Summer Time Fun Pt. 2

 This is a post that should have happened back when it was warm and sunny, not with a cold front blowing through that threatens to freeze the snot (literally) every time you head outside.  I finally figured out how to get the pics that I have been whining and crying about!  This first one was a summer fave:  The Idaho grandparents bought a slip and slide for the slight incline in their backyard.  This was as close as Mr. C was willing to get to it.

 The other kids had no problems getting closer and enjoying.

And here is that fish pic from the 15 minute "let's see if this little fish pond really is free for kids" expedition.  This is why my oldest son is a fish whisperer.  They didn't bring very much gear, cast his rod 3 times, and he still caught a pretty little trout.  Too bad he and the others won't eat it.  Do you know how silly it makes you feel wrapping it up and putting it in the freezer, knowing you will be the Frozen-trout-thrown-in-the-trash Fairy that night? At least we didn't have to leave any money behind.

The Horrors of Halloween

Huzzah!  The camera has been found!  Pictures are again being taken!  The cord to connect the camera to the computer to transfer the pictures, on the other hand... well, let's just take it one step at a time, and maybe this post is better without pics.  Because it is absolutely frightening and horrible just in story form.  Let me tell you about the month of October...

October started out in a pretty normal fashion.  It had started to cool down, school was in session and everyone was adapting well to the new schedule.  We started thinking about the end of the month, when there would be a birthday, Halloween, and even into November, with plans for Thanksgiving. I should have known better.  Sometimes I really wonder if Karma is one of the ladies on my street who pretends to borrow a cup of sugar and ask how things are going.  When those plans actually involve the future, I think she gets a little mad at me and decides to mess it up.  That, or she is so impressed with my scheduling abilities, that she figures a few curve balls really won't do that much to what has already been planned.  Personally, I think her cable bill was just getting too high, and has been cancelled because America's Got Talent is over and she needs a new reality show (me) to keep from being bored.

We got hit and hit hard with strep, croup, Ben's normal breathing problems, and the 24 hour stomach bug that was actually 72 hours with a little lull of wellness in the middle.  I have never hated a month so much.  Nadia's birthday had to be rescheduled, I missed 2 of my RS pres meeting which made me feel like a total slacker, we couldn't sleep at night because Ben and Caleb were having breathing issues and the dog who sleeps in our bedroom snores at weird times, and my back was already starting to give me grief even before climbing up onto bunk beds and kneeling on hands and knees to clean up messes.  I was tired.  Poor Cliff would have helped more, but he had the Sounds Choir commitments of singing in Salt Lake, doing a fireside, and singing with a friend for a talent show.  He wasn't home most nights till after 10.

Now for the truly scary part of the month...Nadia's almost birthday party, Parent Teacher Conference, and Halloween.  We had handed out the invites, I was a softie and let her invite 2 more friends than we had originally agreed upon, and even had the talk of how you don't tell all of your friends about your party, especially the ones who were not invited.  We cancelled the morning of the party after a visit to the ER to find that Caleb had croup.  Not so fun when you don't have everyone's phone number or address.  As for Parent Teacher Conference, I don't know how we lucked out to get a time when Cliff was actually home from work with no other commitments.  The Halloween Carnival at school was okay, because the oldest 3 were actually able to go.  However, it would have been better if they hadn't brought home 3 goldfish from the games part of the carnival.  I think I am raising a family of Fish Whisperers, because that is the only way to explain all of the fish that have been caught this year.  Too bad you can't get a college scholarship for that. And too bad that they died within a week of us spending $90 to make sure they would last.  That's right, THEY DIED.  Halloween came and it looked as if we would be okay.  But no, we hit the rebound section of the stomach flu at this time, and so all of the candy I bought for the Trunk or Treat is still sitting in the cabinet where I hide everything, and the kids know what and where it is.  

