Tuesday, December 29, 2009

A HISTORY LESSON UNDERSTOOD BY A 7 YR. OLD

My husband and teenager were watching another version of the movie Gettysburg, (Not the R rated one of course) when my 7 year old Colton came in and asked Dad what he was watching. Scott was too engrossed in the movie so he answered as bluntly as possible. "It's called Gettysburg and you can't watch, go back and play with your play dough." Colton, being the curious child that he is, wanted to know some more about the movie. Scott quickly explained it was about the Civil War. Satisfied, Colton went back to play with his friend AND the play dough.
When I walked through my kitchen, I noticed there were pieces of play dough covering both my counter and my table. I asked Colton what he was doing and he explained that they were having a war; a "Silver War." It was the Silver side against the Gold side and whoever won, GOT THE SILVER!! How could I not laugh. Think I'll have to correct him about the "Silver War" BEFORE he learns it at school. I can only imagine him raising his hand saying "I know about the Silver War!"

Christmas at Our House!


We survived yet another Christmas and surprisingly the room didn't get too torn up. I spent Christmas Eve wrapping the rest of the presents to put out. I didn't wrap earlier because I had NO WHERE to put anything. And I couldn't put presents under the tree for fear of Nicholas figuring out how to unwrap them. Scott was at work but was able to take a 2 hour break so he came home and helped me finish wrapping.
Colton woke at stinkin' 5:30 in the morning!! I told him to go back to bed. He closed my door and went back to bed; but I kept hearing his footsteps up and down the hallway. I finally got up and THREATENED him to stay in bed or he wouldn't open a single present until after LUNCH!! Well, in the process I woke up Nicholas. It was all over, both boys were awake. So, I put them both on my bed and popped in a movie until a more reasonable hour. Scott got home at 7:30 and the present mayhem began.


Nicholas got a little riding pony and wasn't too sure what to do with it. We put him on it andafter a second or two, he got the hang of it and REALLY started rocking away! He also got a music jam stand and loved that right away. He was playing music and dancing. Colton got a Dance Jam Game, new Wii games and the movie Night at the Museum. I think what he was most excited about though was his Snow Boots. Josh got
a DVD player to go with his flat screen TV which has been sitting in his room for a year. Mom and Dad refuse to pay to have cable put in his room; so at least now he can USE the thing to watch movies.
Santa came through and brought me a camera; however, it wasn't the one I wanted. I tried it out though but just didn't like the way it worked, so it got returned sadly. I did manage to get a few pictures from it though!
We spent a quiet morning enjoying the new gifts and let dad sleep a while. Then that afternoon it was off to Malad Idaho to spend the rest of the day with Scott's family. There, more gifts ensued and another present mayhem. Worse than our house too!!

Nicholas got the cutest little motorized baby dinosaurs that growl and walk. I almost killed my sister in law when Colton opened up his gift. A remote controlled Tarantula!! It's about the size of a small dinner plate. It has long fury legs and red eyes. If I wake up to that thing in my room EVER.....I told Colton I would most likely stomp on it!! Josh was speechless about his laptop from Grandma & Grandpa. He pretty much became unsociable the remainder of our time there because he was on it from the moment he turned it on. Mom finally had to say "Turn it OFF!

We spent the night up there, or rather STAYED the night. Poor Nicholas was in a different environment and NOT his bed so it took him 2 hours to finally fall asleep. He slept with mom in a twin bed and was ALL OVER THE PLACE!!! Needless to say, mom had feet in the face, knee in the back and an occasional head on my stomach while trying to sleep that night. Seriously, how do families share a bed together in other countries??

I look forward to this day every year and yet have mixed emotions about watching it end. Still, at the end of the day, I consider myself blessed to have a wonderful family, to see the smiles and excitement on my childrens faces and remember that the greatest gift I could ever receive I have already been given. The gospel of Jesus Christ, a loving Savior who gave his life for me so that I may return to be with him and my Father in Heaven and the knowledge that my family will be forever. Please keep Christ in your hearts not only at Christmas, but throughout the year. Oh what a difference it makes to have him as a daily part of our lives, it makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Happy Birthday Boys!!

December 4th was Joshua's 18th Birthday. I picked him up from school early and took him to lunch. Nicholas luckily had fallen asleep so I left him home with dad who was also sleeping. So it was just me and josh out to lunch. We NEVER get time with just the 2 of us so this was actually REALLY NICE!! Took him to one of his favorite restaurants, Rumbi Hawaiian Grill. Gave him his gift as we sat there waiting for our food. it was a small gift bag and when he reached in he pulled out a set of headphones. he looked at me like.."Uh, what am I suppose to do with these??" Told him I thought there was something else in there. he dug around some more and pulled out an MP3 player and said "NO WAY!!" He had one a couple of years ago and lost it. We said we wouldn't replace it since he didn't take care of it. Well, Grandma made this one possible!
Grandma worked in the office of an elementary school. A kid found it and turned it in to her. No one claimed it and it sat in her desk for a year. When she retired, she packed it with her stuff and asked if I wanted it. i told her it would be the PERFECT gift for Josh!
He was so excited, especially when I told him that music had already been programmed on it. Put on some of his favorites, some popular songs, Church, Christmas and some fun songs. I even put on the Thanksgiving song by Adam Sandler and found out he had NEVER heard it before. Then I showed him a surprise file. It was a comedy file. He LOVES Bill Cosby so I put some of his clips on there. Like Chocolate Cake, Noah and Puberty. He listens to Bill Cosby and just sits and laughs and laughs. It's kind of funny!!
He also got a new set of scriptures, a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle and a new set of bed sheets that we will use as inspiration to paint his room next spring. I think the biggest shock for his Birthday was finding out that he is AUTOMATICALLY registered with the Selective Service System. He's praying we don't have a draft anytime soon!!

On Dec. 10th, Colton turned 7. MY BABY IS GETTING SO BIG SO FAST!! I always thought other mothers were ridiculous when they would whine that their child was getting older or how fast time had gone by. Now I know what they meant! He had his traditional family birthday breakfast; french toast with ice cream; then it was off to school. Grandma & Grandpa Parker stopped by after school on their way to Salt Lake airport. We went to dinner at Colton's FAVORITE place.....The Chinese Buffet. That kid can really pack it there! He received a CD from Grandma Champlin, a gift card from Grandma and Grandpa Parker and a guitar from Grandma & Grandpa Caulford. Mom & Dad gave him a Nerf Tag game. He loved it! We got back from the restaurant only to find that Josh had not locked the back door, so the dogs came in and made themselves at home. Kobe, the larger one of the dogs; helped himself to the cupcakes that were sitting on the stove. They WERE for Colton's Birthday Party the next day. So, I stayed up late making MORE cupcakes. (Stupid dog!!!!)
He had 4 friends show up and he had a blast. Small parties are better than large ones with kids and noise everywhere I've decided!