Wow

Merry Christmas. I hope your holiday was filled with wonder!

Ride On

Last year Lenna and Andrew asked for new bikes for Christmas. Since they rarely rode the ones they had, I was hesitant to buy anything new. Especially since they both insisted on using training wheels.

Finally, I relented and made them a deal. Ditch the training wheels before Christmas, and I will get you new bikes for Christmas. Well, time marched on and the wheels stayed on, so Santa filled his bag with other surprises.

Christmas Eve day arrived and stayed long and longer. They needed to burn off some energy so they would be able to get to sleep that night, so I took them to the park to ride their bikes for a while. Apparently, that is a weird thing to do on Christmas Eve because our car was the only on e in the parking lot!

However, before I left I took off their training wheels, hid them in the shed, and threw their bikes in the trunk. When they saw their bikes, they mounted a wonderful protest. Hopefully Santa wasn't watching too closely.

After much resistance, Andrew bravely mounted his bike and wobbled off down the sidewalk. He never looked back, slowed down, or crashed. Maybe because I hadn't showed him the brakes yet?




Lenna was more cautious and insisted on a few laps around the car before she tackled the sidewalk hill. Finally, I was tired of holding her up. I turned her down the hill, gave her a push, and let go. And then she rode. All alone, down the hill, without stopping, slowing down, or crashing.




After several laps around the track their little legs were tired enough to take a break. I was a very proud mom! On the way home, I was feeling very proud of myself for finally getting the training wheels off and teaching them (ok, I just pushed and watched them) to ride.


Unfortunately, Lenna called out from the back seat, "Hey, it's not Christmas yet! Mom, can we go get new bikes on the way home?" Sadly, and to my relief, all the bike stores were closed for Christmas and it was too late to get a message to Santa that close to Christmas so the bikes had to wait.


I guess I should be careful what deals I make, huh?

Christmas Cookies

I wonder how many will be left for Santa to enjoy on Christmas Eve. He may have to settle for Oreos.

Merry Christmas!

We took this picture of the kids by the tree on Sunday afternoon. They were dressed in their Christmas clothes for the church program. I love the deep red velvet and that they can match even though they are so far apart in age. And it only took me about ten tries to get a picture when they are both smiling and looking at me.

What's that you say? Why, yes, we do have three children. There is a boy supposed to be in the middle. I had his clothes laid out on the bed that morning- black pants, vest and socks. Burgundy dress shirt and striped silver tie. He would have looked great next to his sisters. Alas, middle child was in one of his moods and there was nothing I could do to change his mind about his determination to wear clothes of his own choosing. At 8:55 on the morning Lenna was looking forward to singing in front of the congregation, I didn't have time for a battle of wills. So I threw a protesting, disbelieving, stubborn little kid over my shoulder and strapped him in. He went to church dressed like this:

He was still refusing to comply with any of my requests and closed his eyes so he wouldn't look at the camera. I think I need to ask Santa for a parenting book. I am confused, humbled, challenged, and exasperated by this one every day.

I will end on an adorable note with this picture.

A Year in Review 2009

Our Hopefully-not-so-Boring Christmas Newsletter

Merry Christmas from the Cross Family! We hope that this letter finds you well. This year has been an eventful one here in Augusta, GA. We experienced a career change, a college graduation, new church callings, new schools, tried lots of new things, and adjusted to life as a family of five. We faced new challenges, achieved good things, reached important milestones, and received even greater blessings. From first steps to final exams, all of us have grown in many ways. We are grateful to a loving Father in Heaven who has guided us at crossroads, provided for us in uncertain times, comforted us through wonderful friends, and protected us on our many adventures.

I know that this is the part where I begin my five page summary of the above mentioned adventures. I thought I would try something a little different this year. Instead of a narrative- a pop quiz! The first to answer all questions correctly and contact me with the answers wins a prize! There are separate contests for electronic and paper versions, to be fair to those who are not technically inclined. Need a hint or want to check your answers? Get your magnifying glass and check out the photo collage at the top of this letter or visit the archives. Good luck!

1. Which branch of the military did Mike separate from early this year?
a. Army b. Air Force c. Marines d. Navy

2. Which child made their first trip to the ER for stitches?
a. Andrew b. Lenna c. Becca

3. In what sport did Lenna NOT participate in 2009?
a. soccer b. cheerleading c. gymnastics
d. swimming e. ballet f. horseback riding

4. To celebrate turning 30 this year, Mike:
a. went to the beach b. took his wife on a date c. took a midterm exam

5. What imaginary creature did Andrew try to catch in the yard last spring?
a. leprechaun b. unicorn c. snipe d. fairy

6. Jannet’s favorite part about her calling as a primary teacher is:
a. She gets to team-teach with Mike
b. She gets to teach Lenna’s class
c. She doesn’t have to go to Relief Society with the grown ups
d. She gets to dust off her teacher clipboard again
e. all of the above

7. Lenna was what animal in the first grade play, ”Bugz!”?
a. firefly b. butterfly c. lady bug d. ant

8. What was Andrew’s favorite part of playing t-ball last summer?
a. the uniform b. running the bases c. the snacks
d. practicing in the backyard e. all of the above

9. Both kids were in the primary talent show. What were their talents?
a. gymnastics and ballet b. jump rope and knock-knock jokes
c. soccer and t-ball d. light saber tricks and cartwheels

