One Eighty {180}

Day 1 of 180.

I've said it before but I am so ready for a routine. The random days of summer were fun at first but have definitely lost their charm. I need to be accountable with a time constraint, I need quiet time in the afternoon, I need to run errands with only 2 kids and not 4. And almost above all else, I need time to blog! Really.

We started the morning with our traditional initial pancakes. It was a bit crazier than usual (Reed was screaming in the background) so you can tell which pancake I started with. By the time Dane's made it to the pan, it was too hot . Kat had a nice pancake with a slightly bloated K, Nate's wasn't too bad but it was huge and he couldn't finish it, Dane's was definitely burnt and he only ate a few bites.

They were all a buzz waiting to leave for school. I'm really happy with their teachers, Nathan has the same teacher Kathryn had last year. I don't want to do that every year but this woman lives for 1st grade. Kathryn is most excited for the classroom pets that her teacher has. A turtle and a hamster. I'm sure those animals wont know what hit them when she gets to them, she is a crazed animal lover.

Oh these guys are getting so old. Life was so hard when they were both young and while I wouldn't call it easy now, it's just a different kind of hard. My mom reminds me that's how every stage is. You trade your old 'hard' for a new 'hard'. I can attest to that and they're only (almost) 7 & 8. I love them so much and worry each day that I've armed them with what they need to have to be safe and happy in this world. It's not an easy job and as cheesy as this sounds, I wouldn't want any other one.

You can't tell by looking at this photo but Dane was in tears just moments before. I'm pretty sure he was feeling the stress of staying behind this morning. He turns 5 next Wed and so will have to wait another whole year for kindergarten. I'm really happy about that, it's just hard for him right now. He starts preschool next week and can't wait. I hope they're ready for him, ha!

On the way to school I realized Kat was in Room 8 and turning 8 this year.

Nate is right next door in Room 7 and he'll be 7 this year.

Can you tell they were over me taking pictures? Kat ran right off to the playground and Nate went to investigate the classroom until he found a friend. And then he was off and running to the field.

Since we've been home Dane has eaten 2 more breakfasts, a snack and insisted on calling his friend Kimble because he says buddies talk on the phone. Oh and he woke up Reed during his morning nap, claiming he was scared when I was in the shower. Bored seems like a better word than scared. He begged me to pack his lunch bag and while I was getting ready I just kept putting him off. Finally I told him, your school doesn't start until next week so we don't need to do that right now. He leaned into my ear with a serious look on his face and in a loud whisper said, 'Mom, my homeschool...'. Man, this kid has worn me out and it's only the first day. Thank heavens he's sleeping it off right now, he's had a busy morning, ha.

Back to School Night

We had back to school night tonight and were able to meet the kids teachers and see their classrooms. Milo had a big meeting and couldn't go or stay home with the 2 younger ones, so we called on Gramimi to save the day and she watched Dane and Reed. A thousand thank yous wouldn't be enough, it was sooo nice to just take the big kids. I'm not sure what they were more excited about, meeting their teachers and seeing their classrooms or the ice cream social in the gym at the end of the evening. I'm guessing since I'm their mom, it was the ice cream!

We went to Nathan's class first and Kathryn was ready be his teacher. It's the room she was in last year and of course she still knows how it's all ran. They made these pouches for the teacher's reward system and had a chance to look around. He found a couple friends to chat with and when he saw two girl's from his kindergarten class he said a very shy, awkward 'Hi' to them. He can be so wild and silly, I love to see his shy embarrassed side once in a while. He is my energetic, fast paced, smart, loving, funny boy and I can't wait to see all he learns in 1st grade. He's going to have a great year!

Kathryn made herself right at home in her class and went straight to the reading corner. She loves to read and thought it was hilarious that her teacher has a Where's Waldo doll. I'm so proud of this sweet, loving, smart, happy, caring girl. She has come a long way and I know she's going to have a fabulous 2nd grade year!

The Past Week

Another week gone. I've had lots on my mind and plenty to blog about but I have been the queen of putting it off and now I can only remember half of what I want to say. I hate that. Just a bit of what's on my mind.

