Oscars Survey

Every year my brother runs a Oscars survey to see who can come the closest to picking the results.  If you are a movie buff, here's his survey- you could win bragging rights. 
http://kwiksurveys.com/online-survey.php?surveyID=LHMJMN_611bad15
Since it's s survey designed for people who don't see many movies he does include extra information to help you make educated guesses.
Have fun!

lullaby

Friday night, James attended a lazer tag birthday party that went late (well, late for kids.)  When it was over it was half past 8 and the van was full of cranky kids who really just wanted to go to bed.  Rachel was the exception.  She was full of gusto.  So she decided to sing the big kids to sleep with one of her favorite songs: Good Night, Ladies.  Unfortunately, she only knows one line of the song, the part that goes "good night, ladies!"   So she sang it over and over again, pausing occasionally to shout a self request: "Louder!"   A few verses would have been fine with everyone, but this went on for miles and miles and one of the older kids lost patience and told her to shut up.  She was rightfully offended and hollered her hurt feelings for everyone to hear.  So everyone had to tell her what a great singer she was so that she would quit crying.  As soon as the crying was done, she was back to singing "Good Night, Ladies" in her best one year old way. 

macaroni cheese

Everytime we have a babysitter, I plan for the kids to have macaroni cheese for dinner.  I don't like it at all so I am happy to miss out.  I was at the store with Simon and Rachel on Friday, making preparations for the weekend.  When I started dumping boxes of macaroni cheese in the cart, Rachel cried out in an excited voice "OO babysitter!" and she was right.  We had a sitter scheduled for Saturday night.  Though I am not sure whether she made the connection between macaroni cheese and having a sitter OR if she calls macaroni cheese "babysitter." 

Park Day

Saturday I was looking for something fun to do with the kiddodiddos.  Since the weather was nice, I packed a few snacks and we headed over to a nearby park for some silly time.  Rachel and I did the slides (she is definately not independent at the park yet.)  Jonny and Rachel did the swings.  James and Jonny did kickball, football and basketball.  Amelia ran around doing slides with me and Rachel and invented games for herself and Simon to play.  There are these awesome bushes at this park.  They are about 3 and a half feet high and they look really solid but they are hollow undernearth.  Simon, Rachel and I played under there until I was told it was not for grownups (Simon's idea, but I was okay with it.) 
After eating a snack of bananas, Jonny collected the peels and lined them up on the ground.  Then he repeatedly ran across them, yelling updates as to whether they were slippery or not.  (I didn't slip!  I STILL didn't slip!)   This idea was not a new fascination, he frequently brings home drawings of people slipping on banana peels from school.
At one point, we were all on the teeter totter and James decided to show off his balance by doing that Russian dance on the center piece while we all went up and down.  You know the dance where the guys crouch down low and kick their legs and shout HEY! Maybe it's not Russian, but I associate it with Russia; also large black fuzzy hats.)  
Nice day, I hope for many more this spring!   

first grade musings

Jonny seems to bring home a lot more writing papers than my other children did in first grade.  I always crack up when I go through them.  Here's a recent sampling from my stack (the kids always complained when I recycled their old school work, so this year I am saving it all in a stack.  The stack is now almost 6 inches high.)

My fish can swim.
My fish can fight because he's a bada (betta)
My fish can do trix (tricks)
My fish can be asam (awesome.)

What doz (does) Owen eat?
Owen eats raps (wraps.)
What doz Logan eat?
Logan eats sushy (sushi)
What doz the class eat?
The class eats thar (their) bugers.
What doz Wes eat?
Wes eats bugers.
(this one made me wonder why I home schooled last year)

It was the time of the pie war "Pozon Bary at 3:00" (can't tell if he meant poison berry or boysenberry)
The pie war part 1
Said Jonny "troop fight!"
"I will make pies!" yelled Jacob
troop coming soon.
Pie war part 2
Gard the casl (guard the castle)
Jonny brakoe in the bakerary (jonny broke in the bakery) and flooded it.
(I like this one because it sounds adventurous and it was written in purple and red crayons to look more like berries)

and a book of random musings:
What does dracula eat? (with an illustration of a dracula with long rectangle fangs)
What does bunnicula eat?
Did vikings throw pie?
Does wind blow house tops off?
Do whales use their blow holes when they are next to a house? (picture of a whale squirting water at a house)
Do unicorns live?

things to hold on to

Kids grow fast and I can't freeze time no matter how hard I try.  Here are a few moments I'd like to hang on to, before they slip from memory:
One Sunday a few weeks ago, I was getting ready for church.  As I came out of my room to check on things, I found James in the bathroom where he had lined up his brothers and was carefully combing their hair WITHOUT being asked.  Now that's a treasure!

