This week my 10 month old got stung by a wasp...in a place I would never expect to have to worry about it. Was she gallivanting in the yard, or taking a walk in the stroller you ask? Nope. Just crawling up our stairs on her way to bed. I guess that is what I get for leaving the front door open all day while the kids play. I forgot to take a picture of her poor swelled little pinkie. But she is a determined young woman. I am sad to report that her experience hasn't dimmed her fascination with the stairs at all.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Grateful
I can't sleep and I wanted to take a minute and make sure that I record along with all of my complaints, and events, just how much I LOVE my kids. I often feel overwhelmed with all I have to do, or rather all I don't get done... But in spite of that, every day I am thankful for the special, one of a kind kids who the Lord was kind enough to bless me with. Each one of them sets a great example for me in their own way. I got a horrible cough over the last week or so. I haven't done ANYTHING, and they have been cooped up in this house for such a long time. But they haven't complained, even though I haven't let them out the many times they have asked. And Jayden is constantly bringing me drinks, to help me feel better. I always find myself blocked when I want to describe for them how much they matter to me. It's hard to put into words, because they each have these little different qualities that lift my heart. And I can talk about the little things they say that make me smile or things I like about them... But it is more than that. They are SO good inside, and I can feel it, and it does make me feel unworthy to be their mom, especially when I think of how bad I am to them sometimes. But it also makes me feel thankful for EVERY little minute I get with them, because my time with them is the most AMAZING of my life. Especially the ones where I get to listen to what they think, or something they discovered...AMAZING. Both watching them learn, and just learning new facets of their personality, there is nothing like it. Even Courtney already lifts me so much. She is such an easy smiler, and she grins so big when she sees us(jay and I) that it seems like her face might break. It is the best feeling in the world seeing her, and my other kids smile. Jayden is already so helpful. I am constantly asking him to go get this or put away that, and he almost always is willing to do whatever little task I give him. He loves to draw and always has things he wants to write to narrate his books he makes. I love that he is creative and wants to learn. And he has such a tender side, especially for animals. He is so fascinated with them, and tells me constantly different things he learns. Not to mention, adopting obscure new ones into his games and stories. The other day he said to me, "I am hungry like a mussel, and not the kind on your body."(I think I was an adult before knew what a mussel was. :) And when he's a badger he's not just a badger, he's a honey badger...or an arctic wolf, etc... :). He is getting old enough to understand spiritual things, and I LOVE to talk to him when we read the scriptures. He already reminds me when we don't read and tells me that he sleeps better and doesn't have as many nightmares when we read our scriptures. I hope he keeps that awareness. Ethan is also my little care taker too. He wants to help Courtney so much. A lot of his days are spent smiling at her, or trying to make her laugh. I hope I never forget the look he gets on his face when he looks at her. He looks like HE is going to burst! And his stories make me happy too. I wish I could remember every one of all of their stories. They says the cutest, and funniest things. Both boys are constantly telling me things they learn about the world. Like, for instance, Ethan said one day "You can't throw cake on the police, or they will throw you in jail". "So don't do that okay? Promise you won't do that?" Modesty is very important to him. He told Kayleigh or Jayden one time while their shirt was off: "Get away from me! Your Naked!.... You don't want people around when you are naked huh? Yeah, or I might throw up" And one more funny thing: we were watching beauty and the beast and he was SO sad at the end when the beast was hurt. Jayden always had this reaction when he watched monster's inc and found out that boo had to leave. So I thought this one would be easy. I cuddled him in my arms and tried to comfort him and let him know that the beast was alright, he was just turned back into a human. I forget he loves little monsters...whenever he pretends these days he either wants to be a skeleton with no hair, or a tron guy. Formerly, he frequently picked zombies...I know, thanks Jay! He replied, " I want him to be a beast only! I don't want him to be a women!" For those of you who are puzzled by the women comment, just watch the end of beauty and the beast as