 When the carnage of sickness was finally over, and it seemed as if we would all survive, unlike the germs, I got up to bear my testimony about how Cliff kept telling me I needed to ask for help.  I really didn't feel like it was a good idea to call someone over and let them and possibly their family get sick, especially since I would just need a few days to catch up once everyone was well. I kept thinking I could do everything myself, when what I really needed was some reassurance and comfort.  So I finally asked for the right help, said a prayer and got a blessing, and things looked a lot better, even if I still had to scrub the carpet and wash pillows for the 2nd time that day.  After sacrament meeting, 5 people asked if I needed help with anything, did we want to come over for dinner, spouses were volunteered for work, and I was told several times that I have a lot of friends in the ward, so there is no reason to not ask.  Not why I bore my testimony, but it was nice to hear.

A Year With No Pictures

You like that title? Could you see me as the author of a book by that title on all the talk shows?  Or are you just thinking,  "Poor pregnant Sarah, can't remember how to blog AND post pics at the same time", which could also be totally true. Or maybe that I am just a little less organized than normal and have good reasons for not taking pics for the last few months. Good, because I think that's what is happening to me right now.  I either can't find the camera, the batteries have just died, or the phone was just dropped and needs some serious TLC to get it working again.
I was going to take pics of the snow we had at the beginning of October, with all the leaves on the trees, and all the damage it did to those trees.  Brandon built a pretty cool snow fort in the back yard, we had a huge cocoa and cookie party, and we actually got to use the fireplace for a whole 35 minutes before it got too warm. 
Nadia is a decade old.  Do you know how depressing and scary that is for me?  What do I do with a double digit girl? Apparently, don't tell her she can have a friend party after having a family party because it will get way out of hand and all brothers will expect the same.  I told her she could invite 3 friends over for pizza and a movie, on the 2nd worst weekend ever for us, and it has ballooned to 6 1/2 friends I think (don't ask about the half; too confusing) who will be here this Saturday evening from 5:30 to 8:30. Cliff was kind enough to reign in the time so it wasn't til 9:30 or 10, but there has been mutinous talk about lasagna and chocolate cake.  I can't take it.
One of the reasons I am so worried about it is the almost 8 year old and his photographic ears listening and memory when it comes to things he feels are fair or important. I think we are raising a communist boy.  He can't remember the second part of a two part command, like "pick up your backpack (#1) and hang it up(#2)" or "get your shoes on (#1) and get in the car (#2)", but he remembers that Nadia was told only 3 friends and now has 6 1/2  coming over.  It doesn't matter that when his birthday rolls around I will be the size and have the coordination of a beached whale.  It doesn't matter that we just found out that he has flat feet and some metatarsal bone thingy that needs correction, and may be getting him uncool corrective shoes because that's all we can afford, because Nadia had a great birthday week. And since it is all about being fair, he must be able to have all the same things.  Wonder what he'd think if we got him some cute boots and Littlest Pet Shop toys.
Benjamin at least will still love me after December.  I think.  If I can find him some Diego set that his friend who just moved got for Christmas like 3 years ago.  Yeah, I'm sunk. At least he's still cute most of the time.  He is trying to go through a defiant stage right now, but it really doesn't work that well when he hugs me after sitting on his bed in time out and tells me we are buddies.  Unless that is his plan, to try to manipulate me with guilt or gratitude.  About a week ago, we had burritos for dinner. Cliff made them.  Ben came over after picking through his and said he was proud of me while giving me a hug.  I realized later that he left the table after that, instead of sitting down and finishing his dinner.  I am in big trouble.
That just leaves our soon to be not youngest, Mr. C.  I think his favorite words right now are "fruit snack" "go out" and "esh", which is Calebese for shoes.  He is usually throwing them in your lap or trying to put them on your feet while he says it.  And of course, there is the dreaded "uh-oh". I realized what a terrible slacker I have been with child proofing this time around; Caleb is a tyrant in the kitchen and bathrooms. He has to turn things on if they're off, and vice versa, put things in the trash or pull them back out again if he decides they're still useful, so basically all those things that drive a mom crazy.  But then he says his most favorite word, "banky", makes me sit on the couch, and snuggles into my lap with him and his blanket.  That has got to be one of my most favorite times of the day.  Unless it's right in the middle of making dinner or getting kids out the door for school.  But we're working on it.

