My game Face!

Being a mom is so fun! We go from one drill to the next, hopefully with a smile on our face. I usually have a slight grimace. I am working on this , but it is just my game face. Today, as I cleaned my bathroom, yes, it was an all day effort. I find that when you clean the bathroom in stages the bleach doesn't go to your head as much and I am able to save some of my priceless brain cells that I might need at a later date. In one of my said stages I assigned Blake to clean the full length mirror attached to the door. I gave him some direction, paper towels, some vinegar and water. "Go to it." I said. Then Sam and I laid down on my bed to read. I figured Blake would be busy for a while.

I try to read with Sam in fifteen minute increments. As we read, Blake would peak his head out of the bathroom and give us updates on his progress, like "This vinegar and water stuff really works." " Mom did you know you have black marks on your mirror?"" Don't worry Mom I got it." This progress was taking quite a while. After Sam and I finished reading, Blake was still working away.So Sam decided to read from another book and Blake continued on his task. Finally Blake was done.

Blake came out of the bathroom with a big smile"You can really see yourself now, Mom!" As I glanced in the bathroom I noticed a huge pile of paper towels and an empty card board roll. {I gave him a brand new roll of paper towels to start off with and the mirror is not the size of the wall} "Blake, Thanks, it looks really good. Did you use the whole roll of paper towels?" I asked { It was rather obvious } "Yes, but look how great it looks and I needed all those paper towels it is a big mirror you know." said Blake with pride. Sam pipes in " I could easily clean that mirror with out using the whole roll. " SAM DON'T BRAG!"Blake says with disgust. "Sam." I say with a serious look{Grimace} on my face" Blake did a great job."

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On another fun note,I have been killing little ants in my house all summer and even today I resolutely killed more ants, I do it every day!Something tells me they are out for pay back........ I was hooking up our trailer to the van this afternoon. A friend of ours needed it. He was standing right there talking to me as I was kneeling down in the gravel to get it all hooked up. When I stood up I felt something bite me on my wrist. I looked down and I saw about five to eight tiny little ants on my shirt crawling up my arm. { Have I ever mention I HATE ANTS!!!!!!!!} As I brushed them off, rather quickly, I looked down and noticed my jeans were curiously moving and not by me. I was covered with ants at least a hundred. UGH! Creepy, is not even close to what I felt. I immediately started brushing them off. {Of course, I was wearing jeans with holes in the knees so they were going up my legs and biting me.} Well, my friend was standing right there , a Man, so I couldn't rip off my pants . What to do? Stay calm and act like I'm cool with it, just another incident in the life of a Mom, as I am freaking out on the inside. I walk inside really fast and quickly check out my body to make sure I am ant free. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THESE ANTS! THEY ARE IN MY HOUSE AND IN MY PANTS! I AM SICK OF ANTS! I still have my Mom grimace on my face. I will have to work on that smile more.

Cooking with the Curious

Sam is working on his Wolf Achievements. The other day he made us breakfast, lunch and dinner. He is quite helpful in the kitchen. I had to leave for 'Recipe Club', so Skip stepped in to navigate Sam through the chicken cooking and the Macaroni making. Everyone enjoyed his delicious meal.

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Sam is also excelling in his reading. He was reading a Curious George story to Blake and Claire the other day and getting almost every word all by himself { I feel like we have jumped over one hurdle and are flying!} The problem came when Sam guessed at a word. Claire, then corrected him and she was right. She didn't even seem to be paying attention. She was kicking her legs about and humming a tune {probably "Popular"}. You see, Claire has heard these stories over and over again at her nap time. She knows them by heart and you can not change the words or she corrects you!

Soccer

This is our second year doing soccer. I am not a big fan of soccer. While I realize that it is great exercise and my kids are out in the sun enjoying the beautiful VA weather, it just takes up so much time. Driving 25 min and waiting around for an hour and a half then driving another 25 min home, two times a week in the afternoon. I could be more productive and read to Blake and Claire or something along those lines. I know I am just thinking of all the school we could be doing. The kids don't seem to mind. I should just relax I guess... Kind of hard!

