So Santa had me do some research for him and these are the kid games I am hoping he'll consider this year. Obviously they will not all be coming down the chimney this Christmas, but while I was looking into it, I figured I'd make my wish list for future b-days or holidays...
Blokus- (around $20)- I hear it is a great strategy game that is fun for adults and kids. That's what I'm looking for, something I'll enjoy playing WITH them, and also that is challenging and makes you think. I think this is one they won't outgrow for awhile and it has great reviews.
Apples to Apples Jr.- ($20)- I love Apples to Apples and think it would be so fun to play with the whole family! Always good for laughs. The words are simplier- I'm sure we'll get some good reading and word defining in there while playing.
Bop It- Annoying, repetitive, but for some reason, kids REALLY like to try and beat this game. Whatever holds their attention, right? Spence tried once at the dentist and he would not put it down. I think Bop It will confined to the basement if Santa decides to bring that one.
Wild Planet Hyperdash ($30)- This game won some kind of creative kids game award and has great reviews! I was looking for a physical activity my boys could do inside during the winter and this is perfect! I can't wait to watch them run their energy out with this one. What a great idea for active inside fun.
Snap Circuits ($30+)- My sister recommended this for boys interested in creating and inventing. My kids take apart old toys (and sometimes not old toys) to see what the motor looks like and try to hook it up to other broken toy parts. This set allows you to invent and be creative with working parts on a board. Cool! My sisters boys have been playing with them for 5 years now (the Jr. 100 version) and is ready to upgrade to the 300 version.
Clue Jr. ($35)- Calvin loves Clue and I thought a Jr. version might be fun for the boys. I hear this is a really fun game, but the price is kind of high for a game. We'll see about this one.
Guess Who? ($15-30)- There is a new version of this game that has 6 different sheets of characters you can trade out to play different versions. I like that. I just have fond memories of playing Guess Who growing up!
Pit ($13)- Pit is a fun card game that kids can play. It's fun to hear everyone trying to trade at the same time, and I think playing with kids would be even funnier!
Now I was able to find most all of these on sale or on amazon for 40-60% off (except for Clue, which it will probably get left out). Why pay full price?! Maybe you'll enjoy some of these games too. I'm looking forward to playing games with my kids. We were big game players growing up and I'm ready to keep that tradition going. Besides, it's great family fun- throw in some treats and I'm in heaven. :) This year Santa will not be bringing any video games- he's thinking our family could use some fun, interactive games to keep us entertained this winter. Party on!
(We got Jam Pack Jam for Christmas 2 yrs ago and LOVED it, FYI. Very clever game.)
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Army Party
Spencer wasn't going to have a b-day part this year (we're doing every other year or so) but the poor guy missed out on Halloween, this birthday, and his baptism -- all on account of the swine flu! He was a good sport, so we promised to make it up to him by having a small party.
I wasn't feeling up to much, so Cal took over. I made the invitations and the cake. That's it! (Last year I threw his party by myself when Cal was over the road, so I deserved to sit back on this one, he he).
The theme was 'Army.' I must admit, it turned out awesome! All the boys came dressed in chamo and Cal started with 'Basic Training' and then had them complete different missions. Cal has one of the most creative minds. He had their attention the entire time! I was amazed watching him lead all these boys. They were so excited.
This was serious business! Here they are receiving their 'orders' for the day.
They did some physical training...
This is my favorite photo. Look how happy our friend Huey is! :)
Once they passed the physical training, they moved on to challenging the mind. It started with a group game of Battleship with two teams. (Who knew you could have a whole group play battleship?!)
Look at the intensity! Each kid had a ship to watch over. If their ship sank, they were out and their team kept going.
Then came their favorite game. Several years ago Spence got some army men for Christmas (from the dollar store I think). Cal wanted to play an army strategy game with Spence, so he began making up his own game. Just this last month, he finalized the rules, printed them, and printed a game board to play on. He and Spence and Grant spent hours trying it out! It's a combination of Risk, Stratego, and a couple of other games. Anyway, each kid had an army man they were in charge of and their mission was to attack Cal's guys. When they attacked, they rolled a die- even number meant they got a hit, odd meant they'd been hit. They played the simplified version, but they LOVED it! They beat Cal with several guys left standing and were VERY proud as a group (even though most of it was chance).
Once they had completed that mission, they were now qualified to move on to the most difficult mission yet-- entering the caves ( our basement) to retrieve the stolen secret plans from the enemy. Now they were going ballistic! Cal brought out the four nerf guns he'd purchased for the party. He had them stored in a silver brief case and it was very official looking. Then he arranged groups of 3 to go down the 'tunnel' to retrieve the plans without being hit (more than 3x) by the enemy (Cal). He had turned his smoke machine on to create a foggy, mystic affect and they took turns trying to attack him. At that point, everything went crazy with nerf bullets flying everywhere! I only got one picture...
This is where they released all their pent up excitement and energy. This group of 3 is figuring out how to get down the tunnel without getting shot.
They played with the nerf guns for about 30 minutes and could have gone longer, but it was time for cake.
