It's a Preschool Christmas Singalong

Okay, maybe this is something that only parents appreciate. Sort of like people talking about their dogs like other people care, but I find preschool productions hysterical. There are always a few of the following: star performers, troublemakers (usually the LG and usually the funniest to watch unless it is your own child), blank starers, nose pickers (also usually the LG - we're working on this one), missed cue performers or those who are always a few seconds behind or ahead of what they are supposed to be doing. It is the combination of all of the above which makes it hysterical - at least to me.

The LG had his Christmas performance, and I came away thinking that he was perfectly paired with a girl suitable for marriage one day. Just kidding. Okay, no I'm not. I think you can tell a lot about kids when they are 5. Right? I mean, it is reasonable to have their whole lives mapped out at this stage, right? Anyway, you can see what a cute couple they make.



Santa also made a very unconvincing appearance. As parents were trying to get group photos, the LG was tugging on Santa's hat, peering around in his face with a very skeptical expression, and coaching him ("Santa is supposed to say Ho, Ho, Ho!"). In the photo below you can see Santa leaning forward to escape the LG's attempts at pulling off his hat. It was also clear to the BK that the LG wasn't buying any of it. After the LG informed us there was no way that was the real Santa, I had to explain that it was just one of his poorly trained helpers. We're still not sure that he bought any of it. What's a parent to do?

5 Short Years

Our LG turned 5 over the Thanksgiving holiday. He had been asking about it, dreaming about it, and begging for presents for months, so I was as relieved as he was for it to finally arrive. He was adamant about a Star Wars theme, so the BK and I made a paper mache death star, and I attempted to make an R2D2 cake. Let's just say that although I am glad my sister-in-law talked me out of attempting the cake below the night before...



...I am definitely under no delusions about the final product. That said, he is 5, and only cared that it was R2D2, and none of the other kids made the comments I was thinking in my head like, "wow, that's a funny looking cake", or "did the LG make that cake himself?". As the BK pointed out, however, at least it wasn't as ugly as our wedding cake. Touche.



Anyway, we were happy to have his cousins and a friend there. I am a huge fan of the pinata. Not much else compares to the elation children seem to experience as they try to break something with adults cheering them on. That first whack is always a bit tenuous as they look at their parents to make sure a severe scolding isn't going to follow. That is, unless you are the LG, who never looks at us before he breaks anything. Just another day in the life.



I am always amazed by this child. For better or worse. You never quite know what to expect and he definitely keeps us on our toes and turning grey or balding. A few of his favorite things at the moment (in no particular order):

1. Packages arriving almost daily at the doorstep (yes, thank you Amazon for free 2 day shipping and allowing me to shop from home!!!)

2. Legos

3. Preschool

4. Alone time with mom and/or dad.

5. Playing with friends and/or cousins.

6. Watching movies.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MAN!!! WE LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU!

Halloween

Trick or Treating. Spooky Ghosts. Creepy Pumpkins. My kids are in heaven this time of year. If you took away the presents, my kids would definitely prefer Halloween over any other holiday. For a weekend or so we had Darth Vader, Chubaka, and a Skunk running around our house. So much fun. Getting them to hold still for a decent picture on the other hand, not so much fun.

Disneyland!!!

It wouldn't be a family vacation for us if we didn't try to wrap too many things into it, so of course we had a few stops along the way. Actually, the BK competed in his first Olympic Triathlon at Lake Powell the weekend before we went to LA. He did a great job, and trained pretty hard so we are really proud of him! He looks great too, especially when holding his LG who was so excited that the "yellow" team won.





We love LA. I never thought that would come out of my mouth. That said, it has definitely grown on me since visiting my brothers who now reside there. The kids have such a grand time visiting their cousins, and a trip to Santa Monica, topped off with a trip to Disneyland never hurt. The pic below cracks me up. It's too complicated for me to explain why we had to take this picture, but we are hoping that 20 years from now they all decide to meetup at the same spot and try to fit their adult bodies on this tiny porpoise.



