Slow Down

The Neider girls met in downtown SLC for our annual "Girls Weekend" this last weekend and had a wonderful time.

I'm only slightly bothered by the fact that the oldest 3 girls are getting older...like wearing make-up, shave our legs, boys are the bomb, older. I sometimes feel like James and I are 'playing house' and the 5 kids we've produced are not quite real. Oh but they are (so are the bills), and growing up quicker than I'm willing to come to terms with.


















I may have an almost teenager flitting about the premises, but I also have this little man puttering about as well. I think this morning last week found him wore out, played out and out for the count.

The Good Life

6th Grade-It's all in the details. The hair, the bag, the shoes. Let's just say there was more than 1 conversation about how this day would go down.














We're all glad he has lived long enough to make it to 4th grade. There were a few questionable moments over the summer that put his life in the balance.














The first day of 1st grade found this one MIA when the bell rang. There was only one small moment of panic as his teacher and I searched for him. He suddenly appeared out of nowhere in tears, stating he didn't know where to line up at. I guess when I showed him where his line was 10 minutes earlier he and I weren't on the same page.

























T.Alayna isn't convinced summer is coming to a close. We argue on a daily basis about going to the pool. She would live there if allowed to do so.











We call this one the 'Angry Midget'. He spends most of his waking moments yelling and screaming at those who love him most. At 2 years old it's his way or the highway. We spend a lot of time on the highway.

Let's Talk

Alrighty-I wanted to get through most of Hollywood week before I put my 10 cents in. Yeah, my cents are worth a lot more than your regular old 2 cents.

*I am, in the words of my 5th grader, crushing on the judges. Not in a weird way mind you, but I really like them, including Randy. The combination of the three is making for fun, enjoyable AI viewing. I especially like it when Steven Tyler gets in a note or two as the contestants are singing. In my minds eye I can see his internal musician really 'feeling' the performance and he just can't help himself. I've also decided J.Lo's turn on AI is good for her image. I perceived her as diva-ish and I have liked seeing this side of her. She's a mama at her core. Speaking of J.Lo---last weekend while we were getting some much needed time in with the Hopkins I told Ali Belle that she would be A. Hop in Jennifer Lopez, Hollywood speak. After a moments reflection she said, "Or I would be A. Ho." The silliness of this statement went right over her little 10 year old head and I've been laughing ever since. If you think hard enough you will recognize the DOUBLE humor in this moniker.
*On to the talent....I am easily the most excited I have ever been about AI. I'm with Randy, this is by far the most talented, diverse group of contestants AI has ever had. From goofy redhead boy, to innocent 15 year old warblers, to bass cello playing talent extraordinaire...this is gonna be good television viewing. I've been happy thus far with the contestants that have gone through and have not been devastated by any losses, with a few exceptions here and there. The two different couples competing together could have been fun to watch AND I can totally do without manic Ashley Sullivan. She's the one who totally botched the lyrics 3 times and contorts her body in all sorts of directions regardless of her mood. I can see a "Vote for the Worst" coming.
*Count me in and count me looking forward to every Wednesday and Thursday nights.

In other reality television thoughts:
*Happy to be watching Boston Rob on Survivor----not so happy about Russell.
*Kicking my heels up for joy Michelle is long gone from the Bachelor.

Me and my nightly television? We be close.

And So It Begins

Are you asking yourself what could possibly cause me to return to the blogosphere? My life has been on the fast track lately, autobahn style, and blogging has taken a back seat, but something important happened tonight...something worth jotting my thoughts down on screen.

Can you guess?

AMERICAN IDOL started last night! My love for this show is renewed yearly and my ever loving husband has made it cost free possible for me to tune in every Wednesday and Thursday. My AI abilities petered out on me about 4 weeks before the finale last season and I was not too upset as I was not invested in anyone in particular. So geeky to say, but getting to tune in on a regular basis is a television dream come true.

Guess what else?

I really liked the new judges. J. Lo came across genuine and Steven Tyler is fascinatingly interesting. Yeah I miss snarky Simon, but I'm very willing to give peace a chance with Steven and J. Lo.

I'm already invested in a handful of contestants, especially the very last contestant. If he doesn't make it to at least the first round of voting I'm giving up on all things good and kind. Oh and the girl from Serbia? She needs to make it top 10. I'm certainly getting a jump on things, but I was crying. Yep, crying over some of the back stories.

So, for the few of you out there who still check in with me every now and then---join me on my American Idol journey. I can't wait-

Oh, and maybe the blog writer in me will be renewed and I will find some interesting things to muse about.

Mine

I find great pleasure each Sunday having these five little golden heads sitting in a row down our bench. They are all mine, as is James, the best partner a girl could have in parenthood and life. Blessed am I.

Summer of the Monkys by Emily Sellick

This picture novels begins at the end and ends at the beginning---of summer.
*Hike up American Fork Canyon
*Cole turned 30!!
*FIRST Day of kindergarten, which included a Bon Voyage lunch at In-N-Out with Grammy.
*First day of school 5th and 3rd graders.
*Girls weekend...shopping, eating, playing, laughing and room service.
*Clint turned ONE in style.
*Sellick reunion and learning to share with cousins.
*Weeks long campouts in the playroom.
*Sprinkler fun.
*Baseball