Thankful

Tonight was our "2nd Annual Gratitude Night." We've been talking about gratitude and "being thankful" during family home evening all month, but tonight we made our "gratitude lists" and topped off the evening with a chocolate (pudding) pie.

Burke chose to illustrate his list:

Burke is thankful for:
Dog, ice cream, soccer, family, Legos, water, trees, happiness, friends, church, temple, home, country, George Washington, candy, cookies, Wii, clothing and the capitol.

I was "scribe" for Hewitt. Hewitt is thankful for:
Parks, cookies, clocks, rocks -"Hey! That rhymes!", Lego Star Wars, Liv, Dad, Burke, Tosh, Mommy, all my family, windows, wind, Tosh's Bear, rainbows, teeth, Liv's toys, trophies, Beckhem, coloring, Uncle Zach, jumping high, teachers, going to school, Ninjas, turkey, cows, celery - "I don't like it, but I'm thankful for it.", chicken, ice cream, hands, colors, crayons, pencils, lights, dark, bedrooms, toys, play, everybody, walls, ceilings, bears, ducks, animals, lying down, church, the microphone you talk through at church, faces, friends, shirts, pants. clothes, coats, sweaters, sweatshirts, dolphins, water, the sea, oceans, lakes, TVs, soccer, watching soccer, trampolines, pillows, sleeping, walking and running.

Rob was "scribe" for Tosh. Tosh is thankful for:
Mommy, Liv, Burke, Hewie (Wee Wee), Daddy, Me, Bear, Zach, Sue, Dina (?), Daddy, Mommy, "I'm thankful for Bear.", Zach, "How 'bout, Sue?", Burkie, Hewie, Daddy, Me, Wiggles, Mommy, Daddy, Carter, Mommy, Liv, Daddy, Bear, Toshy, Burkie, Hewie, Liv, chicken, Hewie, Mommy, Bear, Burkie, Mommy, Me, Bear, Burkie, Mommy, Daddy, Bear, What else?, Mommy, "How 'bout Wee Wee?", Zach, Sue, Grandma, Grandpa, Daddy, Me, Daddy, Burke, Bear, Liv, Daddy, Mommy...

Rob and I are grateful for our little "turkeys" among many, many other blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dodgeball

Last night I played dodgeball for the first time since ummm, sixth grade maybe? It was a combined activity for the young women and young men at church. Being one of the new leaders, I wanted to show my enthusiasm and good attitude (cough, cough), so I dressed for the occasion. I raided Rob's drawers and found a "70's looking" numbered basketball jersey, headband and wrist bands. I arrived slightly late and so I missed the rules, but was given a quick rule re-cap which included that if you hit someone in the face then you would be out.

Before I had a chance to do much watching I was thrown into play and this is what I was playing against:

Seriously! Sometimes I wonder if some people could get any more intense when it comes to sports and winning. A couple of 16 and 17 yr-old boys were so into it and quite relentless really. One kid smacked his younger sister in the face so hard (and at a very close range) that I tried to get him pulled from the game. Later, I attempted to explain to these guys that they didn't have to throw the ball as hard as they possibly could, and that how they treated the girls would eventually come back to them. It was a little interesting since just last week I was sitting with these same guys and talking about dating etiquette. The girls were pretty good sports about it, red, swollen faces and all. I can tell you that had I been there at age 15, then I probably would have been out in the hall texting my friends instead of playing for sure.

Anyway, I made a mental note as a "Boy Mom," that I need to teach my boys that games (such as dodgeball), are meant for fun and that taking things too seriously will ruin it, AND make you look lame in front of the ladies in the process...

To be fair, I've seen a lot of recent examples of poor sportsmanship in women too. Maybe you've heard about the women's soccer player from New Mexico (Have you seen these highlights? Crazy!): http://blogs.usatoday.com/gameon/2009/11/new-mexico-womens-soccer-player-elizabeth-lambert-suspended-for-physical-play-vs-byu.html.
And then there was the embarrassing display at my son's soccer game where one mother got upset at an "elbow" to her son and started yelling at the refs and and then at her son to "take out" the opposing player...seriously? My kid is seven. They only thing I'm teaching him to "take out" is the garbage!

