What's It Good For If You Can't Pee In It

In response to some of your comments, YES. I think peeing in the ocean is a perfectly acceptable thing to do.  I mean really, if you can't pee in it, well, I said it just above.  My problem is not with the ethical issues surrounding peeing in the ocean (do you move a standard number of feet away from the closest person, do you wait for a wave to come in, or go out, do you pretend to be just getting your hair wet, do you walk, do you stand still, does it attract or repel fish, etc.) but rather getting my children to quietly DO it.  Because nobody wants to leave a nice spot like this,

spend an hour at the de-sanding showers getting rid of this,

and scuttle through rows of beach chairs holding scantily clad, impossibly tan women just so you can  use a modern, but very damp toilet.  It is a needless waist of time and exposure to pool feet fungus.

All it really takes is a quick trip into the ocean on one of these. 

In fact this would have been a prefect time.  Covered in salt water, an obliging wave veiling the face of the offender.  It could have been so easy.

Or this.  This is even better.  A rush of water up to your waist.  The pretense of playing in the waves.  Again, so easy.

And yet, Matthew and Will both failed at their attempts (or rather my attempts to get them to). In Will's case the failure was mainly caused by fear.  These waves were bigger than any he had encountered before and he was skeptical from the start.

He was not at all excited about getting in the water and completely content to stay on dry sand and annihilate his brothers' sand castles.  

I tried explaining to him how much easier it would be to just wander out a few steps.  How much time is would save.  How inconspicuous it would be.  I was so wrong.  My dragging Will into the waves insisting he pee was not easy, did not save time, and was CERTAINLY not inconspicuous.  Instead of quietly peeing Will took up screaming at the top of his lungs, "NO, in the toilet.  In the toilet.  NO, IN THE TOILET!"  Okay, in the toilet.  And to the bathroom we went.

Matthew's issue was not so much a lack of bravery as a lack of understanding.  My instruction to run pee in the ocean did not bring tears, whimpering, or wailing.  It sent a boy running full speed to the EDGE of the ocean, and there, backside toward a crowded beach, dropping his trunks.  Of course, I caught him quickly and said unnecessarily loud, "Honey, come on now, we don't pee on the beach.  Let's go up to the bathroom," my pleasant voice hiding the annoyance behind my eyes.  After waiting a few minutes on our beach chair I returned to the ocean with him, carrying him in quite a ways and out of earshot of other bathers.  But, in all the excitement Matthew just couldn't get himself to pee.  As much as he had to standing on the dry beach 5 seconds before, once in the ocean with the freedom of a water cloak up to his middle, his giggly face and wiggly toes just couldn't relax.  

So I gave in.  We spent the time at the sand shower, traipsed through sun-bathing beauties, and braved the wet bathroom.  But, we have many more summer days at the lake and will, for sure, practice up for next year.

p.s.  I suppose I should confess, I don't have cute short brown hair nor am I a tall, beautiful red head.  Those lovely ladies are my darling mother-in-law and sister-in-law.  They were gracious enough to come on our trip with us and where great help and lots of fun!  

A spot with a view

This was my view for most of my days last week.  And, I loved it.  Give my babies some water, some sand, some rocks, some buckets, (and some floaties), and they are happy.   For HOURS! It's the most low maintenance activity around.  Of course we did have that issue with peeing in the ocean but more on that tomorrow . . . 

Now we are home and back to the grind of home improvement which why this post is already ending.  But I will be better about posting.  Come back soon to hear about my boys stripping on the beach, lots of vacationing Europeans (you know they have very loose standards when it comes to beach wear), Will's connection with the big bad wolf, and of course, more tile woes. Because what would a tile project in my house be if it didn't bring with it some drama.

TTFN   

And welcome back to my blagapalooza friends and sorry I couldn't be with you.  I'm already enjoying reading all about it!   

Penitent

I'm sorry.  I'm still here.  Please still visit.  Please come and read again.  Please accept me back, prodigal blogger that I am.  I don't mean to have neglected you.  But the in-laws are here.   They are finishing our basement.  And somehow, it seemed very wrong of me to leave them, broken backs lifting, bloody knuckles hammering, to go knoodling with my interpeeps.  (Although I had no problem leaving them to go to the salon.  Ahhhh, 2 hours of scalp massaging bliss. Priorities you know.)  While they have been doing all the actual work, I have still been kept very busy with frequent trips into the bowels of the house to give important counsel like, put those light switches here.  No, put them there.  I would like two can lights here.  Never mind, make that three sconces.  The smaller vanity sounds fine.  Actually how about the bigger one--no, the smaller one.  Cubbies would be great.  But maybe a closet. Can I have a stage?  A climbing wall?  Swings?  A monkey gym?  Can we just make this a gorilla habitat down here? Etc.  I'm sure Grammy and Pops are overjoyed every time they hear my stealthy tread coming down the stairs to deliver more confusing and preposterous plans.   And I'm fairly positive my leaving with a positive nod and "I'll be back later to check on your work" doesn't help.  (there's a movie quote for you!)  In all honesty, they have been working very hard and I have tried my best to not be an exasperating costumer.  Thankfully, we are all, Chris, boys, Grandparents, and I, taking a break later this week and traveling south while the dry-wallers come and do their job.  So if I go on hiatus again, it's legitimate family time.

One of Chris' friends has been asking for pics of the ongoing basement.  The only ones I have just show only partial framing and it is intensely boring to look because you can't tell what's what.  Here is one decent picture. 

 It shows what will be a craft area for the kids (where the slide is sitting--yes, that's a slide.  He He.  More about that in later posts) with a craft/work area for me behind it and a storage room behind that.  My area will have a nice window looking out onto the kids area so I can go in my room, shut the door to keep busy boys out, but still be able to see what they are doing and holler commands like, "Matthew, don't swing Will by the head," and "Joseph, let's not drink that glue," etc.

