Regina's 40th Birthday Party

December 14, 2013

Regina invited me to her 40th birthday. It was the most amazing adult birthday party I have ever been to. It was a themed birthday party and everyone was asked to wear a costume from either the Wizard of Oz or Oz the Great and Powerful. I was the wicked witch of the west. I thought my costume ended up being pretty cute. I wasn't sure how to make my face green so at the last minute, I used eye shadow. She served a yummy dinner which was chicken, orzo, salad, rolls, and yummy cake. She then hired a local magician to perform for us. I never quite understand magic. It just amazes me how quick they are. Tom, her husband, was the photographer. He had set up a cute Oz background and was sure to get everyone's photo. We played a trivia game and then opened gifts. She got some amazing things. Then the dancing began. I had a great time and it was fun to visit with old daycare parents that I just don't see any more. Regina is such an amazing person and she deserved such an amazing birthday party. 

Parker being a goof

December 13, 2013

Parker can be such a goof ball. He loves to dance and sing. If we turn on the music, he's a dance. He allowed me to take some photos of him dancing around. I love that he still let's me take his picture.

Parker gets in trouble

December 11, 2013

Parker had a really rough week. I got a call from Susan at the school. She said, "I had a little problem with Parker today, he needs to talk to you." My first thought is oh great, what did he do now. Of course, he gets on the phone and is crying and can't talk. It took a minute for me to get out of him what he had done. Apparently, he was running in the hall way and Susan asked him not to run and he turned around and with his hands said, "Blah, Blah, Blah!" and kept running down the hall. She had to go get him and bring him to the office. I can not believe my sweet little Parker did this. I was so embarrassed. When Susan got on the phone, I apologized and told her I would talk to him. Well when I picked him up, I was very upset. It took me awhile to calm down. We later had a talk about respecting others especially our elders. Sometimes, I think, Parker likes to do things to try and make his friends laugh. I told him he doesn't need to misbehave to make his friends laugh or to keep friends. I grounded him from his ipad for one week.

Then later that night, he was in his room, cause he knew I was mad. I here him telling Maisie, "don't tell mom." I go barging in there, "don't tell mom, what?" They both stare at me with fear in their eyes. "Tell me now." Maisie hands me a grocery bag of lego's from my mom's. Apparently, he took them from my mom's without asking. We had to have a little talk about taking things that are not ours. Doesn't matter who's house or who's stuff it is. We do not take things that are not ours. He cries and tells me he didn't know. Yeah, whatever. So he got grounded from his ipad for another week. I told him to look at the Christmas count down. 14 days til Christmas. I asked him how many days there are in two weeks. "14". Guess what, "you get your ipad back on Christmas. I will just wrap it up and you can get it back for Christmas." He was not very happy, but I was so mad at this point. The ipad was the only thing that I knew would torture him. He has become so addicted to that thing that it is driving me crazy.

Then Friday, when I go to pick him from after school club, one of the after school club teachers comes up to me and says. I need to tell you what happened today. Oh great! So apparently he walked by another volunteer and hit her on the butt. OMG!!!! I looked at Parker and gave him the evil eye. He had know idea why I was mad at him. I told him why he was in trouble and the whole ride home I could tell he had know idea that he had even done anything wrong. So again, I took him to his room and we had a talk about what is appropriate behavior and what is not. We should not be touching people in inappropriate ways. Our bodies are our's and we shouldn't allow others to touch them. I had to calm down from this one and use it as a teaching moment. I could tell he had no idea he had done anything wrong. The next week the school counselor also had a little talk with him and I think that helped. 

It was a rough week, but we made it through. I think a lot of it is anticipation for Christmas. I remember Maisie having a rough time in first grade. I think at this age they are trying to learn their independence and what is appropriate and what is not. I guess it is all about growing up.