We were grateful to have actually made it to Disneyland after we ended up buying our tickets from a less than reputable source. Let's just say that if your tickets include instructions as follows, you should probably just walk away:

"It isn't likely that anyone will ask, but if they do, tell them you were there Friday, Saturday, Sunday, not Monday, and today [Tuesday] is your 4th day."

You can imagine our relief, however, to learn that if on the off chance that anyone did ask, and we were kicked out of the park, that the refund policy included "new" tickets being brought to us so we could try again. The thought of explaining to our children how Disneyland turned into jail should have been deterrent enough. Let's just say we aren't that bright.





We probably deserved going on a day when the park closed early, and the "Small World" and "Pirates" exhibits were closed. Because of the close proximity to Halloween, they had made a few "tweaks" to the Space Mountain ride, basically turning into a spook alley with creepy screaming ghosts and demons following you around every corner. Just sayin' Disney, maybe a disclaimer at the gate would have been appropriate, warning us that the ride was no longer suitable for the younguns. Hard to believe that our kids were the only ones with their ears and eyes covered and shrieking hysterically for their lives to end.

Joking aside, it was a great trip. Thanks to my brother and his wife who tolerate us in close proximity, and thank you to Walt Disney for going just a wee bit overboard and dreaming big.

LGisms

LG: Dad, when I die, I'm going to hide under my bed so Jesus can't find me.

Dad: Well son, that isn't really how it works. Jesus can find you anywhere.

LG: How does he do that?

Dad: I don't really know, son.

LG: Well dad, I don't understand how this world works. It's your job to explain it to me.

Dad: Uhhhh (as he feigns ignorance and leaves the room).

I find this perfect example of what is really going on in the parent child relationship. They don't know. We don't know. And at the same time both the parent and child typically claim to think they know everything. Good times.

Poo Poo Postscript.....
I also meant to add on the last post that I am appalled at the new commercials advertising a decorative "cover" for your naked toilet paper roll. Seriously, consumerism has reached an all time low. Seriously.

Potty Words

Due to the nature of the blog here, photos aren't really appropriate, so you will have to check back later (much later at this rate).

Boys. And girls. What is it about potty words that inspires such hysteria and obnoxious behavior in kids? The LG is all over the word "poop". As a result, so is the TP. Unfortunately for the LG, it isn't very funny when a 4 year old says it and he is directed to the bathroom where that word is most appoopriate. When the TP says it, however, we tend to snicker to ourselves, and the hysteria is passed on to the adults. This went on for an hour and a half yesterday in the car while we traversed the Salt Lake Valley (and even into Utah County - eyeroll) so I could finally convince the BK that when it comes time to buy we are sticking close to SLC. Anyway, by the time we got home, I felt like washing my own ears out. And, I think that will be the last time Grandma is willing to sit in our car for any length of time.

On other potty notes, the other day we went to Wheeler Farm with some friends. While feeding the ducks, the LG took off running (shocking, I know). I found him relieving himself in the "decorative/display" outhouse. As I shielded others from looking in, I was EXTREMELY relieved myself that it was only #1 since there was a nice mesh cover - which might have deterred other kids from sitting down at all - and at the least would have turned into quite a spectacle.

Thankfully, on this subject, and with much thanks (Grandma) to some lovely training pants that arrived in the mail last week, the TP is well on her way to using the potty. I find myself wishing on ocassion, however, that when she says she needs to pee, that I could just ask her to go in her diaper.

Poop.

See, it just isn't that funny.

Trying Times

Don't worry, nothing is seriously wrong with any of us. And times could be a lot more trying. We have just been doing a lot of complaining lately (mostly the BK and myself...okay, really just myself). It just seemed a fitting title for the pics I wanted to post. My dear Sis in Law agreed to take some pictures of the kids. I'm sure you know what then ensued, crying, whining, running through the mud, running outside naked, hair standing straight up. The usual, except heightened by the fact that we asked the kids to cooperate. Once we finally got them outside, I bribed the LG with promise of Legos if he would cooperate, and the TP was bribed with chocolate chips. I should have been more prepared. Needless to say, they are 3 children under 5 so getting a decent picture of all 3 wasn't really very likely to happen anyway.



