carvin' it up.

Cooper had a very specific idea of what he wanted his pumpkin to look like. He kept describing it to me throughout the day. I told him he needed to draw a picture so his dad understood his design. They had a quick strategy session and then we headed to our carving extravaganza.

My children aren't really a fan of all the goop, especially when it's chilly outside! (don't say it. it's chilly for us!)



You know it's serious when power tools are involved. Delicious treats, great jack 'o lanterns and fun was had by all... success!

Monster Munch

First, I must say that Emily is a genius. She really is. It is a cryin' shame that her blog is private and few of you have access to her brain, because it really serves as my brain lots of the time. When I have a question, I simply click on her blog and voila! There is my recipe for dinner, or my treat idea or a super activity for my kids. Or at the very least, a hilarious laugh from little hanky. But, I'll quit talking about her because you can't read her. Note to Em: a separate recipe blog that the world has access to is a great idea!

We made this today and while I was skeptical, I haven't been able to stop sneaking tastes! and it is a complete hit with the littles. I'm guarding it like a hawk so there's some left to take to our pumpkin-carving shindig tonight!

Monster Munch {Halloween Popcorn Mix}
Recipe by Our Best Bites


1 package Almond Bark (1 lb)
12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernels or 2 bags of microwave popcorn)
1 C candy corn
1 C dry roasted, salted peanuts
1/2 C Reeces Pieces

Pop popcorn and place in a large bowl. Much larger than you think you need. The largest you have. It will make mixing easier! Pour peanuts, candy corn, and reeces pieces on top.

Take a large knife and break up almond bark. Melt according to package directions. I just chop it up a little and microwave it in intervals until smooth and melted. Pour over popcorn mixture.

Stir until everything is well coated and then spread out onto waxed paper, parchment, or foil. Let sit until completely dry and then break up into clumps. Super Easy!

a trial run (and bike and swim).

One month to the Big Day. This weekend Denten did the Soma Half-Ironman in preparation. It was held at the same location that the real deal will be held next month. It's nice to be familiar with the area and know where the best spots are to see our dad. We both learned a few things today that will be helpful as we prepare for next time.


The athlete:

• when swimming into the rising sun, find a landmark so you don't steer too far from the buoy.
• stay to the outside of the crowd to prevent getting whacked by fellow swimmers.
• be thankful there are far fewer u-turns on the next bike course. what a pain.
• take more endurolites during the bike.
• up the concentration of the perpetuem on the Big Day.
• don't overload on fluids at the beginning of the run.
• keep the fluids steady.
• do a little more research on salt pills, and get some.

The support crew:

• the double bob is a must. it is a godsend. it hauls any amount of children and stuff you can pile on.
• pack the bag the night before: snacks, water, sunscreen, cameras, games, towel, phone, etc. make sure the bag hooks onto to Bob so mom doesn't have to carry anything.
• put kids to bed at 6:30 the night before. they will be ready to roll at 6 a.m. to see dad's big race!
• allowing all children to run through the sprinklers while waiting for dad's run loop is a fine idea. they will get completely soaked, but they will dry. and they will completely enjoy themselves.
• take extra diapers. more than you think you need. and lots of wipes. and hand sanitizer.
• take extra water. I threw three extra bottles in the bottom of the stroller "just in case..." we downed them all.
• buy sidewalk chalk to write messages on the road for dent and wade. and get a cow bell. why don't I own a cow bell??
• if you face east for any significant amount of time, put sunscreen on your right arm.
• this little video camera is super. fits into a small pocket, easy to use and a great distraction for a 5-year-old.

Note to all athletes: my children, the oldest especially, thinks it's really cool when you give him "five" as you pass him when running. Thanks to those of you who humored him. and his sister. and did you see my little one clapping for you? he was, and cheering his little heart out.

All in all, we did pretty well today. Denten did great in the swim, killed it on the bike, cramped a little on the run, but finished with a good time. His fans cheered him and everyone else on. They were good sports. Everyone came home exhausted.

Bring on the Big Day... I think we're ready!

my festive.

When I was little, holidays were special. They were anticipated with fantastic decorations, surprises, parties and great food. I remember holidays being magical at my house. I realize now that that magic didn't just appear. My mother had a knack for magic. and work. It's not easy to pull off that kind of anticipation. It takes planning and effort and creativity, all of which my mother did superbly well.

While thoughts of visiting a pumpkin patch with my children crossed my mind, they left just as quickly knowing that the distance to a good one combined with the expense was not worth my effort right now. Until Jackie told me about the one at the botanical gardens. And then she gave me a deadline, because it's only open this weekend. Shoot, if I'm gonna pull this off, it's gotta be now! So as I talked logistics out loud to Denten last night, he kind of pretended to listen and then said, "if you don't want to go, then don't go." but I do want to go! I think it sounds fun! "then, go!" ok, we will. and we did.

