Blog background

So I changed the background for the summer. Now is your chance to weigh in. I have a feeling it is a bit busy and making it hard to read the text, so if you hate it just say so by posting a comment.

Scripture Master

This year the bishop promised a treat to the primary kids when they come and recite a scripture from memory to him around their birthday. So when the primary sings to the kids for their birthday they are given a pass for the bishop to go get their candy. I knew this would likely happen today for H, so we spent the morning memorizing the first article of faith (I figured this was an easy one that would come in handy later). For those of you not part of our faith the articles of faith are 12 statements about the beliefs of members of our religion. The first article of faith is "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." I figured it is rather short with language that he is familiar with, so why not. Well, he memorized it in about 5 minutes! I was super surprised and realized that I could have tried a harder one. He even did great when reciting it to the bishop. Way to go H! Extra bonus, he loved the candy! No shocker there. Is anyone else surprised that this kid is almost 6? I know the photo is kind of crazy, but these are the faces he gives me when I take photos.

phoenix fun

Our trip to AZ was fun. First came the travel, by car and plane. We all started out excited. Then, we began to wear out because we were up at 3:30am (or 12:30am AZ time). The kids actually got to go up in the cockpit for one of the flights (before we took off) and meet the captain. I am not sure they cared, but it was kind of fun!












While in AZ we saw Grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts, and friends. Sorry these are just a few of the the photos we took. I will have to get the photos from John's camera posted later.









We also went to three parties, a graduation, ate very yummy food, played with cousins, and went swimming.











We had a great trip - now we are just trying to get back on schedule. The kids are still on AZ time at bedtime (arrghhh).

Cold hot dogs

Either I am entering a new low in motherhood or I am just lazy. I am actually letting C eat cold hot dogs! I tried to convince her that they need to be warmed up, but she won't have any of it. Can you believe she isn't even 3 and already thinks I don't know anything. They say pick your battles, but I never envisioned that I would want to battle about eating cold hot dogs. Just to be clear I have a major thing against eating cold hot dogs. I used to have a student who ate cold hotdogs every day - morning, noon, and night - and her eating style was enough to turn me (and any other witnesses) off to any form of hotdogs entirely. I really hope this is a phase or there will be no hotdogs at our house.

Airport snafus

So our latest family airport adventures were enough to keep me away from an airport for a while. Let's just start by saying taking two kids on early morning and red eye flights sounds like a good idea in theory, but carrying a toddler and dragging a sleepy kid across airports when they want to sleep is not ideal or enjoyable in any way. Our flights were all good, but from our trip we learned a few things.
1-Arrive at the airport early - very early. We arrived at the airport for our first flight about an hour before take off, but we had to park in long term parking, take a shuttle in, and find the gate (which was confusing because we flew with US airways even though my itinerary said United). We honestly left our house at 3:45 am to go to Pittsburgh to catch a 7:30 flight. It is about a 3 hour drive, but with John's driving less. We arrived on the outskirts of Pittsburgh by about 5:30 or so and hit traffic - seriously why would anyone head to work so early? Long story short when we got to the gate it was about 35 min until our flight and we were not allowed on. They would not issue boarding passes or anything. We figured that they sold our seats or over booked so they had no seats for us to use. They rebooked us and we flew in bit later, but had a 5 hour layover instead of a direct flight. We arrived 6 hours later then originally planned, but it wasn't the end of the world. Just proves that dreams are not irrational because I had been having nightmares about missing our flight.
2- John may be on the terrorist watch list. I know this isn't something to joke about but he had his pocket knife confescated, and was detained for a while becaue of his rifle gear. This almost caused us to miss our last flight, so again I almost had my first heart attack at 29 (The first was when they wouldn't let us on our flight). I think I need to take up meditation, or start taking anti-anxiety drugs to cope.
3- Don't fly at times your kids will want to sleep unless you take a stroller. I think my kids are too old for strollers and we don't even own them anymore, but I am not about to carry C across an airport sleeping for a long long time! Just as a note nearly all of our gates were the last in the halls - which made the walk long and tiring with her in my arms. For those of you wondering why J didn't carry her, he was in charge of the bags.
4- H is a trooper. Seriously considering the situation he did so well. The only time he started to melt down a little was when we were waiting for J to get free from security and get on the flight. I think he could sense my anxiety and he kept crying and saying: "Mom I just want to sleep." I was thinking me too (mind you it was 11:15 at night and we were still operating about 2 hours behind that.
5- C can sleep anywhere. She slept almost the whole way home from about 10pm Mountain time to about 1pm Eastern time. She did wake up for a little while in between (switching planes, taking the shuttle, etc.), but mostly she just slept. What a nice child.
6- There's no place like home. While I love to go and visit family. There is a calm when you finally make it home. We are going to bed early tonight!

