Christmas 2013

We had such a wonderful Christmas. Fortunately, I was on-call on Christmas Eve so I was able to attend our annual Christmas Eve church service, help the kids bake cookies for Santa, spread the reindeer food on the driveway and climb into bed where they dreamed of sugar plums and mountains of gifts.

Luckily for me, I was not called into work and when the kids woke on Christmas morning, we enjoyed exchanging gifts and stuffing our bellies with a large breakfast. The kids played with their gifts and then we headed over to my parents house where we stuffed ourselves even more and relaxed with family.

Kaiden only asked for legos. She ended up building all her sets over the course of 3 days

Bryson loves his Batman, Superman, Ninja, etc guys. He lines them up and will play for hours

Sophie is quite the artist and received paints, canvas and sketch books

Our little family

My most favorite gift every year!

Take off

Little man started asking yesterday to have his training wheels off. I told him daddy would help him today. All day he asked to go outside. Of course kyle waited until I woke up so I could help him run up and down the street. 

So Kyle removed the traing wheels, Bryson climbed on and away he went. I held into the seat for a whole 2 seconds and he was off. Up and down the street he went with Kaiden by his side riding her bike too. Every time he stopped he put his feet down and jumped off and ran over to give high fives! 

He was by far the easiest one to learn how to ride a "big kid" bike!

He was so fast he was only a blur :)

Let's wrap it up

In an attempt to avoid last minute wrapping which always takes three times as long as you think, I wrapped all the gifts today. I left out Santa's gifts and Santa's paper. I always have a special wrapping paper that only Santa's gifts are wrapped in. I went ahead and placed the gifts under the tree because I love the look of a Christmas tree with gifts under it. 

Now, I'm sure your wondering if the kids are going to guess what they got and start shaking the gifts. Well, I heard a story a few years ago where a family had numbers for each child. Every year the numbers would change and you wouldn't find out what number you were until Christmas morning. I decided to use that idea this year. I picked totally random numbers. I was going to use the kids birthdays and add all the numbers but that's too easy to figure out.  I also didn't want to give my oldest the highest number because that might be too easy too. I even gave my hubby a number to really throw them off. I also made sure to wrap everything in boxes so the shape of certain toys wouldn't give it away. 

Now, to see if they follow the rule of no touching

Sweetness

This little man. He can be so sweet and caring. 

He has that innocent little face that screams, "Give me kisses!"

I have to say, this little man has been driving us crazy recently.

It all started out with his socks. He refused to wear socks because the seams hurt his toes

There was even one day that my mother-in-law took him to school and he threw such a fit that she had to turn around and drive all the way back home to find new shoes that did not require socks.

I finally said enough is enough and I found these. They are amazing! He wore his shoes without having a fit

Well, that only lasted a few weeks. 

Then he decided those socks hurt too and will only wear these

Don't get me wrong. I love these shoes. They are cute and easy to get on and match almost everything

Wearing them every day in the heat and you can imagine the smell. Not only do these shoes stink, but his feet can clear a room after a day on the playground. 

So we are back to square one..but wait, his OCD has progressed. 

Now he refuses certain undies. It's now a struggle to find the two pairs of undies that he will actually wear and you can imagine the difficult time we have when I have been working for a few days and the laundry is the size of Mt. Everest. 

I noticed that he was only wearing these so I bought a bunch more in the same size. I guess the new ones aren't as "broken in" as the older pairs. He knows the difference and continues to insist on certain pairs. Ugh.

I can understand the OCD thing. I consider myself slightly OCD but nothing like little man. I fear he might end up living in a nudist colony some day if this continues.

Then there's our school issue. School was great for about a month. Then he suddenly decided he did not like going. It's a full on tantrum every morning with some tantrums starting Saturday morning when he realizes that he will need to go to school in two days. 

We have talked to the teachers at both schools and can't figure out what happened. 

I literally have to pry him off me each morning at drop off and leave this screaming, 30 pounds of dead weight, arching his back little boy in the arms of a sweet 70 year old lady who tries desperately to hang onto him. 

It's heart breaking but after talking with the child life specialists at work, it must just be a phase. I didn't hit my "I'm going to cry at school if someone looks at me wrong or I have to take hot lunch" phase until 3rd grade. Yes, I was the cry baby in 3rd grade. 

So that's what we have been dealing with lately. Any and all advice is welcome. If you have experience with this, please share!

One last thing, why has everyone started calling their babies and small children "Mama"? I hear it all the time and from all socioeconomic backgrounds. It tops the list of annoying things people say right along with calling everyone "Friend" 

I have a name people and no, it's not Tish, Trisha or Tonya. I wear a name tag with my name clearly visible. Please call me by my name, not Friend. While your at it, stop calling your baby Mama. You are the Mama, not the baby. Think of how confused that child will be some day. 

Happy Hump Day!

Sugar Cells

Sophie had a project for science where she had to construct a plant cell using edible items. Everything was to be done by the student, including all baking. 

With a quick trip to Its Sugar, we had all necessary ingredients for our plant cell. Sophie did all the baking and decorating and received an A+!! I'm so proud of her. Her teacher also commented on her key for the cell. Way to go Sophie!

