Absolutely Perfect

The past couple of days have been crazy. Church and kids are going better. I was able to sit through a full Relief Society meeting yesterday. The Fish is really clingy. I haven't had much experience with this and so it is really hard. Many days I have a leg accessory and sometimes I just set him on the kitchen counter so I can get some dishes done.

Baby Jesus Status : Missing In Action.




We have a manger, just no baby Jesus.

This week we started out good everyone went to school this morning. Mrs Thing 2 had a cold but really I didn't think it was all that bad. I guess we'll be keeping her home tomorrow though she really had a hard day. Usually she is in a good mood when going to school today. Not so much.


OHHHHHHH! More Universe LOVE from our fellow man.

I went to the door a couple of days ago. AND OH MY GOSH! There was a box loaded with presents, goodies, and a Secret Santa note.

We have been really trying to get this Christmas thing together with our financial situation being "skinny" and this suprise helped TONS! I love being the giver in these situations but man I can't tell you what a relief it was to be the reciever this year. I can't believe we are so lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives. I tried so hard to see who it was. And Catch them red handed. Only I suck at that, and Man They were fast. I was not far from the door. My heart is still all toasty thinking about it. It was great surprise. The Band and I were totally dumbfounded. And so grateful. They put so much time and effort into it. I can't wait to see the kid's faces when they open the stuff on Christmas.

Baby Smells

Happy Birthday Sweet baby!

6lbs and 11 oz.
He is adorable
Congrats Cass and Eric

School and Sugar

We have been decorating sugar cookies. Thing 2 likes to make them but she doesn't like eating them. She thinks they will give her a tummy ache. She is probably right. I could only eat half of a cookie at a time. They were pretty "sicky sweet" as my mom says. I need a new recipe for sugar cookies that are softer.

Today I went to the neighboring city to drop off Medical paperwork. Then I had an academic counselor's appointment which I was too late for. I needed to go to disability services any how to get the info from them on what I can and cannot do to help my academic progress ;) I have been attending since 1995 and need to have a paper to show for all the billions of credits I have collected. I need to see what will transfer and what won't.

I have been contemplating different roads to go down with my AA.
In no particular order

Nursing
Dental Hygene
Business
Graphic Design
Fashion
Finance
Auto repair
Legal Assistant

The last two were jokes LOL
I figure that owning my own business will lead me to probably choose something in the computer/business field.

I am really not interested in Dental Hygenist either. I think that I need some more counseling to narrow down the possibilities of what I want to get done here.

I could be done here by next year or so. That would probably be what I have been saying for the last 10 years. But now I have to take courses that are not online. I think that will help. We'll see what I need to do to get it all inorder:)

Warning you probably will demand pics. Satisfaction may be delayed

There are some things that have been on my mind lately. Driving though town you can see all the Christmas lights and displays that our neighbors have decorated with. We put all the ornaments on the tree last night. Well not all. We do have some from the salt dough pile that we started a couple days ago for the tree. I thought we couldn’t find the Christmas Bulbs so Thing 2 and I were frantically trying to put tons together. The next day we got Thing 1 in on the action. He was pretty funny. He wanted to do a family of snakes. So we have some snakes as decorations on our tree. They aren’t toddler friendly so some have been broken.
OhKay Now here is the big reveal. I have done our family in dough. Each child has a dough person that is errily just like him or her. Including the fish with his extra plentitude of CRANIUM. It is hard to tell which ornaments were done by me and which are done by my three year old. If it gives you any indication to what type of quality we are talking about. ☺
We have some fun items such as a horn, Chirstmas trees, and the ever popular stars. But this year I thought I would try reindeer. They came out looking like they were walking across the street and head lights just snuck up on them. They look just a little “alarmed”.
I wish I could take pictures of these monstrosities but I have a feeling they are going into a very special shoe box and spending future Christmases with us.
One very talented friend of mine has been assisting me with the creation of Pine Cones. Anyone who frequents the site Kirsty is well aware of what I am talking about. They were quite popular and I can’t stop looking at them;)

what? me decorating?

Bringing out the Holiday Décor
All day I have been yelling things like……

“Stop touching baby Jesus!”
“That’s it Who took baby Jesus from the stable?”
“Ok Thing 1 you get baby Jesus for five minutes and then we share and switch.”

This is going to be a long 21 days let me tell you!

Thanks Giving

Our Adventures in Utah were so fun this past week. We saw a light display that was hooked up to a local transmission of Christmas Carols. The lights were set to the music and it was SOOOOO awesome!