Sorry I only have one, thanks for your patience Brad!  Currently the framing, electrical, and plumbing are all done and the dry-wallers arrive tomorrow morning.  Once that is done the photos will make more sense and I will post some more.  If I can get down there in the morning before the workers I will also try to get some pics.  And if you, dear reader, will forgive my blogging fast and come again, I'll favor you with a little remodeling photo update. 

Drum Roll Please--bdddddddddddddd

What is it?  After this week and a half or more of absence what do I have for you.  Finally . . . I have pictures of our completed home projects!  So, without further ado, I present to you:

4 very small and not very extreme HOME MAKEOVERS!

these are the little things we have done since living here

(a disclaimer:  I am having severe formatting issues with my blog publisher--so please don't mind the fact that I am showing only four projects, but the numbers list 10 or so)

1. The powder room:  Please don't think worse of me.  I'm usually not one for wall paper--BUT--I'm a sucker for toile.  I love it.  So this small powder room off the kitchen has red toile wall paper and white bead board.  I think the toile gives you something nice to look at and you can imagine stories about the people in it while you're sittin' around in there. Even if you're having a bad day it reminds you--at least you're not washin' your clothes in the river like that French peasant.  Though she does look so happy doing it . . 
2. The kitchen back-splash:  This was our first tiling project.  I learned lots of things.  For instance:  if you are tiling around electrical outlets, and therefore need to turn off the electricity in that part of the house, try your very best to finish before dark.  Otherwise you will be running around trying to find an extension cord to run electricity from a different part of the house to a small lamp that will cast a light so lean you will be squinting at your work from every direction and contorting your body every which way to avoid casting a shadow.  It turned out decent in the end.
3. Here's a close up of the slate we used.  I fell in love with all the different colors and the few sparkly pieces.  Everyone can use a little sparkly!
4. The boys bathroom:  More than once in my life when taking on new projects for the first time, I read all the directions, am meticulous about following them, attend to every detail, and religiously watch and wait over it, willing it to turn out right.  And it does. Unfortunately, more often than not, the SECOND time I try to do the same thing, I am far to confident in my previous abilities, throw caution to the wind, don't pay attention, and the entire thing is botched, tremendous amounts of time are waisted, and people fall ill (i.e. Chris and my second batch of hollandaise sauce).  This tile floor was hollandaise sauce #2 all over again.  After hours, days, weeks, and months of grouting, grouting, and grouting, and drilling, drilling, drilling the grout out, and grouting, grouting, grouting some more we finally finished.  We added some bead board (I love bead board) and threw up some paint.  Here's what we got.
5. A close up of the tile.  I love the watery wash of blue.  
6. (Another noteworthy lesson:  if you should pull your toilet up and put it in the tub to tile around the plumbing hole, and then haul the toilet out of the shower so a visiting guest can bathe, don't set the toilet nicely on the tiled floor next to, but NOT on top of, it's original plumbing hole post.  This sends a false message to neighbor children that the toilet works, and they might unknowingly use it.  For #2.  And you will be left with a smelly mess.)
7. The master bathroom:  This was all Chris' idea but I did get to help pick out the tile. Here's the before shot.
8. Not bad.  Painted walls.  Linoleum floor.  Here's the after.
9. Travertine floors, wall, and tub front.  Onyx shelf.  And let me tell you--12 inch square tiles are SO MUCH easier to grout the 1 inch square tiles.
10. The best part--the little brick shaped onyx tiles that cover the shelf are packed so tight they don't really need any grouting.  I love that.
11. And their yummy buttery color lifts my spirits each morning.  Anything buttery lifts my spirits in the morning--or any other time of the day.

So there you have it.  Our little home improvements.  Now for our BIG home improvement. The reason I have been gone the past bit is because of the new project coming our way.  I love to be organized but am not the best at staying organized.  This past week I have been de-cluttering, organizing, and throwing away hoards of stuff in preparation for my in-laws to arrive (they should be here within the hour).  They are going to stay with us for the next month or so and this gave me great incentive to do a bit of long needed "spring cleaning."  As for the reason they are coming . . . to take on a project much to big and much to difficult for Chris and I . . . the basement.  Yes, they are coming to finish the basement and I tell you, this mother of three young boys is EXCITED!

Don't worry

Don't worry.  More is coming.  I have been doing a little spring cleaning.  More later (but sooner than later).  Much sooner.

Words from the Boys

Will:

While watching some Irish dancers Will looked enthralled so I asked him, 

"Will, do you want to dance like that?"

"Yeah.  I want to wear one of those fancy dwesses."

Matthew:

Yesterday morning at 5:00 A.M., the alarm on Chris' blackberry went off playing every body's favorite happy song "The Entertainer."  Unfortunately there are other things besides Chris' blackberry that use that song as a mascot and Matthew, who happened to be in bed with us, sat bolt upright proclaiming

"The Ice Cream Man!"

I'm sorry buddy.  It's 5 a.m., pitch black, and a blisteringly cold March morning with 2 feet of residual snow still outside.  It's not the ice cream man.  I swear.

But just in case, here's two bucks.  Hop on out there in your skivvies and bring me back a dreamsicle! 

Ready for the lamb

March's LION has been in full swing here.  A little photographic history of the past week for your viewing pleasure.

What I've Been Doing With My Free Time

OR

Why My Back Aches Like I'm 89

(and my Arms, and my Legs)

(and why my hands are cracked and bleeding)

(not that I'm complaining about any of it)

(it was really a boat load of fun)

(several boat loads)

This is how it started.  ICE STORM.  Didn't get any good pictures of it but the next morning I started to shovel the inch or so of snow off the driveway only to find another solid inch below it of ice.  Nice.  Oh well, it will surely warm up soon and melt that ice away.

