back-up plan

just in case the sports thing doesn't pan out.......

there's always drama,

or fashion.

Which brings to mind some questions that have been weighing heavily on me lately.  Must every young girl take dance classes as a rite of passage? Will my girls feel angst and disappointment in the future as a result of not learning how to do "jazz hands"?  Unfortunately for my girls, I am not a big believer in dance classes.  I was in more dance recitals than I can remember and have the bad pictures to show for it....(someday when my scanner is working I might even share a few)  AND my mom was even a dance teacher for many years.  I really do admire those who CAN dance but for me, it is just not something that has proved to be valuable in my life.  Sure, I can still do a mean time step....with variations even..., and I do have some rhythm but the only place that I have needed to "dance" in the last 10 years has been at late night work functions (with Travis) and a bunch of his drunk co-workers.  

So, I have signed up Emma and Halle in a few dance/tumbling classes over the years and at this point I am ready to call it quits.  Maybe they will be mad at me in the future but at least I am saving them from the embarrassment of walking around with rhinestone-emblazoned bottoms.  (you know what I am talking about)  I think I will just teach them the five steps that I remember:  time step, jazz hands, box step, grapevine, and the sugar, sugar.  Add that to a bit of kitchen dancing with the radio turned up and I think they will be okay.

And don't get me started on cheerleading.....we are teaching our kids that it is far better to have others cheer for YOU, not the other way around.  (that might backfire on me in the future)

I did a bad thing

So, last week my kids' school sent a note home saying that they were collecting all sorts of things to send to the troops for the holidays.  One of those things was prepackaged candy.  Since we still had heaps of our trick or treating stash left over, I loaded up a grocery bag with a generous amount and then double bagged it, tied it up, and set it in the laundry room so I could send it on its way the next morning.  As my kids rushed out the door to school I told Jordan to grab the grocery bag and put it in his classroom's collection bin "for the troops".  I watched him go and felt relieved at the sight of 8 lbs of cavity-causing candy leaving our house.  I then went through my usual morning clean-up routine for a couple of hours which inevitably led me right back to the laundry room later that morning.  And then I saw it.  The double bagged candy right where I had left it.  right.  next.  to.  the.  double.  bagged.  dirty.  diapers.  that.  I.  had.  left.  there.  that.  morning.  to.  go.  out.  to.  the.  trash.  

I was horrified.  I am still horrified.

So horrified that I didn't do anything about it.  Every time I think about it, my body shudders and I envision the unlucky teacher/PTA volunteer/private first class who opened the bag.  I mean, it all ends badly so the last thing I could do was call and claim it back.  The positives.........no name on the bag, and Jordan has no idea that he unwittingly did something that he could be ridiculed about for the rest of the year.  Wow.  My very own protest of the war....a proud moment in my life.  One to be recorded and some day laughed at.  Right?

sweet and sour

Some days are sweet while others can be a bit sour.  Yesterday was just one of those bitter- tasting days.  Travis had church meetings all afternoon and my kids just weren't being their normal angelic selves.  I think they averaged a breakdown at least every 9 minutes, the house was thrashed, and I had absolutely zero inspiration for dinner.  

I saw and heard a lot of this..........which is kind of the way I have been feeling lately, too.

My good friend, Amy, moved this weekend.  And she didn't just move across state lines, she moved across THE OCEAN for heaven's sake.  They are going to be ex-pats in Madrid for the next year or two and although I am SO excited for their family.....I have to admit that I am pretty bummed that they are gone.  We are good enough friends that I didn't stress about having my house perfect (not that I even know what that is) when she came over, our kids played well together, and our husbands were even compatible.......a combo that doesn't come along all that often.  She is one of those people who is very quiet and reserved at first but then when you really get to know her she is downright silly, super creative, talented, and a great listener/advice giver.  I am a better person for having her in my life.  She is the type of gal who can do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING and inspired me to start sewing again, start a blog, and be a better mom.  I am afraid that the secret of her greatness is out now so I will have to fight for her attention and ideas when she comes back.   (Although I call dibs on being first in line for a scarf-tying lesson)  Anyway, I am just feeling a bit lost without my daily phone call to tell her what a mess my house is or to get ideas/instructions for my next creative endeavor.  

