~The Axelson Zoo~

Year in Review

2011-01-26T17:47:00.003-07:00

It has been almost a year since I last posted. Wow, has time flown by. I need to get better at this - a living record of our family.

I sit here, hubby at work, kids watching (sort of) a movie upstairs, and Henry keeping my feet warm. Our year has been so full. My children are amazing! Abigail has started cheerleading through the parks and rec; Noah has tried football, and is now in soccer; Henry is puppy school dropout. :) Pete's job is going really good. He moved to a restaurant MUCH closer to the house about 4 months ago. I love that he doesn't commute an hour each way, but his time commitment to the restaurant has grown greatly. All in all, we're happy. :) That is as good as anyone can say. My job continues to be great. I really enjoy what I do. That doesn't mean I wouldn't chuck it all and stay home with my babes if given the opportunity!

In just a few weeks Abigail will be 7 and Noah will be 5 soon after. I cannot believe they are this old already. I look at pictures from when they were babies and wonder where the time has gone. Abigail is so much fun. She has an amazing personality, incredibly funny, and so smart. She makes me laugh everyday. She is so kind hearted, loves her family and friends so much. She started in Daisy's this year and is loving it. She has her first "best friend" and I couldn't be happier with who she picked. She and Jessica are two peas in a pod and I love listening to them and their "woman talk" as they call it. Noah is a charmer... That is all I can say. He has this smile about him that makes everything seem ok - even when he is NAUGHTY! He is my cuddle bug. He always wants to touch you somehow, either hold your hand, stand next to your leg, or be held. At almost 5 he is still my baby boy. Noah's energy is amazing! Just when you think he is all spent out, he can still run! To call him busy, might be an understatement! :) And then there is my newest baby, Henry. Henry is a bichon frise and cavalier spaniel mix. He is as sweet as they come, and definitely the baby of the family. Everyone is smitten with him - even Pete! Henry came to us last March, and his first birthday is a week from today. Henry has completed our family, I love this little rag-a-muffin!

We've been working hard, playing hard, and really looking forward to Disneyland in March. We all need a vacation! The best part, my parents are going with us! We went two years ago and were only in the park for a day. This time we're staying for 3 days and going to do it all. Noah may have his shoes stuffed with paper - but darn it! He's going on Space Mountain!

My baby isn't a baby...

2010-02-16T20:50:00.002-07:00

I cannot believe my little girl turned six over the weekend... It seems like she just came into our lives and POOF! Six years later. Abby Grace is one of the kindest, sweetest, funniest people I have ever met. Her love for her family is amazing. I am so blessed to be able to call her my daughter.

Family Photos

2010-02-16T20:31:00.006-07:00

We had pictures taken a few weeks back and here are just a few.

Personal "Adds"

2010-02-07T15:08:00.003-07:00

This is my Friday 5, on Sunday!

What’s your favorite “just add water!” food?
Instant Grits! Mmmmmm, yum!

What’s your favorite thing to add vinegar to?
Salad Dressing

What’s something weird you’ve added to normal food?
I can't think of anything - I'm pretty tame when it comes to food. (Tame does equal boring.)

What’s your favorite thing to add whipped cream to?
Fresh fruit, chocolate pudding, warm cookies! How can I pick one thing for whipped cream?? Impossible!

What’s something you refuse to add anything to, even though most people add something?
Tea! I don't want it sweetened or with lemon. I like it strong and plain.

The Runner

2010-02-03T20:33:00.004-07:00

At school I have a very favorable nickname, Mrs. Axel-Suck. Yes, I know, it is awesome. I've come by this name the good old fashioned way, I am a hard ass. I don't take shit and I don't give shit, I am not in the shit business. (Thank you Dad for that little nugget of gold!) If you are in the wrong, I will correct you. I also have a group of current and former students who would say I am their favorite teacher and still come visit me on a daily basis. This year in 4th grade, I am the "gifted cluster teacher." What that means, is any child in 4th grade that is identified as "gifted" is placed in my classroom. (You really want to learn more about that, email me.)

I have come to love and loathe the gifted child. Some of them are fantastic little people who want to learn everything they possibly can. Others know how smart they are, and realize how little they can do and still pass. I am probably too hard on my gifted students. I know their potential, and I know that they can do more than the status quo.

Yesterday I had my first runner. I've been a little hard on one of my students this past week or two. He is probably the smartest kid in my class, and is technically failing - doesn't turn stuff in, zones out. He is also one of the funniest kids in class and offers awesome insights in class discussions - when he is paying attention. Yesterday, he had it. During lunch recess, I found him and asked him to come into the classroom to finish a social studies test he'd only been working on for 3 hours, (it was 20 fill in the blank questions.) Deciding that he didn't want to do this, he told me he needed to go to the front office for something and he would be right back to class. I didn't see the kid for over an hour. 15 minutes into this kid being missing, I am on the phone with the front office letting them know that he never came back from recess. Secretaries, administrators, older brothers, all out around campus searching for the kid. All the sudden, a student said they saw him on the other side of fence of the school on the sidewalk.

This kid left school. Walked right out the front door. Seriously? Who does this in 4th grade?? They finally find him, about a mile away from school, put him in a car and drive him back. When the assistant principal questioned him upon return, she asked, "Did you know that leaving school is against the rules?" He replies, "I suspected as much." Are you kidding me?? I don't know whether to laugh, cry, or smack him upside his head.

All in all, he was gone for just under 2 hours. I know that him leaving and getting frustrated with school and life and needing a break wasn't my fault - still kind of crushing anyway. I do wonder if there was something I could have for seen about this situation. If last week you would have told me that this particular kid would pull a stunt like this, I'd never believed you. I am so thankful nothing bad happened to him and ultimately he was returned safe. It makes me think more about the kids I come into contact with on a daily basis - what do I really know about them? How can I make this world a better place for them? Am I teaching them what they need to know? I look at my kids, Abby and Noah, and pray that they never need to take a break like that, and will understand how to better handle stress and frustration. Weird day, strange experience. I'm glad it is over, and hope it NEVER happens again...

New Year's Friday 5!

2010-01-01T12:18:00.006-07:00

I stumbled across this website a few weeks ago, and decided that I would give it a go today. http://www.friday5.org/

1. What’s something that’s better when the newness has worn off? Jeans

2. What’s something you already own that could stand to be replaced by the newer version? My cell phone and my mattress.

3. What’s something that was better before someone made it “new and improved?” My bank. We were with Washington Mutual for 8 years, and now it is Chase bank. I really don't like them.

