Kid Conversation

Peach: (to me) Mom, can I use your banjo?
Me: what?! Do you mean my ukulele?
Peach: NO! Your BAN-JO!
Me: I don't have a banjo!
Peach: Well then what is Hazel wearing?

I look over at Hazel who had stolen my fuzzy sweater poncho.

Me: That's a poncho
Peach: A banjo?
Me: NO, a PON-CHO
Peach: A pon-jo?
Me: PON-CHO
Peach: Well can I wear your Bancho now? I'm cold.

Kid Conversation

The other day Peach had the realization that if we are all children of God, then I (her mom) would be her sister.

Peach: (to Hazel) Guess what!  Mom is my sister!  Because Heavenly Father is both of our fathers!

Hazel: Yeah, that's Jesus!

Jay: No, Jesus is our brother too, because he is the son of God.

Hazel: (with great surprise and a bit of disgust) WHAT?!  My brother?! But he has a beard!!

Waiting for the School Bus

Look at Toad's left foot.  awwwwww

and 'cause I can never pick just one...

Kid Conversations on Vacation

Prepping for a red eye flight home

We just got back from a Utah/Yellowstone/Sun Valley family trip- spurred by Jay's cousin getting married in Sun Valley (Thanks Lauren!).

We flew into the Salt Lake City airport (cheaper! and to visit friends and family) and rented a car there.  Needless to say, we spent a LOT of time in the car.  I thought it would be generous to allow each child to pick out a "road trip treat" at Trader Joe's for everyone to enjoy and snack on together, during the long drives.

At our favorite burger joint in Provo

The Frog: [with great frustration and annoyance in his voice] The reason I don't like living in this family is because all we do is share!

He almost left his jelly beans behind so that he wouldn't have to share them.  We could not seem to convince him that some jelly beans were better than none.  (I still can't believe I was trying to convince my son to let me buy him some candy!!) Once he found out he would get to be the jelly bean manager, he decided it might be worth it after all.  (me thinks the sleep deprivation may have been talking all along...)

Toad's first In-n-Out

The next day after about hour 4 or 5 in the car Hazel was getting really fed up.
Hazel: The only things I want to do are eat cookies or GO. HOME!

Pretty soon we saw our first buffalo, and boy did that create some excitement!  We pulled over and everyone got out of the car so we could point to the one, tiny buffalo off in the distance.  Everyone got back into the car, more enthusiastic, and then we rounded the corner and there were seemingly hundreds of buffalo, EVERYWHERE, including crossing the road right in front of us.

Wedding welcome dinner w/ cousin P

When we got to our cabin that night, The Frog got the roll away bed and we didn't set it up properly, so if he didn't balance perfectly in the middle, it would fall over or close up on him.  We had a good laugh imagining him trying to sleep there all night.  Jay to the rescue- fixed it :)

Cousin A meeting Toad

We had fun convincing the kids there was a dragon living in "dragon's breath cave" at Yellowstone.  We enjoyed the general scenery, paint pots and bubbling mud pits, more buffalo, elk, a pronghorn and even spotted a coyote.  The burgers we had were actually good and reasonably priced- a very pleasant surprise after our overpriced, subpar meal at the hotel where we stayed.  The scenery was beautiful and it only felt crowded when we approached "Old Faithful".  Turns out their predicted times are not quite as "faithful" and even though we were there 45 min early to get a good seat, we ended up watching it shoot up into the air from the car as we were on our way to the parking lot.  After seeing the gigantic parking lot and how completely packed it was, we opted not to get out and deal with the post-eruption traffic that would soon emerge.

Treats at "The Chocolate"

We drove back through the Tetons, the next day, on our way to Sun Valley for a delightful 48 hours of outdoor wedding celebrations with kids everywhere and delicious food.  Bonus: our airbnb condo rental had a community pool, hot tub, and sauna.

Back to Salt Lake City to visit grandma, cousins, and friends.

Krispy Kreme!

