Leggo my Eggo

So when exactly will my kids be able to cut their own waffles. I mean—this step will be a bigger hurdle than leaving the home for college. It was a good day, maybe the best of my whole life, when Lily started washing her own hair and Canyon started buckling his own seat belt…but when can I stop cutting up their waffles, meat, etc.? I have these visions of me and Lily at college—me, cutting her waffles every morning before she goes to class. I suppose that some people are high maintenance, that their expectations in life include great vacations, money, power, nice homes, cars…. Me? I just want my kids to cut their own waffles.

Answering the call

So, I guess now that I've been formally invited to join the blog I have no excuse for witholding my gems of knowledge and impressive writing skills. (<---I'm starting to sound like Marty aren't I.)

At any rate, I did write something for the blog---but I wouldn't expect it to ever happen again. So, I hope you all enjoy this epic narrative of important life lessons as taught by a four year old. Here goes:

Most people could agree that competition is a normal part of life. (Those who would argue are probably doing so because they think they are better than everyone else.) If your neighbors have an immaculate house, then the pressure is on to keep your house looking justa s impressive. Each week when I go babysitting I get to witness competition at it's best as cute 4-year-old Kenzie takes on the world.

Last week, as I watched Angie and Alex (their little one-year-old) in the front yard I could overhear the conversation going on in the back yard. Kenzie and her friend Brooke were jumping on the trampoline together when Brooke began the Challenge. It started with little comparisons about the trials their family has endured. Soon enough I heard brook brag, "Well my Dad's cousin....he DIED!"

Thinking this ultimate glory of knowing someone who died would have to trump all else I was surprised when without hesitation Kenzie made her comeback. "Well, my Grandpa got a bloody nose!" she responded. In astonishment Brooke gasped at the idea of such a horrible thing and their little battle quickly ended knowing that no one could top a bloody nose. And really, who could top that!?

So in conclusion, my advise to all is when your neighbor drives that flashy new car of theirs, just get out your fanciest key chain and flaunt it! Take that! ZING!!

Let me in.

So, what does a guy have to do to be able to blog around here? It's because I'm not "officially" part of the family isn't it.

--- Christian
(cjwest@cc.usu.edu)

Cheers!

In anticipation of finally dialing in the last of the Reeder in-laws…I decided that a tribute to them all (Dustin, Shayne, Bonnie, Elise, and finally Christian) is in order: suckers!! Honestly, though, what kind of people marry into this family? Just a few great reasons:

q The famous sacrament wave
q Fresh from the oven, crisp and wrapped stories for Christmas: Marty originals
q Techno-ball?
q A crush on a cartoon character
q Waiting until 30 seconds before r.e.m. sleep to start talking and talking and talking (sorry Shayne)
q The favorite Aunt, built in babysitter, soon to be mourned: Sadie
q Having the determination to run 2 miles in 20 minutes so you never have to run again
q Always wearing blue
q Always having to be in front (Isaac) happy to be in the back (young Sadie)
q Ganging up on Daisy (I don’t know what she’s talking about?)
q Me, being the ring leader
q Getting in the Oregon ocean in our clothes EVERY TRIP
q Guarding our sugar cereal from the Joneses
q Delivering 50 widow’s cookies in ninja gear
q A fully grown Pirate
q Never leaving the shower at early morning swim practice—every Friday
q Going on track trips with dad
q Falling asleep on the toilet: Marty
q Skinny dipping on Christmas Eve
q Early morning swim, run, canoe…growing up at a scout camp

Marrying into the craziest family on this side of the Universe: priceless.
Cheers to the in-laws…you deserve five gold stars for putting up with us Reeders.

Fun time in Logan

My blog is my wife...I mean life

Spending a weekend with the family made me realize one thing: how much I miss the blog. It was great being together and everything, but it really cut down on our blog time, and we sort of let things go. Let's get see what we can do to get back and let the blog memories live on! Shine on you crazy diamonds...

Just some pictures you might like

Here's some recent photos of people's visits. Isaac & Elise: I know you have some pictures that I want...

Papa and Alice.

Nana & Jane

Isaac and some random kids...not sure who they are really.

My room is my wife

I love my wife and my room.

They Call Him Gambler

I have a lot of favorite students. Any teacher who tells you that they don't have favorites is lying. It's like saying that you don't have a favorite sibling, favorite child, or favorite dog...all lies. Well, there are some students that are my favorites because they are funny and fun and "normal" human beings (rare for ninth graders). But there are some who are my favorites simply because they are darn weird. David Gamble is one of those. Honestly, I feel bad for the kid because he's short, stocky, wears glasses, and he cries sometimes. But I also can't help but laugh at him. When we read Richard III, he always wanted to read the part of Lord Hastings, and he attempted a British accent. It was awful. It hurt so hard to try not to laugh, especially when the whole class looked at me waiting for me to crack. By far my favorite experience with Gamble was last week when he put his glasses on upside down. I'm not really sure why. I honestly don't think he was doing it to be funny. I think it just happened. He probably thought..."wonder what things would look like upside down." After a couple of seconds, I couldn't take it anymore, and I started laughing. Is that bad? Sometimes I can't help it. I laugh at my students all the time--even the students that cry. I'm going to be a great mom.

Baby Boy

Just wanted to congratulate Marty and Bonnie on their news!! I hope we finally get another boy in the family, these girls are driving me crazy. Canyon can't wait to have someone to play pirates with, because, let's face it...Marty's got to have a pirate. Anyway...Congrats again!