June Cleaver

Attitude

2011-02-23T12:55:00.001-08:00

How many people do you know who can work until 3am and get up at 6am and cheerfully go to work? Carl, is the only person in the world I know who doesn't actually complain about missing sleep. Not only does he not complain but he is as cheerful as if he got 10 hours of sleep. How does that happen? He even never acts like he's in a hurry and always makes time to do stuff for the kids like find lost marbles under the bed or listen to a long winded lego story (you know the kind the boys tell about whatever creation they've made and how their imagination played out in a particular instance). Carl's attitude is baffling and inspiring! Maybe I'll try to be better.

memories of swimming lessons

2010-10-11T16:04:00.000-07:00

Grant and Alex (after locker room shower) waiting for June swimming lesson to begin. Grant holds the family record in wearing goggles (in this painful fashion) for 3 hours straight before getting in the pool.

Alex's contract

2010-10-06T13:35:00.000-07:00

Carl's mom gave the kids a typewriter this summer. They used it daily until it ran out of whiteout ribbon. One day Alex handed me a sealed envelope addressed "to Dan" (Alex's newest uncle) and asked if I would put it in the mail. About a week letter he received a reply in the mail which I read and laughed about. After further investigation I was given the information of the original letter which follows:

"Dear Dan, do you want to draw pictures for a book I am going to make, The book is called The kids who were WIZARDS, Thers going to be 5 books, Ther will be 100 75 a book or less, Ther will be pictures of Zombies and stuff, sighn here if you want to do it.

P.s pleas wright back.

from Alex"

Dan's letter of response:

Dear Mr. Alex xxxxxx

I am excited to hear more about this series of books you are planning to write. It sounds like you are planning for considerable success.

After reviewing the terms of the contract you sent me, I have decided to offer my services to the extent that I will illustrate for you the cover of your first novel. Upon completion of this first illustration, we may then begin negotiation for further work.

Please respond with an outline for your first novel so that I may begin work on this project. Also, any other information that will help me understand your vision for this book will be helpful. You may contact me directly or through my secretary, Katie.

Thank you for this opportunity. I look forward to working with you.

Daniel xxxx xxxxxx

To clarify, Dan is an amazing painter currently working on his Masters of art right now. After reading Dan's response I asked Alex without cracking a smile, "so what did you think about the letter?" He responded frownily that he'd ask for Dad's help instead since he wanted the cover and inside illustrations to be done by the same person. What a guy!

sowwy mom

2010-10-04T12:54:00.000-07:00

Grant: "Sowwy mom"

Me: "What are you sorry about?" (I couldn't see anything obviously wrong)

Grant: "I put Foxy's cowwar awound my neck...(long pause)...can you help me get it off."

Married

2010-08-04T07:30:00.000-07:00

So my sister Katie was married a while back. Here are some of the pictures from her wedding. Jordan, Alex and Grant taking advantage of some game time when they think mom's not looking.

Grant would not leave Dan's side. He loves the guy.

My dad, uncles and brothers. I found them like this several times during the day in a crcle telling stories as my dad laughed his head off.

Here is Diane Schwartz with my brother Andy. She surprised everyone by showing up to the wedding after traveling over 12 hours to get there. I haven't seen her in probably 12 years.

Here's the quilt I made for Katie. I was cutting off the strings to the matching pillowcases on the way to the wedding. It was a close call.

My Uncle Jeff and Jordan.

Em with the nephews and neice that were there.

My amazing Aunt Steff who decided to run a half marathon the morning of the wedding. Did I mention the wedding was in the morning?

Waiting for the bride and groom.

This is the only group picture I got--oh well!

Schools Out!

2010-06-08T16:49:00.000-07:00

I've been dreading summer for the last few months. I love the kids but hate all the fighting and begging to play the computer all day. I changed my attitude just in the nick of time though (from listening to Dr. Laura's book Stop Whining, Start Living book) and started looking forward to summer. I talked to one woman who helped me realize that I don't have to provide the entire summer entertainment. I never really provide great entertainment but just feeling like I should is exhausting. So before school got out we had the kids come up with a personal list of things they would do when they feel bored. We also initiated a summer rule: if you say, "I'm bored" or anything like unto it, you will be given a job to do. So far so good--its been 3 whole days.

One other thing that's hard for me about summer is the lack of schedule. Some people love this I know but I don't work well without some kind of structure. So here's this summers routine. Before playing or doing anything fun you must first:

Clean your room

Do 3 jobs--assigned by mom

Practice piano for 30 minutes

Read 1 hour

Write in your journal (yesterdays topic was "if you were an inventor what would you invent")

Math flashcards/written math drills

New chart made from tiny envelopes I picked up at the dollar store. Each child has a different color strip they place in envelopes when finished

This way we get the house peacefully clean and all the other naggable items have been taken care of.

After the work is done then the kids can play their 15 minutes of computer and use the rest of the day to do whatever they can think of.

The other summer idea that the kids are really excited about is cooking. The three oldest kids each have a day of the week to plan and prepare 3 meals with my help. Its so great to have kids to do at least half of the work.

Bridal Shower

2010-05-12T14:51:00.001-07:00

It happened a little while ago. But since she's already married I thought I'd better post about Katie's bridal shower before I post about the wedding. My little Katie was there and strangely we didn't get one picture of her. We also didn't get a picture of Cindy and Holly (those girls are so funny).

Mostly we ate and talked but we also played a couple of games (Katie wanted to be sure we didn't play anything too embarrassing). One was a "guess Dan's answers" game. My little Katie made up most of the questions. Here they are a few with answers included:

What is your favorite: Food: Chicken Alfredo Pizza

Activity: Watching March Madness

Flower: Sunflower

Holiday: Independence Day

Tipe of Dog: Australian Shepherd

Pet: Possum

Musical Instrument: None

Tree: Willow Tree

Computer Game: Warcraft

Toy: Dominoes

Bird: Falcon

My sister Katie was pretty stumped. I guess they had never talked much about important subjects like trees, pets, and flowers. We laughed pretty hard about the questions and Dan's silly answers to them.

Candace

Jodi with daughter and Katie

really great food--the 7 layer greek dip was amazing

Mom, Andrea and Katie

Katie and friend

Amy and Leigh--had both just lost 20 pounds

Old Dog Update

2010-05-11T14:25:00.001-07:00

Some of you were wondering what happened to Cooper, our yippy, white dog. We didn't actually give him to an unsuspecting family member. It turns out they asked for him. We were planning on driving him all the way to his original home sometime in June but since someone wanted him for their daughter, we (actually Carl) willingly gave him up. The only problem is this particular family came to visit while Katie, Jordan and I were running errands. They asked for Cooper out of the blue and Carl sent him home with them. He thought it would be fun to see how long it took the kids to notice he was gone. Big mistake. At bedtime Katie asked with terror in her eyes, "where's Cooper? I've looked all over for him and can't find him anywhere. His kennel is gone too." I started looking around with her, not knowing what in the world went on a few hours before. Finally Carl (who at first acted like he didn't know either) tells us what happened. Katie was in tears (Cooper used to sleep in her bed). Alex, who was there when Cooper was given to the cousins, also remembered the entire bad experience and cried for the second time that day (so Carl told me). Of course they were sad-to have their favorite furry guy taken away from them so suddenly. It was shocking. They needed more preparation. Carl is neither sentimental nor emotional so he had no idea that giving away the dog would be such a problem (still doesn't probably). Though I felt bad for the kids and totally understood their sadness I can't tell you how happy I was that Cooper was gone. Is it okay to smile and feel bad at the same time that one of my favorite family members is listening to endless howling, yipping and dealing with chewed up underwear. So happy it isn't me.

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you cross Mimi (her grandma name) with a bunch of grandkids?

patience with grandkids jumping on her bed early in the morning (she loves it)

lots of hugs

love-she's great about letting the kids know she cares about them

How did we get so lucky!

P.S. Thanks for the sweater mom. Its just what I always wanted.

Thinking WAY ahead

2010-05-08T11:32:00.000-07:00

Let me explain. Alex has this fascination with tarantulas. He has probably read 20 books about them and can spout out all kinds of information about spinnerets, the difference between different types and where they are located. He has even held one and experienced their stinging hairs (you should wash your hands before touching your skin). When he asked me if he could get one I replied, "absolutely not" which was followed by tears that didn't soften me a bit. When he asked his dad (out of my hearing) Carl said that yes he could get one when we is 12 if he learns all about them. I think Carl was sure that Alex would forget about it in a few months. That was last November. Alex explained to me after writing to Santa that if Santa brought one in place of a stocking (which is all that Santa brings to our house) then he wouldn't have to pay for one. Funny huh! Alex isn't one to leave details to the last minute.

Santa's letter back:

Dear Alex,

So nice to hear from you! I'm still on vacation in Hawaii. I don't ordinarily take requests years in advance. I'll think about it. In the meantime keep being a good boy. Make sure you're really nice to your excellent mother.

Love,

Santa

P.S. Are you sure you want a Tarantula? How about a nice stuffed animal?

Carl gets his dog

2010-05-06T05:46:00.000-07:00

(Here Carl and Foxy are playing soccer. She can actually dribble the ball with those short legs.)

After a few years of saving, Carl finally got the Welsh Corgi he always wanted. She's 6 years old and probably one of the best behaved dogs in the world. She doesn't bark (unless Grant is sitting on her head), chew underwear, poop in other people's yards, etc. We love Foxy.

We've been saving for a dog since our MA days. There, the price of a Corgi was $1100. We didn't pay that much for Foxy.

If you're considering buying a dog, here are a few tips:

1) get rid of your underwear eating, whiny, bark when trucks go by dog. Hopefully you'll be able to find an unsuspecting relative to give him to.

2) research and pick a good breed of dog. Its true the small dogs are pretty yippy, want to play all the time and commonly follow you around the house always two inches or less away from your heals. If you want to hold a dog all day, a small dog would be a good kind to get. On the other hand, Corgi's are commonly mature, calm, want to be in charge (at least of other dogs) and smart, a better match for our family, especially if they can outsmart Grant, the great annoyer of dogs.

3) buy an older dog--much less work

4) Change her name. It only takes a few days for the dog to catch on. Foxy came with the name Keyna, which is Welsh for jewel. I told the kids we'd need to come up with something else. "Why not jewel?" they asked. "Are you kidding me?" is all I could respond. Anyway, since nobody would agree to Wonder Woman or Goldilocks we agreed to Foxy, after one of Carl's Corgi's from his farming days. Foxy the first was Carl's best friend. So it fits. We love her.

Happy

2010-04-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

Its amazing the small things that bring me joy. Here are a few recent ones.

Katie giving me and Carl a kiss goodnight every single night and before she goes to school. She initiates this
Jordan reading to me while I cook dinner
Alex spending all his free time writing
all the kids sitting around the coffee table drawing or doing puzzles while humming the theme song to Little House on the Prairie (still makes me laugh thinking about it.)
Alex: "I'm Mr. Spacely. Grant, you're George." (name that 80s cartoon)
Hearing the kids practice the piano
Seeing the kids sing in Sacrament Meeting at church
Watching Katie and Carl read Fablehaven together
Grant letting me hold him in my lap (doesn't happen much anymore)
Alex, getting up at 6am to get all his work done. Some days he's so motivated

I wonder if there anything in the world that brings more happiness than family...and more misery, but that's a topic for another day.

A pretty lucky girl

2010-04-12T09:41:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I got so lucky. Not only is Carl handsome and fun to be around, he also finds coaching baseball a stress reliever. I wonder if going from bedroom to bedroom reading to the kids at night (even using different voices) also relieves his stress. Right now he's reading Hank the Cowdog to Grant and Alex, Harry Potter to Jordan and Fablehaven with Katie. I usually fall asleep before he's done. Besides reading, Carl also does the dishes, makes the bed, corrals Grant to bed etc. He works crazy hours, usually no less than 12 a day plus a lot of Saturdays but he never seems to lose all his energy. He's amazingly positive and inspires me to work harder.

LOOK

2010-04-11T10:07:00.000-07:00

I was reading a childrens book to Grant a few months ago called How Big is the World. I didn't really find the book interesting until I read "the more you look, the more you will see." For some reason that one line really got my wheels turning. I thought of how sometimes my thought process is pretty negative. When I look for the bad I always find it. There is always something to be anxious about, mad about or annoyed about if I'm looking for it. I think I naturally look for the negative. The other option and the higher brain path would be to look for the good. Its really not hard to see the beauty around me, the good that goes on in this home, the good qualities of others if I just LOOK for them. "Seek and ye shall find" comes to mind.

21 days #2

2010-04-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

My list making 21 days was pretty successful. I've been a lot more productive, especially with my time with the kids. I've also been able to put my reading in check for the most part (or is it because I'm not reading a book I totally love right now).

21 days #2 is peacemaking. This includes not gossiping which is really tricky. There are so many excuses for talking about people and I find myself saying too often, "I love Cindy but..." I actually don't know anyone named Cindy but you get the idea.

