Chuck-A-Rama

It is funny how one person's greatest dream come true can be another person's greatest nightmare. Today is Lindsey and Emily's birthday. 10 and 8. I feel old. This year it is a family party, with Emily's baptism to come in the next few weeks. Since Grandpa and Grandma are in Costa Rica and they usually bring all the fun to the party, we had to come up with plan B.
Plan B includes Chuck-A-Rama. Their greatest dream. My greatest nightmare. Grandma took the girls there a few months ago and ever since they have been dying to go again. They could not believe that there was a place to make and eat as much ice cream as you wanted and when Emily discovered the endless supply of mashed potatos and gravy she was sold! When I suggested we come up with an activity to do together as a family they came up with Chuck-A-Rama. I couldn't see the activity in that, but they convinced me that walking around looking at and eating a lot of food constituted as an activity. Hmmm. Since I am a team player I said "why not" out loud, and in my mind said....."oh no, no, no, no, no!"
Birthday morning girls anticipating the all you can eat dinner at the end of the day. Seriously. Birthday presents followed by "when are we leaving for the activity". aka Chuck-A-Rama.

We finally made it and settled in. Emily chose the end so she could make frequent visits to the buffet.

Grace thought it was great. Emily kept her supply of finger foods going the whole night.

"pretty sure this is the best activity ever!"

We paid 5 dollars for Tyler to eat green jello and 4 dollars for Eliza to eat cucumbers and ranch dressing. Super!

Emily ate six plates of food plus dessert. She went to lay down on the bench and knocked her rootbeer float onto her head. She was not impressed.

Mom and dad laughed the whole time because:

1. Their joy- eating endless possiblities of food.

My nightmare- having so many choices not being able to eat anything (hence the green

jello fiasco)
2. Their joy-eating as much as they want and getting it themselves (Emily strategically placed

herself for optimum eating.)

My nightmare- children crawling all over the place carrying heavy plates of food, on their

own, by themselves, through a restaurant.

3. Their joy-Doing it all by themselves.

My joy- letting them do it (gulp.)

We had to give Emily a barf bag on the way home. Lindsey declared that she was SO embarrassed by how the little kids acted. Ben and I laughed because the whole night was so comical. We sure feel lucky to have these five little ones. Don't worry we gave the waitress a BIG tip to clean up after us!

These are the faces of two people who made it through an all you can eat buffet with five children with only two drink spills and one plate drop on the floor do we look crazy? Yup we are!

Happy Halloween from the brownie bytes!
And of course from the crayon teachers at Washington Elementary school. Let me know if you want my autograph I can scribble it in red for you!

Coming attractions:

Arches

Lindsey and Emily's birthday!

be SMART

Fall has arrived. My windows have been open for two days! Gracie can't get enough of the cooler weather and escapes every chance she gets!

We started the summer off with stitches. Why not Fall? Emily's little run in with the gate (the gate won). Different eye. Different direction. 5 stitches. Hooray!

Today I had a meeting with my Principal. We discussed what my SMART goals were going to be for the year.

Specific/strategic

Measurable

Attainable

Results-oriented

Timely

The goal I set in my mind was, "get the kids names in my class right. " I have two sets of cousins this year who look remarkably the same and two boys with almost the same name. In fact, I confused the boys names the first day of school the WHOLE day and neither of them said anything. They just looked at me like I was crazy! Of course I told my Principal a different goal because there is NO WAY I want him to think I don't know the kids in my class. In my defense...I do...They look A LOT alike.....and I am pretty sure my mental capabilities are shot because I have 5 kids...not that I am making excuses or anything...never. I am pretty sure that this answers the Specific part of my goal. I just hope that it is Attainable.

While I was folding laundry tonight (because that is what I do on Friday night, sooo glamorous) I thought about SMART goals I should set at home. This is what I came up with.

1. Remember my own kids names (you know what I mean, LindseyemilytylerelizagracieImeanben.)

2. Take care of my families laundry better. I come from a long line of women who get their whites really white. Every summer my mom would purchase homemade soap while we were in Canada and attack the soles of our socks. You never ever went outside with just socks on. That was like breaking the ultimate rule at our house. It's not so much a white thing as a take pride and take care of what I have thing. Clothes don't have to be so expendable. What I have taken from my moms white white socks rule is the lazy mans way out. Chuck them. Buy a new package when I have to go up north, then they are always white. Rinse and repeat. As we speak I have several white items soaking in buckets of BIZ on top of my washer. Go me! That was Attainable and Measureable.

3. Be more patient for the Timely things to happen. They will. I just have to be patient.

4. Finally, cancel dish network (really this time) Does anyone else out there think that the Disney Channel has turned into MTV for children? I will miss Phineas and Ferb. The rest can just GO AWAY. I am pretty sure that this is Specific and I will see immediate Results.

And this my friends makes me SMART!

Inspire me...what are your SMART goals? Give me ideas!

