Why do wasps want to be in my hair?

On our first day of Spring Break we went on a hike and packed in a picnic. Sweet little Kennedy felt something in her hair and shoed it away only to be stung by the culprit wasp. Immediatly the howls began. The next day while at work, I was summoned home by a very upset Griffin. Her hand had swelled up and was hard to the touch. She complained of itchiness and couldn't move her fingers. He was worried that she was having an allergic reaction. On day 3 Todd called her pediatrition who said to mark with a pen where the swelling ended and wanted her to come in. We hate wasps!!

I believe we had one nice day of weather and that was on Thursday. After loading the bikes in the truck we parked at Omsi and rode across East Esplande to the Steel Bridge. Played in the Salmon Street Fountain, fed the birds and rode to Spaghetti Factory and had a yummy dinner. Rode back along the waterfront back to Omsi, which took about 30 min. Griffin and Camdyn are great little riders. It was probably too far for Kennedy plus she had a gimp hand so she rode in the trailer. We all saw a 7 pm show at OMSI--Grand Canyon Adventure (even Brody did great). Then walked along the water and looked at the beautiful city lights of Portland. Aren't I lucky to live in my favorite city?

Line upon On-line, precept on precept

For the last several weeks and even longer than that.....at least a few months if not the past year and maybe even longer than that my computer has been on the fritz. Pretty much I wanted to throw it through the window. I just stopped logging on becuase it was so bogged down. Come to find out we had about 1/4 the memory capacity we were trying to use and so it always froze up....for undetermined amounts of time. I think the breakdown on my dad's birthday was the cincher for deciding to throw out the old and get updated. I'm a penny pincher and hate to buy something that doesn't "seem" necessary. Now that this is up and running I realize what fools we've been. Why did we wait so long? We are on Spring Break and are trying to fill the days with fun outings for the kids, but as soon as we resume I look forward to catching up on sissy's and cousin posts. I think Sara is the only one as slow as I was to post. Sorry Sara, you might be on your own. I know I'm not in Jamie's camp, because I keep a handwritten journal and I'm still just not on the computer as much. But perhaps I can learn a thing or two from her!
Jo, what was that song from? Debbie Diary or Saturday's Warrior? How come they don't act those out anymore?

Griffin, you're not the mother!

That is what Camdyn is always telling Griffin when he's attempting to create order in our house. I bribed her with a dollar to be good while Griffin was in charge this week and it worked! Smitten with Brody, that is what Griffin is. He is there in the morning to greet him into a new day.....that is if he can beat his sisters to the punch. Usually what happens to poor Brody is that his door is opend amidst crying and wailing and tears over who was or wasn't the first one in to get him up out of bed. The novelty wears off quickly as he is then dumped into my arms or set on the floor to fend for himself and we finish getting the kids ready and out the door.
Griffin babysat for me today while I worked at the Orthodontist office for 7 hours! He had all 3 of the younger kids and did such a great job. He's 11 going on 21 I swear! I came home at lunch to feed the kids and change Brody. He had changed a dirty diaper that morning and put him down for both of his naps. There was one incident that occured that sent me straight home 20 min sooner than I was going to leave. He called to say Kennedy had been stung by another wasp and was throwing up! (Allergic reaction? I didn't know and he was crying). I rushed home to find her at the nieghbors sipping on a cup of juice curled up in front to the tv. Lost in translation from Camdyn to Griffin to me was that her wasp bite from yesterday was "swelling up". It did look pretty bad. All in all he did exactly what I woud have wanted him to do and had the house spotless. What a great kid. I thought it was sweet that both he and Camdyn were crying for Kennedy and her poor finger. It's now spread onto her hand and looks quite puffy and sore.
The last week in Feb. we had glorious weather. I took the kids on a couple of hikes and it was warm out. We hiked through the trails to get an ice cream and played outside all day. Griffin and Caleb Browning have been friends for about 8 years. They got baptised on the same date and are in the same class together this year in school (per my request). He is a good example and a very polite kid to have in our home. I love that they can entertain themselves outside all day long without the need of video games. That is my criteria numero uno in a friend.....But alas Mr. Rain came back.......
And just this last week we had snow flurries and hail. The girls think it's so fun to go jump on the trampoline in the hail wearing skirts and tank tops. Kids!!! They were frozen red when they came in. It was so cold in fact last week that I actually decided to for-go my run and swam laps at the club instead. If you know me well, that means it had to be really cold!