I was thinking the other day how peacekeeping and peacemaking are two different things. Peacekeeping connotes that there was peace to begin with. Peacekeeping really isn't very hard its peacemaking, making peace out of chaos, that is the challenge. I think of how sometimes my reaction to a crying child actually escalates the emotions of the house. Here are some scriptures my kids and I are trying to commit to memory in order to help us practice making peace.

Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger."

Romans 12:21 "Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good."

Matthew 5:44 "But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, go good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

Romans 12:14 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another."

My Cute Little Rascal is 4

2010-04-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

Cannon, Andrew, Easton, Grant and Leah

playing Bingo

presents

I was really hoping Grant would go for the paw print cupcakes but he was dead set on the dragon. The wings were supposed to be made of square fruit rollups but since they weren't on sale we had to make due with fruit by the foot.

RASCAL:

"mom, you bummy head"
throwing himself on the floor in the middle any given store because I won't buy him a candy. How could this be so hard to figure out? I never buy him a candy.
getting out of bed at nine o'clock, finding his way to the sewing room and cutting himself while disassembling my rotary cutter
cutting his lip with scissors despite my warning, "don't do it Grant."
screaming when everyone leaves the basement without waiting for him
"Awex, shut yours mouf!" (Alex, shut your mouth) It was actually pretty funny
"Mom, what is this?" he asks 25 times in a row no matter what my answer is
WHOOOOOing in people's ears (more on this later)
"I'm not going to chuch ANYMOY!" (I'm not going to church anymore)

CUTE LITTLE GUY:

Me: "Katie, could you tell me what time it is?" Grant: "I'll check mom...its 8 0 40."
"She hit me two twices." or "I'll do it two twices."
saying "oy" instead of "ore" such as: stoy (store) moy (more)
"That boy talks wiwy weeid" (that boy talks really wierd)
drawing pictures for all our neighbors
"what's my job mom?" (music to my ears)
"I'm sorry I broke that mom." He says sorry really quickly even when he didn't do a thing.
cleaning under the oven for fun

I LOVE THAT LITTLE GUY!

First 21 Days

2010-03-06T13:11:00.000-08:00

I guess since its March its time to start my 21 day part of my New Year's Resolutions (see 2010 resolutions in archive). My first 21 Day program is to make a to-do list every day. "What at list?" you ask. No these aren't regular lists, these are Prioritized Daily Task Lists (I don't care for that name either, sounds complicated) as described by Hyrum W. Smith, the Franklin Planner guy. (I'm reading his book: 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management--I love it!) So the idea is that your list reflects the things that you really value. If you value your family higher than you do projects, then your priorities on your list should be family type stuff.

So the last 2 days I've made a list and actually spent some quality time with Grant AND gotten the regular life stuff done. You know what? I feel happier than usual because I'm doing the stuff that really matters (playing with the kids) even though its really not as urgent. Makes me feel content. Plus, usually I do the easiest stuff first--send emails, make phone calls etc. just because they are the easiest thing to do but they are usually the very least important and least urgent. I'm also really quick to do things that are sitting around--cleaning the dishes, mailing that letter, putting things away, returning things to the library. These are all important things to do but when I make my list they are probably things that can wait 'til tomorrow or next week (okay maybe not the dishes) while the more urgent and more important matters are sometimes forgotten because I have no visual aids to remember them by.

Here's a sample of one of my lists (not that you care, but in case I need some refreshing in the future).

C-1 make enchiladas (freeze them)
B-4 Next weeks dinner menu
A-4 Laminate that YW poster
C-4 Work on Jordan's quilt
C-2 Read
B-3 Blog 30 minutes
C-3 Make list of women to help with Lasagna Dinner (at church)
B-1 Call Stevie (new neighbor)
B-2 Call Melissa about boys playing
A-3 Laundry
A-1 Read to Grant
A-2 Play play dough with Grant
C-6 Print stuff for meeting on Sunday
C-5 Call Jerry about table question
A-5 Store-milk, butter

The idea is to write a list in the order it comes to your mind (its easier to think that way). Assign A B or C to it according to what is most important and then what is most urgent. Then order by number. So you do all the A's then B's then C's. I always want to let Grant play as long as possible by himself so I can get stuff done but I find that if I put him first, then we're both happier and he watches less TV. Plus the laundry never gets crossed off the list until its done, folded and put in drawers. Looking at the list several times a day reminds me that I need to change it.

I heard about this program when Carl read the book 10 years ago and I tried to practice it without really understanding it. I thought it was dumb. It really is designed to make life easier and it keeps me (for two days at least) from wandering around the house trying to figure out what to do first.

birthdays

2010-03-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

We've had a couple of birthdays recently.

Alexander the Great has turned 7. This cute little guy shows his generous side every once in a while, like last week when he paid for his older brother at the Movie Theatre and on the same day gave me 4 quarters and said, "this is for all you do for me." Pretty cute!

Alex always picks Pumpkin Pie for his birthday dessert. Since this is Alex's off year for birthdays, he and Carl went to the local Nicklecade for a few hours.

His handsome father also had a birthday--a whopping 35 years old. I had big plans for his birthday but since it was a hectic week and things weren't working out AND I knew he wouldn't be as surprised and grateful as I would like him to be, I bought him a cheesecake instead, which he ate for the next 10 days since he's the only lover of cheesecake around here.

I guess we used all the candles for Alex's birthday

Grant giving Carl his box of band aids (the ones he got in in stocking) to Carl as a gift.

Katie's gift was a page of stickers.

Not pictured, Jordan and Alex both gave partially painted pictures to Carl.

Happy Birthday EM

2010-03-04T11:57:00.000-08:00

2007

Emily is one of the best friends I've ever had. She has remembered my birthday and probably sent me a homemade card for the last 15 years. She has gone out of her way to see me when I've been either near Seattle or visiting our hometown. She's great! One of those people that you can easily talk to even though you haven't seen them for a few years. I love that girl!

Happy Birthday Em!

Spring Decluttering

2010-03-03T12:37:00.000-08:00

Last month I read a book called Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui. It wasn't my favorite decluttering book (which is still Lose 200 Lbs. this Weekend by the funny Don Aslett) but it WAS motivating. Just as a side note, the author of the Feng Shui book talked about clearing your colon, which was kind of surprising and funny. She was totally serious but I thought it was funny. Anyway, here are the basic questions the book suggests to ask yourself while dejunking:

1. Does it (the stuff) lift my energy when I think about it or look at it?
2. Do I absolutely love it?
3. Is it genuinely useful?

So I got rid of several things that were once useful and no longer are, including 10 year old college textbooks that I loved once but have not cracked open since I graduated from college 10 years ago. Plus I can easily find the information elsewhere when I need it. I got rid of enough books and magazines that I ended up selling a 6 foot bookshelf. YAY! I made $85 selling the bookshelf and other once useful but now dust collecting items. It feels good--real good (think Nacho Libre). I'm planning on hitting every closet and room during the month of March. Anybody with me?

I wish I had a before and after picture for you but this is my beautiful sewing room/piano studio, the area I've decluttered so far. I feel so happy every time I walk into it. Now if I can just keep it this clean.

I'm going to have to do something about that cluttery look under the table.

I DID IT!

2010-02-17T13:03:00.000-08:00

I just finished my scrapbooks for the last 4 years. I'm up to date for the first time in my life. YAY! Since I really don't enjoy scrapbooking but love to see the kids looking through scrapbooks, I decided to take advantage of a great deal on digital photo books--$20 for 1 book up to 100 pages. That's 4 books, each about 100 pages for less than $100 (including shipping). Amazing huh! I'll let you know when next year's sale is running.

2010-01-31T14:55:00.000-08:00

For the last several Christmases we've done the 12 days of Christmas to at least one person in our neighborhood. This has so far been the most organized year. We have several elderly neighbors in the neighborhood. We picked 7. In one day we made all the crafts and set them aside. The treats were a little more time consuming to make all at once. I think I'll do it next year though. Each morning between 5 and 7am Jordan and I would drive around and deliver the gifts. Next year we'll have to make and package everything before Dec 13. Between the Elf and the 12 days of Christmas it does get a little difficult to prepare and remember everything.

Day 1 Marshmallow Men

Day 2 Merry Christmas swag (made from old Christmas cards)

Day 3 Chocolate covered pretzels (not pictured)

Day 4 Snowman cards

Day 5 Snowflake

Day 6 Cookies (not pictured)

Day 7 Candycane Mice

Day 8 Hot Chocolate

Day 9 Tabletop Tree

Day 10 Reindeer Ornaments

Day 11 Caramel Corn

Day 12 Home bottled peaches

I love seeing the kids excited to do something nice and secret for someone else. It makes the whole family really happy.

CHRISTMAS 2009

2010-01-31T14:09:00.000-08:00

The 2009 festivities began with sledding at a nearby park.
Even a partially melted hill is fun to sled on.

The Nativity-Christmas Eve Evening Jordan narrated Carl: donkey, Katie: Mary, Alex: Joseph, Grant: shepherd, Cooper: sheep, Jamie: angelOpening Pajamas

Christmas Morning. The kids were whooping it up in the basement family room at 3am (where they all slept, except Grant). I whisper yelled, "Guys its 3 o'clock in the morning, stop talking, turn the light off and go back to sleep." "Oh, it is?" was the innocent reply.

The real festivities began around 6:30

waiting for Grant to wake up enough to see the presents

After the kids played for a few hours we announced that it was time to go to the neighbors and sing our Christmas songs we had been practicing (Picture a Christmas (complete with pictures), Christmas Bells, Christmas is Coming and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.) The kids mostly whined saying, "we're busy playing with our new toys" and "ahhh, mom" etc. We did it anyway and only after singing did it really feel like Christmas to me. The kids would probably tell you a different version of the story-something about being forced to sing and how life isn't fair.

Productive

2010-01-28T16:41:00.000-08:00

Here's a list of things I accomplished the other day:

exercised 1 hour
studied the scriptures
showered/got ready for the day (doesn't always happen)
planned dinner
washed 3 loads of laundry and had them folded and put away in a 12 hour period (if that had been the only thing accomplished that day it would have been a miracle all by itself)
volunteered at school for 1 hour
went grocery shopping
worked on a costume that I need to wear this Friday (more about that later maybe)
started crocheting a slipper (my friend is teaching me--its an effort to cut down on holes in the boys socks)
got caught up on the finances
cleaned the kitchen
made sure the kids finished their jobs
taught 2 piano lessons
taught the lesson for Family Night (its every Monday night)
sang to the kids (don't always have energy for this on a really busy day)

When that day was over I wondered, "why was I so productive this ONE day." Here is the 1 reason I can think of:

I DIDN'T READ ALL DAY

I've read 5 books since January started and have not gotten very much done (except for the coat). I guess I was just due for some hard work. Now, its true that I can never get away without doing ANYTHING. I still wash dishes throughout the day, make meals, clean here and there, respond to email, help kids with school work, hound them to get their other housework done, etc. But when I'm reading I'm sort of on autopilot. I just to the minimum and don't really think about anything but the wonderful fake character in the books I'm reading, often responding to repeated questions, "what did you say, I was thinking about something." So the whole list thing is a reminder of what I can get done every once in a while. I figure reading over the list in the future will produce one of the following responses:

I'll hate that productive Jamie, because I haven't been as productive since
I'll remember that I probably didn't spend any good quality time with the kids if I was so productive
I'll think its worth reading for 10 days straight as long as I'm this productive on the 11th day

1 finished goal

2010-01-26T16:29:00.000-08:00

So far the people I admire the most don't like it, BUT I DO! Its true its a little bright (I was hoping to find a lot lighter, creamier color but settled for this in a fit of impatience).

This is my first sewing project with an actual lining in it. Kind of tricky, but I think I'll probably live long enough to try another lining.

If you decide in your future to make a coat here are some words of advice:

Don't mark the buttonholes with a permanent marker, even if you've worked on it for 20 hours and you just want to get the darn thing done.
Don't wear it to church without first remembering that you have a needle attached to a 10 inch piece of thread dangling from the hem. Its embarrassing, especially when you're hoping nobody will ask if you made it-its a dead give away.

so many reasons to like this guy

2010-01-18T16:57:00.000-08:00

I walked into the house a few nights ago and found Carl doing an Indian dance complete with Indian whoops while Katie played "Indian Song." It was so funny! I catch him doing stuff like that all the time.

I thought it would be a good time to list a few remembrances so I can reread them on irritable days--you know those days you remember every frustrating thing you spouse ever did wrong.

singing the alphabet song with the syllables "goo goo, gah gah." The youngest two frequently request this for a lullaby

Carl singing to me "just put one foot in front of the other" (from Santa Claus is Coming to Town) while shuffling around the floor. He was singing it to me because I was feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. It made me laugh and forget whatever it was I was frustrated with

walking into the bathroom to find Carl fixing Katie's hair--he does a really great job!

