$$$ lessons

A few weeks before Christmas #1 got her ears pierced and yesterday marked the 6th week.  And as all girls know, that is an important week.  No more cleaning and twisting the earrings three times a day.  Six weeks means that you can safely remove the studs and finally wear the earrings you've been waiting to wear. 

In celebration of the 6th week, #1 took the contents of her big and small piggy banks to the Coinstar machine at the grocery to see if she had enough money to buy a new pair of earrings.  I warned her not to expect much, maybe only $6 or $7.

We were both surprised that the machine counted up $25.46!  #1's eyes glossed over with all the possibilities.  At Target she picked out a nice set of earrings and proudly removed her twenty dollar bill from her little wallet to pay for them.  

Do you remember how confusing money used to seem?  How could one bill (say, a twenty) be better than four bills (like, four ones)?  #1 experienced a bit of that confusion when the cashier gave her $4 back in change.  #1 reacted like she had just hit the jackpot!  

"Four hundred!" she exclaimed!   

I told her, "Actually, those are four one dollar bills."

"And each one is a hundred!"

"Well. Each one is one hundred cents. One hundred pennies."

"I know!  Four Hundred cents!"

We walked around Target a little bit longer, to see if there was anything else she wanted to buy with her money. She wanted to buy #2 a birthday present and kept choosing things way out of her price range.  When I would say, "That costs $42 and you only have $9."  She would briefly look deterred then she would say, "Then you buy it!" After a while she started to understand things like:

Once your money is gone, you don't have anymore.

You can only buy something if you have enough money.

You should only get things you really want.

You know, things most adults haven't figured out yet.  She finally decided on getting him a $0.98 Bottle Pop.

On our way home she opened her wallet and spread the remains of her wealth across her lap.  Maybe feeling little sad that she didn't have $25 anymore, she asked, "Mom, how can I get more money?"

Before I had a chance to answer she added, "And I don't want any of your money. You're low on money. I want new money."

Yes. I am low on money.  So I pose the question to you readers: How can my 6 year old get more money?  Any simple money raising ideas?

PS This really is for #1 and not for me.  

#4

You are familiar with my children, #1, #2, and #3. But have I ever mentioned #4? #4 does not live with us on a permanent basis. But once or twice a year we get to enjoy him for a 7-10 day stay. The symptoms started early in the week and by the weekend we said goodbye to Spouse and hello to #4. The culprit this time: strep throat.

Here are the differences between Spouse and #4:

Spouse is helpful. #4 lays in bed all day.

Spouse is independent. #4 needs me to bring him water and tuck blankets around his neck.

Spouse is fun and playful. #4 needs peace and quiet.

Spouse listens to me complain and wants to solve my problems. #4 can't hear problems and in fact is a problem.

Spouse takes care of me. I take care of #4.

Spouse is a MAN. #4 is a CHILD.



Fortunately I think #4 has one foot out the door and I see glimpses of my man returning to life.

Here are some gross and disturbing pictures. Faint of heart: look away. I say, look away.



What you see here is a picture of normal mouth structure and color. Notice the size and color of a normal uvula (that little piece that hangs down at the back of the throat). And isn't that a lovely tongue?


Compare that to this uvula. Gross huh? Apparently sometimes the infection will spread to the uvula causing this freakish appendage. What made me notice? Spouse complained that he felt like he couldn't breath. I had a hard time getting a great picture. You know, to really do the thing justice. But you can see the thickness of the base.




It was about the size of a pinkie hanging down the back of his throat.


It's almost the size of his nostrils.



I love you Spouse.

Went to the snow

At the last minute Spouse and I decided to take our family to the snow. Having spent my childhood years in snow-less country, I can relate to my desert children's uninformed excitement over the mysterious white stuff. So we braved storms, and snowdrifts and drove all day finally reaching the icy driveway of my in-laws. The next morning was busy getting ourselves ready for 9:00 am church. Somewhere in the shuffle #2 went missing but was soon found shivering and panicing and covered in a white layer of snow. No one had told him that snow was cold! Just like in the movies he'd been watching, he bounced outside in just his church clothes, dove into the snow and rolled around only to discover that wet and cold isn't very comfortable.

Later that day we surprised my parents by showing up at their doorstep. We hadn't told them we were coming. Fortunately, they were happy to see us. My mom cried! She said the only other time she's been so surprised was when we announced we were pregnant with #1.

It was a wonderful week full of family, cousins, late nights, the in-laws cabin, yummy food and of course, SNOW!

#2 working on his snow angel

my snow angel #3

Spouse helped the kids build a snowman. It's not finished in this picture. They made Shi-fu (?) from Kung Fu Panda (which they watched 3 times on the drive) complete with mouse ears and droopy whiskers.

#3 and her beebees. She was thrilled this one actually moved and cried!

#1, #2 and cousins "helping" Nana with the cookies.

Our wintery view at the cabin.

Spouse trying to re-live his pool hall days in the brother's tournament.

