A VERY long post, with WAY too many pictures, about the BEST day EVER!!!!

   Alright... perhaps I was a little over zealous in declaring this to be the BEST day ever!  After all, there was my wedding day, not to mention the days that each of our children were born...

But this day is right up there on my list of favorites-that is for sure.

On Friday afternoon as soon as John had finished work we loaded up the van, and the kids, and a LOT of snacks, and made our way to Choteau, Montana.    Now this may not sound like much of a destination to you, but there is a cool little thing about the Choteau areat that we learned about from John's sister Sarah and her family.   Every year at this time, thousands of birds, particularly snow geese and tundra swans, migrate through the area and spend a couple of weeks grazing in the nearby fields and resting on Freezeout Lake.    (Just google Freezeout Lake Montana and see for yourself)    Anyways- we had planned to go last year and meet up with Sarah and Ed but ended up backing out, though I made John promise me that we'd check it out this year.

Hence our trip this weekend to "the middle of nowhere Montana."      AKA...Choteau.

This is a picture of the hotel lobby of the Stage Stop Inn where we stayed.   I know this doesn't look too exciting to you, but my kids apparently thought this was pretty darn cool.   Really.  You would have thought we'd arrived in Disneyland the way they kept going on about it.  

Suffice it to say that a lot of time was spent at the hotel swimming with the kids, eating junk food, relaxing, watching America's Funniest Home Videos while eating popcorn (not junk food), and visiting with John's sister Sarah who met up with us.   I think it is safe to say that if we never had gone out to look for birds,  my kids would have been perfectly happy with all of the above.

 Oh yeah, and Nate spent the night puking.  

I was not happy with that.

Alright- now for the amazing part.   The birds!

So there is this lake (as I mentioned earlier) called Freezeout lake.    And true to it's name, it was pretty much frozen over and sat fairly empty for a large part of the day.  

But this lake won't stay empty for long,  because the 70-100,000 geese who are passing through the area are currently out feeding on leftover grain from farmer's fields.   

Like clockwork, right around 11:00 am, you begin to hear the faint sound of geese in the distance, and soon a dark cloud of birds begin to make their way to the lake.

It's a pretty impressive sight to see as they get closer.    This photo shows just one group of snow geese.    From every direction, groups of similar size begin to make their way back to the lake.

It's a bit of a frenzy as they all try to find somewhere to land, and the noise is unbelievable!    Even from as far away as we were, it was still an incredible sound.

The weekend we were there, the bird count also indicated that there were about 4000 tundra swans at the lake.

Every couple of minutes another flock comes in to land.    Sarah made the comment that the lake was more like an airport, the way some birds came and others left.

Sure enough, some smaller groups would take off, and I suspect they were beginning the next leg of their journey.     (I've heard that the next stop is in northern Alberta)

Aside from the 70,000 snow geese and 4000 Tundra swans, we also saw a cool flock of pelicans.

And we saw a LOT of other birders out.    Some people camped in this cold weather right by the lake.   I suppose they are what you would call "enthusiasts."         ....I wish I could be like them.

The landscape was dotted with these mounds of dirt, which we suspect are nests for the Canadian geese in the area.     

The snow geese were beautiful to watch when the lighting was right.    

This particular flock was HUGE!    The trail of birds flying in seemed relentless and I would never have been able to really capture the size of it.   Which is a pity.   But really- this isn't the type of thing that really can be captured on camera.    There is too much to take in.   Too much to hear!

One of my favorite moments came on Friday night.  We had just arrived and were excited to see our first "Fly In" but the weather was really poor which had thrown off the bird's normal routine.    It was freezing cold, and snowing and very very foggy.    Finally after what seemed like an hour, and just as the sun was going down the birds began to come in for the night.    It was such a serene moment, and as John, Sarah and I stood watching these birds lift off and soar right above us toward the lake, you could literally HEAR their wings beating the air!   

I put my camera down and didn't even try to take a photo.   I guess I just felt like that was a moment I wanted to experience completely.     That moment made the trip down totally worth it.  

