Theory of Boy Noises

I grew up with an older brother, and when I was younger it would not be unusual for me to hear him playing with his toy soldiers and cars and all the sound effects and noises that come with it. I would hear explosions and gun fire as well as vehicles revving their engines. It was all so foreign to me although I heard it very often. Foreign because I could not duplicate any of them (not that I ever really wanted to, 'cause seriously Barbies and Cabbage Patch dolls don't shoot guns or race cars!).

It wasn't until I was married that I marveled at how universal this 'boy noise' thing was. Ryan can make this really cool machine gun sound effect and tried to teach me. But I'm a girl, it can't be done. He tells me that no one taught him but rather it was just something that he just, well, did. It just came naturally to him as he was playing.

And now this boy noise phenomenon comes full circle for me. Just the other day I heard Caleb demonstrating his ability to make machine gun sound effects. I'm amazed because I know this is not something that Ryan sat down and spent time teaching to my son. This is something that Caleb has picked up on his own! Ryan tells me that maybe it's hereditary. I think he's right. Here's how I know;

Caleb's dad is male.
Caleb is male.
Therefore Caleb can make cool sound effects.

And this, this is how I explain the strange phenomenon of boys and their playful sound effects.

YouTube Tuesday - Lost

Lost is back! Whoo-hoo!!! I'm excited, can you tell? Not that I have a whole lot to be excited about because it's not like I have most, if any, of my many questions answered. But I'm excited none the less.

After last week's episodes, I went looking for answers, or more like clarification, and came across this video. And I thought I'd share it. Enjoy!

Ties that Bind

Once upon a time there were two moms who met while taking their sons to their first day of kindergarten. In fact, they not only met, but became friends. Their sons were in the same class and it became the norm to chat while waiting for school to be dismissed. The one friend, whom we'll call 'Ashley', had just moved to the area and knew practically no one. So the other friend, whom we'll call 'Me', invited her to her bible study. Ashely accepted and we've been growing in our friendship ever since.

Now, back up a few months to last May when my cousin got married. My cousin got married by going to Reno and there was no big wedding or reception, so I did not have the opportunity to meet her new husband or see the in-laws. And not until last month did I even find out her new last name! (we're not real close, my cousin and I. in fact, I haven't seen her for almost ten years!) To my shock and surprise, the new last name is the same as Ashley's, which is not (I repeat NOT!) a commonly heard or spelled last name.

This is strange, thought I. I knew that Ashely's in-laws lived in the same town as my cousin, so there had to be a connection. There just had to be!

Turns out there is. Not only is my cousin married to Ashley's brother in law (her husbands brother!) but she is now pregnant! This means that my new friend Ashley will be an aunt to my 2nd cousin!!! How bizarre is that??!

So, my new friend, who lives 2.2 miles from me.....the one whos son happens to be in the same class as my son....is kinda, sorta, somewhat related to me! Well, not really. But still....kinda!

Isn't that the most strangest of connections you've ever heard?

Career Choice

Caleb is always telling us what he is going to be and do when he grows up. The other day this is what he had to say of his choice of vocation;

I'm going to be one of those guys who rides a motorcycle and tells people about God.

And to that I say right on little man, you go tell people about Jesus!!!

I'm sure he'll have another vehicle, when the time comes ('cause what's a guy to do when it rains?!). And on the other car I think he should have this bumper sticker, it just seem appropriate.

Cheap Date

Waaaay back in November I bought material to make curtains for the girls room, and I finally sat myself down at New Years and made them. Then last week Ryan put up the curtain rod. The only problem was that the curtain rod was too short. It was just big enough to cover the length of the window, but then the curtains (which are double the width of the window itself) covered most of the window when pulled back. There is only one way to solve this problem.

Go to Ikea and get a longer curtain rod! (because I'm a frugal spender that way. oh, and I love Ikea!)

So today is the day I had selected to go to Ikea. Today was also the first time that we were able to put all three kids in the child care spot! (hooray for Isabel being -mostly- potty trained!!!) Once we drop the kids off, we are informed that we have one hour to shop before we have to be back to pick up them up. Ok, not a problem. In fact, this is pretty much like a free date! Ryan and I get to walk around and talk and pick up a couple items, all the while we are uninterupted and no one seems to exists but us (amazing what three children can do a person, isn't it?!). The only problem was that we found our items rather quickly.

What else could we do but pick up a cinanmon roll and some milk at the consession stand and sit in the big item pick-up lounge??

