Happy 11th Birthday!

A while ago (11 years to be exact), a little angel came into our family. She was brought to us in a stocking which we put under our tree that year--the perfect gift. Today we celebrated B's birthday with present opening first thing. She was thrilled with everything she got. She requested blueberry muffins for her birthday breakfast with a candle and some singing, of course. Later on we snuck everyone into our bedroom and called our home phone using the cell phone. B answered and we sang to her. That's half the fun of a b-day--everyone singing to you.

She wanted to go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner mostly so she could sit on the saddle and be sung to. Oh, and those sweet potatoes with loads of marshmallows make her smile too. She had many, many calls and birthday wishes sent her way. She loved all the calls. Thank you! Thank you family! You made our angel's day with your love AND your singing!

Party Time and a Not-So-Party Time

'Tis the season to be jolly! I just love all the fun that can be had during this Christmas time. For FHE we put together the gingerbread train. It kept tipping over, but ended up staying upright! Of course, it wouldn't be Family Home Evening if there wasn't jostling over who was closest to the train or candy or frosting application. We got through it all with smiles though!

Class parties were today. Running to three parties for three kiddos was a little challenging, but I made it to all. L loved it. He got goodies everywhere he went, and he had these little gals thinking he was SO cute. A. shared plate after plate after plate of sweets with him. Ahhhh...heaven!

X had fun too. He was happy to have his brother there with him. L scored on the food again.

Smile! Green frosting teeth.

And the not-so-party time for us happened yesterday with B. going into the hospital for an EGD (esophagus scope), dilitation, and pH probe. After some delays caused by me protesting some additional testing, the procedures were underway. When I was brought to B. afterwards, she groggily asked if it was done and then asked to go to "The Great Wall of China" restaurant. I knew my B was on the road to recovering. She has recovered fully and made it to her school party. We'll find out more from the doctor when the results from the various tests are in.

CCA Christmas Party 2008

Today we went to the Annual C.C.A. (Children's Craniofacial Association) and Dr. Fearon's Christmas Party. We always have such a great time. There were tables of crafts, tables laden with cake, fruit, cheeses, crackers, cookie decorating, a snake and reptile table, fire engines with firemen, and music from Disney Radio. The Big Red Elf (a.k.a Santa) visited, sat for pictures, and gave gifts. We ate, crafted, hoola hooped (A & T), and sat on Santa's lap. We even got a complimentary suite to a rodeo, so we'll be donning our cowboy boots, buckles, and belts to go rodeoing!

X thought Santa was pretty nice. He was amazed "his beard was SO soft!"

A. filled Santa's ear full of her Christmas wishes.


L just wasn't so sure about this big guy with a red suit.

But he had no problems posing with a guy wearing a stuffed horse head.

B looking jolly in a fireman's hat in the fire engine.

L trying the hat on for size with his big sisters teasing him.

The whole clan readying for a ride in the fire engine.


The picture of B with Santa didn't turn out, but she must have been extra nice this year--she got two Barbies at the party!

Candyland

L has wanted to play Candyland for sometime now. I kept putting him off since Candyland isn't my favorite game. Today we finally pulled it out. After stacking the cards with all the goodies in the right places (it really helps move the game along), we played. L was so pleased and having such a good time, that I couldn't help but have a good time too. X got home and they had a surprisingly calm game of it. The calm has long since gone out the door...they're wrestling now. And throwing things in the closet. And...sigh.

Our Brave Little Gal

Today B and I trotted downtown to the local children's hospital. She was having an Upper GI (don't I sound all medical) done. She had to drink barium which was supposedly orange flavored. It was yucky flavored in her book! While she was gulping/gagging the stuff down, a doctor took x-rays of her esophagus. The technician was great and kept admiring how B could slurp that stuff down. "Some children get one taste and refuse to drink more. But you! You are doing SO great!" I could just see B's little self inflate with pride. Later over pancakes, B kept admiring how brave she had been. "Some children refuse to do that!" she informed me. I was proud of her too. She's a brave little girl, or rather young lady, who keeps on smiling. I love her so.

We go back next week for a scope of her esophagus and an acid reflux test to make sure all is well. I haven't told her yet. Let me do the worrying. She should just enjoy life for now.

Cattail Wars and More

X found a cattail on Bumma and Bumpa's property and brought it up to their house. Luckily, he was on their deck outside when he discovered what happens when you break it open. White, silky fluff floated out...everywhere, lots of it. And stuck...everywhere. Since we didn't have snow, we thought a cattail fight would be just as fun. We went far from the house and started the fun.

Before the fluff flew!

While the fluff flew.
A was vicious with the cattails. She clobbered X and me good. We were spitting white fluff for a while.

