It's a ...

I am sorry...

I am on page 267 - they are in the meadow - I have to painfully admit I am just not that into it. Put it down two nights ago and realized I haven't picked it back up yet. Thoughts in my head about it: little too high schoolish, little too wholesome (something has to be kicked up a notch romance or horror), and unfortunately the pictures of the characters to play the movie are in my head and they are not nearly as gorgeous as they need to be - so I constantly don't know what mental image to have of these people. The only thing I can compare this book to is a monologue Kyle gave when we were dating about how Bram Stoker's Dracula is one of the best love stories of all time. So right now: Kyle's interpretation of Bram Stoker: 1 Twilight: 0

Nine Years today!

We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love. ~Author Unknown

True love stories never have endings. ~Richard Bach

Confession...

I am judgemental. I fight this tendency. Now don't' get me wrong I think I am a kind person, but there are just some people .... One such person is the principal at my children's school. I confess I didn't like her demeanor from the get-go - but she solidified my irk in several meetings about Ella where she talked to me like I was either an idiot or in elementary school myself. I also approached her about the school's Nazi-like position on no singing Happy birthday to your child on their birthday or letting Mom bring cupcakes. - She entered the realm of shockingly rude to me on that subject, instead of just talking down to me. Since then I have made it a point to be extremely rude at every opportunity I get without my kids or a bystander seeing - which unfortunately isn't often enough. In fact right now I am only clinging to one intense glare I was able to make at a restaurant in town. Which all leads me to this morning. I was scheduled to volunteer at the school at 10 am, the same time school was to start with the delayed opening. So instead of them getting dropped off in the line we all parked in the visitor lot. The parking lot was a lovely icy black. My exact thought was "Please don't let my big butt fall in front of the long line of cars" - We all proceeded to head straight across the carpool lane into the school (about twenty feet to the safer, dryer sidewalk) When I hear Principal Pain yell at me "Use the crosswalk" - and yes I mean literally YELL at me - I was close enough that yelling wasn't necessary. So there I stand holding both my kids hands on very dry ground looking back at the slick parking lot - which I have to re-enter to make my way the 30 YARDS or so to the stupid crosswalk. It was a HUGE dilemma for me - I pride myself on sarcasm and being passive aggressive - or in some cases openly aggressive. (In fact Kyle is convinced I will be killed on the highway in some road rage incident. - My mom can attest to some people's attempts. - Seriously don't try to fly up on the shoulder and squeeze in in front of me - I WILL run you off the road!!) You don't know how bad I wanted to continue walking head held high right past her. Instead I did the right thing, headed back to the parking lot and over to the crosswalk, where it just so happened we almost got hit by an exiting parent who didn't expect people to cross there. Yes the crosswalk is where all the cars are exiting! And to make a short story longer - I have been fuming about this whole dumb thing since. I should be happy I did the right thing, but now I am only pining for a solo encounter with her somewhere. I know I probably have the wrong audience since all my friends are sweet LDS ladies with much betters hearts than me - but have you ever been rude and or rebellious in front of your children?

Teckis Snow and Rock & Roll

Making Mr. Snowman with the neighbors
Kyle: "Oh this is just great"

Bunny tracks

The kids taught her this while I wasn't around. I opened I-tunes to play music for her and said what do you want to listen to? (expecting the usual "twinkle") When out comes "rock and roll". What did you say?

So its not a chapter book but

Benjamin has found Kyle's old Garfield books and he is reading them every night. Kyle and I crack up from the belly laughs he makes every night while reading. During the day he quizzes on facts about Garfield - which Kyle can keep up with much better than me since they are his old books. And he has taken to drawing them as well. I think he does a pretty good job.

I heart movies...

Being sick I was somewhat consoled by way too much TV, and often lamented that none of my favorite movies were on. Abby's recent post gave me an excuse to avoid housework and categorize my faves. - It was fun even though I did waste too much time doing it.

