Don't cry Alex, they're back.

This past weekend when my mom was here I was anxious for her to put up a list. She hasn't had a computer and has not really been able to keep up with the blog. I was happy that she did and it was fun to talk about the lists together that night. I will be glad when my Mom gets her computer set up and maybe even John will type a list. If we could somehow get everybody that reads this on here how awesome would that be. Anyway, when we were talking this weekend my Mom had said something about New Kids and that brought up a comment from John. He recalled what a pain Alex was about the New Kids at that time in her life. He went on to add that he once dared to question their greatness and Alex started yelling at him "What have you done with your life?!" This has to be one of my favorite Alex lines to date, due to the context, and has quickly become one of my new favorite sayings. I hope John is prepared for this. That's right, they're back.

I love that she was so into them. I really miss that sort of passion and enthusiasm for things when you are a kid. My kids have a mix amongst them. Siobhan is not really "into" anything in particular. Oscar has a million interests and is really into collections of certain things. Hans is kind of scattered and besides Legos doesn't have any huge interests yet. Olive is still a little young though she starts every sentence with"Remember from Spongebob?......". She is getting into doll playing which I love. I wonder what they will grow to really enjoy. Hopefully for Hans it won't be cooking. At the grocery yesterday he asked if cat would be a healthy choice. When I advised him against it he asked about dog. Maybe at Rositas in Salinas. Anyway, what do you like to do? I can easily name 5 things that have been hobbies at some time in my life. Once again, doesn't need to be now. Most of mine are things I enjoyed as a kid. So, five hobbies I have had...

#1. First, I'd have to say Barbies. My sisters and I had hundreds of Barbies. My grandmother bought us a doll for every holiday as well as any garage sales. Amongst them I had Brooke Shields, Bionic woman, Donny and Marie. All three of us played with them although Alex could spend hours.

#2. Music. I consider the violin a hobby. It was fun and consumed a lot of my time.

#3. Sticker collecting. I want so badly to start this fad again. I tried with Siobhan once and got my first of many eye roll/clearing of the throat responses. I had pages of scratch and sniff and puffy stickers. I would take my albums to trade at school. This must be brought back! I'm getting Olive an album today!

#4. Sewing. I actually enjoy other crafts as well, this just is my favorite. I love fabric and would probably be happy just collecting it and never making a thing. My new machine is so fun and I think when you buy something like that it should include an hour of babysitting a day. Hans has started sewing as well, mostly embroidery right now.

#5. Thrift shopping/garage sales. My sisters and I started very young. My mom NEVER misses sales. She told john this weekend if sequim doesn't have decent sales she will not live there. Seriously. I do consider this a hobby. I don't go more than two or three days without checking the thrift stores. I have pretty good luck and also sometimes eBay to justify this habit and make extra money to thrift some more. Vicious cycle.

Once again, I look forward to hearing about things you have enjoyed. I hope to hear from Annisha, she has been MIA and I hope she is alright. Alex, you don't get to include NKOTB, this has been established already. Also, David doesn't get to include you, he is making Pete look bad. Have fun!

Oh my Papa, to me he is so wonderful....

Back to real life today. I had such a great time with my Dad. This was the first time my Dad has come to visit me with the sole purpose of just visiting with me. I cannot express how nice it was. My Dad and I have an easy relationship. I think over the last few years it has changed a little. Maybe I have grown up some or distance has played a part but it really is only better. I am like my Dad in many ways. Spending these few days together I can see where a great deal of my personality traits have come from. We were a little lost without a leader to take charge a couple of times but we managed through. The day out to get my tattoo is one of the best I've had in a long time. That will always be a special memory for me. It is hard for me to sometimes say how I feel and I know this is another thing I get from my Dad but I really love him a lot and I am sad he had to leave. Unfortunately, all the pictures of us together are on either his or Alex's camera so I will have to wait until I get them to post some.
It was nice to see my Mom and John back. My Mom is having a difficult time adjusting to this move. Luckily, Oscar was able to take her mind off of it with some serious checker games. Malachi did his part and danced on the table for awhile. He is truly a great dancer. Not very into the photos though. Every time Oscar took his camera out he would "dance" by and try and knock it out of his hands. He also is known to bite and brandish a wooden hanger.
Princess half eyes has actually been really great lately. This is her standard look when she is not happy with you or what you are asking her. On the subject of fathers and daughters I would like to state that I am extremely grateful that my two girls each have their own dad to themselves. Being one of three girls I know the struggling that goes on to divide time equally. Apparently this doesn't get any better as you get older. I probably could stand to take a lesson from Olive on not worrying what others think. Yeah Alex, that's right, I know you think you are the cute favorite because you are the baby. I knew I had seen the half eyes somewhere else. We finally had the January birthdays party. It was fun and the kids were happy. A little disappointed that they have to wait another year for a birthday month though. It was nice that Alex made the drive and dinner. She is good at making the right amounts. When my Dad and I were left to ordering pizza the following night we ended up with 9 huge Costco pizzas. We may have enough left over for next January's party. We have had a great time. I think we will be going to Sequim this weekend to see my Mom and John. Wherever they end up, they will definitely need a big closet to hold the plethora of fish t- shirts Grandpa has. Hopefully he will begin heeding their advice. I hope everyone else had a nice weekend.

