Too far gone

By that I mean, I am so far behind I can not possibly catch up. So let's just say my blog also had Summer Vacation! School starts tomorrow and this year we are doing things a little differently. I will be teaching Olivia at home for 1st grade. I am really excited to give this a go. This past week I have been busy getting the bonus room in our new house ready to go. Yes, new house, we moved. Sorry. Blog was on vacation.

Tonight I unpacked the last of the materials and we actually look ready to go. Olivia is very happy and this evening she reminded me to please wake her up, so she is not late. I love that girl. Claire and Paige are also excited to be learning along with sister this year. They are ready for Pre-School and I will include them in on lessons too. So let the fun begin!!

Things that go bump in the night

I just can't resist... While writing the previous post I was interrupted by a LOUD thud, followed by a familiar cry. I ran up the stairs listening for what room to run into... It was Claire. She obviously had fallen out of bed. I scooped her up rocked her for a bit and put her back into bed this time a little closer to the middle. Back down stairs I finish up my writing and no sooner than I stand up THUD, again. I rush up the stair to Claire's room but this time it's Paige! How crazy is that? Twins! They have to do everything together!

Talk about your bad hair day

These were my thoughts exactly as I saw this cat wander into my moms yard this evening. Olivia and I were sitting on the swing together enjoying the warm evening with our root beer Popsicles! We starred at this poor cat snickering as we tried to figure just what was growing off it's back! An animal lover from my younger years, and certainly no stranger to cats I felt for this poor kitty. We called her over

and she quickly responded. Right away we were able to tell that it was matted hair lumped up like some strange tumor. The kitty was very friendly and rubbing against us purring wanting to be petted. I am sure looking like that not many people have wanted to touch her!! Well we touched her, gave her a little love and she just ate it up!!! 'Olivia go get me grandma's scissors', she did. 'That's a good little kitty' snip, snip. meow. snip, snip. The mat of hair was so close to the skin, I was praying I wouldn't snip her! It took a lot of careful snipping, and petting, but we got the two biggest ones. But there were more... Poor kitty needed a good shaving, if only I had my clippers.

'Mommy, what does it mean when she moves her tail like that?' Olivia asked. 'It means she is mad. Want to get her some milk?' The milk worked for a while and I was able to clip a few more mats away, then as if clipping some strangers cat isn't enough for me I get the hair brained idea that she needs a bath! ( No pun intended!) Seriously I don't know why I do what I do. Maybe it was when I felt her paws and said 'hey she is declawed on the front and back!' You probably could have seen the light bulb above my head go off. I went inside and ran a warm sinkful of water. (The one in the laundry room mom! ) Now to get

the cat. I carried her into the house and put her into the sink. click clack click, I heard her nails hit the bottom! Yup nails!!!! Bad idea, I thought. I grabbed her scruff and tried to calm her as best I could with all my years of vet tech experience. I am sure you can imagine what that was like. She did surprisingly well, and I worked as quickly as I could as I started to realize that I just took a random cat off the streets and decided to bathe and groom it!!! LOL What would the owners think when there dear pussy cat shows up minus the 5 lbs of fur masses, and smelling like puppy shampoo, and an expensive conditioner? Seriously, I have out done my self with this one. Sorry Kirt I was going to mow your lawn but instead I bathed your neighbors cat!

Doesn't she look better! I am sure she feels better now that the weight has been lifted off of her back! How sick is that!

Toothfairy outed!!!!

Olivia finally lost her top tooth!! This baby has been lose for months. Her top gum is so bruised from her pushing it forward. We have been trying to convince her to let us pull it, to which she purses her lips together and adamantly shakes her head no. Today she was beaming when I picked her up from school. Proudly displaying a gaping hole she can probably eat through! Now that all her permanent teeth are coming in I tell her 'Now we really have to brush your teeth good!! No fooling around cause this is all we get! These first five years have just been practice!!' Such good motherly advice don't you think? Papa Mike has given me a stash of Sacajawea $1 coins for such a time as this. Tonight I planned to give her two! (Top teeth are worth more) I snuck into the room and so carefully slip my hand under the pillow.... no tooth! I was having a hard time trying to fish it out and on top of that it sounded like I was rubbing sand paper together, the dang pillow was so stiff when I slip my hand under it was like sitting her up in bed!! She stirred. I hit the carpet. I should have gone with my gut- "Get out, get out now!!! Mission has been compromised get out while you have the chance!!" I think I've got this, one more try..... Then it happened, her sleepy eyes opened she put her arm around my neck and smiled! Busted.

