Cousin Brighton turns 5

Happy 5th BIRTHDAY Brighton!

Our friend Gus Gus.

A couple of weeks ago Dan and I took the kids to the Children's Museum. We were playing the the Sesame Street portion of the museum when I realized I hadn't seen Hannah for a while. Off I went looking for her and this is where I found her. Sitting in a wheel chair. I suddenly realized what she was doing. It was a fun little racing game. There were 3 different routes and modes of transportation your could travel with. I'm not sure why, but for some reason Hannah has always been fascinated with wheel chairs.

Gus Gus was a dear friend to Hannah. They would play for hours together. He was a good little friend to her, he never got mad at her, he always did just as she wanted, he went every where she did and he always took the blame for all the mischief that happened without any complaints.

One day we were in Lindon having lunch at the Arctic Circle, where the kids could play, when it was time to go, we packed everyone in the van and headed across busy state street to the Wal-Mart when suddenly I heard screams of bloody murder coming from the back seat, "Gus Gus, we left him at the rest-a-rant." This of course was a bad habit Gus Gus had, not getting in the van quick enough (although, once he barely made it and got his hand smashed in the door.)

"He will just have to run over to the store and meet us there!"

" Heeeee caaaaan't," she yells with tears streaming down her face.

"Hannah, clam down he will be fine."

"No, he won't. He can't walk. His legs are broken, " (probably from the death defying leaps he takes getting into the car.)

"Hannah, he can use crutches to walk."

"No mom, (spoken with weeping and waling and gnashing of teeth) we have to go back and get him."

This is the point in your life as a mom when you have to be very careful in what you say, if you say the wrong thing your child will be "scared for life," however, if you happen to say the right thing you may be hailed as the best mom ever and be the hero for your child's eyes for eternity! The one accomplishment that moms all around the world strive for.

Me, of course, I said the wrong thing. "Hannah I am not going back. Gus Gus can meet us at Wal-Mart!" With lots of crying and frustration coming from the back of the van she says,

"No he can't! He rides in a chair that goes like this," making motions with her hands as if this tiny little friend is in a wheel chair!

Just for 1 day I would love to look inside this child's head and see what is actually going on. Where do they come up with this stuff?

....the verdict is in.....

It WAS Hailey!

{mY wHaT a LiTtLe SnEaKy GiRl}

So sometimes I feel like I'm living in a 3 stooges episode. Yesterday I discovered all the cushions off the couches...well who did I think could have done it? Hailey, lets see, hmmm, she can wedge herself under the couches, but I haven't seen her throw the cushions off, now maybe I'm wrong, she is pretty strong for a 9 month old. It could have been her. Now Jake, well lets analyze this. He is capable of commiting the crime, but once the interrogation began, he was smart enough to ask for his lawyer, Scout, the dog. With the process of elimination at hand, it must have been sweet, innocent (looking) little Hannah. Hmmm...my dear Watson, I think I've got it!

I began questioning the guilty party(s) and they all (including the baby,) pled the
5th. So, instead of singling out a criminal, I told both Hannah and Jake to get the mess cleaned up quickly or their afternoon sheninagans were going to be canceled (they are always making BIG plans.)

After many groans and moans I overheard their conversation,

"Jake, I have an idea. You pick up 3 of the cushions and I'll pick up 2!."
"No!" protested Jake, "you pick up 3 and I'll pick up 2."

After the great debate had been going on for a few minutes longer than needed, I quickly interrupted, before I had to get a box of Band-Aids from all the fighting, "Why don't you each pick up 2 and then you can pick up the last one together?" Ohh...what a smart mommy! I thought for a tiny second that I heard angels from heaven singing in my kitchen. AAAAWWWWHHHHHH! Brilliant!

They agreed and both seemed pleasently satisfied....Then the sneaky little devil chimes in with her angelic voice, "Hey Jake, why don't you pick up 4 cushions, because you're 4 years old?" Without hesitation, he agreed!

Who's on first? No. What's on first, who's on second? Who are we talking about!

Check out my Slide Show!

Hailey doesn't have a tumor!

Just in case you were wondering....There are no tumors! What's that all about? The Family (except our little 20/20 Jake) all had eye appointments this week. Dan new pair of glasses that he never wears, myself, stronger contact perscription to try and correct my crazy eye, Hannah, stronger lenses to help her eyes (shel definately Not "Legally Blonde," she's legally blind, and then there is sweet little Hailey. I wanted to have her eyes checked just to make sure her eyes were developing normally. I snuck an appointment in with Dr. Ackerson (Dan's old dorm roomie from College) just to be safe. I didn't want her to go for the first 5 years fo her life like poor Hannah Bug did....Blind as a Bat and we had no clue! Anyway, long story short she's just fine and she doesn't have a tumor! I guess the Dr. could tell by looking "into" her eyes. It's really quite amazing! One thing I learned today...dilating a baby's eyes and trying to look at them don't mix. Needless to say she does NOT like Dr. Ackerson!!!!

Movie Day!

Today is a movie day for me! Hurray! Daniel took the day off and just left for Provo with Jake in tow. Hannah is at school and Hailey is down for a nap. I waited up until 12 midnight last night waiting for "I am Legend" to come out, I never had the chance to see it in the theater (who does with 3 kids) then I realized how stupid it sounded to be waiting outside McDonalds at the Red Box, in the cold, waiting for a movie to be released. Can we say "GET A LIFE!"
Anywho....Daniel stopped and got it for me! What a great guy! I'm an action packed kind of gal, I don't care for comedy, and I'm not super crazy about the happily-ever-after, cheezy movies. I want to see real life stories, ya know like Michael Keaton in Mr. Mom....I can relate to that! Love that show! I'm just a mom trying my hardest to stay afloat while drowning in a bowl of soggy half eaten cheerios! But on the other hand, who isn't?