"I am thankful that it is fall because if it was winter, I would have to go south before transforming into a shark."
Jimmy, age 6
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Oh the JOY!
To quote Lewis and Clark: O the Joy!
Today was our ward's primary program. Jimmy and Amelia each had speaking parts. And they said them into the microphone. End of story.
(Stop here if you aren't in the mood for my venting.)
To fully appreciate what happened today, we must revisit last week when (horror or horrors) Amelia was forced to wear tights to church. She hated tights, but at least they kept her underpants covered better than her (flipped up) dress. She put up such a stink over the tights, I took her to the store to buy bloomers this week, hoping to solve the modesty issue this way. Unfortunately, she didn't like bloomers any more than she liked tights. This put her in an unfortunate mood for the primary program today.
Gary always handles behavior issues at church. He says it's a man's responsibility and what ever he says to them in the lobby always seems to work, so I keep out of it. We haven't had an incident at church for months. Unfortunately, he was out of town today, (leaving for California after lovingly strapping the rest of us into the van to go to church.)
I lead the music in sacrament meeting, so I rushed the family in so I could put up the hymn numbers before the meeting. As I posted the numbers, two of my four children began crying loudly. The third was punching the others and the fourth was under the bench. I quickly asked someone else to lead the music and ushered the kids to the overflow section where we would be less of a distraction. The howling stopped, but Amelia would only stand on her chair and Jonathan kept tipping over chairs so we vacated to the lobby where I carefully explainned that the Halloween candy would be going in the trash unless they shaped up. We made another attempt at the overflow section but ended up in the lobby again. They were lined up on the couch with Simon crying, Jimmy punching Amelia (for saying "tina you fat lard, come get your dinner-" we read it on a t shirt the day before and she still thought it was funny. Why it inspired violence, I'll never know.) and Jonathan out the doors. When Jonny escaped, Jimmy thought that was hilarious and Amelia thought it was a good idea. She followed suit. Some guy offered to hold Simon while hauled the 2 squirming escape artists back into the church. Then the bishop announced it was time for the children to come forward for the primary program.
Jimmy and Amelia went to the front. Jonny, Simon, and I calmly took our places in the back. Amelia wouldn't sit down. Everyone stood up to sing. She sat down. Everyone sat down, she got up and started jumping around. Her teacher tried talking to her. She ran around in circles on the stand. Finally, sandwiched between two members of the primary presidency she sat until it was her turn to go to the microphone and say "I am thankful for Italian food." Then she bolted out the door. I caught her and she "sat" with me. Jonny got tired of Amelia having all the fun, so he decided to try some antics of his own. Fortunately, he wasn't able to figure out the door to leave. The relief society president, realizing I was outnumbered, offered to take one of the kids. I handed her Jonathan, and he sat quietly on her lap for the remainder of the meeting. Simon got fussy, so I discreetly fed him in the back of the meeting room. I didn't want to miss Jimmy give his part. Amelia amused herself by taking off her shoes and socks. At this point, Amelia decided to "haunt" the aisles by walking up and down them with a blanket over her head. Fortunately, she didn't make the "WOO" sound that real ghosts make. So I dashed up the aisle to catch her; when I caught up, I realized that I couldn't carry her and Simon so I deposited him on a nearby bench while I hauled my ghostie to the back. Then I went to retrieve my poor baby boy. Then it was time for Jimmy to say his part. We stayed long enough to hear him say "I can serve my brother Simon by giving him a hug." A nice lady I was sitting by took Simon and I firmly marched Amelia out to the lobby, where we sat VERY REVERENTLY until the end of the meeting.
I cheerfully sent the kids off to primary and nursery and settled down to enjoy Sunday School with Simon. Really, I was cheerful. Simon started to whine and I remembered "oh yeah- you have a dirty diaper." After changing his diaper I settled down in the stinky solitude that is the mother's lounge. Amelia's teacher stuck her head in the door... Drat, she found me!
I suppose I should have been mad, but I wasn't. Just a little frustrated that I didn't have enough arms!
Today was our ward's primary program. Jimmy and Amelia each had speaking parts. And they said them into the microphone. End of story.
(Stop here if you aren't in the mood for my venting.)
