It's All Gone! And I got my money's worth.

A long time ago, when Riley was about 6, a good friend of mine told me how much she loves Riley's shaggy hair style. It hadn't been something I had done on purpose, I was just too cheep to go get it cut until I was really getting my money's worth. Anyway, I took a good look at him and notice that she was right he was a "hotty" with shaggy hair, and shaggy hair is "way" in. So ever since I try to convince him to grow it out and remind him how much the ladies love long hair on boys. At Christmas time I finally broke down and took them all in to get hair cuts. Some other time I'll share how on that day I took 7 , yes I said 7, children to get hair cuts all at the same time. Another story for another day. Anyway, the gal cutting it and I told him how much girls like long hair and that he should just get a trim, and that her boyfriend has shaggy hair and how much she likes it and so on. He was really hard to convince. So I made a deal with him that if he would leave it long until after Christmas he could cut it anyway he wanted. He bit. Well it is now March. I finally got sick of seeing him wipe it out of his eyes so I took him in to get it cut. He was loving it that long and didn't even want a trim but I told him trims are good. If he would always listen to me this well he would be perfect. Wouldn't Stepford children be just great. But once he sat in the chair he totally changed his mind.

He decided he wanted it all gone. I thought the girl cutting it was going to cry. She kept asking him if he was sure and if I was sure. But I made a promise and even though I had bent it a little and not entirely played by the rules, I was going to keep it.

Believe it or not, Riley actually had a head of hair just like Ashton until he was about 2. My boy's shouldn't ever have to worry about hair loss, cuz they have a crap load.

There is no turning back at this point.

Totally the Skater Doo from the 90's.

Amazing it is actually the same kid. I'm curious what the girls say about it . I haven't heard yet. But I definitely got my $5 worth this time.

Sisters and Cupcakes

Yesterday I took my little sister, Michelle to this "SO COOL" little place called the Cocoa Bean Cupcake Cafe. It is down town Rexburg and has "to die for cupcakes and cocoa." Michelle was here for about a week to visit us from California. It was so fun to have her hear. I really miss her and so do my kids. Lizzie got to go with us, too. I usually don't let her have her own decadent treats, I just share, but today it was fun to watch her pick her own flavor.

What kind will it be? Carmel Apple Pie. I was shocked it wasn't chocolate. She can't be my daughter? Look how yummy this looks. It was as good as it looked.

I had the Ultimate Brownie and Michelle had the Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake. We also treated our selves to the wonderful cocoa drinks they have. Michelle went with hot and Liz and I cold. Either way you win.

So cute digging in. Lizzie is named out after Michelle and so they are special buddies. Lizzie loves spending time with her when she is home for visits. Michelle loves seeing the kids too. Ashton loves her and loved the chocolate and whipping cream she gave him too. We will have to make a trip there again the next time she comes home. Until then, we will miss her. ALOT!!!

Trying the New

Ever since I have become a mom, I have tried to incorporate good food into my children's diet. Because that is what good mom's do. Well I like to try new things every now and again because just because my mom didn't like it or cook it doesn't mean it is bad. So I decided it was time to try the "Brussels Sprout." It was only a couple of years ago that I even knew what they looked like. Chris had said he loved them and they looked pretty at the grocery store so why not?

I didn't know how to cook them so I had to look it up online. Here I'm discovering that they are really like little cabbages.

They are so pretty and springy. Just like little cabbages.

According to the recipes, butter is a must, but I didn't want too much. Well apparently I didn't have enough butter cuz those cute little cabbage look-a-likes were not so good. Maybe a new recipe will help but I will be okay if for the rest of my like I never have another one.

Ashton's Blessing

Finally got my photos uploaded and wanted to share some with you. It has been a rough start with Ashton, but we finally go him blessed March 1st. He is such a sweet heart.

UP-Chuck-a-Rama!!!!!