An Update

As I was looking for some new recipes, mostly pumpkin ones, I came across this quote

"We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” -Dr. Seuss.

I couldn't pass it up. 

So I have been MIA for a few days. Turns out I had a nasty allergic reaction to some medication. Its funny how I have not taken medication for years. When I say years, I mean like 5+ years. I go and get some meds for a possible infection and turn out with an allergic reaction. Lets guess how many years it will be before I take any more medications. I am still alive even after avoiding the emergency room with a half dozen people urging me to go. I refuse to go there unless I feel as though I am dying. I did not have that feeling so I avoided it. I did need some steroids to help the reaction but urgent care was as far as I made it. I must say, after my workout this morning, I am feeling almost like myself again. There's just something about a good ass kicking to get you back to your old self.

Being that Halloween is only a few days away, we are getting the house ready for the mob of little creatures who will be running through yards trying to get as much candy in their allotted time as possible. Thankfully, my kids follow the rules and only walk on sidewalks and after about 12 houses, they are done and have more fun handing candy out to the late trick-or-treaters...or in the case of the last few years, a young dad holding a newborn child claiming that child will need the candy. Um, sure. 

We have our "head on a stick" ready to go and our Frankenstein standing guard. Sophie picked these decorations out way back yander and they seem to make their appearance every year. (Do to some windy conditions approaching in the next day or so, the spider webs will wait.)

We are also awaiting the arrival of our bestest friends from Nevada, who will join us for Halloween and thru the weekend.  We look forward to their visit every year and our visit to see them during the summers. We cram all 8.5 of us in our little house and have the best time ever. (They are currently expecting baby number 2 so he is the 0.5).  

I also have another race coming up this weekend. ROC race just looks like a grand ol time, right? I mean, who wouldn't want to slide down huge inflatable slides and crawl thru mud and foam? I can't wait! 

Before I go, I need to thank all of you readers out there. It looks we had over 80 views the other day! That's incredible! When I started this blog, I only handed the web address out to a handful of people. I wanted to see where it went on it's own and not because I was advertising it. I started it so my extended family could keep in touch with my family and see what was happening. I never expected so many people to read about my little family but I am thankful and blessed! Thank you to all my readers! 

Mud, mud and more mud

Last year I signed up for a few obstacle course races. Unfortunately, I was not able to get off of work on the race days and had to miss them all. This year I made sure that I was off and turned down 3 jobs in order to run the Gladiator Rock n Run. It was so worth it! I had a blast! I signed up with my boot camp and there was a group of over 30 runners from our boot camp. It didn't matter if you ran or walked, there was always someone you knew along the course. I actually was planning on walking the course with some gals but after the horn started, I couldn't help myself. Walking just wouldn't do. There were 17 obstacles and almost 4 miles of mountain terrain to challenge us. I over came my fear of hights...3 times! We crawled through mud and ice water, under barbed wire and up ropes. We carried tires and logs and jumped over open flames. It was an amazing experience that I can't wait to experience again. Fortunately for me, I have another one in two weeks! I only have a before and after picture but if other people share their pictures, I will post those too

Fall ball

Last Spring, Kaiden expressed an interest in playing softball

When she asked multiple times over a few month period, I decided to sign her up for Fall ball

After a few weeks of practice, she finally had her first game this week

She had a pre game pep talk with her friend (who we found out goes to Kaiden's school and now they play at recess!)

Getting ready to bat

She hit the ball, made it to first and a few batters later, crossed home plate for a run!

I was on the edge of my seat the whole game

I'm so proud of Kaiden! She has learned so much and has gotten pretty good at throwing and catching

Actually, while trying to help Kaiden break in her glove, we discovered that Kyle is actually better at throwing with his left hand vs his right! 

Who would have thunk?

In the league she plays in, the girls rotate positions each inning. 

Kaiden was so excited to play catcher...I must say, she's pretty darn cute

Bryson also started his Fall league and is loving every minute of it, too!

I must admit, it's a bit of a crazy schedule with two kids in baseball, but totally worth it when you see their faces having a great time.

Go Dolphins and Giants!

Falling into place

When I was hired at Phoenix children's hospital last month, I was hired into a hire ahead position. Meaning that they would train me in multiple departments and hope that within a few months a position would become available that I could apply for. Well, fortunately for me, a week after I started I was offered a core position in the emergency room! Core positions mean that you work year round versus seasonal where you have four months off each year. Of course I accepted but I have been waiting for HR to call with the official news. Lucky for me they called on Thursday and sent me the official offer letter. I am officially an ED nurse! I already ordered the required scrubs and look forward to each day of training. The ED is super busy and there is always something interesting going on. It's the perfect spot for me and I couldn't be more excited!

Full swing

We are officially in the swing of the fall season. 

The kids are settled into school and the school routine. 

They look forward to weekend sleep overs and play dates.

Fall ball has officially started as well. 

Bryson is on the Giants this season and is excited to be back on the field.

Kaiden expressed an interest in softball earlier this summer so we signed her up for a softball team

She has been practicing hard and loves every minute of practice.

