Push it, Push it, to the Limit, Limit

Last Saturday was our day at Lagoon with Xtreme Clogging. It was "Nationals." Sounds pretty official, doesn't it? It was pretty fun. Once again, Jer and Josh were at the other end of the valley at a soccer game. So, Cari came with us to Lagoon (thanks, again!). The girls loved having her with us!

We were supposed to have Emma backstage at 1:30, so we tried to get to Lagoon early to play a little first. It was so crowded! And, so different. I haven't been to Lagoon in a few years. I'd have to say, it was a nice change. I've never really gotten too excited about taking the kids there because it always seemed to scuzzy. But, it was definitely cleaner and has had a little upgrading done.

Emma was hot and cranky. She's such a mini Lynsee. She was hungry and had a headache. We tried to get her to eat before her performance, but she didn't even want nachos and an Icee. Frustrating. Then, her little class got on stage for their first performance and the music was skipping. They were up on stage four different times before the music worked. That was like the icing on the cake for her. As if she wasn't ornery enough. . . now they were making them go on and off stage. While the girls were waiting "back stage" (under the tent), they found an earth worm - that put Emma in a good mood. She's so weird! She seriously forgot about all her worries and turned all her attention to the worm.

Waiting in line for the Sky Ride (Cari refused this one.. she says it pushes her anxiety to the limit, limit. And she wasn't in it to win it).

This is Emma on the train. After all was finished with dancing, all she cared about was sitting. Her feet were killing her but she wasn't quite ready to leave the park.

Erin absolutely loved it all! She lucked out and had a riding buddy pretty much the whole day. She played with Ella and Sam for a while and then later, Cari took her on all the rides. And, she always loves watching all the cloggers.

Look behind Cari and Erin - you can see April... smiling. Don't tell that I posted a picture of her without permission. I couldn't resist.

Cari and her GIANT JUG. (guys like big jugs - or so I hear)

Good job, Emm! (I had to post this picture of her - she looks so pretty!)

my tv is dead

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about me being "party mom." I started to really think about that concept. Am I really too easy on my kids? I realized there are a lot of things in life that my kids get for "free." I don't ask a lot of them. I don't have a set homework hour. I don't make them do Saturday's cleaning most weeks because we are too busy with soccer and dance. I don't make them go to bed until 9 on school nights. The more I analyzed, the more I started to really feel like my kids are spoiled rotten. So, I talked to Jer and we had a little family meeting. We decided to enforce the "chore chart" and until they make helping out around the house a habit, they will lose the t.v.'s they've had in their bedrooms since birth. I know - we're terrible. My pediatrician actually suggested that we put a t.v. in Josh's room when he was a baby to help him fall asleep. She said the "background noise" is soothing. Here we are, ten years and three kids later trying to brake the habit. Thank you, Dr. Anonymous.

Several times Jer has brought the subject to my attention. His concern being the cost for Direct TV in 4 rooms, safety (given that the t.v.'s were on their dressers), and the fact that they stay up watching the Disney Channel till way too late. I admit - I wasn't sure I wanted to fight that fight. I was sure all three of them would end up in our bed or that they would make 30 visits to our room each night.


Needless to say, we did it. We took the t.v.'s out of their bedrooms. No more Direct TV, no more dvd players, no more game cube... just lights out. And guess what! They lived! They survived! And so did I! It has been hilarious! They go to bed at 9 and they are asleep by 9:15. They are happy in the morning when it's time to get up (mostly). They didn't come in my room a million times every night. In fact, there wasn't really even an adjustment period. It's been about three weeks and we are still doing great. Not even a temptation. They don't even ask.


Here's the best part of the story. I was going through all of Emma's school work and came across this little ditty:

Every Monday morning at school, Emma does a Weekend News paper. They draw a picture of something they did over the weekend and then write a short story about it. This was her Weekend News. I love it! I laughed so hard!


"Party Mom" still exists, but t.v. watching in the bedrooms doesn't. I'm such a loser. I don't even think I want to read your comments. I already feel ashamed just posting this. It was therapeutic. I will learn from my mistakes. Maybe.

beyond busy

So if last weekends post wore you out, beware this weekend was no less busy. But, we are so not complaining! We are loving soccer and clogging and lawn mowing and movie going and doughnut eating and Mother's Day spoiling...

