ANIMAL FAIR

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

"I went to the animal fair.

The birds and the beasts were there

The big baboon by the light of the moon,

Was combing his auburn hair."

A song from when I was in kindergarten-first grade.

"Kind of describes my day.

    After seeing my man Stan…well let me explain it this way.

    Judy, my daughter Niki, her four year old daughter Alexa, my son Chris and his daughter Sierra were all leaving for Orange County this afternoon to watch Sierra dance then go to Disneyland.

    Judy asked if I would drop her and her luggage off at her office so she could work half a day and leave from there.

    I said, "OK!"

    She said, "Oh, by the way; will you drop the handicap parking permit off at Niki's so she can put it in her bag?"

    "OK!" (I don't know why she didn't just run it up to her office with her, but I didn't think of that until later.)

    "Oh…by the way, will you run and get the new tires put on my car. Corey said they are in. Call Corey and he can tell you where to go." (They were special ordered.)

    I dropped off Judy then dropped off the car. Corey met me there and we went to get him a couple of new dress shirts then we went to Sum Dum Luc (Joy Luck) one of our favorite oriental restaurants and near the boy's office.

    After lunch, Corey drove me back to Discount Tires and I got back in Judy's car.

When I got to Niki's I started playing with Alexa and two year old Gavin. We decided that instead of Niki dropping Gavie off at Greg's work and her leaving her car there for the whole time they were out of town, I would just take them to the airport and then take Gavin back to Greg.

That we did…sort of.

    As we were driving into the airport, Niki called her brother Chris. He was running late and having problems, (nothing major-just time consuming) and it was decided that we should exit the airport, drive back downtown and get Judy so he wouldn't have to. That we did.

By the time I got Gavin back to Greg's and the boys' office then came all the way home I was exhausted…I guess the hardest part was trying to keep up with a two year old and a four year old at the same time; especially when they were going in opposite directions or wanting my attention at the same time.

Love 'um to pieces and I enjoy doing it and want to on a regular basis but it wears me out.

Anyway I didn't get anything else done today…maybe after a short nap…too early to go to bed for the night!

Other than that I am feeling amazingly well!

A NEAT TIME WITH GRANDKIDS

Monday, March 21, 2011

    Being Monday, I was with Jayden and Bailey from 2:40 until their dad came home some time after six.

    When they got in the car after school I asked if they wanted to go to Del Taco or somewhere. Bailey nearly panicked. "I want to go home someone is going to come over and play!"

    That "someone" was Jacob.

    As soon as we walked in the house she pulled an envelope out of her jeans back pocket. It had Jacob's phone number written on it.

    She grabbed the house phone and dialed, but after three tries with no one answering, she said, "Ok, let's go!"

    We stopped at Wal-Mart and got them each a little something and I got a three pack of large boxes of tissues we checked out and went to Del Taco. Bailey and Jayden each got a bean and cheese burrito and I got a large hard-shelled taco.

    When we got to Wal-Mart, Jayden called Corey and asked if it was "ok if Grandpa gets me a package of Pokie Cards (? Probably wrong name.)

    Corey told him that he wasn't going to say "no" but that he would be disappointed in him if he did. We got them and Jayden spent an hour of so mulling over in his mind how he was going to deal with his dad's disappointment.

    He wanted those cards really bad.

    I have been fighting a cold which has now gone into my chest and arms; i.e. body aches. I laid down on Corey's and Stacey's bed for about an hour.

    Jayden quietly came up and played with his new cards on the table by the window.

    We had an opportune moment to say some good I love you's.

    It meant a lot to me.

    Bailey came home from the park freezing and asked me to make some hot chocolate. They didn't have any except some squirt stuff that goes in cold milk. I tried heating it. Yuck! It tasted bad.

    Bailey said that when she and Jacob got cold. Jacob knew a sheltered place. Also there was a "stone bowl". They thought about getting in the stone bowl and cuddling but when Bailey thought about it, it gross her out and she came home instead.

    Jayden ran up to Zach and Cameron's. They were home but couldn't play. He called me and asked if I would pick him up because of the cold and wind.

PUBLIC RESTROOM

Friday, March 18, 2011

This evening Niki had to do a last minute dance judging gig this so Judy had Alexa and Gavin.

Judy also had to pick up the vacuum from the Sears at Jordan Landing from some repair work they did on it. After picking up the vacuum, Judy took the kids into the store to look around.

Alexa needed to go to the bathroom. They decided to use the Family one. When Judy went to walk in, Alexa told her to stay outside but that Gavin could go in with her.

Pretty soon, Judy heard the electric hand dryer turn on and off and Gavin giggling. This happened over and over. Gavin got a kick out of standing under the dryer. His head was at the right height to set it off. It blew his hair all over the place.

