Conspiracy

After a full day of shuttling and shuffling kids back and forth Brennan went for the final drop off with our friends to return their daughters. I helped him herd all the kids into the car and noticed that Abby had a bag and Anna was digging through her basket of clothes I had just folded. I remember thinking each of those things was weird, but frankly I'm used to weird and was in enough of a hurry I didn't stop to interrogate. I got them all into the car and sent them off and went to exercise. When I got home Brennan, Benny and Nate were there, but no girls. Brennan proceeded to explain what had happened. Apparently when they reached the designated meeting place the two friends we were supposed to be dropping off jumped out of the van the instant it stopped, Anna and Abby as if on cue began begging to be allowed to go to their house for a late night. When Brennan said no they tried to add more pressure by telling him they had each brought their pajamas (ahh, the bag and the digging through clothes!) Brennan was holding strong until the two friends came running out saying, "They said, 'Yes'!" They had a lovely late night, little stinks.

I'm Raising My Brother

So Nate just called Brennan and me into the bathroom where he was in the bath. He told us he had a show for us and then proceeded to swish around for a few minutes. He did not have goggles, but it took me right back to standing in that same bathroom watching all of Davis's awesome bathtub shows. We love Nate and Davis.

The Bonehead Lives On

A couple of years ago our home was invaded by an uninvited guest named Bonehead. It was a rough few years, but I haven't heard much about him for a while now until this morning.

Last night I went to check on the girls downstairs before I went to bed. It was hot and though the basement is cooler, it can still get toasty. When I went into Abby's room I saw that she was absolutely drenched in sweat. There were beads of perspiration all over her face, her pajamas and hair were more than a little damp. There she was sweating to death while under 5 blankets. Yep, 5. All of the blankets she's acquired since she was a baby she keeps on her bed and was under each and every one of them. I removed all but one of her blankets, took off her pajama shirt and forced water down her. When we checked on her later she had cooled off sufficiently.

This morning we were telling her about finding her so sweaty and Anna said, "Tell them why you cover up with all your blankets, Abby." Knowing she was cornered Abby reluctantly shared her reasons with us. "When we were in our old room upstairs and I only had my one teddy bear blanket on me I was asleep but I felt some one tap me like this (she tapped her side)." Brennan said, "It was probably me or Mom." Abby shook her head and said, "No, I know it was the Bonehead."

My poor little Abby downstairs night after night putting on her protective armor of her 5 blankets in her 100 degree room. We love Abby.

Tidbits

We have a little portable air conditioner to try to help our swamp cooler out so we can keep our house under 90 degrees. Anyway, it hooks up to a window and Abby was outside and noticed hot air flowing out the window. She thought for a minute then told Brennan that she knew how the air conditioner worked. She then explained that it sucked the hot air outside and then put cold air inside. Not bad for a 6 yr. old. Her thought process on this matter has progressed further than mine ever has. We love Abby.

Nate has a cousin that is six months older than him named Rex. Nate is a HUGE Rex fan. A few weeks ago we were driving for a little while and he fell asleep in the car. When we finally arrived at our destination, he gradually came to as I unbuckled him. He looked at me drowsily and said, "I like Rex." It was so cute, we hadn't been talking about Rex at all, he must have just been having some really pleasant dreams. We love Nate and Rex.

Whenever we are going to see Rex lately, Nate tries to remind Anna and Abby that Rex is mostly his cousin. Anna and Abby do not buy it and battles for equal cousinship of Rex begin. We love battles over pointless things.

Anna and Abby came upstairs last night after they were supposed to be asleep, which I love. They were both in tears. Even better. When I asked them what was wrong, they both looked to the other to tell me. Each of them said it was really hard to explain. Finally I pieced together some semblance of what happened. Evidently Abby was telling Anna of some big plans she had for a really special birthday present she was going to buy for Anna. Anna told Abby that she should just make her something so Anna wouldn't feel bad for not buying Abby a present on her birthday 6 months ago. Abby started to cry with disappointment as she's anticipated buying this gift for sometime now and then Anna started to cry because she felt bad for breaking Abby's heart. Get it? Me neither. We love girls.

Surprise Shower

I promise I watch this child, but I'm always amazed at what he can do in the few seconds that I don't have him in my direct line of vision. This morning I was trying to accomplish something when I heard Anna yelling my name. I ran into my bathroom where Anna was showering and this is what I found. (see photo below). Evidently, Anna heard a knock on the shower door and opened the door to say hi but before she knew it, she had a little shower buddy jammies and all.

