A day in the life of Ben

I love to get into the pantry and make a mess.

And this is my favorite drawer to empty. Don't I look cute.

Toothpaste makes really good hair gel.

I really wanted to taste some peanut butter.

I'm very into personal hygeine.

Somtimes I don't get what I want.

Today couldn't have ended on a better note.

Ole, Ole

Tonight I was craving my favorite Mexican chopped salad, but thinking I would probably be the only one to eat it (dad is MIA in tax season) I wasn't very motivated to cook & chop. We've mostly be eating Ikea meatballs, Trader Joe's Pizza, and spaghetti for the past month or so without Dave around. Then...I came up with a brilliant plan.

I told the kids it was Mexican night. I had Emma go put on her Mexican skirt and I printed off Mexican flags to use as place mats. I wrote Ole on our napkins and then I put all the ingredients that I would normally mix together to make the salad on the table in individual little bowls so the kids could put on their own toppings. They actually tried jicama, bell peppers, green onions, and black beans - all of which I know would have created a big "ewwwww" had they been mixed in their salad on any normal dinner night. I actually couldn't believe how much of everything they ate. It was one of those nights that I gave myself a brownie point!

Anyway, it's a delicious Mexican chopped salad. Here is the recipe if you're interested in trying it. I love it! I used only Bell Peppers as I didn't have the others on hand. Honestly you can put whatever you want in it...what makes the salad is the dressing! Yum Yum. Also, I found these fun tortilla salad topping chips (the red, blue, and yellow slim ones like you would get at a restaurant) and the grocery store and they were a big hit! Ole!

Ingredients:
Canned corn
Green onions
Red, yellow, orange peppers
jicama
Black Beans (drained)
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Avocado
Tortilla chips
chicken or beef optional

Cook the chicken in Lawry's seasoned black pepper (if you don't have the seasoned just use a little salt and pepper, I've done it both ways). Chop all ingredients into small pieces. For dressing mix one cup of Ranch dressing with 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce. Mix and done.

I Have a Dream...

What better insight into a child's mind that to read their journal! I'm not talking about snooping here, Nick just brought home his kindergarten writing journals from the last few months and I was cracking up reading through them. My faves:

New Year's Resolution: "I will scratch my dad's back"

Next to a picture of a boy standing next to a bunch of coins: "I like money"

and, for Martin Luther King day, drum roll please....

"I have a dream that I can be home schoold"

WHAT? Where did that come from? I think you picked the wrong mom, buddy! I can't even think of where he got this idea from! We do have some good friends who home school but I didn't know he realized it.

As for Ryan, he's been obsessed with leaving Santa notes taped all over our house lately. The other day during bathtime we had this conversation:

Mom: Ryan, who wrote all over your belly with pen?
Ryan: Jesus did it!
Mom: No! Who did it?
Ryan: Santa!

Don't ask me where they get this stuff! All Gavin says is "Ryan", "Thank you" and "Julie" so that doesn't make for very entertaining conversation!

Guest Post?

Hey, does anyone remember me? Jenny, am I still allowed to blog here? I have tons of catching up to do, but I just wanted to remember how I felt tonight as I rocked my "baby" to sleep tonight and instead of rushing down to check something off my dumb "to-do" list, I didn't want to put him down. Because if I put him down, then time would keep moving and my kids are going to get older and I don't know if I can handle it. As exasperating as little children can be (and bonus points for the more spirited variety I seem to produce), I don't want these guys to grow up! I absolutely love each of them so much right in the stage they are at:

Nicholas is 5 - I love that he is independent and smart, but he still seeks my approval and loves to jump in bed with me and cuddle in the morning. I love to listen to him read and see his intricate lego creations and the imaginative play that goes with them. He is self-sufficient in so many things, but he still holds my hand on the way home from the bus stop!

Ryan is 3 and I honestly don't know if there is a cuter face on the planet. He is quick to toss out a "sorry Mom!" following any mess or wrong-doing and how can I not forgive those beautiful blue eyes. He is curious and adventure-seeking, always yelling an enthusiastic "whoo-hoo" when he is excited about something. He is a lover, always hugging and kissing, and he has his father's gift for sharing with others without hesitation.

Gavin is 16 months and relishes the role of "baby" in our house. He does not like to share Mom with his brothers, and I have done everything I can to cherish each phase with him as my last baby. His vocabulary is just starting to develop, but his comprehension and actions amaze me every day. He is always smiling, laughing, and loves to be a part of the big kids' world. He is an expert self-entertainer and is really starting to enjoy reading books.

