Where is my little Brandon??

From this: To This:
Two weeks ago, Brandon walked up ready to go to church and I gasped as I look him over and realized he had completely outgrown his church clothes that were only a few months old. He looked as though he was trying to wear Dylan's clothes. Brandon has been growing like a weed lately. Every time I see him, I think he is bigger. At the beginning of the school year he was a size 14. He is now a size 18. His goal is to surpass his Aunt Devyn who is two weeks younger then him and taller than I am. I have included a picture of him with his new church attire - so handsome. A few months ago he complained his shoes were too small. We went to get new shoes and I don't know how he was even fitting them on his feet. He had gone from a mens shoe size 7 to a 9. The cleat's I just got for him for Lacrosse was a 9 1/2! Randy and him wear the same size socks even. It is so unbelievable to watch him grow up so quickly. From his school picture at the beginning of the year to now he has changed so much from a boy to a full on teenager. Randy and I are having fun with Brandon's new teenage adventure. We are riding the ups and downs of the teenage roller coaster with him

- We love you Brandon.

Riley Happenings

Riley is growing and changing so fast. Everyday we seem to notice different things. She likes to clap her hands, mimik the boys, and say "uh-oh" when things drop. She is so pleasant and enjoys sitting and playing with her toys. She especially likes to take all her toys out of the basket they are in one by one. I have attempted to attach video so those not around locally can see how we see her everyday.

Spelling Delima's

I keep trying to log into this blog and apparently in typing and spelling I keep getting the word "review" incorrect and so it kicks me out. The problem is that this has now happened to many way to many times to mention. You would think I would figure it out. Spelling and vocabulary has always been something I have struggled with. I feel so embarrassed when my kids ask me how some words are spelled or what things mean, and I sit and think, then give my answer, then add "or maybe" til finally we are on dictionary.com to figure it out. Or if I am proofreading a paper and circle a word for them that is misspelled, and it turns out they were right all along. I love the spell check feature - a definate "hurray" for whoever invented that feature. However, it is still not perfect. I will never forget when I turned a reimbursement request letter in at my job some 14 years ago. I had to write a brief description of the class I had taken and it had to go the the board for approval. After submitting the letter to my boss, he came out and asked me to change all of the course to coarse or coarse to course (obviously I didn't learn) because I had it incorrect throughout the entire letter. Uggggg. Talk about feeling and inch tall. Anyway, I am hoping I correctly spelled "delima" in the title of this post - I guess if not you get my point.

Diapering Etiquette

Randy and I decided to spend some family time at the Franklin Institutes's "Body World's 2 and the Brain Exhibit." It was quite eye opening and indescribable. Our entry time was 6:30pm and we had about 20 minutes until we had to get in line, so we took the time for everyone to use the restroom, Riley included. Well, I had just been in the restroom and there didn't appear to be any changing tables (Not that I like to use them anyway they are so filled with germs). I had the stroller so it was going to be a quick wet diaper change. I selected a corner away from everyone, it even had a little covering to the side. I had Dylan stand and block the only part of the stroller that may show I was changing a diaper. I was so surprised when I found that Riley had not a wet, but very messy diaper, running all up her back. Great!!!! Well just as I am realizing this, a gentlemen walks by and he is staring quite intently walking slowly by and then turns and continues to study us. He then approaches and asks if we would like a room to change her in to make things easier. How nice....so with Riley half undiapered - exposing all, trying to cover her up as we stroll her unbuckled laying down, mess all over (oh, right about now Randy walks up wondering what is going on) down a hallway through double doors, into an elevator, down to the first floor to a family restroom. Oh, did I mention he stated that "Riley needs to learn to cover up" while we are walking. Then he tells me always to try the first floor for these bathrooms and walks away. Oh.....I was completely embarrassed, a little humiliated, just wanting to disappear right there. Randy in the elevator asks, "wow, you are the one in trouble and not me?" To which I could only chuckle and say yeah, I guess I am. So finally about 20 minutes later, Riley is changed, cleaned up and new. We were able to walk up just in time for the exhibit - not exactly the time waster I was thinking of. Apparently changing a diaper NOT in the restroom is not proper when in a museum. I am sure glad I am learning this now and can pass this knowledge on to everyone.

I had a similar experience with this type of diaper on an airplane mid air while flying out west. There was no way I was going to try to change that in a tiny restroom. So Dylan was my table and Brandon helped with the extra hands I needed and we got the job done right there in the seat. Randy was dying in the aile seat across from me, the teenager behind I think was a little grossed out too. I guess I am getting brave in my old age with child number three. I will make my apology now to anyone I have offended while changing a diaper and will use better etiquette in the future.....depending on the situation that is.

Bakugan & The Savior

Dylan and I were driving in the car today and he tells me that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are like two characters from the Bakugan cartoon and that another character is like Satan. Then he explains the about some of the other characters how they are us and the battling that goes on and how we can turn to the Savior and he helps us like one of the other characters. At first I was taken back at the analogy, then as I thought about this more, I was in awe that he saw the sybolism and the roles that the Savior plays in our lives (even if it was being compared with Bakugan). I was totally impressed and let him know how darn cute he was. I will definatley take all the positives I can get.

Science Fair

So, Dylan really wanted to participate in the Science Fair this year, so we agreed. Total procrastination, but managed to pull it off in the end. With all this Swine Flu and colds, etc, and the fact that I have to continually remind my kids to wash their hands, we decided to do the project on bacteria in the home and the effect of cleaners. Take a look at the pictures below. I promise I clean my house regularly. The effects of the cleaners: soap and water - unreadable results, Bleach spray cleaner, Lysol spray, and Fantastic were all effective against fighting bacteria. Vinegar not as effective as I thought, but I think that something went wrong with that test. I will still continue to use vinegar in my starilization of things - my family just loves that smell....hehehe.

The following pictures are not for the weak stomach :

It totally makes you want to bleach everything in your house. Good job Dylan!

I have joined the blogging world

Okay, so I have joined the blogging scene. Ally Howell & Madison have inspired me to do this. I have been avoiding this because it seems like one more thing in my crazy life to do. I have realized lately however, that I need to start enjoying life more. I think through blogging maybe I can find myself again. I think I have been lost for too long, and now is the time to move forward. I will apologize in advance for all the spelling and grammer errors - not my strong points at all. Watch out blogging world, here I come.