HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

The other day while visiting Matthew and Kere,  I was able to sneak in a few moments alone with William and Maia to plan a special Mother's Day treat for Kere.  They were so excited to answer a little questionnaire I had found on the internet and I had to stifle a chuckle or two at some of their answers.   I am sure you will too.

WILLIAM

My mom is 10 years old.
She weighs 20 pounds.
Her favourite colour is pink.
Her favourite food is pasta.
My mom always says "No."
She cooks the best scrambled eggs.
My mom's job is working upstairs.
She laughs when someone tells her something funny.
If my mom had time she would love to play games with me.
My mom and I like to clean up that's what we usually do all day.
She really loves chocolate.
I love my mom because she is nice.



MAIA

My mom is 5 years old.
She weighs 2 pounds.
Her favourite colour is purple.
Her favourite food is mushrooms.
My mom always says "clean up".
She cooks the best soup.
My mom's job is cleaning up.
She laughs when I climb in her bed.
If my mom had time she would love to work all the time.
My mom and I like to colour.
She really loves hugs and kisses.
I love my mom because she gives us play dough to play with.



William noticed that there was a list for grandma's so he wanted to answer those questions and of course Maia wanted in on the action too.

WILLIAM

My nona is 26 years old.
She weighs 13 pounds.
Her favourite colour is beige.
Her favourite food is pasta.
My nona always says "yes".
She cooks the best roast potatoes.
My nona's job is taking care of everything.
She laughs when people tell her jokes.
If my nona had time she would love to spend more time with us.
My nona and I like to do crafts.
She really loves hugs.
I love my nona because she does fun things with us.

MAIA

My nona is 26 years old.
She weighs 3 pounds.
Her favourite colour is purple.
Her favourite food is lasagna.
My nona always says "go downstairs to play."
She cooks the best buns and soup.
My nona's job is cooking.
She laughs when William dances funny.
If my nona had time she would love to play colouring.
She really loves hugs and kisses.
I love my nona because she plays fun games with us.






As you can see from their answers, both Kere and I are fulfilling our respective roles in a very stereotypical way.   As a mother, she always says "no" and as  grandmother I always say "yes".  Truer words were never spoken.  Well to be honest I do sometimes say "no" and Kere often says"yes".

I love that my grandkids think I am so young and skinny.  I knew there was a reason I loved them so much.  William's comment about cooking the best roast potatoes is pretty much true, I'll be making them tonight. I know exactly what you're thinking.....she has to cook on Mother's Day?  Well since we are having roast chicken and no one else in the house knows how to do that.... like WIlliam said, I take care of everything!

I am proud of my both my daughter and daughter-in-law.  They are wonderful mom's who take the time to play with their children, teach them right from wrong, and love them unconditionally.  I know that Olivia will be an excellent mom come September when her little one arrives and I have no question at all that Emily will be a loving, patient mom when the time comes.

Happy Mother's Day

FEATURING.... THE MOUNTAIN MAN

I've been home from Portugal for almost two weeks now and while there has been so much I could blog about after that amazing wedding I attended, I have neglected my blog because I have been entertaining some of my beautiful little grandchildren, or should I say, they've been entertaining me.

I will eventually write about my wonderful adventures in Portugal but tonight I want to direct you to a blog written by a dear friend of mine.  During the school year, he visits schools in the western United States giving presentations on mountain men.  He dresses up in full costume and brings in animal pelts for the kids to feel, teaches how to make wild animal calls, and regales them with tales of old trappers.  I have never seen his presentation but knowing Scott, I bet he has the rapt attention of every student within earshot.    From time to time he post letters on his blog from kids who have been present for his performances, along with a reply.  This is definite laugh out loud stuff!

Check out his latest post here.

This one is pretty cute too.

And this one.

Heck, just  go and click on the word blog on the sidebar of his website and you can read them all. 

SIGNS

Top ten signs that you were a good mother.

1. You read to your kids almost every night.
2. You did helped your kids with their homework.
3. You fed your kids healthy, well balanced meals every day.
4. You read scriptures and had family prayer almost every day.
5. You gave your kids lots of praise and affection. 
6. You played with your kids.
7. You sang to your  kids.
8. You taught your kids manners.
9. You made sure your kids were clean and well rested.
10. You taught your kids essential skills.

Top ten signs that perhaps you were not the best mother:

1. You laughed when your kids told you the mischief they'd been up to.
2. You paid your kids a quarter to slide down the stairs in a cardboard box.
3. You laughed when your child took a tumble out of a SLOW moving van.
4. You told your kids to go play outside but be mindful of bears then snuck around the back of the house and growled loudly.
5. You made your kids ride on roller coasters even though they were scared just so you didn't have to ride alone.
6. You encouraged your son to go into a lingerie store and ask to try on the underwear.
7. You slammed on the brakes and screamed when your kids fell asleep in the car.
8. You showed up at  the school cafeteria on your daughter's 16th birthday in a gorilla costume with a bouquet of balloons and a birthday cake to share.
9. You fed your son and his friends pancakes with tiny little weevils in them for an April Fool's joke.  Your in laws may or may not have been fed them too.
10. When people called to tattle report your children's misbehaviour, they would ask for their father even though you were the one that answered the phone.

HIDDEN TALENTS

I never realized how talented the members of my church congregation were until last year when the  Activities Committee held a talent night.  There were a few of the expected performances of piano playing, singing etc from those that we knew to possess these talents.  It was the unexpected that made the evening so entertaining.

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  We follow a health code that includes not drinking alcohol and not smoking among other things.  With that in mind, you can imagine the horrified looks on the faces of the audience when a young woman brought her boyfriend to the festivities, guitar in hand, to perform "Whiskey Lullaby" (a song about a couple committing suicide by drinking themselves to death). She had not informed the organizer that she was even performing and was not on the program but he fit her in so as not to offend her.   I might add that this was a family event and there were a number of young children in the audience. There was some polite applause at the end of her song and then she announced they had another song to perform.  I heard my son mutter "I didn't hear anyone asking for an encore". I had to leave the room I was laughing so hard. 

The other highlight of the evening for me came when the emcee announced that "little Sarah(6) is going to show us her paintings".  I was sitting next to a little six year old girl and she turned to me, eyes wide, took a sharp intake of breath and exclaimed "oh!!!!!".  I thought at first she was surprised because she didn't realize that a talent could be showing your artwork.  Little Sarah held her paintings up for all to see and was thrilled with the applause that ensued.  The little girl sitting next to me let out a huge sigh of relief and revealed to me " I thought he said Sarah was going to show us her panties."  Again, I had to leave the room.

Next month, we will be holding a Talent Night again...  I can hardly wait.

BUSTED

You feed them, clothe them, tend to their every need for years and how do they repay you?  By ratting you out to their dad, that's how.  Oh, they look all sweet and innocent at first glance but don't be fooled. Deep down they are cut throat stool pigeons.  I had almost forgotten about our oldest child's revelation to his father about me running into a shopping cart that caused a significant scratch to our van, a story worthy of it's own blog.  Apparently his youngest brother and sister are following his example.
Hubby was in the big city for a few days on business and was able to spend an evening with our two youngest rats kids, when they divulged to him that he had been the subject of a few of my posts. Busted!  If you have spent any time with my darling husband, you will know how very private he is.  I thought he might not be too happy with the fact that I have been entertaining you all at his expense with stories of his technical and craftiness ineptitude but he seemed to take it all in stride.  He did however ask for the blog address so that he could view it for himself. I think I may be in trouble.  I also think that two of my children will be getting me an extra nice Christmas present this year.

The culprits.