Washington Ink

So, my Dad is here and we are having a great time. I'm going to keep it quick since my sister Alex is here and my Mom and John. I plan on a fun birthday party for my Mom, Hans,Olive and Georgie tomorrow. I thought I would let you in on my big event this week. My dad has a tattoo, his first, by Lyle Tuttle that I have always wanted. So, this week was the perfect time. My dad was here and Pete was home to watch the kids. So, here it is.
Yes, it hurt. A lot. But I absolutely love it. Be back Sunday!

Teenage Wasteland

My Dad arrived yesterday. I have been looking forward to this the last couple of weeks. He is here by himself for 5 days. I really have to thank Sharon. That leaves her at home to tend to the cat and dog and my grandparents. It's fun having my Dad on his own for a few days and then Alex will be here Friday and my Mom and John and the Williams for a send off. So, today we are just going to mosey around the city and check things out and tomorrow Pete will be home and we are going to have a day with no kids.
So, it is Wednesday. I spend a lot of time thinking about this blog. I am always composing blog ideas or actual posts in my head for future use. If it was for writing in a journal I think sometimes it would be different. I always want to write what is honest and true to me but I also do not want to offend anyone. Sometimes when I read back at things I've written I wonder what someone who doesn't know me well must think. Do I seem shallow? Crazy? Conceited? I wonder how a stranger would view me based on this blog. I wonder what people who do know me think, has this blog changed their opinion of me? It's easy to hold back flaws and shortcomings when you are the author. I do think though, that I have made it clear that I am Queen of the crushes. I am not ashamed of this, I think Pete knows most all of them. When someone pops up on TV he'll say "There's your boyfriend." He'll ask me,"Should I grow my hair out like that?" Things like that are what make him my ultimate crush. On the other hand, Pete never says a thing and I always wonder what "celebrity" he would pick. So I chose this weeks list hoping I could weasel it out of him. I don't know, maybe he would tell me if I asked but is aware that I am prone to cattiness and jealousy. I will admit that I have serious doubts about posting this one. Alex gave me a much classier, more mature topic idea that I will save for next week. I know this is shallow and juvenile but I am dying to know who shows up on your list. It doesn't have to be currently, we have all had childhood crushes(NKOTB?). I don't think we grow out of it. My stepmama Sharon went crazy for Bo Bice, so I know I can't be alone in this. So, top five "celebrity"crushes.( I hope Pat puts The Au Pair.) Here's mine...
#1. Jemaine Clement....uh...duh.....
#2. Michael Jackson ( middle school)
#3. David Byrne
#4. Phil Collins ( also middle school)
#5. Buster Bloodvessel (Bad Manners)

Have a good Wednesday. I'll be back tomorrow with tales from Seattle with my Dad!

