2009 Holiday Newsletter!

Welcome to our first digital posting of the newsletter! We're hoping to save a few trees and carry on with our annual publication on-line! I started this blog last year, and am hoping to update it more frequently this year so please come back! You can also find me on facebook!

Wow! Whatta Show!

Shelby and I had a great time at the JB concert! Having to walk only two blocks away was a great bonus. The opening acts were really great ... Honor Society - a band of 4boys who were similar to the jb except not nearly as good! And Jordin Sparks, American Idol, who wore a black glove on her right hand, presumably to honor Michael Jackson. She also sang the song "smile" which is what Jermaine sang at the Memorial Service. She came back out later and did a couple of songs with the jonas brothers. she has a powerful voice! The Jonas Brothers were AMAZING! They have added some great lights to their show and also did a "right back at you, Taylor Swift" version of rain on the stage. And a surprising Trampoline was snuck in on the stage! The boys do act like little boys!

It took hours for my hearing to return to normal. Shelby was so cute taking their pictures and waving to them! I think she believed they could actually see her. Those boys must make their parents so proud...they are each extremely talented! I really love their music and the lyrics to their songs. I am so glad to have the chance to share this memory with my baby girl!

While momma is away....

After visiting the doctor AGAIN with Spencer, we were advised that it would be okay if Steve took him and the other fellas to the river for some fun while the girls are gone. His cough is still there but thankfully, he has been able to keep his foods down! They are doing what they love to do out there (play outside) in the early morning hours before it gets too hot...but then they head inside and watch all the stuff on TV that mommy doesn't allow! Sponge Bob scores again.

Shelby and I are getting ready now to go to the Jonas Brothers concert tonight. We have had some great fun and mommy/daughter bonding. How can you go wrong with shopping and a concert! She doesn't enjoy all the shopping that I love though, I noticed that she didn't stop to look at as many shoes as I did! :-)

Last Stop Before Leaving Town -- Urgent Care!

Spencer has been fighting a cold so I took him to urgent care just to double check to make sure we weren't dealing with some other freaky thing. After all, I am leaving town tomorrow. Thankfully, there were no symptoms requiring further attention so hopefully all will be well while I am gone.

Shelby and I packed up our stuff tonight and needless to say, we are both excited. She and I take a little trip together every summer and this is going to be super fun! We're going to check out the Mall of America and of course, her fav band is playing nearby so we scored some tickets to go see them as well!

Today we also drove to check out some nearby beach areas for some day camping this summer. The kids really love the boogie boarding thing and we're hoping to make several trips to the beach before the summer is done! It seems a shame to have the ocean at your fingertips and not enjoy it as much as you can!

Let Freedom Ring!

We have made the rounds today...starting with our local community parade this morning and then a little swim break and on to our baton twirler's parade in the heat of the day...and then a stop at home to pick up the swimmers and off to the show before the fireworks! Daddy got the motorhome in place so we were able to enjoy all the luxury of a/c...comfy seats...our own potty... We watched the twirlers do a fabulous show and then settled in the motor home where the windshield became our hi-def wide screen view of the fireworks display!

All in all, a good day....even with a few little attitudes that they'll regret someday when they're older!

I couldn't help but think about freedom and not necessarily in the "patriotic" way. I was thinking about the freedom a parent must give a child. Freedom to make choices and mistakes. Seems we are faced every day as parents with our own choices on how to teach the lessons they need to have to make the choices that result in the least damaging mistakes. Also, the parent's freedom from those mistakes....

Then I got a headache and realized that I miss diapers.

Hair It Is!

I have finally given in to my husband's requests to get the curls cut-off our littlest son who is *sometimes* mistaken for a girl by people who really should know better and who don't think before they speak. So, he made the journey the two brothers did before him to Antoine, Steve's own stylist (or should I say barber? groomer? designer?)... Mason played the shy card and made me work really hard to get some pictures and ended up walking out with his ziploc of saved-for-the-memory-box detached curls. I know that he is happy to have his hair "flat and not so messy", because he told me so! I asked him the night before we left, if he thought that he looked like a girl and he replied, "no, i think i look like an ordinary boy." Boy? Yes. Ordinary? NO!

