Pre-Christmas christmas pics

Ammon's first time ever on Santa's lapSissy and Santa

Our gingerbread house

The kids by their tree

I just thought I'd post some pictures since after Christmas I'll probably want to post pictures from Christmas day. I took a couple of pictures of the kids by our family christmas tree downstairs. This is the first time I've ever had 2 trees. The one upstairs is basically there just for decoration. The one in the basement has all our family ornaments on it and despite that it is about to tip over because all the ornaments are on one side, and one strand of blinking lights, and the fact that it's a fake tree, it is still my favorite.

A dolly sling

My children have decided that it is much more fun to wear their jackets backwards than forwards. I'm just glad they're actually wearing jackets, since that is usually a battle. Yesterday Sissy brought her dolly to church and found a fun new way to carry it. Since we laughed and smiled at it along with a lot of other people, I have a feeling this is going to be a common thing. I'm not sure what will happen if it gets really cold and the kids need to wear their hoods though.

Baby Blues

I love Baby Blues. It is my favorite comic, because I can relate to it so well.

Where's baby Jesus?

Sissy was playing with our little velcro nativity set today, and asked me about 10 times each what each of the pieces were. It took a while, but she finally realized that the baby Jesus was missing! I said "uh-oh", where's baby Jesus?" She frowned for a minute then her eyes lit up and she ran upstairs. A minute later she came back with a baby Jesus. From my nice nativity set. That was all fine and good- I told her she could play with it. But a little while later at nap time she insisted on taking baby Jesus upstairs to bed with her. He made it as far as the kitchen when he got dropped and his little hand broke off. Poor baby Jesus. I can' t even find the hand. My kitchen floor is uglier than sin, but hides things very well. Good for when I don't sweep, bad for when you need to find a 2x2 mm baby hand on it. Anyway, perhaps I should look for the other baby Jesus. I'm glad that she has such an interest in the nativity.
Ammon has been having more fun with a pogo stick that he bought at a yard sale last weekend than I have seen him have with a toy besides his bike for a long time. He has been out there despite freezing rain jumping and jumping. He runs in the house every so often with a report like, "I just jumped 29 times!" or "I just jumped 10 feet sideways!"
I think it's the best dollar he's ever spent.

what language do my children speak?

Sometimes I wonder if I speak the same language as my children. They just seem to hear something else completely when I talk to them.

Here is what I say: "Please get dressed."
They hear:"Take part of your clothes off and run around naked for a while until I get upset and threaten you with time out."

I say: "Play nicely"
They hear: "Run around like wild things until someone gets knocked down and hurt."

I say: "Time for dinner."
They hear: "Beg and whine for a snack"

I say: "Do your chores."
They hear: nothing

It's fun to interpret what Sissy says sometimes, too. Not that she doesn't speak clearly, but she does like to imitate mommy. The way she does it is just a little funny though, so here is how I interpret what she says (although she is getting out of this stage now)

She says: "Get down?"
I hear: "I am climbing on something I am not supposed to be on"

She says: "Get a towel?"
I hear: "I have just spilled something and made a mess."

She says: "Be nice?"
I hear: "I have just hit my brother"

And last but not least, she says, "Don't touch anything!"
I hear: "I have just stuck my hand down the back of my pull-up and there is poop on my fingers."

I am glad that my children help me find humor in motherhood.

a great Thanksgiving weekend

We had a fun and busy weekend here at the Moore house. It all started with this beautiful and oh-so-yummy turkey. Yes, Russell cut out the spine and splayed it out. It was very convenient for being able to fit more stuff into the oven with it, even though it looks like the turkey went SPLAT.



Our weekend included a visit to the ape caves, fun at OMSI, shopping at IKEA, and a few games of Settlers of Catan (a family favorite, if you haven't played it, try it.)

Sissy and Uncle John in the cave



We visited the Ape Caves, which have nothing to do with apes. They are lava tunnels on Mt. St. Helens that you can hike through. It is pitch black once you are away from the entrance. The kids did great-- they didn't get scared or whiney or anything. The caves were actually warmer than it was outside-- they stay 52 degrees all year round. We hiked a couple of miles. BJ loved the baby backpack, and didn't make a peep the entire time.

