Happy Birthday, Tennille!

Tennille turns 6 today and Tate turns 3 weeks today....I am guessing her best gift this year is that baby! She begs to hold him constantly, she takes liberties like standing up and walking around with him, she lectures her siblings on how to hold him properly, and everytime someone has the camera out, she must be photographed with the baby.
Ignore the mess in the background!
Here she had a drink beside her, the t.v. on, and talking on the phone while holding the baby. I swear I don't know who her role model is!
This was supposed to be just a picture of the baby...but Tennille saw the camera and had to get in there!

Dave is ready to send me to parenting classes.
Last Saturday, Dave was getting ready to chaperone the teenagers at our church on a temple trip. As he was tying his tie, he looked out our bedroom window and said, "People are already getting here, how early are they?"
Tennille jumps up on my bed, peeps out the window, sees some people coming up the walk and questions, "WHAT THE HELL?!"
(I was rocking and nursing the baby...doing my best to avoid a reaction.....and was doing fine until I saw Dave's reaction.)
He mouths to me: "What did she just say?!"
I just nod my head and look the other way.
Dave: "Aren't you going to say anything?!"
Me: (I swear I am so juvenile....I cannot say anything because everytime I try to say something, I start laughing and I definitely don't want her to see me....because I am now laughing like I do when watching crazy Joe Dirt...)
Tennille skips off to see who is at the door.
Dave: (He is such a school marm.) "Did she just say H-E-Double Hockey Sticks?"
Me: "No, she said hell."
Dave: "Oh, my goodness. You are out of control. We will have to discuss this later."
Okay....yes.....I have been know to be somewhat of a potty mouth.....suffice it to say, I would be quite comfortable in a room full of sailors.....but I am working on it....especially since I don't want my daughter to be kicked out of kindergarten for profanity.
However, can I give her a gold star for her vocabulary comprehension decoding skills?

Unfortunate Conversations...

Okay, the pictures don't have anything to do with the blog posting....but must be posted anyway. Today is my due date....so glad we had him early and that my recovery is coming along swimmingly, so glad he is here and healthy...
So glad this baby's brothers and sisters still love holding him....yesterday I made Parker and Riley late for school so they could hold him while I gathered laundry and scrubbed down the kitchen...and showered :)
We are in absolute mourning now that my mother has returned home. She is such a big help with all of us... car-pooler, dinner cooker, Tennille-playmate, shopper...the list goes on and on. It is more bearable knowing we will see her again in two weeks.
Sigh....of course, this picture is perfection.
Okay, enough of the bliss....
Bryce comes home from school this week:
"Mom....I had some time at school and decided to google your blog..."
Me: (slightly panicked, trying to remember what I have written and if it can be held against me) "Oh?"
Bryce: Yeah. And you should know that fluid and acid are the same thing, so I don't know why you would blog about that.
Me: You really should not read my blog....its private.
Bryce: I especially loved the "Jr. High Conversations"
Parker: (paranoid because he is the only one going to jr. high so assumes it must be about him) "What jr. high conversations?! WHAT DID YOU WRITE?!"
Me: (ignoring Parker) Bryce, my blog is like a journal...you really should not read it unless I show it to you.....private.....very private.
Parker: WHAT DID YOU WRITE?!
Bryce: So....private journal...that you happen to post on the internet for the world to see?
Me: (WHAT?! Since when did my airhead child turn into a brainiac?!) "Bryce....I type those private thoughts as a service project for the young mothers so they can know what to expect when their children are older...if they are lucky enough to have children like you."
Parker: WHAT WAS WRITTEN ABOUT JR. HIGH?!
Riley: I know how to get to your blog....easy.
Me: That's it.....no reading my blog unless permission is granted...I am going to have to rethink this.

