Wednesday, May 27, 2009
I Wish You Never To Get Sick Whilst Camping
Hello Dear Family & Friends!
Here is Lake Spaulding:
Anita-The-Super-Mother-In-Law planned a wonderful camping trip at Lake Spaulding for Memorial Day. We were only going to spend one night there (because part of my new "enjoying parenting" philosophy is to "know my limits"). We had a lovely time at the lake Saturday. Gretchen, of course, loved the water. She even went on a little jet ski ride! I know! She had a super cute little baby life jacket on. Ella, of course, stayed firmly on land. Though she did stick her toes in. Whoa, Ella. Careful. You might get your knees wet!
After a delicious dinner of fried chicken*, successfully keeping Gretchen from throwing herself into the campfire, and a rousing game of cards (I read my book), we went to bed. I'd bundled the girls up in about 3 layers + stocking caps and felt mildly prepared. BUT THEN. At around 4am, I knew something was wrong. I had the stomach flu. I couldn't get out of my mummy-sleeping-bag fast enough. I spent the rest of the morning shivering in the front seat of my car so that I could avoid the gag-inducing smell of stale campfire smoke and quickly open the door when I needed to puke. It was lovely. When Colby woke with Gretchen at 7am, I said, "Dude, we need to go." And dude, we did. Then I slept 24 hours straight. Then I laid around and felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. Then I felt better. Moral of the story: I hope you never get the flu while you're camping.
*How do you make fried chicken while camping??? In your portable gas cooktop, of course! And where do you use the portable gas cooktop? On your CAMPING KITCHEN! The Stotts are serious about their camping accessories.
---
In other, non-whiney news, Ella's new favorite recording artist is Eartha Kitt. Her favorite song is "I Want To Be Evil".
Ella: Mom, why does she want to be evil?
Me: It's just a silly song sweetie. Do you want me to skip it?
Ella: No. Mom, why does she want to shoot the pool?
Me: No, she's not going to shoot a swimming pool, there's a game you play with balls & a table. It's called "pool". And when you play it it's called "Shooting pool".
Ella: Oh. Mom, she said she wants to throw mud pies. That isn't nice.
Me: No, that would not be a good choice. This is just a silly song.
Ella: Yeah. On the muppets they threw pies at Hermit.
Me: Kermit?
Ella: Yeah. Kermit. That was funny. But we don't throw pies.
(pause)
Ella: Mom, why does she want to spit tacks? What are tacks?
Me: Ok, lets listen to something else sweetie....
Yesterday when her friend was over I went up to check on them. They were both dressed in fabulous outfits & Ella was singing, "I want an old fashioned house with an old fashioned fence, and an old fashioned millionaire".
That's right baby.
I think we need to bust out the primary songs again.
Here is Lake Spaulding:
Anita-The-Super-Mother-In-Law planned a wonderful camping trip at Lake Spaulding for Memorial Day. We were only going to spend one night there (because part of my new "enjoying parenting" philosophy is to "know my limits"). We had a lovely time at the lake Saturday. Gretchen, of course, loved the water. She even went on a little jet ski ride! I know! She had a super cute little baby life jacket on. Ella, of course, stayed firmly on land. Though she did stick her toes in. Whoa, Ella. Careful. You might get your knees wet!
After a delicious dinner of fried chicken*, successfully keeping Gretchen from throwing herself into the campfire, and a rousing game of cards (I read my book), we went to bed. I'd bundled the girls up in about 3 layers + stocking caps and felt mildly prepared. BUT THEN. At around 4am, I knew something was wrong. I had the stomach flu. I couldn't get out of my mummy-sleeping-bag fast enough. I spent the rest of the morning shivering in the front seat of my car so that I could avoid the gag-inducing smell of stale campfire smoke and quickly open the door when I needed to puke. It was lovely. When Colby woke with Gretchen at 7am, I said, "Dude, we need to go." And dude, we did. Then I slept 24 hours straight. Then I laid around and felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. Then I felt better. Moral of the story: I hope you never get the flu while you're camping.
