The Man Who Knew Too Little: October 2008

Friday, October 31, 2008

Halloween!

The pirate, Jack Sparrow with Sleeping Beauty just before we went trick-or-treating tonight.

ALL the kids ready to go. If you can't tell what I am, I am a huge bag of M&M's. I made the costume with a black garbage sack and first aid fabric type tape. Cost of my costume $3.17. Being called "big M&M bag" instead of Daddy any time my kids wanted my attention tonight, PRICELESS!

On the phone just a couple of days ago I was talking to the kids about Halloween. They asked what I was going to dress up as. I told them that I would probably just take them trick-or-treating and not dress up (there is no scarier mask then the one I was born with anyway). A stated in one of the best teenager voices I have heard, "We are not going to let you take us trick-or-treating unless you are wearing a costume Daddy!"
We were at Target and saw some ruby slippers like Dorothy wears in the Wizard of Oz. When I showed them to A, she said, "OH MY CUTEST GOSH!"
T also has started to say, "Oh my holy heck!" Nope, I still can't figure out where any of these statements come from.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

The Getaway of a Lifetime

Sure, I have had a few friends recently come back from Disneyland; my parents just toured all over Washington D.C. and New York; and I have certainly heard all about Hawaii on several occasions. But I am sure none of those compare to the paradisaical getaway of Skull Valley/Dugway, Utah. Isn't it gorgeous? Who cares about pristine beaches? What has Mickey Mouse or the other characters done for anyone except make parents spend more money on their kids? Certainly it does not have the overcrowded tourist attractions of NY or DC! Just look at it! Oh yes, this kind of bland, minimalist scenery goes on for miles! As far as the eye can see! When you need an escape from it all, there is nothing better than this! There is NOTHING out here!!!! The best part? It's not too far away from most of you. Just take I-80 west from Salt Lake and get off about 1/3 of the way between Salt Lake and Wendover. Then you only have to travel about 30 miles on a crappy, torn up two lane road. I ask you, where else can you go over a cattle crossing at 75 MPH? Oh, YES! This is what heaven must look like for sure, and I got to experience far too much of it once again today! I feel bad keeping it all to myself.

On a side note, have you ever known the people who are just so amazing, it seems they are filled with light? You know, the kind, wonderful people who just seem to have such a spirit about them. The people who radiate so much light, that it looks as if they are just glowing all the time? I certainly know a few. If any of you have ever thought that about me (I know, EXTREMELY unlikely!), you may need to understand something. You see, as you are driving out to Skull Valley, there is a huge sign (with probably ONLY 30 bullet holes in it) that says something to the effect of "No dumping of nuclear waste, EXCEPT by permit." Since this is not at all my first time out there, you now know why I might be glowing. Consider yourselves informed, sorry for any confusion. Also, unless someone has a permit, I guess we will all have to figure out something else to do with the spent nuclear fuel rods that are cluttering up our garages huh?

Monday, October 27, 2008

One Last Pumpkin

I made myself take a break from studying today. I looked out the kitchen window and noticed there was still one pumpkin left in the garden. I decided it needed to be carved too. So, here it is.

My Sarcastic Look at Halloween

At the end of every October,
we celebrate the dark.
We all run around to the local stores,
for the best costume, we embark.

We spend our thirty bucks,
then happily we go along.
We listen to “Monster Mash,”
or some other stupid song.

All year long we busily clean,
to keep spiders and cobwebs away.
This month changes all of that,
and it’s suddenly quite the display.

We find ourselves an orange pumpkin,
and as a family, pull out its guts.
We laugh to ourselves, an evil laugh,
as we systematically carve out our cuts.

We go back to the store; we fill up our carts,
with the candy any kid would desire.
Their sacks we then stuff, as they yell “TRICK OR TREAT,”
through their crazy Halloween attire.

All year we teach, truth and light,
telling them, “the dark is bad.”
On Halloween, we change our tune,
we encourage this night to be glad.

We share nightmarish stories,
of ghosts, or goblins, or witches.
Crappy candy they throw aside,
and it quickly fills our ditches.

All year long we teach our kids,
“Don’t take candy from a stranger!”
Then one night a year, we say
“go ahead, what could be the danger?”

“Don’t just go to one house,
go to as many as you can!
Get as much as your bag will hold,
the journey’s only began!”

