Andy and GQ

I only wish we could have got the real thing. These boys really "enjoyed" each other this year. Funniest thing since AnneMarie and E used to duke it out.

M's Pretend Birthday

The night before M's pretend birthday at Grandma Kathleen's, she threw up.

All over her entire bed.

That morning, she threw up again, all over Grandma's couch.

Luckily, she was feeling a little better for her party... since she has waited three years for it to come.



Laura made the cake for her and cousin Sarah, complete with figurines to match. M tried eating her figurine, but ended up dropping it on the ground where it was quickly inhaled by one of the many dogs wandering about.

We did not get her dressed or do her hair for her special day since she was not feeling too well. Grandma Penny tried not to comment.

M had a great time and is pretty sure her "Party" is still happening. I think she thinks Christmas will all be about her.

This is Promising:

Says E (yesterday evening): "Mom, usually I am frustrated with you every day, but today we have been at the Doctor's so long that I have only thought about them."

***

After lunch E had a chocolate from her advent calendar. M picked a candy from their Halloween bag.

Later, I found her - complete with chocolate face - mining for treasures in E's chocolate advent calendar.

When I told her that if E opened a door and didn't find a chocolate she got to have M's, she was very distressed.

I said: "M, did you eat E's treats?"

Says M: "Yes."

I guess she wants to know why that is a problem.

***

Today GQ made Dad miss his bus. He patted Justin's chair, made him sit down, and then lifted his arms to be held. Who could resist that?

***

We hear that back home in the Rocky's Cousin Annie also has strep and impetigo. Together in spirit!!!

There's Always A First Time

I have never in my life ordered delivery pizza.

But, after spending 9:00-10:30 at the Doctor's for a routine appointment for me, 10:30 -1:00 running errands, 1:00-1:30 looking for a bathroom for M, 1:30 - 4:00 at the Pediatricians, 4:00-5:00 picking up prescriptions... all with 3 children...

... I did.

I wasted the extra money for those people to drive on the freezing roads, pull up and climb out of their car in to the freezing air, and walk up to my house.

And I am glad I did it.

Anyway, I have to get everyone back in the car tonight at 9:00 because it's one of those rare occasions where Justin has to stay late, and there is no bus.

Right now I am sitting on the heater vent waiting for the pizza guy to come.

(Justin has strep, M has strep, and GQ has impetigo. Anyone want to come play?)

And so...

GQ's face looks like a train wreck.
I think he is getting better.
He has no teeth.

Surprise, surprise.

*****

M has taught GQ his 2nd sentence.
He says, "I love you."
And he says, "Daddy a boo boo."

I'm glad she's starting him on potty words soon.

(And if you don't think that's a potty word that's because you don't know that this is what M says now that she gets in trouble for "real" potty words. Rhyming is good enough for her, apparently.)

*****

E keeps herself busy putting all the ornaments on the tree that everyone else has taken off.

This is a full time job.

*****

I have decided I am sending out Valentines instead of Christmas cards.

This is because:

1. I am not ready to do Christmas cards right now.
2. I am lazily excited that you will all send your addresses to me, instead of me having to ask for them.
3. I think Valentines are cute.

So, if you want a Valentine from our family to yours in February, just send us a Christmas Card.
I guarantee you'll get one.

Meet GQ...

Here he is, in all his one year old glory:


Handsome little devil. Of course, this is him pretending not to be an actual devil during soccer. Prior to this picture he was screaming bloody murder.

But I don't think that was actually the point of this post. The point was comparison.

You see, this is the handsome little devil today:

Now, come on. Tell me you don't want a great, big smackeroo from that boy - right on the lips.

Mmmmmm.

It's true, GQ has pretty much been sick since we moved to the good ol' Prairie. He's had a few isolated brushes with health, but we've gotten over them fairly quickly.

Meanwhile, he has been in the PICU, he has thrown up all over his bed, he has had one million and two colds. And then one more, just for good measure.

And now, he has the hives.

Aren't they darling? They're even cuter in person, but you would be surprised how difficult it is to photograph a rash, especially with my mad-dog photography skills (um, or un-skills).

