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December 27, 2010
Every day the same scene plays out when Jeff gets home from work. Pearl runs in for several hugs and smooches from her best friend. Cole squeals and covers his mouth with both his fists in an attempt to hide his excitement. And then the wrestling match (or sock game) begins.
But they aren't the only ones who's glad when daddy comes home!
December 26, 2010
I didn't take this picture, I admit. And it came from yesterday's finale of the Christmas celebrations.
But it was fitting because today it was Pearl's turn to be sick. Jeff said it was a Christmas wish come true to miss church... the heathen. Pearl really is one tough cookie when it comes to having a high fever and feeling miserable. I forget just how tough she is with her whining about random scratches or made-up ouchies that require a new bandaid because when it comes down to the real ouchies, she doesn't complain at all.
December 25, 2010
Ever since I posted about wanting my kids to have a magical Christmas, Jeff has asked me every single day "if it was magical." Random things, like asking me if some TV show was magical or the snowman he built or who knows what else. You get the idea.
Well, today I finally got to say it was magical!
December 24, 2010
Since Jeff's brother was too sick to come over for the family Christmas Eve get-together, Jeff and his mom decided to honor him with the traditional squirt of Reddi-whip. After waiting all day to open presents and then the excitement of opening gifts, Pearl was more than hyper at this point. She laughed and laughed at herself. I think Uncle Roy would be mighty proud to see his rambunctious shinanagans carried on in his absence.
December 23, 2010
I took a few days off from work to spend time with my kids enjoying the Christmas spirit. You know, baking goodies, wrapping presents, staring at the tree in wonderment, reading Christmas books, and just enjoying the time together. What we ended up doing was trying to comfort a sick baby for three days. Three long, sleepless days. I've never seen Cole so sick before. He pretty much screamed for three days straight. Diagnosis? A slight ear infection which was secondary to some nasty virus that just had to run its course. Why does it always happen during the holidays?
December 22, 2010
Some friends brought over a plate of goodies a few days ago and today I finally gave in and let Pearl pick something to eat after lunch. As she started munching off our gingerbread man's head off, she told me, "I wish he could talk."
I couldn't help but giggle. That kid cracks me up!
December 21, 2010
Cole is definitely all boy.
He loves balls. (And yes, both kinds if you were wondering what I meant.... someone please tell me little boys out grow the touching, playing, and grabbing down there!)
Seriously, though the kid has quite the arm. He throws a lot farther (and straighter) than his mom or sister. I'm thinking a future in baseball is coming our way.
December 20, 2010
Our neighbors came over with a surprise for Pearl and Cole tonight. It was a new Christmas book, "The Night Before Christmas." But not just any book. One that you can record yourself reading each page so there's no actual reading involved, just listening. David and Vickie each took a turn recording a page and even personalized the story by inserting Pearl and Cole's names.
It was awesome and Pearl loved it. She's been listening to it non-stop ever since. Every time the story talks about Santa's nose like a cherry, she repeats the line and giggles to herself. And with the number of times she's listened to it, I wouldn't be surprised if she's got the whole poem memorized by Christmas.
December 19, 2010
No wonder we're always late to church.
December 18, 2010
Jeff continues to surprise and amaze me. Tonight, after a long day of being cooped up in the house, he trudged outside with Pearl to get the wiggles out and build her first snowman. She was quite excited about the idea. Until she realized there would be work involved in rolling the snow into gigantic balls, then molding them together, and finding some pretty poor accessories for eyes (two pears I colored black with a magic marker), arms (lacrosse stick), a nose (baby carrot), and mouth (licorice rope with two toothpicks to hold it on his face). Oh and the hat (a big, black bucket).
Let's just say that Frosty is really Jeff's snowman. Pearl was too busy playing on her swings to finish helping her dad. She was however, very, very upset the next day when she saw the rain had melted him. So upset that she told us we needed to go to the Logan Temple and ask Jesus why He didn't want it to snow so we could fix Frosty.
December 17, 2010
Tonight was the Ward Family Christmas Party. As part of the committee in charge of tonight's festivities, we were there early and stayed late.
