Getting ready to travel creates a hectic morning... There are plenty of last minute things to tend to. Any offer of help is greatly appreciated. I was making a quick clean out of the fridge to take baby food for Whittaker and toss to the chickens anything that wouldn't make it until our return.
Duncan offered to help.
"Mummy, I'm eating all the cookies so they won't go bad while we're gone!"
I was oh so worried about that box of cookies!
Deception...
Based on the above photo, one might think that Whittaker is crawling. While we are encouraging his attempts at tummy scooting, crawling is NOT quite his speed yet. He simply isn't too sure about the feel of grass. We took full advantage. Then he surprised us by doing something he'd never done before... in addition to being on his hands and knees!
He walked his hands back from that hands and knees position, into a sitting position. Wait until his physical therapist sees that progress! All we needed was a warm evening out on the grass! Forget all the assigned therapy tasks!
Save the Tomatoes!!
The cries heard around the house this morning... "Save the
Tomatoes!" "More towels!" "We need clothes pegs!" "Make Hot
Chocolate!"
Such are the cries in Salt Lake in May when you awaken to snow... again....
Derek had been asleep through the ordeal... when he awoke we teased that he had slept in soo long that he'd missed summer and it was winter again. He wasn't impressed... or fooled.
Everyone's got talent!
Recently at the kids piano recital, I was comforting a sick baby and didn't take any pictures of them playing their songs. Of course the camera that takes video was with me... but I was otherwise preoccupied.
The opportunity to participate in the homeschooler's talent show was perfect timing. I made sure I had batteries fully charged in the camera and off we went. Miles has been taking piano since January this year. He has to be told to stop practicing and do something else... that kid has passions. I should have worried less about the batteries being charged and made sure my memory card wasn't full... I only caught part of his song!!
The opportunity to participate in the homeschooler's talent show was perfect timing. I made sure I had batteries fully charged in the camera and off we went. Miles has been taking piano since January this year. He has to be told to stop practicing and do something else... that kid has passions. I should have worried less about the batteries being charged and made sure my memory card wasn't full... I only caught part of his song!!
I had a spare card with me... somewhere in the abyss that is my diaper bag/purse.... why did I have a canning jar full of seeds for sprouting in there? No wonder it's so heavy... useless items magically appear there. I found the extra memory card and switched it out in time to catch Sarah's song. (She has requested I not show it though... she struggled from beginning to end starting out with the wrong position and went down hill from there so I'll just video her at home... I'll have to get Caleb's anyway.. since he wasn't with us today)
Duncan was a bit bummed. He figured he didn't get to participate in the talent show because he's not taking lessons. So we talked him into performing a little song with Sarah as his talent. It's a song we'd been singing since Grandma's visit!
I think it's adorable and wished they had thought of the microphone sooner, and that the toddler hadn't been running amuck, but it was still sweet. They wouldn't let us bring a bicycle into the recital hall either, the killjoys, but they didn't need it. Besides it was only a makeshift one... we're still looking for a real tandem bike...
Ok... so I just made Sarah and Caleb perform their pieces so I wouldn't have to think about it anymore!
I loved Sarah's song. It was perfect for her. Very sweet.
Caleb's song is one I've had the music for over 15 years in the hopes that one day I'd be able to play well enough to play it. Obviously... not yet!... The kids are all outplaying me very quickly.... One day....
I am limited in the size of video I can upload to blogger and this is one LONG song.... so I had to cut it. But you get the picture. err the video.... the idea.... whatever, just watch and listen..
I am limited in the size of video I can upload to blogger and this is one LONG song.... so I had to cut it. But you get the picture. err the video.... the idea.... whatever, just watch and listen..
By the way... we've been discussing inherited traits in Science with Miles and Sarah... tongue rolling is one.... all but Duncan have inherited that from me... however when it's appropriate to stick your tongue out and learning to play the piano well are NOT something they inherited from me, I assure you!
Ingenuity
I just thought I'd point out that I loved their 'T' for the game. They couldn't decide who could be pitcher and younger ones had trouble hitting when they were pitched by other kids anyway. So Miles made a 't-ball'. They were extremely patient, balancing the ball on the back of the garden hoe each time someone came up to bat.
Favourite pastimes
I awoke this morning a little before 6 am to the sound of metal thwacking deliberately against an object. Soon after, there were the muffled sounds of people cheering.
