Speak Engrish

A friend gave me a link to this site and I thought I'd share. Engrish
I found it so amusing, don't be surprised if your next holiday card from me looks like this:

family's first football game

Last Saturday a coworker of Reed's gave us tickets and a parking pass to a Cardinals game. Since we pass the stadium a lot, the boys have been very curious about it and what happens in there, so we decided to take a family trip.

Even with a parking pass we had to walk quite a ways, it seems they are definitely not ready for the superbowl traffic they will undoubtedly encounter and are working hard to rectify this--but meantime the parking lots and surrounding areas are absolutely a mess. It was VERY hot that day, and we were sweating like we were IN the game by the time we got to our seats. The inside is pretty neat, the retractable roof and retractable grass I guess are cool features if you are a stadium hopper, but we're not. We were just grateful to get out of the sun.

The game started and the boys really got into it, cheering with the crowd and booing appropriately. The man a few seats down had key phrases like "What game are YOU watching, ref??" and "You must be blind!!" which Carson picked up pretty quickly and the people around us that that was cute.

Both boys danced at halftime along with the cheerleaders and were sad when that portion ended.

Back in the parking lot, our car thermometer read 122 degrees!

Big Surf

Sunday we took the boys to Big Surf because Reed's work bought out the place for the day just for employees. It was so fun! I'd already figured we'd be stuck at the kiddie pool the whole time but the boys surprised me. They LOVED the water slides. They had some "smaller" slides, but they were still huge in my opinion. after the first time, that's all they wanted to do. they were such daredevils! the pool at the bottom was only about 2 feet deep so it was high up on Trevor but shallow enough that he could touch. he swam around really well--he's such a fish!

we were really proud at how "big" they were. Then we went to the wave pool and poor landlocked Trevor said "Is this what the ocean is like, mama?" I didn't realize he's never even been to the beach! We'll have to rectify that soon. once the first wave went past us, Trevor demanded that we go deeper to catch the waves better! such a daredevil!

This week has been really busy and is flying by. the school day starts and ends before we know it. Carson is doing really well and the teacher says that the other kids listen to him so he helps her get everyone lined up and quiet sometimes. LOL every day he comes home with a stamp on his hand a treasure from the treasure box, which means he was a good boy all day. Woohoo! we're really proud of our big boy. some people voiced concerns that he was starting kindergarten from home and not preschool, but we knew he'd be great. Go Carson!

just a few more weeks until our Disney vacation! we're really excited to get away and I cannot wait to see my babies' faces when they see Disney for the first time. Trevor gets excited at the Disney store just seeing the characters at the front door. LOL he'll really be ecstatic to see Disney.

have a great week!

4th day of no soda

I have had a nagging headache all day that won't go away. I took a few tylenol, but I was too lazy to make a cup of tea this morning so that's probably part of it. I have the water going now. :)

I went to pick up Carson from school today and he actually asked me to wait a minute, he wasn't ready to leave. I noticed he was talking to a very pretty blonde girl that he is assigned to sit next to. When we left I asked him how his day was and he said "Did you see that girl I was talking to? Her name is Aislynn, and she's the prettiest girl in class. She is sooo beautiful. She has blonde hair like me and blue eyes like me, and we are best friends."

I was kinda hoping he'd find a boy to play with that we could invite over and meet at the park, but a girl works too. She really is cute. He has good taste. :)~

Trevor and I had a busy day playing pirates. I gave us eye patches and I had to use a hook (end of a kiddie clothes hanger) since I was the evil Captain and Trevor is always "Petey Pants" (peter pan). He wants a green outfit and I wish I could find one for him for Halloween. I may have to break out some sewing skills. It doesn't look all that hard to make.

He is very dramatic and "dies" very convincingly although staying quiet after he's supposedly dead is obviously much harder. He grabs the "sword" and sticks it under his armpit and staggers around. Oscar worthy. It's funny, 2 pm comes very quickly every day and I don't get as much done as I thought I would with one less kid around.

Trevor is potty trained!

