Turning Five

B-Best Brother, Zach wanted me to include that Ben is a great brother to him, Josh and Luke
E-Empathy, at just five, Ben is considerate of others feelings
N-Nice, Ben is just a nice guy, kindness is part of who he is
J-Joker, he loves pulling pranks and making you laugh
A-Action hero, his favorite game is to pretend to be a superhero and make up cool super powers
M-Magical, Ben's great belief in magic and fantasy makes me believe too.
I-Imagination, Benny can create the most amazing things from his k'nex, legos and tinker toys
N-Noisy, of all the boys, that little guy can project the loudest, it is amazing!



It is official, Ben is five today! We have been singing him "You've Had A Birthday, Shout Hooray" all day and he loves it. Here is a pic of our big five-year-old!

My favorite recent Ben story:
Ben enters the room with two balls of red wax he made out of the mini-baby bell Gouda cheese wax wrapping.
Ben: Mom, these are sticky.
Me: Yes, they are, can you throw them out?
Ben: Can I use them to climb the wall first?
Me: What?
Ben: They are sticky and if I stick them on my hands I can climb the wall like Spiderman.
Me, considering the stickiness on the wall: Hmmmm....OK, show me.
Ben attempts to climb the wall with the little wax balls flattened against his hands.
Ben: That didn't work.
Me: Nope, maybe you are too heavy or they aren't sticky enough.
Ben has put the two balls back together and then pulled the wax apart into three balls.
Ben, sticking one of the balls to his forehead: No, I think I just need to put one here and use my head too.

Why I Hate the Garbage Truck

Don't get me wrong, I love the Sanitation Department as a unit, and am very thankful for all they do to keep our streets and homes clean and smelling nice. But for some reason Josh has developed a terrible fear of the garbage truck. My once-upon-a-time great sleeper is now distraught come bedtime, saying, "No, I not sleepy, the garbage truck will come." Most nights he is soothed by the fact that it is not garbage day the next day, so there will be no truck. But today is garbage day, so last night when he protested sleep because of the garbage truck I told him, "Yes, the garbage truck will come tomorrow morning, but it is going to pick up our garbage and then it is going to go away very quickly." This was not acceptable. It took him more than an hour to go to sleep (he has learned that after we leave the room he can get up to turn his light on and look at books, and mostly we don't notice until we come back to peek on everyone, which can be an hour or more later). Finally he fell asleep, but woke up again at midnight, and was awake for another hour in the middle of the night fretting over the garbage truck!! He finally went to bed when I told him we would be making cupcakes for Ben's birthday today and he could dream of that instead. And then when the garbage truck arrived, AT 6:15 IN THE MORNING, he was up again crying! Fortunately, I think he was so exhausted from not sleeping the night before that he crashed back to sleep after the truck left our street. So in the end, this is why I do not love the garbage truck. I am down three hours of precious sleep because of it!

The Newest Residents of Colorado Springs, CO.

After much soul searching and hard-core deliberating, Adam and I have decided to make the hardest move we have had to make in the eight moves we have made in the nine years we have been married. Move number nine will be this fall to Colorado Springs, CO. About a month ago, Adam began pursuing a new career opportunity with one of Fluke's sister companies called Fluke Networks. At first it seemed like a long-shot, but after the third round of interviews and F-Net asking to fly both Adam and I out to Colorado Springs (the pic above is from our trip out there-it really is a lovely place), we knew we were in for some real tough choices. We love being here; we are close to family and the many wonderful friends we have made here. But this career move is such an incredible opportunity for Adam, and we both felt that now was the time to move if it needed to happen. The company is based out of Everett, so more than likely, Adam will be out at the satellite office in Colorado Springs for the next three to five years, and then will move back to the home office here. Don't worry, during interviews he did tell them that this was his plan, and they were all for it. We are looking forward to a new adventure, but also feel so very sad to go. As you can see from most of the previous postings, so much of what we do involves our family or friends, so it is going to really be horrible to move and leave them all. But we know great things are around the corner for us, and there will be many visits home and from those at home!!

Playing Hookie

Yesterday we went up to the wonderful Conlin Cabin once again with our friends the Shevitzs and the Browns, but this trip included Daddies!! By some strange aligning of the planets, all three daddies were able to take the day off to enjoy one last hot, summer day playing in the water with the kiddos. It was so much fun! And Luke slept a good deal of the day, so I was able to get in some swimming too. I love it there so much, and will miss these lazy days of play as the summer comes to a close.