At first, I was not concerned, then I was concerned, then I was not concerned, then I was...

well, then I made a discovery.

I think GQ is actually getting some teeth.

Teeth, you know, those things you chew with. GQ may be 17 months old, but he's not much into acquiring extra body parts.

So, I'm wondering:

Will he always break out in hives when getting a new tooth?

Or is he just allergic to all the corn and mice we've got going on here?

To test out this theory, we'll be traveling West at the end of this month - you know, seeing if he gets better or something once we leave the Mid-West. Strictly a scientific trip, you see. We'll be in my hometown for about a week, and then we'll head down to the land of sin and empty houses.

So far - in the name of science and hive diagnosis - I want a salad at Training Table, a salad at Hires, an AstroBurger with extra fry sauce, one of Laura's cakes, and some of those Peanut Butter cupcakes Dorien keeps posting without a recipe.

GQ, on the other hand, is hoping that the change in scenery will be enough to get rid of his hives and acquire a tooth. He's not sure I will share any of the treats I'm trying to acquire.

(Maybe I'll give him some fries.)

Still, despite the bulgy gums, I really don't quite believe GQ can get a tooth. I mean, he hasn't done it so far, right? And he has had 17 months to accomplish this feat. Although, while in the ER in August they did take a head x-ray and I did see some teeth in there somewhere.

Maybe they're coming.

Maybe he's allergic.

Maybe I just want a good salad.

Whatever. We're coming.

And I'll be sure to let GQ give you his snottiest, hiviest kiss of all.

Aren't you lucky?

Look... Pictures...

So, what if they're months old, and have no point.

I said I would write a post: Check.

And add pictures: Check.

I am so accomplished today!

Sadly, this is what I have to say today...

I like bathrooms.

I like bathrooms for the following reasons:

1. There is no reason in this world that my children cannot leave me alone for 5 minutes while I go to the bathroom.

2. There is no reason in this world that my children should be able to tell the difference between 5 minutes and 10 minutes.

3. There is no reason in this world that I should not sit in the bathroom and stare at the wall for a few lonely seconds.

Yes, it's true. I like hanging out in the bathroom.

It is quiet there, and now that it is cold, it gets warm in there really quick when the heat turns on. Not as much space to heat, you know. This is an added bonus.

Once, when I was little, I found a dead mouse in the house while my mother was at work.

Based on my previous posts, I'm sure you'll believe that I responded with complete MATURITY.

Anyway, I decided to hide in the bathroom until my mother got home from work. I figured there was a toilet in there and running water. See, I thought it out and everything.

Apparently I have never grown out of hiding in the bathroom.

It is just unfortunate when M knocks on the door and declares that she has to go too.

I would like to take this moment to say:

that someday I will write a real blog post.

And maybe I will put pictures on it.

The end.

In my effort to not be random, I failed...

Does it surprise anyone that M is more troublesome with the Christmas tree than GQ? Not that he isn't willing to join in the fun once she gets it started! In fact, I am not quite sure why I put the tree up this year since we are leaving halfway through the month, and since I have to move it every Wednesday/Thursday for Ballet.

*****

On Sunday, M wore the black dress she wore for Halloween to Church. This disturbs her because she is convinced it is a witch costume not a dress. Then, at Church she asked if the Deacons were Trick-or-Treating when they were passing the sacrament.

*****

After I finally decided to decorate - despite the reasons above, and my overwhelming laziness lately, especially when it comes to holidays, E informed me:

"Mom, I think you put way too many decorations out."

I said, "But I think they look pretty."

She said, "As long as you stop now."

Well, then.

*****

Tragically, today I saw my first dead mouse.

I have locked the door to the garage - where he will stay entombed until Justin comes home.

But I keep thinking: he is upside-down in the trap. How does a mouse get upside-down in a trap? Did I catch an acrobatic mouse?

This is the 9th mouse. We actually catch very few these days, but apparently they are still here.

*****

No snow here yet. Maybe Winter will skip us completely.

More Birthday Trauma for M

Justin's birthday is really close to mine, so when it came, I didn't make him a cake. We were caked out. I told him I would make it some other day when he wanted it.

Today I made his cake.