10. Which of the following was not a favorite summer time activity for the Cross family:
a. going to the library b. swimming at the pool c. gardening d. eating outside e. going to movies f. horse camp g. visiting family

11. How many miles did Jannet and the kids travel on their three-week trip?
a. 80 b. 800 c. 8,000 d. 1,800

12. Which ocean did we not visit this summer?
a. Pacific b. Atlantic c. Gulf of Mexico

13. On the first day of school Lenna started second grade, Andrew started pre-K, and Jannet and Becca did what?
a. cried, then took a nap b. went to the pool
c. had a party d. walked in the park

14. Andrew started pre-K. What did Jannet do to help him get over his separation fears?
a. teach his class part-time b. come for lunch every day
c. bribe him with candy d. send him with a bug in a jar every day for a week

15. Andrew turned five this year. What was not part of his birthday celebration?
a. Star Wars cupcakes b. a Ben-10 watch
c. a haircut d. moving up to the big kid clubhouse at the gym

16. Jannet did all but what to celebrate her 30th birthday?
a. had a mid-life crisis make over b. went to lunch with Mike
c. had a spa day d. had cake with her kids

17. What did Lenna write about in the story that won at the state level for first grade in the Young Georgia Authors competition?
a. horses b. fairies c. summer vacation d. her family

18. Mike earned two college degrees this year. An associate’s degree in Arabic from DLI and a bachelor’s degree in what from ASU?
a. accounting b. Arabic c. computer science d. math

19. What was our least-favorite part of our Florida vacation last fall?
a. Disney World lines b. Sea World crowds c. parking fees
d. catching the flu and spending the majority of the week in our hotel room

20. Which of the following did not happen in November?
a. Becca’s 1st birthday b. We got a new van
c. Lenna’s 8th birthday d. Our 10th wedding anniversary

21. What was Lenna’s favorite part of her baptism?
a. her new white dress from Grandma b. her dad baptizing her
c. both of her Grandpa’s coming d. all of the above

22. Of the following, which was not a first for someone in the Cross family this year?
a. swim in the ocean b. dive into the deep end c. pet a shark
d. get soaked by a dolphin e. drive through a tree f. ride on a plane
g. win a medal h. ride a horse i. touch a starfish
j. learn to read k. learn to walk l. ride a bike
m. see Cinderella’s castle n. play on a team n. we did all these things!

Still reading? Excellent! See, wasn’t that more interesting than reading a five page summary of the past year? Now back to business.

Thank you for being part of our lives. We love you and miss those of you that are far away. We hope that you have a Merry Christmas and that the New Year brings you many adventures of your own!

Love,

Mike, Jannet, Lenna, Andrew, and Rebecca

Update: answers in black

Double Date

Mike and Lenna went on their first official date in December.

The "Daddy-Daughter Dance" at school. Lenna was so excited! She wore her most twirly dress, because that would be the best for dancing, and had me curl her hair. They came home late, with tired feet and happy memories. A definite success!

No one wants to stay home on a Friday night when others are out having fun, so Andy, Becca, and I went out on our own date to Baskins Robbins. We celebrated with mint chocolate chip ice cream cones and doughnut holes.

Date nights are fun. We often do split movies, Mike takes Andy to the animated action flick while Lenna and I check out girly movies like Hannah Montana or Ramona. Those are fun, too, but it is nice to change things up a little get some time out with my little guy. Here's to future date nights!

A Letter, in Which Wal-Mart joins Dollar General on the list of places I will not return to until after the seasonal staffing changes take effect.

Dear Wal-Mart Employee,
I am writing this letter to offer you an explanation of my bizarre behavior this morning. Had I been aware of how our outing would end, I would not have made the trip out in the first place.
Circumstances in our home warranted a trip to the super-center this morning, as we are nearly out of milk and in need of some fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, I was planning on throwing a surprise party for my oldest child this weekend, which required the purchase of craft supplies and cake frosting, and other sleep-over related snacks. There is a gingerbread house contest at our church party on Saturday and I assumed that my children would like something other than leftover halloween tootsie rolls to decorate it with so was also planning on buying some Christmas candy.
I wish to offer my sincerest apologies for leaving the fully-loaded grocery cart (or buggy, if you are a southern native) in the middle of aisle 7. I tried to at least push it off to the side so it wouldn't be blocking traffic. Let's just both be grateful that I hadn't made it to frozen foods or the meat section, so there was no eminent health risk to future customers if you didn't get around to put things away for a while.
As for the cleaning up of the substance that required a "caution wet floor" sign, I hope it went well. I am assuming that you have some sort-of industrial strength cleaner for such an occasion but if not, I have found that a generous sprinkling of baking soda will help absorb the liquid and smell before vacuuming with a wet/dry appliance.
I know it probably looked like I was simply being an irresponsible parent, but that was never my intention. The baby looked well enough this morning. A slight runny nose but nothing that couldn't logically be attributed to normal teething troubles. It wasn't until she started coughing in the craft section that I began to worry, then when I picked her up in party goods and felt her warm head I decided to skip the other GM aisles and go straight for the groceries. I never imagined that the coughing would turn into gagging, followed by lots of snot, and tears, and more gagging, and well you know the end result. You had to mop it up. Anyway, at that point I thought it best to simply exit the premises and return home as quickly as possible to change out of the soaked t-shirt and stop the germ sharing and administer appropriate medication. And of course to care for the baby with clean clothes and infant tylenol.
We are recovering well in case you were wondering. I shall send back-up to purchase the needed groceries and reschedule the party to a time when we are not contagious. Out next trip will be much more enjoyable for everyone involved, I promise.
Sincerely,
Jannet Cross

Christ: The Real Gift of Christmas

Christ: The Real Gift of Christmas

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time there was a little princess who loved reading and writing, books, pencils, story time, and day dreaming. Her vivid imagination often got her into trouble but provided an endless supply of ideas for the many stories she was always scribbling on any flat surface she could find.

