Expect the Unexpected

So Wednesday evening was open house at the kids school. Right before I got ready to go, I told Jackson we were going to talk to his teacher to see how things were going. He immediately piped up and said (with his index finger on his cheek and his head tilted), "I think I peed in the sink but I didn't get a citation." His teacher said she wanted to laugh but refrained and put him in the hallway for punishment.

Leighton's teacher was thrilled with Leighton's straight forward way. She asked him why he was doing something he wasn't suppose to and he said, "my brain is tired of listening to you." She didn't quite know what to say to that.

Both teachers say they can't help but adore them all things aside. Thank goodness for patient teachers.

Kennedy's teacher didn't have any scary stories for us. Kennedy is on the other side of the spectrum. She informed me that she's only going to use cash in the future because checks and credit cards are too hard to keep track of your true balance. She already gets it. It took me years to understand that you couldn't just write a check. I'm going to hire her to be the boy's tutor.

This parenting stuff is hard work and I pray each day I can make it and be the kind of mom I should be.

Preschool

Boston is my first that cares where I am at all times. He refuses to go to nursery at church, thinks everytime I make a phone call it's for a babysitter, and hates when I leave the house without him. So preschool 2 times a week for 3 hours is pushing him out of his comfort zone.

He went in crying and came out looking like he'd been crying the whole time, even though they said he stopped after 5 minutes. And the funny thing is, I didn't know what to do with myself for those 3 hours. I went to Target, filled up a fountain drink and just wandered, aimlesly (not for 3 hours of course). My domestic duties at home awaited me so that's where I ended up. Maybe Thursday I'll feel more like celebrating.

SANITY

Diva Kennedy
Jackson striking his own pose.
Leighton choosing this pose.

Today was a beautiful day! The blessed children went to school. Other than Boston going #2 in his underwear as we were loading in the van (1st time for this) and the flash flood as we were picking up, the day went fairly smooth. Tomorrow Boston goes to 3 hours of preschool so that's when the celebrating will truly begin.

Hair cuts

Eric has started a tradition of getting all the boy's hair cut at the same time. Of course Boston goes every other time because all his requires is a little trim. "Sunshine's" hair is here to stay.

From Their Perspective

At bed time, we usually sing a song to the kids and they pick which one they'd like to hear. On one instance, Kennedy and Boston's choice was, "I Am a Child of God." So I was singing in my best end of the day voice (not good) and when finished Kennedy asked me,"Why didn't you try out for American Idol?" So flattering, especially when I've been told I sound like Angela Landsbury in Beauty & The Beast (old ladyish).

This past week upon returning from Kennedy's soccer practice, the twins told me I should go to the Olympics and do gymnastics because, "you have a flat body." I guess Eric told the boys that he wasn't in the Olympics because his tummy was too big. The twins are hoping to some day go the Olympics in wrestling, although they haven't even started yet. Now that's vision!

Boston has developed quite the vocabulary. Unfortunately most of it revolves around the word stupid. There's a song on the radio by Taylor Swift that talks about "that stupid old pick- truck" (totally red-neck) and each time it comes on the radio he picks right up on it. I try to change the channel before it gets to that part but he knows. He doesn't miss a beat. He's by far our most challenging child believe it or not.

On another note, I drive 20 miles to go to my favorite McDonald's. It has an exercise play area including basketball, dance revolution, bikes, a track, and a climbing structure. Check out how well Jackson fits on the bike. He resorted to pedaling with his hands. Leighton is doing the dance pad and Boston of course is shooting baskets. He loves any kind of sport. Look at his form. We're hoping he takes care of us in retirement.

I can't forget Kennedy. Her new obsession is pot stickers. She's learned how to cook them and wanted to show off her skills.

This blog has alleviated some of my guilt as a mom because I'm now keeping a journal and scrap booking all at the same time. I just wish I would've figured it out earlier.

