addendum to the last post

I realized this morning I neglected to mention what the present was, and just in case anyone might think I was referring to an iphone or an itouch, I thought I'd clarify that I'm talking about something a little more age appropriate than that.

And supposedly won't break if you drop it.

Like this-

Or this-

shhh. don't tell.

Guess what Christopher is getting for Christmas?

Think he'll keep his grimy little hands off mine?

I know, it's wishful thinking.

"Special Needs"

I saw Harry Potter.

I loved it. I did. I thought it was the most true to the book movie they've made to date. That's probably because they are making two movies out of it, but still.

The only real thing that bugged me was that little nudey scene in the middle. You don't really see anything, but still, come on, I don't see why they couldn't have done that scene with their clothes on. I don't think it would change anything. (except me feeling uncomfortable about my kids seeing that part.)

But that's not what I wanted to talk about. Go see the movie, but close your eyes when Ron destroys the locket. (hope I didn't give too much away.)

What I wanted to talk about was Christopher. And the fact that he is now my oldest kid in diapers. Even Zach was potty trained by now. It's totally ridiculous. Anyway, I was invited by a friend to go see the movie while the older kids were in school, but clearly couldn't take Christopher into the theater. I looked for a babysitter, but to no avail. My friend was going to use the little day care at the theater (brilliant idea, btw) but they only take kids who are potty trained. Drat.

Fortunately, my friend is one of those people who makes things happen. She called the day care and pleaded my case- "he's four and half and a really good kid, but he's speech delayed and in a special pre-school and he's still in diapers." Their response- "We do make exceptions for special needs kids."

Yay?

I had a hard time swallowing those words. "Special Needs." I'm not sure why. I mean with the whole being ridiculously afraid of underpants and the occasional temper tantrum (he's getting better) and the speech delay, I've (mostly) come to grips with, but I guess I don't really see him as "special needs" when it comes to the outside world, except for pre-school, of course.

Am I making any sense?

I guess I feel in a way that I am cheating by putting myself in the same category with parents of kids with real issues and struggles.

I never would have thought to even ask them to make an exception, because gosh darnit, why the heck isn't he potty trained?!?! He should be! And I don't like pointing that fact out to perfect strangers because whether they are or not, I know they are judging me and my terrible parenting skills. And my biggest fear is of course he will be the first able bodied kid to go to college in a diaper. He'll be changing himself here pretty soon.

But hey, at least I can go see movies with my friend now and not have to beg and plead and try to bribe people with caramels to watch my kid.

(I've potty trained three kids already, and one of them I thought was autistic. Why is this so much harder!?!?)

Life right now

hmmm. let's see. I've got nothing big to write about, so I'll just write about some of the little things.

- Christopher can now not only say his name correctly- he can spell it. All eleven letters. He's loving school right now. I can't even mention school until about 10 minutes before the bus comes, because he will be ready and waiting at the open door in about 5. He shakes with anticipation when he hears the bus come up the street. It's pretty cute.

-Nick has been home sick the last couple of days. I spent some of our time together attempting to give him somewhat of an impromptu musical education. We started with the Beatles, "They're an oldies group?", and I couldn't resist sharing Les Miserables. He likes the first half the best, too many people die in the last half. I knew he'd love it though. Being the little Orch-dork that he is. Ü Somehow I got a song stuck in my head, and had to listen to it while cooking some caramels. And Nick loved it. I have to get creative with entertaining myself while making caramels. I've read, played on my iphone, updated my facebook status, watched TV, and listened to music. (I can make caramels in my sleep- probably have to tell you the truth)

-Speaking of caramels, I've started spending at least a couple hours a day working on them. I never know how many to make for Christmas. I start compiling a list of friends, neighbors, family members, John's co-workers, and teachers that I'd like to give something to, but since I've started selling them, I have been getting frantic last minute phone calls (sometimes from people I don't even know) "Do you have an extra 10, 15, 20, or more bags that I could buy?" I spent all last December playing catch-up and I still think there were several family members that I never ended up sending caramels to, despite my best intentions. But it's frustrating because I need to plan ahead, except I have no concept of how much I am going to sell that year. Is this the year people get bored of them, and I will be stuck with more caramels than I know what to do with? Either way, if people want to buy them, or they don't, I just want to know. No offense if people don't, the money is fun, and I honestly love that people love them, but it's a lot of work.

-And the diet isn't going so well either. (big sigh) I'm not back where I started, but I seem to be ever so surely making my way back. "Starting tomorrow. I will work out 4-5 days a week, as opposed to the 2-3 I usually make it, even if my knees hurt and crunch with every lunge, and my shoulder feels like someone waggled an icepick in it, and even the act of putting on a sports bra makes me want to cry. And I will drink more water. And lay off my beloved Orange Creme hot cocoa, and those heavenly imported French baguettes that bake up in my oven in about a half an hour that I get from Costco. And eat more vegetables. Like salad. Even if diet dressing makes me gag. And I will not scrape out the bottom of my caramel pans, I will just put the pot into the sink and waste that last bit of gooey loveliness unless one of the kids are around to rescue me from it..." Dieting through the Holidays. That's my definition of Hell.

