Don't talk to me...

I'm ornery. I probably shouldn't blog when I am, but I need to get this out of my system. It started yesterday. Yesterday nothing really went wrong, but nothing really went right either. I hate days like that. Shawn was home a total of one hour---just long enough for us to remember how much fun it is to have him around. Then some lady decided she would give birth. He ended up spending the night at the hospital (actually not too uncommon) waiting for the delivery. This morning I woke up all the kids and we THOROUGHLY cleaned their bedrooms. I thought maybe it was the mess hidden behind their doors that was wierding me out. Nope. Still ornery. Shawn came home around 1 this afternoon and of course needed sleep because he was only able to catch a few hours between c-sections and more epidural dosings. I don't know what my issue is really. I guess I could blame it on the fact that I made homemade rolls yesterday and consumed almost 1/2 the batch MYSELF. Maybe it's because I feel like I've dredged up stuff that maybe should have been left alone, like maybe I've just said too much. Maybe it's because it's nearing the middle of July when my life gets turned upside down every year and some of the cool people I've come to love and see around all the time are moving. (you know who you are) As I write this the doorbell upstairs is constantly ringing because nobody is fast enough for the impatient child doing the ringing. See, usually that doesn't irritate me. I'm usually happy because it means my kids will have friends to go out and play with. Today it only irritates. I'm starting to come to the conclusion that maybe there are a few female hormones coming into play here (Dad, don't make the hormone joke, please, I can't take it today). I'm just going to take my ornery body upstairs and climb into bed, pull the covers over my head, and hide. Well, until reality hits and Shawn's pager goes off yet again...................

The Circus is Coming! The Circus is Coming!

Only, we aren't going. I wish I could say it was because of some animal rights band wagon I've jumped on, but it's not. We have a t-ball game, the last one of the season, and we are snack. Though, that is just a good excuse for me not to have to attend this hyped up event. Remember, we are in the 'ville. This morning at 9 am they allowed everyone to come see the elephants erect the circus tent. In my mind I pictured a gigantic tent lying on the ground with 6 or 7 elephants tethered to various ropes. The ringmaster would yell "heave" and all the elephants would gracefully back up. Voila! Circus ready to be performed. When we pulled into the parking lot I noticed the huge tent lying flat on the ground already tethered to giant wooden stakes. People were standing awfully close to the tent to be able to fit the elephants, but I then noticed the elephants were still penned eating breakfast. Jack, Landon, and I wandered over to get a closer look. We then noticed more animals penned behind us so ventured a look in that direction. There were some camels, and donkeys. There was this strange looking animal that resembled a cow with horns, but a strange hump on his back. I'm still puzzled as to what that was. There were some goats, and even a hippo. I'm curious what kinds of tricks a hippo can do in the circus ring. We eventually wandered back over to the elephants and I noticed about 20 or so men tugging two giant ropes to erect the entrance of the big-top tent. I was a little disappointed to see human rope pulling, but my vision wasn't completely deflated------yet. A man entered the elephant pen and placed a huge harness on his back. (There were about 4 elephants total, but only 1 being harnessed). The anticipation I had felt was slowly dissipating. The man slowly led the elephant to the entrance of the tent and pushed him inside. Yes, I said inside. Then behind me a tractor started up. The tractor began pulling ropes to further erect the first half of the tent. Yes, a tractor. Vision destroyed. Was I seriously thinking it would be a magical experience to see giant animals putting together this gigantic tent? I was. Was it really POSSIBLE that it could have happened the way it did in my vision? Maybe. But then reality struck and I remembered where I was. Other than a total reality check with a childhood vision obliterated, it was a fun morning. After half the tent was erected we were able to go inside to witness the "elephant" helping put up the rest. (I couldn't really see what the elephant was actually doing because there was a gigantic tractor in my way.) My kids got to see the inside of an enormous tent, we got to see a few animals, and we were able to get out of the house. What more can actually be expected from a free circus?

