Summer Days

This morning we got a break from the hot and humid weather. We went outside to eat our popcicles that we made from here and it was so breezy and nice. The kids were actually a bit cold from the wind and the popcicles. But, I told them to take it and enjoy since it won't be like this long.
*ps- to those who commented on how girly Mallory looked in the last post - this is her first thing in the morning with crazy hair and usually quite dirty. And, Gage's hair always looks like a child who had scissors taken to him when he wakes up. Don't worry, I chase him around the house with a spray bottle and brush and at least get the rooster tail down in the back!

The older boys went out to collect bugs in their newly made t-shirts. In the spring we made ones with the iron on crayons, but after a few washings, they faded which disappointed the boys. This time I had them draw with markers on a sheet of paper. I scanned them in to the computer and then printed them out on the iron on transfer paper from HP. Much brighter and they love them. Plus, I don't think they will take a hit in the wash like the others did.

Pudding Pops

We attempted to make our own pudding pops today and lemon was first up. The boys want chocolate next because they weren't too impressed with the lemon. Mallory on the other hand, doesn't care what the flavor is. She just wants to eat it and even the stick. She screamed like a maniac when I tried to take the stick away even after the pop was gone. That's a girl for you or is that just a Mallory for you? I am sure I will find out in time.

Summertime

Going, Going, Gone

Let me preface this by saying this isn't my proudest moment, but one I want to remember (and learn from).

Last week I got quite frustrated with Gage. It was late at night, he shouldn't have been awake, but he just wouldn't go to sleep. Zane was at Scout Camp for the week and I had just had it. I said something to him which I am sure was not in a nice tone and he just stood there and stared at me. Then, he started to cry. He looked up at me and said crying, "you made my heart go away." Can you say crushed? And, I am not talking about my son, but me. I was so sad and I couldn't believe I was the source of not only a broken heart, but one that had completely left his body. It really was so sad to see. But, we hugged and made up and I had since forgotten that cute, but sad phrase until yesterday. Gage came in crying after playing outside with the boys. He was dripping wet and crying. Trying to catch his breath he said, "Trevor made my heart go away." I guess we all have the ability to do it to him and I felt bad again for this little guy because he was again so distraught. What amazes me the most is ability to go from such a feisty, energetic and slightly crazy guy to a tender hearted, sweet little boy who can easily get crushed. I guess the benefit of his wonderful personality is that he is as sensitive as he is outrageous. When it comes down to it, I will take the whole package and I will work really hard at not making his heart go away.

Finger Knitting

One day a friend came over finger knitting and I asked him how to do it. I liked it so much I made 4 that same day. And my friend conected his all togther and if u've been to are house it went from the fireplace to the top of the stairs! Then I taght boston then my mom! Want to learn? Click Here.

I Got My Apron

My apron from the Sassy Apron Swap arrived last week and I was so excited. I love getting packages anyway, but this one was especially fun because it was a surprise. You don't know who your partner is (or at least, who has your name) or where they are from. The woman that I got my lovely apron from is from South Carolina and her name is Jennifer. She made the prettiest reversible half apron with colors that I just love. She embroidered my name on one of the sides and told me that even though it's a half apron, she wears hers like a baby doll dress at the top so that she can keep more of herself clean. I love it like that as well as around the waist. What a cleaver idea. She sent a hand towel with it that she embroidered a flower on as well. What an amazing seamstress and person. Love it!

Something Exciting Planned

So, Trevor asked if we had anything exciting planned for today. I said, "No, unless you plan it." Well, it looks like he did, but he will never admit it. We were outside filling up the blow up pool just before heading to Costco when I realized that someone shut the door (it was Trevor) and the handle was locked from the inside. At first, I said, "who locked the door?" Trevor said that he shut it, but didn't lock it. I realized that I must have done it the night before. Then, as I went through the thought process of how the heck we were going to get in, I realized there was no other way. We hadn't opened the front door yet (it was about 10:30 am) and it had a dead bolt and a child lock. I hadn't opened the door out to the garage yet and it had a dead bolt and the knob was locked as well. Okay, I started to go around checking all the windows. Nope - they were all locked up. We were sure safe last night and I didn't even realize it. Okay, on the plus side, everyone was dressed (except for me) and fed so we could last a little while. I was determined to find a way in and not bother any neighbors and not let this turn in to a "thing." Well, 3 hours later - okay, let me back up....after carrying my kids around with me to 3 houses, we finally found our backyard neighbor home. She let us borrow her phone. Zane's cell was dead and he wasn't really available to come help anyway, but I still wanted to call him to complain. That was a no go. My mother in law was at work about 1/2 hour away and she really isn't supposed to leave because she is a house sitter in a model home. I did call her just to see if there was even a slight chance that she could save us. After thinking of a plan, she managed to get out of there and come to us. But, once she arrived, she realized she didn't have our key on her key chain anymore. I sent the older boys with her to look at her house for the key and just prayed the whole time that they would find it. About an hour later (it was probably just 45 minutes, but in this case I get to round up), they came back with the key. We were saved and I was so grateful to be back in this messy house. It was 1:30 so Gage needed food and Mallory was sooooo ready for her nap. While outside, the boys filled up the pool, they swam in their clothes, we played baseball, we swung in the hammock, on the swings, and dodged cicadas. We did just about everything we could possible do and even checked all the raspberry bushes for fruit with no luck. All in all, I guess someone had something exciting planned for the day, it just wasn't me.

