Presents Under the Tree

So we have been trying to really think about each person as we buy gifts this year.  Usually my kids want suggestions for each other.  So after Thanksgiving, each person makes a list of things they might like.  Of course, they choose what they are asking Santa for first, then list other things.  Jocelyn is asking Santa for book money for BYU classes, Marissa Skull Candy headphones (the huge ones that fit totally over the ears and have a sub-woofer--yeah I would have thought those rocked at her age too.), Tiffany says she doesn't need anything from Santa, (don't worry Santa has a great idea), and Gdog is asking for a Dragoniod Colossus--a cool Bakugan.
Since each person gets something for each other person, the list comes in handy.  In years past I or Shawn have gotten something on the list for Gavin to give each person.  This year however, Gavin is the person with the biggest opinion, (and the least perspective) about what each person should get.  I cannot reveal all the gifts yet, but I thought I had a perfect one for Gavin to give Shawn.  Cashews.  The two of them LOVE to eat them. Gavin happily accepted the offering I made and promptly went downstairs to wrap.   Next he came up stairs and giggled as he passed by yelling don't look Mommy I have your present.  (a stuffed monkey dangling as he jumped down the stairs.)  When he came up one monkey leg was hanging out the present with the carefully printed To: Mommy, From: Gavin tag.
But our story does not end here.  Because Gdog has learned that when he sees something that might be fun for another person, he can wrap it up and put it under the tree.  So far Shawn has 3 gifts that I know of from him.  One is a raw tortilla that he only ate half of yesterday, because he wanted to share it.  Merry Christmas Daddy!

Vocabulary

So we have been hearing many new words from Gdog these days.  I think possibly watching Generator X and Star Wars with Tiffany has added to the onslaught of new words.

What is crazy is that most times he uses the new words correctly--even if he is not exactly sure what they mean. 

A couple weeks ago we were at the table and were talking about who took something.  (I can't remember what.)  Gdog was going around the table accusing people, then laughing when they gave their excuse. 
He had guessed all the other people and then he looked at me.

To my surprise he didn't say Mommy did it!  Instead he pointed his finger at me and yelled
"Mommy is the culprit!"

Knowledge

So we were sitting in the soft seats during sacrament meeting.  Gdog was exploring his new surroundings, since well, we only arrive early enough to sit in the soft seats about once a year.
He pulled out the previous ward's program from behind the hymn books.  It was crinkled and folded into a fan. 
As he unfolded it he saw the picture of Christ on the front and gasped.  "That's not reverent.  Huh mom!?"  "Yes," I reply trying to shorten and quiet the conversation. (Gdog doesn't really whisper, ever.)

Gdog smooths the picture out carefully then opens the program to find the entire inside of the program filled with words.  In a somber tone I hear Gdog in his first actual whisper of the day "Knnnnowledge...."  Then he looks up at me offering me program and says most seriously"knowledge is power."

Yes he is always listening....even when he has no idea what it means.

Watch Where you Step

So if you come to my house and see something like this on the floor you might assume that it was your "mark" and you should stand there.  (like in the theater, I know I did!) But don't be fooled.  I was told in confidence that this is a "trap door and if people are not talking nice to their mom you tell them to stand there and then drop them into the dungeon." 
When I inquired about the dungeon details, I was told I didn't want to know.

Prayers With a 5 year Old

So tonight Gdog said the family prayer.  It went something like this
"Heavenly Father, please bless me that I can play light sabers in the morning, and thank you for the light sabers.  Help mommy to call my friend Noah so we can play........Help Daddy to draw good pictures for me.  (Interruption "Gdog you should be thanking Heavenly Father and then asking him to bless things and people. This is a prayer for our whole family.  Okay?")   He begins again.
Heavenly Father please bless Jocelyn, Marissa, Tiffany and Gavin, that's me.  Bless we can play light sabers and have fun with friends.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 
Well he did include his sisters this time...right?

I Can't Wait Any Longer

We were visiting Grandma this past weekend.  Gdog was trying to talk to me while I was having a discussion.  I asked him to wait a minute.  He bounced impatiently until he couldn't wait any longer.  (about 20 seconds) Then he yelled "I think I am going to explode."  (At which point people around me had to turn discretely away to chuckle and I had to figure out what was up.)
Turns out there was a dead bug on the outside sidewalk.
Good to know.

Gavin Won!

Gavin won a gift basket from Red Robin for participating in the Sunset Elementary walk-a-thon.  He is treating his family to dinner tonight because he said "That's how I roll."  And since they gave him a T-shirt so now he "works there" too.

