Sorry Cashier Lady

Today Grace, Jack and I went to the store, and at the check out the cashier talked to them for a minute and as we left, she told the kids bye, and Jack said - Bye, old lady.

I guess he is too young to understand 'things you don't call a woman'.

There's A Change A-Comin'

We went to church yesterday, I was really struggling with wanting to go, but because I had to teach I went. Taught the young women and then struggled to go into Sunday School. We went in. Our teacher that day was a friend, and teaches often, I enjoy her lessons. A few things stood out to me in our discussions, first she made the comment that she had seen a bumper sticker that said; I read the book, God wins. Which is true and we need to decided where we want to stand - we already know the ending. Next she asked us how many men did it take to build the Ark? One, with the help of Heavenly Father. And how many men did it take to build the Titanic? Which boat do you want to be on?

She stretched out her arms and said that sometimes we have so much to do, or change, and if we look at everything it is overwhelming, and we need to look at one thing, work on just one thing at a time.

Clint and I are looking at a few things and are changing a few things at a time, and once those are habits we will add a few more. I am excited about our changes.

I also recognize that Satan really didn't want us to go to church yesterday.

What Can Santa Bring?

Today Grace asked me who got her the cookie book, and I told her Santa did. She told me that elves can't make books. I told her that elves can make anything that you ask Santa for (mistake). I told her that if I asked Santa for a new tv, that the elves could make me one. Her response was, so if I ask Santa for a Pony I will get one. This was not a question.

I think I may need Papa to be Santa next year.

What Is With Her Today???

I put my hair in pigtails (yes I know I am 30), and came downstairs to get the kids ready for their bath, and Grace told me my hair looked beautiful. I said thank you, and then she told me that I look like garlic.

WooHoo!!

Grace fired me today.

Couch Potatoes

The kids are watching Dora right now, and she asked all of us out in tv land if we wanted to join her soccer team to stop the other team from cheating. Grace answered her with this:

No Dora I will not join your team. I am busy right now.

The funny part is that she is 'busy' watching the episode.

I love when they answer the television.

The Day My Child Got Embarrassed

We had a family day yesterday. We took the kids to Borders for story time and Christmas activities. They got to write a Christmas list to santa, color, hear a story, and play games. All the kids that were there got to put their name in a hat and have a chance to win a prize. Well, Jack was a winner. His name was called second, and he got to go up and get a book. He walked very slowly to the front, a little unsure. He stood there as he was asked if he liked Rudolph - he didn't answer. He was handed the book and still stood there. I called him back. He turned around and started walking back. His face was red, and he ran over to his daddy's arms and buried his head in his chest.

I do not remember the first time Jack laughed, or got angry, but this I will always remember.

Dear Children,

When I sit down, it is not an invitation to climb all over me. When I leave the room it is not an invitation to follow. When I make something to eat it is not an invitation to eat half (especially when I just made you something). When I close a door it is not an invitation to pound on it until I open it. When I clean up a mess it is not an invitation to make another (I am not giving you a clean canvas to destroy again).

I do however invite you to dress up like princesses and eat 'car chips' on the couch.

With Love,
Mommy

It's A Glee Christmas

The kids are rocking out to Lea Michele and Cory Monteith, while wearing viking hats and tutu's. Grace is playing a guitar and Jack is 'playing' a hammer and wrench.

Good times in our house this morning!

Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?

To get run over by me.

Yes, I ran over a chicken.

Who can say that?

Cecil

I have had a cough since the middle of August. It has not been fun. I have been to the doctor 4 times and have spent a lot of money on medication. We do not know why I have a cough. First, it was probably allergies, and I got meds for that. It didn't go away. Then we thought it was asthma and I got meds for that. Then we thought it was still asthma and got a different inhaler, and some other things to take just in case it was something else. I did get cough medicine with codeine which was nice. Cough is still here. I went to the doctor yesterday, got a horrible nasal swab to be tested for something. I got an xray, just to make sure there aren't any tumors on the lungs, and a different test. I was in the hospital for 3 hours. 3! Clint had the kids and took them all around town, and out to dinner. Thank goodness for the hospital gift shop (Dad I hope you like your Christmas present).

