Chills and Thrills

It has been majorly cold this week.  Thankfully, no real precipitaion during the coldest periods.  We don't do ice very well.  In an ice storm about a month ago, our beloved tree took a hit.  We are still recovering from that.

This is a catch-up week for us, working to get into the swing of things after traveling for the holidays and our service project, Chemo Care Kits for Kids.  The laundry is *almost* folded, and I've done reeeeeeel good with our meals this week.  We are going as grain-free as possible.  That reminds me, I totally forgot I was trying out a new pancake recipe for my carb loader Evy tomorrow.  I hope it is great because he really is tired of scrambled eggs for breakfast.

Merritt has been working really hard in school with me.  He has quite a difficult time with fine-motor actions . . . cutting, letter formation.  He is doing well with his reading and LOVES to be the "ninja reader that cracks the spy code" . . . so fun to watch his imagination work through scenarios.

Evy is developing his sense of humor, learning where the lines of silliness are and how far he can go.  He is starting to mimic movie lines and the people around him.  o.great.

This Monday the kids were off school. We did a total blowout of activities: marshmallow shooters, gak, sugar cookies, and whatever else we could think of to pass the time indoors.

Chills and Thrills

I seriously cannot remember the last time I checked-in at Sjolseth Update. 

Here some updating that is seriously overdo.  I'll start with me.   :)

I am busy with several things.  One:  being a wife to an awesome man.  Two:  being a mom to the boys.  Those two priorities keep me hopping.

Other stuff that I do: 

• I am the voice of Pennies of Time.  This is where I spend most of my writing time, um, free time, um, time volunteering to help others.  I have felt a heavenly call to share what we do every day with our boys when we go out and serve.  I serve every day with my young boys.  I don't write up every service act, but I do jot down quite a few.  Pennies of Time has seen quite a bit of traffic over the past couple of months.  I am glad that others are seeing how kids can serve and are serving with their own families.
• Not surprisingly, serving with my boys has motivated me to crank up my own volunteering.  I've been looking for more ways to help in the community for 7 months now and have centered my time with 1)  I help women that are looking for employment (most I help are transitioning to the workplace after being out for quite a while), 2) I help out nonprofits that have a focus on children. (I have recently been helping with grant writing and newsletters.), and 3) I am serving in my church's women's group called Relief Society.
• I swim several times a week.  I continue to move toward being grain free.

Everett recently had his first phone interview with a service oriented nonprofit!  I had to write up some biographical information on him and then figure out headshots for this guy.  He is doing amazing things with his service work, and others want to talk to him to find out more.  He is loving school.  He is reading.  He wants to get more seriously with the swimming, and he is one of the kindest kids I know.  Today, he tried riding his bike without training wheels for the first time, with some success.

Merritt is a sweet, sweet fast-moving boy.  He cracks all of us up!  He still going to his nature preschool class once a week.  Several months back he graduated from speech.  YAY!  He is constantly putting his brother's needs before his own.  Whenever Evy is at school, Merritt is always the first to make sure that we don't forget to include Everett in what we are doing. He loves to fully accessorize.  Most days, he is dressed better than I am. 

The boys recently transitioned to bunkbeds, and they are LOVING it!  They are both tall, love writing bikes, and they keep me hopping.  It was so much fun to watch them with the Easter Egg Hunt this weekend.  Both boys found eggs for the other one!  They are great friends!

Erik is busy as usual.  This year he is still Ward Employment Specialist and is Everett's Primary teacher.  Everett loves it!  Erik is also working on several projects in the house and has a personal vendetta to get green grass growing again in the yard.

This week we celebrated Erik's birthday early.  He decided to do 42 acts of kindness in one day.  It was an amazing experience that I am sure to write out soon.  His favorite acts of the day 1) paying for the gentleman behind him at the donut store and 2) spending an hour clearing out weeds at a complete stranger's home (and, no, the stranger will never know who cleaned up the yard).  The boys and I really enjoyed burying treasure in a sandplayground.  That was so much fun!

