It's A Girl ... Again!

My brother, Matt, and his super-wife, Jenee, are bringing home their third, gorgeous daughter. And she fits the McCaleb Baby Profile with her dark hair, and ski sloped nose. Isn't she pretty? We're going to be visiting her soon, and it will take some unbelievable restraint on my part not to steal her away.

Welcome to the family, Sylvie! We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you, already!

This Is Halloween- 2009

(thanks for the picture Steph!)

This very minute I am listening to Britney Spears' "My Only Wish This Year", with a heavy Halloween hangover.

The last 48 hours were packed with something to do or a place to be, and I am exhausted. Happy it's over. Ready for a mild Thanksgiving, and a cozy Christmas spent at home.

But before I put up the Christmas tree, I thought it would be appropriate to add the Halloween of 2009 to the memory keeper.

Don't forget;

• the hunt for skeleton costumes, all eventually found. I got Max's for $8!
  

• the school Falloween Ball where we prepaid for bbq chicken pizza, but ended up with an assortment of pepperoni and cheese. and I had to "pretend" that I was working in the pizza booth just to make sure we ate that night.
  

• the early Halloween festivities on Friday, which included 2 extra children, 2 class parties, and my "I'm A Fun Mom" Halloween Party for the boys. Note to self; no more parties ever again cause you are not a "fun mom" like that.
  

• that boys are loud and crazy and destructive and like to ruin things and hurt each other.
  

• Jazi's baptism on Halloween, and the hour and a half we spent at rest on the Romine's couch in good company. Thanks, we soooo needed that.
  

• gorgeous Halloween weather, a fun friend Halloween party with yummy soup, followed by the last minute neighborhood trunk-or-treat event planned by Katie, who ended up at home with sick kids. Poor Katie.
  

• Aaron and Grant taking the kids around the neighborhood because even when you trunk-or-treat, the kids still want to trick-or-treat.
  

• splitting a Kohler's cake donut with Kelly and talking about their "cool friends" party, and babies, and Thanksgiving plans.
  

Next year, I say less parties, candy, and chaos. More donuts, family, and friends.

Because Life is a Party

Since I didn't throw a party for the boys' birthdays, I am going to try to redeem myself by having their little friends over for a Halloween party. Wish me luck. I found some cute party things on etsy- I love etsy. And I love talented people who share their stuff with the world, so very, very, very much. You make my life better. And easier.

Monster Bash Invitations by Nouveau Designs- etsy

Skeleton cupcake toppers by cozy rosie

I am also making cupcakes for our school bake sale. And to guarantee that they sell, I am going to put them in this cute cupcake box . From simplesongdesigns on etsy. I can 't be the only sucker for cute packaging out there.

This Is Important

(Pottery Barn Skeleton- last season)

Does anyone have or know someone who has this costume in size 4-6? And is willing to part with it at a "regular people" price? I've been watching e-bay, and the bidding is WAY out of my price range. It's borderline ridiculous. And I am borderline ridiculous for even asking. But I will be so sad and disappointed if I don't have matching boy skeletons on Halloween night.

The fate of my "Happy" Halloween now rests in your hands.

Happy Birthdays

(Charlie and Maxwell- July 2005)

On Maxwell's 2nd birthday, I was one week from my due date with Charlie. And so done being pregnant. Maxwell had come a week early when he was born, and so I was hoping that this baby would do the same. Only I didn't want him to come on Maxwell's birthday. Any day, except for Maxwell's birthday.

Charlie was born the very next afternoon. I woke up having contractions, and we went to the hospital and had a baby.

2 years, and 1 day apart. I got what I wanted. And ever since then, I have wished that they had just been born on the same day. Because now we have a straight 48 hour time frame of birthday celebration, and I am exhausted after the first twelve.

Which is why Maxwell and Charlie have yet to celebrate their big days with their friends. I always have big plans for a combined friend party, and then chicken out at the last minute. I am such a lame mother.


Dear Max & Charlie,

I love you more than you will ever, ever, ever know. Happy Birthday, little boys.

