One for the Kiddos
Here is a quick shout-out to my cute kids who I miss very, very much.
Daddy and I love you!
Love,
Mommy
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Big Island (or, who says you have to relax in "paradise")
We have been here four days, and Part Time Politician has yet to take me to a sandy beach, where I can relax and read a magazine...
It seems this seal is the only one getting R & R around here:
Seals can decide at any time that they want to come on land and clear the beach of people. People are required by law to be 35 feet away. I found this out after I took pictures. I wasn't as close as I seem to be, though. I have a telephoto lens.
I can't imagine rocks being all that comfortable, but this guy seems to be just as comfortable as Chewy is on his soft bed. At least, the seal has the same look as Chewy does when Chewy is getting a nice long nap in. The main difference was that the seal's tail didn't start to wag all on it's own when I walked by (sleep-wagging--Chewy's tail knows it is me, even when Chewy is "sound asleep").
To be clear: we did not stop at the beach where the seal was to enjoy the day. Nope, we saw him as we were driving by, so we stopped to look at him quickly before we went on to our other "activities."
Here I am in the bottom of a crater that used to be a lake of lava. This is where my husband takes me when we go to Hawaii...
At least I have my very awesome "grandma hat." The Asians and I know how to dress when visiting volcanoes.
Did I mention the volcano we visited is still active? No Fear.
P.T. Politician was like a kid in a candy story at the Volcano National Park. He LOVED it! His favorite part was when we got to hike through an old lava tube. He couldn't stop grinning or commenting on it. He especially liked the part when we could leave the lighted area (because we had flashlights) and go explore farther into the tube.
The entrance to the lava tube
Some kids playing around in the molten lava
If you can tell us why he liked it so much, you will be our big winner!
We have been here four days, and Part Time Politician has yet to take me to a sandy beach, where I can relax and read a magazine...
It seems this seal is the only one getting R & R around here:
Seals can decide at any time that they want to come on land and clear the beach of people. People are required by law to be 35 feet away. I found this out after I took pictures. I wasn't as close as I seem to be, though. I have a telephoto lens.I can't imagine rocks being all that comfortable, but this guy seems to be just as comfortable as Chewy is on his soft bed. At least, the seal has the same look as Chewy does when Chewy is getting a nice long nap in. The main difference was that the seal's tail didn't start to wag all on it's own when I walked by (sleep-wagging--Chewy's tail knows it is me, even when Chewy is "sound asleep").
To be clear: we did not stop at the beach where the seal was to enjoy the day. Nope, we saw him as we were driving by, so we stopped to look at him quickly before we went on to our other "activities."
Here I am in the bottom of a crater that used to be a lake of lava. This is where my husband takes me when we go to Hawaii...
At least I have my very awesome "grandma hat." The Asians and I know how to dress when visiting volcanoes.
Did I mention the volcano we visited is still active? No Fear.
P.T. Politician was like a kid in a candy story at the Volcano National Park. He LOVED it! His favorite part was when we got to hike through an old lava tube. He couldn't stop grinning or commenting on it. He especially liked the part when we could leave the lighted area (because we had flashlights) and go explore farther into the tube.
The entrance to the lava tube
Some kids playing around in the molten lavaPS: P.T. Politician was the one that said I should dog on him for not taking me to a sandy beach yet (I obliged) . I'm actually having a grand time. I like hiking around volcanoes. We have also gone to a botanical garden (awesome), to some waterfalls, and to a very cool place called the "Place of Refuge." Oh yeah. P.T.P also really liked this tree:
If you can tell us why he liked it so much, you will be our big winner!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Do you know what is annoying?
What is annoying is when you are pulling laundry out of the dryer and you realize someone has left a tube of Chapstick in his/her pocket. How is this realized? By the spots of grease all over people's clothes and the empty tube found in the bottom of the dryer.
Do you know what is more annoying than realizing that someone has left a tube of Chapstick in his/her pocket?
Realizing someone has left a foil-covered chocolate Easter egg in his pocket. This is realized by not only grease stains on all of the clothes, but brown spots to go with. Also, finding the shrunken, smooshed, chocolate-y foil ball at the bottom of the dryer.
Believe it or not, there is something even more annoying than realizing someone has left a foil-covered chocolate Easter egg in his pocket. Do you know what that is?
It is when the VERY NEXT batch you pull out of the dryer also has grease stains and brown spots, and you think to yourself WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON AROUND HERE? I HAVE 5 MORE BATCHES TO DO BEFORE WE LEAVE TOMORROW AND I NOW HAVE TO SOAK NOT ONE, BUT TWO WHOLE BATCHES TO TRY TO REMOVE WHAT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE, UNLESS I WANT TO SPRAY AND SCRUB EVERY SINGLE SPOT ON EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF CLOTHING! I DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR THIS!. And then you look into the dryer, trying to find the errant chocolate-foil ball that must have hidden somewhere in the dryer from the last batch (so that it could ruin the next batch); because what are the odds that someone ELSE would leave a foil covered chocolate Easter egg in her pocket?