he is transformed into his handsome prince self with the flowing blonde locks, and tell me that hair doesn't look like a woman...or women in Ethan's terms. He is always very aware of Jesus and the right things to do. In fact, of late, the other person he likes to pretend to be is Jesus...It has caused me to wrestle with my conscience on how to deal with it. He wants a towel or a blanket to put over his head and has even used Courtney's headbands, wrapped around the chin part of his face for a beard. I remember when he was very little, maybe even two, he fell on the porch on his way out to the car and scraped his face. We were on our way to church and we kind of decided to stay home, because he was bleeding and hurt. He cried and said that Jesus wanted him at church. And more recently, we are pretty much always late to church. So late that rather than skulk into sacrament meeting, we just sit in the foyer. He has begged a few times to go inside and is very distraught about not getting to. So anyway, I don't want to discourage that kind of sensitivity. Of course the wrestle is because I don't want him to take the Savior and what he did lightly or not teach him enough respect for Him. But I also don't want to discourage him from making the Savior a part of his life and encourage him rather to be a skeleton or other character... Here I am on a tangent! I'm just trying to say, I am happy that he too is sensitive to spiritual things. My kids are SO much better than I was at such a young age...Who am I kidding, they are better than me now! I hope they can continue to learn how to follow those good feelings. Even Kayleigh, she loves to sing and I love to hear her sing I am a child of God. At first I thought it was so cute how it sounded like I am a child of God, but it was a bunch of garbled syllables. My favorite part though, was when she sang "w' gramma kine a ears!" Instead of parents kind and dear. Now she sings it like a pro. She has even sang it a few times in the car at my request to calm the baby... or me! She also loves to play pretend. She is an AMAZING doggy. With the panting and even an occasional doggy kiss. And she LOVEs to pretend she's a baby and sometimes amazes me with her great courtney impressions! She really likes to set up who's going to be what in her game. One minute I'm assigned to be the baby and she's the mommy, the next we swap, it really keeps me on my toes :). Another time, Kayleigh: "I a goggy (doggy), Ethan is a cow, and Jayden is a guck(duck). And you are a....cow." Me(trying not to take offense at the cow comment :): "what is daddy?" "aaa...guck." "And courtney?" "a guck." Have you seen this girl?!? She is so cute, as well as very smart and stubborn. I'll be honest, she scares me! But she is also so sweet natured. She is constantly trying to help people feel better and often forfeits her toy or does other unselfish things to make Ethan or others happy. In fact, my favorite thing to see in nursery is when she tries to find toys for the kids who are not so happy to be there. What a darling girl :). The one thing I can say about Courtney beside the fact that I love how happy she is and how remarkably patient she is. I love her wise eyes. They seem to see right through me. I'm sure she will have a lot to teach me as I get to know her better. And she is a real go getter too. She makes me tired sometimes, but I love her determination.
My one hope when I am old and grey and return to Heavenly Father, is that each memory I have of my kids is as clear as the day we made it. I'm sure I am the most forgetful person I know. And SO many are forgotten before I record them. I always feel blocked when I am trying to think of posts like these. I just hope that all those millions of moments are somehow being stored up there and will be waiting for me.
If in twenty years my kids read this, Please know this. I think you are AMAZING! Every one of you! I could never pick a favorite because each of you are so unique and special you are each my favorite you! I love you more than I could ever say in words. My one hope above all others is to see you happy in your lives and to be with you FOREVER. EVERY day, even the ones I yell and scream, I pray a thankful prayer to Heavenly Father for giving you to me. And I beg him to help you to learn what you need to learn in spite of my unskilled teaching, and to bless me with patience since I am SO lacking in that. I beg him to help you to return to him and be happy. I love you I love you I love you I LOVE YOU! Your faithful mommy :)
My one hope when I am old and grey and return to Heavenly Father, is that each memory I have of my kids is as clear as the day we made it. I'm sure I am the most forgetful person I know. And SO many are forgotten before I record them. I always feel blocked when I am trying to think of posts like these. I just hope that all those millions of moments are somehow being stored up there and will be waiting for me.
