I've Been Waiting

I have been waiting for something for over 12 years. Something that I have been searching for, longing for, and wishing for. Yesterday if finally once again entered my life and I feel like I am now complete. It is:

"Egg Chicken Noodle Dinner"

This is my absolute favorite food. The last time I remember being able to eat it I was a Freshman in college. Shortly thereafter it disappeared from the grocery store shelves. For years, that's right years, I would search grocery stores in many different towns, hoping to find it. But much to my dismay I never did. Those of you that know me, know that I have some strange food obsessions, so when one of those leaves my life, I go into mourning. Last week, without much hope I decided to once again go searching for it. And miracle of miracles I found it. I have searched for it before on the internet and never found it, but this time I discovered a group of people just like myself who were also missing "Egg Chicken Noodle Dinner" and they were able to lead me to a site to buy it. Isn't that just the best news?

The Progression

Sadie's fit-throwing progression:

She first expresses her unhappiness, by putting her head down and crying softly.

Then realizing that I am not responding, goes into full fit-throwing mode. Complete with tears and screaming. This picture also shows paper in her mouth that she has been trying to eat. She is so sneaky!

However once picked up, she recovers within seconds.

I have a sneaking suspicion she is so cranky, because SHE IS NOT SLEEPING AT NIGHT. It is also making me cranky.

Newly Crawling

Sadie has been practicing and practicing all month, and she is now a full-fledged crawler. I am excited, but Jackson isn't too happy that she can get to his toys whenever she wants. I am wondering how much I am going to have to baby proof my house. We still have all of the outlet covers, and door locks, but I wonder if I am going to have to move all of my breakables out of reach. My other two kids were never very interested in them, and I am hoping the trend continues. We will see.

First Day Of School-Megan

Yesterday was Megan's long-awaited first day of 3rd grade. Construction is now complete, but the traffic was beyond terrible. It will definitely be an adjustment. Anyway, Megan had a great first day.


Some highlights:

• She already knew 3 other girls in her class.
• She received her first classroom job as office runner.
• She was quite annoyed that most of the girls were wearing skirts the first day and she was wearing shorts.
• She said her lunchroom was a lot smaller than her other one, and that her classroom was pretty small but did have windows. (Has anyone else noticed how small the classrooms are here in Las Vegas?)
  
• The best part of her day: Recess

The second day of school-skirt and all.

Eight Is Great

I don't think I have mentioned how great it is to have an 8 year old. I really don't know how I managed to take care of a baby without one. Megan waited quite a few years to have a sister, and now that she has one, she takes the job of big sister seriously. She goes back to school today, and I have to admit that I will be going through a transition period. This summer Megan has helped me more than I think I even realize. If I needed someone to play with Sadie while I took a shower, cleaned, or made lunch, she was more than willing to help. Granted, she is still 8 so that help only came in about 20 minute bursts. But still, it was a big help. Good thing I still have Jackson to go get me diapers. Imagine if I had to go and get them myself! Here a few of my favorite pictures of Megan and Sadie the last few weeks.





Oh, and one more thing that I will miss. She would run into the store to buy my Dr. Pepper while I waited in the car with Jackson and Sadie. It was great! I let her keep the change which seemed to make her day.

Megan Said

After looking at this ad for Old Navy:


Megan: "Mom, her hair is definitely not very age appropriate."

(I guess we have been watching a little too much Shear Genius)

SPT

The challenge this month is to highlight one thing per week that you have been inspired to do "because of a blogger."

Entertaining/Parties

Hmmm. First of all, there are so darn many amazing bloggers out there, with so darn many good ideas when it comes to entertaining. However, I have not actually taken any of these good ideas and ran with them, so for this SPT I am giving my favorite party idea. It is not extravagant or exciting, but nonetheless it is one I use every year on my kids birthdays.
When it was time to open presents at my kids parties I noticed that there tended to be a lot of crowding, yelling, and mayhem. So a few years ago we started setting up two chairs.

One for the birthday kid to sit in, and one for the kid who was giving the gift to sit in. That way everyone could see, my kids were able to actually see who gave them the gift, and thank them properly after they opened it. It also gave me a chance to take pictures of everyone at the party. So although not super exciting, it has been practical.

