Punishment

I tossed and turned a lot last night, so when my alarm went off this morning, I had a hard time getting up.  I finally rolled out of bed at the last possible moment to be able to get ready on time to take Logan to school.  As soon as I got in the shower, Logan knocked on the bathroom door.  (This is the really fun part about having only one bathroom.)  So, he came to get ready ready for school.  (He can be very talkative in the morning.  Another fun part about sharing a bathroom.  He's really cute thought.  He always asks me how I slept and tells me good morning.) 

OK, for the rest of this we need a quick Backstory:  Logan got an alarm clock for Christmas.  (A Perry the Platypus Awakinator, to be exact.)  It's been really nice, because it's made my mornings easier.  He does a good job getting up when his alarm goes off.  It's been much nicer in the mornings.  Except those ones where he gets up when the alarm clock goes off and then sits in his room and reads for half an hour instead of getting ready for school.  But....   Now that he has an alarm clock, he knows what time it is.  He will tell me that he was up until 10:53 and that he woke up at 6:04.  He really pays attention to the time now.  He even knows that when I push the snooze button on my alarm, it takes 7 minutes for it to ring again. 

So, this morning, when he came into the bathroom, we says, "Mom, your late.  You only got in the shower 4 minutes before my alarm clock went off.   I woke up at 7:08."  Then, he tells me that I should have a punishment because I got up late.  I asked him what he thought my punishment should be.  He told me that I should be banned from his Nintendo.  So, I told him that if I was late, he could ban me from his Nintendo today.  But, as we walked up to the school, I pointed out to Logan that we were on time.  He told he thought I should be punished any way.  So, I haven't played the Nintendo today. 

I don't know how he knows that I stay up too late at night playing that game.    But I do know that I better get up on time tomorrow.  I don't want any more punishments.

Logan Gets Baptized

Logan turned 8 last month.  I can't believe he's so old.  So, he got to get baptized today.  We've been talking about this for a year now.  Asking him if he wants to gets baptized and trying to see what he really understands about it.  I've been impressed.  He understands a lot more about it than I did when I got baptized at 8.  (I don't think my parents did a bad job teaching me.  I think that in this day and age, kids have to be stronger and know more at a younger age than I did.  I believe Heavenly Father knows this and sends children who can live up to this challenge.)  I think I got baptized because I knew I was supposed to.  I tried to make sure that Logan felt like he had a choice, and I'm confident that he made his choice for the right reason. 

Logan had been excited and nervous about getting baptized.  This morning I could tell that because he never stopped talking.  He just jabbered on and on and on and on and on......  And he couldn't just sit at the table and eat his breakfast.  He kept getting up wandering as he told me stories about anything and everything.  And then when it was time to go to the church he got really quiet and serious looking.  He commented to his dad this morning, "Finally, I get to be a member of the church."   Him and his dad practiced a couple of times, and we left for the church.

We had some wonderful talks given to the children to be baptized.  I was taken back to my time living at home while mom played a musical number on the piano.  I remember when we would watch her play the organ in church.  We would watch for her make a mistake.  No one else ever knew that she had messed up.  We did, because we would see her shake her head in disgust.  I remembered that today, as I watched my mom pull faces as she played "I Am a Child of God".  It made me smile.  I thought the song was beautiful, and I'm glad she was willing to it.  I think it will make a special memory for Logan.

Then Logan got to be baptized.  The first time, his knee came up, so he had to do it again.  He made sure that he got it right the second time.  Then, the part he was excited for.  He got to be confirmed and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Matt gave a wonderful blessing.  Then the Bishop called on me bear my testimony.  He thinks he can pick on me because I'm the Young Women's President.  I told him it wasn't fair to make me talk today.  Logan and Matt just laughed because they knew I couldn't talk without crying.  Every time I looked at Logan, he rolled his eyes at me.  But, I finally choked out a few words.  After Sister Delaney, the Primary President, bore her testimony, the Bishop made some comments.  He always says such perfect things. 

It was a good day.  Wonderful to be able to feel the spirit and be to be reminded of the constant companionship we can have.  And, it's always wonderful to be able to spend time with family.  I love my family, on both sides, and am grateful for the love and support they give to us.  I'm glad they were there to share this special day with us. 

