Way to go Joe!

He has been working so hard on a school project. He built a little on screen moving robot that would seek out and find other classmates robots and destroy them. He won the Bot Battle! It just goes to show that putting a lot of hard work into something pays off. Here he is with his "trophy".

School Carnival

Tonight the kids and I went to the school carnival with Grandma Cathy. The kids have been so excited to go, counting down for a few weeks. Jarek was almost not going to be able to go due to his Chicken Pox, I'm so glad he didn't miss out.

Everyone was excited for the cotton candy, they loved it.

These are a few pictures of Jada as we were waiting in line to ride the horses.

She makes the cutest faces

She was so excited for her turn to ride the horses as we got closer, that she would start to cry when someone got on before her. I thought she might be kind of apprehensive about getting on one of these big creatures, but she was so excited.

Here they are saddling up.

Jada is looking nervous, but I think she just wanted her own horse.

Here they are riding around the field.

We stopped to watch the dunk tank on the way out.
Thanks for coming with us Mom!

Chicken Pox

So Jarek woke up today, coming into our room saying that he had bumps all over his chest. I shot out of bed and looked and sure enough, there were bumps all over. I called the school to see if there had been any cases of Chicken Pox, to which they said they hadn't heard of any. I was skeptical that these were Chicken Pox, because he had been vaccinated. He wasn't acting sick or anything, but he did say they itched a little. I gave him some Benedryl and called my mom to ask what Chicken Pox looked like. He had them on his chest, back, face, neck, all over in his hair, legs, and a few on his arms. She said they were just raised little areas that looked fluid filled, that are on the hot parts of you body. Yep, that's what it seemed like to me, so I made an appointment.

This is him before I told him we were calling for an appointment. This is him after telling him we were going in to see the doctor. He got all pasty white, and really sick looking. I asked him what was wrong, and he asked if he was going to have to have surgery for the Chicken Pox. It was so sad, but cute at the same time. The last time he went to the doctor he told Jarek he would have to have surgery to take his tonsils and adnoids out, which he is stressing about. Now he's made the connection between doctors and surgery.

We went to see the doctor who was amazed at the amount of bumps since he'd been vaccinated. He said it's very rare to get them at all after having the vaccine, but extremely rare to get them that bad. He said if he hadn't gotten vaccinated he would have been really sick. The doctor said he wasn't contagious since he'd been vaccinated so he could go to school if he wanted to. It was a relief to hear that since the School Carnival is today and Jarek had been dissapointed earlier when I said he would probably not be able to go. He also said not to tell anyone at school that Jarek had them, since they wouldn't believe that they weren't contagious, so I'm not going to say anything. He stayed home today, just since they are so noticable, but we will be going to the Carnival. I'm just so thankful that he isn't sick or even itchy anymore.

Update 10/11/08: I've heard from several people that there are quite a few cases of Chicken Pox now in Jarek's grade. I feel horrible, apparently it was more contagious than first thought. I don't know if it was passed on from someone that wasn't vaccinted or what. I'm just glad neither Beau nor Jada got it.

Big Girl Bed

Jada got her big girl bed today. She seems very excited! It was so cute, she would pretend that she was asleep...
getting in and out of her bed all by herself...

Beau even wanted to get in on the fun...This was her alseep on her first night, in her big girl bed, complete with her little babies that she must have before going to bed.

Patriotic Day

Today Beau's class wore red white and blue in rememberance of those lost on September 11, 2001. They picture is of all the neighborhood kids in Beau's class that ride the bus together. Everyone but the boy on the scooter is in Beau's class. There is such a big group! Our neighbor took this picture. They are all raising their hands because she asked them to raise their hand if they were in Mrs. Cullimore's class. So cute!

Doo, Doo, Doo, Lookin' out my Front Door

This is the new view looking south from our front door.

I am not happy.

I got an email from my SIL Jane and it cracked me UP! I seriously had tears running down my face as I read it. I must share my distaste of the "monument" a little too much :) I share her email with you now:

We drove past the sleeping presidents of Rushmore on our way home from Pho Hoa a Vietnamese restaurant in West Valley...interesting cuisine, yes, oh yes, interesting). It so inspired me that I thought you an ode, and it goes a little something like this... (right hand on your heart please).

An Ode to Jamie's Joy
by Jane

While on a stretch of freeway road
traveling home to my abode
a shining mountain I behold.
A monument to men of old.

Their faces gleaming in the light
shining brightly in the night.
What could ruin this lovely sight?
A rollercoaster's cheap delight.

Then I recall your lone front door
from whence you'll see forever more
haunting faces that are stored
in your mind, one, two, three, four.

They'll be there when you wake at dawn.
They'll watch you when you mow the lawn.
And even though you want them gone,
they won't flinch, not e'en to yawn.

Yes they're posed in awkward places,
no need to travel to see their faces.
No, they can not run the bases,
or help your kids tie up their laces.

But, a contest they could win at staring.
Thieves run from their constant glaring.
Your ice-cream they will not be sharing.
Plaid and pink they won't be wearing.

All's not lost, to you they gave
their lives, the cost, beyond the grave.
Hope in your heart, the paths you'll pave
are marked for George, Tom, Ted & Abe.

