Our Halloween Tradition

Whew! Close to two months have gone by since my last entry. I can not believe that it is November 2nd!

Not much to report. Jordan is busy with school, soccer and piano. This year Frank is coaching his soccer team, so the boys are having a lot of fun together. I am glad Frank can take the time to coach and that he is able to spend it with Jordan. Go Barracudas! Jordan started taking piano this year and is doing really well. My niece, Chalisse is teaching him, and he is enjoying it. I, for one, am pleasantly surprised. I thought that piano was going to be a struggle between the two of us, but he is a very willing participant!

Brooklyn is busy with school, piano and ballet. She is in the midst of Nutcracker rehearsals. She is dancing 5 shows, so she is very busy. She rehearses everyday but Sundays and Fridays, plus her regular ballet classes. She is a very determined and dependable young lady. She is very excited about the upcoming shows. She is doing very well at school and piano as well. I am amazed sometimes, how she gets everything done!

Now onto our Halloween tradition. In our family our children have the tradition of getting sick on Halloween, and NOT because of the candy! For the past four years either Brooklyn or Jordan or both, have become sick on October 31st. Sometimes they wake up sick, other times I get a call from the school to come to get them, or they have come down with a cold between school and trick or treating. Once Jordan came down with the flu while we were at the mall trick or treating. Poor little guy, he lost it right outside the entrance to the Sears department store! I think he tramatized his little cousins Michael and Rebecca as they were with us. I felt so bad for Jordan, who had a rather large audience to witness his most embarrassing moment, and for the maintenance staff, who had to clean up! He was mortified. Everytime we pass that spot, he relives that moment. This year was no different. I picked up Jordan from school, very optimistic that at last we were going to make it through the night. Jordan, unfortunately, came out of school with a headache. He did manage to trick or treat for a while until the cold took hold of his little body. He has been out for the count since. Alas, our tradition continues.

We're back to School!

Our first week back to school is over and the Millington's have survived! One down, many more weeks to go. Actually though, looking back it went pretty smooth. Brooklyn and Jordan love their new teachers and we already have our schedule up and running with precision (Cross fingers and knock on wood). Everyone got to where they needed to be this week, on time, if you can believe it. Whew.

Brooklyn is very excited to be in grade 5 and she is now in middle school. She has her very own locker. That in it self is reason enough to visit the school on the first day. You have no idea how many students put their locks on backwards, or forgot their combinations altogether. It was comical to watch the shock, then panic on their dumbfounded little faces. Luckily or maybe it's experience, the very wise teachers have put together a master list of those magical sets of numbers to free the lockers. Oh, the patience and briliance of a school teacher!

Jordan was happy to learn that his grade three class consists of the same students from his grade two class. Really, the only changes was a couple of students were added, a new teacher is in charge and they are in a different classroom. They are a great group of children, who work very well together. On a side note, Jordan is participating in a soccer tournament over the next two weeks and his team won the first game last night. He is so happy to be back on the field after a couple of months off.

The only unhappy Millington in all of this is Sweet Emery, who does not have her siblings in the back seat full time to amuse her with songs, stories, funny noises, and to fetch the toys she tosses overboard. There have been a couple of car rides so far that have been accompanied by screaming and no it wasn't me (although it is tempting to chime in every once in a while)! Our car rides have been few and very brief. I hope to ease her into riding in the back solo.

Before I can fully let summer go and embrace the school year fully, I must say a proper goodbye:

Goodbye hot, mostly dry (yet somewhat unpredictable) weather.
Goodbye sleeping in until 9:00am. I truly did enjoy that extra sleep.
Goodbye not having to leave the house for days. Home is a great place to be.
Goodbye trailer, you are so easy and quick to clean!
Goodbye dutch oven, everything you cook is delicious.
Goodbye sun, your longer stays made each day seem to last forever.
Goodbye fire pit and wood, you amused us with your dancing.
Goodbye swimming outdoors in the sun. You were refreshing.
Goodbye boat, we had fun on the lake with Grandpa.
Goodbye tube, we enjoyed our rides, including the waves.
Goodbye picnic lunches. Sandwiches always taste better on a blanket.
Goodbye spontaneity, we enjoyed the surprises.

To summer I say, see you in 10 months!

Yahoo! It's that time of year again!

IT'S STAMPEDE TIME! That means Stampede Breakfasts and Bar-B-Ques. Today we had the privilege of going to Grandpa's office for a Bar-B-Que. It was a child's dream. Along with the hamburgers, chicken burgers, hot dogs, pop, and chips, there was games, a huge bouncer complete with slide and a face painter. Her speciality, as you can see was Spider man.

Brooklyn went with the crime fighting original version of Spider man, out to fight evil!

Jordan went with the Black Spider man. Do you think it means anything? Hmmm...

They were so proud of their faces. They kept worrying that the heat was making their makeup run. I was constantly reassuring them that all was well. Unfortunately for the bouncer, which they played on after their faces were done, it did get its fair share of makeup as the children bounced around inside. Ewww.

