The elementary kids had the day off. Michael had a "play date" in the morning with his friend. (FYI, it's not called a play date after 4th grade. I realize this NOW). We met friends at a soccer field to play our own version of Field Day. First, the kids had to stand across from each other with cups as their partner flung marshmallows off a spoon. I had to partner up with Olivia since Sam ran away. We failed. BUT Cara and Tia caught 4 in their cup. Way to go girls!

Next, was the relay race. I, again, had to participate (I think Sam climbed a tree on the other side of the field), I picked the card that said "do 10 jumping jacks". Actually, I first picked "do 2 cart wheels" but after quickly realizing that cart wheels would probably be dangerous to the children around me AND to my health, I re-picked. I'm not telling anyone ...I only did 8 jumping jacks than ran (trotted) back to my team. We did win that race! Not because I cheated though.

By far the FUNNIEST game was when the kids had partners and each was blindfolded while one partner fed pudding to the other. They did start with both being blindfolded but after Tia fed Cara's hair, neck, and ear pudding, we let the eater remove their hankerchiefs. Hilarious!

Then off to the plastic bag race. The Dinosaur toss and "who can hit the baseball the farthest".

As you can see the plastic bags ripped and it turned more into a plastic bag walk. Fun none the less. The prizes were awesome! Plastic skeleton key chains, water guns, compasses, whistles, bubbles, lollipops. I can not take credit for ANY of this. I did not contribute ANY thought what so ever to this event. I just make sure I surround myself with fun, creative friends.

a new class for Isaac

Today was Isaac's first Sunday not in Primary sharing time in 9 years. It was also his first Sunday attending Priesthood opening exercises and the Deacon class. I know he was so excited. He searched for a white dress shirt and tie this morning. Ironed it himself. I am so proud of him.

your name in the box

Back in September I attended Olivia's preschool orientation. During the presentation of daily routine, behavior control tactics, and introductions to the curriculum her teacher introduced the "name in the box". A box that sat on her desk that held names of the children for good behavior. She explained the children got so excited when they got their name in the box. EXCEPT she rarely put anything in the box. She reached into the box and pulled out a name...a student from 2 years ago! Of course, as parents we laughed. It really was the highlight of my evening. Seriously, funny! I came home that evening and giggled as I reiterated the name in the box game to Zach.

For months Zach would tell the kids when they did something extraordinary they received their name in the box. He even gave it a song and chanted it as he announced "Isaac gets his name in the box" or whoevers name. We never had a box. We never put names in a box. The kids knew that. One day, one of the children asked WHAT they received if they got their name in the box. Nothing silly.

Light bulb....

We needed to make a "real" Name in the Box box. When the kids do some unexpected act of service, something kind, some extra chore, or extra (extra!) good behavior, they write their name on a slip of paper along with their good deed. On Sunday morning we gather everyone so they can argue WHO gets to pick the name. Its the best time. Coming together as a family to argue over who sticks their hand in the box and pulls out a little white piece of paper. The winner gets a special reward. Usually a night to get ice cream, water ice, Berri Yummi, we even handed out a small gifts. There has been weeks with 20 slips of paper and weeks with only 3. We make sure we read each slip of paper so everyone knows who did what. Then I ewww and ahhh at how great they were. At least one cries because their name wasn't picked. Good times.

This past week Olivia got her name picked. I don't remember what she did. She's the youngest so her good deeds of kindness usually involve throwing Matthews diaper away or taking out the recycles (Michael's daily chore). She's so cute. I give Zach the opportunity to take the kids out, so I can avoid the extra sugar calories that I definitely don't need. I was Olivias requested chaperon this week. She wanted Ritas Water Ice. I ordered a cup of vanilla/chocolate custard and Olivia got Mint Chocolate Chip cream ice (sound gross? It was. And mint chocolate chip ICE CREAM is one of my favs) Anyway, she took my custard instead. I sat next to her in the back seat of the car as we (she) ate. We talked about her going into Kindergarten next year, her science class, and her upcoming birthday.

By the way, she is having her birthday at Pump It Up, Oasis, and ChuckECheeses. Sounds like a blast. Hopefully, she won't be disappointed with Talley Day.

Honey's surprise birthday dinner

We took Honey (aka Zach's Mom) out to dinner for her birthday. But let me back up a few weeks to when I received a phone call from a 15 digit # that I reluctantly answered, thinking it was a telemarketer, which ended up being my sister in law who is stationed in Germany in the Air Force. She was making a last minute trip to Baltimore and wanted to surprise her Mom for her birthday. She asked that I gather the troops (haha! get it? the troops. Ahh. I crack myself up) for this special, surprising event. I made reservations at Cafe Napoli. It was a total surprise for everyone! As Zach and I were the only 2 that knew. Honey was beside herself.

