the park day 2---the sequel

The weather on Sunday made a strong argument that days like that should not be wasted so we celebrated it by going back to the park and putting together a picnic. We cooked hot dogs and hamburgers over charcoal and brought shrimp/macaroni salad and ended with chocolate cupcakes. Little Miss Snyder showed how to eat a cupcake and get a facial at the same time. Apparently fosting is great for the skin. Seth helped McLain, Bob, and Rick brush up on their football arms and Grandpa impressed us with his frisbee skills. Unfortunately, Bentley's parents believe they have the right to come and take their child home even if he believes he should be entitled to stay another day. They made plans with friends to have dinner at their house and so we all spent the afternoon wishing they were there. Seth was most opposed to the parental decisions that cost him his friend for the day. Seth wanted to play catch with the football and even though it was a full size, rough and tough football, he kept throwing and attempting to catch until he could do it. The dude is amazing in his determination. His face is fun to watch because he shows it all in his expressions. No need to wonder what he is feeling because the "I can do it" and then "I did it" shine through clearly.

Probably the biggest flashback moment of recent years for me was when Rickell and Courtney were on the swing/teeter totter type toy and Rickell whined, "Mom, will you push me?"


Chloe held on tight to Courtney's leg while they did the skateboard-esque toy on a rail. She is much braver than her brother. He, however, seems to have as much fun so all is well.

"THE" park

So,,,,if you have not been to the new park on Tonaquint drive, you need to. It is "THE" park. On Saturday, Rickell, Courtney and I took the kids and we almost forgot to watch the kids because we had so much fun playing.
The toys are so original and kids of all sizes were kicking it up. It is my new favorite.
Even though Bentley is afraid of everything, he had so much fun that we had to promise to come back on Sunday to get him to leave. Chloe was overwhelmed and spent half of her time people watching. One toy would look like so much fun, she would head toward it but become distracted by kids on another toy and so she had a hard time getting started. Mattix thought it was just another day and hung off of Mom.

Decorating cupcakes with these two is something no one should attempt sober. Bentley can never have the frosting quite smooth enough and Chloe can not heap enough candy onto one cupcake. It took us 30 minutes to decorate a total of four cupcakes but they were pretty proud when they were finished so I know it was a success. Bentley had four people he was giving his two cupcakes to so that should be interesting. Chloe licked both of hers so if she offers to share....say no.

Since the kids are too young to do much carving and I am quite clumsy to do any carving, I fell in love with the potato head pumpkin kits. I figured, no problems when you use a kit- what complications can I possibly have. I forgot the Chloe factor. She must envision herself as a pumpkin because she kept taking the ear from her pumpkin and sticking it in her own ear. Oh well, next year we can try it the traditional way and see if she tries to wear the pumpkin innards.
Bentley took his pumpkin very serious and wanted things positioned just right. He was so worried when the pirates earring came off of his ear. Different outlook than his sister who pulled every body part off over...and over..and over.


When I asked Chloe for a "cheese", she gave me a raspberry. Totally wrong food group all the way around.

The best aunt in the world poses with the kids and their masterpieces. The princess and the pirate will probably be splattered on the road tomorrow night but we had fun today.

Since I had the day off and I have been going through Grandchildren withdrawals, I thought it would be good to have the kids and do some "Halloweenie" things with them. We got the party started at "grandma-grandpas" (Great grandpa Mcknight) and in his usual style, he had something strange in store. With promises of candy waiting in the shed, grandpa sent Bentley and Chloe to his shed. Bentley walked right by the dude in the chair looking for the candy. Once he came back and looked at the chair, he was no longer interested in the candy. He wanted OUT! Grandpa had a walkie talkie in the pocket of his dummy and was hiding where he could see the kids and giving them instructions on where to find the candy. Even Chloe was freaked out. Crazy grandpa.

rickell tagged me and said to go to my files and choose the fourth file and post the fourth picture of that file....this happens to be Niki at her bridal shower opening her gift from her wacky sister Lindsey and friends. Niki was a little embarrassed and hid behind the maids costume. Needless to say, any cup that is big enough to hide behind is likely too big to fit so that outfit was exchanged for something more to Niki's size. Since I do not know how to tag and Rickell is the only one who reads this blog, that is the end of my tag.

grateful

Tonight at Young Women's we planned our activity around "modesty". After a silly fashion show and then a great highlight of an Ensign article by Elder Hales, we had "Supe" come and talk to us on a return missionary's perspective on modesty. Saying it was beyond great does not do justice for the job he did. He brought 3 females and spoke about the impact they have had on his life by always being modest. As a female I was inspired. As a mother I was overcome by gratitude. When I looked at my daughter and recognized the effort she puts into being modest I again felt grateful. As I looked at our Young Women assembled and knew they too work hard at being attractive first in the eyes of the Lord and then in the mirror and last in the eyes of the world, I again felt blown away with thanks for their influence and example. To see the blessings of happiness come to my daughter as she makes good choices is the greatest paycheck of motherhood. I almost feel like singing, I am so lifted. I do recognize the difference of being touched in the heart and being touched in the head so I will not break out in song or dance but I will say, I love my life. Being a grandmother is fulfilling, fun, and frantic. Being a mother is daunting, at times defeating, but mostly delightful. Evolving from a self centered person to someone who recognizes where all good comes from is inspiring. Being grateful stumps me when I see how many people aren't. So, what are you grateful for? Nicole, firemen? Rickell, sleep? Megan, children with a mastery of correct anatomy? Bob, me misplacing the debit card? Anyone else...?

big brother award

Mrs Morris gave Bentley a "big brother award" and he totally deserves it. He is quiet, gentle, and loving with baby Mattix. He is the best big brother any little guy could wish for.

child for sale-cheap-super cheap-okay...I will pay you to take her.....just don't bring her back until she's under control.

