Playing catch up!

An admission . . . .

We got home from Church today and Christen said," Hey mom - remember when I broke my arm last year? Well, I didnt fall off my scooter, I fell out of the front tree."

Woah!! Really??!! I was shocked! Not that it really matters and she did tell me - but it would have been nice to tell the Dr at the time what had happened for real. I had to laugh! I asked her what her Primary lesson was about -- Honesty maybe? Repentance? She wouldnt tell me. I told her she may have to go to the Bishop for that one - but then we just laughed. Even her brothers were suprised. Todd didnt say much - he came home with a migraine.

Its funny because sometimes when I get together with my family my brothers and sister will come up with stories that they never admitted to at the time. I was way younger and didnt share those stories but it made me glad that Christen told me now. Hmmm.... I wonder though how many other stories will come out in 20 + years when we sit around the kitchen table at a reunion!

Makin' $$$$

Christen has had several lemonade - cookie stands this summer. She is so cute and does the whole thing on her own. This time she and her friend Mia went in together. They made $10 together.

Christen's Big Catch

The Monday after Day Camp and 11 yr old Camp we had to pick up our canoe from our friends property. They have a pond and said that we could fish for awhile. Trevor wanted to try out his new fly rod and gear and Christen camp for fun. She ended up catching a really big trout. She was so proud! It actually tasted great too!

Christen's Hair Saga

Ahh, summertime. . . Time to relax, have fun and for Christen its time to paint nails and hey - even color some hair maybe? Why not? We have some friends who had done a kool aid dye. We did this with the knowledge that is would wash out after a few washes. Really - that is what we were told --- so after a few weeks I got a bit concerned about it coming out. At least it would be out by school time right? Well - remember that I am catching up and her hair still has some pink. It actually turned out super cute and we have enjoyed it this summer. She has even learned how to french braid and she has let me play with her hair more. I gave her a few bangs and it was all good.

Well - until several days ago when I was thinking about school starting and I took matters into my own hands. I went into phycho mode and tried to bleach her hair myself. I will have to add more details later but it went wrong - very very wrong. So, she has a new cute "a line" hair cut - still with a little pink. I have profusely appoligized over and over - and even got my own hair cut short. Im just hoping that the dean doesnt give her a dress code violation on Thursday - her first day of school. Sigh...

Later -- well she made it though and didnt get kicked out of school! More on her first day of school in another post.

Christen's ACS Play and Talent Show

Christen was recently in a school play called the Tongue Cut Sparrow. She played the xylophone and did a fabulous job!

This year Christen and several of her friends performed a pom routine. It was adorable and would not have happened with out a wonderful, fun teacher who helped them during many a recess.

Sleeping Beauty

My baby is growing up. When she turned 9 it made me sad. I love her at this age though. It is great with all of the kids - but she's my girl!! She has been reading more - as you can see - but we are having a hard time picking books that are girly and that are not "too boring" as she says. She seems to be reading books a little too easy for her right now. If you have any suggestions please let me know. We have done magic tree house, junie b jones, wayside school, little house books, EB White books, Judy Blume (except for Are You There... you know the one) - but need some new ideas..... She is at about a mid fifth grade level. She has also decided that she really does need to finally learn those multiplication math facts!.....

Anyhow, I love reading in bed too.

School Sock Hop

Todd and I took Christen and her friend Emma to the school Sock Hop Fundraiser. They had a great time and Todd danced with both the girls - as well as me. Christen was in a group that performed a dance for everyone to "Rock Around the Clock"

A wonderful surprise

You have been hartatact! (heartattacked)

This past week I have been pretty stressed out and a bit depressed I must say. A lot going on with the kids, my calling, kids school, life, church etc etc. So - Thursday was especially bad. I was a mess. Finally, at noon I decided I better pick myself up out of my doldrums and go shower. I headed up to my room and much to my surprise the bed was already made and Todd and I had had an early Valentines gift! My sweet, almost 9 year old daughter!!!! How adorable is that -- see above 2 lower pictures?!!

