#2 Military Cut
not so bad!
So, a couple of days before the first day of school it was decided tat Samuel needed a hair cut. It was getting kind of shaggy, and we wanted to make sure that he looked appropriately cool for kindergarten! Normally Doug cuts the boys’ hair (except for William), but we didn’t want any unevenness (is that even a word?) to impede him in the friend making department. So, while we were sitting around the table Doug was instructing Samuel on how to talk to the hairdresser. He said, “make sure you tell her that you want a #1 military, all over.”
The next day we headed to the salon, and I told the lady, “#1 military, all over.” She looked at me and replied, “No, you don’t want that.” I then explained that was what my husband wanted. She asked me if my husband was in the military. The hairdresser then suggested that we start with a #2. If I still wanted it shorter the we could do that later.
Halfway through the cut the stylist tried to make a joke and told Samuel that she was done. Haha, not funny to a five-year old! The whole thing was crazy, but when it was all over, I thought he looked good.
We get home, and Samuel runs outside to show his dad, at which point Doug comes running at me asking me what I did I answered, ”#2, military style.”
“Why would you do that?”
“You told me to.”
“I was joking!”
Apparently I didn’t get the joke!
How do I love thee?
All that was left!
My friend Dixie told me about a journal that she keeps specifically to record the many reasons that she loves her husband. I thought that this was one of the best ideas I’d ever heard. Sometimes something will come to me in the middle of the day, but by the time Doug gets home from work I’m too tired or frustrated or fed up with the kids to tell him. If I can write it down while I’m thinking about it, then it will be there for him to read when he’s having a bad day. It is also a great record for my kids. They do not always see us at our best, so it’s good for them to know that we always love each other, even when they are driving us bananas!
So, without further ado, here is the first entry that is going into the journal:
Dear Doug,
I don’t know how many husbands love their wives enough to travel all the way to Utah to bring their wives a Pulled Pork Burrito, Enchilada Style. I know I’ve been joking with you about this since we moved to Texas, but I didn’t know if you’d really do it. I can’t tell you happy having that little piece of heaven made me! I’m also glad that you’ve got friends who support us in our craziness and are willing to drive you around and let you use their freezer! Maybe most people don’t equate burritos with love, but those people have not been separated from their beloved burritos for years on end. I know that I can be a complainer, but I just want you to know how happy this made me. I love you.
p.s. If any of you are wondering how a burrito holds up after being frozen and flying halfway across the country, the answer is: amazingly well. Delicious!
I was blind, but now I see
There's a little boy under there somewhere!
I know that my second born is not Samson, but he has such beautiful hair that I hate to cut it. I take him to the salon because I don’t want Doug going anywhere near him with the clippers. His hair is a thing of beauty, and every day I am jealous! But, it was getting to be too much. He had a permanent kink in his neck because he was always trying to see by looking up from under his bangs.
That's right, I curled it!
We had never given him a short hair cut before, but it was time. I hate haircuts. I hate being reminded that my boys aren’t babies anymore. We convinced him that he wanted a haircut by saying that he would look just like his older brother. That was working great until we were all done and he realized that his hair was still black! I wanted to cry for him. He isn’t Samson though, cutting his hair did not remove his monster strength, it just let everyone see his eyes … oh and that bruise on his forehead! I wonder how long that’s been there?!
Ignore the grapes
Halloween 2009
- Caramel Apples
I haven’t written in so long that I can’t even come up with a witty title for this post! Maybe something will come to me as I write.
- The result of the Dunn’s party!
- Ben at the Trunk or Treat
Halloween started early this year. Our ward Trunk or Treat was a full week before Halloween. Really, we got enough candy at the church that we probably didn’t need to go out again, but we couldn’t fool the boys! William had a pre-school Halloween party and then we went pumpkin decorating at the Dunn’s. This doesn’t even include the pumpkin patch that we visited at the beginning of the month! Oddly enough, there was no dressing up at Samuel’s school. Apparently costumes interfered with the Don’t Do Drugs week!
After "official" trick or treating!
Unfortunately Benjamin was feeling a little under the weather on the actual day. He didn’t get to go out with the boys, but he had plenty to tide him over! He also loved handy out candy to all the people who came to our door!
We managed to get through the holiday without buying a single costume. There were lots of leftovers from years past, and I made Afton a little tutu. I was trying to encourage some kind of theme, but I think we got off way cheaper this way! Maybe next year we’ll get our act together!
- The Pre-school Halloween party
I have no words for how happy this picture makes me!
I fee like this post was a little sub-par, but hopefully I’ll get back into the swing of things. If only I could get the top score of Bejewelled Blitz, then I wouldn’t have any distractions during the day (besides the four kids!)! Darn my competitive nature, and darn you Greg and Andrea … take a week off every once in a while!
Afton and her younger man!
P.S. You may not know who this person is, but if you watch TLC next Thursday night you’ll find out! That’s right, I know soon to be famous people!
CoKim and LaLee in their final days of anonymity!
When free isn’t such a good deal
Don't we look happy?!