Who's That Girl?

Megan got her haircut. At first she requested only a small trim, but then realizing if she cut it shorter she would no longer have to actually do her hair, so decided to cut it off. Just a brush in the morning, and she is all ready.

Jackson Said

Jackson: "Megan when mom asks you to clean your room and you don't, does that invite the spirit in or turn the spirit away."

Still Swimming!!

One of the best things about living in Las Vegas is that our swim season lasts so long.

Sadie loves the water. She doesn't even mind it when we dunk her.

Megan is becoming a much stronger swimmer. Last night she was even diving into the pool.

The only problem with swimming late in the summer is that it gets dark so soon. But the pool lights were really cool.

First Day Of School-Jackson

Yesterday Jackson started his last year of pre-school. After I dropped him off I ended up talking to another mom about how they all looked so small. Our first children had been in pre-school together a few years ago and we both felt that they seemed so much older. It is probably just another case of wanting your first one to grow up fast and pass another milestone, but wanting to hold onto the smallness of the rest of them.


Jackson had a great day.

• He has a new teacher this year named Miss Sheree.
• He got to have animal crackers with blue whip cream for snack. Doesn't that sound appetizing?
• He requested a mo-hawk this morning but when I went to pick him up he had plastered his hair flat.
  
• These pictures made me notice that he never opens his mouth when he smiles.
• He was a little reluctant for me to leave him this morning (he held my hand for a few extra minutes).
  
• He said he had a lot of fun and liked his teacher. What could be better for a 4 year old?

We are still awaiting Megan's first day of 3rd grade. She is going to a new school this year that is not completed yet. It is supposed to open on Sept. 15th. I hope so, because with most of her friends back in school she seems to be getting a bit bored.

Jackson Said

Jackson: "Sadie is a beauty."
Me: "Yes, Sadie is beautiful."
Jackson: "No Mom, Sadie is a beauty."
Me: "What does that mean?"
Jackson: "Beauty is much cuter than beautiful."

SPT

The challenge this month is to highlight one thing per week that you have been inspired to do "because of a blogger."

Tuesday September 2nd: Home Decor/Tabletop
Tuesday September 9th: Entertaining/Parties
Tuesday September 16th: Arts/Crafts
Tuesday September 23rd: In The Kitchen
Tuesday September 30th: Personal Growth

Home Decor

This challenge is going to prove slightly difficult for me. Not because I don't find inspiration from fellow bloggers, but because I don't usually take action on that inspiration. However, a few months ago I ran across an idea that I liked instantly and actually tried it. It also helped that it was really easy, thereby not too intimidating to me.
Here are the results:



All I did was turn the pictures black and white, adjusted the contrast, and printed them out on colored cardstock. I haven't done anything with them yet, but I do enjoy looking at them. My inspiration came from Amy (a blogger that I have never met). To see her original idea please click here.

Talent Show

Today was our Primary Talent Show, and it was just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. We had lots of singers, dancers, joke-tellers, piano players, and too many more to name. The kids were very creative.
The Sunbeams were performing a song together, but Jackson decided he also wanted to perform a song by himself. He chose I Am A Child Of God, and rocked the house. He got right up there in front of everyone and sang as loudly and clearly as he could. It was great, and really cute.

Look how he has to go up on his tip toes to reach the microphone.

It is amazing to me that he has no fear doing this.

Megan and her friend Allie performed a jump-rope routine to music. They made up the entire routine themselves and did a really great job. It was very fun to watch. Megan is quite a good jump-roper and I was impressed by the tricks she knows. They had kept the routine a secret, so I got to see it for the first time with everyone else. I am just happy Megan went up at all. She doesn't usually have fear going up in front of people, but she had a major meltdown before performing. I still have no idea what the cause of it was, but it was over fairly quickly. Girl drama really gets to me sometimes.

At the end all of the kids received medals.


Our first talent show was a success!

