My Pretty Pretty Princess

We finally got a chance to have Pretty's real birthday party with her friend, Andrea. They have tons of mutual friends, so it just made sense to have their party together. We had scheduled to have the party at the local children's museum, but due to a series of unfortunate events, we had to move it to a nearby park. Really, though, it didn't matter one bit. The kids all had a great time playing together and eating princess cupcakes and running around like the banchees that they are.

Pretty was delighted to realize that virtually every present had something to do with making her into a princess. She got a princess gown, princess jewelry, princess "make-up" (which is just bubble gum chap stick), princess shoes, princess nail polish, and anything else anyone could think of that would help make a princess all that she should be. I think that, when all was said and done, she had something like three tiaras...and wanted to wear them all.

When we got home, she immediately needed to put on all of her princess stuff and go show La La and her friend, Ms. P. Honestly, even if she were wearing nothing more than a brown paper bag and had dirt and leaves in her hair, she would always be my Pretty Pretty Princess.

Gary the Lizard

I was cleaning the boys' bathroom the other day and discovered a pet that I didn't know we owned. As I reached behind the toilet to scrub it, I was horrified to discover a gecko lizard. He was just a little lizard, but was still an uninvited guest. I can only assume he was trying to sell me Geico insurance, but I'm not currently in the market for insurance. I tried to get him to leave, and to my complete horror, the thing detached its tail and scurried away. The worst part was that the remaining tail parts kept quivering for several minutes after the lizard was gone. I know. Disgusting, right?

Fast forward to the next morning. The Beast woke up and told me he had a new pet. "It's a lizard, and we played chase all night long, Mom!". Hmmmm. Really?? I figured he'd just heard the story from the day before and was playing on it. Honestly, if some poor lizard ever ventured into the Beast's room, it was not going to be a pretty sight. There is NO place for anything to hide in there. The Beast went on to tell me that he'd caught his lizard, now named Gary according to him, by the tail. Then, the lizard jumped out of its tail and ran away. GROSS!! My kid is telling me he stood there holding the tail of his dear friend, Gary.

Anyway, the Beast has been very bothered because he hasn't been able to find Gary for the past couple days. So, he's been praying that Gary and all of his friends and family could come back to see him in his room. He prayed about it with us over dinner, prayed about it at church in his Sunday school class, and more. He even asked if we could post "Lost Lizard" signs all over town. (Can you even imagine that!?!?) Tonight, the Beast's prayers were answered. "Mom! Come here! Gary is died!!!" I got up and ran to his room where I discovered a very dead, very large gecko lizard-minus the tail.

Rest in peace, Gary the Lizard.

My Shopping Trip With the Beast

I had taken an inventory of what clothes everyone had in preparation for the impending school year. Most of the kids have everything they'd need. Number One got a whole new wardrobe while he was visiting his grandparents in UT, so I didn't need to worry too much about him. Snort and Little Guy don't really need a whole lot, so I also didn't worry about them much, either.

Pretty is quite the little girl when it comes to her wardrobe, so she actually had enough to work with. She'll need a few thinsg here and there, but nothing huge. I usually shop for her (and really all my kids) off the clearance rack. It works well, saves money, and allows me to buy more for less.

So, it was just the Beast who really needed clothes. Not a ton, but definately something. Pants and shorts were needed as well as a few shirts. I decided that he and I should have a date of our own. So, off we went around seven tonight. Four and a half hours later, I returned. Here are the top ten things I learned from the Beast tonight.

10. You might as well start off at Wal-Mart. You'll wind up there in the end anyway.
9. Manequins don't move because they're not real people. You don't have to be offended when they don't talk to you because, again, they're not real people. No, you don't have to ask permission to pet the manequin's dog. No, the dog is not real, either.
8. Seeing the door to the backroom at Old Navy wide open can lead to sheer horror at the fact that there are "body parts" hanging all over the place. No, those aren't dead bodies. They're manequin parts. Yes, they're building people back there. But not real people.
7. Shopping for clothes becomes far less interesting if you go to stores that keep toys right by the clothing department.
6. If you tell a 5 year old what size his sister is, he'll assume every single item in her size in the store is meant for her. When you get to the check out line, you'll find an awful lot of clothes for her that you didn't put into the basket. You'll weed out what you think is all of it, but you'll likely find at least two things in your bag that you didn't put there when you get home.
5. Buying books instead of clothes is really fun, especially when your mom almost never lets you do it.
4. The Clearance rack is a gift from the heavens above. Seriously.
3. Underwear that doesn't have pictures of Scooby Doo and other famous cartoon character may as well not exist. It's not nearly as worthy of being worn on your butt as underwear that does have pictures.
2. If your 5 year old poops in a public bathroom, he'll proudly announce it to everyone when he comes back out. And he'll be loud about it.
1. Four and a half hours of one on one time with Mom isn't nearly good enough if it doesn't end with Mom reading you that great new book you talked her into buying for you.

