Clean up on aisle 7.... x 100...

In April, Alex and I took the kids to the Children's Museum. Alex had never been, so it was fun for him, too. The kids had a great time playing in the helicopter, and the little grocery store. Merrick liked pushing the buttons on the cash register, and I'm sure that everyone loved hearing "clean-up on aisle 7" 100 or so times. On April 9th, Rowan lost another tooth, via self-extraction.She always freaks out




about the blood, but never fails to get them out. Maybe sometimes too soon! April 12th was Easter.The Easter bunny always brings waaay too much candy and encourages the kids to get up waaay too early. He must have some sort of evil pact with Santa. April 21st, I taught Rowan how to ride her bike. She practiced for hours and finally got it. I don't know how many times I heard "DON'T HOLD THE BACK OF MY SEAT!! I CAN DO IT!!!" Followed shortly by "MOM, WHY AREN'T YOU HELPING ME!!!" It was totally entertaining for me. She didn't appreciate being filmed or looked at in any sort of 'funny' fashion. She gave up about 10 times, about 30 seconds each time. There were probably 3 tip-overs, 75 times up and down the same sidewalk, and countless dirty looks directed at me. But, she did learn and I tried to not take the harsh words so personally. Now, she rides her bike whenever she can. Merrick is really into anything to do with spaceships or robots. He watched Toy Story until I thought the DVD would warp, and he's really into Zathura now. Robots and spaceships... perfect! He loves jumping on the bed, saying 'it's hard' or 'what doin' or 'hold me'. He's very stealthy, so I always have to make sure I can see him at all times, so he doesn't sneak out the front door, lock himself in the bathroom or get fingernail polish out of my dresser and dump it all over the quilt my grandma made for me over 25 years ago. Yes, those were all learning experiences for me. Rowan lost another tooth on May 22nd.But this time, we tied a piece of floss around her tooth, and let Merrick yank it out. It was hilarious! She was trying to tell him what to do and with one flick of the wrist, it was out, before she could finish relaying the instructions. The tooth was missing for a few minutes and then was found.

January/February/March OH MY... where have I been!

Rowan has been in Girl Scout Troop 950 since September 2008. She loves getting together with her friends and going on fun fieldtrips and making crafty things. Her troop leader is Sara Witt. She is so wonderful with all of the girls! The kids had a great time outside in unbelievably warm weather in February. Rowan had a blast learning how to play badmitton (or as she calls it 'Mad Mittens') and taking walks around the neighborhood. In March, Merrick was the latest Milius to get their picture taken in the infamous sailor suit. It's over 60 years old, and all the grandkids have had their turn. On March 23rd, Rowan lost another tooth. Once again, she was the brave one to pull it out. That just gives me the heebeejeebee's!!!>

To Infinity and Beyond, or at least bed by 8:30...

Crazy! Things are crazy! Rowan started going to school at my old elementary school and so far she loves it! She has made a few new friends, Tacey and Makayla (who is actually an old friend from daycare). Right now she acts like a 13 year old, and while sometimes, it's funny, there is the 'attitude' that goes along with it. I try to be patient with her, since, fingers-crossed, it's just a phase. It's quite a trip to go into your old elementary school. Things looked so much bigger when I was 6 years old. It's amazing where time goes! Rowan is reading like a champ. I quizzed her on her spelling test for today and she got done, "Well, that was easy..." I'm so proud of her. She never ceases to amaze me! Merrick is still in his fun stage. He loves everything and anything to do with Buzz Lightyear. He goes around pointing his wrist at everything, acting like he's shooting a laser. I try to run him around on a daily basis, saying 'To Infinity and Beyond!!!' He loves it. He's been saying new words every day, and I try to make sure my profanity is kept to the bare minimum around him. Somedays, I'll just look at him going about his business and he makes the funniest faces... definitely my kid.

Thanksgiving... is a special night...

Here are some things I am thankful for...
1. My kids, they show me what is important in my life.
2. My husband, for all that he does, and for being so understanding, especially this year.
3. My family, for being there for me, even when they don't understand me.
4. My friends, for listening to me and accepting me for who I am.
5. My health. Even though it's not the best right now, it could always be worse. (knock on wood)
6. Technology, mainly the internet, and my phone. Makes life easier.
7. Questar... they heat my house..
8. Plumbing. Toilets, showers...
9. My imagination... I crack myself up over the dumbest things.
10. I know I already said it, but family and friends!

Madly in love...

I'm madly in love... My main man is cute, fun and totally unpredictable. He's polite and curious, and completely a ladies man. And, he's 2! These past 2 years have flown by! Merrick is one of the funniest little boys that I know. He definitely got my sarcastic sense of humor, even though he's a physical clone of Alex. We've been trying to break him of his binky fixation problem, so any tips would be nice. Merrick loves trucks, animals, chocolate milk, M&M's, family and his blankie. And his evil binky... grrr... Merrick also loves to be outside, go for walks, dancing, slides, otter pops, and riding the little pony at Gardner Village. Merrick also thinks that sometimes, clothes are optional. He's a big helper and loves throwing away stuff in the garbage, even if it's not garbage. My prediction for the future... soccer/football player, musician, mountain climber, CSI investigator, actor, or stunt man. I love you Merrick! I hope you have a Happy 2nd Birthday!

Trick or Treat!

I love Halloween! This year Merrick was Yoda, and Rowan was a witch. We went to see Rowan do the Halloween parade at school and then went around my parents neighborhood to trick-or-treat. We had a blast, and the weather was perfect. My sister made me dress up too, which was fun. I am not sure what the costume was but I looked like an 18th century mortician.Merrick ate candy as we wheeled him around in the wagon, and when he did get up to trick-or-treat, he was very polite and said "thank you" when he got candy. All the little old ladies loved his costume. Trick-or-Treat!!!

Pumpkin guts galore...

This year we didn't have our annual Pumpkin Carving Party with everyone, we just had a small get together at my mom's house. I know it's usually for the kids, but the adults get so into carving pumpkins. My pumpkin was covered in stars and swirls, and my sister carved a bat for Rowan. Rowan carved odds and ends and hieroglyphics on hers.