Schools Out For Summer

Last day of school, 2013. Aspen 5th grade, Liberty 3rd.

I have still not recouped from May. It was nuts- something every minute of everyday. I am surprised the household laundry ever got done and that we all had clean underwear.

At one point when the home teachers stopped by unannounced, Mick and I met them at the door to visit with them on the porch. You know May is crazy when the house is embarrassingly messy for guests we consider friends.

One day the school held an emergency drill. As expected I remembered my ID to get on the school grounds to pick up the girls. Vanessa and I are each others emergency contacts for our kids. She helped with the drill. I picked up her kids. I made my way to get her son, stood in line, showed my ID and signed him out. Next I picked up Lib and Dana while pushing Sunny with Wyatt and Abbie trailing behind. After a few stops for chats with teachers and friends, I made my way to the exist for a visit with Vanessa and friends before walking home. Soon Vanessa's kids ran off into the school (aka: the burning building!) for something they had forgotten and others ran to the swings. My head was spinning everywhere trying to keep track of all the kids among the crowd. By the time Dana returned I was so scatterbrained and ready to get out of there that I left without picking up Aspen. Meanwhile, she was yelling at me- from outside the burning building- but I could not hear her. Finally Vanessa got my attention. I made my way back to Aspen, showed my ID again and checked her out. I am certain she will never let me live this down and will be recalling it long after I am dead and gone. Who does this? Oh, just me the crazy mom.

May 30th was the last day of school for Lib and Aspen. It was a crazy busy day that capped off the crazy busy month of May. School was out at noon and as tradition has it, we planned to kick off summer with our "Schools out for summer party". I spent the morning entertaining ornery Sunny (should have named her something less happy, although I am hoping she will grow into her name), filling over 100 water balloons, getting guessing games together, preparing food and venturing over to the school to watch the kick ball tournament- 5th grade vs the teachers. Teachers schooled the 5th grade, 14-4.

Aspen is in the middle, hand on her hip, blue pants, white shirt.

At noon, I heard the school bell ring and 10 3rd graders trickled on over to the house with Lib. They were laughing, excited and playing all over the back yard. The fifth graders took longer to arrive. When they did all 13 of them came with big elephant tears streaming down their faces, barely able to talk. I hugged them all and cried right along with them! "We want to go back and say goodbye" they all asked. So I sent them all back to the school to say more goodbyes and told them to come back happy and ready to party. It was an emotional day.

They party was well attended (lucky me!) and we had a fun time playing water balloon volleyball/catch and other games. By three o'clock, I was toast. Thankfully there were some friends to help me and Mick was our official hot dog roaster. These two pics are the only ones I took over the two and half hours.

Dana, Kade, Audrianna, Lib and Wyatt

Next up was Lib and Aspen's piano recital. They both played two numbers confidently and performed so well in front of the large crowd. I was proud of them and could tell they felt accomplished.

Aspen left right after her pieces to go to soccer tryouts for next season. She made the select team and will be traveling the state next year in search of stiffer competition.

I was in bed, sound asleep by 10:00pm that night, and up bright and early the next day to take Abbie and the carpool crew to preschool. The madness never ends but I love it!

Hooray for summer!

Elementary Graduate

Aspen graduated from Elementary. There was a 5th grade program. Because Aspen is the kind of child who wants to grow up, she was super excited to be graduating and moving on. She warned me, however, that I would cry at the graduation.

All the children did a Zombi dance, then a video made by them, was shown. It was academy award style where Aspen took home the fairness and justice award. How fitting. She is quite the advocate for fairness.

It wasn't until the cute baby/toddler pictures of the children started coming on the screen while some sappy Taylor Swift song about "don't you ever grow up" played, that I almost welled up. Almost. But I held it at bay thinking that Aspen was excited, so I should be too!

Then the Ellis rendition of "So Long, Farewell" from The Sound of Music was performed with waves of good bye as the curtain closed.

It was a fun night. All the children were excited since there were still two days left of school.