I picked up a training toilet (The Royal Flush, lol) from a neighbor the other day and it's so cute! I had a feeling Trevor didn't like the feeling of dangling over the toilet because he's still small enough that he can't balance across the hole. I was right. The first day we got the potty, he went right away. It makes a noise (think trumpets announcing a king arrival) whenever anything, um, solid passes the sensor in the pot and he thinks that's hysterical. So it's been a few days now...and...we're potty trained! no diapers at all during the day! He even pottied out yesterday when we were running errands. Woohoo! He still wears a diaper to bed because he is too short to really get out of his bed easily by himself, especially in the middle of the night.

Carson is taking to school well. He's gotten all good notes so far and is excited to go and make some good friends. He asked Reed if he wanted to help him "pick out his new girlfriend" from his classmates, which got a big laugh. Slow Down, ladies man! Every morning when the class lines up he goes up to the teacher and says "Good morning, Mrs. Smith. How are you today?" which I have not seen one other child do. It's crazy how adult he acts sometimes. I think the teacher is very tickled with him.

Caffeine, First day, and black eyes

Okay, so I did have part of a soda yesterday. I wasn't thinking and it was just automatic. But that is significantly less than I usually have, and I didn't drink any at all on Sunday or today. I woke up this morning with a bit of a headache, but I'm trying to stave off really horrible withdrawls with a small cup of tea in the mornings. At least I know what's in that! LOL

Reed thinks I'm nuts but I think he's also waiting to see if I do feel better without the soda...who knows? Maybe he'll quit it too!

Our new Kindergartener!
Carson's first day of school yesterday went very well. I was a little teary eyed but nothing major. I did miss him and the house was so quiet without him! Trevor fared the worst, I think, because he was so sad he couldn't be there playing with "Sha Sha" after he saw all the fun toys they had in their classroom! He and I took a little trip to the mall and then to meet Daddy for lunch so we wouldn't feel so sad on the first day. It was very fun! I have to get used to just having Trevor around, and boy, does he talk when big brother isn't here to talk for him! I'm not sure I've ever heard him say so many words in one sitting. He talks in circles and repeats himself and it's very silly. But oh so cute! I'm glad I get to stay home with him for a few months just the two of us before he goes to daycare in January (while I'm in school)--we get one on one time that we've never had before!



Unfortunately, he started school with a black eye, given to him courtesy of his little brother. Trev accidentally knocked him in the eye with a plastic blow gun--which is a long black tube that you put darts in and blow really quickly to shoot them out. To Trevor, this is a really good pirate stick. We had to take it away and tell him that pirates really just use their fingers to fight each other, but he didn't believe us. He'll be getting a foam sword for his birthday (the only thing he asked for) and I'm grateful knowing that foam can't possibly give black eyes...can it?
poor black eye-doesn't show up as much in this pic

Another thing I love

Burt's Bees--having been in North Carolina where this line was originated and originally introduced at little country stores, I of course feel some pride at something from my home state. But even if I didn't have that attachment, I'd still love this stuff. They have make-up, skincare, and...sunscreen! I might try that next.

And please don't think I'm a hypocrite. I am also trying to do as much whole foods as I can to help our family quit using processed foods and soda! I decided yesterday after reading some very convincing arguments to quit it cold turkey. I'm sure that I will have some withdrawl, but I can live with that. I can't live with my children developing bad habits because of mine.

The sun and me

As most of my friends and family know, 4 years ago this summer I was diagnosed with melanoma. It was a horribly scary experience and changed our lives in many ways. I was never a huge sun seeker, I just enjoyed it moderately on weekends playing volleyball on the beach, going for walks, hiking, etc. I never laid out all that often and didn't care about being bronzed to perfection.
Since being diagnosed, I've been literally quite scared of the sun's rays and what I thought it could do to my body. I certainly don't want to have to go through that experience again, for my sake and my familys sake. But in the years since I quit enjoying the outdoors, too scared to venture out during daylight hours for any length of time, too worried about protecting myself fro UVA and UVB rays to go for walks unless it was extremely overcast, early in the morning or very late evening...I've noticed that I've had a number of issues that could possibly be attributed to lack of, well, sun. I've been very susceptible to depression--which, I realise could easily happen with the life changes we've had through the years, but hey, doesn't everyone?? I've gained a significant number of pounds without much being changed diet wise--and I even exercise more routinely NOW because it's more of a scheduled event than before my children arrived. I know metabolism slows down as you age, but heck, I'm not even 30 yet! And surely it doesn't slow that much this soon.
My skin is pasty white, and I realise I'll have less wrinkles and age spots than those who are tanning vigorously...but I miss it. I miss the sun, being outside in the DAYTIME and I miss being able to play with abandon outside with my boys the way I did with my stepdaughter.

