Marrott's Mayhem

Nate's Halloween Story

2011-10-28T09:47:00.000-06:00

Nate brought his scary Halloween Story home yesterday. It is quite a funny little story and I think I have a boy with a lot of imagination. I just wanted to publish him out in the world.

A Vampire and a Pumpkin

Once upon a time there was a vampire who didn't have any friends. Then Vampire met Pumpkin. They became friends. But soon, the Vampire ate Pumpkin! Pumpkin turned into a Jack-o-lantern and grew inside his stomach. He was so mad he ate Vampire! Then the vampire's neighbor, Mummy, all wrapped in paper, attacked Pumpkin! The pumpkin ate him as well. The end.

Have a Happy Halloween!!

13!

2011-10-20T16:51:00.000-06:00

She was such a cute sweet baby and now she is 13! It is amazing how fast time has gone by. The last 13 years have brought a lot of joy and pain and a lot of laughter and tears. I would not take any of it back. It has been such a great joy to raise this girl into the fine young lady she has become. I am excited to see what the next 13 years bring. Happy Birthday Madison!!!

Disability

2011-09-09T08:42:00.000-06:00

What is a disability really? Doesn't everyone have some type of disability? I wear glasses. I have a disability. I can't run the Ragnar or do step aerobics. I have another disability. My disability is not a big deal to the rest of the world and many of our disabilities are not. Then their are the other types of disabilities. The person who is in a wheelchair, the person who has Down's Syndrome. Very visible disabilities. You see them and you know they need assistance and will need assistance for many things throughout life. Then their are learning disabilities. Learning disabilites touch a large spectrum of children and adults. Sometimes they are ignored because they are not severe, sometimes they are misdiagnosed, some are severe and limit learning. Parents of children with disabilities have to be strong for their kids. They have to fight for every right their child is entitled too. I only have one child who displays a disability. It started early. First we thought it would just be speech. Then we noticed she did not pick up and retain information as quickly. Then reading was a struggle, math was a struggle, everything was a struggle. I had watched this with younger siblings and knew what to look for from my education as an elementary school teacher. The special education teachers would test her, but could never pin point what the disability was. Finally after 8 years we finally got an answer. Dyslexia. Not mild dyslexia, but moderate to severe dyslexia. School is tough. Now in Junior High it has gotten even tougher. How do I help my child's teacher understand her disability is really the same as wearing glasses, or being in a wheelchair. She just needs to be taught in a little bit different way then other kids. How does a Junior High teacher reach the 1 out of 200? How do I help that teacher do that? That is the question today. How do we make the transition from one teacher who makes your child special and gets right to their level to 7 teachers with 200 other students?

Milestones

2011-04-26T21:07:00.000-06:00

After an entire week of Olivia in underwear and only having two accidents she is potty trained. It has been so nice not having to change diapers. It is very strange however, to think I will never change one of my kids diapers ever again. As we enter May, I realize I am making a couple of milestones. Madison will finish elementary school and start Junior High in the fall. Nathan will finish kindergarten and will be in first grade and go to school all day, and Olivia will go to school in the fall too. I remember thinking of the day when all my kids would go to school and how that day would never come. Now with only a month of school left I wonder how the time passed so quickly. I am excited for the milestones we are reaching and excited for the ones that lie ahead.

Spring Birthdays

2011-04-12T08:46:00.000-06:00

I am a little late in posting these, but better late than never. Two weeks ago we started the spring birthday craziness! Rylee's birthday is on March 29th, a week later is my brother followed the next day by Olivia then my mom a few days after that then there is my sister in law, my sister and my niece all in April. It is a crazy time of the year. This year is even a little more crazy planning for my brother's upcoming wedding at the first of May. Hence the lateness of the post.

Rylee turned 8 the year Olivia was born. They were actually both due on April 17th so I was very worried that Olivia would try and show up on Rylee's birthday. Luckily we made it past that and she came a week after Rylee's birthday. Rylee had a nice birthday. It was two days after we got back from her dance competition in St. George. I attempted to make her a cake but that went terribly wrong as it usually does. I think I have successfully made the cake I attempted for Rylee twice maybe three times in 11 years!!! It all started on her 1st birthday. Hopefully for year 12 I will get it right.

