whoopsy vaisey

There's Always A Birthday In January

2012-01-25T18:54:00.003-05:00

This year we experienced our first with-invitations-and-friends-legititamately themed-birthday party:

Fun (synonyms for fun: loud, busy, germ infested) place of his choosing for Sime and his friends to burn some wintertime steam? Check
Friends and Balloons? Check
Food and Cupcakes? Check
Presents? Check!
Goodie Bags*? Check
*and as an added special bonus (to their parents delight?) everyone went home with a hand crafted lightsaber that doubles as a summertime pool saber!

Simon woke up that Saturday morning his sweet and easy to please self (whew) and he proceeded to gasp at everything he laid his eyes on all day, from the balloons to the cupcakes, to the birthday banners and the plates and napkins.
Sometimes I wonder why I go to any trouble for birthdays, but Simon reminded me all day.
He had so much fun and was so happy all morning. It was birthdaytastic;)
I was on the ball this year with the pre-party buying and most of the best things came from etsy (r2d2 cupcake tops, banners, lightsaber candies, darth vader t-shirt) I think the most I did was spray paint the mini waters with left over gold paint to look like c3pO (this four year old's got a thing for droids) and instruct BabaJuje how to assemble the lightsabers with trusty duct and electrical tape while we were busy jumping in bouncy houses.

The moral of the story is next year, who knows if these children will have their birthdays remembered. I'm trying to be prepared, so when the disappointment comes pouring in we can look at all theses pictures and say,
"Remember how much fun your 4th birthday was?!"
and we will remember it was goooood and fun. Then the new baby will cry or something like that.
I rest my case. And I LOVE that four year old. Really really really love him.

Well Here They Are:

2012-01-13T12:59:00.001-05:00

the THREE BOYS!!!

No Better Than The Rest

2012-01-10T09:41:00.002-05:00

My family on Instagram(kvaisey): You're lucky day!?
A repeat overload for the 2 whole people who follow me on instagram...

It's the best I can do really for pictures to provide you with because I haven't picked up my real camera since Christmas morning. I have picked up loads of toys, food off the ground, many articles of clothing, even a crying baby off of the kitchen floor that was kicking and flailing on his back. Why just yesterday I picked Simon up after the poor thing fell out of the car and face-planted on my friend's driveway. I've even picked up the phone and called some people, like Rebekah for example when we talked for something like 3 or 4 hours the other day. But the camera phone and those filtered square boxes are just too easy. Picture, caption, done. It gives me an opportunity to work on my one liners. This year will most likely be filled with the easy way out. I can do hard things, but I prefer not to. Such a great lesson for the kiddies, no?

The past two weeks have been filled with preschool applications(it's seriously like college), midwife appointments, school volunteering, preschool co op helping, and planning for Simon's 4th birthday party on Saturday. It will be Star Wars themed and there will be other four year olds. You say, "Kelly, why do it to yourself?" I say, I'm not, I bought everything this year and will make nothing short of boxed cupcakes and maybe some lightsabers that take under 5 minutes to produce. I'm just trying to be consistent with this year's family theme: If you can buy it so it's easier, buy it. If you can hire someone so it's easier, hire them. If t.v. helps, watch it.

I like to think it's the more realistic approach instead of underachievement. I would be totally flattered if you followed suit.
Keep them alive and happy and don't yell and be discouraged, take the pressures off everyday life and buy, hire and watch instead:)
Stay tuned for more inspiration coming your way! (are you appalled or laughing) And try your best to ignore the glaring downslope my parenting ideals have taken since 2006.

You Should Know, I'm Blogging About Christmas Right About....Now

2012-01-03T19:57:00.001-05:00

Christmas feasting/junk hangover, sick children (because of candy canes for breakfast?), my mom and brother's visit the entire week following Christmas (!) and a general lack of motivation: these are the things that have kept me from posting.

I know posting about Christmas in January is like totally ew (right Bek?) but...

nope...I got nothin'.

It was a lovely Christmas this year, aside from the tense 30 minutes we spent looking unsuccessfully for the camera flash on Christmas morning. Calvin stole the show this Christmas and the lalas (vaisey children pacifiers) he got in his stocking and a certain raccoon puppet were his favorites. All morning it went: eat candy cane, lala, eat candy cane, lala, eat candy cane.

Staying up late Santa-ing watching Christmas Vacation wrapping till my fingers bled, sipping on Pittsford Dairy eggnog while Jeff finished the over 7000 lego labor of love for his Star Wars-crazed son was for sure a highlight. Then the low light was when I followed through with getting Jeff nothing and he getting me all sorts of cool and/or thoughtful gifts.

Here are the rest of the highlights:

And a Happy New Year to you.

I have just two items on my to do list for 2012: have a baby and keep 4 children alive and happish. The rest I'm going to totally wing it.

Wish me luck;)

The 3 Hours Lena Was An Only Child And Other Things of Importance

2011-12-23T10:18:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday Lena got to do her favorite thing: pretend she doesn't have brothers and go on a date with Jeff and me.
We ate treats and saw a Christmas Carol at Geva. It had some scary parts. She liked that.
Then a short 3 hours later she fell asleep on the way home and we were a family of 5 again. She didn't like that.
We celebrated our 7th anniversary this year like the true parents we are and attended a lights celebration at Lena's kindergarten. After the kids sang they played a slideshow of them doing various things in their classroom and it was accompanied by a very sentimental country song that made me cry right there in my seat in the dark. Cue the lights! Then we talked about how it feels like we've been parents longer than we've been married. I love being a parent. Being married is ok too.
And since Christmas isn't for the schools we have to supplement at home with forgetting to water our Christmas tree and eating too many Christmas treats and hastily opening the door to about 30 neighborhood Christmas carolers the other night. I think 2 out of the three children were crying and dinner was burning and I was probably wearing something awesome. Then they sang the figgy pudding part and I smiled and shut the door. I'm a good neighbor like that.

Aside from 3 sick children and a dying tree this week I think we're ready for action on Sunday. And to think I found myself complaining we had to go to church on Christmas! I'm pretty sure that is NOT honoring the true meaning of Christmas. I plan on starting now, after I get Lena's teacher a gift card and get dressed and make a dent in the laundry and vacuum up pine needles and wrap all the presents that are scattered in the basement. Why do I always wait to do that? Next year I'm going to do more true meaning stuff and wrap all my presents as they arrive.
Or maybe we'll just buy a goat for a family in need instead of it all.

And weather report states it will be 40 and sunny this Christmas day and that is truly a Christmas miracle.
And the truth is, I am so grateful for the birth of our Savior and the birth of my three sweet children and hard working husband.
Especially during country songs and Christmastime.

It's Like This

2011-12-13T12:52:00.000-05:00

Today I prepared a snack for my children that consisted of carrots and hummus and milk.

Then I went to the living room and ate 3 rice crispy treats and a diet coke.

When we were at the Christmas tree lot, no matter how I begged and pleaded, Lena insisted on a short fat crooked one and cried until it was tied onto the roof of the car.

I sulked like a 5 year old.

Even though I know Jeff usually goes to bed much later than I do because he stays up to finish work I lay in bed most mornings at 6:30 pretending I don't hear Calvin down the hallway crying.

It always worked until now.

At least three times last week I didn't get dressed until after Lena got on the school bus at 11:50.

At least three times last week I napped instead of folding mountains of laundry.

At least three times last week I went unshowered.

For the first time in our married life, I was all ready to send out Christmas cards this year.

I picked layouts and designed them online then when I came back to the computer hours later, the designs were lost so I gave up and decided not to send Christmas cards this year.

When my in-laws have plans, I would rather stay home than try to find someone to watch my children for most any sort of event.

On any given day I am excited, overwhelmed, exhausted, glad, mad, energized, unfriendly, very enjoyable company, asleep or up till 2 am. It's a grab bag of emotions and actions and I'm always surprised to wake up and see who I will be that day.

Sometimes I forget I am 15 weeks pregnant and then I'm reminded when I yell at someone for something like a pillow on the ground and/or fall asleep at 8p.m.

Then there was a certain day I was home alone with Calvin and gave him and bath and suddenly I found myself soaking wet kneeing on tile floor and discovered he is more than just a pretty head of red hair. And I was entranced by his roundy cheeks and funny faces, bucky teeth and wet curls. I was caught in a moment with my third born I had hope for the future. Another one of these?!
Children are the best!

Then he got mad and slipped and then tried to climb out of the bathtub and I was snapped back to reality and suddenly found myself very hungry and annoyed at all the messes around me. I tripped over a toy left at the top of the stairs and thought about the movie Ghost Dad where he actually died from that very thing. I found three pairs of dirty undies in Lena's closet and an opened box of frosted mini wheats on her bed. I wondered then, to myself, if I should make her sleep in shredded wheat.

Children are also the worst

and I probably won't shower today.

Yeah, it's like that.

My Dog Ate My Keyboard But Actually It Was Other Reasons Altogether

2011-12-13T10:32:00.002-05:00

Roughly the last pictures I took when it was still fall outside and still November

I'm not sure how it happened. A 5 weeks hiatus. Record lows.

