Thursday, November 27, 2008

T-day artwork

So not including the preschool hats pictured in a previous post. In preparation for Thanksgiving, the preschoolers made the following.

Andrew made the mini turkey (at preschool) and his thankful turkey (at Catechism).

Sean made his place mat (at preschool).

Ryan made his place mat (at preschool).
Alex again, had no complaint/comment on his lack of t-day craft. I think between 2nd grade is a real transition year. Coolness is suddenly much more important.
Usually (the last 2 years), I have each kid make a turkey hand print/color a turkey to use a centerpiece. This year with the twix being 3, I just couldn't make it happen. Instead, I had them make their birthday cards/pictures for their papas and daddy during t-day craft time. Plus, there is something slightly morbid/disgraceful about turkey images floating all over the table when that's what we're having for din-din.
I bought cute sparkly plastic red with glitter wine glasses to toast with and not get broken (as last year's glass sherry glasses). They were broken before the twix even touched them, I filled them with juice and they leaked. I'm dumping the toasting glasses for the future and getting them theme cups at Wally World (4/$1). I mean seriously its a nice thought, but not worth the glass stress or the crap factor. I'd rather spend $1 a holiday and let them use them for a while after, then save them for next year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Featuring: Sean, Andrew, Alex, and Ryan

My 3 little pilgrims

Seany.

Sir Ry.


Andrew.
Alex was curiously not interested in being part of the whole pilgrim thing. Perhaps he's a little too cool for such foolishness.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

I need help

Sean and Ryan have broken 3 plastic tote bins in the last week. I use this bins for storage, toys, toys, books, dvds, etc.

What can I put things in safely?

Things that won't work, from past experience:

1. Wood/MDF/hard material toy boxes, even hinged hands get slammed, kids get sat on in it, etc.

2. Plastic bins, wrecked by the destructive duo

3. Canvas/Mesh collapsible travel totes (you know for cars), wires get bent, no longer stand up etc.

4. Wicker anything, do you really need a why

5. Cardboard, let the tearing apart begin!

You can see why I need help here. Leave you suggestions in the comments, PLEASE!

Christmas Questions

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper for kids, gift bags for the grown ups. I actually prefer to do gift bags because they can be reused.

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial, we reuse our tree again and again!

3. When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving weekend (in time for Early Christmas with the Averys)

4. When do you take the tree down? After the 3rd Sunday after Christmas (as that is the ACTUAL end of Christmas)

5. Do you like eggnog? Not so much, icky.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My barbie doll house, it could only have been improved on by being a wooden doll house.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My parents and in-laws -- what do you get people who can afford to buy whatever it is when they need/want it?

8. Easiest person to buy for? My kids -- they really lay it out there for me.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yep -- Andrew gave me one and we have a bears one from my parents

10. Mail or E-mail Christmas cards? Both, in fact, I'm going to be emailing more this year -- so as not to waste paper, postage etc. If emailed recipients want one they can print it.

11. Worst Christmas gift ever received? Must have blocked out awfulness.

11a. Best Christmas gift ever received? Alex (13 days before), Andrew (5 days before Christmas out of his box), Ryan surviving his surgery, Sean off his O2 monitor (3 days before)

12. Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Story

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Around Nov.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yep.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Special breakfast and dinner -- nothing specific.

16. Lights on the tree? White and colored

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Stay at home. They all come to us.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? There's Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen and Rudolph (do we count him)

20. Angel on the tree top or star? Star, but some glorious day, we'll find a perfect angel to top our man made tree

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning and at Early Christmas with the Averys

22. The most annoying thing about this time of year? Too many birthdays mixed in with the holiday fun (but secretly I really love it)

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Red and green and gold

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I leave that up to Mark.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A new washer and dryer

Brotherly Love

At church on Sundays, Sean and Ryan are always very bored and grumpy. If Alex or Andrew so much as brushes the chair they've claimed by accident, it will set them off.

Last Sunday, Andrew returned from catechism class with not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 cookies from his teacher. She wanted each boy to have one. Sean who is usually the angriest, suddenly loved Andrew. Andrew could put his arm around Sean, Sean wanted to share his seat with him. Sean would occasionally peak into the napkin checking that all 4 cookies were still there.

