Snow Day

We went north of Strawberry to take the kids to play in the snow today. The kids hated being cold. (I can't image ever living in the snow again or with kids.) We brought a sled, and Raea was so fast; she would just lie down and go! I even went down. We found a nice quiet place, but getting out of there was so hard. Grant kept sinking into the snow and finally decided to crawl out. Can you tell that Larissa kept saying, "I'm scared. I'm scared"?

The next thing I have to do is to find someone who wants to go skiing with me.

Metro

We now have our very own train system! Today was the opening day of the Valley Metro Light Rail; it was insanely busy, but it was so fun! It can take us to the airport or downtown. Anyway, free rides for the rest of 2008.

Merry Christmas

It has been a great day. Surprisingly, the kids felt much better this morning and were able to celebrate in great fashion. Santa brought a bike for Ethan, HSM sing along dolls for Raea, Diamond Castle Princess for Larissa, and a crawl ball for Herston. Oh, and all the new jackets will be great to go play in the snow next weekend! (Wow, I can't believe how they have grown, Christmas 2007.)

Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas Eve

I wish you a little more health and happiness tonight.

Half Birthday/First Tooth

Herston is now 6 month old, and he celebrated with his first tooth. Raea found it although I don't approve of her randomly sticking her fingers in his mouth.

I think it was survival of the fittest. It is his way of telling me to give him more MEAT!

Christmas Lights

This was the Christmas Lights from my angle. (Raea brought her cousin-friend, and I loved all the looks from people who thought they were all mine.)

On the same day, we decorated the tree. The kids hung almost all of the ornaments, so it may not look Martha Stewart, however, I think it is just right.

Tummy Time

Seriously, isn't he such a cute, lil 20-pound chubber? I can't believe he is almost six months. (UPDATE from today's appointment, he is 23 lbs, and 27 inches.)

It is so nice of Larissa to get on the floor to keep him company.

P.S. The diapers Larissa wears at night are the same size on Herston's. (I can't get 3's to go around his waist anymore.)

Long Awaited Thanks

Thanks Bridgette and Karl for watching my older three kids this summer. It was such a help to know they were in good hands. They still talk about how old Karl is. (I don't know this significance of it.)

Kiss It!

This may be crude for some, so stop reading. This is my fun, crazy life.

In a busy office this week, Larissa said, "Mom, my butt hurts." I whisper back, "Your bottom hurts?"

She screams back, "Yes! My bum hurts!" She then starts jumping and wiggling in pain. I try to console her, but she keeps screaming her butt hurts and drawing a lot of attention to us. Then, she pulls her pants off.

"Larissa, put your pants back on."

"No, Mom. My butt hurts. Kiss it."

We now officially have everyone's eyes on us. I try to pull her pants up, but she starts to cry and screams, "Kiss my butt!"

Clearly, she was not giving me a pass, so I blew her bottom a kiss, but this just got her louder. I then kissed her hip. Close enough, right?

Jumping up and down, writhing in pain, she sticks her naked bottom in my face and screams again for the ump-teenth time, "Kiss my butt!"

There was no winning this one. The two year old did not care about anyone else, and in this public setting was not the time to discipline. So...

I leaned forward and kissed the bare cheek.

She then let me pull up her pants.

Don't Play With That

After getting stuck in Herston's walker, I think my kids finally understand that they are too big to play with the baby stuff.

The Magic Piano

So I am officially declaring Larissa day trained! Grandma bribed her with the piano and there was no turning back. Unfortunately, she has naturally given up her naps this week, too. However, she keeps reassuring me, "I'm happy; I don't need nap!"

It was a hard negotiation, but I am sold.

If only the magic piano could fix Ethan's broken foot...

Wrestling

It is just time for some more photos, especially since life has to go own after the best movie & GNO ever.

And yes, I do encourage my kids to wrestle. It is fun and tiring, and they like it.
I still do it with Grant.

Nail Fairy

On the way home from school today, Raea found a rusty old nail. She came home so excited! She asked if she could put it under her pillow for the Nail Fairy, who brings nail polish. She said her friend does it all the time.

Am I the only one unaware of the Nail Fairy?

Missing

One red MacArthur Elementary folder...with all the contents of my Master's Practicum research. Last seen Friday in the BDMC parking garage.

Unfortunately, this is for real!

Update

So I guess you could say with the lack of blogging, I have been busy. Here's the kids updates:

Raea- It is amazing how she is growing up. I have been told she is a little too social in school, and since I know her father, I am not surprised.

Ethan- Just this morning, he got mad at me for doing his hair wrong. He wanted it up and spiky. Seriously, I thought only girls cared about their looks that much?!

