We have an elf at our house. A couple of days ago we could not find the remote for the TV. Shelby and I both turned the house upside down trying to find it. I am 100% certain that I I put it on the coffee table the night before, but it just disappeared. Yesterday I was straightening up downstairs with Carson by my side when I went to put some shoes in Lilly's room. I was gone for about 10 seconds and when I came back, Carson was holding the long searched for remote. Earlier this week we had a similar mishap with Shelby's work keys. We looked everywhere before giving up and borrowing someone else's key. Later that day we found them in the office. I would blame the kids if it were not for the vitamins I lost. It was a brand new bottle that I swear I put in the kitchen cupboard (where no children can reach). When I went to take one they were nowhere to be seen. I emptied the cupboard and put everything back and still nothing. Yesterday I opened the cupboard for something else and there they were, sitting right in front of everything exactly where I put them. Elves...
Rachel watched an episode of the Cosby Show where Rudy does chores for money to buy her mom a birthday present. She has been a cleaning machine ever since. I was otherwise distracted when she came downstairs and explained to me what all she had done and why. "Now you give me some money." She demanded. The problem is she just assumed this would be OK with me, but I was quite unaware of her plan. Further, her idea of doing chores and my idea of doing chores are not the same. She "mopped the floor" and cleaned the windows, but when it came to doing the less exciting chores, her enthusiasm waned and complaining set in. All said and done, she did help me quite a bit, and in the process earned 32 cents to go in her "money pang" (piggy bank). I am pretty sure she is not saving up with a gift for me in mind.
Lilly has developed a habit of getting right in your face when she has something important to tell you and enunciating her words while talking slowly. "I WANT SOME CANDY!" She does not yell, mind you. She just seems to want to be very sure she is understood. I think this is part of her middle child syndrome, and an effort to be heard. She seems extra disappointed when the answer is still no. Like she's thinking "did I not explain this to you?"
Poor Carson has a horrible little cough that seems to be bothering his parents more than himself. Last night it was ceaseless, but he was sleeping right through. I got him up anyway and tried to give him a drink of water. He wanted nothing to do with it. We ran a hot shower and tried to expose him to the steam and rubbed Vic's all over his chest, none of which amused him. He obviously just wanted to go back to bed, but parents know best, right? When we finally had done all we could, we put him back to bed. His coughing was much better for the rest of the night. At least if he did cough it didn't bother the three of us.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
December 28th, 2010
Shelby took the whole week before Christmas off. It was awesome! I wish he could be home all the time. We all played too hard and slept too much, and nothing got done around the house, but it was worth it. Shelby took the girls to movies two days in a row, and then on Christmas eve, he took them to PoJo's. He is now considered the fun parent but I don't care. I am glad they got to spend time together. And it made Christmas week much less stressful for me.
The kids had a wonderful Christmas, and despite Santa's efforts to keep it simple this year all three of them were spoiled rotten. Considering the only thing Rachel asked for this year was bubble gum, it is safe to say that my kids are easily pleased. Rachel and Lilly both loved a princess art set they got, complete with stickers, paint, color crayons "weird color crayons" (according to Rachel), markers, and color pencils. Carson's favorite gift is a toss up from the tool set he got from his cousin and the cement truck he got from Papa and Nonna. According to Lilly, the reason Santa got them all these presents is because I wouldn't.
Christmas eve we took the kids to Jaker's along with uncle Cody. We were a little nervous about bringing them to a nicer restaurant so we had a talk about it beforehand. We told the girls that it was important that they talk quietly and not get out of their seats. Jaker's turned out to be a zoo, and not at all quiet. My kids could have had temper tantrums and nobody else in the restaurant would have known. When we first walked in I took Rachel right to the bathroom. While we were in there she whispered in my ear "Is it OK if I talk in here?" I told her that it was OK if she talked as loud as she wants while we are in the restaurant as long as she is polite, and she was. Rachel and Lilly are both growing into wonderful young ladies.
We are the luckiest parents in the world because our kids still let us sleep in on Christmas morning. Around 9am, when there was still no sound from the kids I woke Shelby up because I couldn't wait any longer. The kids opened presents and then we had a waffle breakfast. I even made the effort to get whipped cream and strawberries. I learned something about my family that morning. While everyone loves whipped cream (and really, who doesn't) none of them like strawberries on their waffles except me. After breakfast we met the rest of my family at the Surprise Valley clubhouse to open more presents and play with cousins. I would say that all made for one killer Christmas. Stay tuned for pictures.
