Kiersten’s Blog

Which do you think is more safe?

I’m just sayin’.

And just because I found these images funny, enjoy.

I got a job.  I wasn’t even looking for a job.  I didn’t even necessarily want a job.  It all just kind of happened.  Taylor told me Wednesday night that the director of the East County Youth Symphony was asking his department chair for a referral to coach the pre-orchestra violins.  It’s two classes with 5 kids each, ranging in age from 3 to 6.  Taylor happened to be in his office at the time so he talked to the woman because my name was given as a referral.  She gave Taylor her info for me to contact her.  I started the job yesterday.  Really, it’s only a 2-hour a week gig for 10 weeks, but it looks like it may be an ongoing thing if I want it to be.  It was kind of strange, though.  She hired me sight unseen.  I had never even met the woman, or even talked to her on the phone for that matter, until a half hour before my class started yesterday morning.  I think, though, that it’s a good fit and I am really enjoying what I’m doing.

Taylor took the car to work yesterday.  I told him to.  I wanted him to pick up a desk for me that I found on Craigslist and thought would be perfect for keeping Ashton off the computer.  The desk was in Imperial Beach, so I told him to just go surfing after work and then pick it up, which he did.  That left me without a car, which was fine.  It was a nice day.  I was happy to bike to Target after I picked up London from school.  We needed to get a birthday present for a friend’s party she was going to today.  The kids were excited about a ride in the trailer and I was happy to get a bit more exercise.  Plus, Taylor just had his bike tuned up.  I kind of wanted to try it out.

We were almost to Target and the ride had been great.  I was waiting at the final light when a truck with a middle-aged man in it (I know, I’m shocked that it wasn’t an older person too) pulled up next to me.  The man rolled down the window and asked if I had children in my trailer.  I answered in the affirmative, proud that I could pull my kids along.  The man proceeded to lecture me on why I should not ever let my children ride in one of those and that it’s the most dangerous thing he has ever seen.  I am putting my children in jeopardy and he, of course, would never, ever put his children in one of those.  It’s much too dangerous.  Anyway, he went on and on.  I couldn’t hear him very well and I also didn’t really pay much attention because I have had enough people tell me that I’m a bad mom that I didn’t feel the need to hear it one more time.  I politely thanked him for his opinion and finished my ride.  What could have been a very pleasant bike ride and nice afternoon turned into me being angry and upset by something a judgmental person said to me.  I am happy to report that we all made it home safely.  Take that judgemental-middle-aged-man-in-a-truck.  Safe.  Oh, and I have a lovely new desk.

Today I’m tired. Tired from being woken up almost every night for the past 3 years. Tired of picking up toys. Tired of telling my kids to do things that they refuse to do and subsequently yelling at them because that seems to be the only way they listen. Tired of trying to figure out something even semi-healthy for my family to eat that will actually be eaten and not just complained about. Tired of hearing whining and crying about every little thing. Tired of constant cleaning and laundry. I’m just tired. And I’m hungry. I wonder what I should make for dinner. Is it bed time yet?

Ever since our trip to the El Capitan theater in Hollywood to see The Muppets, my kids have been obsessed.  They’re constantly listening and singing and dancing to the music.  Their favorite song is Smells Like Teen Spirit.  Funny.  I played them the original.  They weren’t so impressed.  They just think the Muppet barbershop version is hilarious.  And it is.  Anyway, we had a great time.  Taylor’s mom took us as a Christmas gift.

None of us had ever been to a movie at the El Capitan before.  I would definitely go again!  It was all decked out in holiday decor.  Downstairs were two sets that were used in the movie, as well as a bunch of Miss Piggy’s costumes on display.

Much of the movie was filmed right there in the El Capitan so it was fun to really be there.  Before the movie started, there was a sing-along with Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog.

The kids showing off the jingle bells we all got for the sing-along

“Snow” even fell from the ceiling!

London loving the snow

The movie itself was quite cute, but I think the whole experience made it fantastic!  And it was even better that Ashton slept through half of it!

Recently Ashton has started attending a creative dance class at the dance studio where London dances.  On the day of his first class I asked him if he wanted to start a dance class at London’s dance studio.  His response was, “No!  That’s for girls!”  I convinced him that it would be fun and I was right.  He didn’t want to leave when it was over.  He loves it.  I love it too!  It’s so fun to watch him.  Unfortunately, this Friday will be the last class unless we can recruit some more kids to join.  If you want to join us, let me know!  We would love for the class to continue!