Hard to believe we are entering the teenage years and middle school. Opportunities and hard times await. As the mom, I am trying not to fear the hard times that will come. Young life is tricky. I hope I can navigate this new mothering stage with confidence in Aspen and what I have already taught her.

Here is my graduate!

With friends, Whitney, and Beatriz

Aspen and Beatriz with Mrs. Burton- Aspen loved Mrs. Burton

H e Double Hockey Stick and I'm Feeling Better From Yesterday

I think my hormones are playing tricks on me. Or at least that is where I'm placing all the blame. For the past few weeks I have been attempting to ween Sunny and have been having an emotional roller coaster ride. It has not been kicks and giggles. Weening, this time around, has been difficult.

There have been moments where I have been slightly(or, maybe extremely is a more accurate word) over emotional and irritated. In fact just today I might have spoken the word hell out loud as in "you are bugging the hell out of me" to my children... while they had friends over. Oops, not my finest moment. I could have sworn I only thought it, but then it just spewed out my lips like cheeks bursting with milk.

My kids might be accustomed to my second language (Spanish, French, English, Cursing...), albeit in a slightly less personal and derogatory way, and more of a "Good hell! Who just forgot to take a bath inside the tub instead of on the bathroom floor?" sort of way. However, I did not mean to introduce their friends to it. I apologized profusely to these two young ladies and to my children, but forgiveness will be a tell tale sign when and if my children's friend's parents allow them to play again.

(Note to self, write an apology to parents.)

I feel horrible at the same time that I laugh at my stupidity of actions during a moment of frustration. Try and try again. That is my motto.

Oh the joys of womanhood, parenthood, motherhood and Jenhood...

I am wondering if this has happened to anyone else? Not the swearing, because I'm sure you all know how to peaceably contain your frustrated selves, but the hormone-roller-coaster-during-weening-a-breastfeeder, mess. Anyone?

Side note: I cannot wait to have my breasts back, my body back, my brain back and hopefully some normal hormones back- if indeed they ever return.

After weening three previous babies, one would think I knew that this ride was coming, but I don't remember it. Not one bit. Maybe it's akin to forgetting childbirth?

Anyhow, that was today. Now on to tomorrow and hoping no one sets me off so much that I actually voice my swearing to their faces again.

First Day of School

This years first day of school went by so quickly for me. I baked our usual back to school cookies, relaxed and enjoyed some peace and quiet and life with two kids again. Aspen said she could smell the back to school cookies when she was walking home. I remember telling my mom that. I recall the scent of the first day of school with cookies. The culmination of a new day with new friends and new teachers must be balanced out by the comforting scent of home-baked cookies welcoming you home. What a great, yummy tradition. Abbie missed the girls terribly. It was a good thing she wasted a few hours by sleeping in until 10 AM.

Aspen is in her last year at Ellis Elementary. I cannot believe that my baby will be a middle schooler after this year. Times flies. She is blossoming into quite the young lady. She is such a good helper with chores. I will miss her while she is at school. This year she didn't mind me walking her to school because we had Sunny and Sunny is still cool. Thank goodness someone is still cool in this family. Sending her on her last first day of Elementary made me a bit sad, nostalgic and excited all at the same time. After feeling this way, I find it a given that I will miss my kids being little, just like all the old ladies tell me I will. I did not believe them about 6 years ago.   

Liberty is now an upperclassman. Being in third grade opens up a myriad of opportunities. She could join the choir, chime choir, learn to play some instruments and go to the big kid activities. No worries though, she is not a little joiner like her older sister. She is content with computers, library and recess. She did mention that she loves PE. I love that she is happy with simple things. I love that she is a good friend and such a helper with Sunny. She is such a good playmate with Abbie, that her spunk and fun attitude will be missed while at school.

We are looking forward to a great year with awesome teachers in Mrs. Frandsen (Liberty) and Mrs. Burton (Aspen)

How wild to think that next year Abbie will be in Kindergarten! Crazy.

