"I need to go Potty!"

Megan, Zander and I were making a quick stop at Toys R Us. Zander was in heaven looking at all the toys. I noticed he was doing the potty dance so I asked him if he needed to go to the bathroom. He told me "No" and kept searching through the toys with much excitement. In about 5 minutes I noticed he was doing the potty dance again. Rather then ask him if he had to go, I said "Zander, let's go to the bathroom."

We started walking towards the bathroom. Zander was behind me so I wasn't really paying much attention to what he was doing. As I got to the restroom door I stopped and turned around. Zander was a few feet behind me with pants and underwear down to his ankles, leaving his bare bum exposed to the world. His little feet were scooting along in a quick shuffle with his hand on his pee-pee. "Hurry Mom! I need to go!!! I need to go real quick. It isn't waiting!!" I couldn't help but laugh. I pushed open the bathroom door and he scooted himself inside.

There wasn't anyone around.... good thing, because we didn't want to get in trouble for indecent exposure...haha!

Shocking sights at Borders

We were in Hawaii on our way back from jumping off cliffs at a remote little waterfall. Amy wanted to find a new book to read so her and Zander and I stopped at Borders. Amy went to look for the book she wanted, so I stood with Zander by the magazine rack. I was browsing through football preview magazines when a lady behind me started laughing uncontrollably. I turned around to look at her, and she pointed down to Zander. I realized he could be doing pretty much anything...so I moved my eyes to him, and there he was, pants pulled down, wiping sand off of his...uh...privates. He was serious as could be and intent on cleaning it off. When I asked him what he was doing, he said "Well Nielie, it hurts".

He never ceases to entertain us.

Telephone Moments

The boys are in Montana spending time with their Dad for 5 weeks this summer.  My joys have come from hearing their voices several times a week.  It is incredible how just hearing them say "hello" can brighten my day.  Below are a few of our conversations.....

Stockton: "Mom, you forgot to pack my toothbrush.  I haven't brushed my teeth for 3 weeks and my teeth feel gross."

Me:  "What?  I am sorry I didn't pack your toothbrush, but do you think you could ask someone to buy you a toothbrush?"

Stockton:  "There aren't any stores around here.  We can't just go out and get a tooth brush."

(Denise said she would pick one up when she went into town....laugh!)

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Conner:  "Mom, I got to hold a lizard today.  I know you will say "No," but do you think we could get a pet lizard?"

Me:  "No!"

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Garrett:  "Today I passed level 6 on World of Warcraft.  I got to go mom, I love you."

(Gar would play video games all day and forgo food if we could.  I don't know that I have been on the phone with him for more then 2 minutes.)

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Zander:  "Are you at the Rodeo yet?  Are you at work yet?  Are you going to come sleep over?"

(Zander asks a million questions all at once.  He is so cute to talk to!  He wants to talk to anyone who is with me.)

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I miss the boys so very much!  I can't wait to see them.  We pick them up one week from today.  Niel commented this morning, "Sunday morning are just so quiet around here.  I just doesn't seem like Sunday without them here."

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I asked each of the boys what they want to be when they grow up. I found the responses to be extremely interesting....

Conner: "When I grow up I think I want to be an Astronaut. But I guess there isn't a lot of people looking for an Astronaut, so maybe I will be a Pilot. Or maybe I could be a High School Teacher and teach Math because I am good at math and I like it."

Stockton: "Well, I really like McDonald's, so maybe I will work at McDonald's doing something. I want to be rich though, so I want to be whatever Jackson's dad does. They have all the money they want, so that is what I want to do. I want my wife to do something too. Then we can have lots of money."

Garrett: "When I grow up I want to be in the Military. My friend at school has a dad who is in the Military. He came to our school and it was really cool. He is protecting us and making us safe. I also want to be a runner. I want to run in the Olympics and win a medal."

Zander: "I want to watch a movie. Can we watch Spirit?" I asked Zander again what he wanted to be and suggested a few things. "Mom, I just want to watch a movie.... PLEASE!"

Happy Birthday Miss Grandstaff

Conner called me at work with much delight.  "Mom, it is Miss Grandstaff's birthday.  Me and my friend Joseph would like to do something very special for her tomorrow.  Could you take me to the store tonight?"

Later that night Conner and I went shopping.  Now shopping for Conner is a BIG deal.  He is his least favorite way to spend his time.  I knew this must be a pretty important event for him if he wanted to go shopping.  We purchased some sour patch kids and a beautiful pink plant/flower thing.  He was a good sport too and did a little grocery shopping with me.  It was a very pleasant evening.

Conner very kindly asked Niel to take him and his friend to school at 7:30 in the morning.  This was just the time Miss Grandstaff would be coming into the school to start her day.  Conner and Joseph were so excited to surprised her.... and that they did.  She was overjoyed to see them early in the morning.  She was beaming with happiness as they gave her their gifts and wished her a Happy Birthday.  Both Conner and Joseph were beaming too.  They were both giddy with delight as Niel took them back home.  Conner commented on the fact that we was so happy he went shopping and got up so early to make someone's day so special.

I was so proud of him for taking the extra time to do something he wouldn't normally do for his teacher.  It reminded me to do those little extra things.  What a great example!

Family Basketball

It is a Monday night.... family night! The weather is finally good outside. This winter has seemed to last FOREVER! We haven't gotten to play too much outside, but tonight we decide to have a family basketball game. This will our first family basketball game ever.... a moment to remember for years to come.
We split up in teams. Niel, Stockton, and Zander make up one team. Amy, Conner, and Garrett make up the second team. The game is off to a good start. We are all very competitive so the game is getting interesting. Zander makes a few lay-ups (Niel picking him up and raising him to the basket). Of course, we all cheer. Zander is loving th game. We are all enjoying ourselves. But Zander soon becomes anxious and wants the ball ALL the time. Each of us are trying to give him his turn, but he grows very impatient. Amy gets the ball and begins to dribble. Zander, with very pleading eyes and with such desire says, "Mom, I love you!!! NOW GIVE ME THE BALL!"

It was a great game. One we will all remember for years to come!

The Jazz Game

I had looked forward to the day when the boys would be old enough to actually appreciate and enjoy a Jazz game. Well, the day arrived and it was more fun then I could have imagined! The Jazz played an awesome game! They killed the Wizards with the final score 129 Jazz - 87 Wizards. We were sitting pretty high up but it was a perfect spot for us. The crowd cheered loud! The stands were full of high energy. Niel and I didn't watch the game like we usually do. We spent a lot of time going up and down the stairs. We took trips for hot dogs, bathroom breaks, drinks, popcorn, and more trips to the bathrooms. I think we both got our exercise for the night. But to see the smiles on the boys faces was priceless. They cheered loudly with the crowd. They stood up and danced to the ACDC songs. They clapped with the cheerleaders. They had such a great time!! As we were walking back to the car the boys were jumping around and expressing what fun they had. Stockton told me it was the best day of his life.... he says that often, but I love it when he says it. I think Stockton was just excited to give some of his money to the homeless guy playing church hymns on his accordion outside of the Arena. Or maybe he is just so easily entertained. It was just so fun for me to enjoy their good time. It was a perfect night. I think a trip to the Jazz game could become a just valued family tradition.