I appreciate the comments and emails in my absence, although I must say my personal favorite came from Chelsey who said she looked me up on Facebook to make sure she didn't see any "RIP Kelly". HA!
Because if it's been 5 weeks and I haven't uttered so much as a single inter web posted word I must be dead.
Or pregnant.
with a baby...
for the fourth time.
May the heavens open up and send us the best they've got! And if that doesn't solicit at least 20 comments of "hang in theres" and "everything will be great" or "sanity is over rated anyway" maybe one or two, "who needs cleanliness and order?" then I'm leaving forever.
And If you saw this coming, you should have anonymously phoned in your warning.
That's what friends do;)

We Made October Count At the Last Second

2011-11-01T12:41:00.003-04:00

It was down to the pumpkin picking wire but we made it.

So in the shivering 45 degree cold, late Saturday afternoon, we trekked through the soft mudded grounds at Powers Farm Market.

A tradition(<-click) if we ever had one(<-click). (and here!)

The focus this year went to the haunted tepees.

In and out.

Back in,

back out.

Then one more time and we called it a day because we couldn't feel our fingers.

So we carved on Sunday and trick-or-treated on Monday and just like that October 2011 vanished into thin air.

Happy Halloween

2011-11-01T09:54:00.003-04:00

From Eloise, Nanny, Bill, Skiperdee, and Weenie

Our only group shot came from inside the very nicely lit gymnasium at the end of the trunk-or-treat last Wednesday night.

And as soon as her precocious yet mischievious ways and scraggly blonde hair grew in, I knew Lena was destined to be Eloise for Halloween, the rest of us was a snap:

The End.

The Part Where I Begin Speaking Strictly Fall Related Matters

2011-10-21T10:29:00.001-04:00

he did not get his eyelashes from me but I wish I could get mine from him

The fallish thing we've done aside from our trip to Virginia was Simon's preschool co-op field trip to the apple farm. There were sweaters and boots, there were trees with apples, there was cider and 7 three year olds with their moms and many younger siblings. Oh, and afterwards there was ice-cream. Slightly less fallish, but with pumpkin on the menu it seemed more than acceptable.

kids in a wagon. Eees cute, no?

In our front yard we have one of those trees that hangs on like a balding man to his comb-over, clinging to its last leaf until just after the first snow fall, letting down a consistent blanket of yellow and orange in the inbetween time. I've been meaning to get out there and get the clean up started but I just can't bring myself to do it. Vacation messes up everything. And our small window of fall simply cannot afford dilly dallying. I think it's pessimistic of me to admit after the second week of a month I pretty much declare that month over. I'm the same with birthdays. Two months past your last birthday, you're basically the next year older. That's probably why sometimes I actually have to take a second to remember how old I really am.
Now that we've recovered more or less from suitcase mode I dedicate myself and my children to the season. To the season! Because it's almost over you know.

SVU Homecoming 2011

2011-10-20T14:29:00.003-04:00

Well for starters it should be said that Homecoming was part of a two-tiered vacation this year. The first being to Steve and Rebekah's in Chapel Hill to check out their new life situation (major jealousy happened in Chapel Hill and I have pictures)
and just when the children were getting used to vacation sleep (play crib in the laundry room) we packed up our scattered belongings and headed to Virginia...sweet Virginia in the fall.

waterfalls in Virginia in the fall

I've said it once and I'll say it again: You haven't laid your eyes on fall fall until you've experienced Virginia in the fall. I've never seen anything like it, beauty all around.
And it is certainly something to see on the Southern Virginia campus. Maybe it's college campuses in the fall in general. So smart and so collegiate-y.
Collegiate-y is not very collegiate sounding.

But,we were proud we actually made it onto campus this year- to an Alumni cookout no less! And all with the people we love and very much look forward to seeing every year. To top it off, most of those people we love are now making little people we can love. So, you know, a serious amount of love happening you can imagine.

And so it goes in pictures...

Hello seasonly appropriate winding Shenandoah;)

We were happy to find the baby zip line residing right where we left it last year.Simon guinea-pigged the no seat zip line.

Mack makes a name for red heads everywhere. He's spicy. I really liked him.

The gathering at Todd's BBQ- where 100 children and babies ran wild and we were greeted with very thick southern Buena Vista accents.Jaron has a nice face that is usually hidden behind a camera he didn't whip out once this year. What's up with that?Burke and Lauren's side yard. A lot happens here.Jeff and Burke- both red. Both bearded.New baby in a sling. New baby in arms. New baby in belly. A baby for you, and you and you and you.The best park Lexington has to offer. On the way home from the best park Lexington has to offer I caught Lena stealing a kiss from Ethan in the back seat(!) True (scary) story.Ginger Buddies 2011Baby Clementine in utero. (Clementine!!)Calvin, Mack, Simon and Henry. I would trade 2 of mine for a whole month of Henry. Unfortunately, Henry belongs to Jen and Paul.Jordan and Kristy made her. She is sweet and milky white and her name is Davis Ann.Henry hides from me because he senses I might steal him. I would never do that. Especially when his mother is standing right behind him. Calvin contemplates death by tires.Piggy-braided Lena high fives the men-folk she has known since birth.Red is the color of the weekend.He is new and he smelled like a heavenly slice of baby pie and his name is James belonging to Scott and Suzanne.The worst face painter ever attacks at the SVU Alumni BBQ to give these friends a "flower" and a "pumpkin". Friendly lawn games with children under foot. Us on the front steps of Main Hall, where a younger Jeff picked a younger me up many a times to take me out on hot dates (AKA the Ruby Tuesday in Lexington).Jeff is sometimes funny.Lena and Ethan on the quest to find the biggest leaf.Inside Main Hall still smells like a couple hundred year old building.Lena finds the SVU sticker display. I find the nearest exit.I'll claim the two with red hair and devilish profiles. Something about a man and a baby, and I right ladies? And the cheesiness, I guess that's mine too.

Then we capped off the weekend with breakfast at the Pedal Car Diner at Lee Hi's truckstop before we all went our separate ways.
Conversation over hot cakes and bacon and babies in hats.We overtook the wall of booths in the back for our farewell feast.It was here, after breakfast, where the children talked their father into buying them 3 toy cadillacs and a piggy bank for Binners to keep his monies in.One day their beards will be red too.Then Mack was a little stinker in his Simple shoes and signature sweat pants and we said our goodbyes...

the arrangement that didn't last because of all the fighting

Thanks to Burke and Lauren (hosting the madness two weeks away from her due date because she is a better woman that I) and to Tones of TonesVaisey for holding down the fort so Jeff could take 10 days off. And for all of our dear dear friends that make coming back every year a no brainer.

A coupla Homecomings past: 2009, 2010

The Open Road

2011-10-12T14:30:00.001-04:00

I have learned on this trip it's actually probably a better deal to drive the many many hours than to "man the children" for many many hours. We are in North Carolina spending time with some of our favorite people. Then it's back up to Virginia for SVU Homecoming to spend time with more of our favorite people. It was a long trip down and it hasn't been relaxing. And the humidity is perhaps 99% but that's ok, because it's been plenty of other things. Other good things. Pretty inevitable when you are with people you really really like. Sacrifices, sacrifices.

It's Photos Like This One

2011-10-04T17:05:00.001-04:00

the pumpkin patch fall 2010

that insure there will in fact be a fourth baby Vaisey born eventually.

What a face! I will be needing another one.

Eventually.

Probably.

Maybe.

The New York City Post

2011-10-03T14:17:00.000-04:00

I've kept my fans waiting long enough (bahahahahahaha).

The trip to New York was so many things. So many good good things. Tiring was one, but that good kind of tired. And since I'm almost always tired so nyc tired shall be deemed the good kind of tired.

It was the kind of stroller-less walking, voice box exhausting, adolescent sleepover-ing, food hangover tired that every mother of very small children craves.

I realized some things I didn't know and already sort of knew about myself on the trip:

I talk a lot. I probably only stopped talking when I was asleep.

I actually mostly hate large crowds of people. And Times Square. I definitely hate that place(you too?).

I really love eating without responsibility and eating when and where and for how long I wish.

When you're the primary caregiver of 3 small children, it takes a small circus act of arrangements and a small team of people to go anywhere for 4 days.

Getting there slow (on a train with 7 friends...lots of talking here) and coming home quick(under 1 hour jet blue flight) is the way to go.

When traveling, Jeff and I mostly operate on a "no news is good news" policy.

The guilt of leaving a husband (mother-in-law, bless her heart) home with your three children fades alarmingly quickly (this one I already knew).

New York really does have the best pizza.

I took lots of phone pictures of the same 2-3 willing subjects.

Not a bad turn out for the Tunnel to Towers 5k. Not bad at all. Fun to be a part of, crowd and all.

Patriotism will catch you off guard and get you all choked up.

Even though I have been to New York City a few other times, I never feel like I will see it all.

I want to see it all. I also would very much like to taste it all. I've already begun compiling a list of places I will eat on my next visit.

Double checking times for your Broadway showing of Billy Elliot never hurts. One close call and a pair of nasty ticket booth ladies later all was well.

Broadway does things to me like nothing else does.

If you head over to Shake Shack after an evening show, chances you will run into the hilarious kid that played Michael in Billy Elliot are good. We attacked him for a photo and he was the cutest.

There is something strangely satisfying about figuring out the Metro(look, we arrived and it was easy!).

The battery on my phone gets me through to roughly 2pm while taking pictures and running GPS.

I hate Century 21, but loved that mega changing room with the eternal mirrors in the wee back we sat in over an hour talking away (endless opportunities at the self portrait pic).

I walk fast.

I can get by on little sleep when 3 small children aren't involved.

I really loved climbing in the back seat of the car with those 3 small children at the airport even if I knew the disaster was at home waiting. And it was.