Singing "happy birthday to you" to the kids as a lullaby

sitting on the floor reading a book to all 4 kids

cooking without expecting any help-he does this all the time. I'm a much more resentful cook and always think if I'm working everyone else should be too--I'm trying to get over it

fixing household items without being asked, or only being asked once--okay, not all the time, but its good to be positive

playing video games until 1am with Jordan as "bonding time"

Taking kids to work with him some Saturdays (don't feel bad for me, he doesn't work every Saturday)

enlisting the kids to help cook-they usually like cooking with him

hiding butterfingers in my sock drawer for me after one of his shopping trips (the "will you pick up some tortilla shells on your way home from work" trips)

coloring with the kids-he really gets into it

Anyone who knows Carl knows he's a great guy! He's not at all intimidating and has zero hard feelings against anyone. He amazes me and makes me laugh. Is he perfect-no! but hopefully I'll never get in the mood to post his imperfections.

2010 goals

2010-01-11T10:11:00.000-08:00

I love making goals every January. What I love even better is looking over last years goals and checking to see what I accomplished on the list. I like this better than keeping my list with me all throughout the year. Sometimes looking at what I'm not getting done on a regular basis makes me anxious and sometimes guilty. So when I looked around this morning trying to find my 2009 goals, I realized I didn't make any. Probably the first year in 13 years. I guess it wasn't at the top of my list since we had just moved in. Here are some of my 2010 goals.

blog about Christmas and maybe Thanksgiving 2009
make 3 quilts (Jordan, Alex and Grant)
finish sewing jacket
read 30 books, at least 10 not novels
lose 10 pounds (I feel a love handle coming on)
acquire 5 more piano students
make at least 2 extra house payments
put together a preschool program for Grant (urgent)

21 day program-I decided instead of trying to improve several things about myself at once, I'll work on one thing at a time in 21 day increments, since they say 21 days in a row is a good amount of time to start a habit. Here are some of the things I've wanted to become better at:

looking at people when they are talking to me
speaking positively about people
making dinner every morning
smile more

last of the elf notes

2009-12-30T15:18:00.000-08:00

WARNING: THIS POST IS LOOOONG AND MAY CONTAIN A PLETHORA OF MISSPELLINGS AND GRAMMATICAL ERRORS.

HARD CORE ELF NOTE READER-START AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST AND READ UP--it will make more sense in the end.

December 28, 2009

Dear J, K, A and G,

I was so busy on Christmas day that I just had to get away for a while. I'm on my way from Hawaii to the Caribbean and thought I'd leave you a note. Looks like you guys had a good Christmas!

Have a good 1020 and don't forget to be nice. See you next year.

Love,
Herb

December 24, 2009

Dear J, K, A and G,
Katie thanks for the note. I tested the caramel and thought it was really good. Thanks! There's one extra candy for you for leaving me a note.

Have a fun Christmas Eve and don't forget to do your best to make others happy--like the Cleavermeter from last year, remember? I'm off to help pack Santa's sleigh.

Love,
Herbert

December 23, 2009

Dear J, K, A and G,

Can you believe its only 2 days until Christmas? Well, I can't wait until Christmas! But when its over I'm going to be happy to get back to the quiet life. I'm thinking a couple of months in Hawaii will do me some good, what do you think?

So what are your big plans for Christmas day? That question requires a response (that means you need to answer in the form of a note back to me). I plan on not going to sleep for the next 100 hours or so. Elves are good at losing sleep. Do you know we can stay up for 5 days in a row without acting unusual? We can also sleep for 10 days straight without food or water--kind of weird huh? Of course, I've seen how even missing an hour effects you guys. You get all crabby and emotional. So you probably better get to bed on time, especially on Christmas Eve--no point in being crabby on Christmas day, right?

Hey, you guys are doing a great job with your ribbon jar. Its almost empty, which shows that you've done a lot of secret nice things for others. Good job!

Love,
YFE

December 22, 2009

Dear J, K, A and G,

Thanks for the balloon Alex. I like the face on it.

I can't tell you my secret for how I get into houses. I do actually have a set of keys but I don't usually have to use them to get in. I've taken a Home Entrance Oath promising not to share my top secret information with anyone. So I can't tell you that, but I can tell you that I fly here with some other elves that do exactly the same thing that I do. There's 5 of us in all: Hermey, Sally, Mervin, Lottie and me. We mostly fly together but since Sally makes a few stops in South Africa and Mervin goes to the South Pole to leave notes for a few walrus families, we usually end up traveling back to the North Pole in separate groups.

Just 3 days left to ask questions.

Love Herb, your favorite elf

December 21, 2009

I've got a new plan--well its really the old plan restated: notes and candy come only IF I get notes from you first. Include things such as:

1) Questions you have about Santa, the North Pole, or me
2) What you've been up to
3) What you like/don't like

Love,
YFE

December 20, 2009

Dear J, K, A and G,

Guess what? Rudolph Jr. is finally well enough to train with the other reindeer. Snarkles! The whole pole is celebrating. Rudolpho is very relieved that he doesn't have to lead the team this year. Santa has already named him as next year's leader when Rudolph Jr. retires. that will give Rudolpho a whole year to practice his landings.

You wouldn't believe the change I've seen in Snively over the last few days. Yesterday we went caroling to the toy working elves as they built their toys. They usually sing while they work (which I highly recommend as long as it doesn't keep you from working) but they were happy to give their voices a rest and listen to us for a while. Snively was so smiley and happy. Its amazing how doing things for others helps you forget about what makes you sad and crabby. So if you're ever feelings sad, try to do something nice for someone else and see if it makes a difference--its like magic. Who knows, you might even try it in your family and see how it works.

Love, YFE
Just a few days left until Christmas

December 19, 2009

So are you all done with your Christmas shopping? We're just finishing up all the last minute Christmas toys at Santa's workshop. I'm running out of things to write. Do you have any questions or requests?

Love,
YFE

December 18 2009

Dear J, K, A and G,

Rudolph Jr. has been healing up faster these last few days. I think it might have something to do with the well wishing thoughts of Alex. Alex you're a great kid--did anyone ever tell you that? You've got some great siblings too. I noticed that Grant blew up a balloon all by himself today. I didn't learn to do that until about my 102nd year, in elf years of course. Katie is really kind of a sweetie (is she rolling her eyes at this?) and Jordan is quite the responsible 11 year old. How did your parents get lucky enough to have 4 fabulous kids?

Don't forget to be nice to each other, your stockings are depending on it. Remember coal is always an option for those who decide to be naughty.

Love,
Herb

Only 1 week until Christmas

Dec 17, 2009

Dear J, K, A and G,

I had a little extra time yesterday so I took Snively to the hospital to watch people singing Christmas carols to the patients there. Of course Snively didn't want to go but somehow I talked him into it. We went in invisibly and flew up close to the ceiling so we could see everything well. Snively had a scowl on his face for the first few minutes and then all of the sudden his countenance changed. He smiled as he watched one of the singing children hold on old grandpa's hand as he sang. You see the grandpa was the patient. Snively asked, "are they related?" I told him that these two people had actually never met. The grandpa and Snivley both had a big tear shining in their eyes. We watched the singing group for about an hour after that. Snively was quiet but he looked happier than usual.

You guys doing any caroling this year?

Love, YFE

Dec 16, 2009
Dear J, K, A and G,

Poor Rudolph Jr. is still recovering from last weeks injuries. We were hoping with the magical ointment and everything that he would have healed up by now, but alas he hasn't completely healed. In fact, he's not even well enough to run with the other reindeer for their reindeer training. We've got Rudolpho filling in still. He's actually really great at take-offs, perhaps even better than Rudolph Jr. (don't tell him I said that) but his landings are atrocious and very dangerous, as you can imagine. When Rudolpho doesn't make a clean landing, the other reindeer have to try to stable themselves and the sleigh. These reindeer are highly skilled so they generally keep themselves from crashing into each other but every once in a while they can't help it and they all trip and get tangles up in the reigns, ending up in a big pile of hooves and painful groans. There have been no major injuries yet, just a few bruises and cuts--nothing the magic ointment can't cure.

We'll just have to wait and see what happens over the next few days. Will Rudolph Jr. get better by Christmas or will we have to count on Rudolpho's unpredictable landings? There are so many takeoffs and landings over the course of Christmas Eve. I'm a little worried that if Rudolpho ends up leading the sleigh, with his landings being as they are, the sleigh and reindeer aren't going to make it much passed Canada. We've got a lot of kids counting on us so hopefully everything will work out here in the next couple of days.

Send your wishes and NOTES this way--you wouldn't believe how much they really help.

Love,
YFE

Just 8 days left

December 15,

Dear J, K, A and G,

Thanks for the notes. Jordan, unfortunately you didn't read the fine print and I therefore did not leave a treat for you. Try again tomorrow.

Alex, you're right about Snively, giving him a gift will maybe help him. What do you get someone like Snively for Christmas? Let me know your good ideas.

About Rudolph's nose. Rudolph Senior's nose was the first reindeer nose that actually glowed. It actually all started with his mother Cindy. She loved berries. Most reindeer eat green plants, algae and mushrooms but Cindy always searched out the berries in the forest. She ate so many red berried during her lifetime that her first born fawn (that's the name for a baby reindeer) had a red nose. They noticed it as soon as he was born but it didn't start to glow until he got excited. The glow it made depended on his mood. If he was really sad, it was kind of a dull glow and when he was really happy it was as bright as the best flashlight.

Only 9 days before Christmas--can you believe it?

Love,
YFE

Dec 14, 2009

Dear J, K, A and G,

Its true I decided not to leave you a note and candy yesterday because you weren't answering any of my questions. I received Katie's interesting letter this morning which has made it possible for me to write again.

Yes Katie, helping Snively see how many things he has would probably help him want to complain less. Perhaps a gratitude paper like the one you have on the side of your cupboard would help. Do you guys ever try that when you're feeling sad--think of the good things? Its kind of like the song says, "I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so sad." Do you know where that song comes from?

Jordan, Alex and Grant, here are some ideas of things you can write to me about:
Rudolph Jr.
Snively
Questions about the North Pole
Rudolpho
Your opinion on the "no fly zone" in the library

I want to warn you that soon, if you don't take time to write to me, you will not receive a treat. Lets be reasonable. You don't have to write every single day but I do need to know that you are actually reading my letters by writing every couple of days. You will not be able to depend on your sister for much longer.

Love always,
Your Favorite Elf, Herbert

Dec 13, 2009

No letter

Dec 12, 2009
Dear J, K, A, and J,

So here's the problem at the North Pole--Rudolph is on his last leg. I mean, he's getting old. This isn't the original Rudolph--he's retired, this is his son, Rudolph Jr. He's getting close to his 400th year, which is quite old for a reindeer, and he's finally showing his age. At take off practice the other day he slipped and twisted his knee, then just minutes later he stumbled and cracked open a hoof. He's all taped up and limping around. We're hoping he can make this last Christmas Tour before the next red-nosed reindeer takes his spot. Rudolph Jr. didn't have any sons so Santa had to recruit other reindeer to try out for the job. Red-nosed reindeer aren't actually as rare as they used to be. The thing is that these recruited reindeer are in their 4th year of their 5 years of training. They aren't ready to guide Santa's sleigh. There is one European reindeer that shows a lot of promise--guess what his name is--Rudolpho, kind of funny huh? So anyway, I've been helping with the training of the other reindeer as backup in case Rudolph Jr. doesn't make a full recovery in time--only 12 days 'til Christmas. Maybe if you write a note or two to Rudolph Jr. I can give them to him. I bet it would help him feel better faster.

Love,
Herb

Dec. 11, 2009
Dear J, K, A and G,

I'm going to have to make this short--there's trouble at the pole. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow.

Love,
YFE

Dec 10, 2009
We had a breakthrough with Snively yesterday-I know amazing. Well, as hard as it is to be nice and happy around him, I tried really hard. After all he can't really make me sad, I still have to choose to be sad. So I tried really hard and didn't complain with him when he was complaining. When he couldn't think of anything to complain about I told him this joke:

One elf said to another elf, "We had grandma for Christmas dinner."
And the other elf said, "Really? We had turkey!"

He didn't laugh at first but I kept laughing because I still think its a funny joke. Then I told him three or four more similar jokes and finally he couldn't help himself. His frowny face turned right upside down and he giggled, just the tiniest bit. He didn't laugh as hard as me but that's okay. He's not used to laughing yet so it might take some time to get comfortable with it.

Anyway, I'll have to think of other things to try.

Love,
YFE, Herb

Dec 9, 2009

Dear J, K, A and G,

Thanks for the letter Alex and for helping with the writing Katie.

Wow, your kitchen is clean. I love dropping off your note in a clean kitchen.

Alex, I still do have your pirate you gave me when you lived in Massachusetts. How did you remember that far back? Did someone else tell you about it? I keep it in my treasure box. Do you have a treasure box?

So what kinds of nice things are you guys doing and going to do this Christmas season? You can write your ideas down and tape them closed so nobody but me can read them. I think I'm going to work on cheering up Snively--you know that elf that complains all the time, the one I was telling you about the other day. Any ideas for how to help him be happier? I still don't have many ideas.