To fully appreciate what happened today, we must revisit last week when (horror or horrors) Amelia was forced to wear tights to church. She hated tights, but at least they kept her underpants covered better than her (flipped up) dress. She put up such a stink over the tights, I took her to the store to buy bloomers this week, hoping to solve the modesty issue this way. Unfortunately, she didn't like bloomers any more than she liked tights. This put her in an unfortunate mood for the primary program today.
Gary always handles behavior issues at church. He says it's a man's responsibility and what ever he says to them in the lobby always seems to work, so I keep out of it. We haven't had an incident at church for months. Unfortunately, he was out of town today, (leaving for California after lovingly strapping the rest of us into the van to go to church.)
I lead the music in sacrament meeting, so I rushed the family in so I could put up the hymn numbers before the meeting. As I posted the numbers, two of my four children began crying loudly. The third was punching the others and the fourth was under the bench. I quickly asked someone else to lead the music and ushered the kids to the overflow section where we would be less of a distraction. The howling stopped, but Amelia would only stand on her chair and Jonathan kept tipping over chairs so we vacated to the lobby where I carefully explainned that the Halloween candy would be going in the trash unless they shaped up. We made another attempt at the overflow section but ended up in the lobby again. They were lined up on the couch with Simon crying, Jimmy punching Amelia (for saying "tina you fat lard, come get your dinner-" we read it on a t shirt the day before and she still thought it was funny. Why it inspired violence, I'll never know.) and Jonathan out the doors. When Jonny escaped, Jimmy thought that was hilarious and Amelia thought it was a good idea. She followed suit. Some guy offered to hold Simon while hauled the 2 squirming escape artists back into the church. Then the bishop announced it was time for the children to come forward for the primary program.
Jimmy and Amelia went to the front. Jonny, Simon, and I calmly took our places in the back. Amelia wouldn't sit down. Everyone stood up to sing. She sat down. Everyone sat down, she got up and started jumping around. Her teacher tried talking to her. She ran around in circles on the stand. Finally, sandwiched between two members of the primary presidency she sat until it was her turn to go to the microphone and say "I am thankful for Italian food." Then she bolted out the door. I caught her and she "sat" with me. Jonny got tired of Amelia having all the fun, so he decided to try some antics of his own. Fortunately, he wasn't able to figure out the door to leave. The relief society president, realizing I was outnumbered, offered to take one of the kids. I handed her Jonathan, and he sat quietly on her lap for the remainder of the meeting. Simon got fussy, so I discreetly fed him in the back of the meeting room. I didn't want to miss Jimmy give his part. Amelia amused herself by taking off her shoes and socks. At this point, Amelia decided to "haunt" the aisles by walking up and down them with a blanket over her head. Fortunately, she didn't make the "WOO" sound that real ghosts make. So I dashed up the aisle to catch her; when I caught up, I realized that I couldn't carry her and Simon so I deposited him on a nearby bench while I hauled my ghostie to the back. Then I went to retrieve my poor baby boy. Then it was time for Jimmy to say his part. We stayed long enough to hear him say "I can serve my brother Simon by giving him a hug." A nice lady I was sitting by took Simon and I firmly marched Amelia out to the lobby, where we sat VERY REVERENTLY until the end of the meeting.
I cheerfully sent the kids off to primary and nursery and settled down to enjoy Sunday School with Simon. Really, I was cheerful. Simon started to whine and I remembered "oh yeah- you have a dirty diaper." After changing his diaper I settled down in the stinky solitude that is the mother's lounge. Amelia's teacher stuck her head in the door... Drat, she found me!
I suppose I should have been mad, but I wasn't. Just a little frustrated that I didn't have enough arms!
Catch Up: Photos from the last 6 months
Jonny's other birthday suit. He was busy watching Shark Boy and Lava Girl when this photo was snapped. 
The morning ride to the school bus.
Halloween pumpkins- Jimmy's has an identical smile on the other side. 
August was occupied by bargain Tae Kwon Do lesssons. 
Take a picture of me with my ponies!
Take a picture of me with my brother!
A couple of weeks ago, I took my kids and the children of a friend to the temple grounds and visitor's centers. Here's a few photos from the trip. I really like this picture of Henry touching Jesus feet. Don't we all wish we could do that?