The kids had a wonderful Christmas, and despite Santa's efforts to keep it simple this year all three of them were spoiled rotten. Considering the only thing Rachel asked for this year was bubble gum, it is safe to say that my kids are easily pleased. Rachel and Lilly both loved a princess art set they got, complete with stickers, paint, color crayons "weird color crayons" (according to Rachel), markers, and color pencils. Carson's favorite gift is a toss up from the tool set he got from his cousin and the cement truck he got from Papa and Nonna. According to Lilly, the reason Santa got them all these presents is because I wouldn't.
Christmas eve we took the kids to Jaker's along with uncle Cody. We were a little nervous about bringing them to a nicer restaurant so we had a talk about it beforehand. We told the girls that it was important that they talk quietly and not get out of their seats. Jaker's turned out to be a zoo, and not at all quiet. My kids could have had temper tantrums and nobody else in the restaurant would have known. When we first walked in I took Rachel right to the bathroom. While we were in there she whispered in my ear "Is it OK if I talk in here?" I told her that it was OK if she talked as loud as she wants while we are in the restaurant as long as she is polite, and she was. Rachel and Lilly are both growing into wonderful young ladies.
We are the luckiest parents in the world because our kids still let us sleep in on Christmas morning. Around 9am, when there was still no sound from the kids I woke Shelby up because I couldn't wait any longer. The kids opened presents and then we had a waffle breakfast. I even made the effort to get whipped cream and strawberries. I learned something about my family that morning. While everyone loves whipped cream (and really, who doesn't) none of them like strawberries on their waffles except me. After breakfast we met the rest of my family at the Surprise Valley clubhouse to open more presents and play with cousins. I would say that all made for one killer Christmas. Stay tuned for pictures.
Friday, December 17, 2010
RE: A Change
This was an accidental post from my mom who thought she was posting it on her blog, but she was really logged into mine. The FitMania website will not have any updates on my family.
December 17th, 2010
I have been so bad about doing this blog! My excuse is a combination of being sick because of this pregnancy, and being forgetful because of this pregnancy. I barely seem to remember my own name. The kids have treated me so well for the last couple of weeks. They have been sleeping some mornings until 9am (so have I), they have played nicely with each other and required little from me besides meals. Usually they have to remind me about the meals. Since I don't feel like eating I assume everyone feels the same way. I am so glad I have such great kids. People keep telling me that this pregnancy is probably harder because of the little ones I have at home, but I really do not think that is it. The three of them make it easy on me.
We decorated the tree a few days ago. The tree has been the highlight of their worlds ever since. Rachel runs through the house as soon as the sun goes down turning all the lights out so she can see the Christmas tree lights better. And you should see how Rachel and Lilly can spot Christmas lights when we are driving in the car. I will usually hear one of them shout "Mom look over there! Way over there! I see one!" I search and search until I see a speck of light coming from a house in a distant neighborhood that may be Christmas lights, or may be just a porch light left on.
We went on a walk the other day and about 5 minutes in, Lilly informed me that she was having a heart attack. I asked her if she knew what that was and she responded cheerfully "oh, it's OK. I got it out!" On the way home she told me Carson was now having a heart attack. I would love to know what goes on in her precious little brain!
An anonymous family gave us presents for the Twelve Days of Christmas. This was a nice thing, and the kids have had a blast. My one issue would be the "4 calling birds" we got in the form of recorders. It has been non stop music action at our house. Really my complaint is in jest. Mostly I love listening to the three of them try to harmonize. In the excitement of opening the gift last night, Carson put a blanket over his head to pretend he was a ghost and took a tumble down the stairs. He was just fine, but it scared him and me both!