In my slowly wakening state, it took a few repetitions of these sounds before it dawned on me that they were coming from my backyard. Four boys had been 'unable' to sleep any longer and had set up a baseball diamond in the backyard.
When I 'caught' them and questioned why they were playing baseball in the backyard instead of sleeping, they replied,
"We're not allowed to go to the park to play without a grownup and you were still asleep."
'Until they woke me up I was!' I decided... no harm, no 'foul', and let them keep playing if they switched the direction of the diamond so the ball wasn't being aimed at the house. Then I made them get dressed. Then I took photos. Then I climbed in the bath and listened to the game until I had requests for breakfast.... at 9am!
In my slowly wakening state, it took a few repetitions of these sounds before it dawned on me that they were coming from my backyard. Four boys had been 'unable' to sleep any longer and had set up a baseball diamond in the backyard.
When I 'caught' them and questioned why they were playing baseball in the backyard instead of sleeping, they replied,
"We're not allowed to go to the park to play without a grownup and you were still asleep."
'Until they woke me up I was!' I decided... no harm, no 'foul', and let them keep playing if they switched the direction of the diamond so the ball wasn't being aimed at the house. Then I made them get dressed. Then I took photos. Then I climbed in the bath and listened to the game until I had requests for breakfast.... at 9am!
U-TREE-S
I've had about three days in a row of hectic errands and appointments. Coordinating where everyone needs to be while I run errands and getting to each place in time and having what we need with us when we get there has been an adventure. Some of the younger boys have been dragged here and there just doing as they're told. They're loving a new car toy mad lib book... it's made each drive a hoot but, this particular errand was at the end of a long day and I was grateful for a fun conversation that I overheard. We had to go to the US Dept. of Agriculture Forestry Services. Caleb is working on his Eagle Project and needed to meet with a supervisor there. We tiptoed in quietly but the whispered conversation was fabulous.
Duncan - U-tree-S? That's a good name for a forest office. It kind of sounds like UPS and GPS.
Miles - What are you talking about? What is U-tree-S?
Duncan - That's where we are right now! U - tree - S.
Miles - No we're not. We're at the eagles in the forest meeting. They might have some of the eagles inside here so we have to be quiet.
Duncan - I don't think so. I saw the sign on the door. It said U - tree - S.
Mummy - Shhh... this is Caleb's meeting. Be quiet.
(I was confused by Duncan and realizing that the poor boys had been dragged around and were just trying to make sense of things, since we hadn't been talking to them about anything.)
When the meeting was over and we left the building the conversation continued.
Miles - Is this the U-tree-S office or the Eagles forest meeting office?
Duncan - I'll show you. It's the U-tree-S.
Miles - Is that really what it's called? What about the eagles?
This is the plaque that was posted on the door. It very clearly says U- tree -S doesn't it!
Mummy - I think that's a great name for this place. Caleb is trying to be an eagle. It's for his scout project. They call him an eagle but it has nothing to do with the actual bird. We'll call his project, the eagle project with the U-tree-S.
So, unless it's wrong to refer to an arm of the government incorrectly, we'll be referring to the forest services as U-tree-S from now on.
Duncan - U-tree-S? That's a good name for a forest office. It kind of sounds like UPS and GPS.
Miles - What are you talking about? What is U-tree-S?
Duncan - That's where we are right now! U - tree - S.
Miles - No we're not. We're at the eagles in the forest meeting. They might have some of the eagles inside here so we have to be quiet.
Duncan - I don't think so. I saw the sign on the door. It said U - tree - S.
Mummy - Shhh... this is Caleb's meeting. Be quiet.
(I was confused by Duncan and realizing that the poor boys had been dragged around and were just trying to make sense of things, since we hadn't been talking to them about anything.)
When the meeting was over and we left the building the conversation continued.
Miles - Is this the U-tree-S office or the Eagles forest meeting office?
Duncan - I'll show you. It's the U-tree-S.
Miles - Is that really what it's called? What about the eagles?
This is the plaque that was posted on the door. It very clearly says U- tree -S doesn't it!
So, unless it's wrong to refer to an arm of the government incorrectly, we'll be referring to the forest services as U-tree-S from now on.
Accronyms
If you are at all interested in the history or proper useage of acronyms I highly recommend this linked Wikipedia article... (I overly research my posts!). If not then simply begin this post with the next paragraph and ignore all this garble.