-John will be home for a whole week. Imagine that. They are (sorta) giving him the week of Thanksgiving off. They are letting him work from home. Then it will be back to business as usual.

I think that's about it. I've been working on this for 2 hours now- and also watching the Food Network (not a good idea when I'm trying to lose weight) Bobby Flay had a throw-down Thanksgiving Special with Ree Drummond (the Pioneer Woman- I've been following her blog for a couple of years now)

And I'm tired.

another reason why e-bay rocks.

So we all know my little obsession with this picture-

I mean seriously, when am I ever gonna have a nice flat stomach like that again? I have to revel in the glory that once, a long time ago, before I grew 4 babies inside of me, I could run around in my underwear and feel no shame.

Add a cape and some long red socks for boots and you have yourself one awesome super hero costume.

I loved that costume. I remember one time when I was like 4 or 5, I wore it to Jake Westwood's house, under my clothes of course, and I insisted on wearing the cape too (on the outside of my clothes) and my mom told me to keep my clothes on, but I didn't, I ran around their house in my underwear, but my mom figured it out when I came home with my shirt on over the cape. (I don't remember getting in trouble though- I think she just sighed, and shook her head, and told me to keep my clothes on).

But while technically speaking, Underoos were marketed as underwear, it was really my alter-ego's costume. So when my kids saw this picture and wanted to know why I was running around in my underwear, I tried to explain that Underoos were not your normal run of the mill underwear. And to illustrate I googled it.

And looky what I found!

For only $109.99 I can totally buy that exact same set of Vintage Underoos Mint-In-The-Box on e-bay. I would totally buy it if it came with a flat, stretch-mark-free stomach.

(Doesn't that make you wonder who keeps that stuff? Seriously. Mint Condition? You mean you bought underwear and kept it for 30 years? And why sell it now? I mean they've kept it this long. Did they run across it in some box in their attic, and think "Woo-hoo! If I can sell this on e-bay I can almost afford that blu-ray collector's edition of Star Trek the Next Generation!"?)

Sorry. That was rude.

Return of the Journal Jar

Since it's been awhile (over a year) since my last "journal jar" blog post, and with not much else going on, I figured it was time to revisit that topic. If anyone feels so inclined, you can check out those posts here, here, here, and here.

So the question of the day is:

What color was your house, your bedroom, your livingroom as a child?

My house was a two story brownish brick house.

Growing up, the living room had white walls, brown carpet and dark brown trim. It has a huge two-story natural stone fireplace. My parents still live there, and have remodeled it in the last few years, replacing the carpet with hardwood floors and painted the walls. The only original things left are the fireplace (which would have been an absolute crime to rip out) and the big bookcase/cabinet thing that my dad built. (He built 90% of the furniture in the house- the exceptions pretty much being the couch, and my bedroom furniture which my mother brought with her when they got married)

For about the first ten years, my bedroom was upstairs and consisted of white walls, and bright blue carpeting (same as all the other bedrooms in the house)

Then out of necessity, (2 bedrooms-4 kids and me being the only girl) my dad built me a bedroom in the basement. I think it was the only really decorated room in the house. You know, with paint other than white, and wall paper. The carpet was mauve to match the accent wall on the south side which was wallpapered in mauve with little white dots, and the other three walls had a chair rail dividing the light blue paint on the bottom from the off whitish wallpaper with mauve and light blue stripes. I debated posting this last picture as it is not the most flattering of an old friend of mine. She and her little sister were wrestling on my bed and I took the picture to be funny. Now it's the best picture I have of my room. Clearly I was about 12-13 at the time cause I was really jazzed about being in young women's.

I loved that room. It was my fortress of solitude. Plus, the windows were really easy to sneak out of (but that's a story for another day)

an actual conversation

Between Nick and I while watching one of our favorite shows- Psych

N- "Why is that guy drinking water with olives in it?"

Me- "That's not water."

N- "Wine?"

Me- "Nope. It's called a martini. It's alcohol. Usually gin or vodka I think. It's James Bond's favorite drink. You know, 'shaken, not stirred'."

N- "Oh. I always thought they were referring to smoothies. "

although I'm not a drinker, picturing James bond sucking down a Jamba juice just wouldn't be the same.

Veteran's Day

As luck would have it, John happens to be in Washington DC today. He's doing some work for the government, so naturally he has the day off.

He texted me these pictures a little while ago, and I thought I would share them with you.

This first picture is at the ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. John was able to attend (he was practically the last one in) and was able to see and hear VP Biden speak. (something the President usually does)

Arlington National Cemetery

John F. Kennedy and Jackie's grave site

Lincoln Memorial

Part of the World War II memorial with the Washington Monument in the background.

