This and that

Carlye:
On the first day of school my oldest daughter came home from school with these words,"I hate second grade it's the worst grade ever and I am NEVER going back. I liked kindergarten and first grade way better and my teacher just spends all day telling us what to do, and I can't even look straight at her because my desk faces sideways and it hurts my neck to turn sideways and all we do is work and nobody will be my friend and I was all by myself." Nathanael then informed her that she couldn't be a biologist if she didn't go to school for a very long time. She was less then thrilled with these words. She also made her teacher send her to Mary Lynn because she was a close family friend. When Mrs. Hopkins wasn't in the library Carlye told her teacher that she just needed to go home. (Which didn't happen) Tuesday morning as I was walking them into the gym the bell rang and second grade was dismissed to their classes. Two girls grabbed Carlye and said, "Hurry, walk with us!" No friends, my foot. She also came home and decided that Mrs. Harrison really was a pretty good teacher and maybe second grade isn't so bad. As of today she loves school, but not as much as kindergarten or first grade.
Nathanael:
"Kindergarten is awesome! I had the bestest day ever and I'm the best in my class and Ms. McKinley likes me the most and I can't wait to go back tomorrow." On Tuesday we had a bad day, but only on the playground - all the rest was "the best." Apparently if you spend ALL of your recess on the monkey bars you will get horrible blisters on the palm of your right hand. And on Wednesday if you spend all of your time on the climber you will get horrible blisters on the palm of your left hand. I have never seen my son happier or his self esteem higher. He says that he's going to go to school forever so that he can be as smart as Uncle David (Carl, of course, annoyed with this answer - he's smart, too, you know!). Kindergarten is wonderful.
Noah:
Noah thinks that it is so great to have me all to himself, although he did tell me that he's big enough to go to school if I would just let him. Today he told me that he needed Brookie to come over, because who was he going to play with? Then he decided that he would just play with Emmaline. He met his teachers yesterday, and saw his classroom, and I am so thrilled with who he'll be with this year at CDO. I know that it's only four hours twice a week, but it feels like such a long time to me! Brookie is in his class, which is wonderful - and I don't know if I mentioned that they bumped him up to the youngest Pre-K class. He's too little to go to Pre-K! But I know that he'll have fun, and he wants to read so badly that I know he'll soak it all up like a sponge. He's such a social little guy, and his self esteem is amazing, so I know that he'll be fine.
Emmaline:
Our newest addition is growing and thriving and doing really well. She's almost completely crate trained (yippee!!) but it was and is a hard road. She just seems to NEVER poo. Until 3 o'clock in the morning, that is. And maybe once in the late afternoon. All of us are loving her so much, and we're having fun training her as well. She's already doing really well with the sit command. The only thing being fought over is who has to walk her when it's dark - nobody wants to do that because of the monsters.
Sarah Palin:
This is my blog, and therefore I get to write whatever I want to. If this offends you, I apologize, but I am simply stating my opinions, not forcing them on you. I am THRILLED with her as McCains choice for VP. Originally I wanted Romney, and would still like to see him run for President again, but I think that Palin was an incredible choice. I do believe that mom's should be home with their children, but let's face it, if she wanted to she could bring her kids to work with her and no one would care. Heavens, she could even hire a nanny to be there with her. Overall, she is an incredible pro-life!!!!! mother of 5 children who has experience, and probably knows more about conservation and drilling than anyone else that could have been chosen. She's something of a maverick, but in a more conservative way then McCain. She has a son in the military and a special needs child and I think that we will finally have someone in the White House that is in touch with the real world. I couldn't be happier. But let me say this, even though I do NOT like Obama, I am so proud as an American to see a black man arrive where he has in this country. Too bad it couldn't have been Colin Powell.......

God knows best

This morning I very bravely traversed the hallways of Starkey Elementary and entrusted the teachers therein with two of the most precious people in my life. As opposed to last year, I was actually dressed - with make-up on, teeth brushed, and Noah even had clothes on. My two oldest children bravely and excitedly marched forward towards the classrooms that they will call theirs for the next 9 months. We met the teachers who will be molding and changing their little brains, and as a result their lives, and were impressed and thankful. Once again the Lord has reminded me that He loves my children more than I do, and knows what's best for them. My oldest was blessed with an artistic, easy going teacher (can anyone say Mrs. Darbus?) which fits her personality and learning style perfectly, and my oldest son was given a teacher who is loving, but firm, and will make him tow the line. Again, a perfect fit for my Nathanael. (Although my very excited and cheerful son looked a little lost when I snuck back by his classroom and snapped this picture)If I had gotten involved I would have picked two totally different teachers for my children, and they would have probably been messed up for the rest of their lives as a result. I took pictures, waved good-bye, and tearfully headed out the doors of the school. Just as the dam was about to break my youngest said excitedly, "Mommy - now it's going to be just you and me!" Thankfully I was able to stem the flow of tears in time - lest his little feelings be hurt - and smiled. So now I wait to go and pick them up, and find out how their first day of school has gone. I know that throughout the course of this year they will make friends and lose them, have their feelings hurt and in turn hurt others, obey and disobey, pay close attention and day dream, and take that next step towards being independent, functioning adults who will be blessings to others. So I suck it up, smile, and pretend that the hole in my chest the size of the moon isn't really there. After all, as a good mom this is in my job description. And thankfully, we let go of our kids gradually and slowly, one birthday, one grade and one step at a time. My heart, however, doesn't know the difference.

