Tripping Over Cobblestone

Time for Taxes

2012-01-24T18:38:00.000-08:00

The count down begins.
Tax return will be here in seven days. Can we say new couch? Does anyone have a good used leather couch they want to get rid of for a good price? Our current couch has seen much better days. We love having the convience of wipe off seats when milk, soda, and koolaid is being constantly thrown at it. We have had it for about six months with a broken bar in the back giving it a sink in so you can't get off of it feel to it. We really could do with a new one.

But why when your taxes are in are you the poorest ever???? Why do you instantly think that your going to be able to do all these things when really you are just going to pay off debt and probably catch up on your rent. Every year for us it is the same. But it is nice to have so little Id like this year to buy and I can just concentrate on a new couch. The END.

Glasses, English and making amends.

2012-01-22T22:46:00.000-08:00

Yeah this week has been action packed!! We moved thing 2 to Birch Lane which has only been a good move for her and her reading excitment. We do love the Spanish immersion program but she has been taking hits to her self confidence. Seeing her soar at Birch this last week has really made me love the Davis Schools even more. We lucked out with our teacher for Thing 1 and I am finding it is really an awesome district we are in!

We talked to the kids about being Brothers and Sisters in Heavenly Father's family. They were soooo funny realizing for what it seemed like for the first time that kids at school were in that equation.

Patient is one virtue that has been absent in the last couple of nights in my house. After exhausting every tool in the parental tool belt I lead my little fish to bed and told him Mommy needed space. He was very upset and overly tired and his big brother Thing 1 lead him back to bed and cuddled him til he calmed down and fell asleep. I loved how tender and kind he was as he explained that they had to sleep. The next night I allowed them to watch a movie til they were tired enough and they both came up the stairs. Both were lead by thing 1 saying lets go to bed now little Fish. It was adorable to hear him say "Good Night mom I am really tired so I am going to bed now."
I love how he amazes me each day!

Finished!!

2012-01-05T10:54:00.000-08:00

Ok today i finished the laundry, Water for elephants (actually two days ago) and the idea of having a fat dog. Moobie has been gaining some extra pounds lately and so her weightloss program has begun aka walking her at least 5 times a week. I go with her and sometimes my neighbor comes an pics her up and runs her with her puppy Teddy. We love Teddy. Today it was a half hour around the field.
She seems happier and a little more rambunctious when we are out and about. I love this dog - a lot more than I ever thought i would love a pet. She is so good and wonderful with my kiddos. The fish keeps her on her toes and she is quick to start playing with him.

The stuff on the list today
Fill out thing1's Paper work for his testing
Get the kids back on the tire swing. (so much fun) but a pretty good walk out to the field and tree.
Get mascara (since I am still recovering from the cold I need to rejoin the living a step at a time but make up will for sure make me look semi healthy.
Use my camera today! I am in love with the new camera and I have barely tested it out! need to bad!!
Shoes for the Band He is really getting some good holes in his current pair.

R and R for the afternoon!

Back to blogging.

2012-01-02T20:23:00.000-08:00

I have decided to write a bit about each day. Thing 2 had been saying funny things all day. I have been in bed with a sinus infection for most of the week. I also have been finishing like three books at the same time too. It has worked out at least.

On the new kindle fire I have "Water for Elephants" This book is making me check out nursing homes and deciding how I want to be taken care of in my old age ;) The other book is "Unbroken" and wow it is really good and really well written. It makes me think our money issues are awesome compared to those in his day. And I can totally relate to the mom in his life! Then there is "Matched" my teeny bopped love story one. I'm not very far into that one so I'll just have to see how that one goes. I am way far into the "Glass Castle" and it is hard to put down for some not me evidently. I have to get back and find out what happens in this lady's life!! Crazy story really and I can't imagine it is really a true story!
So staying in bed has been manageable but barely! I hate doing nothing and knowing it is all waiting for me when I feel better :(
So thing 2's Quote of the day...... "Fish come here 'I can control your brain I control your brain I CONTROL YOUR BRAIN' Come hERE DOG!!"

OH that FISH is such a funny crazy fellow. I am stunned he's turning five this year!

The fish

2011-10-08T06:26:00.001-07:00

Sweet phrases like "Mom I love you soooo much" and "I love heavenly father for giving me a mom like you"
He feels deep and gets frustrated easily. This week has been a whirl wind of highs and lows for him. Last night he started getting a cold and said his nose didn't work any more. He is so smart and verbal for his age. Totally reminds me of what I must have been like watching his Dad grow up.

This holiday season is going to be amazing! He wants to be 7 things for Halloween. We'll see what we end up doing.

Nightmares

2011-09-26T08:30:00.001-07:00

Ok so many if you know about my famous night mares and I won't go in to them here but I will divulge my sweethearts nightmares! This morning he woke up saying he had the WORST dream.
It went like this.
We met a new family and we were hanging out at their house and the husband of the other couple kept changing into his birthday suit. And would ask if anyone minded! And of course in his dream I said no problems here as I totally checked him out! And then we all go outside and play KICKBALL.

He woke up all mad I was checking the guy out. Awesome! I just can't stop laughing about the kickball part! So random and totally hilarious!

211

2011-09-25T19:55:00.000-07:00

211 Yeah that is how many posts we have here. But I guess there is that other blog floating out there that I really should print up.

Today was a great church day! Love hearing great lessons and totally being ready for another week. This week Thing 2 starts bringing home circulo de lectura which is fine I just know how well it worked for Thing1 and how hard it was to form that routine of reading it three times ect. I am going to make him read some smaller books and do them three times too lol. Thanks to R. we have a new stash of captain underpants books and I am dreading the next moves of my children. I think we might put those off and read the Box Car children for a bit then read them. :)

I have heard the magic tree house series is another one that is fun. I am thinking I want fun and not funny because of the "humor" that is used in the funny ones. I liked Junie B. Jones. But after awhile it was effecting my grammar! It is hard to hold fast to the rules of grammar and then tryin to let them go for storytime every night for a week. I would love to get on a exchange program where we all switch out our children's books evey couple of weeks. I guess you call that a library but I am not allowed to go in there with the threat of them taking one of the children hostage because of my long list of fines. I never did finish "River of Doubt"

The first possible book ban

2011-09-22T19:41:00.000-07:00

Lets start with yesterday. Where i blogged some photos of the cutest baby and totally was ready for an easy day.

Wrong. Dead wrong.
Thing 1 came home and told me he gave a kid a wedgie. Yeah his teacher is noticing some behavioral issues that are starting to alarm me and her. He just thinks gross things are fantastically funny.I do find the story he told the class that his dad has a "toenail collection" to be quite funny. His little class mates on the other hand get farther and farther away from being friends with the kid who tells the gross stories and then laughs himself silly over them.

So I asked why he gave him a wedgie and he said he got mad about not getting to do the zip line at the playground. And added as a side note that the kid showed him his manly goods. Only he used the technical word. Pause..... what the heck! Why did he show you his junk? In response to my question he stated matter of fact, cause I asked him to.

"Well I asked him to show me his bare bottom but he didn't do that he just showed his (enter word for male part)" calmly finishing his confessional not reading the surprised expression on his face. Ok freak out mode in sued and I sent him to his room while the band talked me off the ledge of someone is taking him away from us cause he is now the kid who inspects other kid's junk.

In all my horror I did forget that there was an adorable little boy waiting to hear how in trouble he was. We sat down and had a very serious conversations about bodies and why we have them and that we don't show people those parts ect.

He is such a sweet kid and is trying to make friends in the new school he started this fall. We have made small goals at home and I know his amazing teacher is working with him at school. He really is trying to do all that he can to to be good and fit in but he has just a quirky personality. So we are working with him a little each day on things he really can improve on.

Next there was our new bed. Moobie our wonderful dog peed all over my side of the bed!! Oh my gosh killing wasn't an option but definately showing her who alpha dog was. And she knows. And I mean KNOWS. Gabe was so nervous that the Band would be mad at the dog for ever that he started yelling
"Dad you just have to forgive her! She is just a dog and doesn't know any better. To her is was just a comfortable doggy toilet"

Put on repeat.
There is the best stain removal recipe and our wonderful bed is stain and stink free! It was like it never happened! Soo gonna use this on the kids beds when they stain them!

Now for the next part of the day.... Thing 1 brings home this book from his library at school. Thanks tax payers of Davis. He was thrilled to show me something he had created in the upstairs bathroom. I knew it was some sort of classified mess. Little did I know he had decorated each toilet in the fashion you see below. Yes complete with teeth and eyes. I thought it was creative and since it wasn't done with sharpies, he and I were still friends.

