Weekend whatnots......

"Well...good morning giant hot air balloons" and "What the....?" were 2 things that crossed my mind Saturday morning when this was the view from my front door. The weather has been FANtastic lately and obviously some balloon lovers were just itchin to ....float?!! It was actually quite fun to watch. I couldn't help but think of one of thee greatest old time Disney movies..."Night Crossing," has anyone ever seen it besides yours truly and my siblings? The story goes: 2 East German families literally sew their own hot air balloons by night (obviously secretly) so they can escape to West Germany...full of suspense.... anyone... anyone?? It was a family favorite growing up..good show....as was the Saturday morning display for that matter.

Other exciting tidbits and insights from the week/end included:

A 3 year old throwing a tantrum will eat a rock hard frozen corn dog if given the chance. Hold the ketchup and mustard.

Even with gorgeous weather outside, yahoos will play for hours in......a box.

It is possible to renew ones driver's license with all 4 kids in tow and no stroller:

I never said it was pleasant, it just was possible. My crew along with 138 other people chose to be at the DMV on that blessed day. It had to be done. I just ignored the" Parents please do not leave children unattended" sign, gave Jack and Cole strict orders to stay seated at all times, applied some lip gloss, wiped the light sweat forming on my forehead, bundled Kate's blanket under her bottle so she could self feed in her car seat, held Brody's hand with a death grip so he wouldn't run into the "employees only" section again, asked the kind worker if my shirt was straight (with no response) and smiled! Hopefully in 7-10 business days it will look as dreamy as I'm imagining it will be.

The latest goings on....

It's a total "fallish" cold and misty Sunday night and I love it. Jack and I have returned from successfully delivering pumpkin sugar cookies to our new neighbors. Woop de doo you may say but seeins that Kyle didn't exactly put his "best foot forward" on the neighborly kindness gig with the one gal.....I had to step in and wave the white flag of neighbor love. I chose to wave that flag with a plate of cookies. I think it worked. The other neighbors have 3 dogs...... very, very active/hyper/nerve racking dogs. I don't do dogs. I'll have you know that I held that plate of cookies as high in the air as possible shaking like a leaf while being "welcomed" down the driveway by Kugo and company. All cookies were delivered, no harm was done and my sweatshirt is soaking in prewash. Wet dog paws....grrrrrrrrr.

We had our primary program today and Jack and Cole were great. Poor Mr. Cole wasn't feeling so hot so we let him go for just sac. mtg. I always feel bad for the parents whose kids freak out and freeze or who scream into the microphone. I sure appreciate my boys memorizing their parts, singing the songs, going to the Saturday dress practice and having a great attitude about church. It's what we do and my sweet little boys help strengthen my testimony today. I loved watching them sing and I have to admit that I choked up just a smidgen watching Jack sing "I know He lives." What a great song. I had never sung it before and I absolutely loved it. This was my first time in 3 years not leading the primary music or being involved somehow so it was actually nice just to sit and enjoy.

So, besides the big program these are the highlights of the week:

Let's start with this little dollhead. While she is currently screaming in her swing, I am choosing to remember the sweet sweet fact that she did indeed sleep through the night last night. Besides that she's been wearing her fancy new red shoes like it's nobodys business.

This kid learned how to "thumbs up" this week. We've also been puzzle crazy around here and you put those 2 activities together and you get one happy Brody.


Mr. Cole has had a pretty bummer week. We don't speak of the fact that he missed "Pajama day" due to his blasted cough and fever. Poor kid was a trooper and made it through his speaking part today with flying colors after chewing his cough drop at the microphone. Love this kid.

Jack is a reading machine. His latest achievement.. a juicy chapter book about the young Boba Fett. To my dismay but not surprise, he really prefers Star Wars over Ramona Quimby. I love that he has started quietly reading to himself in the morning before he comes down for breakfast. He's even reading the Book of Mormon on his own and I'm just so proud of his cute little 7 year old self.

As for me I thought I'd share my 2 favorite things as of late.

-My turbo microwave/oven combo that gives me the option of: #1. melt or #2. soften butter AND cream cheese AND defrosts meat to the utmost perfection. I love it. And... of course my Mickey pumpkin. His return each fall makes me smile. I am easily pleased!

The week/end review and what not

Am I the only one who has been rudely bombarded with enormous and disgusting amounts of fruit flies these last 2 weeks? My house is by no means spotless but random plates laying around with caked on leftovers you will not find. This influx is baffling I tell you.

Wait a second....

NICE......Brody's contribution in his bedroom (upstairs no less) to helping mom fight the good fight vs. the gnats. Isn't that how you spell nat....gnat? Anyway, a 3/4 eaten apple, a pair of plastic vampire teeth, and a pin lanyard from Disneyland. The perfect combination for a 2 year old's bucket.

Some ladies husbands bring home flowers for a surprise. Not mine!!! This is what I got as a big fat juicy SURPRISE and welcome to the family this last week . I have yet to formulate my entire emotions on the subject so that will have to wait for a later post. Until then....I really like FLOWERS. In case your just dying to know his name: Chance the wonder horse. He's not even 2 yet and he's quite hyper. I've watched him several times start at the end of his "for the time being" make shift corral get a running start and try to leap the fence. That's right, leap the fence. What in the world would I do if this dear pony actually succeeded in his escape attempt? The point is I DON'T WANT TO BE WORRYING ABOUT PONIES IN MY FRONT YARD AT THIS TIME IN MY LIFE. Deep breath. What's done is done and Chance is here to stay. Maybe next week for our anniversary I'll get some flowers.... or maybe a beautiful bucket of grain or possibly a lovely bale of hay.

