St. Louis....

A few weeks ago I took the kids to St. Louis for a few days. All except Ethan (I thought I had a few more years before he started thinking staying home would be more fun). Shawn wasn't on call the entire week, so it worked out that he was able to stay home. A little weird for me to only have four kids along for the ride. Like I was missing someone. Which I was. Obviously.

We headed over on Wednesday. We spent the evening at Monkey Joe's bouncing in their room full of bounce houses. This was also Kennedy's actual birthday, so she chose this place to enjoy. Thursday we headed to the Magic House where we met Natalie and her kids Max and Jonnie. Loved seeing them! Sadly the only pictures I took the entire vacation were in the car the few minutes we waited for Natalie to join us! (But they are still cute ones)

The Magic House sure has expanded since we last visited. And it was worth every single penny to get in. However. My children are such varying ages that it made it difficult to keep tabs. While there I called overhead for Kennedy, found a lady with a walkie-talkie to help find Landon, had Jackson in tears because he couldn't find me for 30 minutes, and almost lost Presley at some point I'm sure. I feel like out of the 3 hours there I spent 2 1/2 trying to find one of my children. I need to hook them up to some kind of a shock collar system. Or just give them cell phones.

That night we played in the hotel pool and drove around a bit. It gave Presley a chance to take a short nap in the car.

The next day the youth in our church were meeting at the St. Louis Temple and I needed to be there. Natalie graciously offered to watch my kids for me. What a huge undertaking. They had such a great time. I just wish I could have spent more time with Nat! (We'll make up for it, I'm sure).

That was the perfect little vacation. Short and sweet. Just how they should be.

Kennedy's Day....

Kennedy turned 9 on the 4th of August. 9! How the heck did she get so old? And why in the WORLD would I agree to a slumber party as a way to celebrate this occasion?! Glutton for punishment.

The party started at 7. We decorated individual cakes per Kennedy's request. A hit as always. She even consented to allowing the boys to decorate their own. So long as they sat at the table far away from her friends.

After an extreme sugar rush, we sent them outside where we lit a campfire and roasted marshmallows for s'mores. (s'more sugar that is. I obviously didn't think any of this through)

At 10 my boys and Presley were in bed. I put the girls in the theater room with the doors shut thinking they'd stay there. At midnight I went down to stop "hide and seek" taking place everywhere but the theater room. At one o'clock I stopped a squealy pillow fight. At two o'clock I suggested a movie and didn't hear them until 3:30 when they needed a snack in the kitchen. None of them were as quiet as a mouse. I finally told them that they needed to lay down and turn off the lights. Another 30 minutes of squealing, and then silence. A great group of girls. But much more enjoyable during the daylight hours where sounds and laughter are more fun to hear.

L to R: Anya, Hailey, McKaylen, Kennedy, Kailey, Jenna, Presley

Concert Go-er.....

Sadly, I've never in my life experienced the action of a concert. Well. High school Band. But those don't count. I'm talking famous-singer-band-type concerts. In High school I won tickets to go see M.C . Hammer. I was busy that weekend and had to give away my tickets. Alas. No concerts. Clear back in May my good friend Julie called to see if I wanted to go see Sheryl Crow at the State Fair in August. One of her friends was able to get some kind of a bonus deal early. I was so excited to go to ANY concert (and Julie's fun to hang out with) that I jumped at the chance. I was once a huge Sheryl Crow fan. Her album became famous when Shawn and I started dating. Fond memories.

Last night my girls Julie and Michelle picked me up for the 30 minute drive to the Missouri State Fair. It was in the car I learned that none other than Colbie Caillat would be opening for Sheryl! I know a lot of her songs, and happen to be a fan. (Shawn once said he wished she could sing him to sleep every night. He's obviously a fan of her voice also.)

Before we could sit through a concert, we obviously had to fill our bellies with "fair food". Michelle and I opted for the ginormous corn dog while Julie stuck with a gyro. We snapped a few shots while waiting.