One day the little Princess had a birthday. It was a momentous occasion because in the girl's kingdom, the eighth birthday was commemorated with a very special religious ceremony. Her family members traveled from distant and neighboring kingdoms to help her celebrate. A joyous time was had by all.

However, when the little Princess retreated to the solace of her bedchamber, she held a secret wish to her heart. You see, deep inside the Princess was missing something. She wanted to celebrate the anniversary of her birth with a riotous celebration in the company of her peers, not just the solemn religious occasion. She kept this wish to herself for fear of offending the Elders of the kingdom or appearing ungrateful for the kindness already bestowed upon her. She continued silently hoping that her wish would come true while fearing her desire would be forgotten by her very busy Queen Mother (who is NOT the Evil Queen, at least in this chapter).

With the aid of a magic mirror, crystal ball, or some other magic device (that may or may not be the Princess's new diary that she left open on the royal sofa) the Queen learned of the Princess's secret wish. She arranged for a royal banquet to be held in honor of the Princess. The castle banquet hall was a bit crowded due to the many decorations amassed for the upcoming holiday, so the Queen looked for an alternative location that would not empty the royal coffers. She came across a free meeting room in the Princess's favorite place, the town library. There was a small eating establishment nearby that would provide space for eating and lighting candles (a big no-no in a building full of books) and a large green space with playground equipment outside for boisterous frolicking and shouting, and all would come free of charge.

The Queen quickly began printing royal invitations, baking cakes (and wishing she employed a royal pastry chef), hiding decorations, and trying to secretly contact the Princess's royal acquaintances to gather them on short notice to the celebration hall by Saturday morning.

The end of this tale has not yet been written. Hopefully it will have a happy ending!

Thankful

Today I am thankful for . . .

My testimony in its simplicity.

Fasting (the first time in about 2 years).

My primary class, even the one I have to coax out of the window each week.

Pleasant company in the mother's room.

Friends who can help with child watching while I am out of the room or up in the front.

Children who eat the food that is placed in front of them.

Medicine.

Afternoon naps.

Children who are my example and reminder to CTR.

Christmas songs.

Done

I am done shopping. Now for wrapping and mailing and baking. Trying not to get too busy and to take time to enjoy the holiday. So far, so good. Went to community tree lighting tonight. Saw Santa, had hot chocolate, listened to chior. Played in soap snow in front of tree.

Mitzah: I didn't leave Andrew behind. Trust me, its an act of kindness.

Date night

Tonight is date night. I am always impressed by how different my son and daughter can be.
Lenna and Mike are headed to the Daddy-Daughter dance at her school. She is wearing her white twirly baptism dress and Mike had to wear a tie for the fifth time this week. She asked me to curl her hair. I had to dig out and dust off my curling iron, which has been sitting idle for about 5 years. As I helped her with her tights and tied a purple ribbon in her hair, I was struck by how fast she is growing up. I just wanted to hold her in my lap and keep her from getting any bigger. I have a feeling she isn't going to be my little girl much longer.
Andrew was feeling a little left out. Last weekend Lenna and Mike went to the Nutcracker and he was stuck home with me. I tried to make it worth his while with a trip to Chic-Fil-A and an ice cream cone but I could tell he was getting a little tired of my too-tame dates. He exclaimed to Mike in the kitchen before they left "I am tired of going out with Mom! I want to hang out with you." I need to step it up a bit for his more adventurous side. Tonight I took him to Baskin Robbins to get a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone and a doughnut. Rebecca came along and cried most of the time, so we had to leave early. We followed up with a trip to the video store where he selected Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Hot Wheels. He has Star Wars from the library that he "can only watch with Daddy because it is a boy show" so we needed something different. Even with his new entertainment, he was really just waiting for Daddy to return home and toss him around.
I think I will declare next weekend girls day out, and let the men of the family do something manly like light-saber fight or play football or something. Thankfully, I was able to secure a babysitter and tickets to a grown up event for Tuesday so Mike and I get to see each other, too. It has been a while. In 4 days my husband will be a college graduate and we get to have him back in the evenings for the first time in 3 years. Hooray! Welcome home Daddy, we have missed you!

Serving at home

I always love the thought expressed by a fellow mother who said that her way of feeding the hungry and clothing the naked was by nursing and diapering her baby. Sometimes we have the most significant work to do right here at home.

Which is good, because that is where I am today. So what kindness can I deliver while housebound with a sick kid? Well, I'll just deliver it to the sick kid.

Mitzvah #3: motherly love. Milkshake (laced with medicine) for breakfast. Back rubs at nap time. Relinquishing control of the remote all day.

And because I forgot to include it yesterday-
Mitzvah #2: flowers to a friend who needed a boost.

External accountability for some internal motivation

So I joined this group today.

http://www.nablopomo.com

Had to do it today, as tomorrow would have put me behind already!