Just a little update on each of the rugrats.

BIG H
Getting bigger everyday. Hard to believe this not so little guy is only 4 months. Man we love those cheekies. Both sets ; ) He's rolling all over the place, standing up for way too long, giggling, cooing and doing all sorts of other things that entertain us for hours. Then he sleeps (thankfully).



TP
This one will steal your heart and then steal the cookie off your plate. 2 is a magical age. She can talk (and does a lot), and everything that comes out of her mouth is still adorable. She's starting to lose some of her baby fat though and makes me think she will grow out of her 2ishness very soon. Very sad about that. She's very loving, cuddly, and can shriek like nobody's business. I would tell you some funny things she says except that it is more the way she says things than what she actually says.



LG
Much as this one tries our patience, I could write novels about the amusing things he says and does. While saying his prayers, I told him he should bless daddy (who was home while we visited Grandma) not to be lonely. His response? "Yeah, we need to find him a person". Hmmm, maybe not. Every morning he comes running (no exaggeration) upstairs and lands in a perfect superhero pose. Good morning to you too. He's funny and fiercely independent. Which is scary as a parent to this 4 year old. We just hope we all survive.



Otherwise, summer is flying by and I can't believe it is already August. Hopefully time to get back into a normal routine. Hopefully that will also include more blogging.

Blessings

The Big H was blessed last weekend in Logan by his proud Grandpa. I know all parents have high hopes for their children and it is always touchin to hear it expressed in a blessing in a sacred setting. Love, truth and health. I am so grateful to have /felt all three of those in such abundance throughout my life, and I pray regularly that my children will have the same.

Shake Up

We are crazy. I know. For those of you who don't know, let me convince you. A week before Big H was born, the BK started interviewing for a job in SLC. Never mind that I was ready to pop, he was scheduled to have his first interview with them coincidentally when I was in the hospital in labor. Fortunately they thought my screaming in the background was a good enough reason to let him off the hook. I'm embellishing a bit, since I don't really recall how everything happened. All I really know is that a week after Big H was born, we were pretty sure an offer was on the table that would require us to pack up and leave TX in 2 weeks.

The kiddoes a few days before departure.


Sometimes, you get exactly what you ask for. Sometimes that feels good, sometimes you feel like you weren't thinking clearly when you asked. So, with 4 week old baby in tow, we packed up the gaggle in our green machine minivan and headed for cooler pastures. Little did I know that I was headed for winter in April, May and possibly June (still waiting for some snow this month).

A gorgeous night for a sendoff. Roadside somewhere in the middle of TX.

We found a cute little place in Sugarhouse where we now feel we are back in Portland. We love being able to walk to stores, restaurants, parks. And I am particularly happy with our backyard that allows me to shoo my chillins outside. SLC is a beautiful city, and we are loving the mountains, being close to family, and feeling like we are somewhere we would like to settle. Settling is something we have been pretty bad at in the past, but the exhaustion that we are still recovering from is enough to keep us in place as long as possible.

Peek at our backyard full of poppies.

We miss our wonderful friends, but unfortunately (I can only speak for myself) that's about it. Bye bye TX!

View from John's new office. Any view would have been an improvement, but this view is hard to beat.

Happy 2 Little Roo

Hopefully I can find the will to do some catch up blogging, but for now it is best to live in the present. Our little TP turned 2.

She's amazing, wonderful, sweet and stinky. Perhaps due to the craziness of the last year (and the last 2 months in particular), it almost seems hard to believe she isn't turning 3 instead of 2. That is until I am just now reminded by her behavior which is pretty typical of a 2 year old. Some of her favorite things to do:

CLIMB. She's been adopted into the primate family. As I write this she is sitting on top of our kitchen table where I am trying to do my family history (blogging ; ) sticking her fingers and wires into the computer where they don't belong. She LOVES to climb onto the bathroom vanity and turn on the water. Notice I didn't mention anything about turning the water off.

