Um... Temple?

Today Colby was following me around as I was cleaning up the house. He was bored, I could tell by the babbling that he was doing. We didn't get to see Chet at lunch today, so I think that he was missing dad. He started saying, " I wanna see Dad! I wanna see Dad!" really cute like. I said, "Me too. But where is Dad?" Colby pulls a funny face and says, "um..the temple?" I had to laugh. Oh how I wish, because that would mean I was most likely with him there. I love that the temple makes the short list of places Chet might be at four on a Monday night. But I also love the naivity of little kids. He sits in that stupid car seat all the way to Billings and all the way home once a month. Too funny that he doesn't realize yet that we don't just up and go to the temple! I love that little boy!

Pinewood Derby

About 3-4 weeks ago the boys came home from scouts on cloud nine. They had received their derby cars! The highlight of a 8 year olds life. However, it is not the highlight of a mom of 5 small boys life. They begged, and pleaded, and bugged the living daylights out of Chet and I to make their cars. It never made the priorities list, so they just didn't get done. The derby was going to be on Saturday morning, weigh in at 9:15 am. Thursday night Chet cut the cars (really just cut the car in half at an angle, what the boys wanted) and the boys painted them. Friday night on date night, Chet tells me that we need to find some weights somewhere for the boys cars. We needed diapers so we ran to WalMart. While there, Chet ran into a scout of his (16) but we kept on our way. The scouts dad hunted us down knowing what we were looking for. He gave us his two scents on what to do to make the car fast. We were mostly just trying to get outta there. Chet finally told him, we have to go, we are paying a sitter by the hour. Chet came home and they finished the cars with weights and wheels (using some of the hints Bro Scott shared). When we got there, we were really sad that they had put the boys in the same race. There were 39 cars, only 3 race at the same time, and they put them together. As if twins don't already have to share and compete at everything. Chet leaned over to me and said, well, look at it this way. At least one of the boys will get to beat someone, even if it's just his brother. They were off... and they were OFF!!! The boys cars were SUPER fast. Carter beat Carson. They were told that each car got at least 8 runs. Car after car after car after car raced down the tracks. Race after race Carter and Carson kept winning their heats. Carson somehow got paired up with Carter again, and lost again. It was sad, but Cars was a really good sport. Chet and I were afraid that Cars getting beat twice would knock him out of the running for the winning race. When they popped up the final 6, both were in. Carter was in race one. WIN! Carson was in race two. WIN! Then it was on. Carter Parker vs Carson Parker for the overall win, 1st and 2nd. Their only losses were Cars to Carter, twice. They took off, and Carter won again. It was really exciting. The men were hillarious, and Chet was on cloud nine. It's like a measure of their manhood. Sad thing was that we didn't put any time or effort into the cars. But Chet was prouder and prouder every time they won. It was super cute!!! It was fun to watch the boys. Carter would clap and smile ear to ear. Cars would bounce his head and make hand signs like he was a rock star. They couldn't be more different. We felt sad that for some reason, Carts was faster than Cars's. But when I started seeing all the boys that were pouting and crying, I was the most proud. Not that my boys had beat them, but that they were such good sports. Last year the only win they had was one boy beat the other. They didn't beat anyone else. But they were good sports, laughed and enjoyed the time there. Cars was bummed but never said a harsh word to Carter or acted sad. So much to be learned, even in the good times. I told the boys I might have to slap the pout right off their face if they ever acted like that. There are many things throughout their lives that they will not win, no matter how much effort they put in. But I hope that they always take a loss like a champ. I love my boys! (pictures to follow but I have to figure out why I cannot download them on anymore. Soon I hope!)
Updated pictures 02/07/2013

Ski Patrol

Chet has been wanting to be a ski patroller FOREVER! He wanted to do it when we moved to Casper, but it just wasn't in the cards for us. We had twin babies, and had another right away. Long story short, 3 years ago I finally agreed that he could try it out. He took the million classes, paid the million dollars of fees and bought all the equipment. He helped at fund raisers and finally got to the point where all he needed to do was take the ski test, which he could practically do in his sleep, and he would be in. Well, the test day fell on the same day that we were attending a temple wedding in Utah. He was really bugged that he was missing, but he was a great sport about it. Temple marriage vs ski patrol. However, that meant that all the next year he was still a "candidate", which wears different color vests and really has no control to do anything. Then this year the snow has been horrendous. FINALLY, Chet got to be a true ski patroller. This has been 3 years in the making. He was a little excited (just a little!) I stayed home with the babies (story of my life, haha!) and Chet took the boys. As he was skiing down with all the new candidates, he spotted Carter and Caden so he told them he was going to say hi to his boys. He skiis up to them and asks how their day has been. Caden turned around, dazed and blood dripping off his chin. Caden had decided to follow his brothers through the trees, and he is just a little behind their ability. He had face planted into a tree. In his words, "Mom, it felt like I went through the tree, not just hit it!" He said that he just messed up and turned his ski's the wrong way. He bit through his lip and got himself a Jay Leno chin. It was HUGE and scraped from lip to neck. It looked pretty bad! Caden got to be Chet's first patient. He got a snow mobile ride to the top and then got questioned. He wouldn't answer their questions, things like what is today, what is your name, etc. Chet says that is a really serious problem when they cannot answer questions, possible life flight. Luckily when Chet started asking him he would respond. Chet said he was just scared and little dazed. We watched him close for the day and night and he has been perfectly fine! My little boy with 9 lives. I think that he has used about 5-6 of them.