Driving with Mr. GPS is an adventure. He reminds us of previous outings in the particular area that we are driving.
"This is the way to the IHOP. I had really big hot cocoa with cream on top and pancakes."
"If we are hungry, we can stop now. This is the big lunch place."
"Are we going to my friends house... this is the road we have to take to go there."
I must explain... 'the big lunch place'. Last summer almost an entire year ago now, we attended a free lunch at a local middle school cafeteria. He still remembers the lunch and where the school is located!
His GPS abilities are not confined to geography only. As we were driving to Whittaker's dr. appt. the other morning, he commented that we were listening to the same song that we were listening to when we went to the Famous Dave's restaurant. I was flabbergasted. The song? Tutti-Frutti by Little Richard.
Another perk to his abilities is his incredible memory. Duncan and Derek accompany me on many errands. We were off to have Sarah's flute tweaked at the music store. As we stopped at a light, the UPS truck pulled up.
Duncan - My friends' mom works for them.
Derek - No, my dad works for them. That's the big brown truck that comes to the warehouse to see my dad. That's my funny name on the side of the truck.
Duncan - No, it's UPS. Your funny name is GPS.
Driving with Mr. GPS is an adventure. He reminds us of previous outings in the particular area that we are driving.
"This is the way to the IHOP. I had really big hot cocoa with cream on top and pancakes."
"If we are hungry, we can stop now. This is the big lunch place."
"Are we going to my friends house... this is the road we have to take to go there."
I must explain... 'the big lunch place'. Last summer almost an entire year ago now, we attended a free lunch at a local middle school cafeteria. He still remembers the lunch and where the school is located!
His GPS abilities are not confined to geography only. As we were driving to Whittaker's dr. appt. the other morning, he commented that we were listening to the same song that we were listening to when we went to the Famous Dave's restaurant. I was flabbergasted. The song? Tutti-Frutti by Little Richard.
Another perk to his abilities is his incredible memory. Duncan and Derek accompany me on many errands. We were off to have Sarah's flute tweaked at the music store. As we stopped at a light, the UPS truck pulled up.
Duncan - My friends' mom works for them.
Derek - No, my dad works for them. That's the big brown truck that comes to the warehouse to see my dad. That's my funny name on the side of the truck.
Duncan - No, it's UPS. Your funny name is GPS.
You want more???
Between laundry, children and animals, I could blog for days without running out of post ideas..... oh.. I do that? Then maybe no one will notice just one more....
There's no end of great places to hang the laundry to dry... ways to indoctrinate children into loving laundry... and ways to make it clear that he's a fifth child all the way.... I can't imagine ever leaving baby Caleb in a corner of the room and hanging wet laundry around him.
There's no end of great places to hang the laundry to dry... ways to indoctrinate children into loving laundry... and ways to make it clear that he's a fifth child all the way.... I can't imagine ever leaving baby Caleb in a corner of the room and hanging wet laundry around him.
Meow
"Meow meow, I just wanted to say that chickens and dogs are SOO overrated and get too much blog time around here! meow."
~Figaro, Resident Cat
STOP! STOP! STOP!!
If I shout it enough and long enough will it help??
He.....
has become him.....
WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN.... did I take too long a nap?
I wonder if, sub consciously, that's why I had him...
He.....
has become him.....
WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN.... did I take too long a nap?
I wonder if, sub consciously, that's why I had him...
Green Thumbs and Guillotines
I announced that I wouldn't be planting my regular garden this year. I learned my lesson last year. I just can't keep up with it and everything else... not that I profess to be keeping up with much, I assure you. So this year after evaluating what I had going on in my life with a babe, and other kidlets, (Caleb would like a new term... doesn't think he qualifies as a kidlet anymore!.. kidleteen? maybe not, it sounds like guillotine... ) I decided to only plant tomatoes and beets. My rationale? we eat fresh beets like they are going out of style so I know they won't be wasted... they take very little babysitting in a garden... Miles would have nothing to do when he gets up early in July through September if he couldn't go out to harvest the daily beets!
The tomatoes are another no brainer. We pick and use fresh and what we don't need that day, goes in the freezer as is. When the growing season is finally over and we're sufficiently afraid to open the door of the freezer because an avalanche of tomatoes will rain down on us, we can salsa and spaghetti sauce for a week. The End.