Sarah asked me to watch her kids for an hour the other day, and since I had to be in Boise anyway, we planned to take them to Burger King to play while I watched them. Before hand we all met at the mall with my mom. What a disaster! The seven kids were manageable with the three of us, but as soon as Sarah left, chaos ensued. We decided to just stay at the mall to play in their play area, but we thought we should feed them first. Getting all seven kids (ages 1-6) on the escalator, safely to the food court and back down the escalator was a challenge enough. The added challenge of keeping any one of them from running off while we were eating, plus the occasional bathroom need was difficult but doable. It was not until Ian had an accident that things fell apart. I took him to the car to change him while my mom took care of the rest of the kids in the play area. This was our first mistake. I should not have left her with so many. Sure enough right after Ian and I left, Rachel and Lilly decided they needed to use the bathroom. My mom wasn't sure what to do with the others so she left Brady in charge. Luckily he is a responsible boy, because when my mom got back everyone was still there. I was hallelujahing when I got to the car because I happened to have a pair of pants for Ian to wear. By the time Ian and I got back (with one extra stop at Sees for some stress relief chocolate) it was time to go. After we got all seven kids across the mall and to the appropriate cars everyone looked totally worn out, but I took the cake. Between being green and being wiped out, I looked like death. The trip was a memory I would not trade for the world. A side note about the mall trip. Carson approached three different old men and either hugged them around their legs or tried to get them to pick him up. I am going to have to watch that sweet boy or someone is going to walk away with him.
We decorated the tree a few days ago. The tree has been the highlight of their worlds ever since. Rachel runs through the house as soon as the sun goes down turning all the lights out so she can see the Christmas tree lights better. And you should see how Rachel and Lilly can spot Christmas lights when we are driving in the car. I will usually hear one of them shout "Mom look over there! Way over there! I see one!" I search and search until I see a speck of light coming from a house in a distant neighborhood that may be Christmas lights, or may be just a porch light left on.
We went on a walk the other day and about 5 minutes in, Lilly informed me that she was having a heart attack. I asked her if she knew what that was and she responded cheerfully "oh, it's OK. I got it out!" On the way home she told me Carson was now having a heart attack. I would love to know what goes on in her precious little brain!
An anonymous family gave us presents for the Twelve Days of Christmas. This was a nice thing, and the kids have had a blast. My one issue would be the "4 calling birds" we got in the form of recorders. It has been non stop music action at our house. Really my complaint is in jest. Mostly I love listening to the three of them try to harmonize. In the excitement of opening the gift last night, Carson put a blanket over his head to pretend he was a ghost and took a tumble down the stairs. He was just fine, but it scared him and me both!
Sarah asked me to watch her kids for an hour the other day, and since I had to be in Boise anyway, we planned to take them to Burger King to play while I watched them. Before hand we all met at the mall with my mom. What a disaster! The seven kids were manageable with the three of us, but as soon as Sarah left, chaos ensued. We decided to just stay at the mall to play in their play area, but we thought we should feed them first. Getting all seven kids (ages 1-6) on the escalator, safely to the food court and back down the escalator was a challenge enough. The added challenge of keeping any one of them from running off while we were eating, plus the occasional bathroom need was difficult but doable. It was not until Ian had an accident that things fell apart. I took him to the car to change him while my mom took care of the rest of the kids in the play area. This was our first mistake. I should not have left her with so many. Sure enough right after Ian and I left, Rachel and Lilly decided they needed to use the bathroom. My mom wasn't sure what to do with the others so she left Brady in charge. Luckily he is a responsible boy, because when my mom got back everyone was still there. I was hallelujahing when I got to the car because I happened to have a pair of pants for Ian to wear. By the time Ian and I got back (with one extra stop at Sees for some stress relief chocolate) it was time to go. After we got all seven kids across the mall and to the appropriate cars everyone looked totally worn out, but I took the cake. Between being green and being wiped out, I looked like death. The trip was a memory I would not trade for the world. A side note about the mall trip. Carson approached three different old men and either hugged them around their legs or tried to get them to pick him up. I am going to have to watch that sweet boy or someone is going to walk away with him.
Monday, December 6, 2010
December 6th, 2010
Lilly has always been passionate about life. She vacillates between ecstatic and devastated at least a half-dozen times a day. I did not think it was possible but over the last couple of weeks, her passion has intensified. We are seeing this in the form of more crying, weeping, hysterical fits. I want to be sympathetic, but when I ask her what is wrong, and she answers almost indecipherably "I can't find my red color crayon!" I have a hard time feeling sorry for her. When she learned that we were going to have a baby-sitter on Saturday night she said in a sweet voice "I want to tell the baby-sitter that I spend too much of my life crying."
