Favorite stops with the Averys

The construction worker -- RyGuy and those boots are his very own.

The LifeFlight pilot Seany.


The rhino was attacked!

And the red panda, he really is that darling.

Easter Fun

A delighted Seany with his Easter Egg Hunt loot!

4 bunnies -- Seany, Alex, Andrew, and RyGuy.

Their Easter loot!


Back row: Alex, Papa, Carolyn, Andrew, and Nona
Front row: RyGuy and Seany

Webelos

Alex got his colors!

Guess what I am, by Alex

Have you got it yet?

A Blue Bird, by Andrew

The greatest kinder-painting ever. Andrew's artwork tends to make me happy.

Utahnizing the chicklets

After 7 blessed years living among the Utahns, we made the decision to Utahnize the chicklets. We want them to feel that they truly fit in amongst those with the most unusual names in the land.

Alex: 10 years old, christened Alexander David.
Utahnized: Alixter

Andrew: 6 years old, christened: Andrew James.
Utahnized: Andrewski. Andrewski finds the more acceptable version highly problematic. Actually preferring having a quote-unquote 'real' name.

Sean: 4 years old, member of 'the twix's should be enough to be unique as part of twix and nicknamed "Seany." Alas no, see Utahnized name for further clarification.
Utahnized: Seanathon. Curious coincidence, name father calls Seany in moments of tease.

Ryan: 4 years old, member 2 of 'the twix's thanks to benefit of birth.
Utahnized: Rylander. Actually, a far more appro-pro name than simple Ry (dash) an. Rylander imagines a more passionate, disgruntled, stubborn type person. A person more apt to say fill a soda can with hot cocoa in place of doing coloring the tiger preschool homework.

Five

Seany announced showing all his fingers, "Mom, I want to be 5! Not 4."

"Well, I've got good news for ya. Someday, you'll be 5."

"Yeah, Mom. Someday."

Chairs

RyGuy knew he was headed for trouble. He made a decision to stop the naughtiness in its tracks and find something else to do.

"MOMMY! Wook at me. I'm cleaning your chairs."

I replied, "Thanks, bud, that's awesome."

"Yeah, Mom I real awesome."

Seany jumped to attention, "MOMMY! I want to clean chairs too."

RyGuy, "Ah. Ok. Sean first you wipe off all the crumbs. Then you rub the towel. (pause) Hmmm. No Sean, first you wipe off the crumbs with your HAND not the towel!" (giggles commenced.)

Kindness

An incident has had my mind churning with thoughts of kindness. It is so easy for people to be unkind, to laugh at others, to create an environment of spite.

Sometimes, it is hard be kind, to be brave, to be respectful. Sometimes being kind feels akin to not being popular. But if cruelty equals popularity, I for one chose being picked last or perhaps not at all. The biggest bully is not popular, that person is not well liked, that person just has weak followers who don't want to be the next target.

I try to not feed into that gossip, that malice, and I hope, I think I usually avoid getting sucked into that vortex. The woman that I want to be and the mother I want the chicklets to see me as is kind, loving, well mannered and though not perfect (despite my best efforts :D) always tries to be a better version of myself.

I hope this is the lesson that the chicklets learn and that in time, they understand. Alex describes said lessons complimentary of me saying, "My mom is always kind, even when it doesn't matter."

Quote I'd like to remember

I read a lot of books. I'll get back to blogging on the other blog about them v. soon.

This is an excellent quote that I thinks illustrates how I feel about our life. It's from the Ember series by Jeanne DuPrau, in the fourth book of Ember, The Diamond of Darkhold. The Ember books by the way, I highly recommend to the preteen crowd, they are excellent stories.

"You know, son, I don't think there's such a thing as an easy life. There's always misfortunes we can't control lurking out at the edges -- storms, sickness, wolves. But there is such a thing as a good life, and I think we have one here."

Visiting

Can't wait for Easter! My mom, dad, and sister will all be here. The entire Avery family under one roof!

Store

RyGuy:

"Mommy. My butt has a STORE on it. It is so STORE, I am going to go put my butt medicine on it."

(full minute pause while he disappeared)

"Wow Mommy! My butt isn't STORE at all, anymore!

Monster

After 3 hours spent correcting behavior, I had it.

RyGuy: "MOMMY! I WANNA BE A MONSTER!"

Mommy said under her breath, "Ry. You already are a monster."

RyGuy's Primary Children's Day

His morning started out with a train ride. Quickly followed by his sedative, he spent the rest of the morning being messed with or in his hospital wagon.

At one point in the afternoon, someone had the BRILLIANT idea of letting the little guys make masks to wear for the messing-withs. Above Ry appears to be creating his mask, when he actually decided he'd over stickered it. Below Ry is modeling the mask he wore for the remaining specialists visits.

Seany's surgery day

A toy room to himself for 10 minutes. And walk down the hall before heading in the wagon to his doom...

Mommy love

A snapshot of Ry's life to remember, the week he wanted to be just like me:

At Costco, I said to the store in general, "Oh, cute. Look at the little pink dress." (Easter has arrived.)