After the mass ended, Andrew handed out the cookies. And as we walked to the car, Sean and Andrew held hands the whole way. Andrew totally delighted in this, "See Mommy, Sean and me love each other."

Monday, November 24, 2008

Reliable

Andrew has a Thanksgiving Feast today at preschool. Each kid is to bring an item. Andrew got apple juice boxes -- 10 of them, heavy.

Upon arrival, he said (yelled actually, Andrew's normal voice is very loud), "Miss Amy! My mom is carrying my backpack because the juice boxes are too heavy for me."

Miss Amy answered, "Thank you, Andrew. I gave the juice boxes to someone VERY reliable. I needed turkey and juice boxes, everything else we'd be OK without. Like if the pickle person forgot the pickles, it'd be no biggie."

So, I've become reliable. And who eats pickles at Thanksgiving dinner?

We're taking a vote here, post a comment on whether you find me reliable or not.

WHAT!

I've been meaning to discuss this for awhile. Shocked! I'm shocked I tell you!

Phineas and Ferb the DS game is coming.... December 30th!

Why are they waiting to release it after CHRISTMAS? I totally would have bought 2 copies. One for each MEGA-fan with a DS! We totally want to support Dan and Swampy! They're the most brillant animators ever as far as the Devlins (both grown and young) are concerned!

Now the chicklets either have dip into their money gifts (which I like to put most of into their savings accounts) or wait until the bunny hops by at Easter. But, I'm totally stoked about the P&F t-shirts I found online. I'd told the kids that the t-shirts were a no-go as I couldn't find them anywhere or online. Then amazingly I found them at disneyshopping. And they were only 3 bucks each! So each chicklet is getting 2 designs.

In other shopping new, I'm done with all the boys except Alex's MP3 docking station/speakers thing, Alex's Ironman DVD, and Mark's Christmas gifts.

And I need to get each kid 2 stocking stuffers.

Regarding Mark, I always wait until after my in-laws have given his b-day gifts (they usually rock!) and then I don't duplicate and have to return stuff.

Andrew loves me

Andrew has given me:

1 beaded necklace made by himself

1 wreath/bracelet that he got Mark to make and then handed to me saying, "Here Mommy, I made this for you."

1 children's nativity scence because "it has a baby and I want more babies." (Not strictly true, but he's 4)

100s of hugs with kisses, for no reason at all, at odd times of days

Isabella

What I think is super cute, her tiny little legs are so little, they don't peek out her pants.

I love love love her name! Isabella! That was going to be Alex's name had he been a girl.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Its a girl!


Its not my girl! But still she's a girl Devlin! YES! Congrats to Nick and Maricar!


PS We don't yet know her name.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Bad news

Mommy: "Good morning, Andrew."

Andrew: "Mommy, I've got some bad news for ya."

Mommy: "Oh, no. What's that?"

Andrew: "Mommy, my toy collecting days are over."

Mommy: "What? Why?"

Andrew: "Mommy, I need to start my coin collection, then I can start my toys collection again."

Friday, November 21, 2008

Let's count spoons

How many spoons do you need to eat yogurt? Sean needed 8, see how many he and RyGuy counted to.

Andrew made a necklace

And gave it to me. See its beaded.

Blocks

Andrew: "Mommy, when Santa comes, I'm going to leave the blocks for him to play with?"

Mommy: "What? Why? Huh?"

Andrew: "Mommeeeeeee....(sigh). When Santa came to our last house he played with the blocks for Sean and Ryan. SOOOOOooooooo, I am going to LEAVVVVVVVEEEE the blocks for Santa."

Mommy: "But that was Sean's and Ryan's present. So he wanted to make it look special."

Andrew: "MOMMMEEEEE, I know that Santa likes to play with toys. And blocks are his favorite. (Longggggg pause) Maybe, he'll bring them MORE blocks."

Necessity leads to things one would rather not do

I have been very reluctant to allow Alex to come home from school with the group of walkers -- no parent accompanying them. Yesterday, Ryan was SICK with a head cold. That wouldn't normally stop me from putting him in a stroller and walking the trek.