The Fall Festival had hayrides to the pumpkin patch, a great hay maze, john deere tractors, a petting zoo, carnival games, craft projects, two balloon ladies and treats. It was super!





hello goat. my cousin has a thing for your kind. I'm trying to figure out what the big deal is.



I'll get you, goat!



mom, I caught one! super! now let's go wash your hands! ick.





hay maze strategy planning session. we had to split up, go opposite directions and try to find each other in the middle. it worked brilliantly.





check me out, uncle ben!



go that way!





We arrived home with our pumpkins to carve, balloon butterfly wings, more treats than necessary and a gosh darn good attempt to enjoy this season. Because 85 degrees or not, it's autumn and we better well enjoy it!

to my big kid

Dear Cooper,

You were a boatload of fun this afternoon and I want to remember it.

After quiet time today, you did reeces pieces math while I went through the mail and paid bills. I kept trying to trick you and you figured out every addition problem I gave you, rewarding yourself with a treat every time you got one right.

You played so nicely with your brother and sister before dinner, singing your "fox in a box" song from music class, catching them then letting them go. They were laughing and running around trying not to be caught.

While I bathed the little ones, you played your Superkids songs on the computer, over and over singing along and doing the actions you've learned at school. It's amazing to me all that your little brain absorbs and retains right now. It makes me hope that I'm helping put the right things in there.

You were playing in the tub while I read to Senny and Bex and got them to bed. When I came to check on you, you had a surprise prepared for me. I'd save it forever, except that it was written on the tub with bath crayons... it's the first note you've ever written me all by yourself. you drew me a picture, accompanied by,

"for mom frum cooper."





"I just sounded it out myself!"

You're awesome, coop. and I love you like crazy.

love, mom

our little warriors.

sidewalk chalk. the backyard. dad with his camera.




fierce.






better not mess with me.





what's going on here?





seriously, don't mess with me!





shoot. mom showed up and ruined the photo shoot. warriors do not smile.

I'm pretty much in love.

I'm grateful

for:

- a vehicle that is dependable and gets us where we need to go.
- a gram that sends awesome halloween surprises.
- singing time in primary that went smoothly.
- the fact that seneca loves her big bed. and stays in it without a battle.
- a happy, pleasant beckham despite a runny nose.
- a sister carter that understands the value of halloween anticipation. halloween music has been playing at my house nonstop. I've got the wicked witch is dead and ghostbusters memorized.
- a denten that will watch chick flicks with me, even when they're lame. not recommending ghosts of girlfriends past.
- easy sunday dinner (chicken tacos in the crockpot) with enough leftovers for tonight.
- a backyard to send my children to so I don't go crazy.
- sisters.
- great energy clients who are open to learning new things and letting old junk go.
- my jacket.
- a schedule (I am my mother's daughter).
- fresh and easy.
- quiet morning hours to be productive.
- big slobbery smiles.

oh mercy.

if feminine hygeine makes you squirm, please close this window and move on.

the scene: sacrament meeting

cooper sitting on my left, the two little ones on my right, followed by their dad. my attention was focused on my right, helping one of the two resituate with a book or something.

as I turn back to attempt to listen to whatever the high councilman was trying to say, I see pink out of the corner of my eye. what did cooper bring to church that was pink and why is it flying around? as I turn to give it my full attention there was a split second of absolute horror as I see an unused, yet unwrapped playtex tampon being used as a rocket of sorts. he's not shooting it as in throwing, but he's flying it around, above shoulder level. he proceeds to pull it apart before I grab it... this was all in slow motion mind you, as I could not reach it quick enough as I tried not to think about who on earth has seen my son playing with a tampon and just how long he'd had it out. I was only looking away for a second, wasn't I?? oh, mercy. As I very calmly shove it back into the bag, cooper asks, "what's that?" so confused as to why I just ruined his fun. my spur of the moment response, "it's just for mommies and it's very private." I realize it's a lame answer, and not entirely true as there are lots of women who are not mommies who use them and considering most women in america and other developed parts of the world use them for a good portion of their lives, maybe they're not so private, but it's just what came out. sorry if that's offensive to anyone.

I couldn't bring myself to turn around and see who might have witnesses the flying tampon-rocket display, although the entire Cluff family was right behind me and really, they couldn't have missed it. why, oh why were we sitting towards the front of the chapel?!

if any of you have read katelyn's recent post on why we care so much about what others think (or do we?), today I did. just for a minute. then I tried really hard to keep from laughing, because honestly, it was a pretty funny scene.

