9 going on 30

It was nine years ago today that I sat down at Village Inn to have a Belgium Waffle and two hours later we had our little Ben!

In Ben's nine years of life he has :

:Read countless books on World War 2.

:Started numerous businesses (including his latest book mark company)

:Catches a Preying Mantis every summer so he can feel like he has a pet. ( I know! We are horrible parents)

:Eaten more Sushi, sardines, and crab then most adults I know.

He also has a goal to see the Pickle Boys in New York. Now, I am sure you are asking yourselves, who are the pickle boys? Well, they are not a band. It is a pickle shop in New York that he saw on the Food Network. So, at age 7 I told him if he saved all his money and could pay for his plane ticket and hotel, I would take him. ( It was one of those things you say, but never expect to have to do.)

Starting that day Ben was on a mission. Examples:

At the Grocery Store

Me: Everyone pick out a candy bar.

Ben: Can I have the $.59 cents instead?

What do you want for Christmas?

Ben: Money for New York.

Who wants to rake every leaf in our backyard for .50 cents

Ben! I'll do it!!!

Congratulations Ben! After 2 long years (for mom too) you are only 30 dollars shy, and I have a good idea that Grandma Hatch will provide the rest for your birthday.

New York here we come! Happy Birthday Ben.

Who says there's nothing to watch on a Saturday night

I hate to say it, but weekends are kind of lame here in Montana. So, you can see why it was super exciting when last Saturday our back yard caught on fire. We had the fire chief and everything. I can't wait to see what happens next weekend.

Kung Fu Jonny

After watching "Kung Fu Panda," Jon and I started playing Kung Fu. This meant I had to find large strips of styrofoam for the game. Then, Jonny does a little meditation, jumps up and karate chops the piece of styrofoam and it breaks in half. He then does his little victory dance and yells " I am Kung Fu awesome."

Yesterday, I was on the phone, when Jon came up to me holding a small piece of 2x4 lumber. I was busy talking on the phone and didn't realize I was holding it in the posistion to be chopped. He then ran and did his best Kung Fu chop. Needless to say, there were tears and bruising on his poor little hand.

I think until more training in the art of Kung Fu is done, he should stick to styrofoam.

Primary Lessons

On our way home from Church this week, Jonny and I had quite the conversation.

Jonny: "Me and Kristen (a cute little girl from his class) are going to have a baby."

Me: Oh, really?

Jonny: Yep, we're going to put it in my belly.

Should I be concerned? Of course, I wouldn't mind sharing a grandchild with the Jessops. (In about 20 years or so!)

Here's a picture of Jonny and his "Diego Rescue Pack."

"Flower" and Chickens

The boys rushed home yesterday totally stressed out that a skunk got in the chicken coop at school. It sounded very traumatic. Keep your fingers crossed. We'll keep you informed.

Is that a horse running toward me?

I almost hit a horse yesterday! Well, actually a very mad, bucking horse almost hit me! (This was all close to the location where I had to stop for the chicken!) Maybe that's what Geico meant when they raised my rates after we moved, due to "excessive livestock danger."

Strawberry shortcake gone wrong.

I grew up in the 80's and I loved Strawberry Shortcake. I had all the dolls and the scratch and sniff stickers. Last week Nate accused me of trying to turn Sarah into a bad Strawberry Shortcake character. Hmmmm, maybe he is right.

School lunch is serious stuff

Ben came home last week and asked, "Is it bad to go against the government?." Trying to be parent of the year, I gave him a small talk about the constitution and freedom of speech. I now realize I should have maybe toned it down a bit.


1. School lunch lady tells Ben he can no longer have seconds because of the government.



2. Ben tries to create a strike, telling all the kids not to eat lunch, until seconds are reinstated.



3. Ben gets hungry, decides to strike hot lunch and tell everyone to bring cold lunch (posters and signs were made)



4. Ben would then miss the yummy peach cobbler.



5. Ben decides to simply have a petition with all the kids asking for their "seconds" back.



Ahhh, freedom of speech.

Sanctuary part 2

Here are a few more happy little things about my weekend.

Accommodations: Ya know when little orphan Annie walks into Mr. Warbucks for the first time, and is in awe that she is staying there? Yea, it was a little like that.

Food: If you have never had a "Flying Saucer" you haven't lived. I also had Sushi and more Mexican cuizine. Hmmmm! One of my favorite things was just going out and picking an orange whenever I wanted one. Not a lot of orange trees here in Montana.

Personal Hygiene: I realized how sloppy you become when you

realize that you can go 3 days and the chances of seeing anyone outside your family is slim.

I had a manicure, pedicure and got my hair cut.

Entertainment:

I saw my boyfriend: Actually we saw "When in Rome" but a girl can dream.

Company: I got to spend time with family, and my long lost friend




And most importantly

Alvin, Simon, and Theodore.

Sanctuay part 1

Ahhh, I just got back from a fabulous trip to Arizona. Thanks, Kris! Here is the first highlight.

1. Cute Missoula airport. I love it when you are one of 6 trying to make it through security. Of course there was a sign that says, "We have the right to randomly search patrons." So, out of the 6 there were: 2 Amish looking people, 1 young mother with 2 small boys, and me. Who do you think got "randomly searched"? If you guessed the Amish you are wrong.