One day, I fell asleep on the couch while I was reading Simon stories.  I woke up 20 minutes later covered with a blanket and 4 pillow pets.  So nice to look out for me:)

Rachel is at an age where she likes to sing, but doesn't really remember the words to songs.  The other day we asked for a song and she was pleased to combine a few and come up with this: Jesus, Jesus ashes ashes we all fall down.  James said it sounded like the second coming.  I was thinking the same thing.

Amelia spent one after noon decorating hearts (lots of them) for our entry way.  We look so festive now, thanks to her talents. 

Simon is finally using the potty like a pro, thanks to an off comment by the doctor.  (he mentioned that kids poop with in a half hour after eatting- why didn't the 6 potty training books I read say that??!)  So now he does his constitutional after every meal and is clean as a whistle.  It crackes me up when he says he going off to "constaTOOT."

I read in a book a fun game called Memory Lane where you get a large bag of candy and give your kids a piece for every scripture they can recite.  It's so sweet to hear their voices proudly proclaim what they know.  I thought this would be fun for Sunday but the kids are clamoring for it other days too.  I try not to give in too much, I don't want the novelty to wear off.
 
I need to hold on to the sweet times because I know these kiddo diddos will be grown and gone before I know it.  I try not to dwell on that though- it makes me a weepy mess. 

the butter phase

I like to include the kids in the kitchen.  I like to cook and I like it when they join in.  I have a difficult time coming up with jobs for them sometimes though. 
Last week, preparing for Christmas dinner I had plenty of helpers in the kitchen.  I like the bustle.  Anyway, I was mixing something up (i forget what) and Rachel came up to ask for some of what I was making-  or so I thought.  I offered her some and she said no.  She pointed behind me, to Gary who had  unwrapped a stick of butter.  "THAT" she said pointing to the butter.  Funny thing about kids- they aren't embarrassed to tell you they would like to eat a stick of butter. 

I think it was last year, we were on a road trip and stopped at Cracker Barrel.  We ordered food and it was delivered.  I thought everyone had enjoyed their food but as we cleanned up, I realized that Simon had not eatten a bite from his plate.  Instead, he had managed to eat all of the butter packets on the table. 

And several years ago, after a stop at Bob Evans I found a bunch of empty butter cups in someone's bed.  Apparently he or she had taken them home as a doggy bag and enjoyed as a bed time snack. 

Once or twice I have had to throw out whole sticks of butter that showed signs of gnawing.  

I guess it's just one of those phases kids go through.  Then they figure out that butter is not a main course.   

About Whales

Last week, I took the kids to the library.  It's one place all the kids love.  We were there at story time and Rachel insisted we attend.  I was glad she did. I like it when she gets to do little kids things.  Most of the other kids are too big and so they hang out reading or looking for books.   Simon came in at the start of story time, themed about arctic animals.  Jonny came in half way through, with a stack of books.  He listened and read as the Rachel, Simon and I participated in songs and rhymes.  Then the librariam asked the group "What is blubber?"   The children were mystified until Jonny eagerly raised his hand and blurted out this wise knowledge "it is what you use to tell if a whale is pregnant or not."  Wow.  I had no idea blubber could do that:)  

Merry Christmas

The kiddodiddos were cooperative participants in a family nativity show this year.  They were acting their parts well: Amelia was Mary, Simon was Joseph, Jonny was the innkeeper AND the wiseman, James was the shepherd and Rachel was the angel.  Then as all gathered reverently kneeling around "baby Jesus" Rachel decided it looked like the perfect set up for a game of duck, duck, goose.  So she went around the circle ducking and goosing everyone.  The kids were real troopers and did not break character until the end.  Me not so much.  It was funny:)

The Latest Buzz

James has been selected to participate in the school spelling bee.  Wish him luck as he studies over the Christmas break!
Amelia  won the school wide PTA Reflections contest (this years theme: diversity means...) with the following poem:
Peace
Peace has many meanings
Peace will put you to sleep
Peace will give you good feelings
Peace will make you weep
Happy tears of joy is what peace means to me
Peace has many meanings
Look and you will see
Peace is diversity settling together
Peace is calmness no matter the weather
Peace is the soft, crisp snow falling
Peace is the sound of soft whispers calling
Peace is a home silent and still
on top of a dark, pitch black hill
Peace is wonderful.