Got a call from the Doctor today, everything is fine.

Oh, except that the cough is still here and we don't know what is causing it, which means we don't know how to make it go away.

Where is House when you need him?

The True Spirt

Before I was married I worked in a gym, and during the Christmas Holiday, they choose a family from their church to 'adopt' and asked the members if they wanted to participate in helping to make their Christmas memorable, they could bring in a toy or donate money. We had a list of the names and ages of the kids. It was strange to me that under the tree we had, was usually close to nothing. I didn't understand how these women who had so much ($$$) couldn't share a little of what they had. The day before they would take the items to the family my friend that I worked with and I would go out and buy. Buy until we thought it was enough and even amongst the kids. I loved doing it!

When I got married, I was blessed to marry into a family that also had this tradition. They would 'adopt' a family from the school that my mother in law works at, and we would buy. Sometimes things just never seem like enough. Last year Clint and I talked to our Bishop and was given a few ward members that were in need, and we with the help of the in laws, were able to make their Christmas a little better.

It is that time of year again. I talked to my Bishop today, and was given a name of a family that needs a little help. When he told me who, I knew that this was coming from Heavenly Father. It is the first time in almost 10 years of doing this that I know Heavenly Father has His hand in it. ( I know He has His hand in all things)

I know that whatever we can give them, they will be thankful. I don't ever expect a thank you (it is supposed to be anonymous). I don't expect to receive blessings for doing this. Just being able to do this is the blessing; And I am grateful for that.

I am having a spiritual night, something I am also thankful for.

Even Holy Things Can Be Creepy

Jack has been sick, and not having very restful nights. He wakes up numerous times at night and asks to sleep in Mommy's bed. We let him, usually just to get him to fall back asleep and then we move him. He woke up the other morning at about 5:15, and Clint had already left for work, so I brought Jack into Mommy's bed. Then a few minutes later Grace came in and walked over to our couch in our room (we have a permanent blanket and pillow for her when she comes into our room, so she doesn't climb into our bed) and got into 'bed'. I don't think she knew that Jack was in my room until he started talking. I asked Grace if she wanted to get into bed with us and in a very awake voice she said yes. She climbed into bed, as Jack was still talking. He pointed to the ceiling across the room and kept saying cow. (?) Then..... Grace said no Jack that is Jesus.

My first thought was , I know kids are closer to heaven and heavenly things, but really? My daughter can see Jesus? My next thought was oh crap, someone died.

Then Jack said no, a cow. And Grace said no, it is Jesus on Mommy's dresser you just can't see him very well.

I have a statue of Christ on my dresser. I calmed down. But we got up and went downstairs right after that.

Under The Sea

We went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Tuesday, it was so much fun! The kids had a blast. They liked all the big fish and the penguins. Graces favorite was seeing Nemo and Dorie. But I think there favorite part was playing on the little playground they had inside. The jelly fish were really neat, but my favorite was seeing the sardines. I never really thought about sardines before other than they come in can, and ewww. But they are really very pretty. After the aquarium we went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co restaurant. It was awful. The food was so not good and way over priced. And in the middle of our dinning experience we were quizzed on our Forrest Gump knowledge. After that we found a Nestle Tollhouse cookie store, we bought cookies and that ended our day.

Never A Good Thing To Hear

I entered a room that my kids were in and put something away and then walked out, and in a whispered voice I heard, "that was close".

And to make it scarier - they were in my room.

Thank You, Bob Marley

I was out running errands yesterday when I got stopped at a light to make a right hand turn. The light turned green and the first few cars in front turned when there was a pedestrian crossing the street. I stopped and waited for him to finish crossing. He was a rastafarian looking man, with dreads, dressed in the rasta colors. He finished crossing and looked at me and slightly raised his hand as to say thank you, I smiled at him. He, in return, looked a little taken back and gave me the most gorgeous smile back.

I learned something yesterday, that I will always keep - sometimes people need something as simple as a smile. And I don't know who needed it more, me or him?