*How do you make fried chicken while camping??? In your portable gas cooktop, of course! And where do you use the portable gas cooktop? On your CAMPING KITCHEN! The Stotts are serious about their camping accessories.
---
In other, non-whiney news, Ella's new favorite recording artist is Eartha Kitt. Her favorite song is "I Want To Be Evil".
Ella: Mom, why does she want to be evil?
Me: It's just a silly song sweetie. Do you want me to skip it?
Ella: No. Mom, why does she want to shoot the pool?
Me: No, she's not going to shoot a swimming pool, there's a game you play with balls & a table. It's called "pool". And when you play it it's called "Shooting pool".
Ella: Oh. Mom, she said she wants to throw mud pies. That isn't nice.
Me: No, that would not be a good choice. This is just a silly song.
Ella: Yeah. On the muppets they threw pies at Hermit.
Me: Kermit?
Ella: Yeah. Kermit. That was funny. But we don't throw pies.
(pause)
Ella: Mom, why does she want to spit tacks? What are tacks?
Me: Ok, lets listen to something else sweetie....
Yesterday when her friend was over I went up to check on them. They were both dressed in fabulous outfits & Ella was singing, "I want an old fashioned house with an old fashioned fence, and an old fashioned millionaire".
That's right baby.
I think we need to bust out the primary songs again.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
What? Where Are The Pictures?
Hello Dear Family & Friends! Guess where my camera is? On the kitchen counter. Guess what it's doing? Drying off. Because Gretchen threw it in the pool.
I hope it still works.
And what is this pool, you may ask? It's a plastic storage container filled with water. I've been cleaning out baby clothes (three big fat boxes shipped back to a friend, another two waiting to be delivered to my sister...) And I noticed on the plastic containers that they had a little sticker with a drowning warning on them. I thought, "Weird, why would you have water in these?" Then I thought, "Hey! That's a great idea! Then I don't have to blow up a stupid blow-up pool only to have it A) Make a huge dead circle in the grass, or B) Pop when we move it to the patio!" Plus it uses less water. And the girls love it. LOVE IT. They splash & play & pour out the water with their little watering cans. And yes, I know it's horrible. Like looking at the tag on the hairdryer and thinking, "Wow! I could get ready so much faster if I used this in the tub! I never thought of that!"
Don't worry, the girls aren't allowed to play out there without me. I know. And we only fill it up a few days a week. And after I found the poop in it last week, I scrubbed it out with Comet. I'm pretty sure it was dog poop. Also, kids are disgusting. Also, apparently I wasn't watching as closely as I should have been, being more worried about hearing drowning sounds while I read my book. Sigh.
Ok, now I'm getting paranoid & I'm going to go dump the water left over from our afternoon frivolities. That Warning Label is just so sad! I promise not to leave even a "small amount of liquid" in the bottom of our Ghetto Pool. I promise, Warning Label! I heed your Warning!
So what have you been up to?
I hope it still works.
And what is this pool, you may ask? It's a plastic storage container filled with water. I've been cleaning out baby clothes (three big fat boxes shipped back to a friend, another two waiting to be delivered to my sister...) And I noticed on the plastic containers that they had a little sticker with a drowning warning on them. I thought, "Weird, why would you have water in these?" Then I thought, "Hey! That's a great idea! Then I don't have to blow up a stupid blow-up pool only to have it A) Make a huge dead circle in the grass, or B) Pop when we move it to the patio!" Plus it uses less water. And the girls love it. LOVE IT. They splash & play & pour out the water with their little watering cans. And yes, I know it's horrible. Like looking at the tag on the hairdryer and thinking, "Wow! I could get ready so much faster if I used this in the tub! I never thought of that!"
