Christmas 2010

As far as Christmas pictures.... I had to beg and plead to get just this one.


Christmas Eve = new PJ's for all, party food (pigs in a blanket, meat balls, fruit and veggie trays, chex party mix, cheese and crackers, and lots of Christmas cookies)

We read Luke 2, we watched the Polar Express, we sent the kids to bed.

Then... Santa came.

5:30 a.m. = Honey Bear had to tell the Honyakers that it was not the middle of the day and to be quiet. (they were all awake and just talking up a storm in their room)

7:30 = I'm awake and ready to get the show on the road... but all the children had fallen back to sleep.... lame

8:30 = every one is up and it's present time FINALLY

The Brain got a Rubix Slider in his stocking that did not leave his hot little hands until right before bedtime when one of the buttons finally gave out on him.

Big Brother LOVED the new game we played called "Murder in the Dark" ... except, he never got the paper with the X on it and after everyone picked their papers he would always sigh. Guess we knew who the murderer WASN'T.

There were two presents that sent Mr. Fingers running around the house screaming his head off: A big box of Legos, and the first two seasons of Avatar the Last Airbender. He seriously wanted to take the whole box of Legos into the tub with him at bath time... I don't think so buddy.

Lil' Sis spent a lot of time organizing her loot after the mele calmed down. She very thoughtfully, and very purposefully placed everything together in one box to be taken home. Where (I'm guessing) all of her things have a place, and everything is in it's place. (don't know where she inherited this trait)

The Snake, ... oh the snake.... How is it possible that he didn't make himself sick? We had all kinds of sugary treats out this weekend. And I decided that since it was Christmas my answer would always be: "Yes, you can have one" That kid ate so much candy!!! I think he gained more holiday weight than I did.

Honey Bear's present this year was the gift of sight. Laser surgery on the 16th was probably the best gift that Santa has ever given him. Now, if I could just keep my clumsy elbows to myself in the bed... maybe his eyes would heel.

The best gift of all was to have all the kids here for Christmas! We ate, we played games, we watched movies, and just enjoyed each other all weekend long!

Merry Christmas to all!

What The? O.M.Geee wiz child. Are you trying to send me to the nut house?

It is 9:30 at night. I read to them, sang to them, brushed their teeth, toileted, and kissed them good night WELL OVER AN HOUR AGO!!!

I was on my way to bed myself when I saw a strange light coming from under the door of the boys room. I thought that maybe I should check on them.

I opened the door and was almost clotheslined in the neck with the cord to the Brain's lamp. Long story short: he was sleeping on the top bunk tonight instead of his bed. Guess he had decided he needed his lamp to read by.

A little perturbed, but not too bothered I let him know that it was not ok to jimmy rig his lamp like that and I was going to put it back.

As I bent over to unplug the lamp

.... my eyes landed on Mr. Finger's bed. This is what I saw:

I was shocked, stunned, and livid all at the same time. He had taken all of his books off the book shelf, and all of the things on the floor and put them on his bed. But where was Fingers? I looked across the room, and there he was standing at the book shelf with some books in his hand. He had been caught red handed. He stood there in front of his empty book shelf like Bambi... staring at the headlights of my vehicle. I think he must have heard me coming down the hall and was trying to quickly undo the damage... yea buddy... nice try.

Have you ever been so mad, and so impressed, and so confused about something your kids have done? Felt all three of these emotions at the same time and carefully gaged your response? Only two options came to my mind: 1) Get raging mad and start the verbal assault, or 2) laugh.... I couldn't help myself and commenced with the latter.

"Why??? .... no wait, I don't even want to know." I'm sure there is no way to understand what he was thinking during the last hour and a half that he was supposed to be sleeping. Was he building his own tower of babel to get to heaven/the top bunk? Even if he tried to explain it to me I'm sure I just wouldn't get it.

I don't understand my children.

Then again, when I get so mad at them that I start laughing....

