Alex's first day of school

Alex posing at the front door. The gloves make him look tough, but he wears them to prevent blisters on his palms -- Mr. Sensitive Skin.

Seany eager to watch Alex lock up his bike.

RyGuy eager to throw an "acor" not a pine cone at Mommy.

Western Town

Alex was very excited to see the western town in Utah. Little peeps by Fisher Price have come a longggg way.

Sean and Ryan were very into it also.

Seany and Alex's hands.

Ryan was very interested in the coach and passengers.

Two hours later, Ryan and Seany happily and cooperatively continued their adventures.

Tonsillectomy and the month reprive

The jumbo tonsils will vacate the body on Oct 10. That would be a Friday.

He first suggested getting them out next week and then I asked about before our trip. He said, "Absolutely not. You may not travel for 2 weeks after the surgery and I'd like to encourage you to go a whole month without travel." So it has to wait until we get back. And then I had to schedule it around Jim's memorial -- so that at least Mark could go to that since the memorial won't be the weekend Alex has a long break.

I'm not worried about the surgery. I'm under anesthesia for 30 minutes, out come the tonsils, I'm observed for 2 hours and then poof! I go home.

I'm worried about what will happen at home. I'm supposed to drink lots of liquids and not do any heavy exertion for 10 days! 10 days! How is that going to work? How is anybody going to be able to watch the chicklets for 10 days? He heavily emphasised the necessity of this since most tonsillectomy patients do a great job keeping a low profile for 5 days (too much pain) and then start doing stuff. Bleeding that won't stop is most common during the 5 to 10 day period (when you start feeling better at try to resume normal activity).

Olympic Events

With Andrew around, everything has become an Olympic Event. He's usually going for gold.

Yesterday, getting in to the car...

Andrew slowly entering said vehicle: Which kid will sit down first and get his strap on for the Gold M-E-T-A-L?

Alex sweeps into the back row: Its Alex Devlin! Alex Devlin takes the Gold with daylight to spare!

Andrew just sitting down, in total silence, refuses to buckle his belt, refuses to close his mouth, refuses to move.

Daddy: You better get a move on Andrew or Sean and Ryan are going to get the Silver and the Bronze.

Andrew continues to sit in silence, refusing to buckle his belt, refusing to close his mouth, refusing to move.

Mommy: Who's going to win the 4 year old division Gold Medal?

Andrew: YES! (pause) I won a gold metal too, Alex.

School has officially started

Having just reread this post, I swear I'm not whining. This is like a list posted on the fridge of what I've got to get done. It just sounds like whining, because I'm also thinking of how to do everything.

I can tell that school has begun because the craziness has started. I thought I could get an evening job. If I do that, some if not all the following would be dropped/changed/simply to exhausted. The only time to work would be the weekend, so then when would we fit family stuff in?

What I want to know, "How do SUPERMOMS do it all?"

My parents last day was yesterday and I was so exhausted from the first 3 days of the school year that I passed out for like 3 hours.

Upcoming stuff:

1. My ENT appointment to get my tonsil surgery scheduled -- today.
1a. Tonsil surgery.

2. Preschool open house for Andrew tomorrow. He learns which hook is his, which seat is his, etc.
2a. Preschool starts next week, two afternoons a week.

3. Andrew's soccer games are two evenings a week (Tues, Wed, or Thu) and Mark can't make about 80% of his games.

4. Alex's soccer games are two evenings a week (Tues, Wed, or Thu) with a practice thrown in on the off day. Mark can't make any practices or about 80% of the games.
4a. The week after soccer ends, football begins (same sort of schedule).

5. Alex started cub scouts, every Thu at 4 and the second Wed of the month. He's very excited and as usual full of enthusiasm. He tried to wear his uniform every moment of the weekend. Rules had to be established.

6. The twix have therapy and classes as usual (at least one therapist every week and 2 classes), until their 3rd birthday when their preschool starts (I don't know what that schedule will be).

7. We still have to get the yard done (at least drainage, sprinklers, trees, playyard, and the grass. The patio, garden, pathways, etc will have to wait until the spring.).
7a. We're taking our first family vacation since the twix appeared (sans Palm Springs as 1 year old heat affected tots) in 3 weeks (losing all that time to get stuff done).

8. I still have to do all the normal household chores, yard work, and fit in Ryan's therapy sessions. (Yes, his therapy is basically going for walks and playing at the park, but it still has to happen everyday -- another reason we need the playyard up in the backyard.)

