Saturday is a Sledding Day

We finally had the perfect day for some sledding. Chris was home, there was snow on the ground, nobody was sick and it wasn't bitterly cold. So I sucked in my hatred of evil snow and decided to have fun.

We went to the hill at Chase Middle School. We thought lots of people would be there, as usual, but today we had it all for ourselves. The only other people there were going inside for basketball or something. It was so great today that most of the time our sledding took us up over the pavement and into the parking lot. Chris and Chad ended up the farthest, with actually touching a parked car. The scariest moment was when I had just sent Chad and Halle down, they went over the pavement and into the parking lot just as a car started driving across the parking lot. Luckily it saw the kids just in time and stopped about a foot away from the tube. (I didn't get a picture of that as I was too busy panicking and screaming.)

We never were able to do any sledding last year. Plenty of excuses: no snow, not the right kind of snow, snow but way too cold, no Chris around to help, etc.

The year before we all went but it was not fun. All I remember is huffing and puffing up the hill while holding Sean (6 or 7 months old) in one arm, holding the tube in the other arm, and somehow also helping Chad (4) and Halle (2) up the hill too.

But this year was great. All the kids were able to walk up by themselves (what a difference a couple of years makes). The kids all wanted to go again tomorrow, but I had to sadly remind them that tomorrow was Sunday.

Halle enjoys her ride down - shrieking with joy all the way.


Dad with the boys.


Down come the boys - don't hit mom!


Chad - pretty proud after his solo run.


Dad and Halle make it into the parking lot.


Mom, Sean and Halle make it into the parking lot too
(and look, I am having fun).


All the kids (chad hidden in the middle).


Chad and Halle having fun together (verses fighting).


Sean about to take his first solo.


Down he comes!


He just barely makes it into the parking lot. Way to go Sean!


Halle ready to go again.


Sean is ready to go again too. What a big helper.

Let Track Season Begin

In case you couldn't tell from the weather, track season is set to officially start on Monday. At the Caviness house track season never really ends, it is just a little more low key, when it is not "in season."

Chris has been working (for free - you know, the usual teacher's salary) at the weight room every M,W, F for a couple of hours the last few months to help his athletes get conditioned for the upcoming track season. Starting on Monday (February 26th) the real training and practicing will begin.

Track season officially started for us last night (Thursday February 22nd) with a parent's meeting at our house. My contribution to track was to spend all day trying to get my house clean and looking decent, get my weekly grocery shopping done, keep on eye on kids all day, take Halle to gymnastics, make sure everyone was feed (one way or another - thank you McDonald's!), and then to set out the food and put finishing touches on the house.

What was my reward for all this you might ask. I was rewarded by being stuck down in the messy toy infested basement with my 3 children trying to keep them quiet and trying to prevent Sean from escaping every 5 minutes.

Every time the door bell rang Sean would start running up the stairs, "The Ding Bell!!!! The Ding Bell!!!" And I would have to drag him back downstairs and explain that it was daddy's friends at the door, and nobody for Sean. It didn't matter how much explaining I did, Sean would still attempt to race to the door every single time.

I made the most of my time being banished to downstairs by finally getting my laundry folded (that had been sitting there for two days now) and getting caught up on reading blogs (yeah!).

After everyone was out of the house (and the kids were in bed - but who knows if they were actually sleeping or not) I went to clean up. I was shocked when I went upstairs because there was nothing to clean up. Nobody had had a bite to eat. All the food I had set up was still there in picture perfect form. Have none of these people been to a Relief Society function, do they not know food is a part of having a meeting?

At least I didn't have to worry about anyone getting food poisoning or being allergic or not liking anything. And now I can wallow in all the left over chocolate.

Thoughts About Snow

I got spoiled this weekend with the nice teasing of spring weather. But today as I took Chad to the bus stop I realized it was still winter. I pulled my coat tightly around me and made sure that my hood did the best possible job of keeping out the rain, wind, and cold. But I still had to dance around a little to keep warm.

