Aleana

Aleana celebrated her birthday in May. She turned 9. Now being nine doesn't sound like a big deal, until I start thinking about how it is one more year closer the "tween-age" years. This next year she'll be in the 4th grade. Then on the the 5th...then to the dreaded middle school years. Even though being nine isn't a "big deal", I am sure going to enjoy this year and cherish the calm before the storm.

Her celebration this year was low-key. We tried to make it special. She got to choose whatever she wanted for her cake. She chose this:

(That is a Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. The best slice of cheesecake ever created. I let her try a slice awhile back when Tracy took Trent to their Father's and Son's Camping Trip. I thought we would have a "girls night out" and make her feel special. The cheesecake was so good, and something that she obviously didn't forget about. I guess I should choose my words more carefully when I say, "you can have whatever cake you want." Needless to say, we all enjoyed it. Yum!)

She only asked for one thing for her birthday. She wanted a ripstick. A what?!? Yes, a ripstick - those kind of skateboard looking things that you have to swivel to ride. We tried to come up with other things that might appeal to her more, but her mind was made up. So we bit the bullet and got a ripstick...and helmet....and protective gear.

Teaching her how to ride it is her Daddy's responsibility. She's catching on quicker than I thought she would. No major broken bones or scrapes yet, as I am sure they will come eventually. (I cringe with the thought...)

(Her tough girl look. Not too intimidating, we'll have to work on it.)

Happy Birthday Aleana Mae!

Hannah's Birthday...

Now that I am no longer working, and I get to stay home with the kiddos...in between laundry and dishes...I am trying to find the time to get the blog updated. Hannah celebrated her 1st birthday in Feb. Yes, I am aware that was almost 6 months ago. I am aware that she has just a few more weeks before she gets to go to nursery (wahoo!). But I did want to share some pictures. Looking back, she has already changed so much. Where does the time go? And why does it seem like it moves faster with each kid? So. Not. Fair.

The funniest thing about her birthday, which she shares with Punxsutawney Phil, is that it happens to be the day before mine. When she was born, the Dr. was kind of bummed that "we missed it by a day"...even though she was born three weeks early. She is such a calm kid. She just kind of goes with the flow, as long as her brother doesn't make he mad. :)

We didn't have a big party or anything. It's not like she'll remember it. But we did do cake and a candle. The WalMart here gives a free personal cake for kids are turning one, so she got a nice pretty, decorated cake to annihilate. She liked the candle when it was lit, but as soon as we blew it out, she cried. I guess it scared her. But she warmed up to the cake, testing it with her tongue first. Deciding it was tasty, she went at it. I love 1st birthdays.

Here's to you Hannah Bear...Happy Birthday...belated anyway. :)

Stuff

We've been quite busy with crazy stuff these past few weeks, and here are some highlights.

- I joined Weight Watchers about 3 weeks ago. The weekly meeting kind. The accountability where you get weighed kind. At first I was skeptical, and embarrassed. However, I must admit after all the diets I have tried (and BELIEVE me, there are many!) I like this the best. The weight is taking it's sweet little time, but at least there is progress! I feel better than I have felt in a long time, both physically and emotionally. I heard a really good quote at one of the meetings:

Being overweight is hard.

Losing weight is hard.

Maintaining weight is hard.

Choose your hard.

- Tracy and I were able to go to an all-expense paid trip to a resort in McCall. It is an awesome little town right on a lake with breath-taking views. And did I add that the kids stayed home with a friend? We had such a good time, and with the exception of missing the kiddos, we would have stayed a whole lot longer. A more detailed post will follow once I get the pics downloaded.

- Hannah had to have a minor surgery. Her eyes, especially her left, have not been draining properly since she was born. I kept putting it off, thinking I was just being paranoid. Finally we had the specialist look at it, and her tear ducts weren't draining right. Basically he had to take a probe and run it through the upper and lower lid ducts as well as the drain part into the nasal cavity in both eyes to open them up. It is a simple procedure that takes a whole 20 minutes. However, they had to put her under for it, so it was a little scary. She did just fine and is already back to normal. The Dr. said the right eye went great, and the left eye was a little more tough. In about a week or so, we should know whether or not it is good or if they have to go back in.