We had a "Christmas in the Morning" theme. The kids (and a few adults) wore their jammies. We ate Christmas/breakfast casseroles, cinnamon rolls, and fruit salads. And not to be mean, but my casserole really did look the best. Plus it was the only one that didn't have sausage in it... I'm more of a ham-kind-of-girl myself. We had a visit from Santa. And we made gingerbread houses. Well, graham cracker houses. It was quite ingenious on my part I thought - to pre-assemble kits in giant Ziplock bags complete with candy, frosting, and graham crackers. Ok, so it was more that I refused to make actual gingerbread then assemble 50 houses at home prior to the party, which was the original plan. I was actually quite surprised to hear how many people there had never made a gingerbread house before. Jeff included.
Of course, you'd never know this was Jeff's first time he had assembled a gingerbread house after seeing his "apartment complex" and NOT an outhouse as everyone kept calling it. We were, as Jeff dubbed it, "slum Lords" with a two story building complete with a fancy tinfoil roof and two cars. Even thought Jeff disagreed with me, I insisted we bring this masterpiece home. We'll see how long it lasts before someone smashes, eats, or drops it.
December 16, 2010
The anticipation was almost unbearable for all the kids in Pearl's daycare this last week. They all knew a special visitor was coming on Thursday afternoon.
The REAL Santa Claus.
Seriously, he's the real thing. That is his REAL beard. He has a REAL ranch with reindeer, well technically caribou, in Alaska. He has a REAL sleigh. His suit is the most authentic I've ever seen. And he has a REAL sparkle in his eye.
And for the first time in three years, Pearl didn't scream, cry, or refuse to sit on his lap. Although she still had to have one of us right next to her. It must be the magic of Christmas. That or the fact that Santa had brought her a present. Which for the record, were pink snow pants. Snow pants that I didn't want Santa to bring for fear that Pearl was going to be crushed that she was the only kid in her class who didn't get a toy. But Jeff was right... Pearl immediately stripped down and wore them the rest of evening. And this morning I found she had gotten dressed all by herself... wearing those pink snow pants.
December 15, 2010
Thanks to Shutterfly, we are sending out our first official Christmas cards. Well, we usually go with the email update but this is the first year we have an actual card. Granted, most of you will probably just trash them but after reading this post by a photography friend, I decided we were sending the real deal this year. Jeff was a bit upset that I picked a card design with the year on it... he wanted to save half of them for next year. Funny. The only problem with mailing actual cards is that stamps are a lot more expensive than the pdf letter. And Shutterfly hasn't figured out how to find all your addresses for me yet.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
December 14, 2010
Jeff is awesome... he signs us all up for Baskin Robbins birthday club. Which means on our half-birthdays, we get a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream. Luckily for us, Pearl has to have her parents go with her to get her half-birthday treat which means we also get a delicious scoop. Yummm.
December 13, 2010
Any guesses as to what Pearl has come up with now?
I'll give you a hint. It involves sticking your little bum at your mom while saying, "Pssssssst!"
Give up?
Here's your final clue. After doing the above actions, you tell your mom, "Now you're stinky!"
A skunk. Pearl was impersonating a skunk. Seriously, where did she come up with this? Part of me laughed hysterically. The other half bowed in shame thinking where on earth did she come up with this?
After spraying her teacher, Ms. Sara, the next day because she didn't let her do something she wanted to, Pearl finally confessed that she had learned about being a skunk from Curious George. Apparently we will now be banning PBS Kids at our house.
December 12, 2010
I know what you're all thinking... has Jenny completely lost it?
Almost.
I ironed five of Jeff's work shirts, without him begging and pleading with me to do so out of embarrassment because they are so wrinkly. Jeff, in fact, told me I didn't have to iron them. But they were really wrinkly.
Then if that isn't enough, I sewed a missing button on one of them which had been patiently sitting in our room for weeks. Then, I reorganized the man's closet so all his long sleeved shirts were together and all his short sleeve shirts were together (color coded too). THEN, I got him a bowl of ice cream.