Play It Again Sam

Sam and I go the rounds everyday with piano practice. He is steadily moving forward at a slow pace. I find that if I sit with him for pretty much the whole practice I can get him through. He sees the notes and immediately gets discouraged. "It is to hard, I can't do it!" Sam says every time. I am the encourager, the enforcer, and the buck stops here. The thing is, he does get it and he is very precise as to the notes and the counting. He will not do with so, so. This is where the tears come in. I am not sure where this perfectionism comes from. ... Maybe it is genetic?

This was a great practice. I love when I see smiles instead of tears.

Fishy Muck and Cookie Dough

This week we have had much needed rain. With rain comes bad Internet service...hmmm... which is more important Rain or communicating with the world.... Tough choice...okay it has to be rain the world needs water and so do I.

We had a great lesson in FHE about repentance and forgiveness by Sam, Complete with wipe board graphics. Skip and I were a little confused at first with where he was going with his story about a ring , his primary teacher and Blake, but don't the pictures tell the story.

Then Jack treated us to chocolate chip edible cookie dough for desert. You use vanilla pudding instead of eggs. It was a little to sweet for me and Skip took a pass on it. Jack really wanted to experiment with the recipe so we decided to cook them to see how they would taste...they were okay, a little spongy texture.

Sam had The Rain Gutter Regatta at cub scouts and he loved it. We all did. He is begging us to buy some rain gutters and set them up in the garage for our own races or better yet he says we should build a pine wood derby race track in the garage. Of course you know Skip jumped all over this! HA!HA!

Claire went to her first two birthday parties this week. She is a party girl. Just mention the word party and she throws her hands up in the air and exclaims WHOO! HOO! She does bust me up constantly. I love that she is so observant. At one of the parties my friend had some decorative hearts hanging on the wall and Claire commented to her," Those are lovely hearts you have on that wall." really how nice thanks..?

With the rain comes power outages. With power outages comes {sometimes} Fish tank aquarium flooding...you know there is no amount of self talk that can help me when I wake from a dead sleep, to the sound of water pouring out on to my wood somewhat warped floor. { It flooded while we were at the beach...ARGGGGG} i mean you sit straight up in bed, tell Skip to hurry and get up because the tank is over flowing . It is pitch dark in the house, the emergency flash lights that I thought I had so cleverly hidden were gone of course...I can't imagine WHO could of taken them...elves, pixies..maybe trolls... You bumble to the linen closet to find old towels fast in the dark and down the stairs at 3 something in the morning and clean up water that is pouring over the sides, while Skip tries to stop it. The light come back on while we are cleaning it up ,everything settles down and back into bed, then BAM! Right as you are about to enter into that deep restful sleep it happens again... Skip you are on your own. I don't want to be responsible for the demise of any fish. I promise YOU THAT IS MY STATE OF MIND AT 4 SOMETHING IN THE MORNING WHEN THE EMERGENCY INVOLVES A SALT WATER FISH TANK.

Sam

Tonight Sam had A Cub Scout activity. They met at a pool to work on their swimming belt loop. Sam had already earned his and did not know why he should go{ he is so by the book and he thinks so linear.} He did go and got pretty excited about it as I drove him over to the pool.

I walked him up to the pool and watched as he walked all alone into the pool. Something inside me said follow him. I did not listen. I am with my kids allot and I am trying to give them experiences without me. I thought this would be a good one.

They had the boys jump into the deep end and swim 20 feet, touch and then back. I know Sam can do this, as he did it in Utah for his swim teacher. He panicked and got out . After telling his Cub Master his head hurt he sat down and there he sat for the next hour and a half. He told me he asked if he could call me , but they told him I would be there at the same time regardless of the call so they did not have him call me. I was sitting five minutes away in the pool parking lot.

I came in the pool looking for a boy that I would have to drag out. Scouring the pool I saw many boys splashing and having fun, but no Sam. Finally after chatting with another mom for a couple of minutes, I saw out of the corner of my eye Sam walking toward me dry and head hung low. It had been a miserable time for him. I could see tears well up in his eyes, but they did not fall.{Sam is not one to show tears, he will hold a dam back with his sheer will} I was sad for him.