Their makeup lasted about an hour. They then decided that they wanted their makeup off. Fifteen minutes, a massive amount of elbow grease and a half a bar of Dove soap later, this is what we ended up with. Don't even get me started on their clothes though. Does stage makeup come out of clothes? Please, please please, say that it comes out! Alas, I will tackle that dilemma in the morning.

Trivia question: When makeup is washed off of children, where does it end up?

What's the bet that these will ever be white again? Any wagers? Note to myself, do I have enough bleach?!

Hodge Podge

Here's a quick update of everyone.

Emery has finally outgrown her infant bathtub. I can't believe she is 5 months today. We now bath her in the kitchen sink. She loves to eat the bubbles!

Tara has a wonderful laundry helper.

Yes, as soon as the load comes out of the dryer, Merlin is all over it like a dirty shirt! It was fun trying to get him out of the basket! He is like that with my bed as well. As soon as I make it, he goes under the covers. What a crazy dog.

Jordan is playing most of his soccer games in the rain. Which, I might add, he doesn't mind at all! It's a pain for me, because I have to watch from the car, because I don't want Emery getting sick. His skills have greatly improved. He is participating in soccer academy, so he is playing soccer 5 days a week. He hates it when practices or games get cancelled due to all the rain!

Brooklyn just danced her Etude on the weekend and did a fantastic job. She finally got her RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) exam marks. She passed with distinction. She worked so hard and practiced many hours and we are so pleased to see her accomplishments. She is looking forward to the summer break from school and ballet.

Jordan Update

First off, I'm sorry that the video of Emery isn't working. I'll have to try and catch her laughing with the video camera.

On Wednesday, I took Jordan up to the Orthopedic clinic at the Children's Hospital to meet with the doctor concerning the problems he has been having with his joints. Everyone kept assuring me that it was just "growing pains". I definetely wanted that to be true. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Jordan was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis. At this stage, it only affects his knees, left shoulder and back. We have a temporary course of treatment to help control the flare ups until we can meet with the Rheumatologist, who will put together a more permanent treatment.

Jordan is such a trooper. It wasn't until he was answering the doctor's questions that I found out that he wakes up many mornings stiff and sore. He has never complained to me, other than the flare ups when he has been unable to walk. That night as I tucked him in, he declared that it had been a great day. I was shocked because it hadn't been a super great day from his mom's perspective. I asked him why he thought that it had been a great day. He said it was because when he had his blood drawn, he didn't faint this time and that he got to go to the hospital cafe and have green jello and banana bread. I love my Jordan! He is the sweetest most easy going little boy I know (Unless I am telling him it is time to go to bed)!

Emery's Giggle

Yesterday, I was helping Mom and Dad watch the 10 grandchildren while their parents were helping Jen and Kelly move into their new house. On our way to my house from Let's play to eat dinner, Rebecca, who is Emery's 6 year old cousin, was doing everything in her power to get Emery to laugh. Finally it worked! All I had with me was the camera on my cell phone, so the picture quality isn't the greatest, but I was glad that we were able to get her giggle recorded.

Have a listen. There is nothing in this world sweeter than the giggle of a baby. It is completely infectious. The whole car started to laugh along with her. We are so blessed to have our little Emery Grace!

Millington Update

Emery loves to smile! She is at a really fun age, 4 months. Although she is still stingy with the laughs. Her big talent right now is sticking her fist in her mouth! Also, she can pull her sucky out of her mouth, but just can't quite get it back in, so she ends up chewing on the hard plastic. Silly baby!

Our life gets really busy at this time of year as Jordan's outdoor season has started. We have four nights that are dovoted to soccer, add in Brooklyn's ballet twice a week and piano, and my days and nights have been so full. I am so sad that Emery hates her car seat because the poor dear is in it a lot. Thank heavens, Emery's schedule is becoming more predictable. She is sleeping 6 hours a night, YAY! I almost feel human in the morning and I can complete full sentences again without dozing off. The down side is that she cat naps during the day, so Mommy is almost always a little behind on everything. But her smile melts my heart and then nothing else matters.

Emery also has decided that hates laying on the floor, and despises "tummy time". So in order for me to accomplish anything, Frank bought me a Bumbo chair (Thank you Sharae for mentioning this wonder product on your blog!), which helps her sit upright so she can look around. She is much happier and I can get a few things done, all the way from start to finish, and with not one but, two hands! Oh, remember to celebrate the small victories that come on an everyday basis!

Well, off to soccer!

The "Frankie" Face

We all think that Emery looks allot like her Daddy. Right down to the scowl! If you look closely, even the eyebrows are the same! Frank always jokes that he'll put on a wig to show us what Emery's going to look like in 38 years.

Anyways, it has been a crazy couple of weeks. We decided to rip apart our house and engage in some spring cleaning. I had forgotten how long it takes to accomplish anything that big with a little baby in the house. She is sweet, but very demanding. We will EVENTUALLY get the house back in order. Although, with the weather over the last few days, did we miss spring and summer? I immediately went back into hibernation mode, and stayed home all weekend. Brooklyn and Jordan especially loved that! It was quite enjoyable. There is something to be said about closing out the world and just being with the ones you love!

