We went to bed fairly late last night, so when my alarm (which has an English accent) awoke me at 6:00 a.m., I was a bit disoriented. It seemed far too dark for that time of the morning, causing me to question how long I had actually been asleep. Had I missed a whole month? Once I finally did wake up and stumbled out of my room to get a drink, I saw a few flashes of light. I figured that I must have a bulb going on, although I couldn't tell which one.
After a shower brought be back to some level of consciousness, I looked outside to find that it was quite overcast and that a lighting storm was going on. I guess I'm now completely acclimated to Arizona, since clouds and lighting were not the first explanation that came to mind for darkness and flashing lights.
We're hoping for a bit of snow this Christmas while we're in Utah, because it's becoming apparent that Matthew won't have a lot of opportunities at this stage of his life to experience cold weather, let along snow. I suppose he's an Arizona native, having been born and raised (so far) here - you can tell because tonight he grabbed a slice of jalapeno from my plate and popped it in his mouth. I guess he takes after me, his spice-addicted dad, because he didn't seem too phased by it (didn't cry or anything), but he did guzzle a bunch of water immediately.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Could you handle 25 kids......
I've been talking about Matthew and our anticipation of nursery for awhile now. Today we had our first experience. Our nursery is currently short staffed so they've been asking for volunteers lately and today I was asked if me and Matthew wanted to go in so I could help out.
Interesting facts about our current nursery.
#1-About 25 kids that show up for nursery each week
#2-There are 3 total leaders
#3-The AC is broken
#4-Only 4 will be graduating to Sunbeams come January
As you can expect the leaders have their hands FULL. They have called another couple to nursery, but they weren't there today and one of the leaders was home sick. There were about 4 other parents in there helping out when we went in. Right when we walked in Matthew was off and playing with the other kids and toys. I don't think he really looked for me until the very end of class. He was probably a little bit intimidated by some of the other kids, but I know he is going to absolutely love it.
I really hope they'll break it into 2 nurseries now that more leaders have been called. It's way too crazy with 25 kids together even with more people there helping out. It was so hot because of the AC issue and little bodies running around. I was literally sweating when I got home from church. I feel so bad for the leaders as they are doing the best they can and are really good with the kids. It's so hard when there are so many kids and I'm sure the leaders feel like babysitters. I've been there and know how it is and secretly am glad that I already have a calling so they can't call me to be in there. I'll totally volunteer to help out once in awhile, but I want Matthew to have interactions with different adults.
If you have a child in nursery please remember to thank your leaders for the great job they are doing. It is one of the most exhausting callings I've ever had (twice before). The little children are so sweet, but sometimes it's hard to get excited about a calling where you have little adult interaction for 2 hours of church and you're playing guard duty most of the time.
All in all our first trial in Nursery was a success so in 3 weeks he can officially go in and we'll all be happy! He loved play time, singing time, snack time....mostly wandered during lesson time and tried to eat crayons during coloring time. I know he'll catch on! :)
Interesting facts about our current nursery.
#1-About 25 kids that show up for nursery each week
#2-There are 3 total leaders
#3-The AC is broken
#4-Only 4 will be graduating to Sunbeams come January
As you can expect the leaders have their hands FULL. They have called another couple to nursery, but they weren't there today and one of the leaders was home sick. There were about 4 other parents in there helping out when we went in. Right when we walked in Matthew was off and playing with the other kids and toys. I don't think he really looked for me until the very end of class. He was probably a little bit intimidated by some of the other kids, but I know he is going to absolutely love it.
I really hope they'll break it into 2 nurseries now that more leaders have been called. It's way too crazy with 25 kids together even with more people there helping out. It was so hot because of the AC issue and little bodies running around. I was literally sweating when I got home from church. I feel so bad for the leaders as they are doing the best they can and are really good with the kids. It's so hard when there are so many kids and I'm sure the leaders feel like babysitters. I've been there and know how it is and secretly am glad that I already have a calling so they can't call me to be in there. I'll totally volunteer to help out once in awhile, but I want Matthew to have interactions with different adults.
If you have a child in nursery please remember to thank your leaders for the great job they are doing. It is one of the most exhausting callings I've ever had (twice before). The little children are so sweet, but sometimes it's hard to get excited about a calling where you have little adult interaction for 2 hours of church and you're playing guard duty most of the time.
All in all our first trial in Nursery was a success so in 3 weeks he can officially go in and we'll all be happy! He loved play time, singing time, snack time....mostly wandered during lesson time and tried to eat crayons during coloring time. I know he'll catch on! :)
Friday, November 09, 2007
Free Gifts + Sales=Temporary Happiness!
I had two great surprises in store on Wednesday.
