Will He Ever Forgive Me?

I have heard that once you post something on the Internet, it is there forever, but...Traedon is just too fun. He is a great sport and lets me have lots of fun with his hair. I have been told that I need to have another girl. I don't know if that is the case. Brie lets me treat her like a girlie girl enough.

I have a new conundrum. I am trying to decide whether or not to transfer schools for Brie and Luke. Traedon currently is attending kindergarten in Provo so he can go to our daycare the other half of the day. Brie and Luke however go to school in Herriman. They walk home together and are required to take care of each other after school till Ed or I get home. Most of the time they follow the rules and get along splendidly. But recently they have been fighting, and the way I hear it, their fights are knock out drag down fights including hitting, kicking pulling hair, scratching, & throwing shoes at each other...all with an audience of the neighbors! I am pretty much shocked at their behavior, and am seriously close to transferring them to the same school as Traedon. That way they won't have to walk home together, and be home by themselves. The daycare will pick them up from school and keep them busy and getting along. The downfall is that they will have to transfer schools...new friends, might get behind...whatever else comes along with transferring. What does everyone think?

Holy Cats! It was a Tie!

For now, since I am the mom, I get to break the tie. I am going to keep Traedon's hair in a longer style. I understand the hot summer - short hair conflict, and the unruly bedhead that he usually wakes up with dilemma; but for now, I am lovin' the long hair. When I actually take the time to do it with gel it has a cute curl to it. I have also round brushed it with a blow dryer which gives him that movie star air. The other day I even straight ironed it which made him look like a rocker. It is so much fun! I think that when he goes to kindergarten on a daily basis, I will take more time to fluff his lovely locks...rather then sending him to school with his crazy bedhead.

These pictures that I attached were recently taken at my daycare. I thought the photographer did a good job. I was just sad that Brie and Luke were at school that day, and didn't get in on the fun.

I've Got To Work It!

Today is my littlest sister's birthday. I want to use this forum to wish her a happy one! How old is she, lets think...she is 9 years younger than me, and I am 32...that must make her 23! I knew my highschool calculus class would come in handy one day! She now resides in Florida, and is soon moving to Mississippi. She is an artist at Saks Fifth Avenue, making women beautiful every day. She is married to a cool guy who reminds me a bit of my husband, in the sense that he is driven, smart, loves his wife, and valiantly tries (and fails) to give Lucas a run for his money in Halo (that will teach him to try to cheat an 8 year old out of his weekly allowance).

I just wanted to jot a few fun memories of my little sis:

1. I remember when she was born, I of course was 9. Leading up to her birthday mom and dad picked her name out...I thought it was awesome! I remember always starting to tell my friends, but forgetting because back then it was so odd and unique. I was even captured on camera forgetting her name.

2. Mackenzie was a perfect image of a healthy baby; chubby with huge blue eyes and mile long lashes. She was so much fun and had many admirers. I remember when she got really sick as an infant. We took her to the doctor to see what was wrong with her. Mom was incredibly nervous as well as the doctors, and they put that poor baby through tests including a spinal tap because they thought that she had spinal meningitis. I was young, but I knew that it could have been life threatening. We were relieved when all she had was the measles.

3. When Mackenzie was a toddler/little kid, we all loved to dress her up in makeup, mom's bra, wigs...you name it. It was hilarious to get her to dance and repeat funny things in front of the camera.

4. I moved out of the house when she was 8, but I remember coming home and being really excited to be around her. She was always fun, and always genuinely thrilled to be around me. It made me feel good to be her big sister. I always wanted to steal her away, and have her live in my dorm room (hide her in the closet or something).

5. Mackenzie was thrilled when she found out that she was going to have a niece (Brie)! We always found excuses to get together. She was such a huge help for me. She put off becoming too involved with being a teenager and was my little babysitter/house cleaner. I seriously don't know what I would have done with out her. She became an even bigger help when I had Lucas and was single. I remember that I would drop the kids off at mom's house so I could go to school. When I later came home, I came home to a clean house and a homemade cheesecake. Apparently she had made her way to my house, and cleaned the pigsty, and cooked for me!

6. When Mackenzie entered her 'true teenage years', she remained my constant helper and friend...even though she was drop-dead gorgeous, with boyfriends coming out of her ears. We would talk like friends, even though nearly a decade separated us in age. She even was gracious enough to make an appearance at my wedding open house when I married Ed...even though it was prom night. She and Stacy stopped by with their runway dresses, super model bodies, bad-ass up-dos, and pimply faced drooling boyfriends. She now feels bad about this, and apologizes for not blowing off prom. But I was glad to have a couple of beautiful girls make an appearance at my open house. Friends of me and Ed's wondered why mysterious model-superstars came to our open house. From then on I am sure our friends thought we were cool rather than a nerdy computer guy and a geeky accounting chic.

7. Today I relish any time I get to spend with Kenzie. She visits us often, and nobody can get enough of her. Everything that comes out of her mouth is shocking, yet she makes everyone feel special and loved. No moment is a dull moment when Kenze is in your presence. She is pulled in every direction with all of her friends and all of her family hoping to get a piece of her. When she left Utah yesterday, BrieOcea hysterically cried at her imminent departure...almost to the extent that she did when King Kong died.

Happy Birthday Mackenzie! I hope that you realize how much everyone loves you. All of your family would do anything for you. I hope to follow your example and be a better sister/friend/aunt. I know that you are going to do great in Mississippi...just don't forget about us here in Utah! Love You!

Jamie

It Might Be Time For a Haircut...