2 days later....a very disgruntled Riley....probably mad because I made her hair too poufy...the Marcia Brady wanna-be ridiculousness must stop....anyway, after pouting for several minutes, she pulls out the dagger...
Riley: And I am going to read your blog.
Me: (in mock horror) No! You are not!
Riley: And....I am going to publish a post....that says you are the meanest mom ever.....and I am going to sign it....from her very mad daughter.
Me: You mean you are going to blow my perfect parental front?
Riley: yes, people should know the truth.
(All this because I gave her a fabulous hairstyle?! As much as she wants to, she will have to wait to be a "mousy don't" until she moves out of my home!!!!

Loving The Baby...

Is he not the sweetest baby in the whole world?! My sister made his blanket and this is one of the rare times he was sitting by himself. I am starting to think he will not walk until he is three or so because his feet will never touch the ground....there is always a line of brothers/sisters waiting to hold him.
Also one of the few times his eyes are open. He mostly just sleeps and eats. He has a quiet cry and doesn't really fuss unless he is hungry or cold. While he refuses to sleep in a crib....he sleeps with us and only woke up once last night.
Yes, he is perfect.
Except that he is losing too much weight. Down from 7-12 to 7 even, I now need to supplement him after each feeding....and take him in for weight checks.
Having a section is a way different recovery than a vaginal birth....was not fully prepared. I think I have weaned myself off the Darvacet and am now on to Ibuprofen. We love having my mom here. Last night she and Dave made our favorite fried chicken dinner....she introduced us to a new game (Apples to Apples)....and set everybody up with IBC rootbeer and popcorn.

A Few More Pictures...

Wednesday morning....leaving for the hospital. Thank you to Heather for keeping the girls, Bryce went to wrestling, and Parker went with us. (My last day of being pregnant!)
The kids all call their place in the "holding line"....
Tennille tends to sneak more turns than anyone else....she adores that baby. Of course, the kids were a lot of fun when they visited the hospital... pushing buttons, playing with the remotes, visiting the floor's kitchenette...I think their longest staying time was one hour....at that point, I wished them all the best and sent them packing.
Tennille is smitten.
Going home! Yes, I wore the same outfit out that I wore going in...

Tate Addison Bode

We are home now....for those of you who don't know, the doctors I see for the diabetes decided that the baby should be born sooner rather than later....so amniocentesis on Tuesday to confirm that the lungs were developed, and I was sectioned on Wednesday.
I will write more and post more pictures....but for now, I am happily overdosing on Darvacet....so I am going to lie down.
The baby is sweet, he looks like Bryce's newborn pictures, except that this baby has strawberry blonde hair, will be interesting to see if he keeps it... all of my children are fighting over who can hold him next.
Oh yeah...7 pounds, 12 ounces...20 inches...3 weeks early.....hallelujiah, my mom should be here anytime.

Weekend Ramblings...

So, I go to download Bryce's picture and this....among several similar others....are on the camera. No one did it. (I love when my kids take me for an idiot.) If you look closely, you will see half a shoe at the bottom....with a foot in it. The other kids just look away smiling, knowing that one day Tennille will also realize how many "Law and Order" episodes I have watched...can't put the big stuff past me.
At least she was busy practicing her swaddling skills.
High School Wrestling has begun. Bryce (in blue) does look impressive....but I swear, sometimes I wonder if I am just raising eye candy with that one. He gets on the mat...the match begins...this is a match among team mates, it decides who will be on varsity, who will be J. V. Okay, so back to the match beginning....Bryce has muscles I didn't know he has, they popped in his arms, his thighs, he looked intimidating...the boy he is wrestling was older than him but Bryce beat him several times in jr. high....anyway, long story short, Bryce was pinned in the third round. And to make matters worse, when I see the opponent dressed in regular clothes...he is totally wimpy looking. What gives?! So, after paying ridiculous Mahomet sport fees, (for every sport, not just a one-time fee), and then shoes, warm-ups, etc... I now have a child who will be basically "red shirting"....meaning bench warming for the season. WHERE IS THE PASSION?! And I am saying this because I don't think he cares. While a freshman, he looks older...so the juniors and seniors have claimed them as his own (not a good thing....), and he is far too cool to care about winning, he will just sit on the bench, chat up the superstars and drink his gatorade.
And, you might think, "well, at least you've got that 'my kid is on the honor roll' bumper sticker for him....No, you are mistaken. If boys can be airheads, I've got one.
I was explaining the process of an amniocentesis to the kids(Bryce just did a unit on reproduction, I studied with him forever, he actually did well....so my line of thinking is I will bring him into the discussion as an 'expert'.)
Me: So they will put a needle into my stomach and draw out a sample of what, Bryce?
Bryce: I don't know.
Me: yes, you do....the liquid that the baby floats around in....you just did this in health class.
Bryce: no.
Me: starts with A? Ammmm......?
Bryce: Amnesia?
Me: hopefully just in my mind: "where in hell's bells did that answer come from?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
Me: No Big Guy....amniotic _______?
Bryce: Acid?
Me: (By this time, I am completely done with this child) FLUID!! FLUID!! AMNIOTIC FLUID!!
Bryce: Fluid....Acid....same thing.
Me: (I have nothing left to even respond with.... I must go watch SuperNanny and see where I went wrong.)

