plate and the Santa napkins from last Christmas.

4. Our centerpiece will not be the tower of fresh fruit and flowers that I promised. Instead we will be displaying a hedgehog-like decoration hand-crafted from the finest construction paper. The artist assures me it is a turkey.

5. We will be dining fashionably late. The children will entertain you while you wait. I'm sure they will be happy to share every choice comment I have made regarding Thanksgiving, pilgrims and the turkey hotline. Please remember that most of these comments were made at 5:00 a.m. Upon discovering that the turkey was still hard enough to cut diamonds. As accompaniment to the children's recital, I will play a recording of tribal drumming. If the children should mention that I don't own a recording of tribal drumming, or that tribal drumming sounds suspiciously like a frozen turkey in a clothes dryer, ignore them. They are lying.

6. We toyed with the idea of ringing a dainty silver bell to announce the start o f our feast. In the end, we chose to keep our traditional method. We've also decided against a formal seating arrangement. When the smoke alarm sounds, please gather around the table and sit where you like. In the spirit of harmony, we will ask the children to sit at a separate table ... In a separate room ... Next door.

7. Now, I know you have all seen pictures of one person carving a turkey in front of a crowd of appreciative onlookers. This will not be happening at our dinner. For safety reasons, the turkey will be carved in a private ceremony. I stress "private" meaning: Do not, under any circumstances, enter the kitchen to laugh at me. Do not send small, unsuspecting children to check on my progress. I have an electric knife. The turkey is unarmed. It stands to reason that I will eventually win. When I do, we will eat.
8. I would like to take this opportunity to remind my young diners that "passing the rolls" is not a football play. Nor is it a request to bean your sister in the head with warm tasty bread.

9. Oh, and one reminder for the adults: For the duration of the meal, and especially while in the presence of young diners, we will refer to the giblet gravy by its lesser-known name: Cheese Sauce. If a young diner questions you regarding the origins or type of Cheese Sauce, plead ignorance. Cheese Sauce stains.

10. Before I forget, there is one last change. Instead of offering a choice among 12 different scrumptious desserts, we will be serving the traditional pumpkin pie, garnished with whipped cream and small fingerprints. You will still have a choice; take it or leave it!

 

More on the Turkeys

I decided to have the children make just one feather every year.  I dated/will date them either on the front or back; whichever each child decides.  This way, we will be able to see how the children have grown creatively and also we will be able to watch their small motor skills grow.  There is a picture of the two that are finished this year so far.   I have pictures of the first page that I will send to you, dear Hubby!  You will find them amusing.

 

 

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In Tears

My children's school is an awesome school.  I will never deny it.  No matter how many problems we have with some issues...the school in general is a wonderful school.  Most of the issues we have are with brand new teachers or getting through red tape that the County strings up. 

The school called me today and asked me to come in.  They had a huge box and bag of canned foods for my family.  And a gift certificate to get a Turkey.  I am just so overwhelmed.  This is such great blessing.  The kids and I are set for food for a while, now.  And we will have a turkey to eat on for a week.  :-)  I wish shipping cans wasn't so expensive, there are some people I would love to share this with.  Maybe I can use some of the grocery money I don't have to spend now to spread the gift around a little.

My canned goods cabinet was Mother Hubbard's Cubbard, and now look at it.  Hmm, OK, maybe I should have organized it as I was putting it away! lol

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Santa has fallen right behind the Tooth Fairy

I knew it was coming.  My oldest has declared that there is no such thing as Santa.  And worse yet...he only promised not to tell about the tooth fairy, (which he has told), he is telling the younger kids there is no Santa.  I hope we can get through enough years so that my youngest can experience at least one Christmas while believing in Santa...

On the other hand, however, I am still to this day disappointed that there isn't a "Santa."  As in the jolly man in the red suit who comes in the middle of the night.  I still secretly get up early on Christmas morning hoping to see that Santa had come...and I always go back to bed disappointed and feeling more than a little foolish.

So, I guess I don't want to do as awesome of a job as my parents did when they convinced me there was a Santa.  I mean...it's basically a lie...I am telling Jacob my definition of Santa, though, so hopefully he can carry that over. 

A Thanksgiving Idea

In my MOPS group, one of the Mommies suggested making turkey shaped books with enough pages until your child turns 18ish.  All you do is each year at Thanksgiving time, ask your child what she/he is thankful for and write it down.  Let the child write it down if she/he is old enough.  They can also draw a picture.  Be sure to write the date on the page.  Save the book until your child has their own children or reaches that age where they care about that kind of stuff.  You can look back in the book and see how your child has changed over the years.  It's just a cute little sentimental project/tradition.  I decided to make my children each one.  Here is what I have so far.  This weekend I will have them add the tail feathers themselves.  I had some foam stuff lying around so I decided to use it for the cover instead of construction paper.  I figured it would be a little sturdier. 

