Spooktacular Halloween!

Remember me...the Halloween-hater?  I'm back this year and slowly re-invented.  I've made strides in '08!

My life was consumed with Halloween party planning last week... fulfilling room mom responsibilities for McKenzie's class.  I've learned (well...I already knew, but I revealed to others) that I'm a rule-bender and violated our wellness policy at school about 10 times over. (shameful, I know..but somehow, I'm not phased).  My hands didn't even get slapped because as reported by many parents, the teacher, and most of the kids, "this is the best party we've ever had!"  And it didn't even consist of cupcakes and candies and sugary treats...but rather, owl liver and blood worms, edible eyeballs, and pig pituitary, witch fingers, and dracula teeth.  We did apple bobbing {reinvented--hung from a string}, made spider pops, ate 'spooktacular' food, played boo bingo, did some giant  monster madlibs, had a mummy wrap, and made spooky popcorn gloves.  I should take a page out of this Halloween party planning and next year do the same for our kids!  Brayden walks up from the middle school and volunteers in McKenzie's class every Friday, so at least 1/3 of my kids were in on the fun!

Lexie's class had a Halloween party that was supposed to drag on for THREE hours...we bailed after about an hour.  But all three girls had fun doing little  Halloween crafts.  This is Lexie having fun...with her sisters and  favorite little 'boy' friend, Caleb...I mean Batman.  She can choose her guys!

Getting 'ready' for trick-or-treating is always a huge process.  With hair to curl and makeup to apply it can take a couple hours for 6 kids.  If we're going to dress up we're going all the way and painting our faces.  It satisfies the little girls' makeup needs for at least a couple of days and then they're back to begging for 'yipstick.'  Look how cute our witches and geeks are!   Kenzie's purple-haired friend Kayla was also a witch--we had lots of good witches on our street that day!

Brayden hung out with his little 6th grade buddies and we let him 'live it up' since this is his last year to knock doors and beg for candy (I still think begging for candy is a stupid concept, but I'm slowly embracing it for the sake of the kids).  This is Bray with his friend Mattie before heading off to the big 'par-tay'.  Mattie's parents are Bush-haters and he wore this to make fun of Bush.  The back of his suit says, "going back to Texas..hee-haw!"  He was worried we'd be offended.  We laughed--I told him as long as he didn't steal our prop 8 signs, I wouldn't kick his fanny.  

We strolled the neighborhood with some neighbors and then let McKenzie, Monson & Lexie go rake it in for a couple of hours with our neighbors.  I've never seen so much candy in one place--it will most certainly last for a year of bribery!

Vivs ditched her witch hat the second I plopped it on her for pictures.  And a lollipop is just about all she needed to go along for the ride.  Maybe this is why we have dental issues in our family???    Joys for Halloween.

Coyote Run

About 100 years ago when I was in 1st grade is when the fear began.  We lived close to our school and so my brother(s) and I would walk home for lunch most days.  This particular afternoon as I approached our house I looked out into the huge wide open field and hills that were adjacent to our home to find a 'dog' jumping on its hind legs trying to catch a bird that was teasing it overhead.  I was so terrified of this ugly 'dog' and I didn't think I could make it up the driveway and through the courtyard fast enough before it spotted me.  So I got down on all fours and crawled up the driveway as fast as I could so it wouldn't come try to catch me.  It was such a freaky moment for me that I still remember exactly what I was wearing.  That was my first experience with coyotes.  Aside from 'coyote' being my high school mascot, I've never been a fan.

Today I had this glorious idea.  I wasn't able to make it to the gym with sick Vivie in tow,  but I felt the need to still get some cardio in.  I had to grab a few things from the grocery store for tomorrow's Halloween parties, so why not walk?  That's just what we did.  And cardio...I most definitely got.  Double Bob Stroller, three girls.  Lexie had to walk.  So she chose to ride the scooter instead.  Only pretty much the walk to Alberstons consists of more hills than flats. Of course I know this, my brain just wasn't working.  When Lexie's legs were just too tired, she found herself a little spot in front of Vivie's feet and lucky me, I got to push 125 ish pounds of groceries, girls, plus a scooter up and down the hills of San Elijo...more than I bargained for. 