4. Of geographic locations whose names begin with the word “new,” which seems like the most interesting place to visit? New York. I've never been there, and I know that when I go, it will cost me a ton of money! :) I want to see shows, shop, eat, sight see, basically do all the tourist-y things one can do!

5. On what date will 2010 no longer feel like the new year? Probably not until the end of January. Once the family is back in the swing of things, and all holiday festivities have worn off, it won't seem so new anymore.

10 Things...

2009-12-31T09:07:00.007-07:00

I keep hearing everyone say how yucky 2009 was to them. It was to me also. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a glass half full kind of girl. So here are ten things that made 2009 great for me. (In no particular order.)

1. Our new house!!

2. Noah finally potty trained.

3. Having a ton of family come visit us over the winter holidays.

4. Reconnecting with, and making new, friends. Seriously, I have the best ones!

5. Watching Abigail start kindergarten, and love every minute of it.

6. The kids' first trip to Disneyland!!

7. Going to tee-ball practices and games.

8. Buzz Lightyear and the green-faced witch!!

9. Playing Wii with the family. (I think it is the little everyday things we should take time to celebrate.)

10. Having a healthy and happy family. I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband and two utterly fantastic children.

Comings and Goings

2009-12-11T19:49:00.003-07:00

We have been so busy here at The Zoo, that it has taken me by surprise how fast time has been going by. We were blessed to have not 1, not 2, but 3 weekends of out-of-town house guests! My parents came for a visit mid-November and as always, it was wonderful to see them. This was their first trip to the new house. (It's always a proud moment when you can show your parents how hard you have worked, and what has been earned.) Abigail and Noah just love Gramma and Grampa, and we do too! Whenever my parents come to visit, we always put them hard to work! Ceiling fans and light fixtures were on the agenda for this visit!

The following weekend my cousin Alex came. He is fantastic! One the best people I know, and probably one of my best friends. He is 26 and living la vida loca in Las Vegas! (Don't criticize my horrible Spanish grammar Manuel!!) This was his first time hanging out with the kids for more than a couple of hours, and truthfully I was a little nervous he was going to head for the hills after about 24 hours! (My children are fabulous, loving, smart, creative, but very.... busy. :) We are loud and constantly in motion. My family is not for the faint of heart!) Alex and Pete took me to my first NHL game, the Phoenix Coyotes vs the Flyers. W-O-W! I am now truly in love with hockey. What an amazing experience. I cannot wait to go back! I'm hoping for a little Coyote gear for Christmas! Alex and his parents appreciate firearms. Me, not so much. However, Al and I loaded up the kids and experienced Cabela's for the first time. Poor little Abigail, as dominant as she can be, she still frightens easily. She did not like the stuffed lion. It was so sad, it was almost humorous! :) It was wonderful to see how much fun the kids had with Alex, and he did with them. They now call him "Favorite Uncle Alex" and it was amazing to have him here.

The next Wednesday, Pete's family came to visit. His mom, step-dad Jeff, and step-brother Kyle came for Thanksgiving. This was only the second time they have been able to come and visit us and we are so thankful they made the trip. Cathy and I went nutso and hit the Black Friday sales, er lines, at 10:30pm and finally rolled in the door around 8:00am. That was the first all-nighter I have pulled in years - and I did it with my MIL!!! :) She was a machine! We had such a great time sitting around the table and playing board games, watching football, and most importantly, cooking and eating! When we go to Sacramento, we don't always get to spend so much time with Cathy and Jeff, so it was great to spend 4 days being a family. On their last day here, we went to the New Car Show and got a really bad case of the "IWants." We cannot wait for them to come back again.

It has been such a whirlwind with everyone here, decorating for Christmas, Christmas shopping, report cards going out soon, ear infections, unpacking the few remaining boxes, life. Sometimes I forget Ferris' advice: Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.

Funny Child...

2009-11-09T18:23:00.001-07:00

Abigail just saw me looking at blogs and I showed her ours. She asked me why I called it the Axelson Zoo. My parents have referred to my house as a zoo since we brought Abigail home from the hospital to a house with 2 dogs, and instead of lightening the load, we brought Noah home. :) She thinks it should be called "My Family is the Best!" I love her, but I think I'm going to keep the name I have.

Fun in the Fall!

2009-11-08T16:31:00.005-07:00

We've had some really warm weather here the past few weeks - not the norm. So yesterday afternoon we took full advantage of it!

Abigail doesn't want me to keep taking pictures, but I just love Noah's face here!

He drives so much better than his sister! (She must have inherited the driving gene from her Mama!!)

Finally! A nice one...

When the Cadillac first arrived in March 2007. Look at how little my girl was!!

W. Maui Lane

2009-11-08T16:19:00.004-07:00

I know I posted these on Facebook, but I wanted to have them on the blog as well. There aren't a lot of pictures yet, but I am sure with my Mom and Dad here this weekend, we'll be remedying that shortly! :) Thanks for sharing in my excitement over the new house. I may have found it, but Pete talked me into buying it! Something he is not soon to let me forget!

Front of the house

Awesome driveway where the kids drive their Cadillac and ride bikes!

Wonderful fireplace/built in entertainment center. Still needs some decoration.

My fabulous eat-in kitchen. I love the cupboards, counter tops, and appliances!

View from the front door.

Halloween Fun!

2009-11-02T18:55:00.005-07:00

We had great spooky fun this year at our house! Buzz Lightyear and The Witch! I hope everyone had a great weekend and ate too much candy!!

Too infinity! And beyond!!

I'll get you my pretty!! And your little dog too!!

Sitting on the porch, passing out candy.

Laughing with Daddy after all the fun was over.

Home Sweet Home

2009-10-04T19:21:00.003-07:00

We live here now. That just makes me smile. :) We still have a ways to go in the unpacking department (you sooo don't want to see my den!) but it is feeling like home. Clothes are still being moved from the piles in the guest room into Pete's and my dresser, but it is coming along. Our kitchen is awesome and unpacked! The kids' rooms are awesome and unpacked! The bathrooms/laundry room/linen closets are awesome and unpacked! The couches look great and the tv was purchased today! Woo hoo! (For Manuel and Sal, it is a 52" LCD/HD, Sharp Aquos, 120mhz, 1080p. All I know is I am looking forward to Paige's recommendation of McDreamy on the 52"!! I'm so going to have to watch Paul Walker and Mark Whalberg movies next weekend!) It will be delivered on Tuesday and we're going to have the Best Buy Geek Squad install it for us. That's a lot of money to be literally sitting on my shoulders! Let someone else do it for me. :)

I'd like to say I have pictures to show you, but I don't. Sorry! I left my camera and few odds and ends at the rental house and just haven't been by there to pick them up. Pete's going to stop by there tomorrow and pick it up for me. Then I need to find the cable for my camera to the computer. Seriously, my den/computer room... You so don't want to see that! But I'll show you anyway this week. :) I am just so happy this move is almost in the bag. A HUGE weight has been lifted and now the fun/expensive part starts - or continues! Gotta love decorating and landscaping!