Fast forward to the next morning when I send thing2 to the shower. She comes down crying and said she was scared and couldn't shower! I was pressed for time, and still needed her to eat breakfast, I told her not to worry about it get the breakfast on the table.

After school today it was her time for confessions. She said that she had been in the bathroom and peed in a glass. I was thoroughly disgusted and asked which bathroom and she said in the bathroom but she had washed out the glass and poured it down the sink. Totally Depardeau style gross! Then I put two and two together she had been scared to use the toilets that were still decorated as attacking toilets!! AWESOME!

To wrap up the yesterday episode. I called his teacher to talk about it. She said that she was standing there and no male parts were disclosed! His teacher is pretty positive about the whole thing and says second grade is the time when they all are pretty gross and thing 1 is just extra vocal about it.

I am so thrilled she is so patient and kind to his little devious side. Maegan has used the toilet again.

And I am happy to report the dog still lives on.

The ten minute test.

2011-07-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

The kids have had a hard time going to bed all summer and during this first couple weeks of school. The only thing that has constantly worked is what is now called "a test"

It works like this. You set a timer for 10 minutes. During the time that is set on the clock you aren't allowed to talk,open your eyes, or move. If you do you have to start over the time on the timer. If they can stay awake the entire ten mins they get to get out of bed and go play for ten mins. If you move and the timer has to be reset three times your test ends and you just have to go to sleep. Ok the trick is for every ninth time they fall asleep in four minutes you give them one or two times of "winning" so they keep the dream alive that this will be the time they beat the timer.

Both things and the fish clamor for this game and it is heaven not having to fight them to go to bed anymore.

Thank you guy who told us how he used to go sleep when he was young in some random talk.

Thing1 on Hair cuts

2011-07-19T01:02:00.001-07:00

Me: Thing 1 you have to brush your hair if you keep it long!

Thing1: I don't want to cut it I want it long so they let me into Girls for Life! (the community girls club)

Me: If you don't brush it I cut it!

Thing 1: No!

Me: If you keep it long they arent going to let you into Boy Scouts! They will send you to Girl Scouts!

Thing 1: (big sigh looking up with his eyes closed) COOOOOOOOOKIEEEEEEES! CHocolate Cooooooooooookies

So this week google plus is my friend

2011-07-18T10:35:00.001-07:00

I really like the set up better than FB. I like the features and circles better :) Just now getting all my friends over from FB over there ;)
We have been bug hunting and messing around at home with our house trying to get organized and more clean. GO figure I think this is always the case. But we want to move thing 2 out of the Kid room and into the "girl Room" it will be fun to see if she is ok being alone:)
She sleeps so soundly I don' t think having the office be in there with her will be a problem. We'll see.
Thing1 is getting better and better at reading in English we have been working hard to teach him all the funny quirks and rules and he is picking it up really well. I just hope we can catch him up by the end of this next year :)

Summer time and grasping a schedule

2011-06-23T21:55:00.001-07:00

This has been a fun and super swimming summer for the kids. It is the first year of summer darts where they go five days a week. The fish aptly named goes three times a week to mini darts and is totally loving it.
These are the goggles that we already lost at the manor pool swimming. Goggles have been a challenge to keep a hold of. A sharpie comes in handy everywhere I turn lately!

The season started out cold and really really has warmed up. It was 104 on Tuesday and the pool had to turn people away!

We'll see how the rest of swimming goes!

Learning life the hard way. Precurser to Parent Fail 101

2011-05-26T20:32:00.000-07:00

So we are wrapping up another school year here at Ditty Head quarters.
I planned in making books for each child and taking pictures of their classroom. That way they can remember the set up of their class rooms and what they liked to play with.
Thing 2 and I had our first beauty day where she got her hair cut.
Thing1 tried out his hand at vandalism this weekend so his punishment has lasted extra long.
Finding out that when he gets in trouble he really does a bang up job of it. No pun intended. He was so excited about the shape of the broken glass it wasn't til much later that the full weight of what he had done caught up to him.

In other news we have been taking pictures a bit more frequently.
I love the babies but when your youngest is four and you've tried for a full year to have just one more. It is really hard to put the babies down and shoot the camera!! I am thinking we just need to do more baby shoots.

Here we go again!!

2011-05-19T00:09:00.000-07:00

Tooth Loosing Time

2011-04-20T22:45:00.003-07:00

Teething and now loosing teeth really? Can I tell you how much I love blogs now for forever capturing this??

Where is the time going?

2011-04-20T22:45:00.001-07:00

Sitting in the three minute zone at my child school waiting to pick him up. It's thing one. And I am thinking "oh my gosh where has the last seven years gone?" I have this totally sweet Seven year old toothless wonder. I am going to miss this stage! I love them all right now! I just want to freeze my boy right now. Never want to see him grow up!
Oh man his chess skills are kicking my behind!

We play games once a week with his class and their families. It is math focused so they are learning and having tons of fun.

Blockus and checkers are a common favorite. This last week I came across the game of "Perfection"
The sound of the timer alone shot me back about 25 years! Then the memory of pure panic driven scrambling to match up rhomboids, squares, rectangles and the elusive quarter pie piece of tiny plastic into separate holes. It added a whole new element of terror as you realized all your hard work went up in a horrible yellow cloud of Chaos at the end if 60 short seconds.

We won't be purchasing that game;)

Ice Cream traditions!

2011-04-05T20:50:00.001-07:00

Tuesdays are Ice Cream days I love it. Saturdays are Farmer's Market day and now we have Friday fun days.
I am loving the warm weather but cloudy the last couple of days.
There is this fountain that has a clock on top and all three of my kids this Tuesday licked the water! To the pure disgust of the family we met up with. Yeah if you hang with us your gag reflex maybe tested.

This weekend was awesome

2011-04-04T22:59:00.000-07:00

Lounging= cleaning reminders. I can't believe the loads of laundry that have piled and unpiled themselves as we listened to conference. I know, I know, I need to listen and pay attention right?? Well you haven't seen my house lately and the transformation that has taken place.

My bedroom alone just threw up three trash bags full of clothes for the SWAP on Wed. And that was from the clean bins! I am going to be shocked at what is next. The kids helped after they each sat and with the computer in their laps for a single talk. Thing 1 watched the E. Oaks talk and said.

"This guy says "Desires" so many times MOM!"
Lol he did sit and listen to the whole thing.

The Band and I watched the inbetween messages on Sunday. Totally both of us lost it on the E. Holland Mormon Message about the young family and the Dad who broke down in the car. Huh did that hit home? Yeah just a bit.

Can't wait to do more laundry and listen to the conference again!

Spending too much time on the net? Maybe.....

2011-03-31T17:12:00.001-07:00

So marketing the Photography business is just exhausting! Today I was in Borders, Peet's coffee, Common Grounds Coffee shop, the co-op and of course Mother and Baby Source passing out fliers. We are going to post it on the Wiki and on Craig's List. It is already posted on Yelp and I am so ready for some results lol. Only I know that there needs to be more canvasing and letting people know about it.

Last time we didn't have a sitting fee and we had so many cancellations. Lesson learned. So we now have sitting fee in place and are ready to rock!

The blog has been updated with the most recent shoots and we are ready to rock! I am just thinking maybe I am missing something. What else could we do to let all the moms know about the mother and baby shoot? I know the readership of this blog so really this is a rhetorical question. Maybe a news paper ad? Costco board ad..... Maybe we'll see what happens :)

Spring and the haps

2011-03-30T23:13:00.000-07:00

Weather is getting better:) Poor Band and his allergies. He just might have passed them on to Thing 1. Poor kid has been all stuffed up, but not really sneezing. Who knows anymore I just don't want to talk about being "sick" anymore. I love the temperature right now! It is so crisp and yet getting on the warm side. Can we say BBQ?

I want to be a NINJA!

2011-03-28T00:08:00.000-07:00

So what do you do when all three kiddos are dying to improve their lethal skills and are this serious about it? Thing 2 really had her serious face on the entire time. We really lucked out and got some awesome shots of everyone. They crack me up so bad!
My friend M. leans over and whispered to me "sorry i didn't know it was weapons week" hahahha. Are you kidding me there is only one way to really hook kids on martial arts. Let them swing around foam nun-chucks! Then, let them dream about doing everyday, all day, for the rest of their lives. Thing 1 and thing 2 each hit themselves in the face at least twice. And they loved every slightly stingy moment of it!
{This is where I should insert a donate to my children karate fund button from paypal. Ehh maybe later.}
We had an awesome adventure.