PS: My favorite first day of school note:

Cravings

2 months. 

Sunny Buckets rolled from her back to stomach this afternoon. With a swift turn of her hips she plopped on her belly like a beached whale, back arched, enjoying her new view. She was stunned, I was excited and then immediately sad. My baby is growing up. As a way of monitoring progress in my children, I crave these events- first smile, first laugh, first roll- until they happen. Then I want time to still and seal up the newborn cry, fisted fingers and wobbly head so I can witness it forever.

No such luck.

Now I'm on to craving toy interaction, sitting up and rolling for travel. Such a bipolar cycle to place myself in.

--------------------------

Lib the snorkler

Tomorrow marks the last week of summer. I am singing hallelujahs to school beginning. To a schedule of which to gauge my days. Having four children has made me crave a schedule. Wake, breakfast, three out to school, feeding, naptime- FREE TIME FOR MOM!, pick up Abbie, errands/work/playtime, more naptime and feedings, kids come home, homework, piano, soccer, dance, run here and run there, throw in dinner then bedtime to get ready for the next day. I assume this schedule will make more time for other things like better focused family time and exercise, but I know the days will continue only with 24 hours.

Knowing myself, a week into my new great schedule and I will be dying for summer to begin again. Never thought I'd say it, but I miss the summers with toddlers. Those lazy days without schedule and with whim on our side. To bad those are a thing of the past.

School clothes are bought, last minute fun is planned and throbbing trepidation is settling in. Aspen is at her last year in Elementary School, Lib finds herself behind before she even begins 3rd grade and Abbie has her final year of preschool. Growth times three.

My hopes are:
     *That Aspen settles in with some good friends before middle school and enjoys her last year of        innocent childhood consisting of Barbies, running around in swimsuits, and not noticing the opposite sex.
     *That Lib continues to enjoy learning... label free, and absorbs enough to process then spill back out... enough.
      *That Abbie will let loose, play, learn by doing and enjoy her last year of freedom until the ABC's and 123's are crammed into her charming little head, forever.
      *That Sunny and I will take more walks together. More naps. Maybe even take her first bike ride just as soon as she sits up!

Thoughts on the day

-Felt good today, for a 33 week pregnant lady. I'll take it.

-Aspen tried out for the school talent show, and made it. She performed today playing "Fur Elise" on the piano. It was a perfect rendition (with a few nerves which made it a quick rendition) just like she promised it would be since we straightened her hair last night, in preparation. In fact, her exact quote was "I feel more educated when my hair is straight". She also said it helps her get A's and do better at anything she is does. She even went as far as to promise her straightened hair would help deliver a solid performance today. She may be on to something.
I was proud of her. She did great.
I think straight hair gives her attitude and boy did we see a lot of that today. Attitude is good when harnessed, really difficult to deal with when not. I'm thinking that today she could of also auditioned for the Disney Channel and made it. Drama, drama and attitude mixed with more drama. Love her still.

-When giving her a bath today, Abbie asked me not to clean her wiener. "No worries, I won't because you don't have one. You're a girl silly". Where does she get this from? I'm totally blaming it on Liberty since minutes before Lib told me her's was clean. Here I thought I've been giving the girls proper terminology and trying to teach them differences in boys and girls. Hasn't worked so well, apparently. Sure made for a good laugh though!

I Think I Might Be Cool Again...whew!

Over the past few months I've been hearing Aspen say "Mom, you're disgusting", each time she would catch me scratching my belly or performing some other involuntary pregnancy action. To be honest this comment had begun to drive me crazy, mostly because I had high hopes Aspen would find this whole pregnancy and childbirth process a little more fascinating.

She's older, adores babies and taking care of them, but apparently thinks I'm disgusting because I'm having one. I don't get it, although I have a hunch it might have something to do with the recent sex talks we've had and the fact that she completely comprehends how a baby is made, but who's to say. Good grief though, if that's the reason, why isn't Mick disgusting too? He gets off scott free but I take the entire brunt of our parenting let's-make-a-baby deal?