She had just been to Activity Day Girls the previous night and must have learned it there. I love it! I have been so wrapped up in my boys' scouts for so long that I really havent taken the time to appreciate what Christen is learning and doing in Activity Day Girls. Its more than just doing a valentines surprise - or making a prayer rock for the first time. She is learning the articles of faith, service, scriptures, music, prayer and much more --- aspects of the gospel that she will use the rest of her life.

I am thinking I want to be an Activity Day Girl Leader - in the ward - or at least be over the Activity Day Girls in my Stake Primary Presidency. (Scout stuff has been very draining on me of late. It is not the part with the boys or my sons' activities - its just all of the adminitatrative stuff in my calling that has been bogging me down)

Anyhow, thank you sweet Christen! You made my day!!!

I had to reciprocate of course - top photo - I couldnt move it down.

Christen the astronaut

Christen had a book report on an explorer. She chose Sally Ride. It was pretty interesting for her to learn a lot of new things about the first American woman in space. It was even better when we realized that Brandon's friend Christian had an astronaut costume!! She practiced talking loud enough for her oral report and did fabulous and got an A! (Misty wants to be the first Westie in space!)

Christen Gets Her Cast

This was a week or so ago. She was so excited - and also to get the custom blue/pink option. Of course mom was the first to sign. It has started healing and now she will have more freedom - but will still have to be careful. She will get it off Oct 8th hopefully. Thanks for all your concern!!

The Rock Climb

This is pre- Christen drama described below. Todd and the boys and scouts went caving a few weekends ago so Christen and I had fun together taking the dogs up Castle Rock and having lunch at Sonic. Then we painted toenails. Great Day!

Poor Christen

Last Thursday- a normal morning, getting lunches made backpacks ready the works. Even Christen looking especially cute as she went outside to wait for the school carpool. Two minutes later - not normal - as Christen comes in screaming bloody murder - "Im not going to school today!" I looked at her pretty little face as I get an icecube for her mouth and start cleaning the scrapes on her face. I calmly told Trevor to go with the carpool and that I would bring Christen in a bit tardy. I was sure that she would be fine in a few minutes after I calmed her down and got her cleaned up.

Then, I glanced down at her arm.

"Oh! I guess you arent going to school today!" Totally broken - wrist. She is still SCREAMING.

She had been scootering - a normal thing - and hit a divot in the sidewalk.

Trevor got picked up and I got dressed quickly. We went to the drs office first. They have now seen all three of my kids for one reason or another in the past 2 weeks. Should have gone staight to the ER. I had called the nurse and she said that they can cast there - what does she know?

Anyhow, they were great at the ER and got to her quickly. It took about 4 hrs before we got home. They gave her some really strong medicine to make her "zombie out" is what I called it. Her eyes were wide open but she couldn't see, hear, remember, or feel anything as they had a specialist do a closed reduction. I left the room for a moment.

We were hoping that she would have a hard cast by now, but that will be next week. She has to be super careful until then. (she is in a soft cast and sling) Poor thing - no PE, or regular recess.

So, today as I was waiting with them for the carpool, Christen had figured out how to hula hoop holding up her sling as Trevor insisted on doing tricks with the very scooter she fell off of.- notice Trevor in the back of the one picture. I didnt have the camera in the ER and didnt have the heart to capture her when she was screaming in pain!! The other pictures in the drs office was Monday when we thought that they would hard cast her arm. She was SO disappointed! It just had not healed enough to mess with it yet.

The day after she stayed home and we enjoyed the Red Robin free kids meal card that the nurse gave us. That and a trip to the dollar store brought a smile on her face. The first day was rough because the perscription medicine was too strong on her stomach so we switched to Motrin.

Sweet 16

Sweet 16 - Sweet because I finally fit back into my wedding dress zipped in the back even!!! :) ( it was formfitted, dropwasted, and still looser back on the wedding day) and 16 because that is how long Todd and I have been married! June 26, 1993 - June 26, 2009. Wow, time flies. I love you Todd!