We went to the park in the morning after dropping Alex off and Ryan faded fast. After about 5 minutes, he was acting dizzy, collapsing, etc. I think he had a headache. All I could figure was the poor air quality yesterday combined with the cold made him miserable. So I didn't want to take him out again. And I wanted him to have an uninterrupted nap -- impossible everyday but Wednesday when he gets driven home by a neighbor.

So, I called the school and sent his teacher an email. Alex was allowed to walk home without me. He came straight home. He looked both ways when crossing (the roads I could see from our street). He walked with the group and was basically very proud of himself.

Ryan by the way seems better today, still has a cold but seems able to do all the normal stuff.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Just when I thought

Sean is on the road to recovery. So we went to the park after dropping Alex at school. After 10 minutes, it became clear (crystal), Ryan is sick, sick, sick. I'm hoping its just a head cold/inversion type thing. He's doing a lot of crying and a lot of collasping to the ground.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

What kids will not apperciate Christmas morning

I just spent 2 hours on Disneyshopping.com to get Alex, Andrew, Sean, and Ryan Phineas and Ferb t-shirts -- I wanted to take advantage of the special shipping deal, so now I'm done with Christmas! Because, it took FOREVER for anything to load on that page.

I am really very excited about the P&F t-shirts -- Alex and Andrew are getting 2. And Sean and Ryan are getting 1 and 1 Mickey. And I found a cute Mickey toy for Sean and Ryan (1 each of course, but they love it).

My pet peeve about online shopping: When one needs to hit the free shipping limit and one is totally finished shopping, one is searching for ages for something for someone, anyone that would suit. But I found that cool ebates site I emailed peeps about! So I'm excited to get that cash back check from all my holiday shopping!

Friends

I've never been a best friend kinda gal. I was never quite cool enough, smart enough, dumb enough, stayed in the same school long enough, or did the work enough to remain friends. I've been friendly with many peeps but other than my family and my hubby they all sort of flit away.

They flit because they moved, we moved, etc.

I can count for you the friends I have kept in good touch with:

1. Steve (co-worker from the Douglas days, thanks to email)
2. Katy (friend from the Saratoga Springs days, thanks to facebook)
3. Peggy (neighbor from the Hayward days, thanks to email)

There are plenty of friends that I keep in so-so touch with:
1. Erika (The most awesome person I've ever met. If you ever need someone, something, anything, she will be there for you. She's even there for you when you didn't realize you needed someone -- happened more than once to me.)
2. Jana (sports mom friend, she's given birth to all her kids at home, yes she is very strong and sweet)
3. Tina (supermom friend, very very busy friend)
4. Jessika (we go way back to the Safeway days, I just heart her)
5. Jennifer (my high school bf, very amazing gal)

At church, I have what I'd call church friends. We see each other Sundays and at special events. We're not really at a place where I feel like I can be part of the women's group, because of the twix.

Then there's my problem. I need a friend here in Paysonia.

There is Michelle. She's on the LDS welcoming committee -- brought us cupcakes, invited us to stuff, had her hubby haul rocks out of our backyard. When Andrew hurt his chin, she helped me get everyone home. When I had my surg, she brought me bubble bath. I really really like her. She's very cool, friendly and busy. I just don't want to push myself into her life. But there's potential. I'm thinking of inviting her to lunch.

There is Tracy, Michelle's neighbor who is sweet as can be. Jillian, Alex's friend's mom, very nice but its an 'our kids are friends' friendship. Carma, another of Alex's friend's mom, very nice also, very helpful, I'm also considering inviting to lunch. There are even a few others who are very friendly and nice. Then, there is a mystery woman who left me bread when I was out of commission. All these woman have offer to help with twix illnesses. But, we can't reciprocate until at least the summer when the viruses have sort of curtailed.

I guess I'm just kind of lonely for the woman friendships I had back in SS.

The $5K virus

I got the statement from the hospital (pre-insurance payments and adjusted amounts) for Sean's 48 hour hospital ordeal. $5180.92. Yes, that's right $5K to find out the kid had an unusual reaction to a stomach bug.

I think our share will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $1800. We pay $600 off the top and then 20% of the remaining balance. I can't wait to find out EXACTLY how much we get to fork over.

I know we did the right thing, that it could have turned out very badly, that he did need to be hospitalized, but YIKES! Takes a bite out the washer/dryer plans for January.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

I was checking on the Black Friday ads when what do I see, a Samsung Washer/Dryer set for $900 (would normally be $1500) for both. The sale expired YESTERDAY!