1. Chick flicks: Sliding Doors (1998 Starring Gwyneth Paltrow) and of course Terms of Endearment (1983 Starring Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger - who can't cry at that movie - Fave quote:"It's after ten. I don't see why she has to have this pain...It's time for her shot. Do you understand? Do something! All she has to do is hold on until ten, and it's past ten. She's in pain. My daughter's in pain. Give her the shot. Do you understand me? Give my daughter the shot!"
2. Romance: Say Anything (1989 Starrring Jon Cusack), The Graduate (1968 Starring Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman - Best soundtrack of all time) and Garden State (2004 Starring and written/directed by Zack Braff)
3. Modern Comedy: Love most Will Ferrell and Chris Farley stuff, but for absolute favorites see Coen Brothers list.
4. Dark Comedy: I don't know if its in this category but I LOVED Fargo (1996 Starring William H. Macy and Steve Buscemi) Buscemi cracks me up in almost every scene. I also loved that they claim its "Based on a true story" and they actually made the entire thing up. Gotta love the Coen brothers. Which leads me to my own category: Coen Brothers movies: O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Big Lebowski, and Raising Arizona - in that order.
5. War comedy: Top Secrect (1984 Starring Val Kilmer - Parody of WWII spy movies in which an American rock and roll singer becomes involved in a Resistance plot to rescue a scientist imprisoned in East Germany)
6. War Drama: Don't like these - Does Officer and a Gentleman count?
7. Sports: I don't like any sports movies either, but if pinned down by bad-guys and had to say, I'd say League of Their Own. - But that's a chick flick really.
8. Drama: The Shawshank Redemption (1994 Starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman) Only Stephen King movie done well. And The Color Purple (1985)
9. Musical: Grease 2, then Grease, then Zanadu then Little Shop of Horrors - in that order. Of the more serious - Sound of Music and Evita - but truth be told I LOVE THEM ALL
10. Parody: This Is Spinal Tap (1984) - "Does for rock and roll what "The Sound of Music" did for hills "
11. Action: True Lies (1994 Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis) Honorable Mention: The Kill Bill movies, but only when they come on TV - pared down violence.
12. Horror:The Blair Witch Project (1999 Starring - Heather Donahue and the brilliant Indie writers who created this film - went to see it in the theaters three times) Honorable Mention: Poltergeist
13. Hitchcock: Its not a movie but an episode "The Man from the South" involving an infamous bet over keeping one's pinky finger, which leads to my favorte Quentin Tarantino movie : Four Rooms (1995 Starring a TON of celebrities including Madonna and Antonio Banderas)
14. Suspense: Deceived (1991 Starring Goldie Hawn) Honorable Mention: The Usual Suspects
15. Foreign Language: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000 Starring Yun-Fat Chow and Michelle Yeoh This movie has one of the most romantic scenes which I will quote: "I would rather be a ghost, drifting by your side...as a condemned soul...than enter heaven without you. Because of your love...I will never be a lonely spirit."--Li Mu Bai to Shu Lien
16. Science Fiction: Starman (1984 Starring Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen - coming on TV March 5th 9:45am on TMC) Honorable Mentions: Innerspace, Flight of the Navigator, Cocoon
17. Holiday: The funny ones and yes I never get tired of them - watch them every year: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989 Starring Chevy Chase) and A Christmas Story (1983 Starring Peter Billingsley) - did you know that movie inspired "The Wonder Years" TV show?
18. Disney: The Sword in the Stone - I want Merlin to make me into a fish
19. Live action Disney: Freaky Friday, Pete's Dragon, Swiss Family Robinson, and The Chronicles of Narnia
20. Pixar: Finding Nemo
21. Cult Classics: Rocky Horror Picture Show, Wizard of Oz, Napoleon Dynamite
22. John Hughes movies: The Breakfast Club and She's Having a Baby

Wow I like a lot of movies...

Attention Area Moms...

I just found out about this:

Divine Consign Plano - twice a year consignment sale --
of course after I dropped some major money on new clothes for the kids this week. Man I wish I knew what the baby is - It would make the trip even more worth it!

Hodge Podge...

"I am a Cub Scout, And a very happy boy. With a uniform of blue and gold. And a den that gives me joy. "

Benjamin at this Saturday's Blue and Gold Breakfast. They introduced the boys that will be joining this year. They also played a slideshow of the past year's activities. Benjamin's eyes got as big as saucers when they showed pictures of the BB gun range, and archery. He kept saying "I am soooo excited!!!" and Kyle said "I have may have to take off work and be there on that day of camp"
Here are pictures of my expensive Ouidad haircut and style done by the exceptional Karen at Styling Hutch. Meg and I both went and were very impressed. If you have curly hair I highly recommend this place. I can't quite duplicate the styling myself yet, but I'm working on it. Oh and I have no idea why I look like I am in the process of being abducted by aliens in this picture.

