DODGE BALL!

Yesterday was the last day of Sports Class for Kyler.  They end the session by inviting the parents to play dodge ball against their kids.  It's fun and Kyler LOVES it!!!  Enjoy the videos - (I have no clue why they turned on their side after I moved them here)

KYLER'S "LIDDIES"

Yesterday morning I made some blender pancakes and as I was pouring the batter Kyler asked if I was making little pancakes.  I wasn't, but he thought they were little so he started calling them the littles. He went on and on about the pancakes and then told me that he "loves his liddies!"  All day I got to hear about his "liddies" and how much he loves them.  When we came home in the afternoon he went straight to the fridge to snack on his "liddies".  I was so excited to blog this cute story.....I mean, can you believe it!!!  A whole story WITHOUT something gross in it!!!!!!!!!!!!  Happy day for the mama!

MISSING GLASSES - THE SEQUEL!

We used to have panic about missing glasses daily - several times a day.  Mita would misplace her glasses and PANIC about it each and every time.  All of us in the Stock household were very patient with Mita and let her know that we would find them.  Even though it was never that big of a deal for us (and the glasses always showed up), it did cause Mita LOTS of undue stress.  Then the Target Dollar Bins saved the day!  They were selling magnified reader glasses (which is all Mita uses now) and we bought every design and color they had - at least 20 pairs!  Mita was overwhelmed with gratitude over this gift and surprisingly, it was a gift we gave ourselves.  You see Mita was only stressed because she thought she might be without glasses if she lost one of her 3 pair before.  But with a "glasses basket" by the couch, filled to the brim with new glasses, SHE STOPPED WORRYING!  Even if she misplaced a pair, she knew that she could just get another pair in her basket.  She also enjoyed coordinating her glasses to her outfit.  For example, she always chose the zebra print glasses when she wore her leopard print scarf.  Well, the stress of finding the glasses has not plagued our home for many months.  ENTER ASHER:  He doesn't always pay attention to where his glasses are, but we know they are never far away and quickly found (especially after cleaning his room).  Well, his room was just cleaned, bathroom picked up and as I dropped him off at school I asked where his glasses were - "I don't know, I can't find them ANYWHERE!" he replies.  I go home - do the dishes, take out the recycling, pick up the family room, vacuum, dust, clean the living room floor, clean out the garage fridge, sort some laundry, wash some laundry, fold some laundry.......finally I look in the kitchen window sill - THERE ARE HIS GLASSES - on the tiger, where they should be!  Asher has proudly taken over for Mita's missing glasses drama...with a twist - I'M THE ONE STRESSED, NOT HIM!

11 NEW POSTS.....KEEP SCROLLING DOWN!

Yes, it's been forever since I posted. I have 11 new posts today....so scroll down and click on Older Posts to see everything.......please.

THIS CRIB IS OFF THE HOOK!

Just before Christmas, we took the boys to see Mita's new home. They were very impressed! Hence, the title for the blog. It was Colton and Asher's sentiments as they surveyed Mita's residence. We visited with her upstairs next to the pool table. The boys could see down to the family room with the XBox and Wii and huge TV. They also have a popcorn machine, a trampoline at ground level, a hammock, fish aquarium and candy. Oh yeah, they also have a Mita! Asher told Mita that he wished he was 94 and could live in that house. It must be really cool.....sorry, OFF THE HOOK, for a 10 year-old to want to be 94! Well Mita, if you enjoy your home half as much as Colton and Asher do, YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY!

2008....WE BID YOU ADIEU!

Another year gone! How does it happen so fast? Here I am again, left to ponder on the past year. All of the changes, the growth, the happiness, the whining.....but enough about me. Here are some highlights of the year: I now have two children that are old enough to require an adult ticket at Disneyland! My little Sunbeam is now in CTR 5! I'M WAY TOO CLOSE TO HAVING A TEENAGER IN THE HOUSE! But, I'm also getting closer to an all-day kindergartener next July. My sisters and youngest brother are in college, turning 19 tomorrow, Austin just put in his mission papers AND Catherine is getting married next summer!!! Mita had two hospital stays in 2008 and last month moved to a home. Mita's needs were growing and with all three kids in different schools this year - 7th grade, 4th grade and preschool, I wasn't able to keep up with everything. We're so happy for Mita and thankful for the wonderful people that take such good care of her. This change has truly lifted a ton of stress from me. The scariest thing about 2008 - realizing that my husband is now 1 year OLDER than my dad was WHEN I GOT MARRIED!!! Here's to enjoying and living through all the up's and down's of 2009!