If in twenty years my kids read this, Please know this. I think you are AMAZING! Every one of you! I could never pick a favorite because each of you are so unique and special you are each my favorite you! I love you more than I could ever say in words. My one hope above all others is to see you happy in your lives and to be with you FOREVER. EVERY day, even the ones I yell and scream, I pray a thankful prayer to Heavenly Father for giving you to me. And I beg him to help you to learn what you need to learn in spite of my unskilled teaching, and to bless me with patience since I am SO lacking in that. I beg him to help you to return to him and be happy. I love you I love you I love you I LOVE YOU! Your faithful mommy :)
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Count Your Blessings
I have been in kind of a strange place these days... I have tons of blog posts in my queue, all unfinished...a pile of laundry at the bottom of my stairs unfinished...an endless pile of dishes, that though I feel I am washing constantly, remains unfinished... I assume you get the picture, only those who have been unfortunate enough to enter my home see the enormity of my failure, and for those people...I am very sorry :). Then you combine that with my short temper, and my general frazzled, forgetful, brain that can't organize a thought, let alone a sentence, or an action... and I have basically been feeling like I'm in a sand pit. I claw and claw my way up the side and think, I'm doing this, I am going to get to the top! (You know in the morning when I have already gotten the kids off to school and gotten some laundry started and dishes done. And I'm thinking, at this rate, I'll have time to clean these two rooms today AND, maybe have time to help Jayden with his homework and, read to the kids and, maybe even let them do an art project while I make dinner! And, TODAY I'm going to have dinner ready ON TIME! YES!!!) Then, the next thing I know, It's four o'clock...It feels like I just blinked. (While making meals, solving fights, feeding my constantly hungry baby, and admittedly, checking facebook) Oh well, so much for two clean rooms, homework, and art projects...good thing he's still in kindergarten!! I better hurry and fill the dishwasher again and start dinner, at least that will be on time tonight... Of course that gets interrupted several times and I am at six thirty going... Oh no! We are eating at 7 again and my poor children are STARVING, and where in the heck are all those clean dishes, and who dumped that chocolate milk behind the table!?!? Man, I wish I swept up those cheerios this morning before they dumped that milk! And I never changed that batch out!!! So basically, I claw my way up and get just high enough to see success, and that darn sand starts sliding. Before I know it I am back at the bottom, exhausted, and NO CLOSER to the summit. I have often pictured myself in some natural setting like this, I don't know why. In the past I pictured myself climbing the side of the mountain with my kids in a pack on my back. It was a hard climb, but then I could take a rest, look out, and see a beautiful view. I don't know how I got from there to this SAND PIT! I'm going back to the mountains, they are the place I love.
I read a little article in the friend, and got some amazing advice from my mom. (As usual, do you know my mom? If you do, you are a lucky person.) I think I am getting out of this place! I have been slowly implementing her suggestions, as well as some goals of my own. Oddly, my physical surroundings have not changed much... I am still WAY overweight, and I don't think I am any more organized yet... but I yelled a lot less this week! And my mental imagery has changed some... I picture a winding path. Still a little dark, but mountainous, with the darkness coming from trees shading it, that has to be a good thing. I hated the monotony of that sand pit ;). And I feel happy. Now I have never not felt blessed. I have AMAZING children and a fantastic husband. I just felt like the blight on their otherwise happy lives. And I was starting to feel helpless to change anything.
Now, I have a long way to go, but I am trying to adopt some things that will help me do better physically. I love having goals and feeling like you are moving toward some level of accomplishment. But more importantly, I want to FEEL good. And though accomplishing my goals does help, I have needed a spiritual overhaul. In case any of you feel like me, here are the suggestions that my mom gave me for baby steps that can be done even in a crazy busy life. I have sporadically read scriptures, or the Ensign, but in my disorganized life, I find that I do one thing one day, and different things the next and a week or several, will go by without any study. She suggested playing primary songs all day on the radio, as one way to change the spirit in my home. That is the only one that I have fully implemented, and it has helped A LOT! I'll get there eventually with these other two! Playing the scriptures on the computer in the morning while I get ready and make Jay's lunch etc... And getting dressed and ready for the day first thing. (Anyone who has seen me in recent months know I have not yet implemented this one!)
The other thing that has helped me was a little article I read to the kids from the friend. It is an exerpt from a Talk given by Henry B. Eyring in the October 2007 general conference. I haven't read the whole talk yet, I am going to include what I read in the friend here:
"Forgetting God has been a problem among His children since the world began. Think of the times of Moses, when God provided manna and in miraculous and visible ways led and protected His children. Still the prophet warned the people: “Take heed … lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen” (Deuteronomy 4:9).
Find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness. It will build our testimonies. You remember that song we sometimes sing: “Count your many blessings; name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done” (“Count Your Blessings,” Hymns, no. 241).
When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.
The Holy Ghost helps us see what God has done for us. I testify that God loves us and blesses us more than most of us have yet recognized. I know that is true, and it brings me joy to remember Him."
Attitude is SO much a deciding factor in our lives. So my first goal tied to this is to change the way I think. I think so many negative thoughts... Mostly about myself and my many failures, but even more than that... If I am stressed about a social situation or something negative that might happen or has happened I have these conversations in my head about what I wish I said, or even worse what I could say if the confrontation I imagine might happen actually does happen. (Of course usually those imagined confrontations NEVER happen) And isn't that sick? Who spends their life thinking over and over of their stinging reply they wish they said when someone said something rude...LET IT GO! And worse, the what if some person says something mean to them next week when a stressful situation might happen at this event or that?? Who thinks of their possible reply in a situation like that!?! I am so weird... So the one thing I got out of this is to STOP thinking, let alone saying bad things. I am trying not to gossip, or even let myself think anything bad about another person, or about myself. The primary songs have helped a TON with this. Both to making me aware of negative thoughts and helping me purge those bad habits! As with everything else, I have a LONG way to go.
