Thinking Chair

A little excursion to Antelope Island's Hot Air Balloon Extravaganza!

My energy has finally returned, and a new project ensued: wainscoting/painting the family room. It seems my ambitions run high at the beginning of a project, but soon fade to a "this must be what hell is like," towards the tail end. I'm convinced that in hell they force you to caulk and paint molding day in and day out with no breaks, while you constantly have the need to pee each time you bend over. But the room is finished, the miter saw is safely put away, and I still have all my fingers.

While working on this project the kids could watch a show a day (or yes, sometimes two). They chose "Blues Clues" each and every time. For those of you who do not have the theme song memorized, ("come on in, it's time to play...") I'll fill you in a little. Blue's Clues is a show with a dog, Blue, who leaves paw-printed clues to help you discover what Blue is thinking about. (i.e. "let's find the clues to help us discover where Blue wants to go to look for shapes." Blue wanted to go to the grocery store to look for shapes, in case you were wondering.) Once all the clues are discovered, Steve (the singing dude) belts out a little diddly about finding the clues, putting them in his notebook, "then we sit down in our thinking chair and think......think.......think....."

Doesn't a thinking chair sound wonderful?! I totally want one (Cam take note, Christmas is approaching). Just a big comfy chair that you sit in and think in. I can just imagine myself sitting in my thinking chair this winter, looking out the window at the snow drifts, as the snowflakes wink at me while slowly dancing to the earth. I'll just curl up in my chair, drape myself with my favorite blanket and do nothing but think (and maybe take a nap).

Joshua

Josh printed out this sign on his own.

Each day I ask how his day at school was and he always replies "It was great." He is loving it! His piano is coming along great (thanks Carly!) and he enjoys his play practices with "Up With Kids."

A little hike up Farmington Canyon to view the changing leaves.

Josh finally got his wish the other day and felt the baby kick for the first time. He was all smiles and giggles. The verdict is in: a baby girl. So exciting!
The other night Josh was telling Dax a story about something that happened at school. He was so animated, using his hands to add to the story, smiling and laughing with his cute dimples as his blond locks bounced to and fro. I turned to Cam and whispered, "he is so handsome!" He really is a beautiful boy, inside and out. He tries his best to be good, and has been so nice to his younger brother and sister. It's so fun to see him read stories to his younger siblings.

Daxton

First Day of Joy-School

Daxton loves doing his hair. He gets out the comb, turns the water on, and soaks the front of his hair until it lays completely flat against his forehead. Of course, it doesn't stay that way for long. As it dries, it slowly curls up and up until there is no straightness about it. So the other night I flat ironed his hair. He absolutely loved it. Sure it wasn't a do we could go out in public with, although it was semi Kevin Bacon-ish.
Guess who turned 4 this month?!
Last year it was pirates, this year: Power Rangers. He suited up in his new red-ranger outfit, and the party began. All his toys were power rangers, so he was in heaven. I think the highlight of the party was when he finally received his can of silly-string that he had picked out at the store a month earlier. He was laughing so hard while spraying grandpa, Josh and Uncle Cam.

Ella
The fiery red-head complex has all but absolved and a sweet tender-hearted girl has emerged. She is constantly giving me hugs (while telling me my tummy is getting bigger) and then she whispers, "I love you mom," or "you're the greatest mom." Yesterday morning she came in our bedroom early, so I pulled her into bed with me. She cuddled close and put her dainty little hand on my neck and gently patted it.
It amazes me how girly she has become. It's in everything: the way she walks, the way she talks, the way she moves when she looks at herself in the mirror. She's taken to curtsying whenever she says "thank you." She loves to "read" books on her own, they always begin "Once upon a time...."

Cameron

I came home from a primary meeting the other night to find all three kids atop my bed while Cameron read them a story. I really wanted to run down and get the camera for a picture, but I didn't want to miss a minute of how precious it was! There was a little song in the story, and each time it approached, Cam would pause while Josh (making up the tune) would sing, "No....no.....no, no, no. I'm too fast, and you're too slow...." It made me adore my husband even more.

