Deep Thought of the Day

Anderson: "You should get a bigger purse, mom. Then you would have more money."

The simplicity of it all boggles my mind, folks. I have been doing things the wrong way. Now you all know what I want for Christmas.

My Friend, Jesus.

Among the flotsam and jetsam floating in our bathtub is a little action figure. He is a shepherd from a 'Lego-like' nativity set. As I listened to Caleb play in the bathtub, I realized that Caleb has named this little man "Jesus." Jesus has quite the adventures: he fights other action figures, rides on boats, and slides down the sides of the tub; he even wrestles the occasional shark. I haven't decided how I feel about this. On one hand, I am glad that Caleb believes that Jesus is a real person; on the other hand... should I allow the concept of Jesus to be mangled by a shark on a regular basis? Hmmmm. =)




Caleb and his friend, Jesus.

Little Tidbits

Chad and I are mean parents. The other night, Anderson wanted a bagel. He was already tucked in bed and should have been asleep, so we told him 'no'. Like I said.... mean parents. Anderson was quite angry at us. After 10 minutes of fuming alone in his room, he stormed out, pointed his finger at us and yelled, "If you don't get me a bagel, then I'm outta here!" I started laughing so hard that I had to walk away. Fortunately, Chad remained calm and helped Anderson back to bed. 5 minutes later, Anderson was out of bed and ready to confront us again, "What I meant was: If you don't get me a bagel, then YOU are outta here!" We both started laughing that time. Anderson turned around, huffed back to his bed, and went to sleep. It's nice when problems solve themselves.

And the Award Goes to......

And the Award Goes to Caleb for the best injury of 2009! (so far). I hope no one at our house tops this one. While we were at a campground, Caleb rode his bike off a ledge and face-planted on rocks and brambles. Ouch. I did take him in to the ER (I prefer the instant care clinic, but the ER was the only place open once we made the drive home from the campground). I wanted to make sure his eyeball was okay; the verdict: no scratches on his cornea and his retina did not detach. Phew! Perhaps I'm an overcautious mother, but it is his vision we are talking about. I would rather err on the side of caution. I have such big plans for my children to be professional football/basketball players (Tee Hee!). I just don't want Caleb to be at a disadvantage. ;)

Oh Dear.

Now that Anderson is in kindergarten, I am able to spend more time with Caleb. I know that Caleb, being a second child, has never received the amount of one-on-one time that Anderson did at his age; sometimes I worry that I've neglected to teach Caleb things that Anderson knew by now. The other morning we were working on learning colors. I pointed to orange, and Caleb responded, "orange." Genius child.... and I was worried his education had been neglected! I point to green; Caleb responds, "Hulk." Well... not the correct response, but Incredible Hulk is green. Next, I point to red: "Spiderman!," is the reply. And blue: "Superman!!" Oh dear. The other colors he is just confused by. Apparently there is a lack of yellow, purple, and pink superheroes. Someone ought to check into that.... How do they expect our children to get a well-rounded education?!

A side note: How does my child know all the superheroes even though we don't watch superhero shows? Their images are plastered on clothes, toys, and food boxes. If we really want the preschoolers of America to learn something, we should plaster it on their toys.

My New Obsession....

I thrive on the sense of accomplishment. Nothing makes me feel better than standing back and looking at a job well done. The more visible the results, the better. The past 5 years of remodeling our house have been great for me.... I have had an unlimited number of projects to fill this 'need' of mine. As our projects have run out, I have found myself searching for the next big project. A few weeks ago, I was ready to rip up our carpet and refinish the wood floors underneath. Fortunately (for Chad especially), I have moved on from that. My new obsession is to fill my backyard flowerbeds with fuchsias:

Aren't they beautiful? Of course, this is the wrong time of the year to start such an endeavor. And- to be honest- by the time spring rolls around, I will have moved on to another obsession. At least we can enjoy the pictures.

A Big Family

Anderson let me know this evening that we should have a bigger family. Anderson loves babies, so I am not surprised to hear this. I asked him how many kids we should have. He told me that we have plenty of extra space. And, after counting up all the extra 'sleeping spaces' we have on floors and couches and such, he informed me that we can have 29 kids! Wow! Who knew? A few minutes later, he came back and asked me if I thought I could take care of 29 babies.... how thoughtful of him.

Sons of a Baritone

Chad, two of his brothers, and his dad spent a week at a barbershop harmony camp. Music is a talent they all share, and I am glad that they could all attend camp together. Here is a video of their quartet 'Sons of a Baritone' doing a personal performance in a stairwell. I think they should go pro!