I don't know about you, but for me,
Poor Sportsmanship (obnoxious behavior) = Not Cool!
Can't we all just play nice?

Six months of Sunshine

...and I'm not talking about the weather.

Our sweet baby girl is six months old (already?)!

Here she is modeling her signature moves; crossing her ankles (she crosses them while she sleeps even), and doing the "Spidey" with her fingers:

We love you, Livvy!

Help a girl out

Rhetorical question: When you think back to your early dating years, do you:

a. smile
b. laugh
c. groan
d. cringe
e. all of the above

Rob and I are going to be speaking about "dating" to a group of 16 and 17 year-olds next Wednesday. I think we have a pretty good plan in the works, but I would LOVE a little help from you:

Would you be so kind to tell me about a favorite "fun" date that you went on in high school or even college. Please note that I am not interested in the most romantic date you have ever been on (remember this is for 16 and 17 yr-old kids. Hopefully they won't be experiencing their most "romantic" date until they are well into their 20s...).

It would be easy for me to do an internet search and find a list of "fun" or "creative" dating ideas, but I want REAL ideas/examples that you have actually experienced (an e-mail is fine if you aren't comfortable posting a comment). Thanks!

For part of our presentation, I plan on showing these funny photos of what Rob and I looked like back in the spring of 1991. This was Rob, just before prom (look out ladies):

This is me "pretending" to be picking out a dress for the prom (this photo was taken for a local magazine). I didn't really go to the Prom that year as it was 3 weeks before my 16th birthday, and the guy I really liked had a girlfriend anyway... (is anyone else sooo glad to be where they are today instead of 16 again?!)

Learning to jump

Tosh has always been rather coordinated, especially for his age. He is quite fond of jumping off of things (much to my dismay) and I'm continually having to pull him off of couches, counter tops, tables and so on.

We set up our trampoline a few weeks ago and thought that Tosh would be thrilled that we were finally allowing him to have a try at it. Ironically, this child (that I fondly call "Monkey") was afraid to try at first, but he has now taken off! As you might expect, he loves it.

Step One: Tongue out. Essential for any "sporting" event
(a family trait from both sides).

Step Two: Launch (again and again).
Step Three: Enjoy with pure delight.

Step Four: Post-jump rest (and snuggle) with bear.

Creativity

Creativity often looks like this:

Deep in play, with the ability to make a game, story, or friend
out of just about anything.

Creativity often looks like this:

Deep in thought, focused and quiet.

Creativity may also look something like this:

An awesome book titled, "Crewitt Wrestles the Donut Robbers."

What it looks like when creativity is achieved:

A message from Bob and Tammy

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Our family dressed up for a Halloween party tonight. I decided to dress up '50's style and convinced Rob to go along with the theme. I've joked with Rob for years about how funny it would be if we were to start going by "Bob and Tammy." I mean no offense to any Bobs or Tammys out there, but it just doesn't really seem like us, although it does fit the "1950s" us, don't you think? This is really the only pic we got of the two of us tonight, but if you look closely, you will see that Bob (going to stick with this name for the entire post) shaved the top of his head leaving only the sides longer for a really *good* look and had a skinny tie, short pants, white socks, a briefcase, etc.

We took home the prize First Place Trophy! This was made by one of the judges (welded metal) and it's actually pretty cool.

The victory was sort of hollow though as we were the only adults that really dressed up. (This reminded me of winning my prize water bottle.) Sometimes it feels exhausting to be the "new girl." (Sigh.) I assumed that since they announced that there would be prizes for best "adult" costume that there would be others in costume...no just Bob and me and a handful of teenagers. I sort of felt a little nerdy tonight, but I kept reminding myself that feeling nerdy (and a little lonely) was just adding to my character.

Anyway, regarding the costume, I decided to be as authentic to the time period as possible. The earrings were Bob's grandmother's. The pin was my grandma's and the shoes and scarf were ones my mom wore in the 50's. Having bangs also came in handy for completing this look. And, yes, I was going for more of a maternal look (thus no poodle skirts or Letterman's jackets...).




The kids had fun at the party too (until Hewitt got a terrible nose bleed that cut our night a little short). My photos aren't the best as I was losing my light but here are the cute chillins...

Obi Wan Kanobi

Indiana Jones


Superman (notice the curl on the forehead)

Little flower girl