Don't worry, the girls aren't allowed to play out there without me. I know. And we only fill it up a few days a week. And after I found the poop in it last week, I scrubbed it out with Comet. I'm pretty sure it was dog poop. Also, kids are disgusting. Also, apparently I wasn't watching as closely as I should have been, being more worried about hearing drowning sounds while I read my book. Sigh.
Ok, now I'm getting paranoid & I'm going to go dump the water left over from our afternoon frivolities. That Warning Label is just so sad! I promise not to leave even a "small amount of liquid" in the bottom of our Ghetto Pool. I promise, Warning Label! I heed your Warning!
So what have you been up to?
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Utah/Birthday/Mothers Day
Hello Dear Family and Friends!!!
We missed posting last week cause we were driving our tired and cranky chillins back home from Utah, where we visited beautiful Logan to see our cousin get married. Beautiful town, beautiful church, beautiful bride & happy cute groom!
But before we start with those pictures, here's a little public service announcement. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR MARKERS UNATTENDED!
What? What?
Did I mention that we spent Alisa & my birthday driving to Utah? Leaving at 4am? And Gretchen & Ella thought it was such an adventure that they decided not to sleep? Awesome. But Auntie Angel let me take a nap when we arrived in SLC & even watched the girls while I slept. So we didn't have any more red-pen-incidents.
My super awesome friend Janeece sent me a mysterious Birthday Package that she wouldn't let me open till my birthday. So I pulled it out whilst en route and found THIS! My own MINI POCKET EDWARD! In homage to our favorite Pocket Edward, I took some pics of him enjoying our trip. Of course you can't be in Utah without passing about 5 gagillion Wal*Marts. Look, he's totally pondering the homogonization of our society.
We BARELY MADE IT to the wedding (apparently it IS possible to get lost in the grid system that is Utah City Planning). But we're so glad we did. Khemmer seemed overwhelmed with happiness, and it was so sweet to see him so proud and in love. But apparently not sweet enought to ACTUALLY GET ANY PICTURES OF THE BRIDE OR GROOM! But I did get a picture of Cousin Mark taking a picture of the cake-cutting!
Mark & Sharon's dogs were in the car, so we took a break from the wedding to meet them. And fall in love.
Colby wiping the Wedding Luncheon from Ella's face... Look at the expression on both their faces. Ha!
Cousins with Grandma. Woot!
Three Cheers for Caleb & Marissa for entertaining The Gretch while we enjoyed the luncheon and visiting.
Edward was glad the weather cooperated. Nothing like overcast skies to bring a smile to a felt-mini-vampire's face...
Angel wanted me to make sure I took a picture of Mini Pocket Edward on Shay's side of the bed...
...And Mini Pocket Edward with Shay's wife...
Colby obliged my request and we stopped at the Salt Flats on the way home. But remember the rain? Yeah, they were covered in about 6" of water. So we just stood next to them. And it was freakishly windy. Look at my brave girls...
Ella took this one. Good job babe!
Come wind or rain or watery salt flats or more pen markings on her leg, Gretchen will persevere!!!
Today (Saturday) Ella's preschool had a Mother's Day Brunch. It was a dress-up Brunch. And no siblings or Dads. Here we are before leaving.
And here's Gretchen left at home. That girl has some crazy hair.
Happy Mothers Day to all our peeps! And Grandmas! And Aunties! We love you all!!!
xo
We missed posting last week cause we were driving our tired and cranky chillins back home from Utah, where we visited beautiful Logan to see our cousin get married. Beautiful town, beautiful church, beautiful bride & happy cute groom!
But before we start with those pictures, here's a little public service announcement. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR MARKERS UNATTENDED!
What? What?
Did I mention that we spent Alisa & my birthday driving to Utah? Leaving at 4am? And Gretchen & Ella thought it was such an adventure that they decided not to sleep? Awesome. But Auntie Angel let me take a nap when we arrived in SLC & even watched the girls while I slept. So we didn't have any more red-pen-incidents.
