This e-mail is me

I got this great e-mail from my mother-in-law. I think I have this disease. Keep reading, because you might too!

Recently, I was diagnosed with C. A. A. D. D. - Child Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.This is how it manifests:

I decide to do the laundry. As I start toward the laundry room, I notice that there are cheerios all over the floor and my car keys are in the cereal bowl. I decide to pick up the cheerios before I do the laundry. I lay my car keys down on the counter, put the cheerios in the trash can under the counter, and notice that the trash can is full. So, I decide to take out the trash. But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the trash I may as well pay the bills first. I take my checkbook off the table, and see that there is only one check left, my extra checks are in my desk in the office/playroom, so I go to my desk where I find a sippy cup full of juice.I'm going to look for my checks, but first I decide I should put sippycup in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the sippy cup, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need to be watered. I set the sippy cup on the counter, and I discover baby wipes that I've been searching for all morning. I decide I better put them back in the bathroom, but first I'm going to water the flowers.I set the wipes back down, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote, one of the kids left it on the kitchen table. I realize that when they go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote as they fight over who lost it, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.I splash some water on the flowers, but most of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back down, get some paper towels and wipe up the spill. Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day: the laundry isn't washed, the bills aren't paid, there is a warm cup of juice sitting on the counter, the flowers aren't watered, there is still only one check in my checkbook, I can't find the remote, I can't find the wipes, and I don' t remember what I did with the car keys.Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail. Do me a favor, will you? Forward this message, because I don't remember to whom it has been sent. Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming.

Preschool is Done!

So B is done with his first year of preschool. But more importantly, I am done with teaching preschool for the next few months! For the kids' last day of school, we decided to go to Meadow View park and let them all play together. After snack time, we gave the kids thier achievement certificates and a little medal to commemorate the day. B has grown and learned so much this past year. He knows his letters, he can count to 20, and knows all his shapes and colors too! He is growing up so fast. One more year to kindergarten.....

Hogle Zoo

So I had the great idea to go to Hogle Zoo in May before the weather turned too hot. When we looked at the calendar, the weekend before Memorial day seemed like the perfect time to go to avoid the big crowds. Well, I was wrong on both counts! The zoo was totally packed with people. I've never seen it so crowded. It was also about 87 degrees that day, so I was really working up a sweat, especially when I was pushing B uphill in the stroller! Still, the boys had a great time. B even brought his Diego Animal Caller so he could talk to all the animals. Next year, maybe the Zoo in April? Check out the slideshow of how much fun the kids had!

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day, despite still trying to kick the cold I've had for a week! The boys (plus daddy) got me some great gifts. I got a Kelly Clarkson CD and a new pillow that I just love! I sleep so much better now, and we moms know how important sleep is! I spent the morning in bed on my new pillow while Ben made blueberry pancakes and helped B make me a card. The best part is while I was trying to catch a few more minutes in sleepyland, B came running into the room with the card. He yells "Mommy, look what I made for you! Daddy told me not to come in here yet, because you were sleeping, but this waiting is too hard."

We went to church where I have to admit the best part of the whole day was when B gave his first talk in Primary. He did so good, and I was so proud of him! He was just beaming for the rest of church. After that, we joined my in-laws for a picnic at a park. We were practically the only ones there, because the clouds in the sky looked a little ominous. It was perfect! The food was delicious (Jeanne, you are the best cook :}) and I got even more time to sit and relax. Ben looked pretty tired at the end of the day, though! Thank you my husband for making me a Mommy and giving me the best gift ever-two little monkeys! I love you boys, you are my world.

A fun surprise

So my mom's birthday was May 4th, and I wanted to give her a great surprise for her birthday. Ben was in Denver for a conference, and my mom had taken some time off work, so she came up here on Tuesday for two days. I talked to my two sisters ahead of time and got them to secretly come up here on Tuesday as well. I told my mom to bring a white shirt with her and not to ask any questions. When she got here, I told her that she was getting pictures taken with the boys, since we haven't done professional ones ever. Then about two hours later, I made a run to Wal-mart for some groceries while my sisters were driving into the valley. I picked up a birthday cake, and we all arrived at the house at the same time. We walked in the door and said, "Surprise, happy birthday!" My sisters had all brought white shirts as well, and we all went to JCPenny to get our pictures taken together. We got some great pics (that I will post later) and then went to the house to eat birthday cake. It was the really yummy kind with the whip cream frosting, but it had lots of bright coloring in it, so when we ate it our teeth turned green!

My sisters went home that night, but we still had more fun planned the next day. After taking B to preschool, we went to Payless (in the rain) to look for cute shoes. While my mom was trying them on, Christopher picked up a really ugly shiny black shoe and started running around the store with it. I kept chasing him up and down the isle while he was laughing and running and yelling "Shoos-shoos" We went back and did lunch then took off while Christopher was napping. We went to Garden Gateway and got some great flowers for our pots, and some for my yard. Then we went to Heritage Lane to get some cute frames for all our new pictures. I got some cute frames and a frame rod for my living room wall (I am totally going to copy you, Cansas!) When we got back, B had fallen asleep on the couch-

While he was napping, we went outside with Christopher to plant out our pots. When we weren't looking, he decided to give us a helping hand. Maybe I have a future gardener, or maybe little boys just like to play in the dirt. It was a great couple of days!

A monkey funny

B and Christopher both got immunizations yesterday-who cried more, the boys or mommy? So when B got up this morining he didn't feel very good. Ben went out to take care of him, and when I came to the living room he was laying on the couch. This is the conversation we had:

Me "What's wrong B?"
B "I have an egg head"
Me "An egg head?"
B "Uh-huh"
Me "Umm...okay. Do you want some medicine?"
B "Yeah"

Five minutes later....

Me "How do you feel B?"
B "My head still hurts. I still have a head egg."
Me "A head egg... Oh! A headache!"
B "Yeah, a head egg."

Sometimes my kids make me laugh so much I get a head egg.

Benjamin's 4th Birthday

Benjamin turned four last week and he had quite the birthday extravaganza! First we went out on Thursday to the dollar store to get party favors for his friend party; we ended up with a few "extras" that B talked us into getting. Each child at his party got a party bag with silly string, a spiderman frisbee, and a spiderman magic washcloth that grows in the tub. We then went to the grocery store to let him pick out a birthday cake. On Friday, he had his superhero birthday party. All his friends came over dressed as their favorite hero (or princess for the girls) We had 11 little kids all running around in costumes! The plan was to have the party outside, but as luck would have it, the weather was cold and windy. We ushered all the kids down into the basement where we did our hero excersizes and got our silly string (superhero shooters) ready. Then Ben dressed up as a pirate and I told all the little superheros that an evil pirate was coming to steal the birthday presents and we had to stop him and save the day. As soon as Ben came downstairs all the kids started to shoot him with the silly string. It was hilarious! (what a good sport) We then took turn opening presents, and B got quite a haul. There were a lot of great presents and he has enjoyed them all. Thanks moms! After the presents we took the kids back outside to jump in the bounce house. They all really enjoyed it and would only stop to have cupcakes. The kids all were covered in chocolate frosting from ear to ear. It took half a box of wet wipes to clean them all up before the moms and dads came to pick them up. It was a great party! On Saturday we had the family come up for yet another party. B's grandparents, great-grandma, uncle and two aunts all came up to enjoy a barbeque. B got another round of great presents that he has played with every day. (daddy too) It was a great weekend for a birthday! He is such a big boy now! Happy Birthday B