Special thanks to Jeff, BabaJuje, Bop Bop, April, Jeannette, Katrina, Amanda, Mary, Lou and Deborah.

Now, who wants to go back in the spring? Bek? Juje? Robin?

I've got this going out of town stuff down to a science.

It's Tuesday and I Have To Be Somewhere at 10:30

2011-09-22T18:20:00.001-04:00

My morning goes like this:

6:30am, I'm awake and nursing the baby who I thought I weaned a few months back while trying to keep my eyes closed tight and my head on my pillow
Scoot the baby onto the floor with toys
Drag myself out of bed at the sound of a baby no longer satisfied with a pile of Star Wars guys- change his diaper because the whole upstairs reeks
Dress the baby
Give the baby a granola bar and set him on the bathroom floor and hop in the shower
Turn off the shower in time to hear Simon screaming. They are both up. Lena did something to him
Run past the bare window in the hallway and into my room with baby on my naked hip and start getting dressed
Change the baby's clothes because he opened the shower curtain on me 10 times
Change baby's diaper again- again?!
Head down stairs and throw breakfast together
Peel Simon away from playing Star Wars Legos and remind him today is the day he gets his cast off. Then remember he isn't excited about that fact
Finish cleaning breakfast disasters-there are more Raisin Bran flakes on the table than in the bowls and someone dumped their whole yogurt on the floor
Order children to get dressed
Force clothing onto two disobedient children that run away after each article of clothing is put on
Get ready some more
Hear Simon scream. Lena did something to him
Peel Simon off Star Wars Legos and put Lena in a time out
Change baby's diaper. Again. What is going on?!
Look up where I'm going on GPS, grab my bag and keys and hustle everyone into the car
Diffuse melt downs over footwear
Go back in and grab Lena's things for school just in case we don't make it back for the bus
Look at clock- 10:17, we're going to be right on time, imagine that!
Finish makeup in the car
Start the trek up to the doctor's office and realize there's no stroller
Carry baby while holding the older's hands in the parking lot
Diffuse fight over who holds who's hand
Wait in line
Break up a fight. Lena bothering Simon. Simon screaming.
Children notice a fish tank, they take baby brother to see
Smile at strangers admiring the baby's fiery red locks and cute old man walk
Check in and sit down in a crowded waiting area that does not have a fish tank
Chase baby because he ran to see the fish tank
Chase baby to and from fish tank 15 more times and smile at strangers that are amused
Decide that it's not amusing anymore and search in my bag for something for the baby to eat/play with
Discover what seems to be a fermenting piece of fruit at the bottom of my bag and dry heave a little bit because it's now on my hand
Make a mental note to clean out my bag more often
Look up and discover baby has run off again. Leave fermentation for later and chase down baby
Convince children to play with things instead of trying to share/fight over the same chair
Wait
Children are whining they are thirsty. Leave good/rare seats to find water.
Deal with situations that occur when young children are given cups of water
Stand
Chase
Wait
Chase
Note, that for once, I am on time and the doctor is running late
Call Jeff to see if he can come pick up Lena because there's no way we'll make it back for her bus
Watch baby roll on the floor kicking and screaming and then smile at amused(annoyed) strangers
Wait
Chase
"Simon Vaisey" FINALLY we're called
Shuffle children, pick up fermenting fruit bag and head back to wait in a smaller room
Wait
Shuffle children to next room and hold baby while Simon sits nervously as his cast is sawed off his arm. Wish for a stroller.

"Glenn Beck" uses the quiet saw to pry off Simon's cast as he nervously looks on

Shuffle children to waiting area for an X-ray.
Wait while holding fidgety baby
Shuffle children to X-ray room

you think the X-ray technician would appreciate this one?

Hold baby while he screams and does that arching his back thing all mothers detest
Shuffle children to another waiting room this time with a movie and puzzles and more amused strangers
Pull baby off of kid table
Wait
Pull baby off of kid table
Jeff's here! Direct him to where we are
Meet Jeff in the lobby, relief has never looked so good!

Gladly drive Lena to school
Peel off a crying Lena from my leg at school:(
Back to the doctor's office, they are finished!
After much debate head to lunch with Jeff
Sit and eat through one half hour of an under napped baby flailing about in a high chair while he throws every piece of food he is given onto the floor.
Note that there are amused strangers wherever we go
Go home, put baby in his crib, shut the door tight and put Simon in front of his beloved Star Wars Legos game.
Stand in the kitchen shell shocked and afraid to sit down because the earth might explode

the saga continues...

Then the morning melted into the afternoon where the baby's nap was short, Simon peed his pants, Lena's bus seemed to arrive home extra early and every child within a 1 mile radius came over to play.

But I'm not complaining.

I'm going to New York City without all of them on Saturday for three days.

And If all you got from this post was noticing my newest pair of glasses and my upcoming trip to New York City, I'm totally with you. I just thought you should know what goes on between getting new glasses and trips to New York City.

It's a delicate balance of self pity and rewards.
And as it just so happens, I am the queen of justification. The absolute queen.

And if you made it through this entire post you can come with me and I'll tell you all about it.

It Figures

2011-09-20T23:08:00.003-04:00

Last Saturday, for no particular reason, we got a late start.
Jeff spent a few hours at the office with Lena attending to some business matters while the baby napped and Simon played Star Wars Legos and when he got home we just couldn't get moving and get productive. So, naturally, we went to BabaJuje's. But she had plans (rude!) So we raided her fridge and on the way home we decided to let the children burn off the leftover steam (from a mostly lounging television day) at the park in Perinton. And besides the point, it was that time of day, witching hour. The time when the parents are spent and the children have that certain look in their eyes. Those little stinkers were feisty on Saturday. We pulled into the parking lot of the park and looked over at each other and realized we both wore the same look upon our faces:

"ugh...the park...too tired...to do the park...ugh".

But we drug our bods out of the car and the children headed for the hills (because the playground was on a hill).
I think I am noticing a theme to my life. When I really don't want to do something, but make the effort out of selflessness (would you believe sometimes I am selfish!?), it almost certainly turns out to be a great experience.
Case and point: the park on Saturday.
Let me correct that...the park WITH SAND (those are the worst kind) on Saturday.
But you already know what I'm going to say next before I even say it (have you been here before?), we had a nice family Saturday ending to a blah day at the park with sand on the hill.
Go figure.

sand messages for Gramps' 80th. Turns out he's 79. Minor details, minor details.

Oh, and I took some pictures. Go figure.

We're Not Alone Together Very Often, But Sometimes We Are

2011-09-14T13:57:00.000-04:00

I want to remember everything about him at this age:

The age of bursting personality and precociousness and long afternoon naps.

The age they start getting really fast and are capable of destruction in .5 seconds.

The age of bucky teeth and squealing and when every single article of clothing makes them ooz of cuteness.

The age of short legs and climbing, wild hair and funny faces, the middle between baby and boy...

yes, this age, I never want to forget.

THE (Accentuate the "E") First Day of Kindergarten

2011-09-13T14:03:00.003-04:00

Well, here they are, the pictures of the much anticipated, first ever day of school:
hair combed, new clothes, backpack full of tissue boxes and markers and glue sticks.
A kindergartener if I ever saw one.
After the photo shoot (and she jumped off the porch 30 more times)we were off!
I spent 15 minutes that first day in her classroom as instructed by her teacher, "Mr. D". That's what he's called. We like Mr. D. and long before we found out Lena had him for her teacher, Jeff was in a soccer league with him. It never hurts to personally know your child's teacher, that's what I always say. He is handsome and short and has been teaching for 13 years. I approve. Not that you have to be short and handsome for approval, but you know.

When he announced it was time for parents to leave I kissed her head and walk-sprinted towards the door. I told her to sit by the reading area and wave to me out the window when I walked by:
Lucky for me I had my camera.
If you didn't know Lena, this photo would be heartbreaking.
Lucky for me, I know her.
That sweet face is all too familar.
I thought I would be the one to cry.

She came home (on the bus!) with this nestled in her bag:

She's totally fine. Totally fine. And so am I.
Totally fine.
(Did I make that sound convincing?)

A Bit of Excitement and Celebrating, but Not Too Much

2011-09-13T13:59:00.001-04:00

The bigger deal we make out of something, the more indecisive about a situation she seems to be. She's this way with simple decision making too.

"But I don't KNOW WHICH ICE CREAM TO PICK!"

The amount of drama involved would lead one to believe the decision of ice cream flavor was to determine the outcome of her fate forever. Maybe it will. Maybe it won't, but the point is is that it's totally her, and so on the eve of Kindergarten, when I heard my friend was going to grace her Kindergartener with the same, in lieu of a big production dinner we made Sundaes. Also totally her.

this goodness fueled her through her first day

Then we ended the evening with a bath(Kindergarteners shouldn't have ice cream in their hair on the first day), and a first of many for-the-new-school-year-Father's Blessing.

A "quietly special" way to start the school year I think, yes.

On Labor Day One Week Ago

2011-09-12T17:50:00.003-04:00

Last week took 2 years off my life. And now that it's over, I'm ready to reflect on that crazy week in September called: back to school week. I didn't know just what that week was capable of and now I do.

But before school even began, there was a splendid three day weekend thanks to our beloved Labor Day.

In the Vaisey family, for the last 50 something years, that means a clam bake at the cottage...

We bundled up for the last boat rides of the season and sent summer off packing with a beautiful, cool, grey day in September.

