We have entered a a kind of funny, albeit slightly annoying, stage that all kids go through--that of of the bad joke, or worse, the bad knock-knock joke. As in:
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Orange.
Orange Who?
Orange. I'm drowning in the bathtub!
This is, of course, a combination of two knock-knock jokes I shared with my kids at their request. Surely you are all familiar with the oft-repeated (and very annoying, even when told correctly) banana-banana-banana-orange knock-knock joke. The second joke is the only other one I remember from my childhood. I thought it was hilarious at the time, so it stuck with me.
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Dwayne.
Dwayne Who?
Dwayne the tub. I'm dwowning!
Ryan thought this joke was really funny, but obviously he missed the pun. However, now all of his knock-knock jokes have to include this punch line, whether they fit the joke or not.
The boys totally did not get one of my favorites:
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Sam and Janet.
Sam and Janet Who?
Sam and Janet evening.... [Which you have to sing (with feeling) to the tune of "Some Enchanted Evening"--I think that's the part that scared them.]
Here's another that I like and feel is appropriate to end on. (Naturally, the boys aren't able to reproduce this one on their own, either.)
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Sarah.
Sarah Who?
Sarah reason you're not laughing??
Thursday, January 22, 2009
If You Fill It, They Will Come
After two long months, I have finally refilled my birdfeeders. The poor birds suffered neglect during the most giving season of the year. I guess I didn't have much left to give them. But, really, not only will they will survive--it doesn't even look like they hold a grudge.
The fruits of a filled birdfeeder are almost immediate. This morning around 7:30am my backyard was quite active. It will filled with mourning doves, northern cardinals (male and female), blue jays, red-bellied woodpeckers (whose "red" belly is hard to see, but who does have a red head, though it's not really a red-headed woodpecker--can it be more confusing?), house finches, carolina wrens, carolina chickadees, and northern mockingbirds. And don't forget the squirrels who were trying (with minimal success) to defend their personal feeder. I have two hanging feeders and one platform feeder attached to a tree trunk. Typically, if I keep the platform feeder filled the squirrels are content to stay there and won't bother the hanging feeders. It's easier than trying to squirrel-proof everything, which is impossible.
To the birdies I say: Welcome Back!
The fruits of a filled birdfeeder are almost immediate. This morning around 7:30am my backyard was quite active. It will filled with mourning doves, northern cardinals (male and female), blue jays, red-bellied woodpeckers (whose "red" belly is hard to see, but who does have a red head, though it's not really a red-headed woodpecker--can it be more confusing?), house finches, carolina wrens, carolina chickadees, and northern mockingbirds. And don't forget the squirrels who were trying (with minimal success) to defend their personal feeder. I have two hanging feeders and one platform feeder attached to a tree trunk. Typically, if I keep the platform feeder filled the squirrels are content to stay there and won't bother the hanging feeders. It's easier than trying to squirrel-proof everything, which is impossible.
To the birdies I say: Welcome Back!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
It's Not Fair!
I have discovered a button. The "It's not fair," button--said with a whine, extra whine on the fair. This phrase creeped into our home via Todd a few months ago. Ryan has now picked it up. Boy, does it rattle me! I'm not sure what's worse: the whining that accompanies it, the poor argument it holds, or the disrespect it carries when I have asked the boys to do something.
Well, guess what? I wanted to sleep in until 7:30am this morning, but I woke up at 6:00am and couldn't get back to sleep, and now my eyes are all puffy. It's not faaaaair!
Well, guess what? I wanted to sleep in until 7:30am this morning, but I woke up at 6:00am and couldn't get back to sleep, and now my eyes are all puffy. It's not faaaaair!
Friday, January 9, 2009
A Tale of Two (or Three) Trees
I'm sure it just about killed Brett. Not only did we still have Christmas decorations still up a week (or more) after Christmas, we even had two Christmas trees shining in our front windows.
It gets better. At one point, I owned three Christmas trees.