- School's out for summer (yes imagine the song playing in your head)! I was happy to see that day come last week. But, I am beginning to wonder how complicated it is going to be with moving into a house in a few weeks. Having them at home complicates things. Especially the sorting-through-crap-so-we-can-have- a-yard-sale-so-we-don't-have-to-pack as much part.

- Tracy had a job interview, so keep us in your prayers

- We finally sold our house! 22 months on the market! It was a very painful experience, and one we are not eager to do again! But eventually we will have to.

- We are getting excited to travel down to Moab next month and see some family.

Thankful

1.) Yesterday, I walked in the house from a long day at work.  As I sat down I could hear Hannah-bear's tiny not-so-soft-pitter-pattering of feet getting closer.  When she found me, she said the most amazing thing to me.  With the softest little voice and the widest eyes, she said, "Maaamma" followed by the biggest hug that such a little person can give.  Simply a-m-a-z-i-n-g.   

Why is this so amazing you may ask?  Oh where do I start.  Hannah is very social.  She can say lots of words, like Sasha, Trent, dog, hi, bye, pretty, no, stinky, yum, quit it, thank-you, and of course daddy.  But mama?  Nope.  Nada.  Zip.  Now, don't be concerned, she can make the sounds of "mama" without a problem.  That isn't the issue.  However, her stubbornness is.  She has refused, absolutely refused to acknowledge that I am "Mama".  In fact, she and I have argued about this very point.  Yes, at 15 months, toddlers are very capable of arguing.  Well at least in my house anyway...(they are part me after all).  

Our conversation goes like this:  I look at her and say "Okay Hannah, say Mama."  Slowly mouthing each part "Ma-ma.  Ma-ma-ma-ma".  She then looks at me, shakes her head back and forth, while pointing at me, and says in an impatient tone, "Daddy!".  And it's not like she did this once.  We have been having this conversation since she muttered her first word.  Any guesses what that first word was?  You got it - Daddy.

So today I am thankful for those small moments that come so quietly but makes my heart want to shout with joy.  Is there really anything better then hearing the quiet soft mutter of "Mama"? (not to be confused with the screaming, whining, yelling or demanding versions of "Mama" I might add).

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2.)  The church owns an orchard in Caldwell, and our ward has a row of trees that we are responsible for taking care of.  That means thinning and picking.  The fruit is then used to help others in need as well as go to the cannery.  Anyway, we were there in the apricot orchard, standing on very tall ladders thinning out the green apricots.  Me...on a TALL ladder?  Now that is commitment I tell ya!  

I was up in one tree, and Tracy was in the next tree right behind me.  We are working along, enjoying the fact that we are outside, and doing something good.  We even got Trent and Aleana involved by thinning the heavier branches around the bottom of the trees.  (Hannah was in the backpack with Tracy eating, or attempting to eat green apricots or leaves depending on which she could get her hands on first).  

I am now steadily seeking out clumps of apricots, in my own little world, when I hear a "thunk-thunk-thump".  There is a brief pause in silence, followed by another "thunk-thump".  Then I hear, in a whiny-there-was-no-mistakin'-it, Trent voice, "Heeey!!!  Whoooo threw thaaat?"  (Now, at this point I have to admit that I was so tempted to start throwing those little green suckers, but didn't because I was trying the be the "adult" and be a good example to my kids).  I hear another 'thunk" and more irritation in Trent's voice.  As I turn I around, I have no doubt who the offender might be.  You guessed it.  Tracy.  My grown-up husband, responsible for carrying Hannah on his back, Tracy.  He tosses one more down and tags Trent right on the noggin.  This time Trent looks up and sees his dad.  Tracy throws another down just to hear Trent whine.  But much to our surprise, he doesn't.  He looks up and says very sternly, "Dad, stop it.  I AM YOUR CHILD!!  And you DON'T DO THAT TO YOUR CHILD!!!"  Of course we laugh and hear snickers three trees down from us, as someone comments, "Now, that is classic". 