Or so I thought.
Last Saturday....
The tomatoes are another no brainer. We pick and use fresh and what we don't need that day, goes in the freezer as is. When the growing season is finally over and we're sufficiently afraid to open the door of the freezer because an avalanche of tomatoes will rain down on us, we can salsa and spaghetti sauce for a week. The End.
Or so I thought.
Last Saturday....
Sarah, and her trusty dirt scratching friends, prepared ALL of my garden beds. She presented a very different garden design. Each child wanted JUST one thing more....
Pumpkins, please?...
Green Peppers, please??
What about Zucchini for zucchini cookies?
Just a few spinach plants, please???
You'll need onions for the salsa.
We'll take care of everything, you won't even have to touch them.
Why do I hear myself agreeing???
Do they not remember scorching hot, long, miserable days of weeding?
Armour
Recently we were asked to refresh our knowledge of the importance of the armor of God. How we can be protected by following the scripture in Ephesians 6:13. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day..." So we had a family night and discussed each part of the armour. We have had this discussion before. With knight and armor loving boys it's a topic they don't mind revisiting!
With all this fresh on their minds, the visit to the renaissance fair amidst knights and armor had even greater appeal.
The best booth of the fair... likely rivaled that of watching the jousting and meeting the knights was the booth of armour. This booth allowed young and old to touch, feel and even try on parts of the armour! Feeling it's thickness, how heavy it was and how awkward it would be to move about in. Also feeling how much you would still feel a blow in an attack but it would be substantially less. Caleb held one of the shields and Miles hit it with all his might with the sword. Caleb felt it but understood completely the protection that the shield could offer!
P.S.
After our meeting last night I was touched by a comment that children can not put on the armor of their parents... it is too heavy for them. Much the way the ancient armour is too heavy and awkward for them. Armour is something that is made to order, tailored to fit the wearer exactly. It is the responsibility of us as parents to encourage and teach the children how to build their own suit of armour for themselves.... I definitely feel another lesson and activity coming on.
With all this fresh on their minds, the visit to the renaissance fair amidst knights and armor had even greater appeal.
The best booth of the fair... likely rivaled that of watching the jousting and meeting the knights was the booth of armour. This booth allowed young and old to touch, feel and even try on parts of the armour! Feeling it's thickness, how heavy it was and how awkward it would be to move about in. Also feeling how much you would still feel a blow in an attack but it would be substantially less. Caleb held one of the shields and Miles hit it with all his might with the sword. Caleb felt it but understood completely the protection that the shield could offer!
- The helmet of Salvation was heavy and hard to see with the visor down.
- The breastplate of righteousness was soo heavy and the most difficult part to maneuver in.
- We were unable to girt our loins with truth since they didn't have any on hand. The chain mail however was long enough to cover down to their knees. It was also heavy but one could still maneuver themselves.
- The sword of my spirit was almost too heavy for Duncan to lift.
- The shield of faith was also heavy and left one dependant on the shield since now both hands were occupied and the armour would be difficult to wear.
- The feet shod with the preparation of the gospel... again these were not available.. but we had taken upon us proper foot wear when we left the house for the fair and thankfully so. It would not have been fun to walk through muck in their sandals or walk over rocky roads in thin flip flops.
P.S.
After our meeting last night I was touched by a comment that children can not put on the armor of their parents... it is too heavy for them. Much the way the ancient armour is too heavy and awkward for them. Armour is something that is made to order, tailored to fit the wearer exactly. It is the responsibility of us as parents to encourage and teach the children how to build their own suit of armour for themselves.... I definitely feel another lesson and activity coming on.
Ain't nothing like the real thing baby!
Once you've been to the best... everything else pales in comparison! The renaissance fair 'Scarborough' in TX is all we had ever experienced. We had really experienced it too. We had lived the life for three FULL days in 2008. Paige had dressed us in time period clothing, we had worked in the petting zoo and in three days been unable to take in every show or event. It is that big an event with so much to do and see. We have known that we would have to go back. The kids have begged to go back! We came very close to going this year. The plans were in motion and we were beginning to make arrangements to have a fun filled vacation beginning of course with a stop for a three day weekend once again at the Scarborough faire... or as the little boys call it... Paige's fair! However... life sometimes doesn't go according to plan and so the plans are only postponed... we will be going, just not this year.
