EIGHT

I refuse to title this post, "It's Great To Be Eight" (even though it really is great to be eight).

She's 8! Man that went by quick, Holy Cow!

Every one tells you how fast it will go by and it was hard to believe back then. When I was up every night, several times a night, changing diapers, nursing, making bottles, looking for that darn binkie and changing a few more diapers! Ya, it was really hard to believe I wouldn't be doing that for the rest of my life.

Especially when I knew I wanted to have more children after her.

But here she is, no more bottles, no more binkies, no more diapers!

She's like a minature person who only needs to get a job, learn how to drive and balance a checkbook...then she can move out and take care of herself. Okay, I'm just kidding.

I mention that only to capture this moment because she's so grown up! Sometimes I feel like she really doesn't need me anymore, but that means I've done a good job right?

Emma is one awesome little girl! I admire her love for life, her style, her personality, her talents and her spirt!

Here's 8 fun things about Emma:

1. She grows more and more gorgeous every day!

2. She's likes to reason her way out of a lot, she's gonna make a very good lawyer some day.

3. She loves to play the Wii.

4. She LOVES to read - everything!

5. She LOVES her friends!

6. She LOVES school - so much that it actually hurt her more to miss school

while recovering after her tonsilectomy.

7. She complains about going to church, but always enjoys herself once primary begins.

8. She like boys! (Dad's having a hard time with this one.)

(Me, I think it's cute...puppy love is adorable!)

Here are some highlights:

Birthday Rock

Mo going after the cake! That was fun.

My Joys!

(Aaron doesn't really have green teeth, he has a chewed up skittle in his mouth,

I know, it's still gross.)

Make a Wish!

No birthday is complete without a short stack of presents piled on your lap!

Sweats and PJs

So my wonderful & talented sis-in-law, Dana, wrote a blog piece titled "Confessions of a Stay-At-Home Mom." This post was admitting her need to change her wardrobe from the boring t-shirt and jeans we all fall back on as our "jobs" take us nowhere of real interest or formality, unless you're counting the grocery store or doctor's office as a cause to dress up. And given all the people I've seen in their PJ's while shopping, it's doubtful that would be the case.

It was hilarious and sadly very true! Except I have a further confession to make. When I'm home for the day with no errands or chauffeuring to do, I don't even step up to jeans, it's strictly my sweats or my pajama bottoms. Why get dressed when the baby's just going to wipe her nose on me? And the four year old is going to going to get me with her sticky hands, and at some point during the day I'm going to sit in play-doh, chocolate or something worse - depending on how the day's going.

In fact as I write this, I am wearing a stylish sweater over my nightgown, and it's only 8:45pm! I'm wasted by 7pm! Another sad truth.

AND now that I think of it, I've noticed I do this more often in the winter. Why would a shut-in dress up? And because we live in the northern half of Utah there are about 3 months out of every year where it's just too bitter to go outside! Here's where spring offers it's annual hope. Let's go outside and play! And now that I have an older daughter who has informed me I sometimes embarrass here, I better ditch the sweats!

Funny how a little thing like, getting dressed, losing the pontail and a little makeup can lift the mood. Ahh, the power of eyeliner, you never cease to amaze me!

Oops, I Did It Again

This post is all about repeate mistakes I've made and some my children have made. Let's start with Bekah. I guess Bekah is the hair cutter in the family. Yep, she did it again! Last time it was her bangs right before school pictures and this time she wacked 'em off again, just in time for our family pictures. I hope they grow out soon!

The next mistake; Little children and sports don't mix! I signed Bekah up for soccer, (see His Way or The Highway, previous post to learn why Aaron wasn't interested - it's pretty hilarious). Anyway, she assured me she was interested and would participate. Apparently my 4 year old's idea of participation and her thirty-something mother's idea of participation are completely different things! Running around, (no where near the ball mind you), coming over to me for lots of drinks, frequent potty breaks and just plain old giving up half way through the game is NOT what I call playing soccer.