Summer Time Fun Pt. 1

So, what do you do in the summer time, when all the world is green?  That Primary song goes into some of the many things we did this summer, and thankfully, not some of the things we did this summer.

1. We went down to Delta for July 4th, as is the yearly tradition.  We did shake it up a little this year by letting the children go early.  Cliff's parents came up to see him in "The Sound of Music" and took the older three children down to Delta with them the week before the 4th.  We were worried about homesickness and keeping to some kind of sleep schedule since the other cousins were also going to be down there, but those worries were for naught.  They couldn't wait to get off the phone with us so they could keep playing, and they were exhausted by the end of the day after being on the slip 'n slide, playing at the park, riding bikes, and other fun activities.
By the time we joined them, it was the weekend of the 4th.  We had a great barbecue with ribs by Uncle Beaner, the kids were able to ride in the bike parade after decorating the bikes, we went to the regular main street parade, there were the regular after-parade activities, and we even got some fish. Oh yes, fish.  It was hot enough that the horse rides ended early, and so several of the kids wanted to find something else to do instead.  They found the fish pond, which if you're like me, sounds like the little blue curtain where you fish for a prize.  Nope.  This was a real pond, which the Fire Station had set up, and was stocked by real fish, courtesy of the Wildlife Dept.  There was a huge truck filled with fish, and they would fill up the pond about knee high with water and let the fish loose, followed by a horn to let in the kids in different age groups.  Kambrie and Brandon were just so excited to try it, and they both caught fish with their bare hands. I had a pic of Brandon with his fish, but it was taken on my old phone which Cliff was using at the time, and the old phone and new computer have decided that since they have nothing in common, there is no need for them to talk to each other.  Who knew technology could act so immature.  So *click* here is Brandon holding a 19 inch rainbow trout that he caught with his bare hands, made Daddy clean and cook, and then decided he didn't like the taste.

2. Cliff had hernia surgery and bought a new suit, which means I get a new mixer for Christmas.  Cliff has had a hernia for a while, but we weren't sure what it really was or if it would heal on its own.  He started to get worried when he felt a small bump protruding out of the tear, and even more so when it became painful.  He finally went to the ER to get it checked out after googling hernias.  They did a CT scan, determined that yep, it is a hernia, nope, it isn't an emergency, but he needed to have surgery within a month.  We scheduled it for the week after his birthday, and as a last hurrah, (I am 88% positive that Cliff thought he wouldn't make it through the surgery) we went down to SLC for a birthday weekend date without the kids.  It was a lot of fun.  We went to a Salt Lake Real soccer game with some great friends, got some baby stuff from them since I had thrown out our stuff and their twins were getting too big for it, slept in, watched the last Harry Potter (FINALLY), paid way too much for a breakfast buffet, raided another friend's ward on Sunday,and just generally had a great time.
We even went to Men's Wearhouse and looked at a new suit for Cliff, because they were having a buy one, get one free sale on everything.  Here is my warning about this:  Don't go to the Sugarhouse store, and definitely run away if you meet a salesman named Randy.  He is GOOD.  Cliff got two suits, and not just any suits, but two High End Suits, two new shirts, four ties, and a boatload of guilt.  That is why I am getting my mixer for Christmas.  Oh yes.  It will happen this year.
We got back home and the next day was Surgery day.  Cliff had to go at some beastly early time to be checked in and prepped, and after dropping him off I came back home, woke up the kids, took them to my mother's where they got dressed and had breakfast, and then drove back to the hospital in time to sit by Cliff in recovery.  I hated it.  He is not ever supposed to be in a hospital gown or bed again.  We checked him out around 11, came home, and I took care of him a little and just let him rest.  He went back to work the following Monday, and has a new appreciation for me and what I go through with pregnancy pains and babies.  It is also kind of funny to see how we now compare his scar with my Cesarean and I have to tell him it will get smaller and less noticeable like mine has.  Who says guys aren't vain? And yes, this is definitely a good time to not have any pics.

