up on my soapbox

On Friday night we went to the girls school carnival. We were waiting for Maggie's turn to sing Karoke on stage with her friends. As we were waiting, a 3rd maybe 4th grade girl gets on stage and sings "I kissed a girl" by Katie Perry. I don't listen to this song, nor will I ever let my kids listen to it, but I have listened to it all the way through, so I'm very aware with what the song is all about. If you don't know, take it from me, it is not appropriate for a elementary child to be singing karoke to at a school function. Now, I was already upset that at the Summerlin easter egg hunt, they had a DJ and he had the nerve to play S & M by Rhianna. Another terrible song that is very inappropriate for children. So I was pretty fed up, and went up to the lady in charge of the karoke.--she was hired out, so she wasn't part of the PTA or anything. I said,"this song is totally inappropriate for a child to be singing or listening to!" She agreed with me, and said "I know, but that's what kids are listening to these days." I said, "not my kids! In fact, if this song ever comes on the radio, it is immediatly shut off!" THen I said, "do you know what this song is about?" I then explained it to her, and she said, "well that's what she wanted to sing and I asked her if her mother said it was ok and she said it was, so we have to let them sing it." I said, No you don't! I don't see any mothers signing wavers saying that it's ok for their children to be singing naughty songs." Then I said, "someone has to stand up for morals here, and you are the adult in charge and you have control over what songs are in your computer, and if you agree with me then this song should be removed or not allowed to be played at an elementary school function. She just kept agreeing with me, but I think I took her off guard. I said I was going to complain to the principle about it, and she said I should. She kept agreeing with me, but I don't think anyone has ever approached her about this before.
Now I don't want to be the mom that spoils all the fun for everyone else because I complained about something. e.g. Whomever complained about "God" being used in Schools and so now half the schools in the US won't to the pledge of Allegience. I'm not saying take the karoke away, I'm saying please play appropriate songs for children. There are plenty of fun hip hop, rock, songs that don't involve sex. So.....Owen says I need to be the PTA pres, I say no way. But I am going to write a letter to the Karoke company, and the Summerlin council regarding to type of music they play at family functions. Maybe a 3 year old wouldn't care, but I have a 10, and 8 year old who understand lyrics, and I don't want that kind of influence on them thank you very much! Now I'll get off my soapbox!

We're still in Vegas!

SO....these days, all I get from most people is "have you guys decided where you are moving to yet?" The answer is NO! Owen will grad in less than 2 months and no we don't have definite plans yet. We do have plan B though, and that is to stay in Vegas working for Absolute Dental--(Owen has been moonlighting for them through his residency)--until we find the fit we're looking for. I'm ok with it. Is it the ideal situation? No. But it works. It's good money, and it gives us a chance to explore a little more, and not settle for something we don't want. Owen on the other hand keeps pushing me to move to Yakima, but I hope he knows that deep down I wouldn't be happy there.
So, for now, we're here, we like it here, we're close to family, and maybe next year we'll take the big plunge and move to NC, or Georgia like we've talked about. By next year, he'll have been out of dental school 5 years and then he can get licensing in those states. Stay in Vegas permanantly? Never say Never right? But...we'll see.
Here are few past months happenings and then an update on each person.
Drew just finished t-ball which he loved! He did awesome too! He is still in tae-kwon-do though and loves his teacher Mr. Pino.





The kids went to this rediculous easter egg hunt that Summerlin hosted. That had a hunt for each age group. They basically dumped a rediculous amount of crap on the baseball field and then it was a free for all. My kids came home with so much crap that I told them I was going to write the Easter Bunny and tell him not to come this year. Thank goodness they had other activities there like a petting zoo, but I don't think we'll be going next year. What ever happened to hunting for hidden easter eggs? They threw stuff like cheese and crackers and fruit roll ups and hula hoops. To me, it was way too much for the kids--they don't need all that and Maggie even had her basket knocked over and some kids came and grabbed all her candy. Heck the older kids came with pillow cases! Greedy if you ask me! Miles petting the goat


Can you believe all this junk food?

WE went to Utah for Spring Break. Owen had to study for boards so it was just me and the gang. It was rainy and cold almost the whole time we were there, but we still had fun hanging out with Gammie and Maria and her kids. It's always fun to go home and go back to all those familiar places we used to go to. My kids enjoy it too since they lived there for a year. Took the kids with Maria to Classic Rollerskating. I hadn't been there since I skated in 5th grade with Adam Dayton to Careless Whisper!

