E at 3 1/2

In conversation with E I said, "Pumpkin cream cheese rolls are one of my favorite deserts." In response E said, "you've got to be kidding me, everything you just said is my favorite thing to do Every DAY."
Yes, my 3 year old can use Nacho Libre movie quotes better than I can in everyday conversation. At least that's what Paul said when I told him the story.
After watching Nacho Libre the other day E said, "Mom, Heavenly Father helped Nacho win!"
And that's why I let him watch it.. and so he can pick up some sweet fighting moves he can use on his punk friends. Just Kidding (Erin).

E says he doesn't really like to play outside or go to other people's houses for that long. He gets bored so fast. He wants to watch movies ALL DAY LONG. I used to limit to 1 hour a day screen time, but now it is 2, just for sanity. I can't say no that much. In the winter I might make it 3. I have only let E watch Star Wars like 5 times total, but I swear he lives in a perpetual Star Wars fantasy world. I am always Leah. He tells me he is Luke 100 times a day and won't answer if I don't address him right. He won't wear the white Luke tunic I made for him because now he is the Luke that wears black every day. I had to buy him new black clothes because I couldn't get him to take off his too small hideous black sweat pants. He has a black T-shirt with flames on it, but he wears it inside out and backwards so you can't see the pictures.

Most of his shirts he likes inside out and backward (see previous post for backward example.) I am astonished at how absolutely consuming Star Wars is to him. He will come up to me when we are at home and say, "do you have a bathroom." I'll point to where it is and then he will say, "Thanks, I've never been here before. I live in an igloo that is not made of ice with Aunt Baroo and Uncle Owen." Often he tells me that I am not his mom, that his dad killed his mom, and he lives with his aunt and uncle. I'm sure one day he is going to say this to an unsuspecting stranger and it's going to cause some awkward seconds.

He is incredibly obstinate and bossy. We have had to get very stern about bossiness lately. The kid is telling me what to do all day long. He says he doesn't like or want something just because he knows I would like it if he had some. He is so clever. He doesn't miss a beat. Because he understands everything, corrects me when I'm wrong, and remembers things like he has a photographic memory, it is hard for me to remember that he is only three. I often expect way too much from him. I really feel like we have our hands full with him.

His favorite books are Hardy Boys and Dinosaur Cove chapter books. He gets into these stories and roll plays them for hours.

Despite his obstinance, he really loves to choose the right, has a high moral character and knows what is right and wrong. He reasons so well. I heard him say to his friend tonight, "hmm, we both want this sword. What do you think we should do? How about I use it for a while, and then you can have a turn. Would that be ok with you?" Is he an adult?!

We started a preschool group with a few other kids his age. I'm really glad he will have a learning and social time 2 times a week for the winter. I know it is going to save us from ourselves. We went to a nature center for our first field trip. THese kids were so cute learning about the eagle!

The first preschool that I got to teach was about water creatures. It was handy that we have a pond in our backyard. The kids enjoyed it, and I had a great time too.

This one is from a long time ago, but still funny:
E: "Mom, guess what? Once there was a big big scary giant."
Mom: "you sure like to talk about that giant. I think that's about the 18th time you've told me that story today."
E: "Yeah, I talk 40 miles for hour. I talk fast like a race car and run fast like zis, see!"

J 22 months

J is at my favorite age. He learned how to talk in complete sentences this week. All of the sudden he can say so much! He is just cracking us up every day.
Yesterday in the car he announced "wisten guys, Wisten! I gaw da buger!" I feel like I am laughing all day long at his cuteness.
He loves to ask for hugs and kisses. If he gets hurt he comes to us and points to his owie and says "kisses". If he wants me to hold him he said, "hold it" or "hug". He is so good about saying "thank you." He always says it and then repeats it tons of times, and it sounds like "ank you." He loves to hold hands. He runs up and says "Han!" and then sweetly clutches your hand.
He climbs the shelves in the pantry for treats. He has a major sweet tooth. While E likes almost only salty stuff, J like the sweet stuff. J asks for pop cycles all the time. (he says it like "okykle". He loves ice cream and cookies. He says, "I share I cream".
He is remarkably messy. He loves to throw, dump smear and mash all his food. He likes to brush his hair with his toothbrush, write on his face with whatever he can find, and unroll the toilet paper and wrap himself up in it. Then he says, "princess" like he has created a masterpiece. He finds great delight in smearing his sticky food covered face and hands all over my clothes and furniture before I can catch him. I found a squished half of banana in between the couch cushions the other day! He loves to throw food at me, dump his milk and he basically requires disaster prevention nonstop.
He doesn't really ever say no yet. That's nice. He did learn to say, "no want to lay down." "no want to share ball." He loves to act like a super hero or call himself Luke "Walker" like his brother. He loves to sword fight. He's quite good at it. He challenges E to duels all the time. When he fights he spreads his legs into a really wide stance and gets the most serious look on his face. It's adorable! He likes to get into costumes too.

He has learned to "sing" the Star Wars theme music while he fights. (Yeah, you read that right. He's watches Star Wars.) He has INCREDIBLE balance. I'm amazed that he rarely falls even when he tries really dangerous things, (which he is always doing!) The new jungle gym that we built in the toy room has been so fun. J loves to climb up and over and back and forth. One day he "walked" across the horizontal ladder with his hands and feet and bent at the waist 4 times in a row the whole while roaring with each step like a dinosaur. He was so determined and courageous. I was really proud.
J loves water! He wants to swim all the time. On this particular day I told him we couldn't go swimming, so where did I find him 5 minutes later? Yes, swimming.

We were at the park the other day when I witnessed an adorable interaction J had with a squirrel. When he first saw the animal he jumped up a down saying "quirrel quirrel!" He started to chase it saying, "quirrel, I hold it. I get it, hold it!" when the squirrel ran up a tree J said, "where, where??" I told him he had run to the back of the tree. J walked around the tree several times saying "high... back back..." then J tries to climb the tree and when he can't, he stomps his little foot in frustration. I wanted to capture that sweetness forever.
J loves to go to sleep with lots of cuddles and calls for "mommy, daddy, milk, binki, doggy, and the elephant song." The elephant song is a song I made up, but both my boys love it. It's horses for E and Elephants for J.

J is so nice to E. He will leave his own milk to take E a cup of milk before he starts to drink. Now that is saying something. That's a mark of good brothers.

If one binki is good, two must be better!

J loves to announce, "I did it!" or "I made it!" Today he got out the play dough tools and brought them to me and said, "I make dinosaur." He said it until I got out the play dough and made a dinosaur with him. He is so cute, so sweet, so easy going and fun. He is a total snuggler and such a mommas boy. He has become So possessive of me. If he sees me holding another baby or kid he will run over and hit, jab, grab, punch the other kid while saying "mine, mommy!" I must stop him, but I'll admit, my little heart likes it a bit.

Love you J.

What's your method?

So Paul came home from work in a state of P.. A..N...I..C last Friday. The woman in charge of coordinating the residency programs at the hospital Paul is doing his internship at, pulled him aside at work and said, "P. I am so sorry you haven't heard, they are canceling the derm residency here for next year."
What the ???@!!@@$^#$%^
We have put everything for the past 2 years into getting this spot and everything was looking perfect up until ... this. The chances of us getting into a derm residency somewhere else are still there, but much Much slimmer. So.. he made some calls, confirmed that the bad news, sadly, was true, and, for the weekend; we waited.
Here is how Paul coped with he news:

He fired up the deep fryer. Hey, whatever works.. comfort food is comfort food, especially in times of great need for comfort.
At this point we are just praying and crossing our fingers that somehow the doctor that P. wants so badly to work with next year will find some way to get funding through another source besides the hospital. I am told that Medicaid cut 6 residency spots and the programs that directly benefited the hospital the least were cut.. ie dermatologists since they are in the hospital the least.
Pray with us please! We really want to stay here in Michigan for 2 more years and finish residency. Paul really wants to do dermatology. This may be the one and only shot we have. If he doesn't get in somewhere this year, he can take a year off to do research and reapply again next year to other programs , but that would be yet another year of no pay!

PS. Those were the best onion rings I have ever had. Sweet onions, bread crumb batter deep fried with ketchup and wing sauce... Yum! Good thing Paul doesn't get the fried food hankering more often.