I'm sure they don't understand me either.

My Christmas Letter

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

WHEN IN ALL OF OUR QUIET LITTLE HOUSE

NOT A TV WAS STIRRING.

NO NICKELODEON,

NO MICKEY MOUSE.

THE STOCKINGS WERE HUNG ABOVE THE FIREPLACE WITH CARE

IN HOPES THAT SAINT FINGERS CLAUSE SOON WOULD BE THERE.

THE SNAKE WAS ALL TUCKED LIKE A BURRITO IN BED,

WHILE VISIONS OF DORA THE EXPLORER DANCED IN HIS HEAD.

AND ME IN MY TOE SOCKS, AND H. BEAR IN HIS... UNDER-ROOS

HAD JUST SETTLED IN FOR A LONG WINTER'S SNOOZE.

WHEN OUT IN THE CAUL-DE-SAC THERE AROSE SUCH A CLATTER,

I RACED FROM MY BED TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER.

AWAY TO THE WINDOW I FLEW LIKE A KITE

PULLED APART TWO OF THE BLINDS, AND PEEKED INTO TO THE NIGHT.

MOONLIGHT SKIPPED OFF THE RAIN, AS IT FELL DOWN BELOW,

CRUSHING ALL HOPES FOR A RARE WESTERN OREGON SNOW.

WHEN WHAT TO MY MASCARA SMUDGED EYES SHOULD APPEAR,

BUT A MINIATURE SLEIGH, AND THREE TINY REINDEER,

WITH A LITTLE OLD DRIVER, SO LIVELY AND QUICK,

I KNEW RIGHT AWAY IT WAS FINGERS SAINT NICK.

MORE RAPID THAN GRIFFINDORS AT THE BIG QUIDDITCH GAME,

HE TRIED TO WHISTLE, BUT COULDN'T, SO HE CALLED THEM BY NAME.

"ON BIG BROTHER, SO TALL AND QUITE HANDSOME TO BOOT.

ON BRAIN, WITH YOUR FRECKLES SO NUMEROUS AND CUTE.

ON LITTLE SIS, THOUGH TOOTHLESS YOU SMILE IS BIGGEST OF ALL.

QUICK GET TO THE HOUSE

BEFORE MOM MAKES US PUT OUR NOSE ON THE WALL."

SO UP TO THE HOUSETOP THE COURSERS THEY FLEW,

WITH A SLEIGH FULL OF TOYS AND FINGERS NICOLAS TOO.

AS I DREW IN MY HEAD AND WAS TURNING AROUND,

DOWN THE CHIMNEY FINGERS SAINT NICKOLAS CAME WITH A BOUND.

HIS SANTA COSTUME WAS TOO BIG, AND DIDN'T QUITE FIT,

SO HE HAD TO KEEP PULLING HIS PANTS UP A BIT.

HIS EYES, HOW THEY TWINKLED! HIS DIMPLES, HOW MERRY!

HIS CHEEKS WERE LIKE ROSES. HIS NOSE.... A CUTE CHERRY!

HIS NEAT LITTLE MOUTH WAS DRAWN UP LIKE A BOW,

AND THE FAKE BEARD HANGING OFF OF HIS FACE:

WHITE AS SNOW.

HE HAD A LEAN LITTLE BODY, AND A FLAT LITTLE BELLY,

THAT REMINDED ME I NEED TO LAY OFF THE COOKIES AND JELLY.

HE WAS SKINNY AND THIN FOR AN OLD LITTLE ELF,

AND I LAUGHED WHEN I SAW HIM, IN SPITE OF MYSELF.

HE SPOKE NOT A WORD AND WENT STRAIGHT TO HIS WORK,

AND FILLED ALL THE STOCKINGS, THEN TURNED WITH A JERK.

HE PAUSED, AND LAID HIS FINGER INSIDE OF HIS NOSE

PULLED OUT A BUGGAR, THEN UP THE CHIMNEY HE ROSE.

