It has been reaffirmed this week in our home that we are not good pet people. We had a loss this week--Colin bought a fish last year for his birthday and after 6 months of different names he settled on Colin Jr.Unfortunately he is now gone. Now I know this is not shocking to anyone who has seen the murky water he often found himself swimming in but that's not what sealed his fate. As a true Richards' he died of stubbornness. Kevin was cleaning his bowl and he would not go into the little dish to await his fresh water. Instead he kept swimming to the end of the bowl where the water was no longer.. let's just say he had a little too much fresh air.
We broke the news to Colin and he appeared very sad--for about 30 seconds and then replies Well I guess I can get that mouse I wanted now. Umm wait..what..
We have gone through about 4 or 5 fish, a hamster, and 2 turtles. All but the turtles ended up dead and that's probably just because they ran away! I like the idea of pets, the whole thing where it gives your kids a sense of responsibility and a companion but it's the application of it that I can't stand. You see we get the pet-pet is fun for about a week-comes time to feed, clean out cage or bowl and suddenly it is now Mom or Dad's pet. I have 5 kids I don't need another thing to feed, take to the doctor, keep up with shots, and potty train with the inevitable "accidents" to clean up. So for now I will enjoy being pet free . I feel a little more free already!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORRIE!
C - Crafty and creative(you always have a great idea and cute creations from food to knick knacks)
O- Organized! You can plan any event with the best little details.
R- Rescuer-(You rescue me many a Sunday with my children-who like you better than me-your way more fun)
R- Really dedicated and great friend
I- Intrinsically funny-You have a great sense of humor
E- Educator of young minds(you are a great teacher)
I hope you have a great birthday!!
C - Crafty and creative(you always have a great idea and cute creations from food to knick knacks)
O- Organized! You can plan any event with the best little details.
R- Rescuer-(You rescue me many a Sunday with my children-who like you better than me-your way more fun)
R- Really dedicated and great friend
I- Intrinsically funny-You have a great sense of humor
E- Educator of young minds(you are a great teacher)
I hope you have a great birthday!!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAURA!!
On my birthday Maura posted some really nice comments about me that made my day. I hope this puts a smile on her face on her birthday!
M aker of awesome cards or mexican food lover (you have great taste in food and are incredibly creative)
A mazing friend (you have been a great friend to so many and are an unfailing support)
U nderstanding ( you always have advice and compassion for those around you)
R unner of marathons! (I'm still amazed with your marathon running-you are inspiring but not quite enough for me want to do it too)
A wesome sense of humor- (you have a quick wit and can make any situation fun)
I hope you have a great birthday with lots of chocolate and rest!!
On my birthday Maura posted some really nice comments about me that made my day. I hope this puts a smile on her face on her birthday!
M aker of awesome cards or mexican food lover (you have great taste in food and are incredibly creative)
A mazing friend (you have been a great friend to so many and are an unfailing support)
U nderstanding ( you always have advice and compassion for those around you)
R unner of marathons! (I'm still amazed with your marathon running-you are inspiring but not quite enough for me want to do it too)
A wesome sense of humor- (you have a quick wit and can make any situation fun)
I hope you have a great birthday with lots of chocolate and rest!!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
7 More Reasons..
Here are 7 more reasons my family may like Star Wars too much. See 7 reasons for my previous list.
1. My kids can't name all the planets in our real solar system but they not only know all the names of the planets in Star Wars but also the climate on all the planets. All weather conditions have a corresponding planet that they can play they are on that "level". If it is raining then they are on Kamino, if it is snowing they are on Hoth, if the sun is setting and appears orange it is Tatooine.
2. Some little girls push their dolls or stuffed animals around in little strollers but not ours. She is pushing the Tie Fighter(Darth Vader's ship) in hers.
3. My table has been completely taken over by Star Wars legos. It is a permanent landing pad. In order to eat dinner we have to remove all the ships or cities that are covering it or for lunch and breakfast they just scoot them all to the middle. This is not the centerpiece I envisioned on my table. I didn't have a picture of them on my table but imagine all these and more sitting in front of you while you are eating your breakfast.
4. When I was talking to them about pets they decided how cool it would be if they could have a taun taun (that thing Luke rides in the snow) or even better their very own ewok. This one actually works for me because I don't want a pet so if they continue just to want creatures that don't really exist I'm set.
5. It is not uncommon for a star wars movie to be playing on the TV while one is playing Star Wars Battlefront on the computer and the other playing Star Wars Lego on the gameboy. Most likey there are the corresponding toys all over the floor to go along with whatever episode is on.
6. They are way to pleased with Ben's name. After inquiring I realized that they liked it because he was like Ben Kenobi. Blast! They got a Star wars name after all. I'm sure this was Kevin's secret plan as well. It was way to easy to get him to get over his "No names that can be shortened rule".
7. One of my children approached me and said "Do you want to hear what I memorized". I'm thinking sure is it a scripture, an article of faith maybe. OK no- how about something from scouts or school. Nope. He memorized the Jedi Code. OK I wasn't really aware that there was actually a written code but apparently there is and it's quite detailed. I'm listing it not because I really think that anyone wants to read it but merely to show the length of it.
1. My kids can't name all the planets in our real solar system but they not only know all the names of the planets in Star Wars but also the climate on all the planets. All weather conditions have a corresponding planet that they can play they are on that "level". If it is raining then they are on Kamino, if it is snowing they are on Hoth, if the sun is setting and appears orange it is Tatooine.
2. Some little girls push their dolls or stuffed animals around in little strollers but not ours. She is pushing the Tie Fighter(Darth Vader's ship) in hers.