No school on Friday meant go play at the park. We decided to invite Bill Cosby.

And finally we ended the week/end with taking all four kidlets to the 3D Toy Story/Toy Story 2 double feature. Everyone but Cole, mom, and Kate made it through the entire show with out a little shut eye. Yea that was fun coming out of the theatre at 10:30 with kids who had just woken up and whose parents had forgotten their jackets. Pixar shows are fabulous.....3D Pixar....even better.

So there you have it. Gnats, ponies, Bill Cosby, and Toy Story. That my friends, was my week.

Another week down

Let's start with Brody, shall we:

Should have known the silence down stairs wasn't producing anything positive.

Lately, he's been loving stripping down to his onesie that is way to small.-note to self.

Except when he wakes up from a much needed but taken WAAAY too late in the day nap. Not thrilled with the one shoulder deal.

Cole can't think rationally lately..."can I play the Wii? When can I? Now can I? Did you say I could play the Wii?" Do you think it would be o.k. if I played now for 4 minutes?"

Case in point, this is Cole and co. on Sunday morning, I know pathetic. This is my life post Wii. And our lame-o old t.v in my room is the only one with easy cord access. Now nightly I fall asleep to the sweet sweet sounds of a young Indie Jones running and chasing something, or Brody issuing his "My tun" plea that turns violent when ignored. It's a vicious cycle that I created....grrr. !

Jack:
He's an amazing sock wearer. Case in point! We're still working on the "throw them away when you see a hole STARTING to form" idea.

Poor kid had the vomit session of his 6 1/2 year old life yesterday. Somehow he did manage to lean over the side of his top bunk and hit every piece of wood, sheeting, blanket, comforter, pillow, on both his bed and poor little Cole below. Oh and the rug, can't forget the rug. Needless to say, I earned major mom points in cleaning the entire treat all by myself as Kyle was literally on his way out the door and sadly suffers from a debilitating case of, "oh that stinks so bad I can't be in the same room or even think of cleaning it up" itus. It's very sad and very severe!

Had a fun birthday weekend with great friends-

Lots of cake and sweaty running with buddies for Jack.....the vomit session the next morning is becoming more clear now!!

The house: Our front/back/mud room porches were poured! Roof still getting finished, windows still going in sometime and roof porch will be built for the posts that will line my porch. Can I say porch a few more times?!

Week/end review...

You know, I'm actually looking forward to starting another week tomorrow. It's been quite a long 7 days around here and frankly, I'm ready to start anew! Big plans for the week include: running, the grocery store, the bank, preschool thanksgiving dinner, soup party, parent/teacher conferences, Costco, and the grocery store again.

Family rundown:
Jack is such a good kid. Lately he's been mastering the art of the "eye roll" which I, being his mother cannot stand. Therefore, a "No eye roll" policy has been implemented in this house. He's working hard at this new policy. He did in fact use his eyes for sweet reasons today during primary. As I was given lovely flowers and a giant card signed by the entire primary (because I was released) I looked at my oh so sensitive Jack as he wiped away tears...no rolling to be seen. Just sweet 6 year old tears, love this kid.

Cole is still reeling from the fact that not every meal includes dessert at the end. He's also reading like a 4 year old All star and it's so fun to hear. Today during sac. meeting he followed the words of the hymn with his cute little finger and sang along with me. It's a winning combination...can't pronounce R's and a tad bit off key!

This so almost 2 year old thinks everything is "fuh-nee" lately, especially the little things he's accomplishing around here. For instance, coloring in my dishwasher, emptying out-oh say, 173 wipes, smearing A&D ointment all over his new outfit for the day...right before we were to walk out the door. Do you realize just how stinky A&D ointment is? Prancin on over to the fridge...gettin himself a yogurt and then deciding that on the light beige rug would be a great place to open the lid. Ya know, just little things like that...Hilarious!

My 4th child-The HOUSE:

It's coming along. This is the underground radiant heating for our stained concrete floors.

This is the wonderful slab that was poured on Friday. My house will sit atop this beauty.

Saturday was a work party at our house. I cannot tell you how grateful I am that Kyle has such a supportive, capable, and helpful family. His brothers and dad are always the biggest help. All I have to do is bring lunch...good gig huh! The framer is scheduled to start a week from tomorrow....can you hardly wait for pictures?!



Smiling Thomas men in fantastic mismatched "work clothes."

And finally, it was a bittersweet day for me. I was released today from my calling, my favorite calling in the whole entire world...Primary chorister. I have had this calling off and on in all 3 wards I have been in since we got married. A total of almost 5 years and 4 programs later...I am done once again. I'm tired though and I know change is good. I'm sad because I love primary music...love love love it. To me, nothing else brings the spirit closer than through singing. I adored watching my boys in the front two rows, teaching the gospel through music, and sharing the piano bench with my favorite (and most talented-a fabulous pianist makes all the difference) pianist...Erin, who also got released. It was all or nothing! My sweet friend Carole bought us roses...how cool was that. Just thoughtful,wonderful ladies who I thoroughly loved working with. So now I'm switching gears to the Beehives. The lovely, giggly, happy/sad/happy/sad world of tweens!

So there you have it..bring on the new week!