More January Birthdays

I find it amusing that today is a birthday shared by two people who could not be more different. First, today is my mother in laws 60th birthday! Sharron has been a great friend to me. I truly love her. She is the mother of eight grown children and a grandmother to twelve. All under the age of 5! I miss her a lot and wish we could be with her today to celebrate. She is amazing with children. All of the grandchildren love her. She gives them all such special attention. She has been holding Grandma Day for several years now and I am anxious to be back just for Grandma day alone. I love you Sharron, thank you for all that you have done for me.
Another birthday today is my grandfathers. He passed away the same year as my grandmother. Not long after her. His name was Melquiades Valenzuela Paredes. He went by Mike. Oscar shares his middle name. This man I could write for days about. The lab coat and hat? Kind of a uniform of sorts in my mind. My grandpa was larger than life. He drank, a lot. I didn't realize until I was older that most people who drink don't consume that amount of Sunnybrook in a day. Santa also drank some Sunnybrook outside the house before he came in on Christmas Eve. Grandpa kept these bottles in a boot, in the garage, in the car, in a drawer. When he was older and didn't remember that he drank we found these everywhere. He tiled the front patio of the house in upside down beer bottles that you would fly across after a rain. He smoked at least a pack a day. He told me daily that I was pretty, "pretty ugly that is". He once told me he was an Indian and grew up in a tee pee, something I told my teacher who then wanted him to visit the classroom. These things are not meant to be read as anger or embarrassment toward my grandpa. This was just who he was and I loved him. He could be mean sometimes but he was charming also. He told a great story. Once he was ballet dancing and his toenails were so long they caught the stage on fire. He hopped a great deal of freight trains. He watched a lot of Westerns and told me that the cowboys and Indians were fighting over ketchup and mustard. He did work in the mines. Virginia City and I believe the Copper Queen. I remember some from when he was working. He was the chief operator at the sewage plant in Carmel then. But, mostly I remember him after retirement. There were a few really tough years when I was older. But then, he started to forget things. With a little dementia he was a whole new person. He told amazing stories. After seeing the movie Babe, he was on constant lookout for the person who stole his talking pig. He had lent it to someone and they were cashing in. He was holding Chiang Kai-shek prisoner in the basement of the liquor store. I really believe that God made this hapen and softened him up a bit to leave us with the good parts of my Grandpa. He was fun and he did love us. I knew I wouldn't see him again when I left California after my Grandma died. I sat with him on the couch, trying to soak him up. He said, "Have you met my partner Mattie?" I think so Grandpa. "She's a good girl, little big though, I told her, lay off the groceries." I miss him, his whistling, his silly talk radio at 3 in the morning, his singing, yelling "don't swing the door loose!" when we got out of his truck. The way he would never, ever, serve himself as much as a bowl of cereal. Sometimes, I even miss him drunk. I can smell him sometimes. Just for a second. Cigarettes and whisky and aftershave. Happy trails Grandpa, until we meet again.....

You have lived a thousand years

One minute you are barely growing a mustache.
The next thing you know, you have a great wizardly beard! Happy Birthday Pat! In the 20(gulp!) years I have known you I would have never pegged you as the D&D type. I also am thinking this whole "ren faire" idea of Siobhans is somehow a plan you hatched in her mind. Wish we could be celebrating with you! I think this year you caught up to Jerry and know you are the same age!! Happy 37, We love you!

Five.

Dear Hans,
Today you are five. I know you have waited for this day for weeks. The excitement was almost too much for you. I, on the other hand am wishing I could slow everything down. You are growing too fast for my liking and I feel the shifting to a more mature Hans. The day you were born was such an exciting day. The first grandchild on the Lindgren side. You had nearly the whole family waiting for you in the waiting room. They slept there all night and your dad was so proud to announce that you arrived. Your dad was very nervous and was trying to get a little rest when you came. You were born during the Price is Right Showcase Showdown. You didn't wait for the doctor and the nurse knew she had not listened to me and didn't come near. That was okay though, all we have ever needed is each other. You are the third in a line of Johannes Peter Lindgrens. I am constantly amazed at how much you resemble both your dad and grandfather. Some your dad and a lot your grandpa. It's funny sometimes when your grandpa is being silly or telling a story that I can see you. My love for both of these men has grown exponentially due to my love for you. You are such a fun boy. You are willing to do anything for a laugh. I must have 60 or so photos of you in fake beards or mustaches. Some both. You have always been this way and your brother and sisters love to just watch you. Dinnertime is your time to shine and I usually have to feed you again before bed since you were busy performing while we ate.
You are so special to me Hans. You made your dad and I a family. I cannot imagine a second without you. I am so excited for you to go to Kindergarten this year and make friends, but I will mourn the time I am missing with you. You somehow know how I am feeling and always say something to make me feel better. You like to get in our bed and snuggle and you will let me hold you whenever I feel the need.

