Growin' boys

Today is crazy hair day at school.

I offered to spray glitter in their hair, but they weren't ready to go that far.

Yesterday Caleb had scouts after school, so Brayden and Dillon walked home together. Dillon came in the house, but Brayden didn't. I went to the window to look for him, and found this:

He was out there talking to Miriam for 15 minutes

before he finally came inside.

Root Canals and Robots

Caleb FINALLY lost one of his front teeth this week! It has been loose since January. The poor kid was not blessed in the teeth department. He was well over a year before he got his first tooth, so now they're late falling out.

His front two teeth started to turn black this summer, and when the dental receptionist showed me his x-rays, I couldn't believe they were still hangin' on because his permanent teeth were right there. The reason his teeth looked dark was because they were actually becoming hollow.

He also has a bottom back tooth that is cracked, and last February it got infected and he had to have a "baby root canal". It really needs to come out, but since the permanent tooth won't be coming in for quite awhile, we're trying to keep it for as long as possible so his teeth won't move and fill in the gap.

On Brayden's birthday he bit into a meatball cupcake and his tooth hurt so much he couldn't finish it. I took him in today, and there was another abcess forming. They said his tooth needed to come out so I gave them permission, but at the last minute, they decided to re-do the "baby root canal" (at no charge).

He was very brave, and I'm glad we caught it before the infection got too bad, because last time he was in a lot more pain.

The dentist gave him a prescription for an antibiotic, and I was excited to realize that I had my camera with me so I could take a picture of these super cute robots that our pharmacist's wife makes. I absolutely love them, and can't wait to make some for Brayden and Caleb's room.

(I'm sure the people at the pharmacy thought I was nuts, but I don't care :o)

I love the wing nut mustache, the arms made of keys, the cute heart charm, and the head made from the Nike golf ball. I hope my mother-in-law will start saving her Altoid tins for me (hint, hint).

Cub Scouts and brotherly love

I told the boys I was posting this picture for the Grandma's, but it's really just to show off the fact that I finally got around to sewing their badges on...and now I'm behind again.

Tonight Caleb earned his Bobcat, and Brayden got his Bear. I will never understand why the Mom has to paint their faces, or why we have to cheer by pretending to spit out watermelon seeds, but the boys had fun. Having been a den leader for a year, I can more fully appreciate all that their leaders do.

And here is a picture of poor Dillon, anxiously waiting for his boys to come home from school. Tomorrow is the last day of the school year, and Dilly couldn't be happier. I, on the other hand, could use another week to finish de-junking and organizing before having the kids home all day long.

a tribute to Caleb

Making Caleb's baptism video made me a bit nostalgic. I've always felt like Caleb has been a little shafted. I had postpartum depression after he was born, and I remember very little from his first year. It also doesn't help that he is the middle child.

Caleb is a pretty special little boy. I've always felt it. I know he has a specific mission here on earth, and has been blessed with talents that will help him to acheive whatever it is. His "mission" was mentioned in both his baby blessing, and his confirmation blessing. We are so grateful to have him in our family.

Since many of you didn't get to see his baptism slideshow, I thought I'd share a few pictures and stories here.
The top two pictures in this collage are legendary. I think Caleb was about 18 mos. old at the time, and Brayden covered his face and hair in Desitin (diaper rash creme). Washing it off proved to be quite difficult since diaper creme is WATERPROOF. I called a friend who had recently looked it up online, and she told me to use corn starch to get it out...so that is picture #2. The cornstarch worked, but it wasn't Caleb's best day ever.

The bottom left, is Caleb's 6 mos. "holiday" picture. I have a picture of Brayden at 6 mos. in an easter basket, so I took a fall scarecrow picture of Caleb. Dillon is the third child so he didn't get a holiday picture...he probably didn't even get a 6 mos. picture. Anyway, in almost all of Caleb's baby pictures he has the biggest smile, and the poor kid had reflux and seizures until he was 18 mos. old. He didn't sleep through the night until he was over a year, so my smile wasn't quite so big...

The last one really shows Caleb's personality. You can't see it, but Brayden fell asleep in Caleb's bed. Rather than waking up his brother, Caleb happily settled down for the night in a laundry basket with his favorite blanket. I think he really would've slept there if we hadn't found him. He has always been considerate of other people's feelings.

The top left is another "legendary" picture. Caleb and Dillon got into a mud fight, and it was hysterical to watch. My neighbor told me that she and her husband watched the whole thing from their kitchen window over dinner. Dillon's pants got so heavy from being wet that they fell off :o) He is a great big brother.

The top right is a picture of Caleb snuggling with his cousin Sam. Caleb is quite popular with several of his cousins...again, it's his personality and consideration of others.

