Thanksgiving

I have to admit that I did not take very many or very good Thanksgiving pictures. It is always hard for me to capture events because I really like being a part of them and the pressure is too great. Lucky for all of you I did get a shot of our fancy centerpiece. Ruth didn't have any idea how long she has had the turkey head but we all got a kick out of it. Maya thought it needed some eyes and nostrils so we pierced some raisins and the effect was simply stunning.
We had a fabulous time in New Hampshire. It was full on but it was really great to spend some time with family and enjoy yet another holiday that we missed while we were overseas. We had tried to recreate it but it just wasn't the same without the cold weather and the Martinellis. It is so much fun to bring out a combination of traditions and to start new ones.
I showed the girls grandma's gold colored silverware and they thought it was beautiful and got a real kick out of getting to have two forks. Fancy silverware and in excess were both things that were lacking in NZ when we were on our own recreating the moment. I think some people had to eat with spoons and the truly unfortunate had to just use their fingers. Maya in all her wisdom told us that it was no longer "silverware" it was now "goldenware". So very true young Maya! Because I am never one to leave things at that, I had to tell her that Grandma Ruth had special gold powers and that she had done it all herself. "OH! How did she do it? Did she putted the straw inside and then spin it?" "Yes-of course Maya! But now she is all out of straw so she can no longer do it." Grins from Maya.
I could go on and on about the things I am thankful for but I am all tuckered out and it would just get me all misty-eyed. To make it quick, I am thankful for my family, friends and the truthfulness of the Gospel in my life. I am in constant awe of my many blessings and I am so appreciative to everyone for the examples they have been to me and my family. I can honestly say that I think that I have become a better person for having surrounded myself with the quality of people that I have. I have a long way to go, but I at least I am off to a good start. Hugs and kisses to all!

Malai A Coco & Mr. Snead

I hope the title of this post is not offensive to anyone. Aida came into our office dressed like this after we had put them to bed. "May I come in and talk to you?" she asks us in a funny accent that I think is meant to be an impersonation of a man. Seeing all of her effort that she had put into her get-up how could we refuse? "My name is Malai a Coco and I would like to talk to you about your daughter Aida. She has too much homework from school." The conversation went on for awhile until we finally flubbed her up enough to admit that it could be possible that Malai a Coco and Aida were one and the same. It was not long before Malai took off and Mr. Snead entered with interview notebook in hand. I still don't know what to think but it did give me a good laugh at a time of the day that is usually quite stressful. The spontaneity of children is incomparable to just about anything-I honestly did not forsee a visit from Malai a Coco. I wonder what tomorrow holds...

Nit Bunny

Note the scissors and the trimmed fur.

The other day Maya came in to ask me if I could please fix her bunny's face. Turns out she did some trimming and went a little too deep. I found the scissors and the pile of hair, Maya already looked slightly stressed at the situation so I calmly asked her why she decided to cut her bunny's fur. She told me she had to cut it because the nurse (at school) spoke to the children about how nits like to build their homes in the hair close to your head. Maya was afraid of her bunny getting nits on her face because then she would no longer be able to "cuddle her".
It was a little sad to see how Maya had to make the decision of whether to cut her bunny's lovely fur or risk her bunny getting lice. This was not a joy cut- we have had our fair share of those, I think it really pained Maya to have to cut the fur ("it is so soft to snuggle").
Unfortunately the cut next to the nose was a little too deep and out of my realm of fixing. I did what I thought a good mum would do. I sent her to school, hopped in the car bought a new bunny (luckily on sale), tied the bunny's ears up in an elastic and when Maya came home I told her I glued the fur back on but it most definitely will not be able to withstand a new haircut and I had to explain why nits can't be bothered with her bunny's fur.

JamesPatterson

Okay so maybe you read him, maybe you don't. Whilst reading one of the smutty paparazzi magazines during Aida's piano lesson I came across an article about him and his son. Apparently his son hated hated hated to read. So, he and his wife started a website readkiddoread.com which just has lists and pictures of books sorted by age groups and reading abilities. It also has some great blurbs and further recommendations. It is a great way to break it down the tabs make it real easy. I am rally impressed with a lot of the books on his list. I was going to start a list of my own but honestly, his site does such a good job that I will just direct you there.

