I wanted to post about where we are, because it's so interesting, but then everything my dad ever said about being careful about what you post on the Internet started pouring into my mind.
So I'll err on the side of caution and let you check out where you are, instead.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Taking care of business
Jack, Jack, Jack.
Several times a day, Jack goes to the dishwasher, unlocks it, and checks to see if there are any dishes to unload. Then he gets to work.
Is he bored? Are his toys not entertaining? Is he already trying to compete with Ellen? Does he need a reason to open all the drawers and cupboard doors in the kitchen?
Whatever the reason, once he starts working, he won't take no for an answer. We sure get the dishwasher unloaded on a regular basis around here.
Several times a day, Jack goes to the dishwasher, unlocks it, and checks to see if there are any dishes to unload. Then he gets to work.
Is he bored? Are his toys not entertaining? Is he already trying to compete with Ellen? Does he need a reason to open all the drawers and cupboard doors in the kitchen?
Whatever the reason, once he starts working, he won't take no for an answer. We sure get the dishwasher unloaded on a regular basis around here.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Like mother, like daughter
In spite of pulling down curtains, breaking crayons, going to visit Aunt Chelsea by herself, and *NO!* there are still some cute and fun moments here.
Ellen saw me working on a sewing project and wanted to sew herself. We looked for her sewing cow but couldn't find it, so I set her up with some scrap fabric, a hoop, a big yarn needle, and some yarn.
She sat next to me deep in concentration for probably 10 minutes. Good thing I keep the sewing machine locked up, or she'd want to graduate right to sewing potholders, pincushions, clothes and quilts, I'm sure.
Ellen saw me working on a sewing project and wanted to sew herself. We looked for her sewing cow but couldn't find it, so I set her up with some scrap fabric, a hoop, a big yarn needle, and some yarn.
She sat next to me deep in concentration for probably 10 minutes. Good thing I keep the sewing machine locked up, or she'd want to graduate right to sewing potholders, pincushions, clothes and quilts, I'm sure.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Cuteness gone wild
*This is a venting post*
Ellen started her morning today with *NO!*
Let's change your diaper. *NO!*
Let's put on some clothes. *NO!*
Would you like cereal or eggs for breakfast? *NO!*
Please don't jump on me. *NO!*
Please don't jump on Jack Jack. *NO!*
Put your shoes on so we can go. *NO!*
I thought a hour of running around the park would release some energy. Jack fell asleep in the car on the way home and slept nicely for two hours.
For lunch Ellen wanted to put her own tuna fish on her own crackers, but she didn't want to eat any of them. Then she cut right to the chase.
"Ellen no duerme, Mommy. I'm not tired. Ellen play. Ellen juega. Ellen juega con juguetes. Ellen no duerme. Ellen no sleeping. Ellen playing."
So I let her pick out *MUCHOS LIBROS, MOMMY!* and started to fall asleep myself about 100 pages later (that is a true number). So we both put our heads on the pillow and I promptly fell asleep until Ellen jumped on the bed. I checked the doorknob and then left Ellen closed in her room, all ready for a nap, and headed to my room.
After a quick trip to the bathroom, I came out to find Ellen sitting at the kitchen table, helping herself to some tuna crackers. Jack was screaming at the top of his lungs in his room.
Yes. Ellen took the childproof doorknob cover off the doorknob and came right out. Oh yeah, and this is the third day in a row with no nap for Ellen. She can't get any of the other covers off, but she finally showed me how she did it, by hanging with all of her weight on the plastic cover and rolling her arm until it just pops off. Then she snapped the two pieces back together, dropped them on the floor and headed for the food.
So we went to Wal-mart to pick up some groceries instead. Sometimes I get really, really aggravated at Wal-mart. The end of shopping story.
Back at the house, Ellen refused to exit the car. I carried Jack Jack to the house, made two more trips to get the shopping bags, and then started working on Ellen, who was rummaging in the glove compartment for handfuls of mints.