Everything is Ducky!

Between all of the fighting that is so common between siblings...between all of the dramas of every day life, there are these moments when there is only laughter between them. Today my 3 fellas played together like they were best friends. And, when Shelby came home from practice, there was still peace. These are the times that I'll cherish most. These are the times when I have no doubts about giving them each other. These are the times that come too rarely and pass too quickly. We found ourselves pointing it out to them and telling them how much it meant to us to see them play together well. Tomorrow is another day! (note: this photo is one I snapped when we found a couple of duckies who decided to stop by and have a little splash in our pool!)

Now, that was too much for mommy!

I have to say that when my babies all came, one right after the other, I was a little impressed (yes, that's a pat on the back) with my ability to stomach even the most grotesque of things. I once had the honor of baby-spit-up ...right in my mouth. In order to keep you from using your wild imagination to try to figure out how exactly that happened...let me tell you. I was holding the bambino (it was my first born..trust me, you only make this mistake once..it never, ever happened again)... anyway, i was holding her above my head and laughing and talking and apparently the motion was a bit much for her and I didn't catch what ever clue or red flag warning she might have given and just as i was wide-open laughing, she spit up and there you have it. I survived. I was really okay... i brushed my teeth a hundred times, rinsed and spit and moved on. Tucking the experience away in my "you better learn from this one" file. Little did I know that this is was the small stuff.

Now, they are all out of diapers and other than the occasional stomach flu, bodily fluids don't usually come my way. On a recent trip to our river wonderland, i learned i was going to have bigger fish to fry. (hmm.... that could be literally but in this case it isn't, I don't catch or fry fish).

Anyway, I was a witness to the exhilerating fun my children have all experienced on their top secret river trips with daddy and his PICs (partners in crime)... You see, this stuff has been going on all along ... it's just that I was never a witness...

First they hook up this.....















to this


















and then they climb in and have the time of their lives... except for the fact that their mother is screaming.. PLEASE STOP THAT'S ALL I CAN WATCH!! No, you can't go faster!













Seriously, it was all I could do to watch it! I finally reached the point of tears when they stopped. Logically, I know that they were safe, life jackets were on, an experienced driver who was being very conservative was behind the wheel. There was only one problem. I was there. It was too much for me!

He is a Great Daddy

Half of my tribe is gone tonight. Steve and the biggest boy and littlest boy are visiting Grandma. When I tucked my middle guy in to bed tonight, he began to cry and when I asked what is wrong.... he said "I never want daddy to die". I said, "oh honey, why would you say that?" and he replied, "because he is a great daddy". Without letting him see my own tears, I hugged him and said that he was a great son and that even when people die, they aren't really gone because we always remember them and keep them in our heart.

Mini Me?

I cannot help but imagine when I look at her face, that she can do and be and see everything that I didn't. Each little hint of something that I might have said, or did, or liked, or dreamed...fills me with hope and anticipation that she might take I step I wish I would have. And then, there it comes.... a reminder that she is not me. She is her own person. She'll have her own dreams. While I don't believe they are the same ones I had once upon a time... I do believe that they are in the same realm. My greatest accomplishment will be helping her to dream a dream and to reach all the way past it!

Team Player? Win or lose?

I have to admit that I am skeptical at best. That loud obnoxious mom that is chanting her son's name from the bleachers, is probably not going to be me. In fact, it's ironic how quiet I am as a mom. I have a deep desire for their success at whatever sport they choose, but I don't want a pressure associated with it. In other words, I don't want to make them feel like they have to win to make me proud. Because they truly don't. In fact, most of the time, I don't know who is winning. It's not until the game is over and I hear it mentioned that I am aware of our scoreboard status. I have never played team sports and I am sure that they has something to do with it. What makes me proud is knowing that in the days before the game, I have seen effort put into practicing, to getting better, to getting ready. I am proud when I see a concentrated effort on the field to know what move to make next and to execute it skillfully. I am proud when the play is missed and the head stays high and thinks about the next move. I am proud when there's a cheer for another team mate. I am proud that even when you aren't at bat, you're watching the batter. I am proud that you are looking and watching. It doesn't matter the score, these things make you a winner.

Last Baby Makes a First for Mommy

First time I took a baby to the ER and left with stitches!

