The Golden Arches...

or "Old MacDonald had a farm" as my boys call it (OMHAF for the purposes of this blog post). I've never been a big fan, but somehow they've developed a love for it. Maybe because they take after their father? Maybe by association since they love the Old MacDonald song (even though I know it's spelled differently. They don't know that yet. Refer to my previous post about still learning the alphabet.. ha, ha). Anyway, I took them there tonight simply because Chase took a nap (pure evil... he always wakes up crying and complaining and is almost impossible to deal with for at least half an hour, and then he won't go to bed at a reasonable hour... he's still up at 10:43! grrr... but I digress) and was STARVING when he woke up. Of course that made his usual waking-up-from-a-nap-like-a-crazy-mad-angry-bear so much more tolerable! (Did I mention he's been like that since almost birth and I've tried everything to no avail?!?!) ;) Anyway, he wanted OMHAF. I agreed just because I knew it would make his normal tirade a whole lot shorter and I hadn't started making dinner yet. Well, once there, the girl asked if the "Happy Meals" were for boys or girls, then gave us matchbox cars accordingly. A little presumptive, if you ask Aiden who insisted on trading his in because HE WANTED A BARBIE! Just don't tell his dad! ;) Then I broke down and actually let them play in the play area, which I haven't consented to for OVER a year because our last time a little boy peed in the top structure and it came pouring out all over the floor below close to where we were standing. It even splashed on Aiden. DISGUSTING, RIGHT?! (I've since heard worse stories!) Anyway, the boys always know they can't play at McDonalds. It doesn't stop them from asking, but they always answer their own questions with "some kids pee and poop in there and it's gross?". Well, after being cooped up in the house all day, I relented this time and actually let them play. They kept reassuring me when they'd come off the slide, "This is really fun Mommy. There's nothing gross in here!" Then it was time to go. While I was putting Aiden's shoes on him, Chase happened to touch somebody's smeared ice cream on a table nearby. He didn't know what it was, only that it was brown and a little slimey. He seriously started gagging! I had to hold his hand so that he couldn't see it until we got to the bathroom to wash it off! Maybe the end of our visit will overshadow the "fun" they had and they'll remember it as a gross place again. ;) I can only hope!

Photographer in the making...

Aiden LOVES taking pictures. Anytime he sees a camera he becomes almost obsessed! I'm constantly deleting pictures he's taken. I decided to download a few just for fun...

Daddy :D

Chaseroo

The wall and curtain? (Believe me, he's taken much weirder ones... true confession- I was looking through the camera once and discovered to my HORROR and SHOCK that he had taken pics of me getting out of the shower. I had NO idea he was taking them at the time and said a silent prayer that I discovered and deleted them before somebody else found them!!)

A picture of a picture! :)

I guess we all know what HE'S getting for Christmas. (I'll have to start keeping the bathroom door locked!)

Construction...

So we decided to have a few friends over to make "haunted" houses. (I know I said nobody could come over for 15-16 years, but both friends had already been to my house and seen all the messes. Plus, Jennifer reminded me that the furniture isn't complaining. You just have to keep things in perspective! ;) Thanks Jenn!) As always, the visions in my head and the final product were waaaay different, but at least we had fun doing it. Because the icing was too thick and didn't dry quick enough or stick (or whatever), our "haunted" houses turned into "condemned" houses. Hopefully I'll remember this lesson when it comes time to make gingerbread houses!


Megan proved her professionalism by being the only one who constructed a house that actually stayed together in spite of the icing! Impressive! Must be all those years of Gingerbread-house-building under her belt. Talon wins the award for the house with the most Skittles! ;)


Michelle, Lilly, & Adalee proved very adaptable by giving up on the 3-d houses and just settling for one-dimensional. (You can see them a little in the back.) Lilly was also the only "little person" who stuck with the project to the end. Everyone else just came and went.
Here's Chase's house just after it came crashing down. (We did manage to put the base back together, but never got the roof to stay up. It's the house in the center in the picture above.)


Aiden was very meticulous and concentrated hard to get his house "just right"... then the roof fell off. Then he was done. :D



Thanks, guys, for coming over and "playing" with us!