After all this driving, you can imagine our surprise when The Frog suddenly exclaims: Hey! They have McDonald's in Utah!  I thought it was only in Massachusetts!

Jay and I got a good laugh out of that.

Me: They have McDonald's all over the world!
Jay: They have it in Paris!
Me: They have them in Hungary and Japan!
Peach:  [matter-of-factly, in a very know-it-all tone of voice] Of course they have it in Hungary, 'cause it's hungry!

These are all just cell phone shots.  I still haven't uploaded any camera pics.  Don't hold your breath.  It's been awhile since I've uploaded any photos, yeah?

Kid Conversations

Usually, my kids make their own lunch in the morning, but we were particularly rushed one day because I slept in and so I was helping.

Peach and I are alone in the dining room.
Me:  what kind of sandwich do you want? Turkey? PBJ?
Peach: I want a turkey sandwich, except only with cheese.
Me: So, you want a cheese sandwich?  No turkey?
Peach: Yes.

Less than 5 minutes later, now The Frog and I are alone
Me: What kind of sandwich do you want? Turkey? PBJ?
The Frog: Ham and cheese.  Except no cheese.

I have no comments.  Just questions.

Kid Conversation

We were trying to get into the spirit of St. Patrick's Day and had green pancakes and The Frog left some evidences of leprechauns in the basement.  (some green and gold beans in a lazy pile)  I wish I had videoed Hazel's wide-eyed reaction.  "Let me see!!!"

On the way to school, we had this conversation:

Me: Do you know what reminds me of leprechauns?  Rumpelstiltskin.
Peach: Do you know what reminds me of leprechauns?  Jesus leprechauns.
Me: What?!
Peach: [in an, this is so obvious tone of voice] Yeah, you know... Jesus Leprechauns!
Me:  No, really, I don't.  What "Jesus Leprechauns"?
Peach: You know... Jesus healed the 10 leprechauns...

"Daddy, fix it!"

This year for Christmas, we decided to go minimal in the "stuff" and try to give everyone experiences instead.  I confess, they did each get pajamas and one activity (The Frog got a game, Peach a make-your-own lotions/soaps/chapstick kit, and Hazel got some cute pots and pans for her kitchen- mostly so she'd stop stealing mine) and an experience.  Really, the experiences were intended to be for the whole family.  Hazel got to pick a movie for everyone to go to together, Peach's was for everyone to go to Fun World- a local arcade-ish kind of place where you get tickets (We NEVER let them do those kinds of things.  I loath the junk "prizes" they can earn...) and The Frog got a family trip to The Great Wolf Lodge.

We were so busy having fun, this is one of the only pictures we took while we were there- the kids are warming up on the heater, in their swim suits, while we read scriptures that morning before going swimming :) (edit!  I found more pictures on my camera!!  I'm adding them below! :D)

The kids got to sleep in their own log-cabin-looking room with 3 beds and a (oh wow!) TV!

Now, my kids have no experience with TV because we have never had normal TV since we've been married.  We do own a TV, but only for playing video games and watching movies.  The kids watch shows using our Amazon Prime membership on their iPads, so having a TV with a remote!! was super exciting for them.  They chose the Disney channel.

After about 30 minutes of watching TV Peach comes over to Jay and I.

Me: "Are you done watching TV already?  I would have thought you'd be happy doing that all day!"
Peach: [whining] "It's so annoying! They keep showing these things that have nothing to do with the story!"
Jay & I start laughing
Jay: "Those are advertisements.  That's one of the reasons why we don't watch TV at our house."
Peach: "Daddy, fix it!!"

Kid Conversation

Peach: Mom, is it fast Sunday today?
Me: yes, it is
Peach: OK!  Then I'm going fast!

Kid Conversation

When my kids say something funny, I usually send myself an email to remind me to post it here.  I haven't posted awhile and when I finally went through them today (7/18/16) I can't now remember if this was Hazel or Peach...