We started early this time - Thursday was the beginning of our weekend. We had a babysitter over and Jer and I went to the early showing of Star Trek. Two things: 1. I love serving in the YW in our ward - it provides amazing babysitters. 2. Not being a "trekkie," I loved the movie. I am a movie lover. Even if it's a movie that I haven't been dying to see, I figure it is a date and a bucket of popcorn. However, Star Trek was one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. I won't spoil it for all of you that haven't seen it yet - all three of you. Jer was ready to pay to see it again right then (but instead made the mistake of seeing Wolverine). He is a "trekkie" and loved it even thought the Enterprise was "shiny." Lol! (That was for you, Mom)

Friday was fun because Jer took the day off work. We "bummed" all day with Erin. We have to tell her we are "bummin" 'cause if we tell her we are running errands, she thinks we are running Erins. So confusing for a four year old. Our day actually went longer than intended and we didn't get home until the two older kids had walked home to no parents and a locked door. When we found them, they were at Grandma B's house. I had assumed that is where they would go so it didn't take long to find them, but they were a little disappointed when I wanted them to come home after such a long walk to get there.

We spent our evening at Joel and Jame's house for Cambree's birthday party. They had an enormous Jump House so the kids spent hours out in it (along with Paul and Joel). And, as usual, Emma begged to have a sleep over - she didn't win this time.

Saturday was crazy busy. The kids had a primary activity at the Ivie's farm. Josh was a little unsure about the whole idea, but when it was time to leave he had to introduce me to every animal. Emma was attached to a baby lamb, which was cute (and also very predictable). I knew it wouldn't be easy to get her out of there. She is a farm girl thru and thru.

Next was Soccer game #1. We played in Herriman against the Blue Knights. That was a fun game to watch (especially when Josh did some funky roll on the field to block the ball). We won that game and then immediately headed to Park City for the next game. We had just enough time to sit at a picnic table and eat our samwichs we had packed. Oh yah - and to stop at Beyond Glaze. This place deserves a blog post of it's own - look at the picture. Not only were they beautiful, they were delicioco! (I don't really speak spanish - I just watch Dora)

We played PC Extreme at the most beautiful field we have ever played on. The grass was green (and manicured like a golf course), the ground was flat, the sun was shining and the boys were pumped. It was a full sized field and the air was a little thin so we chuckled a little on the sidelines as the boys sucked air. The Extreme team was amazing and they scored some beautiful points on us, but USA dominated. They lost but only after Josh scored one amazing goal from 18 yards away. I'm so mad at myself for not getting a picture of him celebrating. There is nothing in this world that compares to his smile after scoring a goal. I love it! He runs to the middle of the field to celebrate with his team and it is "literally" the only time I see that smile on his face!!

(above) the goal

By the time we were ready to go home, it was 6:30p.m. and we were all tired and sunburned! We fed the kids and crashed early.

Sunday was great. I am one mom that loves Mother's Day. I have the best kids and a hubby that goes out of his way to make me happy from dawn until dusk. (He goes out of his way to make me happy 365 days a year, but only on Mother's Day do I get eggs Benedict in bed with homemade hollandaise sauce). The kids took all morning before church to make special "free hug" coupons for me. All day they pampered me. Later we went to see the grandma's and gave them Mother's Day kisses. It was fun to see all the cousins and do a little catching up.

Ma and Me on Mother's Day

Even though today was Monday and back to school, work and laundry, we did have clogging and soccer (which are both things we look forward to). It was Emma's last practice before Nationals at Lagoon. And, it was Josh's second to last game of the season. It kills me to not be there, but I do love watching Emma dance. Tonight was another win for Josh's soccer team. And- another adrenaline rush for Jer. He loves coaching Josh. I think he is going to go crazy when the games are over. He will probably make them practice 5x a week just so that he can get his fill.

We are looking forward to next weekend - it will be just as crazy as always. I will hafta take lotsa pictures at Lagoon and make Jer do the same at the soccer game.

