First Flowers of Spring

Z and K brought these in for me today.  Aren't they fun and adorable!!!

Z's trip to the Dentist

Okay, so I'm going to admit a failure as a mom.  I do not nag my kids about brushing their teeth.  Apparently Z had not been so good about brushing his in the morning.  At least he was honest with the hygienist.  When she asked if he brushed his teeth, he told her only at night.  She asked why he didn't brush them in the morning and he replied, "I'd rather cuddle on the couch with Duke (our 80 lb. boxer), neither one of us are morning people."

Trip to the cities

We got to go on an unexpected trip to the twin cities area. My husband "got to" donate some more time to his company by working today. The rest of us got to tag along. We go to the hotel around 6 pm last night and the we swam for an hour--I sat in the hot tub--the pool was not warm enough for me. This morning hubby went to work and after a hotel breakfast in which the kids got to make waffles and cover them with:
"T"--syrup, chocolate chips and cool whip
"K"--chocolate chips, syrup and cool whip
"Z"--strawberries, syrup, cool whip, chocolate chips and coolwhip
"E"--syrup, stawberries, coolwhip

The kids then swam and played hard in the pool for 3 hours--I had prunes instead of kids. They were able to play with a couple of other kids who were there.

We then had lunch at Chili's. The kids now want to know every place that has a Chili's they were so impressed. (Mainly by the endless chips and salsa.)

We are now back home and the grocery list is calling.

Cub Scout Cake Auction 2010

"T"'s Car--Blue Racer

We had fun with this one. It almost out ran us though. The coconut is a point of contention with some family members, but that just leaves more cake for those of us who aren't so picky! :o)

" Z"'s cake--Black Forest Torte--turned into--Death by Chocolate Tarantula!!!

This cake started out as a black forest torte because the chocolate and cherries looked so yummy. We then decided to turn it into a tarantula so we changed the icing to chocolate and added the "decorations." By the end of the night it was beginning to ooze guts which made it an even better tarantula cake. It was still quite yummy. :o)

As always there were lots of fancy cakes at the cake auctions. Cakes that are far above my ability. The boys bought back their own cakes and are happy with them. Such sweet kids! "T" got his for a bargain $10. "Z" bid $22 for his first bid, the auctioneer said $20, "Z" said no, $22 so he got his cake for $22 (the most he was allowed to bid). The money goes back to the Cub Scouts and they will give part to the Haitian relief fund also.

Sweet girls

Overheard: "E" excitedly telling "Z" that her and "K" were going to be twins" Monday and Tuesday of next week. My mom made them matching cullotes and they enjoy wearing them at the same time. I think this is really sweet.

I'm afraid I have never wanted to wear the same thing as anyone, sorry to my sis, not sure if you ever wanted to match growing up, but not for me.

I am glad my girls enjoy dressing alike and get along well for the most part.

Kids...

Last night "T", "E" and I went to the grocery store. I love to take at least two kids shopping with me--one to push the cart and one to hold the used coupons. When I go by myself, I feel like I need a couple more pairs of hands!!! So nice of the kids to provide them for me, along with great conversation. :o)

We completed our shopping, learning along the way that coupons don't always save you money, though it was very disappointing not to use the syrup coupon. (They also think it is silly that we have to buy syrup when homemade tastes so much better, but the master of the house doesn't care for homemade because it is too thin).

When we went to put the groceries in the trunk of the car, which my husband has mainly been driving for work, there was a Wal-Mart bag with three boxes of Little Debbies in it. Horror of Horrors!!! The kids were appalled that Daddy would buy such junk! (No, I am not making this up, they have apparently been well taught along the way. :o) I think they were also appalled that he would buy such junk and then NOT SHARE!!!! We had quite the conversation on the way home. They were plotting ways to hide it, etc. "E" suggested hiding it in the basement to rot, then "T" pointed out that that would be wasting Dad's money, to which "E" replied, "He already did!" When we got home they confronted Dad with the evidence, and reminded of how unhealthy they were. To which he replied, "Those are for my lunches, I also bought water, that's good for me." Interestingly, the Little Debbies are open, the 24 bottles of water packaging is not. Hmmmmm.

Kid "Wisdom"

Today I told the kids who had all gathered on my bed (along with the dog) that I needed to get ready for work. This brought on the following conversation:

E: Why don't you just call in sick?
Me: But I'm not, so would that be true?
E: No
Me: So would that be the right thing to do?
E: No
Z: You could jump out the window and then it would be true.

Work has been a bit stressful lately, but not THAT bad!!!

This brought on another conversation about how I didn't work in the hospital, so what DID I do as a nurse??? I explained I make sure the PCAs take good care of the patients. Z didn't think that I could possibly know how to take care of people since I hadn't worked in a hospital. He doesn't seem to think that college and experience count for anything. Glad he's not my boss.

