Top Ten Reasons Why Kim Doesn't Have Any Time

Seeing that I have not made the time to sit down and update our blog, I have decided to write in the spirit of David Letterman and write the 10 reasons as to why I have no time anymore.

10. I am still recuperating after a thrilling vacation to Utah! After Mitch finished his school, we piled into the car- we really do pile now seeing that we fill every seat and need 4 suitcases and 5 bags of stuff- between diapers, car diversions that are individually wrapped to make the dollar store treasures even more appealing, extra changes of clothing for Cooper and Jaceroo, DVDs (again, how did our ancestors live without these?), Junie B. Jones (Book on tape that the boys adored and I did too since she is a little like Anne of Green Gables- If I am never going to get my girls, at least I have Anne and Junie B.), food, drinks, and food for lunches while vacationing because who can afford the hotel room for a week and food out while on vacation?, we filled our car. (David has some great run on sentences in his top ten so I thought I should too.). It took me two days to complete all the laundry- and then I had to do the new laundry on the third day.

9. VACATION! While on vacation, we visited with friends and family (Skinners, Jones, Cooks, Clarks, and McDonalds--we had a fabulous time with all of you!), went to the This is the Place pioneer village, the Hogle Zoo-perfect size for the Bishop family, IKEA and bought nothing but milk in the café, the Heber Creeper and rode the three hour train into Provo Canyon, the big Red Barn for ice cream, peaches, fudge, chocolate covered cinnamon bears (I got em for you, Aud), and Christmas tree ornaments, and Cove Fort. While on vacation, we did not have one temper tantrum until the very end at Cove Fort. Gager came unraveled in the middle of the tour and you could literally hear him 300 yards away. The tour guide was an angel and helped me with Cooper while I wrestled and I mean wrestled with Gager. It was one of those moments where you ask yourself, “Am I teaching him anything here, or I am embarrassing myself for absolutely no reason at all.” He pulled it together, and I think that the woman helping me did not think I was a terrible mother. I do not know why we get so embarrassed when our kids have melt down in public. I know nearly every child has had one. I never think twice about it when I see another mom struggling with an unruly child- I always think to myself that I am glad that a parent is dealing with it rather than giving in to their naughtiness. It is a face-reddening ordeal nonetheless regardless of how rational the reflection is afterwards!

8. Preschool- I not only taught preschool this last week, but I am teaching preschool this upcoming week and I had to finish getting ready for preschool since I am the one who organizes it. I love it and this time was no different. We made homemade pretzels, made mirrors so we could practice our good speech, made All About Me Books, practiced opposites with cold ice cream and hot fudge, practiced our letters in shaving cream and play dough, sang songs, played alligator and shark with bean bags and sorted items around the house. This next week we will learn about friendship! Jaceroo was wonderful- he was actually as well behaved as the other kids in the preschool. Cooper slept both mornings for the entire two and a half hours and then an additional half hour while I cleaned up. Gotta love it!

7. Kool-Aid! The day before I left for vacation, Jace dumped an entire container of Kool-Aid all over the tile floor. It took me HOURS to clean! It was a brand new container that you can buy at Sam’s. I was feeding the baby and in just about five minutes, Jace managed to get it all over the pantry shelves, all over the kitchen, playroom, and hallway, and ran into the den and got little red Kool-Aid footprints all over the edge of the carpet-Ohhhh….. was I ever overwhelmed. I did not even yell at him. I was so in shock by the mess and the red that was everywhere (How he introduced moisture into the mix, I still do not know.). For the entire rest of the day, whenever his nose would run, it ran Kool-Aid red. I scrubbed and scrubbed the floor, but I still cannot pull all the red up from the carpet. I thought that I had swept and vacuumed it up, but, oh no. As I began trying to mop it up with my Floor Mate, the red filled the discard water tank. I used three tanks to wash up the floor, and yet to this day, I am still mopping up pink. I will never buy Kool-Aid again!

6. First Grade! Aiden has begun first grade and loves it! He loves Mrs. Eeklor. My only complaint is that all the work he has brought home is way too easy. I am not sure if this is just the beginning of the year and I need to chill or if I will need to supplement all year long with more appropriate work. He is bringing home preschool work in my opinion. Gage, yes my three year old, did one of his pages of homework. I am serious. Aiden completed it in 22 seconds. I timed him.