Swummer

The Olympics ended and the questioning began.

Andrew: When are the next Olym-picks?

Daddy: In 2 years, you'll be 6 and the Olympics will be in Canada and the games will be winter sports -- the luge, skiing, ice skating -- they RACE on ice skates.

Andrew: When I'm 6 years old the Olympics will be in Nana-da?

Daddy: Yes.

Andrew: What about Swummer?

(In a Phineas and Ferb, they make "swinter" or "wummer" aka winter in summer.)

My question was does "swummer" have to do with anything?

Overheard on the walk home

Alex is making friends at his new school. He was invited to join boy scouts (loves it!), started soccer, and joined a group of kids walking home.

One boy, Brock, approached me, "Excuse me, Alex's mom, can I have your phone number? I want to invite Alex to play at my house."

I happily obliged. A little girl even offered a handy piece of paper from her cute little notebook.

Brock was a bit ahead of Alex and I in the pack headed home. To another mother he said, "I got Alex's phone number. He's new to Park View and doesn't have very many friends. I'm going to invite him to play at my house."

I love Brock! He rocks!

3rd grader

Alex went off to school this morning with an entrouage of Mommy, Seany, and RyGuy. Andrew stayed home with Papa & Nona.

When we got to his class, his teacher explained a couple things to him and then showed him to his seat. I gave him a reassuring pat (not cool to hug in public), he gave me a nervous smile and was ready to go join in.

Ryan and Sean popped their little selves into the classroom, waved, and said, "Bye, Alway, Bye-Bye."

Hurray

Jonathan Horton wins a silver! And he couldn't be happier about it! "Silver, baby!" I just think he's adorable.

Congrats to Shawn and Nastia too!


But for sheer coolness, you just have to cheer for Mr. Horton from Texas.

Preschool

Andrew will start preschool just after Labor Day. Mondays and Wednesday afternoons and best of all it is just around the corner.

--

Sean and Ryan have qualified for the school district preschool program.

Sean is "developmentally delayed." Developmentally delayed means that he is delayed in 3 or more categories of development. In his case: speech, language, and cognitive ability; it is a more global diagnosis.

Ryan is "speech and language impaired." Speech and language impaired means that he is delayed in the two categories. Though he was close to delayed in cognitive abilities.

Both qualified for preschool for 3 years (or until they are in kindergarten). They will not be reevaluated until then. So even if they showed drastic improvement, they would stay in the preschool program. A school bus will pick them up at our door and take them to school and then return them the same way.

I'm not in away disappointed with the diagnosis. I have felt that both boys needed continued assistance to continue their marked improvement with speech especially and I'm very happy that they got into the school that will provide the services focused on what they need.

Going for gold

So the big moment last week -- Micheal Phelps went for gold medal number 8. Alex and Andrew were staying up to watch. After an hour of waiting for Phelps to swim, we lost Andrew to the Chinese take-out menu on the coffee table. He was totally engrossed.

Alex: Andrew! I can't believe it Micheal Phelps has done it! The US mens swim team came through for him! This is momentous! We're watching history being made! Its incredible! 8 GOLD MEDALS in one Olympic games!

Andrew: Where does it say that? In my newspaper here?

Car rides

The big boys sit together in the back row of the minivan. They often fight. Listening to bits and pieces of their game, I was trying to decided if they were fighting or not.

Alex: Something, something, thumb wrestle.

Andrew: Swoosh, swish, something something. Ha Ha ice cream fell on your head too!

Alex: Let's be friends, Buford.

Andrew: Ok, Phineas. Ok, now its my turn to be Phineas.

Apparently, they were playing out the thumb wrestle scene from P&F. It was a good thing I caught on that it was just play, they were about 2.5 seconds away from a "Do NOT talk. Do NOT touch. FOR THE REST OF THE CAR RIDE." type exchange with "Mommy Dearest."

---

After getting gas, I shut my door and we were off. Alex and Andrew were screaming at the tops of their respective lungs, trying to get out of the back seat, and speak totally incoherently all at the same time.

"WHAT is WRONG with you guys?" I asked, as I pulled over on a busy road.

"THERE'S A WASP FLYING AND LANDING ON US!" screamed Alex.

"IT IS A HUGE BUG!" screamed Andrew at the same time. Andrew will not play outside if a wasp comes within 100 yards of him. So being strapped to a car seat with one flying around did nothing to curb his fear.

