Sunday, November 30, 2008

Our Quiet Weekend

My life has been somewhat out of sorts for the past week. I ended up on jury duty for 2 days last week. Combine this with the Thanksgiving holiday and I only worked 1 day last week. Tomorrow, it should be interesting to go back to the chaos of my regular work week.
We had a fun Thanksgiving at Grandma's house. I made the pies and my mom and her husband took care of the rest. My kids are fairly good eaters, so holiday meals have never really been much of an obstacle. However, in the past year or so, Jacob has developed ideas of what he cannot eat. He promptly informed me that he is "kind of" allergic to pie, so he would not be able to eat any. Whenever I asked how he knew he was allergic to pie, he responded that he was "kind of" allergic. I still haven't figured out the difference, but it just left more pie for everyone else.
Jacob also ran into problems with the green beans. These green beans were not even normal green beans; they were cooked with bacon and brown sugar. I tried to tell him that they tasted more like candy than vegetables. I told him he had to take 1 bite of them. His response did not surprise me; he has done it before when he decided that he is not going to eat something. He began to gag himself. He was determined to make himself throw up (which I might add, he can do). This is a Jacob habit that really gets to me. Of course it was somewhat comical, so grandma, grandpa and myself were stifling the laughs that come when a 6 year old is trying to make himself throw up. I became determined and told him to just swallow it and it would be out of his mouth. He continued the drama. I think grandma didn't want to experience the puke, so I hear her say, spit it on your plate. To which I responded, no, swallow it. Repeatedly over his forced gagging, I told him to swallow. My mom finally gave in and said, your mom said you have to swallow, so you have to.
And guess what, he swallowed. And he didn't throw up. The green bean did not make him ill. His head was making him ill.
This is a huge frustration of mine with Jacob. But unfortunately it can be quite comical as well. But I did have 1 small victory when he swallowed the green bean.

Disclaimer: Please don't think I am force feeding my children. I don't make them eat what they don't like. I am just trying to make Jacob see that he needs to taste it before he decides.

The other big event of our weekend was the Beaver game. I have pondered how to write about the disappointment of thinking our team was headed to the Rose Bowl, but I haven't decided the best way to convey what I think. I will just say I was truly disappointed yesterday. But instead of thinking about how ugly that game yesterday was, I should be thinking about how great the season has been.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Our Thanksgiving Meal

I was telling Jacob that this Thursday is Thanksgiving and we would get to eat a lot of good food. I began listing the things...

Me: We will have turkey

Jacob: But we don't have turkey.

Me: Well we are going to eat at grandma's house, and they will go to the store and get a turkey.

Jacob: So, we're not going to shoot the turkey?

Me: Nope, we buy it at the grocery store.

Jacob: Oh, they already shooted it for us.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Pictures from Ally's Birthday

Me and Ally loving on each other



Opening presents




"It's just what I wanted."



Homemade Dora Cake



Blowing out the candles (Can you see the spit?)




Saturday, November 22, 2008

Twilight: The Movie

I think last night was the first time I actually waited in a line to get into a full theater and watch a movie. Luckily my mom and I got there early and we were pretty close to the front, because by the time they let us into the theater, this was the line and it was going all the way outside.
But after the long wait we were able to meet the Cullen family on the big screen...
So, was it worth it? Obviously, it wasn't the same as the book. Things had to be changed and hurried along more than in the book. It seems quite obvious that everyone had their own pictures of the characters. But I really enjoyed seeing this view of all the happenings of Twilight. And I have to admit, I fell a little more in love with Edward.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

I love this picture of Logan but I hope you don't mind the snot under his nose. Between colds and teething, the poor boy always has a runny nose.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Dear Ally...

Dear Ally,
It seems impossible that it has been 4 years since the first time we officially met. You entered this world in the same manner that you use to approach everything in life: fast and furious. You came 2 weeks early and when you decided you wanted to meet us, you wasted no time.
In the past year, I have watched you grow up in many ways. You have turned into an amazingly beautiful young girl. You observe the world and take in as much information as possible. You have learned numbers and letters from Jacob. You have learned Spanish from Dora. And you have learned to be a big sister from Logan.
Not only are you the single girl amongst your 2 brothers, but there are also mostly boys at daycare with you. You may be girly-girl, but those boys are never going to mess with you. I admire the way you assert yourself and we never have to worry about you being the forgotten middle child. I know you would never allow that.
Your confidence is amazing. You love to look at yourself in the mirror. Sometimes you are subtle and other times you're not, but if there is a mirror in the room, I see you gravitate to it. You know you are beautiful and you are proud of it.
You tell me when you grow up you would like to be a doctor. I'm sure if that is what you put your mind to, you will do it. But I have to tell you I love watching you sing and dance. I think that you will do some performing at some point.
I love you Ally! Happy 4th Birthday! Thank you for being a part of my world!
Love, Mommy














Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Dora, Dora and Backwards Fingers

I haven't written much about Logan on here. He is just always so happy and doing the things that toddlers do. But I thought I would share with everyone his biggest obsession yet...Dora the Explorer. We have a lot of Dora toys around our house and he finds them and shows everyone "Dora, Dora." Angie, our babysitter, had told me that he will sit and just watch Dora for a long time. I had never really seen it until today. We were home early this afternoon and the kids asked to watch Dora, so I turned it on. Logan became frozen on the couch staring at his favorite explorer. Later this evening, I was watching a basketball game. When it went on commercial Logan came to me and said "Done." At first I didn't understand, but then he pointed at the tv and said "Done...Dora, Dora." I told hime we were not watching Dora which led to a bit of fit throwing. Well here's he is totally engulfed in his Dora, Dora...
I also had to share waht Ally showed me tonight. She came up and said I can make an O with my fingers. I wasn't paying close attention and I tried to mimic what she was doing and then I realized that what her fingers were doing would be quite painful for me. So I snapped a picture instead...


