I knew this day would come

One of my boys finally, (finally!) let me spike their hair for crazy hair day.  I got so excited I even busted out the blow dryer to make it perfect.  I bought some hair gel in case this moment ever arrived. And it came! This is as crazy as we get with hair around here.  My boys are very conservative about the spiky stuff.  Another son was going to participate too, saw what I did to his brother, and opted out.  Hmmm.  Oh well.  Dreams do come true.

Personality Test?

Nathan

 Sam

 Spencer

 Matthew

 

I found the gingerbread house decorating to be fascinating this year.  We so clearly have 2 right brained children, and 2 lefties.  Nathan and Spencer were methodical, very orderly.  Sam and Matthew were throwing caution to the wind, putting candy anywhere their hearts desired. This fits them all so well.  Matthew and Sam are my creative, artistic children.  Nathan and Spencer are much more orderly and precise about how things should be.  I just watched in wonder how these traits seem to pour out into their houses. Afterward I went through and found some pictures of Spencer decorating when he was just two.  He was extremely orderly in his house then too.  Fascinating.

Favorite Halloween Activity

 I love carving pumpkins with the kids!  It might be the only part of Halloween I enjoy.  Not a huge fan of this holiday.  But those faces, oh my.  I will keep going each year for those faces.

 Spencer can't wait for Rio 2 to come out. 

 Sam is loving Idaho history this year.  Guess what he carved?

 Nathan wanted a happy pumpkin!

 Matthew wanted a vampire.

 Look at all the muscles!

What I did for my Birthday

 We took the family camping for my birthday.  It was my idea if you must know.  Jeremy asked me if he had proposed marriage by telling me we were going to take our four boys camping for my 36th birthday would I have accepted?  No way!  But it is amazing how our dreams change, and I couldn't have asked for anything more.  Fall camping is so lovely and quiet and cozy.

 This picture is hideous and unflattering.  But it's funny right?  Your welcome.  Spencer took this picture during the log throwing contest Jeremy and I were having.  For some reason we were throwing them behind us.  Is that a real thing?

 The boys did a polar bear dip.  It snowed later that afternoon.  Yeah, they are crazy. 

 We also went ice skating just to make sure we were really cold enough.  Nathan loved, loved it.  He couldn't get enough.  Huge tantrum when we had to leave.  Future hockey player?

Funny

That's one way to eat crackers.

Friday Thoughts

There are garbage cans all over my house.  Almost in every room of my house.  And yet.  Garbage.  Garbage everywhere.  Of every kind.  Food.  Used to be Food.  Broken Toy Parts.  Paper.  Chewed on unidentifiable Objects.  String.  Wrappers.  Wrappers.  Wrappers.  Why is this happening?  How can I stop this?

I like the idea of Polka Dots.  I can't seem to make them work for me.  Not on clothing or even decorations.  They look good on other people.  Hmmm.

I bought a black dry erase board.  I can't get any markers to show up on it.  Who thought of this dumb idea and why did I fall for it?  Also, dry erase crayons are a scam.  They are just crayons.  

Starburst candy corn is gross.  You want your starburst flavor chewy, not grainy.  Starburst jellybeans are yummy and acceptable.  Just enough chewy.

My son getting braces makes me feel like a real parent.  Like up until now I have just been babysitting.  Paying for orthodontia is a reality punch in the face. 

Oh Mama!!

 Look what I grew! So delicious!  It was so heavy I barely made it in the house.  Awesome. 

We had some discussions about September 11th today.  I was glad to hear they each learned about it at school too.  We remember.

Boom Chicka See Ya!

 

My youngest headed off to preschool.  He cried.  The teacher kept trying to reassure me he would be just fine.  I kept trying to reassure her that I was fine.  At least I hope she heard me as I yelled that out the window and screeched away.  Waaaahoooo!!!

6 more days...

Stick a fork in me this Mama is done with summer.  In fact, we are getting overcooked here.  At the beginning of the summer my children were so happy to be home.  They were happy to do whatever they wanted and wander the house and backyard.  If I came up with one or two activities during the week, it was a win for everybody.  Slowly they started requesting more and more activities.  Then we went on a couple of vacations that were filled with constant fun.  More fun that any kid could want.  Since we have been back the kids have lost control.  They are requesting me to entertain them every 10 minutes.  They want to go on rides, eat candy, play games with cousins, lets have people over, more people over, lets have amazing treats, tell me what to do with this minute and the next minute.  Oh my goodness.  GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!!!  Was that too strong?  I mean, have a great day at school!  You will love it!

Happy 4th of July!

Zoo Day

How is your summer going?  Ours is just dandy.  Today we headed to the Boise zoo.  Not a great zoo, but I have gotten used to it over the years and am happy to have a zoo in our fine city.  I told the boys to wear good shoes for the zoo.  This is what I got.  The flip-flop brigade.  Whatever, I guess they are not having foot pain like their Mom and they can wear non-sensible shoes.  Look at their arms.  They all walk the same!

 The zoo added a dinosaur exhibit.  Fake animals at a zoo are really funny to me.  We don't come to the zoo to see fake animals!  Anyway, the boys did like all the new dinosaurs.  They were also quite loud throughout the zoo.  I kept wondering if the animals were traumatized by these new sounds.  I was. 

 More fakeys.  I actually liked these better than the real ones.  Much more playful.

 Here they are, some real animals.  I think the giraffes are quite the highlight of the Boise zoo.  They are always out and ready to be seen.  Even if they are sleeping they are standing there so nicely for you.

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Fake safari jeep.  My kids love this thing.  Kids start driving at 14 in Idaho.  What?  That's right.  So, Spencer was showing me my future.

Happiest Wedding Day

7th Heaven

Twelve

 Spencer had his party last night.  He joined the world of cell phones.  He got his first phone call while opening presents.  He was very excited!  I am very excited!

3 More Weeks!!!

My sister Stacey is getting married.  We are so happy and excited for her!  Jason is a great guy and I am so happy he will be a part of our family. They are so cute together!!

Easter Photos

 Sometimes even a balloon and your toothbrush that you must hold at all times can't help.

My Boss

My three year old is the most demanding boss I have ever had.  He keeps track of what I am doing every minute of the day.  He tells me to stop doing that.  He tells me I am doing it wrong.  I have to get his permission to run errands.  I find myself begging him to be able to stop at the post office or bank.  Sometimes he says yes.  Potty training this one was like presenting your boss with a whole new system for running the business.  No way.  He is the boss. 

MIne, all Mine

 Somehow we ended up with four belts on and kind of matching outfits AND a few minutes early for church.  I grabbed the camera.  My boys are great at taking photos showing their true personalities. Love these boys!

Love

This was my view as I relaxed by the pool in Phoenix yesterday afternoon.  My sweetheart whisked me away for a 24 hour trip to the sunshine.  Desperately needed.  I feel like I can make it through this winter now.  Wonderful, wonderful Valentine gift.  I hope you all are getting spoiled today!

Happy January