FOLLOW LG. I always wanted a big brother to follow around (I'm sure my brothers would have preferred that as well). Anywhere he goes, she goes. Anything he loves, she loves. For better or worse they are inseparable.

SPEAK IN CODE. She basically says the first and last part of any word, sentence or phrase. "Yo ho, yo ho a pirate's life for me" = "Hi ho me". Pocket = pock. You get the idea, you probably just won't get what she is saying.

DRESS UP. Thankfully her tomboyish behavior is tempered by a high sense of style. She loves shoes, dresses, having her hair done, and thinking she is a princess - which she is.

What fun it is to have so much laughter and life in our home. She's a lot of sunshine and a little sass. Just like we like 'em around here. Happy Birthday Roo!

Every Princess needs a castle, and what do you get for building it? Either knighthood or a whap in the face. Royalty is so unpredictable.


I told you she likes looking pretty. She wanted to show you her hair.


Every superhero needs a sidekick. Especially one with a tiara, wand and a princess cape.

Lucky Charms

Lucky #3 arrived on St. Patrick's Day! We are so thrilled to have him here safely. It was relatively quick and relatively painless. After a quick 24 hour stay, we are now back at home where there are no needles, nurses or neon lights. Big H (as I will be calling him, in part due to the number of cheeseburgers consumed in that 24 hour period) weighed in at a strong 7lbs 14oz. He has hair much darker than even the LG's, his mother's nose, and his father's toes (poor kid on both counts), but is otherwise more good looking than we deserve.

For whatever reason, both the BK and myself feel overwhelmingly grateful that #3 made it here safely. Not because there was any reason to fear, but because it seemed like too much good luck to have things go well 3 times. Perhaps this made it all the more appropriate that he made his appearance on St. Patty's day. Here are a few more pics.

Also, SO grateful for my wonderful parents who have already been working so hard at cleaning up after us all and making meals for two weeks. I hope we don't kill them off in the next couple of weeks with Big H added to the mix.

January February March

I think we are finally accepting the inevitable. Number 3 is on his way. It could be the size of my belly, the pain when I walk, or the LG's constant reminder that Baby 3 is getting bigger (i.e. I'm getting bigger) as he kisses my enormous belly. March will be here soon. So will Baby 3. Yup. 3. Soon to be outnumbered. We are already outsmarted.

In other news, the LG asked me recently if Wolverine keeps the commandments of Jesus. Hmmmm. Probably not, but hmmmm.

The TP can speak, but doesn't. Bubbles, chicken, help, please, thank you, nose, eyes. You know, the usual, just not often and not when we want her to. The only thing consistent is, "No". Shocking, I know.

The weather is splendid. The BK and I are taking a night off tomorrow. Dinner, a hotel, uninterrupted sleep, uninterrupted breakfast. I can't wait. I keep thinking, how did my life get to the point that a sleep over is now the emotional equivalent of a 10 day vacation on the beach? I can't wait to find out how my perspective changes with 3.

Any ideas on how to get out the door with 3 kids under the age of 5? Or shopping?

Just glad January is almost over

Oh yeah, forgot half of the purpose of this post. Wanted to let you all know that the BK set the tent up on our balcony so that he and the LG could enjoy the weather on a camp out. Can't wait to see how long it lasts, but leave it to the BK to bring a full arsenal of gear to the event, complete with a rain fly, "to keep in the heat". Did I mention it is a covered balcony that barely fits the tent? He also managed to cram the TP's new twin mattress in there (the twin mattress she will have nothing to do with).

Also, just remembered that on our shopping trip for camping supplies (cinnamon bears, chips, drinks, etc. - the essentials) the LG excitedly told the cashier that the food was for his "camp out on the patio, in our huge house without a backyard". Glad our 3 bedroom apartment seems huge to him. It reminds me of the time he told another cashier he wished she was his age. Hard to close the kid's mouth. Hard not to wet my pants laughing sometimes.