We May Need to Take Humor Classes

Chase (reading a Popsicle stick): "Why did the laces never win the race?" ... "Because all they could do was tie."
(Davis laughs uncontrollably)
Kai (not laughing): "I don't get it."
Davis: "Because... well you know that red ribbon? I guess some people call  them laces, that red ribbon you cross when you win a race? Well, when you cross the finish line you take the ribbon with you so really you and the lace just tie. No one ever really wins! It's always a TIE! Get it?"
Kai: "No. Not really."
Davis: "Well then I can't explain it to you."

I Guess We're Cat People Now

Chase is adorable and that's a problem for Michael and me because, well, it makes it really hard to say "no" to him. Sometime last year he decided he was getting a cat. He didn't really even ask for one he just kept saying things like, "I'm really going to love it when we get my cat." or "I'm going to name my cat Rock. But only if its really solid." Well after a year of this kind of talk we finally broke down and told him he could have a cat. How could we not?

Chase checking on Millie

As it turned out we had a neighbor, Karolyn, who had a cat that was expecting kittens and she promised Chase he could have pick of the litter. Chase insisted on visiting Millie (the mamma cat) as often as possible. He said, "I just want to make sure she's eating right and stuff." So we checked on Millie at least once a week and sent Karolyn frequent texts to keep track of Millie's progress.

The morning of April 24th Karolyn sent me a text saying Millie was having her kittens so I checked Chase out of school so he could watch. Most cats, understandably, don't really like people to be around when they are giving birth but Millie doesn't care one bit. She'll even let you hold the babies right after they are born. It was a pretty awesome experience and Chase loved every minute of it.

Chase watching Millie give birth

Bringing our kittens home

After they were born Chase insisted on visiting them every day. He spent a lot of time getting to know each kitten as he tried to decide which he wanted to take home. 

He was having a hard time deciding between two of them. Fortunately for him, Michael and I are suckers... and our friends kept telling us that two kittens are better than one. We fell for it and told Chase he could keep them both. He chose the smallest kitten (he was the runt) and named him Miryang (which Grandpa told him is Korean for smudge) and he chose a striped kitten which he named Anyoung (Korean for Hello) because it was the only other Korean word he knew. 5 weeks later we took Miryang and Anyoung home.

I have to say, these kittens are pretty darn cute and we quite like them. I think Michael even likes them, though you may never get him to admit it.

Top: Miryang
Bottom: Anyoung

First Week of Summer 2013

Today was Madison's last day of school. Tomorrow is Davis' last day.  Chase and Kai have a few hours on Thursday--just enough time for a party (but don't tell Chase, if he hears the p-word he won't go).

Aside from a trip to Oregon to visit Michael's family we don't many summer plans.  Madison and Kai will be taking a couple of classes over the summer and Chase will be helping me keep an eye on the garden. Other than that we are hoping for some lazy summer days hopefully involving bike rides, family movies, and maybe even the occasional hike.

The Mark of a Gentleman

Yesterday as all the kids were piling into the car Madison was having trouble opening the door because her arms were full of books and homework papers.

One by one each of the boys pushed by her and hopped in the car.

"Wow." I said, "I have three boys and not a single one of you is a gentleman. One of you needs to open that door for your sister." To which Chase replied, "Mom. I have a WHOLE collection of bow ties. I'm pretty sure that qualifies me as a gentleman."

The Big Day

Chase was baptized on Saturday. He was pretty nervous about the whole thing and wasn't sure he was even going to do it. But he bravely took his dad's hand walked into the font and faced his fears. We were all very proud of him.

And then, of course, we celebrated the best way we know how...with food and family.

Chase is 8

Today Chase turned 8. He wore his new black cowboy shirt (thanks Grandpa and Grandma Malmgren) and his newly polished black cowboy boots. Davis looked at him and said, "Too bad you don't have black pants because then your whole body would match." Chase thought for a second before replying, "Yeah, but I'm not really into goth."

I'd tell you more but I have to go make a tank cake.