Learning curve

We've been working on learning the alphabet (well, actually, I already know it, I'm just helping the boys learn). We have some amusing moments like Chase's "wuh-wuh curtain" or "tuh-tuh vacuum". We've also been working on being more obedient (unlike with the aforementioned alphabet, I DO need to work on being obedient, just like the boys). Chase combined the two the other night when he informed me that he was "O-having". lol

Completely against character, Chase actually ASKED me to take pictures of him and Aiden when they were being so "r-bedient". This is what r-bediant o-having boys look like getting ready for bed:

Aiden pulled his shirt up over his head and then stopped, declaring, "Ta-da, I'm de KING!" lol

Loving brothers:

A week in the life...

Well, we went to the zoo today and I took my camera and have pictures. :D Did you expect any less?

Oh wait... that's not a monkey and that's not the zoo. That's my Aiden at Grandma & Grandfather's house. I couldn't believe how high he climbed! He was actually even a little higher than that, but I didn't think to snap a picture until he was on his way down!

These are real pictures from today's zoo trip. Aiden loves to hang out in the arms of the bear! :D Chase won't do it. Come to think of it, Chase doesn't really like photo ops at all. He even told me so (not in those exact words, but to that effect).

He DID smile for the camera while riding the carousel, at least! :D

Notice how close I am to Chase (he always wants me to stand by him) and how far from Aiden. He insists on doing it all by himself. Mr. Independent! Notice how they're dressed in long sleeves and pants since it IS the 18th of October... they were roasting. It was in the 70's and definitely short sleeves and shorts weather. Michelle was smart. I was not. Sorry boys!

My super-cute niece, Lilly and her equally adorable sister, Adalee (beside their mommy, Michelle wearing their weather appropriate short-sleeves).

We went to Pump It Up last week and I didn't take pictures. Of course not, it's not the zoo! (My sister did, though, so if she forwards them I may post some.)

We worked on the letter "D" last week. We even made duh-duh doughnuts. They were not nearly as good as Aunt Dee Dee makes, but at least I made the effort. The boys thought they were fine. (Their only criteria, however, is that they're round with a hole in the center. I achieved that result.) AND... DRUM ROLL... I actually took pictures.

Did I mention Chase was the only one interested in helping? Aiden was too busy playing. When it came time to eat, though, Aiden was willing and able. (Reminiscent of a certain story about a little red hen? lol) Funny thing, Chase wasn't interested in eating them. They were too sticky. This is the same boy that doesn't eat syrup on pancakes for the same "sticky" reason. (He used to say that it made him sneeze. He finally fessed up that it had more to do with the mess factor!)

Speaking of messes... My house is ALWAYS one! Before I had children, a "friend" told me that my house was "too" clean. She said it felt "sterile". I never thought of myself as anal, really, I just had a schedule and time to do it. Now no matter how much I clean or how hard I work, my house is just never clean. I recently had another "friend" tell me that my front room must've been pretty at one time... before the boys colored on things and split the seam on one of the couch cushions. I wanted to buy a new couch so that at least my front room could be "pretty" again. After Chase colored on his brand new bed this past week (This just a few weeks after Aiden colored on the newly recovered piano bench.), I came to the sad realization that a new couch may not be a smart purchase. I'll just have to privately enjoy my little artist's masterpieces and under no circumstances allow visitors in my house until it is clean and "pretty" again. (The boys are 3 now, so I'm thinking in about 15/16 years?)

The new red-crayon-colored bed.

My couch I try to keep covered with pillows (until the boys pull the cushions off and jump on the couch showing off their artwork to Megan... further embarassing their mother).

And last, but not least, the newly-recovered piano bench.

Prepared...

We go to the zoo LOTS. At least once every two weeks (sometimes more). I always take my camera and have zillions (maybe a slight exaggeration) of pictures. We do other fun things too, like storytime with Clifford the Big Red Dog last week; kite flying at the park; soccer games; pump it up; picnics at the park; watching the marching band... you get the picture. Oh wait, you DON'T. Why? Because I never remember to take my camera! Unless, of course, it's the zoo. 'Cause I certainly don't want to miss out on the one zillion and 1"th" picture of the boys feeding crackers to the giraffes or other similar experiences. ;) Don't get me wrong, I love all the zoo pictures, I just wish I wasn't so forgetful so I'd be able to capture other fun times as well. Luckily my cell phone does take decent pictures (and since I have 2 of those, I generally have at least one with me). I did manage to take a few cell phone pictures of our trip to the Happy Apple Farm today. (Because of COURSE I didn't have my camera with me.) My friend, Misty, brought hers, so I'll post more (quality) pictures when I get copies from her. (Thanks Misty for sharing your camera with me!)

