things I am looking forward to

I am a planner. Does that count as a talent? If not just remain silent because if that doesn't count then I'm down one talent and I can't really afford to lose my one and only. Anyway, I think it is important to always have something to look forward to whether it is a fun girls night out (we are watching twilight in a couple of weeks for ours), or a fun date or much more.... here are some things I'm thinking about.

**donating my hair this summer. I've always wanted to do it but dave has always talked me out of it. (he hates short hair). hair always grows back though .... and out of respect for dave I'll wait 'til after his fancy dinner in June. (so I won't look "ugly" in front of all of his colleagues!)

**a trip with dave in may. no kids. anyone know the city? (i wouldn't recognize it...) actually the thought of leaving alexey makes me almost cry. I haven't been on an airplane for almost 2 years. That is a really long time for me. For the last 10 years since I graduated high school I have made at least a couple of trips per year.

**using the gift cards that dave got for his birthday (yes, I'll share with him).

**going to wicked in august. I actually bought 20 tickets. (dave was pretty surprised, but didn't complain at all about that!) because the only way to get tickets right now is in a group or season ticket holders. So, I got 20 and then have been selling them to friends who also want to go to the show. So, local people, if anyone wants tickets I still have a few left!!

t-ball

Last weekend was opening day for t-ball here. Calvin has been very excited about starting t-ball and it has been great to have one of his school friends on his team (both for him to have as a friend and for me to have someone to carpool with)!

calvins favorite part of any sporting event is the cheering before and/or after the game!

It's a hit! I wonder how he can even see with that giant hat on covering his eyes

and he's off!! When he first hit the ball he just stood there watching it and then the coach reminded him to hurry and run to first base! He threw the bad down and took off.

dave cracked up when he saw this picture becuase Calvin is not even watching the game. He's just chillin' on second base!

running so fast! (watching Calvin, and some of the other kids, run is hilarious.)

coming in to home plate!

my child is the one sitting down picking grass. I am seriously worried that he is going to get hit in the head with the ball because he's never watching the ball.

He is on the marlins.

silly faces

Here they are all lined up shortest to tallest. Calvin is shortest! He was very excited to get the jersey that said #1!

star wars

The kids have really been into star wars. All the time they play star wars and like to watch it too! I hadn’t realized ‘til this week what great appeal it would have for both the kids. Calvin loves it for all the same reasons all boys love it….great characters to imitate, fighting with light sabers, etc. And, I was surpirsed to learn how much clare likes it...she gets really into it because there is a PRINCESS!!! Ha ha. Princess Leia. She calls her princess “e-ah”. Tonight she told Dave, “let’s play star wars. I’ll be princess e-ah. you be han solo. …… and you will love me.” Seriously got a kick out of that! I don't think she's picked up on that watching the few minutes she has seen but I am guessing that Calvin told her about it.

Calvin and Dave watched The Empire Strikes back a few days ago. When it was done calvin told Dave "there were 3 parts I didn't like. 1. when Han Solo gets frozen. That was sad. 2. when darth vader says luke I am your father. 3. when luke gets his hand cut off."

Calvin's sleeping habits

haven't changed much since I used to post them on my side bar last year. He wakes up most days between 3:30-4:30 am, at which point he goes to the bathroom and then I send him back to his room with a snack and a pile of books. Often he goes to the bathroom at 5am also. He isn't allowed out 'til 6am which I consider a reasonable time to get up for myself! Some days he goes to sleep during this time and other days he just stays awake waiting 'til 6am comes.

This week has been a particularly bad week for Calvin and me. He has been up at 3:30-4 every day and every day stayed awake singing, tearing his room to pieces, and playing loudly for the 2-3 hours 'til dawn. He has been IMPOSSIBLE to deal with. He didn't finish his homework most days (I DON'T BELIEVE IN HW FOR FULL DAY K KIDS ANYWAY), had several breakdowns in parking lots, at school and at home....has fought with Clare and me, cried over what was for dinner.... we have had a seriously bad week.