Break Out the Blow Up Pools, Summer Is Here!

You know how it is in Kentucky...not too many privileged with in-ground pool access. So, we love our blow up pools. Since ours still needs a good scrub down, Boston had an all day pool party at Tanner's house and they both were so sunburned that night. I guess we needed to reapply more often. Zane will tell you it's because I am from California and think we all just need 15 to get a good tan, but really it's not. I do care about my kid's skin. Of course, I probably won't ever put anything over 15 on myself, but that's my problem. We have a lot of going no where planned for this summer (I guess it's more like unplanned), so we will be living in the backyard, at the neighbor's house, and around town. Anywhere that doesn't break the bank. So, blow up pools, here we come!

Framing It Up

Zane's company is building their first house. It's in Middletown and I would recommend it to anyone for purchase except for the fact that I don't want anyone moving out of our ward, so sorry. But, if you have any relatives or friends who I won't want to become friends with and might be moving in to the area, then it's a great house. Zane and his cohorts (Abe and Abe's brother, Dan) have been framing for about a week and it was so cool to see their progress yesterday. The lot that they are building on has room for two other houses, which are to come. Gage loved visiting dad and wanted to stay. Mallory wanted to walk everywhere, but with nails and red clay dirt, not the best for her.

A Pair of Pokemon

Yes, Pokemon is still loved here in the Underwood home. Something that I thought was just a phase back in 2003 with Trevor has remained strong in the hearts of my little guys. There was much resistance at first by me, but then as other things came (Yu Gi Oh!, etc.), I realized that Pokemon wasn't so bad after all. I found some Pikachu fabric on ebay and finished up their pj bottoms last night and they took them for a spin (swinging to be exact). Looks like they passed the test. Phew!

Happy Birthday Dad

It's my dad's birthday today and I honestly don't know how old he is turning. I know I could do the math, but I might even get that wrong. But, the one thing that I do know is just how cool my dad is. I love him so much. And, it may be hard to believe, but he is even funnier than me! Now, that makes for a great dad. Plus, he is supportive, kind, very loving, and great company to be with. This photo is from a Young Women/Father dance at the church in 1991 or 1992 (I am judging by my outfit on this one). We always have fun together. Love ya dad.

Poetry Reading

Boston on stage
Boston at the cafeteria in front of the Kenwood Tiger
Brock,Chaz and Boston
Jake and Boston
Boston's kindergarten class had a poetry reading this morning. They each read poems that they wrote. I was highly impressed by all of them (some more than others - hee hee) and it was so cute to see them up on the stage and talking in to the microphone. They all had them memorized. Impressive! They had doughnuts and juice afterwords and a slide show of photos of the kids throughout the school year. I was the mom who was crying and trying so hard not to. There was a photo in the slide show of Boston on the first day of kindergarten and he looks so young. I can't believe how much has changed in a school year. Here's Boston's poem:

HORTON
by Boston Underwood

Blue Hair
Black Eyelashes
Long Trunk
Big Eyes
I Know A Lot
Of Horton Books
That Are By
Dr. Seuss
I Love Horton

Family Vacation

Where did we go? Our backyard. What did we do? Hang out with cousins. Did they go to school that day? No! The cousins and parents came down for the day from Cincinnati since my brother had to work in Louisville for the day. It was a beautiful day and they spent most of it outside. It was one of the cheapest one day family vacations that we have ever taken. I highly recommend. Although, there was quite a lot of fighting between Boston and Trevor which gave me a glimpse in to my upcoming summer vacation with them. I have got to come up with a plan to avoid that and quick.

apron complete

I finished my apron for the Sassy Apron Swap and thought I would share some photos of it. It is reversible. The theme for the swap was summertime so one side has fabric with oranges on it and the other is made with Amy Butler since the girl I am giving it to loves her fabric. I hope she likes it - I am crossing my fingers.