Thing 2 turns six!

2011-03-27T08:37:00.001-07:00

Six is a big switch. And practicing telling people that you are now a year older. Holding up one more finger. No not really for my little thing 2.... she has been telling everyone she is six for the past four months. Yes, this does include the "Santa" at the Band's Christmas work party.
So now that is out of the way here we go with the celebration!

Thing two came to me about a week before her birthday and said that she wanted a Ninendo DS. I was shocked that she was so keen on it, but she does play her little "game girl" as she has named it. So I told her we could look at one for Christmas. And I said the boys would be sad if she was the only one that had one. She said she is a great "sharer" and would have a good time making sure they all got equal time on the DS. As long as she had it all figured out. She didn't get the DS this year for her birthday but now we know what to get her for Christmas.

Thing 2 loves animals real or stuffed. Ice cream is her favorite desert. She loves playing freeze tag at school. Pancakes are her favorite breakfast. She loves playing soccer in the school yard with all the boys. She has a "stocker boy" in her kinder class named lil D. Yeah that may need to be a whole notha' post.
She loves the little girl group that our community started called "girls for life" cute huh. They get together every week. She hates missing this very official meeting. She loves having friends over for play dates. Loves going to the library and only likes leaving because she can check out the books on the electric scanner. Art is definitely her thing and she still spends oodles of time drawing and having fun making cards and letters for her friends and neighbors.

She can be often found sneaking into our bed at night.

She is not a night owl. 8:30 comes along and she will just ask where she can lie down to go to sleep. She has always been easy about her sleep schedule wish that would transfer over to her brothers :)

The Graham's came over and so did some of the neighborhood crew. She did some opening presents there as well and got new roller blades! Now the only one missing blade action is the Band and the Fish. We will have to wait for family skate pictures I guess.

There be Leprechauns in these parts

2011-03-19T20:24:00.000-07:00

Ok Seriously we had so much fun planning all of this and yet we didn't even scratch the surface of what my buddies did. Next year I tell you Next year! And when I went to record the milk I thought I had pushed the button but didn't. Guess it was a wee bit earlier in the am than I had thought.
I couldn't tell who was more excited me or my kiddos.

Knitting is not my favorite.

2011-03-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

So I promised my friend some hats for her cutie little boys..... And I thought knitting was a good idea..... I think I'll be sticking to these.

Free cycle you are my hero!

2011-03-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

About four years ago we got a dining room table on craigs list, and now it needs some makeover love. I am talking three years of forks, knives, and spoons being etched into it. Not to mention the playdough tools and pencils and pens and fun projects that we all love to do over here.

So I went on to Freecycle and someone had a sander! I am just waiting now for three days of sun in a row :)
It is amazing too when someone actually knows how to refinish furniture. So now for the research while the table waits to be refinished.

The Fish is turning......

2011-03-06T16:06:00.001-08:00

Four FOUR how did we get here so fast? I swear I was just getting a handle on him being a baby and now he is a little man.
Who loves:
1. Toy Story Legos
2. School
3. Going Swimming
4. Dancing in the Kitchen to "This is Halloween" from "The Nightmare Before Christmas"
5. Watching Movies
4. Wearing Hats
5. Digging in the Sand
6. Painting
7. Playgrounds
8. His Puppy
9. Riding his bike
10. Seeing Aunt Lindy
11. Popping Balloons
12. Flip Flops
13. Carousel rides

Sick is the winter theme.

2011-02-25T23:54:00.000-08:00

Philm

2011-02-08T20:31:00.001-08:00

So I have been messing around with the camera lately.... It is fun and I love it.

Crafting is Therapy until it becomes your drug.

2011-01-30T12:28:00.000-08:00

This is the kindergarten project we did for the auction comming up on Feb. 5 at the local art center. We started with photo copies of the little plants had each student color them in. Then taking all the left over scrap booking letter supplies we made the lables. Put about three to five coats of Mod podge on them. Sealed them up and glossed them with a nice acrylic sealer* and stuck them all in a pot.

I had so much fun with the kids and seeing them color so carefully was so much fun.

Finding the 25 different plants was the difficult part.

Oh and the sealer mishap.

**sealer mishap: used sealer outside to spray twenty five spoons. Inhaled enough to not be able to read for about 6 hours.

The Band asked me where I was married as a general knowledge question.... yeah took me a good minute to answer. It was like a cloud was hiding all the thinks I knew I knew. I paniced and started to get a raging headache then I yacked. Felt a bit better. The Band aired out the house and took the "dried" project outside. Then I went to sleep it off. Woke up still a little hazy but could read.

Scary.

Moral of the story: USE acrylic Sealer for a longer periods of time, indoors if you would like to erase all memories of your wedding and children's names.

Southern California Trip

2011-01-15T20:50:00.000-08:00

Ok we had a blast! The sand the surf and the trip to knott's were so much fun. It was so fun spending time with the family and seeing the Uncles again.

we are still talking all the time about the Log ride and the cousins jumping over the uncles. It is time to look into moving closer to family. I

Fry throwing contest at In and Out was so funny! So glad I got it on video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBqFdDfogL8

The fish

2011-01-14T20:41:00.000-08:00

Need I say more? Well ok there are a couple of things that are necessary. This kid is my loop. He wants something and he puts it on loop til he gets it. Over and over and over again until I have to put him in a totally new world of wonderment to help him for get his loop or give in. I usually give in and thus finding the loop effective he continues. He is so my baby of the family. Still three and turning four soon and still has the "ridiculous Binki"

One evening he was looking for said binki and said, "Mom where is my STUPID binki. Well long ago we had declared Stupid a bad word and so he was being emphatic about it.

I asked him not to say stupid to which he replied,"Moahnnmm! Whewah is my Ri-DIC-uh-lous binki?"

He is so fun loving it is so fun going new places with him. He always thanks us for taking him places that are really fun and even for the not so FUN ones. There is always a good ninja move or ski mask to wear around the house. He loves playing dress up and costumes are his favorite.

We see a new movie and he wants the costume of the main character. Last week it was Mega Mind. I think if I just painted his head blue that would do the trick. He has a most enormous noggin. But it is so cute and he is starting to grow into it-unfortunately.

I love his cute little "do you wemember when" stories and he goes on and on about how we went to the farmer's market or someone's house. He frequently remembers going to Adele's house and feeding the parrot. And talks all the time about the Waites.

He just melts my heart when he slips his little hand in mine and says, "Mom, I love holdin' yow hand." Yes I am a sucker for my little Fish. :)

Play time at our house

2011-01-13T14:44:00.001-08:00

We love building things and making things with the things we have:) One afternoon it was a jump park out of books. Then a couple days ago Brady comes in looking like this.

All about Thing 2

2011-01-13T00:02:00.000-08:00

We have been fooling around with the camera a bunch and found that Thing2 likes to pose for pictures.

Here is a short list of all the goods on Thing 2

announcing to everyone she is already six although it isn't official for another couple of months. (yes even Santa at the Band's Work party got the "I am Six line")
She doesn't like Candy Cookies or anything with a large amount of Sugar. Strangers are not a danger if they come bearing treats!
She is particular about all her clothes (Pajamas yes pajamas too!)
Is in love with two or more boys at a time. Currently Miguel and Aaron.
Doesn't want to marry Donovan although he has been professing undying love, and devotion since the beginning of the school year.
Loves to take care of her brothers and her parents when she finds she can help them in some fantastic way.

loves to make up crazy stories about what happened at school that day! Oh man I have heard about kids kicking teachers, a boy calling her a goblin, and her teacher's cousin getting lost in the city! Today it was that she had a rough day when I came late to pick her up.
Loves animals and cries when they are too cute.
Loves her hair down or in pigtails. Calls her braids "curlies"
Plays My little ponies
Dances like a rockstar
Can't get enough of Soccer since the Fall season ended.
loves being outside
Jump ropes up to seven jumps in a row.

Little Thing 1 turns 7

2011-01-01T22:26:00.000-08:00

There aren't enough words for the feelings I have on this day.

In one moment I am holding in my arms this wide mouthed screaming little boy. Having him calm down right away as I start to talk to him. And now I have this wonderful little man that is so quick with a compliment for all that he meets. He is gentle and sweet and so protective of the underdog. He is always ready to play and have a "great time" I miss him this year, as it is his first going to six hours of school. He wants so badly to do the right thing and often succeeds. He reminds me constantly of what the gospel teaches and what I need to be doing in order to raise the wonderful gifts I have been given. He always spits out the lessons or morals to what he learned through out the rough experiences he has had.

