Heard in the Trenches

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While on our vacation at Mimi and Pop's house, I was attempting to get the kiddos (three of which were sharing a room ~ an arrangement NOT conducive to any actual sleeping) back into bed (again!) the following conversation ensued. . .

Jonah: "Mom, do crystals really exist?"

Me: (baffled) "Crystals? Yeah, Pop has tons of them." (Pop is an avid rock collector)

Jonah: "See guys! That means Light Sabers exist and so does Star Wars!" (Betcha didn't know light sabers got their power from crystals? Jonah is quite the Star Wars aficionado)

Me: (chuckling) "No, honey. Star Wars is a story someone made up."

Jonah: "No mom! It's real! It was just a long long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. It was in the time of the dinosaurs so now they're all extinct like the dinosaurs."

Kolbi: "Yeah, so now there's no evidence! Like, no bones and stuff! No one will ever find evidence that it's real!"

Me: (rolling eyes and walking out the door) "Good night guys!!"
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Aiden is talking to me from the backseat of the car . . .

Aiden: "Mom, I have a remote control that can make things big."

Me: "Really?!"

Aiden: "Yea, so if you want your legs or feet to get bigger, bigger, I can do that for you."

Me: (chuckling) "Thanks bud. I'll keep that in mind." (Geez, If my boats got any bigger, I could sink the Titanic! What I really wanted to know is if this this magic remote makes other body parts bigger . . . Hmmmm)
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This morning, at the kitchen table, we had yet another lovely mealtime conversation. It went a little something like this . . .

Zoe: (turning in her chair and glaring at Aiden) "No go poopy!" (I don't know where this came from but I can only guess he was bugging her about filling her shorts)

Aiden: "What did she say?"

Jonah: "She said, 'No go (whispering) p-o-o-p'."

Zoe: "Heh! Heh! Dat's POOP!"

Kids: (fall off their chairs laughing)

Really?! My baby knows how to spell poop! This certainly has to be a sign of genius?!

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Me: "Okay Zoe, time for ni-nights. Give Daddy kisses."

Zoe: "Okay. (she leans in for a kiss). (Points to my bedroom door and with the other hand lightly pushes dad towards it). It's ni-nights daddy!" (Then she wriggles out of my arms to go play)

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We were starting with lunch ~ Of course, my kids think they must have Whine with their lunch!

Kolbi: "Mom, while we're eating, can we listen to my C.D.?"

Jonah: "No! I want to watch a show!"

Kolbi: "No! I don't want to rotten my brain!"

Me: (chuckle)

Kolbi: "What? Dad says it rottens (rots) our brains!"

Jonah: "I don't care. I WANT to rotten my brain."

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While at the pool, Zoe spied with her little eye . . . a bug.

She climbed out of the water, toddled over to it, and STOMPED on the bug. Then she got down on all fours and proceeded to examine the bug up close. A wave of compassion must have come over her as she gazed down at the poor bug curled up in a fetal position. "Awwww!" She says, "Is baby. Tute (cute) baby!" Then she looks up at me, puts her finger up to her lips and says, "Ssss (shhh) mom. Baby seeping (sleeping)!"

Indeed, little bug killer, this bug sleeps the eternal sleep. Farewell baby bug! May your heaven be free of gigantic, chubby little feet!

An amazing lady and a worthy cause

I have a friend, Adrian, whom I adore. I can't say enough good things about her (and they're all true!) She has undertaken the incredible task of joining the Breast Cancer 3 Day walk. Wow! I wish I had the ___________ (Guts/time/energy/werewithall ~ Fill in the blank) to do the same. Currently it's one of many things on my exceedingly long "Someday" list.

Adrian's determination just adds to plethora of thing I admire about her. Unfortunately I can't do much to support her cause financially, but I wanted to spread the word about her incredible work. Check out her website journaling her progress. If you feel so inclined to donate to a very worthy cause, there's a link to donate to Adrian's run.

As I post this the familiar lines from a church song keep running through my brain . . . . "

There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by
Saying "sometime I'll try",
But go and do something today.

Maybe I need to be more like my friend Adrian and go and do something today. Way to go Adrian! You rock girl! If any of you out in blogland wish to join Adrian in her worthy cause , this is how you sign up . . . Breast Cancer 3-Day

We are a happy fam-i-ly!