She's Ahhh-Mazing!!!!!!!!

This is Pat, my Mother-in-law. This picture of her was taken 5 years ago in Zions National Park right after she flew down the zip line! Yup, that's right the zip line! She is a go getter, she never sits still, and she gives so much of herself, to everyone and anything she does!

She was just recognized as "Garden club woman of the year", for the state of Idaho, pacific region, and National garden clubs! We are so proud of you!!!!

Award of Honor – Pat Baker
Our 2008 Award of Honor nominee, Pat Baker, joined a garden club just 7 years ago after she retired her Bon Voyage Travel Agency. Through her business, she met so many garden club members and decided she needed something to do with her time. She immediately jumped into action and volunteered to help in any way she could on garden club projects and right into chairmanship jobs. During this period of time, the Idaho Garden Clubs suffered a major financial crisis from a lawsuit. She came to our aid with several money making projects.
Since garden club members love to travel anytime, anywhere to see gardens, her first organized trip was to the Portland Rose Parade and Rose Show on June 9-12, 2004. She worked in all of the yearly plant sales to learn as much as she could about plants. She enrolled in the Boise State University Horticulture Program and worked in their greenhouses and their plant sale at the Idaho Botanical Gardens. The plants that did not sell at The Botanical Garden ended up at our garden club plant sale the following weekend which more than doubled our sales. She promoted our scholarship programs while there. This year the Southwest District was able to give three scholarships to Boise State University Horticulture students because of Pat’s dedication.
Having very little experience in garden club activities, Pat volunteered as the State Convention Chairman in June of 2006 when the state and regional conventions were back to back. She arranged a tour for the beginning of the regional convention to the World Center for the Birds of Prey with a patriotic tree planting dedication. The next morning she was organizing the sales tables and sold Red Hat merchandise, garden hats and gardening t-shirts for the Idaho Garden Clubs. It was one of the best Pacific Region conventions and a money maker for both conventions.
Because we were now in the black again, we were able to donate money to the Idaho Botanical Garden, Sawtooth Botanical Garden and the University of Idaho Arboretum and the CD’s for our President’s Travel and Scholarship.
Her biggest challenge became the Capitol Park Project. The last master plan for the current park was completed in February, 1978, and called for four diagonal paths crossing in the middle, a shrub border on one side and twenty-six trees. In 2007 the shrub border was gone, eighteen trees remain and the narrow path was well worn and cracked from age and being used as a short cut from the business district to the Capitol. Other than a few picnic tables, there was no seating and the park did not have any flowers or shrubs, only trees and grass. Starting with a grant from Principal Finance for $1,500, which she applied for, she turned it into a complete renovation of the park at a cost of $107,157.00. Some of the funds for the project came from a grant from the Neighborhood Reinvestment – City of Boise when she personally went knocking on every door she could which gave her $21,000. More than 700 feet of broken asphalt paths were widened and replaced with brick. Three Victorian Tea Parties, two gardening symposiums, plant and yard sales, sold pavers, granite benches, and a gardening trip to Canada, Victoria and the Butchart Gardens to name a few of her projects to finish the project. She enrolled the help of garden club members, friends and family to plant trees, shrubs, flowers and even lay sod.
The “Let Freedom Ring Park” as it is sometimes called was dedicated with a color guard, service men, the mayor of Boise, and members of the Legislature on May 30, 2007. Less than one week after the dedication, the park was vandalized. Plants were torn out and sandstone benches were pushed over. Again Pat went before our city fathers and asked for another grant for lighting in the center of the park. Between the grant, the Idaho Garden Clubs, Idaho Horticulture Society, and the Boise Parks & Recreation, two historical street lights were place in the park at a total cost of $12,950. This park is located in the heart of the city directly across the street from the Idaho State Capitol building. The park is a very popular place for meeting friends, having a picnic or just resting on one of the many granite benches. Members of garden clubs have planted red and white tulips which bloom in the spring. During the summer the gardens are planted with red, white and blue annuals. Garden club members are active in the maintenance of the garden. However, on many a day you can drive by the park and see Pat on her knees weeding the gardens. We as garden club members affectionately call it “Pat’s Park”.

Here is a look at "Pat's Park" in the making...

Gretchen nailed it when she said...

