Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Snow Days

You would think that after having my husband home without a job for 4 months I would be glad to have him gone. It's true, I'm glad he has a job, but I still greatly enjoy the days when he gets to either stay home or come home early due to weather. He's home, the little boys get extra time with him. We all instinctively climb in the bed to spend the whole afternoon snuggly and warm and we'll have something warm and comforting for dinner. I'm thinking biscuits and gravy. See? Even inclement weather has it's bright side.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Glimpses of the Past

Last night my ten year old wasn't feeling great and she ended up sleeping in the living room. As I was leaving I got one of those "Don't leave until I'm asleep" looks, so I sat on the couch and waited for her to fall asleep. As I sat there she looked at me and I could tell she was trying to stay awake, but her eyes kept closing and her head kept tilting. She fell asleep in mere seconds. Crazy thing is I didn't just see her falling asleep. I could actually see her as a little baby nodding off. It was like seeing her in two times. I could see her pretty little almost a teenager face, and her perfect little angel baby face all at the same time. It made me fall asleep with a smile on my face.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Feeling Human

Waking up in the morning after a long weekend of food poisoning I finally feel human again. Sure I am an exhausted human, but I'm awake and not doubled over.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Lick-a-beaters

Apparently when my husband was young when his mom would make cookies he would ask for the lick-a-beater, so that is now what all spoons, beaters and paddles are referred as. Every one wants the lick-a-beater. My oldest child sneaks into the kitchen when nobody else is looking and asks me really quietly, like she doesn't want any one to know she still likes it. My youngest child doesn't even wait until I'm done mixing to ask. I have pictures of my oldest when she was two sitting on her grandpas lap while they both had a lick-a-beater. Last week when I made cookies with the girls at church, a shy little twelve year old girl who doesn't talk much asked me if she could have the spoon. Don't tell me the woes of eating raw egg in the cookie dough, The real risk comes when you put that perfectly good lick-a-beater in the sink.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Beads

We went to the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet last night. Eli received two beads and is very, very close to getting his bear. It was great watching him stand up there so proud of himself while trying to look like he didn't care.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Kids Talking Like Grown Ups

I love it when kids talk like they are tiny little grown ups. Love it when they not only use big words, but they use them in the right context. The younger the kid, the better. Oh, and when you tell your husband how much you love it and the kid looks up at you and says, "I am a grome up." That's the best especially when you say, "You are?" and he answers back, "Ya..... I am a mall (small) grome up." then instantly falls asleep when he's done with his sentence.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Spices

I love buying new spices, the smell when you open that bottle for the first time is to die for. Then, there is discovering a spice you have never used before. The possibilities waiting for you in that little bottle are endless. Spices = adventures in the kitchen.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Eccentric People

Last couple days I have been out picking up kids from school I happen to see the same guy. He rides his bike and always wears his helmet. His helmet has been painted metallic blue. On top of his helmet is a Burger King crown. The crown has also been painted metallic blue. Placed on the crown, like jewels are reflectors. It's so funny, he seems to be a very average person, in his mid twenties, but his helmet is just crazy! He makes me smile every time I see him.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Hair Cuts

Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh! I love getting a hair cut, especially if I have let it grow so long that it's actually too heavy and making my neck hurt. The first two hours after my neck is actually sore from the change in weight. Then it just feels so nice! Oh, and when you shower and pour out all that shampoo into your hand, then realize you don't need that much, now you not only have a lighter head, you get a heavier wallet!

Friday, March 19, 2010

No School

There is no school today, we all slept in, we had smoothies for breakfast and we have no intentions of changing out of our pajamas for at least another hour. Today is all about Mom and the kids. I get to choose what we do..... IF we do anything. Today will consist of movies and cuddles. Today will consist of treats for kids. Today we will all relax, kick back and have fun. Today we will SMILE!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Girls

