Out sick

This week I got a lot of extra quality time with Boston. Boston came down with the flu, which kept him out of school for 3 days. The flu has been VERY bad this year, taking record numbers out of school, for several days. Aubrie's class had 17 kids absent in her class over a week ago. Boston got the worst of it, which is unusual. Out of all my kids, Boston hardly ever gets sick! He does get stomach aches, but never the flu. Since Columbus Day was on Monday, it was almost a full week off for him. He started coming down with something on Columbus day. We got lunch at Red Robin, and he didn't have a very big appetite. Then when we were at the movie (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs), he kept complaining that he didn't feel well, and kept laying on my lap. As soon as we got home he went and took a nap (something he NEVER does). He had a constant temperature and no appetite until Thursday morning. A few times, to get his temperature to come down, I had him dip in the pool. He thought that was cool (literally!). I kept him busy with workbooks, make up work, movies, and I made him take naps when Sophia did. He was really good about that. It was nice to have quality one on one time with him, but by the end of the week I was feeling bad that he wasn't feeling better. I was happy, and so was he, when he got to go back to school on Friday. I volunteered on Friday, in Aubrie's class, and checked on him during his recess time. He was outside playing soccer and having a good time. I'm sure he was glad to be back playing with his friends!

Hello! Goodbye.

Hello Bed!

So after many escapes, Ben waking up with Sophia staring at him, oh, and Sophia asking us over and over for a "big girl bed", we finally made the switch. I took Sophia to karate and dance on Wednesday, while Ben broke down the crib and put up her bed. The only twin size bedding I had was Buzz Lightyear. I pulled that out of the closet for Ben to put on when he was done. When we got back this is what was waiting.

I guess Ben couldn't stand the thought of his little girl in Buzz Lightyear bedding. Having the Dora bedding definitely made the surprise all the more exciting for her. She was so excited to sleep in her Dora bed. She didn't fall asleep for a couple of hours the first night, because she was so excited. She didn't get out of bed, but just laid their wide awake. Since then, she has made the transition very well. Of course, I should be knocking on wood, because I said that about her potty training and now she is back to pull ups and no trips to the potty. After our trip, I'm pulling out the underwear and throwing out the pull ups. There are no excuses now that she is in a bed!

Goodbye Crib!

Later that night, as we were bringing her crib and rocker downstairs to the garage, it was like another chapter closing in my life. Aubrie was upset that the rocking chair was going. She kept asking me to keep it. Honestly, if I had a place to put it, I might have thought about it. It's the rocking chair I rocked all my babies in. That's the sentimental part of me. I'm sure I'll be crying when we sell it and some stranger is driving off with it!

The crib and rocking chair I've had since Aubrie! How 10 years have flown by!

Prison Break

So yesterday, after putting Sophia down for a nap, I was enjoying a few hours of peace, checking up on emails, facebook, farmville.... You know, all that important stuff. Ha, ha! Anyway, I kept hearing noises, but passed it off as the cats. I did think it was a little weird to hear a door close, but couldn't think of what else it could be. It's wasn't until I heard a thud, that could not be created by a 14 lb agile cat, that I started to get concerned. I ran towards Sophia's room, hoping my worst fear wouldn't be confirmed. When I opened her door she was laying on top of her dresser, face first (obviously in the middle of a climb). She shot me this big grin, like she had been caught. I then noticed that she had several toys in her crib, and that she had her PJ's on. ( I put her down in a sundress!) I quickly moved her dresser to the other side of the room, and laid on her floor until she went to sleep. So far no escape acts today. But she did want her door open tonight when we put her down, and I did sleep on her floor for 10 minutes until she fell asleep, at nap time. I'm not ready for her to be in a bed!!!! I'm hoping the repositioning of the dresser will detour her for a few more months. Of course, her not being in the bed has put a damper on her potty training. I realized I had never had a kid in a crib and in underpants at the same time. It kinda makes it hard for her to use the restroom in the middle of the night, or early morning. Hmmmm......more time in a crib, or a fully potty trained kid? What will give me more sanity? I'm thinking the crib!

Caught on Film

Just some random pics to share!

