One fer Carer

Here you go Carol.... photos!!!!

Halloween

Here are three of the cast members....not pictured Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz, and the Wicked Witch of the West

Turn It Around, Of Course

Sometimes, all you can do is shrug your shoulders, shake your head, and just accept that that's how things are going to go. Today was the Primary for church - which at this point you should just know what is coming.  R. manages to be regular entertainment for the folks down there.  From being the Sunbeam who reads ahead on the Articles of Faith, to telling them that he had buffalo chips at the neighbors house the other day, we have come to expect a report on what they call R-isms.  Well, Primary programs have proven to be no different.  Last year, when the teacher whispered his line to him, he whispered it into the microphone, and then told her that he already knew it; continued to say his part, and whisper the whole thing.  This year, he went to say his part, and his paper was upside down. He started giving his part, and when his teacher tried to turn it right-side up, told her "I know how to read upside down", and turned the paper back to upside down to finish his part.  However, the whole congregation had already burst out laughing, so he burst out laughing too, and then finished his part - upside down.  The rest of church was people coming up to him and telling him they could read upside down also, or the old folks giving us that hmmm-don't-you-teach-your-kid-anything look. As the Ukrainians say, "shozh tee roebish." (What are you going to do?)

Election Time

Yeah, I know, politics and religion... Guess what - I'm a Mormon, and I vote conservative.  Not only that, but yes, I teach my children that they should vote conservatively; that it is their job to take care of themselves and not rely on government programs to get by; and someday, I will even teach them that it is their right to own a gun.  So, now that that part is out of the way -  Today being election day and all, I was talking with R. and explaining the voting process; how the electoral college works, and looking at various maps on the internet, with the different states registering their votes.  I was explaining to him why I was voting for Romney instead of Obama, and the fact that Obama is a socialist - he believes that it is the government's responsibility to take care of people, and that rights are from the government - I do not, and intend fully to explain this to my kids - which I have done, as much as you can with a 6 and 4 yr old, who then start playing Romey (J's version of Romney) and Obama.  Well, R's response was "Yeah, we're voting for Romney.  I still kinda like him (Obama), but Romney's hair is cooler." - Hey, it worked for JFK!!

Some Days, Things Just Work.......For The Most Part

For J. And M.'s birthdays, we went down to Gardner Village.  For the most part it is just a bunch of little overpriced shops, but this time of year they have their "Witches Night Out", and everyone (EVERYONE) comes dressed as a witch (or just comes). They also have a hayride, entertainment, a petting zoo, a little corn maze, and you can ride the ponies (for a price of course).  Well, we decided to go down there for our adventure for their birthdays. (Rather than clutter my house with more toys that will inevitably be broken, I'd rather my kids have memories of doing things for their birthdays.)  As we were meandering along, I saw a great spot, perfect for some photos.... which I naturally HAD to take!! And what to my wondering eyes should appear - but 2 very cute photos of 2 very handsome boys!!!! YAY... Score 1 for mom.

The little Miss however, yeah, not so much.... She just isn't in the mood for holding still long enough for my dear camera to take a picture :(

So, we had to have some manual assistance (courtesy of the cousin) to get some pictures of her - which are still pretty cute.

3 More Years For This One

It seems that there comes a point when you have to do something, just because that is what you do.  It would appear that the Mater/Lightning Pajamas have arrived at this state.  Sheesh, if I don't photograph H. in said pajamas, I may as well sign him up for the my-parents-don't-love-me club!

Time Slippage

How's that for time moving fast? H. is already almost 4 months old!

School Life

While, I'm not thrilled with the level of difficulty in R's studies at his new school, I will say, I love the fun things they have them do.  Today they came to school dressed as their favorite nursery rhyme.  R. wanted to be Humpty Dumpty - too difficult to put together.  Next R. wanted to be Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater - Not enough time to find a tiny wife to put in a pumpkin shell. (Although Ravelry does have some cute patterns for girls dressed as pumpkins - but that might have just come across as him having a doll!)  So, with some help from Google, enter - The Muffin Man.

R. is a baker at The Muffin House.  The Muffin House is enjoying great success at their new location 555 Drury Lane.  The specialize in gingerbread men with gumdrop buttons and english muffins of the highest variety.  If you are interested in partaking of some tasty morsels, R. The Muffin Man will be happy to drop some off to you.  Because here at the Muffin House, we are dedicated to delivering the finest quality muffins.

"Top of the muffin to you!!!"

Okay, so the name isn't quite accurate anymore

Due to recent events, the name of my blog is no longer exactly accurate.

Although, I can make an argument for accuracy - it is a pretty lame one.  (We only have 1 girl, so she is technically the caboose of girls!)  But as the above picture shows, we clearly have a new addition.  And since we had a few hiccups in the past few months with getting over the c-section, I haven't quite gotten around to posting pictures.  (Not that anyone who reads this hasn't already seen the baby, but still.)  Mr. H. appears to has his father's eyes - as does J.  They make for some quite expressive pictures - even at 2 months of age.

Man Chores

Conversation with R. this morning:

(I recently purchased some lighters, because the one that we had, won't work.)
"Mom, YOU use lighters?!?"
"Yes, R. I use lighters."
"Mom, you shouldn't use lighters."
"R, why shouldn't I use a lighter?"
"Because you aren't a man."
"R., I can use a lighter. You don't have to be a man to use a lighter."
"Yes, you do."
"Why do you need to be a man to use a lighter?"
"Because we are smarter. It's true mom.  We're men!" (said with arms crossed in a defiant stance)
(Interjection from J., "We're men!")


By the way, T promises he did not teach them that!

Ah, Corporal Punishment!

