"My throat is in the toilet"

For a long time, Allie would tell me that her throat hurt. It wouldn't be all day long, but randomly each day I would hear it. I would get her a drink & she would be fine. Tonight, she told us her throat hurt & needed to go to the bathroom. It seemed kind of strange, but sent her off to the bathroom. She came back & said her throat felt better after going to the bathroom. We asked her how & she said her throat went in to the toilet. We all started laughing & tried to figure out what she meant. Jake then asked her where her throat was--she pointed to her tummy. I never thought to ask her that question. All this time, she had a tummy ache & not a sore throat. I don't know what made her think her throat was in her tummy, but we had a little lesson on where her throat is & that going to the bathroom can help your tummy feel better, but not your throat. We'll see what she tells me next time her tummy hurts.

Brooklyn saying her prayers

Brooklyn is a little copy-cat & it's amazing what she learns from all of us. Each morning & night, we kneel down as a family & have prayers. We've tried to work on not repeating the same phrases, but it's easy to forget. One of the phrases my kids say all the time in their prayers is "thank thee for the this day". Well, after several times of hearing this, Brooklyn now tries to say it along with them. As one of the kids is starting to say that phrase, Brooklyn jumps in & yells as loud as she can "DAY". We usually start laughing, but I'm afraid it's going to become something she does now cause she knows it's funny. Hopefully we can try harder to not be so repetitive & Brooklyn can learn to say something else in her prayers.
Brooklyn folding her arms, the way she knows how, before she eats her food.

Field Day at School

Today, Jake & I volunteered to help at the school for Field Day. I loved Field Day growing up & I am so glad my kids get to experience it, too. The PE teacher is in charge & comes up with all kinds of different stations for the kids to rotate around. It's a bunch of fun, crazy games--potato hockey, water relays, slip-n-slide, basketball w/grown-up clothes on, etc. The kids seemed to have a great time. Fortunately the weather held out & didn't rain on us. It had rained everyday for the last few days & the clouds today seemed like it may happen again. It would have been nice to have it a little warmer--there were a few kids just shivering from being wet & then having the wind blow on them. Overall, it was a great success & my kids were very happy with how it turned out.

I Hate Potty-Training!

I was so excited that Allie started to be potty-trained, but it hasn't been going as well as I anticipated. Overall, she really has done well, but there are little things that have made it frustrating. First of all, she is very independent & wants to do things on her own. So, she'll go into the bathroom on her own, without me knowing, & then tries to clean herself on her own. Sometimes it becomes more & more of a mess as she tries to clean & ends up with a whole roll of toilet paper in the toilet. Fortunately, she doesn't flush the toilet or else we'd have a whole other problem to deal with. Also, she kind of forgets to come in the house when she needs to go & so she has accidents every time she is outside. I know she is just playing & having fun & doesn't want to stop what she is doing so she has an accident, but it happens over & over & I am a little tired of it. I know she can do it--she has, it's just by choice & that's what frustrates me the most. If I could only snap my fingers & make it all happen the way it should. I guess that would be too easy & not make me grateful for the day when potty-training is a success.

Memorial Day

Every year for Memorial Day, we go to the cemetery where my dad's family is buried. We clean up the headstones, place flowers on the graves & visit & catch up with relatives. We have been doing this for as long as I can remember. It's a tradition that brings families together & we always go back to my parents' house & have a BBQ, swim, play in the yard & eat homemade ice cream. The extended family has gotten so big that we are beginning to have our own family gatherings after the cemetery. My brothers & sisters & their families went to my parents' & it was really nice. The weather was great (it didn't rain until early evening) so we got in some play time & enjoyed a great BBQ.


Headstones of my grandparents & uncles. My grandma died a couple years before I was born, so I never got to meet her. My grandpa died when I was 5. I don't remember much of him, either, but he seemed tall, had gray hair & I liked swimming in his pool & jumping on his rectangluar trampoline.
My uncle Ryan died when he was only 2 & my uncle Roger died when he was a young adult. He was driving home late one night, fell asleep & his car went over the edge of a hill. I don't know these relatives very well, but I have heard many stories of them & have been told what amazing people they were. I hope I can leave an impact on people's lives like they did.