Well, this post is definitely getting a little long, so I will continue later. Stay tuned for the further thrilling adventures of our summer!  Oh yes, there is more!

Excuses, Excuses

I know, I know, it has been a REALLY really really long time since I last posted on here.  But I do have some pretty good excuses that kinda sorta explain my absence.  Here they are, in random order:

1.  I lost the camera.  There were a lot of things I have wanted to post about, but let's face it, a picture is worth a thousand words.  Especially when it's Brandon holding up the first fish he ever caught or Caleb figuring out how to wear the fire fighter helmet backward and hold 6 things in his hands and teeth while playing with something else on the floor.
2.  Cliff was in a play.  Now this sentence could also be used to describe what we did this summer, except that we did so much more after the play was over.  You have no idea how much work goes into a production until you are actually in one, too.  Cliff auditioned for "The Sound of Music" and was given the part of Uncle Max.  I was pretty happy with this until I found out that Uncle Max has two songs that are not in the movie.  It meant a lot of "just mommy" nights for the kids, and a lot of staying awake until 11 pm for me.  But he did a fabulous job, and as biased as I am, I can also truthfully state that he was definitely one of the fan favorites.
3.  I was called to be 2nd councilor in the RS presidency.  Cliff knew this was coming.  I didn't.  The old presidency had been in for quite a while, and let's face it, when the RS president asks the bishop pretty much every Sunday if she can be released, he will eventually listen.  She was wonderful, by the way, but never thought she was.  When the bishop asked to stop by our house, I assumed it was to give a talk.  Then Cliff reminded me that I had just given a talk the month before, and that I would be getting a new calling. He even hinted at RS.  Yeah, he can be a jerk.  I assumed, if he were right about a calling, that it would  be nursery, because those ladies had also been in a long time, Caleb was getting close to 18 months and I'd most likely be there anyway, and let's face it, nursery is more my speed.  No such luck.  Also no luck with getting released from compassionate service right after I was set apart for 2nd councilor, we were in the middle of a baby boom, and my Enrichment Night leader was one of the new moms.  That's all been straightened out now, thank goodness.  That could have been my entire summer and excuse for not posting more often, with the added complication/blessing of...
4.  I am expecting a little boy in January.  No, not the exchange student kind or babysitting or even "if the weather's bad I'll pick you up" expecting.  This Sharp family is going to modulate (add another sharp) again.  P.S. My sister has already told me that for Christmas she is sending me a ten foot pole that I can use to whack Cliff any time he tries to get close enough to whack, and if you really want to have another baby, tell everyone you know and even random strangers that you are done, and then get rid of all baby clothes and all other essential baby gear.  It really works.

In closing, I wish to inform you that I will commence with updating the blog and going over summer details even if there are no pics to go with the stories.  I think I have made a good case to show why it has been so long since I was last part of the blogging community, and promise to do better as long as nothing else earth shattering happens.  Like hernia surgery or new glasses or paying way too much for a suit that's actually two suits plus some new shirts and ties and...wait a minute... those happened too.  See what I mean?  I am glad fall is finally here so I can get a break.  Yeah, I thought that was a pretty funny sentence, too.