After the fluff settled.

B was ready to take a spin.

A loved to hold her little cousin. They have the same birthday, so they're like two peas in a pod. X loved handing her toys and smiling at her.

Bumpa tried taking on all the little grand boys. I think they took it to him good. He might still be laying there!

More Thanksgiving Fun

One of the highlights for the kiddos while at Bumpa's house was hanging out in his camper. Bumpa even got out some of his camping food to fix a lunch of stew (A won't stop talking about that stew! She really liked it!), crackers and cheese, oranges, and Bumma's chocolate chip cookies. No one suggested sleeping in the camper this time--too cold!

Thanksgiving in the Mountains

T surprised me by suggesting we go visit my parents for Thanksgiving. Of course, it was dependant upon the weather. We didn't even tell the little folks until we were sure of the weather. The night before we were to leave we sent them on a surprise hunt. The clues were attached to different items we take on trips. The last clue was a phone number. They dialed and my parents answered with a big "Surprise! We can't wait to see you tomorrow!" They stood there in silent disbelief. It was too good to be true--miss school AND see grandparents. They soon snapped out of their stupor and ran around the house "packing." We got an early (middle of the night) start and skidaddled to my folks' house.

The little folks wanted to repeat everything we did when we visited this summer: four-wheel, s'more roast, badmiton game, everything--all in the first day. Luckily, we didn't bring our swim suits or they would have thought swimming was in the plans! The weather was great, so we played outside bunches. It was beautiful! We saw deer everyday, and T and I went on walks daily. No, those folks aren't my brother and sister. They're my mom and dad. Aren't they youthful and cute!

L and Bumma faithfully took care of feeding the birds daily. Those birds have a wonderful layover spot before flying south.

Of course, we got pampered with my mom's cooking. One night we gave her a break and went out for pizza. Cheeeezzzzzyyy!

We got a little crazy while waiting for the food. Things started coming out of A's head! It must be because she has so many brains!!

X had to try on Bumpa's grandpa hat. L was coming to get in on the action too. We had such a great time with so many pictures that I have to split them into a couple of groups. So...

TO BE CONTINUED!

I Signed Up for THIS??!

Today, L was being a bit feisty. Of course, it was only today. He's a perfect little angel all other days...He went to play with friends and had such a blast. Then we came home to fix lunch.
"L, please pick out the color plate you want for lunch."
"NEVER!"
I fix lunch. He feels he can pick out his plate. He accidentally gets two. Not what his plan was. He throws one down in the middle of the floor in disgust (thank heavens for plastic!).
Sweetly, "L, Put your plate away, and then you can have lunch."
"NEVER!"
He comes scowling to the table for his lunch. The extra plate still lies in the middle of the floor. Sweet sternness, "Please put the plate away, and then come eat lunch."
"NEVER EVER!"
Sweetness gone, firmly stern in it's place. "L, you won't get lunch until that plate is put away. Just put it away and come eat."
"NEVER EVER AGAIN!" comes out a bit loud--dare I say, screamed?!? Other things are tossed off the table (again...thank heavens for plastic) O.K, sweetness so out the door. L gets a trip to the chair for cool down time which then progresses to his bedroom as the carrying on goes into full tantrum mode.
So think I, "I signed up for this? I'm suppose to know how to help this little guy get through this. In every instance? This is Motherhood?"
Then out comes little feisty man still upset, but less so. He plops himself down by that darn plate. He glances at me. I pretend I'm just eating my lunch though I'm secretly watching this intriguing little being out the corner of my eye. He makes sure I'm not watching and puts the plate away. He runs over with a big grin, picks up the other things he threw in his anger. We hug, great, big, full-of-love hug. We smile at each other. We talk about our different feelings and what helps with those feelings.


So, yes, I signed up for this. This is Motherhood. I don't have all the answers, or even very many, but I'm trying again and again, each and every day. HE is worth it. Every bit!

Hope

Meet Hope. I've been working on Hope for some time now, and I can proudly say--she is done! My good friend and sewing buddy taught me how to do all the fancy stitches, turning a plain piece of cloth into a sweet little angel. I have enjoyed going over to her house SO much. I have learned new sewing skills (didn't have too many prior), and even more than that, I've been able to chat and be uplifted. I've looked forward to those nights. If I would have seen Hope before and been told to sew, I would have been...well...without hope! But with a patient teacher, some perseverance, and a bit of work, I now have Hope. It feels great to accomplish something I thought I couldn't do. YAY for HOPE! She will soon be gracefully perched on our Christmas tree, reminding us that with faith and trust in the Creator of all we can hope for all good things.

"Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty...remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination.