This is really my only contribution to the party- an ice cream cake. Spence added army men to the top.
After the party, I couldn't help but think that maybe it is fitting that we will be a family of 4 boys! The kids and Cal (and sometimes even me) have been playing nerf guns every day since. They could play for hours! Even Dal (who was napping during the party) can shoot a nerf gun and say, "Fweeze! I got you!" We are surely a house full of boys.
What cracked me up today is that our friend Huey came over to play, and he asked if "Mr. Cory" was home. I told him he was, but he was working. Huey said disappointed, "Oh. I was wanting to tell him I was 'reporting for duty.' That was a really fun party." I was laughing inside. He might as well have said, "Can Mr. Cory come out and play today?" It wouldn't be the first time that has been requested before.
Here's to a super cool, super creative, super young-at-heart father of soon to be 4 boys. I think I chose well. :)
Happy Birthday Spence! It just goes to show that sometimes creativity is better than spending a lot of money!!! And did I mention that I didn't have to do much but supervise at the party?! Way cool.
This is my favorite photo. Look how happy our friend Huey is! :)
Once they passed the physical training, they moved on to challenging the mind. It started with a group game of Battleship with two teams. (Who knew you could have a whole group play battleship?!)
Then came their favorite game. Several years ago Spence got some army men for Christmas (from the dollar store I think). Cal wanted to play an army strategy game with Spence, so he began making up his own game. Just this last month, he finalized the rules, printed them, and printed a game board to play on. He and Spence and Grant spent hours trying it out! It's a combination of Risk, Stratego, and a couple of other games. Anyway, each kid had an army man they were in charge of and their mission was to attack Cal's guys. When they attacked, they rolled a die- even number meant they got a hit, odd meant they'd been hit. They played the simplified version, but they LOVED it! They beat Cal with several guys left standing and were VERY proud as a group (even though most of it was chance).
This is where they released all their pent up excitement and energy. This group of 3 is figuring out how to get down the tunnel without getting shot.
They played with the nerf guns for about 30 minutes and could have gone longer, but it was time for cake.
This is really my only contribution to the party- an ice cream cake. Spence added army men to the top.
After the party, I couldn't help but think that maybe it is fitting that we will be a family of 4 boys! The kids and Cal (and sometimes even me) have been playing nerf guns every day since. They could play for hours! Even Dal (who was napping during the party) can shoot a nerf gun and say, "Fweeze! I got you!" We are surely a house full of boys.
What cracked me up today is that our friend Huey came over to play, and he asked if "Mr. Cory" was home. I told him he was, but he was working. Huey said disappointed, "Oh. I was wanting to tell him I was 'reporting for duty.' That was a really fun party." I was laughing inside. He might as well have said, "Can Mr. Cory come out and play today?" It wouldn't be the first time that has been requested before.
Here's to a super cool, super creative, super young-at-heart father of soon to be 4 boys. I think I chose well. :)
Happy Birthday Spence! It just goes to show that sometimes creativity is better than spending a lot of money!!! And did I mention that I didn't have to do much but supervise at the party?! Way cool.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Favorite Kid Games
Santa has asked me to gather a list of great kid games (for boys ages 5-8) in preparation for the upcoming holiday.
What are your kids' favorite board games?!?!?!?!
Friday, November 20, 2009
A little peace and quiet
A few nights ago, this is our what the back seat of our car looked like on our family drive. Very close quarters, kids easily within reach of each other to whack, tickle, poke and all other forms of torture/fun. It was a very noisy drive- as it always is. I often find myself yelling at the kids to stop fighting or poking or shrieking (even when it's in fun) because it is just SO loud! They just can't keep from touching each other. It's too tempting
When we came home, THIS is what the back seat of our new (used) car looked like:
It was SILENT the whole drive home!!!!
CAN I JUST SAY I LOVE MY VAN!
Spencer is excited about all his personal space, Grant and Dal are enthralled with the movie, and Cal and I actually had a peaceful, uninterrupted conversation the entire way home.
When the kids first got in the car, Spence said, "Hey, let's all sit in the back together!" I just laughed and said, "Um, NO!" :)
We waited to purchase a bigger vehicle until we ran out of seats, and with the coming of our new little guy, we'll need another seat. Not to mention our car had over 180,000 miles (which made for risky traveling), car doors that were stuck shut, and lots of other features that I tolerated for as long as I could. Farewell old car. Yeah for vans! (My favorite feature is the automatic door. Heaven!!) I love it when you find a car that's 5-6 years old and has been only driven by an elderly couple. Score!
(By the way, if you're looking for the coolest, least slimy salesman you've ever met, ask for Kevin Burns at the Orem Honda Dealership. We went to him based on a recommendation, and I'd recommend him 100x over. Thank you Kevin! Here's to clean, honest salesman that don't make you want to puke...)
CAN I JUST SAY I LOVE MY VAN!
Spencer is excited about all his personal space, Grant and Dal are enthralled with the movie, and Cal and I actually had a peaceful, uninterrupted conversation the entire way home.