Mr. R., bless his pointed little head, has a tendency to throw temper tantrums, and be a bit of a smart aleck. The usual form of punishment has been standing in the corner, or sending him to his room.  However, neither one of these has produced results. So, today I decided it was time for him to "hold up the wall".  He has to stand with his back against the wall, with knees bent. (It also works as an effective workout for your legs; albeit unpleasant for him.)  Well, he has been at the wall 3 times today.  Once for a full blown tantrum, the 2nd for a much milder tantrum, and the 3rd for beating on his brother.  Each time I have told him that he has to hold up the wall.  The last time he was there, "holding it up", you could tell his legs were starting to hurt, and he didn't want to have that punishment any more - but he exclaimed rather ardently, "Mom, you better get someone else to hold up the wall, or else it is going to fall down!!!"  It is hard not to laugh sometimes.

J. on Hair

"Mom, my hair is going to get washed away by taking a bath.  And then I'll be my dad.  I don't want to be my dad!"

Words Truly Befitting a Girl

Long have we waited for Miss M. to say her first word.  She has made attempts at words, but they come out as just a sound - ba - which sound is associated with a lot of words; so it really doesn't seem like that counts.  And yes, she will say 'hi', over and over and over, but even that is more of a sound than a word when she says it. (We had almost given up hope and started calling her 'Anyang'.)  However, as we were waiting at the doctor's office, she said a word.  Now, if you were to guess a truly girly word to say, you could probably guess what her's was.  And it fits too. I imagine she and the white-haired bunch will be great friends.  Her first word was 'shoe'.  All of the kids' first words have somehow fit them, R's was dog (although T says it was ball), J's was hug, and M's is shoe.

Who Sings That Song?

The other day I was sitting on the floor, and an Alison Krauss song came to mind. As I sat there with J. and M.; probably changing a diaper or some other equally as wonderful task, I started singing, "I'll fly away, Oh Glory, I'll fly away, in the morning." J. with ever present timing and tack tells me to stop singing that song.  "Mom, stop singing that song.  Mom, stop.  That other girl sings that song, not you!"  Yup, my kid literally said that.  Makes a girl feel proud.

A Pineapple Dress

Carol,

Here are some additional pictures of the dress - or just cute pictures of my daughter!

Childhood: Sponsored by Band-Aid

I really do think we should get some kind of sponsorship with Band-Aid.  I remember as kids it being a luxury to actually get a band-aid when we were wounded.  Perhaps our "wounds" weren't actually that, but at the time, it sure seemed like it.  Well, in our house, I don't think a week goes by without using a band-aid.  Granted it is mostly on one kid, but still.  J. you know who you are! Today was the day this week.  J's finger has mostly healed from last week's band-aid use; just in time for him to step on something, and need a band-aid on his foot.  So, just minutes ago J comes running up crying to tell me he stepped on something and how much it hurts.  I of course reassure him that he will be fine, and go to collect the band-aid stuff.  M decided it was too much fun to take everything out of the first-aid kit and scatter it on the floor.  Well, I get back, take out the little piece of whatever he stepped on and clean it it up amidst his tears.  Where upon he informs me, "Mom, it hurts.  My brain is sending signals. It hurts."

Children's Wall Art

Makes it sound so benign, don't you think?  Maybe even cute. Unless of course it happens to be that your

children have a knack for finding Sharpies - which "art" doesn't come off so well.  Incase you are wondering; yes, you can get Sharpie off of a tv screen.  Just write over it with a dry-erase marker.  Getting it off the wall is another story. So most of our masterpieces are of the drawing in circles variety.  Not very exciting, and not at all museum worthy.  

Others were written as instruction.  Author R. informed me that this one was to let everyone know not to go this way... There is a companion mark on the other wall letting know you know not to go that way either, but to go through the doorway in between the two.

This one was inspired by a tv program.... I'll let you guess which one.  But, it is a clue to solving what the blue dog wants.  We even have one that is a compilation work from multiple artists - including the youngest.  

However, the one that I like, and I think is really cool looking, is the one on my washing machine.  I think it looks like it would be right at home in a museum somewhere.  I'm not sure of the artist on that one.  Not everyone is as quick as R. to claim responsibility. Our washing machine is on its way out, so I thought I should document how cool it is before it is lost.  But I would say it definitely follows the Picasso school of art.

Dolly Dingle

I'm not sure many people know who Dolly Dingle even is.  Which I suppose kinda makes sense, since she hasn't been new since the 1930's.  But there are certain redheads who are altogether very familiar with her - stealing my paper dolls when we were kids....... at any rate, check out these pictures, and tell me that there isn't a resemblance. Fat cheeks, and they smile the same. P.S. You can tell I meant to post this a while ago, I just never uploaded the photos....

and now it is hard to see it in the older photos - because this is what she looks like now.

J. Quotes

So, the other night when we were putting the kids to bed, J. was playing with some toys, and didn't want to give them up.  So, being the nice mom that I am, I took them away, and threw them down the stairs.  Problem solved. J. responded in his furrowed-brow, I'm-going-to-hate-you-for-the-next-five-minutes look.  And said, "Hey, that is for boys. It isn't for moms and dads.  It's for kids.  It isn't for grown-up.... things... Both T. and I looked away as we snickered.

Then tonight he was drinking some milk.  He was half way through his third cup when he stuck his tummy out and exclaimed that he was almost getting fat.  "I'm almost getting fat.  It's almost just like my grandpa's."

A Few R. Quotes

"Mom, why does that headstone say Centerville on it?  I just don't understand why it says Centerville."
(That might be a sure sign that your mom does a bit of genealogy!)

Listening to the primary song, "Jesus Once Was a Little Child:" "Mom, was I meek and mild when I was a child?"