RyGuy, " Mommy, I want a pink dress. I want to be just like you."

At Kohl's, shopping for a new purse, "Mommy! Mommy! Look at me! I have a purse just like yours." (He even swung it across himself the way I wear mine.)

After we got home from shopping, I changed into jammies. Comfort first. Ry disappeared and reappeared with a set of jammies and pronounced, "Mom, I got my jammies too!"

(It happened last year too. Right after the ordeal that is his clinic day.)

Coyotes

"Mommy. I have to tell you something. I don't wanna move to Suttern California."

"Why, it's lovely, beaches, mountains, Disneyland?"

"I don't care about that. There are coyotes there that are looking at more than small pets for their dinner," Andrew confided.

"What? Where did you hear this?"

"Animal Planet. Children, Mommy. The guy who does the scary animals stories meant children."

Reading

Last night, Alex needed to read for 25 minutes. After several minutes of listening to him play with Andrew, hide under a blanket, and generally not read.

I made the request, "Alex, how about you take out the garbages?"

"I thought I was supposed to be reading?" came his reply.

Half

Mark brought home 4 designer cupcakes for my pleasure. He's got a source. I've got no complaints.

2, cream cheese frosted carrot cake
2, cherry frosted chocolate

Say it with me, "Yumm! O!"

He told the chicklets these were a no touchie item, they got otter pops and were happy about it.

This morning, Andrew, Seany, and RyGuy were staring at my last cream cheese covered carrot cupcake deliciousness.

Andrew suggested, "Mommy you could just let us have it for snack after dinner."

Ry threw in his two cents, "Mommy! Mommy! (with hands of much flourish) I know! You can cut. it. in. half."

Valentine's Card

While shopping for Uncle Steve's Valentine card last week, Alex and I had it down to a couple real winners. Andrew had the deciding vote.

"Ok Andrew, this one has a dog and he's saying what word sound it out, M-E-O-W!" Alex prompted.

Andrew starting giggling. He quickly chose that card, walked over to the cosmetics counter to share the joke. "You have to see this card. This is a funny card, because it's a dog and look what he's saying, 'Meow!' Haaaa haaaa Haaaa...." Tinkling giggles followed.

Andrew loves being able to read.

Student of the Month

Andrew has had a disappoint every month. At every student of the month assembly, his name was not called.

That all changed for him two weeks ago. "Tell me how it happened."

"Well, Mrs Reynolds, our principal, said Andrew Devlin for beginning to read. And I heard Alex and my friends cheer for me. Now, I have to wear my student of the month barcelet in the hallways and if I get caught being good than I might get a prize or something!"

RyGuy

While reading my friend's blog, Ryan commented pointed at the hot blond 3 year old, "Hey, Mom! That's my girlfriend." (and at her little sister) "And my baby girl. Ahh, she's so cute."

Hope & Perseverance

Alex lost a tooth in October. That night, I was exhausted and fell asleep before he did. The tooth fairy didn't come. We repeated the sequence the next night.

This morning, as I woke him for the day, he pulled a pouch out from under his pillow, glanced at it and set it on his headboard.

"What's that?"

"My tooth that I lost before Halloween. I'm sure the tooth fairy will find it one of these days."

Book Shopping

At Borders, the older chicklets took off for the kiddie sections while Mark and Sean took a nap in an awesome reading chair. Ryan hung out with me in Literature until he realized there were toys in the kid's corner.

After I found my 3 new books, I headed over to pick them up. "Alex. Andrew. Ryan. We've been here for an hour it's time to go."

Andrew indigently whined, "MOMMMMMMMMMY! I haven't had a chance to look at a single book yet!"

Square

Andrew is a square. His doctor told him so.

45 pounds x 45 inches

That'd be a square.

Peanuts

MOMMY! MOMMY! Seany has a PEANUT! -- RyGuy, while the twix were getting dressed this morning.

Misheard

Seany lives in a world of hearing under water. Imagine floating under water and hearing people shout about above you. That is Seany's life right now.

My favorite misheard word: BUTTON

"MOM! Mommy, please help me put my butts on." (buttoning his shirt)

"Mommy, I can't turn the butt off." (referring to the remote control's power button)

And just 20 minutes ago, "Mommy, I want to put my butt up, I want do it myself."

SEP Night

First we visited Andrew's beloved Mrs Thomas. The nuggets to remember:

"Andrew is a pleasure to have in class."
"You are so lucky to be married to such an involved man -- so few husbands are such a part of their children's schooling."
"Andrew is very analytical. The work he does is always well done. He is one of the few who won't have to redo assignments in first grade."
"Andrew is very empathic. It is so rare to see a child so concerned about all his classmates and their comfort..."

Next, we headed to Sean & Ryan's class where we had exciting news! They are both on the 3 to 5 year old chart having finally been promoted from the birth to 3 year old chart! Excellent progress.

