A moment in history...

I was thinking about this the other day. Several months ago, as we were all in the car on the way to anywhere Kaci and I overheard a conversation in the back of the van between Bailey and Emma. They were discussing the price of various items they wanted. Bailey then asked me if he could get more money for pulling the garbage cans in (he get $1 per can to bring them in from the curb). I told he that we could not afford to pay him more and besides, that is all it is worth. Of course the next question was:

Bailey: WHY?

Dad: Well, it depends on the economy?

Bailey: What is the economy?

Dad: Well, the economy is a somewhat abstract and flexible construct of various fiscal measuring devices such as the gross domestic product, national deficit, unemployment rates, estimated future corporate profit combined with outsourcing, downsizing, financial forecasts and other multifaceted analytical evaluations. (I was intending to be funny, I have no idea what most of that is)

Bailey: Oh, good to know.

That ended the conversation. Apparently he understood all of that and found it to be an appropriate answer because he was quiet for some time and did not ask any further questions or for any more money.

Reading Rainbow, toilet hope and stolen ideas...

 

Tonight was my proud mama night:)  Sometimes we are so excited for Bailey's progression, that we forget Emma is pretty awesome too.  She has been practicing reading with some sight word books that were Bailey's.  Tonight she read two of them straight through with only a few minor helps from me.  She was so proud of herself and I think has finally realized that reading can be exciting when you are learning how to do it.  Bailey also read Little Red Riding Hood to us as well.  I honestly had a point where I could not imagine my kids being able to read.  I knew it would happen (much like they do not have potty training accidents FOREVER) but it was hard to imagine.  As for the show, Reading Rainbow--I don't remember it being so creepy and weird.  I delete them when Tivo automatically records them.  Who would have thought PBS needed to be censored?  :)

This leads me to topic #2 in my title.  We are now promising Nathan a trip to Big Spoon if he will poop on the toilet.  Well, he didn't poop in his underwear today, so we are getting there.  He had a small success at one point, but I won't go into details as who really cares about Nathan's bathroom habits except me! 

Now for something cute!

 

My fellow twin friend Melanie sent me a tutorial to make one of these.  Well, I will actually be making 3!  The 3 girls will use these for their Halloween costumes.  I'm very excited to actually make something since I usually just find a cheap way to buy it. As long as Emma can wear makeup with her costume, she will be happy.  And the twins don't really care as long as you look at them and smile.  

 

Our First Pack Meeting

The 4th Tuesday of every month is Pack Meeting for families and the Cub Scouts.  Bailey wanted to ride his bike there, so I packed up the stroller and we walked (well, I walked and Bailey rode, everyone else I was pushing!) I tried to remind myself all day to bring the camera, but it didn't make it into the diaper bag.  Bailey's den was in charge of the flag, and so in came Bailey holding this huge American flag with the Bailey grin on his face.  He gets so excited for stuff like this.  He also earned two awards for his belt.

 

I took this at home after everyone was in bed.  Bailey earned the swimming and computer achievements.  

Bailey also earned a candy for being in his complete uniform.  I took lessons from Ben how to do it just right since it is usually me at home on scout nights.  The Orams take uniforms very seriously :)  

So, of course, now that Bailey realizes he gets these awards, he is even more raring to go.  He cannot get through that book fast enough, and had me sign off two more things yesterday from the time he got home from school before we had to leave.  He is eagerly awaiting the Pinewood Derby.  I think it has become as important to him as his own birthday.  I have a feeling we have another Oram Eagle Scout waiting to take off!

What do you do when...

1. Both your twins are sceaming
2. Both want you to hold them and not the other
3. Their magic blankets are in the washing machine
4. They are tired
5. You are starving and would really like to eat
6. You worked out in the morning and didn't have time to take a shower (broke my 2 week streak of being ready before 7 a.m.) and you REALLY stink
7. You might have to get out of the car to pick your other kids up for school
8. Did I mention you are really hungry?


You take a picture

 

And they stop and stare at you.

 

And you think how cute it would be for the blog

 

And their tears go away and smiles appear because they like to be on the blog

Blankets are dry

Girls are asleep

Lunch is eaten

Still time for a shower!

Goodbye...

Sleeping Solutions

Nathan is slowly entering no nap land.  However, he still will go into his room and lay on his bed whenever I ask him to.  Most days, he plays for a long time and then ends up getting a small cat nap before I have to wake him to go get Bailey and Emma from school.  The other day he played so hard, this is how I found him.

 

Asleep over the side of his bed

 

Still clutching his blankie, drool coming out of his mouth.  I have no idea why or how he got like this, but it worked for him.

Look out!

Here comes Kate!  She is almost, almost crawling.  I think she does it when I am not looking because she started out in the middle of the living room on the rug and ended up here.