 We're walking down the hill, not 6 houses from ours and out from the brush and across the street strolls a coyote.  Memories from that 1st grade moment flooded my brain.  Izzie's apparently made from a different mold.  She was delighted--"oh, look at the dog--can I pet the dog?"  Luckily Izzie was in the stroller otherwise she would have been chasing the 'dog' to pet it.  I gave the girls an education on coyotes and why we don't want to pet them...I turn around and here comes another one across the street, broad daylight in our little suburban neighborhood.   It's been HOT here...and those coyotes wanted water and food...or an Izzie.  We hear them at night and see them at dusk, but they're getting bold and brave strolling through the neighborhoods that were built on their dens.   

I think I have the 'bait' I need to subtly motivate my girls to get their room clean, jobs done, etc.  They are generally great, but we all need 'bait!'  Mean mommie.  It's either sitting in time-out on the balcony with spiders (not really spiders out there, but it's good for effect) or now sitting out on the balcony to listen to the howling coyotes...and now they know exactly what they look like.  Hopefully no nightmares will plague them because then I'd just feel like a lousy, rotten mommie. Good thing they don't need this too often!

"Whistle While THEY Work!"

Well, not exactly.  But the other day when Lexie & Izzie gleefully asked me, "Mom, can we do the dishes?"  my heart swelled with joy as they saw a need, and perhaps some fun to be had splashing in the water.    

They washed the dishes only the way  3 and 4 year olds know how (see below how the sippy cups went in to the DW!)

So I sat here on my computer and I whistled with JOY wishing this kind of request would NEVER end...even though I know that's a total pipe dream.  But whether it's to set the table, help mix the cookie batter, dip chocolate covered pretzels, roll up pigs in a blanket, or clean up the big mess, they are always wanting to have a part in the kitchen.   That was Monday.  And Monday night my kitchen was sparkly clean thanks to my girls who got it all started.

I sit here today, 'the day after' at this utterly disgusting mess before me...not yet able to bring myself to clean it up.  We had the missionaries over for dinner Tuesday night and amidst the running to and fro that takes place here daily, I managed 

to make a yummy meal topped off with apple crisp bliss.  Well, actually, since I don't cook masterpieces for my family on a daily basis, {truth be told}, my whole day revolved around preparing a bang-up meal for our wonderful missionaries.  I have had this nasty cold since the weekend and it kicked my fanny last night, so after they left, there sat the mess as I plopped my tired self down in front of the TV to watch my new favorite...The Mentalist.  It was bedtime for the kids, and so I told them I'd clean up (ha!)  

I'm so thankful for these sweet little moments that make me {LOVE} my responsibility and calling as 'dear mother' and for my sweet girls that performed a simple act of service without even viewing it as such or knowing how it would make my day.  And now because of that moment and sweet, heart-swelling request, I can put on a happy face and go tackle this insane mess before it attacks us!

Top two reasons our kids miss Utah

There are two reasons a couple of our kids miss living in Utah and at least in part, resent the move altogether...2 1/2 years ago.  Those reasons have names:  

#1  Rachel

#2  Seth

in no particular order...

When we visit Utah, they are always the second thing on our agenda after seeing Ama.  And lucky for us, they were in town last weekend on a Disney vacation.  We scooped up the chance to meet them at Laguna Beach last Sunday after church for a family activity of flying kites, building sandcastles, and catching up.  Ah, now that's a relaxing and wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon as a family!  

Funny how when you move away you really truly see what friendships stand the test of time.  Rachel and Seth Ogden were McKenzie and Monson's first friends, really.  Kenz was just 22 months and Mons was 7  months when they first started playing in our great American Fork cul-de-sac.  And I have to say...I miss Amy dearly as my next door neighbor, pilates partner (ha!  that didn't last long!), rollerblading buddy, decorating & project sounding board, confidant, and friend.  

We {heart} The Ogden Family!

My camera battery gave out before I got a picture of the whole gang...I'll post it as soon as I can get it from Amy.

We're all sported out...