Poor Noah was so confused by the move. He is such a creature of habit that this move really had him upset. I think he was afraid we were moving, and not entirely sure we were taking him with us. I took Friday off and he and I spent the day together, just him and I. We played toys, unpacked more boxes, and I was able to reassure him, this is our home and we were all staying together. After 3 days off with the kids and husband, I so don't want to go back to work tomorrow. :( I miss being a stay at home mom more than I thought I would. Can it just hurry up and be summer again? Next year I am really thinking about not working full time. Noah will be in Pre-K next year, and I think I just might substitute 3 or 4 days a week. The kids will be in school, but all the hours I put in when I get home really takes away from my time with the family. I love my job. I really love my job. I just wish there was a better work/home life balance during the school year. Thankfully I have 3 more quarters of school to really work through this. Could be I am just tired and really frustrated with my administration and am overreacting... I'm just glad I don't have to make that decision tomorrow. Until then, I am going to relax and love on my family in my new house! Did I mention that I love it??! :)

A See a Light...

2009-09-27T19:33:00.003-07:00

I see a light at the end of this tunnel! Wow, what a busy weekend we've had! Friday night we moved a bunch of stuff over. On Saturday, the kids and I (and by the kids and I, I mean I) went through a bunch of old clothes and toys deciding what to keep and what to donate. Today we bought a new couch and love seat and moved more stuff. Even better news, we have movers set up to move the furniture tomorrow morning! Yay!! The new couch and love seat will be delivered tomorrow also! When we left Omaha, we had to split our set we had (it wouldn't fit on the truck) and so we really needed a new set (meaning I really wanted a new set. :))

Tomorrow when I get done at school, I will be going home to the new house! Thank goodness Pete is off tomorrow. The only real bummer is that our internet connection won't be turned on until Friday. I didn't want to cancel the service at the rental until I knew the furniture was going to be moved, and that wasn't set up until yesterday around noon. I can facebook via my phone, and blog from school, but it's not the same. Thank goodness I will have cable tv at the new house tomorrow. I would hate for anyone to have to deal with me without my weekly dose of Amazing Race, Survivor, Project Runway, Grey's, etc... I won't be able to watch tv downstairs anytime soon.... Between my frugality (cheapness) and Pete knowing exactly what kind of a tv he wants, it may take a week or two before one is purchased. :)

So as of now, no pictures. :( Without the internet connection I won't be able to post any. Watch for next weekend, I will have pictures and a house mostly put together! Thanks for being such voices of encouragement throughout this process over the summer. I have the best blogging buddies! Even those of you who don't comment! :)

Moving Sucks, Yo!

2009-09-24T21:30:00.002-07:00

So we're moving! As excited as I am to be in this process... Seriously?!? Could it come at a worse time? I have no time off before Thanksgiving, but I want to move NOW! :)

The house is great. We're getting our stuff over there slowly but surely. Most of the kitchen is moved; all of the CDs and DVDs; all the books; and the closets are making their way now. I have a moving company coming on Saturday to give us a quote on the furniture moving, and hopefully (all fingers crossed here) it will be a good bid, and they'll do the work on Monday! That means... We'll be over in the new, beautiful house on Monday night!

TV and furniture shopping is slated for Sunday. The new house has a recessed portion of the wall directly above the fireplace for a flat screen television. (Yes, I know... fireplace in Phoenix. I've missed mine in Omaha so much over the past year, that it was something I really wanted. I know it won't get used much, but hellll000, it's pretty!) So short story long, we need a new TV. Pete is really looking forward to this trip! :) We also need a new living room setup. So we're going to load up the kids (and a ton of snacks!) and hit the stores on Sunday.

Pete picked up Noah's new big-boy bed from IKEA today and is over at the new house right now putting it together. It is a super cool loft style bed. We went to IKEA because I had seen the bed in the catalog and wanted a closer look. We walked to the display and Noah announces, "This should be my room!" With the final approval from the Bubba, Pete picked it up and is assembling as I type. I figure, Noah will climb the furniture regardless of what I buy. I might as well buy something "boy friendly!"

I really need to get over there and take some pictures. I'm just waiting for our stuff to be in there so the pictures look more like our home, and less like the house we just bought.

I'm ready for the heat to be over here in Phoenix. It is still hovering around the 100 degree mark. Living in Omaha had a perk, I love fall. The Midwest has an amazing autumn. Not amazing enough for me to deal with the winters ever again! :)

Hopefully I will have new moved in updates later this week!

Home Owners!

2009-09-05T20:21:00.002-07:00

Well, we got the green light from the lender yesterday. It is official! We will be closing on our new home September 10th and getting the keys to take possession on September 15th! (I have no idea why we have to wait 3 business days... some new law or something...) I cannot believe that in just 10 days, I will be able to start moving my stuff out of our horrible (yet functional) rental and into our new home! Here is a link to our floor plan, virtual tour, and all around fun stuff!!
http://www.fultonhomes.com/pages/rr07c_2109.aspx
As with all things financing right now, I am optimistically hopeful that this won't fall through. I know that sounds very pessimistic, for me. I will feel better when all the documents are signed.

Tomorrow we are headed to IKEA for Noah's big-boy bed. They have a super cool loft style bed with a ladder. We figure Noah is going to climb his furniture, might as well let him be safe while doing so! :) He is super excited for his dinosaur bedroom! As with all 3 year old boys - he is a dinosaur fanatic! Abigail has a fairy princess, shabby chic bedroom set she received for her 4th birthday. I am excited to finally paint her walls! Of course the walls in her room are to be multi-colored, per her request! (One wall pink, one green, one lavender, and one yellow.)

Soon I'll be taking lots of pictures and you will be forced to view them! Can you believe Christmas is just around the corner??!! It is not as far off as you think...

My Loves

2009-08-29T19:38:00.004-07:00

Ever since Noah was born, showering has become an obstacle. When he was really little, we were living in Omaha. In that house, the shower and garden tub were separate. I would put blankets, stuffed animals and books in the tub - then in would go Abigail (dry of course.) I would belt Noah into a bouncy seat with a binky and I would shower. Without fail someone starts to cry just as the shampoo would get into my hair - ahhh the joys of a stay-at-home mom! :) The obstacles I face now when I shower are not as dramatic and tear filled, just a whole lot funnier!

