Wash-n-wear...

Today I helped chaperon Ryker's preschool class' field trip to the local pumpkin patch. Although Ryker attends preschool in the afternoon, our field trip started @ 9 am. So maybe I wasn't prepared (aka AWAKE) enough, or maybe I wasn't in a very good mood, but some of the other parents bugged me. Look, I understand the need to look nice and "photo ready", but why would you wear heels to a FARM unless you were Kate Gosselin? And the constant lip gloss applying? What about the constant reminding of their kids to not get dirty or touch anything with dirt on it. Again, its a FARM. Maybe it is the fact that I grew up on a ranch but I tend to associate the word farm with dirt. I figured my 4 year old would get dirty, so I dressed him in a fashionably yet WASHABLE outfit. Sheesh!!!!!

THRILLER!!!!!

On Saturday, we took Lancer to see the Odyssey Dance Theatre's annual performance of Thriller. For those of you who are not familiar with this it is a huge dance performance of all things Halloween, which is just Lancer and I love. The performance was at Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah, and that made Richie really excited to show Lancer around the campus where he had spent so much time. We were early, so we parked by the Chemistry bldg and walked around the campus. We also saw the different engineering buildings, and all the many buildings where Richie had taken math classes (there were lots!). Lancer tried to get into it but was really like "yeah Dad, math smath-Where are the zombies????"
Richie spent A LOT of time in this building working
on really large math equations!!!
We got there early and Lancer got to see all the zombies that roam around outside. Once the dance started he was so into it, it was fun just watching him. I kept checking on him to see if he was even blinking. It was so fun and some of the dancing was incredible. It was also very funny. I think I will try and make this a yearly tradition.
Lancer and the Zombie he thought was kinda cute!
After the show, we took Lancer to the Old Spaghetti Factory at Trolley Square Mall. I have not been there in YEARS and it has not changed at all. Lancer loved it. It was kinda sad to see that on a Saturday afternoon, the mall was EMPTY. I did sneak into Pottery Barn Kids and think of all the things I would buy if I won the lottery. Then we came home and played Rock band with Grandma Shirley and Grandpa Steve.

It was a wonderful day!

Lancer is 8!!!

So the 12th was Lancer's birthday. Richie and I broke down and surprised him with a Red Ryder BB Gun. How a child of mine could be so in love with guns is beyond me. He was SO EXCITED I thought he was going to pass out. Anyway, we had cake and ice cream and pizza for dinner. (Lancer got his own because his favorite is ham with NO CHEESE-yuck!)

Lancer is a really special child. He loves to be outside doing boy things and he is always one to help with the chores. Little household chores are not his style. He only likes big things, like hauling hay or moving irrigation pipe and mowing lawns on the riding lawn mower. He has loves to ride his horse Moose and ski, and of course fish and shoot his gun. (again, my child???) He loves to be with his grandparents, and can be the sweetest boy ever (just not to his little brother.) He is going through a Michael Jackson phase, which at first I was concerned about, but I think he just like to watch the dancing and of course, he loves Thriller because he loves anything scary.

For the first couple of years after he was born, Richie stayed home with him while working on his Master's Degree. They were always doing things outside and having a fun time while I was slaving away at work;) Anyway, the video below is one of Lancer's first time skiing. As you can see by the end of the video, Richie has not taught him how to stop yet!

We Love you Lancer "the hurricane"

Its Ryker's Birthday!

One Day old

Today my baby boy turned 4. Ryker's birthday is the same day as my Grandma Loewenstein's. Yes, I planned it like that. Ahh, the joys of a planned c-section.

Two years old

Anyway, I feel so blessed to have Ryker in my life. Honestly my life would be so BORING without him. His mischievous grin lets you know he is DEFINITELY up to something. He is the one who has forced me to make the call to poison control, he is the one who I have had to take to the emergency room, he is the one who keeps Richie and I on our toes. He has made us crazy at times, but I wouldn't trade him for anything. Who would climb into our bed 10 times a night and say "I just want to cuddle you a minute"? Who would throw things out of the cart at the grocery store? Who would whine at his dad, the minute he got home from work, wanting him to watch a marathon of Sponge-Bob Squarepants? Who would torment the dog?

The world famous Baa-Baa Face!

So today, we took him to Lagoon. He decided 4 year olds are too big for the baby boats, so he stuck to things like the tilt-a-whirl and the tidal wave. All he wanted for his birthday was a light saber, and he was so excited to get TWO!!! I have been spending so much time at the hospital with my mom, and a then adding a whole day at Lagoon, I am too tired to frost his cake. So we are holding birthday cake for tomorrow. He is fine with that, because to him that means his birthday is lasting TWO WHOLE DAYS, and what could be better than that?

First Day of Preschool!

Happy Birthday Goonga!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

conversations with Ryker...

So Ryker and I had a conversation this evening that went something like this....
As we were driving down Ogden Canyon, Ryker wanted me to turn down the radio. When I said I needed it on to keep me awake, he got mad.
Ryker: I AM the boss of you Mom!
Me: No you are not.
Ryker: (yelling) Oh Yeah? Oh Yeah? You want me to give you the scary eye? huh? huh? How do you like it?
Me: Whats the scary eye?
Ryker (still yelling) I'm giving you the scary eye! See! See it?
Me: Your making me sad.
Ryker: (calming down) I'm sorry I got mad momma. I just really don't like trees.
Me: You don't like trees?
Ryker: I love marsh mellows.

A secret crush...

I have a secret obsession with Joel Mchale. OK, so it may not a SECRET. My closest friends and family know all about it. Even Richie. I plan my Friday nights around watching The Soup on E! I know that is kinda sad to admit that I HAVE TO watch a certain show, but to me it is a perfect way to start a weekend. Richie also likes him, just not as much as I do. He doesn't stay home just to watch a TV show. Last year when Joel came to Ogden to perform his stand up routine and Richie and I were not able to go. When we heard he was coming in June to Salt Lake, I got so excited, that Richie bought us tickets. I CANT WAIT!
Here is a old commercial featuring Joel. I remember thinking this commercial was funny, although at the time I had no idea who was in it. ENJOY!

Blessings in disguise...

This week hubby was in Germany on business. As with any of his trips, the first couple of days are the hardest because the kids are so close to their dad. Ryker being so young, really doesn't like it. He asks everyday "Is daddy coming home today or his he in Gerrmy?" Or when he gets tired he will just sit down in the middle of the floor and say "I just want my daddy back." I do love this though. I love that my boys are so close to their dad.
So the first few days were pretty rough. The boys could not get along. Saturday, Ryker fell and hit his head on the concrete, after Lancer was practicing his roping skills, and roped Rykers feet pulling them out from underneath him. I didn't sleep much that night because I watching him for signs of a a concussion. Monday, Ryker skinned his knee after Lancer hooked up the jogging stroller to their power wheels Jeep and tried to pull Ryker around. He went about 10 feet before the stroller turned over and Ryker went tumbling out. Tuesday, Ryker got cut above his lip and almost needed stitches after playing the never ending game my boys play. The game of Ryker bugs Lancer. Lancer teases Ryker. Ryker throws a toy at Lancer, completely missing him. Lancer throws toy back with much better aim. Ryker gets hurt, and both boys get into trouble. I hate this game.
Anyway, this was also Lancer's last week of the 2nd grade. His last week was full of special days, 4 mile hikes, and class picnics. This led to a really tired and really grumpy 7 year old, which just made the fighting even worse. So you can imagine how excited I was when Thursday my father-in-law came and picked up Ryker. He and Sandi were going to take him on Friday to see Thomas the Tank Engine in Heber. So with Ryker gone, and Lancer up at my parents house, and hubby in Europe, I was going to have the entire house to myself. I have never had that before. I sometimes dream about that, thinking of all the things I would be able to do. I could clean the house or go shopping without little hands pulling random things off of the shelves. I could defiantly go to the gym for a long workout. So many options! So after Ryker left and I walked back into the house, the house felt so empty and so quiet. Suddenly, I couldn't think of anything to do. I tried to take a nap, but I couldn't sleep. I went to the store and looked around, forgetting half of the things I was even there for. Finally, my friend Carlie came over and we went for a hike, and then we made cookies for Lancer's school picnic the next day. I surfed the Internet for a while, had some chips and yummy black bean dip for dinner, while watching a really old episode of ER. I went to bed at 10:30. I couldn't believe how tired I was. The next day, I was late for Lancer's concert and forgot the cookies. Why? I had no reason, I just felt out of it without the constant chaos.
After the picnic, Lancer went with his friend for a play date, and the grandparents called to say they were keeping Ryker another night. I was starting to get used to it by then and this time I did a little better. I went to the local nursery and picked up some flowers, planted them, mowed and trimmed the grass, chatted with neighbors, had more chips for dinner and went to bed. By the time Lancer came home at 9:00 Saturday morning, I even had the house pretty clean. We met the in-laws at Chili's for lunch. Ryker was tired and pretty whiny from all of the fun and he and Lancer fought the rest of the day. I was more patient that usual, because I was so happy to have my life back to normal.
So I guess that although I like a few hours alone every once in a while to regain my sanity, my family is the center of my universe. I am lost without them. So what if the kids fight non stop and are covered with band-aids, or the house is a total mess and I cant ever seem to get caught up on my laundry. So what if hubby is grumpy from working too hard and playing too little or that I have to literally drag the 70 lb dog outside by her leash twice a day to use the bathroom, I love the chaotic life I live.