Surprise #1-When I arrived to work on Wednesday my co-worker told me that I had a package. It was from Mandalay Bay and they had sent me an iPod shuffle. I am the main contact that does the contracts and works with Convention Services and our company has provided them with lots of income over the past three conventions. I am listed as a main contact so that's why they wanted to suck up to me. :)
We only have 1 iPod in the house (a nano) so I borrow it from Jordan (his Christmas gift last year) from time to time. I'm excited to finally have an iPod apparatus of my own. It's so small and will be perfect for traveling and working out. Besides who doesn't love a great free gift? It has their logo on it and is so cute! It's the blue color below.
Surprise #2-I met up with Jordan after work and we went to Lowe's to look at landscaping stuff for our backyard and then went to In-n-Out (yum-o) for dinner. I discovered that Matthew had a temperature so after dinner Jordan took Matthew home and I went to the mall to find more pj's for Matthew. I happened to park by Pottery Barn Kids and went in to see what they had.
I loved their Halloween costumes they had this year and have been eyeing their doggy one. I was hoping to get it on sale online after Halloween (you know I love sales!), but it was sold out in Matthew's size. They also had this totally cute dragon costume online that I've been eyeing but it was ridiculously expensive for a costume and is in stock online in his size but not on sale. I found it on sale in his size in the store for 75% off. I couldn't resist a GREAT deal so we now own a dragon costume to be used in 1 year. I love finding a good sale and can't wait for Halloween '08! They still have that cute dragon treat bag on sale online so I might pick it up for next year too. It's only $5 and it wasn't at the store.
We're off to the Dr's to see if Matthew has an ear infection(s). He's been a little sick and isn't eating which is always scary. I think he is feeling better today, but we're still going! I'll update later.
Yep, Matthew has double ear infections. We picked Jordan up on the way home from the Dr.'s and he's filling the prescription right now. I hate that we are already starting this again. He fought about 4 of them last year and I'm worried we are going to be doing it again all winter long. I asked the Dr. when do we start talking about tubes and he said that 3-4 a year is normal and anything above that then we'll talk. Let's hope that this year is better than last.
I would have to say that for being sick w/ear infections he still has been pretty happy. He definitely hasn't been his normal chipper self, but he hasn't been crying all day long either. He should be better in about 5 days-let's hope so. I like happy well Matthew better than sick Matthew.
Surprise #1-When I arrived to work on Wednesday my co-worker told me that I had a package. It was from Mandalay Bay and they had sent me an iPod shuffle. I am the main contact that does the contracts and works with Convention Services and our company has provided them with lots of income over the past three conventions. I am listed as a main contact so that's why they wanted to suck up to me. :)
We only have 1 iPod in the house (a nano) so I borrow it from Jordan (his Christmas gift last year) from time to time. I'm excited to finally have an iPod apparatus of my own. It's so small and will be perfect for traveling and working out. Besides who doesn't love a great free gift? It has their logo on it and is so cute! It's the blue color below.
Surprise #2-I met up with Jordan after work and we went to Lowe's to look at landscaping stuff for our backyard and then went to In-n-Out (yum-o) for dinner. I discovered that Matthew had a temperature so after dinner Jordan took Matthew home and I went to the mall to find more pj's for Matthew. I happened to park by Pottery Barn Kids and went in to see what they had.
I loved their Halloween costumes they had this year and have been eyeing their doggy one. I was hoping to get it on sale online after Halloween (you know I love sales!), but it was sold out in Matthew's size. They also had this totally cute dragon costume online that I've been eyeing but it was ridiculously expensive for a costume and is in stock online in his size but not on sale. I found it on sale in his size in the store for 75% off. I couldn't resist a GREAT deal so we now own a dragon costume to be used in 1 year. I love finding a good sale and can't wait for Halloween '08! They still have that cute dragon treat bag on sale online so I might pick it up for next year too. It's only $5 and it wasn't at the store.
We're off to the Dr's to see if Matthew has an ear infection(s). He's been a little sick and isn't eating which is always scary. I think he is feeling better today, but we're still going! I'll update later.
Yep, Matthew has double ear infections. We picked Jordan up on the way home from the Dr.'s and he's filling the prescription right now. I hate that we are already starting this again. He fought about 4 of them last year and I'm worried we are going to be doing it again all winter long. I asked the Dr. when do we start talking about tubes and he said that 3-4 a year is normal and anything above that then we'll talk. Let's hope that this year is better than last.
I would have to say that for being sick w/ear infections he still has been pretty happy. He definitely hasn't been his normal chipper self, but he hasn't been crying all day long either. He should be better in about 5 days-let's hope so. I like happy well Matthew better than sick Matthew.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Don't Care How, I Want It Now
As I mentioned before, I've been working on our yard for a while now. Trenching in particular took much longer than I expected. With winter (the temperatures are below 90 now) and (more importantly) a bit of mental fatigue setting in, I decided to cave and put in sod instead of seed. At about 7 last night two palettes were dropped off at my house, and by 10:30, we had a lawn.
