Tuesday, November 17, 2009
3 birthdays and Christmas
Christmas and 3 birthdays within 4 days of each other? I can't decide if this is a blessing or a curse. On the down side, it's very overwhelming financially, you get lots of presents and then nothing for a whole year, all of your friends are out of town for your party. You get "combined" Christmas and Birthday presents. Your birthday presents are all wrapped in Christmas paper,no pool parties, you are so sick of treats, that a birthday cake doesn't sound so appealing. On the up side, you get lots of presents, there is usually family around to celebrate with you, there is a lot of chocolate left over from santa to sneak from your kids' stockings, I get to watch those sappy Christmas movies that always make me cry, no school...and it IS the best time of the year...right? So what do you think, a blessing or a curse??
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tougher than nails
Malia had a minor surgery on Monday. She went to the periodontist for a
soft tissue graft. Basically the gum tissue below her two bottom front teeth was very thin, so they sliced off a piece of her gum on the upper part of her mouth (sounds gruesome, but that's pretty much how it happened) and grafted it on top of the thin tissue below her bottom teeth. The whole surgery took about an hour and she was sooo scared. I kept telling her to just keep her eyes closed and think about fun things. Afterwards she told me that she watched the whole thing. I have a friend who had this procedure done and she said it was very painful, so I was expecting the worst. The doctors said to keep her drugged for the next few days. But she woke up the following morning and said it didn't hurt very badly. She hasn't taken any medication since. She must have a high tolerance for pain. She was such a trooper and never complained once. She was back at school today and is doing great.
soft tissue graft. Basically the gum tissue below her two bottom front teeth was very thin, so they sliced off a piece of her gum on the upper part of her mouth (sounds gruesome, but that's pretty much how it happened) and grafted it on top of the thin tissue below her bottom teeth. The whole surgery took about an hour and she was sooo scared. I kept telling her to just keep her eyes closed and think about fun things. Afterwards she told me that she watched the whole thing. I have a friend who had this procedure done and she said it was very painful, so I was expecting the worst. The doctors said to keep her drugged for the next few days. But she woke up the following morning and said it didn't hurt very badly. She hasn't taken any medication since. She must have a high tolerance for pain. She was such a trooper and never complained once. She was back at school today and is doing great.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Halloween happenings
Every year the kids' school has one fundraiser. It's a jog-a-thon and if they raise a certain amount of money they get to go to an "after dark party." The kids have gone every year until this one. We knew they probably wouldn't be raising enough to go and they were pretty bummed. So we told them we would take them bowling and have our own after dark party. We found a great pizza place called "Christo's" in Salem that makes fabulous pizza, the real stuff! We ate there and then headed to the bowling alley. The kids loved bowling and I have to admit that I came in third behind my 5 year old. (But he used the bumpers way more than I did!) Still embarrassing.
I'm realizing this morning what a lame parent I am, as I sat down to post some pictures from Halloween and realized that we have NO pictures of Cole in his ninja costume and in Malia's pictures she's not wearing her snow queen crown and cape that I spent half a day handsewing Sparkly ice crystals too. The crown makes the costume! I'm going to make them put their costumes on today for a "pretend it's still Halloween photoshoot." We had a great Halloween, I was so glad it was on Saturday this year. We invited a bunch of families over for a wild dinner and wild it was...about 50 people all together. (most of them kids)Luckily it wasn't raining so we could send some kids outside. We had plenty of fun food and had a great time hanging out. My friend Ann made these caramel dipped marshmallows that were AMAZING. I've added the recipe to www.domesticdittodiva.blogspot.com. Luckily I took a spinning class in the morning because I had my share of these little treats! After we ate half the people left for the church trunk or treat, while the rest of us went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. We feel so blessed to have such great friends here...
I'm realizing this morning what a lame parent I am, as I sat down to post some pictures from Halloween and realized that we have NO pictures of Cole in his ninja costume and in Malia's pictures she's not wearing her snow queen crown and cape that I spent half a day handsewing Sparkly ice crystals too. The crown makes the costume! I'm going to make them put their costumes on today for a "pretend it's still Halloween photoshoot." We had a great Halloween, I was so glad it was on Saturday this year. We invited a bunch of families over for a wild dinner and wild it was...about 50 people all together. (most of them kids)Luckily it wasn't raining so we could send some kids outside. We had plenty of fun food and had a great time hanging out. My friend Ann made these caramel dipped marshmallows that were AMAZING. I've added the recipe to www.domesticdittodiva.blogspot.com. Luckily I took a spinning class in the morning because I had my share of these little treats! After we ate half the people left for the church trunk or treat, while the rest of us went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. We feel so blessed to have such great friends here...
