October 14, 2011
About 10:00 p.m. tonight I started making sugar cookies. I had promised Pearl and my sister something fun to do tomorrow while I was at a work meeting. I know those two love decorating cupcakes and cookies and shockingly, I've been building up a pretty fun supply of sprinkles, frosting, and other goodies over the past few months with Target dollar section finds. I came home to a table strewn with scary bats, spooky ghosts, and sprinkle-covered pumpkins. It also became apparent that Pearl had been sneaking some of the black frosting, with her goth-like lips and stained hair. And I have to brag a little... these cookies were baked to perfection! My first "Jeff approved" sugar cookie batch!
October 13, 2011
I'm wondering if Miss Kori is trying to send me a hint that Cole needs a hair cut. The sad thing is, he has (and has always had) more hair than most girls his age. I thought it was pretty funny. Jeff though, not so much. He didn't find it very funny that his boy came home sporting two piggy tails.
October 12, 2011
If you look really closely, buried deep in her backpack are two paper dolls Pearl made at school today. Armless paper dolls.
When I picked her up, she tearfully told me, "I was the only kid in my class who couldn't make paper dolls. Their clothes won't stay on. I cut off their arms. Can you fix them, Mom?"
It was really sad. My heart broke for her, she was so upset about it. I told her the only we could do was to practice cutting things out so she could make them better next time. I hope no one had made fun of her for not being able to cut out those little arms. Granted, Pearl does get a bit impatient with things and I'm sure just started whacking away with the scissors without thinking but it was so sad. Her first school "failure." I kept thinking, oh my, I was probably just like this when it came to school! What a long 12 years this is going to be.
October 11, 2011
I wanted to get a picture of Cole's shirt. He was NOT in the mood for a picture. The only reason you see a smile on his face, is because his Dad happened to get home during the middle of our tear and scream-filled photo shoot.
His shirt says, "Will trade sister for candy."
Hilarious. And probably true. The kid has a sweet tooth, I'm afraid. When Pearl saw it this morning, she asked me if it was Cole's Halloween shirt. I told her yes, not expecting her little lips to start quivering, and in a shaky voice tell me, "But I don't want to move out!"
October 10, 2011
You might think taking the kids to the Discovery Gateway would be an exhausting way to spend the afternoon. Surprisingly, for me, it's a lazy way to entertain my kids. Now that we have a "ticket" to go to the museum any time we want, Pearl insists we go the minute boredom sets in. I finally caved to her pleadings and was glad I did. Pearl ran back and forth from the grocery store to the house, back to the car to get her kids, and then taking a quick trip to the farm to feed the animals. Cole terrorized everything, dumping the groceries Pearl put in the house on the floor, ramming into people with the lawnmower, and dumping water all over the floor near the fountains. Luckily, the crowds are minimal on a Monday afternoon.
October 9, 2011
Kurtis is now the proud owner of "the shirt named Desire."
Yes, the shirt has a name. It's a funny story. Basically summed up to this. Our neighbor, David, bought this beauty many years ago for the sheer purpose of impressing his girlfriend (later to be his wife, Vickie) at the rodeo. There's a few more details to the story... but I'll let "the shirt named Desire" stay a little mysterious.
Regardless, Kurtis rocked it. I knew he was one of the few who could pull off the look "the shirt named Desire" lends and that's why we gave it to him. And because it didn't fit Jeff. He even wore "the shirt named Desire" to school on Monday. My little brother rocks.
Boom Baby!
October 8, 2011
The second we walk into Jeff's parents' house, Cole heads straight for the bottom drawer in their kitchen.
The candy drawer.
I can't get too upset about it, my grandma had one too. An entire cupboard filled with candy bars and sweet treats that would make any dentist cringe. And right within reach of little hands. Little hands soon to be covered in sticky chocolate and sugar.
It's no wonder Cole loves going to see Grandpa and Grandma.
October 7, 2011
No one wants to be the mom of "the biter." No one.
With three notes in just two days (two today alone!), two bites on his sister this week, and a bite on my wrist tonight for no reason, I'm afraid Cole has become "the biter." And I'm the mom that other parents smile at but secretly wish evil vibes befall you because they don't think you're doing anything to address the problem. Apparently my daily lecture to Cole every day... "Be good for Ms. Kori. Take a nap. Eat your lunch. And be nice to your friends (and no biting which I've now added)"... is going in one deaf ear and out the other.
If licensing rules allowed it, I'd have his teacher flick his mouth every time he laid into one of his little friends. Our pediatrician said that was the best way to cure biting when Pearl had her turn as "the biter." Something about not having the fine motor skills developed to flick you back so they associate their behavior with a negative consequence. Hopefully the flick I gave him tonight after he bit me and the timeout his Dad put him in will help cure the biting.