Nick Names

So Gdog decided a couple weeks ago to give us all nicknames.  I didn't particularly like my nickname so I decided to wait it out and see if he forgot.  Not so much.  When I told him my nickname was the Mominator, he corrected me.  You'll see why I was hoping he might forget. 

Daddy: Shawngo
Tiffany: George
Marissa: Crazy pants
Gdog: The best hider ever
And my name...Stubby.  (yeah, don't ask me why.  He says it just fits.)

Does This Look Like My Angry Face?

Gdog came home from school today talking about the words, mad and angry.

He said his teacher asked all the kids to draw a picture of themselves angry. I particularly like the way his face is all scrunched up and he spelled out the words. 

What Did He Say?

So Gdog and I were at the store. We were busy finding things for Jocelyn to take to college. Gdog spotted a baby in a stroller. He looked at me and smiled saying "look!"

He walked right over to the Mom and said

"Can I pet your baby?"

The Mom looked puzzled and said "what?"

I quickly corrected, "he wants to know if he can touch your baby."


Ahh...similar circumstances with a slight wording difference....thank you Safety Town (One of the things he learned is to always ask a dog owner before you pet their dog.)

Just Another FHE At Our House

It was time for Family Home Evening (Or lock-down as my teens like to refer to it.)
In an effort to involve Gavin in the event, Shawn asked him what primary song he wanted to sing.
Gavin went to the piano, as anyone with musical know-how might.
With a large intake of breath he declared
"Hampster Follow the Man" would be the song and immediately began playing random notes on the piano.
Without skipping a beat Jocelyn, Marissa and Tiffany in unison began singing.
"Hampster follow the man, hampster follow the man....."
In fact the girls were even adept enough to do a little harmony.
When Gavin finished playing (about 2 minutes later), the girls ended the song and we went on with Family Home Evening.

Ahhh...life would be so normal without that kid.

(It is a little reminiscent of the "Buzz Light-year Song" he had all his Runyan cousins singing around the campfire at Powell 2 years ago.)

Follow the Leader

Gavin started Kindergarten this week.
On the second day the teacher had everyone line up along the wall outside the door.
When she told the kids it was time to come in, they all charged the opening.
Quickly the teacher corrected the problem saying "This is like follow the leader. You need to all get behind Abby. She will be the leader today."
Gavin voiced his opinion loudly.
"No one likes follow the leader except Abby!"

Dragonfly....amd other bugs

Ok...so this is going to seem a little gross.

Gavin took apart a dead dragonfly.
I mean completly dismantled it to see what the "parts" looked like. Then he decided that he wanted to decorate the house with the "parts".
He taped a tail to the garage door, wings to the window, and the body to the front door.
Because it was "pretty". (Not sadistic like some might had assumed.)

Jocelyn and I joked that perhaps it could serve as a warning to all bugs everywhere.

Enter At Your Own Risk.

Gdog's Car

A few Sundays ago Gdog was drawing during sacrament meeting. During his creative process he decided to draw the car he wanted. (picture above.)

As one who knows Gdog might assume, the car is specially "equipted".

The car opens like a Bakugan, can grow taller and has spinning saws to "get rid of other cars that are in the way"and rolls into the ball in the garage.

It also has so many doors that EVERYONE can fit inside. (And believe me we went through the list meticulously...all the cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and of course a few choice friends.)

Mostly though Gdog is disgusted with how long he has to wait to be able to drive this car.

The first day we discussed it at the dinner table after presenting the picture/diagram/building plans he inquired.

"Mommy how long till I can drive a car?"

I answered "Let's see....ummm about 11 years."

He turned to Dad and

"Well, uh Dad, I guess we better get started on the car. Can you go to the store and get some boards so we can start working on it tomorrow?"

The next morning he was disgusted to learn that the 11 year mark had not visibly moved.

Two more days passed and he sighed VERY deeply and responded

"Uggghh. This is going to take forever."

Yes...and yet as I drive the little munchkin to this week Kindergarten I remember it wasn't so long ago that I thought,

"Ugghh Diapers! This is going to take forever!"

Our Nice Friend

Last night Gdog came crying upstairs(which is saying something since he is a pretty tuff kid).

Blood was running out of his mouth and down his throat. He had been holding a stick and bent over to pick up a bug and stabbed himself in the back of the throat. I looked at it and really couldn't tell how much blood was mixed with saliva, and how much was flowing from the wound, so we opted to take him to a friend to look.