I opened all the doors, the poor thing darted out of the back seat and off to freedom.

The 'big' boys were so traumatized they started into hysterical giggles of relief that let up only upon arrival at our destination.

Shopping

Saturday, we went to the mall with the Disney Store in it. We were actually going to the home decor store, but one must make a few fun stops. FYI, Saturday before school starts is NOT the best day to go to any mall.

The store had all the summer tops (muscle tees) on sale -- we got each chicklet one. Then Mark found "Phineas and Ferb" visors in clearance section. They had one for each chicklet and in the correct sizes. Stuff like this hardly ever falls into place for us -- 4 chicklets is just too many for everyone to always get the same thing or the correct sizes or even have enough of whatever in stock.

I told the cashier how amazingly smooth all the "Phineas and Ferb" stuff was falling into place -- from the visiting the studio next month to finding cute hats for each kid and then she gave us 4 stickers for each kid, one of each character.

So now, we have stickers to decorate the chicklets autograph books with!

---

Friday, I was starting a shopping list. I had just started a "Phineas and Ferb" for the twix and Mark after watching the intro, strolled over. He headed straight for the list. I was surprised! Mark add something to the list? Mark remind me of something I hadn't thought to put on said list? What was he up to? I must investigate.

I quietly looked down at his hand on the paper. First, he drew a triangle, then a tuff of hair, two circles. "Hey," I thought, "that looks just like Phineas."

I asked about it. Mark said, "I want to teach Alex to draw Phineas for his thank you note to Swampy."

Swings

Seany in the yellow swing.

Ryan on the red swing.

The park

Seany climbing with his socks up high -- just how he likes them.

Ryan doing the ever popular trick "Climb Up the Slide."

Andrew waiting for a hand to get out his way.

Alex showing off his gymnastics.

New Shoes

Ryan was so excited to wear his new kicks that he got his socks out as soon as he heard we were going for a walk.

And Seany showing off his skills and his shoes.

Kids Craft

Alex and Andrew coloring their tiles.

Sea and Ryan very serious about their tiles.

Rockwall

The National Guard had a rockwall for the kids to climb.

Alex part was up.

County Fair 4h Stuff

The county had a talking tomato show to teach the kids about nutrition.

Ryan on the John Deere.

Sean.

Andrew.

Alex.

Steak and Eggs

This morning, I wanted to cook up the remaining steak from last night's bbq. The chicklets are not a fan of steak and eggs -- they'll eat eggs and they'll eat steak but not together. I made them bowls of cereal to avoid the whole "I don't want that" conversation.

First Sean came over, quietly eating steak and toast. Mark asked him, "Do you like that?"

"Its lishish (delicious)."

Next came Andrew, "What's that?"

Mommy: "Steak, eggs, and toast."

Andrew: "How 'bout I have some of that?"

Mommy: "Ok."

Andrew: "Oh. (little giggle) I just want the toast."

Finally, Ryan showed up. Mark popped a piece of steak into his mouth and Ryan said, "YUCK!" Then proceeded to gobble up all the mini pieces we'd cut for him.

Popsicles

This afternoon, Alex and Andrew went to a neighbor's birthday party. After the party, they had popsicles in the front yard and played with their messy party favors.

Mommy: Did you have fun?

Alex & Andrew: Yes.

Mommy: Did he like his presents?

Andrew: Yes, but not the soccer game I gave him. But he always wanted the FBI kit I gave him.

Alex: Yep, the soccer game was a bust.

Andrew: But, I still gave it to him.

Alex: Mommy, these umbrellas were a great idea. Not only do they keep us cool, but best of all, they keep our popsicles from melting.

Andrew: Yeah, Mommy.

Dirt

Pat, my father-in-law, was helping me measure out the space needed for the playyard in the backyard. When the dirt guys come I wanted them to see it.

Sean and Ryan and Andrew spent that time playing in the backyard/dirt, while Alex helped us. After we'd finished, we looked at the 3 youngest and discovered dirt in their hair. Sean had so much dirt in his hair that while his head sweated, the dirt was turning to MUD.

They each got an immediate bath.

Seany's hearing test

Seany passed his hearing with fly colors! No hearing aids! No additional tests on his ears!

HURRAY!

SHHHhhhhh

Just before nap time my bedroom was ransacked by the three amigos -- Seany, RyGuy, and Andrew.