He wanted to play his game boy , but I said turn it off so we can talk. I asked him about his feelings and how he could have made different choices. He said all the boys were going off the diving board and the water slide and he is not comfortable enough yet for either. I told him that he had gone down several slides that were bigger than the one there and he was fine with it. He seemed to cheer up a little, realizing that he had many success in the water this summer.

I hate this part of parenting. I just want my kids to be normal kids. Have fun and enjoy life. I feel sometimes that I haven't given them all the opportunities I should have. I know they have to fall to get stronger, it is just tough watching it. Sam seemed Okay when we arrived home. I think he takes his bumps in stride. It is me that doesn't.

OBX...The Beach

We left yesterday for our drive to the beach. Leaving at 2 pm we planned on a 3-4 hour trip. Traffic was terrible at all points north of the tide water bridge and our drive turned into a 6 hour trip. I was not prepared. No snacks. No extra games. No toys. NO CHOCOLATE!!! {I did however, have Motrin and I needed it.} We were almost to our destination and Claire was extremely cranky. Claire needed her fix and so did I. I remembered Jack packed the DVDs and yes BLUES CLUES was in the mix. Thank you Jack.



We made it to the beach house and we were all very happy. Sad also, because Aunt Maryann and family were not there. Would it be the same with out them?

The first day the water was calm, really calm, lake like. The weather was warm and muggy slight breeze from the land not the sea. The flys and jelly fish were biting. Never the less, we made the best of the day. All my boys went into the water. Claire did not want to at all. She played in the baby pool and was quite content.

Now the adults are playing "Loot". Me, I am blogging, anti social that is me.I need to join in the pirate fun.

1.Ocean

2.lighting

3. sunscreen

Sam Out to Save money

Sam,"You know what Jack?"

Jack,"What?"

Sam" Well, these whole wheat pancakes are great for a little snack. Just pop them out of the freezer and into the microwave for about 10seconds then add a little butter and another 10seconds and there you go great snack." "When I am older and have to go to the office, I will grab some of Mom's pancakes and some of her bread, put them in a cooler and on the way to work pick up a freezer and a microwave. Then I can save time and money at work by eating while I am working in my office. This way I can get home earlier and I play with my kids."

I am so glad to know I will be making bread and pancakes for Sam when he is an adult. At least he loves them now.




















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Day Camp

Sam and I attended 'Cub Scout Day Camp' together. When I woke at 5:30 am I was secretly hoping Sam would say he was to tired to go. He was a little disoriented, but when I told him where we were going he was up like a shot. I had to show my enthusiasm and off we went.

It was freezing up in the mountains. We didn't bring enough layers. Sam was shivering all morning. When I offered my jacket, which I did because you have to do that if your a good Mom , right?... He refused it. He wouldn't say why at the time, but when I questioned him later, he just told me it wouldn't be fair to have me be cold, especially since I was wearing a short sleeve shirt.{ I didn't listen to my mom and now my kids are suffering the NATURAL consequences. Did you ever try to find a sweat shirt in the stores in June? It's not gonna happen.} It is cold here in Utah.{tomorrow's high is going to be 65. }




Sam Had a great time and I am so glad I went. He did all sorts of fun activities; Sling shot, boat racing, sword fighting, BB gun and Archery. I loved watching, as the weather warmed up, so did his smile. He did knot tying and flag folding. Even though he knew no one , Sam is the kind of kid that just rolls with whomever is there.

We were buddies through the whole day. We ate lunch together and went to the trading post together. We talked about what we should buy. Sam wanted a sling shot, but they didn't have the kind they used on the range, so we went to Wal Mart after to buy two sling shots. { My Mom wasn't to happy with this purchase choice.... They are dangerous, she is right, but I thought it was fun. Jack told Grandpa when he got home from work,"Mom bought Sling shots for us, but it freaked grandma out."} Sam also purchased some Skittles and a bullet from some sort of gun. I don't know which. They had them on necklaces and Sam did not want a necklace. He also picked up some used BB's off the ground.