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She finally lost her first tooth!

My daughters first tooth has been loose forever, but she wouldn't let me yank it out.  It finally just fell out tonight while she was wiggling it with her tongue in bed.  She's very proud and wrote a note for the tooth fairy to come tomorrow.  She wants to show her tooth to her friends! LoL.

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Well...

...my daughter's teacher called.  The phone call didn't do me that much good, however.  So it's on to plan B.  I'm going through my parental rights.  I still have to go through the doctor, too.  See if Insurance can help me out.  I just have to make myself push through the system for her.  That's all there is to it.

Keeping the calm

I know I have drudged on this topic over and over.  I am trying very hard to keep calm these days.  My daughter isn't doing so hot in First Grade.  I would love to tell you exactly how she is doing, except her teacher keeps blowing me off.  She asked that we have a phone conference for parent conferences instead of me coming in because I didn't have child care for my children.  Well, twice she set a date and a time to call me.  Twice she "forgot."  Twice she didn't apologize or tell me what is up.  She told my daughter that she forgot.  Swell, huh?  I have a letter from her summer speech therapists recommending she receive extra speech therapy.  I really need the Teacher's support, too, though.  I really feel that my daughter can benefit from an hour of one on one therapy every week.  Right now she gets 20 to 40 minutes a week with two or three other children.  I really wish her Teacher would fulfill her commitment to call me so I can talk about my daughter's progress in her class and how/if her speech is affecting her.  I don't want to go full blazes into the school demanding this and demanding that without all of the facts.  I am trying to keep from blazing into the school to give my daughter's teacher a peace of my mind.  I mean...by "forgetting" and not even telling me she seems to be blowing me off; therefore sending the message my daughter isn't that important to her.  I'm trying to give her the benefit of the doubt, but I also have to be my daughter's voice in this.  Please help me.  Positive thoughts, strength to gather my manners and handle this in a diplomatic fashion.  Thanks. 

Pretty calm...

Today was, that is.  I worked today and the boys pretty much just played.  They didn't really want me to interrupt them too much.  Even my son's therapy went well.  One child slept, the other played with moon sand, and of course, my son was receiving his therapy with his therapists and me.  I can really see my son struggling with sounds.  It's almost painful to watch.  He can say  /d/ and /b/ and /m/.  We are working on /p/ and /t/.  Sometimes he can say them, but other times you can see him struggling so much.  Words that start with /b/ are so clear.  If the words starts with the other sounds, his words come out distorted.  I know I just have to keep on working with him every single day.

The other children are all doing OK.  My oldest was having a very serene day.  I didn't want to rock his boat.  We all just kind of glided through the day and landed in bed at the propertime.  They are all sleeping soundly.  I think I have everything ready for tomorrow.  I get some Mommy time tomorrow.  I'm so excited.  I look forward to this day every month.  I even get to eat a hot breakfast that I don't have to cook.  :-)

 

 

Interesting tidbits

Just random stuff I found interesting:

"Overweight women who ate two eggs for breakfast for eight weeks as part of a low-fat diet lost 65 percent more weight than those who chose bagels. They also experienced an astonishing 83 percent greater reduction in waist size, say researchers at Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center."

 

"Right-handed? Use your left hand to brush your teeth or vice versa. "This improves brain signaling, which helps prevent age-related memory loss," says Frederic Vagnini, MD, coauthor of Count Down Your Age."

 

"Use short, fat glasses for water and tall, skinny ones for drinks that are less healthy. Researchers found you'll drink more with the former and less with the latter. Try portion-controlled plates too. Eating off of them, overweight diabetics lost about 6 pounds in as many months, reports the Archives of Internal Medicine. We like the EZ Weight Plate because, well, it's easy. Each has four compartments with measurements inside ($19.95, www.ezweightplate.com)."

 

 "Stand When Getting Dressed. Sounds too simple to make a difference, but forcing your body to balance while you put on your pants or skirt strengthens your reflexes and core muscles. "This will protect against falls and broken bones, particularly as you get older," says Sherry Marts, PhD, vice president of scientific affairs at the Society for Women's Health Research in Washington, D.C."

 

All taken from Fitnessmagazine website.

I must have four extremely smart kiddos!

From Parent Dish

Curvy Moms have smarter kids?

Posted Nov 12th 2007 12:30PM by Kristin Darguzas
Filed under: Current Studies and Research, In the News

<DIV class=post id=1037113 _extended="true">I'm not so sure I like the outcome of this article, because I'm a bit of a beanpole, but I take solace in the fact that I was a lot fleshier before I became pregnant with Nolan than I am now (this is called the Stressy McStresserson Dorito and coffee diet, for anyone who's interested, and it's neither healthy nor recommended) Because apparently curvier women have smarter children.

