Life's Big Decisions

Though Alan would love to go alone I walk my kids to the bus stop every morning. Not only do I walk them there but as I see the bus coming I make sure to get a goodbye hug and kiss from Alan and Hyrum. Alan would never think on his own to give me a hug and and kiss but he has no problem doing it. It has however become a stressful event for Hyrum.

You see, as a kindergartner there isn't much more important than being the first one on the bus. At first I called the kids over to me to give me a hug but then Hyrum just blew me a hug. Like you might blow a kiss but with a hug. So I then had to start chasing the kids down. The other day as I was giving the kids hugs and kisses Hyrum had the look of indecision on his face. You could tell he was contemplating a HUGE decision. He looked at me, looked at the bus gave me the quickest of hugs and ran off for the bus.

Hyrum is a smart kid though. So the next day as soon as we got to the bus stop he looks at me and says "Mom, I'm going to give you your hug and kiss now so I don't have to do it when the bus comes."

I guess I should just be glad that I'm still getting hugs and kisses.

A Good Book

You should know I love to read. You've probably noticed the goodreads application on my side bar. I love goodreads because I am easily able to make a list of books that I want to read. If I hear a recommendation on a book I quickly go to goodreads and click a button to add it to my list. I love that I can see other people's ratings and reviews as well.

There is on thing that goodreads falls short on and that is a content rating on a book. More than once I picked up a book that had received rave reviews only to find out that it had too much swearing or violence than I wanted to read. It makes me wary to read something unless I get a recommendation from someone I know personally and knows my taste in books.

I have found some remedies for this problem. There are multiple sites that I have found that do content ratings but these two are my favorite. The first is a website called The Literate Mother. I particularly love this website because it has children's books. There are a lot of children's books that are good clean books, but still might be inappropriate for younger kids because they are too intense or have situations that young one's shouldn't have to deal with. They rate each book between 0 and 5 in the areas of Language, Violence, Sexual Content and Adult Themes.

The other site is Squeaky Clean Reads I like this one particularly because it allowes the users to rate the book in each area. This way you don't have to worry about the if the author of the site is too liberal or conservative for you. You can get an idea overall of how general public views the book.

Also I found a great online used bookstore. There were a couple books that I wanted to get for my kids but was unable to get at any of the 3 library systems around here. I knew that one of them would be outgrown in a matter of months so I really didn't want pay the $14 to buy it new. I went online and found Once Sold Tales. Almost all of the books are $3.25 and have FREE SHIPPING! I'll be honest I was wondering if it was a too good to be true deal and that I would never receive the books but they came a week after ordering in good condition.

So good luck with your books and let me know when you read a good one so that I can put it on my list to read.

Summer Reading

Do you have a summer reading program? One where you get tickets to a baseball game for reading a requisite number of books. I never liked baseball as a kid but I loved going to the baseball game. My kids love it too. Despite the fact that the seats are up at the top the kids have a blast singing take me out to the ball game and doing the wave (for them that's the most exciting part of the game). I love that the kids get to earn their way to a baseball game every year.

This year we decided to give our kids some extra motivation to read so we did the city library and the county library's reading program. The county library gave tickets to the Mercury, phoenix's WNBA team. Really they know how to do it. Instead of giving us tickets up in the nosebleeds the tickets were seated in the 12th row! It makes a game more enjoyable when you can actually see the players. Unfortunately during both games I forgot the camera so no pictures of their enjoyment. But great job reading boys!

First Day of School

The first day of school wasn't too hard for me. Kindergarten is only two and a half hours so Hyrum is hardly gone. The first day I took the kids to school and walked them to their classes so my the time I got home, took a shower and did a load of laundry it was about time for Hyrum to come home. Day two was more difficult.

The kids take the bus to school. It is also of course the most exciting part of the day. It took John and I a while to feel good about our kid taking the bus to school. I pick up Alan from school because we decided that the 35 minute bus ride home was too much. However since we are one of the last stops on the way to school we let them ride the bus to school. I think the school bus is where I learned all the bad words. I'm not really looking forward to my kids growing up in that way.

So on the second day of school I took my kids to the bus stop and watched my baby board the bus along with all of these big kids. I practically followed him on directing him to the seat behind the bus driver and assuring him that at the next stop the the little boy his age would sit next to him. My heart pounded as the bus drove away and I waved frantically to my two little boys. I came home anxious wondering how I was going to survive this everyday.

I've been doing better. I've been getting some projects done and I have time to fold laundry (not that it makes a difference in my motivation. I still don't want to fold the laundry so it still sits unfolded in the laundry basket, but at least it's clean). But the kids are happy and loving school. Alan even decided this year that he likes to read. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it lasts.

Snoogie-wookims

John and I don't exactly have many pet names for each other. One to be exact. To me he is "Husband". To him I am "Wife." It started on our honeymoon when it was novel to be husband and wife.

"Could you pass the salt Husband?" giggle, giggle.

"No problem Wife" he would respond with a kiss.

That's how it all started. And it never stoped. To this day he is Husband, and I am wife.

I have never called John sweetie, dear, babe, or anything like that. However, one time I came close. When we were engaged we were driving to Zion National Park. As we were driving down the back roads I saw a deer in the road a distance ahead.

"Deer" I called out to warn John. John however just smiled and looked at me expectantly.

"Deer!" I repeated louder.

"Yes" John replied.

"No John! Look Out! There's a deer in the road!"

I think that cured the need for pet names in our marriage.

Happy Anniversary Husband!

I think this is the first time I have looked at our wedding pictures and thought. "Wow we look young"

School

I was lamenting the fact that if I were to get an ice cream from the freezer I would have to share with my kids. Then I realized that next week I can sneak all the ice cream I want.

Having your youngest start Kindergarten is good for something.