one last playdate with Halle 

a photo of our kids together in Outer Banks last year.....fun trip

Amy, me, and Mindy 

I remember feeling the same way a year and a half ago when Mindy moved back to CA.  She was a close neighbor/friend and we did everything together.  She came back for a visit a couple of weeks ago and I realized how much I missed having her around.  So......nobody else is allowed to move for a while, OK?  I suppose it is a sign that you have lived in one place for a long time when people start coming and going.  Miss you guys!

'Tis the season

Yep, its that time of year again!  Forget the holidays.........we are going to milk our status as reigning NCAA champions for all it's worth.  

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK

Emma lemma bo bemma

I need to do a little update on all my kids since the "real" purpose of this blog is to record important events.....such as my growing children.

This is Emma, closet diva, and wanna-be superstar.

She is kind of loving all things High School Musical this year.  She was Gabriella for Halloween and I have caught her many times putting on "performances" in her room.  This is BIG for her because in the past she has been a bit reserved and slow to let it all hang out. 

She loves first grade.  Loves her teacher, school lunch, recess, chasing boys at recess, new friends, and birthday parties.  She went roller skating at a recent party and loved it.

She had a great year playing U8 soccer, scored lots of goals, improved her footwork and speed, and really enjoys being out on the field.

Her team made it to the State Cup this year......

Halle really does look up to her big sister......at least when they aren't fighting over polly pockets or Webkinz accessories.

She and Jordan could not be more different but they have bonded over their shared sports drills and love of Lego Indiana Jones on the Wii. 

This is her Christmas list.  Maybe Santa can figure out how to make her "bruthr be nis"

Oh, and she FINALLY learned how to ride her bike.  We are always a bit slow in that department but thank heavens for dads.  I think I attempted to teach her on 10 different occasions.......and this happened after about five minutes.

She is playing basketball on a 2nd/3rd grade girls team and is rocking it.  She can do a 

 lay-up from the left and right, and can dribble better than I ever could.  

Some other things about Emma:

*She has the BEST laugh, especially when she really lets loose.

*She DOES NOT LIKE WEARING SWEATER VESTS.  (especially the darling argyle one with matching knee socks I bought her for school this year) I die a little inside every time I see it hanging in her closet.

*Still loves Webkinz and wants them ALL for Christmas this year.

*She is NOT a girlie-girl and would much rather be playing video games with the boys or being rowdy and loud than playing with barbies.

*Loves to draw, write letters/songs, and "make" stuff

*She CANNOT do "baby talk" to Eli.  She tries but when saying things like, "Awww, cute little baby", she sounds like a chain-smoking 90-year-old woman.

* She is working hard on her goal to read the Book of Mormon before she turns eight.

* She has really come out of her shell this year and is becoming more outgoing, confident, and bold in social situations.   I know I give Travis a hard time about the sports thing but I have become a believer after watching Emma's confidence skyrocket as her skills develop.

*She is my running buddy and I love how she opens up to me when we go.  She can do two miles without breaking a sweat and when I try to send her home while I finish my last mile or two, she says, "Mom, I am tired but I really just want to keep going",  Hmmmmm, wonder which side of the family she got that from.  (not mine!)

I

love 

this 

girl

movin' on up.....