M: What's that?
Me: That's Dad's birthday cake.
M, with a really sad-looking lower lip: When will it be my birthday?

I told her that it was the next birthday, and that I would make a pink cake.

Laura.... Laura.... Laura......

Thanksgiving Treat

Since we did Thanksgiving on Saturday, today was a quiet day.

We did have this yummy treat tonight:

2 cups raspberries
2 cups whole milk
2 cups vanilla ice cream
2 T sugar

Very simple.
Which is why I liked making it.
But I made Justin scoop the ice cream, because I am a pansy.

Bad Stories about Bulls, Rattlesnakes, Raw Turkeys, Dead Mice, and Tubby Poop

On Sunday I had to think of 5 pointless/interesting/funny items about myself. The following is one that I came up with:

When I was little, my family took me to the rodeo and told me that - at some point during the action - the bulls would be let out to run amongst the crowd. They told me that the crowd would put their feet up into the air, and that the bulls would run across everyone's boots.

I did not have boots, and was concerned, so I decided I would hide under my chair.

At this point I was told that it was also commonplace - during the rodeo - to let rattlesnakes out into the stands to slither about everyone's feet.

And, oh yes, I believed.

I will have you also know that these stories were not told to me by 14-17 year old boys - as one would think - but also by my Uncle and Aunt. This is because it is fairly easy/fun/satisfying to tease Jamie Robyn.

In an effort to let this sporting fun continue - what with the distance and everything - I will share the following stories:

1. Our family had Thanksgiving on Saturday. This was because my mother was in town, and I was able to "make" Thanksgiving Dinner without actually touching a raw turkey, or pulling any of its innards out. I still cook chicken by picking the raw meat up with tongs, so this was an accomplishment. I don't think I could have picked up a turkey with tongs. Everyone was glad my mother was around to bring in the holidays.

2. We have so far caught 7 mice - and I have managed to see ZERO. This morning I crawled in the van through the wrong door and shut my eyes while Justin got rid of the latest catch. I really do not want to see a dead mouse.

3. I have decided that GQ will now be bathed complete with swim diaper. After having to clean up 3 children and a tubby full of toys after a not-so-solid poop episode... I think this will be the best option. Don't you?

It's Getting Colder

I remember when E was M's age.

Almost every post was about her, it's a funny age.

Now, her funny stories are just as funny, but more subtle... and so I don't always feel up to telling them how they really are.

But she does still have them.

Like just now, when I told her I loved her. And then, I told her again.

And then, she said:

"Mom, I am in the middle of reading a book. Please go away."

Now, if that's not my daughter, I'll eat M's sparkle potty shoe.

Or earlier this week when, after reading several Chinese fairy tales, she told me:

"Mom, China is like Disneyland. No one is poor there and no one wears rags."

Who sent the Little Red Book to our house?

****

Meanwhile, GQ is sick. He only threw up three times, but now he just lays around the house. Very sad looking. I am hoping no one else gets sick, especially since my mom is visiting next week.

****

Yesterday, I finally bought some mouse traps.

For some reason (some reason = mental anguish over ever having to actually see a dead squashed mouse) I have had a hard time buying traps. Instead, I secured and moved most of our food, and made a board to cover the crack between the pantry door and the kitchen floor.

This solved most problems, but not all, so I finally bought the traps.

Then, I told Justin I wanted nothing to do with them.

Last night he went "hunting" and caught one perpetrator. Two of the traps were looted, but not sprung.

I stayed upstairs and said the ABC's over and over while he went to check the traps.

Yuck.

Yesterday...

... M put her shoe down the toilet.

Apparently this kept her very busy because when she came out, she peed on the floor.

It must have been like when you go upstairs to get something, and you can't remember what it was:

"I know I came in here for something. What was it? Oh well, since I can't recall, I'll just put my shoe down the toilet."

And then, when you come back down the stairs, you're like "gee, now I remember" or:

"Oh, there's something wet on my legs. THAT must have been what I was going to do in there."

Afterward, I put her shoe in the garbage, because I was tired and didn't feel like disinfecting. Since M doesn't much get punishment - I'm pretty sure I could hang her from the ceiling and she'd just figure out how to pee upside-down or color on the light fixtures or invent some cirque de soleil moves - I just said:

"Well, I guess we'll throw your shoe away since you put in the toilet. Now it's gross."

