Great Friends, Roaches, and Relaxation! 7/31/2009

When we got home from Nan's today, Koda had a nice surprise waiting for him on the porch! A bag filled with goodies from the Morby's! A cute card, a DVD, coloring book, crayons, and a bag of candy to give him something to do while he heals! What a LIFESAVER! You have no idea how many times I have heard-Mom if you take us to Fiesta Fun I PROMISE I won't bump hard on the bumper boats! Seriously Koda, do you think bumper boats would be a good idea right now?!? Thank you so much-it is so nice to have such awesome friends!
I, on the other hand, had a not so nice surprise waiting for me there on the carpet. An enormous cockroach!
An Ugly, dirty, disgusting, COCKROACH!
I can't stand the thought of roaches, let alone having to see one. I even called A to tell him how sick this thing was and he said-I am eating lunch-take a picture and we can talk about it later! So my complete obsession of picture taking has either rubbed off on my husband, or he is secretly hiding his love of photography!
SO of course I thought to myself what a GENIUS idea! I took a few pictures, then called Jaden in to "take care" of the creature. It is so nice having kids that can do the dirty work!
My question is, how in the world is this ugly thing getting SO much to eat, that he is literally POPPING out of his shell!??!?!?!
I think I just threw up a little in my mouth...
Speaking of my obsession with photography-no I don't take pictures every time we go swimming! We have just been swimming a LOT, and I take along my camera every now and then.
Jaden is a cautious child. Let me restate that. Jaden is a VERY cautious child. Always has been, apparently always will be! He has wanted to do a flip into the pool ALL summer. But didn't know if it would be safe. Today he FINALLY did it! He was so excited and continued to do it over and over, UNTIL he landed on his back. Really hard! Then he decided that cartwheels were a lot less painful, and stuck with that for the rest of the day.
Poor Koda with his neck brace, that he wears 24 hours a day, has actually grown to love it. And it SMELLS like it! OH MY! So he is supposed to put cold packs on, but that gets painfully cold. So I thought having him soak in the cool pool would be a great alternative, plus wash away some of the stink!! He loved it, then about fell asleep laying out on the floaty!

Sunbrook and a trip to the ER...7/29/2009

The kids had a GREAT time golfing with Adam and Gary in their final JAG Parent/Jr tournament of the year! Adam and Jaden shot a 32-winning first place! Gary and Bailia shot a 35 winning second place! What a way to finish off a season!
Jaden, and others in each age division, were honored last night as Player of the Year! Points are given for each tournament if you place, and Jaden was top dog! Way to go! This proves that all of your practice and dedication has paid off! Keep up the hard work! We are so proud of you both Jaden and Bailia for always doing your BEST and having FUN!!



After the tournament we had to stop by Becca's house-she wasn't there so it was just a quick run in, run out. Or so it was supposed to be! Koda asked if he could go out back to jump-I said no we are just here for a minute. It turns out his sweet sister opened the gate for him-as he told me on the way to the hospital-I told her we would get in trouble but she started jumping, then somehow I started jumping, and now I won't get to play the Wii! Even in severe pain this kid still crack us up!
I don't let my kids play the Wii very often-I am guessing the last time they played was probably 6-8 months ago! So when Koda asked earlier if they could play it when we got home, apparently he was more excited than I thought!
Back to the story-so from what we were told they were jumping, Koda jumped too high landed on his feet, but must have jerked his neck pretty hard. The ride to the hospital was a nightmare-he couldn't move, every turn, bump, or stop, he would scream out in pain! But he still had it in him to cry out we should never get a big tramp like Becca's!! Walking in to the hospital he would cry out with every step I took! He kept telling me walk slower, walk slower!