Who you know

Todd and I were just commenting the other evening, watching the Blazers from our 8th row seats, how fortunate we are to have friends in high places. We would not to be able to do tons of the activites we do if it weren't for the generosity of good friends. In the last few months alone we have been given many tickets from Ryan Gibson (top ticket sales agent in the NBA employed by the Trailblazers)..I took the girls, Ashley May and the Clanton sisters to Beyonce,Todd and I have gone to the Blazers a few times. Six tickets to the Wiggles came last week and even more offers we had to pass up.

Tonya from work gave us 8 tickets to the Winterhawks (her hubby is asst. coach) which we took the kids and the Lindhorsts to 3 weeks ago. They loved it! The fighting and penalties especially. The Lindhorsts have also generously invited us along to enjoy thier box through Bank of America to see the Judd's, B@B cirus and the Incredibles on Ice.

I braved the Wiggles on my own with 5 kids and fared pretty well. But there's no way I would have spent $300 on those tickets! That's crazy talk.

a>

St. Easter's Day

When was the last time that St. Patrick's Day and Easter were one week apart? My kids are happy with any reason to celebrate.

I was happy to know that the did in fact know the reason for Easter. Kennedy's preschool has Christain based teaching in their crafts and music. She learns a lot from there as well as in Primary and loves her teacher Sister Zundel at church and Miss Tracy at school.

Todd ended up working more in one week than he'd ever worked before. Thursday, Friday and Saturday (home for 12 hours to sleep Saturday night). Then back to work Sun and Monday 48 hours, off Tuesday then Wed. and Thursday another 48 hours. Our Easter was quietly spent at home, which was fine by the kids and myself. Easter bunny did well. He got the girls jump ropes and snowglobes. Camdyn's broke 2 days later....no surprise there.


Our green dinner was a hit! I dyed the Chicken Broccoli Casserole and served up any other green vegie or dish I could think of and just added green food coloring to everything else. The hats came from the $1 section at Target. I should have bought more!

The girls has a Princess Party and watched Enchanted while Griffin spent the night at Chandler's house. We had wands and crowns, ate appetizers and watched the movie on pillows and blankets they brought from home. What a cute movie!

The girls helped me set the table for our princess party....this was taken after all the cute food got eaten :> We made Easter gifts for the kids' teachers this year. In them we had soap that Camdyn made last summer in Utah with Annie, candies and a pass along card from church with an Easter theme. That was the easiest way to send the message of Savior and his gospel and what a perfect time of year to pass it along.....

So it's back to blondish as Kennedy would say....or did she call it whiteish? I can't remember. Anywho the brown just wasn't me, plus it wasn't dark enough and I was too impatient to try it a few more times to make it stick.....maybe another time. I like change and this is an easy way to get it. Now my hair needs some TLC.

When I pick up Brody from the kids club I hear comments like "Well, he sure doesn't look like you." (sarcastically speaking). I think he looks like a Skeen boy might have looked had we girls had to share our childhood with a brother. The thought of that is wierd. Where would he have slept and played? Our barbies took up all the room, as did our floral wallpaper.

Frosting, yum yum

Happy Birthday to Mr. Boy. We had pizza and this cake the girls helped me make and decorate. The kids were so into the whole cake attacking aspect. It was so funny watching them, watching him!
Our little Broders is One. Sniff sniff.

Sparkly Shoes and Birthday Wishes

It's no surprise that Target is my favorite store... so that is where the kids and I set out to present Papa with his Birthday gift. I told Kennedy of my father's Birthday wish this year and she replied.."Well, it's not really birthday-ish, but it's really nice". All he wanted us to give him was the gift of giving to someone in need.

I thought about who and where to go and knew I wanted a child to be the recipient.

After talking to a counselor at the kids school, she called back with permission and gratitude from the parent and supplied information on sizes for this child. We had so much fun picking things out....the girls and I perhaps more than Griffin. We got lots of shoes and a few outfits; the girls wanted to purchase her more and more. 3 pair of shoes, swimsuit, clothes, undies and hair ties were some of the loot. Our favorite purchase was this pair of pink sparkly shoes! They were so pretty and hopefully this child doesn't mind pink, because the girls picked out a lot of it!

The kids helped wrap and never once said a word about wanting this or that or wishing these were meant for themselves. I was impressed by the spirit in which this was carried out in our home. We will be able to deliver the gifts to the counselor tomorrow and hope it eases some burden for this family and bring happiness to a little girl who may not otherwise enjoy the small "earthly" possessions that our children take for granted.

Although Mr. Boy wasn't allowed in on the shopping or wrapping portion he does want to wish Papa Trace a Happy Birthday!

Thanks dad for supporting something greater than yourself. Your act of selflessness made an impact on my children and I'm sure they will always remember Papa's 60th Birthday Act of Service... because of it's meaningfulness and involvement on their part.