First Day of School

I know it's a Christmas song, but I can't help but sing, "and Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again!"

I think if I had to wait another week they would have literally driven me insane. Sara was so excited that she tried to wear her first day of school clothes under her pajamas, and didn't fall asleep until almost 11pm. Isaac was so excited he was sitting up in his bed watching the clock so he could turn off his alarm when it went off.

It was raining and after Isaac broke three umbrellas in one week last year, we made the switch to ponchos. This way they are dry and there is nothing to lose, no one gets poked in the eye or hit over the head with an umbrella. I am glad that they were excited, but I hope that they can get into a better routing as far as sleeping and waking up goes. It's going to be a great year!

The Dirty Soap Company

My family (aka my mom) is always telling me I should blog about my soap. So here it goes....

I started making soap because Isaac and Michael have skin problems and couldn't use a lot of things that are readily available without irritating their skin. Michael's skin is so sensitive that he doesn't even like swimming in a chlorinated pool, just so you get an idea. Well I started actively selling it two years ago and just last year became "legal" by filing with the state and the city and getting my business license and so on.

In July I started setting up a booth at the Overland Park Farmer's Market, which if you are ever in the KC metro area I highly recommend you check it out. The first weekend there I sold all but 20 bars of soap and two lotions. To say I was unprepared for the amount of sales I would have is an understatement. That following week I was very busy and made soaps, lotions, lip balms, body butters, and scrubs until I ran out of supplies. Here are just a few pictures so you get an idea.

Growing up

The other day Sara asked me, "Mom, what is your real name?"

So I told her.

Then she asked me, "What is Daddy's real name?"

So I told her.

Then she said, "I like Daddy better."

She may think she is growing up, and in a way she is, but for now she is still my little girl who loves her Daddy.

I is for Isaac

For the past few weeks Isaac has been telling me that he is writing a chapter book. He spends hours and hours in his room working on this book. I started to look through it on Sunday since he brought it to work on in Sacrament meeting instead of a coloring book or another quiet activity.

It isn't really a chapter book, more like an ABC book. He is taking the letters of the alphabet and writing them out kind of like the Dr. Seuss ABC book with the "Big A little a what begins with a" and then writing out the name of his monster that he has created. Then he will list the stats of what that monster can do, kind of like Pokemon. Underneath all of this is a picture of the monster.

He was on the letter J the last time I looked. Right now it is in a composition book that he had left over at the end of the school year. I told him that when it was finished I would type it out, he could draw the picture again underneath the typing and we would try to self publish it. I know there are some contests in Missouri for young writers, perhaps we will enter it in a contest.

It reminds me of the time when I was in the third grade and I wrote a story about a bear. It won the contest that my elementary school put on. I also wrote a very special book when I was in eighth grade called Ante with an e. It was for my dad. When we were little he would come in and tell us bedtime stories about Ante and all his adventures (he was an ant by the way). Once Ante took a ride on a football during the Superbowl. Another time he was trapped in the popcorn machine at the movie theater. My dad still has his book.

I hope that Isaac enjoys his writing and pursues it throughout his life. I know that I am proud of him.

Confessions of a Desparate Housewife

My mom says that my blog is boring because I don't update it enough. I really am just busy and I don't really know what to write about most days and that is why it goes so long between posts. So in an attempt to liven things up a bit I have decided to come clean with a few confessions.

1. I hate doing the dishes. I would rather have them overflow the sink and encroach on the counter before I load the dishwasher. Because I wait until they are in such a state I will often complain about being the only one to do dishes. So John will try to help me and load the dishwasher. I admit that it does empty the sink. However, he doesn't know how to load the dishwasher according to my standards and it irks me to the point where I have considered doing the dishes every day just to avoid having to unload the weird and bizarre and totally inefficient way he loads the dishwasher. I realize some of you housewives out there don't even have the luxury of a dishwasher so I apologize if my rant seems petty.

2. Another dishes confession. Once when we lived in my in-laws basement they went out of town ( I think they were on a cruise in Alaska or maybe out to visit their daughter in California). My sink was overflowing and we didn't have a dishwasher in our basement apartment. So I used a laundry basket to haul my dirty dishes up stairs to use their dishwasher. However, I couldn't find the detergent so I put in a little dawn. There was water and bubbles everywhere to the point where the dishwasher overflowed and actually started leaking through their floor and our ceiling. I have never told anyone about that before.

3. If I don't have anywhere to go I seldom get dressed. You know you have been in your pajamas too long when your children notice you put on a your bra and ask, "where are we going today mom?"

4. I have had my children wear dirty socks to school because I did not do their laundry.

5. I have done every one's laundry but my own and worn the same outfit more than once before finally getting desperate and doing laundry.

6. I cleaned the bathroom the other day and realized it had been over two months since the toilet was scrubbed. I know, it's disgusting. I guess I have a high tolerance for disgusting.

7. I have lied to my children to get out of buying them a toy/taking them to the park/taking them to the pool. Sometimes I just don't want to do anything.

8. I have stayed up all night long to read a book when I should have gone to bed.

9. I have passed gas in a crowded room and blamed it on a "stinky diaper".

10. I have used a "stinky diaper" excuse to get out of having to make conversation with people at church and other social events.