A Quiet Moment

Between conference sessions on Sunday, Frank took Emery for me while I made lunch. When I found them, they looked so peaceful, that I had to take a picture!

The Millington family had a wonderful weekend watching conference. What an experience it was to be able to stand together with our brothers and sisters in the gospel and sustain President Thomas S. Monson as the 16th president of the church in the solemn assembly Saturday morning. The rest of the conference had a very special spirit to it this time. I know that the spirit touched me this conference as we listened to the counsel of our prophet. I enjoyed so many of the messages that were given. I look forward to watching them again.

We had a faith building moment this weekend. As you know, Jordan plays soccer and loves it. He plays in the developmental league. Spring try outs are starting. We were told that Jordan's first tryouts were scheduled for yesterday. We have never let our children dance or play sport on Sundays. That is not only the Sabbath, but it is also our family day where we know that we will all be at home together. We debated for a bit on whether we should make an exception for the try outs because we could fit it inbetween sessions and he wouldn't be missing church. We knew that it might affect Jordan's placement on a team and in the league, but we just didn't feel right about it. So we put our faith in the Lord and said no to the Sunday tryouts. The coordinator got right back to us saying that Jordan could join a different group and try out tonight! Jordan, who was upset that we said no to the tryouts, was happy once again! The Lord does bless his children for trying to do what is right!

BUSTED!

We have a rule at our house, I'm sure you might have the same rule at your house. It is that there are no treats unless Mommy and/or Daddy say yes. This rule is very hard for our children to follow right after Halloween (Thank you, Neighbors!) and Easter (Thanks a lot, Easter Bunny!)

Let me give you some background about our home from school routine. Every day after school, Brook and Jordy scatter when they walk in the door. This is to try and prevent Mommy from asking them to do anything to help me out. Their hope is that if they are quiet enough, I will forget they are here. I think that there is an unwritten law of parenting that we, as parents are forbidden to forget our children. Besides, I can hear them playing and arguing reguardless of how quiet they think they are. I particularily find it amusing when the "whisper fight" as their whispers aren't that quiet.

Anyways, about 45 mins. after we were home yesterday, Jordy reappeared to give his baby sister, Emery a kiss (Very sweet!). When Mommy saw him, I politely asked what he had been up to. He told me that he was playing X-BOX in the basement and that's all. I further questioned him on whether he had eaten a snack (I was just curious, because there had been no requests from either of my older children about having a after school snack). He, with a straight face, answered NO (TWICE!).

Now I ask you, would you believe him?!

Emery's Smile and the Dogs' "frowns"

We finally captured a really great picture of Emery"s smile! Big brother Jordan took this picture when he was playing with the camera. He spent about an hour taking pictures of Emery and the dogs. Isn't she precious?! What a great little photographer Jordan is!

Now about those dogs!

This is Marshall. He is my parent's dog. He is staying with us while they are playing on the cruise ship (Poor them!). I'm sure they are having more fun than Marshall and that he wishes he was anywhere but at our house.

Let me explain.

This is Merlin, he's one of our dogs. He is seven and as he ages he get crankier and crankier(Don't we all!). He used to love having Marshall come and stay with us. The two of them would play from sunrise until sunset. Merlin is no longer the gracious host he used to be. In fact, he is quite the pill. He sulks all the time and won't give Marshall the time of day. As well, he stays glued to Frank and I, constantly tripping us because he always underfoot. This is to insure that he has our undivided attention, and Marshall does not. Poor Marshall, he has to sneak loves from me when Merlin isn't looking. I'm sure Marshall is expecting a BIG present from his Mom and Dad for having to put up with Merlin for a week and a half! (Hint, Hint, Mom and Dad!)

Now about Maggie, she is our 11 year old puppy. She's hiding in her kennel because Merlin is taking out his aggression over Marshall staying with us on her. She's trying to keep a low profile, which for the most part is working. She comes out at night when everyone is asleep to eat, drink and then cuddle up to Brooklyn on her bed. She is very grateful that at night, Merlin parks himself on Mommy and Daddy's bed just to make sure that Marshall doesn't! Merlin doesn't move a muscle until the morning.

Poor Marshall and Maggie, for having to put up with a big grump!

Little Emery

The early days of Emery Grace Millingon getting the feel for sleeping on her leather couch. What a life. She is our little miracle and deserves genuine leather. She is very loved by her big sister and brother , Brooklyn and Jordan, and of course Mom and Dad. We love you Emery! You were worth the wait!

The Five Millingtons

The Millington Family is thrilled to be on Spring Break! We have nothing planned other than to relax and enjoy our time together. We had a wonderful easter and the Easter Bunny was very good to the children. Brooklyn received the movie, Enchanted, which I think she has already watched 4 times, a Hannah Montana Wig and camera. Jordan received a cool outfit with matching sunglasses and a hockey net and pads to play "garage hockey", because we live on a busy street!. Emery received a Lullaby Gloworm and a Talking Lion.