But I Thought

Last month I had to take all of my kids to the doctor to get physicals in order for them to be deemed fit and disease free enough to interact with the other children of the school. They had to get a few boosters and I went ahead and gave the okay for the flu shot since they are only allowed 8.1 sick days during the school year and those are already set aside for taking off earlier for holidays so any actual illness they may incur will have to go with them to school. I would feel really bad that day that I had to send them to school with a 102 degree fever but vacation is more important and if I just cross my fingers the flu shot will work. They were mostly brave one freaked out with the injections but there were all kinds of promises being made about having ages and ages before they would have to have them again.
I was lying through non-disclosure of information. True, one would not have injections for awhile, the others would have some the following month, but what I did not tell the child freaking out is that they were all required to have full blood work done. Soooooo.....
Not wanting them to freak out I calmly told them last night that they couldn't eat anything in the morning until I woke up because I had to take them somewhere. I did not say it was anywhere fun, I just mentioned the word "fieldtrip". I knew if I told them there would be tears and worry all night. This morning they woke up and diligently got dressed and in the car full of questions of where they were going (at this point I was feeling a little guilty and not unlike the father of hansel and gretal).I still refused to tell them because I did not want to drag them in crying and have to wait for who knows how long with them all frantic.
We pull up to Lab Corp and they still have no idea but it was filled to the brim of people that were pasty and had expressions likened unto those facing a death sentence. I guess that is what you get when you fill a room with fasting people. As it grew nearer to time, I came clean and told them what we were there for. "But you promised..." "No, I only said no more injections for 'awhile'. Blood work is different they are taking stuff out." Needless to say the 1.5 hour wait with kids that have been fasting for like 14 hours by this point was not appreciated and really not all that fun. As a special treat we got to finish it up with some urine tests-yeah me! As I marched the girls out with their arms bent at angles suggesting extreme pain and drawn faces, I did hear someone say, "What I brave Mom!" Why yes, thank you. Don't forget patient.
In the end, the girls said to me "but I though we were going to do something fun." I have a feeling that their expectations for future "fieldtrips" are very low now. Perfect.

Yes I Did

For the very first time in my whole life I voted. I know I know. It was strange though because when I went in there President Palmer wasn't even listed and I had to write him in. I thought for sure they would give him his own spot since he is so popular but I have to admit I am unclear as to whether he is a Democrat or a Republican.
Here's the thing- I was a little unimpressed by the calibor of voting machine used. I mean c'mon folks what the heck was that? I haven't ever voted before so I don't know maybe this is a huge leap in technology but uh hem it looked like something a bunch of highschoolers put together (no offence to any of you highschoolers). I can almost hear them brainstorming ideas until it culminated to the genious idea of cellotaping a large sheet of butcher paper over an oversized panel comprised of a material and technology similar to that of the plastic lid on your favourite fast food beverage. I am not saying it needed to be anything complicated but in its simplicity it was almost more complicated than it needed to be. Was anyone else taken aback by their polling booths or is this just the gripe of a newbie? Shocked and quite frankly a little appalled is what I was. They could have at least had the big robot buttons then I could feel the clunk of finality with each vote I cast for people I didn't know. Jeez!

Halloween at School

To be honest the pictures I took of the girls before they went trick or treating were less than blog worthy, and since this blog is of the lowest caliber, what it means is that those pix are one click away from the recycle bin. I started off my day with a parade in which I got to watch SuperBubs and Lucy Montana strut their stuff. I then scrambled home to assemble my monster cupcakes-not in size but in theme. Mark came home and told me they were the coolest pirate cupcakes he has ever seen. Ouch! Maybe a seasick pirate? Anyway here they are.

Nothing is better than sinking your teeth into the teeth of a homemade delight by Sara. :)

Aida's award winning Robot costume. One of her hypnotizing swirlies fell off. They really spun on fans, the mp3 really played robot tunes, the leds did light up and when you pushed the start button other buttons did light up. She had a helmet and gloves but alas we left them at the ward party.

Bubbers when people would ask Maya if she was Supergirl she would say, "No, I am Super WOMAN." I was really surprised when last minute she decided not to be a monster princess-so unlike Maya. Then she insisted on the tiara and I knew my bubs was still my bubs all right.

You guessed it-Hannah Montana. The important thing here is that she really liked her costume.

I was rushed because I decided since I would be standing around admiring the parade with all of my fellow responsible, all-together parents, I would play the part and try to take a shower, fix my hair, put on a decent outfit -I even thought about gracing my lips with some lip gloss (key word is thought). I felt pretty together as I parked the van and threw Ed in the backpack and then stood waiting for the parade-camera in hand for like an hour. My back was breaking I was starting to sweat, but I kept my cool because I want to blend in with the other moms that take good care of their kids. I thought I had pulled it off and was happy to hobble to the car and remove the extra appendage that is Ed in a backpack, only to find that he had the BIGGEST greenest boogers coming out of both nostrils. Way to blow it for me Ed. So much for looking like a good upstanding, responsible parent.

Ed's Halloween

Mark and Ed were in charge of handing out the candy while I hit the pavement with the girls. This past week Ed only talks about "punkeens" and refuses to eat anything but "choc". Some days he would starve because he would not eat what was placed in front of him and I refused to give in to his "choc" demands. Ed will be the first to admit that he is a candyholic. Ed was not content to see candy being given away unless he had some too. Mark was busy because we had like 8 million trick or treaters come through so he would just throw Ed a piece every now and then. When I came home and Aida took off her costume this is what Ed did. Apparently he did it all night; running around in circles head bobbing. He was still alive this morning so I think he is okay but he sure was in a funky mood last night. Don't worry more Halloween to follow.