You Think You Know Someone...The Geat Mayo Debate Continued...

Last week I wrote a post praising my loving husband for selflessly giving up Mayo, which he grew up with,  in favor of my preference, Miracle Whip. After reading such post my husband laughs and tells me that he really wasn't sacrificing much for me. (which is just what every girl wants to hear.) As it turns out- my husband doesn't really like either one.   

Shocking, I know.

I then questioned his occasional use of my Miracle Whip on his sandwiches- surely that means he likes it at least a little bit, doesn't it?

Actually, he told me, he uses it so infrequently that he doesn't have a taste for either one.

So much for selfless gestures, I guess.

I still love my husband very much. I do have to kind of question his motives a bit- I mean all these years he let me believe that he was being a peacemaker and making some huge sacrifice in the name of establishing a happy home, when it turns out he wasn't really giving up much.

I suppose instead of praising his selfless attitude, I will now praise his ability to make me laugh. (Just like I am absolutely sure he is praising my ability to be sarcastic right about now...) What can I say, but after 10 years, you think you'd know someone... :)

The Story of a Blue Lemon Cupcake...

 I associate lemon with bright, "buttery" yellow colors from the crayon box, tart lemonade in a tall glass, sunshine, warmth, and lazy summer days. That is probably why I found my son's request for BLUE frosting so unsettling.

Yesterday Caleb didn't want to get dressed for church. I admit I did the "bribery thing" and promised to make cupcakes with him after church if he got dressed with out a fuss. Little did I realize that my stubborn little Caleb would agree to get dressed but would absolutely refuse to go to his Primary class. About 10 minutes after class should have started Matt brought me a hysterical tear stained boy to "deal with." On a side note, why is it that THE DAD never seems to handle the hysterical meltdowns and always passes them off to THE MOM? I don't always know how to handle it either... Anyways, I digress.

So what do you do with a sobbing child while at church?
Why, the only thing to do is up the ante.

I promised him that not only would we make cupcakes when we got home, but that HE could pick the color of the frosting. That seemed to calm him down and I quickly marched him back into class, where he was fine. 

Later, at home, I let Caleb pick his choice of cake mix. I was a bit surprised he chose the lemon cake, but I was game. When I went to make the frosting he insisted on making it blue. OK now, I admit I had a hard time putting blue frosting on a lemon cupcake, seems to go against nature or something. Especially since I made lemon flavored icing for the lemon flavored cake. (Tasted absolutely wonderful  by the way!) But when I saw Caleb's happy eyes, it made it all worth it. 

 

I feel slightly guilty for bribing my children to behave. In my defense though, it ended up being a very tasty decision, and the real secret is: (SHHHH!) I was planning on making cupcakes anyway... :) (Don't tell Caleb!)

 

PS to make lemon flavored icing use a regular butter cream recipe, but instead of using milk, substitute lemon juice. It is slightly tart, but oh so yummy!

The Great Mayo Debate...

The world is divided. Mayonnaise lovers vs. Miracle Whip devotees. Seems like everyone has an opinion... and seems like most people are genuinely devoted to their choice.

It seems kind of silly now, but when we first got married I was so nervous about having to go grocery shopping. I had always lived at home or in the dorms on a meal plan, so I had never done shopping for my own kitchen before. Being the loving wife that I am  I wanted to make sure Matt was happy with all of my cooking and that we had all of his favorite foods in the house. I worried about it for weeks before we got married and when the time finally came for that dreaded shopping trip I took the easy way out and ended up taking Matt with me. That way, I reasoned, he could show me exactly what he liked. Things were going smoothly until we reached the condiment aisle. Being newly married with an empty refrigerator at home, we were stocking up on all the basics too. We were whizzing through the aisles when...

Ketchup? check!
Mustard? check!
Miracle Whip? ....silence

It was then that I knew there was going to be a problem. We stopped in the aisle and looked at each other.  I realized that I had unknowingly  married one from the "other side." This was a defining moment in our marriage for me. I wonder if Matt even remembers this seemingly insignificant event.

Was I willing to give up zingy sandwich tastiness for the man that I married? Could I really be happy with plain old Mayo, which I had always found to be a bit oily and tasteless? Just how much was I willing to compromise for Matt? The thought briefly passed through my mind that we could buy both, but being nearly broke at that time, that seemed a bit extravagant..

Luckily for me, my husband caved first. He must have seen that deer in the headlights look in my eyes and quickly pronounced that he was neutral territory. He had grown up with Mayo, but was sure he could eat Miracle Whip just as well.

Ever since, we have been planted firmly in the Miracle Whip column in this debate, I make exceptions when his family comes to visit and I try to remember to pick up a tiny jar of Mayo for them when I know they're coming. (I sometimes forget...)