We were both pretty happy when he camp was over and we went to the closing flag ceremony. You can imagine 112 cub scouts all crowded together around the pole, talking and laughing, yelling and screaming with excitement. The moment the flag ceremony started all was quiet except for the birds and the wind. It was awesome. These boys were learning reverence for our flag. I loved it. All at attention, with the scout salute.

Last but not least, we were the last to leave camp. Sam thought he forgot something, which we later found in the car. So I started up Maryann's and Shane's Suburban and off we went down the mountain. Mountain roads are a little narrow and I have a bit of a lead foot....YES, I WAS PULLED OVER AGAIN!!!! I was only going 45, but the speed limit was 25. I saw the Sheriff pass me and I knew I was busted. I hadn't seen any of the speed limit signs. I promise. You just know, deep in your gut when you are in trouble. I watched in my rear view mirror as the sheriff turned around and turned on his lights. The kicker was when he asked me if I knew the speed limit and I said no, that I was just visiting from VA and then handed him my CO drivers license....NICE...I was also driving a UT car. The sheriff did comment on all of this, with a smile. He saw Sam in his uniform in the back and ask if we were coming from day camp. I said yes. He told me to pull over where we would not be in the way of traffic and I thought for sure I was busted. He came to the window , I had all the right ID and info for him. He said put it away. I was shocked {No, I did not have bight red lipstick on} He just wanted to talk to my boy. He told Sam that he was officially deputising him and that he was the deputy in charge of making sure our family was safe, including seat belts and MAKING SURE YOUR MOM DOESN'T SPEED... OK, I get it. I will try to slow down. Sam thought it was cool. He got a sheriffs star.

The Doctor Is In

Two days ago Sam stepped on something in the hall way upstairs. We were not sure what it was, but it hurt and his big toe was bleeding. It looked like a small pin prick. I really had no idea what it was, so I cleaned it and put a band aid on it.{I tend not to be an alarmist as my children can be dramatic} Well, the complaints kept coming. Last night after a day of not being able to walk too far and allot of limping, I decided to take the tweezers to it. I had flash light and a magnifying glass. I looked just like Skip in these pictures. I was not so successful though. Sam just cried. He kept pretty still and asked for breaks, but he did cry big crocodile tears and some of the crying was the silent kind. After 15 minutes I said we would stop and try again later. I couldn't take the pain I was causing him, especially when we were getting no where.

Tonight as Skip was putting Sam to bed, he thought he would take a STAB at it. For some reason Sam did not cry as much. In fact mostly just complaining and no tears. Skip joked with him to take his mind off of the procedure. After about 5-7 minutes he had the first of two big chards of glass out.{they weren't big compared to a thumb tack, but big enough to cause Sam pain} Sam said," Good we are done." and Skip said," No I think there is something else in there."

Skip poked around a little more and tugged at something else and finally pulled another chard out. It looks like jagged dagger. I said it must be the 'Littles'{from the book} you must have almost stepped on one and they were protecting themselves. Blake looked at me in fear and disbelief, "Are you kidding Mom?" Sam just smiled.

Afterword Sam gave his Dad a big hug. Sometimes you just need a Dad do the dirty work. Thank you Skip I love you. So does Sam!

Really Cool

Blake has wanted a Frisbee for so long. Now he has one. He practiced, and practiced with his dad. He is catching on.

I always find it funny what things kid get their hearts set on. You have the usual fare electronic stuff, sports stuff, and various toys. Then you have the odd, like a vacuum, recycling bin, and a really cool cheese grater. These are all from Sam. I guess his chores are really getting to him.

We did get him a vacuum one year and he loved it! He just brought me some paper to recycle{I don't have a bin}. The cheese grater is a new one. I will have to figure out what he means by really cool.

Fathers and Sons Outing

I think the boys had a great time at the camp out . Blake said this was the best Father and Sons camp out he has ever been on.{ I think this is his third year.} Even though he ran full on into a tree. He was chasing around in the woods, with other kids, they had their flash lights. He had a headlight on and a flash light in hand and he still managed to run into tree. He scratched his upper cheek pretty good. The funny thing is that he didn't even tell Skip and by the way Skip had no idea that he hurt himself. I asked him if it hurt and did he cry. He said he did, but his friend Ethan saw him crying and came and comforted him. I LOVE ETHAN! After that he said I felt better.