Here are a couple of posts that highlight what we have been up to this week:
Egging Someone for Easter
Making Easter Bird Nests
Making Busy Books for the Children's Medical Center

Here is the most popular post on Pennies of Time right now:
Making Chemo Care Packages

Chills and Thrills

The boys are doing well.  They worked really hard on our "pennies of time" this week.

Our family service project is in FULL swing.  I mean, we have many, many, many things to pass along to Captain Hope's Kids.  Deadline is this week and the truck comes on Friday.  Evy and I will be toy sorting at Captain Hope's Kids on Saturday.  And, we are caroling at a nursing home this week. 

Erik is doing great in supporting all of us while he balances his job.

I am awesome.  Okay, I needed that.  Merritt is supposed to be sleeping and he keeps screaming the ABC song in an effort to get attention and the attention that I want to give him is to scream "GO TO BED AND BE QUIET BECAUSE I AM TIRED!"  So, instead I self-compliment by saying:  I am awesome.  It works.

Erik and I went to a work Christmas party last night.  Here are some pictures of us just before we left.

And, just because we haven't put out much recently on this blog, here are some pictures of the boys.

Chills and Thrills

Evy is reading and reading and reading.  He is writing and writing and writing.  He loves school but does talk about prefering to stay home with us sometimes.  (He knows we are fun!)  He is doing very well on the bike that he got for his birthday.  What a difference from a year ago when he was terrified of trying to ride a bike!  Being seizure free has been such a blessing for him in gaining confidence!

Merritt is talking and talking and talking.  He does have some problems expressing himself sometimes, but he has developed so many communication skills compared to a year ago.

Merritt loves his preschool class at the science museum. He loves that they go on hikes and have animal visitors. If we aren't going to that preschool, he would either like to go to Chick-fil-a or church. What a change from a year ago when he really would not have anything to do with sitting for hours at church!

We are very busy each day.  We fill our time with riding bikes, playing ball, cooking, books, art projects, pennies of time, and chores.  The boys really only sit down to do anything media related about once a week.  Naps are of the quickly forgotten past.  And, thus, I don't have much time to get on the blog to update.  When I get on the computer, I quickly update the "Pennies of Time" blog with service acts we are doing and then it is time to get up and do something else.

The boys are very much into caring about people these days.  It is directly due to our "pennies of time" that we do every day.  They still squabble and fight over toys or when they wrestle too much.  But, they are the first to speak up for another member of the family if something isn't going well.

Each evening, Merritt says,"Service Project!" and eagerly anticipates going to another neighbor to tell them about Captain Hope's Kids (the service project we are doing as a family this Christmas).  You can go check it out at Pennies of Time.

I have another calling, counselor in Relief Society.  I am busy getting the music squared away for the Sacrament Christmas program.  And, I have several projects going on along the side of that.  My time is fully engaged.  I am going to be better about the family blog. The kids just grow so quickly that if I don't write it down soon after the moment, I miss capturing the silliness or milestone.

Erik is doing well supporting all of us.  He still travels and helps people with employment related stuff.  He is the type of dad that usually does read "one more story, PLEASE!"  He loves pumpkin pie.

Chills and Thrills

Such a fun week!  The boys and I are VERY busy with our "Pennies of Time" Adventures.  We ended the week with what I call an Odyssey.  Check out the blog to see what we did.

Evy lost his first tooth! And, he stayed healthy all week.  Went to school every day!

We made some great new friends.  One of them taught our boys how to paint house numbers.  (he does it in a totally cool way!)

Found out that our pediatric dentist is a scammer.  Now, trying to get my money back. 

Evy ended a baseball class.  We are looking forward to a new class and a change in coaches!  You should see him in action.  He is FANTASTIC.  I'll try and get a video up soon.