Mom

Bakersfield Reunion- October 2nd

Bakersfield Reunion

Westfield Building in Highland (on Westfield Road, between 6000 West and Highland Blvd)

Friday, October 2, 2009, 6-9PM

Bring treats and spread the word!

email with questions- ohmandee(at)gmail(dot)com

Let Sleeping Children Lie

It is always by a dim nightlight that I study my children's tiny profiles, and wonder how I could ever lose my patience with them. How? And what is it about a quiet room, disturbed only by deep baby breaths, that forces me to think deeply on and judge harshly my mothering sins?

Tonight Charlie asked me if I would lay by him.

I said- "I'll be in your room folding clothes, so you don't need me to lay by you." (Cause that should be good enough, right?)

Then Jack asked, "Mama, lay by me?"

And I said- "Maybe ... when I am done folding your clothes."

Because I am so busy. So busy. So, so, so busy. With so many good, justifiable, meaningful, important things to do. And maybe if I can get all of those things done, then I might have time to tend to the people that matter most in my life.

So, tonight, after I admired my neatly piled pieces of laundry, I looked at my boys waiting patiently for me to lay by them. And I laid by them, impatient to get to the next job.

At first, while tracing the alphabet on Jack's spine, I thought of all the pressing matters that needed my attention right then- more laundry, and wiping down the kitchen, and printing out a lesson, and talking to Aaron about upcoming travel plans, and thinking about the people that I HAD to call tonight, and the peaches- I have got to do something with those peaches ... right now!

And then it was Charlie's turn- and hopefully he will fall asleep fast, because gosh that list is really growing, and growing in urgency. I traced on his back too, while he told me stories about his day, and the friends he likes to play with. He then asked me "Mommy, will you lay by me for a long time?"

"Um sure", I said hesitantly, to his smiling face. "I would love to lay by you for a long time."

And then I thought about what he was really saying to me- and what all of my kids say to me often throughout the day; will you slow down, Mommy?

It's when I hear;
Will you play cars with me?
Look what I colored!
Will you help me practice piano?
Come watch me ride my bike!
Will you read me a book?
Will you play a game with me?
Will you help me clean my room?
Can I sit by you?
Will you take me shopping?
Can I help you water the flowers?
Let's play ______________!
What does this say?
Can you fix this toy for me?

They are saying "Will you slow down? Will you spend time with me? Will you just be my Mom?"

So here I sit, covered in the grave sin of ignoring my children and not making them the priority of my day. Of my life. Yet again. And I am writing this down with a repentant heart in hopes that every day I will read this, and feel what I feel right this very moment. With new perspective. And hopeful that I can and will do better.

There is much a mother can learn in letting her sleeping children lie. Perspective that often comes in the dark of night, and by the quiet whispers of your child's heartbeat. And I will be praying with all of my heart that I can keep this moment and clarity, close to mine.

To Do List:

-whatever my kids need

- everything else

New Moon is Better Than ...

Heather might be more excited for the movie than the birth of her baby. I'm considering it an early Christmas gift. And I already have my tickets.

Exclusive 'New Moon' Trailer Premiere

p.s. I saw (500) Days of Summer, and loved it. But I loved Joseph Gordon-Levitt's sweater vests the most. He reminded me of a grown up Charlie. And we saw The Time Traveler's Wife ... cried my eyes out.

Payson Onion Days is Fun

Every year we go Payson to spend Onion Day's with Aaron's family. Despite my lame pictures, it really is fun. And SUPER delicious. Josh makes the best brisket this side of St. George. (And my brother, Matt makes the best brisket on the other side of St. George.)

In order of appearance;

1- fireworks that the kids LOVE

2- Josh spooning the entertainment center and Grandpa Brad thoughtfully contemplating his dreams (I almost wet my pants at Aaron's quit wit over this scene).

3- Maddy napping in preparation for her midnight hike to Timpanogos, and Jack snuggling up to her. Those two love eachother.

It's Official;

{twinkie- July 2009}

1. Fall is number 1 in my heart, with summer right on it's heels. As much as I love flip flops, I love pumpkin bread, and autumn leaves more.

2. I am a seasonal blogger. In June, as I was contemplating out loud to Kelly about how I'm tired of blogging, and I felt like quitting, she told me to sit tight. "Maybe you're seasonal blogger, or maybe you just blog when you feel like it." I think she was right about both. But now that the weather has turned cooler (in the mornings and evenings anyway), I am feeling a little more talkative. We'll see.