Nintendo

I've taken a little time off from blogging.  I really had days that I wanted to blog during Christmas, but I was so busy with other things that there were days that I never even saw the computer.  So, that didn't get done.  I think I will start trying this again, and maybe you'll hear about my Christmas, but right now, I'm going to go wrestle Logan's Nintendo DS away from Matt because I think it's my turn to play.  Logan got a DS for his birthday.  It helped me get many things done at Christmas time because he was busy with something besides bugging me.  Now, I don't usually get into video games.  I'm not good at  them.  And I don't really want to take the time to try to get good them, because I have so many other things I feel like I should be spending my time doing.  But puzzle games are my weakness.  And so I am slightly addicted to Logan's I Spy game that has a puzzle on it.  And it's easy for me.  No confusing controls, just tap the things that match.  I can handle that!  Unfortunately, I'm also addicted. 

The Future of Blogging

*Day 364*

Well, I'm trying to decide what to do about this blog after I finish my 365 days.  I might get ambitious and pretend like it's leap year and do an extra day!  Just kidding.  I want to keep blogging, I'm not sure how to keep my self motivated.  I thought I'll blog unless it's one of those days when I can't think of anything to say.  But, if it turns out to be like this month I'll be taking about 28 days off, and that would effectively be the end of my blog, because I would never get back to it.  I've learned something about myself.  I'm an all or nothing kind of person.  Matt tried to get me to blog years ago.  I think I made 2 entries.  It just didn't make it to the top of my priority list.  Now, he makes a challenge, and if I do it every day, I can somehow get it done.  But if I say I'll blog when something big happens or when I have time or feel like it or whatever, it will never get done.  It's the same way with treats for me.  I can't moderate myself.  I say I will, but I can't.  But if I say I'm not eating any treats at all (and Matt always laughs at me) I can do it.  All or nothing.  Of course having a challenge motivates me a little. 

When I started this blog, I was thinking along the lines of a personal history.  I thought I could get some memories down and stories that Logan might like to have record of.  I didn't get as much of that done as I thought I would.  But, I think it will be fun to look back and see what our everyday life was like.  Because I don't usually keep track of the normal stuff.  So, If I keep blogging, I think I will try to get more of those things down.  I just can't decide how to regulate myself so I don't start skipping and get to the point where I never blog again.  So there you have it.  I have one day left, and I don't know what I'm going to do.  Maybe put more pictures up because I realize I've gotten kind of slacky at posting pictures. 

I found a picture!  I figured, why wait to fix that picture problem. I knew I had to have one of Logan I could use.   

Coffeemate

*Day 363*

So, I've turned my son onto a new habit.  I love drinking hot chocolate in the winter.  I especially love flavored hot chocolate.  But every once in a while I throw in something from my childhood.  I still call it Postum.  I know the container says Pero, and that they don't make the Postum brand anymore.  But, I always thought they were the same thing, so, I still call it postum.  Well, every now and then I have some postum.  It's only good with sugar and cream.  But, since I really like the flavored hot chocolate, I figured I would like the flavored coffeemate creamer in my postum.  Well, I do.  And now so does Logan.  He never wanted to try postum before, but the other day he decided for some reason to try it.  Oh, wait, I think it's because he saw the creamer.  That must have looked good to him.  I guess it was.  He has wanted postum over hot chocolate ever since.  So, first thing this morning, he asked for some postum.  He eats breakfast at school every morning.  And Logan has been recruiting.  He turned his dad.  After they shoveled on Sunday, Logan offered to make Matt a cup of postum.  It's now officially a family habit.  Yeah, we went to the store last night buy more postum and pick a new coffeemate.  And that was our dessert last night.  Mmmmmm....

The Grinch

*Day 362*

How the Grinch stole Christmas (the Dr. Seuss version) is my favorite Christmas movie.  I was going to list some of my favorite quotes form it, then I realized that I have too many.  I will just refer you to the book.  OK, I'll pick one.  "The Grinches small heart grew three sizes that day."  And I'm holding myself back from adding more. 

We just finished watching this show on TV.  I love that my son can quote it and has just as many favorite parts as I do.  The whole show is someones favorite part.  And Logan can point out the differences between the movie and the book.  Like, in the movie the Grinch uses black thread to tie a big horn on the top of Max's head.  In the book, he uses red. 

Classic show, and it has a great meaning.  We read the book yesterday, the movie today, and I'm sure it's not the last time we'll read or see it this holiday season.

Fingernails

*Day 360*

Oh my gosh, I finally made it to the 60's!  That means this is my last week of blogging everyday.  Wow.

Logan wanted to paint my fingernails.  He also did my toenails. 

Logan Time

*Day 350*

Matt's gone.  Logan and mom time included homework, a trip to Macey's, dinner and video games.  Something for everyone.

Fight!