Olivia turned 3 a week later. Olivia loves the movie Tangled. We decided to get everything Rapunzel. We got her a Rapunzel Barbie, a Rapunzel dress, the movie Tangled and the Rapunzel crown. She was in heaven. I was going to make her this great Rapunzel cake for her birthday, but again setbacks. We could not find the toys we needed for the top of the cake and I had to settle on Walmart making the Rapunzel cake. Again maybe next year I will be more successful. It will be nice to have a birthday break the next kid birthday in our family isn't until October when Madison turns "13". I do not think I am ready for that.

Happy Birthday Nathan!!!

2011-02-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

I love my boy!!! The last six years went by very quickly. Nathan is growing so fast. He is such a sweetheart. He is my thoughtful, kind hearted little boy. He is so easy to please. I love what a great brother he is to his sisters and how he endures all the girls stuff around him. I am sure it is not easy being the only boy. I love how he wants to snuggle all the time and he already is such a gentleman and opens the door for me. I miss my baby boy, but I love the big boy he is becoming. It was a slow start we got off to, with machines helping him breathe, but now it is hard to keep up with him!!!

Nathan does not like cake so we had donuts!!!

White Christmas

2010-12-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas. Snow for Christmas, I could do without. Truthfully I could do without snow all the time. It was funny to hear my friends say it was too warm for it to be Christmas. I laugh. I remember the warm and sunny Southern California Christmases where when you got your new bike from Santa you could always go out and ride it right away. Nathan asked for a scooter for Christmas and rollerskates, but we decided to wait until his birthday. My thinking is why spend the money on something they probably won't use for a couple of months when we can get them something they will use right now. I was starting to think that it would be so warm that my plan may backfire on me. NOT TRUE!!! Yesterday morning we woke up to about 8 inches of snow. I think for Christmas the perfect gift would be a Snowblower :)

Visit to Santa

2010-12-07T09:24:00.000-07:00

This year we did not have to go to the mall to see Santa, he came to our ward's Christmas Party. I was really worried about Olivia and whether she would like Santa this year or not. Last year she was so excited to see Santa and then when we go up to put her on his lap she just cried. This year she was trying to get to the front of the line to see Santa. When it was finally her turn she jumped on his lap and gave him big hugs and told him exactly what she wanted for Christmas. As she watched the other kids have their turn she wanted to get back up there so she could give him kisses. I love that my kids love Santa!!!

Happy 12th Birthday Madison!!!

2010-10-20T14:38:00.000-06:00

Where did the time go. My Madison is 12 today. Tonight she is going to go to YW's and she wore make-up to school. It was funny to go and get her birthday gifts. Jon really struggled with buying makeup for her, I don't think he is ready for our girl to grow up. I am loving the babysitting she is doing and not having to track one down, but at times I miss having to get the babysitter and miss buying the barbies and other toys she used to want. I think she has had a pretty good birthday. She got a present this morning, then she was on TV a couple of times and had Cosmo come at lunch. I would call that a good day even if she did have to go to school. Happy Birthday Madison!!! We Love You!!!

A Frightfully FUN Family Night

2010-10-05T11:01:00.000-06:00

For family night last night we talked about what we learned from General Conference. I was really impressed with what the girls heard and what they remembered. I was very impressed with what Nathan knew about General Conference and that it was important to listen to the prophet, President Monson. For our Activity we decided to make cupcakes and decorate them with fun Halloween Sprinkles. Jon was gone on an Elder's Quorum business, the kids had a great time and got a little carried away with the candy corns and pumpkins.

"Brace"-ing Myself

2010-10-03T18:48:00.000-06:00

In a few short weeks, Madison will be 12. It is very hard to believe I have reached the point of having a 12 year old. She has grown up so much in the past few months. She started 6th grade, started doing some babysitting for us, and got braces. The day she got her braces I could not believe how much older they made her suddenly look. Madison is also getting glasses this week. I am bracing my self for all of the change that is suddenly coming upon us. Young Women's, boys calling (she has informed us that 5 boys at school like her) wearing make-up, shaving her legs and not really wanting toys anymore but asking for things like clothes, make-up, music CD's and Video Games. It is strange how quickly this has snuck up on me. I still remember 12 years ago student teaching and enjoying the prospect of having my first baby. Where did the time go, I am not quite sure but it has gone fast and I am very afraid the next 12 will go even faster!!!