They got us in pretty quick and instantly put a neck brace on him. They looked him over and hoped it was just a muscle, but just to be safe wanted to do X-rays. Still in a lot of pain, he wanted to just be held, so I sat in the wheelchair and held him as they took us down to Imaging. After five X-rays they took us back upstarts and came to the conclusion that he tore a muscle-it was really swollen-and he gets to sport around this nice neck brace until it heals-which the Doctor said "can take a while". Koda was feeling much better at this point, medicated with his brace on, relaxing talking to Jen (who came over to be with us-THANK YOU) and I as if he were drunk!
Last night was a LONG night-Koda would cry out in pain about every 20 to 30 minutes-I would reposition him, and he would fall back to sleep, and repeat. I am exhausted, but so grateful-things could have been a LOT worse!

BEST stroke...7/28/2009

Like I have said many times-Koda cracks us up CONSTANTLY! Yesterday we finally talked him into swimming in the big pool, without his noodle. He was so excited to know that he remembered how to swim! Then he told us all to watch his BEST stroke-we all cheered. Then I informed him it was actually called a BREAST stroke-a WHAT, you mean like a boob?!?!? He thought that was hilarious!
Jaden had the idea to give Bailia a shoulder ride-that worked out great. Then, Sis knew she could do the same to Jdog-it turns out it is not as easy as it looks-especially when you put a 76 pound boy onto a 58 pound girl!



As I looked through my pictures this morning of yesterday's swim, I sat and wondered if my daughter would grow up with the same distorted mind that I have. It made me sad to think that the answer is probably yes. I know that as a young girl we all had media thrown in our face at every angle, that was nothing compared to what our children hear and see now on a daily basis. I looked at a few pictures that Bailia and Koda took of me and thought what is wrong with me? It took a lot for me to post a picture of myself in a swim suit (which is why it is a SMALL picture), but I needed to be able to look back and say What was I thinking!?!
Seeing myself in a swim suit in front of the mirror I want to put a cover-up dress on instantly. Then looking at the pictures that the kids took I ask myself why I have such a distorted view of myself. I don't look that bad! My body actually looks better now than it did in high school-well if you take away the stretch marks and sagging butt that my kids generously gave me! LOL! But in the mirror I don't see it that way. Why?
My wish for my daughter, and all girls, is to not to be so hard on themselves. Be who you are, LOVE who you are! Be healthy, be strong, be kind, be loving, be giving, and you will always be BEAUTIFUL! I am going to try to live by my own advice, and start seeing myself in a different light. I need to be that example to my kids showing them that being happy with who you are is SO important!

The new school year starts in 15 days! What? Did I hear that right, school starts in TWO weeks?!? It will be a bittersweet time. I THRIVE on structure. During the school year I like the routine that we stick by-every day the kids know what we are doing. But at the same time, this summer has been WONDERFUL!
We haven't gone on a vacation to exotic lands, and sipped pina coladas on white sandy beaches. But we have had an amazing ride this summer doing MANY things, that will not be possible during the school year. I hope my kids have had as much fun as I have, and will have memories to last a lifetime!

The lens through the eyes of a child...

I have always let my kids take pictures-I want them to love it as much as I do. So yesterday while Jaden and Bailia were out golfing with Adam and Grandpa Gary, I took Koda for a nature walk. With camera in hand I told him to take pictures of whatever he thought was interesting. I love to see what they think is picture worthy-here are a few pictures from Koda's photo shoot.
With his little arms, he quickly learned that taking pictures of us together didn't quite work!

I loved that he took a picture of his favorite hand me down-from Bailia- sparkle flip flops!
The flower picture is beautiful, one of my favorite rings (A gave it to me for our 7th or 8th anniversary), and of course cute Koda, with cookie crumbs in his teeth!
We saw MANY animals- rabbits, lizards, and a momma quail with about six babies, but they were running so fast that Koda's picture turned out blurry. Coop LOVED taking pictures and now wants the new green Fuji waterproof camera!

We made it to the club house just in time to ask if anyone knew what hole the fam. could possibly be on. We found them on #15, just in time to watch them hit over the pond! As you can tell from Koda's little pink cheeks, it was a toasty evening!

Doing what we do best....7/23/2009

I took the kids golfing at Red Hills on Thursday, odd I know. My 9year old beat me (of course) but I am determined to beat him! So when school starts back up you will find me on the course practicing, so that one day I will be able to beat Big Dog!! I don't know who sent out the memo, but I didn't even realize we were all wearing yellow until I uploaded these pictures today!

Bloomington Country Club Pro/Jr. 7/21/2009

The kids were SO excited when they received a letter in the mail informing them they had qualified to play in the Pro/Jr. tournament. We knew Jaden had taken 1st in his age division and would qualify, but didn't know if Bailia had. They had to be the in the top five of their age division, and in the girls 10 and under Sis came in 5th! Both kids were paired with Eron Deming, and two other boys. Even though this may have been the worst both kids have EVER played-they had fun doing it!
It was hot! Miserably HOT and HUMID! We were all DRIPPING with sweat while following the kids around-finding shade was a MUST. Koda found MANY wish blossoms to keep him entertained! I forgot to spray the part in my hair again, and although it didn't bleed this time, it still burned REALLY bad-will I ever learn?
Grandpa Gary hanging out with a bunch of his grandkids after the tournament! Bailia, Jaden, Grandpa, Kyson, Montanna, Jada Mae, and Cooper!



Kyson took first as an individual and as a team, Jaden took first as an individual and second as a team, and Trajen took second as an individual and second as a team-way to go boys!

Butterfly Boy!! 7/20/2009

This is defiantly one for the memory book. Today we headed over to TJMaxx and as we were walking through the girls department Koda spots a pair of purple wings. Here is a bit of how our conversation went.
His face lights up and says Mom look at the butterfly wings!! I could totally be a butterfly for Halloween!
All of the kids will tease you, Jaden tells him.
There are boy butterflies, right?
Yes there are boy butterflies, but I thought you wanted to be the Phantom? I ask him.
I know but I could FLY with wings!
Well, whatever makes you happy, I said.
How about I get the wings for dress-up, and still be the Phantom for Halloween? he asked.
Sounds like a good plan to me!
So with Bailia's leotard and leggings, and his new pretty purple wings Butterfly Boy is ready for action!

Some find it disgusting, some find it funny, some find it weird, and some find it normal, for Koda to dress up in "girly" outfits. I love that he has enough confidence to pull it off! He wants to do what makes him happy, and if dressing up in different costumes (girls dress-up included) makes him happy, then I am more than willing to let him! Besides, you are only young ONCE!
We decided that it was time for Harley to get a summer cut! I have enough dog hair floating around my house to cover an elephant, even though I vaccuum one or two times a day! Her new cut looks SO good, and we will continue to trim her throughout the WHOLE year! She looks better, plus the hair that is shed will be about 1/8 of the length of her hair before! SA-WEET!

Michael Jackson & More Pool Time! 7/17/2009

I think my kids have gone swimming more this summer, than they have their entire lives combined! We are having such a good time, and enjoying everything about the summer!
OK, I could do without the tattle telling, fighting, and messy house, but for the most part I am LOVING summer vacation!
It took a long week of coaxing, but we were finally able to get Koda to go UNDER the water. He would rather lay out, or hang out in the hot tub, than swim. It has been a year since his last swim lesson-we have been too busy to get them this year- so he has been VERY hesitant to go under. Until now!! He now goes under more than he is above water!
Bailia and I LOVE to layout in the pool and just float! It is funny how at such a young age she already acts like a teenager-PMS included! She will do canon balls with Jaden for hours, then it's RELAXATION all the way!
The boys are nice and brown, but poor Bailia is fried! We slather the SPF 70 sunscreen all over the poor girl, and she still comes out as red as a tomato!
Jdog dances and sings ALL day, EVERY day! Michael Jackson, The Phantom of the Opera, Bon Jovi, and Taylor Swift, are a few of his favorite music choices. Dance moves are 100% Michael Jackson-if he could do the moon walk as well as Michael he would be on cloud nine! Keep practicing big dog and you will get it!
As I have said before my kids, Jaden especially, LOVE Michael Jackson. Jen gave Jdog a MJ CD for his birthday that came with a bonus DVD. The kids are mesmerized by the dance videos, and Jaden tries to imitate MJ's every move. Here is a little clip of what J does ALL day long! He notices that I have the camera a few seconds into his dance, but he just assumed that I was taking his picture not recording!
Last night after Jaden had seen this video clip and we were out for a walk Jaden said-
Mom you know how when you're doing something and you think you're doing everything great, then you actually see it and you wish you would have done something else?
Yes I said.
I wish I would have added more moves in my dance you recorded!
We are entertained no matter how many different moves are in your dance Jdog!