Weekend in a nutshell...

We are fans of Diners, Drive-In's and Dives on the Food Network. If you have seen the episode when Guy is in Salt Lake City, you've seen the behind the scenes of Moochies. That is one place Guy went to that we had never been. So, Friday night we took the kids to try it out. Oh my yum! It was AMAZING! Jer had been there for lunch with work buddies, so he knew not to order a sandwhich for everyone - they are HUGE! Sharing is surely the key. They have the best philly cheese I have ever tasted! Erins meal (spaghetti w/ 1/2 a meatball) was only $2.99 and fed her all weekend. Emma is a fan of meatball sandwiches and has tried them at just about everywhere they have them. This one was out of this world. It was beyond messy. She's not exactly our "neatest" kid - put a meatball sandwich in front of her and she was practically bathing in it. Here's the info if you are interested in a quick and inexpensive night out - http://www.moochiesmeatballs.com/

After dinner, we started to Costco. Another weekend favorite. When we pulled up, Emma noticed that the Animal Adoption Fair was going on across the street. She had seen a commercial on t.v. and was ecstatic when she realized we were there. So we ventured over to a tent full of homeless barking dogs. And then into the building of shedding homeless cats. This is heaven to Emma. Josh was sneezing, eyes watering and ready to freak out within minutes. We couldn't get Emma out of there. She found kitties. Two were adopted and the last one was immediately her new attachment.

Saturday was an adventure. It was another one of those days when the boys went one way and the girls went the other. I had a youth service project at 8:30am. It was cancelled due to the weather. So, Jer and Josh were off to the Scout-0-Rama at the South Towne Expo Center. Josh got a kick out that. He got to test a seat belt.. and what it feels like to crash at 5mph. They ran into friends from the old ward, high school and even old buddies from Silver Moccasin.

Abby, MeShelle, Emma

While the boys were "Scouting," the girls went to the church for a couple of Emma's friends baptisms. MeShelle and Abby were both baptised. It was so fun for Emma and Erin to go and support them. I think Emma had fun being on the other side this time. Abby's mom suggested that at the end of the year, all the girls wear their white dresses to church. We'll have to coordinate that - there are so many in our ward. I love it. I think we have 13 baptisms this year. You can't ask for better kids for yours to grow up with.

At 2:00 we headed to Herriman for a soccer game. It started out ok as far as the weather. Thought we might get lucky - and then the big black clouds rolled in. The girls moved quickly from the back of the van to the heated sheltered inside of the van. The boys played hard regardless - and tied at 3.

These pictures make it look like it was blue sky's and all smiles. About 30 seconds after I took this, the black cloud moved over us and it was wet, cold, muddy and typical soccer weather.

Today was not any less busy. I woke up to the alarm and immediately noticed Jer was already up - or so I thought. He had actually been up all night with the flu and at one point fell asleep on the bathroom floor. Not good. Normally not a big deal to get the flu - sucks but it passes and you survive. But, given the pig flu epidemic, I was a little worried. I woke him up and got him back to bed. From there, I got the kiddoes movin' and we left Jer in bed and went to Brynlee's baby blessing. Yes, I actually got myself and three kids ready and out the door by 8:30 this morning. And that was bathing all of us because we were slackers and didn't do it last night.

So, Brynlee babe was blessed by her daddy and it was a rather entertaining meeting. While there were some very touching testimonies born, it was SO LOUD! I thought we lived in a young ward (I feel like the old lady in our ward). But, there were seriously so many kids. . . babies. We all went to Devin's parents for breakfast after. Fortunately, Devin's mom is a school lunch lady - for more than one reason. A. she makes great food (and everything is cut up in small pieces for small fingers) and B. she has some serious patience when it comes to having a house full of kids.

And, finally, tonight was Atley and Gauges birthday party with the family. I wasn't sure I was going to make it having a flu infected husband and a weekend of trying to keep my kids under my thumb. But, the girls and I made it there after all. Gauge was worth the drive - he is 2 and everything is a big deal to him. Okay - everything having to do with cars or trains... or opening presents. After a couple of hours, I decided to leave the girls there to come home with grandma and grandpa. I was partied out and they were just getting started.

