"Please pass me that parenting handbook....I need to smack my Kid with it!"

From a funny pin I saw one time, but holds so much truth. Sometimes I feel like I have tried all the 'tricks' in the book, but nothing works. And, as you all know, what works for one kid, doesn't work for another. So I just need to vent for a minute...don't worry, you will all go away with a smile. Because it's always funny when it is someone else's kid, right?
     I want to say this started last year, but I can't pin point exaclty when. The two boys (7 and 4 at the time) thought it was a fun game to pee on their bedroom floor after their baths. They weren't doing it cause they couldn't make it to the bathroom. They were just (from what I can gather) facinated with the aspect of peeing and aiming. So rather then aiming in the toilet, why not aim at the floor...or see if I can hit my pajama bottoms across the room, or the laundry basket in the corner. Well, we took priviledges away and Bodie,  got it and quit. The 4 year old, Jax,  not so much. He would wake up in the night and stand up and face his mattress and pee ON his mattress. He said he was scared to go to the bathroom (which is next door to his bedroom). So I left the hall and bathroom light on and he still peed in his room, in his toy box, under his bed, in his closet...anywhere but in the bathroom. So we had him sleep on the bathroom floor so he would be close enough if he needed to use the toilet. That worked. I can remember that as of last fall we had nipped it in the bud.
     Last week I went downstairs and found a pair of pajamas that were splattered and wet. I asked Jax what happened and he said he stood against the wall and shot his pee across the room and peed on them. Kudos for telling the truth, but made me piping mad!! So that night he slept on the bathroom floor. Again, problem solved...I thought. Monday, Bodie came upstairs and said that Jax peed on his leg while they were getting dressed after their shower. Words I never thought I would say "Don't pee on your brother!" Which I used when the boys use to use the bathroom together, now we make sure they pee seperate. Problem of peeing on each other solved? Apparently not. Most brothers would punch each other when mad, not Jax. He pees on his brother when he's mad! Again, kudos for creativity, but made me super mad this time. So he slept on the bathroom floor and for the next 24 hours lost all privledges and niceness from Mom. Everytime he would ask for a favor I would say no cause you peed on the floor.
"Mom can I have a cookie?"  "No, cause you peed on the floor." " Mom, can I watch my shows?" "No, cause you peed on the floor." Mom, can I have a friend over?" "No cause you peed on the floor."
  I then we did some verbal drills:
"Jax, where do we go pee?"
"In the toilet." Repeated 10 times.
    You may say this was harsh for a 5 year old, but I am at a loss. He doesn't get it. He is impulsive and doesn't think of the consequences. So I am hoping this time it sticks. It has only been 2 days, So I guess we will see.
   On a lighter note (and don't you dare repeat this to Harlee, she would die! But it was so cute I had to share!!) Harlee (11) came home from school and said that her good guy friend, Kail, "asked her out." Kail had is best friend write Harlee a note that said:

Harlee will you go out with me?
_____Yes           _______No, I don't even like you

So, I asked Harlee what she did and she said,
"I added my own box that said
______Just friends"

I asked her what going out meant, and she said that she didn't really know, but assumed that it meant that he wanted her to be his girlfriend. Upon asking her how she felt about that, she said that she thought that she was too young for that (good girl!). She said as she was getting off the bus, she turned to Kail and said, "let's just take things slow." :)
I love Harlee, she is smart and witty and innocent. I love it!! I hope she keeps that attitude of boys for along time!!
It's moments like these that get me through the peed on kids and carpet!

I know....Shocker!!

  So I had to post about our Bucket List we made for Spring Break. I wanted to go somewhere fun, but then I ended up having commitments that kept us close to home, so me and the kids decided to make a bucket list of some fun things we could do close to home. Thankfully the weather even cooperated! So here is our list:

 We were able to do all of them, except for the 7th one. Chad and Laina were out of town, so we couldn't have a picnic with them.

 Here we are just back from a 2.5 mile run/walk/ride. This is actually the event that inspired our bucket list. 

This here is their huge blanket tent that they made with Dad in the family room. I am not a huge fan of this activity, but they were so good about cleaning it up and they had a ton of fun. Travis even slept down there with them til they fell asleep.

 Here we are at the green belt at Jensen's Grove. We had a dinner picnic, then rode around the belt and then played on the toys. The kids had so much fun. Especially cause Dad was there, It is always more fun when we can all do it together!

 Here we are on the way to the gravel pits. I didn't get pics of me and Jax, but there are some pretty fun ones of Bodie and Harlee and Travis. 

 This hill was a challenge for the two kids, but they got to the top and felt very proud of themselves.

Travis poppin a wheelie, I love to see him ride hard and do tricks. I think it's hot!! :)

I didn't get pics of friends over or riding down around the church, but rest assured, those were accomplished. We had so much fun marking off the list, that I want to sit down for a FHE and do another bucket list for the summer. Just having plans to do stuff together, provided excuses to do things as a family. Now I know why my Mom pushed and pushed for family time. It is now my favorite time too :)

AHHHHH!!!

