The Little Red Hen, a Toy Story, and Other Fables

School's in, we're back in the swing of things, and all the kids are well again (knock on wood!). Alexis is enjoying first grade, Spencer loves kindergarten--especially since his best friend Josh is in his class, Jordan and I started taking a tennis class together, and Dallin and Trista are enjoying their "school" day (Mother's Day Out) on Thursdays. Life is good!

The Little Red Hen

As you can see I've included a few pictures of the kids cleaning the bathroom. The first shows how Alexis really feels about cleaning the bathroom. In the second she's hamming it up for the camera. Anyway, I've been trying to make sure the kids learn that part of being a family is helping take care of our home. Each morning before school they must make their bed and clean their room. And on Fridays they sometimes have extra chores like vacuuming or helping clean the bathrooms. We also try to teach them about money and tithing by giving them an allowance. Every week each child gets one quarter for each year of their age.

A couple weeks ago I was preparing dinner when Alexis came into the kitchen. The conversation that followed went something like this:

Vicky: "Alexis, can you please set the table for dinner? We're almost ready to eat."

Alexis: "Why do I have to do it? I have to do everything, etc., etc."

Vicky: "Because you're part of this family, and being part of a family means we all have to help out. If you want to be able to eat as part of this family you need to help by setting the table."

Alexis: "Do you mean like the Little Red Hen?"

Vicky: "Yes. In the Little Red Hen the duck, the dog, and the cat all refused to help make the bread, so none of them got to eat it."

Alexis: "But the Little Red Hen's children didn't have to help, and they got to eat the bread!"

Vicky: "How do you know?"

Alexis: "Because, Mom, I read the book."

At this point I stopped in my tracks and quickly went over the story in my mind. It was all I could do not to laugh. She was right, darn it! The Little Red Hen's chicks didn't have to help--she made the bread herself and then called them to eat it with her. How did Alexis get to be so smart? And how could I be so dumb? Do you know how many times, when I didn't want to do something around the house, my mom brought up the story of the Little Red Hen? And did I ever think about the fact that the chicks didn't help? No, never!! So, all you parents out there, this is a warning to you--you're children are probably smarter than you are. Be careful what you say or you may end up fumbling and saying something dumb like:

Vicky: "Yeah, well, uh, this isn't the Little Red Hen and, uh, her chicks were probably spoiled and no one liked them, and, uh, you just need to set the table anyway."

Toy Story

I'm starting a new job next week! I'll be working for Maybelline, about 15 to 20 hours a week, visiting stores (mostly Wal-Mart) to make sure the Maybelline and Garnier products are stocked and displayed correctly. Most of the stores are pretty close, but a few times each month I'll have to travel about 280 miles round-trip. That's a lot of driving, but these days time alone in the car is like a vacation! And I'll be getting paid to rock out to the radio--one of my favorite things to do anyway!

Last week as we were driving I was explaining to the kids that I got a job and what I'd be doing. I told them that I get to work with cosmetics and that I'll even get free stuff sometimes. Alexis was excited about this and asked if that meant she could have some new lip gloss. Spencer was less impressed, and after thinking about it for moment he said, "Hey Mom, why don't you just quit that job and get a different one working with toys. Then we could get a lot of free toys instead!" Now, why didn't I think of that?

Other Fables

Just kidding--I have no other stories to tell today. But I will include one more picture of my Dad and Trista. We've been able to spend a lot of time with my parents lately and are planning a trip to Silver Dollar City together soon. Maybe I'll take some pictures...

