His Future's So Bright...

These rad red sunglasses have been on clearance at work FOR-EV-ER! Everyday Shane will come and put them on and carry them around until it's time to leave. Then he'd carefully put them back on the rack. I finally convinced Brett to get them for him and Shane wasn't to wild about the idea. In his mind they belonged at the store. It took a full week before he'd wear them at home! Now he's the coolest thing this side of next Tuesday!

Swinging

It's been awhile since we've seen sunshine so on a mostly ok day we headed out to the playground- hey you can see our back porch in this one... the second one on the right!
Austin was so excited to be shoed and free of mommy's arms that he sat right down and got himself a stick. You know what they say, walk softly and carry a big stick, relatively big anyway.

He loves the freedom that shoes give him.Having watched Shane for so long, this is how you use a slide, right?
I finally talked him into the swings with Shane and he enjoyed it for a bit.

Shane was having a grand old time. He's discovered the Underdog push and thinks it's hilarious to see mom come out from underneath him. It was a great time...

For a while at least. Then the airport started up again- jet took off. Most the time this is what Shane will do if he's outside when one leaves- folds in on himself and covers his ears. Poor guy- it effectively ended our time at the park.

Chillin'

While waiting for Brett to finish his shopping down at West Marine the other day, Shane made himself at home.
He was watching me run around searching for the open peanut butter jar that he'd wandered off with. It took me a half an hour to find it!

Brett has issues the fact that the boys always seem to want to sit in the pink chair instead of the blue one right next to it. My boys are secure in thier masculinity- right Ken! ;)

Round and Round and Round We Go....

We had another appointment at the preschool today. Shane met some of the kids and played for a bit. I thought he was doing really well with so many new people, noises and toys. Then they started in with the testing again. Ugh! It's really starting to bug me. We were there for over an hour. She'd get him doing something, like building block towers, and then try to switch it up when he wasn't done building the towers- he kept trying to build when she wanted him to name colors. They had a doo-hicky for some of their tests; the back page had the images on it, in a clock formation and the front page had the circle cut-out so it would isolate one image at a time. Shane was more interested in the functioning of the doo-hicky than the pictures and questions.

The funniest part was when they were discussing under, beside, in front of, etc. There was a block that had a 'house' face on it- door, windows, and that stuff. She gave Shane a smaller block that he was supposed to place in the positions she asked him to. Well, Shane decided that the block belonged in front of the door. She would give him the directions, and hand him the block. He would very carefully place his little block in front of the drawn door. She'd take it and give the next direction before handing Shane the little block again. And he would very carefully place it in front of the drawn door. Again and again! She did not seem to want to stop and admit that he wasn't playing that game.

But because we don't have (and don't really want) an official ADD diagnosis they'll continue to insist thay 3 year olds do the ridiculous testing.

She is going to set us up with the schools speech pathologist, who I'm told is really good. So that's good.

Is it just me or is this taking forever!?

Crabby

I have a rant that I need to get out of my system, don't mind me...



Will someone explain this to me?...



Yesterday was an insane day. After work, there was the RS Broadcast and a luncheon, I had to deliver a hostess packet to someone (finding houses is not my strong point) and to top it off, some friends were having a game night that we had to get to. Things were rushed but not too bad all day... until I got home at 6 with the boys to get ready to leave for the party by 6:45. I knew Brett was upstairs, but I was running around cleaning up so I didn't stress his absence until 6:30 when it was high time for me to go pick up our babysitters. I found Brett in the bathroom cutting his hair- holler for him to hurry so I can go get the girls. 15 minutes later and I'm back pounding on the door. I reiterate the reason for speed and as I head back down the stairs- I hear the shower turn on! At 7, Brett's finally clothed and I dash out the door to pick up the brave souls who we employed for the night. Rushing through instructions and tips, I get Brett out the door and he hands me his cell phone to call and let them know we were on our way. Then he gets frustrated with ME because I don't have their number memorized!

It gets better...!

