By the Numbers

Us by the numbers....
7: seat belts.
5: Isaac's baseball jersey.
1: Week until Katherine turns 12!
2: Years Emily has been waiting for us to paint her room.
13: Josh's baseball jersey.
34: Denny's age (still)
6: Knives, forks spoons, plates, cups needed when we set the table.
7: Years Pam's been on the Board at NSA.
2: Jobs the kids have to do each day.
0: Cavities the kids had on their last trip to the dentist (hooray!).
4: Kids attending North Star Academy.
6: Months we've had the little man in our family.
5: Years til Isaac goes on his mission.
3: Years Denny's been in the bishopric.
8: Diapers changed per day (give or take)
6: Baseball games per week.
8: Irish shoes on the laundry room floor.
4: Lawns for Isaac to mow.
84: Socks to wash and match each week.
1: Year left with all 4 kids at the same school.
7: Weeks until summer break.
2: Science Fair projects completed this year.
4: Spelling tests to study for each week.
21: Meals to prepare each week (give or take)
9: More days of spring break.
7: Museums we plan on visiting during the break.
5: Ramona books left to read with the kids.
140: Nails to trim.
3: Heads of hair to cut.
3: Bathrooms to scrub.
5: Kids to kiss goodnight.
1: Very lucky mom!

Josh says...

"Kaleb, you are the cutest baby who ever walked on earth!  Wait, you can't walk.  You are the cutest baby who ever rolled on earth!"

Say Please!

So I found this cool book by Ron Clark called "The Essential 55".  It's all about raising successful students.  He has traveled all over the worked with his students and this book is the rules he created so that these students are successful in the world.  They range from Say Please to Clean Up After Yourself.  So... we're undertaking the essential 55.  Although it may be more like 52.  There are a few of his rules I disagree with (I like Doritos).  So, here I'll list the 55 and we'll start on #1 Sunday.  The plan is that we will report on each one as we go.  Here goes nothin....
1- Responding to Adults
2- Make Eye Contact
3- Congratulating Classmates
4- Respect Other's Comments, Opinions and Ideas
5- If you win, do not brag, if you lose, do not show anger
6- Ask a Question
7- Cover your mouth
8- Do not show disrespect with gestures
9- Always say thank you
10- Don't insult the giver
11- Random acts of kindness
12- Grade fairly
13- follow along when we read
14- Answer all questions with a complete sentence
15- Do not ask for a reward
16- Complete homework every day
17- Transitions -
18- Be Organized
19- Don't moan or complain
20- When Sub is present, all rules still apply
21- Follow the rules
22- [Doesn't apply]
23- Greet people by name
24- Keep yourself germ free
25- Make visitors feel welcome
26- Don't save seats
27- Don't stare at someone who is being reprimanded
28- Call someone and leave a message - once
29- ABCs of etiquette
30- Be responsible for your trash
31- Tipping
32- face forward
33- When meeting people, shake hands, repeat their name
34- Take only your fair share
35- If someone drops something, pick it up
36- Hold the door for people behind you
37- Say excuse me even if it wasn't your fault
38- Enter public buildings quietly
39- Compliment places you visit
40- Don't call out to friends
41- Answering Phone
42- Thank Chaperone's - and friend's parents
43- Go to the right, walk left (on escalators)
44- Walking in public...
45- Never cut in line
46- No talking in the movie theater
47- Do not bring Doritos into the school building
48- If anyone is bullying you, let me know
49- Stand up for what you believe in
50- Be positive and enjoy life
51- Live so that you will never have regrets
52- Learn from your mistakes and move on
53- No matter the circumstances, always be honest
54- Carpe Diem
55- Be the best person you can be
There are a couple I don't agree with (again with the Doritos) and a couple that really don't apply since this book was written for school  So here are a few more I'm going to add in from a magazine article:
1- Say Thank You - to friend's parents for rides, to the lunch lady, ALL the time
2- Don't interrupt grown ups who are speaking to each other
3- When you have doubt about dong something, ask permission first.
4- Keep your negative opinions to yourself
5- Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics unless it is to compliment them.
6- When people ask you how you are, tell them then ask how they are
7- Knock on closed doors - then wait for a response before opening
8- When you make a phone call, introduce yourself then ask if you can speak to the person you are calling
9- Don't call people mean names (even your siblings)
10- Don't make fun of anyone for any reason.  Teasing shows others you are weak and ganging up on someone else is cruel.
11- Even if a play or assembly is boring, sit quietly and pretend you are interested.  The performers and presenters are doing their best.
12- When you come across a parent, teacher or neighbor working on something, ask if you can help.
13- When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.
14- Use eating utensils properly.
15- Keep a napkin on your lap - and use it!
16- Don't reach for things across the table- have them passed.

WOW!  That's a long list.  I think my kids are pretty good at some of them.  Others will take some work!  So here we go... we'll see how this works...

Job Charts

We're trying something new at our house, an online job chart.  We're on day four and so far so good.  Somehow, getting online to check off your jobs is motivating.  We use http://www.myjobchart.com/login  It is powered by Amazon- in other words they want you to reward your kids for their work by buying them stuff off Amazon.  In my usual fashion, I have gotten around this.  Here's how it works:  You assign your kids jobs, each with a point value attached.  You can even create bonus jobs.  You then give them reward options they can buy with their points.  The suggestion is once penny per point earned.  Well, my kids get points for everything from brushing their teeth to sweeping the kitchen floor.  And we're poor.  (Ok not, poor in comparison to a 3rd world country, but Ed McMahon hasn't shown up at our door recently - or EVER!)  Plus I have this thing about not paying my kids to clean up after themselves.  So they earn points, but I totally skipped the Amazon "bribe your kids" rewards and used the part where you add your own.  We have things like late overs (1000 points), I forgot something passes, choose a movie, date with Dad, etc.  They are almost all free and most of them encourage time together.  I think it will be a good way to gauge how the kids are doing (I get an email every night telling me what they did and didn't do).  It will also be fun to see what things they choose to buy.  Even better~ the counters are clean and the dishes are put away.  And for their efforts, I get a game night and a date with my daughter.

Play Ball!

Baseball Season is upon us!  Ok, not really, but baseball financial season definitely is here!  Paying out all those fees, buying cleats, pants, socks, oh ya, and Isaac wants/needs a new bat.  Bats for almost 14 year olds are pricey.  We're facing the dilemma of what to buy- do you buy something that will get him through a year or so, or the one he really wants that will work for High School.  Wow- buying a bat comes with a lot of emotional turmoil... Does he really need a 33 inch bat?  I remember buying him a tee ball bat (Chad once told me it was the kind of bat convenience store clerks keep under their counter in case they're robbed).  Then there's the whole high school issue.  Most of the bats you buy for Super League can't be used in High School.  Do we buy one that is approved for high school?  He will be old enough to try out to play up to JV next year.  But Riverton is a really big high school.  With lots of baseball players.  Will he make the team?  If so, will it be a good experience?  Will he get to play as much as he wants?  He loves the Bulldogs, does he want to leave them?  See? all this from buying a bat, that we haven't even purchased yet.  Good thing he doesn't need a glove!

Shoes

So... a week or so ago, Ems called me from school.  She forgot her shoes for PE.  Could I please bring them?  I'll do an extra job. (You still owe me that job, Ems!)  SOo I grab her shoes.  Holy Moly!  No, literally.  They are a mess!  Holes in the bottom, in the toes, and the holes for the laces are starting to tear.  Time for new shoes. 
Josh walks into the family room Monday.  Holy cow, kid (literally) what happened to your shoes???  The toes are completely worn through.  No exaggeration here.  I can see his socks.  They're grey.  These shoes are younger than Kaleb!  I thought the laces were just wearing out from dragging behind him, but no, this is serious.  I made Josh wear his old shoes, the ones that these shoes were purchased to replace.
This morning, Isaac is putting on his shoes to head to school.  "Mom, I really need new shoes this weekend.  These are getting too small."  Wow - too small, not worn through?  This is a new one for Isaac.  Buying the Nikes worked!  Maybe I can just cut off his toes.  Ok, maybe not. 
By virtue of the fact that Kat's tennis shoes are hand-me-downs from Kayela, the odds that they are worn out are pretty likely.  I'm not even going to look.  I don't want to know. 
So now, we'll be the people at the shoe store buying for the whole fam.  Yes, I need shoes too if I'm ever going to start walking again, then again it may never be warm enough to go outside long enough for a walk!  Thank goodness shoes are simply an accessory for Kaleb(for now)!
Choosing shoes is a life changing decision for most of my kids.  This could take a while.  I just hope the financing paperwork doesn't take too long!

GPS: a very confusing set of emotions by: Pam

I have a love/hate relationship with my GPS.  Ok, I really do love it.  So much that when my first one was "stolen" (aka lost so well under the seat I was convinced it was stolen at the park in Midvale) We went out and bought a new one.  Isaac wisely reminds me to "trust the GPS".  Every time I second guess it, it takes longer than it would have if I had followed directions in the first place.  Who knew it was faster to go to the Doctor's via 12600 South than Bangerter?  That's the love part; finding baseball fields is a snap, traffic warnings are great, birthday parties?  No problem.  Which is where I was headed with Josh this afternoon...
Now comes the hate part.   First of all, that VOICE!  "Recalculating...Recalculating..."  A little irritating.  But worst of all, it shows the speed limit and your current speed.  In theory, this is a great thing.  I never notice speed limit signs, but there it is on my GPS helping me out.  The problem, your current speed turns red  when you exceed the speed limit.  Even by one teeny tiny mph.  So on our way to the birthday party:
Josh "Mom, you're speeding"
Me: "No I'm not"
Josh: "The speed limit's 35 miles per hour"
Me: "I'm only going 36."
Josh "But the speed limit is 35!"
Me: (slowing down) "Is that better?"
Josh: "Yes"
We keep driving for about 30 seconds.  My speed apparently creeps back up....
Josh: "Mooooooooooom...."
Apparently, there is no gray area when it comes to the GPS.

A Week With the Van Wagoner Kids by: Katherine

I thought I would write this so you can get a taste of what it's like to be a Van Wagoner. As all families do, we have our busy days and we have our calmer days. So, without further adieu, A Week With the Van Wagoner Kids!!!

Sunday: First, we all wake up and eat some breakfast. Next, we goof around for the next few hours. We eat lunch around 12 o'clock. Then, we get ready for church and at 1o'clock, we're off to church. When we get home, we goof around some more. A little while later, we have FHE(Family Home Evening). After that, we make sure everything is ready for school Monday morning. And finally, it's off to bed! That's our Sunday!

Monday: Around 7o'clock in the morning, Dad goes around to each person's room and wakes them up. We go up for morning prayers then get ready for school. Before we're finally ready, we have to eat breakfast, do our hair, get dressed, brush our teeth, and get anything we need to take to school ready. Then, we're off! The kids stay at school from 8-2:52 p.m., then we go home. As soon as we get home, we hurry and wash our hands, change our shirts, and rush to see who gets to hold the baby first! Next, it's homework and jobs! Once we are ready for school and have our jobs done, we get to goof around! At 7:00 we head to the school for Isaac's baseball practice.  He practices with his team while the rest of us play games and have fun.  At about 9, we start getting ready for bed. Then we say prayers and read scriptures. Next, it's bedtime!!! Now, on to Tuesday!

Tuesday: Tuesday is one of the calmer days, like Monday and Wednesday. We do the same morning line up! We go to school and try to do our very best! When we come home from school, we once again rush to see the baby and do homework and jobs. The girls have activity days every other Tuesday. We goof around then read scriptures and say prayers. Next, it's off to bed for us!

Wednesday: First comes the usual morning activities. Then, we go to school for the third time that week! We learn and learn some more then, we come home. Next, as always, comes the mid day baby rush and homework and jobs. The boys have Scouts and Young Men's on Wednesday nights.  Then comes the goofing around, scriptures, and prayers. But, since Daddy has to work Wednesday nights, we pray a little bit earlier so we can do it with Dad. Lastly, we're off to bed. Usually we go to bed, we don't go right to sleep. What most of us do at that time is read, read, read!!! We read until we get tired and when we do, it isn't quite as hard to fall asleep!

Thursday: By now, you probably know what happens every morning, the same old morning line up. Eat breakfast, brush your teeth, do your hair and so on. Next, of course, it's off to school. We have Math, L.A., History, Science, etc. But, after school is when it starts getting a little different. After school we have a few minutes (eight to be exact), to get a drink, go to the bathroom, or do anything we might possibly need to do. Then, we have to head down to the music room for choir (all except Isaac that is). We go through warm ups, then we start singing our songs. Right now we are singing a song from Beauty and the Beast, a song in a different language, Amazing Grace, and Do, Re, Mi... After choir, we head home and do homework, jobs, etc. But, just like Wednesday, Dad has to work Thursdays, so we pray and read scriptures a little earlier in the day. Finally, off to bed we go!

Friday: Same old morning line up comes first, then we're off to school. We learn a lot while we are at North Star Academy, and we come home the regular time. When we get home, we do homework and jobs. Then, at 4o'clock, Mom has to take Katherine to dance. She stays at dance from 4-6:15 p.m., then she comes home. Next, the homework and jobs continue, and the goofy everyday things! We get ready for bed a little later then usual and sometimes play games together at night. Sometimes on Fridays, we don't even fall asleep in our beds because we fell asleep watching a movie or have another excuse. Anyways, Fridays are fun and we all have a great time, usually!

