Sam's Town

I had the opportunity to go into Max's class today to take individual pictures for a class project they're doing. When I got there, the teacher was on "drive up circle duty" so the aide was in charge. She did the calendar with the kids. And they counted how many days of school there has been (47 btw). Then she had the kids stand to say the pledge. One child was in charge of starting it off. Half way through she stopped the kids because they weren't together and you couldn't even understand what they were saying.

And then she had them say it again. All together. She explained why it's so important that we say the pledge together. And what it means to respect the flag (I got a little emotional at this point). Then she talked about what it means to be an American. We all stand together. The kids were mesmerized. You could've heard a pin drop. Sometime during her talk the teacher came in. When the aide was finished the teacher seconded what the aide said.

I am so thankful my kids go to a school where they say the pledge. I'm thankful for teachers who love America as much as I do and aren't afraid to say it. Max's class (and school) is very ethnically diverse but that didn't deter the aide from teaching the kids a valuable lesson. About pride and respect.

It was awesome.

Human and Dancer

I always forget how much I love live music. Especially when the band sounds better live then on their records. Last night was no exception. Me and my posse saw the Killers. Live. In concert at a packed Dodge Theater (a great venue by the way). It was one of the best shows I've ever seen. Not only are they superb musicians but Brandon Flowers really knows how to work a crowd. By the end of the concert everyone in the whole arena were on their feet screaming.

I loved every song they played from their cover of that Joy Division tune to the re-worked slower version of Smile Like You Mean It. When he explained the meaning behind the song For Reasons Unknown it made me love that song more. My favorites were: Joyride, Spaceman, Read My Mind and Jenny was a Friend of Mine. And When You Were Young. It made me so happy to be there - dancing and singing my guts out.

On the way home Ian, Kim and I reminisced about concerts we've been to. Ian told about how he was once thrown out of a Neds concert. How the bodyguard grabbed him by the ear and tossed him out - kicking him once for good measure. Ian tells such great stories.

It was one of the best times I've had in a long time. I can't wait to see them again next time they come. Thanks mom for staying up past your bedtime to babysit. You are the best!

Mickey Mouse in the House

Every school day at 7:30 a.m. all of my kids converge on the couch. Ben insists he is putting on his shoes. Alexander swears he's packing his backpack. But I know the truth. They are watching (while pretending not to watch) Mickey Mouse's Clubhouse. We discovered this show by accident - one morning Evan was terrorizing his brothers and in desperation I turned on the Disney channel.

Silence.

Laughter.

Their favorite part is the "hotdog dance". Max and Ben like the way Goofy does it. Evan likes Mickey. Xander pretends he doesn't know what we're talking about (but he totally does - I heard him telling Evan he likes the way Donald does it the best).

I think it's kind of cute...the way they all sit there, mesmerized by a mouse. I even tried to take a picture...but there was a revolt.

Is it bad... and a conversation with Max

Is it bad...

that I can hear my kids beating on each other but I'm sitting here...blogging?

that I tried on skinny jeans today...and felt really fat?

that I am dreading soccer tomorrow?

that I'm depressed I cracked my i-pod touch?

that I'm thinking of letting my kids have cold cereal for dinner?

The other night I was laying by Evan in his bed, talking to Max (whose bed is in the same room).

Me: "Max, I think we should say a special prayer for Molly. She's in the hospital."

Max: "O.k., but who do you love most - Molly, Ruby or Matthea?"

Me: "I love them all the same...just like I love you, Xander, Ben and Evan the s-"

Evan (interrupting): "EVAN!!!! You love Evan! Mom loves Evan the best!"

I guess Max got told.

Search Party

Max had so much fun on his rainforest safari (it's amazing what a kid can make out of toliet paper rolls).

He even caught a blue snake.

On Monday Evan went on his own expedition while the boys were at school. (We aren't going to tell Max).

I kept hoping he'd find his clothes.

No luck.

Things that are just not right...

Fashion forward Evan

Don't kill me but I am slowly becoming a fan of the skinny jean. I think it can be worn in certain instances. Like with a long shirt so they look like leggings (and you won't be able to see my big ghetto booty). What's happening to me? Am I going to like stirrup pants next? Will you see me wearing a neon green sweatshirt with stirrup pants and jelly shoes? I sincerely hope not. I think I've been watching too much Project Runway.

Why do bands feel the need to curse in their songs. Because DAMN IT! it ruins the whole stinkin' song when I have to turn down the volume or skip it even. There are so many awesome and creative words in the English language. Why do they have to resort to saying curse words? It's just not right.