(This was because Justin was calling me a derelict because I laughed when she showed us the shoe.... "You can't laugh," he said, "she'll just keep putting things in." So, I was trying to regain my A-U-T-H-O-R-I-T-Y. It comes in short batches lately.)

Anyway, she moaned for 5 seconds, and then asked if she could do something else atrocious.

Still, after she went to sleep I thought.... I don't want to buy a new shoe. So, I pulled it out, and washed it.

Now it's sitting on the counter.

You would think I could just put in the shoe cupboard and she would forget that I "threw" it away.

But that would only be if you forgot that E of the elephant memory lives here.

Sigh.

There goes the A-U-T-H-O-R-I-T-Y.

Mice

Today, while reading M the book: "Lilly's Big Day" by Kevin Henkes, we ran across this picture:


Says M: "Look Mom, that's E (on the right) and me (on the left).

An interesting visual of M's current understanding of the relationship between her and her sister, I think. Not that she doesn't dish it to GQ, you know. And not that he doesn't throw a train at her for good measure when she goes a little too far.

There's nothing like a sibling to keep you in line.

****

In other news:

Along with the box elder bugs who came looking for a home at our place when they cut the corn down, we have recently acquired some mice.

I am so not happy.

And I would just like to say that, unlike Cinderella - who made her mice clothes and let them sew a dress for her, I will be doing anything and everything to get rid of our guests.

I will even get a cat if I have to...

Or steal the neighbor's if that would be easier.

Because I do not appreciate the happy mouse dance. Not one bit.

This is the girl...

... that regularly calls me:

"Poopy, Poopy, Poopy, you're a meaner."

I think you all know who I'm talking about.

Today, she did not want me to go to ballet.

Especially when she heard she was having a peanut butter sandwich for dinner. That, apparently, was the clincher.

"I will come to ballet with you," she said.

"No," I said.

Insert: weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.

"You do not have enough birthdays," I said.

And since she cannot remember actually ever having had a birthday... poor January girl... she understood.

So, tonight when I got home Justin said that the girls had told me that:

"I could come in and see them when I got home, if I wanted to."

I was sure they were asleep when I crept in.

I gave E a kiss.

I went to M's bed.

Her arms were up.

"Hi," she said, in a sweet and dreamy voice.

I told her I loved her, gave her a hug, and went to leave.

And then she said, like she really truly cared, because, I think she did, even as a 2 year old.

"Did you have fun at your ballet class, Momma?"

Not, did you have fun without me, but did you have fun because I really hope you did.

Take that meaner, meaner, pooper head.

She does love me.

Things No One Needs to Know, Especially Not You

Yesterday, I learned that they don't get icicles here because it never gets warm enough for the snow to melt, until finally it melts, and then it's gone.

This was a tragic discovery.

****

Sometimes (most times) I have absolutely NO idea what to do with M. Like when she randomly hits GQ with a train and then calls me a "Poopy, Poopy, Poopy" when I tell her that is a bad idea.

****

On Sunday we had Stake Conference. I had a brain explosion and thought it started at 11:00 when it really started at 10:00.

Is it bad that I was relieved that I didn't have to guard against M hitting GQ with a train and calling me "Poopy, Poopy, Poopy" for two hours?

Because I definitely was.

****

On Tuesday I had a mole removed from my arm, and then on the way home my entire arm fell asleep and I became a basketcase because things like this make me a basketcase - like when I get my blood taken during pregnancy, I totally have to take a sick day and watch movies all day afterward so that I can stop visualizing them pumping all my blood out of my body - and my mom told me - when I called her and told her my heart was probably going to go to sleep next, since obviously the medicine could move both ways in my body - that I needed to

"Get a grip."

Seriously.

And then, the medicine wore off and my arm came back to life, and it hurt where they cut the mole off, and I was honestly surprised, because I forgot that it would hurt, which is really intelligent of me.

****

Aren't you wishing that the kids would wake up so I would stop rambling?

****

Right now I have some whipped cream in my fridge, and nothing to put it on, so it is just going to waste.