There is a lot of Dillard's. (Vicki is on the left, she is a good friend of Biz's, then Honey, Grandpop, Me, Zach, Zach's brother, Alex, Aunt B, our 6 kids and 3 of Alexs kids)

 Cara and Aunt B

 Adorable Matthew

and lovely Olivia

Here is the picture we took the day before she left for Germany which was 8 months ago.

Biz has been in the Air Force for most of the younger children's lives (I think like 6 to 8 years). She does a great job keeping close to them. Olivia wanted to sit next to her at dinner and Cara couldn't hug her enough times while saying good bye, She always brings them some cool souvenir and makes sure they get a present from her for Christmas. She is a great Aunt and I look forward to the day she will be able to spend more time around us. But until then we enjoy seeing her on surprise occasions.

Happy, Happy Birthday Isaac

Isaac turned 12 today at 8:37 am! He has certainly grown a lot in his 12 years from 20 1/2 inches to a whopping 61 inches. Isaac was born the day after Easter. Zach and I spent Easter Sunday at both our parents homes. I can't say I really felt any different that day, but I do remember waking up at 3:30 am with contractions the next morning. He was a day late.

 Isaac weighed 8lbs 6 oz.

 Oma and Isaac

 Honey and Isaac

Isaac was a good baby. He slept throught the night (completely through the night) at 3 months giving me back my much needed sleep. Which , by the way, I haven't had again for over 10 years. Isaac loved to eat. He would eat 2 bananas at a time almost every day. I always thought this strange because he is so skinny. He finally reached 20 lbs at 15 months.

 Happy FIRST Birthday Isaac!!

This was by far his most favorist toy. The nubbings are rubber and the toy shakes violently. Isaac sat on the floor with it in his mouth while his checks shook until the batteries died. We never have forgot about this present and even tried to find one for the others' birthday. They didn't want anything to do with it.

Isaac and Grandpop Jim

Skipping 10 birthdays...I come to TODAY.

Isaac likes Chinese Food. His favorite...Sweet and Sour Chicken. I wasn't forking up Fast Food Chinese priced entrees and with 2 baseball practices and tennis practice tonight, there is no time to go out. So I went to my favorite store, Trader Joe's, and bought an assortment of frozen Chinese food. Beef and Broccoli. Chicken Chow Mein. Sweet and Sour Chicken. Chicken Egg Rolls. Mandarin Orange Chicken. With Jasmine Rice. T.J.: don't fail me now. Isaac likes chocolate. Cara, what a sweetie!, made Isaac homemade chocolate cupcakes with fudge icing. I put them in the oven to store until after the practices. Well, I forgot they were inside when I pre heated the oven...they melted...just a little....

**picture coming soon**

I think Isaac is amazing! He has always done well in school. He's smart. He's funny. He is helpful (most of the time). Just when I think all hope is gone he totally redeems himself and does something great and unexpected. He has this non-judgmental, kind side of him that sneaks out at the most unexpected time. I get nothing but compliments from others and though I usually wonder if their talking about the same kid (I know they ARE!). I know how hard being 12 is. Sixth grade is terrible.

From this year on I will always be the enemy until he turns at least 30. But to me he will always be my sweet, first born.

a little catch up

Friday I had a major migraine and needed  Zach to leave work early at about 12:30 to hold down the fort. It has been many years since I had a migraine that bad, but man, I never forget how awful they feel. I could not open my eyes without getting dizzy. I felt nausea. My right side of my brain felt like it was being hit with a hammer. After, writing my will because a friend requested my jewelry if something did happen to me, 2 Tylenol, 2 Advils, and a large can of Sugar Free Red Bull (at my husbands request), and 3 hours of sleep I could open my eyes and function at 75% capacity. I held on to a headache for the remaining hours of the day but slept well despite my overdose of caffeine (took 2 Excedrin Migraine in the evening).

Saturday, we had 2 baseball games. Michael played great. He didn't hit the ball this game but did a good job being catcher.

Isaac's team won 11 -2. He played AMAZING! He hit the ball several times into the out field letting some base runners advance but got out when he tried to steal home. Isaac started playing catcher position this year. He does really well here. This fantastic baseball playing, lunch money losing, 5000 texts in 2 weeks, handsome son that I claim will be 12 tomorrow. His last Sunday in Primary was this past weekend. He couldn't be less enthusiastic about being in there. Soon, he will be passing sacrament. We no longer can get him into places at a reduced cost or order from the children's menu.

Last week, I decided to paint the downstairs family room/game room/play room. I went to Joann Fabrics for inspiration as I have red furniture and needed fabric/colors that coordinated with red. After 6 paint samples of various shades of blue and green I decided on tan. Only to realize it looked very similar to the bland tan color of the upstairs. The same boring color I keep trying to paint over. However, I think any color looks better than mustard colored puke and dark brown 70's paneling which is what the downstairs was. Ceiling to floor.