So in the end, our 'date' cost us $15 in curtain rod and new draw pulls for Isabel's dresser, $1.75 for the delish cinnnamon roll and milk, and $0 for child care! See what a cheap date I am? Ryan should love me all the more for how much money I save him!

Casting Call

This is what happens when a boy doesn't listen to his mother when asked (told!) to settle down before dinner. He (and his mother and little sister) get to do all these fun-filled things...

1 - phone call to the doctor
1 - appointment made
3 - trips to the doctor (between two different doctors)
7 - rides in an elevator
4 - visits to different doctor/medical offices
many - pictures taken with Mommy's cell phone as a distraction
too many - hours of waiting
3 - x-rays taken
2 - boxes of raisins consumed in the waiting room
11'ty billion - times told to please 'sit down', 'be quiet', 'stop it!', and 'settle down'
75 - dollars spent in co-pays (so far)

And all for what, you ask?

1 - cast



**I know, you have a question or two that you're dying to ask. It's either how'd he do that? or what happened?. Well, it's simple really, and not what you'd expect. Caleb was running around the house playing with a toy motorcycle and just kind of slipped and fell on the floor. His hand bent back a little, I guess. No one saw it actually happen, although this is what we surmise happened as Ryan sort of saw it from the corner of his eye. Nothing fantastic or glorious. Just a simple fall in just the right way. He's doing fine though. Caleb has a small fracture in his hand below his pinky, and he will have the cast for only 3 weeks. I'm just happy that he's not hurt badly and that it's not swimming or beach season right now!

**I'm thinking two things right now;
#1 - how many times will I, as a mother, have to deal with this, or similar, situations in the future? (he is a boy after all!)

#2 - I'm surprised this hasn't happened sooner!

Pop Quiz

Quick!

What does this?



plus this?



plus this?



plus this?




equal????

Sledding and Celebrating

.....and then we went sledding........

We found a perfect place to sled. It was on a nice sloping meadow that lead to the lake. And it had two lanes (also perfect for sled races!). Of course the kids had a fabulous time sledding down then trekking back up the slope for another round. But the adults had fun too! I even had a race with Rachel, but there's no need to declare the winner.

That night we celebrated Caleb's big achievement (living to the age of six!). When we were at the store the day before, I let him pick out his cake and ice cream. He chose red velvet cake and mint chocolate chip ice cream (red and green....how appropriate for a Christmas birthday!!). Although he didn't eat any, the cake was very good, but he did partake of the ice cream, and that passed the yum standard as well.




After we tucked tired-out children into bed, us adults stayed up and played a riveting game of Apples to Apples. You know, it wouldn't have mattered what game we played (the night before it was Balderdash!) but it was just great to be with our friends. So, Caleb's birthday rounded out our Tahoe vacation in the snow. I think it was one of the best vacations we've had as a family. It was great to get away, experience some snow (and leave it behind) and just be together. I don't think we'll be able to make it yearly tradition, but I would love to do it again sometime.

Vacation On! and Snow Cream!

The next day, after being woken up waaaaaay too early in the morning by eager kids, we began our first day in Tahoe. There was plenty of snow, so finding enough for snowballs was not a difficult thing for the kids. After the kids ate, they quickly dressed for the outside. And suddenly, the cabin was quiet! The great outdoors?........not so much.

I stayed happily, and cozily, inside with my dear friend Rachel as we cleaned up the breakfast dishes and straightened up before the kids came back inside to tear it all apart again. Yes, it was official, we were on vacation!

the view from the living room

That first day was somewhat lazy, after a trip into town for lunch and supplies. The kids played countless games of hide-and-go-seek as the adults talked and played a few games around the fire.

The next day, Tuesday, was Caleb's birthday! He turned six this time. And it seemed that the day was celebrating him right along with us. The day before had been a beautiful snowy day with clouds and huge chunks of falling snow, but Tuesday dawned bright and clear and laden with at least a foot of fresh snow! And what else should one do (when celebrating their birthday) with tons of fresh snow????.....sledding! That's right! So sledding we went!

But first.....we had snow cream!

What's snow cream, you ask? Well, let me tell ya....it's wonderfully, delicious, icey mounds of goodness. What'd you expect?? Ok, fine, I'll indulge you with an explanation.