Motherhood

Motherhood seems to be full of guilt. Did I yell at them too much today? Should I let them drop-out of baseball because they hate it terribly? Did I jump in too soon and not give them a chance to solve that problem alone? Guilt, guilt, guilt. I'm racked with it morning until night. Then sometimes I dream about it. What I'm not teaching them, what I am teaching them, what I'm not feeding them, what I am feeding them. I could go on and on for eternity and never finish the list of things I feel guilty about. So, when I have one of those sweet moments with one of them and witness them making a good choice, on their own, without mother intervention, I relish it. My kids are actually really good kids inspite of what I do or don't do on a daily basis. They all seem to be compassionate at times, helpful at times, and just downright lovely to be around. Today I seemed to have a sweet moment with each child and I feel the need to give them credit where credit is due. (to some of you these simple situations might seem odd, but to me each one took one second of guilt away from my cluttered mind)

#1) Ethan. He's oldest so he goes first, not to show favoritism. We have a neighbor boy down the street his same age. They pretty much have a love/hate relationship. This boy happens to be an only child so doesn't quite understand little brothers. I've heard Ethan yelling at him before only to find out it was actually in defense of poor little Landon or Jack, or sometimes even Kennedy. Ethan holds his guns. Tonight I was trying to make dinner and heard Landon sneak out the garage door. A few minutes later Ethan stuck his head in and yelled, "I've got Landon outside with me, is that okay?" Wow. I get to make dinner without my baby crying to play outside? Score 1 for Ethan. Tonight I took the 3 boys to the wading pool for about 30 minutes while Shawn took Kennedy to her t-ball game and then on a little date. We took the neighbor boy with us. My admiration of Ethan's tolerance and patience went up 10 fold. This kid is obnoxious. Ethan would just say "knock it off" and go about doing whatever he was doing. Never once did he try to harm the boy. Lucky the pool closed so soon because my tolerance was quickly dissipating. Ethan is always quick to notice my bad days and say something smooth to butter me up. He has quick wit that is quite charming. He's likable. I'm glad he belongs to me. (Even when some lucky woman snatches him up after his mission and some college and thinks he is all hers, I'll still call him mine).

#2) Kennedy. What a beauty. She has the most beautiful little face spotted in freckles. I just love to look at her. I can't get enough! It always amazes me the "motherly" instinct she naturally holds. She is the one I ask to help with Landon when I really need it. Or Jack. She is one that instead of stepping over the wrapper one of the boys left on the living room floor, she'll pick it up and throw it away. She is such a great little helper. She is fun to shop with even. Instead of whining and throwing a gigantic tantrum about the adorable skirt she just has to own, she'll hold it up and say "Look Mom, wouldn't I be soooo cute in this?" How can I say no to that? She's obviously smart. I'm always worried about her shyness. Afraid she won't be able to speak up, especially to adults. Today we were leaving the Ice House Gas Station (another lovely library prize---32 oz. of nothing but sugar contained by a cup). A man was holding the door for all me and my little people to go through and it was Kennedy who spoke up and said "Thank you for holding the door". My heart did a little skip-a-dee-do.

#3) Jackson. This kid gets a bad rap. I'll admit that I'm the first to dub him troublemaker of the bunch. But, what you don't hear often enough about him is his sweet gentle side. Today at the library we had just finished checking out a bazillion books. My arms were full of various novels and Landon, and Jack starts screaming that he didn't check out a movie. "Next time". I head out to the van with everyone else. Here comes Jack screaming through the doorway holding none other than the much needed but not yet checked out movie. I buckled all the kids in (don't call social services) and led Jack back inside. While we were waiting in line I knelt down next to him and explained that this one time I would allow him to check out the movie. Next time he better as heck decide the minute we enter the library to get a movie because this would never again be allowed. I stood back up. What did he do? He grabbed a hold of my hand and kissed it. "Thanks Mom, you rock". Then he squeezed my thigh as any 3 year old could. Funny thing is, he ALWAYS does stuff like that. He's so stinkin' adorable and squishy, how could anyone not love this child? Last week I was really tired so I was laying on my bed watching tv. I heard him coming down the hall so I closed my eyes and pretended I was asleep. (not so nice of me, but we aren't focussing on that now). I felt him climb up onto my bed. He pulled the covers up onto me, then kissed my cheek. I seriously wanted to cry it was so sweet!