Currently these are Sophia's favorite shoes. I originally bought them for church, but she wears them every day. You can tell by looking at the scuffs and scratches on the toes. This particular day she decided that these bright pink socks would look good with her ensemble. ( Did I mention she picks out her clothes every day?) Being my fourth, I have learned what battles are worth fighting. This obviously wasn't one of them. The people in Target got a kick out of her!

Last Thursday we went to AH-SO for dinner. It was the best the food has tasted, but the service was awful and it was FREEZING. Boston couldn't take it anymore and broke down and wore Aubrie's jacket. Doesn't he look so pretty in pink? He didn't realize I was capturing it on film until the second shot, obviously!

The other night, after putting Aubrie down, she remembered she needed to make a cake for a play in class. I panicked, thinking she needed to make a real cake. She told me she just needed to make one out of paper. I asked her how she planned on doing that. She told me she was going to cut three circles (all different sizes) and tape them together. In my head I imagined three circles just glued on top of each other. She came down 30 minutes with this. Well, actually it was much nicer. This is the aftermath of me running it to her school on a windy day, and her bringing it home in her backpack. She is super creative! If it was me, it would have been three circles slapped on top of each other.

Really no story with these pictures. Just can't help but whip out the camera and take random pictures of this girl. She LOVES the camera, and gives me some of the funniest looks. Speaking of LOVING the camera. The other day we took the kids hiking. Ever so often, Boston would strike a pose and say, "Wouldn't this make a good picture". He and Sophia have a lot in common!:)

Nine to Three

That's how long we were gone this morning doing Soccer. What have we gotten ourselves into? I remember my Saturdays being relaxing. We would do some housework, yard work, etc and then hang. Not going to happen anymore! Actually, we left the house at 8:32 to make it to Bostons game which is only 5 minutes away; but you have to be early to warm up!! We found that out last week:) Boston had a great game. He played very well. I am amazed at his skill. Since he spends all his time playing kickball and tether ball, I had no clue he could play soccer. His team worked well together and pulled off a win. Boston was super excited.

After his game we headed to the pharmacy to pick up the other half of Aubrie's prescription (For some reason the insurance company made us get two separate doses at different times. Lame!) We then stopped at Sports Chalet to get some more light weight chairs. We stopped by the house and Ben took Ethan over to the fields for pictures, while I hung at the house for about 30 minutes getting kids fed and a few things organized. We headed back out for Ethan's game at noon. Ethan was still feeling a little under the weather, but wanted to play. You could definitely tell. He was dragging big time on the field, and would only get aggressive when the ball came his way. His team lost. The other team was really good and had some kids that looked like they could be Boston's age.

Aubrie had pictures at 1:00, so we just got some food from the snack bar and found some shade and hung out and watched a movie. Ben ran Sophia back to the house for a nap, (my Mom was home), and Ben came back and joined us.

Aubrie, too, did not have the energy level she had last week. She had a lot of good steals, but didn't have what she needed to take the ball down the field and really get aggressive. Her team did really well, though. Winning 3-1. (or was it 4-1?). Anyway, despite not feeling their best, they still had fun, and pushed through.

After the games, we came home and the kids just rested and watched TV. Ben had priesthood session at 5. While he was gone, I dragged myself on the elliptical for one last work out for the week. I was determined to get 5 work outs in this week. I ended up being on there for an hour and a half; my longest time ever. I think it was a good stress reliever from a long day. After my workout, I fed the kids, finished some laundry, and picked up the house. There was still time for a game of Sorry and Memory with the kids. Tomorrow is General Conference, piano practicing, and catching up on missed General Conference. It was weird not watching today. So grateful for Tevo! Another week gone by so quickly!!!

Apple Day and Hair Ties

Ethan's Kindergarten in their "Apple Day" hats

This past week Ethan's class has been focusing on apples. Friday was apple day, where they did several projects that included apples. The teachers asked for volunteers to help with the stations. I helped with the painting station. The kids took cut apples and did the famous "apple stamp". It didn't turn out as cute as it was supposed to. Most of the artwork looked like big blobs. The kids enjoyed theme selves, so that was good enough for me. The other stations were making puppets, hats, coloring, tasting apples and picking your favorite, and helping make applesauce. After their stations, the Mom's got to stick around and watch them go through their normal morning routine, which included Calendar, days of the week, popcorn letter, etc. It was great to be there for that and see how much Ethan enjoyed it and participated. I can tell why he loves it so much. His teacher is so laid back, and makes it fun for them. It was a good morning spending time with Ethan, and meeting and getting to know other Mom's.