The Amazing Anderson!

Happy Birthday to Anderson! I can't believe we have a 5 year old in the house. Watch out Kindergarten, here he comes!

Anderson is such a smart, inquisitive boy. He asks such detailed questions that I struggle to give an explanation without using vocabulary words that are college level. "How does gasoline make a car go?" "How does a debit card work" "What is electricity made of?"

Last night, I had just put the boys to bed when Anderson came out of their room. "Anderson, you are not suppose to get out of bed," I tell him. "I know," he replies, "but, if I can't get out of bed, then I just have to scream your name until you come... and that would wake up Caleb. So, I had to get out of bed." Touche!

Anderson spent some time with friends yesterday. While he was there, he must have seen something about 'wishes' on TV. Before bedtime, he exclaims, "Mom! Did you know that you can go outside and make a wish on a star.... and it will come true!" He insisted that we try it, and I indulged him because I was very curious what his greatest wish in the world would be. I had hopes that his wish would be simple enough that I could make it come true for him. Tee Hee! Silly Mommy!

He was disappointed to find that there were no stars out yet. So, I convinced him that it was okay to wish on the sun (it being a star and all). He told me I couldn't watch him or the wish wouldn't come true. So, like any self-respecting mother, I peeked through the blinds. He knelt down on the ground and clasped his hands together as if in prayer. "When I wake up tomorrow," he said, "I want the world to be Candyland!!"

"Oh Crap!" I thought. There is no way that I can make this wish come true.

I pretended to be busy as he came back inside. "Your turn!" he announced. I went outside and made my obligatory 'wish'.

As I tucked him into bed, I explained to him that wishing on star was make believe. I told him that it is important to have wishes, but we need to chose wishes that we can make come true by working hard. I told him that him that if he did some extra jobs for me, he could earn money to buy some candy. He took it all very well.

Thinking the conversation was over, I started to walk out. "What was your wish, mom?" he pipes up. "I wished that daddy will get home safely," I told him. "Mom! That's not a wish! You said we should choose wishes that we can work for. You can't work and make daddy come home safe!" He's right.

My new wish: "I wish I could remember to bump my 'level of reasoning' up a few notches, because Anderson is getting pretty good." Caleb, on the other hand, still believes me every night when I say, "If you close your eyes and lay still for 5 minutes, I will send daddy in to sing more songs." He falls asleep every time. And, Chad, just so you know: I really would send you in after 5 minutes.... if Caleb managed to stay awake. So, it's not too much of a lie.

The Art of Tickling

Chad and I are teaching Anderson the fine art of tickling. I know it might seem odd that we would do such a thing; but, it is out of desperation and self-preservation. Those parents out there who have had little fingers rammed forcefully into their armpits or sharp fingernails scrapped across their sides know what I mean. With the proper training that we are now providing, Anderson is getting quite good at tickling. This evening, Anderson tickled Chad behind the knees and exclaimed, "Dad is ticklish in his leg-pits!"

Back By Popular Demand

Thank you to all of you who commented (both by computer and in person) on the before and after photos I posted a while back. Here are some more I think you will enjoy: the bathroom. The bathroom was completed in spurts over a period of 5 years. Chad tore out the floor and toilet the day Anderson was born. Our first night home from the hospital was spent with friends because we had no toilet in our house. It has come a long way. Behold....

'Before' -July 2004

'After' - July 2009

Sweet Tooth

Anderson loves homemade lemonade: lemon juice + water + sugar. I let Anderson make his own yesterday while I was busy making Caleb's birthday cake. I guess I was more distracted than I realized because this is what he made while I wasn't paying attention:

Sugar, anyone?

Happy Birthday Caleb

Caleb- 1 day old

Caleb will be 3 years old tomorrow. Caleb is an outstanding little boy. He is very easy going... I often find him playing quietly on his own. He will do pretty much anything for you if you ask him nicely. He is always trying to make us laugh... last night at dinner, he made us laugh so hard that Chad snorted peas up his nose. More laughing ensued. Caleb is my cuddly boy: every hour, or so, he'll come and hug my leg or put his head in my lap. I am so glad that Caleb is part of our family. He and Anderson are great buddies and always have been. Happy Birthday Caleb!

The Birthday Zone

Caution: You are entering the birthday zone!