I will try to have someone scan some of our wedding day pics so I can post them here too.

Field Day Fun

Yay! I did it!! My first collage using Picassa. Thanks for the help Natalie! I feel so accomplished!!

Swim Season is Here!

The day that our pool opened it was way too cold to swim and we were in Colorado Springs anyway, but this was Trevor and Christen's first day out of school. It was fun. The weather needs to be warmer than it has been to stay most of the day. We cant wait! I have started swimming at 6 am for the adult swim. Thanks to Raina for organizing that. I need a new suit though!

Christen's new talent

Christen's school is having a talent show next month. She is doing a gymnastics routine with a few friends. This video is actually her friend's talent but as soon as she saw it she wanted to learn. I will have to record her group talent later. Sorry it is a little dark and quiet.

Christen's Baptism

Saturday was a big day for our family - especially for Christen. She was baptised!! We were so excited and a little emotional for me because she is the baby. It was a wonderful event. Grandma C was here of course, as well as Todd's parents, many ward members and our friend Denise from next door. Christen was baptised with two other church friends and that was nice.

Todd was well prepared and the spirit was strong. It went without a hitch until I went to help her change. OK - this would only happen to me. I went to unzip the jumpsuit and it was stuck. REALLY stuck - like we tried over and over again and my friend Lecia was in the bathroom and she tried for awhile - all as poor Christen was shivering! I finally decided we needed some scissors to cut the back out and get her dry! We did that and got her ready for the confirmation. I hope that this is not the only thing she remembers about her baptism when people ask!!

It really was a wonderful day and we had a nice family dinner afterwards. Congratulations Christen! We love you and Heavenly Father loves you too!

The Lost and Found tooth

This past Friday I got a message on my phone from Christen. She was at the school office. Here is how it went: "Yeah, mom, uh, I found Brandon's lost tooth in my snack bag (with my cookies) uh, yeah."

CRAZY! -what? How you ask?

Yes - it is true.

Thursday night I was at a stk meeting until very late. As I came in the kids were in bed- thanks Todd- Todd mentioned that Brandon lost one of his last molars. I asked if he had taken care of "things" We still have a special visitor because of our youngest. Apparently, Todd was waiting for me to take care of it. I told him to go ahead because I had to do a few things before bed.

Friday morning was hectic because of the Harvest parties and the typical getting the kids out the door scenario. I quickly made lunches, proud of myself that we actually had fresh baked cookies for a treat.

Yeah -so how did the tooth get into the cookie bag? Well - the tooth fairy must have gotten hungry on the way out and had a cookie, mistakenly dropping the tooth in the jar!! -

OR - the tooth in the sandwich bag (where our family puts it and then under the pillow) got put in the tin foil/baggie drawer instead of "away" after. Todd is saying that he gave it to me, but I dont remember anything - hey it was 11 pm!! Shouldnt the dad take care of those things every once in awhile? Christen was grossed out, but I dont think it will send her to a therapist!

Christen's new specs

For a little while now we have wondered if Christen needed glasses. We took her in during Fall break and sure enough. . . Actually, what he explained that she really needs is some eye therapy. Something about when she is studying up close for a long time and than as she looks up to see the board, for example, her eyes wont focus soon enough to see distance. Her muscles are strong but they dont expand and contract fast enough looking down and then up quickly.

As it turns out vision insurance usually does not cover eye therapy whach is quite expensive. It also turns out that Todd had the same problem as a child and his parents did exercises at home with him and then he ended up not needing glasses anymore. We are guessing that is what will happen. Until then the glasses are a quick fix so that she wont strain as much when she reads. When we picked them out and she got them fitted I almost fell over when I realized that they are essentially trifocals - but they call them graduated lenses. Anyhow, we need to google the eye exercises. We figures we could attach a baseball to a string for her to track cheaper than the other. I am sure there is more to it than that which we will need to check.

Anyhow, she loves tham and loves the butterflies on the sides. I am trying to make sure she undetrstands that they are not a toy!! We will see. The are fairly kid friendly