The article cites new research that suggests that Moms with bigger hips have smarter babies. Weird? Not really: researchers studies a select group of children and found that the smartest ones had Moms with wide hips and a low waist-hip ratio. The reason cited was that fetuses benefit from an ample supply of fatty acids. I didn't know fatty acids were only stored in the hips, but whatever. It kind of makes for good justification to have another bowl of rice pudding.

Biting off more than I can chew

I won't go into full details, but we as a family have so much going on these days.  We spent the entire day running and busy and I am sitting here with one eye shut because I can't keep it open.  You would think I would be smart enough to just go to bed.  But I need to release my thoughts so they don't float around my head and keep me awake.

We started Soccer today.  Luckily my two oldest are on the same team so I don't have to go back and fourth three separate times.  We still have choir, we still have Church.  The kids want to drop choir, but I am teaching them about commitments and how important it is to keep them once you make them.  I don't force them into joining activities, but I won't just let them drop out of activities after they already promised to participate.  KWIM?

I'm also trying to get the children involved in the community and helping others.  We cooked dinner for another family this past week, and we created gifts for Operation Christmas Child.  I'm sure there will be other events this Holiday season that we can help out with.  We are hand making a lot of gifts this year, also, for friends, family, and teachers. 

I'm still working.  I love it.  I am not sure I can ever go back to not brining in some money for the family.  I am really, really enjoying it and I love helping out.  I don't feel so useless anymore.  I'm looking into becoming licensed and doing after school care.   In two years I will only have one child going half day to school, so I can get back into the world of working outside of the home.  It would be nice if I can find a job within the school system so we could all have the same days off.  Who knows how things will work out.

The weather is much more fall like.  I am really enjoying it.  It gets a little chilly at nights, so I have the heat set low so that it will kick on only at night. 

My oldest is doing awesome in school.  He is testing above grade level.  He has anger issues at school as well as at home, and I am working with is doctor on that one.  I'm still waiting to hear from my daughter's teacher.  We seem to be having a communication gap as large as the Grand Canyon.  I might have to put on my assertive hat and call the principal. 

Things are going well. 

Have a Lead Free Christmas

Found this on a random news site when I did a search.   Have a Lead-Free Holiday Season

Last Update: 9:25 am

	US Made Toys Link
	Still Made in USA Link

Reported by: John Matarese If you have young children or grandchildren... all the recent recalls of lead tainted toys may have your head spinning by now. It's all too much. So what if I told you there was an easy way to make sure that your kids have a safe and lead free holiday season? Julie Shramm worries about her son's exposure to lead. He plays with Thomas trains made in China...Some of which have now been recalled for lead paint contamination. "He puts his hands in him mouth, " she tells me. "He's had the trains in his mouth!" So Julie, like a growing number of moms, is searching for worry free toys this year. Try Independent Toy Stores Enter Miles Altman, who owns an independent toy store.... King Arthur's Court Toys in Oakley. He says so many parents are looking for lead-free toys, he's made a list of toys made in the USA or Europe. Tops on that list: Playmobil. "Playmobil is made primarily in Germany," he says. "This is the best selling line in the store." He says parents are scooping up Playmobil castles, airports, and figurines aimed at the 4 to 9 year old set. Also seeing a resurgence in popularity: Lego, with its Star Wars, Mars Mission, and other themes for pre teens...all made in Europe. He says "Lego is European...Denmark is the home of Lego. Plus, their toys are solid color,not painted plastic." For puzzles, Altman says Ravensberger is becoming a top seller. "Ravensberger is a German company...with safe paints," he says. "They have to meet tougher European standards, and make some of the best puzzles we've ever seen." Ditto German made trucks from Bruder. Altman is now also stocking wood blocks and wood trains from companies like "Plan Toys"...which are colored with safe food dyes, not paint. For babies, he's suggests a European brand called Haba. For toddlers: Euro made Kettler tricycles. American-made Toys But you'd prefer some red, white, and blue? Consider the old standard, Slinky! Also: Crayola Lincoln Logs Little Tikes Step 2 Vermont Teddy Bear Those are just some of many toys still made in the USA. Websites featuring American Made Toys You'll find lots more at these websites: "US made toys.com" and "Still made in USA.com." (CLICK ABOVE) Red-White-and-Blue toys from China? But watch out: Some American sounding toys are made primarily in China, including: Build-a-Bear Lionel Trains American Girl dolls. You can find the country of origin by checking the box or label. Julie Shramm says its worth it. "You don't want to put your child at risk...You want the best thing for your children." It's important to remember that not all toys from China are bad....and not all toys from China contain lead paint. Because of all the scrutiny, Chinese made toys may soon be safer than other products. But this year, you may want to follow the other other concerned parents...So you have a lead free holiday, and you Don't Waste your Money. I'm John Matarese.

