WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

I keep reading this over and over.....

2010-08-24T22:16:00.000-04:00

Autobiography in 5 Simple Chapters
By Portia Nelson

Chapter One
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost .... I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend that I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in this same place.
But, it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter Three
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in ... it's a habit ... but, my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter Four
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter Five
I walk down another street.

Summer

2010-08-09T12:29:00.004-04:00

Oh, can it really be the end of summer soon? I love summers for lots of reasons. The kids are home from school, I am home from work, we can be lazy, we can have a vacation, we can enjoy each other more. We have had a really nice summer. Our big trip was to Walt Disney World. We had an amazing time. We also camped some, went to Blackwater Falls, and our state Capitol. We'll squeeze in a little bit more fun before school starts on the 23rd.

I am going to try and not be sad about the summer ending, but look forward to the Fall.

Fire hazard

2010-05-11T13:00:00.005-04:00

We went camping a few weeks ago for the first camping trip this year. It was chilly but we had fun. Owen was sitting too close to the fire once, and we told him to hurry and scoot back. He did and said, "Do I still have my eyebrows??". We are still saying that, a month later.

Hello again!

2010-04-14T21:52:00.005-04:00

Hello blogging friends! It's been so long since I've updated my blog that there are still snowflakes on it! I will have to get to that another day. Work, home, and family take all my time. I just have time for a couple Owen stories.

This evening, and all week really, he's been a bit trying. He has fought with his sisters, pestered, annoyed, and been a little stinker. I told him if he would be good the rest of the week (and I gave examples) and over the weekend, on Sunday I would buy him a video game he's been wanting. I told him he could only have three strikes, then he's out. I asked if we had a deal. He said "Yes. I will sign the treaty." So he got a piece of paper and wrote "Yes" on it and signed his name (okay, he printed his name in green crayon).

Now, for the ultimate Owen story. A couple weeks ago he had been in bed asleep almost two hours. Chloe was in bed reading. I heard her call for me. I went in and saw the back of Owen going back into his bedroom. Chloe was giggling and said "I think Owen just peed in my closet". She said he walked in and she said his name a few times, but he didn't answer. Then she heard WATER in the closet. Then he turned around and left. He was sleep walking and went in her closet and peed in the floor, as if he had gone to the bathroom!! The next morning we asked him about it and he had no clue he had done it. However, he did find it hilarious and said "It was a good thing I didn't have to poop!!".

I hope to keep up with the blog a little better, and I hope to catch up with all of you too!

Phoebe phunnies

2010-02-17T21:55:00.005-05:00

Just a couple quick Phoebe phunnies (spell check will love that word!) before I forget.

Chloe and Phoebe made valentine cupcakes over the weekend. I gave them pink icing, sprinkles, and pink m&ms and let them go at it. Phoebe had great fun and was proudly showing me one she made. Then she said she had to go wash her hands because they were dirty from all that cupcaking.

Today she was sitting with me on the couch, and on some cartoon they were playing mini golf. I said to her that it looked like fun (it's been a couple years since we've played mini golf). She said "Yeah. But I'd probably just bang my leg."

While watching the men skating on the Olympics she said they shouldn't wear sparkles...because sparkles are for girls!

I've had a cold and she is always feeling my head and saying it's hot (its not),or handing me a tissue, or commenting on my voice. At dinner she wanted me to blow her food to cool it. I told her I hated to since I had a cold. She said "Well, Daddy can do it".

Last night she slept terrible. Once she was sort of dreaming and kept asking me for her bottle. She hasn't had a bottle a day in her life. Weird.

We've had a bunch of snow days this winter and I've enjoyed getting to spend lots of time with her. To steal one of her quotes, She's the best girl I ever did see.

Just say thank you!

2010-02-04T22:09:00.002-05:00

Owen is a bit OCD. When he gets into something new, it's all he thinks about. He won't stop talking about it, and going on and on and on about it. His life revolves around his newest interests (that change frequently). Right now, it's Ghostbusters. He has the cartoons, movies, and a video game. He gets a video game magazine from Game Stop that he looks at all the time. He found an old one the other day showing what he thought was a new Ghostbusters video game. I looked it up online and it is the same video game that he has. However, he swears that it isn't the same. They show different pictures that are like the movie characters, and he says his is cartoon characters. Whatever. I kept trying to explain to him this evening that his game is the same thing. I showed him online. He wanted me to order it anyway. His reasoning? "You told me when I get something I already have to just say thank you!!". (This from Christmas speeches I gave before opening gifts from others.)

So, what did I do? I ordered the darn thing. Mainly because I can't take hearing about it anymore. Also, it made him deliriously happy. The game he already has is for his PS2. So, I got the new game for his DS, and I'll give it to him for Valentine's Day. I'm sure he'll just say "thank you"!

What do you sleep in?

2010-01-30T19:30:00.002-05:00

I usually sleep in one of Danny's tshirts, and a pair of pajama pants. Last weekend I bought this sleepshirt at Kohl's.

It's black with small white pin dots in it. I thought it was cute, and beat what I usually slept in. When I was paying, the young girl working there said, "I think this is so cute. I bought it for my mother for Christmas". Great. Maybe it's not so cute. Or maybe I am getting old. Or maybe I AM somebody's mother....

What was he thinking??

2010-01-22T23:23:00.003-05:00

Phoebe got this Melissa and Doug magnetic dress up dolls set for Christmas.

(Hers is a tiny bit different with different clothes and girls, but the same type of set.) She loves it and plays with it all the time. Yesterday Owen was messing with it and throwing the dolls around and making them battle or something crazy. This evening Phoebe was playing with the dolls and she was telling me the big story about how he was throwing them around. She was acting all outraged by it. She said "He was throwing them around! He thought they were his guys! What was he thinking???".

And, something odd about Phoebe when she plays with this set. She has trouble putting the shoes on the girls. She often asks me to help her put them on, and sometimes she tries to put them on and she gets them upside down, or on the wrong feet. Strange.

Sweet treat

2010-01-21T18:35:00.004-05:00

I've had kind of a rough week. I'm too tired to go into any of it. I just wanted to write something happy. Today I came home from work, and Danny told me the Schwan's truck has stopped by looking for new customers. Mom and Dad used to order ice cream from them years ago. Danny just took a catalog and a number. I was excited they came to our house and was imagining all the yummy food I could get. We were kind of laughing and I said "You didn't get me a treat? You could have bought me a treat!". Phoebe who was quietly sitting at the table said, "Mommy, don't worry. When I grow up, I will go to the store and buy you a treat."

She's the only sweet treat I need!

Looking back

2010-01-07T09:19:00.019-05:00

Looking back at 2009 in pictures....

January 2009

We had a big winter storm.

February 2009

Phoebe got her ears pierced.

March 2009

Chloe won at the County Social Studies Fair with her project on Niagara Falls. She got a 99 out of 100.

April 2009

We celebrated Easter.

May 2009

We went to the Columbus Zoo.

June 2009

Owen turned 6.

July 2009

We went camping.

August 2009

Chloe turned 11.

September 2009

Phoebe turned 3.

October 2009

We enjoyed Halloween.

November 2009

Owen had fun in the leaves.

December 2009

We celebrated Christmas.

January 2010

Starting the new year with cold and snow.

The lone boy

2009-12-10T17:39:00.003-05:00

Owen just came to me and said,

"You know the two girls in the house?"

Hmmm... let me see. Yep, I know them. Gave birth to them. I've seen them around.

"They made a mess in my room, and they won't clean it up".

He is highly concerned about the state of the house now that Santa will be coming soon. One night he went to bed and looked around and told me I'd better clean the place up. I'm working on it. I'm working on it.....

Oh, these kids are funny.

2009-12-04T22:14:00.004-05:00

Phoebe stays with my Mom while I work. Today she was telling me about a craft she made with Nana. I said it sounded like fun. She said, "It was. You should drop by sometime."

Yesterday evening dinner was pretty loud and crazy. Finally, Chloe and Owen left the table. Phoebe was hopping down from her chair, and she shook her head and said, "Those kids. I swear."

Owen made an ornament at school today. It had a very long string around it. I thought he made me a necklace, so I put it on as soon as he showed it to me from his backpack. He said "Actually, that gets put on the tree". I also messed up when I asked him if it was a mosaic, because it had small red, green, and white squares glued on it. He then said, "What's a mosaic?"

I can't think of any recent funnies from Chloe, although a little while ago, for some reason, I was thinking about her right before Owen was born. We told her we were naming him Owen Daniel. She thought about it for a second and asked, "What will his last name be?".

Good things come in pairs.....

2009-11-25T18:21:00.007-05:00

Phoebe found a pair of Christmas socks from last year. She was so excited and put one on, then held up the other one and gasped and said "Another one!". I'm so glad socks come in a pair for her delight.

Today she wore her new Christmas dress to go get pictures taken. She pranced around it and said it was "Sassy!".

We saw Santa at the mall on Monday. Mom was looking at the picture and Phoebe pointed to Santa and said, "That's the guy who will bring the gifts". Sadly, she was terrified of the guy and wouldn't get off my lap.

Phoebe loves to play with her alphabet flashcards. This evening we were playing with them and she got to the K with the king. She said it was the "K for the Queen Daddy". (The Q card has a Queen.)

She didn't have a nap today and was tired this evening. About 5:00 she wanted to go to sleep. I told her it was too late for a nap. She said she wanted a drink and she would just "take a little rest".

I'd love a little rest now, but there is still lots to do, like go match up all those pairs of socks......

Turkey time

2009-11-11T13:44:00.005-05:00

Phoebe and I made some turkeys today with some of our pumpkins we have. I had some craft feathers and felt that we glued on. Just glue the feathers on the back, we used buttons for eyes, and cut the beak and waddle out of felt. She had a great time making them. I think they would be cute centerpieces for Thanksgiving dinner.

Another idea for Thanksgiving is this turkey cheeseball I made. Use any cheeseball recipe and add feathers of cheesecubes, olives, and cherry tomatoes. Use skewers or sucker sticks to stick them on. I used pecan halves for more feathers and cut a piece from a red pepper for the mouth/beak/waddle. (Is it called a waddle? I don't know.)

My cheeseball recipe is: 2 packages of softened cream cheese, a package of shredded cheddar cheese, and a package of ranch dip mix. I usually roll it in chopped pecans.

Miserable or Joyous?

2009-11-09T21:08:00.002-05:00

I love this quote by Haim Ginott. It is so moving to me. It applies to me as a teacher, and also as a mother.

"I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It's my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized.” ~Haim Ginott

I hope and pray I'm the teacher who makes children's lives joyous (at least when they are with me). I want to inspire, humor, and heal.

I know at our home that how I react to something is how my children react to it. If I am freaked out by something, the whole house is in a frenzy. If I am in a bad mood, so is everyone else. If I am happy and joyful, so are they.