I am amazed ar how the littlest things can stir up great contention, even amongst those that really love each other. I am grateful every day that I married someone who is willing to compromise in areas where I am stubborn.

There are times that I wish I was more adaptable and less rigid in my opinions. I suppose I really can overlook the fact that Matt squeezes the toothpaste from the top of the tube, or that he consistently steals all my covers, even after 10 years. I should really ignore the fact that he doesn't line up the corners just right when he folds the towels. (At least he's folding them, right?) ;)

Anyway, I guess the point of this is a reminder to myself:  SELF- be happy! Don't let the little things bug you and remember that Matt gave you a great gift 10 years ago... tasty sandwiches for the rest of your life. Bless him.

(PS I love you Matt! Thanks for all we share and all you've given me... you really are the best...)

Good Morning...Sunshine?

There are things you just don't know about a person until AFTER you get married and are living with them full time. For instance... WHO KNEW my husband was a (gasp) MORNING PERSON? It's not something I even thought about asking him about before we got married. Not that the answer would have changed my mind about marrying him, it just would have been nice to know what I was getting into.

We couldn't be more different. The alarm goes off and he jumps up out of bed- ready to go just like that. For me, it doesn't matter if it's 7am or 9am- I need a minute or two to adjust to the new day and be ready to get out of my nice cozy bed and greet the sunshine.

In one of the more ironic twists of fate, it turns out that most of our kids take after their father. Aaron is normally up by 6:30, and enjoys eating breakfast with Matt before he heads off to work for the day. Caleb and Kellie are typically up by 7. So far Levi has been waking up at about 6 for his first round of morning "breakfasts." Matt is gracious enough to take him from me at 6:30 so I can catch another 1/2 hour of ZZZ's before he leaves.

Most of the time I am grateful my kids tend to like waking up early. Their lives will be a lot easier if they wake up and are productive with their days, and I am glad I never have to force them out the door to go to school. They are always up and rarin' to go. But...

When they have a day off from school, like they do today and tomorrow, it might be nice if they would sleep in, just a little. Can't someone explain to them about days off and holidays? The mommy in this house would have liked to snooze a bit more, but unfortunately the early risers dictate the schedule and so I have to comply with their demands for attention.

So good morning , Mr. Sun. I'm up. Reluctantly, perhaps, but up is up.Would you mind turning down the shiny brightness a little, just for a bit? I'm still a little sleepy... (yawn)

Levi's Face Mask

It seems like we can't turn around this winter for somebody being sick. Luckily, none of us have been seriously ill, but we've had just enough crud to keep us busier than I'd like. From an outsiders perspective it would seem like we are constantly sick, which isn't really the case. No ONE of us is constantly sick, but at least ONE of us in generally in the midst of fighting something off. I half wish we'd get it all at the same time and be done with it, but no, we share with each other, taking turns being sick. (I wish my kids were that good sharing their toys!)

Anyway, for weeks we've traded sinus infections, pink eye and ear infections, and now Levi has come down with a respiratory virus (similar, if not RSV). Luckily he is managing fairly well, but he is on round the clock tylenol for the fever, continuous snot sucking with the bulb syringe, a humidifier in our room, as well as getting breathing treatments every few hours.

I was surprised at how tiny his little face mask is that goes with his nebulizer treatments and couldn't help posting a picture of it. Kind of sad that something so cute is used for something not so fun. (In case you can't tell it's a little turtle mask...)  Anyway, Pray for his speedy recovery, and that he doesn't pass it along to anyone else, as the rest of us are currently healthy.  Feel better soon Levi...

Basketball...

Aaron just finished another season of basketball. He is continuing to improve and had a great team this year. I am consistently amazed at the amount of skill and coordination these younger kids have. It has been a joy to watch these last 2 months. Go Aaron! We are so proud of you.

 

 

Cute Kids!

 

I couldn't resist sharing these sweet pictures. 

I love that my kiddos love each other. 

(We'll have to get Aaron in on the next "photo shoot")

:)

LEVI ROLLS OVER!

It has been a terribly long week. Sometimes I think motherhood is more like a huge wrestling match, pitting your will against theirs. Yes, I'm older, hopefully wiser, and bigger- but my kids are louder, possibly more stubborn, and well, just generally louder.

Matt has been gone a lot lately for business and I am feeling a bit run over. 4 young kids is not easy with 2 adults in the picture, but 4 kids alone is really not much fun.

I have to keep reminding myself that they will someday outgrow the  needy, clingy, whiny" stage and eventually enter the "ignoring me" stage (which I probably won't like any better, but which sounds heavenly right about now.) I  keep praying for some relief from the chaos and occasionally I do get tossed a tender mercy.