What in the world has gotten into me?
December 11, 2010
Here we are at yet another USU basketball game. I swear we're the only people crazy enough to actually consider buying a "winter home" in Logan. It's freezing up there!
Cole did amazingly well at the game, much better than his first basketball game. I actually got to watch all but the last six minutes or so thanks to a licorice rope he found fun to chew on. Fun date with my two favorite guys!
December 10, 2010
My oh my! I know, I can't believe these are my kids either.
Seriously. Wow.
My uncle who owns a photography business, Robert Dyer Photography, had a great deal on kids' pictures so we took him up on the offer. No appointment needed, no session fee, and a package of awesome photos. And if you hurry, you can still capture your spunky, little girl's "I'm being shy" picture with gorgeous almond-shaped hazel eyes and your baby boy's toothless, slobbering grin and sparkling blue eyes too! Check the deal out here. The hardest part about it, well besides getting your kids to take a great shot TOGETHER or having meltdowns because they are hungry and tired, is deciding which pictures to pick!
December 9, 2010
Remember when I mentioned that up until this year, Jeff and I would argue about how all the pieces in the Nativity should be facing? Jeff wanted everything facing the baby Jesus and I wanted them to "look nice" which means some face outward? Well, I noticed tonight that my other nativity had been moved. The wisemen were all turned around and the donkey and sheep were practically kissing baby Jesus. I immediately accused Jeff of such doing. He didn't touch them. So we both asked Pearl if she had done it. She said "yes" with this innocent, yet worried that she was going to get in trouble, little voice. It broke my heart. We told her we were so proud that she had done that which brought a happy, sweet smile to her face. Jeff said if he had been there he'd want to be looking at baby Jesus too. I couldn't help but hold back a few tears at the thought of why Pearl had moved my nativity around. Under all that spunk is a really tender spirit.
December 8, 2010
I thought it was going to be Pearl who I'd have to keep my eye on with the presents... like last year... but apparently I was wrong.
Cole rolled and wiggled his way over to the new pile of presents I spent two hours wrapping last night and almost ripped one right open. He slobbered all over it and almost used it to pull himself up to standing position too. Luckily, his big sister was there to tattle on him before irreparable damage had been done.
December 7, 2010
Jeff took Pearl to the USU basketball game tonight. She was so excited! The first thing she yammered to me about this morning was how she needed to wear her Logan shirt, just like daddy. Then when we got home she just about lost it waiting for her best friend. She jabbered on and on about all the things Jeff was going to buy her at the game... popcorn being the prize pick (if you know Pearl, that shouldn't surprise you in the least). I asked her if she had any money to buy some popcorn at which point she ran off to her room shouting, "I do Mom! I have a dollar! I have monies!"
Later, as I was rocking out to my Celine Dion Christmas CD (it's the only time I get to listen to Christmas music without the wailing from Pearl or Jeff) and wrapping presents (all but one, yes, one gift is wrapped... go me!), I got a text from Jeff saying he had spent $30 and had only watched 3 minutes of the game. I laughed. Apparently Pearl's dollar wasn't quite enough for their daddy-daughter date.
December 6, 2010
I almost can't believe it but we finally got text messaging on our cellphones. Neither of us wanted to fork over the extra $20 for texting. Sure we got made fun of, missed out on a few things and pictures because EVERYONE has texting apparently but we held firm. Until today.
I almost fell over dead when I saw a text message from Jeff on my phone. To which my first ever text back was "r u sure about this?" Jeff said we were on a "trial" basis to see how much we, really meaning I, used it. Because our current plan is as old as the dinosaurs, the best we could get was 250 texts a month. Well, once I sent my sister a text message - to which she replied "Holy crap!" - the rest was history and I'm afraid Jeff will be upping our plan to unlimited texts shortly.
I feel so cool now. Just don't text me and tell me how cool I am now because I think I've hit my limit for the month already!