  Every thing after that was just icing on the cake!

Speaking of icing on the cake:  This afternoon when we got back- John had me go wash the van and I couldn't help but notice that there was not a single bit of bird poop on our van.   Not a speck!    

Now how lucky is that? 

John was so awesome to video tape a couple of the fly ins and he has added some of my photos to make a bit of a slide show.   Feel free to check it out - you'll feel like you were there yourself! 

                                                                                                         

Never Grow Up

I noticed one morning this week that Nate sits at the table like a "big boy" now.    Sure, seeing his teeny little legs dangling from the chair helped to soothe me a bit and remind me that he is still small - but I'd give anything to have him happily sit in his high chair again.       Stop Growing NATE!

This morning I asked Jessica to go and get dressed for the day and this is what I found her doing a few minutes later.    She didn't even know I was taking her picture, but I love how she is smiling at herself.   She's obviously pleased with her makeup skills - though I admit she was the only one;)     What is it about little girls and make up?    

Abby sang at the Music Festival this week a couple of times.   On Tuesday she sang with her grade 2 classmates, and on Wednesday she sang with her Junior Choir.    I love listening to her sing.    (It beats listening to her talk, seeing as she is always trying to talk like a TEENAGER these days.)     The other day I told her to go "practice her piano or else!"  to which she dramatically exclaimed, "What!  I totally don't deserve to be treated this way!"    

I met with Sam's Teacher this week during parent teacher interviews and she had nothing but good things to say about him.    Of course that made me happy, but I'll admit it made me a little sad too.   I mean, what happened to that rambunctious impossible little boy he once was?    It's become much to easy to talk and reason with him and he seems ...well....older.

Sometimes when I am talking with one of the kids I will playfully try to make them promise me that they will "never grow up."   They usually just roll their eyes and tell me that "they can't not grow up."  

"Like...duh!"  (abby would say)

I don't know though.

  I think that if I could find a way to stop time-

I'd do it in a heartbeat!

***********

A bit eager perhaps?

The weather this past week had us all feeling hopeful that spring would be just around the corner.  The kids spent a lot of time outdoors, which for some reason makes me feel like a good mom.

(kids - TV = good parenting right?)   So ...good for me!

Sam got his very first skateboard and subsequently his very first goose egg.   (Well... first goose egg of the year at least)  I really admire his determination.    It seems as though with each and every fall or crash, his resolve to figure that skateboard out only intensifies.  

We've gone on several family walks lately, and Abby has become my own little walking buddy.    (I'm trying to condition my ankles after a long 8 months of being way too immobile. )   With hiking season approaching we've got to get ready!

On Friday afternoon I left the kids with John for a couple of hours, and came home to this cute little scene on our front yard:

Apparently, our kids (along with their friend Katie) had decided that it was the perfect day for a, get this...."WATER SALE!"  

Doesn't it look like the perfect day to you for such a thing?    Jessica is practically shivering in her winter coat!  

While Jessica managed the water, and the "till" Sam and Katie wandered the cul-de-sac trying to drum up costumers.     What would you do if two little rascals showed up on your doorstep asking you to come buy some water?   John just let them knock away.  Probably because, well for one thing - we have AWESOME neighbors!   And secondly, it seems as though very few of our neighbors actually spend any time in their houses these days.  He didn't really see any harm in letting the kids go from one empty house to the next while shouting out, "Water for Sale!"  


And boy do these kids know how to sell water!    I had to shell out THREE DOLLARS for my little glass of water!!  Can you believe that?     As soon as I drank that measly little glass - I went inside and poured myself two more glasses from the tap just so I could feel like I'd drank my moneys worth;)  

Little do Sam and Jess know that Ill actually be stealing those loonies as soon as I decide to wash the van;)

  All of that fun outside play came to a crashing halt yesterday when the temperatures dipped back down around zero (gasp!!!) and the snow began to fall.     I think I complained about the weather more yesterday then I did back when we were experiencing minus 25 temperatures.  Go figure!