Start vs. Finish: Swimming Lessons

As swim lessons this summer come to a close, I want to applaud my boys on how much they improved over the four weeks of lessons they had this summer. At the start of the summer we had Zach, who could doggy paddle and keep himself afloat, and Ben, who was willing to get his head under water but that was about it, to Zach doing two different strokes and asking to join the swim team, and Ben floating, crawling, and feeling very comfortable in the deep end.

Benny does torpedo "with kicks" in the "deep end" where he can't touch. He was nervous about the move to the deep water, since his first class this summer was in the shallow water, but he rose to the challenge (after letting him know Zach was in water where he couldn't touch either), and by the end of the summer was fully confident with the deeper water.
Back Floats without help! This is big because we couldn't get Ben to stay flat, his bum kept sinking in the beginning of his lessons.
Zach working on breast stroke legs...I loved how they taught the movement of the arms/legs for this stroke, Zach had to do "chicken, airplane, rocket."
The instructor had to threaten Zach's entire class to keep their heads above water or they would be sitting out on the ledge! But they did have a chance at the end of every class to jump in a few times each, I think it was everyone's favorite part of the lesson.

I Do Love My Daddy

Luke is a COMPLETE Mama's boy. He has an incredible sixth sense about my presence. The second I walk out the door to run an errand of any kind without him he starts crying. He can be in a deep sleep, and with the click of the lock, he is wailing! And he can be in the loudest fits of unhappiness, and all I have to do is pick him up and it stops instantly. He has other people he likes, Nana, Beth, Jen, but he loves his mama. This can be a bit challenging for Adam, since as you can see, he is not on the "likes" list above. I must give Adam HUGE credit, because although this is so, Adam never stops trying and always does his best to make the little man happy, even when it feels impossible, and occaisionally we have moments like this picture above. We both know Daddy will be number one in a few short months, so it doesn't bother either of us too much, but it is nice to know that he saves some of those great grins for dad.

I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream....

Today we celebrated Ben's fifth birthday, yes, that sweet little thing is actually turning FIVE! When we woke up this morning we heard the pitter-patter of rain on the roof, and I almost decided not to get out of bed, knowing that in five hours, 12 four and five-year-olds would be decending upon our little house, with a soggy backyard that was not fit to play in! Maybe if I just hid out in bed they would all go....but no, I could not break little Benny's heart that way, so we began discussing plan B. Fortunately, the weather decided to end its cruel game: the rain stopped, and it even dried out in time for the party (and waited to start back up again until half-an-hour after the party ended). Ben had requested an ice cream sundae themed party, so we played a couple of ice cream themed games, made some pretty wicked sundaes, destroyed a pinata, and had a grand ol' time! When it was over, Ben expressed the joy his delicious party gave him, then promptly asked how long until his next birthday.

Pin the Cherry on the Sundae
The whole kit-n-kaboodle! What a great group of kids!
We let Ben build his sundae first so he could blow out his candles before we all dug in. I think it was torture for the rest of the group...the waiting was almost unbearable!!!
Make a wish! I can't believe he is FIVE! I love this picture because Papa had to literally hold Josh back from taking Ben's sundae himself. You can see the vengeful desperation in his eyes.
The dang pinata wouldn't break, so after all the kids had a turn, we took the blindfold off and just let Ben wail at it. The thing finally gave, thank goodness, but a couple of kids had grown tired of waiting and had gone to play on the play set, we had to call them back over before all the candy had been snatched up!

Making Up for Lost Time

As an addendum to "Goodbye Baby Teeth," Zach in fact has THREE loose teeth. Both front top teeth and one of the bottom front teeth too! That is going to make a great first grade school picture, Toothless Zach Conlin.

Goodbye Baby Teeth!

For the last year-and-a-half, we have been hearing Zach announce that he has a "loose tooth," and we all get excited and rush over to him, only to find that it is his finger that is wiggling, not his tooth at all! Poor kid, he is so eager to lose a tooth; and to add insult to injury, he is the last six-year-old he knows to have all his baby teeth still! However, the day has finally arrived! Today I noticed his front top tooth on the right was sticking out further than the other one, and lo and behold...it is LOOSE!!! He is so excited! And I must admit, so am I; the day has finally arrived and he is so happy, it is hard not to share his joy! So enjoy this last picture of his beautiful baby teeth smile, because it is toothless gaps and braces from now until he is sixteen!!

Getting Stronger

We've been working on tummy time with Luke, and look how strong he is getting!! I feel like it is all going too fast! My infant is getting more and more baby-like every day!

