His eggs have hatched!

So, the other morning as I was getting ready for the day, and the kids were getting dressed, Sawyer comes running into my bathroom naked. "Mom! My eggs hatched!". I was confused on two things and didn't know which one to confront first. I started with the most disturbing issue, him being naked, and what seemed to be him playing with himself. So I asked this little white haired boy, "Sawyer, why are you naked? And why are you playing with yourself?". This clever four year old managed to answer all my questions with this reply, which didn't, at the time, make any sense and continued to confuse me. "Because mom, my eggs hatched, they are gone! I don't feel them anymore!". Being a mom of three boys, I had an ah-ha moment and impressed myself on picking up the meaning of his excitement. To which I replied, "you mean your testicles, (or in his language, his coconuts)?", "yeah, they're gone, they hatched!". "What did they hatch into? Should we be looking for something flying in the house?", I said. "No mom, they just hatched, they're just gone". Needless to say, I had my fun and explained to him that these eggs of his are not actually eggs, even if they feel like little eggs to him, they are called testicles. And they did not hatch, they just hide up inside when you're cold. He stopped for a few seconds, staring into space while this ran through his head, and then said, "oh", and ran back to his room to get dressed. Later that day I asked him if he found his eggs. "Noooo, they're still hiding, remember?" he said. That's life with boys. :)

I have a confession to make, hold on to your hats, it's a big one. I've been threatening Sawyer with "the cops"...doooohhh! I know, what kind of mother am I?! It all started when our neighbor's son got taken away by the police (awhile ago), and my kids asked me what he did. I jokingly said, "maybe he was being mean to his mom", and it stuck in little Sawyer's head. So over the past year or two, I've been using this to my advantage, more so recently, since school has been out. It just seems that I always have to be extreme with him, in particular, for some reason. Like when he was two, we were driving down Sweet Water Road (a main road that leads to our home, but not a "busy" road) and Sawyer decided to un-buckle himself in the car. We told him he better buckle himself up or he will walk the rest of the way home. His response was, "ok, I'll walk". Bob and I looked at each other smiling as Bob pulled the truck over on to the side of the road, thinking that this action would scare him into buckling himself back up. Nope, out jumped Sawyer onto the side of the road, with a wave of his little hand, saying, "you can go now, I'll walk home!" We drove forward a few several yards, thinking he would start to scream in terror, but nope, he started screaming for us to leave so he could walk home...alone. Yeah, that brilliant plan worked for our other 2 kids, but not Sawyer. Anyway, I have tried everything to get him to obey me, and stop throwing fits if he doesn't get his way. So one day during a temper tantrum, being as bright as I am and at ends wit, this is how it went down:

Sawyer: Screaming because I wouldn't give him any of "mommies special treat" (chocolate) after finding it in it's hidden place. "Fine, I'm taking my pants off!" (As if that would really get to me)

Me: "Fine, take your pants off, but you'll have to put them back on all by yourself because we are leaving in a few minutes."

Sawyer: "Hmmph"...yanking his pants off. "Ah-ha, I took my pants off!"

Me: "Now put them back on, we're leaving."

Sawyer: "No! You have to help me now."

Me: "Sawyer, I just warned you not to take them off or you'll have to put them back on...all by yourself, so put them on!"

Sawyer: "I need help!!"

Me: "Um, Sawyer, you just took them off by yourself, so you can surely put them back on by yourself, now hurry up, we're leaving!"

Sawyer: Screaming, again, "No I can't!!!"

Me: "Put your pants on or I will call the cops and tell them you're being mean to your mom."

Sawyer: Paused to look at me, making sure I wasn't kidding, then dropped to his bum and yanked those pants on faster than I ever could! "ok mommy! I put them on, don't call the cops!"

