Swimming Summer

I am beyond excited that my kiddos get to swim with the Willard Swim Team! 

I about cried the first time I cheered them on during the first meet. 

They are doing so well.

We enjoyed some time out at the lake for my birthday. 

It was awesome.

The chickadees like to splash around in the backyard.

Maybe we should be the Fish family, instead of the Birds.

Oh, ha, ha, I am so funny.

And just in case you haven't had your daily dose of Eleanor,

here are a couple more to fill you up.

To All Mothers With Too Much Urine in Their Life

I am here to introduce you to an amazing secret weapon I have in my laundry room. I break it out during clothes washing time, bathroom cleaning time and deodorizing the bedrooms time. If your toilets mysteriously become disgustingly stinky from stray streams, or the bed sheets don't smell so wonderful after the bed-wetter wakes up, or your little one does the potty dance for just a tad too long and the panties are incredibly stinky, then you just might be in the same boat as I am. I don't understand how a bathroom can be clean in the morning and repulsive by evening. How do undies become so saturated that they still reek after going through the wash? Do you know what I'm talking about? If not, skip this post and search pinterest for a new crafty project. If you do, then you have got to get yourself a giant bottle of Bio-Enzymatic Urine Digester with Odor Neutralizer from The Professionals Edge.

I prefer Soft Linen over original scent as the original reminds me of bubble gum, but if all you can get your hands on is original then who cares? We buy it at the janitorial supply store for about $13.00 per gallon bottle and it is worth every penny. I almost had a panic attack when I ran out the other day, but my sweetie made a trip to town and purchased a couple new bottles for me. I'm telling you, it is the BEST! It doesn't cover up the smell, it breaks it down and eats it up. I can sleep well at night with a bottle of Urine Digester in my laundry room and a full spray bottle in the bathroom cupboard for quick clean-ups. I am being completely serious. Too bad I don't get paid for this advertisement. Now go get yourself some and relax. It's MAGIC!

Night Owl

It's after midnight, I have a huge day ahead of me tomorrow, and here I sit waiting for bread to finish baking and drivers for my printer to finish installing. The bread smells delicious and having a working printer will be fabulous! While we wait, let's look at some fun pictures. Shall we?

Kate has started ballet and tap classes. Who knew she could look like such a lady. It was hilarious today when I called her in from the dirt and weeds to get ready for dance class. There she stood with mud on her boots, all over her shirt as well as her hands. She had leaves in her hair, which needed a good brushing and she looked like she belonged on a farm. Fast forward 15 minutes to her dance class where she sits in the corner peeling off her big pink rubber boots and replacing them with dainty ballet slippers. Wow! She really looks like a ballerina!

What a beauty.

Is this not the cutest thing you've seen all day?

Walter is dedicated to "doing school" for about 5 minutes a day. It's all of his own free will.

I would rather he be playing, but he insists. Here's what he learned!

Now we are working on learning what all those letters are.

Eleanor continues to be a joy. She is such a smarty pants and a ham. She is always cracking us up! She loves her bath time, her mommy, her family, and getting her picture taken.

Does she have to grow up?

Yippee! Bread is done and software is finished installing. Wish me luck with the restart and actual printing. I'm hoping it works this time!

Late Night Ramblings

Oh, my baby is so cute! I look at her pictures on my blog and I get all gushy and want to go wake her up so I can kiss her cheeks, but then reality hits me. A sleeping baby is a happy baby. A tired baby is NOT a happy baby. So, I wait till she wakes for her midnight snacking and then I kiss her cheeks and squeeze her little sweet body and she whines for milk so I give it to her. When she has had her fill, I kiss her chubby little cheeks some more, snuggle my kisses into her sweet warm neck and eat her up until I'm worried I might awaken her. Then I lay her warm limp body back in the cold crib and wrap her up in cozy blankets so she'll sleep for a few more hours, five if I'm lucky. How is it possible that she is almost 11 months old? Do you realize this means she'll be one in about six weeks? Little Elsie has five teeth, can take about five steps without falling down and can do at least five tricks on demand. She's the cutest thing I ever saw.

Today was a good day, but oh boy, Sunday and Monday were not so great. I think children decide to test us when they know we are weak. They wonder if we are still gong to follow through, keep our word and stick to the rules. Why do they do that? Why can't they just believe? Today they were believers and it was a much better day all around. I'm sighing with relief.

I know it sounds silly, but I love picking up trash and today I got to participate in our own little family trash pick-up along the highway. Thank goodness for Cub Scouts. Hank, Kate and Wally are awesome trash picker-upers. We got a large black trash bag completely full and the kiddos now know what beer smells like. Apparently, our highway is THE PLACE to chuck your empty, or full beer bottles or cans out your window.

