Criminal

Should we send him to one of those camps for troubled children, where they grab them in the middle of the night? This child has no regard for boundaries, regulations, nor the law for that matter. I've tolerated the scaling of refrigerators, dryers, outdoor bbq's and so forth. Magic Eraser manages to remove all of his abstract art work. He commits one of the worst crimes on a daily basis....and that is stealing my food from me! Today though, today is the day it has started to get serious.....felony-type serious. I am sure I've grown a few grey hairs, and creased a few more wrinkles. Let me preface this story by saying, I was not home.....I was not the responsible parent. I was out pounding the pavement......training a client.....one little hour, just one. This is how it goes. Scott came home to take all of the boys to baseball practice (George was already at his), so it was only the 4 other boys. Scott asked the boys to get in the car and put KC in his seat, while he ran in to get something. Well, they didn't. The car was parked in the driveway.....note "was". While the boys completely ignored Scott's demands, KC climbed in the front seat of the car. He found the keys, placed the key in the ignition, started it, and then put it into neutral. Charlie was the only child that actually did as Scott asked, and was buckled in his seat. Once James saw the car starting to roll back, he jumped in and tried to press the brake. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful. Fortunately, he did not get himself run over. The car stopped after it had crossed the street and crashed into the gate that is on the other side of the street. I think that is car theft, and hit and run. The "what if" scenarios have made me absolutely sick to my stomach......we are soooo lucky that that was all that happened. I shouldn't be dealing with stuff like this until their teen years! I can't even blame it all on the Cuillard genes. Back in 1982, my brother broke into my mom's car and put it in neutral.....he ended up hitting another car, falling out of the car and running over and breaking his leg. He just wasn't smart enough to start the ignition. I can honestly say, I am exhausted, and extremely grateful that nothing tragic happened!

KC Cuillard.....age 2.......car theft......hit & run

ps.......he also makes you think he is really sweet. I gave him some sort of treat, and this was his reply, "Thank you Mommy, farthead Mommy" all with a big smile on his face!

Perfection

I am warning you now.....if you can't stand posts when people talk about how wonderful their children are, you might want to stop reading mine right now. Sorry, but tomorrow is my second child's 10th birthday. Curtis Steven Cuillard. It is a given that I love him, but I also really, really, really like him! Get ready, here it goes......Curtis is funny, smart, has a love for life, is everyone's friend, cute, happy, peacemaker, sensitive, has a good heart, and sweet. I could go on and on. Curtis can always make me laugh. He is the only one of my kids that can get away calling me by my first name....makes me giggle everytime. Curtis has always been one of those people that is really smart without even trying. He is the peacemaker in our home....I think he is everyone's favorite brother. If he happens to be away, his absence is missed by everyone. He is the only one of my children that I delivered without any type of drug or painkiller......I was not trying to be a hero.....trust me, if I can get drugs, I'll take them. He thinks it is hilarious that he teased me even before he was born. I had false labor forever before he was born. I would think I was going to give birth, and then he'd back off. That is why when I was actually in labor I didn't believe it......neither did the nurses. An hour before he was born I had 2 whole contractions. They monitored me and told me I wasn't in real labor......that is when I asked if they would at least examine me....turned out I was dilated to a 5......20 minutes later he was born.....little stinker. I tell him he kept saying " here I come...just kidding....no really, here I come.....seriously, I'm coming......just kidding I'm not coming.....surprise, I'm here!" He thinks he was hilarious! He is like that to this day. The thing is, he really is funny.....at least I think so. Curtis always makes me laugh. He also has a way of letting every person know that he loves them.

Whoever marries Curtis is a lucky girl.

I have to be honest and tell you a couple of things about him that bug me.....#1 he can eat anything and everything....and he is the skinniest little thing ever. His ribs stick out, and every single time he goes swimming in the ocean, he comes out and his lips are always blue.....makes me laugh just thinking about it. #2 He enjoys a chocolate bar, but if he has the choice of a piece of cake or a fruit bowl, he will go for the fruit bowl every time. That annoys me just because I am jealous......I wish I had the natural desire for the healthy option.....obviously I don't!

