Cute and funny sayings

Elizabeth's:
We were eating dinner the other night.  Lydia won’t eat vegetables unless she has salt on them and since I want her to eat vegetables I give in and let her have salt.  Lydia salted her cauliflower and then asked for more salt.  I told her she had enough.  She claimed that she couldn’t see it.  Elizabeth said, “That’s because after you salt it, then the salt turns to fairy dust and you can’t see it anymore!”

Caleb's:
Caleb was sitting in his high chair and stuck his foot out the top (how can kids bend like this?) .  He said, "Foot.  Sock.  Open it."  (Which in 16 month language is "Take off my sock".)  So I took his sock off and he said, "Ah-ha!  Foot!  Hi foot!")  He is talking so much and his vocabulary has just EXPLODED this last month.

One more:
Caleb said his first sentence a few weeks ago.  We keep all our toys in Rubbermaid boxes.  He pushed one of the boxes to me.  [Oh first, a little background... he loves to "drag" things around the house.  Anything with a string or even a sleeve on a shirt is fair game.  He drags cords, clothes, coats... anything that he can pull behind him.  And he loves it.  He always informs us of what he's doing and says, "dragging" as he pulls things around the house.]  So he pushed the box to me and said, "Dragging.  Box. Momma. Open it.  Big truck."  So maybe that's not a true sentence but I'm calling it one.  It was just to cute that he's starting to be able to communicate his needs (and yes, a "big truck" is a need for Caleb.  lol.  He's completely obsessed with trucks.)

Yay Anna!!!

Anna participated in a math competition at school called Mathletics.  She took 2nd place for the entire 3rd grade out of 3 schools.  We're so proud of you Anna!  She went to Mathletics last year and was so disappointed that she didn't win.  We had a discussion about how it was more important to have fun than win.  So this year she went into it with the attitude of having fun with friends.... and look what happened.  lol.  She showed me her ribbon after the competition and said (in all her typical Anna exuberance), "Mom, LOOK!  I got second place.  I was so happy that I almost cried while last year I was so sad that I almost cried."  I just smiled.  She's certainly becoming a cryer lately like her mommy.  Congratulations Anna!!! Way to go!

St. Louis, MO

We took the whole family on a trip to St. Louis over the weekend so Blake and I could go to the St. Louis temple. (If you’re not LDS and want to know more, go here.  You can click on additional info as well.)
Well, actually I should say MOST of the family went. Michael had a Boy Scout meeting that he had to be to so one of our friends offered to let Michael stay with them and then take him to his Scout meeting. That made it so we could fit the whole family in one car, which was nice. But I don’t know if it was worth it - it was really squishy with all 8 of us in one car, plus I really missed Michael. The other kids missed him too. It just didn’t feel right to have one of the family members missing. Caleb kept calling, “Miiiiichael!” everywhere we went and asking if he was on a bus (just like he does when Michael goes to school). At one point he heard me say I miss Michael and said, “Michael. Miss.” So cute. Those two boys are so incredibly close.

It was a great experience to go to the temple… and especially to go as husband and wife because it has been awhile since we’ve been to the temple together. But it was such a LONG drive. It’s supposed to be a 4 to 4.5 hour drive. Of course with kids it turned into a 5 hour drive. I’ve decided I’m not a good traveler. The kids did great, but I was stressed out the whole time. I now see why Blake is happy to send me on a plane with the baby while he drives the other 6 kids alone.

We swapped baby sitting with two other families from church so that we could all go as couple. Blake and I watched the other kids (6 plus ours) and then the 2 couples watched our kids.

After the temple, we went to see the arch and the Mississippi River since we were so close. I’ve never seen either and was pretty impressed, although I was freaked out driving over the river! Katie loved the water and kept singing, “Big, big water” (from Land Before Time). I hate driving over rivers and that one is especially large! We didn’t have time to go up in the arch but the kids all thought it was cool.