When I got back home I took Sophia out for some shopping. I made a run to Justice to cheer Aubrie up, and also reward her for all her hard work. She is working so hard these days. She does all her homework and activities without complaining. I'm so proud of her. I ran upstairs with the bag and put the clothes on my bed and then asked her to get something and bring it to me. She was so excited and appreciative for all her things. That makes me want to spoil her even more, when she is so appreciative. While I was out, I also bought some ribbon and hair ties so Aubrie could make special hair ties for her soccer teammates. Sh did a good job. She made two for every girl, "in case they wore piggy tails". She put them in little clear bags and put a cute note, for each girl, on envelope labels, and used them to seal the bags.

She was so excited to pass them out today. All the girls were so grateful and put them in their hair. That made Aubrie feel good. I love her giving personality. She is so good that way.

16 missing!

This week Aubrie wasn't feeling well. Well, actually she hasn't been doing well for the past two weeks. Between sore muscles, a cough, headaches, and congestion, she has missed her share of dance classes and made Ibprofin her new friend. Finally, after much complaining of pressure under her eyes, I determined that she must have developed a sinus infection. Ben took her out of tap early, on Wednesday, and took her to the doctor. I guessed right. (Don't Mom's have that special Diagnostic skill?) She came home with some antibiotics (YEAH!). The next day she was feeling better, but came home from school with news that 14 kids were absent from her class. I knew that wasn't good news. She developed a fever and missed school the following day. I received an email from her teacher informing the parent's not to worry about missed work. No work or tests were administered in the whole 4th grade due to increased amount of absent children. There was a total of 16 absent in her class, alone, on Friday. I guess the flu worked fast through her classroom. Aubrie's fever came and went, and she seemed better by nightfall, and all her other "original" symptoms of sinus pressure were gone. Ben and I went out for our normal date night, and recieved a call a few hours later that Ethan had a temperature. I should have known that something was wrong with him, because he came home and said he was tired (when I told him that morning he could ride his bike after school) and just crashed on the couch and WATCHED Boston play video games. Today he and Aubrie had a roller coaster day. I'm hoping no one else gets the flu, and it will quickly pass through our house! Darn the flu season!

Student of the Week

So Friday the kids came home and said that Ethan was on TV. What? Of course, I wasn't believing a word of it, until they explained that he was on the TV at school. Their school has TV monitors in each classroom, where they do morning announcements, messages from the principal, etc. I'm sure they also use them for showing movies while the teachers take a nap. Ha! Ha!

Anyway, apparently the school has started this new "golden ticket" system. When the kids are showing good character, their name goes on a golden ticket, which goes into a drawing. They choose a handful of tickets each week. So here are Aubrie and Boston watching the announcements and hear Ethan say his name in his little baby voice, "Efan", as they are asking the students to introduce themselves. Apparently Student Council (the ones doing the announcements) thought he was cute and loved his freckles (according to Ethan).

So what does he get out of this? Cutting rights!!! He gets to cut in front of the lines all week. I let him get lunch in the cafeteria and he said it was totally cool that he got to cut to the front! I'm so glad that Ethan got picked. It meant a lot to him. He is doing so well in school. He loves his teacher, and loves to go and learn. He loves all the things he is doing...soccer, karate, music. He works really hard, and is very focused.

Ethan and Aubrie had their first soccer game Saturday. Aubrie did very well, considering she had no idea what she was doing. I was impressed that she just jumped in and did things, without acting fearful or nervous. I think if I was 9 and played my first soccer game with girls who had played before, I would have butterflies in my stomach. She was very aggressive, and also willing to play goalie. I think she realized that position wasn't where all the action was, and wanted to get back on the field. Once she gets her positioning down, I think she will do GREAT!