They were in big trouble. Andrew was sent to time out, Sean and Ryan to naps. Andrew, after he was forgiven, was given permission to play or read in his room. I took a nap.

An hour and a half later, I felt RyGuy's fingers on my arm and then he was squished in next to me. Then I heard, "SHhhhh! MOMMY SHEEPING! SHHHHH!" Yes, it was that loud.

Mommy: "Ry, please be quiet."

Ryan yelled: "OK, MOMMY! SEA (Sean) SHHHHHH!!!!!!! MOMMY SHEEPING!"

Zoobooks

Alex is picking up my lingo. He was over the moon last night as he's first Zoobook (and Andrew's) came last night.

It was about zebras.

"Look Mommy, zebras. Everything you ever wanted to know about zebras."

The difference, I would have been a wee bit sarcastic.

"Nona and Papa are so cool," he sighed wistfully. I think that means he likes it.

US Men's Gymnastics

Ok, that Jonathan Horton was a firecracker last night. He was cracking me up. Alex loved him, "Mommy if the rest of the team was like him, they'd win for sure." The US men took a bronze team medal. And I'm positive it was thanks to this guy. I felt inspired last night! Despite the headache from hell, the adverse side effect to the antibodic and the sore tonsils.

You go Mr. Horton! I've never seen an Olympian have so much fun. If they gave out medals for just great character and sportmanship, he'd win.

I for one am cheering for him in the individuals, he's great! Its just to bad (for him) that the Chinese men are truely several clicks better at every event then everyone else in the world. The entire world has to improve to even have a shot at the gold. Those Chinese men are amazing.

I realize this has nothing to do with the chicklets, but I can't help it. He was just so fun.

Update on the sick mama

I went to the doctor. I was terrified of another battle of strep and that I would come out the loser again! Think back, my friends, to awful Feb/Mar episodes of "Kathryn fights strep."

Anyway, he gave me some kind of migraine pill to cure the headache (FYI, strep usually starts with a disabling headache). And he gave me extra in case I get it again, so I wouldn't have to pay to fill the prescription twice.

He gave me some kind of wonderful 5 day antibiotic (taken 1/day for 5 days), no need to keep track of the how many times a day or take it for 10 long days and keep forgetting.

I didn't test positive for strep, but he thinks I am infected with a strep type infection. Mentioned something about my being a carrier? Its centered in my tonsils as usual and he said that I have the biggest (grossest, he didn't technically say grossest) tonsils he's ever seen. This is now the third doctor to describe my infectious horrors that way.

He had his nurse schedule me with an ENT and I should be having them pups out shortly after that. Preferably after we get back from Disney heaven, so I'm not wiped for the trip.

Anybody want to come out and take care of the chicklets. Apparently a tonsillectomy as a grown person is quite the deal to go through.

He also swears that he recognized me and my kids -- not a member of his LDS ward, kids not at the same school, he not be headed to Catholicland come Sundays, a mystery it remains. This happens to me a lot. The doctors around Utah from Salt Lake on down (now clear past Provo) all swear that I am familiar to them and they recognize not just me, nay, but also the chicklets. I didn't realize we got around so much!

Get this, Mommy is told she needs surgery. Kids hear, "Free ice cream at the pharmacy!"

Alex: "Lets come back to this doctor again."

Andrew: "Mommy I hope you get sick again."

Ryan and Sean in unison: "Hurray!"

Messy boys

So, I'm sick -- I'd swear that I have strep except my throat hurts not at all nor is it swollen. I have the massive debilitating headache and the fever. I felt so chilled last night that my teeth actually chattered. That hasn't happened since my labor with Andrew.

I took a massive dose of ibuprofen and after 45 minutes my head still hurt but I could face the chicklets and whatever mess they made.

Someone unlocked the fridge. Someone did not put the chairs up on the table. Someone did not lock the pantry.

What did I find?

An entire loaf of bread in pieces on the coffee table and couches. Ryan saw me coming and tried hurriedly to clean it up and blame Sean for it.

Seany pushing the water button on the fridge with the fridge door wide open. How did he get so tall you might wonder? He pulled their picnic table over and stood on that.

As I started with the bread, Seany spotted me and busily climbed down. As I made my way toward the kitchen, Seany realized he was about to lose everything anyway. He grabbed the pitcher of apple juice and started to chug it down.

Where were Alex and Andrew? Up in Alex's room playing DS.

