Minkie

Our favorite word that Evan says is Kimmie. Except he says it "Minkie". It never fails to crack us up. I love how in the middle of this he lays back -trying to get comfortable, I suppose. As usual, sorry for my loud, obnoxious voice. Sheez, I never learn.

Trial Run

Saturday was our church's Halloween party (Trunk-or-Treat). I like it better than Halloween because we are in a confined area, and we don't have to do any driving or much walking. Wow, that makes me sound lazy. Any how, we were all really excited to go. Alexander invited his friend Thomas to come too. The party started at 3:00 and we still were assembling costumes and make-up at 4:00. Ian spent atleast 30 mintues wrapping Xander in his mummy costume. And that's when all hell broke loose. Poor Thomas had to just sit and witness it all. Xander was frustrated that his bandages kept coming unraveled - even though Ian and I kept assuring him it looked cool. He had a breakdown and tore all the bandages off then hid in his closet. This was at 4:15. Then Evan spilled juice all over the adorable Batman costume Tiffany lent me so I had to pull out my white-trash Robin costume that has a mile long tear in the back and stuff him in that. By then I didn't care you could see his diaper. Ian is busy doing Thomas' make-up, Ben and Max are fighting, Evan is screaming (he does NOT like the costume) and Xander is crying in his closet.

I calmly told Xander to find another costume - I gave him a few ideas - and to get ready. I loaded everyone else up and took them to the party while Ian stayed home to help Xander. Ian and Xander didn't get there until 5:00 so they missed the snow cone machine and bounce houses, but they did get there in time for the chili tasting and trunk-or-treat, so it was all good. Thank goodness Thomas is such a laid back kid. He was fine hanging with Ben until Xander got there. I was just impressed that Ian and I kept it together, and didn't loose our tempers. It turned out to be a great evening - especially when Jill and Rayna showed up to help me pass out candy.

I'm crossing my fingers that Halloween night goes a lot smoother...

Cookies and Spongebob

enjoying a bedtime snack of cookies and milk in bed (he snuck them in when I wasn't looking)

Yesterday at church I went to Evan's class with him. I didn't want to - it's just that whenever I'd leave him he'd scream violently, which would cause other children to scream violently...and it was just easier to stay there with him. I sat with him during snack time while his teacher gave a lesson on Jesus. She went around the room asking each child who was the person in the picture. Joshua (Evan's cousin) answered, "Jesus!". Another little girl proudly exclaimed, "Jesus!". When the teacher got to Evan he looked and exclaimed, "Spongebob!". "Did you say Spongebob?" the teacher asked. Evan replied, "Squarepants!"

We've got our priorites straight around here.

I'm sorry means you'll never do it again

Sometimes I lose my temper with Max. I know you are all reading this with your jaws wide open, but it's true. Out of all my kids, he really knows which buttons to push. Hey - by the way, did you know Tiffany has a blog? Anyway, the other day Max, Evan and I were riding in the car and Max was pushing my buttons and I was counting to ten over and over in my head (but it wasn't working real well) and he finally broke me and I said,"Max, you're acting like a baby!" Maybe you are thinking that isn't really all that bad, but trust me, it's bad. By the way, my bff Tiffany now has a blog! Years of nagging have paid off!

Oh yeah, and have I mentioned that Evan is at the age where he repeats everything anyone says (the boys have sooo much fun with that..."Evan - say poop!") After I have stooped to the level of calling my 5-year-old names, Max screams, "I'M NOT A BABY!!" "You're right, you aren't a baby - I'm sorry I said that...I'm just upset by the way you are acting", I reply. And then, right on cue, Evan exclaims, "Max a baby!" That did not go over well. In fact, my ears are still ringing.

On another note, Tiffany has started a blog! Now all of you can see I think she's one of the coolest chicks around.