Adventures with Kids

On Wednesday morning, the morning started off fairly well. We had been given a bean bag chair that Mike had just brought in from the trunk. The kids were pretty excited about it. "Z" decided to jump on it, but did not think about momentum and the rocking chair right in front of the bean bag chair!!! I heard crying and went to investigate. He was obviously hurt, so I picked him up and "K" said, "Look, there's blood!" Sure enough, he had cut his forehead pretty good. I wet a washcloth and had him hold it on his head with some ice and then went upstairs to get the butterfly bandages, but we were all out! I was not yet dressed and still had a towel around my hair. I told the kids to help him get his shoes on while I quick got dressed and ran a comb through my hair. We headed to Wal-Mart with the wash cloth and ice on his head. I bandaged his head with the butterfly bandages in the isle at Wal-mart. I let the curious clerk know I did plan on paying for the whole box! I was late for work--I told my boss due to adventure at home! "Z " is doing fine.

Sp"egg"tacular Kids!

On Wednesday when I got home from work, the kids told me the neighbor lady had gone to a place that was giving away free food. She had gotten a 30lb (yes, I mean pounds, NOT ounces!!!) box of frozen, already cooked scrambled eggs. She didn't have room in her freezer for them, so she thought of us! :o) The kids are quite proud of themselves for this WONDERFUL find!!! They put them in the refrigerator in the basement, because--surprise, surprise, they couldn't get them in the freezer. I would have liked to see them get that box down the stairs and into the 'fridge! I checked the dates on the box and the eggs are still fine, they were in a sealed box in plastic. I didn't know such a thing as frozen precooked scrambled eggs existed! Since I had church and couldn't deal with them at the moment, I turned the fridge all the way up and dealt with them later. To put the amount of eggs in perspective, they filled 10 gallon freezer bags!!! I am pretty sure we will NOT eat an entire bag of eggs for one meal!!!

Oh, yeah, the neighbor lady suggested to the kids that some of the other neighbors might want some, so last night they went door to door asking our neighbors if they wanted some of the eggs. Suprisingly, everyone said NO!!!!

Anyone out there want some frozen, precooked scrambled eggs??? I have thought of a list of ways to get rid of them:

1. Give them away as Christmas gifts.
2. Serve scrambled eggs every time I have company.
3. Every time someone comes over, sneak a bag into their trunk.
4. Every time I have company, serve scrambled eggs.
5. Cook lots of breakfast burritos.
6. Sneak them into parked cars along my street.
7. When I have someone over for a meal, serve scrambled eggs.
8. Beg people for recipes involving scrambled eggs.
9. When I take a meal to someone, use scrambled eggs.
10. Use them for art projects--just kidding!
11. When I ask someone over for a meal, serve scrambled eggs.
12. Take scrambled egg salad to the steak dinner at church.--the kids think this sounds gross.

Anyone want to come over to my house, I have a lovely menu planned!!!

I am thankful for my kids that are always looking for ways to save me money and for free food!!!

After eating all these eggs, we may turn into chickens--you'll know our family by the way we all walk in a nice row, clucking!!! Maybe Hubby will start waking us up with a cock-a-doodle-doo!!!

Kids

Our kids are homeschooled, and art is part of their curriculum. They each had a Mother's Day project to do. "T's" was a coupon book, which he tried to get his sister to do instead. He did put thought into the things he filled in, such as a back rub, vacuuming, doing the dishes, etc. He wanted me to know right away, though that the coupons expire in two weeks! I pointed out to him, though that they say "No expiration date". :o) He looked a little disappointed. He really wasn't that excited when I redeemed my "free hug" coupon several times in a row, because it says that it has no expiration date and that is can be redeemed over and over. :o) I think he is starting to want to exert his independence a little, which make me a little sad. However, I also know that kids need to become independent so they can grow into well adjusted adults who can make their own decisions and not need someone else to tell them what they should do. :o)

I had a nice, relaxing Mother's Day. Mike fixed lunch and the kids cleaned up. Then "E" was willing to go with me to the grocery store (I usually try to go on Saturday, but due to a lot going on, I didn't time!), which I love. It is much more fun to shop with someone than by myself. "E" also pushes the cart, so I can keep track of the coupons and grocery list easier and not feel like I need 4 hands! A kind gentleman also told me to go in front of him since I was a mom and this was one of the few days we were honored. :o) I tried to get him to go ahead of me because there was considerably less in his cart!

Who's teaching Who?

On Monday night, "T" was supposed to go with his cub scout troop to the TV station to tour the station and then watch the 5:30 newscast live. The person who was supposed to take him had a busy day at work and forgot about it. "T's" response was "That's life, you don't always get what you want." He really wasn't upset at the forgetful parent.

He also said that he wasn't as mad about it as I was about the plastic lid melted all over my stove and ruined Easter dinner. (You can read more about this on next Tuesday's Kitchen Tip when I tell about how to get melted plastic off your stove--IF I am successful at getting the remaining plastic off on Saturday!) I guess I need to be careful that my initial response is more kind like my son's. After I had a couple of minutes to process the whole situation, I really wasn't upset at the individual who melted the plastic all over my stove anymore.

The other rather encouraging thing is that I tell my kids all the time when disappointments come "That's life, things don't always work out like we want" or similar. At least one kid is listenting! Now I need to listen to myself a little better!

