Still

Still amazed: that my kids still love me even though I make lots of mistakes with them.
Still getting used to: being authentic.
Still loving: being a mom who stays home.
Still proud of: how hard Christopher works to make a good, comfortable life for his family.
Still not proud of: past friendships that crashed and burned.
Still hoping: I'll get a chance to amend those friendships and be at peace finally.
Still worried: that I'm either doing too much or not doing enough.
Still never going to: smoke cigarettes or get a tattoo.
Still pretending: that I’ll get in great shape again.
Still reading: parenting books.
Still wanting to read: a real book, from front to end, in one sitting without interruption.
Still interested in: losing weight and getting in shape.
Still not interested in: doing what it takes to lose weight and get in shape.
Still looking forward to: going to church every Sunday.
Still not looking forward to: a long, dreary, rainy winter.
Still failing: at cultivating deep friendships.
Still grateful for: my beautiful children.
Still praying: to believe without having to see
Still not believing in: diets of any kind.
Still believing in: miracles from God's own hand.

What are YOU still doing?

Food For Thought...

What do nine families from around the world eat in the course of one week? Check it out:


I noticed an awful lot more fresh produce than I ever see in one week around my house. Wow. I have always felt good about the salads, carrot sticks, and apple slices we nosh on around here, but I don't think if I piled it all on a table it would match anything like what I see. The boxed crackers, pretzels, and canned goods would probably be more dominant....
Hmmm. Definately food for thought.

Claire-A-Bell

Fractured Fairytails

Hello again its J I'm here to publish another Fractured Fairy tails!!!!!

Once upon a-HEY,HEY,HEY I'm the editor here and what I say goes. I'm sick of hearing every single fairytale start with once upon a time so how about we give it a little twist? Ahem, ahem. Twice upon a time, around 40,000 FT. ( fairytale time ) there lived three g- well four if you were counting the stepmother as a girl which I wouldn't, anyway there lived three girls and one very ugly stepmother. The first girl Flatulator, well her name says it all, the second girl, Itchy Ivy, and the last VEEERY beautiful girl, her name was cinder fella. ( before I go on I must say that just by reading the name of this post you can tell its going to get crazy so don't be alarmed if things get completely out of wack ) Cinder fella was very beautiful, the odd thing was that she hated it!!! She wished she could have been born ugly like her stepmother and two sisters. Oh how she envied them!!! But what made it worse was that she lived in a small town where everybody hated pretty people mostly because every single person in town was ugly and Cinder fella was the only pretty one. Her family only had one rule " if your not ugly your not one of us!!! " So cinder fella had to go live in a separate cottage away from her sisters. One day Cinder fella got a call saying that she was to go to the mayors house and speak to him. Boy, was she excited she thought she was going to get an award or something. BOY WAS SHE WRONG. Once she got to the mayors office, mayor Ethanator told her that she was a disgrace to the town and she must leave and never return so, she went home gathered her things and walked off into the forest where she was met by wolves and torn to pieces.

The End

Got the Christmas blues?

My mom passed this photo along and it was titled "Bah humbug". I liked the picture but wasn't inspired enough to write a clever post to go along with it. At least one that hasn't already been written about "Slow down at the holidays" and "Don't get caught up in the consumerism" and "Give the gift of yourself and not just gifts".
I'm sure some of you have gotten those forwarded emails, eh? Anyway, just take it as a silly photo or use it to reflect on some of those articles you read...

One thing I will comment on is the STRANGE Christmas-wear that pops out this time of year. Now I understand the sweaters with Christmas trees and 3D ornaments sewn on. I understand the knit vests with fireplace scenes and the reindeer flying around to the back of the vest. I got that. It's seasonal. It's festive. It gets people in the mood. (Note: Totally not for me)
But one garment I saw I completely did NOT understand: it was a turtleneck which had green cartoon-like reindeer all over it. But wait that's not it! They were red polka-dotted and were drawn in Simpson-like fashion. A green and red polka-dotted Homer Simpson reindeer turtleneck?!?!?!? Where would you even buy such a garment? Why would you buy such a garment? Who would give such a garment as a gift?

In the same way that I don't understand how Santa delivers all those gifts on one night and fits down the chimney, this too shall remain one of the mysteries of the season.

A Christmas Song from Audrey

Fornoreason

Hi guys this is Julian and I was just being bored so I decided to write these couple of sentences. Well I geuss Ill say hi to Alesia and my friend Lisa and everybody that reads my blog.

Feliz Navidad Amigos!

Julian receives an award at his Monday school...

(Claire also received the Student of the Month award the following month, but I wasn't able to attend. See future posts for Claire's other videos of her many talents!)

Hurricane Ginger, with Storm Dayton

"Storm Dayton, reporting live at the scene of the disaster". "As you can see on your right, hurricane Ginger was one of the worst hurricanes of the century". "On your left you will see the homeowners standing next to the house but surprisingly the owners are smiling"!!! "The homeowners didnt have a comment to share, but I did overhear the husband laughing on how much their gonna make when the sue the EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER people", ( see last post. ) "Well I think its time to say good bye and- wait hold on here comes the homeowner now with a comment". Yes-uhh huh- OF COURSE, well folks the homeowners comment was that he remembers "Tye the gingerbread guy" saying that the house was as good as new and that it was strong enough to withstand a HURRICANE I geuss he was wrong." "Well folks I believe its time to sign off now, until next time, back to you Marsha."

