Base humor at it's finest

Okay, those with sensitivites to basic bodily functions... please turn away. Switch to another blog about cooking or gardening, but read no further.

Now that I've got you all sufficently hooked (who's going to stop reading after an opener like that) I shall continue.

I was at the hall closet, putting things away and organizing, and I took advantage of my relative solitude to release some pent up pregnancy bubbles. The second I finished, Addie came tearing into the hall behind me and grabbed me around the legs for a big, "I love you Mom!" hug. Behind me, you see. She started to run away, then slowed to a stop and screwed up her face and said, "Smells like you need to go poop, Mom!" By this time, I was laughing so hard I nearly succombed to another pregnancy curse! My poor daughter. She will end up no more a lady than her dear old mom did, even though I do frown upon Corey's pull-my-finger trick he's teaching her.

Here she is with her new love, the internet. She is now up to three websites that she alternates between. Playhouse Disney, StarFall, and Scholastic Reading.


She also had Parent/Teacher Conferences today, and she is perfect! Of course, that was my interpretation of the conversations. All three of her teachers say that she is great -- sweet, respectful, smart... all the things that any good mother loves to hear. I even asked about her attitude, because it's been a rough couple months here at the Grip household. They all seemed shocked that little Addie could cause me a moment's trouble because they've never seen such a thing. Alas, I guess I'd rather her act properly outside the house, even if I have to deal with her sass at home.

Max's new trick

I've got a climber. CRAP!!! I never thought I'd have to deal with this, because Addie never gave me any trouble. Wishful thinking, I guess. Yesterday, I heard a suspicious noise coming from down the hall, and realized it was the toothbrush cup on our sink. I walked back to find this.

Unfortunately, we all thought this was so cute... and Max got the audience he so loves. So today, when Corey dragged him out of the sink again and told him "No!" there was major drama. You'd think he's a girl the way he carries on when he's ticked. But he's pretty cute, otherwise, so we forgive him.

Look how big my kids are

I know it's cliche, but I can't believe how big my kids are getting. Here's a couple pictures to enjoy if you're bored.

Max won't let me feed him anymore. He'd rather two-fist his food himself. And I do mean two-fist. Anytime he eats, whether it's crackers, grapes, sandwiches... whatever, he has to have something in both hands. This is him enjoying rice and veggies. I had to wait till the next morning to sweep the floor (ever tried to sweep wet rice? Yuck!)

Addie ALWAYS wants to help. And I feel bad when I turn her down just because I want to get through making dinner without having to exercise any patience. Tonight, she made chili (almost by herself). And because of this, she ate a whole bowl. This is big, because she doesn't usually eat much dinner. Notice her apron? She didn't want to miss out on any cooking by spending time to find her baker's hat -- a christmas gift from her cousins.

After dinner, we had a belated Family Home Evening about prayers. Addie went on hiatus with saying prayers for the past few weeks. She is in Primary now, and was pretty offended when she wasn't chosen to say the prayer. I told her that she couldn't pray in Primary until she started praying again at home. So, now she insists on praying at every opportunity. Her prayers are pretty entertaining, since she includes things like Santa Clause and his reindeer, "all the people we love, and all the people we don't know," and anything else that pops into her mind. So we had a lesson on what we should be thankful for. I started the list, then she insisted on writing things for herself. I couldn't believe how well she knew ALL her letters! I never practice them with her, so all the credit goes to her preschool teachers. Incase it's only legible to her mama, the list includes food, health, sleep, friends, home, Bishop, and Jesus


I'm so proud of my kids, and am constantly shamed by my lack of effort in teaching them these things that they are sponging up so easily. I have these moments, and vow to put forth more effort. So here's hoping I can take advantage of my guilt and try to teach my kids what a good mom would. Wish me luck.

Nothing to blog about

Maybe I'm suffering a little of the winter blues, but I can't seem to come up with anything to blog about. But I thought I should post a little bit, if only to let you know I'm still around.

I know I haven't said anything about Christmas, but that's only because it was NOT a great week. We went to Minnesota, but were unsure of our plans because of weather up until the afternoon we left. Addie came down with a fever that night, and didn't get over it till Saturday after Christmas. She came down with a cold, cough, runny nose, and a terrible 3 year old's attitude. She earned her first two spankings because of how she was acting . I know being sick makes you not want to be friendly around people, but it's hard to see your daughter act like she wasn't raised right when she only gets to see family a couple times a year. Max was about 2 days behind her with his cold, then I followed him the next day. Corey didn't come down with anything till New Year's Eve. Unfortunately, he is still suffering. He started with a head cold, then a sinus infection, then an ear infection. He's been draining bloody infection out of his ear for a week!

Maybe this is why I have the winter blues, since the winter can be blamed for most of the blues I've been subjected to lately. Sorry this is so lame, I just had to break back into blogging to see if I can look at life a little differently.

I can't even add some Christmas pictures, because I didn't get any good ones. Here's one of Max, enjoying a little private space in the kennel at Corey's grandparent's house. Note the bejewled phone he's playing on, and the runny nose and eyes. This was his life for a good two weeks, poor kid.