Mom of the Year Goes To...

"Isaac, you should have 2 more pages in your homework packet.  Go grab it and finish."

 "Isaac, you have something like 5 pages you haven't finished this week."
"I know, I'm sorry."  "Get to work."

 "Isaac, it says to circle the pronoun.  Banana is not a pronoun." - Isaac commences crying.

 "Isaac, if you start crying over a pronoun again I'm not doing football tonite."

He heads to his room to do some more.

"Isaac, once again, circle the pronoun in the second sentence.  Don't do anything to the first sentence.  These are mostly wrong." - more tears.

"O.k., no football."

They tied the Redskins at 24 a piece.

"Follow through." (Parenting 101, Common Sense Press, 1 b.c., page 1, line 1)



Home Sweet Home

With wallpaper making a comeback with a vengeance I figured it would be easy to find what I wanted for the wall in our dining room.  First I couldn't find a wallpaper store, then I couldn't find anything under $150 a roll online (didn't even love the $150 ones), and then Jason caught wind of it and put his foot down.  I have yet to understand how it affects him one way or another, but I guess it saves me the trouble. 

So I painted instead.  Then we went to a couple antique stores in SLC and I found a buddy for my goose.  I paid $1 for the goose three months ago at D.I., $26 for the rabbit!

I went yard-saling with some neighborhood ladies couple weekends ago and found the sign for the girls' room.

Ahhhh.  Home whimsical home.

GA- The Whole Day Through

Today was the second day of school.  We love her just the same.

Hi Brandy,


Georgia is such a cutie (oh yeah, naughty and homely could be really bad), and brings a fun spirit (code for this girl's a nut), to our class. We are, however, having some troubles following directions, and I know you gave me a head's up at Open House on Friday (i.e. keep the child beside you at all times). She is having a difficult time remembering to stay out of the classroom when the teacher is not in the room, like during recess and lunch. And with that, remembering to wait for me to open the door and let the class in (she informed me she'd like to let the class in instead.  I told her that was one of the few fringe benefits of getting a four year degree in elementary education). She also needs to know that she needs to go to the bathroom during recess and lunch or right after when our class goes. (What can I say?)


I talked with Mrs. Morgan and she also told me about the sticker chart and that she had to be right on Georgia for a few months (I've been right on her for 6 years.  Good luck). After that, she said Georgia was a model student! I know we can get right back to that! Sometimes, kids forget how to act in school over summer, so I am confident it won't take long.


Just wanted to give you a head's up!



Thanks!
 
Today Liv had a play date.  Her buddy's brother is in Georgia's class.  He informed her that Georgia has "moved her pin" (on the disciplinary chart), twice.  I repeat, this is the second day of school.  Come on George!  You made it through half a day last year.  YOU CAN DO IT!
 
 
One thing is CERTAIN.  This second year teacher will remember Georgia's name until the day she retires. 
 
 
"Georgia, oh Georgia.  The whole day through." 

I realize this should be a first day of school picture.  Missed that photo op.  What do I look like, a photographer?

Well Where the (^*&+* Ya Been?

I am recommitting myself to this blog.  I swear.  I will do as I did with my 5th grade students many moons ago.

*Raising my right hand* "I, Brandy D do solemnly swear to update this blog for posterity and sanity, at least twice a month."

So without further ado (what's ado?  Is that even how it's spelled?) Here we all are.  Well and accounted for.  Fat and happy.  So what else is new?  I'll keep you posted.  I solemnly swear.



Happy Father's Day!

My Dad's the greatest around. He's reaping the rewards of parenthood by grandparenting all these crazies plus tiny Samantha, brand new.

Jason, your reward will come in about 15 years when we get to grandparent :0) It's not my cooking that keeps you coming back, so it must be the kids.

x0x0x0x0

Is it too much to ask for all of them to look at the camera?

Crazy cute Georgia.

Handsome, smart Isaac.

Dramatic beauty Liv

Sweet Mae

Big baby Noah

Noah in the Bath

Just needed to get this out of my system...

He's a hottie!

Handy

Made this after seeing a similiar one online on a craft blog.

Liv said people were staring at me while I assembled it on the floor at the D.I.  and  people were going to laugh when they came over.

I still like it.

We are a group of do-it-yourselfers.  Mae took that and ran... with scissors.

Her hair now parts on the right.

Patron Saint of Sleep, Tinkerbell, whomever is out there in the universe, send sleepy vibes to the littlest man.


When our story began I was more like

Or so I've been told.  O.k. one guy told me I kinda looked like her, another one said I sounded like her. Noah's crying.  Just a minute... (Once friend told me I looked most like Gina Davis and later said Gina Davis was ugly.  I will not picture Gina Davis.)  Add a cap sleeve, 25 lbs., and some scattered adult acne.  Close enough.


Noah wakes up twice each night around 2 or 3, and again around 5.  He finally wakes again when the kids get up for school.  In the cruelest twist of fate, for about two weeks he did sleep through the night.  Then he changed his mind.  Hold on... I have to raspberry his cheek.

He proceeds to cry for the next 13 hours unless held (with all one's devoted attention), fed, or napping.  It's like fingernails on a chalkboard.  One more sec.  Liv's going to walk him around while I finish typing.

Last night after he peed out of the top of his diaper at 4:30 I found the drawstring from my paint splattered sweatpants tickling the ground when I walked back to bed.  I think that in my sleep I was creating a noose.  On a happy note, I dreamt I had a fantastic run.

I thought wildman allergic-to-milk Isaac was a tough crowd.  He had nothing on the No-ster.