Julian Dayton, Critic of the year: Happily, never after

Hi folks! This is Julian Dayton, here to give you the scoop on the new movie, Happily Never After. Now your kids may be saying its a great movie, but how can they know by an advertisement or two? That's why I'm here, Julian Dayton of Seattle, Washington where its always cold and--wait what am I saying, lets try to stay focused here!! As I was saying, I'm here to give you the scoop on all those new movies coming out. One of the reasons I voted two thumbs WAAAAY down ( of course ) was because it wasn't exactly '' Fairytale mischief ''. It was more like SICK HUMOR. If you had watched you would know what I'm talking about. These guys were using inappropriate language, gross humor, girlfriend\boyfriend stuff. I mean horrible, horrible stuff and to top it all off: IT WAS BORING. Oh sure, there was a plot and you know an evil villain trying to take over the world...but it didn't have any overall fun in it. It was all about the girl wanting to marry someone else and the boy wanting to '' get '' her not someone else. Also, the characters had terrible voices for the roles they played, such as Patrick Warburton playing a dumb-looking-stuck-up-looking, PIG type thing!!! Well folks, I believe its time to say goodbye and farewell until the next crummy movie, this is Julian Dayton signing off.

tenthingstuesday!

Ten Favorite Things to Complain About:

1. Rude, self-centered drivers. The streets don't have your name in the little green rectangles.
2. People who are on the cell phones in public but think they're at home alone, so they curse loudly
3. Movies that are rated G, but should've been rated PG-13
4. How expensive gas is
5. When it's rained for 5 days in a row and I'm ready for a break
6. Not enough quality time to spend with each of my children individually
7. When people don't RSVP to an invitation...It didn't say "Open House", people.
8. The line at the post office when I've waited too long to mail the holiday gifts
9. Doing laundry and unnamed culprits have left their garments inside-out and balled up. Guess what? That's the way I'm washin' em.
10. No relatives in the area to regularly share holidays, dinners, and memories with.

My, this list was easy to compile. How fast would I be able to write a grateful list? Hmmm...

EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER: Gingerbread Edition

On this one Julian is holding up the roof, waiting the the glue/icing to set. For the second time.

We also tried to use one of the Gingerbread Family to prop up the house, jack-style. Didn't work.

This angle shows the lean-to gingerbread

shanty, thus explaining why we need Extreme

Home Makeover to come to the rescue! Gets

awful drafty in the winter for the Gingerbread

Family.

Where are you Ty?!?!?!

In the Backseat with the Girls

As we were driving through our suburban neighborhood, we passed by one piece of property upon which lives an old grey mare.

Claire: "Hey look! A horse!! Wow...that family is so lucky they have a horse. Having a horse in your yard is so cool."
Audrey: "A horse? Where's a horse Claire?"
Claire: "It's gone now Audrey. You missed it."
Mom: "Y'know, Aunt Julie has two horses right on her property. Isn't that neat?"
Claire: "I know, you told me another time Mom."
Audrey: "And she has a cow and a giraffe, too!"
Claire: "Audrey she--" But then she stopped herself. She had turned to Audrey to argue the point (which happens quite frequently and ends up in A Scream Fest), but then saw the solid belief on Audrey's face. There was no reasoning or outwitting Audrey on this one, and she could see it curled up in the corners of Audrey's smile.

I just hope Aunt Julie knows what to feed a giraffe.

Monday Musings

What family traditions or customs would you most like to see preserved? I love the things we do around Christmastime: Christopher brings in the tree and we get lots of pine needles everywhere setting it up. We trim it while drinking cocoa with gobs of marshmallows...but as soon as the cocoa's gone, so are my Christmas elves. It's ok though; I love putting on my classical Christmas CD and decorating the rest of the house til late and when they all wake up--it's truly Christmastime! We make a gingerbread house each year, daily picking away at the candy roof and frosting icicles. We go to Leavenworth (ok we only did it one year, but we decided to make it a tradition). And we put out the nativity scene my mom gave me from when I grew up, except "hiding" the baby Jesus until he appears on Christmas morning.
What do you feel is the least attractive part of the body? Important note: this question clearly says "the body" not "your body". Just so you realize that I'm not taking this to a personal level...ahem. So I'd have to go with either feet (you rarely see good-looking ones) or ears (they are just wierd when you really look at them).
What keeps you awake at night? Why? (This could be worries, recurring thoughts, pain or any other distraction. Read into this any way you wish.) Frequently parenting issues, or how I "blew it" in some parenting situation that I could've handled better or should've handled at all.

tenthingstuesday-junior edition

Ten word(s) that describe me ( Julian ):

1. funny
2.HUNGRY
3.extremely orginizational
4.photographer
5.athletic
6.extremly big-headed(smart)
7.caring
8.grandma loving
9.grampa loving (dont worry I would never forget you guys)
10.ICE CREAM LOVING

Photo of the Week

Audrey wanted to write her name, so I dictated each letter slowly to her and this is what she came up with. I was quite impressed at the attempt!! (The last letter was originally an "r" then she crossed it to make a capital "A")

tenthingstuesday

Ten Words That Describe Me:

1. silly
2. bargain-hunter
3. industrious
4. planner
5. anxious
6. kind
7. long-suffering
8. helpful
9. neat (as in tidy)
10.tall

Monday Musings

Describe yourself in one word: Mom
What is your favorite kitchen utensil and why? I have these long tongs with spring action that I just LOVE. I got them this past year and actually wondered how I'd cooked without them.
What is the one thing that frightens you the most about growing old? If I'm growing old, then my kids are too. They might move far away and I'd rarely see them.