Brother's in town

My brother came to Michigan for the first time this week. I love this kid. He's so handsome, nice, easy to get along with, and easy going. We tried to pack the week full of all kinds of fun. We took him to the Henry Ford Museum on free Labor day (Thanks to Target). We loved the airplane exhibit. We had a paper airplane battle that I won.. of course.
I always choke up a bit reading about the first aviators. Those men and women were so courageous and didn't let limitations hold them down.
We also loved looking at the bikes and motorcycles. Davy said he is going to build a bike out of wood. I'm waiting for that. :)

Dave rides a motorcycle so it was a lot of fun to see the evolution of those awesome machines.
We went to downtown Detroit to go to the GM building, sit in a bunch of cool cars, ride the people mover, check out the architecture, and enjoy the jazz festival. Great music and lots of fun booths to look at. We were the only white family I saw there. I'm sure there were others, but we kind of stuck out as the super whiteys. I loved the jewelry, but I would have looked ridiculous in any of those enormous earrings and bracelets, or the super bright colored clothes. Davy did buy some sunglasses that I thought were dorky, but he informed me that they were super hip and that I am old and don't know what's cool anymore. "Hmm Hmm, excuse me. Are you calling me... gulp ... middle aged??" After that I let him try to educate me about how to be cool. It started with me hemming some pants for him so that they are skinnier jeans. Yeah, I'm not going there yet. I guess I am stuck in my old lady "hip style".

We took Dave on a couple of bike rides. He got to ride our El Camino. See, we're kind of cool. I love bike rides. I also love taking pictures while riding a bike. It's a little risky, especially with a baby on back, but hey, I'm that kind of girl. (Paul took my camera away after I almost crashed. What an overprotective father.)

I taught Davy how to save loads of money coupon shopping. I've been having a lot of fun learning how to work all the sales. Why didn't I start this sooner? A lady in my ward (Diann) taught a class on couponing. It was amazing. Here is her deal finding blog.

Lake Erie is a fun place to go. We tossed the football around in this perfect humid weather for hours. I felt great but the boys were complaining and dripping buckets. I loved it, and they taught me how to throw a football farther than I ever have before.

Paul and I finished the play structure we have been working on. It has it's kinks that we are still working out (ask us before you build your own) but it is still super cool. We hung up hammocks (sheets) today and let the kids swing. This is a fantastic function of our invention.

To celebrate Dave's birthday and 6 years of Paul and I being married we decided to go to a Detroit Tiger's game. They didn't win, but we had a good time anyway! The Thai food before the game was great and the Friday Fireworks went way above and beyond our expectations.
Thanks to my man for 6 great years and many more to come.


Paul has started playing softball with a ward team. I love going to watch. He loves playing, and Dave said joining in this week was the highlight of his week. I hope he finds a team to play on back home. We went to the batting cages the next day and Davy loved telling me that he got this picture of me with the ball 1' above my bat. Yes, I was not pro, but I was not embarrassed either!



We got to lay out at the pool with the kids for the last time this season, share a ton of music, talk about photo editing, look at old photo albums, talk about career options, go out to pizza, play boggle and speed, thrift store shop .. twice.. and watch lots of 30Rock and movies.

This week was so packed with the last beautiful days of summer. The weather feels fleeting this week and we've been trying to pack in the fun before the dreaded winter takes over life. We loved having my brother here and miss him already! Thanks for coming and helping us get out and have tons of fun!

Well, it's 10:00, I have to go watch Antonio, the winner of Design Star on his first show. Yeah! I did love Dan, but Antonio will be fun to watch. I have to admit that I have been secretly fawning over the orange/ white chairs he used in his final room last Sunday. I looked for a picture, but no love. You can't see how cool they were on the review shots. I LOVE these chairs and want them.

Wow, I can't stop posting poitical views...

I support Campaign For Liberty. I believe the American people have the right to know where our tax money is being spent.

If you agree:

(Contact your representative and senators and urge them to cosponsor HR 1207/S 604 if they have not yet done so. If they have already signed on, tell them it is imperative that Audit the Fed receive a standalone, up or down vote on its own merits. Full transparency in our nation's monetary system is too important to be a minor footnote in yet another massive Washington bill.)