Two Weeks From Today...

Is that the most perfect foot ever?! Michael Angelo could not have done a better job (although those tootsies are Sistine Chapel worthy!) Everytime the sono lady tried to get a good 4d picture of the baby's face, he immediately put his hands in front, so after several minutes of trying...we settled for the foot.
The growth sono is reporting the baby weighs now at 7-3...he is 36 weeks now, will be delivered at 38...so I am guessing birth weight will be around 8-5. I was given all of my pre-op papers yesterday and am getting ready. We finally went out last night to get some things for the baby. I spent the first half of this pregnancy in denial and the last half too supersticious to purchase anything. So, we ordered the stroller/car seat yesterday morning...Parker made the final decision after reporting he would not be caught dead pushing the stroller I picked out. (I promise it was tres chic!!) Then, we went and grabbed diapers, wipes, onesies, sleepers, etc... I think we can now make it at least through the first week or two.
Yes, I am smiling for the minute, but truly I cannot wait to get out of the moo-moo dresses. I feel like the very pregnant farm animals who just want to lie in the mud and never get up. Oh, and by the way, if you want some attention...be hugely pregnant and go to your freshman son's winter sport kick-off....I felt like I had a scarlet "P" on my shirt....I have never seen so many averted glances in my life.

Beauty School

Ladies, this is called "picking your battles"...At 8 months pregnant, I am far too tired to care about too much. This is Tennille in full make-up on her way to school. Actually, she lined her lips pretty well...
Since school began, she has kept a ruby red lipstick in her backpack that she refreshes as needed. Her teachers are so used to seeing her with it that Tennille in full drag does not phase them.
Typically, I put my foot down with the clothes choosing thing....but even that is becoming more relaxed as my stomach grows. Last week, she put on blue/pink striped leggings, aqua mini skirt and some t-shirt that did not match. I would have taken a picture to post but could not bear to save for posterity. I sent a note in her backpack for her teacher:

Disclaimer....
Tennille picked out her own clothes today....very painful for me to look at....keep in mind how pregnant I am....hopefully will not happen again.
Sincerely, Kim Bode

Her teacher must want me to have a nervous breakdown because after reading the note, she called Tennille over and told her how great her outfit was.....what in hells bells was that?!....y'all think I am kidding when I say the universe is against me... and, of course, Tennille came home beaming.
As soon as this pregnancy is over, I will be happy to report that Tennille's "I-am-a-Russian-orphan-and-no-one-loves-me" look will be over because I am bound to have more stamina then.
Until then, I see more disclaimers in my future.

Here's To Dave....