When you schedule a child....you schedule a parent.  We're officially sick of kids' sports...well, at least the taxi part of it.  Three games every Saturday, rarely back to back, so spread throughout the day, sometimes overlapping in different places spread across the valley...even off in far-away Menifee.  But thankfully, two of them...the soccer games... are always right here in San Elijo Hills.  And usually they're quite entertaining to watch.  Kind of sparks my inner-kid and makes me want to join a league myself--sometimes.

McKenzie is on the 'Awesome Pickles'..the goalie extraordinaire!  She's learning the positions and how to be aggressive on the field.  She does really well as a mid-fielder.  All that running and hustling around is good for the kids!  The parents and coach of Kenz' team are a bit...out of control, to say the least.  A lot of yelling and screaming--the poor girls end up crying and feeling defeated half the time.  Sad, but true...haven't won a game yet this season. 

Monson is on the 'Blue Cougars'. His coaches are two college guys that just love soccer and used to play for Cal State San Marcos' Cougars.  They are great with the boys and a lot more light-hearted and easy-going than eehmmm {clear throat} others.  Monson isn't afraid of the ball and is known for 'heading' and loves to skid out on the side of his hip...we keep reminding him it's not baseball.  He's a good little player and rotates through every position, except goalie.

...And then the cycle starts all over again.  The little girls keep themselves busy practicing their skills so one day we can taxi them around and watch them run up and down that field.  

We're all sported out...We could choose to keep our kids out of sports, but then I'd have one less thing to complain about :).  So I'll put on my happy soccer-mom hat, take pictures, gauk at their cuteness and just live in the moments...even the soccer ones, that will be gone all too soon.  Well, at least until next season when I live in my car to cart the kids to and fro.

Dear {un}beloved CA Teachers Assn:

I'm sure the news is widespread by now...here's an LA Times article detailing the sad, but true reality that the California Teachers' Association donated ONE MILLION, yes...you read it right, one million dollars to the Prop 8 opposition. In an effort to 'show them' across California today, many students decided to stay home and not report their absence with an 'excuse' so as to make a statement...a large financial statement to the school--those schools will lose the money that they otherwise would have received for an excused absence. We received the email after the kids already were in school, otherwise, they would have stayed home in support of Prop 8 and perhaps joined others at the beach along the roadside displaying with pride their Prop 8 signs.   This is an email I wrote to the CTA...I also called and left it on a voicemail.  Yup, I'm one little voice, but this hits home for me.

TO THE CTA:

Shame on you.

Shame on you for your position on Prop 8. Shame on you because your position in fact HURTS our children and the family unit.  Shame on you for putting an exhorbanent amount of money towards an issue that not every teacher believes is best for our state, our schools our families, and our children.  Shame on you for standing against something that in fact takes away freedoms and civil rights to teach our OWN children what we believe to be a fundamental right to have both a Mom AND a Dad.  Couldn't the money have been used to better our children by enhancing their learning experiences in a productive manner with more funds for academics?  Shame on you--this is a social issue about Religious freedom.  You are obviously mis-informed about the issues.  Shame on you for using union funds to push your social agenda and help a cause that will in fact be detrimental to our schools, our children and our society as a whole if Proposition 8 DOES NOT PASS.  The human dignity and civil rights of ALL Children and youth are NOT being protected and secured if this proposition does not pass.  This proposition is not an attack on gays and lesbians.  It does not change the fact that gays and lesbians will still have rights in a civil union.  But this does affect the very core of every family in our society.

SHAME ON YOU!

Does the CTA really exist to better the teaching environment for teachers and students?  I believe after this blatant cry for attention, that the CTA, in fact, DOES NOT exist to better the environment for our teachers and students.  You had better change your mission statement to reflect your latest actions.  

SHAME ON YOU!

Pick a Bushel...or not

My cute friend, Brooke, went on a little excursion to an apple orchard and I LOVED the idea.  So I copied her. Our weekends are always nutty crazy, so I took the kids out of school (minus busy Brayden) at lunch on Wednesday and off we went on our little field trip through the mountains to {not so grand but oh so quaint} 'ole Julian. 

