the mundane...or just plain chaos?

6 bipeds live here, thats 12 feet total. Those 12 feet wear a sock a day (some wear more than one a day). Times that by 7ish days and this is what you get on laundry day:

a basket full of socks

When you don't match and fold these socks this is what you get from the Turner Family:

Kids who won't take the time to match up their socks so they just wear the first two socks they can find.

Mom's solution: Sock Sorting

This consists of the family gathering together in the family room. Each sitting in a designated spot--far enough as to not get in each others way. Then one member of the family (usually Dad) will throw each sock from the basket to the corresponding member of the family so that they can then match and fold their own socks. I guess you have to be there but things can get pretty crazy. After a few minutes everyone is just throwing socks. Regan throws a sock at Austin, Austin then returns fire and hits Alec, Alec then feels the need to get Austin back and there are socks all over the family room. Nobody will claim the crazy colored or worn out socks so they are the first to become ammunition.

After many a sock has been thrown and many laughs have been had a truce gets called and the socks do get sorted, matched and put away.

At least for a few more hours.

Peaches and Rice Krispies

Yummmy!!

2 Years

In two years your baby can go from a craddle to a crib to a "big boy" bed. In two years you can rearrange the nursery so that it looks just like a kids bedroom (no changing table, no baby powder or lotion). In two years you can learn a new language, like: air annie o (where did Regan go), eat! eat! eat! (sesame street--repeated until it appears on the tv), or inckler on in ass (the sprinker is on the grass). Two years can literally fly (sit-up, crawl, walk, run) by.

But is two years enough? Is two years enough to teach a young man all he needs to know before he goes out into the world? Is two years enough to get your fill of his company at the dinner table? Is two Christmas Eves enough? Two Mother's Days? Is two lazy summer vacations enough?

Now, I am not planning a tragic family event. But Alec turned 17 Sunday. That means that if everything goes as planned (as planned from his very birth), he will be leaving us (ME!) in just 2 years. I know he will still be around when he returns but I do believe it won't be the same. WOW--2 years!!

This Labor Day weekend we celebrated Alec's Birthday, and also moved out the crib and changing table from Will's room and added a twin size bed and drawers. Thus the craziness above.

FIRST DAY--Freshman Orientation

Regan went to freshman orientation today.

This is the "first" different school she has ever been to in her 8 years of education. This is the "first" time she did not have to don a plaid skirt/white blouse to go to school in. This is the "first" time she went to school without her cousin being with her--yes all 8 years her best friend/cousin was there (not always in the same class but always same school with a cubby right next to hers). This is the "first" time there were more than 28 kids in her same grade (let alone class). This is the "first" time she will use a locker.

Regan and Cora--basically inseperable, until now

This is the "first" time her mom circled the parking lot of the school trying to catch a glimps of her to make sure she was okay. This is the "first" time her mom cried when she got out of the car (yes, kindergarten did not even make me cry).

Congratulations Regan--You did great. You are going to have an awesome Highschool experience.

A Time of Firsts

As the summer tapers off into fall the Turner Family will experience a run of "First Times". The premire "first" was school shopping for Regan. Normally we would just go to the uniform store and try on the designated uniform, buy them, bring them home, and hang them in the closet. Nothing exciting, actually quite boring and the kids tended to hate it. But this year was different for Regan.
We went shopping for clothes. I can remember that when I was growing up this was a big day for my mom and me--I can't actually remember that my brothers were with us but I am sure my mom did not send them to school in their birthday suit, anyway-- we would take a whole day and go to the local mall and spend hours looking for the right clothes. Then I would come home and try them on again, giving a fashion show to my dad. It was a lot of fun.
Now, Regan and I are not big shoppers--I actually hate shopping for clothes. I decided the best place for non-shoppers would be the outlet mall in Park City. Wow!! I did not know that I could spend so much money in so little time. Especially on just jeans and t-shirts. We ended up having a blast spending the day together--and came home with more than just a plaid skirt and white button down blouse.

Boys will be boys..

This summer Austin has been having fun riding his bike, I tried to capture a few of the stunts he has been working on (my photography skills are lacking).

Also, Will at 2 years old is OBSESSED with his car collection, here he is with a fever and not feeling well but still playing with them. (Thank-you Grandma, Thank-you)

There comes a time in every young man's life....

He (we) has been putting it off for about 2 years now, but it is time for Alec to do his Eagle Scout Project. There are so many worthwhile things that a scout can do. As a matter of fact the Eagle Scout Project Workbook lists: build a sturdy footbridge, or set up a community study center for children who need a place to do their homework, or survey the remains of an old Spanish mission, or....

At this point I am in a full panic, I mean what happened to the days when my brother and his friend spent a summer building one picnic table for a campground nearby--and even this project seems overwhelming to me.

Well inspite of all that he (we) has decided on a project today. He (we) is going to make quilts for a nearby children's hospital (bet you can guess which one).

I actually think this will be a great project. Everyday at work I run all over my unit trying to find that one perfect quilt--for that one perfect little patient, that will make his day a smidge more comfortable. There are never enough!

So we are starting another great adventure--Eagle Scout Award here we come.

One word of advice for all you out there with young boys...start thinking NOW about a project and get your skills READY because before you know it it will be his (your) turn.

So how do you make a quilt anyway??? Stay tuned.