Memorial day started out pretty crappy (for reasons not worth mentioning here), but in the afternoon we got the chance to help the Young Women with a project they were working on. They were learning photography from a professional in our ward and were asking for families to come get their pictures taken so they could practice. The professional took most of the shots and the girls got candids. These are the results . . . Pretty good if I do say so myself! Dang I have cute kids!!

May ~ the month that got away

Ok, I know I've been a major blogger-slacker. Really? Over a month?! Well, now we're going to play a little game called Catch-Up. Exciting as they were (well, they were for me, but probably a bit ho-hum for you), these were the major events of May in the Wasson household. . .

I'm still not quite sure how it happened, but somehow 2 years just flew by and this bitty bundle

has become this !

I'm flabbergasted! Where did the time go? How did my baby get to be a 2 year old?! Considering that (at this moment) we don't anticipate any other newborns in our household (at least not from my tired loins), it's really quite tragic that my baby is growing so darn fast. I keep telling her to slow down, but she insists she has to keep up with the older kids. **Sigh!**

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The hubby and I decided we needed a family vacation badly. We were evil parents and took our kids out of school for as long as we could without getting in trouble with "the man". We packed up our meager belongings, and headed out on a fantastic voyage to the wild and wooley North (ok, we just headed up to Oklahoma, but it does get colder in the winter there). Once again, Chris's parents extended their hospitality to our rather large family of locusts and allowed us to come and clean them out of all food items (and I'm quite certain, Sanity). It was a wonderful break from real life. We just chilled a great deal. We spent a lot of time outdoors (unfortunately a lot of my pictures of the trip were corrupted, **Sniff , and Uber-Sigh **) . . .

We hit the neighborhood garage sales (Mimi and Pop generously gave the kids a wad to blow on previously-loved treasures). The kids each walked away with a ton of new books. How sad am I that they want to spend their money on books?!

We also had a fun (and messy) birthday party for Miss Zoe. (Please note the purple schmooze dripping from her arm. Yeah, my child is turning purple from her new strict Blueberry diet) As evidenced by these tongues, Zoe wasn't the only one who consumed blueberries with wreckless abandon.

I'm pretty certain we cost Mimi and Pop a fortune in Blueberries alone!

While there, we were also treated to a fun trip to Incredible Pizza (a favorite of my kids) and we played, ate, and had a ball. It was a fabulous trip. Well worth it and we came home sad to face the real world again, but feeling refreshed. Thanks again Mom and Dad!

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A week after we got back, Mimi and Pop then came to visit us for a big event . . .can you guess?

Yep! My eight year old got baptized! I've said it before, I'll say it again ~ I am so old!

It was a beautiful day! Kolbi's friend Mya was able to attend, as well as Mimi and Pop and several wonderful supporters from the Ward. She was so petrified of putting her head under water! It took a father's blessing, lots of prayers, and lots of practice before she felt somewhat ready. When the time came, standing at the font steps, she wore a terrified expression. But she took a deep breath, stepped into the water, and DID it!!!! I'm so proud of her and she's so relieved it's over.

I have some sad feelings about this day however . . . My parents weren't able to make it because my Grandfather (who is living with them) became ill and was in the hospital. As beautiful as the day was, there was definitely something missing. It turns out too, that the baptism pictures are some of the ones that were corrupted. AAaaaggghh!!!! Hopefully Mimi and Pop got some good pictures. Plus, this is a major step in a young life, I can't believe my babies are growing up so fast! Where's the pause button?!?! Somebody make it stop!!

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All in all, May was a real whirl-wind of adventures. Hence, the blogging break. I still have some catching up to do. Stay tuned and see if I actually do it . . .

Takin' a break . . .

In case you couldn't tell, I'm taking a little blogging break . I just need some time for some deep reflection and re-evaluation. Either that, or I'm just feeling too darn lazy. You decide.

Eight is great! Gonna eat chocolate cake!

I can't believe my Miss Kolbi is 8 today! (I feel so old!). She's been so excited! With her birthday money (yes, she already spent it) she bought a digital camera with which she's aspiring to be a photographer like her Grandpa Gary. When asked what she would like to do for her birthday, she most wanted a Daddy/Daughter date. So Chris is taking her to see National Treasure at the dollar theater and out for some dinner afterwords. She can't stop talking about it! How did she grow up so fast???

So in honor of her day, Here's a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my . . .
often Quirky . . .

regularly silly . . .

generally helpful . . .

naturally fancy . . .

occasionally shy . . .
exceptionally happy . . .
always a Treasure beautiful Kolbi!!

