How SWEET it is

Thanks to Jana, we have a name that sticks. Actually, it rolls right off the tounge. SWEET ELISE it is. I should have known to go right to the creative one who has plenty of practice in naming after six kids and all.

And in my review of names I left out Caden's bike, EL LOBO. Also since that post, Spencer is now the happy owner of his new mountain bike, THE DARK KNIGHT. Between Spencer and I we now have more bikes than we do children. This is getting just a little bit out of control.

At your service

Yesterday I went out to the trash with a poopy diaper when I saw Caden sitting upon the 3 foot rock wall that separates our driveway from our neighbors. It was about 10:30am so it was warming up, but it is quite shaded right there. Anyway, here is our conversation:

Me: Caden, what are you doing out here?
Caden: I'm waiting for your teachers to come. (my visiting teachers were coming at 11)
M: You're going to be waiting for a while. Do you want to come in.
C: No, I just want to wait here.
M: Well, do you want to come in and get some water, its kindof warm.
C: Maybe you could bring me a snack. Bring me some cinnamon toast.
M: Why don't you come in and get it.
C: Ummm,(he puts some thought into it) just bring me some cinnamon toast.
M: How about some goldfish.
C: Yeah bring me some goldfish. And water.

Needless to say, I took him out a baggie of goldfish with a water bottle. This doesn't sound interesting at all as I read back over it, but in my head I can hear the conversation and how he said everything and it was funny.

What's in a name?

Since the beginning of our union, Spencer and I have always named our modes of transportation. This is something most of his family does. So lets just run through some of these:
His 1986 Honda Accord ~ DAISY (no connection to our newest born child)
My 1996 Chevy 1500 ~ ROCKY
2002 Mitsubishi Lancer ~ LANCE (very original)
1994 Chevy 1500 X-cab ~ REGGIE
2006 Arctic Cat Quad ~ FELIX
Spencer's Patrol car ~ SEARGENT MAHONEY
2008 Ford F-150 ~ KING TRITON

Spencer picked up a used Trek in '01 in which he rode the Tour de Tucson on. Its name is TOON VAN VLEET. When Spencer picked cycling up again in May of '07 he tuned up Toon Van Vleet, who like a champ, carried him many more miles. That is until RAUL entered the family. Raul ~ Spencer's new Trek Madone, has been with us now for a year. Raul is a sleek carbon fiber machine, built for speed! It was his turn this past year (and many years to come) to carry Spencer through the Tour de Tucson.

Now, marrying into a family who has been cycling for years, it was just a matter of time before I would be hoisted up on a seat myself. And up on Toon Van Vleet I went. He was glad to be dusted off and out on the road again. Once again it was short lived. I found that I really enjoyed riding and we decided to get a bike that fit me. After running into a sweet, sweet deal, I am now logging miles on a Specialized Dolce Elite. It's a good, smooth ride and we're happy to have her join us.

Next step is finding a name! That's where you all come in. I need some ideas, so start posting yours. Lets all get involved (my family has yet to leave a comment)! Take a good look at her and let those creative juices flow. Ready? GO!

Fashion Consultant

I don't know if any of you are as fortunate as I am. I have my own personal, live-in fashion consultant. Because she is live-in, we just exchange room and board for her services. Actually most times, I don't even ask for her services, but she offers them up anyway. Almost daily.
One day, I just grabbed one of Spencer's shirts that had been draped over the footboard of the bed and put it on. It doesn't take long for this princess to notice that "Mom, I don't like that. You look like a boy. Take off Dads shirt or he will get mad." On and on she goes.
Well, just yesterday I had just changed as I was getting ready to go to volleyball practice. I'm always in shorts and a basic Hanes T. In she walks and starts in on me immediately:
P: Mom, are you putting on clothes that I don't like?
M: Yes.
P: Why? You don't look pretty in that shirt.
M: That's ok, I'm just going to volleyball practice.
P: I don't like that, it emabarrasses me.

Well, I've got news for her, it won't be the last time! So, is anyone else out there living with such a little diva? And what are some of your strategies in such dealings?

SURPRISE, #4 is on the way!

Well, this was all so very unexpected and definately not planned for. Last year at this time I was pregnant with Daisy and coaching H.S. volleyball. Caden & Paxton either stayed with friends in the ward if Spencer wasn't home or they ran wild at vb practice, helping shag balls or dodging them. At the end of last year I told the school I would not be back to coach for a few reasons:

1) The Principal- Long story. Lets just say "problems,issues, issues, problems"(school wide) he was let go at the end of last year.

2) Daisy would be born in January and only 7 months old at the time vb would start again for the following year.

3) And now our house is for sale and who knows how long we will be here.

So, an infant a 3 yr. and 5 yr. old is enough to keep anyone busy. On top of that, trying to always have the house clean for the viewing pleasure of any home buyers. And now I have this unplanned issue placed before me.

Will I be bumping up the Hansen grandchildren current total of 17 and the Johnson/McSloy grandchildren current total of 10? Or will I be bumping something else?

Let me put an end to all the suspense. Looks like I will be coaching volleyball again, this being my 4th season. Last week, the AD (athletic director) knocked on my door with the new principal in tow. Wanting to know if I would reconsider. After a years time, they still have no one to coach and the season started Monday. All along I had told them I would be willing to help whoever took the position and volunteer when I could.

After much deliberation, Spencer and I decided I could give it another go with the understanding they need a backup plan in the event our house would sell in the next 3months.

Of coarse this could never work without so much help from Spencer and few good friends. For the past three years he has done so much at home and with the kids during the vb seasons. So thank you Spencer for being so amazing so that I could even consider doing it at all.

Integrity intact

An update for those of you wondering what I did about the Jersey situation...
They are going back. I called to let them know the mistake made and will be shipping them back as soon as I receive the return shipping label from them.
Lucy got my hopes up about keeping them when I read her comment, but it wasn't to be. They thanked me for letting them know about the mix up and offered a little pat on the back.
They think I'm so honest, only they don't know the thoughts that raced through my head when I opened the box.
1) YES, How did I get so lucky. I can't wait to sell a few and make a little money!

2) Call and let them know I got "an extra" jersey and send just one back, while keeping the other three.

3) Send one back stating on the return slip that I wasn't satisfied with it, get my money back and still have four free jerseys at my disposal.

On and on my evil little mind raced, but in the end my conscience got the best of me and I get to go on feeling good about myself. And as a follow up to Jana's comment about asking the kids what they would do, they both answered correctly (with no coaxing) and said "to give them back to the people who made a mistake." What good offspring I have!