Mommy and BJ

Of course, I forgot to charge my camera after the trip to the caves, and couldn't figure out how to get pictures from my dad's camera onto my computer.

It's so fun to have family here, but the last couple of days I've been wondering how I ever get anything done without extra people around to hold the baby and to do the dishes. Tomorrow I am in for the post-company blues, which I'm sure I will be distracted from by trying to get the kids all their flu shots and having BJ's six month check-up.

Well, now it is Tuesday, and I really do miss having more people around. I wish I could say that the shots went well today, but it was kind of a nightmare. BJ was pretty good, but Ammon's flu shot included a couple of extra people to hold him down, cowering under a chair, and an hour or so of crying. Sissy would have been fine if Ammon hadn't kept reminding her of the poke. After the nurses left the room I had all 3 children screaming and just had to sit there until they finally calmed down.

Anyway, I have so many things to be grateful for that I don't think I could ever list them all, but here are some that I am thinking about today

Grandparents

bibs

disposable diapers

games

Russell's job

friends willing to help out

mail

garage sales

vaccuum cleaners

smiles

eyelashes

my hubby

blogs

and many, many more things

Thanksgiving is coming!

I thought these were some fun pictures of BJ. He sure loves his toes! When I change him I have a hard time putting his feet back in his pants or jammies, because he won't let go of his toes, and apparently they are very yummy. And what is it about puting animal faces on babies bums that is so cute? I am grateful for cuteness, because it sure can make me forget a lot of stressful stuff.

I am excited that my parents and my brothers John and Bill are coming here for Thanksgiving. It is fun to be the host, but also a little stressful. The good thing is that my family doesn't have the highest of expectations when it comes to cooking-- I think they'd be happy with whatever. But anyway, Russ and I have all the food planned and some of it made already. It is going to be a busy week getting ready for Thanksgiving. You can stop reading now because the rest of this blog entry is my boring to-do lists

Today:

-Get a new spare tire for our car.

-Clean the kids rooms.

-Straighten the storage rooms.

-Buy John's Christmas gift at Target.

Tues.:

-Visiting teaching

-Parent teacher conference

-Make pie crusts

-Start brining turkey

-Laundry

-Grocery shopping

-mop floors

Wed:

-spot clean bathrooms

-Make jello

-prepare guest beds

-wrap gifts

-clean basement, kitchen, and entryways

I better get started.

I made it!

Yea, I can eat sugar again. Not as satisfying as I thought though. I guess that's a good thing, because one of the reasons for my goal was to decrease my sugar cravings. This morning the first thing that I wanted was a cup of Calli (herbal tea). And the sugar I've eaten today just has made me feel kind of blah.
I am exhausted. Sissy wouldn't go to sleep last night (I think she had an earache) until about midnight, and as soon as she finally went to sleep the baby was up and wouldn't go back to sleep. I better go try to catch a little nap instead of blogging my afternoon away.
Or maybe not-- I hear BJ crying.

A Beautiful moment and Merry Christmas BJ

I had one of those moments the other day that just made me so happy to be a mom. BJ was asleep on my bed and I was going to wake him up because we are working on getting him to sleep more at night and this was around dinner time. I mentioned it to Sissy and she wanted to help. So she went on the bed and layed down next to him and rubbed his head and face until he woke up and started playing with her. They were just so cute lying there giggling and BJ batting at Sissy's nose. It seems silly, but it was a beautiful moment for me.

This toy is I think the most expensive thing I have ever purchased for any of my children (including furniture) at $80. But it is really fun, and I justified it by telling myself it is his Christmas present early and because I got a free turkey by spending $100 at Fred Meyer. He really just likes it I think because he is sitting up and can see what's going on. The toys on it have been played with much more by the siblings.

An update on the sugar fast-- It's going really well, and I even considered extending the time. However, this Thursday is my book group's Christmas party at which there will be lots of delectable goodies. So maybe after the holidays... I think Russ will be happy when I'm done with it too, because then we can make some desserts. He has been very supportive of my 2 week goal though, and last night we had fresh bread with butter and honey for dessert. Yum!