A beautiful moment

This week has been so exciting and busy, I forgot to write about something beautiful that happened to us.  We were driving along the street than runs parallel to ours at sunset.  There was something in the road, so I braked and came to a stop.  It was two young deer.  They were crossing the road in my housing addition.  They were so beautiful.  I usually see them on the highway or a narrow country road where I can't pause to appreciate them.  But here on these roads, I had time to stop and let the kids admire them and watch how their tails came up when they ran and see how graceful they were. The kids really got a kick out of those two deer. 

I do realize that at the same time, it is sad.  We (humans) have encroached so much on their habitat that they have come into the housing additions.  Even one such as my own that is over 40 years old.  The land all around us is quickly and recently being developed, so now they have nowhere to go.  I've been spotting deer that have been hit by cars in very unexpected places lately.  Like right in front of a super WalMart on a super busy and commercialized road.  :-( 

Hopefully the deer we spotted will stay away from that road.  They are safe enough back here with us.  As long as people pay attention when driving....

First Hair Cut

My youngest received his first hair cut today.  He looks so much older now. 

Kid Joke

A little boy returned from the grocery store with his mom. While his mom put away the groceries, the little boy opened his box of animal crackers and spread them all over the kitchen table.
"What are you doing?" asked his mom.
"The box says you shouldn't eat them if the seal is broken," said the little boy. "I'm looking for the seal."

Stealth bus

I kept going back and forth from the living room to the door today looking for the bus.  It was late.  Finally, my oldest shouts "I think I hear the bus!" and he runs to the door and sure enough, there is the bus; the other people at our stop already on and the doors shut.  So my son starts waving for the bus driver to wait and the bus driver waves back and starts driving away. LOL  I guess he thought Jacob was just waving...you would think he would realize the little boy wearing a coat and back pack wanted on....especially since he picks them up every morning. 

I ended up sending the kids out the door to see if the driver would stop, and he did.  Whew.  My youngest was still snoozing and I didn't want to wake him to take the others to school.  He ended snoozing until almost 10 A.M.! 

I never even heard the bus.  Usually I hear the brakes and the air pressure thing when he stops.  I never heard a thing this time! 

                     ~Bus in stealth mode...

The day the Tooth Fairy Fell

My oldest just lost his second front top tooth tonight.  He was very excited.  He came downstairs from bed and we took pictures and washed the tooth.  I then sent him back up to bed so the Tooth Fairy could come.  Five minutes later he came down and said "Mommy, tell me the truth.  Are you the one leaving me the money?"  I paused for a beat and asked a leading question.  "Why do you think I am leaving the money?"  "Just tell me if you are, Mommy."  I couldn't lie to him.  I told him I was.  I also told him not to tell his brothers and sister because they haven't lost any teeth yet nor experienced the fun of the tooth fairy.  He said OK, so I hope he can let them enjoy it.

I knew this day was coming.  He has mentioned there not being a Tooth Fairy, nor Easter Bunny, nor Santa several times.  He told me his friends at school told him they aren't real.  That they are just "our parents."  I usually just listened and smiled and told him to believe in what he felt was real.  I'm sure he will be figuring out the Santa part soon.  He's just so young!  My parents had me believing into Santa Claus until...well..now!  I still believe in Santa.  Maybe not the jolly guy in the red suit, but I do believe that "Santa Claus" lives in the hearts of many people.  In my eyes, "Santa Claus" is more of a feeling than an actual person flying around in a sleigh guided by eight reindeer, (nine if you believe the song), with some crazy elves working for him.  

~"Santa Claus" is the love and kindness that comes from the heart and works its way into the world. ~

Mind of it's own

My computer "fell back" in time a week early.  I looked at it and flipped out thinking that Daylight Savings Time had ended and I rushed the kids off to church.

           ~We were an hour early, to say the least. 

 

Ego Booster

So, I have been feeling a little old. Ok, a lot old. I have crows feet around my eyes, and lines around my mouth.  I have little hairs on my chinny chin chin and my mustache is getting pretty impressive.  And as if that isn't all bad enough, my hair is turning gray.  The first time I found one it was loose on my shoulder and I conveniently blamed it on the dog.  Then I blamed the stray hairs on the cats, and then the dog again...you get the picture.  When I started finding them attached to my head, the Hubby didn't quite believe me when I said they were dog hairs.  So what, maybe I like glueing dog hairs to my head.  Uh-huh, that's it.  Pretty realistic, huh dear?

Anyway, tonight while I stopped in at a store to get batteries for my camera, an older gentleman (about my Dad's age ::Grin::) asked me if all of the kids where mine.  I told him yes, and he told me I looked too young to have older children .  I beamed.  That really lifted my mood and kicked my ego up a few notches.  It doesn't really matter whether he meant it or not.  I'm happy.  :-) 

     ~My thanks to the gentleman!

