At Whit's End

A redo

2011-06-16T11:59:00.000-06:00

Since I haven't been keeping up to date, it must be noted that Caroline will wear pants and shorts now, but more on that later. She will still sport a skirt, especially when it is warmish outside. I was looking throw Garnet Hill's kids clothing and saw a skirt that was $45 on sale. ON SALE! And I thought, as I do often, I could make that. (for some reason I can't upload a pic of it, so click on the above link)

But this time I actually tried. I went to the local thrift store and bought a few XL women's button down shirts. I cut them off just below the arms, put in an elastic, made pockets out of the sleeves and cuffs. This is what I came up with. For less than $5. And Caroline loves it. She is sporting her swimming suit (or as she referred to it today, her zucchini) because we are off to swimming. I have a few more tweaks but am happy with the finished product.

What did I do with my Friday night?

2011-06-10T23:26:00.001-06:00

Well, I'll tell you. SYTYCD is back. And it is good. Dreamy good. And fun for the whole family. Most of the time. And tonight, Caroline and I watched the reveal of the top 20. And it was dreamy. Caroline digs it. Eli actually digs it. Caroline wants to rule this show. As she puts it, "I love it so much I just can't stand it!" Look at this dancer.

Isn't she marvelous? And she was marvelous at her dance recital. I think with a bit more technical training she is going to rock the stage of SYTYCD 2025. Caroline's favorite is Caitlyn Lawson, jazz dancer. I have quite a few faves. Mostly girls and the guy from SLC. He is awesome. Any favorites?

Maybe this will be a start

2011-05-10T11:22:00.002-06:00

Oh my, it has been a while. I feel an itch. I have wanted to post something here and there for a bit but it is hard to do for some reason. I need to, though. I have also wanted to get back down to my craft room and do some sewing or painting. I just want to be able to finish something I have started. Even it if it just cleaning one room. But I also want my kids to be able to have a narrative to what we have going on right now.

I have journals for each of my kids and regrettably none of them are full. Jack's isn't even touched. Maybe this is the way I can journal for them. Something I am not awesome at. So, here is the trying to be better.

Let's begin with Jack. He is one! When did that happen? I think he went from skinny little baby bird to chubby smiler overnight. I was asking Dave when that happened. We don't know. He is absolutely perfect. He is sweet and kind. He is a fantastic eater. He loves his siblings. He loves to be held. All the time. Sort of not perfect there but perfect none the less. He bit me twice today - not perfect at all. But he showed a lot of remorse after each bite. We'll see if it continues. He may have to give up the juice, which will hurt me more than him I suppose. Let's see his transformation (warning - pictures!)

It about killed me when they put the IV in the head...

First day home, Joey has remained the doting brother.

Eli's baptism and Jack's blessing - perfect day to share. July.

Jack's Oompa Loompa impression.

This onesie was too big on him for a month or two...

I think this was the end of summer, his dad carries him in his Bjorn often.

First of many homespun haricuts.

First professional haircut. I actually think he looks like Cam from Modern Family. But only this one.

Who? What?

First birthday!

First sugar from mom, pretty sure this wasn't the first sugar from dad.

I have lost the blogging flow. Hopefully it returns. I have missed it. My thought processes have been continually interrupted for a good year now. I have decided that this might be the only way to journal for my kids. And keep in touch with family. Let's hope that for my kids' sake I can be consistent.

Safety Dance

2010-06-07T20:42:00.000-06:00

E and his friends decided to do a dance number for their class talent show the day before school let out. They choreographed it (with the help of a head cheerleader). Eli is the height impaired lad in the crew. Sorry about the quality, my phone was all I had. There were other versions that showcased Eli's head spinning better but this is what I got. E's teacher said it was one of the funniest things she has seen all year. I'm teary thinking that his teacher is no longer his. She was wonderful. Just like E's moves.

Jack

2010-05-08T09:30:00.000-06:00

We are home. He is tiny and doesn't keep a warm body temp but maybe he is just a cool kid. The brothers and sisters watch his every sleeping move, listen for every little noise and love him like mad. Thanks for all your prayers.

And baby makes 6

2010-04-29T19:12:00.000-06:00

Without going into all the details, little brother graced us with his presence 4 weeks early, at 7:13pm on the 28th. After the NICU (who is always called in on deliveries of this nature) signed off on him and his loving brothers and sister and Oma and Opa came to see him, he started to "grunt" more and things kind of went from there. He was supposed to just be transitioned in NICU but when I called to check on him around 9:30 that night they informed me he was being admitted and treated for unstable blood sugar levels, breathing instability, inability to maintain his body temp and elevated white blood cells that pointed towards pneumonia. They have him on antibiotics and after scaring us with all sorts of scenarios last night, today he pulled out his oxygen tubes and his NG tube (feeding) and has been showing a rebellious streak. He is doing better, happy to show off his great hair and winning smirk. We don't know how long he will be in the NICU, most likely a week or so. Still no name, but he weighed 5lbs 8oz, 19 inches long. Wish us luck, with health and agreeing on the perfect name.

Sun

2010-04-20T14:30:00.002-06:00

It is beautiful out. Has been for days. Makes me want to be less clothed and basking in it. But less clothed might scare neighbors, much less children. It scares me. 4 more weeks. This boy is the lowest I have ever carried. If he wasn't in I would think he was out. It makes things like reaching down, sitting, walking and resting a bit difficult, but how is that really different from any other pregnancy on this planet?

caroline's sign

I just picked up my friend's almost three year old. She is the only one that Joey longs to play with besides E and having her here is super easy and keeps all entertained. Plus, as a bonus, I have her cousin here who is 4-ish and man, the best playmate I could ask for to keep the 3-ers happy. She is a sweetie. The friend just had her baby. 4 weeks before mine. 4 pushes and out. 4 hours of labor. Baby number 4. What a pattern. Hers is a girl without a name. It is nice to have someone go through it so close to my date. Someone who I can just feel it through without having to ask.

I hate potty training. I really hate the toilet. I hate touching the toilet and teaching the kids not to. I've said this before, the toilet is Dave's duty. Cleaning it, I mean. Back to training, Joey is starting. Yes, chances are he will revert in 4 weeks. But he wants to. It makes me a bit claustrophobic. You can't venture too far.

Joey turned three last week. He is growing up. Too fast. Won't kiss me on the lips anymore. I never should have blogged he did, it is like he read that or something. Stinker.

Caroline had a dental check up yesterday. Her two top teeth are loose. E's didn't loosen until this year. She also has 3 out of 4 6 year molars. She is growing older way too fast and this is just one sign of it.

I wish I felt like nesting. I feel like gardening, reading, sitting and running errands but not nesting. I did go through bins and bins of clothing this weekend. The D.I. might love me. I did a load of newborn clothes this week. But out of necessity, not nesting. I have washed windows, but only to see more clearly, not to nest. The things that I really need to do, like de-clutter, feel too much like nesting so I don't want to. Like I said, I want to sit outside, warm my skin, soak up Vitamin D. Maybe that can be nesting for now.

Garden clean up

2010-04-10T15:46:00.000-06:00

I am thinning out the hens-and-chicks in my garden and would hate to just throw them away!!! So, if you want any bring up a grocery bag and grab some. They multiply and replenish the earth - so efficient. They sell of $2.50 each at Smith's, what a bargain. Great in rock gardens or borders or just potted. Email me at piccalillitoo@gmail.com if you have any questions.

The Name Game

2010-03-31T21:37:00.000-06:00

Not that we EVER agree on names (me and Dave), or have names going to the hospital, or even share our names with others I have to share that I like the name Jasper. Yeah, I saw your reaction. Whatever. I'd never get Dave to agree to it anyway AND thanks to Twilight mania there is no way I would want to. Just thought I would share. And no, we don't have any names. Not even a half of one.

I am also going to share my kids favorite pass time. Me recording them dancing. Eli is trying to be a breakdancer even if he doesn't know what one is. He is learning how to scoot on his head. He is also trying to learn lyrics, which is super comical when you are in the car trying to figure out what he might be listening to on my nano. And Caroline, she is nuts. Joey just loves to be with his brother and sister - usually. You will only really love this if you love us or love my kids.

Blog Blah

2010-03-26T15:17:00.001-06:00

I have a friend threatening bodily harm if I don't blog. But here is the problem, I think of a million things to blog about a day but for some reason can't translate it or don't want to. Part of me feels a bit self-indulgent. Part of me is looking, unsuccessfully, for the brain power that has been misplaced. I have a million half finished projects. Rooms that are half clean. Time with children that is half spent.

Caroline said to Eli today, when he came home and set up a playdate, "But E, you hardly ever spend time with us!" and just so she could spend more time with him she asked if she could also go to the friend's house where he was going and she would even do her best to be nice to her friend (E's friend's little sister who Caroline is having a difficult time getting along with lately). So both of them are over there, with the mom laughing that each girl is going to "try" to be nice to each other. It will not be a long playdate because Joey is cuddled up next to me on the couch sad because C and E are gone and he needs them. See half spent. I am multitasking. I should be cleaning. I should actually be reading to him. Or playing with him. Instead I am sitting with him while he asks to watch Umi Zumi and lean on me and the baby in my tummy, as he says. He is decompressing and so am I.

Things are a changin'. Caroline and I went to her Kindergarten Orientation this week. I cried while the current kindergarten sang to us. She's been ready for years. But now she is really leaving me. It won't be much different from her preschool schedule but she is one year closer to full day school and more time away from home than in it. I've wasted it. Just like I wasted it with E. Just like I am sitting on the couch, half cuddling with Joe, wasting my time I have with him. I know, too hard on myself. This is life. Caroline is 97.3% the greatest person to spend time with. She is silly and creative. And she still wears only skirts and dresses. I need to start sewing.

E had SEPs this week. I love it. Mostly because I get to hear he is doing well. He is nice and kind-hearted and smart. He listens most of the time. He helps those around him and she appreciates him being a leader. He needs to concentrate more on his reading comprehension - it isn't a race to get the test in. Math was a little tougher this trimester but he caught on and is back on track. His teacher really cares about him and his class and he listens to her and respects her. I always worried about sending E to school when we did. He is a young kid for his grade and a little bit on the not so tall side. He is a sensitive kid. Sometimes too emotional, which challenges my emotions. But she has seen a big growth in his maturity this year.

And Joey is almost three. It will soon be his "Irpday". He is loud and adamant about what he wants and when he wants it. He is becoming used to timeouts spent in his room for being too loud and adamant. "Joe, stop yelling at me" is something he is hearing lately. If I stick out my bottom lip at him he immediately softens and hugs or kindly headbutts me in the pregnant belly. And if I pucker my lips he stops what he is doing and gives me kisses. I have my Pavlovian dog. He also has the best laugh in the Northern Hemisphere.

I will try to be better about posting. It is my journal. Probably the most consistent I have ever had in my life. Plus my kids are pretty remarkable and awesome so I should document it. And it felt good to put a few thoughts on "paper". Thanks for the threat Paige, just the kick in the pants I needed.

Reaction

2010-01-04T18:02:00.000-07:00

Dave has forbidden me from posting the video we have of the kids' reaction to the sex of our coming attraction. Let's just say, I knew that no matter what Caroline said earlier today ("Ok mom, let's talk about this - it could be either a boy or a girl. Maybe we will even get a kitten") and her talking with my friend saying if it was a girl....(good happy things) and if it was a boy...(something sort of happy). All that went out the window for a solid 45 minutes while she cursed who ever is in charge of handing out babies. I am not exaggerating. And with that, I am please to announce that we will be adding a little boy to the family in May. Sorry, no visuals, Dave's wish.

Hope you all had a great holiday and everyone is right on track with their resolutions. Mine is to have a healthy family this year.

My wish list

2009-12-06T21:38:00.004-07:00

There is this amazing giveaway going on over here and it makes my heart pitter pat.

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

- What 5 items are on your holiday wishlist this year?
1. a cool watch
2. some great maternity jeans and perfect sweater
3. The Magic Bullet - it makes everything! And makes it look sooo simple.
4. Season 2 - 7 of the Gilmore Girls. Or just a couple here and there.
5. A personal chef.

- What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
I don't know how to narrow it down! Too many talented people around me. Gotta think about it.

- What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
I want to knit a complex sweater or scarf.

- What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
Everyone knows I have the worst memory but it may have been the Beatrix Potter paper playhouse. Or my first stereo.

- What is on your kid's wishlist this year?
Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympics for Wii, Caroline wants something awesome (that is all she has said)

- What is your favorite holiday food?
Peppermint Ice Cream or homemade caramel

- What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
I can't say, they are gifts!

- What is your favorite holiday movie?
A Christmas Story, Charlie Brown Christmas

- Favorite holiday song?
What Child is This?

- Favorite holiday past time?
Just soaking it all in or drinking warm cider

From their site:

"Our “sleigh” is a Madsen Bike filled with gifts and goodies from Provo Craft to help you create those handmade projects including a Yudu screen-printing machine, a Cuttlebug, a Cricut Expression Machine, a Your Story thermal book binder, and a Knifty Knitter loom set. That’s not all - we’ve got treasures galore - a Dyson Blueprint, an Easy Walker Sky stroller from MamaBargains.com, two Sidekick baby carrier bags from Kemby and an Amber Alert GPS unit and a full year of service."

That’s over $3,800 in gifts!
I need a kick in the pants where creativity is concerned and this may be just the ticket. Plus I need something to peddle me back into shape after this baby, so the bike would be beyond wonderful! I'm crossing my fingers, all the time, everyday! I should probably tell you you can enter too. Go here.

