Fore and Behind

This is the size of cheezy grin I get on my face when I get off work early enough to squeeze in 9 holes...How'd I do? Well, it was twilight conditions, so keeping score when I can't even see the targets well wouldn't be fair, don't you think? Let's just say I was enjoying nature and getting a little exercise:) By the way, the shouting of 'Fore' to warn other golfers they are about to be hit by your errant shot is thought to have originated in 18th century Great Britain. This word is believed to have come from the military "beware before", which was shouted when a battery fired behind friendly troops. And now you know. If you want to know another interesting origin of a phrase, google the origin of the phrase, "blowing smoke up your bum". This was a topic of conversation in the O.R. today...medicine has indeed come a long way:). I'm glad I wasn't a drowning victim a few hundred years ago.

happiness

Life doesn't get much better than this!

this morning - as it happened (cont.)

 Really Haley?  Even sugared Apple Jacks?  Tell me, what cereal will help you find the bottom of your bowl?

 Robert, here's something I bet you aren't missing too much - a frosty car in the morning.  It is nearly April and the temps are still freezing.

 I was trying to get Robyn to show her breath.  This picture isn't the best, but you can kind of see it.

I'm not sure what emotion(s) I am supposed to be feeling.  Am I sorry for you that it is nearly 100 degrees already in AZ?  Sorry for me that we might have snow flurries on Saturday?  Happy that I don't have to sweat like a pig at soccer and track?  Just plain glad I'm done shoveling snow?  Maybe I'm a little sad I won't get to experience the four seasons anymore.  I'm really happy I don't have to freeze all winter long.  On the flip side, I now get to look forward to burning myself on seatbelt buckles, sidewalks, steering wheels, basically anything outside in the summer.  What are we thinking?  Why can't we find a climate somewhere in the middle?  Here's an idea...   

Paradise!

this morning - as it happened

She made it all night!  I threatened to take away all the burpees and the Dora blankie if she got out of bed.  Whether it was the threat that worked, her age, or just the excitement of being a "big" girl, I don't care - she remained in bed and got a good night sleep (and so did I)!

Me:  "Good morning, Eric.  How are you feeling?"

Eric:  "Are you serious, Mom?  I am just waking up!"

Ahh, Eric, I love you too!

He missed school yesterday because he wasn't feeling well.  I think he is going to make it today.

Well, I had more pictures to add, but this is going to be it for now because we are out of picture storage.  I purchased more space, but it won't let me use it yet.  So, until they let me use my storage space, I will just have to leave you hanging . . . (I bet you are just dying to know what I had in those pictures, aren't you?)

what happens when mom's lesson #7 is ignored...

Not cool, Quinny, not cool!  I don't think this is going to help us sell our house.

Budget restrictions

Well, the first paycheck didn't look so good, so I had to scale back the plans for the backyard pool. Then, this pool appeared, and I didn't even have to pay for it. If this doesn't make the summer here more appealing, I don't know what else I can do...

Spring visitors

Well, the warmer weather has brought out a few friends, this one found in the house today. I will be buying some sticky pads to trap the crawling critters. Hopefully, my foot doesn't find one of these in the night:)

Gateway Academy, revisited

Monday morning I took the morning off from work so I could go see how the morning routine goes at the Gateway Academy. I loved it! I think the principal, Miss Robin, does a great job setting the tone for the school, and it was good to see her interact with the students. Soon we will plan a trip for Haley to come check out the school. Aunt Shelle has agreed to act as a tour guide for the day, and include a shopping trip in the day's events! Haley can spend a half day at the school to see what it's like. I think it will be a trip that is well worth it!! Of course, I snapped a photo of Christian, the therapy dog at the school. I have a video of the morning session I'll bring when I come visit this weekend!

Big Ben

No, I didn't travel to London on Monday, just around the corner to Stephen and Joanne's house. Ben turned 6, and they invited me to his birthday dinner! It was fun to see everyone. Grandma T. and Joanne's parents were there, along with Joanne's brother, Larry. I always loved the Despains as a kid, and they haven't changed at all over the years. They are great people. Anyway, it was hard to get a still picture of the birthday boy, but Spencer gave me a nice smile!

Paul's Native American Ancestry

We always knew Uncle Paul isn't really genetically related to the rest of the family. Here's further proof. We went golfing on Saturday (David, Paul and Brock), and Paul, frustrated with a golf shot, threw his club tamahawk-style. It landed as seen here, sticking several inches into the ground. I will never turn my back to him again when he has anything in his hands which could be used as a weapon. Lesson learned!!

a post from mia

mom's lesson #7

Always turn off the water and unplug the drain when you are finished in the bathroom.

Quinny, you are very lucky we have not yet put in the new carpet.

mia, you are a-maze-ing!

We both know that Mia has a great love for mazes, but I really didn't know she could take it to this extreme.  When I was going through her papers she had brought home from school, I came across a maze that she had done...then another and another and another - 11 total, identical, all completed.  I thought the mad scribbling was funny, which by the way, she has done twice.  I think she is trying to keep our recycling bin full.