Oh well.   We'll take the warmth when we get it.

Happy Sunday!!!!

What Spring looks like

Oh my the weather has been nice here lately.    There have been several days this week when I've been able to open up the windows in our house and feel the fresh air waft through.    There is nothing better then enjoying fresh air after a long winter cooped up inside.  

Nathan will be the first to agree with that.    He's logged a lot of hours playing outside this week, and it makes me happy to see him enjoy the outdoors so much.    Unfortunately letting him outside poses a couple of problems.    1)  We inevitably must bring him back inside, which always seems to provoke the worst temper tantrums I have ever seen.   2)  In an effort to avoid being taken inside- Nate often attempts to run away.    And this kid is QUICK!    Not only is he quick, but once he knows that you are coming for him- he kicks it into overdrive and really takes off!    

Needless to say - his outside time is being closely monitored and limited now.

Here are a few pictures of the kids enjoying a warm (albeit wet and muddy) morning at the park.

1st time this year!!!!

Note Jessica playing with the icy puddles.    You know it has been a long winter when THIS is our warm day worth celebrating;)

And in case you have forgotten what March is all about, it happens to be the month when the eagles return.     I've begun scoping out my favorite bird watching spots, and have been thrilled so far to see many of the same places are once again occupied by these beautiful birds.      The kids flat out refuse to join me this year, (the bums), so it looks like I'll be doing a lot of driving alone as I watch them;(

(I know this picture is blurry, but I was using a lens that does not have auto focus)

Well, that is pretty much the most exciting news for us this week.    We've spent the past few days glued to news reports and images about the damage in Japan.    Even Abby has been touched by the loss there.   It makes me feel so grateful (yet again) to live where we do.  Even if our "warm days" are really not that warm at all.    

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!

I'm not one to complain (ok maybe I am), but I think it is worth pointing out that this has been the first year since John started teaching that we have not had a "SNOW DAY" at some point.    The last couple of years, we had already enjoyed two or even three snow days by the time March came around.    This next week is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous, and it's a pretty safe bet that we won't be seeing any snow days in the near future.   In fact, with Spring approaching-  I feel all hope of a glorious unexpected day off slipping further and further away.  

Sometimes it is just not easy being married to a school teacher, I tell ya.    

I mean- having to wait until APRIL for the next week long break?    Can you imagine?  

Sigh......

In the mean time- I guess I'll just dream of lazy summer days without schedule, and do my best to remember that they are definitely worth the wait.

(photo taken last spring by Haley Brooks)

Too much in common

Abby got the movie Megamind for her birthday, and I'm not kidding- we've watched it every.day.since!   

When the kids aren't watching the movie, they are rambling off various quotes and re -enacting their favorite scenes.    

Sam especially can do a couple of really great impersonations, and overall Sam really does remind me of this evil(ish), albeit very funny villian.

It's quite uncanny really!

8 is GREAT!

Well, against all of my pleas for this little girl to "never grow up,"  she has gone and done it.   Turned 8 years old on me!    It has been a busy weekend to say the least.  One which has revolved entirely around this little girl.   (thanks Mya for this cute little owl!)

On Friday we threw a birthday party for her, and she was allowed to invite 8 of her school friends.   Years ago I had told made a deal with her that she could always invite as many friends as the age she is turning.    That seemed perfectly harmless back when she was 3!   I'm thinking we might have to renegotiate the terms and agreements of having a birthday party.

8 kids is a LOT!

Luckily, John was on hand to help all of the kids build their own rockets out of duct tape.     After 40 minutes, a few rolls of tape, and a whole lotta noise - this is what they created:

John loved that Abby wanted to launch Rockets for her birthday.  



I had to throw in this picture because it just so perfectly depicts what Sam was up to most of the time.     Sam had apparently grown tired of the whole "celebrate Abby thing" and this is just the sort of thing he does whenever he needs some attention.

Don't worry though, Abby has no trouble commanding attention.   This is how she insisted on opening all of her gifts.  Perched high and mighty for all to see!

