Super Star Kindergartner!

Kindergarten Programs are the best! Especially When:

•  You have to stay up late doing laundry because your child's uniform is not clean and you don't feel like it would be appropriate on such a special day to ask, "Is there anything clean in your dirty clothes pile?"

• You are suppose to be there at 9:30 and at 9:22 you finally get out the door with your 14 month old still in his pajamas from the previous night and his face covered with breakfast. Here is a picture for proof.

• You walk in and Grandma and Grandpa are there! Yeah! Life is always better when Grandma and Grandpa Barksdale are there!

Your Child is a Super Star and rocks the Hickory Dickory Dock. I mean it takes a lot of talent to walk that mouse around the clock. He was given that job for a reason! (Get's it after me)

• Your Child is so extremely goofy it brings a smile to your face! (Get's that from his Dad!)

• Your Child is pretty much the cutest kid up there! (Totally not biased)

A first time for everything!

Today was an important day for me. It was a day in which I reached a life long (okay not so much life long) goal.  It has been on my "try and be more fashionable" bucket list for quite sometime. I've already crossed off other "try and be more fashionable" goals this year such as:

• carry a purse instead of a man's wallet (I am still in the process of conquering this one. I bought a purse, and I've carried it twice . . . I'm just going to say CHECK!)
• wear make-up . . . CHECK (who cares if I bought it ten years ago . . . it's still good right?)
• wear boots over jeans (I used to laugh at everyone who did this and swore I never would . . . but CHECK)

And as worthy of praise as all of the above things are . . . today was pretty much monumental. Today, for the first time in my entire life  . . . I wore heels to church. Okay, not exactly "to church" I walked barefoot to church, and then put them on when I got there. But . . .  I made it all the way to our bench in the chapel, and then afterwords all the way to the Nursery without falling! How about that? And that included taking Ada out in the middle of Sacrament meeting in a full on temper tantrum. I had to carry her out kicking and screaming and pulling my hair . . . in heels . . . without falling . . . Need I say more? I am amazing. I guess all of those "How to Walk in High Heels" youtube videos really helped. J/K

Don't expect to catch me wearing them on any other day of the week but Sunday. And if you happen to see me wearing them on a Sunday . . . it will be walking from the front door of the church to the chapel or from the chapel to the primary . . . otherwise you are out of luck! Although Lamon did challenge me to wear them all the way home today, and I did. It was hard, but I did it. And I spiked them when I entered the front door. TOUCHDOWN! Bucket list. . . CHECK!

I know that Lamon thought I was hot . . . but can I just cross that one permanently off the "try and be more fashionable" bucket list? Because high heels are truly awful . . . and dangerous. I'm just glad I survived. :)

We went on a walk this evening along the river . . . and I will just tell you now that I did not wear heels. I wore my CHACOS. Now whoever made that shoe knew what they were doing!!!

One Good Book

I love reading to my kids. It is so satisfying to see the kids get immersed into a story. When I read out loud I love ending a chapter saying things like, "Mmmmn, I wonder what is going to happen next?" or by simply puting the book up to my face and "peeking" at the next chapter smiling without saying anything like I've just discovered a big secret. Some of my favorite words in the world are, "Mom . . .keep reading!!!"

I remember one Saturday about a year ago, Drew was in Kindergarten and we literally read the entire book The Magicians Nephew from the Chronicles of Narnia in one day. I decided that I would follow his lead and stop whenever he wanted me to. Well . . . he kept asking me to read more and more and I did . . . until we had finished the whole book. It took the entire day.

For Christmas this year Lamon's Mom gave the kids the book Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi (Not the Disney picture book version). She told the kids that part of their present would be that later in the year she would take them all to the play, but first to read the book.

Well we started it, but for some reason we set it aside. We have read lots of fun books since then, but we sort of forgot about Pinocchio. Well I was cleaning up the other day and saw it. I said, "Hey . . . we should read this!"