Just a few things I found around the house after the the boys left for school.

A pile of pajamas by the fire.

An apple and a shirt on a kitchen chair. I'm pretty sure they had shirts on when they left 

...but this does make one wonder.

The peanut butter lid on a bar stool.

A forgotten sandwich on the bar.

And a bag of open bread under the Christmas tree in the front room.

All in all--a pretty typical morning.

So This is Christmas

Last week we decided it was high time we actually had family home evening and seeing how it was getting close to Christmas we thought it would be prudent to spend the night full of Christmas themed family togetherness.  We decorated the tree, sung Christmas carols, and great fun was had by all--except Chase, who every few minutes would stop and ask, "can I go now?"

We ended the evening by taking turns answering very serious questions regarding Christmas. I asked Kai if there was something he thought he might get for Christmas (likes socks or underwear) that he really didn't want. He said, "Hmm. I love everything I get. But if I had to pick something, I have to say I don't want anything girly." so Davis piped in and said, "Yeah, I don't want anything girly either! Like I don't want ANY fingernail polish or ANY make-up [insert long thoughtful pause] well actually I DO want fingernail polish and make-up" Kai started giggling so Davis glared at him as said, "But I don't want any more kids! We have enough of that."

We asked Chase if there was an activity or tradition he wanted to make sure we did this Christmas and he said, "I just want to do more fun things together as a family." I was touched and said, "Chase that's so sweet!" "Can I go do them now?" He asked. "Well, that IS what we're doing. RIGHT now." I said excitedly. He said, "Oh. I guess I meant to say I'd like to do more boring things by myself. Can I go do THAT now?"

The Last of the Harvest

We pulled up the last of the onions and spaghetti squash and, of course, Chase finally got to pick his watermelon.

More Evidence That Chase is a Grumpy Old Man

When Chase saw that stores are starting to sell Halloween decor he told me he hated Halloween for the following four reasons,

He said, "One, you get too much candy. Two your bag gets too heavy. Three, you have to walk around all night carrying that heavy bag knocking on people's doors. Four, its a holiday mom--and I HATE holidays."

I ♥ Chase

School is underway and last week Chase and I went to his first patent-teacher conference. At the beginning of every year the teacher reads a check list of conduct that the kids agree to and then sign. She asked things like, would he bring his supplies, do his homework, be nice to the other kids, and listen in class.  He responded to all of them with "yes" or "I'll try." Until . . .

Teacher: "Chase, can you come to school each morning ready to learn with a positive attitude?"
Chase: "A positive attitude?"
Teacher: "Yeah, that just means that you'll try to come to school happy."
Awkward silence . . .
Chase replies with a long drawn out: "Nooooo. . . I, uh, don't think I can do that."
After some coaxing he said, "Fine! I'll TRY!"

When we were done his teacher turned to me and asked, "Do you have any questions for me?" Chase said, "I do . . . what's a million plus a thousand." She answered, "One million one thousand." "Good job." He said.

First Day of School

Not everyone was thrilled to start school.

Davis has another week of carefree living before he's off to Kindergarten, but the other three started school today.

When Chase met his teacher at back to school night she asked him if he was excited for 2nd grade and he said, "I guess. The only problem is that I don't really like talking." "Oh are you shy?" she asked. "No," He said, "I just don't like talking."

For his first day of school Chase chose to wear his favorite pearl button cowboy shirt and jeans. He's still hoping for a new pair of cowboy boots while I'm still hoping to find a pair I'm willing to buy.

Kai decided that he wanted to wear what he calls his "skater outfit." This consists of his flying skateboard shirt, red skinny jeans, and blue high-tops. Mike said he's pretty sure boys don't wear "outfits" just clothes. I'm pretty sure Kai doesn't care.

Kai couldn't wait to get out the door this morning. He was excited because at back to school night his best friend, Jane, made sure they were assigned seats next to each other. I told him if he wants to continue to sit by Jane he'll have to be quiet and calm or his teacher will move him. This is no small feat for a 10 year old boy.