(sigh)

It Was Saturday and We Went To Palmyra

2011-09-01T11:16:00.011-04:00

Sometimes the only thing to do when you have little children is to strap them down and go for a drive. So on Saturday evening, that's what we did.

Because I'm not entirely sure we've ever taken the children to the Scared Grove, and the Joseph Smith House and the Temple we decided to make that the end destination. They've never been there!? How can that be?

There's a saying for stuff like that: taking things for granted.

A little Lena running to her heart's content

And so it was the first time we had been there all as a family, walking on the temple grounds. The place Jeff and I, nearly seven years ago, inside the then snow clad-temple, were sealed to each other and to any future children we decided to bare. We were the only ones roaming around and running in the grass Saturday evening and it was nice. That's the beauty of the small temples. And Palmyra specifically has so much land and space. It's really beautiful there.

And the Grove...Jeff proposed in that grove you know. Well actually in the parking lot of that grove. He pulled that diamond ring out of a tiny clear plastic bag that was burning a hole in his pocket on a regular day in July and I witnessed something rarely seen, an awkward and nervous Jeff. Then he asked me to be his wife forever. And I said yes, and here we are together with so much yet so little life behind us.

I don't think we even knew the weight of that decision then. In fact, I'm sure of it.

We lost Boba Fett there on those meaningful and sacred grounds on Saturday, and years before found the beginnings of a life we are so blessed to have.

Saturday evening together felt like real proof of power in the small and simple things.

And expressing so many feelings this consistantly sappy and sentimental as of late doesn't necessairly mean I'm pregnant.

At least I hope it doesn't. It's time for precautionary measures. Did I just talk about birth control on the blog? Yes, I think I did.

When I got pregnant before Lena (an early miscarriage) I knew it the instant I started bawling while watching Patch Adams at my sister's. Patch Adams, people. It was 2005. And that movie is awful.

Here's to more trips to the sites and more space between baby number 3 and 4. You know, if baby number 4 is to exist.

An Encore

2011-08-31T23:30:00.003-04:00

The Bitter and The Sweet

2011-08-29T22:14:00.003-04:00

It's near September and schools around here won't start until after Labor Day weekend.

I'm now a parent that has to know about school starting and stuff.

Can I take a moment and point out how strange that feels?

Having a kindergartener is like finding out you're pregnant for the first time. So insignificant to the other people walking around this world yet so incredibly monumental on your own timeline. Life changing and chapter closing. The choice of welcoming the change and the letting go that always follows.

Did you know,

I gave birth to beings and they get older every day?

the Vaisey's do the Fairport library

I am young and old and wise and inexperienced.

Wasn't I just 19?

Lately the realization of my oldest child's childhood slipping away has really begun to sink in.

Also I should point out here, my pessimistic tendencies.

When it's the end of the day and I am exhausted beyond measure and I can't do dinner, and I don't want to do bedtime and if one more child asks me for something(!!), and I can't remember the last moments to myself that didn't involve laundry and very late nights, it's hard to see past to tomorrow.

I want them to grow up and stay small all at the same time. I am self-diagnosed with Motherhood Bipolar Disorder. I long for quiet and peace and order, but really enjoy the baby's fat face and the boy's tender sweetness and her lispy clever-talk- those things that can only be found in small ones. But I need them to grow up so I can feel sane. I need to feel in control of something again.

I know growing up brings so many great things. I know we will go on family vacations without diapers or crying babies, go to soccer games and spelling bees, drop off dapper young teens at school dances and cry over first heartbreaks. And I bet sometimes, then, I will be alone. Alone! Imagine that? I can and I can't wait.

But then.

Then they go to sleep and something magical happens.

I stare at their little faces and have that familar overwhelming feeling of peace wash over me. It consumes my soul and I remember in that instant what it's all for. It feels like a Mack Truck. My chest feels heavy and I'm breathless and thankful and my eyes welt up all at once. I am newly inspired to be better and to be everything I can be for them. I will move mountains. I am undeserving and they are so cute and small and I am so happy to be needed. So grateful to be needed.

That's why God invented sleeping children.

It is sometimes only then that I get to revel in the greatest cliché ever thought up:

They grow up so fast.

There, I said it.

Now I can have time to enjoy it while it is here and eventually let it go and welcome change. It's the rejoicing and the mourning and it's the bitter but the oh so sweetness of parenthood. It's the stuff I'm still trying to figure out.

In Regards To Lena: With The "Bad"/Patience Trying/Energy Sucking,

2011-08-25T21:38:00.007-04:00

comes the good:

seriously.

I guess kids only get better with age.

*Her friend Ella fell off of the neighborhood zip line(? which made for two broken arms on one street this summer!) and this is her message to her. Apparently she spent the better part of an hour on my bed making various versions in Photo Booth, all equally and hilariously Lena-esque

The Sink and the Toilet:

2011-08-25T16:02:00.005-04:00

two items of endless fascination

What's up with that?

Calvin Spies With His Little Eye

2011-08-23T14:53:00.003-04:00

4 black and white hens roaming the backyard.

On Friday, Jeff Stayed Home From Work

2011-08-22T16:45:00.007-04:00

...something about his office and paint fumes.

After staying up entirely too late on Thursday the following morning begged for an attempt at sleeping in even if it was a pathetic display at best. Then we finally dragged ourselves out of bed to the relentless screams of a certain red head and promptly made a bagel run. I attacked the house while the baby slept and he took the olders to swim at BB and BBJJs (Bop Bop and BabaJuje's in case you didn't know: Grandma and Grandpa in case you still didn't know) Then we met back up with matching bags under our eyes and while fighting back yawns, together we took the children for ice cream down by the canal.

And because it was Friday and not yet Saturday, it was better.

Then the children were wired at bedtime and while laying with the 3 year old with insomniac tendencies I counted 71(actual number of times) repeat requests for a drink of water before I finally succumbed to his sleep stalling. His quiet voice in the dark was too much to resist and for every 15 "can I have a drink of water"s there was a "mommy, do you heeeeear me". My laughter was my giveaway.

Then sleep (finally) came for them and sleep for us came eventually but not before staying up too late again to watch WWll HD (I can't look away!) on Netflix.

Why, Netflix? Why?

Then Sunday didn't come, but instead we welcomed a Saturday and another day together. Then another round of late night Netflix because we'll never learn, but this time it was a solo viewing of North and South for me and a new x-box game for him. Sometimes we decompress in divide and conquer-like fashion.

But still, two days in a row of blessed family idleness!

The moral of the story is that surprise 3-day weekends are the best and we need to start going to bed earlier. Why do we crave the late nights? I blame it on small children, just like I do most everything else. I want to stay up because I need the "free" awake time. But I need to sleep because my "unfree" awake time requires a lot of energy. More energy than I have I confess. These days there is no middle ground to be found.

Damned if we do, damned if we don't.

But also in a good way, ya know?

One is Tender One is Fiery, Both Are My Sons

2011-08-19T21:46:00.010-04:00

Simon was born with a heart the size of Texas. Literally. Just kidding. I hate when people misuse the word literally.

He is tender and loving and cuddly and gentle and hard to reason with.

Calvin seems to be on the path of Lenadom(destruction, mischief, stand up comedy, pazazz with jazz hands) And having Simon as an older brother gives him a leg up and he will probably receive fewer sassed-my-mother mouthfuls of soap because of it.

You could consider yourself pretty lucky to be born Simon's baby brother. Pretty lucky indeed.

But since you're obviously already born here's a few reasons why:

He can teach you all about Star Wars and Legos and sometimes Star Wars Legos.
He'll teach you that it's always better to get someone else to put your shoes and clothes on than actually doing it yourself.
He will most likely kiss you on your head and swipe your cheek gently immediately after as if to seal his kiss into the eternities. Calvin eats Star Wars Legos

If you pretend cry, you can get him to do anything you want. (But you would never want to abuse his tenderness in this manner, this is only for use in desperate situations)
He'll stay up with you till midnight because he doesn't care for sleep much, but if you prefer to sleep in on such midnight occasions, he will use the ipad in the corner turned down low until you wake instead of giving himself a whiteout mani/pedi or bathe in your lotions like someone else you may know(ahemLENAahem*coughcough).
He will show you the cautious and safe way to do things, but he won't hold you back. No, he wouldn't dream of it.
He will teach you that there are few things better on Earth than dogs

He'll miss you so much when you're gone and teach you the art of exciting most easily.
But most importantly he doesn't complain much and will ask his mother's permission almost always and won't cross the street alone(these are a mother's favorites)and he'll show you how to do likewise

In conclusion, Calvin, your sister is pretty amazing too(and funny and loud and an expert eye roller), but if you see her jumping off any cliffs just sit down beside Simon on the sidelines instead. It will spare you much discipline from your parents and probably save your life. Literally.

Just A Wednesday From Many Angles: To The Future Us

2011-08-17T20:58:00.006-04:00

Hey, remember how on any given day in the summer months we could be found buying and spending time at Bop Bop and BabaJuje's, swimming and jumping the afternoon away?

It was fun and you didn't know that we did it partially because sometimes the house needs to stay clean for more than 10 minutes.

I just didn't want us to forget. I really loved those summer days with you.

Also helpful picture reminders- Calvin: in case your hair darkens like your father's has with age, remember it was on fire at age 15 months. On fire.