After all of that we ushered the kids outside to launch their rockets!    I was nervous about John launching these things in the cul de sac.   (John has a history of launching things on to other peoples roofs or into back yards etc.)    However,  seeing as half of our neighbors are away so much these days I figured who would know right?    ;)

In the end the only eventful thing that happened was when one kid's Rocket landed in the back of our one neighbor's white truck just seconds before he came out to start it.  ;)   

 Ha.  I'm sure they love us!

Believe it or not, I was actually a bit sad to see all of those kids leave at the end of the party.  Perhaps I had actually gotten used to all of the shrieking, high pitched laughter, and dramatics.   Or perhaps- their absence just meant that it was time for me to start cleaning up.       Conveniently the rest of my family all disappeared as well,  leaving me to deal with the aftermath.  

I don't know.   Methinks we need to include a clause in our future "Birthday Party Addendum"  

"She who MAKES the mess- CLEANS the mess!"

***********

Saturday was a fun day for our family, and a first for John and I as parents.    It was a truly fun experience for me to see Abby get baptized, and I was so grateful for this sweet girl.    She's worked hard this year to prepare for baptism and she smiled the whole day!

I got a little choked up sometimes when I would watch her cuddle up next to her Daddy.      

I asked Abby what some of her favorite things about her baptism day were and she said:

* "Getting baptized" (good answer)

* "How Auntie Jewel said that life is sort of like a dryer."  (you had to be there;)

* "My coin from Uncle Chad."  

* "I liked the desserts and how they were decorated" 

Speaking of the desserts-  check out these cupcakes that Aunt Rachel made!   Weeks ago she had phoned asking Abby what her favorite color, animal and flower was.  (to which Abby replied purple and blue, a horse and tulips!)    

Rach worked hard to give Abby the perfect cupcakes consisting of All her favorites!    

Of course, the day was made extra special by all of the friends and family who joined us!   (and helped in so many ways)   To the Hardy, Stevens, Rausch and Payne families- thanks for travelling to be with us!

It really was seeing all of our loved ones that made the day so wonderful for Abby.  

PS:  sorry about Jessica's hand in her nose.   And ....about Sam.    

We are a classy bunch eh!

Funny Talking Animals

Sometimes it is difficult to find something that ALL of my family enjoy doing together.   Usually spending a little bit of time as a family requires a bit (or a lot) of deliberation beforehand to be sure that everyone will be happy.   I've found that there are a few guaranteed requirements.   1. -if it involves candy or popcorn-then my kids are all over it.   2.  If it involves something educational- then John is there.   3.   If it requires zero set up or clean up - well,  now we're talking.    

That's why I'm thinking that a movie night is in order- and these Walk on the Wild Side segments might just be the perfect thing to watch!  

So fun!

Family Week

I just LOVE being married to a school teacher, and there is nothing better then having a week off from the normal school routine.   Have I mentioned that before?   Ok, technically we didn't have a week off as John had day long meetings on Thursday and Friday, and our weekend was actually pretty busy.    The first half of the week though?   

Beautiful! 

Here are a few fun things from the perspective of my camera.   

1.   It was a week of board games around here.    Clue was a favorite of all of ours, especially Abby.   She's not the most graceful winner-but she is a darn good cheater! ;)
2.   To Abby's credit- she has worked so hard all year long to memorize all 13 articles of faith.   As an incentive I told Abby that her and I could have a race to see who could memorize them the best.   Winner would win a date with Dad.  (of course!)   Well, Monday night was our big face off, and Abby and I both presented all 13 verses to our trusty panel of judges.    In the end Abby won, and I am out a date with Dad.   Drat!
3.   Abby is now sporting a lovely pair of "aquamarine" studs in her newly pierced ears!  (Is Abby sounding a little bit spoiled here?)    Years ago I told Abby that she could pierce her ears when she is eight.    At the time I was just trying to stall and delay something that I didn't want to do.   It never actually occurred to me that she would one day reach that age and actually hold me to it!
4.   On Family day (Monday) we took the kids down to the high school for a couple of hours.  One of the teachers there is farming trout and the kids went to watch the thousands of little babies swim around. Really though- John just wanted to fly his remote planes with Sam on a real Big Screen.  
5.   Nate has been so communicative lately.   It's cute to watch him try to tell us what he's thinking.   With one demanding point he can pretty much get us to hand over anything he wants.   He loves to play with cameras, and I have a couple cheap broken ones that we often let him play with.   Apparently he got a hold of the real thing this week though and I found dozens of odd photos of him at very close range.    This one is actually my favorite.   Those eyelashes!!!!