#4) Landon. This kid is funny. He can't really talk yet, but he understands everything. I mean everything. He is also very loving. Today I was on the computer and every few minutes he'd come into me and just hug my leg, lean in for a kiss, and then go about his business. I don't have any really great stories because he is so small, but this kid has potential. He's going to be a heart-breaker with those big brown eyes and long eyelashes.

Those are my little kids. I admit that I complain about them often, but now amidst the complaints I hope you can sense my true love for them. Amazing how one can become so attached to these little people. It amazes me to think that I actually had the opportunity to bring them into this world. They definitely make the world a better place.

Simple Saturdays Made Fun........

Shawn was working today, so I tried to fill the day with entertainment. I say that it's for the kids, but I really think it's to entertain myself. If I'm entertained, the day seems to go by quickly and smoothly. We woke up this morning, had breakfast, got dressed, cleaned our rooms, made our beds, then headed out the door to the bike path. It's kind of a chore to take a seat out of the van to make room for various bicycles and one jogging stroller, but worth the effort. On our drive over I noticed a dark gloomy sky. It was sprinkling but the kids voted we attempt the path anyway. I was glad because I wasn't able to drag myself out of bed early for my date with the treadmill, and I needed to exercise today. We parked by the kids school and started the trek. The kids took off and I was able to run while pushing Landon. (Sometimes I have to walk because Jack seems to dawdle, but with the older two he didn't want to be left in the dust). It started to rain a little bit harder as we neared the end, but we were able to avoid the downpour that occured shortly after getting loaded back into the van. We made a quick trip to walmart, then headed back home for a snack and me a shower. Landon was nearing naptime, so we put him into bed and headed downstairs with blankets to watch "Bridge to Terabithia" that I rented for us yesterday. Halfway through we had to pause for me to make us a quick picnic lunch to eat while we enjoyed the rest of the movie. The movie ended and I gave each kid one piece of dove chocolate to wash down their lunch. I came into the room with the computer and left the kids to their own choice of entertainment. Jack came in 5 minutes later looking like this:

He said he didn't want the word (Dove) written on his chocolate so he rubbed it on his face to melt it off. What happened to just licking it off? Who knows. About the time I was done washing the chocolate off Jack, Landon woke up. We noticed the rain had subsided so decided to head outside for some fresh air. Kennedy entertained herself by drawing with chalk. These pictures really don't do her art justice, but on the left is a huge flower, and the right picture is a watering can. She had water coming out of the can onto the flower, but I couldn't quite fit it all in a picture.

(The artist is cuter than the artwork anyway!)

Jack and Landon rode around on the trike for while.

Kennedy caught a baby frog.










Jack made grassy, muddy, soup that he called pizza.

Then we headed to the Redbox to return the movie we watched earlier. What fun is it to return a redbox movie and not get ice cream? We indulged. I didn't need to order any for myself because I'm the designated drip-licker. Believe me, there are a lot of drips. Definitely at least one servings worth.

Home again. Back outside. Ethan decides to show off his jump-roping skills. It isn't until I get out the video camera that he starts making mistakes. Jump-roping jitters.


He decided since the video wasn't showing his perfected talent accurately, he'd turn the sport into a lasso. Boys.

That wasn't enough "boy" trouble so squirting the aforementioned chalk art seemed to take precedence over any kind of productive activity.

Of course this brought full on tears from the artist.

Seems like tears come in waves of at least two.

I was able to convince the art-squirting-lasso-roping brother to catch frogs instead.

Dinnertime. Finally. Free Pizza Hut personal pan pizzas, courtesy of the Library Summer Reading program.

Back outside yet again. But this time I kept the littlest one covered in pizza sauce in the house to take a bath. 7:00 three more bodies slip into the tub. Nobody wearing clothes this time. Littlest into bed while I snuggle on the couch with the bigger ones for 45 minutes of uninterrupted book reading. (We all want to earn every single prize possible from the library this summer, right?) 8:00 four little bodies snuggled deep under the covers. One asleep, one reading with a headlamp, one wiggling the top bunk to irritate his brother, one reading out loud to the one that is asleep. Me? I'm downstairs blogging due to full on procrastination. I need to plan my Relief Society lesson for tomorrow. After a full day like today all I really want to do is dip into my jacuzzi bathtub, jets full on, and read my book that I've been trying to get to all day. (Mine doesn't have any pictures).