If not, I'm terribly sorry if Cole takes a chunk out of you or your kid. Really, no one wants to have the biter.
October 6, 2011
Ever since dance lessons ended, Pearl has been begging us to let her take ice skating. Luckily, our neighbor, Tiff, is one of the ice rink instructors at the rec center. Tiff
was nice enough to do a private lesson with Pearl tonight to see how she would do and if ice skating is really what she wants to pursue now. Pearl did amazing. Really! Way, way, way better than me. There's no way I could have walked across the rink back and forth that many times. Or fall as graciously as Pearl learned how to... yes, there is a right way to fall. I suck at ice skating. Jeff on the other hand, is a pro. Of course, growing up just down the street from Logan's outdoor ice rink doesn't hurt.
Pearl isn't sure if she wants to do ice skating again. She complained that it was hard work and her whole body hurt from falling. I jokingly told Tiff, I just hoped Pearl would pick a sport that I actually knew when the rules to and if she was doing good or not. We'll see....
October5, 2011
This picture was not taken today. It's from our adventure a few weeks ago at the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum.
But considering the weather took a 20 degree plunge overnight and we saw snow on the ground this morning, I thought it was only appropriate to remind myself that we will be spending a lot of time indoors.
Ugh. I am not looking forward to winter or trying to keep two busy kids entertained inside.
October 4, 2011
It seems like everywhere you look, there is garbage, filth, and temptations set to tear apart the family. I've felt this urgent need to teach my kids (and remind Jeff and I) what we believe the family is all about. I keep hoping my meager efforts will fortify us and help us weather this wicked world.
The Proclamation on the Family has been on my mind a lot lately. I remember my Aunt Brenda had a huge copy of it in her home and had put a massive collage of family photos around it. I always thought it was beautiful and a great way to get kids involved in understanding its meaning. So I decided we were going to make one too. I found a cheap frame at Wal-mart ($3 people!), printed out a bunch of family pictures from this year ($8), got a glue stick ($2), and picked up a copy of the proclamation at the Distribution Center (free!). Pearl and I started cutting heads and bodies - soon joined by Cole who wanted to help with the cutting - when I realized all of my pictures were too big for my measly frame and this wasn't going to work out quite as I had hoped it would. That, and I realized I had one picture of me and Pearl together and one of Jeff and Cole together. Apparently the "best friends" thing Pearl established after Cole was born is really true.
Pearl soon got bored with my meticulous cutting, arranging, and rearranging. That's when Jeff came inside. My family collage to be treasured for years to come, quickly became a set of body-less puppets on giant Popsicle sticks. I have to admit though, Jeff's idea to make puppets was a lot more fun than my project. Quicker and easier too. Even if he snatched the one picture of us all together not in Aggie gear that I wanted to use. Pearl loved them! A few years ago I would have been furious that Jeff "ruined" our project, but not anymore. It was really funny and everyone had a great time.
We just might make it after all.
October 3, 2011
I stopped nursing Fern last week.
I'm wondering if I haven't released a monster, one set on revenge for taking away his milk supply. It's not that it was hard to do.... he was just fine and bedtime is now a breeze! But, I'm not kidding in the least when I say the day after I stopped nursing him, he turned into a little turd. I'd use a more colorful word of endearment but I wouldn't want anyone to think ill of me.
He now throws tantrums, throwing toys, banging his head on the walls, or slapping someone in the face. He doesn't listen and smirks as he does something he knows he shouldn't. It doesn't matter how many times you tell him "no" or get him off the table, chair, top of the couch, bathroom counter, window sill, or Pearl's bed, the kid isn't phased at all. In fact, I think the more we tell him "no" or threaten him, the more he enjoys his new found rebellion. On a positive note, the lack of milk has lead to a substantial increase in Cole's appetite. The lasagna you see all over his face in this picture was his third helping, on top of the two servings of applesauce he ate.
Dr. Doug says it's just his age and developmental stage to do all these things. I'm hoping he's right and it's not Cole's personality.
15 month stats
Weight: 23 lbs. 3 oz (22%)
Height: 31 inches (29%)
Head Circumference: 47.1 cm. (39%)
Plus, three shots :(
October 2, 2011
I'm fairly certain I am the only person who feels spiritually malnourished instead of feeling spiritually fed after General Conference weekend. Something about trying to keep two kids from screaming because it's part of how you play pirates, throwing toys, making a disastrous mess while trying to build a pirate ship, or fighting just doesn't invite the type of spirit one needs to remember (or hear, for that matter) one minute of the eight hours of speakers.
Jeff had more realistic expectations. He made Tomatillo Green Salsa with all the green tomatoes and tomatillos left in the garden. It was delicious. I guarantee the 10 pints of this salsa-awesomeness won't make it till the next General Conference session in April.