Amazingly, nothing seems wrong,
as we encourage our kids to go.
We then show them the scariest people,
the night could ever know.

We teach them to say “thank you,”
as these people give our child a sweet.
We know there’ll soon be a sugar high,
where kids seem to jump out of their feet.

Around midnight, this high stops short,
and swiftly turns to a sugar coma.
Smells from candies fill the air,
giving our homes a new aroma.

Even after they've gone to bed,
you'll hear them scream from a scare.
Surprisingly enough, you have learned,
scary stories give quite the nightmare.

Don’t ever think the candy is gone,
they’ll sneak it for several weeks.
They’ll hide it well from us parents,
then suddenly, it will fill their cheeks.

Their thirty dollar costumes, once so cool,
get shoved somewhere for a while.
Finally we decide they’re of no use,
and put them in the Deseret Industries pile.

We take the kids to the dentist,
the check-up seemed to come so quick.
You thought everyone gave your kid a treat,
when a cavity was in fact the trick!

From all of this you’d think we’d learn,
and vow to keep it away.
October then rolls around again,
and we do everything but keep it at bay.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Pumpkin Carving

Today at church the kids learned about music and arts and how it relates to church. They made these really cute Halloween pictures (I will try to post them sometime). After church it seemed to be as busy as could be. We even ended up carving our pumpkins in the backyard. The second we were done, we rushed down to their Mom's so they could go to one of their cousin's birthday parties. We had so much fun carving the pumpkins tonight. I ended up going on our usual walk around the neighborhood by myself. The weather was so nice, I figure I have to get all the outside time I can before it changes. You would not believe how many people stopped me to ask where the kids were. I guess it is common knowledge that we go on a walk on Sunday nights. I wanted to share a little tip I read about a year or two ago. If you want your jack-o-lantern to last longer you should rub Vaseline on parts of the pumpkin that you cut out (i.e. the eyes, mouth, nose, etc), the white part that your knife actually cut. This seals it and makes the pumpkin take a lot longer to rot out. I have done it for the last couple of years and it works really well. I would not try it on the whole inside of the pumpkin though. Let's not forget that Vaseline is really PETROLEUM jelly, and lighting a candle too close to it could cause some hot looking pumpkins.

Here are the kids digging out all the seeds and guts of their pumpkins. Don't you love how cute they look in the aprons. What a beautiful day!

Here is T with his finished jack-o-lantern, can you guess what he is going to be for Halloween?

Here is A's jack-o-lantern. She just wanted it to have a silly face (she even had to prop it up all funny). Although if you ask her she says it looks just like Sleeping Beauty! (HAAAAHAAA!, that was about the funniest thing I have heard today. If sleeping beauty looked like that, the Prince might let her sleep a little longer if you know what I'm saying.) Can you guess what she is going to be for Halloween?

They wanted me to e-mail them pictures when they were glowing at night, so here they are.

Here is T's glowing in the night.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Leaves/Pajamas 2

Today we raked up all the leaves in the front yard. The kids love doing that and especially love playing in them. We had some other great plans of stuff we were going to do today, but they didn't happen. We were going to go to the "Boo at the Zoo," or go to the Gallivan Center for the "Monster Bash." Right after playing in the leaves, T's stomach decided it didn't want to do any of those things. Just before going outside he said that his stomach was bothering him. We soon found out why. We only had to change his clothes three of the times, scrub the carpet four of the times, and just make sure he had a bucket the rest of the times. Needless to say, we just stayed home for the day. Poor little guy, I hate seeing the kids sick. It makes me so sad for them. He ate lots of saltine soda crackers tonight and that seemed to really help, and it was something he kept down. He got a flu shot late Thursday evening, and I am wondering if his body is responding to that. He and A have been eating all the same things lately and no one else in the family is sick. Hopefully he will wake up tomorrow morning and feel 100%.

T with his ebony pair of new pajamas and his barf bucket, watching a movie on the couch

A wearing her other set of new pajamas

The kids playing in the leaves

More of the kids playing in the leaves

T was the first to jump in

Friday, October 24, 2008

New Pajamas

Today we went to the store to (amongst other things) get the kids some new pajamas. They really wanted me to take a picture of each of them. They always can find some reason that I need to take a picture of them. Really, with digital cameras, why shouldn't they? I have just been lucky enough to catch them and supervise when they feel like they need to use the camera. Their pajamas came in sets of two, so expect me to possibly post more pictures tomorrow night!