So imagine my surprise when together, as we were picking up pieces of snack wrappers off the floor- me with my toes, her with her hands- she asked admiringly "How did you get so good at picking stuff up with your feet?"

I was shocked at her loving, sincere, positive response to my toe talent. Truth be told I've had this skill long before I really did have difficulty bending over with a fetus stuck to the front of my abdomen, though I couldn't divulge that secret. Not now.  Here was my big break. My chance to prove I was cool and not a disgusting big bellied mom.

"I got so good at picking stuff up with my toes because I've had babies living in my belly and babies make it hard to bend over..." I said as a matter of fact, "I've had four good chances to practice!".

"Look, I'm almost as good as you!" made me happy to hear as we continued picking up wrappers together with our toes. But I would be remiss to admit that the sweetest music to my ears has been the silence from hearing "mom, your disgusting" for two whole days now.

Blogger issues

I have not been able to access my blog. Hence a day late in my daily Lent addition.

Here was yesterday's thought:

Sick kids on a Saturday lead to a busy day walking back and forth and a lot of movie watching.

Last day of school, LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Lib and Mrs. Janie Macfarlane- 1st grade

Aspen and Ms. Jamie Rupp- 3rd grade

What a mixture of emotions for me when the girls pass life's milestones such as this one.

On one hand they are growing up (HOORAY!), but on the other hand- they are growing up (BOO!). I'm not always sure how to feel, so I plaster on my smile and go about giving kudos for a job well done- on everyone's behalf while occasionally shedding a tear.

I have felt grateful beyond words for these two superb teachers in the lives of my girls. Especially Mrs. Macfarlane for being a champion for Liberty's successes, however small they might have been. I'm so grateful she allowed Liberty to feel good at what she knew and be herself in the areas she thrived.

I worry so much for next year with that girl. She's far behind her peers, academically. But socially and artistically- if those were assessed, she shines.

I worry for Lib's future, for the effort she will have to put in to do her best educationally. I worry for gearing up for another year of one and a half hours of homework each night- for both of us! I don't have the patience I should, day in and day out. I constantly pray that there will be a break through with her learning, and for anyone who might be able to assist Mick and I in helping her. Secretly, I get so mad at myself as her mom, who doesn't know how to tear down the walls in her lovely little brain. But I don't hold those keys and it is so frustrating. So far, I count my blessing for those who we do have in her circle of help, and they are such competent professionals that both Liberty and I feel comfortable with.

Her's a note I sent Principal Sue about these great ladies:

Dear Sue,

First off, I want to say Thank You!

Thank You for being such a great Principal of a outstanding school. Our family loves Ellis Elementary! Your hard work and effort does not go unappreciated by us. We have loved having our children attend Ellis which has offered them so many opportunities. Having a neighborhood school our children can walk to, learn and play at while creating fond memories, has been important to us. It has been so rewarding to watch Aspen and Liberty grow and learn through great teachers and staff that are genuinely invested in seeing their academic, social and creative successes.

This year Aspen and Liberty have been particularly blessed with the best teachers- Miss Rupp and Mrs. Macfarlane respectfully. We trusted in your decision to place them with these two great teachers and have been so pleased with the outcome.

We are so thrilled that you were able to hire Miss Rupp and that she has been Aspen's teacher. She has helped calm and focus Aspen's attention to the task at hand by commanding a quiet atmosphere for learning and respect for other students. Her classroom management is top notch for learning, and we would bet all her students have grown leaps and bounds this year, as Aspen has. Her loving, positive comments, have provided good feedback for Aspen and us, and boosted Aspen's self esteem. We appreciate Mrs. Rupp's hard work and dedication to preparing Aspen both socially and academically for the years ahead. We have also admired her ability to push Aspen to reach goals ahead of time, and to advance her reading. 

