Delayna Bo Bayna

Ok, so just when you think she can't be any more fun . . . She goes and gets more fun. I've never known a kid to be so joyous that eating time has passed. Most of the time she tells us all done before we even get her buckled in her high chair. For those time we insist she actually sit in her chair (for our sanity more than hope that she'll actually eat) she sits there, smashes her food, throws it in the floor and tells us "all done" periodically. When we finally go get her out she does the "all done" happy dance and flashes us the biggest smiles in the universe. She then proceedes directly to a chair where she begins her ascent to the dining room table, usually upsetting at least one adult's dinner in the process. Mealtimes are joyous occasions here!

Yesterday I was working in the kitchen when she comes to me and says "Mom, Mom, Mom, uh, oh." and points to the bathroom. Her second favorite place in the house. (Have I mentioned that we have no white screw covers left on any of the toilets? They are hiding from her.) So with a laugh at her cuteness and some trepidation I head to the bathroom. Good news is it wasn't a tradgedy, just a Band-Aid in the toilet.

Oh, and you are probably asking, "what is her favorite place in the house?" That would be anyplace higher than she is. Here are a few preferred play places.

The dishwasher door.

The piano, and she's on her way up. We've rescued her from the top of the piano numerous times. I just caught her this time.

The dining room table. The lazy susan is a fantasic ride! Notice she's not on the seat of the chair, she trying to climb the chair because it is turned around and she can't get on the table.

If she can make it to two I think we have a chance.

Super Helpers

I had lots and lots of help today from my two stay at home cuties. Delyana helped me by making sure I got to take lots of breaks to hold her, get her off the table, get her off the table, and get her off the table. She also discovered she can stand on the kitchen stool. I got to take her off of that several times as well as the dishwasher door. If you have not figured out the pattern she's a climber. She also "helped" me sweep and mop. At one point she had both the full sized mop and broom and had them both going. Someday I'm going to be glad for that skill. Cailah really was a helper. She's been happy and cheerful all day today and was surprisingly good at mopping. I retract my conversation with mom the other day when I bemoaned all the hours I've spent letting kids "help" me. I thought they were pretty darn cute and throught I'd share. Everyone should be loved as much as Cailah loves Delayna.

Finished!!

Phew. Got it done. Yeah, the fridge needs some help and so does the little glass bowl of "stuff" that's been collected over the last month. But I'm going to feed my kiddos now and calling it good for today. Tomorrow, the kids bathroom. Yes, I'm raising barn animals. But they are cute barn animals. :0)

Following Kathy's Example

OK I know it's not Tuesday, but my kitchen/dining room area has been out of control for much longer than I care to admit, and it's time to tackle it. It's making me CRAZY. I don't know why I keep letting this happen. It's just the dumping ground for all things great and small. And the dishes never get quite finished. There is always something left in the sink. So here's what it looks like this morning. If all goes well you'll see my beautiful kitchen show up by the end of the day.

I was just wondering . . .

How many square feet of snow a three car driveway can hold?

How many times I'm going to have to have the "please don't put anything up your nose or in your ears" talk with Cailah?

How many times you can catch a cold on top of a cold on top of a cold . . ?

How many dumpsters I would need to get this place to a state where I could actually maintain it?

There's No Place Like Home For the Holidays

We spent a quiet Christmas at home this year. After spending all day Christmas Eve cleaning the house Mike didn't want to make anything to mess up his sparkling kitchen. So we went out for Chinese. Yummmmmmy! No one was offended by that suggestion and it was fun to have an evening out. We were also able to celebrate because Mike recieved his offer letter Christmas Eve from Mazuma Capital and will begin work Monday January 5, 2009! Horray!

The kids are getting old enough that they actually woke up a little early this year. Just before 6:00 am. Not too bad, but I really enjoyed last years 8:00 wake up ;0P. We spent the day in jammies playing together. Zander and Ember gave the kids Mario Kart for Christmas and we had fun getting trounced by the Missouri group.

Now we are spending New Year's at Grandma and Grandpa Bell's house and are getting ready to head to Chucky Cheese's. Just waiting for Delayna to get up from her nap so we can all go to the place where "a kid can be a kid."

Braydon's Surgery Update

Braydon was diagnosed with Severve Obstructive Sleep Apnea in November. No big shock to anyone who has ever listened to him sleep. He was able to have his adenoids and tonsils removed shortly after Thanksgiving. We are happy to report big differenced in the way he sleeps. He actually sleeps all night long with his head at the head of the bed. No more tossing and turning and hanging off the bed. He doesn't sleep with his head thrown back anymore and we can't even hear him breathe when we go in to check on him at night. When we look in his throat we are shocked to see the amount of room down there. Very cool stuff. Were happy that it is helping. Now we just need to get him in bed early enough to actually get caught up on his sleep. One of these days I'll get the pictures of him at his sleep study scanned and uploaded. Not sure what day. Today isn't going to work and next week isn't looking good either :o)