Christmas has come early for my hubby! This is the blog he wishes I would write.....you know what I am talking about....those Christmas newsletter types where little Susie donates her hair to locks of love and Jr. puts out the neighbor's fire to save the day? Okay, Dave, keep dreaming....here's your perfect family....
The above picture shows how much my family LOVES reading scriptures!! While I lay on the couch drinking Diet Cokes and watching MTV's "The Hills", those whippersnappers will just start reading and sharing on their own! Gotta Love 'Em!
Where is Parker you may ask? Why, absolutely not in a time-out doing penance for something ridiculous....I am sure he was raking leaves for the old lady across the street....that little imp just loves giving service...especially if it means he can put on his scout shirt in the process!




Oh...here is that choice spirit, Tennille....she is just so excited for homemade pizza night! She adores helping out whenever she can, Mommy's Little Helper is what I call her! So sweet she will give you a toothache!
Oh yes, I had to throw in one more picture...here is Bryce, that darling...I swear the boy runs home from wrestling practice just to crack open the homework. In fact, I tell him, "relax, have a piece of fruit from our table centerpiece and then we'll study together." Where is that bumper sticker showing the world my kid is on the the honor roll? I'm sure it is coming soon, must be in the mail...

And please, folks, disregard anything I might have said in the previous blog regarding the primary program being anything other than fabulous....those little Celine Dion wanna-bes are more than special spirits....they are just wondrous lights that made the rest of my day happy and joyful.

Primary Program Yesterday....

So...the children's program presentation was yesterday...and I had lots of thoughts to jot down....but since reading my last blog (and hearing what I might write), Dave has put me on "appropriateness alert"....he feels that many (including him) will find me offensive and has basically starting chanting, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all..." Whatever. Although... it does give me flashbacks to my childhood...my mother always said the same thing. I wonder why that saying always comes back to haunt me.
So, for now, I will bite my tongue on the 'super-freakiness' of yesterday....
but I must add that had my nursery children been invited in the program...they would have sat beautifully and been the stars of the show.

Jr. High Conversations

Yes, Young Mothers, you must read...but the conversation is not for the faint of heart....

Let me first preface by saying conversations with me are pretty much an open door for my children...with the exception of my non-talking teen and in his case I have to pull teeth to get information, which I do....the others tell me anything from school stuff, to what friends they like or don't, to questions of any nature....I am pretty much like a textbook and comfortable...I think the key is pretending like the conversation is not shocking you when inside you are screaming, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" By the way, this is simply not something my husband can do. He blushes, he mumbles, he looks the other way avoiding all eye contact and never does answer the question...which is why they come to me.
So, young mothers, be prepared...I'll give you some examples from last year when both boys were in jr. high...we had the "oral sex" talk... of course it was brought up at the most opportune time. All of our family was in the car when Parker asked what was a blow job because a friend had been suspended for having one in one of the gyms. Bryce didn't ask but looked up in interest. (Try to imagine Dave's face at this point.) So, with the girls in the very back seat and the speakers loud back there and muted in the front...we discussed. By the end, I also had to throw in my spin on girls who offer their services in that field...and ended with would they want to kiss any girl who put those body parts of other boys in their mouths? At this point, I think Dave was about to faint.
We have also had the lesson on douches...as in "what is a douchebag because they call people that at school?" Again, go with the flow, speak clearly and act as if you are explaining how one would tie their shoe.
This morning, it was just me and Parker when he said he does not like a particular P.E. coach...I don't like him either and since Parker no longer has him, I somewhat validated his feelings...and then Parker adds, "yeah, everyone calls him Uni-Ball."
Me: "huh?" In my head, I am thinking, "surely he did not mean where my brain is going...he is much too calm and comfortable in this conversation with me....he must mean Uni-Brow and I am hearing things."
Parker: They call Mr. _____ Uni-Ball.
Me: Why would they do that? (Again, surely thinking it must be that he is possessive of his basketballs?)
Parker: Because he only has one ball, everyone at school knows this.
Me: Parker, I am sure this is not true.
Parker: Yes, it is...apparently he was climbing a flag pole, slid down and one of his balls went right into his body and stayed there. (Again, I apologize to the faint of heart, but I am just giving some preparedness to the young mothers out there.)
Me: Parker, that would not happen....besides the testes make fertility possible, he most likely would not have children and we both know he does.
Parker: yeah, that's why he only has girls...because the ball that produces boys is gone.
( I must add this is said with extreme sensibility and matter-of-factly.)
Me: no longer able to let the ridiculousness continue...PARKER! ALL JR. HIGH KIDS ARE COMPLETELY LAME AND RETARDED!! (Yes, I know...highly offensive, politically incorrect wording) THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE AND IS SO ABSURD I CANNOT DISCUSS IT.
Parker: Mom, everyone knows it's true, in fact there are pictures illustrating it all over the bleachers. Gotta go, I am late...will you wash my soccer shirt today?