This is the self portrait I took this morning (the camera takes off 10 lbs. give or take 150).  If you see me out of the house on a caffiene run Just got him back.  Kissing fat cheeks. pretend you don't.  It's the humane thing to do.

and he's taking his first nap, gotta run.

Don't judge.

The written word for our children is a fantastic outlet.  Especially for prolific Olivia.  You saw Isaac's checklist in one of my last posts.  Here are some other writing samples I may submit to Random House...

One of Liv's love notes that we find on our pillows.  She goes to bed at 8:30, to sleep at 11ish.  Only after she's written us a note of some sort.

Jason promised a trip to Chuck E Cheese. 

*read left column first, then right.

Liv brought this home yesterday from a classmate.  Jason was relieved that he spelled worse than our kids.

Pepperoni theft: punishable by an apology letter.  I wonder if they follow the 3 strikes rule.

And Georgia has gotten in on the action recently.

I'm not sure which ten days she was gone for.  I guess I better be more attentive.


Liv wrote this fractured fairytale for school.  Page 3 concerns me.

In town?  We don't even have a bar here.  I blame it on High School Musical.  She watched it for the first time a few weeks ago.  I knew it was trouble.

Not to worry, some tall  guy named Bob saves the day at the end of the story and Mae becomes queen.  Come to think of it, didn't hear anything else about her drunken father.  Check the next few episodes of  "Intervention".

In case you're wondering where all my pics are of the new babe, you need not look any further than this for at least several months...

a.k.a

According to Aunt Cis.

Ask Naali (Grandma), and it's more like this....

Mr. Magoo has to gain some weight to look more like Noah (17 lbs.), but very close.

Which one is closest?

If You Can't Take the Heat, Get in the Water

Just kidding.  Mormons don't believe you're going to hell if you don't get baptized. 

However, following Christ's example we do get baptized by immersion and Isaac's water happened to be freezing because of a malfunctioning water heater.





Isaac's a VERY good kid. Here's proof.

Ha!  He made a to-do list of all the stuff he's supposed to do everyday.  

Here's what's on the back...

I like "huld noah" in the middle of his health routine.  And it's good to know that he wakes up in the middle of the night to stretch, throw the ball at the wall, and "gump".

 

But, we all need a little help now and again and through baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost we can learn, grow, and repent if necessary.

He was baptized the same day as another little girl in our ward (congregation), so I did the program together... *Confirmation is done by a priesthood holder (their fathers in this case), blessing them with the gift of the Holy Ghost and confirming them a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints).

He got a scrapbook of the last several years and a quilt (to remind him of the Holy Ghost a.k.a The Comforter).

Enchanted Evenings

Isaac's Birthday Feast Sunday....

Liv told me and told me that I threw out the "8" candle and I didn't believe her. 

Tonite (after the vinyl fence guy decided to wrap up his quote), we had Uncle Isaac, Brock, Uncle Jerrett, Heather, and us another feast to celebrate LUuuUb.

I set a beautiful table, complete with candlelight and cherubs.  And we stuffed ourselves on steak, mashed potatoes, greens with strawberries, candied walnuts and poppyseed dressing, asparagus, garlic bread and crepes. 

The kids all got a gift at their seats and we had yummy strawberry limeaid.  Mostly because of the unique pink color and reflective glass bottles.

Jason tried to start some conversation about everyone's worst Valentine's Day.  Turns out he's the only one who had one. Too bad the vinyl fence guy can't come back next year.  I have a feeling he'd have a story to tell.

8,7,6

Until Saturday I have an 8, 7, and 6 year old. 
Not to mention a 2 year old and the bebe.

But come Sunday we will be 8, 8, 6, 2, 3 mos.

Here he is in all his handsome glory...

Eat your heart out elementary-aged girls.  He's more interested in soccer, football, basketball, and attacking his sisters with the nerf gun.

Jason thinks he's weird because he chooses to read.  Especially when he taught himself the alphabet in sign language from a book.

He's not afraid to shake what his mama gave him and battles the entire family on Just Dance 2 every chance he gets.

He's my best date because he'll eat anything I do.

Not looking forward to sharing the front seat with him.  He insessantly asks questions.  Lately it's been, "Is ___________ (insert any friend or family member in the second grade), going to start college the same day as me?"

He's the total package people.  The total package.

Noah, collector

Noah News Flash:

He's big

REAL BIG

he's collecting poundage: about 15

And lots of clothes. from 0-9 months in 3 (months)

Collecting for his ark:  1 bear so far.

The Good....

We aquired a new game and I think it's a hit...

Just Dance 2

  

Just Cry 2,000,000

Even though this is the kid's norm, I made him laugh this week and we're celebrating whether he likes it or not!  And I'm going to make it FABULOUS.  No more mediocre parties in this house!

The Bad...

This little Freudian slip sums up the feeling.  One of my friends posted this yesterday as her Facebook status.  I had to read it a couple of times...

 ...is working on getting baby B to sleep through the night. We are sooo close. Maybe tonight will be the night he dies wake up at all. Here's to hoping!

Wake yourself up every couple of hours for 30 minutes tonite.  It's stimulating.

The Ugly...

Don't picket outside our house.  It won't affect my decision.  I can't do it, I just can't do it.  We are not selling Girl Scout Cookies this year.  You don't have to miss out on Samoas or Thin Mints however.  I have great sources, so if you're still interested I can have my people call your people.

Noah's Newborns

I realized some of you are not on Facebook and/or follow Dollface Photo blog, so here are Noah's newborns....