Pictures of my girls & our family together at the cemetery.






















Everyone hanging out at the pool.








Allie & Gabe (her cousin) had lots of fun playing with the Super Soakers. They got a little wild a times, but luckily no one outside of the pool got too wet.






Uncle Matt helping Brittany shoot a basket in the rough game of pool basketball.








Uncle Matt getting attacked by all the basketball players trying to steal the ball from him.

Brittany's Challenge Project

Brittany is in the Challenge program for her school. This last quarter she has been working on a project about the Great Barrier Reef. She did all the work on her own during her time at Challenge. She did all the research, writing, power point, creative thinking & drawing. They had an open house to show off the work they had done. The kids each had an area where they set up their work & then would read what they wrote, show on the computer what they created & had other items on display they made & put together. Brittany did an amazing job. She wrote a wonderful report with all kinds of facts about the reef. She did her own power point presentation that went along with her report & then she had different pieces of art that she drew to display of what the area may look like. I was very proud of Brittany & so impressed with the work she had done. I love to see how creative my kids can be & to see them learn & improve from one year to the next.
Brittany reading her report & showing her power point presentation..
Brittany showing off her art drawings of The Great Barrier Reef to her Grandma & Grandpa Yorgason.

The day has finally come!!

Allie & I have been trying to work together for the past year or so on potty-training --well, more me trying to convince Allie that it was time. (Fortunately it hasn't been going the whole time. I just couldn't keep pushing consistently for that long with no progress). I have never understood how a child that is so smart can not get the potty-training figured out at an early age. I worked with her over & over & she just had no interest. She would never tell me when she had to go, but I would always catch her hiding in the corner or running to the next room when she had to poop. She knew what she was doing, but just didn't want to use the toilet. I tried every bribe in the book, but she was determined to do it on her time clock. Well, yesterday, as I was changing her diaper in the morning, I asked her if she wanted to try using the toilet. She smiled & said "ok". It wasn't long & we were all shocked when we heard that little trickle in the water! She got the biggest grin on her face, looked in the toilet & said "I turned the water yellow". She kept telling me all day she needed to go try again. I couldn't believe the day had actually come when she told me when it was time & not me asking her if she needed to go. Anyway, today she wore underwear all day & had no accidents!! I've learned from past experience that the older they are to learn the fewer accidents we have. I guess it pays off in one way.
So the funny story for today is Allie out in the garage & telling me she had an accident. Here's how the conversation went...
A--"Mom, sorry. I had an accident"
Me--"You did?" I notice, however, her pants are still dry. I'm a little confused.
"That's ok. Where were you?"
A--"Here in the garage. I tooted in my underwear."
Me--(Trying to control my laughter) "You tooted in your underwear? That was your accident?"
A--"Yeah. It was an accident."

My poor child thought every time she had gas she needed to go sit on the toilet. I wondered why she would go into the bathroom so many times, but I wasn't going to mess up any progress we had made. I explained to her that you only have to sit on the toilet when you poop or pee--toots are ok in your underwear. She seemed to have a look of relief on her face when she heard that.

One of the bribes we used on Allie was that she could go get a special treat with her Dad once she was potty-trained. She chose to get a donut.

Thank you's go a long way

Today was changing & washing sheets day. The kids take their own sheets off & put them in the laundry room, I wash them & then we remake the beds. We had lots going on, so I just hurried & made all the beds myself. That was a lot of beds!! As I was doing it, I wondered if anyone would notice or say anything to me for making their beds. The day went & it was time to put kids to bed. It was late & we were hurrying to put them down. Brittany came out of her room & walked over to me and said "Thanks Mom for putting new sheets on my bed". I was so happy!! There are times when I go about each day doing what I do to keep the house orderly & so many times things are unnoticed or not recognized. It can really bring me down if I dwell on it so I try to not let it get to me. Brittany made me feel so good just by saying "thank you" for such a simple thing I did. I, in turn, thanked her for noticing & saying something & she got the biggest grin on her face. What a great lesson to remember to say thank you, especially for the little things or the everyday things. It can really make someone's day.