National Blog Post Month encourages you to post something every day for an entire month. This group gives you a theme for the month to follow, which can sometimes make it easier to think of something to write about when it has been one of those days. Or weeks. Or years. Whatever. Anyway, the theme for December is Mitzvah. Not being Jewish, I had to look it up. Although it traditionally refers to the commandments, in this instance it is referring to an act of human kindness. So each day in the month of December (maybe cheating a bit with scheduled posts?) I hope to post at least a line or two about what kindness I have given that day. Something big, small, tangible, or not- just as long as it is something. And if I throw in the catch-up posts I hope to write this month in order to archive the events in the same calendar year they occurred, I should have plenty to write about.

Hopefully letting the world (ok the minuscule corner of it where I reside and the handful of people who read the words I write) know of my intentions will encourage me to actually get it done. So here's to NaBloPoMo.

Mitzvah: Let a friend come into my home on no notice to use my computer to do some urgent online banking. Didn't tell her to ask me tomorrow when my dishes were done or the floor was swept. Sometimes it isn't that important.

Run

I took Lenna running on the indoor track at the Y this morning. She is trying to reach a milestone (5 miles) for a club at school. She is an amazing runner. Next time, I will take her *before* my cardio workout instead of after. If you ever need motivation, take your 8 yr old and have her threaten to lap you. . . .

Lenna's 15 Minutes

Last year Lenna entered a story in a writing contest. Her story was selected to represent the first grade in the county contest, and won! She was recognized with the other winners from each grade level at a school board meeting in April.

In October we received a letter in the mail inviting Lenna back to a school board meeting, where she was going to be recognized again, this time for achievement at the state level! Her story went on to represent the count in the district then the state competition. Her story won for all of first grade! She was very excited! We celebrated with cake, of course!

Her principal really made Lenna feel special and proud. She was able to be on the morning news show, have her picture on the school website, and received a trophy. Later in the week a news reporter came and did a little article on Lenna and her story. She made the front page of the Columbia County News Times. Here is a link to the article: A True Fairy Tale.

We are very proud of our little author!

The Nose Knows

I was standing in the kitchen doing the routine chores of the morning when a familiar scent wafted into the room from the recently opened bathroom door. As my memory registered the humid mix of ivory soap and right guard, a wave of nostalgia swept over me and I found myself being transported back home. I indulged the memory with a short trip to the bathroom to sit and breath deeply and remember all of the times I had smelled it before, hundreds of mornings as a little girl, teen, and young adult. My dad is visiting this week and has brought with him the shower staples that have been his stand by for as long as I can remember.
Why is it that certain smells can bring back such strong memories?
For my dad, it is the above mentioned toiletries and a certain pink mint candy. Homemade bread, chocolate chip cookies, and perm solution (not all at once of course) will conjure up an image of my mom. My grandpa smells like orange soap and petroleum products, from years of working in a service station fixing cars, pumping gas, and running an oil lube. I am reminded of my grandma when I smell hamburger stew or late-night buttered toast (the post-bedtime indulgence we always looked forward to when sleeping at her house). Remembering my late grandfather always brings back thoughts of black coffee with cream and an image of the two swirling together in his mug after dinner when he let me stir. There is a smell to my grandma's house that I can instantly recognize when I walk in the door with the familiar creak- a mix of heating oil, old furniture, lilacs, and boiled potatoes with white gravy. The smell of sawdust always makes me smile as I think back to the nights when we were engaged and first married and I met Mike outside of my apartment as he returned from work and had to dust the sawdust off his clothes and hair before I could kiss him goodnight.
Funny how you never forget some things and those old scents are always comforting. I always look forward to sneaking a nap in my parents' bed when I go home to visit. Not only is it the most comfortable bed in a house of sofa sleepers and bunk beds, but there is something familiar and soothing about the scent of the pillows that my mom and dad slept on the night before. I can nod with an understanding heart when Lenna comes to my room to steal my pillow on the nights she is having a particularly hard time sleeping, when Andrew is overtaken by the urge to smell my hair, or the women at church feel compelled to sniff my baby's head.
I wish there was a way to bottle up those old familiar smells and tuck them away for later when you want to remember. The way fresh notebooks and new crayons remind me of elementary school or the anticipation that comes with the scent of book binding glue and fresh ink. Or the way sagebrush, pine, hay, and woodsmoke reminds me of the town where I grew up. The smell of a worn basketball and a polished gym floor coupled with the squeak of gym shoes gives me the urge to shoot baskets. Funnel cakes, cotton candy, corn dogs, and taffy will transport me back to summers at the county fair.
I wonder what my children will think of when they remember their childhood years from now?

Happy Birthday Baby!

November marked the one year anniversary of the day when Rebecca joined our family here on earth. We love her. She is our sunshine. Our red-headed, pink-cheeked, hot-tempered, giggling little sunshine.

I couldn't decide on my favorite picture, so I decided to show you all of them.
I made two cakes for her birthday, one for her and one for us, because her siblings were disgusted at the thought of eating her smoosh cake.

Oh, and the last few photos of the slideshow are the day after, when she took her first steps. An eventful week!

Baptism

LENNA IS GETTING BAPTIZED!!

Saturday, November 14, 2009
12PM-1PM
Augusta Ward Meetinghouse
2108 Eastland Dr, Augusta, GA

We would love it if you are able to join our family for this special day! Lenna will be turning 8 and getting baptized. She is very excited to take this special and important step! It would be wonderful to surround her with the love and support of her ward family.

The stake center where our ward usually meets is closed that weekend, so we are having it at the Augusta Ward building.

We hope to see you there- there will be treats!