Chad and I thought it would be wise to have our babies during the summer. This way, Chad is out of school and able to help out. I still think this is a good plan, but it has created what I call the 'birthday zone.' The birthday zone starts with mine on June 26th, carries us through Caleb's (July 2nd), and ends with Anderson's on July 22nd. And, it is only bound to get worse (no, I am not making any announcements). What this means is a lot of parties. Poor Chad.... when is his birthday? It is shoved into that week filled with Christmas, our anniversary, and New Years. I try to make it special, but we are usually traveling that day, or just worn out from the holidays. Perhaps I will choose a new day for his birthday.... September seems nice and uneventful.

Chad always makes my birthday special. This is despite the fact that I 'deprive' him of the opportunity of buying me a gift. If we are going to spend money, I might as well make sure it gets spent on something I really want; so, I buy myself something a couple of weeks before hand. Chad always complains.... something about "birthday gifts should be a surprise," or other such nonsense. He just doesn't realize that I am saving him a trip to Walmart at 11 PM the night before my birthday. It is better this way....really.

This birthday, I was arriving home from a week-long class I had been taking in Salem. As I pulled into the driveway, I could hear giggling, shrieking, and running occurring inside. I entered the house and Anderson and Caleb swarmed me... balloons in hand and party hats on their heads. They had decorated their room (the party room) with streamers. Chad, Anderson, and I played pin the tail on the donkey while Caleb used 50 pieces of tape to plaster his donkey tail to his bed (it's still there). Then we ate gluten-free brownies and ice cream. I thought the brownies tasted incredible, but Chad told me that they really weren't that great; my standards of taste must be straying from reality.

For the curious out there: I am 30. I am happy to claim 30. I feel that '30' gives me credibility. Perhaps I wouldn't feel this way if I looked older. In my grungy clothes and a baseball hat, I can still pass for 15. That wouldn't be too bad, except that I have two little boys with me everywhere I go. So, I just get dirty looks. Now, I will at least look like a 16 year old with two little boys. Yep, I am movin' up in the world!

Am I Feeding Them Enough?

I stumbled across this the other day. It made me chuckle. I feed my children.... I really do. This is what I tell my pediatrician every time Anderson goes in for a check up. He's in the 2nd percentile for weight and height, which is odd considering that Chad and I are both such massive people. Anyway.... back to the banana: how nice to have capable, independent children. This is the proof that if they are starving, it is not really my fault! Anderson has a check up in two days... I'm bringing the photo as evidence.

Just Kickin' Around

School is coming to an end for Chad. Yahoo! It's amazing how much relief I feel.... I'm not even the one teaching!

We were on our way home from the library yesterday when Anderson says in a very matter-of-fact tone, "Mom, you need to think of more exciting activities for us to do on days that are not holidays." Yep. That's coming from the 4 year old. He also informed me a while ago that I was "messing up his life." I didn't expect to hear that for a few more years.

Caleb continues to entertain us. He is a clown. Even when he is disobedient, he does it in such a carefree, funny way.... I can't help but crack up.

I love both of my boys so much. I am thankful for all our moments together... the funny, the hectic, the sentimental, and the silly.




By the way, check out http://www.cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ if you want a good laugh. Thanks to Emily for the recommendation.

Total Carnage

If they are the pirates, then I must be the damsel in distress!....





The boys were both invited to a "Pirate Birthday Party." It was so much fun!

It's the moments like this...

This evening I had a church activity to attend. I was getting in the car when the front door opened and out ran Anderson, "Mom, you forgot something!" He came over to me and gave me three hugs and three kisses. My lipstick was all over his face... it was very cute! Then, he stood on the porch and blew kisses and yelled "I love you," as I drove away. It's the moments like these that make it all worth it.

A week or so ago, we were picking up a little friend of ours to go to the park. He was wearing a superman cape. His mother asked me if I minded. I just laughed. I actually find it immensely amusing to take the boys out in public dressed in their outfit choice of the day. Whether it's cowboy boots, spiderman pj's with black-webbed wings on the sides, a leather vest lined with fur, suspenders, or a cape... it makes no difference to me!

My Fashion-Savvy Child

Caleb and the ABC's

It takes a few moments for Caleb to break into song on this video clip, but once he does it's pretty cute. I often hear him singing songs...I'll be sad when he loses his cute 2-year-old dialect.

That Papa Murphy's Pizza is a scary place!