Blocks

Saturday, Ryan asked me to pull out the blocks. These are those huge suckers you see in doctors offices.

After a morning of stacking and crashing, Andrew got the twix to be a little more creative with their blocks.

He showed them how to ice skate on them up and down the hallway from the front door to the kitchen and back. I could hear, "SCRAPE, SCRAPE, SCRAPE." When I went to check, Andrew said, "What?" He was waiting to be in trouble.

I couldn't really figure out how this was against any house rule. So, I said, "Don't knock each other down."

Olympic Excitement

Alex is hooked on the Olympics. He LOVES the men's gymnastics. After oohing and ahhing over various feats of strength he started in.

Alex: "Mommy, why did you stop my gymnastics when I was 4 years old?"

Mommy: "Because you weren't having fun anymore."

Alex: "Well, gymnastics is a discipline like karate. Its not always fun. But look what I'd be able to do. Can you sign me up again?"

Mommy: "The rules in the house are simple. Kids activities are fun for the kid or they don't do them. You complained about it everyday. I decided it was time to move on."

Alex: "Ok. I won't complain this time."

Mommy: "We'll see."

Break to swimming, Micheal Phelps wins a gold medal! Break to interview with fencing champions -- 3 American women score all 3 medals! Interrupted by Alex both times, "Mommy I want to learn to swim like that! Mommy, why can't I take fencing?"

Mommy: Regarding swimming, "That's why you take swim lessons."

Alex: "No, Mommy, no. I take swim lessons so I don't die in the water."

I let him have that one.

Mommy: Regarding fencing, "Fencing is an East Coast sport. Not really all that exciting here in the West."

Alex: "Well, what about the Europeans?"

Mommy: "How about we wait until the Olympics are OVER and you pick your absolute favorite things to try?"

Alex: "That's probably a good idea."

Place your bets

The cheese grater has gone missing. I can't really cook without -- I grate a lot of stuff, it's like being without a watch on your wrist (before cell phones replaced watches).

The suspects:

Alex, age 8 and almost 3/4: Emptied the dishwasher and put every item away in a location somewhere in the same vicinity as its actual home (the kitchen).

Andrew, age 4 and almost 3/4: Most likely innocent, he's not a fan of sharp stuff.

RyGuy, age 2 turning 3 next month: Possibly guilty. Every time I open the dishwasher, Ryan is there to 'help' me put items away. Has not (that I've seen) opened the dishwasher without my supervision.

Seany boy aka the Naughty Seany, age 2 turning 3 next month: Most likely guilty. Seany loves to empty the dishwasher and run around with sharp objects. Did I mention going to the restroom and returning to find a tuff of blond hair on the floor, a bald spot on his head, and scissors in his hand? Did I mention, Seany's preoccupation with things he's not allowed to have? Did I mention Seany LOVES to open and empty the dishwasher anytime I leave the room.

So place your bets...

1. Who done it?

2. WHERE is my cheese grater?

Cops

At the dentist, I paid Alex a dollar to clean up the twix mess in the waiting room. He happily obliged.

Yesterday, we went to the dollar store so he (and Andrew) could spend their earned treat cash. Alex immediately went for the police kit (toy gun, walkie talkie, handcuffs, baton). Andrew really checked everything out -- the books, water toys, etc. He settled on a stupid sticky fish toy. I figured by the time we got back to the car, stupid fish's novelty would wear off. I pushed him into choosing a police kit.

--

Last night, Ryan pilfered a walkie talkie and made some calls, all to Papa. Then he noticed chips and freshly made guac on the counter. He sort of tossed the 'phone' on the counter and shouted at it, "BYE PAPA!"

--

Seany's been playing doggie all morning. He hops around the house 'woofing.' Usually one or more of his brothers play his owner and take him for walks around the house, feed him and play fetch.

Today, Andrew said, "OK police dog. Get. That. BAD GUY!"

"WOOOF! RRRWOOF! WOOF!" Sean cried as he scramped off in the direction of his teddy bear.

Growing up

Last night, Mark and I were about to watch Vantage Point (it has to go back today). Alex was still up, "Mark, check and see if Alex can watch it with us. It is about an assassination of a president."

"Probably not a good idea. Go read for bit, ok Alex. Well make a deal and play scrabble tomorrow night."

"Ok, because the movie might have things I should not see or things I'm not suppose to KNOW about yet."