The Elfmobile. This is what brought us (and all of our stuff) up and down the mountain.

With Their Eyes All Aglow

For Spouse and I, our joy at Christmas comes from the smiles and excitement in our children; hearing them tell the nativity story in their own words; listening to them talk of Santa when they think they can't be heard.

Our Christmas was happy and fulfilling. Here's some of the action:

Christmas Eve party with friends, complete with pinata.

#2 giving it a crack

White elephant gift exchange. Here is the lucky recipient of my goofy offering.

Just before bed on Christmas Eve. Judging by their faces in this picture you would have thought the children would have had trouble sleeping. Actually they conked out quite fast. The days of laying awake all night haven't arrived yet. Did you do that?

Christmas morning galore! #3 and her "beebee"

Argh matey! #2's pirate ship was a pleaser.

Does #1 look disappointed to you? She was though she never confessed it. You see that doll next to her stocking? Well, Santa couldn't afford the real American Girl doll, so he found a very nice generic brand hoping she wouldn't notice. She did. Here's the kicker: later she opened a real American Girl doll from her Grandma. Ahhh! Foiled again. Point: Grandma J

#3 fell in love with this kitten at her cousin's house at Thanksgiving. Point: JLJ & Spouse.

#2 was so polite and restrained opening his gifts this year. A far cry from last year's performance!

#1 mastering her Leapster game.

Son, don't you think you're a little too big for that chair?

Christmas Feast!

This is how we all felt after dinner. "I ate tooo muuuuch."

Me and the Spouse

Woo hoo! New jammies! Check out those Spiderman wings.

And goodnight.

Rest Assured

Never fear, concerned readers. Since my last post I've gotten my act together (a little bit). And just to prove I haven't been holed up in bed, eating peanut butter balls and shirking responsibilities I've included a few pictures.

Little rat spazzing out at our ward party.

It's uncanny how many people have stopped us lately to say that #2 looks just like Ralphy. Not so much in this picture with the fake nose.

#1 at her ballet recital. She was heartbreakingly lovely, grown up and graceful.

Ralphy was a blur during the recital.

#1 and I braving the crotchety ushers to see the student matinee of Ballet Arizona's The Nutcracker.

Nothing like lights at the temple to get your kids hyped up. This is a direct quote from one of the 6 year olds, "Oh look at baby Jesus! He is so cute! Mary is so cute!"

And so you see, I've been out and about. Now, don't press your luck. But if you're really, really good I may just out-do myself and post another entry before the end of the year.

Kentucky Fried Santa

I really do love Christmas.  But this year I seem to be in a funk.  Maybe it's the economy and the financial insecurities I feel.  (Anyone else out there FREAKING OUT?!?) Or maybe it's the pull of my primal instincts to store fat and conserve energy in the winter that is leaving me sluggish. And, no, I'm not pregnant.  Whatever the reason, the effects are noticeable:

It's the 12th and no Christmas cards have been sent.  (or written)

It's the 12th and no gifts have been wrapped or shipped.

House is a mess. 

I go to bed by 9:30 every night. 

Falling behind in every responsibility.

Gaining weight.

Yesterday I attempted to break out of my funk and do something different, some may call it brave. Some may turn their nose up at the white-trashiness of it all. (I would, believe me).  Four o'clock found me waiting in a chaotic line to see Santa (and get a free picture) with all three of the children at Fry's (grocery store).  After 20 minutes and deciding it was definitely not worth it, suddenly it was our turn to approach the big guy. Except he wasn't so big.  And he was sweating profusely.  I wasn't about to let #1 or #2 sit on his lap so I intervened in the photo posing and arranged for the kids to stand on either side of him. During these few seconds my senses were offended by a most profound stench.  Santa + B.O. = GROSS! 

When that ordeal was over, I fought the crowds, pushing my obnoxiously unmaneuverable car-cart through the throngs of rabid deal-hungry shoppers to get my $.99 cheese (no limit!) and $.37 2 liter sodas.  When at last we pushed ourselves out of the store, I stopped for a moment to review my receipt and #1 frankly stated,"That was NOT Santa."  

Back at home, knowing I had a long Spouse-less night ahead of me I chose to indulge the children's request for some of that said $.37 2 liter soda.  I turned the cap and SPRAY! FIZZ!  EXPLODE! (this is why I usually only get cans).  In about 2.1 seconds 2.5 cups of lemon-lime sugar water had coated nearly every surface in my kitchen.  

Lesson learned: breaking out of my funk isn't all that it's cracked up to be.  I'll take my warm bed and fatty foods please.

Hurry, there's still time!

My sister in law is giving away one of her cute owl messenger bags over at Cheeky and Swank (as seen on Designmom.com) .The giveaway ends tonight at midnight and as of right now only 13 people have entered. So chances are real good you'll end up a with a nice, new bag! You just have to leave a comment at the end of this post to be entered. Good luck and may the best man (wo) win!