I have really wanted to get back to my apple canning like I used to in Utah ever since we ran out about a year ago.  We go through them like they're going extinct!  Our tried and tested, no fail--gobble-it-up dinner, lunch, or breakfast is Hootenanny Pancakes (German Apple Pancakes).  Store-bought canned apples are insanely expensive and much too sugary anyway.  

When we arrived at the orchard I thought I was surely in the wrong place!  I had this grand picture in my head that we'd be meandering through the lush orchards picking larger-than-life, bright and shiny juicy apples from the overgrown, leafy green trees (ya know, like those in the east).  Not so much--we happened upon a hole-in-the-wall grove.... charming only by name {Raven Hill} with dusty, rotten-fruit-ridden pathways, and nearly barren dwarf trees.  

First stop---andy gump after our long ride.  That's an experience I want to forget--don't think it had been dumped in weeks, 90+ degrees weeks.  The orchard wasn't really what I had expected, but hey, we can't have it all here in SD!  The teepee in the distance and Indian chants we could hear were quite a charming bonus.  Scared the begeebies out of  the girls.  It didn't help, of course, that it was in the mid 90's and hotter than haites.  Have you ever smelled a plethora of rotting apples in 90 degrees?  Not exactly the whimsical touch I had hoped for after driving an hour & a half to get there.  BUT, the apples rock!  ...And that's what counts!  So yes, it was worth our little {far away} excursion.  

They're about the size of a small plum at their largest, but juicy delicious lip-smackin' good is about how I'd describe them.  Peeling these babies would take for-stinkin'-ever since they're dwarfs, so I think we'll forgo apple-canning greatness and consume these as delicious fall snacks.  It would have taken half a day to find a bushel of worm-less canning-worthy apples, so a couple of bags and $20 later... we were on our way in the wicked October heat.

We drove through Ramona---a little farm community with its own quaint charm.  On the way home we stopped {in Ramona} at Mountain Valley Ranch...a wonderful little ranch where the pumpkins grow on the vine...you just don't see that in San Diego - one of the things I miss about our Utah neighborhoods.  There were all sorts of family activities there--what a great little place to go pumpkin' pickin'!  The vines were nearly dried out, so most of the pumpkins had been picked and were in the barn, but it was a fun experience!  I think we have ourselves a fun family fall tradition!  I think I need apple tart or yummy pies are calling my name this weekend!

Lexie Lou's funnies last week

Lexie's latest self-portrait

Bet you didn't know... (Alexandra Shay is funny)

"Mom, when I was in your tummy it was like a party everyday. I had a slide and a trampoline in there and would do gymnastics all the time. After reflecting for a second she said, "I think I want to go back!"

"Mom, you don't let me do anything; I think I need a new mommie." I escorted her out the door and told her, "Good luck--come back and tell me who you found..." She quickly retracted her statement.

I was rocking her last week (as she insists on doing everyday) and I was telling her how I dreamed about her for soooo long and that she finally joined our family 4 years after Monson. She looked surprised and said, "Well, mom, Caleb was in my eye last night." What? What's in your eye? I figured out that this is the way she relates a dream...what she sees in 'her eye.' And apparently she's already dreaming of boys. JOYS.

"Next year I turn FIVE and I'll be almost as old as you!" (speaking to me...oh, how I love this girl!)

I was picking my face and Lexie said, "Mom, you're really strange."

Whenever Alexandra is in a good mood and I ask her do something she replies, "I'd be delighted to."

It's the times like these that I sit back and chuckle at my kids that make all the other mommie stuff like outright defiance, tantrums, little arguments... just a little more bearable (I don't tolerate them, but keeping perspective is a big thing). My kids do make me laugh and bring me unexplainable joy...even if I do want to give them away sometimes!  

Love you first, Lexie!

Grow Old Along With Me

After 14 years of blissful marriage (well, today I feel that way), I have plenty of reasons to be grateful.  I feel like I indeed have achieved grand happiness.

I love my husband.

  

We seem to be opposites in so many ways but on the same page when it truly counts.  Maybe that's why it just works.  He's gentle, passionate, he's a simple, people-pleasing hard-worker and a spiritual giant in my eyes.  He loves the gospel and honors his priesthood.  He loves being a daddy, but he's very human and we're just trying to wade through this life together all the while trying to remember to smell the roses along the way.  

