FDOS

I hope FDOS doesn't stand for something naughty.

For this purpose it stands for:

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Ty was out the door before my brain was actually turned on,

so I didn't get a pic of my 9th grader.

Kyle - 7th, Maddie -6th (middle school - arghhhhh!), and Rydge man - 1st.

It was not a very sad day for me this year.

I think I might have even done my version

of a cartwheel as I waved good-bye.

Five-teen

My big boy is 15. He actually turned 15 on Aug. 22nd.

I know - I'm a loser.

Here are 15 little known facts or things I love about my Ty-guy.

1. Tyler has the LONGEST eyelashes...ever!

2. He's terrified of the color pink.

3. He loves new Nike shoes.

4. Whenever I have a cupboard I need organized - Tyler is my go-to guy.

5. He loves to buy new books at Barnes and Noble. (He doesn't read many of them...but he's a collector.)

6. Tyler is a super generous gift giver.

7. This boy LOVES music!

8. Tyler collects face cards from all of his trips.

9. Tyler is this close to becoming an Eagle Scout. Any ideas for a smokin' project???

10. Tyler loves to perfect songs on the piano. He doesn't like to practice his assigned works, but he'll spend over an hour a day working on a song he likes.

11. I (nor he) has had to clip Ty's nails since he was about 2 years old. He is a FingerNailBiter!

12. His favorite dinner is French Dip Sandwiches.

13. He is a WONDERFUL big brother. Each sibling has their own special inside joke with Ty.

14. Tyler's biggest aspiration is to grow up and one day become a RANCHER.

I know.

15. Ty LOVES to have his back rubbed. He's constantly finagling ways to persuade me to tickle his back.

Tyler has grown into a delightful teenager. We love him so much and are so grateful for his amazing example to us all!

Happy b-day Ty!

Loooosssseeeerrrrr

Okay. I know I'm a loser.

I would say I've been too busy to post.

That'd be a lie.

I'm just lazy.

Maybe it's because I gave up Coke Zero

and don't have any 'pep'

(as Granny would say).

I promise to update this week.

Maybe.

Who Has THE Best Cousins EVER? (and g-parents, aunts, uncles...)

MADDIE DOES!!!

Lucky Maddie got to fly to AZ on Monday to

visit her awesome cousins for a week!

(And of course, grandparents, aunts, uncles...kit'n'kaboodle)

How about this welcome!?!?!?!

I was worried about her getting enough to eat (NOT),

but I'm pretty sure this cake will feed her the

ENTIRE TIME she's there!

Thanks, Aunt Cynthia (and girls for being persuasive!:)

How lucky is this girl to have SO many girl cousins!?

(I'm sure she wishes just one could be her sister)

She was thrilled to play with them all!!

She loved being at Grandma and Poppies house

after such a long time away.

Then she showed off her bowling skilz.

Her proud dad saw this pic and said,

"She has great form!"

Thanks all for treating my girl like the princess she is.

However, can you stop showing her SUCH a good time?

I'm totally afraid she isn't going to come back to me!

There is WAY too much testosterone here Mad...

You HAVE to come home soon!!

Summer Plans

I prepared an awesome list of "summer plans" way back in May - before school was out.

I was inspired to not waste another summer and teach my darling children

to organize, learn, accomplish, and love.

I've reflected on this a bit today.

A few of my summer goals:

Have the kids read a minimum of 20 min. a day

Work on math and reading comprehension each day

Have Tyler figure out his eagle project and get going on that

Organize the under the stairs closet

"Detail" a room each week (deep clean)

Get Rydge to bed by 9 and big kiddos by 10:30

All get up around 9 and do a half hour of 'clean up' to start the day

Maddie and Tyler practice piano daily

Once a week teach a child to cook a basic meal/dessert

These seem attainable - yes?

How many of these simple items have we accomplished you may wonder...

NOT. ONE.

Here is a typical day in our house.

(If i make it rainbow pretty - maybe i won't seem like such a loser)

NO ONE wakes up before 10 am. Tyler - closer to noon.

Nickelodeon is the first sound anyone hears.

Nickelodeon runs ALL DAY.

Maddie is a multi-tasker. She can play Nintendo DS AND watch Nickelodeon.

Kids eat breakfast around lunch time.

Rydge can multi-task -too. It's hotwheels and Nickelodeon for him.

MAYBE, if I'm lucky, we get the dishwasher loaded.

Start hearing complaints of boredom or begging for friends by 1pm.

(Or in Kyle's case - the moment he wakes up)

At anytime past noon the house usually contains 1-4 extra little people.

While I make RS calls or visits the kids watch tv/nap/sit in the hot tub.

Usually skip lunch - just eat chips/ cookies - whatever.

Friends hang out until dinner - which is around 8pm.

We pick up the minimum amount of clutter to give me semi-peace.

Start a movie around 10. Watch until midnight or after. Yes - Rydge, too.

Then the madness starts all over the next day.

I'm certain I'm receiving nominations right and left for 'mom of the year' award.

