Do the Potty Dance!

See video first http://vimeo.com/8765967

This guy's mom must be so proud. Speaking of proud mamas, Hallie is potty trained (or close enough)! I was so scared to potty train her (you would think with her being the fourth child I would be a pro right). She was really ready last summer believe it or not, but I wasn't, so then she forgot how and never wanted to. I missed my opportunity. She is enrolled for preschool for the next school year and I began to feel some pressure. Two weeks ago she tinkled for the first time since summer on the toilet. Then the beginning of last week I started putting underwear on her all day. She was a pro. She has conquered all challenges on the toilet and even stays dry during nap and every night except for one. We left the house on several occasions and she made it through. I am always thinking that Hallie is younger at this age than the other kids were, but I think I cut her short on the ability she has to do things. I tell her all the time "you are so good at this" and she says "I know I am". She is one smart cookie after all. Her reward...Chuck E Cheeses. Yea for Hallie.

It's Been A Year Already?!

You guessed it this sweet boy is one today. My baby is growing up too fast! He is bigger than any of my other kids were at this age. His feet are huge! I tried forever to find a size four that would fit when finally I figured out that he skipped that size and went from a 3 to a size 5. That is why the poor kid never wears shoes because his feet grow out of control. I struggled a little to think that this is my last. I love babies. I love to see what they are going to look like, what their personality is going to be like, and what their part in our family will be (the clown, the drama queen, etc.). Anyway Happy Birthday Diesel, we love you!

I'm Special Because...

The other day Lexi cleaned out her backpack, as I was looking through her schoolwork I came across a book obviously given to her by the counselor. It was a book entitled Read all about me. Most of it wasn't filled out, but what was filled out was the page I'm special because...and Lexi filled in "I have a family" and then below that was a picture she had drawn of our family. This was a very proud and happy moment for me. Out of everything she could have chosen she chose her family. Her family is who she is, it defines her as a person and she feels special because of this.

I have been thinking a lot about children who have to deal with divorce lately and it truly makes me sad and very mad actually. I realize there are certain situations, but for the most part divorce is such a selfish choice.

Growing up there were quite a few kids whose parents had divorced, but I guess I didn't realize how lucky I was that mine had stayed together. I wish that I had been more empathetic towards those kids whose parents had divorced, but I guess I didn't realize the toll it takes on kids when their sense of normal is suddenly taken from them. How hard it would be to suddenly have mom's time and dad's time separately instead of together. I guess I always thought it was cool that they got a present from their dad and their mom. What I didn't realize is that they were missing out on the greatest gift of all and that is being a family. So I guess all I have left to say is thanks mom and dad for staying married and setting the greatest example for me and my posterity.

Love these two girls!

I could watch them for hours. They are so funny.

Right Before My Eyes

While I was at the mall the other day with the three youngest, I did get something accomplished. I got my wedding ring cleaned and examined. The lady informed me that one of my six prongs on my big diamond was broke and one prong on one of my little diamonds was broke too. I of course asked how much and she figured that it would cost about $185.00. WOW I was like my ring was cheaper than that (just joking). So I said I would think about what I wanted to do.

Yesterday we celebrated Easter with my family, a bit late I know. I put potatoes in my oven and then we headed to my parents house while they cooked (they live around the corner). I came back to put cheese on them and bring them back with me. While I was putting the cheese away in the fridge drawer, my ring caught on the top of the drawer. Right away I knew that was not good and sure enough one of my little diamonds was gone. I looked for awhile, but thought to myself this will be next to impossible to find. It is so small like the size of a little freckle. Yes freckles are all different sizes :). I was thinking I should have just let them fix it the other day because now a new diamond would be a lot more than just fixing the prongs. I looked again when we got back for awhile. I couldn't help but think about on TV when people are looking for something the camera always shows where it is when they leave the room I felt like this was happening to me. I mean it had to be somewhere right.

One of my goals for today was to mop. My floors were getting pretty gross. It seemed like at every attempt I was striking out. Finally I swept and right before I was going to put it in the dust pan I thought I should pay attention to these crumbs maybe my diamond will be in them and right at that time there it was right before my eyes. I will go now and get those prongs fixed.

No Regrets

We went into Bellingham today after Karlee's ballet. I got it in my head that I just had to go. Old Navy is having their stuff and save sale and for the first 50 customers they get 50% off everything instead of just 20% and at Macy's they have a $10 off a $30 purchase before 1:00. Also I needed to return a few things and get some soccer accessories for the kids.

I planned on getting McDonald's for lunch and taking the kids to the park after we got done shopping, so I planned ahead by making my 140 calorie sandwich that I have been eating for lunch during the biggest loser competition (it is over now and I didn't win, but I still would like to lose about 5 more pounds).