3. My table has been completely taken over by Star Wars legos. It is a permanent landing pad. In order to eat dinner we have to remove all the ships or cities that are covering it or for lunch and breakfast they just scoot them all to the middle. This is not the centerpiece I envisioned on my table. I didn't have a picture of them on my table but imagine all these and more sitting in front of you while you are eating your breakfast.
4. When I was talking to them about pets they decided how cool it would be if they could have a taun taun (that thing Luke rides in the snow) or even better their very own ewok. This one actually works for me because I don't want a pet so if they continue just to want creatures that don't really exist I'm set.5. It is not uncommon for a star wars movie to be playing on the TV while one is playing Star Wars Battlefront on the computer and the other playing Star Wars Lego on the gameboy. Most likey there are the corresponding toys all over the floor to go along with whatever episode is on.
6. They are way to pleased with Ben's name. After inquiring I realized that they liked it because he was like Ben Kenobi. Blast! They got a Star wars name after all. I'm sure this was Kevin's secret plan as well. It was way to easy to get him to get over his "No names that can be shortened rule".
7. One of my children approached me and said "Do you want to hear what I memorized". I'm thinking sure is it a scripture, an article of faith maybe. OK no- how about something from scouts or school. Nope. He memorized the Jedi Code. OK I wasn't really aware that there was actually a written code but apparently there is and it's quite detailed. I'm listing it not because I really think that anyone wants to read it but merely to show the length of it.
- Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy.
- Jedi use their powers to defend and to protect, never to attack others.
- Jedi respect all life, in any form.
- Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy.
- Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Two Birthdays
Luke and Kristen recently had birthdays so here are some pictures from the festivities.
Every year Luke wants Angel Food Cake and with nothing on it. One year we made it all fancy with cool whip and strawberries all arranged on top--he looked at it and informed us unhappily that we ruined his cake! Less is more I guess.
My attempt at Rita's Butterfly cupcakes. Kristen got a stroller which she loves and put her doll from Grandma in it. The doll looks like a little mini Kristen.
Birthday girl going for a ride on Grandpa who she calls Pa-pee.
Every year Luke wants Angel Food Cake and with nothing on it. One year we made it all fancy with cool whip and strawberries all arranged on top--he looked at it and informed us unhappily that we ruined his cake! Less is more I guess.
My attempt at Rita's Butterfly cupcakes. Kristen got a stroller which she loves and put her doll from Grandma in it. The doll looks like a little mini Kristen.
Birthday girl going for a ride on Grandpa who she calls Pa-pee.
Grouchy Smurf
I went to post something yesterday but was stopped again by having to clean up an enormous mess. I look up and Kristen looks at me and I notice her mouth is completely blue.
She got in the super industrial food coloring-the stuff you get at a cake store to really make the icing bright. I quickly survey the damage. She had gotten some on the counter then stepped in it, proceeded to then slide down the counter leaving bright blue streaks. The boys come running to see what's going on and then quickly leave the scene of the crime as they see I am not happy! Well in their rush they didn't notice they had stepped in it and there were these footprints on my freshly cleaned carpets. You see we put are house back on the market Mon. got the carpets cleaned on Thurs. and I'm scrubbing them on Fri.(blueberry poptart gone awry) and then again on Sun. where it looks live over sized smurfs were running through my living room. It was like this crazy epidemic- blue was everywhere and nobody knew how it was getting there. It was on their arms, the wall, and my hands and feet. The more you scrubbed the more it spread-- just how it was intended to do in coloring icing. I do love the Smurfs and I do love the the color blue BUT COME ON!!!
She got in the super industrial food coloring-the stuff you get at a cake store to really make the icing bright. I quickly survey the damage. She had gotten some on the counter then stepped in it, proceeded to then slide down the counter leaving bright blue streaks. The boys come running to see what's going on and then quickly leave the scene of the crime as they see I am not happy! Well in their rush they didn't notice they had stepped in it and there were these footprints on my freshly cleaned carpets. You see we put are house back on the market Mon. got the carpets cleaned on Thurs. and I'm scrubbing them on Fri.(blueberry poptart gone awry) and then again on Sun. where it looks live over sized smurfs were running through my living room. It was like this crazy epidemic- blue was everywhere and nobody knew how it was getting there. It was on their arms, the wall, and my hands and feet. The more you scrubbed the more it spread-- just how it was intended to do in coloring icing. I do love the Smurfs and I do love the the color blue BUT COME ON!!!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Updates
Over the past two months at our own personal Guantanamo Bay the sleep deprivation torture is working quite well in breaking down the leaders. Kevin jokes that water boarding is next. I'm telling you it's good I don't hold any secrets of great importance because I would sing like a bird if asked. Despite all this we have tried to have some family fun and enjoy our newest member little Ben.
For our Family Night treat we made Yoda Soda which the kids loved. Thanks Corrie for the fun Star Wars cookbook. We have also tried the Han-Burgers and the Wookie Cookies.
Another Family night was when Ben experienced his first rousing game of UNO. You can see he isn't happy about losing-- He already fits in with his brothers.
We tried the Transformer kit for dying eggs this year. It turned out to just be a sheet of stickers you could put on the eggs and some color tablets.
What? I'm just talking to him-- I promise I didn't just stick my cup in his mouth like usual--it was just my fingers this time.
For our Family Night treat we made Yoda Soda which the kids loved. Thanks Corrie for the fun Star Wars cookbook. We have also tried the Han-Burgers and the Wookie Cookies.
Another Family night was when Ben experienced his first rousing game of UNO. You can see he isn't happy about losing-- He already fits in with his brothers.
We tried the Transformer kit for dying eggs this year. It turned out to just be a sheet of stickers you could put on the eggs and some color tablets.
What? I'm just talking to him-- I promise I didn't just stick my cup in his mouth like usual--it was just my fingers this time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)