As it turns out, the odds are pretty good. Sure enough, I found another foil ball, still in the pocket, of a DIFFERENT person's clothing.
(The first person, like a good husband should, admitted to having an Easter egg in his pocket. The second person has yet to be accosted, because she is at the Jr. High right now.)
I think I will throw away those two batches of clothes and ban all Easter candy this year.
What is annoying is when you are pulling laundry out of the dryer and you realize someone has left a tube of Chapstick in his/her pocket. How is this realized? By the spots of grease all over people's clothes and the empty tube found in the bottom of the dryer.
Do you know what is more annoying than realizing that someone has left a tube of Chapstick in his/her pocket?
Realizing someone has left a foil-covered chocolate Easter egg in his pocket. This is realized by not only grease stains on all of the clothes, but brown spots to go with. Also, finding the shrunken, smooshed, chocolate-y foil ball at the bottom of the dryer.
Believe it or not, there is something even more annoying than realizing someone has left a foil-covered chocolate Easter egg in his pocket. Do you know what that is?
It is when the VERY NEXT batch you pull out of the dryer also has grease stains and brown spots, and you think to yourself WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON AROUND HERE? I HAVE 5 MORE BATCHES TO DO BEFORE WE LEAVE TOMORROW AND I NOW HAVE TO SOAK NOT ONE, BUT TWO WHOLE BATCHES TO TRY TO REMOVE WHAT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE, UNLESS I WANT TO SPRAY AND SCRUB EVERY SINGLE SPOT ON EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF CLOTHING! I DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR THIS!. And then you look into the dryer, trying to find the errant chocolate-foil ball that must have hidden somewhere in the dryer from the last batch (so that it could ruin the next batch); because what are the odds that someone ELSE would leave a foil covered chocolate Easter egg in her pocket?
As it turns out, the odds are pretty good. Sure enough, I found another foil ball, still in the pocket, of a DIFFERENT person's clothing.
(The first person, like a good husband should, admitted to having an Easter egg in his pocket. The second person has yet to be accosted, because she is at the Jr. High right now.)
I think I will throw away those two batches of clothes and ban all Easter candy this year.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
"I cannot tell a lie...I chopped down your cherry tree."
Calvin: Where do we keep all our chainsaws, Mom?
Mum: We don't have any chainsaws, Calvin.
Calvin: We don't? Not any?
Mum: Nope.
Calvin: How am I ever going to learn how to juggle?
So, I was practicing the piano a couple of days ago (something that happens all too rarely these days), and out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Boy go into the garage, and then emerge and walk ever-so-quickly (his "invisibility walk") back outside, holding something very close to his body (this makes the item invisible as well). I thought I saw the top of a baseball bat, so I wasn't too worried at first because I assumed he was just playing with balls outside or something. But his stealthiness made me think twice, so I went outside to check on him.
He was just just pulling back from doing something with...a hatchet. Nice.
Me: "Son, what are you doing with the ax?"
Boy, looking guilty: "I was going to chop down that bush so that I could climb on the big rock."
Me: "Can you show me which bush?"
We walk over to the offending bush, that is so obviously impeding access to what would make an excellent climbing rock.
It also happens to be my Forsythia bush, planted by me to create beauty and texture against a large rock that would be otherwise boring to look at.
(Apparently when I planted the bush, I overlooked some of the important virtues of the rock)
Me: "This bush here?"
Boy: "Yes."
Me: "Son, I planted this bush here on purpose, in a few weeks it will have beautiful, yellow flowers on it. I don't think I want it chopped down. It does look like a fun rock to climb on, though."
Boy: "Yeah."
As we slowly walk back inside (both sad about the loss of opportunity to have easy access to a fun rock), I broach the subject of the hatchet.
Me: "Son, do you think this ax is something you should be able to use by yourself, or something you should ask Mom or Dad about before using?"
Boy, head down, (knowing that if he had asked Mom or Dad, the answer would have been 'no'-- the reason he snuck it out in the first place, duh): "(gulp) Ask Mom or Dad."
Me: "Yeah, that would have been a good idea. Why don't you go get Sarah and Chewy and we'll go for a walk?"
Boy: O.K.!
The boy runs inside, happy again.
The Mom, (happy that she has a boy who won't need any more disciplinary action then what just happened) takes the hatchet and puts it in the garage on the highest hook she can find.
My boy is extremely honest--he will tell me everything, even if he knows it might get him in trouble. I love that about him.