This is also tragic.

Maybe I will just have to get a spoon and eat it by itself.

Trunk or Treat

Usually, I must admit, Justin and I eat the "good" candy when our kids go trick-or-treating. Because of this, I am not sure they know what lurks beneath those yummy candy bar wrappers. Sadly, this backfired on us this year. Justin said they skipped the candy bars in most bowls... going for skittles, suckers, smarties and other gross stuff. They really don't know what they're missing.


See that little certificate on the bottom? That's right, I actually won a prize: for my cooking. Don't anyone choke on your Halloween Candy. The prize was "Most Original Chili." I'm thinking that could go both ways.

M ended up being a witch. I had some witch hats from ballet class and she wore a black dress inherited from Annie.

E was a Princess Kitty. (The dress was from Grandma Duck for her birthday. We drove all the way to Toys R Us - 30 minutes from us - so she could pick it. It was the first thing she saw. I said "let's look at everything first." That was a waste of time. Love at first sight always lasts!) She was very fond of her tail, and wondered why GQ didn't have one. I said we cut it off when he was a baby, but I think that disturbed her.

At the Trunk or Treat:

GQ and the Dogcatcher... I was proud of that costume too. GQ's holding my prize.

He's a cutie. I was too lazy to make a collar, but then I thought that made more sense as to why we had a dog-catcher.... right?

GQ Stole A Pumpkin

At Trunk or Treat GQ stole a neighbor's pumpkin... it looked like a ball, so he had a great time. We were glad since he had been screaming up until then.

I had meant to get video of him kicking the soccer ball at our last soccer on Wednesday, but it was SOOOOOO cold, and I am a wimp, so I didn't.

I don't think I could be a real soccer mom. You see, it is always warm at ballet.

So, it is lucky he kicked the pumpkin at Trunk or Treat.

Macy?

M has taken to calling herself "Macy."

I don't know of any Macys she actually knows, or where she came up with this name.

But Macy it is.

*****

On Monday "Macy" threw up in the car.

(This is the first time GQ had been in a forward facing carseat when this happened. You should have seen the faces he made as she threw up. Classic.)

She hasn't done this since we moved to Iowa, and we weren't going too far, but since "Macy" seems to do this semi-regularly, I cleaned her up and moved on.

She had mentioned in the store earlier that she wanted to throw up, and had even pretended to throw up in her hands several times, but you know, this is "Macy" we're talking about, so I ignored her and told her to stop being gross.

(Just so you know, "Macy" is the child that will teach your child all sorts of potty words when she goes to kindergarten. She loves bringing them up at the dinner table regularly.)

Speaking of dinner, that night "Macy" told me that: "She was going to throw up on my head." Giggle, Giggle. SHE DID LAUGH. Then, she threw up on her chair.

So, I said:

"Macy" we do not pretend to throw up.

And sent her off in disgrace.

Later that night, "Macy" again threw up in bed.


Oh, so I guess she was really sick????

I am such a good mom.

Although, in my defense, she did make it hard to figure out, you know.

We are all doing better now, and so far no one else is sick either.

*****

Tomorrow, Justin goes into get his eyes lasered.

We decided that since certain children of ours enjoy breaking certain titanium (and supposedly un-breakable) frames, it will actually be cheaper in the long run.

So, here's to sight.

So Much Better

Mom: M, stop pushing your brother! (It was just a guess.)

M: I'm not pushing him.

Mom: Okay, good.

M: I'm sitting on him.

Great.

Get Your Too Much Information Right Here...

So, on Thursdays I take a ballet class now.

It's been great fun, and it's surprising how much I can still do. And not look too much like an idiot. (Too much.)

But there is still one fact that cannot be erased:

I have had three children.
Oh, yes I have.

And this means when I jump:

up, down, up, down, up, down

I have to concentrate really hard.

On things I did not used to have to concentrate on at all.

I can just hear M now, hands on her hips:

"Mommy, we go on the potty. Not on the floor."

up, down, up, down, up

down

Hopefully the day never actually comes. Hopefully.

Because I am the Queen of Halloween

Both Justin and I hate gutting pumpkins. Just ask anyone. I think I complained about touching the inside of a pumpkin my entire childhood.

