Freddie the Frog

Hi, my name is Stacie and I am not a pet-lover.

This may seem cold-hearted, (I have no problem with other people's pets - I really loved our old neighbor's dog Riley - I just don't really want one in my house until my kids can take better care of themselves) but it’s not personal – it’s completely practical and logical.

Practicality:

I am allergic to cats and most dogs. This means that I don’t enjoy the consequences of most animal encounters, so I avoid them.

Logic:

Animals = mess, mess = enemy, therefore animals = enemy. (it's an occupational hazard as a mom/housekeeper to have a desire to eradicate the source of a mess; I can't get rid of my kids, but . . . you see where I'm going)

Darren's with me on this, too. Growing up on a farm has made him see animals as functional - they all had a purpose (cats kill mice, cows give milk, chickens give eggs, whatever), plus you can't get attached when the animals die at regular intervals. (Some day I'll recount our experience when we were visiting the farm and they slaughtered a cow. ) Anyhoo, my non-animal-lover status coupled with Darren's functional view of animals (companionship isn't enough; they have to pull some weight) leads to circumstances rather unfriendly for pets in our house. I guess we're just plain old meanies.

I only explain this because I think my anti-pet sentiments have created a frenzied pro-pet environment . Perhaps our attempts to postpone the acquisition of a family pet have caused our children to exhibit such enthusiasm around little animals that it's possibly dangerous. And that brings us to this:

Our cute little neighbor boy, Smith - Dane's partner in crime, went on a walk and found a frog. His cute family left town this weekend and let us care for the frog while they were gone. The boys were, needless to say, THRILLED! Darren was not. He was mandating the application of toxic levels of hand sanitizer at every turn, but the boys didn't care. They manhandled that thing constantly, obviously putting him on a motorcycle and a little car and dancing him around all over like the performing frog from the old school Looney Tunes.

I just knew he was gonna croak (hee hee) from the overload, but he's still hoppin'. They christened him "Freddie the Frog"and they're gorging themselves on the fun of having a pet. Truthfully, I can tell they adore this little frog, but they treat it like a toy not a living thing - and that's a wee bit scary. I've given them the countdown. We're releasing him for FHE tomorrow night. Hopefully he'll still be alive amd can return to his family!

Please don't report us to PETA.

TEEF

This just in - 2 HUGE FRONT TEETH!!!

After months of drooling anticipation and sleepless nights, the stars of Davis's mouth have appeared center stage. Their arrival was greeted by an anxious gum exam from Dr. Dad, who promplty prounounced that the chewing show could begin! Applause erupted around the house from nearby family members, eager to see the end of not only the cranky nights - but also the beginning of a whole new world of cuisine for the baby. Immediately following the grand entrance, the central incisors got right to work - creating a beautiful cacophony by grinding heavily on their lower jawed counterparts. All are eager for what lies ahead for these lovely dientes.

Oh Ace!

Okay, don't laugh - and just pause a minute before you think "Whuh? why is this doof front and center?"

Let me explain . . .


Dalton (shortly after returning from school the other day): "Guess who my music teacher's son is?"
Me (rather uninterested and distracted due to my service as a jungle gym for Davis and fielding snack requests from Dane): "Uhm, who?"
Dalton (ecstatically, complete with hand gestures and high eyebrows): "ACE YOUNG!"
Me (thinking fast - trying to remember who the heck that is and why it sounds vaguely familiar): Really? Cool!
Dalton (rather quietly): "Um, who's Ace Young?"
Me (after retrieving a file from my brain labeled "useless tidbits lifted from past reality tv shows" ): He was a guy on a show called American Idol; he's a singer.

Dalton sees the guy's pictures all over his music room - a veritable shrine to Mrs. Young's son - she's so proud! It reminds me of when Dalton found out what his name meant and rejected it completely, insisting instead on being called "Ace". I guess he can give up that dream since the name is clearly taken. Too bad.

Brian Regan

The other night Darren and I couldn't find much to do but channel surf, and with the lame late summer lineup there wasn't much to choose from. We went to "on demand" and watched a Brian Regan stand-up set, and it reminded me how funny he is. And he's CLEAN! Imagine that - humor without profanity. The novelty.

So check out this clip for some good laughs - which we ALL need, right?

*Also, Jenni 's (my sister) husband Jim is a pilot and a Brian Regan fan, so Uncle Jimbo - this one's for you.

seriously so funny

okay - another funny blog, a spoof if you will. a blog making fun of blogs. a friend told me about it and it keeps me laughing so I linked to it and now I'm blabbing to all of you. checkitout. s'worth it.