Caroline's Talent Show

2009-11-20T16:42:00.004-07:00

Everyone had to share a talent at preschool. One boy dribbled a ball, another sang, one girl played the piano for the first time, artists, lego builders and Caroline. I barely had enough time to start my camera, she was up and going before I knew it. Some girls from Eli's 2nd grade class were there and asked Caroline how she did that - quite the star. Sorry for the shaky camera work, my friend was laughing so hard I could not keep still.

Brought to you by the letter B

2009-11-16T18:12:00.005-07:00

B is for baby. The baby that is currently cookin' in me right now. The baby that will be chillin' with its brothers and sister hopefully by the third week of May.

letter b found here

Halloween

2009-11-02T14:07:00.013-07:00

I made the mistake of taking Caroline with me to JoAnn's while getting tulle and such for her costume that I was making from my own little head. She never imagined all the things like patterns that she could choose from. So $40 later and a pattern I never wanted to do, we left. I knew I couldn't manage the pattern so luckily my mom graciously accepted the challenge. I did do the hat - a small contribution.

Eli's was fun. Last year we went store bought so I had had a year off. A few years ago he was Sonic the Hedgehog, which was fun to make. This time he chose a bunch of different Pokemon characters that I couldn't even hope to eek out but then he settled of Silver, Sonic's friend.

After 3 cans of silver spray paint for the clothing and hair, lots of felt to concoct the gloves and boots, and some messy fur, we had a great costume. Eli was so excited to wear it he couldn't sleep the night before his school parade. It was fun to have him that excited.
It really was fun to make. I love Caroline's hat. Her whole costume was a hit with all ages. Thanks Mom.

Joey was a bat. Yes, the same bat as last year. He refused to be the lion costume we had. That is just fine. He was a great trick or treater. So fun to watch and I laughed when he would accept 2 treats when offered. Like he needs more candy. He was especially pleased when they had hisfavorite - M & M's. Why do I forget that carving pumpkins consists of me gutting and cleaning pumpkins, having the kids draw their pics, then me carving the pics, then me lighting and placing? Joey's was Rolie Polie Olie - our favorite round friend. Caroline's was a nice witch, Eli's was a scary Jack-O-Lantern. I carved Dave a longhorn. But my favorite is the toasted seeds.

Joey Flips Out

2009-10-29T19:21:00.004-06:00

Joey is our little voice in the family and by little I mean he is actually our loudest voice. And he has turned into quite the tease. He knows when Caroline doesn't want him touching her and so he does his best to have at least part of him touching her at all times when she is in this mood. And he is persistent. Like a little puppy who wants to be pet. It is somewhat endearing and sometimes a bit... not.

This is what I found when I heard laughing coming from the living room. He threw up about on hour later - but not from the flips, from a bug that is circling our home lately.

2009-09-20T21:27:00.004-06:00

Today at church Eli had already eaten the fruit snacks, the pretzels (or prencils as Caroline calls them), and some goldfish. He was insisting that he was starving. Has anyone else seen a snack bar at church? Should there be one that is supported by tithes? In any case, I told him to go and get a big drink of water. He insisted that he wasn't thirsty, but starving! I told him his only option was a drink of hunger-quenching water. He kept whining. I told him that I was going to march him out and call Dave to come and get him, he would go home and right to his room - this was after much complaining.

"What?! You are going to send me home and to my room and never let me eat again? You want me to DIE?!

No, E, I just want you to stop complaining and whining, realize that I can't do anything but what I am suggesting and sit quietly.

"What?! You really want me to DIE?!!

So now everyone who sits near us in church thinks I want Eli to die or that I said something to Eli to make him think that I was trying to kill him.

My friend asked me later what I had done to make Eli so mad when he stomped out of Sacrament Meeting (she had seen him stomp out). I am only guilty of wanting him to live! I had finally convinced him it was in his best interest to drink up.

-----

Tonight, playing this new fantastic game called Pickleball, (thanks for the new addiction that we can't play immediately Shorts) Eli was great at it but not sharing the court time with any of us adults. I tried to explain to him the rules, going to a certain point, sharing the court - yada yada yada - "What?! You don't want me to play with you ANYMORE?! You don't want ME anymore?!

When we got home, Dave spent some time talking to him about his behavior. He was sent straight to bed but asked if he could write something down first. This is what we found, taped to the sheet next to him in bed:

Did I tell you about the time in Target when I let him open a pack of Pokemon cards before we paid for them? After they were opened he came across some Mario Galaxy Cards. He decided that he wanted those instead. I told him that we had already claimed the opened cards and had to buy them and because of that we would not be getting the Mario cards. While hanging his head in deep sorrow he said, "I make the worst choices, I am such a bad decision maker!"
After we had checked out and were at the car he said, "You all get in first, I don't deserve to get in before any of you. I make such bad choices. I deserve to be last."

Let me defend us. We don't say things like this to him. We try to never generalize with Eli. We do say things like, " You are right, you were too impatient and didn't make a very good choice in this instance." or "Yeah, you are being naughty RIGHT NOW but you aren't naughty all the time. In fact, you are pretty awesome most of the time." Where he gets all this negative talk and crap I do not know.

Someone, please help. I really don't know what do with this sweet boy who has a great disposition all the time, but apparently rarely when I am around.

Here we go again!

2009-08-27T15:41:00.024-06:00

Here we go again. Eli has his first day of 2nd grade. 2nd grade!!! What happened to kindergarten? E was excited for school to start. A class of 27 (way too big!), 17 are boys! There were many joyous reunions that morning. Friends he saw only 2 days previous greeting each other like it had been 2 years. I don't know how bones did not get broken.

We are still trying to find our groove, but my expectations for that are not high. I don't think that we ever found our groove last year - when to do homework, when to veg, when to play and when to eat.

It is weird not to have him around all day. We all miss him. Not that he is ever around long - he is a social butterfly.

So far so good. He likes his teacher, likes what he is learning and loves to be with all his pals.

How can you not love this 2nd grader face?

Caroline began a new dance program. She calls it her "temporary" dance. Contemporary. She asked how she was supposed to keep up her ballet and tap skills if she would be going to dance with bare feet from now on. I don't know. I mean, what if SYTYCD 2022 doesn't think she has good enough technique? But she loved it her new dance.

She is also beginning soccer. She is so excited and has practiced every day. It is her fallback to SYTYCD, I guess she can always try out for the USA Women's Soccer team.

We bought some soccer cleats with pink in them but there were too big. I asked her to try on Eli's old shoes and she said, "That is a good idea and if they fit we won't have to buy new shoes!" What? This coming from a kid who threw a HUGE fit in Target that day over something ridiculous that I would not buy.

She was showing me her jumping skills. Who knew that cleats helped you jump? Joey came out in E's cleats and had to get in the jump action. He actually has an impressive vertical for a tiny sport.

Many of you know about Caroline's lack of pants and short wearing. She hasn't worn them in 2 1/2 years - excluding leggings that go under dresses. Thus the skirt at soccer practice. I asked her if we needed to go shopping for a black skirt or if she would wear soccer shorts. She said she would only wear Eli's old soccer shorts and only for soccer practice and games. She also asked that I don't ask her to wear shorts or pants any other time.

btw - I have new plaques that are about to go up in my shop. If you want to take a look, go to we chirp.

He would have laughed at blogs

2009-08-17T21:53:00.012-06:00

Lindsey and I were talking the other day and she started laughing at the thought of what Joe would think of blogs. We both agreed he would kindly mock them. I've been meaning to call her all day so that we could laugh and inevitably end up crying over the anniversary that is today. What do you do with a day like today? I'm ok. I know what comes next and what I have to do to be there. He's with us every day.

He is in little things my kids do. He is in their simple kindnesses to each other. We say his name, which has become my son's, many times a day and it is like a million little sparkles in the air. Sometimes my kids do things and I think, Joe taught you that in Heaven, he knew it would bug me so he did it to tease me. Or he knew something would make me happy, so he taught them that too. I love that, because then I think of him. He knows I need to lighten up. I want my kids to be like him in a million different ways. I love that E loves snowboarding and seems to be a natural at it. Now, if only someone could teach him, Caroline and Joey how to skateboard... Caroline might be the best at that. Dave and he would have been good friends.

I miss him. He was happy and kind. He was happy and thoughtful. He was happy and fun. The kid was the best. Is the best. He was a great example to all of us of how to treat others. He wasn't perfect but he was good.

We went up to his grave today. I have never thought he was there. I used to pour Dr. Pepper on it, just for him. My kids know about him, but what do they really know? It is such an abstract thing to young kids. But they know that they love him and they know he loves them. Is it morbid to show his headstone? I think it is beautiful.

He had a lot of favorites. He liked music. Did you know that he loved Michael Jackson? Loved him when he was little. He loved chocolate rice crispy treats and made them better than anyone, even Grandma. He loved his family, all of us. He would love playing with his nieces and nephews. He loved his friends and spent time doing who knows what with them. I remember he would skate up on the U campus a lot with them. He would love where they are now. He had many friends but then there are those really close ones that I am grateful for. They are a part of my family, you know who you are. He was always having fun. He had the goofiest grin. He was working on his six pack, slow to lose his baby chub. He loved his accidental sideburns. I think he thought he was related to St. Nick. He loved his cousins. Especially Ben and Bry. He'd be proud of them. He loved skateboarding and snowboarding. He loved "Bo Knows Bo" so much he read it every year for 7 and wrote a report on it each year, lazy bum - I don't think he loved reading. He loved back-to-school clothes shopping. He loved Mexican Pizzas. He loved his Saab. He loved that his eyes changed colors with whatever color he had on. He loved O-town. He always had something cooking, some big plan. Or little plan. Or mischievous idea. He had friends every where we went because he was good to everyone.

I love when people tell me stories about him. I knew a lot of his comings and goings and his adventures but not everything and don't remember everything. Did I ever tell you that he thought his name was spelled G.I. Joe when he was little? Or that he made a collar of cardboard and named himself Spike, telling us this was his new name? Or that he had my mom make him and his friends fleece hats that he designed that were all spiky and shapey for snowboarding? I think there are pieces of him everywhere, for everyone.

Love you Joe.

Friends, Romans, Texters, lend me your ear...

2009-08-16T21:38:00.006-06:00

There is this place, oh it is beautiful. It is a place that seems like a dream or somewhere long ago This place is a place of color, of laughter and hellos. There are words, actual words. Not just letters like "u", "r" and whatever else can be shortened to represent an actual word. People actually spelled out words and took advantage of Spell Check to make sure that they were spelled correctly.

It is a place with proper nouns like Ben and Liz, Seattle, and Chuck E Cheese. People used capital letters for them, no matter where it is placed in a sentence! And complete thoughts - so hard to come by these days. Now it is all staccato and thoughts cut down to the barest form. Whatever you do, don't. use. words. unless. you. absolutely. have. to. Don't.

And punctuation. Remember that? . , ! ; and so on. They doesn't always get used properly (especially here) but they get used. They help break up thoughts, run on sentences and random ideas that should probably be placed in separate sentences, maybe even paragraphs. It takes years to learn how to use them properly, and even then people with the best intentions (me) who used to use punctuation properly (me) still have trouble - but at least they (me) try.

It's this place where people actually carry on conversations. Conversations with laughter - that you can hear - actual laughter, not LOL and not haha or hehe. Where you can hear someone smile as they talk because their voice changes its tone, and you don't have to see ;). You can actually tell if someone is serious or kidding because of their voice or the way they say their words, not just by a simple JK. Ah, those were the days. You can tell if someone really isn't having a great day because - - - wait for it - - - you can hear it in their voice.

Texting isn't all bad (and I include Im'ing in this). I'm sure I would love it if I did it more. It is the way that I contact most of my sitters. Oddly, it is rare that I get a response to my phone call, but text them and within minutes I have my answer. And now that I think of it, texting is at fault for that, too. Kids would rather text than speak. It's true. Another positive? I know a friend who has a quick question for a husband who is in a meeting and so she texts and he subtly responds. And sometimes you don't have the time for a full conversation but would like a quick answer to something. I get it. There are positives.

There are things about it that just don't sell it for me. The decline in good grammar habits, spelling habits, conversational skills, etiquette. I went to lunch the other day with some gals and both of them kept checking their phones and responding in just a quick sec to the text that they had received. Why is that acceptable? I find it a bit rude. And don't get me started on texting and driving. But maybe I am just back in LaLa Land. And this just IMHO, but what do I know?

***post edit: I don't hate texting/im'ing. I love the convenience, I just dislike the decline of actual human interaction and the whole grammar thing get under my skin a bit. I think that we are doing amazing things on the communication front, but those achy thumbs come at a price.

The many faces of Joey

2009-07-21T08:00:00.002-06:00

Joey. Our 2 year old. Our little boy with a big voice. He gives great hugs, throws great fits, sings songs with a great loud voice, he dances like robot, he adores his siblings and can't get enough of Eli.

Joey is following in his sibs footsteps, climbing everything. If he sees his brother or sister do it, he can do it. This is what I found looking out the window. As soon as Joey saw me he yelled "I did it!!" We hear that often, which is usually great.

Happy Joe.

