Tid Bits...

When Audrey wants a drink of milk or a drink of juice...she comes up to me and says in her two year old language...
"mo-mm-y....meelk or duce peez."

She means one or the other...milk or juice. But thinks they are both called "milkorjuice" because I used to give her the choice. Now they have one name. Not just milk. Not just juice. I always get it wrong...I pick the wrong one, and she gets mad at me, and yells..."NO, NO, MEELK OR DUCE" So I have to get the other one out...whichever one it happens to be that she wants.

Makes me laugh every time.

The Rogers Family Blog

I realized something today (especially after Jeff made a comment to the same effect yesterday)....My Rogers's Family blog has turned more into a "Nicole" blog. Sorry. I need to post more about my kids and the family...that's what this blog is for, not for my "wanna be cool blogger" ramblings. Maybe I should start another blog. Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Did I mention that I am addicted to blogging too??

Confessions of a Facebook Addict

It's interesting how you keep yourself occupied. When I had to stay off my foot totally for two weeks I became obsessed with two things...Twilight, and Facebook. What can I say...I was stuck in a chair all day long, and the olympics had not started yet. So...I read, and piddled on the computer. I finished reading all the Twilight books the first week, so that obsession has faded, but Facebook is another story. I am completely addictded.

It is so much fun to reconnect with old friends, and I love seeing what everyone is doing all the time. But I have had some bizaar side effects. I think my cyber world is creeping into the "real" world. So, here is my confession...

I've started thinking all my thoughts as "status updates." All day long I've caught myself doing it. I swear I'm loosing it! Here is my morning...in status update.

1."Nicole is positive Dallin's teacher thinks she is a crack head mom, after sending him to school on Monday. Oopps! He really wasn't supposed to go to school until Wednesday...some stupid "introduce kids to kindergarten thing."
2. "Nicole is wondering if it was a good idea to let Dallin do the dishes...there is water all over my kitchen."
3. "Nicole is feeling a little silly after realizing her neighbor saw her hopping around on one foot trying to dance with Audrey to a Gwen Steffani song."
4. "Nicole is wondering if all this dust is just a fact of life, and to stop worrying about it so much."
5. "Nicole is going to finish school shopping today, even though it is the 2nd day of school.

There are a lot more updates rolling around in my mind, but I'll spare you the gorey details.

So...what do you think...am I totally insane? Has anyone else started to think in "status updates?" Is facebook a secret cult that brain washes you???

Home Decor

I want my living room to look like my blog...I love the colors...and the patterns....I wonder if I can find decor that looks like this???

End of Summer Report

So, I thought I would report back to everyone since summer is almost over and let ya know how my first summer with five kids ended up turning out.

I had some hits and some misses. It definitely did not go as perfectly as I had imagined, but it was a huge improvement over summer's past..

Some of the big successes were the cameras...the kids loved this. I am planning on posting some of their cute pics. They loved the summer journals, although they did not keep up with them as much as they wanted, they still loved writing "summer goals" and were good about journaling on the big activities. We had fun making bags for them and t-shirts. The girls were able to make some cute jewelry and we made puppets. One of the big hits was when we made homemade watermelon and lemon Italian Ice....so yummy! Anna learned how to cook a whole bunch of stuff...mac and cheese, muffins, grilled cheese, eggs.
We did not get to go on as many outings as I had hoped, but we definitely hit the beach and library a couple of times. We got to visit family and go to quite a few amusement parks, which is always a hit!
There were a only a few things I wish I would have been better about. School work...we did a lot of hooked on phonics and reading but that's about it. We had lots of lazy days but who cares...it's summer "break" right? No TV was hard...they watched more, and played more video games than I had planned.
All, in all, I think they had a fun summer, and I am considering it a success. Although, the last month has been pretty much a wash since I broke my foot...oh well, I have many, many more summer vacations to perfect.

Back to Schooooool!

6 more days!

