The All Star

When I picked Jane up from our nursery at church her nursery leader reported "Jane is such a joy here in nursery. She's always happy, loves it when we sing, and even helps clean up the toys"


Because of her great success, Jane is now accepting applications and will be giving lessons to other kids about how they too can be an All Star in nursery.

Weight Journal: How to lose 4 pounds in a week

I've been trying to lose these last 15 stubborn pounds. OK maybe there not that stubborn but lately I've lacked the consistency to do it. Not this week though! Here's my daily log of how I did it.

Friday: Weigh in at Weight Watchers and recommit myself to stay within my points all week

Saturday:
*Have a really busy day at work and not have time to eat lunch until 4 pm.
*Did not finish my kids untouched Mac&Cheese. For me that is quite the accomplishment

Sunday:
*Only have 2 small (but oh so yummy) chocolate chip cookies of Mary's and feel good I restrained!

Monday:
*Around lunch time start feeling something strange happening in my mouth and by mid afternoon the whole inside of my mouth is covered with cankers. Wonder if I ate something poisonous?
*By dinner time mouth really hurts.
* Home teacher brings by the yummiest treats ever. I try to bite into one but it felt like daggers in mouth so treat goes untouched.

Tuesday:
*Have dream that bigger insects are eating smaller insects.
*Wake up to a severe stomach ache
*Lay awake continuing to wonder how I got poisoned.
*Proceed with the day only able to hold down a bottle of 7 up and a ginger cookie graciously given to me by a co-worker.
*Come home early sick and when the chills and shakes take over realize I have the flu.

Wednesday:
*No more fever but still a little nauseous.
*My appetite is nowhere to be found.
*Eat very little.

Thursday:
*Wake up feeling great but realize I have a dentist appointment to get 3 cavities filled.
*Eat a quick breakfast and rush to my appointment.
*Dentist (as always) has difficult time getting me numb so gives me extra Novocaine which causes me to be numb until dinnertime.
*Attempt to swallow water around 2 pm out of severe thirst but lips unable to protrude and all the water ends up on my shirt.
*Make dinner but teeth feel funny so only eat a little bread and some soup.
*Attend Thurs meeting instead of Friday because I have a party scheduled for Friday.
*Weigh in with a 4 pound loss!

So although I've had a no good very bad horrible week I'll choose a glass half full approach and celebrate some poundage gone!

Unwinding

When Emily returns home from a long day at preschool she does the exact same thing. First she takes off her shoes and socks and dumps them in the kitchen, tracks down her nigh nigh, plops down less than a foot away from the TV and watches Curious George and then The Brady Bunch. Once the The Brady Bunch is over she quietly turns the TV off and is ready for whatever the night holds. I guess four year old girls need a little cave man time too.

Golden Locks

Jane experienced her first hair cut. No I did not take her to the hairdresser nor did I do it myself. Yup you guessed it Emily took it upon herself to cut Jane's hair.
It was a calm Friday evening. Bart was finishing up his work and I was starting dinner. Emily and Jane were in the other room playing. Emily came in and asked me where her scissors were. I responded with I didn't know where she'd put them. Emily then asked if she could use the big scissors which I said No you'll have to find your own. The next thing I know Emily comes into the kitchen with a wad of hair saying Jane just cut her hair. My first thought upon seeing the hair was what doll did Emily take the scissors too (I'm still getting used to how blond Jane's hair is). Then my thought processing caught up and I realized what Emily had done. I restrained from yelling or spanking Emily and went to assess the damage. Jane had my big scissors in her hands and I noticed some long locks from each side were the victims. I was so mad. First because of Jane's beautiful hair being cut off and second for Emily framing Jane who has no idea how to use scissors. I struggled coming up with a punishment so I took the hair and scissors and left the room. I finally came back and told Emily her scissors, which she dearly loves to cut and create with, will be taken away until after the holidays and if she ever cuts Jane's hair again I will take her precious nigh nigh and cut it up as well. I think the last consequence will actually keep her from doing it again because Emily burst into tears with the thought of me cutting up her blanket. Hopefully for both of our sakes I never have to do that.

