Wither Away

When I was little, I was the most awful eater.

I would never eat.

I would 'try' to be sneaky and hide food on the little shelf that was under our table. (I remember finding dried up peas and carrots weeks later)

I would push aside the ground beef from spaghetti because I felt so bad eating an animal.

I would fall asleep at the table and wake up when everyone was done and gone.

As a result my dad grabbed his belt and I got 'belted' to the chair until all my food was gone. But I had the advantage. After my parents left the dinner table, I had brothers who cared deeply and would eat the food for me.

I got away with it.

Now twenty years later, food is NOT an issue for me. I love food. There is nothing like a yummy home cooked meal to warm the soul. I appreciate it now and can't believe I was ever that way.

However, twenty years later I have some boys who can be the exact same way. I have yet to buckle them to their seat (if you don't count a high chair, which did work great), but that day may come. Sometimes getting them to eat their dinner is a struggle. However, sometimes they CAN hold their own, usually when meat is involved (they obviously don't care about the animals).

Last night was a night where Corbin claimed he was SO full after three bites. I told him if he stopped he would not get anything later. "Okay", he said and ran off to play.

We then got teeth brushed, jammies on, books read and boys tucked in. Corbin came out and said he was SO SO hungry and he needed to eat. I told him no.

"But mom, I need to!"

"No Corbin, go to bed."

"Fine, do you just want me to wither away?"

And now he got away with it.
(I figured he could use the calories.)

Taylor Lately

I have been thinking

lately,

how big this boy has gotten. Is he really just a few months from turning five.

Unbelieveable.

Lately,

we have been having such a good time with mommy school.

It is so fun to be the one to teach him the very basics. He is getting to be so grown up and I love the time spent with him.

I have been impressed by his artistic ability. Last night he drew a great picture of R2D2. Adorable.

Lately,

he has been building lots of these lego guys. I love when he makes one just for me and then asks me to sit down and play heroes with him.

Simple.

I have loved hearing about his nightly dreams

lately.

My favorite has been,

"Mom, you know when you cover up your eyes with your hands and then a movie comes on. Last night my hands played spiderman!!"

Cuteness.

I have always enjoyed hearing this guy laugh, but

lately

it has been music to my ears.

Happy.

Lately

the two older boys have been thinking they are hilarious. They come up with silling games and jokes and get a big laugh from themselves.

Last night this was what happened between the three of us.

Taylor asked me to close my eyes.

I did.

He came up and spanked me (softly) and runs off laughing

I teasingly told him,

"okay, I am never closing my eyes again!"

Corbin said,

"Yes you have to when you go to sleep"

I told them,

"nope, I'm not going to sleep."

Corbin said,

"OH, you have to or you'll be so so onery!"

Then they go away laughing.

Yes, they do think they are so

funny.

Small town Peach Days

I loved growing up in a small town and I love everytime I get to go back.

One of the times that we were up there this past summer Justin and Corbin were driving down town and there were tons of flags out on the streets. Corbin said to Justin,

"is this why mom is so proud of Brigham City?"

Ya, I love this town!

The calmness of it, the genuine people, the fresh air, the great neighbors, and once a year Peach Days came around!

I remember from a very early age the excitement of Peach Days. It was the greatest day for me next to Christmas and 4th of July. The reason for that is the same as the other two days, the traditions that it brought.

• Sitting across from Peach City with my Family, Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins to watch the parade. (and every year I had to hide behind the chairs when the clowns came by)
• Playing in the ditch that ran right behind us when the parade got boring.
• Walking right around the corner, after the parade, to Grandpa's house for Hamburgers fresh from the grill and homemade rootbeer.
• Grandpa giving each of us money to spend at the carnival.
• Walking down the street to ride the merry-go-round and get some cotton candy.
• Noticing the poor cow that was up for auction and didn't know what his fate was. (I was sad about that)
• Going to the art show and remembering how boring it was, but, it was tradition. (I would enjoy it now)

As the years went by and I got older, that day was not the same. It changed. But I will always remember Peach Days as I was a little girl and the excitement it would bring to me.

This was painted by my incredibly talented mom.

And speaking of my mom, she was a contestant in the Peach Queen Pageant, back when it was classy and a big deal. My dad sent this in an e-mail just a few days before Peach Days.

"Then another packer-to-be showed up on the chamber of commerce float in 1967. Jill Holmgren (to the left) was first attendant and Miss talent. We started dating two weeks later. A stunner for over 42 years."

Isn't he sweet!

And that's MY mom.

This year I wanted the boys to get a little taste of Peach Days. Even though it's not nearly the same as it was for me, they still thought it was extremly fun!

I don't think they expected this slide to be faster than the ones at the park.

Especially Taylor!

We chose to go to the Jr. Parade rather than the big one. And I do not remember EVER getting as much candy as they did!

We can't forget the peaches, it's what this day is all about. Thanks to my great parents, they gave us a big box of delicious, home-grown peaches. You can't ever go wrong. Justin and I can't hardy wait for the day we get our very own peach tree!

I turned a couple of those peaches into this yummy pie! Happy Peach Days!

Sad Hand

Yesterday morning we were making yummy popcorn on our stovetop. I just finished popping it, turned off the burner, and ran to answer the phone. While I was just hanging up the phone, (we now had a showing on our home in one hour!) Levi found the empty box of fruit snacks on the counter, climbed up the chair, and put his hand right on the burner that was still way too hot.

As a result:

two + hours of tears,

an attempt to keep his hands cool,

lots of cuddle time,

swinging at the park with Daddy to distract from the pain,

and then a hand that looked like this that night -

And now in the morning, his poor little hand looks like this.

It makes me hurt whenever I see that sad hand. He has been such a tough, sweet little guy through it all. And has been so patient using his left hand for everything. He can hold up to three superheroes in one hand now, color pictures, drag his me-me around, eat his dinner, push the chair to the sink to wash his hands, but then any time his sad hand touches something, the tears come again.

Poor guy.

Luckily, he has an older brother to help him out and give him lots of kisses and attention.

And Levi has loved that!

1st Grade, why?

Why is it that this is how old I think Corbin should be right now?

Why do I feel like Daddy should be there to play with Corbin and not a bunch of 6 year old boys?

and to give him loves when he is feeling sad instead of toughing it out?

Why do I feel like he should want to be with me all the time instead playing star wars during recess?

and go on little field trips in our van with our family instead of on a big yellow bus with 20 other 6 year olds and their teacher?

Why do I want him to have lunch with us and not go to the big lunch room and trade his juice for chocolate milk with his buddies?

Why do I just want him to stay young and innocent for at least another six more years?

I guess it happens to us all and I just have to learn to live with it and enjoy every second that I have got.

But can't it just slow down a little?

Here's to one good year as a 1st grader! He is loving it and reassures me that he will still get to see me in the evenings and on the weekends. Not super comforting, but I am excited for him.