Nice Try!

When I went upstairs to put the laundry away, I realized that the boys had been very quiet so I figured they must be playing in their room. When I went in their room to put their laundry away, they weren't there. So then I proceeded to go look for them. As I was walking out of their room, Zach walked up and asked me as any mother would ask their child, "what are you doing?" I about laughed. He had this look on his face that he was busted, but he was trying to get out of it by questioning me, like I was doing something wrong. Turns out, he was confiscating a gift that he had recently given to Erin. He said he was taking it back because Erin wasn't being nice. So, he really was up to no good and he was busted. Nice try Zachary!

Bedtime

Eric usually doesn't let his lack of sleep affect his behavior or mood. So Mario and I aren't too strict with him on his bedtime. Often times, we go to bed before him. But, the last few days he has been going to sleep at 8 with the exception of last night when he had Boy Scouts and then an outing with Mario to the ice cream shop until almost 9 pm.

He told me this morning that he likes going to bed at 8 pm now. He feels so much better in the mornings. I was glad that I didn't have to say anything to him about adjusting his bedtime to help him recover from all his extra-curricular activities. He's growing up. I bet he wouldn't admit to any of his friends he plans to go to bed so early, but I am hoping he sticks with this new routine and we no longer find him reading in bed until 10 pm or later.

Erin's horses

While Mario and I were in San Diego recently we were looking for a small gift to bring back to Erin. We came across a horse drawing book but decided not to buy it since I didn't think Erin liked to draw horses. When we returned from our trip, she was excited to show us what she had drawn while we were gone. Goes to show, we have a lot to learn about Erin and her varied interests.

Interviews

We try to hold weekly interviews with each of the kids. Unfortunately they usually end up being monthly interviews because we get busy and forget. The saying "A way to a man's heart is through his stomach" must apply to boys as well. I always ask the kids how we, as parents, can improve. Nathan's answer was to make more macaroni and cheese. Zachary's was to let him eat Trix cereal. Eric's answer was to not make him any more ham sandwiches for lunch.

I am not kidding, this is what all the boys said individually without hearing the other's responses. I guess they only area I need improving with my boys is in the meals. (I wish that were true.)

For those wondering what Erin said...Erin is a typical girl and always thinking she is being shortchanged. Her complaint was that Mario and I take the good cruises (Alaska) and only took her on one cheap cruise. I told her I guess since she didn't appreciate the one cruise, we won't take her on anymore.

New Guitar

Eric has been asking to take guitar lessons. We found a teacher who only charges $7 a lesson. The problem is that between piano lessons, scouts, and karate, he has no time to take guitar lessons. I talked to the teacher and she said she would just give lessons whenever he could fit it in. So here's Eric's new (used) electric guitar. Erin is planning to buy an acoustic guitar as soon as the "guitar guy" gets it all fixed up. Here's some pictures of my new rocker.

Our Week

Mario has been gone all week to Dominican Republic for work. He was fortunate enough to go to the temple while there. He even ran into and talked to Elder Anderson of the 70's. Mario said that the only other time he has met such friendly people in the temple was in Argentina. I guess he is trying to tell me Latinos are much friendlier. I am glad that he had a great week in Dominican and the kids and I survived without him.

I stayed busy all week trying to catch up on 15 years of scrapbooks. Years ago, I made Eric one for birth up until his 2nd birthday. I made Erin's from birth until about 18 months. I made the twins from birth to 3 months. I am only 5 1/2 years behind on theirs!

I made 3 albums this week using the Shutterfly website. I made one that included the last 15 years since Mario and I married. Then I made the twins each one from the time they were born until their 5th birthday. It was so much easier doing the albums digitally. But, it was still very time consuming and I feel bad for ignoring my kids for the past week. I think I will try to make Eric and Erin each one too, but it will have to wait a while. I am burnt out on scrapbooks for now.

Love Notes

These are a few of the love notes around my house today. Believe me, there are a few hundred more laying around.

And here are the busy elfs making even more. Sometimes they can be so sweet. It is probably an effort to butter me up for when they aren't so sweet later.