So on picture day... Lots of parents really dress up their kids, like Sunday best, I personally think its a school picture and want them to look like they do most days, minus dirt and stains.

Ella may be a true Texan - she wanted her hair "poufy" for picture day, I did the best I could:

Benjamin got a new haircut, and he looks so handsome if I do say so myself:

Artwork installation by Ella and Maiya, medium is sidewalk chalk mixed with water applied to glass:

I splurged on something I wanted for a long time - an overhead garage organizer. And Kyle being the good Dad he is decided he would store the kids up there. He only managed to grab Ella before the rest ran away. And true to her scaredy cat nature (possibly acquired genetically from me) it took ten minutes to coax her down.

What the?

This "secret" is currently up on Postsecret - kind of made my jaw drop, but I loved the response someone left. I bet there will be more resonses - poor Frank will have his email filled.

Response: "Our children are our lives and we're in your classroom because we know how little some of you really care about them and about us. Our little secret? We don't trust you with our children unless we're keeping an eye on you."

I think this might be my favorite milestone!

One of my big fears for my kids besides the obvious (you know illness, jail, teenage pregnancy, etc.) was would they like to read? I am not even that concerned that they be honor roll students. I mean that would be gravy. But I just want them to enjoy reading. I think you can learn just as much from reading for enjoyment as when you are told what to read via school. Well Benjamin has always liked books, easily demonstrated by at least ten being scattered in, around, and on his bed at any given time. But I suspected what he really liked were the pictures. So, hmmm, I'd say a year ago we started pushing chapter books. At first they have just been for me to read to them, until Kyle got Benjamin this book. I'll never know why some books grab you instead of others but this one grabbed Benjamin. The first night he picked it up he read two chapters. Without even a teaser chapter read by me. And then sadly that night ... I have always hesitated to blog about this to not embarrass him, but it fits in the story, anyway - his demon (intermittent bed-wetting) reared its ugly head. The accident destroyed the book which had imbedded itself in between the sheets. He was devastated - I was sad. I was afraid this might break his interest in the book. But not so! A few days later he said "you don't have to buy me a new book - they put it on the internet" He had googled the title on his own and found the sample pages on amazon. - ADORABLE -- well Daddy saved the day and got him a new copy. Last night when I went to put them in bed Benjamin says "I should read to you - the book is getting really good" And lo and behold he is eight chapters into the book - I couldn't believe it - 60 pages completely on his own. Before he started reading he says "oh yeah I should tell you what has already happened" - once again ADORABLE! And I got to see that he is not just reading - he is comprehending it all too. As he read to me I was truly beaming. He struggles through even the hard words for him: accompaniment, lured, melodies, the main character's name "Wolfgang Amadeus" - I remember words I didn't know right away really frustrating me at that age. He just kept plugging right along. I feel like I just got a set of keys to a whole new planet with him. so exciting


ABOUT THIS BOOK: Wolfgang Amadeus Mouse ("Wolf," for short) has a big name for such a little mouse. But the name fits. His favorite pastime is listening to Mrs. Honeybee, the lady of the house, play the piano. If only he could sing along to the music! One day, Wolf decides to try -- and to his surprise, out of his mouth comes a perfect melody.It's not long before Wolf is singing everything from "Three Blind Mice" to Chopin to the Beatles, all to Mrs. Honeybee's accompaniment. Then an accident leaves Mrs. Honeybee in danger, and it's up to Wolf to save her... the only way he knows how.

Two big, yet random thoughts...

1. Beware - cool chicks procreating. My first pregnancy was a dead heat with my best friend Ingrid. But the next two were mostly flown solo. Now I'm working overtime at the baby factory with some pretty cool company. Breeding roll call: Me, Sarah, Ryann, and Practically Perfect. Am I forgetting anyone? This is officially my last shift at said factory, so its cool to be there with friends. Meg and I always wanted to do the preggo thing simultaneously but decided that in case she gets as sick as me, there would be no sense in doing that together. So when that day comes I'll be the cool Aunt-to-be holding her hair back when she pukes. Anyone ever wished they'd be pregnant at the same time as their best friend or sister?
   