Rub-a-dub-dub

Why can't I wear my clothes in the tub?!?Don't they need to be washed anyway?

Oldest = Smartest

I've always known I was the smartest child in my family, now it's officially a proven fact. On Good Morning America today they had a segment on a study done by some Norwegian scientists. It showed that rank in the family showed higher IQ scores. Rank being oldest to youngest. If the first born died at birth, then the second born raised as the oldest still scored pretty high. What can I conclude from this study that wasn't already known? Nothing, really. I watch my little crew that I'm raising up and the differences between them. At 19 months, Landon's current age, Ethan was saying full sentences. I remember when Ethan was afraid of the smoke detector in the hall so he'd run past with his ears plugged chanting, "don't be scary, don't be scary. It's just a smoke detector, it's just a smoke detector". What does Landon say? Yesterday he said "daddy" plain as day. Today he said "poo-poo" and pointed to his diaper. Wow, obviously Landon is a true speaking genius. Was Ethan just born with an extremely high IQ? I'd actually like to think that ALL my kids are equally smart if given the same one-on-one attention. From day 1 of Ethan's life he was read to. He was the only person I conversed with on a minute to minute basis. Of course he learned to speak early. He was probably sick of hearing my voice and needed to make the conversation more appealing to him. Landon? If he and I are the only two people in a room, nobody is speaking. I take being alone with him as time to enjoy the silence. Read to him from day 1? I was just trying to keep him safe from his siblings. Is it really fair to say that Ethan is smarter because he's older, or is it just the way he was brought up? I was impressed that the Norwegian's actually took that into consideration in their study. Being an oldest child, however, I'm glad we finally get some positive notoriety. We are often shoved into the negative bossy,controlling,egotistical group of humans. At least now we can claim to be the smartest.*

*Sorry to those that aren't oldest children and might take offense to the above blog. I'm sure those of you smart enough to read my blog are indeed the exception to the smartest=oldest rule. Lyndsey, Charlie, Ben, Matt, and Katelyn--------In our family we all know there is 100% truth to the study.

What the?!?

Ever since I heard the word "summer" this year I've been craving watermelon. Yesterday Jack, Landon, and I ventured out to Walmart to choose a juicy one, along with some grapes and strawberries. I decided on seedless this time, easier for the kids to eat without endless spitting. (Something I'm trying not to encourage in my home). When we got home Jack wanted some "now" so I decided to cut it up. We were all very surprised when we opened her up and she was yellow! I have never heard of a yellow watermelon, but acted like it was the coolest surprise ever so my fellow watermelon eaters wouldn't be put off by the different color. Come to find out, yellow tastes exactly like red. I guess you can't judge a watermelon by it's outer appearance.

Childhood Memory: My mom used to cut the ends off and let us eat the pulp out like we were using a bowl. Kennedy and Jack experienced my memory first hand.

Ironing clothes is fun to do........

On the rare occasion that I actually get the mountain of laundry at the end of my bed folded, sometimes I iron. I don't enjoy ironing but sometimes it's necessary. Jack, however, loves to iron. Not with the real iron, he's not allowed to touch objects that emit any kind of heat. He irons in his own creative ways. Last thursday was one of those rare ironing days. As I was ironing my last shirt, Jack came into my room carrying his own mountain of clothes. "Mom, when you're done I need to iron my things." What things? Every single shirt he owns. He emptied his entire drawer. He kept leaving and returning with things that kept me wondering. A box of baby wipes, a slinky, a surgical mask, and the garbage can from the bathroom. I lowered my ironing board to his height level, more out of curiousity than kindness. Then I grabbed the camera and sat back just to see exactly how he was going to use each item. First he put on the surgical mask, but since it covered his entire face he placed it on his forehead while he "prepared" the clothing. He layed a shirt on the ironing board then rubbed it down with a baby wipe. Next he put the slinky in one hand, and pulled the surgical mask over his face with the other. Not being able to see, he'd feel for the shirt, then run the slinky up and down over the material a few times. He'd then replace the mask on his forehead and fold the shirt neatly, run down the hall, put the shirt in his drawer, and then come back and start all over. I did have to ask what the garbage can was for because I didn't see its use. "To throw the wipes away mom." Not only does he iron, he thinks about cleaning up after himself.