So to make it up to the kids, I decided we could attend the Utah Renaissance faire. It was only an hours drive and there was a student entrance fee on Friday that was certainly reasonable. So off we went. We assumed it would be a smaller version, it only lasted two weekends compared to the nine of Scarborough. The weather was vastly different. In TX it had been over 100 degrees all three days! It was much below 100 today. Try 65 with a chance of rain.
We parked in the mud. Walked along a very bumpy road to the ticket booth. I was keenly aware of the bumpy road because I was attempting to push the stroller. Thankfully Caleb helped carry the stroller over some rocky sections and one very mucky one. We entered the fair and I was thankful I had had the forethought to take them to Subway before arriving. The smells of all the food vendors weren't as tempting on a full stomach. Their prices weren't tempting either way! I had given the kids each $5.00 to spend as they liked. I admonished them to spend it wisely.
At the ticket booth they gave us a program. The joust would be in 20 minutes. I had three very excited boys! Sarah... not so much.. til she remembered it would involve horses. So off to the jousting arena. We were waylaid a few times on our way. First by this fellow.... the ultimate sales man.
He saw two little boys and his eyes as I'm sure you can see were $. He was charming, and had a well rehearsed spiel that must work with all the little boys. Ok.. so he also had this Scottish accent, so their mother was entranced a little bit too... He flattered the boys, he measured them and found them worthy young squires in need of some knight training. He offered tips to good knightly chivalry, handshaking befitting of a knight. He had them kneel before him on a velvet pillow while they took an oath to be knights in training. They were in heaven with all this knight talk. Then he went in for the kill....
"What you've no sword or shield. What kind of knight can you be without armor lads?"
They began to protest that they did have swords, shields and armor to boot, but they had left it at home.
"A knight does not go anywhere without his armor! It's ok. Today, here most importantly, a knight must have his protection."
Catch on yet? He sells swords and shields.
After the swords, we continued to make our way to the jousting area. We were waylaid once again by this fellow and his merry jenga game. He challenged all to a game him against everyone. It looked harmless, Sarah took a turn. He immediately called her a sissy for taking a loose center piece. He whipped a piece from the bottom with obvious skill! Then Miles attempted a piece very carefully. Then again he whipped a piece from the bottom. When he moved his piece another became obviously loose. Sarah quickly seized the chance to take that piece. He was a merry fellow and a crowd was gathering.
"Behold... Lady Sarah........ who cheats for all to see! There is no challenge in taking the loose piece. Yet she took it... the actions of a cheater I tell you!"
Sarah was grinning from ear to ear and beet red. He took another swipe at a piece and then announced to the crowd...
"Do not cheer for Lady Sarah, cheater of Jenga. It will only encourage her. Come Lady Sarah, it is your chance to redeem yourself."
Sarah took a piece very slowly. All the while he was taunting her with comments of cheating and slothful behaviour for her slowness.
He again took a piece so swiftly that we almost didn't see it happen. Caleb, and Miles took another turn. They must not have cheated or he was having too much fun at Sarah's expense because not much was said until Sarah took another turn. Again he admonished the ever growing crowd to not cheer or encourage this known cheater. They should instead escort her to the gallows for a time of penance was what was needed!
Another from the crowd attempted a turn and the tower fell.... the amateur!
It had been fun... He shook Sarah's hand and privately told her she had been a formidable opponent but not to let word of his kindness spread... he had a reputation to uphold!
The kids of course now want a giant jenga game to practice... he was very swift with his moves.
Off again toward the joust.
The stop directly before the joust was the petting zoo. We felt compelled to check it out. We had the most experience with this. Sorely inadequate. No supervision. Animals were either tethered or caged. There wasn't shade or shelter from the elements. Rules were non existent to say nothing of being posted. Hanf sanitizer was a bring your own policy. There was at least no charge.
Finally, the joust!!
It was the main event... the big attraction... Everyone was there.... It wasn't all that large a crowd. The kids had front row standing spots and Caleb and i stood back a few feet with the stroller. The joust lasted longer than usual as they explained the events and bantered as knights typically do. Then they began the events... first a javelin throw at the target. Then a heckler from the audience was brought forward to be punished. A helmet was placed on his head. A cantaloupe was set atop. Then the knights rode at him with sword in hand and sliced the melon in half.