We decided to take the kids out to dinner and since they love Chuck-a-rama, there we went. Before we even got out of the driveway, Riley had bit Mason, (apparently he is a rabid dog cuz now Mason has a bruise from hell) Mason was hitting Riley and Lizzie, and TJ was whining and crying like a 2 yr old. Chris and I were hungry and after prolonging the trip with timeouts, we headed to town.
Dinner went great. The kids ate and ate, for the most part they were well behaved and had a good time. After they had all Ice cream, Riley decide to have some more fish, which was fine, but TJ is a little Autistic. Well TJ had eaten a TON of food, it is Chuck-a-rama after all, he had been behaving as "Normal" as TJ is does in public, and then he started to hide under his shirt. We told him to stop but he didn't. After a couple of minutes he said, "I need my space! I need my space!" waving his hands and talking louder than usual. I told him to stop and that he was fine. Then it happened! The unthinkable! The thing parents dread! He PUKED!!! Not a lot but still it was vomit!!! Regurgitated food, however you want to say it, it was PUKE!!! He has done this a lot but it has been two years since we dealt with this quirk in a restaurant.
Chris was mortified, completely embarrassed. I was trying to get him away from the table so more wouldn't come. He tells me that he smelled the fish and it made him sick, he told me he tried to tell me he was sick but I didn't listen. I sent him to the bathroom and we gathered everyone up to leave.
TJ has made a ton of progress!! Despite the embarrassing moment, I was so excited! He verbalized and came up with a solution. I just didn't listen. He warned us he needed his space and I just blew it off as TJ being TJ. Lesson learned: If he tells me he needs his space, I will give it.
Hooray!!!! All the HARD work is paying off. Maybe next time I will read the cues.

On crazy Friday.

The other day, before I left for work, I asked all the boys where they were supposed to go after school. Believe it or not they all had it correct. Well the day went on and I went to work in the afternoon and came home. Lizzie and Mason came home. I hadn't gotten any phone calls about missing children or anything. Mason tells me, "Mom, TJ didn't go to Options." I'm like, "Yes he did. No one called me and he isn't home. You are just trying to get him trouble." Mason does that sometimes, a lot actually. So, them Mason said, "No he didn't, he rode Shay's bus home with me." I still was a little sceptical, but up the drive way TJ comes. His cheeks were red and it looked like he had been walking but I always give my kids the benifit of the doubt. Yeah Right. I had a conversation with him and this is sort of how it went:

Me: So how was your day?
TJ: Good.
Me: How did you get home?
TJ: Oh, Home Again brought me.
Me: Oh, who was the driver?
TJ: I don't know it was a new one.,
Me: Did they tell you their name?
TJ: Yeah but I forgot it.
Me: Did you go to Options today?
TJ: Yeah I did.

By this time I was dialing Options to check his story, Tiffany answered and I asked her if he had been there. She told me No he hadn't. So I precided t0 explain to her that he had rode the bus home and skipped out of going to Options. He can come up with this little (HUGE) skeeming story. I realized after I asked for the second time if he could come on Monday that no one was on the other line. My sweet and innoccont, ciniving, maliputive son had unplugged the phone during my rambling. I was really mad now. No I was freaking Pissed!!!


I sent him screaming to his room and called her back and made the arrangements I needed. Then the work began.


I told him was grounded to his room for Friday night and all day Saturday. That meant No friends, No phone, No TV, No brothers and sister, No coming out except for going to the bathroom and that was only if he asked, begged and pleaded. I went and got ice cream for every one else and we watched "Igor" a movie he has been wanting to see.

Now some of you may think this is very harsh but really I have to get really creative with TJ to make a point. I keep thinking one day it will "Click"

Theater and "My" Children

Tonight we took the kids to the Jefferson Montessori's production of "Once On This Island." Some friends of ours had three of their six kids in it so we decided to brave the storm and support them. I'm always a little nervous when taking my kids into a public environment, so before we get out of the car always ask them, "How do you behave?" I usually always get the response of "Be Good." and we have to elaborate on what that mean. I explained to the kiddos that this was different than the movies and they could only get out of their seats during intermission. I explained that they would need to use the bathroom before the show started and then they could not go again until intermission. Lizzie gave a very concerned reply "But I will pee my pants." I don't think she realized she wouldn't have to wait for hours until she could go.

They were great!! No one gave me looks of dis test or hushed us cuz they coughed. Maybe my monsters are growing up. It was a wonderful show and it was fun to see so many of the kids we knew in it.

Kudos to Jessie, Victoria, Caleb, Jaymon, and Jet. You all did great.

This wonderful little production reminded me how important it is to support school and community theater and music. It is also a great place to teach kids the appropriate behaviors while attending a concert or production in a theater. Give it a try, spring musicals and concerts are coming up. Check with your local high school they would love the added support.

Share you experiences with me, I'd love to hear them.