I am continuing with a new therapy for my arm.  So far, so good.  It is called Airrosti.  In just over a week, I am out of all braces, using weights, and have really established some strength in my arm.  And, I get to wear some cool racing stripe tape up and down my arm.  I'm sure hoping that it continues to help me regain strength and mobility.  I am ready to be back to normal after almost 8 months of incapacitation.

As a family, we had a chance to go to a Ranger baseball game.  We always love going to sporting events.  There is never a dull moment between the boys and the actual game being played.

 

Cotton Candy!

 

Merritt charming the Texas Ranger girls, with his backwards shirt, backwards pants, and backwards shoes...and his beautiful smile

 

So cute and tired!

Posts in facebook for September:

September 27
Grateful for our dentist who helped us avoid a scheming dentist with our little one! He went above and beyond! Thank you, Dr.Nelson!

September 25
HGSE all the way! HGSE is not a diaper company. HGSE does not need to claim "hugs" in a name to show that the school is committed to achieving excellence in education. Don't like either? Then talk about it like I do: The Ed School

September 19
We just saw T-Rex arrive at The Heard, amid hundreds of butterflies!

September 17
When the pediatrician gave the positive verdict of a strep culture, she brought a new toothbrush with her at the same time. Brilliant!

September 13
Me: Merritt, how was the hearing test at school?
 
Merritt: Wike dis--beep, beep, beeeeeeep, beeeeeeeeeeep, beep, beep, beeeeeeep, beeep, beep, beeeeeeeeeeeeee!
 
Me: So, I guess you hear okay.
 
Merritt: Yeah.

Chills and Thrills

We've been pretty sick.  Evy has already missed 4 days of school.  YIKES!

But, we are getting better.  We continue to move onward with our "Pennies of Time" Adventures.

Evy is loving his once a week baseball class.  We decided not to do a team this fall.  And, he has enjoyed the focused attention on skills with this class.

Merritt and I are figuring out a routine of what to do while Evy is at school.  No matter what we do, we have fun doing it.

Cooler weather is finally here!  We are so glad!

Merritt was the reverence child a couple of weeks ago at church.  This means that he stood at the front of the congregation with his arms folded as a reminder to all the chatty people coming into church that we need to be reverent.  He did a GREAT job!  He had matured so much in the past year.  What a great kid!

We are excited to watch our first UT football game for the season on Friday.  We've got our flags out and need to prep for our all orange meal.  It is going to be great!

Chills and Thrills

 

thankyoukindergartenforyourcrappygerms

 

So, I am sick.  Seriously have to focus to just even brush my teeth.

 

BUT, I wanted to share a few things.

 

The boys have started school.  Evy is in his third week and loving it.  Merritt missed the first week because he was sick, blamingkindergartengerms.  But, his first day was today and he was so exited.

 

Evy visited his godfather, Uncle Greg in Florida.  What a lovely time!

 

I have started a project.  I need to get back to journaling here on the family blog.  But, I am working on something called "Pennies of Time"

 

Please take a look at it.  Penny, a little girl who is now in heaven, has influenced our family to make good choices even better.  http://penniesoftime.blogspot.com/

 

Basically, it is a blog to share experiences on how to take a small part of our day to serve.  "All it takes is a penny of time."

 

To read how it all got started.  go here

 

We also have a facebook page where I am encouraging others to share their serving moments with their children.  If you are on facebook, just click here.

August Through facebook Posts

facebook posts for August:

August 27
First day of Kinder. All dressed to go, he turns to Merritt and says,"If you need to say something or ask me something, now is the time to do it because I'll be gone all day." We dropped him off . . . He was so ready!

August 22
Visit the Chihuly exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum! Best Chihuly installation I've seen, to date!! The boys loved it!

Fun boys, Chihuly, and cool weather . . . We are loving it!

 

August 20

We miss our Wisconsin friends!