*Day 349*

So, I was just about to walk out the door this morning when the phone rang.  I checked the caller ID and it said Logan City Schools.  As I picked up the phone, I was really hoping that it was Jennifer.  But it wasn't.  I dropped Logan off at school for breakfast, after he eats he always goes back outside to play before school starts.  Turns out he got in a fight and I had to go pick him up from school.  She said they had put some ice on his eye and they didn't think he would need stitches.   Awesome.

OK, so that's not really what happened.  We just wanted to see if people would believe it.  The school called and Miss Shauna (the secretary) told me that Logan was hit by a swing while he was playing before school.  She told me he had a small cut on his eyelid.  She didn't think he would need stitches, but they needed a parent to make that call.  I said I would be right over.  He was sitting in the office with ice on his eye.  He looked pretty banged up.  I realized later that it wasn't as bad as it looked.  He wasn't all scraped up, it was just blood on his face.  He looked better after we cleaned him.  He looked so sad though.  (Probably because his eye was swollen.)  He wanted to come home, and I wanted a second opinion about the whole stitches thing, so I brought him home.  We finally decided that we didn't think he needed stitches.  He was glad.  His eye is still puffy and is turning colors, it hurts a little, but he's OK. 

It turns out that they were playing a game running behind the kids on the swings.  He got kicked in the face.  He tells me it doesn't sound like such a fun game anymore.  I told him he better not, because next time I'll take him get stitches.

Decorations

*Day 339*

Logan said we have can't decorate for Christmas yet.  We need to decorate for Thanksgiving.  I bet he'll like it when our Thanksgiving decoration is a tree and everyday he has to write something on a leaf that he is thankful for.

Logan's School Picture

*Day 335*

Logan's school picture.

Is it just me, or does he look really old!  And finally... a picture where they didn't make him show his teeth.  He looks much more natural this way.

Trick or Treating

*Day 331*

Today we took Logan trick or treating at Macey's grocery store and Papa Murphy's.  Then we went around Grandpa and Grandma Pauline's neighborhood in the rain.  I think I'm glad that my son doesn't feel the need to get as much candy as possible.  He's just good with something.  It's nice because then I don't have to stay out for hours.  And it was cold tonight.  And rainy.  But, Logan didn't make me stay out in it for long.  Then we visited Dax, Jace and Aunt Jennifer.  Then we came home and he went straight to bed.  I'm ready for it too.  I'm not looking forward to church tomorrow.  I have never seen this boy on such a bad sugar high.  He was pretty much a jerk.  I hope he sleeps it off, so I don't have to deal with it during church.

Fall Festival

*Day 330*

Tonight we went to the Fall Festival at Logan's school.  I don't know if it's this way everywhere, but a lot of the schools around here try to avoid the dressing up thing and celebrating Halloween at school.  One of the schools I worked at, scheduled parent-teacher conferences around Halloween so they had school off on Halloween and didn't have to do anything for it.  This week was Red Ribbon Week at Logan's school.  Today was wear red day  (not wear a costume).  So, the fall festival is their way to celebrate Halloween without doing it during school hours.  They did a costume parade around the block.  Then we had a trunk or treat.  Each class was in charge of having a trunk and passing out candy.  They had a pumpkin decorating contest and donuts and cider.  It was pretty fun.  Good, Halloween fun, in a safe environment, with friends!

Me and Logan. 

Our spooky car.



The Street By My House

*Day 328*

I like to look at pictures of beautiful places.  OK, maybe sometimes I don't, because then I just feeling like I wish I could go these places when I know I can't, but......  We live in a beautiful world.  At least when I'm looking at the pictures I can still get the peaceful feeling of the place, even if I'm not there.  And I see how amazing and beautiful the rest of the world is.  The other day I was looking at this picture I have had for a long time.

I love the trees lining the road in this picture.  After I looked at this picture, I was thinking how I would love to be on a street like this.  Where there are trees on both sides and the leaves hang over and touch in the middle.  And if you walk down it, it's like being under a bridge of trees.  Yeah, I thought that would be cool.  And then, one day we were walking to school and I realized I live on a street like that! 

Maybe it looses a little something with the paved road and power lines (and I'll admit the photographer isn't the best), but the trees still line the road and cover over it.  And it is beautiful, especially when the leave change colors and when the snow sticks to them in the morning.  And it's only a block away from our house.  On a clear day, the mountains stand higher behind it.  Throw in a deer or two and some squirrels and you'd think your in the mountains.  And, if you look close you can see Logan walking to school!  I love where I live.