So last night Hank yanked out a tooth and was sure to show it to me before bed and let me know it was under his pillow. This morning at 6:30 he informed me that the tooth fairy forgot to come. Dang it. I told him maybe she'd still come because the sun wasn't really all the way up yet. He told me he brought the tooth with him into my room and was now under the pillow on my bed. Ha, ha. So tonight, as Kate was heading up to bed, she informed me that there are two quarters under my pillow and maybe I should give them to Hank because the tooth fairy forgot to come. I assured her she would remember tonight. I've got some thinkers in my house for sure.

I don't think I've shared, so I will....Kate finished her 100 reading lessons and is practically a pro! It is amazing to hear her read a story to Walter before bed. She is sounding out words and doing awesome.

I still have to post pics of Claire's 13th birthday. I promise it happened. And now the teenager is growing like a weed. Shhhh. I think she might pass me up. Seriously, she is getting tall!

One more thing. I have a dilemma. My toe is healing from kicking a soccer ball at the same time as another adult and is insisting on being babied. I am craving desserts. Do you see the problem? I have never had weight issues, but I can see how this could very easily lead to one. Hmmmm.

Nighty, night.

I'm Sewing Again!

Time has been flying! So has William, on lots of trips for work. Poor guy has a bad cold right now which is making his bronchitis flare up again. I vote for moving to the ocean or the dessert. Either of those would be warmer and good for his bronchitis. Who's coming?

I have discovered I love being crafty more than I thought I would. The bad part is, it is difficult to be crafty and accomplish other duties around the house simultaneously. Do not fear though. Everyone was fed and put to bed at a decent hour yesterday. The kids all did their Saturday chores and I sewed. What great fun it was! I guess my Saturday chores will have to wait till Monday.

Supposedly this was to be a 2-hour project. Maybe with more practice I can start coming close to par, but for me it was more like an all-day project. I loved how it turned out though.

If you would like to make your own, I got the idea from the Do It Yourself Divas.

My only regret is not making it sooner so I could enjoy it longer. Eleanor will be one-year old in a couple months and will soon be moving up to a big-girl car seat. Then I'll have to give it a hug and kiss good-bye and put it away until Betsy has a girl. No pressure on Betsy, I like hanging on to my baby things for as long as possible. Heck, Betsy might not even think it's cute. Then I'll just have to keep it forever and save it for my grand-babies. Kidding! Kind-of.

For now, it is Eleanor's 10-month birthday gift. See what I mean by time flying? She got her first tooth December 10th and here we are a month later and she has four!

She is a happy little gal and Jane is her best buddy.

In other news.....did you know Hank is a Wolf Scout? He's the one on the far end.

What a handsome guy!

Feeling Crafty

Sometimes I stay up late watching Survivor, The Amazing Race or The Biggest Loser. Other times, I waste time checking FB, email or blogs. I have even been know to read a book into the wee hours of the morning. Recently, I rediscovered another favorite late-night hobby...being crafty! This fabric has been in my sewing pile for years, and I finally put it together into a most adorable skirt! (with the help of a pattern)

The scrumptious headband was inspired by Pinterest and made from the shelf bra of a tank top and some old curtains.

The model was made by me! (By way of nourishment and such)

So tell me, are you a night owl or an early bird?

And what exactly do you accomplish during those alone hours whether they be in the AM or PM?

Hank Turned 8!

Three months ago, my sweet Hankers turned eight.

According to him, it was the most exciting day of his life thus far.

He couldn't wait to:

Get Baptized

Is a perfect family photo possible? If perfect means hilarious, then, yes.

I knew it would be next to impossible to improve on the previous picture,

but we had to try just for the fun of it when we arrived home.

On the count of three, everyone smile and look straight at the camera.

Never mind.

I still can't decide which is better. Hey, in 20 years, these will be priceless.

Have a Pirate Pizza Party

I don't think Hank heard anyone sing "Happy Birthday". All he could focus on was making sure his candles did not "accidentally" get blown out during the song.

Receive a Pocket Knife for His Birthday

Dad is really the one who picked it out and purchased it, but he let me have the glory of gifting it to him. Technically, I was the one who had a hard time giving him permission to own a pocket knife at age 8. Do you see the joy on his face?

and last but not least,

Go To Cub Scouts

Henry's baptism day was special because Grandma C, Grandpa Jerry, Grandma B and Papa all got to be there. B and Papa drove home from their mission at the Nauvoo Temple for a weekend to be with us and Grandma C and Grandpa Jerry flew out from California for the week. I have never known a child who was more excited for their baptism than Hank was for his. Thankfully, William did not get called out for work everything went as planned. Hank did have Plan B just in case. He said if Dad couldn't be there, he would just have Papa baptize him. I love how easy-going he is. At times we think of it as lazy, but the positive side is he goes with the flow and tends to be laid back about most things. I believe it is a wonderful attribute to have.

The Pirate Pizza Party was a smashing hit! We dressed up like pirates, pinned the Parrot and the Eye Patch on the Pirate, went on a treasure hunt, opened presents, ate cake and had several sword fights.