I'd much rather be joyous than miserable anyway!

My girl

2009-10-17T10:31:00.004-04:00

Finally got Phoebe's birthday pictures back. I really love them.

She is doing well with my Mom (and Daddy) while I'm at work. She likes to go every day and says she goes "by herself". She feels like a big girl to go without Chloe and Owen. I miss her, but I'm glad she's having fun. She is always glad to see me when I get home, and I get lots of extra lovings from her. She tells me often, "You are a good girl, Mama".

I like my job, but it's busy and a lot to get used to. I'm forever tired. I enjoy my students. They are so cute. Yesterday one Kindergarten girl came back after being absent. I told her I missed her and was glad she was back. I asked if she was sick and she said, "No. I had bugs". That made my head itch the rest of the day. One day I was holding up pictures and we were naming the picture and the letter and sound it started with. One picture was a vase. I asked what it was and a boy said, "A flower holder". In one group we were working on the "th" sound. We were making a list of th words. One girl said "thong". Another asked what that was and the girl explained. The girl then said "Oh yeah. I've seen those at Walmart". All my groups are great. I have a group from every grade K-6. I run all over the school picking up my groups every 30 minutes. At least I get some exercise. Then I come home and run around. I don't sit down because I may never get back up. It's a non stop day from 5:30-9:30 or 10:00.

Last week brought the lovely swine flu to our house. Both Chloe and Phoebe had it, but are well now. Still a lingering cough and runny nose, but doing fine. Owen somehow escaped getting sick. I have a cold I can't get rid of. Danny is well so far. He's working lots of overtime, and most Saturdays. Life is busy, but we're well and happy, and that's what matters.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off to Work I Go....

2009-10-03T08:42:00.003-04:00

My gig is up. After being a stay-at-home Mom for eleven (!) years, I have gone back to work. I am a tutorial teacher at Chloe and Owen's school. It's pretty great to be at their school; I see them during the day, I can be involved with their school things still, I drive them to and from school, and I can have lunch with Owen sometimes (Chloe's lunch is at a different time than mine, not that she would want me to have lunch with her - that would be embarassing).

My Mom is watching Phoebe for me. I don't know who is happier, Mom or Phoebe. Phoebe was so excited to go there. Mom thanked me for letting her watch Phoebe. Danny picks her up around 1:30, so she gets to spend the rest of the day with Daddy. Chloe, Owen, and I are home from school a little after 3:00. Not bad.

I hope I can settle into a routine and not be too overwhelmed with work, school, home, and kids. I am grateful for this job, and grateful that I was able to stay home while my kids were little. Our baby days are over, so it's time. I'm sad that I can't stay home with Phoebe for as long as I did with Chloe and Owen, and I'll miss her like crazy, but in reality, 3 kids are expensive. Life is expensive. So, hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go....

Hilarious Playdough

2009-09-28T12:44:00.004-04:00

Today Phoebe and I made playdough. We made orange and green so we could make pumpkins. Then we got out the Mr. Potato head pieces to create people (or monsters as Phoebe said). She said it was "hilarious". She played for a long time and said "this is making me tired". Once she said "Do you want me to make you a flood?" (whatever that means). I said sure, and she said, "Sorry. I can't."

Here's the recipe we used that always works well:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 tsp vegetable oil
food coloring

Mix everything except food coloring in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until it holds together. Stir the whole time. When it's cool enough, knead on a floured surface. Add food coloring.

Tooth #2

2009-09-28T12:34:00.004-04:00

Owen lost his first tooth on a Saturday, and the second tooth on the following Thursday. He looks so cute. I always thought he'd be one to freak out over losing a tooth, but he doesn't. The second one was pretty loose, then he bit into an apple and it got really loose. So, he took a tissue and pulled it out. Phoebe insists that she also has loose teeth. I think it's safe to say, the tooth fairy can take a break for awhile.

Tooth Fairy

2009-09-21T09:12:00.004-04:00

Owen lost his first tooth on Saturday. It was an exciting day for him. There was some tooth fairy discussion. Chloe still doesn't own up to the tooth fairy not being real (Chloe lost a tooth on her birthday), Phoebe thought the tooth fairy actually pulls the tooth (to build a castle), and Owen was just wanting some loot. She flew in and left $10 (the first tooth always gets more) and some pixie dust (aka glitter). Owen wonders if he rubs the pixie dust on himself if he could fly. He also wonders how she carries the money. When Chloe lost her first tooth, the tooth fairy had no change and had to leave a twenty. The tooth fairy later suffered from inflation and the poor economy, and usually just leaves a five. I think she'll be flying in here again soon because Owen has another tooth about to fall out. Let's hope she has change when it happens.

Cute kid stuff

2009-09-16T19:38:00.007-04:00

When Chloe is in the bathtub, she fills the tub completely up and since I'm the last one to get my bath every night, I sometimes run out of hot water. I hate nothing more. I love a hot bath. So I yelled in and told her to turn off the water. She didn't hear me, so Owen ran in and told her. I couldn't hear exactly what she said to him, but he came in and said Chloe "bad talked" him. I hate that bad talking.

Phoebe calls Owen her boy. I love that. She told the neighbor this evening that her boy was riding her tricycle. She tells people about her boy all the time. I was talking to a cousin I ran into at the store and she told them our kids were at school. Yesterday I heard her tell my Dad something about her girl Chloe. When she talks about Chloe and Owen together, she calls them the kids.

Phoebe is suddenly into playing store all the time. She calls me "lady" and asks me how much things cost. Then she bags up everything we own into plastic bags. It's usually books. Then I have to give her a receipt and tell her to have a nice day. Once I forgot to tell her to have a nice day and she said, "I'll have a good day". Yesterday she put all the bags in her little shopping cart and took them and put them in the chair. Then she got in the chair and pretended to drive. Today she wanted me to go outside while she rode her tricycle and she told me we'd go outside and then play store in a minute. We're on a tight schedule around here.

Every night at dinner I ask Chloe and Owen to tell me the best and worst parts of their day at school. Owen is really loving first grade. He always tells the best part of his day (today it was playing with the parachute in gym), but usually says he didn't have any bad parts. Today he did say when his friend had to change his card (their discipline plan involves changing the color of their cards).

Chloe is doing well in sixth grade and likes her teacher, but isn't really thrilled with going to school in general. She told me that two boys "asked her out". Out? Where are they going?? She told them she was already "dating" someone. I can handle the boy stuff okay, but I don't like the bad talking. ;)

Phoebe Leann's 3rd Birthday

2009-09-15T21:25:00.010-04:00

Three years ago on September 14th, our last baby, Phoebe Leann, was born. She was born a beauty and a blessing, and remains a beauty and a blessing three years later. We have treasured her and enjoyed her, loved her and delighted in her.

Her first birthday:

Her second birthday:

Her third birthday:

She had a princess party the day before her birthday and she had such a good time!

I thank God every day for my little princess.

The Game Farm

2009-09-08T18:31:00.007-04:00

Over the weekend we went to the West Virginia Wildlife Center. We always called it the Game Farm or French Creek Game Farm. I loved going there as a kid, and Danny says he did too. We've had Chloe there two or three times, and Owen once when he was a baby. It's about a three hour drive to get there, so we don't go very often. Some pics of the day:

Chloe is 11???

2009-09-04T18:35:00.007-04:00

I don't know how in the world Chloe just turned 11. But she did. Eleven years ago on August 28th, Chloe was born. She was a tiny thing at 6 pounds and 6 ounces and 20 1/4 inches long. The most wonderful, perfect, beautiful thing we had ever seen. My labor and delivery with her was horrible. No epidural and more pain that I could have ever imagined. We were so happy to meet her, to love her, to be her parents. She was my first baby, the one who made me a mother.

Being the mother of an eleven year old isn't something I thought about when I was pregnant with her, or when she was a baby, or even a toddler. It is sometimes interesting and not always pleasant. She is a delightful daughter though and is one of my greatest joys and blessings. Now at eleven she loves makeup, wild jewelry (less is more means nothing to her), especially earrings, gum, crazy clothes, pandas, reading, her new cell phone, magazines, sleepovers, and polishing her nails.

On her actual birthday this year we had a little cookout and an ice cream cake. We finally relented and got her a cell phone that she has been dying for.

For her party we rented the pool. She had a great time with all her friends despite the cool evening.

It was a great birthday and I hope she has many more happy ones! I can't wait to see what the next year brings (I think).

NO JUMPING

2009-08-27T08:41:00.004-04:00

I find these pictures hilarious because of the sign that says NO JUMPING. Chloe and her swimming pals, Leah and Camryn, are jumping in the pool on the last day of summer before school started. We ate lunch at the pool that day and they had a fun time.

Owen and Phoebe had fun too, but didn't do any jumping in the water.

We'll swim this weekend for Chloe's pool party (it is supposed to be cold which has me stressed out about her party), and that will be it for swimming this year. Goodbye summer.

First Day of School

2009-08-26T12:21:00.001-04:00

I can't believe the summer is over. Chloe headed to sixth grade today, and Owen to first grade.

I've wondered, worried, and prayed about and for them all day. I think Chloe will be fine but I worry the most about little Owen. He's such a baby in so many ways, and gets so nervous about things. He was very brave this morning though. I'm hoping they both had a great day, and I can't wait to hear about it, and kiss their faces! Three hours to go!

High Dive

2009-08-19T12:10:00.006-04:00

This summer Chloe has been going off the diving boards at the pools. She has never had swimming lessons, but taught herself to swim, and has always loved the water. Swimming is her favorite summer activity. We usually go to our little country pool, but sometimes we go to the town pool which has a couple diving boards. This week we went to a different pool about 30 minutes away. It's a much bigger pool than we are used to, with a slide, a mushroom of water, and two diving boards. One of the diving boards is pretty high. Chloe and her friend Camryn were brave enough to jump off of it on Monday when we were there. It made me so nervous, but I'm proud of Chloe for being so brave (and Cam too). (I wouldn't jump off that high dive for $100!)

Here is the summer pool crew! Front: Sophie and Carolee, Middle: Owen, Leah, Phoebe, Back: Camryn, Chloe, and Joseph. When we first started our summer friend swims, we only had two kids between us. Now we have 8. (When we went into the new pool this week they asked me if we were a daycare!)

Owen with his friend Carolee. They have a love hate relationship. ;)

And this pic is for Mindy because she said it was good blog material:

Thanks for the great summer, friends!

Peace Out

2009-08-17T22:01:00.006-04:00

This evening Phoebe was banging two of her baby dolls together. She said they were in a fight.

I recently ordered her birthday gift. It came in a big box. We put it in our bedroom until I could get it hid. I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth and Phoebe came in and smiled up at me. She said "I peeked in the box. I am going to freak out when you give me that for my birthday".

Chloe has taught her to give the peace sign and say "Peace Out!". Only sometimes she holds up three fingers instead of two.