Madison is thrilled to be in 7th grade because she gets to take classes like art, photography, French, and P.E. Yep, she's even excited to take P.E. Oh and she gets a locker.

She saved money all summer so go back to school shopping with her Aunt Becca. When she got home with her new clothes Madison decided that she needs three "first day" outfits (she's a girl so she gets to use that word). One for orientation day (today), one for her first day of A schedule, and one for her first day of B schedule. She reasoned that because each of these days involve different classes and different people they were all technically "first days."

She's so old! I remember her first free dress day in kindergarten  when I asked her if she wanted to wear pink or purple socks and she replied, "Mom, they aren't pink and purple, they're coral and grape."

So here's to a new year--lets hope it's a good one.

Disneyland

One of these kids just turned 5. He is about to start kindergarten and is under the impression that he shouldn't ever have to change his clothes or brush his teeth.

When I told him to buckle his seat belt on one of the rides at Disneyland he said, "Mom, I know! I read the rules. It says, 'Buckle your seat belt and NO dancing.'"





Another one of these kids is 7. He is about to start 2nd grade and he will absolutely not smile unless he is truly 100% happy. He was underwhelmed by most of what Disneyland had to offer.

Toontown? I don't thinks so.  3D bug glasses? Not quite.  Train ride? Maybe. Cotton Candy? Closer.  Abraham Lincoln? 

Well, duh! Who could possibly resist the charms of Honest Abe!

One of them just turned 10 (today in fact). He is about to start 5th grade. He is growing up fast and I don't like it one bit. He's among the "big kids" now and was bound and determined to ride the roller coaster at Disneyland. He even talked a few other people into doing it with him.

Speaking of growing up fast, the oldest one is 12 now.  TWELVE. We're talking junior high people! Does this freak me out a little . . . of course it does. Pretty soon she'll wanting to stay out late and kiss boys. Fortunately for now she's satisfied driving a car and I'm okay with that.

The Cake is Done.

It's a good thing I have talented friends. 

It it weren't for my friends Ali and Maryanne Chase's birthday would have featured a very unattractive heap of cake crumbs and frosting. But luckily for me I know a whole slew of extremely talented people and I called a few of them to help make Chase's cake.

This was my first foray into fondant and it turns out that fondant isn't hard to make if you have Ali on the other end of the phone very patiently answering all your questions as you make it.

But its even easier to sit and watch as Maryanne makes and figures out how to apply tire treads to your (not quite) life-sized tire cake.

I love my friends and Chase loved the cake. 

Seven

Happy Birthday Buddy.

Birthday Cake

After a lot of thought Chase finally decided what kind of birthday cake he wants.

He announced that he wants a life sized truck tire cake. "Don't worry though, it doesn't have to be a monster truck tire--a regular truck tire will work."

100 Days of School . . . Again?

Back when the boy was in first grade he was asked to bring 100 of something to the 100th day of school. Because he is slightly perverse he chose rocks. Now Chase is in first grade and today is his 100th day of school. At first he thought about bringing 100 monster trucks. "Toy ones" he explained, "because,real ones would be too heavy." I pointed out that although we have a lot of toy trucks I didn't think we had 100. So he decided to take 100 recycling bins . . . no wait, 100 fire hydrants . . . . This went on for a while.

It took a lot of convincing but I talked him into taking something I saw on Simply Modern Mom--a monster shirt with 100 googly eyes on it. The only problem was the Madison and Kai liked Chase's shirt so much that they insisted I make them one to wear to school today too.  Unfortunately, Kai got sick this morning so he'll have to wear his to the 101st school day tomorrow.

Chase is quite possibly the cutest kid in the world.

He'll Be 7 Soon

The next birthday in our family will be Chase's.

It really wasn't that long ago Chase swore he would never turn six and never go to first grade. Regardless of these statements his sixth year came and now it is almost gone.