Just What I Needed

Lately, I have really been feeling the pressures of having five children. If any of you have ever wondered what's it like to be a mom of five this blog entry I read says it all....
http://segullah.org/small-epiphanies/having-a-large-family/

Never, Ever, EVER!

There are not that many things that I am scared of in this world, I think I am a pretty adventurous person. However, there are a few things that really freak me out. My biggies are flying, (my closest to a phobia), sharks, lightning, crossing bridges, and motorcycles. I know that the fear I feel for these things is completely irrational. I know the chances of getting struck by lightening are astronomical and being in a plane accident is like one in a gazillion. And that a bridge collapsing would like never happen. But, none the less, these things cause me great anxiety. I mean I literally work up a sweat every time we cross the bay bridge. What's weird is I would not have a problem at all bungee jumping off a bridge, or sky diving from a plane...I love adrenaline rushes.

My irrational fear of motor cycles is stemmed from an article I read one time, about how if you own a motor cycle, you are 99 percent likely to eventually be in an accident. Hello...that means if you own one, you are guaranteed to crash. This fear has never been that big of a deal...I've just always said there is no way we would ever own a motorcycle. Over the years, people have told me I am pretty silly for feeling this way, and I know when I have quoted the article statistics people have questioned my information. This summer though, I have to say my "irrational fear" of motorcycles has become very real. My Uncle David was in a very serious motorcycle accident this summer...his foot was almost completely severed. He's had to go through a ton of rehab, and was in the hospital for a month, thankfully he is doing really well, and his foot was able to be saved. Sadly, I found out this morning, that my mom's cousin Butch was not as fortunate as my uncle. He was killed in a motorcycle accident yesterday. I have not seen him in years, but I remember him from Christmas Eve's at my Aunt Peggy's house and I always thought he was so cool. I was very saddened to hear about this and feel so bad for his family.
I can't imagine loosing someone that way. So unexpectedly. Both of the accidents were caused by other careless drivers. I know that we all take risks every day that we don't even think about...driving, crossing the street, swimming in a pool, however I am more positive than ever that no one in my family will ever be allowed to own a motorcycle. You are so unprotected and at the mercy of drivers who just don't see you. My love goes to Butch's family.

Friends

My friend Bethany is coming to visit this weekend...whadda hoooooo! I'm so excited. I have not seen her in three years! Bethany has been my friend since we were 12! I remember going to her house the very first time and her getting mad at me for saying "I"m sorry" too much. Yes...for those of you who have experienced the agony of my apologetic ways, it was a bad habit even back then.

Bethany is one of those friends that you know will be apart of your life forever. My friend Heather is like that too. We've know each other since our very first year of girls camp and have never lost touch! Now that I think about it I've been able to make a few friends like that in every place I have ever lived. High school, college, when Jeff and I moved to Idaho. Amazingly, here in Salisbury (the "armpit of the east coast," as my brother-in-law likes to call it) I have been fortunate enough to acquire one or two "friends for life." I even share a few of Jeff's friends for lifers.

Friends for life are so different from those everyday, ordinary kinda friends. Ya know, those people that you really, really enjoy being around, and even hang out with quite a bit, but if they ever moved, you probably would not keep in much more contact than the occasional Christmas card. I'm not saying those kinda friends are not any less special, or not as "friendly" they just don't quite inhabit the same place in your heart as friends for life do.

I won't go into the specifics of what exactly a friend for life entails, I know you know and I'm sure you have had enough of the gushy forwarded "friend" e-mails to last a life time. But today, I was just thinking how much I love my friends and that even if we cannot talk every day I am thinking of you, and praying for you, and counting the minutes until I get to see you again!

In the mean time....