Since we were married, I can only think of one pumpkin our family has carved - the ill-fated Kitty I mentioned in an earlier post.

Usually we just convince E that it doesn't really need to happen. Convoluted logic is not always her friend, but she does make use of it herself, you know.

Anyway, this year my mother sent us some Mr. Potato Head - Pumpkin Decorator kits - I think she knew the kids would never hear about Halloween unless she staged an intervention.

Both girls loved planning their pumpkins. E's was very organized.

M's???? Not so much.

The proud artists.

Posing in front of the house.

GQ was stuck in his high-chair the whole time, poor fella. So, he mixed his crackers with his water and made some really tasty soup. Boy, I bet you wish you could have some.

Thanks Grandma!

Wilson's Orchard... Revisited

On Saturday we went to the Apple Orchard to pick up an apple peeler - courtesy of Grandma Paula and Grandpa Mark - and to pick our pumpkins.

Look closely, you can see most of the family here. I love it when you can actually see GQ smile through his binky.


Last year, I got this very cute Halloween picture at the Pumpkin Patch:

So, I mistakenly thought it would be great to to get another one this year:

While GQ is very cute in this one, I was telling E and M that if they didn't smile I wouldn't buy them a treat. Of course, I had no intention of not buying them a treat, after all - I wanted a treat. Still, I was definitely trying to buy some smiles here. Not very productive, I think. Something about having the sun in your eyes, I think.

Round 2 went even better.

So, I changed direction and got slightly better results.

But overall I think we did better with the whole group photo thing last year. Especially since this year GQ almost fell off the bale of hay.

Reversal

The thing with GQ's costume:

First - I didn't feel like trying hard.
Second - I wanted it to be cute and homemade like the girls had for their first costumes.
Third - I didn't feel like trying hard.

This morning, I had a grand realization:

I am going to dye the lamb costume brown.
And then, I am going to make a red collar.
And then, I am going to make a leash.

And he even says: "Woof. Woof."

I am finally excited.
And I don't have to try hard.

Victory!

M is still up for debate.

(Thank you for all your costume suggestions and offerings, you're great!)

*****

I have spent the last week fake-shopping online, trying to get E a Fall/Winter Wardrobe.

M wears the leftovers of E and Annie.
GQ gets Cody and Andy's cute outfits.

And E?

E wears some of the oddest things imaginable. Not only because the pickings are slim, but also because she makes her own outfits, and boy are they winners. Regardless of matching, she prefers to choose things based on: color (pink), sparkles (yes), dress/skirt (completely necessary).

I had a certain budget, and I could not manage to get 6 outfits to fit inside of it no matter how many sales and coupons I crammed in the computer.

Finally, I went to the Mall.

Horror of Horrors!

I got 5 dresses, 4 shirts, and 2 pair(s) - I can't ever remember that rule - of pants for $1 less than my budget.

And E even told the cashier that she "loved 1 of the dresses." As for the others, I guess they'll just have to do.

Halloween Problems

Um, I don't really want to do Halloween this year. I guess it's the whole, I just unpacked, why would I want to unpack holiday stuff thing. Maybe. Or maybe I'm just lazy.

E informed me yesterday that our house was going to be the best decorated Halloween house of anyone.

Who told her this?

I said, "Um, I don't really think so."

She said, "Oh yes, it is."

And as for Halloween costumes? Let's just say I was excited when I learned Halloween was on Sunday. I figured we could just fake it for Trunk or Treat and let them Trick or Treat at our house repeatedly on Saturday.

But then it occurred to me that I still needed costumes for Trunk or Treat.

Lame-o.

I did not used to be this way. When E was newborn I made her a bee costume all on my own. I also made Justin and I bee antennae (Antennae? Do bees have antennae?) But as I was newly hormonal from birthing the little bee, Halloween was not much fun anyway. She was cute though.

The next year, E was a lamb, and since Cousin AnneMarie ended up being a lion, they were very darling. I must admit my sewing skills improved from the bee episode.