(This afternoon I am in the shower - sorry if that is TMI)
Abby: Mom, Noah keeps sitting next to me on the couch and he won't stop breathing on me.
Me: Did you ask him to stop?
Abby: Yes, then he just laughs and does it again.
Me: Is he hurting you? Touching you? Breaking any rules?
Abby: No. But its hot and I want him to stop.
Me: Try sitting on the rocking chair, you both can't fit there.
Abby: I did but then he climbs onto the foot rest and breathes from there.
Me: Then I guess you will have to play in your room until I get out and ask him to stop.
(At this point, it is a good thing she can't see me because I am doing all I can not to laugh at her.)

(Tonight at dinner)
Abby: Noah do you know who my best boy is?
Noah: Daddy?
Abby: No. You! Even though my best friend is a boy, I like and love you more, you're my family. You're the best boy ever.

This was when my heart started melting and I knew that any and all breathing incidents were forgotten. I pray that all breathing incidents are solved this wonderfully.

First Day of School!

2009-08-18T19:06:00.004-07:00

Wow! We made it! What a great first day of school. Abigail was asleep in the car on the way home, and I didn't make it much past her bedtime last night!

Abigail is doing FANTASTIC in kindergarten! She loves her teacher and her class. (Manuel, she has her new buddy Jordan. I only pray that he is her Manuel.) She loves learning, and has quickly become the class "mommy" making sure everyone is OK and know what they need to do next. Some boy called her a "watermelon head" yesterday at recess. Abigail looked at him and said, "That's OK. I love watermelon!" Oh how I love this child!!

Back to School

2009-08-11T20:04:00.004-07:00

I sit here sadly as I utter the words, Back to School. Boo. Hiss. I have loved being home this summer. We were not without "challenges," :) but all in all, it has been a blast. I have had a great time spending each day with Abigail and Noah. We are all a little sick of each other, but I really didn't need to do something as drastic as "Go back to work, full time!!"

But off to work I go. The main reason behind this... We are approved and will close on our new home next month! When buying a home, quitting your job tends to be frowned upon. :) When Pete and I sold our home in Omaha, NE last May, we lost everything. And when I say everything, I mean everything. It was so sad. Not only did we lose all of our money, about a third of our possessions didn't fit on the truck and I had to sell all the baby furniture, my dining room set, my washer and dryer, the kids' clubhouse, and all kinds of odds and ends. When we moved out here to Phoenix (which was a blessing and what we had hoped for) we were literally starting over. Only this time we were over 30 and had 2 little ones with us. Establishing my career, which I adore, and buying our new home is the first few steps back to where we want to be.

I went back to work last Wednesday for training. (I did take off Friday, yes my 3rd day of work and I took it off! Doctor appointment I had waited months for took priority!) My training continues through this week. I have "Meet the Teacher" night on Thursday and again on Friday afternoon. Then on Monday, the kiddos start. I am excited for the new school year, and again, I have an awesome team of 4th and 5th grade teachers. I am so blessed to teach where I do.

The other HUGE milestone for us is Abigail starts kindergarten on Monday. Our school wears uniforms and she is all set with her brand new sparkly tennies! Abigail has talked incessantly about kindergarten for 3 months now. She is so excited! She has the cutest kindergarten teacher on the planet and we couldn't be more excited for the school year. (Lots of pictures to come on Monday!) Noah starts back at the babysitter on Monday and is not happy with me. This transition will be hardest on him. He's a mama's boy and a homebody. Next year he starts Pre-K and then he'll be a "big kid like sissy." :)

Well the summer was great, not long enough, and I'm already looking forward to the next one. We're going to have a great year in between then and now!

Be The Match

2009-07-23T10:23:00.003-07:00

We found out on Tuesday that one of Pete's best friends (a groomsman in our wedding) was diagnosed with leukemia. He is only 35 with a wife and 2 small children. It really makes me take a step back and reevaluate what I am thankful for. This is my third friend to have a cancer diagnosis within two years. My friend Jacy beat lymphoma, she is 34. My friend Sheri beat skin cancer, she is 32. Now Patrick is in the throes of this. Patrick lives in Atlanta so it is not like we can pop in a visit him, or help out with the kids while his wife spends time at the hospital. It really got me to thinking, What can I do?

I can register to be a bone marrow donor through Be the Match, the national marrow donor program. On Saturday they have a testing vehicle set up in Tempe (about 40 minutes away) where I can have a simple cheek swab done and put myself into the system to be a potential donor. Will I save Patrick's life? Probably not. Could I possibly save another person out there? YES! If you go to www.marrow.org you can have a cheek swab kit sent to you in the mail. It is as easy as that. All the information on what a donor has to go through (very minor to save a life) is there. It made me feel like I can do something and give back. I encourage everyone to think about it and spread the word. Too many of us have been affected by cancer. So many times we are unable to really "do" anything for them. Maybe by registering to be a bone marrow donor, we can help someone else, and in the grand scheme of life, help our loved ones.

Woody

2009-07-21T11:14:00.002-07:00

Well today was the day... The kids and I drove Woody back to the rescue. The woman there was so kind and gracious. When I talked to her on the phone yesterday she completely understood our family situation and was glad we were putting the needs of Woody over the wants of the kids. It is going to take some time for us not to be sad. Dayna (the rescue lady) is going to periodically email us pictures of Woody and let us know when he gets placed in a new home.

Thank you so much for all of your kind words and support. It has meant the world to me and really helped during this time.

Dilemma

2009-07-18T10:19:00.003-07:00

I'm in a bit of a dilemma and I need some advice... We adopted Woody (our dog) in May and originally thought he was going to be a great addition. He doesn't chew or tear up anything, already potty trained, and the right size not to frighten the kids...

What we didn't know: He has obviously been mistreated before, if you get angry with him for doing something bad (ie pooping on the floor in Noah's room daily) he cowers; and when you pick him up he pees on you. He has a real personal space issue. If one of the kids comes by to pet him, he will low growl at them. Woody has not bit the children, but he scares them by the growling.

Woody needs a lot of love and a stable home. Pete and I have been trying to teach the kids not to pick him up, don't pet him without asking Mommy or Daddy first, and don't invade his space. We have had Woody for about 3 months and were really hoping that these issues would start to resolve themselves. (The kids adore him - why I don't know.) I was also hoping I would warm up to him a bit more, but I just can't seem to. I truly believe Woody would do better in a home with older children (who would leave him alone.) In thinking all of these things, Pete and I are discussing calling the woman we rescued him from and asking her to take him back. Does this make me a horrible person? Who doesn't love a dog? I don't know... Maybe we tried to adopt a dog before we had completely healed from the loss of our fur-girls a little over a year ago - I don't know.

