Hawaii Here She Comes!

Well, she's off! Jessica left for Hawaii with her high school choir tonight. Why is it I always ended up in Disneyland? I mean seriously, how much mouse can you take? Anyways, we went to the airport and after getting through the gate and security we didn't have much time before she was loading up with a bunch of other high school kids and chaperones onto the plane. I am sure after the 5 1/2 hour flight the chaperones will be screaming for some tylenol and sleep. Basically, the teacher informed the kids that their chaperone was to be treated as and listened to as they were basically God so I don't expect any issues on that end. Jessica's friend gave her a list of do's and don'ts and other than the 3 square meals, which I can't believe will happen, I agree wholeheartedly (thank you Patience). She has been working really hard on her songs lately and was extremely excited to go on this trip. Mom did good though, one big hug and no crying, Yah me! She comes back on Tuesday so I hope I can put a couple of her pics on the website. Until then, we are down one.

Colds, Pink Eye and Kids

Isn't it amazing how when one kid gets sick everyone gets it eventually. We started with fevers, than coughs, pink eye, flu, back to colds. I was even thinking the other night in bed how Jimmy seemed to be the only one untouched and totally jinxed myself because he woke up a couple hours after that sicker than a dog and sick all weekend. I wonder if there would be a market for a lysol or bleach bomb? You know like the bug bombs you see but these would take all the germs and kill them instead of bugs (actually if it did both that wouldn't hurt my feelings at all). Maybe I should contact these companies with my idea. I could end up rich lol. For now, we are doing eye drops, cough medicine and vitamin C, hoping to get better soon.

Daddy, the good helper

Johnston can just crack me up sometimes. Today he informed us that he is scared of aliens and monsters on the base (yes he did say the base). For those who don't know we live right next to the air force base. Now, I just know someone told him that on the base are monsters and aliens, probably one of his siblings mixed with to much scooby doo, so there we are. He also informed me of the help that he and James gave daddy with taking down the lights. Personally, I think it was more of a "Hey dad, think you missed a spot" and "Hey cool can I climb that ladder too and what exactly would happen if I stuck my finger in this socket here". When I told him that he and James were really good helpers he seemed pleased so tonight when daddy helped him shut the door he told me that daddy was a good helper. I'm sure it was only hilarious to me because of lack of sleep, because Jimmy wasn't laughing like I was, but it was cute. It makes you wonder how much you can miss with your kids as they grow and change. I remember Jessica being as little as JT and now she is wearing makeup, going to dances and in 9th grade being a teen. Time flies so quickly and I am constantly reminding myself to slow down and enjoy my kids instead of doing that one last load of clothes. Yes, they have to get washed eventually and sometimes we are grabbing things out of the dryer but isn't it more important to watch them grow up in person then in pictures. So, for those of you who know me well and speak to me often keep reminding me to slow down for this time in life, even when dirty diapers are a part of it.

Busy Busy Busy

The last few months have been incredibly busy here in the Skinner home. In November, we celebrated Johnston's 3rd birthday. December 10 was Jordyn's 8th birthday and we had a party all planned when mom and dad got really sick and it had to be postponed a week. We finally had her party and had 8 little girls over making gingerbread houses with graham crackers. It was so funny to watch the houses as they all fell in one by one. Finally, we all decided to have flat roofs and some were decorated with as much candy as the plate could hold. Of course, we had Christmas which was very fun as always in our house. We were able to spend time with Jesse for a few days when he came down. Jordyn had her ears pierced right after New Years and we had Michelle up visiting for a week from California. The new year began with a much anticipated baptism. Jordyn looked beautiful in her white dress and shone with her smile. She will be able to go to her first Achievement Day Girls here in a couple weeks. We were excited that Great Grandpa could be there to help in the confirmation. And all through this Jessica had soccer on the JV team at Eldorado High School where Jillian and Jeana continued practices for their league teams. Jordyn also began piano again and is doing really well remembering where she left off.

Ghosts and Ghouls

We had a great time last night at the Trunk or Treat. Jessica was Dorothy (cute again), Jeana was Pumpkin Spice (should have seen that orange hair), Jillian was Hermione from Harry Potter, Jordyn was the cutest mouse ever, James was the black spider man where Johnston chose to be the good spider man. Alot of candy was received by all six so you can only imagine my kitchen counter and at one or two pieces a day we will have candy around for quite some time. I ended up having to take pictures after the treating and unfortunately JT was sound asleep on the chair in the front room. Jimmy did a really cool thing with dry ice and dish soap to make bubbles and took it to the trunk or treat for all the kids. We were constantly surrounded while he made bubbles. He and James got all the information online and there were alot more he would have loved to do if he had had more time. All in all it was a great time and fun for the whole family.

Tin Man

Jimmy did an awesome job as the Tin Man in our Stakes rendition, or fifteen minutes of, The Wizard Of Oz. He looked so life like as the tin man that kids wanted their picture taken with him and everything. We even have it taped for future reference. There is no escaping it now.

All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth

We had a very exciting weekend with 2 visits from the tooth fairy. Jordyn couldn't stand it any more and between Jillian and mom had her two front teeth finally pulled out. Now she is toothless and looks too cute. Poor James is dying to loose some himself and Jillian is quite distraut that Jordyn may catch up to her in baby teeth losses. Will keep you updated.