When our friend looked at the wound-- without touching Gavin or his jaw--no small feat--he pronounced the gash a flesh wound and then kindly listened while Gavin regaled him with details about the bug he had been trying to catch and other misc things every 5 year old boy needs to share.

Next our friend asked Gdog what his favorite color was, and without missing a beat Gavin declared Blue, Green and Red. With a flash of a smile our friend produced 3 otter-pops and gave them to Gavin with the prescription to eat them to make his throat feel better.

On the way out the door, Gavin commented
"Wow that family is really nice. I wish we were as nice as them."

Workers Run The World

So Gdog and I were talking yesterday.

"Mommy, did you know there are a lot of Chinese people who work in China?"

"Yes I did know that Gdog." I respond.

"It helps China be a good country. Right mom?"

I add "Yes and makes it so China can make so many things and the people can eat and live there because they work hard." I say, using it as a teaching moment.
"And" I ask, "who works in the United States to make our country so great."

Gdog thinks a second and then responds. "Jocelyn does."

(I can't imagine the pressure Jocelyn would feel if she only knew the fate of our country was in her hands. :)) Go Jocelyn!!

Almost Done!!

I was trying to negotiate a happy resolution of our nightly bedtime routine. (Gdog likes to stay up as late as his sisters, but the mornings are not so happy when he does this.) But it is summer and I want him to have happy memories of hanging with his sisters.
It was about 9:30pm when I called out from my room to the family room. "It is time for bed, Gavin and Tiffany."
Tiffany responded after my 3rd try...
"The show is almost over." She calls out with a distracted air.
"How much time is left?" I say.
Then a long pause.
"If you don't answer me right now you have to turn it off." I say. "How much time is left on the show." Again I am waiting for a response from Tiffany and growing tired of the absence of a response.
Then Gdog, afraid he might have to go to bed, yells out the only amount of time he can think of.... "45 minutes"

Prayers in the Front Yard

"Mommy" says Gdog, "I said a prayer in the front yard."
"Really?" I respond trying to ignore the fact that he isn't supposed to be in the front yard by himself. (I think....Is this a confession of guilt?) "What did you pray about?" I say.
"I asked Heavenly Father to bring back the spirits."
"The what?" I asked.
"To bring back Midnight's spirit....to his body. So he can be alive again." Gdog tells me.
"Well Gavin, do you remember how old Midnight's body was? How he couldn't see. And how he had trouble running up and down the stairs?"
"Yes" says Gdog.
"Well, after Jesus comes again to the earth he is going to fix all the bodies so they are perfect again. And Midnight's spirit will be put back into his perfect body and he will be able to see, and run, and jump and play as much as he wants with out it hurting. And right now his spirit is in heaven with his dog cousins playing until it is time for his body to be fixed."
Gdog thinks.
"Well maybe he should wait for his body. Hummm, ok, I am going to pray again about that."
And off he goes.....but this time pointed toward the back yard.
:)

Our Puppy Midnight

I imagine Midnight is running free--actually in a full-out sprint, (like he used to 4 years ago when you opened the door, and he managed to squeeze out.) His cousin dogs excited and welcoming him home.

I remember the day 12 years ago, when we got him as a puppy. Jocelyn had his little leash and collar on him, and he walked that 7yr old girl around the front porch. Jocelyn's intention was to take him around the block, but he found too many curious things with-in 3 feet of the front door.

I remember Marissa dressing him up in doll clothes, and then progressing to having a "purse dog". Whom she took to her fancy N'sync parties.

Tiffany, a one year old at the time, rolled on top of him, and I watched Midnight army crawl out from underneath her instead of growling or biting her. I knew at that moment that he was an usually great dog. Which I must say carried us through his first year of hundreds. A hundred dollar pair of shoes, Shawn's leather briefcase, the (6mo old) carpet seam in the family room...you see the pattern. Tiffany had dog birthday parties, walked, washed and brushed her way through those 12 years with him.

Gavin, was loved and protected by Midnight, and Gavin in turn provided the energy and mischief to keep his life interesting, and always changing. Gavin loved to have Midnight in his tents, play chasing games with him and include him in the Bakugan battle planning.

Midnight loved to play. He learned how to jump through a hoop, sit, beg, roll-over, lay down, fetch and loved a good game of tug with his rope toy. He also LOVED to run. Those little legs could cover great distances. I remember watching him from the back, screaming his name as he took off in the opposite direction to check something out thinking "he doesn't run that fast when I try to take him to run with me."

