500th Post

This is post # 5oo. So to celebrate here are a few highlights from times past.

From Dec 2007:

Johnny and Ruth play a lot of games together. Ruth has always been very competitive, and Johnny has usually taken defeat with grace until now. Last week Johnny punched Ruth in the stomach because she told him to have his computer game guy jump, he jumped the guy and the guy died. A few days later Johnny punched Ruth during a game of memory. When we asked him why he explained that it was not fair because Ruth is just too smart. Ruth was getting lots and lots of matches because she is smart and that is just not fair. Okay, well I understand I am sure I have wanted to punch some one for being smart sometime too.

I had no idea how competitive or smart this kid would get.

From Feb 2008:

Why the Bus was Late

Yesterday Johnny and I stood out in the cold for 20 minutes waiting for the kindergarten bus. We knew that we had not missed the bus because our neighbor picks up her morning kindergartener from the same bus Johnny gets on. Eventually we gave up and I drove Johnny to school (because Johnny complained so much about the cold). The bus driver informed Johnny that she was so late because a kid swallowed a penny, so they had to call and wait for an ambulance to come get the kid. Crazy.

 

Glad this wasn't my kid.

From Feb 2008:

Okay, I have two toddlers and they are driving me CRAZY!!!!! Adam is 3 and Rachel is 22 months. They get into everything all of the time. They break everything and they make huge messes. Here are just a few from the last couple of days. Adam got a screw driver opened a can of paint and knocked it over onto my bathroom floor. Luckily we caught it quickly enough and avoided a real expensive disaster. Rachel and Adam got onto the table before dinner, squished a bunch of tater tots and threw them all over the dining room floor. (We made them pick those up and wash the floor). Adam and Rachel dumped out all of the crayons on the living room carpet and began stepping on them and breaking them into the carpet. Rachel took three boxes of cereal out of the pantry closet and dumped them out onto the dining room floor. Adam threw his egg onto the floor. When we told him to pick it up he began stomping on it and grinding it into the floor. Rachel threw a whole plate of sticky rice onto the floor and we had to pick it up grain by sticky grain. That has been only in the past three days.

 

Things have calmed down for the time.

 

From April 2008:

If At First You Do Not Succeed

Kate had to practice her spelling words three times each and this is the result. Take a close look at dollar, window , and hello. Either this was a good joke on Kate's part or she didn't look at the words very closely. But John and I thought this was pretty funny so Kate did not have to redo it. Making your parents laugh is like getting a "get out of jail free" card in the beginning of Monopoly.

 

From June 2008:

 

Adam was putting on his spiderman costume and having a bit of trouble pulling it up over his overall shorts. I asked, "Do you want me to help you get that up over your bum." Adam said, "Yeah, because I have a fat bum like you."

 

From Sept. 2008:

 

Dinner Conversation

Dad: How did you like the episode of Samurai 7?

Johnny: I liked it. It was Kachiro who deflected the ships cannon with just his sword. That is so cool. Isn't it-- because the cannon is so big and the sword is so small. That must have been hard.

Dad: Well that's because it's not true. (Pause) But it is pretend and pretend things are fun. Like super heroes are fun.

Mom: Super heroes are real-- Spiderman is real.

Adam: Yeah, Spiderman is real and Scooby Doo is real too.

Johnny: I think that the Lord of the Rings is real.

Mom: Yeah, and Star Wars too.

Kate: In that case, the thing I want to do most of all is train to become a jedi.

Mom: Well, you will have to do a lot of traveling then.

Ruth: Yeah, you will be more than 40 years old when you get started, because those planets are 40 light years away. You will have to travel faster than the speed of light.

Kate: That is okay when it is the thing you want to do the most.

Dad: Well, Kate I will only give you permission to become a jedi if you promise me one thing.

Kate: What is it?

Dad: Promise me that you will never become a sith lord and not turn to the Dark side and take over the universe.

Kate: It's a deal. 

From Nov. 2008

Find Pleasure In Everything

In the background: Rachel screaming.
Me: What's wrong, Rachel?
Rachel: Adam taked.
Me: Adam don't take things away from people. It is not nice.
Adam: Yes it is.
In the background: Rachel screaming again.
Me: Adam and Rachel stop fighting.
Adam: I enjoy fighting.
Me: Sigh. I said stop fighting.
Adam: I said I enjoy fighting!
Me:You enjoy fighting????
Adam: That is what I said. I enjoy fighting. 

 

 

From March 2009:

 

Adam's Power

At dinner we were having a family discussion about super powers or just having powers in general. The conversation came up because Kate really wants to watch an anime series that John and I have been watching without the kids. At one point Adam said, "I used to not know that I have a power." John asked Adam a little more about his power and Adam explained, "I have falling down powers whenever I wear heely's." (Heelys are sneakers with wheels at the heels.)  

 

From Apr. 2009:

 

Coversation Between Ruth and Rachel

Ruth: Get out of my room, Rachel. You can't go in there.
Rachel: I want to be good. I am just going to make a mess.  

 

From Sept 2009:

 

Ruth brought home a science quiz that she had gotten one problem wrong on. Her answer was just hilarious. The question was: Why is the Sky Blue? Ruth answered: Because blue is a more showy color than red. 

 

 

FableHaven and 2012

Fablehaven Series by Brandon Mull:

                             We read these to our kids over the last 6 months. The first book was very slow at the start. One of the main characters was quite annoying. But it ended well, even kind of exciting, so we decided to continue with the second book to see what we thought. The second book was great. The series seemed to be picking up a lot with a real plot and with definite good versus evil. There were quite a few great fantasy type fights. So we continued with the series. Book 3 and Book 4 were both amazing. We were a little worried about book 5 because so many authors ruin their great series with a terrible or senseless ending. Book 5 was amazing and probably the best written of the 5. Brandon Mull did an amazing job!!! We (John, Ruth, Kate, Johnny, and I) felt like this series was the best fantasy anything that we have read since the Lord of he Rings. Some of the things that I really appreciated about the books were that the good characters were really good people. So often now days immoral and angry heroes fight against evil and their own friends. Not so in Fablehaven. The family loves and cares about each other. They never fight and they know that they can trust their own family members. It was so refreshing to read some kids books that did not include broken messed up families. The plot was original and the fairy world was fun and imaginative. The ending was very well done with all questions answered, and, there was just enough romance to make my girls giddy, but not sick. We loved Fablehaven!!!!

2012:
                            I really only have complaints about this movie. I was looking forward to a good end of the world destruction flick but this was not it. I think that I am probably too critical. The older I get the more hollywood and disney bother me with their social things. I really did just try to enjoy the movie, but after 24 hours I am still thinking of things that annoyed me. 1. I did not like that anyone religious or who even thought to pray were considered just stupid and died. 2.I didn't like the fact that science is what saves the world. What I am saying is that the movie was very anti-religious. In fact, there were scenes of people praying and then being killed by their religious paintings/ statues etc. 3. I did not like that people said that saving 400,000 people would be a miracle when the ships that the people were being saved on were just big boats. The government kept it a secret so there would not be anarchy. But if it was real and a boat and a food supply was all people needed to be saved, virtually the whole population could prepare for that easily. Anyway, I am letting Ruth and Kate watch it and I think they are enjoying it. So I guess it is okay if you don't notice that they bash religion and make science the savior and if you don't notice the ridiculous plot hole.

Things Rachel Says

Rachel has said a few really funny things recently. When she was asked to bless the food for lunch she started, "...bless the food. Oh, it is not food. It is sandwhiches. Thank thee for the sandwiches. Bless the sandwiches that are peanut butter with honey and not jelly."

Rachel had been talking about her poop to John while she was going to the bathroom "This one is stuck because it is wiggling," she said. John told me and Rachel heard him and complained  stating, "What is embarrassing Dad said is cute!"

Lagoon With Ruth

Ruth got a coupon from school to go to Lagoon at half price for one day only, yesterday. Ruth asked if we could go, but we did not have the extra money so the answer was no unless she wanted to pay for it herself. It took a while for Ruth to decide if that was worth her own money. Finally, at about 8:30 yesterday morning, Ruth wanted me to take her to Lagoon and she would pay. So I went to Lagoon with Ruth and rode all of the scariest rides. (I used to really like that sort of thing-- now I do it to spend time with my kids.) But this was truly a once in a lifetime outing for Ruth and I. John took the 6 younger kids for the day and I went alone with Ruth to an amusement park for 7 hours. (Timing was good because I am not pregnant and the current baby eats solid foods) We had a lot of fun. I enjoyed having the company of just Ruth. She is quieter without Kate. We had fun trying out the roller coasters. We liked the "Wicked" the best. It was really fast with a lot of extreme twist turns and hills. Funny enough, I think Ruth and I were more frightened stopped over the park on the ski lift, then we were hanging upside down in a roller coaster. But what a treasure to have that much time with my little girl!!!

Now, on the other hand, the environment at Lagoon was not good. We seemed to be surrounded and inundated with vulgarity, immodesty, and inappropriate displays of affection. Ruth and I stood in several lines beside groups of teenage/young adult boys who were swearing and talking loudly about bad movies and music and drugs and sexual activity. At one point a father with some young daughters asked some boys standing in front of us to change their topic of conversation. I was grateful for this. I think I need to be bolder in these situations. A lot of women and young girls were wearing very little clothing. There were also groups of decent looking teenage girls using a lot of vulgar language, including the f-word. Another thing that shocked me was the number of kids, Ruth's age and a year or two older at the park without any adults around or even there.Then there were the couples real young like Ruth's age and up into the mid twenties, who were well I'll just say disgusting in their display of affection. We have been to amusement parks in a few different places and they have all had all of these same elements, but just not so pervasively . I am not sure if I should go back with my kids???????Maybe, it was just a bad day there. John and I will have to think about this some more.

Odds and Ends

A whole mess of unrelated things that I want to write:

1. We asked Johnny to get Ruth and Kate for family prayer this morning. When he came down alone, I asked him where Ruth and Kate were. He said they were "doning." (Our interpretation: a cute way to say finishing.)
2. John and I took just Rachel out to Applebees for a date. When she ordered she very cutely said, "I want a corndog with ketchup and french fries." She also spent a great deal of time jumping up and down in the booth.
3. We had a to buy Rachel a new pillow during the recent stomach flu episode because her pillow did not make it through the dryer. Anya, loves that pillow. She took it over immediately and guards it closely. Fortunately, Rachel likes the old pillow better. John learned that it is not going to be a sweet time putting Rachel and Anya to bed if he starts by laying Anya down on the wrong pillow.
4. Joesph finally had a well baby check. He has now gotten his second set of vaccinations. The doctor seemed rather confused at how to proceed from here because he has missed so much. I think we just need to make nurse appointments instead of well baby checks. But I finally know how much he weighs etc. Jospeh is 16 lbs 14 ozs (5th%) and 27 1/2 inches tall (30%). Last check at 2 months he was 15 pounds  (90%). So he is following along with his siblings after all.  Just a little taller. Adam has always been a little bigger at 25% for both height and weight. Johnny's been in the 10% for heighth. So Joseph is my tallest little guy.
5. Ruth, Kate, and Johnny started their new school this week. Johnny came home the first day and said, "I am the smartest in the class. I know more than everyone else." John thinks he needs to be bumped up a grade to help his pride issue. I some how doubt that will help too much. Johnny has also been running everyday because his need to be number one is pushing past academics and video games and now including sports. Johnny has to be the fastest kid too. (Although he hasn't had any trouble with asthma since he began racing.) I have to say that I admire his determination. This need to compete and be #1 is definitely a Robertson trait. In my family, we just accepted being a loser as a family trait and all energy to compete ended there.
6. Ruth says that the kids in the 6th grade swear a lot here. I am sorry about that. I know it bothers her. She probably tells the teacher every time she hears swearing. She also is signing up for Jr. High next week. Poor kid. I think Jr. High was the absolute worst. I hope she can make a couple of good friends to make it through. What a hard time to have to move-- poor girl.
7. Kate has finally begun to read on her own. She has read 2 books in the past five days. That is hard to believe of my stubborn non-reader. She also seems to be caring if she is competitive academically. Gone are the days of painfully making her read and do her homework. (How nice for me :)).
8. I found out that one of my old roommates from Ricks College lives about a half hour from here. We are going to have her family over for dinner. It will be really fun to see her again.
9. I finally got my Utah drivers license yesterday. Now all of my Kansas ties are gone except for those few good friends that I don't want to lose touch with. I guess I am officially a Utah resident in every way. That feels weird. I still feel like I don't belong here. There are a lo of things that are just foreign to me. 
10. Last thing: If I tell Rachel she is pretty, she corrects me and says that she is just cute. When I asked her if she was going to be cute when she grew up, she said no, "I am going to be beautiful." Funny girl!!!!!

New Additions

They are cute, fluffy, cuddly, soft, darling, and I really hope they make it through all of the love that is being showered out upon them. One is named Carrots Kate Super Bunny, and the other is named Black Eyed Susan Super Bunny.

Good News

Last month I posted this:

http://thoserobertsons.blogspot.com/2010/03/frightening-sexual-education-laws-in.html

about new sex education laws in the UK that would really limit parental rights. Well, that part of the bill has been removed. Here is an excerpt from the United Families International blog:

British Parliament removes mandatory sex education reform

In Parental Rights, Religious Freedom, Sex Education on April 20, 2010 at 1:32 pm In an effort to pass new education legislation, the British Parliament has removed a reform that would have denied both parents and religious schools of their rights. This comes as welcomed news after the House of Commons passed the bill with this dangerous reform last month.

Rachel: 4 Going on 13

Rachel has always been a little more emotional and a lot more like a teenager than any of my other girls. Rachel tears up a lot easier, but most of all she is concerned about things that most girls don't even think about until they are at least 13. Rachel cares a lot about clothes. As soon as she could walk, Rachel LOVED picking out her own clothes in the store and trying them on. Rachel was a happier more relaxed baby in a clothing store. At 15 months, Rachel would throw a temper tantrum if I put the "wrong" outfit on her. (At first that was really cute. But by the third time it got her stuck in time out with what ever outfit I had picked out for her on.) As her hair grew in, Rachel became concerned about her hair. If I did her hair in a way that she did not like, Rachel would scream until she was either put in time out, or I changed it. Now, that Rachel is 4, she has been verbalizing some of these feelings rather than just screaming. I have been rather surprised at some of the things my little 4 year old thinks.. About a dress that Rachel likes to wear she said, "I look awesome in this dress. That is why it is a good dress." When I told her that she had pretty eyes, Rachel looked at herself in the mirror and said, "No. I think I have ugly eyes. I do not like the color." Rachel likes her hair best in two pony tails. When I asked her if I could put two cute braids in her hair, Rachel thoughtfully replied, "No, I hate braids, because they make me look ugly." I do not think Ruth or Kate ever thought the word ugly when they were this young, especially in reference to themselves. At 4, Ruth and Kate were the most beautiful princesses in the world. As is the case now, Ruth dressed for comfort (or not at all. Okay, so she does stay dressed now.), and Kate was very particular about her clothes and how they fit, and the color, and how it matched etc, as she still is. But if Kate did not like an outfit or a hairdo the fault was with the style or color, not with how she looked. Ruth and Kate both thought they were absolutely gorgeous. I would have to confess that I worry about Rachel's negative emphasis on her looks at such a young age. I expect this from girls older than 10. I  wonder what this will translate into as Rachel gets older?

Johnny on Spring in Utah

Okay, so this happened about 2 weeks ago, but we have been so busy, I didn't get it posted. On Easter Sunday, I looked out of the kitchen window with Johnny at the 4 to 6 inches of snow on the ground and said, "Snow and it's April. So much for spring." Johnny replied, "I hate frickin (A Utah word that shocks me every time I hear it.) Utah. There is no spring here!" I laughed instead of scolding him for saying that word. Wichita is definitely warmer, and spring does come earlier. But we are set. Utah is our home, so we will just have to get used to the weather.

Ruth's Music Program

Ruth has been working with a group of 5th and 6th graders since January on this little musical program where the kids sang and danced to famous musical songs. I had to drive Ruth back and forth to her Lehi, Ut school for her to finish all this past week. But I am so glad that I did. Ruth had a small solo in one of the songs and she was so excited about it. The kids did a great job.  Ruth sang her part very well, and it was a lot of fun to watch.

Our Lovely New Home

House history as far as we know:

                                                   The house was built in 2006 and lived in for about a year and a half. It was for sale for some time until it was foreclosed on and went to auction sometime last fall. It was bought by an investor who painted and put in new appliances. We bought it from the investor. So the house has not been lived in very long and is in like-new condition. It is in a neighborhood with all new houses, and it sits directly in front of city bike paths and the Legacy highway. (That is the only reason we were able to afford a 5 bedroom home in this area.)

This is the living room and family room fireplace directly off the kitchen

here is the kitchen and dining and more family room

Master bedroom is small and that is good for us because we need space for our kids.

We love the arch to the master bathroom and the separate tub and shower.

This is the family room at the top of the stairs. It is probably everyone's favorite room.

Next are the 4 other bedrooms!!! That is great for us.

Here is the backyard. You can see a biker on the bike path directly behind the house.

The kitchen, family room and living room are all open together on the main floor. There is also a half bathroom/laundry room/ mudroom connecting the garage to the kitchen. The upstairs has all five bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms and that one great little family room. We really couldn't have designed something better. In 2 to 3 years we are going to take out the carpeting in the downstairs and put in a good quality wood laminate. Then we will make the family room a  formal dining room and move the computer into the kitchen. That way we will be able to have a huge table with lots of comfortable space for everyone. But we do think that the house is just perfect. We are loving all of the open space, the patio in the backyard, the bedrooms all together, and all of the great upgrades to the kitchen. Heavenly father has truly blessed us with a sufficiently big and beautiful home to raise our children in.

Moved In

We are moved into our new house. We don't quite have the internet up and running well so this will be brief. I love, love, love the new house. It is beautiful and suits our family exactly. Moving was hard and we had very, very sick kids to boot. If John wasn't a good quick thinking father, Anya would either be dead or hospitalized. She definitely had an electrolyte issue beyond dehydration. But it is over and everyone is better. We finally had Easter this morning before church. The kids were adorable. It is so fun to watch the older ones get excited about collecting eggs while the little ones skip around dripping chocolate from their mouths.

I will post pictures soon. Life is good. We are all happy and comfortable in our new house. The unpacking is nearing an end. I don't think I realized what a blessing it was to be a home owner a year ago. But after having 2 job changes and 3 moves in less than a year it feels great to be permenant. Also, I love that I don't have to get mad at my kids for drawing on the walls or dropping things on the floor because the house is ours. We only have to answer to ourselves if our kids break something. Yes, I am very happy!!

Poor Rachel

Today is Rachel's birthday, and it is just not a good day for a birthday. First, Rachel has been very sick all week. She has had a lot of vomiting and diahrea and a high fever. She has been so sick she hasn't even sat up long enough to draw. She has also become lactose intolerant from the damage this flu has done to her stomach. So my poor little Rachel cannot have some of her favorite things like ice cream and hot cocoa. Rachel has lost so much weight, you can see every bone in her little body. She has spent the entire week laying down. While I think she is finally starting to feel better, it is not a good time for a birthday.

Second, it is General Conference weekend for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Today there are 2 two hour sessions we will watch and one two hour session for the Priesthood holders, of which John is one of them, so he will go out and watch that tonight. That leaves very little time for a birthday party.

Third, we are moving and most of our things are packed. It is very uncomfortable here right now with all of these boxes everywhere. So poor, poor Rachel. We will have a party for Rachel and for Adam in about 2 weeks at our new house with all of their cousins, because Adam was sick on his birthday and John was not employed. So we planned to have a make-up birthday party and we will even buy more presents to make it official.

It's Done

We closed on the house today. The closing costs were $2,000 less than we thought they would be. Everything is settled and I am so gad. It is time to get packing-- we move on Tuesday.