 

Addison is practicing sitting up.  She's getting close as I think she has gotten irritated that Kate is doing things first.

 

  

I was telling Kate to come here, and she tried, but didn't get far.

 

I was trying to get Addison's attention to look at me while she was sitting up, and you can't see very well, but she had a smile on her face like "I'm not going to look at you"

 

Nathan said "My turn!"

As you can see, yes, he is throwing up AGAIN!  He threw up last night and this morning.  He gets a flu bug about once a month.  Usually no one else gets it.  I don't understand what the deal is, and if there is even anything to explain it.  But at least he knows how to throw up in a bowl, I guess.

Fortunes Don't Lie

On our date night Saturday, we enjoyed some Mongolian BBQ.  Ben opened up his fortune cookie and found this fortune...

 

Seriously, can it get any better than that:)  Hopefully the fortune was referring to him passing the bar as well.  Less than four months left of law school! 

Well, it was a good seven months...

But Kate and Addison can no longer share a crib.  We have gone this last week without any real naps and they have had a hard time getting to sleep at night.   I thought, maybe teething, maybe getting used to new foods, but it wasn't until I separated them for naps one day that I realized what the true issue was.  Kate likes to roll around like crazy while she is sleeping and Addison gets mad and then kicks her in the head.  I guess I wouldn't sleep either!  I will always remember...

 

 

Don't even go to the bathroom

 

Because you might come back to find this.

Actually he was climbing back in after I had taken him out when I saw the girl's faces.

 

No, our camera is not funny, these are milk drops all over Kate and Addison.  Nathan thought it would be funny to give them a milk bath.

First Day of School!

 

Our 3rd grader and Kindergartner.

As tall as Emma gets, Bailey just gets taller.  

 

  

Back to the grind!  The kids had a great first day of school.  We have minimum days the rest of the week, so they especially like that because they can come home and still play.  Today, play group was around the corner, so they changed into bathing suits and played extra today.  I was so not ready for school, but it comes at one time or another, so might as well get going.  Nothing too eventful to post about school so far, but I'm looking forward to this school year for them.  They always have fun and go on lots of field trips.  Now, if I can just get up early every day and get a shower before I wake them up, we should be good to go! 

Pictures To Be Posted

 

Emma and Bailey are obsessed with getting the girls to sit up on their own.  Kate was doing pretty well, so Emma begged me to take a picture.  Kate can sit up for a little bit, but the bed makes it easier and  B&E don't quite understand that.  Every time Kate or Addison sit for a second, they say "one down, one to go!"  

 

This is Nathan's favorite thing to do lately.  He likes to climb in the girl's crib and play.  I have had to explain that you can't jump on the crib like you do a bed.  Funny seeing him in this crib now is quite odd when it has only been eight months that he has been out of it!

 

Bailey took this picture of his Bakugans.  Yup, we are still knee deep in Bakugans at the Oram house...

 

Addison practicing with a sippy cup.  

 

Kate was mad at the mac n'cheese.  It didn't go in her mouth fast enough.  Then she was even more mad that I took a picture.

Oh, Toodles!

 

This is Toodles, from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  I took this picture from an online search and it was the only one I could successfully get.  Some mommy is very talented and made this cake.

 

This is Nathan, calling for Toodles.  Toodles holds certain tools that help the gang in Mickey's clubhouse.  He comes as soon as they call every time.   Now, Nathan also thinks that by yelling down the hall way "Oh, Mo-Mmmmmmmyyyy!" I will come a running. Well, lately, if it's for the potty, I guess I will. 

Jelly Belly Fun

 

Ready to go!  

We were originally going to go to free Wednesday at the SF Exploritorium, BUT I found out it was a two hour minimum wait.  Both my friend, Tana, and I had already gotten someone to watch our babies, so we still had to find something to do!  Can't waste a baby free day:)  We decided (at 9:30 p.m. the night before!)  to head to the Jelly Belly Factory with the Bradfords and Thompsons.  Neither had been there and it is a must at least once in your life.

Bailey and Sean, waiting in line.  These two have played together (even though they don't remember) since they were toddlers.  8 years later, they are best buds.  

It was Mascot Day at the JBF.  Chuck E. Cheese came by for some high fives.  Plus, we got coupons!

Kaci, Kristen and Tana Plus 8

We could be our own reality show. The picture of the three of us is on Kristen's camera, and I am faster than her today getting these pics up an blogged.  

Here is the pic!

Nathan was pointing to the candy, reminding me it was there.  Well, it was everywhere, so he was very excited.  He also did great with the bathroom.  Plus he announced to everyone in the bathroom that I also went pee-pee.  Yay, Mommy!  The joys...