I've always liked reading to my kids, but who knew how fun it would be to have them read to each other? She sat through three books before they started wrestling with each other.

a field trip

when we invited friends to go check out the Arizona Science Center with us, we got mixed responses. some said they'd been there and it wasn't worth the money. some said they absolutely loved the place. we decided we needed to go see for ourselves. thanks to taisey and nathan who raced for a culture pass, we got in free!

this was seneca's favorite exhibit. you (or your mom) hoist youself to the top and then let go to float back down.



cooper and nathan liked the wheels.



I thought the nail bed was awesome. cooper did not share my enthusiasm.



this was beckham's favorite. it's a walkway of rubber stoppers that require concentration and balance to walk on. I didn't know if he could do it, but he proved me wrong! he didn't want to leave.



this exhibit was hilarious. you throw balls up into the nostril of the nose and then it will randomly shoot air and all the balls back out at you. the "nose blow" caught us all off guard and scared the little ones to tears. I was laughing my head off. I kept telling cooper to do it again.



my overall assessment: I thought all of the exhibits were great. Most were too advanced for my children to enjoy right now, but I appreciate knowing the resource is there. There were a lot of cool things we didn't take advantage of, but could provide great learning opportunities in the future. There were a few fun things for little kids, but I don't know that most would pay $10-12 a person to enjoy them. If, however, you can get a culture pass... why not?!

bonus: there is a city bakery just outside which just happens to be a favorite spot for both myself and taisey.

His own vocabulary.

conkuation: punctuation
This one is especially funny when he sings the punctuation song... "conk, conk, conk-conkuation!"
He knows that a comma is where we stop to take a pause, a period is where the sentence comes to a complete stop and and exclamation point is used when you want to make a point! Reading time each evening is taking a little longer as he is noticing all the punctuation in his books, but it's fun to hear his explanation of everything. He's doing so great with his reading, I'm surprised every night that he can handle the next book in the series easily. He's patient with himself and if he doesn't know a word right away, he takes the time to sound it out to himself and then move on. I'm glad that reading is fun and satisfying to him.

redults: adults
"When I am a redult... "there are so many cool things that are going to happen when he is a redult!

repostles: apostles
"please can we hear the repostle song again?" "mom, there is one of my repostles!"

avealith: revealeth
This word was in his part he memorized for the primary program. I didn't even try to correct it, the rest of the part was perfect!

Today we were in the car, and after three children howling like coyotes for quite a few blocks, I couldn't take it anymore. I requested (nicely) that mouths be shut for a few minutes so I could hear myself think. Very quietly from the very back seat I hear, "are you my conscience?" I could not hold it together, I laughed out loud.

He's also attempting to count to 100, so I hear 1-49 about 49 times a day. Fifty is tricky to remember, but last week we were only at 39, so there's progress!

He's a good little negotiator, always trying to bargain his way to a deal that is favorable for him.

I love him. and I love 8:00 p.m. when he's down and out. we both need a solid night to prepare for whatever he has in store for me the next day.

Celebration!

My new site is up!! It's been a long time coming and I'm excited it's finally done. My energy blog is in the final stages of its own makeover and will be fantastic as well. Peruse, browse and throw any suggestions you have my way. There is a celebration of sorts going on as well... details here. Yea!!

I'm grateful today.

I am grateful for/ that:

- my husband has a job that he enjoys.
- we have enough money to pay our bills and take care of our family.
- dinner group.
- fun friends to bounce ideas off of.
- hilarious children (more to come on recent vocabulary).
- a backyard and weather to enjoy it.
- 85 degrees... heaven!!
- great opportunities for my kids.
- self-motivated learning.
- a healthy body that is able to perform all of its required functions.
- a dad who loves my mom.
- a mom whose inner strength continues to amaze me.
- children who know how to express their opinions.
- today is tuesday. I like tuesdays right now.
- easy grocery stores.
- heavenly father knows who I am.
- He hears me.
- halloween costumes are taken care of! (this may seem late to some of you, but it's a record for me!)
- my house fits my family right now.
- denten likes my body.
- I sleep easily.
- doughnuts. it's a vice. why fight it?

what are grateful for this very moment??

just roll with it.

you know how sometimes things don't always turn out the way you already have pictured in your head? you know those times?