Love,
Herb

More Elf Notes

2009-12-08T20:03:00.000-08:00

Dec 8

Dear J,K, A and G,
I haven't heard from you for a while. I'll start up more letters just as soon as I get some responses.

Love,
YFE

Dec 7

Dear J, K, A and G,
So back to the old grind again huh?

I know this elf that hates his job--imagine that! He's a messenger elf like me and can't find anything good about his job during the busy season, which of course is the month of December. He doesn't like flying to and from the North Pole in the cold. He doesn't like writing letters. He can't find anything food about his job at all. All he does is for for the bad and whine and complain about it. As you can imagine he doesn't have very many friends. He's so sad and ornery all the time that people don't want to be around him. I'm not sure how to help him--do you have any ideas? We've already tried to invite him to the elf Christmas parties (there are several every week) but all he does there is sit and complain about the decorations or the cookies that aren't quite as soft as they should be. We need help with him. Please send any ideas. I promise I will try the,.

Love, YFE
P.S. I love you good, happy, kids. Don't forget to smile today.

Dec 6,
Dear J, K, A and G,
You're house was kind of messy when I came this morning, what in the world happened here? What are all the leftover brownies for?

I was sick yesterday with the Walrus flu (the brownies don't even look very appetizing to me). It's a pretty serious disease here at the North Pole. Good thing it only lasted a few hours. The worst of all the symptoms is that you see candycanes every time you open your eyes-man it makes flying nauseating! I ate an orange at your house (hope you don't mind) in order to be able to make it back to the North Pole without getting in a serious accident. Oranges and other fruits and vegetables actually cure the Walrus Flu, which is why I am already feeling better. So don't forget to eat your fruits and vegetables--they'll keep you nice and snefflrhump (remember that's the elf word for "healthy.")

Love,
Herb (Your FavoriteElf)

Dec 5
Dear J,K, A and G,
Thanks for the update on the house sleeping arrangements.
Not feeling well today--more later.

Love, YFE

Dec 4
Dear J, K, A and G,
Thanks for the letters. I just barely got a chance to sit down and read them. Okay about the name--don't make fun of it okay? I mean it! If I hear one word of mockery I will not visit you for several days. Its....Herbert. My pals call me Her for short. My mom calls me Herbie, which even at the age of 314 is still a little embarrassing (those are elf years of course). Do you guys like your names?

Hey, whose that big girl in Jordan's bed downstairs? She looks too big to be a sister and she looks an awful lot like little Emily. Is it her? Is she here on a visit? Where is she living? I haven't seen her for such a long time. I tried to follow her to Venezuela a few years ago but got lost and ended up in India. They have some pretty good food there. Have you ever tasted Indian food?

Love, YFE (only 20 days until Christmas--snarkles!)

Dec 3.

Dear J,K, A and G,

Sorry I was late today. Man it was cold and windy!.
I know you've been dying to hear about Marv and so I'll tell you why he walked backward. The poor little fellow was a very shy penguin. It was mostly due to the snickers he heard from his friends and even occasionally from adults when his mother called in her singsong way, "Marvaaaaander Harooooold, come get your lunch" or "Marvaaanderrrrrr, time to take your bath." He was down right embarrassed about his mother singing his long embarrassing name, so the whole city could hear it. When people asked him questions he would turn his head as far away from them as he could. He did it so much that his muscles got stretched enough that he could turn his head all the way backward (only some animals have this ability, don't try this at home). He got so used to it that he hardly turned his head forward. After several days his neck muscles would not turn forward anymore--his muscles had tightened in place. He started having to walk backward so he could see where he was going. When he started school, the other penguins noticed Marvander's peculiar ways. They thought his walking backward was a clever trick and wanted to make friends with him.They started calling him "Marv" for short and he started to feel less self-conscious about his name. His shyness melted away and he enjoyed playing with his new friends. He still walks, runs, skips and plays soccer backward. He's a happy penguin. He realizes now how well he actually likes his name-Marvnader Harold Schnelp-and thinks it has kind of a regal sound to it.

Love,
YFE

Notes to Elf

2009-12-02T05:20:00.000-08:00

In response to Dec 1 elf note.

Dear YFE,

I don't mind typ. That's cool that you got a new iphone. No I can't think of any. That is strict! What's your real name?

Sinserly
Jordan
P.S. is our house a no fling zone?

Jamie's interpretation:
He doesn't mind type. No, he can't think of any book recommendations. Not getting your library card back for 6 months for flying is a strict rule.

Dear YFE (your favorite Elf)

we herd about your nephew Gunther and how cool your library is. I think the Klopfitz sounds cool. How do you get in the house? What's your name? Do you still have the pirate Alex gave you? Did you know we have a dog named cooper now. He is white and a little bown and small. Grant is 3 Alex is 6 Katie is 9 Jordan is 11 Cooper is 2 years old in human years not elf years In dog years cooper is 14. We can't wait for CHRISTMAS
from JKAG
P.S. write back

(this letter was written by Katie)

Securely, Katie

2009-12-01T20:30:00.000-08:00

I found this funny note on my computer that Katie typed out to her teacher.

Dear Mrs. Frangioso (name has been changed)

I can't wait for Christmas to come. We already have are Christmas tree and decorations up. How about you? What are you doing for Christmas. For Christmas I'm staying home but my grandma and grandpa are coming in town. It's going to be fun. I have a gib Christmas list but mostly I'm thinking about my family and friends. I'm getting my brothers three things my mom and dad one thing and my grandparents one for each couple. This is going ot be an awesome christmas this year. I probably already tolled you about the elf we call him the yfe (your favorite elf) he comes every December day and leaves candy and a note. We give him a note back. Do you have any special occasions for Christmas? My brothers names are Alex age 6 Grant ae 3 Jordan age 11 I think you know him from last year he says he the best kid. Now he is in Mrs. Nally's class. Alex is in Mrs. Logan's class And me I'm in your class.

Securely,
Katie

P.S. Please write back

Dec 2

2009-12-01T20:10:00.000-08:00

Dear J, K, A, G, K, and B,

Hey I didn't realize youhad two new additions to the family. Two more people for me to watch throughout the day--SNARKLES! (that's equivalent to your yay or hooray).

Did I ever tell you about Marv, the penguin who always walked backward? No, I didn't think I had. Well, Marvander Harold Schnelp, his real name, was born to Clive and Mattie Schnelp on the North Pole. I know, you thought penguins only lived on the South Pole. Its true that there weren't any penguins on the North Pole until the Schnelp and Shiffle families emmigrated 50 years ago. Even to this day they get a little nervous when they hear that explorers are close to the North Pole. We keep reassurring them that they don't need to hide because of the North Pole Security Act which prompted the building of a state of the art sheild that keeps the North Pole invisible. If you sailed near the pole you wouldn't see a city at all, all you'd see is one medium sized iceberg surrounded by water. I know what you're thinking: what happens if the North Pole gets hit by a ship because its surrounded by water? Well, I'll tell you why. Its because of my friends the Hemmboggs, whose only job is to sit around in the water and gently nudge the ships away from the pole. They are huge, soft, strong creatures whose strength together is greater than that of even the largest cargo ship (which clearly stay away from icebergs). The Hemmboggs love the water and are always excited to use their strength, though they are careful to never tip ships over. They are very gentle and sensitive. I've seen them cry when my nephew Gunther accidentally squished an artic pill bug. Hemmboggs are big, gentle, scary looking (at times) cry babies.

Love, YFE
Only 23 days 'til Christmas. Have you gotten any gifts for anyone yet?

Love, YFE (Your Favorite Elf)

2009-12-01T07:02:00.000-08:00

Its December 1st and the elf is back. He's been coming to my house ever since I was a little girl for all the days of December leading up to Christmas. Since he's invisible, he somehow leaves a note and 1 candy per child. In order to track his notes and make sure he's keeping his names and stories straight (wink, wink) I've decided to record all 25 notes right here on the blog.

Dear J, K, A and G,

Its so nice to be visiting you again this Christmas season. I hope you don't mind the typing. I just got a new iphone and I'm love it. I find all sorts of time to stop and type a letter to you and the many other families I visit each year. Like when I'm at the grocery store line or at the library waiting for my nephew, Gunther, to pick out a book. He has such a hard time deciding what to read. Any suggestions? He's reading at about a 4th grade level right now. He loves books about normal human life stuff--life without magic. Andy ideas? The North Pole library is so big. There are millions of books there. I wish I could take you to visit it. You can't reach even half of the ten floors of books because the ceilings are so high and as you know elves are a little on the short side. A few years ago Santa installed a Klopfitz on each floor. A Klopfitz is a rare type of elf that has long strethchy arms. If you can't reach the book you want youself, you just give him the call number and he reaches up and grabs it for you. You might wonder why we don't just fly up to it and get it ourselves. Well, that's because there are strict "no flying zones" in certain places on the North Pole. Its kind of like the "no running" rules at your shool. You you know what happens if you do fly in the library? The head librarian, Elsa, takes your libary card and keeps it inside the library vault for 6 whole months--long enough to keep anyone from flying in the library.

If you want treats, you're going to have to write me more often than last year.

Love,
YFE

words from the wise

2009-11-10T16:15:00.000-08:00

Grant and his little friend (a girl--they get along really well) were playing the other day when I heard this:

Friend: Grant, don't push me in the chest.

Grant: That's not your chess, this is your chess (points to his shoulder)

Friend: No, that's your elbow.

I get these kinds of conversations a lot with these two.

Remembering Summer School

2009-11-07T13:34:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I get these hair-brained ideas about learning a lot in the summer. This last summer we used m friend's Golden Ticket idea and added some other ideas to it. Here's how it works:

After you

1. get ready for the day

2. eat and clean your room

3. do a cleaning job

4. participate in school

then you get a golden ticket, which means you are free to watch TV or play computer. But in order to buy computer time you need to earn fun passes (I know, complicated huh).

Here's how you get 1 fun pass (worth 10 minutes). Any one of these things is worth 1 pass.

play outside for 30 minutes
play anything else inside for 1 hour
read for 30 minutes
play a game for 30 minutes
create something for 30 minutes
do extra cleaning for 20 minutes (generous huh)
1 pass for each assignment accomplished at school

Also, there was such a pestering about having late nights with friends every single night that I charged the kids 10 fun passes for 1 late night--it worked!

It only lasted the first month of summer since we were only consistently home then.

The one problem was that at least one child (who will remain nameless) consistently forgot to turn in his passes before playing computer and I frequently found them (the passes) scattered all around the house. So I started picking them up and putting them away which resulted in many tears and exclamations of "I had 28 fun passes and now I only have 4." Maybe a little too much refereeing of fun passes on my part. Maybe next year will try a chart. The thing that was great about the passes was that I didn't have to answer that never ending question, "mom, can I play the computer" or be the bad guy because "no" is my usual answer to that question. Instead the kids learned to monitor their own playing and couldn't really play more than an hour a day, unless they really did a lot of other mind using activities.

Halloween Costumes

2009-10-31T15:16:00.000-07:00

This year we happened on some very cheap costumes at our local second hand store. Pictures are from yesterdays Trunk-or-treat at the church.

This is Elmo ($2) ..uh...cowboy. Check out his shoes and did you notice his costume is on backwards?
Superman--$3

Katie is an Indian ($4) with Indiana Jordan behind her. Can you see his jump rope whip? Yes, we paid nothing for that costume.

Cooper is some kind of dinosaur--the only costume I made this year (well and Katie's headband)

This Yoda is too young to be ours but isn't little Vinny cute?

Cheese on Plate

2009-10-30T11:56:00.001-07:00

Some of us are gourmet cooks and others of us continually forget that cooking is on our daily to do list. Perhaps the latter inspired this question:

Grant:"mom, can I have cheese on pwate?"

Me: "you just want cheese on a plate?"

Grant: "yeah"

Me: "do you want me to put cheese on bread and cook it?" (a lunch staple around here)

Grant: "no, just cheese on plate" in an exasperated voice. (How hard can it be Mom, I didn't say cheese on bread--cheese on plate, duh)

So I cut cheese and put it on a plate

Grant: "I want it cook, Mom."

Me: "you want me to put this in the microwave and cook it?"

Grant: "yeah, cheese on plate, cook." (He never puts -ed on words)

So here it is--cheese on plate! (its a coincidence that its in the shape of a pumpkin)

At first I thought maybe cheese on plate isn't a bad way to go. I mean you can actually just eat the cheese and leave the oil on the plate. That is, until I caught Grant doing this:

2009-10-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

We were all eating dinner when I noticed Grant was laying on the carpet in the hall.

Me: "What are you doing Grant?"

Grant: "I'm just laying down for a wittle bit."

Me: "Okay, just don't fall asleep."

Grant: "Okay I won't."

A couple of minutes later

a couple of new jobs

2009-10-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Job 1: Part Time Cleavers: I've started babysitting K and B (siblings). K is here 4 days a week for around 9 hours a day while B is in school with the other kids most of the day. Its probably the easiest babysitting job I've ever had. Grant and K get along really well together. She comes up with the ideas and he is happy to execute them. Though they make several messes a day, they have keep themselves happily busy.

