6 minutes later...Happy 2nd Birthday, Mary!

Mary is a spunky gal. She can hold her own but knows when to pull out the 'fragile girl' card. She loves her twin brother, Joe, and is fond of her bigger brother Sam and sister Sarah.
Mary just loves what her Aunt Linda gave her for her birthday...a play purse! She carries it around like it's the real thing and won't let anyone else near it. She struts around with her purse on her arm and answers the matching phone in her most grown-up voice, "hel-lo!"
She's a quick learner and very observant so I have to be careful of what I say when she's around. She also the joker of the pair. Mary has a sense of humer that lets you know that there is much more going on in her head that you think possible. Mary is also the instigater. She starts the party and then blames the mess on everyone else. She's perfect!

These birthday kids are twice as nice

A Giving Thanks kind of day -

I could make a list a mile long of things that I am thankful for. But I won't. Instead, I will list the top 5.
1. Mike - a wonderful and supportive husband
2. Sam - a smart and thoughtful boy
3. Sarah - an independent and loving girl
4. Joe - a jolly and trusting little boy
5. Mary - a dependable and happy little girl

I couldn't post on Thanksgiving day without a picture or two or three.
Joe helping me with potatoes
Kids at the 'kid table'
Mary looking cute

Monday messes are just the beginning of the week...

What a mess! It is time to rearrange my kitchen and box-up and lock-up anything and everything that is or can be opened! Have you ever wondered what a 25oz. box of cereal spilled out on the floor looks like? Check out these pictures - in no particular order! Can you see how Joe likes to stomp and crush the cereal while Mary likes to pick out the marshmallows?

On a lighter note -
Joe learned how to put on his own shoes!

A New Week!

My aunt sent me this link and I am happy to pass it along to all who wish to learn more about what life has to offer. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2AibapAJfE
I don't know how to put a link in a post. Highlight the address, copy and paste it in the address box above.

It's the weekend, finally!

Need I say more?

Thank a Vet! Happy Veteran's Day!

This is a shout-out to my brother, Jake, who is currently serving in the U.S. Army. He spent a year overseas with the infamous 82nd Airborne in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a Ranger, a skilled shooter and is as tough as nails. This year he is on his way to train as a Green Beret. GO JAKE! Our family thanks you and your fellow soldiers for your (their) service!

Happy 7th Birthday, Sam!

Sam came running in my room this morning with a grin that stretched from ear to ear and announced that it was his birthday! Finally! He has been counting down the days for the last 3-1/2 weeks. I was half awake (or asleep) and wasn't in the same mood he was in so early in the morning. Not wanting to crush the spirit of a newly 7 year-old I said, "You're right, it is your birthday. Happy birthday!" He then asked to open his presents. Oh uh! I told him I hadn't wrapped it yet. I gave him the choice of waiting for it to be wrapped or me telling him where I hid it. He wanted to open a wrapped present. "I'll wrap it while you are in the shower," I told him. Off he went (without a fight). Who knew a wrapped present could equal a showered boy?
He opened his present with delight and, thank goodness, was thrilled with his gift - an Air Hog saucer. His grandma Lee gave him transformers, greatgrandma Smith gave him a $2 bill, grandma Whetten took him to the golden arches last night and will bring him his 'real' present today. He wants Hawaiian haystacks for dinner and ice cream cake for dessert.

Post-Election Day, Blah!

I am tired! I have talked and talked about the presidential election and various propositions so much that my political gas tank is empty. A side note: I am happy to report that according to Obama supporters, I need not worry. He will fill my gas tank, pay my bills and relieve me of my mortgage payments. Ha Ha.

Election Day! Horrahhh, Horrrayyyy!

One of my favorite songs is Stars and Stripes. I hum it constantly and sometimes clap my hands or tap my feet to the beat of this inspiring song in my head. It's a quick pick-me-up or tension breaker. Try it and let me know how it works for you. Moving on....
Although there is no magic ball to see exactly how this year's election will fair, I can see great personal growth as I work towards improving my attitude towards opposition. Some of the best advice I got regarding opposition was this: You have to recognize it for what it is; opposition.
A Monologue that's not that hard to swallow:
I thought about it and realized that I run into opposition daily. Most of the time it's with my kids; they have a different idea of how their day should be spent - mostly playing, seldom working. I run into opposition at the store; I don't think I should have to pay so much for gala apples but the grocer disagrees. I run into opposition at the gym; someone is using the piece of equipment I want to use at that moment. I run into opposition with my friends; mostly over the election. What does this mean? That no matter what we do, there will be opposition. The key is to be prepared. Plan ahead, know your strengths and weaknesses, keep healthy and strong, hold onto your values, teach your children how to love and forgive, educate yourself, pray. The list can go on and on but I won't let it - make your own.
Enjoy the rest of the day!

Post-Hallowing BARF!