Then my friend Marie sent me some links and I have to admit, they make a lot of sense. http://www.newstarget.com/021903.html
From the article:

more people use sunscreen products, the more they'll get cancer. And that's due to two primary reasons: 1) Sunscreen blocks vitamin D production, a nutrient that strongly prevents cancer, and 2) Sunscreen products almost always contain cancer-causing chemicals that are absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream where they cause severe DNA damage, leading to cancer.

Basically it's saying that by blocking the Vitamin D you get from natural sunlight, it's actually helping PROMOTE cancer in your body. It certainly doesn't say "Go to the Tanning Bed until you fry!" or "Stay out all day without so much as a hat!" but it does say that sunlight in moderation very often is absolutely essential to your wellbeing, and that the sunscreens that are so highly touted are actually full of carcinogens that we are not only letting absorb into our skin, but putting into our environment via rivers, oceans and drains.
I was amazed at all the symptoms lack of sunlight could cause, including but not limited to the ones I mentioned I have. Obviously, I don't think just going outside more often is going to make me happier all the time or help me drop this 20 lbs...but I think it's a valid point. It also encourages people to eat berries, spirulina, carrots, and more to increase your skins own natural SPF, which allows the good rays in without being damaged by it on a cellular level. Makes sense to me! I've already begun introducing some of these things into my diet, and I plan to replace my sunscreen with some of the natural alternatives they suggest and throw out mine (which after inspection, I realised contains alot of chemicals that have been directly linked to cancers and birth defects--scary!) and see how it goes. Any thoughts on this? Email me at smithstation@cox.net
I'd love to hear opinions. And I'll let you know how my own experiment goes. I know I'm happier already...I get to go outside!
**Edited to add: when I say throw out my sunscreen and use natural alternatives, I mean I will still be using sunscreen--just ones that they reccomend with lower chemical compositions--mine is called UV Natural SPF 30. Here's one of the ones we used to use and it's score is "7" of "10"...10 being the most dangerous for use by their scale. The one I switched to is a 1. Almost everything man made has some sort of chemical in it, and some risk. My plan is to try to minimalize those risks as much as possible. http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/product.php?prod_id=49576&refurl=%2Fbrowse.php%3Fatatime%3D500%26sunscreens%3D1%26worst%3D1%26
Here's the list to see what yours has in it. http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens/summary.php

August

I can't believe August is here already. Time just flies by...faster and faster it seems.

My sweet friend Brandy is celebrating her birthday tomorrow--won't mention any numbers, kay? Happy Birthday Brandy! She is one of the few people I met in Asheville (at a dinner/movie house, to see Miss Congeniality 2, LOL) that I liked almost instantly. I'm usually more reserved about making friends. But she's bubbly and vivacious and just easy to gab with. She's also a surrogate mother for a couple that can not have their own, which I think is just amazing. I certainly couldn't make that sacrifice (plus I'm a horrible preggo). Enjoy your day, girl!

School is kicking my behind...I'm on an accelerated program and working my tooshie off to get things done early. I'm doing really well though, still have my 4.0! I should graduate next summer...unless I decide to go further. Yes, I know I am insane.