T-ball games

I finally got some pictures of kennedy in action on the t-ball field. She is actually quite comical to watch. When she is really in the mood to play, she runs for the ball no matter what position she is playing. I've even seen her dive for it a couple of times. Of course once she gets it she either runs with it to first base, or just stands and grins proud that she got the ball. At her last game I watched her standing on the field with her mitt behind her back. I couldn't figure out what she was doing until I caught her shaking her booty. She was making shadow animals using her mitt as her tail. From the angle I was sitting they looked like pretty realistic animal shadows. Softball hero? Maybe. Artist? Definitely.

I don't feel very good.......

Ethan woke up thursday morning saying "if today was a regular school day, and not a summer school day, I would stay home because I don't feel good". Summer school here in the 'ville actually pays my children to attend. (Okay, not just mine, everyone's). If they attend the entire month with no tardies or absences, they get $100. I know, crazy. But, if they miss one day it is reduced to $75, and two days it drops to a whopping 50 bucks. Any more absences and they are out of the money-grubbing circle. Ethan ONLY attends summer school because he is a self-proclaimed money-grubber. A little tylenol in his system and he was off for the day. At 11:45 I got a call from the school nurse. He had come in crying saying that he just needed to rest for awhile. She took his temp and it was 102.3. I asked her if he wanted me to come get him. Her reply? "Honey, legally I cannot keep him here with a temperature this high. You need to pick him up". I was actually scared to go get him. After one entire year of commercials, internet ads, magazines, and spoiled one-kid-only-in-the-family type friends, Ethan looks forward to this money. He's spent it 75 times, and also saved it in a large bank account in his mind which he assumes will come with a checkbook. (He offered to write me a check for 50 cents if I would kindly pay his library fine for him). I entered the nurses office and my poor sweet little boy was laying on the couch in tears. Not hysterical tears, just the I-really-don't-feel-good-and-want-my-mom kind of tears. When we got out to the van I asked if he was crying because he felt crummy, or if it was the money. He answered quietly, "both, but more for the money". I admit it, I'm weak. Too weak. I told him that because it wasn't his choice to come home, and if he went back Monday and finished the month, I would make up the money he lost by missing two days. What a sucker I am for little boy tears. Maybe I'm teaching him some horrible lesson in life like "Mom will bail me out", or something even worse that I haven't let my mind consider yet. But, for now, I'm just trying to get my sweet little boy to rest his little mind and take it easy. I'm also trying to encourage him to finish something he started, even if it's only for the big fat reward at the end.

Little monkeys

Kennedy has mastered the monkey bars at school and wanted me to video her for all to see. Here she is in action!

A little bit of music

Kennedy has these kid pop cd's that are remakes of once popular songs sung by children. My kids all love them, and love to boogie along with them. Kennedy, however, is very possessive of the music she allows. She gets to choose the song, the time it is played, how long it is played, and can eject the cd at any unforseen moment. She seems to enjoy ejecting when Jack is enjoying himself the most. So, while Kennedy is at summer school, Jackson tends to head straight for the stereo. He can put in the cd and find any song that he is looking for. I don't object simply because his sister is mean and he should be able to dance (don't anyone get into any parental logic here, I'm sure what I'm teaching is horrible, but it gets me through the day). This morning I was back in my bedroom folding clothes (another post in itself) when I heard the music. I peeked in the kitchen and couldn't resist a little video footage. As you'll see at the end of the clip, one sibling or another will always spoil the fun!