Love,
The Cross Family

Motivated

Last week Lenna received a special certificate from the school board and a trophy from her principal (which I have been meaning to blog about. . .) for winning first place at the state level in the Young Georgia Authors Writing competition.

Today I was contacted by a reporter from the local paper. He wants to bring a photographer and come visit our house and talk with Lenna about her recent award so they can do a little article about her in the education section of the paper. Tomorrow.

I am suddenly feeling very motivated to finish cleaning the living room area and to get around to hanging those pictures that have been sitting around for a while. And where did all this dust come from? And how long have those hand prints been in the wall? Is that book shelf too cluttered? How should I arrange the furniture? I wonder which wall they will take a picture in front of. Better get busy!

Happy Halloween

My little pumpkin

This was a pose. They got grossed out and I had to finish.

We never can agree on one face, so we made three.

Puking pumpkin:

Shape pumpkin (she's a traditionalist):

And giggly pumpkin:

Andrew and his best bud Joey. Today, sworn enemies!

Darth Vader and ObiWan share a moment before the battle for candy begins.

Our little Jedi

Lenna, a walking Fairy Tale

The cutest candy corn witch ever, and Super Mom got to eat all her candy!

Reckoning

Today I got the call. The "Your-kid-misses-too-much-school-so-you must-be-neglecting-her" call. Way to kill my happy mom morning Mrs. Principal.

So here is my little rant off into cyber space, because the principal didn't really want to hear it.

She has missed 12 days so far this year. After 10 you get in trouble. I totally understand that part- esp if she was staying home to watch tv or because I didn't feel like driving her over. However, here are my excuses:

7 of them are medical excused- the allergist, a sprained elbow, four days with the swine flu, and one day that I didn't take her to the doctor but kept her home when her back was covered with an itchy rash. And I think you should get reverse credit when you miss after the nurse calls to tell you to come get your sick kid and not to bring her back until she is fever-free for a whole day. Instead you get a tardy and an absence.

The other five she was in Orlando. Although technically three of those were sick days as well that she spent throwing up in a hotel room. And two of them were supposed to be vacation days that they took off the school calendar at the last minute, after we had reserved and paid for everything.

The principal pointed out that she also misses once a week to go to the gifted program so add all those together and she has missed too much. And my response for that is that it is the district's lame policy that the only way they can educate the gifted kids is by busing them off-site once a week to have "enrichment" lessons, instead of moving them up a grade, ability grouping, giving them harder work or IEP's, or hiring someone to teach them on-site. So that really shouldn't count against her.

And if she is in the gifted program, obviously the missed instructional hours aren't really a problem. Did she even look at the report card with all 99%s, the perfect scores on the CRCTs, or the top of the curve placement test scores before she decided my kid was missing too much class? Or that I have to send her to school with toys in her pocket, so that all the time she spends being bored and looking out the window, she can spend fidgeting with the toy instead of chewing her fingernails until they bleed or reading a book or working ahead (too distracting for the other kids who have to pay attention) or talking to her friends.

I am all for enforcing the rules, but they should really take a look at the whole picture, not just the tally marks in their record books. Go after the kid who shows up for school every day without doing his work, who is falling behind, who never eats breakfast, or goes home to an empty house for hours after school. They are the ones who need intervention.

OK. That's my rant.

I'm off to clean the living room just in case they decide today is a good day to drop by. Wish me luck, and does anyone know of a good, free, homeschooling curriculum? I'm not sure if we will make it until May without missing another day...

My new favorite holiday

Today while I was in the shower Lenna and Andy made me breakfast. They wanted to do breakfast in bed but I wasn't aware of their plans when I decided to get ready for the day. They said it was for "thank you mom day," a holiday they had made up the day before.
I came out to breakfast on a tray set with a place mat and rolled cloth napkin- slightly soggy cereal with whole milk (the regular jug of skim was new and too heavy, so they used the qt of whole I had for Becca), dry toast (they couldn't get the butter spray to work), yogurt, and a juice box. And a tiny card that said "I love you Mommy".
Best breakfast ever!

Word Clouds

I made this for Lenna's baptism program. The closest you'll get to a real invitation!

title="Wordle: Baptism"> src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/1267458/Baptism"
alt="Wordle: Baptism"
style="padding:4px;border:1px solid #ddd">

We're back

We just returned from a week in Orlando. I will spend a while journal-ing and posting pictures, but first I thought I would give you a quick summary of our trip. Bad first, to end on a good note.

Negative things:
Parking fees. Everywhere
Toll roads
Too cold to swim, beach, or picnic
Full-price fare.
Estimated wait time: 30 min and up
"They should change the name of this place to "Line-World" not Disney World. I even have to stand in line to go to the bathroom!"
Fold the stroller to board the train, escalator, monorail, shuttle, etc. Carry the two sleeping children and a days worth of stuff, and fold and pull the stroller.
I need another tissue.
101.5*
Can I please go to bed now (spoken by a 5yr old)?
She's throwing up. Again.
"We recommend you locate the nearest urgent care clinic or emergency room"
"Can you tell me the name of the closest urgent care? Can you give me directions?"
Dehydration
Vomit
Bile
Rectal temp
Intravenous re-hydration
"Mommy, I threw up"
"Jannet, there goes #3"
Non-refundable advance purchase attraction tickets


The Good Stuff:
On-time departure and arrival
Cooler temperatures
Wait is less than 10 minutes from this point
Character dining reservation
Fastpass available for this attraction
"This is the best day of my life so far!"
"Everything here really is magic!"
"Lap children allowed to ride"
Take the train
"I am going to sleep in tomorrow"
"Hey, I still have some cash left!"
"We are open until 11"
Insurance accepted
Zofran (my new favorite invention)
mild dehydration- no IV required
24 hr pharmacy
housekeeping
linen exchange
warm enough to swim
cable tv
Seaworld entry this way
no waiting for this attraction
event included with admission
free treats
I want to be an animal trainer when I grow up!
I guess maybe I can learn to dive without holding my nose.
"I got splashed by a dolphin!"
no traffic to report
"I think I am going to take a nap now."
Augusta 27 miles
Home Sweet Home
"Hey, someone cleaned our house while we were gone!"
"I can't wait to go back to school!"