When the kids first got in the car, Spence said, "Hey, let's all sit in the back together!" I just laughed and said, "Um, NO!" :)
We waited to purchase a bigger vehicle until we ran out of seats, and with the coming of our new little guy, we'll need another seat. Not to mention our car had over 180,000 miles (which made for risky traveling), car doors that were stuck shut, and lots of other features that I tolerated for as long as I could. Farewell old car. Yeah for vans! (My favorite feature is the automatic door. Heaven!!) I love it when you find a car that's 5-6 years old and has been only driven by an elderly couple. Score!
(By the way, if you're looking for the coolest, least slimy salesman you've ever met, ask for Kevin Burns at the Orem Honda Dealership. We went to him based on a recommendation, and I'd recommend him 100x over. Thank you Kevin! Here's to clean, honest salesman that don't make you want to puke...)
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Happy Birthday Spencer!
This week was Spencer's 8th birthday. Happy Birthday Spencer!! We are so lucky to have you in our family. When you were born, dad held you right away and you were so alert looking all around taking in your new world! You have always been bright and observant and alert. When Spencer comes into the room, you can feel his energy bursting over. He is such a blessing to our family. When you are gone, we miss your intense personality. You are curious, adventurous, inventive, creative, and way too good at logic. You keep us on our toes with your quick whit and your inquisitive personality. You were born running, and we've been trying to keep up with you ever since.
You have also grown into a very deep little man. You are good to the core and sincerely desire to help others and make good choices. Even if you fall down here or there, you always get up quickly and correct your course- because you desire to be good. You are also courageous and bold, and I've seen you stand up for what's right in hard situations. Your brothers look up to you and love to follow you, and you make their day by including them in your creative 'schemes.'
We love you Spence and are so, so, so proud of you. You are our brave little warrior. We can't wait to see what great things are in store for your future.
You have also grown into a very deep little man. You are good to the core and sincerely desire to help others and make good choices. Even if you fall down here or there, you always get up quickly and correct your course- because you desire to be good. You are also courageous and bold, and I've seen you stand up for what's right in hard situations. Your brothers look up to you and love to follow you, and you make their day by including them in your creative 'schemes.'
We love you Spence and are so, so, so proud of you. You are our brave little warrior. We can't wait to see what great things are in store for your future.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Funny lines
The swine flu has obviously been the talk of our house lately. It's funny to hear what your kids' perception of everything is. These are some of the funny things they've said this week:
Kristen (my vaccinated cousin who came by to deliver food, bless her heart)- I love your house. It's so cute!
Spencer- It's not so cute when you've been in it for like a year and can't go anywhere!
Overheard:
Spencer- I hope Santa doesn't get the swine flu. Do you think he will? Maybe he'll get it before Christmas so he can still deliver presents!
Grant- (as I'm tucking him into bed on day 2 of my sickness)- Mom, I'm so glad you're not dead.
Kristen (my vaccinated cousin who came by to deliver food, bless her heart)- I love your house. It's so cute!
Spencer- It's not so cute when you've been in it for like a year and can't go anywhere!
Overheard:
Spencer- I hope Santa doesn't get the swine flu. Do you think he will? Maybe he'll get it before Christmas so he can still deliver presents!
Grant- (as I'm tucking him into bed on day 2 of my sickness)- Mom, I'm so glad you're not dead.
Day 6:
Woke up feeling much better! Can actually breathe again! Can go up and down stairs without having asthma. Go up and down stairs so many times (I'm really enjoying this new freedom), legs get sore. So excited, started taking off sheets in boys room to wash. Decide to have boys deep clean their room. Cleaned off desk, went through books, got rid of stuff... an hour later their room is spotless. Was kind of fun. Yeah! I'm not such a bad mom after all.
Tired now. Need a nap.
Kids watch only 1 movie today. Play the Wii while I take a nap with Dallin. Spence works on homework. Think he's well enough to go back to school. Hear him coughing still-- maybe should stay home another day. So sad, tomorrow is his birthday! He's not too disappointed to stay home another day. Grant still coughing. Maybe 2 more days for him. Coughs are all that's left to heal. Yeah!
Chase Dallin for taking diaper off. Put him on 10 time outs now that I can carry him upstairs again. Little stinker- thinks he can get away with murder when Mom's sick. Tell him to sit on toilet if not wearing a diaper. He goes in bathroom and sits on toilet- with lid closed. I laugh...I'm on the phone. Hang up. He has pooped right next to the toilet! ?!?!?! Damages my camera lens while I'm cleaning up poop.
Kids getting on each others nerves. Lots of teasing and fighting and impatience. Frustrating! We're all stir crazy! Dad comes up for dinner. Picks up LR and clears dishes. Ahhh. Heaven.
Put kids to bed. Run to Wal-mart. Need few things for Spencer's b-day. First time going anywhere besides doc and pharmacy since last Thurs. LAST THURSDAY! Take extra long strolling isles. Linger talking with cashier about how she cooks collard greens?! Realize I'm desperate for civilization again. Come home. Use hand sanitizer. (My doc joked I got swine flu at Wal-mart- ha ha). Unload groceries. Feeling winded now. So tired. But almost all better! Yeah.
