The kids have said a lot of funny things lately, but my memory seems to fail me more with every passing week. A few things I managed to record before they were gone forever:
In the car with Brigham:
Me: Who's cool?
Brigham: Lighteen Makeen
Me: But who else is cool?
Brigham: Lighteen Makeen
Me: But who else is cool?
Brigham: Lighteen Makeen
Me: But who else is cool? Say mama. Who else is cool?
Brigham: Mama. And don't forget -- Aunt Lori is cool, too.
Brigham: I remember when we goed to the American Idol States of America
We took the kids to Angie's Restaurant for dinner. Chloe noticed a blue light on a ledge near the ceiling:
Chloe: Look up there, Mom, it's blue.
Me: Oh, it is, I wonder what's up there.
Chloe: If I was a mouse, I'd climb up there to see.
Lily: Mom, do the workers sleep here at night?
Me: No, Sweetie, they don't.
Lily: Oh, where do they sleep?
Me: They sleep at their houses.
Chloe: Yeah, they just work here.
Lily: Oh, well, do their aprons come home with them?
Watching water polo on tv on Saturday morning:
Lily: Those boys aren't wearing swim shirts; they're just wearing swim trunks.
Sees one get out of the water in a Speedo...
Lily: Hey, he's not wearing swim trunks. Why are they wearing swim panties?
Me to Lily after one of her unique observations: Your mind is a magical place.
Lily: Yup, it is.
Lily in the car: Mom, does the sun stay where it is?
Cannon is talking more lately...
Mama.
Dada.
Ahdidodit! (We interpret this to mean, "I did it!" Trust me, it fits. And we're reaching...)
Hi!
30 September 2009
29 September 2009
24 September 2009
Wow.
Chloe just read a book to me.
Dr. Seuss' Hop on Pop.
It could have been about 2/3 the length, as she was getting pretty antsy by the end (Lily and Brigham were beyond "antsy" and well into "out of patience").
I think up until now, she's been mostly looking at the pictures and either guessing the words or reciting from memory. There've been moments where I've thought she was "reading" (in fact, I recall maybe blogging about it before?), but after tonight, I can definitely say that, No, she was not reading before. It was incredible to watch her mind work out the words and sounds and to see the words that she just knows by sight now. Hooray for Kindergarten! Hooray for her teacher! Hooray for Chloe!!!
She's got a long way to go, definitely, but this was a moment. One of those breathtaking parent moments where you see the wings spread just a bit and experience the joy of seeing your little one fly.
Love. That. Girl.
Dr. Seuss' Hop on Pop.
It could have been about 2/3 the length, as she was getting pretty antsy by the end (Lily and Brigham were beyond "antsy" and well into "out of patience").
I think up until now, she's been mostly looking at the pictures and either guessing the words or reciting from memory. There've been moments where I've thought she was "reading" (in fact, I recall maybe blogging about it before?), but after tonight, I can definitely say that, No, she was not reading before. It was incredible to watch her mind work out the words and sounds and to see the words that she just knows by sight now. Hooray for Kindergarten! Hooray for her teacher! Hooray for Chloe!!!
She's got a long way to go, definitely, but this was a moment. One of those breathtaking parent moments where you see the wings spread just a bit and experience the joy of seeing your little one fly.
Love. That. Girl.
21 September 2009
Tonsils
Lily just walked back with the anesthesiologist. She's off to get her
tonsils and adnoids out.
tonsils and adnoids out.
Love that little punk.
13 September 2009
LOTOJA
They did it!!! Stanton, Don, Brian (W.), Jon, & Wayne (Leary) got their LOTOJA on! Stanton rode the first leg to Preston and led his little pelleton most of the way -- he averaged 21 mph!! Out of hundreds of riders, he came in 36th. Brian took the next leg (a huge elevation climb) and was amazing, Don did the next ride (even with the wrath of shiz fully in force -- thank goodness for Immodium AD) and was amazing, as always, and Jon and his dad, Wayne did the last two legs. All told, out of about 65 relay teams, their team came in 9th!!! They had a great day and didn't end up getting home until after 11. Stanton came home saying it was really fun and that he'd never want to do the race by himself. I'm very thankful for that, as the time he'd have to put into training would be insane.
This was Stanton's best ride yet -- he beat his best times by several minutes. It's so cool to 1. see the improvement he's made over the last year, and 2. see how real the adrenaline rush of being in a race is. It's really amazing what our bodies are capable of!
Way to go Stanton and team!!!
This was Stanton's best ride yet -- he beat his best times by several minutes. It's so cool to 1. see the improvement he's made over the last year, and 2. see how real the adrenaline rush of being in a race is. It's really amazing what our bodies are capable of!
Way to go Stanton and team!!!