This week's positive event: LEVI ROLLED OVER for the first time on Tuesday, the 9th. He seems so surprised at this new skill, and he keeps trying to get his knees up under his belly too, as if ready to crawl. He reminded me what a miracle my kids are. Just 5 1/2  months ago he was completely helpless and look at him now, rolling over and on the verge of crawling. How blessed I am to get to watch them grow. It is so exciting (albeit noisy) to be their mother. I love it.

Levi's Onesie

 

This is a photo of Levi wearing one of his gifts from a friend at church. She painted his name onto a onesie. This picture doesn't really do him justice, because the baby blue paint didn't show up in the photo very well, but the onesie really is adorable! Thank you Natalie!

Treasures and Trash...

Update on the previous post: Aaron and I compromised. He got to keep the pencil, because after all, "you don't know when you might need one..." , the "treasure map" post it note because he uses it at recess and the Santa kaleidoscope.
Everything else got tossed in the trash where it belongs.
Thanks for the help!

One Man's Treasure...

Aaron needs your help!
The following picture is all the stuff I found in Aaron's coat tonight as I was going through it before I threw it in the washer. I maintain it's JUNK. Aaron insists it is TREASURE.
I told him I would return the items to him if he could get enough people to agree that his items are indeed worthy of keeping. 
Here's the picture and list...

used cheese stick wrapper
elastic "rope"
chewed off pencil eraser tip
pencil ("you'll never know when you might need one, MOM!")
pop off tab from a can
santa "kaleidoscope"
plastic black cat
2 rocks
pink chalk wedge
bit of black construction paper
100th day of school sticker (lint on back)
star sticker (lint on back)
piece of bark
yellow post it note with a treasure map on it
orange glue stick lid
white plastic soda bottle ring
unidentified blue plastic round thingy
piece of used bandaid

Please "vote" on his most prized possessions to see if he gets to keep any of them. Thanks.

Pinewood Derby 2010

Aaron has been so excited to participate in his very first Pinewood Derby with his Cub Scout Troop.  He has spent the better last of the last month worrying and agonizing over every detail of the event. He was so excited!

Knowing how anxious and nervous Aaron was, my parents decided to drive up for the big event.

When we arrived for the weigh-in we were a bit surprised to find out that Aaron's car didn't weigh enough. When given the instructions we were told that it had to be less than 5 ounces. What we weren't told was that it has to be as close to 5 ounces as possible, without going over. Because we were so much off the mark, we had to ransack the church library in search or weights. We ended up rubber-banding a stack of magnets to the top. It kind of ended  up looking like a cannon strapped to the hood.

After getting settled Aaron went to sit with one of his favorite buddies, Jake.

 Aaron came in 4th overall, out of 10 boys. (Click on picture for larger view....)

Good job, buddy! We love you!

PS I love the car slide for his scarf that Colette had them make in Cub Scouts last week... Too cute!

Scooters and Grandparents...

It seems to me that when we have guests I frequently forget to pull out my camera as frequently as I need to. Such was the case this last weekend, too. Matt's parents came to visit for a few days, to celebrate a belated Christmas of sorts, and the weekend was much more full than the pictures will show. We played a lot of games, attended one of Aaron's basketball games, rode the scooters from Santa, enjoyed lots of food, and exchanged Christmas presents.

 

Aaron found a great opponent in his Grandpa Lane when playing Sequence States and Capitals.

Miss Kellie really enjoyed her scooter. We were so lucky the snow finally melted enough and the weather warmed up enough to ride them outside.

Caleb also loved to ride!

Aaron was fun to watch because he really got moving and maneuvered the scooter as if he had been riding it all his life.

I think the 3 kids on their 3 scooters had a good time!

Humoring Kellie...

Kellie, my cute little 3 year old daughter (who has been sick with fever, pink eye, sinus infections, and 2 ear infections) is finally not contagious and starting to perk up a bit. When my kids are sick, I typically would do just about anything to help them feel better. That is probably why, when I told her to get ready to take Caleb to Preschool, and she came back a few minutes later looking like this,  I smiled, shook my head a bit and let her escort Caleb to Preschool looking like a Diva. I just couldn't bear to disappoint her and make her take it off when she was so proud of herself. (I didn't even redo her fuzzy hairdo!) Caleb's teachers and classmates ooohed and aaahed over her, and she behaved like quite the royal princess.  What can I say, but I love her... goofiness and all. :)

 

LOVING my LEVI!

I am LOVING my LEVI! Here he is at almost 5 months old. He is such a sweet boy to have around. He is VERY  ticklish and loves to laugh. I love that every time he laughs he gets the hiccups. It just cracks me up! The kids enjoy hugging and squeezing him and watching him giggle.

He is already sleeping through the night... about an 8 hour stretch. Bless him. Momma really needs it!