Kids Say (And Do) The Darnedest Things

Caleb has been very funny lately.  He has finally decided to walk, and it was quite the ordeal.  He wouldn't walk to me or Cliff, but he walked for the cute Anderson girls when they were here.  Then he stopped walking again.  The turkey.  He finally started walking for Cliff and me, but we really have to play it up in the excitement area.  I mean there has to be lots of cheering, hand clapping, and a few handfuls of confetti with the mini parade floats.  Okay, so maybe that last bit is exaggerated, but boy, do we have to put on a glad face for walking or else he pouts and screams. 
Talking about screaming, Caleb has started.  Not good.  Especially when I babysit a little 4 month old girl and one of them gets startled or scared.  They are both "sympathetic criers", also known as "divas", meaning if another kid is crying or screaming, they have to join in, and then see who can outdo the other in loudness and intensity.  There are days when all I do is sit on the couch with one on my left side, and the other on my right, and just listen to the two of them try to out diva the other and see who can hog more of my lap. 
Caleb has also discovered his life's work: he is going to be Santa Claus.  Or a shoe elf. But as his mother, I am biased and going with the glitzier career choice. That's right, Lauren, your dream job is going to be filled by my little boy.  He goes around the house playing with cars and making the noises, until he finds a shoe.  Once a shoe has been found, the car must go into it.  If there is no car available, another object can be substituted.  I have found cars, legos, a marble, and a sippy cup in my shoes this past month.  I can't wait for Christmas and stockings.
Benjamin really made me laugh last night.  He came up to me after dinner and dessert, and said, "Mom, when I say DumDum pop, you need to be quiet."  He even did the little shushing finger to the lips like a librarian does when you're just a little too loud.  I was a little puzzled, but told him okay, and then he went to my dad and asked him for a DumDum pop.  As soon as he said those words he looked right at me, and what could I do?  I had already said I would be quiet.  You see, he usually asks right when we're getting ready to drive back home from Sunday dinner at my parents' house, and so I usually stop him before he can ask.  The clever little boy figured out that if he asked earlier in the evening, and got mom to be quiet, he might actually get a chance to have a DumDum pop. Yes, he did get one, and boy, was it hard not to laugh with him right there.
If you hadn't heard, I wore my hair in pigtails not that long ago, and Ben wasn't a big fan of it.  I asked him why he didn't like them, and he said, "Because all the kids at school will laugh at you."   Yeah, it made my day.  It really did, because I couldn't stop laughing at it.

Ladies' Night

Last night I went out to dinner and a movie with some great friends.  Cliff was a little skeptical of the idea, because we went to see "Tangled" and eat at Taco Bell.  I told him that this was the only way any of us were going to be able to watch that movie without someone sitting on our laps, directing musical movie chairs, or whispering in our ears.  I even got to wear a necklace, because no one would be pulling on it.  I know, it's the simple things right now.
It was a lot of fun.
Except I really missed comments like, "I would kill that bad guy dead so fast" or "He has really sharp teeth", that are whispered with a wind gust measurement of 30-35 miles an hour while simultaneously on the verge of chewing off your ear.  A lot of those comments are more entertaining than the movie itself. 
Although, I am quite glad that there were no meltdowns when the popcorn was gone and everyone went potty without crying and screaming.
Taco Bell was also nice, because we got to order our food without waiting for small people to make up their minds 3 times and then change it yet again after the order has been delivered to you.  Everyone ate all of their dinner and even put their stuff away. 
In other words, I was spoiled last night.  I was thinking of trying to do this about once a month or so, but I don't know if I could handle it all.  Well, maybe I'll still try it and see.   ;)

Nadia's 3rd Grade Musical

This is a picture of all the 3rd graders singing for their performance at school.  I don't remember if the program had an actual name, but all of the songs had to do with the planets and galaxy.  We have been hearing about "Interplanetary Mail"  and "Moon Madness"  for a couple weeks.  I have been trying for a week to get the video from this and Caleb's birthday to load, but I think the files might be too big. That's a  shame, because Nadia really got into the milky way rap.  She is definitely a performer.

Anyway, she really enjoyed it and did great during her speaking part.  Brandon and the other 1st graders also got to see it.  Benjamin was very excited to go, until he got there, and then kept asking if they were done yet.  The little turkey.

My Brother's Backwards Post

 Apparently, it's been so long since I have downloaded more than one picture that I forgot that they usually go in the REVERSE order than what I think they need to.  Anyway, here is my SoCal Bro Steven with the two little boys that will probably out do him for head traumas and giving parents gray hairs.  They may be cousins, but they are definitely brothers in the mayhem, mischief and cute departments.

 Here we have Caleb and cousin Aaden at the January birthday party.  I think Caleb looks sad that Aaden got the cash and he just got a lousy truck.  Rotten parents.