Happy Halloween

We went to our Stake trunk or treat last night. I am happy to report that this year went a lot better than last. Grace did really well with the crowd and even let go of my hand when she went up to the trunks to trick or treat. Jack on the other hand... he fell asleep on the way there and didn't quite wake back up, he was very somber. He did do some trick or treating. Every trunk he went to when they put the candy in his bucket he stood there and took it out and looked at it, almost like he was making sure they gave him an acceptable treat. It was a good time for the kids.

Grace was a beautiful princess and told us that jack was her pet monkey.

Seasons Change

There is nothing more perfect than wearing a sweater on a crisp day, listening to the Carpenters christmas while baking pumpkin cookies with my kids. Welcome, my favorite season.

Pumpkin Patch

Jon and Sandy took us to a pumpkin patch on Saturday with Cara, Camille and all of the kids. It was actually a really nice day. We went on a train ride, a hay ride, and got to enjoy the property. The kids had fun, but they always do when they get together. They bought the kids each a pumpkin, which means we now have to do pumpkin carving - we will do that soon.

Makin' Cookies

Chomp, Chomp, Chomp

I have a huge phobia of sharks. I will not go into the ocean. I will not go into a pool. I sometimes have a difficult time in the shower (strangely not the tub). I blame my father for letting me see Jaws at a young age.

Today Jack was running around the house trying to eat Grace. He was chasing her with his mouth opened making a chomping noise. I was in the pantry when I felt a little boy by my leg. It was jack pretending to eat me, making that awful sound. I got very scared. Then it occurred to me that maybe my fear of sharks is a fear of being eaten. Or maybe I was scared cause I thought Jack was somewhere else and then I see a little redheaded boy next to me in a dark closet.

This Was No Arnold/Danny

I believe that everyone has a twin. Today I saw my Grandpa Curtis's twin. I was driving home and passing me on the other side of the street was Grandpa Curtis - on a motor scooter. This man had white hair, while grandpa does have a little salt, he is mostly pepper. This man was wearing a plaid shirt and a jean jacket. I think that no man should wear a jean jacket, and while this style seemed to be the trend in the 80's, no trend was a good trend in the 80's, and I am sure that my grandfather would agree. But aside from a few flaws this man was my grandfather. It made me sad. I miss my grandparents and now I am really excited to see them next month.

Cookies

When Grace was younger she spent a week with my parents. When she came back she kept saying things were in her ear. I didn't understand until I mentioned this to my dad. He told me that he pretended to pull cookies out of her ear. Every now and then she would come over to Me or Clint and say she thought she had a cookie in her ear. This I thought was cute.

Fast forward a few years, and a Jack later...

A few months ago I was changing Jacks diaper and he told me cookie diaper. He insisted that what was in his diaper was a cookie. I don't know where this came from, he hadn't seen my dad, and I am quite sure that my dad would not confuse the two. Since then every time I change his diaper, he tells me cookie diaper.

I am just glad that he knows the difference between cookie diapers and real cookies.

Todays Art Project

You Have To Pick Your Battles

Grace thinks she is sneaky. Grace used to ask me if she could have treats that are in our cupboard, like chocolate chips, or when she used to get them, potty treats, and when I said no, she would get them anyways. She would go into the pantry and close the door and be in there for a little bit, and always come out with a smirk on her face, like she just got away with something. Of course I knew what she was doing, but I think it is important for her to feel like she just did something cool (yes disobedient).

She tried to do this again today. I let the kids have a piece of cake today, and I left the rest out on the counter because I planned on throwing it out - I don't need to be eating any. Grace asked if she could have the rest, I told her no. For about 20 minutes she kept telling me that she liked chocolate frosting, and again kept asking if she could have some. Only during these 20 minutes, she made about 10 trips to the kitchen, and always came back with chocolate on her breath, crumbs on her face and fingers, and a smirk on her face.

Bring It On

I got beat up at the gym today by a guy. His name is Matt, and he promised to do it again on Monday if I show up at 9:30. I am sore, and the worst part, is that I am paying him to feel like this.