December 5, 2010
Remember when you were a kid and couldn't wait to use up all the wrapping paper so you had a cardboard tube to play with? Ok, so more like beat your siblings with until they or the tube was smashed beyond recognition?
Well, after eight years we FINALLY used up some of our Christmas wrapping paper. I guess we need to buy bigger presents. I frantically wrapped some presents this afternoon while Cole was napping. Pearl was my helper until I unwound the last of the paper at which point she abandoned her wrapping duties to play with the tubes. The next thing I know, she's got them shoved up her arms and is trying to pick stuff up with her new hands. It was pretty funny to watch. Then she instinctively, like all kids do, began beating on her dad who was trying to nap on the couch. This followed beating me then getting yelled at to watch out for her brother and finally, having her dad smack her butt with the tubes as she giggled and screamed at us in delight. I'm not quite sure where those weapons are now but I do know it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas under our tree!
December 4, 2010
Pearl doesn't quite grasp the idea of our advent calendar. The only thing that matters to her is that she gets a piece of chocolate after dinner. I admit, this has come in handy to get her to eat ALL of her dinner but am dreading December 25 when the nightly sugar rush stops.
When my sister and I made these last year, I figured I'd stick in some M&Ms for our treat. That way all of us would get a piece of chocolate. However, the request both years has been Dove chocolates... two of which fit perfectly in my muffin tin advent calendar. One for Pearl and one for Jeff. Which sort of leaves Cole and me out. And Pearl knows it.
Tonight she told me, "It's a Daddy-Pearl thing. NOT a Mommy-Cole thing." Apparently I will be making another advent calendar next year.
December 3, 2010
This picture is super blurry but it documents that we did something festive as a family this holiday season. "The girls" from Jeff's work headed downtown tonight for dinner and a walk around Temple Square to see the lights. Thankfully it wasn't as freezing cold as it has been the past week. I'm pretty sure Cole stayed the warmest of everyone in our group seeing as how he was stuffed inside my coat with a hat, coat, and blanket wrapped around him. It was perfect for me too - well, minus the fact that neither Cole or I have mittens on - because I was warm as could be myself. He hung on to the bitter end, finally falling asleep when we were walking back to the car. Pearl was pretty interested with the big Nativity scene and program which made me think she just might be listening to me after all. Of course Santa is still the big draw at Christmastime but at least she finds the nativity story exciting.
I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with the lights this year. It seems like in years past there were gigantic trees in red lights right next to the temple. Budget cuts?
Oh, and sorry Kimmy if the missionaries call you! But they were so nice and Pearl said she wanted to give the pass-along-card to her Aunt. I always feel immensely guilty if I don't tell them SOMEONE to call!
December 2, 2010
I'm on the Activities Committee as part of my churchly duties. Basically a fancy title for chair-setter-upper and poster-maker-so-everyone-knows-when-and-where-to-show-up. But I'm not complaining... ok, so I do complain. But in addition to my poster-making duties that I am usually assigned, tonight I was asked to pick up 200 rolls for our Adult-only Christmas party because I have a Costco account. Don't get me started on the Adult-only thing!
Ever since "the incident" that Jeff and Pearl had at Costco in October (imagine a toddler running off not once but I believe twice and then proceeding to throw a hellatious fit), we all dread going to Costco. When I told Pearl we had to go their on our way home from work, she immediately told me she wasn't going to scream and she was going to sit in the cart. Yes, "the incident" was THAT bad.
Well, she stuck to her word. Not a single complaint came out of her mouth when I refused to go down the isle loaded with toys or wander the store looking for free food handouts to her liking. And she was pumped to get to sit in the cart next to Cole... although this picture doesn't show her excitement or Cole's awe at all the people in the store. But it was the best in the bunch with both kids looking somewhat in my direction.
If only errands could go this smoothly every time.
December 1, 2010
When a friend at work asked me how I handled working with kids, my honest reply was that I have to pretend I don't have kids. It sounds horrible I know, but it's the only way I get through the day sometimes. If I sat at my desk and thought about these two cuties all day I'd go crazy or end up in tears. Most likely the latter. Today I really missed my kids. More so than usual. It nearly broke my heart to leave Cole after I went down and fed him. He is getting old enough to know his mamma isn't there anymore and he just had this look in his eyes like he was pleading with me to not leave. But with little faces like these, can you blame me for not wanting to be without them?