( I am trying to think of how stupid I was in jr. high...but I certainly could not have been that stupid...)

Nothing Better To Do....

Tennille adores her Halloween party favors....loves putting on her glasses and fangs...however the fangs have quietly made it to the trash can... because how germy can you get?
How lame can I be? A month ago, it was decided the boys were having an activity at church that they would need refreshments for....did I think that I might be feeling slightly large and over-pregnant?....no, I volunteered for them....so this morning, three pans of different brownie varieties later....I believe my volunteering is now null and void....if I have told any of you that I will do something, consider me insane and ignore me.

One Month....

Whoo-Hoo! As long as everything with this pregnancy goes swimmingly, we will be holding our baby one month from today. This week, my doctor scheduled my section for December 2.
Another whoo-hoo....my mother will be able to be here....and our friend who is a midwife thinks she can be at the birth....and another friend will come to take pictures....so hopefully I have arranged enough witnesses to ensure that my doctor behaves competently!

Pumpkin Carving

Dave is out of town for ten days...I came home after substituting the kindergarten class from hell, thanks to the teacher's lack of direction and clarity...and I am not kidding about the day gone crazy...I think the most mild thing was one child who kept calling, no make that yelling, that his classmates were "CHICKEN BOOTY".....my sciatic nerve was having a party on my back and legs....so I laid down on the couch, popped the pumpkins in front of my kids and told them to have a good time.
Since Parker had carved one earlier in the week, he was the mentor...which of course he milked.
Once Bryce realized he would be cleaning out his own pumpkin...and not wanting to get his pretty hands knee deep in pumpkin guts, he opted to paint and not cut at all.
I also used that time to pull out the Halloween care package my parents sent us. Even though my parents live a state away, they work hard to remain a presence in my children's lives (and the lives of my sister's children, as well)....on holidays my mom sends little things like their favorite treats...this time it was lemonade packets to put in their bottled water, the kids' request of Ritz crackers, my mom's homemade hot chocolate mix and the kids' favored candies.....along with little notes. Just simple things but they make the day (and my children) feel special and thought of.
My parents definitely reap what they sow....here Riley is on the phone calling in her "thank you" but often the girls will come home from school and call my mom...just to chat and check in...and my dad often calls the boys on their cell phones to see what is going on and they also call him. I always felt close to my grandparents and am glad my children can have this same experience.

Trick or Trunk

Riley was a Pink Lady from "Grease"....(the girls and I love that movie). Riley is obviously thrilled to be walking in the children's parade.
Bryce decided a few minutes before we left that he would dress up....no, not as himself as many assumed, but as Larry The Cable Guy. Then, to make it better, he handed out candy at our trunk with twangy country music playing as he sat in his fishing chair.... I went and sat at the Evans' car.
Tennille wore her dance recital outfit....yay! one less costume to help prepare....so thrilled that she agreed to be Little Red Riding Hood. She has had so much fun laying out all of her candy this morning just looking at it and deciding what she will eat for an after-school-snack.
Parker's might be my personal favorite. His was also an extreme last minute decision...Joe Dirt. That movie is so ridiculous that it grows on you and becomes very funny. I always tell the boys to turn it off because the humor is sophmoric and often inappropriate...but then all it takes is a few seconds and I am laughing...which defeats my lecture and the three of us ending up watching it again....with me adding several times, "This is not appropriate." But I am telling you, it is funny.