Here is A in her new "I Love Hugs" and "Kisses" pajamas.

Here is T is his ivory set of Lightning McQueen pajamas. Expect to see his ebony ones tomorrow.

This is a card that my Mom made and sent through the mail to us. As you can see she makes some amazing things. She is very artistic (including painting every painting but one in their home). She sends these out to every one of her children's families on EVERY holiday from St. Patrick's Day to Christmas (need I remind you, I have six siblings). It really is such a neat thing for all of us, especially the kids, to receive mail from Grandma.

T has been talking in the third person all of a sudden lately (i.e. T wants a waffle for breakfast). I have been trying to correct him so that he does not sound like Karl Malone or Bob Dole. Today I told him that if he is talking that he just needs to say, "I would like a waffle, not T would like a waffle." He responded by telling me in a matter of fact way, that, "T does not want to talk that way, he wants to call himself T."
A & T made a huge mess of their toys this morning in the family room. I told them they had to clean it all up this time by themselves. A started, but got distracted by T's lack of enthusiasm, and him teasing her at the moment. She would say, "Okay, I am going to tell Dad then if you won't help" and start to march to where I was (I could hear their conversations the whole time). Just as she was about to see me, T would say, "Okay, okay I will help." This went on many, many times. Finally, A said, "if you don't help for real this time, I will just have to take care of you myself. I am tired of having to go look for Daddy every second."
T & A's Mom must have recently taken them to the Living Planet Aquarium. They have been talking about it here and there. T kept referring to a "toedis." I was trying to figure out what he was trying to say. I said, "do you mean tortoise?" He said, "no, a toedis." I began to think that there was some species that I had never heard of. They finally told me it was like a frog, but different, so I said, "you mean a toad?" They both said yes. Later, the kids were being silly, but still really nice to each other. Just before giving each other a hug, T said, "awe come here you little toedis" to A.
We were driving in the car tonight and T kept saying how he is going to drive a Corvette when he grows up. That is what I tell people all the time too! A said that she was going to drive one of those cute little LadyBugs. It is going to be pink with a purple butterfly painted on the side. I knew that she meant a VW Bug, but it was too cute to correct her. Really, not to offend anyone, but it should be called a Lady Bug anyway. Barring extenuating circumstances, any guy caught driving one of those around is probably not attracted to ladies if you know what I am saying.
Today while we were at the store, we looked at some books. T showed me this Lightning McQueen set that had four little books in a case. I told him that was neat. He said, we have books like this, but they are just poo books. I was sort of taken aback and laughingly said, "what? We don't have poo books at our house." He attempted to explain, and I tried to figure it out in my head. It took me a moment, but I realized that we have some Winnie the POOH books like that in a little set. That is what I get for assuming the worst. I mean next time my kids speak of something that I think belongs in the bathroom, I will definitely think of anything else it could possibly be (okay, probably not).

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Deep Thoughts, Shallow Brain, Part 15

wealth, noun: the quality of profuse abundance.

I AM WEALTHY
Not because I own a big spacious home,
where every fixture is covered in chrome.
But I have a home of life, love and laughter,
memories for each of us throughout the hereafter.

I AM WEALTHY
Not because I drive the fanciest new car,
the shiny new paint without one tiny mar.
But it constantly gets me where I need to go,
through hot summer heat, or winter’s harsh snow.

I AM WEALTHY
Not because I have tons of money in the bank,
raising me up high on the Forbe's list in rank.
But we have food from the local grocery store,
we have all that we need and then plenty more.

I AM WEALTHY
Not because our clothes are the latest design,
our closets full, with every popular new line.
But we can get dressed for the weather each day,
if we are going out to work or going out to play.

I AM WEALTHY
Not because my job gives me everything I want,
allowing me to do as I please and act nonchalant.
But I have work that keeps me busy and employed,
the experiences great and associations I’ve enjoyed.

I AM WEALTHY
Not because I hang with the most happening crowd,
being invited to the places, only select people are allowed.
But while I may have few friends, I value every one,
when it comes to the heart, they can’t be outdone.

