Ode to Hand-Me-Downs

I love you oh-so-much, hand-me-downs
I love the way you feel
For dressing up or dressing down
I always feel surreal
Someone loved you once, I think
Then got sick of you or grew
But I love you NOW because
you I never knew
I can play dress-up all day long
dance and jump and sing princess songs
Because I have you, and someone did a good deed,
We feel like spoiled princesses indeed.

For Julie and all the others who have donated to my princesses!

Silly Kid

This is Liam's "cheesers". He often does this while eating. Suddenly he'll stop and look at you and then pull this face. It's hilarious. Last week we had a babysitter. While she was here, Liam colored all over the wall I had just painted. I took him and showed him the wall. I crouched down next to him and said, "Oh no Liam! Look at the wall. We don't color on the walls. What a mess. What do you say to mommy?" He looked up at me pulled a cheesers and said, "You welcome!" and ran off happily to play.

Family Night at the Car Wash

One of our favorite and most inexpensive family night activities is taking the van to the Supersonic Car Wash. As mundane as it sounds, I decided to make a short photo journal of our "regular" car wash experience. First, we get in the van (duh), then we drive to the car wash. Just prior to entering the car wash, at least one child begins to scream hysterically because it's "too loud." Then eventually everyone calms down and we get to see how clean our van is in a BIG mirror. Finally, we vacuum out the interior and the van is all ready to become afflicted with the children for the following week(s). So as to prove to myself that the van actually IS clean sometimes, I took a final photo just before we left. Ironically, there is a large storm forecast for tomorrow, and two more the rest of the week. Well, at least it looked clean for when we went to "The Shopko" to do a little Christmas shopping. Fortunately for us, the kids only screamed in the van and not in the store. Woohoo!!! I am flattered if you got all the way to the end of this little muse. Come back frequently for equally engaging and coma-inducing narratives from the same author.

Aren't they cute?

This is Thea and Ben on their first day of kindergarten. What a great day for them but traumatic for mommy. Ben went to preschool but it was in a ward member's basement. It's different when you drop them off at a big school and leave them at the mercy of their teacher, bigger kids, and new friends.

Life After Twins?

Here it is! The long awaited, critically acclaimed, much desired description of what it's like to be a mother of twins. On some days. It changes every day. This particular day was dark and stormy.

There was absolutely nothing to do because the weather outside was too depressing for any kind of physical activity. Inside or out. After hours of pbs and kbyu, we decided to pack up the kids and take them to Target so Jason could buy some new shoes. Sounds simple? Put socks and shoes on (again), comb hair, put coats on and get in the car? Oh no my friends. No. By the time I had Jane's shoes on, Liam had taken his off and ran outside in the rain ( he's a little Houdini). Back inside to get dry socks for Liam. Jane's shoes are off again and Lizzy is having issues trying to squeeze long sleeves into her jacket sleeves. Jason very patiently taught her how to get her arm in her coat without getting her shirt sleeve crumpled up inside. Meanwhile Ben is sitting on the stairs ready to go but whining some background noise for us. Lizzy begins to throw a fit so Jane copies her. An hour later, everyone is in the car. Now the issues with seat belts and coats begins. My voice is hoarse. They hate the feel of the seatbelt squishing their coats. I don't blame them but, what can I do? We fix them as best we can, which isn't good enough, and drive to the store listening to a unique chorus of crying, whining, and yelling. We get to Target and sit in the parking lot until EVERYONE HAS CALMED DOWN AND STOPPED WHINING AT MOMMY AND DADDY!!!!!!!

Calmly, and completely collected, we walk into the store. In front of me I see doting parents of newborn boy twins. Awwww.....so cute. I walk up to them and notice the expression of warning on the mother's face. It's okay. I know that expression. It says "Yes they are twins., No they are not identical., I know you think you've always wanted twins but what do you know?, and Please don't ask me questions, we are not a freak show." I know that expression because I've worn it before. But she had obviously not learned the no-eye-contact technique and besides, if the intruder is a parent of twins, it makes it okay. I walk up and say something like "How cute. Are they twins? I have twin 3 year old girls." I look behind me expecting to see my angelic twins. Too bad they morphed into monsters. Sobbing and crying, and kicking, and hitting each other. I look up and smile nonchalantly at the mother. Her mouth is hanging slightly open and she stares at the twins, a little worry line appearing in her forehead. I know any chance of encouragement has passed but, I have to say something to end the conversation. I smile the biggest smile I can summon up and say "Well, good luck!" Then I walk off. Bless her heart. It's just beginning.

The thing is though, that at the end of the day, even the hard ones, I love having my twins. I think I would be missing out on a lot if they hadn't been born together. I love that they are best friends. I love that they are different and help balance each other out. Being a mother is an incredible experience that makes every embarasing moment caused by a wayward child worth it. I'd rather be home with them than anywhere else. (Except when I need a break:) What a blessing it is to have children!

Randy and Ralphie in the snow

All we needed for a lot of fun in the snow was for Daddy to be home! While everyone was worrying about roads, we went out and the boys began construction on a fort made using a big pot to form blocks. It really brought back memories of playing in the front yard in the snow while my dad shoveled the sidewalks. When we got older, I remember my brother and his friends pushing cars out of the spots they were stuck in. Or the time it snowed so much church was canceled. But best of all, I liked being outside in the evening listening to the quiet air and other kids laughing while they created things out of the snow. There's something magical about playing in the snow when it's dark and Christmas is on the way...