Happy Birthday Grandpa

Today we had spent a fun afternoon with Grandpa to celebrate his 71st birthday. We ate great food, the cousins played together, the adults chatted, and we all got hot! Welcome to Phoenix in May! Happy birthday Grandpa!

Dental depression

So I went to the dentist today and found out I have two small cavities. What? I am so sad! I try to take very good care of my teeth and visit the dentist every 6 months. What a bummer! I usually enjoy the dentist, but today I am not feeling the love at all. On a happy note C went with me and she was very well behaved even though she is a little under the weather.

Big Girl update

So C has continued to do well. Even the past couple of days she has been grouchy (kind of under the weather) and still not asking for the binkie and continuing to use the potty well. We celebrated with a funfetti cake. H was very excited. He loves parties. He made a sign just for the occasion.

New do

About week ago I got a my haircut. It is starting to get warm here (on and off) and with an upcoming trip to Phoenix I decided I didn't want any hair on my neck, so it is pretty short. Here are a few views. When C saw my new hair she said that I had Daddy hair. So maybe I went a little to short for her taste, but I am happy. Just for the record...have any of you ever seen a daddy with this haircut?

Mother's Day

I know it is a couple of days after the fact, but I figured I should at least blog about my day.

Here are the highlights.

• H started Mother's Day out on Friday. H came to me holding out a wrapped gift and said "Happy Mother's day." I replied "That isn't today, are you sure you want me to open that now?" He said "Well I dropped it on the blacktop (where he waits to be picked up from school) and I want to make sure it isn't broken." So, I opened a nice handmade piece of kindergarten pottery. It was very nice and painted with black and teal - very good colors.
• Sunday morning at 7:30 H woke me up to open two cards and wish me Happy Mother's day. Then we went downstairs to entertain himself so I could sleep in.
• C gave me an awesome gift as well - she slept until 9am, so I did too. When she woke up H told her to say Happy Mother's Day. She said it then and about 10 other times during the day. She also gave me a paper she colored and H wrote "Happy Mother's Dy." He noted that he forgot the a in day. Oh well.
• Then J made breakfast burritos. YUM. I really love them!
• Then I laid around until church and had a nice day with only 4 sunbeams - it is so much easier with 4 compared to 6.
• The day went on as normal - and at 10:30pm I finished out my day perfectly by talking on the phone to my mom for almost an hour. It was great to chat.

So on that note I thought I better pay tribute to Mother's. I can honestly say that my mother's day was perfect because I have a kid who makes me cards, love notes, gives me kisses, and teaches his sister to join in. H really made this Mother's day great. I have to say also that I have a wonderful mom who taught me all that basics to being a great mom. Plus she gave me the foundation of the gospel to learn where to get the answers and peace for the harder parts of parenting. I think my mom is the best ever, and I wouldn't trade her for the world. In fact I think she is so great that we should celebrate all month. I will be there shortly to do just that. Lots of love mom - and Happy Mother's Month!

binkie found

So I found the binkie - it was under the dishwasher. That should let you know how my house has been looking. Anyway, we proceeded with the binkie free zone last night and things went well. It makes putting her to bed a bit more difficult, but we are going to have a big girl party soon - with funfetti cake instead of pink to celebrate. C is really a big girl now. I have to be honest, it is sort of sad.