Don't count on it.  Before the ice could melt the snow came.  With a furry.  Lots of snow and lots of wind made fore huge drifts.  Here's me trying to get a picture of the enormous drifts on the deck.  Unfortunately I couldn't open the back door and my night time flash glared against it. We'll just pretend it's a really cool artsy picture.  

This is why I couldn't open the back door.

We made a valiant effort to dig ourselves out the next morning and with a little help from Ben we did it.  Although we were up bright and early shoveling, since school was cancelled, the city plows all allotted to spend the morning at Starbucks enjoying cozy hot beverages and swapping stories about how to best block in freshly cleared driveways with mounds of frozen snow and ice.  Needless to say, for anyone who ventured out, clearing the driveway was the least of the problems.  Our car did take a short trip (thankfully with another driver) and came home with wheels looking like this.

She did a good job though, valiantly plowing her own trail through the snow and safely transporting her passengers to and from work.  When the wind died down the next day and the sun peeked out the kids couldn't wait to play.

Just so you're not wondering, we do not keep our mailboxes on the ground.  Matthew found snow angels much easier when you just have to lean back a few inches.

And a nice little lick of snow is a cinch when it's already at lip level.

Matthew conquered the biggest mountain and planted his flag on behalf of stir-crazy-5-year-olds everywhere. 

And Joseph pattered around trying not to slip in his snow suit.

A fun snow day but luckily this only happens once a year or so.  And lucky I have good friends.  And food storage.

LONG {but not LOST} FRIEND

It's Friday evening and I am blogging.  No, nothing better to do.  Kids are asleep and due to nasty nasty winter storms, hubby is stuck in Chicago.  

I do have one other thing I could be doing.  One of my oldest friends has been wanting to get together.  Nagging at me for some time actually, to hang out, spend some quality time.  But the truth is, I hate to say it, but, um, I'm getting a little tired of this friend.  

{Don't worry, this friend doesn't read my blog, I promise.}  

I'm sure you all have a friend like Miss "D."  It's a classic high maintenance relationship. We'll go a few days without communicating, I'll think she has gained some self-sufficiency, and then, when I'm not even paying attention.  SHA-ZAM!  There's Miss D.  Out of nowhere, in my face, needy, involving me in problems I want nothing to do with.  

{I tell you, she has got more dirt going on than anyone else I know.}

I know I should have a more "Christ-like" attitude.  If I were a better person I would happily clean up the problem, tidy her issues, help her get organized, and send her on her way but I'm starting to get resentful.  If it's not one thing it's another--there was that accident at school, the gardening mishap, that whole mud problem, and just loads and loads of crap.  

Even if we aren't talking, just enjoying a movie, I can tell Miss D is not happy.  I feel the vibes-- Quit watching that show.  Pay attention to me.  I'm here.  Pick me!  Choose me!

{Ahhhh!  Is there no respite from Miss D!}

The truth is:  No.  There is no respite from Miss D.  In fact, she's here right now.  In the kitchen. She's spread her untidy self all over my counter in her passive-aggressive way of silently yelling at me, 

"HERE I AM!  THERE'S NO WAY YOUR WALKING PAST ME AGAIN!"     

Oh well, I suppose now's as good a time as any to face the beast.  And I guess now that you know all about her I should formally introduce you.  Here she is.  

Miss Dirt E. Klose

{If she ever comes knocking at your door, don't let her in.}

Odds and Ends

A few bits and pieces:

1. Yesterday it was a blessed 65 degrees here.  We went to the zoo and roamed in nothing but our shirtsleeves and had a fantastic time of it.  Lovely.  
2. Today there has been more than a 30 degree drop--complete with blazing winds and freezing rain.  Lovely.
3. This is the view out my windows.  No, those aren't specialty antique glass window panes.  That's ice.  Yes, my house is currently covered in an ice coating.  Good thing we already went to the grocery.
4. I realized I never actually answered my valentines trip geography question.  We did in fact visit Amsterdam and congrats to all of you who guessed correctly!  For trivia's sake, we stayed in the Hotel Pulitzer (payed for by the firm) which is the hotel where George Clooney and his gang of thieves stay in "Ocean's 12."  I felt a good knowing Messrs. Clooney, Pit, and Damon also roamed those same curving corridors.  (I will never wash the soles of my shoes again . . .)
5. Staying at a swanky hotel sometimes gives the wrong impression.  Sometimes people forget that certain other people might only be staying at said swanky hotel because "work" is paying for it, their own measly wallets being far too light.  This exact assumption led to a somewhat embarrassing/awkward moment at the diamond factory--more on that later.
6. When leaving a home-drawn map of all the important stuff for your mother-in-law while you go out of town, the fact that you included all your friends' houses, Wal-Mart, Target, Wendy's, McDonalds, preschool, the Library, the grocery store, the nature center, and Cheesecake Factory will not make up for the fact that you forgot to include the one place she needed to get to in a hurry . . . the hospital.
7. The Emergency Room  (or:  I'm so very sorry, Grammy).  Upon making it back to U.S. soil after our trip we made the requisite call home to say we've landed, we're okay, we'll be home in a couple hours (because of Chris' work we had flown out of a different city).  Although our morning on the plane had gone by without incident, back at the ranch things were not quite so calm.  Earlier that day while sliding off the counter, Matthew had slammed his chin and bit his tongue fairly severely leaving a nice gash right across the middle of his tongue.  Luckily Grammy called Tara, who is a dental hygenist (and married to a dentist).  Tara confirmed it was a very bad slice and was nice enough to tend the other boys while Grammy took little Moo to the E.R.  The E.R. doc wanted to stitch him up then and there but being a mouth injury it required sedation and they couldn't do that without talking with us, the parents, who were lounging on the plane and unreachable.  Once they got the bleeding under control they allowed Grammy to take him home to await our phone call.  So we got the news and spent the next 2 hours while driving home on the phone with various doctors and dentists trying to figure out what to do.  After many calls and various opinions, the E.R. doc said it wouldn't hurt to wait until morning, take Matthew to an oral surgeon, and go from there.  We did just that and thankfully, although it looked like the devil, the oral surgeon said it would probably be fine without stitches.  Relief.  For me at least.  I wasn't worried about the actual stitches but was not looking forward to the sedation.  I have been surprised how fast it has healed.  Grammy said right after it happened the inner muscle swelled quite a bit and was pushing out of the gash like a mushroom.  Blaaaah.  I took an early picture but I think it is too gross to actually post.  Here's what it look like now.  
   