Well, I have been experimenting with Traedon's hair. I have been trying to grow it to a cute longer length for a while. In the past, I gave up once his hair reached a certain point that nothing could make it look cute. Other times, when I finally got past that point...and it was just starting to look seriously cutie-pie -- my sister or mom, or some other sinister person got to him with the scissors. I think that they thought it better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission, for the sake of my son who was starting to look like my daughter. Anyways, it finally reached a cute length. I like it, and I want to see it get a little longer...we have come all this way! Admittedly it does often look scroungy soon after I spend time teasing it in a 'Zack & Cody' kind of way. Ed also says on occasion..."Jamie, I think it might be time to cut his hair." I chalk this opinion up to all of Edgar's taste being in his mouth. Traedon also looks incredibly sweet with short hair. Please help me make my decision by voting in my poll above. Just keep in mind that your vote will most likely determine the course of my young son's life! :)

Naughty or Nice?

Most people who know Lucas, know him to be rather calm and sweet. He acts shy around people he doesn't know, yet he makes friends easily. Most people can't fathom the naughty, ungrateful, sibling provoking, trouble making, mess enhancer child that we at the Harris household has come to know and love. You may catch a small glimpse of what I go through with him if you happen to call at the time of day when Luke is to be doing his simple chore, but refusing with a loud fit. Don't get me wrong, I love Lucas to pieces...I even smile at some of his naughty behaviors. But he has his days when I wish that I could wring his neck without the fear of going to jail for child abuse. Like the other day, I was really excited to tell him that his aunt Laurie and I set up his plane ticket to visit Laurie in Georgia from July 4th-July 10th. He was thrilled of course, but to my dismay, later that evening he was bragging to Traedon that he was going to Georgia for 20 days! I calmly corrected him, and told him that it was more like 7 days. He then became outraged and acted like I had cut his trip short by 13 days just to spite him. He exclaimed, "You always do this to me, mom!" Ok, yeah, I always send him on trips clear across the country, but yank him out early to make him mad. I was shocked by his ungrateful attitude and his behavior after Laurie and I spent a butt-load of cash so he can have a wonderful summer. He continued to cry at how unjust I was, because BrieOcea got to see Laurie for 2 weeks. Finally he calmed down, and said that he was grateful and happy, and that he was sorry and will be nice. But then the following day he acted like that whole scene didn't happen, and that he was going to Georgia for 20 days! I thought he was trying to be funny, but I wasn't sure...so I corrected him again, and told him that it is only 7 days. He then threw the exact same fit as the day before! I seriously wondered if there was something seriously mental with this kid! I was flabbergasted, and told him that the trip was called off, and that he was grounded for the foreseeable future. Since then, he has actually been conscious of his behavior and attitude. I can really tell that he is trying to change his behavior at home, so I guess that the trip is still on. I hate making empty threats.

Believe it or not, I am posting today to let the world know how proud I am of my guy, Lucas. I received a letter from his school teacher. He was the only one in the class to receive a letter in a mysterious envelope addressed to the parents. All of his classmates wanted him to open it to see what it was, but he brought it to me unopened. I have to admit that I was worried! He has always been really good in school, but he seems to be getting worse at home...so I wouldn't be surprised if his naughtiness overlapped at school. I opened the letter, and it seemed to confirm my worse suspicions...at first. This is how it reads:

Dear Jamie,

As teachers we are required throughout the school year to document all our interactions with misbehaving students, our different strategies to control their actions, and dealings with the parents. We are also asked to keep records & grades, and teach responsibility, manners, and ethics to students whose parents don't teach it themselves. In all this, truly wonderful kids like your son are lost in the shuffle and not given the recognition and praise they deserve.

I am writing in appreciation for Lucas, one of the wonderful kids in my class. He has been an exceptional example in behavior and responsibility. I have seen your son offer help to others who are struggling, look up when I ask for attention, walk in quietly and get to work, and respectfully do the work expected of him in class. I feel like Lucas has always done the best that is expected, and nothing was ever turned in dishonestly done.

In today's classroom, your child is exceptional. There are many problems for both teachers and good students to deal with, but your son has all the characteristics of success and happiness. As Lucas leaves me in a week I will miss his willingness to help me and others and his wonderful attitude for learning. I urge you to continue to be involved with your child in the educations process; this is the thing that is making the difference! And so, you see, this is the reason why I am feeling so much appreciation for you, as well as Lucas.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Redd

Man, I am almost in tears again! It is nice for a mom to hear such nice things about her child, especially when she is at the end of her rope with said child. Sorry this post is so lengthy, but I am sure all you moms understand how nice it is to be able to share your children's accomplishments with the people that you love.

Hawaii

Edgar and I went to Kauai, Hawaii for our 7 year anniversary. I have to say, if you have a chance to go. I definitely recommend it. We stayed for 4 nights and had the opportunity to go on a boat tour where we saw whales, dolphins, and green sea turtles...it was amazing. We also went to a Luau, spent time on the many beaches snorkeling, checked out many local diners, and drove around the island checking out the different hot spots. The island is very rural and laid back...which was very refreshing.

Monk Seal Relaxing on the beach ................................Edgar and his creation 'Trogdor'

Baby Language

Rohnin is such a fun child. We are definately blessed to have him part of our family. He does however have a peculiar habit. He loves to spit. It is his way to communicate. Now instead of constantly drooling, he is constantly spitting. I think he likes the vibration in his mouth. He is an expert and avid spitter. He has a certain different spitting inflections. Almost like music in his own mind. This little nuance has carried over to let us know about his abhorrance to eating/drinking anything but milk. We've tried all types of delectable baby food varieties, including cookies, fruit, crackers...we have even broken down and tried icecream, or candy. But alas, he spits it all out with a disgusting look on his face. I don't know how long this can go on. He is nearly 8 months old, and I don't think that when he gets older he can live on formula alone.