Out of the mouths of babes

Tonight at dinner, Sam asked why everyone has brown hair except for Benjamin. That led into a discussion of everyone's eye color. Then we started being silly and talking about other features - who has the biggest eyes? Nicholas. Who has the smallest eyes? Benjamin. Who has the biggest smile? Benjamin. Who has the smallest ears? Sam. Who has the loudest voice? No apparent winner. Who has the biggest brain? Everyone nominated themselves.

We were all laughing and it kept getting sillier and sillier. Then I bent over to pick up Eliana's fork, and Benjamin said, "I know! I know! Who has the biggest booty?"

Game over.

It's always fun with Nicholas

Nicholas is a very unique individual. He's very independent, very opinionated, very animated. You never know what is in store when Nicholas is around. It's always an adventure! Here are some "Nicholas-isms" that have us laughing lately.

1. He has a vacuum fettish. He loves to look at the vacuum ads in the Sunday paper, and carries them around all week long. He talks about what kind of vacuum we are going to buy. He constantly reminds me to vacuum, or asks if I'm going to vacuum. Stopping at Target and looking at the vacuums is his idea of a good time. I wonder what he would do if I took him to the Orek store?

2. He has his own unique phrasology.
Bonk the beep means honk the horn.
Light the way means turn on the car's head lights.
He says "we don't talk like that way" when someone says something naughty.
He says "time for dinner time" every night before dinner.

3. Nicholas believes he is the only one capable of praying in our house. If someone else gets to pray, Nicholas gets mad and refuses to fold his arms. But when Nicholas does pray, it's good times. His prayers start out well enough, but then he starts saying things like "I'm glad my bear was soft at naptime." or "I played in the sandbox and it was fun, but then I had to go inside and I got mad and said I'm not coming in and ran away from mom." His prayers become actual conversations . . . maybe he has the right idea?

4. Nicholas refuses to eat real food. Sam has always been a picky eater, but at least there are somethings he'll eat. For Nicholas, breakfast would be cookies, luch would be freezee pops, and dinner would be cookies. He seems to have the idea that if he shares the cookies he's pilfered, it's ok to eat them. {And once you give Eliana an Oreo, there's no getting it back - so Nicholas has a genius plan!}

5. Every morning before Josh leaves for work, Nicholas says, "Remember to eat some gum today Dad." But that's our Nicholas - often perplexing, always amusing.

Bragging Rights

There was a contest. But first there was {or rather is} a test. It's called the T.A.K.S. test. And you need to pass it in order to advance to the next grade. Starting in third grade. This is our first year having to deal with the Test. I am now convinced that they do nothing in third grade except prepare for the Test. The homework is practice tests, the school work is practice tests, recesses are skipped to take practice tests. It is a big deal. {Although, on a side note, I don't think it should be such a big deal since it seems that all learning except for T.A.K.S. learning is on hold.}

So - There was a contest. This contest was to design a picture for the T.A.K.S. test. The winning drawing would be made into a shirt for the children to wear on Test day. The art teacher picked one drawing from each of the five third grade classes. Then the students got to vote on which drawing they liked the best. Sam was one of the five drawings. Much to his devastation, he was not the winning drawing. The winning design said "Rip the T.A.K.S." and showed a test booklet being ripped in half. {I think the kids probably voted for that one because they were so sick of all the T.A.K.S.ing that they wanted to rip up the test!}

I know I am speaking from a mother's perspective, the artist's mother's perspective, but I think Sam's drawing is great. It's creative. It's fun. And it's aggressive enough without the gory details {which I'm sure would have been included if it weren't a school project.}

Good luck on the test Sam. I hope you slay the T.A.K.S.!

Life Lessons from a toddler

Here are some lessons Ellie taught me this week:

1) Rubbing Alcohol will remove lipstick from clothes.
2) Hairspray will remove more lipstick from clothes.
3) Dawn Dishsoap will remove LOTS of lipstick from clothes.
4) Make-up remover does not remove large amounts of lipstick from cheeks, arms and necks.
5) 18 month old babies do not listen well when told not to touch mommy's lipstick.