Anything nae Scottish is crrrrap!

Winter Wonderland

Good ol' fashioned family fun

I don't know how many of you have discovered the delights of GeoTrax but they are WAY fun! I once heard a lady describe to her friend how she and her husband got rid of their pool table so they could have a room just for GeoTrax. They're addicting. Every Christmas or birthday is just an excuse to buy more of them. Beware: once you start buying, you can't stop!

The Hunting Story

This is the true story of the four great hunter's first experience in the wilds of Amiron Way. It was this hunt that banded them together and made them the truly heroic hunting experts they are. This is what happened.

Mother was sleeping in. She always sleeps in lately. But something was terribly wrong. No one could explain the feeling in the air. It hung heavy, like a rain cloud ready to burst. Benjamin, the fearless leader, recognized that something new was on the horizon. He kept his intuitive eyes open. Then he saw it. It was probably the biggest one in existence. In all his years hunting, he'd never seen one that big. He realized, that without help, he might not succeed. He decided to recruit.

Lizzy and Jane could be tenacious. Even stubborn. That was a good quality to have. Plus they could run and be fearless if needed. During the hunt, one needed to be able to chase with speed and courage. They could do that.

Liam was a good screamer. It could inspire fear in the heart of the prey. Slow it down, use up its adrenaline. Yes, with these 3, it might work. Now for the tools...

A cup. Not any cup would do. Glass is better because the prey can be seen, moving and jumping inside. He would need something to act as a door. Ben thought seriously about this. It was important to get just the right thing. He finally decided upon mom's new insurance card. It was slippery and would slide well under the cup. And it was worthless, so it didn't matter if it got ruined.

The hunt began. They heard it first in mom's room. Under the dresser. After a brief meeting, they used a flashlight to scare it out of it's hole. Unbeknownst (sp?) to them, however, it slyly got past by going behind their backs. They tried unsuccessfully to catch it under the dresser before hearing it. It had moved to Ben's room. Liam let out his scream. (Which woke mother completely) The prey was terrified. Off the explorers galloped. They arrived just in time to see it hopping for the laundry rooom. Lizzy and Jane ran (Fast) to explain everything to Mother. Ben and Liam craftily cornered it out of their bedroom and were herding it towards mother's room when Jane and Lizzy came out adding their ferocious screams to those of Liam's.

The prey took one frightened, extremely high leap, where it landed, with a terrible thud, in the glass cup in Benjamin's waiting, outstretched hand. He quickly popped the insurance card over the top. They ran swiftly, as the wind, to the bathroom. Jane lifted the lid, Ben dumped, Lizzy flushed, and Liam screamed.

That was the end of the biggest cricket in history. To this day, Mother and the hunters have captured 9 of the said beasts. Larger and blacker than any other on Earth. Their service will be remembered by farmers and housewives the world over forever.

Bios: Benjamin: Kindergarten, about 40 lbs, 48 inches tall. A good kid. Likes to play outside, go to school, draw, and RUN.
Lizzy: 3 years old. In dance class now. Can almost skip. (Step hop step hop) likes to leap. 29 Lbs about 33 inches tall. Likes to watch movies and sing. Especially duets with Jane.
Jane: 3 years old. Likes to dance too. Is talented at doing pliets. Likes to read and watch movies. Can sing the court jester opening monologue with the rest of the kids.
Liam: 2 years old. Running is his favorite. Especially if he can get out a good scream while going. Likes to eat and grow. Is fascinated with Thomas the train and airplanes and cars. Typical boy, likes dirt.

Autumn Leaves

We have a large tree outside our front door that the neighborhood kids like to climb on. For about a week out of the year the ground around it is covered with a thick pile of leaves. We all enjoyed playing in them.

Farmer Grant's Pumpkin Patch

Fall has been a busy time full of fun activities for our family. The kids took a trip to farmer Grant's pumpkin patch in September and had a great time exploring in the maze and looking at all the different animals on the farm.

Our Little Sugar Plum Fairies

Jane and Lizzy took a dance class at the rec center this fall. It was a lot of fun for them and me. They had a recital this week and did very well. Thanks to everyone who came to watch!

One Year Older

Ben's 6th birthday was a success! He got a bunch of Star Wars toys and now Jason has someone to play with!

The Trebuchet

Anyone who knows the final outcome of this nefarious project will appreciated seeing these pictures from the early stages. Notice how optimistic everyone looks about the success of the project? Little did we know...

Pre-Concert Dinner

I know that I'm biased but I think my kids are freakin' cute. Don't you?

MENC Convention in Salt Lake City April 2006

This is a photo of me and Bob Phillips. If you don't know who Bob Phillips is, then you're WAY out of the loop! GOSH! Google him if you have to. Just trust me, he's famous.

Anyone Remember This Trip?

Yes, yes I realize that these pictures are OLD, but I figured that nobody has seen them yet anyway. So, here they are. This is from our trip to Disneyland in the Spring of 2006.

Liam Bruce Findlay's Birthday

These are a few "snapshots" from Liam's 2nd birthday. He knows how to use that sword, so I'd be careful if I were you. And notice how calm and collected he is about opening his gifts. What an exemplary figure for us all.