 This is the other cousin, Parker.  Is it okay that I secretly hate him?  Okay not really hate, but I am definitely more than jealous of this little cutie and all that hair.  He is 6 months old and has had 2 haircuts already.  My kids?  Maybe the first haircut when they're 2.

Here is Steven with his darling family.  His wife, Sarah, (yes, I totally love her name) and their two little boys came to visit us freezing Idahoans for almost a week.  We have also convinced them to come back this summer to actually do stuff outside instead of staying in their SoCal house that currently has no AC.  We had a great time with them and can't wait for summer!

The Big Talk

Cliff and I have done our best to let our children know that they can talk to us about anything.  We will do our best to answer any question or offer advice to help solve a problem.  We even have answer and question sessions once in a while for family home evening, just so they know that we are always available, and that we can talk about anything at all with them.
Of course, there are a few subjects that I am a little, shall we say hesitant, to discuss with them.  I am sure that every parent has a few of these.  They can be awkward, you wonder if you are giving too much information for their age and understanding, and you would prefer to do it as a united front instead of being blindsided by yourself.  So what do you do?  Shut down the dialogue, or soldier through it? 
Readers, I am proud to say that I soldiered through.  Nadia and I had the talk about Justin Bieber, and I made it. Oh, did you think I meant THAT talk?  Been there, done that.  This was much worse.
She came home from school the other day saying some girls had teased her because she didn't know who Justin Bieber is.  One of the girls has his phone number, or is his Facebook friend, I don't remember.  I just remember I wanted to cry. It means Nadia is now surrounded by Tweens.
BUT, because we as parents had made the decision to be honest and open about everything with our children, I gritted my teeth and we looked him up on Wikipedia and then found a link to see 2 of his music videos.  I have never been prouder of my daughter than when she said, "He really isn't that good."
Now, some of you may wonder what the big deal about this is.  It means the end of childhood, and I wish I were joking. Tweens are not natural; they are simply kids that have been exposed to too much too soon.  I want my kids to remain kids as long as possible.  They will be grownup too soon.  They need to have memories of being children, not tiny adults.
So my children will continue to dress like children.  They will watch children movies and shows.  We will keep the lines of communication open, and when the next Big Talk comes up, I will try to handle it with all the grace and finesse of a giraffe.  Because that is what I am. A giraffe who loves her children very very very much.

The Incredibly Romantic Getaway

Cliff gave me a wonderful present for Christmas:  a romantic weekend getaway.  No kids, no calls, no work, just the two of us running away together.  Doesn't that just sound exciting and fun? Are you jealous?
So who wants to guess how many ways it went wrong?
1.  A huge cold front moves in.  Do we stay or do we go, and risk the possible blizzard?  How romantic will it be to return home to an ice cave because the pipes burst while we were gone?  Can I sell the pics of our ice encrusted house and (finally) pay off the dentist?
2.  What do you do when the friends you want to visit in Boise have to go to a grandfather's funeral in Utah?  And your Utah friends are coming up to Idaho to see her parents?  Can Cliff and I actually have a conversation that doesn't include who stayed dry last night or why that contractor insists on using the J-47 sealant instead of the epoxy overcoat system?  Who can we now include in our weekend so we can rely on them for all of our conversational needs?
3.  My incredibly loving yet diabolical brother got the new Rick Riordan book and gave it to me.  Can I read it on this romantic getaway?   Can my love of books and my love for Cliff live peacefully side by side, or must they eventually tear each other apart?  And after that last sentence, have I read the inside flap to too many romance novels?

So what actually happened on this incredibly romantic getaway?  We stayed at home.  I cleaned a bathroom and Clifford took a nap.  We moved the big TV into our bedroom for New Year's Eve to watch 4 hours of Leverage and ate some subpar cheese bites.  I bought a new coat and Clifford didn't complain while I was shopping for it.  Clifford shopped for a 32 gig Ipod Touch and I didn't complain while he searched (in vain) for it.  We baked cookies and a pie and slept in until 8:30.  And we loved it.