A Colorful Afternoon

The kids spent the afternoon painting one day. They all had so much fun I just had to take a picture:

Happy Birthday Becky!

Today Becky turns 10! I can't believe how beautiful she is, inside and out. Her sweet personality could be defined in one word: helpful. She is always wanting to help others, especially her family. I am forever grateful I have such a caring daughter. She truly loves her family and her family loves her.
Yesterday we went to the Cerritos Stake Flag raising (as is tradition. All the kids love the flag raising because of the donuts and OJ, but I'm sure their true reason for loving that event will change as they continue to grow and learn more and more about our beloved country. [Don't get me wrong - they are true patriots (as will be discussed in a later post)]. But I digress...
After the flag raising we went to Walmart to get the family red, white and blue t-shirts, and some supplies for today's festivities.

After Walmart (and Costco - we had to pick up more supplies) it was time for lunch. It was Becky's choice and she wanted Ruby's. We knew the one on the pier would be really crowded, so we drove to the one on PCH and ate a SUPER filling lunch, complete with ice cream sundae's and milkshakes. :)

After Ruby's we went home to get ready for dinner. :) We were meeting up with Uncle Jack and his family in Newport Beach. After a short nap, and a lot of fruit cutting we made the beautiful drive out to Jack's timeshare. It was a gorgeous area and his rooms were amazing! (The picture of us with our new shirts was taken on the balcony of his room). Becky's friendship with her cousin, Emma, grew and they had a great time playing and pretending together.

It was a great night and we had so much fun catching up with family and relaxing (more to come on that later).
This morning we (and when I say, "we" I mean Sean) gave Becky breakfast in bed (well, on the couch, but you get the point) as is tradition. She wanted scrambled eggs, toast, lemonade, and donuts. Of course, she also got presents from her sister and brothers:

So far she's having a great birthday, and it only gets better from here - tonight we're going to Grandma's house for dinner and we're all excited to see how she decorates the table for Becky's fairy theme, and tomorrow we're going to the American Girl Doll store so she can pick out her new doll.
Becky, you are my joy. You are my life. You and your siblings make me what I am - a mother. I couldn't be more happy in life if I had any other role to play. I wouldn't trade my years with you for anything. I am so blessed to have you in my life, to watch you grow, to see you learn, to help you through your struggles. Thank you for letting me be a part. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for having you in my life.
I am so excited to see what the next decade will bring. Many joys, many trials, but through it all I know you will succeed, for you keep Heavenly Father close to your heart. Your testimony is strong and I am often humbled at its display. Thank you for the example you set for your siblings, especially James, with whom you have a strong, close bond. I've also enjoyed seeing that develop. It is surprising and pleasing to see the two of you enjoy each other's company so much. Thank you for all the love you give and for all the happiness you bring into our home. I love you!

Sorry, The Kitchen Is Closed....

(With friend, Andrew, at his Kindergarten Promotion)

We were trying to set up some household routines for the summer and struck on this:

Your room has to be clean before you eat breakfast, and before you eat dinner. If your room isn't clean before dinnertime you don't get dinner.

And: The kitchen closes at 7pm.

So Alex was saying tonight that he wanted some dessert - other than what we were getting at the scout court of honor.

I said, "Sorry, chap, but once we get home it'll be past 7pm and the kitchen will be closed."

He replied,"Can't we just get something from the garage?"

"Please Pass the Spectacle"

We were just sitting down to eat dinner (lasagna, Jane's favorite!) when Jane said, "Mom, didn't you forget something?"

Me: "No, I can't think of anything."

Jane: "Mom, you forgot the spectacle!"

Me (totally confused): "The what?"

Jane (now losing patience): "Mom, the SPECTACLE."

Sean (intervening in order to keep the peace): "Honey [to Jane] what do we use it for?"

Jane (thinking now that everyone has lost their mind, and with a touch of sarcasm): "To scoop up the lasagna? How are you going to serve the lasagna?"

Me (FINALLY getting it): "Jane, you mean the SPATULA?"

Jane CAUSING a spectacle.

Paraphrase Jane

Alex was reading me and James a story when Jane walked in and asked if she, too, could read us a book.
Alex graciously replied, "You can read two."
So Jane picked out two books and quietly came up to me (so as not to disturb Alex) and asked, "Mom, can I paraphrase?"
I said, "Sure."
Soon it was her turn to read.

And she read the entire book, word for word.
When she was done I said, "Jane, I thought you were going to paraphrase."
She replied, "Mom, I was going to do that after I read the book."

Squawk! Squawk! Ba-Gaaawk!

Our chickens are laying! Our chickens are laying!

Sean went out yesterday morning to check on the chickens and found an egg! It was a bit cracked, so we had to throw it away, but this morning he was up bright and early (such the farmer!) to check on the night's results to find another egg - sans cracks. It is small (about half the size of store-bought eggs) but the reading I've been doing says they may be small/misshapen for the first little bit while their bodies get used to their new role. Also, my reading tells me that farmers typically sell eggs from older hens, which leads me to believe that the ones in the stores are from older hens - hence, when my hens get older the eggs will get bigger (or so I hope!).
In any case, we're so excited to have producing hens!

Goofy Fun

We were a bit early to the graduation party, so we pulled out the camera and had some fun -

Paging Dr. Monroe....Dr. Monroe? Please come to your graduation party....

Dustin Monroe Graduated from Medical School! What better way to celebrate than to throw a massively cute party and invite family and friends?

Proof! haha


Karaoke was a HUGE hit!



All part of the massive cuteness.



I couldn't get over these gorgeous blue eyes! She is such a doll!


The group of Monroe's that were still around (and/or awake) by the time we thought to huddle into a picture. We all enjoyed the time of catching up and reminiscing (and eat, eat, eating!) thanks to Melissa's careful planning and hard work - Great job, Melissa!
And Congratulations, again, Dusty!