Treasure Ruby

One year ago today, a sweet 12 year old girl named Treasure Ruby passed away. She was such a happy, kind, humble girl. She requested that everyone at her funeral stand and sing (with the actions) "Once There Was a Snowman". In October of 2007, she told her mom she didn't feel like herself. She felt really clumsy. Her mom watched her walk to school and was shocked to see that she couldn't even walk straight. She immediately called the doctor and took Treasure in the same day. The drs ordered an MRI, which showed she had a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (dipg), which is a brain stem tumor. These tumors generally affect children between the ages of 2 and 10. (Treasure was 11 at the time of her diagnosis.) When children are diagnosed, their parents are told that it is a terminal diagnosis with the average life expectancy of 9-12 months from diagnosis. They generally do chemo and radiation to shrink the tumor, but because of the position of the tumor (in the brain stem) they are inoperable. Part of the treatment involves steroids, which causes the children to swell changing their physical appearance. Although the initial treatments generally reduce the size of the tumor and it's effects (it's in the brain stem, so it affects all of the body), it just buys them a little time. Once the effects return, there isn't much left to do. It is sooo heartbreaking. I was so shocked when I heard about Treasure's tumor. I remember saying to Treasure's mom, Trudy, "I would be so devastated I wouldn't have the strength or energy to even get out of bed. I'd be so depressed and cry everyday." Trudy wisely and bravely reminded me, "You can't LIVE like that." She told me they were going to just pray, hope, and trust in the Lord that his will was best. The last time I saw Treasure alive, she was in a wheelchair. Her physical appearance was so altered that at first I didn't recognize her. She was still happy, and upbeat. She was still a beautiful girl. She told me about school and how she was in denial about needing a wheelchair. She was so strong and brave.

I have since become aware of many other children who have this same tumor. One little girl, Mara Adams, passed away just a couple of weeks ago. She was only 6. Another little girl, Sadie Huish, was diagnosed in March of this year. She is only 5! She has endured and continues to endure treatments that would be difficult for an adult to endure, and yet she is so valiant and strong! Reading the blogs of these families is inspiring. They, like Trudy, are so courageous and tough.

I just wanted to take the time to honor Treasure and all the other brave souls who battle this horrible disease. I also wanted to make people aware that it's out there. Most people don't know anything about it until it affects their own family or friends. Awareness is so important in the fight against any terminal illness. The more people who know about it, the more people that will help raise money, fight for research, etc. Children shouldn't have to suffer and die like this. WE need to push for research. We need to "get the word out". Sadie's family has sent out hundreds of wristbands for people to wear to help raise awareness of this "monster". I wear mine daily. If you're interested in wearing one, just click on Sadie's link on my page for more information. If you google this disease, you will find pictures and stories about soooo many little ones suffering and others who have already lost their fight. It will touch you and affect you... and hopefully inspire each of us to do our part to fight for a cure!

Tag... I'm IT

When you get tagged and you're "it", you have to be "it". There's just no getting around it. It's like when you are double-dog dared to do something. You just have to do it. (Assuming you're playing truth or dare... you don't have to do something JUST because someone adds those words, otherwise.) Those are the rules. So, my friend Kayte (the cool "Eck's File" blogger) posted this in her blog a few days ago. Although I promised to follow suit, I have not. To be quite honest, I'd even forgotten about doing it. Oopsie. But no more! I will comply because now Kayte has threatened to do it FOR me. Yikes! Who knows what SHE finds "quirky" about me. I will probably come up with "quirky" things, while she might post the "weird"... so here goes:

Here are the rules: Link the person who tagged you. http://theecksfiles.blogspot.com/ Tell about 6 quirks of yours. Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same. Leave a comment to let them know.