Season ends with a bang!

2011-01-01T22:19:00.000-08:00

Thing 2 really enjoyed playing soccer this year. She has played all the time at recess since. Love of the game is strong and so we finally broke down and bought a soccer ball.

Halloween haunts out memories still

2010-11-21T16:26:00.001-08:00

I figure I'd better post these before christmas happens.

Catching up begins

2010-11-21T08:58:00.001-08:00

Ok so we have been sick.... Yes again.First it was Halloween with the barfing. Then that lasted until they all got this cold. Green is just our color of choice right now. It has lasted for so long. This time we have fevers, and coughing that lasts all night with or with out cough medicine.

Behind The Awkwardness: Neverland

2010-10-14T16:13:00.000-07:00

Behind The Awkwardness: Neverland

This made me laugh. Granted I have gone to bed at 2 am for the past two nights so everything makes me laugh but this made me laugh hard. I love Awkward family Photo. com!!

Photoshop project theme is taken from this Video :)

2010-09-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

Ted.com has some seriously cool stuff and ideas on there. I could watch all day long if I could. I am doing some design projects and had to pick a theme it was difficult with so many cool ideas on there. But the one I liked the most was this one. Check it out and I'll post the design ideas from there.

Brandon Flowers Who???

2010-09-21T22:22:00.000-07:00

In seventh grade my good friend fell hard for the Phantom of the Opera's lead singer. Micheal Crawford. I think she has repressed all these memories since then. But I have missed this whole obsession with the famous person. UNTIL now...... wow I loved the Killers and all their head bashing songs, slow ones, and everything in between. Then I heard his interview on NPR and hit itunes for the newly released solo album, Flamingo. I can't believe how many songs I am totally obsessed with. And then I saw the Crossfire video! SOLD full on Obsession. Oh and I will be seeing him live in concert. And I will yell "I love you Brandon" like I was in seventh grade.While faithfully holding to my one true love's hand. I think they call this regression.... rhymes with obsession. Nice. Check out "ONLY The YOUNG" and Magdelena on the album.

I remember thinking Brad Pitt was cute when he was young and all it took was some rumor that he stunk like really bad B.O. and I was forever cured from another look. Brandon you can stink all you want and it would be like a room full of roses for me :)

And it begins.... the empty Nest syndrome

2010-09-21T21:16:00.000-07:00

So here we go again. It is preschool time for my little tiny baby. The one that still bless him gets a bottle that he calls for, and is rarely seen without his pacifier! I know you should have seen the dentist's face last week when I said he still uses one. I know that socially it is unacceptable thing but really I can't pull it. Thing 1 still has his at night so that he doesn't continually wake up at 4 am and look for one under all and I mean all the beds. I just continually get them all a bink or two at the store when we run out. I may have to change the title of my blog to Tripping over Binkis. We'll see.

It has been crazy seeing this little fish grow. I still am very stuck in him being only ten months old. I known there is a big three year old, but it is so hard to treat him like a big kid when he is my little baby still.

The Baby Hunger is setting in pretty bad. At the soccer game on Saturday I about ran up to a mom just to smell the top of the newborn's crusty crown to catch a sent of that sweet smell. I am glad there are baby producers in church so on Sunday I can get my fill of baby toes, cheeks and over all yummy-ness of the new baby smell. Have they figured out how to bottle the smell and mass produce it and sell it at Target yet? I would buy it!

I am now looking for stuff to fill my time during the time they are in school. I am finding it is not a lot of time. But still a good obsession project may be in order :)

Getting out the angst and frustration

2010-09-20T20:53:00.000-07:00

Today like yesterday was supposed to be a get out the pent up energy day. Poor dog and poor JD. We both sat inside all day with sick little kids. Can't wait to see if they are better by tomorrow :) I think two days is good enough for colds to hang out, Right? I am going to create a sick day calendar. It seems every year we are just collectors of all the ailments that are in Davis. So look for another mommy planner design for the school year 2010-2011. That is in the next day or so. I need a calendar that works for me and my specialness.

Another game I do love every six months or so is clean house LOL. New game this year is bookshelf cleansing. Good night we have a lot of non-sense space here in this little apt. I have so much crap in boxes I don't know what is even in there. So this time I have a vision and now it is just getting the shovel out and going through the dirt.

I am working on making the third bedroom into a bedroom not a storage closet. You see we even have a special name for the room of clutter. It's official name is the "Secret Locked Room" all the kids know that there are things in there you don't want to get into but they always do. Like Mommy's special prisma color markers, or scrapbooking odds and ends that I need to find a new home for (like literally a new home), or the stash of books that would put all the hording shows to shame! I really have a hard time with the printed word. I love to read a good solid book with a great binding and soft pages. But it is so nice to curl up to my light and portable iPhone and read as well.

Got TO go Plan and PURGE

Some times it is time for a swing.

2010-09-18T23:56:00.000-07:00

With the Band's graduation come and gone searching high and low ways to figure out what are next move is.

At times it is like I have this great monster truck ready to roll over all 36 cars and it has no gas in the engine. We just don't know where focus all the energy. Praying and Searching has been a real challenge when you feel good about all the options in equal measures. The Band is now at Toyota selling cars. He has been applying everywhere but the "just while we find another job" job is going so well.

In the search for answers to the hard questions I have found that returning to the small things really has it's perks.

In high school one of the favorite things my BFF and I would do was go to the swing set in West Point and see how high we could go. We would talk about all the stuff going on.

Still the swings are soothing place for me and luckily my kids love them too. Davis is the perfect place to contemplate as you return to the basics. Bike trails and parks are a plenty and it is still fall not raining too bad yet.

I know there is change coming I am just hoping to accept all that comes with the change.

Until then more prayer, seeking, and a return to the simple pleasures in life.

Internet Back! Time for catch up.... on thing 2

2010-09-14T16:02:00.000-07:00

This year we have been trying out some sports for the kids.
My favorite so far has been Swimming but I have to admit that soccer is growning on me.

There is a new app and I am addicted to it!

2010-09-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

SO for about a week I decided to rid myself of my cell phone and then I found this Iphone app that makes your world beautiful and vintage all at the same time! It is called Hipstamatic and it is an awesome glorious thing. I can't wait to play around some more every day with the new and different lenses filters and flashes that give you all different options. I should have gotten another Blackberry lol.

My neighbor just told me to shut up I can hear her from here :) she is stoked the new Crackberry is already in stores. But really can she find this on there if soooooo I could be a cr@ck baby again too :)

so I can't really stop Crocheting.

2010-08-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

Those are just the billed hats!

FOURTH OF JULY

2010-07-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

This year we went to see the fireworks at Uncle Dave's house. Uncle K was called by all other names but his own by my three children. I guess we don't see them near enough! It was so good to catch up a bit and see the old paddle boat in action. The kids had a blast. And Gabe because he can swim was down with getting back into the canoe maybe next time :)

There are so many items of business to report on

2010-07-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

First there is the job hunting going on right now for the Band. He has his paper and now it is time to put it to good use and get a career started :)
Here is another Nursery picture and I will be loading up some more this evening :)

Then there is my three year old who is taking off on his bike in this video!! yes this is the Fish and you will hear his real name used please ignore it lol.

Swim Lessons

2010-06-28T15:48:00.001-07:00

This summer we are trying things different there is a new parenting book on my night stand that is helping cope with the heat, and boredom and crazies of the season. We are swimming!! Well Thing 1 and two are taking lessons. Last year was a bit sketchy when I had all three in the pool at once and tried to keep eveyone's head above water. Thing 2 can tell you some scarry stories so that ended the three "untrained swimming episodes". I am pretty sure we'll be entering the water with a little more confidence this year. And yes, even with all the protective arm floaties I am pretty sure my crew could discover a new method of drowning.

So here we are on the mini swim darts "swim team" which is incredible! I can't wait to see how the next six weeks developes. They love it. I mean... LOVE. IT. You can hear them a block away squealing about what moves they did, and if I had witnessed the spectacular sight of them on a swim noodle. I think I am addicted to this age they are right now. I just want them to always have this much excitement for the things they are doing in life.

The coaching staff caught on really quick to the needs of my Thing 1 and has a "younger male" coach of maybe thirteen assigned to reign him in. I love the fact that I can hear across the two pools and at the top of the bleachers my child's name being called as he is jumping endlessly in the water. Of the 1/2 hour of instruction there is maybe five solid minutes that he is above water listening :) He is more and more like his mother everyday.