The kids enjoyed a quiet moment, taking in the statue of the Savior. (L-R Jonathan, Amelia, Evalyn)
Many Saturdays were spent waiting for Daddy at the airport last spring/summer. Thankfully the travel has slowed down.
One of the precious bouquets that 4 year olds give their mothers. Enjoy them while you can! 
Hiding the evidence: Jonathan has a goatee of Qwik (from eatting it out of the can) and sat on the can in an attempt to hide his mischief.
Our first family fishing trip. Notice the stylish matching do rags!
Everyone has a hobby- Jonathan's happens to be spinning salad.Thursday, November 08, 2007
Halloween Lingers On
RIght before Halloween, Jimmy came home from school talking about his classroom jack o lantern. It was really gross, he said. It was totally disgusting and slimy inside. Given his comments, I figured he didn't want to carve his own pumpkin, which was decorated with Halloween-y stickers.
Two days ago, almost a full week after Halloween, he asked if he could carve his pumpkin. I was surprised, but agreed to carve out whatever he drew on the pumpkin. Our knives are REALLY sharp and I didn't want him to get hurt (as an aside, I sliced through my finger about a year after we got married and had to have it stitched- same knife, still sharp!) He drew two mouths on the pumpkin, one on each side. Similarly, I carved Amelia's pumpkin. She opted for the whole face.
At lunch yesterday, the kids amused themselves with the jack o lanterns. Jonny fed Jimmy's pumpkin rice, alternately feeding one mouth and then the other. Then he took of the lid and shouted "Hello!" I was surprised when he also provided an echo "hello!" Amelia thought that was really funny, so she did it too. Who knew jack o lanterns could be so much fun!
Two days ago, almost a full week after Halloween, he asked if he could carve his pumpkin. I was surprised, but agreed to carve out whatever he drew on the pumpkin. Our knives are REALLY sharp and I didn't want him to get hurt (as an aside, I sliced through my finger about a year after we got married and had to have it stitched- same knife, still sharp!) He drew two mouths on the pumpkin, one on each side. Similarly, I carved Amelia's pumpkin. She opted for the whole face.
At lunch yesterday, the kids amused themselves with the jack o lanterns. Jonny fed Jimmy's pumpkin rice, alternately feeding one mouth and then the other. Then he took of the lid and shouted "Hello!" I was surprised when he also provided an echo "hello!" Amelia thought that was really funny, so she did it too. Who knew jack o lanterns could be so much fun!
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Book Reports
Last school year, Jimmy wrote a couple of book reports (one liners- not too much for a kindergartener) that had me laughing. His school was doing a program with a passport, where you got a stamp in your passport everytime you read a book that took place in another country.
Book Report #1 The Trojan War (He LOVES this book and told his first grade teacher all about it in great detail. She asked to borrow it and we still need it back. I think she was trying to gauge his reading level. )
Back to the kindergarten book report:
The Chrogin Horse. The griks won the wor. (The Trojan Horse. The Greeks won the war.)
Book Report #2 about the Titanic
"It wasn't the safest boat."
The memory of these book reports make me smile, and I wish I had saved them so I had them written in his cute handwriting.
PS Thanks, Mom for sending these books. He loves them so much, as well as the King Tut one. He is fascinated by things that REALLY happened.
Book Report #1 The Trojan War (He LOVES this book and told his first grade teacher all about it in great detail. She asked to borrow it and we still need it back. I think she was trying to gauge his reading level. )
Back to the kindergarten book report:
The Chrogin Horse. The griks won the wor. (The Trojan Horse. The Greeks won the war.)
Book Report #2 about the Titanic
"It wasn't the safest boat."
The memory of these book reports make me smile, and I wish I had saved them so I had them written in his cute handwriting.
PS Thanks, Mom for sending these books. He loves them so much, as well as the King Tut one. He is fascinated by things that REALLY happened.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Halloween
Just a quick note, more to follow when the day arrives, I'm sure.
After the trunk or treat party, Amelia was enjoying her candies. "I sure like these coconut ones" she remarked.
If you are the first to guess what the "coconut ones" are called, I'll mail you some!
After the trunk or treat party, Amelia was enjoying her candies. "I sure like these coconut ones" she remarked.