So why is this a repeat mistake? Because I did the same thing when Aaron was 4. I put him T-ball and he lasted 2 games before Emma, (who was very eager to play) finished the season for him.

This time when Emma went to cheer Bekah on, there wasn't much cheering.
Instead, there was a lot of this:

Emma: "Why doesn't she run after the ball?" "Mom, can I go out there and play if she won't?!"
and my favorite one so far, "Mom, you lied to me! You told me she was good!"

Well, I still think she's a good soccer player, for a 4 year old. But I did call and switch Bekah out for Emma, because it was obvious Bekah didn't really care about soccer right now. When I took Emma to play her first game on the older kids' team, HOLY COW it was like watching a completely different game. These kids are good! These kids are competitive! These kids actually run after the ball! They get in there and they score! AND there's even a goalie!


As for my other repeat mistake, I took the kids to the mall again, (see previous post).
And this time we took Mo too. More on those adventures tomorrow.

Mall Rats

The Story you're about to read is hilarious, unless you've been there before as most of us moms have, and then it might bring a tear of frustration to your eye too.

Sometimes I don't think I have enough energy for this gig!

Yesterday my friend called and needed a favor. Could I take her little girl for the afternoon? Sure! The only thing I had planned was a quick trip to the mall to pick us some matching ties for Mike and Aaron...(Family Pictures). Would she mind if I took her too? Of course not, as long as it wasn't asking too much of me. Oh no, it would be fun! Mike was working from home so he could be here with the baby while she napped and I would take Aaron, Bekah and Bekah's friend. A little trip to the mall would be a harmless, fun filled afternoon, right?


Well as soon as we got there they immediately wanted to climb aboard the carousel. I didn't bring money for that kids, sorry. We had only pressed on a few feet before we were each presented with a sample of teryaki chicken on a toothpick. What is this, they all whined. It's chicken, just eat it.

The escalators! This was an adventure that I've now learned, I can only manage with two children not three. We ended up taking the elevator.

They ran straight to the little dinosaur playground, when I regretfully had to end their fun by announcing I really, really needed to use the restroom and they would be forced to come with me because I was the only adult on this excursion. In the bathroom the girl's managed to unscrew one of the soap bottles from underneath the counter and I kept calling out, "You're all still in here right?" Gosh Mom - you're supposed to go before we leave the house!

Then we made our way to the dinosaur playground. Oh, so much fun! And then, sadly, it had to come to an end. But not without a good bribe in there. "If you guys are good in the tie shop, I'll get you a cookie." They eagerly agreed and then everyone put on their shoes. Off we go.

The tie shop, well, let me just say this, it's right across from a water fountain/wishing well area and with that being said, I think you'll understand why they never set foot in the tie shop. But I could see them as I quickly picked out two ties that would compliment the girls' Easter attire.

While I paid for the ties my back was turned and I must have missed the action, because the next thing I know Aaron's shirt is all wet and he's waddling like he's had an accident. Nope, no accident...(well, not that kind at least). Yep, you guessed it. HE FELL IN THE WATER FOUNTAIN!

Was that the end of our fun adventure? Oh no. Well, as promised I took them over to Mrs. Field's, but not before making Aaron return the coins he had retrieved from the pool. Oh, and this time we took the escalator! Going up is much easier apparently.

At Mrs. Field's they each chose a cookie and I handed over my card. WHAT did you say? You don't take that card. Great! Come on kids let's go, all the while trying to explain what had just happened, when I just know Aaron was probably thinking - is this because I fell in the fountain?

So we settled for an Orange Julius instead. As I handed the kids each of their little cups I instructed them not to spill, (why do I waste my breath saying this?) As Bekah was climbing into her chair what did she do? She spilled her drink all over the floor! Oh boy. I took her cup, a little embarrassed by now, just in case anyone had witnessed our siege of terror on the mall. I walked back over to the lady and asked if she had any extra she could give her because of the spill, she graciously filled her back up and we sat down to enjoy our little treat.