I know, he will probably need therapy in the next several years, but so far, this method is STILL working. Sure, he has tested me to see if I actually would, and I have had to call the police (it was officer Bob aka Dad), but he stops and begs me to tell them he'll be good and not to come. Don't underestimate me, I tell him EVERY time that the police are nice people who just don't like it when people and kids are mean to other people, especially their moms. So far, he hasn't run away screaming whenever he sees a police officer. He actually waves to them...maybe he's trying to butter them up for the next phone call. :)

Yellowstone National Park

For Memorial Day weekend we decided to go to Yellowstone, since we hadn't been since I was pregnant with Logen. Despite the LONG drive up there, and Logen's scheduled question "are we almost there?" every 10 minutes, & Sawyer's geographical curiosity question "are we still in Eagle Mountain?" on every pit stop, we had a lot of fun. Pops and Grammy came, too, as well as Mike, Kindra, Kylie & William Jones/Stock. We saw lots of elk and buffalo, 2 bald eagles, a couple of coyotes, a fox, a wolf, & a far away mama bear and her cub climbing the hill...I think that's all. Anyhoo, we all had a great time. I love it up there! Since there was a lot of photos, I put them all in a slide show below this post. (You might want to scroll down to the music thing & pause it since there's music in the slide show.)

Spring Break

I remember Spring Break being warm...don't you?! I guess I shouldn't complain, it could have been worse...like snowing. We kept having to postpone going to Hogle Zoo because

of rain, but we did make it on Friday. It was a little chilly at first, but by the time we left, it started warming up. But it was still fun! This was Gavin's first zoo visit, and quite frankly, he could have cared less. He was just happy to be outside! I love the zoo!

I could sit all day watching the monkeys and gorilla. I just can't get over how human-like they are. Sawyer had a blast and kept saying "let's go check sumfin' else out!" He started a temper tantrum when we were leaving, until we mentioned McDonald's...then life was good again.

Easter 2009

Didn't we just get through with Christmas?! And now it's already past Easter?! I guess that's what happens with time, it's inevitable! Anyway, Easter has come and gone, and what fun it was! The kids had fun sleeping in the same room that night, in fact they had a "sleepover" the whole week of spring break...whatever gets them to bed without a fight! As the Easter Bunny was making his stop at our house, he had to chuckle to himself when he saw the kids' new Easter shoes outside their bedroom door for him to put candy in them. This was a tradition my sisters and I did when we were growing up, and my kids remembered it, without my reminder this year...what fun!

I found this cute website called http://www.myfavoritepal.com/ that carries matching ties from infants to adults. So, I found blue and white polka dot ones to match Jessica's blue and white polka dot dress...so proud of myself! Dinner at Grammy and Pop's was fun, too, along with the egg hunt. But wasn't quite the same with Tamie, Jared & Irish not there.

This year I only bought 2 bags of candy and filled the rest with bubbles, toys, puzzles and snacks they don't get very often...I mean the EASTER BUNNY only put 2 bags of candy in this year. AND I didn't hear any complaining...guess Bob was right (dang), they really don't need tons of candy! Being a kid is so much fun! Next year will be even funner, with Gavin being a little older and being able to join in. But this year, he was happy just being there!

Valentine's Day 2009

I never really liked Valentine's Day when I was growing up, but my mom always made it fun. By passing on my mom's tradition, I hope my kids look forward to this holiday. Instead of roses for each kid, I make sugar cookies with their names on them, and give them candy and a toy. I needed a way to justify getting Mario Kart, so I talked them into wanting it for Valentine's Day. They originally didn't want it, but I did, so that just tells you how good I am at convincing! But now I can't pull them away from it. And growing up, all the kids in our neighborhood would leave valentine's on door steps, ring the door bell, & run. But no one around here has even heard of that, so our neighbors must think we're even weirder than normal! But the kids love doing that, probably because it's like playing a joke!