The bottom left is a picture of Brayden and Caleb running out to the van after school. Nowadays, they walk home, but Brayden's teacher told me that Caleb goes into Brayden's class every day after school, and helps him gather his homework and get his "ducks in a row" before they start their walk home. He also reminds Brayden to walk to the church for scouts on the appropriate day. He is a great little brother.

The picture of Caleb with the bandaid on his mouth is one of my favorites. He had a small cut on his lip and INSISTED on having a bandaid. At first I tried to talk him out of it, and then I decided that only good could come from it :o)

When the boys started walking home from school last year, Caleb brought me one of these little "weed flowers" along with a smile, every single day. He often melts my heart.

Last year, we got a letter from the principal and at first I was worried, but it turned out to be a letter telling us what a great citizen Caleb is, and how he is an example to the kids around him.

He's very stubborn, but we finally convinced him to sing in sacrament meeting a few weeks ago and I was oh, so proud. He loves to sing and several people commented that he made them cry.

When we made his birthday wish list a few weeks ago, he said, "Mom, the only thing I really want is my baptism". I think the spirit we felt at his baptism has something to do with what a special kid he is.

We love you, Caleb!

Duet

The boys had a great time with Uncle Ben last night. He teaches out of the same piano books that they're using, so they had something in common.

Uncle Ben would turn around and close his eyes, while the boys played a random note. Then he'd turn back and play the song of their choice (from their piano lesson books) in whatever key they had picked.

I was amazed that Uncle Ben could remember so many two line, two note songs :o)

After the games, Caleb and Uncle Ben played a duet:

What color should I paint?

We are in the process of finishing a bedroom (and hopefully the family room) in our basement in preparation for the baby.

I've been "collecting" idea's for the boys' science room for forever, but I am at a complete loss when trying to decide on paint color(s). I have until Friday to figure out the paint and carpet, so if you have suggestions, PLEASE HELP!

The boys want a space room, but I'm afraid they'll grow out of it too soon, so any "space themed" stuff needs to be easy to take out as they get older. My sister designed these cute scrapbook papers for me, that I'll use to mod-podge on frames, or containers, or whatever to add some "space" to their room. (By the way, you can click on her "Scrappity" link on my sidebar to download any of her papers).

The bedding will be like picture on top, except the stripes will be navy, orange, lime green, and a bit of turquoise. We have two huge illustrated maps for one wall, that are blue/turquoisey in the background. The boys also have an aquarium, and we'll be using their microscope, volcano lamp, and bio-dome habitat as decor in the room as well.

I love this organizational wall from Pottery Barn:

I do have some corrugated metal in the back lot that I'm considering using as wainscoating (sp?) across the bottom of one wall, with moulding across the top. Is that too weird?

I like using color in kid's rooms, but I don't want it so crazy that you can't rest in there. We don't really need any extra crazy in our house. Also, it's a basement room with one small window, so I don't want it to be too dark.

Any and all suggestions or idea's are welcome.

That's our boy...

Today was our last day of soccer. I am a terrible mother and didn't take a single picture, but it's been a great season.

Caleb scored his first goal a couple weeks ago, and he's still talking about it. Soccer has since become his FAVORITE game.

We discovered that Dillon got all the athletic ability in our family. He can kick the ball while running, and he's not the least bit scared to hit the ball with his head (even though he's terrified of the wind). This season he just practiced with a ball on the sidelines, but next year we'll definitely put him on a team.

Brayden pulled off the move of the century this morning. He was playing defender, and in usual Brayden fashion, got distracted and bored, and laid down flat on the grass to watch the clouds.
The other team was kicking the ball towards our team's goal, and Todd started yelling at Brayden to get up. Brayden raised his head to see what was going on, just in time for the ball to bounce off of his head, which blocked the goal, and his team won for the first time.

It was a perfect ending to the season.

It's the first day of school!

I made it!

Our summer went well until we got home from our Washington vacation, and then everything kind of fell apart. It is most definitely time for school...for my house to stay clean for a few hours, for a normal bedtime, and for cooler weather. I love, love, love Autumn.

The only crying I did was yesterday, when I thought that I might not survive the final 18 hours of summer break without self-destructing. If I never hear the words, "Mom, I'm hungry" again, it will be too soon.

Thankfully, all of that is forgotten now that I've had a few hours to work on a project in glorious silence (pictures soon), and I'm sitting here looking at my cute boys who have grown way too fast.

Brayden is in 3rd grade this year!

...and Caleb is in 2nd grade.
I had to laugh last night when Caleb told me that Brayden
didn't look tall enough to be a 3rd grader.
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

Ever feel like something's missing?

