The Witch

This is what Dare looked like after school yesterday. (She didn't have school today.)

Is is weird that I think she looks totally pretty like this?

This is Rhon this morning.
I know. I can't take pictures. I always focus on the wrong thing.

And this was B.A.
Too sick for school. How bad does it suck to miss your class Halloween party? Pretty bad.

Cheers

Here's to...

Liz for picking me up at the airport, taking me to lunch, making me laugh, eating wings with me, clarifying that we weren't lovers, doing my make-up at JC Penny, making me laugh, letting me sleep on her couch, liking my cake, driving me around some more, and making me laugh.

Dana for letting me hang out with her last minute, helping with the invitation, giving me good hair advice, great conversation, and letting me joke around with her kids.

Sheri for coming to pick me up, taking time out of her busy life to sit and chat with me, taking me out to dinner even though it took me three tries to find somewhere I wanted to go that was open, liking Motion City Soundtrack, forgiving me for not watching her TV shows, letting me tag along to soccer, and driving me around some more.

Ben for letting me sleep in his bed. Oh, and for being so freaking cute.

Max for letting me hang with him in Target.

Xan for being a good sport when I teased him about the girl who was allergic to water.

Cyndie for providing an awesome place to play Rock Band, taking me to the party, dressing up with me even though we were the only ones from our family, being fun, laughing at my jokes, taking me to the airport, and for dealing with my phone issues even though it wasn't an issue after all.

Jaren for cleaning up his room and bed, so that I could sleep on it, even though I didn't.

Joel for looking for my phone in his truck TWICE even though I had it the whole time.

Deborah for going to the party so that I could hang out with her, pep talks, and that feeling you only get when you are with old friends.

Justin for letting me bum an airplane ticket - again!

Nate for watching the kids for me for 3 whole days so that I could go to my parents' party and hang out with friends. I could give cheers to Nate all night, but we'll just leave it at that.

And here's to my mom and dad who have be married for FIFTY years. It couldn't have been easy, but they did it. It is really an amazing thing. I am very proud of them.

Cheers.

October 27, 2009: First Snow Day!!!

Dare asked me today why snow wasn't bright blue. That would be pretty awesome. But nothing looks as beautiful as a blanket of white.

We all love the snow. It is so much fun. It makes it hard to drive, get to school on time, and it is cold and slippery, but nothing could be better in the winter (or fall?) than a few inches of snow to play with in the backyard. Before Dare was even dressed for school this morning, she was asking if she could play in the backyard when she got home. It took me (and Nate, he helped) about 45 minutes to find all the gear and get it on them. It was worth it. They loved it.

I think our newest member of the family loves snow more than anyone else. He couldn't get enough of it. It wasn't very surprising though, since he would lay on the air conditioner vents during the summer. He got little snowballs stuck all over his fur. We couldn't decide if we should call them "dingle-balls" or "snow-berries".

The older girls couldn't wait to play in the snow either. B.A. was immediately determined to make a snowman.

Side note: I love being able to teach my kids the stuff I know. I enjoy talking about art, and cooking. We do crafts, sports, and girly stuff like hair and nails. But what am I to do when my darling girls ask me to show them how to make a snowman? It is a strange thing when your kids grow up in a completely different climate than you did. I have to tell them that I have NEVER made a snowman. Not one time. I don't know how. When we first tried making one, it looked more like three pyramids on top of each other than spheres. And once I gave them M&Ms for eyes. They melted, and made the face all streaky and brown. I'm embarrassed to say that I gave up. The kids had to figure it out on their own. (Nate helped them. He is brilliant.)

Today, I was impressed.

Here they are working. B.A. and Rhon went out before and after dinner. (Dare got sick, otherwise she would have been out there too.)

(couldn't use flash, therefore blurry pictures)

I love this snowman. I hope he lasts more than a day.

Chelsea = best team EVER

What A Scene

A week ago...

Okay, it was a week and a half, but I'm a busy woman...

Dare's class had a pumpkin party at the park. We started by coloring on pumpkins. There was some glitter involved. Then we checked out the animals. I love this picture. Rhon is seriously my favorite. Look at how good she is with G.

This chicken made my day. He (she probably, but I want her to be a he) is a punk chicken! What a cool hairdo. He is totally doing his own thing. He grew it out, bleached it, and styled it to give it all that body. He is definitely trying to make some kind of statement.

Then we went to IKEA and had meatballs for lunch. Well, I had meatballs. I had to pick up some cups. I always have to replenish our cup supply. I think there is a cup sprite that lives in our house. She steals our cups. Or it could be that my kids take the cups to all areas of the neighborhood and don't bring them back. Nah, it's probably a sprite.

Then, after a long drive, and a lot of U-turns, Aspen and I made it to the trampoline place! It was a hit. The kids loved it. We will definitely make our way over there again.

Quick story: When you have a friend that you like hanging out with, and you have kids that are the same age, you think what a perfect combination, right? Well, you do unless your kids are G and Brynlie. Aspen and I have a total of 6 girls. Five of which get along beautifully. Then there is Mads. He just chills because he is so cool. Then we come to the two youngest. This is NOT a perfect combination. Why not, you ask? They want to kill each other. They bring out the most violent of violence in each other. There is smacking, pinching, pushing, and, of course, biting. I am willing to admit that most of this is G's fault, but she holds her own. She can definitely take care of herself. We're still hoping that one day they will love each other...

But look!

Here is proof that they can be happy and within 2 feet of each other.
Okay. This is probably what they were thinking...

G: oh dude, as soon as my freaking mom puts that camera down, I am going to pull her hair. my hand can hardly sit still while it is so close to her head

B: why did my mom sit me next to this stinky, smelly boy? all I want to do is dig my fingernails into those chubby cheeks

Laughing At Nakedness

We're good.

Have you seen my girl?

See. I can be girly.

See how excited they are to get their picture taken? Well, Dare was cooperative. B.A. couldn't even take her eyes off her book long enough. Oh well. I was practically forced by someone to take these pictures anyway. She knows who she is.

But I'm glad I did. They don't get their hair curled very often.

The Summer of the Mantis

Nate

Just heard from a friend that no news is good news. Right, Nate?

Wesley

Reminds me of Jon Bon Jovi right after he has a bath.

Weighs 16 lbs.

Is almost as big as Paris.

B.A.

Loves the new video game Dad bought for himself... Final Fantasy Tactics A2.

Cries every day when I drop her off at school.

Has a new fake laugh that is driving everyone crazy.

Rhon

Started reading Harry Potter.

Likes earning marbles, playing with G, and science.

Can flip her eyelids, and do cross-eyes. At the same time!

Dare

Gets in bed with Rhon every night. And usually takes up most of the space, pillow, and covers.

Asks if Elise can come play every day.

Still can't put her own shoes on in the morning.

Mads

Would play Mario on the DS constantly, if I

let him.

Still has a major obsession with the "dark dark blue blanket".

Started riding his bike with no training wheels.

G

New blog nickname will be FG. It stands for "Freaking G".

Cries every day when I put him down for a nap. It won't be long before the nap is gone, I'm afraid.

Still can't open doors, or climb out of his crib. It won't be long for this either, I'm afraid.