All about me, again

1. What time did you get up this morning?	6:30 a.m. and not very happy about it
2. Diamonds or pearls?	I'll take either. But diamonds if I have to choose.
3. What was the last film you saw?	At the theater: Kung Fu Panda At home: Parenthood (circa 1980's)
4. What is your favorite TV shows?	I love T.V.! The Office, Any Bravo reality show
5. What do you usually have for breakfast?	Nothing! Sometimes a little orange juice.
6. What is your middle name?	I don't have one
7. What food do you dislike?	Green vegetables
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?	Phil Vassar
9. What kind of car do you drive?	Yukon
10. Favorite sandwich?	Mushroom Cheese Steak, Peanut Butter and Jelly
11. What characteristic do you despise?	Meanness, fakeness
12. Favorite item of clothing?	Jeans
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?	Europe, China (I really want to see the Great Wall)
14. Favorite brand of clothing?	Old Navy
15. Where would you retire to?	I have no idea
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday?	They have all run together.
17. Favorite sport to watch?	Probably football or basketball. Not of my own free will.
18. Favorite movie quote?	"Drop that zero and get with the hero" Vanilla Ice (Cool As Ice)
19. Best Romantic Comedy?	I can't recall one that I absolutely loved.
20. When is your birthday?	October 2, 1977
21. Are you a morning person or a night person?	More of an afternoon person. But more night than morning.
22. What is your shoe size?	5 1/2 - 6
23. Pets?	We are pet free.
24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?	Eric's home, not out of town or working late.
25. What did you want to be when you were little?	Television newscaster
26. What did you today?	Cleaned the house, made lunch, went to the Primary talent show dress rehearsal, overheated in the extreme heat!
27. What is your favorite candy?	Snickers
28. What is your favorite flower?	Gerber Daisies
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?	September 15th - school is finally starting
30. What are your favorite pastimes?	Reading, watching T.V., blogging
31. What are you listening to right now?	Sadie crying, wanting to be picked up.
32. What was the last thing you ate?	Salmon and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (I have this every day for lunch)
33. Do you wish on stars?	You bet!
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?	A nice soft blue color.
35. How is the weather right now?	When I got in my car a couple of hours ago it said 117 degrees. It is hot today.
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today?	Rachael. 90% of the time it is Rachael.
37. Favorite soft drink?	This is the easiest question to answer. Dr. Pepper
38. Favorite restaurant?	Zabas, Chilis, Macaroni Grill
39. Real hair color?	Dark Blond
40. What was your favorite toy as a child?	I loved dolls
41. Summer or winter?	Summer
42. Hugs or kisses?	Kisses
43. Chocolate or Vanilla?	Chocolate
44. Coffee or tea?	I used to love iced tea. Now I don't drink either.
45. Favorite cleaning product?	Swiffer products
46. When was the last time you cried?	I can't remember. I think on vacation a few weeks ago.
47. What is under your bed?	Wrapping paper, blankets, sheets
48. What did you do last night?	Went to Zaba's for dinner. Took and picked up Megan from activity days.
49. What are you afraid of ?	Snakes, I worry about my kids or husband being injured
50. Salty or sweet?	Salty
51. How many keys on your key ring?	3
52. How many years at your current job?	7 years as a stay-at-home mom
53. Favorite day of the week?	Saturday
54. How many towns have you lived in?	Between 6 and 10
55. Do you make friends easily?	I think so
**Will you do this meme too?**

What Happened?

I don't know how it happened, but I realized yesterday that my little Sadie is growing up. With my other kids, especially my first, I was so excited when they learned new skills. But with Sadie I was in no hurry. You can imagine my surprise when I walked into my room yesterday and found this.

I had no idea she could pull herself up, or was even close to it. Doesn't she look so proud of herself.

And look at her sitting up so straight.

And after a lot of finger sucking and some crying, she now has her first tooth. I am no longer in denial, my little baby is growing up.

SPT

The SPT theme for the month of August is based on the Olympic Motto:
Citius, Altius, Fortius
(Faster, Higher, Stronger)

Higher (Altius)

Do you know what I am doing that is higher this month? I will tell you. I am paying higher bills. My power bill, water/sewer/garbage bill, Internet bill, and health insurance have all gone up this month. Needless to say I am not thrilled. Not to mention the higher gas and food prices. Now if we were making more money I probably would not complain as much. But when prices keep going up and wages are staying the same, it just doesn't add up.