Feels like 'normal' is just around the corner now.
Tired now. Need a nap.
Kids watch only 1 movie today. Play the Wii while I take a nap with Dallin. Spence works on homework. Think he's well enough to go back to school. Hear him coughing still-- maybe should stay home another day. So sad, tomorrow is his birthday! He's not too disappointed to stay home another day. Grant still coughing. Maybe 2 more days for him. Coughs are all that's left to heal. Yeah!
Chase Dallin for taking diaper off. Put him on 10 time outs now that I can carry him upstairs again. Little stinker- thinks he can get away with murder when Mom's sick. Tell him to sit on toilet if not wearing a diaper. He goes in bathroom and sits on toilet- with lid closed. I laugh...I'm on the phone. Hang up. He has pooped right next to the toilet! ?!?!?! Damages my camera lens while I'm cleaning up poop.
Kids getting on each others nerves. Lots of teasing and fighting and impatience. Frustrating! We're all stir crazy! Dad comes up for dinner. Picks up LR and clears dishes. Ahhh. Heaven.
Put kids to bed. Run to Wal-mart. Need few things for Spencer's b-day. First time going anywhere besides doc and pharmacy since last Thurs. LAST THURSDAY! Take extra long strolling isles. Linger talking with cashier about how she cooks collard greens?! Realize I'm desperate for civilization again. Come home. Use hand sanitizer. (My doc joked I got swine flu at Wal-mart- ha ha). Unload groceries. Feeling winded now. So tired. But almost all better! Yeah.
Feels like 'normal' is just around the corner now.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Diary of the Swine Flu
Day 1:
Spence and I wake up with aches, low fever, terrible headaches and cough. Cancel my carpool duties, being helper at school Halloween party. Send Grant to school. Comfort Spence for missing Halloween party. Bummer.
I see the doctor. Determines 95% chance is Swine Flu. Does test- sticks swap way way up my nose- feels like it touches my brain. Takes 30 hrs to get results. Starts me on Tamiflu because I am in high risk category. (i'm 18 weeks pregnant- have ultrasound this week if i'm well enough). Discuss risks and secondary infection symptoms.
Wait for an hour for medications at pharmacy. Head feels like its going to explode. Walk in the door exhausted, in pain, and emotional. Entertain scary statistics of pregnant women dying and being hospitalized. Start bawling. Spence asks if he has the swine flu, I say most likely. He says, "I don't want to die!" I hear ya kid. Head feels as bad as epidural headache I had 8 yrs ago. Take pain meds and finally feel some relief from exploding headache. Sensitive to light and sounds- which house is full of. Complain about kids. Cal reminds me I didn't want to die- couldn't bear to leave family. Can't have both. Feel rebuked.
Cal starts feeling achy. We make it through the day- barely. Dal only has a cough, Grant is not sick. He makes himself a dinner of trail mix. He can't seem to remember not to run around or make loud noises. It hurts our heads! Sit on couch with kids and watch movie until bedtime.
Go to sleep wondering how we're going to survive if Cal's sick too and we can't leave our house.
Day 2:
Wake up feeling a little brighter. Still achy and headachy, as is Spence. Cough worse. Cal seems not to have developed full blown symptoms- he can take care of us! Grateful its the weekend. Family sends tons of food. Cousin with flu shot delivers it and cleans my dishes. We eat food besides crackers. Yeah! It tastes good. Try to remember who's had meds last, who's had enough to drink or is getting dehydrated, who had Vit C already, who's been fed and who hasn't eaten all day... Cal makes family medicine chart. Give up on protecting Grant from getting sick.
Tell Spence he can't go trick-or-treating. He's bummed. Cal promises him bag of candy- he can knock on our door 100x if he wants. Spence is good sport. Neighbor offers to take Grant trick-or-treating. Grant offers to share candy with brothers. Get early trick-or-treaters. Tell them we have swine flu and aren't giving out candy. Watch them run screaming down the street. Wonder if we should put up sign on door to keep people away. 'Danger, enter with caution' decoration on porch seems funny now. Ironic.
Try to have a 'fun' Halloween night. Watch movies and eat a few treats. Grant brings home small bag of candy. Splits candy. Let them eat it all. Can't bear to take it from them. Grant wakes up in night throwing up. Should have limited candy. Has fever. He's joined the sick crew.
Day 3:
Headache and aches under control. Cough is deeper, more painful. Spence's fever spikes. Dal's cough worse. Needs nebulizer. Try to get him to sit still. Continues to climb, get into food, run around and make messes. Chest feels tight when I move too much. Can't chase Dal. Put him down nap. Going up stairs causes breathing pain. Feels like I ran a marathon. Wonder if I am developing secondary infection. Thoughts of complications and possible death cross my mind again. Try to push it out.