Caleb lost his first tooth tonight, and in case you didn't notice, he is absolutely thrilled. The poor kid didn't get his first tooth until he was at least 14 months old, so he's waited a long time for this. Brayden lost his first tooth in preschool.

He'll be starting second grade in a few weeks...my how time flies.

Happy Birthday Caleb!

Caleb's party started at 6 AM since we needed it to be dark. We put black light bulbs in our dining room fixture, and glow sticks on the table during breakfast.

Here's the birthday boy with all his loot.
I found some printable Star Wars masks online...


For after-school snack we had lightsaber pretzels.
I had a few Star Wars crafts in mind, but Caleb had a friend over
and they spent the afternoon playing Lego Star Wars (the video game)
and passed all the levels for the first time ever.
That was just fine with me.

And here's my "one hour Star Wars cake" which

we enjoyed with "Yoda Soda" (lime sherbet and sprite)

It says, "have a happy birthday you must". I know that Yoda talks like that, because I saw it earlier this season on "The Office".

Ward Christmas Party

Tomorrow night is our ward Christmas party, and unlike other years, certain kids were selected to play parts in the live manger scene. Caleb was chosen to be a cow.

He's a little bit embarrassed by his costume, and I can't say that I blame him. Nothing says Merry Christmas like a crocheted brown cow vest, with hot pink felt udders. In past years, his entire class would've been wearing the same thing, so he wouldn't have to be alone in his misery...I mean costume.

Thankfully, he's a good kid, and I know he'll wear it, and be a wonderful cow tomorrow night.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The Bad: Waking up at 3:30 AM to the sound of my six year old gasping for air to breathe.

The Good: Living in a community with a wonderful doctor (who gave a great high-council talk on Sunday) and an on-call nurse (in our ward) who were willing to meet us at the local clinic in the middle of the night, since our hospital is so far away.

The Bad: Nearly hitting four bull elk in the middle of the next town over, while going 80 miles an hour, without contacts, trying to get to the clinic a little faster. (I should add that the speed limit is 65 going into the town, so I wasn't going too far over the speed limit...)

The Good: After a priesthood blessing and breathing the cold night air, Caleb arrived at the clinic still wheezing, but sounding a lot better, and able to talk.

The Bad: Throwing up during his x-ray (that would be Caleb, not me). Yes, the good ol' x-ray machine. I have issues with the x-ray machine at our clinic. I've sworn I'd never have an x-ray done there again because it's so fuzzy, I always have to pay to have it re-done in the hospital, but what do you do at 4:00 AM?

The Good: Finding the problem (Croup and tonsillitis) so it could be treated immediately with steroids and a breathing treatment. His trachea was so swollen it was nearly closed off. We are also very grateful that we don't have to pay for a tonsillectomy right now (and do it in a hospital that requires "permission" from Provo to do the surgery).

The Bad: All those payments I made two years ago on our nebulizer that Dillon used twice.

The Good: We actually HAVE a nebulizer and now we're getting our money's worth.

The Bad: The taste of the steroid medication that poor Caleb has to take for the croup, and the TEN DAY antibiotic for his tonsillitis.

The Good: I got out of making a quadruple batch of frosting for 19 kids to make gingerbread houses at school on Friday, AND I don't have to go to the school to help with the project... :o)

And don't forget The Ugly: Me, and the nurse, at the clinic at 4:00 AM with messy hair, bags under our eyes, and no make-up...it was NOT pretty.

It's the most wonderful time of the year :o)

The first day of school!

Poor Dillon. He came down the stairs about 10 minutes ago (10:20 AM) to say "It's time to get my boys from school", and when I told him that they wouldn't be home until this afternoon, he threw a little fit and started ranting about how stupid computers are (that's what he's been doing this morning, after I drug him around town in the stroller for a morning walk).

Caleb was so excited he was dressed in about 10 seconds, and chose cereal because "it's faster than eggs and toast"...as if that would make school start sooner.

Brayden decided, after Back to School Night last night, that second grade would be easier than first grade because there was less stuff in his desk.

Family campout

Todd had two days off in the middle of last week, so we decided to go on a little family campout.

We forgot the oil for the pancakes, and Dillon arrived with only flip flops, but we managed to enjoy ourselves anyway.

As we were planning this little event, I imagined leaving our stresses behind, sitting in a camp chair, and enjoying nature while the kids entertained themselves with dirt and rocks.