One of My Favorite Places With Some of My Favorite People

Yesterday the boys and I headed up to the Conlin Cabin once again with our friends Beth and Jen and their kids to have some fun playing in the water. We want to take advantage of the sunshine while it is here! It was pretty cold getting in the water, but it quickly warmed up and felt great! It is so nice going up on a weekday, when there aren't many boats out and it gets quiet and peaceful. We had a great time! It is truly one of my favorite places.

Happy Anniversary!

On Wednesday, August 15th, we celebrated our 9th Anniversary (I can't believe it has been 9 years, but I also can't believe it has only been 9 years!), with a trip up to the cabin with the boys for bbq, swimming and s'mores (I know what you are thinking, "What an amazingly romantic night with the kids in tow," but we went out just the two of us Thursday night). It was a really fun evening, I just love these five boys of mine! And Zach got the courage up to jump off of the dock! I was so proud of him! I didn't get a pic because I was in the water encouraging him to jump, but it was so great watching him get up the courage...the inner struggle, overcoming his fear, and then just doing it!!

Go Sox!! Aquasox That Is....

On Tuesday night we took the boys to an Everett Aquasox game, a minor league team that claims future Mariners, with our friends, the Browns. It was really fun! Zach was the only one who was really into the game, but the other boys loved all the between-inning stuff that happens at minor league games, like mini-Monster Truck races and batting competitions. Plus, they loved sharing popcorn and licorice with their friends, Madison and "Little" Zach.

Saving the Best for Last

When the song says, "Pull a funny face," you don't question, you pull a funny face!!

Dancing with the Shaws

Zach ran into three of his old friends from preschool, Carson, Brianna and Kelly! A fun reunion!

Joshie feeling the music!

The boys with our friends Dillon and Ellie

Yesterday we went to the last Music in the Park concert for kids of the summer, and it was by far the best. The guy, called Alleyoop, just sang some good old wiggle songs and told some silly stories through music. The kids grooved more than they had at any other concert. It was fun!! I also had extra fun because we shared a blanket with my friend Staci and her kids, who we see less often than I would like, and a friend from church, Emily and her kids, who I am really enjoying getting to know better this summer (especially these past two weeks, as her kids and my kids are in swim lessons together). On top of the friends we sat with, we saw seven families from church there and three families we knew from Zach's preschool. Moms love a free and fun outing!!

I've Been Tagged by Alissa/Kimmy (kind of)

Jobs I've Had:
Hostess at Outback Steakhouse, Waitress at Chili's, Pizza Girl at Chuck E. Cheese's (I never had to be the mouse, but I often led him around, terrorizing small children with a giant rat), Pysical Science TA, substitue teacher at a lock down school, Barnes And Noble Bookseller, and Mommy Extrordinaire!

Places for a Weekend Getaway:
Really, a weekend getaway ANYWHERE sounds really nice, I love backpacking and camping and would love to do more kyaking. The Conlin cabin would be perfect too.

Movies I Could Watch Over and Over:
BBC Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Harry Potters (all 5), Nanny McPhee, Miracle, National Treasure, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Love Actually

Guilty Pleasures:
Tillamook Mudslide Ice Cream on a cone, television viewing, spending too much time on this darned blog, warm bubble baths with a good book

Places I've Lived:
Bellevue, Kirkland and Everett, WA; Carmichael and Fresno, CA; Provo, UT.

Places I've Been on Vacation:
Canon Beach, OR., Sun Valley, ID., Palm Springs, CA., Honolulu, HI., Guatemala, and more, but that is enough.

What I First Thought When I Saw Adam:
The first real memory I have of really hoping Adam liked me (remember I have known the guy since before I liked boys) was the summer before my Sophomore year of H.S. We were on a family vacation with the Dompier's and my crush on him had been growing, and on the ride home I was in the back seat and Adam was in the front passenger side seat with his dark sun glasses on and his sun visor down, and I was trying to look all cool and hot stuff so if he looked back and saw me he'd think I was a babe. He later says he was watching me all the way home, so either I was a real fox or I looked like a complete moron and he was being entertained. Either way, he fell for it!!

If I am In a Jam with Adam, Tactics I Use to get out of the Dog House:
We never fight. Ok, just kidding, but an "I'm sorry" goes a long way!

Favorite Foods:
See "Guitly Pleasures", Veggie Pizza with great sauce, alfredo fettucini, cheese of all kinds, a really great peach, and a nice fresh tossed salad with a basalmic vinegarette.

