Expressions

Sometimes I have to laugh at some of the expressions we use in our home. It's fun to think about where I first heard something, and why did it stick with me. Some things I swore I'd never say that were ground into me as a child have been carried on to my kids, things like, It's what's inside that counts," or "It's all suck and no squirt" (Tom winces anytime that one is said), or "somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed", and I'd never forget "I've had it up to here with you" (envision my mother holding her hand about 2 cm from the top of her head). I often wondered if I'd ever push her to the point just above her head, and what would be the consequence. Some were derived from movies or other people like, "My dogs are barking!" I think I first heard that on the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles. And "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit." My daughter brought that one home from preschool. And my stepdad's favorite "If you go hungry it's your own fault." These are only the ones fresh in my head now, I know there are so many more just swimming around in my brain waiting to be used. There's something about these phrases that bring a certain comfort. Although often used in a moment of chastening, the message was sent. It was direct and clear. There seems no better way to say it. Maybe that's why in our house I continue to say some of these same phrases and a few others we have chosen to use regularly like "Whining never gets you what you want." or "I'm not going to do something for you that you can do for yourself." or "Because I'm the Mom." Some I have chosen to leave behind with my childhood and adopt a new more sophisticated way such as the word fart. Even to write it pains me a little. It seems so crass and harsh. I took on Tom's family's more gentle term toot which sounds completely appropriate when we're talking with the kids, but recently realized that it's quite juvenile to throw around in a room full of adults which makes me really second guess the phrase we regularly use "Did you let a tooty toot from your booty boot?" Although my kids love to roll their eyes to the top of their head where they linger for a while anytime one of these are used, I know some day I will snicker to myself when I hear one of them say to their kids "There are children starving in China, eat your food!"

Time for cider and doughnuts or caramel apples, or sugar cookies...

I've said it before and I'll openly say it again-I love fall. All the excitement of the holidays to come, family, excuses to bake and eat a little more than usual, holding a hot mug of something, the smells, snuggling up tight in a blanket, watching my favorite shows. I love it all. Actually I don't love it all there is one thing I'm not to fond of, but I'm not going to let the thought of it RAIN on my parade. Since life is spent a little more indoors these days here's what we've been enjoying.

Making a few Halloween sugar cookies and eating lots of sugar cookie dough.

Carving pumpkins. Tegan couldn't care less about carving the pumpkins she just wanted to clean them all out. Wish she was that enthusiastic about her room.

Caramel apples. We didn't have much of a dipping variety, but caramel was all we REALLY needed.

The girls worked like little Oompa Loompas getting those caramels unwrapped.

 We took a trip over to Value Village for our family night to find ourselves some costumes.

 Tom scored with this freaky mask and big blue sleeper to go with it. Guess it was our lucky night. The unlucky part being the smell that we cannot get out of that big blue sleeper. This little outfit won him scariest costume at our friends Halloween party.

Jessie has taken to drawing and writing in her "journal" which I love. I love being at the receiving end of her sweet pictures. This one was for her Nana (my mom).

 We're looking forward to tackling a little trick or treating tomorrow. More pics to come.

Oh yes, Fall is here!

I feel like this year has been very kind to us weather-wise. When I was pregnant the temperature never got unbearably high. The summer had a few scorching hot days, which uncomfortable as it may be, I think is necessary. And we had a record 87 days without rain. So long that it almost felt like it might be gone for good. It made me extra grumpy when it did start raining the other day. Life is back to soggy pant bottoms, rushing the kids from point A to B outside, and wishing for an umbrella that floated along right above our heads since there are not enough arms at this time to actually carry one. But not to fret in a short 9 months the sun will pop its head out once again.

Believe it or not I actually am excited for the fall even if that means more rain. I love the festivities that come along with it and all the anticipation for the holidays and family. Here's what we've been up to so far.

Jess went to a pumpkin patch with her 1st grade class.

Tegan got to celebrate her birthday with her and Jessie's best friend Aneliz. They voted on dinner and a movie so we went to see Brave.

The girls both decided on matching haircuts.

Played in the leaves out back while they were still dry. The one enjoyable part about having leaves that fall in our yard for at least half the year. I curse our oak tree.

And a trip to our favorite pumpkin patch Bauman's. These girls didn't let a few sprinkles get in the way of their good time. 

Las Vegas

This past weekend Tom, Lainey and I found ourselves in Las Vegas for my brother's wedding. Not a place I would normally choose to go, and after being there probably not a place I will ever go back to, but we LOVED seeing family and being there for my brother's special day. 

Lainey's first plane trip. She did us proud.

A little pool time with my brother Jared. 

Jared and Tom at the Bonneville Dam. Loved this place it was beautiful.

Dinner with some of the family

The blushing bride and groom (New sis-n-law Sara and my brother Scott) Congratulations to the both of them. They make a handsome couple.

Brother Shane and sis-n-law Julie dancing it up at the post-wedding festivities

Although I felt a little out of my comfort zone in Vegas, it really was so great to see everyone. We had delicious food, and I was impressed with the elaborate hotels. My one regret, not skydiving with Elvis.

Happy Birthday Teegsters!

Well she's been talking about it for a year and the day has finally come, Tegan turned 4! Her birthday party was delayed because of some birthday virus that decided to visit her right before, but in usual Tegan style she took it all like a champ. Four things I love about Tegan:

1. When she belts out the popular new song from the radio.

2. She goes through a minimum of 3 outfits a day.

3. She has become my little helper at home now that Jess is at school. She follows me around helping me do all the catch up on all the chores that need to be done.

4. When she sits by me and links her little arm through mine during story time. I hope she's never too old.

Tegan is one little firecracker full of affection and silliness. We never quite know what she's gonna say only that it's sure to make us laugh.  We love you Tegan!

Let's Just Talk about the Blueberry in the room

I happen to have a daughter that can get a little worked up and worried about things from time to time.  Remember a few weeks back when we read the book Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and then watched the movie? Remember the part where Violet the habitual gum chewer eats the gum and turns into a blueberry? That part has been haunting my poor girl for weeks now. Several times we have had to reassure her that it's impossible for her to turn into a blueberry. That her full stomach is only because she finished a big meal. That the blue in her veins is the blood running through her body. Yes my girl is a worrier. In her sister's prayers it has now become routine for her to ask that Jessie not be turned into a blueberry. It seems silly. Tom and I often pass looks to one another trying to suppress a smile or a laugh, but how scary it really must be to think your body is going to turn blue and blow up to the point that you have to be rolled around and juiced to get back to normal and even then not truly normal because your skin stays blue. This silly movie has become like a horror film for the girl, and frankly at this point for me too. I will think twice before introducing them to one of my childhood favorites. Movies like Never Ending Story and Goonies will just have to wait their turn because for now we're sticking with Tangled and Curious George.