Old MacDonald Had A Farm

I may be rethinking my plan to not live in the country.

I think my children would enjoy it.

Coincidence? Yeah, Probably

Jack had a really rough night last night. He had diarrhea all night and threw up around 2 am. Clint and I cleaned him up and let him fall back asleep in our bed and then moved him back to his bed. After doing all of this I am sure the time was much later than 2 am. Clint has this ability to fall asleep so quickly which at times I hate, or I am just jealous. So early this morning I was up for quite awhile trying to fall back asleep. I started thinking about the wee hours of the morning.

When Clint and I were 'dating', we got talking about music and how at the time his favorite song was, In the Wee Small Hours Of The Morning, by Frank Sinatra. Which at the time that was my favorite song, but by Carly Simon. I used to go to work at 4:30 in the morning, and listen to this song on my way. When there were no cars on the street, street lamps on, and everything was still. I would listen to this song and think about Clint, and miss him most of all.

I Would Not Want To Run Into That Bug

Grace is playing with Play Dough, she brought over something she had been working on and asked me if it looked like butterfly poop. (?) I am happy to report that I have no idea what insect feces looks like. But here is Graces interpretation.

Whistle While They Work

The kids are cleaning the kitchen floor with wipes. I told them they can only use one wipe and when it is done, they cannot get another one. They decided to take that wipe and get it wet in the bathroom sink (smart cookies). Next I will show them how much fun a toothbrush can be when used on the tile counter top.

One Could Do Worse Than Be A Swinger Of Birches.

Today Grace asked me if she could climb a tree we were passing on the street, I told her no. She then told me that Daddy let's her swing from branches.

I hope she will always swing from branches.

Fairy Wings

I have a jewelry box that I have had since I was probably 16. I love it. It is small, it can only hold a few items. It is a rectangular box that sits upright. It is green and inside is a fairy with pink wings and a pink dress. When you open the drawer on the bottom it plays You Light Up My Life, and the fairy dances around. I would wind it and just watch her frantically dance as if she were caught and trying to get out of the box. I think she stopped trying, she doesn't dance anymore. But it still plays music and the box is still pretty. It now sits in my daughters room. Maybe she will dance for her.

You Might Want To Wear Shoes

The kids were running around in the sprinkler today (naked), when I noticed Jack peeing in the grass. He looked pleased. When he was done, he ran over to me and told me that he watered the grass.

At least he didn't fertilize it.

Is It Brown?

My boy just went potty on the big boy potty! I am so excited. Here starts the messy potty training. But totally worth it. Now we probably need to get him some boy undies so he can stop wearing Graces princess undies.

I Smell

There are scents that I love. I love the smell of Christmas. Vanilla. The smell of baking cookies that fills the whole house. I love the smell of rain. I love the smell of my sons breath.

On our way back home from visiting my family, we passed by the Kraft factory, and it always smells like macaroni. I love the smell of that. I think that the scent of things are very powerful. They can take us away to another place or person, or feeling. I like to think that I like the smell of the Kraft factory because it reminds me of my every other weekend trip to Fresno, to see the man that I fell in love with, and that it isn't just cause I love macaroni. But I am pretty sure it is the latter.

Howdy Y'all

We caught the last 15 minutes of Huell Howser last night.

It was the longest 15 minutes.

This Little Piggy

We went and visited Monga and Ponga last weekend. Well Grace left her piggy there. Which really doesn't sound like a bad thing, but it was. Grace loves her piggy. She takes Piggy where ever we go, she rocks Piggy to sleep, and we even dress Piggy in her newborn clothes. She goes potty when Graces goes potty and I have to help wipe Piggy too. She was very sad when we realized we left Piggy. She asks about Piggy every night. We had to call Ponga this morning and check on Piggy. Grace hung up the phone and I asked her if Piggy was alright. Grace told me this: Ponga combed her hair, fed her candy, she went poo poo, she slept good last night, and he held her hand down the stairs. I wish you could have seen her face as she was telling me this - she was very happy. Thank you Ponga for taking such good care of Piggy.