Don't envy me -it takes a special gal to run the tight ship I do.

Guess where?

Guess where we're going tonight???

I'll give you a few clues...

Good Mom/ Bad Mom

Irony abounds at the Halliday home.

Am I a good mom or a bad mom? You decide.

All four kids had dentist appts yesterday.

Spencer and I were seriously plotting whether

or not we should secretly ask

the dentist to give Kyle a "fake" shot for a

"fake" cavity just to make a statement

and prove what we've been preaching:

the importance of good oral hygiene.

I don't care who you are.

Brushing twice a week

just ISN'T enough!!!

~Is it wrong for a mother to pray that her kid will

have a cavity at his check-up just so she won't be

proven wrong AGAIN?

Here's his 'Hygiene Report Card':

Good brushing! No Plaque? No Tartar! Healthy Gums?

Are. You. Serious???

My teeth brushing threats hold no credence whatsoever.

My next great mothering moment:

Tyler went to Philmont Scout Ranch for two weeks.

We sent him with the best of supplies - or so we thought.

When the boys arrived off the bus, every leader

that was in his group asked me

"Did Tyler show you his feet?"

Turns out the boots that Spencer purchased in the hiking

department, that Tyler had mowed lawns in for months,

had gone on a weekend camp out with and were

totally broken in were

STEEL TOED WORK BOOTS!

***NICE***

~not so good for hiking apparently~

Bishop sent this pic to me today just to rub in

the 'you fail as a mom' feeling.

The picture was taken on day 4 of their hike.

He had blisters, a rash, small cuts, and swelling.

Did he complain? No- he's a BEAST!

He ended up wearing tennis shoes for the

remaining 6 days of hiking.

Good mom/ bad mom...you decide.

Cool Tubbin'

"Singing in the rain..."

Audrey and Maddie cooling off in

a TeXaS rainstorm

in the hot tub I refuse to heat.

Full of Hot Air

SUMMER GOINGS ON:

Kyle literally 'blew' five bucks today on balloons.

The good news: he was occupied for HOURS blowing them up.

A responsible mom might have worried about her child's

oxygen deprivation after blowing up 100's of balloons.

Guess I'm not a good mom.

I just enjoyed the quiet.

Rydge took his two best buds to see

Toy Story 3.

Was it just me, or did that movie make you boo-hoo?

We've had boys, boys and more boys hanging around this summer.
You may ask yourself:
"what does this have to do with a picture
of Rani's 13 year old rusty freezer?"
Allow me to explain:
It is not empty because the many boys ate everything.
It's empty because the many boys left the freezer door open
over night and everything
including 20 pounds of various meats
defrosted completely.
NOT a pretty smell to wake up to.
Below: a sample of some of the boys.
(not the guilty freezer door party)
Usually it's full on wrestling in the family room.
I was happy to catch them in a moment of stillness.
(Case in point from Rydge b-day post:
He'll challenge ANYONE to an arm wrestle

CAN YOU TELL HE'S GETTING READY TO

DO HIS "OVER THE TOP" MOVE??)

Summer = happy days.

Two Weeks...

I have battled serious anxiety sending

Tyler off for two weeks.

(How am I going to send this boy off for TWO YEARS???)

Tyler and friends left for Philmont Scout Camp

last Tuesday. They won't be back until July 5th.

Here's Austin, Ty, and Josh showing off

their new troop shirts.

We are missing this kid's goofy sense of humor.

My kids all share a room in the summer

(I know...weird)

and I guess each night Ty is the last one

in the room. He enters singing and dancing...

"The party don't start till I walk in..."

Kyle, Maddie, and Rydge say it's "boring" without Ty.

I have to agree.

Get home soon, little scout.

My baby is six!

How is it possible that my baby is SIX?!?

Here are six little known facts about my Rydger.

1. Rydge talks like he has a stuffy nose all of the time. That has always annoyed me with other kids - but it's endearing with my own toad.

2. Rydge says he doesn't like it when I call him "my baby" - but secretly I know he loves it.

3. Rydge thinks he's as grown up as his brothers. He plays everything they do. He joins in conversations with them and their friends. He'll even challenge them to an arm wrestle.

4. This boy has a MAJOR sweet tooth. I have to observe very closely that he gets something in his body during the day with some sort of nutritional value.

5. Rydge LOVES his cousin Hayley. If she's around, he's attached to her side.

6. Has the cutest chubby feet EVER. I love them! They're perfect.

STOP GROWING UP!!!!

Phew...

I survived the most intense three weeks of my life.

Please kick me in my hind parts if I ever

attempt a "mini-mester" class again!

These amazing flowers and a sweet love note

from my Spencer were waiting for me when I got home

from taking my final exam.

I'm certain he's as happy as I am that my class is over.

This is what I have to look forward to:

READING for PLEASURE!

I have not read a fun book since I started school

and got my calling in the Relief Society back in January.

For anyone who knows me: it has been torture~!