H is a good friend

Today we went to the park after school. H ran into a new boy in his class - he has only been there for a month or so. He was so excited to see H and H was happy to have someone to play with. Well as I watched to two of them it was clear that the other little boy wasn't the easiest child to play with. He clearly had some social/emotional and possibly cognitive delays. His mom came up and introduced herself, I noticed that she didn't resemble the child at all. She is white, he is clearly African American. It was then that I realized that he was probably in a foster care setting or recently adopted. His mom told me they are going through the process of adopting him right now and he is still adjusting. Anyway, H was so great he showed him how to do new things on the playground, he was patient, and really paid no attention to their differences. I was so proud of him! This is exactly the kind of child I was hoping to raise. What a good friend and son. On another note the mom was great too, and the kid was a lot of fun, even giving hugs to H as we left. Made me think of the Rhoton family! Love and miss you guys.

You have entered a binkie free zone

We have been wanting to be a binkie free household for a while now, but haven't really got up the guts to actually move forward. I figured my break from school would be a good time. Then last night when we couldn't find any binkie we were kind of forced into it. C wasn't really having it at first. I have been telling her that babies need her binkie, so last night when we were looking she said: "Mom the babies no need by binkie anymore." She also said "H will buy me a new pink binkie." Isn't she clever? Anyway, she wasn't pleased, but she went to sleep without it and slept all night. She hasn't even asked about it since. Hopefully tonight will be ok. I worry she might find it and we will have to start over. That would be awful.

Literacy project

So I joined a project for next semester. It is called the literacy project for short. I don't have a student lined up to work with at this point, but you really need to check out the link below because you won't believe what I tell you without watching the videos for yourself. The project started out trying to give kids with moderate to severe disabilities some more literacy exposure and prepare them for school so they could be better included in mainstream classrooms. What resulted is kids with Down syndrome, autism, and other disabilities reading at age 4. Many of these children are actually ahead of their peers in literacy skills. What is crazy is that this is with just an hour of instruction a week for a year. The materials are beginning to be marketed - and the American Federation of Teachers plans to train teachers across the country beginning this summer. So exciting. There is nothing like this out there right now!

Check out the link to the literacy project:
http://aacliteracy.psu.edu/

Check out the curriculum:
http://www.mayer-johnson.com/files/ALLProductInformation.pdf

So now that you are convinced...if you aren't you didn't look at the links...get the word out. This is only good if it is used.

Pot Pie

I love this meal! It is fast, easy, delicious, the whole family will eat it, veggies are included inside so no additional dishes, and it makes great left overs (if eaten within a few days). Maybe you would like to try it too?

Chicken pot pie

Filling: 2 cans cream of chicken soup (10.5 oz size)

2 chicken breasts cubed

2 small potatoes peeled and diced

2 medium carrots peeled and sliced

Frozen peas (to liking)

Crust - I usually cheat and use the store premade crust (the kind in rolls)

Boil the potatoes and carrots for 5 min or until just softened. Drain place in a bowl with cream of chicken soup, chicken, and as many frozen peas as you like. Lay first crust down in the bottom of the dish. Mold to dish and poke with a fork. Add in filling. Place other crust on top and pinch sides. Cut slits on top. Bake 400 for 35-45 min, until golden brown. Cool and enjoy.

Life of leisure

Today is my last day of writing before I take a week long break. Ok, it is possible that I might get some inspiration and break my pact of no writing this coming week, but you can't pick when you are inspired. I am excited to spend time with C & H (when he isn't in school). Summer school starts up on the 18th. Here is my list of things to do during my week of leisure:

• Vet appt for the dog.
• Dental appt for me
• Haircut (This is actually scheduled today, and I am very excited! It's going to be short!)
• enrichment meeting
• card making
• baby gift making
• complete childcare paperwork
• clean basement
• pack for move to new house
• Bake a pink cake - this was a request of C

Ok, so not too bad. I hope to add in reading Seabiscuit (so I can return it to mom when we go visit), sleeping in as often as possible, and snuggle time during Dora. While I am sure many of you are wondering if I have a different definition of leisure, this is about as good as it gets until after June 30th. Hope you all get to have a week of leisure soon as well.

White house

So a while back I posted about the state correctional facility that H mistook for the white house. I snapped a photo when we were out recently. The quality isn't great because it was taken in the car - I didn't want to cause a fuss and get the authorities on me. Now you can get a sense of why he made this mistake. I think it is one of the most coolest buildings around and the inmates live in it? Let's hope it's drafty!