Job 2: Piano teacher-to homeschoolers. I love this job! I can fit 3 kids in one hour (while the older kids are at school). Students rotate through 3 stations: 20 minutes regular 1 on 1 lesson, 20 minutes computer theory (love this program) and 20 minutes of learning about a composer, listening to music by him and taking a quiz (crossword/word search type). Its a well rounded approach to piano and the kids learn so much more and love coming to lessons (so their mothers tell me). A 20 minute lesson is so much more bearable for kids and teachers anyway. Plus I've got my own kids practicing (Katie's up to 3 hours in 4 days) in order to get the Oriental Trading Co. incentives. All I have to do now is find more students!

Gwant and Gwasshoppihs

2009-10-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

Grant: "Mom, look I found a gwasshoppih."

Me: "Wow, is it alive?"

Grant: "Yeah wook (look)." he sets it down. "Oh no, its hopping 'way."

a few minutes later

cute little grubby hands

Grant: "Mom, his weg fehw off." (leg fell off)

Me: "Poor grasshopper."

Grant: "I want to take the weg to Chawies (Charlie's) house"

he held it for the 30 minutes car ride there and 30 minutes back.

eleven

2009-10-23T05:28:00.000-07:00

Jordan, Jack A., Taylor, Isaac, Jack H., Ricky, Blake, Jake

Holding his candle to his rootbeer float for the "Happy Birthday" song

Our raising boys book says "eleven is heaven" and we've found it true for this guy who recently turned 11.

He planned his birthday party and I didn't have to do a thing but clean the house. Here's the party plan:

play 4 square while everyone arrives

play Snorta (pictured)

lego game (everyone gets 15 seconds to add something to structure before passing it to the next person)

have rootbeer floats (nobody really likes cake in our family)

open presents

Over the last month it has occurred to me that Jordan's "at home" life is already more than half way over. It makes me want to be a better listener and spend more time with him while I have the chance. He's been really fun to have around lately. He tells the funniest stories and always has us laughing with his higer pitched

using energy wisely

2009-09-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

After getting up early and reading all day for a few days in a row I've come to the conclusion that I'm not happy when using my energy unwisely. Here's what I've realized:

I almost always have energy to:

read novels
organize
visit with friends in person
go shopping
play the piano
exercise

I rarely have the energy to:

cook
clean
sew
iron
launder mountains of clothes
go on walks with the kids
do a kids art project
did I mention cooking

Things that give me energy:

a clean house (probably my greatest source of peace)
exercise (its true that sometimes the really hard classes make me tired)
reading scriptures in the early morning
getting dressed, fixing my hear and putting makeup on before the kids wake up
finishing a project (only if the house is still clean when I'm done)

Things that drain me of energy:

Chasing after Grant in any store.
a messy kitchen (there's nothing I can't do with a clean kitchen.)
reading all day
laying around watching movies
talking on the phone too long
kids taking soooo long to get to bed

So, this is what I've decided. I have a lot more energy in the morning than I do at any other time of the day. So what I need to do is use that morning energy better by doing the things on the "rarely have energy" list in the morning. I've been trying to clean for 1 hour after the kids go to school. I don't always make the entire hour but enough usually gets cleaned that I feel happy and have a better idea of the things I need during the day. (My mind works well when I clean for some reason). Since I really don't ever have a desire to cook I've found if I cook, prepare things to cook later or at least plan out what to make for after school snack and dinner, things are usually much smoother after school when my energy is pretty low. I've also found that if I start one bedroom of laundry when the kids are getting ready for school I can usually have it folded and put away in a couple of hours. I never do all the laundry anymore-just one load a few times a week.

Basically, do the hard stuff when I have energy (for me in the morning) and save the easy stuff that I always have energy for to fill in the rest of the day.

Grant talk

2009-09-08T08:32:00.001-07:00

"Hey, I want to go to yours house so I can see yours wittle dogs."

"Don't say everything nobody" (interpretation: don't say anything to anyone)

"Katie, it not matters!" (meaning: no big deal, stop crying about it)

"Dad, I wiwee sked." (I'm really scared)

Meet Cooper

2009-09-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Meet Cooper

Meet Cooper's tormentor

Despite the fact that we said we'd never have an indoor dog and that we'd never EVER have a white, moppy dog, we've decided to keep Cooper (who was given to us by Aunt Amy) because:

He keeps Grant busy
He's already potty trained
He doesn't bark much
He puts up with Grant
When his hair is cut (not in this picture) he's kind of cute
He's great with kids
He lays on the kids laps when they sit still
He's very patient
He's small enough to live in the house
At least one of the kids likes cleaning up after him (if you know what I mean)

THREE CHEERS FOR SCHOOL

2009-09-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Alex: Grant you have to give me a hug because I'm going to be gone ALL DAY.

Bored?

2009-08-30T15:49:00.000-07:00

Bored?

Want to look like a football player?

Try layering

that's 7 clean shirts from the drawer

try it--even your big brother might catch on

Mom's birthday

2009-08-10T07:33:00.000-07:00

It all started with an early morning breakfast at our local sticky waffle housefollowed by an impromptu suprise party

then swimming at Uncle Whitney's
We ended the evening with our annual McQueen auction--not sure if anyone got pictures of that.

The BIG reunion

2009-08-06T06:48:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you cross 88 Cleavers with one huge lodge?

1 money dig

fun games with the 2nd cousins (or is it 3rd cousins?)

water balloon fights

rock climbing

song skits-in this one, the highchair is being used as a podium

awesome numbered shirts--that's Grammie, she was the first member of the BIG Cleaver family.

lots of swimming

not pictured here:

late night games

many, many meals

kids in the game room

the ponds

early morning exercising with Aunt Steph

volleyball
Uncle Jeff on the wrong side of the rock wall

Zach and Will scrambling to save Jeff on the other side of the wall

another birthday

2009-08-04T13:44:00.000-07:00

Katie turned a whopping 9 yesterday.

After a long and hard sick weekend we barely got her dinner, dessert and presents ready in time.

It was Katie's off year for birthday parties so Carl and I took her bowling, which was her date of choice.

sweet socks!

She wanted sub sandwiches (thank goodness) and ice cream sundaes (so glad she didn't ask for a cake) for dessert. We are so behind that she didn't even blow out candles--nobody noticed.

Psst, mom and dad, just so you know, you got Katie a scrapbooking kit. She loved it, you can tell by the expression on her face, no just kidding, that's when she didn't know what it was. She really does like it now.

10 days summary

2009-08-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

I was more efficient in those 10 days my kids were gone than I have been at any other time in my life. I was worried I'd find myself moping around after a few days of missing my kids but it turns out I didn't miss them as much as I expected to and they didn't miss me AT ALL. For journaling purposes here is a list of some of the things I did. It was nice to have a variety of projects.

I sanded and spray painted this:

met for lunch and a little shopping with this witty and very real friend:

went on soooo many dates with Carl, even if a couple of them started at 9pm. This was by far the best part of the 10 days. I love that guy!

did some much needed clothes shopping (its this type of shopping the kids hate the most.)

painted this:

did ZERO cooking--we did budget $100 for eating out which was a gift from Carl's boss.

made this reversible apron, which turned out to be a pain in the neck:

listened to Footsteps in the Dark (while I did my projects) by Georgette Heyer--not the romance I was expecting but the mystery was good.

Spent half of one day with Grammie, who just happened to be in town. We rested and watched after our shopping trip:

attended the temple a couple of times

looked up some ancestors at the family history library

dejunked a whole bunch of things that have been sitting around since the move

finally hung a couple of pictures:

here's the list I didn't get to:

organizing and labeling the food storage

mend the projects in my sewing box

take stuff to kids consignment store

paint table and chairs

I guess I'll start on those as soon as the kids go back to school.

10 DAYS

2009-07-16T20:07:00.000-07:00

10 days of:

no messes
projects
no making dinner
few dishes
projects
no yelling
little cleaning
did I mention projects?
NO KIDS

The kids are:
sleeping under the stars
playing legos
playing with kittens and dogs
apparently getting along
not missing mom (says Alex)
going on dates with Mimi (grandma)
having lots of fun

This is day 3. I've worked unusually hard until this afternoon when I curled up on the couch for several hours and watched movies and ate potato chips. I'm going to have to work up some will power to get back on schedule tomorrow.

words from Grant

2009-07-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

"dat not wiwee nice"

(that's not really nice)

"you in biiiiiiiig twouble"

(you're in big trouble)

"Mom, hoe jyou me"

(mom, will you hold me? or hold me now!)

"hoo(n)k" (really light on the n)

(look)

"just a widdow bit mom?"

(just a little bit mom? - always in reference to candy - answer is usually no)

"I hit you mom"

this is what he says when he's mad and because he's strapped in his car seat he can't reach me

"I'm peeding"

(I need to go to the bathroom quick or there's going to be an accident)

"I'm Gumming!"

(I'm coming)

"When I'm biggow like Ouwex"

(When I'm bigger like Alex--always talking about being bigger)

"My name Gwant"

(My name's Grant)

Grant reading the funny papers

RELEARNING LESSONS

2009-07-07T06:23:00.000-07:00

You know those lesson you seem to be always relearning. Here's my most common:

YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY LIKE YOUR KIDS ENOUGH TO DO STUFF WITH THEM

Much of the times they become obstacles to me, making it difficult to get MY STUFF done. Every few days I remember to like them. I mean loving them is a given right? We love them and would be so sad if anything ever happened to them but liking to be around them is a little harder. EVERY TIME I remember this, I set out to play with them, take them somewhere THEY want to go (as long as it doesn't cost anything) and DO what THEY want to do. I find myself saying YES more to "will you play a game with me mom" or "can I do some sewing." The crazy thing is, I FEEL so much happier when I do this and THEY FEEL so much happier and usually don't fight as much, because dang it they finally feel LOVED.

Father's Day - a little late

2009-07-03T07:34:00.000-07:00

When I started wrapping a couple gifts for Carl on Father's Day afternoon the kids got their gifts together too.

Here they are:

Alex: 1 lego book end, some odds and ends and his favorite Frog lunch box

(a shell from Katie's collection)

Katie: part of her shell collection.

Jordan: painting (is it a Fiedtodon or did he have a different name for this creature?)

Grant: a coloring page

It amazes me how willing these guys are to give last weeks precious STUFF as gifts.

Lesson from Lemonade

2009-06-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

About once or twice a year I wake up with a really good idea about how to teach something to the kids. Here's last weeks inspiration:

Make homemade lemonade

Have the kids taste the lemon juice--I wish I had gotten pictures.

Talk about how much they don't like it.

Add sugar and water to the lemon juice.

Talk about how much better the sugar makes it taste.

Talk about how Lemonade is like speaking to each other. We can speak sourly to each other or we can speak in a lemonade way.

Practice saying "I don't want to play with you" "Be quiet" and "Give that to me" in lemon juice ways and lemonade ways. The kids loved this part (except grumpy Jordan wouldn't participate--but I could tell he wanted to). They exaggerated speaking really mean and then really nice.

The best part: they got it and I didn't even lecture (a terrible tendency of mine).

Loving the Reel Mower

2009-06-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

Scotts Reel Mower, why do I love thee? Let me count the reasons:

You are quiet, so quiet I can mow even in the wee small hours of Saturday morning.

You are so, so easy to push, that even if I mow in the middle of the day, the neighbors won't stop and stare. If they do it is because of the simpleness and beauty of your frame.

You were ever so inexpensive and will continue to be since we won't have to fill you up-ever.

You take up such a small amount of space.

You never stink and you certainly don't leak.

You make me like mowing!

The OATH

2009-06-08T14:56:00.000-07:00

Schools out and today was our first summer day. It became necessary to have my children take the oath.

Repeat after me:
I, state your name, solemnly swear that I will not run upstairs, pinch, hit or bite my siblings. I promise that if I want to be wild I will go downstairs or outside. I promise that I will not run around the house acting like a part of a ruccusy circus (I was running out of sense on that last part).

They were laughing so hard they barely finished the oath. So it worked I guess.

The problem was I forgot to include "thou shalt not ride down the stairs in a pillowcase or any thing like unto it."

OH DEAR!

How am I going to last through the summer? I woke up with a such a good attitude but it has blown away like the cotton from our neighbors obnoxious Cottonwood Tree and has spread itself all along my other neighbors fence. Maybe I can pick it all up and try again tomorrow.

getting the hang of couponing

2009-06-04T15:01:00.000-07:00

After a couple of months of couponing I'm finally getting it. These are some great deals I've found recently

Best Foods Mayo-$-0.12 to $0.88
Wheat Thins $0.47 and $0.86
Triscuits $0.47
Whole Grain Ritz $0.75
Life Cereal $0.49

Lessons learned:

find a good website that does all the work for you (I love pinchingyourpennies.com)
hole punch coupon booklets and put them in a 3 ring binder (I have my coupon dates (the date of the paper) tabbed with sticky notes to find stuff quickly)
only buy stuff you actually WANT to eat--turns out to be a money saver
its fine to buy junk you only take on camping trips an picnics as long as you sneak them into the highest shelf of the storage room
saving coupons takes time. Some great deals are from coupons printed 2 months ago
printable coupons usually save you more money than newspaper ones

Days 1 and 2 of SPRING CLEAN

closet 1 before

after--20 minutes for cupboards and drawers. I started with the smallest projects.