Today was our Primary Presentation Sunday. As primary teacher- I told Brett straight up that I could not be late. I also needed him there to watch Austin (and Shane when he wasn't doing his part) We both went to sleep pretty late last night (er... this morning. Wild Hogs- funny show) I drag myself out of bed at 8 to start getting everything ready for getting the monsters dressed and everything we'd need in the car to go. I wake Brett up at 9. I feel that that's a very generous time considering everything that has to get done before church; like walk and feed the dog, dress the boys and shower (I've noticed that Brett's favorite time to shower is 10-15 minutes before we have to BE somewhere). Someday I'll get to wear makeup to church again, and maybe even brush my hair. I've often wondered why, as the first person up of a Sunday morning, I'm the one that looks awful every week? But I digress... At 9:35 I finally go up until he actually gets out of bed- the usual crazy Sunday morning havoc ensues. Kids need shoes and coats... where's the milk... put the bags in the car.. where's my manual, etc. That last one is what got to me.
All this time, he'd grump at me if I forgot to bring his lesson manual. Today I made sure it was in my bag and in the car. Yeah- today he's mad because he came down stairs at 5 'til 10 with a paper he wanted to put into his manual and the book was already in the car.

How is it, after all the aggravation and stress he's given me, he thinks he has justification to be frustrated and mad at me?! What The Heck!

It's a Small World

We had a friend agree to watch the boys for me yesterday cause Brett ended up with an overnight duty day. This sister has got to be the sweetest thing ever. The boys absolutely adore her and her children. As we were talking in her back yard, her neighbors started up thier saw (they're building a shed) and Shane came running from his explorations to cower in my lap with my hands pressed against his ears. As I was trying to explain the whole Sensory Integration Dysfunction... she started finishing my sentences. Her son (9) has it too, about the same as Shane's. We talked briefly as I was already late for work. But she made sure to offer to answer any questions and give me some pointers as we try to get Shane into preschool. It's awesome to have someone right here to talk to in an emergency.

Heavenly Father has a knack for bring us together with the people we need. First Tonya and now Patty.

Larry Boy- He is that Hero!

Shane has gotten on a bit of a Larry Boy kick this week. Larry is a cucumber from VeggieTales.
Talent behind Silly Songs with Larry (where Larry comes out and sings a silly song.)
Today, Shane was bent on being difficult. Kicking me, pushing and squishing Austin. Laying on the cat. Stepping on Paco's tail. Throwing toys everywhere. UGH!

Twice we ended up in a situation that needed a light smack on his nudie bum to draw his attention enough to change his behavior. Both times his lower lip starts wobbling (totally fake!) And he says in his most pathetic voice,

"Larry boy will stop you!"

What a nut! What an adorable nut!

We then had to have a little discussion about how Larry, as Cucumber of Steel, want people to be good. He believes that God want us to be nice to people. So, were Larry Boy to show up, he'd be getting Shane, not me. I'm safe from his Super Suction Ears . . . for now.

Is it Juice...?

I got home the other day and Brett and Shane were asleep on the couch. Austin was on the floor in solely a diaper sucking on a juice cup with his face apparently covered in glorious red cherry pomegranite- yumm!

A few hours later, after he's been cleaned up, I find him with the same sipper, again covered in red- the cup appeared empty but this kid has a knack for getting the dredges out of things.

A little later on, in a new clean shirt, he's found the cup again. This time I take it away! I've had enough with the juice dribbles!

I feel rather dumb now... not half an hour later Austin toddles up to me with red all over his face. This time I fially realize it isn't juice. It hasn't been juice at all that day.

Poor little guy somehow busted his face and that little membrane that connects the upper gums to the inner lip waas absolutely gushing. Eww! The picture is of the last go around which wasn't half as bad as the others had been. And he's crying for a totally different reason, but it's still pitiful.

Monkey

This kid is driving me nutters!

No matter how often we pull him down...

or how often he falls off of things...

He is an incurable climber!

