Donny

Most 4 year-old girls I know love princesses, Olivia included. She has every doll, every movie, and she is starting quite the dress collection. For a while her favorite was Cinderella. Then it was Aurora. Then Ariel. Then Jasmine. Then Snow White. And now she favors Mulan. I'd like to think it has something to do with the fact that I have been to where Mulan is from. I have seen the Forbidden City where Mulan defeats the Huns. I told Olivia all about it. She thinks it's awesome.

Olivia knows all the words to the princess movies. Our favorite song to sing lately has been "I'll Make A Man Out of You" from Mulan. It is very catchy. (If you didn't know, it is sung by Shang a.k.a Donny Osmond.) For some reason I love Donny's voice. I don't go all gaga for Donny. I have never been to a concert (though I did see him perform with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and I did watch his talk show with Marie occasionally). But I have never been a Donny fanatic. I just like his voice. Moving on....

Doug has many opportunities to meet famous people. He did Cindy Crawford's hair in her hotel room (that's a story for a different time). He worked behind stage at the Billboard Music Awards and did the hair of Rihanna, Carmen Electra and Joe Elliot. And we know John Paul DeJoria - the face behind Paul Mitchell and one of the founders. Here we are meeting him when he visited our school....

Because Doug has so many opportunities to mingle with celebrities, it was bound to happen. DOUG MET DONNY! Recently we went to California to a conference for all Paul Mitchell School owners. Paul Mitchell is committed to "Giving Back" - whether that is by being environmentally responsible, aiding local programs, or collaborating with recognized charities (like Children's Miracle Network which Donny and Marie represent). At this owner's conference Donny Osmond performed. Unfortunately, I was watching the kids and did not go. But the kids and I could hear him from our hotel room. It was amazing.

I was so excited that I said to Olivia, "Do you hear that? That is the same guy that sings on Mulan!"

Olivia nearly jumped out of her skin and exclaimed, "Shang!" After a couple moments of thought she questioned, "What is Shang doing in California? And where is Mulan?" Then, still further she asked, "Why would he sing here? How did he even get here? When is he going back? And why didn't he sing our favorite song?"

I couldn't bear to tell her the truth. I think she couldn't conceptualize it anyway. So I played along.

"Mulan is back in China. She had to stay with the Emperor. So Shang came on an airplane just to sing to the owners because they are so nice. He will probably leave right after the performance because Mulan misses him so much, and because China needs him."

"Holy crap! Daddy is so lucky he gets to meet Shang!" she said.

Here is Doug (and Grandma) with Shang...

Funny. I thought Shang would be taller....

Conversation With a Toddler #3

My kids love to play "Slug Bug" when we are driving. Here is an excerpt from a recent game:

Ethan: Slug Bug black.

Me: That's not a Slug Bug.

Ethan: What is it then?

Me: A Mini.

Ethan: A Mini Wheat?

Me: Almost as big. It is a Mini Cooper.

Ethan: A Mini Pooper!?! That is cool. Mini Pooper! Mini Pooper!

(Much laughter erupted from the peanut gallery. Even Ben can appreciate a good poop joke.)

Sacramento

Doug travels a lot. And when I say "a lot" I mean about three weeks out of every month. It hasn't always been that way. But when you're a rockstar, you have to go where the "fans" want you. As an educator for Paul Mitchell Advanced Education he travels across the nation training the instructors at Paul Mitchell cosmetology schools. In the last two months he has been to Houston, St. George, Spokane, Sacramento, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa. He leaves Monday for New York for 4 days. Then he leaves Saturday for Alabama. He is home for a couple weeks before he goes to North Carolina, Utah, and back to Texas. You get the idea.

Sometimes we get to go with him. He is all for it. His dream is to get a giant RV and just go on the road. "We could be on a reality show. It would be great," he says. "You can home/RV school the kids. They would see America. No mortgage payments. Think of the adventure!" All I can ever muster is, "You've got to be kidding." Even though he thinks it would be the best thing since sliced bread, I am not so convinced. Being away from home for extended periods, in an unfamiliar place, with three kids under 5 is not as fun as it sounds. I have a routine. I like my routine. My routine makes me sane. Without it I would probably be in a corner rocking back and forth, speaking incoherently. So when Doug teaches somewhere close, we go too. We like to go to Sacramento. It is only 2 hours from Reno, and there is plenty to do.