Good Book

I have just finished reading a good book....somewhat predictable but engaging.
"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" written by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.
It was on some top list so I picked it up at the library and was disappointed when I thumbed through it and saw it was written as a large compilation of letters. I didn't think I could get into a book entirely based on letter writing back and forth. However, having nothing better to do, I took the book home and started reading. Glad I did because I give it two thumbs up.
It is set during the 1940's, first in London, then in Guernsey....it follows a woman discovering how the Nazi Occupation affected the citizens there. Interesting, Reflective, and Uplifting.
Also, very easy read, I was done in a couple days.

Mother of the Year...

Reading Advisory: You may need to skip this one if you do not have children or if you are a "young married" with only one or two....(the "established" moms will know from whence I speak)

Tennille (on Monday, after school): "MOM, YOU FORGOT TO TAKE ME TO REAGAN'S BIRTHDAY PARTY ON SATURDAY!!!"
Me: "Oh my goodness! I am so sorry...I cannot believe it." (Actually, I totally remembered, just didn't feel like taking her. In my own defense, the party was an hour away....I had already driven two hours, round trip, to pick up Parker from a campout, drove him to a soccer game...and yes, I could have taken her afterwards but would have had to scramble to get Parker back to a traveling soccer meeting....so, I never mentioned it and she forgot and it was good.)
Tennille: "Was I so busy that day?"
Me: "Absolutely. Why, did she say anything to you?"
Tennille: "YES....SHE WANTED TO KNOW WHERE WAS I AND, MOM, THE WHOLE CLASS WAS THERE!! (Now I can hardly believe the rest of her class had nothing else to do so they could make that party.)
Me: "You just tell her that you were overbooked."
Tennille: "I told her I must have played in many soccer games that day. Did I?"
Me: "Yes...don't you remember? You were playing and playing...in fact, that was the day you earned your championship medal." (As you know, she has been done with soccer for weeks.)
Tennille: "Okay."

On Monday, I had a call from Bryce's school saying he was sick and should be picked up. I said, "fine", and hung up. I didn't have makeup on and knew that would take a few minutes....plus my hair would need to be done...heaven knows I am not walking into the high school looking like a homeless person....so a big light bulb goes off in my head and I called back and asked if I could give verbal permission to have my sick child walk home. Done deal. When he got home, admittedly looking somewhat pale, I made him some soup and apologized for his walking while sick....and then told him I could not find the car keys. In my defense... DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG HE WOULD HAVE SAT IN THAT OFFICE WHILE I MADE MYSELF PRESENTABLE ENOUGH TO PICK HIM UP??!!

Tuesday morning...in the bathroom, before school, while I was getting ready to substitute teach...
Riley: Mom, do you know you are causing global warming with that hairspray?!
Me: WHAT?! (Now I am totally fired up...) You go and tell your liberal, polar-bear-loving teachers that I believe global warming is evolutionary and I will use this hairspray until the day I die. (Yes, a little dramatic but there was no where else to go, what with her criticism of the best invention ever.)
Riley: "I just don't get why you use that stuff, who wants their hair that stiff?"
Me: (So now I am trying to take deep breaths to prevent myself from early contractions...) (And of course, I am back to wondering why the universe hates me because I have a daughter who would prefer to wear her hair in low Marcia Brady pigtails, rather than spiral curls.....I feel like Nancy Kerrigan when she was smacked in the knee and she just kept repeating, WHY ME?! WHY ME?!) I sufficed it to say, "Riley, at the end of the day, my hair will still be standing fluffy and fantastic due to this fabulous aerosol can and perhaps....one day...in the not to distant future...stars willing... you will come to see the light."

