You're never as cool as you think you are.

Planning Birthday parties is one of the "Perks" of being a mom. The problem is there are only four a year, so I was so excited when I was able to become an "Official Party Planner" and create a "Little Mermaid" party for my friend.

I Decorated

I Made cute "Sebastian" party favors

I was starting to feel like I was all that and a bag of chips when Jonny walked in and said:

Jonny: "hmmmm I think I need a party planner for my next birthday."

Me: (thinking... did he already forget the rock-star Star wars party 3 months ago?) " Well ya know Jonny I'm kind of a party planner."

Jonny: "No, I need a good one."

Spell check has failed me

You would think someone would have pointed out to me that their Hatch Patch invoice says " I am proud to be a Moron" instead of Mormon. Yea, I am that cool.

Hanging my head in Shame... AGAIN

Ok, so this hasn't been my most stellar month, it has almost been as bad as this day. After Ben's latest mishap I decided to be more proactive in my children's injuries. So, I promptly made an appointment for Nate to have a planters wart the size of a quarter be removed from his foot. I know it's gross to be talking about a wart, but if I said "growth" then some of you would panic. Anyway, on the way to the Dr's this was our conversation.

Nate: So, how is he going to take it off?

Me: hmmm they burn it

Nate: THEY BURN IT! Are you kidding?.

Me: No, but it will be fine, I will be right there with you the whole time.
Nate: hmmmm ok.

So as we waited in the office, I realized they were running kind of late and I needed to pick up Ben. I went to the receptionist and asked how long she thought it would be. The nurse assured me that I had plenty of time before he went under the knife so I ran to get Ben.

In my car rushing back to the Dr's

Ring ring Ring

Me: Hello

Nate: Hi, hmm can you come pick me up?

Me: What! are you done?

Nate: hmm yea,

I hung my head in shame again.

At least they won't starve

Sunday afternoon I asked Nate and Ben to make lunch for Jonny and Sarah. A couple minutes later a horrific smell started drifting down the hallway. I walked down into the kitchen and the smell was so strong I started to gag. Here are my four children enjoying sardines, and pickled herring on tortilla chips.

Me: "Seriously... Have you heard of PB&J?"

Ben: "PB&J is gross"

They all need therapy.

Another reason you shouldn't leave your children in my care.

I grew up with my dad who whenever I was hurt in anyway would say, "Well, it's a long way from your heart." I always wondered as a child if I had punctured my left aorta or something would I get a reaction from my dad?

Unfortunately, I have picked up a bad habit of not nurturing my children when they are injured.

Example 1 ( A couple years ago)
Nate: Mom, "I really hurt my shoulder today playing soccer at recess."
Me:" umm, I am sorry, would you like a Tylenol... What did you have for lunch today".
4 Weeks later when I try to get Nathan off the couch
Nate: "Aahhhhh ouch!! I told you I hurt my shoulder last month!"
1 day later in Dr's office
Dr. giving me a dirty look while starring at x-ray. "Well, it looks like he broke it, (another dirty look) It should have been braced, because now it has healed crooked. Wasn't he in a lot of pain?"
Me: "uhhhhhh" I hang my head in shame.

Example 2 (last week)
Ben: Hobbling in after football practice. "Mom, I really hurt my foot."
Me: "Your probably just rolled it. Walk it off, it will be fine."
3 Days later Me: "How are we supposed to go up the canyon if you don't try to put weight on it?"
Ben: "It really hurts."
7 Days later: The only foot doctor in Hamilton is having dinner at our house and looks at Ben.
Dr. Dickemore: "Hmmm you should bring him in, it looks broken. Don't let him put any weight on it."
So now I am looking at Ben who's entire leg is braced up to his knee and hanging my head in shame.

It's 2012 in Hamilton

I used to think it was the end of the world when:

: The moon is a different color than it should be

: You can't go outside due to poor air breathing conditions, hence causing all Recess, bbq's and sports practices to be cancelled..(actually maybe that isn't a bad thing)

:You can't turn your swamp cooler on in 90 degree weather

: I can't take my morning jog... ha ha ha just kidding

But I have now realized it is not the end of the world. It is just living in the middle of a forest when it is on fire.

A first time for Everything

We have had a lot of "Firsts" in the last couple weeks.

We explored an old mining ghost town. Sadly the abandoned school doesn't look that different from Grantsdale Elementary. Ha ha I am just kidding.. I love the school here complete with chicken coop


Thanks to Uncle Mike a.k.a. "Maverik". Nate went on his first plane ride.


This last weekend Dave and I went on our first date to a gas station. Yes, you heard me right. You would go on a date there too, if your gas station had a new cool machine that can make happy Reeses shakes out of nothing but a machine and 2 inches of frozen stuff in a cup.

This morning was our first day of school. I know it is late by comparison to the entire nation, but we can't get in the way of the Ravalli County Fair can we?

Jonny introduced himself to his teacher by saying.. "You can call me by my french name Jean... you know like Jean val Jean". Ok, no more musical theatre for Jonny.