Goals... for Today

The Official After Church Conversation....

Jeff--- Put up the Christmas Train
JaNae---Make some Christmas Candy in honor of my amazing Grandmother.
Walker---Go on a cruise before I go to college
Whit---To be kind and paint my toenails
Wyatt---Go to someplace really cool like Guam
Wes---Live in the ocean

The Bulimic

I am a binge blogger.
You all know that it is true.

I am sure my family (mainly my Mom and Sisters) are just a'rearing to disown me or even worse kick my trash. Life is busy and most of the time so out of control. Time is going by so fast.

Anyway, it is time for a purge....'cause binge and purge go together. Gross.

Wes had a run in with his little ski mitten, while at the park with Jeff.

 

"It was not comfortable"
(When things are not comfortable for me, I totally rip then to shreds too.)

Wyatt as a First Grader cracks me up. He is taking off as a with his reading and writing. When he comes home from school he happily takes his homework out of his bag to finish it quick. Yesterday however "just for fun" he happily sat at the table for hours practicing his numbers. His paper fit 444. Whew! (He may or may not have missed #410. :)
If I only could get that kind of motivation with him and a dusting cloth or toilet brush, we would be set!

 

I love to listen to him read and love even more the way he sounds out words and writes them down. He especially likes to read with his Australian accent. He is still however trying to come up with a new way to speak English in Cursive. Ahem.


Whitney is my Miss Project aka...Let's make another mess that needs to be cleaned up before I can have dinner.
Her latest.... A Nutty Santa who rides on a Nutty Sleigh with a "little" Hot Glue and Pipe cleaners on the side.

 

And Walker, as of last week is a Dare Graduate. We DARE him to keep off drugs, or we will put his fanny in sling.

 

He loves 6th Grade and we are elated that he is still at the little Grade School down the hill. His teacher is amazing and has the patience of JOB.

And for the miracles of all miracles I made dinner with vegetables that had a minimum of complaints. I am in such a recipe rut.
THIS soup hit the spot.
Although, I cut the butter by much more than half, and only used half of the half and half. (Is that enough half's for you?)
No need to be a (Blogging) Bulimic too.

Happy Halloween

From our back porch to yours!

 

 

Mad

This little man woke up madder than a wet hornet.
He had a BAD dream.

Something about a delicious sandwich that he made with his OWN hands....
His sister (heaven forbid) ate it before he could get to it.

It took him awhile to warm up to Whitney before she left for school. She said she would be mad too if someone ate her sandwich.


He cheered up when he remembered that today was a school day. Show and tell day at school to boot! He is going to take his screwdriver.

Do you hear that?

Well, me either.

That my friend is silence!
The kids are officially back to school.

I am quickly gathering up my Marbles.
They were scattered and lost this summer.
It is going to be heavenly to have them back where they belong.
In.
My.
Head.

Freaky Friday

Compliments of my offspring.

 

During the action, Wes was pulling an "I'm 3!"

 

Ahhhh. That's better!

 

It is now officially the weekend and we are bored.
(Oh, excuse me. Everyone EXCEPT Walker. Only 100 pages to go.)
Although, it is Jeff's Friday so things are looking up. Way up! Real Fridays and Jeff's Fridays don't usually coincide. This weekend should be good.

It Finally Came!

Remember THIS?
Wyatt has not forgotten either.
And thanks to a generous G.W. it is in his precious little hands after being dropped onto our step by Mr. UPS. Oh Happy Day!

 

...And to complete our day.
* I was a slave driver and our house was clean for a whole 30 seconds. Here's to tomorrow.

* We gained some serious leverage on the oldest who is going to spend the weekend partying with friends....IF this book is read in the next 24 hours. Say goodbye to slack'n. 104 pages read...only 300 more to go.

 

* We were rebellious and had ice cream after swim team and BEFORE dinner. We showed up to all 'Johnson.' (Trashy with messy hair and lunch stained shirts) To our surprise Wes hopped out wearing these bad boys.

 

I don't know how he made it out of the car without a wipe-out.
(Note to self: When leaving the house clarify YOUR OWN shoes.)

 

*Whit is loving her new found friend. The short pony. It is saving us heaps of pain and anguish in the hair brushing department. If only she would remember to wear her shrug right side up! Silly Girl.

 

(She is going to strangle me for noticing, and then posting.)

We are enjoying our Summer. Hope you are too!

Changes

This change is going to take me awhile to get used to.
She is elated as she has wanted her hair cut short for sometime now.