But to what end were we created? We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy. Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 2nd Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Happy Halloween

X started out his Halloween day with his first field trip of his school career. He and his fellow kindergarteners went to a park for a "Science Day." T accompanied and had fun being one BIG kindergartener. They gathered leaves (for the "science" part of the trip), played in a sand pit, drew with chalk, took a bathroom break, ate lunch, pelted bread at/fed some ducks, played on slides, threw things that rolled (that "science" part again), took a bathroom break, and came home. T said while they were pelting/feeding the ducks the little boys wanted to get in the water. The teacher patiently explained if they did that they would be slopping around in wet clothes and would get cold. Sound reasoning, right? Until one little guy spouted, "Well, then, how 'bout we take our clothes off?!" Clothes remained on, little folks stayed dry, and all had a great day!




Then little, eager trick-or-treaters gobbled their dinner of gooey worms (spaghetti), goblins ears (apple slices), and witches' fingers (baby carrots), so they could don their costumes. B was our "smartie pants," A our flying bat, X was a two-legged walker or AT-VT something, something from Star Wars (go ask one of those Star Wars junkies--I've got a few in our household!), and L was "Frank" (YES! we've got our use out of that costume!). We went to church to join in the trunk-or-treat, then came home to do a bit more begging around the neighborhood. It was a highly successful Halloween if you meaure success by amount of candy. Of course, the "candy police" are making sure that candy really is as yummy as it looks by tasting a few samples.

Orange, orange pumpkins

L had his buddies over today. I thought I'd be brave and bring out the paints. They got on over-sized t-shirts, I covered my table in paper, we squirted paint and went for it. We found that red and yellow paint make orange and blue and yellow paint make green--just the right colors for our pumpkins. I got messier than them all, but I think we all had fun. The pumpkins turned out cute too.


Tonight we had our traditional pumpkin carving night. Everyone dug in and got their hands goopy. This is B's favorite part of the pumpkin...other than pumpkin pie.

T, L, and A worked on the "baby" pumpkin. L insisted on the pumpkin having a happy, smiley face.

X, B, and I worked on the big one. X had worked all afternoon on the "plan" for Spooky the Pumpkin. We ended up doing two faces on this big pumpkin, Spooky and A's fang-bearing, scar-wearing, BEWARE pumpkin!

And the finished pumpkins...Such a sweet, calm, little bunch.

But wait!?!

Had YOU fooled! They went a bit mad--Halloween MAD! HAHAHAHA!

Sick of Sick

The air feels refreshing and crisp. The trees are gradually changing color. Autumn is in the air. And my little folks, T, and myself have all been sick. For the past month. During the best season of the year. When we should be revelling in the cool breezes and autumn air, we've been in dealing with fevers, coughs, stuffy noses, aches and pains. The sickness keeps going around and around my family like a merry-go-round that won't stop. I tell it, "Go away and don't come back another day--ever!" Errrr...

Pumpkin Patch

Tonight for Family Home Evening we (minus T, whose turn it is to have the sniffles and crud) hopped in the car and drove to the Pumpkin Patch. The kiddos were so excited that they ran from maze to maze and bounce house to bounce house. I felt like I was trying to take pictures of wild animals who wouldn't hold still! I did get them to hold still on the hay ride (I think they were wearing down.). A terrific time was had by all (except for T. But hey, he got the peace and quiet of all of us out of the house).

Perched on a pumpkin

Who IS this tall gal?!

X with Darth (or Dark as he says) Vader.

When I say "Smile" this is the grin L puts on.

A Splash of Color

Now that the weather is cooling down my flowers are starting to really thrive. I only planted them in March and it's now October, but hey, it just takes them time. Isn't that the way it is with life? Sometimes amidst our best efforts, things don't seem to be happening, then kaboom. Full blossoms!


I am also trying to take advantage of our two growing seasons here. I've been trying my hand at this gardening thing for some time now with only a few zucchini, a handful of carrots, wormy lettuce, some bright red strawberries, and one potato to show for it, but I'm determined to get the hang of this gardening thing! It's a good thing my family doesn't depend on my gardening skills for food, or we would STARVE! I tried taking the picture so the nice little potato plant would show and not the lovely weeds, the straggling spinach, and the sporadic carrots. Notice the size of this potato plant! Of course, I took the picture way down low, so the plant would seem like Jack's bean stalk.



The sniffles and coughs have been going around our house. It's L's turn now. This photo was taken before he was sick, but this is what he has been doing since he's been sick, so I stuck it in.


And this weekend, between sicknesses, we rode bikes. Think the girls need new bikes?? These were their bike when they were little tikes, but they still love to race around on them! Silly, sweet girls.