The Cinderella year was a bad year. Dresses are much easier to mess up (when you don't read the directions, like me) then lamb costumes. That fur fabric covers up a heck of a lot of mistakes. This year, I cut out all the fabric, decided I was insane, ordered a Cinderella costume online (for the same price!!!!), got the costume, decided I was bored, sewed the original costume, and sent the Disney dress back. Whew. That's exhausting just to think about.

This was also the year the neighbors smashed our kitty pumpkin.

The next year E decided to be a fairy butterfly. Not my favorite costume, but I still made the skirt.

And I won the grand prize for this very cute Teddy Bear. This is my favorite costume ever. I like animal head costumes.

Then, I started getting lazy and visited Aunt Becky's costume bin. One Raggedy Ann and Witch later, I was not disappointed that I gave up on sewing my own.

GQ was a Bear himself. Although, mostly, he just wore his coat, and looked cute.

And this year?

This year E wanted to be (take a deep breath) a cat, princess, fairy.

So, I bought her $1 cat ears and she's wearing one of her princess dresses and fairy wings. That'll be a winner.

M has recently decided she wants to be a cat also, and I can't find anymore cat ears.

And GQ, I haven't even got to thinking about GQ. But this year there is no costume box. And Halloween is apparently getting close.

Any ideas????

Anyone?

Anyone?

'Cause I gave up last week.

Or maybe it was last month.

I can't remember.

(And yes, my spacing is still STUPID.)

A Day at the Doctor

Today we spent the day at Doctor appointments.

GQ is getting caught up on his vaccinations. (Moving gets a person behind, you know). He is not a fan. But after recently listening to history podcasts about children before vaccinations rolled around, and how parents dealt with losing so many of their children to diseases I have no recollection of, I told him to bite the bullet and deal. Besides I think his Uncle Danny said getting the Whooping Cough was not cool.

Then, Justin went to see if he could get his eyes fixed for good. I was traumatized by even hearing the description.

I mean, they put paper in his eye to see how much his eyes waters.

I think if I ever go blind, I will just have to be blind. I am not sure I could learn how to stick things in my eyes.

10:15 until 5:00. You could say we're all a little nutty and tired.

*****

In other news, when Justin found underwear in the bathroom sink this afternoon, we asked M about it.

(I know, jumping to conclusions... but most times with M, it's warranted.)

Mom: M, did you put your underwear in the sink?

M: Yes.

Mom: Did you go pee-pee?

M: No, I went poop.

Mom (a little nervously): And where did you put the poop?

M: In the potty.

So, here's my question: Is it considered back-tracking or advancing when she poops in her pants, but does clean it up herself?

I must say, it was way easier for me than usual.

The goverment and the city lights...

When I was little, and for a little while when I was old - before I thought about what I was thinking and said: "What the heck?" - I believed that the street lights were turned on by a button in my Dad's car.

I am not sure where this thought arrived from.
I don't remember anyone saying it.
I don't remember coming to it myself.

It just was.

Which was why I didn't even know that it was there amongst things that needed to eventually be deleted from my brain.

(Funny thing: I even know what the button looked like... like I imagined it in my head so often that it actually existed.)

This morning I drove Justin to school. He missed his bus, and off we went.

On the way back M asked: "Why are the way-up-lights off?"

I said they turned off in the day-time, when the sun was up.

She said: "Who turns them off?"

I said a computer.

She said: "Your computer?"

I said, no the city's.

She said: "Who is the city?"

I said, sighing, I don't know, the people in charge, the people we elect to be in charge, the government. (Actually, I said goverment, and then I said loudly, enunciating, GOVER-N-MENT. I am from Utah, you know.)

Then E joined in: "What's the government?"

And I thought, but didn't say:

"You know, actually, there is a button in my glove compartment. And if I push it, the lights turn off. And if I push it again, they turn on."

So much easier than the goverment.

For reals.

Wednesday

This is a picture of my dog that I once bought when I was insane. I uploaded it to try to fix the spacing on this post, but failed. And now I can't get it to delete. Sweet. Enjoy actual post below!
This morning I had one of those moments where I decided I would be a grand blogger. The kind that takes good pictures and everything, instead of writing one sentence blurbs about traffic.




