Keeping Score

I sure love all of our kids. And I can say that I love them equally.

I just wish the kids felt the same way.

Each of our kids definitely has their favorites. Sadly, it is not always me.

Let me just give you an example.

Two days ago, by some miraculous string of events (thank you grandma), I was left with just Tate and a screaming McCall while doing errands. With a few kids absent and Tate being extremely helpful and patient I decided that I would take him to Chick Fil A for a kids meal, he had earned a free coupon at school that he had been waiting to use. So we drove up to the drive through, managed to order the kids meal, with a screaming and now wailing McCall for background music. While we waited for our order, I cheerfully shouted,

"Who is your favorite mom in the world?"

Um, there's only one answer for that!

But he shouted back, without hesitation I might add, "not you, it's DAD!"

"I love Dad WAY more than I love you, he is just so awesome!"

Why do I set myself up like that? The boy adores his daddy, according to him Dad walks on water, he performs miracles, he can do no wrong. But, because I am not very intelligent, I decided that I could convince him just this once that I am the favorite. So I continued,

"Well Tate, who buys you your birthday presents and makes you your favorite cookies? Who helps you with homework and makes your meals? Who kisses your booboos and makes Lego Star Wars with you? Who takes you on bike rides and to the park? Who is taking you to Chick

Fil A right now?"

That should have done it, right?

Wrong!

His response, "well mom, do you remember that ONE time when dad and uncle Russell brought us dart (pronounced DAWT) guns from the dollar store? And he got me a whoopie cushion once too. That was so cool. I love Dad!"

How can a girl compete with that? A dart gun that broke within an hour of unwrapping it and whoopie cushion that has long since been popped and thrown out. I rank below those things. Not great comfort for a mother.

But I have to admit, I think his Dad is pretty awesome as well, he is my favorite person in the whole world as well, so I can't blame the kid.

He has good taste.

But for those of you keeping score, Tate is only one of 4!

Gage - LOVES his momma

McCall - loves her momma, likes her daddy

Connor - is too nice to hurt anyones feelings, so he loves everyone equally

Dad - 1

Mom - 2

Undecided - 1

The "after" party

Since dad couldn't miss work for the four year old fiesta this afternoon, we of course had to wait to open presents and have birthday cake when he was home tonight. We managed to sandwich this in between one birthday party, scouts, and meetings. Gage was thrilled with the entire day. He was pretty excited about his birthday cake.

A little bummed when he saw that it was white.

He had requested rainbow.

But when we cut into it...

(thanks Karli!)

A fun and successful day.

Thank you for coming into our lives Gage.

You have certainly made the last four years wonderfully amusing!

The Party

Fun was had by all.

Lunch was consumed.

Cupcakes were decorated.

Messes were made.

Lots of running, dressing up and laughter.

A very fun day, with some very fun kids.

Thanks for making Gage's day special.

I mean a kid only turns 4 once!

Happy Birthday Gage!

Gage turned 4 today. I don't know if there has ever been a child who looked forward to a birthday so much as this one. For months he has told people that he is 4 years old, then winked at me, as if to say, "don't tell mom!". For weeks he has asked me, how many more days now mom? He was pretty sure that when he turned 4 he would be as big as his older brother, since for a whole month they would only be a year apart. He has planned a dozen different birthday parties, scoured magazines and toy departments to compile his birthday wish list, planned and requested about 10 different menu's. It has been quite the process, but one full of fun and anticipation.

Our little Gage is a laugh a minute. He has our whole family in stitches at any given moment with his quick wit, ready smile and crazy antics. When we aren't laughing at him we are busy shaking our heads and trying not to pull our hair out.

Gage is quick to give hugs and kisses, then turn right around and call you a sicko because you kissed him. He loves girls! His birthday guest list included five girls and two boys, his own selection! Crazy! He often has several girlfriends on the line at the same time, he doesn't care about age, grade, or family relations - any girl will do.

Gage is a huge FLIRT! He is constantly flirting any chance he gets. His new thing is winking at women, girls, anything female. Last week he "modeled" for Emilie's photography class and came face to face with 15 women wielding large cameras all pointed at him. Well, one would think a small child would be a little shy, but not our Gage. He immediately folded his arms across his chest, leaned back against the wall, cocked his hip, and winked at the paparazzi. Couple that with his little clicking noise each time he winked and it got quite hilarious. He would pose for about 2 seconds, and move to a new pose, wink, click, new pose, re-peat! After a few minutes he had to be replaced by a new "model", he was enjoying it way too much.

Gage is such a fun boy, he is headstrong and creative. He can argue his way out of anything, reason with the best of us, he has a solution for every problem. He idolizes his brothers, dotes on his sister and wants to marry his mother and be his father when he grows up. It's more than I could have asked for. I love my little boy, he brings joy into each day with laughs, hugs, giggles and mischievousness. I love you Gage.

Necessary Expenses

The boy is 8.

Baptism.

Eating us out of house and home.

Homework left at home.

Lunches forgotten.

Silliness comes standard.

More independence.

CUB SCOUTS!

Connor LOVES cub scouts and is super prepared for each pack meeting. He rushes in the house from school, immediately gets going on homework, and actually gets it done quickly and correctly. Puts his things away without being asked. And hi-tails it to his room to get that uniform on and his manual ready. With only an hour to spare! Everything is exciting for him, getting his badges sewn on, passing off badges, getting his scarf and woggle.