Me: [sounding like a monster and creeping towards Peach/Hazel]  he he he.  I smell a little girl who hasn't brushed her teeth!  Those are the tastiest kind for crunching and munching!
Peach/Hazel:  Well, I have blood in my body.  I don't think you're going to like the blood.  It's not crunchy.  It's just red.  But you can still chase me!

Kid Conversation

A seemingly normal day...
Peach: Woah, Mom!
Me: What?
Peach: Did you know you have really long arms?
Me: I do?
Peach: Yeah! You totally remind me of cookie monster!
Me:
Peach: Except with less hair.

Kid Conversation

Peach busts into the room while I'm helping Hazel with the potty.

Peach: (punching fist into the air and with loud excitement) I'm Promedia!!.... (fading out and talking to herself)
no. wait...  (with renewed vigor and more emphasis.  Stronger punching fist in the air)
I'm Sally!! the frost ninja!!
(now casually) You can't see me.
[leaves.]

Merry Everything!

I sent my first Christmas Newsletter with our card this year, because in the past, I relied on letting people browse here, but I've been busy with other things.  I miss the blog, but cannot foresee more time next year either.  I'm guessing most of my readers have already seen this, but my blog is more of a personal history document for myself, so bear with me.

  I should probably not be writing this letter right now….

Waking up to a 5-year old face thoroughly coated in green marker (“[The Frog] did it!”) and a Christmas tree whose lights are now unlightable (“it wasn’t me!”), tends to leave me waxing sarcastic.  Nevertheless, too much has changed and not enough blogging has happened for me to feel we’ve really tried to stay connected with you without some kind of (adjective) Christmas newsletter.

We began the year in Poughkeepsie area, New York, adjusting to our new life there.  Jay had a visiting position at Vassar College and was meanwhile applying for tenure-track positions elsewhere.  37 phone interviews, over 50 flights, and 5 offers later, by June, we were thrilled to have purchased a home in none other than Jay’s hometown - Dunstable, MA!  He is now an associate professor at his undergraduate alma mater - University of Massachusetts Lowell and is enjoying his first semester “professing” there.  Ever on the lookout for efficiency, he has recently taken to running on the treadmill while lugging a 15 lb backpack and is sure it has not only improved his posture but increased the impressiveness of his thighs.  (ok, so I just threw that in that last bit.)  Jay has been loving his new calling at church - teaching early morning seminary (a 6 am religion class for high school students from our church) and I get the sense that they are loving him as well. He continues to give me everything I want and always let me win, so I think he’s pretty awesome.  Plus, if you google his name, he’s the first 2 hits!

The Frog (7 years old), after a year of homeschooling, is now enrolled in 2nd grade and commented to me that he is the only one in his class who said he likes school on his “All About Me” poster.  He continues to wake the family before the crack of dawn and is happiest when he’s rough-housing, thumping and accidentally breaking things (at least that’s what it seems like) or pretending to be his favorite TV/movie/book characters.  He has taught his sisters how to wield swords and use potty words at inappropriate times.  We have finagled his way into the Cub Scout Wolf Den a year early (so he can come with me to my new church calling as a Den leader), and he enjoys those rambunctious meetings immensely.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear from his 2nd grade teacher that he is an excellent reader and so has been paired up with a boy in the class who is special needs because, “[The Frog] is such a helpful sweetheart.”  I am, though dumbfounded, obviously proud and will take as much credit as possible.  He keeps us on our toes and keeps losing all his teeth.  I well-up almost daily, mourning the loss of my 1st baby, while being pleased at how he has grown in so many ways.

Peach (5 years) has started half-day kindergarten.  She is always the first to make friends with new people and loves riding on the school bus.  She loves procuring costumes, stuffed animals and other miscellany from her tiny backpack, like rabbits from hats.  Indeed, she is known for quietly stashing every small trinket she finds in unsuspecting locations.  (Who expects to find a Nauvoo souvenir brick under their pillow?!)  Peach loves picking out her own wild outfits, and finally lets me comb her hair (thankfully!) as long as she gets to choose the hairstyle. Last week, we had to mimic Cindy-Lou Who. She has an aptitude for making her whole body as stiff as a board when upset, and makes it very clear when things are not going according to her plan.  Luckily, her younger sister is usually content to play their pretend games Peach's way and can often be heard taking part in their play dialogue exactly as instructed.  Peach is by far the funniest in the family and when she’s not trying to get her way, can be extremely helpful and loving. She loves to cuddle and has thrashed her “blankie” to bits.  I am relieved to have discovered she is more willing to clear her dishes if I close my eyes and act surprised when they’re missing.  

