Round Robin take 2

This is how our new chain looks so far... Tory...Tara...Shannon...Robyn...Brenda...Angel...Rachel...Christyn...Tory.

Not everyone is done. We are 5 los in, working on number 6.
Enjoy!

Computer time

Our children love to play on the computer. They have their own online folder set up in which there are websites, approved by us, for them to play. You already know about their webkinz. A fun play where their stuffed animals live. They have to go to webkinz.com to play games to earn points so that they can feed, clothe, and entertain their animals. They also have Barbie.com and Miniclip.com where they can go to play games.

But lately, Avery has taken a liking to playing on the computer. If you are working, she will come over and bang on the keyboard. Once, somehow, she was able to change the size of the font on my email to a size you would need a microscope to read. I never did figure out how she did that. And the other day, she was able to open the file that holds all my downloaded digital pictures. I guess she just wanted to see Bo bo and Sissy. All this is too much for me. She is one, for heavens sakes!

I have noticed most often lately that she can not be deterred in her favorite computer game. Climbing up on top of the coffee table and...



playing on Daddy's laptop!

Grapling Contest

Last Saturday was the much awaited Grapling Contest. What is Grapling? it is kinda like wrestling but with hand to hand combat with Krav Maga moves. Karate in civilian terms.

There is a Krav Maga program at Dillon's school as an after school activity. He has been going for almost 2 years now. In the summer, Mr Johnson offers an incredible deal at the center he has off campus. For $150 your child can come to karate 4 times a week, every week, all summer long. 3 months. Dillon did it last year, and so I signed him up again this summer. And I figured since we were already going to be there, I would try Bailey in the program as well. If Dillon will be staying after school on Wednesdays for karate, so should Bailey and this would give her a head start.

Well, typical Bailey, she didn't last the full first month, even with a full week off for Beach week. Dillon on the other hand did really well.

As you know, we have been trying to work with Dillon on sticking up for himself. Now before you jump down my throat about teaching my kid karate to beat up on others, it is not about that. Mr Johnson also teaches life lessons. Stranger stuff, personal self discipline, and self defense. So for us, this worked out well.

At Dillon's school, they are not allowed to grable during karate. Can't be touching each other and all that jazz. So this summer was Dillon's chance to really learn to get in and use the moves he has been learning. Grapling.

To be honest, I wasn't sure how he would do in the end of summer contest. He always ends up on his back during practices. But apparently during competition, he is a different kid. Came in 2nd place. And in his last match, the end was controversial. A group of parents said that Dillon "tapped out". That means if you want to stop, you tap the other person and everything stops. Automatic win for the other person. Dillon swears that he didn't tap, but Mr Johnson said Dillon was in a headlock and there really wasn't anywhere for him to go. So second place it is. Not too shabby.

Then there is Bailey.

She was watching all this. And remember she is not a part of the program anymore. But she wanted to grable. She wanted in there so bad and finally Mr Johnson let her go.

She was matched up with Samuel, a little boy also headed into Kindergarten at the school. They start out. And Bailey kicks his butt.

Set up for another match. Bailey makes him cry.

Kevin is amazed. Samuel's mom is amazed.

Bailey is intense when she is unleashed. All the while, smiling and laughing. (Samuel is too, so don't worry about him.)

Don't be fooled by her innocent looks. This girl is a force to be reckoned with at all times!

Another tooth

I know that some of you were worried about Avery's second front tooth. It did come in yesterday morning. So now she will not have a weird back hills kind of smile.

Phew...

Magic 8 ball

We live in a day where seemingly a lot of ideas are recycled. Covered songs, remade movies (Footloose? Come on!) and even toys. I grew up with Cabbage Patch Dolls, Strawberry Shortcake, My Little Pony, etc. All of these I have seen some back and are even in my own home for my daughters' enjoyment. And now, in the Wendy's drive through, you can get your very own Magic 8 Ball.

Now it is not as cool as the original. Remember the blue water and the floating die? Asking it "Will I marry Tommy Lee?" or "Are Tempe and Marci the bestest friends a girl could have?" And the anwers would be along the lines of "As I see it Yes" or "It is decidedly so." The new one is a push button, whirling roundtable kinda thing. The answers are pretty close to the original though, if I remember correctly.

