Nuggets for 10, Africanized Tarantula,and Mall Madness

The last two days have been a little crazy. Yesterday, I planned to stay home all day, which I did, mostly. It worked out really well because we had to have a planning meeting for our awards dinner. I had also volunteered to babysit for a girl I visit teach so she could go school shopping. Whereas it was all good, it was a madhouse! I had my 5 and 5 extras all 6 and under. Two were babies of the girls I was meeting with so I wasn't the only adult, but we were busy which left them kinda "free reign". It was so noisy! I had gotten stuff out to do some crafts thinking that would buy me a little settled down time. It did - about 10 min. Then I was just left with a table and floor full of cut up gluey scraps. It got to be about lunch time so Brooklyn decided to make DinoNuggets for everyone. She did a really good job, but what a mess. It was quite humorous and I think everyone had a good time so what the heck. It didn't take too long to get my house back to livable and then I tried to take a nap, yeah, that didn't happen. I got up to fix dinner (exactly according to the menu) when Chelsey said I was carpooler for her trip to troupe practice. There were 5 on the way there. They are older and well behaved, but I was about to go nuts with the noise. I couldn't get them out fast enough. If you know me at all, you know I REALLY need my quiet, down time. Haven't had much of that so I'm a little anxious. I was supposed to go hang out at my mom's while Glade did some "honey do's" for her when all of a sudden - Brilliant! "Mom, wouldn't you just love to have a sleep over with my kids tonight??" She is the best mom ever and said "sure". I love her. I packed em up, drove em over and came home to my mostly empty house (still had school kids and a baby). I got things settled and went to bed! Now for the creepy part. I got up to go to the bathroom and when I turned on the light, something black scurried into my closet and disappeared. Now, it was small for a mouse but very large for anything else. And it was black, not gray. I did a little poking around to see if I could find it, but no luck. Try to go back to sleep now!! I'm pretty sure it must have been an Africanized tarantula. That or some kind of alien pest. Either way, I haven't been in my closet since. I stood at the edge and stretched to get my clothes. I'm so grossed out!
Today
After a very creepy night with crazy, buggy dreams. I got around and headed to pick up my kids. Today is movie day and my mom always comes with us. The movie actually turned out cute much to my surprise. Katy was a terror. This was our last one, so that trip is now done for the summer. I thought maybe a little "mall therapy" would do me good. I don't know why my mom didn't give me a thunk on the head and say "what are you thinking?" Taking 6 kids to the mall the week before most schools start was a little crazy. They didn't do too bad, but it was very crowded and it certainly wasn't the therapy I was looking for! We didn't stay long, got what we needed, had lunch and went home. Today was registration for my littler ones so I got to go fill out all the info cards, that's always fun. Got my kids AIMS test results. They did really well, I was kinda surprised. Two of them even exceeded in Math. Amazing. Had a little nap (still creeped out being in my room) then headed to the gym. I haven't lost any weight in the last couple weeks, but I haven't gained either so I guess that's good. The boys are out doing the yard. The movie today inspired me to try the garden again this year. I'm going to get it ready so its planted on time and hopefully we can be successful. I really need to go shower, but then I would have to go into the closet. Hmmmmm, big dilemma.

Almost Recovered - School Starts

I have most the laundry done and my house is almost back to normal. I'm still organizing like crazy! So many things I want to do and here I sit talking about it, crazy. Yesterday my three oldest started school. They all had a really good day. Whitley was really nervous but said it was "so fun!". She has friends in all her classes but Spanish but loved that class anyway. Chelsey was same-old same-old but loves being there. She didn't get to do advanced dance which she tried out and made due to a scheduling conflict. She was really sad and had to take beginning dance again just to get the half credit she needed. When she showed up to dance her teacher asked what was going on. After explaining why, the teacher asked her what she was doing next semester and offered for Chelsey to be her aid. She was very excited! Nick started off a little rough, but came home and said he loved his teachers and was very excited. I still worry about his friends, but nothing I can do about that so I just keep praying! They all brought home their supply lists as well. In reading Heather's post about loving school supplies, I would have to agree. However, big kid supplies are a whole nother story. It cost me $80 to fulfill their lists and that's not any of the "wish list" things. Every year I get myself all bent out of shape about this. It's a public school with funding and I'm buying all the supplies. I get notebooks and some folders and such, but come on, their own stapler?? White board markers, copy paper, correcting pens, calculators, flash drives???? Chelsey was asked to buy a $100 calculator and was told she probably couldn't pass the class without it. Something is definitely wrong with this picture!
Anyway, (breathe, Laurie, breathe) we did it and its done. Makes me more grateful for my other kids school where they just ask you to bring a box to put all the supplies THEY buy for you.
I read a really good article on parenting in the Ensign this morning. I'm hoping to implement some of the suggestions in to my days. Patience, understanding and humor. Should be interesting. I'm really getting a lot of practice with my little ones still home. I keep taking deep breaths and thinking "only one more week and then they won't have time to destroy my house and spend hours on the computer." I'm most excited to turn my cute three year old back into a "cute three year old". Today I heard him yell from upstairs "YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!" and "YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!" He didn't talk like that pre-summer. I have lots of fun ambitions for Bo, Katy and I once the kids are back to school. We all know how that can go, lots of ambition, little action. Let's hope that's not the case!