Aunt brings stew. Tastes amazing. Grateful for family. Hang out all day doing nothing. Limit my movements 'cause of cough and breathing issues. Cal takes care of things. Watch 1000 episodes of 'Pink Panter' on Netflix. Forgot how funny it is. Maybe I'm just bored. Rest, drink lots, rest, drink more... keep kids hydrated. Cal keeps mood light. Feel better when he's around. Feel sick to my stomach thinking how would have turned out if he'd been driving on his truck across country and I'd been alone. So glad he works from home now.
Feeling better, exept for breathing. Wish I could clean or organize. Feeling antsy. Haven't stepped outside since day 1. Keep kids loaded up on Tyl/Ibprophin. Dal is bored and frustrated. Try to spend time with him reading, but can't talk- out of breath. He keeps taking off diaper and running naked. Tell him if takes off diaper, has to go potty. He hates the big toilet, screams when I get energy up to sit him on it. Dal decides to put diaper back on like I knew he would. Feel like a bad mom. Neighbor brings delicious professional-looking meal. Fridge is full now. So grateful!
Day 4:
Have hard time breathing in night. Coughing gunk. In morning, have coughing attack. Struggle to catch my breath through gunk. Very scary!!!! Cal makes me go back to doctor. Get x-ray. Can see part of tiny fetus on lower x-ray. Wonder if will be able to make my ultrasound on Friday. Dying to know gender. Get antibiotics and inhaler for beginnings of pneumonia . Doc says if gets worse or can't breath, go to ER. Ug. Glad we caught it early. Should be fine now. Symptoms aside from cough feeling much improved. Oh, get test results confirming swine flu. Ha.
Grant extremely grumpy sick. Wants everyone to be quiet- his head hurts. Spence starting to feel better runs around with Dal. Grant cries. Running makes Dal cough lots- try to get him to use nebulizer. Bribe him with candy.
Cal works from home and keeps an eye on us. Goes to store. We're out of kids meds. Brings Instant Carnation drink. Makes kids drink it for nutrition/calories. Consider doing laundry. Glad had done all but 1 load before got sick. That was lucky. Decide can wait another day. Still get out of breath going up/down stairs. Email Spencer's teacher to request homework. Neighbor brings homework home. I don't make him do it yet. He seems more exhausted now. Cancel Spencer's baptism on Sat. Have to move it to another date. Again he is understanding. Wonder how we'll celebrate his b-day on Thurs. Poor guy.
Neighbor brings stack of movies. Kids watch more tv. Feel bad their brains are turning to mush. Glad they are getting better. Worst seems over, but figure we'll still be home for the rest of the week. Remember need to call Grant's teacher. Eat delicious leftovers for dinner. Have Family Home Evening at table for 5 min. Hard to hear over everyone's coughs. Have treat. Put kids to bed. Watch Transformers movie with Cal. Kinda disappointed. Listen to Grant cough all night. Worried.
Day 5:
Get up, take shower, and for the first time in days get dressed in clothes besides pjs. Feeling better. Go downstairs. Start coughing gunk. Not feeling better! Still feel weak. Listen to us all cough at breakfast. Almost funny. Sounds like a song- a frog song. Wonder if I should take Grant in. His cough sounds bad.
Have goal to do things with kids other than watch movies today. Feel winded. Set up train tracks on LR floor. Play for 15 min. Kids fight, Dal destroys it. Give up, put on movie.
Spence and I wake up with aches, low fever, terrible headaches and cough. Cancel my carpool duties, being helper at school Halloween party. Send Grant to school. Comfort Spence for missing Halloween party. Bummer.
I see the doctor. Determines 95% chance is Swine Flu. Does test- sticks swap way way up my nose- feels like it touches my brain. Takes 30 hrs to get results. Starts me on Tamiflu because I am in high risk category. (i'm 18 weeks pregnant- have ultrasound this week if i'm well enough). Discuss risks and secondary infection symptoms.
Wait for an hour for medications at pharmacy. Head feels like its going to explode. Walk in the door exhausted, in pain, and emotional. Entertain scary statistics of pregnant women dying and being hospitalized. Start bawling. Spence asks if he has the swine flu, I say most likely. He says, "I don't want to die!" I hear ya kid. Head feels as bad as epidural headache I had 8 yrs ago. Take pain meds and finally feel some relief from exploding headache. Sensitive to light and sounds- which house is full of. Complain about kids. Cal reminds me I didn't want to die- couldn't bear to leave family. Can't have both. Feel rebuked.
Cal starts feeling achy. We make it through the day- barely. Dal only has a cough, Grant is not sick. He makes himself a dinner of trail mix. He can't seem to remember not to run around or make loud noises. It hurts our heads! Sit on couch with kids and watch movie until bedtime.
Go to sleep wondering how we're going to survive if Cal's sick too and we can't leave our house.
Day 2:
Wake up feeling a little brighter. Still achy and headachy, as is Spence. Cough worse. Cal seems not to have developed full blown symptoms- he can take care of us! Grateful its the weekend. Family sends tons of food. Cousin with flu shot delivers it and cleans my dishes. We eat food besides crackers. Yeah! It tastes good. Try to remember who's had meds last, who's had enough to drink or is getting dehydrated, who had Vit C already, who's been fed and who hasn't eaten all day... Cal makes family medicine chart. Give up on protecting Grant from getting sick.