Another dance recital for Nicole

Tonight, Nicole had another recital. The theme was "Alice in Wonderland". Earlier today, there was a practice run-through & it lasted for over 2 hours. Nicole's class was the very last one before the finale so we were there the entire time. I told Jake that He could bring the younger 2 girls an hour late tonight so they wouldn't have to sit through the whole thing. I figured the recital would be about 1 1/2 hrs. so that would get him there with time to spare. Well, the night performance was not fast at all. It went a whole 2 hours. Allie & Brooke were so bored by the time Nicole came out. It was hot, too. I don't think the A/C was on & the temp outside was mid 90s so it made it very hot inside. Nicole finally came out & she did great. Her class were the Ladies of the Jury. They looked so cute in their costumes & performed very well. Brooke had a melt down & so I was taking her out before the dancers were on stage taking their final bow. It was nice to finally get to the end & get home.
Nicole loves ballet & does such a great job. I like watching her perform both on stage & just around the house. I hope she sticks with it & continues to perfect her skills. We'll see. She is only 6.
Nicole is front row on the right. I love her shiny cheeks & red lips.

Boating Season has begun!

Today was a beautiful day & we couldn't wait to get out on the lake. We knew the water would be freezing, but couldn't give up a nice day like today. Jake had the day off so when the girls got home from school we headed out. We went to Lake Lowell in Nampa. The lake wasn't very busy with boats, which was nice. We drove around a bit & then the kids started asking to ride the tube. We warned them it would be cold, but they didn't care. They all took turns riding in it, even Brooklyn. Jake was the favorite to ride with so I was the driver. Melissa got a bit of a driving lesson & she felt so grown up. It was time for dinner, but we had a dilemma. Every time we stopped the boat, we were swarmed by bugs. It was not a highlight for me. We decided that we would have to keep driving while we ate. It all worked out great. Jake pulled out the wake board & braved the cold water for a while. Then we convinced Melissa & Brittany to give it a shot. Melissa went pretty willingly, but we had to coax Brittany a bit. They both did great & hopefully with a lot of practice this summer they will feel more confident & stay up longer. It is such a fun family outing for us & I know we build lots of great memories together. We hope we have many more outings to go.

Brittany's Piano Recital

Brittany started taking piano lessons 4 months ago. She has really enjoyed it & is doing very well. She gets up every morning & practices before she goes to school--her choice! I have been so proud of her. She had her first piano recital tonight. It was held at a local assisted living home & because of limited seating, families were not invited. Jake took her there so he was able to watch & said she did great. Brittany was so nervous, but I think she was proud of herself when it was over. It was a whole new experience for her & I am glad it has all been positive so far.

Playing in the Gutter

I was out in the yard working today & it was fun to watch my kids play. They get so caught up in wanting to play with toys that they forget to use their imaginations. The sprinklers had been on for a little bit & Nicole & Allie loved running through them. Then they noticed the water in the street gutters. They were so funny! Allie was so intrigued by the water slowly working it's way down the street. She kept following it & wondered how it moved further & further down the road. Nicole rolled up her pants & started running through the water in the gutter. My kids acted like this was a new game, but I just watched them & had flashbacks of when I was little running through the water. They had so much fun & I was glad to see them enjoying themselves outside. We've waited a long time for warm weather & it's finally here!!