We made it to the house and I start putting the groceries away while Ellen enjoyed a mint or six and gave one to Jack, too. I heard a choking sound and just about died. After I pounded Jack on the back he started throwing up, and then he alternated screaming and vomiting until the mint appeared. I was crying with relief.
I started dinner with Ellen and Jack begging for food, so I gave them a sliced cucumber with some Ranch dressing to dip it in to hold them off. While I had my back to them for less than five minutes, Ellen opened the refrigerator, got out the Ranch, poured half of the bottle in her bowl, and spilled the other half on the chair, which Jack had climbed onto to get his share of cucumbers. And she had gotten out the bag of baby carrots to round out her snack.
Jack was covered with Ranch dressing from the waist down. It could have been worse, I suppose. It could have been all over the floor and in the carpet. So the kids took a before dinner bath, went straight to pajamas and into chairs with trays locking them in place for an early and controlled dinner.
They were both in bed and snoring away before 7:00 p.m. I should be in bed and snoring away myself. Instead, I am providing you moms with with some knowing laughs, and you single girls with yet another reason to think long and hard about marriage and family development.
Good night, and good luck.
Ellen started her morning today with *NO!*
Let's change your diaper. *NO!*
Let's put on some clothes. *NO!*
Would you like cereal or eggs for breakfast? *NO!*
Please don't jump on me. *NO!*
Please don't jump on Jack Jack. *NO!*
Put your shoes on so we can go. *NO!*
I thought a hour of running around the park would release some energy. Jack fell asleep in the car on the way home and slept nicely for two hours.
For lunch Ellen wanted to put her own tuna fish on her own crackers, but she didn't want to eat any of them. Then she cut right to the chase.
"Ellen no duerme, Mommy. I'm not tired. Ellen play. Ellen juega. Ellen juega con juguetes. Ellen no duerme. Ellen no sleeping. Ellen playing."
So I let her pick out *MUCHOS LIBROS, MOMMY!* and started to fall asleep myself about 100 pages later (that is a true number). So we both put our heads on the pillow and I promptly fell asleep until Ellen jumped on the bed. I checked the doorknob and then left Ellen closed in her room, all ready for a nap, and headed to my room.
After a quick trip to the bathroom, I came out to find Ellen sitting at the kitchen table, helping herself to some tuna crackers. Jack was screaming at the top of his lungs in his room.
Yes. Ellen took the childproof doorknob cover off the doorknob and came right out. Oh yeah, and this is the third day in a row with no nap for Ellen. She can't get any of the other covers off, but she finally showed me how she did it, by hanging with all of her weight on the plastic cover and rolling her arm until it just pops off. Then she snapped the two pieces back together, dropped them on the floor and headed for the food.
So we went to Wal-mart to pick up some groceries instead. Sometimes I get really, really aggravated at Wal-mart. The end of shopping story.
Back at the house, Ellen refused to exit the car. I carried Jack Jack to the house, made two more trips to get the shopping bags, and then started working on Ellen, who was rummaging in the glove compartment for handfuls of mints.
We made it to the house and I start putting the groceries away while Ellen enjoyed a mint or six and gave one to Jack, too. I heard a choking sound and just about died. After I pounded Jack on the back he started throwing up, and then he alternated screaming and vomiting until the mint appeared. I was crying with relief.
I started dinner with Ellen and Jack begging for food, so I gave them a sliced cucumber with some Ranch dressing to dip it in to hold them off. While I had my back to them for less than five minutes, Ellen opened the refrigerator, got out the Ranch, poured half of the bottle in her bowl, and spilled the other half on the chair, which Jack had climbed onto to get his share of cucumbers. And she had gotten out the bag of baby carrots to round out her snack.
Jack was covered with Ranch dressing from the waist down. It could have been worse, I suppose. It could have been all over the floor and in the carpet. So the kids took a before dinner bath, went straight to pajamas and into chairs with trays locking them in place for an early and controlled dinner.
They were both in bed and snoring away before 7:00 p.m. I should be in bed and snoring away myself. Instead, I am providing you moms with with some knowing laughs, and you single girls with yet another reason to think long and hard about marriage and family development.
