Bedtime Stories

So, tonight I was reading to Rita, or I should say with Rita and she was cracking me up!  We have this Big Alphabet Book.  It has all the letters and one to three examples of the letter. For example A Apple, B Ball, Balloon and so forth.  So I am reading them to Rita and she says, "I can do it!" So I let her try.  She gets some of them right but at times she hesitates and looks at me.  I take that as a cue to help her so I say the letter or the word.  She then elbows me and says, "I can do it!".  OK, enough said. So I let her proceed.  But them the process repeats herself.  She gives me the mommy help me look so I oblige. But then it is followed by an elbow to the side, a smile and an "I can do it!."  So over and over and over we go.  I try to whisper it softer thinking that would be better but the elbow still comes.  Luckily she is little and I am tough.  It was pretty cute and some good mother daughter time!

Game night is good, right?!?

Game night is good, right? Well, that is what the commercials say at least.  So, in another effort of family unification I decided to try to play some games as a family together.  That can be difficult when that kids ages range from 1-11.  I bought Tommy one of those new Lego games yesterday so I thought that would be a good idea.  Guess I was wrong.  Tommy only wanted to play with me or at least 2 teams because it would take too long for 4 people to play.  Rita was screaming that she did not want to be on a team she wanted to play by herself.  So of course the yelling started. Tommy finally said the good old...."It is my game and you can't play!"  So I try to redirect to a more age appropriate game that all can play.  After carefully trying to be loving and calm with no yelling (on my part at least), we agreed on Hungry, Hungry Hippo followed by Book of Mormon Bingo.  Sounds good enough huh? Oh how you would be wrong.  Somehow there are only 7 marbles in the Hungry, Hungry Hippo game, which causes a real problem in how you play the game.  So being the clever person that I am I decide that I will drop one marble at a time on the game and we will all go after it, then the next one and so on.  Good idea, right? WRONG.  Well, it went good the first game or so until Rita decided that she wanted all the marbles. Then on course Sheridan could not be left out of the exciting Hungry, Hungry Hippo game and decided she wanted all the marbles. I mean, it is geared toward 9 yr old girls right? (insert sarcasm and rolling of eyes) I redirect the argument and after a little while we end that game and start on the Bingo.  Luckily the Bingo went pretty well, besides the fact that my kids can't stand to lose!  I blame that on the Schoens! I only can't stand to lose on Skipbo (inside joke). But really all you Schoens know that losing is not the best trait of the family. And if anyone has played a Schoen in a game they are VERY competitive.  This can be a good thing when it is harnessed for good.  Unfortunately it is my challenge to get my kids to use it for good instead of evil!  So far I think evil is winning.  But I must persevere right?  I will keep trying the family game night but I think I need to find a few more games that we ALL can play. Or, I need to clone myself that way I can play with each of them at the same time of course.  Because taking turns and sharing Mom are other things we need to work on, but that is another story!

Why do they call it Chicken Pox?

Well, in the wonderful world of immunizations you get used to not getting the "normal" childhood diseases. So Sheridan decided to shake things up a little and get good old chicken pox. That is right, I thought they were bugs bites at first. Afterall ,we are in South Texas and it is summer... summertime and mosquitos are synonymos. My Mom suggested chicken pox, but Sheridan has been vaccinated and even got a booster shot 2 months ago so I thought it had to be something else. But when I called the nurse she said to come in because if it was chicken pox they have to report it to the CDC! So we go and meet with Dr. Fischer. Our first time seeing him and he is very nice but sceptical that it would be chicken pox since she had the vaccines. She has about 25 "pox" on her trunk and I guess the full blown chicken pox are much worse and very obvious. So Dr Fischer say, " I am pretty sure it is chicken pox and should get better in 7 to 10 days. If it does not improve in that time we will look at something else." So I ask what else it could be. And good old Dr. Fischer says," Scabies." SCABIES?!?!?!?!? Oh how I hope it is chicken pox! Sheridan looks at me (I must have had a worried look on my face) and asks what scabies is. Now, I am not going to tell a 9 yr old little girl that scabies are mites that burrow into your skin, but I was not sure what to tell her. Dr. Fischer looks at her and says,"Oh, it is not big deal" and she was fine with that. Good thing he was there otherwise there would have been one little girl freaking out in the doctors office!