Jack has had a little more experience with fishing, so he was teaching Blake how to cast. I thought this was great.Sam said he loved the camp fire and burning plates in the fire. He loved the way they curled as they burned. He also told me this is the first time he had a smore and liked it. Hooray!...Progress.

My Mothers Day

My Mothers Day was really on Saturday. We bought a new table and chairs for the kitchen on Ebay. Skip drove with Sam and Jack to pick it up. It was up past Charlottesville, about an hour away. It is used, but in great condition, except for the smell. I am the only one this bugs, but I spend the most time in the kitchen so I must get the smell out before it drives me from this house.{It's a smell of someone else, not smoke, kind of like air freshener or musty air freshener}I don't Know what it is. I just know the problem must be solved and soon. Any suggestions?

The next thing we did was to buy a matching desk and chairs to put our old computer on so the boys could do their school work at the same time. This is heaven sent. No more fighting. Well, now they will probably fight about who gets what computer. IT NEVER ENDS!

The next thing we did has more to do with Jack, Sam , and Blake. they really wanted this game called Mario Karts. I didn't want to just give it to them, they had to earn it. Jack had to do a certain amount of baby sitting. They all had to clean out the garage and clean out the cars. Blake helped me inside cleaning and watching Claire. Jack and Sam spent most of the day on Saturday cleaning. It took about six and a half hours to clean. They kept saying we're done and I would have to come back with, no your not, then I would find something that they needed to do better. They were getting very frustrated. That 's the way it goes. If your going to do something, do it right and do your best. {These words are being drilled into their heads, I am sure they are sick of it.} I just had to show them what their best was.

They were rewarded with time on the 'Wii'. They were very happy and had loads of fun.

I will post pics later when the wind and rain stop.

The Park

Sam always takes care of Claire.

We went park and had a load of fun. Claire was very protected by her brothers. Everywhere she went, she had a shadow watching over her.

Sam is a little angel he talks so sweetly to her and makes sure she is safe.

Zelda......For the piano?

Jack and Sam had their spring recital. They played a duet "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" And Jack played the theme to "Zelda". I wish you could hear it but We live where the Internet connection is not fast enough. If you have the game just turn it on don't skip the intro, listen to the music and that is it. Imagine listening to this over and over for 6 weeks. Imagine playing it over and over. The son g was pretty complicated with lots of incidentals, almost every other note, Jack did have fun with it.

Sam played the "Marines Hymn",he did well considering he forgot his music. Most of the time the music is memorized, but with duets and some solos they have the option of having the music. Sam forgot to bring it. He mentioned this half way to the recital. I told him he would just have to do it without the music. He had been playing this song for over a month and I knew he could do it. It was a little rough, but he made it through.

Do Over

There is this little singing show called 'American Idol', heard of it? Well, I was never a fan. I am not a fan of the TV in general. {that is another discussion} Skip's parents came to visit and they hooked us on this show {for this season only, I mean you become a slave to this show, two nights a week, It's crazy} Anyway I digress, The thing is, this girl on the show, I will call her Brook, started singing this song and then stopped, because she forgot the words. She started back up again and sang the whole song this time. There was this huge controversy as to whether you should be able to have a "Do Over" when you are performing in front of a live audience. Some said yes, arguing that this is your one chance to show the world what you can do and if you have to try again you should. Some no absolutely not, you should be able to move through the mistake, find your bearings and move on. Some people felt she will for ever be known as the contestant that stopped and started over on national TV. Is there some sort of redemption here? After singing the whole song can't she be remembered instead for a wonderful performance or will her mistake forever follow her?

The real question for me out of this whole fiasco is a little different and happened on a smaller more obscure stage. The stage of Laurene and Sam's life. And I am wondering is there redemption for me as a Mother. We all make mistakes and sometimes I think we are allowed a"Do Over", hopefully.

First of all, I feel like Sam is continually getting the short end of the stick. He is quite steady, so most things roll off his back and he resumes life with a smile. Last night Sam had Cub Scouts. I had a Relief Society presidency meeting. We scheduled the meeting at this time because I would have to be at the church anyway. Sam and I walked into the building { we were three minutes late} I noticed several of the ladies were in the room starting the meeting. I felt I needed to hurry, but I wanted to walk Sam to his meeting to make sure he was comfortable and safe. As we walked down the hall I noticed the scouts were in the gym. They were having a pack meeting. Usually the pack meetings are on the fourth Wed night of the month. This had been changed. Sam was supposed to receive his 'Bobcat', the first big award for a cub scout. At the previous meeting he was supposed to get it, but the leaders forgot about him. Before the meeting we had spent a lot of time talking about how great it was going to be and how proud we were of him and then, he didn't get it. He was very disappointed. I told him don't worry next month we will get it and it will be great. When I say we I mean as the mother every time your scout gets an award of rank, you go up and your son pins an award on you for helping him. My kids always have a big smile and look of satisfaction. They give you a big kiss and a hug, it is a big deal.

I pondered as to what I should do,I thought well, I will just go back to my meeting tell them what has happened, and then go to the pack meeting. I would hustle back to the Pres. meeting after 'Pack'. It didn't quite happen that way and I ended up staying in my meeting too long. By the time I got back to the Pack meeting it was over. {25 min later} I missed Sam getting his Award. He had no family there. They asked him to bring up his mom so he could pin my award on me. He explained that I wasn't there and then they said what about your dad. Not here either.{ Usually the whole family comes, but we didn't know} They gave him his first award all by himself. I missed it. I knew immediately when I walked in the gym and they were putting the chairs away. My heart sunk. Sam's face was all I needed to see. I almost started to cry {I rarely do} I told Sam I was so sorry I missed it. He said he was upset, but now he was OK. UPSET, I guess so. I went back to finish out my meeting. Sam sat in silence.

After my meeting I took Sam for a fresh drink and a chocolate bar. I know it doesn't make up for what happened, but I was trying to do something. I told him next pack meeting we will have them give the award again so he can pin my pin on me. A "Do Over"? Is this OK? Will Sam be scarred for life, because stuff like this keeps happening? Will he always remember Scouts and how his mom can't get her priorities straight. Hopefully I can be redeemed next time.

Goats and Chickens

Sam and Blake went to some friends and were able to feed some baby goats and see lots of chickens,little silkies. We got some fresh eggs too. Can't wait to try them.

Go To Bat!

Sam being the Ninja that he is.

Jack had the final word on the

pinata. He beat the heck out of a Cinderella heart pinata. Just what every 11 year old wants to do.

Loyal to the End

I love to watch my children's relationships grow. Sam and Blake are great friends. sometimes they come close to blows{ OK occasional blows}. All and all they get along quite wonderfully. Sam likes the teacher, mentor role and Blake is happy to direct and follow at the same time. Blake is quite stubborn and Sam can be at times, but Sam's nature is more to please and not make waves. He likes to invent games and direct the outcome. Blake usually follows, except when he doesn't. There is allot of give and take and they make each other laugh. They just watched " Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" and their favorite line was " I 'm an Uncle" They say this constantly to each other, now Claire says it and they all bust up. They come in and cuddle with me every morning. I love it. Yesterday they were knights guarding a castle and they helped each other with the DS game without fighting. When it's nice, it is so nice!

Do My Best

Sam is a Cub Scout. He is so excited. Tonight was his first meeting. He had a smile a mile wide. Afterword in the car he said :"I tried to do everything that the book says. Mom what does the book say that I am supposed to do at the end of our Den meeting? Mom :" Help clean up" Sam : "I did that" Mom :" Pick up all your belongings" Sam :"I did that" Mom Tell your Den leader thank you" Sam: as he hits himself on the head " I knew I missed something. Next week I will remember everything" He says with confidence. Sam is very by the book. I have no doubt that he will remember everything.