It made me smile...

Sam told me this morning the belt I was wearing was very "handsome". I must live with a bunch of boys.

The funniest guy I know...

Jed is definitely the funniest guy I know. He had a lay-over in Minneapolis this morning so Alex and I were able to pick him up and head to MOA for some early lunch. So fun! Of course...with Jed I should always remember water proof mascara....the laughing gets ridiculous. Jed taught me many things growing up...he would offer karate lessons, football lessons, etc. for any siblings interested. (You kind of had to participate...poor dude would have a sign-up sheet hung on the stairway...I still remember the football play #7.) I drove him crazy growing up and we had some pretty good arguments. (I think Elise tried to tape record me yelling at Jed once to prove to Mom how horrible I was.) Jed has a way with life: he can make any problem turn into a laughable situation. We call him the "family gossip"...the truth is he is just very involved and would do anything for any of his family. I remember when Alex was in the hospital Jed called almost every day....the nurses even commented on the wonderful family support we have. We are lucky...

Soar Throats part 2

So, as usual, the soar throat has lead right into a head cold. You know...the kind that just makes you feel crappy. It makes the boys' yelling seem underwater; the vaseline under my nose is not attractive; and the ibuprofen are almost gone. Reality: I'm grateful that this minor health issue is all I have to deal with. Other's struggle with so much more.

Blog Schmog

Susan and I were talking about how Blogs can be so self-absorbed. It's true...and that's been my issue all along. However, I can't really make a book of my memories unless it's about my life. So...I'll continue my quest and hope the few people reading this (family and the best of friends) will forgive my self-absorbency! :) Off to the laundry I now go...

Soar Throats

So I woke up in the night with a horrible soar throat. The kind where you just dread having to swallow. Went downstairs to visit the medicine cabinet. While I was waiting for any medicine relief to come my way...I found myself remembering a funny moment with Spencer.

It was quite a few years ago and Spencer had an awful soar throat. He truly refused to swallow because it hurt so bad....so he carried around a spit bucket with him for a day. Seriously...instead of going through the pain of swallowing he would just spit into the bucket. Funny now but disgusting at the time. (I'm wondering if I even gave the poor kid some medicine? Hope so...)

The Cake

I must be either:

a) A cub scout den leader

b) A mother of a boy who loves the Armed Forces

c) Crazy

Answer: All of the above...I am currently trying to make an aircraft carrier cake for the Blue & Gold Banquet. Enough said.

It made me smile....

Alex told me this morning that "girls are ladies". Maybe chivalry does exist in 3 year olds?

The Inch=Mile Theory

Ben has convinced me that "if you give our children an inch they take a mile". (Sometimes I think Ben should be the one staying home with the boys...he seems to never give in to their whining.) He frequently reminds me not to give them an inch of wiggle room...rules are rules. I came home from piano lessons last night and he had made Sam and Alex eat ALL of their "gross" dinner. Huge feat...I was impressed.

The Perfect Jean

I have yet to find the perfect jean. You know...the kind that just "fits" right. No belt really needed, no hem necessary and plenty of required "mom" room. So I think I've given up on the perfect jean and am turning all efforts to a perfect body. I've heard we can be gifted one in the resurrection...so I'm banking on that now.

Three's a Crowd

I've been noticing lately that Three is a Crowd. Spencer and Sam have started vying for Alex's complete dedication to their cause. Because...if you get Alex on your side...you essentially have a puppet. Alex is usually happy to accommodate requests made with a kind and excited voice. He is a happy little dude that, if left unprovoked, is very fun. Reality is that many times we all want Alex's undivided attention...he can be infectious.

Valentines Day Boxes

No Valentines Day Boxes requested this year! Can't express my excitement...for I am my Mother's daughter. Mom didn't enjoy doing V-Day boxes...and neither do I.

Valentines Day...Really?

So I've never been one to be ok with anything forced upon me. (The word for that is Stubborn) Valentines Day is no exception. I think it is a hilarious day...people being reminded to buy 'fluff' and then express their undying love. Don't get me wrong...I believe everyone should express their love to those they care about and obviously everyone has their own '"love language". But this whole Valentines Day thing is just not me...especially since everything is 'expected'. Ben purchased flowers for me on our first Valentines Day. It was the last time he ever bought me a flower. I'm not really into gifts...especially ones that die.

Birthday #9

Last weekend was a fun birthday filled time for Spencer. Bowling party with friends from school and then dinner/cake with family on Saturday. Donuts delivered on Monday to school (on one of the snowiest days of the year...he owes me a 30 min. piano practice for this!) and favorite dinner that evening. Lots of fun gifts that he was very excited about (Legos, Legos, Legos!)...but most important...a few days of just feeling special. We all deserve to feel special at least one day a year...and I'm greatful that he did.

Right on Key (almost)

I frequently notice how much the boys sing around the house. Today was especially musical...Sam spent the entire morning singing various renditions of "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas". Alex is our Mo-Tab conductor wanna-be. And the grand finale tonight was Spencer singing in the shower. He has a music concert in a few weeks and I just listened to him practicing the entire concert while he took a shower. I wish he was this animated in front of people....Hilarious!

Memory Chip

Spencer just suggested I "go to Target and buy a new memory chip." There are times I believe I've lost my marbles...he has just confirmed this.

Girls Weekend!

Last May some of my favorite people came to MN for a few days. We talked, laughed, ate and spent Emily's money :) I have the best Mom and sisters...they are all amazing. They are coming again in a few months and I am so excited. Thankful that they they would put their busy lives on hold to come and hang-out with me for a few days. Love them.

Fear Factor

The boys are just fearful kids. They are very cautious in any new situation...and even some old situations! (It drives me crazy!)

Before Christmas Spencer's school apparently showed a "stranger danger" video to the children. (I didn't know about any of this until weeks after.) Wondering why Spencer refused to go outside and play or walk to his friends down the street...I finally got it out of him that he was scared to be outside without a parent. The school had good intentions, however, it has seriously frightened him. The movie showed a man driving up beside a child who was walking, etc. Spencer used to walk home from school...now he literally sprints the entire way home...scared to death that a car driving by will stop or slow down. Reality is that there is a fine line when teaching children about 'bad guys'. I prefer they just continue to think all bad guys command droid armies...much better.

The Headlamp

Mom had a great idea for one of the boys' Christmas presents this year. Introducing: The Headlamp. Fabulous! The boys are always wanting flashlights for their explorations and now they can explore with hands-free flashlights. The boys have occasionally asked "how did Grandma Cappy know we wanted this?" My answer: she just knows. Love her.

Nightly Ritual

I am a pathetically structured person. After the boys are in bed, my evenings generally go something like this:

Step 1: shake rugs/sweep floor/take out garbage
Step 2: check homework and school lunch menu
Step 3: wash face/put pajamas on
Step 4: turn down thermostat for the night
Step 5: build ice cream concoction *
Step 6: turn on tv **

*This changes depending upon ice cream flavors and availability of Oreos
**Occasionally I use my brain and read a good book. Otherwise, I turn on something DVR'd...this also changes depending upon if Ben is watching tv with me.