SIX

 Holy smokes....my baby turned six years old yesterday.  Where have the years gone?!  I felt bad because I didn't really plan anything for his birthday since I've been planning a party for Saturday.  This top picture is what I put on his invitations.  I just sent an evite but I thought it was cute to put a scientist looking picture of Chandler on it since we are doing a science theme party. 

Anyway, Chandler's birthday was good.  The night before he told me he wanted Lucky Charms for breakfast- of all things!!  I make all kinds of things for breakfast and he wants cereal on his birthday!  Of course I didn't have any Lucky Charms so I had to send Steve to the store to get some.  I got his presents wrapped from us and both grandmas and that's about all I did.  He got to open one small present before school and it was some legos from my mom.  He got a few sets and has been loving them.  I don't love them so much because there are so many small teeny tiny pieces.  But they are fun, I just get kind of stressed by them all over with Beckett picking them up and carrying them around and pieces getting lost.  We have to have some rules with these.  He also got a a scooter from us and a magic experiment kit from Steve's mom.  That caused some stress when I found him after school with all the neighbor kids around tearing it open and pulling everything out wanting to do it and the little packets reading citric acid and some other acid and who knows what.  Yeah, had to stop that one.    But cool present just needs a little supervision. 

So Chandler.....he's a crazy kid.  He drives us crazy but we also love him so much.  He is very interesting and quirky.  The thing that is so funny to me is he's actually a very likable kid and lots of kids are drawn to him even though he's such a terrible kid at times.  He can be so mean to friends.  In fact one kid he invited to his party is his friend from school who receives the brunt of his mood swings and kicks and hitting since he sits next to Chandler. 

Chandler is so loving when he wants to be.  He is sensitive and loves babies and will always point them out to me and tell me how cute they are.  He is huge.  So so big.  Like I buy him size 8 pants.  He is something like over 4 ft. tall and 60 something pounds.  He looks like a giant up against the other kids in his class.  Most strangers think he's at least in 1st grade.  If they saw his writing or anything they would realize the truth though:)  He is doing good at school but not perfect by any means.  He struggles and still hasn't caught on to reading just yet but is doing good.

He's had his struggles with behavior at school and still does but this week he has been working so hard and has been on green all week. He has been praying every prayer to get on green and be good.  It's so sweet to see him have that faith that he can get help from Heavenly Father.  One day Steve was going to say the prayer and Chandler piped up asking him to pray for Chandler to get green. 

Okay, it's late.  I'll have more later.  Happy Birthday Chandler!  We sure love you!

Thanksgiving 2012

This year we hosted Thanksgiving again.  Last year it was with my family and this year we had Steve's family.  His sister Meagan and her husband Todd and their 3 boys Fisher, Cooper, and Tucker came from Virginia to visit us.  They got in late Wednesday night after traffic and multiple stops to clean up throw-up.  I felt so bad and was worried they would regret coming.  But their drive home was smooth and made in under 6 hours I think with no throw-up so hopefully they didn't regret coming:)

Chandler was so cute and would go up and talk to Tucker in a sweet little voice and hug him and say how cute he was.  He's such a good loving boy but unfortunately his other side shows more often. 

Beckett was checking Tucker out and kept going up to him and circling him and staring.  It was funny.  It was also funny to see him wear Tucker's clothes since I had to get him dressed but Tucker was sleeping in Beckett's crib and I couldn't get any clothes out for him.  Tucker is 6 weeks younger than Beckett. 

Thursday morning, Todd and Steve went off to play football and Megan and I watched all the kids while prepping dinner stuff.  It was a relief when the guys got home.  Meagan and I went for a little run and it was so warm outside.  It really was the most perfect weather.  Warm and sunny all day long. 

Steve brought the kids for a walk in the woods.  They ended up at Chandler's school's playground.  On the way back, Fisher and Chandler found a stick.  It was hilarious when they came inside and told me to hurry and come look at the stick they found. 

We amazed the kids with dry ice and homemade root beer. 

Dinner is served.  Meagan made the most delicious rolls.  I made the most delicious turkey.  After two years I'm starting to think I can make a pretty good turkey and not be scared of it.  I brined it and it was so flavorful and moist. 

