Moments

This week has been full mostly of non blog worthy material. Day to day stuff that defines what our life is really like but nothing exciting to the world at large. But I think I will blog about the moments I remember from this week because life really is more about the moments than the events.

Warning: this will be random and not even remotely connected.

One day Alyssa and I sat on my bed looking at some old pictures. There was one of Seth's mom in front of Small World at Disneyland. Alyssa said, "hey mom do you remember the time when Alex peed all over Kelly on Small World". We laughed so hard we cried. Two years ago we were on Small World and Alex had to pee. It is a long ride and I did not want an accident that would force us to go home or walk around with peed pants all day. Alex was in the back row of the boat with Kelly. I was a row in front of him. My mom suggested that we have him pee over the side of the boat. I could just see myself getting arrested for that so I was trying to think of a better plan. I told Kelly I was passing back one of Chloe's diapers and she could hold it up for Alex to pee into. Gross, I know, but we were stuck! Now if you have a little boy you know that if they really have to go they will start to pee the minute their pants come down, so she needed to have the diaper armed and ready. She almost made it, but not until a good hearty splash soaked her pant leg. It was awesomely hilarious! I was so happy to be reminded of it.

One morning Alex woke up sobbing because he had a dream that we went on vacation without him. I expected Seth to tell him to be tough, but he hugged him and assured Alex that we would never do that. And you thought I was the only one who couldn't leave the kids behind.

And speaking of leaving the kids behind, we went to Alyssa's school concert this week. She sang this year. The first year she went up on stage and faced her back to the audience, the second year she played her kazoo but didn't sing, so we are making progress. As I mentioned, we don't get out much without the kids. We left them with our friends, the Hawleys, during the concert so it was just me and Seth sitting together. Apparently he thought that meant we were on a date and whispered a not profane, and totally Mormon appropriate, but still suggestive comment in to my ear. I quickly pointed to the video camera that the dad in front of us was holding up on his shoulder. We had a good laugh imagining them going home and watching the concert and hearing some pervert in the backgroud.

Alyssa had lots of funny moments this week but I fail to remember many of them. I do remember her telling me that a girl at school was mad because she thought Alyssa called her bossy. Alyssa explained the schoolyard drama in these words, "I agreed that she was bossy but I never said that she was bossy and she has no evidence to support her claim."

She really should be a lawyer. Need more evidence?

Alyssa also knows how to play other people to get what she wants. This week while we were driving to the grocery store Alyssa was playing a game. She would call something out and you were supposed to raise your hand if you agreed. Like, if you like Burger King...etc. Alex kept telling her to stop talking but she wanted him to play so she went with something he couldn't resist...."Who wants to live with Mommy forever?" His poor hand involuntarily shot upward..."Who wants to marry mommy?" Hand held high and shaking in the air. Poor kid just can't deny his love for me even when his sister is annoying him. Alex's Oedupis complex flared up several times this week, but one example is enough for now.

Alex made Mother's Day gifts for me at school and forgot he was supposed to keep it a secret. When I asked him what he did that day, he slipped up and said that he had his picture taken. I asked why and he said, "uh... I don't remember.... I mean, never mind no I didn't".

Chloe has discovered the girly joy of dress up clothes.

Alyssa has been saving money to buy The Princess and the Frog, but on Wednesday she asked if she could take her wallet to school for candy sale day. I told her that she needed to decide if she wanted to use her $7 she had worked hard to save. She took the wallet. This was the first time she had ever tried to save up for something. I let her make that choice. She came home with this...

Daddy's favorite, Mommy's favorite (or one of Mommy's many faves) and Starbursts for Chloe and Alex. Have you ever seen anything sweeter?

I bought three color change hot wheels at Target this week. Isaac had some while he was in town and my kids loved them. They sat and played with them for HOURS at a time. They even got creative and started painting designs on them with the hot and cold water. All I had to do was keep the hot and cold water bowls filled. New toys are the best...for three days until they are no longer new.

When it got serious and paintbrushes came out I realized they each needed separate bowls.

Raisin fingers=lots of fun!

We went out looking at garage sales on Saturday. Sometimes we do that just to get out but I don't think we have ever bought anything. I am really weird about used stuff so I can never seem to make a purchase. We are looking for a used food storage freezer though, but not having any luck. Anyhow, we still like to go wander around and see what people have out. Yesterday someone had puppies. Only one was left, for $400. Alyssa gushed all over the poor thing. When we walked away she burst into tears of heartbreak. She bargained for hours...she would clean up the poop, she would clean the house, she would eat less candy...and on and on and on...

So we came home with....

A new bike for me. You didn't really think I bought that darn puppy, did you? I have wanted a bike forever. I haven't had one since junior high. Seth recently had his 10 year anniversary at Discover Card and could choose a gift. I convinced him to choose a bike so we could all ride together. He just got his and I was jealous, so we headed to Target and got one for me. It is my Mother's Day present. I know it is a week early but we couldn't remember if Mother's Day was this week or next and the weather was nice so we wanted to ride.

We also got this...

And it was USED (clap for me for conquering OCD) from Craigslist. And we set off on our first ever Johnson family bike ride. Alex and Alyssa still can't peddle very fast, and need training wheels but we will get there. Two minutes in to our ride Alex turned too sharp and flew, body and bike, down a ditch and under an enormous evergreen tree. Two seconds later, Alyssa did the exact same thing. Two munchkins and there bikes were completely hidden beneath this tree. I had to dig them out and dust them off, all while trying not to laugh. One cried and threatened to never ride again, the other dusted off and got back on the bike. I'll let you figure out which was which.

I had a blast and only wished my kids would peddle fast enough to that I could ride without the risk of tipping over from trying to go slow enough to keep pace with them. After 20 years it seems that riding a bike really is like, well...riding a bike.

I noticed lots of little moments this week. Lucky for you I failed to write them down and can only now recall a few. I must get better about documenting the things that make me laugh, and cry and notice God in the world around me. You thought I already wrote down every thought in my head, but alas there is SO MUCH MORE.

And there is a glimpse at the utterly mundane but totally REAL Johnsons in Wisconsin.