I just want to puke from all the candy that is in my house. I thought I could handle the 4 mini Kit-Kats I downed this afternoon. NOPE! I think I just threw-up a little in my mouth!

Happy Halloween!

Aren't these kids cute? After the annual Wednesday-night ward festival which was exhausting for us all, the kids are ready and excited to go out and hit the neighborhood for a round of 'trick or treat'! Sam and Joe are dressed as G.I.'s and Sarah and Mary are pirate girls.

Earlier, Sarah marched with her school in their annual around-the-block Halloween Parade. She had so much fun. Grandma Whetten (sporting her purple witch hat)and Grandma and Grandpa Lee were there to cheer her on. The twins had fun watching all the kids walk by in their costumes.

It's Mike's Birthday...shhhhh!

Yes, it's that time of year, again. It's the day no one is supposed to remember. So I am not going to mention it at all. The end.

Hang on...here we go!

Haircuts!

It was soooo past that time. You know, haircut time. There are many signs and ques that are given to tip a mom off that her kids are in dire need of a clip or a trim. Some are obvious and in-your-face. Such as, people telling you that your kids need their hair cut (like my mom and sister). Some aren't so obvious until after the cut i.e., your kid not having to tilt his head up to see under his bangs that are covering his eyes. With that said, Sam, Sarah and Joe needed haircuts.
I took them outside wearing their underwear only (less clothes infested with little hairs) and sat them on our picnic table. Sam was first and sat still with off and on bouts of the wiggles. His cut took longer than normal but I didn't have to use the buzzer (which he hates) because I was able to blend from the neck-up and from the ears-up like a pro. (This is after many years of cutting his hair including cutting his ear once). Sarah was next and she had the wiggles. She couldn't stand still at all. I just wanted to trim the ends off (about 2 inches) and trim her bangs. The back cut was easy - straight and steady. Then, I tried to trim her bangs and layer her hair and oh my gosh I messed up big time! Mike was at the gym and was going to be home soon. I thought I could hurry and dress all the kids and run Sarah to the salon and beg (even bribe) anyone to fix what I had done. I really didn't think I could even pull that off - the twins were still in their diapers and Sam was still wrapped in a towel post-haircut shower. I just kept at it, trimmed another 2 inches to blend in my mistakes and, viola! Persistence pays off. It's the cutest cut ever and it compliments her face very well.

I put her in the shower to clean off and it was off to Joe. What can I say...he sat still the entire time. No fuss! I couldn't have asked for a better client. The cut is cute and now he looks like a big boy. Poor Mary....she needs all the hair she can get. No cut for Mary. She was sad. Maybe next year, Mary!

Two days off and lots to do!

What do you do when school-aged kids have 2 days off of school? Not worry about getting them to school on time, for one! Yeah! Really, though, it's not that hard to get up and get the big kids ready for school and the twins ready for the day; it's just nice to know that I don't HAVE to do it all by 7:30am for 2 days! I did have to get everyone up, dressed, fed and in the van because I was scheduled to teach aqua at the local gym both mornings.

After my class on Thursday, and a little workout for myself, we came home and relaxed for the rest of the day. It was so nice to know that I had the whole day to spend with my kids without the interruption of carpool and homework! And that is exactly what I did!

Friday was a repeat of Thursday. I taught my class and worked out a bit, showered (at the gym) and came home. We ate lunch and listened to music.

I decided to change the kid's rooms around once again and ran out of steam and time. Oh well, there is always tomorrow. We ate dinner and Mike and the kids watched some TV. By 7:00pm the kids were so tired. We put them in their pj's and tucked them in bed. Some kisses, drinks of water and prayers (extra ones for Sam because he gets scared) and the lights were off!

I decided to post because I took a cute pic of the kids on Thursday morning before we got ready for the day.

Oh - one side note of the day...Sarah and her friend decided to knock on my bedroom window to get the twins attention who were playing in the backyard. I guess they knocked so hard that the window broke! Not cracked, broken! A piece fell out! She was sad, I was mad. Well, that's it... more from the Lee House of Adventures later.

Happy 5th Birthday, Sarah!

The day started out great for Sarah. She woke up in my bed (not by my choice) to the phone ringing. It was her Aunt Linda calling to wish her a happy birthday. I then informed Sarah that there were some presents on the couch for her. She ran in and opened the first one. It was the Barbie Diamond Castle movie. She was excited. She let Sam open the other gift eventhough I insisted she help. It was her birthday afterall.

It was a doll that came with an extra outfit and a stroller. She liked that, too. She wanted cookies for breakfast. What child doesn't? She settled for scrambled eggs. I gave into the cookie.
I quickly dipped her and the twins into the bathtub. During that time, Grandma Whetten called and sang Sarah her birthday song - into the answering machine. Sarah played with her new toys for a bit while I packed up some delicious homemade cookies for her to take to school to share with her classmates.

