Musical Titles

Some of you may have noticed that I've been changing my blog title quite a bit. It all started when I got this fab new background for my blog. My title no longer worked with the new layout. So, I have been racking my brain trying to come up with something decent. In the meantime, I was trying to figure out how to write about the great phrase that Alex often uses when playing with his sisters. Finally, it hit me. Combine the two! Rather than make a little post about Alex's phrase, I decided to use it as the new title. So, here it is in all its glory: "Come on, let's have an adventure!" Frankly, I think it's pretty accurate. Most days are an adventure!

Mommy's little helpers

We've had a busy couple of weeks filled with fun and funny things to share. First, we survived a round of Easter pictures at Penney's. It took two tries, but I got an individual shot of each kid and one of all three of them. I'll post the pics next week when they come in. Ben also got a new job this week that means I won't have to work anymore. Yea hooray! He'll be doing counseling over the phone in Spanish and I think there might be a research project involved. He also filled in for a friend doing testing yesterday and really enjoyed it. So, there are the fun things, now on to the funny things. I recently bought Alex a digital alarm clock. Why would a four-year-old need an alarm clock, you are asking. Because he started getting up at the crack of dawn, that's why. He definitely inherited my Grandpa Harris's point of view: The sun's up, it's almost noon. We were having a very hard time convincing him to stay in bed. Hence, the alarm clock. I bought one with different colored numbers so that he can tell what time it is. When there is a green seven, he can get out of bed. He likes the independence and I like the sleep. Most mornings I can tell that he is waiting impatiently for a green seven to appear. This morning, however, was classic. At exactly 7 o'clock, I heard him yell, "Yes!" He came running into my room, saying, "Mom, Mom, it's a green seven!" (I think he might be a morning person!) In other cute-things-my-kids-do news, my girls are turning into fabulous helpers. Today, Emelia helped me fold the socks. She took one sock at a time and folded it in half, then handed it to me. So cute! Naomi likes to help me wash her and Emelia's hair. Again, so cute! And, yesterday, Alex told me that he would help me out and "make all of my dreams come true." Oh my goodness, so cute!

Better luck next year (or I'm just one stomach flu away from my goal weight!)

Happy Easter everyone! Yesterday was an interesting day at our house. Instead of getting up and giving the kids their Easter baskets, I got up and puked. That's right- I gave myself food poisoning in my first attempt at homemade granola bars. But that's not all: I gave Naomi food poisoning, too. So, while I puked, Ben fed the kids breakfast. Naomi, of course, threw hers up immediately. Good times. Good thing we could just stay home and watch Conference. After throwing up a few more times and laying on the couch all day, we both feel a lot better today. So, I had some grand plans of fun Easter things to do, some very important errands to run and an Easter meal to make today. (No, I did not a ham yesterday.) Unfortunately, Naomi was also feeling better and even felt well enough to wrestle with Alex this morning. So, while I did Emelia's hair, Alex pushed her into my metal bedframe. She got a bloody nose and a huge cut on her nose and a black eye. I called the doctor, who wanted us to come in immediately. (Remember, I was sick yesterday and hadn't showered in 48 hours.) So, we sped over to the doctor's office in varying states of readiness. Naomi- looking great, but covered in blood. Emelia- looking good, but no bow in her hair. Alex- dressed, but wearing snow boots instead of shoes because snow boots are the only shoes he can put on himself. Me- dressed, greasy hair pulled into ponytail in the car. At the doctor's office, we found out that Naomi would need stitches for the gash on her face. But, they don't do stitches at my pediatrician's office; we needed to go the ER. Great, another public place. At the hospital, they took great care of us. The nurse brought snacks for the kids and got Naomi's nose numbed and we turned on PBS. Alex asked why it smelled weird and I had to explain about the cleaners they use to get rid of germs. The smell nearly sent me into a panic attack, since the only times I've been in a hospital I've had a baby (or two). Luckily, I did not have a panic attack or a baby and Naomi did not need stitches. The ER doc determined that the cut was not deep enough. So, they cleaned her up and told me to watch for infection. On the way home, both girls fell asleep from all the excitement and I went to McDonald's for a little McFlurry and Happy Meal therapy. There's always next year, right?

Happy Birthday

Alex is 4! I can't believe it! We had a great extend-0-birthday, with a party (complete with pinata) on Saturday and a family trip to Chuck E. Cheese's on Tuesday. Alex had a blast at both, but since we forgot to take the camera to Chuck E. Cheese's, you'll just have to take my word for it. Here are a few pictures of the whirlwind party. (With five boys under five, what do you expect?)