I AM WEALTHY
Not because I have skills of an incredible athlete,
with throngs of people worshipping me at every meet.
But my mind and body function, in the ways that they should,
giving me the choice to use them for bad or for good.

I AM WEALTHY
Not because I’m famous and all see my name,
lit up on some marquee, showing the world my fame.
But I have people who like me the way that I am,
I'm not required to take, the world's exam.

I AM WEALTHY
Not because I possess some vast amount of gold,
my name filled on A-lists of celebrities untold.
But I have been blessed, my needs have been fulfilled,
I’m grateful for all I have, and I choose the life I build.

So many still don’t get, that it’s not just about the stuff,
if your focus is on those things, you’ll never have enough.

I slowly have seen all that REALLY gives one wealth:
a loving family, a life of service, or the blessing of good health.

How amazingly rich, we would realize ourselves to be,
if we seek what’s most important, for all of us to see.

HOW WEALTHY ARE YOU?

Monday, October 20, 2008

Buying and Baking

Today the kids and I ran a bunch of errands. The thing that stinks about running errands is there always seems to be less money in your bank when you are done. Unless of course all you are doing is making bank deposits (sadly, not the case with me). While we were at Target we found a new learning game for their computer (a while back I bought them an old desktop that they can play learning games on), which is supposed to help to prepare the kids for Kindergarten. They seemed to really enjoy the games and it seemed like they were learning a lot. It is laid out well enough that I only needed to check on them. I did not have to hover over them to show them how to do everything. It had plenty of voice instruction. By the end of their 30 minute (each) session, they were starting to spell words and they were working on addition. I cannot believe that I am a Daddy to almost 5 year old twins. I used to think it was so stupid when people would say how quickly kids grow up. I guess it is something you cannot see and feel until you are in the situation. In the afternoon the kids and I made regular and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. They turned out okay, but don't go thinking I am some gourmet chef. It is just really fun to do with the kids. I think oatmeal chocolate chip cookies may be my favorite. As always the kids were so eager to help and be involved. The one thing they always want to do more than anything else is help crack the eggs open. Needless to say, I still give quite a bit of hands on supervision with that one. Every time we have made cookies, they are so interested in the baking process of the first batch. They turn the light on for a few seconds and peek at them. Then they go play and come back and do it some more. They are such cute little characters.

This afternoon the kids and I were talking to someone. They said that something made them so sad that it was like someone stabbing them in the heart with a knife. T thought that was hysterical and began laughing so hard as he questioned them about what they had said.
We were walking around the neighborhood and started getting close to the "busy street" by our house. I told A she was too far away and needed to come back and hold my hand. As she was coming back, T said, "yeah or else a car could go eerrrrccchhh and then make us go spplattt! " I swear those were his exact sound effects. He then started laughing at his joke. I honestly do not even know where they learn some of this stuff (although that doesn't stop me from laughing at it).

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Funny Sunday

Today in their Primary class the kids talked about being reverent (something we could use some help on sometimes). Their new teacher taught this week, although both teachers are usually there every week. They colored "reverent" feet. They colored two feet on a sheet of paper of what they thought their reverent feet looked like. They also learned about helping others. Just before Sacrament they got to go and learn a little about the Sacrament and the room where they prepare the Sacrament. At the end of class they were each given a paper with a star for each day of the week. They get to color a star for each day they help someone else or do something nice. In Sacrament Meeting I think the kids forgot some of what they learned in their class. They were a tiny bit too rambunctious.

In the evening we took an extra pumpkin from Grandpa's garden to a neighbor across the street. Their family is from Germany, so many aspects of Halloween are somewhat foreign to them. The girl seemed so excited for her pumpkin. She even "tried" to carry it all over the place. She then gave the kids some cute little home made bracelets and odds and ends. It was really fun. Afterwards, we went on our usual Sunday night walk and had a fun time. One of the kids' favorite things to do is to walk on large decorative rocks that people have in their yards. A kept losing her shoe. After many times of me mentioning it, she decided that flip flops really are not great rock climbing shoes. We sure are going to miss the nice weather we have been enjoying, but the kids can't wait to go sledding and build a snowman.