It finally came out!

Yea, that loose tooth of Ammon's has finally come out. It only took a couple of weeks, a bump in the face by his sister, and a yank by daddy. So now that we've filled Ammon in on the tooth fairy, he is very excited and full of questions. He is in bed right now, I'm sure pretending to be asleep so he can catch the tooth fairy in action, even though I told him that wouldn't work.

Well, it really has been a tough week, and not because of not being able to eat sugar, although there have been some times when I REALLY wanted some chocolate. The kids have just really been a challenge, plus it's been the week of a thousand diapers! Ammon and Sissy are both so volatile. One minute just as happy as can be, and the next screaming like a banchee. Things that set them off seem a little odd, such as: for Ammon, sissy was helping pick up the legos. Just tragic, I know. For Sissy, saying "hello, you woke up" led to a half hour of screaming, "Don't say that!"

And BJ has been ill, so not all that happy either. But I am going to follow Charlottes example and not gripe anymore, but tell you what I love about my children.

1) It is so easy to make them laugh. They make me feel like a funny person.

2) They are so darn cute.

3) They love to read books (or in BJ's case, chew on books)

4) They are curious and love to learn new things

5) Hugs and kisses are given freely.

6) They are very cuddly and love to snuggle.

7) Sometimes they play nicely together

8) They have so much energy!

9) They get me excited about holidays and events that would otherwise just be blah.

10) They keep me busy and give me lots of things to look forward to.

11) They make me appreciate alone time with my hubby.

12) They love family night, even when we don't do something exciting for it.

13) They are strong-willed individuals

14) They love me, even when I get upset with them.

I'm sure I could come up with more, but that is a pretty good list. If I want to have groceries this week I'd better get going.

I forgot to mention that I got a professional massage today. It was heaven!

So far, so good

So the sugar fast is going well so far! Not as hard as I thought. I am still hungry all the time though (from nursing a very fast-growing boy) and struggle to find good things to snack on. My favorites are nuts and dried apples. Though I admit a few potato chips and cheese sticks have filled the void. I am pleased though that the kids aren't obsessed with their candy. One or two little treats a day is fine, and overall they are eating less sweets because I am not eating them.

I love having a crafty husband. We need a new quilt for our bed, so he revised a pattern for us and we are going to Portland tomorrow to get some good fabric. I would like to think that I will help a lot with the quilt, but in reality if I help a lot I will just slow it down.

Halloween Fun

It's Halloween! Yea. I am completely on sugar overload. So, I am going to challenge myself to go 2 weeks without sugar. Besides I have been feeling a bit lack-luster lately, and maybe this will help. So please join me! Okay, at least check up on me because I need someone to hold me accountable. I'm going to give myself some minor exceptions. Jam is okay (my jam is almost sugar-free anyway.) Things with small amounts of added sugar like cereal- not the sugary kind-are allowed and honey is okay. I'll let you know how it goes. Anyway, this day has been not so great so far. Talia has diarhhea that has me changing her pull-up about every 1/2 hour. The baby is sick and doesn't want to be put down, and Ammon is as hyper as a hyena on steroids.

Despite the iffy day, we have had some fun in the last week. We had a trunk or treat party and carved some pumpkins for family night. Ammon was not convinced that I was dressed up as a tree for the monkey to hang on (I wore brown pants and a green shirt.) Oh well.

Well it's now November. I didn't get to post yesterday-- the kids took all my time and energy. Russ got home late and took the kids out to trick or treat. Although there were few houses on our street with lights on, those that were home got few trick-or-treaters, so each of them gave them a TON of candy. So, even though it's only day number one at 8:49 am I am already tempted. I will need to hide most of the kids candy somewhere when they are not around. Anyway, the kids had fun. I think I could do without Halloween though, except that I love pumpkins. And the kids are awfully cute in their costumes, uncreative though they are. And candy is always good. Plus you don't have to try to remember the real meaning of the holiday, since though it has roots, it really is just for fun. Okay, so maybe Halloween is not so bad afterall.