So for the last few days I have been reading it to the kids while they have eaten, while they have done their homework and while they have been in bed. It's been so fun to watch them react to this story. Drew would literally laugh out loud at so many different parts, and we all took turns shaking our heads saying, "Oh no! Pinocchio!!" as we had to watch him keep making mistake after mistake.

Well yesterday we started the evening off reading while the kids were doing their homework, and we had a bit of a "Chronicles of Narnia" moment. The kids did not want me to stop reading the book. Once they had finished their homework I told them that if they got all ready for bed we would say prayers and keep reading. And we did. We read until 10:00 at night (two hours past their bed time) When I read the ending it was nothing short of magical. We had taken this journey with Pinocchio. We had watched him make mistake after mistake wondering when he was going to learn his lesson. When was he going to learn that working and going to school would actually make him more happy than being idle? When would he learn to put those he loved first? When would he learn to have integrity? We wondered these things each chapter . . . until finally he does learn. He learns to work hard, to love and sacrifice and help others and finally the fairy tells him in a dream:

          "Brave Pinocchio! In return for your good heart, I forgive you all your past misdeeds. Children who love their parents, and help them when they are sick and poor, are worthy of praise and love, even if they are not models of obedience and good behaviour. Be good in future, and you will be happy."

And then Pinocchio wakes up a real boy.

I cannot describe to you how excited my children were as I read the ending. Their eyes were wide and they were grinning. When it was finished Drew, smiling ear to ear,  said with a sigh, "That was one good book!!"

But what he said next was the icing on the cake. He said, "Do you know why it was a good book? Because by reading it . . . it makes you better."

That was a triumphant moment.  And if that didn't encourage me to dip a little more into the classics . . . I don't know what will!! Priceless!!

The "Mom Song" performed by the Mack children

So a very interesting thing happens when I answer the telephone at our house. I don't know if a similar thing happens to other mothers, but as soon as I utter the word "Hello?" the children come like a Moth to a flame.
One child starts pulling on my shirt saying over and over, "Mom! . . . Mom . . . Mom!"
Then the other children after hearing the first child's "Mom" yells and not wanting to lose the competition of who can say "Mom" the most . . . decide to join in as well.
I'm serious . . . this happens all the time!

So last night after an attempted conversation with my sister on the phone the children began their "Mom" chorus and it brought my conversation to an quick end.

Frustrated, I then had the children gather around me and I said, "Oh my heavens! It's as if whenever I get on the phone you guys start singing a Mom chorus!" Then I started singing, "Mom" "Mom" "Mom" in different notes  extremely loud, and the kids started laughing.

So I decided we had better make an official "Mom" song.  I taught them how to follow a conductor as we sang our song entitled, "Mom!" It is dedicated to all women in the world who ever try to use the telephone with young children at home.

When Lamon got home we had a performance for him, and Lamon was quite impressed. Okay, so not really. But he thought it was funny. I'm sure he was wondering what and if we ever do anything productive at home . . .

Guatemala

So for anyone who wasn't aware, Lamon went to Guatemala for 10 days in February. He was invited to be a  part of the Hirsche Smiles team and was part of an incredible mission to help little Guatemalan children born with cleft lips and palates.
Lamon kept a journal while he was there and for anyone interested in reading it you can find it here: http://feedthefirefamilies.blogspot.com/2012/03/guatemala-lamons-report-of-fabulous.html ! It was a wonderful experience. I am so proud of Lamon for being willing to sacrifice and provide that wonderful service.