Tell Spence he can't go trick-or-treating. He's bummed. Cal promises him bag of candy- he can knock on our door 100x if he wants. Spence is good sport. Neighbor offers to take Grant trick-or-treating. Grant offers to share candy with brothers. Get early trick-or-treaters. Tell them we have swine flu and aren't giving out candy. Watch them run screaming down the street. Wonder if we should put up sign on door to keep people away. 'Danger, enter with caution' decoration on porch seems funny now. Ironic.
Try to have a 'fun' Halloween night. Watch movies and eat a few treats. Grant brings home small bag of candy. Splits candy. Let them eat it all. Can't bear to take it from them. Grant wakes up in night throwing up. Should have limited candy. Has fever. He's joined the sick crew.
Day 3:
Headache and aches under control. Cough is deeper, more painful. Spence's fever spikes. Dal's cough worse. Needs nebulizer. Try to get him to sit still. Continues to climb, get into food, run around and make messes. Chest feels tight when I move too much. Can't chase Dal. Put him down nap. Going up stairs causes breathing pain. Feels like I ran a marathon. Wonder if I am developing secondary infection. Thoughts of complications and possible death cross my mind again. Try to push it out.
Aunt brings stew. Tastes amazing. Grateful for family. Hang out all day doing nothing. Limit my movements 'cause of cough and breathing issues. Cal takes care of things. Watch 1000 episodes of 'Pink Panter' on Netflix. Forgot how funny it is. Maybe I'm just bored. Rest, drink lots, rest, drink more... keep kids hydrated. Cal keeps mood light. Feel better when he's around. Feel sick to my stomach thinking how would have turned out if he'd been driving on his truck across country and I'd been alone. So glad he works from home now.
Feeling better, exept for breathing. Wish I could clean or organize. Feeling antsy. Haven't stepped outside since day 1. Keep kids loaded up on Tyl/Ibprophin. Dal is bored and frustrated. Try to spend time with him reading, but can't talk- out of breath. He keeps taking off diaper and running naked. Tell him if takes off diaper, has to go potty. He hates the big toilet, screams when I get energy up to sit him on it. Dal decides to put diaper back on like I knew he would. Feel like a bad mom. Neighbor brings delicious professional-looking meal. Fridge is full now. So grateful!
Day 4:
Have hard time breathing in night. Coughing gunk. In morning, have coughing attack. Struggle to catch my breath through gunk. Very scary!!!! Cal makes me go back to doctor. Get x-ray. Can see part of tiny fetus on lower x-ray. Wonder if will be able to make my ultrasound on Friday. Dying to know gender. Get antibiotics and inhaler for beginnings of pneumonia . Doc says if gets worse or can't breath, go to ER. Ug. Glad we caught it early. Should be fine now. Symptoms aside from cough feeling much improved. Oh, get test results confirming swine flu. Ha.
Grant extremely grumpy sick. Wants everyone to be quiet- his head hurts. Spence starting to feel better runs around with Dal. Grant cries. Running makes Dal cough lots- try to get him to use nebulizer. Bribe him with candy.
Cal works from home and keeps an eye on us. Goes to store. We're out of kids meds. Brings Instant Carnation drink. Makes kids drink it for nutrition/calories. Consider doing laundry. Glad had done all but 1 load before got sick. That was lucky. Decide can wait another day. Still get out of breath going up/down stairs. Email Spencer's teacher to request homework. Neighbor brings homework home. I don't make him do it yet. He seems more exhausted now. Cancel Spencer's baptism on Sat. Have to move it to another date. Again he is understanding. Wonder how we'll celebrate his b-day on Thurs. Poor guy.
Neighbor brings stack of movies. Kids watch more tv. Feel bad their brains are turning to mush. Glad they are getting better. Worst seems over, but figure we'll still be home for the rest of the week. Remember need to call Grant's teacher. Eat delicious leftovers for dinner. Have Family Home Evening at table for 5 min. Hard to hear over everyone's coughs. Have treat. Put kids to bed. Watch Transformers movie with Cal. Kinda disappointed. Listen to Grant cough all night. Worried.
Day 5:
Get up, take shower, and for the first time in days get dressed in clothes besides pjs. Feeling better. Go downstairs. Start coughing gunk. Not feeling better! Still feel weak. Listen to us all cough at breakfast. Almost funny. Sounds like a song- a frog song. Wonder if I should take Grant in. His cough sounds bad.
Have goal to do things with kids other than watch movies today. Feel winded. Set up train tracks on LR floor. Play for 15 min. Kids fight, Dal destroys it. Give up, put on movie.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Halloween- tricks or treats?
We received a dirty little trick instead of treats just in time for Halloween ...
WE HAVE THE SWINE FLU!