So we now have a Magic 8 Ball living in my car. Just like everything else brought into the car, there is a vortex that seems to keep it in there. Yes, I do have a typical Mom's car. But, back on subject...

We were driving to church yesterday when I heard Dillon in the back of the car whirling the answers wildly. "Do I have to go to church?" he asks. Then quiet...
"Mom, what does 'you can rely on it' mean?"

I answered in my mom/teacher voice.. "Well, it is kinda like a promise. If someone promises you something, you can rely on it. So if you ask the Magic 8 Ball 'do I have to go to church?' and it answers 'you can rely on it' then you are going to church."

Whirl, whirl...

"Mom, now it says 'Don't count on it'!"

"Nice try, D."

Bailey

If any of you were betting on how long it would be before Bailey showed her true colors at school, the contest is off. It happened on the 5th day.

She had several meltdowns in class yesterday. They were playing a game called "racing dice." I have not seen this game, but from Bailey's discription, it is a game in which you roll dice and try to get each number from 1-6. I think they are trying to prep the students for Vegas. Any ways... Bailey in the middle of her game decided that she was done. DONE. Tears came, no explanation to her teacher, just she didn't like it. Personally, I think she couldn't get a certain number and became frustrated, and therefore she gave up trying.

Then, magically, her stomache ache came on. She had to go to the office and lay down. Of course, all the ladies in the office know Bailey from the many years that we have been in and out of the school for things for Dillon. Ms Thibodeau gave her lots of love. Let her lay down, and 5 minutes later. Voila! all better.

Then at lunch, she had to go back to the office to lay down again. She scratched herself on a piece of playground equipment. Personally, I think that she was hot and no longer wanted to be outside. Act hurt, go to office, get out of what you are supposed to be doing... see a pattern?

Unfortunately, Mom actually talks to both her teacher and the front office. Bales' game got busted after only one day.

My guess is that another game plan will be tried out again today. And Mom is ready to bust it wide open all over again.

Shocking

I was cleaning out some closets and cabinets yesterday when I came across this picture. Dillon's first birthday photo shots. Yes, Dillon.

I know that Avery looks like Dillon. Always has, but when I come across a picture of him at her age it is still shocking to me.

Did it shock you?

Objects in picture couldn't possibly be closer than they appear!

It's offical! She is walking.
All over the place to be exact.

She just loves to hop up onto her feet and take off. Sometimes it's only a couple of steps, and other times it is across the room.

All the better to chase Bo bo and Sissy!

Found!

For those of you that were worried... the tooth fairy did reappear. She came on Friday night and even left a note admonishing Dillon for being up too late. She even left a little extra... $1.10.

The problem is now that Dillon says next time he is going to hold on to his tooth for 3 extra days... that way he will get $1.30.

Smart? or just a little capitalist?

I think he is too smart for his own pants.

Tooth Fairy is MIA

I would like to report a missing person. She is short, cute and fairy-like...usually carrying a little bag of baby teeth and a money purse.

Dillon lost ANOTHER tooth last night while I was brushing his teeth. He put it in his tooth chest on his headboard, but then he was awake until late...almost 10:00! The tooth fairy never showed! His tooth is still in the chest!

If anyone has seen her lately, please let her know that she needs to travel to our house yet again. Dillon was very sad that she missed him.

I like this one...

The journaling reads...

Water World- July 7, 2006
A first grader named Dillon Whalen entered Water World today with tickets that he had won from a radio contest. KYGO holds an annual call in at the end of each school year. The caller is to give an oral report on any subject that they have learned about in the past school year. Dillon decided to report on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He astounded the morning radio crew of Kelly, Jonathan, and Mudflap with his in depth reporting on the subject. The teacher that volunteers to “grade” each report was astounded as well, responding that she could not believe that a 1st grader would have learned so much. Needless to say, Dillon earned an A on his report, Water World tickets for his family, and much credos at his elementary school for his performance. Dillon responded by asking when he could call in another report.