I want to do it to my van ☺

We went to a place called Kangaroo Zoo. We went to the lights on Temple Square. I love seeing them.

It has been awhile since we have seen all our family. It was so good to visit everyone. Oh and the family has a new addiction to the "train game". I found more Blogs to follow while we were there too!

My children made a note that my house was not clean after spending almost a week in a “clean house” Thus the new sign over my entry way now reads

“Welcome to My Interpretation of Clean”

Today we are cleaning a good deep clean. I have been behind on a lot of things around the house. Today we caught up on many of those areas. I still have a deep dread and loathing of laundry. ☺

I am an outdoor person

I love going and doing things out doors. I love playing all the sports and games I can. I love watching the kids explore. Here is a fun find for those who love the outdoors.

Green Hour

It is so nice finding out what is going on outside in your local area:)

The Birthday Boy!

Nov. 7th 2008
Dear Gabe.
Today you turned five. I can’t believe you are that old. We have had a fun week at preschool giving the kids fruit roll-ups. We had a chocolate cake and you were thrilled. Our family has just loved listening to all your ideas and conversations.

One night a couple weeks ago you told us that
“Jesus likes bums because he put them on us”
Your Dad and I were just giggling.

We have seen you ride your bike, start to write and love to throw your parachute man off the play structure. Today you are sick but you still want to go to school anyways. It is sharing day and we’re bringing your class a treat. You are such a good kid in class. We love your desire to learn all you can.

You have really brought some great things to our family the introduction to Thomas the train. Caiuo is your favorite show right now. We love when you and Mae play “Rosie and Caiou” It is so adorable all the things you tell her and she tells you to say.
You occasionally fight but it isn’t that bad. We usually catch it before it turns ugly☺


You have such a soft spot for those kids that are struggling in your class. There is a little boy Juan and he is sad each time his mom leaves you go and help him to play and take his mind off the sad stuff and focus on the toys.

You have really grown my son into some one I love hanging out with and having our special talks. Happy Birthday boy!

We love you!

Prop 8 and the Crazyness around these parts.

This was two different days we went to the Prop 8 Table on Campus :)

And we are back online!
First there is the Election! I am so glad it is over! I have so many feelings and thoughts about what all was going down and didn't get to share them until after. I am all bottled up. I have posting constipation!

Prop 8 stirred up some crazy happenings in this town. This picture was takend when my Band and I went to discuss the issue at UC Davis campus. We brought the kids and we left 15 minutes early. The fifteen minutes the people at the Yes on 8 table got water ballooned every five or so minutes! Right after we left. I guess they waited for us to leave thankfully! It was so crazy.

Faith in Humanity Restored by Carl

Today I was in a FLURRY (freaking large hurry) getting everyone out the door. We barely had time to drop off kids on time when we all piled in the car. These mornings are reoccuring in our house. I usually make it out of Pjs, not this morning.

Got to the first destination Thing 1's preschool.
Drop off complete.
Right around the block..... stutter.... stutter....Car dead.
I pulled it into a "parking spot" meaning someone's driveway :(
And grabbed Thing2 and the Fish and walked myself to the corner market. Where I proceeded to call my husband on the phone 15 times. No answer.

I walked into the convience store the kind I had walked to as a child just to get candy like "poprocks" and I asked where the nearest gas station was. There was a gentle man behind the counter and one coming through the door. The man behind the counter wanted to help but couldn't so I asked if he had a gas can. The man entering the mini mart asked if he could help.

"I can take you to get gas"

This worried me but not too much. So I suggested I go move my car and if he could get the gas can filled I could meet him at the van around the corner. I went to give him money only he had gotten in his car.

I walked the kids back around the block and found the owner of the house ready to tow my vehicle (same as I would have if I was going to work and a big red van was completely blocking my way). I explained and two people helped me push my car out of the way.

Then I see the man with the gas can. He filled the tank with the gallon and told me where the nearest gas station was.

I asked him his name.
He said Carl. Then he told me to go the gas attendant and to "Tell them Carl sent you"
I looked at him funny and then thanked him profusely.

I started my van and went to the gas station to put more gas in. I went into the attendant and said sheepishly. I am supposed to tell you "Carl sent me"

The gas attendant looked at me like I had said "here can I buy this gum." totally straight faced. Then asked if I was with someone. I told him no I just had my two kids in the van. He smiled and said this twenty is for you to pay for gas.

Thank you to Carl, you probably will never know how much this meant to me at that exact moment. I cried myself to my daughter's preschool and dropped her off.

Questions that need answers.

I am curious to know. Why? Why do ghosts need a parachute?