Chandler and Fisher enjoying their root beer while waiting for the feast to begin- as Fisher kept asking all day when the feast would be. 

Emery and Cooper with their root beer.

As a joke Steve put the turkey legs on the boys plates.  They were pretty excited about it but then we made them give them back. 

We tried to go around the table and have everyone say what they are thankful for.  I asked Beckett and Cooper blurted out "butts!" which of course made the other kids laugh.  So when it was his turn I think he said butts again and after he was asked again he was sweet and said Jesus.  Chandler was a brat and when asked said, "nothing".  He kept saying he was thankful for nothing.  I don't know where he got that idea to say it and think he was being funny but it was annoying and not funny.  Rotten children- but I'm thankful for them:)

Emery and Cooper reading together.  Emery was actually telling him the story pretty accurately.  She's really into "reading" books to people.  Emery was pretty much the only kid Cooper got along with.  He liked to be mean to Beckett and he fought with the big boys.  Poor kid was just over tired and probably over stimulated with so much going on. 

Fisher and Chandler got to share a room together.  I came downstairs on morning and found them sitting in front of the fireplace talking quietly with each other.  It was cute.  Of course once I was down they started getting louder and wrestling and being crazy. 

Cooper got a nice tattoo from his brother. 

Emery was the official baby watcher.  There was more than once when I realized all the adults were occupied and there were little kids outside.  I asked who was watching them and Steve assured me that Emery was!  She is a good little helper.

The chaos of the backyard.  This was Friday morning.  It was another beautiful day.  Hotter than the day before.  It was so nice to just send the kids out back to play. I was thankful for a nice big backyard, beautiful weather, woods to explore, and a swing set. 

We sent Todd and Steve off to the movies with the 4 older kids to see Wreck-it-Ralph on Friday.  I think they all liked it.  Meagan and I got the better end of deal by going to the movies on Friday night to see the last Twilight movie.  I actually really liked it.  Way better than the other movies.

Friday evening we had a great idea to have a little fire and roast hot dogs and marshmallows.  The kids loved it and gathered the kindling and wood and we had so much fun. 

 

I'm never a fan of s'mores but I finally tried one made with a Reese's and it was really good.  

It was the most perfect evening.  Beautiful sunset and warm temperatures.  And perfect that it gets dark early so it felt like the kids got to stay up late but really we were done by 6:30 and in the bath and to bed by 7:15.  The kids all went to bed really well.  I guess they were all so tired out from everything.

One rare moment when Chandler wasn't tackling Fisher.

Saturday Meagan and I made tons of bow ties to stock her up.  She had been asking me for more colors and I never got around to it so she went through my fabric stash and we made up a bunch for her.

Saturday evening, I begged Meagan to take some family pictures for us.  I loved our outfits but the kids weren't very cooperative of course and it was so cold outside.  Poor Beckett was shivering and curling up into us.  

The sunset was beautiful again.  We got the kids their promised shakes on the way home and then enjoyed the evening playing more games after the kids were in bed.  I loved playing games since it is something we haven't done in ages.  Sometimes I think about the kid-less days when we would go to friends houses and play games late into the night with no worries. 

I'm glad Meagan and Todd could come spend a few days with us.  Hopefully we can visit them next!  It was a fun visit and nice to have family for the holiday.

today

Today was such a fabulous day.  We didn't do anything special but man did we accomplish a lot.  And that makes you feel so good!  Plus I got to look at the cutest little girl all day long.  I can't stand how cute she is with her hair on top of her head and her little ballerina outfit.  She was given the leotard and skirt from our neighbor and she loves wearing it around the house.  I doubt she will ever do dance anytime soon but can't you just see her dancing in her cute outfit.  