The kids did a pretty good job of entertaining themselves, but for me and Todd it was really all just a big whirlwind of packing, setting up camp, fixing dinner, geocaching, fishing, s'mores, using the plop-drop, hanging on for dear life so as to not fall off the air mattress when someone else moved, not sleeping, making breakfast, taking down camp, fishing again, stopping for shakes, and un-packing.

**note to self: next time leave more than 24 hours for the event if I want to enjoy nature.

The boys had a great time walking on this "balance beam".

"Look, mom, I can do a twick!"

Our chair got attacked by a wild and ferocious animal during the night...

Oh, wait. It was just our dog. Heaven forbid we should take a family outing without the dog.

Oh, and we also played "Black Magic" and the boys were introduced to "The Great Tod-dah!" They were amazed at how Dad could read their minds.

This was taken in the spot where we found the geocache. We camped on a mountain that overlooks Capitol Reef. Usually the air is very clear, but it's hazy in the picture because of the fires in California.

Dillon and the chipmunks

Ignore the bad photoshop job,

and just ponder on the personalities of my three boys...

I think this is what they should be for Halloween.

Where there is dirt...there is Dillon

After Caleb watered his garden on Saturday night, Dillon had some ideas of his own for that hose. It was all fun and games until his pants fell down...

A mini-vacation, and Father's Day

After school got out, the kids and I took a little vacation to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Charlotte patiently helped me attempt to learn Photoshop, while all six grandsons worked their magic on Grandma's house.

Left to right: Brayden, Caleb, Dillon, Joshua, Samuel, and Jacob

This is one of the pages I managed to make using Photoshop

Before leaving, the boys and I did a little father's day shopping. They could hardly wait to give Todd this Pokemon shirt that matched their own!

(It was at Kohl's on clearance for $3.60, and I couldn't tell them no :o)Dad also got a transformer logo for his truck...

...and a new grill.

(We've been using a table top grill for 10 years)

Here's a favorite grilling recipe:

I like to buy a ton of london broil when it's on sale, and cut it up into chunks for kabobs (use kitchen scissors--it's way easier). I put the meat in old cool whip containers (I wash and save them just for this purpose) with this marinade:

½ cup soy sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

2 Tbsp. ketchup

1 tsp. dried oregano

½ tsp. pepper

Then I label the containers and stick them right in the freezer.All summer long, when we want to grill kabobs, I just pull the container out of the freezer in the morning, and the meat marinates while it thaws in the fridge. Afterwards, I just throw the container away.

The Cake

I despise cake decorating. My brother thought this cake would be easy...but I'm here to prove that just because I can do freehand sewing on a quilt, does not mean that I can frost a cake. What a mell-of-a-hess. The whole cake fell to pieces when I tried to dump it out of the pan. Luckily, Caleb was thrilled with the red, white, and blue cake mix (Optimus Prime colors). It's a good thing our grocery store still had one on the shelf from last July...

Happy 6th Birthday, Caleb!

Since Brayden has school from 8:00-2:50, and Todd has to work from 2:00-10:00, we had to have Caleb's birthday party at 7:00 this morning. He wanted a Transformer party (and he reminded me that the presents needed to "match" the theme). We downloaded the Transformers theme song and played it loudly on our MP3 player to wake him up.

There was testosterone all over the place.

Caleb also requested that his name be on the wall.

He chose to have "Dip Muffins" for Breakfast (our family tradition for Christmas morning).

Dip Muffins:

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

2 cups flour

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. Baking Powder

Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 mins. (ours never take more than 15 mins).

Serve hot with a bowl of melted butter, and a bowl of cinnamon/sugar. Dip and eat!

Waiting for Brayden to get dressed for school, so he can open his presents.

Thanks everyone for the gifts! Grandma Graves gave him two Transformers and Cars swim trunks; Grandma and Grandpa Salisbury gave him another Transformer and Martian Matter Alien Maker; We gave him a new Planet Hero and a toolbox full of real tools, and Grandma Great gave him the Webkins Leopard (on top of the alien maker box). Apparently, these Webkins come with a code that you enter online, and Caleb will be able to name his pet, create a home for it, and will have to log in every day to take care of it. He's addicted to the computer, so this should be fun.

April Fools!

My friend Vanessa's little girl, Katie, had to have tubes put in her ears on Tuesday morning, so we got to have a sleepover with her three boys: Nate, Ryan, and Kyle (not pictured). Imagine six boys ages 3-8, a binder full of Pokemon cards, a box of Transformer toys, in ONE BEDROOM! I think everyone was finally asleep by 11:30.

The kids were supposed to dress as "Fools" for April Fool's, so in the morning they ran around finding tails, cowboy boots, and hats, and put their shirts on backward. Who knew that we'd actually have a use for these hats that Grandma Graves gave us for Christmas last year?