-Perspective. On Friday I'll be attending another funeral. It will be the 4th one, just this summer and 3 of them untimely deaths. Lives not fully lived. It reminds my of how much work I have to do in my life, how much I have to work on myself. About how much I'm not in control of the plan. I'm not even sure how to describe my feelings and I've thought about it a lot this past week. So much sorrow for each of these families. A young grandma (in June), a two week old baby (a couple weeks ago) and a young 39 year old mother (the funeral this Friday). Every one of them cut short from their turn on earth. I do have a testimony that they live and that we will see them again but with hurt that they are feeling right now, I'm sure that's hard to hear. I have a hard time watching people hurt, I want to take it all away, in one quick swish of my hand. I know growth comes from pain so all is not lost but still, funerals are hard. There is always, always something to remind me of my many, many blessings.

-I had a major (not good ) first while I was doing hair yesterday. I was giving someone highlights and adding some lowlights to cover up the old highlights. Her natural hair color is red so the color I had mixed up was really blood red. Anyway, I go to shake the bottle downward and the top flies off!! Color goes all over her face, down the cape, onto her arms, some on her pants and splashes on the floor. For the first few seconds I stood there completely stunned and just stared at the mess of color. I started cleaning fast, mostly trying to get it off her face and avoid all her clothes (mine too). It was a huge, huge mess and I was so embarrassed! Who goes to get their hair done and gets splashed on like that? When Nathan walked around the corner and saw the mess he said, 'Man, it looks like you shot a rooster through the heart and it got all over.' It was so random, a rooster? The floor did look like I was getting ready to cover up some sort of crime, it was awful. I wanted a photo because it was so unbelievable that I made such a mess with just a couple ounces of color. Of course I let the client, not the blog, come first so, no photo. We did joke together about taking one but I didn't have the heart to tell her I wasn't kidding about wanting that photo. Milo said I had pretty good odds since a catastrophe like that was 13 years in the making. Good times cleaning up that mess.

-Dane is now eating more dinner (his least favorite meal) thanks to the Olympics. I heard him telling Nathan that he will be so strong one day. He's going to do the pommel horse and that's was why he was eating his chicken. We haven't watched men's gymnastics for days so I thought it was pretty funny that he's been thinking about it. He asked Nate if he was going to be in the Olympics too and his response was, 'No, I'm going to be a pretty tall guy so I wont be able to do it.' I love to overhear their funny conversations.

-Reed has been fighting a cold or teething, not sure which. He has a runny nose, cough and watery eyes. The poor boy. And because of all this he's been waking up at night again. Oh this hurts. I love to sleep and now that he's been taking it away again, I have been dragging in the afternoon. I want to give in and take a nap. Like everyday. But with all the kids still home I don't get one as often as I'd like. Here's hoping this cold goes away fast, I want my sleep back!

-Speaking of all the kids being home... we are at T minus one week until school starts. It's bittersweet for me. I love having the laid back schedule of them being home for summer but as we get closer to school starting I get antsy for the daily routine and structured schedule (I'm actually more productive with deadlines and commitments). Such an oxymoron. And this is awful but summer would be so much easier if they didn't have to be fed so dang much. I swear we are just over breakfast, onto begging for 3 snacks before lunch. Onto lunch and before nap time is over Nathan (the worst offender) is working it for a snack or something else in the kitchen. And by then it's time to think of dinner. Don't you think that's too much kitchen time? When my mom was here I told her if I didn't have to be in charge of meals my day would go so much smoother. I know when school is in that only takes away the lunch meal but notice it also cuts out at least 10 snack times. I can't wait!

-Last week we had our county fair. It was blazing, really blazing hot the two days we went out there. Kathryn clogged both days or we might have skipped it all together. She had a mild wardrobe malfunction...no tights, leaving her underwear sticking out of her leotard underneath her skirt. Not too bad but enough for us to smile in the back of the crowd. My mom raced back from Kyle and Heidi's for the 5 minute performance and then had serious issues with out humid heat (it's not really humid, just much more so than Vegas.)

The kids have wanted to do this little tractor pull every year. We always miss the sign up time and they always make sure we know how disappointed they are and that they missed out again. I was determined this time around and we made it. It was well over 100^ but both boys insisted on jeans like cowboys and Nate even sported his hat. I drew the line at the bandanna he wanted to wear around his neck, ha!