Any comments, suggestions would really help me out. I feel like I took on the responsibility of this living creature, and I need to see it through. Does responsibility out weigh what's best for the dog or our family.... Help please.

Half Over Already??!!??

2009-06-29T10:48:00.005-07:00

Well, as I sit here I realize that my fantastic summer vacation is officially half over. I am loving every minute I get to be home with the little ones! We have road tripped (for a short, short visit) to northern California to visit family; spent gobs of time at the library; continue to go to the movies on Wednesday morning; and just have fun coloring, reading, playing Mario Kart Wii, dressing up, and playing pretend. If vacation were over today, I would say we have well spent our time! Even more exciting is that Pete starts his vacation on Saturday, July 4th and he will be home with us for an entire week! Woo Hoo! It will probably take left over fireworks to blast him back to work after all the fun we will have! :D

The only thing I would be upset with myself if vacation were to be over today is my physical fitness. I have not been going to the gym and eating healthier like I have wanted to. Today I begin to fix that! I am back on the healthy eating plan (and I have promised myself I am going to actually stick to it this time! Healthier eating makes a happier and saner me.) I am going to my first spin class tonight at the gym and am a bit nervous!

Here are a couple of pictures from our weekend to California. The kids were amazed by my Uncle Jeff's Harley! They had to have pictures on it. They also loved playing wiffle ball in the backyard; and this is such a sweet memory for me. My parents live in my grandparent's old house right now. My sister and I played wiffle ball in this backyard every summer growing up. It means so much to me that my kids have now played there too...

Slowing Down

2009-06-11T13:35:00.005-07:00

After all of last week's activities, we've been much slower here at The Zoo this week! :) We looked at houses on Monday (and found a real winner!), story hour on Tuesday, skipped our Wednesday movie for a lazy morning with Daddy, art time at the library today, and the pool tomorrow. I haven't even made it to the gym once this week - to be remedied this afternoon!

We found a house here in Arizona that we absolutely adore! We are still in a lease at our rental home until November. Right now we are talking with the builder (it is a new build already completed) to see if they will extend our escrow long enough so we don't have to lose our deposit by breaking the lease here. We should know by the end of the week if it is a go. If they aren't able to hold the house for us, then we will start looking in September. We didn't even mean to find this one. I happened to notice the builder in our suburb was closing out their final houses and thought, "Hey, why not take a look?" I am so glad we did, but will be bummed if this doesn't work out. If we don't get this house, it just helps us to define what we're looking for - and "our house" is still out there for us!

Well, that's it from me. I have a fun post below of pictures of my guys! And I was finally able to add pictures from our trip to Flagstaff to last week's post.

Who's Who?

2009-06-10T20:46:00.005-07:00

Pete came across a picture in a box yesterday, himself at 2 years old. Here is also a photo of Noah at 2 years old... Hmmm?? Which is which?? :)

BTW... finally added pictures to the previous post!

First Week of Vacation!

2009-06-03T21:58:00.004-07:00

Wow! We are having so much fun! If vacation keeps going by at this pace, I'll be running back to school waiting for it start - just to have a little down time! On Monday, we started things out right and went to the movies. The kids and I saw Up! What a phenomenal movie! I was so surprised by how much it moved me, and how much I loved it. I highly recommend this movie to everyone! Noah didn't understand some of what was going on, heck, neither did Abigail, but they both loved it. What a wonderful story and message...

On Tuesday we went to northern Arizona near Flagstaff to visit a very good friend of mine. She is my co-teacher and mentor at school. Let's be real, she's my work-mommy! And I love her! So do the kids. Pete only has one day off this week, so we all went up just for the day. We BBQ'd hamburgers, went down to the little lake and (tried to) skip rocks - Pete is amazingly good at that! Took a bunch of pictures, played in the woods, and then drove back. (Paige, on the way home we stopped at the Gymboree outlet and I have the CUTEST swim suits for the kids! You're the only one I know who understands/gets excited like me about this!)

For the summer, for $5/person, I bought tickets at the local movie theater to a kids summer movie pass. Each Wednesday morning we go and see an already released (probably on DVD) kids movie. Abigail and Noah love going to the movies, and it is so expensive to take them. $15 bought me a movie a week for the whole summer! We saw Madagascar 2 today. How fun is that??!! After nap time, Sam's Club, and the gym (for Mommy!) we were just too tired for Story Hour at the library this evening.

Tomorrow morning, we are going to story hour at the library - one of my favorite things to do - and then to the community pool with two other moms and their children for an afternoon of fun. Everyone will sleep great tomorrow night.

If this is the pace of life and the weekly schedule I can expect for the summer - I'm going to be worn out in no time! :) We have another trip, overnight this time, planned for Flagstaff later this month, and may go up there for 4th of July. When it is 100 degrees in Phoenix (on June 2nd!!), it is only 79 degrees there. Don't get me wrong - I love the heat, sometimes I just need a little break. Probably mid July the kids and I will drive up to Sacramento to visit everyone up there. I am so blessed to be able to spend the summers with my children. I feel like I really have the best of both worlds. I was a stay-at-home mom right after Noah was born, and as wonderful as that was, I needed to go back to work. I also know, the traditional 8-5 would never work for me and how I want to be a mother. Teaching not only satisfies my career aspirations, it works wonderfully well for my family also. All in all - I LOVE summer!

May Days

2009-06-03T21:24:00.006-07:00

It has been so long since my last post... (I did not expect to enjoy this as much as I do.) I have very good excuses why I haven't posted! :)

The last day of school was on the beautiful and sunny May 28th! (Did you hear that? Angels singing!!) :) I have so enjoyed teaching 4th grade this year - it is truly the one thing that I professionally have loved doing. I've enjoyed it so much, that I turned down a middle school math position (which is what I have been working towards.) 4th graders are wonderful, creative, funny little shits! I say that with the utmost respect! I have been asked back to teach at my school again next year, and am so thankful. To be appreciated and validated for what I do, and to have a job in the economy, is amazing. So as much as I have loved my first year teaching, I am loving my first summer vacation as well! If this week is any indicator at how action packed and fun-filled summer vacation is going to be, I just may ask to go back to school early for some down time!

Abigail had her Pre-K graduation/performance Tuesday before school was out. The kids had been rehearsing for this since Valentine's Day. The only rule was they weren't supposed to tell Mommy and Daddy about the performance. To say the least I was SHOCKED when my little girl strutted up to the microphone and recited a poem. (The only solo performance I might add!) One of the other parents made a slide show of pictures from the year set to music, and the children did so well reciting poems and singing songs for us. It was AWESOME!