MAX IS 8 AND I'M GETTING OLD

NOT A FAN OF THE FISH

I have to confess that I am not a fan of goldfish for pets. I feel like I am checking to see which one is dead next. Is the water temp okay? Is the tank dirty? Do they like this food? Am I feeding them enough? This is a lot more stressful than a newborn!

Livin' in Trees!

Mason was telling me tonight as I gave him his bath that he is so glad that somebody invented houses because "we have to have someplace to live, we can't be livin' in the trees!".

Something Fishy Going On!

River House

Serious and Silly - My Little Max

to be updated

Home Alone!!

Some how it has magically happened that I am WITHOUT children. Shelby has dashed out on a road trip with her little girl friend to LA to visit the American Girl Store...and after a brief morning of little league baseball for the boys at the league's "opening day", they have all headed east for some boy fun at the desert. And here I am. I'd like to say its too much time but I have long ago accepted the truth that time is always short. How short is it? Shelby just came home before I even finished this post! Gotta go check out that AG loot!

SKINNY PEOPLE DON'T EAT ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

When you're working on dropping the extra pounds you gained during holiday class parties, and you're sweating your butt off on the eliptical and trekking on the treadmill when you can squeeze it in, you might want to reach for say an apple instead of the SKINNY COW ice cream sandwich that is in your freezer. After all, let's face reality... cows aren't skinny!

Baby Girl's Gone Camping

It wasn't that long ago, I was holding her hands, kissing her boo-boo's, changing her diapers, cutting up her food...and now, my not-so-little girl scout is camping this weekend. Although I am the Leader of the Troop, I decided to stay home and let her have this experience on her own. Part of the thrill for the other girls is being away from parents. I wanted her to have that same thrill. Or at least I thought I did... Wonder if I could sneak up and join them!??

FREE TIME - THE ULTIMATE INCENTIVE

In our house, I use the FREEDOM of choice as a motivator for cooperation. The children all work on schedules that involve them having free time in order to do what they choose. If, however, we are not cooperating, then that time is taken away. It is usually replaced with an assigned task. My children really value their free time, so it works very effectively as a motivator.

GETTING OUT THE DOOR

We have a very structured morning and I'm proud to say that we are NEVER late to school! The children each have their own to-do list posted in the kitchen. The older ones are responsible for completing their lists each morning and MUST DO SO before they are permitted to have any "free" time. So, before they can read, or play, they have to be completely ready for school. It works every time! And, the ones who aren't big enough also have a list, I just help them execute it. However, they are gradually becoming more responsible for their list as well.

We also work together the night before to prepare anything that has to go back to school the next day. It is already organized and ready by morning. We also lay out the clothes they will wear the night before.

If they don't cooperate? They are faced with two consequences:

1. They'll have to leave as they are... if they aren't ready, too bad!
2. They'll lose privileges after school!

POTTY TRAINING FOR DUMMIES

I don't want to boast... but I must say that potty training at my house was very smooth. I heard many nightmares and dramas but I dare say that I did not live them. Here's what worked for us.