'Dem Bones

My daughter has developed a very real fear of breaking her bones.  It has been 5 and a half months since she broke her arm, and now all of a sudden every time she bumps something or falls down and it *really hurts, she thinks she has broken it.  She gets downright hysterical.  I have developed a little calming routine for her.  I give her a hug and reassure her, put some ice on it, reassure her again that she hasn't broken anything, and then I give her time to sort it out and come to grips with things in her own way. 

The problem is, this has extended to school now.  I received a phone call on Thursday from the school nurse letting me know that my daughter was in her office absolutely convinced that she had broken her finger on a basketball.  The nurse put tape on it and checked for bruising, swelling, and redness.  She said she saw none of that, but my daughter couldn't /wouldn't move her finger.  The nurse and I agreed that she was probably fine and I told the nurse about her new fear. The nurse let her stay there for a little bit longer then sent her back to class.  By the time she got home, she was fine of course. 

I know how my daughter and my "middle" son react to broken bones.  Unfortunately, I have experienced their reactions first hand.  I'm a pretty good judge of things and go by my gut feelings.  Sometimes I go to the hospital and it turns out to be nothing...but those are the times I really need peace of mind. 

I'm trying not to "coddle" my daughter, but I am trying to find a way to work through this fear.  I have talked to her about the reasons she broke her arm.  How when you are younger, your bones are growing so they aren't like a sidewalk yet.  They are more like the wet cement that was poured a couple hours ago.  So sometimes if you land in just the wrong way, your bone will break.  I of course tried to put it in easier terms for her.  I'll keep explaining and finding ways for her to relate to all of it.  I feel really bad for her to be so afraid of breaking her arm again. 

I hope soccer goes OK this winter.  I have been told that her arm is doing super duper.  Wish us luck...

That's a little unnerving

There is a black cat hanging out at my front storm door.  Every time I walk past it, I see this black cat sitting there staring at me. 

My logical side tells me it's just the neighbor's cat hanging out because our cats are on the other side of the door, but my superstitious side is freaked.  Especially since my cat keeps doing that lovely deep sound that sounds like a wolf is howling.

Creepy.

Feeling better about my place in the household

I am making money again and it feels darn good!

Did I mention...

That before you mow your lawn for the first time in the spring, you should check your yard for baseballs? 

Last spring the Hubby pulled a nasty baseball out of our drain outside and instead of throwing it away, he tossed it in the yard.  So later, there I came along with the lawn mower in ankle high grass and sure enough - I hit that dang baseball and the lawnmower threw it up and it hit me in the forehead.

Ow.

So yeah, check your yard for objects before you mow.

Dada

Robby has started saying "Dada" now.  He also says it in sign.  The thing is, he doesn't do the sign "exactly."  It's supposed to be his thumb on his forehead with this fingers all played out in a straight line.  Like this (if the link works):  ASL Browser  Well, instead of doing that, Robby forms the "loser" sign and says "Dada."  ::snickers::  Sometimes he will get all of those fingers up, but most of the time it's just that one.  

              I am happy to say, that he gets all the fingers up for "Mama."  ::grins::

 

***OK, so the link didn't work quite right.  But if you want to look at it, just go to 'D' and scroll to 'Dad' and look at it, lol.

Thoughts

My thoughts are with those in Southern California.  I pray the winds ease up for a day and rains fall.  My thoughts to those that live there, those that work there, and those that are battling the flames head on.

Flutters...

I have so many thoughts and feelings running through my head these days.  I have many things I could write about and share with you.  However, I am finding that many of the things are so special to me I would rather just hold onto them and keep those thoughts and memories to myself.  ::smiles:: 

I am enjoying just being this evening.  The wind is blowing in the trees, leaving a pleasant calming sound to drift through my window.  It's cool and comfortable, and I am basically just content tonight.  A little bit sad in a bittersweet way...yet content. 

Loose!

My daughter has her first ever loose tooth!  She is so excited!

My oldest is getting read to loose his fourth tooth.

The tooth fairy will be busy this month.

My brain has been unplugged lately

So, a few weeks ago my wireless Internet stopped working.  I called the cable company and was informed that my computer was not pulling an IP address for some reason.  I stressed over it for hours.  Then, I walked up to my computer, made the plug-in in the back of my computer crooked again, and wala - I had wireless Internet again.  I had noticed it was crooked earlier and had straightened it; therefore unplugging my wireless Internet.  LOL

Then, a week ago, I was in the van and I heard something hissing.  I called hubby all worried and asking him if I should take it to the dealer.  He didn't want to put out money for it, and obviously he couldn't diagnose it over the phone.  I got down by the passenger door (where the noise was coming from) and hunted around.  A headphone was on and it was emitting static.  So my "hissing" was the headphones, and I was ready to go to the dealer.  I'm sure they would have gotten a huge laugh for charging me $100 to turn the headphones off.