Monday, November 10, 2008

I Just Wanted to Take My Kids For Haircuts...

This morning I noticed my children were in need of haircuts. Considering my mom works at SuperCuts, we take care of shaggy hair pretty regularly. So I called my mom this afternoon and asked how busy the day had been. She said it had been pretty steady, but to bring the kids in tonight.
So after work I picked up the kids and we headed for SuperCuts. When we arrived there were a few people waiting in the lobby, but we were there, so I decided we would wait. We settled in for the wait. I try really hard to keep my kids calm in this little waiting area, so we don't annoy the other customers.
First the kids built with legos. Then they looked at books and magazines. At this point we were getting a bit restless. The 4 of us turned around on the bench to look out the window and we decided to play I Spy.
Ally had her turn, she spied our car. Then it was Jacob's turn. Before Jacob could spy anything, Logan was throwing up all over the windowsill and the bench. So I turn him to look at me and he throws up some more all over me. My natural mommy sense told me I had nothing else I could do but let it land on me. Better on me, then all over the SuperCuts lobby.
My mom and her co-worker realized at this point I needed help. They excused themselves from their customers and ran for towels. But it was too late; the damage was done. Not only were Logan and I both covered, but so was the back of the bench and the window.
My mom and her co-worker were super sweet helping me wipe things up, but this wasn't a little wipe up amount of puke. It was a pull out the bench and scrub and even vacuum kind of puke.
I told them to leave me towels and I would work on it.
I directed Ally and Jacob to another bench. They were instructed to continue I Spy and be good. And luckily a couple of young men decided to join in the I Spy game and did a great job entertaining my kids. Thank you boys, whoever you are.
I placed Logan on a step stool and told him to sit. He did not act sick at all. He was ready to keep playing. I scrubbed and vacuumed and cleaned up as well as I could. And I really hope that there is no lingering smell.
Logan and I hung out mostly in the car, while my older 2 kids played I Spy and got their haircuts. After all was done, Logan was acting fine and we still needed to eat. So I went through the Burger King drive thru and got Macaroni and Cheese for the kids. I figured the pasta would be okay for Logan's tummy. When we got home I got the kids all set with their food and went to start some laundry. About a minute later Jacob and Ally were shouting at me that Logan was throwing up again.
After this Logan's food was thrown away, he got his pajamas on and I took him to bed. I really hope a good night sleep will help his yucky tummy. I think I am going to go cut myself a piece of pumpkin cheesecake and try to relax.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

A Few Things That I am Looking Forward To...

1. Next Saturday Jacob and I get to go to another Beaver game. They are playing against Cal and Oregon State finally got into the Top 25 this week. Our seats are right next to my friend from work, so it should be a good time!

2. Ally's 4th birthday is a week from tomorrow. Here's a picture from her birthday last year.


3. The movie Twilight premieres Friday, November 21st. I just finished the last book in the series and I already miss Edward and Bella.


4. After that comes Thanksgiving and the holiday season. As stressful as the holidays can be, there is still a part of me that is really excited for it to come.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Oklahoma

Tonight Jacob, Ally, GG and I went and watched the local high school perform the play Oklahoma. I had never seen the play or the movie, but I knew it was one of GG's favorites. And I always love going to watch a play. I have to say it was very cute. It is really fun to see how hard the high schoolers work on such a big project. I'm now inspired to rent the movie. I thought the kids would really enjoy it; I especially expected Ally to have fun watching the singing and dancing. Unfortunately this is how Ally looked by the intermission...
Next time we need a long nap before we do this, because she really seemed to love what she saw.



Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

This was our family a year ago. It's amazing how fast my kids are growing!!



Sunday, November 2, 2008

This is how I get to watch Desperate Housewives tonight...

Thank you Grandma for the early Christmas present!!!


Saturday, November 1, 2008

Busy Halloween

Our Halloween was a busy one, but what a great time we had. Ally, Logan and I watched the kids in Jacob's school parading in their costumes in the morning. In the afternoon we had Jacob's school party, a party at daycare, a party at Jacob's Tae Kwon Do school, dinner, trick or treating, and then a party with Grandma and GG at the Elk's Lodge. At the Elks Jacob was pretty proud to take 1st place in the dancing contest, while our Ally took 3rd. And Logan won the costume contest!


All our daycare friends!




Jacob...The Clone Trooper




Ally...The beautiful, princess mermaid



Logan...Darth Vader


Doing crafts!



Hope everyone else had a fun Halloween!