Playing Together

I see pictures of cute kids getting along and playing together on blogs all the time, and to be totally honest, sometimes it has made me sad. One of my deepest worries, and something I don't admit too often, is that Abby won't be able to establish a "typical" sibling relationship with Deak. I worry that she will just take a "caretaker" role with him, and miss out on the bond that only siblings can have.

In typical Deakon and Abby style, they are proving to cause me a bunch of sleepless nights for nothing.

A few examples why:

*Deakon regularly hyper extends his hip (dead serious) in the car just so he can kick Abby.

*Abby thoroughly enjoys eating and walking very slowly in front of Deakon - when she knows he can't have what she has.

*A few weeks ago, my Dad took Ab shopping at Toys R Us. The first thing out of her mouth was, "Deakon doesn't get anything right?"

*Deakon will take any opportunity possible to pull her long hair. (And then laugh really, really hard).

Those are things that might make most Mom's cringe, but they make me smile.

This is truly just a simple picture of two cute kids getting along and playing...but, I just might sleep a little better tonight.

(By the way, the two of you who read this blog might be getting a little sick of me. I apparently have a little more time when I don't work.)

Pretty Boy

Such a Pretty Boy.

For the past month or so, Deak has put anything with a handle up to his head. At first, I couldn't figure out what the crap he was doing, it looked like he was trying to bang things into his head...but then I realized he was trying to comb his hair. He loves watching me get ready in the mornings and wrestle with Ab's hair before school, and apparently he wants to be a part of the action.

Unfortunately for him, his comb is pink. But, fortunately for us...we get to watch him grow into a handsome young boy.

The Story of a Beautiful Ballerina and the Ballet "Staging" Nightmare.

Who would've thought a face like that could cause such a commotion at a 5 year old ballet "staging?" Not me. Really.

(Don't ask me what the crap a "staging" is, ask my sister Kelli. She dances...I can only do the Roger Rabbit...but I do do that move very well.)

We seriously got kicked out and the director announced over the loud speaker that anyone who's child is "making noise" needs to leave. (Deak was the only one). For some reason Deakon loves to explore his verbal opportunities in life only while in Sacrament Meeting, Movies, and apparently Ballet rehearsals (and recently added Cherry Hill Concerts). Glad to hear him talk...but others do not express the same amount of pleasure.

After being kicked out, Abby threw a royal fit because she wanted me to watch her. I threw out my mad counseling skills combined with my awesome parental ability and did the classic "arm squeeze." I added in a look which said, "You do this, and you very well will not live to see Hannah Montana in concert ever."

It didn't really work. She screamed I was "hurting her."

Chalk up another DCFS call I guess.

So, now I had two screaming children to be kicked out. To top it all off, some pregnant chick just looked at me and rolled her eyes. If I had a genie, one of my wishes would be to spy at next year's ballet recital when that bun in her oven is colicky and throwing up all over her. I think I'll kill her with kindness (or roll my eyes...whatever I am in the mood for that day.)

(PS - another "Mother of Year" award for forgetting my video camera two years in a row. I have issues with that.)

Drama aside...the actual ballet recital was darling. Abby was "Summer Sky" and loved performing. Ballet is by far her favorite activity she does, which is kind-of funny because considering her personality, I would've voted it least likely to inspire her. But...she is full of her own ideas and surprises. That's why we like her.

(PS #2 - Ab just walked in and saw herself on the "blog." Her comment was, "Oh...That is cute.")

Happy Father's Day!

These are all reasons why my husband is a great father...just this week.

1. Bug Protector.

I watched him throw a miniature soccer ball at a relentless moth for about five minutes. I was thinking, "Wow, that is a unique way to kill a moth...interesting." Ever the doubter, I was proved wrong. While in the kitchen a minute or so later I heard the sound of victory... "AHA, I got him." I turned around and said, "Wow. I am impressed with your aim." Blair then admitted the moth had been "roughed up a little bit" by the ceiling fan, making him a slower target.