• Commit to it. You have to be ready to really say goodbye to diapers. When I took off the diaper, I DID NOT PUT IT BACK ON. Not at night.. not on a road trip... not for a trip to the mall. I did not use pull-ups.
• Choose the right time. Is your child interested? Ready to say good-bye to diapers. This realistically happens at about age 2. I waited a couple of months because we had so many trips and travels planned.
• Plan to stay home for the first 2-3 days.
• Set up a "tracking" system for a reward. I made a chart and each time they went pee in the potty, they got a sticker. When they filled up the chart, they got a prize. And there is a special prize for the first poopy... it's worth it cause it is the hardest part for them!
• Day 1 - Set a timer for every 5 minutes for the first hour. When the timer rings, take the child to the potty. Have them sit there to "see if something happens". Eventually, they will at least go pee in the potty. You congratulate them (careful not to go into too big a celebration or you'll have to get balloons out EVERYTIME they go!) As the day goes on, spread the timer out a bit. Perhaps every 7 minutes, then every 9 minutes. The idea is to get the child to experience achieving the goal. If there are accidents, do not panic, clean it up and say oooh, that's when we have to go to the potty! Be prepared .. have extra clothes ready, and tools to clean up. The first night it is important to monitor fluids at bedtime! You need to stop at least one hour before they are put to bed but you should have really tapered off the hour before that as well. Have them go potty before bed. Let them sit there for a good amount of time. Have a monitor so that if you should happen to hear stirring in the night, you can go get the child and take them to the bathroom. You are teaching them to wake if they have a sensation. (FYI.. I have 3 boys and I "started them out" sitting down to do both #1 and #2. Mostly because at this young age, their aim was good, but the slightest distraction and the floor was watered! after a few months, they began to stand like a boy and by then they were much more in control!)
• Day 2 - Set the timer for every 15 minutes. Reminding them constantly... Do you need to go potty? You are giving them a chance to figure it out on their own, before the timer beeps. If they say no, then just keep asking. When the timer beeps, however, you insist that it is time to "try". This teaches them that sometimes, we have to go when we have a chance even if we don't feel it is urgent. REMEMBER BED TIME - monitor fluids and withhold fluids for one hour prior to bed. Keep in mind that going poop in a potty is a scary thing for them. Sooo, they will hold it. Sometimes for a whole day, or two! But by keeping them going to sit down regularly, you are giving their bodies a chance to "assume the position" to get the job done.
• Day 3 - spread the timer out again .. you'll have to judge... perhaps every 20 minutes?
• You keep doing this until you feel they are "getting it".
• The first time you venture out, have extra clothes ready (don't forget socks and shoes because accidents go all the way down the leg!) And be VERY PROACTIVE! Every chance you get, ask if they need to go potty. And stop when there is a restroom nearby. "Sitting on a public potty" was a little strange for them. I carried around a portable seat cover at one time (it's not a gross as it sounds. You cover it up, put it in a separate bag... wipe it off when finished)
• Remember, that even when you think they have it... they will get comfortable and think that they can control it better than they are really able to! and they'll decide that they don't want to stop playing to go to the potty. Just keep reminding them... no accidents when you're a big boy! you have to go as soon as you feel it... don't wait... etc.

I don't know if this will work for everyone. But I do know that once i took away the diapers, I never went back. I have never had any chronic nighttime bedwetters (knock on wood) and it was relatively smooth FOUR TIMES!

I LOVE A RAINY DAY

Valentine Card - Spencer

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Valentine Card - Maxwell

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Valentine Card - Mason

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Valentine Cards - Shelby

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100TH DAY OF SCHOOL

Ever been screwed 100 times? Well neither have I! That's 100 screws in that board! It's a big Kindergarten Celebration... the 100th day of school. Children had to create a project using 100 of something. This was our tim-the-tool-man-taylor version of it!

And, they dressed up as if they were 100 years old!

MY VALENTINE'S DAY

DIAPERS WERE THE EASY PART

I must say that while I am certain that I was not prepared for many things MOTHERHOOD throws at you, I never dreamed that being free from the diapers would lead to the real challenges of mothering. The physical stuff was easy for me. Breastfeeding, lugging all the baby gear, car seats, and more food on your face than in your mouth feedings... That was all the easy stuff. You see, now they are faced with what is really the challenge. Finding out your "friends" can actually be mean to you... realizing that some kids say some really "mean" things.... That you don't always win the game or the trophy.... Now I know why. Now I know why everyone who had children that were older when mine were diapers would say to me... " enjoy this now .. while it lasts"... Enjoy? Poopy diapers all day long..? R u kidding me?

Yep those were the good old days.

Not Me Monday - PHONEY MOM

I am pretty certain that it was NOT me who was in such a rush to get out the door to take her daughter to a Sunday afternoon baton practice that I COMPLETELY freaked out when I could not locate my cell phone. I'm sure that wasn't me because my children NEVER misplace or lose MY things! And I am certain that it was NOT me who insisted that they look frantically for the missing cell phone because it is NOW SUDDENLY important that I be CERTAIN to have the said phone with me. And, it was NOT me who proclaimed that unfortunately we can't call the phone to find it because if it were in fact lost, and this was really happening...then we'd find that the battery was dead and it wouldn't ring anyway.