   Matthew was explaining to one of his friends about it:  "Yeah, I had to eat soft foods for a couple days but then Mom got me back to normal so I could have nuggets and fries."  Oh yes, what would we do without nuggets and fries.  Thank heavens! 

Old Jokes

I just went to the movies.  And for the sole reason of blogging it and providing a laugh for a dear old friend . . . I hid a water bottle down the sleeve of my coat.  Here's to you, Friend!  Hope it gives you a chuckle on this Friday evening!

Not dead but almost

I've been gone a bit, I know.  And I was gone a bit before my last post as well.  But don't worry, this hiatus was not near as fun as the last one.  Since I got back from my little over seas excursion until now we've had the flu, everyone except for Matthew.  It cycled slowly from person to person bringing a day of throw-up, a day of recuperation, a day of throw-up, a day of recup, a day of throw-up . . .  Even Daddy got it and had to suffer through another flight back to Amsterdam with a week tummy and achy body.  At least the rest of us were home.  It caught me by surprise, we rarely get sick.  Only one of the boys has ever been on antibiotics.  We get the usually runny noses and colds but that's about it.  I wasn't ready for this.  And I'm sure you all know babies have it the hardest.  The puke confuses and scares them, they don't now how to hold still and lean over a bucket, they can't tell you when it's coming, etc.  

I was secretly proud of my pioneer like physique.  I wouldn't characterize myself as some one with a "delicate constitution."  I'm pretty tuff.  But this put me out.  And in the middle of a snow storm.  I was able to haul myself off the couch long enough to shovel the drive way though.  Take that, Pioneers!  (But I did have on my super warm Lands End boots, and my super warm Columbia coat, and when I was done I went into my super warm house and had some super nice hot chocolate, so I guess I have nothing on them.)  But then I got dizzy and had to lay down.  

But things are looking up and we are on the mend.  The other excitement dealt with emergency room injuries--but more on that later.

Where in the world

I have returned from a glorious Valentines weekend with the husband.  All the traveling made for not as much sleep as I was hoping but it was well worth it.  So, where was I this weekend? Here are a few hints.  

We reached our destination at around 5:30 a.m. local time.  We went straight to the airport hotel where Chris took a shower, changed his clothes, and left for a meeting.  Poor him.  I changed my clothes, climbed into the bed, and slept for 5 hours.  Lucky me (although this would later come back to haunt me when I tried to go to sleep that night).  I woke up around noon, got myself cleaned up, checked out of that hotel, and took a taxi to another hotel down in the city (and paid for by the firm so I don't mind saying-- it was NICE).  I love traveling on expense.  After that I had several hours to myself so I grabbed my coat and headed outside to wander some streets that looked like this.

And cross over some lovely canals that looked like this.

And pass the window of a small shop selling men's shoes that looked like this.  You know, in case any of your men are in need of a pair.

This is a very, uh, friendly, city.

And every one here rides bikes.  Old picturesque bikes.  

They ride with friends sitting across the book holder bar over the back wheel, or babies in a small seat in front, or a small seat in back, or both.  Or bikes with little carts on the front to hold piles of stuff, or a dog, or a couple of toddlers, or all three.  It all looked very romantic. And cold. 

On Saturday we visited some art museums, then took in the diamond factory, and finished at the flower market. 

This is just one stall along a street overflowing with similar little shops.  All selling cut flowers, potted plants, dried flowers, and heaps and heaps of loose bulbs in any type you could wish for. Of course, if flowers aren't your thing they also have this.

Like I said, it's a very friendly city.  And if your concerned about packaging they also sell it in cans.

We decided against buying anything.  The exchange rate just kills you.

We finished up the day with more wandering down fascinating streets and a quiet dinner for two.  Thanks for a perfect Valentines, Honey!

It was a memorable trip to be sure.  Unfortunately, after such a whimsical weekend, reality thrust itself back into the spotlight as soon as our plane wheels hit U.S. soil.  But more on that later.  As for now, any guesses on our 2008 Valentines hot spot?!

Where have I been and where will I be

I know this is my first post in a week.  My apologies.  Chris has to go on a business trip this weekend and my valentines surprise was getting to accompany him.  He arranged to have his mother come watch the boys, a car to pick me up, and all the other important details.  I say this to explain where I have been.  It is a great surprise to be sure but I have only had a couple days to prepare my children life without me for a few days (they'll be fine), prepare myself for life without them for a few days (do I have any clothes that don't scream MOTHER OF THREE MONKEYS), and to prepare this house so someone else can run it for a few days.  And I'll admit it, I have issues leaving the children although I can't discuss it here for fear of jinxing myself. I'm sure everyone has their opinions but it is what it is.  I have issues.  So the past couple days I have vacillated between wild moments of productive mania and a stress induced catatonic state. Once I get on the plane I think I'll be fine and Grammy, if there is no clean underwear for the boys I'm sorry and if they are in the same clothes I left in them when I get back that's okay.  I'm just happy you are coming.  

