Several weeks ago Sam descended the stairs in a new costume: a new white undershirt with the words "Scientist Sam" scrawled across the center.
"Mom, Abbie said you'd be really mad when you saw this," Sam stated.
I thought for a minute. Seemed to me like this was in the same genre of the "crying over spilt milk."
"Is that permanent marker?" I asked.
"Yep" he said proudly.
"Well, we'd better find the camera."
Sam explained that I hadn't provided a white lab coat with the dress-ups, so he had no choice but to create his own scientist garb.
He has been busy discovering and collecting rocks lately. Today he created one of his own. Now I always knew this boy would do something great...but today-- he discovered something very much like a rock or fossil, but with scorch marks on it's bottom as though it had been zapped by lightning.
He was thoughtful enough to offer me one in bed. "Mom" he whispered, "I made you some breakfast. This one got a little burnt in the microwave, but this one isn't as burned. Which one would you like?"
" Oh," I said sleepily. "That is so thoughtful of you, Sam. You can have the good one. Thank you so much." I took the roll and became aware of the odor coming from it. And it's texture!
The windows and doors are wide open this morning--Sam's discovery of the Petrified Roll will be with us for most of the day I'd wager. As I attempted to clean the scorch marks from the microwave and counter top, I asked, "So Sam, how long did you warm these rolls?"
"Just 4 mins. and 30 secs. for yours, and 4 mins. for mine" he smiled and gnawed away.
Zach raced down the stairs and said, "Mom, are you going to take me looking like that, or are you going to change?"(ever so tactful)
We opened the door of the Yukon ---Oh my word --what was that smell?
"Zach" I said, "Something is really wrong in here."
He looked in the back and under the seat. "I found it," he said as he lifted a very odd shaped package resembling a balloon of some sort, but with the words "Ground Turkey" across it's front. "When did I go grocery shopping?" I wondered -- it has to have been at least 5 days now.
The windows were wide open in the Yukon as we drove to Zach's organ lesson at the stake center, our conversation sounding as though we both had terrible colds.
"Man this is bad!" I said. "Yea, but don't listen to me...I don't have any talk in this matter," he replied.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Where am I?
I'm beginning to wonder... am I "sleepless in Seatle" or "listless in Lindon"?
We have had rain almost every day for three weeks. It doesn't yet feel like summer.
I do love the lush green on the mountains, and the lawns that populate the county, but it has been a rather chilly set of weeks for our swimming students. Sam and Millie have been lucky enough to attend lessons at the new "aqua-totic" center of Lindon. Their time slot was from 8-8:30am, and it seemed to be an unpopular session; Millie was the only one in her class, and so received private lessons. Sam had 3 other children in his group.
They were such happy little fish and have passed to the next level with flying colors!
We have had rain almost every day for three weeks. It doesn't yet feel like summer.
I do love the lush green on the mountains, and the lawns that populate the county, but it has been a rather chilly set of weeks for our swimming students. Sam and Millie have been lucky enough to attend lessons at the new "aqua-totic" center of Lindon. Their time slot was from 8-8:30am, and it seemed to be an unpopular session; Millie was the only one in her class, and so received private lessons. Sam had 3 other children in his group.
They were such happy little fish and have passed to the next level with flying colors!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
It's All About Appearances
Our insurance company has been telling us for almost 2 years, that a surgery to place an implant in Abbie's feet (in order to create an arch) and a lengthening of her Achilles tendons has only cosmetic purpose. Our podiatrist disagreed. He went to great lengths in order to meet with other doctors for peer councils and reviews, and then wrote letters and met with our insurance company.
As a result, Abbie spent the last 3 weeks of school in a wheelchair and casts (her operation was May 11th). I worried that she'd be worn out after the first day back at school. When I drove up, I saw a crowd gathered. There sat my smiling, Abbie --sunglasses on, and casts FULL of colored signatures (those in the crowd were still waiting their turn with the variety of markers she'd thought to bring with her).
After those first few days, however, she began tiring of the new dependency, and some tears surfaced. All in all she's been a trooper. As the weeks have progressed, she has become stronger and more capable and can hardly wait for her follow-up appt. with Dr. Clegg on June 23rd. The stitches are out, and she's now able to sleep and bathe without the "super-sized moon-boots."
