That's Not Yummy

Soap, that is. We just finished all of our Christmas decorating, and as part of the details, put out our Christmas present from Jeff's brother and sister-in-law. Lis sent this really nice homemade (I think) soap in a soap dish, all wrapped in a cute Christmas towel. The soap was labeled "Christmas Spice," and it really did smell good.

I was in the kitchen making White Christmas (the holiday treat that I only make after Thanksgiving) when I heard Kelcey gagging in the guest bathroom downstairs. I rushed in there, afraid she was choking or throwing up, when I saw that she was spitting out little pieces of soap. She kept spitting, as she she started to cry, and said, "That's not yummy, Mommy!" I realized what had happened: the "Christmas Spice" soap had smelled so good that Kelcey decided to take a bite out of it. I looked closer, and yup, there was a little chunk missing from one of the corners. There were even teeth marks.

I vainly tried to keep from laughing (and miserably failed) as I explained that the soap smelled good, but it sure didn't taste good. I gave her a drink, and giggled again as she kept saying, almost too herself, "That's not yummy!" So funny!! How awesome is it that we get to have these kids forever? :o)

My Relaxing Day at the Spa

Ok, ladies, can I brag about my husband for just a second? Last Christmas for a big surprise gift Jeff got me a gift certificate to the Spa by Mitchells (the one in Triangle Town Center, by Moe's) for a massage, a pedicure, and a manicure, with lunch included. I made an appointment for sometime last March, but then our entire family go the flu, so I had to reschedule. Well, I got pregnant, and then I couldn't/didn't reschedule until last weekend. But it was a good thing, actually, because they had a mother-to-be massage, which I couldn't have taken advantage of until this month, or so. Jeff not only got me the gift certificate, but he took care of the kids for the afternoon so that I could be completely free.

Well, can I tell you, IT WAS FABULOUS!!! I admit, my experience with spas and massages has been fairly limited (only two other massages in my life, one was good, and one, not so much) but Mitchells really has got it right. Everything was quiet, clean, with low lighting, and soft music, and I just loved every minute of it. The changing room had very nice amenities, and their robes had a very nice snap closure thing, so there wasn't any embarrassment.

My massage was first. Because I'm pregnant the massage chick (is there a technical term?) had me lay on my left side supported by pillows from head to toe, almost like I was snuggling up to sleep. The bed was heated and there were just enough blankets that I was perfectly comfortable. She only moved the blankets off of the body part she was working, so I was never cold, or felt exposed at all. And even though I was lying on my side, she was able to get everything (appropriate, that is) except the left shoulder that I was lying on. And let me tell you, was she good! When we first started she told me that she was pregnant too, so I felt guilty having her do my massage, but then I realized that she was sitting in an office type chair, and moving it all around the table, so she didn't have to stand up. That helped me feel a lot better. :o) I tell you that I was so completely relaxed by the end of that massage, that I think I might have even drooled a little.

After the massage they gave me a heated neck pillow, and then brought me into this elegant little room with a table for my lunch. I had a grilled chicken wrap from the Twisted Fork (SO yummy! I definitely need to go there with Jeff) along with a fruit salad and a lovely goblet of cranberry/grape juice. I totally didn't mind being in the room and eating by myself. I can't remember the last time I've been completely by myself for so long. It was so quiet and peaceful and relaxing. Do you see a theme here? :o)

After that I got dressed and went for my mani/pedi. They did the pedicure first, and it was much more relaxing than the normal pedicures that I get in nail salons, because they were all about the "spa experience" and took their time with each of the steps. Plus, they didn't use that buffing block on the bottoms of my feet that always makes me laugh. Ditto with the manicure.

The whole thing took about 3 hours, but it felt like even longer. In a really good way. All I can say is that I have an incredible, wonderful husband, and I would love to do something like this on a semi-regular basis. I think every mom should. So, women, if you have the means and the opportunity, hie you to the spa!!!

For Your Enjoyment . . .

More Autumn Stuff

I know that I said I wouldn't be posting much in the next month, but I have repented of that sentiment, especially because I don't have to do my Dad's slideshow all by myself anymore.

Annnyyyyway, I realized that I never posted pictures of the kids with their pumpkins after we carved them. Ok, yeah, we carved pumpkins the Monday after Halloween, so what? :o) At least we got it done at all, right? And I got to make roasted pumpkind seeds . . . YUM!! It's one of my favorite treats, that I only get once a year.

Didn't the kids do such a great job? They designed them all by themselves: Jarom wanted a scary face, which he got with the big teeth, and Taran did extra big eyes on hers, which were so cute. We all had fun, and the pumpkins turned out great, so, good times all around.

