I Should be Blogging...

...but I'm so tired.

And the evening's not even close to being done.

It's been a long day. Not in that it's been a bad day, just lots of work.  Housework, homework, keeping Cole in time out work. I tried to go running but my knee was really aching and acting up and I just felt like it would probably be better if I didn't.  (True story: I ran about a 1/4 mile and then walked home.  How lame is that?  And how dumb is it that a raccoon startled me? Stupid raccoon.) I cleaned.  And did laundry.  And baked a ton of applesauce bread and applesauce cookies because I have a bunch of applesauce that I didn't feel like canning and these baked goods freeze well.  I edited and played and made dinner.

And in an hour I'll be off to help a sister in Relief Society pack up her apartment because she's moving tomorrow.  I'm not sure how I feel about this.  I'm happy to serve, but I don't really know her and I've always thought that packing other people's things is kinda weird.  (I know I wouldn't want someone else to pack up my things.  That's why it will literally be over my dead body when that happens.) ((Well, hopefully not literally over my dead body.  That would be gross.)) (((But not for me, I suppose, so who cares?)))

Anyways.

I am bound and determined to only be there for an hour because Lance and I have a date tonight: we're watching the series finale of Breaking Bad.  What a guilty pleasure that show is!  And what work it was today to not accidentally hear/see/read any spoilers!

And now I can hear Cole making tsunami waves in my big bathtub.  So there's gonna be some clean up work.

So while I should be blogging happy fairy tale stories of my family, but this is what you get.

Because I'm tired.

Townie Movie Night

We were supposed to go camping this weekend with the Reams and the Souths, but last week we decided not to.  (And by decided not to I mean Gigi talked me out of it.)  ((And by talked me out of it mentioned that they might not go, to which I sighed with relief because 1. Camping is A LOT of work with 4 kids and 2. We seem to be super busy lately.)

Anyway.

I knew the kids would be disappointed so I figured if we came up with a fun (but considerably less time-consuming) activity they might forgive us.  Lance and I were bouncing ideas off of one another when he mentioned having a movie outside.

Bingo!  Outside, staying up late, playing with friends, eating junk food: all the best parts of camping in my kids' eyes.

So Lance borrowed a projector from work and we rigged up a screen from an old sheet, set up a few chairs and tables and we were set!

Of course the boys had to play a little old school Street Fighter while we were waiting for our townie friends, the Asays and the Reams, to arrive.

Poor Spencer was dying - he lost computer/video game privileges for the weekend so he couldn't join in.  Maybe he'll think twice about not turning in school work!  (No.  No he won't.)

There's our concession stand.  Super fancy with the droopy lights and big ol' garbage can.

Miss Tess in her jammies.  She actually lasted a bit longer than I expected, sitting on my lap, eating my goodies, yelling "Scary!!!!" at loud parts of the movie and continuously looking up at the night sky and yelling "Stars!  Look stars!!"

Two year olds are fun.

Think I made enough popcorn?  (You'd be impressed with how much got eaten!)

We didn't get to have dutch oven cobbler the last time we went camping, so Craig made some tonight.  He baked it in an empty corner of the garden.

A blurry shot at the beginning of the movie.  We had a hard time deciding which movie to watch: it had to be family friendly, but we also wanted adults to enjoy it. (Read: no Smurfs.) There were a lot of great kid movies this summer, but none of them have come out on DVD yet.  We toyed with Star Wars, Ghostbusters, The Muppets, and The Wizard of Oz, but finally decided on Percy Jackson and the Olympians.  It was a good one to watch!

Craig the dutch oven king.  His cherry cobbler was so yummy!  I made homemade ice cream to go with it, and it was soooo rich, especially with that cobbler.  (The ice cream had SEVEN eggs in it.  YUM.)

The kids played around the yard and had a great time.  They finally all settled in on the ground to watch the movie.  Lance sure did a great job hanging that screen!

It was a great way to spend the evening. A good movie, yummy goodies, and happy children. My only complaint is that I didn't get to really talk with my friends that much.

But all in all, still better than camping. :)

Another Call to Poison Control

Despite the fact that Miss Tess had the distinction of being the last child and only daughter in the family, she has decided to also be the only child in the family for whom I have had to call poison control. In fact, today was the SECOND time I've had to use that little magnet on the fridge.   (You with little kids know what I'm talking about. )

The first time I had to call was when she was just a baby and I caught her eating Vaseline.  Yummers.  Did I ever blog about that?  Anyways, she was fine.