Closet 2-after (we have two closets that look exactly the same. I was so excited to clean this closet out that I forgot to take a before picture. 3o minutes for cupboards and drawers. Yippee. I'm already happier opening it.

Human Powered Generators

2009-06-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Anyone else see the energy episode of Fetch, with Ruff Ruffman? I love that show and though I don't sit down and watch it daily I'm always happy to catch an episode. Anyway, on the show the kids measured watt hours of different machines--hair dryer, washing machines, small kitchen appliances etc. They talked about ways to save energy (towel dry your hair, hang your clothes out to dry etc.) At the end of the show a scientist was powering his TV with his own energy. As he pedalled on ... pedals (it wasn't even a full bike) the energy created from pedaling was held inside a battery which his TV was plugged into. It was the coolest thing. Wouldn't that be great if your kids could only watch TV if they were willing to pedal? Hmmm, computer time could totally limit itself with something like this. Could also come in handy when your electricity goes out (which is why I really want one). The kicker is, so far there aren't many, and possibly only 1. Its price--$550.

http://www.windstreampower.com/Human_Power_Generator.php

SPRING CLEANING--NOT TOO LATE

2009-06-02T14:07:00.001-07:00

While getting ready to have dinner on Sunday with a family in our neighborhood I found myself quickly clearing pretty much every flat surface in the house. Its amazing how quickly they pile with stuff. The husband of this family is a little on the OCD side and I was worried all my piles were going to drive him nuts. I even cleaned the cluttered fridge--the outside--which had all sorts of sticky note reminders. As I was running around like a headless chicken, putting things back in their places, I realized that

EVERY SINGLE ONE

of my closets was bursting. That only means one thing: time for another round of dejunking. The plan is

1 closet or surface a day

everyday until they're done. What do you think? Anyone want to join me on this

SPRING CLEAN

for the next few weeks? Only 18 days until spring officially ends. By the way, my kitchen counter has been completely clear for over 48 hours--its amazing!

I Can Make You Thin

2009-06-02T09:37:00.001-07:00

My sister told me about this book. ITS THE BEST! For one thing its NOT a diet book. As you read through it you think, "this is so obvious, why haven't I been doing this all along." Its very much like Intuitive Eating but so much faster to read and has much simpler, clear cut steps.

I should say that I haven't read the entire book (because I didn't start it right away when I brought it home from the library and I couldn't renew it because there re several holds on it) but the first half was fabulous.

MOVIE LINES

2009-05-31T19:50:00.000-07:00

We were playing games with some friends today when Carl said, out of the blue, "I love music mommy," in a monotone voice. One of our friends laughed because she knew where the line came from--the Music Man.

It made me think of other the lines we often quote. This is only a small portion of regularly quoted lines.

"Beeg Kees, Leetle Hug" -Nacho Libre
"Now George!" -Music Man
"Crimenitly Trigger, put that pee shooter down." -Robin Hood
"It was a false lie." -The King and I
"Where's my beddy bye basket?" -The Aristocats
"death comes unexpectedly" -Pollyana
"you put one foot in front of the other..." -Santa Clause is Coming to Town
"Hurry along ladies!" -Music Man (watched that a lot growing up)

So it was funny a few weeks ago when I walked into the kitchen wearing a new shirt and Jordan said, "I like your sleeves." I told him thanks and continued doing what I was doing. He said, "No mom, your suppose to say, 'I made them myself.'" That's a line from Napoleon Dynamite. Its nice to know he's following the movie line tradition.

GIRL TRIP 2009 SEATTLE

2009-05-29T04:30:00.000-07:00

Beware: this post is longer than all last month's posts put together.

This was the 3rd annual Girl's Trip. We had one sister-in-law missing and one new sister-in-law in attendance.

Day 1 Shopping in Bellevue & dinner at Melting Pot. It was my first and probably last trip (too expensive) to the Melting Pot. We ate just cheese and chocolate. It was SOOOOOO good.

Emily' friend Ashley (yes, two Ashleys) joined us for dinner.

Day 2 Seattle Temple

Mom, Katie, Jamie, Ashley, Leigh. Emily didn't make it to this one.

Pikes Food Tour and shopping. This was the highlight of the trip. We had the most wonderful smoked salmon I'd ever tasted, really good mint (leaves) gelato, truffle oil, antipasto, really good doughnuts, cheese, and THE BEST clam chowder in the world. I've had a lot of clam chowder back in my New England days but nothing compared to that chowder at Pike's.

Listening to our guide tell us Pike's Place ghost stories. The lineup goes: Katie, Me (I know the shoes are really clownish) Leigh, Ashley, Emily, Xiao Ru a.k.a Shampoo (not really a blood relative but we all love her like a sister. She lives in Seattle and was with us for a couple of outings.)

Canoeing at University of Washington. We had some close calls on tipping canoes but everyone made it safe and dry back to shore. "Look there's a beaver!" (it turned out to be a dog). We rode through tons of lily pads. It was beautiful and relaxing even though Ashely had a hard time using her paddle correctly (ha ha ha).

This is Dane. He's our...uh...long lost sister I guess you could say. Actually, he's a friend of Emily's and helped us get to a few places that we otherwise wouldn't have found.

Panera Bread Sandwiches for dinner and a lot of chatting afterward. I haven't been to Panera for almost two years. I've missed that place.

Day 3 Church

We actually had two bathrooms but it was just nicer to congregate in 1.

Primitive Lunch--Emily had a friend make all this really good food (the sandwiches were fabulous) for lunch. We picked it up at Xiao Ru's where it was waiting and brought it to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens. Unfortunately we didn't think of utensils or water until we sat down and started eating. It was pretty funny and messy. Mom, for some strange reason had a spoon in her purse, which we used to serve the Bean and Corn salad and I had my gelato spoon which came in handy for the cutting of avocados.

Bellevue Botannical Gardens
Ashley didn't want to pose alone so I told her to pretend like Andy was there.
GAMES--not all the sisters participated in this activity (you know who you are). My longest lasting friend I keep in touch with regularly "the other Emily" drove at least 60 minutes (round trip) to come play games and eat candy with us. What a pal! She's one of those friends that even if you haven't seen her for several years you just pick up right where you left off.

Monks at St. Marks--They say they're not really monks but they dress and sing just like them. It was beautiful when they broke off into parts. I kept hoping they'd break out O Come Emanuel, guess it wasn't the right season for that.

Day 4 Memorial Day: Breakfast at Panera again. I had no idea that place has such good breakfast. We finished the trip up at NorthShore Learning.

Most of us felt like this by the end:

Things to remember:

Emily is an awesome planner of trips. Hopefully she'll be able to plan all future trips.

Getting two rooms next to each other works out really well. It might be necessary to get certain sisters their own rooms.

I get really giggly and silly around my sisters

Always carry at least one utensil in your purse

Boy's and other non sister friends must pre-qualify to be part of a girl's trip

Mom will always wake up early to exercise with me no matter how many hours of sleep she lacks.

After a few days together its easy to get crabby--"just be nice" I need to remind myself.

"I'm done wiff my job mom"

2009-05-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

Associated Press: Breaking news today at the Cleaver Plant. Model #4 was allegedly caught cleaning. Yes, cleaning. Sources say he would not accept help from anyone. He had a job to do and he was going to do it alone. Experts say this behavior may have been motivated by watching other suspects clean during after dinner family cleaning time. Apparently he doesn't want to be left out. We're told that Grant has actually had quite a bit of experience with a broom, not as a cleaning tool but rather as a weapon. Mrs. Cleaver commented, "He's cleaned the bathroom twice in a 24 hour period. Who knows what he'll do next."

Mother's Day Gifts

2009-05-10T11:43:00.001-07:00

I'm figuring out something about myself. I love thoughtful gifts from my kids. I got nothing for Mother's Day that I can use this week but these little cards from my kids make me feel so happy.

Katie made me a hardbound book at school called My Mama Knows Her ABC's. All misspellings have been preserved.

Its "dedicated to my only loving mother." Here it is:

Always exercising

Being nice

Cleaning is her sport (really?)

Dad loves her

Exited for cleaning

Fun on Saturday

Great cook

Her hair is short (its actually quite long for me)

I love her

Joyful all the time (that makes me giggle-its not true)

Kisses xXx (Nacho Libre style, she pointed out when I was reading it)

Mom is her name

Nothing but love (ha ha ha)

On the go

Peacemaker for the family

Quite (she said this was supposed to say cute) and nice

Read nice

Smooth hair

Tidies the house

Understands everyone (not every family member agrees with this statement)

Volunteers for everything (if she only knew)

Wakes up on time (true)

XOX I love you

You love us

Zooming to my brothers room

Here's the card from Jordan:

I feel dlighted when you surprise me on my birthday.

I feel visious when you yell at me. P.S. It almost never happons. (Ha ha ha)

I feel stupendous whe I get my allowance.

I feel weary when I have to wake up.

Alex colored me a picture and gave me a stamp of his hands with a poem attached. Grant's gift was a piece of colored wood. They made me get back in bed so they could bring me in breakfast. While I was opening the gifts Grant kept saying, "can I have some eggs mom?" They're so cute and nice some days.

teaching the less knowlegeable

2009-05-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

I found Alex and Grant reading a book that we had two copies of. Alex would point to his book and say the word and then Grant would point to his own book and repeat the word. They read the whole book that way. Perhaps Alex felt that Grant had improved his reading skills enough that he was now ready for math.

Alex: "Grant, what's 5 plus 4."

Grant: "two"

Alex: "no its 9, see if you have 5 cookies on this line and 4 more on this line, its 9."

This went on for several minutes. There was no talk of watching TV, no fighting about playmobil pieces, just pure teaching and learning. I love catching those moments.

another conversation

2009-05-03T12:53:00.000-07:00

Alex: Mom, Grant is just little so he doesn't really know that much...

(a few minutes later)

Alex: In Hawaii they have lots of fruit 'cause it like grows on every tree. They also have lots of fish and stuff because they live next to the water.

Me: Yeah, its probably a pretty healthy place to live.

Alex: Yeah, and they don't have lectricity and stuff.

Me: Yes, they have electricity.

Alex: They do? Oh, then they can watch TV! (This was said all very excitedly. I think he decided Hawaii was the perfect place to live, now that he knows they have "lectricity.")

SOLD!

2009-05-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

We are finally rid of our Massachusetts house. Its actually quite amazing how everything worked out in the end. We've thrown a lot of money away on that house and now its time to save. Yipee! I'm so happy its over!

the trouble with coupons

2009-04-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

I've been working on clippng coupons for these last couple of months. Actually I don't clip them until I need them which cuts down a lot on the mess for me. So here's a picture of the stuff I bought yesterday.

The details:

Spent 59.45

Store savings: 84.17 (all the stuff I bought was on sale)

Coupon savings: 28.81

SO I spent $60 and saved $114 that's 66% savings. Plus we got 2 free movie tickets to Star Trek.

Here's the problem: We would never buy most of this stuff. We would buy BBQ sauce ($.70 each) Peter Pan PB (less than $1.50 each) and refried beans ($.60 each) but all this other stuff we don't really need and I don't really want to use to feed the family. Sure every once in a while we might buy carmel popcorn (more than likely we'd make it) and sometimes its nice to have treats on hand for last minute stuff but never in my life would I feed my kids poptarts. Of course I bought them yesterday to get the free movie tickets. Do we want to see Star Trek? No, and if we did we'd wait til it got to the dollar theaters.

This is more my style. One grocery store with good deals without coupons. Of course if there were coupons on practical stuff like produce then I'd be sure to use them. This was two full bags of produce for $27. 00

stawberries: 4/$5

aples: $.88/lb

cluster tomatoes: $.99/lb.

lettuce and celery $.88/each

grapefruit 4/$1

red peppers $.99/each

cauliflower 4/$5

etc. etc.

Now I know you can find these prices at a regular grocery store at times but never so much produce on sale at one place. Its great!

I'm not giving up on coupons. I just need to practice using them more productively. So far the biggest thing I've learned is that coupons don't really save you money until they're combine with good sales. The good thing is that I get the coupons for free from2 seperate neighbors (they are so happy to not be throwing them away now.) Yay for free stuff!

sleeping on the job

2009-04-23T10:06:00.000-07:00

the job: finishing the cereal you chose for breakfast

payment: get to do anything you want when the jobs done.

reasons not to do the job: it looks bad and probably doesn't taste very good.

things to do instead of doing the job:

stick your tongue out at mom

sneak away to play playmobil

call mom "stinky baby"

have a time out

All in all its pretty exhausting work.