1st Day of Kindergarten

2010-09-01T13:13:00.000-06:00

Today was Nathan's first day of Kindergarten. I can't believe the day has finally come when I have three kids in school. Nathan was born the year I started the school journey with Madison going to school. I was teaching her first day of school and didn't get the fun pictures and sat in my classroom and cried as I looked at the clock when the bus should be picking her up. I so wanted to be there. I decided at that time I wasn't going to miss another first day of Kindergarten again. I haven't. The first day Rylee went to Kindergarten was exciting as we walked with all the kids in the neighborhood. It has been a long time since I have had a child in kindergarten. It will be 2 more years until my last one goes. I think I may actually cry when that time comes. I don't cry when they go, I am excited for them. The kids are excited and anxious. I am so glad he had such a great first day. It is just hard to believe how fast my kids are growing and changing. There are no more babies in my house. Toddlers, and Little Kids and Tweens. I just want to remember every second because they will be gone all too soon. Happy 1st Day of Kindergarten Nathan!!!

Back To School

2010-08-26T09:41:00.002-06:00

The girls went back to school yesterday. I made German Pancakes for breakfast. The girls let me do their hair, not so today however. The house was a lot quieter too. Parts of the day were a little too quiet. Of course Olivia always likes to keep it lively. Two days in a row with no nap. I hope she takes one today. The best part of the day was when each girl walked in and announced that is was their Best First Day EVER!!! Rylee was nervous. I requested a teacher for her that Madison kept trying to tell her was super mean and that we should not let Rylee have her. Rylee loves her and is so happy I requested her. We will see if she still feels that way next week when she actually gets homework. (She has not had any in the last two years.) Madison loves her teacher. She has a lot friends in her class and loves her teacher. Last year was a bit of a bummer and I can tell her teacher this year is going to be great. I hope the kids will stay this anxious to get to school everyday. Next week I will send my little guy to kindergarten. I have mixed feelings. He has been going to pre-school for two years, but there is just something about sending him to school everyday and to the big Elementary School that makes me sad that he is growing up so fast. I would love to hold onto the little boy that loves to snuggle with me and open my door when we get in and out of the car, (yes my 5 year old opens my car door for me and I didn't even teach him or tell him to do it, he's a keeper.) I am scared to lose that sweet boy. It will be lots of days of just me and Olivia doing things. I hope she still likes me after the school year is over from all our 1 on 1 time.

Summer, Where is it Going?

2010-07-11T19:06:00.003-06:00

Summer is a time of life when kids look forward to school free days and parents wonder how much longer until the kids go back to school. I am usually one of those parents who actually enjoys having my kids home in the summer. I look forward to getting the house organized, and doing fun activities with my kids. This summer however, is different. I have lost all sense of organization and my kids make me crazy within the first 10 minutes of the day. My kids have exactly six weeks and 2 days of summer left until school begins. I am hoping to make the next six weeks what I had thought of. Days at the park and pool, organizing my house, getting some painting done and enjoying some good family time. We still have great things to look forward too. Cousins coming to visit from out of state, an Uncle coming home from a mission, a week at the beach in California with cousins and aunts and uncles, sleepovers with friends, and a family camping trip. These are things I hope that will fill the kids heads with fond memories of the Summer of 10, not the grouchy mom that they have seen the last six weeks. I am starting to wonder if it is the dog that is throwing me off my groove. As cute as he is, there is a certain element of uncertainty and mayhem he certainly does cause!!! Next year, hopefully, I will have it more together and we will have the summer I hoped for.

Summer's Coming, ALREADY???