3. I am super behind on my blogging life. So I will start with when my sister came to visit in June. She brought her baby, and this is what happened.

-We went to the mall and found some good deals.

-On the way home, I argued with my mom.

-A police man followed me for a 1/2 mile until I realized he was behind me.

-He gave me a ticket.

-My mom told him thank you for giving me a ticket (I have since forgiven her).

-I hit someone's cute, fluffy, white dog 5 minutes after I got a ticket.

-And then Abby got the stomach flu that night, and I got to take care of Twinkie while Abby was sickie, until they went home.

I call do over.

I Love Cardsink

My friend Dan and his talented wife, Minna, just launched a new business, and you might be interested to know that you could potentially make $100 from it.

If I were talented, I might give it a go. Alas, I am a stay-at-home mom whose main talent currently is entertaining very naughty boys. Very, very, very naughty boys. (There had to be a "very" for each of them.)

But you should check it out, and see how you can make money or spend money at their cute, little card shop! Oh, and don't forget to vote!

www.cardsink.com

But Husbands Are Better Than Boyfriends

Boyfriends were always good for oversized sweatshirts and watches. Especially after the breakup, when those things were still at your apartment ... and it wasn't worth the awkwardness of giving them back.

Aaron doesn't like to share his stuff. Thank goodness I found these-

The Boyfriend Watch by Fossil

The Boyfriend Oxford by Gap

(more generous and oversized and soft and awesome than it looks.)

Girls Night Out- Cozy Style

{KM}

I love my sister-in-law Kelly for lots of reasons, but mostly because she knows how to make cool stuff, and she has really great ideas.

Like hosting a knitting class at Dear Lizzie on October 1st! (Which means if you're planning a trip to Utah for General Conference, you should come a day early and learn how to knit!)

You can read all about it on this post- there is a group discount, and a Mom + Daughter deal! And cupcakes ... and diet coke in their cute little cups with the good ice.

A cozy Autumn night, learning to knit with friends, at Dear Lizzie ... heaven, I tell you. Hurry and get your spot! Maddy and I already did!

For Brooke

I have a little friend that I met through blogging, and I love her. We live in a parallel universe, and sometimes I cannot get over the chance simmilarities of our lives.

Right now, we are both looking for bedding, and beds, and contemplating bunk beds for our first grade boys. Oh, and we've both backed into a Lexus.

So, this post is for you Brooke. And anyone else who is prayfully redecorating their son's bedroom.

The Downtown Field Jacket

Do you think Aaron would care much if we ate Top Ramen for a week? My half birthday is September 1st . And I would wear it every day. Maybe if I quit Bunco ... he hates it when I go to Bunco.

Three

(July 2009)

Jack turned three over the weekend. Happy and sad about that. I am beginning to see a light at the end of a very deep, dark, 7 years long, baby tunnel that I've been trying to navigate. The fog is lifting- and even though I am a much lighter sleeper than I used to be, at least I am sleeping through most nights. No bottles. No pacifiers. Not even a diaper bag anymore. All of my kids can feed themselves, drink from a cup, turn on the television, and sit through Sacrament Meeting without "snacks".

I even golfed with Aaron last weekend for the first time in a LONG TIME. No belly to get in the way. No baby to hurry home to. No nap schedule to plan around. It was freedom with a 3 wood and a happy husband for 18 holes. And it was good times.

But, in all honesty, that light at the end of the tunnel is a little bit sad for me. Because it means no more snuggly, late night feedings. It means I pack away those tiny onesies and soft baby quilts forever. It means babyhood- although demanding, it's also magical- and it's over for this Mom.

Let's talk about golf again ... while the tears dry. Should I take lessons?

Perspective- Jack is only three. And three is still little, and cute, and fun, and innocent. I love to watch him try to keep up with his brothers. I love to watch him try to help his dad fix the bathroom sink. I love it when he sits on my lap, and plays with my (short) hair, and tells me "I wuv your hair". He is tough, but he is tender. He is a monster, and then he is a sweetheart. He loves a good wrench, and a good, tasty watermelon. And I want to memorize every part of every day of his three year old life. Because I know that in twenty years, or two, I will want to relive these days.

Because it's good to be three. And it's also good to golf again.