That's it from our next of the woods.  

Happy Sunday!!!

Birthdays, Babies and River Otters

It's been a fun week, full of many different reasons to celebrate.

Sam came up to me earlier this week with the most serious, and confused look on his face.   Now let me just say that when Sam approaches with any type "serious thoughtful look" you can safely assume that whatever he's about to say - is gonna be good.    So,  I was really bracing myself, when he looked up at me and said:
            "Mom?  This is so weird-but I'm kinda sorta starting to like Church.   (long thougthful pause)   ........That's weird huh?"
I quickly recovered from the state of shock I was in to reward him with a kiss and a hug.   Then I assured him that I planned on holding him to that - and I expected zero complaining come Sunday.    Sure enough- not a single complaint from him today.   AND he only left Sacrament meeting 2 times instead of the usual 8 so he did pretty good all around.   I don't know- there might be hope for this boy!  

 Sam wasn't the only one impressing us this week.   My niece Ava won 1st (for her grade) at this years School Science Fair!   Her project was all about Rockets-which of course had Uncle John beaming with pride.   It was clear that she worked hard on it, and I personally find it  hugely reassuring to know that there are some smart genes running through this family.    It gives me hope for my own kids and I found myself looking forward to their future science projects.  Though- you can rest assurred I don't plan on letting Sam go anywhere near Rockets. ...Or ...any thing that launches projectiles of any sort.  

     Congratulations Ava!!!!!

We had a fun little visit from my Sister Crystal (it was fun right Crys?) and she brought her 3 cute little boys with her!    This little guy is just weeks old and I was thrilled to finally get to meet him.    She named him WALDEN and I love it.   Have you ever read "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau?    It's a beautiful book and I think the name fits this little guy perfectly! 

  Every time I looked at this little cutie I wanted to whisper in his ear all of my favorite Thoreau quotes.  But I'll wait until he's older.  

We were EXTRA lucky this week when Rachel and Brent showed up with their little guy MadDOX.  (sorry Brent I had to;)    

I use the term  "little guy" very loosely because for a 3 month old...he's doing pretty darn good if you know what I mean.    Gosh he is CUTE and soo SMILEY!   My kids pulled out every trick in the book trying to get a giggle out of him.   I think Maddax had more fun watching them try so hard then they realize.    He was laughing at them not with them!      Things were going well until Nate tried to get into the car seat right along with Maddax.  Sure, it's all fun and games until someone sits on the baby!




When Rach and Brent left for the temple (and while Nate napped) Jessica set right to work creating a little play place of sorts for her new friend.    She started by barricading him with pillows and blankets and then basically pulled every loose and random object she could find and placed it very strategically around him.    I like her style.   Very ...eclectic.  (Though personally, I think Maddax remained slightly underwhelmed by it all.)

Speaking of Jessica- she is officially 4!    We had a party for her last night, and it was nice to celebrate her.   She soaked that up!    I laughed as she sang Happy Birthday to herself right along with everybody while scanning the crowd to make sure that everyone was singing.    AND her enthusiasm while opening her presents was truly priceless.   I think Grandpa may have gotten a headache from all of the high pitched screaming that night, but that's what he gets for being the Grandpa.   Consider it an occupational hazard.