The pocket knife has been lost and found many times since its arrival in Hank's life. Thankfully, he has taken seriously the rules about how to properly use a pocket knife and has only slightly cut himself. Ouch. He loves to whittle a stick or carry it in his pocket with the clip on the outside for a fashion statement. In Missouri, it is cool to wear a knife to church. Too bad his mom isn't that cool.

Cub Scouts has been all that Hank dreamed of and more. He earned his Bobcat before his first den meeting, loves everything about scouts and looks completely handsome in his uniform.

Happy Birthday Hank!

You are an amazing, sweet, caring, hilarious son.

We love you!

Jane is 11 Years Old!

August was a busy month for us. We had two birthdays, a baptism, a family party, a friend party, and a visit from Grandma C

and Grandpa Jerry

as well as B and Papa.

All of this while we put the finishing touches on our new house

and got ready for school to begin once again.

Jane's 11th birthday was the first big party of the month. We started off the day with a birthday breakfast of German Pancakes, raspberries, applesauce, warm butter-caramel syrup and orange juice.

Next, Jane opened a gazillion gifts.

After cleaning up the tissue paper and assortment of gift bags we headed for the lake,

which was Jane's choice for her special day.

We hauled kids on the inner-tube and the adults plus Elsie and Kate on the boat out to what we have nicknamed "birthday island". We came here last year for Kate's birthday.

We jumped off cliffs and swam in the lake.

We had cheesecake!

After leaving birthday island, I gave William and Hank a wild tube ride and then he returned the favor to my mom and I. It was what I call a bonding experience.

I love days on the lake. After having Eleanor, I was quite paranoid to go out on the boat for fear that someone would definitely drown or be paralyzed falling off the inner-tube. It's amazing how paralyzing those fears can be. The minute we got the boat out on the water though, my fears blew away with the wind in my face and all felt right in my world. I loved watching my crazy kiddos bounce around on the tube, hollering and waving and having a grand time.

Jane is growing up to be such a helpful, sweet, funny, wonderful, and loving daughter. She often surprises me with a tidy house when I come home from errands or a date with Dad. Her cooking skills are improving daily and she loves to make us all dinner or a yummy Sunday treat.

We are delighted to have sweet Jane in our family.

Happy Birthday Jane!

We love you!

Halloween Payday

Halloween evening Eleanor came down with her first fever. Thankfully, it lasted only a day and had no other symptoms. She was a somber trooper, gave very few smiles and recovered quickly. She did love her bath after a dose of Ibuprofen. She is so sweet, funny and inquisitive. I can't believe how fast she is growing!

Ward Trunk-or-Treat

Two witches, Luke Skywalker, a Fashion Lady, Puppy Dog and a Dinosaur

Eleanor's trial costume which we decided was too snug.

She ended up as a pea-pod and I was the farmer who grew her. Kate decided to switch to a fancier Traveling Fashion Lady.

Is it bad when your child wants to quit trick-or-treating early and you encourage them to hit just a few more houses? What is it with kids these days? No drive, no passion, no endurance.

I tell ya, when I was a child and shamefully into my teen years, I dressed up and trick-or-treated until all the porch lights were off on the whole block. My friends and I appreciated free candy.

These days, I appreciate my childrens' candy. Too bad it's all gone. I promise I didn't eat all of it. I consumed only what I thought they would not miss. My evil plan worked extremely well. They didn't miss a thing. Maybe it helped that we went to the zoo for Spook-tacular, attended the church Trunk-or-Treat and then hit the neighborhood on Halloween. Wow, we had a LOT of candy. Mmmmmm, was it delicious!

Yes, I admit I am addicted to sweets. I type this as I munch on a freshly opened bag of generic Oreos which I was saving for Oreo Cheesecake. Oops. I can make it New York Style Cheesecake instead. About how many cookies is an appropriate number to consume late at night? I'm sure I have passed the limit, but I haven't gotten the milk out yet, so I'm not quite finished.

I really was trying to be good. I started off with some iced orange juice and then moved on to juicy grapes. Before long however, I found myself back in the kitchen hunting for something with a bit more sugar. With my teeth full of chocolate and my tummy full of milk, I believe I am temporarily satisfied. This trick is to get in bed before the next craving hits.

Yes, I admit I am guilty of having a sweet tooth late at night. You want to know what else I am guilty of? Taking pictures of myself after arriving home from a girls' night out. Have you noticed that it is completely acceptable behavior to photograph yourself? Teenagers do it all the time. What is hilarious, is the fact that before digital cameras were around, I used to waste real film on self portraits. Then, I would hide them in a photo album in my room. Oh, how William laughed at my plethora of photographs with Me, Myself, and I.

I fully intended on snapping this pic, attaching it to an email, and sending it to William while he was in Alaska, but he made it home before I got the chance. Oh well, now I'll just have to save it until I'm old and wrinkly. Then, I can show it to my kiddos to prove I wasn't always in my pajamas teaching math at the kitchen table.

Tell me, do you take self-portraits often? Is it only when you are looking your best? Do you delete all the awkward ones and then never show anyone the good ones either? Do you?