Memorial Day weekend, just before school was out, Abigail and Noah traveled to San Diego with me to go visit one of my very best friends, Dena, and her 3 boys. Dena's husband is in the Marines, and works more than mine! So we had 5 children, 2 mommies, and a TON of fun! The kids went in to the ocean for the first time - we had only seen it from San Francisco - and had a blast! Abigail has always been a little shy around water and she LOVED it! Noah just loves dirt and sand. Dirt + Sand = Happy Noah

Dena's 3 boys - well 2 of them, one is a baby - gave Abby and Noah a very detailed and extensive education on Star Wars, and I must say, they are now true fans! It's not that Pete didn't want to do this awhile back, I'm just a "cautious mommy" when it comes to exposure to television/movies with possible scary stuff. Turns out, they loved it. I sat and watched with them, and reassured them things were make believe. For the next 2 days the only thing they did was play Star Wars with the boys! I think Santa may have to bring light sabers to our house this year!

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T17:13:00.003-07:00

Mother's day is pretty nontraditional in our house. Pete has worked in restaurants even before we had children. Ever since my first mother's day, with just Abby, it has been me at home alone with the child(ren). Pete works on average, a 12 hour shift on Mother's Day. (All of you people going out to eat....)

Today was no different; I was woke up with breakfast in bed and a bouquet of beautiful flowers. No sooner than I had eaten breakfast, Pete was off to work. The kids and I watched a few cartoons, called Gramma's, and then started our day. We headed off for an early showing of Monsters vs Aliens, and then a late lunch at Chuck E Cheese. Most families don't opt for either choice on Mother's Day so it was wonderfully quiet at both locations. :)

Most families celebrate Mother's Day by giving the mom the day off of duties. For me, it is no different than any other day (Pete works weekends.) I try to look at Mother's Day as a day to celebrate being a mom, and they joy that goes along with it. I know that the day is supposed to be about me, but it is so fantastic watching those little faces realize that all I want to do, is stuff they want to do. I can't help but think that this is the way I will always want to celebrate Mother's Day, even if Pete would have the day off. We had a great time, and now we're off to clean bedrooms! I know, big fun!

All of you out there celebrating Mother's Day - whether you are a mom of babies or fur-babies, or celebrating your mom - take time to realize all the amazing things these fantastic women do to make your life better; and give them a BIG thank you! Happy Mother's Day!

Wii Win!

2009-05-06T20:25:00.004-07:00

I was skeptical at first about buying a Wii. (Like we needed another thing to play video games on!) This has been the most fun our family has done in a long time. We got our Wii before Christmas, and Pete and I played. The kids will dance and sing while we play Guitar Hero - always fun! For Christmas, Abigail got a Disney Enchanted Princess game. The controller is used as a magic wand to "magic" everything. **She takes after Pete - the game was beat within a week.**

Recently we have been playing Mario Kart and Wii Sports as a family. Even Noah has a good time. Everyday when we get home from school, the kids ask to play Wii. I know that I don't necessarily want to encourage video games at this age... BUT, we are having so much fun! It's too hot to go outside after school already, and this gets us moving inside the house. It gets Pete and I off the computer, or makes us put our books away, and play with the kids - something other than Barbies, cars, and tea parties. I need to start looking for some more games to change it up around here - any suggestions?

I just got beat by Abigail in bowling for the first time tonight. I know, pathetic! :) She bowled a 134, me a 130. I know how I will be spending my evenings after she goes to bed now... PRACTICING!! :D

Owls Are Loud Too

2009-04-25T21:47:00.003-07:00

I know I have said that I am going to try talking less and listening more; but tonight was an example of when my talking does good...

The kids and I had dinner at a friend's house. As we were driving home, I really wanted a fountain, caffeine-free diet soda. The only place I know with this, and a drive through (not getting out of the car with the little ones at 8:30pm) is Chick-fil-A. If you've ever been through the drive through there you know how they are; they are so polite and kind. They tell you how it is a pleasure to serve you, and thank you profusely for your business. (I know this is an every time event - I frequently find myself looking for supreme unleaded cola in the evening.) Tonight as I pay the girl, and she again, so sincerely thanks me, I tell her how wonderful it is coming here because everyone is so kind. At that, she breaks into tears and tells me how the man before me yelled at her because she had not heard is order. He sped through the window and announced that he was going to go somewhere else, where they had good service. I told her that he was a mean old man, and would have been angry at anyone and not to take it personally. She was obviously upset, crying to a complete stranger in the drive through window, and I talked to her and convinced her it had nothing to do with her. My talking did come in handy.

Short story long, I am not a quiet person. I am a talker. I am a noisy woodpecker, and in time, hopefully as I age and become wiser, I will hear as well as that old owl. But anyone who has lived with an owl in their yard before knows, they make a hell of a lot of noise too.

Busy, Busy, Busy

2009-04-21T18:58:00.003-07:00

We have our International Festival at school tomorrow. (I will be so glad when this over.) Each classroom picks a country, we are Sweden, and everyone in the community is invited to the school tomorrow evening. When you enter the gate, you are given a "passport" to be stamped as you travel around the world. If you complete your passport, you earn a prize. Totally cool if you are a parent or student. Totally a lot of work if you are a teacher! :) We have to decorate our classroom, have samples of the culture and food, and be in our classroom to host any and all "travelers" from 5:00 to 8:00. My co-teacher and I chose to be the Scandinavian countries (back when there were 3 fourth grade classes.) Next year, when I have to do this again, I am picking something way more fun and hopefully a bit easier. I am thinking Brazil so I can have Carnival! And fruity (and spiked!) drinks! :) The students have been learning about the Northern Lights, and all things Sweden - including IKEA! As much as a pain in the ass this whole endeavor has been (think paper macheing a Viking Ship to serve food out of) the kids are so excited and learning so much. It might be worth it after all...

Woody has been an awesome addition to our family. Wow. Little dogs equal big bark! He is not a fan of Pete when he comes from home from work after midnight. Woody believes if you aren't in the house when he goes to bed, he's raising holy hell when you come and wake him up. If there is ever an intruder, we'll know! The kids love him - and so do I! It is so nice having a buddy around when Pete's at work, and the kids are in bed. I knew I missed that, but I didn't realize how much.

I have 25 more days of school, not that I'm counting down! ;) I am so ready for summer break. I hadn't been feeling the first year teacher burn-out until just this past week. Standardized testing is over, and once our International Festival is over, it will be downhill, skate city! Abby and Noah are so excited for summer vacation and being home with Mommy. I am just as excited as they are! We'll have road trip to California, craft time, and I have to teach them to swim this summer - again! So much to look forward to - just got to get through the next couple of weeks!