I am so proud of my Amelia Rose.  Great job!

I Can Follow God's Plan for Me

I think that's the way the Primary song goes.  Simon was singing it to himself as he drove matchbox cars around.  The chorus went like this:
I will work and I will play.  I will walk in ev'ry one's way. And I will be happy on earth and in my home above.

I laughed and asked him to repeat, just to be sure I heard right.  The first time around, he thought those were the words.  The second time around, he wasn't so sure.

Say what?!

Simon and I were playing soccer in the front yard when he yelled out and pointed at the sky:
Hey MOM! I see Jesus coming!
I froze.  What can I do but turn around and look? 
The sun was behind the branches of the tall tree across the street shining brightly through the branches.  There were streams of light pouring through.  It was not Jesus (did I need to say that?)  But it sure was pretty. 

A Problem at School

Jonny came to me today to talk about school.  Here's how the conversation went
Jonny: Mom I have a problem at school. 
me:(very concerned) Oh, what's going on.
Jonny: Well, they are always playing music (aside: the teachers play a lot of background music in the classroom, mostly popular music, not sure why but they all do.)
and well... when I hear the music I can't sit still.  I just want to get up and dance.
Me:Oh man.  Jonny, I would have that problem too.  When I hear good music it's hard to hold still. 
Jonny: Yeah- I just want to get up and disco dance in the front of the class!

Not sure how to fix his problem, but I wish all school problems were that fun.

Totally Awesome Time

Amelia's school class just earned a reward for good behavior (over an exteneded period of time) and you'll never guess what the reward is.  A pajama party, but not just a wear your jammies to school party: it's way better then that.   It's a  bring your pj's, blankets and flashlights party.  The kids are going to make  blanket forts in the class room and then they get to have an hour of quiet reading (with flashlights) inside the forts.    Mia is our resident expert in blanket forts.  This should be something to behold.  I can't wait to hear how it goes.     

Happy Halloween!

Here's to a spooktacular Halloween!

Rachel's favortite thing is Minnie Mouse, so it was easy to pick out her costume.

Jonny thought it would be fun to be a bottle of ketchup.   If he were to choose his favorite condiment, he would have been a bottle of soy sauce. 

James is death, the one with his hands extended.  He was not able to bring his reaping tool to school, but it completed the look.

Amelia wanted to match Rachel, so she is Minnie Mouse too.  She is holding a book because the kids are required to choose a book character costume (and bring the book) on Halloween.  (Jonny used a science experiment book, in case you wondered.)

Here's Simon and I love him so much for being patient while I post this.   He was Harry Potter because Simon wanted to wear regular clothes on Halloween, but still participate.  He is wearing a medal he got for showing up for a fun run. 

The kids trick or treated at the mall until the treat bucket handles fell off from the weight of the candy.  Then they came home for homework and dinner before hitting the streets for more "loot."  The big question is:  Will the dentist be sending us a thank you after the next check ups?  (I think I saw a cha-ching! in her eyes after finding 6 cavities among them last time.  Sigh.)

Here's Jonny with his birthday cake.  He was very specific about how he wanted it to be: a layer of chocolate cake and a layer of mint chocolate chip ice cream with an edible nerf gun on top. NO FROSTING.  He consented to chocolate mousse for holding the layers together.

Knock Knock Jokes

The most recent round of knock knock jokes started like this:
Knock knock!
Who's there?
Chicken butt!!! Ha ha ha ha.
Now I don't like the word "butt."  I ask the kids not to use that word, hence the "hilarity" of this punch line.  After the first time, I had a little talk with the kids about appropriate references for one's gluteous maximus.   I won't equate the word "butt" with swearing, but I will say that I have always believed that prolific swearing is due to one of two things: small vocabulary or lack of creativity.  So I decided to build the children's vocabulary, discussing with them the plethora of more appropriate names for that part of the body: bottom, rump, posterior, "nether quarters," behind, gluteous maximus, patootie, the list went on and on.
Now the knock knock jokes go like this:
Knock Knock
Who's there?
Chicken bu-TOX! (Jonny's pronunciation of buttocks)
Not really sure that's an improvement, but it makes me laugh anyway. 

Disneyland!

Here are the kiddodiddos all ready for fun.  We departed Stansbury Park for Anaheim early Sunday morning, stopping for church in Arizona.  (Not one of our finer moments, but at least we tried.)  The kids packed "the essentials" and I was surprised that the jester hat was essential.  It made this 15 hour ride much more festive. 