We had a good time, really!

We went on our first Florida/Disney vacation in October. No vacation experience is complete without a photo slide show at the end, so I made one for you!



A quick narration:
Day one we spent at the Magic Kingdom. Mike's sister, Tammy met us there to join the fun. Super fun, long lines, and lunch with Pooh. We ended with the light parade and hauled three exhausted kids back to the hotel.
The next day we thought we would spend at Universal City Walk. Rebecca rearranged our schedule by getting violently ill at Bubba Gumps and puking all over the restaurant. We ended up making a midnight run to the ER and spent the next two days nursing sick kids.
We ended our vacation with a stop at Sea World on the drive home. I had already bought the tickets and was determined to get some use out of them. We skipped all moving rides and stuck to animal viewing and shows. Ended up a nice day, even if we were all still exhausted!
We sent Tammy home sick instead of with a souvenir Pooh hat. I still feel bad every time I think of it. Next year, I am sure it will be better!

6 Words

Happiness is thriving, not just surviving.

I was recently challenged to write my autobiography using just six words. Harder than it looks! I am still not completely satisified with it, but for now it will do!

Let Them Eat Cake

Monday:


Tuesday (and Wednesday):

Thursday (and Friday):

Saturday:

Brain purge

It is 4AM. I have been awake since 3:13. My head hurts and y eyes are burning because I am so tired, but I still can't sleep. How completely unfair. I thought if I just typed out all the junk running through my head and got it out, that maybe I could go to sleep.

Did you know my son has a doctor's appointment this morning? I forgot until a few minutes ago. I must cancel my gym date (sorry Rosetta). It is at 10am. Should I take him to school for an hour or just keep him home? Should I return him after or let him stay home? He missed a full day last week for an allergist apt. I guess it depends on if he gets shots and how he is feeling. I need to get his shot record from school. I think I accidentally gave them my only copy. Since we are visiting a new doc they won't have it on file. He needs his three point screening as well. I have to fill out the packet of papers before we go. Must remember to talk to them about his wheat allergy. And his snoring and strep and see if he needs his tonsils out. He grew nearly 5 inches last year. Is that normal? I got two reminder calls for this apt, from different offices. I wonder where I am supposed to take him. Must call and find out as soon as there are normal people awake and at work. Maybe I will drop him off, get his shot record, go run a few errands, then go back and get him. Let him ditch the second half of the day because it is just lunch, recess, naps, and snack. And why I am I even bothering to send him if it is just filler the last two hours....

Both kids need lunch money for the month. Find checkbook.

I need to send a note with Lenna to the nurse explaining that she outgrew her nut allergy (hooray) so will not need special snacks or an emergency treatment plan. Also need to contact the teacher to find out if she has to do all of those papers from last week when she had the flu. I think she is feeling overwhelmed. Today is horizons day, so she will have even more to do. I think I will just throw them all away and see if she says anything. Add in another weeks worth for our trip and we will be drowning in worksheets. What exactly do we say to a truant officer when he calls and asks why our daughter missed 10 days of school in one month? I am continually tempted to start homeschooling. But after last week, I think it would make us all crazy. I have to not even think about it until after Christmas, at least. then it wont seem so overwhelming.

Vacation. We have one coming up in two weeks. Less then that actually. I feel like I am leaving something important undone. We have a hotel booked. Have a outline planned. Have character dining reservations (note- make kids watch Winnie-the-Pooh so they can appreciate lunch with Tigger and Pooh. Andy didn't know who Eeyore was last week. Really? Lenna lived on that movie as a baby, how did he miss it?). Have online sites with discount tickets marked. Oh, must go on base and see if out TA status makes us eligible for military discounts. That will save a few hundred dollars- must make time for base trip then buy tickets. Then settle up with school and face the scorn of the receptionist. I hate attendance policies. I should be able to take my kids on vacation when ever I want when they are that little and way ahead anyway.

Need to make reservations for discount getaway Mike got for long weekend. Sometime during Christmas break. Maybe to the beach? Will it be too cold? Do the kids care if they have to wear jackets to the beach? Probably not.

Need to make reservations at Tenn cabins for Mike's side of family vacation. So his sisters don't declare us incompetent vacation planners and disown us. How did we get stuck planning two reunions in one summer anyway? Need to make final decision for Law family trip. Need to just call people and ask what they want to do or is the beach is too expensive. You'd think they would want to have some input since it is their money at stake. Maybe I should just do whatever I want and let them worry about getting here and finding a place to sleep on their own. I am booking a beachfront condo then with Tammy's timeshare club.

Need to find time to pay three bills online today. Websites have been down. They should wave late fees if their site is down, I should get a credit just for trying to log in.