12 September 2009
11 September 2009
I spent much of yesterday wondering what to post to record the 8th anniversary of 9/11. It is a marker for many events in my life. I was a missionary in Ohio when the events of 9/11 happened and it affected me greatly at that time. Since then, I've gotten married, had 4 children, moved several times, and settled into a mostly comfortable routine in life. My children weren't born until well after 9/11. They have no idea what it is or was. I want to teach them about it, but am unsure of how well they would understand such things at this time. Instead of sitting them down and discussing it yesterday, I simply found several YouTube tributes and had them playing in the background of our day. Many times I became emotional and they wondered why. Mostly, though, they went about their activities, hopefully soaking in in a secondary way, the feelings that this anniversary evoke.
While all the tributes were moving, there were two in particular that really spoke to me this year.
The first was this song by Alan Jackson. I don't relate to many of the feelings he described, but the last few words of the chorus rung true and close to my soul --
"faith, hope, and love are some good things he gave us, and the greatest is love."
What good there was to be taken from this tragedy all revolved around love -- God's love and our love for one another.
The second I actually found this morning. It is another of the excellent Mormon Messages the Church shares on YouTube. I was moved to tears this morning as I learned of this good man's story. A poignant reminder of what our time on earth really means to Father in Heaven.
While all the tributes were moving, there were two in particular that really spoke to me this year.
The first was this song by Alan Jackson. I don't relate to many of the feelings he described, but the last few words of the chorus rung true and close to my soul --
"faith, hope, and love are some good things he gave us, and the greatest is love."
What good there was to be taken from this tragedy all revolved around love -- God's love and our love for one another.
The second I actually found this morning. It is another of the excellent Mormon Messages the Church shares on YouTube. I was moved to tears this morning as I learned of this good man's story. A poignant reminder of what our time on earth really means to Father in Heaven.
10 September 2009
Honestly...
Oh, goodness. Will I be able to type this without welling over with joy and love and emotion?!
I'm pretty sure we just experienced the cutest thing yet in our parenting lives.
Chloe was watching a Max and Ruby DVD downstairs and decided she wanted to have a popsicle stand (Ruby's was lemonade, I believe). She called me (I was at Walmart picking up tapioca (which they didn't have -- weird!...and walked out with a DVD player) (Oh, I can't leave it sounding that bad-- our DVD player that we got for our wedding seven years ago finally died and since I was at Walmart, why not pick up the new one we've been meaning to get? See, it's not that bad! Right? Right? Crickets....)
Anyway.......
Chloe called to ask where the popsicles were so she could have a popsicle stand. My first instinct was to say 'no.' "No, we need to have dinner when I get back." "No, honey, you should probably do that during the day." "No, it's almost bedtime." "No, I'm in the middle of peaches." But I've been really praying and trying to have greater charity and love for my kids and somehow I said yes. Holy Guacamole, I'm so glad I did!
Stanton said she came bounding up the stairs, grabbed a piece of paper and a marker and said,
"Dad, how do you spell 'popsicle?'
Stanton: Why?
Chloe: I want to have a popsicle stand. How do you spell 'popsicle?'
Stanton looks at her paper which has P-O-P already written on it
Chloe: Well, I mean, what comes after the 'POP?'
Stanton spells it for her
She wrote it all out, drew a picture of a popsicle and a nickel and wrote "wunickl." A perfect little phonetical spelling, if I may point that out.
Good heavens, is this not childhood defined?!
By the time I got home, her only customers had been Stanton and Brigham. She was feeling a bit discouraged. I couldn't let her fail -- not on her first try at this very big kid venture! I called Trudy Day (unbeknownst to Chloe) and asked if they might like to come buy some popsicles. She came through, as always, and sent Adam and Angie, Jared, Joe, Nate, and Jaden, Aubrey, and Cambrie. They all happily gave their nickels (or more) and picked out their popsicles. Chloe was absolutely beaming.
By then, Lily was really getting excited about the whole idea of Chloe selling popsicles, so she started yelling out to passing cars, "Chloe's selling popsicles!" Finally, she settled on knocking on the Lundberg's door and asking them if they'd like a popsicle. Jennifer came through, of course! She and Thomas came with Miley and Jeff (grandkids) and all bought a popsicle. To end her brilliant night, Kiki and Janet Bringhurst came over and each bought one. She was grinning from ear to ear. I couldn't contain my love for little Chloe. It just spilled out as I watched her make this attempt at something so...so...what's the word? Mature? Adorable? Enormous? I don't know...I just know it really gave me a moment to reflect on the joy my children bring me, and Chloe in particular tonight. She is a wonderful little girl. I love her.
Her pocket full of change.
Lily waiting for cars to pass so she could shout out to them.
