Basement Cleaning?

Just to preface...I have given Cliff 2 chores to do since Lela has been back in Samoa. They are to clean the basement and dusting. I absolutely despise dusting! I would rather clean toilets than dust. So on with the story, Cliff decided on Wednesday night to go and do his chore of cleaning the basement because he can no longer stand the chalk being all over the concrete floors. Actually, he can't handle the kids coming up after they have been down their and putting chalk prints all over his clothes. I just figure I will wash their clothes and no big deal. It is quite funny because he didn't even like Lavea'i going down because "He is going to get all dirty." I just laugh and say "That is okay if he gets dirty."

Well, he gets all the toys cleaned up with the kids help and then decides that he is going to sweep up all the chalk off of the concrete. Needless to say, within an few minutes he came back upstairs saying that he wasn't going to be able to get it off. He tried to throw all the chalk away, but he missed a few pieces. The next time we went down there Kalena started drawing a hopscotch.

Beyond this cleaning up of chalk, we had a big cardboard box that was already broken down that I would set up as a tunnel for the kids, but once they knocked it down that was it because I wasn't about ready to keep going up and down the stairs to keep fixing it. Cliff decided to make a house out of it and th kids ate it up. He cut shapes in the top of it. A star for Tula'i, diamond for Kalena, and triangle for Maika. Later that night, Kalena made me cut windows in the side of the house. It is still in decent shape and hopefully it will stay that way for a little longer.

Finally!

Now, I don't have to sit while Lavea'i eats. He finally decided to do it on his own. Maybe he just got too frustrated with Cliff and myself not paying enough attention to when he was ready for the next bite. What a cute little guy he is! He is getting so big now. He is beginning to stand up for a few seconds on his own when we hold him there. Pretty soon, before we know it, he will be walking.

Thanksgiving!

This year we stayed home and did our own thing with our little family. It was relaxing!!! Now, how many can say that Thanksgiving is relaxing? We started our day out by watching Cliff play in our ward Turkey bowl. Well, I don't know if you can see we really watched it because I watched the kids more while they played with one of our neighbors dogs. Tula'i really loved throwing the ball for the dog, but it got to the point where he would hold onto the ball and one time the dog came and snatched it right out of his hands. He didn't like the idea that the dog could do this to him, but it didn't help him to throw the ball any sooner than he should.







Afterwards, we all came home and the kids played outside for a little bit. Then they had a snack and fell asleep for a couple of hours before we headed out to Chuck-A-Rama. Yeap, believe it or not, it was Cliff's idea. I LOVED the idea because I didn't have to cook or clean. My sister-in-law and her two little kids met us there as well. All I had to do was eat, serve the kids, and eat some more. The dinner was yummy!!!

Dinner was done! We came home and chilled out for the rest of the evening. Cliff's brothers and their families came over later on. We were going to play games, but ended up looking through the black Friday ads. They all left around midnight and I never ended up going to sleep.

I decided to head out to Toys R Us to do some shopping, but left because I wanted to get to Target in time for it to open to get a couple of things for the kids. No shopping for Cliff and myself this year. Anyway, I ended up getting to Target around 2:15 a.m. and decided what the heck. So, I went and sat in line. It wasn't too cold to begin with, but then it just started to freeze my little toes and fingers. So, I had made friends with the ladies that were in front of me and behind me and they saved my spot while I came home and got some blankets and hot cocoa for all of us. It was so nice after that...not too bad of a wait in line. But, next year, I am going to just wait and go to Walmart over here next to our house because my friend and I hit that after Target and realized that they still had quite a bit of stuff and it wasn't busy at all when we had gotten there by 7 a.m. What a relief! BUT, with my luck next year it will be busier and nothing will be left.

If ye are prepared....

Kalena gave her scripture this past Sunday in primary. When she was done, Cliff and I left the primary room and he turned to me and said, "She was so confident giving it. She didn't need any help at all." It reminded me of that scripture, "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." If we are prepared in anything that may come up, we don't need to be afraid. If we have done our best then we can just say I did my best and I was prepared as much as possible. What an example she was to us! Even the primary president was impressed that she had it memorized because they usually have to help all the kids give the scripture. GREAT JOB, Kalena!

Terrible 2's!

After having 2 two year old's already, you think I would get used to the tantrums and everything else that comes along with it. Well, I AM NOT! Tula'i has always been a load of waterworks if he doesn't get what he wants, but we used to be able to tell him to go to his room and when he was done crying he would come right back out. It got to the point that he would stop crying on his way to the room and turn right back around to come and play.