She's Got the Chops

Remember Me?

Hello. I don't know if you remember me, but I'm the one who posts to this blog. What?
FINE be that way. I'm the one who USED to post to this blog. Picky picky.

Well I'm still here. Just busy.

Stay posted (pun intended).

Photos of the Week

Klaire's Kreative Kraft Korner

tenthingstuesday

Ten Useful (and sometimes fun) Internet Sites:

1. screenit.com
2. sewszannesfabrics.com
3. healthiestlife4you.blogspot.com
4. cookinglight.com
5. OrganizedHome.com
6. freecycle.org
7. snopes.com
8. birthdaypartyideas.com
9. bloggingbasics101.com
10. onetruemedia.com

Also: http://www.dafont.com/ and http://jilljackscraps.blogspot.com/

Anyone care to add more of their own?

Monday Musings

If you could be invisible for one hour, where would you go and what would you do?
I'd go inside certain people's houses and see what life was really like on the inside.

If you could ask God any single question, what would it be?
Why do bad things happen to good people?

Ethan Almighty

How could it be that Ethan woke up for 2 days in row at 5:53 a.m.? I mean, on the nose. From my deep slumber, I heard him crying to get up, and when I rolled over to look at the clock it said 5:53. Does that strike anyone else as a little strange?? I was thinking--after watching the movie Evan Almighty last night--that I should check my bible for a Chapter 5, verse 53 somewhere! But where?

The Muffin Man

Well, here it is the moment you have all been waiting for ( especially you Lisa Wood, whom I dedicate this movie to beacause of all her patience in waiting exitidly for my movie to be done ) THE SEASON PREMIERE OF THE MUFFIN MAN '' so turn your sound on and get your smile ready.''

Addendum to tenthingstuesday

The 11th Building I love:

my in-laws former house in Yelm

Welcome to Monday

mondaymusings

Which month of the year do you think best describes your personality? (This is a wierd question!) Well, I would have to say October or November cuz I'm a hunker-down-and-stay-at-home kind of person.



If you could have had the starring role in an existing movie, which movie would you pick? I'm reeeeeeeeally out of touch about what's in the theaters these days, so it's tough to answer. I know I would tell my agent to accept the role only if I got my own trailer and personal trainer. ;o)



Are you attracted to people whose personalities are very similar to your personality or very different? Different. I seem to gravitate to outgoing, talkative, adventurous people who aren't afraid to speak their mind.

Photo of the Week

All better now

Hey for anyone who is keeping up, Julian's toe is all better now and he played his first soccer game last week. Well, he actually didn't get much field time because the coach kept subbing him in and out. He was nervous about Julian's foot too. But it seems to be healed and we hope that Julian will just be a dynamo the rest of the season!

tenthingstuesday

Ten Buildings I Love:



1. this house

2. Emerald Street house where I grew up

3. any bed and breakfast place

4. my mom's house in Los Gatos

5. my in-law's old house in Weston

6. Everything Tea shop

7. Other Mother's consignment store

8. the DMV (just kidding--seeing if you were paying attention)

9. the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco...the glass elevator rocks

10.my grandparents old cottages on Lake Michigan

Monday Musings

If technology was sufficiently advanced, would you be willing to clone yourself?
Sure I would. Then I would cryogenically freeze myself in case something happened to Jill #1 they could defrost Jill #2 to take things over.
At the local grocery store you see an elderly woman shoplift a chicken. Do you tell the management?
I would wait until she was gone and then pay for her chicken on my bill.
If you could be 8 years old again for an entire day, knowing what you know now, how would you spend it?
I would find something I loved to do, and pursue it. I would keep trying different things until I found something I was gifted at, then force myself to practice and get better at it. (Ok, that's not exactly answering the question since it says "for a day", but this is my blog right?)

Photo of the Week

tenthingstuesday

Ten Things I've Been Putting Off:

1. Putting away the girls summer clothes and getting out the winter ones, seeing what fits, then what they need, and then dealing with the stuff to give away.
2. Exercising, as usual.
3. Teaching Julian how to cook and prepare more foods.
4. Reading those books on my nightstand.
5. Praying regularly.
6. Hanging some kind of curtain/window dressing in Julian's room (we moved in 2 yrs ago). HE even asked me about it!
7. Painting over the smudges and handprints in the stairway.
8. Planting bulbs for the spring.
9.
10.

Monday Musings

You’ve won $100,000 – but have to give it all away. To which charity or institution would you donate it? There are SO many amazing charities out there... but I would pick one that had no political affiliation and one that was really really small and local. I would want to become a part of it and see what kind of impact the money had on the group it was helping.