So it was a good trip but a bit long and crazy. The craziest part was when we got home. We got home Saturday night at 10pm. I was hoping to get home way before that, but we took a long time getting home. So I got the very tired kids in their pjs and was about ready to put them in bed when Lydia and Anna called me in their room and said, “Mom, we both have bites on our tummies.” My first thought was bed bugs. Eeeew! I knew about them from a few months ago when I found a bug in Lydia’s bed. Being the clean-freak, anti-bug person that I am, of course I had to research bed bugs. It turns out it was just a random beetle in her bed… no big deal, and we’ve never had any critters at all since then. So I knew all about bed bugs and how people often get them from hotels. We stayed at a rather cheap hotel because someone else booked it for us. So I immediately freaked out. Luckily we left all the stuff in the car so it was still contained. I took off their new pjs (which is really sad because that means so much more laundry to do) and gave them all a bath. While I was bathing a few kids, Elizabeth got tired and got in her bed without telling anyone… pre-bath. So being the clean-freak again, I felt like I had to change her sheets. I woke up Elizabeth, gave her a bath, changed her sheets, etc. What an absolute nightmare. I was cleaning/bathing till about 1 am with tired, sad kids. I kept thinking that they most likely weren’t bed bugs. And I half hoped that Blake would tell me I was being excessive and didn’t need to do all that. We both aren’t really sure if that’s what the bites were from, but we both agree that we should do a little extra work now to prevent a LOT of work and expense later. So I was grossed out as I sincerely hate bugs of all kinds. It’s taken me 2 days to get everything washed and cleaned. The procedure is to first isolate those clothes in plastic bags then wash all clothes, bedding, pillows, etc. in hot water. I also had to vacuum the entire van… and I had to do that on Sunday morning before church because I didn’t want the clean kids getting in a van that’s possibly contaminated. I had to vacuum and wash all the backpacks and luggage too. So like I said, it was a nightmare. BUT… everything and everyone is now clean and hopefully (**cross my fingers**) bug free. I’m not staying at a cheap hotel ever again! And I think the next time we go to the temple, we will go to a closer temple in Omaha. We did have some good times as a family though, even though it was crazy.

Watch out Daddy!

This is what happens to a dad of 4 girls.  Blake let me have a nap on Sunday.  This is what happened while I was asleep (Anna took these pics):

I guess Blake dozed on the couch (while listening for kids with one ear of course) and the girls did his hair.  He said he felt them, but wasn't coherent enough to know what they were doing - he thought they were just combing his hair.  So when I came downstairs from my nap I found this...

He's such a good sport, isn't he?  He's such a fun dad!  And this is where I found the girls when I woke up.  They were reading a recipe book and eating goldfish crackers (yes, that's the top of the refrigerator!)

At least I got a nap and they were all happy and alive (although I wonder how).  

Some Random pictures

A few random pictures that I thought were cute...

Caleb helping me cook:

Trying to figure out how the microwave works:

Playing peek-a-boo:

 You can barely see him here, but I just love this picture.  Look at that cute little nose and that smiling eye!

 Lydia made "Pez Towers".  I thought that was pretty creative!


"Very interesting".  I don't even know what they're looking at, but they're sure enthralled.  I also love how Elizabeth's hair catches the light in this pic.

And one more fun one:
 

These Are the Special Times

This post is mainly for me, but also for other moms in the same boat I am in.  It’s always nice to have reminders.

I was listening to my Celine Dion Christmas CD (of course since Celine is all I listen to!  And because I’m not ready to put the Christmas CD away yet).  I’ve listened to those songs a billion times, but this time I happened to hear the words to one particular song in a way I haven’t before.  I was listening to These Are the Special Times.  Here are some of the lyrics. (and a link to listen to part of it while you read  - I haven't figured out how to post the whole song.). 

