When does a Chore becomes a Bore?

Tonight Kyle decided to help do the dinner dishes. He pulled his little stool from the bathroom right up to the kitchen sink and announced "I can do these dishes, I know how to do everything myself." Since the older kids were still out at various activities and Megan was in the bath tub, I humored him and let him go ahead and let him prove to me that he was capable and confident in his ability to do the mound of dirty dishes that were waiting for Jordan (it was her night and wouldn't be getting home until late, so I would probably take pity on her and do them myself since it was a school night!)

These were a few comments Kyle made while he intently scrubbed away on one plastic cup:

"I'm doing a good job, a really really really soapy one"

"I can do everything now, and laundry is the easiest"

"you know I can do these all by myself without any help"

and my favorite:

"Mom, can I have some money now?"

After about 20 minutes of hearing the water continue to run, I came back to the kitchen to check on his progress. This is what I found in the dishwasher:

I asked him if he'd like me to help him load some of the dishes since there were so many, and he replied:

"sure, if you do the rest, I'll give you some of my money."

However, he didn't completely surrendor the job to me, but instead "helped" me get them finished up. He was a great little boss and had to tell me where to put each dish and utensil to the exact spot he thought they should go.

What I want to know is exactly when does a child quit wanting to do chores and show his maturity and independence by his newfound capabilities and start to dread the word "chore" like it is a sentence worse than torture. If I could just bottle a little of that 4 year old enthusiasm and inject it in my 11 and 13 year old, I'd have it made! I'd also quickly patent the miracle syrum and sell it to the masses!

FALLing in Love with the Season

Fall is here. Autumn. My very favorite time of the year. Why do I like this season more than any other? It may have something to do with being born in October. I have always loved the fall colors and they just happen to be the ones that seem to look best with my red hair. I love going back to school, new school supplies and of course new school clothes! I love the leaves changing colors and the crisp morning air. I love sleeping with my window open at night and feeling the cool air from outside (not an air conditioner) coming through my window. I love being able to wear a nice warm sweater and going for walks in the evening when kids are playing outside. I love that it is football season and all that goes along with that. I even love Halloween although it hasn't been quite as much fun since I have to come up with 5 originally clever costumes every single year! Since I have lived in Utah, I have especially enjoyed the changing of each season (a girl from Seattle, Washington is used to one season- DRIZZLE - with a change in temp. of about 10 degrees!). As I drove my usual errands this weekend I realized that fall was here and so were the fall colors in the mountains around me. Mount Timpanogos was even covered with snow yesterday morning!

Connor turned 11 on the 11th...

But we celebrated 11 days late!

With our crazy schedule and sporting events virtually ruling our lives, tonight was the first chance we've had to actually have Connor's birthday party. Although he didn't wait 11 days for his presents of course!

He opened his gifts from the fam on his actual birthday but he got a few more things at his party -- Connor's guests brought him just what he's been loving lately -- Tech Decks!

September 11th has become a day that marks an American tragedy, but in my life it still marks the day we welcomed Connor David into this world! Connor was a laid back and easy baby, and loved to sleep! After collicky Jordan, I almost didn't know what to do with such an easy newborn. He was also not content to remain immobile and shocked us all by walking when he was only 8 months old. His first word was "ball" so that should have been a clue that his life would revolve around many different kinds of them!

Can you tell which one of these boys is NOT a twin? Connor's friends Tommy and Darryl helped him celebrate with pizza, cake, games and movies..... Connor's kind of party!

Connor continues to be a joy and I'm so proud of how hard he works at everything he does. He has been a real trooper lately and a big help to me!



Happy Birthday to my September 11th boy-- we love you!

Football Hero

Connor got three fumble recoveries today. As the helmets crunch together and the whistle blows, the sounds of this football game could be mistaken for an NFL one, until the high pitched 11 year old voice yells out "Eickbush got it." I had to laugh. Connor was appropriately proud of himself as he looked to the side line with a wicked little smirk beneath all the gear that seemed to say "HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW?"

At half time they were down 14 to zip. The coach asked the boys "Do you want to win this game or don't you?" When the boys answered yes he then replied:

"Because if you guys want to lose, us coaches will just go over here and relax and let you all keep talking about video games and girlfriends" Now that half-time speech probably wouldn't have been mistaken for a professional one.

Their second half was much better and they ended up scoring a TD but it was too little, too late and the final score was 6 -14. Although it was a loss for the Vikings, it was a victory for Connor.

Connor was chosen to be a team captain for the second week in a row. This is an honor given by the head coach to the two players he felt excelled in the game. They lead the team at practices and for the next Saturday game, including the goofy monkey chanting antics they like to do after they spell out the word VIKINGS in their huddle. I have a hunch, that's one of Connor's favorite parts of the whole experience!

Here are the highlights of my football star--

My Oldest "Goof - Ball"

When my niece, Olivia, visited this summer, she called Kyle a goof-ball. Big mistake. Any of you who know Kyle, know that you don't call him anything questionable, you don't even call him cute! The reaction she got from her cousin was heard clear upstairs by Joey and I...."I am NOT A GOOF BALL!"
I wonder where three year old Olivia possibly learned such a word. This is one of those words that my Mom always used. When your parents say something, you just assume that it's normal english language until you grow up and meet people who upon hearing such a word will question "what exactly is a Goof Ball??"
Well, Joey told Olivia she could only refer to Grandma Jackie and Aunt Melanie as a Goof Ball. Nice. I think we all have our moments of fitting the definition but as I looked at the last two blog posts, I decided that I couldn't leave Jordan out of the fun. She is definitely a fun girl and one of the biggest GOOF BALLS I know.

This picture was taken last Friday night at the mall. Jordan went with two of her friends and they each picked out an outfit for the other to try on, then took pictures of each other in the silly clothes. I call that definite goofy behavior!

A Model/Photographer

Whenever Jordan can't find her camera, the first place we look is Megan's room. She takes any opportunity she gets to swipe it and have photo shoots with her friends and Kyle. These latest shots that we found on it were just too good not to share....

Her favorite subject to shoot? HERSELF!!

She has Kyle trained to pose on command and her friend Ariannah does Richard Nixon impressions!

Never accuse my children of not having a personality or a sense of humor!

Barber Shop Boys

The boys were being silly yesterday afternoon and came to the bottom of the stairs calling me and yelling to "come here Mom" --"you've got to come here and see something". I came downstairs to see that Connor, Max, and their friend Brandon had been goofing off with the shaving cream and were proud of their creations. It was actually a hysterical site, and I couldn't quite let the opportunity pass for some good black-mail pictures.

So, have a laugh and remember how fun it is just to be a kid!

My final FOUR year old!

As we celebrated Kyle's birthday today, the reality that this was the last time I'd throw a four year old birthday party for one of my children began to sink in. Since I know that Kyle is the end of the baby road for me -- every milestone, every birthday, every accomplishment is just a little more climactic and momentous of an occasion. I have always loved four year olds. It's a great age. It's Post - temper tantrums and potty training, but Pre- independence and extra curricular activities. When you're four, Mom is still your best friend. Four year olds are full of great questions and their love and enthusiasm for life is contagious.

Tonight when I tucked him into bed he asked me "Am I going to go to pre-school tomorrow?" I said "No, not tomorrow honey!" His reply: "But, I'm four years old now!" I told him he'd get to go soon, but not quite yet, Mom needed him at home with her just a little while longer. Kyle may have been a "surprise" of a baby as far as the grand plan of life is concerned, but I sure am grateful for my little day-time companion. My current goal is definitely a plan - to spend lots of time with this beautiful brown eyed boy and cherish every moment with my final fabulous four year old!