This time it was honeysuckle bush berries.   I noticed them yesterday while I was mowing the lawn and thought "I need to make sure I keep Tess away from these."  Yes, Tess likes to eat stuff like sand and grass and leaves on bushes.  Those enticing little red berries would lure her in with little effort.

So this evening after dinner when I suddenly realized I didn't know where she was, I wasn't surprised at all when I found her at the top of the hill by the bushes looking very guilty.

She didn't have any berry stains on her hands, clothes, or mouth, but I wasn't taking any chances.   Lance and I did a quick Google search, but I wasn't happy with the results, so I called poison control for Tess.  Again.

Turns out the berries aren't horribly poisonous, but they are a gi irritant, so if she did eat any she'll probably throw up.   I'm not too worried... now.

I'm just glad I caught her before she started eating them by the fistful.   Then she'd have another dubious distinction in our family: the only child to have been taken to the emergency room.   Twice.

Ball Game Bucket List

Going to Wrigley Field to see the Cubbies play has been on my bucket list for several years.  I don't know why it's taken me so long to get there.  But last month my friends Deidra and Kanien told me (not asked - told) that we were all going to a game on the 21st.  It was just the push I needed!

Lance and I wanted to have fun, so we left the kids at home. (Ha.)

On the way there we realized we didn't have a good idea of where to park.  I had glanced at the Wrigley Field website and thought I read something about $6 parking, so we figured we'd find that.  Then my brother, Kevin, who served his mission in Chicago, called.  He mentioned that the $6 parking was at Devry University and that you parked there and then took a free shuttle. We looked it up online and then compared that to the FORTY DOLLAR parking at the field and headed out to the university!

We finally got to the field and a nice man offered to take the obligatory picture in front of the world-famous Wrigley Field sign.  Apparently Wrigley Field used to be chock-full of fat, cholesterol, and gluten.

We got inside and climbed and climbed to our seats.  (Hey, I wanted to see a game at Wrigley Field, not spend hundreds of dollars there.)  We were actually closer to the field than what this picture shows.

For being 99 years old, the stadium is alright.  It feels very historic, especially with its old school signage and real (not computer-generated) organ music.

It was a beautiful day at the park; mid-60's, no wind.  The Cubs were playing the #1 in the division Atlanta Braves.  We weren't really expecting a win, but the Cubs came from behind and won it in the 8th inning.  Very exciting!  Bonus: actor David Cross (famous for playing Tobias Funke on Arrested Development) was there to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the 7th inning stretch.

I had a great time watching the game and chatting with Lance and my friends.  It was also fun to people watch.  Cubs fans are an interesting bunch.

Of course I had to take a selfie to post on Facebook.  Lance was a good sport in coming and having fun, considering he really doesn't like watching baseball. (I know, I can't believe my dad still let me marry him.  Baseball was religion in our household growing up.  Well, what Lance lacks in baseball enthusiasm he more than makes up for in mad IT skillz.)

On the way home we decided to cross off another item on my bucket list: stop at the McDonald's on the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge.  Okay, I know that doesn't sound that impressive, but this is a McDonald's in the MIDDLE of the FREEWAY!  Not just off to the side or in a travel oasis - actually in the MIDDLE. Years and years ago when I saw this for the first time I just couldn't wrap my head around it. Why in the world is there a McDonald's there?!  Bizarro.

I tried to get a picture of us with the McDonald's and the Skyway sign, but it just wasn't happening.  Instead I look like a psycho.  Oh well.  The inside was pretty much like any old McDonald's you've ever been in.  But I have to say that the strawberry shake and fries we got were extra tasty.

It was a great day, especially because I got to spend it with my favorite guy.  (Even if he doesn't love baseball as much as he should.)

First school project of the year

Well, the infamous state pizza box project is finally done.  Wonderful mother/son hours spent crying, whining, threatening, and researching the great state of Kansas.  Grrrrr...

I made Spencer do all of the researching, writing, cutting, and glueing.  I was the task master and design layout guide.  Oh, and the spray painter, because I didn't want him loose in my garage with paint.  Spencer thought I was a total slacker in the whole process.  I was.