BUT, lately all he wants to do is be held and begins the waterworks if Mommy doesn't hold him with nobody else on me or by me. He will cry if he wants M&M's before he eats his dinner or lunch. Today, the kids had hotdogs and rice for lunch with some ketchup. (A favorite of theirs!) Well, he didn't want to eat anything, but M&M's. So he decided to throw a tantrum when I took him to bed for a nap instead. After about 10 minutes in the room and Daddy coming in to calm him down, he decided he better eat his hotdogs (which still took a bit of coaxing) to get his treat. There are times when I should have pulled out the video camera on the other kids and I hope I will get some tantrum time on camera with this child so we can all go back and laugh.

Other than this and egging Maika and Kalena on by either hitting them, grabbing toys from them, or just grabbing and holding onto their shirts. He is a good kid. It is quite funny to watch him egg the other two on while they cry and freak out. Oh, but be careful not to laugh in front of him cause then it would egg him on even more. He is a treat!

New Moon Review

Just go to my sister's blog "The Wallwork Clan" and you will know how I felt about the movie! My thoughts exactly, Cajsa. I thought Edward was UGLY from the beginning and he has never grown on me at all. I am all about the Jacob clan. But, all I have to do is say DITTO!!!!!

GREAT Memorization!

Kalena was given the scripture of the month 3 weeks back to give in Primary. I worked with her on it for that week. She memorized the whole thing in a couple of days. She got sick and wasn't able to give it the week she was supposed to recite it, so I called the Primary president and explained to her that she had it memorized and really wanted to give it but that she was sick throwing up (the 2nd time this has happened to her). So, she is going to give it this Sunday.

When we say family prayer at night, we have her recite the scripture about every other night so she doesn't forget it. Well, before she recited it last night, Maika wanted to say it first. The scripture is Galations 5:13; "For, bretheren, ye have been called unto liberty, only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." So, this is what Maika recites: "For, bretheren, use it liberty cause it's not liberty." We started clapping for him and laughing. As we were clapping he says "I am good." Oh, the confidence of a child.

Preschool...FREE!!

A couple of other ladies in our ward, along with myself, don't send our kids to preschool. So, we have finally gotten together and decided to do a type of preschool from our own homes. We rotate every week working on letters specifically and if we feel the want or need, we can add shapes or numbers to the letter being learned for that week.

Well, today was the first day of preschool for Kalena and she LOVED it! She was excited to tell me what she learned and did for the day. She said they danced and learned the letter Mm.


I must say, not to my being a great Mom and teaching her, she has already learned how to write her capital letters and knows some of the lower case. I may have helped her a tiny particle of it, but most of it she learned from watching PBS kids in the morning. She has also learned her shapes, colors and some counting from watching "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse." I wish I could say it was all me, but I think the Lord gave my kids TV programs like that because he knew I didn't have the patience to teach it myself.


If you can't see on this worksheet of Mm's she has her name written inbetween all of them. Whenever she has a chance at home, she will draw, color and spell all the names of herself and the boys. I always have to get after her to clean up her stuff, but it never gets through her head. It doesn't matter how many times I tell her.

Her brain is like a sponge right now, soaking everything up. She is so good to want to learn and read. She loves to read books. She is just a little to smart for her britches, but I am glad.

Christmas ALREADY!?

Kalena kept asking me "Why is everybody putting Christmas stuff out?" Of course, I would answer saying that Christmas is almost here, but we have to have Thanksgiving first. Then she would ask, "Mom, when are we going to put Christmas up? When are we going to put lights up?" I finally asked her when she wanted to do it. She said when it is sunday (sunny). Meaning she wanted to do it the next day in the day time. I was trying to put it off until after Thanksgiving this year, but it didn't work out that way. For family home evening last night, that was our activity...putting up the Christmas tree, stockings and other decorations. I don't know if it is more work than a fun activity because I was always scolding the kids not to touch the glass bulbs and ruin all the other decorations. In the end, it was worth all of it. Kalena loves to help out every year and when we put the bows on she put most of them on...in one spot and most of them upside down. I kept having to move most of the ornaments this year they put on because I know Lavea'i would be headed for them right away.

Man, I am getting OLDER!