 



August 19

August 8
No matter who typically drives which car, Erik has always been driving when one of our cars gets a flat. For the past 15 plus years, Sheila: 0 flat tires, Erik: like 10 flat tires. Sheila: spoiledrotten!

August 3
It is 9:30 in the evening. Merritt calls out: Music, please! I need to DANCE!

Chills and Thrills

Erik was away.  Then he came back.  Then we all went away.

Madison.  Was.  Awesome.  Friends.  Are.  Awesome.  Thefactthatourkidslovedtheirkids__evenmoreawesome!

Now, we are back to normal.  Watching the Olympics . . . which my kids call "watching swimming lessons" because I compulsively point out swimming elements to them while we watch the swimmers.  I once said,"Look at how high that swimmer's elbows are."  Evy responded with,"I need to do that."

Oh, and we are swimming.  And, other things that I can't think of right now.  Like not taking naps.  (boo, says mommy)  Eating lots of veggies and fruits.  (yay, says mommy)  Experimenting in the kitchen.

And, planning on posting pictures.  I am months behind.

Chills and Thrills: Hello, Beautiful!

I has been ages.  Seriously!

We've had mountains of great times with family since I last posted.  Several business trips for Erik.  The boys are like little men.  I mean it.

We are well.  It is hot, but we are keeping busy.

Our biggest achievement thus far is swimming.  Lots and lots of hours in the pool and at swimming lessons.  Today, the boys learned the dolphin kick.  Yes, they think they are studs.  And, they are right.  Evy is pretty much ready to swim his 25 meter swim test in freestyle.  He is such a good listener and tries to follow each and every instruction given.  Merritt is not too far behind him in effort . . . still needs some support when he is in water taller than he is and is trying to go full freestyle. . . but he is fearless.

I'm still injured.  Going on 6 months now.  Yeah, I am tired of it, too.

Everett is such an earnest boy.  Today, I asked,"Evy, can you help me?"  He bounded into the kitchen and responded with,"Mom, I'll always help you!"

Merritt is on fire with the talking.  I'm sure he'll graduate from his special education speech services when they see him in September.  It is quite exciting!  His sense of humor is just coming out so well and he is working hard to be just like his big brother.

Erik has been around a bit . . . Romania, Italy, Germany, and China.  I can't wait to post a picture of the sweet leisure suit I got from him!

Other things:

• We were able to visit family and friends in Austin. 
• So fun to see my sister Mandy and her family while she was here in Texas! 
• And we had a great 4th, a great birthday, fun father's day .  .  .
• And I have revamped my pantry to eat more in line with foods that my body agrees with . . . and I am amazed at how awesome that is going.  It was hard and is still hard to change some things and learn to make new things, but it is going well, and the boys have been great sports in learning to eat cauliflower rice.  
• I sang a duet in church on Sunday. 
• CHIGGERS are very, very bad this summer.

Looking forward to sharing pictures!

June facebook Posts

These are some posts I put on facebook in June:

June 18
Flooded the bathroom by playing "swimming pool." (He was singing his heart out while sitting in the sink as the faucet was running.) I should have investigated the moment I heard Evy say,"Wwhhooo! Kids out! Time for adult swim!"

June 20
I asked Merritt (3 yrs) to take some dirty clothes to the laundry room. The next thing I hear: the washing machine is on. He had loaded up the washer with those clothes and turned on the washing machine. I hope he folds, too.

June 22
Sheila handed Merritt a chocolate covered raisin. He responded with: Why did you kill the Whopper, Mom?

June 15
Posted on Erik's wall:  "Spiderman's Secret Lair" . . . . You have to see this! (The picture doesn't show all the layers.) Hope it stays until you can. Secret slide hideout, tents, tunnel pieces, parachute, sheets, pillows, balloons, flashlights, escape hatch, and blankets.