So even though I have always tried to discourage the "vain-ness of men," I have high hopes for Abbie's recent cosmetic endeavor. We look forward to fewer headaches, leg aches, and posture problems -- as promised.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Primal Yells
Nothing frustrates teenage boys more than yard responsibilities with faulty tools. Knowing that, we recently purchased a new (used) Craftsman mower for our oldest son to help transition him into manhood. It's not shiny, but it pushes itself --Wow.
We've had a good few weeks with it, and Zach is working toward a symbiotic relationship such as my teenage brothers had with Wells mowers.
Today, however, I have heard several loud and exasperated, "Oh --Come--On!" and some "ArghhhS" too from the front yard this morning. They are soul-felt. Zach, smelling of gasoline, appeared in my kitchen, his clean white undershirt, now grease-stained (a sign of a real man (see how this transition thing is working?)).
"Mom, it won't even move! I can't even push it because it's a self-esteemed motor."
I turned before he saw my smile...he doesn't think my laughing at his etymology is funny anymore.
As Martha Isgett would say, "Life's a bear."
We've had a good few weeks with it, and Zach is working toward a symbiotic relationship such as my teenage brothers had with Wells mowers.
Today, however, I have heard several loud and exasperated, "Oh --Come--On!" and some "ArghhhS" too from the front yard this morning. They are soul-felt. Zach, smelling of gasoline, appeared in my kitchen, his clean white undershirt, now grease-stained (a sign of a real man (see how this transition thing is working?)).
"Mom, it won't even move! I can't even push it because it's a self-esteemed motor."
I turned before he saw my smile...he doesn't think my laughing at his etymology is funny anymore.
As Martha Isgett would say, "Life's a bear."
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Max-O's 1st Birthday
So I'm a little behind in some of my postings...
This baby reached his first year May 6th. And after being reassured that the large cake was a happy thing, and then that the candle was not the most delicious aspect of it -- he enjoyed himself and his follow-up bath in the sink. Hooray for SkyMax!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Best Laid Plan...
...Is not what Miek is about. It's not even what most of the Wellses are about (until in-laws became Wellses).
One time Mieka decided she'd roller blade in the canyon, on a mountain trail. Pouring hydrogen peroxide on her gravel-embedded legs afterward was pretty traumatic (for her and me (and I was just there for moral support --Mom did all the work).
Another time Miek suggested we go to the Zoo for her July birthday. She was 8+ months pregnant with Henry. I tried to suggest that walking around all day in the heat with her propensity for dehydration might not be a great idea. She was sure it was. Later when she was exhausted to tears, we all made a pact not to say "I told you so" (we don't say things like that as Welles).
This Sunday she rallied for a forage to Silver Lake. I asked, "where is Silver Lake?" She was enthusiastic and certain in her response,"It's about ten minutes from my house to the canyon, and then about 8-10 minutes to the lake. It's so beautiful, Stef." Having past experience with Mieka and her estimations, I double-checked, "So.. is this a really fit runner's idea of a little walk around a lake, or..." She starts laughing, "No --I'm serious. It's just a boardwalk and the wheelchair will be fine. It's so pretty Stef."
"Are you providing the snacks?" (because as everyone knows families with children eat their way through outings (or cry)).
She promised she would. So I promised I would...load my crew in the Yukon (minus Star on a business trip) and we'd meet them at an exit off of I-215.
Now you may not be aware of my lack-of- free-way-driving confidence. It is real. We made it to them (with a few U-turns) and headed up the canyon. It really was lovely. We climbed, shifted, climbed, popped our ears, and climbed some more. It was lovely alright, but we started seeing snow on the ground..hmmm.
Finally (definitely not 8 or even 10 mins. later) we arrived at Silver Swamp. But it smelled like Soap Stone in the Fall, where Uncle Rulon's cabin had been...and Matt and I were invigorated by it (it might also have been the brisk evening air (Anita's lips were beginning to match her purple shirt)).
Luckily Aunt Mieka had thought to bring extra sweatshirts and a blanket.
The current red-heads
The children hugged one another, played spies, ran back and forth on the portion of the boardwalk above water, and screamed a lot.
The teen-agers compared the size of their feet, the parents compared stories, and Madel and Abbie took turns in the wheel chair.