WE HAVE THE SWINE FLU!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Pockets and Pocket knives
You know your 2 year-old is the youngest of three boys when...
-he discovers a pocket in his jeans and exclaims happily, "LOOK MOM! A pocket knife!" And I say correcting, "You have a pocket?" And he say, "Yeah, see I have a pocket knife!"
-he discovers a pocket in his jeans and exclaims happily, "LOOK MOM! A pocket knife!" And I say correcting, "You have a pocket?" And he say, "Yeah, see I have a pocket knife!"
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Conference Weekend
This last weekend was General Conference weekend. I love conference. My dad used to call it a 'shot in the arm' to get you through the next 6 months. It was a great weekend. Very relaxing. Last conference Cal was delayed on his truck (he was stuck in his truck surrounded by 4 feet of snow in WY) and he missed the whole weekend! Boy are we ever glad he doesn't have to do that anymore!
One of the traditions of my family is to eat lots and lots of junk during conference. My mom rotates the candy in our 72-hour kids every 6 months, which falls at conference time. So if we're watching conference, we got to stuff ourselves with disgusting amounts of candy. Often there was such a surplus of candy ('cause of course my mom would buy extra stuff too), we'd end up throwing pieces at each other to stay awake. I once brought a boyfriend home to watch a session with us. He was appalled at the amount of candy on our kitchen table! Musta scared him away.
Needless to say, this year I let Cal and the boys pick out the treats. They came home with Smith's chocolate cake donuts (which after nation-wide travel, Cal declares as the best donuts out there- try them!), cookie crisp cereal, potato chips, and chocolate pudding. That combo left me feeling pretty gross, but then again, somehow I manage to overeat EVERY conference. :)
The kids did great this weekend. We heard almost every talk. Dallin wandered around doing random things, and the older boys played downstairs almost the entire time. We soon discovered that the basement looked like it had been hit by a tornado. Actually, it had been hit by a tornado, shaken by an earthquake, and then struck by lightening! But at least we got to watch peacefully right?
Dal entertained himself by playing with Costco tissue boxes. Endless entertainment!
Spence and Grant watched about 10 seconds with us. I captured practically the only moment they were watching.
They're not really watching. :) But they're not disrupting either.
We discovered Dal kind of looks like one of the 7 Dwarfs. Can you guess which one?
Dopey!
(Oh, and yes, 3 of the boys (including Cal) are wearing their 'Cory Family Reunion' t-shirts. When they saw Dad wearing his, they wanted to wear theirs too. They love those shirts!)
One of the traditions of my family is to eat lots and lots of junk during conference. My mom rotates the candy in our 72-hour kids every 6 months, which falls at conference time. So if we're watching conference, we got to stuff ourselves with disgusting amounts of candy. Often there was such a surplus of candy ('cause of course my mom would buy extra stuff too), we'd end up throwing pieces at each other to stay awake. I once brought a boyfriend home to watch a session with us. He was appalled at the amount of candy on our kitchen table! Musta scared him away.
Needless to say, this year I let Cal and the boys pick out the treats. They came home with Smith's chocolate cake donuts (which after nation-wide travel, Cal declares as the best donuts out there- try them!), cookie crisp cereal, potato chips, and chocolate pudding. That combo left me feeling pretty gross, but then again, somehow I manage to overeat EVERY conference. :)
The kids did great this weekend. We heard almost every talk. Dallin wandered around doing random things, and the older boys played downstairs almost the entire time. We soon discovered that the basement looked like it had been hit by a tornado. Actually, it had been hit by a tornado, shaken by an earthquake, and then struck by lightening! But at least we got to watch peacefully right?
Dal entertained himself by playing with Costco tissue boxes. Endless entertainment!
(Oh, and yes, 3 of the boys (including Cal) are wearing their 'Cory Family Reunion' t-shirts. When they saw Dad wearing his, they wanted to wear theirs too. They love those shirts!)
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Boy in diaper and heels
Because every little boy should have a picture in just a diaper wearing their mom's shoes, right?!
At least he looks sorta tough? Maybe?
But so cute!
I didn't stage this photo. I promise! It will make great blackmail for the future though... Calvin's idea is to delete the evidence, but I say no way! Besides, the real incriminating evidence is how silly Dallin looks in just a diaper with his super long torso! He's so tall!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
School boys
So... its been a long time since I posted regularly. Where does the time go? At some point I'll need to catch up from the summer and all the cool pictures I took. It is my goal to post more to keep somewhat of a family journal- sorry if it bores you, you don't have to keep reading. :) I won't be offended.
... I now have 2 boys in school! Spence started 2nd grade. He's in the Spanish immersion program they have here at his school. (He learned Spanish in Vegas in his kindergarten class, and it was pure luck there was a program starting in 2nd grade at his current school. Do I sense some Spanish in his future?!) His teacher is from Spain again. Yes, Spencer is doomed to learn Spanish with a Spain accent. :) (To my former Spain Study Abroad roomies- she totally talks like Fe!!! She is hilarious and says things bluntly- and yet it's so stinkin' funny! Listening to his teacher at back to school night made me homesick for some crazy Spaniards again. When are we gonna go to Spain together with our spouses?!).