Pre-School

This year I decided not to put Cael in preschool. He is such a good kid, I enjoy him being home, he is quite independent, and I thought I would save a few thousand. Preschool is really expensive, or so I think. Cael has been bored out of his mind, and I am losing my sweet happy fun boy. He is turning into a bored brat. So, after much begging on his part, and talking on Chet and I's part, we decided that we should put him in for the last 4 months. He is my only kid that hasn't done 2 years of preschool. The other boys were more out of mental health necessity for me. I didn't need it this go round. Well, Cael did. Yesterday I drove around the west side of town looking at the preschools possible for him to attend. You know when you walk in somewhere, and you just know it's right. That was what happened. It is a fabulous place. I really like the teachers, structure, and love you feel from them. Cael was so excited he had permagrin! At dinner last night I gave him the stage to tell his brothers all about his preschool. My heart was sad! I thought that I would be so excited! But instead I am sad. Really happy that my excited, happy, smiling little boy is back, but sad that he is leaving. I am so used to having "my babies" all the time, that the thought of dropping him off somewhere and leaving him for hours is sad to me. I'm sure I'll get over that quick!

Listerine Strip

I am a gum chewer. It's not pretty, I know. Oprah says it's disgusting to see a woman chew gum. But I love to have that fresh minty taste in my mouth. I like when you breathe in and it stings a little. Love it! Well, my babies have learned that they can find gum everywhere. It has been a nightmare. Well, today while I was at the ortho with Carter, Colby was searching through my purse. To appease him, I just let him. He found some listerine strips in there. They have never had them, so I opened them up and asked if he wanted one. I told him to stick out his tongue and I put one on. Cael came running over and wanted one too. I put one on. Long story short, both boys eyes were watering pretty bad. Colby was breathing out his mouth with it wide open like he was having someone smell his breathe. He was wiping his tongue and saying YUCK! Cael was soon doing the same thing. The hygenist and I were laughing so hard we were almost crying. I don't even know if I explained that to give it justice, but it was so funny. Soon, the entire office was laughing as the boys are running circles around Carter's chair trying to get the burning to stop. Soon the doctor joined us wondering what we were all laughing at, and he too was laughing pretty good. The boys were not having a breakdown, or screaming, or anything annoying. All the girls were doing everything to help them. They gave them gum and water and tissues and doting on them. It was cute! Cael says he NEVER wants another one of those again. Colby says they are YUCK! It was too funny! We certainately made a first impression! Who knows if it was bad or good. The whole office was telling me how cute they were and how well behaved and sweet and funny, so I hope it was good. I think that I talked to all five hygenist (is that what they are called for the orthodontist too?), about 10 min conversation with the doctor about my basketball team, and every member of the office staff. They all wanted to know about our 5 boys (so funny how intrigued so many people are, they were baffled that Carter was the oldest). We will have a sitter for the next appt. (I have to drive to Spearfish or I would have left them this time too!)

Reading

So this last week I was called by Caden's teacher to let me know that he was struggling with reading. His scores are really high, but he is a rushed lazy reader. He seems to do ok at home I thought for his age, but I guess not. She said that he can read really fast, but misses one in four words. I just correct him and we move on. I didn't realize it was a big deal, but I DON'T want him to be behind, in reading of all things. Tonight Chet had to be gone which literally makes reading impossible! I had Cael and Colby on my lap, moving a million miles an hour while Caden was sitting next to me reading. Talk about painful! Making him get every word, fluently, perfectly. I was ready to just read it for him. Nothing like total impatience when you need patience most. Well, come to find out, I wasn't the only one about to scream. Cael starts telling Caden what it said. I didn't realize that Cael would pick up that quick to a book he had only heard for the first time. About every 3 pages it would repeat this little chorus line. Caden was painstakingly reading every word. And Cael would just say the entire page and then say, "Caden, turn the page." It was hillarious. I think it made Caden embarrassed. His reading did speed up significantly though. I think it just clicked to him what it means to just read, not sound out every.single.little.tiny.itty.bitty.word. Yah!!!! Love it when your 4 yr old helps ya out!

Sorry

To all of my future daughter-in-laws, I am sorry. I have tried to teach these pigs to pee IN the toilet. I have made them clean it up themselves. I have tried to have them pee on fruit loops. I have tried all that I know how to try. They are still peeing everywhere. I think that I will be installing a fully sprayable bathroom with a urinal. I know that won't teach them anything, but holy crap I am sick of cleaning up their pee. Hopefully they can learn a thing or two in the next 10 years. (Chet ruined me, he has NEVER left a drop anywhere. I am so confused as to why boys cannot hit the toilet!) The end!