So that's where I've been.  

Your job is to guess where I'll be tomorrow . . .clues will be coming shortly. . .

Ahh, and here I am blogging when there are toilets to clean.  Gotta go.

Lifted From the Depths

It too rainy to play outside.  Even if it wasn't raining it's too cold to go outside.  Joseph is too sick to take anywhere like the library or Target.  I'm stuck inside reading Pioneer Woman, wishing I lived on a cattle ranch, and saying things to the boys like, "Hey, let's not scratch our weenies with our toothbrushes, okay."  

Luckily Shelly just called.  Her husbands coming home early and she wants to grab a movie and bring it over here!  Thanks for saving my Wednesday!

A little something I forgot

Just in case I suddenly disappear never to be heard from again . . . it's Will's fault.  He keeps threatening to turn me into an English Muffin.

And if Matthew disappears it's because his fervent wish that Jesus will come down and turn him into a Gila Monster has been granted.

Review

Here's how my last week's list turned out:

new pajamas: check

Matthew/Will's drapes:  check

(thanks to Bob for tools and Ben for labor)

Joseph's valance:  check

unfortunately while I was working on this

Matthew was working on this

long live home improvement

 

Dry Cleaning:  check

Rebate cards:  check

Young Women's:  check

Will to Dr:  check

Milk:  got some

Blog:  your readin' it!

Laundry:  check, check, checking, checking . . .

The basement with it's food storage, shelving needs, and clutter will have to wait.

And the tile, well, what would I have hanging over me if not for the tile.  One last sealing and we'll be done.  Just.  You.  Wait!   (ha ha ha Henry Higgins)

Old find

I was going through old pictures while moving them from one computer to the other and found these videos.  I had to post them for the Grandmas so my apologies to everyone else who probably doesn't think my kids the cutest things ever, especially with Will's receding hair line.

Matthew and Will: 

Input needed

QUESTION:  What do you do with all your Christmas cards?

Accomplished so far

• Laundry (half done and still going)
• Ironing (put on hold--sorry Gremhog, I would have totally taken you up on your offer but the iron has a problem.  The ironing board has a little holder for the iron with some little rubber dots the iron rests on.  Over time the rubber has left a small residue on the iron.  It's leaving marks on my white sheets and I can't get it off the iron.  I've tried scrubbing, acetone, hand sanitizer--for the alcohol, it's all I could find--anyway, does anyone know how to clean that off?  AND, don't worry, I never iron bedding but some of the little boys pillow cases have some quilted/embroidered animals on them and won't lay flat after washing and I pulled the bed skirt off the guest bed to wash it finally.  It's from my college days and has some battenburg (sp?) lace on the bottom, you know that stuff crumples like a beast in the wash.  That's what I need to iron.)
• Will to the doctor--just a virus, nothing to do but wait it out.  
• Mailed the rebate cards
• Finished the final grouting--and here I have to just interject, I had a BRILLIANT moment last night.  I only had to grout a small seam where the tile on a horizontal surface met the tile on a vertical surface.  I didn't want grout anyplace else so I completely taped off all surrounding areas and then, here's the genius, mixed the grout, stuffed it in a ziplock bag, snipped off a tiny corner, and squeezed it out like frosting.  It worked like a dream with very minimal clean up.  I love it when I'm smart.
• Blogged :)

Now I'm off to pick up the dry cleaning (but thanks Bridget, I'm finding out about the home pick-up), buy the last hardware to hang the drapes, return some items, get a few decorations for my newly finished bathroom, and hopefully find little Moo some pajamas.  Gotta go. . .

A little accountability

In an effort to find the self discipline to accomplish these tasks, I am giving you, dear readers, my project list for the week.  Because there's nothing like having to answer to some ethereal, unseen, internet blogging buddies to light a fire under you.  Ha ha, you actually all hold a powerful sway over my life and I would hate to disappoint.  Here it is:

• Pick up the hubbies dry cleaning
• Mail rebate cards
• Catalog food storage 
• Make food storage replacement chart
• Hang/move drapes in the 2 boys' rooms
• Finish final grouting/sealing of the bathroom tile (yes, almost done . . .)
• LAUNDRY:  including folding AND putting away in the APPROPRIATE place
• Think of some class activity, prepare it, and present it at Wednesday's mutual
• Wash, iron, replace bedding on guest beds
• Buy Matthew some new pajamas (it's pajama day at school Thursday and his are footy pajamas, doesn't work too well with going to the bathroom and all that).
• Get more shelves for the basement
• Organize basement

There you go 

• Oh, and take Will to the doctor
• and buy some milk
• and BLOG

I know it's not much but I only have a few free evenings to do it.  We'll see how it goes, I'll let you know on Saturday.  If you, Stie, Grammy, and Gremhog could just come for the week to do the organizing (Stie) the drilling(Grammy) and the ironing (Gremhog), that would just be fantastic for me!  The writers strike should give me the time I need to get it all done, of course Lost does come back this week . . .

Mo mo money

I'm done with the pull-ups.  We are going real underwear or nakedness and that's it.  Why the big push?  Am I fed up with ripping off wet pull-ups, dragging extra ones around in the car/store/back pack?  Not really.  No, I want the money.  I have ideas.  The pull-ups have got to go.  Now, you may question my causing uncomfortableness and anxiety for the children just so I can have something I want BUT let me tell you a quick little story from my childhood.

