thursdays

There must be something about Thursdays.

I'm always grouchy on Thursdays. Last week I posted about being grouchy on a Thursday. And today I'm grouchy, too. And the Thursday before, I wrote a post (that in a brief moment of wisdom I never published) titled "my morning from h-e-double toothpicks". What is it about Thursdays?

To help myself (and my poor but not innocent family), I have attempted an intervention. And so it is that I am currently treating myself to some strawberries and a bit of dark chocolate. It's only 9:30 am and I'm already hitting the hard stuff. Some days require serious solutions.

On a lighter note, I'm back to exercising. I mean, I have 3 out of 4 days this week. So I'm thinking that pretty much makes me a professional exerciser. And if Jillian Michaels doesn't have me whipped into shape in 12 weeks, then I'm at a loss as to what will do the job.

She's kicking my pants.

And while we are talking about pants, I have about 127 pair in my laundry room that are due for a cleaning. Laundry. . .never have liked the stuff.

Which reminds me that a member of the relief society presidency called the other day. The conversation went something like this:

"Hi Kelly, is this a bad time? I hear a baby in the background."

"Oh, it's a fine time. There's always someone in the background."

"Well, I was wondering if I could talk to you. We're having an activity next week about organization."

"Well, I'm not."

"Oh (nervous laugh), you're funny. Actually, a little bird (thanks mom!) told me you have a really neat way of organizing your games and toys. We were wondering if you could come and share your system with us?"

"Oh really? That's funny. The only system I have with my toys is this: there isn't one. (Except for Emmy. She has a very cool system of shoving everything under her bed). And the only idea I have for organizing games was the one my mom taught me. You know that little birdie? It was HER idea."

(That's the beauty of living in the same ward as your mom. And you're especially lucky if you have one who makes you seem like you're super talented when it is really all her talent in the first place. A really good mom will throw you under the bus like that. I would suggest you never, ever live in the same ward as your mom. That is, if it wasn't so fun. And if she didn't help you out all the time. And now that I'm thinking about it, actually-living down the street from your mom pretty much saves your life. Except at moments like this.)

So, next week, I'll be taking a little bit of time to speak at enrichment night about my host of organizing ideas. Oh, sorry. Those would be my moms ideas. I'm sure it will be pretty entertaining. In fact, if you wanted to be extra entertained, you could come and visit our house prior to listening to me speak about organization.

You'd really get a good laugh.

But, enough of the rambling. Seems the strawberries and chocolate are doing the trick. I can now smile. I can take a good, deep breath. And maybe, I can do the dishes. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Chocolate fixes everything.

Even Thursdays.

dear buddy

Dear Buddy,

You are in serious trouble, mister.

You chewed through the cord of my electric blanket. Until now, I thought we'd escaped the typical chewing disasters I'd heard befall most puppy owners. I am aware that you have a fetish with panties (a little gross to me), but I have been patient with this, as panties cost a good bit less than a shoe. But alas, the other night we tried to warm up the bed for the night (and Buddy, a warm bed makes me very happy). It was of no use.

As in, YOU had chewed through the cord. (Either you or a monstrously large mouse).

Buddy, I was NOT happy. Not happy indeed.

Luckily, my resident handy-man was able to fix it. I know you already like him very much (as do I), but you better be extra nice to him. He got you out hot water, he did.

So as for the next time you decide to weasel your cute little hide under our bed: STAY AWAY FROM MY ELECTRIC BLANKET. OR ELSE!

Or else. . .or else. . ..hmmmm.


Okay. Who am I fooling? Like the four other little people around here who leave messes for me to clean up, often break my valuables, and sometimes drive me crazy but whom I absolutely and completely adore. . .


We both know the truth, don't we Buddy?

You're not going anywhere.

she's got a good thing going

Miss Claire happens to be a favorite around this place.

She's sayin' "tank ew." "Oh oooohhhh". "Shocks" (socks). "Shewwwws"(shoes). "Cheese". And more. , ,

A week or so ago, when Ryenne climbed into the car after school, we all laughed when Claire yelled "Rye, Rye!"

Ryenne thought it was pretty funny the first few times.

Each time she dutifully turns around and responds to Claire's babbling. She comments appropriately, telling Claire, "Wow", and "oh, really?" and then turns around to face front.

Immediately, "RYE, RYE!" This continues the whole car ride.

And we all laugh every time. (Except Ryenne.)

That's the beauty of being the baby. It doesn't matter what you do. . .everyone thinks you're the cutest thing going.

jackrabbit hill

A week or so ago, we took the girls to "Jackrabbit Hill" to do a little sledding.

It doesn't get much better.

To top it off, we were joined by the C boys, the M boys- and even Grandma J took a turn!

Unfortunately, the fun was a bit hindered by "the jump". It looked innocent enough. However, the cold weather had turned it into sheer ice.

Ice jumps and toboggans don't mix.

Needless to say, there were a few tears. (Okay, and maybe a few bruised ribs. Oh, and maybe the wind got knocked out of a few of the kids.)

But, other than that, the day was a complete blast.

After all, "No Pain, No Gain", right?

That's what we tell 'em, anyway.

singin' in the rain

The other evening, the girls were in the shower when I heard lots of giggling from that direction.

I arrived to find this little lady had joined in the fun. She was happy as could be!

Little Miss Claire, you make us laugh!

new year in island park

Our good friends, the H family, invited us to their cabin in Island Park to celebrate the arrival of 2010. We had a great time!

The girls loved playing in the snow. After our last visit to the cabin, we learned that all we needed to pack for the girls were snow clothes and pajamas. Each day the girls would wear their pj's around the clock, putting their snow clothes over them when it was time to play outside. What a life! The dads had a few good laughs pulling the girls around on the sled behind the snowmobile.

Buddy was a permanent fixture with the kids. Wherever the girls were, so was Buddy!

We had a great weekend of snow, friends, and fun! There's no better way to ring in the new year!

fits like a glove

Surprisingly enough, Buddy already seems like part of the family.

If it weren't for the fact that we already have 4 children and a house full of chaos, I might feel like his arrival has added a certain sense of disorder. But you know? We're all about disorder.

He fits like a glove.

Shortly after Buddy joined our family, one of the girls told me "Buddy deserves us, and we deserve Buddy."

(Sorry dude, I don't know what you did in your previous life to deserve us. But I think she's right.)

Welcome home, buddy.