Sometimes you can be very serious. Even when you are walking around with a Hershey square that stuck to your face while you were asleep. You didn't notice this for over a half an hour. You like to explain and detail things. Sometimes it seems like you never stop talking. You have started to make up your own version of Spanish and often spell things out to us, even though you don't yet know how to spell.
You love to trick me and sometimes are very convincing. I know better though, than to fall for you being asleep. You seem to never sleep. Even when I come up to check on you before I go to bed, sometimes 11 or later, you are still awake. Telling yourself a story or actually twiddling your thumbs.
You are also a very good helper. You love to spray and wipe things. When you asked Santa for your own spray bottle, I was not surprised. You like to help me cook but get a little bored sometimes. When we made Christmas cookies and I told you what our steps were you said to me "I sure am glad I don't work here." So Happy Birthday my boy! Three more candles than this photo but the same excitement. Having you has made my life so happy and fulfilling. You are my buddy, I hope that we will always have a relationship as close as we are today. I love you Hans. That's all I can say.

Lucky

Pete has been working a lot lately. There was the whole Christmas season that started in August and then inventory this last week. That saw him at work by 3am and in bed by 6pm last week. Finally it is over and he had a three day weekend. Yesterday we took Hans and Olive over to the mall for the sole purpose of a ride on the Merry Go Round. We also went to the Flight Museum since Olive and I hadn't been, but Pete didn't feel well so we came home. For Pete, a day off is best spent at home, not going out. I on the other hand, am always home and can't wait to be out of the house with another adult. Siobhan decided she wanted to babysit with a friend so I dropped her off. Well, I had to stop at my thrift store, I am nothing if not persistent. What a month! I had been wanting this for Olive two Christmases ago. She was not a year old yet and I knew I couldn't spend that kind of money but boy did I want it. Mostly, it made me recall the hours my sisters and I spent with our play kitchen. I think a lot of times I am just trying to recreate how I felt as a child. Plastic just doesn't do it for me and this one is Pink! and Retro! and Wood! I started my thrift shop round(yes, I have an order) and there it was, new and in the box. Apparently these were marked out of stock from Costco and they had received 4 or 5. This was the last one and was missing some of the screws so they had marked it lower to $24.99. So, I brought it home and Pete set about working on it. Now, Pete gets really frustrated with these types of projects but I think he secretly may enjoy them. Olive is beyond excited. I know we don't have tons of room and these kids are definitely not hurting for things to play with but I was so happy I found this. I told Pete," Olive will pee her pants she will be so excited." And she did. Hans is also happy with it and they have been playing "family". Olive has a special mom voice and Hans has our old phone and he walks around the house inviting people over for dinner. As an added bonus, Olive uses the bottom freezer portion of the fridge as a doghouse. She loves to pretend she's a dog.

Today, we went to the zoo. It was so cold though that we mostly stayed in the aquarium and the petting zoo. Tommorrow, Hans will turn five. I am sure it will involve a lot of tears(mine) and a lot of coins at Chuck E Cheese. I refuse to eat there but I can handle some time playing skee- ball. Hans has been there several times to drop off Oscar for a birthday party and has been talking about this for months. Pat and I once took Siobhan, in San Jose, when she was little and when Chuck came out she started screaming "I'm afraid of the rat!" I can't wait to see what Olive does....

