Scrub, A-Dub, Dub

It all started on fall break......

Shayli had her doctor's appointment scheduled for the morning.  I had foolishly scheduled the appointment right during her nap time.  (Who doesn't like to take their cranky 15 month old to get shots right when they are supposed to be going down for their nap???)  So I was hoping she wouldn't wake up before 8, so I could still possibly salvage the nap time by just putting her down a little later.

Anyway, I misjudged the time that morning.  I was busy trying to help the other kids get ready and do a little cleaning while Shayli slept.  When she did finally wake up, I realized I wasn't showered or dressed and now Shayli needed to go through the same routine I had just taken the rest of the kids through......breakfast, dressed, and teeth brushed....eh, er teeth brushed. 


This is where it starts to get good.  As I was rushing through my morning, I spun around to use the toilet and had to stop myself.
Why was there toothpaste smeared all over the toilet seat?  I let out a tiny squeak as I thought back to 15 minutes earlier......

 I had grabbed the toothpaste and slathered it on my own toothbrush.  And only briefly considered why the toothpaste tube might be soaked.  After all, it wasn't totally unusual.   Toddlers liked to put almost anything under running water.  I continued on with my teeth scrubbing.  Never thinking twice about it.  Until that very moment.

At that point, I took a few precious moments as a horrible realization began to dawn on me. 

Toothpaste.  Toilet. 

Me.

And then panic set in.  I frantically began looking anywhere and everywhere for clues to explain what had just happened.  And to my horror I found more.  Like the toothpaste that wasn't only on the toilet seat but was also splattered inside and under the rim of the toilet.  (I may have dry heaved a little upon this discovery.)  My brain could only process one thought. 

Kyson.

Questions flowed through my mind, "Was the bottom of the tube the only thing wet?"  Nope.  I vividly remembered water spilling from the top of the lid.  "How tightly was the lid screwed on?"  Didn't have a clue.  "Was the toothpaste in any way......runny?"  Now I was just grasping at straws.  I feared the answer to that particular question was a watery yes.

I couldn't ask the kids because they had just walked up to the neighbors who was going to watch them while I was taking Shayli to the doctor.  I had only my imagination left to soothe me.  Which wasn't much because each possible scenario I came up with only ended with the same result.  Me, brushing my teeth with nasty toilet water.  My one consolation was, I had just cleaned the toilet the day before.  Which didn't help much as I reflected over the use the toilet endured in one days time.  I briefly considered rinsing with Clorox but my better judgement quickly took over.

So instead, I did the only thing I could.  I smiled brightly and left for the doctors. 

Let's Talk Life

Some happenin's in the last few months.....

Shayli is a pro walker now.  Actually, she walks all the time but is still a little wobbly.  I call her my Lil' Drunken Sailor. 

Lexi has started training as goalie for soccer.  She seems to like it. (Probably because there is not as much running involved.) She also has a chronic ankle problem.  And can't run.  Fake or real?  I'm still figuring that one out.

Kendri has been practicing with her own team and then when her practice ends she runs over to Lexi's practice and plays for another hour.  Lexi's coach likes to have her play and Kendri feels pretty cool. :)

Kyson has been practicing his jumps on his scooter.  He just had a major wipe out.  He tried 3 little hops in a row and on the last one he fell.  And then proceeded to bounce and barrel-roll.  He knocked his mouth on the way and ended up with a fat lip.  But no broken bones!  Just a few chipped teeth.  The picture doesn't really do it justice.

Ryan and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary on Labor Day.  I gave him a car.

Just kidding.  Sort of.  He did get a new car - a Honda Accord.  But it wasn't just because I am a rockin' wife.  Which I am.  In case there was any question.  It was because his Civic finally died on us.  There was something like 298,000 miles on it.  It's been all over the country with us.  Colorado, Utah, Georgia, California.  It was time to say good-bye.

I started a new routine so I can be slim and trim.  It has lots of different plank workouts so I can firm up my core and flatten my tummy. (The picture of the girl, who wrote the routine, is on the beach holding a volleyball.  In her bikini.  With her six-pack.  I tell myself she has no children, much less four.  It's how I cope.)  Anyhoo, I borderline hate her it.  It hurts.  And I still can't do the full workout. And I still don't have a six-pack.

Shayli has started sleeping through the night!  Woot!  Woot!  At a mere 14 months we are halfway there.  I still get up 50% of the time but we are making progress!  And no teeth, yet.  I know you were wondering.  I'm starting to wonder if perhaps she is just uber-efficient and has decided to skip the whole baby teeth thing.  She's prolly just going to jump right into permanent teeth.  Miss smarty pants.

I got some new Coach sunglasses.  And my vision insurance paid for them!  I know.  I hate me too.  Apparently there are perks to getting vision correction surgery.  I now have an allotted amount of moo-la (that would normally go toward contacts or eyeglasses)  to put toward designer sunglasses!  Every year.  Thank you, VSP.  (I am in mourning realizing I have had these same benefits for the last 5 years and this is the first year I have actually used them.  Imagine all of the awesomeness that has just gone to waste!)
 