Listening and Learning

2009-04-18T21:19:00.007-07:00

We adopted a dog today! His name (picked by Noah) is Woody. (Noah said he didn't look like a Buzz or a McQueen, so Woody it is!) He is about 4 years old and a chihuahua/pomeranian mix - they think. He's just about the cutest 10 pound thing you ever did see!

The people who had picked up Woody were amazing. This woman found him trotting out of the desert, she pulled over her car and scooped him up. She put ads on the internet and in the paper about a found dog, and no one claimed him. Two weeks ago he was starving, his fur was matted, and he was scared. Because of the kind heart of a woman, he has a full belly, combed hair, and a new forever home!

I listened to the women who had been fostering for Woody the past two weeks. They took him to the vet, had him neutered, all of his shots administered; and loved him. In these economic times when so many people are struggling to make ends meet, this woman saw a creature in need, and did right by him. How many times have we seen a dog walking alone down the street and not stopped. I have learned something today. There are more good people out there than I give credit for. My family, Woody included, is so grateful for the kindness of strangers, and I hope that I can pay this forward.

Wise Old Owl

2009-04-17T21:34:00.004-07:00

“A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren't we like that wise old bird?”

I saw that on a blog that I was reading today and it really made me think. My husband last night accused me of never, ever, leaving out a detail. He's probably right. I do talk too much. Maybe if I would just shut up now and again, I would learn a bit more. I am more like a woodpecker - that annoying, hideously noisy, bird. I accuse Noah of having a daily "noise quota." He has to make a certain amount of noise each day before he can call it a success. Apple must not fall far from the tree.

With that being said, I am going to try and learn more. And I don't just mean within the pages of US Weekly. (A fine news publication that is!) Maybe if I was quiet, I would see and hear more. With seeing and hearing more, I will absorb, and hopefully, learn more. My goal is for the next week, post a new thing I learn each day. Is that counterproductive to my noise-reducing project? Probably. You know me, got a quota to fill!

The Bunny Incident

2009-04-13T17:19:00.002-07:00

After all was said and done on Sunday, Abigail looks at me and says, "Mommy the Easter Bunny is not real, right?" I asked her why she thought that and she said because it didn't make sense. "I mean really? What does a big bunny want with all of those eggs?" WHAAATT??? Who's 5 year old doesn't believe in the Easter bunny. It was an act of God to get her to believe in Santa Clause this year. She is so logical. If something doesn't make sense, and she can't see it, that's it. Can't be real - such her father's daughter. And yet she has this unshakable faith in God. (I am so thankful for that.) I told her that I, Daddy, and Noah all believed in the Easter Bunny, but she didn't have to if she didn't want to. Pete vehemently assured her there was an Easter Bunny, but I still don't think she's buying it. Now Tinkerbell... Abs is CONVINCED she is real! :)

Been Awhile...

2009-04-11T09:46:00.003-07:00

It has been awhile since I last posted... So many of the little everyday things going on, sometimes it hard to find time.

Abigail is in full swing of tee-ball and loving it! At first she was totally bored and we couldn't figure out what was wrong. Then she told us, "It doesn't matter, Mommy. No one wins." OMG! How funny is that? She didn't want to play anymore because there was no point if no one wins. I told one of the other families that at our last game, and they had the same "problem" with their son. So we convinced the kids all during the game we were winning, and at the end, the two of them had a great time and came away with the "win!" She is Type A like her mama, and super competitive like her daddy. Watch out!

Noah is just about the funnest boy on the planet. Our babysitter got sick with the flu, so I stayed home with him on Thursday. We had so much fun together. We took Abby to school, went to the grocery store, got the car washed, took Abby her lunch at school, and came home for bologna and cheese (what can I say? The kid loves it!) We were off of school yesterday for Good Friday and it was really nice having the day off with both kids. It makes me very excited for the summer when we get spend everyday together. I am already figuring out what crafts and fun things we can do. Now that Noah is getting older, we can do a lot more fun things together.

Pete is still in his quest to find a job in California, but as of right now, it doesn't look good. I think our smartest and safest bet, is to stay here. At least for now. I really like Arizona, and the only reason we were moving back to Sacramento was for family and a few select friends. We like the landscape, the climate, the low prices of houses... Plus we have some really awesome friends here. My luck, we move to California, and in 5 years, my parents announce they are retiring to Arizona! (Which is one of their considerations!) I think right now, we are going to be staying in Arizona. At least for 6 more months, then we will reconsider. It is hard not living near family, especially with the little ones. As Abs and No get older, life is getting easier. Oh we have new problems: vocabulary, potty, sassy-ness! But for the most part, we sleep all night. I dread the day nap time is over, and I am afraid we are coming close to the end of that... Who knows? Only time will tell if we are to stay or go. At this point, we've been so much in the air, crisscrossing the country over the past four years, it will be wonderful when we get to settle down, and put down some roots.

Sping Break!

2009-03-22T20:05:00.009-07:00

Wow! This week has gone by so quickly. We have had so much fun. First off to Disneyland! Then we traveled north to Sacramento where we visited with family and went to the Train Museum. We got back home way late on Friday night, and Abigail went to Cal Ripken Day at the Surprise Stadium on Saturday. I am sad that our week as a family is over and we are all back to reality tomorrow.

Disneyland was FANTASTIC! We all had such a great time. We rode rides, met pixies and Mickey, ate junk food, and watched the best fireworks ever. We arrived at the park about 8:00am and that little girl of mine held her own until almost midnight! It wasn't until she and I (Pete took Noah back to the hotel after fireworks) were waiting for the shuttle back to the hotel, at 11:45, that she finally fell asleep in my lap. It would have been nice to have one more day at the park, but we were able to do almost everything we wanted. It was awesome to experience this with the kids. They were so excited and so mesmerized by everything they saw. I am looking forward to going back in a couple of years - Space Mountain here we come!

We had a nice, not long enough, visit in Sacramento. We took the kids to the Train Museum in Old Sacramento. Abigail "tolerated" it, but Noah loved it! We got to look at the trains, walk through some, and see a model train exhibit. We bought Noah a train hat, and haven't been able to get it off of him since! :)

Abigail got to go on the field for a Spring Training game with her Tee-Ball Team. She thought it was fun to go through the tunnel and be on the field, but it wasn't nearly as exciting as her snow cone afterwards!

We don't get a lot of family time together with Pete's job. It was so amazing to spend the week together and have so much fun. I look forward to Pete's (hopeful) job/career change, and the family time it will help us have more of.

How Pete and Kelly became "Pete and Kelly!"