Obedience

As we were talking about what time to do Family Home Evening Emily announced that she was in charge of the lesson. Since I'm always happy to have someone else take on that responsibility I gave her the reins. She ran from the table saying I've got to go get ready. I saw glimpses of her moving some of her doll items into the living room and a few minutes later she said I'm ready. After the prayer and song Emily proceeded with the lesson. First she used a blanket and a pillow and made a bed for her doll. She tucked her doll in and asked "What is my doll doing?" Bart answered sleeping. Emily said NOOO. I said she's taking a nap. Emily said NOOO. After a few more answers like these Emily said "My doll is obeying the rules. When her mom says to go to bed she runs to her room and goes straight to bed". Emily then pulls out her new doll stroller and moves the doll to the stroller and says "When her mom says we are going for a walk my doll goes straight to the stroller because she is obeying the rules." Emily continued with the lesson talking in 4 year old circles about her doll always obeying the rules. She then read a book to us and started in on a second one with another one on deck when Bart had to say "Thank you Emily that was a wonderful lesson but it's starting to get dark and I still have to mow the lawn." She then said but wait daddy I need to finish and said "in the name of Jesus Christ amen"

Many years

Here is the first of many years of childhood labor!

I can't wait!!!!

Labor Day 2010

Location: Dark Valley Cabin "Boulder Mountain"
Participates: Brooke & Tyler Family, Sarah & LaRon Family, Bart & Collette Family, Raquel & Joe Family, Dick and Becky (we missed you Ally and Matt, maybe next year?)
Consensus: Fun times
Key Events:

Fishing at Miller and Cook Lake. Emily was only interested in playing on the logs and throwing rocks into the lake until cousin Bentley caught the first fish. After then Emily was "all hands on board" trying to catch her own. She and Bart were the last men standing while every one else headed back to the cabin. I think they'd still be there if that fish didn't snap off the hook and take it with him. Emily's still coming to terms with not catching that fish and is determined that next year she needs her very own pink (preferably Beauty and the Beast) fishing pole and she is going to be the first one to catch a fish. Jane just wanted take her shoes off and play in the dirt.



Dedicating a memorial granite bench for my Uncle Mark who unexpectedly passed away last Christmas. Dark Valley was my Uncle Mark's favorite place and he spent a great deal of time keeping the cabin in good condition. My Aunt Charlotte chose the place for the bench saying it was where he would often bring a chair out and sit looking at the Valley. My dad's extended family and friends came up on Sunday and we all shared a yummy dinner in honor of the event.
Bart getting stung not once but twice by Bees. Emily also got stung. I'm guessing Emily and Bart have the same blood type. One that Boulder Mountain Bees must like.

Playing the Newlywed or "not so" newlywed game
Winners= Bart & Collette (cheers) I knew we'd win! After the game Bart burned the evidence so in his own words "to prevent it from going on Collette's blog" My parents were hilarious playing this game. When asked the question what was the first meal your spouse made for you my dad answered "dinner". My mom's answered "still waiting for that to happen" I liked hearing all the answers to "what is the most admirable quality in your spouse" It's not often I hear what qualities my other family members admire in their spouses. I thought it was great that my dad admires that my mom is smart.



Watching the grand kids, Bart and Joe play "A minute to win it."


Jane keeping the whole cabin awake one night screaming for a reason none of us could figure out. You gotta love close quarters. The only thing that finally settled her down was to sit on the balcony and look at the stars, which by the way were absolutely amazing. I think I've lived in a city too long, I'd forgotten how magnificent stars can be.


Waking up way to early each morning to the grandson's starting a fire, turning on a Jeff Foxworthy or Bull riders movie and then laughing hysterically with Grandpa Dick. I now know why Sarah and LaRon opted to bring their own tent and assemble it 100 feet away from the cabin. "They claim it was the only flat spot".

Bart taking the girls on 4 wheeler and Terex rides. The best was when we saw him pull away on the Terex with Jane on his lap seat belt on and Emily and Bentley bouncing around on the back seat!