If you are the first to guess what the "coconut ones" are called, I'll mail you some!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Jonny's Belly Button
Every time Jonathan sees me feeding the baby, he pulls up his shirt and holds his belly button (an outie.) He seems to think that is where the milk for the baby comes from. Once or twice, I caught him encouraging Simon "suck my belly button." A few days ago, I noticed him "feeding" a glow in the dark lizard from his belly button.
Amelia's Theme Parks
Ever since we went to DisneyWorld, Amelia has been talking about her own theme park, Disney Love Heart. She encourages me and Jimmy to make up rides to put in her theme park.
Some of the rides include "Lava Girl's Flamethrower" (a big slide shaped like Lava Girl, where you slide down her arm and out the flame thrower she is holding) and "Turner's Big Spin" is one of those towers with the room that spins up and down and gives you a view of the park. It is shaped like a bolt and the nut is the spinning room that goes up and down. Most of her rides are okay for pregnant women, she says. This was an issue on our last vacation.
Two nights ago, she started talking about "Hershey Lovers." I thought this was her version of Hershey Park. I was wrong. She asked me and Gary to play Hershey Lovers. "What's that?" we asked.
"Well," she explained, "Mom and Dad sit on the couch and then we pretend that babies are popping out of her tummy"
"?!"
"Well, we don't really pop out of her tummy, we hide around the room and pop out."
Some of the rides include "Lava Girl's Flamethrower" (a big slide shaped like Lava Girl, where you slide down her arm and out the flame thrower she is holding) and "Turner's Big Spin" is one of those towers with the room that spins up and down and gives you a view of the park. It is shaped like a bolt and the nut is the spinning room that goes up and down. Most of her rides are okay for pregnant women, she says. This was an issue on our last vacation.
Two nights ago, she started talking about "Hershey Lovers." I thought this was her version of Hershey Park. I was wrong. She asked me and Gary to play Hershey Lovers. "What's that?" we asked.
"Well," she explained, "Mom and Dad sit on the couch and then we pretend that babies are popping out of her tummy"
"?!"
"Well, we don't really pop out of her tummy, we hide around the room and pop out."
Sunday, October 14, 2007
HIking Mary's Rock
Gary decided to take the day off on Monday, Columbus Day and since the weather was nice we decided to go on a hike. Gary chose a nice hike for us to the top of Mary's Rock in the Shenandoah Valley. It took about an hour and forty minutes to get there. It was a pretty drive, out through the more rural parts of Northern Virginia. The leaves on some of the trees were just starting to turn colors. Most were still green.
We ate lunch in the parking lot near the trail head. Much to our surprise, Jimmy's soccer coach and his teammate pulled up next to us and started on the same hike! We saw them again once we reached the top.
After cleaning up lunch, and inserting babies into carriers, we started off: me with Simon on my front, Gary with Jonathan on his back, Amelia with a really big stick, and Jimmy empty handed but raring to go.
The hike started with a lot of steep up hill. It would have been harder in warm weather, but we were blessed to have a nice cool day and lots of shade from the trees. Jimmy lead the way the entire way. He was full of energy. That is good. Amelia was excited for the first half mile and she was not far behind. Simon and I came next, with Gary and Jonathan bringing up the rear.
The trail we started on eventually met up with the Appalachian Trail. I had always heard of that trail and was fascinated when Gary told me it is 2000 miles long. I think we were on it for 1 mile. I guess that only leaves 1999 miles left to explore! It is a very well maintained trail, through beautiful forest and rock. I don't know what kind of trees there are, but they are not like the evergreen forests I hiked in as a kid. A few of the trees were starting to turn color for the fall, but I think that they are a few weeks away from peak color.
Once we got on the Applalachian Trail, Amelia lost her steam and started complaining. Everything was stupid. She sat down many times and refused to get up. She dragged her feet and whined. I lagged behind with her, trying to jolly her along.
"Think of the pioneers," I said. "They liked to sing when they walked. What song should we sing while we walk?"
"I don't want to sing," she said. "This is the worst day ever!"
Thus inspired, I made up a song for her entitled "The Worst Day Ever" This song is not directly a rip off of Sponge Bob's Best Day Ever Song (the kids love to check this cd out from the library) but it is close.