Dane was one of the youngest kids out there and didn't move his tractor to the end but he worked as hard as he could. It was so cute to see him pushing with all his 35 pounds of might.

Sibling rivalry? Nathan could not stop watching her. He did win the race but missed the finish line by just a foot or so. Maybe if he hadn't been so concerned with her tractor driving.... The kids had so much fun as we just melted in the sun. The Hawaiian Shaved Ice stand was worth every penny we spent there!

Final Catch up Post

(3 posts in backwards order. I'm just excited they're done!)

I have been in the biggest summer slump! A slump with cooking dinner, a slump with blogging, you name it and I'm lagging a little behind. My mom has been in WA for almost 3 weeks now and the time has flown. We haven't done much but hang out together and take care of kids (feeding, reading and refereeing!). An activity here and there and the days go fast. I'm getting 3 posts up to try and get all caught up. I have to, school is almost in session and there will be more to blog about! Can anyone tell me where summer went? I feel so out of the loop with everyone and what is going on. Slowly, I'm catching up....but I still have at least 3 posts written in my head so I'm not totally caught up. Getting these 3 published does take some of the pressure off, I hate getting this behind.

We never made it to the pool during the week. Isn't that awful? The kids didn't care much (I think they are just as worn out from all the swimming earlier in the summer as I am) and had just as much fun with the wiggly sprinker in the backyard.

Reed is loving his bath now that he can successfully sit up without sliding down. In fact he's all splashes!
And I leave every bath wet from his splashing!

I still can't get Reed to eat any food. Nothing but small scraps of bread and cereal. We tried again the other day and he was making the funniest faces. My mom and I were cracking up! This was the last one before we had this to clean up....

So gross I know. Sorry for the visual but he was just so much happier after we quit trying! I'm leaving it alone for awhile.

Saturday (8/9) was a little get together with my family and we took an overdue family photo. It's been 2 years and we've added 2 kids. We met in Matt's parent's gorgeous backyard (thanks again!) and we asked Marion to take some photos for us, we're so grateful she said yes. I think they turned out great! Thanks Marion!! Don't you love Reed grabbing for the bow in Kathryn's hair? So funny.

We had a full day. We took the photos (I have more to post, some with just our 6), came back for lunch and naps, some went to the pool, some stayed home (mom and Preston) and some (Reed and I) ended up at the walk in clinic with pink eye or something like it. Reed was the only one to get it but since he sticks everything in his mouth and on his face I'm not surprised. I'm more grossed out than anything. After the run around at the pharmacy we filled his prescription and headed home to get ready for dinner. We ate Chico's (our hometown pizza that's irreplaceable), had brownie sundaes that were extra fudgey because I doubled everything except the eggs (duh) and swept the kids to bed. What a day!

Sunday was a busy, fun day. As my mom, Kyle and gang got ready to head back to Seattle, we got ready to head out to Jane's house to meet fellow blogger Lucy and her 3 boys (here she is with Sammy). She is on a marathon journey with her boys and wanted to meet up at Jane's house. Susan, Jane and I looked forward to meeting Lucy for a couple weeks. And it did not disappoint. We had a great time talking while our kids ran around Jane's massive yard and hardly ever asked for anything. Lucy is so fun! I could have talked for a couple more hours (at least) and was sad the evening went so fast.

The kids were so wiped out on the way home they could hardly see straight. The only thing that kept Dane up was talking about Susan's daughter, Zoey. He talked about how many hugs she gave him and how one day he wants her to babysit and how he was her favorite, he just knew it. It was so cute! Zoey has a new fan named Dane!!

As we were leaving Jane's house this is what we saw. It was so pretty. I love the sunsets we have here!

Rewind to Week Two

Just more catch up.

Dane was snuggling my mom and I thought this was the most hilarious sight! From the looks of it, Grandma's legs don't get out in that Vegas sun very often!

Sunday (8/3) we went hung out at my Uncle's house. It was great food, fun and visiting. I love getting together with my cousins/aunts/uncles. They are funny people. And it just wouldn't be a Sunday with family if my mom and one of her siblings didn't break out the Pinochle cards and play a couple games.

