Girl At Work

Just changing with the season. Don't be surprised if it changes daily...I gotta try on a few to find one that fits. BTW-I LOVE Cutest Blog on the Block.

I Found Joe Brant

Joe! I found you!

The bestest little guy was wondering where he was on this blog, so I decided I better find him. He's a good guy, our Joseph Brant. He's been talking quantum physics for 2 yrs. now, much smarter than his Auntie Em I'm afraid. When Whitney was talking to him one time about having another baby he wondered why they couldn't just have Tess. I liked this idea because one, he likes Tessie and two, he thinks babies are transferable. Another happy thing about Joe is that he skips wherever he goes. Walking just doesn't cut it. He hops, bops and skips around Target, around his house, outside, to bed, etc. I like watching his little wild haired head skipping along. It warms my heart. I always ask all of my nieces and nephews what my favorite thing about them is. They each have something special that sets them a part from the others and they always know the answer that is specifically theirs. If I ask Joe what my favorite thing about him is he will answer me, "My twinkle eyes." When he smiles his eyes twinkle with mischief and cuteness. I could gobble him up and never need another sweet again in my life.

I do have to say though, that my most favorite thing about him is his name. I just LOVE saying 'Joseph Brant'. It rolls off the tongue so well and he's connected to a couple of wonderful men through his name. Lucky is he. Here's to Joe-

Enjoyable Memory-Sweet Revenge

So I've been slightly disgruntled with my dear father-in-law Jim for a few days. I was sad to learn he had been in our lovely hometown with our sweet sister Rainee a while back and neglected to come visit the cutest grandkids in the world. I won't mention the best daughter-in-law ever though, I don't want to hurt feelings. As I was grumbling to James about this he reminded me of an enjoyable moment from The Annals of Sellick History. It made me feel a tiny bit better. Here's to you Jim!

When James and I were dating, I'm guessing possibly engaged, I was at their home having a fine visit with my beloved. We were probably making out or some other such behavior. I come to this conclusion because it was quite late at night when we emerged from the basement and came creeping up the creaky stairs. We heard a small commotion and as we rounded the corner their stood my soon-to-be-father-in-law mid-flight, in nothing but his G's, with a sandwich in his hand. Even by the light of the stove I could see him blush a million shades of red. He gave us a crooked, shy smile and scuttled off to his bedroom.

I have to interrupt the story to tell you I love that crooked, shy smile. He gets it when he feels embarrassed or has told a good joke and is hoping I find it just as funny as he does. This smile showed itself the day he was trying to compliment me on my hair and told me I looked 'fast'. After seeing my reaction he tried other such savory adjectives like 'streamlined' and 'jaunty'. He finally gave up and told me I looked nice. He was a little flustered. I'm hoping the word he was looking for was 'classy'. I also like that smile, because both of his sons have inherited it. It's pretty much a Sellick thing.

Anyway-James and I laughed and laughed thinking about this poor man and the age old choice he was faced with. It's not much different than the choice Sophie had to make. Food or dignity? Safety and concealment or satisfying a late night growling stomach? He was torn, which was shown by his stretch across the kitchen. Half of his body was recovering from his reach to get at his sandwich and the other half of his body was anxiously trying to get out of that kitchen as quick as he could. He however remained true to form, chose the sandwich and imprinted upon his son's young girlfriend the picture of him in his unawares. I think I had him all figured out in that one moment.

Now to the revenge portion of this yarn...Jim if you ever visit my neck of the woods again and fail to present yourself on my front steps I will pull from my memory every embarrassing and silly story I know about you and post them on this blog for all the world (few as they may be) to read. Trust me, there are dozens of stories...that too is pretty much a Sellick thing.

Happy Days are Here Again

You had to know I'd post pictures...









































Confession: I LOVE my kids to pieces. I personally think they are the greatest bunch produced. I'm allowed this notion as I am the one who carried them in me for a combined total of 3 years. They all have such unique personalities. They are hard not to love. That's my opinion and I'm stickin' to it.

Confession: I whistled "Happy Days are Here Again" as I drove out of the school parking lot this morning.

Confession: I headed to Walmart where I purchased two different kinds of Oreos to fill their tummies up when they get home from school. I already missed them and was feeling guilty about being so happy they were being occupied by someone other than myself. Keep in mind though, this missing and guilt thing was not enough to go pull them out of class. I don't know if I bought the cookies for the kids or for myself to help ease said guilt.

Confession: I will still be whistling "Happy Days are Here Again" when the bus promptly picks them up at 7:15 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Confession: To reiterate the point....I love my kids.

