Summer Fun

I decided to take the boys to Arnold for a long vacation (alone, yes I am crazy). I was lucky that my Dad came up with us Wednesday and left this afternoon (Saturday) - he claims he had a good time, not too sure. The boys have been ON FIRE. No fun for anyone. Today we decided to go to Big Trees State Park - we are so lucky that it's a mile up the road. It is a beautiful place. We got there just before 10am and found out that their little camp starts at 10am - perfect! (and the boys were excited for it). Todays theme was noses - we learned all about animals noses... did you know that bears can smell up to 3 miles away!!?? Here the boys are listening to Ranger Theresa tell them all about noses.

After they went on a tour inside the visitors museum and got to see all the animals whose noses they talked about (stuffed not alive) they got to do a craft and make their own noses. Grant is showing his off - so cute!

This is the Pioneer Cabin Tree - this tunnel was carved out in the 1880s (pretty impressive right?) Cars used to drive through it. I learned on our hike that because of the huge cut, this tree can no longer support the growth on top, which you can see lying on the ground when you walk through the tunnel. The opening also has reduced the ability of this tree to resist fire. On branch bearing green foliage tells us that this tree is barely managing to survive. All in all, we're a little sad that they carved this tunnel - but the tree is so huge it is impressive.

The boys are actually getting along (this happens about 2% of the time so it's pretty easy to document). They love climbing through every hollow tree and up every single rock.

This was such a cool bench! It reclined so you could look up and try to spot the top of the trees (you couldn't see it). It was a lot of fun.

July 16 - 19, Brooks and I were lucky to get to go to Cabo San Lucas for the Bowen wedding (without the boys). Boy was it hot, and I mean REALLY REALLY HOT. Gina looked beautiful and the wedding was so special happening on the beach and the bride and groom riding away on horseback, we were so glad we could be there to share their special day with them.

Mason lost his 3rd tooth - and so cute it's one of his front teeth. It had been loose for a LONG LONG time - it was hanging lower than his other front tooth, we were VERY glad when it came out (ok, so I was glad). I told him he needed to work on it to get it out. We were in our room and Mason comes in and triumphantly states "My work is done here!" and holds up his tooth. It was too funny. Where do they get those sayings?

I don't think we're allowed back at Max's

It's been awhile since I've "blogged" - really need to get back on it! Since Brooks is out of town, I like to give myself a break and go out to eat. We are a fan of Max's because they have a great kids menu and it's only $3! Can't beat that. Dinner was going pretty well. They were sitting calmly (and our food was taking FOREVER to show up) and then dinner comes.

Mason had Mac and Cheese - which sometimes he likes and other times he doesn't -a little frustrating to say the least. He did like theirs and was eating it along with the salad he had ordered. Grant ordered a hot dog (usually Mason's choice) but Ok, as long as he eats it. He starts to claim that he can't eat it because he has two teeth that hurt (but not too much that he couldn't eat the fries or have the lemonade). I told him I'd cut his hotdog up for him - which I did. I think he managed down a couple of bites and then tells me he's going to throw up. I ask him is he sure - really? He claims yes. Of course we are in the BACK dining room, FAR FAR away from the bathroom. I grab him by the hand and we are nearly running down the aisle (yes people were staring) we get almost to the bathroom, and he throws up right outside the bathrooms, I get him into the bathroom and he throws up on the floor and some poor young girls feet (she was wearing flip flops), I get him into a stall and he throws up some more. I am helping the poor girl by giving her wet paper towels and leaving Grant to his own devices. She was very nice about it (probably about 12 years old). He finishes throwing up, we wipe him up, I tell the lady out front what has happened so someone can clean it up.

Here is where things really started getting interesting... You'd think a kid throws up in your restaurant, we need to get them out ASAP - not the case. I had to wait FOREVER for the check. Grant is throwing a fit that I won't let him have the scoop of ice cream (did he forget that he just threw up?????) Oh my goodness, the whole thing was seriously pushing me over the edge. We finally got the ice cream to go (they can hopefully have it tomorrow) and we literally RAN out of there.

Of course, now Grant is fine. I think he maybe swallowed too much pool water this afternoon and that with the food and 2 glasses of lemonade were too much for his stomach to handle.

It's ONLY the 2nd day of summer vacation - I already need a vacation from my vacation!

Mystery of the missing credit card...

This morning I opened my wallet to use my credit card and to my horror found it missing. I don't know about you, but I get that queasy oh no feeling in my stomach - where could I have left it?? was it stolen?? oh no, I will have to redo all the bills that are attached to my card - argh!!!

I kept my cool, used my debit card and went home. I thought about all the places I went - Target, Lucky, Boswells (party store), called them all - no Visa card. I thought about the last time I used it and remembered that I took it out of my wallet to order pizza to be delivered (Mason wanted that for his Birthday dinner) on Thursday. I never used the card on Friday, which means it HAD to be in the house. Looking high and low - could not find it. I even went through the trash, which is absolutely disgusting, but shows my desperation.

I asked the boys during all my searching, but they didn't have any idea. Then I got REALLY smart. I told them that I would buy a toy for whomever found my credit card. This definitely got them interested. They wanted to see what it looked like (thankfully I could show them Brooks'). We have a Southwest Visa, so there is a big airplane on the card - this the boys can recognize. All of a sudden Grant says "I think I know where it is". I run after him to see where he is heading and low and behold! It is right where it should be..... stuck between the refrigerator and the wall. Grant put it there and apologized for doing so saying he would not do it again.

SO.... does he get the toy for finding me the card? or does he get in trouble for hiding it in the first place? I'm going with..... he gets the toy. I am glad he came clean - life would be a LOT worse if he never showed it to me at all. I have learned a valuable lesson - ALWAYS put the card back - NEVER leave it out!!!

As usual, if it's not one thing, it's another. Never a dull moment around here.

The Dragon Karate Brothers

The video really speaks for itself - just a snapshot of what my day is like - the two of them are non-stop motion, but it is SOOO much nicer when they actually get along :)

Pay it Forward

This is how it works... The first three people to leave a comment on this post will receive a gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. BUT, in order for you to receive your gift, you have to post this on your blog first. (Which means that sometime during this year, you'll send a gift to three people as well!)Get it? So, the first three people to comment will be the lucky ones! Good luck!
A big Thank You to Tammy Jones for starting this! What a wonderful idea!!

Let's talk teeth...

First of all - to keep everyone up to speed - Mason lost his 2nd tooth Friday the 13th (yes, it was over a week ago). He seems to always lose them when we are NOT at home. This makes things a little tricky for me. This last time I almost lost it!! I put it in a zip lock baggy (the tooth is TINY) - but it was recoved in the nick of time.

Second (and most importantly) I have had some concerns about how thouroughly my children brush their teeth. I have found a solution. There is a product out there called Agent Cool Blue (it is by Listerine). How it works is you swish it around in your mouth (it premeasures itself which is fantastic) and spit it out, all your teeth are now a bluish color (they call it a Pre-Brush tinting rinse). Now, you get to brush your teeth, but have to brush all the blue off! I know they are brushing longer and better. I always have to "smell my breath" when they are done (their breath, not mine). The first day I brought this home (I purchased it at Target) I think they each brushed their teeth 4 times. The only downside is that it is kind of pricey (over $5 for the bottle and regular kids mouthwash is about $2) and they use a lot of it. Hopefully this will create good habits! Oh, btw, my kids don't like really "minty" type flavors - they think they are spicy (yeah, I know "spicy" - huh?) so we get the Bubble Blast - they think it is fantastic!!!

Friday the Thirteenth - good things do happen

Sometimes good things do happen on Friday the Thirteenth - we were thrilled that Mason got his cast off! I don't know how I expected, but I didn't think our wonderful doctor was going to bust out with a saw!!! Mason (who isn't scared of ANYTHING) was a little concerned. At one point he jumped. It didn't help that we had Grant with us - who found the buttons on the back of the chair and at one point during the sawing process the chair started moving upwards (scared the you know what out of Mason and the doctor). I'm telling you - never a dull moment!!!


The stinky dirty cast - it reeked!!! And no, we did NOT bring it home with us.

Update on the broken arm

This picture was taken after the whole process was done - look at that smile! He was so proud of himself. He found it very interesting how the cast got really warm while they were putting it on (the chemical reaction in the fiberglass while it is hardening). The whole thing never phased him at all!

The doctor didn't give us many cast color options. She started with: hot pink, purple, red (which I think has a possibility of being a little pink) and then blue. Thankfully Mason was very happy with blue.

Check him out - he has one arm behind his head - totally relaxing and a huge smile on his face the whole time.

We get the cast off this Friday (it will have been 3 weeks). I think he's happy about it. He hasn't complained much about the itch - more about the smell (YUCK). I am looking forward to him thoroughly washing his hand though. It is DIRTY, seriously dirty.

I have to say though, it was really funny how at first he was very excited to tell everyone how he broke his arm, but then he got really irritated with people asking him, and didn't understand why everyone wanted to know. That was a little hard to explain, but told them they cared about him and wanted to know how he got hurt.

I'll let you know how the removal goes - do they use a saw?

Our first (but I'm sure not last) broken bone

Wow, this year is sure starting off with a bang. I should first start this blog by saying that the boys have always been early birds, but now they are really taking it a step too far.  I decided to take the boys to Arnold (along with my Dad as a reinforcement) for the 3 day weekend. I really don't know WHY I thought this would be a good idea.  The first morning they woke up at 5:45 AM - crack of dawn, still pitch black outside.  That night I explained that they got up too early, and they are not allowed to come out of their bedroom until they see day light (except to go to the bathroom). Well, I was awoken at 6:30 to them screaming and jumping on their beds.  They weren't sure why I was mad - they didn't leave their room....... I think we had one or two nice quite moments while we were there. I managed to take a picture (don't they look so nice an innocent? sitting nicely next to each other?) That was the ONLY time they weren't wrestling or screaming their heads off. I was SOOOO glad to get them home!