Rock Concert & Entrada! 7/16/2009

Our nephew, Kyson, had a rock concert performance yesterday. We went to watch him rock out, and we loved it. I realized how old my poor ears are ~I think they are still ringing today and I even had them plugged most of the time! Thanks for inviting us-we had a great time!
Today the kids had another Parent/Jr. 9 hole tournament held at Entrada. They said the course is in the most amazing shape-from what I could see from the clubhouse I would have to agree! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!
I took this cute picture of Sis and Grandpa before we knew if they had won~Grandpa said show your mom we're number one!
Both Team Jaden and Adam, and Team Grandpa and Bailia played great! They both won in their age divisions-Jaden and Adam with a 32 and Bailia and Grandpa with a 34!

Birthday Fun! 7/14/2009

Jaden will be at Gym for Koda's final two days of preschool so I had to get a picture today of my three kids with Miss Julie. We have known them both FOREVER (Adam has known them since birth), but for the past six years my three kids have gone to Miss Julie and Grandma Smith's preschool. One by one they have moved on to "big kid school", and now this week my baby will officially graduate and he himself will move on to big kid school! I will miss seeing them on a regular basis-they both love my kids as their own and I have never had to worry about them while they are there. I know they are safe and in good hands. It is not the end, it is just moving on. It is not goodbye, it's I'll see you later. But sometimes that is easier said than done! We love and will miss you Miss Julie and Grandma Smith!
Jaden started out his birthday with oodles of presents! From Mom and Dad he inherited my old camera that I still had the box for (he has wanted a camera forever now and since I just got a new one my old camera was perfect for him), and I made him a book of all of Michael Jackson songs lyrics, Bailia gave him a snorkeling mask and a Michael Jackson CD, and Koda gave him a basketball!
We had to take Koda to school to be tested for kindergarten to see if he quailified for the all day class-don't get me started on the qualifications-grrr! He answered every question right and was SO proud! The only reason we want all day kindergarten is because we want the teacher that teaches it. As we were walking out I said well we probably won't get Mrs. M. Koda looked at me confused and I told him that he might be to advanced for all day. He begged for me to let him go back in to be tested again. Almost in tears he said, "Mom, I promise I will get all of the answers wrong this time!" He cracks me up!
Then we headed over to drop Koda off at summer preschool -Jdog scored another present from Jen-a Michael Jackson book and CD! Then Becca gave him a moose pillow and moose droppings (whoppers), Grandpa Gary gave him ca$h, Grandpa and Grandma Williams gave him a Michael Jackson book and golf stuff, and Grandma Jaclyn gave him money and a box of Wheaties-breakfast of champions!

Lunch at Pizza Factory is always a must! With a free number nine pepperoni pizza for the birthday boy, how can you go wrong! YUMMY!
Since it is the year for family birthday parties, when I asked Jaden what he wanted to do for his birthday the answer was easy! I want to go swimming and try out my new snorkeling mask! Fun, Free, and EASY-my kind of party!
We had bought his birthday cake earlier in the day, but last minute invites were made to those family member that live down the street. What a great way to end a very fun-filled day! Happy birthday big boy!