She likes to say "actually" all the time. I was holding her saying she was my baby girl and she said "Actually, I am a big girl".

Peace out!

Last days of summer

2009-08-16T14:26:00.007-04:00

This has been the fastest summer ever. We are trying the enjoy the last of our days before school starts. We go to the pool as often as possible with our friends. Tomorrow we're having lunch before the pool with our little group, and then hitting a much bigger pool. We're hoping to squeeze in all the fun we can these last days. We went to the county Fair last week and had a great time. Yesterday we went on a bit of a road trip to Danny's 20th high school reunion, then stopped for a visit with his parents. We ended the trip with a late dinner at Long John Silvers.

Always at the end of summer I wonder if I did enough with the kids, or if I spent enough quality time with them. I know I've loved them enough, which is the best I have to give them.

Here are pictures from the Fair:

Chocolate Crackers

2009-08-11T21:00:00.004-04:00

I first had these when I was in high school. One of our favorite substitute teachers shared them with my friend and I. We got the recipe and I've been making them for over 20 years. My sister and I love to make them together. I made a pan of them this week and Danny and I ate them all gone in a couple days.

Chocolate Crackers

Melt 2 sticks of butter in small saucepan. Add 1 cup sugar. Boil for 3 minutes. Cover cookie sheet with foil. Spread saltine crackers all over pan in a single layer. Pour butter/sugar mixture over crackers. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle one package of chocolate chips over the top. Let set for a few minutes then spread chocolate over the top. Refrigerate until firm and cold. Break into pieces and enjoy!! Store in fridge.

Hula Hoops

2009-08-10T13:08:00.006-04:00

Last weekend when we were at the mall, Phoebe wanted to "get her ears pinched so she could get some hula hoops". The mall is where she got her ears pierced back in the winter. She wanted some new hoop earrings (like mine and Chloe's) and she thought she had to get them pinched (a.k.a. pierced) again to get new earrings. I loved that she called them hula hoops. I may never say hoop earrings again. I told mom and dad the story about it. On Saturday we went to watch the Fair parade that kicks off the Fair that starts today. Dad was there too and we watched the parade from in front of my aunt's jewelry store.

After the parade Dad asked Phoebe if she wanted to go into the jewelry store and get some hula hoops. So, he bought her some hoop earrings.

He got some earrings for Chloe too, but for some reason my sister and I couldn't talk him into getting us new earrings.

I see the light

2009-08-05T08:19:00.005-04:00

Owen was shining a flashlight in his ear. He asked me if the light was coming out his other ear.

We were talking about a dog that was going to have puppies. He asked how a dog got babies. I paused for a minute thinking of what to say, and he said "The mommy and daddy dog just lick each other". Reminds me of a couple years ago when Chloe saw Danny and I kissing and said we'd better stop that or we'd get another baby.

Phoebe was talking about something a couple days ago and then she said "Mark my words". Chloe said she heard it from a cartoon. She also likes to say "It's not my fault" often.

He fainted

2009-07-28T15:18:00.005-04:00

I love listening to the kids when they are talking to each other (when they are talking nicely, that is). I just like to over hear the little things they say. Sometimes they are so sweet with each other, and sometimes very funny. Today on the way to the grocery store they were talking about alligators. I told them about a story I just saw on TV about a woman getting her face bitten by an alligator. Owen asked if there were any alligators around here. I said no, and Chloe said they had some in Florida. I said sometimes they get in pools there. Owen then said we better not talk about them anymore. Phoebe continued talking about alligators and Owen put his head over and closed his eyes. Then this conversation happened:

Phoebe: "Owen is asleep."

Owen: "I'm not asleep. I fainted."

Chloe and I laughed so hard. Apparently now the mere mention of alligators causes Owen to faint. Or fall asleep.

Bed Head

2009-07-25T10:07:00.004-04:00

When Owen wakes up in the morning his hair looks likes this:

It always sticks up in the back. I've found that Suave's kids tangle spray makes it lay down with a little work.

It is like waking up to a rooster every morning. Just another Owen quirk that I love.

Zucchini Carrot Cake

2009-07-22T14:02:00.004-04:00

I love cooking with zucchini from my Dad's garden in the summer. This is a yummy cake I made last week:

Zucchini Carrot Cake
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups shredded zucchini
1 cup shredded carrots

Preheat oven to 350. Combine dry ingredients. Add oil, eggs, vanilla; mix well. Fold in zucchini and carrots. Pour into greased 9x13 pan and bake for 45 minutes. when cool, frost with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Cream butter and cream cheese. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Fold in nuts.

I love this cake. The icing is so good I could eat it with a spoon. Phoebe liked it too, minus the nuts. I think I might make it as muffins the next time.

Magic Cobbler

2009-07-22T13:44:00.003-04:00

The kids and I have been picking blackberries. They love to fill their little buckets up with the berries. One of my favorite ways to eat them is in a cobbler. Here's the one I've been making lots of:

Magic Cobbler
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup milk
2 cups sugar, divided
1 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder (I skip this because I use self-rising flour)
2 cups fruit (blackberries, blueberries, peaches, etc.)

Preheat oven to 350. In 8x11-inch pan (I use 8x8), melt butter. In mixing bowl, combine milk, 1 cup sugar, flour, and baking powder. Pour mixture over melted butter, but do not stir. Spread fruit on top and sprinkle with remaining cup of sugar. Again, do not stir. Bake for 30-40 minutes until fruit is soft and top is golden brown.

Delicious!!!

Sunday Road Trip

2009-07-20T14:21:00.004-04:00

Yesterday we went to my Uncle's house about three hours away for a party. The kids had fun with the cousins and friends. We went to Cabela's on the way home. Some pics of the day:

121468162" />

What's that smell?

2009-07-18T09:16:00.003-04:00

Phoebe just came to me and I smelled a strong smell.

Me: What's that smell?
Phoebe: It's perfume.
Me: Where did you get it?
Phoebe: In Chloe's room.
Me: Oh (Making a face)
Phoebe: It's good. It's weally good. It's banilla.

Now for Owen:
I love how he says an "s" sound instead of the "th" sound in some words. Like brother is broser and either is eiser. He also says many words like he's from Boston, like car and shark. I was giggling to myself yesterday thinking about him with my aunt on the 4th of July. She doesn't see Owen very often and she asked him to come sit by her and talk to her. He stopped playing to go sit by her. They talked a bit and he said "Well, I weally got to get going now". Yesterday there was something scary on tv and he said he had better get going because he had some work to do in his room.

And Chloe:
Danny was talking with her in her room yesterday after we had talked about her growing up and not being a little girl anymore. The conversation was about things she liked.

Danny: Which stuffed animal do you like best?
Chloe: I like them all.
Danny: Do you like Daddy or Mommy best?
Chloe: I like you both.
Danny: Do you like Owen or Phoebe best?
Chloe: Phoebe. She's nicer.

Camping Trip

2009-07-16T21:10:00.006-04:00

We left for camping on Saturday and came home yesterday (Wed). We had a good time. The kids loved it. Molly wasn't crazy about it. It was pretty chilly in the mountains and it rained some on Sat. and Sun. My motto was Camping is Dirty Business, because with the mud and dirt the kids stayed filthy. It was an isolated campsite and we had a nice time just having family time. We ate lots of good food and even made ice cream in a can. I loved the potatoes in the fire and the beans we cooked over the fire. Breakfast was yummy to eat outside too. I made the kids a scavenger hunt and we did some crafts. We fished, played, explored, and relaxed. Phoebe is such a good camper, she wasn't any trouble at all and enjoyed herself. Once she bumped her ankle and said she hurt her "leg wrist". On the way home we went to the Scenic Highway which I always love, and we stopped and visited Danny's parents. It's good to be home now and I'm slowly catching up on laundry and the unpacking is done. Now to plan the next camping trip!

Silly stuff and nothing much

2009-07-07T15:46:00.005-04:00

Owen asks a lot of thoughtful questions. Like yesterday he was looking at his shadow and asked why shadows didn't have mouths. The other day he asked me how tigers went to the bathroom.

Phoebe is so funny these days. She was sitting happily in her carseat when I stopped at the store and got her out of the seat. She jumped down and said "I'm free!!". We had pancakes and bacon Sun. evening for breakfast. She, like me, loves butter. She asked for more and I said a little more and that was all. Then she said "Can I have some of that butter to put in my mouth and eat it?". She loves to boss Owen around. He burped yesterday and before I could say a word she said "Owen, say excuse me! Burping is bad manners."

Chloe has a renewed interest in Barbies. Yesterday I got out a huge tote of Barbies of hers that we had packed away. She and Phoebe washed every single one of them in a big thing of soap and water I gave them, I washed and dryed the Barbie clothes, and now they are entertained for hours. One had pink panties on and Phoebe said that one had a pink butt.

We went to the library this morning and then to the pool. Owen said he had work to do when he got home. I asked what, and he said play his video games. He wanted to go to Kmart to buy a new game. I told him he just got new ones for his birthday and he'd have to wait until Christmas. He said Christmas was hours away and he couldn't wait that long. Then he said he really hoped snow came down on the ground for Christmas.

Today Owen was eating a chocolate bar (as he calls it) and Chloe stole a bite, which caused some crying with one sad tear. He said now he didn't have as much as he did.

He was wearing his goggles in the van on the way to the pool today. I could hear him snorting and breathing hard. I asked if he was okay and he said "Yes, I just need to get a breath". The goggles were pinching his nose closed.

Owen was looking for Molly yesterday and asked, "Is Molly home?". Where else would the dog be?

We did summer reading at the library today. With each level they complete they choose a prize. Today was craft day too and we checked out new books. Owen came home with a medal he made for the craft around his neck, a Scooby Doo bubble necklace on, carrying a sucker, and a pirate eye patch on. Phoebe had her medal, a stuffed pony, wearing a tatoo and sporting the eye patch, and a roll of Smarties. Chloe had her medal and a dolphin bubble necklace, and a piece of candy.

I just love those kids.

4th of July

2009-07-05T20:01:00.004-04:00

We had a nice 4th of July, despite the cooler weather and rain. It didn't start raining until the evening, just in time for the party. The kids didn't care and played in the rain. When it was time to do the fireworks, the rain had stopped. We went to Mom and Dad's for their annual 4th of July party. The fireworks were good and we had fun.

Happy 1st Birthday, Molly!

2009-07-04T08:56:00.005-04:00

After years of asking for one, Chloe got a toy poodle for her birthday last year. She named her Molly. Molly has become part of our family.

Yesterday was her first birthday. Chloe wanted to celebrate with a party. So, she decorated the back porch, helped make a doggie cake, and invited some doggie friends.

Phoebe and Danny at the party (Phoebe does this pose for all pictures now):

With the doggie cake that the dogs promptly gobbled up before I could take a picture:

Opening gifts:

And all the doggie guests (Lucy with my Mom and Phoebe, my brother-in-law Ed with Chester, my sister Betsy with Lilly, and Chloe and Molly). Danny's four beagles also got a piece of cake and were at their dog boxes in the backyard for the party.