Joey found some old underwear of E's and wants to wear them over his diaper, and preferably only his big boys and diaper. And he doesn't want his picture taken.

~~~let me add a fantastic story about Joey that happened yesterday at Target. Joey has perfected selected hearing. So Target is not a great experience. Either his is furious at me containing him to a cart or people can hear me cajoling him with "Joey, Joe Joe, Joseph, JOSEPH!!!" Today, within in minutes of us being here he had given himself a bloody nose. Luckily we were in the school supplies section and they had little tissue packets, so I cleaned him up best I could but still he had smeared blood all over. Then he found some oreos and opened them, ate some, then spilled them. I took them away. We walked away and I *gasp* gave him one that had been on the floor because he wouldn't quit complaining. Did I mention he is LOUD? Then, I wouldn't give him any more. He them grabbed Caroline's face, trying to conjure one out of her mouth, he is screaming MO MO MO MO (NO NO NO NO) at the top of his lungs, Caroline is crying, Joey is rubbing his bloody, oreo crusted face on her dress which infuriates her even more and then I grab him out of the cart, a little less than gently, and I hold him close (actually gently) and speak right into his ear, "joey, quit yelling at me, quit yelling at Caroline, quit yelling. Enough, done, stop now. He calmed down, but during this whole episode, a sorority sister of mine, one that I know fairly well, pretended she a) didn't know me and b) didn't hear us. EVERYONE HEARD US!!! JOEY IS HEARD, or else. My face was red, my heart was pounding and I just wanted to walk away - from everyone. But in the end, he just held me. He had a rough day.

Peas please

2009-07-19T14:37:00.000-06:00

Funny thing about peas. There are many different kinds and apparently Joey loves them all. Before we get started, let me tell you about my first call to Poison Control. We grow the kind of peas that are edible, but near them we also grow Sweet Peas, the non-edible beautiful type that have flowers and then non-edible pods grow after the bloom has faded. It has been a week or so since I pulled out all the edible peas and I was pruning the sweet peas. Joey got a hold of the pruned pods and started eating the non-edible peas out of them. Get the picture? Apparently, when eaten (in a larger quantity I hope, but you know Joey and his love of hospitals) they can cause muscle weakness, irritability, and other not so great things. We checked it out with poison control, who checked with us an hour later, and all is well. But I have to be extra good at pruning away the poisonous pods. And Joey just kept saying "peas pleeease, peas pleeeease".

Above is the aftermath of my kids' feeding frenzy. For the month of June, we eat a lot of peas. They never make it past the swingset club house which is about 3 feet from the crop, and we can't wait each day to eat more and more. I'm going to replant for a possible fall crop.

Caroline, running out to check for new ones.

Eli and Caroline know all the tricks to finding some new edibles.

About Eli... he's 7

2009-07-18T14:24:00.010-06:00

E's birthday was a few weeks ago. Why is summer so crazy that I can't even blog about it? Anyway, this year was the no friend party year. We only do friend parties every year, which is kind of wonderful. I think Eli was more than thrilled to be 7 but it was an off day for him. I hope it isn't indicative of what this year will be. He was delighted with his toys and gifts. There is no better boy for sincerely being excited about gifts or the people who give them. He is a lover. He was delighted with the plans for the day and with seeing his Oma and Opa and phone calls from Papa and Grandma (wish they were here!).

The kid is great at smiling and being excited.

He wanted cupcakes. Really big ones, super decorated, super sugary. Happy boy.

Eli obviously got his skills from his daddy. Not me. And apparently his Oma bowls a mean game too, she beat Dave. Eli bowled a strike. A legitimate strike. No bumpers, straight down the middle, STRIKE!!! He was a little upset though because he thought it was the last one he would ever get. Okay.

Oma, putting on the Ritz bowl.

Caroline is terribly cute when she bowls. She taps her feet and wiggles her hips and then jumps gleefully where ever the ball falls. Very entertaining.

And this is how the day ended up. Mario Galaxy Trading Cards (thanks Josh's Aunt Jane for introducing us to yet another thing to collect, how can I repay you?) in hand, falling asleep mid-look. Sweet boy. He is wonderful. He tries hard, helps other, is sensitive, kind, loves to wrestle, give hugs, smile big, play with friends, loves competition, kills the soccer ball, eats chicken, hates loose teeth, loves his family, wrestles with Joey and plays with Caroline. Best big brother and first son I could hope for. Love you like crazy E.

Test Sewers

2009-07-18T14:18:00.003-06:00

Hi all, my mom and I are looking for test sewers for our new nursing apron pattern. If you would like to do one, or know someone who would email me at piccalillitoo@gmail.com. Come on, it will be fun!

Agents and Roberts

2009-07-09T10:08:00.004-06:00

Caroline and I just finished watching last night's SYTYCD. She calls the dances fashion dances, fancy dances or comtempo dances when she doesn't know the names. The one that won her over for the night was Brandon and Janette's Wade Robson number. I told her they were robbers and she insisted that they were agents because it was definitely agent music. They must be looking for the "roberts". So all you roberts out there, watch out.

On another note, I had Eli's portrait taken last week for a gal's photo project. Stacy is turning 28 this year and as a spin-off of Justin's 30 strangers dealio is doing a portrait a day of age 1 - 28. I love it. Eli was her age 7. How lucky for us he just had his birthday! Check out the photos here. I highly recommend Stacy and her photog abilities.

The Haps

2009-07-07T23:53:00.009-06:00

I am slow but steady. Between editing patterns and all the other necessary things to do around here to keep the house at least looking as though it is running I have been working on more plaques.

New nursing apron pattern in our etsy shop.

I try to not like birds but it just isn't working. I like them. They are quirky little lovelies. Are they so last year? And something is wrong with my camera. See the blurriness in all the pics? What is wrong and how do I fix it?

The good ol' days

2009-07-02T23:14:00.007-06:00

Dave and I were conversing tonight about (in my interpretation) whether or not I get too involved in my parenting when it comes my children and their friendships. Dave was reminiscing of days gone by when we all just roamed the neighborhoods from breakfast until lunch and then back out until dinner and then back out until bedtime. Days full of exploration, sandboxes, and Jets vs. Sharks type neighborhood cahooting. Days when it was safe to play with hypodermic needles found at the park. His mom knew he was somewhere, but could not pinpoint. His mom did not set up play dates. The whole day was a play date, with whatever kids were around.

I grew up in these days too, although many years later. We ran around. We were bouncing from one backyard to the next, from one part of the creek to another. We had alliances. We said and did things that make me cringe now as a mother. We had adventures. We walked from our house to Kenny's grandma's a few blocks away (pause with me as I remember vividly being 20 feet from Mrs. Anderson's back door but Kenny couldn't wait to get a tissue. So instead he used his tshirt and it looked like strawberry jelly... do you have a mental picture?) to play in her awesome playhouse, to explore her eerie basement full of wonder, to play with the skeeter bugs in her front stream. We played night games non-stop. We would play tricks on some kids and then run like mad for Brooke and Tommy's house and tear into the basement until it was clear to come out. Once Megan E. and I got in a fight and she challenged me to a bike race down our newly graveled road (have I told this story?). We road to the top of our street, started our pedaling and then she (on purpose, truly) got her pedal too close to my spokes or chain or something and I ended up with forehead, hands and knees full of little rocks. Megan road on home without a second look and was not seen the rest of the day, while Joe Anderson picked rocks out of my skull. Fancy.

I digress. The conversation went over these nostalgic things, and since Dave and I still have not perfected our conversation skills with one another, got a little heated. I asked him to not blame me for the state of the world. He apparently wasn't but wishes it was the same for our kids. That they could run and play and be lost for hours. But people, it is different. What's being thrown at us is different, so the gameplan has to change.

You know when you have that feeling in your heart that tells you "this is not a good situation for your child"? A few years ago we had a new family move into our neighborhood and this feeling shouted from my chest. Dave thought I was being ridiculous, but I requested that E or CW was never left alone with these kids or their mom. My kids weren't aware of how I felt, but I just kept an extra eye on the situation. A couple years later we found out that the son (who is 9 now) had sexually abused a boy 1 year younger than Eli that lived near us. It would be a safe assumption that the 9 year old (7 at the time) had been or was being abused also. It also turned out that all sorts of inappropriate, sad stuff was happening over there. Dave is grateful now, but at the time did not understand what the heck I was so worried about.

I think that as their mom, it is my job to protect them from things and guide them through situations. If this means that if I think one kid's influence on my child is not great, then we limit time with them. If I see that my kid is not nice to someone, then we chill out for a while and give it a break. There have been times when I see that certain relationships that my kids are having with others are not beneficial at that time. There was a boy that E used to play with. Each time they played (and I am sure that I have mentioned this before) Eli came home about 2 inches shorter. I don't think that boy is a bad kid, I just don't think that the dynamics were ideal at that time. There are also friends that use language and behave in a way that I find inappropriate. Eli and I talk about it and I am sure Eli has said or done these things when I am not around. These are good learning situations. Caroline has a friend that she fights with frequently. The mother and I know this happens and if they are having a bad day we agree it does no one any good to prolong the play date. There are also houses where the rules are not the same as ours. And although Eli does a good job of letting a parent or friend know that he doesn't watch a certain show, I can't expect my 7 year old to always stand up for himself. Once I sent him over to a friend's house and he told me later that they had watched an action movie that, in my opinion, is rated PG-13 for a reason. He had nightmares. It is that parent's choice to let their kids watch that show if they choose, but it is up to me to let Eli know that it is not a great choice for him. He doesn't need to be exposed to violence and sexuality already. Yeah, I'm protective. I'm doing what I think is best for my kids.

Unfortunately we don't live in an age where I feel it is safe to send the kids out the front door and tell him to find someone to play with. The world is different. It isn't even always safe inside our own house. Technology has brought up many fantastic things, but with that also comes more responsibility to put safeguards in place for our children. Yes, there are wonderful people everywhere I look, but there are scary ones too. And just because Eli, Caroline and Joey will inevitably encounter situations that are not ideal, that does not mean I can't do all in my power to provide the ideal ones too. The stick is finding the balance between sheltering them too much and exposing them to things that their little hearts and minds aren't ready for. Each day I learn a little more about parenting, each day I find that I was right or maybe even wrong about a choice I made. It is a constant learning process. It's kicking my mothering tail.

Babies. According to Caroline.

2009-06-17T22:25:00.007-06:00

Tonight we walked up the street to give our friend some beautiful booties that my mom made (I should have taken pictures...). Our friend has 3 wonderfully active boys and the 4th they decided to not find out if they were having a boy or girl. Enter Baby Butterfly. Really. No name yet.

Caroline was so cute. She said the baby was beautiful. Kept checking her out. Looking at toes. Checking out cheeks.

Cut to later when we were enjoying So You Think You Can Dance (who is your favorite? Caroline likes the "pretty" dances. She wasn't a fan of Shane Sparks tonight) she asked me if we could have another baby. I said, "Do you want one?" She said, "Yes, don't you?" She then said, "You should go talk to them." Me, "Talk to who?" CW, "Talk to the people that Kaphleen (Kathleen, mother of Baby Butterfly) talked to. Who are the people that Kaphleen got the baby girl from?" A few minutes passed. CW, "Mom, are you going to talk to those people? Where do we go to get ours?" So glad we don't have to have that talk yet. Yes, that one.

I wonder if she realizes they grow up and turn into toddlers like Joey. That may change her mind.

And, no, this is not an announcement of my body incubating.

What?

2009-06-12T21:23:00.003-06:00

In the twenty miles from my parent's to my house I saw 4 single shoes on the freeway. I just want to know how? And maybe why? And for sure whose? And what have they done with the other shoe? Do they think it will just show up?

Day 4

2009-06-11T14:34:00.012-06:00

Summer vacation. Day 4. It must be really hard for full time students to go from 9 - 3:45 learning, playing, learning, eating, playing, learning... to wake up, watch some quality tv, doddling around, quiet time for baby - like, learn to entertain yourself QUIETLY while Joey sleeps, no play dates at this time..- with lots of play in between. It must be so hard that Eli felt the need to write this to me while he was in time out.

The erased word is NICE. With an exclamation point. Serious business. Why is it erased? Because at 7:30pm Joey came out of his room with a jovial "Hi Guys!". He has conquered the crib railing. Without a fall. He has since shown me how and he is quite the careful climber - toes like a tree frog.

If you didn't know because you are in some land where the sun shines, it has rained hard here, for long periods of time, for the past 500 days. Or 5, but it feels like longer. That also adds to the difficulty with being out of school - going outside is like daring lightning to strike you. But the skies are amazing colors of purple and gray.

Bubbles during a rain break.

My garden is loving it. This pic was taken at 1pm today. Middle of the day.

The spinach, bibb lettuce and black seed lettuce is especially fond. I don't think the broccoli or brussel sprouts are too upset. The tomatoes and peppers are not big fans, they are cold. need. warmth. now.

Today, I checked weather.com to see if I had a window for the zoo. We ran over, meeting some friends, and spent about 1.5 hours there - perfect cool temps, not a lot of people. Love zoo passes. You don't have to feel like you have to stay a long time. Sometimes it is worth it just to go on the train and go home.

This song was on the radio when we got in the car. Kind of fitting.

Is it just me, or does the voice not match that of the singer in the video?

It reminded me of one of our favorite covers. Remember how much I love the show Chuck? Chuck has really nice teeth. You should watch the show. Here is their version. Dave and I are cracking up watching it. I mean, who hasn't wanted to perform this song with a backup synthesizer?

2009-06-10T22:50:00.003-06:00

I come up with all these great post topics while drifting off to sleep or driving in my car and then I walk in house and home and I lose them all! I need to start writing them down - because really, they are that good.