Happy Birthday Kolbi! I love you buckets!!

Heard in the Trenches IV (we have way too many silly conversations around here)

Jonah and I were asking Zoe what sounds different animals make. She wasn't being very accommodating. . . this is what we got out of her.

Jonah: "Zoe, what does a duck say?"

Zoe: "Kak."

Me: "What does a dog say?"

Zoe: "No dog!"

Me: "does it say 'Ruff!'?"

Zoe: "No ruff!"

Jonah: "what does a cat say?"

Zoe: "No cat say!"

Jonah: "does it say 'meow'?"

Zoe: "No moow!"

Me: "Zoe, what does Jonah say?"

Zoe: (looks at Jonah) "Mine!!"

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Zoe has really gotten in to the Ringling Bros spirit around here. After just about everything she does, she throws her hands up in the air and pronounces "Ta Daaaa!!!!"

For example:

-She gets out the step stool, carries it into the center of the living room (She's center ring material you know), climbs up on it . . . "Ta Daaaa!!!!"

-She finishes her meal and throws her utensils on the floor, throws her hands up . . . "Ta Daaaa!!!!"

-She falls down (none to gracefully I might add), lays there on the floor, throws her hands above her head and pronounces. . . "Ta Daaaa!!!!"

-She removes all of her clothes by herself, streaks into the room buck naked . . . "Ta Daaaa!!!!"

Ah, showmanship at it's finest!

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Zoe has been picking up entirely too much from the older kids. They, unfortunately are NOT a good influence. She walked up to Aiden during scripture study the other night and whacked him on the head with a book. Chris says, "Whoa Zoe, you need to tell Aiden sorry. We give loves not ouches."

Zoe replies: "I tan't"

Dad: "Yes, you need to tell him sorry."

Zoe: "I tan't!"

Dad: (suppressing a smile) "Tell him sorry for hitting him."

Zoe: (putting her hands on her hips) "I did!"

Dad: (kids are giggling) "No you didn't. Say sorry."

Zoe: (walks up to Aiden) "Torry Aid-n. I ya you (I love you)." (gives him a hug)

Then, as soon as dad turns around, she winds up her arm and bonks him again . . .

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Sometimes you don't realize that you say something a lot until your kids start parroting you. . . I was standing in the kitchen next to the counter, I leaned over to pick something off the floor and gouged my back on the corner. "Ouch!" I exclaimed. Zoe, who was sitting next to me, says, "It's 'Shoot!' Mama?"

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I got Zoe out of her crib in the morning and carried her into my bedroom. She began looking around and said, "Where Da-dee go?" I replied, "He went to school." To which she stated, "Aw, Man!"

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The following is a perfect example of why we don't go to fancy restaurants . . . EVER.

Kolbi: "Dad, what is your shirt made out of?"

Dad: "Cotton."

Kolbi: "Did you know you're wearing a plant? It's a natural resource."

Dad: "Wow Kolbi. Very good. (Playfully) Did you know that certain kinds of shirts are made from silk. And silk comes out of a worms bum?"

Kids: "Eeeww! Poop shirts!?"

Dad: (laughing) "Well, not exactly . . . "

Kolbi: (interrupting) "Dad, do you have a silk shirt?"

Dad: "Uh, No. . . "

Me: "He does have silk ties."

Jonah: (standing up in his chair, pointing his finger at Dad) "Eeeewww! You wear poop around your neck!!!!"

Kids: "Eeeewwww!"

Me: "Way to go hon!"

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Zoe's become quite the avid bird watcher. She loves to look out the windows at the birds perched on the fence. Her bird-watching sessions go a little something like this . . .

(Looks out window) "Wew (where) bird? Wew? Bii-ird? Wew bird?
(Spots one) "Der y'is!"
(Starts pounding on the glass) "BIRD! BIRD! BII-IRD!!"
(Finally makes enough ruckus and scares the bird away) (surprised) "Wew birdy go?"

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Aiden was in the other room by himself. I heard him singing and went to investigate. This is what I heard . . .

(a lovely variation of I'm just a kid by Simple Plan)
"I'm just a kid and i want some tre-eats.
I'm just a kid and I know that it's not fair.
I'm just a kid and I want lots of tre-eats.
I'm just a kid and you won't let me eat them. . . "

Check out the real video by the way, it's pretty funny.