Yes, he's fallen off the end table. He's fallen of the big table. He's fallen off the couch. He's fallen off the beds. He's danced on the keyboard of the computer (boy was Daddy mad) and he's looking forward to more!
Help!

Gone and Back

Brett got sent down to Spokane this week to go through the dunker.

Basically a brief swim test to make sure he is able to get out of the helo in case of an accident.

He says it was cake.

Even easier was the stuff they were asking the Air Force people to do.

I'll have to get him on to tell the tale.

The boys wanted to help Daddy pack.

He was only gone for 2 days and came back with both the big suitcase and a giant duffel bag stuffed with stuff, most importantly diapers. As military on orders he was technically allowed 3 checked bags! But we figured we could manage with only 2, 3 would have been hard to manhandle through the airport all by himself.

Mother- you never failed me

Colleen Athalia McKenzie

Born and raised in California

Her life was dedicated to her family even before she joined the church
It's hard to describe how very wonderful she is.

She shared so much with each of us.
Her strength amazes me.

Her sense of humor is priceless!

She's still a pro.

I love you mommy!

My Mommy

My wonderful mother had her birthday yesterday. I'd planned doing a bit about her, but with all the computer troubles we've been having I've had to postpone it. Coming soon though!

Take a Break

We'll be taking a bit of a break from computer access for a few days. Our new computer showed up today but I don' t know when Brett will be able to get to it to set up everything. I'll still get e-mail at my gmail account, so I'll keep you posted!

Putting Dad in His Place

Brett and Austin had a funny experience today that they wanted me to share. After a diaper change- Dad hopped up to go drop the old diaper in the trash. Austin got up the biggest stink imaginable, yelling and crying himself silly... until Brett handed him the diaper.

We'd been hiding the trash can in the under-the-stairs closet to keep Austin from playing with it, so Brett grabed it out and held it out to Austin to deposit the diaper.

He waddled right past it on his chubby little legs and headed to the kitchen- where the trash can is supposed to be kept. Then he stopped in front of where the trash can belonged and waited.

Dad put the trash can in it's place.

And Austin finished the job he'd set for himself.

He gave himself a little kudos for a job well done.
And went back to playing in the mess he's made of my house.

WHAT A CRAZY BABY!!!

Brett complained about it but he really loves it- his kids are as crazy as he is!

Quiner Christmas Name Draw!

Yeah!! The kids and I did the Christmas Name Draw for "Family Home Evening" tonight.

Shane heard the word Christmas and ran to get his Mickey Christmas Stories movie...

he didn't surface again until Brett stopped home for "dinner"

So Austin did the honors this year... sort of.

He loved the feel of the bits of paper in his chubby hands.
Of course, he's always a little blurry- he's a boy.

Then he decided that they were his to paly with and took off running.
Peeking in every once in a while to make sure his bits of paper were still there.

When I finally was able to rescue the drawing jar... the last name was a little bit... umm.... loved?

What can I say, right now that little boy is literally flowing with the juices of life.

Or maybe he's just really really drooly.

As soon as I finish hearing from everyone... then I can send out names...

Here's the roll call!!!

Mom-*

Tim-

Mike- *

Ken- *

Matt-

Pat-

Bekah- *

Ben- *

Heather- *

Spencer-

Abe-

Richard- *

Shannon- *

Trevor-

Trina- *

Those with stars have responded and will be recieving names ASAP.

The rest of you, I hope to hear from you SOOOOOON!

Helping

Austin came down to work the other day (Shane was asleep in the car) and was "helping" again.

If you take a look at the set up for holding the line (rope) you'll see the bar just sits in a little metal bracket. In the top picture, you can see a gap, where Austin obviously went in. What happened was Austin figured out that the bar lifts out. He was chewing and playing with that- until it got taken away. Then he managed to figure out how the bracket comes off the posts and was chewing on that for the picture (then I took it away too. I'm a mean, mean mom.)

We were joking around that they won't need to hire people to dismantle the store come December when we close. All we gotta do is let the boys loose in there and they'll be done in a heartbeat!