Little Mermaid

Hans and Olive are great at playing dress up. They each have their own suitcase and we add to it quite often. In town here there is a thrift store that has two locations. One is the regular part and down the street is the store for furniture and larger items. They also have huge wheeled bins where all the clothes that haven't sold from the regular store end up. Here, you can fill a bag for a dollar. When I tell people about this they usually don't share my enthusiasm. You have to search through and it isn't a particularly inviting store. It is however the one place that I am a known regular here. I love these bins for several reasons. First off, it's awesome for dress ups. Second, sometimes clothes are useful just for the fabric alone, I usually come here first when I need velvet or linen or wool to felt. Lastly, I have found some really great clothes. Dozens of times I've found clothes that still have the tags on them, once I bought an entire bag of brand new Ernie Ball guitar straps. I mean like 70 of them. Those paid for our gas to and from Utah last time. I love Ebay. Getting back to the dress-ups though, Olive was a mermaid on her first Halloween. I made her a tail and everything and since she wasn't walking or crawling, I made it like a sack. Recently, it has become her favorite dress up and she will spend hours in the blue Ikea bag(the ocean). She must be carried in the bag because mermaids cannot be out of the water. Sometimes she will sit at the dinner table, in the bag, while she eats. I am totally cool with that though because I love to watch my kids use their imaginations. I love to ask what they would like to be when they grow up. Siobhan is old enough that she has started to form real ideas. Hairdresser or writer. Oscar wants to be an engineer or an architect. Hans wants to be Spiderman(but still live with me) or a robot(but still live with me). Olive wants to be a cat. Siobhan has actually written to a local beauty shop in hopes that she could help sweep up or something, free of charge, just to see if she would really like to do that. That got me thinking of my first job. So, today let's list 5 places we have worked.

#1. Rocky Coast Ice Cream- THE place to work in high school. He only hired high schoolers and paid us in cash in tiny manila envelopes with all the tax deductions written on the flap. Awesome job!

#2. Holmans Department Store- I worked in the gift wrap department and probably wrapped about 10 things in my career there.

#3. Oneida Factory Outlet- I worked here for several years, for my Aunt. It was pretty fun and I like to wow Pete with our shared knowledge of flatware patterns.

#4. Discover Card- I worked here for a few years. I started in collections(awful) and luckily was quickly moved into the Phonebank. I loved when people called in and wanted to talk about their "Discovery" account.

#5. Chevy's- This was my first job in Utah. I always wanted to try being a waitress and I really enjoyed it actually. Unfortunately, when I was home for my grandparents funeral this happened. My manager, Jason, was among those killed. When I went back a few days later it was awful. People came in to sight see and asked awful questions. I didn't stay much longer after that.

So, I am hoping that you are all still in it to win it. I won't be offended if you guys think the list thing sucks. I promise not to single anyone out for not posting a list this time. Have a good Wednesday!

Birthday Bonus

As much as I feel that I have become more like my Mom, I am still a Sheppard and couldn't leave it on a totally serious note. So, here a is a little present for you Mom. I seem to remember these dance moves really well.I also am beginning to realize where my "boy craziness" may have come from. Magnum PI?? And Dad, before you start the commentating, remember March will come soon and I have already bookmarked some Irene Cara and Taylor Dane. The video may stop early,you can just replay and it will work.

Fifty Seven.

Dear Mama,

Happy Birthday! I wish that you were here today but this weekend we will toast to you. Also, I know that this picture is blurry but I really like your bangs. I hope you know how much I love you. I know that I haven't always been very easy or nice to be with. My main focus for many years was to simply please you. Lately, I have heard more and more comments on how like you I have become. I think it's mostly the hair, but I am really proud of that fact. You are an awesome,devoted mother and I strive to be the same. You are also fun. I remember all the dancing you did as you'd clean. That is one of my happiest memories of you and something that I do now trying to entertain my kids. You always say that Dad was the fun one but I think you held your own. You took us on a lot of fun outings. You rode the roller coasters with us and swam in the pool(or tried to swim in the pool). You have a knack for organization that I just cannot master. Recently you said that you were amazed by the fact that we never broke anything of yours. I really have always wondered how you did that. How did you get us to listen? We never back talked or questioned what we were told to do. Well, not until later. I've thought about that and I really think it was respect. I really do respect you Mom. The few years that the kids were living with Patrick were the worst I've ever experienced. My only bright spot in that time was the knowledge that they had you. The relationship that Siobhan and Oscar have with you is so special. Sometimes I am envious of it but mostly I am grateful that they have it. The love that they have for you makes me so happy. I am forever grateful that you love them like you do. I will never be able to thank you enough for that.
I love you Mom, with all my heart. I admire you and I try my best to learn from you. I worry for you and your health. I am worried for you moving here. I want you to be happy. Sometimes, I just don't know what to say, believe it or not. I missed you being gone these few days and I am anxious for you to return. We will all be waiting for you, party hats in hand! I love you Mom. God Bless You Always.