On a funnier note, I wore THE tie today. I had quite the funny comments, especially when I wore it to a meeting this afternoon. My tie was sticking up out of my suit a little bit and one guy said, "gee, you having a hard time keeping that tie down?" I was really surprised how many people did not even notice it though. I am thinking it is a good once every month or two kind of tie just for fun.

Today T was sitting between my brother and me. I made a smart remark to my brother and he flicked me on the cheek. Without missing a beat, T punched him in his cheek, sort of hard. T was laughing thinking that it was a cool game that my brother and I were playing, and he just wanted his turn. Maybe that will teach my brother not to pick on little tiny old me all the time.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Another Day in Paradise

With a title like that, you would think we were vacationing in Hawaii, or perhaps the Bahamas. Nope, but we have our own little version of paradise and we don't have to go anywhere. We haven't done a whole lot the last couple of days, but we always have fun together. We have used the bikes a lot and have been riding them all over the neighborhood. Luckily it warmed back up (even if it is brief) for a little while following the snow storm. This morning my parents took us all to breakfast and later in the day we spent a whole bunch of time at the library. I think I read the kids at least 12 books while we were there. We followed that up by finding two movies and a million books to bring home. When we went to check out, the librarian told me that I had a fine on my card of $14 and I could not check anything out until it was under $10. Anyone who knows me knows that it is rare that I use anything other than my debit card, I never really even carry cash in my wallet. Apparently the library is one place that they don't take American Express OR Visa and Mastercard! The library was about to close. I knew by the time I ran to the ATM, and then back to the library, I would not make it. Needless to say I had two kids who were slightly upset with their Daddy. I honestly explained the situation to them and they seemed to calm down pretty quickly. I am sure we will be back there Monday without question. I really had so much fun sitting with them on the little tiny couch and reading them books. Being with them is always so fun. I don't feel like I need to be doing an amazing amount of stuff with them to just enjoy our time together. They are such great kids and I am so blessed to be their Daddy.

DISCLAIMER:
If I have even two people left reading my blog, I have to give a disclaimer. I realize that the day to day happenings of our lives (particularly my thoughts) are not that interesting. I promise I don't have a superiority complex. This is just my way of keeping a general journal, and if one person finds it interesting, then that is all the better. :)

PAST:This is a picture of T a few years ago (age 1 1/2). They both used to love to try to walk around in my huge shoes. As advanced as they are, they just kept babbling about walking a mile in another man's shoes. That is what I heard, but I couldn't understand them perfectly. This is easily one of my favorite pictures of T.

PRESENT: T asked me to take his picture when he ran off in my shoes today. He is starting to grow into them nicely, can you tell? I thought it was so funny that he would want a picture in them, as I was just looking at the other picture a few days ago. Incidentally if anyone is dressing their kid as a clown for Halloween and needs some big shoes, I got you covered.

A made the above pictured clock yesterday. It was really cute. She then came and showed me all of the numbers and what they had to do at each time. She said, that they had to go to bed at 8, they ate breakfast at 9, showered and brushed their teeth at 10, ate lunch at 11, ate dinner at 12, and brushed their teeth and got their pajamas on at 1. I know it might seem like I ask a lot of the kids, but darn it, it is for their own good!
Today the kids had the option of going to the zoo for a couple of hours, or the library for a little bit. They chose the library. You don't have to tell me, I know they are such smart kids. :) The only thing that is funny is that they always call it the "lyberry". I was working with them to say library by saying it really slowly. So, they kept copying me by slowly saying, lyyyyyy,berrrryy. They eventually ended up getting it..... at least until next time.
When we were driving to the library, T started to once again call it the lyberry. A kept correcting him. T got frustrated and said, "A could you just let me talk how I need to talk, it is not even your business how I talk!"
A will often tell T something that he probably heard at the same time she did, or that he already knows. He will respond to her by calmly saying, "I know, I know, 10 times, I know."
The kids were playing learning games on PBSkids.org today. T has become quite proficient with the computer, with A not far behind. T was telling A that she needed to do something. A in a matter of fact way stated, "DON'T BOSS ME BROTHER!"
At dinner tonight, T said the prayer. He really says sincere prayers lately and tells Heavenly Father all that he is thankful for. He always mentions the Savior, and usually mentions President Monson as well as family and friends. Tonight one of the things he said was, "I am thankful for A, she is such a good sister who draws me pretty pictures. Please make her know I love her even when she is driving me nuts and I get mad at her."