My silly girl

2009-07-02T08:56:00.006-04:00

This morning after our good mornings and during our morning snuggle Phoebe sat up in my lap and said "Daddy is a boy". I said yes, then she said yes, and that was that.

After I went to the grocery store the other day I cut up some of the fruit I bought all in one bowl; cantaloupe, watermelon, and pineapple. Phoebe loves it and yesterday she asked for only the "red cantaloupe". That would mean watermelon.

Yesterday Chloe was shaving her legs with an electric razor. Phoebe asked me if Chloe could shave her legs with the shaver. She also asked if Chloe could give her a "pay-cure", which I finally figured out meant pedicure. No way to the first, hesitant yes to the second.

I asked Phoebe if she needed a nap a few days ago because she was being grouchy and she said, "Let's not talk about that".

Owen's 6th Birthday

2009-06-29T09:18:00.008-04:00

Owen's birthday was Friday and his party was on Saturday. Friday we took him to Bob Evan's for lunch, let him rent a couple movies, and had cupcakes and ice cream. We gave him the gifts from us, and later my parents and grandmother came with gifts too, and we had cupcakes and ice cream again. I made the cupcakes in ice cream cones, we all love that. If you haven't tried that, you must! Just make a cake mix from a box, and fill ice cream cones about 3/4 way full. Bake, then use icing for the tops. (Best eaten the same day you make them, or they get too soggy.) So good and kids love them (and so do I)!

Making a wish:

Chloe made him this sweet game:

He asked for Screature, and Mom and Dad got it for him. He loves it!

Saturday was Owen's party at McDonalds. It was the first McDonalds party we've had, I always plan a big party on the kids' birthdays, so it was kind of strange not to this time. It's what Owen wanted to do because he'd been to his friend's party there in the winter. It was a good day for a party and the kids loved playing on the playground there. Owen said it was the best day of his life.

Happy Birthday, baby boy!

Bikini Bread and other ramblings

2009-06-25T18:53:00.007-04:00

Dad has zucchini ready in his garden now. I love zucchini from his garden. Love. It. Today I made zucchini bread with chocolate chips (with chocolate chips because I was dying for chocolate). Phoebe helped and told everyone she was making Bikini Bread. Not suitably named because you can't wear a bikini after eating two loaves of it like I am going to do. (Recipe from Paula Deen here.)

To update you on weird things found in my fridge, I found a Lego today along with a tomato with a bite out of it. The other day I found a diver "guy". The trend of toys found in the fridge leads me to believe the culprit is Owen. (The tomato incident though has Phoebe written all over it.)

(BTW, the pink stuff in the pitcher in the pic above is my Crystal Light raspberry lemonade that I totally love this summer.)

Chloe and I got our hair cut yesterday. I like hers a lot. Mine, not so much. It's the first time Chloe has ever had bangs in her life. They are long side bangs and she got some layers around her face, and about an inch cut off the length.

And finally, six years ago right now I found myself in the hospital ready to give birth to my baby boy, Owen. Chloe and I had been at the pool all day with my friend Mindy and her daughter Camryn. That was back in the day when we only had one girl each. Those girls would swim for hours and we'd kick back and gossip the afternoons away. That day was very hot and the pool was busy and rowdy. All day I told Mindy I was having contractions. It was June 25th and my due date was July 7th. I knew I was in labor. I oddly didn't panic. I knew it would take forever to have him, as it did Chloe. So we swam. When we were about to go a lady asked if she could have my chair. After I rolled myself out of it, I said sure we were leaving. She said I looked like I was about to have the baby any day. Why yes, I was. I told her I thought that day was the day.

I went home, took laundry off the line, cooked dinner, and got Chloe ready to go to my parents. I told Danny we would be going to the hospital but he stayed on the computer and took his time reading whatever it was he was reading while I scurried around. So that evening we finally made it to the hospital. I was dilated to 3 or 4 (I can't remember which now). The dr. on call sent me for an ultrasound and thought the baby was big (he wasn't, but bigger than Chloe who I barely had)and we should go ahead and do a c-section. I was worried about that because I didn't have one with Chloe. He called my dr. and my dr. said to wait until morning and he'd come in. They gave me cervidil and a sleeping pill. By morning I was ready to have Owen. I pushed for 2 hours and nothing. They were thinking I'd need a c-section so they gave me an epidural. I hadn't ever had one before and found it blissful. Finally after much drama that I won't bore you with, they wheeled me in for a c-section. He was facing up, instead of down like he should have been to be born, and he had a big cone head from being stuck so long. My first boy (as he likes to call himself) was born on June 26, 2003 at 5:37 pm. He was 7 pounds 9.4 ounces and 19 3/4 inches long.

What a joy he was then, and now.

A gripe from the movies

2009-06-25T08:31:00.004-04:00

Last night I took the kids to see the movie UP. My friend Anna and her kids met us there. First, we had a great time, the movie was good, and Phoebe made it through the whole thing just fine.

However, there are two things still bugging me this morning. The ticket prices aren't cheap, but not too bad either, so I'm not complaining about that. ($7 for me and $5 for Chloe and Owen, and Phoebe was free, so $17 for tickets.) It's the cost of the snacks that have me over the roof. Chloe, Owen, and Phoebe each got a snack pack which consisted of a pretty small bag of popcorn, a tiny drink, and m&ms (no substituting the candy). Each of those was $4.50. I got a small popcorn which was $4.50, and a small diet coke for $3.50! So I spent $21.50 on snacks!!! Unbelievable. I mean, $3.50 for a very small diet coke? To spend more on snacks than the price of admission is absurd.

My other gripe is how freaking cold it was in the theater. Let me just say, I am never cold. I'm always hot. Always. Just ask Danny. Well, I was a popsicle at the movie. Poor Phoebe said she was "freezing to death" and pulled her shirt down over her knees, and tried to huddle with me for warmth. The other kids were saying they were cold. When we got out to the lobby people were shivering. I was never so glad to get outside in the heat in all my life. I didn't even use the a/c in the van on the way home. It seriously had to be 50 degrees in there. Once Phoebe said she needed a blankie.

Anyway! There is my gripe for the day. Now, our electric company is having a scheduled outage today from 10:00-1:00 on a 90 degree day, so I may be begging for 50 degree a/c this afternoon.

She needs trained

2009-06-23T20:57:00.004-04:00

Yesterday Phoebe and I were writing and coloring. She is getting better at writing her name, her P and O are great. She loves to spell her name and is so proud when she spells it for us. Owen was watching her write and said she couldn't write her name because she hadn't been trained.

We were swimming and Owen said it was hard to walk through water because it was so thick. He also thinks swimming takes the place of a bath. At the pool today there was a water battle going on between Owen and the girls (all my friends and family have girls) and they said it was girls against boy.

Things are busy with summer reading at the library yesterday, a sleepover here last night, swimming at the pool today, haircuts and going to the movies tomorrow, and all the usual stuff too. Owen told me today I looked tired which can never be good when a five year old tells you that. Then he promptly told me to carry him to the porch.

Father's Day and First Day of Summer

2009-06-23T00:22:00.004-04:00

We had a fun day on Sunday. We went to church and in the afternoon we celebrated at Mom and Dad's with a cookout and swimming. My Dad assumed his role of King of the Grill (as his apron says)and made us his famous fries. He deep fries them outside on a huge fryer. I'm lucky to have the best Dad in the world, and not just because he makes great fries. We camped out in the backyard on Saturday, so we were tired and napped some after the cookout. A great day. Too bad every day isn't a Sunday.

Food confusion

2009-06-18T10:54:00.005-04:00

Owen has had some trouble identifying food. When Dairy Queen opened for the Spring (it's one that just serves ice cream so it closes in the cold weather months) I told the kids we'd go. They were excited and telling me what they'd order. Owen said he wanted banilla (notice the b) ice cream in a cup with a lid and a straw where you drink it. Oh, a milkshake!

Last week there was a sale at Kroger on all the Cheetos and Fritos. We got chili cheese Fritos (my fav!) and two kinds of Cheetos. The puffed kind and the crunchy kind. Because I'm all about healthy snacks. One evening Owen asked for some Cheetos. Then he said the kind that are a line, not the curved. Oh, crunchy!

Yesterday (a mere five minutes after dinner) he asked for those little square brown things in a bowl that he thinks are called Golden Grahams. Oh yes, Golden Grahams!

Totally off subject, but it's 11:00 and I am already totally stressed out. The two classes I'm taking are A LOT of work and requires more thinking than I have done in 14 years. I have fought with my computer for days to get important things to download and I just this morning FINALLY figured out what was wrong. (No thanks to the two computer tech people I've talked to for hours. Thank the Lord and Google for me figuring it out.) I have laundry and dishes to do, the kids are all in their swim clothes wanting to go to the pool, I need to do class work, and the house needs cleaned. So, I better get to it!

AND! Happy Birthday to my friends Rosie and Nellie!! Have a great day girls!

Who cares??

2009-06-16T22:30:00.005-04:00

Phoebe was putting her shoes on to go outside. She started out the door and I told her that her shoes were on the wrong feet. She said "Nobody cares!" and went on out the door. Today we went to swim at my mom and dad's house. We had lunch on the porch. Mom asked her if she wanted more cantaloupe and Phoebe said "I'm not sure". I think because sometimes I will ask if she is sure that she doesn't want more of something.

My friend Sherry and I have being doing the 30 Day Shred workout dvd. (It's killing me, by the way.) I walked in the other day to find Phoebe in the living room like this. She said she was doing the 30 Day Shred.

Owen went with Danny one day last week to the auto parts store. While he was gone Sherry and I did our exercise. He was so disappointed when he came home and had missed it. It is quite the show I guess.

Chloe has some bug bites on her back and is certain she is going to get the West Nile virus. She gave me a long lesson this evening on all the facts of West Nile virus. She gets all kinds of information from a website called Brain Pop. This evening she brought in a pair of ugly turquoise socks that I am sure have never been worn. She wanted to know if she could cut them up and make Barbie clothes. She's a big fan of doing that. I said yes because when is she ever going to wear turquoise socks? The next thing you know she made arm socks with a thumb hole instead and she is wearing them in bed asleep right now.

I was trying to do some of my class work on the computer a couple days ago for one of the online classes I'm taking. While I was doing it Owen brought me a can of chicken noodle soup about 24 times so I'd make it for him, and Phoebe was in the bathroom a little too long. I went to check about her, and the bathroom sink was full of bubbles and water. There was a Barbie in it. I asked Phoebe what was going on and she said "I'm making a Barbie hot tub". Oh well, nobody cares.