At his 4 month checkup earlier this month he weighed 17 lbs, 1 ounce and was 25 1/2 inches long. (not quite 2 foot 2!) He is big, strong, healthy, and a joy to have in our family.

He recently started cereals and although he is still learning to swallow, it is not going too badly. He is definitely a fan of food (as you can tell, he hasn't missed too many meals...) and I look forward to offering him a bigger variety soon, preferably things with more flavor than that bland rice cereal.

Here is a play by play of his first feeding...

 

Anxiously anticipating that first bite... look he's even salivating!

Hmmm... not too sure? What is this stuff?

Thanks Mom... food makes me sleepy...

Pink Eye... Poor Caleb!

Last Saturday Caleb woke up with a tiny bit of dried gunk in the corner of his eye. By 11:00 he had full blown pussy discharge (at which point we took him into the doctor) and by bedtime his eye was almost swollen shut. I was amazed at how quickly it came on and am only posting the pictures that are not gooey and disgusting. Poor guy!

Playground Invasion!

Every now and then my kids do or say something that gives me such a delightful inner giggle that I have to force myself to sit down and write it down so I don't forget it. Some day I'm sure they will read these notes and roll their eyes, proclaim that it's all a lie- (they would never be so silly)-, and be secretly pleased that I cared enough to preserve the memories of their childhood. But I digress...

This week's chuckle was provided by Aaron.

Last weekend he told me that he had started a "Secret Agent Club" at school during recess. They all have secret code names . He is ANT(like the bug, he says) I 1, someone else is ANT(like the bug, he says) I 2, etc. Before you can ask, I have to say that I have absolutely no idea how he came up with those names, he's too creative for his own good, I guess.

My first big chuckle came after announcing the names...

Aaron: "Mom, what does ANTI mean?"
I explained that it means you're against something, or it is the opposite of something.
He then responded that he was "anti- a lot of things" and I had to smile again.

Today...
Aaron: The agents are doing well... we found lots of clues today, Mom.
Julie: Clues? What clues?
Aaron:The clues that are leading us to find the ALIEN KING.
Julie:What ALIEN KING?
Aaron: (in a hushed voice...) Well YOU know he's just pretend...
(normal voice again) but my agents found all the clues I made and hid all over the playground.
They're going to lead us right to him Mom, I know it!

I can't wait to hear how this saga unfolds...

Caleb's confused... (again)

CALEB: Mom, Why do they call this juice WHITE grape juice, if it is made with GREEN grapes?

Help! I'm a Math Failure...

I am not a "math person".  (Ironic that I am married to a math educator, I know...) I do very well when it comes to managing what I term "household math", which includes managing the checkbook, measurements for cooking, counting kids to make sure I haven't lost one of them, etc.

Obviously, I knew the day would come when my kids homework would surpass my talents in math. I'm okay with that, especially since we have a math guru in house. I just never suspected that day would come as early as 2ND  GRADE.

Matt is in Florida for business and so it was up to me to help Aaron with his homework this week.  They are adding 3 numbers together- pretty easy, something I should be able to do. As I was reviewing the worksheet however, I realized that the example they provided was different than anything I had ever seen before. I had to call my sister, then my husband for help. As I'm dialing, I can't help but feel a little chumpish, I mean after all, this is only 2ND GRADE MATH.

After reviewing the example with my sister- it hit me. These kids are not allowed to carry numbers, which is how I was taught to add.. They work the problem left to right- starting with the tens column, then moving to the ones. After totaling the tens, they total the ones and then add those two numbers together.  Not really hard- just completely backwards to everything I was ever taught. It seems so crazy, and I admit I had a hard time wrapping my mind around it.

Later that night Matt told me they do it this way so that the kids don't miss the concept of place value. Okay, um sure, if you say so- I am not the one with a Masters degree in Math Education.

Nevertheless, the experience left me feeling a bit peeved. I should be able to do 2ND GRADE math without a tutor. When did simple math change and evolve into something I didn't even recognize? I must be getting old. I'll just take my outdated, ancient methods and go sit between my floppy disks, leg warmers and cassette tapes. (sigh)

Julie's Birthday

This is a couple of days late, I hope Julie will forgive me...

It's Julie's birthday, and it's a big one this year. She's starting a new decade. In honor of this landmark, here's a few more things about Julie:

Julie is an amazing mom. She works hard to keep all four kids happy and going in the right direction. Whether she's running from one school to another or taking care of a newborn while maintaining order in our home, she seems able to do it all.

One of Aaron's favorite things about his mom is that "she makes yummy dinners."

Caleb says that he likes it when his mom gets him drinks.

Kellie "says" one of her favorite things is when her mom makes soup.

Levi just likes his mom.

We love you, Julie! We hope your day was great.