As I lay in bed snoozing each morning, Cam is out exercising. Monday, Wednesday and Friday he wakes at 5:50 a.m. to go play basketball at the church. Tuesday and Thursday he leaves the home at 5:00 a.m and drives to Salt Lake to rock climb in a climbing gym. Can you say "Senior studmuffin?" My husband is lean and built while his wife eats 5 hefty meals a day, snacking in between, and exercises by folding laundry. (Cam's thinking to himself 'wait a minute, I help you with the laundry too.')

Cindy
My favorite season has arrived. The house is Halloween-a-muffied. Unfortunately, Cam is very anti-Halloween (there must be something wrong with him). The other day when Cam told Ella "It's not Halloween yet," Josh, in a very matter-of-fact tone, told him "Actually dad, we celebrate Halloween all month long." Thats-a my boy! The kids and I decorated last Saturday. They had a blast, and dressed up in some costumes, got out their bags, and each took turns trick-or-treating at the door for some fishy crackers. What fun!

I was only able to finish one drawing this month (took a lot longer than I had anticipated). The eyes are still a bit freaky, but all in all, it will do. Here is the stanza that goes with this picture: (the book is called "Squishy rainbows" about a boy imagining what rainbows are made of.)

Perhaps a rainbow is tasty.

You grab handfuls but can't get enough!

Tastes of candy so sweet,

Most delicious of treats!

You eat 'til your tummy is stuffed!

I've read a few books lately where the story involves teenagers. I've discovered that I don't want them. Not the books, but the teenagers. I'm very scared. It seems that no matter how well a mother does, her children always grow up resenting her. The other day I asked Josh if he would still like me in ten years. "Of course I will mom." I am tempted to get it in writing so that in ten years when he comes in late for curfew, and we get on his case, and he begins yelling at us because he's defensive about us discovering who knows what he's been up to, then he storms out of the room slamming the door as he yells "I hate you!"....I will quickly follow him, and pull out the paper and say, "But look, you signed this and promised you would still like me!"
I'll just stay naive about the whole thing and remain solid with my vision of Josh coming in ten minutes before curfew because he was so excited to share with me the details of the fun date he took his crush on. I'll smile warmly as he tells me of all the chivalrous things he did: opening her door, complimenting her on her shiny golden hair, walking her to the porch and HUGGING her good night (and nothing more). Look at that, I guess I don't need our contract after all.

Is it hot in here?

Planting a tree with dad.

Can you tell Josh is in a sour mood?

I wrote this a week ago, and finally am adding the pics to it so I can get it published before the month is over, and I am a month behind.

It may be my sole opinion, but I feel that life is just a bit sweeter while wearing an apron. Maybe because I feel like the a-typical "leave-it-to-beaver" mom while I wear one (I just lack the cute dress and pearls). You put the apron on and the fun begins, canning peaches, baking cookies, cooking a beautiful pie. Perhaps it just comes down to the fact that for the most part, food is involved while I wear the apron, and I like food. Whatever the reason, I have 5 aprons and they get good use.

If you haven't yet seen "Julie & Julia," I recommend it. Great movie (Maryl Streep is brilliant), but I left feeling even more so, a lousy cook. Don't get me wrong, I can bake, because when you bake it almost always involves a recipe. Step by step sequencing is EXACTLY what I need. If you give me any kind of cooking liberty or allowance, the meal is a flop. I have attempted 5 roasts in my lifetime, and not one has turned out. The last one was placed lovingly in the crock pot. With no recipe, my cooking liberty was unleashed. I added beef bouillon, fresh onions, garlic, some seasonings and potatoes, and let it simmer all day long. It smelled delicious. It tasted atrocious. I pulled it out of the crock pot only to discover that the piece of plastic was still stuck to the bottom and had been simmering with the meat all day long (mmmmm.....cancer.) The meat was tough, chewy, and you could barely cut through it with the sharpest of knives. I really want to master the pot-roast and conquer the beast. But,bottom line: Cindy needs recipes. Got any good ones?