So it's been a while. I have had a tremendous amount of STUFF happening. July was our crazy birthday month. And I mean crrrrrazy. So many birthdays, so little time.
Anna turned ten which was super hard for me. I couldn't get it out of my head that she had gotten so big and so smart, and so helpful, and so sweet, and so caring, and so lovely, and so beautiful and so considerate, and so spiritual, and so insightful, and so empathetic and so tall, and so grown up, and so truly, absolutely amazing............without me realizing it. I should realize it, she's around 24/7, but man it hit me like a ton of bricks, that my little girl is not that far from being all grown up and I'm losing precious time. Before I know it she'll be 12 and then 14 and then graduating high school, it's just not fair.
As for the other July birthdays, I turned a whopping 33...woo hoo, no tah dah's there. And Audrey turned TWO!!!! That was a ton of fun. Two year olds are a blast, and I can tell that Audrey is gonna be one of our best two year olds by far. She is our little ray of sunshine and we are so glad we have her to wake up to everyday.

Other Fun July Stuff:

• Fourth of July trip to Ben and Cyndi's where we celebrated the fourth with cook outs and tent sale fire works. We also celebrated Lori Noelle and heard Ben give an awesome baby blessing.
• My niece Elise came to stay for a week which was so much fun...we LOVE her.
• Lot's of beach trips.
• Water Park in Ocean City. I was finally able to go on rides...I'm not pregnant for once...woo hoo.
• Busch Gardens trip. We love that place. It's so beautiful and me and Anna went on every roller coaster, she loved it. Dallin rode the Big Bad Wolf, what a big guy!

Over all, July was a pretty good month, except for the last couple of days, which I will explain, on a much more gruesome note.

Last week, as many of you may have already heard I broke my foot, in an all to Nicole-esque fashion (typical klutz that I am). I stepped on my dumb belt buckle as I was taking off my dumb pants and the dumb hook, latch thinggy, punctured my dumb foot and then went in so far the dumb thing broke my bone. Dumb huh?? It was pretty painful. The doctor said that the chances of something like that happening are like one in a million. He told me I would have been better off having a bullet go through my foot...nice. I am stuck on my glorious gluteus maximus for 2 weeks and then in this big black DUMB boot for another 4 weeks. It's been an adventure. I have had many wonderful people helping me out, whom I am eternally grateful for. We've had dinners galore...(chili twice, chicken four times,ugh), everyone is really helping with the kids, taking turns taking them and coming here to help and yesterday, my very lovely friend Nancy cleaned my WHOLE house, and I mean the whole thing. She cleaned all four bathrooms did six loads of laundry and mopped all my floors, I LOVE HER!

Summing up:
July was a great, super fun, perfectly summerish month!
August ended before it even begun, my stupid foot is putting a hold on any more fun. Hopefully my best friend Bethany's visit in 2 weeks will make it all better.

Emily

Emily is 4 and a half months old...can you believe it?? She is getting so big, I thought I would post a picture since it has been forever.

Pictures from Audrey's Surgery

She was such a brave little girl!

Audrey's Big Day

So our sweet little Audrey had surgery today! She was such a trooper. We are very proud of her. She had tubes put in her ears, allergy testing, and her adenoids taken out. The surgery went perfect and she seems to be recovering well. As you may imagine she is a little out of it (they gave her some pretty good drugs) and she is very sensitive...her brother and sister's are not allowed to go near her, without her freaking out. But other than that she is the same old Audrey.
It is amazing how your heart aches for your kids though...truly aches, real physical pain. When they brought her out of surgery and she looked so small and fragile I just wanted to cry...and I did a little!

GUILTY!

On Thursday June 26th I went to court and was found GUILTY! Guilty of what you ask??? Well, a parking violation. Yes... I went to court over a parking ticket. It's a very long story so here ya go.