November 30, 2010
Cole sure loves bath time. And so does mommy and daddy because that means bedtime is just around the corner!
November 29, 2010
We had a lot of snow last night. But I didn't realize how deep it was until I got to work.
Rumor has it someone ticked off the snowplow guy so he left. Without plowing the parking lot... well, just the parking lot the daycare uses. The one parents lug two kids, a lunchbox, blankets, baby food, and a stuffed animal through... not that I would know or anything.
When I got there I didn't think it was THAT deep. Apparently I need my eyes checked because when I stepped out of the truck I had snow up to my knee. I should have just gotten back in and gone home (the furnace wasn't working either so I worked with my gloves and coat on all day). But instead I lugged two kids and all the previously mentioned crap into work. Did I mention Pearl fell in the snow and was freaking out too? It was loads of fun. Thank heavens I didn't wear heels today.
November 28, 2010
I'm not sure Cole was really helping me put the lights on the tree or not. I kept finding him tangled in them as I was stringing them through the branches or tugging at them once I got them on the tree. Needless to say it was a very long process to finally get the tree decorated.
November 27, 2010
With a stack of Christmas boxes almost to the ceiling, you'd think I'd have gotten more out than just the nativity. But it was all I could squeeze in with piles of laundry to do before heading to Logan for a basketball game.
My nativity is always the first thing that goes up each year. I love it. My Mom and Dad gave it to me for Christmas one year and my Dad even made the stable for it. Jeff dubs it the "garage." I just need the goat and the set is complete... hint hint! Pearl was very excited to see the nativity and wanted to play with all the animals and the "baby's mommy." And as he does every year, Jeff reminds me that everyone, including the animals, went to see the baby Jesus... NOT us. We battle back and forth turning all the animals, wise men, and shepards towards Jesus (Jeff) and then facing outwards so they look nice (me). Before I had even set one thing up he was telling Pearl how important it was that all the sheep be able to see the baby Jesus.
Well, you know what? After eight years I finally gave in, or more likely I get it. After all, He is the reason for the season.
November 26, 2010
I was supposed to be recovering from my first-ever Black Friday shopping spree today (Santa needed a single toy picked up from Target this morning) but instead I was running back and forth to the bathroom courtesy of whatever was bugging Cole a few days ago. I felt horrible.... like I just might have ruined Christmas for a very excited three-year-old. But I was even more afraid of being the worst mom ever because I had promised to take Pearl on a "girl date... no boys... kneener kneener" as she said while shaking her bum at Jeff and Cole, to see Tangled today. Jeff tried to brace Pearl for the bad news that I was too sick to go but luckily we made it. Of course there was a slight fit when we couldn't get tickets to the show we wanted and had to wait another three hours to go but it was worth it. Tangled - or as Pearl calls it "Rahunzel" was super cute. The music was beautiful and both Pearl and I are now desiring long, golden, magic hair.
Too bad Cole wasn't as excited to do "man stuff" with his dad as us girls were though.
November 25, 2010
I thought about posting something Thanksgiving-ish but that will have to wait for my other blog. Today's post belongs to my kitty, KC. She doesn't live with me anymore, well rather I don't live with her anymore. I'm pretty sure she never recovered when "her girl," as my mom says moved away.
I got KC the summer we moved into our house. Her mom belonged to the previous home owners and one day she wandered back "home" pregnant. She had a litter of kittens in our basement window sill under our deck. We watched the whole birthing process from the comfort of our recliners and as gross as it may sound, it was actually amazing to watch. Then we got to watch those stray kittens grow up, playing and batting at the window, meowing, and trying to climb out of there. We'd sneak them in through the window to play with them. KC was one of two kittens who never found a home so my parents said I could keep her. She was so shy and sweet with the loudest purr. She slept at the foot of my bed. I taught her how to fetch a ball. She'd bring me tokens of her love... live mice and dump them in my window sill where they'd, terrified beyond belief, try to escape by climbing the screen. I'll spare you the details of what happened to them next but it was gross to listen to. She loved to be brushed, had the softest fur, and a cold, wet nose that was always ready to greet me when I got home.