The kids especially like The California State Train Museum, Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town. Here are some pictures of our most recent trip:

The trains are massive. It is such an amazing museum. You can even get in a couple of the trains. The best part is upstairs. There are Thomas sets the kids can play with. We usually see the bigs trains in about 20 minutes and then spend an hour playing with the Thomas trains. Whatever works.

The train museum is part of Old Sacramento. So when we finish at the museum we always walk around Old Sacramento. It is a little "town" (about two blocks) built up on platforms. There are shops and restaurants. It is right on the river with old steamboats.

(What is with their poses?)

Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale town are across the street from each other so we do those spots in one day...

We pack as much in as we can. The goal is to make them do this...

Unfortunately, the only time they are like this is in the car. I have been tempted to park somewhere and get some sleep myself. Would that be bad? I can see it now. All four of us, passed out, food all over their faces (who am I kidding, mine too), drool creeping out, when there is a knock on the window. "Everything alright, ma'am?" the officer would say. "Oh, yes. Everything is just great," I would say as I rolled up the window. "Thanks for asking."

Lost

I had such high hopes when I started this blog. It was supposed to be an organized compilation of pictures, stories, thoughts, and insights. Not necessarily just about my life, but life in general. I felt like I had meaningful things to say, and blogging seemed like a perfect outlet. But I have been becoming disenchanted - with myself.

I read other blogs and I am riveted. Most of the bloggers are moms like me. Most of them stay at home. So why are their lives more interesting? Are they better storytellers? Do they have more profound experiences? They have things other than motherhood to talk about. Not that motherhood is bad, but they have separate identities. They have opinions. They are educated regarding politics, global news, and environmental issues. They know something more than what shampoo works best for fine hair, or which bottle brush is best for cleaning baby bottles.

When I was young and naive, (in my 20's), I imagined I would be different at this age. I don't exactly know how, but I would be different. I always imagined myself having 3-4 children, being a stay-at-home mom, with a successful husband. Well, I have all that, so why am I not satisfied with who I am?

It feels like in the process of becoming a wife and a mother, I have somehow lost who I am. I am not trying to diminish the importance of being a wife or a mother. I know there is no greater calling than being a mother. But can't all three identities co-exist? Can't there be Wife, Mom, and Jenni? And can't they ALL be fabulous? How can I be a super wife when I spend so much of my time trying to be a great mom? And if I am so busy being the fantastic wife and mom, how could I possibly be the best Jenni?

So for all three people, including my mother, that actually read this blog, forgive me for not posting. Maybe I'll come thru this little slump fresher and more directed. New. Vibrant. But for now, I'm ok. I am just a little lost.

For Uncle Dave

We love Uncle Dave for many reasons. But Ethan really loves Dave because he drives big trucks. This is Ethan's way of saying, "Appreciate ya!"

We love you and miss you!

Who's The Boss?

Recently I was reminded that sometimes I am clearly not the boss in this house. Every morning I get the kids their juice and cereal. Yesterday I wasn't quick enough, I guess. Ethan scolded me, "Get off the couch, Mom, and get me some juice." After a stern look from mom, he quickly added, "Please." This is the look he gave me...

I get this look a lot. He really has mastered it. And quite honestly, I am kind of getting sick of it. Not because of his defiance, but because it works. I can never stay mad. Just look at those big brown eyes. I melt!

On Your Mark, Get Set...

It is inevitable. Whenever it is time to walk out the door and leave the house, my boys always poop. It is as if some signal goes off in their head when they hear the words "go get in the car." It automatically triggers their bowels into action. And if by some twist of fate it doesn't happen when we are walking out the door, they save it for later. A pre-dinner activity. I imagine someday I will walk in and see them having a little pow wow in the corner. This is how their conversation might go...