"You are the only woman I can think of who could ever accomplish so much and on top of that donate so much of your time and energy to your grandchildren, dad and your travels and your Brookside project! You are amazing!! We love you!"

Tagged by Leah McLean

At least I think I was, it said Melissa B. I'll just take any excuse to write about myself...

8 of my favorite shows: (I don't know about favorite, but for the time being here is what I watch)

1. Biggest Loser- I just love it! Nothing like watching people work out, while I stuff my face full of snack food!

2. American Idol- Only issue is that this is on during BL, so I have to switch back and forth during commercials.

3. Dancing with the stars- I am going to learn the venetian tango if it kills me!!

Seriously that's it right now!

8 Things I did Yesterday:

1. Running!! My new thing lately is running I am three weeks in and loving it! I love that I have someone to run with- That helps me to get out of bed before 6! Thanks Ciara!!

2. I did my homework for the Beth Moore bible study that I have been doing.

3. Took Aaron to get his 1 Yr. pictures at the Mall.

4. One of my favorite things- I snuggled up with Paige and Claire and sacked out!!! Must be the 6am run!

5. Went to the in-laws for a fabulous Salmon dinner!!

6. Dipped Strawberries in Chocolate with Grandma and my girls!

7. Got all the little ones to bed....

8. Enjoyed my husbands company!

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1. I am going to Utah to see my sister Graduate from College! Woo hoo!! Go Danielle!

2. Driving there with my sister!! I've missed hanging with her since I started working.

3. The Twins starting school!!

4. Moving! 4 more months, 4 more months, 4 more months 4 more months

5. Sleeping out on the trampoline this summer with my girls!

6. My husband being all done with going back to school... Love you babe!

7. Having good health insurance... Although Praise the Lord we have all been very healthy!

8. Jesus coming back! Self explanatory!!! :)

8 of my favorite Restaurants:

1. Chen Mai- Oh my I love it I love it! Green Curry, Mmmm, and the peanut broccoli spinach one!

2. Cotton Wood Grille - It's been far too long!

3. Mai Thai- I like Thai

4. Sawadee- I like Thai

5. Chapala - The chips keep the children busy for hours

6. Smokey Mountain - Brie Kiss here I come!

7. Angell's - cause sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name... (or use to)

8. The Griddle - I eat here the most because I work there! Because I work there I can't leave it off my list! Best Crepes!

8 Things on my wish list:

1. I wish I didn't get tired when I ran!

2. I wish my kids while brushing their own teeth, could do a good enough job so I don't have to help!

3. I wish that Todd and I could go on a long Vacation together!!!!

4. Heck I would take a vacation with the whole family right now!!

5. I wish that the budget I was just put on would go away (not really baby, I am loving it )

6. I wish I didn't own a mini-van, BUT I am thankful for a vehicle we can fit the whole family in.

7. I wish dinner would just cook itself!!! I think this one is my favorite!

8. I wish number 7 would come true!

8 people I tag:

How about anyone who reads this and has a blog! That should almost be 8 :)

Last but not least!

The youngest member of the Baker family celebrated his first birthday on April 10! I am the youngest, and growing up I use to love looking at family albums. I remember feeling bummed that I didn't have a baby book. I would look through my sisters, read the cards, touch the lock of hair, the bracelet and wonder why didn't I have one.

Now that I am a mother of 4, I know!!! I applaud my mother and all mothers who can complete one! This is a seriously difficult challenge for someone like myself who is not well organized, a procrastinator, and um let's see, freakn' busy!!!

I did try though! I have (somewhere), a record book with all the details from my first child, the hospital bracelet, maybe even a lock of hair...maybe! With the twins it was all I could do to write down what day or close to it, new milestones that occurred, with Aaron..... all I am really sure about is that at 4 months old he had the chicken pox! What kind of mother am I anyway!!!

What I do know about Aaron, is that from the moment he was born he has been deeply loved by all the "mothers" in this house, and also his father. He refused to stay little long! Being born at 7lbs 9oz. He lost a little weight before we left the hospital. When I went back for his 1st dr. visit, you know, they like to have them back up to birthweight, well he shattered that, weighing in at 9lbs!!! At 2 mo. he was already 26in. which was the max length for his car seat! He has been the most content baby, through all the situations we have had him in. Even with the chicken pox in 90% humidity! He has been a blessing and has completed this family, except for MAYBE a small dog that we MIGHT get WAY down the road when responsibilities can be shared.

Here is a brief look through the fist year of Aaron Paul...