(enlarge photo to get the full effect of how wet he was, also have you ever seen a balder rounder head in your life?) We love Benny!

Mac's Last Day

Mac's family will be picking him up anytime. We'll miss him, especially Benny, but let's be honest it's not all bad.

While we were outside it looks as if Benny stumbled upon some mud, wonder if he ate any?

Parades

We've been to quite a few parades because who doesn't want to go sit in the sun in 100 degree weather near black top streets. It's weird, but I love them. Here are some photos from some of them.

Lucy, Abby, Nate, Rex, Anna & Chloe

My nephew, Abe, (SIL, Macy in the back)

My niece, Lucy

Chloe (Anna's best friend) Anna & Abby

The Great Escape, II

Yep, we (by "we" I really mean Brennan) lost Benjamin at Church again. Once again, it was right after Sacrament Meeting, Brennan brought Ben back in from being out in the hall with him and set him down, pointed him at me and told him to go to Mom. I was unaware of any of this as I gathered up 1,403 coloring books and 20,003 crayons. When I finally managed to stuff everything into our three bags I turned around to see my whole family minus the baby. I started interrogating, "Where's Ben?" Brennan replied, "I sent him to you." At that point I knew we had a problem. We quickly and frantically searched the chapel then ran out into the closest hall to the foyer, then finally back through the chapel to the other foyer and there he sat while some woman I don't know was kindly fixing his shoe for him. He saw me and smiled as if to say, "Oh, hi Mom, what are you doing?" I thanked the woman and shot Brennan a look. He was visibly relieved and said again, "I sent him to you." Oh dear.

Mac and Ben

Here are some photos of the lovefest that's been going on around here:

Lots of hugs

a fun new game where Benny holds on to Mac's tail and then pushes him forward so he can be pulled around by Mac.

lots of kisses

Benny Whistling

Okay, be prepared to be amazed. He's been doing this for quite some time now, but I finally put him in the bathtub so I could contain him and film it. Enjoy.

Tired

I'm too tired to go to bed. It's got to be a form of insanity. My head hurts, my eyes sting, and there's a nice soft bed waiting for me, but here I sit on a mildly comfortable folding chair hunched over my laptop. I can't even boast productivity. Here's the deal, it was Wal-mart day today and there was a total of eight kids in and out of my house today, I'm dog sitting and Brennan's mad at me because the dog didn't get enough water today. I told Abby to give the dog some fresh water which she did, but then put his bowl up so Benny wouldn't get into it and forgot to put it back down. I feel bad, no wonder I caught him lapping up water from the toilet.

Earlier the dog was looking out the window and getting whiny and restless. Anna told me he needed to go out. I had just taken him out while she was at swimming lessons so I told her with confidence that he didn't need to go out that he was just restless. She told me that I didn't know what I was talking about, and that she does because she's read books about dogs. I argued with her about how I did know and that my Dad was stronger than hers etc., and then I remembered I wasn't eight.

Benjamin and Mac, the dog, worked out a neat and mutually beneficial system. Whenever Benny is downstairs Mac graciously allows Ben to help himself to his food (which Ben seems to really enjoy) and whenever Benny is eating, Mac is more than welcome to stand at the high chair and partake of whatever food Ben generously places in Mac's open mouth. The golden rule has never worked so well.

At Wal-mart I pushed the cart while Benjamin threw whatever I put in out while Nate walked behind us collecting Benny's rejects and passed them back to me. I then tried to place the retrieved items back in the cart out of Ben's reach without smashing the bread while trying to remember what it was I needed to buy. Half-way through this very relaxing stroll through the grocery store we added a little chant just to kick it up a notch. The chant consisted of Nate saying "Mom, I need to go potty, now." over and over. Which was my cue to say, "Okay, Nate, hold on, grab that cool-whip behind you, I'll get you to the bathroom as soon as I can." I forgot a few things. Oh good, another trip to the grocery store.

I came home from Wal-mart and spent a long time preparing the FHE lesson which my parents, sister, brother-in-law and nephew were invited to. My lesson didn't exactly wow the kids and so they came up with plenty to say and do to stay busy throughout the duration of my lesson. Industrious little people.

Before we know it it's 9:00, our guests have gone home (fleeing for peace and sanity) and now the real fun begins, bedtime. Anna has to shower because she can't sleep unless she knows she's clean. Adding a shower to the bedtime routine is fun because it's like adding 10 miles to a marathon for a snail. Abby can't go downstairs (which is where her bedroom happens to be) until Anna does. Nate decides he's scared and can't go to sleep. Just when we think we've finally got them all in bed, Anna and Abby pop in for a visit upstairs because Anna has to go to the bathroom and the one downstairs isn't on the approved bathroom list and Abby can't be downstairs by herself.