So it has been over a year and a Half since I have blogged!! I don't even think anyone reads this anymore. I mostly update on Facebook, but occasionally I think about this little space on the internet that I still have and I miss doing it. I also miss keeping up to date with everyone.
 Where to begin with all that needs updated. Let me give a touch of a summary and then I will see what pics I have to add :)
Harlee: She is in 5th grade. Just turned 11 years old. Reads like crazy. Loves fantasy movies and books. Is a super fabulous student, perfectionist, and just did a spelling bee with her grade and got into the top 10. I don't know how many kids there were, but she said a lot! :)
Bodie: This cute boy just turned 8 yrs old and got baptized. He is in 2nd grade. Got glasses this year and looks super handsome! (I'm not just saying that either, he really does). Loves to explore, build, create stuff and ride his bike. He is super fabulous at math and it comes really easy to him. He just started scouts 4 weeks ago and almost has his bobcat done. We are so proud of him.
Jax: This small guy is busy!!! He LOVES cars and trucks and motorcycles and 4 wheelers, and tractors and airplanes, and trains, and boats.....am I forgetting any mode of transportation??? Cause he loves them all. He is constantly playing and imagining with his toys, or he is drawing them. His specialty is Monster trucks and has about 6 cut out and taped to his wall. He gives each one a guy driving with their name on it and lightening bolts and numbers. He always asks me what Dad's friends names are so he can have me write it on the trucks. He is in preschool and can write his name real well and do most of the alphabet in sign language with a little help.
Travis: He is working out at the Idaho National Laboratory in the transportation department. He loves his job because of the freedom it gives him. He has a decent schedule that allows him to also drive fuel truck on the side if he wants to. He loves operating heavy equipment and that includes driving semis on the weekends and days off. Any chance he gets, he loves to ride dirt bikes, road bikes, snowmobiles, and date me. Some of those activities are combined too. Like dating me on a road bike. We both enjoy that when the weather permits. He built a shop last year and is hoping to finish it up this year with big doors and closing off the front. He has never known how to take a day off and so is always busy doing something. He is a wonderful husband, father and provider!
Me (Heather, in case you didn't know who was narrating): I keep busy making baby bracelets for a company called BoogaLoo Bracelets. I have been doing this for about 5 years, but working for BoogaLoo for about 2.5 years. It has been super wonderful and allows me to set my own hours working from home.  I love to be in the kids' schools helping when I can. I volunteer once a week in Jax's preschool and twice a month in Bodie's school and any chance I can get helping in Harlee's school. I also have the blessing of working with the Young Women in our ward. I adore this calling and have learned so much from the girls and the lessons and it is just so great!!
Needless to say, even though we have had our share of trials and continue to struggle here and there, we know we are very blessed. Hopefully I have some pictures to reflect the past 1.5+ years.....

First Day of School! First Day of School!

Today started the school year for Harlee and Bodie. Harlee is now in 4th grade and Bodie is now in 1st grade. They were both so excited to see their friends and ride the bus and meet their teacher. Oh my goodness, could life get better than the first day of school?! I submit that it does not! We only had a couple of set backs. Harlee's bus never stopped to pick her up. Lucky the neighbor could take her with his little girl. They really encourage the kids to ride the bus the first day so that they know what bus to ride to and from school. That way they get the routine down good. The second set back was Jax's initial boredom. I wasn't too worried about how he would be when the kids left cause he us pretty good self entertaining himself. But it wasn't ten minutes after Bodie got on the bus that Jax was asking if he got to go to his friend Caleb's house cause Bodie got to go somewhere. He settled down after Dad promised to take him to Grandpa's house. I am sure he will be fine after a few days. He just needs to get use to the routine. Good news for me, NO tears this year. I was happy as a clam waving good bye to my kids. Even now, as I sit here typing, my house is SO quiet. Jax is down for a nap and I don't have anyone asking me to play the computer or if they can have a Popsicle. I could definitely get use to this REAL fast!

Somebody's Getting Married....

August 13, 2011 was Troy (Travis' Bro) and Sasha Gregersen's wedding day. They were married at a wedding/reception center in Pocatello. It was decorated really pretty with Sasha's colors of purple and pink. I had the great honor of doing Sasha's Hair. I love to play with hair and Harlee isn't too excited about that, so it was so great to be able to play with Sasha's.

Jax was the ring bearer and he did such a great job! He was so stinkin cute I wanted to cry!

Here are the three of 'em bein all cute and stuff

The proud parents

Jax was perfect as he walked down the aisle. Not too fast and not too slow and happy the whole time.

He stood at his post SO good. He did get a little bored and started swatting at the tassels behind him, but other than that, he was so great!

Handsome Groom, waiting for his turn to escort the bride

Jax fulfilling his role. We went to the dinner rehearsal a couple of days before and did a walk through of what was going to happen. Only they didn't practice the part of exchanging rings. So when it came time for Jax to walk over with the rings, he didn't want to give them up. It was funny to watch him half pull the pillow away as they were grabbing for the rings.

You may kiss the bride!

The reception line. Kayla, Sasha's sister was the maid of honor and Troy's friend from high school, John, was the best man.

Okay, so probably the main reason that Jax did so well being the ring bearer was because Uncle Troy bribed him. He said, a few months ago, if Jax was his ring bearer he would give him a chocolate bunny. After that anytime Jax heard talk of the wedding he would say, "and then I get an easter bunny?!" He was so excited! After the dinner rehearsal Sasha' s mom was so sweet and said that she would have a little present for him too. So here he is showing his prizes! It doesn't get better than a chocolate bunny and a robot!

The Cousins (minus Harlee)

Thanks Heidi for taking the picture of my little family. It turned out cute!

Jax was named after Uncle Troy. Jax Troy Gregersen. So here they are! They are such a handsome couple of kids :-)

Siblings.

After the big day, Jax crashed in the car. Heaven forbid he should release his spoils though.

The minute he woke up and we were home, he dug right in. It took him two days to finish the whole thing off. He loved that he had his own chocolate BIG bunny! Thanks Uncle Troy!