Friday, October 17, 2008

Ugh-Ugh

I was looking through some home videos a little while ago with my friend. We found this one where the kids' reaction to a question is hilarious. It is also one of the only videos where names are not mentioned. Watch their heads closely as well as listening to them. They were maybe a year and a half at the time. So far I have been really lucky that the kids have always enjoyed showers and baths. I hope that it continues on like that forever.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Who Am I?

For all of you who watched or listened to the Presidential debate last night, I am "Joe the Plumber!" I can't wait for the royalties that are going to roll in for every time I have been referenced lately.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Deep Thoughts, Shallow Brain, Part 14

I had a rough day today,
it really wasn't so great.
Everything seemed gray,
I just felt so much weight.

Things just seemed to build,
until I felt so powerless.
My mind was overfilled,
I just felt tons of stress.

I now sit down to write,
the blessings that are mine.
My life has been so bright,
it’s ungrateful for me to whine.

My life has not been tough,
I’ve been blessed abundantly.
Some days may just be rough,
so that I may clearly see.

As I journeyed through this day,
I began to think of all the bad.
Foolishly letting those feelings stay,
instead of focusing on all I had.

Great days do not happen,
an hundred percent of the time.
But as they come again,
it’s a blessing more sublime.

I had to change my view,
when I felt sorry for myself.
To happily make it through,
to put bad feelings on the shelf.

I have stopped to recognize,
more ways that I’ve been blessed.
Causing me to realize,
a need to focus on what’s best.

It doesn’t change the things,
that cause me so much sorrow.
But oh what assurance it brings,
as I look towards tomorrow.

Monday, October 13, 2008

My Two Little Comedians

Today the kids and I planned to do some pretty fun stuff. We ended up doing nothing but cleaning. Depending on who you ask, maybe that could be fun, right? In the end it is just fun to spend time with them. I miss them when they are gone, and love playing with them while they are here. Their definition of fun just might be a little different.

I took the kids to their Mom's house in the afternoon today. T actually fell asleep in the car. A asked me for a tissue, and I handed her one. She said, "thank you." I looked in the rear view mirror to see her wiping T's face as she explained, "T is just drooling all over the place, and it is SOOOO disgusting. I just need to help him out a little." It was sort of really sweet and really funny at the same time.
A had some crackers and T wanted some. She asked him for the password. T said, "I don't know what it is." A responded "T, the password is mayyoumaycracker."
T thought that password was so funny, he started calling me that. I laughingly told him that wasn't my name. He then said, "oh, sorry your highness." I laughed and said, "your highness?" He said, "oh, sorry your majesty!"
T and A were saying something funny to me, so I quoted the old gangster line (with voice and everything) of "You talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me?" T instantly responded with "THEY CALL ME MR. PIG!" from the Lion King. Man it stinks to have kids that are smarter than you. Here I thought I would just use this line and make them laugh. He goes and turns my line into garbage within seconds by quoting Pumba the wart hog.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Such an Awesome Gift!

It may be hard for the untrained eye to know why a tie would be such a cool gift. See the little blue things on the tie? Yep! Those are Viagra pills! This is indeed a Viagra tie. The best part of it? This gift came from the last people anyone would ever expect to actually own a Viagra tie. I found out they had it through a mutual friend. No one should ever give me such information. I can never resist giving someone a hard time when armed with such info. At the time I was teasing them, I never could have imagined that the tie would be mine one day. I promised them that I would never tell anyone who gave me the tie. So, I won't. I just want to say that I was saddened to hear that they are moving out of my ward because they just bought a house. He is in the medical technology field and she is a pharmacist (who else could find a tie this sweet). In the end, a promise is a promise. I am sorry I cannot tell anyone who really gave it to me (hehe!). I really am going to miss them, and wish them all the best in their new home. They are such awesome people. It is a really nice going away present. I was so excited when they gave it to me, I couldn't believe it. Sure, I have thought about the implications of an unmarried guy wearing a tie like that. Then I decided it is too cool not to wear, so I don't care. My little blue friends and I will definitely be together next week at church!