This mornings Bike ride.....

OK so I have loved to talk big and say I am going to get on the bike more. This morning I loaded up all children and attached them precariously to my bicycle. And left the house by 8:15am. Well Thing 1 has to be there by 8:30am. That was just not happening. I turned around after three minutes for multiple reasons.
1. At the speed I was going it would have taken me a good 45 minutes to get there.
2. I significantly underestimated the total weight of three of MY children.
3. When I pulled up behind the car. I found that the Fish had "loaded his drawers". (in other words POOPED!) That would have been one screaming meany fish by the time we would have gotten home.

Last week I had biked to Thing2's school but there is a free way over pass (and another mile or so) that stands in between me on my bike and Thing 1's school. I am going to keep working on the whole "I can bike them to school" thing until my legs are ready for a beating.

I love that we live in a town where bikes are the norm and not the exception. If I was riding in any other city I maybe know as the "Crazy biking Mom" but since there are so very many bikers here I am just one of the crowd.


Here are shots the Band took last week on one of our rides. Notice how many children I have to pull around? And please excuse all cheesyness.

Halloween Discussions

It is time for costume picking and preparation. My husband asked me what Thing 1 wanted to be

Me: "I think Spiderman, Batman, and Iron Man all at the same time.
Band: "I think Iron man would be cool ( our friend's son is Iron Man). Maybe Thing 2 can go as Pepper Pots!"
Thing 2(who we didn't know was listening): "I don't wanna be HIPPO HOTS! I want to be sweep-in BOOTY!"

She is awfully confident about what she wants.

Preschool Update.....

Real figher fighters, sandboxes, carpets with roads on them, moon sand, and most of all the two most sweet teachers available? He has fallen into preschool heaven. I am just so blessed.

This week in Thing 1's preschool they had a fire drill complete with fire engines, and fire fighters and all the safety regulations you can think of that have been locked into my little one's brain.

Today he came home from church and said, "Mom we get Baptized by immersion." To which i replied do you know what "immersion" means?
His reply was...."yeah that is when you are in big trouble and you need the firefighters to come".

Then we clarified "emergency" and "immersion" only after I gave a soft chuckle.
He has been coming up with some really funny things lately.

Just for laughs

Here is a copy of a letter. I think this thing is hilarious! Just so happens to be the feeling this week. "Cold and Prickly"

Sorry about the language in this one:)

A real letter to Proctor and Gamble

Dear Mr. Thatcher,

I have been a loyal user of your ‘Always’ maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the Leak Guard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I’d probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I’d certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts.

But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can’t tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there’s a little F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from ‘the curse’? I’m guessing you haven’t. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body.

Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I’ll be transformed into what my husband likes to call ‘an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.’ Isn’t the human body amazing?

As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you’ve no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customers monthly visits from ‘Aunt Flo’. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying, jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it’s a tough time for most women. In fact, only last week, my friend Jennifer fought the violent urge to shove her boyfriend’s testicles into a George Foreman Grill just because he told her he thought Grey’s Anatomy was written by drunken chimps. Crazy!

The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants… Which brings me to the reason for my letter.

Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: ‘Have a Happy Period.’

Are you fu**ing kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness, is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James?

FYI, unless you’re some kind of sick S&M freak girl, there will never be anything ‘happy’ about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don’t march down to the local Walgreen’s armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.

For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you just have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn’t it make more sense to say something that’s actually pertinent, like ‘Put down the Hammer’ or ‘Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong’, or are you just picking on us?

Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bull sh*t.

And that’s a promise I will keep. Always!

Best,
Wendi Aarons
Austin , TX

When Grey's Anatomy......Fails to deliver!

On Thursday nights I get pretty excited for Grey's Anatomy. I have watch many a season and love to catch all the dirt every week. Tonight it is on. It is on tonight like every Thursday night. I am really trying to figure out why midway through my NEW episode comes in all in SPANISH!!

My spanish is not that good. Most of the times I can't understand it in English until I watch it for the second time. Stupid ABC... You get a D in my book.

Ok really I am glad for ABC.com that has the full episodes. And less comercials :)

I want to work for the NSA

I was listening to NPR this morning and heard about some guy's new book about secret phone tapping of Americans. This info is about a year old and really doesn't have much to do with what is going on today cause there is probably so much dirt going on now that we don't hear about until next year.
So what would I do if I could spy. Develope technology that did cool things. I would love to build new spy, handy, useful gadgets. My favorite person in the super hero shows is the engineer guy. Like the character on batman (Morgan Freedman's Character). I would do that if I could start my school career all over. I could just live on the edge and develop new cool stuff.

