Some Children Should Not/CANNOT Be Left Alone

It's humid and I'm tired. 

I haven't accomplished much today --  due, in part, to lack of motivation and due, in part, to having children.

They were dressed when I got in the shower. They were naked and playing a matching game when I got out.

I've redressed Kenzie at least 5 times today.

I think I mentioned it's humid - and that makes it seem hotter than it really is.

I thought I could sit down and read for a minute. I attempted to read while playing with Brynnley and allowing her to pierce my ears with stickers. 

Brynnley said Kenzie was downstairs playing Barbies.

After a few minutes of (great) peace and and quiet -- I got worried. I sent Brynnley to investigate.

She quickly came upstairs and reported that I needed to come quick. (I really don't like those instructions -- it never means, "come quick -- we are playing nicely together." It always means, "come quick - you aren't going to like what you see."

So, I went downstairs and discovered Kenzie -- happily and quite contentedly -- creating a masterpiece in the bathroom.

I asked Brynnley to get the camera and she said, "Why? Are you happy about this?"

 "No," I replied.

Brynnley: "Then why are you taking a picture?"

Me: "Good question."

I guess even Van Gogh (sp?) had to start somewhere, right? 

The real question: Can I park them in front of the t.v. so I can make dinner?

A Day of Firsts....

First Day of 3rd Grade   

First Day of 4th Grade

Waiting for the bus

 Cannon receiving his Bobcat Award

Going, Going, Almost Gone

Indians vs. Orioles (with cousins & uncles)

At the beach with friends

Setting up the waterslide one more time

What is it about the end of summer that makes me feel like we need to fit a few more fun activities into the schedule? Is it that summer seemed SO short this year? Or simply the fact that my childhood memories of summer are so good -- and I want to create that for my kids? Whatever the reason, we managed a few more fun things these past two weeks...all before Thursday - when school officially starts.

Have You Checked the Children?

Last night, upon checking the kids before heading to bed, I had a moment of panic. When I looked in Kenzie's bed and discovered she wasn't in there, I was concerned. Then, I looked in Brynnley's bed...and this is what I found. Perhaps having them share the queen bed is an option after all?

A Momentary Lapse? Or Permanent State?

Last night while making dinner, my mom called to report the results of my dad's surgery. (He's fine)

While chatting, several kids interrupted. Even still, I thought I was doing rather well to get dinner all together (knowing Greg would be walking in the door any minute.) Aside from almost burning the rolls (the timer went off - but I momentarily forgot why I had set it), dinner came together all at the same time. (Beef stroganoff, rolls, corn, and beans.) I even managed to set the table while talking and cooking.

So...imagine my dismay (and my family's) when, a few minutes later (I was off the phone) everyone was seated at the table, food was being dished out...and I discovered that I had completely forgotten to make the rice! Spaced it 100%! Not once did it register in my mind to even start boiling water! Never has 5-Minute Rice seemed to take so long....

Can I blame this on pregnancy? Do I dare hope this is not a permanent state of mind? Or should I just resign myself to the fact that this is how it will go from here on out?

*PS -Never mind the fact that despite Addysen's constant reminders, we missed soccer registration last week. If it weren't for a good friend making a phone call on our behalf...my girls wouldn't be playing this Fall.

Perhaps I should go and check when the libary books are due to be returned....
And which day does school actually start next week?

Stress

A lecturer when explaining stress management to an audience,
raised a glass of water and asked
'How heavy is this glass of water?'

Answers called out ranged from 2 to 5 pounds.

The lecturer replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long you try to hold it.

If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem

If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.

If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.

In each case, it's the same weight,
but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.'

He continued,

'And that's the way it is with stress management.

If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on '

'As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again.

When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden.'

'So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home.

You can pick it up tomorrow.

Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can.'

So, my friend, Put down anything that may be a burden to you right now.

Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.

Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

* Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

* Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

* Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.

* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply be kind to others.

* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

* Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

* The second mouse gets the cheese.

* When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

* You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

* We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

The Trend Continues

We were happy to find out that we are expecting ANOTHER GIRL! Ok, everyone was excited except for Cannon. His comment was, "that's stupid." However, he was quickly reminded that he will be the last one to have to share a room! Sorry - there's only one of him to go around. I'm quite certain that with all these sisters -- he will KNOW how to treat women!

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

Cannon's Baptism

Despite the fact that it felt like October, rather than mid-August, Cannon's baptism day was great. Upon going to bed he said, "Mom, today was one of the best days of my life." Addysen said, "Why?" Cannon responded with, "I got to be baptized...and I got to play cornhole." 

What more could you ask for?

We were so fortunate to have so many family and friends here to support him (and us) on this special occasion: both sets of grandparents, two great-grandmas, aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as friends from the ward. 

What a special day -- and one I hope Cannon will always remember.

I Can't Do Anything Right

We've had way too many treats, too much fun and too many late nights this week.

Translation: Tired, onry kids.

Since I wasn't in the room, I'm not exactly sure HOW/WHY it happened, but somehow, Brynnley ended up with jelly on her hands and face -- jelly that Cannon threw at her.  Not surprisingly, Cannon was reprimanded and sent upstairs. All the while, he screamed, "I just can't do anything right! No matter what, I just can't do anything right!"

I'm just curious, but in what universe does throwing jelly at your sister register as acceptable behavior?

(Sigh....and I haven't even posted his baptism pictures.)

Road Trip - Palmyra

 

It was really fun to visit so many church historical sites including:

The Palmyra Visitors Center

The Hill Cumorah

The Palmyra Temple

The Sacred Grove

The Grandin Press

The Peter Whitmer Home

The Joseph Smith Home(s) and Farm

What a great memory for all of us -- but especially for Cannon the week he was baptized!

Road Trip - Niagara Falls

My parents arrived on Monday...and Tuesday we left for a road trip. Aside from needing to budget WAY more for gas...we had a wonderful time visiting Niagara Falls and Palmyra, New York. 

Thankfully, we got in and out of Canada without any trouble (no passports required yet!) and didn't have to deal with too much rain. It was a great trip - and a wonderful memory for all of us!