Why I should never let Great Clips cut my girls' hair

You faithful readers might remember a post that I wrote a while back, saying that I will not cut Taran's hair again, because I just butchered her the last time that I did it. Well, I have also found out that I should never let Great Clips cut it either.

Last week, on Veteran's day, the kids had the day off school, and so I decided to take them to get their haircut. I couldn't let myself pay a bunch of money for a haircut, since I used to do it myself, for free. So it was off to Great Clips we go! Well, they did a fine job with Jarom's hair (I mean, how many ways is there to screw up a basic boys haircut?) but the lady totally screwed up Taran's hair.

I really only wanted the back to be evened out, so that it was a classic bob. You know, all one length, all around. And you'd think that a professional would be able to understand that basic direction, wouldn't you? Well, you'd be WRONG!!! Somehow she ended up cutting it shorter (even though I didn't want her to cut any length from the front at all) in the front than the back, so that the front was just as short as when I butchered her the last time, but the back was still longer, and kind of pointed, so that it was like one haircut in the front, and a different one in the back. I can't even describe it, it was so weird. Plus, it wasn't even straight! I did my best to even out the back, but I didn't want to touch the front, because it was so short already. But just yesterday I noticed that when you look at Taran straight on, one side was shorter than the other side!! AAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know I swore that I wouldn't cut Taran's hair myself anymore, but I actually think it's better for all concerned. Because it might end up short when I cut it, but it will at least be even, and cute! And one hour of frustration for Taran and me is better than me constantly trying to fix a bad haircut. I think I've done 3 "fixers" and I'm probably going to have to do another one, now, to fix the front.

And the worst is that I was hoping to get her a really cute, professional haircut before Christmas with everyone in Utah. Instead, this Christmas will live through history as the one where I will look at the pictures, and think, "Man, Taran's hair is awful looking!" And it's so short that I don't think that even if I shelled out the bucks for a really good haircut they could do much. SIGH . . .

And on a not-related-at-all-note, I am sorry, but I will not be able to post much the next little while. I am working on making presents for Sus, Olesia, and Natalia, and scanning the pictures for my mom's photo album/Christmas present, and I'm also putting together a slide show for my Dad's 60th birthday with Susannah. She's willing to help out with music choices, and whatever else she can do, but since she's in Paris, and I have all the pictures, I pretty have to do the heavy lifting on this one.

Anyway, the point is, the next month is going to be pretty busy, and if I'm sitting in front of the computer, I should be doing something productive, so that I won't go crazy meeting my deadlines. Because even though posting is more fun than scanning picture after picture, I can't really give my mom a blog for Christmas. If I can get my act together, and I finish my projects early, than I will return sooner rather than later. However, if they take longer than I anticipate, (like it always does) than I will start posting after Christmas with a report of our holiday activities.

So far on the calendar we have planned a great weekend of decorating and tree-getting after Thanksgiving, plus going on a hayride to look at lights, and even a Christmas party with pretty much everyone in the ward invited (I'm hoping that a bunch of people have other plans, but I just couldn't not invite friends, and people that I work with in the Primary). Anyway, have a wonderful holiday season, and I'll catch you on the flipside!!

Halloween

I know it's been a couple of weeks since Halloween, but I am finally getting around to posting our pix and stuff. Halloween this year was honestly not that big of a deal, as compared with other years. Mostly, I think, because our family had just gotten back from Disney World, and we were still recovering. I know my enthusiasm was not what it usually is.

Another contributing factor was that our ward "Trunk or Treat" party was Halloween night, and so we didn't get to answer our door and give out any candy. It was kind of sad that we missed that part, especially because Jarom likes handing out the candy almost as much as he likes Trick or Treating for it. He's so good at it too--he makes the cutest comments to the kids that come to the door, praising their costumes, or asking them who they are supposed to be. I missed seeing that this year.

In the afternoon we went outside and played in the front yard which was fun for the kids, and great for me because the weather had been so nice. Also, Jeff got home from work early, which was a real treat for us. Finally, around 5:45 we rounded everyone up and went in the house to get our costumes on. Jarom looked fabulous, thanks to a "pony hide" vest that my mom had made (She is seriously amazing!! It looked professional - better than something you'd buy), and both Jarom and Taran had authentic cowboy boots and hats - courtesy of my parents getting the kids outfitted for riding in the "Days of 47" parade with their Grandpa. Taran wore the cute cowgirl skirt outfit that my mom got for her, and Jarom wore the cowboy outfit she got for him, with real cowboy jeans and shirt.

I had bought a bunny costume for Kelcey at a consignment sale a couple of months ago for $2. I was all congratulating myself for my wonderful planning, and getting such a bargain, when I realized that it didn't fit her!! Somehow I had neglected to try the costume on before the big day came, and even though the size should have fit her, it didn't! Since we were going out to Trick or Treat in 5 minutes, I figured that desperate times called for desperate measures. So I cut out the bottom of the feet, and put on her pink boots.It actually matched with the pink tummy, and looked really cute, but it was not, you could say, ideal. I have now learned my lesson: try everything on first!!!!