Chills and Thrills

Yessiree, we have the computer back.  That is the biggest thrill for us.  It will take awhile to get all my stuff back on it, but we are humming right along.
Last week I did tons of reading/researching/cooking to try and figure out a better way for my family to eat.  So far, it is going well.  There has been at least one total cooking failure and several "bleh" responses from the group, but, overall, it is improving.  I am mostly doing it to help me because of how I react to sugar.  I've been reading about it for months and decided to try making some changes.  I started here:
Maria Mind Body

Last week was fun with the boys as well.  Lots of school time.  Lots of playing with their cousin.  Swimming lessons are going well.  They are having a great time at them, at least.  Saturday was lounging pool day.

Sunday was Father's Day for us.  More on that and pictures to come.

I am the Music Chairman for our ward.  In all, that means I am responsible for good music programming for our Sacrament services.  If any of you find yourselves in that role, I put the resources I use the most on this page (also found on the upper right page links)  http://www.sjolsethupdate.blogspot.com/p/ward-music-resources.html

From my facebook posts:

June 6
Evy: Mom, I wrote a note. What does it say?

Me: It says,"My mom is awesome!"

Evy: (with a look of amazed disbelief). Really? I didn't know how to that. I left one for Dad under his pillow.

I love being Evy's mom.

(Sure enough, there is a sealed envelope under the pillow with a red lettered "DAD" written across it.)

June 8
A flip switched for Merritt (3 1/2 yrs) this morning with self-expression. My favorites so far, in no particular order:

1. I like orange.
2. I am a good Finder. (Yes, he is .. maybe because he hid it in the1st place.)
3. . . . he exclaimed when he saw his cousin this morning: I HAVE A PENIS!!!

We are thrilled he is talking so well and are *so* eager to hear what else he's been wanting to tell us.

June 11
Memo to Fellow Early Risers: Must put on anti-monster face camo in secret before Mommy fully wakes up. If not, then you are not reaching your full monster fighting potential.

Eyeliner this time. (He has been eyeing a new set I got for Christmas.) He put it all up so nicely, too. I had to ask where he got the eyeliner because I didn't see anything out of place in my bathroom!

He came running to me saying,"Wook, Mom, I fight monsters," while pointing at his face. He was so proud and *knew* that I would be as equally pleased with his creativity. what a crack up.



Chills and Thrills

Just so you know, I expect no less than 14 typos in this post.  Still hard to type.

We've been very busy with baseball!  Baseball practice, Evy's baseball games, Frisco Rough Rider games!  Lots of fun for the family and Evy is learning so much! 

After eight weeks in the physical therapy office, begging friends to watch my boys while I go, and wondering when this nightmare will turn:  I graduated from physical therapy.  Y.E.E.H.A.W.  I've got about four more months of healing before the therapist thinks I'll be back to full normal use.  In any case, I've got my exercises, I'm back in the pool, and I have hope.

We recently reread parts of the story of Nephi and talked about all the good choices, "Thumbs- Up," choices he made and talked about how we can make Thumbs Up choices in our lives too, right now. For the past week, we've been giving Thumbs Up to each other (either Thumbs Up cards I copied or just the plan ole thumbs up).  And, it has been an amazing tool for the boys, particularly Merritt.  He loves this additional, more tangible praise, that we are using and I love how using Nephi's example is helping our family.

Today we had dinner with several members of my family.  When Merritt saw all the fam show up, he just glowed, told me that he was so happy, and just gave me hugs and hugs and hugs!

Last weekend, I went to Time Out for Women and reconnected with some ladies, including my SISTER!!!  We had a great time.  I met up with an old friend from middle school.  Excellent topics, excellent company!

Merritt jumped in with both feet for his first interaction with fire ants.  30 bites on his poor wee feet.  He toughed it up and made it through the rest of the evening with such courage.