2. Shop a Holic Acceptor.

He probably knew when I called him from the mall last week, asking him what he wanted for Father's Day, that the shopping excursion would also include a couple of pairs of shoes, a dress, and a couple outfits for the kids. I don't think he supports it, but he accepts it...and that is good enough for me :)

3. Mean Person Validator.

I called Blair pretty pissed off at a woman who was working in the daycare at the gym on Friday.

(This woman went on and on for a couple of minutes about "how interesting it is that Deakon is just so different than her two year old." Intermingled in this conversation were comments like, "I mean, just look at him." and "My niece who is seven has Downs Syndrome, and she acts like she's two. Kind-of like this...huh. Isn't that interesting?")

I told Blair that when she was done it took everything inside of me to NOT ask her if she was the one who was mentally retarded. Blair reassured me that it would've been okay if I had.

4. Cheerleader.

Last night at the Bee's Game, Ab and her cousin, Kenndall, would cheer "Let's Go Bees!" at the top of their lungs every time they saw a person get up to bat (which was as often as they focused on the game, so not too often ;). At one point, Abby begged Blair to join in...and he did. Much to the delight of the people around us. He even wore the miniature bees helmet on his head (which had been filled with ice cream moments earlier).

I could keep going...but I won't. What a great Dad and Husband. We are lucky to have him.

And, I couldn't forget Blair's Dad and my Dad.

Happy Father's Day to all of our Dads. They are great examples of good and genuine people...and they are all pretty fun to be around! Thanks for all you do for us!

Sorry, but the empty mug played into the "Homeless Guy" role.

Last night we had so much fun seeing my new favorite little toddler girl...

Lily!

I am in love with her. She is so happy and cute and darling. Deak better play his cards right, so he can have a shot with her in a few years.

John was nice enough to let us hang out at his house, even though he had only slept two hours, and those two hours were in the back of a truck, at a park. He even grilled for us. We missed Ashley though - she was having a good time in sunny St. George.

Ab and Sophie are a match made in Heaven.

Ab was a little shy for a minute, but when John pulled out the CD player and began playing High School Musical...all barriers were broken. By the end of the night, they were hugging each other and planning sleepovers.

Everything was going great until some "homeless guy" walked in and tried to pose for pictures with the girls.

It was really weird, then we figured out "Oh, that's just John, with a fur hat, carrying an empty mug, and wearing my Dad's old coat."

Phew.

Such a good night with fun friends all around. We wish Brandi and Ster lived closer so we could do it more often!!!

This Summer Weather Sucks...

*Huge Warning*

There are pictures containing some mildly obscene material. View at your discretion.

See What I am talking about.

This is the kind of crap I have to deal with for the next two weeks. Last night poor Kobe didn't fair so well though - Too Bad.

That picture prefaces why my darling child is wearing a Lakers Jersey in the following photos. I know, sad...but - until he can dress himself, he is at a loss.

So, the weather sucks right now. The kids are finally out of school (and I am done with work) and we are stuck inside. My friend, Lisa, was nice enough to get us in to the Children's Museum with her Lesbian pass for free (don't ask...but I promise she really isn't a Lesbian-in fact she and I had a Lesbian Zoo Pass a few years ago. Let's just say people who sell family passes generally don't discriminate for domestic partnerships). So, we made the most of it indoors and had a great time.

Abs and Deak

Deakon having a good time with his crooked look :)

Ab and Halle

Deak driving a car...Watch it.

Hopefully soon we'll have some pictures of our OUTDOOR activites...oh, and I apologize again for the ugly parts of the pictures (The purple and yellow parts).

A Nice Gesture...

My mom called me twice (once on each phone) yesterday morning. I am thinking "Oh maybe she wants to go to lunch or something. That sounds good." It happened to be a little different than I expected.

Mom: "Hi. There is a really legitimate pharmaceutical company running a clinical trial for a cream that is proven to enhance your bust size at least two sizes."

Me: "Oh."

Mom: "It's free now. They are looking for participants, and it will probably be really expensive after that. So, I took down the number for you, do you want it?"

Me: "No, that's okay. I don't really think a cream would make my boobs bigger."

Mom: "Well, Are you sure? I'll keep the number for you just in case. Bye."

Me: "Okay. Bye."

Thanks for the thought Mom :)

(PS - Sorry Mom, but it was too classic not to share)