He was also a great training dog for Oreo who came 4 years later. He taught Oreo the ropes, helped him quickly learn to use the doggie door and fetch a toy. Oreo in turn helped Midnight gain access to food on the counter, helped Midnight dig and hide bones, and waited for Midnight to eat first. They respected, cleaned, and loved each other.

In the past year Midnight lost his eye sight, but got around the house extremely well, and managed to adapt with the help of Oreo. In the past month we have seen a rapid decline of his health, and knew that his time on this earth with us was coming to an end. I am grateful for yesterday when I was prompted to bend down, pet his soft fur and tell him he was a good dog and we have loved having him in our family.
Twelve years with Midnight was a blessing in our lives. We will miss that sweet fun dog, but are grateful he is freed from his old worn-out body. And in a place where he is happy, healthy and strong.

Celebrating Dad!

We had the opportunity this past weekend to celebrate the first 70 years of my Dad's life. It was great fun to look through pictures of him growing up, and pictures of him influencing the lives of his children and grandchildren over the years....one by one. I love him so much. Happy Birthday Dad!
Here is the video.

Fly....

So Gdog was looking at all the downstairs window sils with his friend Noah in tow.
"Where is it!" he said frustrated.
"What are you looking for Gdog" I ask.
"The dead FLEW."
"The dead what?" I said
"The dead flew"
"ohhh" says Tiffany "You mean the dead fly!"

Cups ready to go

I went into the bathroom the other day and saw 100 little dixie cups about 1/2 filled with water.
"GGGAAAAVVVVVIIINNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Why are all the cups filled with water?"
Gdog slinks in from the other room.
"I was getting them ready for everyone." he explains
"Gavin if we use them all now then we won't have them for later." I say between gritted teeth.
"But I wanted everyone to have one." he says
"OK, but we don't need to fill this many. How many people are in our family?"
Gdog counts everyone and pronounces the "6".
"okay then. Please don't fill that many again. It wastes the cups."
He then looks at me with his sad eyes and explains "but that is how you do it when you run. And I wanted to have them ready like that."
Ahhhh....the marathon tables with all the cups on them. Nothing gets past this kid.
He is ALWAYS thinking, doing and trying something.

When I Grow Up

Gdog had one of his little friends over playing this week. It was time for lunch and they were both sitting at the counter eating and talking. Okay....mostly they were talking. I began encouraging them to eat and discussing how they want to grow big and strong.
Next Gdog's 5yr old friend says "Yeah we want to grow big and be teenagers."
"Yes", I agree.
"Then we can have babies!" he adds triumphantly.
"Or," I add quickly "drive a CAR!"
"YES!" squeals Gdog! "My sister Jocelyn drives a car. And my sister Marissa!"

Phew....Crisis averted...at least for now!

A typical PTA Meeting at my House

Today I had a lunch meeting for PTA at my house. We were in a serious discussion about Teacher Appreciation week when Gavin tries to slink down the stairs unnoticed. One arm stationary and tight to his body, his other hand under his shirt holding something.
"What are you doing Gdog?" I asked.
"Uhhh.....nothing."
"What is under your arm?" I ask.
A smile creeps across his face.
"BACON!" he yells and pulls it out from under his arm!
The ladies at my meeting start laughing hysterically....
Yes, this is my life!

Conference

I just wanted to say how much I loved conference. It is amazing how much you can learn about yourself, and life when you really LISTEN for a message. I love how the spirit seems to testify of things you need to hear!

Gdog and the squirt Gun

So I have been lamenting about not finding the time to Blog because I am forgetting the funny stuff that happens DAILY at my house. So here is a little tidbit from yesterday.
So Gdog went with his friend to the dollar store and got a squirt gun that is as long as his arm, and about 1" diameter...so it holds a pretty good amount of water. He played with it a little on Saturday, but yesterday found it again and started really getting into it. After church he set about doing target practice off the back deck, hitting the big wall in our back yard that sits behind the swing-set. He graduated from using a cup of water, to getting the big bucket so the reloads wouldn't be so tedious.
After playing by himself for about 30 minutes he came in off the deck and announced,
"anyone who wants to go down and sit on the swing and just relax can do that....and they would have a really fun time."

Son of Shawn

Gdog was categorizing his stuffed animals today by nationality. (Where the tags said they were made.) Surprisingly we had one lone bunny from Canada, the rest were from USA and China. The Manatee,(thank you Jocelyn for leaving him with us!) put China's population over the top. Before that USA and China were neck & neck.