I finally decided that it was time to replace the Charlie Brown tree that I have been setting up since before we had kids. I set out on the day after Christmas to buy a tree, and I wasn't coming home without one.
My sister-in-law and I first tried Kmart. The nice trees they had left all had multi-colored lights. There was one floor model that I especially liked. Of course, they were sold out. We asked about buying the floor model. They sold it to us as is (without a box). They had to remove the decorations before I could take it, so we said that we would come back later. We made our way to Target and found another tree that seemed nice. It had some fancy lighting features, such as giving you the option of lighting the multi-colored strands, the white strands, or both. Unfortunately, there was no floor model. I bought it, took it home, and set up. The tree had a remote control that worked the lights, but you had to use the remote control to get it to turn on. I couldn't get it working. I checked everything. Finally I decided that 1) this was a recipe for disaster if the remote got lost or broken, and 2) the tree that I paid for (but had not yet picked up) was prettier. So, I went back and got the Kmart tree (and later returned the Target tree).
Because the Kmart tree had no box, we loaded it up into the bed of the pickup truck. I set it up right in the dining room until I could figure out how to store it and get it into the attic. The boys loved having the new tree set up. They loved the multi-colored lights, and plugged it in every morning. Todd had a great time transferring ornaments from our old tree over to the new one. You can see where his reach ends. (The lone red-ribboned ornament was a beaded wreath that Todd tossed a little higher.)
I'm excited about having a pretty tree. (It will look even better when the branches are straightened out) It's funny though. I didn't realize how much I loved the white lights on my old tree. I have had white lights forever, it seems. And, like I mentioned before--even though it was scrawny and a little pathetic in the daytime, when compared with our new tree in the evening with the lights out, my old tree with its white lights still held a little more magic for me than our new one.
I do hope that will change next year when I put up our new tree and fill it up with all the ornaments. (I do have a few extra strands of white lights that I can put on if it comes to that.)
It gets better. At one point, I owned three Christmas trees.
I finally decided that it was time to replace the Charlie Brown tree that I have been setting up since before we had kids. I set out on the day after Christmas to buy a tree, and I wasn't coming home without one.
My sister-in-law and I first tried Kmart. The nice trees they had left all had multi-colored lights. There was one floor model that I especially liked. Of course, they were sold out. We asked about buying the floor model. They sold it to us as is (without a box). They had to remove the decorations before I could take it, so we said that we would come back later. We made our way to Target and found another tree that seemed nice. It had some fancy lighting features, such as giving you the option of lighting the multi-colored strands, the white strands, or both. Unfortunately, there was no floor model. I bought it, took it home, and set up. The tree had a remote control that worked the lights, but you had to use the remote control to get it to turn on. I couldn't get it working. I checked everything. Finally I decided that 1) this was a recipe for disaster if the remote got lost or broken, and 2) the tree that I paid for (but had not yet picked up) was prettier. So, I went back and got the Kmart tree (and later returned the Target tree).
Because the Kmart tree had no box, we loaded it up into the bed of the pickup truck. I set it up right in the dining room until I could figure out how to store it and get it into the attic. The boys loved having the new tree set up. They loved the multi-colored lights, and plugged it in every morning. Todd had a great time transferring ornaments from our old tree over to the new one. You can see where his reach ends. (The lone red-ribboned ornament was a beaded wreath that Todd tossed a little higher.)
I'm excited about having a pretty tree. (It will look even better when the branches are straightened out) It's funny though. I didn't realize how much I loved the white lights on my old tree. I have had white lights forever, it seems. And, like I mentioned before--even though it was scrawny and a little pathetic in the daytime, when compared with our new tree in the evening with the lights out, my old tree with its white lights still held a little more magic for me than our new one.
I do hope that will change next year when I put up our new tree and fill it up with all the ornaments. (I do have a few extra strands of white lights that I can put on if it comes to that.)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Soggy Rats
It's been a little while since I shared some Ryan sayings. I love the way little minds see things. I love how Ryan uses the word "soggy" to described anything from blurry photos to dirty sunglasses.