Today was Anderson's first trip to the dentist. This is something he has been begging to do for a long time. He was so well behaved. I am very proud of him. He got a bag full of cool dental hygiene stuff, a prize from the treasure chest, and a free pizza coupon. He has carried this bag around all day. This evening he said, "Mom, my tooth hurts... I think we need to go to the dentist again." Nice try!

While we were at Papa Murphy's this evening (getting Anderson's free pizza), I had a frightening experience. I was holding the boys up, one at a time, to see the workers make our pizza. While I was holding Caleb, Anderson thought it would be fun to hold onto my back pockets and jump up and down. Unfortunately for me, all of my jeans that actually fit are dirty and I was wearing the next size up. Needless to say, my jeans began slipping downward at an alarming rate! I set Caleb down and grabbed my pants. Anderson, who was still jumping, rammed his forehead into my elbow. Anderson began screaming/crying because I had hurt him. Caleb was pitching a fit because I had set him down, and I was trying to recover my....dignity. I don't think I exposed too much (thank heavens for the long shirt I was wearing), but we did put on quite a show! Let this be a lesson to you all.... Never wear baggy jeans at Papa Murphy's!

My boys love to wrestle. I try to not interfere too much so they can get all that 'boy energy' out. But, when the crying starts, I jump in. This evening as I pulled Anderson off a crying Caleb, Caleb sobbed out, "I'm all right Mom! I like it, I like it!" He wanted more! Crazy kid!

At the dentists office, they put a fluoride "varnish" on Anderson's teeth. They sent us home with the instructions: 1) Only soft foods for the next 12 hours and 2) no brushing or flossing tonight. This way, the varnish will have optimal time to work. Anderson was very dedicated at following these instructions. As I was tucking him in, he asked, "Mom, can I pick my nose and put my boogers in my mouth?" Yummy!

Spring has Sprung

I love this time of year! I love that the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. On Friday, I went to a nursery to look at flowers. Anderson decided he wanted to spend his allowance money on a plant. I was feeling guilty that his hard-earned money was going to buy a plant to fill my flower beds, but he insisted that was what he wanted to buy. He chose a 4 pack of blue and yellow pansies. He acted so proud... he carried it to the check out, opened his little mason jar bank, fished out $1.25, and paid the clerk. As he carried his plants to the car, he told me that after he planted them he would put up a sign that said, "No jumping on the flower bed."

I am proud of the work we have done on our little fixer-upper house since we moved in 5 years ago. Here are some before and after pictures for you... it looks so much better now that we've dug up the grass and filled it in with rock and cinder blocks! Just Kidding... Tee Hee!

"After" -April 2009

"After" -April 2009

"Before" -July 2004

"Before" -July 2004

My camera is having technical difficulties; sorry for the lack of photos.

My boys continue to be a source of amazement, entertainment (and I admit... sometimes frustration) for me. Anderson is very interested in letters lately. He will spend an hour sitting at the table writing line after line of letters. It looks like he will go into kindergarten being able to write his own name after all. Yeah! Caleb is dressing himself these days, which means he is wearing one of three outfits: 1) Batman pajamas 2) Polar Bear Pajamas, or 3) the Spiderman boxer shorts and the Diego PJ shirt. As you can tell, he makes quite the fashion statement. At least he is putting his limbs through the proper holes now.

Today, the boys and I went to Chad's school to see his Spanish 3 and Spanish 4 classes perform a play in spanish. Chad has spent hours working on the set for this play. He made it out of PVC pipe so that it can be collapsed and reused in years to come. It has windows and doors.... quite inventive. He covered the pipe framework with butcher paper and the painted it to look like log cabin walls; it looked awesome! But.... poor Chad... the play is ready to start, and where is the girl who is suppose to play the lead part? The school is having a blood drive, and she has decided, suddenly, that it is very important for her to donate blood. Seriously, folks! It is interesting what stage fright will drive a person to do. So, Chad performed the lead part in a skirt and curly blond wig! He was hilarious. And to be honest, the play was probably a lot better than it would have been. Take that Miss Blood Donor!

A New Tradition

Quite a bit has been going on here. First of all, we are back in our home ward. For the past year, we have been assigned to a ward about 20 miles south of us. Their numbers are dwindling, so we were asked to go help out. It has been a great experience. It is hard to say goodbye to new friends, but nice to come back to our home ward and see old friends again.