So now it's after midnight and I am getting a start on the laundry so that everyone has something to wear tomorrow. If it would ever warm up a little, I wouldn't have to keep washing the couple of long pants that still fit the kids. I am refusing to buy more long pants when summer is right around the corner. So, even if it means teaching the kids how to do the zipper up with a hanger, I will not buy new long pants until they stop having growth spurts. . . or until it's fall - whichever one comes later than sooner. Until next time - tah tah for now.

britains got talent

Okay.. so not only did I make cookies today, but I finally got to see Susan Boyle sing. Love her. She gives me chills. But, I found another amazing performance from the same night. Take a look. You won't regret it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFukkkhhZ1o&feature=related

What's on your mind?

So, you know how on Facebook it says: "What's on your mind?" And then, it has a little box for you to type in whatever sweet nothings you want. I'm catching on quickly to those that update that box a dozen times a day. I'm not sure what they do.. do they sit at the computer all day? Or, do they just stop in and update every time they move from one event to the next? The whole concept is interesting. And, yes, can be rather entertaining. But, it can also be annoying. Anyway, for those that update numerous times a day, this post is for you. I never just have one thing on my mind, but I don't care to update my facebook every time I have a change in thought. Instead, I will post all that is on my mind.

Aimee Johnson has SUGAR COOKIES on her mind. I have had sugar cookies on my mind for quite some time. I always make them for Valentine's Day and this year the holiday came and went.. without sugar cookies. Then Easter came and I didn't make any for that holiday either. What is wrong with me? I'm craving them. But I don't want just any sugar cookie. I want a big thick homemade sugar cookie with more frosting than cookie. And yet, each day passes and I don't make any. Hmm.

Here's another something that has been on my mind: what kind of mother am I? Yesterday morning Jer was telling me that he almost thinks we might need another kid so that I will stop being "party mom." What? I am party mom? What does that mean? He says having Erin being four and the only child at home during the day... I have become party mom. I give her chocolate cake for breakfast, I let her drink coke from my cup and on a whim I go buy her a new bike 'cause she needed one. I'm really not seeing it. I think I'm a great mom. Is there something wrong with chocolate cake for breakfast if she has a big glass of milk with it? And I only let her drink from my cup when it's regular coke and not diet (the NutraSweet isn't good for kids).

Next topic: Depeche Mode. I am going to see them in August. Is there something wrong with me? I have seen them in concert at least 6 or 7 times.. even going to Las Vegas once for them. But here I am, mother of 3, wife of 13 years, and yet I can't stop myself. I am listening to the new album now and I feel like I'm 16 all over again. LOVE THEM. Besides my "normal" obsession with concerts, should I need to see them over and over again?

Potty training is something that is on my mind almost constantly. My four year old is playing mind games with me. She's been "potty trained" for like a year and a half and yet I find myself still rewarding her when she doesn't have accidents or when she doesn't need my help. This is my birth control. I really truly am done having babies. I can't potty train any more. I'm checking myself out of this stage in child rearing.

Aimee Johnson is wondering why I can't watch Susan Boyle on Youtube. I can't figure out why every time I get on Youtube to see what all they hype is about with her, I can't watch anything that has anything to do with Susan Boyle. Is the entire world on Youtube watching her so I can't?

Okay, are you bored yet? One last thing I have to post - my darling girls. Some nights when we are sitting on the soccer field and I am desperate to entertain them, we play "modeling." I take pictures of them and they immediately look to approve. Gotta love digital cameras.

Dixie on my mind

WARNING TO READERS: THIS IS NO SMALL POST! I DON'T DO ANYTHING IN MODERATION. MAKE SURE YOU GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME TO READ. OR SKIP TO THE PHOTOS.

Ever feel like you need a vacation from vacation? Or, like you are jet lagged when you didn't fly anywhere? As I sit here filing through all my pictures from the weekend, I realize I am exhausted with good reason. We left Thursday morning for St. George and made it down there by 2pm. We ran the entire weekend and just got home this evening. We took a Dodge Charger this time - although not an SUV, loved it! It was plenty big enough. The kids were well entertained on the way down with movies, DS games, books and music. Traveling with kids is just not like it used to be. We used to play the License Plate game. Or, count cows.. you know.. good ole fashioned non electronic games - that's another blog post for another day.

