Sick Days and Flying Whales!

Sierra has had strep throat this week. It's been awesome. For some reason my children really like to contract strep throat, or what's more realistic is that Mr. Strep really likes my children.

This is not a comforting thought.

We have learned how to prevent the spread of Mr. Strep, although preventing it all together is still a mystery.

Prevention involves a mask, a can of Lysol, and antibacterial soap.

I am lucky that my 10 year old will wear the mask. But, I will admit it has it's limits: She wasn't too thrilled having to wear it into Walmart to get her prescription.

Sierra is at that age where looks are starting to mean something. She is still at the beginning stages of "what I look like matters" though. This explains why she gets upset about wearing a mask into Walmart and PJ's into Chick-fil-a, but I still have to fight her to brush her teeth or comb her hair. I kinda can't wait until it all mixes together. I hope one day she will be upset because she didn't brush her teeth or because she didn't have enough time to do her hair.

Oh Wait! Yes I can! I will wait! I will wait and wait and wait.

For now she is still my little girl and I will take all the time in the world with that.

Logan on the other hand is my little ball of.......Logan.

Right now Logan's major food groups are Gogurts and Ice Cream Sandwiches. If I can sneak in a tablespoon of Peanut butter I consider myself a success for the day. Small miracles people.

Anyway, a few weeks ago he really wanted a net from the $1 bin at Target. Never mind it was Pink and in the shape of a heart. He knew what it was for:

Yup! That's Logan! You know the two of them really need to start taking this show on the road.

I think I'm on to something.......

So, to recap: We defeated Mr. Strep for the 100th time, Logan learned how to make a Killer Whale Fly, and I am now learning all I need to know to become the manager of a 3 year old and his stuffed Whale toy.

Take that CDC, Sea World, and Hollywood! :)

Post Script

You know you use a phrase too much when your 3 year old proceeds to use it in everyday language.

Logan has identified ours.

It appears to be an over use of "P.S."

Here are Logan's recent examples:

Logan: "Mom? Can we go outside to play?"

Me: "Logan, did Sierra ask you to come and ask me that?"

Logan: "Yes! {Pause} P.S. Chloe is here."

Later that night:

Paul: "Hey Logan! How are you? (while opening fridge to get dinner)"

Logan: "Great! Dad, did you bring home a new car?"

Paul: "No! I didn't buddy, Sorry about that."

Logan: "Okay!, (points into fridge) P.S. No more ohgurts!"

Who knew post scripts could be so funny?

Sierra in Wonderland

This year as a 4th grader, Sierra was able to participate in her school's choir. She loved it! As we move to the new school next year she has already said that she is excited to participate in that choir as well. Although, with a last name like Ostler this shouldn't be much of a surprise! :)

This school year the choir performed "Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr." Sierra landed the roll of a cards man, specifically the 3 of hearts! She even had a line: "Not me your grace, the ace, the ace!" She also had to memorize a number of songs and dances. I was so impressed with her performance. She didn't skip a beat or miss one step. It was delightful to see her be so committed to something and to perform it perfectly.

YOU ROCK SIERRA!!!

Here are some pictures of the night.

Sierra on stage with Tall Alice and the other cardsman...singing "Painting the Roses Red", she is on the right hand side, second back! ( the 3 of hearts)

Last Song, "Alice in Wonderland"

Sierra and her classmate, David, who played the Mad Hatter!

Funk

This is where I am currently...

....right now...

In a FUNK.

I ask myself daily, "Self, how'd ya get here?"

And, more importantly, "Self, how ya gettn' out of it?"

( p.s. when talking to yourself you do not have to use proper grammer.)

It's the kind of FUNK where it feels like I do a ton of stuff but nothing important gets done.

I always feel behind.

It's the Fred Flintstone FUNK.

I'm running as fast as I can...and yet....I am going no where.

I'm ready for summer.

I'm ready for Disney.

I'm ready for this FUNK to be over!

Memories and Music

While driving around town today I was jamming out to an old Shania Twain CD. Specifically the song "Any Man of Mine." While listening to it I suddenly had the memory flood back into my mind of being 15 and in Amanda B's car. We were cruising down Hwy 6 in Houston, windows rolled down, screaming this song at the top of our lungs. We were POSITIVE that this was indeed how all relationships with boys needed to be. I remember many talks with Amanda B. about the boys we were dating, and hoping to date. Life was good.

That memory started me thinking about how songs can jerk you back to another time in your life. I have even heard a song and had not only the memory, but the feeling I felt come flooding back. I decided it would be interesting if I tried to list some of them out on this blog. Here are the ones I can thing of.

The Eurythmics: "Sweet Dreams"

Pink Floyd: "The Wall"

New Kids on The Block- "Hanging Tough"

Bryan Adams: "Everything I do...I do it for You"

Aerosmith: "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"

Sammy Kershaw: "You are the Love of My Life"

Alanis Morissette: "You Oughta Know"

Richard Harris: "MacArthur Park"

Eric Clapton: "Tears in Heaven"

Bonnie Raitt: "Luck of the Draw" album.

Sheryl Crow: "All I Wanna Do"

Plumb: "In My Arms"

This is just a small list, but it shows how powerful music can be. Everyone of these songs has a memory attached to it. I'm not going to bore you with them, and some are too tender, or sad to share. The point is I love music. I love to listen to music. I love to find new artists, and new songs to listen to. And, if you haven't heard these before, feel free to click on the links to listen to them. They are pretty awesome! :)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

"There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman." -Elder M. Russell Ballard Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom, Lori! My Mom-in-law, Jan! My Sister Erin! My Sister-in-law's, Emily, Elyse, Rachael, Jacquie, Brooke, and Somber! Happy Mother's Day to my Great-Grandma Van-Buren, my Grandma Coombs, my Grandma Scovill, and my Grandma Baird! Happy Mother's Day to my Aunts: Lori, Terri, Natalie, Sherri, Annette, Kim, and Mel. Happy Mother's Day to all my cousins, way too many of you to name!!! :)

and, Happy Mother's Day to all of you my dear friends!

You are all righteous women who have inspired me to be better than I was yesterday, and to try harder for tomorrow! For that, I love you!

Have a WONDERFUL MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Potty Wars!

Logan and I are currently engaged in potty wars.

It's not violent, it's more a war of wills.

So far Logan is winning.

It's merciless.

He's taking no prisoners.

I am trying everything.

I am currently giving him a puzzle eveytime he sits on the potty. He doesn't even have to produce anything. Just sit and sing, "Wheels on the Mack," Our Mighty Machines version of "Wheels on the Bus." It's a sweet deal. He had earned 4 puzzles in 2 days. I thought maybe the winds had shifted and I was becoming victorious!

Until last night.

Paul: Logan are you going to start using the potty?

Logan: NO.

Paul: When are you going to start using the potty then?

Logan: UMMMMMMMM.................6 weeks.

I'm marking my calendar.....