He Didn't Learn THAT from His Big Brother!

We had some friends over the otehr day and while they were getting ready to leave, Austin kept climbing into Baby Mason's car seat. Two problems with that #1 Austin HATES carseats, with a vengence and #2 Mason was in the seat at the time! It took us a few minutes to figure out what Austin was up to.

He was cuddling the baby!

It was truely adorable!
I've only ever seen him do that once before and that was to a little girl (4) who we know from church that came with her mom to my last book party. He wasn't near as careful then.

My Kind of Olympics

This is the extent of my Olympics viewing.

Sad Stuff

When Brett went to work yesterday, he was met with some sad news.

http://www.military.com/news/article/September-2008/coast-guard-helo-crash-kills-three.html

Down in Hawaii, one of the smaller helicopters (65) was doing some training.

One of those regular days at work, getting in the required flight time and practice.

There was an accident. They were able to recover 3 of the crew for burial.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/09/coastguard_crash_090508w/

Brett and Matthew both knew the Rescue Swimmer that was involved in the crash.

He carved Matt's surfboard when they were both young and single.

He went on deployments with Brett. His wife helped us get our first 4-wheeler.

They were awesome people.

Our prayers are with his wife and young children; as well as the families of the other 3 crew members. When these things happen, it gives everyone nightmares for a while.

My Little Funny Face(s)

Shane has discovered the joy of making faces!

(Thank you Dora!)

We like to come up with new ones and text message them to Daddy when he's running around without us.

Silly Face!

Austin likes sending pictures to Daddy too, but usually they are to make him feel glad he has to back to work... or make him feel missed, whichever the case may be.

But even with the rough spots, he's still my Happy Boy!

What a giggler!

First Time For Everything

I arranged to do a craft day today, to encourage interest in the kids craft books that I'm selling through Usborne. As I was setting up the paper, cutting out potato stamps, and adding soap to the paints, I realized that aside from ColorWonder- Shane has never painted before! I was quite ashamed of myself- and totally pleased when he was actually interested in sticking his fingers and hands in the paint! Yeah!

It di start a bit slow, but as I showed him all he could do, he warmed up to the task.
Austin didn't have any problem slipping right into the fun- literally.In fact, he had a really hard time staying upright long enough to explore the paints.

But he refused to just sit and enjoy, so... I let him learn the hard way.

Eventually, I ran Austin up and deposited him in the bath with Dad in attendance.

I had to wash him otherwise Dad wasn't going to touch him.

When I came back to check on Shane,

he'd discovered a fun way to paint that I hadn't shown him.

Splatter painting!

Lots of fun, but not so great for my kitchen.

Soon Shane was done too; asking for a towel to wash with.

(It sounds truely cute when he says it.)

Thhe end product wasn't so bad, but I'd stuck so much soap in the paint to make them washable, they didn't stick to the poster paper very well. I'll have to work on that.

Bath time- washing off the colors.

Totally fun and totally cute- we'll have to do Saturday paint days more often.
We did have one little friend come over, but as soon as he was stripped down, he didn't want to paint. So we let him do his own thing a la pull-up until his dad came back to get him.

Next project.. fall leaves? Halloween fun? Fairy castles?

I don't know- any suggestions?

Cats and Dogs

The cat (still looking for a name) curled up next to Brett.

Then Paco, not noticing the cat, took up his usual spot- as close to Brett as possible.

The fact that he was right on top of the kitten didn't seem to bug him any.

I'm sure the cat minded a tad, but not enough to move for a while.

Healthy Eating... Sort of

Yesterday, my little boy decided to join me in efforts to eat a bit healthier-

I was having a salad (so stereotypical!)

He didn't mind the crunchy parts of the lettuce

(like the 'stem' portion of Romaine)

But the big fun was in the dressing.

Austin likes Ranch.
Alot.

If you'll notice, Paco sitting back there is waiting his turn at cleaning out the bowl.