Keane

When I first bought Keane's new c.d. "Perfect Symmetry" I didn't like it. Then one day Ian said, "Isn't that new Keane c.d. awesome? In parts it sounds like The Killers and in other parts it's pure 80's." I gave it another listen and guess what? He's right. "You Haven't Told Me Anything" is my favorite song. When it comes on I turn it up and sing at the top of my lungs. My poor, poor children....The only song I don't like is #9 - "Pretend That Your Alone". The lyrics are just plain stupid. But the rest of the album...pure bliss!

Here's the link if you want to check out their second single off the album: "The Lovers are Losing".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujh4sln7r-c

Running Man (and Woman)

Sometimes Ian and I go running together. A lot of the time he'll say, "Wake me up in the morning so I can run with you" but I never do. He just looks so cozy in bed, that I can't do it. It seems too mean. Especially since he basically runs for a living. So sometimes (usually Saturday or Sunday) at night we will run a couple miles together. And usually Ian leaves me in the dust. His strides are obviously much longer than mine, so I don't even attempt to keep up. We just shout back and forth at each other. It's doesn't sound like fun, but it is.

Last night (after being gluttonous all day) we decided to go for a run. Imagine my surprise when Ian comes out holding 2 7lb dumbbells and has ankle weights strapped to his legs. And he wants me hold his water for him so he can carry the dumbbells. Uh-uh. I don't like to run holding things. I also tell him that those ankle weights are going to kill him. He considers, then takes them off. Since I've already been waiting outside for him for about 10 minutes I start off - Ian screams, "WAIT!!! WAIT!!!! WAIT!!!" "I'm sick of waiting!" I reply (I am not a patient person). But then I wait, and off we go.

Seriously, I don't think I've laughed that hard in a long time. Ian is running in front of me - wildly swinging his arms (because he's holding the weights, I guess). I can't help giggling.
Ian: "What?"
Me: "Nothing - just you look like a fool".
Ian: "My arms are burning!" (we haven't even hit the 1/2 mile mark yet).
Me: "I hate to say it...but I told you so..."
Ian: "Take a weight!"
Me: "No"
Ian: "Please - that way you'll get some resistance training in."
Me: "Fine! I'll try it!"

We keep running and now we are running on dirt. And it's dark. Ian says,"I'm paranoid I'm going to hit a rut and trip."
"Hmmm..., I've never thought of that...I'm more concerned about a big black dog bounding across that field and attacking us" I reply (I told you I have irrational fears).
"Thanks - I've already had that fear realized" says Ian (I forget what he does for a living).

2 seconds later I tell him I don't like holding the weight and try to give it back. He won't take it. So then I stop and start yelling that I'll leave this weight by the side of the road and he comes and gets it. And then says, "You didn't like it because you only were holding one - try holding both - that way you'll be symmetrical" (side note: Ian LOVES symmetrical - everything must be symmetrical). "No thanks" I tell him. "PLEASE! YOU'LL LOVE IT!" He yells. "Just like you are loving it?" I counter. We have barely hit the mile mark at this point.

Eventually he leaves the weights by the side of the road to pick up on the way back. And can I just say that running with Ian is one of the best dates we've had in a long while.

Some Day

Someday I really hope I get to see this:

Or this:

But I know it won't be for a long time because I'm way too busy taking care of this:

It's all good.

I can't pee standing up...

I have always been a girlie girl. Don't get me wrong, I skateboarded, played sports and got in dirt clod fights as a kid, but I always loved to play dress up or secretary. My cousin Wendy and I used to go over to our best friend Heidi's house to sit in her garage and act like we were secretary's in a big company. Heidi's dad sold insurance and had lots of expired paperwork that we stamped, signed and made notes on. We had a system and were very efficient. I find it interesting that we didn't play "actresses" or "models" - we were secretaries. We dreamt big.

Or I remember getting dressed up and teasing our hair and then lip syncing to Cyndi Lauper or Madonna. My dad would video tape us making fools of ourselves. I loved putting on make-up. Of course we were strickly forbidden to wear make up until Jr. High, but I remember begging my mom in the 5th grade to wear eye shadow. She stood firm. But I had my ways. Amy Speirs would bring her make-up and apply bright purple eye shadow to my lids every day before class. That kind of back fired when my 5th grade pictures came home and I looked like a hussy.