Carson starts school on MONDAY! Kindergarten, here we come! His teacher is named Mrs. Smith. Easy to remember! She's already sent several cards and postcards as a countdown to the day and Carson is already smitten. He says that his teacher is gonna love him, and that he wants a girlfriend. Lord, help us. We've been working hard the last few weeks doing our lessons and he's doing really well. I used to teach him some Spanish, French and English words at the same time and I'm not sure why I stopped. I've sort of picked that back up but not like I used to do. I'll get more serious about it, but I think I'll let him soak up some Kindergarten first so he can just concentrate on enjoying that. He's so smart and quick to learn, it's crazy. Lately he's been sitting next to me while I do my homework (anatomy books) and asking questions about organs and he remembers things really well. I have started giving him more info and he still seems interested and says he wants to be a doctor when he grows up. We'll see!

Trevor is still stuck on Aladdin and pirates right now. For his birthday he says he wants Pirate stuff. I know that means a sword (foam, please!) but what else does a pirate need? He goes around poking us all with imaginary swords* and saying ARGH!!! and Walk to Bank! which in Trevorese should be "walk the plank", but now he gets very excited anytime I tell him we have to go to the bank. Maybe there are pirates in the credit union that I don't know about, who knows?

(*I had to take away all hard stick-like objects because the game was getting out of control--see earlier posts about his game)

Argh! I'm so cute even my pits are cute! No, I didn't ask him to pose this way, honest!

Lots of homework...

So I know I've been busy lately...I had some big jobs to do that were under a time deadline, in which I had to keep any and all persons under 4 feet of height out of the office because they tend to ask me for things, like "Mom, will you please turn on Spongebob?" or, "Mom, I would like some juice now" which seem like reasonable requests except for the fact that 1) I've said 37 times that I'm WORKING and 2) their father is sitting 10 feet from the refrigerator and 5 feet from the television, on the couch. There must be some rule that dictates which requests go to which parent, because for some reason I get tons of juice/milk/food requests, even if Reed is standing in the kitchen, milk jug in one hand and sippy cup in the other. Reed, however, is always asked to turn the "game" on. But I digress.

Today was a really busy day for me school-wise. I didn't realise how I was coming across until I saw Carson sitting at his desk in the other corner of the office from mine. He was drawing random numbers on old work papers of ours, and Trevor wanted to play "Pirates" with him.* By the way, Pirates is a game that Trevor made up, and as far as I can tell consists entirely of him giving you one very short stick-like instrument (usually from his drum set) and him holding some apparatus like a plastic golf club that is at least double, if not triple yours in length and seeing who can hit the other the most. At least we're teaching him to be fair, right? And, also by the way, Trevor always wins.

So Trevor wanted to play "Pirates" and Carson goes: "Trevor! I can't play right now! I'm trying to do my schoolwork, so I can grad-utate and get a job!"

oops.* *schedules "play time with children" in after dinner* *

Because the flush is loud

Okay, so I'm sure that everyone that has raised children past the age of 4 has dealt with this on some level, and knows that this, on the grand scheme of things, isn't all that important. But it's important to us right now, particularly since we're on a bit of a time crunch here with school starting soon.

Trevor will turn 3 in September, and is set to start daycare in August. To be in the class with kids his own age, he must be fully potty trained. We've got the peeing thing down, excellently and rather quickly. It's the #2 we're having issues with.

He just will NOT poo in the toilet. I don't know if he's scared of it, scared of sitting, of falling in, of losing control of this or what. I read somewhere that some kids don't like to do it in the toilet because their BM is something they created and they feel attached to it, like it's a part of them. Judging by the girlish screams to "CLEAN ME!" when he does poo, I'm guessing Trevor doesn't harbor any overzealous attraction to the stinky stuff. But I still can't make him go where he ought to.

We've tried throwing him on the toilet when it's time, asking him repeatedly if he wants to try, talking it up like it's great ("No really, it's fun, like a game! Just try it, you'll see!"), holding him hostage on the throne until he does his thing (only led to a ton of screaming and angst since his poor legs started shaking from sitting too long--I'll be hearing about that one when he's 30, I'm sure), bribery...I even took away all diapers (aka escape clauses) so that neither of us could be tempted.

