Tis the Season

Anyone else losing brain cells by the minute? Anyone out there:
-Find yourself giving fish food to your dogs? Poor guys sat in front of me, eager for their glucosamine as I sprinkled fish flakes on their faces.
-Forget to put jackets on your kids, and when they cry, respond with "just move around alot, you'll be fine."
-Thank the dog for licking the cheerios off the kitchen table, grateful that you don't have to clean it now?
-Have your kiddo wake up at 10:30 at night to say "um...mom, you never got my homework out of the car today."
-Spend 3 hours trying to load songs on a new ipod for your daughter for Christmas, text a friend to ask for help, then realize it's not plugged in all the way?
-Wear your pajamas to drop the kids off at school, thinking noone will see you, then almost run out of gas and find yourself at a gas station by a high school in camouflauge flannel pj's.
-Sing loudly to yourself in the car, to the point your daughter says "mom, stop! There might be other 7 year olds in the other cars"
-Set the house alarm at night, then walk straight to the back door, and open it for the dogs to go off. I'm sure the neighbors enjoy the alarm as much as my kids do when they are sleeping.

Ah....Tis the Season

Feeling Defeated

When you are feeling defeated, surround yourself with the things you love most. Here is Kennedie. I refused to take her boots off and change her for the 52nd time today. I then found her in her closet, surrounded by the things she loves most, shoes. Head burried in her knees, crying and talking to her shoes.

Lovin me some daddy at the Suns Game

Rylee's latest date night, which kept her out until 10pm on a school night, Holy Moly that's a big deal when you are "7 and 3/4."

Catching up

So Todd asks me every night "did you post pictures of...(insert fabulous family activity)..yet?" Every night I say, "Nope, I will tommorow for sure." Ah...ever just feel like by the time you sit down at night it's all you can do to get back up, brush your teeth, and go to bed? (Add to that that I look for scorpions outside every night for 30 minutes...yes...OCD is fun! lol)

SO...to catch up, we went to Rocky Point a few weeks ago, we had an awesome time camping on the beach for 5 days

Todd and his new toy. We were driving out to JJ's Cantina for lunch one day and had AC/DC "You shook me all night" on when Maddie says "I love this song, we sing it in church every Sunday!" By the way, I'd give anything for his tan skin, look at that face!

The girls: Emily (11) Rylee (7) Madison (4) Kenzie (2)

Sweet Kenzie busy in the sand




Madison and Uncle Michael. Look at the way she is looking at him...I love it! The waves were unusually big for Mexico, so he was out there with her holding her hand. She looked at him and said "I'm having so much fun, it would be so great if you were 4 too!" Aw....

Sisterly love in Sedona

We had a great weekend in Sedona, camping with some fabulous friends and the kiddos. He went to the Trout farm, where it's pretty much impossible not to catch a fish. Todd caught two, I stood there for an hour and got nothing, which is fine since I don't eat them, and can't stand the thought of the hook going through their little mouths. Anyway, here are a few pics:

Todd and Rylee at the Trout Farm

Kennedie ready to be a helper once a fish is caught

The girls going for a morning walk. (could we be any more blessed?!?)

Rylee, BFF Jamison, and Madison climbing a tree.

Flat chested because....

While driving around today (and right before nap, hence the sassi-ness)

Me: Maybe this afternoon you can ride your bike, it's not too hot out
Maddie: I don't like my bike
Me: Maybe I should give your bike to a little girl who needs one
Maddie: Well maybe I should give your boobs to someone who needs them! (I'm thinking maybe she already did).

I think maybe blondes really are more sassy :)

Genius

A brilliant little philosopher, who wears tons of pink sparkly eyeshadow with her tank top and swimsuit bottoms every day once said:

"Mom, you are smaller than dad because I only wake you up at night, not him, so you don't get to sleep and grow as much as him."

This one's for the boys...

For the male readers of our blog...all 6 of you (hum.....Chad, Papa, Grandpa Nelson, Tyler, Ryan, Bob), Todd would like to share his most recent home improvement project, the front door (Tim Taylor would be proud!)



