I Hate Spelling

I hate spelling. I hated studying when I was a kid and I hate studying it with my kids. I've never liked it and I never will. I suspect Davis knows how much I hate spelling because he is slightly perverse when it come to practicing his words.

Me: Okay, spell Cat
Davis: C...A...T
Me: Mat
Davis: M..A...T
Me: Hat
Davis: H..T..E
Me: What? HTE? What? Hat! Spell hat.
Davis: D..C..E
Me: Davis, there is a pattern here. All these words end with the 'at' sound, what two letters make the 'at' sound?
Davis: A..T
Me: Right, so spell hat
Davis: H..T..E
Me: Nevermind.

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 Still Don't Know What He Didn't Do...

Me: "Davis, come here!"
Davis: "I didn't do it."
M: "Didn't do what?"
D: "I mean...I didn't start it."
M: "Didn't start what?"
D: "Whatever you're upset about."
M: "I'm not upset about anything. I just want you to eat breakfast."
D: "See, I told you I didn't do anything!"

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 Usual

This morning Davis asked if I would make him a sandwich for breakfast. When I asked him what kind of sandwich he said, "You know...the usual." So I made him a peanut butter sandwich because this is what he eats multiple times a day every day. At which point he said, "What is that?! Peanut butter is NOT my usual! My usual is ham, salami, swiss, mayo and horseradish. Ohhhh, this is the worstest day ever!"

Davis' "worstest day ever" face

A Few Things Davis Said to My Mom

Yesterday was “infusion day,” so Kai and I were chilling at the hospital while Davis spent some quality time with Grandma Jan.

When I first dropped Davis off, my mom was doing her hair. She had just put styling gel in when my Dad told her he was leaving, so she went into the other room to check on the Dave. When he saw her he said, "Grandma, your hair looks crazy."

My mom: "I know. I was just getting ready to dry and curl it."
Davis: "No. I mean it looks really crazy! It looks crazier than clown's hair. In fact, I think clowns could quit buying wigs and just do whatever you did to your hair to theirs."

Later, an ad for an electric power chair came on the TV and asked, "Have you fallen in the last 3 months?" Davis said "Well I have fallen. But I am not getting one of those".

And then for the trifecta... Davis drew a picture of my mom all tied up in a dungeon and unable to move. My mom said, "Davis, don't draw me in a sad place, put me in a happy place!" Davis exasperatedly said, "But grandma, I put a smile on your face."

Grandma in a Dungeon by Davis

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?"

Phineas, Ferb, and the Big Guy

Davis: Do you know what the end of the shoelace is called?

Grandma Jan: I used to but I can’t remember.

Davis: An aglet. I learned that from Phineas and Ferb, they found it online and NO ONE knew it before that.

Grandma Jan: If no one knew it, who put it online?

Davis: I think Jesus did.

For Christmas I think I'm going to make Davis the I ♥ Aglets Shirt that Buford is wearing.

Hot Chocolate

Morning is best when it starts with hot chocolate.

Davis' First Day of Kindergarten

Davis started his first day of Kindergarten this week.

He's been looking forward to going to school all summer. So it makes sense that  he was pretty disappointed when he found out kindergarten was only a half day so he didn't need to take a lunch.

When we got to the school he got out of the van and said, "Bye mom, See you later!" And started walking off by himself. When I pointed out that he didn't know where his classroom was he shrugged his shoulders and said, "Ehh. I'll figure it out." I went ahead and walked him in anyway.

When I picked him up after school he asked me if he could go to school every day. I think it went over pretty well.

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.

A Little Snark for Your Morning

Davis: "I didn't want you to pour my cereal WIDE I wanted you to pour it TALL!"
Madison: "I can't pour cereal tall. It doesn't work that way."
Davis: "Yes you can!"
Madison: "Apparently you don't understand physics."
Davis: "Yes I do understand physics! I do!"
Madison: "Really? What is it?"
Davis: "Okay FINE! I don't understand PHYSICS! Do you feel better now?"
Madison: "Pretty much."

Soul Surfing

Davis and Madison have been watching Soul Surfer a lot lately. It is one of Madison's favorite movies and Davis is the only one she can sucker into watching it with her.

So while watching the movie the other night they came to a part where the dad tells the girl she can still surf with only one arm because she can do anything to which Davis says, "Yeah except get your other arm back!"

Davis' impression of Soul Surfer

I am pretty sure he lost the wrong arm. He may have received his ability to decipher left and right from me.

Oh THAT Guy

Davis: Mom whats the name of that guy who controls the weather?
Me: Do you mean the weather man? The guy on T.V.?
Davis: No. The guy who like makes the weather and controls it and stuff.
Me: Are you talking about Mother Nature?
Davis: NO! Its a GUY.  And he like makes stuff and is in charge and everything.
Me: God? Are you talking about God?
Davis: YES! God! He really shouldn't have made wind. I don't like it.

It's Okay If You Spell It . . . Right?

Kai: These bug bites are driving me crazy! They itch like H-E-L-L!
Davis (very impressed): Whoa . . . Kai knows how to spell itchy?!!

Cut Me Some Slack

Davis: "Mom wanna come watch a show with me because you don't have anything to do now because you got fired."

Me: "I didn't get fired. Its more like I got laid off."

Davis: "Well you used to have a job and now you don't. I'm pretty sure that's called fired."

My Two Front Teeth

About two weeks ago I noticed that Davis had a fat lip but when I looked closer I realized his lip wasn't fat at all. What he had was an infection in his gums right above his two front teeth that was causing so much swelling it looked like a fat lip.

Long story short, today Davis had his two front teeth professionally yanked. He was a trooper. They told me to expect the extraction to take at least an hour but Davis was so happy and relaxed that we were in an out in less than 30 minutes. And that includes the time it took him to invite everyone in the dental office to his birthday party in June.

My kids tend to take their time when it come to getting teeth (Madison was still toothless at her first birthday). So he's going to be wearing this smile for a few years.

Happy Valentines Day!

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!