Time and time again, it has been confirmed to us the blessing of having Mrs. Macfarlane be Liberty's teacher this year. Thank you, thank you, thank you for choosing Liberty to be in her classroom! It has truly taken an army of people this year to get Liberty to where she is. We are so grateful to you, Mrs. Macfarlane and all your staff (including Mrs. Hanson and Mrs. Pruze) who have given their love, time and talents to Liberty's success. Liberty has grown leaps and bounds, despite her setbacks and a great deal of credit goes to Mrs. Marfarlane for her professional abilities, energy, patience, compassion and drive to see Liberty succeed. She helped secure more individual academic help with resource and helped tailor Liberty's homework to fit her needs to insure success and to keep us all from going crazy! Her classroom is super organized, relatively calm, creative, fun and an overall great learning environment. We have appreciated that she noticed Liberty's learning strategies and incorporated that into teaching Liberty individually. Mrs. Macfarlane is so great at teaching. She runs a tight ship with 6/7 year old's and quite frankly, deserves a medal for having 26! this year. We'd love to see her rewarded for her efforts by having a slightly smaller class next year. She is a wonder and hope to see her still at Ellis when Abbie makes it to 1^st grade! 

Sue, you are a delight! Carry on in all the good work you do as an advocate for our children, as well as countless others. Thanks for accepting this note, as all our thanks and thoughts would not have fit on tiny lines. Not to mention you having to read our horrid handwriting!

Sincerely,

Mick and Jennifer Perkins

If I Had a Million Dollars...

During recent family prayer Aspen has been pouring her heart out in supplication for the people of Japan. For their wellness and recovery. It is sweet. With equally as much gusto, she prays fervently that we will "have fun tomorrow". She is concerned about peace, safety, wellness and fun.

So far (thankfully), she has not pleaded the heavens for a million dollars. But, if she did, I think I might really like what she would do with it; particularly paragraph two so it would cure my Oprah "sheff" envy, and paragraph one for monthly budgetary reasons.

Here is her newest story, written pre Japan devastation obviously, because I'm certain her previous desires have now been altered.

"What? Cheer? You don't want to be a cheerleader."

When that sentence escaped my brain to my tongue, I had to bite down- hard. "Let her be who she wants to be" I swallowed, changing my train of thought.

Believing that my children have their own niches, talents and skills; it is my job as their mother to help provide which ever opportunity they might find to seek them. Even that of cheerleading with its' blinding white shoes, hair ribbons, plastered smiles and toe touching entertainment.

"But what about dance, you loved it last year", I begged.

Secretly I was hoping my daughter(s) (my flesh and blood!) would avoid such a desire as cheerleading. Slying away from the epitome of the teenage drama world. Instead one has jumped right in a few years prematurely. Pre, preteen prematurely, and my heart aches a little each time I proudly smile watching my little cheerleader rallying onto the court with her smile and perfected cartwheels.

"Mom, our cheer coach says I have the loudest clap! See you cup your hands like this...clup, Clup, CLUP!".

My aversion to cheerleading is rooted deeply. Stereotypes maybe? Labels? The attraction of disgusting males who demean the sport? Wanting my daughters to have confidence entirely independent of how people view/react to them seems a juxtaposition to cheerleading. This is where my trouble lies.

"Don't forget to smile and have strong arms" I remind her while fixing her hair and make-up.

Believing my child is more than a pretty smile who can yell and clap loud, lightens me up a bit. Watching my baby have the time of her life stomping, clapping, rallying and yelling a pretend team on to victory diminishes my preconceived "Cheerleader" label.

Demonstrating her love for cheerleading, Aspen has reminded me to drop the stereotypes and labels I place on people. She's reminded me to take that a step further, to do what I love with no regard to stereotypes or labels. As females, we only place them on ourselves when we allow another voice to influence our own.

"Mom, that was fun! There was so many people!"

A Month Plus, Late

2010 was birthday party year. My mean, yet equally economically friendly mother-self, limits friend parties to every other year. In the long run I envision my children being more thankful for those special times which came in fewer, infrequent number. In the short run, I get to keep my sanity. In twenty years I suppose I'll know if this tactic worked how I imagined.