Update on "E"

On Friday, "E" went back to the Nurse Practitioner to check on her arm. He was amazed at how well she is healing. The break is almost completely healed. She still does not have full range of motion back, so she will go to physical therapy once a week for three weeks. He said the surgery couldn't have been done more perfectly. "E" only has to wear her splint outside when she is playing or when she is rough housing.

Overheard...

"T"--"K", what was your favorite chore when we were at the "D's" (the former family that home schooled the kids)

"K"--"Break"
Gotta love that servant's spirit!

My in-laws are coming up for Easter, so I probably won't be posting until Tuesday. Have a wonderful Easter. Remember Christ's sacrifice and love for each of us!

E is home

"E" is home from the hospital. We came home around 10:00am. She is doing well, all things considered. She took a nap this afternoon.

A Loooooooong Night/ E earns 4 new titles

I was in the midst of recreating my blog page when "K" came downstairs to say that she and "E" had fallen out of bed. "E" followed behind and said her arm hurt. Her arm bent ABOVE the elbow instead of at the elbow. We quickly threw clothes on her and I got her to the Cloquet ER. She had fractured the bottom of her humerus bone off. The Cloquet on-call Orthopedic surgeon felt she needed a Pediatric Ortho Surgeon, so after two shots of Morphine and a splint, hubby and I headed for the big town nearby with X-rays in hand. Thank you so much to the friend who we woke up so she could come stay with the other kids.

"E" came through surgery fine and will hopefully get the pink cast she was counting on soon. Right now she has an ACE bandage one. She is a little proud of her four new titles that no sibling will be able to take away!

1. First kid to break a bone
2. First kid to stay in the hospital
3. First kid to get stiches
4. First kid to have surgery.
   

Thanks for all your prayers!

Can Someone Please...

Invent a Lysol Bomb that would disinfect your entire house, including the occupants??? I now have 2 more sick kids. Yuck. On a brighter, but gross note, I found a good use for the pugs, apparently (according to "T") they clean up vomit. YUCK!!!! I'm not letting them near me for a very long time!

"E"s letter

This was written to her aunt who is due to have her first cousin in June and who, according to the ultrasoud is going to have a boy.

Dear Aunt Kim,

Too bad we're going to have a boy cousin, I really wanted a girl cousin, but it may be a girl. Although doctors are almost always right, they're sometimes wrong. I don't care if it's a boy even though I really want it to be a girl. I can't wait till we can see our cousin!

Yours truly,


"E"

Adventures in Parenthood

"Z" told me on Wednesday night that he had the "puke burps". Yesterday, his tummy didn't feel well, so he stayed home from school and according to daddy was a little less rambunctious than usual, but didn't seem too sick. This morning, he said his tummy didn't feel good at first, but then decided he could eat breakfast and go to school. He said he did not feel like he would get sick.

On the way to school however...
Yeap, you guessed it and in the car!!! "T" also got sick in sympathy, I guess, but thankfully, I had pulled over and he was able to just redecorate the snow. My wonderful hubby didn't want to change vehicles with me--can you imagine???--So much for true love!

So, the neon has been redecorated again by the kids. Poor thing!

A brother's Perspective on Sisters

We have a new baby girl in our church who joins three older brothers in her family. Her brothers are excited about having a sister and one of them was telling "Z" about her. His reply was, "You may like her now when she's a baby, but when she gets bigger she'll be bossy!" I wonder if he speaks from experience.

Adventures at the Mall

Yesterday, I took the boys for their pictures. We got some of together and then singles. Thanks to Grandma, they had coordinating John Deere shirts that made picking out clothes easy. THANK YOU grandma! Picking out clothes is the toughest part of pictures to me. The boys did great and had fun. It was pretty tough to pick out which pictures to buy! We had a great photographer.

We also did some shopping (which the boys absolutely loved) and found some good deals. I needed to find some dress clothes for "T", so we went upstairs in JC Penney, all went well until the escalator back down. I thought that "Z" did okay with escalators in the past. "T" and I got on, and were starting down, however "Z" was still standing at the top with a panicked look on his face, putting out one foot, then the other in the air ABOVE the step, but not putting a foot on the step! Have you ever tried to run back UP the escalator? It is a bit tougher than it looks! Gives new meaning to two steps forward, one step back! I managed to get back up to the top (I was not quite 1/2 way down), and helped "Z" on the escalator. Of course, when we got to the bottom, he wanted to ride the escalator AGAIN! We did not.

Cub Scout Cake Auction--the finale

The cake auction went well. "T's" cake brought in a fetching $18--bought by none other than himself. "Z's" cake brought $17. He chose a dirt cake with GUMMY WORMS!!!!!!!!!! He jumped the bidding from $10 to $20 in his enthusiasm to get the cake. I have to say that he waited patiently, not bidding on any other cake until the dirt cake came up for bid. When he got the cake, the little boy behind him was reduced to tears for a very long time because he wanted to by HIS own cake back. I remembered seeing another dirt cake and upon further investigation, it was found that his cake had not yet been sold, to which the little boy told his mom, "Let's grab it and get out of here!" He ended up buying his own cake. :o)

Here are the cakes we came home with: