Lobsters and Diamonds and Gucci Bags, oh my!

I'm sure that sharing a dream in cyber-space is somewhat personal...but I had the WEIRDEST dream last night and I'm dying to see if anyone can interpret it for me!

So... I dreamed that I was putting Curty back into school, starting in the fifth grade. When I got to the school, it was huge and all the kids were huge and the hallways were dark. I walked him to his classroom and noticed that our dog Henry was running loose and getting into all kinds of trouble! I was pretty stressed about him, but I had to make sure I got Curty settled in his classroom so I had to leave Henry to his antics. When we got to the classroom, the teacher was overwhelmed and preoccupied by dozens of BIG kids and just told me to find a seat for Curty somewhere. He started directing the kids to get some materials out of the cubbies in the back which were stuffed full to overflowing with all kinds of random papers and supplies. Nothing was labeled and I felt overwhelmed for Curtis, but I knew I needed to let him make his own way so I left him there.

I spent the rest of the day talking to the administrators in the school about policies and procedures and soon discovered that they had a new policy they were pretty proud of. They had made a new rule that mothers could no longer bring lobster to the classes as a treat, it was just too messy. There was a new snack protocol contract that everyone had to sign, specifically banning lobster. The consequence for bringing lobster was to have your designer purse confiscated. The principal had a large, glass-front cupboard full of designer bags that he had proudly confiscated and couldn't wait to sell or give away. I was somewhat disgusted with his excitement, but wasn't sure what to say, so I left to wait out at the car for Curtis to be done.

As I walked out to the car, the other mothers started to arrive to pick up their kids. Every one was dressed in an evening gown encrusted with jewels, mostly diamonds, and wearing super high-heeled shoes. They were all chatting and swinging their BIG designer purses around as they waited for their kids to come out. Finally, I saw Curtis moping along with his head down. He looked so tiny compared to all the amazon children streaming from the school. I asked him how he was and he mumbled, "Fine." I threw my arms around him and starting crying telling him how much I had missed him and then he started crying and clinging to me for the longest time. Finally, I woke up.

So Freud, what does it mean?

So that's where they get it...

I know this business professor who is very creative in his teaching. I just have to post his latest technique for showing his students how NOT to make a presentation. He's quite the actor huh? (and nice looking too!) I bet his kids take after him. =)

Much Ado About Nothing Videos

This is truly a "For the Grandparents" post. I don't pretend in the least to think that anyone reading my blog for entertainment purposes has a desire to see videos of my kids' play (although it was pretty incredible). But I know for a fact, that the grandparents and relatives who don't live here will be interested, so here you go.

First we have Beatrice (Hannah) and Benedick (Jonah) doing a little verbal sparring.

Second is a clip of Claudio (Cody) asking Benedick (Jonah) if he has noticed the beautiful lady, Hero.

 

Next, we get the scene where Claudio (Cody), the Prince (Riley P.) and Beatrice's Uncle (Taylor D.) trick Benedick (Jonah) into thinking that Beatrice loves him -- in order to get him to profess love to her. He was a determined bachelor, but easily changes his mind when he thinks that she loves him, even though her actions show something completely different.

Now it's Hero's turn to trick Beatrice. Hannah would be the one hiding under the laundry! LOL!

Here's Hannah's big dramatic moment. When her cousin Hero is accused of being unfaithful to Claudio (Cody), Benedick professes his love and Beatrice asks him to get her revenge on Claudio.

Twin Comedy

One perk of having twins is when they're not driving me insane, they're pretty hilarious. My boys have paired this quirkiness with the ability to memorize just about anything and have turned into quite the performers. They recently resurrected their rendition of Abbot and Costello's "Who's on First" routine to perform as a pre-show for a local play. Here it is for Grandparents and others who know them to enjoy. (Pardon my videography, I was squatting on the hard floor and while my legs were falling asleep on one end, the arm holding the camera was falling asleep on the other!)