We're back

The thought of posting a whole vacation is daunting. So much to report and so many pictures. You will have to be patient with this because it's definitely a journal entry for me to remember our family vacation. I guess I will break it into events.

The trip to Utah

We actually left really early and the kids were fabulous in the car. All except Katy who went through three sets of clothes just getting to Flagstaff. Dang Babies! We drove straight through and got there about 2 am. We didn't have a hotel to go to so we just slept in the parking lot. On the way up, Dalin so diligently tried to write every city we drove through. His spelling was atrocious but he was very intent. When it started to get late, you could see his little head bobbing but he really wanted to stay awake the whole time. It was cute. He didn't make it!

While I was driving the last hour or so, I passed the parade floats on the freeway. It was kinda cool. They were all going about 20 mph and with a police escort. Something you don't see very often.

Our nice peaceful car ride

Dalin with his list of cities.

The Parade

The parade was long and hot. My kids were tired and frankly, quite bored. We lasted about an hour and a half before I told Glade I was done. There were a few neat floats, but really, a floats a floats a float. The one really neat thing we saw - President Monson. He was in one of the first cars. The whole time he was in front of us he was waving at the people on the other side. Chelsey ran down the street with my camera trying to get a good shot. This is actually him waving to HER. What a gal. We left and tried to get in to our room early, but we still had to wait an hour. We went to lunch with some of the family that had come for the reunion. We went to the Scone Cutter and let me tell you - not nearly as good as the scones we make!

Set up and ready for the parade!

President Monson waving at Chelsey

Touring

After checking in and having a nap, we loaded back up and went to the Conference Center for a tour. It was really neat to be there. Unfortunately, my kids found it mostly boring and were not excited to walk slowly and be quiet at this point. We tried to be patient and they really did try to be good, but we made it a short tour! We couldn't go up to the balcony because they were trying to test lighting and such for the Osmond Family Concert that was in a few hours. Oh how I would have loved to see that! After the tour, we went to dinner and back to the hotel. It's hard in Utah because the sun doesn't go down till about 9:30. I think we ate dinner after 8 every night.

Sitting in the conference center

Glade and I on the roof of the Conference Center

Lagoon

Got up early and headed out to Lagoon. The hotel, who we purchased our package through, had messed up everything. Not enough tickets, didn't give us the meal passes, several phone calls trying to straighten it out. It was worth it though. The meal passes alone saved us $65. It was enough food that we even had left overs to have for dinner. The kids had a great time on the rides. Amazingly, they all went on the roller coasters. Even me! There were some pretty big ones too. The water part was a little disappointing, but at least we were wet. It was 105 the day we were there. After it cooled off, we went back out to ride more rides. I went with Chelsey, Nick and Dalin on a few. We were waiting to go on one and Dalin comments "I know this one like it was my own son". Then we were waiting on another that went upside down and he didn't really want to. He had already gone on a double looped roller coaster! I asked why and he replied "I'm a little concerned about the rotation". Who is this kid and who talks like that?? I made him do it anyway and he loved it. By about 8pm Chelsey, Bo and I were done. Everyone else was still going strong. Bo didn't really enjoy most of the rides. They were either too loud or made him dizzy. For the last hour we were there, he just rode the bumper cars over and over and over. He loved it! Good for me too, I just sat on a bench and watched. All in all it was a good day. We only lost a few kids a few times and we always found them again. I didn't even take my camera with me. I was too worried about having to carry it all day with the water and everything or getting it stolen. No real biggie though, we were all separate most of the day anyway.