Yes, our Trent is a classic.  He's one of a kind.  And, he's our CHILD.  I am thankful that he now realizes that. :)

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3.) Today was the last day of school, and I have to admit - I am so happy!  It is nice to have a break, as I am sure it will be nice to have them back in school in the fall.  Today is also the day that Hannah had a Dr.'s appointment to get her eyes looked at.  She will have to have a minor surgery to fix her tear ducts this coming Monday.  While I was busy with Hannah-stuff, Aleana had an award ceremony.  I didn't think it was a big deal, as the teacher didn't notify me that she was to receive anything.  

Fast-forward a couple hours, Aleana is off the school bus and in the car, and we are on our way to Sonic (happy hour - need I say more?) to celebrate the beginning of summer-break.  I asked how her day went, and she said "Fine".  I asked if she would miss her teacher, and she said, "Yes".  At this point I am thinking, man I am at 0 - 2.  Only one word answers, this can't be good.  She finally opens up and says that she will miss her friends, (as we are moving and will be in a different school district next year) but how she got their phone numbers so she will be able to "talk to them on the phone all summer and stay friends forever".  

Then in a very matter-of-fact, it's no-big-deal kind of way, said "Oh yeah, I got an award today".  What?!?!?  I missed it?  Feeling the guilt already begin to build up.  

I said, "What did you get an award in?"  

She then replied, "Oh, it was for top student in third grade".  

I was so excited for her.  I was beaming, and said, "Aleana, that's awesome.  That's a really big deal!" 

She acted surprised.  How could she not think it was a big deal?  Um, probably because I wasn't there to see it.  She was presented with a certificate in front of the whole school.  Only one third grader in her class.  I still can't believe that her teacher didn't give me a heads-up. Grrr.  She said, "It is?"  

I then said, "Holy cow Aleana!  I was a good student all through school.  I got straight A's all through high school, and I never got that award".  Her eyes got big as she started to understand how awesome it was to be the holder of the "top student" award.

I am so proud of her.  She is such a hard worker and does a great job.  I am truly grateful to have a daughter like her.  But regardless of what the teacher says, she will always be a top student in my book.

Duct Tape Experiment

A while back, Aleana was assigned a school project called a "Hunk-of-Junk".  She was to collect junk (recycle so to speak) and make something out of it.  She decided to make a robot that could "give out" candy.  She set about collecting her things, and we quickly realized that we needed duct tape...a whole lot of duct tape.  

As Tracy was helping her tape everything together, we started discussing how useful duct tape can be.  It can temporarily stop leaks.  It can kill warts.  Heck, I had a friend in high school that made duct tape pants.  It's an all-purpose item.  Then Tracy told me that it was even strong enough to tape someone up on the wall.  I disagreed.  Who would tape someone up to the wall?  Tracy looked at Aleana and Aleana looked at him.  I could see the wheels-a-turnin' and a decision was made to prove me wrong.  They decided to conduct their own little experiment, with Aleana almost too happily volunteering to be the guinea pig (Trent was with me, he thought they were a little nuts). 

The Duct Tape Experiment:

Hypothesis:  Duct Tape is strong enough to hold a person up, when they are taped to wall.

Items needed: A large roll of duct tape and a sucker willing to be taped to a wall before they fall flat on their face.

Procedure:  

1. Have crazy person, er I mean test subject stand on a chair.

2. Using the "tape anywhere" method, apply tape - being sure that the hair does not get caught.

3. After careful tape placement, with reinforcement everywhere, slowly remove chair.  Be ready to catch the test subject.

4. Strike a pose :)

5. Gloat and tell the skeptic how wrong she was...

And wrong I was!  I must say though, I have never laughed so hard in my life.  I couldn't believe that a.) I am allowing my daughter to be taped to the wall.  What kind of mother does that?...b.) won't this do something to the finish on the wall, we are renting and I would really like to get our deposit back...and c.) our poor, poor neighbors, who share a wall with us...I am so irresponsible!

So once one is hanging around on a wall, what does one do?

Strike more poses, to make mom laugh so hard she cries...

Be like the wall, think like a wall thinks...

Read a book...

By this time, Trent was ready to try it, however we kind of used the whole roll of tape on Aleana, so he had to settle for this...