The amount of time and effort I put into making him get the actual project done - and done well - was at least five times the amount Spencer put forth.   Good grief.   How many years until high school graduation?

Oh my gosh.  I think I hate school projects more than the boy hates them.

In Today's Mail

Finally, someone recognizes me for what I truly am: a farmer.   Too bad it was addressed to Lance, the non-farmer, or I'd be tempted to order a shirt.   But too late, Ink Pixie, I'm already offended. That, and they're not very attractive.  (Apparently garners can't also have good fashion sense. )

Actually, this offends me more as a former media planner.   Someone seriously needs to reconsider their target market and media plan.

A-firin' The Lasoooorsss... and Other Random Things

Cole is awesome.  He has recently taken to yelling "I'm a-firin' the lasooooorrsss!" when he pees.  It's really funny the way he says it, too.  Here - I have a video of it.  Minus the potty, of course.

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I have a cold.  I'm 99% sure Cole gave it to me, which means he loses some of his awesomeness.  For whatever reason, in the last year or so whenever I get a cold it isn't just a cold.  It's a COLD.  Remember my last year and my 2 blown ear drums?  I do.  (How could I forget?)  So my ENT (because I have one now) said that any time I get a cold with lots of congestion I should just go for the heavy over-the-counter stuff.  I don't really like the heavy over-the-counter stuff because it makes me loopy, but that's better than blown ear drums with heavy meds and antibiotics that make me nauseous.  Lesser of two evils and all.

So I'm at the Wal-Mart pharmacy this morning and I ask the pharmacist what she recommends.  And good heavens, trying to by Sudafed over the counter is like buying uranium or something.  I was pretty much given the 3rd degree and had to sign my 1st born away.  (And given his latest antics with homework, I'm okay with that.)  Seriously, do I really look like a meth addict, in my blue polo shirt, mom jeans, polka dot purse, and two little kids in the cart?

Apparently I do.

I blame "Breaking Bad". I must have a Walter White look about me.

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Last week my friend Carri let me pick a ton of apples from her tree.  I canned 18 quarts of applesauce today and I still have a rather large laundry basket full of apples.

I am tired.

And the thought of all those other apples makes me tired

And the fact that 2 of my quarts didn't seal properly makes me mad.  Not because it'll go to waste - my kids'll eat it in a heartbeat.  But it's the principle of the matter.

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I forgot to mention that I have been released as the 2nd counselor in YW and am now the 2nd counselor in Relief Society.  I really miss being with those cute girls, but there's something extra great about being with the women in RS.  I love it.  It's a bit overwhelming and a bit tiring, but when I feel that way I just remind myself that I could be RS president, and then I'm not so tired anymore.

Sunday Selfies

"Momma, you want to take a picture? I pritty cute."

Of course I do, Tess!  And yes, you are.

Happy 7th Birthday, Josh!

Josh was really excited about his birthday this year.  He counted down the days for two weeks and talked about it a lot.  He was kinda bummed about my friend birthday parties only on even numbered years, but he didn't put up too much of a fuss.

He did have a half dozen reasonable demands, though:

1. Triple chocolate chunk cookies for his class.
2. Pancakes and poptarts for breakfast.
3. Lance having lunch with him at school.
4. The kitchen decorated with streamers and balloons.
5. Tepanyaki for dinner.
6. Chocolate-peanut butter brownies instead of a cake.

Done and done, Josh.

I was really glad he was happy having cookies at school - they're much less messy than cupcakes and so much easier to transport!

Lance did most of the streamers this year.  For whatever reason he doesn't like to use tape but likes to hang them low so you have to duck when you're at the table.

Creepy doll head joined in on the action.  Like her crown and flag?  Josh sure did!

Pancakes and poptarts for breakfast - brimming with sugar and fat! (Josh's main diet staples.)  He had three pancakes and three poptarts that morning!  (Blech!)

Lance took the cookies to school and had lunch with Josh and his friends.  He seemed surprised to learn that first graders are brimming with bits of unnecessary information and non sequiturs.  