He's come a long way this past year. He has realized that school isn't the worst thing in the world. He's even willing to participate in PE just so long as his aid participates with him (in fact, she's lost 20lbs because of it). He decided he likes Church just so long as he doesn't have to read a scripture, give a talk, or say a prayer.

However, my favorite thing Chase has started doing this year is talking more. What he says is often unexpected and random but we get these amazing little glimpses into his mind. When he talks he says slowly with little to no emotion. Everything he says is dead pan, which makes it that much more enjoyable.

When Michael dropped him of at school and told him to have a good day Chase got nose to nose with his dad and flatly said, "I will. If my pants fit." Then he gave Michael a kiss on the cheek and jumped out of the car.  He was at my brother's house when he saw an old typewriter on their bookcase and in his slow monotone voice said, "A typewriter? What is this? 1975?"

It hard for me to believe that Chase will be seven in March. But he is constantly reminding us about his upcoming birthday and keeps asking how many days are left. It seemed like for the first time he was excited about his birthday so I asked him what he wanted to do celebrate.  He said, "I want to have pizza. Real pizza from the pizza guy who comes to your door.* Then I want you all to have a party while I go to my room and take a nap."  Wouldn't you know it, that's what I want to do on my birthday too.

*Because Kai can't eat gluten we don't really eat pizza anymore. Sometimes Michael will make a gluten free version but Chase misses "real" pizza.

This Week the Boys Said . . .

Davis--

"That's enough chocolate for today.  Whoa . . . I mean for one day not two days.  Today . . . two days . . . that is REALLY confusing!"

"Grandma, are you having a hard time getting to the bathroom? You know, there IS an easier way.  Have you thought about an electric power scooter?"

 Chase--

"I don't know what to do! Sometimes I'm naughty and sometimes I'm nice. I hope Santa has a medium list."

Kai--

"Sometimes at recess I just like to walk around the school yard and think of really sweet chess moves.  In fact, today I came up with some AMAZING ones."

Is it Christmas Already?

This year has gone by way too fast and I find that I am incredibly unprepared for Christmas. But it seems to be coming regardless . . . so here a few things we've been doing this holiday season.

I tried to make brownies.

I really should stop telling people I can bring things with they invite us over. The worst part is that the brownies were from a mix.  Oh well, instead of brownies we took a plate with left-over Costco Almond Roca. Yum.

Madison successfully made a cake.

In fact, from now on Madison will be in charge of making what we take to our friend's houses. Now that she's tried her hand at cake decorating she wants us to buy her all the supplies for Christmas. I'm not against the idea.

Kai brought the class pet home for the weekend

This is the second weekend we've watched Rowdy, the class guinea pig--and we may be getting him over Christmas break . . . yeah. I don't really understand the appeal of guinea pigs. They aren't cuddly or fun in any way--but that being said, I've never had to chase a three legged guinea pig up the street.

Madison set up a lemonade/headband stand.

Yes my daughter sold lemonade in December . . . in Utah . . . and just to make it a little more strange she decided to sell headbands too. You want to know why? I asked, and she said she was trying save $800 because then she'll have enough money to fly to Italy and buy really good Nutella.

Kai had his first violin concert

He was, uh, kind of excited. But seriously, that kid is adorable and the suspenders just make him even more so.

Kai has been playing the violin for 4 months now. Incidentally, Madison started playing the oboe around the same time, and I honestly don't know which is worse, new oboe or new violin.

Chase lost his first tooth.

Loose teeth are usually a pretty big deal around here. In fact, some of my kids make a ridiculous production out of the whole thing.  But Chase is his own man.  He played with his tooth for a week and announced  that he needed a napkin at breakfast. I handed him a napkin and he handed me his tooth. He was obviously thrilled about the whole thing

Davis had his last preschool program.

I have been to this program EIGHT times now. Twice for each child. Eight years and this was THE FIRST year I was able to get a seat close enough to get a decent picture.  This what I got . . .

 

I give you 1. Davis taking his costume off 2. Davis making a weird face, and 3. Oh my goodness I think he might need to pee.

Merry Christmas!