If you look closely in the above pic, on the right side, Trent got brave and taped his transformer to the wall...Man, that really is some strong tape! :)

Aleana finally got tired of hanging around, so we just peeled her right off.

(front view)

(back view - kind of looks like a spider web)

Outcome:  A roll of duct tape $7.00 + a crazy girl w/ mom's laughter = priceless!

ps- No walls were injured in the process of this experiment...

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And since I haven't posted in such a long time, here are some bonus pics:

My Hannah-bear aka "Bearded Lady" via Oreo cookies :)

Aleana and Trent at the Monster Jam, you think Trent had a good time?

Sasha...the world's greatest. dog. ever.

Happy Valentine's Day

At activity day this past Wednesday, Aleana decorated sugar cookies and made a card for us.  The cookies were decorated beautifully and even topped off with conversation hearts.  The red and white card read:

"Dear Mom and Dad

I really appreciate your hard work like paying the taxes, bills and other stuff.  You also work hard on cleaning the house, scowering the bathrooms, and feeding us.  I want to tell you just how much I love you.  I love you more than an elephant loves its tail, more than a worm loves its body.  I love you.

Love, 

Aleana"

There you have it.  We are loved.  An elephant's tail has nothin' on us.  And we love you Miss Aleana!  

This Week in the Funnies... vol. 1.1

We were all gathered together in the living room playing games.  The kids voted and wanted to play Uno.  It's a perfect game for the family, as Aleana and Trent are at an age where they actually understand the rules and move quickly as they get closer to their quest of winning.  Everyone was down to their last few cards, when it was Trent's turn to play.  The card on top of the pile was a green #3.  Trent, having a puzzled look on his face, seemed like he was having a hard time. To keep the game moving along, I asked Trent if he had a green card or a #3.  He paused, and said: "No, I don't have a #3...BUT (with bright eyes) I have a yellow card, and a blue card...can I play those, because that makes green?!"

Ya, nice try bud...although I have to admit that was some great "thinking outside of the box" for a 5 years old.

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Ever since watching Indiana Jones and Goonies, we have been working with Trent on what words are appropriate  and what words are curse words and should not be said...

We were at church, the meetings had ended, and it was time to go home.  We usually all meet up in the Relief Society room, because it is next to the door where we park.  Aleana and Trent had made their way and we were waiting for Tracy.  While we were waiting, I was visiting with some friends, and Aleana and Trent were writing on the dry-erase board with some other kids.  Then, out of no where , with cutting force, the words shouted out by some crazy little kid: "Don't say Shit!  Shit is a bad word!" rang through the rafters of the now what-seemed-to-be small room.

Silence followed, as all the old ladies had quit speaking and turned their attention toward the front of the room...where the dry-erase board was.  At that dreaded moment, I realized that the "crazy little kid" was no other than my Trent.  With all eyes on me, I made the walk of shame to the front of the room.  I pulled Trent aside, and as sternly and quietly as I could, explained to him that we don't use that kind of language.  Trent had a weird look on his face, as if he couldn't understand what I was trying to say.  He then said, in his raised, whiney voice, "But Moommm, I didn't say Shit, He did (pointing to another little boy), and I was trying to tell him that Shit is a bad word."

Well, apparently Trent has learned what curse words are, and how they shouldn't be used.  But somehow we, as parents, failed to teach him that when someone else says it, you don't have to correct them in that way.  Sigh...Well if people didn't know who the Giles were in church, I am sure they do now. :) 

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Aleana had a little choir performance at a grocery store's re-grand-opening.  The store was a zoo, and the parking lot was even worse.  After her performance, we decided that instead fighting the crowd, we would walk just across the parking lot and eat at Mc Donalds.  This is a big deal.  Eating INSIDE Mc Donalds...the kids were so excited.  They got to play on the in-door playground.  We ordered while they played and called them over when the food was ready.  As we were eating this conversation occurred:

Aleana:  Mom, where did you grow up?

Mom: Winslow, AZ

Aleana: Dad, where did you grow up?

Dad: Las Cruces, NM

Aleana:  If you grew up in Winslow, and you grew up in Las Cruces, then how did you guys meet?