Back to School!...kind of

After a fun (but somewhat long) summer, school began again last Monday! I couldn't wait--I was worse than the kids! I could finally get back into a routine, back to the gym regularly, even have peace and quite during naptime at home! But, oh, no--that was not to be. On Monday both Trista and Dallin managed to throw up all over the van on the way home from the gym. It seems there was a "bug" going around, and lucky us, we got it! After scouring the van Monday I decided I wasn't willing to risk it Tuesday and we stayed home. On Wednesday, about 15 minutes after I had dropped the kids off at school I got a phone call from the school nurse. Spencer's eye was a little red and, sure enough, he had pink eye. So he was home for the day getting drops in his eye every four hours. It turns out I got pink eye as well and have had the pleasure of wearing my glasses for five days now while looking at everything through a red, crusty eye. But Spencer was back to school Thursday and I thought, okay, now I'm going to get things done. So I went visiting teaching that morning, only to get a phone call during the first visit, once again from the school nurse. Alexis had a stomache ache and felt like she was going to throw up. Just as I got to the school and walked her from the lunch room to her classroom for her backpack, she made a beeline for the bathroom where she had a turn at throwing up. I guess the bright side is that it wasn't all over my van or my carpet:) So Alexis was home Thursday and Friday (although Friday I think she was just playing hookey). The weekend went well, though, and everyone felt fine. So Monday morning I dropped the kids off at school and headed to the gym for a round of TurbKick (kickboxing). As I left the gym my cell phone rang. It was none other than the school nurse (we're getting to be quite good friends by now). Apparently Spencer was sick and threw up all over in his classroom. Surely by now the entire staff at Bellview Elementary thinks I'm a terrible mom who has chronically sick children but sends them to school anyway.

However, today was a good day--no calls from the school nurse, and we even had a playdate with Dallin's friend David at Chick-fil-A. I'm attaching one more picture. This one is of Trista before church a few Sundays ago. Isn't she cute with her little Cupie Doll hair? I wonder if she'll ever have enough hair for a real "do."

Summer Vacation

This summer we once again went to San Jose, CA to visit Grandma and Grandpa Post and see some cousins as well. The trip was great once we got past the long plane ride during which Trista pooped all over me. Luckily it happened at the end of the flight and we were soon on to better times.

We got to do a lot of fun stuff in California including lots of swimming in Grandma and Grandpa's pool, an Oakland A's baseball game, trips to Gilroy Gardens, the Wharf in Monterey, and the Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, shopping at the Great Mall and Ross (Vicky and Aunt Adrian's favorite part) and toys and games with the family. Believe it or not, I'm so horrible at actually taking pictures that I only took 9 pictures during the whole trip. Maybe this blog will motivate me to become more of a photographer. These are a few pictures I took while we were at the Wharf in Monterey where we got to enjoy clam chowder soup bowls, carmel apples and huge lollipops. Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa, for all the hugs, treats, and fun times!

On the way home we had a layover in Denver. We had to get up at about 6:00 that morning and were all kind of tired and crabby. We were sitting there waiting for the next airplane, being shushed by a sleep-deprived Daddy, when Dallin very innocently asked, "Daddy, are ya happy?" "Yes, I'm happy," answered Daddy, in a not-so-happy voice. A moment later Dallin piped up again. "Are ya happy, Daddy?" This made us all giggle, and Daddy answered in a more pleasant tone this time. By the third time--"Daddy, are you really happy?" we were all laughing and feeling happy. It's amazing how an innocent little question from a three-year-old can put things back in perspective. We're so thankful for these little spirits and the reminders of what life is really about!

Post U Up

Okay, so the Postal6 family blog is now up and running! Congratulations! Now you can all read the juicy details of our lives! Thanks, Becca. This will be a great way to keep in touch and journal at the same time!

The picture above proves that yes, there is a reason for the name of our blog address. This represents any moment of a typical day at our house. From left to right are Trista (1) Dallin(3) Spencer (5) and Alexis (almost 7). We have had a busy, fun summer but it all comes to an end on Monday when Alexis and Spencer begin a new school year. They and Mom (especially Mom) can't wait! Tonight we shopped for backpacks and school supplies and on Thursday we'll go to the school for an ice cream social and to find out who their teachers will be. The kids have been sick this week with fevers and pink eye, so hopefully everyone will be better by Monday!