Odds and Ends

2009-06-15T21:00:00.004-04:00

My friend's four year old, Sophie, said she wanted to go to the Dollar Tree. Her Mom asked her what she needed to buy there and she said "Oh, just odds and ends". That is what this post is. Odds and ends.

We went swimming today with Sophie and her mom and sister, and our other friend and her kids. We went to the "country" pool instead of the "town" pool but Chloe had a blast. It's something we do every summer with this bunch of friends.

Chloe finished up her play yesterday and I'm so glad it's over. It went very well and Chloe really enjoyed it, but I am glad not to be running to practices and performances.

A new friend Chloe made while doing the play. Her name is Kimmie and in the past two days she's called about 62 times:

With her friend from school, Rachel, who came to see the play and brought Chloe flowers. So sweet:

Owen had a fun at the pool today too. He played sea creature and had war with the girls with squirt toys. He continues to ask me for something every five minutes. I told him today that he needed his own personal assistant. He said "Yeah, you". I'm sitting here eating sunflower seeds and he and Chloe just started eating some. He cracked one of the shells and said "Hey! There are peanuts in here!". I told him no, they were sunflower seeds. Then he asked, "Will they grow inside of you?".

Phoebe slipped in the pool today and went under the water for a second. She didn't get upset but sputtered around a little. Later I took her to the bathroom and she said "That was a bad time when I went under the water". The pool is at a campground and when we came out of the bathroom she pointed to where a picnic table was that campers had a lot of stuff set out on. She said, "Look, there's a yard sale. Wish I could go to it".

Phoebe's schedule has been off since school has been out. She's been sleeping in so she's not ready for a nap right after lunch like she usually is. Before she'd eat lunch and then nap for two or three hours. Now that she sleeps later she isn't ready for a nap until much later. Then she naps until dinner time or later, and she's up very late. I am not a fan of that. They only peace and quiet I get is after everyone goes to bed. So now we are trying skipping the nap and then she goes to bed early and very, very easily.

Here she is tonight where she fell asleep on the couch. (That's my Halloween blanket I never put away. Molly curled up with her too.)

I've been enjoying sleeping in and the kids being home and nothing really we have to do. Except I have been taking two online classes and that has to be done every day, but we don't have to go anywhere or do anything. I like it.

Chloe's acting debut

2009-06-13T09:29:00.003-04:00

Chloe is in a local production of Hansel and Gretel. She is Maida, a peasant girl. We have practiced two and three evenings a week for awhile now. Last night was the first performance. There is another tonight, and one tomorrow. Chloe did so great!!

Swimming in the rain

2009-06-10T19:32:00.005-04:00

The kids (mainly Chloe) have been wanting to go to the town pool. Because according to Chloe, everyone goes to the pool. Which, to her credit, many of her friends do go very often. We used to always go to a little country pool that not many people went to. A couple of my friends and their kids met us there and all was well. Now I apparently am going to have to parade my chubby self in a bathing suit in front of everyone we know. Now that Chloe is older, our summer swimming is changing. She wants to be dropped off at the pool. That strikes fear in my heart. Our country pool has five foot water. The town pool has ten foot water at the deep end, and gasp, two diving boards. Also there are rules that Chloe has laid down for me to follow. Like, no embarassing her and no putting sunscreen on her at the pool (has to be done in the privacy of our home).

Yesterday was a sunny day but we were busy and the kids were bad at the store yesterday morning so I said if they couldn't be good we weren't going to the pool. So we didn't go. I said we'd go today. Well, today was cloudy and gloomy. We went anyway. It drizzled rain. Then it rained hard. Then it thundered. So our day at the pool lasted about an hour. But they were satisfied with that. We are busy the rest of the week, but hopefully next week we'll hit the pool a day or two. Hopefully in the sunshine.

Phoebe wearing Chloe's goggles:

Owen in his new diving gear. Never mind he hardly gets off the steps. He wore it in the bathtub last night. Then this morning as soon as he got up and went to the bathroom, he put it back on, then went back to bed.

Oh, these two.

No pictures of Chloe, because that would be embarassing if I took her picture at the public pool. There are rules, you know.

Favorite cake recipe

2009-06-08T23:29:00.002-04:00

This is one of our favorite cakes, especially Danny's. It's very easy and SO good. I made a couple of them over the weekend (one to take to a cookout and one for home). To make one, just bake a devil's food cake (from the box). As soon as it comes out of the oven, poke holes all over the top with a straw. Then pour over a can of condensed milk, then a jar of caramel or butterscotch ice cream topping (either works fine). Let it cool completely, then cover the top with a small container of Cool Whip. Then top with a bag of Heath milk chocolate toffee bits (found with the chocolate chips). You can also crush up Butterfinger candy bars for the topping instead. Refrigerate.

School's Out!

2009-06-06T09:59:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was the last day of school. We weren't at school, but at a water park for the Accelerated Reader field trip. It was a busy day, and a busy week. Owen had his Kindergarten concert, Chloe had Awards Day, they had an Accelerated Reader party one day, last week Chloe had DARE graduation (a drug awareness/resistance program done by the police), just lots to do for the end of school. Owen is officially a first grader and had such a wonderful year in Kindergarten and learned so much! Chloe is now a sixth grader, which I can't believe, and got all As on her report card and received 4 medals and various awards at Awards Day. Kindergarten didn't participate in the awards ceremony but they did bring in Owen and two other kindergarteners in to receive a medal for getting over 100 points in the accelerated reader program. I'm very proud of them both and look forward to the summer with them!

Owen singing at his Kindergarten concert (he's in the white shirt on the end, you can see his boo boos on his face from where he fell last week):

Awards Day:

At the indoor waterpark:

At the DARE graduation and party:

Camping trip

2009-06-03T08:42:00.008-04:00

We went camping over the weekend. We drove about 3 1/2 hours up into the mountains. It was cold but beautiful. It stormed and rained hard Saturday night, but it never rained during the day. A bear was prowling about at several campsites during the nights. It came through our camp but we never saw it. We just saw where it had walked around the camper. We were careful to not leave any food out. The kids liked the adventure and have been telling everyone about the bear. They enjoyed fishing with Danny. Danny caught two rainbow trout and Owen caught a crawdad. He caught it on his fishing pole and held it up and said "I caught something!" and I was expecting to see a fish. They kept it in a bucket and played with it. Owen named it Danny. Chloe wanted to name it Nigel. Chloe said she was mad Owen caught a fish and she didn't. I told her he didn't catch a fish, and she said he caught something better than a fish. Here are several pictures from the trip.

Friday Funnies

2009-05-30T00:03:00.004-04:00

Phoebe was a riot today. I wish I could remember everything she said. This morning was cold. We saw some cows in the field and she said the cows were cold. Then she said "The cowboy should build them a house". The cowboy. We live in rural WV. We have farmers.

We went to the bank today and she stuck her little head up to the counter and said, "Lady, can you give me some money?". What's with the Lady thing?

I was muttering to myself in the van today and Phoebe said "Are you talking to me??"

She was eating mandarin oranges out of a cup today with a spoon. She was having a little trouble and said "These oranges are hard to catch".

We're going camping tomorrow and Owen was talking to Phoebe about where we would all sleep. He asked why I sleep with Daddy. I said because we are married. He said "And that's how you got us".

Finally, this is Owen in the bathtub this evening:

She's a Lady (with a job)

2009-05-28T21:42:00.006-04:00

A couple funnies from today. Phoebe brought me a game piece today with a word on it and said, "Lady? What does this say?". This evening she was measuring herself with a yard stick and said "I weigh 50 pounds".

At school on Tuesday I helped out at the school library with the Accelerated Reader store. The "store" is glass case with prizes in it with the prizes having points (like Chuck E. Cheese). The kids cash in the points they've earned reading for the prizes. Owen had a good time picking out his prizes when I was there. I was behind the counter handing out the prizes and helping the kids figure out how many prizes they could get with their points. Today we were talking about his good prizes. He said "So, you've finally got yourself a job".

Zoo Trip

2009-05-27T12:12:00.010-04:00

On Sunday we went to the Columbus Zoo. It was Phoebe's first time going to a zoo. She had a good time. She liked the manatees and the monkeys the most. Owen says he liked the rhino, the slushie, and the train ride. Chloe's favorites were the red panda and the monkeys. The monkeys are always my favorite. The kids were excellent and we had such a fun time together.

This flamingo was grouchy and pranced up and down squawking at us.

I always like the flamingos, they are such a beautiful color in person.

At the aquarium the kids got to touch several different sea creatures.

The manatees are always so neat to watch. So big, yet so graceful.

There were lots of statues to take pictures with but usually the kids didn't want to be bothered with it.

Chloe at the penguin exhibit.

Chloe and I touched a rosy boa snake. I so wish I hadn't, it gave me the creeps afterward every time I thought of it.

The carousel:

Phoebe did lots of pointing at things:

I loved this gibbon monkey. It would swing from the ropes and trees.

Chloe was put out she had ride by herself in the seat behind me on the boat ride (don't you love her shades?). They only allowed two to a seat. Danny rode with Owen, and I rode with Phoebe. If only we had a third parent (preferably a mother).

This orangutan was so cute:

Chloe with the gorilla. He ate a piece of cardboard while we watched him.

These two bonobos were so cute snuggling each other:

On the train. Owen loved the train. He kept telling us he wanted to ride the train but we worked our way to it while looking at the animals. He said "If we didn't have to look at all these animals we could ride the train".

Finishing up the trip with some slushies. Owen loved this double stroller we rented. He wanted to take it home with us.

As Danny says, a good time was had by all.

Our cat Camille

2009-05-23T18:09:00.007-04:00

This is our cat Camille.

She was born the day after Owen's first birthday, outside underneath his bedroom window (we often see her laying/sleeping in the spot she was born). Her mother was a stray that Chloe named Star. She had four kittens, two black ones we named Ebony and Pepper, Camille, and a striped one named Tigger. Two weeks after they were born we went on vacation to the beach. My parents took care of our dog and the cats. I talked to them on the phone in the middle of the week and when I asked if everything was okay at home, Dad said Star had been ran over by a car and they were feeding the kittens with a dropper. We didn't think they would survive. When we got home I took over feeding them and bathing them. They all lived and were so cute. When they were old enough we put up a flyer for free kittens with their picture on the bulletin board at our local gas station. While I was gone one day, Danny was watching the kids, and a man called about the kittens. He came to get two of them. He wanted Camille (the prettiest one) and Tigger. Chloe grabbed the kittens, ran in the house with them and was crying and saying the man couldn't have them. Danny told the man he should come back when I was home. Finally we decided he would take Tigger and Ebony. Someone else got Pepper but Chloe wouldn't let Camille go. She put her in her bicycle basket and rode her around and played with her like a baby.

