Obama

I decided that while I am writing about the everyday events with me & my boys, I should probably also write about what is going on in the world.

A week ago, January 20, 2009 was the inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama.


I should first of all say that this year I did not vote. I moved from Arizona to Utah in the middle of the year and wasn't quite sure how to register, where to register, when, etc. I am, however, going to support my President! And, I do think it is "Time for a Change" (Obama's slogan). I'll admit that I am very concerned about some of the policies that President Obama is presenting. I am afraid that too much "change" all at once will break the bank.

What I am most excited about is this:

We, as a people, were able for the 1st time in history able to look past the color of a man's skin and his religion and vote for a man because we support his ideas. Now that is something to be proud of!

The White Cat

Have you ever heard the saying about children, "It's always the one you least suspect"? Well, how true it is for me!! Today- Lex brought home a "White Cat".

What is a "White Cat" you ask? Well, allow me to educate. The mascot of the boys' school is the Bobcat. A "White Cat" is a white detention slip that gets sent home to advise you that your child has REALLY misbehaved. I never would have expected one from Alex. (Not that I'd expect one from Jonny either, but I really didn't expect one from Lex. He is the more reserved of my two boys.)

Lex's dention slip says "Alex was encouraging another child to throw water on the bathroom floor so that he could slide on it."

Lex was soooo upset. The minute I walked in the door after work he ran up and grabbed my hand. He said that we needed to talk and led me to the master bedroom. He shut the door and locked it, reached into his backpack, handed me the white paper, and burst into tears.

I let him cry for a minute and then told him that I was disappointed but I still loved him. I could tell that he had totally beaten himself up enough over such a small incident and I wasn't about to punish more. I told him that I NEVER wanted a bad note again or else he would be punished. I then let him go back to playing.

When he walked away all I could do was smile to myself. I remember being in 2nd grade and throwing water on the floor. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I used the liquid soap to slide around in...hee hee.

The Non-Fiction Section

Lex & I went to the library on Saturday to research penguins for his school project. Lex grinned with delight as we got him his very own library card. He asked me if he could sign his name in cursive. I advised him he could sign his card however he wanted to. Lex’s grin has doubled and he is now a certifiable Cheshire cat.

Reading the signs as he walks through the library, Lex turns to me and asks, “Mom, what does fiction mean?”

“It means that the books are fictitious. It means that the stories are made up and imaginary things. Books that are non-fiction are not made up. They are books about real things.”

“Okay, Mom.”

As we walk through the non-fiction section Lex swoops a book off the shelf. It is a book on the “making of Godzilla”. Then he proceeds to shout, “Woo Hoo…Woo Hoo…YES!!” “Mom, Godzilla is in the non-fiction section!!! I KNEW HE WAS REAL!!!”

So far, no one can convince him otherwise.

Lex's Rule #207

On Monday, Lex fell during recess and hit his chin against the ladder on the playground. He cut his chin open and Gramps had to pick him up at school. The nurse recommended that we get him 1-2 stitches, but the bleeding had stopped and the cut had already closed itself pretty nicely when Gramps got to him. We decided that getting stitches, a shot to numb the chin, needles, nurses, and the dreaded insurance deductible weren't worth it for 1-2 stitches. The cut is only about 1/4 long in a V shape.

However, Lex did create a new rule for us all.

"No more going out to recess in Utah in the wintertime."

He is not giving up on his desire to move back to Arizona. Earlier today he reminded me that he is allergic to Utah and asked me for another Zyrtec.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Thank you Lex for another episode of "Kids Say the Darndest Things".

Being a mom is soooo flippin' hard some days. My children truly are a blessing, but some days they make me want to pull my hair out. Fortunately for my children, they are quick-witted and are willing to put me in my place when I need it and give me stories to tell that make me laugh.

I had taken the boys out on Saturday for 100's errands. Swim lessons, basketball game, grocery shopping, car cleaning, passport renewal, pharmacy pickup, your name it.... Finally a haircut for Jonny. Whew! It was about 2:00 in the afternoon and it had been an exceptionally stressful morning.