I'm already half done with Fablehaven 5!

(Please forward any reading suggestions my way!)

The kids have been out of school for about four days...

they are already annoying the crap out of each other.

The beautiful thing?

I just grab my book and tune them all out!

Lovin' summer!

11 Things

(Shhhh...I should be writing my school paper,

but it is an important day!)

Happy Birthday, Maddie!

Maddie arrived 1 year and 9 days after Kyle.

I was so happy to get my girl!

Here are 11 fun facts about Maddie-lu!

1. This girl loves to be called Maddie - but she's always been too shy to tell her teacher that on the first day of school, so she's always "Madison".

2. Maddie has the most AMAZING hair! Whenever we get it cut, the stylist without fail says "There are people that pay me big bucks to have their hair look just like yours!" It's the perfect color and THICK. I'm totally jealous!

3. Maddie always has scrapes and bruises on her legs. She loves the outdoors - running, biking, scootering - and has the visual proof all over her cute legs!

OH, LOOK! It's Justin again!

I couldn't resist...sorry Ty.

4. Maddie got her glasses when she was 2 years old. None of us recognize her without them. When she was bitty she called them her "pretties". It was so cute. She never fought me to wear them - ever.

5. Maddie ADORES animals. She likes them better than people. We watched "The Last Song" on a GNO together and she never shed a tear. But a movie with an injured animal....gushes.

6. Maddie is filled with integrity. I tried to sneak some food into the dollar show awhile back and she refused let me put her snacks in my purse when she saw the "no outside food allowed" sign. We all went snack-free for that show.

7. Maddie snores like her dad when she's asleep. Sorry Maddie's future husband.

8. Maddie loves hamburgers, but HATES cheeseburgers. She says it's the melted cheese. But she loves cheese crisps and grilled cheese sandwiches...go figure.

9. Maddie crushes on boys. It's darling to hear her talk about a boy she thinks is cute. She does however wear her heart on her sleeve....I forsee a few broken hearts in the future.

10. Maddie is the smiliest kid I know. She is so easy going and rarely loses her temper or gets emotional. I know, I know, it's coming! But right now - I love my even tempered,

peace making girl!

11. Maddie is BLONDE in every sense of the word and WE LOVE HER for it!

Happy 11th darlin'!

I'm SO glad you came to our family!

Justin...is that you?

This has gone on LONG enough

Hair pun intended.

Wuz up, Justin Bieber??

sorry if misspelled. we're not big fans around here.

I can almost forgive the long locks when I see this.

Look at their arms above their heads.

Oh, my holy sweetness...

12 Things

My second born is 12.

I'm not even going to try and figure out how that is possible.

Here are 12 little known facts about Kyle.

1. He brushes his teeth maybe twice a week. I threaten him every six months, about a week before his dental check-up, promising that he's going to regret neglecting his teeth and he has a lot of painful shots to look forward to. So far the threats are moot. The child has NEVER had a cavity.
2. Despite his lack of oral hygiene - he does have a new found appreciation for physical appearance. He loves to spike his hair and wouldn't think of going out without it looking pristine. He also loves AXE and sprays it on generously.
3. He loves little kids and they love him, too. On Mother's Day the primary was singing on the stand in Sacrament meeting and right in the middle of the song, Kyle starts pushing people out of the way. Thinking this was some need to be in the front row (not uncommon for Kyle) I was horrified. Then I see him gently help a little Sunbeam to the front who was stuck in the back and couldn't see or be seen. It was a tender sight. The bishop even told me he cried when he saw it. ( I think that one kind act might have helped him pass his priesthood interview today:)
4. Kyle sleeps completely covered from head to foot. Most mornings when I go to wake him, I don't know which end is up.
5. Kyle is a 'closet' snuggler. He loves to lay on my shoulder and rub my arm. I'm pretty sure I love it even more than he does.
6. Kyle dreams of playing for the Phoenix Suns and the New York Yankees. If determination plays any factor - I'm pretty sure he will do it.
7. Kyle has a rigorous work-out routine every night before he goes to bed - without fail. He does push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and other drudgery. Then he showers and goes to sleep. He has ZERO body fat and can almost beat me in an arm wrestle.

8. Kyle has an obsession with SPAM. He loves to make it himself and always breaks out a can for his friends when they come over. It's tradition now. Play basketball, come in for a cold drink and some nice greasy SPAM.
9. His favorite candy is Reese's Peanut Butter cups. But he'll eat ANYTHING sweet. How is it possible he's cavity free???
10. He has the stinkiest gas on the planet and he's proud of it.
11. Kyle races to sit in the front seat of the car all the time. He loves to control the music. I finally had to create a 'front seat rotation chart' so everyone gets a fair turn in the front seat. It was madness.
12. Kyle has the most contagious, sparkly eyed smile.

I'm so proud of Kyle and the growth and maturity he has shown this year. He's awesome! And it is so wonderful to have another worthy priesthood holder in my home. It's going to be a great year!!

I LOVE YOU, DUDE!