I am happy to report that I believe I have gone through the week without damaging Parker in the least....1 for 4 is a pretty good record....although, it is only Wednesday.

I Must Be Nesting....

My mom instilled this tradition of Halloween jack-o-lantern cookies when my sister and I were very young.We have made them ever since I can remember...sometimes cousins would come over and decorate with us, and when I lived away from home my mom would send "kits" with the cookies already made and the embellishments included.
Following suit, we also make the cookies every year....and while it is a fun and yummy activity...it also makes us all homesick for my parents' home. While I manage the circle shapes (at Halloween only), sugar cookies are not my thing. However, my mom and sister make them, I think, for most holidays....so while we have enjoyed eating the cookies, we also enjoy going over memories of having them with my family.
Along those lines, yesterday I made my mom's favorite gingersnap recipe. My household all agreed that the kitchen smelled like Grammy's house at Christmas.
As the end of my pregnancy is drawing closer, I miss living close to my family....so I end up cooking lots of favorites that seem to bridge the distance gap a little better. (However, I think we will have lots of dinner requests for my mom when she comes to welcome the baby!)

Riley's Audition

**Reading Advisory** This train of thought is probably not for the easily offended...or lovers of drama clubs.
So Riley comes home with an invitation from her chorus teacher to audition for a small singing part in the high school play. I'm thinking one more thing to do, let's just skip it, but she was set on trying out. They had to sing, "This Land is Your Land", a capella...she went without practicing at all so, of course, I pick the ride over to lecture her on preparedness....and then I am feeling mother's guilt because I am sure she is now not in the right psyche to give a good performance. (I try to make up for it by telling her she looks great on the way in, my status quo.) We go to the auditorium and she has to get up and sing in front of the other fifth graders who were invited to audition, their parents, the high school drama staff, and cast/crew who are wandering around doing whatever.
As I am sitting there, I realize some things never change. I am reminded of the phrase from my school days: band geeks and drama freaks. A little history here, if you've seen the movie, "Clueless," then you know my high school mindset...not that wealthy, but after that, the similarities are many. So, as Riley is auditioning, I look around and notice that I am surrounded by society's outcasts. That may sound harsh, but come on, I am guessing being trash canned is not a foreign concept to most of these teenagers. I remember some super freaks I worked with at Carle and then see some of their children in the drama club. Figures. Is it a rule that nerdy parents beget nerdy children? Is there a gene that says, "I am going to be king of the dorks and hopefully one day get into drama club"? And then there is this hierarchy of non-coolness because the lowest of the low end up being "techies", which I am understanding to be the crew. So, while I try to pass the time by giving imaginary make-overs to several, the geek radar is so high, I can't concentrate on much else.
As I am driving home....hoping that the element of nerdiness is not airborne contagious and feeling like I need a Silkwood shower....Riley tells me she cannot wait to go to high school....because, you guessed it, she wants to join the drama club. Why does the universe hate me?
I prepared Riley not to be chosen, we talked about our favorite reality show....The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, I think its on CMT, it follows the girls trying out for the squad (talk about quality t.v.!)....so I am like, "you know those girls are all beautiful and talented and they still don't get picked sometimes. so let's congratulate your bravery for trying out and have some ice cream." We were called later that night and told that Riley (and two others) were chosen, they end the play with their a capella song. So, this entire week, I have been exposed to the socially challenged as I wait for her rehearsals. And listen, I am not that shallow just going by looks alone, I have heard some of the conversations....too geeky to even repeat.
Bryce had freshman testing yesterday, I asked him who he was assigned to sit by (I always ask random questions to carry a conversation with my non-talking teen), he tells me her name...I say, "oh, I don't think I know her, is she one of your friends?" He answers, "no, she is basically a dork (I know, not nice, but at this point I don't care because he is at least talking)"...and I answer knowingly, "oh, is she in drama?"