When I was in high school we moved.  Not far, just down the street.  Since it was so close packing and moving occurred over a week or so and some things were just tossed in the suburban, driven a block away, and unloaded.  During this move my Mom lost a very nice stash of cash.  She likes to stash cash, my Mother.  Stash it away and then pull it out for surprises or other things.  She had her money in a ordinary white envelope and somehow it got lost in the shuffle of papers.  For a couple years she periodically went down in the basement and spent a few hours going through boxes and filing cabinets looking for her moula but never found it.  So, one fine day she was sitting at the kitchen table writing a letter to my brother serving a mission.  She sent my younger brother Phil down to the basement to fetch an envelope for her to put the letter in and . . . (choir of angels) what does Phil come up with but a nice fat envelope full of CASH!  We all did a little dance around the kitchen!  It turns out that all of us children needed new shoes.  That makes us sound a little like street urchins.  Our parents did take good care of us but by circumstance, we had all worn out our shoes at the same time.  Mom holds up the envelope like the olympic torch and tells everyone to head to the car, "We're going to buy new shoes!"  The kids spill out of the house, across the driveway, and as one of the boys is midway through his launch into the suburban Mom hollers, "Wait!"  I was on the steps, she was just behind me on the porch.  I see myself now in dramatic slow motion turning to look at her.  She had "Hmmm, better idea," twinkling behind her eyes.  "Emily, get the kids in the house, I'll be back in a minute."  So, we dragged our pour dirty feet back in the house and waited.  Before too long Mom showed back up again with a pleasant smile on her face and something very shiny and sparkly sitting on her finger.  Sorry kids, put some duck tape over that sneaker toe and you'll be fine.  Now, you may think I was a bit disgruntled about my new shoes being traded in for a nice shiny stone but I got over it and in retrospect am pleased with my mothers decision.  I am the oldest girl you know.  She was looking out for me in the long run and we all know where that diamond is going to end up, don't we Laura.  I must add, several years ago I started to bring this up on a family vacation but after a knife like look from my Mom quickly shut up.  Turns out Dad never really new about that whole story.  He could tell I had something to say and tried to pry it out of me but I laughed and told him I don't bite the hand that feeds me.  Needless to say, for the few of you who know my father--mum's the word.

So, I've been taught well.  And sooner or later Will is going to have to learn about long term gains.  He'll thank me eventually, or at least his daughter will.

Sick Day

OR RATHER SICK WEEKEND.  Friday morning I woke up with a headache.  Not too bad, but within an hour or so it was really pounding behind my left eye.  Chris took all three boys and went to get some breakfast for them and his two buddies that were staying with us while I took a rest.  But before I could rest this headache cranked itself up to warp speed.  Very rarely I get migraines.  The last one was actually about two years ago but when they come it is bad news for me and this one jumped me from behind.  I took some Tylenol but threw it up about 10 minutes later.  Chris got back from breakfast to find me lying in the bed with a cold washcloth on my forehead.  One of my most attractive looks to be sure.  I say all this to explain the absolute hero worship I had for Chris on Friday.  Luckily he had taken the day off so he didn't have to go into work BUT the reason he had taken the day off was because his two buddies where in town.  Visiting friends aside, he got me a little water, grabbed the three boys and his friends, and kept them all outside of the house and busy until nap time when he brought them home and put the boys to bed.  He stopped in off and on throughout the morning to check on me and once I woke up to find half a crusty bagel Will had left on my pillow in case I was hungry.  With Chris' care I slept until almost 3:00 in the afternoon and was able to kick this headache in a day which is some kind of record.  Thank you thank you!  And thanks to his friends--luckily they are both dads and didn't mind the little ones tagging along with them (or if they did they were too polite to show it).Anyway, I got over my headache but Matthew came down with a sore throat  By Saturday afternoon I had pretty much decided on staying home from church since Matthew wasn't well and Joseph had the runs.  Will sealed the deal by jumping off the couch (protecting his Kangaroo fort), crashing into the floor, and biting a nice little hole in his tongue.  It wasn't that bad and I guess tongues heal very quickly but it required a liquid and soft food diet for a day so by that time church was out.  Sunday morning Chris left for his speaking assignment (with his two buddies in tow--I had to laugh since he was visiting a different ward and looked like he was bringing his own personal entourage) and we got to sit calmly and eat breakfast as slow as we pleased.  Just as I was thinking what a pleasant morning it had been without the rush to get out the door Joseph, standing flat on the floor, not running, not climbing, leaned a little too hard on the back of a kid sized wooden chair, the chair flipped, he went down with it, and got a nasty cut right along the corner of his eye.   Ahhh!  It bled like crazy and it took me a minute to get some rags pressed on it and see how deep it was.  Not bad enough for stitches but Chris was welcomed home by a still bleeding gash and black eye.  I'm thinking we would have been better off at church.

Helpful Reminder

It's been a tuff two days with the boys.  You know those days when you have a bazillions tasks to accomplish and errands to run and you just need the little ones to quietly obey and stare blindly out the sides of the shopping cart without moving BUT because of the bazillion tasks the little ones are slightly neglected have NO intention of staring blindly out the shopping cart on a good day let alone on a day they are seeking extra attention due to afore mentioned neglect.  I just finished two of those days.  We've made it past.  Past Will climbing up the employee ladder in Bed Bath and Beyond, past Matthew tucking himself in between 50 huge house plants in very breakable pots at the garden store, past Joseph screaming down one isle after another and throwing umpteen paci's on the ground.  We've.  Made.  It.  Past.  