Later, we ate lunch at Target with her best cousin, shopped a bit and played at the play center in the mall. Her play continued into the late afternoon with her cousin and then with the neighbor girl. Her day was filled with lots of fun!

Fool Me once...

Here is a picture of a just-bathed, dressed and fed Joe. I guess I didn't meet his fructose needs because he grabbed a full bag of powdered sugar and dumped it out onto his tray, his seat and all over the floor. I was furious.

The next day he did the same thing with a bag of brown sugar.

Vote for America

Sam is so patriotic. He found two flags in storage and thought he hit the jackpot! He then marched around the house shouting, "Vote for America!" He loves America because we have taught him about the rights and freedoms that we enjoy and are privileged to have in this great country.

Torture Device?

Joe loves to get into my sewing box. He loves to open my straight pin container. He loves to dump them out. How do you pick up more than 100 straight pins? You put your Glen Whetten thinking cap on and tie a piece of ribbon to a magnet and swing it around (carefully) across the table, chairs and floor.

I hope I got them all... No casualties so far!

Up, Up and Away!

Sam's favorite thing to do when he visits grandpa's dental office is to take advantage of the 'good kid' treasure box. This past visit yielded a great treasure.... a foam airplane that soared!

SWING!

Grandma and Grandpa Lee have a huge swing in their backyard. Some kids love it and some don't. Sam, Sarah and Mary love it. Joe doesn't.

St. Johns and the Fair!

A few weeks ago I took the kids to St. Johns to see their grandparents and to get some dental work done.

I felt brave enough to travel by myself with all 4 kids. In hindsight it was a false sense of bravery. The 4 and 1/2 hour drive to the White Mountains was filled with whining (I can't hear the movie, I'm tired, I'm hungry), crying (from all 5 of us), and complaining about our sore bottoms.

I must share: Mary, she's a smart one, kept telling me she was 'stinky' and pointed to her diaper. I decided that sitting in a poopie diaper for another 45 minutes (we were that close) was torture. I pulled off the highway and removed Mary from her car seat. Holding her above my head, her butt to my face, I sniffed her diaper. RATS! I was fooled! She wasn't poopie! She smiled a funny smile. I tried to put her back in her car seat but she only screamed. You know, that heir of Julia scream. After about 10 minutes of bouncing her around and letting her shake her legs out I was able to put her back in her seat. Mary insisted that she had a stinky for the remainder of the trip, funny smile included. I didn't believe her. Would you? We got to our destination safely and without incident. Thank goodness!

The next day I took the bigger kids to grandpa's dental office in Springerville, AZ. The kids had their teeth cleaned and I had some 'work' done.

We hurried home to spend some more time with grandma, make crafts and play in the backyard.

That night we headed off to the annual Apache County Fair. The kids had a great time riding rides (over and over and over) and eating fair-ish foods. Joe and Mary spent most of the evening in their stroller (thanks to grandma) who pushed them around so they could see all the art, food, flower, plants, you name-it exhibits. I decided to let them loose near the end of the night. They had a blast throwing rocks in the air and at people, not on purpose, but still embarrassing. We left the fair with happy and tired kids. It was a great day.

Changing Things Around

We took advantage of Labor Day and did some major work in our house! Poor Mike! His day off from work equalled a full day of work here at home. We decided it was time to separate the kids into 'boy' and 'girl' rooms (Sam and Sarah shared a room and the babies shared a room). I didn't realize how much work it was! Mike dismantled Joe's crib and moved it into Sam's room. Then he took apart the bunk beds that Sam and Sarah were using and moved one bed into Mary's room. How does so much stuff get pushed under beds and cribs? There were books, shoes, food, cups, clothes and toys under Sarah's bed alone! We finished setting up the beds and cribs before the end of the day. The toys, for the most part, were put wherever they could fit.
We felt good about the new arrangement.
Sadly, Joe and Mary took it harder than I thought. They were so used to being in the same room that they were sad and lonely. They screamed for 2 hours at bedtime. Uhh! Sam and Sarah didn't get much sleep that night.

I will post some pics as soon as I am completely finished setting up their rooms.

Mary

Silly, Silly Mary, 20 months, is a joy to have in the house. She is an easy-going girly girl most of the time (99%) but has a temper that is on fire! She loves her twin, Joe, and loves to climb on top of him and ride on his back just like in the womb! (Joe didn't like it then and he does not like it now).

Joe

Joe, 20 months, is full of energy and loves everyone! He loves dad and Sam and his Pink cousins. Uncle Ron is his favorite uncle. Joe is a funny boy...he can protect Mary (his twin sister) and torture her at the same time. I think it's payback for kicking Joe out of the womb first.

Sam

Sam, 6, is a great big brother and good example of service to his family. He likes to play video games with Mike (dad) and loves school.

Sarah

This is a picture of Sarah, 4. She is a great big sister to the twins and loves to help mom in every way!