A Weekend Project

2009-04-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

Unlike the last post, I thought about this project for a couple of weeks and finished it a few days. Sometimes when I look at it I think, "I should really work on THAT flower for a while." Seriously though, its been a month since I finished it I'm still tired of it and don't think I have it in me to keep working on it.

By the way, here's our living room.

I love the unusual fireplace and the skylights.

This very great priced couch was the perfect fit for the room and gives so much more seating than we've ever had before. Incidentally it is the first couch we have ever purchased.

THE 5 YEAR QUILT

2009-04-21T13:59:00.001-07:00

5 years ago I wanted to make a star quilt

3 years ago I started picking out fabric and let it sit around for several months

2 years ago I finished piecing the quilt

over 1 year ago I started quilting

last month I finished--whoopee!

Hitting the wall

2009-04-20T12:27:00.000-07:00

In honor of the Boston Marathon today I've been thinking about "hitting the wall". In a marathon hitting the wall "describes the condition when an athlete suddenly loses energy and becomes fatigued" (wikepedia). Since I do not enjoy endurance runs I've never actually experienced this phenomenon but I've felt it in parenting. It seems like every few months or at best once a year I "hit the wall" and just want to give up. This happened a couple of days ago. It was Carl being gone (not even having Friday night to look forward to with him and knowing he'd be gone all day Saturday) mixed with crabby kids and my bad attitude that created this hopelessness. Not that I would actually walk away from the family but I would either 1) angrily send everyone to bed early or 2) lock myself in my room, totally ignoring every one's needs. When people "hit the wall" in a race they often never finish. I've heard this is very common at Heartbreak Hill (a hill near the end of the race) in the Boston Marathon. In parenting maybe after I hit the wall I don't actually quit but I gingerly walk to the end not trying very hard. It took a girls night out with my sister (darn Em, you moved too early) to change my thinking. I think its good to get away sometime in order to have a better look at the big picture. It was nothing big--just a Wendy's side caesar salad and some fabric shopping. I didn't even buy a lot and still I felt pretty happy. Now I'm recommitted to making the most of the hard times (at least this week). I know I have it in me to create a good atmosphere in this house. I love being at home with the kids and I'm determined to expect trouble and be willing to make the most of it. Maybe laugh more at the chaos.

Incidentally, I've heard at Heartbreak Hill (near mile 22) there is a roaring crowd of students at the top of the hill (from Boston College I think) that are cheering on the runners. At least one runner I know was so curious about the noise that he made it up the hill without trouble. It made me think of those people who cheer me on when I'm struggling up life's hills. I want to be a better cheerer.

Charts by Alex

2009-04-18T19:49:00.000-07:00

"Mom where's a ruler?" asked Alex. After working on a project downstairs Alex posted the following charts on the fridge and declared, "Whoever is good will get a check on the chart and when they get a lot of checks I will give them a prize." Hmm, I wonder where he got that idea. See he has a spot for Katie, Jordan, Grant, mom and dad. He gives his checks much more generously than I do.

"What do these letters mean?" I asked. Here's what I learned (left chart):

SDthG means "super duper thuper good"

SDG means "super duper good"

G means "good"

B means "bad"

I'm hoping not to have my name written in the "bad" section. We'll see how it goes.

Sentences

2009-04-18T11:19:00.000-07:00

For part of Alex's homework he makes up and writes sentences using his spelling words. Here are the ones he wrote last week (spelling words in bold). They make me laugh:

the bug went to the log
the bug dug
I hug my dad
the bug went in the jug
mug is a name
I have a rug
tug ware (I think he meant tug of war)
are we hear
I like to jump on my bed
no bugs on my bed
I fed my dog
I like the name Jed
I led Grant to his room
Ned did the aBcs
I have a red Shrt
Ted is a name
wed bed sied me (he says it says, wed bed said me) Hmmm?
I like me (this is my favorite)
the dog begs for a bone
we have a leg (love this one)
we noe Meg
you put a peg in a hole
StegaSauris (Steg apparently is a name)
we do it
do you like to play
do you have a cane

the Lisette way

2009-04-16T19:21:00.000-07:00

I have this friend LISETTE. She impressed me with her non procrastinating ways long ago (well at least a few years ago). So here's what she does--when asked to do something she starts on it right away. Sounds easy right? Well, it is for me but I'm usually a 'write it down and get to it later' girl. But I've tried it these last few days with our house in Massachusetts and its worked great. Since we're in the middle of giving away--I mean selling our house, there's been quite a few things I've had to do. Call people, get information from one person to another etc. etc. Normally I would write down something I have to do and then do it later. I've found though that taking care of the thing right away usually saves me a lot of BRAIN SPACE. For example instead of thinking about calling a company to take care of our Title V inspection (septic system nonsense) I called around RIGHT AWAY to find someone that would do a good job. In 10 minutes I found that the company we had used previously had been sued numerous times and charged up to 3 times more than another well known and highly recommended company. Appointments were set and information was given to all who needed it in just a matter on minutes. (Woohoo-the inspection is over and we passed.)

There's something about writing things down that gnaws at me until I've finished it. (Note: this gnawing doesn't usually occur if I don't write things down but the embarrassment isn't worth it in the end--forgotten appointments, missing kids programs at school etc.) When I met Lisette, I really wanted to be more like her but it just seemed impossible with baby Grant. Life was a little more overwhelming then. Now I feel free to live the LISETTE way (well at least this week).

Good: just remembering
Better: writing things down
Best: the Lisette way

I miss you Lisette

WICKED

2009-04-16T19:11:00.000-07:00

LOVED IT!

First Tooth

2009-04-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

While making Easter treats, in a previous post, Carl double knotted a piece of dental floss to Alex's tooth for the second time this week. Let me be clear--this tooth has been loose since Christmas. Its been THIS loose for the last week. Alex, who has a very low tolerance of pain cried any time anyone got close to his mouth. I thought it would be a good idea to keep the floss long and accidentally step on it while Alex was running around, but alas the floss was too short. Instead Grant "accidentally" pulled on the string and it popped right out. It didn't hurt a bit.

easter treats

2009-04-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

Here's Grant washing his hands while making cookies. Yes, he dressed himself. No he couldn't find his underwear.
Here's Mr. Grant making carrots with the cookie dough.

"I'm gone give dees doo da bunnies." (I'm going to give these to the bunnies.)

easter eggs

2009-04-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

Katie and cousin Sabrina coloring eggs.

This year we discovered that once the eggs are colored you can use a wac crayon and die it an unlimited number of times.

Deep thoughts by Alex:

Alex: "It doesn't make sense that there's an Easter BUNNY because bunnies don't lay eggs."

Me: "What do you think it should be instead of a bunny?"

Alex: "An Easter chicken because roosters don't lays eggs either--they're like dad chickens."

getting it

2009-04-10T20:06:00.000-07:00

Grant: "Mom, MOOOOOOM, gum (come) ear (here). I need to go bafoom!" (bathroom)

Me: "Do you need me to turn on the light?"

Grant: "Light aree (already) on" (pulling me into the bathroom)

Me: "What do you need?"

Grant: "ants in dare (there)"

Me: "Oh, I don't see any ants."

Grant: "dares one"

Me: "They won't hurt you."

Grant: "Ants nice?"

Me: "They don't bite, unless they're red and you live in Texas."

Grant: "Ants nice. Tigers bite!"

Later

Grant to Dad: "Dad, ants nice. Tigers bite."

Even Later

Grant to Katie: "Katie, ants nice!"

His fear of ants soon turned to friendliness and he spent the next several minutes picking them up and carrying them around the house.

differences

2009-04-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

I thought when I had Katie that mothering would be easy because I already had almost 2 years under my belt and babies couldn't vary that much. How wrong I was. If I had 10 more kids I bet they would all be just as different as the first 4.

Here are some differences I've noticed in the kids:
Jordan-has a physics mind (noticeable even when he was really young). Ponders a lot-often during chore time. Great at math. Slow reader but comprehension is at 100%. Creative-draws made up creatures.

Katie-seems her greatest quality is SWEET. Doesn't feel the need to push herself. Totally layed back. Gets along with everyone. Has to be around people unless she is reading.

Alex-prefers playing by himself. Gets crabby when we have to go somewhere. Has to have incentives to get chores done. Needs a schedule--if you spring anything on him at the last minute he almost always falls apart. Loves being at home.

Grant-Learns by doing. Uses energy well by doing projects-cutting paper and tracing pictures is where he concentrates the best.

In my own family (the one I grew up in) we've noticed a pattern--every third child has several similar qualities. Here are some examples:

1st and 4th: Both are very creative and love doing projects (it is kind of a family quality among the girls but these two seem to thrive on projects a little more than others). Look alike (that is now that they're older). Sometimes have strong opinions about where to eat, what to do when everyone is together etc. (this usually helps combat the "I don't know, what do you want to do" problem in some families). Have great ideas about fun activities to do. Willing to work hard to pull off a great dinner or activity.

2 and 5th: Fair coloring. Same nose. Introspective. Slender. Blonde, blonde hair. (family: please add to this one. I always get stumped).

3 and 6th: Both born cross-eyed. Hair grows the same (although only 1 has helmet hair). Both kind of layed back. Peacemakers (at least when young-Zach I'm not including the time I kicked a hole in the door when you provoked me). Of course each person has their own personality. It is interesting though to see some obvious similarities.

unlocking the brain

2009-04-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

Beware: this is a very long and potentially boring post.

Alex is a very unusual Cleaver. We've noticed over the last year that he has an uncanny ability to understand a few different concepts. His latest is multiplication. One day a few months ago he watched as I showed Katie that 8 time 8 is the same as 8 times 4 doubled. I wrote it out on paper like this:

8 32

8 64

8 32

I guess I didn't think anything of Alex looking on. A few minutes later he started saying things like: 3 times 3 is 9 because three plus three plus three is nine. He wanted me to ask him other times questions to see if he could get him right. A few weeks later when he answered 12 times 4 correctly. I said, "Alex how did you figure that out?" His excited reply: "I just used my brain." I would like to know what exactly he thinks in his brain since he doesn't use his fingers to count--just thinks. Math is not the only thing that comes easy for Alex, I've also noticed how much he understand when we read the scriptures at night. Right now we're reading Matthew in the New Testament. After reading a parable I ask the kids what the different symbols are in the parable. Alex seems to always get it right off. He gets excited as he talks about different things. He says things like, "so that's why we should be nice to people even when they're not nice to us." Its interesting to note that Jordan is a great critical thinker too. Katie on the other hand is always playing with her hair and doesn't really care. Reading comprehension isn't her strength.

Watching Alex has made me wonder about the brain and how it seems so efficient in some people and not so efficient in others. I cannot take any credit for Alex's math skills. It seems he was just born with an ability to learn quickly. But I did teach him (if you can call pushing him to do his reading lessons teaching) to read before he started kindergarten and I wonder if maybe that helped unlock his brain. While he was in the middle of the reading book (Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons) I noticed that he suddenly understood how to read music under my sister's tutelage (she was his piano teacher at the time). It seemed to just click. (I've heard reading age is the best to teach a child piano because they already understand that a symbol equates to a word and connecting a different symbol to a note on the piano makes sense.) Also once he started getting the reading down and it wasn't such a chore I noticed he felt more confident in himself. I've noticed this with the other kids too. When Jordan learned to tie his shoes it seems he was happy about it and much more motivated to learn other things. I guess its the same for me even now. When I accomplish something that I didn't really enjoy in the beginning it makes me think maybe I can learn other new things. So I'm thinking maybe reading unlocked Alex's brain.

Do you remember when your brain was unlocked? For me it wasn't until I was a Junior in high school and had a really great set of teachers. We had critical thinking writing assignments daily and at least a couple of times a month we had debates about any given topic. We were required to study our side of the debate and be prepared to backup our philosophies with credible sources. It seemed all the sudden I could think on my own.

So it seems Alex and Jordan have a head start on me. I wonder about Katie though. How to unlock her brain. She was also an early reader and really quick with math at an early age but she has never been successful with critical thinking. It makes me wonder what I can do to help that. She has a totally different personality and learning style than the boys. I guess its back to the books to figure out what learning style she has and what to do about it.

WE HAVE ARRIVED

2009-03-31T06:42:00.001-07:00

We have arrived! Where you might ask? To the no diaper stage. Grant has been the easiest kid to potty train. For one thing it was HIS idea and not mine this time. For another thing, he wants to clean and take care of all the bathroom ON HIS OWN. Its great! Its not just the potty training that makes life easier, its the growing up. Grant seems to have grown so fast in the last month. He doesn't ask for his silk as much, which means he doesn't suck his thumb all the time. He speaks in paragraphs, which are 95% understandable. He is much better at getting along with his roomate Alex, who has been much nicer over the last few weeks too. I don't know what it is. Could it be the change of seasons? a cleaner water coming through the tap? a less nagging mom? I don't know, but whatever it is makes me very happy!

Baby Grant-age 3

2009-03-31T06:29:00.001-07:00

Grant officially turned age 3 on Sunday.

