Our Tooth Fairy

I'm not sure what line we missed when we started having kids and signed up for a Tooth Fairy, but ours is not very good.  He/She is so terrible that we are officially submitting for a transfer in hopes by the time Drew starts losing teeth (due to natural causes) we see significant improvement in performance.  I'm always surprised at the logical reason's the tooth fairy is so delinquent, and that kids and parents don't wonder more often of his/her authenticity.

We have realized our Tooth Fairy does not work on Sundays or Holidays.  Has a tough time finding us if we are out of town, and is just overall flakey.

Here is one example of our kid's sad story.

Corbin is in prime time for losing teeth.  In fact, before we moved, he was the only kid in his class that had lost a tooth every month since school started.

This one night, after another loss and unbeknownst to me or Brandon, Corbin wrote a letter to the Tooth Fairy...

He started writing it on his own, until Audrey stepped in to correct his spelling and he had to scribble some words out.  The message states where to start..."RITE HIR"  Haha!  "Please give a $100!  Please do not take"

When the tooth fairy did not oblige, and Corbin's tooth remained under his pillow the next morning, we figured it was his note.  He told the tooth fairy not to take his tooth (but it's against the rules to leave money and not take the tooth),  AND, he forgot to put in the period - stating he wanted $100 instead of $1.00.  So the request was unreasonable as well.

Subsequently, Corbin crumbled the note and threw it in the trash.  (I retrieved it for picture sake after he went to school.)

Night 2 - Corbin fell asleep with the tooth in place before I got home.  When I arrived and found him sleeping in the brand new sheets that had already been changed for guests to arrive the next day, I moved him!  For his baptism weekend we had a lot of family staying with us and he was getting ousted from his room.  There was so much to get ready, I figured I was saving some time by having him sleep in the extra bed in Fisher's room that night.  Problem was, I didn't move the tooth.  So again, the Tooth Fairy  did not deliver.

Night 3 - The tooth fairy finally pulled through...under his makeshift pillow on his bed on the floor, with cousins right next to him.  But who do you suppose got the credit?  Grandma.  Corbin seems to remember the tooth fairy pays up when he's at Grandma's house or Grandma is visiting.

Now fast-forward a few months (because although I've post-dated this entry, I'm really writing it in May). Corbin lost another tooth.  This was the real test to see if the Tooth Fairy can deliver.  And did he/she while Grandma was far away in Idaho?

Yes!!!  But a little late.  Corbin came downstairs in the morning and announced the Tooth Fairy did not take his tooth.  Yet when he went upstairs to finish getting ready for school, he found his tooth was gone and a dollar was in it's place.  Rational suggests he/she must have had a lot of teeth to collect that night.  And now that we live on the West Coast, locationally, we are probably last on the list.  But he/she came through.  And Corbin's new theory is the Tooth Fairy "poofs" the teeth into dollars.  Because he found tooth dust and fragments where his tooth had been.

Corbin is pretty smart and he has an investigative mind, so I'm going to trust him on this one.

Drew's Disney Day

What little boy wouldn't love to have his mom all to himself?  On his birthday?  At Disneyland nonetheless!  Well, I hope the answer is any of my boys, but this day was Drew's special day.  We haven't had our Disney passes very long, but long enough for Drew to figure out he likes going.  So I told him we would go on Monday, his birthday, and he could get a toy. (We figure when you have passes, toys and treats do not happen every trip so that was a big deal.)

We had planned to go as a family for a few hours that night, but when I looked at the forecast, the chance of rain was more probable as the day went on.  So, I made some quick arrangements for the two other boys, crossed my fingers, and away we went.  

We headed straight for Toy Story Mania as soon as California Disney opened.  I couldn't believe there was already a half hour wait.  We had fun playing "I spy" as we stood in line.  

  

Drew was pretty serious about the game.  He at least turned his head for me to snap a pictures, but eyes had to stay on target.  :)

 His favorite ride is Star Tours.  He was so happy to have me follow wherever he wanted to go.  No negotiating, compromising, or waiting for his turn.  Ahhhh, what every kid (and grown-up) wants!

When we came out of the Star Tours ride, it started pouring.  We timed our visit perfectly and made it home just after the older kids got out of school.  I loved having the few hours with Drew one-on-one and was grateful to create some fun memories together.  Happy Birthday Drew.  I love you!!!

Drew is 5 Years Old!!!

We have entered birthday marathon at our house. We celebrated mine this last week, Drew's today and tomorrow, and Corbin will be this weekend. It's pretty fun since the parties just keep going! And this year, we are privileged to be around family with February birthday's as well (5 within one week!) So we all got together to celebrate.