Self: there was a time in your life when you rocked a deep v neck t-shirt. Your welcome;)

A Broken Arm Has Its Many Perks

2011-08-16T12:36:00.006-04:00

like your parents making excuses for your grouchy behavior.

Simon needs all the blankets and cushions in the house?

"Well, he does have a broken arm".

Simon wants another orange buddy?

"Well, his arm is broken".

But also mainly, people send you red packages in the mail.

Simon received loads of partially melted chocolate and other misc. from my mom and the Indiana peeps.

And just yesterday his attacker sent over a play tent and tunnel wrapped up in none other than red paper. Bless her little pushing-children-off-the-top-of-the-fort-heart.

Note the cast scribbling: Lena just couldn't get her signature right. We've had to hide all the permanent markers.

Talk about special "treat"ment(yes?).

He gets a hilarious mom broken arm or no broken arm. Luck of the draw.

But even when you have a broken arm, you still have to be grateful:

For One, It Means Great Pictures of The Children

2011-08-15T10:12:00.007-04:00

Our favorite photographer friends, Jaron and his sweetheart Angelina(aka: Angel, aka: the sweetest human being on planet earth...no really, and she has a New Zealand accent so, win win basically)were here for the past four days and we had fun showing them how crazy life is with three littles. It's crazy. Really crazy.

And now they know.

They were in our region of the country so they drove to Rochester and did all the corporate head shots for Jeff's firm for all of 2 hours and the rest of the time they were hanging out with us and chasing our children and neighbor children-Emily, don't be alarmed at the sight of some random man playing with your children, that's just Jaron;) And they took beautiful photos of it all.

Why can't every day be captured by photographer friends who are as excellent with their cameras as they are with children? Why?

More to come, some involving wildlife and nature and the lake and crazy children(always crazy children).

I wonder if I had Esq. draft up a decent looking proposal(complete with fine print?) to have them come live in the "play room" and document our lives everyday for food and good company(that company being me and Jeff of course)if they would go for it?

It's as if Jaron's eyes are saying he's already had the exact same idea.

Sticks and Stones Will Break His Bones

2011-08-09T10:26:00.008-04:00

and so will falling off a swing set.

On Friday, Simon "fell"(got pushed to his doom is the story of the hour and the perp is 3 and only 2 feet tall with a voice the size of a mouse. a girl mouse) off the top of a neighbor's play fort.

Lena hurried home to tell(yell) me the news before Simon was brought to me and she is so awesome at playing up the drama that I was expecting to see bones sticking out of skin.

I heard his wailing right away and soon he was in sight and on the front porch. There were buckets of upset tears, but he could still move it and open his hand (isn't no movement the true sign of breakage? I'm clueless about these sorts of injuries aparently). He calmed quickly to a movie and snacks and a bag of frozen peas. Probably a scary fall and a sprain is what we thought.

And so, being the awesome parents that we are, we let him have a broken arm all weekend before we finally took him in for an x-ray on Monday after noticing the swelling wasn't going down and that he had morphed into Mr. Roboto.

Funny but sad.

The verdict? Broken in two places.

Dag.

Jeff covered x-ray duty and I was on cast appointment. I'm glad I got to take him in alone to have the cast put on. He was brave and if it hurt, his face and spirit bore no evidence.

It was an enjoyable encounter with my middlest son there at the urgent care.

And the upside? His arm is Darth Vader's light saber for the next 6 weeks.

Probably our next mother/son outing won't involve broken bones being casted.

But if it does, I've got it covered.

So next time you see Simon, grab your sharpie and find a special spot on the miniature red cast-saber.

This one's going down in the books.

His Favorite Spot in The House

2011-08-01T07:00:00.001-04:00

I find him like this at least once every day.

It's granny's old ottoman and it's like his own personal ship.

I take a picture then I have to run over and scoop him up and eat him for lunch.

An Egg! An Egg!

2011-07-30T21:10:00.007-04:00

Take a look a what I found while tending to the ladies this evening!:

the coop before her fresh coat of white trim and our first small brown backyard egg!

I am surprised at how satisfying finding that first egg was for me. And right in the resting box where it belongs to boot.

It's as if that one time when I was alone in the backyard and had to chase a couple of the gals (while cursing the chicken gods under my breath) in the neighbors yard (the one with a dog) while Calvin sat crying zippered in on the trampoline was totally worth it.

I think I deserve this one-egg omelet all to myself for my hard work.

That is, if I can bring myself to actually crack it open.

Isn't it pretty?

I'm such a proud mother.

Now I'm off to find a cute egg collecting basket.

I Wrote You This Big Sexy Post I Think You're Going To Really Dig

2011-07-26T21:58:00.018-04:00

When we weren't hauling children to and from the pool and the cottage we could most likely be found spending our in-between time s'more-ing, camping, swinging, sliding, watering, eating, talking, laughing, re-desiging living rooms, talking, You-Tubing, Hulu-ing, laughing, laughing, laughing, drawing, painting, talking, eating, eating, and swimming with our clothes on.

We tried our darndest to cover all our bases, but in the end, we were just left wanting more. More madness, more late nights(more sleep), more time.

and so let's get to it

This is the tale of Captain Jack Sparrow

a pirate so brave on the seven seas

a mystical quest

to the isle of Tortuga

raven locks sway on the ocean breeze

Captain Jack

Johnny Depp

Davy Jones

giant squid

Now back to the good part

Thanks to Juje for hosting the loud and the crazy and the very sticky

Thanks to Bek for scrubbing up paint in the bathroom grout for over an hour and for the laughs- always for the laughs.

Thanks to Dylan- uncle of the year goes to you

Thanks to Mini Jeff for sleeping through the night every night

Thanks to Bop Bop for succumbing to peer pressure and taking the full-clothed dive

& Thanks to heaven on high, for I feel blessed blessed blessed to be a part of such a crazy family

My beloved Vaiseys: you complete me(<-click).

An Art Pageant: Spare No Glitz

2011-07-26T13:33:00.009-04:00

Guess what happens when the oldest cousin is 10 and a girl?

Free babysitting.

But guess what else happens. Organized play run by a dictatorship.

And specifically for this year...an art pageant.

It might have been our recent family marathon of Toddlers and Tiaras that brought on the pageant theme. Man that show is awesome.

Either way, Lena loves being bossed around by Delia almost as much as she like to boss. Which is a lot.

They worked so hard all afternoon on their masterpieces.

Because technically this pageant was also an art auction, everyone else in the family was given a paddle and as far as budget was concerned, that was up to every individual family to determine what was in their means to spend.

These children weren't born yesterday and the one that was born a year ago wasn't participating.

They know the way to their Grandparents'(that'd be Bop Bop and BabaJuje) hearts (wallets): home-crafted grandchild artwork.

To keep up with the children's excitement and sheer momentum we played along and in the end there was real money to be found in each grubby child-sized paw.

Even dear old family friend, Hartman, dug deep and walked away with a prize collector's piece.

I think I spent a grand total of like 20 bucks! Whew.

even though I forget most of the names, they were the best part. I believe one went something like: Lollipop Eye

Dee Dee was crowned pageant queen

5...5...do I hear 5? 6...6? 6.50? 7...7...do I hear 7?

Things to appreciate here: Steve's socks/sandal power combo, Hartman's sword and change counting

Aunt Bekah takes home Lolipop Eye

Lemonade stands have nothing on this crafty bunch. Pun. And two bits (for you Bek, you can have my two bits any day)!

*no child was spray-tanned during the making of this post

At the Cottage Again In Pictures and Other Things

2011-07-25T11:17:00.009-04:00

The summer heat has not disappointed this year. I keep my mouth shut about the humidity and 100 degree madness because I don't want winter to hear me. He is always listening you know.

These pictures round out the rest of our cottage time during Summerish of V.

I noticed a few things while looking through them:

-most of them are of me and Rebekah

-and among those, most of them have us modeling diet cokes

-bay water is pretty gross actually

-thinking about the cottage makes me really happy and all these people are why

Back in Rochester right about now, I hear the thunder rolling in and it's about time. The brown grass is choking to death out front. Rain calls for all indoor chores to be done. The baby is pulling every last item out of my to-and-from-the-pool-bag and every magnet off the fridge and the olders are at Vacation Bible School. Do your children go? The church who puts it on around here is chock full of little Mormon primary boys and girls this week.

Vacation Bible School is genius I tell you. Genius!

And then there were 200 more pictures (of me and rebekah) waiting in the wings. Maybe they should have a blog of their own.

In The Pool Again

2011-07-20T11:00:00.004-04:00

My skin is still shedding the sunburn from that first day in the pool with them.

Lucky for him, the baby found hours of ultraviolet free refuge napping in a pack-n-play inside.

The semi-littles found worry free safety in life jackets

and we all tore it up in the pool.

remind me to get a pool put in when my grandchildren arrive.

As far as entertainment/ sleep sedatives go, it's a toughie to beat.

It's True What They Say

2011-07-20T10:43:00.001-04:00

It Was Like a Blink of an Eye

2011-07-19T23:14:00.005-04:00

Since their departure one measly week after their arrival I haven't brought myself to sit down and unload the vast amounts of pictures that were taken of our togetherness until now.

Boy, I'm tired! I had the tinniest twinge to blog today so I'm running with it. I remember why I prefer to write a little something more often because now I can't move forward until the Fourth is behind us in full force.

Here in New York, when the cousins come in July, we press repeat and keep it traditional.

Ready for stale parades and cousin luuuv?