2010-05-04T15:06:00.003-06:00

Well we have entered the month of May and the kids only have 24 days until they are out of school for summer break. Of course it doesn't even feel like summer yet as we have had snow rain and wind and freezing temperatures in the last week, but the calendar says something else. I always have good intentions as I get ready for the summer to begin. We are not going to sleep in, and we are going to do our chores everyday and work in our workbooks and read lots of books. Somehow that never seems to happen. This year I am hoping it will be different. Last year my friend Jen gave me a schedule she uses. I love it. I have actually incorporated it and used it throughout the year. It is nice because if the kids ask me if they can play or watch TV I just tell them to look at the schedule. I am trying to decide how to create a nice structured summer for the kids. I know sometimes I think I should just let them run around and have the summer off like I did as a kid, but then I remember that is not the world we live in anymore where you could leave at 9 in the morning and not come in until 8 at night and your mom didn't once wonder where you are. I would love to hear ideas and thoughts on how you plan your summer and what you do to keep structure. Who knows maybe we implement them???

OLIVIA-AKA TERROR

2010-04-25T20:44:00.004-06:00

All of my children have very different personalities. All of which have been able to manage. Olivia is a personality not quite like any other. I love her sparkling personality, but at times it can be very overwhelming. This week, Olivia brought experiences I have never had with any of my children. On Monday, she walked into the middle of the street with our cute puppy following right behind. My neighbor in her car saw her and luckily picked her and the puppy up and brought them back. I then found out when Jon told me, "Oh yeah, she can open the gate." I wish he would have told me that before I let her out to play. Now the gate has a pad lock on it and she will not be getting out again. Wednesday, I was so tired that I decided I needed a 20 minute nap and the two older girls could handle the younger two and the puppy. Well Olivia decided to do a face dive off of the barstool and landed smack on her head. The girls calmed her down and sat with her got her drink and turned on the TV. The TV of course solves everything. When I came downstairs I checked her over and everything seemed fine except for her being a little grumpy. About 20 minutes later she was falling asleep on the couch. One bad sign. Next I looked at her eyes they were a little large but not bad. I called Jon and told him I thought Olivia had a concussion. He asked me to check her eyes again and as I did she threw up. Off to the Emergency Room we went. This may be a shock to some of you, but this was my first ever visit to an Emergency Room with one of my children. Yes, 4th kid and finally a visit. The other kids have had accidents and things but nothing that every required the Emergency Room. Olivia had to get a CT scan. Jon went in with her and she did great. She did not need to be sedated or need to get an IV which was good because we would have been there a lot longer otherwise. The CT scan came back perfect and we watched her closely through the night. The next morning my same old Olivia. Drawing on the wall, furniture and herself with sharpie markers and running around like nothing had ever happened. I have decided that Olivia is here to keep me young because she defintely keeps me on my toes and makes life very interesting, and is the reason I need a nap. I hope I can make it through the next 16 plus years. Of course I wouldn't want it any other way!

Birthday's, Easter and a New Puppy

2010-04-11T20:20:00.013-06:00

Well I love having kids with spring birthday's but a week apart with Easter in the middle might have a been a little extreme. It was a fun week though. Rylee turned the big "10" on Monday, March 29th. I took her to the spa where her aunts work and she got an updo and a pedicure. She loved it. We then went to dinner at Spaghetti Factory and picked up our families brand new puppy. It was a long week needless to say with a brand new puppy. It was like having a new baby at home waking up a couple times a night. Luckily the puppy is sleeping through the night now and doing very well. Sunday we had Easter. It was a great day with family and egg hunts and lots and lots of SUGAR!!! Tuesday, April 6th was Olivia's birthday. She was so cute. She kept going around the house and when you said Happy Birthday, she would go two, two. She loved opening presents and blew out her own candles. It was a great day. Spring Break is over and the kids head back to school. 7 more weeks of school left until we are done with school year.

Super Heroes/Super Friends

2010-01-05T19:41:00.003-07:00

Olivia loves her big brother!!! She loves to play light sabers, Batman Toys and now she is loves to put on his Batman cape and fly around with him to fight crime. Nathan is such a great big brother to share with her. They love being with each other and playing with one another. I can see a very special relationship developing between these too. I know they will always be great "Super Friends" and will be heroes to many around them.