Beauty in the Skies

Check out this sight. Now, I'm no photographer (obviously!), but I had to attempt to get a picture of this beautiful floating rainbow. Sean called me while he was on his way somewhere and told me to go outside and look up. So, I walked out the front door, turned around and saw this.

I have never seen a floating rainbow before (I don't even know if that's what you're supposed to call it) but it was absolutely gorgeous and just brightened up my day. :)

Donate Life 2010 Run/Walk

We had a great time this year at the Donate Life Run/Walk. We did the walk with the kids, but we decided to do the 5k instead of the 3k. It was hot, and the kids kept asking, "Are we done yet?" but all in all we had a fun time and enjoyed being together as a family.

James slept through most of the walk - but he did wake up at the end for the food. Typical. haha

Check out this group! Dancing away to their songs back in Jr High and HS I'd never have thought that I'd be able to meet - let alone get a picture with - All 4 One! Jane had no clue who they were, but asked them to sign her shirt anyways. Too hilarious! :)

Thank You's

Becky, my almost-10 year old, is such a thoughtful, sweet girl. She is always making sure to write little notes to people to cheer them up or give thanks.

This morning I woke up to a note on my nightstand which read:

Dear Mom,
Thank you so much, you helped me. When I was scared and kept thinking of snakes you were next to me, and well you just helped me. You didn't do it alone. Heavenly Father and Jesus helped me too.
- Becky

PS I LOVE YOU!


The boys were camping last night so the girls got to watch Harry Potter 2. They were laughing and having a great time throughout the movie - neither one showed signs of being scared (I think it helped that they watched most of it before night set in). Both girls went to bed happily and joking with each other, but sometime around 2am Becky came into my room scared and talking about snakes. So she climbed in bed with me and slept the rest of the night in my bed. She actually fell back asleep pretty quickly and this morning as I woke up and read the note she was already eating breakfast and having a fun morning.

What a sweet, sensitive, grateful girl I have and I am so grateful! :)

Chocolate Milk

James LOVES chocolate milk. Loves, loves, LOVES chocolate milk! (Is there a word that suggests a stronger affection to something besides 'love'? He'd own it for chocolate milk).

I think the only thing he might like more would be ice cream - but that's a whole other story!

This story centers around his love of chocolate milk.

James has been a really good guy about pain, but discomfort is NOT his thing. He can scrape his knee, step on a bee, or fall from a tree and he'll come up smiling with a faint chuckle (or hilarious forced laugh), a tiny mention of "ow" and then be off on his way again. BUT if he is uncomfortable in any way he'll let you know!

Unfortunately, this does not bode well at bedtime when he is required to take an acid reflux pill (that is supposed to dissolve on his tongue, no less!). We had massive issues with the whole dissolving in his mouth thing, so we spoke to the Dr about it. She suggested dissolving it into water and letting him swallow it - she said it would be just fine. So, we tried that.

NO success.

THEN mom had a clever idea (and, granted, this "cleverness" is based solely on the fact that it seems to be working and we haven't discussed it with his Dr yet to hear that it might not be so clever after all).

If we can dissolve it in water, and it doesn't say he can't eat/drink anything AFTER taking the pill, why not dissolve it into something he likes....something he might not taste the meds through...something like....

CHOCOLATE MILK!

So for the last week or so he's had a "treat" of chocolate milk each night (laced with his nasty meds) and he swallows it all and asks for more.

Well, last night the other kids finally caught on that he was getting chocolate milk right before bedtime and so why couldn't they?

I explained to the kids in the kitchen (while James waited unwittingly at the table) that James only got the milk because he wouldn't take his medicine any other way.

"Either I put it in his milk and he drinks it without knowing, or I force it down his throat with a syringe...ah, the joys of motherhood" (were, I believe, my exact words.)

Well, all the kids got a mischievous look on their face and, as I handed James his milk they all started chanting, "Drink the milk! Drink the milk, James!"

James had never before gotten a cheering crowd as he drank his chocolate milk, but, like any toddler, he relished in it and gulped it faster than usual, only to get a more-than-deserved applause when he put the empty cup on the table.

He has never looked prouder.

All for drinking "chocolate milk."

Oh, Boy...

James wants so badly to be a member of the "school" club. He sees his brother and sisters and friends go to school each morning and he has to be stuck with me all day. Poor guy!

This morning he got all ready to go with me to drop off the kids (as is routine) but this time he brought along his Superman lunch box. It was empty, but he felt better with it, so I allowed it.

As we got out of the car to walk the kids into the school he brought his lunch box. Again, I thought it was cute - the older kids with their backpacks and James with a little lunch box.

Then the bell rang for school to start. Becky and Alex both gave me hugs goodbye and then ran off to their lines. James, not to be left out, decided to do the same. He ran up to me and, with a huge, bright smile, gave me as big a hug as his little arms could manage. He then picked up his lunch box (which he had carefully put on the ground) and, while waving goodbye, walked off to find a line to stand in. He was so happy, so proud. I had to just watch. And while I watched he turned and waved again.

He walked halfway around the semi-circle of lined up classes, then decided to come back. When he found me he took my hand and indicated he wanted to say goodbye to his siblings. We then walked together to their lines and he ran up to each for a hug. What a cutie he is! What a sweet brother. He misses his siblings dearly when they are at school and asks about going to pick them up all day long. He adores his brother and sisters and I'm sure he truly can't wait to join them at school.

Weaknesses

There are days I'm feeling very strong and able to take whatever life throws at me. Then there are days I can't seem to live without:

(See's Milk Chocolate Bordeaux)

But you know what? Those days are sometimes more fun! :)

For My Mother