My friend Rachel, grew up in a place where it snowed a couple times a year and it was always a treat. She tells me that when it would snow, her mother would gather up the fresh snow and make snow cream. I vaguely remember Rachel tell me of this when I lived in Michigan. I think I half listened and blew it off because, at the time, I was sick of looking at the snow, which I had affectionately named white crap. (gasp! I know, sorry for such harsh language, but it's true, I was tired of the snow and the thought of eating it was just abhorrent to me - sorry Rachel!). If I had listened, I may have found a piece of enjoyment out of the stuff.

Here's a basic recipe, then I'll explain;

Mix together:
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
scant 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
large bowl of snow (about 3 quarts)

The only problem with this recipe, that we had, was that there wasn't any vanilla in the cabin. So we improvised and used the peppermint mocha creamer that was in the cabinet. Oh boy!!!!....I like to call this a happy accident! The snow cream was light and icy with a nice aftertaste of peppermint. It was fab-u-lous!!!! There aren't words to describe how absolutely wonderful it tasted. All I gotta say is......if you ever visit the snow, take some peppermint mocha creamer and make yourself some lovely snow cream!

Rachel made one batch late that morning and it was gobbled up in no time (by everyone!). Then I asked her to make some more after we got back from sledding. This was certainly an unexpected highlight for me on this trip. Oh to have one more serving!

Then, we went sledding........

The Trip to Tahoe

After a long travel day the day before, we headed off to Tahoe on Christmas Sunday. We were armed with dvds rented from our library (and because of the holiday closures I wouldn't have to think about renewing them before we returned!!!) and they helped the kids (and consequently Ryan and I) endure the slow, snow-covered roads through the mountains. I can't express how wonderful it was to have fresh new movies to distract the kids with!!! Anyway, six hours later we finally arrived at the cabin and were greeted by the warmth of the fire and friendship (wasn't that a lovely sentiment?).

After being cooped up in the truck one might have thought that the kids were pooped and ready for a nice, warm, evenings sleep. One who doesn't have kids might think that. If they did, they be sorely mistaken (and very tired the next morning). On the contrary, they were excited about their friends, the cabin, the bunk beds, and just about everything else.

Two hours, and many threats tucks-back-into-beds later, the cabin was quiet, with the exception of the adults catching up by the fire.

Ahhhhh....we were on vacation.

These Boots Are Made for Walkin'

We've been home for one week now. And I've posted absolutely nothing about our trip to Tahoe or our Christmas with family. Shame on me! But somehow I think my reader(s) may forgive me. Won't you??

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was more than ready for our Christmas vacation started before it began. We were going to meet some friends up in Tahoe for the first part of the week, then head to Modesto for Christmas and the remainder of our time. However, before we could leave, I had to secure all the gear needed for the kids to enjoy the snow. I thought I had enough leftovers from our time in Michigan that I'd only have to get a few things for Mae and Caleb.

I was wrong.

Turns out that Caleb is a much bigger guy than Mae was at the same age. Much to my disappointment, I discovered that the boots I intended Caleb to wear would actually be the ones for Isabel. Bummer! But Craigslist is my friend. For the most part, that is. Isabel would be fully assembled, thanks to the leftovers, but Mae and Caleb needed pretty much a full wardrobe!

Thanks to Mr. Craig, Big Lots and the dollar section at Target (oh how I love thee, let me count the ways....$1!!!) I was able to get snow pants and jacket for Caleb, snow pants for Mae, as well as hats, gloves. The one thing left, days before leaving on our trip, was boots for my boy.

That Thursday, two days left mind you, I gave up on Craigslist and decided to bite the bullet and buy new ones at Target. Easy enough, so I thought. However, when I got there all that was left were small sizes, and in pink! Who would have thought that a Southern California store would SELL OUT of snow boots??!

To make a long story (and long afternoon!) short......4 stores and 2 hours later, I found some boots for Caleb. The price was good, but they were also two sizes too big! I didn't have another choice really (and I don't count the pair at a sporting goods store for forty bucks! as a choice, I wouldn't pay that even if we lived in Michigan and he wore them everyday!). So I bought the two-sizes-too-big pair and figured I'd have him double up on socks. In the end, they worked out and the boy had a great time in the snow and stayed nice and dry the entire time!

The moral of this story is this; The Lord cares about boots for my boy. I had been praying the entire time while gathering gear. It was my intent to spend our money wisely, and I see that the Lord honored my efforts and provided me with what we needed.

Thank you Lord for another opportunity to trust you, even in silly things like snow boots for a five year old boy!

After all my efforts, you don't think it's asking too much for him to wear them to school, do you?