Back to School!!!!

Woo hooo!!! Today was Cole and Paige's first day of school. Cole is in 2nd grade now, wow! I told him my story about my mean 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Harding. He said, "Her name even sounds mean, like HAAAARD, you get it?" Well, Cole lucked out this year, he really liked his first day with her. He even said, "I want to be a teacher like Mrs. Lucchino when I grow up." That's a pretty good testimonial for a teacher. He thought she was "nice and funny". So, that's a good match. Paige had a great day too. Her teacher is Cole's old Kinder teacher. She's very sweet and I'm excited to volunteer in her class this year. While the kids were at school, I got some stuff done, like cleaning my car, finally. Actually, I'm going to shampoo the carpets tomorrow, because the car stinks like beach and stale food. Anyhow, I'm not sure who's more excited about back to school...the kids or me.

Poison Ivy I.D.

If you've ever wondered what it looks like, here's a shot of it. We've got a bumper crop of it in our yard this year. I'm surprised no one has got a rash yet (knock on wood). We have this cool weed puller that let's you stay standing to pull the weeds, so I was sure to keep my distance from these when I pulled them today. Leaves of three, Leave it be! There's your botany/scouting lesson for the week.

Free child labor

Travis had the kids out in the yard on Saturday. He got them to play a game where they would pick up the weeds as he pulled them. It was around 90-100 degrees and he actually had them fighting over who was going to get the next weed and put it in the wheelbarrow! That's some skill. He's one good delegator. Finally, after Paige broke down and said "but Daddy, I'm sweaty!!" He let them quit and they played with the hose on the tramp.

Finished my painting

So I totally skipped painting class on Thursday and went to Target alone. It's funny cuz right when I walked in I felt so giddy, I was sure everybody could see me smiling a big stupid grin. To be shopping all by mysefl!! I spent 2 hours looking at stuff (got some cute clothes & books). Then I went home a took a bath. Anyhow, in my past life I think I would've laughed at what a boring person I've become. A lame-o thrilled by a night at Target. Back to painting, I finished my picture of Cole. This is a detail of the mouth, I really like it. The face is a little too long, but at least it's finished. I've got a couple others brewing, but I just need to dive in and not be worried about doing them perfectly. Fear and art, they go hand in hand.

Family Photos are Up

Thanks Jen for telling me about
american frame. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing to frame anything (especially anything big). The frames were at least 1/2 the price of having a frame shop do them. And the frames are perfect, kind of rustic so they look great with the beams on the ceiling. I think my dining room just needs drapes and it's done (I just have to convince Travis to spend the $ on a bunch of fabric...I think drapes are a girl thing).

Heaven Help Me!

Ok, so along the same vein as my earlier posts, the kids are very ready for summer to be over. Lily had a day for the record books on Monday. First, after a 10 minute phone call, I find Lily coming downstairs with a "beautiful" piece of paper, soaked with red marker. Uh-Oh...I ask her "Did you keep the marker on the paper?" She says with enthusiasm "No, I colored the chair too!" I start upstairs and then see the damages on the balusters (see picture :) I said "Lily! That is a big no-no! I'm very angry at you!" She sort of shrugs and smiles. Then I continue upstairs and see some more of her artwork. I start to wonder "How could she do all this damage in just a few minutes?" But I think I can get if off fairly easily with a magic eraser. Wow, I was wrong. Looks like we'll be having a painting party this weekend.

Well, after seeing a third spot she colored on I said "Lily!! I am VERY mad at you for coloring on the walls!" And I bopped her on the head and sent her to her room for a time-out.

Well, that was just the beginning of the day. While I was scrubbing the walls, Lily found something else to keep her busy. She was playing in the guest bathroom and found a package of tampons. I'm sure she thought "What are these funny things. Let's see what happens when I shove a whole bunch down the toilet!" Yes, she did. So while I'm cleaning mess number one, the guest bathroom is filling with water. Nice....

After I discover that mess I yell at Lily again and spank her and send her to her room.

A few hours pass and the kids are playing upstairs while I'm cleaning up the lunch mess. I go up to switch the laundry and what do I find???? Lily having a tea party on the upstairs desk, water everywhere, under the mouse and keyboard, and pooling around the printer (luckily it's our old imac that we don't use, but still!) So I say "Lily! You're being a very naughty little girl today!" And I gave her a horse bite on the thigh and sent her to her room. She goes off crying.