Ethan did very well, too. He was a little tired at first. He had just sat in the sun for an hour watching Aubrie's game, and kicking a ball around with Emmy. He also went to bed at 12:30 the night before. Once his adrenaline started going, he was a machine. He was all over the ball, and sometimes all over the players. He was just focused on kicking the ball no matter where it landed. One time he accidentally kicked a coaches hand as he was picking up the ball, and he also kicked it out of boys hand who tried to pick it up. It was kind of funny, actually. Ethan finally got his Karate Gi and equipment. He wore it for the first time yesterday. He did so much better than he has ever done. Everyone (the other Mom's and the instructor) noticed it. Amazing how having his uniform on helped him do much better. He was so cute, and I didn't even get a picture. I'm taking one on Wed, for sure, and posting it.

Afternoon Taxi Driver

Last week went way to quick. I honestly can't think of anything I did besides run kids to activities, go to Young Women's and watch the season premier of House (my favorite TV show). I'm sure I also got some Glen Beck in, too! The weeks just pass by so quickly these days. Before I know it, it is Friday and I'm gearing up for another week to come. It's all very good, but also very exhausting. I think I'm about to paint my car yellow, and start talking in a New York accent! I hope the kids really do love all their activities, and I'm not running them around in vein.

Growing up I wasn't involved in anything, until I got into Jr. High/High School. I remember spending my days, after school, out with the kids in the neighborhood, watching TV, playing in my room, etc. I wonder what produces a happier childhood, and if it really matters. I was a happy kid. Of course, times were much simpler then. Now our kids lives are filled with video games, computers, etc, when they are home. Especially if you live in Arizona. There isn't much playing outside unless you are swimming! (Well, for 8 months out of the year anyway.) Where am I going with this? I just hope at the end of it all, all my time and energy (along with all my kids time and energy) will help at producing more well rounded adults!

I'm posting our weekly schedule for family history's sake. I'm sure the kids will love looking at this someday, and it might be helpful for me, too, when I'm a Grandma and wondering why I don't see my own Adult children very often! I'm sure I'll also look back at this schedule in a few years and think how easy I had it! Ha! Ha! BTW, if there is some bad person stalking this blog, we have 3 doberman pinchers and all of my kids are black belts in Karate!

Monday

4-6 Aubrie's Dance

4:30-5 Ethan's Karate

Family Home Evening

Tuesday

4:15 Aubrie's Activity Days (every other week)

5:00-6:00 Aubrie and Ethan's Soccer Practice

5:30- 6:30 Boston's cub scouts

6:30-8:00 Young Womens

Wed (my easy day)

4-5 Aubrie's Tap

4:30- 5 Ethan's Karate

Thursday (the killer day)

4:30-5:30 Aubrie and Boston's piano

5:30-6:30 Ethan's music class

6:00-7:00 Aubrie's Hip Hop class

7:00- 8:00 Boston's Soccer Practice

Friday....NOTHING!!!!!!

Saturday

3 Soccer games at random times, and sometimes a dance practice

Ben...maybe you should print this out;)

Single Mom for 4!

Ben takes a trip up to Utah once a year for a "college friends" reunion. This year I told Ben to stay an extra day and go to the BYU game with his brother Matt, who had field seats. BYU started off a great season this year, with a win against OU! I knew Ben would have a great time at the game. (If the don't choke) So that put him gone Thursday- Sunday afternoon. So four days of golfing, playing cards, and hanging out with some of his best friends. I'm glad he gets the chance to do it.I really don't mind when he goes. I'm used to him being out of town with all the travel he did with IBM. I run a tight ship, so things get done with or without him here!

Thursday was a little hectic, but not bad. Normally, Ben and I have to shuttle kids to after school activities at the same time. My Mom helped out, by taking Ethan to his music class. Aubrie didn't feel well, so she skipped her 6:00 dance class. So that left plenty of time to get homework done.

Friday, Boston had Grandparents Day. He was so excited. My Mom went. The kids sang songs, and made them a hand print poster. Then the Grandparents were asked to share what life was like for them when they were Boston's age. Because it was Grandparent's day, Boston got to come home early. My Mom and I spent time playing Jenga and Don't Break the Ice with Boston. After school, the kids decided they wanted to paint. I was in the other room, and so Aubrie got everybody set up on her own. Aubrie is so responsible when it comes to stuff like that. Here are the pictures they did.

Aubrie added Ben later, in pencil, to her family portrait! Guess he wasn't there, so she forgot to put him in. Nice of her to think of it later.

After painting, we went to McDonalds for dinner. The kids had fun playing. There was a family that had a son on Ethan's T-ball team last season. So they had fun playing with him, too.