A month or so ago I was at my sister Kym's house. I had lost my car keys that day so I was using the valet key instead. After a little while I had Anna and Elizabeth go out to the car to grab the diaper bag. At the car Anna thought it would be funny to lock Elizabeth inside. Elizabeth proceeded to pull up the lock and open the door to get herself out. Well, apparently if you are on the inside of my car and pull the lock it makes my car alarm go off. It was blaring and I didn't have my car remote to turn it off. It would not turn off, I tried everything. We thought maybe if I drove the car around enough it would turn the alarm off. Needless to say, it didn't. I drove around with the alarm honking and all the people in the neighborhood coming out of their houses cussing me out. I rounded the block one more time hoping it would turn off, when all of a sudden there were two college kids standing in front of me in the middle of the road with their hands out saying, "Stop, Stop. This is a citizen's arrest." They thought I was stealing the van. Well, since they were in my way and I didn't want to hit them I pulled over. When I explained to them that I didn't steal the car and that I obviously couldn't get the alarm to go off they offered to help, (we were yelling of course...you couldn't hear a thing with the stupid horn blaring!)
They knew exactly what to do (which I thought was a little weird...had they stolen a car before???) They opened the hood and pulled the fuse out that operates the alarm. It turned off...woo hoo, no more horn honking. I hopped back in the car and tried to drive away, but the car wouldn't budge. The gear shift was locked. My car is so super cool, and new, and modern that it apparently knows when someone is trying to steal it. So when the alarm fuse was taken out the gear shift locked up and my car was immovable unless I had the engine key and the remote (I call it the clicker). So I left my car where it was, walked back to Kym's house, borrowed her car and drove down to Jeff's work to get his clicker. I was gone maybe 20 minutes and when I got back there was a ticket on the car... STINKER!!! It was for parking my car with the left tire against the curb. Can you believe it??? I was soooo... mad. I had to park it there, the cute college boys had stopped me there, the car had seized up, shoot, I didn't even know it was against the law to park with your left tire against the curb! The ticket was for 35 dollars and I was so ticked off I decided to take it to court. I mean wouldn't you? I certainly did not do anything wrong, I was a victim, a victim I tell you, and I was NOT going to pay 35 dollars for parking my car the wrong way!

So, Thursday was the big day. I was ridiculously nervous, my hands had not been that sweaty since my junior prom (I remember because my mom made me put powder in my white satin gloves to help dry them out). When Jeff and I sat down I noticed a very young officer and thought "wow, he looks like he is 18, it must be his first day on the job or something". I also heard him complaining to another officer that he was there for a "stupid parking ticket." Needless to say I felt like a shmuck, all I could think was...why didn't I just pay the 35 dollar fine??? Why oh why. It made me all the more nervous. There were quite a few people on the docket, all with some kind of traffic violation. One by one names were called and all of them were dismissed. The officer for each one had not appeared at court. Of course, mine was the only officer that day that decided to show. When the judge finally called my name I swear I could hear all the court officials snickering as they realized I was petitioning for a stupid parking ticket. I stood, I told my story (the best I could...I was freaking out on the inside) and the Judge said..."good story, you're still guilty, but good story. No fine, just pay the 20 dollar court fee."

So, was it worth it??? Heck yeah.... I only had to pay 20 dollars. I definitely felt vindicated. All of that anxiety saved me a whopping 15 dollars!

Too Funny

I got this from my friend Natalie's blog...and had to steal it!


Blogging 101 -What NOT to do!