Hazel (3) is the baby of the family, but sadly, no longer a baby.  She is very proud of being a “big girl” and has been my most willing potty-trainer, by far.  She is a thorough cleaner, when she wants to be, and likes things to be organized.  Sometimes I catch her rearranging the silverware in the dishwasher so that all the forks don't mix with the spoons.  She loves turning heads into smiles at the grocery store and asks to sit on the green horse on the mini merry-go-round outside (although less so now, after seeing another child ride it while it actually moves and plays music).  She must always have her purse when we go out (though she still can’t open it without help) and is the reason I can never find my chapstick.  Hazel somehow knows the whole alphabet and thinks she can write her name.  She gives the tightest hugs and the best wet, suction kisses and unlike her siblings, prefers cereal to pancakes for breakfast.  She enjoys placing stickers on her bellybutton (and on the wood floors and furniture) and drawing on her body and everywhere BUT paper- the markers have finally been confiscated.  She is quick to remind me that “sharing is caring” whenever I have a sweet treat and has the greatest sweet tooth of anyone I know.  Perhaps that is why she is so sweet.  :)

This year, we somehow ended up hosting another foreign exchange student, this time from La Paz, Bolivia.  It’s been so fun to have a teenager in the house!  Monica (16) has brought music back into our home, works hard, and plays hard.  She is the classic case of a city girl being forced to live in the country, and is making the most of it.  Since coming to the USA, she has had a lot of firsts such as trick-or-treating, seeing a coyote, seeing all the Star Wars movies and being tackled (and tickled) by small children.  She has learned how to ride a bike, become addicted to bagels, visited Maine, New York City, and Boston (several times).  She has observed an eclipse, submitted a photo to the Boston Globe Scholarship photography competition and walked almost 5 miles by herself to get to the nearest mall.  She joined the cross-country team and though claims to hate running, keeps running on our treadmill many times per week.  She has mastered the art of the “selfie” and I am surprised at how many friends she has made so quickly.  She is a great addition to our family and we love her spunk and playful, teasing nature.

In January, I took my first flight sans kids after having children (I got to read!! on a plane!!) to visit my dear college roommate in the Bay Area and catch up with some other old friends.  I gained a huge amount of respect for single parents everywhere while Jay was constantly gone during his many many professorial interviews.  I also had a mini college reunion with friends in NYC!  After the second move in 1 year, I think I finally know how to do it properly, though am loudly hoping I won’t have to use my new knowledge anytime soon.  I (with a LOT of help from my mother-in-law) painted our entire house and installed baseboards on the third floor while gaining a new love for the mitre saw (again, with a LOT of help, this time from my father-in-law).  I also took up the ukulele and piano tuning.  I accidentally got a small part-time job tutoring high school math and science, which has been so much fun for me.  I’ve also been dabbling in accounting classes and am hoping to keep slowly pursuing a CPA, one class at a time, with my new “dependent’s discount” at UMass Lowell.  

If you’re reading this letter, we must think you’re great and hope you will let us know if you are in the Boston area (or would like to be!).  It would be great to catch up in person and we love having guests!!  We hope this letter finds you well and thriving!  

Merry Everything!

Love,

    Jay, Libby, The Frog, Peach, Hazel & Monica

Kid Conversation

I'm still asleep (or trying to be) and Jay and Peach come in to wake me up.