HE JUMPED INTO HIS SLEIGH AND CALLED OUT TO HIS CLAN,

"TIME TO GO... TIME TO MAKE LIKE THE WONDER BREAD MAN."

BUT I HEARD THEM EXCLAIM AS THEY HAULED BUNS OUT OF SIGHT,

"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!"

CAST OF CHARACTERS

IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

The Snake

Played by: Himself

Age: 4

School: Not Yet

Job: Being Cute

Quote: "I saw that movie a long time ago... when I was very young."

H. Bear and BugGutz

Playing: Selves

Job: Dad, and Mom

School: Only the Bug

Pre-Nursing @ LB

Quote: "WE DON'T YELL IN THIS FAMILY"

Reindeer #1:

Big Brother

Age: 9

School: Santiam Christian, 4th grade

Job: Life

Quote: "ummm.... ummm... yea."

Reindeer #2

The Brain

Age: 8

School: Sunrise Elemenarty 3rd grade

Job: Helping his little brother buckle his seat belt.

Quote: "SNAKE!!! You can buckle yourslef!"

Reindeer #3

Lil Sis

Age: 6

School: Santiam Christian, Kindergarten

Job: Snuggling her Daddy

Quote: (after being tickled) "Do it again!"

Fingers Saint Nick

Played by: Mr. Stickey Fingers

Age: 6

School: Sunrise Elemenarty 1st grade

Job: Building awesome legos star ships

Quote: "How much dinner do I have to eat in order to get dessert?"

Thankful

Today I give thanks for the Miracle of finding a couple of these:


Mixed in the cough drop basket instead of just a bunch of these:

Ricola is nasty. Just look that that sticky brown little turd like thing.... YUCK! But the kids like it.... i don't get it.

Bye Bye Baby

Happy Birthday to The Snake

He's four years old today.

He has grown out of almost all of his baby fat. Only his chubby little hands show the classic signs of babyhood anymore. :'(

My favorite quotes from the Snake:

"I saw that movie a long time ago... when I was very young."

"I will be four on Tuesday, and six on Thursday."

"I don't"

"I love you one hundred."

"I'm one hundred hungry."

"I'm cold 'cause all this noise hurts my eyes."

"I can't go in there, 'cause Cruela (deVille) will get me."

"Smell my feet."

I'm sorry

Brothers Hug.

-see below

Dynamite kids

Fairy Godmother

Dear Fairy Godmother,

All of my patience is gone. It has run away from my house screaming like a mad woman and I am left here alone.

Just me and my messy house, wild children, text books that are thick as pillows but feel more like bricks, clean folded laundry that needs to be put away, weeds that need to be pulled, a car that needs to be vacuumed, a garage full of stuff that needs to be taken to Good Will, bed linens that need washed, visiting teaching appointments that need to be made, a cub-scout activity to plan, an "Oleo" to prepare for the roadshow, Halloween costumes to get together... oh ya, and my mother-in-law is coming in from Colorado to visit this week-end.

I'm going to put the kids to bed... then take a bubble bath... then do some homework, then go to bed.

Fairy Godmother, could you please stop by my house tonight and clean it for me? Oh the joy, to wake up to a clean house in the morning. Wow, that would make me feel like a true princess.

Thank you,
Cinder-BugGutz

P.S. If you would like to make a wish to my Fairy Godmother then post one below. I'm sure she would be happy to make all your dreams come true.

Decorate like the BugGutz

Here are my fall decorations:


Yup, a bowl full of apples from my mom's house. That's about it. Unless you count the occasional real life spider web outside.

What can I say... I'm a minimalist. Less is more.

Happy Autumn/Halloween/all that other stuff....