Ours are dying and fast. We need these and yet I see a gorgeous (well, functioning well) set for an amazing price and I'm ONE day too late. Not that we have $900. But, we might have found a way!

Alex's birthday party

Last year, we had 20-ish out of control 8 years olds running around our basement, screaming at the top of their lungs for 2 hours. This year, we decided to go a different route. The problem with December birthdays in Utah -- you cannot do outdoor stuff.

Last night, we bought 6 tickets to the Orlando Magic at Utah Jazz game Dec 13th. Andrew wanted to come before we bought the tickets. So Mark and my dad would take Andrew, Alex, and 2 friends -- full minivan.... Right after I clicked send (like 2 minutes later) Andrew decided he didn't want to go. So Alex gets to bring 3 friends.

We made the invitations and will distribute them this afternoon -- plenty of time to make sure the calendar is open.

On our way to school, Alex sat in the front seat. "Oh, I see, we (the boys) can't sit in the front seat and we only have 6 seats in the minivan. So I can't have Corbin come too. But if one of the other boys can't come, then we have enough time to invite Corbin!" He finally got it, all on his own.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Choices

Alex has the kind of mom that pretty much lets him do everything cool that comes along. Friend invites him last minute to an impromptu b-day party, present is found, Alex goes to party. Another friend invites him to play after school, although we have a list of stuff to do, he gets to play with friend.

His school has a free showing of Kung Fu Panda Friday night. Alex will not be going. We have already RSVP to Family Advent Night at our church. Our church does very few family activities, so I feel we can show up when they happen.

"Why can't we go to KFP instead?!" Alex rallied against the unfairness of it all.

"We already signed up to help at Family Advent Night. You can watch a movie anytime. Family Advent Night comes only once a year."

"But all my school friends are going. Why can't they change Advent Night, Advent doesn't even start for a whole week after Advent Night." Starting to sound a lot like the Jimmy Neutron movie.

"Yes, but they're not Catholic. Advent night has been planned for months. Movie night just came up 2 days ago."

"I just wish..." Then he stopped himself. I think he realized he'd really regret the remark he was about to utter.

"Alex, listen to me. Your friends have their own church commitments. For example every Monday night, they have family home evening. They have their own calendar of events that come first, ahead of school activities too. I agree it'd be fun to see KFP, but its not the last time the school will have movie night."

"I know. I just wish we could do both."

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Purchase have been made

Last night as Andrew was getting his pre-sleep Mommy-time. He coyly asked, "Mommy, did you get me and Alex any presents? (SMILE!)

"I can't tell you what I got," I answered.

Andrew interrupted, "But did you get me Hungry Hungry Hippos?"

WHAT!??? Hungry Hippos? Who ever said anything EVER about wanting Hungry Hippos? BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP! I recovered myself and said, "Andrew, I can't remember what I bought and beside Santa has presents he wants to get you."

"Well, SOMEBODY should get me Hungry Hungry Hippos. I really want to play it with Alex."

Friday, November 14, 2008

Ryan reading

Ryan and Sean would swap who 'read' and who laid in bed and listened.

Sean reading

Sean was 'reading' the 'book' to me. As soon as he realized I had the camera out, that was the end of filming.

Ode to Waffles (thanks to Grandma & Papa Pat)

Alex had the honor of 'making' the first waffle on the new waffle iron.


Turned out a little bit lighter than he really wanted.

So Ryan & Sean ate it for him.


And Alex made waffle #2.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Getting it wrong

This morning, as is often the case, Andrew was the last one out of bed. I was just slapping the jelly on his toast when he very seriously walked toward me.

I said, "Good morning, Andrew. Perfect timing, your toast is ready."

Andrew continued toward me, I thought, "Oh, how sweet, he's going to give me a love."

He whooshed, unlatched, and placed his invisible helmet on the counter. Then, Andrew in his most commanding voice, said "Attention blue force captain (?) Mommy, I must take of my Start Warts helment (not typos) to eat my breakfast."

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Pleasure to work with

Special needs kids' parents hear this phrase a lot. The twix's speech therapy progress reports came today -- different then their preschool reports.