So the Schoen home is contagious! Luckily it is only spread by touch and all of her "pox" are on her trunk and are covered my her clothing. Plus the doctor gave her some medicine to help with the itching and it is wonderful! She takes it and does not even complain. She even only took it once today, so I think she is better. The bad thing is we were going to go the beach next week and we had to cancel it. The doctor did not want her around that many people even if the sores are dry swimming is a no no. The good thing is that it will save me a lot of money and Sheridan will have a story to get lots of attention! She likes attention if you did not know.

Now, for any of you that know me I am a picker. I am one of those people that can not stand to see someone with a blackhead especially the elderly. Some of those get HUGE!!!! So, staying at home has been difficult. Dealing with a child that now feels that it is all her fault that we had to cancel the trip has been difficult. But I think the hardest part has been not trying to pop the pox! This might gross you out but there has been some that are big with this perfect white tip. But, I have been good. I have resisted temptation and now most of the white ones are gone.

Now, I want to know why they call it Chicken pox. My thought is that the pox look like chicken skin, any answers?

Family Meeting

So between losing John and having our life turned upside down the family unit has taken a few hits. The perfect Mormon family with love for all, never fighting, always supportive, radiating the Savior's love, perfectly obeying mother all while looking perfect has not been us. I know, I know it is hard to believe, but I must confess it is true. It all came to a head this past weekend when the children turned into what I can only describe as devil children. It has been building between no summer schedule, me not used to being the main disciplinarian, and me trying to deal with losing John but still have enough energy to be consistent with boundaries/rule (which has not gone to well). So, after lots of yelling (not what I want for the family) and lots of tears on my part I decided that we needed to have a family meeting and figure this out together.

So picture this....Me and the 4 kids sitting around the kitchen table. I have paper, pen, the Scriptures, gospel art kit and we even start with a prayer! Good huh, almost textbook. We go around the table and each (except Miles) give a rule that we think the family should abide by. There is a little negotiating, or at least the kids trying to negotiate, about what constitutes "being kind" or "how many warnings do we get?" But it is going pretty well otherwise. Then as we continue the yelling and name calling starts! Are you kidding me? The first few rules are 1) We will be kind to each other 2) We will not yell 3) We will obey Mom. Well, all 3 of those rules were broken and the ink was not even dry! Fun times, fun times! Me being the Molly Mormon that I am decide to use my softest sweetest voice and try and redirect the kids back on topic while using words of kindness. Wow, I am good huh? Finally we are redirected and we continue on to Tommy's favorite part....hygiene chart!

I hope this will embarrass him when he is older, because that is partly why we have children right? We all know that Tommy is good if he takes a shower once a week and we are lucky if he actually uses soap! He actually tried to convince me that he did not have to take a shower on Sunday because he had been swimming on Saturday and that counted as "bathing"! Logic of a 11 yr old boy. Anyway, back to the meeting. I make a rule that everyone will shower/bath at least 3 times a week. Not a big deal for most of the family but the reaction I got from Tommy was priceless. He crossed his arms, gave a big huff, clinched his lips tightly and to complete it the glare that could kill! Is this normal 11 yr old behavior? I don't think my sister acted like this until she was at least 16 and I know I never acted like this! :0)

So, like any good Mormon mom I try to keep positive and lead the discussion in a spiritual direction. After of course I say to Tommy, "Seriously?!?" I am not perfect, I know! But I do give a little spiritual thought in about the Liahona and The Holy Ghost and how we need to be good so we can have The Holy Ghost guide us and be in our home. So, today was a little better and hopefully tomorrow will be even better. Tommy did take a bath in Grammy's pool and I did not force him to shower so all was well in his mind!

Working at the Carwash

So it is around 8:00PM and the girls wanted to play outside. Miles of course was following along looking like a "white trash" baby in a dirty shirt and pacifier in his mouth with a chocolate pudding ring around his mouth. The girls and Miles are out there when the neighbor Steven comes out with his 2 dogs Bear and Crash. The kids love playing with them and the dogs love it too. Steven decides he is going to wash his car and invites Sheridan and Rita to help him. They jump at the idea. I was waiting for them to ask how much he would pay them. Luckily they did not ask and apparently it is just me and Grammy that they expect to pay them! Weird huh? Anyway, they "wash" the car. By wash I mean get extremely wet, wipe it with a rag a little, stand on the top of the Tahoe and spray water EVERYWHERE!!! I think that was what Rita really wanted to do all along. Steven was soaking wet! Miles was toddling around getting wet, but still dirty as can be! Then Rita....my lovely Rita says, "Can I pee in the grass?" No Rita! "Can I pee in the street?" No Rita. "Can I pee in the bucket?" NO RITA! You get the point. On and on and on. I had the excuse her for her poor social skills and proceed to blame it on my mother! (Sorry Mom!) But Mom, you are the one that tells them to pee in the grass when they are swimming instead of going in the house! I can think of no other explanation! So Steven was soaking wet, Rita almost peed (sp?) in various parts of his lawn but the car was washed and Steven did not seem to mind (he is a very kind man). BUT....I am not sure if he will be asking for any more help washing his car again!