But even though it was cold I was glad for the rain. I love rain!!!!! (Must be that English blood in me). And it, in my warm opinion, is much better than snow. I am just not a snow and cold gal.

The following are thoughts that usually come when the snow first arrives and then continues to arrive throughout winter.

Chris: I knew this year would be a good one. Gotta make sure the kids understand what a real winter is all about. I'll also make a man out of Chad by making him my official snow shoveling partner. Hey if the snow gets really deep and lasts for a long time maybe I can finally talk Lara into letting me buy a snow blower this year. And what is all this fuss over studded snow tires, I don't even need plain snow tires, regular tires are good enough for a Spokane born native like me.

Lara: Snow! Look how pretty - I love how it falls in the trees - just like a postcard picture. Oh **&%$%%^ I gotta drive in that stuff today. If only I had snow tires. &^%#**#* SNOW!!!!!!!! Why can't it just snow in the mountains. Oh, just looking at it is making me cold. I think I will hibernate the rest of the winter.

Chad: Snow! Wahoo. Mom, can I go make a snowman? Can I go sledding?! Did you know that I can make 20 snow angels in the front yard? Mom, you want to have a snow ball fight outside with me?

Halle: Oh, snow. Now let's see, what should I wear? I know, I will wear my pink jeans with my princess top - those will go with my beautiful strawberry shortcake snow boots. Then I will put on my fluffy pink coat, but not use the hood of course, because that will mess up my hair. Last I will cover my neck with my pretty pink and purple scarf and then put on my silky, shiny, pink gloves. Okay, now who will be watching me be beautiful in the snow?

Sean: Snow? What is snow. Wow, what cool white stuff. I wonder what it can do? Should I bring it inside? Should I throw it at mom? What if I put some in the van or stuff it in my bike? Hmmm, it is really cold. I wonder what it tastes like. Yum!!!!! Lunch time - I love this stuff. Should I try the yellow snow or the black snow next?

I'm glad it rained today. Looking at the weather forecast for the next week is making me pretty sad. And now you know what thoughts will be going through all of our heads as it snows again. I will just have to keep hoping for sunshine soon.

Charlotte's Web

My mind has been completely blank the last few days. I've really had the urge to write (which is not like me) but haven't had anything to write about. And I have found it pretty hard to write about nothing. So this blog is just to let you know that I am still around - but mentally vacant.

I have enjoyed my weekend though. It is funny how when school has been out for a while you can't wait to get back into the routine and when school has been in session for a while you can't wait to have a break from the monotony of the daily routine. So I enjoyed the last few days because it was not the usual automatic schedule.

I loved today the most because my husband was home. We slept in until the kids made us get up (they are just too noisy to ignore them). We got a few things done around the house and took nice afternoon naps. I love it when Chris is home - because then I can divert all the little kid problems to dad! "Go tell dad." "Ask dad to help you." "I'm sure dad would love to play with you." Not that I don't love my kids, but it is nice to not be the only adult home with the kids all day.

For Family Home Evening we went to the Garland movie theater to watch Charlotte's Web. We love the Garland because it is cheap and they have bottomless popcorn. In case you don't know our family very well, we are popcorn junkies!!!!!!! So we are always in Heaven when we go to the movies. And I think this time we only got up for 3 refills.

If you haven't already seen it the movie was really cute and well done, I thought. It was fun to see each of my children react to the story as we watched. Chad already knew the story from reading it in his class last year. He enjoyed watching the story come to life and loved to laugh at all the humor (which he has really gotten into lately). Halle was taken completely away, never riveting her eyes away and was completely in pain and crying when the sad part came. Sean did very well the first 2/3 of the movie. He stood up the whole time cramming popcorn into his mouth in big shovelfuls, like we hadn't feed him for at least a week. Once his tummy was full the movie was not quite as interesting to him anymore and I could see the gears in his mind grinding away to figure out some way of escape and something to fiddle with. Luckily we all made it through and enjoyed our family home evening out together.

I am starting to feel a little like Wilbur as he leaves Charlotte. I am soon to become a track widow again. It is so easy to take Chris for granted while he is around but I sure do miss him when track season comes and he is gone a lot more. He definitely deserves the words "Some," "Terrific," "Radiant," and "Humble." For me, he is the greatest guy in the world!