There is way too much good tv on. Castle, Top Chef, Project Runway, SYTYCD, The Office, Grey's Anatomy, Biggest Loser, Glee. It makes it hard because we don't have DVR. I am constantly having to choose between being a mother and watching my favorite shows. Don't worry - I choose being a mother...most of the time. I think I'm going to have to break down and get DVR. Especially since a new Real World/Road Rules challenge is coming up. And just think of all the cake challenges I could tape! And Cake Boss! Ohhh...it's sounding better by the minute!

Why are kids mean to other kids? Specifically, why are kids mean to my kids? One of the kids on Ben's soccer team called him an idiot at his game on Saturday. What do I say to Ben? When really I feel like punching the kid in the head? I had a long talk with Ben, listing all of his awesome personality traits. I feel like I'm constantly trying to build my kids up while the world tears them down. Why can't we all just get along?

It's just not right.

Star Student

Max is Star Student in his class this week. None of my children's teachers have ever done Star Student, so it was really fun to make the poster and to let Max bring in his favorite things all week.

Today Max was allowed to bring in his favorite person into the class and to interview him. He thought about bringing me. Or Grandma. Or Kimmy. But in the end, Ben won out (it was really close between Ben and Kimmy).


Max was so shy. He kept laughing and smiling and whispering to Ben. Ben was a good sport. He talked about how he and Max love to play video games, bionicles, legos and action figure games. He told the class how much he loves soccer this year and he loves his team. Max said his favorite thing to do with Ben is swim. It was so cute.

Max's teacher told Ben that he is the first sibling to be picked by a Star Student and that says alot about the kind of person he is. I choked up a bit when she said that. It reminded me how lucky we are to have Ben in our family. He is such a peacemaker. And he really is Max's best friend.

I hope they are best friends forever.

P.S. Even though it is 100 degrees outside, Max is wearing his camoflauge jacket because his class is going on a rainforest safari today and the teacher told the kids to wear camoflauge. He has been talking about it all week :)

Today

I am feeling tired. Overwhelmed. Stressed out. Like if I hear one more person scream "MOM!" or see one more wall written on or thing destroyed I might lose it.

Last Friday the boys and I went to Costco for dinner. I usually avoid Costco like the plague but I needed to pick up some pictures for Max's Star of the Week poster (which turned out AWESOME, btw). I lectured the boys in the car ahead of time, telling them to stick by me and I'd buy them pizza for dinner. I got the pictures and we quickly sat down to eat. And then Evan started running around and standing on the seats and as I'm running past someone to catch Evan a man says, "Gee lady, I think you need 3 more kids". Nice, huh? And then Ben ran and hid and I didn't know and couldn't find him anywhere and just when I was about to notify the manager to instigate a "lockdown" Ben shows up laughing. Like it's some big joke. I yelled at my kids the whole way to the car. And then some more in the car.

Later that night, when I said a prayer I felt like such a failure. I prayed to be a better mother. To be more patient. I want to be one of those mothers who explain things to their kids and their kids look at them calmly and nod. I want to be one of those moms whose kids pay attention to them. Who listen when they say, "Don't walk behind that car - it's backing up!" Instead of me having to hoist Evan up like a football and run and grab Max before the SUV runs him over. Let me tell you, that sucks.

I want to be the mom who teaches her son to tie his shoes before he's a teenager. And who can potty train her child before he's 5. Who gives her son the sex talk before he's in highschool. Who helps her sons earn merit badges in Scouts. I want to be 2 steps ahead instead of 8 steps behind. I want a clean house. Things organized.

I'm always going to make mistakes. I'm always going to want to be better, nicer, stronger, kinder. More than I am.

I guess I need to be striving for perfection, but be happy never being perfect.

Right?

P.S. Motion City Soundtrack is keeping me sane. Thank you Mandie.

Soccer & Sweat

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. That's Ben. RUNNING. Those of you who know Ben know how unusual it is for him to run or to move fast in any sort of way. He is on a team this year where he knows no one. And because of that he has to pay attention. And move. Quickly. When Ian and I saw him jump up in the air and stop the ball we almost passed out. Because Ben is usually the one on the field biting his fingernails. Or staring off into space. He played awesome in his first game - his team won 7-0.

We had 3 soccer games on Saturday (2 at the same time) so I brought a kiddie leash for Evan. And I'm not ashamed to say I used it. Max had so much fun with that leash. He especially liked holding it while Evan was strapped in it.

Max had a great time playing on Saturday. He is so aggressive! I don't know why I'm surprised. It was so stinkin' hot though. I sweated (is that a word) so much that one woman asked me if I peed my pants. I think she was joking, but it still hurt my feelings. I can't help how much I sweat! Tiffany has a theory that the more you exercise the more you sweat. So even though I've gained 8 pounds since Christmas, I still exercise all the time. Which would explain the vast amounts that I sweat, if you believe Tiffany's theory (which I do).