5. Passing of a dear friend. A friend of ours lost a battle to cancer- a three year fight. The services were so nice. Her principal offered the eulogy and said such kind and endearing things. He even had some of Linda’s former students write letters to her. It ripped my heart out. I have never seen such a kinder tribute to a teacher in my life. It makes me want to sign up and give to children tomorrow. This season may come again….I need to remind myself that I can do more good within the walls of my own home right now.

4. Aiden and his 10 dollars! I gave Aiden lunch money, for he wanted to buy his own lunch soooo badly. He was so excited that he could barely sleep. He woke up and asked four times if he was going to buy his own lunch. I said, yes again and again and again. I sent him off to school with his first and last name along with his student ID number on a white card and ten dollars! When Aiden got home from school I excitedly asked him how his lunch experience went. Oh, no! Wrong question to ask. He quickly said that he was never going to get hot lunch again. He informed me that he got a white card, they took his money, they had no idea what to do with his white card with his name and number, and he did not even have time to eat all of his lunch. When I looked at his “white card,” I read that he owes $1.40 for a hot lunch that he did not even eat and he paid the five dollars to the lunch to which they gave him no receipt for. I guess tomorrow I get to drag Aiden and his four brothers into the lunch room to reclaim my five dollars and settle his account. Perhaps they need to revamp their procedures for the lunchroom to help the poor six year olds who become scarred for life after buying their first hot lunch with their very own money.

3. Gallbladder! I tried to go to the doctor and get an ultrasound to see if I have stones in my gallbladder. About every other night I am waking up with dull aches in the upper right quadrant of my abdomen. It is not a full attack—I am waiting for that. I know that dairy foods make it a little wiggy, but sometimes I can not trace a food at all- it is merely the fact that I am eating past 7:00 at night. Well I have an appointment on the 18th so I am hoping that they can figure this all out for me. A woman needs her sleep or she yells at her children a little more than usual.

2. Cooper. He is actually sleeping sometimes 8 hour stretches, and he is really good, but no mother of a new born can not describe their newborn as one of the reasons why she is tired. He adds to it, but I actually think he may be the least of the reasons as to why I am tired.

1. I have 5 kids and I take them everywhere including the library, Sam’s, the grocery store, the mountains- Mitch helped me on that day, the park, Michael’s, the Dollar store, Target, McDonald’s, Leid’s Discovery Museum, The Springs Preserve-again Mitch helped me with that one too, and the Doctor’s office. I get stares, gasps, and comments such as oh, I bet you are busy, do you sleep?, wow, I bet you have your hands full, are they all boys- oh I am sorry, oh, are they all boys, they will be easier one day, and one lady actually said on Friday to the gal she was with, “wow, why do you think she has so many children- they could not possibly be hers- no one in 2007 would actually have all those kids!” When I hear these comments, I think to myself, so they think I am deaf and dumb! I love my boys and all their craziness. I do wish I had more time for family history, scrapbooking, housework, quilting, and spending time with my mom and girlfriends, but I guess there are seasons for all things.

Mitch actually has more potential time on his hands, but he has been working extra nights lately- irony, eh? He did get an A- for his last class and he will be graduating in December- yahoo! I cannot wait to have all the boys with me as they see their Dad in his cap and gown (yes, you detect a tone of sarcasm…). I want them to see that education is important and I am willing to sit in a boring graduation for the memory, tho. I better film us in the audience too since they will not all remember it. Maybe I will go back and get another degree so I can walk once more, and they can see that in another 5 years- just kidding. That almost makes me want to gag. I will stick to the five credits every six years to keep up my license. That alone makes my stomach hurt.

Love to you all!
Kim and the other 6

This is Mitch... In reference to number 4, Kim just informed me that she went in this morning to rectify the situation. First of all, the lunch lady is not one of the brightest bulbs, so Kim pretty much found out why Friday was so chaotic for Aiden. Long story, short, she finally fixed everything. However, while she walked Aiden to class explaining that everything was now set for next time, he simply said, “Oh that’s OK, I’m never buying hot lunch again, so it really doesn’t matter.” So don’t be surprised if we write at the end of the year that we received a rebate of $8.60.