Instead, I have watched the first three dances of SYTYCD, the first dances of the top 20 and am so dang excited. Makes me happy. I especially love Tabitha and Napoleon. Now if Dave would only admit that he loves this show and would sit and watch it with me...

Rock the Vote

2009-06-08T21:39:00.003-06:00

Amanda is a finalist in a spa contest. She is competing with 4 others for a chance to be the officially blogger for Sego Lily Spa. To vote for her leave a comment on her post. Come on kids, rally for a good cause. If you would like to read all the other entries, feel free, but Amanda's is definitely the best. She had a bit of a disadvantage at the beginning since her post was posted about 7 hours behind the rest, so we must rock the vote.

A Bit Patriotic

2009-06-06T15:37:00.003-06:00

Caroline had her dance "show" today. At breakfast she told us that on the day of her "dance show, she does not talk to Joey". Isn't she lovely? I love the tongue in the tap video. Joey was quite helpful with the ballet vid (sorry!). My favorite is her eyes during the ballet, it is like she is being blinded by lasers.

Am Mom, Doing Fine

2009-05-29T14:29:00.007-06:00

Don't worry. Things are fine. In fact, they are super fine. I am a realist, with a mix of cynicism. I know what I am doing it hard, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I think some people are uncomfortable listening to a rant. I know we should all make lemonade, but sometimes I want to throw the lemons against the wall before I add some sugar. Oddly, when I had written that last post I was past frustration and was actually calm and reflective at that point. Ahh. Enough about that.

School is almost out. We have some fun things lined up but we have some serious needs. Eli has taken swimming lessons since he was 2. He is still not water safe. It is the one sport that doesn't click perfectly. We must get this over with. And Caroline needs it to.

I'm to the point now that school has been in too long. I am ready to have Eli home more, even if it means we butt heads. Caroline can't wait to have him around. She told me the other day that she loves Eli the best. Don't worry, I'm not bitter. I just wish she would spread some more constant love to her little brother. My kids are actually quite good to each other. They rarely purposely hurt each other. They really look out for each other, are the first to defend each other and right now I am on the phone with the parent of where Eli is playing and Eli and friend are in the background wondering if Caroline can come over and play. Today at E's school I took pre-birthday treats and when we walked in the class all yelled "Joe Joe" and Caroline went and sat next to E's best friend. Life is good. They love each other. Even better, they like each other.

Eli's teacher wrote us a Thank You note thanking us for sharing our most precious commodity with her. She went on to tell us about how she has enjoyed watching him when he learns about science, how she is in awe of his athletic ability and so on. I know she wrote a note like this to every parent, but the specifics were so thoughtful. I know next year I will love E's teacher but truly this teacher has been spectacular. She is fresh, new, kind and observant. She doesn't let the kids leave without a high-five or a hug (I think the option is given but they all choose a billion hugs).

So this summer, I will try to play more, be patient, encourage exploration even if it means it is messy, be an example of kindness and use more sunscreen.

Am Mom, Need Help

2009-05-26T23:11:00.004-06:00

Seriously, if anyone told you how hard it was, you wouldn't believe them. If you did believe them, and actually comprehended just how hard it was, the population would be severely depleted.
I can do the little things. I can pick out clothes, I can give great buzz haircuts, I can roll some mean sponge curlers but the rest? I feel like I am in one of those goofy high school movies where the clumsy girl trips, stumbles, stutters and flounders. That is my life. Give me the hard stuff like teaching right from wrong and how to interpret the gray area and I am grasping at straws. Disciplining - probably just making it worse.

I am quite positive I am messing up, continually. When E comes to me with some emotional drama of Pokemon proportions, I lose my patience. When he falls to the floor when I refuse a Wendy's trip (which, let's face it, would be easier than actually preparing a meal - but that isn't the point, is it?) and wails, "YOU MEAN NEVER, EVER, EVER AGAIN? WE WON'T EAT NUGGETS EVER, EVER AGAIN?" or when I tell him that we don't always get to have play dates and he falls to the ground and say, "YOU MEAN I'LL NEVER PLAY WITH FRIENDS EVER, EVER, EVER AGAIN?" or "YOU MEAN I CAN NEVER, EVER, EVER HAVE FRIENDS? I SHOULD JUST NOT MAKE ANY MORE BECAUSE I WILL NEVER, EVER, EVER PLAY WITH THEM?" and I reply, "No, Eli, never, ever, ever will we eat at Wendy's or her farm cousin up the road. " or "Yes, Eli, stop making friends. You have no need for them because you will never have another playdate." You think I jest? I have made these replies. I have scarred him for life I am sure.

Or when I am tired and it is tv time (I truly believe in this, for my sake and theirs'. Of course, they are only watching the Science or History channel, I'm not completely negligent) and Caroline comes to me with a question about why Cinderella's sisters are so (historically) mean to her or why the Wicked Queen would ever poison Snow White and I look her in the eye and say, "Caroline, what is the rule? We don't ask questions, we just watch for entertainment remember?" True. We don't encourage questions in our house. It is what it is. Just do what you are told. Or go ask a teacher, but for Heaven's sake, leave Mama alone!

I am mildly joking. But truly, this task is all consuming. It is day in and day out. There is no stop to the parenting. This is what we signed up for, knowing the importance or extent or not. We, I, am molding this generation. And believe me, my kids know when I mess up.

Last week, I was sick. I hadn't felt well in days, my head pounded and I swear my kids never stopped talking. And why should they? They should chatter and interact all day with me. But sometimes, sometimes I just want quiet. Contented quiet. Caroline was being a pill (gasp! Caroline wasn't perfect and picture worthy? I hear you, unbelievable.). She refused to let me brush her hair. She refused to get dressed. She refused to brush her teeth and she was treating Joey horribly. But I had to brush her hair. We had errands to run! I had no time for such antics. So, I stood her between my knees and I brushed. I brushed sloft (Caroline's request and word - slow and soft). She whined and cried. So, I threw caution to the wind and brushed with intent. More dramatic crying and then came the fight with Joey. He tried to take a plastic recorder (the instrument) from her and instead she swung it back and hit me HARD! Of course, it was by accident but I let out a scream that is still cringe-worthy when thought of. And I gave her hair one serious brush and then threw down the brush and threw my head in my hands and sobbed because I wanted to be invisible. I wanted to be alone. I didn't want to break up anymore squabbles, I didn't want to make any more lunches. I didn't want to make any more dinners that children refused to eat. I didn't to be the bigger person or have patience. I wanted to throw things at the wall and see them shatter - and I didn't want to have to clean up after my tirade.

Dave saw the wild look in my eye. I had already sent Caroline to her room - more for her safety than for me. I sat with my head in my hands for a good 5 minutes. Then I went into her room and laid next to her on the bed and held her. She was tired too. She was tired of being patient with her 2 year old brother and her grumpy, sick mom. She was tired of a mom that doesn't like to play dolls or get all the paint out because it is messy.

I know I complain about being needed all the time. Of course not every day is me ruining lives, one neglected teaching moment at a time. I'm doing my best. Some days I am magnificent, most days I am mediocre to pretty ok, a few days should be magically erased from their beautiful little noggins. I say I am molding them, but really they are molding me. I wake up each morning with the resolve that today I will be a better mommy. I will be kind, gentle, patient. I will be a great example of industry and domestic bliss. I will know exactly what to say, to answer each question and to guide them merrily on their way and then by 10 am I am once again falling, stuttering, rolling my eyes and gasping for air. But hopefully, to them it looks like I am dancing, singing, batting my eyes lovingly at them and good posture.

Me, the wind throught my hair, a kid or two in tow

2009-05-18T09:27:00.003-06:00

That is why I want this bike. It's beautiful. And you can win it (and by that I mean I). Have a look, click on the Madsen button below and read all about it. And if you won because of me telling you about it I want shared custody.

Finished

2009-05-14T15:04:00.004-06:00

projects. I had some orders due and an apron to give.

Hope she likes it.

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T23:22:00.007-06:00

Motherhood is hard. We've all heard the cliches - we've all used them. But isn't it all true? It is hard, it is exhausting, it is discouraging. But the rewards? The smiles, the spontaneous hugs, kisses, artwork, sweaty brows, sweet sleeping babies, those overheard conversations between your 6 year old and 4 year old that make your heart swell and let you know you aren't completely screwing up.

Motherhood encompasses so many things and yet sometimes seems underwhelming and straightforward, if you were to put it on paper. But truly mothers, and those with a mothering heart, have the most difficult job, overwhelmingly so. What we do in our homes may just make the biggest difference and create the most change in this world.

My friend just sent me some quotes about motherhood.

“As you create a home, don’t get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don’t dwell on your failures, but think about your successes. Have joy in your children. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey.” Marjorie Pay Hinckley

“When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling that what happened in congresses?” (Neal A. Maxwell)

Happy Mother's Day Mom - thank you for loving me.

image found here

Check it out!

2009-05-10T09:35:00.002-06:00

My friend Katie is having a spot on SportsBeat Sunday tonight at 10:30pm. KSL is doing a segment on mothers who show strength and courage. Do you know Katie? She is a gal that does all sorts of amazing things and doesn't let some pretty big things slow her down. I can't wait to see her interview.

At One With the Flowers

2009-05-09T12:03:00.009-06:00

Ok, I'm finishing up a bit of projects so I will be catching up. First morsel?

This is what Caroline wore to school yesterday. I am quite certain that she wore this same dress on Wednesday, but does it matter? And who doesn't want a star on their forehead?And while we are talking about Miss Caroline, last week as I was washing the outside of our windows Caroline really wanted to help. I told her that it would really help if she would go around to each grouping of flowers and encourage them. I told her that they loved to be spoken to, involved in conversation. After she took a couple of strokes at the window she walked around our front yard and this is what I heard:

Tulips, you look wonderful today.
Flowers, great job growing.
Plants and flowers, thanks for being in our garden - we love you.
Oh tulip, that is a beautiful shade of purple.
We'd like to thank you for all you do to make our house look pretty.
Keep up the great work.
Plants, your green looks wonderful.....

It was really quite mesmerizing.

Save the cheerleader, save the world.

pretty

2009-05-01T18:50:00.003-06:00

My dad and I saw this song performed (by a different musician) the other night. It sounded like 2 people were playing and maybe a piano. It is call Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Francisco Tarrega. The video of this guy playing can't be embedded, but you can go here to see it.

Hush

2009-04-28T14:10:00.002-06:00

I woke up this morning with my left big toe asleep - again. This happened Sunday morning also. Why is this happening? Why only the left big toe?

I also work up wondering how english muffins were made, how they came about. I don't know if anyone is quite sure. Inconclusive here and here. But you can see a recipe here, but it is far too complicated - so I will buy them.

For some reason, I can't get the video on here but this song has been in my head for about 18 hours. I still don't know most of the lyrics and it took every variation of what I thought were the lyrics to find the song.

What is with the toe?

More Justin Hackworth love

2009-04-27T14:39:00.033-06:00

You know when you read some one's blog and they have all these pics up of themselves? I guess it is ok, you know, it is their blog but you know, sometimes people make comments amongst themselves. Oh well. I am doing it. Pictures galore. I am so glad I was able to have Justin take these photos. How lucky am I, for my sake and Caroline's, to have pictures taken of 4 generations of women, 3 that
have shaped me?

This picture of Caroline reminds me of angels. Like maybe she is looking at one.

Little Lambs

2009-04-23T13:22:00.004-06:00

Caroline, Joey and I ran out to a farm today. The kids loved every minute of it - the ducks, the babies, the turkey gobble gobble (Joey had the best reaction to this, I'm laughing still), lambies. The kids stayed near me, did as I said, and didn't whine too much when I said it was time to hit Target.

It is so nice to be able to grab a jacket, one diaper (just in case), and set out for whatever. No diaper bags, no baby bottles or nursing aprons. Do you know what there was more of at the farm than feathers and fur? Pregnant women. I live it Utah, bellies of babies are abundant.

Dave and I have dreams of baby running through our heads. We know that we are lucky to have three but both of us have this lingering, no nagging, voice whispering "more to come, more to come". I mean, who knows? Who knows if we can get pregnant when we choose? Who knows if it is the right time now or if the voice means three years from now.

I see these bellies with sweet feet swimming in them and I long. And then I look at my ducklings, following me in a row without much prompting (obviously an ideal day for obedience). I look down at my bag, light-weight. I get two kids in the car without much ado. I sleep pretty ok through each night. All these things and I look down at my body and wonder if it can take stretching to accommodate those 70+ pounds, the weight on my bones and back. The brain power that gets sucked out of me with each feeding. I have said this before and I will say it again - the haze of the last two years is still lingering but I can see the air that is breathable. Do I really want to go through all that again? One more time? I don't know. I hope that if Dave and I decide to bring another infant to this home, we can do it well. But some days I just want to have the decision clear cut and be content with these 3 or get on with it already.

Or maybe we should just go back and get this snake. Caroline insists it would make a great pet.

Absent

2009-04-22T21:47:00.003-06:00

I feel absent. I realize the world does not revolve around the workings of the blogosphere (right?), but I admit I have been censoring myself on here. It used to be a place where I would write what I was thinking, clear my air, post pics of the lovely and talented children, show you my wares. But lately, and maybe because I am finding out who is reading this or maybe because I am worried about who is not, I have totally lost my blogging mojo. Duh and double duh.

Maybe it is the lack of time. I have been working on we chirp, something I hope speaks to the hearts and souls of frackin' cool people everywhere. I have orders galore for my plaques (thank you). I have somehow fooled people into thinking that I can sew, make up patterns and teach teenagers how to sew. The sun is finally shining and my dirt is calling me. And oh yeah, those four brown-eyed lovelies I call my peeps. Their neglect is not an option. Well, optional yes, but I try to avoid it.