Aspen's birthday is always difficult. Christmas with all its' festivities looms overhead and money and time becomes tight. I envisioned throwing a party in January. Fresh new snow hills, sledding, hot cocoa and pizza for all 50,000 friends she wished to invite. As luck would have it, the snow came early, then left just in time for the party Aspen demanded be in December. Still, I was not feeling up to par, but it was 2010 and I had promised to deliver.

 Plan B came into effect- wait until Christmas break, grab four friends, use our buy one get one free ice skating passes and let the ladies wear themselves out partying on the ice. Pizza would came later.

Best party money/time ever spent! I loved seeing Aspen and her crazy friends being the silly nine year old girls that I sometimes forget they are. It was nuts I tell you, nuts. And I think we all loved every minute of it! 2011 should be a relatively quiet year gearing up to 2012

Up and Coming Reporter?

Aspen loves to write and share with me what she has written.
It's a great partnership, considering I love to read her work and see her progress.

Whether this was Ms. Rupp's idea or Aspen's, here's her latest exercise in reporting.  "HOLY!" pretty good typing, grammar and sentence structure.

While gaining hummingbird knowledge, enjoy a good laugh.

Surprisingly, this did not end with a "Peace Out"

Lovely, part two

Attention:

Accompanying "Happy Birthday" for us.

We have a big NINE year old
One more year and Aspen will be a double digit. In a few years... a teen! Sounds cliche, but really, where has the time gone?

Her birth seems like yesterday. 

On a flurry filled December night I went to my last Lamaze class. On bed rest and feeling retched that day, the evenings outing was a welcome reprieve from passing time lying on my side all day. Sitting in class at the hospital, I began seeing flashes of light. I knew my blood pressure was skyrocketing. Mick and I, on the doctors recommendation of such symptoms, went up to labor and delivery after class... just for a blood pressure check. An hour later I was dressed in a flowered gown, stuck with an IV and hooked up to every drug known to a laboring women. 

This was the moment. The moment I had been intrepidly awaiting for months. Every emotion filled my eyes and poured down my face. I'm not ready- I remember thinking. Little did I know I would have 36 hours of labor ahead of me that would change my ideas of readiness. I just want her out became my new motto.

This year marked her first birthday not receiving a toy. That's right, no new barbie to mingle with the 80 piled in the 10 gallon pink tote downstairs. No plastic of any kind. And the funny part about it is I would have bought her 80 more barbies and a new pink tote just to insure she cannot grow past the magic ages. For her own sake and for mine, but time does not work that way. As her mother I have to revel in the changes to come. In the opportunities ahead. The Aspen on the horizon. Her social butterfly self spreading her wings and flying into her own.

Celebrating with friends at school... PEACE

I still don't feel ready. The learning curve is steep. It's simple to become a mother, much harder to be a mother. Each day brings new challenges, particularly with Aspen being the first child. Each experience is new and we have to map out our course together, often butting heads at every intersection. But therein lies the beauty of it all, I suppose. By the time she's 18, we've been through some cross roads and my most important works as mother are done, I wonder if I'll be ready to have her out? Ready to have her leave the nest? Something tells me I might try to persuade her from leaving with the latest and greatest plastic gadget.

Ready for the slopes!

These Made Me Smile

Liberty's List

Aspen's List

May this event NEVER happen to you.

Aspen has had a serious case of Pappiloma (wart) virus. Frankly it has been disgusting. We had tried getting rid of them, but to no avail, they had returned with a vengeance. Seeming to almost multiply hourly.

This summer I took her to see the Dermatologist. I warned her that she might need to have some warts "burned" off. The worst of which would be below her nose. She has been cutting off and then regrowing this little dangle repetitively, scared to death to have to BURN a part of her face.