What do you think is the most soothing sound? Water sounds: ocean, babbling brook, rushing river, etc. And also sleeping baby sounds.

Does time heal all wounds? If I let it, yes. I always thought that when I refused to forgive someone who had hurt me, it was as if I had the power by withholding my forgiveness to them. They were in jail and I had the key. But in truth, it's opposite: I'm the one who's locked up and imprisoned by my own bitterness. The other person is out, running free and living their life while I'm inside just waiting and waiting and waiting for them to come by and say "Sorry". If they never do, I've definately been the one in jail.

The Wonderful World of Wii

We got a game system called "Wii" (pronounced "Wee"). I'm sure some of you haven't heard of it, so here's a quick tutorial: it's an interactive, wireless game system that has swept the nation off its feet. Or actually ON its feet!! I think we got the very last one in stock in Everett, Washington as a matter of fact.

It's different than an X-Box or a Playstation because the controllers are wireless and require you to physically perform. For example, when you play Bowling, you actually pull your arm back and then forward as hard as you can. And in Boxing you hold the controller in your hands and throw the punches into the air. Baseball you swing the controller like a bat. Etc.

It is really super cool and totally family-friendly. No hardcore music in the background, but either elevator or lounge music. The graphics are cartoon-like and simple, reminiscent of the ol' Atari days. You don't have to be a Gaming Addict to understand how to play these either, so Claire and Audrey can join in without feeling overwhelmed or confused by the hi-tech graphics and complicated instructions.

They even have a spot where you can create a "Mii" (pronounced "Me") that can be a silly character or one with your same hair and eye color to play in the games. Too cute I think.

As the kids (this includes Christopher) were playing, I started thinking of some Wii-isms:

1. When they are playing I can call them Wii-ners.

2. The tennis game could have been called Wiimbledon.

3. When the game is over, someone can shout "I Wii-n! I Wii-n!"

4.

5.

Help me come up with some other good ones, will ya?

Do over

I posted this video a while ago when I first learned how to use the movie-making program and when we first got our camera.

I wanted to do it over and use some of the cool features. Hope you enjoy it the second time 'round (Grandpa Jim you are excused and may go read the paper)

sigh.

Monday Musings

If you could enter a racehorse in the Kentucky Derby, what would you name your horse?
Hot Fudge (think he'd win?)
What famous person, whom many people find attractive, is most unappealing to you?
Angelina Jolie (And no, it's not because I'm jealous of her plump lips, thin hips, and millions of dollars. She just bothers me.)
Which foreign country are you least interested in visiting?
Definately any war-torn country. It would be more than I could bear to see displaced communities of people, parents mourning the deaths of their children, and children mourning the deaths of their parents.

Broken Toe, Broken Heart

Julian broke his toe (a mini-fracture) a couple of weeks ago and has missed his first few soccer games. He was very upset about this happening, but the doc said by the end of September he should be able to get back in the game. As long as it heals well. It's so strange how such a tiny injury (look at your hand on the mouse and find the smallest wrinkle somewhere...that's how teensy this "break" was) can cause so much pain, and heartache to boot.
Last year at school, Julian played soccer every single day at recess, and gained an amazing amount of skill. During the summer he'd get all the kids together and have a start-up game in the cul-de-sac. His assertiveness during play was impressive, as well as his tricky footwork. We ALL couldn't wait for him to play this year on a competitive team!!
A week into the season, we were tickling/wrestling on the couch and he flipped off, injuring the toe.
What I am so proud of him for is that he has gone to all the practices and games despite being benched. He wants to be a part of the team, and not "miss anything" for when the time comes that he can get in the game. What a great spirit to have! What dedication! What optimism!
That's the boy we love.

Bend it Like Claire

Monday Musings

If you could "un-invent" one thing in the world so that it would no longer exist, what would you choose? All things that are classified (or should be) above an R-rating...you know what I'm talkin about

Monday morning you usually waking up thinking: I need coffee right now

Do you find it easy to ask for help? Why or why not? It doesn't come naturally at ALL to ask for help. Sometimes it's a pride thing where I want to be SuperGirl and do it all myself and hog all the glory, while other times I don't ask because I feel bad burdening the other person with whatever it is.

tenthingstuesday

Ten Things I Do When I Have Nothing Else To Do:

1. Check and comment on Julie's blog
2. Lurk at Suzanne's blog; think about sewing as a Secret Underground Club
3. Check Nancy's blog and ponder her amazing ability to plan a trip down to the minutia
4. Go to Seth's blog. Try to figger out what triggered him to write about these topics (i.e. Cover your mouth when you yawn)
5. Check Melissa's blog and smile as I enlarge the cute/funny pictures of her kids
6. Get a snack
7. Make tea
8. Take tea and snack back to computer to work on my blog. I've gotten inspired from everyone else's fabulous and creative work!!
9. Start making a new movie on Windows Movie Maker program
10. Paint my nails

Dance Fever

A video that makes complete Momsense

Turn your sound on and get ready quick 'cause she starts going at 100 mph!

Audrey's 3rd Birthday...

Photos of the Week

Julian took these with Christopher's phone... we think he has quite an eye for what makes an interesting picture.