6) Parents who buy their children clear lip gloss are geniuses.
7) Girls and boys are different -- boys get into things. Girls get into expensive, sure to stain your new clothes kind of things.

Thank you, Eliana.

Oh wretched Texas weather

When you've got Alaskan in your blood, not even nasty Texas cold can get you down.

Happy Birthday Benjamin!

So, so late . . .

Benjamin's birthday was a week ago. He turned 7. It's crazy how fast they grow. Here are some fantastically random facts about Benjamin.

1. The only thing he wanted for his birthday was a guitar. He wants to be an orchestra conductor or professional musician when he grows up. And boy does that kid have a talent for music!
2. Benjamin can spell any word. Seriously - any word.
3. Benjamin has the ability to block out the entire world when he plays his nintendo ds. It's uncanny. I think the house could catch on fire and he wouldn't notice. The ds has to be taken away at regular intervals so that Benjamin can rejoin the living.
4. Our sweet little Benjamin loves girls. He has so many girl friends I've lost count. Yes, he is a lover, not a fighter.
5. Benjamin can't handle disappointing people. He falls apart if he thinks he's done something to make his parents upset. It's actually an annoying talent of his because he often gets in trouble for crying so hard when all I asked was why he didn't put his clothes away when he was asked to. I've got to learn to appreciate this ability of his better.
6. Benjamin loves having a little sister and takes great care of Ellie. He will sit and play with her forever. He is a big help that way. He also hopes that her dark hair turns blonde so he won't be the only blonde in the family. . .
7. Benjamin is a good sport. He'll try any new food. And even if he doesn't like it, he'll say something like - "Well, it was good, but I don't want any more." He'll help out with chores even if they are bad . . . like cleaning pee off the toilet. It goes along with number 5 - he really wants to make me happy. I hate cleaning pee off the toilet. That's one thing that comes with having 3 boys - extra toilet pee.

Happy Birthday Benj! May your time being seven be memorable!

Here are some shots from his loud party.

How do I love thee . . .

I love Michael Miller and all those that design for Michael Miller {who I have learned is not a person, but two people's names merged together to make a company name. The love is not diminished by this fact.} Let me share some fun things that make Michael Miller so loveable.

Exhibit 1. Fabric for Fabulous baby blankets.

{a new blanket I just finished for a friend's FOURTH girl!}

Exhibit 2. Fun new fabrics to look forward to

{copied from The Michael Miller Blog}

{copied from The Michael Miller Blog}

Exhibit 3. Fabulous New Designers

{copied from The blog of Patty Young}

This is a new fabric set called Andalucia. And it is so cute! She even has coordinating ribbon. I'm already planning all the bows I can make with this set!

Exhibit 4. Fabulous patterns designed by a Michael Miller Designer

{copied from the blog of Sandi Henderson}

Sandi Henderson has two darling fabric collections with Michael Miller - Farmer's Market and Ginger Blossom. And now she sells her patterns. So cute! It makes me want to take up sewing!

**************************

BUT . . . If you are like me and not quite a seamstress, have no fear. There are people who will make it for you!

Exhibit 5. An ebay auction just for lovers of Andalucia fabric.

From Patty Young's Blog: "Search "Boutique Andalucia" on eBay to find these fabulous pieces by some of the most talented designers I've ever come across. You will find everything from children's boutique clothing, to jewelry for mom & daughter, purses, camera accessories (bags, straps, lens cozies), Easter baskets, hairbows, headbands, aprons, wall decor... and even dog collars!"

Exhibit 6. Last but not least - do you Etsy?
If you don't know {but how could you not?}, Etsy.com is full of all kinds of handmade goodness. Anything you can think of is there.

Something cute from Andalucia fabric?

Something fun from Sandi Henderson?

What about Michael Miller in general?
Here:
Here:
Here:

So do you love Michael Miller yet? I hope, after all my many posts of adoration for all things Michael Miller, that you too are a believer.

{p.s. if any members of the aforementioned Michael Miller team want to send me free fabric and or ribbon, I will welcome them with open arms.}

Yesterday was my birthday.

I turned thirty something again.

I don't really have a problem with getting older.

I have a problem with my age getting older.

I wouldn't mind being 40, if forty were spelled "twenty-five".