Sometimes it doesn't seem fair that I'm a mom to 4 boys. I thought for sure I'd have girls - I love all that girlie stuff! It's like I'm being wasted on these boys. And then I saw a commercial for Bratz. And suddenly, I remember how happy I am with my dirt throwing, super hero loving, video game playing boys. It's all good. Because I'm the only princess in these parts. And that's the way I like it.

*This is one of those times I wish I had a scanner.

Madonna & Spongebob

I'm in a bit of a blogging rut. Not that I'm out of things to say - heavens no! - but what to say what? when? Ya know? And I really wish I had a good camera (reading Pioneer Woman will do that to you) and a scanner...sigh...And now that I think of it I'm in a bit of a life rut too. Everyday is the same. And Madonna is getting a divorce. The hits keep coming. I mean I thought if anyone could keep it together it was her.

This morning as we knelt down to say family prayer - Max says, "Why do I have to go to school?" To which I replied, "Remember last night when I spoke to your brain by whispering in your ear? Well I promised your brain that after resting the last 2 weeks it was going to get a jump-start today."

Then Ian chimes in, "Yeah, your brain is like a sponge. It's going to drink up all that knowledge....in fact, your brain is Spongebob!"

Max rolls his eyes and says, "Your brain is Patrick....Duh!" (said very sarcastically and in Patrick's dumb voice).

How many 5 year-olds can pull off a joke like that? Because we were all dying.

Thanks for jump starting my day, Max.

Fundraiser Car Wash

My cousins' aunt Shelley has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer (and she's never smoked). She is a wife and mother of 8 children. Charlotte (my cousin) sent me the following e-mail yesterday:

CAR WASH FOR SHELLEY

FUNDRAISER
CAR WASH
OCTOBER 18TH

As many of you know, my Aunt Shelley was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer less than 2 weeks ago. Besides the prayers that she needs from us, we are raising money to help out. Please tell everyone you know to come by to get their car washed! It is at: 3470 E Mayberry Ct in Coronado Ranch (Wendy's neighborhood). For information and updates on Shelley, go to her blog http://shelleyshelleyconway.blogspot.com/

I have soccer games all morning but am going to try to stop by. If you can't go, remember to keep Shelley and her family in your prayers.

New Twilight Trailer

Twilight HD Exclusive Trailer

Excited doesn't even begin to cover it. I know there are some of you who aren't happy with the casting, but that's because everyone has their idealized version of who Edward is. Regardless, I can't wait.

Satan gets a haircut...

You know when you start your day 1 hour behind? You wake up a little late, and it's all down hill from there...so everything snowballs and you find yourself at Snip-Its at 12:30 waiting to get your 5-year old and 23 month-old's hair cut? Let me just also mention that the 23 month old usually takes a nap around 12:15. You do the math. To say there was screaming is an understatement. And I even came prepared with binkies, sippies and lollipops (desperate times call for desperate measures). And because it's a place for children there are racks and shelves of toys...especially toy trucks. Which happen to be Evan's favorite. Which equals more screaming and reaching and crashing! as the shelf with all of the cute little matchbox cars topples over.

And did I mention that I heard the voice? You know, that inner intution that tells you things. It was saying, "Come back tomorrow - first thing...when everyone is rested". But did I listen? Instead I put my name on the waiting list and proceeded to race after and wrestle my kids in the meantime. And all the while I can feel the stares of all the other mothers in there and I know what they are thinking, because I'm thinking the same thing. What am I doing with 4 boys? Seriously. And that was before Evan knocked down the shelf with all the toy trucks and boxes went flying everywhere.