Science Class

*Day 324*

Today I got to go to a science class.  They gave us a lot of cool ideas to help teach our children science principles and encourage them to wonder.  The best part was that we got to do the experiments and try everything out.  I didn't take my camera to class, so when I got home I let Logan try the stuff we did, and I took pictures of him. 

We learned how to hold bubbles.  Here's Logans'.  Also, I saw a square bubble.  I need to get some materials, but if I get it to work, I'll show ya.

This is snow that is growing in Logan's hands.  I know it would be better as a video, but you couldn't see it very good.  You'll have to trust me.  It grew and it looks like snow.

We made a solution then added the worm goo and out came worms.  We also made slime and glow sticks. 

Logan asked me if I was taking this stuff Lynn's.  I told him I didn't know.  He said I should leave it here so he can play with it.  He said it was fun.  Then he told me, "Usually I just play video games, but this is funner than playing video games." 

What's For Dinner?

*Day 322*

It was Logan's turn to make dinner tonight.  Well, we got celery in our bountiful basket last time.  Logan was excited to see it.  He immediately talked about making soup.  In the past we've used our celery to make homemade chicken noodle soup or Greek lemon soup.  I told him we could make soup.  He wanted me to make Greek lemon soup, but he talked about making chicken noodle soup on his night.  So, tonight I asked him if he wanted to make chicken noodle soup for dinner.  He said he did.  So, I got chicken cooking and had him start making homemade noodles.  Then we were getting the veggies out and chopping them up.  Then Logan says, "I just wanted the kind from the can."  Well, that would have given me the whole night off.  He could have handled that by himself.  Sometimes it good to find out exactly what your kids mean when they say something or ask a question.

It was just a couple of weeks ago that I gave him chicken noodle soup from a can for lunch.  He thought it was awesome.  I made his day by buying some at Macey's when it was on sale.  I got a big hug from him when I got home and showed him what I bought.  I thought it was funny that he liked it so much.  But, he admitted that the soup we made tonight was better than the canned kind.  He still wants to eat that canned soup though.  I'll probably save it one of my dinner nights when I really don't feel like cooking.

Life at Daycare

*Day 320*

Logan was out of school last week, so he came to work at Lynn's with me.  Later he informed me that he wasn't going to go to college.  When he finished school, he was going to work at Lynn's house.  Lynn's right, he is very businesslike.  (When he wants something.)  He proceeded to tell me that he already knew all of the activities, because he's done them, so he would be able to teach and help the kids.  (All ready for his interview.)  I informed him that he would go to college and he would have to work hard in school to earn a scholarship.  He told me he would go to Utah State.  But, I'm getting a little off.  That's not really what I was going to blog about today. 

Logan was playing at Lynn's house.  The kids were playing cats.  Logan was a pet cat and Kya was his owner.  Kya was talking about going to the store to buy some salmon for her cat to eat.  I'm pretty sure this idea came from Logan.  He loves salmon.  I don't know where he got the idea to feed it to a cat.  I'd never pay that much for cat food.  Anyway, Kya was heading out to get some salmon for her cat.  So she told the cat where she was going.  "I'm going to salmontonio to get some salmon."  (San Antonio if you didn't get it.  Kya was in Texas last week for a family reunion.  They went to San Antonio, or salmontonio, as the kids call it now.)

Life With Logan

*Day 319*

These are the kind of things I get to do when I'm with Logan.  Notice where the real sidewalk is, on the left.  Logan is riding on the little "bonus" sidewalk he discovered.  I am instructed to "follow me", so I get to ride on it too.  I'm really not sure if I would have noticed the mini sidewalk there if it hadn't been for Logan.  I love that when I'm with him I get a chance to see new things and discover.  (Unless, of course, I'm in a hurry.)  But, I do love that he takes the time to notice things around him and explore.

Halloween Party!

*Day 318*

Yesterday we went to Salt Lake for our family Halloween Party.  Not everyone was able to come.  We missed those that weren't there, but we decided to have fun anyway.  (Sorry guys.  Pencil it in for next year.)  We played pictionary (go girls, for the win!), the kids had a bounce house and blow up slide to play on, we had some good food and of, course, great company.  I love spending time with my family!

Logan and Addie going down the slide.

Matt going up against Renae at pictionary.  Did I already mention that the girls won?

Wa ha ha ha ha!!!  (That's Logan laughing.)  When Lynn tried to go on the slide, she collapsed it and got stuck inside. 

We made some peanut butter truffle pumpkins. 

Spiders

*Day 316*

Logan helped me make a few Halloween decorations.