10/1/2009????

October is TOMORROW?? How did this happen? Summer just seemed to have settled in and wanted to never leave, and now it's OCTOBER? It's just as well. The weather is cooler this week. Even cold today. I love it. Every room of my house (and my classroom) smell like fall because I pulled out my pumpkin candles, and have them going. The leaves in the canyon this weekend foretold of the approaching month. This weekend I get to bring out my halloween stuff with the boys, and hit a corn maze. Also, next week is the big event I've been waiting for: finding a costume for a toddler is pretty much one of the most fun a mom can have. Well, easily entertained moms like myself, I should say.

Welcome FALL. Welcome OcToBeR!
I love pulling out the sweaters
I loved turning on the heater today
I love football season
I love decorating my classroom with orange lights and my big pumpkin
I love watching Aspen see all it as if for the first time

Not my doing

We have a new cat. well... a kitty. An non-litter-box trained kitty who whines and hisses at the other cat we already have.

WHY? Why do we have ANOTHER one, even though it is against all common sense? Look at this face... this is what her dad saw when we dropped the boys off, after she had found the kittens hiding under the tree outside. That is all it took. Hayden caved and let her pick a cat to take home.

The first 5 minutes in the car she was grinning from ear to ear saying "kitty go home? kitty go home?"

She was totally excited.
At 2:10 this morning, when I had to clean up a mess... I was NOT.

Happy Birthday Hayd!

I truly am one of the luckiest gals on the planet! I am married to my best friend and eternal partner. My heart still gets little butterflies when I get a text message from him, or a phone call. I just love him so much.

Today is his birthday. Aspen and I send birthday wishes your way Hayden. We also would like to share 10 AWESOME Hayden facts:

1. He is one of the hardest workers I have ever known. His new business in hardwood is going well because of this fact.
2. He is a great dad, and has patience on the days when mine has evaporated.
3. On the days when my patience has evaporated (or my sanity is in question) he is THE BEST at dealing with me, and bringing me a bit of perspective.
4. He inspires me to be a better person: whether it is pushing me to keep up with running, spending time with my kids, or reminding me what is important.
5. He spoils me. Rotten. Brings me drinks occasionally when he gets home from work. Buys me random treats from a quick trip to the store. Plans surprises that would amaze the best of planners.
6. He has an awesome family. They love me and my kids as though we are theirs. They make a point to show they care. They come to events that are totally out of the "grandparent" obligation. Love you guys! Alot.
7. There are so many things we "match" on... and thank heavens we do. We both are early to bed, early to rise people. We both like things clean. We both have the same financial goals, and spending habits. We communicate on the same wave-length.
   
8. He makes one mean batch of spaghetti with his special sauce.
9. On my down days... he is up, and picks up the slack. Whether bathing Aspen, cooking dinner, or just straightening up the kitchen.
10. He puts up with me... and the "reality" tv I make him sit through (Biggest Loser & So you think you can dance), the boxes of stuff that I SWEAR I will get through and get rid of half of it before I ever have to move again, and is an awesome co-parent.

I love you Hayden! Happy Birthday!!

content

Some days, if even for a few hours, life achieves PERFECTION status. Last night was one of those. Morgan came over and cooked dinner (bacon potato chowder) and pumpkin cookies with us. Aspen was ecstatic over being able to see her MO-MO. The weather was beautiful. The house was clean. We watched the recent episode of our favorite new series, GLEE (if you haven't seen this... DO! It is hilarious. Especially for us teacher types).

So at the end of the evening, with our bellies full of good food, our bucket of love filled, and a happy baby and happy Morgan... we went to bed with our hearts full of gratitude for LIFE, opportunities, and each other.

comedy of errors

I think I get Shakespeare a little bit more after this weekend. Throw a little tragedy, mixed with comedy, some drama and a family crisis... and you have the makings of a great Shakespearean work... or OUR Saturday.

The weekend started of well enough, even with the wind. Friday was a barbecue with some of Hayden's friends. Saturday morning it all headed south. My boys are still learning how to inform people (mostly their mother) of schedules, and times, and happenings. We pulled into the parking lot for a 9am cross country meet at 8:58, and at that moment received the information that he wouldn't be running until 11:40. 3 hours later, basically. With 3 other appointments scheduled that morning, a choice had to be made, and we had to leave the meet. This was no easy feat for me, because my mother "missing an child event" guilt was screaming at me. Needless to say, there were 3 or 4 things I needed to be informed of in order to make the day go smoothly... none of which happened. So back to the drawing board with trying to instill this lesson.

After the smoke cleared (and yes, there was ALOT of smoke... my apologies to poor Wade), we had a good weekend. Aspen went to her first 3-D movie, but fell asleep with 20 minutes left.

And passport appointment? The one that we missed because it was at 11am on Saturday? WELL... we will be driving up north this weekend to fit an appointment in after Wade's soccer game.

Well... unless something changes with their schedule. If it does, I'm sure we'll find out about it once we get there. Love you, boys.