The other goal I have tied to this is to record in my journal, positive things that have happened each week. Or where we have been touched by the hand of God. Since my blog is my journal, maybe I'll be actually catching up on it!
My other feel good goals beside continuing to work toward organization are to do the things I love to do. I love to spend time with my kids. I love to blog. And I love to sew, and make things. So those are some things that I am going to do. My favorite quick sewing project of late, is fabric flowers. So I am going to make some every week for my girls and to sell on ebay or give as gifts. If anyone who reads this has any interest in buying flowers, let me know and I'll post the ones I make each week. I'll probably be selling them for 3-5 bucks each. Also, if anyone wants me to make a particular kind... If you'll buy me five bucks worth of material and whatever centers you want for the flowers, I'll make you two flowers of whatever size and kind you want. (That is if you want a particular center. I make soft fleece or felt centers on big flowers and I can put a button or jewel if it is a small flower. But if you want a covered button, or other large button you'll have to buy them.) I can post or email pics of the kinds I make if anyone has interest. And I'll just keep the extra fabric as payment. (That will help me work on my hobby without spending money that I don't have!) Also, anyone who sews and wants to help me out, please give me any scraps of fabric or ribbon that you won't use. I can make flowers with very small amts of fabric, so if you are going to throw it away anyway, I would love to have it!! :) Life is great and we are so blessed to be here! I am going to count my four special blessings on another post today or tomorrow, but for now, goodbye! And thanks for listening :).
I read a little article in the friend, and got some amazing advice from my mom. (As usual, do you know my mom? If you do, you are a lucky person.) I think I am getting out of this place! I have been slowly implementing her suggestions, as well as some goals of my own. Oddly, my physical surroundings have not changed much... I am still WAY overweight, and I don't think I am any more organized yet... but I yelled a lot less this week! And my mental imagery has changed some... I picture a winding path. Still a little dark, but mountainous, with the darkness coming from trees shading it, that has to be a good thing. I hated the monotony of that sand pit ;). And I feel happy. Now I have never not felt blessed. I have AMAZING children and a fantastic husband. I just felt like the blight on their otherwise happy lives. And I was starting to feel helpless to change anything.
Now, I have a long way to go, but I am trying to adopt some things that will help me do better physically. I love having goals and feeling like you are moving toward some level of accomplishment. But more importantly, I want to FEEL good. And though accomplishing my goals does help, I have needed a spiritual overhaul. In case any of you feel like me, here are the suggestions that my mom gave me for baby steps that can be done even in a crazy busy life. I have sporadically read scriptures, or the Ensign, but in my disorganized life, I find that I do one thing one day, and different things the next and a week or several, will go by without any study. She suggested playing primary songs all day on the radio, as one way to change the spirit in my home. That is the only one that I have fully implemented, and it has helped A LOT! I'll get there eventually with these other two! Playing the scriptures on the computer in the morning while I get ready and make Jay's lunch etc... And getting dressed and ready for the day first thing. (Anyone who has seen me in recent months know I have not yet implemented this one!)
The other thing that has helped me was a little article I read to the kids from the friend. It is an exerpt from a Talk given by Henry B. Eyring in the October 2007 general conference. I haven't read the whole talk yet, I am going to include what I read in the friend here:
"Forgetting God has been a problem among His children since the world began. Think of the times of Moses, when God provided manna and in miraculous and visible ways led and protected His children. Still the prophet warned the people: “Take heed … lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen” (Deuteronomy 4:9).
Find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness. It will build our testimonies. You remember that song we sometimes sing: “Count your many blessings; name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done” (“Count Your Blessings,” Hymns, no. 241).
When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.
The Holy Ghost helps us see what God has done for us. I testify that God loves us and blesses us more than most of us have yet recognized. I know that is true, and it brings me joy to remember Him."