KC isn't going to be around too much longer... she's almost 18 and my parents are getting new carpet for Christmas with no kitty dander in it if you catch my drift.
So today I said goodbye to one sweet, special friend.
November 24, 2010
Cole starting fussing about 11 pm tonight so Jeff went in to see what was wrong. The next thing I know he's running out of his room, headed straight for the bathroom. Then the smell hit.
Barf and lots of it.
Jeff took the 11 pm - 2 am shift then it was mine turn. I always feel so helpless when my babies get a stomach bug. And this one had made the rounds through the daycare so I know he got it there. Yet another reason why working sucks sometimes. Cole was a trooper though. He only cried after he would throw up... too bad the barf bucket doesn't do much good at this age, although I tried aiming him towards it to save on laundry the next day.
Oh and update on the puking... Cole was good enough to make it to Thanksgiving dinner (thank goodness because it's the day Jeff looks forward to the most each year) but then I got whatever was bugging him and was up all Thanksgiving night sick. So much for helping Santa out with some 4 am Black Friday shopping.
November 23, 2010
The media sure makes a hype out of nothing. HELLO! We live in Utah! It snows here.
"Blizzard of 2010," yeah right. Sure the winds were howling, it's sub-zero temperatures out there, and I'm not complaining one bit about the Governor graciously giving me two hours of administrative leave today so I could get home before it hit, but really.
November 22, 2010
I found this note stuck to the board at daycare today. No further explanation needed.
November 21, 2010
I've been neglecting my blog lately because of this.
Four years in the making and I'm still not done with Pearl's Christmas stocking. My excuses? Year one, I had a newborn (Pearl) that took up all my time and energy. Year two, my comprehensive exam to get my Masters degree. Year three, pregnant and barfing. And this year... I screwed up and centered the entire project wrong in year one. I've been agonizing over it for weeks, trying to decide if I should unpick the entire design and start over or try and adjust the pattern. I went with adjusting the pattern and hoping it doesn't look too retarded. Good thing I finished Jeff's stocking long before kids.
November 20, 2010
Yesterday my little brother turned 16. Crazy.
Kurtis is such a good kid. I love him. Seriously, he is so sweet to everyone, he rocks at lacrosse, he's funny, and he loves his family as crazy as we are. He's subjected to all of our inappropriate conversations - most of the time in front of his friends too-, complaining, and knows more about woman issues than any 16 year old boy should thanks to me, my mom, and sister. And yet, he still hangs out with us.
I have a hard time thinking he is really 16. I remember Kurtis as a five-year-old who liked Pokeman. My first year of college, I used to take him to class with me while my mom was at work. He'd come to my sociology class and Institute. Then we'd head over to the student center for a Marv&Joe and then visit my Dad at his office. I tried to avoid talking much in Institute, even though our neighbor was the teacher, so you can imagine how horrified I was when my teacher Bro. Merrill asked our class if anyone had anything to share (as he did at the beginning of every class) and Kurtis raised his hand. He then proceeded to tell the class his favorite joke. "Why didn't the pirate go to the movie? Because it was rated ARRHHHHH!" Everyone laughed... and even I chuckled. I'll never forget it. And Kurtis will never hear the end of it either.
And if you're wondering... yes that is a chocolate chip cookie with 16 candles in it. I made an entire batch just for Kurt. My dad was a little upset with me that I almost burned the house down over it but I wasn't going to let this momentous birthday pass us by without a funny "cake" and birthday song.
November 19, 2010
I'm beginning to wonder if Cole will have a serious identity crisis when he's older... all because of that hair.