I also believe that the health care "reform" Obama is suggesting doesn't give enough incentive for anyone to become a doctor. It takes away so many freedoms a doctor has. Doctors are the only profession in the United States whose salaries have steadily declined for decades. Interest rates on medical student loans are rising and spots for training programs are decreasing as well as funding for the training. Taxes for higher income earners are 40% and rising. Those who earn a higher income will have to pay for health insurance for the lower class through taxes AND health insurance for themselves. If the government mandates exactly how a doctor can practice and how much money he/she can make, where is the incentive? This is NOT capitalism and not American in my opinion. I think if we want to change the high costs of health care we need to start with Tort reform and make people more responsible for their own health. Sorry if that sounds selfish. I want to help people. I want to take care of the sick and the needy, but I don't think making the doctors the main martyrs is going to increase the quality of health care. Isn't quality of health care all about the quality of the providers?

I get so worked up and passionate about this stuff, sometimes I need a breather... :)

Ahh. ...

Oh what do you do in the wintertime?

That's been on my mind a lot this summer. How am I going to keep these boys entertained this winter when I can't take them to the park everyday??
Solution:

Insist.. with just a little bit of prodding.. that my handy hunky husband make us an indoor play structure. He had his good reasons for resisting.. ie; we're hopefully moving to a house sometime soon, it's a tiny room, we don't have the right tools.. etc. But in the end, he is the king, and made it happen. Thanks to our friend Rick who provided all the awesome equipment, even if the kitchen did turn into the tool shop/ garage. We do what we have to do don't we.

The first night we had one ladder built, do you think we could keep the boys off of it? No WAy! It's too fun!
I can't wait to get it all installed and show you the final result. I'm hoping it will relieve a lot of the dreaded winter blues.
Thanks Paul. You Rock!

Garden Party

This week I co-hosted a Garden Party for our Relief Society. The day of the party the forecast said 100% chance of rain with scattered showers predicted all evening. We had planned to have the party in the breathtaking backyard of my dear friend Charyce. It rained and poured ALL day long. I held my breath, prayed and had faith that it would clear up. Everyone kept telling me we needed to change the location to the church. I held on. At 4:30, it was pouring rain. I moved the 5 long tables from the garage to the overhung porch and said a prayer. At 5:30 the rain had turned to a drizzle. At 5:45 I moved the tables to the soaking grass and set them up. The drizzle stopped. I layed out the table cloths, the clouds seemed a little less ominous. By 6:20, the sun was peaking through and as people started to arrive the weather was lovely. People kept saying, "you're sure taking a chance having it outside." It still looked like it might rain again, but we had faith.
The dinner was lovely, the games and prizes and spiritual lesson were wonderful. We had 45 women and the socializing was the best since girls at a tea party can't help but have fun. I wore my blond hair extensions and pearls. Kit wore this fabulous hat and looked amazing as always.

Erin even came in a boa. Charyce let us use her loads of vintage tablecloths, pitchers and gorgeous china. It was a night to remember. AND... it didn't rain a single drop. Thank you Heavenly Father. It was nothing less than a miracle.

I love these ladies!

50 lbs of tomatoes

This week I learned that 50 lbs of tomatoes may look like just one big box full, but it feels a lot more like a giant vat of tomatoes that you are drowning in. All I wanted to do was can some tomato soup, but this "small" task totally consumed me this week. Luckily my friend and partner in all things crafty (Kit) called to see if they could come to town this week. I said, "of course" as I secretly laughed my wicked mischievous laugh. Little did she know but that she would be helping me can a giant vat of tomatoes that night. She was a lifesaver and my hero for the week. When I was about to quit, she pressed forward. I think every dish, pan, pot, bowl, strainer, spoon and utensil in the kitchen was dirty at the end of our labors. Every cupbourd, counter, and wall was splattered. It was an immense mess, and for what?? About 40 jars of soup and salsa.