Now for the actual jousting. Something happened to one of the knights steeds and a replacement horse was needed. The crowd was entertained while the knight in all his armor dismounted from the horse and had to stand while he waited for the new steed. The new steed was a spirited one. This was the first jousting in front of a crowd for this horse and so we were entertained with a few training runs. They proceeded to do some measuring passes and lance breaking runs to prepare the horse for the real thing. The jousting itself only lasted perhaps ten minutes. We had been entertained. The joust is a fun event. Afterwards the knights were available to pose for photographs and sign autographs.
The knight we stood in line for photos with was the national jousting champion two years running. He had been jousting on behalf of Scotland today, so we had cheered him on.
(more to come in a separate post about the armor and the boys!)
While we waited for our turn for a photo with Sir Kilney, Sarah had discovered something that she found even more entertaining. She watched in awe at the gymnastics on horseback routine. She was sad she hadn't been chosen as a volunteer to try it.
The joust was over. We had taken photos with the Knight. We had walked the entire fair. The kids determined that they were done. We could go. We had been there for a total of 90 minutes!
We made our way back toward the entrance. We stopped for a looky loo at a few merchants and their overpriced renaissance wares. There were lovely costume shops, and many food booths. The site for the fair was muddy thanks to all the recent rains and the booths were all makeshift tents. The sky was beginning to look ominous and without anywhere to seek refuge from the rain we decided to quit lolligagging and be on our way.
We were almost at the exit again and that meant that we were near our swords and shields salesman again. We did take a moment for a necessary photo op of the kids with their heads in the pillory (often misnamed the stocks... it was misnamed here at the Utah fair) Our salesman came by and tormented Caleb in the appropriate Renaissance fashion and wouldn't release him without some sort of payment.
After singing Twinkle, twinkle for the crowd, he was released!
Yes Whittaker was with us. He never left the stroller. He was content to take in the sights and smells. He handled a sword at one point since Sarah felt sorry for him. He really didn't figure too prominently in our fair day until we realized it had been 3 hours since he had eaten and that he hadn't napped and we still had an hours drive ahead of us. With the approaching rain storm we hightailed it for the van, with a quick stop at the porta potties.
All in all... a fun afternoon... but it was agreed.. we've been spoiled and they would all rather go to Paige's fair. Even if they have to work to earn their keep and it is over 100 degrees.
P.S. The swords were cheaply made... Duncan's broke in half and Miles cracked within a few minutes of returning home. They were thrilled to retrieve their old trusty swords and shields that have withstood the last two years worth of sparring!
Tough Decisions
Two months ago we had a plan for a weekend at the ranch. Our plan to go to the ranch for the weekend was real. It was also a done deal. We were packed. I had locked up the house, overfed the animals and started the drive. I had made it all the way across town. I had to stop at Channa's house and load up a few more bags and kids, but we were on our way.
The day before had been the day that Grandpa BC had died. We wrestled with the decision of going anyway or staying home. We had decided that the kids could use the diversion and we'd go anyway. Grandma was arriving and Uncle Dave was there and we could return in time for the funeral. Somehow after packing and getting ready without having any excitement or any heart in our efforts, the short drive across town confirmed that we were wrong. The kids needed to grieve and take it easy. Within 45 minutes new plans were made.
Patrick would go alone with our three oldest. (big gulp for mummy.... not that they couldn't do it alone without me... they just never had... I didn't dwell on it) I would stay home and help with the little boys and Kenzie and be there when Grandma arrived. Good thing. Funeral arrangements changed with little notice and would take place the next day instead. So, after a long evening I took my two boys home with me to a very quiet and dark house. I had left it ready to be gone for 5 days. I returned to discover that Opus had been upset.
She had attacked another 2 chickens in the yard, she had peed on my couch, and gone under the baby's crib, emptying the basket I had under there of clothes for him to grow into and strewn them all over the floor in my room and peed on them.
Emotionally drained from crying and talking, it was the end of a long day. I locked her outside and cleaned up and fell into bed. She howled all night and I didn't care!
I woke the next morning to another dead chicken.
It took us many years to decide to get a dog. I don't like dogs... any dogs... never have.. not likely ever will. I will tolerate some dogs. Opus was tolerated for over 6 years. She traveled with us. Slept on the end of my kids beds in our old home and on the floor in my room in this house. She has only ever been frustrated with me. ME.. the one who made sure she was fed and cared for! ME... the one who stood up for her the first two times she attacked chickens... (I don't anymore). ME... the one who encouraged taking her for walks, fed her scraps from the table even though I forbid the kids from doing it, ME... who made sure she had a clean warm bed both inside and outside and advocated for a doggy door. She sought out MY hairbrush, MY shoes, MY closet to hide pizza crusts and bones in, MY room to pee in when she was mad!