I've been a bit under the weather lately.  I missed church a few weeks ago.  Three people asked Ryan if I was pregnant.  Not to break any hearts, but the answer is no.  It does bring me to one of three conclusions.

1.  People think I can actually handle 5 kids. (hahahahaha)
2.  They assume if I did go for 5, now is the time I would do it????    OR
3.  I look pregant.  Which is why I continue to suffer through my plank workout.

And for the record, I have never missed church (or anything for that matter) because of first trimester yuckiness.  Can't a girl get sick once in awhile?

Lexi and Kendri love Taylor Swift.  LOVE.  Tonight after soccer practice Lexi plopped her little self down in the passenger seat, threw on my old sunglasses and proceeded to belt out Taylor Swift.  It was a little glimpse of what the teenage years will bring.....I guess I'm on board whether I like it or not!

And one last thing.http://hahasforhoohas.com/the-fart-that-almost-altered-my-destiny

Ryan showed me this article.  I literally almost died laughing.  I haven't laughed that hard since the Chicago trip.  (I'll just say this, there was a Rice Krispy Treat, a male flight attendant and two twins involved.  But that's for another time.)  Anyway, tears were rolling down my cheeks and Ryan was dumbfounded.  He kept asking why I was crying.  I couldn't answer due to the lack of oxygen to my brain.  Ahhh, laughter really is the best medicine!

 

 

Discovery Museum

 

We also went to the Children's Discovery Museum at the Gateway Mall while on our trip to Utah.  This is where we discovered tons of fun!

This helicopter had an intercom system hooked up in the cock pit.  It blared out over the patio.  Kendri got on it and said, "And the bad news is.......we're coming in for a CRASH landing!"  I dare say she threw the children into a panic....Talk about dramatic. :)

 

I tried to get a picture of all the kids in the barn area.  Shayli was on her way to the horse, she just didn't make it for this particular picture!

 

 

Kyson and Pa had a good time building the tallest magnet tower EVER.  I won't mention how many times it came crashing down before it managed to stand for a little while.....In fact, I thought we might get tossed out after some of the magnets narrowly missed some other guests. Who were sitting 20 feet away.  Oops. :)

 

And of course the news room was  a great place to give the latest updates on everything....

 

.......including the weather.

Uncle Philip helping Kyson build a magnetic track.

 

And finally, the super market. Kyson played cashier while the girls manned the bakery.

 

 

 There was actually a lot more that we did but I figured you've suffered through enough!    My cousin Laney just happened to be getting married the same weekend we were in Utah.  Lucky coincidence!  I was able to see my family at the same time. 

 Okay.  I lied.  Just a few more pictures. (What? I need to document it for posterity's sake....)

 

Shayli spent much of her time at this water table.  What 1 year-old doesn't love to splash around?

 

 

And this is how I spent my time on the way home.  Shayli needed mommy to keep her company.  And she didn't feel the need to be gentle with me.  I could only tolerate the hair pulling and lip yanking for so long.  I eventually went back to the front and little Miss Shayli had to work it out on her own. Too bad, so sad!  ;)

Utah trip

We recently made an unexpected trip to Utah.  Ryan's sweet Aunt Charlie passed and we went out for the funeral.  While the circumstances were sad, we decided to make it a fun trip for the kids.  After all, Aunt Charlie always loved a good party!  And so we did. 

 

 

We went to a place called Jump on It.  And jump we did!

 

There was also a fun foam pit to jump in.

 

And trampolines lining the walls . 

 

And rock walls and rope swings.  This place had it all!  This area was actually only supposed to be for ages 9 and up.  Lexi pretended to be 9 for a half hour.  Poor Kendri only got to watch.  Boo!

 

I think Kyson needs to go to this place on a daily basis.  He certainly expended plenty of energy!  Needless to say, we had a blast!

Back-to-School and Super Heroes

We started school a few weeks ago.  July 28, to be exact.  It always feels way to soon to be going back to school in July, but I certainly don't complain when all of our breaks show up!  Here are the girls getting ready to head to 1st grade and 3rd grade.  Whew.  When did that happen??? 

 

While the girls were having a great first day of school, Kyson and I decided it was time to get some more boy costumes in our house.  It is time pack those princess dresses away!  So Super Hero Kyson was born!

He's been practicing his flying technique.  He's just not sure how to get his feet up and behind him......;)

Camp Out

We had our annual summer night camp out a couple of weeks ago.  In our backyard, that is. And I use "we" loosely.  Shayli didn't exactly get to sleep with them and I certainly wouldn't fit with all those kids smashed in there!  As always, the kids had a great time and Ryan woke up with a sore back!  Oh well.  Better him than me.....:)

Grrrr....

 This is what I found in my side yard the other day. Yes, that's  right.  A whole crate of eggs smashed to smithereens.  When the temperature was over 100 degrees.

And here is the culprit.

Although he had help (meaning our 3 year old neighbor) and he claims it wasn't his idea.  I have my doubts.