Joshua Cameron Eggertz

First day of 2nd grade.

He was so brave this time around, and really loved to repel down after the climb.

It started out as good clean fun. Josh and his good friend Tate wanted to make skeleton masks. Of course Dax and Ella felt they needed to be included in the fun, so I made them some as well, Ella's complete with bow on top (even skeletons need to feel feminine once in a while.)What started as good clean fun soon escalated into this. Tate remembered the skeleton costumes he had at home. Josh and he quickly ran to get them and try them on. Ella wouldn't go near them. The two scary boys set off for Tate's house. I went out on the patio to get something, only to hear the unmistakable scream of Joshua (no, not the "I'm hurt" scream, but the "I'm trying to scare the crap out of you" scream.) Those little stinkers were scaring neighborhood kids! A couple minutes later Josh returned, tears in his eyes, and told me he had scared a little boy and made him cry. He felt bad (hopefully bad enough to not repeat it again , we will just wait and see.)

Josh brought home this flyer last week and was all but doing cart-wheels around the house in excitement while begging me to sign him up. (singing, dancing, acting class)

Cam tried his best to give alternatives. "What about Karate? Gymnastics? Anything else?" But my boy is set on singing, dancing, and acting. He really does have a talent for it, and he still loves sports (basketball this winter as well), so don't worry Cam, he's not too light in his loafers. I have this vision of my Joshy-boy as a senior in High School, lead in the school play, singing his heart out while all the ladies swoon in the audience, and I end up having to beat them all off with a stick once the play is over.

It's an exciting time for Josh. The play practices are all year long, finishing with their performance of "Wonderfully Wicked Wizard of Oz" in May. He starts basketball in November, and Piano next Wednesday. I know it sounds like a lot, but idleness drives this boy crazy (and he in turn drives his mom crazy), so to keep him busy is a good thing.

Josh quote of the month:
"Mmmmmm. I like bacon. It's like being in heaven. Bacon heaven"

Daxton Lee Eggertz

Daxton was "kissed" by a bee on the lip. We discovered he is allergic, as his face dramatically swelled and he soon became unrecognizable. Josh lovingly called him "duck boy."

One day later, and a good dose of benadryl, and he was beginning to look like himself again.

Rock climbing up 25th street in Ogden.
Ogden's Dinosaur park.

Oh, how I adore this little boy. He dressed himself in this one last Sunday. Doesn't it just scream 1989? All he needs are some slap-bracelets and a boom-box on his shoulder and he's set!

Daxton began joy-school this week. I put together a little school for him and 8 other neighborhood kids. I had them all last Tuesday/Thursday and it went really well. He's so excited to be "going to school," and it makes me happy that he is learning and able to spend time with his friends.

B is for Binoculars.

I feel like I can always count on Dax. If I ask all 3 kids to go brush their teeth, Daxton is generally the first one to do it. He is my little helper and I just love him to pieces! (I wonder what that means......love him to pieces? Like pieces of him all over the place, or pieces of love scattered around the house? Hmmmm)

Dax quote of the month:
"Old MacDonald had a farm, G.I., G.I. Joe."

Ella Marie Eggertz

Girl Power.
Ella dressed and ready to go to her "princess" birthday party, hosted by her best friend, Kate.
"Kate is my best friend, she doesn't hit me."

The other day we were walking to the park and Ella insisted on wearing her hat and bringing her purse with her. Girly-girl. She loves her baby doll (Kenny) and is always taking care of her: rocking her in her cradle, putting her binky in, swaying her in her arms while whispering, "shhhh, shhhh, it's okay, it's okay." It is very clear and apparent that girls and boys are sent straight from heaven with very distinct gender role attributes (though I understand that nature/nurture plays its part as well). I love it and love seeing her grow and change day by day. I like that she lets me do her hair, and we have that time together. Hooray for girls!

Ella and Dax will again start up our music class this next Wednesday. Instead of neighborhood kids this year, we have invited some friends, so we will be much smaller in numbers. It will be so nice to have the house filled with the sound of singing children again. I think they are both excited.

