My Little Dare Devil

For a while I have know that I was going to have my hands full with my two little girls, who each day show me just how wrong I am in thinking of them as little. They are growing up so fast and with each new day venturing forth into the unknown and having the grandest of adventures. These kids have no fear and that sometimes is the scariest thing for us mere moms to deal with. Let me explain. . .

For part of my Mothers Day Extravaganza (that's what we called it this year) the girls (along with A) took me to Lagoon (For those not familiar it's an amusement park here in Utah - not quite on par with Six Flags Magic Mountain in CA, but trying really hard). For the most part the time was spent going on rides that any 2 or 5 year old would be thrilled over. Most were the carnival type and the ones that spin you in a circle until you are super nauseous, but they love them regardless. Nothing too scary here, I know . . . just wait!

After tiring of the kiddy type rides and wanting to see more of the park we start walking over to the bigger rides, where my 1st born decides that she is going to go on not one but two of the biggest adult rides in the park. All without any pleading or cajoling from her parents. She just pointed at the biggest coasters and said, that's where I want to go next. So onto Colossus which she rode with her dad and the newest coaster in the park called Wicked which she rode with her mom.

And folks - it is just what it is - Wicked. It shoots you straight up in the air like a bullet out of a gun going something like 40+ miles an hour to the top of a 110 foot tower, where it then drops you straight back down and into all the twists and turns imaginable. It truly does everything you expect a good roller coaster to do. It had all the thrills I would have wanted but never expected to find in Farmington, Utah.

And my daughter did it all from the FRONT ROW (again her choice because we could have sat in the back, but she said she wanted to sit in the front. Have I mentioned that I love this girl!) Yep, my kid has serious thrill issues.

Side note - There was another mom with her older teenage daughters in front of us in line and they were saying they couldn't even convince their 14 year old brother and his friends to go on this ride! They were super impressed that A was doing it and she was only 5 (almost 6). I suspect someone somewhere was teased mercilessly about that little fact.

So another Roller Coaster Junkie is born. And her little sister is not too far behind.

Out of the Blue

I have only three words to say right now

Food Poisening stinks (literally)!!

OK that was 4 words - sue me!

Fair Warning

OK- you were warned with the previous post. Now come the personal phone calls. And no fair not picking up when you see that it's my number on the caller id.

BTW - I am OK with the kids being separated as I realize that dealing with 4 kids and car seats would be the first obstacle to overcome in this really super huge favor I am asking.

Also, if it works better for you to split the time and take them for a portion, I am open to that as well.

As you can see anything is negotiable as long as the kids are happy, safe and life is able to continue for you in a somewhat normal fashion.

Aruba is still calling! So am I!

Calling in a whammy!

Aruba is calling and it wants A and I to come visit for a week in June. With it's white sandy beaches and turquoise blue water does one really ever ignore a call from Aruba?

Just one teensy weensy little problem - who will watch the kiddos, because Aruba says it's for adults only. And does one really get to argue with and say no to Aruba?

So why not throw this out to the universe (at least that which includes my friends and family who read my blog) and see who bites. Granted it might be a long shot and I might have to resort to begging and pleading with each of you individually, but seriously how do you say no to an opportunity like this one. Aruba wouldn't be happy.

It has been way too long since A and I spent any length of time with it being just the two of us. Our 10 year anniversary passed this last January with us at least getting a night away (thanks V) but lately we have both been feeling the need to get away and spend a little bit more time with each other, minus the little ones. Aruba has the answer!

Plus A's b-day is coming up and it's a semi-milestone (not 30, not 40 but halfway there!) Time to celebrate, right? And why not do it in Aruba!! Aruba approves!

SO onto the whammy of a favor - Anyone interested in watching two of the most perfect, well behaved, even mannered children you have ever come across in your life?

For a week? (10 days - to be honest)

Seriously - anyone!?! Aruba awaits your response.

Things you learn in a grocery store

Fidel Castro is an alien.

In case you didn't believe that, there is a sure fire way to tell who is and who isn't an alien. Apparently, for Fidel, his give away was his beard. Who knew?

And everything you need to learn about life can be learned by watching science fiction movies.

and if when I get home I notice my rotisserie chicken is missing, the grocery store bagger had nothing to do with it, cause rotisserie chicken is GOOOOOOOD!

Some people should really just keep talking to themselves and not engage the general public in conversation.