Yesterday was a wonderful 34th birthday! Cliff surprised me by taking the day off from work. After breakfast was had by all the little ones and I the kitchen had been cleaned up, he informed me that I had to be somewhere by 10:30 a.m. He had me guess where it was that I would be journeying off to by myself. After about the third guess, I got it right...A WONDERFUL FULL BODY MASSAGE! I enjoyed ever single second of the whole entire hour relaxing. OH HOW SWEET it was to get a massage from someone that knew what she was doing. Not only was it relaxing, and excellent to the touch, but there was the added bonus of a military discount!

Afterwards, we went to Chili's for lunch. Not my first choice, but cheaper than my first choice, Ruby River. It was yummy all the same because I didn't have to make it.

We came back home and all the kids went down for a nap...well, at least a little bit of a nap for Kalena. She was coughing so much in her sleep that she came into my room and told me that she was going to throw up. Oh, please...not again! I can handle the colds, coughing and high fevers, but don't let it be throw up.

Anyway, she went out to color because she couldn't go back to sleep and I lied in bed reading my book in peace and quiet. That in itself is AMAZING! While I was reading, Kalena coloring, and the boys sleeping, Cliff studied for a bit and then decided to play his Xbox360 game Modern Warfare that was just released. I had bought it for him on his birthday and it got here in time for him to celebrate my birthday with it. :)

With Cliff off at school by this time, after reading and getting some computer time, I decided to make dinner, Sweet & Sour Meatballs. YUMMY!!! At least that is what the kids thought of them before. But tonite, that opinioned changed. Dang it, I had made a lot of them thinking the kids would eat the majority of them. Boy was I wrong!!!! Cliff and I didn't even eat very much from still being full from lunch. Well, I guess that will be dinner tonight for myself and Cliff and the kids can eat sandwiches.

The greatest part of the day was after dinner and even after the chocolate pie that he bought. When he brought out my gift, I couldn't have been more excited and emotional. I couldn't believe it, my first year of blogging all in a hard covered book, published for me to see and remember everything that has happened in life. I was teary eyed and expressed that he definitely pulled it off and that this has by far been the best gift ever I could have received.

So, I know that Cliff will read this like he always does to know and see what he misses out on during the day. I just want to let him know that I enjoyed my day immensely. It couldn't have been better! Even if Tula'i was crying about everything the WHOLE freaking day, the kids were coughing and didn't really eat. I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! You are a wonderful husband and not just because of pulling off my birthday, but because I know you love me for me. You know me all too well and yet you still get me gift cards and cash when you know I won't ever spend it on myself. I LOVE YOU a million red M&M's and then some. Thanks for the day and for every other day that I have to spend with you.

Relaxing or Not?

This weekend I flew to Denver. Cliff surprised me with a ticket and so off I went with Lavea'i. Just the two of us! It was a quick trip, but enjoyable. Friday morning before I flew out, Kalena started running a fever and so I dosed her with some tylenol (no motrin on hand...that is a first for me). But, she seemed to be okay after it kicked. On our way to the airport, I told Cliff to go by Walgreens and get some Motrin because you can go through the drive-thru and not get out. He forgot to do it and didn't realize we still had tylenol on hand so her fever spiked again. But, thanks to our sis-in-law, Traci, she sent some chewable motrin over with Jethro and then Jethro, Jr and Cliff gave her a blessing. She was able to sleep through the night. Being away from my little girl didn't help me any. I kept calling him and texting to make sure she was okay. He kept reassuring me she was fine and to just have a good time. Motherly instincts just don't allow you not to worry about your child when they are sick.

Meanwhile in Denver, Lavea't wouldn't go to anyone at all and had to have me hold him constantly. My nephew, Jakai, always wanted to hold his hand or hug him...bear hug him, and Lavea'i kept pushing him away. He didn't like it at all, but it sure was cute to watch Jakai want to love him and help out all of the time. Shara picked me up from the airport and we went to Nezhone's Relief Society meeting of "Fabulous Friday" where they did a bunch of projects. Nezhone did a Christmas countdown with blocks, a couple of fleece beanies, and some decorative vinegar bottles. I helped a little with her countdown when we got there. Shara ended up taking Lavea'i home, but I guessed he cried the whole way home and didn't stop until I got to the house and took him away from her.