Attitude is SO much a deciding factor in our lives. So my first goal tied to this is to change the way I think. I think so many negative thoughts... Mostly about myself and my many failures, but even more than that... If I am stressed about a social situation or something negative that might happen or has happened I have these conversations in my head about what I wish I said, or even worse what I could say if the confrontation I imagine might happen actually does happen. (Of course usually those imagined confrontations NEVER happen) And isn't that sick? Who spends their life thinking over and over of their stinging reply they wish they said when someone said something rude...LET IT GO! And worse, the what if some person says something mean to them next week when a stressful situation might happen at this event or that?? Who thinks of their possible reply in a situation like that!?! I am so weird... So the one thing I got out of this is to STOP thinking, let alone saying bad things. I am trying not to gossip, or even let myself think anything bad about another person, or about myself. The primary songs have helped a TON with this. Both to making me aware of negative thoughts and helping me purge those bad habits! As with everything else, I have a LONG way to go.
The other goal I have tied to this is to record in my journal, positive things that have happened each week. Or where we have been touched by the hand of God. Since my blog is my journal, maybe I'll be actually catching up on it!
My other feel good goals beside continuing to work toward organization are to do the things I love to do. I love to spend time with my kids. I love to blog. And I love to sew, and make things. So those are some things that I am going to do. My favorite quick sewing project of late, is fabric flowers. So I am going to make some every week for my girls and to sell on ebay or give as gifts. If anyone who reads this has any interest in buying flowers, let me know and I'll post the ones I make each week. I'll probably be selling them for 3-5 bucks each. Also, if anyone wants me to make a particular kind... If you'll buy me five bucks worth of material and whatever centers you want for the flowers, I'll make you two flowers of whatever size and kind you want. (That is if you want a particular center. I make soft fleece or felt centers on big flowers and I can put a button or jewel if it is a small flower. But if you want a covered button, or other large button you'll have to buy them.) I can post or email pics of the kinds I make if anyone has interest. And I'll just keep the extra fabric as payment. (That will help me work on my hobby without spending money that I don't have!) Also, anyone who sews and wants to help me out, please give me any scraps of fabric or ribbon that you won't use. I can make flowers with very small amts of fabric, so if you are going to throw it away anyway, I would love to have it!! :) Life is great and we are so blessed to be here! I am going to count my four special blessings on another post today or tomorrow, but for now, goodbye! And thanks for listening :).
Thursday, October 14, 2010
WHAT A DAY!
I just had one of those not so pleasant, but probably will be funny in a couple of years moments and I felt I should record it. Jayden goes back to school next week and I thought it would be fun to do one last fun activity with mommy before going back. They always want to go play at the restaurant play areas so I let them pick the place and we ended up at Taco Maker.
It is a larger one, but since Ethan and Kayleigh are usually not adventurous enough to leave the bottom areas, I figured we were okay. Well today everyone was feeling particularly brave. Jayden lead all of them up to the top, and Ethan and Kayleigh were all over that play area like pros. After my initial panic at the thought of one of them getting stuck, I felt a wave of pride in my children and settled in to enjoy watching them have fun. And they did! It was great! They were climbing up and down all over the tunnels with no problem, and I figured they would all avoid the giant slide in the back. Eventually I heard one of them working their way down the slide. I knew it must be Jayden, since Ethan rarely attempts any slide, let alone one that is longer than a yard. But sure enough MY Ethan emerged at the bottom. I was so happy for him I could hardly contain my excitement; and he beamed with pride that he had managed it, especially first (my boys are a little too competitive lately :). That caught Kayleigh's attention and the two of them spent the next ten minutes climbing up and sliding down again. This was the best play area in the world!! Now they had been on every part of this huge jungle gym without any fear. I was thrilled...I had nothing to worry about.
It was at about this moment that Kayleigh must have reached the top of the slide for the first time... Apparently the slide looks a lot more scary from the very top, than it does from halfway up, or however far she'd gone the twenty other times she had gone up and down it. Then, as she realized she was trapped, the crying commenced. First, I sat at the bottom and tried to coax her down. She said okay several times in between fits of crying and I thought she would come around that final bend any second... After what seemed like FOREVER I figured she was stuck halfway down and sent Jayden up the slide to check her progress. She was still at the top... So I asked him to coax her down... She wasn't interested... Since she was already crying anyway, I thought maybe Jayden could grab her feet and force her down the slide. (Maybe not the smartest move, but I have to say in my defense that I am 38 weeks pregnant, measuring 42 weeks pregnant. AND I FEEL IT! I didn't think there was ANY possible way that I was going drag my huge pregnant body up the 3, 360 degree turns that this slide took to get to the top. I was desperate.)