Round Robin

Recently, my friends and I decided to try out an idea from Simple Scrapbooks Sept/Oct issue called a relay challenge. I emailed Rachel a picture of the lo that I did. She looked over it and to see if there was any one thing that inspired her from it. Did she copy the colors? The number of pictures used? The title used? Any one little thing. Then she designed a lo of her own using the inspiration that she got from my lo. Then she emailed a picture of her lo to me and I sent it on to the next person, Christyn.

When Christyn was done, I sent Rachel a copy of her lo so she could see what part of her lo inspired Christyn! And so on and so on.

The point was to have fun and see some other people's work!!! I think this was a blast and my friend Tory is even starting another chain. Very fun!

Thanks for playing! Here is the completed chain....

1st day of school 2007

Well, here it is. The much awaited, first day of school. Bailey's first day in Kindergarten and Dillon's in 3rd grade.

A new requirement this year for Kindergarten was for a parent to attend with the student. For those of us with older children in the school, this seemed a bit much, especially by the end of hour one, when we were all looking at our watches and then at each other. What are we supposed to be doing here? I guess helping the students become oriented in their new atmosphere. No real learning happened, or was expected. The teacher ran out of things for us to do and seemed very uncomfortable. Otherwise, the room was well set up, the kids all ready to learn, the teacher seems quite professional. I think once they get going, everything will be great.

I did go down and peek into Dillon's class as well. They were all at their desks, listening intently to the teacher, looking like real students. Not bad for the first day.

There are big expectations for this school, and today proved that they will most likely be met without a problem.

Ariel comes to church

As you know, The Little Mermaid is running at the downtown theatre and we were able to go see the show almost 2 weeks ago. Yesterday Ariel, Sebastian and Jetsam were at our church!

Sierra Boggess, who plays Ariel, grew up in our church. We have had the pleasure of hearing her sing so often as she grew up. Her sisters are so talented as well! Her parents are in the choir. The whole family is so blessed with their talents. And we, as a church, are often blessed with their proformances. So it isn't totally unusual that Sierra came to sing. And it was doubly nice that the others came with her.

It was such a beautiful blend of voices singing praises to God. I was humming it the rest of the day.

Little cutie

My little sweetie is getting in 3 teeth right now. Yep, 3. All on the top, not all together. One front tooth, and two that go on the outside of the front ones. So she will have a gap where the second front tooth is. Hopefully that one will come soon.

Flash backs

I used to be a nanny. I worked during the summer while I was in college and then again for a different family after I had graduated. Early 90s. Big hair. Lots of kids all around.

Wait a minute...

I think I am in a time warp.

Today I was listening to the radio...80s and 90s tunes. Beautiful summer day. Making lunch for a bunch of kids that are playing outside. I walk out on the porch and they are playing with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Where am I? Am I back in Virginia taking care of Michael and Ryan, or Gayle and Stratton? Or am I in Colorado taking care of Jessica, Kia snd Taylor? No, I think these are my kids. Yep, pretty sure they are mine.

A quick look in the mirror confirms it. I'm not 20-something.

Just a quick flash back. I'm okay now.

advertising

My children are only allowed to watch a little TV. A cartoon or two in the morning is about it, unless I truly need a break and then a movie will be allowed. This all started out with the philosophy of too much tv is not good for a child. Not a bad philosophy. Kids need to be kids. Go play. Enjoy the outdoors. Be physical. Use your imagination. and all that jazz.

My philosophy has changed a little as they have gotten older. Although I do still believe that they should not be just sitting in front of the tv or computer all day, the reason why has changed. Advertising.

I remember a few years ago when Dillon saw a sign for Quiznos. He said to me "MMMMM...Toasty." We laughed. It was cute. Then it was other things. Easy Off Bam for instance. "I can clean with ease, if I had Easy Off Bam." So I bought him some. Go ahead, knock yourself out.

Then yesterday we are sitting at the table eating dinner. "Mom, what is heartburn?" Here we go again. I explain it to the best of my ability and then he chips in with "you can take one tablet and it will last all day long, or you will be taking 3 tums after every meal."

Aye, aye, aye.

I have tried to explain advertising to him. How they are trying to sell you everything, but that you need to truly think about it. Do I really need that? Still they are sooooo impressionable.

I think that this calls for an end to all TV.

Yeah, right.

They would just start in on the radio commercials.