This worked out perfect since Drew was expecting a party. Which to him means, people, Power Ranger Cake and a piñata. I told him I would make him a bigger cake for our family dinner, but I don't think he minded the little one since he got to eat it all by himself. :) But for Drew, the piñata was pure delight. I couldn't find a Power Ranger piñata, so we settled for spiderman. He whacked that thing until it was dead!!! He didn't even mind he wasn't getting candy.

(Video to come when I figure out how to export from IPhoto.)

And then tonight we celebrated with his favorite foods for dinner. Porkchops (he still calls it chicken, and so does Corbin for that matter.) Mashed potatoes and gravy, watermelon, and corn. He prefers corn on the cob, but it's not in the stores and he doesn't have any teeth to eat it with anyway. And then Power Ranger birthday cake, raspberry sorbet and chocolate almond milk ice cream. (Healthwise, Drew still does MUCH better avoiding dairy.) Don't mind the blue guy with no head. We couldn't find it and figured the green guy knocked it off.

All the kids were busy playing with Drew's new toys while Fisher got to serious business with the cake.

Fisher is in Nursery!!!

In Mormon world, there are a few milestones in your children's lives you celebrate. 8 is pretty big, because if your child so desires, they are old enough to be baptized a member of the church, which will be next weekend for Corbin. And at 12, they start attending Young Men and Young Women programs, officially graduating from Primary, and the yearly Primary Program where they stand on the stage and sing and recite their lines for the entire congregation. And then there is 16 is when they begin dating. That's a pretty big one!

But for the parents, the celebration starts at 18 months, when their child is old enough for NURSERY! The kids are not always thrilled, since separation anxiety has set in, but this milestone is freedom for mom and dad to begin attending classes again and have a shot at hearing the lesson. Today was such a day. Our baby is officially 18 months old. Gulp. I'm not sure where the time went, but that may be because I was treading water with my head barely above to gasp for air. I'm hoping to get a few laps in before I'm pushed under. Not by another baby, but by the nature of raising the ones I have. :)

Anyway, Fisher loved nursery. It helps that Jake will be in there for another year, but he had no qualms playing with the other kids and toys. He didn't even notice I left. Yet I still didn't get to attend Sunday School and struggled to catch Relief Society. Drew did not want to go to Primary, so I spent my time cajoling him and sitting at the back of the Primary room for an hour. And by that time, Jake had had enough of Nursery and was unconsolable. He was tired and hiding under the slide. But when I rescued him, Fisher caught a glimpse of me and started to cry. Oops. My arms were full and I told him he had to stay. After two trips back to Nursery because Jake tricked me that he wanted to go, he finally fell asleep on my lap. At least then I only had to listen above his snoring (and so did my neighbors.)

But the milestone is here. And there's no turning back. Deep breath before someone notices I'm kid free and get a calling during the second or third hour of church. :)

Happy Holidays 2011

Family Photo August 2011

I have been absent from blogging so long, I almost don't remember how. But, for the sake of the 2011 Holiday Letter and my New Year Resolution to get back to "blogging", I will give it my best.

The update for 2011 should really include 2010, because for two years now, I have ordered Christmas Cards and not sent them. So if you are reading this due to the web address you found on our holiday card, consider yourself one of the chosen few. Chosen that is because you fit one of the categories

1. You are an immediate family member and I sent your Christmas present and threw in a card as an afterthought

2. You live in SoCal and have come to visit us in our new temporary home and pick up your own card, OR

3. You received a some sort of blogland notification that I finally posted something!!! Sorry you did not receive a Christmas Card. Maybe before the year end. :)

So without further ado...

AUDREY (10) Double Digit Diva!!! Audrey has advanced past the little girl years! She got her ears pierced for her birthday and did not even flinch! This year she has worked hard at gymnastics and finished her first competitive season scoring 9's in all four events. Audrey is getting better on the piano and was beginning guitar lessons before we moved. She is a big help to her mom and dad and all her brothers look up to her!

CORBIN (7 1/2) is quite the athlete! This year he played baseball and football and loved both! And he did a good job! Although he says basketball is still on his list to try before he picks a favorite. He has lost several teeth this year and anxiously awaits the arrival of permanent teeth. He is tender hearted and thoughtful and was recognized at school for being an outstanding citizen amongst his peers. Corbin is learning to play the piano and the violin. In true brother fashion, he is the tease of the family that pushes everyone's buttons.

DREW (4 1/2) transformed from a toddler to a boy overnight. He has grown so much physically and mentally this year. He continues to have a contagious personality that draws others to him and makes them laugh. He is so cute and funny from his grin to his antics. He knows all the letters in the alphabet and the sounds they make. He loves computer games and playing with friends. He is a good helper to me when the older two are at school and takes such good care of his little brothers. Drew will go, go, go, insisting he is not tired until finally we catch him "resting" his eyes anywhere, anytime.

