Perks

With every job comes certain perks. Bun Basket=amazing food while on break. Hospital=free Christmas jacket (and "code browns" though cleaning crap off the floor was exact opposite a perk.) Teaching=kids' smiles and adoration.

For my mother-in-law, Jet Blue affords perks in buddy pass form. My amazing mother-in-law invited me and the kiddos to join her and Collin in Sunny California.

IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!

We left early (6 am) on Wednesday morning and arrived in Long beach around 8 am. We visited the aquarium, and then went to the beach (my kids first real beach experience!!!)


Josh LOVED the water. He gave me a heart-attack as he dove in the waves, and let them carry him to shore. Aside from the pasty white skin, he could totally pass for a beach boy.

Thursday morning we drove to San Diego and walked around the beautiful temple grounds of the San Diego Temple. Then we checked out the seals on the beach and got a little wet from the waves crashing up against the rocks. Then we drove to the airport and headed back home.



What an amazing experience!! Thank you, thank you Grandma Holly for treating us to such a wonderful time!!

Here are some pics (in backwards order)

All wet after a close encounter with a big wave

Watching the Seals and crashing waves in San Diego

The beautiful San Diego Temple


Splashing in the frigid water

Frolic and play

Jr. Studmuffin

This expression sums up their beach experience

Miss Bella

Collin, Grandma Holly and I

Grandma Holly and Dax petting the sting rays

Ella waving hello to the scuba-divers as they fed the fish

Daxton feeding the birds some "nectar"

Josh would move his hand around the glass,
and the seal would follow it

Checking out one of hundreds of aquariums

Dissipating Manners

Happy Halloween! 2009 Halloween Shin-Dig

World series 2009: Phillies and Yankees. Now I am not one to paint my face red, nor do I own any Philadelphia attire, but I was rooting for them nonetheless. Classic case of cheering on the underdogs; plus New Yorkers may need some humbling anyways as they walk down 5th Avenue with their fancy scarves and hot lattes.

It's true I'm not really a big baseball fan, but with all the refuse on t.v. today (i.e. "reality relationships" and off-colored humor); watching sports is a pretty safe bet. However, my curiosity has gotten the better of me and I wonder exactly how the "bad manner" license is afforded to these major-leaguers. If I were being interviewed on Opera, and the under wire in my bra was reeking havoc on rightie, there is no way, despite how much pain I was in, that I would reach down my shirt to adjust myself. Yet here are these ball players, on home plate, being viewed by millions of people, and they insist on dancing the bad manner cha cha: grab, spit, cha cha cha; spit, grab, cha cha cha.

Now I have an imagination and can understand that perhaps wearing a cup is not the most comfortable thing in the world, but really, do you have to adjust it that often? Suck it up boys, you can survive a mere 5 minutes on base while lefty is being pinched.



Joshua








Speaking of curiosity, this boy is just too darn quick. Last night he asked me:
"Mom, how could Mary have a baby when Joseph wasn't his father? If God is Jesus' dad, then how did Mary have his baby?"

And last week:

"Mom, how did that couple have a baby if their not married?"

And let's not forget:
"Mom, how do you know this is your last baby?"

Hmmmmm. Looks like the inevitable has happened a lot sooner than I had anticipated. My word, the boy is only 7! Any suggestions people, as to how best approach the birds and the bees with your second grader?! I don't imagine there are children's picture books on the topic....


Daxton

The little tyke is a two-wheeler riding maniac. It's all he wants to do all day. He's even taken to "jumps." It's rather fun to watch, as he zooms out the garage, turns sharply onto the sidewalk, goes off the make-shift jump I built, then cuts across the lawn; only to repeat the process again and again.
Ella

Her newest expressions:

"Oh my goodness!" and "Oopsy doodle."

The sweetness has stayed, and I believe we have abated the red hair sass, at least for a month or two (wow, can you imagine this girl as a red-headed teenager?!)

Ella is SO excited for her little sister to arrive.

"Mom, the baby will come out in 30 minutes and I can hold her and push her in the swing."

Cameron

It's 4 a.m right now, and I am having trouble sleeping. Cam and I were up together a couple hours ago, because Ella was coughing pretty bad. Things settled down, and we were both trying to get back to sleep. I was pretty shocked at how much pain I could be in when I am simply lying in bed. I whispered to Cam, "This could be a long 4 months," to which he replied, "I'm sorry." And he put his arm around me. Sometimes that's all it takes. He could have lectured me on how I am so much better off physically than other women (which I know) or how lucky I am that the baby is growing healthy inside of me (know that too) but instead he chose to sympathize along with me. Either that, or saying two words instead of a mouthful was easier; and he just wanted to go back to sleep. Regardless of the reason, I adore this boy and most days he always seems to give me exactly what I need.

Cindy

I'm sorry....you're not familiar with the part in Red Riding hood where the evil skeleton comes and snatches away her basket? Best check your library for a newer edition.

I took a quick unscheduled trip to the doctor yesterday. Basically my symptoms included a whole lot of pressure down south, cramping, contractions, and of course pain. Turns out my bladder and cervix are falling out. Doesn't that sound lovely? The recommendation included the continue use of my support belt (gut lifter) and to take it easy. I can handle that. I was pretty worried for a while that pre-term labor was in my future, but the doc assured me that my cervix is closed up tight and things look good. Only 3 1/2 more months to go. As long as this baby girl continues to grow inside of me, I can figure out what to do with my bladder once it falls out alongside the placenta.

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!