I also love that he is a problem solver, and in true male form was planning to use a tool to do it. Chopping down the bush in front of a rock wanting to be climbed on never would have occurred to my girls at that age; although, I can see them dressing up and acting out pioneers, wading through the treacherous bush to get to the rock.
Calvin: I have a hammer! I can put things together! I can knock things apart! I can alter my environment at will and make an incredible din all the while! Ah, it's great to be male!
Calvin: Where do we keep all our chainsaws, Mom?
Mum: We don't have any chainsaws, Calvin.
Calvin: We don't? Not any?
Mum: Nope.
Calvin: How am I ever going to learn how to juggle?
So, I was practicing the piano a couple of days ago (something that happens all too rarely these days), and out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Boy go into the garage, and then emerge and walk ever-so-quickly (his "invisibility walk") back outside, holding something very close to his body (this makes the item invisible as well). I thought I saw the top of a baseball bat, so I wasn't too worried at first because I assumed he was just playing with balls outside or something. But his stealthiness made me think twice, so I went outside to check on him.
He was just just pulling back from doing something with...a hatchet. Nice.
Me: "Son, what are you doing with the ax?"
Boy, looking guilty: "I was going to chop down that bush so that I could climb on the big rock."
Me: "Can you show me which bush?"
We walk over to the offending bush, that is so obviously impeding access to what would make an excellent climbing rock.
It also happens to be my Forsythia bush, planted by me to create beauty and texture against a large rock that would be otherwise boring to look at.
(Apparently when I planted the bush, I overlooked some of the important virtues of the rock)
Me: "This bush here?"
Boy: "Yes."
Me: "Son, I planted this bush here on purpose, in a few weeks it will have beautiful, yellow flowers on it. I don't think I want it chopped down. It does look like a fun rock to climb on, though."
Boy: "Yeah."
As we slowly walk back inside (both sad about the loss of opportunity to have easy access to a fun rock), I broach the subject of the hatchet.
Me: "Son, do you think this ax is something you should be able to use by yourself, or something you should ask Mom or Dad about before using?"
Boy, head down, (knowing that if he had asked Mom or Dad, the answer would have been 'no'-- the reason he snuck it out in the first place, duh): "(gulp) Ask Mom or Dad."
Me: "Yeah, that would have been a good idea. Why don't you go get Sarah and Chewy and we'll go for a walk?"
Boy: O.K.!
The boy runs inside, happy again.
The Mom, (happy that she has a boy who won't need any more disciplinary action then what just happened) takes the hatchet and puts it in the garage on the highest hook she can find.
My boy is extremely honest--he will tell me everything, even if he knows it might get him in trouble. I love that about him.
I also love that he is a problem solver, and in true male form was planning to use a tool to do it. Chopping down the bush in front of a rock wanting to be climbed on never would have occurred to my girls at that age; although, I can see them dressing up and acting out pioneers, wading through the treacherous bush to get to the rock.
Calvin: I have a hammer! I can put things together! I can knock things apart! I can alter my environment at will and make an incredible din all the while! Ah, it's great to be male!
Monday, March 09, 2009
More
For those of you who don't remember what happens when I am away from my computer, I refer you to THIS post. For those who already know how my kids are, I give you a few more pictures I found when I discovered the very Asian-film-looking "Attack of the Baby":
For those of you who don't remember what happens when I am away from my computer, I refer you to THIS post. For those who already know how my kids are, I give you a few more pictures I found when I discovered the very Asian-film-looking "Attack of the Baby":
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Friday, March 06, 2009
You Gotta Love it When the Senate is in Session
So, we have a dear friend who not only survived a plane crash, but was also elected to the Utah State Senate this past fall. He is wonderful, as is his wife and are his darling kids. :) He is a dang good politician, too.
Because past Lincoln Day events have been less than captivating (read: "so boring that people always find ways to leave early--ie., 'I'll ring your cell phone, and then when you get out in the hall, you ring mine.'"), the event coordinator decided to try to spice it up a little this year and hold a "Mr. Lincoln Day" pageant at the Davis County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner this year (it worked. Everyone stayed to the end).
As you can imagine, Republican politicians everywhere were clamoring to be a part of it. (Calmoring so hard, that the Lt. Governer bribed his daughter-in-law Carmen Rasmusen to sing so he wouldn't have to be a contestant in the pageant.)
The four people who didn't have a good excuse, or a "famous" person to use to worm their way out of it, were: Stan Lockhart (Rep. party chair), Todd Weiler (State Vice Chair), Rob Bishop (Our Congressman), and (here is where our friend comes in) Dan Liljenquist (the only Freshman Senator in Davis County) It was a pretty tough competition. But let me just say, Sen. Liljenquist brought down the house with his talent. He was IN IT TO WIN IT. And he did. End of story.