We still look forward to each other coming home at the end of the day...perfect we are NOT, but perfect for each other, yes!  Marriage takes a ton of work especially when you sometimes feel you have to 'fit it in' between six other very needful things.  The key is to try everyday... we communicate really well most times and always either agree to disagree or become 'one' on the important stuff.  He is my best friend.  

I've seen old couples, I mean really old couples all my life and the sweetest old couple I've ever witnessed was President Gordon B. Hinckley and his sweet and spunky wife, Marjorie.  I aspire to grow old with my honey and walk hand in hand as we shuffle down the street and visit our gazillion grandchildren & truly enjoy our posterity.  I want to be that really old sweet couple one day.  Grand happiness...yes, that's what it is.  

Today is our anniversary and yesterday I took Curt on.....no, not a trip to Venice...but something a lot more affordable and close to home...the Coronado Cays and yes, that is a gondola.  Thanks, cute Sarah for the idea....it was shear peace and serenity for an hour--that's all we needed to recharge our batteries and face our busy lives again!

Thank you for 14 years of bliss--the good, the bad, the sweet, the rough, the crazy....so why don't you 'grow old along with me?'  

Happy 14th Anniversary, babe!

Brayden's True Love

Brayden took a year off because of a concussion and Vivie's arrival.

but he's back to living & breathing his true love with the

Pop Warner San Marcos Paladins (Jr. Pee Wee).

They're not winning as much as they'd like this year, but it's not all about the WIN, ya know...

It's about the heart and the sheer love of the game

AND what you put into it...

plus, the uniform colors are kind of spiffy & nice...BYUesque...

This is probably his last year of playing football until HS.

The balance is just too insane with the honors workload & his other 'extras.'

He's making the most of his love 4 days/week, but he's anxious to sleep again 

when his life returns to a 'normal' schedule--whatever that is these days. 

Way to put your whole heart into your 'love,' Bray!

Chickens aren't just for eating

Because I don't ever want to forget...

...The times Viviana destroys the family room because she CAN open the drawer and  unload its contents thoroughly and with glee even when she gets her arm stuck.

...the way she struts around and lifts one leg higher than the other as if she's trying to dance (maybe she is).

...the way she tears into the TP roll and scatters it around the house, eating half of it along the way (sometimes after dunking it in the toilet water).

...the way she anticipates me saying 'bzzzzzzzzzz' when I change her diaper and sing "here is a beehive."

...the way she proclaims touchdown! when in her daddy's presence...because she wants to make him laugh.

...the way she grabs TWO pencils and walks around the house with them clutched in one hand.

      ...the way she plays peek-a-boo & puts one hand on her ear to cover it up (instead of eyes).

             ...the way she craves her daddy's approval in all that she does.

...the way she falls asleep while cuddling with her daddy.

...the way she has learned to get down the stairs, off the bed, and off the sofa all by herself.  That means she's super mobile girl.  We all know this means more messes for yours truly.  But President Monson even said that's okay--that I'll miss the messes one day.  Pitter patter, YES, but messes---I'm thinking not so much.

...the way she gets our attention after all the kids are in bed with her little pokie face just to make us laugh because she knows she's funny.

...the way she shows me she's hungry by opening her snack cupboard and bringing me something she wants to eat...OR just helping herself and the rest of her friends, wherever they may be, to cereal.  Of course, it's ALWAYS right after we just swept.

...the way she expresses that something stinks...like when she burps or poops--we say 'peeewww' and she waves her hand across her nose to fan it...just like you and me...cause man, those diapers really DON'T smell like roses.

...and the way she sleeps with her little snorty snore and her ever-yumminess chub

I think about how things were 6 short months ago when we were stuck in the hospital in WA.

I remember vividly how it was a year ago just getting used to life with Vivie home. 

How thankful I am that we have TODAY.  How thankful I am that she CAN do these things--I have to remind myself that the massive messes, busy-body craziness and constant needy nature of a 17 month old is indeed a BEAUTIFUL thing.

{through the eyes of a mommie}

Viviana Faith is 17 months old today!