While I was writing about my boys I knew I would write about my girls today, but they gave me even more reason to yesterday. The youngest boy had a bad day yesterday. He woke up in the night with a tooth ache. I called the dentist and he was in Logan yesterday so I had to go out there. I went and got the kids out of school early so they wouldn't be stranded and we all drove up. Once we got there he and the kids all sat down on the couches in the waiting room. He climbed up and cuddled with his big sister. She just held him and made him feel ok. After he went in the two girls kept their other brother entertained for over an hour. Then on the way home they made sure to keep everyone quiet in the car while their baby brother slept. These girls are just so sweet. They are such good friends with each other that they instant message each other while they do homework on separate computers. They are always looking out for their little brothers, and are always willing to lend a hand at home. I'm so glad I had my girls first, I love our talks and I love how girly they are. The house smells like finger nail polish, the bathroom is too crowded and they have to use space saver hangers so their clothes will fit in the closet. I look at my girls and can't figure out what I have done to end up with such great kids.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Boys and Poopy

I always wanted five kids. I just thought I wanted them to be all girls, or maybe one boy. I am so glad I had three boys. If I hadn't who would make videos on the computer singing "poopy, poopy, poopy"? Who would giggle at all the bathroom humor on tv? Who would have sword fights in the living room? Who would make all that noise I love to hear in the house? I love my boys and I love that they act so different from my girls.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Yardsticks

Don't ask me why because I have no idea. Maybe because in elementary we were NEVER allowed to use the teachers yardstick, so I always wanted my own yardstick. I bought a yard stick, I've never used it, but it makes me happy to have one.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Sunshine and Bicycles

The sun is shining more and more right now. Every time I go outside I find myself testing the warmth and waiting for wind. I'm gearing up for a bike ride today. I think it's finally here. Two days ago I was ready and that morning I decided that it was the day, then it rained. Yesterday my husband went out with a friend. I had to go pick up my kids. Nothing will stop me today! Every time I walk past my bike just sitting there by the door waiting for me I smile. I'm ready, the bike is ready and now so is the weather!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Hugs

There are a lot of different hugs out there to make us happy. There is the hug I get from my two year old niece when I say ow. There is the hug I get from my other niece every day when I pick up my kids from school. There is the line of kids waiting to give good night hugs. There is the good old fashion cuddle on the couch with the three year old while watching Sesame Street. Then, there is the unexpected hug, the one from the kid that is too old to cuddle, or when your husband sneaks up behind you while you are making dinner. We all know that hugs fill our cups, so let's share the wealth and pass out a hug or two to someone else today.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Gold Coins

Last night we went to Chuck E Cheese. It was my nephews birthday party. He was very cute about the whole thing. He had a smile for every one. Even though he just wanted to run off and play he made sure to tell every one hi and when we left he yelled thank you across the parking lot. This was the first time my kids have ever gone to Chuck E Cheese. Was the pizza their favorite part? Nope. The tickets from playing the games so they could get prizes? Nope. It was getting that little cup full of little shiny gold tokens. Looking at that little cup you could see them thinking about how many games they would get to play. Every gold coin was one game. That was a cup full of games. A cup full of fun. Seems to me that there should be a cup full of fun handed out to every one, every day.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Running

I know, strange subject right? The only way I am going to go running is if someone or something very large is chasing me. I have no desire at all to run. I have a bike, and my shoes are much cuter than any of those running shoes. My girls on the other hand both love it. I love that my girls have both decided to run. Neither one of their parents run, this is all them. They decided it looked fun and they did it. When they come home after a run they are happy, they feel great physically and they feel like they accomplished something. I am not sure what it is about the running, but it makes them more pleasant people, not that they aren't perfect little angels anyway. Right?

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Questions

Shopping in the grocery store I was barraged by questions. What is that? What is that? What is that? Oh! What is that? This is the favorite question of my four year old, it's his version of the famous WHY. He wants to know what EVERYTHING is. He may explode if somebody doesn't tell him. Some people may think that this would drive them crazy and it easily could. If he is awake he is wondering about things. Maybe it's the fact that this is the fifth time I've gone through this. Maybe I'm just ultra patient. Maybe it's because he is just too cute to be annoyed with, but whatever it is I love it. Every time he does it, it makes me smile. I like that my boy wants to know everything. I want to tell him as much as I can then send him out into the world to learn the rest. So next time somebody asks you "Why?" or "What is that?" don't sigh and say "Go ask ______". Just smile and answer and try to find something you haven't learned yet and ask the question yourself.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Family Night

Sitting down to watch a movie after having to pull teeth to get every one settled. Taking a deep breath, and waiting for the next question you can't answer. Turning off the light to trick them into submission. Slowly getting into the movie..... then it happens. The kid who doesn't really seem to have as much fun with movies as the rest of them bursts into hysterical laughter. They are laughing so hard you have to rewind the movie so you can hear what you missed while they were cackling.