These were taken a while back but I can't stop laughing about them!

Batman and Cinderella (I warn you Unedited)

Pumpkin Fun

Oh wow we had so much fun yesterday going to the local flower shop and carving pumpkins!
They called it the great pumpkin give-a-way. I love seeing the kids dig into the gooey middle and know that I wouldn't be cleaning any of the mess up off my dining room floor (which is carpeted) I am so glad M. told us about it! We had a blast!

Thing 2 with her scary pumpkin face!

The Band Starts School

This week we haven't seen much of the Band. Thursdays are really long for him. So today we are home just hanging out. I kept Thing 2 home today because she really wasn't feeling good her cold is getting bad.

I am pulling her off the milk for a couple of days to see if her skin clears of the exema. I am thinking "pink milk" wasn't the greatest idea after all. She loves it and all of a sudden flairs up in little dry patches every where. Poor girl.

She had a fun day at preschool yesterday and her hair was up in pig tails. She wanted them out and had great hair!
and she is so shy with the camera :)

The BAND GOT A NEW JOB!!! We are so excited!

The Naps

Around here we have all had these fluke days where all three go down at the same time. And sleep for like two hours. Today was one of those days.

Only they went down at 2:30 pm and didn't wake until 5pm so I thought i was safe around 6pm to take them all to the grocery store. Without fail every time I take all three I am reminded why I never go to the grocery store with all three.

It used to be fine when they all were in the cart. Now only one (the fish) stays quietly in the cart. Thing 1 and Thing 2 do as they please whooping and hollering the entire time. We live in an area that is not so family oriented, and I happened to be a grocery store that at least tonight had only one child families there. I was shocked at how much noise my children can make in one grocery store.

We had a discussion of what is appropriate level of noise in a store where others -as well as mommy- is trying to get some shopping done. Let me just say I think I had twenty items and I bailed. There comes a point where they start hitting each other and yelling at the top of their lungs and I say.......I really didn't need cheese that bad, nor eggs nor bread. I walk out with "Pink milk mix", some tic tacs, and apple sauce. Good gracious!

This usually leads to a three week stint of shopping alone in the wee hours of the night or insane hours in the morning. Or until I forget what experience has taught me. Three children 4 and under don't make for happy shoppin' moms.

I walk in my house and don't even recognize the dining room. How did it get that messy all of a sudden? Had I failed to go into the room for the past two weeks?
SUBJECT CHANGE...

TV at our place:)

For the past six or seven months we have been using the bunny ears to capture the first 7 or so channels on the dial. This is awesome only NBC doesn't come in so clearly. We have been missing great shows like "the office". The best thing is they are online! I need to get the last season but there is a new season! We have been serious fans ever since our friends got us hooked -thanks Josh- it is honestly the only thing that makes me laugh out loud while watching.

Gots to go catch up!

Love Stories

Ok I can't get enough of this blog. It is "Twilight" with a reality show twist. This really is her life. I like reading it because of the drama. The angst, love story, and the drama.

My Super Hopeless Romance

Now you can follow. It is really getting juicy!

Long Post about all that is going on.....

I need to keep looking for shoes the fish needs shoes.

I need a new digital camera. I can't believe how expensive they got. I thought i could pick up a cheap one but 100 bucks is a cheap one now a days.

Then there is the exercising thing. I need to get out and walk. But with the kids it is hard. -not really I am just unmotivated- So I left a comment at one of my fav. bloggers. and so if she goes I'll go :) walking/running. It is so nice to put the motive in another person's hands.

My friend has started Atkins and she is looking great! Go PAO! And I am pretty sure there are tons of my friends who are getting on the healthy stick I need to join them.

Oh Wait there is the cough. Every year around this time there is this cough that comes to visit. The weather has finally changed around here and so we all have the cough. Thing 2 stayed home today. She has missed like three Mondays in a row. By Tuesday I figure all the other kids have the same cough and send her to school. She has no fever nor green gook coming from her face. So I guess she'll be good to go. She has an appointment on the 22nd for a full physical. I am going to quiz him about her itchy skin too. We need some good stuff for that. I have no clue what will work. And if she still has the cough we are going to do something about it then.

Then there is Thing 1 he is finally getting into Preschool the state funded preschool had one opening. Thank goodness. Now we have to determine if it will be mornings or afternoons:)

If he goes to morning preschool that would work best. I think instead of just dropping him off we'll be sitting in on class for the first couple of times.