Love,
Jane

Thanks Jane, it made my day, and now I'll grin every time I walk out my front door.

Midnight Sun: Edwards Version of Twilight

OH-MY-GOODNESS! So the next book may not happen at all.. but Stephanie Meyer has posted a partial draft here. I can't believe someone would do that to her! I'm glad that I can start reading it now, but I do hope she goes back to it eventually. Just wanted to let everyone know where you can read it. Enjoy!

Before the blood...

Today, before Beau's soccer game, they had their soccer pictures taken. I shot a group shot while they were all lined up, it was way cute that Beau got to hold the ball.

Near the end of the game, I saw Beau coming off the field toward me... they weren't calling for subs, and I noticed that he was trying not to cry. I told the guy that we needed to sub out, and by the time Beau got to me, blood was streaming out of both nostrils. I didn't have a diaperbag or anything with me, but some nice lady came up with a pack of tissues. The guy who was helping sub kids in came right over and took over. I was pretty clueless, I was just trying to have him bend over so he didn't get any on his shirt (they had turned their shirts inside out for the game since they were the home team, so his shirt was white), I know.. I shouldn't have been worried about the shirt. I wasn't too worried about the bloody nose, I figured they usually stop fairly quick. I did started worrying when the guy couldn't get it to stop bleeding, and he kept saying how bad it was and that it was one of the worst bloody noses he'd ever seen (probably not the best thing to be saying at the time, for Beau's sake, but I'm glad he was there to help). At one point he even thought he might have broken his nose, but that he would be howling in pain. He was just sitting there not saying anything, so I guess it's not broken. USEFUL FACT #1: The guy said he used to be a wrestler, and would get bloody noses all the time. They always used to stick a rolled up piece of tissue up the inside of the upper lip and it would always stop instantly! He was sure this would not fail, but it did. He kept bleeding for quite some time, then it finally stopped. He was such a trooper the entire time, never did start crying. We got some babywipes and got all the blood cleaned up while he laid down. After we got it completly stopped, all he said was.. "Did I kick the ball more times than Jarek?", I guess he's more of a competitor than a wuss :) He said he got hit with a ball in the face, ye-ouch! To look at him, you wouldn't even know it happened, no puffiness or bruising or anything, so far.

I didn't get any pictures, I had blood all over my hands during, and of course, there were more important things to worry about. I should have taken one after, of just his shirt.. because he did end up getting quite a bit on it. I called my mom to ask how to get the blood out, and she came right over with some (USEFUL FACT #2) hydrogen peroxide and it took it all out! Amazing, right before our eyes. I'm sure I should have known that, but I didn't.

Like the guy kept saying, "you're a tough kid" Beau!

Ahhh.. Saturday mornings

This morning when I woke up and walked down the hall, this is what I found.

It was a Kodak moment for me because I used to do this same thing when I was little. I'd lay down in the warm light that came in through our basement window. I thought it was so cute when I saw Beau doing the same thing in our kitchen. Then Jada came in and joined in the fun.

Tagged by Michelle...

8 things I am passionate about
1. my family
2. digital scrapbooking
3. friends
4. books
5. photos
6. blogging (preserving memories)
7. "thinking" about getting in shape ;)
8. being frugal

8 books I have read & enjoyed...
1. - 7. Harry Potter series. I have finally read them! I am so glad I finally did.
8. Twilight.. finishing Breaking Dawn, and I like it so far. Starting The Host next.

8 words / phrases I say often
1. Loves!
2. Goodnight honey(during the day)/Bye honey.. seems like all I get to say to Joe these days
3. Boys!
4. Mocha, get down!
5. Pretty Jada
6. We need to... (what I really mean is.. "honey, can you..?"
7. I'll start tomorrow
8. I'm just going to check my email

8 Things I Want To Do Before I Die
1. Ensure my children are happy
2. Get in shape
3. Travel
4. Be debt free
5. Be as great of a grandma as my mom is to my kids
6. Further my education
7. Be "prepared"
8. ???

8 Things I Learned This Past Year
1. Friends are important
2. Little girls are very different from boys temperamentally
3. Reading is fun
4. Kids grow up way too fast
5. The little stresses don't matter very much
6. You have to take care of your lawn if you want it look nice :)
7. ???
8. ???

8 places I want to see
1. Italy
2. Scotland
3. Ireland
4. Hawaii
5. Australia
6. Caribbean
7. Scovil Bakery in Nauvoo (I'm a decendent of Lucius Scovil)
8. Church historical sites

8 things I miss
1. Good Saturday morning cartoons
2. Virginia
3. Teak (my dog when I was a little girl)
4. Sleeping in
5. 2am Taco Bell/Subway runs with friends
6. Me and Joe time
7. My first car
8. My kids being sweet little newborn babies

8 things I currently want/need
1. Sod
2. More hours in a day
3. For Joe to have some days off
4. A housekeeper
5. A good job from home
6. A strong/healthy body
7. Relaxing days
8. An ottoman for my basement :)

8 People I Want To Tag
I don't think 8 people even read my blog.. so anyone reading is tagged :)