Crowded into Roger Rabbit's car.  What a ride!

Meeting the Mouse: this is one of the nicest pictures we have of our family with Mickey. And this was one of the best trips to Disneyland.  

This is in Mickey's house, when you are waiting to meet him.  Fun times!

Here's Jonny in Dumbo.  He rode with Gary. 

Simon, Rachel and I rode Dumbo together.  Rachel cried when it was time to get off.  She cried when she had to get off every ride.

The workers had to pair our kids up just right to meet their age requirements. Kids under 8 can't ride without an adult.  Consequently, James and Amelia were frequently paired up.  You couldn't tell that here.  He's hiding because he does not want to be seen with Amelia (front Dumbo.)

We stopped by the Big Thunder Ranch to check out the animals.  This is the best smelling petting zoo, hands down.  Rachel liked the goat, but she thought it was a dog.

James, Simon, Mia, Jonny and Rachel line up in front of the Small World ride.  I was so looking forward to taking Rachel on this ride.  Babies love the colors, movement and music.  She cried in line and promptly fell asleep, missing the whole thing.  She also snoozed on Buzz Light Year's Space Ranger Spin.   

Mia on Small World. pretty girl!  One addition I enjoyed on the ride was cartoon Disney characters.  They are done in the style of Small World's other characters and are pretty subtle, but if you are looking you can find Jasmine and Aladdin, Ariel, Woody and Jesse, Pinocchio, and other friends. 

Jonny driving on Autopia.  Because of fast passes and baby swapping, I think Jonny ended up riding this a lot. (5 times)

  
Disneyland was great time.  We used a touring plan from a Disneyland guide book and made full use of our time there.  I love having a plan when we go.  It means that no time is wasted on figuring out what to do next and everyone is happy because they know that the rides they want are on the list. 
Fast passes and baby swapping let the kids ride the ride multiple times in a row.  For example here are a few ride totals from our more popular choices:
Splash Mountain:
Jonny and Amelia 4 or 5 (depending on who you ask)
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh:
James and Rachel 6+ times (James did Splash Mountain, but did not want to get more than once.  Consequently, he hung out on Winnie the Pooh with Rachel)
Indiana Jones:
Amelia and James 4
Autopia:
Jonny and Simon: at least 4 times 
Space Mountain:
Jonny and Amelia 2, Simon and James 1
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad:
Everyone but Rachel rode this once. 
Pirates of the Caribbean:
Everyone but Mom and Simon rode this.  It was "too scary."
Buzz Light Year
Everyone rode this twice.  Rachel was awake for one of those times
Star Tours:
Totally redone, Jonny and Amelia rode this twice.  Simon and Rachel were asleep in the stroller so they missed this one. 
Good time had by all.  Wish you could have joined in the fun!

Snowy 5K

Yesterday it snowed.  It never snows here before Halloween.  It happened to be the race day for James' Spooktacular 5K.  He joined a running club at the beginning of the year and has been running twice a week to prepare for his first race.  So, with snow on the ground he and about 300 other runners took off.  29 minutes later, with blue lips and a red nose he crossed the finish line!  He was tired but very happy to have made it the whole way.  I am so proud of James for finishing such a big race.   He can't wait to do it again.

What moms like

Last week, I attended a brief puppet show put on by Amelia's brownie troop.   The girls sang "The 13 days of Girls Scouts" (like the 12 days of Christmas, but they sang about all the things their troop has done.)  Amelia was day 2: painting on the wall.  Other girls sang about the girl scout promise, going to camp, etc.  When it was over I told Amelia how cute it was and how proud I was of her for singing so nicely and she went into this harangue about how moms like EVERYTHING because they are SUPPOSED to like everything, and didn't I realize no one was singing on key and wasn't I stupid not to know how dumb it was on my own.  So I was trying to hustle her out before she hurt someone's feelings when one of her troop mates (who was listening intently to our exchange) said "Mia, moms DON'T like everything.  They don't like clothes on your bedroom floor.  They don't like toys all over the house.  They don't like fighting..." and a few other things that I forgot.  I gave her a major Woot! Woot! and congratulated her for her words of wisdom. 

Mowgli

Last night I was reading to Rachel before bed.  It was a Jungle Book themed story.  When we got to a page with Mowgli, she pointed to his legs and asked "pants?"  I said "No, Mowgli doesn't wear pants."   We turned the page.  There was another Mowgli picture and Rachel repeated "no pants" then she suggested "skirt? shirt? YEAH"  I think she was trying to tell me he's got to wear something.