School Supplies

Child size round tipped Fiskar scissors for school = $1.64
LEFT handed child size round tipped Fiskar scissors for school = $18.98 for two

Beach #2

Well, we leave tomorrow, and this has been a very exciting trip for our family. Here's our vacation list:
1. Nathanael learned how to wave board
2. Carlye didn't
3. Noah learned how to swim - really well. Daddy wanted to see how well and threw him into the middle of the pool to see if he would be able to get out himself (without warning him - I do NOT recommend this). He held his breath, ducked under the water, swam to the side and pulled himself out with one arm. So yeah, he can swim.
4. My children are allergic to EVERY type of sunscreen that I can find and their faces break out into horrible rashes similar to excema and then that turns into whelps and then sores that break open and bleed.
5. Noah's skin doesn't do that
6. When you are 7 years old and learn to crack your own crab and crack all of it at one time and then prepare to eat it all at one time you get very angry when your cousin grabs it and eats it all when you turn your back
7. Flashlight batteries do not last all night long
8. It is way more fun to swim with goggles on
9. My children are not yet old enough to be embarrassed when their daddy snorkels in the pool - with flippers on (I am, though)
10. No matter how much you do, or how much fun you have, no child enjoys being told that we go home tomorrow. At least, none that I know.
11. Swimming in the pool at night is way better than swimming in the pool during the day
12. There really are people out there who will steal a little girls bucket full of shells
13. When you're 6 years old sand dollar pieces are just as good as a whole one
14. Shells with creatures still in them are not a good idea
15. Swim suits with skirts on them are great for wiping salt water out of your eyes

The Beach

We are going to the beach. We leave in about an hour and a half. I do not like the beach. I do not like sand and the way that it gets everywhere and into everything and no matter how hard you try it still ends up in the condo and every time you take a step it gets on your feet and feels disgusting. I don't like that my children are allergic to almost every sunscreen under the sun and I have to get on them to keep their hats or visors on and that when they don't they get sunburned and then scream and cry because I have to put aloe vera on them. And I don't like the long drive because they always get into fights about she's touching me and it's my turn to sit in the middle, not to mention the proverbial "I'm going to throw up!." I also despise swimsuits for the obvious reasons that all mothers do (except for Heather, but she's not normal), in addition to the fact that my children are exposed to various forms of immodesty while on the sandy shores that they are becoming more aware of (and then of course they often make comments which cause me to blush and hurry them away before the people - who obviously have very poor decision making skills - hear them). Here is what I do like, though:

1. Walking down the beach in the surf, holding my kids hands and looking for shells and sand dollars
2. Burying them in the sand
3. Watching them chase seagulls and laugh
4. Going down with the kids at night with flashlights and chasing the sand crabs
5. The fact that my kids get as excited the night before we leave as they do on Christmas Eve
6. Being with extended family (everyone of my in-laws goes except one)
7. Having one last hurrah before school starts
8. Watching the dolphins on the rare occasions that they come into the passage
9. Making memories with my family that will last forever

So, even though I would rather be going somewhere else - such as Alaska, or some other cool climate where we could go hiking, exploring and watch wild life - it's definitely worth it in the end. Now, I am going to take a bath, get dressed, finish packing up my kiddos and prepare for "Are we there yet?"

Sara, Diva Dog, Creature of the Blanket

Yesterday we went to Sara's wedding. When she came walking out of the temple I cried. I couldn't believe that this beautiful woman was the little girl that I used to cuddle on the couch. Aunt Marianne made her dress (without her!) and it was one of the most beautiful dresses that I have ever seen. Carlye stayed with her the entire time, and Nathanael just sat and observed in his typical sweet heart fashion - he was really just there for his Grandma Aunt Marianne. Noah was doing his very best to fall into the waterfall outside the temple, or fall off the banisters that he was sliding down, or break the trees that he wasn't supposed to be climbing, or slide down the granite "ramp" outside the banisters on the staircases. Overall it was amazing, and we were so thankful to be a part of it. At the wedding breakfast we were able to visit with Popi, Doreen, and Aunt Norma, and it was so neat. When we left there were tears all around, especially when my kiddos saw that someone else was living in Uncle Frank and Grandma Aunt Marianne's house. I cried for many reasons, but the most prevalent was that I missed Grandma, and that I knew that this was good-bye to everyone for quite a while. I do have to say, though, that I have never seen a more beautiful bride, nor a groom more in love.