Today, while I was at my acupunture appointment (helps with the arthritis), my Mom and Dad were so nice to take Mason to the park.  Grandpa was helping Mason on the monkey bars by lifting him up to them. This was fine, but Mason insisted on doing it all by himself.  He jumped for the 2nd bar (might have been successful if he had just aimed for the one closest to him) and missed. Grandpa said it was a pretty nasty fall.  Mason didn't cry, but was really complaining that his arm hurt. Omi and Grandpa new it was bad when they took him to the Yogurt Shack, but it hurt too much to eat any :(  Daddy came home a little early from work and we took Mason to the doctor.

They took X-Rays - which Mason thought was really neat, especially since they don't need to use a flash :)

The X-rays found a fracture so they had to put his arm in a splint. Once the swelling goes away (48 to 72 hours) they will then put the cast on.  In fact, while the splint is on the doctor doesn't want Mason to go to school (are you *%@&#** kidding me?) in case he should fall on it and make the break worse.

He is proud of his splint and sling, just trying to keep him from bouncing off the walls... he has SOOO much energy.

Having dinner with Mommy and Daddy after and getting an ice cream cone always helps!  I am just keeping my fingers crossed that we have no further injury to the arm until the cast gets put on and that when the cast gets put on, it does NOT become an instant weapon. Watch out Grant! I am also hoping I keep my sanity while having Mason home all week (not to mention we have another 3 day weekend).  SO glad it's not summer - I don't know how I would keep him out of the pool!! Until next time...

Artic Swim

Okay - it's in the 40s outside - which to me is freezing. Grant is insisting that he wants to go swimming. I have told him over and over that it is winter time and it's too cold to swim.  Of course, he refuses to listen and we have this argument a couple of times a week.  Shockingly we had the argument about half an hour ago. He got pissed off and stormed into his room - I stupidly thought this was the end of the argument.  While in the kitchen the alarm chimed signaling that a door to the outside was opened (thank you very much Bay Alarm). I go back to my bedroom and the door is open. I look outside and there is Grant.  He has his swim trunks in one hand and has managed to turn on the jacuzzi.  Thankfully we have a cover and he hadn't managed to get that off yet (thank goodness Mason wasn't around, he would have had it off in less than a minute).  

He was so pissed when I brought him inside. I am thinking I should just let him go "swimming". The jacuzzi temp is 50 degrees right now and the wind chill factor outside is insane.  If it wasn't for the fact that he'd get pneumonia I would let him get in and be miserable, it would serve him right :)

Last night he called me Mean Mommy - guess I'm just living up to his expectations.

I really hope there is an end in sight...

Ok - I am about to lose it with Grant's crying, rude attitude and talking back.  It is as bad as it's ever been. We don't know what to do about it anymore.  On the flip side, thankfully Mason is doing really well - but LOVES to antagonize Grant. Let me tell you - that is not helping the Grant situation.  I think what Grant really needs is a daily nap. So sad that doesn't happen any more.  For Grant, nothing in life is fair.  I guess, for him, that legitimizes constant crying and fit throwing.

All I have to say, whoever said terrible twos - hadn't hit 4 years yet. 2 was a piece of cake!

When will the crying stop???

Okay, Grant was 4 years old in October..... shouldn't he be over the whole crying thing? It is really unbelievable how often that child cries! 

As parents, we like to think of Olympic sports our children could possibly compete in, we are saddened that crying is NOT an Olympic sport. Grant could win in all the categories:

1) Tear production (serious alligator tears he produces) 

2) Cry stamina (he can go on FOREVER - in fact sometimes it goes on for so long he really does forget why he started out crying in the first place) 

3) Cry volume  (that one speaks for itself) and last but not least 

4) Mucus production - there is WAY too much snot in my life.

If you were to ask Grant how is day was, I am sure that he would tell you that his parents (especially his mother) are mean and unfair.  His life is totally miserable and no one is nice to him.

To that I say, cry me a river, but then I remember that he already did!!!!

2009 - Wonder what this year has in store for us...

We are sad to see the holidays and family vacation time go, but glad to start up a routine again. Grant will be starting a new school this year (which we are all excited about for different reasons). Grant is so excited that there are goats, we are thrilled that it is MUCH closer to home!  Mason is very concerned that Grant gets alone time with Mommy while he is in school (they are now on opposite schedules). He has given Mommy a list of rules to follow while he is at school. They are as follows:

1. Grant is not allowed to have any treats

2. Grant is not allowed to watch any cool shows

3. Grant is not allowed to do anything that is really fun

4. Grant is not allowed to play with any cool toys

Seriously? I really wonder how Mason's mind works. 

We had a fantastic Holiday Vacation - spending a week in snow filled Arnold. The boys LOVE sledding. Thank goodness they wear their helmets without putting up a fight. Grant has NO fear whatsoever. He was going down the sled run with jumps with the 11 to 14 year olds. He really is unbelievable.  Mason caught too much air on a jump and got the wind knocked out of him, he was convinced that he broke his back! Too funny. The good news is after the back breaking scare Mason was very cautious (which is unlike him).

We had so much fun, the boys with some help even built an igloo on the front deck! So, so far 2009 has been very entertaining. Stay tuned....