Everybody Cut Footloose

I met Pete at the very end of July, in the summer. I had actually met Aaron first. I was waiting for my friend Melissa to pick me up after work and had stopped at the gas station to get cigarettes, I was a Lucky Strike light gal and not all gas stations carried these. It was pouring rain and I kind of lingered inside, Aaron was working a part time job there and we talked about music and golf and then Melissa showed up. I had so much fun talking though that I actually called the gas station a half hour later and asked if he would want to hang out. This is where my life changed. He was married, I didn't even think to have asked, but he said he had a brother and that his band was playing that weekend and I should go, his brother is cute. Actually, he said "He looks just like me. " I thought this was hilarious and awkward but Melissa insisted I should go. So, we did, together and I kept my eye out and finally found Aaron. Pete was busy playing a video game,a sure sign of things to come. Eventually, he did make his way over to meet me and we talked for a few minutes and then he had to play. I couldn't stay, Melissa had to be home but we did exchange numbers. I think I waited until the next afternoon before I called him. We went for a quick hike and to the movies. That was our first date. On our second date we went here. I was a little taken aback when I saw the fanny pack and sandals (which he still has). But, he was carrying what seemed like a thousand beers in them. I remember it rained that night also and the concert went late. I didn't have a car and we had been drinking so I stayed over at his place. I never left. I think some people may have been concerned over this fact. It was seriously quick and intense but it was just meant to be. We became regulars at the Twilight Series. They were fun and I miss them. Last year I missed Peter Bjorn and John by a week when we went to visit. I think that Pete really got to know me though when we saw the The Bacon Brothers. I like Kevin Bacon. I really enjoyed the show, they are both really talented. But then, at the end of the evening, it happened. I SAW KEVIN BACON PERFORM FOOTLOOSE. I went absolutely insane. It was crazy. There he was, dancing before my eyes. I must have had to block this too emotional event out for awhile because it would have definitely been #1 on last weeks list. Alex just jogged it out of memory last night. So, I want to add that I am still holding out hope for Wednesday lists. I'm taking roll call and I am missing: Annisha, Alex, Luisa,Brittney, Dad( I know your power has been out). Even Pete has laid down a list this week. David? I know you're reading the blog(Shout Out Dog!). So, I was hesitant to post lest you think that the list post is over. But, I couldn't let my Bacon memories go. I also want to let you know that I have been to Lehi where they filmed Footloose. Let me leave you today, with this( If you look at 2:08, you'll catch a glimpse of Pete)........

Maiden Voyage

Today we had planned a stay at home day. I told Hans and Olive that they didn't even need to get out of their PJ's, it's just that kind of day. Hans was happy about this and even thanked me. First, I brought down all my sewing patterns and sorted through to get rid of the ones I will never use. Then I organized them all by category. As I sew a little longer, I have had fun altering patterns I have or trying to make some up. Usually I will use newsprint to play around with them. A few weeks ago I bought Hans an over sized pad of newsprint for his drawing. When he realized I'd be sewing today he immediately set about creating some things he would like for me to make him. I will definitely be putting some of his ideas to use but to get acquainted with my new machine I thought I'd do something quick and easy.
Hans is a really skinny kid. I love to make pants for him because the length and waist on store bought pants never match up for him. He loves it as well because then he can choose his own look. Navy and white hounds tooth wool bell bottoms are just what he needed.
Now, it is Wednesday. I have a million list ideas but after reading Annishas post last week I thought Top Five favorite books would be a good one. So, here's mine.....

#1. Me Talk Pretty Someday by David Sedaris Actually, he is probably my favorite storyteller ever. I was so envious that my dad went to a performance of his, not knowing who he was.
#2. Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary I have read every Ramona book a thousand times. I read them a couple of times a year just because I truly enjoy them. There are other kis books that I reread regularly as well. I also had the pleasure of meeting Beverly Cleary a couple of times.
#3. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini I know that I am not alone in this, there are a great many fans.
#4. To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee As I said last week, I just read this again and it never fails to make me cry.
#5. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant This is a book that I always recommend(as Annisha knows). When I was 13 I read the Bible over the course of a year and have endeavored to complete that again this year. It is funny how books that are fiction such as this and The DaVinci Code (which I also enjoyed) can make you look a little differently at some parts of the Bible. Well, that and I am an adult now.
Once again, I am anxious to see what everybody else has to say. As I've said before, I am long winded and could probably add several more but I will stick with my 5 . Feel free to add on (18 Brittney!!) I'm really digging this whole list thing!