Monday Musings

What is one thing that you wanted to do this summer but didn't?
I wanted to take a lot more exercise walks, but it never happened. I'm sure I was too busy eating to go!
If you lived a hundred years ago, what job would you've had?
I could see myself stepping into the shoes of Ma Ingalls...except I would still want a pedicure every now and then.
What are some of the most persistent and challenging obstacles in your everyday life?
Trying to "be the adult" in situations with the kids. I often feel like I'm right in there saying "Nu-uh! Yu-huh!" just like they do.
Also trying to remember the big picture in things; my overall goal is to be peaceful, to live at peace, and to bring joy to the family.

tenthingstuesday

Ten wierd facts about us:



1. We have a song we sing whenever the kids are caught disrobed, called "Naked Girl/Boy". It has a country-western, square-dancy flair. The little ones love it and use it as an excuse to dance around in the birthday suit. The older ones, nooooooooooooot so much funny.

2. We like to smell the insides of new and old books.

3. Two of us are a little obsessive about wearing socks/slippers when it's cold.

4. When Audrey laughs really hard, her nostrils flare in and out quickly.

5. Julian always goes to the bathroom about 10 minutes after starting each meal. We always say, "Well, you know what they say: A little bit in, and a little bit out!"

6. We are popcornaholics.

7. I often find a pile of toenail clippings on the arm of the couch (the culprit shall remain unnamed)

8.
9.
10.

Photo of the Week

tenthingstuesday

Ten Things I'd save in a fire:

1. Christopher
2. Julian
3. Claire
4. Audrey
5. Ethan
6. my cell phone and charger (gotta think about after we get out right?)
7. wallet/purse
8. file folder of important docs if I could get to it upstairs
9. Claire's stuffed dog Angel
10. Audrey's night-night blanket

Monday Musings

What kinds of scenes in movies make you cry?
That's easy...anything involving a parent and a child. Gets me every time.
Also scenes where people are reunited in some way.
If you met your clone-- someone with your exact personality traits, likes and dislikes, etc. -- would you want to be friends with him/her? Why or why not?
I think I would be interested in a friendship with me. I would enjoy my sense of humor and dedication to family/children. After a while though, I would want a deeper friendship with me and wonder if that was ever possible...
What is your biggest challenge in life right now?
It's not a bad kind of challenge, but beginning the homeschooling process again since I'm quite rusty.

The Lemonade Stand

Audreyisms

Some funny things about our "sugar n' spice and everything nice, snips n' snails and puppy dog tails" little girl :

Audrey has now taken to dressing herself, which is fabulous when I'm trying to get up and out in the mornings. The only thing is she's creating quite a bit of laundry!! She'll wear 2-3 shirts at one time and 2 shorts/skorts at one time. I am actually proud of myself for not forcing her to take 3/4 of it off because I thought "Does it really matter that much? How dirty will shirt #1 and shirt #2 get underneath? Can't I just stick them back in the drawer?" This is all new thinking for me...

Expressions she'll say:
"I can do with my want!!" (translation: I can do it if I want to)

"I can do it with myself!!" (translation: I can do it by myself)

"Golly raindrops!" (translations: Golly gumdrops, which mom will say instead of some other inappropriate expletive due to frustration)

She has also become an Escape Artist. Several times now, much to our shock and chagrin, we've found Audrey wandering outside in the cul de sac or striking up a conversation with one of the neighbors--in their yard. And we weren't there. Oh my. Christopher has since purchased and installed deadbolts and other locking mechanisms to prevent this from happening again. Audrey will see the doors and say, "Look Mommy! Look! Daddy put up some lockers so Audrey can't get out again!"

Claire's latest masterpiece

tenthingstuesday

Ten Things I don't like about my job:

1. Getting up in the middle of the night
2. Getting up reeeeeallly early every morning
3. Needing to go to bed early in anticipation of #1 and #2
4. Scrubbing toilets
5. Having to clean instead of spending that time with one of the kids
6. Feeling guilty about taking "Me Time"
7. When I do take Me Time, worrying about things back on the homefront
8. Not having the blueprints for parenting
9. That my job is to train myself out of a job....so someday they will fly on their own and not need me
10. Anxious already for the preteen and teen years, for both sexes

Where's Shamu??

I have been looking over the footage from our summer trip to Southern California, and thought it would be neat to make a video montage of the spectacular Shamu Show for the blog. The trainers were amazing, as was the Big Boy Himself.
Unfortunately, almost none of it got captured on film....see for yourself:

Monday Musings

I decided I didn't like the name "Manic Mondays"...because it just has such a negative connotation. So we'll try this on for size.

What would you like to accomplish this month? Start planning for school and fall activities for the kids
How would people who knew you in high school describe you? Jill who? Oh, that's right she had that wierd last name that sounded like Herbert or Herbus.
What's your favorite meal of the day, and why? Since dessert isn't really a meal, then I'll choose breakfast.