Little Boy room Pictures

2010-06-28T15:06:00.001-07:00

When I printed these the color came out all crazy. The snake (originally orange) came out all red. They are in the local Baby Shop right now but we'll see if they actually sell :) I can't believe how fun these are. I will have to see what is next maybe a jungle theme :)

I am working on some pictures for my house right now but these are a fun start :)

The last day of Instruction. Mixed emotions.

2010-06-04T00:38:00.000-07:00

This post will probably be enormous in length. So bring on the emotional spattering that comes with an extra long post. I am sitting in my car as I wait for my little five year old, Thing two, to go to preschool. She is five and right around the time of her birth was when my Band and I decided it was time for him to finish his education.

The aquiring of an education for me is something of an issue for myself personally. But to watch some one do it with ease and grace has been something wonderful to take part in.

For the past five years there has been struggles, sickness, stress beyond stress, poverty, rice, crazy schedules, pasta, garage sale finds, second hand land, diapers, puppies, beach trips, roller blades, Ebay-ing, baby bracelets, crocheting, digital photography, and did I mention more pasta. I wouldn't a want my kids to endure what I have had to. Only, it has taught me how to survive on a very restricted budget, believe in the impossible, surmount insurmountable odds, and humility. Those are lessons I could have probably learned in a less-intensive-live-action environment, but what would have been the fun in that? So many people have helped us along the way. So many angels have been our companions telling us to keep going and don't loose sight of the goal.

We have known that this day was comming only it's arrival today has been somewhat of a shock. It is like when you finally go into labor and you realize you are taking home a person. A person you just named, and you don't know if she'll end up liking her name. All of this work hasn't been for nothing.

Now it is on to the next step. The horizon is bright because you have a paper that in some cities only 13% of the population have (you know who you are :). This is a tricky next step that is requiring a lot of faith on my part. The reserves of faith have been slower these days to be replenished than I'd like.

Now as I gaze up at a cap and gown that has been hanging in my room for the past two nights I am very aware that this is just a temporary phase and soon I will be looking back at this time with fond memories. That is until he goes to grad. school hahahha. That is a post for another day.

Market of the Farmers on Wed. Nights

2010-06-03T23:31:00.000-07:00

It just doesn't get better than this. Summer in this small town means going to the farmers market and playing on the bounce houses, and park structure and merry-go-chuck your-guts.

I have been meaning to get out and do stuff with the kids and this was a last minute all day decision. I meant to go all day but didn't leave til the "last minute". They did great and we even had some fun going on the carousel when they call for the last ride was free!! That is the only way I was going to get all three on there at the same time with our budget these days.

No Blades since JR high.... They are BACK

2010-04-22T16:46:00.000-07:00

Posting has been difficult I am dragging lately and I blame one thing. TIME CHANGE! I have been always an early riser and lately I can't get my head off the pillow before 6:50 and man it is cramping my style. I have been walking with the dog but I need another round of boot camp to get me back in shape.

I recently made a purchase of Rollerblades and tested them out yesterday. I am thirty three and Rollerblades are not something I envisioned for myself as a form of exercise. However, the dog can get a better workout and I need some firm gluts LOL. I just don't trust the better butt idea of just wearing shoes. Sorry Reebok I ain't buying it. The Band says I will only be on them four times and then they will go on Craig's list. He maybe right. I am determined to wear them five times just to assure that he is wrong. I am envisioning a fall and thus need some wrist gaurds and a butt pad. I think a pillow tied with some nylon rope maybe the answer. I will post the link to the Craig's List listing if they do :)

Exercise is good for my brain but what else is good is getting a good night away from all my fam and spending it getting sushi with the girls. I have loved the places we end up chowing on the most addicting substance since the Cournel put chicken in a bucket. I am ready for another hit this evening.

Over Load??? or Threshold ?

2010-03-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

Ok Here is the newest addition to the crazy household. We now have a new baby and I am going to use her real name. MOOBIE yes we have a female dog named after m@n b00bs and I am always yelling "MOOBS get over here. "At first I thought to myself what have I done? This thing has been on newborn status and isn't sleeping through the night yet!! About two weeks in as she chewed all things that were available. My house instantly became spotless. I had to pinch my self many times when I would wake up and see clean carpets and no messes. It was like I never had a problem getting the kids to clean up after themselves and they are so happy to make sure the toys are not destroyed by the pup. She has been a heaven sent in the area of clean house keeping. Then there is the whole exercise thing. She has been awesome and has made sure my daily dose of biking, rollerblading, or running is in for the day. I can't wait til there are two 45 min. walks/ jogs a day. She is really the best thing that has happened to our family since the kids lol.

Moobie has a neighborhood boyfriend that loves to just play and romp all the time and they are the best of friends. We have turned our little community into a private mini dog park.

The kids love playing and seeing her all the time. Every morning they are there waking the poor dear up and telling her how "adowabble" she is. The Fish who used to get mouthed all the time now is so used to getting chew on all day. She puts up with so much crap seriously we couldn't have chosen a better dog.

Instincts are hard to kick

2010-02-24T15:56:00.000-08:00

I was at Thing 1's class this morning. Drop off gets kinda crazy. You have to put things in baskets, and then make sure there are coats and backpacks hung up. Oh and there is reading the letters on the blackboard. Well we have some seriously awesome parents/kids in his class.

I was shuffleing through all the chaos and one of the mothers asked me if she had "pink" on her face. I looked up from trying to get the fish pointed towards the door and out of the pattern blocks. And then I saw the mother's face. Sure enough, she totally had a smudge of some type of pink substance on her jaw line. Before I could stop I had already produced the famous.

Thumb, Lick and..... milimeters from her soft supple skin I froze!!! Started to giggle switched hands and with a SPIT free hand removed said smudge. I couldn't stop laughing. She instantly recognized the universal cleanser trick and laughed too. I am so glad she thought it was funny, considering I almost vicariously Licked her.

I realized I had become one of "those Moms" I have no control when it comes to messy faces. I instantly bought tons of hand sanitizer. If I am going to lick my hands and can't control when or where the instinct kicks in I better have 99.9% germ free hands. :) At least it has a light citrus scent.

Passion for flowers and crochet!

2010-02-03T15:58:00.000-08:00

Does this phase of my life scream 80 year old lady or what? I am totally into these soooo soft hats for babies and can't stop crocheting these things! I just want so many for myself but I haven't found the right color for me :)

ABC the Bacholor

2010-01-29T23:21:00.000-08:00

Is anyone as hooked on this season as I am. I like how he calls out these space cadet's and makes them explain themselves! This is a good season and I wrote off the Bachelor long ago as a show I would actually watch consistently.

I am so hooked on crocheting right now I can't put down my hook! I am working on three projects and love the results!

I will post pics tomorrow. But if you follow this blog you know that isn't generally the case.

The new giveaway over at DMC !

2009-12-16T22:52:00.000-08:00

I am excited because these are our bracelets :) So excited! Hope you win!!
Here is the link

And the BLog is comming up I swear lol.

Reading Dracula

2009-12-14T23:37:00.001-08:00

Ok I really think there are so many books I need to look into further :)

Dracula has been hard at first to get into but is really getting good!

Can't wait to see how this is going to play out!!

When Stress runs high....

2009-12-12T15:31:00.000-08:00

There are some tell signs that stress is on and thick. I am not sure why now is a tougher time to handle than any other time of stress but it is weighing on me. The tells for stress for me are....
-Uncontrolled crying fits.
-Anger bursts.
-and when things get really bad....
The desire for a small rollie cute 8-9 week old puppy.

It is bad when there is a place to find such cute and adorable things. Not so much for sale as a "rehoming"fee.
This time it is really bad. I am ready to go on a computer/everything fast to get away for awhile and just relax. It is like my own form of puppy porn. It started when I was very young. If it isn't puppies it would be something else. I just wish it was Gourmet food or something that my kids could use.

And I need to run.... like I have never run before.
My timed mile was 12 minutes and I am going to time again this weekend. I just need some really big stress relief.

Busy Busy tis the season!