This is Xander sitting on the sidelines of Ben's game, critiquing Ben's performance. At one point Ian mentioned that Ben needs to kick the ball harder. Xander jumped up and showed me how hard and far he can kick the ball. I didn't get to go to Xander's game (I was too busy peeing my pants at Max's game) but Ian said Xander did awesome. Even his coach commented on it. They won, which is all that matters in Xander's book.

Having 3 soccer games during the heat of the day really wore us all out. Especially Evan. He fell asleep eating his lunch.

I think it's going to be a great season!

Photogenic

This is the only picture I have of Max that kinda reminds me of my side of the family. He's 99% Ian and 1% me (in looks that is). Too bad I cut off the top of his head. If I had photo shop I could add a forehead.





Evan LOVES it when I take his picture. LOVES it. And demands to see each picture right after I take it. Yesterday we had an impromtu photo shoot.

He didn't want me to stop taking pictures. That last picture is a pose that Michael does whenever I take a picture of him. I guess imitation is the highest form of flattery.

Our Labor Day

started off with Bosa doughnuts (is there anything better?) and Michelle coming over to cut the boys' (including Ian's) hair. Max and Liam were a little impatient during their hair cuts but Evan was the worst. By far. And that's why there are no pictures of him - because we were too busy restraining him. Michelle did such a great job! I highly recommend her - thanks Michelle!Next we all ventured over to the Ganems. Ian, Jason and the boys tried to go to Chick-a-filla to get a free chicken sandwich but quickly gave up when they saw the line. They came back and swam with the kids instead.

Max and Liam defended the pool against intruders.

Later they all caught a really big fish that looked remarkably like Ben (did I mention that the boys - one boy in particular - are really obsessed with fishing?).

While the kids were swimming, Tiffany and I (well mostly Tiffany) made a lemon meringue pie and a chocolate coconut pie. Then we (again Tiffany) grilled steak for steak sandwiches and made a delicious pancetta & blue cheese salad. I'm irritated that I didn't take any pictures of the food. Because it was soooo good and different from what we usually eat.

We ended the day watching past episodes of Cake Boss. It's one of my favorite shows on t.v.

This morning during family prayer Xander thanked Heavenly Father for our friends the Ganems and that we had such a fun day yesterday.

Amen.

Uh-oh

Everyday when I go through Max's backpak I throw some of his papers away. There is just too much for me to keep it all. I only keep things with exceptional coloring or writing. Lately he has been making books at school. His favorite book that he has made has been his caterpillar book. He treasures it and carries it every where (it is pretty great). Yesterday when I found a fire safety book in his backpak I tossed it. Big mistake. Later he asked me if I'd seen the book that he brought home. I immediately cringed. I knew exactly where it was. I ran to the trash to dig it out. Luckily, I managed to find it unscathed. I don't even want to think about what would've happened if I couldn't find the book.

In other news:

My oldest son now spends his mornings IMing (is that the correct way to say it?) kids in his class. Usually I pretend I'm cleaning something in the computer room so I can read what he's writing. He hasn't caught on to me yet.

Last week, despite MANY warnings from me, Ben procrastinated doing his homework and consequently was up late Tuesday night trying to finish (it's due Wednesday). One of the assignments in his homework pack is to write 10 sentences using 2 of his spelling words in each sentence. Last week most of his spelling words were contractions. One of his sentences was: "Shouldn't and couldn't both have n't in them." SERIOUSLY. Don't worry, I made him write most of his sentences over.

Evan and I almost came to blows yesterday. But we didn't and then we ended the day snuggling and watching Top Chef. It's all good.

One man wrecking machine

The amount of destruction that this tiny being can do in a matter of minutes is staggering. Seriously mind boggling. His new thing is markers. Permanent markers. He uses them to draw on floors, tables, cupboards, animals...nothing is safe. And yes, I have put all of our markers out of his reach but that doesn't stop him - nothing does. Our magic eraser is getting LOTS of use, that's for sure.

The other day Ian found the towel ring in our bathroom torn off the wall. When he confronted Evan about it, Evan said, "It was Xander!" Which of course, it wasn't.

I cannot go anywhere with this child unless I have already decided that it's o.k. if he makes a scene. Because he will. Everywhere we go. Whether he's screaming because I won't buy him a toy or telling me to "shut up!" (he knows lots of charming phrases like that thanks to his brothers), we always make a scene. Always.

Just when I am ready to scream he will come up to me and kiss me. And ask me for hugs. And say, "I love you, Sheri" or if I'm lucky he'll call me "mama".

I think I'll keep him.