Good night, and good luck.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Father's Day!
Yesterday as I was grocery shopping with Ellen and Jack, we came across a cake decorating station for kids to decorate cakes for Father's Day. We sat right down and used all the colored frosting and sprinkles provided and Ellen made Daddy a cake.
All the way home she said, "Happy Birthday, Daddy!"
This morning we got up and made Daddy breakfast in bed. Ellen wanted cake for breakfast, especially after she carried in the special "Te amo" cake and the blue carnation and card that she decorated to match the cake (and came with the cake).
Then she said, "Happy Birthday, Daddy!"
Today Ellen went to the "big" nursery for the first time. She was a little emotional, but as soon as I left and singing time started, she decided it was just fine. Yes, we have so many kids in our ward ages 18 months to 3 years that we have two nurseries. She made a card for Daddy and gave it to him after church.
For dinner she wanted to eat cake. After we ate dinner (except Ellen. She was waiting for cake) we all had a piece of cake. I realized that maybe blue frosting for Daddy was not the best choice after all. Jack Jack and Ellen sure liked it, though.
Then Ellen said, "Hap-pee Fah-der's Day!"
Hap-pee Fah-der's Day to all you Fah-ders out there!
Nov 2005
Feb 2007
All the way home she said, "Happy Birthday, Daddy!"
This morning we got up and made Daddy breakfast in bed. Ellen wanted cake for breakfast, especially after she carried in the special "Te amo" cake and the blue carnation and card that she decorated to match the cake (and came with the cake).
Then she said, "Happy Birthday, Daddy!"
Today Ellen went to the "big" nursery for the first time. She was a little emotional, but as soon as I left and singing time started, she decided it was just fine. Yes, we have so many kids in our ward ages 18 months to 3 years that we have two nurseries. She made a card for Daddy and gave it to him after church.
For dinner she wanted to eat cake. After we ate dinner (except Ellen. She was waiting for cake) we all had a piece of cake. I realized that maybe blue frosting for Daddy was not the best choice after all. Jack Jack and Ellen sure liked it, though.
Then Ellen said, "Hap-pee Fah-der's Day!"
Hap-pee Fah-der's Day to all you Fah-ders out there!
Nov 2005
Feb 2007
Friday, June 13, 2008
Grandma and Grandpa Starks
Jack's Grandma and Grandpa came to visit us, and I got these pictures of Ellen and Jack walking them out to their car.
Note: Ellen doesn't hold hands with anyone to cross the street. Then Jack started walking and holding on to my hand, and now she has to hold his hand. "Dame la mano, Jack."
Grandpa and Jack
Grandma and Ellen
Note: Ellen doesn't hold hands with anyone to cross the street. Then Jack started walking and holding on to my hand, and now she has to hold his hand. "Dame la mano, Jack."
Grandpa and Jack
Grandma and Ellen
Monday, June 9, 2008
Museums
We got a family pass to the Science Spectrum in Lubbock so I can take the kids during these hot summer days. They never get tired of all the hands-on and interactive exhibits.
On our way from Gilmer to Waco we stopped in Tyler at The Discovery Science Place because our membership to the Science Spectrum gets us into all of the Association of Science-Technology Centers in the country.
A real, live beehive with real, live bees.
Who are these aliens, and why am I stuck with them?
The Golf Ball Roller Coaster
Magnets, screws, nuts, bolts, and one enthralled baby.
Riding in a real, live, stationary ambulance. And all the triage supplies were there for your role-playing convenience.
Now this is what I'm talking about!
Next stop: Mayborn Museum. NOT a member of ASTC, but still fun.
That's an Ellen-sized bubble, folks.
Giddyup saw horse!
Now this is what I'm talking about!! Jack is really developing his fire-truck driving skills here.
That's more like it.
On our way from Gilmer to Waco we stopped in Tyler at The Discovery Science Place because our membership to the Science Spectrum gets us into all of the Association of Science-Technology Centers in the country.
A real, live beehive with real, live bees.
Who are these aliens, and why am I stuck with them?