I kind of hate reading blogs where people just talk about how great and perfect their kids are. I think I've done a pretty good job of documenting the realities and challenges of motherhood for me personally. I'm not anywhere close to perfect. And neither are my kids. Not only is it entertaining to go back and read about their antics, but I like to remember that while it can be difficult, being a mom has also brought me pure joy.

Sibling Rivalry - Shadow Style.

Emma and Jacob are best friends and worst enemies - depending on the day. Actually depending on the hour. They have been driving me bananas lately with their arguing and fighting. The biggest weapon in their arsenal right now is the copy game. You know, when you copy whatever the other person says. They do it to each other all day but when the other person does it back it's not so funny anymore. So then the tatter telling starts! Another weapon of mass destruction at our house.

Well, Jacob brought this game to a whole new level yesterday. Emma was at school and Jacob was outside helping me plant flowers. The sun was shinning and Jacob noticed he could see his shadow. Then he moved, and his shadow moved. "Hey!" he said. "MOM! My shadow is doing what I do!" Then he flailed his arms and kicked a food. "Mom! Look at this! It's copying me!" He moved around a bit more and then "Mooooommm, my shadow is copying me!" (in that tatter tale voice).

I was so laughing when I explained to him why a shadow copies us. Ohhh sweet Jacob.

Refining Moments

Sometimes I yell. Then I feel really bad about it. I try to remind myself that my kids are just kids and the do kid stuff. But sometimes...grrrrr, I just lose my patience, yell, and then feel extreeeemly guilty. I hate yelling. I never wanted to be a yelling mom.

Emma has a doll named Kirsten. Kirsten has to go everywhere with us. Sometimes it's very endearing, and sometimes not. Like this morning. Emma had to run back into the house to get Kirsten's sweater as we were on the way out the door to school ( It's only 80 degrees here today). Of course half way to school I asked her if she had her lunch box and folder and her reply was "oops, I left them in the house when I went to get the sweater. Grrrr. I was not happy. I yelled.

I had things to do, places to go, people to see. My favorite hardware store had given me a 15% off coupon good today only. I've been saving up my yard needs until today. I had a play date at 11:00 and had my whole morning planned to the minute...drop off Emma, run to hardware store, meet friend for play date. We already had a late start since Jacob pushed Ben in the mud on the way out the door and I had to change him, and then Emma had to run back in for the sweater and I was already to a boiling point. I let Emma know that Kirsten would not be riding to school with us anymore. She was not happy. I was not happy. It was not happy in our car. We got to carpool friend's house and I was able to beg some sustenance in the way of fruit snacks and animal cracker's from carpool friend's mom so Emma wouldn't starve at school.

After I dropped Emma & carpool friend off I headed towards the hardware store. Then the thoughts started creeping into my brain. Although I'm a pretty mellow person by nature, my mind is all about the drama - oh yeah, so dramatic! All the terrible things that could happen to my offspring while we are apart for 3 hours start creeping into my mind. Earthquakes, car accidents, and who knows what else and I'm almost in tears. "What if that is the last time I were to see her? Would I want her to remember me as the "yelling mom"? I feel so guilty. So so guilty. Then I think of how selfish I was. The only reason I was so mad is because it interfered with MY schedule. I'm prone to forget many things...including that life doesn't revolve around MY schedule anymore. Somehow I thought when I had children that the selfish and pride aspects in my personality would just magically vanish. The birds would sing, the bees would hum, and I would be smiling and wearing a crown of daises (lovingly made by my children of course) as I brought them lemonade and cookies. Instead, I think I am gradually refined moment by moment as I learn that sombody else's needs might be more important than my own - like my daughter's self esteem over my need to get to the hardware store.

As I walked into the hardware store I realized in all the morning rush I forgot that dang 15% off coupon at home! In my other purse! (one more good reason why I should only have 1 purse). As I asked the clerk if I had to have the coupon to get the discount and she looked at me as if I was a moron and replied "yes", I was glad she didn't yell at me for forgetting my coupon at home and was humbled by what comes around goes around!

Needless to say, I was able to push my play date back by half an hour, went and picked up my coupon AND dropped off Emma's lunchbox and folder to her on my way back to the store. When I walked in her classroom and she had a huge grin and chirped "mommy!" I was so thankful for children who forgive easily, friends who move play dates around with great understanding, and a hope that each day I can handle situations with my kids better so their fondest memories aren't ones of me yelling at them or losing my patience easily. Dang, sometimes this is hard!

A Few of My Favorite Things!