The only channel I let my kids watch at home is PBS Kids. I like that the shows are only on for a limited amount of time, and when they’re over the kids have no problem turning off the tv(for some reason they are not too eager to watch Sit and Be Fit!). I also like that there are no commercials and no violence. There’s also very little adult content, with the exception of Sesame Street, which I think tries a little too hard to be hip.
We waited in line for those BK crowns!
Right before school started, PBS sponsored a Back to School day at the Children’s Museum. It included free admission to the museum, crafts for the kids, plus a goody bag. I thought this might be a fun little Saturday adventure for us. Not so much. First off, you had to complete a kind of scavenger hunt to get the goody bag, so my kids didn’t see much o the museum because I was obsessed with filling out their cards (I promise I won’t take over their science fair projects, but we were in a time crunch!). Once we finished all of the cards, we didn’t even want to stay around because there were just way too many people. Also, the crafts and activities offered weren’t really set up for a billion people to participate. We didn’t even get any popcorn because I just couldn’t wait in the line. I think that I have to remind myself that I don’t really like people, so I need to stay away from crowded events.
Don't worry, Ben was there too!
I think most times we would be better off paying the price of admission and having a little space to ourselves. I won’t even tell you about last Saturday’s sneak preview of a certain children’s movie. Suffice it to say that Doug was not a happy camper when there was a line, too many tickets, and not enough seats! Although, next week PBS is sponsoring a free screening of the new National Parks documentary at Mission San Jose. There will even be lots of fun activities for the kids…
Just like Disney World
Neutral Territory
We decided to take a little road trip up to Dallas over the Labor Day week-end. We thought it was important for Afton to experience a little thing we like to call BYU Fooball! This was much more successful than Samuel’s introduction to college football last year!
- Afton wasn’t so excited by the big finish!
I have to say, everything about this year’s trip was better than last year’s trip (except that we didn’t get to see Mike and Ingrid this year!). The game was on a Saturday so there was no rush hour traffic, we got to see Greg (and I think it was a worthwhile trip for him!), we got to see the new Cowboys Stadium, we got to celebrate Granny’s birthday, and we got to stay an extra day because of the holiday.
- Doug and his brother Daniel
Apparently because this game was in Dallas it was considered neutral territory. I’m not quite sure on the exact math, but I don’t think being outnumbered almost ten to one is really “neutral.” Although, the blue shirts were easy to spot in the sea of red!
- Alec surrounded by Sooners
- Outside the new stadium
The stadium was crazy. We were in the highest section, but you could still see everything really well, which might have had something to do with the largest hanging hd screen in the universe. How big was it, you ask? Let me put it this way, there is a cheerleader from Oklahoma who is seriously wishing that she had done a better job shaving under her arms that morning!
- The screen takes up half the stadium!
- up close and personal
I’m sure it would have been a great day no matter the outcome of the game, but the fact that BYU beat Oklahoma just made it all the more sweet. It’s nice to be the underdog some times. Although, I think Greg probably lost about a year of his life wit all the screaming and stress! I also have to give kudos to the Oklahoma fans. They couldn’t have been nicer after the game. Lots of people congratulated us, and one sweet old lady came by to tell us that her daddy told her, “Never bet against theMormons!”
- Greg about to have a heart attack!
Doug’s parents watched our older kids, which was especially nice considering that it was granny’s birthday. Doug’s sister Amy had a little lunch gathering before the game which gave our kids a chance to play with their Dallas cousins. Our kids also had a great time back in Richardson playing with some of the Memphis cousins. It was a packed week-end, but it was definitely worth it!
- Granny multi-tasking with Afton and Hieu
- Hieu loving Afton
Samuel and Khai
Twofer
A two dollar day!
I took the boys to the dentist a couple of weeks ago, and Dr. Bob mentioned that Samuel’s two bottom front teeth were loose. He was a little surprised that Samuel hadn’t mentioned it because they were very loose.
Flash forward a couple of weeks, and Samuel mentions that his tooth hurts while he’s eating his cereal. Being the ultra-sensitive mother that I am, I told him to chew with his back teeth! As he’s getting ready to board the bus, Doug notices that his tooth is actually missing. We don’t know exactly when this happened, but the toooth has not ever been found. I was prepared for drama about what the tooth fairy would do for missing teeth. How do you prove that you actually “lost” the tooth?
Well, no worries, because when Samuel got off the bus that afternoon he had his secod tooth in a plastic bag. That’s right, two teeth in one day! Samuel was very worried that the tooth fairy wouldn’t find him at granny’s house, but he calmed down after we sent her an e-mail!
This is just one more thing forcing me to accept that he’s growing up. Making me even sadder was looking at his new big teeth that are coming in fast and furious. I had visual proof of what the dentist tells me every time we visit:
“Boy is the orthodontist going to love you!”
Helping Hands: Part IV
(Hopefully) Last, but not least, and in honor of my dad’s birthday, the final installment of the Helping Hands series. This entry has taken me the longest to put together mostly because my dad was here for a month. If you know my dad, you know that it wasn’t a month spent relaxing!