Finally Judy went in. Alexa said "The toilet won't flush." And she kept waving her hand back and forth over the electric eye.

Judy said it was quite comical.

At one point, Judy was eating a cookie and Alexa in a teasing tone of voice said, "No more cookies for you young lady. They're not good for you."

PRETTY in PINK!!!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Another day at the office; as if!

Corey called this morning and asked if I would take Jayden and Bailey back to school after Bailey got her new cast this morning. She broke her wrist three weeks ago and got her pink cast two weeks ago.

The doctor is just behind our Smith's market and Corey and Stacey wanted to go straight to work afterwards.

The doctor took two X-rays which turned out normal then sawed off the old cast and put on a new one. She still went with pink which is Bailey through and through.

This having a broken wrist and being in a cast hasn't slowed her down a bit…she is as big a tom-boy as ever—rough and tumble playing basket ball etc.

Corey said that Bailey is getting to write pretty well with her left hand.

After the procedure and after Stacey and Corey left in their cars, Bailey and Jayden insisted we get something to eat before I dropped them off a school. We drove through the Burger King drive through. Jayden go a BK Stacker.

I don't remember what Bailey got.

I dropped them off at school and drove home.

I hadn't been here long when Jayden called me from school. He thought I was at his house for the day since I had to pick them up at 3:30.

He said he needed his jacket for "something" at school. When I asked him what for he had a "Smirking" tone of voice and wouldn't tell me.

I drove back to his house, found the jacked and took it to his school.

By the way; the jacket had quite a bit of blood on it. He said he was trying to "slam-dunk" his basketball (6 ½ foot level); missed and fell face down on the cement. He went home, said hi to his mother and sat down on the couch.

Stacey who was facing the other direction, said she could "feel" him looking at her and after about two minutes turned around to see a bloody mess looking up at her.

He was playing a game to see how long it would take her to notice what had happened.

Kids!

By the way; Bailey got straight A's on her report card and Jayden wasn't far behind her.

A few days ago, Corey called and said that Bailey had a report to do on Washington County and wanted me to send some stuff. Washington County, Utah is where my parents are from and there is a lot written about James Jepson Jr.

It was one of those reports that is put on a three panel cardboard and can stand on the floor. I didn't word that well.

As of last night it hadn't been graded but Corey talked as if it went well.

SNOT-NOSED OLD FART

Monday, March 14, 2011

Just a couple of weeks ago I was thinking how lucky I have been this year, at least cold wise; then low and behold Jim came down with one, sore throat and all, then Judy got it and now I have one. I am stuffed up from my bronchial tubes to the top of my head. The bronchial tub part, I think, is my head cold draining down; not an actual bronchial infection.

I went to the Instacare in Saratoga Springs where the "technician" told me I don't have an infection…i.e. something an antibiotic can help.

He gave me a prescription for a decongestant and a cough suppressant which read "Do Not Drive." Well I never was much of a golfer anyway!

I am starting to feel better. I don't know if I am getting better or if it is just the meds making me feel better…but the cough suppressant is "making me feel REALLY good!"

Whee!!!!!!!!!

PS

Stupid me. I was feeling a little better this afternoon and bought a frozen yogurt. Immediately the congestion tripled.

Duh!

RANGO-THE LIZARD THAT SAVED DIRT

Corey called. He said that Stacey texted him from work asking simply, "Can your dad watch the kids tonight?"

After finding out that I could…and would…he called her at work and asked what was going on. She was invited to go on a double date with Heather who works with Stacey at Kinko's. They went to see Hall Pass a chick flick.

At that point he was running late if he had to drop Jayden and Bailey off at my house then go home and get some clothes for Stacey to change into so I said I would go to their house and get them there. The kids wanted to go to the movies and see Rango. It is an animated show made by someone other than Disney.

It was showing at the theaters in American Fork by the Rodizio's etc.

We were nearly late thanks to Bailey being into one of her hypnotic trances watching TV instead of getting her shoes and socks on.

The show was really good especially for a cartoon…I really hesitate to call it a cartoon.

A TWO YEAR-OLD’s TANTRAM

Yesterday Niki flew to Phoenix to visit her friend Brittany. She asked me to watch Alexa and Gavin until Sierra could relieve me when she got out of school at 2:30.

    She was hoping to take a plane that left around 9:00 a.m. so I was there at 7:00. As it turned out, she and Judy were up in the middle of the night checking flights (Judy went to Minneapolis at 2:00 yesterday too.) and decided the early flight didn't look good for non-reving so Niki decided on a later flight instead.

Apparently Judy told me at 5:30 a.m. when I took a bathroom break but I didn't hear it. I was way early and bided my time until time to take Alexa to school via McDonalds for breakfast.

Alexa insisted on me taking her into school and making sure her teacher saw me.