I'm not Wonder Woman. I don't use my time well, I'm horribly disorganized, my brain is working at about 47% of normal (which, let's face it, I am normally a very smart and witty gal) (and let's face it, I may never be that gal ever again). Wait a minute, I am acting as though I am a total failure. I am so far from a failure. Fail is not my middle name. But I am a bit of a realist.

I am quite verbal. I rarely hold back and on the days when my filter is completely shut off I try to stay in my house, away from phones and far away from any computers. But I also want to be able to attend to this blog and be proud of it. So I am going to try to do a little rediscovery. A little organization of home and brain. Play some catch up and get some air, re-evaluate. And frankly, at the end of the day, I like to sit on the couch with Dave and watch this show. It makes me laugh, we love it around here. Really. Watch it. It's good for you. And the Earth.

image found here

Giveaway!

2009-04-15T15:41:00.002-06:00

Last day for a giveaway over at we chirp! Dove talked me into giving away one of my own welcome plaques. Go here to enter or just to gander. Plus, it makes me feel all warm inside to have people want my wares.

Easter

2009-04-14T18:29:00.001-06:00

Easter was a good one this year. I tried to make it less about the baskets and while succeeding at that, we didn't do a great job of making it more about the true meaning. This touched me. I need to do better at focusing on what truly matters.

The pic below is prior to church. Joey wasn't going until after his nap. So we snapped a few after. Caroline is a huge fan of her sponge-curlied hair. She just sits and bounces while looking in the mirror.

We did do a little party for Joey's birthday with my family while at Easter dinner. Joey was way more interested in cupcakes than in his gifts. Loves those cupcakes. The kids were so excited for him and opened his presents while he watched on covered in his sugar-sweetness. Did I mention we love this boy? He is too funny.

************
I forgot to mention some speak of this week:
"Mom, do you what is so serious about Easter?" asks Caroline.
"No, what is so serious?"
"Wolves."
"Wolves?"
"Yes, Easter wolves. They coffee (copy) the Easter Bunny and hide beautiful eggs."
"Mom, is that true?" asked Eli.

On Easter Caroline told my dad that the night before the Easter Bunny jumped on her head when she was sleeping. Later that night, I asked her more about it. She said the Easter Bunny jumped on her head, waking her up so she looked at the bunny who apologized so Caroline went back to bed. Eli said that it couldn't have happened, Caroline stands by her story. Eli then asked, "Mom, is that true?"
"I wouldn't doubt it."

Spontaneous Wonder

2009-04-13T12:59:00.005-06:00

I know it wasn't spontaneous, but still. I want this happen on my front lawn, twice a day. I don't know why I get all verklempt when I see things like this. It happened last night when I was watching the final scene of the prom on Footloose. And the last scene of Slumdog millionaire. I got this from my friend Angie's blog. Thanks Ang for this delight. Who wants to come over and start learning the choreography?

Dye

2009-04-12T09:21:00.005-06:00

One year older and wiser too

2009-04-11T13:34:00.005-06:00

Today is Joey's 2nd birthday. We started out with a fun neighborhood Easter Egg hunt. I asked Dave if he wanted me to go with the big kids or Joey. He told me I better be with Joey because the big kids areas are cut-throat. I don't know if he was thinking I wasn't up to the challenge or that I may be too competitive. In any case, I stuck to the toddler yards. Joey had a great time. Eli and Caroline did also but it is Dave that really gets into the hunt. He spends a lot of time really combing over the yards, making sure that the kids haven't missed anything.

We weren't planning on celebrating too much today for Joey because with Easter tomorrow, we can do a little something at my mom's but his Oma and Opa decided to come over. They gave him a big dump truck that he spends at least 10 minutes with every time we are at target. And I let the kids give him a Mickey Mouse bubble blower. Both things made him yell "YAY!!".

Where do you go for a 2 year old's birthday? A Vietnamese restaurant of course. It was super yummy - La Cai Noodle House. The place is clean, well lit and like I said, yummy. Even my kids at the food.

Now Joey is off to his nap. He's just getting older and older. Shocking. He is always on the go, despite his hobbly leg. Every time he sees Caroline or Eli and it has been longer than 5 minutes he gives them big hugs. He is a champ at saying NO! (or MO! in Joey speak), where is it?, what?, why?, where's Ey-yi?, Where's Carogine? and many more. A bit of a snuggler, he lets me hold him and love him. He loves to dance, wrestle with his brother, play in Caroline's room with her and follow everyone around. He is a little comedian and makes us laugh often. He just has the funny little personality that we love. Now if we could get him sleeping through the night, we'd be perfect.

People are strange

2009-04-08T21:52:00.010-06:00

The lovely gal that I do the we chirp blog with has a very important friend. I have been following Justin Hackworth's photography blog for a few years. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that he and said gal are great friends. Since then I have been scheming to have him take my picture. Last year he did a little project called 30 strangers. This year he is doing it again, but with a twist. 30 days of strangers, with a mother daughter connect. So today Caroline, my mom, my grandma and I all headed down to Justin's studio. We are no longer strangers (yay!) but not before he took our photos.

I have discussed with Raydar Love the fact that most of Justin's photos seem to have a more serious look to them (or at least his subjects do). I asked Justin about it and he agreed. He wants to capture expressions that (and I can't remember his exact words) the viewer has to figure out what is behind the look.

So here are a few of his photos of us today. And I'll tell you a little about what I was thinking.

"I hope my eyes aren't bugging out of my head like they so often do in photos."

"I can't believe I am back in Provo and actually enjoying myself. I wonder who lit the Y mountain on fire July 21st 1999 (or was it 2000?)?"

Caroline is thinking, "I wonder when I can eat more strawberries and broccoli? My favorites. And when are we getting ice cream? I love ice cream. Is there such a thing as broccoli ice cream? There should be."

And truly, because I admit to being a bit shallow, I was thinking, "Now everyone who sees this will see my proboscis, plainly, plain as the nose on my face." and "I can't wait to see how these will all turn out." and "When can I do this again?" and "I probably should have worn black." and "Do you think he knows how exciting this all is?"

So Justin, thank you. It was thoroughly enjoyable. You are wonderful. To see more, and to follow it every day, go here.

Taking a Break Today

2009-04-01T14:00:00.003-06:00

Maybe this past weekend wore me out, I'm down with a cold that has taken my energy for a couple of days. Of course Joey loves American Idol, so we caught up.

Adam was great last week, totally redeemed himself from creepiness the week before but this week? He is quite entertaining, but a little over the top for me. But last week, he was totally vibin' Chris Isaac.

I did quite enjoy Kris Allen's performance, loved it actually. And funny thing, more than a few people think he looks like my David. Kind of funny, huh?

And what was with Allison's outfit? And Scott's new do? Enough of both of them, I say.

I know, I am extremely deep when I am sick.

10 years? Really?

2009-03-31T15:30:00.006-06:00

Dave and I got away for a little road trip this past weekend for our 10th anniversary. I think the 10th anniversary is a little harder than turning 30, but so be it. But Dave reassured me that I don't look a day over 31. What a sweet talker.

You would think that we would spend the whole weekend just the two of us, but our good friend Tommy and his lovely new bride live in St. George so we asked them to meet us at In-N-Out Burger. I'm a first timer there, but a good first experience I would say. It is always a fun time where ever Tommy is and we enjoyed hanging out with them. It was kind of funny to hear about the first month of marriage and compare it to us celebrating 10 years.

The rest of the weekend was relaxing, sunning, hiking, sleeping, movie-ing togetherness. Perfect. It was really what I needed and I am guessing David needed it too. I think as different as we are, we are a good fit - as partners and parents. I am not one of these women that make the perfect marriage or sugar coat things to sound hunky dory, but this is good. We are good. I am happy. We work hard at it. Some days are great, some are good and some left a bit to be desired but so it life. I'd rather be in it with him helping me along the way. Enough heart of sleeve. 10 years has been a huge learning experience, I think for both of us. Well worth it.

I am usually not a car ride gal, one hour trips about kill me, but we had a fun time laughing about things, playing "Name the Title and Artist", or at least I had fun because I rule at that game and Dave does not. Once again, just enjoying the togetherness. Thanks Mom and Dad for watching the little ones for us. We owe you.

I was looking back at photos from our wedding day, so I could add some to this post, and am laughing at how dated it looks. My whole goal was to not have a wedding that you could place in any given decade. Still, a great occasion none the less. Happy Anniversary David!

Cast On, Cast Off

2009-03-20T00:08:00.006-06:00

We took this movie this morning before we went for the cast off moment. We have a lot more film on our other camera, but I wanted this for the blog - it is not well shot, I'll admit. Joey has not slowed down since his cast. In fact, it is almost a treacherous new balancing act. He still climbs everything, jumps on trampolines if given the chance, dances, runs, somersaults...And, I hate my voice. Do I really sound like an annoying cartoon mouse? Oh, and I think I have said it before, but I will say it again, Caroline wears little bloomers underneath her skirts and dresses, a must when you only will wear dresses and skirts and like to do headstands. Ooh, and I think I just noticed in the video Joey is eating a french fry that I threw out of my car the day before. Yummy.

Steve, Joey's personal medical professional

Joey was so cute when got the cast removed. The saw didn't scare him, he leaned back and started giggling while looking at me, the saw was tickling him. But when the nurse commented to him about it, he stuck out his lower lip and pretended not to hear her and acted like he was dismayed. After he got it off he immediately sat down started rubbing his ankle, leaning way over in a pretzel just bending his joints, kind of in awe of his cast-less leg. When we got in the elevatore Caroline started singing "The Joey Dance, The Joey Dance, The Joey Dance". It is a little sing songy thing the kids do with Joe and he dances. He was shaking his new leg all over the place. Very entertaining. When my doctor called me later this afternoon to let me know that his new xray looked great, I asked him how long Joey would still be Tiny Tim-ish. A couple of weeks. He took his first real bath in 3 weeks and was swimming, lounging, splashing all over.

I forgot how much I love this

2009-03-19T23:45:00.002-06:00

I was checking out my friend Paige (who sort of said I was the only U2 fan she knows. what?!) and she has this hilarious video post of herself and some of her fellow teachers. They are doing a dance evolution for their students based on this old youtube video. I forgot how much the original makes me laugh. Hard. And so did Paige's vids, especially the Superman.

Thanks P, you made my day.

But I Was Just Trying to Make It My Own

2009-03-17T22:05:00.004-06:00

Dave and I are halfway through this week's American Idol, have you heard of it? Danny Gokey (I love to say his name, don't you?) is working on his tune right now but I still have creepy crawlies all over me after Adam's. What the heck?

He really could have done an awesome version of Ring of Fire without making it all squirmy and creepy, don't you think? Dave said it sounded like a 70's porno, I don't want to know how he came to that conclusion - what is his reference point? I love Johnny Cash, he is the bomb-diggidy. I could have heard that song with some changes and loved it, but seriously? Ok, stay true to yourself, but don't murder a song. It wasn't terrific, shut up Paula. It was awful. It sounded like... if there were a Johnny Cash psycho musical that was off, off, way around the corner Broadway. Adam is so self-indulgent, I can't stand when they do closeups on him when he is screeching because you have to see his tongue which looks like it is in the midst an epileptic seizure. I think Adam looks like a great guy, super nice, hot smile, but I can't stand his performances. I sound totally mean-spirited right now, crap.

On the other hand, I am interested to see what they have to say about Anoop, besides his hoodie. He did great. Lovely teeth, that kid. Just heard what they had to say, nice work.

Megan, I'm kind of mesmerized by her. Dave was kind of mesmerized by her two friends, if you know what I mean.

Here are a couple of other things I am laughing/cringing over :

Paula, get to the freaking point already AND let Simon talk!

When did the participants start feeling like they were there to explain how they were making the song there own instead of listening to the criticism? Just listen already!

What do you think? Who are you cheering for and who are you aching to be f.i.n.i.s.h.e.d.?

We Chirp Giveaway!

2009-03-13T12:42:00.002-06:00

Head over to we chirp for a chance to win some yummy cupcakes. You don't have to have a blog account to enter. There is a way to just leave your name in a comment or you can email us. Have a look at the 4 ways to enter. And if you are doing Lent that involves no sweets, just have her deliver it after Easter.

I don't do toilets

2009-03-11T13:41:00.005-06:00

Did you know that? I don't do toilets. One stipulation when Dave and I got married is that he cleans the toilet. I will do the rest of the bathroom, but not the toilets. I grew up with three brothers, 3 that didn't always have a sure aim. I don't do toilets. Or their surrounding area. It has almost been ten years (in 20 days!), and it has worked out fine.

I have other quirks, like I don't stick my hand down the garbage disposal because what if it becomes possessed and grinds my hand into a bloody stub? And I pray on my bed. Who knows who/what lurks under it! And it will not get me. Same goes for appendages staying on the bed during sleep, no legs or arms over the side of the bed. Like I said, who knows what appendage attacking crazy lives below.

Back to toilets. I also have to have the lid closed whenever it isn't in use. And before you flush. At my house, what goes for your house is fine, the lid is down. Why? Well, things won't accidentally fall in, of course. And then there is the swirly germies that swim in there and might be kicked up during a flush no matter how clean David cleans. Did you know that they have found germs from the toilet water on toothbrushes that are across the room? It is from flushing with the lid up. Really. You can read about it here, here, here (and read it, it is kind of funny and Dave just had the same reaction as the other men in it), and here. Do you need more proof?

Why am I acting crazy about this? CW's little friend was just here and used the lavatory, not putting the lid down. Not her fault, no big deal, but Joey found the open toilet quite a novelty and used it to play in. Not his fault, big deal because remember, I hate the innards and outtards of toilets. So after a lengthy sponge bath (remember the cast?), yuck, and Dave cleaning the toilet (which was recently cleaned, but hey, it is a toilet) again and its surrounding areas, I'm officially grossed out.

I took a picture of our toilet, but couldn 't use it because the flash highlighted the shadowed baseboard and I truly couldn't show that, who knew it was so dirty? I'm going to show David.