These Are Special Times These Are the Special Times by Celine Dion @ ARTISTdirect.com

In these moments, moments of our lives
All the world is ours
And this world is so right
You and I sharing this time together
Sharing the same dream
As the time goes by we will find

These are the special times
Times we'll remember
These are the precious times
The tender times we'll hold in our hearts forever
These are the sweetest times
These times together
And through it all, one thing will always be true
The special times are the times I share with you

I’ve always interpreted the words to be more “husband/wife-ish”.  But for some reason I listened to them as more as referring to a family and not just Christmas time.  It really put things into perspective for me.  THESE times right now with my kids, while we are all crazy busy trying to keep up with life, really are the special times and the memories I’ll cherish later.   Times I’ll remember when I’m old and gray and in a nursing home.  Brownie troops or Beehive classes come visit me as an old lady (hopefully someone will visit me) and all I’ll want to talk about then will be my kids and husband and the things we are going thru right now.  It made me want to be more careful about making memories right now.  So I’ve been working really hard at coming up with fun family activities. Not anything elaborate or expensive.  Just things that will build family memories that we will all cherish and “hold in our hearts forever”.  I’ve also been really trying to change the way I interact with the kids.  I’m trying to spend more time playing with them and less time on the computer.  I’ve made a bigger effort to yell less and listen more, and to slow down sometimes and just enjoy the moment.   I’ve tried to clean less and snuggle more (yes, me the clean freak… cleaning less… just a little less).  I’ve tried to give more hugs and compliments and just be nicer all around.  Some days I get to the end of the day and go check on the sleeping kids (I always check on the kids before I go to bed – even the big ones) and I’ll look at them sleeping so peacefully and think, “What was I so grumpy about?” or “Why did I have to get upset about X?”  or “I should have spent more time doing this kid today.” Life is so hurried and crazy that most of the time I’m just trying to get thru the next task and I’m always worried about “getting things done.”  So this week I held my sick baby who had a fever and an ear infection and I didn’t worry about the house for awhile.  (Although, I did end up cleaning while he was asleep because I’m a clean freak.)  And I played a game of “go fish” with Lydia, Elizabeth and Michael.  And we all had fun.  Sure it took extra time, but laughing at Lydia’s face when we asked if she had any “Nemo’s” and she did was worth it.  I’m sure they won’t remember the house being spotless.  But they might remember playing Go Fish.  And I’ll remember holding poor Caleb when he felt miserable and wanted to cuddle (a rare moment these days).  So mostly to me, but to everyone else (we all know this but sometimes foreget)… take time to cherish your family today and everyday!  Because as the song says a little later,

These tender moments,

When heaven is so close,

These are the moments I know

These are the special times.

I’m trying to make create more moments like these and notice them more when they happen rather than moving on to the next task of dinner or bath or homework or bathroom cleaning or laundry.  Now I’ll stop blogging and get off the computer and go enjoy… really enjoy… playing with my kids.

Look what Nathan has!!!

Can you believe it?!!  Yes, Nathan can drive... or at least has a license to drive. 

Can you believe it?!!  Yes, Nathan can drive... or at least has a license to drive.  The legal driving (by yourself) age is 16 in Kansas (although I think it just changed to 17 with the new law). But at age 14 you can get a Learner's permit, which means you can drive but you have to have a legal driver over the age of 21 in the passengers seat. There was a new law that basically said as of Jan 1, 2010 anyone who doesn't have their learner's permit or driver's license has to wait until 17 to get their driver's license.  So we took Nathan to the DMV before Jan 1 and he got his permit.  He barely passed the eye test, but I already have an eye appointment for him (next week actually) because he's been complaining he can't see.  Now we know he can't. lol.  So supposedly he can drive now.  All he needs is... my keys.  Eeek!  I'm not ready to hand them over just yet.

Papalama

This is a test to see if this will get back to Blake.  I sent the link to my blog to our family and a few friends who I thought would enjoy it.  One of the friends is the wife of a guy Blake works with.  I guess this coworker read my blog (or his wife told him about it) and he has now started calling Blake, "Papalama".  HA!!  Blake had no clue what the guy was talking about at first.  And then when he figured it out, he wondered how he would know about mamalama and then wondered why I sent my blog to the whole world.  (Which, btw Blake I sent it to 29 people... 19 of them family so it's not THAT bad!)  So now Blake is known as Papalama at work and isn't really happy with me.  I think it's hilarious!  Michael thought it was funny too and mentioned we could even call him Papa-alpaca just to give him his own identity.  Hehe!  I had a good laugh at that too!  So I thought I'd post about it to see if it gets back to Blake.  You work people can call him Papa-alpaca and see what he does.