There's Regret, And Then There's REGRET

Regret-

-on Saturday, I chopped my hair off. I was tired of it. Tired of the length, tired of how long it took to blow it dry, tired of pony tails. At first it was refreshing to have short hair again. And then Aaron saw it, and liked it- but didn't LOVE it. And this morning when I saw that I still had short hair, I was sad. The only consolation I have is that I donated it. So it was worth it ... and it will grow back. After all, it's just hair.

REGRET

-back in June my friend Tiffany was in town for her brother's wedding. Her brother married Mitt Romney's niece, and her brother also asked my mom (former cookie shop owner) to make some cookies for their wedding celebration. And to make a long, tragic, difficult story short, Mitt Romney and I were in the same room- 6 feet away- and I didn't take advantage of the opportunity to meet him.

He was right there. And Tiffany and I were making a plan-

Tiffany: Okay, what are you going to say to him?

Me: I don't know- hi I'm Mandee and I love you? What should I say?

Tiffany: Gosh, I don't know. I'm so nervous for you.

Something like that, anyway.

We decided to get some food, figuring he would get some food, too, and then I could introduce my nerdy self over cookies.

But he never did. He left.

And it was over, just like that.

And the moral of the story is ... cutting your hair regret is nothing compared to not meeting Mitt Romney regret.

It Was Amazing

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I have three things to say about our Disney Cruise;

1. It was awesome and you should DEFINITELY go.

2. Bonine has changed my life.

3. We are indebted to Richard and Cathy forever. We had a wonderful time with all of the family. We love you!

Wait ... there's more ... my favorite happy moments; seeing how happy my kids were, and not having to worry about breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And 2500 other things.

Like ... we lounged and swam in St. Marteen, where Joyce, the crazy cab driver, crammed 19 of us into a van- no seat belts or car seats. And we lived.

St. Thomas was gorgeous and I want to go back. It was so hot and humid, Charlie complained that he couldn't breath... and then couldn't walk... very dramatic. Saw a crazy bird lady do a crazy bird show- took some photos.

Castaway Cay- Disney's private island is paradise. I told Aaron that is what our heaven will be like. Beautiful, blue, almost too warm waters, gorgeous sand with shells everywhere, and a hundred things to do. Aaron and Dru took Autumn, Chad, Max, and Charlie on a bike ride around the island. I sat with Jack and played in the water. Made sand castles, and collected some shells.

The boat- amazingly clean. And very pretty. Every detail is attended to. The shows- incredible. You forget you are on a boat. And the food- don't even get me started on the salmon at Palo. I am still craving it.

The teenagers- the number 1 question we get asked; "Did your teenagers have fun?"- they had so much fun, two of them peed their pants. There was a special Teen Club, with teen activities (like texting with fake phones or something... no, I don't know what they did) and they loved it. We rarely saw them.

The Kids Clubs- our kids are kind of clingy, so they preferred to hang out with us. But, they also spent a lot of time with cousins in the kids club- volcano's, flubber, Pirate Night. The kids activities are endless.

And I could go on for days. It was the most fun I have had in a really long time, and I loved spending some much needed quality time with Aaron.

(You can book your Disney Cruise here. I HIGHLY recommend it.)

Mae

We are back from the best vacation ever. Pictures and stories to come. But until then, enjoy this cute stuff.

If I were ever to do another nursery, or if I had a little girl, I would so be buying some of these. Removable, washable, and completely reusable stick-able fabric. What little girl wouldn't want to play paper dolls on her wall? I'm in love with it all.

Mae found at papernstitch.

Why Summer is Better Than Blogging

(Kelly found it)

After a very rainy June, (which oddly, I didn't mind most of the time. It made for some really cozy days.) I am ready for sunshine and ...

walks through the neighborhood after dinner

the ice cream man

fresh summer air

swimming at the McCaleb Club House

s'mores

family reunions

barbeque's with friends

fireworks

green grass

tan lines

shorts and flip flops

being outside

mom dates

family vacations

the beach

fresh berries

pedicures

pic-nics

the park

pic-nics at the park

homemade jam

pretty flowers

popsicles- or Snowasis in Alpine (I highly recommend the red raspberry + mango)

sidewalk chalk

blowing bubbles

ice cold water

peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

cool summer nights

let's see ... what else?