Larissa-We are starting to have so much fun with each other. Her new favorite phrase is, "Are you joking?". So cute from a two year old.

Herston-He is by far my biggest baby, and one of the happiest, which is nice because he keeps me so busy. He still has multiple specialists and multiple restrictions.

Pixie Dust

Last week, Raea and Larissa got their ears pierced. They love it, and Raea is so good about cleaning her and Larissa's ears! Somewhere in the world is a photo card with all the pictures to prove it.

Now today, I cut Larissa's hair, and she only has one more layer to grow out. I don't know if it is the hair or the ears that make her look grown up.

Halloween Photos

So glad someone took pictures of my kids on Halloween.

Thanks, Megan!

The Mommy Detective

Baby crying furiously downstairs.

Mom-Ethan, what happened?
Ethan-Herston's crying.
Mom-Did he miss his mommy? Or did he get hurt?
Ethan-He got hurt.
Mom-What did he do?
Ethan-He fell.
Knowing he is doesn't crawl or move much.
Mom-Where?
Ethan-On the floor.
Mom-What did he hurt?
Ethan-His head...on the Jack-in-the-box.
Mom-Were you trying to give him a hug? (i.e. were you trying to pick him up when you know you aren't supposed to?)
Ethan-Yeah, but it didn't work.

Grant promised me they would make it to adulthood; I am still not so sure.

My Rissy-Roo

So I was asked if Larissa smiles. Yes, on her own time and her own schedule. This is her minutes after the photo shoot.

I hope she always uses her strong personality for good. Wow, she is so much like me it is scary.

Yes, I am thinking of changing the blog name. It may be time to get rid of the last name.

Suggestions?

So Cute, It's Scary!

Happy Halloween!

The kids had a Halloween mini photo session from an amazing photographer all my friends know. She was able to capture their soul and their personalities with amazing color. She comes highly recommended.

Our Iron Woman

Alice is in town to do her first half iron man. Please come and cheer her on any time during the day. It will probably take about 7 hours, 6:56am to about 2:00pm.

Best Places To Watch:
Mill Ave bridge for swim, bike, and run.
Tempe Beach Park for swim, transition, and run.
Rio Salado Parkway for the bike.
And don't forget the Finish line.
(Look at maps below to see when she will be at these locations.)

Approximate times for Alice:
Swim Start: 6:56am
Swim Finish/Bike Start: ~7:30am
Bike Finish/ Run Start: ~11:30am
Finish Line: ~2:00pm

These are best guess calculations. Please pad times with at least 30 minutes on each side to make sure you don't miss any action.

For more information, visit Soma's website

Oh, Crap!

So I look at the clock and something weird clicks inside my brain. "Oh, crap, Raea! I missed your award assembly today!"

"I know, you weren't there."

Raea won the citizen award at school for the fall semester. I am falling apart, and she remains such a well adjusted kid. I promise it is nothing I'm doing. (Did I mention that I missed her parent-teacher conference and the parent information night, too?)

In memory of her receiving the winning attitude award for spring semester last year, please click here. Seriously, is she great or what!?!?

Let's Eat

Herston had swallowing therapy on Monday, and I was told I was starving the poor kid. Um, you couldn't tell by looking at him; he is 17.5 pounds!

It is good that I know people like Stephanie and Kate that can teach me cool tricks. Look at his focus.

We have an important swallowing study next Monday; wish us luck. This will let us know if he can have liquids, like water or formula.

He is home again and trying to get better.

Herston's Blessing

A baby blessing announces the baby's name to the church, and then a blessing is given to the baby. Herston's highlights:

• Opportunity to have trials
• A knowledge of prayer and miracles
• A strong body that will get him to adulthood

Mother Nature's Farm

Today Ethan's preschool went to the pumpkin patch at Mother Nature's Farm. No, it wasn't that cold today, only 75, but Ethan insisted on wearing his jacket the whole day. He is a true Arizona kid.

Deja vu
2008

2006

Guardian Angel

George passed away around the time Herston was born. We always felt that George was watching over Herston.

Everyday the neighborhood cat becomes a little more of our cat. We now call her, Callie.

I can't help but think Herston (and Raea who still misses George) made some good cat friends in heaven.

This is Herston's first hospital stay. It is a lot easier to look at these pictures now.

30 is kinda a big deal!

Happy Birthday, John! Wishing John a happy birthday is the only thing that will get me blogging during my surgery recovery.

John, you are pretty cool because you are a lot like me. I hope you have a great day! How 'bout those Sooners?!?