The Golf Ball Roller Coaster
Magnets, screws, nuts, bolts, and one enthralled baby.
Riding in a real, live, stationary ambulance. And all the triage supplies were there for your role-playing convenience.
Now this is what I'm talking about!
Next stop: Mayborn Museum. NOT a member of ASTC, but still fun.
That's an Ellen-sized bubble, folks.
Giddyup saw horse!
Now this is what I'm talking about!! Jack is really developing his fire-truck driving skills here.
That's more like it.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Don't mind me.
I'm just tired of all this walking, and so I think I'll just rest here for a minute.
There's probably a reason this is called "the child's pose" in yoga.
There's probably a reason this is called "the child's pose" in yoga.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Naptime
Look what Ellen did while she was supposed to be taking a nap:
Since our move to a bigger apartment about a year ago, Ellen started sleeping in a "big girl" bed (Read: a bed she can actually get into and out of by herself).
To give her more of a reason to stay in bed, I keep all her toys in the closet and a doorknob cover on the closet door and the inside bedroom door. She can't play with her toys and she can't leave her room.
But she has access to all of her books in the book baskets in the corner of her room. If she doesn't feel like sleeping, I am completely fine with her looking at books. (The opposite is usually true for me. If I feel like reading a book, I have been known to stay up at all hours of the night reading instead of sleeping. The next day shows, though, that I am not completely fine with not sleeping.)
On the day pictured, Ellen carefully slid all the books she didn't feel like looking at under the door of her room out into the hall. I love how some of them made it all the way under the closet door on the other side of the hall. Do you recognize any of those books? They are actually some of our favorites.
She eventually did go to sleep. Here's Jack giving her a hug because naptime is over and now he can play with exciting Ellen instead of boring old Mom.
Since our move to a bigger apartment about a year ago, Ellen started sleeping in a "big girl" bed (Read: a bed she can actually get into and out of by herself).
To give her more of a reason to stay in bed, I keep all her toys in the closet and a doorknob cover on the closet door and the inside bedroom door. She can't play with her toys and she can't leave her room.
But she has access to all of her books in the book baskets in the corner of her room. If she doesn't feel like sleeping, I am completely fine with her looking at books. (The opposite is usually true for me. If I feel like reading a book, I have been known to stay up at all hours of the night reading instead of sleeping. The next day shows, though, that I am not completely fine with not sleeping.)
On the day pictured, Ellen carefully slid all the books she didn't feel like looking at under the door of her room out into the hall. I love how some of them made it all the way under the closet door on the other side of the hall. Do you recognize any of those books? They are actually some of our favorites.
She eventually did go to sleep. Here's Jack giving her a hug because naptime is over and now he can play with exciting Ellen instead of boring old Mom.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Texas weather
Our apartment pool was supposed to open after Memorial Day, but it looks like that's going to be way after. Last Friday it was so hot that Chelsea and I went in on a wading pool for the kids. Ellen got tired from swimming earlier, so she was taking a nap and missed the photo op.
This is the view out my front door.
Bentley on the slide.
Drinking that yummy pool water. Eeeew!
We couldn't ever get them looking the same direction.
About an hour after swimming, I had to go out and bring the pool onto our porch to keep it from blowing away when the wind picked up. Then we got rain and hail. Saturday was way too cool for swimming.
Sunday as we were driving home from church, I saw a bank displaying the temperature as 105 F.
Guess what Chelsea, Bentley, Ellen, Jack, and I were doing yesterday afternoon?
Yep. Swimming.
This is the view out my front door.
Bentley on the slide.
Drinking that yummy pool water. Eeeew!
We couldn't ever get them looking the same direction.
About an hour after swimming, I had to go out and bring the pool onto our porch to keep it from blowing away when the wind picked up. Then we got rain and hail. Saturday was way too cool for swimming.
Sunday as we were driving home from church, I saw a bank displaying the temperature as 105 F.
Guess what Chelsea, Bentley, Ellen, Jack, and I were doing yesterday afternoon?
Yep. Swimming.
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