So Jayden commenced pulling, and Kayleigh's crying turned into horrible, SHRIEKS of sheer terror. It was painful to hear, but I figured it would be over soon. Meanwhile, Ethan climbed up and wanted to help too, and then some kind of battle between he and Jayden happened and Ethan was screaming too. I was hollering at Ethan to come down and get out of the way which elicited more sad complaints from him. I think somewhere in the middle Jayden wanted to give up and I talked him into trying again (I can't be sure, it was pretty chaotic). Shortly after he started making attempt number two, he informed me that she had thrown up... LOVELY. This ended it for Jayden. I wanted him to do whatever it took to yank her down, but when I tried to get him to he started crying. "She's really strong and I don't want to throw up!" (He does have a point, he has thrown up just with the sight of it before. I guess I didn't want that to add to our problems.) I was able to talk him into going up the back way and trying to coax her down that way. I had to guilt him into it, telling him that he was her only hope of ever getting down. I felt bad afterward because after that failed he was crying too. Between sobs..."It SMELLS SO bad and I didn't want to throw up!" She didn't want to go down the little tunnel to go the back way anyway. Funny how that seemed so scary to her now, even though she had been scurrying through them with no problem before!
Next, I tried to climb the slide. I got just around the first curve before I started sliding back down... I pulled and held on the best I could, but gravity was too strong for me... So I layed there at the point I could get to and with the most soothing voice I could muster, begged her any way I could to come down. I told her I wanted a hug, and that I would catch her, and encouraged her over and over. She would longingly or pathetically say mommy, and then say okay, but would eventually say "I skeerd". We went through this for another long time...then I thought maybe if I scared her down... (again...I was desperate!) So I told her she needed to come down or I was going to have to leave. She cried a little and I begged some more, but still NOTHING. So I went over by Jayden and Ethan and waited a minute, hoping she would take the bait and come down, and trying to imagine how the rest of the afternoon was going to play out... Can you call the police to rescue a little girl from a jungle gym?? Do we just wait till Jay gets off work in two hours?? Start begging strangers to rescue my throw up covered daughter?? Do I try to climb through the miles of tubes and rope ladders to get to her from the other way? I figured if I struggled to climb the slide, there was no way I was going to make it up the maze. I would probably end up tangled in one of those rope nets or worse, break through somewhere along the way since it is definitely NOT made to hold someone of my weight. So there was but one choice...back to the slide. I hadn't taken my shoes off before, because I figured they would give me more traction than my bare feet. What the heck, bare feet it is. I got to about the same place on the slide when my knees started slipping again and nothing I could do would keep me from sliding back down! (stupid slick pregnancy pants!) I begged and coaxed a little more, before realizing I could turn around and back up the slide. Ever so slowly I inched my way up the curves, feeling the weight of gravity pulling down on my stomach. The slide bounced slightly with each move and I was certain that it would eventually collapse under my weight. I finally reached her and was slapped in the face with her horrible smell...(Jayden REALLY knew what he was talking about!) I think the throw up got even more rank during the HOUR it took me to get her down; and she had added to it by pooping her pants in a more stinky than usual way.
So we finally got to the bottom and I tried to hurry and gather up our stuff and clean up. Then I dragged my stinky daughter who was quite obviously covered in disgusting slimy throw up through the crowd of people who were trying to enjoy their food...at least they WERE before WE walked by. Then I informed the employees (as if they couldn't tell) that my daughter had thrown up all over their jungle gym...that was a pleasant end. Out at the car, I stripped her down and changed her diaper, thankful the ordeal was finally over!
It is a larger one, but since Ethan and Kayleigh are usually not adventurous enough to leave the bottom areas, I figured we were okay. Well today everyone was feeling particularly brave. Jayden lead all of them up to the top, and Ethan and Kayleigh were all over that play area like pros. After my initial panic at the thought of one of them getting stuck, I felt a wave of pride in my children and settled in to enjoy watching them have fun. And they did! It was great! They were climbing up and down all over the tunnels with no problem, and I figured they would all avoid the giant slide in the back. Eventually I heard one of them working their way down the slide. I knew it must be Jayden, since Ethan rarely attempts any slide, let alone one that is longer than a yard. But sure enough MY Ethan emerged at the bottom. I was so happy for him I could hardly contain my excitement; and he beamed with pride that he had managed it, especially first (my boys are a little too competitive lately :). That caught Kayleigh's attention and the two of them spent the next ten minutes climbing up and sliding down again. This was the best play area in the world!! Now they had been on every part of this huge jungle gym without any fear. I was thrilled...I had nothing to worry about.