Those really aren't bad things, but about all I could come up with. Since Curtis's birthday falls on Easter this year, I want to make it special for him. So, instead of Happy Birthday, I am going to celebrate Happy Birthweek. Since it is Spring Break, he gets the choice of opening a present or getting a fun activity everyday (movies, going out for dessert with the family, things like that). Curtis enjoys the simple things in life, so I think he will really enjoy being the center of attention for a week! I love Curtis, and I can honestly say, when I grow up, I want to be like Curtis!

Love you my sweet, little Curty!

Ladies Beware

I think it is good to advise young men to date several girls before they get serious with anybody. I think it is great advice especially when they are of appropriate age. I am pretty sure 4 is not the appropriate age. I would warn every lady over the age of 4 to watch out for this player....
This is my sweet little Charlie that seems to have a thing for charming more mature women! He has no shame. Here are a couple of stories..... He would never admit to being in love with any of these ladies, but he won't deny the fact that he loves spending time with them. For any of you in my ward, you might be aware that the bulk of his admiration is for Pam Walden. Pam is so nice, she even let him come over for a play date.....yep, just Charlie and Pam. Poor Pam. Pam really is so nice to him. Today in sacrament he sat on Pam's lap the entire time. It was super relaxing for me, but I am sure Pam is exhausted this afternoon. By the way Pam, he told me that you helped him with his scripture today....he loved it! I don't want Pam's feelings hurt here, but she is not the only one. Charlie has a buddy from preschool. They play together often. This last week he went over to Christian's house. His mom, Tina, took them to lunch and a movie. When I picked Charlie up Tina told me that she thinks Charlie has more fun hanging out with her than Christian. Apparently Charlie would follow her around, helped her fold laundry, and when she would leave the room he would call out her name and ask her what she was doing. Later that day he saw my mom. He told my mom that he went to the movies with his friend, Tina. When I was talking to my mom, she told me that she heard Charlie went to the movies with a girl. I was confused for a second, then realized Charlie considered it going to a movie with this 30 something mom rather than his 4 year old buddy. So, Tina wasn't making up the fact that he really liked being with her. It turns out Charlie is not the 1 woman or even 2 woman type of guy. The other week when the boys got their pictures taken, he was hitting on the photographer. She is a very cute mom. She has 2 kids and is a little bit younger...she's in her 20's. He kept asking her what kind of house she lived in and maybe he could come over for a playdate. He really has no shame. He even insisted on driving with her in her car when we changed locations. There are others as well. He also has a thing for Heidi Bollard, Juli Hull and his 16 year old cousin Ashlee. Should I be worried?

Sweat Towel Please!

You know how funny it is when little kids are totally honest, and it is so cute? The exception is when it is your own......here is what happened. A few days ago Charlie slammed his finger in the car door....it was getting worse instead of better, so, by Friday afternoon I decided to take him in to the doctor just to avoid any weekend ER visit. We got into the examining room, and the nurse was asking a bunch of questions...."does anyone in the house smoke" The boys say, "no....why would anyone smoke?" then she asks, "does anyone drink?" I say "no"...Charlie interrupts and says, "we drink" Then the nurse goes on to explain alcoholic beverages. My patience is done by Friday afternoons....all I wanted to do was make sure this finger was not super infected, and get out of there. I had George, Charlie and KC with me......not fun when they are confined to a very small doctor's office! So, after those questions George says, "We don't drink, we don't smoke, we don't say bad words" Charlie then says, "Yes, we say bad words all the time....we say butt hole" And that is how this doctor's visit went. Needless to say, I was dripping sweat. The candidness of my children is too much for me to take. Luckily, the entire visit, including xrays was only an hour....even though it felt like I was there for at least five. Anyways, his finger is not broken, just grossly black, blue, purple, and extremely swollen. Charlie is thrilled he got a splint. By the way, I detest that bad word....they get in so much trouble when they say it!

Isn't It Still Winter?

It is the middle of March, right? I am trying to take President Monson's advice and "Enjoy The Journey". I have been going crazy with non-stop baseball, fighting children, unfinished housework, gym classes, training, etc. I know I bring it all on myself, and I LOVE it, but lately it has kicked my butt! A while back I made an appointment for the boys to get their pictures taken. I had no idea when I made that appointment that it would be in the mid 70's at the beach. When it is that nice out, what is the point of going back to school? We took advantage of this Southern California perfection and hit the beach...... Nothing like having the entire ocean to yourself.......I've been going crazy with my second career as a referee.....the kids still fought, but it doesn't seem as bad when you are at the beach. They had fun playing with each other..... Now which one of my kids do you think would do this to sweet, innocent KC????