It's the worst day ever! It's the worst day ever!
We're on a hike and it is so long! Chon chon chon cha cha chon chon chon (no, it doesn't mean anything, it just fills space in the song)
And this is our worst day ever song!
Chon chon chon cha cha chon chon chon!
It's the worst day ever!
The worst day EVER!
No, it's not a master piece, but it did get her to the top of the mountain.
Once at the top, the kids thoroughly enjoyed climbing all over the very large rocks at the top of Mary's Rock and we really enjoyed the spectacular view of the valley.
It may have been Amelia's worst day ever, but it was the best day I've had in a long time.
The thrill of reaching the top is evident on Amelia's face. There were lots of great rocks for the kids to climb on.
This is us, at the start of the trail.
Here we are where the original trail meets up with the Appalachian Trail.
Jimmy had loads of energy, as a 6 year old should. He always ran ahead, and here he is having fun on a big rock next to the trail.
We have a book called Donald Duck, Mountain Climber. It's Jonathan's favorite. I asked him if he was a mountain climber and he said "Yes!" and then I asked (or Gary asked) if he could think of any other mountain climbers. We expected he would say "Unca Donald" (he calls Donald Duck "uncle Donald,") and were surprised (and pleased) that he responded "Daddy!"
This is me and Amelia. We are probably singing Amelia's song.
We ate lunch in the parking lot near the trail head. Much to our surprise, Jimmy's soccer coach and his teammate pulled up next to us and started on the same hike! We saw them again once we reached the top.
After cleaning up lunch, and inserting babies into carriers, we started off: me with Simon on my front, Gary with Jonathan on his back, Amelia with a really big stick, and Jimmy empty handed but raring to go.
The hike started with a lot of steep up hill. It would have been harder in warm weather, but we were blessed to have a nice cool day and lots of shade from the trees. Jimmy lead the way the entire way. He was full of energy. That is good. Amelia was excited for the first half mile and she was not far behind. Simon and I came next, with Gary and Jonathan bringing up the rear.
The trail we started on eventually met up with the Appalachian Trail. I had always heard of that trail and was fascinated when Gary told me it is 2000 miles long. I think we were on it for 1 mile. I guess that only leaves 1999 miles left to explore! It is a very well maintained trail, through beautiful forest and rock. I don't know what kind of trees there are, but they are not like the evergreen forests I hiked in as a kid. A few of the trees were starting to turn color for the fall, but I think that they are a few weeks away from peak color.
Once we got on the Applalachian Trail, Amelia lost her steam and started complaining. Everything was stupid. She sat down many times and refused to get up. She dragged her feet and whined. I lagged behind with her, trying to jolly her along.
"Think of the pioneers," I said. "They liked to sing when they walked. What song should we sing while we walk?"
"I don't want to sing," she said. "This is the worst day ever!"
Thus inspired, I made up a song for her entitled "The Worst Day Ever" This song is not directly a rip off of Sponge Bob's Best Day Ever Song (the kids love to check this cd out from the library) but it is close.
It's the worst day ever! It's the worst day ever!
We're on a hike and it is so long! Chon chon chon cha cha chon chon chon (no, it doesn't mean anything, it just fills space in the song)
And this is our worst day ever song!
Chon chon chon cha cha chon chon chon!
It's the worst day ever!
The worst day EVER!
No, it's not a master piece, but it did get her to the top of the mountain.
Once at the top, the kids thoroughly enjoyed climbing all over the very large rocks at the top of Mary's Rock and we really enjoyed the spectacular view of the valley.
It may have been Amelia's worst day ever, but it was the best day I've had in a long time.
The thrill of reaching the top is evident on Amelia's face. There were lots of great rocks for the kids to climb on. This is us, at the start of the trail. Here we are where the original trail meets up with the Appalachian Trail. Jimmy had loads of energy, as a 6 year old should. He always ran ahead, and here he is having fun on a big rock next to the trail. We have a book called Donald Duck, Mountain Climber. It's Jonathan's favorite. I asked him if he was a mountain climber and he said "Yes!" and then I asked (or Gary asked) if he could think of any other mountain climbers. We expected he would say "Unca Donald" (he calls Donald Duck "uncle Donald,") and were surprised (and pleased) that he responded "Daddy!" 