I'm tired.

Resourcefulness

Last night we were at a picnic in a park pavilion. There was a bag of ice on one of the table benches that was dripping. On Benny's travels he noticed the drip and sat down to get a closer look. I watched him sit down and watch the water drip onto the ground. When I looked again I saw he had managed to find a cup and was sitting down again holding the cup under the drip and then drinking what he collected every few seconds. Cracked me up. What a kid, we love Benny.

Parade

Yesterday was our little city's Festival Days. I think they have a race and a breakfast to kick of the festivities, but for us it begins with the parade. I love the parade. I wrote about attending the neighboring city's parade on the 4th, it's fun, but it's bigger and way more crowded and later on in the day so miserably hot. Our little parade comes right down our beautiful tree-lined Main Street at 10:00 in the morning. We sat in the shade of an enormous tree surrounded by neighbors and friends and this year John and Jamie (Brennan's parents) too. Our local high schools' marching bands, local dance groups, all-start baseball teams, lots of horses and a handful of floats pass by while the kids all scramble for the candy. Benny sits completely enthralled for the whole hour which is saying something, that child doesn't sit still for anything! Nate happily sits on the curb and manages to procure plenty of candy from his sort of defensive position. Anna and Abby aggressively pursue it out in the street, keeping a singular focus and fighting whatever foes necessary to get the precious spoils. Every now and then one of the girls comes back to us either dejected and sad about her frustrated attempts or loaded with success and willing to share.

After the parade there's a carnival at the main park. We always go and find some fun, but for me it starts and ends with the parade. We leave feeling full -- of community, patriotism, family, fun and candy. What more is there?

Dog Sitting

Yep, we're dog sitting again. I was actually totally on board because we were at our friends' house and watching Nate follow Mac around devotedly convinced me that I could do the dog thing for a week. So far so good. Mac is a big strong boxer and unlike the other boxer in our life, Glory, is a really good dog. He's obedient and mellow. Brennan, Anna, Abby and Nate are really enjoying him and I will admit to having twinges of guilt for being the obstacle in the way of them living their dog dream permanently. Oh well.

Benjamin is LOVING Mac. Poor Mac. Benny follows the dog around making extremely high pitched "Wa wa, wa wa" noises (his version of a bark), he's fascinated with his tail and constantly grabbing it, he also loves to get as close as he can and then push Mac's face away. It's sort of a combination of curiosity and power play. Benny is trying to assert himself as the Alpha Male. Poor Mac.

Uncles

Driving home just now, Abby said, "Mom, I really love our uncles. Do you know why?" "Why" I said. "Because they're nice and crazy," she said. Anna and Nate quickly agreed and then tried to figure out which one was the craziest. Christian topped the list.

Talents

Abby: "I have a really, really really good talent of talking."

More Brilliance

We keep all the diapers and wipes and changing pad in a drawer in our tv cabinet. I asked Benny to get a diaper and he toddled right over to the drawer, struggled with it until he got it open, pulled out the wipes, delivered them to Brennan, went back and grabbed the changing pad, delivered that to Brennan, went back and got a diaper and brought that to Brennan. It was so cute. It's amazing what they're observing around them. We love Benny!

I Like Nice People

Today my doorbell rang and it was a woman in my ward. I know and like her, but wouldn't say that we're close. She said she had been shopping and found some darling personlized beach towels on clearance. She was dissapointed not to find any with any of her kids names, but found one with the name Abby and one with the name Anna so she bought them and brought them to me. I asked her how much I owed her, but she wouldn't hear of it. She was so happy to have found some for someone and left them with us. I like nice people.

A Little Extra Gratitude

My 3 oldest kids went to a play last night with my parents and grandma. They are fortunate enough to have fabulous grandparents on both sides that expose them to wonderful things like this. On their way home from the play their car hit a deer. Evidently, the deer hit the front driver side of their minivan and then flipped up and hit the windshield which caved in on my Mom's side. (Most of the windshield remains in tact, though caving in, but for a million tiny little slivers everywhere) My mom had glass all over her, but managed to only get one or two small cuts. My kids, my Dad and my Grandma were untouched. A few minutes after the impact, Nate remarked, "That is dead meat!"

