The Mother of Geese

A Conversation with Abbie at 11:30 am: Abbie: "Hey momma, do you know what's bad to your baby?" Me: "What." Abbie: "Diet Coke." Me: "Yep" Abbie: "and matches..." Me: "Why matches?" Abbie: "Because they get all smoked and stuff. And the baby will cough. (Demonstrates a baby cough).

Abbie's dream last night: "Ok, Momma I'm gonna tell you all about it because I don't want it to come true right momma! Ehm, last night ehm there was like a scary guy that wanted to take all our powers from the lights and if daddy killed him he will get killed and I didn't want him to kill daddy so I held my breath and I knowed I had the last power so I take a deep breath and I hit the guy and I smooshed him and did all that stuff. Mommy's been searching to bad guys, she was in the same car as us and we just searched to the really bad guys and we had our own little power. I had my last power again and I did the last thing I could do so I saved my family from the guy shooting my family. I shooted all the mean guys with the mean powers. There was a king and he met us at the park and I hit him and took his sword. Then I waked up. I thought it was real but it was just a dream." Ok, note to self...time to lay off the sugar before bedtime, and be a little more v...

While I have been emptying boxes like a maniac I have also been neglecting my children. I'm a pretty good multi-tasker, but "Organization-Me" gets a little testy with "Fun-Mom-Let's-Make-Something-Me" and unfortunately my family gets the brunt of the battle. Here in a moment of desperation and trying to appease both "Me's" I give you: The Solution Paint those empty boxes however you want, ladies!

Isn't it annoying when you click on someone's link to check in on their progress and they haven't updated in more than 3 weeks? (name rhymes with tanny dee and last we heard she has lice). Just kidding truthfully I have been completely engrossed in operation spring clean which has involved: 1-going through the 14 boxes of 0-12 month old baby girl clothes 2-grabbing those outfits I just can't bear to part with and putting them in a box (my limit is 2) 3- Give Abbie and Amelia their closets back. They have been the recipients of project basment cleanup 4-Decide whether the universe and karma wants me to donate all the boxes of girly clothes instead of going to kid2kid. Will I feel cheap and used? 5-rebox all holidays that didn't make it to the red bucket stage last year. 6-Pull items Amelia will be in this summer but too cold now and mix with the few baby boy things I have 7-Do the gulp 8 loads of laundry that are awaiting me. I guess it sure is spring because this m...

So I got this great email from my darling friend Jean this week: "Hello! > > Just thought I would pass on our exciting news. I had an ultrasound at > 17 weeks and we were told that it was another girl....No surprise > since we figure with two girls under our belt we could handle it. But > lo and behold, I had another ultrasound at 20 weeks and we were > shocked to find out that it was not a girl, but a BOY! The doctor had > to even circle the "boyness" in the ultrasound picture to convince me > that he wasn't pulling my leg! Peter, Eva and Leah were thrilled. I > panicked! But now that it's kinda settled in, I am quite excited too!" Jean's great. I look up to her alot. Some could even say I would like to be like her in many ways. So today was my turn for the ultrasound. Before I left I saw another email from Jean it said this: "I think you are destined to have a boy too! I can feel it in my bones! I was sad that we don...

Because I am one of "those" parents who will take the holidays to the next level Bradfo and I thought we could have some fun with food coloring on this green Saturday. #1 Amelia was nervous about the St. Patricks headband. #2. Abbie was pleased it was breakfast time. #3.Abbie was surprised to see her meal. #4. Abbie was disappointed that it didn't look right. #5. Abbie was angry that her breakfast was ruined. #6. Abbie was giddy when I explained her food was green for St. Patrick's Day. #7. Abbie was intrigued by the green whipped cream. #8. Abbie was tentative about her green milk. How many moodswings have you experienced today?

So today was Meli's (albeit late) 18-month appointment. Part of the questionaire wanted to know how many words she was speaking. Thought I would count it up for you: Ball Dishes Yeah (she must be part Swedish) Papa Dad Thank you and the new one for today... Tacos

So while I was downstairs changing the laundry ("Be a Better Me week 2-i'm totally caught up on laundry...) Amelia was upstairs in my drawers finding something fun to do. She found some mascara and decided to do a little makeover. Thick Makeover. When I saw her I kept repeating "Please let that be the Covergirl Professional $ 4.99 brand" Much to my chagrin it was the lancome Amelia owes me $23.00. Dear Brad, If you are reading this for the first time and realizing that I do in fact spend $ 23.00 on mascara when I could get mascara for 5 bucks, I want you to know that there are some things that a gal just can't cut corners on and you know how when I itch my eyes over and over again and really start digging into them? That would be the cheap-o brand. Hope that's not a problem. Lovin you- HD

Check out bizarro world Brad holding Abbie's and Amelia's hand. Like Father like Son right? Matching: plaid coats, skinny legs, smirks, more-abundant-than-usual-sized- heads, strong arms, need of eyewear, chubby cheeks. Did I miss anything?

