bleh

warning: I'm about to throw up a ton of thoughts.

I just returned from a conference at Lauren's school and I had to blink twice to remember that it is a public school. The cherry creek school district is demanding but performance driven, and it is exactly what lore needs. . .we'll see how Bryn does in Kindergarten next year. Lore love rules; Bryn can't be bothered by them if they stifle her creativity.

Ava drew another picture today with multiple people on it--this isn't half bad for a kid that still claims the number 2. Her little people have claws for hands and feet but I'm impressed that she draws them. She also colors in their clothes with a fair amount of skill. She takes pride in her pictures too (she's currently sleeping with today's drawing). I'll have to create some sort of structured art time for Bryn and Ava...maybe during Morgan's nap.

Denver's weather is beautiful but a little too beautiful--you know, where you forget how bad it can be and you take it for granted. The past few days have been 60's and gorgeous. They claim to have more sun than Arizona and I'm starting to believe it. But I kinda hate it too. Don't get me wrong it is great for the kids--especially since we can go to the park every day. But I love gray days and I miss the snow. 15 years in Provo and I still love snow. We've only had two good sledding weeks here. And when it is nice out, I'm ready to buy summer clothes and pack away winter, but it isn't even March yet! So I spit on you: beautiful sunny denver weather. (Aaron curses you...he would live on Hoth if he could.)

My sunday school class is starting to talk like me. On Sunday, Jaden boasted that "he owned most reverent last week." It was funny to hear it. Like when you hear yourself in your kids. I should probably speak more properly.

There's a good chance we're going to Utah next week. It will be good to see the peeps.

On a contemplated whim, I painted our guest room last night. I am becoming a master of painting the top trim...no need for tape, I can freehand a straight line.

Last night I dreamt I was at the Tate (my favorite museum in London). They were missing my favorite painting: Hope. I was grateful that it was just a dream.

okay, I should probably go: I still need to run tonight. cheers.

a case of the mondays

I've got it bad today. Today has been a miserable day. At one point, it involved: poop that was not in a diaper or toilet, dish soap all over the floor, battlecats fighting to the death, broken toys, and Lore's friend that ran into a bed and then hobbled home.

And then Aaron asked me (over the phone) how did I not throw up? My reply: because I'm a mom. If I threw up over every nasty thing I had to clean up, then I would probably be five pounds lighter...but it would still be another thing to clean up. Plus, I think my nose sensory is dead--4 babies in 5 years will do that to you.

What makes me frustrated is that I had planned to surprise the girls with a trip to the zoo tomorrow. But now I don't want to take them. They're lucky we're meeting up with some friends otherwise they would be stuck at home sucking it up cinderella style. Tomorrow better be an angel kid day or there will be hell to pay.

sigh.

wow, I don't even think the anti-drug people will have problem with that

another week. aaron's gone till friday. I'm just not ready for it to start.

taken sidebar: so we saw this movie on Saturday and Liam Neeson made Jack Bauer look like a boy scout. When you have 4 daughters, this kinda stuff just makes you crazy worry about your kids. And then it reminded me of all the stupid stuff I did while I was in London. Like take the tube home by myself at midnight...or going to Camden Town (at night).

Anthony Green sidebar: this folksy pot-smoker music is okay in moderation but I think prolonged usage might cause you to poop hello kitties.

I sail, I am a sailor, I sail

I flew.

Literally. For Valentine's day/Aaron's b-day, I surprised Aaron by taking him indoor sky diving. You know, where you jump into a wind tunnel and float around like a squirrel. It was worth every penny. When we pulled up, and my surprise was revealed, Aaron just started laughing. It was exactly what he was planning to do for me for my birthday--I just beat him to it. It was a blast and surprisingly difficult to do well.

The only unfortunate part of the date was coming home to this: our babysitter's secret.

I don't know how to put this, but I'm kind of a big deal

I'm currently reading the autobio of Ben Franklin and I have to say: Ben Franklin is a bad ass. Seriously. He's my kinda people. I'd like to think that if we were born at the same time, we would hang out.

I feel the same way about Peter the apostle. He's my favorite of Christ's original twelve; he is passionate, determined, flawed, and fierce.

Victoria's Secret sidebar: I blew way too much money in there yesterday. I love everything that I got but I'm having a bit of buyer's remorse. If I were married to my brother, I'd have the green light. He told my sister(in-law) that she could spend as much as she wants in that store. I know Aaron concurs with my brother's philosophy, so I'm sure I'm fine.

once there was a snowman

small, small, small.

funny how, in an instant, you can be utterly defeated.

aim small, miss small

Aaron left for SoCal this morning and so to ferret away my nights I am tackling my NICU project. I decided that trying to help every baby that comes to the NICU is beyond my scope of achievement. I decided a more attainable goal would be 50 care packages. This I can finish by the end of the month. Here's where I stand:

50 Namecards for baby stations: done. Although, putting them together I realized I'm not a scrapbooker--I loathe it actually--and I can't cut straight and should have invested in a paper cutter.

50 swaddling blankets: getting it done this weekish. I have all the fabric and I'm cutting them tonight. I almost 86ed this but I was able to get a screaming deal. (Seriously, I saved $200. Who does that? Geniuses. Oh, that's right, I am one; so this actually makes sense.)

50 beanie babies: done. Although, I found this great deal online and they sent me a grab bag of assorted bears. Great, right? No. 15 of the bears are completely unusable. They have logos and I heart Canada on them. I'm going to donate the 15 to a homeless shelter and find some plain ones to order.

50 packs of 5 thank you cards: done. This was the easiest.

50 pocket sudoku books: on order. It is hard to find them in bulk. Thank you B&N.

And thus completes my accounting of my project. Now on to my week. It is crazy. I have flashes of panic to get everything done. And I forgot to register Bryn for Kindergarten today, which means one more thing for tomorrow.

Aaron's birthday is on Sunday, I have no idea what to get him. He buys everything he really wants or needs. Or he leaves really boring things like shoes and dress pants as my options. This is no good. What do you get a boy that has everything? (within reason, of course.) I thought of getting him scuba lessons but the classes don't work with his schedule. Crap, he's turning 35; this is kinda a big one.

At least, I have fun plans for us on Valentine's. He's going to freak (in a good way) when he sees what I have planned. Although, I invited some friends to go with us because my plans are not romantic in any way. I hope he's not planning on romance...we've been married long enough for him to know I'm not mushy gushy--no bears or hearts allowed.

arf. I think that covers my most pressing thoughts right now. I'm going to go cut blankets. cheers.