More fair

So This is Paul and Houghton on the 'big' roller coaster!! I am not sure how this is in here twice but again...no techno savvy!


Mary loved the carousel and it helped her get over the heartbreak of being too small for some of the rides!




Mary wanted to go on this very badly!! She waited at least 20 minutes...patiently!!! She got strapped in and bounced in the sky!!! We have video but I don't think you can see her face that well, it was priceless!!!


This was the second large slide the kids went on....I told them to race...I think Paul helped! I used to ride on these when I was a kid and was very sad I couldn't go on them!!!





Mary the daredevil she was not afraid to go on the fun house type climbing thing....Paul and I were just amazed....Houghton NEVER would have done it at 3 yrs. old!!! (of course as you can see he's ok now!)

Mary and Houghton on the kiddie roller coaster...up front! They had a blast!!
Mary kept calling it a train!


This is Mary after being told she is to little (short) to go on the 'big' roller coaster!!! I took quite a bit to get her to calm down....riding on the carousel (again) this time without Houghton helped!
Paul and Houghton on the 'big' coaster!!

We had a great time at the fair....even though we missed out on the kettle corn....GASP!! I know....but we had fry bread, corn dogs, frozen cheesecake on a stick and an apple dipper sundae and fruit smoothies!! (I know, I know...the fruit smoothies...way to healthy for the fair!) The weather was chilly (and windy!) we thought sweaters would be ok but once the sun went down we were ill prepared....unfortunately that's when we decided to sit down and eat our dessert...the frozen, cold stuff!! I know crazy...but we warmed up on the walk to the car!!!

The State Fair

Ok so Mary and her dance class had a performance at the AZ state fair last weekend. With the little kids, one parent had to be on stage with them. So naturally, Paul was the perfect candidate! Houghton and I watched from the front row. I tried to video....the operative word being tried!! I was on me knees in the grass, I did not know either that Paul and Mary would be directly behind the instructor!! I had to get creative....and I wanted to stay out of the way of others maybe videotaping as well! I was being polite!! Speaking of polite.....in the middle of recording this parent who did not have a kid in Mary's class....asked me to move....Um, HELLO?! I am recording and trying to watch my daughters performance....It still irks me to no end when I think of it....and it happened not once but TWICE!! yes, twice!!! UH the gall of some people!!!

When the dance was over we spent several hours gorging on food and rides....fortunately I did not get to go on them....I did want to go on the big slides but well decided against it since the signs clearly stated no pregnant women (Yes, I am a rule follower).

If you click on this link you can see Paul and Mary dance (and my bad recording job!) I promise next year it will be better!!!
( I also could not figure out how to just post the video not the techno savvy, sorry)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rV23B7-z8Y

They said what?!?!

Paul: "Mary, don't step on your brother's head and Houghton don't put your head where Mary can step on it!"



Paul: "Mary, you're the best!"

Mary: "No, Dad, I'm the cutest!"

Binky No More!

As of Sunday, we have put the 'binky' away. Mary is having a little difficluty adjusting but we're getting there! She is very proud and tells everyone how she's a "big girl" now. (Also, she points out that the binky's are being put away for the baby in Mommy's tummy!!) She did come to me (after being put to bed) to ask if she could have it....then stuck out her bottom lip and tears welled up in her eyes. I had to be strong and not give in because well, I can't be weak. (she's just too darn cute!!!) She settled for an extra blanky which, we have discussed is something you can keep forever. (Binky's are for babies!!)

The Reading Machine

Ok I might have a slight problem. It all started the Thurs. before last. I had the day off and did my usual costco shopping. I found really inexpensive a series of books I wanted to read. So, I started Thurs afternoon and pretty much did not stop unless I fell asleep in the book or I had to go to work. Needless to say I managed to finish all four 500+ pg books in 5 days. Yes, I neglected my family, shirked my duties and Paul cooked dinner.
What can I say, I can't put a good book down! It was the Vampire series by Stephanie Meyer. They are supposed to be young adult/teen reading but I found them fascinating (obviously). I also heard that the first book "Twilight" is being made into a movie to come out this winter.....hmmmm I am not always a big fan of making books into movies but who knows I could be bored one weekend. They are good books so if anyone is interested....check them out!!

Time Flys

Wow, this was much much easier when I wasn't working so much. Not only that, I am juggling after school activities etc.....this fall we all have activities!

Our weekends have been full of rearranging, naps and plenty of cleaning. (did I mention Naps?) Mary has started dance classes and I am getting around to getting the pictures.

Houghton has started choir practice and I am already helping out during rehearsals etc. (didn't take long!) Between homework, reading, book reports swim, choir, and RE we've got our hands full. Mary has dance on Saturdays, and Sunday school (on Sundays!). I am taking a bible study class Thurs. evenings and Paul is taking a church class on Wed. evenings and has choir Mondays and every other Thurs. (So don't hate us if we don't answer the phone!!) Whew....it makes me insane just looking at the list!!! We're still working on the logistics but so far no major mishaps and everyone is where they are supposed to be.

It has been nice having Paul with us during the usual study season. I am really going to be spoiled come January when he has to study again. It's kind of funny because you'd think we'd be spending more time together but it doesn't seem to work out that well. We are catching up on The Office however, not as quick as Paul would like. I am getting up early for work etc and I don't do well with little sleep. I go to bed much earlier than Paul. He's a night owl and without having to get up for work he'd live like a college student.

OK, I'm done whining now......maybe (did I mention how Paul hates my indecisiveness?)

Symetrical Pancakes and waterboarding

Why is it when you're (at least me) not sure what to make for dinner, breakfast is best?? We had lots of choices and none of them appealing to the masses when "ding" the light bulb goes off...."How about pancakes?" The Roar is deafening and everyone suddenly is excited about eating!!! Why does the prospect of all the dishes etc not seem so bad as it does on a lazy Saturday or Sunday??? Hmmmm.....any theories???

Mary has been battling her sinuses since Sunday of this week. She has been on antibiotics (for an infected bug bite on the bottom of her foot...another story I think) and in checking with her pediatrician, she can use the same one for her sinuses. She woke up this morning with a "frog" in her throat and while it's totally cute and in no way detracts from her talking, I knew the antibiotics aren't working so well. Using previous bouts of sinusitis as my cue....I knew what must be done......WATER TORTURE!!! When I first tried this (about a year ago) she was quite agreeable and it worked wonders....using a sinus rinse. I put her on the edge of the sink and have her tip her head and squirt a solution (in a specially designed bottle) up her nose....you'd be amazed at the crud that comes out. However, the 2 times (tonite included) since she really has screamed and fought. As you could imagine, when you throw your head back in protest, the solution will not run right out your other nostril as planned. Instead you'll choke and gag....hence the deterrent. Well, when she got this last infection, I tried to rinse her out right away...but alas, she knew and well, I thought we'd give the antibiotics a few days. At dinner, we were talking about rinsing her nose since it was yucky and nasty. She seemed fed up with it as much as I so I convinced her to let me 'help' her squeeze the bottle. My thought is if she was willing to be in control...she wouldn't mind as much. I worked for about 2 squeezes then she decided to squeeze before it was lined up with her nostril and discovered how fun it was to squeeze the bottle and play. Not so amusing. So then Dad being the everloving help, held her arms and head (as best as he could) while I proceeded to drown her. (and thanks to Dad for the 'Water boarding' comment) We all were amazed though at the amount of green gook that came out of her nose. And don't worry, She's happily playing in the bath as we speak!!