Now Camille is almost five and is quite the hunter. She lives outside and is constantly bringing us her latest catch for us to see. Mice, moles, chipmunks, a few birds, and even a couple rabbits. Chloe once had a funeral for one of the chipmunks. We watched her chase a mole the other day:

A couple days ago there was a dead chipmunk on the sidewalk. I didn't see it and almost stepped on it. When I saw it I jumped out of the way and let out a yell. Phoebe looked at me like she thought I was being silly and said "It's just Alvin". I think she's too used to dead critters being on the sidewalk. I also think she has watched Alvin and the Chipmunks one too many times.

I Believe I Can Fly

2009-05-21T21:23:00.005-04:00

Phoebe and I have been taking long walks this week. There is a place near us that is a Locks and Dam along the river where boats come through. The area around it is a park that is nicely kept with picnic tables and a great place to walk. Many people go there to walk. This morning we were walking and Phoebe said "I see something in the sky". I told her it was a jet. She said "I love jets!". Then she saw a bird and said, "I wish I was a bird". Then a few seconds later she said "My arms can fly" and she started flapping her little arms like a bird. It was the cutest thing with me pushing her along in the stroller and her flapping her arms.

Here are a few things I've learned this week while walking (not that I'm an expert, just ask my Wii Fit's BMI).

1. Sippy cups should come as a big gulp (like those big cups from gas stations). One sippy doesn't cut it. Bringing more than one sippy isn't convenient. When Phoebe drinks she doesn't just sip a little and save some for later. She drinks until the cup is empty.

2. I have found the best sippy for myself. I have tons of water bottles that I've bought searching for the perfect one. I think I may have found it. It's Rubbermaid and it's a 20 oz bottle. It's sturdy, it has a good spout to drink from, holds the right amount, easy to hold, just a good water bottle. I got it at Kmart, but I'm sure it can be found anywhere. It was around $3.50 and you can buy a two pack.

3. If I walk an hour I can do almost four miles.

4. Having a two year old with you that needs to pee can make you walk much faster.

5. Walking makes me feel so much better!

I plan to keep walking lots, or flap like a bird, one or the other.

Our 14th Anniversary

2009-05-20T20:25:00.004-04:00

On May 20, 1995 Danny and I got married. It was a beautiful Spring day. The weather was perfect, the sky was gorgeous. I couldn't have been happier.

We met at college the first day of my sophomore year, Danny's senior year. He called me (he had seen me talking to a friend of his) and asked me to meet him the next day. I'd never seen him before but my friend had and described him to me. I went to the lobby of his dorm the next day and from there we went to dinner in the cafeteria and we've been together ever since. I knew right away he was the man I would marry. Three years later, exactly one week after my college graduation, we got married.

He had to work this evening but we did get out to eat lunch together. Mom kept Phoebe for us. She took this picture of us. (Her dog Lucy always gets in the picture too.)

We made a quick stop to Kmart (isn't that what everyone does on their anniversary?), and rushed home to get Phoebe, and get Chloe and Owen off the bus. It was a treat to just eat lunch out just the two of us. We're hoping next year to plan a weekend away or something.

Danny has asked me before if I would marry him all over again. Absolutely.

Our Monday

2009-05-19T08:19:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I took Phoebe to the doctor for a recheck on her ears, eyes, and her iron levels. All checked out great. She got her blood taken again and could have cared less. She's amazing. She doesn't cry, whimper, or even wince about them squeezing blood out of her. If that were Chloe at this age, it would have taken 12 people to hold her down. We were there two hours and Phoebe was great. At the end of the visit the doctor was about to leave the room but was still talking to me. My cell phone started ringing in my purse. I wasn't going to interrupt the doctor, and thought I'd call whoever it was back. Phoebe however, went to my purse, got out the phone, and answered it. Hilarious. It was Danny.

After we left the doctor's office, I had to get gas. The gas station also sells Krispy Kreme donuts. I told Phoebe we would take one to Aunt Bea (my sister Betsy) at work. Phoebe said she wanted a donut too, and I let her choose one. She chose a maple iced one. She ate the whole thing. It took her at least 15 minutes, but she ate the whole thing. After leaving the hospital (where Betsy works) Phoebe said she was hungry. I doubted it since she just ate the donut, but a diet coke from Subway sounded good to me. So we went through the drive thru at Subway. She ate the black olives (her favorite thing, and the whole reason she likes Subway) off her sub, took about four bites of the sandwich, and went to sleep.

She slept the whole way home and I put her to bed when we got home. Danny was mowing the grass so I got the dog and we took a walk. A long walk. I ended up walking to my Mom's and back, which is four miles and not much of it flat. Danny got worried about me and came looking for me. Then I ate three taco in a bags for dinner, so never mind the calories I burned.

It was such a beautiful day yesterday. It was very cool in the morning but it was sunny all day and chilly but yet warm. I love Spring days like that. After all the rain we've had, this week of predicted sunshine makes me happy.

Now, Phoebe and I are getting ready to take a walk. But it won't be four miles up and down hills.

5th Grade Field Trip

2009-05-16T20:55:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was Chloe's class field trip. We went to Lewisburg to reenactments of the Civil War. There were different stations the kids went to. It was long and a little boring, but the kids had fun. After eating lunch there on the lawn, we went to the Lost World Caverns which the kids enjoyed. Caves creep me out a little, but this one wasn't too bad. Finally we went to Beckley and ate lunch at Ryan's. It was late by then and we were hungry. I ate enough for a week. Chloe asked what about my diet (which I follow loosely at best) and I said I wouldn't worry about it then. She said to her friend "I don't know why my mom is on a diet. I think she's skinny for her age". LOL It was a long tiring day, but fun with no problems. We were on the bus about six hours I guess. I sat with my friend and we talked the whole time on the bus, so that was nice. We left home at 5:30 am and didn't get back until after 11:00 pm. I still haven't recovered. I guess for someone of my age that can be expected. ;)

Abe Lincoln talked to the kids about his life.

Chloe outside the gift shop at Lost World Caverns

Inside the cave

At the restaurant

What happens when you don't take a nap

2009-05-14T09:33:00.004-04:00

Phoebe is a good napper. About 12:30 or so every day she takes a good long nap. Usually 2-4 hours. While it's very nice, she's up later at night. Yesterday I was getting her to sleep for her nap, then my friend called. When I tried again, she didn't seem sleepy and I knew it would take awhile, and by this time it was getting late. I don't like for her to nap much past 1:30 because then she sleeps until dinner time, and she's up very late at night. SO, yesterday I let her skip her nap. She's skipped her nap maybe three times before. At one point yesterday late in the afternoon, she almost fell asleep in the chair. (She said she was just taking a little rest.) I took her outside and she played well all evening. I gave her a bath at 7:00 and she dressed herself and went and sat on the couch while I was getting Owen ready for bed. I found her like this:

I'm hoping for an early nap today!

Our family

2009-05-12T23:00:00.002-04:00

Last month we had our first family portrait taken. We went to Main Street Photography where we have gone many times before. The owners are our preacher and his son, Roy. Roy does a wonderful job. I told him the kind of picture I wanted and he did exactly what I wanted. I bought a big framed portrait (20x24, I think, bigger with the frame I chose) and I picked it up today. It's just beautiful. Roy had a much bigger one made for display in his lobby. My picture was my Mother's Day and Anniversary gift. It's a gift I will always treasure.

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T20:30:00.004-04:00

I've had a nice Mother's Day weekend. Our mother daughter banquet at church was Friday evening. Despite a huge downpour at the end of it and me falling and hurting my knee, it was a good time. Yesterday we beat the crowd and ate dinner out with Mom, Dad, and Betsy. Today was a beautiful day and we spent most of it outside. This morning we went to church and to Mom and Dad's afterward for some ice cream cake. For breakfast this morning Chloe made me waffles and fixed my breakfast so sweet, complete with sliced bananas and milk with a straw, and my napkin folded pretty. She's such a sweet, thoughtful girl. She and Owen both brought me home things they made at school. Danny wasn't supposed to get me a gift because we got a family picture taken for my gift, but he got me a watering can, flower seeds to plant, gardening gloves, and gardening tool, plus a sweet card. I love a themed gift!

Me with my babies who make me a Mommy.

At my Mom and Dad's this morning with my Mom and sister, Betsy.

Happy Mother's Day!

Rain, rain, go away

2009-05-06T18:34:00.005-04:00

We have had tons of rain. Frankly, we're sick of it. The yard looks like a field because we can't mow it. We can't go out to play. Everyone is sick because of the damp weather. It's gloomy. On the way home from school (in the rain) Chloe was telling me that at an area in Korea there are houses built on stilts and that they stay in their houses when water is up in their homes. She said sometimes they fish from their windows. Then we talked about flooding. Owen was asking what would happen if it flooded at our house. I told him we were fine that it would never flood at our house. (We live on a hill and if it flooded at our house we might as well go ahead and build an ark.) Chloe said if it did she'd just get on her bed on the top of the bunk bed.

When we got home I started cooking dinner. Owen went to his room and then ran out. I glanced at him and then looked again. He was wearing his swim trunks. Just incase it flooded.

Why do they have to be so cute?

2009-05-05T21:01:00.003-04:00

Owen was talking about his birthday. He does this almost daily and wants to know how many days until his birthday (it's not until June 26th). Then he usually names all the things he wants. He names some things he really wants, then he starts just naming things to name them. However, yesterday he said he wanted his own dog. He said he wanted a boy dog. He wanted him to live in the house so Molly could have a brother. That was cute enough. Then the kicker was when I asked him what he'd name a boy dog of his own. Chip. He said Chip. I can't stand the cuteness. I told Danny about the conversation. He couldn't stand it either. He asked why he had to say that. Chip.

Mom, There's a bear in the fridge

2009-05-05T11:12:00.006-04:00

For a few days now there has been a bear in the refrigerator. Danny and I commented on it and laughed about it. We assume Owen put it there for whatever reason. We left it there. This morning Phoebe said "Mom, there's a bear in the fridge". Still, we didn't take it out. (It doesn't surprise me that no one has taken it out and put it where it belongs. I've often wanted to conduct an experiment and leave something on the floor or counter, or wherever, and see if anyone ever picked it up. My bets are no. I seem to be the only one who picks up anything. I've tried to leave something for a few days but it drives me crazy and I eventually put it away.) I find odd things in odd places all the time. The bear isn't the only weird thing in my fridge. There is also a container of wax worms (for fish bait). Not so odd for around here though. Do you have anything weird in your fridge?

Phoebe update, and the kids

2009-05-04T22:55:00.004-04:00

I took Phoebe to the dr. this morning. She has an ear infection, sinus infection, and pink eye! The pink eye started in her right eye and now is starting in her left eye too. She heard us say pink eye and now she says she is wearing pink eye shadow.

As for the kids (as Phoebe calls them), Chloe had her first play practice tonight. She auditioned for a role in a local production of Hansel and Gretel. She got chosen to be Maida, a peasant girl. It's going to involve lots of practicing, and two of the rehearsal nights we already have conflicts with things we already have scheduled (this Friday and next).