And since it wouldn't be fair to post without a picture of a child, here is Caroline. Who tells us that if she keeps wearing her swimming suit summer will pop right in and the snow on the ground will melt. Let's hope. Eli was the photog. It kind of looks like a crazy mugshot, right? What a natural.

Maybe, Sort of an Update?

2009-03-04T21:03:00.004-07:00

I wish I knew what to write. I wish I could tell you all the fun things I did with my kids today, but I can't.

I can tell you I yelled, politely, at Caroline, pleading with her to stop arguing with me and do what I ask. I love her (obviously, since this blog is usually singing her praises) but sometimes that sweet, non-stop, spectacular voice and brain of hers kinda hurts my ears.

I can tell you that Eli let me know that my yelling scared him. *cringe* I politely thanked him for the vocal check and we spent the rest of the night being kind (ish) and patient (ish).

I can tell you that I got a phone call from Joey's dr.'s office and they said that his tests came back and there are no abnormalities. What tests? "Well has he been seen recently?" "Yes, by numerous people on quite a few days. What tests." "His xrays." "Ok, so he has a cast on a leg that isn't broken?" "Hmm. I don't know. Maybe I should get Steve." "Yes, get Steve please." Steve now calls me "Dear" and tells me that he doesn't know why I am being called and that the test they are referring to is Joey's xray of his hip. Not broken. See you later this week when we assess those crazy stitches, Dear.

I wish I could tell you that water is so good. It's not. It is bland and somewhat refreshing but not nearly as fun to drink as Diet Coke. I miss Charlie, who I pay 71 cents to each morning for a refill.

I can tell you that Joey's cast is ripping his diapers, so I have lovely urine filled beads spilling out of his pantlegs, all around my house. Is it disgusting that I let them dry and then I vacuumed them up? I have taped the offending area of the cast. We'll see.

I can tell you that my friend Natalie will not read this post because there are lots of words and no pictures and she is admittedly ADD.

Can I tell you how much I love the We Chirp button over on the left? I can brag about it, I didn't make it, but it is such a cheery, lovely thing, don't ya think? I have posted an etsy finds over there. I might do some here, some there, who knows.

I can tell you that having someone bring us dinner is honestly one of the nicest things that could have happened to me this year. Twice. To not worry about it was heaven. Twice. Thank you a million and two times.

Can I tell you I am loving most of the U2 album. It was leaked a few weeks ago, so I have had some time to digest it. Did you know that they are on Letterman every night this week? 3 more to go. I love them. Eli told me today U2 was his favorite group, too. Good kid.

And if by break dancer, you mean...

2009-03-02T13:28:00.009-07:00

breaking your head, you would be spot on.

Joey has really taken to that cast like a fish to water, or so I thought. We were leaving church yesterday and Joey starting running on some grass (ok, not running, more like pirate, peg-legged jackaloping), and next thing we know Joey has crunched his head on the corner of the concrete curb after his cast tripped him up a bit. So off to the emergency room we go.

Apparently I came during rush hour. It is always a good thing to not be in need of immediate assistance, but it means you wait and wait. We were in the lobby for 3 hours, and finally got back to a suture room where we stayed for 2 1/2 hours.

Want to hear a funny story? When Joey broke his leg, we could only get in to see the new Nurse Practitioner at our practice. He is a 30 vet of the children's emergency room but has joined our private practice after his docs told him to slow down. His name is Steve. My cousin Ben worked at the ER for a few years and Steve told me to tell Ben hello. I tell Ben, "Hello from Steve". Ben says Steve is great (true) and if you ever need sutures, Steve is the best he has ever seen. Lo and behold, but who is taking a shift at the ER to keep busy? Steve. Who sewed us up? Steve. Who gave me a hug when he recognized me and noted I was having a bad week? Yep, Steve. Steve also asked me if I had a camera and suggested I snap a few.

Joey was a gem. He was in a great mood until they gave him Versed (sp?), which is supposed to make you loopy and controllable. Steve got one stitch in, broke another stitch before he called for some harder sedative. There were 6 adults trying to keep Joey still. So they gave him Ketamine, or better known by its street name, Special K, not to be confused with Dave's pet name for our friend Kay. They said he will be awake but won't remember any of it tomorrow. I asked them if there was some for me. Funny thing, Joey gave me the cold shoulder all morning, wouldn't even acknowledge I was there, false advertising by the otherwise helpful staff at PCMC. In any case, he still was not quite calm but we were able to get 7 more stitches in and then we waited for him to come out of his acid trip. Which was pretty funny, he sat up yelling, "EH-LI, EH-LI" kind of like how Rocky yelled Adrianne's name. Now I know what to look for when I am concerned about what he is ingesting as a teenager.

Break Dancer

2009-02-26T20:20:00.006-07:00

Last week, Joey fell down some stairs. Not too many stairs and no one saw him fall (if a kid falls and no one sees him, does he really fall?), so we aren't sure how he fell, landed or how hard he hit or where. Since then he has had a bit of a hitch in his giddy-up.

Finally on Monday I took him in to see the Dr. (this after Dave telling me "he's fine..." a million times). The doc checked him out thoroughly and could see the limp that I was talking about, but the kid had not quit moving once while we were in there so it was difficult to tell if anything was wrong. He told us to wait until Thursday, the latest day that we could cast a broken bone, and if he was still limping we would go get x-rays.

Obviously, he was still limping this morning. X-rays showed a buckle fracture in his right tibia. Cast at 4pm, a little frustration learning how to move around and by 6pm he was tearing through the house again. His knee is set at a 30 degree angle and his toe is pointed, but he is doing well. He was pretty darn good during x-rays and great during the casting. And no, I didn't choose his cast color, it was just fate that it is the perfect shade of red.

And, she's back...

2009-02-26T14:34:00.001-07:00

Which is great. Call her Brett Favre, or better yet, compare her to Michael Jordan, one of the greats that wasn't ready to leave. Welcome back Amanda, I missed your blog.

NO!! NO! No!!

2009-02-25T14:42:00.004-07:00

Today is Ash Wednesday! Let me tell you what this means to me. It is not a part of my religious beliefs, but each year (mostly) for the last 10 I have participated in my own sort of Lent. For Lent, I give up something(s) that I usually indulge in or love. I don't give up an action, or a person, but if that was my deal I would give up house cleaning for 46 days, but I don't think that would work, so it is a food or foods for me.

Last year I gave up sweets. This includes candy, sweet breads, anything primarily made of sugar. And being off of such sweetness helped me lose the rest of my baby weight. So, at the end of the 46 days I just stayed off of sugar sweetness, minus a little angel food cake on Easter Sunday (I wasn't planning on staying off the sugary goodness at that point, but after tasting the cake and realizing it wasn't super yum, I decided to go a little longer, which turned into longer, longer and here we are) and two skittles a few weeks later to prove that I didn't miss it. Oh, wait, I do eat really potent dark chocolate (Xocai), but that is it.

What do I do this year? I usually just redo the sweet Lent from the year before. So this year I decided to give up Diet Coke, and it might just kill me. I thought I had another week before Lent started. Nope, today is Ash Wednesday, I start today (well, after my Diet Coke I had this morning). I can't tell you what a panic this puts me in. I love Diet Coke. It is like my one crummy food issue. I don't eat candy, I don't indulge in much, Diet Coke is just yum.

So, we begin today. I'll be honest with you, the first three weeks are killer. At least with candy/sweets. Wish me luck. Dave is laughing at me as I type this. Anyone want to do this with me? It doesn't have to be DC, it can be chips, sweets, a sweet disposition, cocaine, whatever your poison is. We can have a support group. And let me say, I am in no way trying to diminish what Lent means to those who practice it for religious purposes, it is just what I have chosen as my time frame for testing my will power.

Who is in with me? Did I mention I am panicking? Big time.

Grosgrain Fan- I want this

2009-02-25T14:28:00.002-07:00

Ok, call me a Grosgrain stalker, but I want this too! Check out this sweater from Grosgrain - she is fantastic.

Grosgain Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt

2009-02-25T14:25:00.002-07:00

Could this gal be any more talented? I want this. Check out the skirt at Grosgrain.

Almost there

2009-02-24T15:43:00.005-07:00

I really don't love January/February. They suffocate me. I think I can get through the winter until December because you are busy with the holidays but besides a couple random holidays, what good are January/February? Put me in a deep sleep and bring me around again in March. But then you have days like today. Ahh.

Saturday the kids were in shorts and tee shirts (ok, just E, but the others were without jackets), playing in the crusty, left-over snow. Today, barely any snow and I GARDENED!!! No really. I happen to live next door to a man who is meticulous about his garden. And he was out there, so I am a follower and got out my garden tools, rakes and buckets and pruned and cleaned and man, it felt good. I swear my cheeks are a little pinker now. I was able to cut back my clematises (or clemati, what is the plural?), clean up the flax I didn't cut back before winter, rake up old leaves, breathe really yummy air.

And, there are the tips of spring flowers peeking through. Ahh, again.

It was good to get out and do it now. We will probably have a few more weeks of cold but at least I have 3 or so gardens cleaned up, some prep work done and I'm a bit more cheery.

Slumdog

2009-02-21T23:48:00.006-07:00

I might be the last person to have seen Slumdog Millionaire. My heart is still aching. Since I have become a mother, I can't watch shows that show anything having to do with the mistreatment of, violence towards, tragic illness affecting a child or children. I spent the first 1/2 of the movie wanting to leave, my face in my hands because it gutted me. It wasn't anything but realistic, unfortunately. You know when you have so much emotion wrestling inside of you? I can't really write what I mean here, take what you can from it.

But so well written, so well acted.

And although I have a love/hate relationship with movies that make me feel this way I loved the story, or the outcome of the story, or the portrayal of this story. This boy has nothing but goodness in him, even when life has been nothing but horrid to him. I'm not going to summarize the movie, but I loved that aspect of the show and think there are people just like him - good to the core. Hope in a body.

And holy cow, that Freida Pinto is stunningly beautiful.

Tooth-ish

2009-02-21T14:36:00.007-07:00

All too often I think this blog should be named "Caroline, the Only Person In Our House" because, frankly, I write about her all the time. I don't know why. Maybe because 3 - 4 year olds say the funniest things, she is a sparkler, she hangs out with me all the time - maybe all three and possible 10 more that I didn't mention. But really, first came Eli. He amazed and amazes us on so many levels. He is so many things and I'll brag another day. He isn't home much anymore. It never occurred to me that first grade is the end of a major era. His teachers will now see him more than I do, his friends have him all day (but not enough according to him), he is a BIG kid. I miss him. And, the camera is often an afterthought when he is home, poor, undocumented child. Although, I will say, he is the first and most well documented baby in our house - give and take, right? Enough wallowing.

Remember that day, long ago, last fall, when Eli's 2nd tooth came out? Want to refresh? Here. The scream is still piercing my brain. Months ago at his dental appt. (I'm sure I've written about this) Dr. told me, "Great two more loose teeth." Eli had know about these two loose teeth but didn't want us to know because if we didn't know, they weren't really loose and they would never have to come out. Logical? Months and months of me sneaking wiggles here and there, going in while he is dead asleep and prying open his mouth to wiggle and finally today we get a call from Eli while he was playing with a friend. It's out.

Tears, crying, asking Eli what is wrong.

Tears, crying, fell out while jumping on the tramp. Put it back. Why did Soli knock it out? He didn't. I didn't want to lose another tooth.

Tears, crying, do I still get a big pack of Pokemon cards? (I had told him that if he lets me pull it, I would get him a big pack of Pokemon cards, I'm a sucker) No, E, I didn't pull it out, you only get a small one. Tears, crying. Ay-yi-yi. 3 teeth down, what feels like 700 more to go.

One reason I miss Eli so much during the day is how he is with his brother and sister. I will be honest, he is a tease, he gets that from my brother Chuck. He teases Caroline sometimes mercilessly, but he is the go to guy at our house. Caroline and Joey adore him. He and Joey never fight. They play, they wrestle, they laugh, they cheer. Eli is patient and kind to him. They hug, they are affectionate. It is great, since there is a huge gap in age. He and Caroline do all the same things, just with a bit more whining.

E's favorite new food it broccoli. As long as he doesn't know that I put some butter and lemon juice on it, we are good to go. He wants it for a bedtime snack. What? I'll take it. This kid has not been an easy one to feed. And now because she sees E eating it, Caroline loves it, Joey always did, but now he can steal more off of E's plate.

Did you notice the shaggy hair? Eli said he wants to grow his hair out, which hasn't happened since he was 3. Not because I don't love long, shaggy boy hair but because it is so thick it goes crazy and then we actually have to tame it.

Be-lated VDay posting

2009-02-19T15:10:00.007-07:00

Valentine's was fun - making it fun was the wall of love, which the kids don't want to take down, but has not been added to recently, the kids getting more into valentine cards, a fun date with Dave and another couple (yes, we didn't go out alone, it was more of a group effort and fun).

On the Friday before, for Caroline's VDay party at school, I thought I would get all fancy and do something with her hair. I saw the idea for it here. I had to watch a VIDEO to figure it all out and couldn't even do it then. I'm not a master of hair styling, kudos to those that are. Caroline loved it (even though we were late to school because of it, so embarrassing) and we had to do it the next day too.

Dave left out of the blue Saturday morning to head to, where else? Costco. He had seen this post and took me up on my advice. The best part was that he brought back a bunch of red tulips for Caroline. She said, "Oh Daddy, you are the first boy to ever give me flowers!" Followed with a big hug and smile.

I'm not big into Valentine's as a romantic holiday. I love it as a kid's holiday - although, Eli and Caroline came home with enough candy to rival Halloween, what is up with that. In any case, I hope all had a great weekend. And how about a heart shaped strawberry? Caroline was in heaven!

Good reads

2009-02-18T12:22:00.002-07:00

I promise to be adding more this blog - things about great Valentine hair for Caroline, cute pictures of kids, a picture of my niece so you will see just HOW much she and the baby baby daddy look alike, but until them, look over at We Chirp - Amanda of Through the Looking Glass did a great guest post for me. She is so cool.

Possibility

2009-02-16T22:42:00.003-07:00

I saw this news story over the weekend and was sickened. But then this morning I laughed out loud when my brother Chuck sent me an email with this as the subject line:

Apparently I have a child in England who is a cheeky monkey.‏