Jay:  Peach, this is the beautiful princess.  She has been asleep for many years after eating the poison apple.  If you kiss her, she'll wake up!
[Peach kisses me on the cheek and I open my eyes]
Me: You are my hero!  What is your name, fair maiden?
Peach: Peach
Me: What a beautiful, glorious name!  I will remember it with the greatest of reverence, all of my days.
[Peach is staring at me dumbfounded.  Finally she breaks the silence]
Peach: Mom.  [Studying me.  Then with amazement] You sounded like a real princess!  I've never heard you talk like that before!!!  My eyes were swirling because you talked like that!

Kid Conversation

After playing sardines during Family Home Evening tonight, Peach says after our treat, "I want to play tuna again."

 Minutes later, The Frog comes in and says, "Can we keep playing salmon? Wait, what's it called? Trout?"

**update 5/7/15 - I was reading a book about oceanography to The Frog and on the page talking about plankton it was anchovies were mentioned as eating plankton.  Upon hearing about anchovies,
The Frog perks up and says: "anchovies?  I love anchovies!"
Me:  (unbelievingly) "really? why?!"
The Frog: "You know.... that game!"

Kid Conversation

So, Hazel has been wanting to use the potty for months.  MONTHS.  She will decide to go sit on the toilet herself.  I'll get up the gumption to put her on at set intervals for a couple of days... but she just holds it really long- which is mostly awesome, except the accidents are bigger messes and it's harder to catch her accidentally going when you do put her on.  So, yeah, I've decided not to push and let it happen naturally.  (aaand I really don't have time to potty train her.  How do other homeschooling moms do it?!)

ANYWAY, Wednesday night, when I had to put my kids to bed alone (again), and I was super super tired and was planning to go to bed as soon as they went to bed, Hazel decides she wants to sit on the potty like her big sister.

me: No, pleeeeaasse!! I just got you all ready in your diaper and jammies!
Peach: I'll help her mom!  [Hazel], I will always help you use the potty.  And if I'm being mean to you, [The Frog] will do it.

glad she's got her bases covered.

I left to go get some floss so I could do something productive while waiting for her and amazingly, I hear from the other room, "She did it!!! She did it!!!!"

Hazel's reaction was sooo funny - you could see the excitement tighten through her body and she all out screamed!  (it was an excited scream)

I should have known a watched pot never boils...

My kids don't sleep much, so I cherish when they do

Looking through my photos from the last year, I noticed a lot of sleeping photos.  Must be because it's the only time I can capture them non-blurry. :)

 I think Peach wins for the most odd positions, and Hazel's are mostly because she looks cute.  

and since Hazel is basically non-napping now (except on days when I specifically don't want her to stay up late) it seems fitting to announce this milestone by looking back on the times when she was.

Without further adieu:

classic out-and-about shot.  classic for other people.  rare for my kids.

during loading the moving truck, she slept on a neighbor's (Shumways!) bed.  #miracle 

jumped into bed and fell asleep before landing?

head cold

awwww

The Frog's bed is alllways overcrowded with visitors and books and wait... is he wearing a swimsuit under his pjs? 

she slept in a pack-n-play until about a month ago.  now she sleeps on a sofa #poornomad

is that a chick with super long legs?  #onefootedfootie

oh the days of 3 carseats in the back of a civic  #idontmissyou

queen of weird positions

how many times do I have to tell you kids, not to play in the sofa cushions?!!

oh :)

Hazel's first (and last) time napping in a toddler bed

just like her dad - always poking feet out the bottom.  not just like dad, sleeping sideways (thank goodness!)

Kid Conversation

Peach and were in the bathroom, me helping her change from her ballet clothes into a regular outfit.

Peach: Mom, pretend like we're in jail.
Me: (growly voice)  Let's bust out of this joint!
Peach: (growly voice) Yeah!
Me: (thinking I didn't want to teach her how to be a bad guy...)  Maybe we should try to be good guys now so we don't have to go back to jail.
Peach: Ok.
Me: But, what should we do so everybody will know we're good guys now?
Peach:  I know!  Maybe, we could go to a restaurant and when we're all done, we could say "thank you!", then people would know we're good guys!