My super awesome friend Janeece sent me a mysterious Birthday Package that she wouldn't let me open till my birthday. So I pulled it out whilst en route and found THIS! My own MINI POCKET EDWARD! In homage to our favorite Pocket Edward, I took some pics of him enjoying our trip. Of course you can't be in Utah without passing about 5 gagillion Wal*Marts. Look, he's totally pondering the homogonization of our society.
We BARELY MADE IT to the wedding (apparently it IS possible to get lost in the grid system that is Utah City Planning). But we're so glad we did. Khemmer seemed overwhelmed with happiness, and it was so sweet to see him so proud and in love. But apparently not sweet enought to ACTUALLY GET ANY PICTURES OF THE BRIDE OR GROOM! But I did get a picture of Cousin Mark taking a picture of the cake-cutting!
Mark & Sharon's dogs were in the car, so we took a break from the wedding to meet them. And fall in love.
Colby wiping the Wedding Luncheon from Ella's face... Look at the expression on both their faces. Ha!
Cousins with Grandma. Woot!
Three Cheers for Caleb & Marissa for entertaining The Gretch while we enjoyed the luncheon and visiting.
Edward was glad the weather cooperated. Nothing like overcast skies to bring a smile to a felt-mini-vampire's face...
Angel wanted me to make sure I took a picture of Mini Pocket Edward on Shay's side of the bed...
...And Mini Pocket Edward with Shay's wife...
Colby obliged my request and we stopped at the Salt Flats on the way home. But remember the rain? Yeah, they were covered in about 6" of water. So we just stood next to them. And it was freakishly windy. Look at my brave girls...
Ella took this one. Good job babe!
Come wind or rain or watery salt flats or more pen markings on her leg, Gretchen will persevere!!!
Today (Saturday) Ella's preschool had a Mother's Day Brunch. It was a dress-up Brunch. And no siblings or Dads. Here we are before leaving.
And here's Gretchen left at home. That girl has some crazy hair.
Happy Mothers Day to all our peeps! And Grandmas! And Aunties! We love you all!!!
xo
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Sick Week
Look at how sad this baby is. This baby has an upper respiratory infection. This baby has croup. This baby is Gretchen. Except Gretchen's hair is crazier.
Since we are sickos (she caught it from me. Croup in grownups is called "Totally Nasty Cold") we had a very boring week. So boring that Ella actually ASKED to go to preschool. Cause sitting in pajamas is only fun for 1/2 a day.
We hear that cousin Matia has croup also. We're sad for you.
Since we had a lot of time at home, we played in Ella's room a lot. I asked her what kind of room she wants when we have our OWN house. I asked if she'd like a room decorated like the Small World ride at Disneyland. Oh yes, she would! With dolls and everything. (Seriously, this is the bedroom of my nightmares. All those animatronic dolls watching me sleep??? Waiting till I'm vulnerable to strike?)
Ella was FULL of good decorating ideas. We'll make her a princess bed with a loft on top. The loft will be her Secret Fort. She said I could share her room with her (since it'd be so cool! She's nice like that). And Daddy. And even Gretchen. And we could have a kitchen upstairs so we wouldn't have to go downstairs for food! Hey, sounds good to me!
How was your week?
Since we are sickos (she caught it from me. Croup in grownups is called "Totally Nasty Cold") we had a very boring week. So boring that Ella actually ASKED to go to preschool. Cause sitting in pajamas is only fun for 1/2 a day.
We hear that cousin Matia has croup also. We're sad for you.
Since we had a lot of time at home, we played in Ella's room a lot. I asked her what kind of room she wants when we have our OWN house. I asked if she'd like a room decorated like the Small World ride at Disneyland. Oh yes, she would! With dolls and everything. (Seriously, this is the bedroom of my nightmares. All those animatronic dolls watching me sleep??? Waiting till I'm vulnerable to strike?)