He's almost 8 months and getting a stronger personality everyday. His latest nickname....Grabby Graberson! He lunges and reaches for anything and everything he sees. I'm not encouraging the crawling because man, when he does, he will be all over the place. I'm not ready for that!

Such a happy baby. We ended up at the park one night and he was all smiles. He loves to be outside and watch the older kids. Thankfully, he doesn't mind hanging out in the stroller.

My mom came home from a trip to Walmart with this batting helmet. Ithought this was a ridiculous, waste of a purchase not realizing how one $6 (on clearance) baseball helmet can bring so much joy! The kids loved it so much, they didn't even fight over it. They shared it. Miracle.

We packed up the gear and the kids and headed to a park to avoid any broken windows around here. They had a blast and the weather was perfect. Not too hot, not too cool. They each had their own style when it was their turn to hit. Kat would walk up to the tee, stand there staring at it for a few seconds, calculating her every move and then she would hit it farther than we thought she would every single time.

Nathan was Mr. Cool walking up to the tee, never wanted any help (not surprising), told us he played T-ball before and hit it almost every time. Dane would stand in a different spot every time, do a little dance with the bat up to his shoulder, hit the bat to the ground, do another little dance and then decide it was time to hit the ball. And he did but only after he hit the tee a couple times.

Dane has looked like this many times though out each day for almost 2 whole weeks (the crying, not the grabbing that I just noticed, ha)! I keep telling myself he is growing because what could possibly be that wrong in an almost 5 yr olds life? Argh, it's been so frustrating. His nickname has been Grumpy Grumperson!! Let's hope he pulls out of it soon, I'm going crazy!

Rewind to Week One

Our stake had a Pioneer Day activity at the park behind our church on Thurs, the 24th. It isn't my favorite activity to attend because it's packed with people and it's hard to keep an eye on the kids but I was pretty much insistent we go as a family. I want the kids to know just how many people belong to the same church as us and for them to actually see all the people that believe as we do. They set up a waterslide and there is lots of food (if you're on time that is and with Milo in our family we get there ON TIME) and of course plenty of people to chat with.

The reason Reed isn't in the family self portrait. He was so good, hanging out in his stroller until he crashed. This kid can go anywhere!

And with a baby confined to a stroller and 3 semi big kids that stay where they are supposed to, Milo and I had a good time mingling. The best part of the night was when all 4 kids crash landed into bed, even sleeping in the next day. Perfect.

My mom came on the 25th and the next morning went to spend the weekend with my Grandma. We were getting ready for our one day reunion on Milo's mom's side. Instead of camping for a few days we spent the whole day at the water park. It was nice to not worry about camping with a 7 month old but it was harder to catch up and visit with half the town at the pool. All in all it was good times and that's what counts.

The kids loved it and wanted to spend lots of time in the sand. I obliged them one time but it's so far from where we were that they didn't get to spend as much time as they wanted. In fact they didn't swim much at all. I think the lazy river was the biggest hit that day.

Dane, Malcolm and Quinn took turns 'riding' each other's back. I have no idea what they were playing, I just know they weren't fighting and that's all that counts!

Away

I've been away from the computer for so long, it now seems forever since I've posted. And I've decided the longer you stay away, the harder it is to come back. Not good. I've missed so much and really do plan on updating, now it's just figuring out what and when. And I've also been slacking with commenting and reading all of your blogs. Forgive me, I will return!

My mom, Reed and I were away from home all day today. We went to 'town' and shopped a bit for school. SO much easier than last year when we took both Nathan and Kathryn and my pregnant self. Sure they still need to go for a couple things that have to be tried on but they wont be taken on such a long outing. Today was almost 10 hours!

July Monthly Special

This post has been in draft form for the better half of this month. I'm finally getting around to posting the July Monthly Special from Take Out Photo. It counts even though I'm posting close to the last eve of the month right?

These photos are from our 'Day of Fun' with family a few weeks ago. This month was a challenge for me because 'round these parts' there is not much in the works architecturally. I know how lame that sounds and I'm sure there are cool photos to be taken but really with 4 kids in tow since it's summer, they weren't meant to be taken by me!