Fear

Most performance situations don't rattle my cage, or get me too nervous. I've spoken at church in front of over 100 people, given speeches at school in front of hundreds, been asked to go on stage and entertain 100 girls at camp spur of the moment for 30 minutes... all of these scenarios... no problem

but

Put me in a room with two people: a "patient" (actor), and a test observer...

and ask me to preform 5 randomly selected basic nursing skills...

and my nerves all but get the better of me.

When I walked into the room I was shaking uncontrollably. My mind went blank. I think I stopped breathing.

My test administrator could not have been sweeter. Seriously, one of the nicest people I have ever met. From my adrenaline reaction though, you would think that she was about to murder me.

She sat me down and read the list of skills I was to preform.

I thought, "Please no bedpan, please no bed pan." (I don't know why, but of the 50 different skills that is the one that I hate the most... and it has a lot of detailed steps)

First skill I have to preform: Assist patient to use a bed pan and measure and record output.

She listed my other 4 skills and more instructions... but at that point I may have blacked out. Because only seconds later we were standing at the "door" to the patients room and she was saying, "Go ahead... when ever you are ready."

So I knocked on the "patient's" door. Something special happened when I walked into the room. It is a gift that I have been given when it comes to stressful situations. My mind all of the sudden came into complete, clear, focus... and I preformed the skill flawlessly.

I magically remembered every step. I preformed my newly learned skill like a practiced, seasoned, professional.

I also had to: clean dentures, assist with lower extremity range of motion exercises, measure and record intake, and demonstrate proper hand washing.

I AM SO GLAD THAT DAY IS DONE!!!!!

It was one of the scariest things I have ever had to do.

But it was just another little indication that (I think) I am going to be a great nurse.

(hey... i get to pat myself on the back a little... THAT WAS HARD)

A Tale of Two Backpacks

It was the best of times. I was the worst of times.


Best of times because GrAnny bought the boys some cool new backpacks for school. Worst of times, because they both desperately want the same backpack. The transformers/bumble bee one because it lights up.

I put off deciding who would get the coveted pack. In fact, it was the night before the first day of school that we put names in a bowl and had a drawing. Which ever name was drawn would get first pick at the backpacks. I lined up both new packs, and their old ones from last year (that are actually still good to use).

Mr. Fingers was sure his name would never be drawn, not in a million years (try explaining 50/50 odds to a 6 year old... I dare 'ya). The Brain just kept chanting his name over and over again, willing me to say it.

I put my hand in the bowl. I rolled the two papers around to the gentle chant of "brain, brain, brain" in the background. I pulled a paper out of the bowl. For a moment, there was complete silence as I unfolded the paper. Then, I read the name.....

Mr. Sticky Fingers.

The Brain's tears were immediate. Despite his failed attempts to choke them back. Mr Fingers jumped from his seat, balled his fist, and cocked his elbow back while letting out a quiet but intense, "Yes!"

Then he looked at his brother and did something that I would never in a million years have predicted. He went over to the backpacks and said, "I like the spider man one better. It matches my spider man shoes."

I was shocked, "Fingers, are you sure you want the spider man one and not the bumble bee one?"

He looked at his brother again. We both saw the excitement, and glimmer of hope in The Brains eyes which must have confirmed to Mr. Fingers that he was making the right choice.

"Yes." He said.

Then, with out even being told to do so, The Brain gave his brother a hug. I was beginning to think that I had warped into a parallel universe where children do what their told the first time, and clean their rooms without being asked, and put their own dishes in the dishwasher, and... (i could go on)

But no this was reality. And in reality my children really do love each other... and they are good people.

Ahhh, warm fuzzies.

Here is the Best Brother Ever on the first day of first grade.




And The Brain, about to embark on the new adventure of the third grade.




Nothing like an Oregon first day of school.

Rain and all.

Underpants

On any given day, if you were to "pants" the Snake... there would be about a 90% chance you would see more of the Snake than expected.

That's right, the boy prefers to go commando.

We got into a little scuffle about it. He is capable of dressing himself, so of course I let him. Butt, he is always missing that one crucial piece of his ensemble.