The Temple

Saturday morning we got up and had breakfast. Our hotel offered free breakfast everyday. It was great, not some muffins or bagels, but eggs, toast, bacon, hashbrowns. We ate good! We went to walk around the temple grounds before heading to the reunion. It wasn't too bad heat wise, there was a nice breeze. While in the Visitors Center, the kids really enjoyed all the hands on stuff. Katy was absolutely wild! We just let her run around a bit while Nick followed her. I took pictures of her being crazy and got this great action shot of her taking a little spill. She got right up and started running again. She wasn't so lucky outside. She did the same thing but ended up with a big bonk on her forehead. The kids were mostly good, but got bored quickly so we didn't see all we wanted. I know when to quit! I gave them all a penny to make a wish and took a picture of them all doing it at the same time. Cute.

Stephen being amazed that there was a Book of Mormon in Portugese

Katy's wipeout

Sitting in the Tabernacle

Outside on Temple Square

Making Wishes!

The Reunion

Everyone had gathered at a really cute little park with lots of shade! We had a potluck lunch and they did some singing and reminiscing. That wasn't too exciting for those of us who didn't really know anyone, but they all had a great time. We won the award for traveling the furthest. The kids played at the park and played washers. Everyone was really good. Bo was my struggle this day. He went through three outfits while we were there. At one point someone let me know that he was naked on the bleachers. I looked over and there he was with his feet on the top row and his hands on the row below it with his naked butt straight up in the air! I didn't get there in time to take a picture. Later, one of the little cousins came running from the park and said "Your son had a really bad accident!" I asked what kind of accident. She didn't know. I was a little panicky. "Is he bleeding?" I don't know, he's in the bathroom she says. I start taking off and I see one of Glade's cousins, she says "you might want to bring some wipes". Oh brother! He had pooped his pants and still tried to get on the potty. There was poop all over. We cleaned it up the best we could and got him changed. There was also a major water fight that took place that caused another change. ViEtta had encouraged a little soaking and when the two she was talking to said they didn't really want to get wet, she poured a glass of water on both of them and said "now you are". I'm not sure there were more than 10 people in the whole group that weren't wet. Me included - hey! I had a baby and a camera. It was really fun to watch some pretty old men and women running around half soaked. They even got ViEtta back for starting it! We stayed at the park till about 8 then went for pizza with some cousins. It was great to talk to them. We only see most these people every several years, but it's always great when we do.

Nothing like a juice box on a hot day!

Glade and Jason during the water fight

Three brothers refilling for another attack!

Jason getting held under the water spiget

Grandpa pouring water on Stephen

ViEtta drying off

Katy found someone's half eaten peach and devoured it!

Whitley and Katy finally taking a rest!

The trip home

Ahhhhh! That's how I felt. We drove for a few hours then stopped and slept for a few. I hate sleeping in the car. The rest of the day the kids were a little cranky and didn't do as well as on the way up. We couldn't find anywhere to eat for 5 hours! All canyon. The kids were hungry and some feeling a little car sick. 3 pukers. That's always fun. We were all very excited to get home. When we were really close to our house, Glade yells "who wants to go back to Utah?" They all screamed 'Yeah!" After we had unloaded and gotten a little settled, Bo asks " are we going back to Utah now?"

It really was a fun trip and I'm sure I have forgotten some good details. It all comes back to family and how blessed we are to have family who gets along and loves one another.

1930's Wife

74 As a 1930s wife, I am Superior Take the test!

Let me Clarify

Ok, so the feedback that I'm getting is that everyone likes to buy nice things once in awhile. If I made it seem like I don't, I totally misled you. There are definitely things I spend money on, my perfume for example - not cheap! I also buy mostly name brand stuff for cleaning and showering stuff. I think there's something to be said for quality. The point I was trying to make about the backpack really applied to the backpack. An 8 yr old child does not or should not know the difference in a Roxy or Walmart brand backpack. Not to mention the way an 8 yr old treats a backpack. All I'm saying is to spend that kind of money on something a child doesn't REALLY care about is a waste. I love nice things, a little too much even, but it bugs me to see 3 yr olds in converse shoes. (unless you got them at the thrift store!) That is strictly for the parents and I personally feel it's vain and worldly to spend that much money needlessly. I'm sure I have totally offended someone but please take it with a grain of salt. I'm not and never have been much of a name brand person. Again, I do believe some brands are better than others and worth the price. I would like to believe that if I had oodles of money, I would still shop sensibly. Who knows. Summary: I think it's unnecessary to spend that much money on a backpack for a child - That's all I was saying!