Grandma Ruth and Papa Pete just happen to be here for Grants birthday. Grandma made him a dog cake.

Grant wasn't the only one excited about the presents. Here are the kids with Papa Pete.

Dear Grant

2009-02-12T09:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Grant,

Please stop taking off your diaper and wearing other people's underwear. I know you're ready but I need a little more prep time. Please consider waiting for at least two more weeks to potty train.

Love,

MOM

Job Benefits

2009-02-09T15:52:00.000-08:00

"Do you work?" is often the question.

Me: Yes, I just don't get paid. And the benefits aren't really great.

So Jordan's teacher surprised me today when she said, "actually there are great benefits. I'd like to be able to stay home."

That's when I felt bad. I admit, the job's hard and often it seems there are few breaks. I mean sometimes its hard to feel like you really get a good break. So I guess my typical reaction to "do you work?" needs a little revising. Its true: I do like to stay home, love it in fact. Sure its a sacrifice (money mostly comes to mind) but darn it I chose the job and I think its the job that makes me happiest. (Should I also mention that it brings out my miserable side--still working on that.) So next time someone asks me if I work I'll say, "I have the greatest job in the world and as long as I get a vacation every once in a while, I love it!"

Here are some of the benefits:

hysterical, rolling on the ground laughing, seriously, who does that at their place of employment?
Cute little chubby people toddling around (really only Grant is chubby now) I'm thinking cute little buns running from the bathtub.
The look on kids faces when they've figured out something new
playing ball, riding scooters, going for walks
making and eating cookies
listening to wild stories about Lego people and possible Playmobil scenarios
kisses
"i love you" for no reason
hugs
impromptu helping

Of course the list could go on and on but really who else gets so much entertainment (and I admit, misery at times) in a days work.

Another perfect party down

2009-02-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

Alex's PERFECT party started with a perfectly rowdy game of FREEZE TAG HOT LAVA. Katie was in charge of the game which worked out perfectly for me.

Next Jordan led Team Lego Construction. This game was perfectly quiet. Yahoo!

Next we ate a perfectly lame cake. The kids thought the cupcake cake could be 1 flower in a pot, a balloon, a guitar--no, it was a light saber. I know pretty bad, huh. The nice thing is Alex loved it.

After cake and ice cream we had presents. It was perfectly noisy.

The most perfect part of the party was when the last one left at the very minute the party was supposed to be over. It was perfectly WONDERFUL.

a GOOD MOM day

2009-02-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

As we walked home from taking dinner to a neighbor's house last night we saw our neighbor taking out the garbage.

Neighbor: "looks like you guys have had a lot of fun today."

Me: "every once in a while we have a really good day."

Neighbor: "I love my children (all grown and gone) but I miss my kids."

Me: "You know where to find mine if you need them."

The thing is it was a GREAT day. Why?

I road scooters with the kids at two different times of the day.
We read stories.
I took a nap with Grant. Well I only slept for 10 minutes and he slept for an hour.
I quilted while Grant and Alex had a bean bag toss that I initiated.
I made dinner.
I didn't yell at all even when Grant was hysterical about not wanting his hair washed. I draw the line at 3 weeks. You can go for 3 but no more without a hair washing.
I talked nicely and tried t help the kids--sometimes its just too overwhelming to help.
I sang and talked to the kids at bedtime about what they liked about the day.
transmission is being rebuilt in my car so I've been without one for a few days.

Why not have this day every day?

I need to take care of our failing MA house--so much to do.
I drive myself too hard to get stuff done.
I forget what makes me happy--being a good mom.
lots of errands to run
doing all my projects and still feeling like I haven't had any time to myself.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2009-02-05T08:20:00.000-08:00

Its been a pretty great birthday week for Alex. To celebrate we ruined the transmission in the car so Alex would get to stay home from school all week (no bus for afternoon kindergarten). We're just hoping his friends show up for the party Friday despite the fact that Alex has been missing for a week.

Birthday menu:

Breakfast: flat eggs (fried) and sausage

Lunch: pears, fresh spinach and hot dogs

Dinner: Lasagna

Treat: Pumpkin Pie and Cake (I put my foot down on the cake--it will have to wait for tomorrow's party).

To celebrate we looked through the 2003 scrapbook, the year Alex was born. Grant was so funny. He kept saying excitedly, "Alex dats(that's) you. You coot (cute) Alex."

Jordan and Katie prepared gifts without any reminders. The top picture is Alex after opening Jordan's presents, all toys that used to be Jordan's. How nice to sacrifice some of his good stuff. Katie gave him this, which she painted a few weeks ago--way to look ahead.

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY ALEX!

"More Dim Dee Pease"

2009-02-04T05:23:00.000-08:00

Carl has been a great influence on the kids where food is concerned. Because he makes Korean food at least a few times a year my kids love seaweed. Every single one of them. In fact, sometimes they take it in their school lunch. Grant will gobble it down like cookie monster. Though I can't stomach it I'm really glad my kids eat it, especially Grant who is generally very selective. When Carl makes a Korean dinner there is always Kim Chi--fermented cabbage with red pepper. Every time he brings it out (it always lasts a few weeks) to put it on his burrito, enchilada, salad etc. the kids say things like, "oh sick . . . don't put it there dad, its too close to my face . . . that stinks." Recently though, Jordan has tasted the stuff and loves it. Grant asked to try it last week (weird since it doesn't resemble chicken nuggets, ice cream or pizza) and he LOVED it. "More Dim Dee Mom," he kept asking in between gulps of water (the stuff is full of red pepper and pretty spicy).

more on the house

2009-01-29T09:11:00.000-08:00

Downstairs bathroom

yay! it has a shower that works

Katie's bedroom--she's was totally willing to take the smallest bedroom on the condition that she didn't have to share.

We put the closet organizers in every closet. It makes me so happy to open them. One of my favorite things about the house is the doors--I love them.

the big move

2009-01-07T08:27:00.001-08:00

Christmas isn't the ideal time to move. Moving in a storm isn't ideal either. Moving to a house that's not quite finished isn't probably a good idea. Moving, then having Christmas, then going out of town 2 days later isn't the best idea either. Getting home from vacation and preparing for a new school less than 48 hours later can get a little hectic. Aren't our lives EXCITING! It turns out driving 12 hours to get to my brother's wedding was a little stressful. Do you know that parts of this country got 57 inches of snow in 12 days? We happen to drive right to that area. Stores were being shut down for collapsed roofs--pretty crazy. The miracle is we did it all and are still alive. There was only one small accident when my dad backed his tractor into our car while clearing the driveway (tractors are needed for very long driveways in the country). I suppose its not very funny, but it makes me laugh thinking about it.

Anyway, as of last night we have closet shelves installed in 2 out of 6 closets. The others have no rods and no shelves which is continuing to make the house messy. Oh well, come what may and love it right? We hope that the dryer outlet will get swapped out for a new one today so that we can finally do laundry.

Isn't it so beautiful. Its definitely my favorite room. Its so nice to be able to fit our table in its own spot. The skylight gives some great light too. You'd be surprised how much I had to clean just to get this picture. Other pictures may be weeks away.

Getting Yelled At

2009-01-07T08:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my kids missed the bus. Since it was only their second day at a new school I happily drove to the school to pick them up. As I approached a bus that was stopped, the bus driver (who happened to be our bus driver) waved me down to stop. Seeing that the kids were safely off the bus I rolled down my window and stopped to talk with him. I thought he had some information on why my kids missed the bus. Anyway, as I got closer he yelled stop, stop STOP. By this point his face was really red and he was obviously mad. What I thought was him wanting to talk to me was really a motion to stop until he had shut the bus door. Yeah, I know, pretty dumb of me not to have thought of that. I was a little distracted about the kids missing the bus and wondered if they would be safe standing outside the school waiting for me. Anyway, even after I profusely apologized he was still obviously mad. He impatiently waved me to move along. As I drove on I felt that terrible "being yelled at" feeling. You know the one, someone hates you (or at least it seems that way) when you didn't intentionally make a mistake. You even apologized for your mistake and they are still holding it against you. It made me think about my own yelling I sometimes do at home. I thought the kids probably feel the same way, like they're hated. I think speaking kindly to them even while dealing out consequences will help them feel happier and better about themselves in the long run. Sometimes when I yell at Grant (seems the thing to do when he's wielding a sharp knife) he just lays down and cries. He obviously doesn't understand and doesn't really deserve to be yelled at. So I'm determined not to yell anymore.

LET THE FUN BEGIN

2008-12-16T06:20:00.000-08:00

Christmas was all wrapped up and ready to go just in time to buy a house last week. Closing is exactly one week away. We can't wait. The plan is to load the kitchen in the car and then unload it into cupboards, then come back for the closets while Carl is at work. Hopefully by the time he gets home mostly only furniture and boxes of stuff that goes in the furniture will be left.

We ran into a great house for a wonderful price in an excellent neighborhood, in a town with a good reputation, just in the nick of time. The house has just been remodeled top to bottom, so we won't need to even paint. YAY! Everything is working out so well for us. We are very grateful. I wish I had a picture of the kitchen to post. Its my favorite part!

Now we just have to organize, declutter and pack one more time. We plan to stay in this house for A LONG TIME.

ONE FUN FAMILY

2008-12-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

Have I ever mentioned how fun my family is. An observer was mentioning just yesterday that our family seems really close. Well shoot, we don't get along perfectly but we really do have a good time together. I'm so glad I have them and we're able to get together often, especially since moving here.

Here's another fun thing we did over the Thanksgiving holiday. It was an adult only prefab Gingerbread House decorating contest.

CONVERSATIONS

2008-12-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

We've had a couple of funny conversations over the last 24 hours.

Mom: Jordan you should probably tell your teacher we're moving.
Jordan: I did today, I told him we were being kicked out of our house.
Mom: What? we are NOT being kicked out of our house. We have to move because they want to sell the house.
Jordan: Hmm? I told him it was too much money and we couldn't pay it anymore.
Mom: That is not true, where in the world did you get that idea?
Jordan: I heard you talking to someone about it.

I think the conversation he was eaves dropping on was the one I had with a neighbor about not renting another house in the neighborhood for $2000/month. That's way too much for rent.

Early this morning:
Grant: Mom, I dinky den (I'm stinky again)

I change his diaper because Carl has already left for work.

Grant: Danks mom (thanks mom--its nice he can be so mannerly early in the morning)
Mom: Your welcome Grant, go to sleep
Grant: Ding a Dong mom (sing a song mom)
Mom: No, I'm not singing this early
Grant: Bye mom

Indians vs. Pilgrims

2008-12-01T20:43:00.000-08:00

This year's Thanksgiving was filled with a little more physical activity than usual. All my family, except for my brother and his family, were in town for the holiday. So after the turkey was in the oven (the best turkey we've ever had) we met at a nearby track for some relays.

We were split into teams, the Pilgrims and the Indians. The first activity was the TURKEY RELAY where flour bag turkeys (made by Katie) were passed from one contestant to the next.

Next was CHUBBY TURKEY, exactly like Chubby Bunny but just different words. Though some of us have been known to have big mouths nobody but my dad has a physically big mouth. He was the champion of this game. We couldn't stop laughing and we watched the contestants shove marshmallow upon marshmallows in their mouths. Its important to note that some people get sick while watching this game. Next up was

THE PUMPKIN ROLL. Sounds like you roll a pumpkin right? that's what I thought but this was a little harder than it sounds. Each team had to roll a pumpkin with the stick side of a broom across the finish line. DRUNKEN INDIANS was the next on the list. Though not a very politically correct named game this is where the adults spinned (spell check is telling me this isn't a word) the kids around for several seconds and then watched them dizzily race to the end of the course. Afterward we had a wonderful CRABWALK match, which turned out to be a little painful on the track.

We ended the festivities with a CRANBERRY ON A SPOON RELAY, the idea was to keep the cranberry from falling off the spoon but someone forgot to tells the Indians that they couldn't actually hold the cranberry and the spoon at the same time.

STOCKING IDEAS

2008-11-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

In the past we've filled our stockings with a lot of junk. You know, stuff you end up stepping on and throwing away like little plastic toys that aren't useful. Here's what I'm planning on filling our stockings with this year.

candy

Gouda cheese (big bag from Costco)

wooden toy to be assembled and painted (you know, the $1 kind at the craft store). The kids love those and even though we eventually throw them away its fun for them to paint and assemble them.

one fruit-with a message on how to prepare it to go into the fruit salad we'll have for breakfast.

one individual item. Katie-hand made doll outfit, Grant-a new silk. Carl-wasabi peanuts etc.

a new ornament for next year.

I need more ideas. Do you have any?

Strep, the preferred illness

2008-11-21T11:57:00.000-08:00

Why is strep the preferred illness you ask? Because:

1) Feeling tired and achy is so much better than stomach cramps.

2) I've been nice and patient with the kids (mostly because I don't feel well enough to work on projects).

3) I have a good excuse for not making dinner.

4) I've felt well while napping.

5) I got a much needed break.

6) With antibiotics its over with pretty quick.

So now, back to work!