In this picture, I already painted the ceiling white and started painting the paneling. I'm so bad at taking before shots.

On Sunday, I gave myself a break from cleaning, painting, and such (yea, yea, NEVER really a break on Sundays) and decided to make Olivia a quilt. I found this adoreable fabric last year and fell in love with it. The pictures don't do it justice at all. Where's my sisters camera when I need it?

Random Thought For The Day:
I scream and jump the same whether one of the kids game charging cords fall out of a pair of jeans or a snake. Pathetic.

Which led me to when I was about 7.....We lived in Arizona. Home to numerous poisonous insects and small critters. I had seen my share of dangerous spiders but it wasn't until I was sitting in a black leather chair in my parents living room, brushing my Barbies hair when I thought my life would end. I felt a tickle on my leg. I ignored it the first time. I happened again and that's when I looked down and saw a Black Widow crawling on my leg. Of course, I FREAKED out, jumped up, screamed uncontrollably. My Mom had to cover my mouth to get me to stop screaming. When I was calm, I explained what I saw and being so brave she searched our entire living room looking for the "thrown" spider. It was on the curtain. She scooted it in a peanut butter container (because as Moms WE are resourceful!) and tossed the jar.

BUT that's not the end. For weeks whenever I would be laying on the floor watching TV or sitting in the infamous black chair, they would YELL, "Becci, there's a spider!!" They were so mean! I would of course react the same. Scream. Jump. Cry.

SO this is why if a piece of sea weed or a great white shark rubbed my leg, its all the same to me.

I'm sorry...

I love my second born. In all honesty, there have been days....months...years...that I didn't exactly like her. It wasn't until years later I learned that it was perfectly normal and acceptable to feel this way. I use to feel so guilty, especially when my parents thought I was horrible for even thinking in such a way. I read a book, maybe a talk that taught me just because I have been blessed with raising, teaching, loving this child it will not guarantee our personalities will be compatible AND I am glad we have our differences because she has taught me some much about being patient, forgiveness, and selflessness. Over the past 10 1/2 years I have the opportunity to keep learning from her. She is so sincere. She is a sweet girl who loves me despite my lack of patience for her. She realizes what she did wrong and tries her best to "fix" the issue. She loves unconditionally.

Going back a few days,  I picked Cara up from her friends house on the way to the zoo. I knew she would be tired after a sleep over with 3 other friends. Well, let me just say I do not remember the last time I spoke through my teeth and squeezed an arm so much than that day while walking through the zoo. This was definitely one of those days I did not like her very much (but I still love her!) I threatened her I would take her friends away for 2 weeks if she made me mad again. She did.

Today, after I picked them up from school Sam made her mad by touching something of hers (yea, I know this is the stuff I deal with). She punched him. I run out of punishments so I told her she was spending time in her room on this bright, hot, beautiful day.

This is the book she wrote me while in her room:
"I'm so sorry mom. I can just get really angry. I didn't mean to hurt him and I'm sorry about the zoo i went to bed at 11:00 and I was very tired if you forgive me I will do anything. (really? anything?)

I'm sorry about my behaveoir my hole life! Its just my siblings can sometimes get on my nerves. If you let me get my friends back I promise you can do something else like no DSi or Wii or T.V. forever!!!! (forever?)

Will  I get my friends back? yes/no (I circled "no)

Since I punched Sam, he made me a punishment to make his bed every morning until April 30. (funny how she asked him what her punishment should be.)

I AM SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You really don't have to yell I know I'm the worst child you could ever imagine (this made me sad)

Noone would want me!!!! (even sadder)

I love every one of you so very much its just sometimes they can get on my nerves and annoy me, hurt me, be mean to me and make fun of me (totally understand WHY she punched Sam)

I'm so sososososososososos  Sorry.

Friends are important to me BUT whats more important is....

Being nice to my brothers and sister.

Well, I did let her out of her room in exchange for Sams said punishment. She said she would do anything for me, I'm still thinking on that one since it needs to be really good. I reassured her she is not the worst child ever and I DO want her. She knew that ( I think she was just feeling bad for herself).

I love (and like) her more every day...month...year. We had a great time shopping at the mall a few nights ago. She is so fun to be with. I really enjoyed spending time with her. We agreed we need to go out monthly for mother/daughter dates. I am totally looking forward our date next month.

the sun was shining

I love the warm hot weather or anything in between. I look forward to the hot Summer days. I could definitely be a cat, sun bathing through the sunny window, basking in its warmth. Well, today was the perfect Summer-like day. The thermometer (aka weather app on my phone) reached 79 degrees. It was wonderful. The kids spent hours outside riding bikes, playing in the neighbors hose, running around the park, and playing baseball. Tomorrow...it's suppose to be 90. Maybe a bit too warm too quick? I am NOT complaining...

two of my favorite

Today was a crazy busy day! It seems like every month there is always one weekend that I just want to sleep through. I get exhausted just thinking about it.