Future

I love to hear kids talk about what they are going to be when they grow up. I wonder how many of them are what they wanted to be as a child. When you are a kid, money, time, hard work, etc don't factor into your decision. Yesterday Carter got braces. He was telling me that there were 4 women working in his mouth and then the guy that was high fiving him (the Dr) came in for 2 minutes and then was gone. He said that he wanted to know what it takes to become an orthodontist. I loved it! Forever he wanted to be a fireman. About a year ago he said that, "fireman won't make enough money to have lots of kids, if my wife wants lots" (already learning who the boss is, hehe!) so he switched to accountant. Which I of course thought was cute because that would soley be because of his dad! So, we got on the computer and started to research it out. Carter is so wise beyond his years. First he wanted to know how many years of schooling it took (10-11). Then he wanted to know how much they made (average starting pay was $164,000, but our dentist friend said that includes part time and almost retired guys numbers too so the number is MUCH higher) and last he wanted to know how much it would cost him to pay for school. What 8 yr old thinks of that!!! I love it! So the average cost for dental school (4 yrs) is $192,000. Then you have specialty school from there! Whoa! He says, "but won't I probably have kids before I'm 30?" He just thinks about everything. He was thinking how he would pay for kids because his, "wife will want to stay home with our kids. Can I work and make enough to support (I always thank Heavenly Father for a great dad that supports us so I can stay home, that's how he knows that word) them while I go to school?" Ahhh, melt my heart. I just love him! He reminds me sooooooo much of his dad! He is always thinking about his wife, and he's 8!!! He just thinks about things so much. I am so curious to see what he really does do. He asked what he could be doing now to be good at college. He says that he needs to save more money for school. He's going to get an ulcer. Save for my mission, save for school, save for a car, save for a house... it never ends! Poor guy! Hopefully he's able to have a little fun in the middle!

Black black memories

Tonight as Chet left for young mens I told the boys that we could watch a movie together (one of their favorite things to do, they are MY kids for sure!) I told them to haul the love sac into my room so we could use it. As I came in with the movie, all the boys were jockeying for a spot to snuggle into. I asked Cars to help me and he yells, "Black black place back!" as he jumps up to put in the DVD. I just smiled! Only those that grew up with me will understand that one!!! When we were living at home, if we ever got up and didn't say, "Black, black place back!" then someone could come in and take your place. But as long as you said that, you could get up and get your spot back. It's the weirdest saying, with the weirdest rules, and I don't even know how they know it. I say it to Chet kidding sometimes, but I had no idea they ever even knew it. Cracks me up! The crazy things we do and say!

Jobs

We have been delivering a paper route (we only deliver once a week, 300 papers) for over a year now. We have had some ups, and some downs. The boys have learned unbelievable life lessons. They have learned to pay tithing, save, work even when they DO NOT want to, be accountable to a boss, learn how to use their money (they get to keep 50% for their own spending), learn about interest (Chet and I have had to borrow money from Carter more than once to pay a babysitter cash and then we pay him back the next day with "interest", or $1 on borrowing $20.), learn that working is what you make it - its not fun unless you make it that way, to work as a team and think logically about how to best and the fastest way to do things, think ahead about when is the best time to deliver - in the summer early morning 7:00 am and in the winter RIGHT after school so it doesn't get dark, and about taxes. When you buy things, there is a tax on it, and if you buy something big, like a gun, the tax amounts to an entire months delivering. Carter now wants to buy everything in Billings, since there is no tax. Even things like a watch from Walmart. He waits until we go to Billings. I have learned that things don't just come natural. Kids need to be taught work ethic. I think they have learned respect for people's things, and also respect for themselves to do it right the first time, or go back and do it again until it is. They used to try to get a way with mistakes, and now without even looking at me, they fix them. They are young enough that they still listen when I tell them how to fix things, and I love that I get to form their work ethic this way. I know I only have a few more years that they will actually listen to me. Is it a ton of work for me? YES!!! When I am overwhelmed and crying that I have too much on my plate and tell Chet that I have to quit the paper route, I am thankful that he has encouraged me to keep it. It has been a wonderful thing overall! So this last week someone from our neighborhood came and asked if our boys would be willing to feed their dogs. The boys were elated! They go twice a day and let them out, refill food and water, take them on a few walks, and play a little with them. They live a little too far away for them to be walking in this cold weather so we take them down. It seems that we are working as much as them with their jobs. However, as we were all stuffing papers today, the boys were talking about all the ways that they can make money in the future. I LOVED hearing them, and giving them ideas. They are worried about having enough money for their missions, so they want to earn everything possible (which I also love!). They want to make flyers and take them to the neighborhood this summer and offer to pet watch for money. Then they started asking if we were going to pay anything for their missions (which of course we are, but don't want them to know that). I told them they should ask for sponsors after they get their mission calls. They should ask aunts and uncles and papas to sponsor them with any amount they can each month, with a promise that they will write them a letter every week and let them know what their money did that week. They loved that idea (wink wink aunts, uncles, and papas!) I love to see their little minds working. I love to see them proud to work, and so willing. I love them! I hope that some day they will be great providers for their families, like their dad is for ours. I think that they are well on their way. And I think that I will be doing a paper route for about 10 years. Cael begs to deliver already!