We then told her how we both went to college in the same area, and how we met playing basketball, and how we fell in love.  We then told her about our first date, and how we knew it was something special, how we felt so comfortable talking to each other and how there was a connection.  We told her the story of my bluntness when talking to Tracy and Tracy's relief when he knew that I liked him.

Then with big eyes, Aleana blurted out: "And ttthhheeeennn, you got pregnant so you and dad had to hurry up and get married!!!!"

What?!?!?!  My child left me speechless.  I looked at Tracy, my eyes screaming "Help me out here!" and he had the same speechless look as me.  Did we miss a step in teaching her about the birds and bees?  I know we have told her our story of dating and getting married and having her a YEAR later...but how could she think... what?...confusion.  As calmly as I could, I re-explained things to her and she seemed to be okay with it...for now.

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We were in the car, on the way to church...

Aleana: Mom, did you know that Humans are animals too?

Mom: Yes

Trent: What?!?  Humans aren't animals, they're HUMANS!

Aleana (in her know-it-all tone): No, Humans are part of the animal kingdom.  We are considered animals.

Trent: NOOOOOO!  MOM!  Aleana's saying we are animals, but we're not!

Mom: She's right.  We are animals.

Trent: No, animals are dogs and cats...

Mom: Yes, they are animals too.

Trent: But, why did Heavenly Father make us animals too?

Mom: Heavenly Father put us on the Earth to live and grow.  He put other animals on the Earth to help us. (When I said this, I was thinking about the whole beef, pork, chicken meat thing.  Hoping that I was one step ahead in answering his next question of why we had to eat the animals...Nope.)

Trent: (Pause...you could almost hear his wheels turning).  Ya!  Like pigeons!

Mom: Pigeons?

Trent: Ya, because they deliver messages!

Trent.  Trent.  Never a dull moment with you, bud.

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I was in the kitchen getting dinner ready, and Sasha, our dog was laying on the floor right next to me...

Trent (in the living room): EEEWWWW, what's that STINK?

Mom: What stink, I don't smell anything.

Trent:  Well I farted, but...

Mom: Well, son, that's probably why...

Trent: No, that's not it.  My farts don't smell that bad.  It must be Sasha (Sasha has been known to cut some pretty bad ones...)

Mom: But Trent, she's in here with me, and has been for the last 10 minutes.

Trent: Well, it's not me, my farts don't stink like that.

Well, I think you surprised yourself on that one, Trenters.  Poor Sasha, she gets blamed for everything.

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And that sums up the past few weeks, okay maybe months, in the Giles house.

Better Late Than Never part 2

This year I decided that I would make pajamas for the kids.  Joann's was having a great sale on flannel.  Ahhh, nice warm cozy flannel.  I planned plenty of time.  I started in October, so I wouldn't be having to stay up late and stressing on Christmas eve.  Cut the patterns - check. Washed and ironed the material - check.  Accurately cut and marked the material - check.  I was ready to go.  However, like I am with any other project, I procrastinated.  Heck, I had plenty of time.  In my plan of procrastination, I failed to calculate all the time was would be needed with other holiday stuff, say - oh, I don't know... stuff like Christmas parties and shopping, working, cooking...  Yep, before I realized it, the week before Christmas was upon me, and I had a mountain of sewing staring me in the face.  And even though I had to sew on Christmas eve, it wasn't all night.  I finished before dinner.  It was a little crazy, but I must say, I think I did a pretty darn good job.  The kids sure seemed to like them.

Finished products:

Hannah's Baby Kimono

Trent's PJ's

Aleana's night gown

Featuring the Giles Styles models:

Two Step Hannah

Trippin' Trent

Awesome Aleana

Bonus Pictures:

I love this picture.  The way Hannah is looking at Aleana...all cute in their matching jammies.  Tracy says it's the same look that Papa/Sadler family has.  And how about Aleana - there are times when she looks a lot like her Aunt Tessa!

Remember those commercials with the "bitter-beer-face"?  

My attempt to get a good pic of the kids in their new church clothes.  No such luck, this is the best that they would give me.

And last but not least another funny face from Hannah-bear.  Tracy used the flash and I think it was a little too much for her eyes.  Hopefully no permanent damage was done. :)