Family, Food, Disneyland, Friends, and more Food! Can a girl's birthday get any better than that!

Last year I took the kids to a scrumptious buffet breakfast at Disneyland for my birthday, and we had so much fun(except for Ben who cries whenever a character walks out and wipes his head after they touch him like it was the touch of death) that I decided it was going to be my annual birthday tradition. So yesterday we loaded up the car early and headed off to the "Happiest Place on Earth".

My kids chow on breakfast food...as do I...so even though it's expensive I think we get our money's worth. Strawberry topped cinnamon french toast, Mickey Mouse shaped waffles, fluffy scrambled eggs and hash browns topped off with a little ketchup - all while slapping high fives with Tigger and playing Peek a Boo with Captain Hook. Is there any better way to start your morning? MMmmmm, it was so delish!

During breakfast I got a call from a friend who had seen my husband at the chiropractor and told him she and a friend were headed over to Disneyland. He told her I was there and an hour later instead of 1 mom and 3 kids (me) we were 3 moms and 9 kids (all 5 and under)! We got some funny looks but had a blast! I was so glad not to be alone and Emma was glad to get to ride a few roller coasters since there was more than one adult around. I rode Thunder Mountain and while screaming my guts out was thinking what a great birthday I was having.

After we played hard at Disney we got home, got a babysitter, and then I got a special treat of going out to dinner with my husband! During tax season no less. We went to a yummy seafood restaurant and I stuffed myself with grilled shrimp, scallops, and lobster.

So there you have it. I started and ended my day with my favorite things - eating yummy food and being with the people I love. Today I got my house cleaned and Saturday I have a spa day planned with girlfriends so it's like a week long birthday bash. Now if someone could just convince Ben to sleep past 5:00 am my world would be complete!

15 minutes in my head

After spending the morning out shopping for plants and several different nurseries, in the rain, the boys and I finally arrived home. Of course Ben fell asleep in the car for 15 minutes so there goes nap time today. Anyway, I've been home about 15 minutes and these are the thoughts I've had.

My feet are so cold! I hate when it dips below 70 outside...I'll go get some socks from my room.
Oh crap, how did 2 little boys smash two packets of Chick-fil-a Polynesian sauce on the floor and dance in it on my quick trip to my bedroom for socks. And how the heck did it get in Jake's hair? I really don't feel like dealing with a bath right now, Jake...your head is going under the sink. Did I really leave the breakfast dishes in the sink? I hate coming home to a messy kitchen. Ouch, that sauce does not feel good in the crack on my thumb...I need a band aid. Uh-oh, there is only one Hello Kitty Band aid left. Do I use it knowing that next time Emma needs a band aid she'll throw a fit because only the Spiderman band aids are left? Is it worth the tantrum? Hmmm, I don't want a Spiderman band aid on MY thumb. Sorry Emma. Whew, that feels better. How did these toys get all over the floor. I just cleaned up everything last night and my house is a wreck! Why is all that laundry still on the armchair. Isn't laundry day Monday? It's Wednesday and I still haven't put it away. Are you kidding me? What's wrong with me. I can put away the towels and the boys clothes at least. Oh man, how did the light get burned out in the boys room? I guess I better replace the light bulb. Oh there's the phone. Private number. It must be Sara with the Family Housing Center again. She so nice. She's very concerned that I might be in foreclosure so she's sure to call me every day. I've always wanted to tell her how much I appreciate her concern but apparently recordings CAN'T HEAR ME. I can attest that the stimulus package has worked. Since Obama's mortgage recovery plan has taken effect I get THOUSANDS of calls a day from telemarketers wanting to help me save my house from foreclosure. I'm sure that industry has just hired THOUSANDS of people and the unemployment rate just went down. Guess what Sara - WE ARE NOT IN DANGER OF FORECLOSURE - so please take my name off your list. BEN! How did you get that cup of ice and why are you dumping it all over the floor! You're killing me kid. Now where is that pair of socks?

Snow Day

Other Random photos I found on my camera card:




Jacob on his first day of preschool...has there ever been a cuter boy? He barely said goodbye when I dropped him off. He took off for the playdoh table and has never looked back since.

My 3 kids after Emma handing me the camera and insisting I photograph them.



My feet at the end of my favorite pair of jeans. I'm not sure this picture was on there but it was obviously taken by me. Next time I'll make sure I have a pedi!


Kids on the swing set with cousin Hallie.


The temperature gauge in my car in the middle of January. Bring on the global warming!




The cutest rock star ever! This wasn't even a posed picture either. He walked in the room like this. His t-shirt says "I wanna rock"