JAKE (2 1/2) is happy, mischievous, angelic, devilish, sweet, almost always guilty, and the bound and determine to put me in my grave. 2011 will go down in history as the year Jake quit wearing clothes and became a perpetually lost child. To his credit, he potty-trained himself. However, he undresses for the feat and refuses to put the clothes back on. To MY credit, I have relied more on Heavenly Father to tell me when Jake is in trouble and hope the angels are watching over him until I get to him again. He escapes frequently and has no qualms about his solitude in the great unknown. He has also followed closely in the footsteps of his siblings and his parents in their toddle-years (so we are told.) He makes more messes and is destructive beyond imagination. Brandon and I think we have been "repaid" in full and then some. But who can resist that grin?

FISHER (16 months) is a JOY! He is so happy and sweet we all fight over who gets to snuggle him. And is he ever the SNUGGLER! In this past year, he has learned to crawl, walk, eat, climb, and use his voice to be heard amongst the competition. I am sad he is growing up so fast! (DID EVERYONE GET THAT??? I SAID I WAS SAD!) Let the mourning begin...because he sure fits the "baby" mold perfectly! He's quite the momma's boy but he gets toted around the house by everyone except Jake. (Jake pushes him around, finally glad to be bigger than someone else.) Fisher is quick to give anyone a smile and is so tolerable of most things like being hungry and tired. He truly is a delight!

BRANDON & DIXIE Just about the time we think we have things sorted out enough to make a long term plan, plans change. :) Ahhh, such is life. In late spring, Brandon and I decided to buy some property in Grand Junction, CO, build a house, and stay put for a while. So, this year, I have spent a big chunk of time working on house plans. That is, right up until we determined we would be moving to California. Brandon continues to work for his Aunt and Uncle and enjoys the challenges each new day brings. He now oversees the Warehousing (CA) and Trucking (CO) Businesses for Links Logistics. He manages to fit in fishing, surfing, lots of play time with the kids, and working with the youth at church. I continue to develop my skills as a mother and fit in biking, emotional work, essential oils, and cooking for fun every now and then. Travel has taken a back seat during this stage of our family, though we did escape to New York for Thanksgiving this year. Here we are in Grand Central Station. Good thing we had our phone camera to document the event. :) Something is better than nothing!

We feel very blessed to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and find great comfort and strength in the gospel. We are grateful to have such wonderful family and friends that enrich our lives and make the future something to look forward too. Our door is always open and hope to have many visitors in our new Southern California location! We plan to live up the time we spend here, because if a pattern is developing, we won't stay put long!!! Come and play with us and enjoy the new year!

BAD DEAL!!!!

In one click, and I don't know how I did it, I deleted my friends and family blog list. :( Please send me your blog URL so I may add it again. SAD DAY!!! But it could be worse. I guess I'm going to have to start doing my own blogging while I sit at the computer instead of reading everyone else's.

These Strawberries are NOT NORMAL!

We have gradually made changes over the last couple years to eat "better." By that I mean buying products that are healthier because they are either organic, or have less hormones, or less sugar. Some of the family appreciates the changes, some do not. I KNOW all of their bodies are thanking me for it, but "sigh" once they figure out their agency and go behind my back (does that sound like I'm controlling), it's up to them. :)

We have friends that we buy farm eggs from, purchase organic cow's milk, get raw goat's milk for the little boys, beef from another friend who grain feeds their cows, agave syrup instead of Mrs. Butter's worth, flaxseed granola instead of sugary cereal, turkey products vs. pork, and we try to grow a garden for fresh produce when we can. I've even started to make wheat bread on occasion, grinding the wheat first.

So you would have thought I would have been alarmed by the strawberries I bought the other day. Nope. Just looked at the pretty red color, noticed they were large, thought the price was good, and bought them. I included a normal-sized "little cutie" for comparison.

Now, my kids LOVELOVELOVE berries, so I usually have some variety on hand. (Here's another control issue....) I have to place them high in the fridge and limit Drew because he will eat them all before anyone else has had any. It's not uncommon for me to come downstairs in the morning before breakfast and see him with red all over his face and an empty raspberry container. Or him and Jake having a hayday with the blueberries on the family room floor. I love berries too. But I know how expensive they are so I try to ration them for all family members over at least a couple days! :) Guess I better plant some berry bushes.

ANYWAY, it may be time to go with the organic fruit. These babies looked like they are hyped up on steroids and bigger is not always better. Especially when they are sprouting fingers.