Slightly Distracted

I have really been slacking on my blog. Why? Well, it's summer for one thing. We tend to let the kids stay up late and sleep in late which takes away from my free time to blog. We have also had a few things going on that have been anxiety producing for me. . . nothing serious. I have just been unable to focus. Mostly, though, I bought some digital scrap booking software for my birthday and I have been scrapping my heart out. It is awesome. It is so freakin easy to use. I can make a scrapbook page in twenty minutes that used to take me an hour. Plus, you can get almost all you paper and elements for free on line. There are an abundance of designers who want you to come to there web page so they give lots away for free. I'm hooked. It may be a bit before the brillance of it wears off. Here's a few of my recent creations. I got the free down loads for the paper and elements from Shabby Princess. Just go there and click on the downloads link. Shabby Princess has about ten free kits that are really cute.

You Got to Know the Lingo

Emily is making some great efforts to speak to us these days. It's nice and makes life less frustrating, but you have to know her lingo.

Hi Be (Hi Ben)
Dayday (Rachel)
Meme (Emily)
Dink (Drink)
Boobie (Blankie)
nana (of course, banana)
ba (bath)
toose (shoes)
She also touches her fingers to her mouth which means FEED ME NOW! She has perfected the words
Mom
Dad
HI
Bye
Dog
Bear
Meow
Ball
Barbie
MINE
NO
Give me money (haha, just kidding. But I am sure that will be coming soon)
Emily is a daddy's girl. Every day, around five when Nate is supposed to be coming home, she starts looking out the window and saying "Dada" over and over and over. I love this age, when they can say enough but not too much. It's lovely.

It's the Best Day Ever!

Last night I dreamed that the new issue of The Friend arrived at our house. When I looked at it I saw that Sponge Bob Square Pants was on the cover. "Thank Goodness" I thought. Maybe Sponge Bob isn't so bad for my kids. I mean, The Church seems to like him. Then I woke up. Dang! I guess I will have to continue to live with that worry.

Rectangles vs. Circles

So, I don't know who has the magic recipe for getting children to work. The only magic I can find that really works with my kids is the kind that jingles. Therefore, today when I wanted the kids to clean their room (it was at red alert level) I offered them money for each job that they completed. "Mom," Ben asked "are you going to give us the rectangle money or the circle money?"
"Uhh. . . the circle money."
"Ah, man!"
Apparently Ben has been learning some math in school. He finally figured out that quarters aren't the best things there is. Good thing school is out for the summer. Maybe he'll forget and go back to getting excited over the circle money . . . maybe.

Kindergarten Graduation for Ben

What could be more important than kindergarten graduation? Ben made it through his first year of school and he did it with style all his own. He isn't my little boy anymore (he reminds me of that every time I try to smother him with my motherly affection). He is energetic as any boy could be, but his heart of gold stays true. He is a wonderful big brother and a vital part of our family function. I have missed him this year. I always thought it would be a relief to have one less kid at home. Instead I discovered that I had to take on extra when it came to Rachel and Emily. Ben really takes care of them well. I will be glad to have him home for the summer. Congrats to Ben for surviving kindergarten. We love you!

HUH?

Huh? That and a whole lot of stifled laughter is what came out of my mouth when I read a little essay that Ben brought home today. See if you can pick out why I am left confused.



You guessed it. I was somewhat surprised to discover that Ben's grandparents all died. What a tragedy. I called Nathan and read it to him (secretly so Ben couldn't hear us) and we both had a jolly laugh. Poor dead grandparents. (I think he was probably referring to his great grandparents. We don't use the word grandparents too often.)

What Boys Dream About

I shook Ben awake this morning. He opened his eyes and looked around, then heaved a sigh. "I was having the best dream last night."

"What was your dream about?"

"I was a hot wheels car and I was racing another hot wheels."

"Wow. Pretty cool."

"Yea."

Boys have the best dreams.