When we got home we watched Free Willy, while we frosted Sugar Cookies. LOTS!!

Then they watched Dragon Slayer (not sure it was the best pick, but they liked it best), while I caught up on journaling.

This morning, Aubrie woke up early to surprise me with breakfast. She made scrambled eggs and pancakes. I made Danny's special buttermilk syrup to go on the pancakes. YUM! After breakfast and a few cartoons we all did chores, piano practicing, reading, etc. Then my my Mom took Aubrie to the library, and then the rest of the kids out for ice cream. Aubrie spent a lot of time playing dress up with Sophia. She painted her nails to match her outfit and everything.

I spent some time getting my handouts for my lesson ready for tomorrow.

Tonight I'll go over the lesson and probably watch more movies with the kids. So far all has gone well. Tomorrow will be the real test; getting 4 kids ready for church all by myself. I guess that will give me a glimpse of what it's like to have a husband in the Bishopric! LOL

Some pics of Sophia at JuJu Berry.

Brain Freeze!

#6

The number 6 represents how many times we have now taken our kids in for stitches (gluing, or staples). Aubrie, Boston and Ethan all split their chins at 3. Aubrie fell off a hammock that her Grandparents had over cement. Boston was chasing a friend in the house and ran right into the arm of the couch. Ethan's chin slammed on Boston's head, as he jumped off the waterfall in our pool at the same time Ben was throwing Boston across the pool. Boston also tore his knee on the staples in the carpet last year, and Aubrie took a golf club the the chin this year. We were all getting ready to hold our breath when Sophia turned 3! We'll she beat them all to it. It wasn't her chin though, so we are not sure if this one counts!Wednesday night, Sophia wanted to take a shower with Ben. She stepped in the shower, lost her footing, and went down on the back of her head. I wasn't home yet, and when I got home I heard Ben calling me from the shower. She wasn't crying. Ben just wanted me to take a looksie and see if I thought it needed stitches. I always err on the side of caution because of infection. I told Sophia she had to go to the Dr. and she started jumping up and down in excitement, saying, "Yeah, yeah, Dr., Dr,!"

Ben took her while I held the fort down and got dinner going. We always take

the kids to an urgent care place, unless they are closed. Ben was in and out in a half an hour. They gave her 3 staples, so they didn't have to shave her head. Ben said she did REALLY good. She didn't even cry. They had to wrap her up in a sheet like a burrito (something they always do there to the younger ones). She didn't even protest that. Every time they put something on her head, (ie antiseptic, numbing agent) she would say,"Yeah, I'm all better". She did whimper and say "Ouch", when she got each staple. But since then, she hasn't complained. What a big girl. She hasn't even asked to swim since since she got them!

Here is the after picture!

Something that happens when the kids get ahold of the camera, "Dress up Sophia and take pictures"!

Finally a "Soccer Mom"

Though I have kept the kids busy doing a variety of activities, soccer never made it on the list. Something about tournaments, Sunday games, and seasons that never seem to end, always kept me at bay. Finally, after much asking by the kids, we signed them up with a Rec. teams that had practices and games within minutes. Tuesday was Aubrie and Ethan's first practice. Conveniently, Ethan and Emmy practice together, and Aubrie and Maya are on the same team. They both had a GREAT time, and did great! Aubrie was working really hard to do her best, and I could tell she was really enjoying herself. I was a little concerned about her taking up soccer since she has so much dance every week, but I think this will be really good for her! Ethan has fun doing anything athletic!

The Forgotten Camera

We always forget to download Ben's camera on my computer. Here are some jewels we found!

Labor Day 2009....in no particular order!

A fun game of kickball!

Or not! He must have gotten out!

It must be time to eat!

We had the Lorenza's over, too! (Marco and Juan's parents)

I love kids helpings. Small and no variety!

Marco's yummy ribs!

Some more "Back to School" pictures!!!

Time in the Sandbox! (in the summer!!!)

Fun times on the Slip and Slide.

Sophia joined in the action this time. We only pull it out once in a blue moon, because by the time we are done, the grass underneath is destroyed and our lawn is a swamp!

Fathers and Sons 2009....

the place where boys run free, eating what they want, playing what they want, and get dirtier than they ever are allowed by their Mothers!