Halle has moved on to a "big girl" seat!  Three big clunky carseats down.........One to go:)  

my requisite election post

So, I wouldn't feel like a "real" blogger if I didn't put a little something on here about the election.  I have to say that it is great to live in a swing state and to know that your vote REALLY counts, (not that anyone else's vote doesn't count but you catch my drift)  We have been bombarded for the last few weeks with ads, phone calls, polls, and lots of campaigning in our area by the presidential hopefuls.  Our kids really got into the spirit of things and knew all the candidates and their platforms........or at least a distorted view of things per what they overheard with their "rabbit ears".  I have been trying to convince them that Obama is not a terrorist regardless of what their father might say.  Which reminds me, have I mentioned that Travis is a complete political junkie?  He has eaten, breathed, and slept politics for the past year and is a walking encyclopedia of news reports and "insider information".  I am interested and I feel like I am informed on the important stuff but by last week I just wanted it all to be over and to never have to listen to another reporter or talk show host put their two cents in.  

We were driving home on Sunday from having dinner with the family and as we got onto the freeway, Travis jokingly said, "Hey guys, if we go left we can head downtown and hear Barack speak and if we go right we can see Sarah Palin".  We all laughed and headed towards home.  No sooner had we gotten on the freeway than we were passed by a HUGE motorcade of police cars, and large white vans with heavily tinted windows.  It was a sight to see and we couldn't believe our timing as we pulled in right behind them.  It was pretty cool to see how every on-ramp and side street was being blocked off on all sides.  Then, to make things even more exciting, they got off on OUR exit.  Did we follow them?  Heck ya we did!  I mean, sure it might have been a school night and our two youngest were already asleep in the back but how could we pass up such a great opportunity to be a part of something like this?  We ended up in a small town about 10 miles from our house, parked about a mile from the local fairgrounds and then hoofed it (me in high heels) with all our kids to the rally.  It was a crazy atmosphere with "Redneck Woman" being blasted over the speakers followed by "North to Alaska" and a few other classics.  Can you guess which candidate we were about to hear? ........maybe a certain hockey mom with a penchant for lipstick and one-liners.  As kooky as Sarah Palin is, I have to say that it was awesome seeing her in person and hearing her speak.  She was funny, confident, and had the perfect audience of country folk and conservatives in the crowd cheering her on.  She is definitely someone I am intrigued by and seems like the type of person I would like to be friends with even if she isn't the most qualified person to help lead our country.  It was a very cool experience for all of us and I am glad that we were spontaneous (now that my blisters are all healed) and didn't just go home.  I don't think my older two kids will ever forget it, especially the part where they were freezing and wanted to buy hot chocolate but we didn't because it was Sunday.  Here are a few pictures from that night.........taken on a cell phone so forgive the poor quality.

Pour Some Sugar On Me

My kids went to bed at 7 o'clock tonight.   Why?  Well, it may have something to do with the high levels of sugar racing through their veins..........can anyone say crash?  We even paid them 25 cents for every 10 candies they were willing to part with.  I am torn between the idea of just taking it all away, hiding it, and then rationing it out for the rest of the year (a little redistribution of wealth?) OR practicing democracy and letting them have some control over the loot they spent two hours collecting.  I have fond memories of keeping my stash hidden in my room and then organizing the candies into groups like chocolate, gummy, sugary, and chewy but now that I am responsible for their dental health, I am a little more concerned with controlling the sugar intake.  Anyhow, it was a really great Halloween with good weather and nice to have it on a Friday night for a change.  Out here everyone sets up shop in their front driveways with lawn chairs and/or spooky decor.  It is actually pretty fun to see everyone out and about rather than opening the door 200 times for kids while their parents wait on the sidewalk.  We are lucky enough to live next door to some real characters who have magic tricks, fog machines, and really awesome lawn decor......(that was my sarcastic voice talking.)  This year, Eli and I  passed out candy while Travis took the older three around the neighborhood.  

Can you guess our family theme?  We have Cinderella, Gabriella, Indiana Jones, and a cow.  Okay, so there is no theme.  

"The Three Amigos"

*a year ago, our good friends/neighbors found out they were expecting their 3rd child (which was a very BIG step for them)  Little did they know that they were having #3 AND #4.  I think these three will be T-R-O-U-B-L-E in a couple of years.  No word yet if their little princess was able to do anything about that frog......

Mooooooo!

Step away from the sweets, sister.

188 pieces of candy (a new record!)