Dr. told us we could treat most warts with a "patch" of medicine that her body creates an allergic reaction too, and then we can cover all (5050!) warts with a condensed form of the medication each week, watching them blister and fall off. Just for the record, we are four weeks in, and it is slowly (grossly) working!

But here's the clincher, the Patch does not work for faces. It can cause scarring. So the Doctor told Aspen she would need to hop in his chair and he would burn off the wart from under her nose, taking only about 20 seconds and relatively pain free. He then showed her his magic Harry Potter trick of pouring the freezing solution on the ground only to have it sizzle and dissipate in a white rising cloud. Aspen was not impressed.

This is when the situation began to take a horrible turn.

Aspen, my child who has been known to bolt running down hospital corridors in order to avoid immunizations and nurses, began to cry and fight insistently. Luckily the room was small and the Dr, his nurse and an intern were blocking the doorway. Meanwhile Liberty and Abbie stopped their play to view what torture was causing such an outburst. No one was touching Aspen. She was curled in a corner holding onto a chair leg for dear life yelling "NO, I'm not doing that... NO!" at the very top of her lung capacity while tears stained her shirt. 

I found myself wrestling my daughter while the Three Administrative Stooges looked on. No one lifted a finger, no one said a thing. The Peanut Gallery, probably in awe of the scene just sat there looking on. After what seemed like a sweaty, half hour long wrestle to pry a 70lb two armed death grip and leg entanglement off of every stationary object in the room- I decided to try a less physical approach. "Let's talk", I told Aspen. The three stooges listened in.

After the it's not going to hurt, the you can do this Aspen, the Dr. promised it wouldn't hurt more then a pinch, and by this time the just hurry and hop in the chair then we can go home- Aspen began to inch closer to the perceived electric chair.

Then the last stitch flight option:
"I don't want to do it today. Can't we come back?" Aspen pleaded.
"No way, I'm not going through this again. We are doing this today", I demanded. The Peanut Gallery laughed. I was dead serious. Aspen began to cry and fight louder, issuing more death grips far removed from the chair. Out of desperation, frustration, and empathy of her fear, I began to cry too.
"Can you give us a minute alone?" I said raising my finger to the Peanut Gallery. As they departed, I knew it was time for reinforcements of the heavenly kind. For Aspen, and for myself.

Aspen and I said a prayer, praying fervently for peace on her behalf, strength to be cooperative and faith in the process that it wouldn't hurt.

The Peanut Gallery arrived just as I had gotten Aspen seated in the chair. The Dr. performed his magic trick again, this time receiving the same reaction from Aspen. Tears, screaming, adamant refusal. I let go of her, folded my arms and looked to the heavens for help. Here we go again, I thought as sweat began to drip from my face.

As a tender mercy, one of the Peanuts began to speak. Nurse in her feminine firm charm calmed Aspen to a non yelling state and reassured her that she had seen thousands of children Aspen's age be scared and then after the procedure say "that didn't even hurt". Liberty even chimed in and encouraged Aspen, "You can do it Aspen, it won't hurt".

I clapped my hands, gave the Dr. a thumbs up- let-do-this sign and every one assumed their position. Myself directly straddling Aspen now that she was seated in the chair. Nurse procured the drugs, Dr. cradled Aspen's head in one arm, his other dabbing freeze to Aspen's face.

Immediately Aspen's body went limp. Her fight subsided. My grip loosened.
"It doesn't even hurt" she said calmly.

For decompression alone, I wanted to scream "ARE YOU KIDDING ME, ALL OF THAT FOR A 'IT DOESN'T EVEN HURT?'", but I resisted and helped myself to a sucker for the brave kids instead. 

This is Aspen , and we are grateful we lived through the wart removal experience to see this wart fall off forever!

Yard Sale!

Aspen and Liberty hosted a yard sale selling all their friend Shaylee's "baby stuff".  Most of their selling time was spent rearranging easel signage, rummaging through the goods and performing cheer stunts and chants for marketing and promotion edge.

