Truth be told, I don’t like telling bedtime stories. Creativity is not my strong suite. When I was in school I dreaded creative writing. Even in elementary school, my stories that I wrote always had rather abrupt endings because I just got so tired of trying to think up a story that as soon as I had the story long enough to satisfy the assignment I would end the story. So now when my kids want a bedtime story, it goes something like this. “Once there was a little boy who liked to play with his toys all day and when he got tired he went to bed. The End.” Luckily my kids have a dad who delights in telling bedtime stories.
The kids absolutely love it when John tells them stories (they don’t even ask me anymore). John will tell stories based on movies like Bedknobs and Broomsticks and just make up the parts that he doesn’t remember (often over half the story). Or he might make up a story about a famous person, like Tony Hawk (now, when you ask Hyrum what he likes to do he says that he practices riding his skateboard. He didn’t even have a skateboard until a few weeks ago).
One of the kids favorites was John told the kids stories about when he went to scout camp. I told John that he’s not allowed to tell stories that involve his misdeeds and getting in trouble. Consequently he says that he doesn’t have many stories left to tell.
So it’s a good thing I married John. He picks up the slack where I fail miserably. The kids love his stories and best of all . . . I don’t have to put the kids to bed anymore.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
All Alone
This is it. I'm all alone. Just me and the dog, for 24 hours. The most beloved and highly anticipated day of the year is finally here. The father and sons campout. Some people feel bad that I don't have any girls. Those women have kids home with them right now. Not me, I'm just sitting here listening to . . . what's that? Silence.
I'm going to take some time to do what I want to do. I'm going to sleep in tomorrow. I'm going out to dinner tonight, and I'm not going to Mc Donalds. I'm going to go grocery shopping all by myself and try to buy enough stuff to last me for 2 weeks so I I can have 2 weeks that I don't have to take the kids to the store with me. I am going to go buy new sandals, because I can never really take the time to try on shoes when I have two kids running wild around the store. I'll also do some painting which is not quite as fun, but I will do it with out worrying that little hands will get in the paint and then do who know what. This is it. I'm all alone. And I'm as happy as can be.
I'm going to take some time to do what I want to do. I'm going to sleep in tomorrow. I'm going out to dinner tonight, and I'm not going to Mc Donalds. I'm going to go grocery shopping all by myself and try to buy enough stuff to last me for 2 weeks so I I can have 2 weeks that I don't have to take the kids to the store with me. I am going to go buy new sandals, because I can never really take the time to try on shoes when I have two kids running wild around the store. I'll also do some painting which is not quite as fun, but I will do it with out worrying that little hands will get in the paint and then do who know what. This is it. I'm all alone. And I'm as happy as can be.
All grown up
All grown up. Well, not quite. But my little boy is starting Kindergarten next year. Alan had his preschool graduation today. It was an especially bittersweet moment because this is Alan's teacher's last year doing preschool. Hyrum had been so looking forward to going to preschool with Miss Michelle, but I'm glad that at least Alan got to have her as a teacher. I am so impressed by her ability to love each of the students even when they are difficult (I know Alan's one of those). I really think that each student felt like they were a favorite of Miss Michelle's. But all good things must come to an end. Alan is looking forward to kindergarten next year. He got accepted for a school with open enrollment that we are really happy with. Now if I can just keep these kids busy this summer we will be good.
Miss Michelle and Alan
Alan
Sunday, May 11, 2008
The greatest job in the world
I woke up this morning to hear Alan saying “It’s Mother’s Day! I want Mom to open my gift!” Apparently John told him that it would have to wait because I woke up again a half hour later with Alan standing in my doorway watching me. As soon as he saw that I had my eyes open he smiled and said “It’s time to open your present now Mom!” Alan ran in and jumped on the bed and gave me a white paper bag filled with a gift that he made me at pre-school. Inside I found a corsage (with plastic flowers), and a book that his teacher helped him write. It was one of those books where his teacher asks questions about me and it has his candid answers. I love it!
Q: How old is your mother?
A: 84 or maybe 86
Q: What is your mother’s favorite thing to do with you?
A: Give hugs and kisses.
Q: What does your mom always say to you?
A: That she loves me . . . that she likes me. And that I can only watch ONE TV show.
After I finished reading my new favorite book, we went down to the kitchen where I was greeted by a delightful, “Mommy!!” and a big hug and kiss from Hyrum while I saw John making waffles for me for breakfast. What a perfect start to the day.
Growing up I think Mother’s day was probably the most sacred day of the year in our house. My Dad taught us how important mom was and how we needed to show appreciation. Mother’s day started on Saturday when my Dad would take all the kids out grocery shopping to get ready for Mothers day. He always got my mom a corsage and something nice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I remember often running into some of the men from church out shopping for their mothers day dinner too. I loved that all these men knew how important it is to treat their wives right. I’m glad that I married a guy who knows how to treat his wife right too!