Jess really is a special little girl.   When I think about her dramatic entrance into the world four years ago, I am sometimes overcome with gratitude for the chance we have to enjoy her today.    She is sweet with a capital S and she is one bright little light!   

A few things about Jessica that we absolutely love:

*She walks around the house all day singing primary songs.   The same songs over.and over again.    I secretly get a kick out of how much this gets on Sam's nerves, but she still just keeps singing!

* She is our nature girl.  She's the only one who will happily get in the van with me and go for a drive.  Last year when all of the Eagles were migrating she was my number 1 buddy and bird watcher. 

*This year all that she wanted for her birthday were some art supplies and a RIVER OTTER.   

Seriously?  A River Otter?   

*She is our peacemaker.  Every family has one right?    She seems to thrive on making mom and dad happy, and she is the first one to back down from a fight with her siblings.     Thank goodness for peacemakers.   I like to think it's because she's the third child.   The third child always has to endure so much.    (I should know;)

  

Anyways, Happy Birthday to our dear sweet Jessica.   I'm sorry we couldn't get you that RIVER OTTER, but I have a pretty good feeling that you'll be our happy little girl - just the same!

Giveaway Winner...

Due to our very scientific methods, my cute soon to be 4 year old has just finished selecting the Winner of the Valentines Day Giveaway.    

And the winner is.....

JOANNA!   

Just leave a comment with your email address and let me know which picture you would like and I'll have it sent your way!

Thanks to all who shared what you love about Valentine's Day.

(PS:   You all made me feel so good about those photos.  If you really do want one still then just leave a comment with your contact info and I can still get one to you -you'll just have to pay for it to be shipped.)   

A Valentines Giveaway

 I LOVE Valentines day.    Sure, it isn't my favorite holiday of the year, but amidst all of the claims that it is nothing more then a Hallmark created tradition, I feel an increasing need to defend this poor little day.

To the best of my knowledge (and let's face it that might not be saying a lot)  Valentines day first begin way back in 496 AD when a priest by the name of Valentine, a romantic at heart, disobeyed Emperor Claudius II's decree that soldiers remain bachelors. Claudius handed down this decree believing that soldiers would be distracted and unable to concentrate on fighting if they were married or engaged. Valentine defied the emperor and secretly performed marriage ceremonies. As a result of his defiance, Valentine was put to death on February 14.     After his death he became a Saint and the people used this day to celebrate and honor those in love. 


Isn't that the sweetest story ever?    Well, in a sad tragic sort of way.    (I think it would be a great plot for a movie)     Even good ol' Wikepedia states that Valentines Day is an "annual commemoration celebrating love and affection," and I think we could all use a little more of that.       And really,  is there anything better then a bouquet of flowers in the middle of winter?    


No, I say there is not!


So I plan to embrace this day with all of my cheesy lovin heart!  First- I'm going to decorate our kitchen with pink streamers and balloons.   The kids will FLIP when they see it.    Then we'll have my father in law over for dinner, at which point I will serve ... breakfast:  heart shaped pancakes and all the fixins, with these cute chocolate cups full of pudding for dessert.    Then later on, I'll give John his gift-which he's totally not expecting.    He'd better flip when he gets it.   Basically,  I'm going to spend most of the day thinking of all those in my life that I LOVE and trying my best to spoil a few of them.   


Plus- in celebration of the true essense of Valentines day I am doing a little Giveaway for YOU!   Who I also LOVE!  (Well-if I know you I love you.   If I don't know you- feel free to enter still;) 


Today, I am giving away a canvas print of this:    

or- if you don't like the deer in it....

THIS:

This picture is very special to me.   The temple is an important part of what I believe and it is what ties me to my family and loved ones.      When I think about those that I  love  (my siblings, my kids, JOHN)  there is nothing better then knowing that I can live with them FOREVER!    
So if you love this temple too, and want a canvas print of it- then just leave a comment explaining why YOU love Valentines day and you'll be entered to win!     Draw will be later this week.   

Disclaimer: The print will come in an 8x10 size and I'll ship it anywhere within Canada or the US.   