O.K. Not end of story. As it turns out, word got around about the Talent Competition. Then a resolution was written by Sen. Kilpack (we think it was Kilpack--Brooke, let us know if it wasn't him). (Notes: As you are watching, look past the reading clerk. You will see someone whispering in Dan's ear as he picks up a copy of the resolution, then his reaction as it dawns on him what is going on. Also, I can't believe "Madame Reading Clerk" can read this resolution with a straight face).
Sen. Liljenquist had no option but to support the resolution (read: "Peer pressure--like none of us have ever known. The worst kind. Hello! This is Big Senior Senators peer pressure, placed upon a little Freshman Senator."), and repeat the performance for the Senate, and millions of people who follow You Tube.
Here is the write up in the Deseret News. Despite what the annoying "commentors" say (to rile people up), I think it is great they could take a little break.
Leif, were you there?
So, we have a dear friend who not only survived a plane crash, but was also elected to the Utah State Senate this past fall. He is wonderful, as is his wife and are his darling kids. :) He is a dang good politician, too.
Because past Lincoln Day events have been less than captivating (read: "so boring that people always find ways to leave early--ie., 'I'll ring your cell phone, and then when you get out in the hall, you ring mine.'"), the event coordinator decided to try to spice it up a little this year and hold a "Mr. Lincoln Day" pageant at the Davis County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner this year (it worked. Everyone stayed to the end).
As you can imagine, Republican politicians everywhere were clamoring to be a part of it. (Calmoring so hard, that the Lt. Governer bribed his daughter-in-law Carmen Rasmusen to sing so he wouldn't have to be a contestant in the pageant.)
The four people who didn't have a good excuse, or a "famous" person to use to worm their way out of it, were: Stan Lockhart (Rep. party chair), Todd Weiler (State Vice Chair), Rob Bishop (Our Congressman), and (here is where our friend comes in) Dan Liljenquist (the only Freshman Senator in Davis County) It was a pretty tough competition. But let me just say, Sen. Liljenquist brought down the house with his talent. He was IN IT TO WIN IT. And he did. End of story.
O.K. Not end of story. As it turns out, word got around about the Talent Competition. Then a resolution was written by Sen. Kilpack (we think it was Kilpack--Brooke, let us know if it wasn't him). (Notes: As you are watching, look past the reading clerk. You will see someone whispering in Dan's ear as he picks up a copy of the resolution, then his reaction as it dawns on him what is going on. Also, I can't believe "Madame Reading Clerk" can read this resolution with a straight face).
Sen. Liljenquist had no option but to support the resolution (read: "Peer pressure--like none of us have ever known. The worst kind. Hello! This is Big Senior Senators peer pressure, placed upon a little Freshman Senator."), and repeat the performance for the Senate, and millions of people who follow You Tube.
Here is the write up in the Deseret News. Despite what the annoying "commentors" say (to rile people up), I think it is great they could take a little break.
Leif, were you there?
Mollilujah (Molly Lou-Yeah)!
We are tending a cute baby with some of the biggest blue eyes you have ever seen.
She is darling. Also, she thinks she is a dog. She "pants" with her tongue hanging out when she crawls, and she licks Chewy. Chewy has yet to lick her, because we taught him a long time ago not to lick her. I'm sure he is confused with the double standard. He does love to lay by her and lay his head on her. He is also in heaven because she feeds him food from her high chair. They are good pals. There is a little discrepancy regarding who is in charge of "helping" load things into the dishwasher. Molly thinks it should be her (helping by removing all the steak knives--nothing blunt and safe, just jagged steak knives). Chewy thinks it should be him (helping by licking off dirty dishes and utensils). I'm sure they will resolve their differences in this area.
Big Baby Blue Eyes
We are tending a cute baby with some of the biggest blue eyes you have ever seen.
She is darling. Also, she thinks she is a dog. She "pants" with her tongue hanging out when she crawls, and she licks Chewy. Chewy has yet to lick her, because we taught him a long time ago not to lick her. I'm sure he is confused with the double standard. He does love to lay by her and lay his head on her. He is also in heaven because she feeds him food from her high chair. They are good pals. There is a little discrepancy regarding who is in charge of "helping" load things into the dishwasher. Molly thinks it should be her (helping by removing all the steak knives--nothing blunt and safe, just jagged steak knives). Chewy thinks it should be him (helping by licking off dirty dishes and utensils). I'm sure they will resolve their differences in this area.
Big Baby Blue EyesP.S. I made the middle child give Chewy a bath today--every time that baby licked him, I cringed, thinking of how dirty he was. I realize bathing him is not going to sanitize him completely, but it has got to help.
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