soccer, parades & trips

October has been busy for us and we've been enjoying every minute of it. The kids started soccer and had their first game which I have no pictures of. Caden and Paxton are on the same team, The Green Hornets. They are off to a good start winning their first game 7-6. They both said they enjoyed it and each had ball contact in the game.

Paxton was also in her first parade. She was on the float for the Silver Spinners (baton) and the Jr. pep squad. I also have no pictures of that, but she loved that as well. This was the Octoberfest/Homecoming parade for Kearny. We enjoyed the festivities uptown too this year by playing a few of the games, checking out the booths and the car show.

A few days were spent cleaning, packing and getting ready for our trip to Missouri. This was to be our end of summer trip, but we moved it out to the kids fall break. We haven't got to come out in the fall as a family yet and were excited to be out here to enjoy the leaves and cool weather. Paxton and cousin Gracie have been planning for weeks to have their birthday party together. It also fell at the annual Carthage Maple Leaf celebration, when there are a load of activities going on. One of which is a bike ride ranging from 15 to 100 miles. Caden was entered in the 15 miler and Spencer and I in the 100. This was to be my training ride and first century prior to the Tour de Tucson next month. Plus Uncle Luke is leaving on his mission to Perth, Australia the first part of November and we needed to see him before he left.

The trip got off to a great start as we were loaded and ready to leave as planned when school got out. Spencer and I were not looking forward to the drive with four little ones, but it went well. We made great time compared to previous trips. When it was just the two of us, we could make it in 18 hours or so driving. Traveling with the kids it is usually 24 hours, maybe a little more.

This time we made it in 22 hours total, minus about 3 hrs for pit/rest stops. And Paxton made it all the way to Oklahoma City before throwing up! Only 3 hours before arrival, but she did it like a pro. Felt it coming, grabbed the bag without hesitation, and was able to keep it all in the bag. Caden also experienced, quickly rolled down his window and kept his head turned looking out as to not become the next one to vomit. A quick stop to chuck the vomit bag, swish some water and walk around a minute and it was off to Grandma & Grandpa's.

We arrived just as cousins were getting home from school, so the kids were thrilled. Aah, it is always a good feeling to get out of the truck. Stretch, relax, eat something other than travel snacks or fast food and spend time with family. Oh yeah, and SLEEP!

Shifting gears

Ok, lets look another direction for a while. I could go on and on with conversations I've had with my kids about how mean I am as a mom, but let's move on already.


Daisy is going through changes. She was ALWAYS the one you could look at and find a smile. Lately she has taken on a very serious attitude and that stern brow she got from her dad is often on display. She has even played the shy card a few times recently and turned the cold shoulder to people she is usually hugging on and laughing with.

She's been having more crying / screaming fits lately too. I guess we are getting near the infamous terrible twos. We've been through it two times already, so I think we'll be able to handle it.

Something else that is new with her, when talking with her and you tell her some fact or direction and she responds with an "Oh!" all matter-of-fact like, and the pitch of her voice up.

Of coarse it is funnier when you hear it, so I've been trying to capture it on video, but no luck yet. You know when you really want them to perform, they dont.

Also, she has been wanting to sit on the potty as of late. I'd love for her to train early, so each time she wants to go, I get out the kid seat and help her up. She hasn't actually gone on the toilet yet, but it is a funny thing to watch. I dont know who she's been watching in the bathroom, but I'll place a safe bet that it has been someone of the male gender. Here is how it goes....


I get the kid seat on and get Daisy up on it. First thing she does is point up to the window. Yes, she wants me to open it! So I do. Everytime she does this and then will do a little grunt and make a face like she is trying to push. Then just yesterday, we went through all this again and then she asked me for a book! I couldn't help laughing as I got her a magazine. She wasn't happy with that though and so I got her her favorite book and she then was happy.


I also put up a recent picture of Calvin as our header. I've been switching them up lately with our last taken family pics, but he isn't in them. So we need to get some new ones soon. Until then, we'll give Calvin that prime spot so you can watch him grow. He is already 4 1/2 months and is one solid boy. He loves to eat and it shows. Healthy and happy, who could ask for more?

Mean mom (part two)

A follow up from my previous post.

Yesterday we left to go north to spend a day with my dad and Vicki. We had only been on the road five minutes when Paxton asks...

P: Mom, do I have a step-mother?

Me: No

P: When will I get one?

M: You would only get one if dad and I got divorced or if I die and if he gets married to someone new.

P: I want a stepmom because they are fun.

M: Well, I could act like Cinderella's stepmom and have you do all the cleaning and cooking at home and lock you in your room. Would that be fun?

P: No

M: What if I acted like Snow White's stepmom and gave you a poison apple and tried to have you killed?

P: No, I want a FUN stepmom.

M: What would your FUN stepmom do with you that I dont do?

P: She would read me stories and be nice to me.

M: So I'm not nice to you? I've never read you stories? (I'm wondering where I went so wrong with this child.)

P: No, I just want a fun stepmom.

Caden is now joining in saying over and over, "I don't want a step mom" while everytime he says this, she says she wants one.

Then she tells Caden, "I just want one like when mom is running on the treadmill and has a heart attack."

Sounds to me like she's got it all planned out.