 

We'll call him Mr. Jelly Belly.  Although "he" had super super skinny legs...

Even Dinger was there.  The kids were excited since mine only see him at baseball games.

This is for our friends the Davis'  If you can read his tag, his name is Officer Davis.  He posed for the picture and we told everyone it was Ellie's dad... (he's a CHP officer for those who don't get the joke)

Ready for the tour.  Hats or hair nets required.  Because you get SO close to the candy with the big wall and window between you...Of course if I ever found a hair in my belly flops, I'd be irritated.

 

I love his faces!  I told him he had to keep the hat on to get the candy. It worked almost all the way to the end.

These are the faces you get when you pull your kids away from their friends to take a sibling picture.

The only picture I took on the tour because, well, you aren't supposed to take pictures.  Tana reminded me as soon as I took it.  Guess she was listening. Glad someone was!

Outside, getting the sugar out.  Emma and Emma, lip gloss girlies.  They both picked lip gloss in the JB store.  I think Emma (mine) put about 10 coats on!

  

After some driving around and a few freeway exits, we found a TGIF.  We bombarded the restaurant with our 8 children, telling them weren't they glad we didn't bring ALL our kids?!  But the kids all did really well, and we didn't have any crazy outbursts (until the parking lot when Nathan finally decided he had had enough and was tired)

CHEESE!  

On the way home, Kristen noticed this crazy tree that we have probably both driven by a million times down Sunrise.  I took a picture while our car was stopped.  

After a nice gourmet, Papa Murphy's pizza, some baths and showers, Kate and Nathan are asleep.  Addison is almost ready and Bailey and Emma are lounging on our bed.  I did forget to mention that Kate and Addison had a wonderful time at Grandma's and were angels!  They even spent the night, which made getting ready this morning SO fast. 

Bailey's Baptism and A New Tradition

 

August 1, 2009

San Juan Stake Center Building

Bailey was baptized last Saturday!  He has been so excited and waiting until he turned 8 for quite a while now.  A few weeks ago, we bought him his own scriptures, which he also loves.  He was able to pick them out, along with the carrying case.  We had lots of family and friends join us, which made Bailey break out in his sheepish grin. Our friend, Brian Sprague is the high councilor over Stake baptisms.  It was nice to have him put the entire thing together.  His daughter Wendy played the piano and she was so amazing.  We will probably have her start teaching Emma piano in the next few years.  Even though we had to get to the Church by 9 a.m. to set up for the lunch, etc... all the children were great. We had lunch afterward at the Church building and I forgot to take pictures!  

Then, later that day....

Around 5 p.m., I was avoiding cleaning the house, laying on the bed that probably had clothes that needed to be folded on it.  Ben came into the room and I said "I want to be at the beach"  He said "Well, then let's go!"  Umm.... Well, in one hour, we found a beach, the time of sunset, packed up five kids including two sleeping twins who wanted bottles, and a potty training two year old.  We had to move fast since this logically is crazy.  We made it to the beach after two different drive thrus for dinner.  (Kids don't like In and Out and we do!)  It was cold, foggy and almost dark, but the kids were so excited.  Nathan held his pee the entire way there, crazy kid (we had put him in a pull up just in case).  Now why can't he hold it on the two second drive home from Church, I ask you?!  

 

Almost there!  It was a great foggy (August?! evening)

 

Kids in the back, ready to go to the beach!

 

Nathan wanting to see the picture as soon as I took it (the age of digital!)

 

  

The boys, walking down to the beach.

 

Bundled up! Why did I wear a skirt?!

Well, after 45 minutes of playing Red Light Green Light and Mother May I, we were done.  We had brought the laptop, but both forgot a movie.  So we promised the kids we would stop and buy one.  Well, after driving around for a while, with a two year old who's legs were going up and down trying to hold in his pee, we looked up and saw...

 

I guess we had landed in the Castro district.  Thankfully, they have very nice Safeways.  Ben took Nathan in the bathroom, but could not finish getting a movie and some water.  I guess when a two year old is holding it, the second you take off the pull up and put them on the toilet, um, I was not there, but I am guessing you could compare it to a fire hose gone crazy.  Ben eventually went back in, got a movie for now just Bailey since Emma had passed out in the back.  We fed some crying twins a bottle, tucked them in and started back on our merry way.  Luckily, my husband is quite the navigator and has a weird GPS in his head and we were back on the freeway very soon.  We got home around midnight, tucked some sandy kids in bed with the promise they could shower in the morning!

We decided this will be our new baptism day tradition.  Although, all the rest of the children have winter birthdays, so the location might have to be adjusted.  When you do these spur of the moment things, they can end in disaster quite often.  But all of us had fun, and it was a great way to end the summer.