Taking care of business...

The question, "Are you smarter than a 5th grader", was really put into perspective for me yesterday. After taking a placement test at the local community college, I was feeling pretty good about a 'certain' math problem that I solved all on my own. They gave us scratch paper (no calculators allowed) and boy did I use it. Every time I came up with one of the answers on the multiple choice, I was pretty stoked. Yeah...math not being one of my strong suits, I felt the need to explain to a 5th grader in my carpool,the intense math problem I conquered. It doesn't matter where you get your confidence....besides, he IS taller than me! Anyway....upon my explanation of how I was able to solve the question given on this rigorous test, he very nicely (and humbly) told me that I would have saved myself a ton of time if I had set up an equation "like this". Seriously, his way would have taken 10 seconds and a lot less scratch paper!! Bottom line, I got it right! After finding out he told his parents about our little conversation...it will be all I can do not to show him up when I REALLY brush up on the skills!


Brennen and Bryce went to a slumber party last night! You guessed it, Rich and I did something crazy since we didn't have the kids. We ordered a demand movie, and actually didn't even watch it! I know! I think we were asleep by 9:00. Good times right? What's even crazier is that my kids came home this morning yelling, "I ate a booger" and "I ate vomit"! This, right before I found out they played spin the bottle at a party for an 8 year old. What?! Turns out, whoever the bottle lands on...they have to eat a 'Jelly Belly' that tastes like dirty socks, barf or sardines to name a few. Needless to say, it was a relief to know that my kids were only fed food that tasted like barf! Boys, I tell ya. Ya know... if I had 2 girls, I might miss out on photo ops like these.


That's Bryce...taking care of business! Or playing a video game while taking care of business :)

better late than never...

Brennen went to the ACSI spelling bee again this year. It wasn't quite as nerve racking as the previous, but my palms were still pretty slick and my mouth got kinda dry every time his turn came around. He was confident, poised, spoke clearly...he did great. He got 5th place this year, and while I told myself I wouldn't make excuses for him (because 5th is awesome) I'm afraid I just can't help myself. That kid knew the spelling of every word on the list he was given to study. There were some tough one's on there too. Does is seem fair that they can go to an unpublished word list when they clearly haven't used all the given words? My little Bug got one of TWO words not on the list he was given to practice....Don't worry I held myself together. And Brennen? He came and sat down, and to be honest...I didn't know if he was going to cry (so many of them did) or what. We asked him if he wanted to leave and he said he wanted to stay to see who won. He clapped for the winner and then said, " I had fun today mom." So really, it was me that learned the biggest lesson of the day! As you can see he has a missing tooth in this photo. The one next to it was hanging by a thread but we didn't have time to yank it before the bee started. On the way to Riverside, Brennen concocted a plan....IF and when he misspelled a word and got out, he wanted me to pretend to be mad at him (there really are parents who get mad) and knock his tooth out. While tempting...and pretty funny just thinking about it, I refrained.

More January fun! Unseasonably warm temps lead to a camping trip to Yucaipa. Funny how the warm weather didn't carry over into the night...or into our tents! Here is the crew...minus the photographer.

Brennen and Peyson celebrated their birthday in style...and in Hollywood! A friend of mine hooked us up with some tickets to see a Disney show. The boys got to go on the set, meet the cast and get pictures with Brennen's girlfriend, Selena Gomez. The day was amazing, but did end with a barfing episode on the way home. I thought for sure I was gonna have a car full of em', but Peyson and Ashley managed to pull themselves together just in time to get out of "the hood."

The weekend prior, Brennen had his birthday camp out consisting of 3 friends, his little bro, a bbq, tent, s'mores and spooky campfire stories! One of the best birthday parties we have had! That could be because all the kids, Rich and the dog slept in the tent while I watched a movie in the peace and quiet with the doors locked and the curtains drawn. Okay okay, I didn't close ALL the curtains...

In other news...Bryce is spreading rumors that I'm going to be a doctor. While this is not at all accurate, he is asking his whole class pray for his mommy. Cute huh? I did, however, recently come across a website where you can earn your doctorate after writing an essay on your life experience, oh and paying $600.00. I'm just sayin'.....it's tempting and would save me a whole lotta schooling!!