Sleigh Riding

I usually love the snow (as long as I'm not the one driving in it), so after driving by Silver Lake amphitheatre and watching people sleigh ride, I wondered aloud to Bob why we haven't been yet with the kids...ever. When we lived in Sandy, all the good hills were always too crowded and safety was a BIG issue for me. But now that we're out in the sticks with a lot less people, I honestly couldn't find a good reason to not go. And the un-plowed streets, after the big snow storm, brought back memories of my mom tying an inter-tube to the back of our car and pulling us around the neighborhood and church parking lot. So, I bugged Bob about getting an inter-tube for about a week. But by the time he actually got one, the streets got plowed. That's okay, because he also got a plastic sled, so off to the hills we went! The kids had a blast...despite the bike helmets I made them wear (yes, I am a worry wart). And I decided to get in the action, too, despite the usual out come for me...peeing my pants. But surely now that I'm an adult and have better control, and things aren't as funny as they were when I was a kid, I shouldn't have a problem...right? Before I proceed with the story, let me give you some background on me. I have an extremely weak bladder with little to no control when I laugh. I should have factored in the fact that child birth does a number on your bladder, too...what was I thinking?! Anyway, the first and second time going down was a blast...I forgot how much fun it was. But I decided to do one last run before we left and Logen wanted to go down with me. Well, he likes to drag his feet which made the sleigh turn and eventually tip us over. As I was sliding down the hill upside down on my back, I saw Logen fly in the air right over me, which started the laughing...uh oh. Eventually, I stopped half way down the hill so, I got up to walk down, and slipped and fell on my butt...where I finished sliding down the rest of the hill. All the while laughing with tears in my eyes, and you guessed it...peeing my pants! (I'm so good at hiding it, no one even knew!) My kids where looking at me with horror-stricken faces asking if I was alright...I'm not sure if they were actually worried about me, or just plain embarrassed. And Jessi proceeds to tell me the all-to-often speech I tell her "It's alright mom, sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself!" Maybe they thought I was crying because of the tears of laughter coming out...anyway, serves me right for giving myself too much credit on self control. I guess some things will never change...they only get worse!

The things kids say...

So the other day I was putting on make up in my bathroom when Logen came in to use the toilet. Here's the conversation:

Logen: "Mom! my other elbows are almost taller than the toilet!"

Me: "Your other what?! You mean, your elbows are taller than the toilet?"

Logen: "No, my OTHER elbows are almost taller than the toilet."

Me (after a full minute of trying to figure out what he meant, laughing): "You mean your KNEES are almost taller than the toilet?"

Logen: "Yeah, I mean my knees are almost taller...that means I'm growing up!"

Me: "Cool, bud. But remember that these (pointing to my knees) are knees and these (pointing to my elbows) are elbows.

Logen: "Whatever. I'm still growing up."

And a few days ago I was having a conversation with a sassy 3 year old (Sawyer)...here's that conversation:

Me: "Sawyer, come wash your hands so that you can eat lunch."

Sawyer: "No! I don't want to."

Me: "Don't tell me 'no', and please come wash your hands before I swat your bum."

Sawyer: "Then I'll swat your bum, hard!"

Me: "Then I will put you into time out and you'll miss lunch."

Sawyer: "Then I'll run away from you, fast!"

Me: "I'll catch you because I'm faster than you."

Sawyer: "No, I'll run faster and faster up into the mountains."

Me: "I'm still faster than you, but if I don't catch you, then the coyotes will."

Sawyer (after contemplating this for several seconds): "Mom, will you help me wash my hands?"

Sawyer's rough day

Thursday, October 16Th, began as a nice, UEA break day. It was warm and sunny outside and since I was able to straighten up the house and get a couple loads of laundry done, I decided to give in to my kids' pleads to play outside. Logen helped me cut back the daisy bushes...me, with scissors and he, with his pocket knife. We even were able to pull some weeds out, too, by the time Sawyer found Logen's golf clubs and balls in the garage. Being the good big brother he is, Logen decided he needed to show Sawyer how a correct swing was done. I can't tell you how many times we have told Logen to make sure there is no one around before he swings a golf club, and why should now be the time for him to actually listen? Of course, he didn't and as I bent down to pick up some weeds, I heard Logen swing the club...and then heard a dull thud. I quickly turned around and saw/heard Sawyer on the ground screaming...about 2 feet away from Logen's horror struck face. Within seconds, Sawyers left cheek began to swell and ooze blood. I, of course, panicked and swooped Sawyer up and rushed him inside to examine him closer. It looked horrible! I was certain he had a broken cheek bone!