Glen Cameron Eggertz

Josh took this shot, while I was belaying Cam.

Cam left for the Tetons this morning. "Le Grande Tetons." Or is it "Les Grande Tetons?" I don't know, I took Spanish, not French. He is once again trying to summit those jagged beasts, and I wish him luck and send him my love.

Cam has been out of town a lot with this new promotion. Though I would much rather have him here, we are thankful that he is having success and landing accounts. Good job, sweetums!

Cynthia Lee Eggertz

So, I am home alone, writing this blog. The kids are outside on the trampoline, and I am sitting on my butt. Is it hot in here? I mean seriously I get hot-flashes constantly. All is well with this pregnancy, and I am feeling back to my normal (well, maybe that's too generous....somewhat-normal) self. I find out the sex on October 1st. I really think it's a girl, which by my record (0 and 3 in guessing), means that it is a boy. The kids are all so excited for this baby to arrive. Josh is always asking if he can feel the baby move ("not yet little buddy, still not big enough.") Dax is always patting my tummy and saying "there's a baby in there." And Ella always follows with "There's a baby in there? Can I see it?"

I am happy. Life is great and I am enjoying the ride. I have written a child's picture book (years in the making) and I have a goal to finish my illustrations and send it in to publishers by the end of this month. It's called "Squishy Rainbows." Wish me luck and I will keep you posted (even if and when they are all rejection notices.)

Til next month!

Somethin's Cookin'

A Belgian Reunion in Provo!

Here is a collection of pictures from our adventures at Grandpa Page's Cabin:

I really don't feel up to writing July's post, but I appreciate that you spend your valuable time reading these posts. Personally, I think I have a pretty rad family, so I can understand why you would want to know what neat things they did this past month. However, my opinion is a bias one.(Does "rad" date me? Did you just get a ninja-turtle flashback with Splinter and the boys eating pizza?)

Waves of nausea, no energy, extreme fatigue and emotional roller coasters. It could be one of two things, and since I'm too young for menopause......I'm prego! Due February 23rd, and with the way I've been sick (all day and into the night, just as I was with Ella), I'll be very surprised if this one is not a girl. I'm just keeping my fingers and toes crossed that, as with all other 3 of my pregnancies, after the 12th week I should be golden. (6 days and counting)

Joshua

Jr. Studmuffin saw a flyer for the Kaysville 5k "fun run" (oxymoron). He was very excited about it, so I signed Cam, Josh and myself up. Josh and I trained for the event (he whined more than I did, believe it or not). 8am on Independence day finally rolled our way, and Josh finished great. I think our time was around 38 minutes. For a 6 year old I think he kicked butt. Good job little buddy!

Joshy-boy also turned 7 this month. He got a trampoline. So far, no broken limbs or cases of paralysis, but the summer is still young. I think Dax and Ella love it the most. They will jump for hours on end ("Mom, I'm tired"). It's been a great investment (hours of fun without me having to do much of anything).

Harry Potter Cake, complete with a magic wand that Cam Widdled and I sanded and stained.

Josh quotes of the month:
1-"I love vacations. You get to pee in the bushes."
2-"Mom, you better not do anything selfish, there's a cop right next to us."

Daxton

Tree house museum. There were wizard costumes, cloaks, etc, and Dax chooses the princess dress.

We took the kids up to Grandpa Page's Cabin and spent two nights in the hills of Little Cottonwood Canyon. There's nothing quite like a deep breath of crisp, pine-filled air. The kids had a blast.