#1. Don't get green with envy, Blenvy it's coined, while reading other's blogs. According to CJane, "It usually comes from reading a blog that emphasizes my insecurities." Well said blogger guru. I couldn't agree with you more.
Please remember that each post is just a moment of that person's day/week. Instead, just be happy that something amazing happened to your fellow blogger. Be inspired by them! If you really feel the need, use that insecurity to make a change in your own life and do something similar.
#2. If people don't update their blog roll by adding your name under 'Friends & Family' don't get your feelings hurt. It's simply a nice gesture, forgotten. Seasoned bloggers rarely even look at their sidebar anymore - let alone update it frequently.
#3. Never ask yourself, "Is insert blogger's name mad at me? She doesn't comment on my blog."
I realize that there is probably an expectation of family and friends to read your blog. However, don't expect anyone to read your blog and don't fall into this negative thinking.
You've got to understand that every blogger is on a different commitment level. You have your newbies who are completely addicted and spend every possible moment blog-jogging. To the end of the spectrum of your more seasoned bloggers who have developed their routine and only take the time to read their top 10 favorites. It's hard to imagine, but some people get completely burned out and need to take breaks from reading others blogs now and then.
#4. Don't feel left out. Now that you have a more intimate look at your friends lives (in real life), they might post outings that you weren't invited to attend. Please do not let it eat at you, make you feel left out, or that you're not an important friend in that person's life.
Life is crazy, busy, and things happen spare of the moment. You don't know the whole story as to how the event got organized and why certain people where invited and you weren't. You are special and you are important to your friend! Just let it go, or better yet, plan a fun get together and be sure to invite her. You'll feel much better!
#5. Guilt is overrated. You will come across some AMAZING moms. Honestly, I've been blown away by so many of you and your creativity and dedication to your family. Again, don't feel guilty or envious of these genetically gifted women. Instead, be inspired to make some changes in your own family. Use their techniques and strategies to empower yourself.
#6. Keep it real. While posting on your own blog be sure to allow yourself to open up and not only share your glamorous side, but also your self portraits, your struggles, and your hopes and dreams. You will find that bloggers are some of the most unjudgemental, forgiving, and loving people you'll have in your life. Use this positive energy to help you get through the tough times as well as celebrate the good ones.
End Quote!
Have a fabulous day!

Summer Stuff

I've been promising everyone to share my ideas for keeping kids busy in the summer so here ya go... Some are my ideas, some are great websites...I'm sure I could have done better, and I bet you've heard of most of this stuff, but I think it has helped me to feel a little more prepared.

Here are a few basic rules that I've set up for myself.
1. Try not to sleep in.
I think one of the hardest parts of summer is when your schedule gets out of whack...so I'm planning on getting up at the same time. If the kids sleep in, great, it'll give me more quiet time, but I know I need to make sure I'm up and dressed and ready to go...I always feel better if I am dressed and showered with make up on first thing in the morning.
2. Daily exercise.
I'm going to get the kids involved with walks every day (as long as it's not too hot). My kids can get lazy in the summer. I found one website that had this great idea about doing a coin walk. Where you go out the front door and flip a coin...heads you turn left, tails you turn right, and see where you end up.
3. Menus with planned snack times.
I don't want the kids to eat all day long, so I have set up specific snack times that I am going to post on the pantry door.
4. Chores are a necessity.
I have their chore charts ready to go and they will have to have them done before they are allowed to do any of the fun stuff.
5. Summer Reading and Daily Homework
Nothing elaborate, I have some hooked on phonic activities and some work books for Anna, and I want to have reading time everyday. There is a great summer reading program at my library for kids of all ages.
6. One and a half hour of TV or other electronics a day.
I haven't decided if this is too much...what do you think?? I don't want them to turn into TV zombies. But I figure this is how long most movies are so they can choose to watch a movie in the evening or play on the computer for a half an hour and then watch a favorite show. I don't know though??? Maybe they can have a NO TV day once a week.
7. You don't have to have something creative everyday.
I think it's important for kids to use their imagination. Jeff and I are always amazed when we tell the kids "No TV" that they always figure out cool stuff to do. So I know they have it in them. I definitely plan on having crafts and game ideas ready, but I don't think I need to plan a craft every day.

Here are a few of my favorite ideas...

For the first day of summer vacation I am going to give each of the kids (even Audrey) a summer journal with a new fancy pen (dollar store). I'm going to let them decorate the journal. I thought it would be cool if they could write down all the fun and crazy things they do this summer. They can paste in pictures of what we have done and I can help the little ones journal their days.