Here's Papalama with Babylama just for fun.

Why do they pick up on the "bad" examples to follow?

We were eating dinner last night and it was noisy.  Of course it was noisy, it's always SUPER noisy at dinner at our house no matter what we do.  Everyone has much to say about their day and they all try to talk at once.  And there's always someone complaining/ whining very loudly about which part of the meal they don't like.  So anyway, it was noisy.  Caleb smacks is hand down on the high chair and yells, "SOP-IT, SOP-IT!" (i.e. stop it).  I have noooo idea where he got that from.  (hehe).  It worked to calm the noise this time because everyone stopped being loud long enough to laugh at him!

New Hair Cuts

Anna, Lydia and Caleb all got "major" hair cuts.  I guess they're not really "new", but a lot of people have been asking to see to see their new hair.

Here's Anna with her new hair, new glasses and new pierced ears.  She decided how she wanted her hair.  I was skeptical, but gave in and I'm glad I did because it looks CUTE on her and we all love it.

Lydia loved Anna's so much that she wanted to get her hair cut too.  Her hair turned out a bit shorter than Anna's, but we all love hers too.  Anna and Lydia used to be called twins ALL the time, but with their new cuts that doesn't happen as much.  Lydia says that she wants to get glasses now so she can look like Anna again.  We learned that Lydia's hair has a lot of wave to it once we cut it.  Daddy says she looks like Shirley Temple.  Here's Lydia with her new hair.

And Caleb got his first hair cut.  He really could have used a hair cut awhile ago, but I held off.  The first hair cut always makes them seem so much bigger and I'm in denial that he's getting big.  It's true though... after he got his hair cut he looked, acted, and talked like a big boy.  **Sigh** But I like his hair short now.


Here's his "before" picture looking very shaggy.

The first cut.  (**sniffle, sniffle**)  Sorry the picture isyellow.

 Look at his golden curls.  His hair often looks strawberry blond.

He did good for awhile, but then he had enough!

And "after"... doesn't he look big?  But cute of course.

COLD and windy

I guess Kansans aren't so wimpy after all, so I take back my previous comment.  We got a good snow storm yesterday and are supposed to get more snow today.  That, combined with the fact that they don't have many plows (that I've seen anyway) and the freezing cold temperatures and the WIND equals a good reason to cancel school.  School was closed today and will be tomorrow too.  The high tomorrow is supposed to be 0 and the windchill is supposed to be -25 to -35.  The wind today was crazy and cold and caused snow drifts everywhere.  We have a drift out my window that's as tall as the neighbor's fence... so at least 5 feet.  I'm glad my kids aren't out in that!.  So while I feel like they closed schools early (before any of this storm hit), I now think it was a good decision.  Maybe Kansans are just more prepared than I'm used to.

I promise this blog won't be all about the weather.  That's way too boring.  But I thought it was interesting that they closed schools for 3 days because of the weather.  I've NEVER seen that before.  And a few of you have asked if we ever got snow.

No school

Evidently there's no school today "due to extreme weather conditions".  Extreme?  It was 12 degrees when I checked - warmer than yesterday.  I got my kids up and ready for school and had them standing at the bus stop (wondering why there were no other kids out).  Then it occurred to me to check the school weather line.  I would have NEVER thought of school being closed today!  I checked the weather line yesterday just to be sure there was school, but didn't think to check it today since it was warmer today!  Sure enough... no school!  I guess it's supposed to snow and it's cold so they closed schools.  Crazy!  Wimpy Kansans!  They do have HEATERS in the busses and schools and we all have coats, you know. It is supposed to get extremely cold tomorrow and Friday so I expected schools to be closed then, but today?  The sad thing is that I had a really hard time waking up today.  I could have gone back to bed!  And the REALLY sad thing is that Caleb slept till 7:30.  You watch... the schools will be closed tomorrow (and I'll know about it this time) and Caleb will wake up at 5am.  Isn't that how it works?! Well, I guess I better find a project for all the kids to do today.  I'm actually happy to have them home.  We had too much fun over the holidays and I was sad to have them go back, so I'm glad they're home - it's just a little unexpected.