A lot of people after hearing that Lamon was gone for 10 days, and that I was alone with the kids said, "Oh Mary, You are amazing!" And although of course it was a sacrifice . . . and I will never reject a compliment of amazingness . . . to be completely honest, we pretty much played the entire time. Lamon is definitely the more responsible parent. If Lamon weren't around to keep me grounded . . . who knows what kind of chaos might be going on in our family.
Anyways, I sort of wanted Lamon to think it was really hard for me while he was gone, but I guess I'll just let the cat out of the bag. We weren't exactly helpless and melancholy (or responsible) the entire time. We may or may not have done 1 or all of the following during those 10 days:

• Had two or three days in which there were 8 or more children playing at our house. (It was a party!)
• Built two pathetic snow forts (which melted in a day) and engaged in a huge snowball fight with the neighbors (in which I lost pathetically) In my defense . . . It was sort of me against . . . everyone.
• Had Cold Cereal for dinner once or twice.
• Ate way more popcorn than we probably should have
• Built a fort out of blankets downstairs that we slept in almost the entire time. Yes . . . even on school nights! I know . . .  terrible. . . 
• Went to Karls Junior and played at the Playplace. (This is not a regular at our house)
• Visited the Red box.
• Played Just Dance 3 on their Wii day which I pretty much rocked at (okay fine . . .  I could only beat Hayden)
• Read and told stories.
• Laughed and played and giggled (a lot!)
• Had Beyblade tournaments 
• and lots more . . .

Ya . . . obviously I had it pretty bad. How could Lamon sleep at night after his 15 hour days knowing that we were subject to this kind of torture? Just kidding. Lamon did have time for play and enjoyment while he was there, but for the most part it was hard work. I was so happy to remind the children what an awesome thing their Dad was doing.

The kids weren't perfect the entire time. On the contrary. There were plenty of crazy opera singing moments . . . but it was in no way unbearable. Heavenly Father blessed me the entire time. I was able to get the kids to school, help them with homework and piano, take them to church, do scripture reading and family home evenings and all other parenting tasks all on my own with no problems. It could have felt hard, but it didn't. I think I was blessed. It was fun, and I was excited to see Lamon at the end of the 10 days . . . Not because I was ready for him to relieve me of the children, but because I missed him and was so excited to see his face! What a great Daddy we have. I love him and am proud of him. What an experience!

Drew the "Professional"

I love this spring weather!  We unplugged the Wii and are taking a break from t.v. and video games for three weeks, and the weather has been cooperating!:) The children have been outside playing every day and they can't get enough.

And of course since it is fifty degrees outside the kids think it's time to shed their shoes and turn on the hose. As soon as I hear the water being turned on I rush outside and tell them to turn the hose off because it's not warm enough to play in the water yet; but not before they have already turned the big dirt pile in the backyard into mud.

So a couple days ago I made a cake to take to Lamon at work. I yelled to the kids, "Come on guys! Time to get in the car! We are going to Dad's work. Let's get our seat belts on!"
After a couple times of yelling this (they don't exactly come the first time) Hayden and Ada came up, but no Drew.

"Drew? Where are you? It's time to go!"

I looked around and then I saw that the patio door was open so I peeked into the backyard and Aha! I found him. And what was he doing? I'm still not sure. He was in the middle of this huge pile of mud balancing on a rock with one foot. His arms and other leg were in the air.

"Drew, what are you doing?!! We need to go, and I really don't want you getting all muddy!"

Then Drew looked up at me and said, "Mom, don't worry! I am a professional!!"

And what mother wouldn't be proud to have a one legged rock balancing professional in their family?

About two seconds later . . . SPLOITCH!! Our professional lost his balance and landed right in the mud. It's a good thing he is an "Expert" "Professional" "Pro" and "The Best" at so many things. :) Drew I love you.

Lamon is 32 and I kind of like him!!

 Today is Lamon's birthday. I had a wonderful ambitious thought of waking up and surprising Lamon with an incredible birthday breakfast. Instead, however, Tilson woke up sick and was screaming the entire morning. When Lamon walked in the door, after going to the gym, I was holding Tilson who was miserable and whining. I was trying to quiz the kids on their spelling, and they were all eating their left over ice-cream from last night. Oh ya . . . That's right. I said ice-cream. So much for the fabulous morning I had planned for him.