My mom had the greatest job in the world, and from her I always knew what job I wanted. A mom. OK I’ll admit that it’s often a frustrating job and I’m often not the mom I want to be, but I’m getting better. And who can complain when every day starts and ends with a hug and a kiss. Happy Mothers Day Mom! I wish that I was there to start your day with a hug and a kiss (Though a hug and a kiss from the grandkids would probably be even better).
Q: How old is your mother?
A: 84 or maybe 86
Q: What is your mother’s favorite thing to do with you?
A: Give hugs and kisses.
Q: What does your mom always say to you?
A: That she loves me . . . that she likes me. And that I can only watch ONE TV show.
After I finished reading my new favorite book, we went down to the kitchen where I was greeted by a delightful, “Mommy!!” and a big hug and kiss from Hyrum while I saw John making waffles for me for breakfast. What a perfect start to the day.
Growing up I think Mother’s day was probably the most sacred day of the year in our house. My Dad taught us how important mom was and how we needed to show appreciation. Mother’s day started on Saturday when my Dad would take all the kids out grocery shopping to get ready for Mothers day. He always got my mom a corsage and something nice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I remember often running into some of the men from church out shopping for their mothers day dinner too. I loved that all these men knew how important it is to treat their wives right. I’m glad that I married a guy who knows how to treat his wife right too!
My mom had the greatest job in the world, and from her I always knew what job I wanted. A mom. OK I’ll admit that it’s often a frustrating job and I’m often not the mom I want to be, but I’m getting better. And who can complain when every day starts and ends with a hug and a kiss. Happy Mothers Day Mom! I wish that I was there to start your day with a hug and a kiss (Though a hug and a kiss from the grandkids would probably be even better).
Monday, May 5, 2008
Saturdays
It seems like every Saturday when I was a kid my parents would wake us up early and set us to work in the yard. I know it wasn't every Saturday but it seemed that way. I was always upset that it was a Saturday wasted, but now that I am an adult, John and I make good use of our slave labor. If only the kids were more capable of things such as rototillering or tree pruning. But for now we will settle for kids who can drag the tree branches out for the trash pick up.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Dog Whisperer
I have watched four episodes of The Dog Whisperer so I must be a dog expert right? Yesterday the boys and I were taking Buddy on a walk around our neighborhood when we came across a dog that was not on a leash. He was a large Pit Bull that was delighted to see us. I didn’t let the kids touch him (never touch a strange dog!), but he happily followed us as we knocked on all the doors around to see if anyone owned him. He ended up following us home and we kept him in the back yard while I called animal control. He had a collar on (but no tag), and I was sure that he belonged to someone because he was so well behaved and took orders from me. It must have been the great “energy” that I emitted.
It was good for our dog Buddy because he is actually a scardey cat when it comes to other dogs. It was good for the two dogs spend some time together. The Pit Bull was better behaved than Buddy was (maybe because he was bigger and knew he had nothing to fear from a corgi). So we gave him some water and proceeded to wait (5 hours) for animal control to show up. He was a delightful dog the entire time until the animal control guy showed up.
Luckily, the kids were playing at a friend’s house, because this was not something I wanted the kids to see. Since the dog and been so loving with me (I must be a great pack leader), I thought he would go right with the officer. Was I ever wrong. Maybe he didn’t like the uniform (or maybe he didn’t like being yelled at and threatened with a baton), but he did not like this guy. I watched from inside as it took the guy almost 20 min to catch him. I sure hope the owner claims him because I don’t think he will be put up for adoption after that display. Some dog whisperer I am. I guess it’s good he is not on the street, the poor mailman. Sometimes I wish I could save every dog but for now I guess it’s good to just save my own.
It was good for our dog Buddy because he is actually a scardey cat when it comes to other dogs. It was good for the two dogs spend some time together. The Pit Bull was better behaved than Buddy was (maybe because he was bigger and knew he had nothing to fear from a corgi). So we gave him some water and proceeded to wait (5 hours) for animal control to show up. He was a delightful dog the entire time until the animal control guy showed up.
Luckily, the kids were playing at a friend’s house, because this was not something I wanted the kids to see. Since the dog and been so loving with me (I must be a great pack leader), I thought he would go right with the officer. Was I ever wrong. Maybe he didn’t like the uniform (or maybe he didn’t like being yelled at and threatened with a baton), but he did not like this guy. I watched from inside as it took the guy almost 20 min to catch him. I sure hope the owner claims him because I don’t think he will be put up for adoption after that display. Some dog whisperer I am. I guess it’s good he is not on the street, the poor mailman. Sometimes I wish I could save every dog but for now I guess it’s good to just save my own.
Anyone know this dog?
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