Liberty came inside several times in search of her spare change. For a dollar she purchased some make-up (baby stuff?) for which she put on immediately.

In agreement with Shaylee, Aspen purchased a pair of roller blades (she's been DYING to own a pair) in exchange for her work at the sale and one dollar. This beat KSL or any other yard sale listing price. I had visions of Shaylee's mom coming to retrieve the newish pink pair of expandable blades her daughter had sold for a meager dollar, so I confirmed with Shaylee the shady deal that went down. "Come back and get them if you need too" I whispered to her. No blood on my hands. 

Aspen donated a Polly Pocket dress to aid in the retail value of Shaylee's naked Polly that had been placed on the table. Incidentally, after two hours, a kind passerby pulled over and purchased the said dress worn by the respective Polly for a whopping $2.50. "It was for her granddaughter" said Aspen, "she was excited to buy it!"

Bless you stranger, bless you.

Optimism was at it's peak. A purchase had been made. Their metal money can could now jingle. Smiles of success were evident on their faces. Then it was time for a new marketing campaign... and a new sign: "1 dolor Pony Rides!" I wanted to purchase a ride but saw no evidence of a pony. It took me a minute to realize we owned the pony in our backyard. Plastic construction and the pony's miniature size counted me out for a ride.

A few preteen kids stopped by the sale on their bikes. Visible through my window, words were exchanged as Aspen's suspicions kept her hand on the money can. Soon the boys rode off. Quickly Aspen came inside.
"Mom, some boys came by the sale and told us were were stupid".
"That's not kind", I told her thinking maybe they were in search of a real pony ride too, "I hope you just ignored them".
"We did".

Soon after, I witnessed yard sale items being cleaned up and put into bags. The money can was exchanged with frowns between Shaylee and Aspen, then the goods were taken back to Shaylee's house. Only Aspen returned.
"Mom, Shaylee's mad because I told her that one dollar was mine since the lady bought my Polly Pocket dress, and because I helped sell it."
"Then you got your skates for free" I calculated "but you've hurt your friends feelings. Which is more important to you, your friendship with Shaylee or the skates?"

Minutes later Shaylee was back, smiles were on faces, and Aspen still had a dollar and a pair of roller blades to her name.

Week One Down

One week has passed since my last post. One grasshopper dead. One let loose. One cool skin kept.

Wish I could say I've been on vacation, but alas, only a schedule is to blame. Boring. I know. Although I did get my entire set of cabinets and wood floor polished for the first time since the big remodel. It only took a year. Too bad the clean lasted until cracker time. Thanks to this little jewel:

Also, a nightly computer thief has been in the house. A certain someone has been on every chat board on the web waiting word for which conference BYU chooses to align themselves with (the devil?), and where USU will go in BYU's merciful (we hope) selection. Why must purity be so concerned with money and fame? One will never know. Throw us a bone BYU, throw us a bone.  Mostly just to ensure my computer becomes mine again. Please?

Meanwhile, first day of school (3rd, 1st) pics and awesome quotes:

"Your not walking me to school mom! That is so embarrassing."
"I'm not, I'm walking Lib to school, right Lib?"
Lib shakes her head up and down with a smile and a out reached hand.

"Look mom, I picked these flowers for Ms. Rupp!"

 "How was your first day?" I asked Aspen upon her return.

"Ms. Rupp is strict mom"

That explains why I found Ms.Rupp's flowers lying squished between books and papers. Poor Ms. Rupp. I hope she survives Aspen this year. I might need to buy her some flowers myself, for penance.

"Lib, you pegged your skinny jeans- I love it!" "I just rolled them."

"Here's some flowers for your teacher Libby". "I don't want to give my teacher flowers". "Just hold them for the picture then". "Okay". SNAP

"Mom, don't leave" Lib said with pleading puppy brown eyes. "Will you come back to get me?"

Of course I'd come back to get someone who thought I was the coolest person in the world. Can't miss that opportunity.

Stay tuned to see if I'm cool enough for the the first day of school next year.