 

What did we shave a wookie? She was a few inches shy of donating to Locks of Love. Sad, we know.

 

She is growing up so fast. Way too fast!

 

She is a hard worker, my right hand gal, has a heart of gold and is the best sister anyone could ask for. How lucky we are to have her in our home. We sometimes wish she was a little on the homely side. When she turns 16 we are going to be in trouble. Although I am sure her dad will just use her as another excuse to add to his arsenal.
"It's a win-win situation." -Jeff

ALL I CAN SAY IS...

WHAT THE FREAK? SERIOUSLY? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME? AND...I REALLY MEAN IT!
July 7, 2010 edition.

1. This morning, someone gave me THE bird. I was involved in a little road rage on the way to Wyatt's last T-Ball game. Long story short. She was an impatient idiot that needs a happy pill. I honked back, as if it showed her who was boss. Take that crazy woman driver.

2. Wyatt slid into home plate. It was the most hilarious thing I have seen in ages. As he hit the plate with just the very, very tip of his rubber soled shoe, he looked like he was stretched out, relaxing under a shady tree. We were in hysterics. Good hysterics. I am still kicking my own butt for not bringing my camera. He has some seriously grand moves.

3. I witnessed Wyatt asking some adorable Asian people if they were speaking Spanish. I thought they were going to die laughing. He did make the most of it by asking them to teach him how to say "Hello." Unlike Wes when he gave another shopper the 3rd degree about her tattoos. Maybe she didn't recognize his "I am disgusted at you, I have no social scruples, I am only 3 and tattoos are vile" face. That face brings me back to the time I left a rotisserie chicken in the fridge for a few days too long. It made our house stinky and Wes let me know it. We also saw a cute NUN at Winco. Luckily she was out of ear shot. My kids have watched Nacho Libre a few too many times. "My favorite color is light tan, my favorite animal is poopies, I like serving the Lord. Hiking, play volleyball."
"You have got to be kidding me....Everything you just said is my favorite thing to do. Every Day!"

4. My car is comparable to my house last Monday night. I couldn't take it one more second. We went to the car wash. After spending a good 15 minutes vacuuming out a rodent's year supply of crumbs, Whitney informed me that she rolled down my drivers side window. It is broken. (It rolls down like a champ, but takes a week to come up. I am talking 2 inches, by the way.) In order to save myself and my precious cargo from a serious disaster,I decided to take embarrassment to a whole new level and back out of the stupid car wash. It was hideous. At least my kids didn't need life preservers as we drove around town. Remember, Wes doesn't swim. I'll let you know when the window reaches the top.

5. Wes disappeared for a few minutes this afternoon. He was found in the front yard crouched down by one of our Lindon Trees with a flippin' Hatchet. Um, Yeah. Like an AXE. A heavy sharp object. He said he was "choppin." I seriously swore. (Luckily, the tree went unharmed and him of course. I prefer him will all 10 fingers and ten toes. Although, I cannot guarantee that this tree HAS NOT been urinated on by the same child that tried to chop it down. Peeing while neighbors spectate is really a nice touch.)

6. My mom (bless her soul) sent me an adorable note that was attached to a flier she had received my mistake in the mail. The flier was an advertisement for a snazzy lighted tool to aide medical professionals in removing foreign bodies (like food, buttons, bugs, rocks, toys or LEGO'S) from where things like that are not meant to be. For example, NOSES. She was trying to helpful. I although felt otherwise when I heard her cackling. She wants Jeff to order one of these tools so that the next time one of our children are playing with their LEGO'S and get the ingenious idea that being a Bull would be pretty fun, we will be able to remove the little LEGO pieces that have been shoved up into the nostrils with a little more grace. What is the use of being a Bull without the cool ring hanging in-between the nostril's anyway? Mom, hopefully Wy has learned his lesson. Thanks for thinking of us! :)

Until Next Time.
---JJ

Today....

I went to work.
Not just the usual work at home (that never gets finished)
but outside in the real world cleaning one mouth at a time.
Yes, I am a oral janitor. Yeah, it rocks.
The kids held down the fort.
Yes, I am 100% positive that they argued and fought.
But, they were happy and more importantly alive when I arrived home.
I always wonder what they accomplish while I am gone.
Here is some evidence.
It is scary.
Especially the earrings painted on with crayola markers.
It creeps me out.
Whitney really needs a sister.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, and yeah, my house is thrashed.

 

Deep Thoughts from Whitney

There are good things and bad things about summer.