So today...I couldn't figure out how to get my clock to show on my task bar.  It hasn't shown for a week.  I asked hubby how to fix it.  While I was waiting for an answer, I hit "properties," and wala - there was "Show clock." 

Guess you could say I'm been a little ditzy lately.

I'm grumpy

I had to turn my A/C back on today.  I'm sulking.

Hmmphf

My four-year-old just asked me how old I am so I told him "35."  And he said 'You are old now and you are almost going to die.  You are almost a Grandma."  I told him "No, I hope to have at least 25 more years left" and he said "Unh-huh, you're old.  Look at the lines in your face."

Gee, thanks kid. 

And September Closes

September has whispered past and October is stomping in.  The month flew by in a blur of business and sickness.  Turns out the virus in the house was Croup.  That was fun.  I pretty much had to cancel an entire week of business while we all healed and recuperated.  Glad to say all is well now.  The business has picked up and we are all on the go all of the time; or so it seems.

It has been cooler again.  I've been enjoying open windows for the past few days.   The days and nights are so much fresher and brighter with the crisp fall evenings.  Fall isn't here to stay yet, but I am enjoying each and every preview.

September was a good month.  I worked, played, and had fun.  The month had it's trying moments, but I'd be worried if there weren't any bumps in the road.

Exciting

My three kids were entered in a drawing and my oldest won a new bike.  Cool, huh?

Practice, Practice, Practice

So my oldest kitty is under the weather.  He needs to take medicine twice a day.  At first it didn't go so well and he got a shot of medicine in his eye, or his ear, or up his nose and he wasn't pleased with me at all.  Now we have an entire cuddling scritching routine we go through and then he allows me to squirt it into the side of his mouth and he licks it up.  I just have to make sure I don't try to give him his medicine when I have to rush to get other things accomplished.  I should have known that in the beginning!

A brag on my oldest

I just wanted to brag that he has been doing so awesome in school this year.  He keeps telling me that it is because "I like my Teacher, Mom, and I respect her."  That is absolutely awesome.  I politely added that he liked his Teacher last year, also.  (And it was a very tough year for all!)  He kind of shrugged and never answered.

I had the opportunity to see my son and his teacher interacting last night and wow!  She squatted down and asked him how his evening was going and if he had already finished his homework, etc.  Before we left for the night, my son threw himself at her in a hug.  I think it's great.  I hope their bond continues...my son needs that at school.  He doesn't need someone to intimidate him, etc. 

So I am eating my doubts that I had at the beginning of the school year about the kids' teachers this year.  At least my oldest son's, anyway.  We'll see how the school year progresses.  I'm pretty excited about it. 

Ya know...

I haven't gotten any more "bouquets" in my driveway or mailbox, but I am still getting a fresh bouquet at least once a day in my yard.  I'm getting annoyed, but I'm really trying not to.  The only reason I am getting annoyed is because my kids run around that part of the yard while we wait for the school buses.  We almost had a close call this morning, but thankfully my son stopped himself mid-step.  If it weren't for the kids playing, I wouldn't be too bothered.  I am tired of scooping my front yard when I don't have a canine family member out there doing it, though.  It's like someone coming into my house uninvited and making a mess and then leaving.  In theory  they are alike anyway...I didn't invite the dog and I have to clean up the bouquets he leaves behind. 

Awwe, pooh

I had to break down and close my windows and put the A/C back on.  The nineties have crept back upon us. 

Bummer.

Fall is just around the corner...

...but it isn't here yet.

True, the leaves have been falling from the trees for well over a month now.  It's been 'looking' like fall since July.  But the 90 to 100 degree heat clearly said it was summer. 

We are having a pretty cool weekend this weekend.  I have the windows open and I can feel the gentle cool breeze brush over my face at night.  I love it.  Fall is my absolute favorite season.  Just a hint of chill in the air and the crisp leaves crunching under my feet.  I love Jack-o-lanterns, scarecrows, gourds, the entire bit.   I especially like hearing the breeze in the trees tonight.  Listening to the sounds of Mother Nature always helps me sleep better.

Next week it looks like I will be closing up the windows and turning the air on again, but at least we are having a sneak preview.  It's enough to get my senses tingling again. 

Not Forgotten

                                                    Not Forgotten

Memories are all we sometimes have,
When we are alone or when we are mad.
Memories are all there is sometimes,
When we are happy or when we are sad.

Just remember the memories again,
They will always never, never end.
Happy times will bring a smile,
Memories last for a long, long while.

