Thursday, January 19, 2012

Living Life on the Wild Side



I think all mothers would agree seeing their children enjoy one another is one of life's joys. Liam and Isla are hot and cold. They're either conniving partners in crime, devising new and more destructive ways to outsmart their parents, or they are enemies, writing "No GRILS ALLOWED" on the top bunk and punching each other in the face. When Wren is involved, however, they come together and a beautiful thing is formed. Last night they set up a lightening fast race track in the kitchen.  Liam took on the role of the driver, pushing Wren on Isla's pink Barbie car, and Isla happily stood in as the buffer against the refrigerator-- the finish line. Isla and Liam were having a blast, but I really think it was Wren who was enjoying it more than anyone. She was all hysterical smiles and practically crying with laughter. Her smile reminds me so much of Aunt Kristin, don't you agree?














Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Happy New Years

I'm not one for New Year Resolutions, but here it goes!

In 2012 I hope to . . .

-- Take more pictures and videos of the kids
-- Record a semblance of a family journal
-- Save money for future home
-- Remember morning scripture with kids before school

We shall see how this goes!











Monday, January 02, 2012

Thursday, December 22, 2011

A Forgetful Mom I am


Liam's very first tooth broke through Halloween 2005 and I cried because my baby was growing up. Well,  two nights ago this same tooth, tiny and worn and six years old, fell out and I cried again. He's not a baby anymore, but Liam is certainly growing up, and losing your first tooth is a big deal.  But guess what? The Tooth Fairy forgot to come! And the next night? She forgot again! Pathetic. Tonight is now the third night and I think Liam gave up hope because he didn't even put his tooth under his pillow. Sad. I hope I, um, I mean I hope the Tooth Fairy redeemed himself (turns out Liam's fairy is a boy?) in Liam's eyes because not only did I, I mean HE leave some money behind, but he also left Liam a note, and in all my years of losing teeth I never got a note.  










From the Desk of Tooth Fairy #49281


Dear Liam,


I couldn’t find your tooth under your pillow, but I did find it in that cool blue treasure chest by the television. I hope it’s okay that I took it. What a great tooth it is! So white and shiny! I can tell you take good care of your teeth, and I'm very proud of you.  I’m sorry I didn’t come to pick it up the last two nights. We tooth fairies are very busy this time of year helping Santa and his elves get ready for Christmas.


Here's a little bit of money in exchange for your tooth. You can save it or spend it or whatever you'd like. You deserve it! Losing teeth is fun, and a sign you're growing up, but I know it can feel a little weird too.


Please keep up the good work on your teeth. I see you have a couple fillings, and that’s okay. Keep on brushing and flossing, even when your parents forget to remind you, and brush for a good long time. When you go in for your next check-up, be sure to tell the dentist "hi" for me. We're good friends, you know!


Yours truly,


Tooth Fairy #49281 (My friends call me JimBob)

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

A Morning/Mourning Incident


As I was buckling Wren into her car seat outside of Isla's preschool this morning, I handed her my key chain in an attempt to calm and distract her. She happily played with the keys, but managed to push the red emergency button, setting off a series of loud honking. I grabbed the keys, pressed a bunch of buttons to make the honking stop, then finished buckling and threw the keys to the driver seat of the car. THEN--- shut-the-door.

Well, of course in pressing all those buttons I had inadvertently locked the keys in the car. With Wren and our dog Toby inside. I didn't have my cellphone with me either, and our spare set of keys have been lost for weeks, so not only is my baby locked inside of a car, but I'm backed into a pretty tight corner. I tell Wren (my face pressed against the car window) I'll be right back and then I run into Isla's school building to call a locksmith. Lucky for me they are extraordinarily helpful at her school and end up calling the locksmith for me so I can wait outside, albeit between a chunk of glass and metal, with my baby Wren.

Two interesting things proceeded to happen.  I'd have expected Wren to sob her little heart out, but no, she listened to me talk with her eyes wide open the whole time. Not a single tear. I was so proud of her and her brave soul. AND-- TOBY! My, my. He was so excited by the strange event that he ended up jumping around in the car, from seat to seat like a Mexican jumping bean, until he somehow managed to hit my keys just right with his little paws and open car doors! It was a Christmas miracle! Toby, my goofy dog genius.

The locksmith, however, pulled right up and wanted to be paid anyway. I was so happy to have Wren back in the arms that it was worth it. He had driven all the way out, which is really 90% of the work when you consider how quickly they unlock cars anyway,  right?

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Email Excerpt

Here's an excerpt from an email I sent my favorite mother-in-law, Connie. I was feeling unusually talkative and told her a Liam story. I want to make sure I remember this so I think I'll post it to this almost non-existent blog.

A couple of weeks ago Liam was in time out for losing his temper and I took the girls to the beach (Billy was home of course). When we came back Liam had left notes around the house. On the TV there was a note that said "I love you because you watch TV". On the refrigerator a note said "I love you because you make good food." On Billy's office door a note said "I love you because you work." He had other notes he was working on but I'd come home too soon and interrupted him. When I told him how great I thought the notes were, he said "When I was in time out I said a prayer and I asked Heavenly Father to calm the storm in my heart (a phrase we've used with Liam before) and then I felt better and thought of this note idea." He is a very special boy.

But then again, he gave Isla a bloody nose again yesterday and Isla said "Holy S**s" so... you know... we've got work to do...




Monday, November 21, 2011

Liam's Etsy Shop

Looking for an affordable and handmade Christmas gift? Check out Liam's awesome credit card pouches on Etsy :)