When they were all properly identified he piled them together. Then he looked at Shawn and smiled happily.

Our Tiffany

Tiffany and I have been training for the past 2 months to run a Half-Marathon together. We ran it last weekend in Yuma with my sister, and her two kids. Tif did great! She even won a trophy. (Something in all the 8 years I have been running I have never done!) I am so proud of this very smart and fun girl.

It has been really great to run, chat and get to know each other in a way you only get from getting together one on one. And I hope she has learned the one great lesson from running...you can go further and push yourself more than you ever thought possible. It translates over to the journey of life. You are so much stronger than you think you are....

So when I needed to make a short video example I chose her to do it on.

Without further ado...

Can I call you Jennifer?

So Gdog came in today and said, "I have decided to call you Jennifer."
"Okay," I say. "But, you should know before you decide that mommy is a special name that only 4 people get to call me. Who gets to call me that?, do you know?" I probed.
"Well....." said Gdog, "Issac?".
"No not Issac, he calls HIS mom Mommy." I say.
"Noah?"
"Nope."
"I don't know." responded Gdog slightly frustrated, "Daddy gets to call you Jennifer and that is special too!"

So it all comes down to this again. I want to be like Daddy. Why is it kids don"t want to be like Mommy? Is it because Daddy gets to drive a fun car, and doesn't have to pick up his toys?

Yes We Needed that FHE

I am not proud of it, but today Gdog watched 3 episodes of Bakugan.
As a result, we had some difficulty during FHE. We were trying to get everyone together for Family Home Evening tonight. Rissa and Tiff were sitting on the couch, next to them Shawn and Gdog was straggling in. I had just taken away his Nintendo DS and he was angry.
"Please sit down next to Tiffany so we can get started" I say.
Gdog yells "I am not sitting by that freakoid." Then he looks at Tiffany and smiles.... Tiffany and Marissa speedily tuck their laughing faces into the couch cushions. Shawn is trying to look stern...yet it is so funny considering the topic for the lesson.
Speaking kindly towards others.....why is the lesson never soon enough?

Christmas and New Years

We had a great time this Christmas season. Every year I wish I had written down all the things that everyone asked for. I think it would be fun to look back and see what Jocelyn wanted when she was 5. I think that comparing all the kids at the same age would be cool.
So in keeping with that idea.
Gavin--asked for the Bakugan that was red and fit 7 individual ones together. (Maxus Dragonoid)
Once he opened this gift, all others didn't really matter. When it came around to his turn again, we'd say "Gdog it is your turn." and he'd sigh really loud and then go open another as fast as he could so he could go back to it.
The girls all got iTouches. (Jocelyn has had her 1st generation Ipod and used it for the past 5 years....kudos to Jocelyn for not dropping or losing it!) They saved their Santa gifts to open last and after they opened them they were off to sync, download apps and use some of their itunes cards.
Gavin gave the girls a scarf and some silly string, and silly string to Shawn and I. We had a silly string fight in the front yard...lasted a whole minute, but it was funny and fun.
Jocelyn gave Gdog a "cougar" shirt to wear to match her, and commissioned a friend to make flower hair clips for M&T.
Marissa gave Gdog coupons to "play bakugans", "sonic run", "trampoline jumping", and "splash pad". He realized how useful they were when he wanted someone to help him reassemble his Maxus Dragonoid Bakugan.
Tiffany carved out books we had and created book safes for all her sybs--which they loved. It was the project that almost kept her from the Christmas Eve movie. :)

Speaking of the Christmas Eve movie, The Princess and the Frog. Marissa got my attention during the movie, and pointed at Jocelyn and Gavin who were both crying at the death of the firefly...sniff...sniff. Which later resulted in the first fight of the evening which was over the name of the said firefly. (Evangelina).

Shawn's Dad was unable to attend out Christmas Eve program at our house this year. It was the first time in 15 years. We missed him a lot. This year we talked about the Wise Men and the way they followed the star to Christ. I asked each person to think about what stars we follow to get back to Christ. We listed 4 things we should do. Say our prayers, study the scriptures, serve others and magnifying our talents. Next we discussed that often, when we are doing the right things our light points the way to Christ as well. So in addition to the 4 things we need to be aware that our light shines for others to follow. Then I asked each person to write (on the back of the picture of the night sky with the star on it) one thing they were going to do this week, this month and this year, to follow the light (gospel) towards Christ.

It made me think about the nativity in a slightly different way. I hope it did the same for everyone.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!