Me, Julie, and Michelle. These are also two of my runner girls. Rare that we spend time together in clothing that isn't running gear. It was hot enough last night that we were sweating almost as much as when we run. Good times.

The seats we had tickets for were actually split up. Two were front row, and one was for row 5. We decided we would rather sit together than be able to reach out and touch the performer. We were finally able to convince two older women in the fifth row that we weren't indeed trying to scam them by offering to trade seats. We were sitting pretty 1/2 hour into Colbie's performance. She did not disappoint!

After Colbie (obvious first name basis since we spent so much time together) there was a 30 minute break for the stage crew to get ready for Sheryl. (Also now first name basis) They really ramped up their style in prep for her performance. When she came onstage I was surprised at how little she was! She is also a very classy performer. So real. During her song "strong enough to be my man" she was talking with the audience about how she wants to find a man with a real job. That makes more money than her. And that likes to spend money less than she does. So real. However. I knew NONE of her new songs. Embarrassingly enough, I had no idea she had a new album out. Pathetic. When she'd go back to her famous '90's songs you could tell who was in my age group! Still a great concert.

We bowed out a little early because funnel cakes were calling our names. (our bladders were screaming a little bit too.) We sat and ate these babies outside the concert.

Hot Fudge funnel cake covered in whipped cream. Also a first for me. (Sad. I know.)

After chatting for awhile we decided we better head home because the crazies were starting to make their debut. But. We then turned back for some fried potato things that we ate too fast to get a picture of. Fair Food. Perfect way to end a perfect evening.

Desirable Man......

I know I have a bazillion blogs to type up. Ones with pictures and various items to remember this summer. To prove that we've actually done something besides sweat in the humid conditions. But. Not today. I'm too tired. Or lazy. Take your pick. I do, however, have some things on my mind. This man I'm married to. The tall one with blond (now brown) hair. And blue eyes. A few weeks ago I was really on his case. It might have had something to do with hormones. Regardless. I was all up in his face probably making him feel worthless. (I know. Shocking that I'm not always the perfect wife.) It was a Saturday and I'd just thrown another little tantrum his direction. Then I left with Kennedy to go visit a friend in the hospital that had just birthed her first baby girl. I found the maternity ward. To enter you have to pick up a phone and state your name and the name of the person you are visiting. "My name is Jayne Crook and I'm here to visit so and so". Then they let me in. As I walked in the door there were 3 nurses behind the counter all with ginormous cheeky grins. One said in a cooey voice, "Are you Dr. Crook's wife?!" Her question made it sound like she thought I was the luckiest woman on earth to be married to him. "Yes. I am". For the next 5 minutes I stood and listened to every possible compliment one can make. They were so complimentary I was starting to blush. I was finally freed to go visit my friend. The last comment made was "I love your husband!!" Hmmmm. Maybe she wanted to go make him dinner then? After a bit of holding my friends adorable baby girl, one of the nurses entered the room. She asked my friend a few questions and then turned to me. "When I said I loved your husband, I realize that it could have been taken the wrong way. I just mean......." Another 5 minutes spent hearing how perfect of a man Shawn is. Interesting. I admit that I left feeling like a total heel. These 3 women can go on forever about how amazing of a person he is and I spent the last 15 minutes I saw him letting him know all of his irritating qualities? If I were him I'd rather be at work!
Then today. Church. I'm in the hallway. A sister in the ward came up to me with tears in her eyes and handed me a wrapped package and a card labeled "Brother Crook". She told me how grateful she was that he was there for her procedure this week. She was at total peace knowing he was at her bedside. The package was just some cookies she made. She said they were for me for allowing him to be at work with her instead of being at home.
All these women in love with my husband. (Those are just the few I've mentioned. There are more.) It makes me think. About how I treat him. About how I see him. I obviously take him for granted. A little dose of those nurses now and again might help with that. Today I'm happy that I'm married to a man that everyone loves. Including myself.

Ban-tastic....