Shelby always packs some kind of snack for the kids to eat during sacrament meeting on Sundays. Yesterday he brought a bag of Cheerie-os. I thought I would try a game my dad used to play with me. I told Lilly, and then Rachel, that I could see Cheerie-os in their ears. I would pretend to dig them out and then show them the Cheerie-o that was already hiding in my hand. I must have been convincing because whenever I would do it to Rachel she would grimace, and get this disgusted look on her face while I "got the Cheerie-o out". I laughed a little and forgot about it until I looked over and saw them sticking Cheerie-os in each other's ears. Images of emergency room visits danced through my head and I revealed the secret of my magic trick, which has now been banned.
I asked the girls to write a letter to Santa today. I wrote while they listed the gifts they wanted. Lilly's went as follows: "I want a Barbie and a Buzz Lightyear coloring book and broken ears and a broken arm." I asked her why she wanted broken body parts and she said "because it's funny!"
Shelby always packs some kind of snack for the kids to eat during sacrament meeting on Sundays. Yesterday he brought a bag of Cheerie-os. I thought I would try a game my dad used to play with me. I told Lilly, and then Rachel, that I could see Cheerie-os in their ears. I would pretend to dig them out and then show them the Cheerie-o that was already hiding in my hand. I must have been convincing because whenever I would do it to Rachel she would grimace, and get this disgusted look on her face while I "got the Cheerie-o out". I laughed a little and forgot about it until I looked over and saw them sticking Cheerie-os in each other's ears. Images of emergency room visits danced through my head and I revealed the secret of my magic trick, which has now been banned.
I asked the girls to write a letter to Santa today. I wrote while they listed the gifts they wanted. Lilly's went as follows: "I want a Barbie and a Buzz Lightyear coloring book and broken ears and a broken arm." I asked her why she wanted broken body parts and she said "because it's funny!"
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
December 1, 2010
We woke up this morning to 5 inches of snow. It was all the girls could do to wait until after breakfast and chores to go outside and play with it. When I finally was able to round up enough snow gear for them to go out, they still resembled puzzles with pieces missing. We had snow pants that fit Lilly, 2 pairs that fit Carson, both size 12 months, and none that fit Rachel. So I put the Lilly size on Rachel, and one of the Carson size on Lilly (huge stretch). They all had coats and hats, but only Lilly had gloves. I put socks on Rachel's hands and covered them with saran wrap and duct tape (don't judge me). That lasted about 1 minute before Rachel decided she could not make a proper snowball with all that stuff on her hands, so she ended up going out with just socks covering her hands. Carson just went without. I had two pairs of snow boots for Carson, and none for the girls, so I smushed Lilly's feet into the biggest pair of the two and put the other pair on Carson. I put zip lock bags on Rachel's feet over her tennis shoes. Despite the missing gear, the girls were not deterred at all. Carson lasted 10 minutes and insisted on being held the whole time. To his credit, this is the first real snow he has ever seen, and it came up to his knees. Once I put him down for a nap, the girls and I had a grand old time making snowmen and throwing snowballs. Our snowman had a carrot nose of course, and jar rings for eyes (glasses) and a straw for a mouth. Rachel would have stayed out all day, but Lilly and I were done after an hour. I have not played out in the stow like that since I was a kid. I have distinct memories of my dad teaching me the ins and outs of snowman and snowball making. Today I passed down that knowledge.
Rachel has decided that she wants to do karate after all, because she wants to "get big and strong". We braved the snow and made it safely to karate. But with no food in the house, and me using pregnancy as an excuse to take it easy, we decided to go to dinner with the kids tonight after karate. The girls are getting better and better at behaving correctly at restaurants. They order for themselves, they are polite to the waitress, and we leave a much smaller mess than we used to. I am so proud.
Rachel has decided that she wants to do karate after all, because she wants to "get big and strong". We braved the snow and made it safely to karate. But with no food in the house, and me using pregnancy as an excuse to take it easy, we decided to go to dinner with the kids tonight after karate. The girls are getting better and better at behaving correctly at restaurants. They order for themselves, they are polite to the waitress, and we leave a much smaller mess than we used to. I am so proud.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