One van full of most of the people I love most in this world. I'm extra grateful today for my children even though they are fighting right now because the girls told Nate the only way he can play with them is if he'll be their dog. I'm also extra grateful for my parents and Grandma who probaby aren't fighting right now, most certainly about who has to be the dog.

4th of July

Happy 4th of July! We had a fun-filled, hot, very hot day. The day began with me, Anna, Abby and Nate driving up to join my Mom's family for a hike. We have this dilemma every year on the 4th: go with Mom's family on a hike and a BBQ afterwards or small town parade with a gigantic water fight at the end? Since Brennan never complains about any of of the many family get-togethers with my family and both of my extended families, I defer to him on this one and he loves this parade -- we all do. This year, they started the hike a little earlier and the parade wasn't until 11:00 so I tried to do both. The four of us hiked up for about an hour, then said goodbye to our group (except my Mom who kindly went back down with us) and began the hike back down. The girls did really well. Nate got really tired and a little stubborn. He wanted to stop and rest every 1.3 seconds which was fun. He actually did pretty well overall. Part of the reason I wanted to go so badly is because I feel like our kids needs a little toughening up, so we made it and hopefully it was good for all of us.

After we finally got back down the mountain, we dropped Mom off at my aunt's house and then raced to the parade. Brennan and Ben were waiting for us with some of my aunts and uncles and their kids and my Grandma. Fortunately we were situated towards the end of the parade so even though we were a little late we only missed two cars. We settled in in the hot hot sun and cheered the brave paraders on.

Ben loved all of the excitement, the sirens, and candy being hurled in all directions, and the clapping. At the end of the parade, truck after truck with tank and after tank of water drives through and hoses the crowd down. Ben and Grandma and I left before the hosing off began, but the rest of my family (except Nate who kept a safe distance long before the water part started) came home drenched.

Later that evening we went over to my parents' for BBQ with Josh, Lize, Abe (brother-in-law, sister and nephew)and Grandma. Kevin and Lisa (aunt and uncle) and their kids joined us later. We had lots of yummy food and then went out front to have our own little firework show. It was still very light, which was my fault because I was more worried about bedtimes than I was optimal firework darkness. Sue me. Brennan bought a bunch of the flower variety, the ones that spin around and pop at the end. Mr. Paranoid himself insisted our kids stand in the street and be chased by the flowers.

Then we brought out the sparklers. This was something. They're kind of tricky to get lit, so Brennan would get a handful lit and then start yelling "Alright, hurry come grab some guys, hurry, come get them." Then after he finally managed to get the lit sparklers transferred from his hand to theirs (not as simple as it sounds) he started yelling, "Don't let them go out, don't let them go out!" while he scrambled to grab a new handful to light. "I said not to let them go out!" he'd yell evidently oblivious to the fact that no one has that kind of control. It was one of the most chaotic and hilarious scenes I've ever witnessed. The kids (including some random neighbor kids that none of us knew) were trying desperately to get their hands on a sparkler and have a little fun while this big guy was barking out impossible, crazy and repetitive orders while every other adult was dying laughing. Good times. We love Brennan.

After that we packed up and headed home. I put Benny to bed and the rest of us all went out to our front yard for a fabulous view of a nearby amusement park's firework show.

You'd think that was the end, wouldn't you? (You hoped it was at least, right?) Nope. Brennan has gone camping twice the last few weeks with Nate and no girls so he promised them he'd sleep in the tent with just them that night. The three of them headed out back and after only about 12 trips back inside for some forgotten treasure or potty trip, settled in. Nate wasn't happy, but finally gave up his protests and went to sleep in my bed only to fall out in the middle of the night. The wind blew so hard the girls got scared so the three of them ended up camping in our family room. Adventures non-stop around here.

We love our family and we love America -- happy Independance Day!

Church Snacks

Our church is from 11:30 -- 2:30, right during lunchtime. Today I was running around just before church trying to get ready (it seems I can either get everyone else ready or me, not both) and get there on time for once. I noticed the kids gathering up some snacks which I didn't protest, knowing they would need something. We managed to get there just as Sacrament Meeting began and settled in for our weekly adventure. (It's hard work producing a 3 Ring Circus every week!) Shortly after our arrival, the kids began pulling out their snacks. I happened to glance over at Anna to see her pulling a jar of peanut butter and a spoon out of a large ziploc bag. In my shocked horror, I shot her a look and whispered for her to please HURRY and put that away and then tried to explain how it was not appropriate to bring a whole jar of peanut butter to church. She was crestfallen and asked me how else she was supposed to bring peanut butter for a snack. We love Anna!