2009-03-12T20:25:00.003-07:00

Disneyland is a special place for Pete and I. We got engaged there on New Year's Eve, 1998.

As a kid, my family went to Disneyland just about every 2-3 years for vacation. I have always loved it, and I have such great childhood memories. I remember watching the Electric Light Parade with my Mom. Having one-on-one time with my Dad going on the rockets in Tomorrowland (Kari was little and had to go to bed back at the hotel! HAHAHA!) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was where my Dad would yell on a roller coaster, my Mom would outrun me to the Matterhorn, and Kari and I would shriek to go faster on the teacups.

Pete, knowing how much I love Disneyland, took me there to celebrate my birthday, Dec. 28th. We went for New Year's Eve that year and had a ton of fun. Off to the left of Cinderella's Castle there is a little bridge/walkway that overlooks the water and drawbridge. There, Pete asked me to marry him. Now it is just as much his and my place as my family's. We even have a commemorative brick in the walkway between Disneyland and California Adventure.

This is why I am so excited to take Abby and Noah for their first trip this weekend. I wish we could stay longer, but they are so little I don't think it would create any bigger of a memory. I want for them what I had growing up. A place where my family came together no matter how old we were. Even has sassy, surly teenagers - we all came together and had a fantastic time. Here is to this weekend! Creating one of our first, of many Disney memories!

Fun Stuff

2009-03-12T20:11:00.003-07:00

At 3:30 tomorrow it is GO TIME! We will jump in the car and on the road by 5:00, Anaheim by 11:00, and Saturday morning, with Mickey at 8:00 am! Sunday morning, back in the car and rolling into Sacramento by dinner. (Wow, reading that it seems so much busier than I had originally planned!) I am so proud of myself - I still haven't told the kids about Disneyland. My Mom says I should tell them, but they are so like me. If I tell them - no one is getting any sleep at all on Friday night! This is such a great way to celebrate their birthdays. Noah's birthday is ON Saturday, and Abigail's was just a month ago. I cannot believe they are 5 and 3 already...

We went to Abigail's first tee-ball practice tonight. It was so much fun. We need to work on her hitting stance, but other than that, she is good! She chases the ball down when she is on defense, swinging hard at the tee, and the girl has an arm! We will miss one practice while we are out of town, but we will back in time on Saturday for Cal Ripken day. All the kids get to go out on the field during the Rangers/Rockies game. She also gets to march in the Memorial Day Parade! She is just super excited to get her new costume, aka uniform! Abigail is an Arkansas Razorback! Go Pigs! (Or is it hogs...?) Noah was so funny during her practice. He was yelling, "Get the ball Sissy! Run Ab-i-gail, run!" I think he had almost as much fun as she did. :)

I need to figure out how to post pictures here to show you all how cute they are and how big. They are growing like weeds. Noah seems taller each day... Time sure does go by fast!

DISNEYLAND!!!

2009-03-08T00:46:00.003-07:00

I am SO excited! Pete and I booked our hotel room for Disneyland next weekend! Abigail has been once before for Pete's mom's 50th birthday. That was in November 2005, and there is no way she will remember that trip. This is Noah's first trip. I am so excited to experience all the magic through the kids' eyes.

Seeing as how these are not the most fiscally secure times, we opted to go for only one day. We will leave Arizona after work on Friday night, and stay the night down by the park. Have glorious Disney fun on Saturday, and then continue our trek north on Sunday. We will only go to The Magic Kingdom, not California Adventure. I'm not sure they are tall enough to do a lot there. Hopefully our next trip will be longer and include more fun.

Pete and I have been on one vacation since November 2001 when we went to Disneyland! We celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary with a weekend in Las Vegas. (Coincidentally, I came home pregnant with Noah!) This will be our first pleasure trip as a family. We go to California, Sacramento, often to see family. This will be the first time we have done something fun, just the four of us. (That is if you don't count the moves across the country!)

We've decided not to tell the kids about the side trip to Disneyland, and surprise them when we get there. Let's see if I can wait until then! It is all I can do not to run into Abigail's bedroom, wake her up and tell her now! :)

I Heart Barbie!

2009-03-04T11:02:00.005-07:00

I just read this article on msnbc....

Ditch the doll? Lawmaker out to outlaw Barbie
Barbie could get an unwelcome present for her 50th birthday: outlawed in West Virginia.
A state lawmaker proposed a bill Tuesday to ban sales of the iconic Mattel doll and others like her.

The Barbie Ban Bill, proposed by Democratic Delegate Jeff Eldridge (D) Lincoln County, says such toys influence girls to place too much importance on physical beauty, at the expense of their intellectual and emotional development.

"I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you're beautiful, you're beautiful and you don't have to be smart," Eldridge told West Virginia news station WOWK.
The delegate concedes that the chances of getting the bill passed are slim, but adds that he stands behind it.

"I knew a lot of people were going to joke about it and poke fun at me," Eldridge said. "I couldn't get anybody to sign on the bill with me but I said I'm still going to introduce it."

A Mattel spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The Barbie doll officially turns 50 on March 9, and the toy maker has made big plans this year to mark the anniversary.

Barbie has had her foes over that half-century. Critics say the doll promotes materialism and an unnatural body image.

The bill has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee.

You have to be kidding me?? I am a very independent woman (or I would like to think so) and I LOVE Barbie! The best part of Barbie is that she can be anything and encourages little girls to think that way. Abigail has many Barbies, I've bought most of them for her. She has ballroom dancer barbie, pediatrician barbie, teacher barbie, ballerina barbie, and more I am sure. Who says little girls cannot be little girls and play dress up and pretty dolls? I believe that is developmentally appropriate, and necessary. (On a side note: Abigail has said she wants to be a pediatrician before she could even say the word correctly! She called it a "baby doctor" until she could actually say pediatrician.)

Maybe I am old-fashioned. Maybe I am not as much of a feminist as I thought. I still love Barbie, and will be very sad the day Abigail won't want to play with them...

The Beginning

2009-02-27T18:49:00.005-07:00

So many people I know, so many families, have taken to blogging to keep in touch with those they love. Here I am, officially on the bandwagon! :) I titled this The Axelson Zoo because anyone who has been around us knows that this is a pretty accurate description of our family!

For those who don't know, Pete and I have been married since June 2000. Abigail was born in February 2004, and Noah graced us with his presence in March 2006. Abigail just turned 5 and Noah will be 3 in just a few weeks. It is amazing how quickly time flies. Some days I just look at the kids and wonder, "What the hell just happened? How did they get so big, so fast?" The nice thing about this blog is it will help us to record the fun stuff, and hopefully, help us to recognize the joy in everyday.