CLUSTERF**K

Middlest is going to a birthday party tomorrow right after school--if there is school--and needed a gift, so she and I set out to purchase one. I used my remote start and waited awhile to bring the temp of the van up to only -10 or so. It is currently -21 degrees. We went out and got in the van and I was surprised that it wasn't running. I went to turn the key and heard the ever-dreadful CLICKCLICKCLICKCLICKCLICK.
I thought for a moment of abandoning our journey, but Middlest was really looking forward to having some time alone with me and out of the house. I decided to dig Oldest's car out of the drift and give it a try. It started with only a small amount of begging. I had to back around the damn dead van and did so quite well--I thought--but we will get back to that later. Ok, so we were off like a herd of turtles to get the gift. When we approached the first light in town, I noticed that Oldest's tires were pretty bald when we began spinning out of control when some guy backed out in front of me. Middlest shed a few tears of fear and didn't ask to abandon our journey, surprisingly. As I began again I said that geez maybe we should buy Oldest some new tires. About 9 miles down the highway I heard a big thump and then dadut dadut dadut.....
I pulled over on the side of the highway and got out. YEP! FLAT! Middlest decided to have a meltdown at that point and vowed that this was the worst day of her life. I explained that things could've been a whole lot worse. (maybe???)
I called Mike's office and asked one of the guys to come and rescue us, which he did. Thank you so much Darryl!! Mike is still in Utah until midnight Friday. Does anyone notice a trend here? Mike is always out of state when these clusters occur. The refrigerator.
When we were dropped off at home I noticed one of our lovely lanterns laying flat in the snow. Apparently I didn't back up as neatly as I thought I had. I arranged to have a friend, Emily, pick me up for work tomorrow if my neighbor doesn't jump my van tonite. AAAARRRRGGGGHHH!
I am staying home for the rest of this day.

Middlest plays the Clarinet

Middlest is very proud to be learning this new skill. I am impressed with how quickly she is picking it up. I find myself recognizing songs already!! First concert is next week. Can't wait!

Bowling-Week 1

Littlest is all smiles on week 1

Middlest is happy to have a new sport

Have you ever seen a happier bowling team?? This is my friend Jena's boy and girl.

I don't know--It looks like they are plotting something to me.

Middlest does her own hair

Jumbo Turkey Legs

Today my friend Annie came to town to visit an annual outdoor fair. I got to meet her parents and her kids. What a nice bunch they are!! I really enjoyed them!!

Littlest and Middlest have been waiting all year for this weekend, so that they could enjoy one of their favorite treats--turkey legs. After the fact, Mike told me that he has never gotten them each a leg before. I think it's plain to see why that is....


Littlest attempts to dig in to the leg. After her recent oral surgery, she doesn't have too many teeth left and it was quite challenging for her. She had lost a tooth about a week before having 3 pulled last week, so she is missing 4!!! She only ate about 1/10 of her leg.

Middlest is better able to get into her leg and managed to eat about 1/3 of hers.

Annie's boy and girl are enjoying corn dogs and nachos!!

After the kids "finished" (HA!), the girls decided that they would like to go to our house. We thought that was a fabulous idea and were left with just Annie's boy. The whining level went down considerably and we were able to shop for treasures. ;) My husband is a wonderful guy and came into town to pick up the girls, even though Annie's girl had just met my girls about 30 minutes before. Annie's boy enjoyed some homemade ice cream. (Don't tell the girls that)
Annie and I decided to purchase these cute little bowls at one vendor and got a scoop of rosehips and cinnamon sticks at my all-time fave vendor. We have matching little cute bowls with wonderful smelling potpourri. I buy at least a scoop a year and they really retain their scent for many months. I already had this napkin basket, placemat and salt and pepper holder. I am really excited because I didn't spend a fortune and I have a new/cute little display.
P.S. Upon further inspection, I realized that these bowls were from Wal-mart!! Oh well, it was fun anyway.

Middlest & Littlest have oral surgery :(

Today was the day we've been dreading for some time now. The two younger kids had to have small oral surgery procedures done. Littlest had to take valium 1 hour before the appt. time to keep her relaxed. She was less nervous than middlest even before the valium. Hmmmm???!!!

Middlest went first, due to her anxiety. They did sealants on her permanent molars (I highly recommend for all kids!!) and then they used a laser to remove the tissue between her front two teeth. It was prominent and was keeping her teeth apart. All of this was likely exacerbated by middlest's thumbsucking until approx. age 5. She did quite well and we were proud of her. Next was littlest's turn.... She had 3 baby teeth pulled to make room for her permanent teeth. She had 3 cavities treated. Two with fillings and one with a stainless steel crown. Our previous dentist had never been successful at getting radiographs on her, so her cavities were kinda deep. She became ill from either the gas or the valium and vomited. She was pretty upset about that!

After getting them settled in at home and after the anesthetic wore off, they both proceeded to eat everything they could get their hands on. (Popsicles, ice cream, pudding, chicken nuggets & jello) They hadn't eaten since last night and were "STARVING TO DEATH"