Visiting Santa

2009-12-22T08:24:00.003-07:00

So we finally took the kids to see Santa yesterday. We have been showing Olivia pictures and telling her about Santa. She seemed to understand what was going on. We decided to go right as Olivia woke up from her nap so she would be in the best mood. We got to the mall and there was a pretty good line, so much for getting there early!! Jon walked around with Olivia so she would not get to restles while waiting in line. Finally we got towards the front and she could see Santa. She was very excited. She kept saying Santa, HO HO HO!!! Nate had decided this was not the real Santa, that this Santa was made of air. I still haven't figured that one out. He now says, "Mom you were right that was the real Santa." Well as you can see in the picture, Olivia was excited until we set her on the big Jolly guys lap and then it was like, "What on Earth are you doing trying to leave me with this guy!!!" She did like the sucker he gave her though. Oh well maybe next year she will smile in the picture. I am not upset she was crying it shows how the kid really felt. It is still a great picture.

Reflections

2009-12-03T11:03:00.004-07:00

So December has come upon us once again. It is amazing to me how sneeky Christmas time is. You are just going about your business and boom it is time to put up the tree, send out the Christmas Cards and do all the shopping and baking and taking the kids to visit Santa Claus. I know I will miss these times when they are older but I wish I could be better prepared for it. There are so many things I plan on doing and then never get around to doing. I have been in a constant state of pondering and reflecting things the past couple months and evaluating things. I have experienced a lot this past year that reminds me that life is short and that I need to live everyday to its fullest and grasp every moment I can. Yes, I am already making those New Year's resolutions. I think it is good to stop and reflect when you feel like you need a change rather than just each year. I believe it helps you grow more and helps you evaluate more often to see what it is you are missing. Yes, I am trying to take that glass is half full approach rather than half empty this holiday season. It doesn't matter what I have or what I get because I have a happy healthy family, and really that is all that matters.

Catching Up

2009-07-10T21:51:00.005-06:00

Okay so Girls Camp is a lot of work!!! We had Olivia's Birthday, took a fun trip to Disneyland and then I had to plan lots and lots of Girls Camp!!! It has taken me a month to recover. Well for my house to recover. I am just going to give a brief over view of the last couple months. April, we took a fun family trip to Disneyland. Rylee was dancing there with her competition team. We had a great time. Nathan was in heaven and asks if we can go back tomorrow, everyday. We got home from Disneyland and Rylee had her last two dance competitions of the year. Her team did great. They one first place overall grand champions in their division. School got out in May and we are enjoying our summer vacation. We have had fun trips to the pool, the park and the library for our weekly storytime. I finished Girls Camp in June. It was a great week. I love the young women in our ward they are wonderful!!! I am hoping to keep up on the blog more and post all the fun and craziness we are having around here. Here are a few pictures of all our fun too!!!

Olivia's 1st Birthday

2009-04-08T22:59:00.005-06:00

It is hard to believe that my baby is already 1 year old. Before I know it she will be walking out the door and getting married. Time goes so much faster than I ever want it too. Olivia is such a sweetheart and makes each day so bright just with her beautiful smile. I got her, her very first happy meal on Monday with her big brother. He thought that was pretty neat then I spent the entire afternoon making the most magnificent cake you have ever seen. Okay maybe not that you have ever see but it was a masterpiece for me. In every attempt at making a great cake for the kids we hav a terrible incident that requires me to instead go and purchase a cake from the store. For the last kid I was finally successful!! I made homemade buttercream frosting and marshmallow fondant to make the cake smooth. It was fantastic and Olivia loved it. It was a great day!!!

Exercise, So OVERRATED!!!

2009-03-12T09:13:00.007-06:00

Okay so exercise is important because it helps keep you healthy and is supposed to give you more energy. I am not feeling the energy. I am feeling sore and exhausted. When I was put in as assistant camp director I figured I better exercise so I can go on the five mile hike with the girls and don't look like a total fool. The only problem is that I do not have any cartlidge in my knees so I cannot do anything that is high impact. Let me tell you that really limits you. Basically my options are swimming, walking, bike riding and yoga. I also decided after watching Good Things Utah last week and seeing Angie's buff arms that I also need to tone up a little because I have flabby arms. I have been swimming and lifting weights now for a week and the energy seems to be getting less rather than more. I think you can get plenty of exercise chasing 4 kids and cleaning your house. I am going to keep it up just because I don't want to look like a fool in June, but this is way overrated as far as I can tell!!