The boys were sick this weekend with the stomach flu. I have been very lucky so far as a mother.... this was our first experience with children vomiting. I felt so sorry for the boys. At one point they both just zonked out from the sheer exhaustion of it all. Caleb was still wrapped in a towel from his 4th bath... and Anderson was laying on the hardwood floor with his head propped on a blanket. Poor guys! Fortunately, they are both feeling better.

Tonight we started what might become a family tradition. For family home evening (yes... I know it's only Sunday night.... we hold Family Home Evening at random intervals whenever Anderson requests it. It averages out to be weekly, so we go with it.) Anyway, for family home evening, we pulled out our 72 hour kits. We removed all the food that will soon be expiring and had a 72 hour kit dinner: fried SPAM, peanuts, protein bars, and canned pears. It was a lot of fun... and the food really wasn't that bad, either. Now the trick is remembering to buy new food and replace it.

Warning: the following text contains potty training information. Read at your own risk.

Anderson still requests that I wipe his bottom. The other day he informs me, "You are not a very good bottom-wiper." "Oh really!" I say. I'm puzzled because I definitely do an effective job. "Yeah," he replies, "Dad is a lot better." I told Chad.... I knew he would be flattered. Some of us just don't have those 'bottom-wiping' skills, I guess.

Argh Matey!

The boys were painting at the table while I was working in the kitchen. I looked over to find Caleb applying some body art. I'm not quite sure what look he is going for.... but it might become a trend.

This is Anderson's "running stance." Every day, he and Caleb spend a great deal of time running up and down the hallway....or "exercising" as they call it. These clothes are, by the way, Anderson's exercise clothes.

Great Skills

I laugh out loud every time I watch Napoleon Dynamite. I am surprised, however, that both Anderson and Caleb like it too. It is full of great lines... but not a fast paced movie. I keep chuckling over a conversation that Anderson and I had the other day while watching Napoleon Dynamite. It went like this:

Napoleon: "Girls only like guys who have great skills."
Pedro: "What kind of skills?"
Napoleon: "You know.... nun-chuck skills, bow hunting skills..."

Anderson: "Mom, I have great skills."
Me: "Oh yeah?.... What kind of skills do you have?"
Anderson: "Paper organizing skills."

Definitely up there with the nun-chuck skills! And, definitely one that will attract the chicks!

Caleb also makes me chuckle:

Me: "Caleb, you're cute!"
Caleb: "No, I'm Caleb."

Me: "Caleb, are you hungry?"
Caleb: "No, I'm Caleb."

Nursery Leader at church: "Say 'I am a child of God.' "
Caleb: "No, I'm Caleb."

A Brief Encounter with Potty Training

When it comes to potty training, I am a very lazy mother. I figure if I wait long enough, they'll figure it out themselves... which is pretty much how it happened with Anderson a year ago. So, I was surprised yesterday when Caleb said, "I wear underwear today." He's a little young, I thought to myself, but why not? After 1 accident and 2 successful uses of the potty, I sent the boys in the backyard to play. I instructed Anderson to show Caleb how to pee on the lawn (I know you are all shocked... but, I am the mother of two little boys... and, did I already mention that I am lazy?) Anyway, it was a big hit! Anderson even constructed a square out of sticks for them to aim at. I brought out cups of juice and the party continued. Caleb did pretty well the rest of the day.

Today, however, using the potty just wasn't something Caleb was interested in. I wasn't motivated enough to pursue it either. So, maybe this was just one step in the long potty training process. Or, maybe we will have another Pee Party in the back yard tomorrow.

The ability to nap anywhere... a valuable skill to have.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Anderson: Holding his stomach with a pained look on his face, "Mommy, my stomach just keeps asking for candy over and over!"
Me: My stomach does that too. I just tell it 'Tummy, you need to eat good food!'
Anderson: I do that too! But, my tummy just doesn't listen!

And neither does mine, to be honest.

I love where I live. Yesterday the weather was warm, so we put on sweat shirts and went to the park... in January.

I'm still here!

It's been a whirlwind of celebration here since Thanksgiving. Chad turned 33, we celebrated our 10th anniversary...and Christmas and New Year's, of course. Here is a smattering of photos from the last 6 weeks.


Skiing on our anniversary. I didn't fall once! Though, I sat down to rest once and it took me 5 minutes to get back on my feet.

"Stocking Feet"

Yes.... they are gloves. "My feet were cold, mommy!"

Bedtime stories with daddy.

I don't know which is more amazing: 1) the fact that they slowed down enough to pretend to be asleep, or 2) they are that close to each other and they are not wrestling.