I have compiled a condensed version of some of my father’s activities while he was here. There is no stopping my father. When he first arrived I was worried about his shoulder injury, but apparently, he would let nothing stop him! It’s almost embarrassing how little I did while he was here.
I was a little worried about having my dad here for a whole month, but it was great. It really took the stress off of the final weeks of the pregnancy. My dad pretty much ran the house, including teaching the kids how to swat flies! The day after my dad left, Samuel came out looking for his clothes, because for a month my dad laid out the kids’ outfits every morning! he also made sure that the boys were bathed which is something that I don’t take too seriously!
So, here is an idea of what to expect when Bill Frank comes to stay:
2 – vacuum cleaners
1 – mop
1 – ceiling fan
20 – trips to Sonic
100 – Buddy Bucks received
1 – trip across town in 100 degree heat, with two toddlers, to find sheet metal
1 – car detailed in preparation for sale
3 – meals of grilled steak
4 – evenings babysitting so Doug and I could go on dates
1 – citizenship swearing in ceremony attended
1 – shelf installed in master bath
3 – light sabers purchased (plus one for Jason Hunt)
1 – complete day watching three boys so I could deliver my baby in peace!
1 – new iron (plus much, much ironing!)
1 – office chair (apparently doing work while sitting on a kiddie chair isn’t cool!)
1 – alarm clock
5 – people flown in from Seattle
1 – grandma flown in from Halifax
1 – yard tended to for large item trash day, plus a hedge trimmer
- Countless groceries and cans of Fresca
- Hanging of pictures and curtain rods
- Driving Doug to work and therapy almost every day
I am noticing a trend toward cleaning supplies. I’m wondering if dad is trying to tell me something?! Every time I try o finish the list, I come up with something else, so know that this list is incomplete. He took my boys on errands every day, and he sacrificed a month of time with his wife. Thankfully, grandma also got to come out when Christina was here.
I know at the end we were wearing on my dad, but I hope he knows how much we appreciated everything he did for and with us while he was here.
Happy Birthday Dad!
First Day Jitters
Such a serious student!
Of course, I’m talking about me. Samuel wasn’t worried at all. He got right on the bus, no problem there. I do think however, that there’s something wrong with making a five year old catch the bus before the sun comes up!
I put on a dress and everything!
I was up late last night making sure that everything was ready so that my first born could have a hot breakfast on his first day of kindergarten (this annoyed Doug a little since I don’t usually worry about him having a hot breakfast!). I also wanted to make sure that I looked presentable for the other parents at the bus stop and the bus driver. I know this isn’t my day, but I don’t want people judging Samuel based on his mother showing up at the bus stop in her pajamas! I am drawing the line at attending the parents breakfast this morning. Hopefully they don’t parade the kids around the cafeteria saying things like, “Don’t worry Samuel, I’m sure your mommy loves you …. even if she couldn’t be bothered to show up for her free donut.”
Waiting for the bus with daddy.
The bus drove up, the doors opened, and my first born climbed the steps. There wasn’t even a hint of missing his dear mother! I know he’s ready for school, now I just have to resign myself to allow someone else’s influence on my son for 7 hours a day. Does that seem too long to you, because it sure seems too long to me. What to do now? Oh right, there are still three more at home!
He didn't even look back!
Birthday Giveaway
Congratulations Aimee!
I’m pretty sure I’ve got your address, but if it’s some random Aimee that I don’t know, send me your info at: lovelydainty(at)gmail.com!
I think this went pretty well, maybe I’ll do it again some time!
This year my family has been extremely blessed. It has been overwhelming at times and just plain fun at times. In the middle of one of the more difficult times I was telling my sister-in-law how I wouldn’t ever be able to repay her for what she did for us, and she told me that I would have my opportunity to help someone the way that she helped me. Well, I don’t think that’s exactly what I’m doing today. I’m more giving into fun karma. This week Doug and I both won contests. I won a little something something over at DesignMom and Doug won something at his work’s United Way kickoff. I can’t keep on basking in my good fortune if I don’t give something back.
So, today I am hosting my first ever
Sarah’s Favorite Things Giveaway
This could all be yours!
Now I’m no Oprah. I’m not even Pioneer Woman, but I do have a few favorite things that I just love, and I would like to share those things with one lucky reader. These might seem like quite the mishmash, but that’s my life!
So, here’s what will arrive in the mail if you win:
We R Memory Keepers mini album
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (it truly is magical!)
M&M’s Premiums Triple Chocolate
Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Spray in Baby Blossom
Burt’s Bees Lip Balm
Pampered Chef Cake Tester (I don’t even think they make these any more, but I stockpiled them because I love them so much!)
Safety 1st Baby Nail Clippers (By far the best ones out there)
Heather Bailey FreshCut Quilting Squares
Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste
I might even place a few more things in there before Monday.
Here are the details:
To enter leave a comment on this blog. One entry per person. Contest closes Sunday at 5:00pm. Winner will be randomly selected and announced Monday Morning. I’m so excited to use random.org for something official!
So, for all of you who never make a commentthiscould be your moment of glory!
Good Luck!