Ryan is doing what is asked of him. Repeats all the 2-3 word phrases and basically just does what they request.

Sean on the other hand, "is a pleasure to work with." He follows instruction 60% of the time. He repeats "on occasion." Basically I got the impression that he is NOT a 'pleasure' to work with.

Sean shakes his head no, when asked any yes or no question. He grunts in reply to most things said to him.

How did I come to realize the over usage of said phrase? I realized that of the twix, Ryan would be the pleasure and Seany would be the one they just reported the progress on. Since she made a point of saying SEAN is a PLEASURE to work with, I now understand this is one of those phrases that means the opposite intent.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Guess who is Student of the Month

It be Alex!

Yes, it says: This award is present to Alex Devlin for using fun voices when he reads."
That is the most awesome STM award ever! I love that they're celebrating something a little bit special that he does!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Service Project

This year for Family Advent Night's service project, the kids at our church are putting together gifts for hospitalized children this holiday season. This is the service project this year.

I'm all over this. Seany (hospitalized last week) LOVED his backpack of little goodies! It totally made his day. And at different times he'd pull out different things to do. This kind of gift is especially good for kids who can't leave their bed/room. Assorted mini-gifts make it interesting all day long.

If you'd like to contribute, these are some ideas:

VERY IMPORTANT: Items donated must be new (germs can kill these kids)!

-Fun bags/shoeboxes (decorated) to put the goodies in (please donate one per set of items)
-Paper (construction, colored, lined -- can be broken down into multiple gifts)
-Note pads, coloring books, activity books (great to pick up at party stores)
-Crayons
-SHARPENED Pencils (with eraser)
-Markers
-Stickers
-beading projects
-Play-doh
-Playing Cards (kids games available in 2 packs at dollar stores)
-NEW Stuffed animals (CANNOT ACCEPT USED)
-Little toys (Handheld games, cars, pocket dolls, etc)

Great places to get items:
-Party Stores (they have bins with 25 cent items, you could get all kinds of goodies for a couple bucks)
-Dollar Store (great for little hand held games, toys, dolls, cars)
-Wal-Mart and Target (both have 'dollar or under' sections)

The idea is to make each gift an assortment of thing to amuse the kids while they're hospitalized.

Out of towners: Send any items to me by next Tuesday (Nov 18).
Friends from Saratoga Springs: I'll be in SS on Friday morning. I can pick up donations from you then, just me know!

Shopping Saturday

Saturday, I really really really needed to get out of the house. Being cooped up in a hospital room (in case Sean was contagious) for 2.5 days just made me stir crazy.

I wanted to hit University Mall (actually the Disney Store) because Swampy had said that they'd have Perry the Platypus out in Nov. After the t-shirt debaucle (they were all out with in 1 week of Phineas AND Ferb), I didn't want to risk it. After looking around for a bit, I started getting nervous, no P&F stuff anywhere. Then suddenly I found it -- Phineas, Ferb, and Perry. Ryan was with me and went NUTS for Ferb! When he pressed Ferb's tummy he'd say favorite phrases. Andrew saw Ryan with Ferb from across the room and grabbed Phineas. Seany collected all three and Alex asked, "Can we each have our OWN set?" (translates to: I don't want to share when I know they will slobber all over them.) And then he noticed the journal. "Its only $6. PLEASE!"

So Mark took the kids out and I bought them their first set of Christmas gifts: Phineas, Ferb, Perry, and the journal. It'll break down like this: Ryan gets Ferb, Andrew pleaded for Phineas, Seany gets Perry, and Alex gets his journal. I also got them Wall-E and a gift for my mom.

When we got home, Andrew said, "Mommy! I need my Phineas and Perry now."

Mommy: "Huh?" Yes, I'm very dumb.

Andrew: "MY Perry the Platypus and Phineas."

Mommy: "Oh, you saw the bag from the Disney Store. I bought a present for Nona."

Andrew: "Mommy there is more in the bag than Nona's present."

Alex: "Ah, Andrew. Maybe we better pretend like we don't know anything about Phineas and Ferb and Perry and ANYTHING ELSE Mommy MIGHT have gotten us at the store because we MIGHT get it for Christmas."

Smart boy.