First Snow and Primary Changes

Today the kids got a second Primary teacher (luckily they did not lose their awesome first one) and they also had a change in the Primary Presidency. We are excited for the new people, but we are so thankful for the wonderful Primary Presidency that preceded them. They were so kind, patient and caring with each of the kids and made each of them feel so important. The kids and I will miss having them in there so much. Today the kids learned about being honest and telling the truth. They made little crowns that said, "I Am Honest." They also made and played with sock puppets.

We woke up to fresh fallen snow this morning. The kids were so excited. After church they couldn't wait to throw snow balls at their Dad. They also can never seem to stop walking in the snow. That is not so much a problem when they are wearing play clothes and snow boots. It can however, pose a problem when they are wearing church clothes and shoes. They keep asking me when we are going sledding and when we are going to build a snowman. They don't understand that we need a tiny bit more snow on the ground. In the middle of the day, right after church the sun was shining and it was actually sort of warm. We didn't plan on going on a walk, but decided it would be okay. I bundled the kids up in their coats, put them in the wagon and wrapped a blanket on their legs. We had a fun walk. We hope that it won't get too freezing cold too fast. Our Sunday walks around the neighborhood are definitely one of our favorite things.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

My Yearbook Photos

I saw this on a friend's blog. I could not resist trying it myself. The website is http://www.yearbookyourself.com/ . If you do give it a shot, let me know. I think it is freakin' hilarious. By the way, none of these are my real yearbook photos, although at times I might wish they were. They all portray me as being tall, dark, and somewhat handsome. In reality I am just tall. Just thought you would all get a good laugh at my expense. I know I did.

1952

1960

1978

1988

1994

2000

Picking Pumpkins

Every year Grandpa takes a big section of his garden and plants pumpkins for all the local Grand kids to come and pick out in October. Indeed the kids have been able to choose a pumpkin every year since they were 10 months old. They love doing this and look forward to it each year. Grandpa does an amazing job of growing the pumpkins. He always has enough for everyone too. They currently have 9 Grand kids locally and he has about 14 pumpkins in his garden right now. This year was especially cool for T and A because they helped so much in the garden, and probably even helped to plant their very own pumpkins. They have also spent plenty of time watching all the plants grow, and helping pick vegetables as they have become ripe. This year all the cousins could not get together on the same day, but at least we got some of them together. It was a lot of fun and a practice that the kids look forward to every year. We sure are lucky to have such an awesome Grandpa who does so much for everyone.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Child Citations

I forgot to write this one last Monday as I was taking the kids back to their Mom's house. As we were nearing her house, I told the kids that I was sure going to miss my best buddies. I quote A's response verbatim, "Dad, we have been learning a lot about emotions, and that sometimes people have more than one emotion at a time. I am sad because I am going to miss you, but I am so excited to see my stuffed froggy. Does that make sense to you?" I just have a simple question. I mean I know time flies, but when did my sweet little four year old turn 35?
This morning T and I were wrestling. I was pretending he was a pillow. He got free and then came flying through the air at me. I was lying down and just before he made contact, he aggressively said, "So, you want a pillow so bad, how about a B L A NKET?!!!" Then he hit me like a ton of bricks (well a ton of bricks that only weighs like 40 pounds).
I took the kids to get my hair cut today. They normally have some kid books or kid magazines there, but today they did not. T (a boy after my own heart) decided to read a car magazine, A on the other hand thought "Redbook" would be a good magazine no matter how much I told her it wasn't. She wanted me to read it to her while we were waiting. I told her she was only showing me advertisements. She said, "Daddy, just read it." So, I read, "Oil of Olay's new rejuvenating facial cream can remove lines and other signs of aging." They both started laughing so hard. She then had me read another ad. I read, "The Chevrolet Traverse has more cargo capacity than any vehicle in its class, while still getting an EPA estimated 24 MPG on the road." They both started laughing again, followed by T saying that I "make up the funniest stuff ever."
Later A decided she wanted to read Reader's Digest, because "it is so cute and little." She turned to an ad for some feminine hygiene products. She instantly held it up for everyone to see and shouted, "look Dad, an ad for diapers for ladies!" I politely tried to tell her that was neat, while trying to get her to be quiet. There were two ladies sitting there waiting for a haircut, and two ladies cutting hair. I was the only (very uncomfortable) guy in the room besides T. Just so everyone is clear, I NEVER taught her that.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Playing with Aunt C.