Ella was FULL of good decorating ideas. We'll make her a princess bed with a loft on top. The loft will be her Secret Fort. She said I could share her room with her (since it'd be so cool! She's nice like that). And Daddy. And even Gretchen. And we could have a kitchen upstairs so we wouldn't have to go downstairs for food! Hey, sounds good to me!
How was your week?
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Hooray For Visits To California. HOORAY!
Greetings Friends and Family!
Yesterday we got back from our fabulous trip. I'm glad to know where I'll be putting The Gretch down for a nap. I'm glad to know where I'll be brushing my teeth tonight. But I'm very sad our California family won't be around to pinch, laugh with, and scream at. Sigh.
And now here are 500 obligatory photos of our wonderful, busy, fun time. And you can pretend to be interested.
We started our trip at Grandma Liz's. Photo Credits: Ella.
(I had no idea my hair looked like that in the back.)
Watch as Gretchen transforms from "Crazy Cowgirl".... (seriously, check out the expression on her face as she swings that poor baby doll around!)
...to "Crazy Detroit Fan". Aww. Which one do you like better? NO HATS ARE SAFE AROUND THE GRETCH!
Saturday was Auntie Alisa's fabulous baby shower. The whole family was there!
B documented the whole thing (though watching his home videos may induce vomiting. Maybe for his birthday we'll get him a tripod.)
Even Baby Celeste came with her hott mom & grandma.
Apparently Jaden had some important things to show Ella online. They left the party to do some computing.
What!?! Gretchen whining? I know, crazy.
We surprised Mom with an early birthday present, a DVD of some old home movies. Then we got to watch the awesomeness that was "Christmas with the Robertsons" circa '82 - '88. Seriously mom, what was with the glasses. And the bangs. There's no excuse for those bangs.
Sunday we went to church (which means I sat with Gretchen in the foyer while Uncle Shea looked like a successful polygimist with THREE cute wives & eight cute kids). When we got home the dads set up an easter egg hunt in the jungle backyard.
But Monday, Oh Monday, the trips to Disneyland started. In the PARTY VAN!!!
Ella's first ride of choice was autopia.
Then we met some fairys.
Then hit the teacups.
Then met Goofy.
And Mickey.
Had some lunch.
And Ella rode her first REAL rollercoaster! Big Thunder Mountain! WOO HOO!
She doesn't look too sure about it, does she. When I asked her what she thought, she said, "I didn't like it. It was too scary."
"Was it too fast?"
"No, I didn't like the scary red eyes at the beginning. In the cave."
Yeah, I didn't even REMEMBER the ride having a cave, but it does. And there are red eyes that are supposed to look like bats. And that, my friends, is what scared her. Even when I told her they were just Christmas lights. She wouldn't ride anything after that.
Except Small World. Which, despite always creeping me out, she loved (dolls, especially moving dolls, are super creepy.)
Amy met us for dinner with Julia. DARN BLACK OUT DATES! They didn't get to come inside the park with us. But we had fun for an hour with them.
I let Ella pick out a hat from the "Mad Hatter" shoppe. Any hat she wanted. I fully expected to walk out with a princess monstrosity. But she choose "Pluto". Because it was funny. She is full or surprises.
One last trip on Autopia. Good driving Britton!
Here you see Matia & Ella enjoying the fireworks show. Overwhelmed with excitement.
Thanks to Dad, we got to drive the Jag around town. Here's Ella keeping up appearances. She doesn't even have to try to be this fabulous, it just happens.
Because we are crazy, we went to Disneyland AGAIN on Wednesday. THANKS SCHOTT FAMIY! We loved it. But no one loves Disneyland as much as Uncle Shea. Seriously. He is a die-hard Disneyland fan. Third morning in the Magical Kingdom pictured below. And he's still smiling.
We took time out for lunch. And naps.