So, I got out my camera and went in to record GQ's morning. I have not set up Skype, and my mom asks for pictures, and GQ is very cute in his Emily pajamas, so I set to taking pictures.





They all came out fuzzy.

Then, GQ got irritated that I wouldn't take him out of his crib, so I took him out of his crib.

(By the way, I do not know why my spacing is completely messed up right now, and I don't know how to fix it either... so you'll all just have to deal... so sorry.)

After this, I decided to take some video of GQ talking. He says words now that only Justin and I understand like "Please," "Thank You," "Momma," "Daddy," "Doggy," and "I love you." I did get him to say it on the phone for my mom, but I thought it would be cuter in person, so I decided to film it.

Of course, this meant I had to remove his binky. (Which I didn't realize until I'd turned the camera on once.)






Which resulted in GQ acting like I'd committed full on treason. I couldn't help but film his fake sobs. And yes, I promise you, they are totally fake.






He tried to get in my pocket and steal it back. Then, he said a few words - not his best - to stay in competition with his sisters. Wouldn't them to steal the lime-light or anything.






And then he noticed another binky on the other side of the room and he threw me to the sharks. See you later mom, I have latex to suck.











****





In other news, I deserve several stars today (obviously none for the crummy pictures and incomplete sentence above). But, I not only have another dentist appointment, but it is at a time when Justin can make me go.



And I contained myself and didn't fix my bed all day after E made it for me. I know this may sound like a small accomplishment, but since making my bed is like straightening pens is for some people, it was a big thing. I kept walking past it, itching to pull the covers, but I refrained. Not to say my bed is beautiful when I do make it. I don't iron my pillowcases - the whole ironing thing, you know - and I don't have designer pillows, but usually it is flat.

Not so much today.

Really, not so much today.

And I didn't touch it!

****

M is up to her usual antics.

Today at naptime she ate an entire 2 inch sticker.

Wow.

Do you think it tasted good?

Because I don't.

Which means she ate it just for the heck of it.

****

At soccer today, E got hit in the stomach with the ball.

Someone on her team was passing it in from the sidelines. They passed it to her, although she didn't notice until the whole gut/ball incident.

I think the woman next to me was disturbed when I laughed. But really, it was so funny. She was just standing there, looking in the sky (probably imagining what princess dress she would wear when she got home) and suddenly - voila - the ball arrives.

Afterward, I congratulated her on not crying when it happened.

"Good job being brave," I said.

Then I said, very non-chalantly - because I can't play sports and why should I assume other people can - "You know, if you watch the ball while you're playing, you'll know where it is, and then..."

here E cut me off



"... then I can run away from it!"

Yes, this is most definitely my daughter.

Most definitely.

From My Window

Looking out my window I see a slow but steady stream of cars...

...following a tractor.

This part of Iowa makes me giggle every time.

A Discerning Tummy

E is very logical. I can get her to eat about anything - and even drink her water, which she hates - in exchange for a treat at the end. (I know, I know... do not reward with treats... blah, blah, whatever... I cannot check every good parent practice off my list.)

M, on the other hand, is not so easily manipulated. (Do I admit to manipulation, oh yes indeed.) She will often forego anything in order to maintain her will. Does this surprise anyone? I think not.

M hates apples. She has given up bites of chocolate cheesecake in favor of NOT eating her apples. But today she met her match.

Grandma sent some fruit snacks in the mail.

And let me tell you, friends, it is apparently worth eating an apple - horror of horrors - in order to get a fruit snack.

Now you know.

****Although I must say that if Grandma knew I was using the fruit snack for such unlawful gains, instead of just giving her the dang thing, I would be in big-time trouble!

Birthday

This year I had a great birthday, mostly because E was old enough to spend her day celebrating it. She made my bed all by herself and made me lots of presents including a crown, a ring, and a whole book she illustrated and wrote.

I also made some cheesecake... how'd I do Laura? Not as good as yours, but I'm not sure they can mail your creations.

More Soccer Photos

Since I am a cheapo who didn't pay for the real soccer photos, I made E pose in her purple shirt for me.

Is it sad that the ballet teacher in me sees this picture and thinks: What a nice pointed toe! What nice straight knees!