Starting to feel stressed about out of town visitors. I am afraid I will run out of time to get things ready. I still am trying to catch up from two years of neglecting the house. Working, pregnancy, and postpartum depression will do that to you. If it took me that long to mess it up, I should get that much time to put it back together. wait, I did have that much time. I am just really slow.

Need to move crib to spare room so I can do Andy's room. Maybe then he will sleep in it instead of migrating to everyone else 's bed during the night. Tonight he picked Lenna's. She just came out completely offended that he snuck in and has been kicking her and stealing the covers for the last few minutes. Should I tell her her was in there before 8 and she just didn't notice? Before I can move the crib I need to get the file cabinet and end table out. End table to good will, file to dining room by the computer. Need to move craft table out of dining room by decluttering, storing art supplies, and finding a new place to stash 10 boxes of food storage. Maybe in Becca's closet since her clothes only hang down a foot. After than I can move crib and set up Andy's room. Then I can organize toy storage and get the totes out of the front hall. Then deep clean everything before people get here. And should probably patch up the gaping hole in the bathroom ceiling before company starts to arrive.

Need to get winter clothes out of storage and put away summer stuff. Did I ever move the winter clothes out? they might still be hanging around here somewhere. That would make it easier. Need to get next size up clothes for Becca. Starting to get cold, need to do it this week before I give up and just go buy them new stuff and then next month find they have too many clothes to fit in the drawers. Trying to decide if I should give away Andy's clothes as he out grows them. Made peace with getting rid of Lenna's starting with the 5's- by the time Becca gets that big the clothes will be 12 yrs old, and most of them were hand me downs to begin with. They deserve to be set free. But toddler clothes get outgrown faster so I feel ok about hanging on to them. But boy clothes are really hard to find second hand. so if we have another boy within the next year or so, I will be wishing I had a stash. But what if it takes another yr to get pregnant and it is a girl? If by some miracle I feel competent enough to have another one after that and it happens to be a boy, that puts at least 8 yrs or so between Andy and the next boy, which seems too long to be toting around boxes of tiny sweats. Keep or pass? I have no idea. I guess I will just box them up and put them in storage and worry about it later.

So, a week and half until our FL trip. Disney, Seaworld, Busch Gardens. Is there a beach near Orlando? I know it is in the middle on the map, but how long does it take to get over to the edges? Might be a nice diversion on our in-between resting days. After we get back it is a week until Halloween. I need to find time to get Lenna's princess dress (early birthday gift?) and make her costume. Becca and Andrew are still young enough to dress up from the stash of play clothes. The next week is Becca's 1st birthday, my dad flies in a few days later. Spend the week touring, then that weekend is Lenna's b-day and baptism, which brings 7 out of town guests to host and entertain and find a place to sleep. Did I mention I have to get the bedrooms ready? I need to order her scriptures and check on her dress to make sure everything gets mailed and shipped and delivered on time. The next week is Thanksgiving and our 10 yr anniversary. then its Christmas time already and I haven't shopped, decorated, or anything.

And I am supposed to throw in Lenna's birthday party someplace. She didn't ave one last year because I was having a baby, so I told her this year she could have some friends over. She wants to go skating, She has never been. I should find time to take her so she can try it out first. it would be sad to spend her birthday party hating the activity she chose. I still need to get Andy to Chuck E Cheese since he didn't go on his b-day because Lenna was sick. And they keep asking me to take them to the pool. Andrew wants to go to the Y because he is finally old enough to go to the clubhouse.

I wonder what I can do the week my dad is here. Seems a waste to fly 6,000 miles to watch me drive them around to school and ballet and basketball. But I am not sure I could get away with pulling them out of school again to do any day trips. Hmmm. Would like to go to the zoo/gardens. Maybe a day trip to Savannah and Tybee Island. The county fair is that week as well. Hard because the only weekend he is here is filled with birthday/baptism stuff. Will think some more. How about I just pull the kids out of school altogether until after Christmas so I can haul them around as much as I want?

There. Feel a little better. at least now I have a list. Sort of. Help. I am not going to make it. Should have stopped at "I can't sleep." Must refill prescription in the morning.

Goodnight. I hope.

Shoot. Time to get up in 2 hrs. Baby awake. Lenna insists I move her brother before she will go back to bed. Don't call me later. I will be napping.

Fabulous Five

Andrew turned 5 this year. We went with a Star Wars theme. Mini-light saber cupcakes for school and a Jedi battle on the cake at home.

This is Carson the fish, that Andrew bought with his birthday money. Sadly, he has since taken a final swim in the porcelain pool. RIP Carson.

Five fabulous things about Andrew:

1. He has the most adorable smile, and he loves to share it with me. I am a sucker for dimples. His favorite talent is telling corny knock-knock jokes.

2. He is determined. When he wants something, he goes for it with everything he has.

3. He is curious. He loves to explore and learn new things. He is great at asking questions to find things out.

4. He is in touch with his emotions and shares them. I know when he is happy, sad, angry, or excited. He knows its OK to cry when you are hurting and cheer when you are happy.

5. He is my little boy in the middle. I am so glad he came to be part of our family. He definitely makes it better, more exciting, and keeps me on my toes!