Just my two cents to the crazies out there posing as grocery store baggers.

Mother Nature

Dear Mother Nature,

I am sure you are already aware of this, but I feel the need to ask - why is it snowing today?

Especially after yesterday's weather - which was GORGEOUS! It was sunny all day, 73+ degrees and such a wonderful treat to actually feel the warmth of the sun on my face and shoulders. I was able to get so many things done outside, like trim the grass and bushes that were smashed and broken from the weight of all the snow this winter. I even got to sweep out the garage and vacuum the interior of my car, which was beginning to look more like the inside of a happy meal than I am truly comfortable with. So much for the idea that the kiddos are not allowed to eat in the car, but I digress and that is not my point in writing this letter today.

My girls also really enjoyed the benefits of the warm and sunny weather. They were able to enjoy their first picnic of the season and just so you know it took all my strength to get them back inside the house for dinner and a bath. The fact that we had to empty and refill the bath tub twice to remove all the sand and dirt from them is a testament to how thoroughly they enjoyed being outside all day long.

So why the change of heart? Why tease me/us with a nearly perfect day (Cause let's face it - a perfect day would have included that same kind of weather, but it would have also included a beach, an icy/fruity drink and someone named Hans at the ready to give me a foot massage . . . while someone watched my kids . . . and hubby sat rubbing my arm . . . and the gentle breeze kept me from getting too hot . . . yah - that's perfect.) But again, I digress.

So, I must ask that if you are planning to continue with the snow-and-ice torture method you are currently favoring, could you please just let me know how much longer I am going to have to deal with it? I mean seriously, it is the middle of April and the tulips and daffodils don't look very happy with the weather selection either. Just so you know that it is not just me who is suffering here.

I would also like to be able to send my child to school in a outfit that will be good enough to keep her comfortable all day and not have to worry about her coming home and freezing her little legs off because you decided to switch things up mid-day and she is wearing little leggings and glittery shoes that really don't work well with snow.

I understand that the snow pack is 150% and going great. The ski resorts are still open and people will be able to water their lawns this summer. Thank you for all that you did to make those things possible. As I now see it, there really is no longer a need for more snow.

So, if you could please get back to me with a potential date for Spring and warm weather to arrive for good, I would really appreciate the heads up. My hope is that it is sooner rather than later. It is time to break out the flip flops and short sleeve shirts and time to put away the boots and parkas.

Thanks again for all the you do . . . but seriously, enough with the snow already! Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Me

Full Disclosure

In an effort to be fair I should probably share the things that I used to sneak and hide from my parents. Atleast the things I can remember and am willing to admit too! :0)

For the most part my memories consist of sneaking things from the kitchen pantry. That was where my mom hide the good stuff. Jello (unmixed, of course) was my favorite and it didn't matter the flavor as all were good to me. For those of you who never sampled this yummy package of goodness, just think of it as a giant pixie stick in a box. Yummy.

Of course there were other things that tempted my childhood pallet as well. Like handfuls of Parmesan cheese. Chocolate Frosting. Chocolate chips. And don't ask me why now, but Bacon Bits - again by the handful. All were delicious. I think I even once ate a package of Tums, all the while thinking they were Smarties (not the chocolate Canadian kind, but the American fruity powdery kind), but I could never quite convince my tummy that they were all that good, even in their larger size.
Oh, and there was this one time, in the middle of the night, when I got the brilliant idea to sneak into the candy cupboard and get into the package of skittles my mom had up there. After about 4 or 5 trips back and forth between the cupboard and my bedroom, each time adding to my little pile of rainbow candy goodness hidden under my pillow, I made the fatal mistake of going back for a sixth time. As luck would have it, I dropped one of the skittles and it made this killer BANG - BANG - BANG sound as it skipped across the counter and then the floor. I jumped off the counter and ran as fast as my little night gown covered legs would take me back into my bed with my heart pounding in my chest, just praying that no one had heard anything.

Of course that was not the case as 2 seconds later my dad walks into my room and quietly asks me if I have anything I am not supposed to have. My guilty little conscious could take no more of his torturing questions and I turned over my candy stash with tears in my eyes and said I was sorry! I think I was too scared to get out of bed for anything for the next week. And I am pretty sure I didn't eat any skittles for quite some time after that. I guess I felt too guilty.

So that's the extent, as far as I can remember it, of all my sneakyness! (as far as I will admit!)