It went like this, Monday: Fairport villiage parade

but not before

Sunday: Wolcott fireworks & cottage

of the fourth of July.

I hope I keep feeling twingy so I can share the rest of our week together in what will be known as the Summerish of Vaisey in honor of last year and because we got the condensed version this year.

I offered to have them stay longer(the rest of the summer?) and all sleep in our upstairs multipurpose "playroom" complete with fold out bed and limited floor space due to what I refer to as "obese amounts of un-played with toys and crap," but for some reason they declined. I can't figure it out?

All I can think of it that I guess you grow pretty snobby when you become new home owners.

You Should Know, (sacred moments are upon us)

2011-07-06T09:53:00.006-04:00

the summer of Vaisey is back in full effect-except more like mini effect because a certain Vaisey family will only be around for the rest of this week (they bought their "first" really "nice" new house and said something about wanting to go back and "get their lives started" in North Carolina or "settled" or "unpacked" or "set roots" or something like that)

So to consolidate a summer into 10 days? Can it be done? It must.

We must seize the day and eat and laugh and skip sleep and go full glitz.

Just yesterday Rebek and I lounged in the pool talking and talking face to face(her face is the best)! And instead of ignoring our children while chatting on the phone, we ignored our skin and have the red burning flesh to prove it. Let it be known, when we're together something is getting ignored.

Here we can be seen pictured wasting no time together: 4th of Julying and boat riding and parading.

the cottage

and more cottage

What will be do next!? Nobody knows.

Now if you will excuse me, time is of the essence.

you understand.

The Children Missed Us So Much While We Were Away

2011-06-27T12:04:00.005-04:00

Did you know sometimes I can be sarcastic?

It's one of my best charms.

this is what it looks like when you are loved very much by a very involved grandmother

Lena and Simon ran to us and hugged us then promptly asked, "What did you bring us!?"

Then we unloaded the loot we purchased for them at the Deseret Book Store.

I'm pretty sure the baby is making me earn back his affection for abandoning him yet another weekend. He greeted me with a sly smile and a twist of the wrist letting me know in my arms is not where he wanted to be. The nerve!

In terms of careers, that is the equivalent of receiving a major pay cut.

I'll show him.

It's good to be back. More on Utah and what's to look forward to in July (here's a hint...6 certain someones!!!)

Wandering The Fairport Villiage and I'm Afraid I Have Promised Calvin To Many

2011-06-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

First weekend every June you can except to find us at Canal Days in Fairport.

If you've been here a while then you've already heard me gush over funnel cake and kettle corn from years previous so I won't tell you about the lemonade or the carny food either. But if I did tell you about it, I would tell you that it's worth dragging along 3 whiny mcgees through the crowded streets to consume.

Jeff's old buddy's mother has a place on the canal and we make an annual stop there too so our children can wander aimlessly in their house and dig in the non-kid friendly yard.

Kate and Hartman are one of those couples you swear you need to get together with more often, but then only really end up seeing one another once a year during canal days.

Last year:

Every year you end in the same, "We need to get together soon!!"

And you know they would be great in-laws so you put your youngest son down to play with their sweet little nugget of a daughter, Margaret Jean, and hope the sparks fly!

Mostly there will be fighting over organic baby puffs and the pulling of strawberry blonde and auburn locks but don't sweat it.

There's always next year at Canal Days.

ROC to ORD to SLC then SLC to ORD to ROC

2011-06-24T07:00:00.002-04:00

Jeff and I are headed to Salt Lake in the early morn for a funeral.

A good friend of his was killed in an accident last weekend.

Can I reverently say that death is so weird? We will have plenty to discuss on the way out.

We will miss the children (one of us less than the other) but we will be in and out surgically and back by Sunday.

A special award/medal/honor/knighthood will be presented to BabaJuje upon our return as she will be granted temporary guardianship this weekend.

Why do children always have a knack to sense a trip is coming then give you a whopper of a day as a send off present?

And if we die in a plane crash, children, know I love you more than anyone on this earth even when I say things like "one of us will miss you less than the other"(plus you can't prove that person is me)

also- Steve & Rebekah, please see to it that they go to church and college.

You can figure out the in-between stuff.

Images from Jeff's cell phone:

he always seems to have some good ones filed away...

From Here On Out Our Saturdays Are Set To Repeat

2011-06-23T07:30:00.000-04:00

and repeat

I Want To Share My Life With Them: Father's Day 2011

2011-06-20T16:12:00.009-04:00

For Father's Day this year I made sure to nag extra loud and long to get my family to church on time.

I did not bother to make the father of the house breakfast nor did I bother to have the children present him with handmade treasures, or treasures at all for that matter. Usually, most of the sometimes, I bother.

The father of the house was put on baby duty right after his eldest sang "Families Can Be Together Forever" with her fellow short primary friends.

A trip home to change promptly following sacrament meeting was required by the father of the house due to an incident involving baby duty and complimentary Father's Day chocolates.

Upon immediate arrival home from church I made my family pose for 100,000 self timed family photos on the front porch in their Sunday best. A Father's Day tradition. The father was a good sport, but I could tell he was oh so very tired (a cocktail of very late night work and Sunday baby duty is bound to do that to a father).

"Just one (hundred) more!"

When the backdoor swung open wide my bad mood struck (lightning!) at the sight of the weekend destruction I saw before me. I almost bawled in defeat. On the day of father's no less.

The father of the house did dishes, tidied up every room in the house including the room where toys go to die, folded laundry (before you go giving him too much credit know it's a beautiful rarity) took out the trash and consoled his irrational, profanity-yelling wife in true father-like fashion.

And if you ask me, I think he has finally arrived.

Just think, before you know it, he won't even be getting any Christmas gifts (because seriously more than one year none of us got my dad anything and when you're a dad, you're almost always ok with this).

And I had the best Father's Day ever.

Father's Day 2011

I like to think his day didn't turn out half bad either.

We're Practically Swedes

2011-06-17T09:27:00.004-04:00

You know, because of all the time we spend outside.

A Backyard Day in June-

love where you live and live in your swim suit days

the baby's head smells like sunscreen days

"Turn off the hose!" twelve times a day days

eat, pee, run, cry, walk and play outside days

bug bites,

swim at the in-laws,

play at the neighbor's days

anticipate July 1st when the cousins come but being careful not to wish away June days,

because June days...

are pretty damn good

if my french does say so itself.

Pulling Up Happiness, One Weed at a Time

2011-06-16T14:06:00.011-04:00

I tried to come up with a "general conference-y" title for this post.

Cheesy but at the same time you know just what's coming, No?

Year one in this house, holy moly the yard went untouched.

We moved in so late into the season, lawn mowing was just about over anyway, plus the fact we didn't own a mower, or a shovel, or a single yard tool for that matter.

Then soon that same year quickly came the older-neighborhood-leaf-clean-up.

Do you live in an old neighborhood filled with approximately 1 million old trees surrounding your home? Well then you know all about leaf clean up. It's a doozie.

That first year we were here, Jeff raked our leaves just after the first winter snow melted (ha!)

We didn't want to be completely shamed out of the neighborhood come spring. That stands as one of my favorite memories of our early home owning days- Jeff with a hat and gloves and winter coat zipped tight -rake in hand sweating away looking very much out of his element. (a lot of my best memories come from Jeff dressed up with some kind of tool in hand, I will link back every chance I get).

Spring came, and we just plain mowed all summer, taking no action against weeds.

Year two we mulched, did a little landscaping courtesy of BabaJuje and myself and started our vegetable garden.

Year three brought another baby and another year of semi neglect. Babies will do that. But we did paint the house and added a fence in the back. So...not bad.

But this year, this year I have become your run of the mill OCD yard neighbor. Rogue trees have nothing on me. It's like our yard has finally arrived and we can actually show our faces on the street with pride-the front yard at least...

I can be found saying grown-up yard things like,

"Oh my, Mr. Flemmings, you're wife's tulips are coming in beautifully this year, what's her secret" and, "Brillant sedum, I'm thinking of adding some to the front garden".

I have spent many hours in my cut offs and worn garden gloves, tools in hand, sweat on brow. It is such therapy!

I really do love to garden. Who knew?

Now, don't go signing us up to win any blue ribbons at the county fair (for one- they don't give out blue ribbons for pretty yards at the county fair)

But, I have really understood those people who take pride in their yard because I think I am one of them.

It's my job to clean up inside, I'm just expanding my business. Anything to avoid basement laundry.

And since my husband would only really start to show yard concern if our grass was 3 feet tall, I took it upon myself and I'm sure glad I did.

Anyway, the point is I have found in my adult life so many instances of "happy work". Work the children can do along side me (I am big on children working along side, if there was a "walk for children working along side their parents" I would surely join the cause), and no one is complaining of the work because it's enjoyable. Did you know children like to water things and pull weeds? They do.

And isn't life partly about learning to enjoy the things you have to do anyway? I explain each year of yard transformation as an example because I believe learning to love work is a progression. Now, I'm no general authority but I believe life is much better when you actually enjoy what you're doing. In fact, I'm pretty sure happiness depends on it.

A life of work that blends with happiness. What could be better?

Nothing. That's what.

Because Time Heals Nothing

2011-06-15T10:53:00.008-04:00

If you ran into Jeff this past weekend and he stood staring blankly twirling his hair it's because he played the role of mother and father this weekend.

Well, he probably just played father.