Later that night, she reflected on the day by saying..."Mommy you hurt me lots today." Then counting on her fingers she says, "You bop my head. You spank my bum. And you pinch me." I ask "Why did I do those things?" She says "Cuz I drawed on the wall with red and got water on the floor. Sorry, Mama." So, we hugged and I made her pinky promise to never do those things again. We'll see...

We made it to the beach!!!

So, we decided to pack it up and head to the beach after all. We went back to Beaufort, and even stayed in the same beach house as last year. We just stayed for a couple days, but it's such a laid back place, that was the perfect amount of time. It's a little coastal village with a few blocks of restored 18th and 19th century houses, very cool. Trav took Cole, Paige and Lily to the beach while I took a nap with Grace at the beach house. Which for me was just what I needed after the last few busy days. After I woke up, we traded kids and I took everyone to the old burying grounds. There was a tombstone of a little girl who died of yellow fever returning on a ship from England. In order to preserve her body, (so it could be buried rather than trown overboard), they put her in a barrel of rum. As soon as the ship landed in Beaufort, they buried her, rum keg and all. Now, people put toys and trickets on her grave to keep her happy. So, we left some coins and then...this is true...we heard a child laughing. Cole was freaked! Needless to say we booked out of there.

Put a fork in me!

I'm done! My kids are driving me nuts. I can't wait for school to start!! It's too hot to play outside for more than 15 minutes, they're fighting with each other. Travis has been home helping with stuff around the house and every project we work on, only leads to another one, since the kids are "finding things to do". Everytime I go into a room, I see a new disaster. I'm going crazy!!! To top it all off, poor Grace is not getting better. She has to have tubes put in her ears on Monday. So, when she's awake, she's following me around crying, and when I'm holding her she's flailing around. Happy days!! Our beach trip is off, but on a good note we got a boat today, so that's something fun to look forward to. OK, I'm goin' back in...

Clean Sweep of the Garage

Travis just finished the garage. Wheeeew!!??&*&^&^! That was a job. We took everything out and he pressure washed EVERYTHING. Wow, I'm very proud of his work. He spent TWO days on the thing. We were originally planning on leaving today to go to Beaufort to stay at the beach, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. The worst part about the garage, was it was in the 90's-100's, so he is wiped out. I felt like a slacker, because Grace has been sick with a double ear infection. After 2 rounds of antibiotics, she's had to go to the Doc the last 3 days to get super-duper antibiotic shots. GOOD TIMES!! So, I couldn't help that much, other than pulling everything out and organizing a few boxes. Poor Grace couldn't stand the hot weather with her fever. He's got it sooooo clean and organized, it's like the rest of the house.

Here's my Answers Jenny :)

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?	my grandpa Nick
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?	when finishing The Memory Keeper's Daughter
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING ?	no
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?	egg salad
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?	yes, 4
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?	yes
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?	sometimes
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS ?	no
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?	that's not on my list of things to do
What's your favorite cereal	cream of wheat
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?	never
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?	Yes, head strong
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?	Mint chocolate chip
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?	personality
15. RED OR PINK?	That's too hard
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF?	my ADD personality
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?	My Mom
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?	sure
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?	green pants and brown flip flops
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?	honey nut cheerios
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?	my children's voices
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?	celadon
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?	horses, dirt, air after it rains, hay, pumpkin pie
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?	Travis
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?	Jenny E.
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?	None
27. HAIR COLOR?	brown/or blonde (blonde now)
28. EYE COLOR?	brown
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?	no but I should
30. FAVORITE FOOD?	Italian anything
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?	happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?	Grease
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?	cream with an ivory ribbon
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?	winter
35. HUGS OR KISSES?	Kisses
36. FAVORITE DESSERT?	Banana Pudding/Pie from 131 Main
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?	John Adams last night
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?	nothing--it's part of my iBook
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T. V. LAST NIGHT?	Mystery on PBS, Yay!
42. FAVORITE SOUND?	nighttime in the bath with the windows open--crickets & tree frogs
43. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?	Mexico? I'm lame.
44. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?	my imagination
45. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?	OHSU hospital--Portland, OR

A little bit of PDX poetry bling

One day, I want to go to Twist in Portland and get some poetic bling, like this necklace. Just ponder the inscription:

"Since there is no place large enough to contain so much happiness, you shrug, you raise your hands, and it flows out of you into everything you touch. You are not responsible. You take no credit, as the night sky takes no credit for the moon, but continues to hold it, and share it, and that way, be known." Deep...and purty!