Words

Yesterday I had to fill out Sean and Ryan's preschool parents surveys. These will help the school district decide if they are delayed enough to qualify for preschool and speech therapy when they turn 3.

On the last page are about 400 words they want to know if the twix can say spontaneously. Without imitating you. Some of the words were obviously 'No.' Some I wasn't so sure of.

Mommy: "Ryan, can you say orange?"

Ryan: "No, Mommy, no RRRRRggg."

Mommy: "Seany, can you say orange?"

Sean: "Yes!"

Mommy: (chuckle) "Great Seany. Say orange."

Sean: "Huh?"

Ryan: "Um, no Mommy bah be or r be r be."

Andrew: "Mommy, ask me to say orange."

Mommy: "Andrew, can you say orange?"

Andrew: "Mommy, I don't want to say orange."

Electricity

Yesterday we were playing outside in the afternoon (finally an afternoon cool enough to allow said activity), Andrew was pushing a baby push toy around the driveway. It was his and worked for the twix and they all pretend it is the second kid lawnmower or stroller or whatever push item they need for whatever particular game they're playing. One of the legs on the darn thing snapped in two and scrapped his leg.

During his recovery time on the couch, he chose the Time Machine episode of Phineas and Ferb. Andrew has always interacted with his shows. The fireside girls go back in time to rescue Phineas, Ferb, and Candace. The time machine needs to be plugged in, Candace yells, "Where are we going to find electricity in Dinosaurland?" as she throws her arms into the air holding the plug.

Andrew says to Candace in his best pathetic-pouty-I'm-miserable voice, "Right there."

I start to laugh as Candace is lit up and Andrew obviously knew it was coming. Andrew reacts, "Mommy you shouldn't laugh, elec-trick-ity is very dangerous and I don't like it."

"But Andrew, you are watching it on the show..."

"Well that's just pretend, Mommy."

The Pop Singer

Alex wants to be a teen idol -- what does he see holding him back? I won't get him singing and dancing lessons. "Alex you practice singing all the time and I think you'd find dancing stressful."

"Well, I don't stutter when I sing, Mommy and I have to make up my own dance moves," he spits out angrily.

"Yes, Alex. I totally think you should be a singer too. Great idea. But its not fair to your brothers and you've already been signed up for soccer and then football and you said you wanted to do basketball and karate after that."

"Well, why can't I just do it all?"

Kiddo, why can't we all...

---

Alex's favorite songs to sing "I have Nemesis" from Phineas and Ferb, where he does all the dance moves featured in the cartoon, that Ibook song from the commercial with the notebook coming out of the envelope, and "Happy Days are Here Again" -- thank you, Nona for that last number.

This last jingle he's turned Seany onto so at random moments I hear Seany sing "Happy Day. Happy Day. Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy..."

Costume morning

Lt. R. A. Devlin trying to look tough.

Lt R. A. Devlin quickly split after this picture to deal with the Sinister Seany Boy who was wielding a green and orange machine gun shouting, "Hey! OY! OY! OY! Boooshhhh!"

And I caught the tail end of PW Alex landing on his skateboard.

After the dust settled (literally the costumes are in a box in the basement), the only two I was able to pictures of were Ryan and Alex. Sean had abandoned costumes after he lost the battle for the coveted cop attire and was stuck with an Indy hat and Andrew wanted to wear the Power Ranger costume. I distinctly remember refusing to purchase a second PW costume as we already had one. How was I to know?

Swim party

The neighborhood LDS ward invited us to their pool party at the new Payson pool. I made sure I asked, "Is it ok? We're not going to change faiths. We don't want to offend anyone when we show up to your stuff but have no intention of joining..." This got many laughs. Those chicks are so friendly, I felt at ease with them but I'm still not going Mormon. I think Mormons are fabulous people -- kind and giving, good neighbors, fun to be around, etc. Just don't want to join 'um.

At some point during the evening, a kid swallowed some water, gagged and yes threw up. Everybody out of the pool, its time to treat the water for Crypto. After last year's mass outbreak, Utah pools don't take any chances. How did the twix keep busy?

Yes, they played belly bump.

Can I OH MY GOSH bigger than last time?

Mr. Marsh of "Phineas and Ferb" has offered to arrange a tour for us if were ever in town. I have to figure out how to contact him. Clicking on his blogger identity didn't work. And on Disney Channel I can email the characters but do they answer the character or is that like a pretend email thing for kids. We will actually be in So Cal and Disneyland for the twix's birthdays Sept 14 thru the 19th (even maybe the 20th if we need an extra day so inclined).