Lex, usually the quieter of my two boys, was talking nonstop. Not good talk, the talk that drives most moms crazy. He is talking about farts, and butts, and Sponge Bob, and banishing all cootie girls to the woods. I repeatedly tell him to talk nice. I don't know what has gotten into him. "We don't talk like that." I say. "Clean it up, Lex" I remind him. Finally, (I can't even remember what gross thing he said) I snap and yell at him!

"That is it!!! Lex, when we get home I am going to wash your mouth out with soap! I'VE HAD ENOUGH!!"

Lex is obviously deeply concerned. He is usually my angel and rarely needs discipline. He has been sent to time-out maybe twice in his lifetime. Anyhow, we get to the salon and Jonny goes with the stylist to get his haircut. As I mentioned, it is Saturday afternoon and the salon is packed. We are waiting in the lobby and I bet there are 10-12 people sitting around. Lex stands up and says, loudly enough for EVERYONE to hear, "Alright, Mom. Let's get it over with. There is a sink in the back. Let's go wash my mouth out with soap." A lady sitting on the other side of the room chokes trying not to laugh. All 10 people in the waiting room have smug smiles on their faces. Oh man....Lex!?! NO! Thanks alot. I tell him that we will handle it when we get home and proceed to cover my face with this week's People Magazine.

(Note: He did not get his mouth washed out with soap. I have never washed his mouth out with soap (yet). And, if he knows what soap tastes like it is his own doing and not mine. LOL )

Snow...Snow GO AWAY!

As I was taking the boys to school this morning, this was out conversation:

Lex: “Who wants go back to Arizona raise your hand?” (All hands raise.)

Jonny: “Who wants to go back to sleep?” (All hands raise.)

Lex: “Who wants to sleep on the plane?” - At this point I burst out laughing. Lex can be pretty clever.

Utah is great because of the fabulous family that we have here. But, MAN, we miss the sunshine!!!

The Annual WSU Mascot Game

Jonny, Lex, and I went to the Annual WSU Mascot Game tonight. The Mascot game is an event where all of the Mascots from the surrounding area are invited to compete in a free-for-all basketball game during the regular WSU half-time. In the past we have seen as many as 25-50 mascots running around during the half-time. This year was a bit cold out & many of the mascots did not show up.

At first we were a bit disappointed. Weber State was trailing by about 10 points almost the entire game. There were only about 12 mascots during this year's half-time. Initially, it was really boring.

But, like the cliche goes...in sports the only real playing is done during the last 2 minutes of the game. It was awesome! Weber suddenly re-lit their fires. During the last few minutes Weber was able to pop off a few 3-point shots in a row. They tied the score up with 0.4 seconds left on the board. Woo Hooo....gotta love OVERTIME!!! Not only that... in overtime Weber was able to pull off a win!

Our Dessert After The Game: Lex's Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice--
Look at the PURE JOY on his face making juice. :-)

New Years

Happy New Year!! This is the first year that Jonny, Lex, & I were in separate places for a holiday. A little weird because we spend EVERY holiday together. :)

Anyway, Jonny spent the night at his friend Jaxon's house. He watched the adults light fireworks and went out banging on pots and pans. When I picked him up from Jaxon's house he was grinning ear to ear!

Lex spent the night with Grandma Cindy. I can not believe he was able to keep himself awake until midnight. He usually puts himself to bed at 9:30pm. Jonny is my night owl. Lex loves his sleep. He went out onto Grandma's patio at midnight and watched the neighbor's fireworks. Lex was happy to be able to play video games -uninterrupted too!

I spent the night partying away at my friend's night club! YAY! The club usually has about 400-500 people in it. For New Year's Eve, there were over 1500 people! The wait to get in was 2hrs long (Glad I am a V.I.P and didn't have to wait in the cold...LOL). I am grateful that I was able to spend time with friends and forget about 2008 and all of its drama! Cheers to 2009!!!

Me & Lupita:

Me & Tisha: