Homework helper

I sure love my kids! Punkin wanted to help me at the computer today. I told her I was doing homework and I didn't think she could help. She insisted she could, and would be a very good helper. "Punkin, thank you, but I have to write an essay and I just don't know how you can help me with that." "But mom, there is the 's' and there is the 'a'", she said pointing to my keyboard. "I can push the 's' for you!"

"A" my name is.....

We were in the car driving home from running some errands. The four girls were with us, and Boo asked Peach to play a game with her. They started the alphabet game. Peach started with "A" my name is Allie, and I like apples and alligators. Boo said "B" my name is... and before she could finish Little Cat broke in, "No! Your name is 'Peach'!" Peach tried to hush her, "I know, honey, thanks." Boo had finished and Peach was up next, "C" my name is Cora and I like... "NO! Your are not Cora! Your name is Peach!" I'm just laughing in the front seat. Peach tried again... "We are just playing a game sweetie" This continued through the alphabet until about N. I hear, very loudly, "Your name is PEACH!" Peach finally said, Okay... my name is Peach... to which Little Cat replied, "I just trying to help you, Peach." It was so commical.

Moral of the story.... don't play alphabet games with a two year old who knows she's right.

Martin Luther King Day

January 19th was Martin Luther King Day. I remember when my goober son was in kindergarten, he came home from school and said "We don't have school on Monday!" I asked him if he knew why he didn't have school on Monday, grasping at a teaching moment. He said simply, "Yeah... some black guy died and they closed down the school." I had nothing to say to that, I just shook my head. (We did talk about it later...) Well, fast forward 16 years, and now his little sister Boo is in kindergarten. The Friday before MLK day, she too announced, "Guess why we don't have school on Monday." I said, "why don't you just tell me." She said "Okay, the king died so we don't have to go to school." I asked her, "the King?" She said she didn't know what he was a king of, but he was a king over something... she just didn't know where his kingdom was. Like brother like sister?? Well, I have two left to go to school, so we'll see if the understanding gets any better.

Learning Time

Boo has been practicing telling time with a standard clock face. She can easily read the numbers of the digital clock, but she is getting really good at telling time the "old fashioned" way. Today she came in to me and said, "Mom, it is so WAY past our bedtime! It's 11:30." Totally confused I glanced at the clock and smiled, "No, Boo... it is 5 minutes to 5. But if your tired......"

What will they say next?

Little Cat loves to pretend she's a cat (hence the nickname). She'll crawl around on her hands and knees meowing, and 'paw' at you until you reach down and pet her or scratch behind her ears and say things like "oh... good kitty." Punkin gets in the action and we end up with two kitties running around our apartment (even though we aren't allowed to have pets). Occasionally, they are dogs, but usually only after watching 101 Dalmations or something. Luckily, Little Cat will announce "I'm Pongo" so I know she's a dog not a cat. The other day the two were at it as usual, and I guess Boo had had enough. She said "I don't want to play cats and dogs today, can't we just pretend I'm allergic to pets?" I had to laugh. Sometimes you just don't know what they are going to say next.....

Merry Christmas

I have been so busy with finals and getting the family ready for our holiday vacation that I haven't blogged in forever. We are leaving (today actually) for a week at Wolf Creek in the mountains. We rented a condo for this week. We'll set up the Christmas tree and play in the snow and watch the deer and just relax for a week. (Well, that's the goal...)

I do want to wish family, friends and everyone a very Merry Christmas. My family and friends are so important to me. I don't usually send Christmas cards, but I'm going to start. I want to stay in touch with people more than I do now. I've lost touch with so many good friends that I wish I was still close too.

Have a happy holiday!

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

My husband teases me about my "Rudolph Rant." In fact, whenever I get ranting about anything else, he will 'cough' into his hand 'rudolph' to let me know I'm on one. My older two children know my feelings about Rudolph but I've kept it from my younger children, not wanting to spoil the innocence of Christmas.

The Rant: If Rudolph was made as people instead of animals, it would never be shown. This is a story about a child born to proud expectant parents. When they discover that their precious baby has a deformity, they are ashamed of him. They try to hide his deformity and are ashamed of what he has or who he is. When the truth comes out, none of his friends are allowed to play with him anymore. Even the revered ruler of the community is ashamed of him and bans him from participating with others. It doesn't matter what his abilities are, he is ostracized by the community. In shame, he runs away. After running away, he realizes his own worth, and maintains his good heart. He returns home, and finds that his parents have gone looking for him. He has to rescue them. Then, the community begrudgingly accepts him until they realize they can use his deformity for their own benefit. Suddenly he is a hero. Putting aside his own feelings, Rudolph saves the day because it is for the good of children everywhere. I think it is selfish and mean and an awful show.

The other day, Punkin and Little Cat had watched Frosty the Snowman about 10 times. Over and over and over and over again, I had to endure the music of Frosty the Snowman coming from the playroom. Finally, I suggested, let's watch something else. I put in Rudolph (it came in a set of Christmas movies... I wouldn't have bought it on its own). I went back into the living room to fold laundry. After 10 minutes or so, Punkin comes running out just sobbing. It was such a broken hearted cry, I was sure that Little Cat had taken her beloved Rufus or something. "Honey! What is it? What's the matter?" I pulled her onto my lap and tried to comfort her. After her sobbing had subsided somewhat she said. "I don't like that movie. They were so mean to Rudolph and he runned away. That was so mean. They were rude to him and Santa was mean. I don't like that mean Santa. Rudolph was all alone and runned away!" She started crying all over again. I sat in thought for a moment. I was going to have to defend Rudolph. I tried to tell Punkin that Rudolph was okay, and he comes home and everyone says sorry, and he gets to lead the sleigh, but she didn't buy it. She told me should would never watch that movie again. After sitting quietly on my lap for a few minutes as I ran my fingers through her hair, she looked up at me and said "Can we watch Frosty again?"

When I told my husband about it later, he actually laughed. He said "Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!"

The Icky Sickies

Both Punkin and Little Cat have colds. Punkin's is worse. She sounds so croupy at night. Her nose is so stuffy she can't breathe, and she wakes up crying. She was sitting with her dad and me at about 1 in the morning, and she told dad "My nose is so full of boogers I can't breave". It was funny and sad at the same time! Poor little Punkin. I hate it when my kids are sick. They both have fevers today, but at least they are not really really high, and come down with ibuprofen. I guess it is just that time of the year. I hope Boo doesn't get it, but I think that is just wishful thinking.

Halloween Festival

Boo's school had a Halloween Festival. Boo and Punkin dressed up as scarecrows, and Little Cat was, well, a little cat. They had a ball. The school did a good job. There was a spook alley, crafts, cotton candy, games and lots of fun things all around.

Winter is on the way... or is it?

Boo had to get out her new winter coat (compliments of Grandma!) to wear to school today. She has been wearing a hoodie or light jacket. It was 27 this morning (and felt like 19) when she had to leave for school. It is so weird because just three days ago we turned the AC back on because it was in the seventies and too warm inside. Next week it will be in the 70s again. What yoyo weather we are having. A couple of Saturdays ago, it actually snowed a little bit. The mountains are nicely topped with white tips, but that is as far as it goes. I don't want snow in the valley for a little while yet. I like the mild weather of fall, and it seems like it just got here. I'm not ready for the freezing temperatures. One more month of mild would be nice. It can get freezing by the end of November. Is that too much to ask? By then I'll be ready for the snow.

Oh.... and here's an unrelated shocker... gas was below 3.00 per gallon yesterday. I saw it for 2.97. Six months ago it was 4.+. Yeah!!

Fall Leaves!!

I love the fall leaves!! I'm glad my little girls do to. Their big sister Peach took them out this weekend and they made big piles of the fallen leaves. Actually, most of the trees in the area haven't even turned yet. I love the time of year when everything is in color. The mountains are all in fall colors, and it is beautiful to go look at. Here in the valley, they are just beginning. It actually snowed this weekend, so the cold snap should bring the color out. When I was a child and lived in New England, we have marvelous falls. We had a lot of trees in our yard and I remember raking and raking leaves. We would have piles so big, and it was the best fun to run and jump into them. We stuffed scarecrows, and had bags and bags of leaves for the trash. I loved the maple leaves. They were the most colorful of all. Those memories of playing in the fall leaves are some of my best. It is a wonderful time of the year. I love the pumpkins out and the crispness in the air. There was a place in Massachusetts that we went to called Atkins. The place was big like a barn. To a child it was huge. It smelled like apples and pumpkin pie and maple syrup. There was a huge vat and they would actually make their own maple syrup from the maple trees in the area. I thought it was incredible and wonderful. I loved going there. It was one of my favorite places to go. We usually would get a small piece of maple sugar candy as we left, usually in the shape of a leaf. That was our treat. I remember the smells vividly even though I haven't been there in 30 years. We may not have an Atkins market, but we do have corn mazes, apple groves, pumpkins and plenty of fall leaves. I'm glad of that. When we lived in Texas, the leaves didn't really change color. Fall was missing. I hated that. Fall is my favorite time of the year. I'm glad it is finally here, and I'm doubly glad my girls can enjoy it like I always did. Bring on the leaves!

I'll skip 4

Punkin has been having an adjustment to her big sister Boo going to kindergarten. She misses her during the day and tells her so when Boo gets off the bus in the afternoon. Punkin even walks around with her backpack and talks about when she is going to get to go to school too. I told her she has to be five before she can go to school. She asked if that was her next birthday. I said, next summer, you'll turn four. Then you have to wait another whole year before you turn five. She thought for a moment and in all seriousness said, "I'll just skip four, okay mommy?"

Thursday Thirteen 10/2

Cat Lady's Thursday Thirteen

I decided to do thirteen things I'd rather be doing than going to school today. I have a midterm in Economic History, and I'm seriously struggling with studying for it. There are at least 100 things I'd rather be doing.


1. Sleeping. Does anyone get enough sleep?

2. Shopping. I need a new black dress. I could spend all day looking for one

3. Reading. I have three new books that are calling me and they are all more interesting than Economic Historty from 1600 - present.

4. Playing outside with my kids. I love this weather!!! I could play outside all day

5. Re-arrange my living room. I'm not really into rearranging, but it is getting old. I need to move the couch and the chairs and, well, just re-arrange everything

6. Go for a drive. The leaves are changing in the mountains and it is so beautiful.

7. Have lunch with my honey. He's at work, but I could go have lunch with him!!

8. Clean my room. Trust me... this is far better than Economic History

9. Go to the zoo with my daughter's kindergarten class. This should be number 1. If I had the day off, I would SO go with them to the zoo. How fun would that be!!

10. Scrapbook. I love it, and never have the time to do it anymore.

11. Make Boo some pj pants. I bought the cutest High School Musical fabric to make her some pj pants, I just have to find the time.

12. Practice the music for choir. We sing in a week and a half and I really need to practice.

13. Play on the internet... which is sort of what I'm doing. LOL I really need to get off my butt and get to class.

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I need a real fairy godmother

Punkin has a stuffed dog that she loves more than life, I think. She takes it everywhere, and can't sleep without it. Her "rufus" is her favorite thing ever. She even takes it into the bathroom with her. I hate to think of what would happen if we ever lost it. Actually... one day we did sort of lose it. We couldn't find it and she called me at work crying because Rufus ran away. She was so distraught. I tried to console him over the phone, but she could not be comforted. When I got home we looked and looked. Finally, Rufus was found in the drawer with the craft stuff. Apparently, she put him in there when she took some coloring books out. She was so delighted to see him again. Several weeks later she told me (in all seriousness) "Mom, I need a real fairy godmother." I replied that I did too. She said "No, mom. I really need a real fairy godmother. I need Rufus to be made into a real dog because he just loves me SO much." It was so sweet. I really hope Rufus stays around for a long time because I don't think Punkin is going to be ready to part with him anytime soon. And... if anyone has ever read the Velveteen Rabbit... I think Rufus will definitely be a real dog one day.

Kindergarten

Boo started kindergarten on the 5th. To say she loves it is an understatment. Every day she comes home so excited. She gets homework once a week, and she is disappointed that there isn't more to do. I love that she is so excited. She is starting to read words on billboards, at the grocery store, and in magazines around the house. It is so wonderful to watch her excitement over learning. Her teacher is really good with the kids. I think it would take a lot of patience to teach kindergarten. I hope the love of learning lasts a good long time... hopefully forever. I'm in school myself, and I still love it. I love learning new things. There are so many interesting subjects in the world. I hope all my kids can enjoy school as much as they do in kindergarten!

Stranger Danger

There was an Amber alert in our city today for a missing 7 year old girl. She was a cute little girl with long dark hair and big dark eyes. I ached for the little girl and I ached for the family. I thought of my own daughters and how I would feel if anything ever happened to one of them. It would be unbearable.

When I got home from school, I asked Boo what she would do if a man came up to her when she was playing outside and asked if she would help him find his lost puppy. He may even have a picture of his cute little puppy and he may even be crying because he was so sad he lost his puppy, I told her. What would you do? Her answer is every mother's fear. "I would help him find his puppy because it would be really sad, and I wouldn't want him to be sad or his puppy to be lost." She has seen the video "Too Smart for Strangers". I know we've talked about not talking to strangers, and running away if someone tries to get you to come with them, but somehow the big message was missed. So... we talked again. Next week I'm going to have the same conversation. And the week after that. And I'm going to talk with Punkin, and as soon as I think she knows what I'm saying, I'll talk with Little Cat, too. I'm going to keep talking. I'm going to make sure they know.

At the same time, I want them to be compassionate, caring daughters with empathy and concern for others. It is hard for a five year old to draw a line between helping someone who really needs it and not helping someone because they are only asking so that they can hurt you. I have tried to explain that helping her friends when they are outside is okay... or helping someone when mom or dad says its okay... is okay. I hope she understands.

I never want to know the heartache and dispair of knowing that your child is gone. I hope they find this missing little girl. I hope she is okay and I hope her father will get to hold her again soon.

T13 5/17

Thirteen Things that matter the most. I've been feeling rather blue lately. I know it has to do with the fact that my husband has been out of work for so long. We ran out of savings a long time ago, and we are having some trouble. I've been trying to stay positive, but there are days where I feel like crying (and often do). I know that I have a lot of blessings, and a lot to be thankful for. I am rich in ways other than money. When I'm feeling lowest, I think of the things that matter most to me, and I always know that I have what truly matters. 1.... My family My husband is a gift beyond belief. He is honest, loyal, and honorable. He loves me totally and completely, and is always looking out for me. I love him more than I ever felt possible. I've never been happier than I am with him. My children are my joy. I have been blessed with five wonderful children. They each have their strengths and differences, yet they each bring with them an incredible spirit, and they fill my sould with joy. This makes me rich beyond measure. 2.... My church I know who I am, why I am on this earth, and where I am going when this earth life is through. I am truly blessed to know that God, my Heavenly Father, loves and knows me personally, as does his son Jesus Christ. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ I have the means to be forgiven for my mistakes and to one day return to live with my Heavenly Father and my family for eternity. This makes me rich beyond measure. 3.... My home I have a modest three bedroom apartment that I wouldn't have chosen by itself, but I am really glad that I have it. I overlook a courtyard with a playground, and every day all the moms sit in lawn chairs under the shade of the trees there and watch our children playing together. We talk and laugh and share problems with each other. We talk about everything from current events to what's for dinner. How rich and fulfilling that is. 4.... My friends A person is truly rich who has friends. I know that when in need, I have certain people I can call on. I have true friends who love me in spite of our differences, and they know that the feeling is mutual. I would do just about anything for my friends. I am a loyal friend for life. I have friends I've known for 27 years now. We don't need to talk every day to know our friendship is secure. True frienships are worth their weight in gold. 5.... We don't go hungry I may not be able to serve lobster for dinner, but my kids wouldn't eat that anyway. We have food to eat and I'm thankful for it. My cupboards are full and my freezer is too. I don't have to worry about whether there is enough food for dinner. Many families do. Many families don't have enough to feed everyone. Some children go to bed hungry at night and wake up hungry in the morning. I can go right now to the fridge and have a snack if I want. I can sit here and plan tomorrows dinner, and have multiple options. I don't have that worry on my mind. To me, this is something to be truly thankful for. 6.... We are warm, safe and dry I go to bed each night in a soft bed with my pillow and blankets, after tucking my children in to their beds. We are dressed in pjs. The air conditioner/heater is on, (depending on the season) the house is cool when it is hot outside, and warm when it is cold outside. I don't worry about the rain coming down and dripping inside my home. I don't worry about predators coming in and harming us. I sleep peacefully knowing all is well. Tomorrow there are many options for what to wear. I don't have to wash our only outfit at night to wear again the next day. We don't have to sleep on the floor. We have clean running water for hot showers and cold drinks. What a blessing that is! 7.... My country I live in a country where I feel safe. I don't worry about what I am writing and if it is being read by the government. (If it is, it is just one more hit on my blog, yeah!) I can say what I want and it is okay. If I want to move to another state, I can. I can go to work as I please, and do as I please. I don't hear gunfire from my home. I don't see men in army uniforms patroling our streets with machine guns. I don't see homes and business destroyed by artillary. To me, this is worth a lot. What a blessing. 8.... My health I may not be 100% healthy, I take medicine for my blood pressure, but I enjoy good health. My family is healthy, too. We all can walk down the stairs on two feet, take a deep breath of the fresh mountain air, run, jump, bend over to smell the flowers, see the sunset, hear the birds singing in the trees and enjoy life. How thankful I am that we are not battling cancer, or some other dreadful illness. How thankful I am that we are not weekly, or daily patients at the doctor's office. Common colds and allergies aside, we are a healthy lot. I am so thankful for this blessing. 9.... Sunshine I love the sunshine. I love to watch it coming up in the morning and setting at night. It is so beautiful. I love to play outside with my kids and feel it upon my face. I don't like being incredibly hot, but where I live it is usually mild. It gets hot in late July and then is fine again by late August. Even in the winter, when the snow covers everything, I'm thankful for the sunshine. There are days when the sky is overcast and the rain is coming down, and I sit in my home and watch it rain. I love the smell of the earth after a good rainfall. Then when the sun comes out, I smile. It is like welcoming home an old friend. A simple pleasure I think, but one I am thankful for. 10.. Animals I love animals; I am the Cat Lady afterall. There is something to be said for the stress relief of petting an animal. I love to go into the mountains and look at the wildlife. I have seen deer, elk, wolves, fox, moose, and a variety of small critters. It is wonderful. How empty life would be without them. I look forward in the morning to hearing the birds sing. Animals add beauty and richness to my life. 11.. My talents I may not be able to do everything I want, but I do have my talents. I enjoy reading a good book; I know some who have difficulty learning to read. I can draw, I'm not a renowned artist , but I enjoy it. I love music, and with practice, I could play the piano better. I like to sew, I'm good with kids, I am fairly creative, I can write stories, I can cook; all these are talents. My talents enrich my life, and I'm thankful for them. 12.. Opportunities to serve others The chance to serve others makes a person feel very rich indeed. It may be something as small as bringing dinner to a neighbor who just had a baby, or baking cookies for a family that just moved in next door, but serving others makes me feel good inside. When we are out driving, my husband will often stop to help someone who has broken down on the side of the road. I remember being broken down in Missouri (nothing against people who live in Missouri, lol). I was obviously pregnant, and it was late November. We needed a jump and didn't have cables. Everyone who stopped wanted $10 to give us a jump. We didn't have $10. With disbelief I watched people drive away, leaving us. We ended up spending the night in a broken down van under an overpass in freezing weather. I don't want to live like that. I will gladly help anyone who needs help. I know that no matter what my circumstances, there are people worse off than myself. Sometimes just a smile will brighten someone's day. If you look everyday for some way to give service to others, you will find it, and your life will be all the more richer for it. 13.. My life I am supremely thankful for my life. Through all the troubles and trials I've had, and there have been many, they have shaped me into the person I am today. I am thankful for each new day that I have. Every day brings new opportunities, new surprises, new reasons to smile. At the end of each day, as I kneel in prayer beside my bed, I am thankul for the day, whatever the day brought. Each day is a chance to be with my family and friends. Each day is a chance to tell someone I love them. My life is good. I am rich! When I'm having blue days, it helps to remember it. I may not have money at the moment, but that is temporary. Where it counts, I'm rich. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

I need a vacation

I need a vacation; a real vacation. Unfortunately, now that my husband is out of work anc can take the time to go somewhere, we don't have the money. Why do vacations cost so much? It should be a break from your everyday life... a chance to unwind and recharge. It doesn't work that way all the time though. I worry about packing everything and do we have enough money, and how am I going to keep the kinds entertained in the car, and when are we going to get there? Then we try so hard to get to see and do everything we can in the time we have that by the time we get home we need a vacation to recover from our vacation!

For the last two years I have given birth during the summer so that we can no go to my husband's family reuinion. Usually that is our only vacation of the year... camping for 4 days in Arizona with his family. I really enjoy my in-laws. We get along great and I love seeing them. I hate sleeping on the ground in a tent. I also don't like to be hot or dirty. You can't help but be dirty when you are camping and you can't help but be hot when you're in Arizona. I always come home tired and cranky from not getting good sleep, and aching from head to toe from sleeping on the ground. I do like being outside, and would enjoy camping more if I had a way to shower, and a comfortable place to sleep at night.

My idea of a great vacation is to rent a hotel on the beach somewhere... sleep in, have brunch, explore the beach, maybe go to an aquarium, swim, enjoy dinner & relax with a movie before bed... after a soak in the tub. Have I EVER had such a vacation?? NO! I would love to go to San Diego and see Sea World, and the zoo, and the wild animal park. I'd love it there... not to hot, nice ocean breezes. I'm not sure when we will be able to afford it, but I dream about it.

My husband and I decided years ago that we would go on an Alaskan cruise for our 10th wedding anniversary. However, it will come when we are both attending school, and it will not be possible for us to go then. It isn't realistic to even think we could pull it off when we are both in school. Now we are saying, maybe when I graduate we can take the kids to Disneyland.

I really don't want to wait four more years for a real vacation! I want one now!! I NEED one now! Now is when life is stressful. I'm overwhelmed thinking about school, student loans, getting unpacked from moving, settling in to our new apartment, when will my husband get another job, how are we going to get the bills paid, can we stall off a few bills one more month?, who will watch the girls when I go back to school this fall?, how are we going to pay for brakes on the Durango when we have no money coming in? I wish I can just pack an overnight bag for everyone and load up the car and just GO. I don't really even care where. I just want a break. I just want to relax, watch a sunset, go on a walk, play, de-stress!!! The problems will still be there when I get back but I will have the reserves to deal with them.

I'll have a real vacation one day. When, I don't know, but hopefully soon. Until then, I'll close my eyes and try to hear the roar of the ocean, smell the salty air, feel the ocean breeze on my face, and the sand between my toes.


Then I'll open my eyes and return to my real life.

T13 5/10

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Today is my Punkin's 2nd birthday!In honor of my little Punkin, my T13 is thirteen pictures of her. Happy Birthday Punkin!! 1…. 2.... 3.... 4.... 5.... 6.... 7.... 8.... 9.... 10.. 11.. 12.. 13.. The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun!

Being taught by a 4 year old

This morning, Boo and I were sitting on the couch talking and the room got noticably darker. "What happened mom?" she asked, "it got darker in here." "It is okay," I replied, "the sun went behind a cloud." "Mom," Boo said in her most serious 4 year old voice, "the sun doesn't move, it CAN'T go behind a cloud. Only the clouds move. The clouds would have to move in FRONT of the sun. Actually, that means it will probably rain. When the clouds are dark and they block out the sun, it will probably rain. You have to say the clouds made it darker by moving in front of the sun, not that the sun moved behind a cloud." She actually kind of laughed at the end, like I was SO crazy for what I said. I sat their dumbfounded. SHE'S 4!!! My bigger question is, if she knows all that... WHY DID SHE ASK ME???