New Mantra's for Stacey Eaton:

In a book I just read it says that the old cliche of: "If a thing is worth doing, it's worth doing well", has been replaced by.: "If a thing is just barely worth doing, then just barely do it!" I laughed when the author said she takes this to heart and writes that little message in the dust on her piano. But I agree. I also agree with: "An immaculate house is the sign of a wasted life." (But this only applies to families with small children.)

It's impossible. It really is. I'd take a picture of my house at this moment as an "illustration" but blogger.com isn't isn't allowing any uploading right this moment.

 :) 

Mason Miscellaneous

I laughed when I saw this picture because in my mind I was feeling very cute, but after I saw the picture I wondered if I was a teenager from the 80's in a past life. White hoop earrings? Jean jacket? Polka dot shirt? Albeit cute separately, maybe not so much together.

This is what happens when Hailey takes Mason for a few minutes into the bathroom. "He's a cat."

And here the poor boy has to be the "baby" during "house".

Finally, some time alone for the Little Maso. I think there is a picture of Grandpa Dale out there somewhere like this????

:)

XOXOX

So a few minutes ago I was rushing around doing "mom stuff", (that 5:00 in the afternoon craziness) and Emma starts whining for a "shake". Whining... and whining... and whining.... Looking back I see it was a cry for attention but I have already painted, picnic-ed and played dress up with her and I was a little drained and not so willing to give attention I suppose. Nathan walks in, watched for .5 seconds and then picks up Emma and says, "Let's go get a shake". What the cute!?!?! So now I am sitting here taking advantage of this lovely moment of silence with a warm cozy feeling inside for that man of mine.

.....AND he just called and asked if he could bring KFC home. What a keeper.

Pride isn't all evil.

This is pretty note-worthy and doesn't require a picture. A few weeks ago Tyler came home from school and mentioned some award he got nationally. I kinda blew it off (oops) thinking it was no big deal and that he didn't mean "nationally". At his SEP conference last night the teacher explained what it was. Tyler did an "outstanding performance" on the October 2008 Iowa test and scored in the top 10% NATIONALLY for third graders. Pretty cool. Hailey's teacher said she is the perfect student and is kind to everyone. (as usual). Her scores have all gone up as well and are above average this quarter. I will forever brag about my children whenever possible.

us

I am having anger issues with this internet/computer. I have tried for days to upload pictures but this is all I got. We went to the ward ice skating party here. I suppose my other stories of spitballs and a NEW NEPHEW will have to wait.

   Overall we are staying busy and being happy. I will try again tomorrow.

Boring!

"Boring" as in nothing exciting to report. We are just bumping along and enjoying some simple life. Have been fighting a few ear infections/fevers with the younger two, keeping the older two reading a lot for school, joined a small (and I mean SMALL) symphony down in Roosevelt, and snuggling with the hubby at night with Jack and Jack. (24 and Lost, our fav's!). I did find this funny little note that made me laugh. It is in Tyler's handwriting and signed by Hailey. Wierdo's.

Question: What does a 9 year-old and a 10-month old have in common?

They both like to "play" the piano.

(....and then they goof around because Mom has the camera.)

Thoughts in my head:

a) Clearplay is our family's favorite Christmas present. Check it out at clearplay.com. It is a DVD player that edits ANYTHING YOU WANT out of any movie. So beneficial and uplifting. Tyler wants to watch Braveheart now.

b) Lunges really hurt the next day. I mean really hurt.

c) Nathan got accepted to UNLV law school. That was fun. He has also been accepted to George Mason (Virginia), University of Denver and Santa Clara, with  scholarships at half. We are still waiting for BYU, University of Utah, George Washington and some other George. And something else. Can't remember.

Now that was good.

Fat Boy FHE treat.

 Mason felt gypped because he had to have a rice baby cookie instead.

Hailey taught a great lesson about gossip and the potential

dangers of it. For our activity Nathan had us play the "Telephone Game". (Whispering a sentence in one person's ear and repeating it around the circle until it gets back to the first person. You then compare the first sentence with the last one.)

Here's Tyler's sentence: "I like red bed and Harry Potter books". 

It ended up to be, "I like woman with harry bottoms". 

Oh the fun. Oh the laughter. It is now our family's favorite sentence to say. Especially Tyler's.

grrrrr

I am a patient woman. I know I am because I get through most of my days quite sanely and still smiling. But there is one time where I admit I almost lose it. The REC CENTER. Indoor pools with 7 kids might be the bane of my existence. There is nothing quite like wading in a semi-cool pool in bum-hugging spandex, feeling half-naked with blaring music "claustrophobic -ing" me, (not a word), trying to watch my 3 oldest plus their three friends, AND keep Mason from slipping out of my arms because he keeps throwing his head back trying to get to the water. Oh wait, can't forget going to the bathroom while holding that same baby and trying to peel off  a too-small suctioned-on bathing suit while two 3 year-olds bang on the stall. It ain't fun. I refuse to be positive about it and  "enjoy the moment". So there.