Then Henry took a quick dive, Lyddie tripped and scraped her knees, and my girls realized the advice I'd offered about using the bathroom before leaving home was sound. Following my counsel is not always what my girls are about... Both Scott and I instructed Abbie (who is determined to have privacy) about the process she'd want to take in order to preserve her clothing. She was not happy with the results of her own process, and returned feeling a little chilly and frustrated (Scott saw the humor in it however)
Then a very bouncy Millie said she needed to go. I took her by the hand and walked into the trees. I told her what we'd do, and how we'd do it. Then I calmly helped her lower her pants and lifted her to sit on the nice log fence. I said, "Now..hold it Millie for just a minute, don't go yet." I felt a very warm sensation all down my legs (loving, devoted mothers bring their children close to them (attachment theory) --I had done just that) "Hey, Mills, that was a dirty trick." I started laughing and put her quickly on the fence. She placidly sat. "Do you have to go anymore?" Smiling she said sweetly, "I guess not." I helped her down from the dry fence. She held on to my shoulders as I pulled up her wet undies. "That was really funny, huh Momma?" she said as she took my hand. We walked back toward the car. Scott and Mieka thoroughly enjoyed the visible results of our granola-girl efforts.
I have a suspicion about Miek's reason behind my company on these outings...she has always loved a good laugh.
Until next time...
One time Mieka decided she'd roller blade in the canyon, on a mountain trail. Pouring hydrogen peroxide on her gravel-embedded legs afterward was pretty traumatic (for her and me (and I was just there for moral support --Mom did all the work).
Another time Miek suggested we go to the Zoo for her July birthday. She was 8+ months pregnant with Henry. I tried to suggest that walking around all day in the heat with her propensity for dehydration might not be a great idea. She was sure it was. Later when she was exhausted to tears, we all made a pact not to say "I told you so" (we don't say things like that as Welles).
This Sunday she rallied for a forage to Silver Lake. I asked, "where is Silver Lake?" She was enthusiastic and certain in her response,"It's about ten minutes from my house to the canyon, and then about 8-10 minutes to the lake. It's so beautiful, Stef." Having past experience with Mieka and her estimations, I double-checked, "So.. is this a really fit runner's idea of a little walk around a lake, or..." She starts laughing, "No --I'm serious. It's just a boardwalk and the wheelchair will be fine. It's so pretty Stef."
"Are you providing the snacks?" (because as everyone knows families with children eat their way through outings (or cry)).
She promised she would. So I promised I would...load my crew in the Yukon (minus Star on a business trip) and we'd meet them at an exit off of I-215.
Now you may not be aware of my lack-of- free-way-driving confidence. It is real. We made it to them (with a few U-turns) and headed up the canyon. It really was lovely. We climbed, shifted, climbed, popped our ears, and climbed some more. It was lovely alright, but we started seeing snow on the ground..hmmm.
Finally (definitely not 8 or even 10 mins. later) we arrived at Silver Swamp. But it smelled like Soap Stone in the Fall, where Uncle Rulon's cabin had been...and Matt and I were invigorated by it (it might also have been the brisk evening air (Anita's lips were beginning to match her purple shirt)).
Luckily Aunt Mieka had thought to bring extra sweatshirts and a blanket.
The current red-heads
The children hugged one another, played spies, ran back and forth on the portion of the boardwalk above water, and screamed a lot.
The teen-agers compared the size of their feet, the parents compared stories, and Madel and Abbie took turns in the wheel chair.
Then Henry took a quick dive, Lyddie tripped and scraped her knees, and my girls realized the advice I'd offered about using the bathroom before leaving home was sound. Following my counsel is not always what my girls are about... Both Scott and I instructed Abbie (who is determined to have privacy) about the process she'd want to take in order to preserve her clothing. She was not happy with the results of her own process, and returned feeling a little chilly and frustrated (Scott saw the humor in it however)
Then a very bouncy Millie said she needed to go. I took her by the hand and walked into the trees. I told her what we'd do, and how we'd do it. Then I calmly helped her lower her pants and lifted her to sit on the nice log fence. I said, "Now..hold it Millie for just a minute, don't go yet." I felt a very warm sensation all down my legs (loving, devoted mothers bring their children close to them (attachment theory) --I had done just that) "Hey, Mills, that was a dirty trick." I started laughing and put her quickly on the fence. She placidly sat. "Do you have to go anymore?" Smiling she said sweetly, "I guess not." I helped her down from the dry fence. She held on to my shoulders as I pulled up her wet undies. "That was really funny, huh Momma?" she said as she took my hand. We walked back toward the car. Scott and Mieka thoroughly enjoyed the visible results of our granola-girl efforts.
I have a suspicion about Miek's reason behind my company on these outings...she has always loved a good laugh.
Until next time...
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