I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking at here. I'll have to have John tell me later, unless anyone wants to chime in on the comments. It's pretty, though.

Washington Monument

On a side note, when John got off the subway at Arlington National Cemetery he told me there were a few protesters there. I thought it pretty ironic that they were protesting outside a cemetery where countless soldiers are buried who died defending their right to protest. It was heartening to hear however that there were 10 times the amount of people counter-protesting the protesters. In other words, more people were there to show support and give thanks, rather than be angry and ugly and hate-filled.

And lastly- to all the Vets in my life- a big thank you for serving!

Finally!

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that "fall has officially arrived."

I know what you are thinking - "But Kirsten, it is November, for Heaven's sakes! That's practically winter!"

Yeah well tell that to whoever decided that the weather needed to be in the 90's last week. Cooler one week, hot the next. Over, and over, and over again for like the last month.

However, this morning after Maddie left for school in her usual t-shirt and shorts, she came running back in the house 2 minutes later. "I need a jacket! It's freaking cold out there!"

I wondered what her definition of cold was so I checked weather.com. 48 degrees.

And yeah, around these parts, that's freaking cold!

(Yay!)

my bald baby

I think Christopher had more hair when he was born.

We buzzed it again, and unless the light hits it just right, you can't tell he tried to scalp himself last week.

But I have to say I am not thrilled with the over all look. It's just too short.

Maybe I just need time to let it grow on me. (pun not intended Ü)

I totally agree that 90% of the time my boys are in desperate need of a haircut,but I just wish we didn't have to go to the other extreme. (Although yesterday at church, Nick's hair was finally long enough on top to actually lay down, with a little help from some gel. I never realized that his sticky-up hair that I loved so much as a baby would be so obnoxious later on in life.)

Frankly, I'm surprised he's the first.

Yes, three others have gone before him and Christopher is the first one to give himself a haircut.

Actually, I think there were two separate incidents. Maybe three.

A whole big patch right off the top of his head. (the pictures naturally don't do it justice)

It just happened to be the day after he got his first buzz-cut (he's ridiculously afraid of those clippers)

so, from certain angles he looks okay,

but from other angles, not so much.

So, advice please from those who have gone before- another traumatizing and shorter buzz cut, or just let it grow out on his own and hide the scissors?

Halloween 2010

While visiting Orlando we stumbled upon the perfect (in our opinion) Halloween costumes for the kids.

Zach was a little upset, he wanted to be Luigi from Super Mario Bros. But other than that, the kids were happy to go along with it.

But when you come across "Thing 1, 2, 3, and 4" t-shirts, and you have four little things of your own, it's kinda meant to be.

I made John go with the theme and be the Cat in the Hat. I couldn't figure out at costume of my own, so I went as my standard- I threw on my witch hat that has served me quite well for several years. I did upgrade the ensemble and bought a new t-shirt at for $5.

I've put off this post because I have been waiting to get them all together, but for whatever reason, it hasn't been possible. yet.

Our big Halloween festivities included of a Halloween parade at the kids' school,

and a trunk or treat at our church on Saturday night.

and both Saturday night and Sunday (Halloween) night we got to spend some time with our friend, Chelsa. Actually, since she braved the ward campout with us a little while back, the kids have decided she's more like an aunt than just a friend. Anyway, a good time was had by all.

(if you think this halloween post is late, you should know that I still have 2 pumpkins the kids are anxiously awaiting to turn into jack o lanterns)

Now that's scary!

I came home from running errands earlier this month to find that some of the kids had taken it upon themselves to decorate the front of the house.

That's scary for several reasons.

a) I have issues relinquishing decorative control,

b) they used super cheapo decorations I had purchased the year before to decorate our car for our church's "trunk or treat",

and last, but certainly not least-

c) they enlisted the help of the 8 year old next door neighbor Braden to help with the staple gun.

It's not over...

...until the fat lady sings.

(yes, this means I am finally finished with the obligatory vacation slide show.)

Other fun stuff

The harsh truth is that 7 straight days of amusement parks is too much even for the most die hard fans.

So we took a break in the middle of all that fun and went to the beach. It was a well needed break. The kids had so much fun. Christopher was almost polar opposite what he was from just last spring. Last spring he wouldn't so much as get within 10 feet of the water, and just 6 months later, he was venturing too far out and trying to drown himself.

Although we tried to keep food costs to a minimum by eating cold cereal for breakfast and packing snacks and water for the park, and there were a few nights we actually ate hot dogs and ramen and mac and cheese for dinner, we did have a couple splurges.

One of our favorite nights was when we ate at Mickey's Diner for dinner. It was one of those character meals where the characters came to your table, posed for pictures, gave hugs, signed autographs, etc. We met Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto. (I know, my pictures suck- the lighting was terrible). It was also a buffet, but the food was pretty good and we were paying quite a bit for it, so we didn't leave until we were all sick. (not something I usually encourage, but we don't usually frequent buffets either)