Photo of the Week

A self-portrait by Julian

Fractured Fairytales By:Julian

Once upon a time there was a very beautiful girl named ,Snow White that lived in a little cottage with her disgusting step,step,step,step well ,you get the point . Anyway, she lived with her step sister, Mud Brown (heehaw, get it?) and she made Snow White do all the chores around the house while Mud Brown just sat in a hammock and drank margaritas all day. One morning while Mud Brown was starting on her morning margarita and telling Snow White to give the cottage a new paint job, when Snow White realized she was fed up with doing all the chores (even though she was very good at doing them!)And that she decided to run away! It took about an hour for Snow White to pack all of her stuff . Once she finished she dashed out the door into the deep dark forest ''MO HA HA HA HA...... DA DA DUH!!!''(sorry i got carried away) after a long time of wandering in the forest she came to a clearing and there was a small cottage like the one she lived in. She wondered if she was going around in circles. Well, Snow White was tired of wandering so she went in the direction of her cottage. (Or what she thought was her cottage!) Back at Snow Whites real house, Mud Brown was stomping mad!!!!!!!! but after a long time of stomping she realised stomping wasn't going to get her anywhere so she started doing the chores by herself. Back at the little elves cot- OOPS i gave it away. well anyway ,Snow White rapped on the door until her knuckles were white and finally the door opened but Snow white didn't see anyone so she yelled:'' WHO'S THERE ?!?!?!'' and seven small voices answered in perfect unison, ''DOWN HERE!!!!!!!!!'' Snow White looked down and saw yep you guessed it seven little elves. Snow White asked '' who are you?'' the elves answered ,''we are elves and we come in peace.''....... and so Snow White became the elves new mother.......And of course they all lived happily ever after actually everyone except Mud Brown who was doomed to an eternity of doing chores.

THE END and a special thanks to the Rocky and Bullwinkle show who inspired me with fractured fairy tales.

Ten Things on Tuesday

Ten Websites We'd Like to Share:

1. foodnetwork.com Like many others, I love everything about the Food Network!! From Paula to Giada, it COOKS BABY!


2. cookinglight.com/cooking This is a fantastic magazine too, that has never steered me wrong. For anyone who thinks "light cooking" is flavorless and of meager substance, these recipes will prove you wrong.


3. www.screenit.com/ A website that we go to mostly for our kids (and sometimes ourselves) to get a very detailed breakdown of what new movies are about. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click "no thanks" in regards to getting a membership, then you can enter into the site.


4. freecycle.org A worldwide organization to save your multitudes of stuff from the landfill. You join a group in your area, then can offer things (washing machines, pet supplies, kids clothes et al) or take these things offered. If you have plenty, it can bless those who have little.


5. snopes.com Every get those wacky emails saying that you'll blow up if you use your cell phone at the gas pump? Well, this website debunks lots and lots of urban legends (and gives evidence for which ones they believe are true) Good to check out before you forward things to your friends.



6. www.yourhealthiestlife.blogspot.com My sister-in-laws newest, informative blog about living, eating, and being healthy. She's well respected in her community for her knowledge and passion about a broad range of topics...



7. godtube.com Familiar with YouTube? Well this is the same idea but WITHOUT the rated R (and beyond!!!) stuff. You'll feel good about visiting there with your family.



8. onetruemedia.com A cool photo- and video-sharing program.



9. sewzannesfabrics.com This amazing gal has the most beautiful, unique fabric for sale and an awesome, down-to-earth business you gotta check out. If I sewed, this is the ONLY place I would go.



10. birthdaypartyideas.com/ Months before one of the kids' birthdays, I lurk at this website for ideas to do for an at-home party. I don't go all out like some of the parents write in and describe, but I must say the Willy Wonka party and Glamour Girl party were a blast!

Photo of the Week

Ok, I didn't take this picture but I just love it. Can anyone come up with a good caption for it??

Addendum to Ten Things Tuesday

Christopher and I decided to add one more thing to Ten Things I'll Never Do Again:

11. Hear someone say to us "It's a boy/girl!!!"

SETH

Hi there! It seems we don't have your email address... so could ya send it on over?
Thanks, C and J

Dumptruck

Ten Things Tuesday

TEN THINGS I WILL NEVER DO AGAIN:
1. Sunbathe ontop of a roof
2. Go on a ride that spins around really really fast
3. Eat pasta with a wild mushroom sauce
4. Not pay to have Toys R Us assemble a ride-on car
5. Change Audrey's diapers (YEAH!!!)
6. Watch a horror/slasher type of movie
7. Keep clothes in my closet that are too small, hoping that someday I'll lose those inches
8. Eat fruitcake
9. Choose to not get completely stressed out when I'm running late to get somewhere
10.Trim my children's bangs

Your turn...c'mon, gimme at least one!

Photo of the Week

Childhood memories

As I was sitting on the deck this afternoon, listening to the flies buzzing and kids splashing in the pool, my own sweet childhood (and some pre-teen) memories came flooding back to me:

**Playing Barbies in the front yard, underneath a giant tree, when Julie and I found a baby rabbit just sitting there in the grass. It looked like one of the roots at first. What a thrill!

**Picking blackberries one summer that we were camping in Oregon. It was hot and sticky, but the berries were mouthwatering and irresistible. We put them all over our cereal the next morning at breakfast (ya want some cereal with those berries?!)