It has almost been one entire week since I ordered the electronics ban in my home until noon every day. Wow. How life can change in such a short time.
Day 1 found us cleaning the house, visiting the library, starting our very own summer reading program, and a short trip to Walmart.
Day 2 I was a little worried. Shawn had been at work all night fighting the full moon (which sends women of all kinds into labor) so he was still in bed. And I had a meeting for girl's camp. From 9-12. I almost caved and let them watch tv. But since it was only day 2 I knew it would backfire. So I didn't concede. When I returned home my entire upstairs living area was turned into fort-mania. All 5 little bugs were huddled down deep with library books. Fantastic.
Day 3 was easy. Church until noon.
I'll spare you the day by day plays for the rest of the week. But today. Today was a small glorious motherhood breakthrough. After lunch it was 12:15. Ethan snuck quickly downstairs to play wii. But. Kennedy, Jackson, and Landon were so engrossed in a made up game of "puppy" that quitting to sit around sounded absurd.
I would be lying if I said my kids no longer fight or push each others buttons (or mine). But. Now they know I mean business. Squabbles at the pool result in poolside time-outs. For both parties. Even if the one crying wasn't the cause. 2nd time it's poolside for the duration of our stay. And I intend to stay until I have made a strong case. (Shawn helped prod that along) Lovely. Today a small squabble broke out while I was preparing lunch. I handed a swiffer duster to Landon and Jackson, and armed Ethan and Kennedy with clorox wipes. Baseboards, door handles, and anything that needed to be wiped or dusted is now sparkly fresh.
Summer is officially as it should be. (Though now that I've written about it I've probably jinxed myself and it will all break loose tomorrow......)

Dunzo....

Has school started yet? Because I'm done with summertime. Sure. There is no hurrying to wake everyone up, make lunches, and get them to school on time. No after-school carpool line to fight with. But. They are all here. All. The. Time. And I'm so over it. We've gone to the swimming pool a few times this summer to beat the heat. They fight with each other on the way over. They complain and argue while we are there. They fight even louder on the drive home. Today. Wow. I lost it. After I yelled my peace I enjoyed the silence of their uncomfortableness. They knew it was over. Mrs. nice mom that is. They could tell. My mind was reeling with all the things I could do to make their summer one they would never forget. Tomorrow? I'm taking Presley and Landon to the pool (because they are just happy to be there). The older three? They will be home with a list of jobs that must be completed by the time I return or....or..... I'm not sure. But something bad. And all these bodies laying around because it's too hot outside? Don't care. I've instituted a 'no electronic devices until noon every day' policy. Because idle children make fighting ensue all the more. We will be working. Reading. Playing. Or just watching the paint on the walls. I really don't care. Anyone complains? I add 15 minutes more to the electronics ban for any whine I hear. Or the word bored. Nice, right? I hope so. I'm hoping this changes these little people around here. And helps my summer to be more enjoyable. Because if it continues as is, come August I'll need to be committed. Seriously.

Presley-isms

For the last two weeks Presley has been singing "happy happy shoe shoes" repeatedly. We've all thought it was so cute. We've even joined in. It wasn't until this morning that I realized she's singing "happy birthday to you". Adorable.

Did you know that the rooster says "clock-a-lewd-a-loo"? At least if you ask Presley that is what it says.

Presley is really into animal sounds. All day I hear her say the name of an animal and then the sound it makes. Over and over again. Yesterday it was "mon-key. Ooooh ooh eeh eeh." Today it's rooster (my favorite). I think her favorite is horse. She says that one a lot more than the others.

I love the phase she is in right now. The "mimic" phase where she just repeats everything you say. I think out of all the phases and stages my kids go through (and have gone through) this one remains my absolute favorite. Soon enough she'll quit saying all the cute little things toddlers say and quit doing all the things they do that make me smile. My mom told me I had her just so I could actually truly enjoy this phase one last time. And enjoy it enough to remember it without hurrying to move on making room for the next one. True. So true.