Mas Yewtah!

Little train buddies


Jace glamour shot


Gage taking on a ferocious mini-goat at This is the Place Heritage Park petting corral


Grey and Aiden at the head of the class, also at This is the Place

This is the Place - Photos Too!

A little refreshment at Southridge Farms in Santaquinn


Hogle Zoo (with a few more Bishop animals added to the exhibits)


Heber Creeper chugging up Provo Canyon


Heber Creeper pitstop at Vivian Park

This is the Place - The Photos

Gage and Aiden at BYU



The Family at BYU

This is the Place

What a wonderful time we had in Utah last week! I really enjoyed the relaxing time, all the visits and the somewhat cooler weather. Thanks to all the friends and family we were able to see (and mooch a meal off)!


I have some great pictures to post, but right now I can't get Blogger to upload them. So they will be coming soon!

So You Think YOU Can Dance? Check These Boys Out

So I debated putting this on here because well it was created from a beer website, and the opening is a little questionable. But, seeing my boys get down is just too funny not to share. Check it out!

Bishop Family Update

Dear Family and Friends,

Well Coop is a month old now and I feel like I may be able to do it! We have had friends over for dinner, friends over for games, and I have been out at least 5 times with them all! I even have been to the grocery store for big shopping trips- that now take me an hour and a half. I remember a big shopping when Mitch and I were first married took a half an hour. My how things change when you begin shopping for 7.

Wash is a whole new experience as well. Laundry is now a swear word here in our house. If the boys even think about making a mess, my sonar goes up and I say, stop if you think it will cause me more laundry or if it will force me to mop the floor. Aiden is even saying things like, “Mom, I wiped the table down so that I made sure you did not have too much work.” If I died this week, I think my children would remember me for begging them not to make too much of a mess.

A mess is inevitable, but I really do not need extra messes since the regular routine causes me to be a slave. Most families with 5 kids at least have one or two kids who can do housework. Aiden now vacuums, but I need to go over it a little because he is not quite tall enough to push it with ease so he tuckers out half way through the rooms. However, when they spilled an entire bag of popcorn on the floor, He vacuumed the entire mess. It took him 25 minutes and it would have taken me 5, but this is a lesson in consequences.

Enough about cleaning…now the fun. Aiden has had many friends over and the other day he actually asked me, “Mom, do you realize how many people fought over me in Kindergarten. People always wanted to sit by me or work with me. Why is that?” You have to love six years old and not getting it. I am glad that it has not gone to his head—it is only a matter of time! He has had a friend over about once a week. I tell him as long as he and his friends keep helping me, it is OK. Remington, his one friend asked me the other day if I needed anything. Oh I laughed and laughed and thought, well I guess I am teaching them something good.

We tried to go to a story time the other week. This was quite the ordeal as any outings tend to be. We get there only to find the entire room packed. I guess I needed to come earlier. I was there 10 minutes early, but because track 5 kids were finally out, the room was crazy busy. Luckily, my boys go with the flow and no tears were shed. They simply accepted that they would only get to pick books and movies and not listen to the storyteller. We had a puppet show when we got home instead.

We went to the 24th of July celebration at the park and had a great time. At the end of the evening, I was pushing Jace in the stroller up this steep hill in the grass and carrying Cooper in the Snuggli. Mitch was taking up the huge pop up shade and the other three were walking along the side of us. I must have strained my back while doing so. On Sunday, Jace fell asleep in Nursery and Mitch was not out of his class. I tried to take him, the diaper bag, and the carrier with Cooper in it. Well my back buckled and I dropped everything onto the floor. My back was out for two days- I could not even pick Cooper up. I had to sit on the floor and roll him onto my lap. I nursed him on the floor for two days. It was crazy. My friend Leah brought me all 6 Star Wars movies and we watched them all. That was my idea for keeping them out of too much mischief. Yes, my 2 hour TV rule was broken, but a girl knows her limits! My back is fine now, and man, am I grateful for a functioning back.