Saturday: Saturday mornings, we tend to sleep in a little bit later then on other days.Then, when we wake up, we eat breakfast. We also sometimes watch Saturday morning shows or play make believe games. Emily goes to dance at 10 o'clock, and stays until 11: 30 a.m. Also, Isaac usually has basketball in the mornings. We have our Saturday clean ups. Then, we usually goof around for the rest of the day, unless we have something else planned. Sometimes, we go to visit family or friends. Other times, we play games together. Saturdays are usually really fun, but not all the time.

So, I hope you found out a little bit about how the days of the week go in our family. Sundays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are usually the busier days, while Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are the calmer ones.  Some weeks may be really fun, and others may not seem not quite so fun. Well, have a great day and Thanks for all you do!

Welcome to our Blog!

After being inspired by a talk in Sacrament Meeting, we have decided to start a family blog.  We may not be great at Genealogy or Journal Writing, but there are other parts of family history we do pretty well at.  We're stepping it up on Indexing, we've done some serious headstone rubbings of ancestors, and have learned quite a few stories etc from our family's past.  Now, we are hoping to record more of our daily activities.  So here's a little about us...
Denny is now working at IM Flash (as of the end of November).  He seems to like the challenge of learning something new.  This is so different than his previous work!  He is especially enjoying being out of the weather and avoiding quite so much back breaking work.  We do miss him on the nights he works though!  He also serves as second counselor in the bishopric and loves to help out several older ladies he befriended through his business.
Pam has rejoined the world of baby mommies.  I'm still trying to get back into the swing of diapers and midnight feedings.  I can't help but wonder if I'm slow in adjusting because of my age.  I'm sure I was tired with the other kids, but I don't recall having to force myself to shower before noon (only succeeding part of the time).  Is it my age or have I just forgotten?  Come to think of it, forgetfulness could be age related too...
So Mom pretty much sums up my life right now.  Besides baby stuff, I spend my time correcting homework, helping with science fairs and all else that comes with having a 13, 11, 10, and 8 year old as well as a 3 1/2 month old.  Speaking of the kids...
Isaac is 13 and turning into a fantastic teenager.  He loves Imagineering, baseball and anything Disney.  He plays super league baseball with the South Valley Bulldogs.  Isaac is in 8th grade at North Star Academy where he recently found himself on the Pricipal's List at School.  Woo Hoo!
Katherine is 11 (almost 12 AAAAHHHHH!) She is so much fun!  She has always been pretty shy, but is quickly coming out of her shell.  She loves to tell us all stories about her friends and all the funny things that happen at school.  I'm sending a petition to the First Presidency to move the age for Young Women's to 13.  Assuming I am not successful, she will go into YW in April.  Kat loves, Irish Dance, Art, Scrapbooking and babysitting.  She won't say she likes school, but she is amazing at it, whether she says she likes it or not!

Emily is 10 and our little firecracker!  She loves acting, art, Irish Dance and anything to do with animals.  I call her our little Dr. Dolittle.  Emily loves to ride horses too.  She is especially good at math and is our social butterfly.  She loves to hold her little brother and is a babysitter in training.  If you can't find Emily, take a look in a cozy corner and you are sure to find her with her nose in a book.  She has read the entire Harry Potter series as well as Leven Thumps and countless other books I couldn't begin to name!

Josh is 8 and just got baptised.  He is our whirlwind boy and his room shows it!  He LOVES science and social studies.  He is working on a special SEM project at school all about Space.  Josh absorbs knowledge like a sponge and usually scores 100+% on his tests without even studying.  He could probably whoop me on a American Revolution test, though I'm not volunteering to find out.  Josh loves to build things, create things, fix things, break things.... like I said, whirlwind.  He is an amazing kid!

Kaleb is our little man.  We are just so grateful to have him here, safe and sound.  We didn't know how much our family needed this little guy until he was on his way.  now, we can't imagine life without him.  We got him here thanks to great nurses and doctors and a touch of miracle from above.  He has transformed our family.  They all soften when Kaleb is around.  It is amazing to watch your kids fall in love with their little brother.  I am certain they would give anything for him.  What a blessing he is!

So there, funny to introduce ourselves since I will only send this link to people who already know us, but for the sake of history, there you have it.
Our plan is to have this as a family blog.  There may be entries from all of us, or just me.  We'll see how it goes.  Here goes nothin....