I'm pretty skeptical of those commercials for the toasted sandwiches that you supposedly cook in the microwave, but I'm now a believer in instant grass. We'll see how it does in the long run, but it's good to finally see some fruit from my labor.
Pete the turtle was not around to see it, though (which was good, because I needed my wheelbarrow back). No, he didn't die despite having to rely on me for care - someone (a neighbor about 7 houses down) called & claimed him. I'm not sure how he got out, but I wasn't too sad about not having to figure out what to do with him if no one had called.
I'm pretty skeptical of those commercials for the toasted sandwiches that you supposedly cook in the microwave, but I'm now a believer in instant grass. We'll see how it does in the long run, but it's good to finally see some fruit from my labor.
Pete the turtle was not around to see it, though (which was good, because I needed my wheelbarrow back). No, he didn't die despite having to rely on me for care - someone (a neighbor about 7 houses down) called & claimed him. I'm not sure how he got out, but I wasn't too sad about not having to figure out what to do with him if no one had called.
Friday, November 02, 2007
You should have seen the other Tiger
Halloween has come and gone again too quickly. I purchased Matthew's costume a few months ago and unfortunately he only got to use it twice. Once for trick-or-treating at Jordan's work (on the 30th) and then again on Halloween. He loved the game of picking a treat and putting it inside his bag. I did feel a little dumb pimping out my child for candy, but he had fun so I don't feel too bad (plus I do get the side benefits of his candy). We've been practicing what a tiger says the last month or so. Matthew says roar really quiet, like a whisper. It's hilarious. So many people thought he looked so cute in his costume....one little boy said, look it's a tiger and Matthew said roar all on his own. So funny!
MR. TIGER-ROAR!
WITH MOMMA
WITH DAD
We've started having a tradition of going to Ray and EmmaLee's for Soup in Pumpkin bread bowls and then trick-or-treating on Halloween. Ray wanted homemade doughnuts this year (childhood memory) so I offered to make them. I knew that the pressure would be on so I made a test batch on the Saturday before Halloween. They were good, but I didn't love the icing and they weren't GREAT and I needed GREAT! I found another recipe and made a test batch again Tuesday night and they were soooo good! I think I ate 3-4 and Jordan ate about 3. They were so addicting. Jordan really raved about them and then talked them up to Ray who told others they were going to be good so I was a little nervous and the pressure was on. They were definitelly a hit though and turned out so yummy and everyone loved them so I'm glad I put the hard work into finding the right recipe.
THE TRICK-OR-TREAT GANG
We did have a small accident on Halloween night. We were walking out the door to go trick-or-treating and Matthew fell when stepping down onto the porch. You know when you see your child doing something and you can't help them one bit. I saw him falling and couldn't save him. He totally bonked his head on their welcome mat and scratched up his face pretty bad and got a mouth full of dirt. It was a bit traumatic-I think more for me than him. He cried for about 20 seconds and then was fine and ready to go. He had a great time trick-or-treating and was pretty pooped when we headed for home. In fact he finally caught up on his sleep Friday after his 4-hour nap. What a trooper and what a great kid to collect candy (esp. the full sized candy bar) for his parents. I think he just had fun walking around with the kids and getting a sucker every once in awhile.
SCRATCHED UP!
MR. TIGER-ROAR!
WITH MOMMA
WITH DAD
We've started having a tradition of going to Ray and EmmaLee's for Soup in Pumpkin bread bowls and then trick-or-treating on Halloween. Ray wanted homemade doughnuts this year (childhood memory) so I offered to make them. I knew that the pressure would be on so I made a test batch on the Saturday before Halloween. They were good, but I didn't love the icing and they weren't GREAT and I needed GREAT! I found another recipe and made a test batch again Tuesday night and they were soooo good! I think I ate 3-4 and Jordan ate about 3. They were so addicting. Jordan really raved about them and then talked them up to Ray who told others they were going to be good so I was a little nervous and the pressure was on. They were definitelly a hit though and turned out so yummy and everyone loved them so I'm glad I put the hard work into finding the right recipe.
THE TRICK-OR-TREAT GANG
We did have a small accident on Halloween night. We were walking out the door to go trick-or-treating and Matthew fell when stepping down onto the porch. You know when you see your child doing something and you can't help them one bit. I saw him falling and couldn't save him. He totally bonked his head on their welcome mat and scratched up his face pretty bad and got a mouth full of dirt. It was a bit traumatic-I think more for me than him. He cried for about 20 seconds and then was fine and ready to go. He had a great time trick-or-treating and was pretty pooped when we headed for home. In fact he finally caught up on his sleep Friday after his 4-hour nap. What a trooper and what a great kid to collect candy (esp. the full sized candy bar) for his parents. I think he just had fun walking around with the kids and getting a sucker every once in awhile.
SCRATCHED UP!
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