HAPPY VALNTINES DAY!!!

When the kids are happy....

Apparantly our kitchen has become the cool place to be.    Of course, I've known that all along, but the kids have caught on to that this week and completely took over the area.   And though I am a little bit puzzled as to why, I like to think they just wanted to be closer to me! ;)                                            
For a couple of evenings in a row the kids set up their own little houses that sat right next to our kitchen table.    Practically ALL of our extra kitchen space was filled by these little makeshift shelters where the kids actually ate out of for a few of our evening meals.
John and I  actually put up with the whole thing, because as much as we'd like to say we were encouraging their desire to play - we were really just happy to enjoy visiting with Grandpa while we ate.

It's pretty safe to say that John's and my motto as parents this week has pretty much been:

   "When the kids are happy- we are happy!"

After the kids got tired of using the kitchen as their campsite (around day two),  they turned it into a train station - lining up all the chairs in a row, and filling them with stuffed animal passengers.      And then...when they grew tired of that, the kitchen was quickly turned into a Library!

Abby and her cousin Mya were the perfect librarians!    I wish I could say that this place was as QUIET as a library should technically be, and I would have liked to have been able to used this area to actually you know...prepare dinner, but it's all good.    Dinner can always wait right?  

Besides, if there is one thing that John and I have learned, it is that - 

"when the kids are happy - we are happy!"

Abby was super thrilled to get to have Mya over on Friday after school (hence the library in my kitchen;)   I had told Abby that Mya could stay for a late over but not a SLEEP OVER.    (It was my attempt at punishing Abby for pretending to practice her piano songs this week when she really hadn't practiced them at all)    Abby seemed to understand the plan perfectly well, and when I left that evening for a baby shower I was expecting to come home around 9:00 and take Mya home then.     Well when I got home after the baby shower, my sister Jewel had already come to pick up Mya, which was definitely not ok with Abby.    As a result I was greeted by a teary and dare I say dramatic little girl standing outside my bedroom door.    As I approached she extended her arm enough to hand me this note and then without saying a word, she walked back to her room.  

I wish I could say that this letter affected me in the way Abby had wanted it to.    Perhaps this was supposed to make me feel a bit guilty.   But it didn't.    I know it sounds mean-but honestly, it is notes like this that bring a smile to this cold mother's heart!    Can't you just feel her pain!  (hee hee)  I personally love how she signed it- "from your best sad dother,  Abby"    It was just sooo cute!  AND I learned a very important lesson:

Even when my kids are Mad - they still make me so happy!

Go Figure.

**************

PS:   On a completely different note:   Isn't it incredible what is happening over in Egypt?   John says this past week has been historic.  Like, right up there with the fall of the Berlin Wall kind of historic.    It definitely is inspiring to think that those people have brought themselves so much closer to freedom!

We sure are lucky to live where we do, that's for sure.

PSS:   HAPPY VALENTINES DAY tomorrow!

In & Out of EVERYTHING

Have I mentioned lately how mobile our little Nate has gotten?    He's reached that stage where the rest of us must adapt to make everything more childproof for the little guy.     It's once again time to turn over ALL the kitchen chairs and stools to prevent him from climbing up onto counters.    It's time to make sure ALL electrical outlets are covered with those annoying little protector things.    Time to decrease the water temperature on the water heater.  (Better yet- it might be safer to just keep him out of the Bathrooms entirely!!)

Today I went to pick up Sam from Kindergarten and left Jess and Nate in the van.    Don't panic,  I just have to go up to the entrance of the school and he's usually right there. (It's not like I'm a bad mom or anything)   Anyways- this is when Jess usually undoes her seat belt and moves up front to sit in the driver seat pretending to be a mom.    By the time I get back and start the van it is always a fun surprise to find she'd turn on the windshield wipers.    And turned up the radio full blast.   She loves doing that!   Anyways, today I grabbed Sam as usual and as I looked towards the van I was surprised and a bit confused to see NATE standing in the drivers seat happily steering the wheel.    