I was wondering why the pictures were so haunting to me. Now I know.

In Da HOWZ!

2009-02-15T09:08:00.002-07:00

It's Sunday. I have a two-pronged talk that is pretty prepared, a sharing time that is mostly prepared, a chili that is prepped and ready to start cooking (I think I am going to wear my shower cap and see if that prevents my hair from smelling like onions, what do you think?), sleep in my eyes from a fun night out, mad love for a thoughtful husband, love in my heart for a babysitter that seriously loves my kids, and some huge love for some little kids who collaborated on this little note for me this morning. Nothing like some love for a Valentine weekend.

Now what?

2009-02-13T18:07:00.004-07:00

I had no idea this lady was from right here in the Valley! I've heard of her, who hasn't? How do you think she feels after the happenings of this weekend? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29170772/?GT1=43001

I hope health wise she is well. How did she get around with those nails? And now, life without nails?

Why?

2009-02-13T11:17:00.003-07:00

Why is there another Friday the 13th movie? Isn't this the 34th one? I remember watching these at Arbon's house in jr. high, we were so cool. The website itself is sufficiently creepy. Dave will never, ever watch these shows - they scare him to death.

Why is Dean in it? Really, would Rory watch this show? Aren't you supposed to do these kinds of movies when you have no other options?

I've got nothin.

2009-02-06T13:56:00.006-07:00

I got an oh so friendly reminder to update my blog (thanks p) and have nothing. N.O.T.H.I.N.G. It is like when people ask what you have been up to and frankly, nothing new, but you are so busy that you can't even catch up with American Idol Hollywood, know what I mean? Busy doing what? Nothing unusual - laundry, sweeping, entertaining people that come to my waist, making broccoli cheese soup that was sooo good the first time I decided to make up my own recipe and then bombed the second time I made it but tripled it to share the love - but it didn't love me back. Fever, runny noses, coughs, sleeves with snail trails on them, laundry. Really, not exciting.

Any funny quotes? Hmm. Caroline hops into my bed each morning and snuggles me. I said to her yesterday, "Your voice is kind of froggy." "No, it's not," she says, "it is my sparkly voice." Leave it to her to turn something as un-feminine as a phlegm-y throat into something so beautiful.

Joey is expanding his vocabulary, but in the footsteps of his older brother, you have to be an interpreter. He calls Caroline, Caro-Gine. Eli is still Eh-yi. Whenever he sees Oma he asks where Opa is and he can say his cousin Esther's name quite well. And Wow Wow as in Wow Wow Wubzzy - the coolest yellow shapey cartoon kid ever.

Eli is still Mr. First Grade (the title I have given him, there wasn't an election). He was sick this weekend and I kept him home on Monday for an hour to see if the fever would make a reappearance (it had been 15 hours) and he was begging to go. Let's hope that this attitude stays there. I love to hear from his teacher - yes I am bragging. I am allowed, it is my blog. His teacher is very good at accentuating the positive and the kids all feel adored.

Update on Dave? Dave is combing his hair differently. It is almost like accountant meets librarian meets movie star- he looks handsome. Don't tell him I said that, he'll blush.

Oh, and I have this white pumpkin on my porch left over from fall - I keep thinking I will take it in and seed it so I can plant them this spring/summer. Now I don't dare pick it up. I'm sure my neighbors are embarrassed for me. And, now you want to be my neighbor.

Free!

2009-02-02T16:48:00.003-07:00

Ambrosia Girl is a blog that I have been following. She seems like a lovely gal. Even lovelier than before because she so kind-heartedly whipped up some Valentine cards with a Moulin Rouge theme and has made the pdf available to everyone! So kind. Go see here.

And breathe.

2009-02-01T21:51:00.004-07:00

So after my rant, I slept. In the middle of the day, slept for an hour and a half. I woke up happier. I think between the odd nap and the unnecessary bloggy rant I was refreshed. In any case, thank you for you phone calls, emails and comments. It is so reassuring to know I am not alone and probably not an idiot.

On the subject of my rant. With a clear head I realized (I always have known this but lost site for about 6 1/2 days) that E will be fine. I will be fine. I have done well to surround myself with the most amazing people - family and friends. That sounds like it was all my doing, like I am a puppet master. I mean, I am dang lucky to have these said family and friends in my life. Eli is surrounded by good friends and even better parents of those friends. My kids are loved not only by myself and those in this house, but other families that I trust their happiness and playtime with. Lucky soul am I.

On a funny note, maybe only to me, we went out last night with some friends who were visiting from out of town. We took the kids, Dave wanting these old friends to meet the babies. Joey was wandering off a bit and I watched him skirt the wall and then go over to someone else's table and bend down. I went over and found him taking the phone out of some woman's purse. I immediately apologized with some sort of "Oh, sorry, he is a little pick pocket!" and smiled at her. She did not smile back and said "OK". I know it is annoying when little ragamuffins interrupt your meal with friends but seriously, how do you resist this face?

Bad Mama?

2009-01-30T13:21:00.003-07:00

For close to a week now, I have been having knots in my stomach. I think I am internalizing everything right now. I could blame it on the womanly issue that one should not discuss in polite company (i.e. my dad will at some time read this post and might blush that his daughter has such issues...), or the winter blues - both, maybe.

This particular knotted stomach problem involved my oldest, Eli. I think I am quite honest and know not only my weak points but also my children's. I will be the first to admit that Eli is not perfect, I'll share a couple examples: *long pause* *crickets chirping* Oh! I have it, he is not an expert at wiping his bum, but this is mostly my fault and might be due to the fact that he does not have long arms? Who knows. In all honesty, Eli is a sensitive kid, he does his fair share of whining and complaining but he also a great little kid with lots of love for his family and friends.

We have long been an acquaintance of a particular family that has a boy Eli's age. We have different dynamics, like birth order, that might make it difficult for the two boys to click well. And all the rest may be my opinion (or fact, as I like to see it). Since the moment they have played, there has been a sort of competition and I am being honest when I say that it is one-sided. Eli doesn't get it, his mind does not work that way yet, if ever. And he comes home a standing a little less tall (and frankly, we can't spare inches people). Yes, he wants to win but it is more about the game than his own personal glory. I have seen countless times where this boy has purposely left Eli out, belittled him, been condescending to him and downright mean. Needless to say, we do not have many play dates. For the last few years, I have kind of steered Eli toward other friends, different extra-curricular activities and such but once again we find each other in the same proximity. Without getting too specific, this boy was so blatantly rude to Eli that I could not even stand it. Am I too vague?

Let me give a totally hypothetical situation. Say the two boys were on the same basketball team and I can honestly say, Eli is pretty good. He has good ball control, he passes a lot, he is getting the game. He does not however have flare. He does not watch the pro-ballers and copy their fancy moves, facial expressions and all that. This other boy is good, no doubt, really good. He WILL NOT pass to Eli. At all. The last straw, hypothetically, was when the boy was throwing it in after the other team scored and Eli was right there waiting for it while another little boy was heading back up the court. Eli was the only one the boy could have thrown it in to but he wouldn't. For 20, maybe 30 hypothetical seconds, he ignored Eli, kept calling to another kid and finally got his attention and passed it to him. It was so blatant. I just looked at his mom and her little smirk and then the knots started.

I don't think Eli should control the ball all the time, I do think however that this is quite indicative of how our relationship has been with this boy. And I wish I could say we don't have to deal with this situation often, but for many reasons, we do. Frankly, I don't have many options that I haven't already put into use. Then Eli came home one day, totally dejected. It had to do with this boy. I have had it. I am at a loss for what to do. I am trying hard to not try and control the situation and let Eli work things out on his own but, wow, it is getting to me.

So friends, what do you do when you see your kids being mistreated? Do you fight the 7 year old bully? What do you say to your child? Why is parently so freaking hard? What if my reaction to this situation totally changes the course of history? What if we get kicked off our street? To be serious, I need some mad coping skills, because this particular situation is not going to change, so give it to me straight people. I promise, I will not mope out here in blogland again, but I need the skills.

Perspective and Inspiration

2009-01-28T12:01:00.003-07:00

I have tears in my eyes all morning since I called him mom and asked what kind of sandwich she likes. Then I came home to read this and I think I'll have the tears in my eyes and warmth in my heart for a while. Charlie's life this past year and his family's life/strength gives me some much needed perspective and inspiration. Please go and read about this little man, I promise it is worth it. If you want to start at the beginning go here.

Downtime

2009-01-27T14:54:00.004-07:00

I have it right now because I have let Caroline loose with paint, stickers and paper. Joey is sleeping (for about 4 minutes and 54 seconds longer) and I haven't done the dishes from lunch. I was checking out some blogs (because I had 11 minutes and 14 seconds until the baby calls) and ran across this article that stephmodo brought to my attention. Thanks stephmodo, or whatever your name is, too funny.

What do you think of the article? Genius-y.

I am posting this picture taken by Paige, again, because a) he is waking, b) it makes me feel warm and c) because I think she needs to come take more.

Wall of Love?

2009-01-27T14:41:00.003-07:00

So the wall is going well, the kids really love it and I was having a pity party because Dave was getting lots of love, the kids were loving each other and Dave and me? Should I take the hint and get on some sort of hormonal treatment? I mentioned to Dave the other day that he better start digging deep and finding a reason that he loves me, much less likes me and this is what was on the wall last night.

It might be a lonely Valentine's day for him.

Shopping with song

2009-01-26T10:51:00.003-07:00

Desperately out of milk, I had to run to the store today with barely a menu in mind. I was in the produce section and was hearing some song like "Crazy for You" playing and I understand that they have to have benign music that would please a large artist, but some of the songs just kill me slowly. They kind of make me want to get out of the store even more quickly - not their intended use, I know. But then, halfway down the cereal/peanut butter aisle, this song came on and all was well with the world. This song or "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon always play at some point whenever I shop at the grocery store. I wonder if the world is trying to tell me something. What is your shopping anthem?

Pea Soup

2009-01-23T21:41:00.004-07:00

I don't get the phrase "thicker than pea soup" in reference to fog. I can understand clam chowder, but more creamy potato, but not pea soup. Can anyone explain?

the pic above was taken 20 minutes ago on our way home. We have been in fog, or frog, as Caroline calls it, all day. You could not see two cars ahead.

And, today Caroline was saying butt head. I told her we don't say that word, she said, "Ok" and then replaced butt head with butt lips? WHERE does she hear these things? Eli never did this.

Wall of Love

2009-01-22T14:06:00.006-07:00

I spoke yesterday about a new Valentine-y thing I am starting. I'm sure it is a totally unoriginal thought and frankly, way out of my emotionally sharing league, but here it is. I went to the scrapbook store with Caroline yesterday. She chose all sorts of red and pink cardstock and we used several die cuts in shapes of hearts, large enough for us to write on.

When we go home, Caroline and I talked about why she loves Daddy, Eli and Joey and I wrote it down for her on several hearts. I did some from Joey and I too. Eli loved to read them when he got home and at dinner we talked about how there will be a spot where they can get a blank heart and write down why they love each other, or something special about a family member, or friend. Then we will tape it to the wall (using a paint/low tack tape, so it won't pull of my butter cream paint). Hopefully we can fill up the whole wall by Valentine's day.

Here is Caroline's first love letter to William. William and Caroline are two days apart in birth, same hospital, same doctor and they are buddies. Caroline often has us write letters to her friends or grand-parents, which are too funny for words. But I walked up this morning and saw this heart for William (Dave was the scribe), who she is playing with today. I would not be upset if she married Will, or any of his brothers. And if she is willing to be a monster for him, love is sacrifice, isn't it?

I am going to add to Wall of Love how much I love Joey going through my box of Raisin Bran and eating all the raisins.

Things I am eyeing this week...

2009-01-21T19:32:00.011-07:00

I liked my find the other day on Paper Source (look about 2 posts down) and knew I could find some printables on Etsy, so here are a few I found. I am going to try like crazy to have my kids do something more homemade this year - Transformers just don't speak the language of love to me. We started tonight with what I like to call our Heart Attack Wall, I'll show you pics tomorrow - Dave is tearing apart the computer that houses my photos. Each of the following cards can be printed out at home after you purchase them, letting you make as many as you would like.

I love the fresh approach found in Three Wheels Design and Paper. This card is the perfect mix for a boy for Valentine's Day. Eli would still feel super manly handing out this pirate. They have other designs, have a look.

If you are searching for vintage Valentine cards that remind you of your childhood, have a look at Printable. They have a ton to choose from and it will make you smile.

I absolutely love the sense of humor in the cards at The Rasilisk. I really love that they have a selection that is appropriate for kids and a selection that is appropriate for adults. And if you are just looking for a way to say "thanks", look here.

Shabby Chic Crafts has a ton of printables, and I love this L-O-V-E e-card set. It would be perfect for a card or to hang on ribbon on your wall. The conversation hearts set is very cute, too. ***Veronica of Shabby Chic Crafts just emailed me the link to her great blog, http://www.shabbychiccrafts.blogspot.com/. Please go look, you will find great ideas for homemade Valentine fare and some free downloads of love coupons!

And finally, marialunate is so freakin' adorable, I can't stand it. The shop is full of beautiful printables including a couple for Valentines, like this one. But I also think it would be fun to print some of the Little Reds and give them out from your child's girl friends, because what little girl doesn't love paper dolls?

And now I am off to Red Mango, by myself. I need to show myself a little love right now, so I can show it to the family. Know what I mean? Would you choose any of these cards?

Change.

2009-01-20T13:33:00.010-07:00

It is an historic day. And the day is about a man that ran on the idea of "change". Inauguration days really bring about a sense of anticipation, hope, excitement and change. Here are some of my thoughts.