I had a meeting to go to tonight, so my awesome sister came over to play with the kids. I was gone a few hours and this is what I came home to. They made all of these cool little Halloween decorations with a little kit that she bought. As you can tell, the kids got pretty creative (one example: there are quite a few figurines that have broom bristles for hair). They had a ton of fun as they always do with her. They even did some jumping jack exercises for me before bed time. I love to watch small kids do jumping jacks, it is hilarious. Anyway, they had a great time, and as always, my sister did really fun stuff with them.

Deep Thoughts, Shallow Brain, Part 13

I was listening to a talk and it inspired me to write another one of these crappy poems.

In the newborn ICU, when the kids were just days old, A was having a hard time. Like the sweet brother T has always been, he placed his arms around her. She instantly felt safe and stopped crying. He held her close like this for quite some time and through it all she became stronger and remained content.

Safety in Arms

What do your arms say about you?
Do your arms seek to make someone else blue?

Do you knock them down, and hold them tight?
Do you use your arms to cause a fight?

Are people scared when your arms are near?
Could someone seeing them, illicit such fear?

OR

Do your arms show people, a gentle hug so warm?
Do your arms ease their pain, when they’ve been hit by a storm?

Do your arms give place, to know their okay?
Do your arms keep their worldly troubles at bay?

Do your arms suggest, that everything’s alright?
Do your arms give comfort, after a fright?

Do your arms tell someone, that they’re really neat?
Do your arms make someone’s day complete?

Do your arms show a love and a sense of care?
Do your arms give the message “I’m always there?”

Do your arms make someone feel great inside?
Have your arms held someone, as they have cried?

Do your arms hold tight, not wanting to let go?
Do your arms set someone’s heart all aglow?

Do your arms ensure safety, to all that they hold?
Do your arms treat each person, like they are gold?

Our arms are so great, there are many things they can do,
they can make people feel safe, or can make them feel blue.

So what do you think your arms say about you?
Are they there for someone, to see them through?

Some arms are warm, as I’ve been embraced,
I feel such feelings, they just can’t be replaced.

Others arms seemed, to have been quite cold,
an arm full of feeling, not fun to behold.

I hope my arms have given, the weary release,
arms they can come to, when looking for peace.

What a better place the whole world would be,
if we opened kind arms for all that we see.

The Train Station

Last night we went to the Dairy Keen restaurant in Heber. Our family just calls it the Train Station because it is a completely train themed dining experience. For anyone who has not been there, they have train toys to play with while the food is being prepared, an electric train that goes all over the ceiling, and outside, they even have train tables. We all love eating there. It was fun to just leave the valley for a little bit and take a drive as well. It was great eating at a place we love, taking a drive, and for all of us to just be together. We sang some songs and had a really fun time. We then decided to drive around on a little bit longer drive and then headed home to bed. With gas prices being as high as they are, it is not often that we take a drive anymore. It was nice to just go for a drive once again last night. If you are ever in Heber and want some good food, I highly recommend the "Train Burger," or anything else on their menu. It is worth the stop.

When we were in the car, T said that he "did not like Princesses." A then asked him if he liked Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Jasmine, Cinderella, etc. To each question he answered "yes." He then said, "I guess I really just don't like Barbies, but I DO like princesses." At first I was laughing, but then I thought how smart he really is for a 4 year old! I realized that I like the "Princesses" of the world, but not the "Barbies" of the world as well. Typically the girls who are like Barbie are flaunting all that they have and usually being immodest. I do not like Barbie's constant drive to acquire as many worldly possessions as possible, or to strive to be on everyone's "A-list". With Barbie everything seems to be about her. She seems very stuck on herself and what is in it for her. To contrast that, most Princesses are beautiful, kind, sweet, modest and generally amazing. They are worried about others and are somewhat minimalist when it comes to acquiring the worldly things. Obviously this analogy can apply to Ken (hopefully not at all like Kent) being compared to the Princes of the world as well. Anyway, what started out as a funny comment, really got me thinking about the kind of person I would like to be with. So, it is clear that I need to always do my best to be a Prince if I am ever going to be with a sweet Princess! And some of you STILL thought I didn't have ADD. I no longer think a doctor diagnosing me is necessary!

the first FIVE years