Update on kitty

Rock Star is a boy not a girl as we had originally thought. Apparently we didn't look too closely. Good thing the name Rock Star fits either way.

Ever wanted a rock star in the family?

We can now become rich and famous because we have a rock star in the family. Well, actually she's a cat.

<-- John

She hitched a ride home with John last night from work and has stuck around. She's been wandering around his work for a little while now. She's pretty skinny and ate a lot last night. We've (Tyler) named her Rock Star. We've all taken to her. She's very loving and cuddly. She lets the kids pet her and pick her up. So far no scratches or bites. She's going to be an outside cat. John and I have allergies and John doesn't want animals in the house. We made her a bed out of a box and an old towel.

She slept in the box last night and some during the day. A neighbor let us have some cat food (Thanks Lisa!) and she ate a lot of it. If she stays around until next week I'm going to try and get her to the vet for shots and see about getting her spade. One cat is enough for me.

Primary Program

Yesterday was our ward's primary program. Its my favorite Sunday of the year. All the kids did an excellent job. Karena and Hannah both had their lines memorized and they did them without any problems. Unlike last year they both sang most of the songs. They are getting so grown up. We had several visitors that attended. Aunt Sarah, Uncle Jeff, Grandma and Grandpa and the girls pre-school teacher Ms. Darlene. Thank you all for coming. We finished up the day with a pancake dinner that Daddy cooked for us. It was super yummy!

Lately we've been working on not interrupting. The kids have a bad habit of every time someone starts to talk trying to butt in. It really bothers John especially. So again last night at dinner we were talking about it again.

Here's what Karena had to say about it: "Mommy its not good to erupt."
Mommy: "No, Karena, its not a good idea to erupt." (trying desperately not to laugh)

Grandad: "Can I go to school with you today?"
Tyler: "No, you don't have a lunchbox."
Hannah: "You don't have a backpack either."

Playgroup

Playgroup was at our house today. It is a group of women who's kids all go to my kid's preschool. Most of them all go to the same church (except for me). There are usually about 8 regulars with 13 kids total. The women talk and have a great time discussing everything from kids behavior to the "Biggest Loser" episode from last night. Its really been an uplifting experience for me. The kids get along fairly well. As well as any large group of kids all trying to play with the same stuff for 2 hours can get along. I really like socializing with everyone. They are strong Christian women. Its been good for me to make some new friends. Plus I think its important to have at least one adult conversation a week.

I am: mom, wife, friend, teacher, caregiver, babysitter, cook, maid
I think: an organized home will greatly reduce my stress levels
I know: how to digitally scrapbook
I want: to learn how to be a good knitter
I have: intelligent, happy children who like to do things their own way
I dislike: people who drive below the speed limit
I miss: the clean, good sitcoms when I was a kid
I fear: heights with no railings
I feel: good about not watching so much TV lately
I hear: my kids dancing to Imagination Movers
I smell: pancakes with syrup
I crave: chocolate
I cry: at sappy movies and when I am truly upset by something
I usually: have a book I'm reading
I search: for stuffed animals before bed way too much
I wonder: what we're having for dinner tonight
I regret: not taking more advantage of the opportunities I had growing up
I love: my family
I care: about who gets elected President
I always: get frustrated with my kids too easily
I worry: how my kids will ever survive public school
I am not: someone who loves to clean
I believe: that if you really want to change you can
I sing: to my kids before nap and bedtime every day
I don't always: kiss and hug my family enough
I argue: with my FIL too much
I write: more now than I used to
I win: at card games
I lose: every tickle war with John
I wish: I had our upstairs renovation done and not just in the planning stages
I listen: to way too many kids songs
I can usually be found: in the blue room on the computer or in the kitchen
I am scared: for the future of our country
I forget: to make important phone calls and put things in the mail
I am happy: when my kids are laughing and getting along
I am.......tagging you.

Our Fall Break Stay-cation

Sunday we went to Conference up at Mom and Dad's ward building. The kids did pretty good. Tyler fell asleep during the last hour of the first session. We had a pot luck lunch there. Tyler was done after that so John took him back to Mom and Dad's house. As he was leaving he said, "Good, I don't like this place." I guess 4 hours is enough for any 4 yr old boy to be asked to be quiet and still. We should have sent the girls home as well. They couldn't sit still or be quiet for anything. I ended up letting them go play in a side room while I sat nearby in the foyer listening to conference. Tyler took another nap when he got back to the house. When informed that he would have to go to bed that night he told us, "I slept two times. I don't have to sleep ANYMORE!"

Monday we went to the Frist art museum. They have a kids area called Martin Artquest. Its a hands on experience for the kids to paint, sculpt, make prints, color, draw and imagine.


Here's some of the art the kids created while we were there. Tyler, as is his usual style, took about 10 of the stools you can see in the picture above and made a train track/tunnel with them. I guess art comes in many forms. (Tyler's are the 1st in each row, then Hannah's, then Karena's)

I think they all did a great job. We will definitely go back again and again.

Tuesday we planned to go the zoo. As we arrived it started pouring. We ducked into the gift shop to stay dry. Mom bought us all ponchos. The girls thought they were great. Tyler wore it because we told him to but was quick to take it off as soon as it stopped raining. We went to the indoor creepy crawly house. It has all the snakes, fish, bats (Mom's favorite, not really), spiders and my favorite the frogs. The only reason we got Mom in there was because of the rain. By the time we got done it had stopped raining. We were able to see the rest of the zoo without any more problems. The elephants were great. We got to watch one of them ripping branches and leaves off the trees and eating. It was pretty neat! The kids played on part of the playground for a little while. The rest was too wet. I promised them a return visit to play on the playground and go on the merry-go-round. It was under repairs this week. I think the kids had more fun climbing on the rope fences and climbing and trying to see through the observation telescopes like these:

I successfully convinced the kids I didn't have any money so I didn't have to drop a fortune into those things. They have them everywhere at the zoo.

We had a great stay-cation with Mom! Thanks Mom! Can't wait for the next one.

She's so full of it

Hannah has been complaining for a few weeks now that her tummy has been hurting. Its not been consistent just every once in a while. She's not been sick or running a fever but since it had been so long I took her to the doctor today. They did an x-ray of her tummy. Karena and Tyler both wanted their picture taken too. I told them I would take their picture at home. Hannah turns to a lady in the waiting room and says, "Mommy doesn't have a tummy camera though." We took the picture on cd back to the doctor. The x-ray definitely told us what the problem is. Here's the picture. See if you can figure it out for yourself.....









She's full of POOP!!!!

All that black and white pebbly stuff is poop. No wonder her little tummy is hurting. We've been dealing with constipation for so long its just ridiculous. I thought she had the least problems with it. I guess I was wrong. Now we get to clean her out. I think I'll be sick of the bathroom by the time this weekend is over.