For the life of me I don't know if I completely forgot to secure his straps OR has he figured out how to maneuver past the whole buckle thing on his own.  (There-now you can think I'm a bad mom)  Actually-I think because his straps are set to accommodate a big winter snowsuit, he was able to wiggle through thanks to the much smaller coat he had on today.   Time to take the car seat out and tighten those straps again eh!

Now I not only have to worry about what Nate is getting INto- but I also have to worry about what he is getting OUT of as well.

I really think raising boys is an entirely different experience then raising girls.   I had hoped that Nate would be a little easier on me-but it appears that he's shaping out to be the same kind of handful that my Sam was.  ...ur...still IS! 

See my girls would NEVER think of dancing through all of the clean laundry.   They just wouldn't do it!

And Yes- that is clean laundry on the floor.   (Dirty laundry is in the basket naturally)  I'd happily tackle that rapidly growing pile of clothes but I figure that Nate will just mess up my piles of folded laundry faster then I can put them away, so why bother.   

 Or perhaps I'm really just procrastinating this job because I know that I'll get everything folded only to find that 4 more socks are missing their match!    I seriously don't know how it happens.  

All of the socks go INto the laundry but only half of our socks ever seem to make it OUT. 

  

Where are all of our missing socks?   I mean really, just where exactly do they disappear to?

What's Wonderful Wednesday!

What an afternoon!    My sister Jewel is way WAY too good to us, which probably explains why she is really the Mother my kids wish they had.   At least that's what they tell me every day.    "I wish I lived at Auntie Jewel's house."   It's ok-I can take it.   In fact I really have to agree with them that their is nobody more awesome to them then their Auntie Jewel.   Take this afternoon for example.  For no real reason, she stopped by, swooped Sam and Jessica up and carried them off to her house for an afternoon of fun.   I had no plans.   She wasn't babysitting for me, or anything.   With Abby at school, and Nate napping, do you know what that meant?  

Peace.

And quiet.

Beautiful.

My good afternoon didn't end there.  Shortly after the kids all returned home from Jewel's house, and school, our cute little neighbor a couple of doors down stopped by to invite the kids to watch the Junior High Basketball game with her family.     I tell ya - it takes a brave person to invite my little brood somewhere.    I'm really excited to hear how it all went.   And when I say excited, I mean ...afraid, worried, and anxious to hear how it all went.    I'm used to letting my kids go anywhere and everywhere with Jewel, and I usually don't worry about what Jewel will have to face.   I'm a tad more nervous about exposing the neighbors to all of that though.    For example:  how many pieces of public property were damaged in some way by Sam.   Or heaven forbid-what if Jessica has an "accident" in her pants.   Again.

 Despite the horrible and embarrassing stories I'm half expecting to hear when they come barrelling through the door- I am trying to make the best of it, by milking the most out of the past couple of hours without our three loudest and most energetic.

Perhaps John and I will eat our Steak Sandwiches and homemade fries by Candlelight?

Sounds dreamy eh.

Ooooh, and for dessert, we'll eat the rest of these delicious donuts that I got down town at our ...get this- brand new BAKERY!!!  

Yeah-that's right.  We have a BAKERY!     For as long as I've lived here I have lamented to John that this town would be perfect if only it had a Bakery.  (Well technically I think this town would be perfect if it had a Bakery and a good Mexican restaurant-but I realize that's asking a lot.)    Apparently the universe is on my side right now-because as I was driving down main street I saw that glorious delightful sign advertising donuts, whole wheat breads, sugar free jams and jellies and so, SO much more.    When did that happen?   It's like-one day something was missing in my life and then suddenly...POOF!

All is right with the world!

Which brings me to this week's installment of What's Wonderful Wednesday.

 In honor of my Sister (the one my kids wish they could live forever with), my Good (albeit unsuspecting) Neighbors, and the half dozen donuts that I polished off before even getting home -
 the most wonderful things about today are:

#4: "Lots of Quiet time, and Bakeries that appear out of nowhere"