One Man's Junk is Another Man's Photo Shoot

Jim Goldthwaite complained to me today that people who own a little bit of land, end up harboring other people's junk. It is funny to see how broken down cars and old sheets of corrugated metal roofing do congregate on farms and other unclaimed spaces. It's probably not a universal truth, but maybe a planetary one? Nevertheless, my camera and artist's eye appreciated the bounty of photographic material at the Goldthwaite's place today. No doubt I would have gotten more and more comfortable and creative had I had all the time in the world to snap pictures without worrying about kids who were ready to go. Still, I got a few fun shots worth sharing despite my rusty photog skills. So here you go...

Kitty Power!

Kittens have disturbing powers. Just one look and a crowd of boys is reduced to cooing piles of mush. Let them each hold a kitten and they're goners. 

We got to visit our friends the Goldthwaites on their "farm" today and experience the power of kittens firsthand. My heart is still melting two hours later. Watching my boys, from smallest to biggest, succumb to the power of kitteny-fluff and sweet, big blue eyes was almost as fun as cuddling the little things myself. If we could just give a kitten to every evil dictator in the world, we could have world peace (or world domination) depending on our desire to use kitten power for good or evil. Shh! Don't tell anyone, this is too big for the government to handle! :)

I can't decide whose face looks funnier here: Eli's or the kitten's?

Cody is out to prove that even cool dudes can handle the siren song of kittens mewing.

   

Oh Gideon, you and that kitten about made my heart burst with the supreme cuteness of it all!

Curty is the animal whisperer -- kittens are not immune to his calm, inner sweetness. He had them crawling all over him and purring away. 

My big lug Zach with the sweetest little grey one. He doesn't usually accompany the rest of us on our little field trips, but when he heard we were going to see kittens, he was more than happy to tag along. 

If only the husband wasn't so allergic! (and several of the kids) Maybe we could confine them to just one part of the house...then the rest of us could play with the kittens all we wanted! =)

Random Cuteness with Gigi

Me and my Mom -- Evonne (a.k.a. Gigi by the grandkids)

My mom has been visiting and we've so loved having her here! Here are just a few fun shots we got with my cute mommy.

Three generations of cuteness (my daughter Hannah in the back)

The new generation of silliness. =D

Hannah, I don't think Zach is enjoying that pose as much as you are!

Gigi and my "Bigs"

And now for the blooper...I only post this because it really was hilarious and because we were cute in the other photos. You're welcome Hannah!

Add your own caption here...

Our 20th Easter!

The "Before" Picture

We really have been hunting for Easter eggs a LOOOOONG time in this family! I remember our first Easter, before Zach was born, the "Easter Bunny" gave me the cutest stuffed turtle in my basket. I wonder what happened to him? A few years later when the kids started asking what sounds animals make, Ren would hold up the turtle and say, "Hi Chum!" in a low, turtley voice. We still say it for turtles, almost two decades later. =)

Easter hasn't changed much since then. We first and foremost celebrate our Savior's resurrection and emphasize to the kids the true meaning of Easter. Then after church they get to look in their baskets and then go on an egg hunt. The fun thing about having kids both big and little is that the "" like to be junior Easter Bunnies for the "littles." I love how it starts to come full circle. I also love seeing big, manly teenage boys walking around with Easter baskets on their arm. =D

Here's the family with all the treats and goodies. Jonah is in the front looking for his eyeballs.

We don't really NEED any new stuffed animals to join the Byers stuffed zoo, but Easter just isn't complete without a new stuffed bunny.

The "Big" side of Easter. Cody is thinking, "I'm too cool for my basket...too coooool for my basket."

Eli was the egg finding master! 

Cody feeling a little frustrated that being bigger doesn't necessarily make you a better hunter of eggs.

Gideon with his multitude of eggs. He was a very happy boy!

Oh Hannah -- will you ever just smile for me? hee hee

Curty, I think that's a tomatillo, not an egg!

Jonah searching, searching, searching...

My "littles" traipsing through the garden on the hunt for eggs.

Curty stops to smile for the camera so Grandma Byers can actually see his face. *wink, wink*

The whole Byers crew (from bottom left): Gideon, (next row back) Curtis, Eli, (back row)  Jonah, Cody, Hannah and Zach.