Last, we visited Mrs Tomadakis who said how intelligent and quick Alex is -- actually she may have used the term walking encyclopedia. She has found ways to help him avoid stuttering -- things like giving him a warning his turn will be up after someone else, waiting for him to think his answer through... She helps him build self confidence by asking him trivial facts when discussing topics. And she is the kind of teacher all parents hope their children will have in their lives at one point. Her expectations aren't dimensioned by the challenges a child faces instead she helps him find a way around his weaknesses and has taught him that by overcoming those things that are hard he is doing his very best.

Early Christmas with the Averys

Alex and Andrew

Ryan and Seany.

Puzzle Mania

Would you believe Andrew built the puzzle all by himself?

Next step is to make the 3D version -- not finished yet.

Some of the gifts from Uncle Steve

The kids LOVED their presents from Uncle Steve -- all the fun stuff.

Christmas morning.

Hoodies for the big boys! (from Grandma & Poppa)

Sweaters for Mark. (from his parents)

And sweaters for Seany & Ry. (from Grandma & Poppa)

And Santa brought them each a scooter!

Santa's stop

After Santa came by... (and yes, the time stamp of 1:43 am was the correct time)

Christmas Eve

The annual boys in their Christmas jammies snap.

Followed by the traditional reading of T'was the Night Before Christmas.

And lastly, setting up a plate of goodies for the big man!

Graham Cracker Houses

Alex's house. And Seany's masterpiece.

We had a bit of camera trouble in December.

Alex & Andrew's Birthday Party

A birthday cake complete with 16 candles!

And gifties for Andrew and Alex.

We took Alex and Andrew to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate their 10th & 6th birthdays. Before we left we opened presents!

Double Who?

After the flurry of early Christmas presents with the Averys, we played with our new stuff.

Seany got an alphabet puzzle. Mark would say each letter, Sean would then repeat.

Mark: "U"

Sean: "U"

Mark: "V"

Sean: "V"

Mark: "W"

Seany: "Double ME! HA HA HA HA HA!"

6 Andrew-isms for his 6th Birthday

Happy Birthday Andrew!

1. Andrew is a fan of easy living.

2. Andrew loves being a big brother.

3. Andrew is a naturally assertive and confident individual.

4. Andrew loves to dance.

5. Andrew is an avid video gamer.

6. Andrew's family loves him with all their hearts, he brings a smile to the lips simply by entering a room.

Happy Birthday Sweetie

Yesterday, Mark turned 30-late something. Thank you for being my best friend, a wonderful father, and just fun.

Bros Birthday

Alex and Andrew celebrated turning 10 & 6 together! So proud of my big guys.

Gifties

Alex opening his gift from Peggy & Ian! Loved all the DS games. It took him a few minutes to figure out the significance of the 10 dollar coins and the 10 dollar bill. :)

Thanks Peggy & Ian.

Early Christmas

Love my dad's auction job when he brings treats likes these! Lovely gold ornaments, enough for an entire tree!

Snow

Andrew up past his knees.

Snow day 1.

Happy 10th Birthday Alex

1. Alex is extremely enthusiastic about....EVERYTHING!

2. Alex loves to play sports -- basketball, soccer, baseball...

3. Alex is usually a kind and thoughtful big brother.

4. Alex loves comedies -- the more slapstick the better.

5. Alex is an excellent reader.

6. Alex loves to play war games with complicated battle scenes.

7. Alex is a walking encyclopedia.

8. Alex loves video games.

9. Alex is getting his very own phone today.

10. Alex's family loves him very much and wishes him much happiness as he embarks on his second decade!

Happy Birthday A L E X!

I've been patiently waiting to say

I've been patient because I'm not sure if Mark's filled his parents in or not. I think he has. If not, sorry!

The good news is that Mark's got a new job! He's going to be the call center manager for the Sandy Utah office of the 2010 census. The contract starts in a week or two and lasts until July. Although it's not a permanent gig, he's very excited to move up to the next level of management , run his own call center, and say good-bye to his current low wage job.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa came to the University Mall on his National Tour last night. We happened to be in the right the place at the right time. My 4 chicklets got to meet the REAL Mr. Claus. There is no doubt, after you've met him, you will know as well as we do that this dude is the man.

Elf, Andrew, Seany, Santa Claus, Ryan, Alex, and Elf.

Seany chose Santa's face for his cheek.

Andrew got a Christmas tree.

Ryan wanted a reindeer with a red nose (hmmmmmm.....).

Alex chose Santa's face as well.

They also got to write their letters up and mail them in his express mailbox RIGHT THERE in Macy's!

Mark couldn't keep up with all Andrew's dictation and therefore left off "And even if I don't like all the toys I get, I won't complain and I'll still play with them."

Alex started off with, "I've been bad this year but please give my brothers what they've asked for." I intervened and suggested he offer to make amends for past naughtiness and promise to try harder to be better in the future. After adding that to post script, he also noted that perhaps he and Andrew could get a DS game to share.

Seany's letter: "THANK YOU! THANK YOU, SANTA!"

Ry Guy: "My wanttttttttt a MONSTER! (claws up and Rrrrrrr!)"