"Oh, that's not a good picture. It's too soggy."
and "I washed the glasses on my storm trooper helmet with water because it was getting soggy."
I also think it's funny how once kids start learning what allergies are they try to use that to their advantage. Since Uncle Mark has been back home during the Christmas break we have talked about allergies a little more frequently. One day at dinner Ryan announced that he was allergic to water. That will be tough, Ryan! The interpretation of that statement is, "I would rather have milk or juice to drink at dinner than plain, old water." His self-proclaimed allergy to water didn't get him anywhere, so he gave it up after a few days.
However, he soon developed a new allergy: that of rats. As in, "Yeah. I'm allergic to rats. If I eat a rat, I'll DIE." [It makes me so sad that I can't convey the tone of voice when I am sharing Ryan stories. He will matter-of-factly say the first part of the sentence. Then on the word "die" his inflection and facial expression changes in such a humorous way. This is what I am afraid of forgetting as he gets older.]
Ryan developed his allergy of rats about a month ago, but I had not heard how he was faring for two weeks or so. I was talking about both real and pretend allergies with another mom at Wyatt's birthday party. I couldn't remember the very funny allergy Ryan had. So, I called Ryan over and simply asked him, "Ryan, what are you allergic to?" Without hesitation he answered "Rats!" This was obviously not just some passing fancy. Hopefully, we will be able to move on through childhood without any complications or hospitalizations as a result of this allergy.
"Oh, that's not a good picture. It's too soggy."
and "I washed the glasses on my storm trooper helmet with water because it was getting soggy."
I also think it's funny how once kids start learning what allergies are they try to use that to their advantage. Since Uncle Mark has been back home during the Christmas break we have talked about allergies a little more frequently. One day at dinner Ryan announced that he was allergic to water. That will be tough, Ryan! The interpretation of that statement is, "I would rather have milk or juice to drink at dinner than plain, old water." His self-proclaimed allergy to water didn't get him anywhere, so he gave it up after a few days.
However, he soon developed a new allergy: that of rats. As in, "Yeah. I'm allergic to rats. If I eat a rat, I'll DIE." [It makes me so sad that I can't convey the tone of voice when I am sharing Ryan stories. He will matter-of-factly say the first part of the sentence. Then on the word "die" his inflection and facial expression changes in such a humorous way. This is what I am afraid of forgetting as he gets older.]
Ryan developed his allergy of rats about a month ago, but I had not heard how he was faring for two weeks or so. I was talking about both real and pretend allergies with another mom at Wyatt's birthday party. I couldn't remember the very funny allergy Ryan had. So, I called Ryan over and simply asked him, "Ryan, what are you allergic to?" Without hesitation he answered "Rats!" This was obviously not just some passing fancy. Hopefully, we will be able to move on through childhood without any complications or hospitalizations as a result of this allergy.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
In a Panic
When you talk to your kids about what to do in an emergency, or what to do when there's a fire, or what to do when something else might happen, you're never sure whether they are going to remember what you discussed earlier.
While I don't wish to experience some of the emergencies we have discussed with our kids (please, let me never experience a house fire!), I was so happy to see how Todd reacted this afternoon when we had a hiccup in our schedule.
Because Todd missed the first two days of school, he also missed the reminder that this third day of school was an early release day. Because I just got my new 2009 calendar and have not yet updated my appointments and other notable activities, I did not remember that this was to be an early release day. Having been cooped up for a few days, I was ready to get out and do a little shopping. (I especially wanted to see if there was anything good left in the Lenox outlet store that is closing in the next week.) I planned on being gone most of the day.
At about the exact time that Todd was released from school today I felt a lurch and just knew that it was an early release. Unfortunately, I was a good 30-plus minutes from home. I called the school to verify (yes, the students had already been released), then called Oma. Although Todd was not there yet, in a matter of 5 minutes or so Todd was at Oma's and I was able to talk to him on the phone. For those 15-20 minutes it took me to get to my phone and make the calls and find my child, I was in a panic. What relief I felt when I was assured that all was well!