Okay, let's see what we accomplished today:

• hung wall shelf that we made last week (pictures to come once I get the right stain on it- I hate the color right now)
• bought wood for Emery's secret Christmas present (okay, it's not secret  I'm making her a doll house and I'm so excited!)
• pulled up dead stuff from garden
• planted lettuce, cilantro, and garlic
• pulled dead stuff from all flower beds
• Steve worked in the woods clearing lots of stuff
• cleaned entire upstairs so it's ready for our Thanksgiving guests! Can't wait!
• spray painted another kitchen chair and touched up and cleaned all the other ones
• washed cars
• tidied tidied tidied
• got two free cupcakes from SAS Cupcakes (they give codes on Facebook and you go say it and you get a free cupcake- I went with two kids then Steve went in after me with Chandler)
• Can't think of what else but I'm sure there was more

 I'm still in my running clothes and I don't think Steve ever showered today either.  That's a sign of a good productive day!  I get so much more done before I shower than after.  This evening, we went and got dinner at Salsarita's and went a little before 5 (which is super early for us to have dinner).  It was so nice because we got home and had time to play some and then take baths and bedtime was so relaxing and not rushed.  I loved eating early and not rushing from dinner to bedtime.  The downstairs is still pretty messy because I was focused upstairs today but I'm burnt out now and don't feel like cleaning anymore.  I think everyone will be sleeping good tonight.

 While running this morning I was thinking about all kinds of things:

• how annoying it is that I didn't sign up for the Thunder Road half this weekend.  I could have done it had I planned ahead a few weeks.
• how annoying it is that I didn't commit to flying to Vegas and doing the Ragnar with my SIL last weekend.  Didn't commit to that way back when she asked me because I thought I would be pregnant.
• if I could describe the man who just ran past me to police if he attacked me- realized I couldn't really because I never really look at people when they pass me.  I read someplace that you should look them right in the eyes so you can describe them and it also deters predators if you see their face.  Interesting thought- maybe I should pay more attention while running?
• also what I would do if I got attacked.
• how out of shape I am- 3 miles is a long run for me these days.  I really need a race so I will actually run farther.

 Oh, you want to hear the story about Chandler??  So two Monday's ago, I went to lunch with Chandler.  He seemed fine and said he was having a good day and all.  He promised he would have a good afternoon when I left.  Well, about an hour after leaving the school, I got a phone call from the VICE PRINCIPAL!!  Talk about my stomach dropping. (did I mention the week before that I had gotten a call from the gym teacher because Chandler had kicked a girl and put his jacket over another kids head because he was mad he didn't win some award he gives out after class...awful awkward phone call there too- what am I supposed to say?!)  She told me she had Chandler in her office because he had punched a classmate in the nose.  Since it was his first time to the office he would sit in a 10 minute timeout and then go back to class, if he ever gets sent to the office again, I would have to come pick him up.  Then she said that she wanted me to talk to him.  He wouldn't come to the phone so she put me on speaker phone and wanted me to talk to Chandler.  It was so awkward and weird.  Chandler didn't make a sound and it was like I was talking to a wall and the whole time I'm on speaker so I know she's right there hearing everything.  It was terrible and I had no clue what to say and Chandler wouldn't respond to anything.  She finally spoke up and said he would have his timeout and if he was ready she would bring him back to class and call me back and let me know how he was.

So I waited and waited and never got a phone call.  The whole time I was so worried that he was still with her and not cooperating and I would have to wake the kids up from their naps and go pick him up at school. I finally called back and got a hold of her and she apologized for not calling back.  She had to go straight to a meeting and had just gotten out.  She said he was fine and went back to class and apologized and was doing fine.  What a relief that was for me.

Before Chandler came home, I prayed for help.  I didn't want to blow up at him or yell at him but I was really angry and disappointed   He knew he was in trouble when he got home though and I talked with him and told him he couldn't watch TV all week long.  It was that night that Steve mentioned the next day was voting day and Chandler didn't have school....WHAT?!  How was I supposed to survive having Chandler home all day and not allow him to watch TV?!  I was strong and we did it.  Chandler was really good all week and occasionally asked for a show and I would remind him and he would move on.  I thought I would be dealing with huge fits all week when I would tell him he couldn't watch a show.  He really understood and even asked, "after Sunday do I get to watch TV again?".