Friday, November 07, 2008

IV anger

When Sean started feeling a little better the first night, he got very angry about his IV. He couldn't move his hand. Since he couldn't (strength wise) rip out the IV, he tore off his hospital gown in a fit of rage. Seany then promptly crashed for the next 3 hours.

Seany's hospital adventure

Wednesday morning, it snowed. After taking Alex to school, the little ones played for about 30 minutes out in the inch high drift. They stomped, they tossed, they basically had a ball in the first snow.

When we got in the house, Seany pooped. And I gave the three a bath. I then dressed Andrew and Ryan because Seany was lying on my bed crying. I came over to him and he wouldn't settle. I dressed him and he started screaming "OWIE OWIE OWIE!"

After 15 minutes of this, I called his doctor's office and the nurse said he should be seen. I dropped the other two off at their respective preschools and we headed in. Just before we got to the exit, Seany (who'd been screaming all this time) turned white as a sheet (lips, eyelids, everything) and started to fall asleep/pass out -- eyes rolling back. I was afraid he'd stop breathing so I wouldn't let him sleep.

By the time we got to the doctor he was so lethargic he went straight to get an xray. To make sure his organs were all normal and he hadn't swallowed something. Soon after we went up to the pediatrics ward to be admitted. He screamed every so often but basically laid perfectly still, so lethargic. He also got a ct-scan, blood tests, and mucus tests. Everything was negative or normal except he had a very very very elevated white cell count.

After a day of iv fluids and antibiotics he had some color and energy. By today, 2 days of iv fluids and antibiotics he's feeling normal. He's blood cultures never developed any bacterial infections. The diagnosis is that he had an unknown gastro/intestenial virus with sudden onset that basically stressed his system out of whack. He'll need a couple more days to recover. But he should be able to stay out of the hospital now.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

For Me, Victory Speech and Concession Speech

First Sen McCain:
My friends, we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Sen. Barack Obama — to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.

In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans, who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president, is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.

This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.

I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Sen. Obama believes that, too. But we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound.

A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to visit — to dine at the White House — was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth.

Sen. Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day — though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her Creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise.

Sen. Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.

I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our goodwill and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.

Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.

It is natural tonight to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again. We fought — we fought as hard as we could.
And though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours.

I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends. The road was a difficult one from the outset. But your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you.

I am especially grateful to my wife, Cindy, my children, my dear mother and all my family and to the many old and dear friends who have stood by my side through the many ups and downs of this long campaign. I have always been a fortunate man, and never more so for the love and encouragement you have given me.

You know, campaigns are often harder on a candidate's family than on the candidate, and that's been true in this campaign. All I can offer in compensation is my love and gratitude, and the promise of more peaceful years ahead.

I am also, of course, very thankful to Gov. Sarah Palin, one of the best campaigners I have ever seen and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength. Her husband, Todd, and their five beautiful children, with their tireless dedication to our cause, and the courage and grace they showed in the rough-and-tumble of a presidential campaign. We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country.

To all my campaign comrades, from Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter, to every last volunteer who fought so hard and valiantly month after month in what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern times — thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.

I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I'll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I'm sure I made my share of them. But I won't spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.

This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life. And my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Sen. Obama and my old friend, Sen. Joe Biden, should have the honor of leading us for the next four years.

I would not be an American worthy of the name, should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona for it.

Tonight — tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Sen. Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.

And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.

Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history. Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America.

And now, President-Elect Obama:

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.

I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

I got a haircut

Ryan wanted to be in the picture.



Here he's just showing off his manliness.


Here I tried to get his to take the picture. I had to hold the camera steady for him.

Halloween costumes

Indiana Jones aka Alex.

The good witch, photo by Seany.

SUPER-Sean


Blue Jungle Fury Power Ranger aka Andrew (yes he said all that everytime he was asked)



And the pumpkin, Ryan. He loved all things Halloween. Jack-o-laterns, "GHOOOsts," Skeletons, etc. When he say last year's pumpkin costume that was what he wanted to be.

Proud to be an American

I try not to talk politics here, but this is to important (and I may once have let loose on some kind of idiotic behavior of an unnamed politician).