Okay, so I never would consider getting rid of her but how cute would she be posted on e-bay? I could totally trade her for a watch or harley or something equally useless. But if I did, what would I have to think about as I go to sleep at night or wake up in the morning or pretend to listen to my husband talk? She is the craze in my crazy, the fun in my funny and the bungee in my peanut butter sandwich. Gotta love you chloe. (for Chloe, anything with bread is a bungee-who knows why.)

this is how Bentley rolls

"Grandma, I will help you clean up. I can do it all myself. No, don't help me. I can do it." Can these words truly come from the full blooded sibling of the human tornado, Chloe? They could be considered rock and roll. She rocks like a 10.2 earthquake and he rolls with flow. As I pull my hair out over Chloe, Bentley follows behind saying sweet, calm comments. So Mattix, what does the future hold with you? Will you be a little of both or something entirely you? We will wait and see but I am relieved my weeks "vacation" is almost over. It is exhausting "taking it easy".

how did I lose my "motherly instincts" ?

In the amount of time it took me to spread peanut butter and honey on two slices of bread, Chloe pulled food from the cupboard, bread off the counter, pulled the lid off of flour and spread it all over the floor. The irony of it all is that she is "cleaning" it up with her shirt that I took off of her so she could not get it dirty while she ate. I know my linoleum is ugly, but I do not think flour is the answer. The sad stuff is that I was right there by her but had my back turned. I won't be doing that again.

I would feel much better if she could look the tiniest bit sorry. I think I can detect a touch of pride in her body language. After trying to guilt her out with a little "grandma style" lecture, she happily chirped "mess, mess, mess". I think I will take Mattix and let her mommy keep her. It will be easier to create breast milk than to teach her how to play quietly.

Does Chloe think of Mattix as crime?

Today I had to leave Rickell on her own for a while with the wild circus animals while I went to the doctor. I dropped Bentley off at preschool and felt only slight trepidation about leaving Rickell to take care of Chloe and Mattix. The truth is, Rickell is doing great. Whenever I show up, she has the kids fed, bathed, dressed, and usually, happy. So why do I feel I need to take a week off of work to "help" her? Because of that sweet, kewpie faced child with the long eyelashes and pouty lips named Chloe. She is hell on earth, fire in ice, mayhem in Eden, and any other phrase that is contrary to the circumstance. She lovingly tried to poke out Mattix's eyes, feed him potato chips, and toss matchbox cars into his crib. I am not sure why she makes me so nervous. When I returned to Rickell's after 2 hours, I was shocked to find that she had tried to take a bite out of that sweet little dude's forehead. Perfect dental impressions left on his face. The sad thing, I am not surprised. I am confused as to why his mom could be so surprised. Her gray matter must have come out with the afterbirth because she did not see this coming. Seeings how it could be months before he can defend himself, I worry a bunch about Mattix surviving Hurricane Chloe.

go figure

Chloe spends almost every waking moment tormenting her brother. He likes his toys lined up in order so she messes them up. She eats his food, knocks over his towers, stands in front of his cartoons, and hits him when she gets in trouble. So it justified a picture when she woke up and climbed on the couch, laid her head in his lap, and went back to sleep. Underneath all of her sass, she has a sweet side. Go figure.

The tupperware head feeds the miniature horse

As we headed out to Grass Valley to ride the 4 wheelers, luck was not smiling at us and a sheriff had a car pulled over giving them a ticket. Since we thought the sheriff may not see the safety advantages of Bentley's helmet, we detoured off of the road until Mr sheriff man had moved along. Grandpa Bob could not just let Bentley be content with feeding the miniature horse, he wanted to show he was a true Wyoming Cowboy and pretended to ride the horse. (If you look close enough, you can see he did not actually put his weight on the horse) I just can't take him (Bob) anywhere. Bentley was only mildly amused.

Bentley's redneck helmet

We promised Bentley a ride on the 4 wheeler and failed to bring a helmet to Pine Valley. Jesus, always thinking outside of the box-sometimes too far outside-took some of "grandma-grandma's" tupperware and padded it with paper towels. He then taped it onto Bentley's head with masking tape. He used rubberbands to keep Bentley's glasses on. He swears it was better than nothing. I wish we had thought to make a DOT sticker for the back.

Chloe has to keep up with her brother

When Bentley got in the stream, Chloe could not be outdone. She followed him into the water and would not come out until he did. She did not enjoy it-in fact if you look closely you will see the tears in her eyes. She is stubborn like no other and she planted herself in the middle and I had to carry her out. When Bentley was throwing rocks and pinecones in the water, she did as well. When she ran out of natural things to throw, she threw in her hat and bug net. I think she enjoyed watching me chase them down the stream. She also tried throwing her sandal out the window while we were driving. Thankfully it hit the lip of the window and stayed inside. Monkey child!

Bentley's "ice blocks"

I brought my bag of outdoor necessities to the Whipple trailhead for our little "hike". Bentley took the binoculars very serious and kept a sharp lookout for animals. He calls them his iceblocks. After trying a few times to correct him, I gave up and they are now "iceblocks". Chloe even calls them that. He holds them backwards more often than not and then dipped them in the stream to "clean them" so he could see better. He also compared Bell's leash to Indy's and said Bell's had pokanuts. That is a Bentley word for polka-dots. The dude is constantly scared of the water but I could not get him out of that stream. It was darned cold and he was oblivious.