That floppy mop of his needed SERIOUS help. It was getting so long that it was starting to look like a bad comb over instead of his signature "surfer dude" look. So we headed to Cookie Cutters for a trim. TRIM, I said. I like it long on top, short on the sides. Not, I repeat, NOT a buzz cut! Honestly! When I told the girl I wanted it long, like a long fohawk, I didn't expect to see her start whacking it all off. It's about as long as it was when he was born and drastically shorter than his signature do. Pearl's hair on the other hand was left a lot longer than I had wanted. Apparently she got my kids mixed up during the whole process. Granted Cole was screaming bloody murder because 15 minutes prior he had gotten five shots at his well child appointment but still. Now I've got to answer to everyone's questioning as to why we cut his hair. Seriously, for the past three days I've done nothing but repeat the following to everyone at church, work, and daycare... it's getting old.
"Yes, we cut his hair."
"Yes, I know it's short."
"No, it's not his first hair cut."
"And yes, I know he looks just like Jeff."
Ok so maybe the truth is, I'm the one having the identity crisis.
November 18, 2010
This little bum is six months old today.
I can't believe it.
I love all his chubby leg rolls, dimpled hands, love handles, budda belly, and wrinkly bum.
I'm in awe at all he can do and all that he has learned in just a few months.
He melts my heart every time I see that wild-needs-a-haircut-really-bad blond hair and cute grin or hear him yell "ahhhh" at me.
My baby is growing up... way, way too fast.
November 17, 2010
The Aggies played BYU tonight and since we don't have cable, Jeff hooked up the computer to the TV so we could watch the game. Pearl was pumped at the idea. She put on her "Logan" shirt, plopped right down on Jeff's lap, and gave him a "knuckles" in eager anticipation. She's almost as big of an Aggie fan as her Dad. Almost.
November 16, 2010
Today was the annual Thanksgiving Feast at the kids' daycare. And the first year that Pearl has actually worn her festive hat... although I'm not sure it's politically correct to have "Indian Pearl" written across the front of it. The food, well, it sucks. It sort of reminds me of "Grandparents Day" at my elementary school where you got to have lunch with your grandparents. My school always served the same thing year after year. It was by far the grossest lunch on the menu - these nasty french dipped sandwiches (trust me, they weren't real meat), cold carrots, milk, and six tator tots, yes six. One year they actually took back two tots from my grandpa's tray... needless to say that was the last year my grandparents came for the event.
But it makes Pearl so happy to have lunch with her Dad. I don't think she cares if I'm there or not seeing as how we go to work together anyway. And Cole was super happy to see Daddy in the middle of the day! In fact, he was so excited that he stole Jeff's roll, utensils, and nearly knocked over his water. Seriously, Cole stuffed half of Jeff's roll in his mouth before we knew he had it in his hands.
November 15, 2010
I seem to recall a similar scene with Pearl. Only she was a few months older and instead of being slobbering all over the back of the chair like Cole, she squawked and yelled at us. I begged Jeff to take some pictures of Cole standing up on the chair during dinner because it reminded me of how funny Pearl was as a baby. Boy am I glad we got video and photos of Pearl doing this same thing otherwise this seemingly routine incident tonight might have just slipped by.
November 14, 2010
I swear I took a picture of something today. But I can't find anything! So you get a picture of Cole from yesterday... in his warm, fleece jammies. Sigh. I wish they made them for mommies.
November 13, 2010
I can't believe I forgot BOTH cameras today! AHHHH! Cole's first Aggie basketball game and I leave the nice camera and the back up camera at home. So there's no picture until I can get it off of my father-in-law's camera, which he so kindly let me take to the game to document this epic moment in Cole's life. Too bad Cole didn't seem to understand the glory of it all... he wanted to be in bed instead of cheering at the Spectrum. He better learn quick to enjoy the games or it's going to be one very long season.
Oh, and the Aggies won over Weber State! Go Aggies!