In addition to the back thing, I am also having gallbladder issues. I have had a few nights where I had minor dull aches and two nights of full blown attacks. I have an appointment on Thursday. With every baby I have had issues, but they seem to be more frequent and not going away. I guess I will probably have to get my gallbladder out. If any of you have food advice on what to eat and what not to eat, please share.

My sisters-in-law and my mother-in-law threw me a shower. The invitations were darling, the food was fabulous, Krista made the cutest wooden picture party favors, and it was nice to visit with the girls. I am giving them a thank you lunch this Tuesday to show my appreciation to them. Krista actually asked if I was taking them out to eat. I said that 5 kids in a restaurant plus Deven and Holland would not be much fun. Perhaps entertainment for the other restaurant attendees, but not much fun for us!

The five boys and I went to a free movie as well. It went extremely well and I think I may go to the free summer movie again this week. Jace ate more popcorn than should be consumed by a 21 month old, but he stayed in the seat next to me or in front of the boys for the whole movie. Cooper was terrific and the other three were absolutely perfect. Grey actually said when it was over, “That went well, mom.” Yes, it did, Grey!

I went to the temple last week and little Cooper cried the entire time! I felt so bad for Shari , Mitch’s sister. She actually had all the boys with her. She and Michael, my brother-in-law, took the five boys, their son, Parker, and their dog to the park, and Shari said they got a lot of stares! No one commented- they save those for me I guess. She said it was an adventure, and she knows how it feels to be a freak show J.

We had Cooper’s blessing last weekend, and it was so nice. My mom, my sister, former neighbors, and all of Mitch’s family came. We filled quite a bit of the chapel. Cooper did not cry at all, and he looked adorable. Afterwards we hosted the family with “Super” soups and “Hero” sandwiches in honor of Super Cooper! We had about 40 people over here and wow, was I glad for our larger home!

We had another outing this week- we went and saw a storytelling husband and wife team at the cultural center and the boys were angels! Jace sat on my lap the entire time. I did have to give him 2 dum dums, but I can do that. The show was an hour, and Greyson and Aiden laughed and laughed. It is funny when they begin to get humor. Gage loved it too, but he liked the water spraying his brothers (and not him) and the silly string that they sprayed on the participants. They had many interactive stories and the boys ate it up. At one point the husband of the duo actually counted all my children. I think he thought I was babysitting some of them.

We had friends over on Friday night for dinner and games. Aiden tried to stay up until midnight, but he fell asleep at 11:20 because that’s when the friends left, and we lied and told him it was midnight. The hands on the clock were close enough to the 12 so he actually believed us. We were so tired we were not going to stay up for another 30 minutes soo…. we justified the lie.

I think that is all for the events. See what happens when a month goes by. I have way too much news to share. Mitch is finishing up his final project for his masters. He presents to the faculty on Tuesday, and he has to turn in his final paper on Friday. Following all of that, we are driving to Utah ! Mitch will be done! We planned on going camping in Tahoe, but I am not up for that yet. I hope the drive goes OK. I cannot get to the kids as easily anymore now. Now there are no extra seats, and the floors will be covered with stuff! I hope I have happy news to report next time.

Funny stories…

• Gage and Grey went to the bathroom at a restaurant. Mitch was with them and as they were using the facilities, Gage reports, “hey, it’s like we are fire fighters!”
• Jace has shown some interest in going potty. He has peed a half a dozen times or so before his bath or when we are putting swimsuits on. The other day when I am changing his diaper he says, “pee.” I then ask, “Do you need to go pee?” He shakes his head yes, stands up and pees on me and all over the floor. I was so surprised. I guess he gets it. I do not know if I am really up to potty training yet, but if he keeps pushing it, I guess I will.
• I set Cooper in front of the TV the other day, and he started watching the screen. We were watching Harry Potter and Aiden turns to me and asks, “What kind of mother are you?” I laughed and laughed. He did not know that it was funny, but he smiled after I laughed. I guess it was not the most respectful thing to say, but it still was funny.
  

Well that is all for the Bishop antics. I hope this one does not exhaust you too much. I can already imagine that my aunt and uncle will send an email asking me if I checked into the insane asylum yet.

Kim and Aiden Simpson