Owen has now decided he loves Jade, the little girl (actually older girl for him, she is Chloe's friend in fifth grade) he danced with at the Spring Formal. He keeps writing her notes. The note he wrote to her this evening said he loved her and wanted to kiss her. I was joking with Danny and told him that Owen was a lady's man like his Daddy. Danny rolled his eyes and said he guessed I was a lady. ;)

This lady's sinus headache is killing her so I'm off to bed to dream of no sickness at our house!

Phoebe cuteness

2009-05-03T08:26:00.004-04:00

Phoebe does and says so many cute things that I forget to write about them all here. She calls Chloe and Owen "the kids". When they are at school she asks where the kids are. When I tell her to call everyone for dinner or whatever, she'll yell "Kids!! It's time to eat!". This morning she was eating her breakfast and was looking around the kitchen. She said, "You have a nice house, Mom. You have kids in it".

Last week she was playing in her Rose Petal Cottage and she put on her little apron and was cooking. Then she came to me wearing it and was carrying a little Magna Doodle. She asked me what I wanted to eat. I named off some things and she "wrote" them and ran off to fix them. She was my waitress taking my order. She did this over and over.

This morning I asked her how her eye was feeling (it was closed this morning when she woke up and all gunky, plus her nose is runny). She said "Better, but actually my nose is not".

Spring Formal

2009-05-02T18:29:00.005-04:00

Chloe's Spring Formal was last night. It's a fundraiser the 6th grade does for their 6th grade trip. It's for 5th and 6th graders (Chloe is in fifth grade). Chloe was very excited about it. While she was at the dance I let Phoebe and Owen play on the school playground, and then we went in a little before it was over to see everyone dance. Owen and Phoebe were filthy from playing, but they danced some and it was so cute. Phoebe does this adorable little dance where she puts her arms up and waves her little hands (she calls it the hula girl dance). Owen danced some with Chloe, and with a sweet girl in her grade. Owen said at least he had a date and he wished he had worn a corsage and a black suit with black shoes.

Everything but the swine flu

2009-05-02T18:17:00.003-04:00

Owen was sick this week. He had double ear infections, a sinus infection, and Fifth Disease. I think half the school had fifth disease, but thankfully he didn't get the rash part too bad, just the red cheeks. The dr. said it lowers their immune system, and that would explain the other infections.

He's back to normal now but the rest of us aren't feeling great. Danny and I are getting colds, and maybe Chloe too because she says her throat is sore. Poor Phoebe is pitiful and I'll probably make a trip to Urgent Care with her tomorrow, or else go to the dr. on Monday. It started yesterday with her saying her ear hurt. I thought she meant the inside of her ear but when I looked, the outside of her ear was red and I noticed there were about three spots on it with little clusters of tiny blisters. Her right eye was also runny. Then last night she said her mouth was hurting and it suddenly had bumps on it and her chin and was swollen some. Today her eye is just horrible. She woke up with it shut until I washed the green junk out of it. Her nose has green snot, she's just a mess. (Anyone have a guess what is wrong with her?) She slept four and half hours this afternoon until we finally woke her up. Chloe and I also took a little nap. Hopefully next week will be healthier!

Weekend Pictures

2009-04-28T09:10:00.005-04:00

The weather has been so warm and sunny. We've been enjoying it all we can. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Circus field trip

2009-04-25T14:13:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was Owen's Kindergarten field trip. I rode the bus with them and went along. Owen loved it all and says his favorite part was the clowns. I liked the elephants and this motorcycle show. There were 7 motorcycles riding around this ball. Amazing.

Here's Owen on the bus on the way. On the left is Nathan, his best friend. On the right is Drew, who threw up beside me on the way home. But we won't talk about that.

The best buddies at the circus:

Owen waiting for the show to start. We were to pack our lunch to eat at intermission, or have the school cafeteria pack a lunch. The poor kids held those lunches on their laps and wanted to eat so badly.

Most of the kids from our group watched most of the circus looking like this. They watched so closely.

I didn't get very good pictures but here's a few more.

A volcano in town

2009-04-23T20:55:00.004-04:00

We live near a couple power plants where we get our electricity from. They have big stacks that look similar to this. They release steam but it looks just like clouds. When I was little my Mom said I called them cloud makers.

Today as we were driving by the plant Phoebe was looking out the window and was looking at the shorter, rounder stack and said "Look at that volcano putting out all those clouds".

Who's that girl?

2009-04-22T23:14:00.003-04:00

I was looking through our wedding pictures this evening and scanning some photos to maybe make a photobook from Snapfish for Danny for our 14th anniversary in a few weeks. Phoebe saw a picture of me feeding Danny cake and she said "What is that girl doing to Daddy?". (You can tell this was 14 years ago by Danny's big glasses. LOL The pictures are full of big hair and big glasses and groovy clothes.) I guess that girl doesn't look much like her Mommy. ;)

Donuts and Family Night

2009-04-19T15:34:00.005-04:00

We've had such a pleasant weekend. Yesterday was a beautiful, warm, sunny day. We had a picnic and we played outside all day and evening. We cooked dinner on the grill and ate on the back porch.

We had a family night planned of a movie and donuts. We watched Bedtime Stories, which we all loved.

When I was little Mom always made us these donuts. They are too delightful. Use canned biscuits (the kind that comes in a four pack) and cut out holes (I use the lid to a two liter bottle of coke to cut the holes out). Then just fry them in oil until they are golden brown (doesn't take long, keep a close eye on them), flip once until the other side is golden, and then immediately cover them in powdered sugar. I can't tell you how good they are. You can also dip them in brown sugar or fill them with pudding, etc. Our favorite way is the powdered sugar. I don't make them very often, but the kids love it when we do. (Sorry about the terrible pic, I guess too much flash or something.) They always make me think of Mom making them for us.

It's always good to take the time for a family night. The plate the donuts are on is my Family Night plate. It says: This is the night we've waited for; Always a TREAT we have in store! We love each other more and more with every FAMILY NIGHT!

My sweeties

2009-04-18T10:53:00.000-04:00

Tropical Evening

2009-04-16T20:31:00.005-04:00

I bought the kids some juice boxes for breakfast called Tropical Morning. Owen really liked them. He wanted one in the evening. He said "Can I have a Tropical Evening?". Such a clever little sneak.

Spring Break 2009

2009-04-15T09:32:00.005-04:00

This week is Chloe and Owen's Spring Break. They were off Good Friday and the beginning of the week, then go back to school tomorrow (Thursday). They were originally supposed to get the whole week off, but we had to make up some snow days.

Since it's Spring Break, are we here?

No. Oh no. We're here:

It has rained every day. I had asked the kids earlier in the week what they'd like to do while they were off. They said they just wanted to stay home and play. I figured we could go to the park and have picnics, take walks, and play outside. It's been too rainy to even go outside. They have seemed content to just hang out at home though. Owen has wanted to make countless Science experiments. We did a few out of a book we have. That isn't enough for him. He's tried to concoct his own experiments that usually involve water, soap, and Easter candy. He has also managed to break his Nintendo DS. Chloe has been playing some, but mostly reading. I finally relented and bought her Twilight. She's almost read the whole book in two days. As for Phoebe, she's happy to have her favorite playmates home, except for when Owen sprayed her with silly string yesterday. In the living room.

Here the vacationers are at 9:00 this morning. I couldn't see Chloe's head, so this is the best I could do.

Owen is sleeping in too, and not in his bed I might add.

While I took the pictures of the sleeping beauties, Phoebe was watching cartoons in the clothes she wore yesterday (and slept in since she fell asleep in them last night because she didn't take a nap yesterday) eating a bowl of popcorn from last night.

Tomorrow and the weekend is supposed to be sunny and warm. Figures. Hopefully this weekend we can have some fun and make up for all this Spring Break excitement.

Darn rats

2009-04-14T10:25:00.003-04:00

We had been having trouble with gnats in our kitchen. Very pesky. I googled a way to get rid of them. Many sites said to put apple cider vinegar in a jar and poke small holes in the lid. We made a couple gnat traps out of old baby food jars. Sure enough, it got rid of the gnats. The kids found it fascinating. When we first sat out the jars, Phoebe asked me what they were. I explained to her about the gnats. She thought about it, made a face, and said "Darn rats!".

Ten things I learned

2009-04-14T10:10:00.005-04:00

Things I learned while waiting in dentist and doctor's offices last week:

1. I apparently don't read magazines I subscribe to. I read several Parenting and Parents magazines that were all news to me. I have them at home but I guess I hadn't read them very well.

2. There can be a child named Octavia that dresses like a boy and doesn't speak very clearly. She runs wild while her mother chases her and the Dad giggles.

3. My blood pressure goes through the roof while I wait. White coat syndrome a nurse called it.

4. Doctors do not care if you wait for two hours to see them.

5. Some people wear their slippers to the doctor.

6. I learned from a little boy that the Easter Bunny does not lay eggs.

7. Most people do not turn off their cell phones even though signs are posted everywhere to turn them off because they interfere with the computers.

8. Some people bring their friends to the doctor with them.

9. That Phoebe can sleep through the teeth cleanings of her siblings admist the craziness of a waiting room of children.

10. That I hate waiting in doctor and dentist offices.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-13T09:27:00.007-04:00

We had a busy, but nice Easter. The kids enjoyed their Easter basket goodies and egg hunts. I did a lot of cooking and we did a lot of running to dinners and to church. The kids sang and had parts to say at church. Phoebe loved being on stage and singing. She said her part "Jesus is Alive!" very well. Owen did some entertaining on stage, we held our breath to what he'd do next. Chloe was a lady as usual. My favorite Easter song we sing at church is
Up From the Grave He Arose.

Now we have three days of Spring Break. The weather isn't going to be great, but the kids seem happy to just be at home and relax. Sounds good to me!

Checking out the Easter basket loot:

My family at church; my mom, dad, sister, me, Danny, Chloe, Owen, and Phoebe:

Future Mountaineer

2009-04-10T22:09:00.002-04:00

I love these pictures of Owen playing football the other day.

Catching up in pictures

2009-04-10T21:27:00.003-04:00

It's been a busy week with lots going on. I'm too tired to remember everything, so I'll just share some pictures.

The Kindergarten egg hunt at school:

Picture day at school:

With the Easter Bunny this morning. Owen had a piece of candy in his mouth that the Bunny had just given him. Phoebe was afraid and didn't want to get too close. I noticed about four hours later her shirt and pants were on backward (she dressed herself this morning). Owen asked the Bunny if he could hop, so the Easter Bunny got up and hopped. Later he said that was just a man in a suit.

Eating snowcones at the fleamarket today:

His biggest fan

2009-04-07T18:21:00.004-04:00

A couple funnies before I forget!

Sunday when we were driving home Phoebe suddenly started singing "Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me". Hilarious coming from a two year old.