This is me and Amelia. We are probably singing Amelia's song.Jonathan's Birthday
Last week was Jonathan's birthday. He really looked forward to it for a long time. He knew what he wanted: a bike and an Elmo cake. Here's the family with the birthday boy and the much desired Elmo cake. He doesn't really know anything about Elmo, but he liked the Elmo pinata at Gary's company's picnic last week and has been excited about him ever since.
We didn't get a picture of him on the bike yet, but here's one of him in his Tigger suit*, opening his Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. This is what he chose with the money that Nana and Pop sent for his birthday. Thanks!
Jousting part 2
Here is Jimmy pretending to joust. Notice the powdered sugar on his nose, which the kids enjoyed while watching the joust.
Jonathan was so disappointed that he did not get to ride the horses, so I took a picture of him with some horses. Gary's post pretty much says the rest.
National Jousting Championship 2007
Yesterday we attended the National Jousting Championship in Aldie, Virginia. It was interesting, even if it wasn't as dangerous or swashbuckling as we previously imagined. It was a competition of speed and skill, with horseback riders ("knights" and "maids") riding at top speed and trying to spear three rings, as small as 1/4 inch in diameter!
Hopefully we'll attend again next year.
Hopefully we'll attend again next year.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Procrastination
This is the family, right before we broke our pinata. It's a Mickey head that the kids and I made from free Harris Teeter balloons (our grocery store) and papier mache. It is painted to look like Toodles from the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It was intended to be for a pre- DisneyWorld vacation celebration. But we left early and didn't have the celebration. Then it was intended to be a welcome home/ease the vacation let down activity. But that didn't happen. Then it was going to celebrate the end of summer vacation. Then it was going to be for the first day of school. Then it was going to keep the kids busy while I was in labor. Then it was going to be a welcome home from the hospital thing. Then one Friday night, I was tired of waiting for candy, and I said, "Let's just break it open tonight." So we did.Family Photos
Nice try!
Today, I got out the camera to take pictures of the kids to post on this site. (Hopefully I find the cable to connect the camera to the computer and actually post them:( )
Jonny kept asking "Can I take a picture Mommy?"
After repeated "no's" I finally said:
No matter how many times you ask, Mommy does not change her mind. Mommy might get mad, but she will not change her mind.
Jonny thought for a minute and then said "Can I take a picture GRANDMA?"
Jonny kept asking "Can I take a picture Mommy?"
After repeated "no's" I finally said:
No matter how many times you ask, Mommy does not change her mind. Mommy might get mad, but she will not change her mind.
Jonny thought for a minute and then said "Can I take a picture GRANDMA?"
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Amelia's Art
Amelia was feeling artsy the other day. She painted a picture of each of the family members. She made the kids big and the grown ups bigger. Each person has a huge hand. That was so that after she carefully cut around each person, she could tape them together holding hands. She also painted a picture of baby Moses for her family night lesson. (Yes, it has been more than a year and she is still teaching us the same Moses lesson every time.)
So she didn't finish her project on Monday. So Tuesday morning, she cut out her pictures and taped them together. It was really cute! I commented on what a nice, happy family picture she made. Then I noticed that she included baby Moses in the group. I asked if Moses was in the family. She said "That's not Moses. That's another baby, just in case."
So she didn't finish her project on Monday. So Tuesday morning, she cut out her pictures and taped them together. It was really cute! I commented on what a nice, happy family picture she made. Then I noticed that she included baby Moses in the group. I asked if Moses was in the family. She said "That's not Moses. That's another baby, just in case."
Still the Scientist
When Jimmy came home from school one day, he noticed my Avent Isis (pump)on the counter next to the sink. A huge grin spread across his face and he exclaimed :What kind of science experiment is that?!
(Amelia explained it to him.)
(Amelia explained it to him.)
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Untitled
When complete strangers see me with the kids, they most likely remark "You have your hands full." I usually respond with a smile and "not really."