We have figured out how to best help Merritt on Sundays.  (1)  We use a small rolly suitcase.  Yes, we wheel it right into the chapel and have lots of "stuff" packed to keep him occupied.  Yes, people make fun of us.  But, it helps since I can't carry stuff and we bring plenty to help Merritt.  (2)  We break the rules and let him snack during Sacrament.  (3)  He leaves Sacrament early and has a "lunch" before Primary.  (church is from 11-2)  (4)  For Primary, he gets a personal assistant in the form of me, his father, or his grandparents. 

Today, Grandma and Papa were with him in Primary, and Merritt had a very positive experience.  Today was the most enjoyable church services that our family has had since he started Sunbeams in January where we would leave exhausted and shaking.  Evy's talk in Primary went very well.  No one left frustrated, at-wit's end, crying, or otherwise stressed.  Ale-freaking-luia.

The weather has been quite nice for a week now.  We have the garden growing.  Evy started his own indoor flower garden.  And, we added two rose bushes.  Evy has been asking for rose bushes for a couple of years now and he is excited that they are here.

I have lots of posts to write up.  I hope to go slow and steady trying to keep up with the current and add in what I've missed writing. 

Chills and Thrills



Thrills: 

• Erik is home for a couple of weeks.  He just finished a week long visit to St. Louis last week, back in time for Evy's Video EEG.
• Evy is SEIZURE FREE!!
• Merritt is talking more and more. This morning he spilled some milk,"Dad, I spilled.  I need a towel."  He cracks me up because when he doesn't want to do something (something he needs to do), he says,"No, thank you."  And, on more than one occasion, because he says it so politely, I almost just let him not do whatever it is!

Chills:

• My arm.  Frankly, I'm frustrated.  Frustrated.  Everything takes forever to do.  I have typos in everything I type.  I can't clean or cook sufficient to meet my expectations, can't plant in my garden, etc, etc, etc.  And, don't you dare start the "don't be so hard on yourself" speech. 
• The acceptance of mediocrity as okay behavior.  If you are going to put effort into doing it, just do it right.  I'm starting to sound like a cranky person.

Promises, Promises? Yes, an Update.

Let's see.

This has been the longest patch of silence ever for our blog.  It is time to pick up and begin again.  I've put out short updates on facebook to keep Erik in the loop.  I need to get back to this forum no matter how long one entry takes me to type.

In a life saving move that kept Merritt from harm's way, I screwed up my right arm.  What?  Why, yes, I do write with my right hand.  What?  No, I can't write right now.  Thanks for asking.  Damaged a nerve and strained two tendons.  It makes it very, very difficult to type. and cook. and clean. and do laundry. and drive. and write checks. and make to-do lists. and organize. and you can imagine the rest. Thus, a main reason for the blog silence.  I wear a splint full time.  I spend an inordinate amount of time with physical therapy.  In all, I am confident I will heal and my boys and husband are ever so awesome!

BTW, I nominated Merritt to be the one to take care of me when I'm 82 and break my hip.  I know he'll have the energy.

Another reason for the silence.  We made a decision, and people are, hhmm, not nice about it.  Much of what I have been doing in the past month is to manage that situation.  When I write in a personal manner, like this blog, I release stress and it took me awhile of processing to be able to want to write without releasing about that situation.

Erik toured Asia, working very hard.  He was gone 22 days, I think.  In that time, we were sick, and I became injured.  I had to rely on others like I never do.  You know how I hate not being independent.  See, I even have a hard time writing the word d.e.p.e.n.d.e.n.t.  I had to say "not being independent."  Sheesh!

The boys are doing so well! 

