Getting into the routine

Well, we are now going into our third week of school here and Jeb absolutly loves it. He hates weekends, because he would rather be at school. Yay, for me! I hope it stays that way. He is finally getting used to telling mom and dad what he did at school everyday. He thinks giving us the run down is a real pain in the neck, but we are demanding. So the other day he came home from school and looked like he had a big bump on his head. I asked him what happened to his head and He went into a narrative about a boy angel(kind of a trouble maker) in his class and how he had been dancing around and Jeb walked by and was accidently tripped by his foot. He then fell forward hit his head on a desk and fell to the floor he then went to the nurses office for treatment. Naturally we were curious what the teacher had done about the event and asked what happened to angel. Jeb shrugged and said, "Oh, the teacher just took him and whipped him with the paddle." It wasn't until this moment that we knew we had been dupped. Craig and I both started laughing, Jeb couldn't figure out why. See, Craig had told Jeb about how he used to be whipped with the paddle when he was in school. I guess he missed the part where they don't do that anymore. In the end we had the talk that making up stories is the same as lying and we don't do that. I have to wonder though what has Jeb told his teacher about us?

While I admit, I hate getting up at 6:30 in the morning, it does help that it is bright and sunny at that time. I really hate getting up when it is still dark outside. I am also amazed at how much I can accomplish by noon. The days of late nights are definatly at an end.

Jeb and Chloe have also been enjoying art time, they are so cute.

I Fim

We finished our first session of swimming lessons yesterday. Both Chloe and Jeb graduated from their first levels. Next week we start level 2 and the kids are loving it. Chloe is so excited she says, I fim, I fim, watch mom.

Who is Prouder?

We have been having a busy but great summer. This
last week, Jeb took his test in martial arts to get his next belt. It was so super cute. I swear at one moment or maybe two I got emotional. It must be pregnancy, right? He was so serious and all business. At one point they had a Q&A session. It was hilarious. Not one of the kids knew what they were learning, but there were a lot of creative answers. ie: somersaults, focus, to listen. All of which I suppose are true. They call their teacher Miss Jean or ma'am. So the question was asked Jeb what do you call him( the male judge) Jeb quickly replied Karate Master Fighter. I think they were looking for sir, but the judge was pleased with his answer. The next class they were presented with their new belt, white with and orange stripe. Jeb and one other kid, Jeb's BF in the class were called up after everyone received their belts and where given an honor stripe for passing their tests with such a high score. I don't think Jeb understood really or gave it a second thought, but I was so proud. Again with the tears. Therefore, the question of the day-Who is prouder of a child's accomplishment, the parents or the child?

I feel so glamourous

I know I've been a bad blogger and I apologize. I have been out of town and out of touch. I do have to say it was nice to be away from computer and cell phone, a rare opportunity. I'll have to post my vacation later. I was snapped hard back into reality today however. Chloe is potty training, such a joyous time anyway, and she's been doing great so far. However as I was purusing the internet today she ran up to me all excited she was totally naked and holding something in her little hand. "Ook mommy" "Chloe, what is that!?!" "Is that Poop!" "Ya mom, cool huh!" It was so not cool. I ran her to the bathroom where we quickly disposed of the "cool" stuff and washed our hands. Then I proceeded to explain why it was not good to carry around our poop and that we should only to that in the toilet. She did get it thankfully as she responded with jumping up and down 20 minutes later that she had to go now, and she did. Isn't potty training glamourous.

I couldn't resist posting this great poem. It is just too true. Although, I have to admit, I think I know a couple of these women and I can't figure out how they do it, but I do admire them.

Remember when we really thought it was possible???



Remember when we really thought it was possible?
Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!
I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.
I play the piano! I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)
I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all,
I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed! My toenails are polished!
Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.
I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It's the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)
I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each "lost lamb" on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all,
I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write "thank you's" to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A's! And their bedrooms are clean!
I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car's tires! I fix the sink's leak!
I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-years' supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
These things are not hard; 'tis good if you do them;
You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!
It's easy!" she said and then she dropped dead.

We took these pics the other day at a park. Chloe is the most unparticipating pictureee I have ever known. I finally got this fake smile, but only because Jeb did it first. We also fed the ducks until some cranky old lady pulled over and told us we weren't supposed to do that. Blah, Blah, Blah. What a miser. There were a whole bunch of new baby ducks and Chloe just about went nuts.

What kids think they know

Last night around the fire Craig and I were talking to Jeb about what to do if he got lost, actually Craig was telling Jeb what to do if he got lost in the wilderness and how to follow the norht star. What I wanted to know is what Jeb was doing in the middle of the wilderness by himself being five and all, but I was just looked at like and idiot to have asked such a silly question. Anyway, the conversation shortly moved to town, Walmart in fact. Craig was asking Jeb what he could say to someone if he was lost from his mom or dad. The conversation between the "policeman" and Jeb went like this.
"I'm lost, could you help me find my mom/dad"
"What is your mom's name?"
"Valerie Broyles"
"What is you dad's name?
"Uncle Craig"
"No Jeb, what is your dad's name, it's not uncle craig?"
"Umm, I don't know"
"My name is just plain Craig"
"What is your phone number?
"I know that it's easy (like why are you asking me such an easy question)."
"Well?"
"2"
"No, that only works on our phones"
"What, that's dumb."
"Where does your dad work"
"Where he takes his gun and laser."
"No, but where does he work"
"He fights and hunts bad guys"
"Who does he work for? BBBOORDDD"
"Border Patrol"
"Where's do you live?"
"From the park, you go this way and that way and this way (while waving his arm from side to side)"
"What street?"
"All I know is Kachina"

As you can see we have not done a very good job preparing our son for kindergarten or walmart shopping for that matter. I'm sure glad we asked.


Now a funny little story about Chloe. She wanted to go swim with Jeb and his friend, so she brought me her swimming suit and I was playing with her so I just put the staps on her shoulders so her suit was just hanging down her back. She said thank you and started to walk away when she realized it wasn't quite right and she says "oh, man!" and comes back. So I took her suit and put her arms through the straps again only this time on the front. Again she started walking away and again turned back and said, "oh, shoot" and patted her head to show me I needed to put it on the right way, so I turned it upside down and put it on like a hat. This time she looked very seriously at me and said "mom, top it(stop it) and proceeded to tell me in chinese that it needed to cover these pointing parts of her body. It was quite the discussion. What a cutie.