Until this morning. He got up at his usual 3:30 to go potty and then went back to sleep 'til 6:30.

I had almost forgotten what a nice boy "rested Calvin" is. He is a completely different person than "tired Calvin" and I am sorry to say that we see "tired Calvin" most often. This morning he played with Clare, ate 2 breakfasts, talked non-stop about many of his great ideas for life, walked himself to class carrying a heavy extra book (which I thought for sure I'd have to carry for him), put on his patch without complaint. I am excited for after school when we get to go see him again!

We signed Calvin up for a sleep study at the hospital. Not sure when it will be yet but after years of bad sleep for him and now that I am seeing it affect his school work and behavior I want to see if there is anything we can do for him.

Many days I think that I am just a terrible mother. Other times I think I'm crazy for thinking that my problems with Calvin have to do with sleep more than my inability to correct and teach him. But then on days like today, when he is rested and completely reasonable, I think maybe there is something more to it. Also, since I have two other kids who sleep well and act well I think that it can't be entirely my doing that Calvin is difficult. Actually Calvin is pretty remarkable. I am amazed that he can survive the day.

I hope this post doesn't sound too much like complaining. I don't mean it to be ... I just thought you might be interested in a sleep update.

Happy Birthday to Dave!

For Dave's b-day I planned a beach day. we tried to get some friends there but it was stake conference and most people couldn't squeeze it in. We are super talented so we were able to squeeze it in (and it helps that dave doesn't have a major calling and wasn't expected at leadership training). I'll have to plan antoher one soon.

When we got home from the beach Alexey was covered with marker. It washed right off in the bath. She had a fun day but all the sand, wind, sunscreen and sun wore her out!
(blogger won't let me cut and paste pictures any more so I am stuck with them in the order I download them. is that happening to you too?)

Dave is 30. He has grown a few hairs on his chest since I met him 11 years ago!

digging a hole. also a good picture of our favorite beach. Look at the beautiful cliffs in the background. I think there is really good hiking up there but we've never tried it. The beach and surrounding area is a state reserve/park. This year instead of getting zoo or sea world passes we got a parking pass to the beach and have enjoyed it very much.

Alexey had fun playing in the hole.

Alexey loved to get buried also. she was laughing here.

Calvin loves to get buried every time we go to the beach. But it does leave him completely helpless. Alexey was crawling all over him and laughing !!!

here he is saying, "mom, help me!"

Here are the girls in the parking lot when we first arrived at the beach. Clare loves to wear her swimming suit and was so excited that she could wear it. The weather has been beautiful!

30 things I love about Dave

1. He loves me -- nothing feels better than being loved and dave is great at always making me feel loved.

2. He is fun

3. He is happy

4. Has a great sense of humor

5. weighs enough that I will never weigh more than him (even when pregnant).

6. works hard

7. likes to read

8. a GREAT dad

9. is adventurous

10. and spontaneous

11. and cute

12. has beautiful blue eyes

13. is a doctor

14. likes sports

15. is nice

16. always the first to say I'm sorry

17. never forgets to say "I love you"

18. has a great family

19. does funny stuff to keep us all entertained. last week after returning from an interview dinner at the fanciest restaurant in SD, he asked me, "is there anything wrong with ordering milk?" "everyone laughed at me...."

20. does his own thing and doesn't worry about being perfect

21. will occasionally put his dirty socks in the laundry basket (hey, this is an improvement from never!)

22. likes good food.

23. is not a picky eater

24. not selfish

25. sings with gusto

26. always remembers our anniversary

27. always remembers to celebrate my birthday (even though most years he can't quite remember what day to celebrate on)

28. has a great memory and can recall books, sporting events, life events with complete clarity

29. never ceases to amaze me

30. doesn't take himself too seriously...can laugh at himself!