Someone is crushing on Tommy...yikes!

I am one of the new Activity Day leaders (working with girls 8-11 at church) and we had the first activity last night. We had a fun evening of tying flip-flops, eating popcorn, watching "Anne of Green Gables" and talking. During the chatter of the little girls there is one little girl that was acting a little weird when I mentioned Tommy. She was disappointed because her age group would not be meeting at my house in the future. She is 11 and the 8-9 yr old girls will be meeting at my house regularly. Anyway, I knew something was up. Her friends said, "You know what..." She proceeded to act like she did not want me to know and then left the room. Then they told me she liked Tommy. Not a big surprise from her action but actually hearing it scared me. My little boy!!!! She comes over and says," I can't help it I like boys!" I am soooo not ready for this. They will be in the same school and same grade but I don't think Tommy is really interested in girls yet. I am not sure if I can handle this whole growing up thing!

The Emporer's...I mean Rita's New Clothes

So since moving back to San Antonio we have been going to my Mom and Dad's house for lunch/dinner. Today was no different but I was having Home Teachers come over at 7 PM so we needed to eat early for sure. All went well and my mom made some wonderful gumbo, I took a short nap (nice, thanks Mom) and then I went to get the kids ready to go. Rita had decided to take off her dress and walk around the house in her underwear. Not a huge deal, but when I told her we were going to leave she would not get dressed. I decided to do the "I'm leaving even if you are not coming" and started to get Miles in the car. Sheridan and Tommy proceed to come out and all is going well. Then I look at the front door and Rita is walking, I mean strutting out of the house sans dress (underwear only) carrying one of my old purses. Oh, yeah and she has her high heel shoes on. Boy was it a site. I should have taken a picture. She proceeds to the car, gets in her car seat like it is not big deal. Kind of like the "Emperor's New Clothes". Maybe she did not realize she was naked? Who am I kidding, I have a 4 year old that like to be naked. Maybe I should be grateful she had her underwear on!!!!!

Who needs soap anyway?

So, Tommy is 11 and getting him to shower is hard to say the least. We moved into the new house about 3 weeks ago and he has his own bathroom upstairs. I am sad to say it and a little embarrassed but if I can get him to take a shower once a week then I am happy. Well, last Sunday I made Tommy take a shower of course. Well, we are sitting in sacrament meeting at church and Tommy is next to me. He kind of leans over to me with his head right by my face. His hair does not smell so fresh, not like someone that has washed it about an hour ago. I asked him a few questions and this is how our conversation went:

Me: Tommy, I thought you took a shower today.
Tommy: I did.
Me: Your hair does nor smell like you washed it.
Tommy: I did, but I don't have any Shampoo.
Me: Why did you not tell me?
Tommy: I have not had any in my bathroom since we moved in.
Me: So you have not washed your hair all these times you have showered?
Tommy: (no response, but give me a glare )

So Besides for some swimming and wetting himself in the shower I have no idea the last time he actually used soap or shampoo. So I am happy to report that Tommy in now the proud owner on "Suave for Men....3 in 1 (Shampoo, conditioner and body wash in one)" I guess this does not guarantee that he will use it, but if I threaten to wash him myself if he doesn't them I bet he will!

Things Kids Say....

So I decided to paint Sheridan's room and do some special decorating for her birthday. So on Monday my mother in law came over to help (very thankful for that!) and it was pretty much done that day, except for a little touch up work. I don't know who invented textured walls or why, but I had to go back when it dried to catch the white spots where the paint did not go all the way through. So Monday evening I was doing that and Tommy and Sheridan were helping to keep Miles occupied downstairs away from the paint. Miles had a poopy diaper but had refused for me to change it earlier. Sheridan takes it upon herself to change it (amazing!) and tries to get Tommy to help. Here is how the conversation went:

Sheridan: Tommy help me change Miles' diaper.
Tommy: No
Sheridan: Tommy, help me! What are you going to do when you are a parent?
Tommy: My wife will do it.
Sheridan: What if you are alone?
Tommy: Well, if I am alone then I would never have had a baby in the first place.
Sheridan: No, I mean alone for the day with the baby.
Tommy: I will have the maid change it.
Sheridan: What if you don't have a maid?
Tommy: (silence)

Well, I was upstairs and I just listened and laughed. The diaper got changed and I think Sheridan did it all by herself. I was very proud of the way she handled it and the conversation was hilarious. I was not surprised at all that Tommy was not willing to help. I will have to warn his future wife that he will get no help in the diaper changing area!