Memories are part of our souls,
They remember our every precious goals.
Memories are a part of our past
They will never compare in contrast.

Just always know when you are down
When you are left alone with a frown,
Memories bring you up and smiling
Because memories are always piling.

Memories are delicate fibers that are woven in,
They are the beginnings to an end.
Never forget the future or past,
Memories will always continue to last.

-Taza Potter
In Memory of September 11, 2001

Ha, that's cute

My oldest came up to me and was talking to me about all of the "nerds" in his body that are connected to his brain.  I said "Nerds?"  He said "Yeah, Mommy, I have a ton of nerds in my body.  They help me feel things." 

 

Raspberries

Yes, I am here this morning to publicly blow raspberries at my Husband.  He seems to have stolen my Daddy from me.  My Husband has my Daddy at his beck and call.  My Dad went onto base on his day off just to pick up a box I had mailed to the Husband and take it to him.  My Dad is always going onto base to take stuff to Alan so Alan doesn't have to go out and get it himself.  When Dad goes grocery shopping, he calls Alan up and asks Alan if there is anything he needs.  They go out to lunch together.  And right now...where are my Daddy and my Husband?  Shopping!?!?!  I can't really remember a time where my Dad went shopping with me.  But yet there they are...out shopping. 

So, to Alan....

PHHHHFFFFFFFBBBBBBBTTTTTTT!

Yes, I'm very jealous.  He's my Daddy!

Wound up tighter than a top

That's me.  I'm getting ready to go and try to relax and get some sleep.  I haven't been sleeping well because the "virus" that my toddler had seems to have resurfaced with a vengeance.  He looks awful.  I'm currently collecting stuff to be tested to try to figure out what is going on.  My oldest keeps having nose bleeds right as I am trying to drift to sleep at night.  There was a fire nearby today that put my children and a lot of other children at risk, but thankfully it was spotted and put out before it had a chance to spread.  Thank you Guardian Angels.  My oldest was particularly mouthy today and my four-year-old was trying to break the world record for the most lies told in one day.  Not sure what is up with that.  My daughter is already struggling with school, and we are only three weeks in.  My husband and I fought her going into first grade.  I pray that her moving on doesn't turn out to be a mistake that will stick with her.  I'm actually thinking of having her hearing tested again, because her spelling test was crazy last week and her practice test for this week was just downright bizarre.  Like...the word was "did," and she wrote "dog."  And the word was "way," and she wrote "went."  Stuff like that.  Completely different words...not even spelling errors.  Seems odd to me.  And she was really concentrating and paying attention when we were giving her the practice test.  She flipped some words around, too.  Like "On" she wrote as "no," and "am" she wrote as "ma."  I will keep on top of the situation. 

Anywhos, all that and a whole lot more that is going on has me so tense that I feel when the tension gives or if one more thing happens,  I will spin out of control like a crazy top.  I know I won't be given more than I can handle.  One step at a time; one day at a time.  ::deep breaths::  I just hope my toddler will kick this thing quickly.  That's the big thing right now; not that any of the other things are unimportant. 

I finally figured it out

I finally figured out how to broil a steak.  I know, I know.  A little thing.  But I have been craving steak for a long time and for whatever reason, when I cook them they come out tough and dry.  Well, since we turned off our cable months and months ago...we only get a few channels in and the Food Channel is one of them.  So thanks to "Semi Home Cooking with Sandra Lee," I now figured out how to broil a good steak.  The steak I made tonight melted in my mouth.  Oh, yum! I'm so happy the kids didn't want steak.  I broke my rule of not making them something special for dinner tonight because I wanted the steak all to myself, LOL.  Plus, I had leftover 'Lil Cheddar meat loaves in the fridge.  ::very big grin::  So it all worked out.  I have the second steak from the package in the freezer so I can broil it next week.  Yum.  I haven't had steak  since visiting my in-laws.  Yum, yum, yum.

 

My kids

They are so funny.  My toddler and I spent the morning running errands.  We had to go the post office, to an office so I could make an appointment because no one answers the phones there, to the library, and to the grocery store.  He toddled into the post office and helped me mail my letter.  He hid behind me at the office while I talked to the lady there, had fun at the library doing puzzles, and made everyone smile while he pushed one of those child sized carts that was loaded to the hilt through the store.  He had a lot of fun running errands with Mommy today.  I have no idea why everyone calls him a Mama's boy.  ::soft laugh::

My seven-year-old made me roll my eyes while I was smiling today.  Yesterday while we were swimming, I was the greatest Mom ever.  Today I'm the worst mom ever because he didn't get his way.  I'm "boring and old. "  I just have to laugh to myself.  He's like three people living inside one body.  One minute he's getting tissues for me because "I see your eye's bubbling, Mommy.  You always cry while watching movies."  The next minute he's screaming "Stupid!" at me at the top of his lungs.  Sometimes it's seriously like walking on eggshells around him because I never know how he is going to react.  In the end, though, he is one of the sweetest, smartest, funniest seven-year-olds I have ever known.  He always makes me smile and he makes me proud.  Even if he doesn't think so.  I tell him I'm proud of him and I love him, and he says "Yeah, right!", but I can see him smiling as he turns his head. 