2009-12-05T14:56:00.001-08:00

This week we...
-Orgainzed next Book Swap!
-Started reading Dracula (thanks Lani for the push)
-Hung Fliers for davis.momscircuit.com
-Started actually working hard on the Blog for MomsCircuit.com
-Tree lighting down town was so fun with the choir and treats and sleigh rides.
-Helped in Thing 1's class, we did Pumpkin bread, and I played drop the sicks to see what side they would land on (probability thing).
-Timed my mile. :) Did I mention how much I love running? Hee Hee
-ordered thing 1's new glasses Phew!
-designed coupon for Davis.MomsCircuit.com for downtown store that is on the new blog that will be ready soon :).
- Looking for ideas for my hand made CHRISTMAS CARDS!
- Realized there would be no Zhu Zhu Pets under the tree this year... Ok I am over it ;)
- Discovered these are kinda cute.
-Found out where my brother is going on his Mission. :)

Stress around this holiday season is incredible. I can't believe how crazy this year has been. Breathe just breathe.

Setting goals for long term achievements.

2009-11-13T18:25:00.001-08:00

This is not my strong point. I am the care taker of three small children. I put out fires a lot of my day.Things that are planned are a lot of times don't happen because of one reason or another. But I really like being in physical shape and I like the energy and the amount of work I get accomplished when I am in shape.
The past two weeks I have been sick. Just sick and sleepy with this cold congestion crap. Everytime I spend time recovering I always get the itch to exercise. So the goal now is to cut my mile time down. I will start very slowly. And work my way to whittle down my time. Outside in the cold is my first obstacle I must overcome. Then there is the motive to listen to new music. And then there is my dislike of running I have to get over.

I plan on running. Becoming a runner. A good runner. I used to be a runner. Now I am a walk runner. I love to walk. Maybe I will be a walker..... I also like bikes..... Man I have ADD.

The Halloween Post

2009-11-07T06:19:00.000-08:00

Ok it is a bit behind but last weekend was a total blast. We went to the church's Trunk or Treat, Went to an awesome Halloween party, road the last run on the Spookie Train in Old Sac. Then wrapped it all up with some trick or treating in the old neighborhood. Man I want to do it all over again.
Can't wait to see what this holiday season brings! Hope less candy!

Foreign Service Anyone?

2009-11-01T14:41:00.000-08:00

Ok the Band passed the exam. What exam you ask the Foreign Service Officer Exam. Well the initial exam. He now has go through the narrative and then oral interview. We are so excited this is his dream job. Seriously I am scared to the point of nervous giddy laughter. We'll see what happens.

YEAH BAND!!

Never thought I would type this....

2009-10-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I was looking out the back windshield to check if it was safe to make a lane change on the freeway. I couldn't believe what I saw. A frog. (yeah It was hard for me to beleive my eyes too) was trying to scale the back window! I was freaking out and then asked the kids if the frog was on the inside or outside. They started shrieking and I knew it was on the inside. The sound of excitement mixed with terror ensued. I knew I needed to clean the van but really? Seriously? A fully grown frog??? WHAT the WHAT?

We got home and we unloaded EV-E-RY thing which included four jackets of Thing 1 that I had been looking for :)

Could not, still cannot Believe a frog was in my VAN!

Woot woot for do it your self hair!

2009-10-27T18:26:00.000-07:00

Ok there are things that I must confess. I don't know which I love more the long flowing hair or the beautiful short sassy hair. I like the sassy for now.

Damage report... A++ Ode to thing 2

2009-10-21T14:46:00.000-07:00

Some times the list works to work it out.

2009-10-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

-The fish last night jumped on Thing 1's bed and fell on the foot of the bed. Split his eyebrow right open. No stitches just glued shut.
- Thing 2 just cut her hair. Let's just say it is Business in the front and party in the back. I have to deal with it after school tomorrow.
-We all woke up with soar throats..... Yeah
Rough day. I think we will be good but I didn't take a chance kept everyone home. I am really excited to see the sun tomorrow it was not so good not being in our regular routine:( I am kicking everyone into gear tomorrow.

We are going to have a do over.

Yard Sale finds!

2009-10-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

Can I say .......... 5 dollars? Sure it was probably a little more expensive at wally's (hee Hee) when she bought it but I like 5 dollars.

Back to work!

2009-10-11T17:14:00.000-07:00

This week we have the GRAND Opening of the new Website MomsCircuit.com this is the Davis one that is set up right now if you have requests to start one in your area.... tough! Ha Ha just kidding we are working on it. Meanwhile come check out the happenings around our neck of the woods. It would be really nice if you have been some of these places or seen some of these events to rate them.

I will be designing Wordpress and Blogger templates soon so you can keep an eye out for those. I am going to put up there more designs for the covers of the planners so there is a selection.

I have been Gathering ideas for the news letters and what is happening around town but I am going to need some ideas on what to write about.

Hopefully we will have a widget and some I-cal attachment features soon for the site so the events that you want can go right on to your calendar ;)
We'll see how this flies and then I am sure I will be doing more crazy projects.

Book or Recipe by it's cover..... Don't judge!

2009-09-23T20:21:00.000-07:00

Ok so a couple weeks ago I am thumbing through the Cookbooks I have and I have some Country cooking book that had some "misc" recipes in the back. I love these kinds I could read these all day long. But one caught my eye

Peanut Butter Banana Toasted sandwiches.

Come on. Are you kidding me? Mashed banana in Peanut butter?? I have had some crazy combos like
Salt on Mangos
Cereal and Yogurt
Crepes and Yogurt
cottage cheese and Ruffles potato chips
I mean I am willing to give anything pretty much ago.... ask R.G. I downed some nasty sesame seed sweet ball of pooh yesterday.

The Banana and Peanut butter sounded to me like someone pulled it off of the Oscar the grouch menu. Something like "Pickles and Ice cream"

So I had to give it a whirl.

LOVED IT! Made my kids eat it and they TOTALLY LOVED IT.

So here it is. Peanut butter mixed with two mashed bananas to taste.... sandwhich them like toasted cheesers and grill them on each side. Eat hot steamy mess and LOVE IT TOO! I dare you.

Two brothers

2009-09-23T06:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning around 4:30am I woke up to some light peering through my door. The normal dark house is not usually lit up so well at that hour. I slowly made my way down the stairs. I then hear some clanging and banging of our fisherprice train set. I look and the two boys are already getting the tracks laid and the trains moving.

I am too tired to be really upset. So I gently tell them to go back to sleep.
Thing 1 instantly turns to the FISH and in a direct tone says,

"I told you this was a bad idea!" We had two cranky boys to deal with yesterday.

If it Sounds Gross.....

2009-09-23T06:46:00.000-07:00

It could be but try it anyways. Here is where I am going with this. I love food and yesterday I went with a friend to a SUSHI BUFFET. I thought it was just a normal sushi place. I am glad I didn't research it before hand and just went. So glad we did! Thanks R.G. I need some more adventures in my life.

Any one want to RACE?

2009-09-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

On Labor Day this year I ran a 5k It was so much fun!
Here are some of our crazy shots. :) the after ones are the best who knows what was going through my head!

Surprise!!

2009-09-13T22:06:00.000-07:00

We had a surprise birthday party for our friend B.W. and we had so much fun getting there and setting the whole thing up.
Here are some of the shots from the party. Thanks I.W. for setting this up we had a total blast!

Thing 1 Humor

2009-09-11T06:46:00.000-07:00

I have to post about Thing 1's humor lately. Couple years ago it was the art of the nonsense joke. Where you just got the cue to laugh from his own fierce laughter.
This week we have been introduced to "practical jokester Thing 1"

"Hey Mom! I have Poo on my arm" he yells from the bathroom. This was such a disgustingly gross image that entered my mind so I armed myself with baby wipes . Then he showed me his "muddied" arm. It was peanut butter. FUNNY...... to him..... Me I still used the wipes for the peanut butter.

Earlier .......
I am getting out of the shower and started dressing. I think I had one item of clothing on. All of a sudden I hear foot steps on the stairs. My door is the one at the top of the stairs. So I call out...."oh Who is there" and I hear a quick answer "It's me George"

You would think that simple phrase would have no effect.... WRONG with that simple phrase I have never moved across my laundry filled bedroom so swiftly. I was a lighting bolt. I can't even remember crossing the room I was just there shutting the door. FAST.

