Double, Double, Toil and Trouble...

... paths of chaos, rooms of rubble.

These spritely imps inhabit our home.

Within these walls they freely roam.

They're quick, these two. Partners in crime.

Their teamwork skills are quite sublime.

They're pals for sure, through thick and thin.

He loves her, and she loves him.

Some stealthy plans these two contrive,

Oh the fun of being 5.

(3 weeks of being the same age gets funner every year. For them. It's still insane for the rest of us.)

100

Rumor has it that the 100th blog post should be 100 things about the author.

Quite honestly, I'm just not that interesting.


I will, however, oblige. Thems the rules.

So, 100 things you may or may not know about me.

1. I'm a Scorpio and tend to fit the description.
2. I was born in Indiana...
3. ...although being a Navy brat,...
4. ...I've lived everywhere. Texas is home.
5. When I grow up, I want to be an archaeologist.
6. If I could be anything, I'd be a museum curator.
7. Since 8 PhDs are not likely in my future, If I am ever employed full time, I could quite contently be a high school history teacher.
8. I am painfully close to my undergrad degree in history and anthropology...
9. ...and will have earned it with courses from 7 schools.
10. I will always claim to be an Aggie, though.
11. I have diagnosed myself with ADD. Really.
12. Emptying the dishwasher is my least favorite chore...
13. ...and one of the first ones I've taught my kids to do completely independently.
14. I don't have a favorite color. Not even a few. I really like 'em all. (Except burnt orange)
15. I am quite fond of lists.
16. I can quote Billy Maddison from start to finish...
17. ...and even do the stair dance.
18. I love that my kids quote lines from movies they've never seen.
19. Other than a brief stint as a preschool teacher...
20. ...my only employment has been as a gymnastics coach/dance and cheer instructor for several gyms and the school district. Marketable, I know.
21. I learned to juggle when I got tired of cleaning up my kids toys. Fisher Price little people are the perfect size.
22. I play the piano well enough to provide my kids some fun dancing music (although I am NOT a pianist)
23. I play the violin well enough to impress the neighbor kids (although I am NOT a violinist)
24. I love to cook but hate the time it takes.
25. I am a huge fan of sleep.
26. Cold pizza is my weakness.
27. I hate to read although I read quite a bit.
28. I really wish I liked it more.
29. 4 years of honors English in High school and I read one book. "To Kill a Mockingbird".
30. I loved it.
31. I want my pilot's license, but not until I get a plane.
32. I am much more patient then I used to be.
33. Aside from the fish that swim around people at the beach, I don't know that there is anything I'm really, really afraid of.
34. I will one day have horses...
35. ...and teach my children to ride English even if it invokes the wrath of die hard rodeoers (not a word, I know.)
36. I loathe dogs.
37. I love the music of Aaron Copeland.
38. I played with the Corpus Christi Youth Philharmonic...
39. ...and that's why the "Can Can" will always be near and dear to my heart.
40. I'm a sucker for neat quotes.
41. I can memorize almost anything. It's kind of creepy.
42. I like anything with berries.
43. "The Promise" by Tracy Chapman is my all time favorite song...
44. ...followed closely by Clint Black's "Something that we do." (our wedding dance song)
45. I love the way my house is silent at night when I'm the only one awake.
46. I see obvious bits of my character and personality in each of my children and although occasionally a horrifying realization, it usually makes me laugh and take pity.
47. I am stubborn. Fine. I said it.
48. I hate asking for help.
49. Pins hold my knees together and look super cool on x-rays.
50. Rome is the most amazing place I've ever been.
51. Hungary, the coolest place I've ever lived (although I was really little).
52. Soccer is my favorite sport.
53. I love going on dates with my husband.
54. If I could be defined by one word, I hope one day it will be "loyal".
55. Currently, it's probably "unpredictable". I've got some work to do.
56. I appreciate good friends.
57. If I could be a mutant, I'd be Jean Gray (that's for Peyt).
58. I love the beach at night.
59. I am always up for a road trip to just about anywhere.
60. Nothing makes me happier then seeing my kids all playing nicely together.
61. I really like being right...
62. ...but am getting better at admitting defeat.
63. The ability to keep it all together is immensely important to me...
64. ...and when it all falls apart I feel overwhelming failure.
65. I'm not a perfectionist...
66. ...although I am often disappointed if I come up short of it.
67. I would much rather be cold than hot.
68. I could live in comfy jeans and a tee shirt...
69. ...but love having excuses to dress up.
70. I need a creative outlet.
71. I'm a big fan of roller coasters...
72. ...musicals...
73. ...and museums.
74. I'm quite observant...
75. ...but have learned to stifle opinions of my observations.
76. It drives me nuts to not have my toe nails painted. Weird, I know.
77. Soy Cubana...
78. ...y entiendo mas espanol que puedo hablar.
79. I have a very high pain tolerance.
80. I'm often tempted to run away. Just for a few hours or so, nothing drastic. No, no, I haven't. Just tempted occasionally.
81. I'm allergic to bananas. Nothing else.
82. I really like power tools.
83. I'm the oldest of four kids. Can't you tell?
84. At 31 I still haven't figured myself out all the way. I've got some time.
85. I really, really, really dislike being doubted...
86. ...which is why I try harder than anything else (although sometimes in vain) to be honest, reliable and uncomplicated.
87. I love the art of Jack Vettriano. It's so idealistically romantic...
88. ...although I'm not particularly romantic.
89. Quality time is my "love language" (says Gary Chapman's book).
90. My most valuable possession is my Faith. Everything important to me exists because of it. Without it, nothing makes sense or has purpose.
91. I would love to meet Ben Franklin...
92. ... and Rasputin (although I really hope I don't end up where he's likely at. We could do lunch though).
93. I'm pretty sure I'm completely unoffendable. Peyton has really mellowed me out. Something about perspective, I think.
94. I love going to the movies...
95. ...and love even more that my kids are always willing companions.
96. Ty and I are reading "Tuck Everlasting", my most favorite elementary school book.
97. I pick my battles. The rest of the time I'm indifferent.
98. I adore my kids teachers...
99. ... and have learned that most of what l I dislike about formal schooling can easily be overlooked when I know at least my kids are loved.
100. And finally, the last thing to know about me? Probably that I'm grateful. Grateful for everything. Grateful for my family, friends, and everything else, good and bad, that makes me better then I am on my own. Better is the only thing that'll get me back to my Peyt and I want that more than anything.