"freshly squeezed"

For the last 12 years, as long as I've been married, I've been in charge of the meals in our home. That is a lot of meals if you add them up. Quite a number of the recipes our family has grown to love calls for a few tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice. I've become quite accustomed to retrieving the bottle of "freshly squeezed" lemon juice from the fridge and using the amount required. The food I make is always edible, sometimes even really good. At least Shawn never complains. I have had no problem using the stuff from the bottle. A few months ago I was at a cooking club meeting and my friend Katherine (a.k.a.The domestic Goddess) mentioned in passing that she only ever uses fresh lemons because nothing compares. I pushed the advice to the "retrieve when have energy" side of my brain, and for the last few months the lazy side of my brain has won out. Lately I've been dying to try this recipe both Katherine and Ashley have loved, Grilled Lemon Chicken with Lemon Fusilli and Spinach. I decided I'd prove to myself that real lemons don't make that much of a difference and go to the effort and use them for this recipe, but just this once. WOW. I can't believe the lemony flavor of tonights dinner. AMAZING difference. So, Katherine, you've won me over to your side. I'm still boggled as to how a company can really put "freshly squeezed" on a bottle that sits in the fridge for as long as it does. Better yet, how I could actually have believed it was truly "freshly squeezed" and just as good as the real thing. I'm now thinking I should move to a place where I can plant a lemon tree in the front yard.........

A new talent...

Ethan learned to whistle. Well, I don't think you can actually call it a whistle. It's more like a high pitched, one tone sound. Assuming practice makes perfect, he'll be perfect by sundown tonight. I keep checking to see if someone has a tea kettle on the stove.

Last one today.......

I know I've posted a gazillion things today, but I have two pictures that I love and want to share. This is Landon's new wagon. He pulls everything in it, including Jack. I love to see them having fun together.

This is Jack. Jack is often in his own little world doing his own little thing. I love this picture because I can hear the sounds he's making with his mouth as he nonchalantly walks down the driveway. He is probably ignoring the camera because he knows he's supposed to have shoes on and if he makes eye contact that will delay his play time.

I won't get very wet mom............

Those were Jack's famous words before he headed out to play in the sprinkler with the neighbor kids. He didn't want to put on his swimsuit and I didn't make him. He usually doesn't get too wet. But, tonight, they brought out the big guns....dollar store squirters! We had about 8 last summer, but ended with only 1 in full working condition. The neighbors restocked for this summer. Looks like we'll have to also. Who can say no when 1 dollar provides so much entertainment? Jack somehow ended up with the only malfunctioning squirter and everytime he'd go to squirt the top would come off. The others saw this as a gift from heaven and teamed up against him. Poor kid.

That is until he picked up the entire sprinkler in retaliation.

The kids had such a great time!
The night ended with a few tears from those caught in the crossfire (Landon), chattering teeth, warm cozy baths, library books on the couch eating honeycomb, and then off to blissful sleep. Mom and Dad included.

A little B-Ball before T-Ball

Kennedy is playing t-ball this year, and I have yet to take a picture of her in action! However, tuesday night was team pictures. We waited 1 hour and 10 minutes to actually get them taken. Yes, you heard correctly. 1 hour and 10 minutes waiting with 4 kids in the hall of the YMCA. Luckily, Shawn was with us for the first 30 minutes and volunteered to watch the kids playing in the gym while I held our place in line. The ball cage had all kinds of rubber and basketballs for the kids to run around with. Landon tried to perfect his jump shot. I love these pictures of him shooting because his feet are GIGANTIC and so are those that play basketball best. Let's just hope he grows into those babies.......

How high do I need to shoot this thing??

Am I using proper form?

Not too bad for a beginner!

I can do it myself!!

Well, that's what he's probably thinking anyway. He actually just grunts and points at the spoon, and I know what he means. Talking is so unimportant when you can nod your head yes, shake it no, and grunt while pointing at what you need. Unfortunately it's so effective I might never hear what an actual word sounds like coming from his mouth. He obviously thinks he's a big boy and doesn't need my help to eat anymore. My kitchen floor wishes he still let me feed him. And sometimes my walls do too. Last night at dinner I even sat him in a booster seat at the actual table instead of his highchair. Well, apparently that wasn't good enough. He climbed down. When Jack left to go to the bathroom, he climbed up onto Jack's boosterless seat and proceeded to eat what Jack had deemed unimportant. Of course the unimportant becomes important when someone else desires it, so chaos ensued. Does anyone else wonder why Shawn has chronic heartburn?