Yesterday was a great day for America. Regardless of your political affiliation, history was made. The people of this country spoke. W made it clear that W's policies are not that of the people. We tried to tell him in 2006 and he totally ignored us. Yesterday, we voted into office a man very different, with an entirely different way of looking at the world's politics.

Sen. McCain is a great American hero. Had Obama not gotten the nomination, I may have voted for him. On the list of Americans to be proud of McCain ranks very high. But this country wants to have a voice in the world. We want diplomacy. We do not want to just ignore the rest of the world and march into any country we disagree with. We want world peace. Obama has promised these ideals. (I don't agree with everything he stands for, I am always will be pro-life for one. But America and world needed this change.)

On another note, I had Mark get Alex out of bed last night. I wanted him to witness Obama speak to our nation as the next president, as the first black president. This is a moment in history that I wanted my son to witness. And Obama did not disappoint. He shared America's hope for change, he promised to deliver that change, and he made me for one proud. He acknowledged the great man, John McCain when so often these politicians act like their opponent is the spawn of the devil. He quoted Lincoln and MLK. He gave a us a great speech for the hope and the change that this country wants so much.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Yesterday

Everyone was doing their own thing, me napping, Mark gaming, Alex and Andrew light-sabering, etc. After my nap, I was quietly waking up at the kitchen table with my nose in a book. Ryan came over and held my hand while I read. I rubbed his cheek and he smiled turned his cheek into my hand and sighed.

So I immediately put my book down and we played and cuddled and read his book.

Little guys so need their mommies.

Things I need to get video of

1. Alex, Andrew, and Ryan (yes I said Ryan) singing the theme song to Phineas and Ferb.

2. Alex singing the "Mom, Its your birthday song"

3. Ryan signing and singing the Signing Time theme song.

4. Ryan and Seany break dancing. Yes, they break dance at 3 years old.

5. Andrew making bossy comments using the wrong but close sounding words.

6. Andrew and Alex playing air guitar with any favorite rock song.

7. Andrew blowing up his dinner, toys, picutres in books, etc.

8. Seany cheering, "I did it!"

9. Seany saying, "I caun't wreach it." frown

Falling Down

This morning on our way to school, Alex rode his scooter ahead of me and then back to me. When we got to the big downhill bit, he asked if he could turn the corner. I consented, he likes to race down the hill like all boys. Just as he started down, I thought "When he falls, I'll stay calm. I'll make sure nothing is broken and bandage any scrapes. If I need to take him to the doctor, my friend, will drive us home..." CRASH!

For the record, I never think Alex is going to fall. I felt very guilty as if I caused it. No broken bones just scrapped skin. He went down really hard landing on his knee, sliding on his helmet and elbow. Another thing, I don't get why parents don't make their kids wear helmets, his whole head would have scrapped and slide down the sidewalk instead of his helmet.

After assessing his injuries, I looked to see what caused it -- the awful walnuts from the walnut trees were mixed in with the leaves. We got him to school, cleaned up his owies and sent him off the class.

Then Andrew, Sean, and Ryan helped me kick all the leaves and walnuts off the sidewalk and into the street. I was concerned about the kids with no helmets. Sort of a moral thing, know a danger is present and do something to fix it. My dilemma is should I get a broom and garbage bags and sweep up all those leaves and walnuts we kicked into the street? Should I let the city worry about it since the street sweeper comes through there every week? What's my obligation now?

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Falling Back

I hate the time changes. Most of y'all have heard this gripe before, twice a year when the time changes. In the spring, nobody can move their rumps out of bed. In the fall, little peeps are jumping all over us ruining our 'extra hour' of sleep. JUST LEAVE TIME ALONE. Seriously, people are smart enough to adjust their activities to make time to do what they need to do. I HATE THE TIME CHANGES.

Today, we tried to make it fun for the kids (like how I complained and went straight to fun for chicklets). Mark had prepped stuff for hash browns last night. So I decided to make pancakes for them -- Seany & RyGuy blueberry, Alex chocolate chip, and Andrew "I don't want chocolate chipped pancakes. I want cereal."

I don't know where that hour went, went it was time to go to church, it was like every other Sunday -- a mass frenzy of limbs, pant legs, inappropriate t-shirts, socks, missing shoes, etc. Amazingly, Alex was only 5 minutes late for catechism.