End It

You watch scary movies even when you want to turn them off, because you have to see the end, to make you feel better, or lessen your nightmares. Sometimes they end so wrong, and you have to make up a new ending, to end it the right way.

Fashionista

I often wonder what my children will be, or what they will do, or be good at as they get older. Grace likes to bake, maybe she will be a chef. Grace loves art, maybe she will be an artist. She likes to dance and make up songs, maybe she will be a performer. But what I over look is what she is probably the best at. Grace picks out her own clothes to wear - and yes I let her. She puts together the most amazing outfits. Patterns or colors that I wouldn't have chosen, but they totally work. She accessorizes perfectly. So I think that my daughter could be a designer or just a fashionista. This was my thought until she decided to come downstairs wearing a pair of shorts with a matching shirt, spongebob socks under her sandals, a scarf, and a horrible 'blossom' hat. But I guess everyone has a fashion disaster once in a while.

Yes, we had the socks with sandals talk

Mudd Bath

Thank you Nana for sacrificing your plants

You'll Need A Magnifying Glass

Do you remember that scene in Jaws where they were sitting around the table comparing scars?

I had scraped my finger the other day and put a band aid on it. Well the next morning Grace wanted to see my owie, I showed her the band aid, and then she showed me one of her owies, then Jack showed me a scrape he had on his leg. Then Grace showed me another owie, only her owies are the size of a pin head, but she kept trying to show us up, and eventually won.

I guess that makes me Richard Dreyfuss.

Umm, Boys Will Be Boys???

Caliente !!

I think Jack looks like his dad. Every now and then he will get an expression on his face that is Clint all the way. And he definitely has his ears. Well I discovered that Jack also has Clints palate. Last night we went out for a happy birthday dinner for Clint. We went to Chilis. We ordered chips and salsa for an appetizer. The kids both had a few chips and Jack noticed that Clint was dipping his chip, and of course wanted to dip too. I was opposed to this cause the salsa was very spicy. But Clint said let him do it, and so we did. He dipped and ate, got a strange look on his face, grabbed another chip and dipped and ate. He liked it. We will be making some habanero cookies for dessert.

( I ordered the crispy shrimp tacos - they were so good! But too much food, if you get them, get them to share. )

This Is What I Do

Pictured: 4 boxes of Froot Loops, 4 boxes of Frosted Mini Wheats, 6 boxes of 12 count Pop Tarts, 2 boxes of Cinnabon Bars, 2 packages of Keebler Cookies, 1 box of Scooby-Doo Graham Crackers, 1 box of Eggo Waffles, and 1 gallon of milk.

Total: $12

I LOVE couponing!

Hot Dogs! Get Your Hot Dogs!

Jack brought me a package of hot dogs this morning and wanted to eat one for breakfast. I tried to change his breakfast mind by offering him Cocoa Puffs, but he wanted a hot dog. As I was preparing it for him, I thought wow, my son is a Curtis - THEN - he started singing a hot dog song, and then he really became a Curtis.

My Romance Doesn't Have To Have A Moon In The Sky

Clint got home from his 9 day backpacking trip late Friday night. Earlier that day I went to the store and bought cheeses and salami and some crackers for Saturday night, so we could have a nice night, maybe watch a movie or something. You see, I grew up watching and learning from my parents. When they wanted to have a 'night', they would make up a plate of crackers and cheese, and close the hall door and make us stay in our rooms. So in my head, Ritz crackers and cheese is a romantic thing. I haven't decided if this is a weird thing or not.

The Happiest Place On Earth

Uncle Garrett was telling Grace that later today he would trace her with chalk, and Grace said, will you give me a happy face and make me at Target with Mommy?

I love it!!

Dilemma

Do you do something that you want to do, or do you do something that you know your husband would want you to do?