Raising a diva?

So how do you know if you are raising a diva?

• Maybe she refers to her friends as her "people",


• Or tantrums when she can't find the right pair of shoes.


• Maybe she expects to be waited on hand and foot,


• Or she wears multiple outfits a day with all of accessories.


• Maybe she just enjoys laying around in the nude,


• Or she thinks all makeup belongs to her.


• Maybe she thrives off the attention that is paid to her each time she goes out


• Or when that attention is not received she screams.


• Maybe she poses for the camera a little too rapidly,


• Or eats whenever, whatever, and where ever she pleases.

Am I raising a diva, or is this just the life of a toddler? Either way please sign me up as well! I could use a little R & R, pampering, and dress up!

silly things

I know I could post all of these to the side of my blog, but there have been too many silly things said to name them all there. These are all from the horses' (kids') mouths...honest! Spelling is off to emphasize the way C talks. Sorry it has more about C. She is just says sillier things at this stage.

• C: "Where is my toofbrush?" H: "It is in the lost and found bag in our room." She walks away completely understanding what he said - and bring her toothbrush downstairs. Truth is they actually have a lost and found in their room. I know it is scary, but that is H's way to clean up quickly - at least he remembers what is in there.
• C: All in one breath "Today I went to the docker with Cacky (her sitter - Cathy). We went to McDonals. I had eggs (really? maybe they were serving breakfast still). Went to music cass." Then she starts singing all of her songs for who knows how long.
• John had a young man over about to carpool to soccer this weekend. C made fast friends with him. When they left this is what happened. C: "My friend, my friend, my friend, my friend..." You get the idea. He came back to say goodbye more formally. Can you say DRAMA?
• Today we went on a few errands. As we were leaving one store the clerk said "Have a nice day." C replied: "Have a nice day! See you later! See you later Grandpa" (to the man in line behind us).
• Today when we were shopping at another store C also wanted to sing the wheels on the bus the whole time. It was getting old since she kept asking "What's next." So we started adding animals on the bus. Here is a sample C: "The cow on the bus goes moo, moo, moo." The lady in line behind us got a kick out of that!
• As I pulled onto the freeway today C told me "Drive faster mom!" H usually says "Mom slow down I don't want you to get under arrested!" Good thing they weren't both in the car that time.
• C: "Mom I want to go to John's house" What she meant here is the job site - the house John is building. Oh, and speaking of that things are moving along - cabinets are in, flooring is started
• After asking H to do anything several times and then getting fed up when he won't listen I usually get more stern and throw in some kind of consequence if he decides to disobey again. This is usually what I get: H: "You're a mean mom!"
• We were shopping for new clothes for the kids - they just don't fit last year's summer clothing. I saw a shirt that said my mom rocks. Mom: "Hey H want a shirt that says my mom rocks?" H: "No! I want one that says my dad rocks!" Mom: "I don't think they have one like that." H looked irritated - why did I even bring it up? I look around and find one that says "My dad rocks!" Mom: "H what about this one?" Holding it up. H: "Yes I want that!"
• When we drop H at school C is always so excited to say goodbye. C: "Bye Hairsin. *air kiss* Love you!" H: "Bye C love you too" - in a half embarrassed half happy voice. "Bye mom." No verbal I love you - just the sign language for it. Maybe he thinks the other kids don't know what that means?
• H: "Mom, I can't wait to go visit Nana." Mom: "Why?" H: "I always get to have poptarts for every breakfast." I guess what happens at Nana's stays at Nana's because we don't have poptarts for breakfast here unless the Easter Bunny or Santa brings them.
• Mom: "C who is your best friend?" C: "Dora, Mom, Hairsin, Nana, Papa, Benn, Granpa, Hairsin, Dad, Granma" For those of you not on the list - don't fret - she'll add you in a second.
• This one just happened. C is playing outside with H collecting clovers, a favorite activity. C: "Mom I got cohvers for you. Here you go." She places them on the only piece of open desk space. Thanks! :)

That's enough for now, but trust me I could go on all night. Hope you got a laugh or two out of it. I am sure I did as well as a headache or two!