SLEDDING - ARIZONA STYLE

Ok - there ARE places in Arizona that have snow and skiing and sledding, so maybe the more appropriate title would be SLEDDING - VALLEY OF THE SUN STYLE. We met up with 3 of my cousins and their kids (Dean pictured above) and my brother's kids to enjoy some playtime at the park. As we were getting ready to leave I saw lots of people trying to sled down the hill on cardboard. I say "trying" because it is not very effective! Lots of pushing and even pulling to get their homemade sled down the hill...not very memorable if you trying to have a fun ride......HILARIOUS if you are watching!!! As I walked along further I came across Tony and some kids truly sledding down the hill. A wonderfully, kind woman let them borrow her Summer Sled (see summersled.com). This red plastic sled has 7 wheels underneath it and all the kids loved it! We tried buying one, but they are sold out currently. Fortunately, we have dry, grassy hills nearly 365 days a year. When we get our hands on one, the Stock's will be found at hilly parks!
(don't know how the video got turned....sorry)

NEW ROOM FOR COLTON (MORE ROOM FOR ASHER & KYLER)

Colton has been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to have his own room. The time had come and he moved in sooooo quick! We still have more to do, (cleaning, new window treatments, reorganize the bookcase) but here is the first night for Colton in his new room and Asher and Kyler having more room. Yes, we are letting the four year-old sleep in a loft bed. We're CRAZY and he's THRILLED! Notice the picture of Kyler with his shirt bulging out....he stuffs his Blue's Clues blanket in his shirt at night so he doesn't lose it! Loving the 4 year-old!

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas morning the boys get to have their stockings right away. They posed for the obligatory photo and then got busy! After stockings, we ate breakfast and then got to their three presents. Kyler - huge nerf gun, Power Ranger set with some Bakugan, and two spring action light sabers. Asher - huge nerf gun, Lots of Bakugan with Bakugan arena, and DS lite with Guitar Hero two-pack. Colton - Guitar Hero two-pack, Mummy trilogy, and gift cards to Target, Old Navy, Chipotle, and Barnes and Noble. (note: everyone wore their new Christmas Eve pj's) Then Tony took the boys to see Bedtime Stories and I stayed home with Mita, my mom and Jacquelen. The evening ended with my mom, Jean-Jacques and my family eating at a Chinese Buffet. I loved having A Christmas Story ending to Christmas 2008 - Fa-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra!

CHRISTMAS EVE

Another Christmas Eve, another Christmas Play. This time Uncle Chris was the narrator and Emily was once again the director. Everyone did their part beautifully and we even had a REAL baby Jesus this year - DEAN! He was so good and happy for the entire production. Make sure you click on the photos to see the Wise Guys.....I mean Wise Men in their shades! (Cannon was also entertaining with his rendition of "shephard blowing his nose!")

SNOW DAY

Thanks to Dr. Robison (of Robison Orthodontics - located at Ray and the Loop 202. Fun office, wonderful people...they can take care of any of your orthodontic needs. Just tell them Nicole Stock sent you!) we had snow in Gilbert! Dr. Robison has two equally fun parties each year. All of his patients and their friends are invited. One is a swim party and pizza dinner held each summer and then the snow party with breakfast and Santa in December. Colton invited Mitch, Asher invited Alex, and Kyler - well, he's a handful on his own! We also had Jean-Jacques join us with Michael, Sofia, Sariah, Jean-Jacques II, Ruslan and Joseph. The kids loved the slide down into the snow, all the muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies and hot chocolate you could handle AND SANTA! Four of Jean-Jacques' kids had photos with him, of course, none of my boys would!

PURPLE BELT!!!

Asher has earned his purple belt! One more belt and he's half way to BLACK BELT!!! I'm always so impressed with how well he performs at testing. He works hard, but he also studies his manuals and can answer any question that Grand Master Hong asks him. He was also awarded a medal for excellent work at the studio this year. Go Asher!

MERRY CHRISTMOOSE!

Gotta love Build-a-Bear! Kyler has had Build-a-Bear come to his preschool for the last two years for an "in-class" field trip. Last year he made his black bear named "Pill". This year - BEHOLD, THE CHRISTMOOSE! (the lights on his antlers even light up!)

MALLET MELODIOSOS

Fourth grade brings about many changes....one of them - you may join a Mallet Club! Asher was very excited to be the first in the family to join Mallet Club. They had a winter concert on December 18th with the choir. It's no surprise that our performing Asher did well! Kyler of course wanted to know what we were going to do. I told him that we were going to watch Asher play the xylophone. Asher quickly corrected me..."I don't play the xylophone, Mom! I play the Alto Metallophone!" I stand corrected.

PHOTOS, FRIENDS & FOOD!

December 19th - the first day of the kids winter break! I surprised them first thing in the morning with short notice that we would be taking family pictures. We hustled three boys in some clothes and drove off to Target. Family and individual photos were taken with three different shirt changes....and all was well! After ordering the photos, we told the boys we would go to IHOP - their favorite place to eat breakfast! We had a quick detour to pick up Kyler's friend, Andrew, and then enjoyed pancakes and hot chocolate! I love winter break.