   
2. Change gears. As a previous poll suggested we are in the process of planning our first ever family vacation to Disneyworld. And I have to admit it has become quite soul consuming. I know nothing is easy to plan - but add four kids to the mix (yes four since we are planning this vacation for the fall.) It has been on my mind all the time.
   So far we want to go in September (value season) and stay at the All-star family suite (value hotel) see a pattern here - I LIKE THE WORD VALUE. The rumor mill via our travel agent (who specializes in getting you the best value) is saying that Disney is going to possibly offer free dining packages in September - which would save us $900. So I remain obsessed. Anyone have Disney experience? Mind if I pick your brain? give me a shout!!
   
   I WANT SPELL CHECK BACK, AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW SOME OF YOU ARE KEEPING SPACES IN YOUR POSTS - ALL MY STUFF KEEPS GETTING SMUSHED!

More...

My Valentine gift - I love my man!!!!!!

More musical performances!

Hodge Podge...

"Is it that painful to take a picture together?"
I just had to post this - how sweet, this dad brought his second grader flowers for her performance

Valentine Parties at school

For you Mom!

100 Day Celebration at school - You had to attach 100 things to your shirt - So Ella went as "Peppermint Patty" She came back with 100 empty safety pins - She said the teachers took the most!

Hey - there is a baby in there - I have even felt a couple of flutters. The big ultrasound will be on March 10th - so stay tuned to see if Gummy bear is a boy or girl.

Benjamin's 'overly enthusiastic' performance - he said after he saved the concert because twice people around him stopped singing and he sang louder to save everything! - gotta love it

I thought I had made that really easy...

Answers:

1. Independence Day


2. E.T.


3. Princess Bride


4. The Sixth Sense


5. Sleepless in Seattle


6. Napoleon Dynamite


7. Poltergiest


8. Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Bored?

Play our made up movie game - go to http://www.imdb.com/ search random fav movies of your husband - see if he can guess the movie from the "Tagline" - sometimes they are so bizarre you can't even tell that its talking about your favorite movie.
Here's a few for ya:

1. We've always believed we weren't alone. Pretty soon, we'll wish we were.
2. He is afraid. He is totally alone. He is 3 million light years from home.
3. Scaling the Cliffs of Insanity, Battling Rodents of Unusual Size, Facing torture in the Pit of Despair. - True love has never been a snap.
4. Not every gift is a blessing.
5. What if someone you never met, someone you never saw, someone you never knew was the only someone for you?
6. He's out to prove he's got nothing to prove.
7. They're here
8. Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny.

answers later...good luck

Where have all the Girl Scouts gone?

So I hear this rumor that it is cookie season but I have had no order forms thrust upon me. Kyle got hit at work, but he figured Meg and I had already placed orders somewhere too so he only ordered two boxes. This will not stand - so I plead to my audience - send me your little ones with order forms or better yet with boxes of Thin mints and Samoas - I will be an easy sell.
I am pregnant, I won't even pretend to have self control.

Don't get too excited...

The "rebate/refund" checks we are all hearing about and some are getting excited about - well - its actually an advance. According to Dave Ramsey's show today - the checks which will start going out in May are only advances on next year's tax return. So this may make some people even pay some taxes next year if their deductions are not adjusted accordingly. Classic government. Get us excited and think we can thank them for something - TOTAL CRAP - Kyle woudn't ask for an advance on his pay. This is like his company doing it anyway and punishing you later. People need to stop blaming the government for the stock market being down - and stop praising the government for "giving" us money back. The stock market is the way it is because of tons and tons of people making bad decisions and getting into more debt than they can handle. - Lets call this what it is. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

The newswire is recalling that info currently - but we'll see...

Happy Birthday Aunt Beth!!!!!

The Meaning of American Pie

When I am sick and bummed out I you tube my favorite songs for me and the kids - found this and thought it was really neat if you are into the meaning of songs and bizarre facts