Oh then there is the dentist. He has problems for a long time with teeth. His baby teeth came in de-calcified. So they will need fillings tomorrow. Hopefully we can just get it done fast. I know he will be brave. He is so tough. We all need dental appointments.

Next on the random list is the online shopping list.
$16.50 (I needed a new hand bag.) Shipping costs still cost less than a bag at Target:) And I can set this down in the mud and not worry about it getting dirty.

18.00 for two shirts at shades! I love long shirts. I can't get enough of those!

I need some clothes for the fish. He really only needs some pants. We'll see what is on sale:)
Shopping therapy here I come. Well we may have to wait for money. LOL then here I come!

I have almost finished my laundry only four more loads!

NIneteen Months....

He is already 19 months I am really sad that he is turning into this little man. A man who has gentle and fierce sides. Lately he has been extremely clingy.
Favorite things:

Shoes
Cars
Thomas Trains
boxes
Cleaning up (I know that won't last)

He can sign
"More"
"Water"
"Car"

Everything else is UUUUHH UUUHHHH!
We can't imagine with out him.

Smile Box My New Buddy :)

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Maybe jelous

I am officially anti sewing. I have many freinds and family that like to sew. I am officially against the use of needles and thread by people who can find adorable fabric. AND who then post their wares on a blog, site or other form of mass media. (curse you kirtsy)

Hear are the examples of why.

1. This tutorial for fabric lables. Where on earth am I going to put a billion fabric lables that I really do want to make now!!

2. These adorable blankets! I actually tried one for a friend's new baby----ummmm all I can say is Sorry Dawn I should have forked over the 30 bucks.

I know I don't have a hidden talent. I will have to work and take a class:)
There are some adorable and cute projects to do!

Thing 2 and her picture taking skillz

These are self portraits by Thing 2

Seeing Yellow

I loved this idea from one of my friends about the Micro fiber towles. She told me I could stop using paper towels and go micro fiber. I just was waiting for the right price and time. Tuesday in Costco I found in the auto department 16x16 towels. 36 to be exact for 14.something. Then I went over to the paper towels and saw my snobby brand at $15 something! That was the clincher. Couldn't say no.

Pro's Con's

Wash and reuse No paper towels for bacon dripping
there are tons of them Dead bugs (I can use tissue)
So I won't run out. Bright yellow color.
Easy to spot yellow color.


Keeping the landfills clear of my paper towels does feel good. I used so many I can't even tell you. But I only go through two-three of these towels a day for all the cleaning up after the kids.

School Trama Drama.

School has really presented a challenge for us in the past three weeks. Here in Davis they "tend" to hold back the kids so they are totally ready for kinder. I totally love this because we tried two weeks of Kinder for Gabe and it was a night mare. He was just so over cooked by the end of the day. He loved being there, loved doing what they were doing, but really struggled socially.

This was not a shocker for any of us. I had had so many reservations about putting him in. I just didn't want to be too over protective and not let him attempt it.
He was fried after a four day in a row stint. The kids were all older by a good year. So socially he was being ousted. He started getting the negative feedback from the other kids and he began to meltdown. I couldn't put him through it. Well not yet anyway. He will be going to preschool where he is going to struggle for the first two or three months until he gets the schedule and the routine down. He is really sensitive to activity changes. The problem is he is so darn cute about everything. Even melting down.
If we had the reverse problem. (Accedemically behind and socially up to speed) He would still be attending. I just can't put in a social grace where a year will place it for him. He is going to be great. He just needs sometime to warm up to the set up of kindergarten.

So this week we have been on tour, searching for preschools from State funded, to Montessori, to other crazy cool programs. There are so many programs available in the area I have a hard time choosing. There is one common theme in all the schools is CASH flow to get them in. Some programs we have visited have been more expensive than our RENT.
Tomorrow is our last "visit" to another program. I just hope we can find one that works for him.

Weekend trips to the Bay area.

Ok I am back to blogger and I have so many posts to catch up on. I have been on a bloggy break and it is time to get back into action.
Let's start with The Band (AKA my hubby) He in the market for a new phone. He would like one that has all the bells and whistles. Due to circumstances that I will demo in photos.

Here on my left we have the first picture of what happened.

Over Confidence in canoing skills+4 year old+canoe= Phone shopping.


Ok I am back to blogger and I have so many posts to catch up on. I have been on a bloggy break and it is time to get back into action.
Let's start with The Band (AKA my hubby) He in the market for a new phone. He would like one that has all the bells and whistles. Due to circumstances that I will demo in photos.

Here on my left we have the first picture of what happened.


(I would like to extend a special thanks to the rescue team that went and fetched them out)