Ethan: Ok, Ben. Let's pencil in our poop times today. How does 9am and 4pm sound?

Ben: Hmm, 4pm is not good for me. Let's push it back an hour and do 5pm - just when Mom is getting dinner ready. She'll love that.

Ethan: Great idea, Ben! You are new to this, but you have already learned so much. Well done. Now, when is a good time for tantrums?

Sleeping Patterns

Since he has been sick, Ethan will fall asleep just about anywhere...

I'm no Emeril, but come on. My cooking has never put anyone to sleep before.

City Center

The new City Center is amazing. I don't think I will ever be able to shop there, but it was fun to walk through.

(What is it with those looks?)

Anatomically Correct

While we were in Las Vegas we did manage to get out a couple times before Olivia got really sick. The first time we decided to meet Doug at Caesar's Palace where he was preparing for the hair show. I don't think casinos were designed to be stroller-friendly. It was impossible to navigate through there. After 30 minutes of unsuccessfully trying to find Doug, I stopped to call him in a shopping area. I pressed the numbers then looked up in frustration only to find a very large and very naked statue of The David. Just what I needed! I wrangled up the kids and moved to a different area, just hoping they didn't notice because I knew the kind of questions that would follow. We eventually found Doug, and the children seemed unaffected by our run-in with good old Dave... until three days later.

Doug had to pick something up at the front desk the morning we left. We pulled up to the front and Olivia replied, "I hope we don't have to go in there. I really don't want to walk around again. And I definitely don't want to have to see that man's bum and penis!" Nothing gets past her.

Las Vegas

Doug has been out of town for the last month. So we decided that we would go with him for one of his trips to Las Vegas. I had such high hopes. I had places to go, people to see, and things to eat. Admittedly I was most excited about the things to eat. Is that bad? Reno's restaurant options leave a little to be desired - literally. So I had my time in Las Vegas all planned out according to my food itinerary. Lunches at Chipotle, Panera, and Cafe Rio. Dinners at Lucille's, Cheesecake Factory, and CPK. It sounded wonderful. My mouth watered the entire drive there. Until...the cough started.

Shortly after we arrived Monday night Olivia started coughing. I dismissed it because the kids have all had a lingering cough since November. But in the wee hours of the morning her wheezing woke me up. For the next four days Olivia battled a cough, runny nose, fever, chills, fatigue, and loss of appetite. But it was the cough that worried me. Poor Olivia was so sick and so wiped out. Needless to say, my eating plans were quickly forgotten. As were all our other plans. We did manage to get pictures taken of the kids.

My friend Stacie takes the best pictures. I have been wanting to have her do pictures forever, and she is moving in June so I felt this urgency to get them done. So I dragged the kids out one day to have pictures done. Probably not the best idea. Olivia was fine at first, but she quickly lost her steam. The winds picked up, the temperatures dropped, and so did Olivia. Stacie did a great job thru it all, coaxing weak smiles out of Olivia. I feel major guilt for doing that to Olivia. Perhaps one day she will forgive me.

Much to my chagrin, Ethan started coughing Thursday. So we packed up and left Friday morning. Ethan and Olivia coughing and gagging - sharing the love and germs with baby brother in the back seat. They were put on breathing treatments Saturday. Now over a week later, Olivia is still coughing, but much better. Ethan is still pretty bad, and continuing treatments. And Ben, my little man, has it too. I feel so bad for all of them. When they cough it sounds like their lungs will fly out of their mouths. It just sounds painful. They have been sick since November. I am ready for winter to be over.

Not such a successful trip. But Daddy was a rockstar on stage at the hair show. He really is magic. Now if he could magically make us better!

Lessons in Decorating

The other morning when I went into Olivia's room I discovered that she hadn't just cleaned it. She had decorated it and thoughtfully placed her toys, instead of her normal throw-them-in-a-pile-and-call-it-clean routine.

These are her princess dolls on their "magic carpets"...

And these are her pets all fancy with a crown and bracelet...

Olivia offered her services to me too. I guess my room could use a little decorating.