like, say, yesterday. primary program. oh boy. yeah, we won't go there. anyway, in my head, I had this entirely free sunday afternoon that, in my head, was slated for time with my book that I am totally hooked on. I'd share what it is but frankly, it's embarrassing. well, that actually makes it sound worse than it is. ok, I'll share (because really, who am I to be all private). it's john grisham's latest, the associate. I'm a sucker for a good legal drama, like the good wife on cbs. anyone else watching that? mmm. books and shows with that sort of theme make me dream that my husband is that kind of lawyer, you know, a fierce litigator out to get the bad guy, or sometimes, defending the bad guy because despite the fact that he is scum, he still deserves a proper and first-rate defense (and my husband is first rate!) ... you know, that kind? well, what do you know that the husband comes home (late the past few weeks) and shares that the latest project is a pretty high-stress litigation case. yahoo! oh, I mean, sorry honey. sorry you're stressed out and working late, but isn't it exciting to be doing something different? isn't it exciting to have to put in late hours because you have pressing deadlines? isn't it thrilling to plot your strategy to get the bad guy?? (I don't know if there even is a bad guy) sometimes I live vicariously through my lover's job. wow, I'm getting way off track here.

I think the point was that I had a lovely sunday afternoon planned in my head. and then I looked at the missionary dinner calendar and what did that say? whose name is there? uh-huh. that would be mine, or ours, as the case may be. well. considering I hadn't yet come up with a plan to feed my own family yet alone two extra that eat like four, the wheels in my head started spinning. and kicking a little. why didn't I go to the store yesterday, bummer. so I mentally inventory what is currently residing in my kitchen and decide that this one was all denten so I sneak him a note into priesthood meeting. I'm pretty sure you're only supposed to interrupt that meeting if it's really important, but I can see my afternoon unraveling and deemed it pretty important. and then he asks me what time is good for the home teachers to come by. huh. I like my hometeachers, I really do. In fact, I really really do, but them coming followed by the elders means my afternoon in jammies with my book has just vanished. this is so much story that did not need to be told. someone stop me. the point (again) is that sometimes you have something in your head and it just doesn't turn out that way. fact it, it probably turned out better. I was spiritually fed, I observed a humble priesthood blessing, I ate great food (thank you, top chef) and enjoyed others' company. And what do you know, there was still a quiet hour before bed in which my book and I enjoyed some quality time with each other.

On a larger, and not-so-trivial scale, my life as a whole feels a little that way right now. You know, a picture in my head, a plan slowly proceeding and then halt. smack. not gonna happen. well, not right now, which, frankly is worse than never because then you never know. oh, just another time that a crystal ball forecasting my future would be oh so appreciated. wow, are you still with me here?? as it happens the opportunity in the way of the other opportunity just might be a better one. ok, it is totally a better one. and I'm totally grateful. totally doesn't make me sound very sincere, does it? I am sincere. I'm grateful for lots of stuff, including the current state of my life. I mean, there are always gonna be greener pastures and some are worth pursuing, but fact is that the pasture on which I'm currently grazing is really fantastic and there are things that are entirely within my control I could do to improve it a little.

Moral of the (discombobulated) story is when the plan you have in your head doesn't turn out just as so perfectly planned, it's ok. it means Someone else is in charge and let's just be honest, His plan is usually (ok, always) better than mine. although, I'd still take a crystal ball now and then, because I have the genes of a planner and how can I plan for what I don't know is coming? I can't, so I roll with it. sometimes I fight it first, but then I roll with it.

and those, my friends, are the very organized and eloquent thoughts of this here monday morning. the end.

'tis the season...

for packages from grandma!!

Happy Halloween from my little spooks.

let's just pause for a brief moment and give thanks to the photo gods who miraculously have all three children looking at the camera and smiling.

(silence) thank you.

** if you love my new header (I do!) you can get your own... email the goddess at shelliedesign@q.com

coop's big day.

turning five is exhausting! ( for mom!)

cupcakes at school . a class celebration . a well-check up at the pediatrician's office . 3 shots . one healthy boy . helium balloons . packages from grandparents . chocolate chip pancakes . playing at the park . lots of friends . new games . books . clothes . talking to everyone he loves on the phone . blowing out candles . more cupcakes . slicing his toe open . soccer practice . fun new toys . a busy day . one great kid.

Five Years Old

Five years ago. New York City. A dream come true.

It took a lot of heavenly intervention to get him into my body and another round of miracles to get him out. He came just the way he was supposed to at just the right time. He challenges me every day and then makes me laugh my head off.

It's been a busy, full day, but he's happy. He's involved with great activities right now, he has fun friends and lots of family that love him. He's smart and sweet and while listening the first time doesn't happen all the time, I couldn't ask for much more than this boy. I love him like crazy. and can not believe it's been five years!!

this week at our house..