ALways have to go to our favorite resturant Brick Oven!
It was a cold day at the zoo, but that meant the animals were active--can you believe how close this gorilla got to us?
We went to JCW's with Maria and her kids. I still can't believe Training Table was taken over by JCW's. training table will always be a childhood memory.

Kids in their Easter get up

Maggie is squinting in this picture. She had a red teary eyew which was VERY sensitive to light for over a month. We took her to the Dr. and they said it was just allergies. We finally took her to the opthamologist and she had a foreign body. She is better now, but she thought she had some kind of alien in her eye--I guess that's how a 10 year old percieves it when you tell her she has a foreign body in her eye.



A very windy and unusually cold Mothers Day. Woke up to everyone wanting to shower me with gifts, and then it turned into someone got their feeling hurt, kids were fighting about who got to sit where on the bed while I opened presents and then very irreverent children during Sacrament Meeting. And Miles was in the foyer! I'm talking about the 3 older ones! Who expects a perfect Mothers Day anyways?

Update:
Holly--still crazy as ever! I've been trying to lose weight and was doing awesome until Miles got a verbal warning from the gym that if he hits, pulls hair, or bites again, he'll be suspended for 30 days. Mortified, I've decided not to even risk it and try to work with him at home so he doesn't get permanently expelled. Can you believe this? I seriously don't know what to do with this kid. I know everyone tells me it's a phase, but we can't even have playdates, or make new friends at the park because he beats up on everyone who's smaller than him. So.....for now, he doesn't go, which means I don't work out like I used to. Occasionally, Owen will be home and I go, but I'm too tired by the evening, and not an early morning riser. But...I have to be. So that's my goal now--go to bed early, and wake up and go to the gym before Owen goes to work. I used to do it all the time when I live in Philly, so there's no reason I can't get going again. My problem is that I'm a night owl. Always have been . I like to stay up late and have quiet time to myself. I know if I go to bed, then I'll wake up and the madness will start all over again. I have to though. I miss working out so much!!! I miss body pump and running. come back to me please! We all know around this house that when mama doesn't work out, she aint happy!
Owen so professional!
---Trying to finish up grad work.--big paper coming up that's due, and just took boards which he was studying non-stop for. Going to NYC in a couple of weeks for the pedo conference where he'll be presenting his poster at.(you suck!) SO, SO jealous! Got to get me some NYC soon! I was going to go with him, but I want to have fun, not get dragged around to boring conferences all day. Soon, I hope. Last day of residency is June 30!
Maggie--Finishing up 4th grade this year. Loves, loves, loves her teacher Ms. Ponte! Star student, and always aiming to please. Student council this whole year and was selected for a candidate for the National Honor Society next year, but was VERY disappointed that she didn't get it. Only 2 from each 4th grade class were selected.
Audrey--cute as a button and easy going. Loves school and wakes up before anyone in this house! Loves her teacher Mr. Huff and is excited that he's moving to 3rd grade next year and wants him again! Who knew that she would like a man teacher? Owen just recently pinned her down to take out one of her teeth that was starting to look infected. We gave her ample time to get it out on her own, but she didn't comply and so don't mess with the dad that's a pedodontist! She was fuming mad and locked herself in her room for a while--but then got over it. Audrey and her friend Haley
Drew---Getting bored of being home with mom all day. Tempted to put him in full day kindergarten next year. It seems like everyone is, but it's an extra 325 a month, and I'm not sure I'm ready to have him gone all the time. He is my little buddy, and he and Miles are starting to play well together. But he's ready! He is reading a lot already.--books we're talking, not just words.
Miles--well, we all know what he's doing(read above) but I have to say, he's a little sweetheart too. He kisses all the time--I'm thinking I get about 25 kisses a day from this kid. He is starting to talk a lot and I love how he putters around the house making little motor boat sounds. He answers with a "what?" when called by name, and makes a slurping sound when he wants something tasty to eat. But....the last 3 weeks of church, we have been late. Why? he got into something RED 5 minutes before we were to leave for church. I think it was red crystal lite for 2 weeks and then red toothpaste last week. And it is everywhere! especially on him! oh, and last week it was also the whole tube of cream all over his body, in his hair and on the floor. oh, I'm so done with toddlers!
Here he is trying to plant a kiss on me. THis is a normal site at our home. He just gives random kisses. So loveable!