Cheapskate

It was brought to my attention that I use the word "free" a lot in my entries and that I come across as a cheapskate. This is not the case as I visit a drive through a couple times a day for a fountain soda (Diet Pepsi is my favorite) and as you can tell my children do not miss a meal. I do like a good deal so when something is free, I like to point it out.

Of course, I wasn't offended by this so please know this entry is just to clear the air that we're doing just fine.

Zion's National Park

We decided to be spontaneous and take the kids to Zion's National Park Wednesday evening after Eric got home from work. We've never been there in all these years of living in Utah and here in Nevada. We packed only 2 small bags and jumped in the van for the 3 hour tour.

What a majestic place! We took the shuttle bus through the park and stopped for a hike to the "Emerald Pools." Because we're beginners this was a good place to start. Aside from the twins and Boston wanting to walk along the scary edge and Jackson having to stop to "scratch his itchy bum," we had fun. It's amazing what nature has to offer.

While on the bus, Jackson got a bloody nose and the only thing we could find was a pair of his underwear still in his backpack from school.

Upon returning to find the shuttle bus, the twins were concerned we were going to miss our ride. They were calling out for a "taxi." City kids.

We also visited Zion's Fort and snapped some fun pictures. We had to be back Thursday by 5 pm because it was our turn to drive for soccer (Kennedy has switched to club ball which means commuting to Summerlin, a 30 minute drive). It was a whirlwind 24 hours filled with entertainment and adventure.

Escaping the Heat

It's about this time of year, I wonder why I live where I live. The kids are tired of swimming and my leather-back is tired of seeing the sun. When each day is as hot if not hotter than the next, it gets old. So this weekend I decided to take the kids to Mount Charleston (a 45 minute drive). It was definitely cooler, 85 degrees. We went on a little hike in flip flops because I didn't prepare very well. After about 15 minutes, I came to the conclusion that I'm raising wimpy city kids. Jackson wanted someone to hold his hand because he didn't want to slip. They were complaining they needed water (I did bring that) and that this wasn't very much fun. I must admit Mount Charleston doesn't even compare to the Utah mountains but I tried. It's hard to come up with things to do that are free and require exercise when it's 110 degrees outside. In January when we're playing at the park and it's 30 degrees every where else, it all makes sense.

Talent Show

Today was the last day of "Summer Magic," a free program offered by the City of Henderson for all children kindergarten age through 12. Jackson and Leighton went a couple times a week (it was offered everyday from 9 am - 1 pm) and wanted to go every day but I gave the leaders a break by going every other day. Today was the much anticipated talent show. Although we didn't do much rehearsing, the boys appeared very confident. Jackson chose to show off his hip-hop dancing and Leighton told jokes. Sorry the pictures don't do it justice.

They're to the age where they want to be individuals and get frustrated when they're confused for each other. They won't dress alike any more which had to come to an end sooner than later. I was the driving force behind that but their kindergarten teacher asked me to dress them differently because no one could tell them apart (although Jackson has a fuller face and weighs more than Leighton). Can you guess who is who?

Alaska

Eric just returned from a week-long fishing trip to Gustavas, Alaska. He brought back two, 25 pound boxes of halibut and salmon and gave most of it to friends because I'm not a big fish eater. Anything that smells like that, scares me. He says Alaska is the most beautiful place he's seen and that's saying a lot for a Southern California boy. The beach is pretty hard to top for him.

He met a couple friends from his BYU college days (Matt Cox and Dustin Johnson) and had a great time. The three of them drove back East to NFL training camps back in their glory days so they have quite the history together. They used to have locker room stories to share now they'll have fishing stories to tell.

They saw whales, seals, walrus, bears, and lots and lots of fish. I think 5 days of fishing was more than enough for Eric. On the last day, Eric stayed back and talked business with the "Chinook Lodge" owner (also a friend from BYU ). Our future may involve Alaska. You never know.

I'm sure glad he's back and the kids really missed him. Every time we'd pull up to the house and they'd see his car, they'd say, "Daddy's home!" I'm turning into chopped liver. That's okay. I don't mind. Now maybe I can go away for a week. Ha! Ha!