We all had a content look on our faces, the children: because their tummies were now full of yummy, sugary goodness and me: because this outing was almost over and then I could go home and lay down!

Then it was time to go and we had to again walk past the carousel, where I had to again remind them I didn't bring money for that. Once we were in the van I said, "Okay are we ready to take your friend home?"

"NO!" Came many little adamant shouts from the back of the vehicle. "We haven't had a chance to play yet!"


What do you call what we just did in the mall? Oh right, that wasn't "play" - that was a disaster!


But for some strange reason, I still had fun. When can we go back?

His Way or The Highway

I have to preface this post by saying, normally I don't mind when the kids are off-track. As long as it is warm weather and I can take them to the park, the zoo...etc. But when it's bitter cold and we are stuck in doors...it's a completely different story.

This last time my kids were off-track it was rather cold and I was dreading the seemingly endless days of fighting, yelling and too much TV due to the cabin fever we would be experiencing. And then, an invitation came that was so good it must have been delivered straight from heaven itself!

Kids off track?

Try The Recreation Center for fun activities,

swimming and new friends!

What a golden opportunity to save them from boredom and me from insanity! I talked to Mike and it didn't take long to convince him of the sheer genius this plan presented. Then I promptly signed them up for the entire 3 weeks as I gratefully forked over the dough this little slice of heaven would cost us. Now granted it wasn't all day, (only 3 hours each day), but it was enough that it gave me and the kids a break from each other and kept them entertained.

Well I forgot to take into consideration that Aaron sometimes struggles with change. All in all, he did pretty well! There was only one day that he didn't go, instead claiming that he really, really wanted to come home and watch me clean the house. (Was I really going to clean the house ALL DAY? No way! But I told him that as a deterrent...it didn't work.) Towards the end of the 3 weeks he started complaining that he didn't want to go anymore, he just wanted to stay home and play - maybe I got carried away and over-scheduled them, it's a possibility I'm willing to own up to.

There were only 2 other kids at the Rec Center that they knew. Emma makes friends quickly and seemed very comfortable with the situation. Aaron also makes friends easily, but as you're beginning to see - doesn't really like his routine messed with. So after the off-track time was over and they returned to school we received a new opportunity...soccer! This was Aaron's response:

Mom: "Aaron, do you want to try soccer?"

Aaron: "Will Spencer be in it?" (Spencer is one of Aaron's best friends)

Mom: "No he won't."

Aaron: "Then NO! NO MORE NEW FACES!"



Okay, I guess I got my answer.

Parent Teacher Conference

It's that time again. Parent Teacher Conference!

I love Parent Teacher Conference, (most of the time). PTC is a much needed payday for moms and dads. It is a time for parents to pat themselves on the back. It is also a good time to praise our children for all their hard work after we've listened to the glowing reports of these dedicated teachers.

That being said, it is also a time where I get hear some of the best stories about my kids!!

The other day, Emma's teacher showed me her math test. I'm happy to report she only missed 2 questions. One of the problems asked her to explain how she came to this conclusion. She wrote this out in the space provided where she was actually supposed to regroup the numbers and "show her work":

"I found the answer by useing my pencil."

We had a good laugh! But I can't really say I blame her, if it was me in her place, I would have wrote out, "I found the answer by using my calculator (or asking Mike)."

I love her!

Quotable Kids

So my kids were fighting over a toy... (No surprise there). And I was explaining to Emma how Bekah would very likely just give her the toy if she would ask her nicely instead of demanding her to hand it over. And then in my motherly wisdom, I quoted this little bunny-sharing book I've read to them before, but apparently Emma didn't remember the main character, it played out like this:

Mom: "It's just like that story where the bunny says, no bunny likes to be told what to do, but they're happy to do what they're asked."

Emma: "What bunny!?! I don't remember any bunny ever saying that!!"