I told Mrs. Haws that I would also be the one picking Alexa up after school.

From Learning Dynamics Pre School we drove to the Salt Lake Airport were Niki got out and we said our goodbyes.

Two year-old Gavin who was sitting directly behind me went into a temper tantrum. "I want to go Mama!"

"We've got to go get Alexa from school."

"No Alexa school; go Mama!"

"Do you want to go see Daddy?"

"No Daddy, go Mama!"

Etc.

Finally he went nuts, "No car; want Mama Grrr! Then he started kicking the back of my seat violently.

"No Grandpa, want Mama Grrr! Kick kick kick.

"No Alexa, want Mama, Grrr! Kick kick kick.

"No Daddy, want Mama, Grrr! Kick kick kick.

This repeated over and over and over again. Finally as we were nearing I-15 he calmed down and eventually he fell asleep.

At 11:15 I picked Alexa up from school and we went to the Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum and spent quite a while there.

Alexa insisted on going in the dimly lit "Star Room". Gavin didn't want to but finally let me carry him through.

They looked at the displays and the dinosaurs then they made dams and threw wet sand (Gavin in the throwing case.) then used the brushes to unearth dinosaur bones.

Finally we drove home the slow way so there wouldn't be too long a gap between our arriving there and Sierra's getting there after school.

When we drove up, a lot of neighbor kids were out side playing, riding bikes etc. Sierra asked if she could play too. I said yes and the two of them were back and forth between their house and Avery's and the house on their east.

 

OH, MY ACHING FEET AND LEGS!

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Sometime in the wee hours Sunday Corey, Stacey, Jayden and Bailey piled in their Volkswagen CC and headed off for Disneyland.

The kids were told they were going to Yellowstone and when they saw Disneyland signs when they were getting near they were really confused.

On Priceline's Name Your Own Price, Corey found us rooms at the Anaheim Marriott at the Anaheim Convention Center just a short distance from the park for $65.00 a night.

When Judy and I flew in later in the day, we upgraded our room to concierge level for an extra $40.00 a night which got the six of us into the concierge room for free breakfast, appetizers and desert depending on when we were in there. The first night we had the appetizers and we had a big breakfast every morning.

The first night we went to the park but because it was late we didn't do a lot. I think Soarin' Over California and who knows what else. The four days started blending in to each other.

Autopia (Bailey and Stacey) once.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad several times the last, Jayden and Bailey at my suggestion. Corey and especially Stacey were a little nervous especially since Bailey broke her arm Saturday morning playing Junior Jazz Basketball and it was only in a splint because by the time they left for California it was too swollen to put in a cast.

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster once.

We rode the Disneyland Railroad at least three times.

Enchanted Tiki Room once

Finding Nemo Submarine Ride once.

Frontier Land Shootin' Exposition Jayden, Bailey and I think Corey.

Haunted Mansion once

Indiana Jones Adventure three times. One time while Stacey and I were sitting across from Indiana Jones waiting for Corey to go to the bathroom, the kids went into the Indiana Jones gift shop. Jayden came out with a silly grin on his face and said "Come in the shop Mom. I want to show you something." When they got in there, he grabbed a Indiana Jones had and whip an.

d said, "Here you need to buy these for when you and Dad are in the bedroom!"

Where does an eleven year old boy come up with this stuff?

Both he and Bailey were coming up with funny quips on a regular basis.

It's a Small World once

Jungle Cruise once

Mad Tea Party (spinning cups) twice the first time Jayden, Bailey and I together. The second time all but Stacey. Both times our teacup was spinning far faster than any of the other seventeen cups.

Matterhorn Bob Sleds three times (at least.)

Peter Pan's Flight once.

Pirates of The Caribbean at least four times; thank you Bailey. I think it was her favorite

Space Mountain Corey and Stacey once

Tarzan's Treehouse Bailey and Stacey twice again one of Bailey's favorites.

Grizzly River Run once in the morning while it was still cool and got soaked.

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Corey and Stacey by themselves.

Toy Story Mania! Twice Corey and Jayden were the best shooters.

Saw Fantasmic! once

We ate at the Blue Bayou and pizza and burgers.

Judy bought some beignets at the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square. Jayden especially fell in love with them was kept asking for more. Corey finally bought a six-pack and a funnel cake. Jayden was in hog heaven. I preferred the funnel cake.

I am sure we did more but as I said it all became a blur to me.

Stacey has a minor swearing problem and the kids have picked it up to a small degree. They are forbidden to say any bad words except…Stacey is trying to quit so she told the kids that if she says a bad word they have the right to say one also.

Last night (I stayed with them in their room the last two nights) Stacey was struggling trying to do something and said something (I didn't hear it) Jayden was in the bathroom with the door open and yelled out, "Damn!" and laughed.