Trevor's Knock Down Drag Out Tooth Fight

*Do not read if you are squeamish or do not like the words tugging and twisting when talking about teeth*

Do you think that teeth secretly want to stay in our mouths and perhaps, don't want to come out? I am thinking Trevor's tooth planned on being a permanent resident of his mouth and it took almost everything in the world to get that tooth out. We have been working on it for over a month. Zane would have me pull on it because I had smaller fingers and I would try my hardest (I was a bit squeamish as I did this) and it would twist and turn, but not come out. He would pull on it, we tried dental floss, and Trevor would give it his all at least once a day. Well, we ate corn last night and I am thinking that might have had a little bit to do with why it was ready to come out by nightfall. Zane, right before Trevor went to bed, gave it one last tug, and it finally let loose of it's cozy little spot in his mouth. Trever ran in screaming (an excited scream, not a tragic one) and couldn't believe it was finally in his hand. Whew, I am glad that is over and I am sure that Trevor is as well!

She's Walking....Almost

I've Caught Up With Them

Well, I finally caught up with the older boys as they ran out to play. They didn't get very far making the catching up with them rather easy on my part. This is what they like to do - collect bugs. They were collecting rolly poly bugs (we called them potato bugs) this day and they only found five. I think they could have found more if they would have dug a little further - ha - well five was enough and kept them busy for the afternoon.

Mother's Day

Yes, it's Mother's Day and it has already been such a treat. The breakfast in bed was the ultimate this year with Panera cinnamon sugar bagels, scrambled eggs, bacon, and a bowl of Kashi cereal. Yes, I shared with the troops because a) they expected it and b) that was a ton of food. I downed the chocolate bar given out at church while I was in the hall with Mallory during Sunday School to help me cope. And, now I have been served a Califonia Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza as an appetizer as the boys prepare dinner with dad. I have been given a fryer as a gift so that they can cook me some homemade corn dogs. While that may not sound very good to everyone, you have to know my love of corn dogs. And, not just any corn dogs. They have to taste like the ones that you get from the state fair or Hot Dog on a Stick. Yes, they have to be deep fried. And, so as I type on this computer, an attempt to mimic those famous dogs is going on in the other room. I am so excited. I thought I would also share these two photos of Gage taken yesterday. I was lucky enough to be an apprentice to the garage sale queen, Kristi, yesterday and I am still giddy about my finds. One of them was this stroller for Mallory which I was informed that every little girl needs and for $1 - Mallory was in need. Gage came in with it, with sunglasses on, and a baby on board to inform me that he was taking Mallory's baby for a walk. After I relented, I decided that the least I could do was walk with him to support him. Later, after wearing shorts that were a little too big all day, Gage came in with some new ones on. I kept looking at them and thought that they looked tight and a lot like a pair of girl's capris on him. Finally, I realized that he had put on a pair of Mallory's jeans and thought they were his shorts. I couldn't convince him otherwise because I think he was so happy that they weren't falling down that he didn't want to give them up. The snug fit felt good. Well, as long as he wasn't going out in them pushing the baby in the stroller, I was okay with it! Happy Mother's Day mom and Betty. I love you both!

Randoms

Yesterday in the car I heard Gage say, "Get off of me dirt. Get off." Then, about 5seconds later he said, "Oh... it's a freckle!"

Last night I told Boston and Trevor I bought them some fabric to make them each a pair of pajama shorts. Ya know, it's too hot for pajama pants in the summer and they tend to wear their boxers, which is fine until someone comes over or they get invited somewhere. So, I'm making them pj shorts. Well, I told Boston I got him some baseball fabric and he was excited. Then, I told Trevor I bought him camouflage fabric (I know - I never thought we would go there but they love it). To which Boston said, "Trevor, I am still going to be able to see your legs even with the camouflage." It's our family joke that whenever anyone has on camo you can't even see them. I just thought it was a funny response from Boston.

Hello Operator...

Gage is our operator here at the home. He is always (almost) the first to answer the telephone to which he says, "what is your name... I am Gage." Then he ALWAYS tells them that he has either Mario Kart Wii or Super Smash Brothers Brawl. When he talks about the game Super Smash Brothers Brawl, people think he is talking about my bra. So, that is when I quickly take away the phone to repair any damage that has been done. I just wish that he could read caller ID so that he didn't tell phone solicitors about what they think is my bra!