Whether you liked the man or not, agreed with his politics or not, I think we can agree that Former President George W. Bush quite possibly had the most difficult job on the planet. This man was the leader of the free world. This man made decisions, popular or not, he felt were in the best interest of the nation. The man was lambasted numerous times throughout the last 8 years, justified or not. Watching him today, with the grace in which he passed the proverbial baton, made me admire him as a person. I was impressed with the dignity, warmth and poise both he and Laura Bush showed to the incoming First Family and others.

I am also impressed with President Obama. This is the beginning of a new presidency. He has brought hope to many people in this nation. He has the opportunity to bridge divides. He, no doubt, has the nation's best interest in mind. He wants America to be great. But it isn't just him that makes America great, it is each American.

These things were running through my mind:

I hope that we can each criticize less and support more.
I hope that we can point fingers less and hold hands more.
I hope the we can see each other as Children of God, not just Americans, and not just Mormons, Muslims, Catholics, Black, White, of Japanese descent, of Mexican descent, male, female, Repulican, Democrat and everything in between.
I hope we can do less tearing down of one another and more service to one another.
I hope we can show more respect for each other's opinions.
I hope we can be proud but not boastful.
I hope we can show kindness to someone everyday.
I hope we can teach each other positively each day.
I hope we can do random acts of kindness, not only for strangers but for those in our homes.
I hope we can be more tolerant of each other.
I hope we can be more open-minded and yet not be wishy-washy.
I hope we can have less violence and more peace.
I hope we can be less of the problem and more of the solution.
I hope we can teach our children all of these things and give them sense of self so that they can be the future strength of this nation.
I hope we can be dignified.

And really, instead of "I hope we can..." I should be writing "I hope I can..." because the change that everyone is looking for should really start with me, as an individual. Do I think as a nation of millions of people, of all different races, all socio-economic levels, of millions of different personalities, that we can make a change for the better? To use a commonly spoken phrase, Yes we can.

What? Free makeup?

2009-01-20T11:17:00.001-07:00

Apparently, the big department stores were having us little people pay a little more than we should have for makeup - or so we allege and they deny. But to make us feel better, companies like Lancome, Clinique, Estee Lauder, Clarins and quite a few others are offering one free item to each customer. You can partake of this "giveaway" at large department stores like Nordstrom, Macy's, Dillards, and all those others that frankly aren't available in my market. It is supposed to last until January 26th, but will be over when supplies run out. I visited Nordstrom this morning and the line was reasonable and the gals were so helpful. There were serums, lotions, perfume and mascara. Since I am still trying to find a good mascara, I chose a Lancome mascara - we'll see. Have you already been? What did you get?

*** In the stores that I walked by, the free makeup was a designated area near the makeup counters. You will be able to tell, there will be a line. Hopefully, not a long one. Here is a complete list of stores that are participating:

Bergdorf Goodman
Bergner’s
Bloomingdale’s
Boston Store
Carson Pirie Scott
Dillard’s
Gottschalks
Herberger’s
Macy’s
Neiman Marcus
Nordstrom
Parisian
Saks Fifth Avenue
Younkers

"Homemade Valentine"

2009-01-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

I am quite unproductive on the Valentine front, but which I mean the kids just sign their names to their Hello Kitty or Pokemon Valentine. But I just saw this over at Kate's Paperie and thought it was cute and just easy enough to keep Caroline's attention. Even better, you just download the pdf from their site and print it up.

Tomorrow

2009-01-15T21:32:00.003-07:00

Finally, one of the best shows on television starts its season on NBC. Please watch!

2009-01-15T11:25:00.004-07:00

Remember that time when it was 8:12am and I was busy getting my son off to school? Remember how Joey tried to sneak a plate of scrambled eggs with ketchup into the living room because he heard the Wonder Pets song? Remember how I heard "Uh oh, messy" and heard a small crash? Remember when I looked to see what had happened and saw fresh cat throw up, eggs and ketchup all over the floor? And on Joey? Remember how I took off his pants and went downstairs to put the throw up pants in the wash and then came back upstairs to find that Joey had pooped in his size 4 diapers that we found out yesterday do not stay up so well on his lack of a junk in the trunk bottom, so I was going to go to Target this morning for more number 3's? And remember how the said 4 diapers are so big that they don't offer any coverage? Poop, all over him. Got Eli off to school, cleaned Joey up, told Joey it was time for a bath. While I was testing the water, Joey says "Uh oh, messy" and I hear splattering as a fountain squirts from his cute body. Remember how when it all ended it was only 8:25am? That was awesome.

Things I am eyeing this week...

2009-01-14T21:37:00.010-07:00

I really want a silhouette of each of my family members and keep thinking I will do it myself but am loving this shop, Petite Debutante. I love this little girl, I am sure the one they do of my Caroline and other children will be just as beautiful.

Oh the beauty, Papers' Edge. This is a different take on the silhouette, paper cut images, some custom others giclee. I'm in love. If the family portrait is a little more than your wallet can muster at the moment, have a look at the rest of what she offers.

We have a love of all things nesting dolls here at this house. My grandma has lots of them and that is what my kids head for first thing as we walk through the door. I am sooo super super tempted to just order these tonight, before I let my budget talk me out of it. How fantastic are these dolls from Home Crafts Catalog?

I love this silhouette (I feel like I am using that word a lot tonight, but the thesaurus would just be redundant, right?) Maybe Dave will read this and order it for me (it worked on Christmas). Le Papier Designs has some beautiful works.

What do you think? Do you like these picks? I need to hear from you, at least to feel the love.

Love this shop

2009-01-14T21:11:00.006-07:00

My mom sent me this website - props Mom. I love the lines of the furniture, I love the simplicity of the designs. I think I am ADD when it comes to what design I want in my house but love this stuff. Want to order it all tomorrow and sit on this chair next to the this table bench. Check out bookhou.

Who are you pulling for?

2009-01-13T23:27:00.004-07:00

I wasn't going to do it, I really wasn't. I mean, I liked Jason from the last series but I wasn't going to watch it. Then Ash called today and told me I had to watch it. So tonight I watched it online and am just finishing the second week. I can't stand it. I seriously don't know if I can continue to watch crazy Shannon - I can't stand her teeth for one thing. Yes, I am superficial, but this is The Bachelor. Oh, the antics. The bikini bodies (jealousy speaking, I won't lie), the amount of make-up. So, for now I am pulling for - based on this week and maybe because I saw more of them because I wasn't paying complete attention to all the story lines....

Jillian

But there are quite a few other girls that I like. Melissa, Kari, Nikki, some others. Why am I wasting this time? Paige, can I nominate you for the next Bachelorette? I am being serious.

Finally, Christmas.

2009-01-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

We had a great Christmas. We tried to keep it pretty low key, but it was still overwhelming for me - I don't know why. I did that gift thing, Want, Need, Wear and Read, I referenced it in a previous post somewhere. I think it worked rather well, I can definitely improve upon it next year or tweak it a bit. I also need to rethink my co-gift giving relationship with Santa - does he do all the gifts? I mean, it is his spiel. What do you do?

We set out cookies and milk for Santa the night before and we set out water for the reindeer, and luckily Rudolph had some because his nose always colors the water, which is extra fun for the kids.

It was nice to be in our own home doing our own family things for this Christmas, though we have fun when we are away. Oddly, I was the first one up. I heard a big bang around 6:30am and found out later it was our shed door that had been blown open, but thought it was some Christmas morning robbers. In any case, I couldn't go back to sleep. The kids didn't get up until just before 8 and we had to go and wrestle Dave out of bed - not our usual morning routine.

The kids had so much fun. Santa brought them what they wanted, Eli got his new Nintendo DS, Caroline loves her electronic keyboard the most (we love it most of the time), it has a microphone and she has made up some great songs. Joey was so much fun but would have been happy with only a couple of cars - he got those and a little more. I got him a Cabbage Patch newborn because he loves to push Caroline's dolls around in a stroller so I thought he could have his own. Cabbage Patch Kids are hard to choose. Why? Have you read their birth certificates? Who comes up with these names? I am not going to publish any of them here just in case you have always wanted to name your child ____, but really? My CPKs from when I was are named Roberta Marilyn and Theodora Candy - why I can remember their names I do not know, but still, doable names, memorable without being outrageous. I had to search to find one for Joey (I realize you can change their name, but I just can't). Finally I found Herschel Elliot, he was just right.

All in all, a great holiday. Oh, but I am just remembering the sick. Joey, still, almost three weeks later, throwing up at least once in the middle of the night, usually averaging 3 (SUCKS!!!), Dave and I both sick, but still having to function - so yuletide gratitude for functioning. Lots of time together, family, down time, fun.

I don't even know where to start

2009-01-08T23:19:00.003-07:00

except to say that my favorite lines are "I'm not a monkey" and "better than mango". I struggled to wean Joey from breastfeeding, I breast him for far longer than my other two and if I was not me and just listening to me and how long I nursed Joey, I would make fun of myself. And though I think it was a good choice for me, my children and my food budget (formula is pricey!), I must say, but this is a whole different level of being a breast supporter.

Simple Finds Giveaway

2009-01-05T22:22:00.002-07:00

I really want this machine. It would help me so much with my plaques, since the words on them are vinyl, but there is so much more I could do with this. Have a stop over at Simple Finds and check it out - it is a great blog.

2009-01-01T15:08:00.004-07:00

Yesterday I was giving a friend sought after advice on how to alleviate teething pain for their baby. Of course my advice was sound, it worked and my friend was a little surprised. He said, "So far so good. I always thought you were just a fountain of teasing and sarcasm, you've really proved me wrong this time."

To which I sarcastically thought in my head, "Punk." but replied with, "I'm only part sarcasm and teasing, but since my wit capacity has significantly decreased in the past few years, I'm just a bit more effective as a fountain of insanely useful knowledge. And I say that with no sarcasm whatsoever."

That was not completely honest, I am mostly sarcasm and teasing, but it isn't as clever as it once was. Which brings me to my diminished wit capacity, which is a direct result of my diminishing "smarter than a whip" brain.

Yesterday I was also talking to a friend who was telling me how her son Mikey just shoved a goldfish down her five month old's throat. As she goes on describing in detail how she couldn't get the goldfish out, Livie was not breathing, I am picturing in my head the tail of a goldfish sticking out of her mouth, wiggling around as it is lodging further and further into the baby's throat. Then as I was about to ask how she was going to disinfect Livie's mouth and throat of gross fish water and possible excrement, then it dawned on me it could possible be the goldfish of the cracker genus and not of the slimy, live-for-a-day-for-$.30 genus. So I asked, "A real goldfish?" To which she incredulously replied, "No! A cracker! Why would you think of a fish?"

I don't know why. What kind of mother has at least one toddler and doesn't immediately think Peppridge Farm Goldfish when speaking of goldfish? Me, the diminished mom.

Then it reminded me of the time I was watching some investigative report on selling human organs on the black market. The next day I was driving to my parents and at the bottom of a street that leads to their house was a large sign that said "ORGANS FOR SALE, CALL 123-123-123". My first thought was, "How brazen!" and then about 4 minutes later I realized they meant the one that you use your fingers to tickle, not the one that you use your fingers to harvest.

Although I should be embarrassed to put such information out there on the www, I only feel relief, like admitting to the problem is helping me on the road to recovery. Plus, it is a gift from my children, I should care for it and love it and hope one day they pool together their resources and gift me with a bionic brain. And as it is a new year (Happy New Year to all my friends and family!), one of my non-resolutions is to laugh at it all a little more and quit being so hard on myself. We shall see.

New to Etsy

2008-12-31T12:44:00.005-07:00

A gal I have done a boutique or two with just opened her own Etsy shop. She has great jewelry, and she is such a nice person - two important things. Have a look at her shop - jamjewelry designs. Great for gifts or a gift for yourself, you can personalize any of her stamped jewelry. Valentine's day is coming up and this would be a great gift for your significant other to have made for you with significant initials or names to hang about your neck...

Joey might be the cutest elf ever, or Eli, or Caroline...

2008-12-23T13:02:00.002-07:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I can't believe I haven't posted this yet. It makes me laugh all the time. I have done it with my kids and their friends, my family.

What I Want For Christmas....

2008-12-21T22:24:00.016-07:00

I agree, it is too late to get any of this stuff, but my cousin Tia has asked me to be superficial, here are the rules to this tag:

So here goes, these are her instructions: This is strictly superficial. I want you guys to tell me about your desire for an angora sweater or china plates. If you are tagged you have to list at least ten material wishes and tag ten people. And I am many things, and superficial is definitely one of them.

I want anything about of Whitney Smith Pottery. Anything, mostly everything.

And, let's hit Anthropologie.

Plain and Fancy Dress

Furniss Cowgirl Boots

Amelie Sofa

And I would love a huge family session with Miss Paige, the photographer. I'm serious. I want her to give me quarterly photo sessions, bringing the personality of my kids out on her photos. And she can make me look ok, chronicling my aging. And Dave's (he doesn't age).

I really want Dansko clogs. I hear they are super comfortable. My aunt, who has the same foot issues I have (very high arch,), says that after you put them on for a while they are super comfortable.

I want a professional organizer.

I want someone to clean my home twice a month.

I want new windows. All through my house. The kind that look beautiful, keep my house beautifully warm and beautifully cool, when needed.

I want my basement gutted and built to perfection. I guess we could do my main floor also.

And, at the risk of being way too greedy, I really want a Mac laptop. Really want one. It might help me make more friends.

You are tagged:

All ten of you that read my blog. Come and tell me when you have completed this.