Brigham playing in the road...pantsless.
They enjoyed Ramen for dinner...outside.
After they came in, Stanton helped her count up her profits (no expenses at age 5!). All told, she made $4.98. It's pretty clear that there were some very generous tippers. :)
They counted it out and had an impromptu lesson on tithing. Chloe helped Stanton fill out her tithing slip and she put 5 dimes in the envelope before licking it closed.
I learned a few things today:
* When the house is a little messier, the kids are a little happier. It's as though they feel safe, like they aren't going to ruin something if they make a mess.
* Milkshakes are totally great for snack time (I say that like we have a regular snack time...not so).
* Peaches can wait (even when they're already cut up and threatening to brown). Laundry can wait. Pretty much everything can wait for childhood.
* I am sad when my kids are sad.
* I will do whatever I can to make sure they succeed.
* I'm happiest when my kids are experiencing they joys of childhood.
* It's okay to run around outside without pants when you're 3. It really doesn't matter as much as I think it does.
* I've lost so very much of the mom pride I once had. And we're all much happier for it.
I'm so grateful to Chloe for allowing me to learn all that from her tonight.
I'm pretty sure we just experienced the cutest thing yet in our parenting lives.
Chloe was watching a Max and Ruby DVD downstairs and decided she wanted to have a popsicle stand (Ruby's was lemonade, I believe). She called me (I was at Walmart picking up tapioca (which they didn't have -- weird!...and walked out with a DVD player) (Oh, I can't leave it sounding that bad-- our DVD player that we got for our wedding seven years ago finally died and since I was at Walmart, why not pick up the new one we've been meaning to get? See, it's not that bad! Right? Right? Crickets....)
Anyway.......
Chloe called to ask where the popsicles were so she could have a popsicle stand. My first instinct was to say 'no.' "No, we need to have dinner when I get back." "No, honey, you should probably do that during the day." "No, it's almost bedtime." "No, I'm in the middle of peaches." But I've been really praying and trying to have greater charity and love for my kids and somehow I said yes. Holy Guacamole, I'm so glad I did!
Stanton said she came bounding up the stairs, grabbed a piece of paper and a marker and said,
"Dad, how do you spell 'popsicle?'
Stanton: Why?
Chloe: I want to have a popsicle stand. How do you spell 'popsicle?'
Stanton looks at her paper which has P-O-P already written on it
Chloe: Well, I mean, what comes after the 'POP?'
Stanton spells it for her
She wrote it all out, drew a picture of a popsicle and a nickel and wrote "wunickl." A perfect little phonetical spelling, if I may point that out.
Good heavens, is this not childhood defined?!By the time I got home, her only customers had been Stanton and Brigham. She was feeling a bit discouraged. I couldn't let her fail -- not on her first try at this very big kid venture! I called Trudy Day (unbeknownst to Chloe) and asked if they might like to come buy some popsicles. She came through, as always, and sent Adam and Angie, Jared, Joe, Nate, and Jaden, Aubrey, and Cambrie. They all happily gave their nickels (or more) and picked out their popsicles. Chloe was absolutely beaming.
By then, Lily was really getting excited about the whole idea of Chloe selling popsicles, so she started yelling out to passing cars, "Chloe's selling popsicles!" Finally, she settled on knocking on the Lundberg's door and asking them if they'd like a popsicle. Jennifer came through, of course! She and Thomas came with Miley and Jeff (grandkids) and all bought a popsicle. To end her brilliant night, Kiki and Janet Bringhurst came over and each bought one. She was grinning from ear to ear. I couldn't contain my love for little Chloe. It just spilled out as I watched her make this attempt at something so...so...what's the word? Mature? Adorable? Enormous? I don't know...I just know it really gave me a moment to reflect on the joy my children bring me, and Chloe in particular tonight. She is a wonderful little girl. I love her.
Her pocket full of change.
Lily waiting for cars to pass so she could shout out to them.
Brigham playing in the road...pantsless.
They enjoyed Ramen for dinner...outside.After they came in, Stanton helped her count up her profits (no expenses at age 5!). All told, she made $4.98. It's pretty clear that there were some very generous tippers. :)
They counted it out and had an impromptu lesson on tithing. Chloe helped Stanton fill out her tithing slip and she put 5 dimes in the envelope before licking it closed.
I learned a few things today:
* When the house is a little messier, the kids are a little happier. It's as though they feel safe, like they aren't going to ruin something if they make a mess.
* Milkshakes are totally great for snack time (I say that like we have a regular snack time...not so).
* Peaches can wait (even when they're already cut up and threatening to brown). Laundry can wait. Pretty much everything can wait for childhood.
* I am sad when my kids are sad.