Side Note-Notice how Mark and Olivia were eagerly waiting by the van door. I think they were whistling the same tune as their mother.

No Bed!

Whose the boss?

Last Hoorah

We took the kids and our good friends the Hills to Lake Cleveland over the weekend for a last hoorah before school starts Wednesday. One of the great things about this little trip is that it only takes us 40 min. to get there, we spend about 3 hrs. playing and eating and our kids think we've handed them the world for the night. Very little effort...huge reward.

Closet Communist?

Over dinner last night my brother (in-law) Tim accused me (several times) of being a communist because I wasn't religiously tuning into the Olympics. How could I possibly miss one of the greatest Olympians of ALL times competing for world domination? My apologies Michael Phelps...

I do have a great excuse though. Due to very poor NBC reception out here in the boon docks, I am only able to get fuzz. I was tickled to find last night that I was getting better reception and could therefore tune into the girls all-round gymnastics. I simply had to redeem my Communist self and through a moderate amount of snow I watched as Nastia Liukin took it home and won the gold. To further make amends and show a great amount of dedication, I even teared up while our heart stirring national anthem was played. It gets me every time. I would like to thank that little Russian American beauty for bringing home gold for the good ol' USofA and for helping me to prove that I'm only a Communist when Tim has treats and I expect him to share the loot evenly.

Layin' Low

Layin' low in Pocatello until Thursday. Until then...happy thoughts.

Breakin' It Down

New Backpack for 1st grader because kindergarten backpack was stomped to death: $15-50% Off

2 new pairs of pull on Sketchers for a 3rd and 1st grader due to growth and neighbor's dog stealing one set in the middle of the night: $65- Buy One Get One Half Off

Registration fees at Mountain View Elementary School for 1st and 3rd Grades: $14- No Discount

School Supplies x2: $60 and we're still using last years, only used once, sets of high end, per teachers' request Prang Watercolors and still intact Pink Pearl Erasers.

1st Day of School outfits for one Star Wars t-shirt is a must 1st grader and fashion savvy 3rd grader: $55-Back to School Sales Galore

Multicolored pack of earrings to match every outfit combination possible: $6.99-No Discount

Back to School Haircut for one shaggy 1st grader: Thanks Uncle Tim!

School starting in a week and a half: Priceless!

The kids are bored to tears with their summer. They are tired of playing pioneers, blocks, slip n' slide and fighting ALL day long. And me, I'm ready to be back on a schedule and ready for the day before noon. I'm just not a good summer mom.

Boy! Oh Boy...

...it's a girl.

Just a little announcement from my sister Whitney...I hope she doesn't mind. I'm guessing she doesn't because I know how stinkin' excited she is. I'm just as excited. The Hopkins make cute baby girls. They are 2 for 2 so far. We can't wait to meet the next one.

Reading for Fun-Reading to Learn

The next book for the reading book club started by my cute cousin Kirstin is The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. Whitney and I took it upon ourselves to choose the next book and this is the one we decided upon. It is a historical fiction book. Whits and I really enjoy this type of story. I like learning history while a 'fictional' story is occurring. According to my dad this is the book that hook, line and sinkered him into the Civil War. He is an official Civil War buff (Seinfeld shout out) and it is one of my favorite parts about him. Anyway if you are interested pick up your own copy and get to reading. We will start discussing in the next few weeks.


Check out a synopsis of the book HERE.

Check out the book club HERE.

Don't Mess with Tess

Nate learned the hard way not to mess with the Queen T. She was jammin' out to the closing credits of Scooby Doo and Nate thought that was a good time to turn off the television. Every time he reached for the button she bit him. He tried 4 times and was unsuccessful 4 times. Yes, I couldn't help myself. I had to watch, wait and see how many times it would take for the message to sink in. After the 4th time I finally intervened and scolded Tess. Not to be interrupted, she continued to dance as she cried. She is tenderhearted after all and hates a stern scolding. Chalk one up for Team Tess.
















(There are 3 bites along the lower part of his arm and bite #4 was long and drawn out and is shown on the upper portion of his arm.)

10 Points Smarter

By simpling looking at the back of this car I was passing on the way to Utah today....my I.Q. jumped 10 points. I'm sure it will do the same for you. Isn't it nice to know there is at least one person you can feel smarter than? The driver of this classed up car is just one of my many. I didn't know people still did bumper stickers and as this is a newer model car I now know, people DO still do bumper stickers. I think I'll take a crack at that Mensa test now.