He knows when he has to go. He pees all day, wearing big boy underwear, but when that urge strikes, he immediately runs to his room and brings me a diaper and says "Now, please". It's not that he's not recognizing the signs. When I say, only half-hopefully, "Wanna try the potty this time?" he only looks at me and shakes the diaper. Like, I obviously don't, Mom, so don't even try that with me again, or I'll make sure I poop the runny kind.

So we're at a bit of wits' end now, especially since today the Potty Issue cut short our swimming time at my sister in laws'. He had to go home, so that he could hide in the laundry room and poop, which he did, within 10 minutes of walking in the door. When I asked him "Why the laundry room?" he said "Cuz it smells good in dere". I'm not sure if this means it smells good enough to mask the odor of his task-at-hand, which is pleasant to him, or if he's saying he wants to try to get rid of that scent...but maybe I should try hanging dryer sheets next to the commode.

Think that'll work?

How did you get yours to do #2 in the potty?

Dear Carson,

Five years ago today I was anxiously waiting in the hospital for your arrival. You were a bit late and we were all tired of pacing and waiting for the maternity ward to clear out so they could admit me. I was scared to go through labor, scared to be a "real" mom, but oh so excited to see you and begin. That first night in the hospital room, after everyone had left, it was just me and you. I counted your ten fingers and toes, touched your perfect face and inhaled all the sweet baby breath I could. I remember changing your diaper, by myself, which is a small thing, but huge for a first time mom on her own in the middle of the night. I put you in a cute sleeper and snuggled you back up next to me and said "I'm your mama." I promised you I'd do everything I could to be the perfect mama to you, teach you everything I knew, make sure you always felt loved and protected by your family. 5 years later, we've made some mistakes along the way. I haven't always been the perfect mom, I haven't always held my temper when I should have, and I sometimes get overwhelmed with daily life. But I still love you just the same as I did that day, that whole, consuming love that only parents can feel for their child.

You've grown up so quickly, so beautifully, that it feels seamless. You've finally grown past the baby, toddler and "little boy" stage...and I can see the Big Boy hiding inside, just below the surface. You are sweet, caring, thoughtful to your family. You love to learn and are so smart it surprises Dad and me. You have a funny wit and love to laugh and are almost never still. You have a bit of a temper, but you got it honest, so I can't fault you for that.

Dad and I are always remarking how much you've changed, how quickly you grow and mature, and we can't wait to see what you become next. Lucky Us, we get to be your parents and watch you.

Happy Birthday, Darling Boy!

We're slowly getting a dedication to baseball (and all things BOY) around here. We trekked to the neighborhood park the other night in 100+ temps to play a little ball and run around. You can see that it quickly got dark on us, but it was still over 100! Carson is following in grandpa's footsteps and is a very good hitter. Dad is teaching him to throw better, and I think he'll be ready for a team this fall.

Dad was concentrating on his next pitch, lol.

While the big boys played ball, Trev and I played in the trees and on the wall climb in the park. After a few minutes, T climbed on his bike, said "I hot. I going HOME!" If you have a child, you know how hot the kid must be to say that about the park...

I just love this picture...

Another Celebration

Since Carson's birthday falls on a Saturday this year and Reed has to work, we decided to celebrate it on Monday. We went to Chuck E Cheese with his cousin, Kimberly and they had a blast! I can't believe my baby is going to be 5 in a few days! Oy! I'll do the longer birthday post on his actual birthday, but here are a few peeks at the festivities.

He's obviously into Cars, LOL.

Celebrating Time

For our anniversary, Reed and I went to a place called Cloud Nine (funny, huh? Same name as the place we were married) and got massages. Then later, at home:

The perfect setting for some nice music and dancing--we tried to set this up outside but the heat literally melted the candles before we even had a chance to light them! It was heaven. Which is fitting if you start on Cloud Nine, don't you think??

Seven Years have flown by...