Aunties and Apples

It's been a busy week at our house! Thank goodness for my pampered chef peeler corer slicer- it is helping to process the almost 200 lbs. of apples we got from our friends whose parents have orchards in Eastern Oregon. Yummy!

We had a fun weekend playing with Aunt Natalia (Auntie Yiya) who came to visit us. Unfortunately, even though my camera has been working again, I am horrible at remembering to take pictures. Sissy really tried for me though (see pictures.) I did have Ammon catch Sissy in the imitating act the other day though. Her bear was hungry, so she had to "give him a boob."

She also asked me later that day to "put some peanut butter on my boobies." I guess she thought the milk would taste better that way?!

Anyway, we took a fun drive up to Mt. Saint Helens. Beatiful weather and gorgeous views made for a great day. Natalia took lots of pics, so if I can get her to email some to me I will post them later. It's great to have a sister- especially one who thinks it's a great getaway to come visit with her sister with little munchkins to clobber and slobber her. We did get a little time to ourselves at the RS super saturday, and having an adventure on the way to the airport. We got a flat tire-- no problem, we could handle that (although the lugnuts gave us some issues.) But then the spare went flat. Uh-oh, stranded. We were able to get someone to come get the tire and take it to fix it, but only after carrying the tire to Cosco only to find out that they didn't carry the size we needed, as evidenced by the circular grease stains now on my sweatshirt.

For any who are wondering, my parents are fine in San Diego. Just a little bothered by smoke and falling ash.

Bedtime for me-goodnight!

The Tooth Prayer

We have been struggling lately to get Ammon to say his own prayers that aren't rushed and the same thing over and over again. It took him a loooong time to even want to say prayers by himself, so I try not to push him, but to make him understand how important prayers are. So yesterday Ammon discovered that he has a loose tooth! (Somehow I had no problem with my child starting school, but this makes him seem so grown up I can't believe it!) Anyway, he was very thrilled and couldn't wait for it to fall out. In fact, when he was saying his prayers last night he prayed that his tooth would come out in the morning, or in the afternoon, or in the evening. And that was the extent of his prayer. Okay, so he's getting the idea- you pray about what is important at the time. I worried that he would be disappointed when his tooth didn't fall out in one day and wonder why his prayer wasn't answered. Well, he's a five year old. This morning he didn't even remember which tooth it is.

I love fall! Even though it is rainy here, it's beautiful with all the fall colors. I even pressed some leaved in waxed paper and hung them in the windows. I haven't done that since I was a kid.

The I-can-dress-myself marathon

So sometimes it is a wonderful thing when my child learns how to do something for herself, seeing as my time is now divided between 3 kids, a husband, a million house projects, and the usual demands of a stay-at-home mom. Talia loves to dress herself now, but here's how it went this morning: Mommy says "Sissy, please get dressed." at 8:00-Took off jammie top, 8:15 took off jammie bottoms, 8:30 took off pull-up, 8:35 puts on swimsuit, 8:45 takes off swimsuit, 9:00 puts on shirt and pants, 9:10 takes off shirt and pants and puts on swimsuit (inside out), 9:30, takes off swimsuit, 9:40 puts on pull-up, 9:45 puts on different pants, 9:46 takes off pants, 9:50 puts on shirt but takes off pull-up, 9:55 puts pants on without pull-up, 9:56 wants swimsuit on again, but we are supposed to leave the house at 10, so I wrestle her down and get her dressed. Now it's time for the hair....

Anyway, I've been sucked into the world of blogging. I've wanted to start one for some time, but always have an excuse not to. Right now my camera is barely functional-- I can get one picture if I'm lucky, then have to charge it again. My computer is slow, I don't have time, I don't have anything to write, blah blah. But here I am. I have really enjoyed keeping up with some old friends lately by reading their blogs. So if I can figure this all out (yea, I just got my picture up) I will post at least every few days. Forgive me if some of what I post is memories, since there are a lot of things that my kids have done that I wish I had recorded and now only remember if something sparks it.