It was at about this moment that Kayleigh must have reached the top of the slide for the first time... Apparently the slide looks a lot more scary from the very top, than it does from halfway up, or however far she'd gone the twenty other times she had gone up and down it. Then, as she realized she was trapped, the crying commenced. First, I sat at the bottom and tried to coax her down. She said okay several times in between fits of crying and I thought she would come around that final bend any second... After what seemed like FOREVER I figured she was stuck halfway down and sent Jayden up the slide to check her progress. She was still at the top... So I asked him to coax her down... She wasn't interested... Since she was already crying anyway, I thought maybe Jayden could grab her feet and force her down the slide. (Maybe not the smartest move, but I have to say in my defense that I am 38 weeks pregnant, measuring 42 weeks pregnant. AND I FEEL IT! I didn't think there was ANY possible way that I was going drag my huge pregnant body up the 3, 360 degree turns that this slide took to get to the top. I was desperate.)
So Jayden commenced pulling, and Kayleigh's crying turned into horrible, SHRIEKS of sheer terror. It was painful to hear, but I figured it would be over soon. Meanwhile, Ethan climbed up and wanted to help too, and then some kind of battle between he and Jayden happened and Ethan was screaming too. I was hollering at Ethan to come down and get out of the way which elicited more sad complaints from him. I think somewhere in the middle Jayden wanted to give up and I talked him into trying again (I can't be sure, it was pretty chaotic). Shortly after he started making attempt number two, he informed me that she had thrown up... LOVELY. This ended it for Jayden. I wanted him to do whatever it took to yank her down, but when I tried to get him to he started crying. "She's really strong and I don't want to throw up!" (He does have a point, he has thrown up just with the sight of it before. I guess I didn't want that to add to our problems.) I was able to talk him into going up the back way and trying to coax her down that way. I had to guilt him into it, telling him that he was her only hope of ever getting down. I felt bad afterward because after that failed he was crying too. Between sobs..."It SMELLS SO bad and I didn't want to throw up!" She didn't want to go down the little tunnel to go the back way anyway. Funny how that seemed so scary to her now, even though she had been scurrying through them with no problem before!
Next, I tried to climb the slide. I got just around the first curve before I started sliding back down... I pulled and held on the best I could, but gravity was too strong for me... So I layed there at the point I could get to and with the most soothing voice I could muster, begged her any way I could to come down. I told her I wanted a hug, and that I would catch her, and encouraged her over and over. She would longingly or pathetically say mommy, and then say okay, but would eventually say "I skeerd". We went through this for another long time...then I thought maybe if I scared her down... (again...I was desperate!) So I told her she needed to come down or I was going to have to leave. She cried a little and I begged some more, but still NOTHING. So I went over by Jayden and Ethan and waited a minute, hoping she would take the bait and come down, and trying to imagine how the rest of the afternoon was going to play out... Can you call the police to rescue a little girl from a jungle gym?? Do we just wait till Jay gets off work in two hours?? Start begging strangers to rescue my throw up covered daughter?? Do I try to climb through the miles of tubes and rope ladders to get to her from the other way? I figured if I struggled to climb the slide, there was no way I was going to make it up the maze. I would probably end up tangled in one of those rope nets or worse, break through somewhere along the way since it is definitely NOT made to hold someone of my weight. So there was but one choice...back to the slide. I hadn't taken my shoes off before, because I figured they would give me more traction than my bare feet. What the heck, bare feet it is. I got to about the same place on the slide when my knees started slipping again and nothing I could do would keep me from sliding back down! (stupid slick pregnancy pants!) I begged and coaxed a little more, before realizing I could turn around and back up the slide. Ever so slowly I inched my way up the curves, feeling the weight of gravity pulling down on my stomach. The slide bounced slightly with each move and I was certain that it would eventually collapse under my weight. I finally reached her and was slapped in the face with her horrible smell...(Jayden REALLY knew what he was talking about!) I think the throw up got even more rank during the HOUR it took me to get her down; and she had added to it by pooping her pants in a more stinky than usual way.
So we finally got to the bottom and I tried to hurry and gather up our stuff and clean up. Then I dragged my stinky daughter who was quite obviously covered in disgusting slimy throw up through the crowd of people who were trying to enjoy their food...at least they WERE before WE walked by. Then I informed the employees (as if they couldn't tell) that my daughter had thrown up all over their jungle gym...that was a pleasant end. Out at the car, I stripped her down and changed her diaper, thankful the ordeal was finally over!