Merry Christmas 2014

I can't believe how busy life is with homeschooling!  I am so behind on updating the blog.  I suppose I should have known... but really!!

The Frog has joined the Tiger Cub Scouts, which he loves.  He just earned his Bobcat badge and really liked touring the local firehouse.  He loves to read picture books out loud to himself every night.  His favorite things to do are put together large lego sets at Gampie's house and play Minecraft :)

Peach got glasses!  She looks adorable and sees better too :)  She loves playing pretend and incorporating characters from the latest books we are reading into her play (right now, Pippi Longstocking). Lately, she loves to show off her dance moves to whoever will watch- particularly ballet and Irish step-dancing.

Hazel really wants to be a part of all the homeschooling and requests that we teach her the alphabet (which she almost knows completely now).  She also brings me my phone to punch in the code so she can "do game".  She knows how to navigate my phone and find all the activities she likes on it by herself!  She especially likes watching home movies (particularly of herself).

Jay has had long days this semester with a late-night class twice a week, but next semester he should be home more, for which we are all grateful.  He loves the students and the beautiful Vassar campus.  (our photos below were taken there) He is a programming monkey and has been doing some fun, innovative stuff, particularly with music:  he wrote an 80s style synthesizer, and a program that writes musical scores.  Every time I turn around, it seems like he's proved a new theorem.  We are all very proud of him and how hard he works for our family.  I am especially grateful for how much cleaning slack he has taken over with my lack of time due to homeschooling.

Aside from school for the kids, I have been keeping busy playing the piano for the ward choir, and the primary, and helping out in the Relief Society here in our new ward.  I'm feeling blessed to have nice neighbors with kids similar ages to our own.

Moving has been a big adjustment for everyone, but I feel so blessed that the children have adjusted better than I expected.  It has been hard, but already I have learned a lot and grown from the difficulties.  Since we are renting, we know moving is eminent and I feel it will be much easier next time.

We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Interruptions

Homeschooling is hard.

Being a mom of 3 little ones is hard, but also homeschooling just really puts the pressure on for me.

I feel like I get nothing done and most days we don't finish everything I wanted to get through with either The Frog or Peach.

Today, I decided to write down all the interruptions to remind me why I don't get everything done.

It really made me feel better.

wanna see?

- Hazel brings me a toy with peanut butter on it for me to clean off so she can play with it

- Hazel brings me a bag with an old, post-frozen strawberry in it, which I soon discover has been smeared on the play kitchen and Hazel's hand/arm

- time-outs and kindness lesson  (which is actually 2 interruptions because they must be sent into time-out and then retrieved)

- Hazel has a broken ornament and is eating its pieces.  (what the... why?!!)

- Hazel climbed on the play kitchen and couldn't get down

-removing the Legos from the shower so I can take a shower without stepping on Legos

- time - outs and kindness lesson

- Cleaning up the "snack" the kids made for themselves while I was in the shower which involves wiping the table, chairs, bench and sweeping the floor.  again.

- Lunch

- Hazel thoroughly spreading the hay meant for baby Jesus's manger and also sampling it.  (am I not feeding her enough or what?)

- kid-bum wiping (this one is an every day one.  multiple times.)

- time-outs and kindness lesson

- Prepping the lasagna for the missionaries

- Furnace guy comes over to do a regular check-up on the furnace

- Landlord comes by to watch the furnace guy

- We decide to move our furniture around so that The Frog and Peach no longer have to share a room, in hopes of them getting a decent amount of sleep and being less cranky.  ALL. THE. TIME.

and those are just the ones I remember...

Kid Conversation

I had brought everyone inside from the car after running errands and Peach sits in the back and can't unbuckle herself, so she usually gets upset at being last all the time.  So I'm rushing out there expecting to encounter her wrath.  I look at her and she is balled up in her seat, hiding under her blankey.

Peach:  (removing her blanket, very calmly and matter-of-factly) Mom.  Did you know that when you're standing on the grass, you're standing on worms?