* I will do whatever I can to make sure they succeed.
* I'm happiest when my kids are experiencing they joys of childhood.
* It's okay to run around outside without pants when you're 3. It really doesn't matter as much as I think it does.
* I've lost so very much of the mom pride I once had. And we're all much happier for it.
I'm so grateful to Chloe for allowing me to learn all that from her tonight.
BrignJoe
It's usually CannonnJoe, but on this day, he needed a cute kid who could talk.
Brigham asked Jessica to Homecoming for Joe...and he was very cute doing it.
Brigham as I was getting him ready to go: I haf a go, Mom, but I wuv you. I going to dance wif Joe.
Me: Oh, honey, now remember, you're just asking Jessica to go to the dance with Joe. You won't actually be going.
Brigham: No, Mom, I going to dance. But I wuv you.
Brigham asked Jessica to Homecoming for Joe...and he was very cute doing it.
Brigham as I was getting him ready to go: I haf a go, Mom, but I wuv you. I going to dance wif Joe.
Me: Oh, honey, now remember, you're just asking Jessica to go to the dance with Joe. You won't actually be going.
Brigham: No, Mom, I going to dance. But I wuv you.
Labor Day
Somewhere in the middle of the Pukefest (before we knew it would reach such proportions), Stanton took the kids to Judy's for a Labor Day party. I stayed home with Cannon, who had thrown up that morning.
They played a lot of games.
Died and went to heaven on DA and Jen's amazing water slide.
And plum wore out the grandmas. This is quite possibly my favorite picture of the two of them...ever.
And this is Julie. Yes, she is the coolest mom ever. Just watch the dedication, even when her daughters have lost all interest. Jul, you seriously rock!
They played a lot of games.
Died and went to heaven on DA and Jen's amazing water slide.
And plum wore out the grandmas. This is quite possibly my favorite picture of the two of them...ever.
And this is Julie. Yes, she is the coolest mom ever. Just watch the dedication, even when her daughters have lost all interest. Jul, you seriously rock!
09 September 2009
No one is Puking Anymore
...Just had to announce it, since it seems quite a feat at this point. No barf since Monday. Clean, sanitized house.
Peaches on their way to being preserved in all forms except actual canning. Just can't do it this year.
I thought the peaches deserved their own paragraph far, far away from the puke. Except now I've gone and put them in the same sentence. Gah!
Peaches on their way to being preserved in all forms except actual canning. Just can't do it this year.
I thought the peaches deserved their own paragraph far, far away from the puke. Except now I've gone and put them in the same sentence. Gah!
07 September 2009
I Cannot Tell A Lie
Stanton and I did go out 3 days before our anniversary then promptly
forgot about it.
forgot about it.
Also, we're in the (hopefully) end stages of Labor Day Pukefest 2009.
Blech......
05 September 2009
Conversations
Lily: Mom, are you Dad's true love?
For the record: Yes, yes, a million times yes.
Lily as I was frustratedly trying to get 4 kids ready to go to the fair: Mom, it's too bad you don't have 3 arms.
Indeed, my dear, evolution has failed me.
Brigham when he was sick: Mom, you hold me? I put him on my lap. Mom, you stand up?
Is this unique to my kids because even Cannon is this way??!!
Me whispering to Stanton after looking at the date on the Sunday School role during class: Hey, uh, happy anniversary.
Stanton: Oh, yeah, happy anniversary.
For the record, seven great years on the 30th of August.
For the record: Yes, yes, a million times yes.
Lily as I was frustratedly trying to get 4 kids ready to go to the fair: Mom, it's too bad you don't have 3 arms.
Indeed, my dear, evolution has failed me.
Brigham when he was sick: Mom, you hold me? I put him on my lap. Mom, you stand up?
Is this unique to my kids because even Cannon is this way??!!
Me whispering to Stanton after looking at the date on the Sunday School role during class: Hey, uh, happy anniversary.
Stanton: Oh, yeah, happy anniversary.
For the record, seven great years on the 30th of August.
02 September 2009
Familiar?
Okay, truth be told, I'm utterly and completely over my frustrations with Chloe and the scissors.
The thing I just can't let go of, though, is that hair...that gorgeous hair! Brigham's hair was really something unique.
Yes, yes, it'll grow back, I know. But seriously, the hair!!!
He reminds me and Stanton of this nowadays:
The thing I just can't let go of, though, is that hair...that gorgeous hair! Brigham's hair was really something unique.
Yes, yes, it'll grow back, I know. But seriously, the hair!!!
He reminds me and Stanton of this nowadays:
01 September 2009
The Butch
They're still friends. We're all still friends.
My favorite was Chloe after she got home from school:
"Why does his hair look so weird?"
Uh, I can make a guess....
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