Today we drove by a local pharmacy and we saw on the sign that the Easter Bunny was going to be there on Friday. Owen said "Great! He's my biggest fan!". I laughed and asked him about it, and he said yeah, the Easter Bunny and Nathan (his friend at school) are his his biggest fans. I don't know, I think I am Owen's biggest fan.

Palm Sunday (on Tuesday)

2009-04-07T07:46:00.006-04:00

I'm late getting this post done, but didn't want to forget Palm Sunday. I love Palm Sunday. It's so easy to visualize Jesus on the donkey with people so excited and laying down their coats and palm leaves to welcome him. They cheered and waved. He entered Jerusalem a King and the crowd welcomed him, then a week later they demanded his death.

Matthew 21

The Triumphal Entry

1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead.2 "Go into the village over there," he said. "As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me.3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will immediately let you take them."
4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,

5 "Tell the people of Jerusalem,
'Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey's colt.'"

6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded.7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.
8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

"Praise God for the Son of David!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!
Praise God in highest heaven!"

10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. "Who is this?" they asked.
11 And the crowds replied, "It's Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

This year on Palm Sunday we went to church and then to Danny's mom and dad's house for a visit with his brother and his family (it was so good to see you guys, Ronnie!). Here are the kids on the way there:

We have a busy week with dentist and doctor appointments, school events and egg hunts, etc. (and the weather feels more like winter than Easter) but I'm going to try to be still and remember what this Holy Week means to me.

Mystery gifts

2009-04-06T17:19:00.004-04:00

My friend Chris is doing this on her blog . I'm game to have some fun with it:

Here is the offer: I hereby pledge to make something for the first 5 persons who respond to AND agree to the conditions of this blog/offer. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. What you get is what you get. It could be a papier mache statue of me, or a haiku, or a doll made of toothpicks. Or something that you have always yearned for in your secret heart but didn't even know until I gave it to you. Or something else.

What I create will be just for you. One of a kind!

It’ll be done this year (2009).

I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be.

Unless you live near me, it will be something that needs to be mailed, so you’d have to be willing to provide a viable address.

In return, all you need to do is post this text into a blog or bulletin of your own and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your note under these same conditions.

IMPORTANT: This offer is null and void if you do not post your own blog/bulletin to pay this forward.

Anyone?

Bird Dog

2009-04-04T09:38:00.003-04:00

We gave Molly a bath last week and Phoebe said something about Molly's wet feathers. Then the other day Molly was rubbing on Phoebe's face and Phoebe said Molly's feathers got in her ear.

Last Sunday I found Phoebe feeding Molly out of her play dishes. Later she put dog food in the bowl and fed it to Molly one piece at a time with her little pink baby spoon. Molly was happy to assist Phoebe in her playing.

Cloudy with a chance of grumpiness

2009-04-03T12:16:00.007-04:00

My girls are outside queens. The more they get to play outside the better. Owen could take it or leave it. Yesterday was a beautiful day. Phoebe and I were outside most of the day. Then after school we were all outside, but mostly Phoebe and Chloe. Phoebe even learned to ride Chloe's old scooter. She was so happy getting to play outside in the warm sun.

Today is rainy, windy, and chilly outside. Phoebe has been mad about it all day. She got up earlier than usual and has asked to play outside many times. She gets upset when I say it's raining and windy. So we had a few egg hunts in the house and read and played. She got up early and I could tell she was tired. She said she wanted a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. I made it for her and when I tried to put some mixed fruit on her plate she nearly had a stroke. While eating her sandwich she fell asleep.

Chloe gets mad at bad weather too. She always wants to wear capris now and flip flops or slip on shoes. If I tell her its too cold she gets mad at me. Like I can control the weather. This morning she was mad at the weather because they would have to have inside recess. Owen, on the other hand, loves inside recess because they build with blocks and legos and play with "guys". Chloe's inside recess consists of watching a movie and being quiet. No wonder she hates it.

This weekend is supposed to bring better weather (temporarily) so hopefully the girls will be in better spirits.

Happy April Fools Day!

2009-04-01T21:59:00.005-04:00

April Fools Day has always been fun to me. When I was little we always played pranks on each other and I like to play around with the kids on April Fools Day. Crazy jokes were flying this morning before the kids went to school. I explained to Owen about it and he would say something like, "Mommy, there is a skunk on your head!", and I would reach for my head and gasp, then he'd say "Happy April Fools Day!". Chloe and I finally made him understand how it worked and that you just say "April Fool!".

In their lunches today I emptied out Cheetos bags and put in baby carrots. I put a hole in apples with a wooden spoon handle, then put a gummy worm in the hole. They loved it. Then for "dinner" I made them fish sticks and peas (really wafer cookies covered in peanut butter then crushed Wheaties and green Airheads rolled into balls). They thought that was hilarious too. (All these ideas were from Family Fun.)

They got report cards today of all days. Chloe got all As (not easy As in this year's class either!) and Owen did wonderful on his Kindergarten report card (they don't do letter grades in K, but they really have to know a lot!). I'm so proud of them both.

No jokes or report cards for Phoebe today, but here she is looking cute anyway.

Minus two teeth

2009-03-31T20:45:00.005-04:00

My poor Chloe had to have two teeth pulled today. I was a nervous wreck. She had a cavity in a back baby tooth that was bothering her. We knew she had the cavity and at her last cleaning the dentist said since it was a baby tooth we wouldn't fill it, but if it ever bothered her it would have to come out. I took her in last week because it was hurting. They gave her penicillin and scheduled us to come into today to get it out. She also had a VERY loose tooth that they went ahead and pulled while they were at it. They gave her nitrous oxide (a wonderful thing that no insurance covers) so she didn't remember much about it. It made me so anxious to wait in the waiting room while they gassed up my baby and yanked out two of her little baby teeth. I'm so glad it's over. She did great. Now the tooth fairy will fly in tonight leaving some loot for the teeth (and pixie dust - aka glitter). Chloe said she probably wouldn't get much for the cavity tooth and she might just give it to Owen. (Owen thinks the tooth fairy doesn't mind where the tooth comes from as long as it's under your pillow, because at the beach he bought a shark tooth to put under his pillow.)

Phoebe was disappointed she didn't get to go to the dentist and she said she needed her teeth pulled because she couldn't even eat. Next week Chloe and Owen both go for their cleanings. They always get a toothbrush and some goodies after their visits. Today they were giving kids a big Easter egg with Easter candy in it. At the dentist!! Chloe said it was so kids would get cavities and have to go back to the dentist. Chloe has always said she wants to be a dentist when she grows up. Now I only hope the tooth fairy can stay up late enough and doesn't forget to leave the money.

(Thank goodness for spell check, because apparently I can't spell cavity.)

Be like Mary

2009-03-29T20:16:00.003-04:00

At our Sunday School I teach the little ones. Our lesson today was about Jesus visiting Mary and Martha. Martha hurried around cooking and cleaning for her company. Mary sat by Jesus and listened. Martha was mad at her for not helping. She complained to Jesus that Martha wasn't helping her. Jesus told her to be more like Mary and listen. It reminds me of the Bible verse in Psalms that says Be still, and know that I am God. Sometimes I rush around and do all the many things that need to be done and I don't take the time to be still and listen. I'm going to try and be more like Mary.

Sometimes I'm too busy around the house and I should probably let some things go and sit down and play more with the kids, or have some quiet time. I like this poem (by Sabrina Taylor) I recently read in a book called Life Lessons for Busy Moms.

Too Busy
The dishes are still in the sink.
Dirty laundry is piled high.
Somehow the entire day,
Seemed to just fly by.
I made a "to-do" list.
I meant to follow through.
But there were other tasks,
That needed attention too.
Like cheering on my daughter,
As she took first steps into my arms,
Making sure she stayed safe,
From all potential harms.
Cuddling on the couch,
And reading a favorite story.
Helping her explore the world,
And marvel at all its glory.
So the chores will have to wait.
They aren't that important anyway.
Because I was simply too busy,
Loving my child today.

So this week I want to be like Mary and listen to God, and to try not to be too busy to focus on the important things!

Bathroom Humor

2009-03-26T11:16:00.004-04:00

Phoebe made me laugh out loud last night. It was right before bed and she said she had to poop. She was wearing a nightgown so she wanted me to go to the bathroom with her to hold up her "dress". We wouldn't want a dress down in the toilet. She pooped, then hopped off the toilet to flush. She always looks at what she's flushing (and sometimes tells it bye bye). She looked at the poop, made a face, looked at me and said, "Isn't that terrible?". Oh, that cracked me up.

Another funny thing she's been doing, is when she gets mad or upset she will say "I'm about to cry!". At least she gives us a warning.

She can also be so sweet. She likes to rub my upper arms. Like when she's going to sleep, drinking from her sippy, for comfort, or just because. (Chloe rubbed my ear, so this is better than that at least.) I asked her yesterday why she likes to rub my arm and she said "Because I love you". That's good enough for me.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-25T09:52:00.003-04:00

Banana Chip Muffins

2009-03-24T19:00:00.002-04:00

These are one of my favorite muffins. Danny and the kids love them too. I've had too many of them today. I went to a Taste of Home Cooking School last night and I'm in the mood to cook (and eat).

Banana Chip Muffins

* 1 1/2 cups flour
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 egg (slightly beaten)
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1/4 cup vegetable oil
* 1 cup chocolate chips
* 3/4 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 bananas)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Combine dry ingredients.

3. Add egg, milk, and oil and stir until blended. Then fold in chocolate chips and mashed banana.

4. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin tins about 2/3 full. Bake 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

A note to God

2009-03-23T08:38:00.003-04:00

Yesterday at church Chloe's lesson was about prayer. They wrote a prayer to God. This is Chloe's:

Dear God,
Thank you for giving me everything I have and for my imagination and dogs and my brother and sister and Mrs. Nichols. I love you a lot and thank you for watching over me and my friends and family.
In Jesus Name,
Amen

I thought it was sweet and I was reading it to Danny yesterday evening. Owen overheard and said "I want to write a note to God too!".

Pink Princess Smoothie

2009-03-21T11:05:00.005-04:00

Chloe has a cookbook called Pink Princess Tea Parties. She also has a fairy cookbook and other tea party cookbooks. She had a tea party birthday one year and it was so fun. Another year she had a fairy party. She's always loved a cup of tea and a scone or a cute little drink and dainty snack. One evening this week she got out the Pink Princess Tea Parties book and wanted to make something for a snack before bed. So, we made the Pink Princess Smoothie. We both drank one and it was yummy. She had one for breakfast the next morning too. I think the next time I'll use another fruit besides the raspberries, or else double the strawberries.

1 1/2 cups orange juice
1 banana, sliced
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup frozen raspberries
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh strawberries or raspberries for garnish

Combine all ingredients except fruit for garnish in a blender and mix until smooth and creamy. Pour into pretty glasses and garnish with fresh fruit as desired.