Five things about Andrew that he thinks are important for you to know:
1. He loves oatmeal raisin cookies
2. He is growing big muscles by eating vegetables
3. He is one smart cookie
4. He is a superhero and wants to be a policeman on a motorcycle when he grows up
5. He wishes his grandparents lived closer so they could take him fishing, camping, and gardening, and make him cookies all the time

I mentioned before that I wanted to share his birth story with you. Not THAT story, but some miracles that happened along the way. I think of Andrew as my Miracle Baby.


We found out we were having a baby boy at the 20 week ultra sound. We had his name chosen before we made it home from the hospital- Andrew Joseph. Or Baby Brother Pooh, according to Lenna.

When I was about 32 weeks along I went in for my typical monthly visit. The doctor took an extra long time listening to his heartbeat. She had heard an irregularity in his heartbeat sent us up to the hospital to do some monitoring and have another ultrasound. Time dragged on as the longest day ever was spent in the hospital room with me strapped in with monitors, Lenna entertaining the nursing staff with toddler antics, Mike stranded at school with no car, and Andrew's little heart thumping away to a pattern all his own. Finally 8 hrs later we were released to go home after they decided he wasn't in any immediate danger.

A few days later our home teachers arrived for their monthly visit and gave Andrew, through me, a blessing. I was promised his heart would heal itself and I would deliver a full-term, healthy, strong little boy. The next week I returned to the doctor for a follow up. She had a prescription ready for me for heart medicine I would take until Andrew was born and could take it himself, and a mile of monitor tape showing just how crazy his heartbeat was. She was surprised and confused as she listened to his heart again and found no problems. Nothing but the steady swish swish of a healthy baby heart.

Finally his due date arrived, and passed with him still snuggled cozily in my tummy. We planned to go in Wednesday night for an induction. Wednesday afternoon, we experienced our first California earthquake! Later that night in the hospital, the bed, tables, and rolling monitors all swayed to the aftershocks while my little boy fought to make his entrance into the world. I like to tell him that the Earth shook on the day he was born, because his spirit was so strong and powerful and the world knew he was going to do great things! He nearly lost the fight, emerging blue-faced and still with the cord looped three times around his neck. The ten seconds between birth and first cry were the longest I had experienced.

Many times since I have wondered if I was going to get to keep him, after fighting off strep B infection at birth, RSV at one year, pneumonia at 18 months, scarlet fever twice, ear infections, head wounds, stitches, various mystery rashes and fevers, and a close call in a swimming pool when he was two. Thankfully, he is a tough little guy and keeps going. I am so grateful!

We love you Andrew, happy birthday!

Bring on the Birthdays

I'm going to turn 30 this weekend. 30. The big 3-0.

Scary huh? I'm trying to think of a momentous way to celebrate. Any ideas?

I'm too tired to be sentimental and introspective and do the life and goals evaluation. I will save that for another time. Like, next year.

This week, my little boy turns 5. I hope that I will be able to carve out a few hours of time to tell you his birth story. No, not that one. The only people who like that story are women about to deliver or who just delivered and are swapping L&D stories. I will tell you about how his first priesthood blessing and miracle of healing were in-utero, how the earth shook on the day he was born, how I am convinced he has a very busy and exhausted guardian angel, and of course how much we love him.

I will find those hours sometime between now and Tuesday morning, when I will be expected to deliver 20 character-themed (which has just hours ago changed from Ben 10 to Star Wars, good thing I procrastinated buying the decorations) brownies to preschool, bake and decorate a similarly themed cake, and transport it and a pile of freshly-wrapped presents to Chuck E Cheese for dinner and games, and have everyone home and in bed by 8.

Into newly rearranged beds, I hope. Because Andy's birthday was the deadline I set for myself way back at the beginning of summer to have all the bedrooms moved around and organized. I am no where near being done, but Lenna is holding me to it. I guess tomorrow will be a late night.

Then two weeks later we are off on our Florida trip. The next weekend is Halloween, the next is Rebecca's first birthday, the next is Lenna's birthday and baptism, followed by Thanksgiving and our 10th anniversary, and then Christmas and New Year's and the year is over already and the leaves haven't even started changing!

I hope the next 30 years pass more slowly than the last. I'm not ready yet!

Cure or Quack

Chiropractors.

Do they help aches and pains? How about other issues like GI problems? What about for kids? Worth the risk? What do you think? How do you find a good one? Please share!

Finally

This morning on the way to school, it finally happened.

The moment I have been waiting for these past four weeks!

Andrew willingly put on his transformers t-shirt and new tie shoes. He happily brushed his teeth and loaded his backpack with the carefully chosen show-and-tell items. He climbed into the car without any nagging from me, leaned back contentedly and said:

"Mom, I just love school! I love Miss Jeri and rug time and group time and snack time and outside time. The only part I don't love is the end, because you pick me up too soon, before I have enough time with my friends."

All is again right in the world.

ballet bandwagon

Here is my little monkey. Isn't she just oozing with grace and gentility and southern belle charm?

Lenna started ballet a few weeks ago. So as not to be left out of the ballet dancer cousins' club, here is Lenna on her first day of class. No pressure Eve and Abby, but you are the last ones....

She loves it. She is still technically pre-ballet so won't be doing the intense ballet training or stage performances, but will have a recital at the end of the year. She is looking forward to next year when she can have a part in the nutcracker. Until then, she is happy with this class and her pink slippers and bun and shiny skirt. Ballet is a much better fit than gymnastics, where her long arms and legs kept getting in the way. I am assuming they will serve her better in this sport.

Best Friends

I'm pretty sure her first word is going to be "kitty." He's just lucky he doesn't have a tail or he would never get away.