What made me feel so good was to see how Todd handled the situation. Based on what Todd and Oma told me, and based on the evidence I found when I got back home Todd kept his cool the whole time.
Here is what I think he did:
First, he got into the house and looked for Mom. The last place he checked was my bedroom, where he dumped his backpack.
Next, he dumped his coat in the bathroom and took a little potty break.
He proceeded to the desk where he retrieved a piece of scrap paper.
Then he took his paper into the kitchen and wrote a note. He wrote me a NOTE! I couldn't be more proud--even if the note doesn't include what his plans are.
After seeing that Casie and Kellie were not yet back from school he continued on to Oma's. I love having family so close! 
While I don't wish to experience some of the emergencies we have discussed with our kids (please, let me never experience a house fire!), I was so happy to see how Todd reacted this afternoon when we had a hiccup in our schedule.
Because Todd missed the first two days of school, he also missed the reminder that this third day of school was an early release day. Because I just got my new 2009 calendar and have not yet updated my appointments and other notable activities, I did not remember that this was to be an early release day. Having been cooped up for a few days, I was ready to get out and do a little shopping. (I especially wanted to see if there was anything good left in the Lenox outlet store that is closing in the next week.) I planned on being gone most of the day.
At about the exact time that Todd was released from school today I felt a lurch and just knew that it was an early release. Unfortunately, I was a good 30-plus minutes from home. I called the school to verify (yes, the students had already been released), then called Oma. Although Todd was not there yet, in a matter of 5 minutes or so Todd was at Oma's and I was able to talk to him on the phone. For those 15-20 minutes it took me to get to my phone and make the calls and find my child, I was in a panic. What relief I felt when I was assured that all was well!
What made me feel so good was to see how Todd handled the situation. Based on what Todd and Oma told me, and based on the evidence I found when I got back home Todd kept his cool the whole time.
Here is what I think he did:
First, he got into the house and looked for Mom. The last place he checked was my bedroom, where he dumped his backpack.
Next, he dumped his coat in the bathroom and took a little potty break.
He proceeded to the desk where he retrieved a piece of scrap paper.
Then he took his paper into the kitchen and wrote a note. He wrote me a NOTE! I couldn't be more proud--even if the note doesn't include what his plans are.
After seeing that Casie and Kellie were not yet back from school he continued on to Oma's. I love having family so close!
While I never hope to repeat this scenario again, I am happy to see that Todd was paying attention to our plan and that he wasn't scared about what to do. I do hope that I am raising a strong, independent individual.
What important things were Ryan and I doing? Shopping and playing on the playground with Maddie and Wyatt.
What important things were Ryan and I doing? Shopping and playing on the playground with Maddie and Wyatt.
Ryan's favorite part about the whole day was that Mom gave in and bought a storm trooper mask with a costume that was 50% off at the K.B. Toy store going out of business. He is currently outside wearing his costume and playing with Logan who has dressed up in his own Buzz Lightyear Halloween costume. I love it.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
What's the Problem Here?
School started back up on Monday--only our family enjoyed two extra vacation days. Okay, they were really sick days, but it was kind of a vacation for me. Todd came down with a stomach bug Sunday night/Monday morning. Monday was a quiet day for us. Todd spent the whole day lying on the couch or taking a nap. Ryan was a little wired and had a hard time balancing between wanting to spend time with Todd and wanting to run, climb, play, and talk at a high decibel. In the end he decided that sitting on the couch watching two long movies wasn't such a bad deal.