We were able to Trick or Treat around our neighborhood for almost an hour, and hit pretty much all of the areas that we wanted to. The kids got quite the haul, considering that we didn't go for a long time. We went out with our next door neighbors, the McKimmons, who have a little boy, Ryan, who is just in between Jarom and Taran's ages. They are wonderful people, and we really enjoy spending time with them.

It was so cute to hear Kelcey say, "Trick or Treat," in her high little voice. This was the first year that she was able to walk around with everyone. She totally held her own with the big kids though, going up to the doors with confidence, and being able to keep up the pace with Jarom and Taran. So much fun!!!

Finally around 7:00, we had to nip it in the bud, and go to the ward party. We were just in time for dinner, which our kids totally didn't eat, because they were too excited by all the costumes and chaos. It was low key, with a craft project, and a couple of games, but the kids loved it. And the "Trunk or Treat"-ing part was fun, but cold. Everyone had lots of candy, and they kept handing it out until it was gone, so the kids just kept going around and around the parking lot. I think Jarom may have made 7 passes, altogether. They had so much candy you couldn't fit any more into their plastic pumpkins; Kelcey's handle even broke!

It was a great Halloween altogether, even if we would have liked to do more things around our neighborhood. And now, on to Thanksgiving!!! :o)

A No-Go for Kelcey

I have been thinking about potty-training Kelcey for a little while now, and I even tried it for a couple of days in the middle of October. However, after 2 days of nothing but accidents in her underwear (both wet and poop), I just didn't have the fortitude to continue. Unfortunately, it was also just before our Disney World trip, so the timing wasn't that great.

Also, Kelcey would get so upset whenever she had an accident, just sobbing about it, but she didn't seem to make the connection between the feeling she had before she wet her pants and needing to go the bathroom. She just seemed so shocked that she had this problem. :o) I just didn't have the heart to continue, it was so hard on both of us. So, long story short (too late!), I decided to wait until November, after our trip, after Halloween, and after the Primary Program (a very stressful time for me), with plenty of time to perfect it before we go to Utah for Christmas.

Annnyyyyway, this morning was D-day. (Or would that be P-day?) I kept her in her sleeper until we got home from dropping Jarom and Taran off at school, and then made a big deal of getting out her "big-girl" underwear (with Elmo on it, no less!), and having her get dressed, but with out any pants. I have learned that much from potty-training my other two. :o) She seemed excited about it, especially when I told her that she could have as much chocolate milk as she wanted.

But to my absolute surprise, when I said, "Let's try to go potty in the toilet before we go downstairs," she started yelling and crying, and refused to sit on the toilet! Completely refused. She was even wriggling and fighting; I couldn't keep her down on the seat! She had never acted that way before about the toilet. She had even been really excited when I showed her the small toilet seat we have that goes over the big one, so she can't fall through. I talked to her and said, "Well, if you're going to wear big- girl underwear, then you have to go potty on the toilet." She yelled that she didn't want to, so then I said, "Ok, if you don't want to go potty in the toilet, then you need to wear diapers." (I'm ashamed to admit that I even said, "like a baby") Well, she was completely adamant about not sitting on the toilet, and she decided that she would rather wear diapers! So I put her in a diaper, finished getting her dressed, and sent her downstairs.

I have a personal policy of never pushing potty-training, because I don't believe in a power struggle about this particular issue, and I do believe that if it is too much stress, then it's just not worth it. Plus, I don't really think that it will work unless the kid wants to do it. I have waited longer with my other kids, Jarom after he turned 3 1/2, and Taran just after she turned 3. Anyway, I'm sure that some people think I waited too long, but I think that it was more successful because I waited until they were ready, not when I was. I also don't think that the promise of only one child in diapers (the new baby) is enough to force Kelcey into something that she doesn't really want to do.

However, since her reaction was so out of the ordinary, should I try again? Or since she was so decided about not wanting to, should I take her at her word? I am inclined to wait until she really wants to do it on her own. But (confession time) I was really looking forward to impressing my mom at Christmas time with our accomplishment, because my mom is of the "old school," that believes that kids should be toilet trained by age two, and that you're just being weak if you wait until 3-ish, like I have. Sigh. . .

Any suggestions from those of you who have been through this more than I have? Because even though I have potty-trained my other two kids, there's something about this process that I find to be completely overwhelming, and makes me feel like I'm either a novice, or an idiot, or both. Well, I probably shouldn't worry too much about it. It's a cinch that she will be potty trained before she goes to school, and that's really the only hard deadline. :o) I just feel so dumb about this!