I don't know if it's that he's lazy and that's one less step in the getting dressed process... or if he just doesn't like the feel of wearing them. He is three. So this could just be a phase.

I tried to explain to him why he should wear underwear.... because of course he SHOULD,

butt, I couldn't come up with a good reason why he should wear underwear.

What do you think? Please let me know. First of all... SHOULD we wear underwear? If so why?

Help! Post your what you think!

Keeping Up With Your Big Brothers

Is sure to wear a little snake out... (it's 5:00 in the afternoon)


It was a busy day for the Snake. First of all he's been up since 0' dark thirty. Then when I was making a cake (because I wanted to eat some cake) he wanted to know who's birthday it was today. (I guess I only make cake when it's someone's birthday...) So I told him it was Dora The Explorer's birthday. He lit up! He ran to his room and grabbed his Dora doll! I asked him how old Dora was today, and he said 6. Each of the kids put a candle in Dora's cake, we sang the birthday song, and we all blew out her candles. It was fun to pretend Dora's B-day... not bad for a spur of the moment mommie idea.

We also went to the pool today and swam for a long time.... after dinner I walked in to see the snake like this. Poor tired Snake...

but....

Happy Birthday Dora
:)

Summer Algebra Lesson

a

+ b

= c

The a + b part was a lot of work. Honey Bear and I used a couple buckets and made lots of trips from the driveway to the sand box. It only took an hour though..... I originaly was thinking it would take us the whole day.

Poor kids. We've been talking about, and planning for this sand box all summer. They've only got a couple weeks to actually play in it before school starts. Although, I know a little Snake that will continue to enjoy it long after his big brothers go back to school.

While playing in their brand, spank'n, new sand box the the boys heard a song. Not just any song, but the song of summer. The one that makes a kid's heart lurch, the adrenaline flows, and one very urgent thought comes to their minds: how much money is in my piggy bank, and can I grab it fast enough to catch the ice cream man?

Luckily, Grandpa from OK was just here and gave each of the kids a wad of cash. So it was a mad dash to their underwear drawers... while mom sprinted to catch the ice cream man.

Good news... we all made it in time.

A Moment In Time

In case you were wondering what is going on at my house,

right now,

at 7:30,

on a Monday night.... here is a little glimps.

The Brain is reading The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe. He also has ice on the back of his legs for his heat rash.


Mr. Stickey Fingers is coloring in a Harry Potter coloring book.



The Snake is hidding behind the Wild Watermelon shampoo.

And I am having a super snack. Chicken, string cheese, and ice water with a slice of lemon.

Honey Bear has gone to bed... he was tired.

And that is all.

This moment in time was brought to you by:

BugGutz

Last Day Of Scout Camp (day 5)

Also, this is the last scout camp post. I promise :)

Honey Bear came today. We had him all excited to do archery, and BB guns, and an obstacle course... but the stations were crowded with kids so no adults got to participate.

Then we had a chore that took all of 10 of the 60 minutes allotted.

Honey Bear got bored real fast.

He was looking forward to the BBQ at the end of the day though

Only to be disappointed that the only thing served was boiled hot dogs which he said do not earn the distinction of the sacred name: BBQ

Long story short: this was Honey Bear's first and last ever day as a Cub-Scout camp volunteer.

Here is The Snake talking to his best buddy on his Dorito Phone.



And here are my monkeys about to sing: "Gee Mom, I wanna stay here"


My response: "No kid... we gotta go home"
And shower, and wash clothes, and clean the house, and wash my dust covered car, and
SLEEP

Scout Camp Day 4 ... i think

Ya, it's day four... i was right.

kinda run'n on fumes here.

But the boys are still having the time of their life!!!

We started the morning with Blow Darts (Mr. Finger's favorite)


This afternoon they got to do the Zip Line.

