It FINALLY came out!

I am speaking of Jared's tooth. He has had a loose tooth for over a month now, so long that the other tooth was actually already coming in. Every time I would go to try and pull it out, I would have to threaten him to stay still, but could never get a good hold. Finally today I told him it HAD to come out. This is his first tooth that he has lost (my kids don't lose teeth very easily)even though he is in 2nd grade. So he was a little nervous about it. Today I had to bribe him to open his mouth and let me take a peek. Luckily I move quick, I reached in and snapped it out before he knew what happened. Poor kid, will he ever trust me again? In the end, he was happy to finally have it out so he could collect from the tooth fairy.

The Invitation

On Thursday mornings I have been going to Jared's class to help his teacher with odds and ends. I did this for Bennett's teacher last year, so I told Jared this would be his year. After I was finished last week, the kid's had left to go to lunch, I went by the luchroom to say goodbye. I told him to have a good day and started to leave. He then piped up, "Mom you know you can have lunch with me." his neighbor affirmed this, "Yeah you can, and it doesn't cost much." Jared then asked me to have lunch with him. I felt bad but had other things on my agenda for that day, so asked if I could join him the next week. So today when I came he asked if I was going to have lunch. I told him yes, and his bright blue eyes lit up and smiled that smile of his. As he trumped off to lunch, having been chosen the leader of the line that day, I called to him to save me a seat as I finished what I was doing. I came in and noticed him shewing the other kids away from "my seat." The menu consisted of lasagna, salad, roll, and for dessert curious george fruit snacks. (Ah the memories) The conversation consisted of what would be played at recess, and what items on the tray they didn't deem as edible. (I had brought my camera, but when I turned it on, I got the dreaded, change battery pack.) Tonight we went to pack meeting. Bennett was getting his Wolf badge, it was hard not to compare the things I would do for Pack meeting when I was Committee Chair and the things they did now. I haven't been able to go to Pack meetings because of my commute to Salt Lake. My beloved Book Club was meeting tonight in Salt Lake (we've been going for 5 years) but knew how important to Ben it was that I be there. After Pack Meeting I was invited to Bunco, so I was still able to get some girl time in anyways.

The Nature Club

Every day Jared comes home breathless (from riding his bike home fast) "Can I go play?"
"Do you have homework?" is my response. This usually leads to some negotiations. "Can't I do it later?" (him) "How about one page now and one before dinner?" (me) little pout "O.k. why not all of it right now." (me) "o.k. I'll do it" This is because he always wants to go meet up with his buddies at the Nature Club(which used to be the Book Club). This is a tree that is located at the church at the top of our street. It is called the Nature Club because they like to make things like slingshots, but it has to be done all out of nature. I asked if I could come by and check the place out today. I was shown favorite spots to sit, the best swinging off a branch area, and cubby holes they stash their treasures. I was just informed that the current project is collecting fallen branches to make a raft next week. I'll let you know how the maiden voyage goes.



Bennett in his favorite spot

Today I put the finishing touches on my Halloween decorations, I also got some "good mail"
My mom and dad sent a beautiful carved witch and cat, and my sister sent a witch barbie doll. This is all to celebrate that it's witches time again. In the past we have been able to get together and attend Gardner Villiages "Witches Night" but again this year we won't be able to make it. So last year some sent Witches packages, and the tradition continues this year. Can't wait for the other witches to get what Jenn and I sent. I'll share it once everyone has gotten it. Here's some pictures of my decor this year.
I love the bats!
Good mail from my parents
good mail from my sister

Goings on and other trifle information

Holy cow can you believe I'm actually blogging again? I don't know what's wrong with me! Just thought I would share how happy I am that it is Friday (o.k. Tuesday, but in my work world it's Friday)
and "I'm leavn' on a jet plane" back to my family. We have been having so much fun together lately. Things are crazy as usual and I do have my mommy meltdowns still but life is so good and hey my favorite month is just around the corner. I actually almost cried when I had to leave Sunday night for my commute to work in SLC. I think I need to go on a trip to remind myself why I do what I do. Thank goodness Disney is only two weeks away! Maybe I can sneak in a side trip to Seattle. Boys update: Ben and Jared are currently playing in the flag football league, they look so cute in their jerseys. Isaac opted out of sports this year, but I think we will hopefully start him in swimming soon. Libby update: I was released from YW's a couple of weeks ago and in a moment of sheer panic (what to do with my time?) I volunteered to be Jared's room mother and at Isaac's middle school (yes he is in middle school here) I volunteered to be in charge of their value treat days (which of course is turning out to be more demanding then initially led to believe) but I love going to their school and hearing the whispered "That's my mom" and then the pointing finger and the giggle (o.k. that's jared, Isaac just smiles and says hi to me) Oh I also got a gym membership for my b-day, and am a new avid lover of SPINNING! Yep Katie the bug has bitten me too. Which means as usual people are trying to get a hold of me and only get my voicemail which leaves them constantly saying, "you are so busy" "Yes, yes I am and it makes me happy!"(most of the time)

TRUE COLORS

Last weekend I went to a great class that my Relief Society had. A friend of mine, sister teaches about how you can have a closer family and be more charitable by understanding each other. She calls it, "Family Color Works" basically the concept isn't new. We've all heard at one point in time "What color are you?" It's a little different then times past. She says that by knowing what a persons color is (or personality) as well as whether they are an introvert or extrovert, you can be more understanding and charitable (not get so impatient with them, instead you can say "Oh I understand why you are acting this way) She taught a section on how to determine what color you are and then how to determine what color your kids are, so you can try to be a better parent,spouse,friend, etc. I found it really interesting. She also taught how to deal with the "stressors" that come with each color type. For example, I found Jared was an Orange. One thing that will stress a person who is orange out is a time limit. They like their freedom and if you give them a time limit, it doesn't go so well. Jackson likes to call out time limits especially when getting ready for bed and Jared always melts into tears. Poor guy. So now we know we need (and when I say we I mean Jackson) to handle it a different way. Go to www.familycolorworks.com to determine what you are. (if you are an introvert be aware that your first color is usually the color you hide, the second color is the one you exhibit.) On this website it is for determining 10 and up. For kids she has a little bit different method, but you can still figure it out from this info. I found I have a very colorful family:
I am a blue/gold extrovert
I'm still working on Jackson I think he is a green/orange
Isaac is a blue/orange extrovert
Bennett is a gold (boy is he a gold!) green/ introvert
Jared is an orange/blue extrovert

One thing she did advise us is to be very careful about determining someone elses color. Just because someone shows traits doesn't mean there motives match the color.
Happy color hunting!