So again, I am glad for today. That today we were a whole family for a whole day together.

Monkey See, Monkey Do, Monkey Get In Trouble Too

I had to go shopping today to get Chad some new pants. That kid wears the knees out of his pants before they are even dirty enough to be washed. I know that some of you are anti-Sears out there -- but you have to love their Kid-Advantage Club. I just showed them the jeans and got replacement jeans for free no questions or information asked. That is the kind of shopping I like. Fast and free.

While I was out I found this T-shirt (see picture above) that I had to buy Sean. It seemed the perfect fit. Sometimes I think I should rename my blog to "Sean's Blog of Sean-isms" because that seems like all I blog about. But since cleaning up after him, taking care of him, and trying to prevent him from getting into trouble take up about 80% of my life, I guess I can't help but talk about him. So, while I am on the subject, let me share some more about Sean this week.

What Sean tried to get himself for breakfast.

Chad took this picture. Got to love that wild boy hair and Halle's bright color non-coordinating fashion sense.

Today I found Sean with an apple he had been stabbing with a steak knife.

I'm just glad I didn't find any blood or missing appendages.

Enjoying the rain and his umbrella after walking with me to get Chad at the bus stop.

That is all the time I have for now. I really need to write about my other two kids. I really loved Lucy's Valentine blog with the ten things she liked about her husband and kids. I am going to have to steel her idea for one of my blogs another time. Now it is time to go because I am down stairs and Sean is upstairs and it is very quiet - so I am sure you all know what that means. Wish me luck.

Jenny's Baptism

Saturday, February 10th, 2007

This weekend was an exciting one for the Caviness family. The big news and reason for celebration was that Jenny got baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Jenny Josephine Paz is my niece (my brother-in-law, Jeff's, step-daughter). She loves the church. Jenny was introduced to the church mostly by her grandma, Jeraldine Caviness, and also various missionaries who had been invited into the home now and then. Every time Jeraldine and Herm would go to Arizona and visit with Jeff and his family they would have FHE with them, read scriptures with them and have family prayers with them. Jenny is just one of those special spirits that is so teachable and just hungering for spiritual food. She loved going to church any chance she got and loved reading the scripture readers. She practically has all the stories memorized. Jenny is a fun person to know. She is always smiling and always pleasant.

We are all so glad that she had a desire to be baptized and that her mother allowed her to do so. I know her baptism is a blessing and a result of many prayers for her and her family. She is a great example for her family.

Jenny with her uncle Chris

Jenny with a very proud Grandma and Bompa

Sean helps himself to some of Jenny's cake

Two future missionaries, Jackson and Chad, being trained by Elder Tolman

Footprints In the Sugar

In one of my previous postings I wrote how much I like having 8:30am church. Part of the reason I like church that early is that my kids usually don't find time to get in trouble while they are being continuously hounded to get ready for church. This last Sunday we attended Jeff and Linda's ward out in the Valley so we could be there for Jenny's conformation. Their sacrament meeting didn't start until 11:00am which meant we didn't have to leave until 10:15am. This obviously was too much extra time for my little one to deal with and he spent it planning and scheming something to do.

I thought I knew where Sean had been all morning. I have no idea when he had time to do this. And it wasn't until 5 minutes before we were leaving, and I went to grab a few snacks to stick in the diaper bag, that I discovered it. I guess he got bored with laundry powder and decided to move onto sugar.

Yes, the cupboard does have two locks on it - but they have been mere child's play for Sean since he was about a one year old.

Hum, I wonder who could have done this?

This time when I confronted him and asked who did it he replied, "I don't know." So then I said, "Well, whose foot prints are these?" The answer was, "What footprints. I don't see footprints."

I may not have been able to coax the truth out of him but using my skilled CSI talents I quickly deducted that the size and pattern of the footprints matched perfectly to the shoes being worn by a stubborn and curious two year old named Sean Thomas Caviness.