Mother's Day

Today has been a wonderful day!! It started out early this morning when Jake got up with our early rising children. I love being able to sleep in, but it's a rare opportunity. Jake kept the kids upstairs so I was able to sleep until they brought breakfast in to me at 9:30. Melissa showed me a menu last night of what I could choose for breakfast & then she prepared it for me this morning. It was delicious. Poor Brooklyn didn't understand & begged the whole time while they watched me eat. It's kind of hard to eat with your hungry children gathered around you. The rest of the morning was pretty relaxing. Jake fed the kids, got them dressed & even did their hair. That was a first!! He did a great job & the girls looked great for church. After church, we came home & Jake got busy right away on dinner. He had asked me what I wanted so I knew I was going to enjoy dinner. I relaxed on the couch & tried not to feel guilty for not doing anything. Jake made a fabulous dinner--roast, mashed potatoes w/gravy, corn, rolls, jello--it was delicious. He always cooks Sunday dinner & they taste great every week! The girls planned a treasure hunt for me, so off I went to find my gifts. Each girl bought me some kind of treat--skittles, rolos, milk duds, swedish fish & donut holes. Who has a sweet tooth?? Jake gave me some jewelry from Lia Sophia (actually I bought it at one of the parties & he wrapped it for me). We then headed to my brother Chris' house & had dessert with my family. It was nice to be with all my family that lives here & spend some time with them.


Jake made it a wonderful Mother's Day for me & at times I did milk it for all I could. As my daughter Brittany put it tonight, "I hope you enjoy the next 364 days cause Mother's Day is now over"--I guess it'll be another year before I get to be spoiled again. =)

Riding a Bike

Nicole has been a little nervous to get her training wheels off her bike. We finally convinced her to give it a try. She had been practicing for a while to ride without
letting her training wheels touch & she felt confident enough that she could start practicing on just 2 wheels. Jake took the wheels off, got Nicole all geared up with helmet, elbow, knee & hand guards & gave her some instructions. They headed out & within seconds Jake let go of Nicole's bike. She took off & never looked back. She had it down. We were so amazed!! She actually made us nervous cause she would ride her bike so fast that going over a curb she would almost buck herself off. She was so out of control that she was riding all over the grass, dirt, just about running into everything. We kept telling her to slow down, but she couldn't do it. We helped her learn how to slow down & that made a huge difference. She did fall over a few times, but she pretty much mastered riding a bike the first try. We were all so proud of her & the look on her face just showed how happy she was of herself. Here's to many more days of bike riding for Nicole!!

Tetherball Set

Brittany got a tether ball set for her birthday. Jake bought all the things needed to place the tether ball in the yard. He got the girls outside & began the project. He dug a huge hole & the girls helped move the dirt to the empty lot behind our house.

















He placed the pole, poured the cement into the hole & added water. Then the girls were told over & over to not touch the pole.











We waited a few days for the cement to dry & then worked on the project some more. Brittany helped put the rest of the pole together, tie on the ball & then place the pole into the 1st pole in the ground.

















She was so happy to see it finished. It's her favorite game at school & now she can play it at home. I'm sure it will get a lot of use this summer. Have fun, Brittany!!

What is in there?

My family is watching my sister's fish while they are out of town. I have Nemo on the kitchen counter & the girls really haven't paid much attention to him. I walked into the kitchen & glanced at the fish bowl & something caught my eye. I walked over to it & I could not figure out what was in the bowl. My first thought was "There is no way a fish can poop that much". Then I noticed the fish food container just to the side of the bowl. I called Allie to come & explain to me what she had done. Yes, I knew right away it was Allie. She told me the fish was hungry & wanted to feed him. We had a discussion about how to feed the fish, who feeds the fish & why a fish can't have all that food in his bowl.

My next task was to clean out the bowl. I had a betta fish when Jake & I were first married & had a bad experience when I tried to clean the bowl. After trying to pour the fish from his bowl into a cup of water without getting too much of the dirty water in the cup, the fish jumped & went down the drain in my sink. I about died! I didn't want to be a fish killer. Fortunately, Jake was there the unscrew pipes & get him out. He has lost all his color & I thought for sure he would die. Amazingly he survived that traumatic experience, but I have been haunted by it for years. So, here I am again trying to pour the fish into a cup without him going down the drain or missing the cup & then having to pick him up with my fingers. I was smarter this time & had a strainer in the sink to catch him just in case. After nervously going through the process I finally got Nemo back safely into his bowl.