Kashann and Clan

The combination of Kennon as family photographer and Kashann as over zealous remodeller has really killed my blog lately. I don't have any other hobbies now besides painting. About once a month I go through all the pics she posts on the computer and post a few and write about them. It's not the kind of blogging I like. I miss writing. And all the good stuff my kids say and do is getting forgotten. . . unless Kennon got it on camera. It is just so lame, I know it is.  But I just can't get into writing lately. My head seems to be all jumbled up and the words just don't pour out of me. See what I mean? Does pour out of me even make sense? They say you loose brain power when you are pregnant. Six times was just too much for mine I guess. So if I can't write interesting anymore . . . or at least right now at this time. . .  I will at least attempt to get the necessary stuff on here. Well written or not I just can't keep neglecting my job. 


I maintain a blog for the purpose of writing the stuff that my husband and kids say and do. It's not just about embarrassing them publicly. The recorded stories are for a more noble cause. I don't want to forget this good stuff. And in the defense of embarrassing your children, I always keep in mind, "Will this embarrass them when they are OLDER. . . or might they be eternally grateful to their mother that I told these stories?" And if it is the latter I think it is my job to write them down. 


Now you all know Savannah hates anyone to say anything about her and she has always been that way. Even back in the 2nd grade when I would leave home to attend her parent teacher conference she would tell me, "Mom, don't say anything about me!".  So with Savannah I really do have to be careful. She doesn't give me near as good of material lately anyway. 


I think it might be safe to say this little thing though. I drive the girls to school most mornings this winter to be nice. It saves them 15 minutes of time and we take 15 minutes away every morning for scripture reading so I think it's a good trade off. Plus it makes cuter outfits possible. They can wear the cute open toed shoes in the middle of winter and the leather biker jacket even on a rainy day because they get dropped off right in front of the school. They often suffer with these choices on the way home every day walking but I guess it's worth it because they continue to not dress appropriately for the weather. I get tired of nagging. 


So this morning as I dropped off Savannah I couldn't help but laugh noticing her stylish winter outfit and also the LACK of ANYTHING else. Almost every day she comes home with  nothing but her ipod. No backpack, handbag, purse, ukulele- nada. She leaves everything in her locker every day. She tells us that she doesn't need any of it. She apparently manages to complete all her homework/studying/ukulele practicing during the school hours and doesn't need to bother with it after school. Every year I keep thinking that her work load will increase and Savannah will actually need to do HOMEwork like the rest of us do/did, but so far she remains above it all. She used to get it done on the 15 minute bus ride home.  But somehow now that she walks she has figured out how to get it done even BEFORE the buses leave. Incredible!  Her grades are really good and we are all mystified how she gets by without studying. We are also all in awe of her awesome artistic abilities and ability to manipulate something average like a pair of white sneakers into a unique work of art on her feet.


Kennon on the other hand keeps a daily planner and checks off assignments each night as she completes them. She often stays up late with flashcards she has made studying for Spanish or history. Like Savannah she pretty much gets straight A's. It doesn't really seem fair that Savannah makes no flash cards and lugs no backpack and gets the same grades. 


Three cheers for Brent and Kashann who finished the basement. We are all so glad about the January flood now the work is all done. And we actually made some money off the flood even with new laminate flooring.   I am trying to convince Brent to let me move our sectional down there and clear up the living room upstairs for NEW FURNITURE. It's always fun to have an excuse to go furniture shopping for date night.  I like it, he hates it though. Shopping/spending money that is. Probably not a good date after all. 


 Kennon has taken over decorating down there. Last Saturday I came home from an errand and found her out she was out spray painting frames and vases, recovering bulletin boards, and stealing baskets, throw pillows, chairs, mirrors, etc from all the other rooms in our house. (So much for Brent having a man cave.  Kennon is claiming it for her own.)


She planned a party/ basement open house and invited ten friends over Friday night. She says her friends are mostly vegans so no need to cook much and I know they don't eat many sweets either (they all left their birthday cake and ice cream pretty much untouched last time they were over) so I guess I will just throw together a big green salad? 