The Perfect Christmas

I don't think I could have asked for a better Christmas.On Christmas Eve we went to see the movie Avatar in 3D. I really enjoyed it even though I didn't think I would. It probably helped that Caleb slept through the whole movie so I actually had a chance to enjoy it. When we got out of the movie it was SNOWING! We haven't had a good snow storm here in years. I told my kids that I "ordered snow" as part of my Christmas planning so they keep calling it "Mommy's snow." It snowed all night long so I got my wish of a white Christmas! We've had a ton of snow since then too. We spent Christmas day as a family and just stayed home enjoying the day. The kids all gave gifts to each other. If you figure that out that's 7 kids times 8 people to give to equals 56 gifts. Crazy! But I think it's important and fun for them to think about each other and get into the spirit of Christmas giving. It worked because they were more excited to give their gifts out than open their own.  We opened presents one at a time so it made it last longer. (Maybe too long because it seemed like they opened gifts all day.) Here are some pics of the kids on Christmas Morning.

First, here they are waiting anxiously at the top of the stairs to go see presents. You can barely see Lydia and Nathan but they are in there.

We had our traditional Christmas breakfast of Toaster Strudel.  We only have it once a year and have had the same breakfast for Christmas for the last 10 years - since Katie was 6 months old.  We eat before opening presents.

Anna on her new bike:

Opening gifts.

I LOVE the interaction that took place right after this next picture.  Michael gave Anna a nutcracker last year for Christmas.  Anna loved it so much that she wanted to start a collection so this year Michael got her another one.  When Anna saw it, she was totally amazed and had tears in her eyes and cradled it like a baby.  She kept telling Michael she loved it and thanking him over and over.  Michael was so happy and proud.  That's the true meaning of Christmas right there!

Nathan gave Michael a shirt with about 500 numbers of Pi on it.  Michael has a new obsession with memorizing the digits of pi.  He can spout off about 72 digits in less than a minute and get them all right!

Elizabeth picked out her own gifts to give this year.  For her birthday this year she got a cat and book from one of her grandmas.  She loved it so much that she wanted to get similar stuffed animals and books for her sisters (you might recognize them Kohls).

Lydia gave Caleb a car puzzle that he LOVES.

Lydia made me a plate at school and was so happy to give it to me.

Nathan loving his new software for writing music (Print Music).

Caleb loved his car from Elizabeth and was done opening presents at that point because he needed to drive the car of course.  We just left his under the tree for later and he "drove" all morning.

Lydia giving dad a present.  She picked out a belt all on her own and was proud that she thought of it and got to pick it out.  Dad is trying to figure out what it could be.  He always tries to guess presents before he opens them.

Michael got Wii Guitar Hero Band and hasn't stopped playing it all week.

Nathan, trying to decide if it's a game or a book.  He says that's all he got... which is true because that's ALL he does is read or play games.

Anna was thrilled and amazed to get an American Girl Doll.

All the girls got American Girl Dolls.

Grandma Kathi made doll clothes for all their dolls.  They loved the clothes and played dress-up all day.

The boys playing Wii Star Wars Force Unleashed and GETTING ALONG!

Caleb LOVED his "Big Truck".  He calls everything a "big truck", but this truly is a big truck.

So big that he decided he needed to ride it.

Michael got art supplies from Grandma and Grandpa and has been drawing non-stop!

And it wouldn't be perfect without puzzles, playing in the snow, snowmen and hot chocolate...

We've done a whole bunch of puzzles together over the Christmas break and have really enjoyed them. 

And playing in the snow...

And hot chocolate...

See, it truly was a WONDERFUL Christmas!   Merry Christmas everyone!