I would like to say that I calmly called Bob to see if he was available to come home and give me a second opinion of what to do, but I didn't... I called him in a full blown panic and demanded he get home as fast as he could!! (Good thing he works 5 minutes away). I tried to put ice on it...but Sawyer would have none of that, and I was trying to calm him down, not irritate him more. By the time Bob got home, I had calmed down a little and noticed Logen standing in the background with tears in his eyes. He is so tender hearted and I knew that he didn't mean to hurt his little brother. I told Logen that it was okay...I know he didn't mean to hurt Sawyer, but that he needs to remember to make sure no one is around when he swings. He nodded and moved a little closer and kept saying over and over "I'm sorry Sawyer!". Bob confirmed my decision to take Sawyer to the ER, although he couldn't go with me because he had a meeting to go to. I am so thankful to have my sisters live so close!! So, Tamie went with us to Alta View Hospital's ER. They x-rayed his cheek and checked him out and found out that he didn't break or crack anything...thank goodness! One child's surgery is more than enough...I don't think I could handle another one! As we were about to leave, the paramedic/fire men showed up with their fire engine and even let Sawyer sit in the driver's seat and honk the horn. If his poor little face hadn't been so swollen, he would have had a smile from ear to ear. With a couple of new stuffed animals (one from the hospital and one from the paramedics) and a fist full of suckers, we headed home. And by the time we got home, the IBprofin had kicked in and Sawyer was back to normal...well, almost. He couldn't talk very well with his swollen face or suck on his suckers very well. But that could have been from the big sore in his mouth he got 2 days earlier from, you guessed it...Logen, goofing off and shoving him, smacking his head/face into the bedroom door frame. I swear, Logen tries so hard, but trouble and accidents always seem to find him! Don't get me wrong, Logen is a wonderful kid with a big heart, and I love him dearly... but sometimes I think he's cursed or something! Anyway, Sawyer is doing much better now! I'm sure it won't be long before another accident comes...not counting the bike crash he had yesterday. I do love my boys to pieces and am grateful nothing more serious happened!!

Changing seasons...you gotta love them!

I can't believe it's already October! I'm not complaining though...I love this time of year. Despite the fact that I still need to trim the flower bushes back, sweep the porch, or get the shoe off the roof (thrown during a temper tantrum), I love the beauty of this season and really need to start enjoying it. Just like I need to sit back and enjoy my beautiful growing children in their "seasons" rather than be so hard on them. Those moments that, at the time, make me want to pull my hair out, soon become the moments that keep me up at night laughing. And I need to learn to enjoy them and correct them calmly rather than let them drive me slowly insane. And realize that just because there's Popsicle juice stained on the carpets, or boogers running down faces, or mixed-matched clothes on with high-heeled boots, it doesn't mean I'm not a good mom. Keeping up appearances is just not worth the work, or my sanity! Life is just too short to not enjoy!

Speaking of that... The other day an hour after I took the kids to school, dropped Sawyer off at pre-school, and put Gavin down for a nap, the door bell rang. Much to my surprise, it was Sawyer...all alone! A million things went through my head... where did he come from?! Did his teacher know where he was?! How did he get here?! Why was he all alone?! Come to find out, he told his teacher he had to go potty, but instead of using the toilet, he decided to ditch pre-school and walk home, alone...three streets away. He now knows (I hope) that he cannot go anywhere alone or without telling an adult where he is going, at least he did a few days ago. Who knows what goes through his little three year old brain?!

Would it surprise you to know that I have a kid who talks too much at school? It did me! Logen got his mid-term progress report and his teacher said he talks during instructions, although she's happy to see that he makes friends so easily. I'm glad she finds the good in it! I thought that was one area in school that I wouldn't have a problem in with my kids... with Jessi's melt downs in class because she was too shy to ask for help with anything, I thought "woo-hoo!", at least my kids won't be one of those disruptive brats! Makes me wonder what I'm in store for with Sawyer and Gavin. Although after Sawyer's little disappearing act the other day, I probably have a good idea! Ah, but yes... I've got to enjoy these moments and not help but love my kids for them!