I was so proud of Todd and told him that he was a trooper more than once. When I first used the word "trooper" Todd thought that I was referring in some way to Star Wars. I had to explain to him that in this case a trooper was someone who was fighting to stay positive and happy despite a difficult situation--like when he was standing over the toilet and smiled up at me between throwing up. We had some sweet conversations at 2:00 in the morning, him in the bathroom and me cleaning up the rug in the hallway. Even on Monday when he was too feverish to move (I carried him to his bed or back to the couch more than once.) he was still pleasant to be around and welcomed the gentle attentions and kind words that I offered him.
Today was a different story. Todd still needed a little time before he was ready to go back to school. But he started asking for breakfast as soon as I got up (a good sign that he was feeling better). And he was ready to make up for the playtime he missed yesterday. At dinner both Todd and Ryan were wired and I was struggling to keep my calm between the interruptions, noise, and general craziness. They both left their dinners half-finished (a few too many before-dinner snacks at Oma's, perhaps?) when I ushered them into the tub.
Brett got home from work just after I got the boys into the bath. He asked, "What's up? Everything okay?" There was only one accurate answer. "Yes. The boys have just been too . . . cheerful!"
I was so proud of Todd and told him that he was a trooper more than once. When I first used the word "trooper" Todd thought that I was referring in some way to Star Wars. I had to explain to him that in this case a trooper was someone who was fighting to stay positive and happy despite a difficult situation--like when he was standing over the toilet and smiled up at me between throwing up. We had some sweet conversations at 2:00 in the morning, him in the bathroom and me cleaning up the rug in the hallway. Even on Monday when he was too feverish to move (I carried him to his bed or back to the couch more than once.) he was still pleasant to be around and welcomed the gentle attentions and kind words that I offered him.
Today was a different story. Todd still needed a little time before he was ready to go back to school. But he started asking for breakfast as soon as I got up (a good sign that he was feeling better). And he was ready to make up for the playtime he missed yesterday. At dinner both Todd and Ryan were wired and I was struggling to keep my calm between the interruptions, noise, and general craziness. They both left their dinners half-finished (a few too many before-dinner snacks at Oma's, perhaps?) when I ushered them into the tub.
Brett got home from work just after I got the boys into the bath. He asked, "What's up? Everything okay?" There was only one accurate answer. "Yes. The boys have just been too . . . cheerful!"
New Year's Resolutions
This past Sunday I taught the lesson in Relief Society (our women's group) at church. It is so much harder for me to create a lesson from scratch rather than using an outline or topic from a lesson manual. However, I feel it went well, though I was only able to share about half of what I came prepared with. The following is a summary of my lesson which I typed up for our monthly newsletter.
At this time of year many of us think about writing New Year’s resolutions. Many popular resolutions include losing weight, getting fit, eating better, managing finances, reducing stress, getting a better job, traveling, etc. While these are worthwhile things to work on, I hope that we do not lose sight of those things that are most important. In the gospel resource True to the Faith we read, “As you seek to be happy, remember that the only way to real happiness is to live the gospel. You will find peaceful, eternal happiness as you strive to keep the commandments, pray for strength, repent of your sins, participate in wholesome activities, and give meaningful service.” We learn this same principle in Mosiah 2:41, where we read that those who keep the commandments are happy and are blessed both temporally and spiritually.
As we set goals to change our behaviors let us keep in mind that we need the help of our Savior Jesus Christ and his Atonement. He can help us overcome our weaknesses and repent of our sins, and change our very nature. As we pray in faith we can gain insight on those things that are most important for us to work on. For some it may be focusing on your family history; for others it may be having more regular scripture study, more meaningful personal prayer, or holding regular family home evening. President Thomas S. Monson said, “When we remember that each of us is literally a spirit son or daughter of God, we will not find it difficult to approach our Heavenly Father in prayer. He appreciates the value of this raw material which we call life…. There is a teacher who will guide our efforts if we but place our faith in Him—even the Lord Jesus Christ. He invites us: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’” (“Your Eternal Home,” Ensign, May 2000, 52).
I hope that you will prayerfully select one or two things to work on this year that will help increase your faith in the Savior. Do not be discouraged with all of the things that you are not doing perfectly. Rather, recognize the good things that you are doing already, know that the Lord loves you as you are, and that he will help you become more like Him as you put your trust in Him. President Gordon B. Hinckley encouraged us in our efforts saying, “Changes may not be measurable in a day or a week or a month. Resolutions are quickly made and quickly forgotten. But, in a year from now, if we are doing better than we have done in the past, then the efforts of these days will not have been in vain” (“An Humble and a Contrite Heart,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 88-89).
If I took the time to really think about everything I would like to see myself doing differently this year (you know--exercising, blogging more, organizing my photos, sending out a Christmas card sometime this year, writing more personal thank you notes and birthday cards...) the list would be overwhelming. Even the example which I just shared is overwhelming. Rather, I plan to focus on one important goal this year: holding Family Home Evening every week, most likely on a Sunday evening (since I still plan on singing with my chorus group which meets Monday nights). I think the most difficult part will be finding a system for planning our "lesson" each week that will be easy for me to keep up with. Once I find out what works (through trial and error) I feel confident that I will be able to keep it going.
So don't be surprised if you never get that thank you note, birthday card, or Christmas letter and photo this year. Know that I am working on strengthening my family in the gospel but still thinking of you all in the process.
At this time of year many of us think about writing New Year’s resolutions. Many popular resolutions include losing weight, getting fit, eating better, managing finances, reducing stress, getting a better job, traveling, etc. While these are worthwhile things to work on, I hope that we do not lose sight of those things that are most important. In the gospel resource True to the Faith we read, “As you seek to be happy, remember that the only way to real happiness is to live the gospel. You will find peaceful, eternal happiness as you strive to keep the commandments, pray for strength, repent of your sins, participate in wholesome activities, and give meaningful service.” We learn this same principle in Mosiah 2:41, where we read that those who keep the commandments are happy and are blessed both temporally and spiritually.
As we set goals to change our behaviors let us keep in mind that we need the help of our Savior Jesus Christ and his Atonement. He can help us overcome our weaknesses and repent of our sins, and change our very nature. As we pray in faith we can gain insight on those things that are most important for us to work on. For some it may be focusing on your family history; for others it may be having more regular scripture study, more meaningful personal prayer, or holding regular family home evening. President Thomas S. Monson said, “When we remember that each of us is literally a spirit son or daughter of God, we will not find it difficult to approach our Heavenly Father in prayer. He appreciates the value of this raw material which we call life…. There is a teacher who will guide our efforts if we but place our faith in Him—even the Lord Jesus Christ. He invites us: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’” (“Your Eternal Home,” Ensign, May 2000, 52).
I hope that you will prayerfully select one or two things to work on this year that will help increase your faith in the Savior. Do not be discouraged with all of the things that you are not doing perfectly. Rather, recognize the good things that you are doing already, know that the Lord loves you as you are, and that he will help you become more like Him as you put your trust in Him. President Gordon B. Hinckley encouraged us in our efforts saying, “Changes may not be measurable in a day or a week or a month. Resolutions are quickly made and quickly forgotten. But, in a year from now, if we are doing better than we have done in the past, then the efforts of these days will not have been in vain” (“An Humble and a Contrite Heart,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 88-89).
If I took the time to really think about everything I would like to see myself doing differently this year (you know--exercising, blogging more, organizing my photos, sending out a Christmas card sometime this year, writing more personal thank you notes and birthday cards...) the list would be overwhelming. Even the example which I just shared is overwhelming. Rather, I plan to focus on one important goal this year: holding Family Home Evening every week, most likely on a Sunday evening (since I still plan on singing with my chorus group which meets Monday nights). I think the most difficult part will be finding a system for planning our "lesson" each week that will be easy for me to keep up with. Once I find out what works (through trial and error) I feel confident that I will be able to keep it going.
So don't be surprised if you never get that thank you note, birthday card, or Christmas letter and photo this year. Know that I am working on strengthening my family in the gospel but still thinking of you all in the process.
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