It is these times when I stare at them and think:  I was a relatively calm child . . . WHAT IS HAPPENING!  I wonder if there is any part of me in their little bodies or is it all just mania.  But then we make it past, I find a quiet moment at the end of the day, and it is helpful to remember that they are, in fact, my children.  This is how I know:

• MATTHEW  Matthew sleeps like me.  I'll check on him before I go to bed and see myself staring back at me.  Staring back at me with eyes half open.  Yup, he got the freakishness.  Sorry Buddy but is makes me smile to see it.  Just warn your roommates before they have 1/2 hour conversations with you.
• WILLIAM  William sticks his tongue out when he concentrates.  He squints his eyes a little bit and the tip of his tongue starts peeking out between his lips.  I can't tell you how many times my piano teacher whacked my mouth with a sheet of music (nicely of course, she was a great teacher) to remind me to not stick my tongue out.  Here's hoping he gets his under control a little sooner than I did.
• JOSEPH  My boys are very good eaters.  They eat most vegetables and I haven't found a fruit yet they will pass up.  But not Joseph.  Joseph is a very PICKY eater.  He did NOT get this from me.  However, even though most of his meals consist of waffles, oatmeal, and macaroni and cheese, he does like a few other things that one would not guess are on the menu of a picky eater.  Joseph likes very dark chocolate, unusual gourmet cheeses, AND, the best of all . . . V8 juice.  A boy after my own heart.

So, after all the chaos and confusion, it is reassuring to me that whether through nature or nurture, at least a little bit of me made it into those crazy little bodies!

Tag and some other fun

A little while back I was tagged by my friend Gremhog.  Never been tagged like this before so here goes.

The rules of the game:

• Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog
• share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog
• Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs
• Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here goes:

1. I sleep with my eyes half open.  Creepy, I know, but can't control it.  This caused a problem for more than one roommate in college.
2. After spontaneously meeting up with the Old North Bridge Hounds riding/hunting club in the woods behind my house one day I attended "High Tea" with them in my working grubbies while they were all decked out in their riding finery.  Jackets, jodhpurs, tall black boots, hats, you name it, with me in my frayed and holey shirt and old jeans.  It was a memorable Saturday.
3. On my way up to claim my first place finish at a state language fair in high school I tripped on the stairs going up to the stage. 
4. I also tripped coming down the stairs at my college graduation after being handed my diploma.  So I'm a clutz who sleeps with her eyes open--oh so attractive.
5. I know how to run an "Endobag: specimen retrieval system."  It's a tool used to take out gallbladders.  :) 
6. I have a little piece of the Berlin Wall and the Kolon Cathedral.  It fell on my head while looking up at it.
7. Once when I was supposed to guard a broken bathroom door for my cousin who was using it I saw the custodian coming and for some reason chickened out (we were in a foreign country and I didn't speak the language)  I turned and walked the other way leaving her to be surprised on the potty by a worker.  Later I found out that years before her father had done the same to my father.  Here's to karma!

So there you have it.  I tag Robin and Jillyn.  Sorry, I'm just tagging two.

Along with that, I have some other REALLY BIG information.  Remember THIS?  Guess what I am sitting in front of right now?!  Oh YES!  It is 24 inches of complete loveliness!  I'm thinking of proposing.

Me and this beauty, I have a feeling we are going to go far.  Already the little boys have had a video chat with Grandma B although not much could be heard over all the screaming and not much seen through all the jumping and toys thrust in front of the camera.  One more reason I am completely in love with the hubby (not that I need pricey gifts all the time :).  Chris took a trip to the east side only to find his tile store closed early and fortunately for me, the Mac store was close by.  So when he got back home, walked in the door and I turned to check out the tile what did I see but a great big white box of LOVE.  MMM-MMMM-MMMM.  THANK YOU HONEY!  While having fun with this new friend I came across some photos taken a few months ago showing why the little boys are just as much in love with their Daddy as me.

Happy Birthday Matthew Moo

Yesterday was Matthew's birthday. He is 5 years old. I remember when he was born and my friend Stie's kids were 5 years old. I coudn't imagine having a kid that old. And now look at him. All grown up and wearing Birthday Crowns and playing with others. (Don't worry, that baby girl Chris is holding is a friend!) I wish I could post a baby picture of him, he was a gorgeous baby, but unfortunately Little Moo was born before we had a digital camera and I have yet to take all those negatives to be put onto CD's. At the time I was convinced I would have an ugly baby. All the kids in my family were funny looking until we got a little older. We were the squashed, pale, bald babies (but very cute toddlers). My friend Julie Bleak was expecting a baby at the same time. She had four other children and they were all BEAUTIFUL. Girls with long blond hair, boys with dark eyelashes that practically fell to their noses. I knew I would have to go to church with my funny looking kid and sit next to her with her new beautiful baby. As it turns out, she did have a beautiful baby, but wonder of wonders, so did I! (At least I thought I did.) He was olive skinned, had almost black hair, dark eyes, long eyelashes, a little dimple in his chin, and the most precious puckered lips I ever saw. His fingers were a bit stubby at first but that was easily overlooked for the rest of his exquisite little self. I couldn't believe my luck. Not only was he not ugly, but just looking at him sent a little shiver of awe down my spine. I had a beautiful baby. And now he's all grown up and 5 years old. He wanted a cake with a diesel train on it. I can't draw worth beans but googled "how to draw a steam engine" and came up with some pretty good instructions. He was pretending to be "Light" the Steamlighter that day, hence the Happy Birthday Light! (You can see the kids already got to it a little bit.) We hit a milestone this birthday. I don't know how to categorize it appropriately but it is a big milestone. The LEGO milestone. Now it begins. Matthew received a sort of starter kit bucket of Lego's and then Daddy found several little kits that each build 3 things. Matthew has remained happily entertained ever since. I love to see him entranced in his building and creating but am not looking forward to picking up Lego pieces in every nook and cranny and big floor area for the next 15 years. Here's to maybe keeping them organized! For at least a day or two.