Hill Aerospace Museum

THE day trip of the summer, according to Wade, was the stop in to the Aerospace Museum on Hill Air Force Base in Roy. 2 hours of planes, jets, helicopters, old uniforms, masks, and history. Who knew that a place I have passed no less than 100 times over the years, would be so rewarding. Love you WADE! Thanks for going with Aspen & me.

FAIR play

Not sure I was ready for the outcome of taking Aspen to the fair. My baby graduated to a BIG girl by the nature of the rides. She was tall enough to ride the "belted in your own seat" ride with her dad. Not sure that should be legal for a 2 year old, regardless of height, but she sure wasn't complaining.

It was a GREAT day, but how could it not be when you start the day off with 3 trips down the big yellow slide, throw some bunnies, cows, pigs, sheep, and CHICKENS (Aspen's favorites) into the mix. Top it off with rides, the required funnel cake, and a walk through the craft & photo buildings for me. Aspen was asleep 30 seconds (not kidding) after we hit the road back home.

Dog Park

One of our favorite places on the PLANET is the dog park by Tanner Park, just off of I-80 2300 E. Our meaning all of us. When given a choice between going to the dog park or going to the playground park, Aspen, without fail, picks the dog park. The boys love it as well... even enough to have Wade put away his PS3 for a couple hours.

It's no wonder...

Room to wander.

Places to explore.

Water to get into.

Funny looking dogs.

Beautiful scenery.

It's a MUST do if you live along the Wasatch front... with or without a dog in tow.

Note to my old Friend

Hi Tonia.

Remember me? Just wondering if we are still friends. We used to have so much bonding time together, and now... not so much. What happened? Is it me? Or is it my arch-enemy... BED? I've seen you two hanging out together during what used to be "our time", and I must say that it hurts. He is no good for you. He doesn't leave you feeling energized for the rest of the day. He doesn't soothe your sanity like I do. I really think you are making a mistake. The longer we are apart, the harder it is to make things right, and get back together again. Please reconsider your choices and come back to me.

Sincerely,

your running shoes

p.s. your butt, your sanity, and your husband all agree with me. Ask them.

buddies

Me and my shadow

We're closer than pages that stick in a book

We're closer than ripples that play in a brook

Strolling down the avenue

Wherever you find him, you'll find me, just look

Closer than a miser or the bloodhound's to Liza

Me and my shadow

Bee's game

Wow... what a great weekend we had. Every day was perfect, and each had its highlights. Saturday evening we were spoiled. Grandma & Grandpa Fraser bought us all tickets to a Salt Lake Bee's game. It was a great game (ended with a walk-off), had fireworks afterwards, and Aspen was a pretty good sport. Especially considering she didn't get to bed until midnight. What a GREAT night. Thanks mom and dad for the tickets and the great night!

chase

The fact that I was able to find 2 pictures in which she is not entirely COVERED in dirt, food, and 2 year old mystery stains is amazing. I find her hiding in the rows of corn, in the garage, or under the table... and in each case, she is chasing this cat so she can "love on him" (which means lay on and smash)

words

She is getting so big so fast. She already has lost some of the little habits that I meant to document and record. So I vowed to do better, and have kept track of her little words... since they are soon to be a thing of the past.

Wade= Weed

More=mohen

Nemo=me-mo

Swimming= simming

Brenden= Ben an

Grandpa (and grandma)=maam ma

Morgan= mo mo

Aspen= Aa-pen

Toby=tubby

Chicken= bok bok

hot dog= ha gog

baby= bee bee

purse= pursh

look= wook it

bus= bahs

mine= mying

nap= naa map

shoe= shoosh

eat= eat (while signing MORE with her hands)

Get me= gimmee

Dinosaur=shores

Lately, when I put her to bed (which she has only recently started objecting to) she starts crying and says "I bee good, mama. I bee good". Melted my heart the first time I saw it, and it bought her an extra 30 minutes of play time. Only worked with me once, but she tries it every night.

lessons of the trade

Things I've learned from 10 years of teaching:

• Regardless of the skill level, kids are crazy the last period of the day.
• Never enter a teacher bathroom that has the fan running.
• Mondays suck. Period.
• It is NOT an accident that Labor Day happens so soon after the school year starts. Many children are alive today because of this fact.
• It is possible (not recommended) to hit the bathroom, eat lunch, make copies and tend to errands in 25 minutes. (this one takes about 4 years to get used to)
• pictures as a student; small package 2 3x5s, 12 2x3s=EXPENSIVE ($20)
• pictures as a teacher; free= 1 8x10, 2 5x7s, 4 3x5s, 20 2x3s (more pictures than should legally be printed of a middle aged teacher).
• never carpool... unless you don't mind waiting in a parking lot for 20 minutes, or staying after school for 30 minutes longer than planned.
• learning the names of students the first week of school earns you bonus points for the rest of the year.

creature comforts

It's funny the things kids pick up on. Aspen, while driving this morning with Hayden, noticed a scratch on his arm.

"OWEE daddy"

She quickly took measures to comfort him. She turned his arm toward the heater, then brought it back and kissed it. She took her little blanket and rubbed his scratch and then cuddled with his arm.

These are things that make Aspen feel comforted. Just kinda cute to see her share them with someone else.