A little more confident...
The first week was an adjustment for Spence. He was quite disappointed for the summer to be over. "It's not fair!" he said. "Everything changes when school starts!" Sad, but true. Only 10 more years of school kiddo- plus 4 years of college, and then medical school. You're going to be a bilingual doctor right? Just kidding.
Then Grant started kindergarten! Spence and Grant are almost a year different in age when they started school. Grant turned 5 a few days before school started so he's a young school kid for sure! I was a little worried about sending him off, whereas Spencer RAN into his first day of kindergarten (he was almost 6) and kept asking me WHY I was still there! Kids are so different.
How cute is this little kindergartner?!?!
Doing his 'first day of school dance.'
'Check out my cool power rangers back pack!'
For the record, he DID run into the school when he saw his neighbor friend up ahead. She's in the same class and sits across from him.
I never understood before why parents would get sad when they sent their kids to school. Spencer was so ready! This time I was a little nervous about leaving Grant- he seems so young, but I could see he was in good hands.His teacher is great and she had the parents stay for the first half hour of school, which I appreciated.
(By the way, I never noticed before how much our face structures are alike! Does he have his mom's chin or what?! )
So Grant's report of his first day of school was, "Kindergarten was actually kinda fun!" Success! Meanwhile, we've fallen into the routines of school starting again and Dal and I get an hour together alone every day before his nap. He repeatedly asks me throughout the day, "Mom, where's Pencer? Where's Gwant?" The answer is always the same, but he keeps asking anyway. He wakes up from his nap about a half hour after they get home and I've enjoyed being able to focus my attention on the school boys right when they get home from school (I should say when they 'burst with excitement through the door after school.') I get an assessment of the day, feed them snack, and get homework started right as Dallin (the tornado) wakes up. Then it all goes crazy. Sigh. I like being a mom.
... I now have 2 boys in school! Spence started 2nd grade. He's in the Spanish immersion program they have here at his school. (He learned Spanish in Vegas in his kindergarten class, and it was pure luck there was a program starting in 2nd grade at his current school. Do I sense some Spanish in his future?!) His teacher is from Spain again. Yes, Spencer is doomed to learn Spanish with a Spain accent. :) (To my former Spain Study Abroad roomies- she totally talks like Fe!!! She is hilarious and says things bluntly- and yet it's so stinkin' funny! Listening to his teacher at back to school night made me homesick for some crazy Spaniards again. When are we gonna go to Spain together with our spouses?!).
Anyway, here's Spence on his first day looking a little shy:
A little more confident...
And finally, all out silly with his walking group buddies.
Then Grant started kindergarten! Spence and Grant are almost a year different in age when they started school. Grant turned 5 a few days before school started so he's a young school kid for sure! I was a little worried about sending him off, whereas Spencer RAN into his first day of kindergarten (he was almost 6) and kept asking me WHY I was still there! Kids are so different.
(By the way, I never noticed before how much our face structures are alike! Does he have his mom's chin or what?! )
So Grant's report of his first day of school was, "Kindergarten was actually kinda fun!" Success! Meanwhile, we've fallen into the routines of school starting again and Dal and I get an hour together alone every day before his nap. He repeatedly asks me throughout the day, "Mom, where's Pencer? Where's Gwant?" The answer is always the same, but he keeps asking anyway. He wakes up from his nap about a half hour after they get home and I've enjoyed being able to focus my attention on the school boys right when they get home from school (I should say when they 'burst with excitement through the door after school.') I get an assessment of the day, feed them snack, and get homework started right as Dallin (the tornado) wakes up. Then it all goes crazy. Sigh. I like being a mom.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Potty Talk
Overheard this morning...
Grant- Did you know Jedi's don't have to go potty?
Spencer- Yeah they do.
Grant- Nuh uh. Then how come they never have to go potty in the movies?!
Spencer- Nobody uses the bathroom in movies.
Grant- I want to be in a movie!!!
Grant- Did you know Jedi's don't have to go potty?
Spencer- Yeah they do.
Grant- Nuh uh. Then how come they never have to go potty in the movies?!
Spencer- Nobody uses the bathroom in movies.
Grant- I want to be in a movie!!!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Goodbye Uncle Stephen!
A week ago today we said goodbye to my youngest brother and sent him off on his mission! We're so proud of him. He will be a great missionary and he is very excited. We of course, will miss him so much! Stephen has always been a fun uncle to my kids. He's really just a big kid himself! :)
I went with Stephen to get his mission pictures done. We thought it would be fun while we were there to have my boys dress up in their shirts and ties and wear their little name tags and take a picture with Stephen too. It was a lot of work, but worth it.
This is his mission picture. What a handsome guy.
This is the day he left for the MTC. We said goodbye at my grandma's house since they just get dropped of at the MTC now. I have no idea why the boys are climbing the tree. Why not?
Saying goodbye to all my boys. They are going to miss their Uncle Stephen!!! We promise to write!
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