Thanks for Being Born

Today was a busy but good day. Happy Birthday to Amy and Sherry! My FIL Steve's birthday was yesterday. We have a great family tradition of going out to lunch for birthdays. Today we went to BJ's. It was my first time and it was pretty good. I have to say there wasn't much that would fit into a healthy diet. I'm positive the pazookie I ate wasn't on the plan! I woke up with every intention to get to the gym. I had gotten my clothes out and everything. Then the eye place called and said Nick's glasses were ready. The timing of everything was not working out for me to get stuff done, get to the gym and be to lunch by noon. I didn't make it to the gym. I was a little sad today, I was really feeling it. Another day.
While waiting to leave today, I was searching online for a backpack for Chelsey. She doesn't want the kind with lots of pockets and pouches. Just a plain ol' backpack. I found several that were $25 or $30 or more, but that is out of my common sense range. This is a funny story because one of my more irritating experiences was being in Tilly's one day and watching a mom and her two girls of about 8 and 10. She pointed to the wall and said "pick a backpack, whatever you want". My irritation was because she could have done the same thing at Wal-Mart and they would have found something they totally loved and would have cost her 1/4 of what she paid. I hate parents who from very young teach their kids that they have to have expensive things with certain names on them. Sorry if I offended anyone. So to make a long story short, I joke about people who buy backpacks from Tilly's. Wellllll, in showing Chelsey how expensive they were, I had windows with 3 different online stores up. I was going through and explaining that what she wants isn't cheap. She was scrolling down Tilly's selection and commenting how ugly they were and not worth that much money when all of the sudden.....clearance. There was a super cute pink and white plaid backpack just like she wanted for $14.97. Guess who bought a backpack from Tilly's??
After a very big lunch, I raced home and picked up Whitley to take her to registration. We got there and her schedule was a mess. She was still in AVID which they told us they had taken her out..NOT. She was also scheduled to be in Men's Choir and Advanced Aerobics. Two very odd selections for Whitley. We went to the counselor and they got her out of all three. She is now in Girl's Choir, Spanish, and Honors Biology. She has a tough schedule this year. Luckily she is in many classes with her good friends. That eased her mind quite a bit about starting high school. The cherry on top - while waiting in line, I started talking to the woman behind us. They just moved here 3 days ago from Kansas. She had a boy Whitley's age. She also has a girl that will be starting Payne. I probably haven't mentioned this, but I volunteered to be the VP of the PTO at Payne. There are only 2 other people on the whole committee. I decided to help out. I mentioned it to her and now she is going to be on it as well. I have also recruited two other people which makes a board of 6! It's tripled - crazy.
FHE - We ARE a family and we WERE home. During our very thrown together dinner, it started raining really hard. Of course - "can we play in the rain???" Out they went. They were playing so nice together (quite a switch) that I couldn't bear to bring them in. They stayed outside for about an hour. It was great. So though there was no official gathering, song or prayer, it was one of the more peaceful and pleasant evenings we've had in a long time!

When there's nothing to do - eat cinnamon

Sometimes when there's a large group of people and not enough to do, weird things happen. It started with a conversation about things people have seen on YouTube. We tried making popcorn pop with cell phones, that didn't work. That's when the cinnamon controversy began. Chelsey has a friend who tried it and is on YouTube. Nick said he would give it a whirl. This video is the result of that experiment. Nick is first and then there is a little down time, wait through it because Stephen is after that and it's definitely worth watching. I wish I had had control of the videoing. I won't say who did, but you miss some of the best parts! Anyway, have a look...

Some other funny tidbits of the day- Bo was standing at the top of the stairs and yelled "Hey! Smell my muscles!" What he meant was: Stephen put deodorant on him and he wanted us to know how good his armpits (muscles) smelled.

At church, a lady (who used to be our primary chorister) was giving a talk and was telling the story of the ant and the grasshopper. The theme was being prepared. In the middle of her story, she posed the question, do you think that the ant closed it's door to the grasshopper? Rhett pipes up and says "Yeah!" Then realizes he is in sacrament and says "oops". Hey, at least he was listening!

During our primary class, which is made up of all boys, my sweet little daughter starts ripping some loud, juicy ones. (Sorry for the graphics) As you can imagine, the boys thought that was soooo funny. Their laughter spawned her laughing this devil laugh she has. We finally got them settled back down and she did it again. I was crying I was laughing so hard. Good example, huh? I decided to take her out. We walked around for awhile so she could finish if she needed to. After a few minutes, I took her in and changed her. We went back to class where they were so reverently listening to my partner talk about sharing the gospel. She did it again! At this point I just decided to remove her for good. To dad she went! I felt so bad for Cyndi, the boys were actually listening and being good and Katy kept ruining it. Sorry Cyndi! I'm happy to say this was her last week NOT in nursery. Yeah for 18 months!

It wasn't a dull Sunday to say the least!