First Day of School x 2

Dane started preschool today and so I thought I'd take the chance to report on his first day and on Dalton's first day- which was about 2 weeks ago.

Daners:
Dane was so excited to go. He and Dalton picked out matching shoes and almost identical backpacks. He packed his snack and decorated his school bus with his picture and name and he was ready. The best part is that his buddy across the street and in the ward is in his class. He and little Smith has become two peas and having him in his class makes everything dandy. Hopefully next week he'll even add another pal, Sam, who is the son of Darren's dental partner. Dane already has plans for them to play the 3 Musketeers! So Dane is all set and hopefully will have a great year.

Dalton Bear:

Dalton was so brave this year, starting at a new school in a new city. He put on his tough face and meticulously planned his outfit, his lunch, his bike route, etc. We headed out at 8:30 on the dot and every door on the street seemed to open in unison as we all marched toward the elementary school. (If it hadn't been so exciting, it would've been creepy) After we arrived, we lined up and Dalton's cute teacher, Ms. Payne ("But she doesn't cause pain") came right to Dalton and gave him a hug and some sweet words of welcome and encouragement. She knows he's new and nervous and she was so kind about it. Luckily, he has two little boys from the ward in Ms. Payne's class with him.

Funny story - in his class they all brainstormed to pick a mascot/class name. He said he wanted to be the "Monkeys" (?) but the "Mustangs" won out. He said one kid named Tyler really wanted to be the "Beverly Hills Ninjas", but alas it only got one vote (Tyler's) because, as Dalton said, "it was just too long". Little did they know what they'd be if that name won - fat wannabe ninjas, a la Chris Farley.

Anyway, we all love his school (Boulder Valley School District is the best in CO) - and hopefully his 2nd grade year will be fantastic. I still remember gazing out the window of my second grade classroom and staring at the clouds. We learned multiplication that year. Wow, how time flies.

Sunset Boulevard - Colorado Style

We have some great trails around our neighborhood - well around the entire state, actually. They section off land for public use and call it "Designated Open Space", filling it with trails for walking, hiking and biking. It's great! So here are some pictures from our sunset walk for FHE the other night. I went a little overboard with pictures of the sky, so be patient. It was just so breathtaking.

A Day at the Pool

We spend a lot of time at our community pool. It's been really warm and the kids have turned into little fish. It has a great waterslide and waterfall and spouts and a kiddie pool and playground. The boys love it and frankly - so do I. (Free entertainment - and afterwards they're pooped!) So I took the camera a couple of weeks ago and decided to snap a few of them playing. The pictures could've been better, but it's tough trying to keep the camera dry while chasing around Davis. He still thinks he can step right into the pool from the side - like walking on water. All he wants to do is dig through the pool toy bins - as you can see.

Davis & the Balloon

The big boys now have a standing Friday movie night with some neighbor boys, and this week it was Mason's turn. So while they were watching Robots and downing popcorn we gave Davis some 2 - on -1 attention. He was perfectly happy playing with a balloon. I just love his jabber-wocky talking and his Frankenstien walking. He loves to say "bye" and "hi" and "dad", but otherwise it's nonsense. AAaahh . . . the joys of babyhood.

And as you can see, we're still short on furniture.

Sweet Home Colorado!

Okay, if you didn't know it already - we moved to Colorado. Darren bought into a practice in Boulder and we are living in Superior, just a few minutes south of his office. And guess what? We love it!!! I think if I were to create the perfect place to live (for us/me) this would be it. Yeah, yeah - talk to me in 6 months when it's FUH-REEEZING outside. Maybe I'll change my tune, but I doubt it. I love the snow, too.

Pictures to come of the house, the neighborhood, the beautiful scenery, the kiddos, etc.

This past summer has really been a whirlwind of adventure - packed with thrills. In a 2 1/2 month period we had my 30th birthday, Darren's graduation, Darren's 35th birthday, Davis's FIRST birthday, our 10 year - yes 10 year - wedding anniversary, a move across the country (broken into two stretches), plus mother's day, father's day, july 4th, and a 8 day family reunion again across country. It was wonderful, but lots to celebrate!

Needless to say, after all the action I am thrilled to be settled. We're getting all adjusted and I'm realizing that life was more stressful in LA - it wasn't just in my head. The space, the fresh smelling air, the kiddies all over the neighborhood - well it's just Familyland here and it's so great. We love our house, our new neighbors, upgraded cars, the new school is awesome and most importantly Darren loves his practice. (I'll post some pics of that too!)

So, if any of you want to visit - feel free.