It's Good To Aim Higher

Grace and Jack played outside today in the sprinklers for a really long time (it was so nice). They dragged the sprinkler all over the backyard, making puddles on the patio, and making mud in the dirt. Then Grace came in to show me the things that she was collecting. They were tiny rocks. I took them from her and told her they could dry on the counter and we could look at them later. She did this 2 times, and on the 3rd time Jack watched as Grace handed me her 'collections', and I made a big deal of how pretty they were. Then a few minutes later (with my back turned) I hear, "for you, mommy, for you, heavy". I turn around and see Jack carrying a rock the size of his head.

It is sitting on the counter to dry.

Pretty, Pretty, Princess

Should I be worried that Jack can walk better in heels than I can?

Oh yeah, he loves to wear Graces princess dress up shoes. And as much as I love the way he walks in them, my favorite is the way he stands in them - with attitude.

This Is How We Take Turns

Garrett, Grace and I played Don't Spill the Beans last night. It was my turn after Garrett's and he spilled the beans. So while he was picking up the beans, a conversation went like this:
Grace: Mommy, it is your turn
Me: yes, I guess it is
Grace: Yes, it is, but I will go first.

I think it was a 'you had to be there' kind of thing.

"Work" - Out

Grace: Mom, are you going to work today?
Me: Work? What work?
Grace: Work at the gym.
Me: Oh, you mean exercise. I am going to exercise at the gym.
Grace: Well, that's work, isn't it?


She is way beyond her years!

Pear Muffins

Recipe according to Grace:

A little bit of water and some oil, smash some pears, mix it, and then bake it, and then eat them with chopsticks.

Sounds good to me.

Backfired

When I was little my dad told us that beef jerky was kitty meat. I think he did this so that we wouldn't want to eat it - but I can tell you that we all thought kitty meat was delicious. After today, I am thinking this is a dad thing....

We went to Sacramento today to go to the train museum. On our way there, Clint stopped to buy me and him a diet coke, and also came back with a huge cookie. Down the road I opened the cookie and he and I shared it. Well, Grace asked what we were eating and with hesitation, Clint told her we were eating unicorn. We thought that would end the conversation - who wants to eat a unicorn? It didn't end. Grace replied, I have never tried that before, and she wanted a piece. So we fed her a piece of unicorn.

If anyone is interested unicorn is delicious.

Why Did the Duck Cross The Road?

We had a visitor yesterday. I went outside around 9 to turn off the sprinklers, and there, playing in the water, was a duck. I quickly called Grace and Jack to come and see. They loved it. We fed it bread, and watched her (we are calling it a her, but who knows?) play in the water. Then Jack chased her into the street, and off she went.

We came out a little later to run some errands and there she was laying on the grass. We loaded in the car and the kids waved bye. Grace thought of names for her and settled on Sparkly. We got home and there she was, sitting on the porch. At this point I am thinking wow, this is pretty neat, a duck that likes to hang out at our house. We got out of the car and she politely moved out of our way to let us get in the house. Then I saw the lovely presents she left on our porch, and quickly realized that this duck thing is so not cool!

She stayed all day long shading herself under the car. Clint thinks she was probably sick and going to die. I asked if I should call someone and his response was no, if she dies I will just throw her in the trash. Nice.

So this morning we got up to see if the duck was still here. We didn't see her, and she has not been back today. Every time we go outside Jack calls for the ducky, but she does not come.
I am afraid to look in the trash.

Shhhhh

We had a rare sighting in our house (see picture)



and on a side note, it took me 5 minutes to figure out how to spell sighting (don't you love when your brain just doesn't work)

Name Them One By One

Yesterday was a hard day. Emotional, would be a better word for it. Clint took Grace to the dentist, and thankfully everything is alright, other than now she has a Sloth (Goonies, look it up) smile. Then later that afternoon Grace was telling me that her tummy hurt. So I told her to go potty (this usually is the problem), she didn't have to. So I told her lets lay down in Mommy's bed for a little bit, and no more than two seconds later she threw up - all over my bed. The next 20 minutes went like this:

Took off her clothes and put them in my sink
Started a bath
Put her in
Jack wanted to get in, so in went him
Got Grace washed, out, and wrapped in a towel
Got Jack washed, out, and in the process of wrapping in a towel when I hear the doorbell ring
So I run downstairs with a wet jack, open the door, and there is Jon (father in law)
Let him in and Grace comes downstairs, still in her towel
Jack and I go back upstairs, get him in jams and bring down Graces. Get her dressed. And the kids play with Papa while I go back upstairs to clean up the vomit. Then he leaves, and as he goes I realized that that was a blessing.