While there, Cam took the kids fishing. They each took turns holding the line, but Josh was the only one who got a catch. He reeled in a beautiful rainbow trout. Our intent was to catch and release, but this little fish swallowed the hook and was pretty cut up. Josh decides to keep it. The kids were fascinated with this fish, and for some odd reason, were very intent upon touching his eye ball. During all of this, Josh continued to ask "Is he dead yet?" Cam showed Josh how to clean the fish (I closed my eyes, so as to keep myself from vomiting in the lake.) All I could hear was Josh saying "OOh, that's gross. Is he dead now?" Hanging limply from a stick, the fish was carried back to the car by Dax who proudly shoved the fish in the faces of children passing by. When we arrived back to the cabin, Josh wouldn't get out of the car. "What's wrong Josh?" "I just don't feel good." Being his mother, I immediately knew what the problem was. "Is it the fish, Josh?" And he promptly burst into tears. My sensitive little guy felt so bad for taking the fishes life! We had a good talk about why God put certain things on the earth, and that it is okay to hunt and use the meat or the fur of animals; but that it is wrong to kill things only for the kill. Great lessons learned that day. This story is put under Daxton's heading because he LOVED eating this fish! Cam grilled it, and I thought the kids might try a little bite, but he almost ate the whole fish in it's entirety.

Ella

Can you imagine this girl as a big sister? Scary thought. She's a spunky little red-head, and I completely dig on that; but I fear she will try with all her might to steal the spotlight from our new addition. Time will tell. Ella thinks that doing mean/bad things is quite hilarious. Josh is always saying, "She is pure evil." I don't think she's that bad, but she definitely has a look of terror, and when it's fixed upon you, look out.

Ella's quote of the month:
1-"Dad, don't go to work, stay here with me."
"Ella, I have to go to work to earn money to pay for our house."
"Oh. Do you want my piggy bank?"
Their expressions look glum, but they really were excited for the "big" Kaysville City Parade.

Cameron

Cam started his new job on Monday (same place, just different job). I am so appreciative of all the work he does for our family. He really is amazing. Last Saturday he picked up and vacuumed the house, and cleaned all the bathrooms. I feel bad because 5-8 pm is the time I feel the worst, so he has a pretty sick wife when he gets home. Sorry Cam, I will try to smile more.

Cam is planning on hiking the Tetons this September. I'm excited for him and hope the weather cooperates so he can summit this time.

Cindy

Eating a lot of food and sitting around, that's about all I'm good for lately. It's quite frustrating, actually. My family and neighborhood has a lot going on, things I could help with, but I just feel so lousy all the time. A few more weeks, that's what I keep telling myself.

We just bought a new camera this month! A Canon Rebel XSi. It is great, and I have already quadrupled the number of pictures I take in a month simply because it takes such great shots.

I really like to read and write. I often find myself imagining how I would write something I am viewing, or doing. Anyways, the other night I started writing this little story:

From the day she was born, she wanted more. Her first desire: more time in the womb. It was as if her little fingers were clinging to her mother’s uterus, hanging on for dear life. “Please don’t take me from this warm place, I want more time!” Thirty-six hours of labor (five of which were spent pushing), some forceps, and a vacuum later, and out popped baby girl. Poor mom. She barely had the energy to hold that child upon delivery. Perhaps the child knew the forecast, and that’s why she clung so hard. The severe, out-of-the ordinary blizzard was not anticipated, nor welcomed by any occupants of the small town. It was March, for crying out loud. Snow is not supposed to fall the way it did that night on March 17^th. But fall it did, in bucket loads. It took a day and a night just to plow out the hospital. Yes, it was a special day……which is why that mother held her new baby girl in her arms, and while gazing out at the snow drifts, named her Special.

It was an odd name, no doubt. Nicknames were attempted: Spesh, Speshy, S, little S….but none of them took. “Just call me Special.”

You think it would be hard to live up to a name like that, but Special had no problems whatsoever. She was different. Bold. She was that “diamond in the rough.” If only someone would have told her that, at least once, while growing up, maybe things would have been different. But perhaps that form of child-rearing was what Special needed to thrive the way she did.

But, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me introduce you first. Shall we start from the beginning?

Special came into the world bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, with hair so red even Anne of Green Gables would have called her carrots. Plain ole “red” just doesn’t seem to do it justice. Imagine pumpkins in a pumpkin patch. The orange is so stark and bright in comparison with those green and twisty vines. Now take that bright orange color and place it on a head of hair. You couldn’t dye your hair this color. It was, well, special.

That's probably as far as it will go, but I felt better once I had written something.

Until next month!