And, it certainly wasn't me who insisted in a loud and perhaps forceful voice, that they MUST LEAVE MY STUFF ALONE!

It also was NOT me who found her cell phone in her purse as she looked one last time before driving away.

And it was NOT me who later, filled with mother's guilt, did a good cleanin' out of that purse!

Welcome Baseball Season

It has officially started here! As of now, we have three days reserved for baseball each week. I love to see the boys in baseball uniforms! They just look soo cute! Maxwell is playing for the RED SOX and Spencer is playing for the PADRES.

Pictures to follow!

Story Time

There is something so magical when the big kid reads to the little one! I LOVE IT!

Dinner Time

We went to divided trays when the kids were so freaked out about their food touching! I always laugh when I am doing the dinner time assembly line!

To cut the Hair or not?

Would you cut this beautiful hair? I mean really! Look at it! Please don't even try to make me think HE looks like a SHE because it just ain't so! He's all boy and momma loves that hair!

I'm afraid my time is running out. Daddy is gonna force the BOY CARD, and soon Mason will join forces and that'll be it. Once again, my long-haired boy who could be in a band dreams will be cut short.... just like that lucious hair!

I'm already sad!

Mason the 4 Year Old

Happy birthday to my

Sawyer Mason Thompson!

Nothing like a party over at Chuck's House. That's Chuck E Cheese to you!

Cats and a Froggy by a Girl Name Shelby

My resident artist, Shelby, created thess adorable animals! The frog and the orange and white kitty were created on the computer in Paint! The Cat in the Grass was a drawing she did and colored... I actually turned that one into note cards and gave them as a gift!

I love the art children make! I love, love, love it!

Catch of the day

We decided to take the kids to dinner at the restaurant here in the hotel on Thursday night. Yes, we've been feeding them dinner the whole time we've been here...it's just been take-out in our room from some of our favorite places. But this time, we decided to join the grown ups (grandama M and auntie D) in the restaurant. It started off good enough, the kids were coloring and we ordered just fine. BUT then ... the waiting started. You see, when you're 3,5,7 and 9 a few minutes is apparently a really really long time! So Spencer, our brave explorer decides to go looking in the surrounding ponds for koi fish. And then one boy followed another and then another. So then I was chasing boys around the fish pond. And herding them back to the table to "wait some more". When the food came, Spencer yells out "I did NOT want a hot dog!". And then we begin negotiating.... He didn't want to particiate in the ordering process so this is what he got. I took the bun off and he ate it. (All of my children are naturally geared toward the Atkins approach and generally leave the bun off of everything!) So, when I offered up a bite of my delicious grilled MAHI MAHI, I never dreamed that I'd have any takers. I had plenty .... they all wanted some! (well, all of them except for my Vegetarian Shelby). And so, I ending up splitting the fish amongst them all. And it was gooooood, soooooo sooo good. Rather than feeling the pain of having to share it, I decided to celebrate the fact that 1) they were all sitting at the table 2) they were minding their manners and with full mouths, not saying much and 3) they were loving the FISH! I felt like one of those mothers with children that enjoy a broad horizon of food choices... who are travelers and adventurers.

Once the food was gone, we left the "real diners" alone for after dinner conversation so that we could get the children back to the room and on their own vacation agenda. (waiting, is NOT on that agenda!)

Next time, one grown-up will stay in the room and bring over the children once their food arrives! AND yes, they'll get their own fish!

Bad Weather in Paradise?

I never thought it was possible. How can you have bad weather in paradise! Especially on your vacation? Well yesterday, they closed schools and city offices because the winds were to be really bad. They were bad. For a minute. And the skies opened up and poured down some serious rain. For a little while. And then it was hot and sunny. Bad weather must not last long! Little Mason got to enjoy some special accommodations for the rain... they set up a coconut decorating station for the kids... Ain't he cute!? The coconut Mason is cute too!