**Being in Indian Princesses with my Dad and sister. My name was "Little Red Feather". (Maybe it wasn't summertime, but I cherish the memory)

**Catching fireflies in jars at dusk

**Going to my grandparents' cabins on Lake Michigan. They had that musty, woodsy smell inside.

**Playing "Ghost in the Graveyard" with the neighborhood kids when it got dark. I was always scared, but wanted to play anyway.

**Suntanning on the roof of our house (Mom, sorry if I lied and told you I never did it)...thinking that somehow the sun was stronger (I thought I was a lot closer to the sun??) on top of the 10 ft high roof.

**Going over to Santa Cruz beach and boardwalk. I love that crusty, sun-soaked feeling I get when I left the beach. My friends and I would always stop at this delish ice cream shop on the way back and pig out.

Feel free to post any of your great, summertime, childhood memories...

Our portrait

Beginning this Fathers Day we started a new tradition: getting our family portrait taken. Come rain or wind or snow or hail (this is Washington, y'know) we will be getting one taken! We think these turned out fantastic. It is very challenging to get 6 people all looking right at once!!
If anyone knows how to paste this picture into my header, "Days with the Daytons", let me know!

At the Beach

Manic Mondays

Off the top of your head list 4 words to describe you today, just as you are right now.
Busy.
Sleepy, but too busy to sleep.
Glad it's sunny out.
Happy it's summertime.
If you had an extra hour in your day today what would you do?
First, go for a long walk with Christopher. Then sit on the deck 'til we couldn't stand the mosquitos anymore.
When is the last time you got lost and what happened?
We got lost in San Diego when we were trying to go downtown, to the Gaslamp District. Christopher took one wrong freeway, then in my good attempts to get us back on track, I redirected him onto another wrong freeway. Once I stopped "helping" he got us going the right way...

Photo of the Week

From the Mouths of Babes

Last week the kids and I attended Vacation Bible School all week during the mornings. Audrey had her own preschool class to go into, but after the first day it became an issue for her. She wanted to stay with me in my "class", where I was teaching the kids the songs and hand motions.
No matter what I said about how fun her class was, how her teacher missed her, how her friends would be there asking for her, she didn't bite. All there was was sobs and tears, clinging to my pantleg. All this and we hadn't even left the house yet for the second day.
Along comes Daddy, asking Audrey what's wrong. We explained the trouble, to which he responded, "Audrey you need to go into your class today, and when you are ALL done with it, we will give you a treat. Would you like a treat?"
Audrey sniffed and nodded her head demurely.
Dad said, "Ok then. After you finish YOUR class today [a parent's day is full of repetition], Daddy will give you a treat. What would you like for a treat?"
Audrey, without hesitating, said "Five dollars."
From the mouths of babes.

Manic Monday

Hey there Monday Readers! I wanted to put these questions out to YOU today...answer one, answer all.

What is the healthiest thought you have regularly about yourself?
What do you like best about your best friend?
What one thing have you done that pleased your parents the most?

Photo of the Week

Here's Christopher swimming with all 3 kids hanging onto him like barnacles. I think the game was called "Try to Sink the Giant".

The Toy Bin Crisis by Susan Senechal

I cleaned out the toy bin awhile ago and got ride of some old broken toys and things the kids never played with anymore, anticipating the arrival of new toys for their birthdays. The flaw in my plan? I threw them into the garbage can under the sink, expecting my husband would take the trash out before my children got up.

Today, I wouldn't make such a mistake. But I was a novice toy thrower-outer, and I made a rookie mistake that proved to be costly. Our then 4-year-old Matthew woke up earlier than usual that morning, and for some unknown reason, he immediately walked right to the cupboard, opened the door and peered into the garbage can. Is there such a thing as broken-toy radar? I have no words for the scene that ensued. It lasted all morning. When I left the house in late morning, Daddy distracted him and things seemed to calm down for awhile. Then Matthew saw the garbage truck on a nearby street, and the crying began again.

I'm not talking expensive toys, or neat toys with a little break, but rather a tiny beach ball that no longer holds air, a part of a broken toy from a "Happy Meal" that some other child LEFT at McDonalds, and we found and took home and other assorted broken toy parts.

Going Deep

Reporting Live!

After driving 2 hours from Los Angeles to San Diego, we arrived at a hotel which we had booked online. Our jaws dropped open when we pulled in the parking lot and saw what they called a pool. The fellow taking the pictures for the El Cajon Rodeway Inn website must be an award-winning photographer because he made their pool--which was the size of a hot tub--look like an olympic sized swimming pool. We're talking MAJOR photo shop job!
Christopher spent the next 1 1/2 hours trying to get a new hotel for our family. It was time well-spent because we ended up with a fantastic place, with a nice clean BIG pool.

Lil' Ladybug Ride

Click this link to watch one of the first videos from our trip...

More pictures...

LOST

No, folks not the tv show. The reality show LOST: AUDREY. Hopefully this was the only episode and the season ended.

We were at our hotel by Disneyland, and waiting for the extremely crowded elevators. I think we got there when it was check-in time, because everyone and their entire extended family--luggage included--were all waiting for the elevators as well.

But let me digress and correct something: I wrote elevatorS plural when I should've written elevatoR singular. Only ONE of the FOUR were in working order. Outrageous.