Friday, March 5, 2010

When Little Kids Read To You

I love when the Kindergartner pulls out a book and plops down on the couch right next to you. Sometimes you are in for a bumpy ride, making sure they know that D is not a B, reminding them to actually read the next sentence and not just put in what they think should go next. It's just cute. Every once in a while you get the best book ever! One was brought home this week for me. It's called "I Can See It!" and the best part about it is that my kid is missing his two front teeth. Let's just say that right now a snake says SSSHhhhhhhh. Well he is zooming through this new book and we get to page 3... "I can see a man sit!" page 4...... "I can see a dog sit!" then he stops and looks at me. "I can see a dog sit! is a sentence. It's a sentence because you CAN see a dog sit, because a dog CAN sit." I had to leave the room and laugh until I cried. Then when Daddy came home from work and he was a little bit grumpy, I sent him in to read to him. After that Daddy wasn't grumpy anymore.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Uncles

I was picking kids up from school yesterday. While I stood, waiting for one of my kids I saw a mother and her brother waiting for their kids. They had to run across the parking lot so the mother calls out to her son: "Wait here for your sister and your cousin."
Boy: "Aw, do I have to?"
Mom: "Yes."
Boy: "But...."
Mom: "Do it."
The boy was then resigned to his fate of waiting in one spot for 2-3 minutes. TORTURE! Right?
Uncle: "Hey..."
Uncle reaches into his pocket, boy stops to watch with an "Is he going to do it?" look on his face.
Mom: "No.... NO!...... Really?"
Uncle hands the kids at least three dollars. The kids just beams and Mom rolls her eyes. Mean while the uncle looks like nothing just happened.

I love it! There is no way that man would have handed his own kid three dollars to wait for his cousins, but since it was a nephew it was all fair game. Uncles are great, they don't care if their sister is there telling them not to. They can spoil the kid as much as they want. You know why? THEY don't have to take them home.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Sleeping Babies

Is there anything better than holding a sleeping baby, looking down and seeing them smile?

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Neighbors

I am an apartment dweller. Sure it's small, but it comes with perks! One of those perks is neighbors. Yes, you have neighbors when you live in a house, but it's not the same. There are four apartments in this building, and we all work hard to maintain a good relationship. We have cookouts, we hang out on hot summer evenings, we make each other cookies. Last night my neighbors daughter brought me a bag of tamales. I happen to be a lover of tamales and have tried them from many people. Let me tell you this, my neighbor is a tamale genius! Later in the day she asked me if I had got my tamales. I told her yes and she told me that she had been making them all day for her friends. I was so glad to hear that I was no longer on the neighbor list, but had made it onto the friend list. In all my years of having neighbors I don't think I've ever had better ones! Oh, and later in the day when she saw my kids playing outside she gave each one a sucker. What a great lady...... I think I need to go bake something.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Random Acts of Kindness

My cousin who used to live in Japan came over yesterday. She delivered a gift to me. Last year she had posted on her blog about Girl's Festival or Hina-matsuri. She had posted pictures of these adorable little dolls that her friend had made for her. I commented on her post and said that they were so cute and that I wanted some. I meant this as a compliment to the maker and as a thought that if I ever saw any in a store I would buy them instantly. Well, my cousin's cute friend not only sent her more dolls, she had made some for me too. How nice is it that somebody on the other side of the world saw a small comment and a year later made a gift for somebody that they had never met? That right there proves that my belief that most people are good is true. Hah! Take that you cynic! (You know who you are.)