I could continue, but I won't. The point is that we are all imperfect. Me most of all. That there are more important things to do in life than the dishes, or updating a blog. That even though I sometimes don't want to do anything I will always put the welfare of my children before my own. That for all my griping and complaining about my husband I still love him and value our relationship. We may not always communicate the best and we may not always get along, but I know that he loves me too. So I guess it doesn't matter how he does the dishes after all. The point, is at least he does them.

Summer School

In Missouri, summer school is optional. A lot of elementary kids go to get ahead and stay ahead. I sent Isaac to help him get the schedule down and learn proper behavior before the actual school year started in the fall. So today is the first day of summer school and Sara has also started ahead of schedule. Technically she will be in Kindergarten in the fall, but in her eyes she started today. Of course it's always hard to be left behind and Michael wasn't too happy with the fact that he had to stay home. He soon dried his eyes when I promised him a new lunchbox too and turned on Kung Fu Panda. I have to say that it is really quiet at home today.

Brave New Voices

We have cable. One of my lifelines since I don't have a car and can venture only as far as my three year old is willing to walk (which isn't far).

I usually watch children shows and family friendly movies. Something that is only natural when you have little kids. Lately however, I have discovered a powerful and moving show on HBO entitled Russell Simmons Brave New Voices. It chronicles teams of high school students as they compete in what is called slam poetry contests. Now they aren't slamming each other or minority groups or anything negative. They slam aspects of their life, their struggles, their fears and how they are rising above it and overcoming adversity.

As someone who used to write poetry regularly I have really enjoyed watching the learning and growth and self awareness that has come to these kids through their poetry. I'm not sure if you can watch episodes online. I imagine you could. I also would imagine that you could find some on YouTube. It is something that I would recommend checking out.

The wit and wisdom of youth

I have often made the comment that my youngest son Michael has the best sense of humor that I have ever seen. Some of the things that he says make me laugh so hard that I cry. However, he is also very smart and resourceful (See older post on coupons, peanut stickers, and telescopes). Like every spring or change in seasons and weather Michael has been sick with a runny nose and cough. Yesterday I remarked that we needed to wipe the boogers off of his nose and before I could reach the tissues he had stuck his little finger up there and struck gold, if you know what I mean.

I wiped his finger and his nose and with all seriousness Michael made the following observation:

"I have decided. Boogers are gross, but they are also delicious. I would rather eat them then wipe them."

I was laughing so hard that I cried and Michael just looked at me, his hand on his little hip and told me to stop laughing, it wasn't that funny after all.

You have to admire the wit and wisdom of youth.

Happy Birthday's All Around

Today is a special day in my family. Not only is my sweet Sara Mei 5 today, but her cousin and her Grandpa are also celebrating birthday's today. So have a great day today, wherever you are, and join in the celebration. Happy Birthday's All Around!

This picture of Sara was actually taken only a few weeks ago as we had some unexpected late February snow. You can tell she is a princess because she will only wear pink. I lover her and I am so grateful that I have her in my life. She is stubborn, and ornery, and spoiled rotten because she is the only girl. She is constantly singing and dancing and making some sort of music. She is quick to smile and quick to give hugs. She is growing up too fast!

I smell T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

We have been making an effort to eat healthier at our house. As a result the number of times we get Happy Meals has decreased drastically. The last Wednesday was the Art Fair at Isaac's school so after looking at at all the neat things the kids had done that year, we went to McDonald's as a treat. Dad, Sara, and Michael were at home so we just went through the drive-thru. After picking up our order I double checked the bags before leaving the drive-thru line. Isaac made a point of separating the meal with the girl toy because according to him, "I need to remember that I have only one sister." I smiled for a bit and then kind of jokingly asked him what he would do if someday he had two sisters (please know that I am NOT pregnant and have no plans to get pregnant in the near future). He took a big deep breath and looked at me with such a serious expression before stating, quite the matter of fact, "Oh Mom, that would be too much trouble!"

How Firm a Foundation

It's funny how things are clearer when you are a little child. There is no doubt, no questions, you learn the truth and you follow it. The other day I was sitting on the couch reading and Michael comes running down the hallway and launches himself to land on the arm of the couch so he is leaning into me. He gets right up in my face, puts his sticky little fingers on my cheeks and says to me in a loud gravelly voice, "JOSEPH SMITH!"
"What?" I ask him in reply.
"JOSEPH SMITH!"
"What about him?" I ask with a grin. By now I am trying not to laugh out loud.
"JOSEPH SMITH SAW JESUS CHRIST! HIM RIGHT THERE!" he shouts as he points to the picture of the redeemer hanging on the opposite wall.
"Yes, he did," I confirm for him. Then just as rapidly as he appeared, he jumped off the couch and ran down the hall into his room, slamming the door behind him.

I was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down my face. Well now I know that he is listening in Primary. After a few moments, still with a grin on my face, I thought how wonderful it is to be firm in his conviction that Joseph Smith prayed to know the truth and in answer saw two heavenly beings. One being God the Father and the other being Jesus Christ.

Well my little man is 7 today. I can't believe how fast he is growing and how much he is less like a little kid and more like a big kid each day. Thank goodness he is not showing teenage tendencies yet.

Happy Birthday Isaac!