The "before" door -



And, the "after door"

Teachable moments

Thank you to:

The neighbor girl who threatened to kill Maddie. You provided me with an opportunity to
a) tell my girls they do not have to allow anyone to speak to them that way
b) praise her big sister for telling you "that is against the law, and oh no you won't!"
c) demonstrate to them how to be assertive when you came back over to play and I sent you home
d) show my girls that their sisters will always be here for them and show them how blessed they are to have each other.

AND....
The boy who asked Rylee to be his girlfriend. When she told you no, and you ran around the school telling all the 2nd graders that Rylee was your girlfriend, you provided me with the opportunity to talk to Rylee about a) what it means to have a boyfriend, and that she can only have "boys that are friends" until she is much older and b) how boys should respect you.

You two superstars provided me with some wonderful conversations with my children tonight. Thank you.

A Pre-schooler, Pre-K'r, and 2nd grader

Here is a story problem for you:

There are 3 children; a 2 year old, a 4 year old, and a 7 year old. All start school at 8:30. The 3 kids go to 2 schools, 8 miles apart. The 1st child gets out at 11:45, the 2nd gets out any time after 1:00, and the 3rd gets out at 3:15. Kids 2 and 3 need to take their lunches. Kids 1 and 2 will need to take snacks for the entire class every few weeks. What time does the train leave the station?

The morning started with a breakfast of champions. Yes, I took a picture of toaster waffles. Here's why: When I called the girls "breakfast is ready," Kennedie ran to the garage door yelling "ok, give me my bag" (meaning a sandwhich bag full of random food she could eat in the car....um...you think we rush around much?!?!)

Two very happy "morning people" girls, ready for school!!!

One "not so happy in the morning" girl, who had just finished yelling at everyone...something about us being too loud and too happy, her having no clothes, and her hair not looking right. We love you, Rylee....but prefer being around you after about 9am :)

Three sisters praying for each other. Maddie "Jesus, help Rylee be nice, cuz she's not." Rylee, "Jesus, help Kenzie not pee her pants at school." Kenzie "Jesus, it's Madison, amen."

And the big Preschool and Pre-K'rs heading into school. Kenzie walked into class, blew us a kiss and said bye. On the way to school, I told Maddie that I needed her to be a big girl and walk into class with no fussing so she wouldn't worry her little sister. She told me "no, I will cry and hold on to you." I then told her that it makes mommy really sad when she does that. She said "yes, I know, but I'm going to cry and hold on to you." A girl of her word, as we turned to walk out of the room, she tackled Todd's legs and turned on the water works "no, don't leave me." The teacher peeled her off and took her to class, where she did great, and didn't want to leave, and would like to stay until 5 next time....geez (I think she gets her dramatic flare from her father).

Rylee started 2nd grade last week (before our new camera came), and is doing great. Within 5 minutes of walking her to the playground the first day, 5 boys started chasing her. I wanted to threaten them, but refrained. I cried, yes...she did 2 years of preschool, 1 year pre-k, 1 year kindergarden, 1 year 1st grade, now 2nd grade, and I cried on the first day. again.

Putting summer "behind" us...

Bottoms up Summer! We've had a great one! Now off to school we go...Rylee starts tomorrow, and the little girls start on the 17th.
No pressure to any teachers out there but, you will be our kiddos heros for 9 months....make it good!

Another Fallen Hero

We stood outside today in the 110 degree weather, with 3 whiny children, to honor you. When your procession started, with the helicopters overhead, and hundreds of your brothers on motorcycles and in squad cars, our kids were quite. They waved to your friends, knowing that they were so sad to bury you, and hoping to make them smile. The firefighters stood behind us, in their suits, hands across their chests. I can't begin to understand your widow's sorrow, as she raises your two boys with only your memory. Please know you received a hero's goodbye today. Know that we were honored to wave and salute your family and friends as they celebrated your life. And know that we are grateful to you for your devotion to a difficult job.

Grandma Swain

I can't believe tommorow will be 9 years since my Grandma passed away. Norma Lola Swain, such a beautiful person. My kids never got to meet her, but they each have a piece of her; Rylee has her long, slender body, Madison has her blue eye, and Kennedie has her middle name (and stubborness!).