On June 30, 2000, Reed and I were married at a little place called Cloud Nine in Hendersonville. It was a beautiful little garden that sat next to wonderful fragrant apple orchards. We were surrounded by friends and family and dreams for the future...we had no idea we would move five times in seven years, live in three different states, battle cancer and have two gorgeous boys. We didn't know we'd travel to Mexico, Hawaii, go on a cruise, lose a father, lose a baby, try a new career, lose friends and find them again...It's been a crazy, strange trip, but it was all worth it because we were together. I'm happy that I was lucky enough to meet such a crazy, funny, loving guy and I'm proud that we have faced the adversities that have hit us head on and come through it all holding hands.

Thanks, Reed, for the past 7 years and here's to 50 (or so) more.

Comes with having a southern accent...

I rented The Lady and the Tramp for the boys at Blockbuster and told the boys the name of the movie. Trevor butchered the name right off, of course, but that's usual.

They watched it, and after the movie I asked Carson if they liked it. He nodded but had a confused look on his face so I asked what the matter was.

He said "It was good, but...I didn't see any shrimp." (which comes out shriamp, LOL)
"Shrimp? Why would there be shrimp in this movie??"
"Well, you said it was called "Lady and the Shramp", but I didn't see ANY fish."

Where'd these come from??

No humidity here, right? So how come my formerly straight-haired boy wakes up like this in the mornings? Especially if we don't comb his hair at night after bathtime. Funny!! It should be noted that Reed won't let me cut his hair.

The Grand What??

So after they get finished at an overlook yesterday, Reed and Carson head to the car before Trevor and I. Reed was really proud that we were able to take the kids to the Grand Canyon because he was really moved by it, and wanted to have a serious chat about it with Carson.

Reed: Carson, this was an important trip. I really want you to remember this, okay?
Carson: Okay.
Reed: So...what did we see today?
Carson: thinking....
Reed: The Grand....?
Carson: Opening!!!

Well...it IS an opening...sorta.

Grand Canyon

So, Reed had 2 1/2 days off this week, and we decided to take a little roadtrip. We went to the Grand Canyon! On the way, we stopped at the Deer Farm in Williams, AZ and it was really cute! Poor Trevor was petrified and wouldn't even enter, but he and I had a good time talking to the pretty parrots who talked back while Carson and Reed fed all the animals. Carson LOVED it.

Then another hour or two down the road and we got to pose for the requisite "We were here" picture:

And then just a short drive from the entrance we got to finally see it in all its glory. I really can't describe the feeling you get when looking out at the canyon, and these pictures, of course, do NOT do it justice. It's not just a hole in the ground, it's truly majestic. You feel small, the world feels awesome and magnificent, and it's hard to even comprehend how far down and across it is--it just goes on forever. It's very meditative and reflective, even though the first day we went it was swarmed with tourists. The boys loved it, and although my knees were shaking quite a bit (note to self: Learn how to get past fear of heights), the boys would literally bounce from rock to rock to ledge and lean way over, looking down. No wonder I was about to hyperventilate. I liked that they liked it, and were able to enjoy the views without being scared of it the way their mom was.

From one lookout to another:

Where I was most comfortable (a bench away from the ledges, lol):

I just love how precarious this looks balanced on top.

There was a village in this area with cabins, restaurants (fancy and otherwise) and shops. We saw Jeremy, Amy and Zach from Little People and they were filming what looked like a new show up there! Poor Reed was so mad because he's watched that show quite a few times and wanted to get a picture, but I wouldn't let him. The scenery changed just about every lookout. From lush green grasses below, to stark red earth to crazy cliffs. There's been a drought here recently, so the Colorado River was not visible but you could see where it usually runs. A rare picture of me by the railing. Note the white-knuckle grip. LOL And note the gap in the fence to the rock ledge...**shudder**
These huge California Condors were flying directly overhead, swooping low enough that you could see their huge claws...giving quite the show. We weren't quite quick enough with the camera to catch them down low, but it was pretty awesome regardless. They were very close to extinction but are now bouncing back nicely. Day Two, we took a more leisurely tour of some of the ones that were crowded the day before, sat on some boulders and chatted, and let the kids have a better look. Finally, a bit of "flying" over one of the 7 natural wonders of the world...