As soon as we were checked in and the car unloaded, the kids were in the pool. We stayed at the Marriott Townplace Suites. It was nice to have two bedrooms, three t.v.'s and a kitchen. The pool was just outside our window so the kids were checking constantly on the amount of people down there. As soon as it was down to a handful of kids, they made a run for it. It's so nice to be at a point with my kids that I can go chill on a lawn chair and not actually have to get in with them. All those years of swimming lessons are starting to pay off. I did enjoy the hot tub.. nightly.

So, besides swimming, we visited Grandma, climbed the Dixie Rock, toured the Brigham Young Winter Home, shopped the outlet malls, spent our rainy day at the Wild Life Museum and the Johnson Dinosaur Museum, ate at our favorite restaurant (Benja's) and rode the ATV's at Sand Hallow Park. Whew. Jer and I thought every day that the kids would crash early since we kept them busy.. never worked. Every night we were ready to call it a night by 7pm, but the kids would get a second wind and start bouncing off walls. So that was usually when they hit the pool. As much as the fighting and complaining was annoying - at least they were clean. A nightly swim and then right to the tub to get the chlorine out. That part was nice.

Thursday night we went to Pirate Island Pizza (thanks to a cute post by Emily). The kids got a kick out of the whole thing. Rumor has it that they are building one in West Jordan. We will be there - definitely fans. Josh hit the jack pot on one of the games and won 250 tickets! His night was made at that point! And, as we were leaving we ran into some friends from our old ward - Jason and Brandy Allen. Such a small world.

Aarrrrgh Matie!

Friday was our day to take advantage of the sunshine...

Climbing the Dixie Rock is a favorite tradition...

Saturday it rained and was only about 55 degrees outside. .

... so we went to the Wild Life Museum...

... and then to the Dinosaur Museum...

Sunday was the big finale to our vacation. The Easter Bunny brought "stuff" rather than candy this year. There was a little bit of candy, but each kid got a game, a book, and an art kit. It made for good entertainment on the way home.

Josh got a 3D Sponge Bob card game, Erin got Cookin' Cookies (super cute card game), and Emma got Toss Up (another FUN game for the whole family- thanks Alisha for telling the Easter Bunny about this one). Once everyone was ready for the day, we went to Sand Hallow Park and played with Grandma, Grandpa and Cari. It was a great way to spend Easter (except for the part where we didn't go to church. That was a little strange to not get the kids all ready for church on Easter morning). Erin and Jer never left the beach. The sand was soft and warm. Erin was entertained there all day. Her pants kept falling down so when we got back to the hotel, her little crack was full of sand! Check out Grandma's blog for some awesome crack shots.

Emma loved riding the Sand Dunes. She hated wearing a helmet and got tired fast, but giggled the whole time we were riding.

Josh didn't even dress for riding - he was too excited to dig on the beach. He kept telling me he wasn't interested in riding the ATV's. But, eventually he went and loved it. As much as some people go there to be crazy on the dirt bikes, sand buggies and ATV's, once you get up to the top, it's no longer about going fast. It's gorgeous! The view was amazing. Josh kept saying how awesome it was to look out at the lake. That is the part I love about riding. (Cari is there to go fast... can you tell? Look at her bike... it's all about speed).

So that pretty much is our weekend in a nutshell - ha ha. Not really a nutshell - that's not how I roll. Im never short and sweet.. never just to the point. . .

We went back to the hotel last night for one last swim. This time the kids actually realized they were tired! The sun drains you! We were all so sunburned and so exhausted. I'm thinking our day at Sand Hallow is what is making me feel like we were running the whole time. I'm sunburned and sore! And I'm realizing I'm not 18 any more. Okay, so that reality sunk in long ago, but I don't turn brown overnight. . I actually stay sunburned. And, instead of enjoying muscle pain due to a good work out, I'm crying like a baby.

Until next time.. this Dixie Chic is going to bed...