Lavea'i wouldn't go to sleep without me. While Nezhone, Josh (her husband) and I were sitting on the couch talking he finally fell asleep and stayed asleep for the rest of the night. It got quite goofy because we were laughing about the dumbest things...especially since it was past 1 a.m. when we finally all ajourned to our beds for the night. Lavea'i woke up at 6 a.m. and so I was hanging for a while. I called Cliff around 9 a.m. and he told me that Kalena had thrown up and that Tula'i was now running a fever. GREAT, Just GREAT!! Here I am in Colorado, hoping that everything is okay at home only to find out not only is one child sick but now 2 out of 3. What is a Mom supposed to do? Cliff reassured me that everything was okay with the kids and to just have fun with my sisters. He wasn't sure if the house would be in order when I got home, but if the kids were okay then that is all I needed to worry about.


So, after going out to lunch and going to a second hand store for clothes (it is a must stop by store if I am ever in Denver to get the kids clothes), watching some movies on TV, and having sopapia's (Thanks to Josh....YUMMY, so YUMMY) we retired for the evening because church was early Sunday.




Spent $80 bucks and got about 10 pair of jeans, about 12 shirts, a pair of boots, a pair of shoes, and a coat. That was for the kids and I also got myself a couple of shirts, a button down sweater, and a skirt. Can't beat that...and they are nice clothes. Some of them not worn!


And, I did talk to Cliff one last time a while before going to bed to say goodnight to the kiddos.

Sunday morning came way too soon, especially when I am sleeping with my little guy who has to be right next to me even when I am already about to fall off the bed. But, in Nezhone's ward the primary did sacrament meeting. It was an excellent program. They kept it with in the time alloted and all the kids had their parts memorized. The children also sang all the songs well. Ours is this coming Sunday. It will be interesting to see how well the kids do. Anyway, I was able to get a nap in and dinner right before we left. I had a fun time and enjoyed my time. Wether or not it was truly relaxing, I will leave that up to you to decide? But, now I am at home with my sick kiddos...yeap ALL 4 ARE SICK!!! Good times!!

Halloween 2009!

I never get gung ho about costumes. And once again, I didn't this year either. I have been blessed with a few costumes from my sister and sis-in-law. I just keep recycling them through the kids until they have all grown out of them and will no longer be able to use them. I didn't take many pictures this year, but it was fun to take them out. Both, Maika and Kelena were ecstatic about putting the costumes on and going trick-or-treating. Cliff and I could barely get Tula'i to wear the pumpkin, so that is why he isn't as decked out. Once we got it on, he was okay with it.



Friday night we had a ward party with trunk-or-treating afterward. That was fun and quick. Then we went and took the kids to go and watch "Astro Boy." The kids really enjoyed it. The movie theatre was empty. There were 5 other people in there besides us. I was able to let Lavea'i down to play and not have to worry about him being too loud. what a relief! That was our movie night for this week. Not only was it nice to go out as a family, but it was also nice sleeping in our beds for the first time in a while on movie night.



Saturday, Cliff went and played airsoft with a group of guys. We just stayed home until trick-or-treating time came around. I took the kids out again while Cliff stayed home with Lavea'i and passed out the candy. Kalena has found out this year that the faster she moves the more candy she will get. So, she wanted to run from house to house, but the boys were lagging behind. I ended up taking the boys home and took Kalena out for some more, but it didn't last too long. After knocking on 2 more doors she was done. In fact, she told me..."You can do it for me (handing me her bucket) and I will go home." Then she started walking off and that was the end of the night for us outside. We got home and the boys were already eating their candy and Kalena started to tear into hers. So, me being the mean mom...took it away and gave them a bath. Then, off to bed they went!

Nastiness!

Every time I would step in my van to buckle up the boys, I would say, "This is so DISGUSTING!" Even my sister, Shara, could attest to this fact when we picked her up at the airport and even had to ride in it to church with us this past weekend. So, we have had some good weather lately and decided to get the job done. It took me a couple of hours to clean it all out. The last part I cleaned was where Kalena sits. She sits in the back and so if she is eating something and doesn't want to finish it she will put it in her cup holder or in the enclosed area. A while back, I had bought them all icecream cones. She didn't feel like eating all of it and put it in her cup holder. By the time I had gotten to it, it was melted and all over in the cup holder. Instead of cleaning it out at that point in time, I decided to wait until van cleaning day on Monday. I also found a banana peel in the enclosed area and who knows what else on the side of the van where she sits. As, I was cleaning it, I had the back opened and expressed to her to "Remind me to never let you eat in the van again. Your spot is NASTY!" Maika heard me and came back with "Nasty?! Is there poop in there?" I just laughed my head off and then he chuckled and began walking away while saying, "I was just kidding." Oh, the things children say!