Recently I pinned an idea on Pinterest that gave ideas and even coupons for dates with your kids.  I thought this would be a great idea for London.  I have been feeling like she needs a little bit more one-on-one time with just us and I think this is a great way to do it.  We printed out the coupons for her and talked about spending time together.  She was really excited.  Every month she will go on a date with just one of us and we will switch off who takes her.  We figured that Ashton doesn’t really need that yet, since he will be with the other parent while London is out and can be doing other things, and he gets a lot of personal time with me while London is at school.  We do a lot with just him.  Anyway, January happened to be my month and London was excited to go to Barnes and Noble for a new book and a treat.  She chose a small American Girl kit with a miniature paper doll and book.  For her treat, she chose the “Oreo Stacker” dessert.  We decided to share it and I’m glad we did because she took one bite and decided that she didn’t like it.  But she didn’t complain about it.  We just chatted and had a good time.  I’m so glad to be able to spend time with just her and I know she’s loving it too.  Lately I have been having way too many days of counting down the hours until bed time, rather than just enjoying the time I have to spend with my children.  I think this will be a good way of helping us to bring the fun back.

Two nights ago, Ashton said his nightly prayer all by himself.  I know, you probably had a kid who did it way earlier than Ashton, but this is exciting for me!  Usually it goes something like this, “Heavenly Father, I thank Thee for Mommy need help . . . “ then I go on to prompt him.  But two nights ago it went more like this, “Heavenly Father, I thank Thee for my family.  I thank Thee for my airplane that I got for my birthday [then a bunch of mumbling that I couldn’t understand] Amen.”  Cute.  And of course he hasn’t done it alone since.  And just because I’m talking about Ashton, here is a picture I took of him yesterday hiding under the bed in a dinosaur costume, complete with princess shoes (which he calls slippers).

I was upstairs and heard some clanking around downstairs.  I came down to see Ashton with the Magic Bullet telling me he wants a smoothie.  Fine.  I told him I would make a smoothie.  The only problem: no juice.  I don’t know how to make smoothies without juice.  The only juice I had was lemon juice and I probably have 3/4 of a gallon of the stuff.  I got a bunch of lemons that I squeezed yesterday.  Anyway, thinking lemon juice probably wouldn’t be the way to go, I decided to pull out the juicer.  I made some apple and some carrot juice.  And here’s the thing.  I keep thinking I will like carrot juice.  I keep juicing them thinking that maybe I’m missing something and that I’ll like it next time.  But it’s not any better.  Everybody tells me how much they love carrot juice but I just don’t get it.  Usually I juice apples and carrots together and I feel like the carrots kind of ruin the amazing apple juice.  So today I made them separately and let me tell you, that apple juice was DELICIOUS!  I didn’t drink any of the carrot.  BUT, I did make a smoothie.  I used frozen strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.  I added a handful or two of fresh spinach (because for some reason, London, who won’t touch vegetables to save her life, only likes smoothies if they have spinach in them) and threw in a splash of lemon juice and a bunch of carrot juice and a bit of apple juice.  I can taste the carrot juice a bit, but I’m not opposed to it this way.  The smoothie turned out really quite good and the verdict from London: SPINALICIOUS!

While in Sacramento, we did some fun things.  We took the kids to Fairy Tale Town.  They loved it!  I used to love that place as a kid and in going back, I remember why.  I have lots of good memories of time spent there.

We were also able to do some other fun things.  London has been asking to go fishing, so my dad took her and Preston out.  When they got back, I went next door to my Grandma’s house where they were, to ask if they caught anything and London said, “No, but we went to McDonalds!”  I’m glad she had a good time.  Once they were back, the kids sat outside and played with the worms.  When I said, “EEEEWWWWW!” to London, she responded with, “No, they’re cute!” as she watched one crawl all over her hands.  Funny girl.

While they were gone fishing, Kenton and Bree took Ashton and their other 2 boys to the Railroad Museum.  Ashton LOVED it.  He wouldn’t stop talking about it, he enjoyed it so much.

I had some old friends over to visit while we were in town too.  Some of them I had not seen since high school.  It was fun to see each other again.  Then, of course, we spent more time with family.  We took the kids to the park with Jana and Jordan and Mila.

London and her only girl cousin

The kids also spent some time helping Grandpa in the back yard, cleaning up the garden and building a fence.

Ashton dragged this thing all the way across the yard

They were pretty excited to have found a bird nest!

We had a great time and I can’t wait to go back again!