Websites I Visit Daily:
Email, blogs

First Kiss Location:
Official first kiss: Summer after 7th grade at the John Danz theater watching Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Seth Miller, kind of slobbery but I was a rookie (although I don't think he was, didn't he go out with like 15 girls that year?). First kiss with Adam: On the front porch of my parent's house after our first official date. So much better than that R.P. of T. kiss!!

Places I'd Rather Be Right Now:
In a spa with a warm blanket over me while I receive a massage, or on a nice warm sandy beach with a good book and a nice cold chocolate shake. But here is just fine, although Luke just woke up angry so it is good I am done!! Now the nasty sexual preditors who troll these kinds of sites know more about me than they ever should!!

People I Tag:
Mo, and both Emilys!

We will miss you, Aaron!

Yesterday we said, "God be with you 'til we meet again" to Adam's youngest sibling, Aaron, who is leaving today to serve a mission for our Church in Macon, Georgia. We love him and wish him many safe journeys and blessings abounding!! We are so proud of you Aaron!

Nana and Papa Join us for a Jam!

Doin' the Macaroni!

Mom and Bennie

Papa gets down!

We saw Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth in the park on Wednesday, and this time Nana and Papa joined us for some dancing, especially Papa; he really gets down!! I don't have pictures of it, but the boys convinced me to join in the bubble blowing contest, and although I didn't win, I did give it a hearty try! And yes, for those that recognize the subtle nuances of early 90's line dances, that is the Macarena (called the Macaroni by Cowboy Buck) we are doing in the first picture...Ay!!

Fun With Old Friends at Greenlake

Yesterday I met with my old friends from High School, Amy and Liz, for a walk with the wee ones around Greenlake. Amy brought her seven-month-old son, Sam, and I carted along the four boys. Liz had the summer off from her one hundred kids...she teaches High School English. It is always so great meeting with these wonderful women. Old friends are so great, we can see eachother often or rarely and when we get together it is as if no time has passed! The last picture was taken by Zach, he wanted to take it diagonally, so he did.

Created a Monster

Josh's potty training is going very well!!! It has been a week and a half since we have had any accidents (minus one after the big bang up on Josh's cheek last Saturday, so I don't count that, chalk it up to trauma). He has even braved the "big potties" at a friend's house, McDonald's and even the public restrooms at Greenlake...for poopies! However, I do believe we have created a pee-in-a-cup monster. The incident last week was just the first, and today I finally caught him in the act! The male obsession with peeing wherever they want starts so early! I think I need to remove all rinse cups from the bathrooms...visitors beware!

Ouch!!

On Saturday night, just as Adam and I were hurrying off to catch the Dinner Train, Josh was knocked over by my parent's dog, Franklin, and hit his cheek on the edge of a part of their stairs. He split it open pretty good; it was bleeding pretty heavily and looked deep, but fortunately we had our hero, Papa, with is special talent for healing close by! He fixed Josh's cheek up nice and neat, and when we were at Luke's two month check-up two days later the doc looked at it and said it looked great, and should heal nicely. I just kept thinking, with all of the CRAZY and dangerous things Josh does on a daily basis, like jumping off of the six foot high ladder of the swing set in the back yard and doing flying leaps off of the couch onto his stomach, his first major injury (I am sure not his last) came from just walking into my parent's house and being knocked over by an excited dog!

Lucas Daniel Conlin's Blessing Day

At our church we don't baptize babies, we wait until the kids are old enough to make the decision themselves, usually at eight years' old or sometimes after. But as infants, babies receive a father's blessing. On Sunday in church, Luke received his father's blessing. Adam did a beautiful job, and I was so touched by the great things he hoped for Luke. Faith, kindness, and strength of character were some of the traits that Adam was inspired to bless Luke with. It was a very special day for us all. The yellow outfit Luke is wearing is the one that Adam's grandmother, Maria, crocheted for Adam thirty-two years ago when he was blessed.

Dinner Train

Ahhhhh, the sweetness of a night off.... On Saturday night Adam and I went for a Conlin adult night out (plus one Baby Luke) on the Spirit of Washington Dinner train. We always love spending time with our family, and this evening was no exception! The scenery was beautiful (minus a bit of the Tacoma urban sprawl), with a great view of Mount Rainier, the food was delicious, and the company wonderful! We love you Conlin fam!

The Company Picnic

On Saturday we took the boys out to Remlinger Farms for Adam's Fluke company picnic. The kids had such a good time! Zach's favorite was the rock climbing wall, Ben and Josh both loved the pony rides. Adam volunteered for the dunk tank, and got pretty wet. But with as much as he was dunked, I was told a number of times how much people love him at Fluke!