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!

New Bikey....She Likey!

(and other random stuff)

She is elated, and has been in the driveway since 6:30 this morning riding to her heart's content.

As for the rest of us, we are enjoying our summer.

The cutest little bird has built a nest in some bushes out front. She has 3 little ones that make us happy, especially in the morning with their little chirps. She also parks her little beautiful red self on a windowsill and stares at her reflection. We have decided she may be a little vain!

Our youngest 2 have swimming lessons bright and early. Some are enjoying them, and others have chosen to cry the entire 30 minutes (Even though they have been begging to be in "Wimmin Wessons" for a whole 365 days.) Figures.

 

Wyatt is making huge strides this summer. He couldn't be happier, unless was able to have a friend over to play every waking minute of the day!
He and Whitney were conversing over some grand trick she wanted to teach him on the trampoline. She mentioned that he was missing Courage. He replied,"What the heck is Courage...is it like your LIVER or something?"
Try Bravery Son, Bravery!

 

This little man, is feeling not so little. He is no longer a Cub, but a Boy Scout. He received his Arrow of Light last week. In July we will send him to a real scout camp for almost a whole week. Ahhh! I know the umbilical cord needs to be severed, but seriously, where has the time gone?

Stay tuned for more of our adventures....(Hopefully I will return before July) I am so behind it is embarrassing!

Isthae Idkae

 

Islae ILLSTAE eakingspae igpae atinlae. Inlae actfae ehae islae ettingae itequ oodgae atlae itlae. Ewae arelae oweverhae illstae ryingtae otae onvincecae imhae atthae Igpae Atinlae islae otnae alae ontrycrae.

Translation: This kid is STILL speaking Pig Latin. In fact he is getting quite good at it. We are however still trying to convince him that Pig Latin is not a country.
(He is Pig headed and doesn't believe us. Go ahead Walk, try to find it on a map. I dare you!) He made a pact with a friend at school that he would ONLY speak Pig Latin until 3:00 this afternoon. My sanity for the day is now gone, but he held tight to his word.


AND...
the countdown to when school is out for the summer is getting a little creepy.
(T minus 5 days)
This has seriously been the fastest school year known to mankind. The spring fever has hit this clan, and Jeff & I are constantly having "moments of silence" for the angel teachers that have put up with these crazies this year. Soon it will be all up to us. (The procreating fools that we are.)

Bring it on Summer, I think we are ready!

 

Oh, and P.S.

If you come to my house for a little visit,
and your hand gets stuck on the back of my front door, DO NOT be alarmed.
One of my children has been a "little" into Spider-man but has taken his Super Spider Powers to a whole new level.

What your hand will be stuck to, is not a real web, but Chewing Gum.
The gum went from his mouth, to his hands, and then to my front door.
(I won't fail to mention his younger brother's hair as well.)

He tried to defy the whole gravity thing and climb the front door with gum, oh, I mean "webs" plastered and strung all over his hands.

Did it work? Umm, I don't think so.
Am I still trying to get the gum off my front door? Yes.

.....Don't judge, I at least got it out of Wes' hair.
I'll even give you a complimentary bottle of hand sanitizer for your troubles.

FOR THE RECORD

I DO love these kids more than life itself.

 

Picture taken during our Spring Break Trip to St. George. We anticipate breaking out those swimsuits again when Summer decides to appear here in Idaho. There are about 2 inches of snow on my patio this Spring morning...and it is still coming down. What the heck?

One of Those Days....

Where I seriously wanted to dress my kids up in their Sunday Best and put them out on the curb with a fancy sign that says FOR SALE. And when I mean FOR SALE I mean cheap, as in clearance at Target, cheap. D.I. cheap. Or better yet, FOR FREE cheap.
Although the fancy sign and dress clothes might throw some people off.
(Scratch the fancy sign, but leave them in their church clothes. Nothing like faking out future prospective parents.)

I hope I am not the only mother that feels like this. If so, I either need to find someone better suited to raise these animals, or get on a stronger Happy Pill, if you know what I mean.

I am tired of my lovely's bickering and fighting nonstop from the time they put their feet on the floor in the morning clear until the time they finally fall asleep.

I had one of those, Mother of The Year moments and actually grabbed a bag of M&M's out of the pantry, sat comfy on the couch and told them to gather around. I invited them to go ahead and beat the Doo-Doo out of each other, while I spectated. "If I have to listen to it, I might as well be entertained." The Costco sized snack was just a perk--kinda like popcorn at the movies. The thought of charging admission and inviting the neighbors over has even crossed my mind.

They decided to change their tune and became friends again after about 2 minutes. Something about me shoving my face full of M&M's helped persuade them to quit the ARCH ENEMY stuff. Whatever works, I say!

To reassure you, (and the Child Protection Program in our little town), the children are happy, safe and sound in there beds this evening. And I might add this DISCLAIMER....No one was hurt or injured in the making of this parenting miss-hap.


Tonight, I did numb the motherly pain that plaques me with a trip to the store to get needles. (Sewing needles, and not drug needles, just in case you were confused. The pain wasn't THAT bad.) The checker made my day and offered me a 15% Discount if I wanted to be a Senior. I have never been more pleased to be a GERIATRIC! I took it the measly discount and shuffled out the door.
Then a as if the M&M's on the couch weren't enough, I splurged on Cold Stone, ALL...BY...MY...SELF. It was good. REAL GOOD.