"George" is our neighbor. You know, you have a "George" in your neighborhood too. The one that knocks on your door CON.st.ant.ly at the same time everyday to see if Thing 1 (or your child) can play. He has been known to not understand "boundaries" being only six I can cut him some slack. Let's be honest, I am still working on that.... I just didn't want to blind our fine youth we have in our neighbor hood :)

First Day of School

2009-08-29T16:31:00.000-07:00

Ok here are my little versions of the place mats we made in the wee hours the day before school started up again for Thing 1. They were fun to make and my table has so much less milk spots that I hate cleaning up! Three days after using them for like every meal we finally threw them in the wash. I love these and I think I will be getting out the good old machine soon for another round of them but in matching color schemes. It was a great day. I am still without my charger for the camera so these pictures were brought to you by a little iphone action. Thanks Band! Hope that thing comes in the mail next week :) more funness to post ;)

Mom Planners: What make the best... The best.

2009-08-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

2009-2010

School is starting folks. For some it has already begun!Today it started for us.

Of all the things I am passionate about it is my time. My time to do things, and have control over. I don't usually either of these things TIME or CONTROL. (See in Fig. 1) This seems to be my latest trick.

Hence, I obsess over tools, tricks and tips to give me as much time possible.

I am a Mom so I need something that is fun to look at, and I can relate to. UM......Hard to find for me ;)

Fig.1

Here is some of the best of what is out there. Thoughts and links are beneath each picture.

MORE TIME MOMS Mom's Agenda

These are easy on the wallet, slick smooth format of the weeks. Kind of a two for in the world of aesthetics. I like the set up of the monthly budget planner page.

Circa 2010 Weekly Agenda Notebook Junior

I just love how this is set up. So sleek like a desktop calendar. It is just straight up pretty and you can find others like it here.

Bob's Your Uncle 8 Days a week Planner Journal

I love that you don't have this one dated. It is perfect for the notes and journal I seem to combine anyways. The cover is happy and cheery, perfect for the inside of my purse.

momME Weekly Planner Sheets

I included these because they would be a fold and go. I only think I would fold and went ;) in my world right now but in the near future I do like this model. I just need all the wee ones in school first :) I am for sure getting this system when things slow down around here.

The MomAgenda

This has all the bells and whistles for moms and what they need. I just need a landscape view of my weeks. They are very hip and come in some awesome colors as well as durable covers for us messy types.

Busy Body Book Family and Personal Organizers

This is one of the ones I was really taken with. Cute cover designs. And awesome for the family schedule that is visible so you know when to leave. And for me when to set an alarm to leave :) I may have to get one of the wall calendars (scroll down to the bottom). SUPER FAB.

So I decided to make my own :)

Ok so the top area is the weekly schedule Starting with Monday.

The second area for the important things to concentrate on. "Priorities"

Then there are "Ideas" areas for your children and hubby. Or the categories you have some idea about. Ha Ha. There are lines so you can add your own time schedule for each day. It has helped me really focus on the things I need to.

The inside pages are only printed on one side. So I can take notes on the page above the week. I have been using it for a month now and I LOVE how it focuses my brain. Check back with me next month when I have left it somewhere and can't function lol. That is until I print out another one :)

Based on this idea. The only complaint about the originals I had was they weren't "pretty" enough :) I reversed the design and made them blank so I could fill in the dates. I just printed it and spiral bound it. Oh and had them laminate the covers.
***If you download it please let me know what you think in the comments area :)

Here are the documents in pdf format.
The Front Cover here.
Download the inside page in weekly format.
Download for free the Back Cover.

So.....
Do you like other ones? Did you find one in Italy that we can get in the US and I don't know about it?? I wanna here about it.

I found a new site.....

2009-08-23T01:56:00.000-07:00

I know when don't I find new sites.....

But this one has easy sewing and creative projects to try. HELLO right up my alley? Heck YES.

Here is the latest and greatest one. I can't wait to do it and serve breakfast on these for the kiddos next wed. When SCHOOL STARTS!

Sorry here are the links

Creative Kismet

and table placemat will be the next project....

my picture???? soon my friends soon!
My camera charger died hope to get new one in the mail by next week or I'll cry a bit.

List list who has a list?

2009-08-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

For those who know me I love things, lots of things. Here is a list of just some of the things I love.

1. Good Deals on Clothes, Hand bags and pens.
2. Pens (Parker and Uniball Jetstream are at the top of the list right now)
3. New Planners/organizers
4. Journals
5. Digital scrap booking
6. Drawing
7. Carving
8. Playing out Doors
9. Selling crap around my house on ebay
10. Watching Grey's Anatomy, Lost, and Operation Repo.
11. Reading good books.
12. Munching on Mochi
13. Helping others.
14. Clean floors. (So rare I think it is like finding a treasure when it happens)
15. Making things.
16. The 'idea' of Sewing
18. Illustrator
19. Randomness.
20. Gardening

Twenty things you LOVE what are they? Post them and I will make you something :)

Self Portrait.....

2009-08-08T21:11:00.000-07:00

Ok Thing 2 is just cracking me up lately. I love that she loves to draw. But this cracked me up. Everytime she draws herself she is drawing this little stick person. I am so glad I am a mom. And her mom at that.

Imaginative Play taken too far.

2009-08-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, like thirty years ago. In a land called Idaho. There lived a little girl with lots of energy. She was two and took her diaper contents and spread it all over a beloved Dresser vanity mirror. "Finger Painting" was one of my favorite activites evidently. My father has yet to let anyone.... anyone let me forget by retelling the story over and over again. I was dubbed "PunkyDoodle" from then on.

Like many things it has come back full circle to me and my family. And payback's a _____(insert favorite word).
Here is a picture that describes (without a real description) what happened. Here is our newly bleached kitchen set. And no the accessories are not included anymore-sad face-or ewe face I can't tell which dominates at this time.

The Fish has a new nick name too. Lil' Chef.

Mr. Roboto:

2009-07-25T17:40:00.000-07:00

We started with an empty can. And ended up with these fun things. I got the idea here.

The good experience was worth it.

2009-07-23T23:52:00.001-07:00

N

The one thing I am really not content with here in Davis is the water and that it doesn't have fluoride in it.

She had gone to school and was coughing a bit. Her crown was from school that day. Thing 2 has cavities in her back molars. Two rather large cavities. The one we were into fix today was really big. 5 minutes into the procedure she was asleep. I couldn't have asked for a better way for things to go. She loved getting a "star in her tooth" and can't wait for the next one. We'll see how it goes.
We have another app mid next month. I hope she sleeps for that one :) She did awesome. I am glad we have the dentist we do. She is really great.

Free Tickets

2009-07-23T16:31:00.001-07:00

Oh you know there are few things better in this life than a great band in the summer evening sun. Are you wondering why Coldplay looks so close? Because when they put on a show they change the stage local. We were like 20 feet from them for three numbers!! It was AMAZING!

The Beach is such a wonderful thing.

2009-07-17T21:22:00.000-07:00

We just went to another Northern California Beach.
Heart's Desire Beach
It was awesome. The waves were non-existent the sand was a bit rocky, but great for the kids to stack and play with.
We were next to this family that had great shovels. They dug a trench and let the kids play. I am really considering what I can trade for shovels ;)

Farmers and their markets

2009-07-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

I love the fresh produce and the extreme fun for the kids. The farmer's market here is seriously a market on crack though there is so much fun to be had every Wed. night. We have been quite a bit this year.

There are benifits to apt. living.

2009-07-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

We have been here for awhile now we have some cool things going on here like apartment inspections. I have had three in the past two months. The city the county and the development company have all been out in the past little while. I love cleaning under pressure but to do it this many times really is getting this place functional. I am more organized and dirty laundry free. I feel like I am not able to work on anything when everything is clean. No organizing and re-arranging cause it is all done. What ON EARTH am I going to do with myself? I guess I could finish one of the MANY projects I have started. Like the business www.mommakes.com that is just stagnant and waiting to be done.

There are fun things to do too. Summer activities like:

The theatre that is putting on free movies.
Beaches
Camping
Lakes and Resivors
Library Free books
Gardening (future post)
Our town's Picnic in the park.

Friday we went.....

2009-07-07T17:13:00.000-07:00

To Muir Beach!! It was so much fun! This summer has been one out door adventure after another with our little troopers. The feedback thus far has been good :)

I have been really impressed with the way the kids have handled the time with the shortness of on hand cash. We have been just driving to local places and getting out to walk and play around. This summer has been the best so far. Can't wait to see what else we can get into this week!

Oh Say Can YOU SEE??

2009-07-07T16:45:00.000-07:00

The Fireworks? No not really, they were behind those trees like the parachuters were. But we all moved a slight bit over and could see everything just fine. It was fun to hang with the gals and all the families for a chill evening.

Here are some shots of the fourth of JULY ;)

Simple Sewing

2009-07-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: I am so excited to learn and look at fun projects, but really I totally understand my lack of skills in this arena.