I also plan on giving them each a disposable camera. I'm going to tell them they can take pictures of whatever they want but if they use all the film in one day that is all the pictures they can take, or they can take one really cool picture a day and the camera will last half the summer. I want to teach them a little bit about taking pictures and what makes good pictures, etc.

Anna and Elizabeth are super excited about doing cooking days. I got the kids aprons and we're going to cook a new fun thing once a week. I thought it would be fun to get some index cards and recipe boxes and let them make their own recipe boxes with their favorite foods.

I've made plans with a couple of friends to go on a field trip once a week. We're going to go to places like the zoo, library, beach, fire house etc.

So, there you have it. Here are some of the websites I've found. Let me know what you decide to do, and if I've missed anything super cool, I need to plan for!


http://www.funattic.com/game_summer.htm

http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/summer-crafts-to-wear/

http://babyparenting.about.com/od/summerfun/Summer_Fun.htm

http://www.readwritethink.org/beyondtheclassroom/summer/

http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/summerplay.htm

http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/summerfunwaterplay.htm

Congratulations Ben and Cyndi!--Correction

Evidently, Ben did not vomit in the corner of the hospital room while Cyndi was delivering...I must have made that up in my head. But he may have thrown up in a car if he was my cousin Melissa's husband. She delivered her baby boy on the same day as Cyndi, June 6th, but in HER CAR!!!!! Holy Cow! Congratulations Melissa and Lorin. I hope mommy and baby are doing well...can you imagine...in HER CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm dying to hear the details of that story!

Congratulations Ben and Cyndi!

Ben and Cyndi had their baby this morning! I think it was around 2:00am. They called me around 3:00am so the details seem a little foggy. This is what I know...it was a girl, she weighed 7lbs, 4oz, 19 and something inches long, and she is very healthy and happy. This little tid-bit blows me away....SHE DID IT WITHOUT ANY DRUGS. When she got to the hospital she had the baby within like 45 minutes. Way to go Cyndi! I think Ben said he vomited in the corner (he's very squeamish). I could be wrong about that last detail...it was the middle of the night. (hee hee)
They hadn't decided on a name yet. I think it is between Lucy and Lori. Anyways...Congratulations. I cannot wait to meet my new niece.

Busy Week

It has been a busy week for us. Elizabeth had her Kindergarten graduation yesterday and today was Dallin's pre-K graduation. Tomorrow is Anna's 4th grade award ceremony. I cannot believe this year is over. It is just unbelievable to me that Dallin will be in Kindergarten in the fall and Anna will be going into her last year of elementary school. Crazy huh? Tuesday is the last day of school, but today is the last full day, tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday they have half days. So far I have come up with some pretty cute ideas to keep them happy and occupied this summer. I'll have to post about that next!

Refining My Palate

It is interesting how your tastes change as you get older. Lately I have really been expanding my food horizons. One of the most noticeable changes is my newly discovered passion for chocolate. I was never much of a chocolate fan. I liked it in things...cookies, candy bars, but never by itself. Well, lately I crave chocolate, and not just any chocolate it has to be dark...the darker the better. I am still trying to eat healthy so I'm not binging on chocolate or anything but a little piece of dark chocolate makes me unbelievably happy! My friend Maria introduced me to this dark chocolate from the local health store called Dagoba.....it is sooooo good! My favorites are the Chocolate and Lavender Bar and the Chocolate with Rosemary and mint. I have also fallen in love with Ginger... My friend Ethel brought me some Ginger and Lemon Scones from Trader Joe's and I immediately fell in love with them.
Another change in my diet is that I refuse to buy anything with Trans Fats or High Fructose Corn Syrup. This can be very challenging because EVERYTHING is made with these two ingredients. Especially the High Fructose Corn Syrup. I try to buy a lot of organic stuff, but it is getting harder to do this because the cost of food is getting out of control. It does not seem fair that the cheapest food is the food that is the most unhealthy.