In a desperate attempt to return life to my eyes I went to corn field filled Indiana. Alone. No children. By myself. Lena's send-off (oh the tears!) made me question if I should follow through. But once the guilt faded (surprisingly quickly;) the stress began to fade too and soon it was completely gone. I only flinched twice on the trip out when I heard the shrills of a screaming 3 year old. I was reminded that my only involvement in his crying was to simply walk away. So I did.

I stayed with my dad in Avon, the town where I grew up and graduated high school. I caught up with friends, stayed up late, slept in and hung out with my siblings all weekend long. Nothing but responsibility-free nostalgia. Come to think of it, it was a lot like high school.

lunch with dad and Ryan and no highchairs

I even managed to squeeze in a few Indiana favorites like riding around in American made cars and going to the (ghetto..seriously my skin was crawling) shooting range. I got really wild and went for a handful of rides on the back of a motorcycle (seriously, I consider that pretty wild), I even took my precious time showering and getting ready each day! Imagine that!

Proof of my Indiana wildness through a camera phone:

I forgot how much fun getting ready with a sister's opinion can be.

All that power in my hands was intimidating.

If you know how to shoot a gun and you are offended by the way I am holding the gun because clearly I do not, I understand.

who's enjoying themselves? me!

And an entire day spent downtown walking the canal and the streets of Indianapolis in picture perfect weather.

Everything is more exciting without responsibility you know. Did you not know?

When it came quitting time, I was ready to see my children.

But if I'm being completely honest, I must have really needed this trip because I couldn't be found crying myself to sleep in their absence not a once;)

Motherhood is a delicate balance.

Three Is Finally The New Two

2011-06-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

Do you ever look back through pictures of the previous year and wonder how you got to here?

These images were taken a year ago.

Three children was so new to me then, and now I'm a pro.

It's funny how good at life you can become with good practice.

Even when you switch into survival mode.

I didn't know I had that mode until this last year.

How quickly we adapt to change and familiarize ourselves with a new situation. Especially when that situation is adding a person to a family. The events leading up to and following a new baby are so surreal. Like a blip.

Then comes the experience and practice.

When I had Lena, everything was new and challenging. Now I savor the chance to do something with just one of them.

Getting to the number three was a no brainer for us.

The number four will come with lots of prayer and thought and prayer.

I typed prayer twice on purpose.

Maybe one day I will look back and say to myself,

Ha! Remember when it was just three?

For now I will enjoy feeling the settle after the birth of a baby.

It has taken nearly a year to accomplish that feeling.

And this is a good chapter in my life if I must say. Darn good.

And I thank the Lord for allowing any amount of clarity to recognize that.

Clarity speaks softly, and three children can be mighty loud.

Some Days His Hair Is Curly And Some Days It's Straight

2011-06-03T07:00:00.000-04:00

Most days he climbs on the dishwasher door and "helps" me put away the dishes.

If you can't find Calvin it's because you haven't looked by my feet

or the dishwasher door.

I Wonder How Many Times She Will Graduate Before Graduation

2011-06-02T07:00:00.001-04:00

We got there early and had seats in the front row.

That is unusual for us(me).

It was Lena's preschool graduation and I wasn't going to watch it behind a sea of heads. I wanted to savor the last moments of her preschool-hood. The songs were just as they should be and I remembered my camera but forgot my memory card. BabaJuje's came on loan to the rescue. I didn't cry, but her teacher did-bless her. She was born to this earth to teach preschool. Well I'm sure she has other purposes, but teaching preschool is up there at the top.

The emotion of her growing up so fast catches me off guard. Completely out of nowhere and randomly my eyes welt up with tears. They are made up of one part pride and one part sadness that this stage is over.

I'm happy when the emotion comes, it means underneath all this kid-raisin' shell shocked exterior I still have feelings.

And while graduating from preschool isn't really something Lena accomplished(everyone's a winner?)- we indulged her for the day because for us, this milestone is huge.

This means she is moving on to the next thing.

Kindergarten.

It's the bittersweet inevitable.

And I'm sure this won't be the last time I blubber on about it.

Then later on during the day she pestered and teased Simon till he screamed and cried and I was happy again she would have somewhere else to go for stimulation.

After all, Kindergarten is only half day.

I Volunteered For All The Outdoor Field Trips - Returned Promises of Farm Images

2011-06-01T10:43:00.007-04:00

The morning Lena's preschool went to Springdale Farm was hectic.

Getting all three children up, dressed, fed and out the door before 9 is a feat, for me.

Then it's off to a friend's with the boys, and the baby needs to be put down for a nap there too, otherwise he may very well scream the entire time.

I spend the morning rushing around like a mad person. I don't like feeling so out of control.

As much as I complained about how much involvement parents were required to do this year in her school, I was always glad once I did make the effort.

(Are parents supposed to like going into their children's school that much?)

Maybe the PTA isn't in my future.

But another trip to Springdale Farm probably is.

Ricky. What a pig!

What is it about farms?

Is it the air? It sure stinks more.

The spark in my children's eyes when they see open land perfect for running free and wild?

For some reason I romanticize farm life. I don't want to be told how much work it is because I want to just be in love with it from afar. I want to believe it's the answer to all my problems. Something magical about working hard and living by the land. The farm life, to me, is what is pure and good in the world.

It's my celebrity crush.

I know I'll never have it, but that won't stop me from putting up posters of it on my bedroom wall.

Memorial Day is The First Day of Real Live Summertime

2011-05-31T17:05:00.005-04:00

The summer, in Rochester, begins on Memorial Day.

And we prefer to get things started at the cottage.

A little Orbakers

A little fishing

A little boat cruising

Thumbs up.

Summer- you're here and I could take you behind the bleachers and kiss you.

Literally, Ann Perkins

2011-05-25T10:38:00.006-04:00

I'm feeling sentimental and invigorated. Maybe I'll cut my hair. The season has found us outdoors at all hours of the day. My children are still alive and well and still covered with dirt. If you want the neighborhood gang to congregate to your back yard, just insert chickens and a trampoline. They will come. Trust me. They will come in flocks, daily. They will ask for snacks too.

We are immensely enjoying sun and mid seventies. After being out all day one day last week, shoeless and happy as a 5 year old could be I overheard Lena say, "This is the best day of my life!". I think she's a lot like me. If I had an addiction it would be sugar, but if I had another addiction it would be the sun. It refuels me in ways nothing else can. The sun and I have a close relationship but of course always chaperoned by sunscreen or a big floppy hat.

The blueberry bushes went in last week and they have already been attacked by the squirrels. That annoys the dickens out of me.

But they look as healthy as can be and hopefully, with a little problem solving (bebe gun?), they will thrive and bare fruit before too long. We joined an all fruit CSA and I suspect those Vaisey children of mine will turn into fruit before the summer's over.

And this time of year brings so much on the To Do list, inside and out. Mulching, small scale landscaping projects, garden tending, paint the kitchen, cover the dining room chairs, curb the living room couch and find a new one(the old one smells like pee), paint the coop, plant flowers- just to name a handful. There is such a thing as happy work. Don't you think? Oh and someone has to do the very filthy children's daily laundry. I'm just happy when that particular work is done.

The saddest room in the house-the downstairs bathroom is being ripped apart next week. Having a first floor powder room once again will be preferable to wet shorts from certain 3 year old.

But I am happy to report I am happy.

Jeff is 33

2011-05-19T13:30:00.003-04:00

We fight like any other married couple about the budget and discipline and division of labor. About how long it takes for him to put the older children to bed (a long time). We are honest and upfront with how we feel and are both outspoken people. Plus he's a lawyer and I think he was one long before he passed the Bar Exam.

But here are some things I know to be true about Jeff:

He is kind to his children and more patient than I am

He isn't easily discouraged

He works hard, long hours for his family

He is really good at his job

He is not handy- the first picture he hung in our first apartment as a married couple had roughly 7 holes behind it

Jeff is funny- really funny

He loves gadgets, Seinfeld, and all four Lethal Weapon movies

Jeff doesn't like movies about children losing parents or parents losing children

He indulges and hops aboard my adventures in the unordinary such as home birth and raising chickens

He is genuinely concerned about my happiness

Jeff does not put his shoes away when he gets home from work- I kind of don't like that

He is a good friend and has loads of amazing friends

Jeff plays in a soccer league and has consistently since the day I met him- I could spot his run on a soccer field from a mile away

He lets me sleep in nearly every Saturday morning even though he is gone off to work before we wake most days

He is loyal

He can prepare a talk/lesson the day of and still completely rock it- a skill I will never acquire

He is the reason I following through with anything

He wholeheartedly supports me wanting to go back to school

and he supports me wanting to stay home

Jeff likes video games but never has time to play them anymore- I kind of like that

He listens to my fears and irrational thoughts and reasures me-always reassuring

Jeff 's biggest fear is losing his family

and our biggest fear is losing him.

Happy Birthday, B

What a good thing we've got going on. We've learned so much between these last two birthdays, wouldn't you say?

It was funny when we ambushed you on your actual birthday with a secret water balloon fight and the balloons wouldn't pop.

Holy cow (remember how we say that when we look at our children and can't believe how beautiful they are and lucky we are?) we love you.

Ninety come on bring it;)

Tones Vaisey Does The Ranch

2011-05-18T07:00:00.003-04:00

Late last year Jeff formed a partnership with a friend of his.

Jason and his lovely wife, Nicole, live close to us and have four young children. We all get along so swimmingly and are very happy to report business is good. Sometimes too good. But lucky for us, Jason and Nicole not only have children that our children adore, they also have a pool. It's basically a win win.