Thursday, October 29, 2009
October update
So i've been feeling a little "blah" about the blog lately. Haven't felt like writing much because sometimes I feel like i'm just writing to myself. But then I reminded myself that this blog also serves as a sort of family journal, so it's time to get the ball rolling again. October has been pretty busy. I can't believe how fast it's flown by. The kids are anxious for Halloween. (pics to follow) and we are planning a big Halloween dinner for some friends.
I've also been busy getting ready for our upcoming craft fair the first weekend in December. Last year I did a lot of "last minute" preparations and i'm trying to avoid that this year.
Some other news is that Brent and I managed to get ourselves the leads in the church Christmas play. Scary! (for everyone else) Malia really wanted to read for a part, so we went down to the church and I read with her. A week later the director lady called me and pleaded with me to have a role in the play. Not because I was great, but because it turns out that no other female adults tried out. I've been regretting my decision a little when Malia came to me and said "look Mom, you have 231 lines, the next biggest part only has 100) Yikes...this brain of mine is not quite as sharp as it used to be, and memorizing 231 lines could be a challenge. Brent reluctantly took the male lead part when he realized that I would have to kiss another guy on the cheek. Can't have that in a church play. :) (maybe that's not the real reason...but kind of close) Anyway, i've been a little worried about the whole thing.
Jacob had some exciting news last week. His school was holding their annual jog-a-thon fundraiser and they have a big assembly where they draw names for prizes. The whole school is entered. Jacob won the grand prize. A 16-in-1 game table. Foosball, pool, darts, etc. The kids were so excited, it was like Christmas around here.
Well, i'm off to the kids' school...Happy Halloween!
I've also been busy getting ready for our upcoming craft fair the first weekend in December. Last year I did a lot of "last minute" preparations and i'm trying to avoid that this year.
Some other news is that Brent and I managed to get ourselves the leads in the church Christmas play. Scary! (for everyone else) Malia really wanted to read for a part, so we went down to the church and I read with her. A week later the director lady called me and pleaded with me to have a role in the play. Not because I was great, but because it turns out that no other female adults tried out. I've been regretting my decision a little when Malia came to me and said "look Mom, you have 231 lines, the next biggest part only has 100) Yikes...this brain of mine is not quite as sharp as it used to be, and memorizing 231 lines could be a challenge. Brent reluctantly took the male lead part when he realized that I would have to kiss another guy on the cheek. Can't have that in a church play. :) (maybe that's not the real reason...but kind of close) Anyway, i've been a little worried about the whole thing.
Jacob had some exciting news last week. His school was holding their annual jog-a-thon fundraiser and they have a big assembly where they draw names for prizes. The whole school is entered. Jacob won the grand prize. A 16-in-1 game table. Foosball, pool, darts, etc. The kids were so excited, it was like Christmas around here.
Well, i'm off to the kids' school...Happy Halloween!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Diaper free
Well it's official after 8 1/2 years, 102 months, 3102 days (please don't check my math) we are DONE with diapers! Claire is officially potty trained. I think that's cause for a celebration!
Friday, October 2, 2009
AGW-(all girls weekend)
This past weekend was fabulous. I flew to Spokane to spend the weekend with my sis-in-laws and mother-in-law. It was a perfect weekend from start to finish. Friday we went to a consignment sale at the fairgrounds where I found some good deals on clothes for the kids. After that we headed home (MIL's). My MIL (Debbie) had invited one of her fabulous cook friends over to teach us how to make homemade pasta, foccacia bread and molten lava cake. I think this was one of my favorite things that we did. It was fun to just be together and eat yummy food.
(See our new food blog http://www.domesticdittodiva.blogspot.com/) That evening we went shopping, I found a 5x8 rug for a great price and decided to try and haul it home on the plane. I have to give a shout out to southwest for being the best airline around and for letting me check in the rug even though it was over sized. I *heart* southwest! I did get plenty of weird looks carrying that rug in and out of the airport.
Friday night we went to a great little restaurant and ate good food. That night we sat around the kitchen table and made crafts. I'm trying to look sad in the restaurant pic because I was the only one with no food, but I did get a free dessert because of it! 
The next morning we slept in, went for a walk and then headed to the spa. We had a foot massage, back massage and a mud hair treatment. That evening we watched the RS women's broadcast. (Where I was happy to learn that they changed the name of the enrichment meetings to RS meetings...pretty easy to remember. :) Sunday we tried our hand at sewing some bag for a humanitarian project. Unfortunately with me behind one of the sewing machines, our goal of 20 was reduced to 10...but i'm sure those ten kids will be happy! (As long as they don't get one of the two bags I sewed)
It was a great weekend, with great friends and fun. I often wondered this weekend why we hadn't done this before? It was hard to come back to a week of babysitting. But I am happy to say that I only have 4 more hours to go! Thanks girls for a great weekend!