And then I started thinking about the everyday things that probably are blessings that we just don't recognize. Jon pops in every now and then and visits with the kids for a few minutes, and so it wasn't unusual that he came over - it was the timing that was perfect. And I remember that Heavenly Father has his hand in all things, and no blessing is too small. And when we feel like we aren't being blessed - we are - just in different ways.

UPDATE!!!

Clint took Grace to the dentist this morning, thank goodness he was able to get away from work, cause I wouldn't have been able to handle whatever the situation would have been. But it turns out that the tooth is broken and one of two things can happen - it will either stay in for a few more years or the root will die and it will just fall out. Or if for some reason it starts to hurt her, it will need to be pulled, and if that is the case Clint will be taking another day off of work.

So for the time being my daughter has a snaggletooth - I think I would rather it be pulled.

Thanks For The Memories

Making a pool on the sidewalk, setting up a carnival in the backyard, hanging from the avocado tree, breaking into the nursery closet and playing with the toys on the patio, these are a few of the things that I remember about my childhood.

I often wonder what my children will remember. Sadly, I have a pretty good idea they will remember the numerous trips to Target. But other than the events they will remember, I wonder what about me will they remember? And thinking of this, I started thinking about other people in their lives. What will they remember about their grandparents? Their Aunts, Uncles, Cousins?

I hope that Grace will remember this (see picture) Painting with Ponga.

Yeah, But You Should See The Other Guy

In this case, the 'other guy' is my daughter. We had an unfortunate accident today. Sprinkler play led to a head bonk between Grace and her cousin Asher. Grace lost a tooth. I should say, will, loose a tooth. Her front left tooth is hanging a lot lower than the rest. Her gums are swollen around the tooth, and it looks really bad. She is doing just fine now. She is afraid to eat or drink, and keeps asking 'but what about my tooth', but other than that - I think she will be ok. I, on the other hand...

I cried (blubbered) most of the way home today. I will miss her Spongebob smile. I wasn't ready for this. I am just getting over losing my baby Grace, and now, she will be toothless years before she would have been. She won't have the same smile. She will be different.

We have a call in to the dentist, so I guess this post is to be continued......

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

I took many different psychology classes in college, and fell in love with the mind and why people do what they do. I learned the definition of self-fulfilling prophecy, it is, in the beginning, a false definition of a circumstance, event, or person creating a new behavior which makes the original circumstance, event or persons false come 'true'.

It occurred to me today as I was cleaning up Jacks banana mess (he pushed a chair over to the counter and managed to open two bananas and smash them all over the floor) maybe this is an example of self-fulfilling prophecy.

We call Jack monster - and he acts like a monster. We call him monkey, and what do monkeys eat? yes bananas. Well from now on I will call him 'sit on the couch and don't move'. Or maybe I will take Clints suggestion and tie him to a stake in the backyard with enough slack so he can move around - a little.

Guess What Time It Is?

When the kids are loud and all over the place, when they fight or just won't leave me alone, it becomes Guess What Time It Is, time. They do a little happy dance and run and sit on the couch, and answer my question with Marshmallow Time.

Yes, I give my children marshmallows almost everyday - why? Because for just a few minutes they are quiet and sitting in one place.

And sadly this occurs at about 9 o'clock in the morning.

There is a monster in our house

He dumps out cereal on the floor. He gets into our fridge and eats our butter, plays with the eggs, rearranges the produce and takes bites out of the cheese. He moves our dinning room chairs to knock things off of the counters, and get into my chapstick. He makes pools in the bathroom, thankfully with sink water. He takes off his diapers, and not when they are dry. Our monsters name is Jack, and he is quite destructive. And to top it all off, our monster has learned how to get out of his crib.