He has been dying for me to notice this. He's SUCH a geek!!! He decided to "add" a movie to the movies I love list. So Lame. So immature. Like I would see that uncivilized film.

On Friday, Grandpa Gary had an appointment at Huntsman so it seemed like a lovely day to spend with my loves at the zoo. (Remember Abbie won that marvelous pass for the family to enjoy...) I can't say this enough... MARCH IS THE TIME TO GO TO THE ZOO!!! There were very few people and the animals weren't freaked out by kids yet. (I made Abbie pose for this human prairie dog picture but she was alarmed at how it smelled like "a big toilet" inside. She was also the first to observe "the big ol' pile of poop" thanks to the elephants.) We were also able to do some of the things that we don't usually do like visit the ducks and play at the park.

A few months ago Brad and I were watching this show on PBS about a Preservation Habitat in Africa. The rangers were perplexed because some of the (endangered) young rhinos were coming up dead. They first thought that it was poachers and they thought it was another wild and ferocious animal. It turns out it was young elephants who strangely turned all mean and decided to terrorize the Habitat. These young elephants were pretty much able to go about their business and weren't originally reason for suspect because elephants typically don't act in such a agressive and unnatural manner. Well yesterday this mama lion witnessed her young being terrorized for the last time. I have mentioned several times about a certain girl in the neighborhood who runs around like the young elephant. She was being her usual self (agressive, unnatural) so I grabbed my shoes and marched out to confront the attack. The elephant scrambled up a tree when she saw me coming. She knew she was busted. I roared...

Boys typically have rough toys. We were at Brad's office entertaining ourselves with a little toy workbench that you pound down the "nails" and I got pounded with the mallet thanks to Amelia. Ponies don't hurt like that. Neither do Barbies. Princess Dress up Clothes maybe. So check out the mini-shiner I am sporting.

You just don't know how I have longed and looked forward anxiously to this day. The day that Amelia will sit (or stand) through an entire episode of a show (Barney) giving me a 30 minute head start on the clean up process. I was able to: unload the dishwasher, clean up from breakfast, assemble a freezer meal, fold the whites, pick up books, and take this picture. Could not be more proud that she has joined the ranks of zombie kids who will watch TV. It certainly has been a long time coming....

Today is Brad's 37th birthday and I thought I would list a coupl-a reasons why I love him: #1. He is crazy creative. he can do it all. #2. When we were dating he promised if I stuck with him he would "take me places". So far, Mexico, Hawaii, NYC, Rhode Island, Montana, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Oregon, Aruba, Florida, Vegas, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Texas, St. Johns. He has tried to take me to Germany, Italy, and Barcelona. Darned other responsibilites of mine. #3. He is a great camper. Might I say a happy one? #4. He is NOT a picky eater. He'll eat anything I feed him-especially dessert. #5. He still wants to please his dad. #6. He once hit a bat with a bat while in the wood shop. Loved the irony for a long time. #7. He is super handy. Abbie says my daddy can six anything. #8. When he laughs really hard he puts his hand over his face and shakes and turns bright red. No sound comes out. #9. He is very generous with his cold hard cash. #10. Last summer on ...

So Brad gave Abbie $1.00 (that was actually hers to begin with, she just misplaced it...) and she started singing "Hey Big Spend-a" and shaking her hips and dancing. Do I love that she has Broadway tunes in her head? Then she very reverently showed me the dollar and said, "This is President Hinckley." Close enough. I get some white haired older people confused as well.

Friday-Dinner with the Phillips (French Dip Sandwiches), strawberry smoothies Saturday-Out with Brad to "Respect the Birthday.." Sunday-Prime Rib to celebrate Brad's Prime number birthday (37) Monday-Bean Burritoes Tuesday-Heavenly Chicken (its a pain in the bunsies to make, but I will for Brad..) Wednesday-Bow ties with peas and ham (sounds spring-y right?) Thursday-Buttermilk baked chicken, spinach salad