The Snake's group of little ones was at the same food station as us this afternoon and I got to snap a picture of him in action.

He made a spider cookie.

They gave us bags today for the boys to take home all their stuff in. Oh, my goodness... I've never been so excited to see a plastic bag in my life! They had a lot of crap... I mean stuff... to take home today. (I think I'm going to hide my children's blow darts.... in the trash can)

One more day... and it doesn't start until 11:00 so that means....

WE CAN SLEEP IN!!!! YAY!!!!

Scout Camp Day Three

Today we did our skit.

I narrated while the boys acted out the story: "Caps For Sale" ... it is a beloved classic. One boy was the Peddler while the rest were the Monkeys in the tree of course. They did an excellent job. I would have a picture for you, but I was in it. I had asked my friend (another leader) to take pictures... which she did... but I forgot that she turned off her Internet today and can't e-mail them to me :(

I did snatch a picture of Mr. Finger's Trigger finger. (he got a bull's-eye) Also, the Brain rocked the BB range with two bull's-eyes for himself.



Those guys were both sharp shooters... especially since neither of them had ever handled fire-arms before.

They also had a blast on the "Monkey Bridge" ... our group isn't called the Monkeys for noth'n.

The Brain is moving so fast on this thing that he blurred the picture. Go Dash Go!



Also of note today: The Snake captivated the reporter for our local newspaper so much that the story that was supposed to be about the cub-scout camp is now about my son... the three year old. I wasn't there, but I was told that the little charmer was so animated and engaging that the reported wanted to do a story just about him. I'm kind of proud, and kind of embarrassed... I hope there is also a story about the camp....
I'll be keeping a close eye on the paper for then next few days looking for my boy.

Scout Camp Day 2

I figured out the secret:

Be creative during down times. We played games, and sang songs, and SCREAMED our cheer every chance we got today. Guess what happened??? The boys had fun and were happy. I had fun and was happy. And no one got into any trouble today.

There is something magic about the fact that busy boys stay out of trouble.

Here is my mighty Tiger Scout Mr. Stickey Fingers about to hit the paper on the target for the FIRST TIME YYYYAAAAAYYYYY!!!!

And here we got to actually do that experiment you see all over youtube: We dropped some mentos into a 2 liter of Diet Coke. Wow! Coke geyser!


Not to mention we got to pet Nero (a for real, live, alligator). He was actually really cute.... I thought.

So much fun today. Although I'm taking Kirsten seriously about her massage offer. I am willing to drive down to Eugene on Saturday..... hehehe

Did I mention that all three of my sons are at camp. Only The Brain is a fur reals cub-scout. I registered Mr. Stickey Fingers as a Tiger Scout so he can come to camp too. Then The Snake gets to spend the week in the Tot Lot.

We all four slept like rocks last night. And probably will tonight.

:)

Scout Camp Day One

I quit!

Nine boys ages 8-9 and I'm the only leader.
I think it was 90 degree weather.
I had never done this before so I had no idea what I was doing.
My job was to keep these boys:
-where they were supposed to be
-following the rules
-toileted
-hydrated
and
-happy

Mission accomplished. And I was able to keep my smile on my face the whole day. I didn't realize how tired I was until we were driving home. Jake spilled the contents of his water bottle on me while I was driving and I broke down into tears.

Enough about me.

Our group is the Monkeys and this is our cheer:

"We like to climb trees

Ooh Ooh Aah Aah

We are the Mon-Keys

Ooh Ooh Aah Aah

GGGOOOOO Monkeys

(monkey noises)"

We made dough beads, learned about first aide, rode on a horse and wagon, made a wood craft, and did archery. AND I didn't kill any children :)

Tomorrow will be better... I know what to expect (fingers crossed) I hope.

And Then One Day

When the lady met this fellow

And they knew that it was much more than a hunch

That this group must somehow form a family

That's the way we all became the .... bunch

Look around the blog for more pictures :)