And remember Carol? the one with horses that Jeff used to work with at his previous job? She's now part of the Tones Vaisey gang and a couple of weekends ago we all met up at her and her husband Frank's ranch to let the children loose, breathe in the air and take in the sites of their country goodness once again...

The future of Tones Vaisey:

Calvin and Jason Jr. aka JJ

who wouldn't want to wake up to these sites everyday?

But living on a ranch is probably a lot of work.

While I'm not afraid of work, I am kind of afraid of horses.

maybe I don't speak horse, but if this door wasn't between us, I think he would very much like to trample me

We'll just keep on enjoying our Tones/Vaisey family visits to Frank and Carol's where the kids can have pony rides and play in horse bedding and I can take pictures of their beauty while trying to avoid direct eye contact with their horses.

Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying

2011-05-17T09:39:00.004-04:00

Did I really just quote the Shawshank Redemption?

I have had zero desire to post this past week. Blogging is a funny thing that way.

Last week it was perfection outside and we took advantage accordingly. We have quite the neighborhood gang formed and I can tell there will be some serious play going on this summer. Play that doesn't involve Simon screaming every 5 minutes because something Lena did. Most importantly play that doesn't involve me. I like that kind of play. I work in the yard while they run back and forth from Francesca's house three doors down.

Aren't the summer months the best to enjoy with children? I say yes, yes they are. I truly feel unstoppable and so alive when we spend all our daylight hours outside.

Speaking of working in the yard, I bought a few blueberry bushes this year and we have plans to start the children their own garden they can tend to and be proud of. Maybe it will just be a place they can dig in the dirt. I think that would be satisfying to them. I guess as long as their bagels don't get dirty.

And those utilitarian pets of ours continue to double in size overnight. We'll take them in to get their wings clipped and hopefully they will be outdoors in their new coop by the end of the week. I think Jeff will be so sad to see them leave the basement. (HA!)

Let it be said, chickens were NOT meant for the indoors!

Simon really really loves those birds of his. He takes anyone who visits down to see them.

These sets of photos were only taken a couple of weeks apart. Now I'd say they are easily twice the size below.

Upon browsing my to-be-posted photos I realized most of them contain some sort of farm animal. One of them happens to be a 800 pound pig named "Ricky".

Are you on the edge of your seat?

Good.

In My Next Life I Will Live On A Farm

2011-05-06T18:24:00.001-04:00

Once upon a time (2 years ago) I wanted to raise chickens in the backyard. I did some research, presented my case to my less enthusiastic half, called and checked to see if it was cool with the town of Rochester. Then ever so slowly the dream lost speed and fell to the wayside (that faded dream scenario is sounding all to familiar).

Then 1 year ago last spring I gave birth to my own baby chicken (actually a human baby we call Calvin) No desire for baby chicks when there is a newborn to tend.

And upon the first signs of spring this year-it was as if I could sense their fluffiness hatching from their shells I knew this was the year we would snatch ourselves up some sweet baby chicks, take them home to raise and call our own...pets.

When the Saturday struck, my fellow wannabe-chicken-raiser friend Katrina and I piled the children in the car and set off to the country.

The adoption story of Toots (pronounced like "Hey Toots, I like what I see...") and Dolly:

Then 3 or so weeks passed by and grow they did (and smell they do!)

But it's ok, because those utilitarian pets of ours will be producing eggs in no time.

And although they have basically doubled in size and aren't as fuzzy anymore, they still sound super sweet- like a little hamster wheel turning round and round.

so,

Do you have any questions?

Do you think I'm crazy?

Introducing...

2011-05-05T19:10:00.003-04:00

More on how this came to be/and am I out of my mind(turns out I'm not)/the day we brought them home...

Happy Cinco de Mayo

2011-05-05T13:58:00.004-04:00

In honor of this festive Mexican holiday we're having Lena burritos. All you need is Lena and an emergency blanket. Pretty simple dinner if you ask me.

The Saturday Celebratory Shindig: A Photo Overload

2011-05-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

Perfect spring weather,

lunch and cake in the backyard with family and one adorable 1 year old.

I couldn't imagine a better babyhood send off.

12 Months

2011-05-03T16:42:00.005-04:00

My my, look how you've grown!

This month was the most challenging month to capture.

Baby is fast.

Baby is cute.

Baby is ONE YEAR OLD!

check out one whopping year's worth of growth here.

A Birth Video

2011-05-01T16:57:00.008-04:00

After we celebrated his first year with family yesterday afternoon,

we sat together and watched the events that unfolded one year ago today.

And no matter how many times I watch it, I can't seem get to the end without crying.

What a day. What a year.

When One Mommy Just Isn't Enough

2011-04-29T15:41:00.003-04:00

Speaking of mommies, my mother and sisty are headed to town today!

Hip hip hooray!

There will probably be one more post about Ryan in the mix too. It's not out of my system just yet.

And I am going to eat cake this weekend.

Punch Drunk Photo Booth

2011-04-28T16:50:00.002-04:00

Ever have one of those punch drunk moments where something outrageously hilarious happens that might not have otherwise been funny at all, you know, had it not been so late, or you not been so sleep deprived?

They usually occur between the hours of midnight and five in the morning.

Since my idea of fun is organizing my closet, I made Ryan come along to keep me company (closet organization really is something only its occupant can do)

But he obliged and hung shirts and while we ate 1000 leftover purple m&ms we had several of those punch drunk moments well into the night.

I haven't laughed that hard in SO long.

Not all of our sweet vids are shown here, but you get the idea.

And if they aren't funny to you, it's because...these things never are after they happen.

Then we heard footsteps heading down the hall for a middle of the night potty visit.

The trip back to her bed led her to my room where all the crazy laughter was coming from. She joined us for a few moments.

Then we watched all the videos the next day and the same laughter simply did not come.

Something about those punch drunk moments.

Priceless.

His First Birthday Is This Sunday

2011-04-27T14:17:00.007-04:00

what!?

Remember That Time My Brother Stayed With Us For 3 Weeks?

2011-04-27T09:36:00.004-04:00

I dedicate the rest of this week to Ryan (brother manny) memories.

We laughed a lot while he was here. A lot.

We (he) worked a lot while he was here too.

I miss being able to leave the house with no one in tow because he was here to stay with the children of the corn.

I miss having someone go out back and entertain those children of the corn on the trampoline.

Even that time he almost convinced Lena to eat a worm (true).

I miss having someone amped up (on red bull?) and ready to tackle any project I wanted to do (including silver leafing a dresser!) That's brotherly dedication at it's best.

I don't however, miss him sleeping in late when I couldn't. That was super lame of him.

So, let us recap those memories, shall we?

While they are still fresh and Vampire Weekend's Contra is still playing (maybe we listened to it 100 times while he was here, so what who cares).

Easter Sunday

2011-04-25T11:24:00.005-04:00

Easter this year:

Easter-best dressed children for Church

Unexpectedly feeling the spirit in sharing time while subbing for the 8 year olds

An Easter basket hunt

Fresh hydrangeas

Jelly beans on the kitchen floor

Colored paper grass spread throughout the entire house that Jeff and I had a humungous fight about

Naps

A failed self-timed family photo

A family lesson following the most delicious Sunday dinner at BabaJuje's about the Resurrection

And so we ended our Sabbath -bellies stuffed full of commercial Easter and our minds with the Savior.

Both quite satisfying.

He Leaves On Saturday And I Don't Want To Talk About It

2011-04-22T01:23:00.004-04:00

What will I do without help/entertainment from my brother manny*?

This is the question I ask myself daily.

I am going to cry on the way home from taking him to the airport.

And after that I am giving myself a brief period of mourning the loss.

*a term I borrowed from Robin who also had a brother manny. lucky us.

Because Recently I've Learned My Mood Is Directly Effected By The Weather

2011-04-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

If I wake to find sun, I am unstoppable.

If I wake to find (the Rochester usual) grey you ought to call me and say

"The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow!"

And I'll bet your bottom dollar I'll be in a better mood tomorrow.

Quite Literally About Taking Baths

2011-04-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

Some days the only time I actually look into my children's eyes is when I am on my knees bent down beside the bath tub on a damp folded up towel scrubbing their naked bodies.

Are there any children out there that actually dislike bath time?

On quiet nights when Jeff plays in his soccer league I find myself marching them up the stairs and into the bath.

Even though they fight in there and splash too much water onto the bathroom floor which has leaked through to the kitchen ceiling, bath time is a sacred ritual at our house.

I like all three of them lined up in one place. sitting.

I like that I can clean the bathroom while they are in there, their fingers turning to prunes.

I like clean children.

I wonder why I don't bathe them three times a day.

I like when Lena is alone in the tub and I catch her pretending to be a mermaid just like I did when I was her age laying belly down pushing off and watching the water whoosh around her shoulders.

I think it's funny Simon always lingers in the bath long after the other children have fled to towels,

and long after the water has already drained and his body has turned cold.

Post-bath naked madness and the scramble for the bed time routine is always quick to follow.

cellulite never looked so good

because it's usually Simon with the "full-frontal"

and just like that we get to wash away a bad day where patience might have run thin and tempers flared, tell stories and laugh then start fresh again in the morning.

Then it's kisses to their damp heads and a commitment to be a better mother tomorrow. And as I sneak back down the creaky stairs I remember how much I really love them.

And if all else fails, there's always bath time tomorrow night.