Was Lamon irritated when he came in? Dissappointed? I don't know. Because Lamon is pretty much awesome and would never tell me if he was. Lamon walked in cheerfully and took one look at the kids with their ice cream faces and playfully said, "Ice cream for breakfast?" I then told him about my intention to make him a fabulous birthday breakfast and how it didn't really work out. He just said, "That's okay!" He came over picked up and cuddled a whiny sick Tilson and took him upstairs to take a shower with him. We were running late, but the kids and I hurried and made some French Toast and juice, and when Lamon came downstairs he acted so surprised at the breakfast on the table as the kids all yelled "Surprise!"

This is something I love about Lamon. No matter how many times I "fail" at being a perfect wife/mother he somehow treats me like I'm fabulous. If he knows I want to "attempt" being a Martha Stewart, he will somehow help me to do it . . .  not for his benefit, but for mine. He could have cared less, but he knew I wanted to make him breakfast, and he took Tilson with him so that I could do it.

Thank you Lamon for loving me with all of my faults and making me feel like I'm great.
Thank you for eating Grilled Cheese and Marshmallow Sandwiches and Pancakes until I learned how to cook.
Thank you for laughing at me when I've tripped down stairs, run into screen doors, wet my pants while pregnant, fallen off bikes, tripped on sidewalks, locked the keys in the car (a lot) or spilled paint on the carpet.
Thank you for all of the trips, hikes, and walks.
Thank you for all the "Mary are you there?" looks that I hold so dear. :)
Thank you for your Energizer Bunny attitude that has prevented all of us from ending up in a veggitative state.
Thank you for listening to and trying to understand me on those RARE occasions that I have been completely irrational.
Thank you for trying to explain how to splice and do the wiring for light fixtures and not beating me when after many "uh huhs" I start laughing uncontrollably because I have no clue what in the world you are talking about.

Thank you for loving our crazy little family and wanting to spend all of your  time with us.
Thank you for making me feel beautiful.
Thank you for making me feel smart.
Thank you for making me feel like I am a great mom.
Thank you for being such a wonderful Dad!
Thank you for making me love every moment I get to be with you.
You make me so happy!
I love your guts!!!!
Happy Birthday!!!

Sometimes it's so easy to say no!

I tell ya . . .  I feel bad for some parents. Some people have the hardest time saying no to their kids! Not me of course. :) I only give in when it is really important !. . . J/K

There are times that I find it very possible to say no. I mean my children can make it so easy for me! I've had a few people comment on how cute Ada is and say something like, "It must be so hard saying no to her." And I just reply . . . "NO . . . not really . . . at all" You see, they obviously haven't witnessed one of Ada's temper tantrums . . . . She is really talented at those. She uses her whole body and all sorts of different sounds ranging in octaves. It's incredible. And when that happens . . . it is quite easy to look at her and confidently say, "Uh . . . No."

Sometimes it's easy to say no because it's pretty much impossible to say yes. I love it when that happens! For instance, yesterday Drew came up to me, looked down at the ground and said, "Mom, I want to ask you something but . . ." He then shook his head like he'd been defeated already. "Oh . . . I don't even want to ask you. I don't know if you could do it."

Wait a second. . . . I'd seen this technique used before. Where had I seen it? Oh ya . . . Me! I might have tried the "I don't know if you guys can do this or not" trick a couple of times before when I've wanted the kids to do something.  So I must admit this was quite clever. My curiosity was piqued.

"What is it Drew?" 

"Well, I'm pretty sure you'll say no, but I will just ask you anyway. . . Mom?" He was so serious while saying this. "Um . . . There is this really cool thing where they choose one special person from your family, someone really adventurous. Well, they take them up on an airplane and"

Oh boy . . .  

" . . . It is really cool. They strap this backpack on their back and then they have to jump out of this airplane, and they get to land on . . .  Beyblade Island!  Mom, can I go? . . . PLEASE?! Can I? Can I?"

"Uh . . . No."

See? Easy! I don't know why other parents have such a hard time! :)Oh . . . I love my kids!!!!!