The next day the last thing I wanted to hear was the first thing I heard: "But mom, I hate tomato soup and salsa!" Of course, I didn't can it for the kids, it was for me. And, yes, I can go to the grocery store and buy perfectly good tomato soup and the salsa I like is only $1/ qt. at Aldi. So why go to the trouble? That is a good question I asked myself many times. And the answer is this. I feel really great that now I know how to can. I can preserve many foods now without intimidation. Knowing how makes me feel more self reliant, and prepared. There's something rewarding about strapping on an apron and doing what my grandma's have done for decades. In a way I am continuing tradition, doing a little bit to carry on a legacy. There's something earthy and good for the soul about the whole process.. even though I was about to tear my hair out through half of it. I do hope these beautiful jars will be comfort food this winter (even if it is only me that will eat it.)

I took the canner and the remaining jars to the storage unit this morning. I need some time to forget how hard the process was before I get ready for peaches or applesauce or anything. Again, I ask myself, is it really worth it? Maybe I will wait until I get my garden and orchard.

Celebrity Look-a-like?

We were flipping channels and came across Samantha Brown's awesome travel show. I have long admired her. I think she's charming, funny, great style and of course a great host. So when Eirik said "mom is that you?" was I flattered? Yes, very much so.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

This weekend we decided to go explore the wild outdoors. To us, this means camping. I had one night under the stars in mind, while Paul thought one night was not nearly enough, so we went for 2 nights.

(unfortunately Mom didn't charge the camera, so we got three precious shots .. not that great of shots either. Oh well.. )

On our first evening we made successful tinfoil dinners for us, hot dogs for the boys, and yummy s'mores. Then we went on a walk to the lake. The boys got to wade in the water and hold a frog and see bats. On the walk home it got dark. As we walked down a long dirt road with a thick canopy of trees in the dark watching the lightning bugs sparkle, the boys thought it was super cool and kind of spooky. On my shoulders Joren kept saying "Dark, dark" over and over again. When we had finally snuggled into our sleeping bags Eirik said, "I can't imagine what ever I would do wifout camping! This is so fun!"
In the middle of the night I woke up to check on the boys. I couldn't find Joren. I started to panic and wonder if he could possibly have unzipped the tent while I slept! As I looked through all the blankets again I finally realized that Joren had rolled over into Eirk so tight that it looked like just one kid! My boys spooned most of the night. (unintentionally).

The next morning we ate eggs and bacon and then went out fishing. Eirik got to reel in his first Blue Gill with his little Spider Man fishing pole. He's not very big into touching slimy things, but Joren is. Joren also couldn't get enough of the worms either.

After fishing we went to this farm called the Brighton Recreation Horse stables (or something like that). It's a great little place. We all got to go in the stalls and feed the sheep, goats, bunnies and tiny ponies. The sheep was as tall as Eirik and freaked him out, but we all had a fun time.
Then Eirik and I got to ride 2 horses on a 2 mile walk through the woods. Eirik was a sure fire cowboy. He kept a full on conversation going with our guide. I forgot how fun it is to ride horses. I committed to make sure our family gets to go on an overnight campout where you ride horses way up a mountain as soon as all the kids are old enough to go. Wouldn't that be fun!?
Paul got to lead Joren on a horse on a shorter ride. Joren loved it! He kept saying, "horse", "I horse now please!" "Helmet!" "Ride!" He freaked out when Eirik and I rode off on our horses without him and when he had to get off his horse he freaked out again screaming, "I horse now!!! nooooo, I helmet now!!!!! In saddle!!!" He was so sad. The tour guide said, "I have to admit, it's sort of freakish to see someone so little talk so well." Leaving the farm Eirik asked us in about 5 different ways if he could have his very own horse. While I am writing this (1 1/2 days later) Eirik just asked Paul if he can get his own horse when he is 17. I don't think this horse obsession will end any time soon. (I love it.)

That afternoon we drove around Brighton and stopped at a few garage sales and gawked at the beautiful homes. This is one I especially fell in love with because of the old world styling and because it was probably the most unique house we saw. I am not a cookie cutter, Mcmansion fan. I want an old farmhouse I can renovate, but I would love to give it some of this rounded roof (reminiscent of straw roof) craftsmen stone look. I love the huge timber entrance too.