Back to School
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| Orientation Day! |
I am such a slacker! My oldest son entered Kindergarten this year and I still haven't recorded this landmark! Not to mention Ethan started at Sandy's preschool. I guess better late than never!
During the first week of school for the rest of the kids, the kindergarten teachers scheduled little orientation appts for the kindergarteners. When we went into his class room, Jayden seemed to burst with excitement. He jumped up and down like he won a prize when he saw the shelf full of counting blocks and other fun educational toys. He was so READY to go!
I think his first day was August 2. That first day he ran right in there without any concern for himself, let alone his sad mother. I don't think he even said goodbye! I was actually okay until that moment he ran into class and I had to turn and walk away. My two friends with kids in the same class had the wisdom to wear sunglasses. I had to walk through a group of other parents trying to blink back my tears.
He really seems to enjoy school. At first I was afraid that he enjoyed it too much. He and his friend Zach kept getting into trouble for talking! I begged, and threatened them to make them sit apart from each other at school, and now I reward them for not sitting by each other with special activities in the afternoons. :). He really likes his teacher and I am so happy with the experiences he's had so far this year. I am so far behind that he is finishing his first track break this week. |
| First Day |
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| With best buddy Zack |
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| Still smiling after school! That's a good sign right? |
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| Ethan's first Day! |
Ethan started about a month later on September 8. He looked so little with that giant backpack on! He goes twice a week for a couple of hours and is so proud to be in preschool. In fact, he tells Kayleigh almost every day that she can't go to his school :) He especially loves color days when he gets treats!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
4th of July Part 1 and 2!
Since 4th of July fell on a Sunday this year, we got to celebrate it twice! On Saturday the 3rd, we did our traditional celebration and it was a perfect day for a parade. It was a pretty cool day, and I was very thankful for that. It was the most comfortable weather we've had in years! All of the kids had a great time. I brought candy so they didn't have to battle other kids for it, but SO many people threw candy to them, they had more than they wanted! In my opinion, it was a perfect morning.
Grandma milligan made us a wonderful lunch and we relaxed at her house for the afternoon and then we moved to our house for our evening bbq and to start with the firework fun. The men left our driveway looking like a war zone, so I think they had fun even before it got dark!
We headed over to the Magna fireworks and they always have such a great show. Every year seems better because our kids get older and enjoy it more. I'm so glad that we can continue with a tradition that was Jay's all through his childhood. I'm thankful for all of the memories that our kids will have with this fun tradition.
After trekking back to our cars and taking our "secret" shortcut home, we started the BIG fireworks. Ethan and Kayleigh didn't want to participate this year, so I got to watch caillou with them inside... lucky me :). And Jay didn't have to listen to my constant warnings. I love seeing the little boy grin on Jay's face as he gets his one of rare chances to play with fire. (taking all safety precautions for my sake of course! :)
Usually Jay's sister and her kids have to miss our Magna parade, etc... because they go to the Layton parade where Chon is a fire fighter and ride on the fire truck. We had the rare opportunity to join them this year on Monday the 5th of July. Ethan wasn't so crazy about the idea of riding on top of the truck, but Jayden got to and it was such a fun experience for him! Thanks Chon for including him! I really enjoyed the parade. They have more floats and bands than our little Magna parade and it was fun to see them.
Ewww! Coffee flavored candy :)
We headed over to the Magna fireworks and they always have such a great show. Every year seems better because our kids get older and enjoy it more. I'm so glad that we can continue with a tradition that was Jay's all through his childhood. I'm thankful for all of the memories that our kids will have with this fun tradition.
After trekking back to our cars and taking our "secret" shortcut home, we started the BIG fireworks. Ethan and Kayleigh didn't want to participate this year, so I got to watch caillou with them inside... lucky me :). And Jay didn't have to listen to my constant warnings. I love seeing the little boy grin on Jay's face as he gets his one of rare chances to play with fire. (taking all safety precautions for my sake of course! :)
Usually Jay's sister and her kids have to miss our Magna parade, etc... because they go to the Layton parade where Chon is a fire fighter and ride on the fire truck. We had the rare opportunity to join them this year on Monday the 5th of July. Ethan wasn't so crazy about the idea of riding on top of the truck, but Jayden got to and it was such a fun experience for him! Thanks Chon for including him! I really enjoyed the parade. They have more floats and bands than our little Magna parade and it was fun to see them.
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