OF COURSE!!!!

There is something about the beach that just makes everything better. The fact that we had a perfect beach day in the middle of March made it that much sweeter! Kari, Julianna, and my mom were able to go. It was a great day, and I am so glad we had a perfect beach day....that is called LOVING the journey! The only downfall is that I forget that when I am butt white, I don't tan right away. I am a burnt mess! Did I mention that there was no wind : )

And We Aren't Even Irish!!!

Charlie was so excited last night he could barely fall asleep. He knew "Larry The Leprachaun" was going to most likely visit. Mom is starting to dislike Larry more and more. At first he was really cute (when Larry was solo). He would color the toilet water, milk, and oj green. That was about it. Now, "Larry" is getting a bit out of control. I'm not going to name names, but it isn't me, and it isn't the kids, but the person has given "Larry" a few new ideas. Now Larry writes all over the bathroom mirrors, paints nails, scribbles marker ALL over the body and especially the face. This new assistant of Larry's thinks he is hilarious. All I know is that I had a goofy husband wake me up with giggling. He thought he was really funny.....

I'm SERIOUS!!!

Why is it my children don't take me seriously? Does anyone else have this problem? When I was a kid, I believed my mom when she was going to punish me. Scott says I threaten ridiculous punishments and then never follow through. I don't think that is true though. So, let me set this up for you. For some stupid reason, the kids don't have school today. I crawled out of bed at 7:50.....which by the way, is totally sleeping in for me (I remember it being a challenge waking up in time for the 12:00 single's ward). I had to get to the gym to teach the 8:30 power step class. I took KC and Charlie with me. George was watching tv, James and Curtis were sleeping. Everything was under control! I think my class was pretty successful, I get the kids, get in the car, call the boys to see if I should pick up donuts for them......George is in tears, James and Curtis are being mean to him and won't let him play PS2.....they are not allowed to play video games until chores are done...they weren't done....not even started. I was soooo ticked. I told them to clean up the PS2....be nice to George, etc, etc. This day was not progressing like I wanted it to. I walk in the house to be greeted with yelling and unkind words to each other. I told everyone to do their chores and no one is allowed to talk to each other, all I wanted was a nice hot shower! I get in the shower, about 30 seconds into it I hear the yelling.....I finish up in an additional 30 seconds. I am not even dressed yet and then I hear the crying as a result from the hitting. I was about to lose it. I can't even take a shower and get dressed. Obviously they disobeyed and actually spoke to one another....they are soooo mean to each other. I was LIVID! So, what is a Mom to do? They are not listening to a word I say....better yet, they aren't listening to a word I yell! I ordered everyone to put on junk clothes, get shoes on, get in the backyard, and no one is in until every weed is pulled from the backyard. They have been out there for over an hour, and not much is getting done. I think James is the only one actually doing it. I told Curtis that if it isn't done by 3, he doesn't play in his baseball game...I'm serious. Here is the really ironic thing.....I have to give the RS lesson on Sunday. It is based on the talk given by President Monson on "Enjoying the Journey". It is a fantastic talk.....but I don't think he considered having 5 boys home fighting and beating each other up, and enjoying it. I'm trying, it is very, very hard. I did enjoy my groceries being delivered, and the licorice that I ordered helped a little, but there is not enough licorice in the world to make any of this ok. Does it sound like I am losing it? Even with the boys in the backyard there is still fighting going on....at least they are not inside. We'll see how much progress they make. I will make lunch soon and they will get a 20 minute lunch break.....I told them if they want to commit the crime, they will pay the time......oh yeah, I think I am funny. I am trying to live by the counsel given by our Prophet....it's a good idea, and I am trying here. Wish me luck!

This picture is so blurry, but that is George in basketball shorts, cowboy boots, and a baseball cap backwards. The others are weeding.I'm not sure why they feel the need to take off their shirts....it is barely 60 degrees out....I don't care if they are naked, as long as my backyard gets weeded!

There is James actually doing the work....some things are very consistent!

Hope this post made everyone feel better about their day....because I am convinced that is why I am on this earth....to make everyone else feel better about themselves.....Happy Friday :)