POSTCARDS FROM MAUI

Worked on writing post cards yeseterday and was so touched when Maxwell, dictating to me what he wanted written on his post card, since he is on vacation feels that he shouldn't have to write!... He told his classmates that he is having so much fun in Maui...playing lots of catch with his dad. Now, seriously, you gotta love that! It came before the kids club and the swimming pool and the slide! And Shelby got to go shopping with Aunt Deborah and Grandma Maxine ... and came home with a new pair of shoes. Mason got to decorate a little coconut guy... Shelby, Maxwell and Spencer are all chillin' at the kids club and will go on a photo safari at a hotel with some very cool "pets"... birds of all kinds, swans and ducks... and frogs and gekkos. life is good on Maui! Aloooooha!

How Long Does it Take to Get to MAUI?

Technically, it should take about 5 hours from LA in the plane (plus the 2 hour drive from SD to LA) However, things don't always go like they should... We departed our house at 4:45 AM, boarded the plane when we were supposed to and then were told a minor maintenance issue would be fixed and we'd be on our way. So, we waited and kept the children busy enough with the back packs filled with stuff to do. The minor fix involved a little something called the AIRCONDITIONING. So, as you might imagine, the plane was almost uncomfortably warm. After the 15 minuts turned into an hour, we were pleasantly surprised with the bursts of air from the little vents. I was a little distracted when something flew into my eye but was thinking I'd blink it out and we'd be on our way soon. WRONG on both counts. I blinked and blinked and that little black spec resting on the outline of my sparkling blue eye (sorry, but it sounds good!) wouldn't budge. And, then we were told that when they fixed one problem, they found another...it would only be another 30 minutes. So while the 30 minutes were ticking, I was looking in my little compact mirror trying to figure out how I'd get this now very irritating little spec out. After a futile attempt in the bathroom at pouring some too-cold bottled water into my appauled eye, I decided it might be time to see if there was a doctor on board. So, the call was put out and the dutiful passengers sworn to help those in need rang their call lights. To the front of the plane came a young and eager nurse and right be behind her came a gentle woman with an accent not from the 50 states, announcing that she was the doctor in the house. The two of them looked at my eye, identified the spec as a spec and offered up some advice after conversing briefly between one another. I should fill the sink with water and splash the water constantly into my eye as I leaned over the sink. The idea is that the constant force would encourage it to move and that by continuing to splash, it would then be forced out of my eye. Knowing that the cold water wouldn't work out (since I have tried it already), I asked if I could get some warm water from the flight attendant and she served it up and I went to splashing. After about 4 or 5 minutes, I had success which was evident by the smile on my face when I came out of the bathroom. The maintenance crew however, did not have success. We would have to get off that plane and move to another which would arrive in about 2 hours. Thankfully, our new plane was not only fit for flying, it was equipped with never seen by my eyes before, seats that could fully recline and allow my tired for more than one reason eyes to get some sleep.

After all that it took us, about 12 - 13 hours to get here.

When we woke up the next day in our beach side hotel, we had already forgotten about the trip from hell. ALOHA MAUI!

Good Bye Christmas - Part 2 - We Decked the Halls

Until next year!

Good Bye Christmas

We like to make gingerbread houses for Santa... we don't use a kit..we use graham crackers, frosting and candy.

The key is to remember to put one out for Santa!

Not Me Monday

I'm new to this but just had to give it a try. I mean, there were a few times you might have thought you found me standing in the pantry eating a little mini banana nut muffin in ONE BITE. ... okay, maybe if it had been me, you might have noticed it more than a few times...say maybe 12 times. That's right, you might have thought it was me that eventually ate the ENTIRE package of banana nut mini muffins. But I'd have to say YOU were bananas or nuts yourself.... 'cause it's Monday and that was NOT ME!

Wait...I'm not done with Christmas yet!

My little monkey Mason, pleaded with me NOT to take the Christmas tree down yet. He is just not done with Christmas! I was thinking that maybe I'm not either... so forgive me for dragging it out just a little longer... A few more pictures and I promise...the tree will be packed up and I'll be movin' on....

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE DESERT!

We chimed in the new year out here in our home away from home... the River House! I'll post some pictures once we get back to the high speed internet to which I am accustomed! It's been a tradition to ring in the new year here and each year, we spend the whole week between Christmas and New Year's playing outside in the cool but not cold desert air.

We're only home for a week and then we pack up and head to Maui. This may not have been the best planning in the world, BUT, it's Maui! Who's gonna complain about that? NOT ME!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!