Adventures in Baysitting

I went to California this summer for Callie's b-day and took my sister's kids with so that she and her hubby could re paint her daughter's room. Her daughter is 3 (almost 4) and her son is 7. Here is a run down of the highlights of my vacation.

Day 1: The Car Ride

About 20 min from Simi Kenzie started fussing that her tummy hurt. Two tums, some cherry coke (it was all I had in the car),  a discussion on puttin on the big girl pants since we were almost there, a few tears and we arrived at Ponka and Grandma Bo's house without throwing up or any more complaints of hurting tummies. That night Mary's two kids slept in the pink room and Callie slept with me. It was a long long night with a wild sleeper.

Day 2: Pioneer Day

Kenzie and Ethan were up at the butt crack of dawn as usual getting me up in an effort to keep them quiet so Callie could get some shut eye. Got the kids cereal when everyone woke up. Had a fight with mom about the menu as I anticipated cooking and was not interested in take out the whole time we were there. Had a fight with Dee Dee who was bossing my child around and telling her to do things while I was trying to do her hair. None of Callie's laundry was done so I sent the kids off with Mom, Dad, and Diedre while I attempted to get Callie's laundry done. Oh and I took dad to Pioneer day as he was complaining about parking and walking. Laundry got done I got showered and then get the call from dad to come pick him up. Thing is I can't hear a thing from his phone other than on my phone it said he was calling. Turns out he got a bucket of water dumped on his head and now the phone is broken. Mom and I got into another fight. I left the house to see Tina Erickson and go grocery shopping. Kids went to a b-day party with Diedre . . . don't ask who as I got lots and lots of attitude when I asked. When they got home Kenzie napped, Callie watched tv and Ethan went with Dee Dee to get chucks for some painting thing. When I got home it was just about time to go to a fiesta so I changed the kids loaded them into the car and off we went. The fiesta was good Kenzie loved the music and the the beef. Ethan and Callie were running around getting into things and then Callie and Kenzie danced to the band. After alot of pleading that both the kids and I were tired I was finally able to convince mom and dad it was time to go. It was late but I finally got the kids to go to bed in the same room by putting blankets between them giving them their own little sleeping space. Once kids were settled I was in bed trying to catch a few z's Kenzie came in tellling me her tummy hurt again. So I picked her up settled her in the bed as we talked about the symptoms . . . Was it need to throw up or I have to poop. Yeah it was need to throw up and she did all over me and bunny. Well got her in a bath, got her changed, the room picked up and  her settled back in bed again and she was just fine.

Day 3: Happy Birthday to Callie

First thing mom gave Callie a birthday present which was a dress. I am assuming that this dress is because she hated the outfit dad got her to wear to church. It wasn't bad just lots and lots of black. I got the kids dressed and sent off to church except for Kenzie who stayed behind to go with me. Once at Church Kenzie promptly fell asleep during sacrament. The rest of the day was a bit of a haze with lunch, naps, fights and was concluded with dinner at Pete and Ali's. Presents and cake completed the evening and everyone went off to bed. . . . not before of course Deedee yelled at Ethan for wearing some shoes. Stupid I know but it happened.

Day 4: Bad Day at Swim lessons

Callie was very excited to see me swim so all the kids were loaded in the car and taken to swim lessons. Dad watched Kenzie and Ethan on the playground while Callie worked in the pool with her teacher. It was a bad day as Callie was dictating to her teacher what she would and wouldn't do. My Favorite conversation of the day was this:

Ponka(getting into my car after swimming):it smells like new car in here.
Ethan: It smells like ponka's farts
Kim: Dad guess you fart new car smell.
Kenzie: Ponka has a fat belly.

lol . . . yeah it has been interesting.

After naps were had, Callie and I went to get her new church shoes and we then went all over to Ali's mom and dad's house to swim. Things I have learned . . .  Kenzie can swim but isn't strong. A couple of times I thought for sure she was going to go under. Callie loves the diving board and did her swimming practice with the incentive of going off it. Over all it was a long long day.

Day 5: Longbeach Aquarium

Callie had another bad day at swimming where she wouldn't do anything the teacher said so I took Ethan and Kenzie and went to the Aquarium without Calllie. Peter Family joined us and I drove. The drive wasn't as bad as I anticipated and I actually enjoyed it. Diedre Skyped Kerry during dinner and got the kids all riled up. After some strong words everyone settled down for a story. It was great until Kenzie decided to put a bead up her nose . . . Crying was stopped, she blew hard and the bead popped out. Kenzie promised never to do that again.