So to numb the pain of aging, I'm going to make public some glorious photos of my youth.

{Warning: staring too long at some of these hairstyles may cause blindness.}

My first birthday. No hair to mess up.

Kindergarten - No brush to fix messy hair.

First Grade - Shortly after my sister practiced her scissor skills on my bangs.

Third Grade. If you need an explanation of this hair, see here.

Fourth Grade - I really loved this outfit, especially the earrings.

Fifth Grade - In my defense, pictures were after lunch and both recesses. What kind of genius schedule is that?

Sixth Grade - I actually look presentable. Who knew?

Seventh Grade - All I can say is that I'm sorry you had to see that. In my defense, I was really smart, just not in the fashion sense.

Eighth Grade - Ahhhh, my first perm. Yes!

Ninth Grade - Gotta love the bangs and the shirt buttoned to the top.

10th Grade - Looking at that hair is painful to me.

11th Grade - We have a winner! I guess 16 was a good age for me.

12th Grade - Here we have the obligatory Senior Glamor Shots.
Fan-Freakin'-Tastic!

My first year of college brought out my alter ego we named Beth. She also was hair challenged.

After awhile, I just gave up and hid my hair under a blanket.

This has nothing to do with hair. But by my second year of college, I learned that hair doesn't matter - having your picture taken in strange spots on BYU campus does.

I also discovered that embracing your inner nerd is a great way to excuse bad hair.

Just so you don't think I'm hopeless, here is one where my hair is at least presentable.

I may be old, but at least my hair ages well.

To Whom it May Concern:

Please note the addition of the new "link to" category on the right side bar. An {EXTREMELY} important link has been added.

. . . Here is a little sampling of what you can expect if you click on the link:

Thank you for your time.

Getting your Money's worth

A dear friend of ours gave Benjamin a batman costume for his third birthday. {Thanks Melanie!}

Sam and Benjamin wore it daily until the elastic band on the mask started cutting off the circulation to their faces.

A few months ago, Nicholas found it and has been wearing it every possible second.

And today, Ellie joined the ranks of Batman. It was a very proud moment for me.

I will now be accepting donations of costumes for little girls .

The life and times of Nicholas

Nicholas turned three yesterday. It is hard to believe that he is already three - he is growing too fast! So in honor of his third birthday, here are three very "Nicholas-like" things.

1. Nicholas is a super funny kid. He is always making us laugh. The other night at dinner, he gave us all new names.
Josh became Sissy Sauce.
Sam became Apricot Salad
Benjamin became Fry Sauce.
Eliana became Banana Split
Nicholas became Pumpkin.
And I became Tasty Salsa.

2. Nicholas is very clever. Sometimes it's deviously clever, but mostly it's just clever. Here is a recent conversation I had with Nicholas that illustrates the deviously clever . . .
Me: Nicholas, you don't hit Benjamin. If he's doing something you don't like, you tell him. Use your words.
Nicholas: Ok Benjamin. I am going to hit you now.

3. Nicholas is very sure of what he wants and very determined. He wanted a Wall*E cake for his birthday. Nothing else would do. He kept asking, and asking and asking and asking and asking . . . for the Wall*E cake. So, he got one (a poor excuse for a Wall*E cake). And he applies that same determination to getting cookies, watching TV and avoiding nap time. Lucky me!

So happy birthday dear boy.
We are glad you are part of our family. You really bring life to the party!

Because Jim asked . . .

As in years past, we made the pilgrimage to take our Christmas Card pictures. Here are some beauties from this year.

Benjamin: {I can't remember how to smile. Do you think anyone will notice.}
Sam: {I come from the planet nerd. Take me to your leader.}

Benjamin: {I'm trying out for Constipated Person #2 in the school play.}
Josh: {Sam put your hand down or there will be severe consequences.}
No really - he said that.

Josh: {Go ahead and have a good time now Sam. You are going to die when we get home.}
Nicholas: {I have a two picture limit. This is picture three - someone is going to pay.}
And I have no excuses to make for Benjamin's face in this picture - it pretty much says it all.

Thank goodness for Photoshop!

This
{+}

This
{=}

This.
Almost perfect, and definetely full of personality.