Camille continues to be my baby holder. I caught her a few days ago at a museum with her arms wrapped in front of her bouncing up and down. She WASN'T holding the baby. She laughed and admitted that she constantly catches herself doing that even at school. She holds him so much that way. She is so wonderful with him. I love her for it. And so does Calvin. He is so happy with her and it is amazing how a 10 year old could possibly be so good with a little baby. 


Everyone always calls our house to have our 12 or 14 year old babysit. They are booked on weekends. Those girls are okay. Kennon is an awesome babysitter if you want your floor swept and mopped. She has a reputation for working hard after the kids go to bed. Savannah cleans up a bit also, so she says, but from what I know of Savannah her strong points would be her non-stop entertainment and creativity with your children. She probably sets up obstacle courses like the one she set up in our backyard yesterday for all the neighborhood kids. They are all younger than her but she is so happy out playing with them and always makes it way more fun for all.


 But if you want the baby whisperer. . HIRE CAMILLE.


Caroline is a sleep walker. She gets up because she has to go to the bathroom but she doesn't know what is going on and rarely can find the bathroom without help. Either right before we go to bed or soon after I hear someone racing back and forth down the hall. If we are still up on the couch we watch her and realize that though she looks at us she can't see us.  As fast as I can I lead her to the bathroom since that is the whole reason she is out of bed, though she doesn't seem to know that. 


Then she has to be escorted back to the correct bedroom.  A couple nights ago this happened and after helping her in the bathroom I decided to just turn her loose and see where she might go. 


First she ran into the wall. The lights were on. Then she went to the front door and started turning the knob. Luckily our front door knob needs to be replaced and is a bit frustrating to open at all even when you are coherent. She gave up after a few turns and came back down the hall, this time headed for her room. She never remembers any of this in the morning. I have heard of kids her age roaming the streets at night asleep. I have threatened to tie her to her bed.  Of course I am joking but maybe a leash that is only long enough to reach the bathroom but not the front door? I am sure that is a fire hazard however.


Marcus is a joy to hang out with every single day. He was so confused last week with our amazing 80 degree weather, as was I. It's back to the 30's this week, unfortunately.  He kept wondering how it was summer and what happened to the spring that I kept telling him was coming when the snow melted. He came in one day after soaking up the sun and said that he had a great idea. He said he knew how we could have a beach in our backyard. "Mom", he said, "We have the sand and the toys.  All we need is the water. And guess what? I found the water. " Then he pointed out at the blow up pool he drug out from the garage. 


Camille blew it up for them and they swam in it for a couple days. Global warming must be true if this is possible during March in NH.

 

Swimsuits are out of the box before Easter. 

Hard to believe I had a beach party in my backyard last week now that we are back to coats and gloves this week.


When we switched up the rooms Marco went from a bedroom with no door to a bedroom with a door that locks. It didn't take him long to discover the great joy of locking your door to others. He quickly started up the habit of locking himself in and then asking me for the secret password whenever I came up to get him out. For the longest time it has been "Please".  He always opened up directly when I knock and have the password, so I didn't complain much. Until last week. 


I knocked and he said his usual "Secret Password?" to which I replied, "Please" However, this time he said, "No. Sorry.  It's not please anymore. I changed it and it's a hard one." He refused to open up and wanted me to play the guess the password game and I wasn't in the mood seeing as we were late for church. Turns out the secret password was Marcus. As soon as we take the time he is losing this great little game he has going on and I am switching door knobs on him. We don't even have a lock on our bedroom door now and I am pretty sure we need the privacy more than 4 year olds and 4 month olds do.  


So who did I forget? Calvin. He is four months now and so much better. I didn't want to focus too much on his fussiness before but now that he is happy let's just say it is so much better. He stopped taking any bottle at all a couple weeks ago so I started him on some solid food. He immediately stopped crying so much and often sleeps all night long now. So I guess starvation is a good reason for crying a lot and no one blames him now. Look at that newly contented rice cereal man. 


I never thought it was hunger because he always quit crying when I picked him up but I can't help but notice that now he stays happier way longer. 


Brent, the dentist is taking his show on the road at some local grade schools on his day off. He did a 1/2 hour presentation last friday complete with a Grandpa Gum song, funny teeth costume for himself, and gift bags to take home for two different grades. He also made sure to throw in a magnet with his logo on it for their fridge. Of course! Marcus came along and thought Dad the traveling dentist was awesome.