The coolest thing ever? The boys got picked for the Jedi Academy & got to fight Darth Vadar. If we had better seats and a better camera, the footage would look like this:
But instead you get this. Which is still cute.
And, since we don't have enough, Ella took some more self portraits.
Bye folks! This post is finally done!!!
Yesterday we got back from our fabulous trip. I'm glad to know where I'll be putting The Gretch down for a nap. I'm glad to know where I'll be brushing my teeth tonight. But I'm very sad our California family won't be around to pinch, laugh with, and scream at. Sigh.
And now here are 500 obligatory photos of our wonderful, busy, fun time. And you can pretend to be interested.
We started our trip at Grandma Liz's. Photo Credits: Ella.
(I had no idea my hair looked like that in the back.)
Watch as Gretchen transforms from "Crazy Cowgirl".... (seriously, check out the expression on her face as she swings that poor baby doll around!)
...to "Crazy Detroit Fan". Aww. Which one do you like better? NO HATS ARE SAFE AROUND THE GRETCH!
Saturday was Auntie Alisa's fabulous baby shower. The whole family was there!
B documented the whole thing (though watching his home videos may induce vomiting. Maybe for his birthday we'll get him a tripod.)
Even Baby Celeste came with her hott mom & grandma.
Apparently Jaden had some important things to show Ella online. They left the party to do some computing.
What!?! Gretchen whining? I know, crazy.
We surprised Mom with an early birthday present, a DVD of some old home movies. Then we got to watch the awesomeness that was "Christmas with the Robertsons" circa '82 - '88. Seriously mom, what was with the glasses. And the bangs. There's no excuse for those bangs.
Sunday we went to church (which means I sat with Gretchen in the foyer while Uncle Shea looked like a successful polygimist with THREE cute wives & eight cute kids). When we got home the dads set up an easter egg hunt in the jungle backyard.
But Monday, Oh Monday, the trips to Disneyland started. In the PARTY VAN!!!
Ella's first ride of choice was autopia.
Then we met some fairys.
Then hit the teacups.
Then met Goofy.
And Mickey.
Had some lunch.
And Ella rode her first REAL rollercoaster! Big Thunder Mountain! WOO HOO!
She doesn't look too sure about it, does she. When I asked her what she thought, she said, "I didn't like it. It was too scary."
"Was it too fast?"
"No, I didn't like the scary red eyes at the beginning. In the cave."
Yeah, I didn't even REMEMBER the ride having a cave, but it does. And there are red eyes that are supposed to look like bats. And that, my friends, is what scared her. Even when I told her they were just Christmas lights. She wouldn't ride anything after that.
Except Small World. Which, despite always creeping me out, she loved (dolls, especially moving dolls, are super creepy.)
Amy met us for dinner with Julia. DARN BLACK OUT DATES! They didn't get to come inside the park with us. But we had fun for an hour with them.
I let Ella pick out a hat from the "Mad Hatter" shoppe. Any hat she wanted. I fully expected to walk out with a princess monstrosity. But she choose "Pluto". Because it was funny. She is full or surprises.
One last trip on Autopia. Good driving Britton!
Here you see Matia & Ella enjoying the fireworks show. Overwhelmed with excitement.
Thanks to Dad, we got to drive the Jag around town. Here's Ella keeping up appearances. She doesn't even have to try to be this fabulous, it just happens.
Because we are crazy, we went to Disneyland AGAIN on Wednesday. THANKS SCHOTT FAMIY! We loved it. But no one loves Disneyland as much as Uncle Shea. Seriously. He is a die-hard Disneyland fan. Third morning in the Magical Kingdom pictured below. And he's still smiling.
We took time out for lunch. And naps.
The coolest thing ever? The boys got picked for the Jedi Academy & got to fight Darth Vadar. If we had better seats and a better camera, the footage would look like this:
But instead you get this. Which is still cute.
And, since we don't have enough, Ella took some more self portraits.
Bye folks! This post is finally done!!!
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