So we're working with him.  We started a rewards chart at home.  His teacher has a little feelings chart for him at school.  He did have a red day this past week for same old stuff- bugging kids, taking their stuff, not cooperating, not keeping his hands to himself.  It's just so frustrating because Chandler really is the sweetest kid but he just has this really bad side to him.  I just don't want him to be the "bad kid" at school.  I still love him even though I feel like strangling him at times.  And I can't imagine our family without him.  He will learn and we will move past this someday- I hope:)

I've been simmering some potpourri on the stove and it smells so wonderful.  I used this recipe.  I just love fall/winter smells.

Now I have to go fold laundry before climbing into bed and reading and falling asleep.  See ya!

photos as of late

I want to blog but I just never feel like doing it lately.  I hate sitting in the dark cold computer room by myself working on pictures and posts.  I want to be out by the fire watching a show with Steve or reading or crocheting.  So lately that has won over blogging.  We really need a laptop or something I can blog from in the living room.  We have a laptop but it's old and I don't like it and I have to do my pictures on the desktop and get them all ready and uploaded before I can even work on things on the laptop.  blah blah blah, you don't care about all that.....on with the pictures!

->Can you tell who is who??  Pretty easy (plus a 6 month age difference)  but lately I've just really been reminded of Chandler whenever I look at Beckett.  He is looking more and more like him I think.  Maybe it's because I'm reminded of Chandler wearing all the clothes Beckett's been wearing so it makes me think they look alike??  I don't know, I just know I have cute boys:)

->Normal dinner time behavior.  Beckett is our clown.  He loves showing off and making everyone laugh.  His new word is "WATCH! WATCH! WATCH!" until you acknowledge that you are indeed watching.  

 ->Sunday morning baths are such a good use of all the time we have.  It will be a big change next year when we have earlier church.  And yes, they are getting too big to all bathe together but they sometimes insist on it still.  I've been trying to keep Chandler separate but he doesn't like that.

 ->Sunday evening getting woken up from naps is never fun.  We get home from church by 4:30 and they both usually fall asleep in the car so we let them sleep and then have to wake them up by 5:30 so they will actually go to bed.  They were both grumpy and only wanted me.  I love that my kids want me but sometimes I just wish that they would want Steve instead.

 ->Daylights Savings Sunday we had an extra hour to kill on top of the normal time.  So I decided a family walk was in order.  The kids were lucky to have the candy fairy visit a few times during the walk.  (did you ever have a candy fairy while hiking??....we always did, it kept us going:)

 ->This is what happens when Beckett gets left alone while getting kids ready for bed.  How in the world did he climb up on the counter??  Our stool is really short but I watched him one day and he puts his toes on the little knob on the cabinet door and steps up.  Then he decided to empty all the soap into the sink and run the water so there are a million soap bubbles everywhere   Why he was naked....who knows?  The kid hates clothes.

->I had a fun little photo shoot one morning while Emery and Beckett were having fun on the bed.  Well, I guess just Emery was having fun jumping.  Beckett got distracted by the leapster and wouldn't jump and when I took it away, the tears flowed (as you can see in some pictures).  

->Chandler got whacked in the head with a metal bat on Monday.  It doesn't look as bad as it sounds.  Basically he wasn't watching where he was going and our neighbor friend wasn't watching where he was swinging and he mad very good contact with Chandler's head.  It knocked him right down and he started yelling and screaming.  Then jumped up and I thought he was going to attack Jake but he didn't and he was just screaming and crying like crazy.  He wouldn't let us touch him or anything.  Finally a TV show calmed him down and he laid on the floor with a bag of corn on it.  His cheek is just a little red still and he has the cut but no bruising so far.  If it had to happen it really couldn't have happened in a better place.  I'm just glad it didn't get the front of his face (broken nose, teeth...yikes) or higher on his head where it probably would have split open.  Jake plays baseball and is good at it and his team just won the championship game.  So I'm pretty sure it was a fairly hard swing too.

->I want to write more about Chandler and getting a call from the principals office last week.  He went the entire week without TV because of that...and I survived and he survived and I stuck with it even though it was hard and he was home all day on Tuesday because of voting.  Anyway, it's late so I will have to write about it later.