And then it was finally our turn. Max sat there like a pro and took it like a man. Evan on the other hand...more screaming...and he threw his lollipop which was consequently covered in hair so it went in the trash. And in the meantime the older two are fighting over the etch-a-sketch - flinging elbows (I blame you for that, Ian) and kicking each other. Sigh. Evan starts screaming, "TRUCK!" I run and get him a boxed tractor - and glance at the price $5.00! for that? are you kidding me? So I let him hold it in the box...but he wants that thing OUT! I tear it out of the box because as I said...desperate times. To which the woman cutting Evan's hair says, "You know, if you always give him what he wants he'll never learn". It took all the restraint I had not to punch her in the head. And when she asked how short to cut Evan's hair, I said, "Buzz it". Because I'm not coming back anytime soon.

P.S. Xander thought of the title

I'm still busy...

trying to get my camera fixed. Uggg.

hanging out with and entertaining 6 boys instead of 4 (Justin & Jeremy stayed with us Monday & most of Tuesday - their mom and dad are in New York)

attending the grand opening of Ganem Jeweler's Scottsdale store

tying up loose ends for the annual insurance audit at work (double uggg)

attending the So You Think You Can Dance tour. I could go on about this all day. I'll only say that it was worth the hour drive there and back and the $45 I'll shelled out for a babysitter plus what I spent on gas and the tickets. Soooo worth it.

Wait! Let me also say this: Ian and I both LOVE art. Not just paintings and photography. But dance and music as well. I love to hear a song or see a dance that tells a story. It's the same with a sculpture or picture - I love to look at something that I can connect with. Or that makes me feel something. Maybe that's why this was my favorite dance last night. I loved seeing Bleeding Love, No Air and all the others... but this one gave me the chills.

P.S. I really hate Costco.

I've been busy

reading The Pioneer Woman's love story with the Malboro Man (I don't make this stuff up). It's like the best Harlequin Romance that was never written (only without all the heaving bosoms). It's riveting. And when I was done with that I had to check out her photos, and her cooking site...and go through some of her archives.

I think I've found my new obsession.

Our Break...so far

Max and Addy have been friends for a while now. Part of that is because although Addy is a girl and likes "girlie" things, she also likes Spiderman and to play pretend (which are 2 of Max's favorite things). Addy came over the other day and they baked cookies, dressed up as Spidey and played "puppies" (one of their favorite games).

Yesterday we went to the zoo. Xander's friend Liam went with us - it was a great way to wear the boys out. We saw lots of the animals - the tiger, cheetah and rhino butts were favorites but the ABSOLUTE favorite were the orangutans. Dang, those primates are cute. There's a 2 year-old baby and we could've watched her for hours. All of us were totally enthralled - except for Ben. He sat stubbornly on a bench - mumbling that he was "worn-out" and "exhausted". I told him that was because he's used to only using his hands (he's been playing WAY too much X-box) - his feet are not used to actually walking distances longer than 20 feet. He didn't appreciate that.

Last Saturday was my nephew James's baptism. I wish I could've seen it. I heard it was wonderful. I was too busy chasing Evan around. Dang, that kid is fast. After the baptism there was a luncheon. I'm pretty sure I ate my weight in potato salad (grandma made it!) and beans (mom's special recipe) oh yeah, and I had quite a few peanut butter cookies too.

Other than that, we haven't been doing much - Xander has been swimming at my mom's every day and the other boys have been playing Poptropica or X-box. We've had soccer practice which has been a nice way to ensure they get some exercise. I love that fact that we aren't on any schedule. Not for a couple of weeks anyway.

*My camera is on the fritz. Luckily I purchased it at Costco - so even though I can't find the receipt, they will take it back (one of the only things I actually like about Costco - except for their bread and cheese of course).

Memories...

I wish I had a scanner. I stole this picture from my sister's blog. Man, I have a big forehead. I am so lucky to have Kim as a big sister - not only is she one of my best friends but she is my kids' second mom (in fact, sometimes I think they would prefer her). I remember this trip - Ian, Kim and I drove 12 hours straight to San Francisco and then turned around and drove back (we did have to get a hotel room - we were too tired to drive all the way back) and I remember on the way home we heard that Kurt Cobain had committed suicide. What a waste.

Does anyone want to guess what year this was? And why we went in San Francisco? Ian and Brian - you can't guess!