When I got to the mall Old Navy was packed I'm not sure why I thought by getting there at 10:30 that there would still be room for me in the 50 people promo. A worker said they were lined up at 8:00. So I walked to Macys after striking out at Old Navy and with the 3 youngest I really don't enjoy shopping with them. Not that they were be bad, but too much other things to pay attention to, so I left there empty handed, which is fine, I really don't need anything, but I love a good deal. So I leave the mall ready to get McDonalds when I get a phone call from the school saying Hunter is sick and to come and get him. Meanwhile Karlee is complaining that her head hurts and then falls asleep on the way to the school.

I ate the sandwich on the way home so not to be tempted to eat McDonalds, which usually works for me. So I get Hunter and, and grab McDonalds because the girls were counting on it still. We get home and Karlee, who isn't feeling good now, doesn't want any and after giving Diesel and Hallie theirs I pretty much devour the rest. That's right 8 nuggets heavily soaked in sweet and sour sauce and a medium fries. And for dessert, Hallie's double cheeseburger that she took only one bite out of. Boy am I glad that I thought ahead and fixed that low cal sandwich. I will admit that it was pretty good, way better than Canada's. Now I think why stop there I might just go get me some chocolate.

Spring Break

We had a great week. Before it started I didn't think that we had very much to do and it would be a relaxing week of cleaning and staying home. Yeah right. Easter was very relaxing and just an overall nice day. We of course decorated eggs the day before and had a few Easter egg hunts (those of you who know me know that sometimes egg hunts can continue at our house for months) We had a few sleepovers with cousins. I did their hair, which they love and I love doing. We spent the night up in Canada for Wynden's work. There was a real estate convention up there that he had to set up for. We had a great time at the hotel with a pool and water slide. One thing I learned up there was that their McDonalds is disgusting and I will never eat it again. Cardboard is the only thing I can think of to describe it. We went up to the wave pool one night, had friends over to play, and so the only time for cleaning was for about an hour on Saturday morning. When Karlee got home from preschool I ask her if she told Ms. Mimi what she did during the break and she said "yes, I told her we cleaned!"

What If...

-I had continued with pilates after the second time that I started...well you know the story, something to do with jello.

-the hands free can opener that I talked up a few months ago broke.

-Kate and Jon had worked things out, then I bet we wouldn't have to be tortured by her performances on Dancing with the Stars - it's pretty bad!

-I gave away all my baby stuff and it made me sad :(

-you eat the very cow you saw brutally murdered and you think it tastes pretty darn good

-everyone says you need to see the blind side, but you just don't feel like it

-I hate dusting and I feel strongly that I would rather have all our neighbors see me naked with no blinds in our house than dust the blinds ever again

-we still watch Seinfeld every night and I never get tired of it and I still think it is funny

-I can't stop picking the nail on my middle finger and it actually hurts all the time, but still I pick

-I write a post longer than my Las Vegas departure story would anyone still read it??

Remember that Seinfeld episode...

You know the one where George got a massage and it was by a man. Afterwards George questioned his sexuality. Anyway I'm not saying my experience was the same, but it is just weird getting a massage by a man. Every year Wynden's boss gets him a gift certificate to the Chrysalis in Bellingham. We have a couple that we haven't used yet, so with school on mid-winter break a few weeks ago, I decided to take advantage of babysitters during the daytime and go and get me a massage. I had a kinked neck at the beginning of the week and so I thought it would feel really good to do this and the fact that I love massages. Usually when you book the appointment they tell you who you will be with, but not the case this time and I really didn't think anything of it. When I got there they checked me in and said Evan would meet me in the relaxation room. EVAN! I knew it would be awkward, but I guess I just wanted to make the best of it. We got to the room and he asked if there were any places that needed special attention. I of course said my lower back and neck. Then he asked if he should focus only on those spots or a full body. I said full body, but no buttocks (I've only had this once and lets just say I was shocked and uncomfortable as the lady rubbed down my hiney). He said I'm glad you said something and I was thinking so am I! It was the worst massage ever. He was shaking badly (not sure what he was needing) and he wasn't very gentle. At one point he stretched my leg with my knee bent all the way to my chin, which I've never had done at a massage. Also when he was massaging my hand he rested my elbow on his big belly. He also used oil to massage my face, which I'm thinking that's going to look weird when I go shopping afterwards. He also massaged my scalp and when I got to the mirror let's just say there was not enough hairspray to fix that. Overall it was just a very weird hour. I miss you Jennifer!

You can't beat free

Wednesday the 7th - tomorrow, the children's museum in Bellingham has free admission all day. Just in case you are interested.