Don't get me wrong, folks. I learned a LOT more than just those ten things. It was a great trip. In an answer to the question I hear most, I can now confirm for you that NO, the Beast does not stop talking or asking questions. Ever. He told me Sid the Science Kid on PBS told him to keep asking questions. Great. I'll thank Sid later.

I also discovered that the Beast can read. We had an idea that he'd taught himself, but listening to him read every shirt logo, clearance sign, cereal box, and whatever else came into his path confirmed it. The kid is a genius. Bless his teacher this year. She's in for a fun ride.

So, now that it's tomorrow already, I'm finally settling in for the night. I should be tired, but I'm still just enjoying the fun I had with him. He was everywhere, into everything, talking non-stop, and just a delight to spend quality time with. He may be a Beast. But he's my Beast, and I wouldn't trade him for any other Beast in the world.

Lung Biopsy Results are In!

I know some of you are itching to know what Little Guy's lung biopsy results were. I'm pleased to say they were positive and definitive. That's the best thing ever! No more guessing or wondering. There are more happy details right here!

Just Thank You.

I've been wanting to blog this for a couple of days now, and keep thinking I'd get a picture to go with it. That would require me to get TWO kids to sit still, smile at the camera, and actually leave each other alone for a good ten seconds. Around here, that's a lot to ask. So, the picture will have to come later. It'll be a good one, too. I promise. Besides, the picture won't be nearly as fun as the story anyway.

The other day, I had finally gotten all the kids out of my hair. Number One was at a friend's house, Pretty and the Beast were playing with Miss P. down the street, and the babies were napping. The kids had all been fairly horrific that day, and I think I may have been sitting there feeling a little bit sorry for myself. I don't even really remember what they'd done that was so naughty, but I know they did it. Honestly, I could probably just make something up and it'd be true.

Anyway, Marlene called me and said she was coming by "just because". Something smelled a little fishy about that, but I said okay. Angela had been by earlier that morning and seen the total chaos and withnessed my head exploding when I saw that the Beast had cut up about ten really good books (that part I DO remember). I figured Angela had just told Marlene that she'd have to come by if the children were going to survive the day. About five minutes after her call, in she strolled with a grin like the Cheshire cat. She didn't speak a word for the first little while, but just kept unloading her trunk with bags and bags of stuff.

Upon further inspection, I found that these bags were filled with each and every item off Number One and the Beast's school shopping list. Every single thing they'd need this year was there. And there was more. Each boy had a brand new backpack and lunchbox (the Beast has been sleeping with his ever since and carries a spoon in the lunch box "just in case someone wants to feed me something").

I was stunned. I'd even go so far as to say I was speechless. (I know. Shocking for me, right?) I asked time and time again and in many different ways who had done this for us, and she refused to tell me. All she'd say was "someone who loves you and your family thought this would help".

Help? Help? It is so much more than helping. It was what I needed that particular day. It was just the little reminder I needed to know that I am loved by a Father in Heaven who uses other people just like me to do His bidding. Someone knew that my boys needed those supplies. We had already gotten a good start on getting them, but still had so far to go, especially the back packs and lunch boxes. Whoever that person was also must know how hard it is for me to get out with all the kids and do the shopping. With an oxygen tank in tow, it's just not as simple as all that anymore. Plus, the money we don't have to spend on supplies can now go to getting the Beast the couple of pairs of pants and the desperately needed sneakers he'll require for school to start. To call it a blessing would be an understatement.

We wrote a thank you note right then and there. The Beast signed his own name and put a question mark on the front since we couldn't address it to anyone in particular. I'm sure Marlene will get it to where it needs to go. That said, if you're the one who did this and you happen to read this blog, please know what a special gift you gave to us and those boys. They were both so delighted to know that someone thought of THEM this time. It wasn't just Little Guy or Pretty or Snort. It was the big boys. And they were delighted. And I was touched. And I don't know what to say.

Just. Thank you.

Happy Birthday, Pretty!

I can't believe she's already three! But look what fun we had at her pretty pink impromptu party!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Trying to be like Mommy

When things get quiet around here, I take a deep cleansing breath and just enjoy it. Then I come to remember what that usually means. Trouble. Big trouble. On this day (like many others), Pretty decided that she needed to look more like me. What that translates into is that she got into my make-up. Again. Is this REALLY what she thinks I look like? Perhaps I should invest in a make-up consultant and soon.