General Conference weekend wasn't a complete bust after all.
Tomatillo Green Salsa
5 cups finely chopped tomatillos (or green tomatoes, or a combination of both)
1 1/2 cups seeded, chopped long green chilies (we used Anaheim peppers)
1/2 cup seeded, finely chopped jalapeno peppers
4 cups chopped onions
1 cup bottled lemon or lime juice
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin*
3 tablespoons oregano leaves*
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and stir frequently over high heat until mixture begins to boil. Reduce heat and simmer fro 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ladle hot into pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Adjust lids and process in a boiling canner: 15 minutes at 0-1,000 feet altitude; 20 minutes at 1,001-6,000 feet; or 25 minutes above 6,000 feet.
Yield: 5 pints
*The amounts of spices and herbs may be altered to taste. Cilantro and cumin are often used in spicy salsas. You may leave them out if you prefer a salsa with a milder taste. For stronger cilantro flavor, add fresh cilantro just before serving the salsa. DO NOT CHANGE THE AMOUNTS OF VEGETABLES OR LEMON/LIME JUICE.
October 1, 2011
Cole thinks he is a great helper when it comes to household chores.
Especially if those chores involve dirt. Er, excuse me. Compost.
He just doesn't seem to understand - or care for that matter - that Jeff wants the compost kept inside the flowerbeds or at the very least, the back of the truck until he can get it scooped out. Nor does he seem to care that I would prefer that all dirt to be kept outside and not tracked into the house via one's ears, feet, shoes, shoes, hair, fingers, and diapers.
September 30, 2011
We should have taken this message as a sign to just turn the T.V. off. Skip the USU vs. BYU game all together. Even if we would have missed Robert Turbin's epic touchdown run the first play of the game.
Jeff's hacking skills (fine... we didn't do anything illegal... Jeff has a list of websites that stream all sorts of sports games, LEGALLY) only gave us indescribable, gut-wrenching heartache with 11 seconds to go in the game.
It's hard to be a dedicated Aggie fan. At least during football season.
September 29, 2011
Pearl loves sweets. Especially honey.
I just happened to mention this to my friend at work, Teresa, who has a beehive and makes personalized honey jars for weddings, birthdays, and other festive occasions. She gave me a little jar of honey and this super cute beehive spoon to give to Pearl. I warned her that even with a sweet gift like this, Pearl would probably still snub her the next time I brought her up to my office to say hi.
If you want to see more of Teresa's sweet treats, check out her Etsy shop.
September 28, 2011
I have to apologize to all the other shoppers - especially the moms who left their kids at home to enjoy a quiet night of shopping - at Target tonight.
My two busy-bodies weren't exactly in the mood to find the perfect outfits for our family pictures next weekend. Nope. Instead they wanted to play with all the toys, hide in the clothes racks as their Mom and Aunt Kimmy frantically looked for them, run up and down the isles while their Mom yelled across the store to quit running, grab spare metal bars and narrowly avoid poking out their sister's eye or stabbing their own toes, hide in the dressing rooms (ok, so I'll give them that one... the little alcove in the dressing room did look fun to play in), scream, laugh, and finally cry as they were drug out of the store minus all the toys they'd pleaded for earlier.
Thank heavens my sister was there to one, help round them up, and two, pick out the perfect picture outfits. Now if she could just wave her magic wand and get my kids to look and smile at the camera next week.
September 27, 2011
I've been thinking a lot about my family lately... keeping them safe from this wicked world.
Sometimes I sit and wonder why we even had kids. Especially when everything around them seems to want to tear them down, break them down, and tempt them. It feels like a battle I have no chance of winning. It's hard to describe how overwhelmed I feel at the thought of trying to teach my kids not only the stuff they'll need to succeed in school and "the world" but how to keep them spiritually safe. Both came with enough spunk, personality, and stubbornness that I'm just praying I can keep them on the straight and narrow path or we are in big, big trouble.
This was on my mind a lot tonight, especially after quickly reading the Visiting Teaching message in the Ensign before going to see my V.T. ladies. One part really stuck out:
"What can we do to better prepare our children spiritually for their eternal roles?" asked Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. "Perhaps the most inclusive answer is: Teach them how to live the principles of the gospel." This teaching comes through daily prayer, scripture study, and family mealtimes as well as weekly family home evening and Church attendance. Elder Ballard explains: “We prepare each day, right now, for eternal life. If we are not preparing for eternal life, we are preparing for something less, perhaps something far less.”
My exact first thoughts were, "Yeah right. There's no way that these five things will keep my kids spiritually ready for all the evil out there." But then something else came into my head, ".... by small and simple things are great things brought to pass...."
Maybe, just maybe if we can get the daily prayer down (thankfully, we've got the other ones figured out so far) these two little pipsqueaks will be alright.
October 14, 2011