The GOOD Things: It's Summer!
The BAD Things: It's hot and everyone takes off their shirt so we have to look at their nasty tattoos! I can't stand it!

(Neither can the rest of us.)

Picture of the Day

.................................Sacrament Meeting Practice.......................
I really hope I am not the only one with older kids (who make me want to run and check myself into an insane asylum) who choose to sit on chairs after church for a refresher on the do's and dont's of Sunday etiquette.
Help me Rhonda!

 

(Not pictured...sad faces, whispering, farting, moaning, whining, giggling, fake tears, maybe a little more whining and moaning, the clock as it ticked for an whole entire hour and Wes in the corner.)
Luckily for Wes (and the rest of us) the last few minutes of his incarceration were spent....quiet and comfy!

 

And now for the Quote of the Day!
Compliments of Wyatt while in his shirt and tie at church, to a hilarious friend of ours.
"Brinton, Look at Me!
Do you think anyone would want to a have a Roundhouse-Kick to the face while wearing these Bad-Boys?"
--Rex Kwan Do, as in THE Napoleon Rex Kwan Do.

June 26, 2010

Our morning started out crazy with these 2 Crazies. Walker and Whitney have joined the Tiger Aquatic Club for the summer. They were able to take part in a Swim-A-Thon to help raise money for their team. (Necessary evil I must add. Two thumbs down for fundraisers and pestering neighbors for money! But 2 thumbs and maybe 2 big toes way up for kids that swim all morning long and then are exhausted when it is time for them to go to bed.)

 

We started out the day explaining to a friend, that No, Walker does not have a Port Wine Stain covering 90% of his back. That is in fact a sunburn that was caused by self application of sunscreen (or lack of), while in Wyoming earlier in the week. Nice. I think he has learned his lesson.

 

They swam hard for 2 hours while I counted their laps, and stole sips of their Gatorade, because counting is hard work.

 

 

The fan club!

 

Their "Very Official," official numbers drawn on with permanent marker.
And yes, Walker has legs that resemble fowl that fly in the air. I am jealous. Life is not fair.

 

My favorite part of the day included a quick nap after the pool festivities and a visit from my Dad. I wish I lived closer to my family, but Pocatello serves as quite the quaint little pit stop for our family just passing through. It is great. We introduced him to Jill's hilarious new post, in which she makes me look bad. And old. He spoiled the kids with fun stories, his duck impression and then entertained them on the lawn with helicopter rides. I thought for sure we would have to rush him to the Chiropractor on a stretcher, but he endured. He is a fun Grandpa.

 

Then we just talked, and talked and talked. It was amazing and so is he. I am thankful for his humor, fatherly love, and pep talks about life. I am a lucky, lucky girl. Love you Dad!

Awaiting...

the arrival of "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out...Great White Hunter,"

 

"The Horse Whisperer" and their awesome Dad!

 

They will be arriving home shortly from a quick visit to Jeff's favorite place on earth.
The stories will be grand.
Some of them may or may not include Rocky Mountain Oysters.
(Did I seriously just write that?)
And yes, I am getting grossed out just thinking about it!

Swimming Lessons: Day 3

Went without a single hitch! No crying, whining or complaining included.

Child #3: Happy. Swam like a fish.
Me: Kinda Happy.
Jeff: Super Duper Happy.
Child #4: Incredibly Happy. Pretty much abounding in happiness. (Dry happiness I might add.)

 

Long story short. I benched him. He won. I am choosing my battles. I decided to cop out, not be consistent, swallow my pride, and also avoid embarrassment by not being "one of those Moms" who can't control her children and their ill behavior. My hopes and dreams of my 3 year old swimming prodigy have belly-flopped. Although, I am sure everyone at the swimming pool (their precious hearing included) will thank me. (Echo-y fake crying for 30 minutes in an indoor pool can really take it's toll on everyone involved.)
He is now my little buddy in the spectator section.
My little buddy in the spectator section that loves to swim.
My little buddy that despises swimming lessons.

What bothers me more than a tight Speedo, is the countless times he has pestered and begged me to put him in lessons. Passerby's and grocery store checkout counter people knew him as Wes, the 3 year old who is going to go to "Wimmin Wessons!"
Well, NOT ANYMORE! I tell you. He is known as Wes, the 3 1/2 year old who's Mother let him drop out of "Wimmin Lessons."

And why is Jeff happy you ask? Well, not only for the "I told you so factor", but for the extra $40 dollars that sits in his wallet. Full refund.
He is going to take me out to dinner!