I believe now that dogs can sense when people aren't "dog people".
But that was the last straw. She's old. She still runs away if the door is left open. RUNS... she can't climb the stairs anymore, moves slowly when you need to move her out of the way to sweep, but she can RUN away. Animal control returned her one too many times and we were given a warning... next time $1000.00 fine or the owner, ME!!, could serve time..
The day before had been the day that Grandpa BC had died. We wrestled with the decision of going anyway or staying home. We had decided that the kids could use the diversion and we'd go anyway. Grandma was arriving and Uncle Dave was there and we could return in time for the funeral. Somehow after packing and getting ready without having any excitement or any heart in our efforts, the short drive across town confirmed that we were wrong. The kids needed to grieve and take it easy. Within 45 minutes new plans were made.
Patrick would go alone with our three oldest. (big gulp for mummy.... not that they couldn't do it alone without me... they just never had... I didn't dwell on it) I would stay home and help with the little boys and Kenzie and be there when Grandma arrived. Good thing. Funeral arrangements changed with little notice and would take place the next day instead. So, after a long evening I took my two boys home with me to a very quiet and dark house. I had left it ready to be gone for 5 days. I returned to discover that Opus had been upset.
She had attacked another 2 chickens in the yard, she had peed on my couch, and gone under the baby's crib, emptying the basket I had under there of clothes for him to grow into and strewn them all over the floor in my room and peed on them.
Emotionally drained from crying and talking, it was the end of a long day. I locked her outside and cleaned up and fell into bed. She howled all night and I didn't care!
I woke the next morning to another dead chicken.
It took us many years to decide to get a dog. I don't like dogs... any dogs... never have.. not likely ever will. I will tolerate some dogs. Opus was tolerated for over 6 years. She traveled with us. Slept on the end of my kids beds in our old home and on the floor in my room in this house. She has only ever been frustrated with me. ME.. the one who made sure she was fed and cared for! ME... the one who stood up for her the first two times she attacked chickens... (I don't anymore). ME... the one who encouraged taking her for walks, fed her scraps from the table even though I forbid the kids from doing it, ME... who made sure she had a clean warm bed both inside and outside and advocated for a doggy door. She sought out MY hairbrush, MY shoes, MY closet to hide pizza crusts and bones in, MY room to pee in when she was mad!
I believe now that dogs can sense when people aren't "dog people".
But that was the last straw. She's old. She still runs away if the door is left open. RUNS... she can't climb the stairs anymore, moves slowly when you need to move her out of the way to sweep, but she can RUN away. Animal control returned her one too many times and we were given a warning... next time $1000.00 fine or the owner, ME!!, could serve time..
A very difficult decision... was becoming easier by the day. And we are now dogless.
Don't look at me like that.... The kids have stopped crying... except maybe Sarah who had the audacity to tell me that she'd like to get a German Shepherd... whenever I'm ready to have a dog again.
The Pied Piper of Chickens
Duncan's job is to feed the cats. Miles job is to feed the chickens. Miles doesn't like his job. I bet if they switched he'd still be unhappy though. Duncan on the other hand loves to feed the ladies. So much so that he does it with a smile on his face. He takes his sweet time too. Instead of just running outside, dumping the bucket and returning to the kitchen to give me a dirty bucket, he puts on a little show.
First he takes out the bucket and stands at the bottom of the stairs for a minute. This gets the ladies attention
Then he walks out into the grass to be sure they've all had a chance to see him and his bucket of goodness. They begin to congregate.
When enough of the ladies have congregated at his feet, he walks the perimeter of the grass... sometimes a few times... sometimes the entire yard. The purpose?? fun? see them line up behind him? build up an appetite?(No sound... camera doesn't work... but I definitely here music when I watch... like a flute playing a little marching tune??)
Then he escorts the to the chicken run and plops the food in the bucket. Unfortunately this isn't the location where the gate is for the ladies to get in... so it's terrible torment. This is being remedied as I type!