Happy Birthday Moo!

Pretending it's still 2007

I'm back. I was out west for Christmas at my parents. In most ways it's like visiting Amish country which is why I had no posts during this trip. I guess it's a little more advanced than the Amish but not by much. They do have running water but it's only hot if you're the first or second one in the shower. And they do have heat. They've had it for a few months now. It's not as if my parents are against technology so much as they aren't really interested in it and therefore don't know how to fix any sort of technological thingies that might exist in the house. The heat, for instance. The heat is coupled with the air conditioning and while you might be able to do without heat in southern Utah you CANNOT do without air conditioning. So, obviously, when they bought the house it had working heat and cool air; however, a few years ago the heat went out and most of the air conditioning. My mother is an Oregon native and likes the house kept at 65 or below so you would think the whole temperature regulatory unit got replaced right away. Unfortunately the one section of the house that still had cool air was the master bedroom. No need to replace anything. My mom had her cool bedroom and several trips there during the day staved off the heat in the rest of the house. My dad couldn't be happier. He is always cold. Cold enough that when the rest of us where sweating our eyeballs out in swimsuits sitting on the Caribbean beaches Dad lounged comfortably in his hooded sweatshirt sporting a big CAYMAN ISLANDS logo emblazoned across the front. I didn't even know the SOLD sweatshirts down there. Anyway, so--no need to have heat. The units finally got replaced over the summer when the boys and I stayed with them over a month and mom realized that such an extended stay deserved night time air in lower than 100 degrees. Thanks mom! Besides the heat, we used to have a toaster growing up but it broke and was never replaced. My aunt gave us a microwave once and it was nice until one of the kids used it as a timer and the thing cooked itself into oblivion (I think it was me). They did get a new microwave a few years ago when Phil was still living at home and got tired of heating up his dinner on the stove in a little pan with a bit of water in the bottom. All this is to say--That's why I didn't post on vacation. My parents did get a new computer for Christmas though. Chris set it all up for them and one of Mom's best friends teaches computers so they should be in good hands.

Now, away from my stream-of-consciousness writing and on to what I really meant to fill this post. I wanted to post this before the end of the year but couldn't (explained above) so I'm pretending it's still 2007 and am going to finally take on my friends challenge to write two Christmas card messages. The 1st: the real sappy kind the dwells on all the wonderful things about your family, and the 2nd: reality. Here goes.

#1

Musso Year in Review 2007 2007 has been a fabulous year for our family and we couldn't be happier. Here are a few highlights . . .

Matthew: Matthew is almost 5 and absolutely brilliant. He is doing fantastic in preschool and loves learning new things in primary at church. Both his teachers are always eager to talk about him.

William: William is 3 and Matthew's little shadow. Matthew has taught Will everything he knows and William is a very astute and quick learner. He learned to use the toilet and never has an accident.

Joseph: Joseph started walking at 9 months and is now running at a pretty stable clip. He has 8 teeth and is just starting to get his molars in. He is learning sign language and adores playing with his older brothers.

Emily: Along with all the normal mothering tasks, I took on several home improvement projects this year. With Chris' help, we tiled the back splash in the kitchen, the boys bathroom, and our master bathroom. Even though this was my first time working with tile everything has come out perfect and looks fabulous!

Chris: Our Daddy loves his job and has visited many exotic places this year. He gets lots and lots of air miles with all his traveling. He loves to use these to take our family on nice trips without having to pay lots and lots for them.

We hope your 2008 turns out half as nice as our 2007. Merry Christmas!

#2

Musso Year in Review 2007

Matthew: Matthew is almost 5 and enjoys preschool and church. His preschool teacher loves to talk about him and just pulled me aside the other day to discuss his aversion to following directions and very strong streak of independence. Church is going well but he did have that biting incident. Aside from the biting he is learning lots of things he likes to tell me about in awkward settings such as the black-hole-like quiet of a college ward sacrament meeting. Example: "Mom, the bread 'presents his body and the water 'presents his blood. And then they KILLED HIM!"

William: William is 3 and Matthew's little shadow. He has learned all kinds of things from his older brother like how to unlock the dead bolt and get past the kid-safe door knob on the pantry. He is potty trained and never has an accident as long as you leave him completely naked.

Joseph: Joseph started walking at 9 months and is now running. Running away from Mom every time he has a stinky diaper or sticky hands or some other issue. He as 8 teeth and is just starting to get his molars in. This makes him grumpy and he screams most of the time. I'm trying to teach him some sign language in hopes of calming the screaming but all he has now is the sign for "more" which he uses with great pleasure. He loves to play with his brothers and his favorite game is whacking them on the head with hard objects.

Emily: Along with all the normal mothering tasks, I took on several home improvement projects this year. With Chris' help, we tiled the back splash in the kitchen, the boys bathroom, and our master bathroom. Because this was my first time doing this I royally screwed up the boys bathroom floor and that room was out of commission for two months while I drilled out every bit of grout with a rotary bit and Chris drill.

Chris: Our Daddy actually is pretty perfect and he really did do a fabulous job this year at home and work. There is one thing I guess. One of his conferences was in California and we decided to make it a family trip since his company would pay for the hotel and rental car. We booked our flights and made reservations at a superb hotel in La Jolla. Unfortunately, 2 days before we were to leave Chris wondered why he had yet to receive any kind of itinerary for his conference and upon further inspection, realized he had the dates of the conference wrong. Whoops. No company tab on this trip. We down graded our hotel and car, but still had a great time visiting old friends!

We hope your 2008 is merry and bright! Happy new year to you all.