Do any of my computer genius friends know how do to this? In the meantime, I'll post my email (I can always make a new one if I get bunches of spam) here and hope for the best. Please contact me "Swampy." I'm afraid to even mention it to the chicklets in case it fell through. But it would be like a dream come true for them.

After the dentist

We went to MCD and picked up breakfast. So close to our old house, we decided to visit friends. The main crew weren't home so we headed to the park. Alex promptly banged his forehead into a pole and screamed and cried for the entire 15 minutes we were there. I dropped the whole concept, swung by the old Pear house (looking awful as the grass was all dead and weeds covered the entire lawn area) and headed to therapy.

The new place is much better.

To the Dentist we trekked

Bright and early this morning, I dragged the chicklets out of bed, threw them into their car seats and took off for the dentist (45 minutes away -- but he and his staff are fabulous).

Sean and Ryan are on a different cycle thanks to Seany's chipped tooth. So they just got to wait and wait and wait. Two 2 year olds, waiting and waiting and waiting. I had to tell a busy body off in the waiting room -- they'd ripped up 5 brochures for some dental payment plan. She was shocked, shocked I tell you. She'd never seen such naughtiness and she didn't know what to do when I told her to bugger off. At least they weren't SCREAMING.

Alex went first. He had a blast -- super sensitive man finds the whole teeth cleaning operation ticklish and he giggled through his check up. NO cavities -- go Alex go Alex go.

Andrew went next. Andrew must have needed some attention this morning. "The light is in my eyes. Turn it off. I can't see." All the while squint, squint, blink, blink. "Alex, fix my chair for the lady. My chair is too low." Alex happily obiligied. "Lady, look at my teeth they are squeaky clean." Rubbing the latex glove back and forth she made them squeak squeak squeak. Giggles insued. Another kid cavity free.

And me for the first time since Andrew's pregnancy folks I be cavity free! YES!

Mark on the other hand has two to be filled next week. (I'm secretly pleased as I took quite a lot of ribbing 4 years ago when those 14 cavities appeared after Andrew's pregnancy.)

A Big Thank You

to the creators of Phineas and Ferb. You guys ROCK!

The things I love about the show are too many to list (but I'll name some 'um!):

1. In the museum Jeremy tells Candace that the fossil of their initials in a heart is his favorite. (How well do you know teenage girls? I actually sighed that was so sweet.)

2. Every antic of Candace's rolls right off Phineas and Ferb.

3. Mjr. Monogram snapping a shot of Perry dressed in the hula gear for the circus.
3a. Perry stopping in on the circus and doing his bit to not disappoint P&F.

4. Isabella and the fireside girls are too cute for words.

And most of all the fact that Phineas and Ferb are such sweet kindhearted boys. I just can't help but love them. I see bits of my four guys in the amazing duo.

So thank you, Jeff "Swampy" Marsh and Dan Povenmire. YOU ARE AWESOME!

The $600 Playyard

Although the backyard is not ready for it, we have purchased the playyard. Its resting comfortable in Mark's spot in the garage. The garage by the way smells wonderful! We inventoried the set and had Toys R Us replace one broken board.

Anybody want to come out for a weekend and help us put her together?

The first flower EVER

So this morning after breakfast, Andrew ran outside to do I don't know what. He ran back in immediately. "MOMMY! ALEX! BABIES! You guys have to see this! HURRY! HURRY!"

We all dart to the door (I made a quick detour for the camera just in case). The fire fighting helicopter landed on our driveway? Mark's car is on fire? The neighbor kids are covered in tar and feathers? Nope, nope, nope.

The first bloom at our new house appeared today. A lovely WHITE hibiscus. We all thought it'd be pink. I'm so pleased with the white flower and it looks like maybe 50 more will bloom in the next couple days! This is why I love gardening and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that Andrew shares my enthusiasm.

Inaction Figure

The comments left by Swampy of "Phineas and Ferb" led to the great "Phineas and Ferb" summit of 2008. This morning's breakfast talk was all about the show's finest moments.

Alex: "I liked it when they went into space on the roller coaster and as they passed the satellite, Phineas said, 'You know if that lands in our yard Candace is in charge.' Classic. Just classic."