Emmaline is a diva. I have done three things that I said I would NEVER do (never say never).
1) I own a dog
2) She's on antibiotics
3) She wears pink dresses and bows

Oh, and I guess that I should add that we can't get her to eat dry food. Granted, that is the breeders fault, but the adorable little snob will not eat anything but soft food. Don't worry, we're working on it. Also, did you know that a yorkies ears won't stick up unless you tape them? Yup, the vet taped her ears with masking tape. Weird.

There is something REALLY weird going on in our house. A strange creature has started appearing, but only during nap time or at night after the kids are in bed. Oddly enough, this strange being believes that it is invisible and that you cannot see it when it comes walking around. It really only travels along a special path - the one between the boys room and the kitchen, and then back again. What do you think it could be? I only have two pictures of this elusive being, but I thought that I would share them with you.

First couple of days

Chapter One: Puppies are VERY unhappy unless they can see people, and even if they can see people they will cry if they cannot get to you. Solution #1 for crate training yorkie at night - Earplugs, loud fans and towels shoved under the doors. Puppies who have never been outside and are anxious and have been paper trained will apparently have diarrhea during the night in their crates and on their blankets that smell like their mommy which Aunt Pammy told us NOT to put in there. Solution #2 - don't have one yet.
Chapter Two: Emmaline is really coming out of her shell. She loves playing with the kids, and follows them everywhere. She has the most adorable sideways run where she turns her body into the shape of a C. She is also a very vicious attack dog, and bravely protects us from all the Webkinz that dare to pass into her domain. She has conquered BullCool and Carlye's pink poodle, along with Noah's black bear. Consequently, all of the Webkinz have been sequestered for their protection and we are going to the store today to get a stuffed animal just for her.
Chapter Three: Victory! Emmaline only cried upon initially going into her crate last night and did not soil her crate once! Good puppy! She did, however, go potty immediately upon arriving in the bathroom and hearing the water running. Ah, well, you can't climb Everest in one night. All of the kids love her, and are so "helpful" right now. She and Noah have a strange bond, which makes me a little nervous about her personality. She does love Carlye and Nathanael as well, though. She is, however, a sneaky little thing, so we are getting her a little bell to wear so that we know where she is at all times.
Chapter Four: Mommy gets to sleep????? Sorry Pammy, I know it's not like what you're dealing with, but I thought that I was done with getting up in the middle of the night! Emmaline currently has to go potty once in the middle of the night and then again around 5:30 or 6 am. Apparently she will outgrow this in the next several weeks and be able to sleep all night long, meanwhile, I have only one question for my brilliant reader. Wasn't this dog Carl's idea?

Oops

Sorry! I spelled Princess Leia's(?) name wrong earlier. Wait, now nothing looks right! Oh, bother!

And introducing.....

Well, after 2 years of listening to our little girl pray for our puppy, and then more recently listen to Noah and Nathanael pray for a puppy as well, their daddy finally listened and bought them one. She is an AKC registered 10 week old Yorkshire Terrier named Emmaline, who cannot clean up after herself or do the dishes. (Noah wanted to name her Pup-A and Banana Pants) She has stolen all of our hearts, especially the big bad daddy's. As we speak, she is nestled in his lap watching the Dallas Cowboys season opener. History - Carl grew up with a little dog named Pepper whom he loved with all of his heart. In has latter teens (16-18) she became very ill and had to be put to sleep. Carl cried for a week (he is gonna be so mad that I put this in here) and wouldn't speak to his mom. He's never had another dog (unless you count Dinky, and we don't, she was really more like a large rat). Emmaline will be crate trained, and her crate is in Carlye's room, since she is the oldest and most likely to take care of her, and since we don't trust Mr. Banana Pants when we can't see him. She looks like a little Eewok, and I wanted to name her after Princess Leah, but Carl said no - he can be soooo bossy. We also liked Ginger, but there's already been a Ginger in our family, and Emmaline just seemed to fit. Nathanael suggested Cage, and Carlye suggested Precious, both adorable, but not quite right. So, here we are. And Emmaline makes 6.

Blechhh

Well, our internet has been down for the last week, I had a summer cold and lost my voice and my family has the plague and keeps throwing up, so we have lost all contact with the outside world. All I know now is the smell of vomit, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent and chicken noodle soup. As soon as we believe that we've recovered and can come out of quarantine a new family member starts to throw up, which then makes everyone else feel bad again. So far Noah is the only one that hasn't caught the plague. Apparently his immune system could eat all of ours.