So long,farewell

Well, Grandma and Grandpa have gone home. We enjoyed having them here, especially Olive. She likes to sing with Grandma and paint her nails. They are thoroughly entertained by their Grandpa. This must be where Hans acquired some of his goofiness. They are two peas in a pod. Although, Grandpa doesn't really know how to play video games and Pete just bought Hans his very own Nintendo DS as an early birthday present. Hans was happy to show him but kept putting him off when Grandpa wanted to actually play it. I was really excited about this. I have been wanting a wooden dollhouse for the kids since Hans was little. I just have been unable to put out that much money. On the morning of Olives birthday I stopped at the thrift store on my way to the grocery store. I just felt like it would be worth my time. I found the house and a box of furniture and dolls for $5.00. I am so happy about it and the kids have had a great time with it so far. And here is the other reason for all the excitement. It finally arrived. I waited on pins and needles all day Friday. Siobhan and Sharron went with me to pick it up. I haven't really had any time yet to sew on it but tonight is the night. Now, I just have to pick a project.

Today is also Georgies 6th birthday. Happy Birthday Georgie! We are waiting until Grandma Cathy gets back for one huge January birthdays party! I am hoping that Georgie will perform Pop Lock and Drop It. She may not have any teeth, but she's got moves.

Three.

Dear Olive Jane,
Today you are three and I hope that you can feel how loved you are. Did you know that Oscar and Siobhan watched you be born? They sat on Grandma Cathy's lap in the hospital room and cried tears of joy when you arrived. Grandma Sharron brought Hans a short time later and he was enamored. I waited a long time for you. You are my last baby. You completed our family and your brothers and sister treat you like a queen. They absolutely adore you. When I was pregnant with you I had an ultrasound to find out if you were a boy or a girl. That was the first time I had planned on knowing and I was ecstatic when they confirmed my suspicions.
You are the light of your Dads life. He cannot deny you a thing. Something you are well aware of. I think even your dad is a little surprised at himself sometimes. You are so like him in many ways and I really enjoy seeing the two of you together. When you two are asleep next to each other you look so alike. You are very headstrong. This started at a young age. You are the boss. Sometimes you ask a simple question like, "May I please have a blanket?" and my heart stops for a second. I know that I will need to present at least five. What color? Small or big? Heavy or lightweight? I never know with you and you never give in. You have the ability to hold your pee for over an hour if I position the step stool in front of the toilet more than a half inch off center. I am proud that you are your own person and are not dissuaded from being you. You have an interesting fashion sense that I have enjoyed watching develop. Mostly I am happy when you simply have clothes on, as you usually prefer to be naked.
You are truly unlike anyone I've ever met. You make me laugh and you make me crazy. Mostly you just make me happy. I love you,with all my heart. You are a blessing to me. Your Dad and I don't know what we would be like without our OJ.
I hope you have a Happy Birthday. I hope that I have chosen appropriate paper for your presents and that your cake is satisfactory. I know that if it isn't you will tell me. And I will laugh and say, "Oh, Olive " Thank you for being mine.

Airplane

Today Pete, Siobhan,Oscar, Hans and John went to The Museum of Flight. About a half hour before it was due to open Grandpa started rounding everybody up to leave. They were ready but I had just finished making pancakes. Hans wanted to make sure I'd save one but I bought him a few minutes to eat it before he left. Olive, Grandma and I stayed home. Olive isn't feeling too well and Grandma wasn't really interested. Actually, she advised Grandpa that on a list of 10 it wouldn't even show up at the bottom of things she would enjoy.
They seemed to have had a great time. John said he could have stayed for the rest of the day. Luckily, tomorrow is Olives birthday or else I think I know what they would have been doing the rest of the weekend. We did get a year membership. With as many kids as we have, it usually is cheaper or not much more to just buy the annual pass. I actually am really interested in going. I will only sit in an airplane though if I get to wear the monkey hat.
This is a glimpse at the inside of Boeing's first passenger plane. I think I would actually prefer these seats to what they have now. The kids also were able to explore first jet powered Air Force One and the Concorde. Which really just made me think of The Conchords. But anyway, they had a great time and we are really enjoying our visit.