Andrew: "Well I liked it when Candace turned into a mummy and Phineas and Ferb and Candace ran back and forth in the museum. That was soooo funny. (Huge Grin)"

Mommy: "Ok when Doffenschritz is telling the story about why he doesn't like birthdays and says 'It all started on the actual day of my birth when both of my parents failed to show up.' That would be a bummer."

Andrew: "Yeah Mommy, a bummer." Obviously distracted, Andrew folds his hands on the table, places his chin on his hands and sighs, "I want an inaction figure." (We've had this particular talk maybe 20 times.)

Alex speaks for me: "Andrew when we go to Disneyland in September, we will get you a Perry the Platypus stuffed animal. Just use your imagination and it can BE an inaction figure."

Andrew: "No Alex. I don't want a stuffed animal. I want an inaction figure of Perry the PAT-A-PUS. Alex, I want one like Phineas and Ferb made at the toy factory. That's what I want."

Alex: "Well, just ask Santa for it, Andrew. He can make anything happen."

Andrew: "Alex, how about you just call me Phineas today? OK."

Alex: "Ok, Andrew. Oh sorry Phineas."

Ryan: "Mommy Mommy, my Fer my Fer." All that discussion makes RyGuy realize he was not at that moment watching the show.

Mommy: "Ryan, do you want to watch "Phineas and Ferb?"

Ryan: "Yes."

Seany running full speed ahead to get the choice seat on the couch shouts "YEAHHHHHH!!!!!"

OH MY GOSH!!!

The co-creator of Phineas and Ferb "Swampy" commented on the "I'll be Phineas and you CAN be Ferb" post.

If anyone faked it -- tell me now. Otherwise I'm totally stoked! Hurray for me! Everybody go read his comment now! If you're a faker then shame on you.

Nails

I've been avoiding biting my nails lately after a binge of 4 months (started about the time we were getting set to move). Its tough, very tough but its going ok so far. I treated myself a bottle a nail polish and made 'um pretty in pink.

Ryan was there, pouting and distraught when I said, "Nope, sorry bud. This just for girls. You're a boy." The next thing I knew I'd painted RyGuy's finger and toe nails also pretty in pink.

---

Last night I had to reapply to my finger nails and add a second coat. Seany came over, "Whatcha do-in?"

"I'm painting my finger nails."

"Woooo! Cool!"

Two years old and we're already doing cool stuff...

I'll be Phineas so you CAN be Ferb

Alex and Andrew were gearing up for an all afternoon session of pretend. They were heading out to the garage to get their tools together. They were deciding on what to build. They were trying to agree on who would play Phineas and who would play Ferb. Since Phineas does all the talking, his was the prized part to play.

Alex: "Andrew are you sure you don't want to be Ferb? He's were all the action is. Phineas is just an idea man. Ferb's the guy with actual talent. Ferb's a man of action. Ferb can actually DO this stuff...."

Andrew: "ALLLLLLLLex, I want to be Phineas."

Alex: "But Andrew, Ferb's the one who actually builds the roller coaster or the time machine or whatever. Ferb is the one with the talent."

Andrew: "ALLLex, please let me be Phineas."

Alex: "We have to agree soon or Mommy will say that we are fighting and then we won't play at all."

Andrew: "Alex how about I be Phineas and you be Ferb."

Alex: "Ok, but NEXT time, I'll be Phineas and you be Ferb."

Andrew: "Ok."

More Fire Pictures

The ridge line around 10 pm

The next morning.

Today.

The fire burned out of control for all of Friday night. 200+ acres went in the first 2 hours. We never heard a second report on the total loss -- no homes (though many were threatened) and no casualties. We were ready to get out -- the smoke was my biggest worry. But luckily the wind changed direction and blew it away from us.

Payson Fire

At 5:30.

6:30.

7

7:15

Dry Creek 3

Playing in Dry Creek

Andrew.

Andrew and Alex.

Seany and RyGuy.

Biking Fun

Alex loves Payson's bike trail. They even posted a sign "No Motorized Vehicles." This city actually wants the kids to go out there and hit the trail!

Alex coming off a steep bit.

Alex coming down the 'best' hill.

Alex pleased I wanted to capture his antics.

PIctures by Andrew and Alex

Photo by Andrew.

Photo by Alex.

Naughty Seany

I had confiscated a sharpie marker 3 days before. I was going out of my mind trying to find this one. FYI, its hard to see but each of Seany's nails is 'colored.' Hope he's not going Goth already.