The gift that Debbie had waiting for each of us in our room.
I'm not sure what we were doing in the photo below, I just thought it was funny.
(See our new food blog http://www.domesticdittodiva.blogspot.com/) That evening we went shopping, I found a 5x8 rug for a great price and decided to try and haul it home on the plane. I have to give a shout out to southwest for being the best airline around and for letting me check in the rug even though it was over sized. I *heart* southwest! I did get plenty of weird looks carrying that rug in and out of the airport.
Friday night we went to a great little restaurant and ate good food. That night we sat around the kitchen table and made crafts. I'm trying to look sad in the restaurant pic because I was the only one with no food, but I did get a free dessert because of it! 
The next morning we slept in, went for a walk and then headed to the spa. We had a foot massage, back massage and a mud hair treatment. That evening we watched the RS women's broadcast. (Where I was happy to learn that they changed the name of the enrichment meetings to RS meetings...pretty easy to remember. :) Sunday we tried our hand at sewing some bag for a humanitarian project. Unfortunately with me behind one of the sewing machines, our goal of 20 was reduced to 10...but i'm sure those ten kids will be happy! (As long as they don't get one of the two bags I sewed)
It was a great weekend, with great friends and fun. I often wondered this weekend why we hadn't done this before? It was hard to come back to a week of babysitting. But I am happy to say that I only have 4 more hours to go! Thanks girls for a great weekend!
The gift that Debbie had waiting for each of us in our room.
I'm not sure what we were doing in the photo below, I just thought it was funny.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Jacob turns 7!
Jacob turned 7 on Friday. We started off the day with his requested breakfast of pancakes with a face. Cole made fun of my first pancake for Jacob,saying that he had to eat a "girl" pancake. Oh the horror! I shortened the hair the next time.
Then it was off to school. Jacob's class celebrates all September birthdays on the last friday of the month, so I went in during lunch (lugging a baby carseat and all) and brought him a birthday cupcake. Jacob suddenly became the most popular boy in his class and everyone wanted to sit by him and his special guests. After school we had a small party with 4 of his friends. I had some games ready to go, but they really just wanted to play. They ran around the house and had a great time. Jacob wanted a lego cake. I was going to make one that looked like a lego, but he kept saying "mom, do whatever you want." So I took the easy route. And honestly this cake could be submitted to that website for the worst cakes ever made. It was supposed to be a chocolate mousse layer cake and ended up as a chocolate volcano of some sort. Makes me laugh just looking at it, but it was dang delicious! And that's the most important part.
Jacob had a great time. I can't believe how fast he is growing up. He's such a sweet boy, except when he's tormenting his little brother. But according to other mom's, that's his job?? His teacher had everyone in his class write him a birthday card and they all said such sweet things. It was such a boost for him since this school year has been a little difficult so far. So i'm thankful to his teacher for that.
Then it was off to school. Jacob's class celebrates all September birthdays on the last friday of the month, so I went in during lunch (lugging a baby carseat and all) and brought him a birthday cupcake. Jacob suddenly became the most popular boy in his class and everyone wanted to sit by him and his special guests. After school we had a small party with 4 of his friends. I had some games ready to go, but they really just wanted to play. They ran around the house and had a great time. Jacob wanted a lego cake. I was going to make one that looked like a lego, but he kept saying "mom, do whatever you want." So I took the easy route. And honestly this cake could be submitted to that website for the worst cakes ever made. It was supposed to be a chocolate mousse layer cake and ended up as a chocolate volcano of some sort. Makes me laugh just looking at it, but it was dang delicious! And that's the most important part.
Jacob had a great time. I can't believe how fast he is growing up. He's such a sweet boy, except when he's tormenting his little brother. But according to other mom's, that's his job?? His teacher had everyone in his class write him a birthday card and they all said such sweet things. It was such a boost for him since this school year has been a little difficult so far. So i'm thankful to his teacher for that.That same day Brent and I celebrated our 10th anniversary. I woke up to a nice note and a new pair of slippers. Saturday my mom and dad came up and we hit the town Ditto style. That involved dinner at an italian restaurant, a few new clothes at the mall and yes, grocery shopping. I know, we are party animals. (We consider our cruise last spring our 10 year gift.) It was just so nice to be alone with no kids, and not in a rush to get back. It was a nice, relaxing evening. I am happy to say that we are still madly in love and I couldn't wish for a better man to be married too.
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