One more week of practice, then time for a game!



We have been spending any free time outside enjoying the cooler weather...well, 100 degrees at 6pm isn't so bad.

The mornings are in the 70's now so we know the cooler weather is coming, slowly but surly.

The girls enjoy riding their bikes while Bryson has picked up skateboarding.

He's been asking to go to the local skate park.

I made him a deal, he learns to ride his skateboard down our driveway, I will take him to the skate park.

Little did I know that he would master the driveway within 5 minutes of getting on the skateboard.

Now I have a deal to keep. I'll keep the insurance card at the ready incase of any broken bones.

Trucking along

Gosh the weeks are just flying by! I have been MIA due to me starting my new job at Phoenix Children's Hospital. I started this week and its 8-5. Let me just say, I can never work that schedule again and kudos to those who do. I'm stir crazy at about 9 am. By the time I get home I just want to put my feet up and watch tv. Don't even think about laundry. Speaking of laundry, the kids are actually wearing clothes they had "forgotten" about because their favorite outfits aren't clean. Maybe that's not such a bad thing :) 

I'm excited to actually get my feet wet and start working. I will be starting in the emergency room and then moving into the NICU and PICU. I'm beyond excited but I need to get thru this week and next. 

On a bright note, we did enjoy some amazing storms and rain for a few days and Sophie came home with a 100% on her preposition test!! Yippee Sophie!!

Movin on

Sorry for the long delay in posts. We have been a bit busy

We sold our house of 12 years and closed on it a week later. If you have ever sold a house before, you know that closing means moving out. 

Yes, we had 1 week to find a house, pack and move 12 years of stuff.

Needless to say, it was a stressful week. 

We ended up renting a house only a short distance from our old home but in a better neighborhood and with this amazing park across the street. 

We get to look at lush, green grass and mature trees and we don't need to use our water to water everything and spend our Saturdays trimming trees and lawn! Score!

Our kitchen has tripled in size and has granite counters and stainless steal appliances. We really don't care about that stuff but it's a total bonus in our books!

The kids are so excited to be on one level now and toys are actually staying in the toy room.  I'm excited for the garage and being able to park in it! 

We actually had all our stuff unpacked and set up within a week...including pictures being hung. Granted, not all our pictures were rehung but the important ones were. Enough to make it homey. 

Now, while all this craziness was going on, I also went on an interview and two days later I got the call

I am an employee at Phoenix Children's Hospital! I will be working in the ICU and will be trained in multiple departments so I can help where needed. 

I will keep my Scottsdale Health Care position but go down to part time while Phoenix Children's will be full time. It's going to be busy come September but I'm looking forward to a challenge and learning new skills. Both of these hospitals were dreams of mine to work at and now I'm working at both! I am still employed with Hospice of the Valley but I'm afraid my time there is now limited. I think 5 nights a week will be enough but I will miss hospice. It's such a rewarding experience working with hospice patients and I'm hoping to get just as much out of the children's hospital as I did hospice.

So there you have it. We are still alive and well, just super busy the past week.

Last but not least

FINALLY!

Snowball has been waiting for the last week for school to start

It's hard when your brother and sister started school and are playing with friends and having homework

Remember when homework was cool?

The day has finally come

Snowball's first day of Second grade!

Her little toothless smile can't get any bigger. 

Her BFF, Piper, is even in the same class!!

She found her desk and unloaded her goodies

Her school doesn't have the school name in a convenient location so the door to the classroom had to do

She's been so excited for her glasses that she couldn't wait to show her friends

She even had homework for the first day of school. 

She finished it within minutes of getting home and can't wait for more

(Too bad I didn't record that for future reference)

I can't leave little man getting off the school bus out either. He started his other preschool on Monday and he gets to ride the bus to and from. It's part of the mom handbook to snag a picture of your kids getting off the school bus

Here's to a wonderful school year...it's my first day with all the kids back in school and I miss them already...is it summer yet?

His turn

It was little mans turn for school today. He started his morning preschool program today and will start the afternoon program on Monday (of course there will be pictures)

He was so excited to meet new friends and then go back to Desert Voices to tell his old friends that he made new friends. Silly guy! 

Still can't believe he's 4 and in preK

He's growing up too fast...although when he saw me getting ready for work tonight he said I couldn't go because we needed to snuggle tonight instead. *sigh*

Middle school

The day has finally arrived

Sophie has started middle school

She's a big 5th grader at a school which serves 5th-12th grade. 

This will be her home for the next 8 years!

She was so nervous/excited this morning. 

The world of unknown in a new school. We met her teachers and found her locker the other night

Of course one of the shortest kids in 5th grade ends up with a locker on top

Needless to say, she will be receiving a new locker..on the bottom, later today

She has all kinds of new locker accessories, including a carpet, shelf and chandilier 

She has picked out the perfect binders...10 of them

Our little girl is growing up and I couldn't be more proud of my big middle schooler!

Get'er done

We have one week left of summer. This week we are getting doctors appointments, dentist appointments and hair cuts done. The kids are getting ready for the big day!

Don't worry, the color washes out. No pink or green for school