Whaat?  You guys talkin' about me?

never

Here's something I thought would NEVER happen.  Quinny put herself to sleep.  I went upstairs to check on her and she was sound asleep on my bed.  It has never happened before and I don't expect it to ever happen again.  I thought she was sick, but she wasn't.  She woke up feeling just fine.  I guess she was just ready for a nap.

Call me a slow learner, but Haley is NEVER going to eat her bananas.  I keep sending bananas in her lunch and they keep coming back.  I'm convinced her lunchbox is just a vessel to speed the ripening process so they rot and no one wants to eat them and I have to either make bread or throw them away. We never talk about it.  She has never said to me, "Hey Mom, I don't want bananas!"  Let's just say the message has been received and she shall have no more bananas in her lunch.

Mimi's book

Mimi was very excited last night to show me her choice of reading material.  She thought it was so appropriate for the week!  I don't think there was ever a kid more happy their dad was coming home!  Get ready for some dinosaur hugs and sloppy kisses!

hot heat

No, I am not talking about the Arizona heat, and it was certainly NOT hot outside during Robyn's 1st track meet, but Robyn and her teammate, Taylor D., were very hot in the hot heat!  (That means they are the fastest hurdlers in the school and they run in the first heat or the "hot" heat.)  Taylor came in 1st and Robyn came in 2nd in the 100 hurdles and Robyn came in 2nd and Taylor came in 3rd in the 200 hurdles!  They were up against Springfield, which is a huge school with some very fast runners.  

what's for dinner, mom?

When left to their own devices, kids will find their own food...

 I was a little busy Sunday morning and Quinny found her own food, a giant smoked sausage.  (Notice Mimi in the background.  She is promoting Robyn with a picture button - no reason, she just loves her.)

 At least she shared it with her sister.

 Sneeze.

To allay your fears, I did make dinner...eventually.

the wizard

 My date for this evening.  She was a little disappointed to find out that it is frowned upon to dress like a munchkin and go up on stage - sorry Mimi, no audience participation.  We are all clear now on proper musical etiquette.  I am so excited to go.  I love musicals - grade school, middle school, high school, professional - I don't care.  They're all delightful.  Details about Haley's performance to follow.....

purple pants and head tilting

There's nothing like a new pair of purple pants to make you smile in the morning.  Mimi was very happy to have some new threads this morning.  I was happy for her to have something that fits.

New pants always put a smile on my face!

I love this next picture for a couple reasons.  One, Eric is helping Mimi.  He is always quick to help his sisters.  I have said it before, but it is worth saying again, they are so lucky to have a brother like Eric.  He is so kind to them.  That is something you just can't teach;  it is innate.  Mia had started to write the six backwards - Eric helped her out.  Secondly, I love that he is tilting his head.  It is a perfect example of the father/son genes at work.  I tried to find some examples.  Here are the best I could come up with.  They all make me smile.

Tilting whilst wearing a scout uni.  Love it!

 Fiftieth wedding anniversary tilting - tells people you are up for a good time!

 My favorite - Full body tilting, while cooking, while lecturing the ASD kid.  I love that you can still grind the pepper (without looking), tilt, and lecture all at the same time.  Haley is not so impressed - she has her eyes shut.

Happy Saturday, Robert!  I love your tilting. Maybe it helps me stand a little straighter.  I think Eric got all the best of your qualities.  He's a lucky boy.  P.S.  I wish I had a picture of you tilting while driving, while drinking a coke.  Also one of my favorites.

lazy friday night

I guess it is all catching up to me.  I have had a rather busy week;  I am sick of cleaning the house.  Enough about that.

  I got Robyn and Eric (along with Sabrina, Kylie, and Rory) off to Haley's play and then I came home to relax.  Mia had Sienna over to play and Q was 'watching' TV.  I sat down on the small couch in Eric's room and promptly dozed off.  I probably only slept for about 15 minutes, but boy did it feel good!  After my little nap I went searching around the house to see what the girls were up to.  

I found Sienna on the computer.  I think she is pooped from a long week also.  She usually goes to bed quite early at her house.  She was asking Mimi if she could take a nap on her bed.  Sorry Sienna, a nap at 8pm is called bedtime.

 I found Mimi at the table coloring a picture.  She had a rough day at school.  She walked into a wall.  Oops.

 Dirty or clean, I love little hands.

 Mimi and Sienna put on some makeup.  Purple is always the best color for eyeshadow.

So what was Addi-Q doing you ask?  Oh, she was in the bathroom of course.  Where else would she be?

 She was lining up the toothpaste and toothbrushes.  We all have our autistic traits sometimes.

 Getting ready to make a gigantic mess on the counter that I have cleaned three times in one week.  Why not make it four?  She actually did a pretty good job of keeping the toothpaste on the brush.  Look at that concentration.

I don't think she had any purpose in getting on the counter.  She got up and then got down.  She is such a funny kid.  On the plus side, her teeth are ready for bed!!!!

I tried to take a picture of my hair.  A new hair color is always nice, especially when it hides the gray.  I think I need to stick to taking pictures of the kids.  The self portraits are not so great, but you get the idea.  I kind of have a crazed look in my eyes.