• Evy has started baseball.  This is a big week for him, and he has his first game on Friday.
• Merritt is chatting up a storm.  The other day I asked him to do something and he said,"Yes, your highness!"  HAHAHA!  I don't know where he got that one but I'll take it.
• Evy has been an earning machine.  He has earned over $30 in the past month doing odd jobs, etc. He is now designing new money that he would like to sell door to door in order to earn more money. Not only am *I* out of money now, but I obviously need to find other ways for him to earn money. Maybe one of our neighbors will buy a post-it decorated with tape and boasting the five year old handwritten message of "10000$". (He came up with it during Quiet Time.) 
• Everett is now selling bunches of herbs (rosemary, mint, and cilantro) cut from our garden.  20 cents a bunch.  His first time going door to door to our neighbors resulted in $1.25.  He is eager to earn more.  (I'll have to post a picture of him after his first selling session.  He picked out a "gardener" outfit to wear while selling.)
• I was at my first physical therapy appointment the other day for my messed up arm. The physical therapist, with straight-beautiful-long-blond hair, was notating my pain and difficulty with tasks. "It is hard to fold clothes, open jars, . . . ." When I stopped, she looked at me, glanced at my hair and asked very sincerely,"You having a hard time doing your hair, too?" Bbwwaahhhhhhhh! If she only knew . . . .
• Evy has been adamant about being bald for the video EEG.  (I may or may not have mentioned that it is "March Neurological Madness" for our family.)  The glue is terrible to get out of hair. I've been hesitant to shave his head. So, we started with a modified mohawk . . . a couple of weeks ago.  Last week, he said it was time. I tried to stall but he was certain. He is delighted with the results and wants a BFBC (bald family by choice).

Next, I'll include some of the updates I put on Erik's facebook wall.  Seems that on many days his facebook wall is the best way to get a message to him when he was in Asia.

Feb 14th

Although you flew through Valentine's Day and are gone, it is okay because I get to wear your favorite sweatshirt whenever I want to today and you won't know, um, yeah. Love you! Be safe! (Photo by Evy the Photographer)

Happy Valentine's Day, Dad! (Luckily, the photo was taken before kids were jacked up on candy.) We love you! Evy is wondering if you have eaten fish eyeballs yet.

Feb 22nd

Our Asian Market Field Trip

Yep, we found one!!! (too huge for the 3 of us to eat even if it tasted like chocolate)

Just in case you need some silly . . . Too bad the fieldtrip pictures were taken before they got their hair cut. :)

We bought many things that I'm going to have to learn to cook. I had to convince Evy to pass on the $10 bag of dried fish. He thought it was *so* cool. Instead, I have to buy a can of sardines the next time we go. That was a pretty good negotiation, I think.

Feb 24th

Both boys were singing their hearts out to Uncle Kracker's version of "Drift Away" while driving around town this afternoon. You'd have been proud!

Feb 25th

Merritt continues to find your travels inspiring! Love you!

Feb 28th

While Erik was in China.

Greetings from over the Wall:

If you don't get back soon, you'll miss the entire season of spring, seriously.

Confiscated toy total: 9. Number of toys earned back: 1. At this rate-we'll never have to buy a toy for Merritt ever again since we can regift him his own toys.

Getting injured at school, means cookies and flowers in bed. (Evy biffed it today on the trails today.) 

Sooooo, for my bangled arm, I want dinner in bed and a story with songs sung in operatic form. and a tambourine. and a foreign film. and a Monty Python reference.

Evy asked for MILK. AND DRANK IT, AND ASKED FOR MORE. AND DRANK THAT. 'nuff said through capitalization.

Before actually seeing it happen, if you had ever told me that the best way to get ahold of you over the 14 hour difference and third world infrastructure snaffoos was your facebook wall, I'd have taken sugar out of your diet because what else would cause such a delusion. So glad you've gotten our messages!

We love you!

Feb 29th

We are off to Evy's first baseball practice. I'm nervous and Evy is thrilled!

later
Evy is doing well and Merritt is split between running around or watching his brother and chanting "evy, evy, evy." I think evy told him to do that

March 2nd

Greetings from the other side of the Wall:

All the lids for the jars are resting on the jars . . . not screwed on. My way to get into the peanut butter easily, etc, since I felt like I was lucky to open it once and don't have any faith in a repeat performance. And, I have a pile of stuff I need you to open because I can't.