When Josh got home from school I let him open one of his presents, because I knew he'd have so much fun playing with it.  Walkie talkies!  Isn't that an awesome gift for a 7 year old?  I decided to spend a little bit more and get a good set that wouldn't just break after a few weeks.  It came with a set of three, so Josh, his friend Justin, and one other person could have fun.  They sure enjoyed them, although they kept standing right next to each other and talking. (I guess it's more fun that way...)

That night we went to Tepanyaki Buffet for dinner, Josh's absolute favorite.  We don't really go all that often, but I think we're all getting tired of it.  The kids only ate one meager plate of food each, and that night I wasn't feeling so great.  So I think we'll give the buffet a rest for several months.

At first Josh refused to look at the camera.  But this is a quintessential Spencer look. "Why do I have such a stubborn, immature brother?  I am so much older and grown up and mature.  Now time to eat the half-plate of Jell-o I chose for dinner."

Forcing him to look at the camera proved futile.

However, he was willing to look at the camera while in front of the fountain, but the pictures kept coming out blurry, dang it.

Do you like Cole's 5 o'clock chocolate pudding shadow?

Here are Josh's brownies.  I got the recipe online, and they turned out okay, but the chocolate frosting on top was a bit weird.  Not the most beautiful of birthday 'cakes',  but Josh seemed to like it!

Time to sing happy birthday!  I love how all of my kids now know how to sing this song - it's so cute.  Don't you also love how Spencer can't take a hint and keeps talking - LOUDLY - during the end of the video?  I kept swatting him, but you can't tell because he won't STOP TALKING.  Sheesh, Spence, I'm recording a precious memory here!

He wanted to open the birthday money from Great Grandpa John and Great Grandma Nancy first.  

More Colie and his 5 o'clock shadow.

Tess was so good in sitting still and watching Josh open presents.  Much better behaved than a certain oldest brother, who I had to tell - several times - NOT to open Josh's presents.

A 20 Questions game from Grandpa ElRay and Grandma Susie.  They also sent him an awesome BYU shirt, which didn't really interest Josh that much, but that's to be expected.  He'll be happy to have it when we take him to the BYU/Notre Dame game in November!  (Go Cougs!)

Ugh.  They also sent a Spongebob card.  That sings.  Good heavens, these kids love that card.  It's okay one time.  But not 376 times.  I think my ears are bleeding.

Then I showed them how you could hold the walkie talkie up to the card and it would blast the song to the other walkie talkies.  This was very well received.

What a cutie this boy is!

One more of the birthday creeper that Josh got such a kick out of.  

At the end of the evening we discovered a new way to entertain ourselves:

Bahahhahhaha!!!  Madsen humor, I guess.

At the end of our meal at Tepanyaki this was the fortune Josh found in his cookie, which he ironically shoved right in my face and yelled at me to read.

Despite that incident, Josh truly is quite charming when he wants to be.  And he definitely is my most courteous child - again, when he wants to be.  Josh has a great sense of humor and a strong love and devotion for his family and friends.  I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this sweet little boy of mine.  Happy 7th birthday, Josh!

Tess is Fun

Tess and I are having great fun while Cole is at preschool.  Sometimes we stay home and play and work, but usually we run errands.  Today we found ourselves at Target looking at new church shoes and some new fall clothes.  Oh. My. Goodness.  I love polka dots and Target obviously does, too, because half of the clothes in the little girl section were dotty.  Love love love!  Unfortunately, none of it was on sale, and I refuse to pay full price.

But that didn't stop Tess from ooohing and aaaahhhing over all the cute clothes.  At two years old she is already a shopping diva; not sure how that happened because I've really tried not to take her shopping with me lately.  (Just a lot easier without the 2 year old!)  Must be genetic.  Anyways, she went from shirt to pants and then fell in love with all of the little tulle skirts.

Tres, tres chic.

She had put three in the cart by the time I snapped this picture.

I tried to sneak them out while she wasn't looking, but she caught me.

Oh, the drama!  Oh, the sobbing!  "My skiiiiiirrrrrrrrt!!!  Mine!!!  Miyyyyyaaaannnn!!! My pritty!  My cute skirt!!!"

Poor thing.  She has her mother's taste in clothes but obviously not her mother's budget.

It took a good 10 minutes and a sticker from the cashier for her to calm down. And then - and I am not making this up - on the way out she said clear as day "Mommy, I'm fun.  I'm fun, huh, Mommy?"

Yes, Tess.  You certainly are.