This morning was baseball opening ceremonies. Isaac and Michael are the two playing baseball this year again. They had to be on the field with their team at 7:45 am all dressed up in the uniforms (no pictures). They were the cutest! I just love them! Zach complains the baseball season is loooonnnnggg and usually boring but I enjoy it. I enjoy watching the boys play and seeing them all dressed up squatting down in the field waiting for that ball to fly their way.  I like when they get ready to hit the ball and their leg swings up. I don't know why. I'm a "boy" Mom and its a boy thing.

Michael had his first game at 11:30. Isaac had his first game at 1:00. Michaels team tied 3 to 3. He hit the ball a couple of times and got one run. Yay Michael! (actually that's what I yelled and Cara made fun of me.."Until I hear YOU yell. Don't say anything." Jeez.) Isaac's team lost. Did I say lost...BAD???

At 2:00 Olivia was off to her friends birthday party dressed in her princess party dress and a flower in her hair. (wondering why I have no pictures? Sam, or maybe it was Olivia, since they BOTH deny it, broke the camera)

At 3:00 I took whatever kids I could find to Charles, their cousin, 3rd birthday party.

 Sam, Mommom, and Matthew

Since the party was at a fire house the children received fireman hats and got to walk through a fire truck.

It WAS a long day. I am tired. I am fat on cake. I am happy. I am going to bed.



We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo

Spring break. Been there. Done that. By Thursday I was totally ready for my scheduled hours and busy days. I wanted to GET OUT and shop by myself. I wanted to get a shower without being interrupted with tedious questions. I wanted to pee without someone knocking at the bathroom door. Really? Give me 10 seconds people! The kids have been very well behaved, minus a few Wii remote throwing. I only had to smack someones behind twice and an early bed time once. But who's counting? Not me.
On Friday I took the kids to the Philadelphia Zoo. The weather was great. The Zoo was crowded, the most I've ever seen. Probably nothing to do with the 10 school buses were parked out front of the entrance. Isn't it Spring Break? 4 hours later we left without seeing the birds....the monkeys...the reptiles...actually half the animals we missed. In the end we had a great time with great friends.

Spring Break Day #2

This year I was looking forward to the kids being home for Spring Break. I know this may be confusing and unlikely as usually I am excited (ecstatic?) when they go to school. The whole school thing definitely brings mix feelings. I love the quietness of the house. I love the freedom I have to do whatever I desire each day with roughly 1.5 children. I love how the house is always picked up. I don't have to break up arguments or explain for the 100th time why it's not about being fair but equal!

Then there's the benefit of no school...no schedules. I don't need to leave my desirable place to pick kids up from school or wake babies from naps. I don't pack lunches. I don't need to hunt down matching socks or frantically search for an item that starts with the letter of the week for show & tell. Every one can do what they want, when they want. The house is still quiet because the children play with the neighbors...fairly.

I accomplished so much today. So many items I crossed off my to do list. I hung shelves. I hung pictures. I washed moldings and doors. Ate a donut. Vacuumed under beds. Rearranged furniture. Picked up bedrooms. Ate a donut. The most exciting part of the day (not the donuts) was when I had to retrieve the snake out of the laundry room AGAIN because my husband didn't want to rescue me AGAIN. I was so brave. I was much less frightened this time as the slithering serpent didn't try to attack me from under the pile of clothes. It scared Isaac instead.

I am looking forward to sleeping in (well, not really, as I haven't done that in 12 years), wear my pajamas all day, hear the laughter of children through the windows, wash dirty feet  because I refused to find socks, and let the children forge for their own food as I am NOT making lunches.

In the next 4 days, I plan on stenciling the diningroom, sitting at the park, and start cutting Olivias quilt. Who am I kidding? Those things (except sitting at the park) will sit on my to do list until Summer.

This picture has nothing to do

with my post. Zach's grandfather sent it and I chuckled when I realized its a picture of 2 people taking pictures. Zach was taking a picture of me. Ha! We have some talented photographers in our family, let me tell ya!

day before the bunny

On Saturday we went to Zachs Moms house for an early Easter lunch. She hid 12 eggs for each of the kids. When I say "hid" I mean they were no where to be found. After 30 minutes of searching for these camouflaged eggs Olivia gave up, short 2.

Grandpop brought his motorcycle over and let each of the kids take a turn sitting on it. Cara, that lucky girl, got to take a ride.

It was a great weekend. The weather was beautiful. The company was good. The food was fattening.