Some things about Grandma...She love, love, loved Todd. We used to take her to church every week. On the way home, she would inevitably go into insulin shock. I would get in the back of the van, prop her head back, and squeeze gel into her mouth (while Todd watched from the front of the van). I would have drool all over me, and be a sweaty mess by the time she came around. She would then come out of it, and tell us "good thing you were here to handle that Todd, thank you so much, can you imagine if it was just me and Melissa?" So silly...

I remember she always described people by what they were. For example, every time we saw Lewis, the janitor at her assisted living apartment, she would say "Melissa, my granddaughter, this is Lewis, the homosexual janitor." Or her neighbors down the street, "Melissa, my granddaughter, these are my neighbors, they are drug dealers."

She was a stunning woman, inside and out...as was her twin, "Aunt Nai." Can you imagine what the young men thought when they saw these two walking down the street?

Hello, old friends

"

Parenting tip: If you put your kids down for naps (you, know, cuz they kept you up all freakin night and you just KNOW they are tired!), then decide to take a nap yourself, make sure your kids are actually asleep. If not, you might sleep for 2 hours and wake up to kids who painted and colored their little bodies. Maddie was completely "sleeved" out. Once we got up, we cleaned them up, and Rylee painted cat faces on everyone.

Madcat telling me "Mom, you may be hot, but I am 'hot stuff' and that's alot better" Um...thanks?

Three little kitty cats.

And, once again we have lost our camera. Not to be confused with it being broken (which was last month). We got a brand new one, then lost it. Crap. If I ever win the lottery ( I don't play but do fantasize that the person in front of me at the gas station wins and can't handle the excitement so they hand me their ticket and run away....leaving me with millions), I will pay someone to follow us around and take pictures with a camera that doesn't break or get lost, then friends, I will blog constantly!

Summer!

Summer Time! In a nutshell:

Sleeping in (until 7:30....woot woot), Mexico for a week (great fun till we blew a tire and steered through oncoming traffic on the way home), Vegas for a night (sans kiddos, thanks nana and papa), Swimming everyday, Dance Recital, No fighting over hair-dos and school clothes.....

Enjoying these beautiful girls every day! More soon....but enjoy these delicious dance-recital pics for now:

Trauma at Preschool

So today was the Mother's Day Tea Party at Maddie's preschool. All of us mom's were given lovely hats that our kids made, then sat down to eat a snack with the kiddos. The teacher explained that the kids had made pictures of their moms that were hanging on the wall. The pictures were numbered, no names revealed. We were suppose to go up and guess which one was our kiddo's picture. Beneath the picture they answered questions about their mom. Now, being a seasoned preschool mom, I knew the drill. I did however, also recognize that it would be different with Maddie than it was with Rylee. You see, Rylee has always been very logical, and detail oriented. So when she was in preschool, such silly questions about mom were less silly. She nailed her questionare. While the other moms questionares listed ages from 2-100, Rylee responded "29" yup. While the other kids listed moms shoe sizes between 1-100, Rylee responded "8" yup. I knew Maddie's would be different.

All the moms ran up to see the pictures. I waited for the crowd to die down, and hung out with my Maddie. I hear all the mom react to one picture. There are gasps, loud laughs, whispering, and lots of "hope that's not mine!" I go up to check and they are all looking at picture number 4.
Picture number 4 says:
My mom is "4" years old
My mom is prettiest when she....."Goes to the bar"
My mom always says "Wake up sleep head, let's make brownies"
My mom likes to make "Strawberry cookies"
My mom is funny when "she makes strange faces."

Yup, the mother of #4 is about to be put in place for her bar-hopping behavior. We are, afterall, at a Christian school. I sat back down and the mom next to me says "my son wouldn't even know the phrase "going to a bar"...geez." I agreed with her, neither would my kids.

So the teacher then reads out #1, #2, and #3. Each time, she reads it and you shout out if you think it is your kid's picture. She read number 4. You could hear a pin drop. She finally shouts "Madison!" What the.... The entire room erupts into laughter. One lady says "and we thought you were busy at work when you weren't here." I turn beat red. Maddie turns, her head into my chest. She kept her head buried in my chest as everyone laughed at the picture she worked for 2 weeks on. The teacher then went around taking pictures of everyone with their mom. Maddie sat, tears in her eyes, head in my chest. Then it was time to sing the goodbye song. I told Maddie to go sing, then we could go home.