Here are some links to some fun stuff.

Fabric flowers 1

another fabric flower

Sweet Sailors

2009-07-02T22:17:00.000-07:00

Yeah I hit this point about a month ago when Thing 1 kept saying these things that made me laugh but I have no tools YET in the tool box for.

He had just come home from school all excited about learning about Octopi. I was thrilled as he told me that they changed color when they were angry. I totally grabbed my trusty laptop and started looking up video of these creatures. I found some results and as I showed my son he started singing in a five year old cute voice.....

"Octopussy, Ocotopussy..... and I just lost it.... Laughing. I should have really held it together because a couple of days later he said it again just to make me giggle. It worked, but we were at home with no one around. No sweat. And now a month or so has gone by and I haven't heard it again.

I could just be going through this 'let's-visit-fifthgrade-again' phase but I think i just am there all the time.

So we are reading Scriptures and one of the Prophets of the Book of Mormon is Enos. Well you can tell we have been working hard to get Thing 1 to rhyme, and he is good.

"Enos, Pe.... " is what came out so fast I couldn't stop the high pitched cackle that escaped.

Ok so today we are getting out of the car and Thing 2 gives me the "I am tattling on my brother" look and says,

"Gabe just said "it's so freakin' da_n hot," to which Thing 1 looks at me with this one squinty eye of "dang what is going to be the punishment this time. "

He had said it about a week ago but I wasn't paying close attention just let it go by and not draw any attention to it... and we may have been in the church parking lot. But I had made mention it wasn't a thing we needed to say.

Well after Thing 2 had said the magic phrase together THE FISH chimes in with "freakin' DA_N" over and over like a broken record. Awesome.... can't wait for church on Sunday. Wonder if it will be Hot?

We have outlawed some choice phrases like.

Shut up

Stupid

I hate you

I don't love you

Which before we told them they were not to be used weren't use on a regular basis. I hear them everyday now. SIGH. I don't even want kindergarten to happen to these sweet sailors. Folks, when they find out my favorite swear,* is a swear, we are all in trouble with our moms.

*It begins with Sh.... and is proceeded by "Piece of...." or "Little...." and in times of great peril it has an "OHH".

What causes anxiety?? I have video of what does it for me.

2009-06-30T22:24:00.000-07:00

You may want to turn the sound down on your speakers. I will be purchasing ear plugs just to take the edge off.

Driving up out of the heat.

2009-06-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a hot day but like all hot days I just want out of the heat. We got out on this day. It was awesome!

We loved the camp sites around here too. Anyone want to go?

Someone Graduated!!

2009-06-30T20:33:00.000-07:00

One year down. This was last week and I was at traffic court fighting my ticket. I came right after they sang to everyone. But here are the shots of her special day.

She didn't feel that singing with her class was necessary for this party. So we have video of all the other children singing and Thing 2 just sitting in her Papa's arms with a frown. I will spare you another roller coaster video presentation :) In his defense he did have Thing 1 and the Fish to chase.

We had one fun time.

Flashing Back Friday

2009-06-26T16:29:00.000-07:00

Bobbie's World..... Yeah Howie Mandel you have to check him out with hair.

Animaniacs: good idea bad idea.... Yeah it was way too good to forget that one.

I was reminded of this one last night at our Women's Journey Art Class (which we did aprons SOOOOO cute! when I finish mine I will post all about it)

Giggling Gals

2009-06-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

My Thing 2 is such a funny girl. She heard she may be getting a shiny star on her teeth and now can't stop looking at the fillings in my mouth.

"I am going to get a shiny in my teeth?"

She was giggling as her teeth got cleaned. Who does that? My children. My kids love the dentist. They love getting them all shiny and clean. I just hope we continue to have positive stuff happening. She is going soon for a filling. She has enough for her to go get sedated and get them all done at the same time only I don't really like the thought of putting her under. We are going to "try" a filling first and depending how she does then we'll get the rest done. She is such a good kid I just don't want to spoil the joy she finds climbing into that chair :)

The Signs

2009-06-24T17:30:00.000-07:00

Every morning during the school year the parking spot we call our own has an annoying "perpetual puddle". I have a certain feeling as I leave my house one of disdain and disgust for this puddle. It is a rare time that all three children enter the van and do not have wet feet, pant legs or skirts. I have to call out to them "get to the car, and don't go into the water!!"

Every. Single. Time. WE ENTER THE CAR.

On Saturday my children dressed like this.........

And to my horror the puddle looked like this today......

I just can't figure out what Mickey is trying to tell me.

Been There Done That.....

2009-06-20T22:18:00.001-07:00

This week has been a whirl wind of people moving out of the ward and my children with me everywhere we went. So here is how it kinda went...

Monday....Worked out. Used the portable small screen in my van to play the DVD cause we didn't have keys to the library.Found out that King Fua is preggers. If she can have another maybe I wont need a sedation when I find out I am preggers next. (This is not an announcement. I am constantly paranoid about "expecting," I just never expect to be expecting.)

Tuesday.... worked out. Getting tired of Tony's voice lol. Fought with the Band over stupid stuff. Thing 2 is still in Preschool and so picked her up and went to the Park with VAL!! Yeah! Her kids are getting so big and I can't wait to see her new edition soon! Here are some shots of the wee ones at the park. I did ask everyone to look at the camera, but I guess I whispered it......in Korean. As we were walking back to the cars I got stung by a bee. Totally forgot how much those hurt. It was only my second sting ever. I have a new healthy respect for bees.

Wednesday Helped the A's clean their apt. And man I am going to miss them. We really have to get out to Utah to see them. Thing 1 helped clean the walls and had fun playing with the other kids. I just feel bad we couldn't stay and see them off. Picked up Thing 2 and she cracks me up about how excited she is to see us. She is always the last one eating snack. Wed night we had the neighbor kids come and chill while M went out with the girls.... Totally chill night. It was 11:30 and the smallest of the three wouldn't got to sleep and kept smacking me if I started to nod off. It made me laugh I was so tired that was all I could do.

Thursday Took the boys to WINCO. Another refreshing reminder why I don't shop with any one shorter than myself. As if I needed one after all the reminders of the past....like here... Or here on the old blog. I can't believe I tried it again. This time I had one lady cover her ears and shake her head. Yeah the fish has this crazy scream that he whips out only on special occasions. This was one really special one. For thirty minutes! I was loading the cart and he was at my knees trying to pull himself up my pant leg when I promptly put him back in the cart. He totally freaked and the checker came around the lane and opened my box of fruit snacks and handed him one single package. It was like he had administered a tranquilizer to my son. No crying. not a sound until I had packed up every item into neat little bags.

I felt better cause he started it all up again when my Band and Uncle Mike came to town :)
We went to McDonalds and had a good time watching the kiddos play and telling stories. You'll have to ask me about Octopus and the Book of Enos later. It was soo good to see Uncle Mike and catch up. I am sooo totally bummed that we won't be headed to the Family Reunion this month.
Here are the kids with their Uncle. Note: Thing 2 has an outfit on that defies all description.... this was her outfit # 3 of the day.

Then the Band left for HOBY. Don't know what HOBY is well I have a link for that. And yes you can ohhh and aawww over the site The Band and M put it together.

He left and won't be back til Sunday. I will be stunned to see all children still alive.

Friday It is the Band's Birthday and he is at HOBY and we all go see him around 1:45. The kids are going nuts and I am too by this time so no cute cake or any happy birthday festivities until later....I have to still cook something good up.

I got in the mail the cookbook that I printed on VIOVIO.com I love it! It came out awesome and all the recipes won't just be sitting any longer.

We go and clean up another family in the ward's apt. and man I took all three.... not really such a good idea if "Cleaning" is what you want to accomplish. I think we were there for a solid 45 minutes before the kids started to vacate the building on their own. I appologized and still feel bad that I wasn't much help.

Well that was it and today was a find the lost pair of Thing1's glasses for like 7 hours. My house was completely turned upside down and back today. Sorry kids. As Thing 1 put it "Can we do something really fun tomorrow Mom?"

Yep just getting that planned out now......

Friends leaving stinks....

2009-06-17T20:02:00.000-07:00

This week a bunch of people who are going to be moving away and starting their lives. As excited I am for them I do wish they were staying...I have decided to write all the things down I am going to miss.

Funny kid stories... Certain books that their children like :)

Scrapbook late nights. Where we plan to pull all-nighters but poop out around eleven.

Park Days.

I hope we can go see you all or you can come back and visit soon!