Day 6: Let's all go to the Movies

Swim lessons went great and thus everyone was rewarded with a movie. We went to see Ice Age: Contential Dift. Gotta say it was hysterical! Best part was probably at the end when all the animals are on this iceburg boat and one says "Where are we going to go?" Ethan of cource piped up loud enough for a few rows to hear "North  Dakota!" Not sure why he chose North Dakota but it was funny just the same.

Day 7: Going home

Today I am leaving probably in a little bit actually but over all the trip was fun and I am seriously going to miss my kid.

To Do List

I have been away for the last two weeks and left Callie in the care of my Father. Aside from the house being a disaster when I got home I found various notes from my child scattered around our home. My favorite was a to do list she created for her and ponka that was posted on the fridge. As soon as I can I will post a picture of it because it really is hysterical. Here is the list complete with misspellings:

Callie - make bed
Pat - make food
Callie- clen
Pat - make lunch
Callie - brush haer
Pat - make swing sex
Callie - do homework
Pat - do dishes
Callie - go to school

Yeah I'm not sure why she put Pat or why she wasn't corrected by my father but there you have it. The to do list from the eyes of a child.

ooohhhhh Beads, Beads, Pretty Beads . . . .

Today is Valentine's Day and I was quite frankly prepared for the day to kind of suck. You know they whole single awareness day and all that jazz, but honestly it wasn't that bad. Promptly at 5am my BFF (yes I am a teenie bopper) texted me to ask if I would be her Valentine. This is why I love Lindsey. She didn't have to text or send a card of call but she thought of me had a feeling I might be lonely and sent out some love. With the love flowing, I decided to send a text of my own to a friend. Last week someone at work made a little paper mustache on a straw and added a little not that said "I mustache you will you be my valentine?" I loved it!!! What a funny little play on words. I sent this to my friend . . . He of course didn't get it. Oh well you can't win them all.

Callie woke up really early and was so excited to go to school she wanted to go 2 hours before it started. It took me a while to convince her she needed to wait until 8:30 before we could leave. Its really hard to shave your legs when a 6 yr old keeps scaring you while you are in the shower.

Getting dressed I decided to wear a new shirt it has pearls on it and then I decided to wear a long pearl necklace with it. I gotta admit I was looking pretty cute all things considered. So I got Callie off to the bus and then went off to work. I thought for sure the day was going to go down hill when I got pulled over for speeding, but the officer let me off with a warning. I swear it was the pearls. I have never been let off with just a warning . . . I always get the ticket. Then all day co-workers and donors were telling me how pretty I looked. So now I really really love this shirt and the pearls. Like Gus Gus from Cinderella I love pretty beads (aka pearls).

I am grateful . . .

I have been feeling pretty bitter and negative the last few days over being single. I miss Sean, miss being married, and miss having the chance to have more babies. Yes I know they scream and grow in to obnoxious children, but I still want to have more kids. I am not sure how many times I can tell Callie that she "is not the boss." In an effort to be a little more positive I am going to list all of the things I am grateful for . . . Maybe this will lift my sour mood.

I am grateful for:

1. My parents - they might be weird, messy, and drive me crazy, but I know without a doubt that they love me and have my back.

2. My siblings - Yes even Diedre and Peter. Kerry lives far away and I miss her. Growing up we had our fair share of issues and even now I wish we were closer. I see Mary the most and am grateful that she and Dean are so supportive. I know there are times they probably think I'm a little crazy and probably feared for their children's well being when I took them for a few days after Trevor was born. Having a two year old again helped with me to not want another baby so badly. Its hard to want more kids when your angelic little niece looks at you and tells you that you are mean and she doesn't like you all because you aren't going to drive her home right now.

I am grateful to Peter and his family for saving my little dog when he lost an eye. Had Ali not felt sorry for my puppy he wouldn't be here today. And finally I am grateful for Diedre. There are times I shake my head and wonder what she is/was thinking but her fighting spirit keeps going and quite frankly she is always good for a laugh even when I'm not sure what we are laughing about.

3. My child - When Callie says things like "you're the best mom I've ever had" or is singing loudly off key in the shower I am glad to know that's my girl. So many times she makes me crazy, but I love her just the same and am so blessed that I get to have this positive little spirit to look after. I wish Sean was her to share this with me. How can you not enjoy someone who thinks cats lay kittens . . .

4. My dog - Yes Pugsley you are included in this little tribute. No one is ever as happy to see me as Pugsley is (and he only has one eye can you imagine his joy if he had two).

5. The gospel - I am lucky to know that I have the option to be sealed to Sean or to a future spouse if I so choose. I also know the Lord has my back it only takes me going to my knees to feel his love and gain the comfort I desire. I am grateful for repentance even though its hard and basically sucks. Without it though I would never be able to return to my Heavenly Father.

I could go on and on but right now I'm feeling better about life. Like the song says "When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. "