Can World's Strongest Dad

Thanks to my sis-in-law Michelle. This will make you cry. It's about a father and his handicaped son. At birth, his son's umbillical cord was wrapped around his neck, causing brain damage. After years of being told their son was in a vegetative state, they discovered they could communicate with him through the use of a computer and sensors that he could press with the side of his head. He told his Dad he wished he could run. This is what his Dad did...what would you do?

Chocolat-y Goodness

Mmmmmm....to be a baby and taste your first warm chocolate chip cookie. Heaven!

Kissin' Cuzins'

We had a pool-filled, snack-eating, movie-watching, video-gaming two weeks with our cousin Gabe. He and Cole started acting like brothers towards the end of the trip. Teasing the girls and fighting with one another. I think this will be an annual tradition, but we need Sarah to come too.

In my bedside table

OK Angie, here's my list. Does stuff under my side of the bed count too?

In the drawer--

1. sherwin williams paint chip fan
2. assorted paint chips
3. orange earplugs
4. lots of change
5. my patriarchal blessing
   
6. poetry magazine
7. sketch pad
8. photos I just developed from when Lily was a baby (like a little time capsule)
9. ohhhhh there's the remote!!!
10. hair stuff
11. a flag pin?? what the heck? whose is this
12. Heel balm that I don't use, but should
    

OK--My nightstand has a shelf for books..so this is my current rotation

1. The Memory Keeper's Daughter (almost done...)
   
2. The Life of Pi
3. The Inheritance of Loss
4. Eat, Pray, Love
   
5. Caring for your school age child
6. The American Gospel
7. Kite Runner
8. 6 Events (by Covey)
9. The Story of Joseph Smith
10. Guns, Germs, and Steel (this is the one I read when I can't sleep...works everytime)
11. The Family Manager Takes Charge
12. Magazines that we subscribe to--Time, Cottage Living, Ensign, Country Living, Tennis (what the heck is that doing on my side??)
13. My clock
    
14. My lamp :)

Under the bed--

1. Huge Drawing Pad
2. Small bags
   

Ok, I think this is a more honest reflection of me than my purse. Although, my purse does have character :)

Thanks Dottie!

I ripped off your idea to put music on my blog. How cool is that?!

30 reasons to love my 30's

1-Make a logcabin quilt
2-Finish a marathon
3-Throw an old boot into the footings of my dream house
4-Visit all 7 continents
5-Vacation at a working Amish farm (thanks Leslie)
6-Gravestone rubbings from my ancestors in Denmark/Germany/Holland/England
7-Can salsa, jam and pickles from my own garden
8-Have my art published in New American Ptgs.
9-Learn to play piano well enough to play hymns for FHE
10-Learn to sew curtains
11-Get my dream 16.3 H dapple gray Dutch warmblood gelding
12-Understand what my patriarchal blessing means by "profession"
13-Patent something
14-Head up marketing at Mantis (actually goooo to work each day)
15-Own a cabin in the woods
16-Finish a NY Times crossword puzzle without cheating
17-Self-publish a book
18-Record an interview with Grandma Wilhelm a la Storycorps
19-Go on an African Safari
20-Have my portrait painted
21-Send a message in a bottle
22-RV from the East coast to the West Coast
23-Make a family tree of 5 generations--frame it
24-Create a studio space for just me
25-Bid at a live Sotheby's auction
26-Kentucky Derby--wear a big hat and place a bet (sorry Bishop) :)
27-Collect 3 books a month (That's 360 books total!) (I think I already do this)
28-Read all of the LDS history volumes
29-Go to Williamsburg in October
30-Contribute to Kiva annually

I'm brilliant

So, there's a reason Travis says to me, "Honey, I love you because you're like a nerdy, old lady stuck in a beauty queen's body". Aw shucks! Well, today I proved his point. It was during Cole's piano lesson, I had 30 minutes to waste. So, I drove around his teachers neighborhood looking at all the new homes for sale. Of course, I can't just look. I have to get out of my van and try to get inside. Well, as I'm leaving the back deck of a pretty little cape cod, gabbing on my phone, I go to step down the stairs and totally bite it. My right foot rolls and I'm pretty sure it's broken. I think I was crying like a little baby. So, I crawl to my car and the whole time I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to drive my car with a throbbing foot. Anyway, I survived, got Cole picked up and now I'm home with a blue foot. Sooooooo, needless to say my workouts for the week (and maybe for a few) will be on hold. Stairs and Nicky don't mix, huh Dawn? (I fell a full flight down our wooden stairs, and my gooood friend Dawn was a witness to my purple booty bruise)