Read at Your Own Risk

I saw a new commercial the other day - one that said we should read to our children for at least 15 minutes every day. The benefits were numerous - none the least of which were increased intelligence and a better relationship overall between parent and child. My mother read to my siblings and I growing up and we still remember fondly our trips to the library and our favorite stories. Perhaps my perspective is skewed by being the "read-ee" instead of the reader and my memory is a bit more selective - because I think I was a much more accommodating and receptive audience.

Hours of chasing my wild children around the house after dinner and finally getting them to actually sit on the couch instead of jump on it later . . .

ME: "Mommy's going to read you some stories before bed!"

THEM: "Oh goody!"

ME: "Pick out some books and let's sit down and read them."

Most of the books brought to me are rejected by the majority for being too long, too boring, not enough pictures, too many pictures or just plain "we don't like that book".

Finally, we have a book or two and settle in for some nice, calm, enjoyable family time . . .

ME: "Once upon a time . . ."

One of Them: "MOM! You already read that one!"

ME: "No I didn't - this is a different one. They all start this way."

Another one of Them: "No they don't!"

ME: "Okay - how about, sometime a long time ago, I don't know when . . ."

Them: (Deep sigh and rolling of eyes)

ME: " . .. there was a princess . . ."

One of Them (usually Garrett); "Not again!"

Another one of Them (usually Sadie): "MOM! Nathan is turning the pages and now we're on the wrong page!!"

ME: "It's okay - I know the story."

One of Them (ALWAYS Sadie): "No you don't - you always get it wrong!"

Me: "Adam! Come back! Don't you want to read a story? No, Nathan - don't eat the book!"

Two of Them: "Ewwwwwwww, the book is all slobbery now!"

ME: (deep sigh of frustration) "On a day somewhat like this day, there was a crazy Queen . . . "

One of Them (probably Garrett) "It doesn't say that mom."

Me: "Look at the pictures and be quiet and listen. On a day kind of like the one I am having today, the crazy queen made an awesome dinner that nobody liked and someone even threw theirs on the floor which was very naughty. The wicked children ran around and around and around and made loud noises like wild animals. They threw paper on the floor and left their shoes and toys everywhere! The crazy queen got so tired of it that she locked them all in the dungeon and didn't let them come out until they were all grown up and polite and did their own laundry. The end."

Them: (Stunned looks of disbelief and concern that their mom is off her rocker.)

One of Them: "Mom, can we go to the library tomorrow and get some better books?"

ME: (mumbling under breath) "Will you keep your clothes on this time and not streak through the juvenile fiction again?"

Fifteen minutes and two hours later, the noise is dying down and I am contemplating a warm bath and literature without pictures or rhyming prose . . ..

Adam: (who is out of bed with a board book in outstretched hand) "Book!"


I think the commercial forgot to mention that you are supposed to read to someone else's children instead . . .

For The Austen Fans . . .

Ah well, I suppose we all can't be Eliza Bennett . . .

Take the Quiz here!

Happy Birthday Monkey Man!

This is Garrett. Garrett is, well, a monkey. Garrett turned 8 on May 21st. Garrett was old enough to be baptized, so we had him dunked. We wanted pictures. This is what we got. Enjoy this fabulous photo montage Garrett helped to put together for your viewing pleasure.









and finally . . .

Some birthday pictures

From this . . .


May 2000

To this . . .

May 2008

A Birthday, Baptism, Road Trip and a Graduation

I am way behind. The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity and road trips and so now I get to play catchup.

I'll post the pictures and write-up separately of Garrett's 8th birthday and subsequent baptism on the 21st and 22nd respectively. We were blessed to be visited by both sets of grandparents. Shortly after the baptism though, my parents and I loaded up the van and headed out to Kentucky for my baby sister's college graduation. I'll have to beg a picture or two from my dad as he held the camera duties during the trip. I am so proud of my sister! She graduated in 5 years as a single mom with two kids. I'm a bit jealous as I am still who knows how many years out from my own college degree still AND also because she is planning on moving back to Colorado now. I miss the mountains - though we do enjoy where we are living at the moment.

Great for Sucking up Those Cookie Crumbs

Found this on the 'net.

Since Kirby is still recovering from the nail encounter thought I would give it a try . . . :0)

C is for Cookie . . .

A - Adam enrolls in "Do it Yourself Home Haircuts 101"
B - Baby boogers
C - Children of Chaos
D - "Duh mommy, I didn't turn in my summer school form because I didn't want to!"
E - Every time I mop the floor, someone drops a big jug of ketchup on it
F - Find a shoe, lose a shoe; find a shoe, lose a shoe . . .
G - "Good grief Adam! What did you do to your hair??!!"
H - "Hi honey, I'm going to Kentucky again for a week . . ."
I - I know what you did in your diaper
J - Just when you thought it was safe to go in the laundry room
K - Killin' time with my Kirby
L - Little sisters are big pests - little brothers too
M - Many monkeys make mega messes
N - Never do for your mom for free what you can make your little brother do for a nickel
O - Open the door, let the naked three year old out and the doggy who pees on the floor in
P - Please don't stuff jelly beans up your nose
Q - Quick! does anyone know how to unclog a toilet stuffed with 3 rolls of toilet paper??
R - Remember to buy more toilet paper
S - Someone drew on the baby again
T - Ten ways to make Sadie scream and your mom mad
U - Under the couch is the best place to put all the stuff you were supposed to put away
V - Vacuumed up a nail - now Kirby's making weird noises and smells bad
W - Wonder why I'm tired?
X - x-ray Adam again and find more money
Y - Y me? You always make me do everything!
Z -Zippity do dah! Zippity Yay! It's time for bed!

Of Ticks, Chicks and Laundry

When the young boys in our house turn three they go through a rite of passage - the Father/Son Campout.

This year was Adam's first. He came home somewhat sunburned, extremely dirty, wearing the same clothes I sent him in and sporting no less than half a dozen ticks. He wolfed down an entire hot dog for dinner upon his return, took a bath and promptly fell asleep on the couch.

The girls and I look forward to this weekend with great anticipation. An evening of chocolate, cheesy popcorn, our various drink choices, staying up late and chick flicks! This year however, the FSC kicked off with a special fireside for the families after which us ladies enjoyed dutch oven desserts and then returned home while the men/boys stayed and camped. The campout was held on a farm about 45 minutes drive from home. As we made our windy way home in the dark, Jessi - who had been somewhat disappointed in not getting her chocolate or chick flick this year gave a sigh and said, "Just think mom, in two years Nathan will go and it really will just be us girls." I gave a smile in the dark just thinking about Matt trying to keep track of 4 boys running off in 4 different directions in the woods . . .

I am now going to spend the rest of the weekend steering clear of the laundry room.