My little girl is hilarious.  Whenever her brothers get in trouble, she gives me an impish smile and says "I'm an angel, Mommy."  LOL  I don't have to take cover when she gets mad.  I usually do have to stifle a laugh, though.  She starts talking really fast and starts shaking, then she screams "Ahhhh!" at the top of her lungs and then she deflates ad her little lip comes out and she starts breathing to calm herself down.  Then it's over.  She's back to her happy self.  Now that, I can handle!  Hehe.  She's just like her Mama.  She thinks she is being really fearsome, but really people are hiding smiles behind their hand. 

My four-year-old is a total nut.  He went to the store yesterday dressed in swimming trunks, a T-shirt (that clashed), a red floppy sun hat meant for babies, and rain boots that go up to his knees.  His very well developed vocabulary usually takes people aback until they just chuckle and say "Oh, how cute is he?"  Like, a lady asked him if he wanted something in a store, and he said "No, actually, I would really like to have that instead, Ma'am.  I prefer them."  Can you really see a little four-year-old talking like that? Lmao!  Usually he's pretty quiet, but sometimes he comes up with sentences like that and they just astound me. 

I think I have everyone covered.  Let me count.  1, 2, 3, 4.  Yup, that's all of my children.  I do love them. 

Five little fishes...

Five Little Fishes in a pool.

Five Little Fishes think it's cool.

We all splished and splashed

and generally had a blast.

::takes a bow::  ::very cheesy grin::

Ok, so I stink at poems.  That is no big secret.  We did, however, all have a lot of fun today.  The pool has been there since we moved here and I knew it was there, but I had no clue how family friendly it was.  Plenty of things to do with lots of room in 0 to 2 foot water.  There was deeper water of course, but we barely spent any time there.  I did put one child on my back, one child in one arm, and towed a third by having him old onto my arm while we went to the 3 foot 8 inch pool to bob around for a while.  It was much easier on my knees to be in the deeper water than squatting in the 1 foot water, lol. 

My two-year-old was very unsure at first.  He walked eagerly to the pool holding my hands, but when I waded in he stopped and refused to budge, lol.  So I picked him up and carried him in.  I set him down when I got a little ways in and he saw the water only went to his ankles so he kept wading.  Then he freaked out again when the water got to his waste.  So I picked him up again and went further in and sat down so he was in the water, but he was sitting on my lap.  He was OK with that.  He rode around on Mommy for most of the day.  A couple of times he got brave and walked on his own, but twice a wave from a nearby swimmer knocked him under.  So he preferred to be on Mommy, which was fine with me!  I preferred for him to be there, too!  He really isn't much for getting wet.  His baths are very short affairs.  I stick him in the tub, he screams while I was wash him, then I get him out.  That's pretty much it, lol.  So I was worried about the pool.  By the end of our time there, I had him blowing bubbles in the water, floating out on his belly while I held his hands, and so many people would stop swimming and make the comment "Look at the smile on that little boy's face!".  It truly was a million dollar smile!  He was cheesing over my shoulder as we bobbed around. 

My oldest stayed in the shallow pools with his friend.  They had a lot of fun playing with the goggles she brought and a watering can someone had there, lol.  There are slides, sprinkles, and even an inter tube river to ride along.  Pretty cool. 

My middle children were both decked out in life jackets.  I wasn't taking any chances with them.  Neither of them have ever been in a big pool like that before; whereas my oldest has swam on several occasions this summer.  I knew my hands would be mostly busy with my toddler, so I made them keep the life jackets on.  At first my four-year-old bobbed around like a cork and kept ending up floating on his belly with is face in the water.  I showed him how to float and how to keep himself up-right, along with how to flip over from his belly to his back.  After that...he had a blast.  He has never really been fond of getting wet, but he did awesome today.  He never, ever gets water in his ears or eyes so at first he was a little freaked, but I explained that when we were in a big pool, we couldn't dash out to get our towel every two seconds.  It just wasn't practical.  "You are going to get wet in a pool, sweetheart.  I'm sorry."  He was fine after that.  My daughter did great, too.  Her life jacket wasn't as bulky, so she didn't have the issue of imitating a cork. 

Thanks for the awesome day.  It was nice to just have fun with the kids instead of worried about what we had to do or how they were behaving.  They all did a wonderful, super job of following the rules.  I am very proud of them.