But last Thursday's soccer practice was an exception. We were going to be there on time for once! I opened the car doors, let Jimmy run ahead, and started gathering kids, etc. Laiden with Simon, 3 folding chairs, and a diaper bag, Amelia, Jonathan and I crossed the street. When we got to the other side, where the practice was, Jonathan noticed that I grabbed the green and blue chairs and he wanted the black chair. It was in the car. So he did what any almost 2 year old would do. He had a tantrum. And it was big. I stood their waiting for it to blow over for a few minutes. It did not blow over and nothing I said helped. So I put down my things, and sat down to wait. Why didn't I go back for the black chair? Because I am as stubborn as my kids, and having a tantrum is no way to get me to cooperate. So after 15 minutes of coaxing and waiting, I gathered my things again, this time including Jonathan in my haul and slowly made my way to Jimmy's practice. It was across the school from the parking lot. As I made my way, carrying 3 folding chairs, one diaper bag, one almost 2 year old (still screaming and flailing), and an infant, someone stopped to tell me I had my hands full. For once, I agreed. But I didn't say so. They didn't stop to listen.
But last Thursday's soccer practice was an exception. We were going to be there on time for once! I opened the car doors, let Jimmy run ahead, and started gathering kids, etc. Laiden with Simon, 3 folding chairs, and a diaper bag, Amelia, Jonathan and I crossed the street. When we got to the other side, where the practice was, Jonathan noticed that I grabbed the green and blue chairs and he wanted the black chair. It was in the car. So he did what any almost 2 year old would do. He had a tantrum. And it was big. I stood their waiting for it to blow over for a few minutes. It did not blow over and nothing I said helped. So I put down my things, and sat down to wait. Why didn't I go back for the black chair? Because I am as stubborn as my kids, and having a tantrum is no way to get me to cooperate. So after 15 minutes of coaxing and waiting, I gathered my things again, this time including Jonathan in my haul and slowly made my way to Jimmy's practice. It was across the school from the parking lot. As I made my way, carrying 3 folding chairs, one diaper bag, one almost 2 year old (still screaming and flailing), and an infant, someone stopped to tell me I had my hands full. For once, I agreed. But I didn't say so. They didn't stop to listen.
Monday, September 17, 2007
The Mad Scientist
Jimmy has taken the new addition to the family the hardest. I think it has been difficult to adjust to a full school day and a new baby at the same time. He is often crabby about something or other. I get caught up in his moods and I forget to laugh. But really, Jimmy gets wound up about funny things.
The other day, I was putting the kids to bed and Jimmy reminded me that we ran out of time for his science experiment. I told him if he was good for the scriptures we could do the experiment after the prayer. He agreed, so I was surprised when he hit Jonathan with the science experiment book. So I said we had to save the experiment for the next day. Jimmy was really upset about that and spent the next hour sneaking out of bed to attempt the science experiment. When Gary got home, I told him about "Jimmy's Rebellion." Gary thought it was the funniest thing! What kid sneaks out of bed to do science?!
We did do the experiment the following day- put the end of a rolled up paper towel in a glass of colored water and watch the water climb the towel. The kids were suitably impressed.
The other day, I was putting the kids to bed and Jimmy reminded me that we ran out of time for his science experiment. I told him if he was good for the scriptures we could do the experiment after the prayer. He agreed, so I was surprised when he hit Jonathan with the science experiment book. So I said we had to save the experiment for the next day. Jimmy was really upset about that and spent the next hour sneaking out of bed to attempt the science experiment. When Gary got home, I told him about "Jimmy's Rebellion." Gary thought it was the funniest thing! What kid sneaks out of bed to do science?!
We did do the experiment the following day- put the end of a rolled up paper towel in a glass of colored water and watch the water climb the towel. The kids were suitably impressed.
The Woes of a Middle Child
A few days ago, Jonathan said his longest sentence yet.
I was puttering around in the kitchen, putting milk in the freezer for Simon and getting a cup of milk for Jonathan. As I did my business, I rambled about Jonathan and Simon and how they both like milk. I guess it was a bit much for Jonathan to follow because he said:
"I don't want to be called Simon, Mommy."
I was puttering around in the kitchen, putting milk in the freezer for Simon and getting a cup of milk for Jonathan. As I did my business, I rambled about Jonathan and Simon and how they both like milk. I guess it was a bit much for Jonathan to follow because he said:
"I don't want to be called Simon, Mommy."
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