Basketball Girl

2009-03-06T22:35:00.003-07:00

Madison loves to play basketball. This is her second year playing through our parks and rec program. She loves it. She has really enjoyed Jon being her coach this year. She wishes we would get her a hoop so she could practice all the time. Tonight was her last game of the season and she did awesome. She had a blocked shot which is pretty good since she is the shortest one out there usually. She had a couples steals and a few rebounds and was so close to making her very first basket. It is amazing how much she has improved. The coach was quite proud of her too (of course he might be biased). Jon was so proud of all the girls we went for ice cream after the game. It was a great night.

May The Force Be With You

2009-03-06T22:27:00.005-07:00

Nathan is our little Star Wars fanatic. He watches or plays with something Star Wars all day. He was trying to get me to play light sabers with him the other morning when I was trying to get ready for helping at the school and picking up the house before he left for pre-school. He decided to have Olivia give it a try and she graciously accepted as you can see. I am curious to see what will happen as she gets older and can really use one of these things. I think Nathan might have a little run for his money with her.

Rylee's Dance Competition

2009-03-01T21:16:00.004-07:00

Okay so I am becoming the total soccer well dance mom. Jon hates it but I do not really care. I have decided this is what I live to do. Be there for my kids in helping them to do anything they want to do and supporting them 100% of the way. Rylee has been dancing on a competition team for the last 3 years. Last year her team did awesome. They even won a six foot trophy. Those girls were inspired and are ready to do it again this year. We had our first competition of the season yesterday at Thanksgiving Point. Her team earned 2nd place for their Jazz Dance and got 1st place for their Lyrical Dance. This was awesome because 10 minutes before they went on one of the girls got a bloody nose. After adjusting the line up they got on stage and started dancing when their music stopped working. They were awesome though they just kept going and the announcer had to come on stage and tell them to stop and that they would fix the music. It was inspiring and made all of us mom's cry. The girls ended up winning and Overall Trophy which means they had the top overall score for the 70 teams competiting in their age group. We were so proud!!! Rylee was way excited and can hardly wait for the next competition which unfortunately is a whole month away. Here are some pictures from the night. Hope you enjoy.

Olivia's First Tooth

2009-02-28T22:56:00.005-07:00

Okay so I would give you a picture of Oliva's first tooth but for some reason she is being shy about it. (Instead I will just give you a way cute picture.) She won't even show it to me her mother. It has been a long and waited for tooth with many sleepless nights and wondering what was wrong to my sweet wonderful baby. We broke our tooth and I do say our tooth because I earned it too, on Thursday. Now we are happy and getting sleep again which is a very good thing for mommy. I just hope the rest of them don't take this long and are not this painful.

Resolutions

2009-01-09T11:10:00.003-07:00

Okay so Jon hates New Year's Resolutions so I had not really set any because I don't like to hear crap from him about it. Then I decided I don't really care what he thinks. I love the New Year and reflecting on what I want to improve on from the last year. There are so many things I want to do this year I do not even know where to begin. My main goal is to be a better wife and mother and actually keep this blog up to date by recording fun events that happen in our family and take pictures!!! Wish me luck!!!

Make Believe

2008-11-13T13:04:00.004-07:00

Imagination and making up anything you can be is great. Nathan spends most of his days pretending to be one thing or another. At bedtime last night it was a space explorer, at school today it was being an indian, and right now it is Tarzan. I can't believe he is not freezing, only wearing his underwear. I am sure later on today it will be Batman or Superman maybe even Buzz Lightyear. I am so glad there are so many great things that we can pretend to be. Right now I am pretending I am on a beach where it is nice and warm and they keep bringing me chocolate banana smoothies. What do you imagine?

Rainy Days and Mondays

2008-11-10T19:42:00.003-07:00

Well today was cold and wet which made for some craziness as the kids could not go outside and play. I think I have the song to Lego Batman memorized from hearing it all day. I definitely need to find some activities for days like this when the kids are inside all day or make them actually play with their toys and not be on the Wii all day. I hope the weather improves as the week goes on or this house might be the crazy house.