Bike riding fool

It is funny to me how some kids love to take on challenges and go after those challenges with all that they are, and then sometimes, the same kid will not touch a challenge with all that they are!

Dillon got a new bike for Christmas when he was 3 1/2. He was too young for it quite yet, but I'm sure Santa had a plan. Dillon was still comfortable with his little trike when he did go out that summer. When he did ride, which wasn't very often.

Then he got a scooter and he was fine with that, but again, did not take off on it.

Now he is 8. We had planned to get him a new bigger bike for his birthday, but luckily he found out before hand. I say luckily because he threw a huge fit. Yes, a fit! He didn't want a bike!

We have tried and tried to explain to him about bike riding. How much fun it is. How we would eventually let him ride to his friend's house, the park, around... but to no avail. He was not interested.

Then, Bailey got a bike.

She was out there riding around with her training wheels on, and Dillon's helmet. Having fun, I might add.

Hum...

Out comes the old bike. The tires were filled back up with air. The training wheels taken off. He was ready.

Now keep in mind that he didn't really ride his bike WITH training wheels, so there was a lot he didn't know yet. Steering. Brakes. But he was ready.

A week later, no major spills, a few adjustments to the seat height and handlebars, and he has got it. He is a bike riding fool! He wants to be out there all the time! And today, we rode over to Whole Foods for some milk and so that I could witness some of his ability and make sure he understood road safety rules.

By George, I think he's got it!

Recording history

Just about everyone I know has a place in their home that marks the height of their children. Ours happens to be on the refrigerator. I started the markings when Dillon was turning 5. For his birthday we wanted to take him to a rock climbing wall in a local store, but he had to be a certain height in order to do it. So I lined him up with the refrigerator, marked it, and measured. Unfortunately he was too short to do the climb, but it started a little family growth chart.

This past week was Avery's birthday, and it has become the tradition to mark all the kid's heights when a birthday rolls around. Dillon stood tall at 51". Bailey came in at 44", and Avery, who only has 2 markings so far, is now 28 1/2" tall. It is always exciting to see how much they have grown since the last markings.

All this is coming about because our refrigerator died on Saturday. A house full of company, and the refrigerator decides that this would be a good time to quit. Great. Besides worrying about the cost of a replacement, I didn't think too much more about the consequences of getting a new one. Sure I would need to figure out where to put the eggs, drinks, cheese, etc.. How different can a refrigerator be, right? I totally forgot about the markings.

Then last night I started thinking. Then I started to panic. How am I going to save this little piece of history? We are not keeping this one, even though the freezer is working, and I could use a second freezer, because it would waste energy trying to keep the refrig part cool. So that was not an option. I pulled out a piece of paper and a measuring tape, thinking I would have to measure all the marks from 3 years, record them on paper so I could transfer them to the new refrig. Then my brother in law said "Why don't you use a piece of tape? Line it up with the refrig door. Copy the markings, and then it's an easy transfer to the new one or the wall." Perfect! I did that using different color markers for each kid and then put the tape up on the wall. I can decide later if I want to keep it on the wall or transfer it to the new refrig.

I also began to realize how many other pieces of history were displayed up there. There are stickers from the package my mom used to mail Dillon's presents on his 1st birthday. There is artwork from when Dillon was really young, maybe 2. There are family pictures covering 8 years. Magnets from all the places that I have traveled, New York, Oregon, Texas, Tennessee, Vermont, New Jersey, NJ, NJ, NJ... School work, phone numbers, contact information for babysitters, menus, shopping lists... on and on. It was overwhelming.

A new start with a new refrig. Do I put up all that stuff again, or let it begin its journey starting now?

The Little Mermaid

On Wednesday night it was finally time to go see The Little Mermaid!! It was Maga's birthday and Bailey's first "Broadway" show and it was so worth the wait!

The sets were beautiful. The cast was fabulous. The costumes were amazing. And we had great seats...first row in the balcony. The only problem was that all the matinees were sold out and so the show was 8-10:30. Bailey was exhausted! About 20 minutes to the end, she turns to me and says "Can we go yet? I am so tired." I told her that Eric and Ariel were about to get married and somehow she found the energy she needed to stick it out.

It was a great evening.

Today's her birthday! Avery is 1!!!!

She's still my baby though!