November 12, 2010
When I asked Pearl what she wanted for lunch she told me she wanted a sandwich with butter, cheese, meat, and salad on it. So I handed her this nice sandwich, went on making mine, and then turned around to see her picking everything off the bread. I admit my initial thought was to scream at her because I figured she had changed her mind and was only going to eat the meat. When I asked her what she was doing, she said she wanted to eat it like this. And eat she did. She gobbled up every last piece of meat, cheese, spinach leaf, and bread... well minus the crust and then asked for another one. She wasn't too happy though when I grabbed the camera to take a picture of her version of a sandwich.
Storm, Yosemite Valley, California, 1938
Photograph by Ansel Adams
©2010 The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust.
November 11, 2010
Since I had the day off for Veterans Day (thank you all military families), Jeff decided to take the day off too... for a day of family fun, he said. Usually that means we spend all of Jeff's money (and spend his $$$ we did)! We decided to venture up to Park City for some shopping and culture. Jeff said since we'd end up spending all our money buying new clothes for our children who keep growing, that we should get to do something fun for just us adults. So we went to the Kimball Art Center to see an exhibit showcasing some of Ansel Adam's early photography work. It was really cool. Jeff and I both admire his work... did you know he was also thinking of becoming a concert pianist? Lived in Yosemite National Park for 10 years? Took a picture of the Manti, UT temple? The pictures were really gorgeous. Pearl spent her time at the exhibit taking pictures of the pictures. It was pretty funny to watch... a little annoying too because she wanted a picture of every single one in there. She was actually really good, didn't break anything, and seemed to enjoy our time being "cultured."
But then again, we did bribe her with going to eat lunch at McDonald's if she was good.
November 10, 2010
I don't know if it's Pearl's personality, my lack of teaching ability (or probably lack of patience), or Pearl's age but she has the hardest time letting us teach her anything! She's in this "I can't do it!" phase and tells us this 50 times a day. It gets really frustrating to see her think she can't do something and subsequently not try at all... and not let us help her learn how to do anything. But Jeff is determined to teach that kid how to use the computer the right way. He's been practicing with her and since he is her BFF, she seems to enjoy their computer time together. They play all kinds of games on pbskids.org... building sand castles with Curious George and finding geckos with the Cat in the Hat. Tonight they busted out the laptop in the TV room to show off her skills. I was quite impressed with how well she is doing using the mouse. She's got the clicking part down and is getting a lot better maneuvering the mouse around the screen. They had a lot of fun together. I'm sure glad Jeff has the patient to teach her how to use the computer.... just one more difference between her generation and mine because I think the first time I used a computer was in 3rd grade!
November 9, 2010
One of the hazards of picking Pearl up from daycare is her constant pleading to either go see Missi, our secretary who has a candy dish stocked and ready for Pearl's sweet tooth, or to go to the cafeteria for a treat. I try hard to tell Pearl she needs to pick a healthy treat but seeing as how our healthy choices are pretty limited, the best I can hope for is that she'll ration half of her treat for another day. Pearl loves, loves, loves going to the cafeteria together! I wish I could describe how she says cafeteria because her little voice and pronunciation is so stinkin' cute. Today's choice was a bag of Cheetos. I hate it when she picks Cheetos because inevitably something in the truck turns orange. When we got home though, Pearl proudly declared that she had sucked all the orange off her fingers... and guess, what? She really did. I was impressed. Then she said she wanted to save some of her Cheetos for tomorrow. Yeah! But the funniest part about this decision was where she saved them. I walked into the kitchen to find a bag of Cheetos hung from the refrigerator with a magnetic chip clip. Pretty ingenious and pretty funny! That kid never ceases to amaze me with the things she comes up with.
November 8, 2010
My kids don't like bottles or binkies. I don't get it. Both have sucked on their fingers though - Pearl sucked her thumb and Cole seems delighted to chomp his gums on anything he can shove in his mouth. I like to tease him with his "binks" because he bites down on it while I wiggle it in his mouth, making this little squeaky noise. It's funny. But tonight he figured out how to get his thumb in his binkie. He seemed pretty proud of himself until he got frustrated that it wouldn't come off when he tried to grab another toy.
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Storm, Yosemite Valley, California, 1938
November 10, 2010
November 9, 2010
November 8, 2010