A bird that must have imbibed on some cola pooped all over your car. ...sorry. It is going to take a scrubbing.

And, this is starting to sound like a "when you get back from traveling honey-to-do list" . . . .

Today, Merritt told me he was tired of me and was grown up and didn't need my help getting his bed ready for nap. So, I said goodnight, walked out, and shut the door. Then I heard his little voice say,"Mommy---blankie me." Obviously, he is sick of my gorgeous face!

The list of things that the boys have planned upon your return 1) going to the movies, 2) baseball practice (evidently my pitching isn't accurate enough with my left arm), 3) going to the pizza/arcade place, and 4) going to every store that we went to while you were gone. Get Ready!

Merritt is potty trained. He doesn't allow any pull-ups. His is talking, talking, talking. You are going to love it! "punkin cha-cha chip"--pumpkin chocolate chip

You know that clean house you left to go on business travel. Well, when you get home and open the front door, close your eyes and keep them closed and then image that same house and you won't be disappointed. :) Really, it isn't too bad. Except for that clogged toilet and couch full of laundry . . . . HAHAHA!

We are eager for your return. What a surprise to hear that it is one day less than we thought. 

YAY!  We love you!  

March 19th
Guy Time while waiting for Dad's taxi!

I'll work on getting more timely updates up.  More to come!

Chills and Thrills

So far, so good!  I believe it is like a 14 hr difference.  awesome.

This past week Evy cashed in his ice hockey ticket that he earned and went with his dad to a game.  AWESOME!  Merritt and I came home to watch a show and eat cookies and candied popcorn.  AWESOME!

Evy had a blood draw, getting ready for March Neurology Madness.  He did a great job. No tears.  He even, after it was over, said,"Sometimes getting a shot isn't bad."

I'm starting to feel better.  Yay!

Chills and Thrills

We had a busy week.  It ended, thankfully, with a trip to Austin for the Color Run.  I'll post more later on that.

Evy is more and more interested in writing.  He isn't convinced that I understand exactly how to write or how to spell his name.  So, he's been working on his own way to write stories and his name using the letters of our conventional alphabet.

Right now, he is using the *real* tools he got for Christmas to take apart his laser gun to get parts to make a robot.  He has full confidence that he'll be able to put it back together in working order.

"Which way is Lefty Loose-yyy?"

Merritt has some fun responses these days to basically any announcement we make (what's for dinner, where we are going, etc)  Here is how it goes--

M:  What?
Me: Yes, peanut butter and jelly.
M:  No WAY!
Me:  Yes, way.
M:  You are KIDDING me!

or

Me:  Do you want to ____________?
M:  Toadawwee
Me:  Okay, let's do it.
M:  Sweeeeeet!

I love my boys!

Chills and Thrills

This past week we enjoyed some awesome weather!  Lunch with Dad!  Monday night at a special dinner place with arcade and video games.  Rock it!  The boys now have their first whoopee cushions.

Saturday, we spent watching Star Wars!  All of us had a great time!  "Too great, perhaps," is what I thought as we cleaned the TV room this morning. Awesome time!

Merritt went to school without crying.  YAY! 

We had church today.  Bleh.  Seriously.  I don't think I will enjoy church until Merritt is like 25.  It is, but it isn't, him.  What can I say?  Church is not designed for an active, exploratory, and fun loving three year old.  I love him to pieces and will probably start avoiding church instead of, well, you know.  At least that is my fall-back plan that I think about as I continue to push us out the door and off to church each Sunday.   This kid can't seem to catch a break.

Evy had a splendid time at church and came home with an absolute MASTERpiece that he colored in class.  I'll have to post it soon.

CREPES tonight with some fun friends!  I've been using balsamic vinegar for awhile now and we loved our balsamic chicken savory crepes.  Evy loves Nutella and whipped cream on his sweet crepes.  Merritt just likes to faceplant the whipped cream.

We have a fun and full week planned.