When I got home tonight, Rylee looked at the picture and asked Maddie what it meant to go to a bar. Maddie was puzzled. Rylee asked her "when does mom look prettiest?" Maddie said "like I told Miss Nancy, when she goes to the Ball, you know, like Cinderella." My heart dropped. I had been totally embarassed and worried about what people thought, when I should have been proud as hell. My kiddo thinks I'm a princess. And while apparently not the most articulate, she spent 2 weeks working on a picture, for me.

So, today I've learned two things:
My kiddo does not know about bar hopping, nor does she think I am an alcoholic...phew:)
On mothers day, remember...a picture from a kiddo is their heart poured out. It's like saving money for months to buy something for someone...I'd never want to see a gift I bought for someone thrown away a week later.

A late Happy B-Day to Maddie

Our camera is still in the shop, I was waiting all week to get some recent pics of Maddie for her b-day post..but doesn't look like we'll be getting it back soon. SO...luckily I have some great pics that Aunt Erin took for us in November. That being said....Monday was Maddie's big day...she is now officially 4.

Happy Birthday to Madison Ann, some fun facts about "Miss Moose."

-Maddie was our biggest baby at birth, but the shortest labor

-She has always been above the growth charts, except now...for the first time she is 95% height and 90% weight

-Daddy picked her name all by himself, he always wanted a "Maddie"

-Madison is a fashion-ista, she changes clothes 10x/day

-She has requested to be called "Madison" now that she is 4, it's a bigger name, you know

-I could seriously eat her cheeks, they're just fabulous!

-She is our cuddle-bug, the one kiddo that can curl up next to us in bed and fall sound asleep (the others chatter, poke our ears/noses/etc...)

-When she grows up, Madison would like to "be a person that writes numbers or have lots of babies." I'm hoping that means she'll be an accountant until she's 25 and married!

As I pray with her each night, "Thank you for my blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby!"

Rocky Point

We spent the weekend in Rocky Point for the Rocky Point Triathlon. The race was lots of fun. I'm sure Todd would have signed up to do it with me, but someone stole his tennis shoes out of the back of our truck 10 minutes after we got there:) My mom and some family friends went too. The race was awesome, I got to see Todd, Nana and the girls at each stretch (after the swim, bike, and run) as well as the finish line. Unfortunately, our camera is in the shop...I'd like to think it has more flattering pics on it then these ones I pulled from our friends, but with padded bike shorts and ocean-nappy hair...I doubt it.

Geez, could I look any more dramatic? The water was suppose to be warm so I didn't take a wetsuit. Of course they had a cold front, and it was 67. Couple that with people swimming over each other, kicking, scratching, and lots of waves. Rough stuff. After getting out of the water, you run through the sand and up a hill to grab your bike.

That's me, a tiny spot on the long desert ride. The route was hilly but fun. (Wishing the swim picture was this zoomed out :))

And heading in toward the finish line and slip n slide...yay!

Pimp my ride...or don't

I got a new car in October. I wanted the new Tahoe because it has an isle between 2 bucket seats in the 2nd row. I was so sick of "she's touching me" and "she's pulling my hair" or, my personal favorite "she licked my foot!" When we went to the lot, the only one they had was all black. Being inpatient and not wanting to drive around looking for other options, we bought it. Within 2 days of owning it, Todd had it pimped out. He put black tint on the windows, and black rims on the tires. However, I am at the point in my life where no amount of pimping out will make me, and my 3 pink carseats, look cool.

Now, this does have it's perks. When you go to through the drive-through, you worry about if your food will be made right and if it's all in the bag. Those same 17 year old boys are now my homies. I go through and it's all "dude, nice ride."Geez. My first day in the car after said pimping-process, someone at work said "nice dubs." I said "you too!" thinking it was maybe a new way to say "good hair day!" Geez... for a 30 something year old girl (really, not SO into the 3o's to be called "30 something" cuz that implies your all the way into them, and I'm not...yet) I'm really not schooled in "murdered out rides" (another compliment from my drive-through buddies).

Now, for the down side. Not good. Not good at all I tell you.

I was pulled over about a month ago. The officer came around the side of my vehicle with his hand on his gun. Somehow I got off with a warning, after he told me I was neglecting my responsibilities to the community. Ouch. Then the kicker. I got pulled over yesterday, with my big girls in the car. The officer pulled me over for tint. Once he heard that I'm married to an officer, he tacked on a speeding ticket. Seriously, I was at almost a dead stop in a construction zone in down town Gilbert at rush hour. SO...two tickets later from this not-so-nice man, I lost it. I tend to have a bit of a temper, won't say where I inherited that from (but it's not my mom). I called Todd and went on and on, I rattled something about him needing to rent me a car or I'll get shot. So anyway, he finally fixed the tint. I drove his truck to work today and when I got home, Maddie told me "daddy fixed your windows so that you'll stop complaining now." Nice.

But, I do have to brag on him for a minute. For all the knuckle-headed moves he might make (seriously, don't they all?!?!), he has to be the best daddy ever. He and my dad took the girls camping last weekend. He took Kenzie and Maddie on Th night, then I went out and picked Kenzie up and he kept Rylee and Maddie Friday night. I don't know too many men who would take 2 and almost 4 year old girls camping without mama. brave. Here are some pics from the daddy/daughter/papa trip:

Happy Birthday Baby!

I can't believe Kenzie is 2! This will be the first time in 4 years that we have not had a baby under 2 in the house:( But, what a blast watching this little one grow up and learn more and talk up a storm. A few things about our girl:

-Loves, loves, loves Barney!

-Loves, loves, loves shoes!

-Says everything fast and in 1 word "Iwantmore" "Iwantshoeson"

-Loves to be held

-Is love, love, loved!

She has basically spent her first two years here, on my shoulder

Happy Birthday Love!

A short post, but at least it's a post...

Our camera broke, so we are waiting for our new one to arrive in the mail anyday....so no new pictures to blog with, bummer.

We did have an excellent date-night tonight. Actually, a double date. We had a sitter watch Kenzie so we could take Ry and Maddie on a double date with us. We took them to the movies. I was explaining to Maddie that it would be like watching a show on TV, but the screen would be bigger (no this was not her first movie experience, apparently she forgot the last one). She was so excited and asked "will it be bigger than a fat lady!?!" So off to the movies. We payed for Princess and the Frog, then followed Todd into Chipmunks. We all sat down and the movie starts. Todd looks at me and says "oh crap, we're in the wrong movie, how did that happen?" Uh, we followed you, into the theater under the large bright yellow sign with 3 chipmunks, ding dong!

Anyway, movie was great. Maddie's dreams were realized "it really was bigger than a fat lady" and everyone is sound asleep now, a great night!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

It's so true, the best thing you can do for your spouse is love your kids, at least for me. Todd knocked it out of the park today. He texted me on Wed "don't get the kids anything for V-day, I have it covered." This was a relief b/c I had tried to buy them a bunch of stuff at Target about a week ago. I bought things from the dollar bins etc...then picked up some fabric softner. I put the fabric softner on top of everything then discovered at the check out that it leaked all over everything. The cashier took everything out of my cart that was ruined and threw it away. Instead of being a big girl and going to buy more, I got mad and left. Todd is just smoother than me as a rule.

I'm so impressed with this man. Really, even after almost 11 years of marriage...still impressed. He got everything right today, and that's not easy when shopping for 3 kids.

He got each girl a sweet card, an outfit (even got the sizes right!), a stuffed animal, and candy.

It's alot to remember...let alone making it out of the store without ruining everything.

Anyways....here are some pics of our day...and Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Good Morning

I love days I don't work, I get to sleep until 7. Up at 7, wake kids up at 7:30, leave the house at 8 to get Rylee to school. Today I didn't work.

So when our house alarm started blaring at 6am today, I wasn't thrilled. I have thought about what to do in this situation (thanks to the monsoon in August that blew the door so hard the alarm went off at 2am). I knew that Todd was out of town (in Vegas, lucky sucker) and the girls were in their beds. Rylee and Maddie came running into my room, screaming and crying. I yelled to the girls and asked if they had opened a door or window, they yelled back "no." I checked the alarm panel, back door opened. SO...I left the alarm blaring (sorry residents of Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Queen Creek for waking you up at 6) so that the alarm company would dispatch the police. I yelled at the girls to hudle on my bed while I ran to get Kennedie. I knew I would have to run by the ajar back door, and was shaking. I then grabbed the phone and started to dial 911. Luckily, I only dialed 9 when Maddie started yelling "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." I immediatly hung up the phone and asked her what she was sorry for. She started yelling (yes, alarm is still blaring) "Worms, I wanted to find worms!" I turned off the alarm while she explained that she woke up early to go digging for worms. When she opened the back door, the alarm went off, so she slammed it and ran to get Rylee. Which is when they ran into my room and our drama began.

I knew that having three girls would bring drama into our lives, but at freakin 6 am on a non-work day???

Our hearts go out...

To the friends and family of the Gilbert Officer who was shot last night.

There are constant reminders to us of the frailness of life, especially with Todd's job. This officer was shot 3 miles from our house. If Todd was working last night, he would have been one of the officers following the suspects, as they were shooting and throwing things out of their vehicle.

We visited the scene tonight, and read the cards on the flowers and candles. Amazing support for this officers family. We ached for his two girls (10 and 12). We explained to our kids that an officer was hurt there. Rylee felt it pretty hard and had lots of questions for us. Maddie thought that that was where Jesus was buried. Either way, we talked about praying for the officers daughters. Rylee was very upset that some people know the rules, but still break them. She asked why the bad men couldn't express their anger appropriately, by walking away or talking about it (nope, she's not a therapists daughter).

Our hearts go out to this family and to all the officers who worked with him. Truly the loss of a hero.

I thank God that Todd has been kept safe. I'm so thankful that he was able to call me after the shooting he was involved in 2 years ago. I'm so thankful he wasn't injured.

The Joy of Having Girls

I get to re-live my childhood. Asking my mom to put soft hair rollers in my hair at night "but leave the front out so I can make big bangs." Sleeping in rollers all night, knowing that in the morning, I would take them out and have gi-normous hair, the best! I would couple the big hair with my ankle-zip Guess jeans "mom, you have to wash my Guess Jeans and Sweatshirt so I can wear them with my curly hair." Now, if all of these fabulous things lined up on a day where there happened to be a Skateland skating party that evening, it was true heaven. I knew that I would look hot, skating with big hair and Guess Jeans. Ah, bliss.

I love that my sweet Rylee wanted soft hair rollers. I love that she woke up at night, excited for the morning. I took them out in the morning, now....I remember looking hot, not like a poodle. Seriously, I thought, this is what I looked like? But just like me, my little poodle felt like the most beautiful girl in the East Valley. How fun!

In other news....Maddie related, just this week:

-She shoved yet another bead up her freakin nose. Luckily we got it out, I didn't even have to use Daddy's cop flashlight to look for it up there, progress?

-While at the park, in front of lots of lovely families, she yells (because I'm never standing in whispering distance when she says crazy thing, always yelling distance) "Mom, how long are you going to be in jail for this time?" I turned beat red, and ignored her. I had nothing. Maybe she was thinking of her "other mother"...let's hope

Christmas

Well, Santa delivered again (seriously, why does he get all the credit for bringing the best toys??). The big girls got bikes, daddy got a new electric remote controlled car, mommy got a coach purse, and Kenzie got all things Elmo. Some pics of the big day:
Alright so I only found one picture. Geez. I guess my New Years Resolution is to take pictures.

Catching up after the Holidays

The girls had their first real dance recital in December. They have been going to a dance studio for about 6 months, and got to perform in a recital, on stage, at a High School. Special emphasis on "stage" and "high school" as it was the coolest thing in the entire universe to get to go to a High School in the first place, then to get to "check out their backstage" (as Rylee squeeled). Dress rehearsal (all 6 hours of it) was a bit rough, Maddie had a complete meltdown because they didn't open and close the curtains "I NEED curtains!!!!," then another fit when it was over "I'm not done, put me back up there!!" They did a fabulous job during their performance, both of them just lit up getting to be on stage in front of hundreds of people. Of course afterwards, daddy gave them each a dozen roses...aw!