Well, Ethan and Audrey were in the stroller and the big kids were in front of us, ready to push and elbow their way into the elevator when one opened up. (That was me who was gonna make them do the dirty work) I turned around and told Audrey something about not letting her blanket drag on the ground, and that was the last time I saw her until 19 minutes later.

Once the bell dinged, we crammed our way on like a New York subway and we rode up to our 8th floor room, stopping at several floors to let people off. We got out and halfway down the hall, Christopher says, "WHERE'S AUDREY??!?!?" I thought he was joking until I saw his face as white as a sheet. He tore down 8 flights of stairs thinking maybe she was at the bottom and had never gotten on.

The scariest part was that we didn't know at what point we had lost her. None of us ever saw her get out of the stroller. None of us saw if someone took her out of the stroller.

I waited at the 8th floor elevator, pressing the call button so the doors would open at our floor every time. What the guests saw when the doors opened was a sobbing, panic-stricken mother screaming "HAVE YOU SEEN MY BABY?? WE LOST OUR BABY!!" People said no, and quietly let the doors shut.

I'll fast forward to the end.

It turns out that Audrey was downstairs, outside, in the circular drop-off area playing with a child from another family. The father had just gotten up to go inside to find the parent of this awfully friendly, mysterious toddler when he ran (literally) into Christopher.

For any of you who have lost or almost lost your kids, you don't know whether to spank them or hug them tight. I know which one Christopher chose.

When the doors opened on the 8th floor one more time, I saw father and child embracing. Father sobbing, child just saying, "I'm sorry Daddy" over and over.

The Daytons Do Disney!

We are here and having a great time "making memories". That's what my mom said to remember when things got a little...rough. Taking 4 kids of various ages on vacation is amazingly stressful, yet the joys are like a magic eraser.

The day we arrived in Los Angeles, we went to Disneyland and was it HOT. I mean a blistering, sweltering, heat wave. Christopher and I kept looking at each other like, "What were we thinking??" The kids all were great sports about waiting in tremendous lines, melting in the heat, and not getting every overpriced treat they wanted. I mean REALLY good sports. We had another family we know meet us there, which made it possible for Christopher and I to go on a couple rides together. THEY WERE SCARY. One shot you up in the air 90 feet while you were going like 100 mph then stopped and let you dangle at the top. I started screaming even before the ride took off, in anticipation of how scary it was going to be. The other ride was the Bullet Rollercoaster. That name is self-explanatory.

Overall, our favorite ride was It's a Small World. Hands down, we all loved it. The ride was empty when we went (the 2nd night) so they let us go around two times. Worked out perfect because the nightly fireworks show had just started and Ethan and Audrey were totally scared of the noise. So we went into a Happy Place instead. Audrey got to go on a bunch of kiddie rides, and the sheer thrill and happiness that showed on her face was worth a million bucks. (We spent close to that on water bottles at the park. TOTAL PRICE GOUGING!!)

The hotel we stayed at was right across the street from Disney which was cool, but it was a mob scene all the time. Just to get on the elevators took 15 minutes waiting our turn. (See next posting on how we lost Audrey during this time) The area reminded me of the Las Vegas Strip, with massive amounts of tourists from different parts of the country and world, all waiting in line to eat at the Disneyland Denny's. ugh. Not my cup of tea, but I remembered it was all part of makin' memories!!

The next leg of our journey is here in San Diego. I remember taking a fantastic vacation here with my family as a youth, and it is still just as beautiful. We have gone to a few of the historic districts, and plan to go to the beach, Sea World, and the zoo in the next few days. Oh--this hotel is ten times better than the last one, by the way! With 6 of us staying in one room, these things really count.

Well I want to get this posted, so I'll throw in a few pictures and say good night!

We're A-Leavin', On a Jet Plane

The countdown continues: 3 more days until our Disneyland departure!!

Keep Bouncing

Turn on your sound, and get your smile ready!

Photo of the Week

Claire and her cousin Lyla...about 3 years ago at their Grandma's house

5 Things about Julian

Five Snacks You Enjoy:
pickles
ice cream sandwiches
Sour Cream n Onion chips
pistachios
apples
Five Songs That You Know All The Lyrics To:
Something Beautiful (Newsboys)
Jesus Freak (DC Talk)
Secret Kingdom (Newsboys)
Jesus is Alright With Me (DC Talk)
lotsa kids worship songs...
Five Things You Would Do If You Were a Millionaire:
Buy a mansion
Go on tour with the Newsboys
Visit my grandparents in Florida and stay for a year
Subscribe to cable!!
Buy more money with my money
Five bad habits:
Hit my sister
Yell at my sister
Don't share with my sister
Tease my other sister
Wear socks all year round
(hmmmm...I think this list is self-incriminating!!)
Five good habits:
eat healthy food
love the Newsboys
don't say bad words
babysit Audrey and Ethan every day
do my chores with a happy heart
FiveThings You Like To Do:
to play soccer and whup 'em
to play baseball and whup 'em
to play street hockey and whup 'em
go swimming
Five Favorite Toys:
computer
Nintendo DS
army set
soccer ball
trampoline

A New Haircut..in Verse

I got a new haircut yesterday,

where I just wash it and go out to play.

Feels great to change,

but no ponytail sure is strange

Thanks for reading this silly pange.