In case you were wondering

Back in school! Welcome to Mrs. Brown's University! 5 cases of Mono...yuck
4 missing pictures of kids on the first day...darn computer

streptococcus Tyler

Dear Bloggity Blog,

We have strep. A whole lot of strep going on at our house. First the mom, then the kids. Poor daddy has had to be Mr. Mom. I think he will be glad to go back to Mr. Dad. The crazy thing about this round of strep, Tyler once again didn't have any symptoms. The docotor said that sometimes in families one person will never have symptoms but will still have it. Thus never being treated and spreading the germs around again and again. WHAT! Who knew the reason we always had strep was because of tiny Tylers lovely kisses. If you have ever had the pleasure of experiencing one of his smooches you know what I am talking about! Can you say typhoid Mary?!

Break out the Avagard and clorox wipes

love,

the mommy

Sunday Evening Silence

One more Sunday down, thousands to go. Oh my. I am tired. In case you were wondering, school starts in two weeks. HALLELUJAH! Summer swim is over. The best part about it....Tyler's tiny swim trunks ( you would not believe how small they are!) You gotta love swim cap goggle smiles. SOOOOOO attractive!

When I lay in bed at night I think of really great posting ideas then when I sit down at the computer I forget them all. Oh well I will try again next time!

To the people in CANADA.

Dear tourists,

Puhlease bring us back our favorite candy bars...you know what they are! Don't disappoint. Oh yes, one more thing. Gracie is walking.

Toodles,

the bytes

We have always said she should have two birthdays!

July 6, 2009
We're home! Last NICU photo!

I walked in the door tonight carrying Gracie on my shoulder. Earlier that day my mom had reminded me that today was the one year anniversary for bringing Gracie home from the hospital. During some quiet moments that I had this afternoon (while my kids were at the pool with my neighbor.) I thought about last year. What was going on in my mind, and how we ever survived. I think about "last year" Andrea and wondered how I ever came home and took care of such a fragile infant. I know that I did it, but can't imagine how. My mom reminded me how in tune Ben was and still is to Gracie and her needs. If it wasn't for the spreadsheet he created I don't know how we would have kept track of everything. He always knew what she needed and when. What a difference a year makes. Just like all the other milestones we hit, I say again "we did it!" She is talking and getting ready to walk and looks like a string bean, there is no meat on her bones! What a lucky family we are to get her and be able to reflect on the greatest blessings we have been given. One year ago today I carried her through the door all snug in her car seat. Overjoyed and overwhelmed at the same time. What a great combination of senses to have to really make you aware of your surroundings. And perhaps the best coming home from the hospital birthday present I could receive...(besides Grace, my family, my health, you get the picture)...getting to teach school again! I received the official word today! Hallelujah!!!!!

26 activities/104 days of summer vacation

There's a hundred and four days of summer vacation, and school comes along just to end it,
So the annual problem for our generation is finding a good way to spend it, like maybe...

Getting Stitches
Playing superheros

Swimming for the first time

catching fish

Playing Rock Band

Watching outdoor movies

going to the zoo

Playing with cousins

wearing matching shirts

posing next to gigantic snakes

building new swingsets

having bird funerals (you were a good bird Jasper...for two days)

Playing at the water park

wearing sun hats and teeny tiny swimming suits

Posing with cousins

eating uncrustables at the pool

wearing goggles and a swim cap for the first time

tanning with shades

floating with momsplashing around

selling lemonade at 8:00 in the morning

having BBQ's with Idaho cousins

enjoying hotdogs

enjoying cousins

sleeping in back yard tents

watching movies

So as you can see, there's a whole lot of stuff to do before school starts this fall. So stick with us cause' the Brown's are going to do it all!

Postcards to Norway

Airmail:
Dear Mom and Dad,
We are having a good time in Utah here without you. Today we went on a hike, had a picnic, and played in the sandbox. When we got up this morning we sure liked playing with Tyler and Eliza outside. We hope you had a great flight and that your feet didn't fall asleep. We just finished dinner and get to watch a movie outside. Tell Grandma and Grandpa we love them.
We LOVE you...more tomorrow,
Caden and Ellie

Schools out!

Dear Summer,
We are ready for you! Schools out and we are ready to play. That is after the trip to the emergency room for stitches! Poor Em for falling off the stool. Poor sister missionaries for walking into the bloody mess. Poor me for telling them I am not less active (although I laughed to myself about it!) Bring on the flip flops, sunscreen, and 115 degree weather. We can take it. You can find us at the swim meets on Saturdays and the rec center every other day of the week. Well, as soon as the stitches come out!
love,
the bytes

house cleaning

Why babies are better than roombas: They are a lot cuter to look at.
They generally smell pretty good.
They make nice smacking sounds when they find something especially pleasing to eat.
They are not scared of eating bugs (like I am.)
When they run out of batteries they are easy to recharge with a nap.



Roomba, not to be confused with Zumba, which is also pretty great!