1. I use Word's thesaurus ALL of the time. In fact, I even looked up "quirky" (idiosyncratic, original, unusual, peculiar, odd... to name a few) to see what other words are associated with quirky just in case "weird" really was one. (Even though it doesn't REALLY matter now, since I'm following the rules so Kayte won't have to post my "quirks" FOR me.) I also don't like to use the same, common, ordinary words all the time, so I check the trusty thesaurus to get replacement words.

2. I LOVE playing Backgammon. Some nights when my boys go to sleep and my husband is working, I log on to MSN games and play (is THAT the real reason I can never keep my house clean? I spend too much time playing a silly game?!?!) That'll be our secret (between me and the 2 or 3 people who actually READ this blog!). ;)

3. I'm all about following rules. It's like I believed the adults in my life when I was a kid. (See the beginning of this blog.) My sister even says that I still make all my letters the same way I was taught. You know how in school you get graded for making the letters exact? No deviations? I still do that. Which means that my handwriting is very boring... perhaps my rule-following makes ME very boring too! I do try to break the occasional rule just for the sake of doing it. Like yesterday after Chase dropped his pacifier off the skyride at the zoo, I actually lifted him over the fence to climb up the rocks and get to it! EVEN though the fence was obviously there to keep people out! See, how fearless I am?!? ;)

4. I'm VERY critical of posted signs, or things in print. It doesn't mean that I don't make mistakes myself. I just try very hard NOT to and will correct anything I find. I mean, come on, should the city REALLY send out a letter to inform the dwellers about the "pubic" meeting to discuss road construction?! I think NOT! I'm really bad/ good about noticing those things. In fact, I even took a picture of a sign on the bathroom at the zoo yesterday with the intention of possibly starting a "headlines" blog! Since I seriously notice it that much! :D



If any of you know what an "inconvence" is, please feel free to share. (I couldn't find it in my trusty thesaurus.)

5. I'm very protective of my friends and family. I think some people might call it holding a grudge. (Could that be why I thought the following quote was so funny: "I don't hold a grudge. I put it on a pedestal and worship it.") Not me. I call it defensive, caring, shielding, protective. ;) Take your pick. If someone I care about has been wronged, I will be their quickest defender. I also get very offended if I feel like I have been wronged and someone I care about doesn't support, defend, encourage, or help me. (I think you get the picture about the whole "thesaurus thing".)

6. I love opposites together. (Could that be why I married Karam?!?!) I like sweet and salty. (Ice cream with peanuts.) Hot and cold. (The only example I can think of right now is hot chocolate with cold whipped cream.) Crunchy and soft. (French bread with the hard outer crust, but the soft bread inside.)

There. I did it. My "quirks" actually came to me quite easily, which surprised me. I thought it would be a lot more difficult to come up with. In fact, I could probably even come up with more if I tried. So now I have to tag others. I think it would be interesting to hear everyone's quirks, however, I'm only tagging the people I think are "rule-followers" like me who will actually do it. If you choose NOT to, however, I will borrow Kayte's threat and do it for you! ;)

I tag: Dee Dee, Kristy, Megan, Maren, Teresa, & Denise



P.S. Feel free to find all my errors, because believe me, I would do it too!

M Vee...

That's right! I have joined the ranks of the cool M Vee drivers. Me. What? You don't know what an M Vee is? It's a cool car. It's the kind that only cool people drive and everybody else just wants to drive. I've always dreamed of the day I would join the COOL people. And finally the day is here! It's a happenin' car, too. DVD player. Navigation. Automatic opening and closing doors. Lots of space. Room to take additional people besides just the boys and me. Yep. It's sweet. NO, I am NOT just trying to make it sound great. It IS great. Really. There are other names for it that you may be more familiar with... Town & Country... Mini-Van. Somehow those sound really Mormon-mobile-like and not so happenin'. So if you don't mind, I'll just call it an M Vee because that brings to mind (mine anyway) something impressive and sporty. ;D

















As long as we're talking about "new" things at our house, here's a picture of the boys taking their new puppy, "Pinga" for a walk.









Where, oh where do they get those imaginations?!?

P.S. They dressed themselves! lol And NO, I didn't let them go anywhere like that! ;)