I'm fairly certain that if I had Duncan and Miles switched jobs, it would lose some of its appeal and he'd resort to running out, dumping and returning the dirty bucket.
Fifth child...
I feel for him... I really do.... I was also a fifth child. It's inevitable though. Someone has to pick up the slack when there are five demands on the mother's time. He takes it in stride. He may not be growing at a satisfactory rate, or sleeping well, or sitting and rolling or reaching other milestones quite on target.... it's likely just a big act... trying to get some attention. We're not being fooled. Just sit there and take your medicine like a man! No. We're not going to sit and snuggle with you and hold it for you. We have other things to deal with. Like blog!
He's getting to be an old pro at the nebulizer machine. And truth be told... I fought him using it at all. I just don't like to give medicines of any kind to children unless absolutely necessary. So I wasn't thrilled when there was an improvement in his breathing when he finally did the breathing treatments. I still stretch them out as long as possible in between so there aren't very many. With the change in the seasons, perhaps he won't need them at all anymore!
A Mother's angst
Cleaning and scrubbing,
can wait 'til tomorrow.
For babies grow up,
we've learned to our sorrow...
So quiet down cobwebs,
dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby,
and babies don't keep.
can wait 'til tomorrow.
For babies grow up,
we've learned to our sorrow...
So quiet down cobwebs,
dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby,
and babies don't keep.
-Wendy Lyn
John -- and family in Victoria in 2009
Jim -- and the girls, visit early 2010
Jill -- and crew at Christmas time 2009
Channa -- family photo time 2008
Nova -- goofing with the kids, fall 2009
Sparky 'Graton' -- at the Oquirrh Mountain
Temple open house, June 2009
Paige -- and kids... hee hee.. and her animals. (they DO NOT pose for photos in this family!) 2008
Eden -- celebrating life and her birthday this year, 2010
Jill -- and crew at Christmas time 2009
Temple open house, June 2009
Paige -- and kids... hee hee.. and her animals. (they DO NOT pose for photos in this family!) 2008
It's true that babies don't keep, but they grow and add more to life then ever thought imaginable!
Happy Mother's day to all the above mothers and of course to 'Mum'!! We love you!
A Mother's Lap
Ever heard of the story about there's always room on mother's lap for one more. It's a great little story to read to your child before a new baby brother or sister is born to reassure them that they won't be forgotten when the new little one arrives......
It was obviously not written by a big brother who ever had to share a lap at a soccer game!
It was obviously not written by a big brother who ever had to share a lap at a soccer game!
Playing on the computer
Some people use computers for email, for web surfing, for writing up documents and other 'techy' purposes....
STAND BACK... we're having an unusual recess today.
When our old machine died... we used it as hammer practice.
Good old fashioned hand eye coordination activities!
STAND BACK... we're having an unusual recess today.
Good old fashioned hand eye coordination activities!
I'm good. Thanks.
My therapist says I need a little more stimulation......
Personally, I could use a break.
Personally, I could use a break.
As time goes by...
A sweet friend makes these lovely hats and headbands with flowers. Mum fell in love with them when she saw via gmail video chat, Sarah wearing one.
Mum thought she needed one. We agreed. She had one custom ordered. My friend hadn't had an adult customer before. Typically it's little girls. Mum loves her hat. Loves to wear it in a way that suggests of another era, yet also very trendy for today. She is rarely without her hat. She had another made... in white for the times when the black wouldn't work... And so she wouldn't be accused of always being black or white.... she had a red flower made. We needed to take photos of her in her hat for my friend's hat sale. So we did.
I was struck when I was looking through the photos... that I had seen that look before.
I was right....
What's more... I saw the same look being passed down to another generation....
Mum thought she needed one. We agreed. She had one custom ordered. My friend hadn't had an adult customer before. Typically it's little girls. Mum loves her hat. Loves to wear it in a way that suggests of another era, yet also very trendy for today. She is rarely without her hat. She had another made... in white for the times when the black wouldn't work... And so she wouldn't be accused of always being black or white.... she had a red flower made. We needed to take photos of her in her hat for my friend's hat sale. So we did.
I was struck when I was looking through the photos... that I had seen that look before.
I was right....
What's more... I saw the same look being passed down to another generation....
Daddy Daughter Dancing
I wonder how Patrick will feel about the father son campout coming up... will he feel like taking 6 sons!? I'm sure looking forward to a night of peacefulness with just the girls!
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