If only he put forth as much effort in his classes ... maybe at 9?

But what I didn't account for is the expense. Thank goodness Grandma and Grandpa supplied the uniform shirt for his birthday. How do little badges and scarves add up to so much? I guess my flexible spending account will be tied up in scouts for the next ... never mind, I am not adding up all those years and money I have ahead of me of scouts. It's worth it right?

Regardless.

Love his enthusiasm for life, for everything that means something to him.

Love this boy. Wish I could duplicate him and keep him this age FOREVER!

Meet the Candidate!

Meet Mike Lee and hear him discuss his pledge to restore the federal government to its constitutional roots. Mike will discuss the limits by which the founders intended the Federal Government to be bound and the steps we can all take to reclaim individual liberty.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

7:00-9:00 pm

322 West 11000 South

South Jordan, Utah 84095

for more information you can visit:

www.mikelee2010.com

Age of Accountability

My little boy is 8! So cliche to say, but where did the last 8 years go? I can't believe that it has been 8 years since he was born. Wow. I am so pleased with the little man that he is. I am so grateful that he is the older brother to our other three children.

Connor at 8:

• Tenderhearted. A sweet and kind boy. He tears up if he feels he has disappointed someone or if you look at him cross eyed. He rarely makes fun of others and is very sensitive to others feelings, no small feet when he has me for a mother.
• Great big brother. He always makes concessions for his brothers, dotes on his sister and is so very quick to share and give things away. He is constantly wanting to give his toys, clothes, etc to orphans around the world, donate his money to tithing and fast offerings, again, I have no idea how he developed that sweet little spirit, a testament that he came that way.
• Silly. Is it me or are all boys this age just pure silliness? I like to call this the awkward stage, it starts about this age, not sure when it ends. Sometimes I hope it doesn't because it is really quite endearing and I love the innocence.
• Awkward. Let's just be honest, this needs it's own bullet point. The boy is awkward, in all "cute" and innocent ways. He gets shy and weird in front of girls, especially those he thinks are cute. He used to answer questions seriously and now looks for a "funny" response, they usually don't come across correctly - I do know where he got that from.
• Honest. Connor can't tell a lie if his life depended on it, a lot like his daddy here. A few weeks ago he "tattled" on Tate for having a secret at the dinner table. Tate fell apart, after all his secret was that a girl tried to kiss him at school and he was mortified! A few minutes later Connor started sobbing and confessed that he too had a secret and felt so badly telling Tate's that he needed to confess. After a few minutes of soul searching he was finally able to blurt out his deepest, darkest secret. He had called two kids at school a "stupid head". WOW! He was so concerned that he had really committed a serious crime. He wailed and apologized for several minutes while his dad and I tried to keep our composure.
• Obedient. He is a rule keeper. If it is a rule he will obey it. I hope that keeps up for another 12 or so years ....
• Lazy. Maybe not lazy, but the kid looks for shortcuts in everything, mostly homework. My least favorite part of the day is helping with homework. We butt heads, not buttheads, the entire time and it usually ends in frustration and tears (i.e. the tenderhearted trait). But in the end it gets done and we move on to one of our favorite times of the day, reading, playing games and just plain old relaxing.
• Handsome. I know I'm his mother, but the kid really is handsome. That dark hair, with big dark eyes and freckles - oh the freckles! And did I mention dimples? Oh, the dimples. I could just snuggle and hug him all day, which he wouldn't mind because he is a snuggler.

Oh how I love my Connor. The boy who made me a mother, gave me my first mothers day, my first attempts at potty training, school, teaching how to read and play. My first sacrament presentation to laugh and cry at. My first Christmas watching in wonder at his excitement and joy. My first heart swelling, proud mother moment at parent teacher conference. My first terrifying trip to the ER, not sure what was happening with my precious boy. My first real heart break when he got hurt. My first moment of realization that I wasn't his complete universe as he left for school that first day. My first realization that I have something so very important to offer the world and the huge responsibility that was. Thank you Connor for making this beautiful experience of being a mother so completely wonderful, the task less daunting and the journey so very beautiful. I love you, forever and for always my baby you'll be.

Love,

Mom

We like Mike!

For those of you who know and love my great husband, you know what a political junky he is ... well, he has always been interested in politics and is a state delegate. He watches and listens to all sorts of political talk shows, reads books, and basically gets involved. The past 6 months he has become even more involved and one day attended a meeting with Mike Lee on the Constitution. He came home that night with a resolve to do something, to make changes, to do his part in serving this great country of ours.
Well, that was six months ago. In the meantime, he has been encouraging and nudging Mr. Mike Lee to run for the United States Senate. Today Mike Lee announced his candidacy for the United States Senate. We fully support Mike in this role and feel that he is the man for the position at this time. He announced his team to help get him there and my very own Ryan has been asked to be his campaign manager. This is huge for Ryan, it means so very much to him. I am proud of him, he is a great man - I will miss him for the next 11 months, but I whole heartedly support him.
I would encourage each of you to really take a look at the issues, get to know Mike Lee and what he stands for, see if you too agree that he should be our next United States Senator!
If you want to host an evening with Mike we would be glad to introduce you, he is a true patriot. Best wishes Mike and team!

Dan Hauser, Mike Lee, Connie Smith, Ryan McCoy

Mike Lee for Senate 2010 Campaign Staff

January 5, 2010

Utah State Capitol

www.mikelee2010.com