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!

Headline... "3 Year Old Arrested for Shoplifting!"

So last week was a crazy week. Every night there was something going on. The week started off with Rita's dance recital. It was for her ballet class and it was pretty low key, but very cute! So of course when we were done the kids wanted a treat, but Tommy and Sheridan "reminded me" (that is code for told me for the first time) that they needed something for Tuesday. So I decide to run by Target to get what the kids need and pick up some ice cream for the kids as their treat. Rita is in her ballet outfit and looking very cute. She is however not cooperating with staying close to me. I let the kids pick out what ice cream they want and of course Rita picks something with Dora the Explorer. We proceed to the check out and Rita start asking for apple juice from the snack bar. I told her no and of course she kept asking. I am paying and getting the bags. Then I look up and Rita has proceeded to go to the snack bar. I start over there and a "nice man" opens up the refrigerator, Rita reaches in and gets an apple juice. I giver her "the look" as I head over to her, but she proceed to run out of the store apple juice and all straight for the parking lot! I run as quickly as I can yelling at her to stop, not drawing any attention to myself whatsoever, and head outside. I pick her up, carry her inside, put the apple juice( where the nice man apologizes for opening the refrigerator) all while she is crying," I want me apple juice!" I explain to her that you can not take things without paying and of course she wants me to pay for her apple juice. She has forgotten that I just bought her Dora the Explorer Popsicles! So a nice evening turns into stealing and yelling! Fitting for a Monday Family Home Evening huh?

An eventful weekend

Tommy's cub scout pack was in the San Benito, TX Christmas parade. The boys dressed up as the nativity scene. Tommy was a shepherd. Sheridan had to get in on the excitement too and was also a shepherd. There were probably girl shepherds right? So Rita, Miles and I went to downtown San Benito and watched the parade. It was quite an adventure to say the least. I survived, but it was definitely weird doing it myself. I thought the cub scout parents would be together but most of the ones that went walked along with the kids in the parade. The kids had fun so it was a success. Luckily it was not too cold. Sheridan's hands did get cold because she was waving the whole time. Imagine that Sheridan sitting on a float, everyone looking at her and waving! She was in heaven!!! Next time we will have to make sure she has gloves.

The excitement continued on Sunday when Rita was standing on the ottoman and fell hitting her mouth on the coffee table. There was blood, crying, more blood and crying. She would not let me look at her mouth to see how bad it was. We put some ice on it and she fell asleep. After she woke up I was able to look at it and it looked pretty bad. The gum is all black, but luckily the tooth is not loose. I hope the tooth does not turn black. I am debating if I should take her to the dentist. There would probably not be anything they can do. She does have a lot of swelling. She looks like one of the who's from Whoville. The ones from the new Jim Carey version. Hopefully it will be better by tomorrow before her dance recital. If not it will make for a cute picture!