Next we went on a little 2 mile hike through the beautiful woods. We carried the boys most of the way since they really don't get the concept of walking from one point to the next without stopping and rolling in the dirt or eating a leaf every few steps. It was a lot like pulling teeth, but really fun nonetheless.

That night we ate corn on the cob from the fire and sushi. (yes, sushi. My husband doesn't think a vacation is vacation (even camping) without eating out and spending money at a restaurant. Am I the weird one?)

In our tent that night Eirik helped Joren say the prayer. It was so cute. Eirk says one word, then Joren repeats it. Part of it went like this: "please (pees) help (hep) all (aw) my (my) brothers (broers) and sisters (sisers) to apologize (jize) to (to) thier (their) sins (sins). Please (pees) help (hep) all (aw) the (the) deer (deer) to (to) not (not) get (get) shot (shot).

On this trip Eirik picked up the phrase, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" This is really cute and unexpected from a 3 year old. Eirik has also been saying, "I do declare!" and "You are breaking my heart."
(What's really funny is that Paul's mom likes to tell about how Paul used to say that when he was a little kid. Paul remembers that as a child if he said, "stop guys, you're breaking my heart." it would work every time. ) I have to admit, I have little power when he says, "you're breaking my heart." It works on me. :)

Question of the day: How DOES a mosquito bite you through jeans!!??

Detroit Zoo

This Saturday we ventured to the Detroit Zoo to check out the new dinosaur exhibit. It was an extra $3 per person, but it was so worth it. These giant moving dinosaurs were so cool! I was expecting to see life size statues of dinosaurs in a big building like a museum. NO, these were outside in the jungle, moving and roaring and spitting water at you!
Cool!!
At first Eirik was having a great time, and then after a while he said, "I don't' like dinosaurs anymore. This is too scary!"
Joren loved it the whole time, but kept asking me to hug him. He was so cute.

Later that afternoon, out of the blue Eirik said, "MOM!!! Do you know what is even better than a striped mongoose?!!! Grandma's and Grandpa's and Aunts and Uncles!!"

Another funny thing that happened was while we were watching the meteor shower the other day before the kids went to bed. Eirik suddenly said,
"Mom, I'm scared of the meat-eater shower!"

Joren is talking like crazy and is so physical. He seems older because he is so mobile, so fast and such a great climber. His balance is remarkable. I think he'll be really good at sports. He loves balls and loves to throw things. He is coordinated in many ways. He could sword fight as soon as he could stand up and now he is actually quite skilled. He started talking in sentences yesterday. Guess what his first sentence was? "I need a knife." Nice.
I wonder where he learned that? (Eirik sleeps with a fancy butter knife under his pillow every night. He calls it his secret knife of warriors.)

On another topic, I got new contacts this week. I haven't worn contacts for 10 years. I got to wear sunglasses at the zoo for the first time in 10 years. I'm not used to them yet and kind of hate how hard they are to wear. I guess my prescription for an astigmatism is pretty severe and if my toric lenses rotate 10 degrees it's totally blurry so every time I blink it's blurry, focused, blurry, focused, but I geuss it's better than having broken glasses or having Joren rip them off my face every 5 seconds. I know you are all on the edge of your seats, so I will keep you informed about how it goes. :)

Joren 21 Months

Isn't he delicious?

Black snakes?

Does this look like a picky eater?

Yes this is my child who will only eat 3 out of every 100 things I offer or suggest, yet he will always eat..... duh duh duh.. Roman Noodles with blue or black food coloring in them. Don't ask me why. He will also never turn down beef jerky, hot dog or sausage. (yuk) I would love to be that mom who only feeds her kids organic healthy food, but I think my Eirik would starve himself to death. (I know.. kids won't do that, but please, he would seriously go days without eating.) What's a mom to do? Well, I just serve black noodles. Problem solved.

One of the best talks I have ever heard

If you're looking for something inspiring, this is one of the best talks about so many subjects of the gospel that I have ever heard.

Deseret Book Talk
Famous Last Words
Sister Sherrie Dew
(From the Deseret Book Audio Library)

I just posted a link on my sidebar to the new Mormon Channel that plays inspirational music and talks all day. I love putting it on while I cook or clean.