Sunday Afternoons

(Parker wants this picture on the blog because he took it....we were leaving for church, he was playing with my camera....he is frustrated that I did not smile....I am not smiling because I had stood there with a frozen grin for at least ten minutes while he zoomed in and out and moved the camera around until I said he had two seconds before I walked away. Let's be honest, I am not at my best in the last minutes before leaving...)
Anyway, back to the point of the blog....now that we go to church so early,we also get home early and are always looking for things to do.
We could make a pizza.....this was a previous Sunday meal....but yesterday we had a farm house lunch (fried chicken, mashed potatoes, etc...) so no one wanted anything formal for dinner.
So, we settled for game night. Everytime we go to my parents', my mom has a mocktail for us, usually something she invents and the kids love using her nice glasses.....so I followed suit and gathered everything to make limeaids. It was interesting, because Bryce does not usually help in the kitchen, but he was the only one around me at the time so I recruited him and he did an awesome job. He rubbed limes around the glass rims and sugared them, poured in the diet Sierra Mist, squeezed in lime juice and then topped them with cherry syrup. I think each week we will try a new drink with a different child.
We also had a highly nutritious supper of Cheddar/Sour Cream Ruffles and Nacho Doritos...oh yeah, I also broke out the Halloween candy. Color everybody happy.
We set up the Monopoly board and played until Bryce and I "mortgaged out" because we were tired of Dave's cutthroat antics. Dave plays to win and didn't love that the boys had compassion for their mother and kept giving me breaks on rent. What comes around, goes around....Dave was brutalized by Parker who won the whole thing.

Sports Saturday

Saturdays normally start early with someone in some game. This week, our wake up call came for Parker's game. Please ignore the rodeo clown socks, he is the only one on his team that wears them, I try to bite my tongue....all the while just imagining how his life's backup employment could very well involve him jumping in and out of barrels. (He is speedy....and think of all the belt buckles he might win for me.)
Parker just scored a goal and was high-fiving Jake Duda. While Parker is fairly good at sports, he is also a legend in his own mind. It is fun to listen to him after a game...(I don't know the sports lingo and even if I sat through the game, I still don't know the score or details. I've said it before, I am there for the Diet Coke and chit-chat.) ...anyway, on the way home Dave just rolls his eyes because Parker's stories flourish with extra details that Dave tells me later never happened. I don't care...I just smile, look interested and tell him he is awesome... as long as he practices good sportsmanship.
Above, Who knows what is being said, but it looks very serious.
By the way, no pictures but Riley's team won their age group's championship. This isn't prideful because in all honesty Team Bode didn't do much for that victory. However, she was cute eye candy on the field (and bench!). And the trophy still provides bragging rights....
I love this picture of Tennille because it completely shows her personality. She is just so sassy! My mom loves how she can get anyone in our house to do anything she is assigned... In fact, right now I told her to clean her room....but I think Riley is doing it while she is watching her movie in Parker's room.
This is Tennille getting her "end of season" medal. (How cute is that little boy beside her?!) Since I think it is okay to live in an alternate universe, I told her she was given the medal because her team had won the overall championship...she was thoughtful and on the way home said, "but mom, I saw the other team get a medal..." I said, "oh no, you didn't look very closely, the other team was given way smaller medals than your team...you were given championship medals." And of course, I am the mother who had to throw in...."and they said you were the team superstar." She happily bought it all and proudly wore her medal to school on Monday (which gave me a little trepidation thinking she would be around other soccer players who could spoil my fanciful pep talk)....however, even the other players not on her team who had the exact medal at home, believed her when she said her's was bigger and she was wearing her's because her team won the championship and she was the superstar. Excellent... Mothering Job Done.

Oh, Riley just got home with a notice saying she has a science project due next Tuesday...guess I better get busy thinking about what I am going to do :) (I think my children will all be happy when the baby comes so I will have other things on my "to-do" list, besides their homework.)