2013 Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving at my families this year. We wish we could do the traditional every other year thing, but we have to work around Eric's schedule and if he has enough time off to go to Price. This year he only had Thanksgiving and Friday off, but had to work the weekend. Since Eric got off work Thanksgiving morning, he took a nap and then came over a little later. My contributions this year were green bean casserole, shrimp, brussel sprouts, chocolate pie, and pumpkin fluff pie. We had a great Thanksgiving feast and enjoyed time with the family. The ladies planned their shopping adventure. It ended up being me, Shanna, Kirsten, Misty and Kyle. Jason & Chase went to Walmart and then went home after that. This year there wasn't much to go after. I was trying to find a good deal on a TV for Maisie for Christmas, but wanted to make sure I was getting a decent TV. We started at Walmart at about 5:00. We didn't get too much there other than sheets and a few other small items. Then we went to Shopko. I still was after TV, but didn't end up getting one there. They handed out all the tickets before we got there. We had to stand in line for about an hour before they opened the doors. Kyle was so willing to run about a block to 7-11 and got us all hot chocolates. I ended up with a couple of shirts. Kyle and Misty went home after Shopko. Misty had to work early Friday morning, so they didn't want to be out all night. We went to Kirsten's house and re-looked at the ads. There just wasn't much out there this year. We stayed up for awhile and then decided to take a little nap. We didn't get much sleep, but a little helped. We got up at about 5 and Shanna and I went to Ogden. We went to IFA for some slippers Maisie wanted and then Big 5 for a ping pong table for my mom and then Rite Aid and Walgreen's. Nothing too exciting. I think I have decided that I don't like Black Friday shopping anymore. It just cuts too much into Thanksgiving and we don't get to enjoy hanging out with family. We didn't get any leftovers and we had to shove one piece of pie as we were rushing out the door. I just hate that they keep moving the time of the sales up earlier and earlier. My parents are so kind to volunteer to have the kids sleepover every year so that we can go shopping. In return, we pick up a few things for my mom. This year she really wanted to buy outfits for three girls at her school that just don't have any clothes. We were able to find full outfits for the three girls and kept it under $100. 

I went and picked up the kids from my mom's and was home about 11:30. Come to find out, Eric decided to do a little Black Friday shopping himself. I couldn't believe he got early and went shopping. He said he couldn't sleep so decided to go see if there was any great deal he couldn't pass up. He ended up getting me a vest from Sportsman's Warehouse. 

Sallie's dad was here for the week of Thanksgiving so we spent some time visiting with them Friday night. He brought his girlfriend LaRue with him this time. They are great people and we enjoy spending time with them and visiting. 

November 10 - Dylan and Luke's Pics and dinner

November 10, I took Dylan and Luke's pictures at the Brigham City train station. Luke was such a character and several times told me what he wanted to do for the next picture. Dylan is just a typical teenage boy that does not want his pictures taken. They turned out really cute though. Kirsten invited the kids and I over for dinner. She cooked a yummy lasagna and breadsticks. Kirsten is such a great cook. Parker and Luke get along so well and love playing with each other. We didn't even know they were there. They just went down stairs and played. Until they wanted to listen to the song "What does the Fox Say." A very corny song, but is really popular right now. Maisie enjoyed hanging out with Kirsten and I enjoying girl talk. She is a total girl and eats it all up. It was great hanging with them and enjoying a lovely Sunday evening at their house.

Bar J Wranglers

November 9, 2013 I took pictures of my good friend from high school, Sara, son Zaine. She wanted photos of Zaine with a horse. So I borrowed my dad's horse Cheyenne and Kyle and Misty helped me out with the horse. They turned out really cute and it was fun to do something different. My dad had called me earlier and asked if I wanted to go to dinner and the Bar J Wrangler show. It was my mom and dad, Shanna and Jason, and Kyle and Misty that went. We had dinner at El Parrall and then went Bar J Wranglers at the Bear River High School. It was a lot of fun. I haven't ever been, but I would definitely go again. We left Spencer home with all the kids. Spencer is always so willing to watch all the rug rats.

November 8th

November 8, Maisie got invited to go and stay the night at her friend Iris's house. So Parker and I did a little bit of shopping and then went to the movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. He really enjoyed the movie. He loves going to the movie. Maisie had a great night at her friend's house. They spent time in the hot tub, which Maisie always enjoys doing. She keeps trying to talk us into getting a hot tub. Maybe one day. She was having so much fun that on Saturday I had to pick her up on our way out of town to Bear River City. She just was not ready to come home. She loves hanging out with friends. I think she is getting to the age that she is going to start doing a lot more things with friends. I am not sure I am ready for that. I love having my kids home.