This was built for the World's Fair in 1974. It turns 34 this year and isn't looking half bad. The sky was gorgeous when we were there. You would have never known that across the city they were having major fires that put them in a state of emergency. We didn't see or smell smoke the entire day. Thank heavens.

Across the park looking back at the pavilion.

This is the metal gate protecting the door of the clock tower. I'm sure it's not as old as the clock tower (the bottom half originally built in 1902) but it was a good place to practice.

The clock tower has a cool story (they wind this baby up 99 times once a week, at least that's what the internet says, ha). But more than the cool story, I'll remember it's where we had to convince 23 people to sit and smile for the camera. Some complied and some didn't. I doubt that's much of a surprise but none the less, we still have photos of our day together. Good times, right family?

Little Bits of Random

I've been wanting to post all week. I'm feeling scattered at this point and this is all I can come up with.

Last night the missionaries stopped by because the appointment they had stood them up. They are always so willing to give a little lesson or play a little game with the kids. And the kids eat it up. I'm glad because I think it's great for them to see their examples in our home. Last night they gave a short little blip and played a game about choosing the right and making good choices. Such a great topic coming from someone else because I'm driving this one home on a daily basis. One of the elders asks way to help us choose the right. The kids answer pray, go to church. The usuals. Then one elder asks if the kids should clean their room when they are asked. Nathan says yes and then lovingly, throws us under the bus! He points to Milo and I and says, 'They really need to clean their room.' I wanted to die!! He goes on to say that we have a suitcase (not put away from our Vegas trip and no I'm not proud of that) and bags of garbage (it's one bag and it's not garbage, it's for goodwill. not proud of that either) all over the floor. He kept saying it because of the reaction on my face I'm sure. I was SO embarrassed. Why do kids have to be so honest about thing you don't want shared?! The missionaries were kind and said 'Oh kids tell us stuff all the time. Like when one guy says he is done smoking and the 4 yr old brings him his pack of cigarettes from the other room. Kids never lie to the missionaries.' I guess I can be thankful it wasn't cigarettes?

Reed turned 7 months yesterday (I took this a few minutes ago, isn't he just precious?). His first year is starting to go faster and faster, it's almost over. In fact once we make it though the next 3 weeks it's school starting, soccer season, Halloween, Thanksgiving, then Christmas. Oh and all 6(!) of our birthdays in those 4 months. We're coming up on crazy season.

~Reed curling his tongue. His new trick that he does non stop. Don't you love those fat arm pits?~

His stats at 7 months, as he got 3 shots yesterday, 21.5 lbs & 30 inches long. Over the 90% in weight and off the charts for height. I'm wondering if she measured him right but he is pretty long. I know most babies even out and he's at the age of slowing his growth but so far, he's our biggest one. He is sitting up now. Balancing that long body was no easy task.

He is ticklish and giggles the cutest sound. He reaches for me and I love the sweet happy look on his face when he wants me to pick him up. He's been a little sick cutting these teeth and it's been sad to hear him with a hoarse, raspy voice. Yesterday I went to check on him because he'd been taking a long nap and he was crying really hard. Only I couldn't hear him because it was a hoarse, whisper cry. I felt so bad!

His favorite snack, his thumb...

...and his toes. I have pictures of both the other boys sucking on their toes (they have all been really flexible) and he has been impossible to sneak up on. I slyly get the camera and try to take one with his foot in his mouth and he instantly loses all interest and starts grabbing for the camera. I caught him at the pool yesterday during swimming lessons, gotcha Reed!

Speaking of swimming lessons, we are done for the summer. Hallelujah!

My mom is getting here tomorrow. It goes like this every year. We go 5 months without seeing her and then after being at her house, here she is again just 3 weeks later. We love to have her visit and the kids go crazy waking up with her everyday. As of now we don't have lots planned (that shouldn't be too surprising, we will be toting 4 kids with us everywhere we go) and that's the way we like it. Kyle and Heidi will take custody of 'The Nanny' in a couple weeks. We like to share the Grandma that works, ha! We do have plans to try and get some family photos with all of us in it. And takers on pushing the button for us?

I had something else to add here but now that everyone is finished with their 'quiet time', I've lost whatever it was I was planning to write. Maybe it will come back to me later, ha! (I highly doubt it)