Legos, Princesses and Rollercoasters, oh my!

Well, summer started and we did our summer vacation. The kids and I along with my parents went to California. We started off in Carlsbad (outside of San Diego) where we went to Legoland for 2 days. Tommy was in heaven!!!! The weather was overcast and cool in the high 60's/ low 70's. It was really nice to be in line and not be sweating up a storm. Way different than Texas. Legoland was fun but only open 10AM to 5Pm so it was hard to get everything done Tommy wanted to do. Also since they are not as big as Disney and they do not consider it "summer" until July there they were not at full capacity with using all the rolleroasters and lines were long. Some of the highlights included:

• a Lego 4-D movie of Crash Power
• a Dinosaur rollercoaster
• a crazy ride Poppa and Tommy Road called The Knight's Tournament
• all the lego figures/"statues'
• the miniland with all the lego cities
• caractures of Tommy as a Jedi Knight and Sheridan as a mermaid
• facepainting (Rita a dog and Sheridan with a butterfly type mask
• fried apple fries/dessert
• driving the cars and the kids getting their "driver's licenses"
• a Firehouse show that inclused acrobatics, dancing and singing
• a skycoaster that went above the park
• the lego shop where Tommy got to get "replacement" parts for his legos

We were at Legoland Monday and Tuesday and then on Wed we made our way up to Anaheim. We stopped at the beach first for the kids to see the Pacific ocean and walk on the sand a little. They did not even want to get out but for some reason I made then. That was a mistake! We were in regular clothes and of course the kids accidentally got wet, so then it made sense that they shoule go all the way in the water! I remind you that it is about 70 degrees out and overcast....the water was COLD!!!!! Plus then I had to get the kids changed out of the wet clothes and we had sand everywhere. Luckily we had our suitcases, but then we had to change them in the parking lot. Not one of our best planned activities! We then went to Anaheim and checked into the hotel.

Thursday was our first day at Disneyland. We got in 1 hour early so we started left the hotel at 6:40AM and the park opened at 7AM. It was amazing to be ther so early and have no lines! We hot all the rides that usually have long lines. We went to Spacemountain and Sheridan, Tommy, Poppa and I ride it. Sheridan and I were in the front car and it was really cool. It was sooooo dark we could not see where we were going. We had a blast! I am so glad my kids like rollercoasters! We had a day filled with short lines and fun. Mom and dad took Miles and Rita back to the hotel and I stayed with Tommy and Sheridan. I wanted to make the most of the day since it was not that crowded. I was not sure if it would be that same way on Friday or Saturday. The park closed at 8 PM since there was a Senior graduation event going on. But we stayed until 8 and did not stop. We had planned to just do half the park that day, but we got the WHOLE park done. We had a blast. The next 2 days were filled with rides and fun. My boss happened to be there with his family as well and we had net up with them on Thursday and Friday. He had 4 girls and Sheridan had a blast being with the 7 and 10 yr old. We ate a lot, we rode a lot of ride, met lots of Pricesses and other Disney Characters. On Thursday we had lunch at Ariel's Grotto and we got to meet Ariel, Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, and Aurora (Sleeping Beauty). On Saturday I decided that I was going to focus on Rita becuase on Thurs and Friday she was with my Mom most of the time. So Sheridan, Rita and I went to Toontown first thing and got in 1 hour early. We got to be honorary citizens of Toontown and meet Minnie, Mickey, Goofy,and Chip n Dale. There was a rollercoaster there for kids that had no line and we rode it 6 times in a row. Rita was so cute. She eventually would hole one hand in the air. We then made it over to where the princesses were and got to meet Jasmine and Tatyana (sp? - the Princess from the Princess and the Frog). We attended the coronation of Cinderella and storytime by Snow White. Rita was in heaven! Sheridan was also enjoying it. It was funny to see how she enjoyed the Princesses but also enjoyed the rollercoasters. When she was around older kids she acted like the Pricesses were not a big deal but when she was aroud Rita she ate it up!

We went home on Sunday and we were ready. It was a fun time but we were all exhuasted. The kids were fighting and having meltdowns. I think everyone was ready to have their own space. I am glad we did the trip the only thing that could have made it better was if John was there. But he was there in spirit!