So, that's me in a nutshell of a blog post.

PJ Pants/Pharaohic Headpiece

Nice Trey. Real nice.

"Mrs. Ricker I have something for you. I just know Peyton Ricker would want me to give this to you."

He lives down the street. I adore him.

His mom said he really wanted to mail it.

My very own magic set. Just what I always wanted.

Thanks little pal. I'm sure Peyton appreciates me being looked after.

Nickel Noodles

We had struggled for a while with how we wanted our kids to earn money. We didn't like the idea of allowance but we felt they were ready to earn a little bit. We started nickel noodles.

Here's how it works.

On my counter is a small bowl of macaroni noodles and a bud vase.
Whenever the kids do anything we want to acknowledge and reward we ask them to "put a noodle in". They earn a noodle for anything good. Good grades, good manners, kind speaking, being helpful, making good choices, really, anything good. One noodle. That's all.


The first Sunday of every month the noodles in the bud vase are counted and divided equally amongst the kids. It's collective. This way they encourage each other to make good choices and are excited for each others good achievements.


They earn a nickel for every noodle. The noodles go back in the bowl and they start over.


What's nice? The pay out is never huge but it's always enough to please even my 9 year old.

They like trying to earn more noodles then they had in the previous month. They are always proud of themselves as the number of noodles directly reflects their actions and behavior.


There are times when Bailey comes to me and says "I love you mom. Noodle?" To which I always reply "of course". Hey, I'm not going to question the motives behind niceness, goodness, and helpfulness. I just need them to happen.

Child Labor

This chore chart of ours has come up more and more so for anyone who stumbles across it via random blogs and facebook pages and wants to know the hows and whys of it all, here it goes...

We needed a way for our kids (between the ages of 1 and 9) to earn a little extra money (past nickel noodles. I'll fill you in on that next).

They do chores around the house because, quite frankly, we let them live here. Those are non-negotiable and are done whenever they need to be. They include stuff like taking out trash, dishes, laundry and vacuuming. They are NOT paid for those.

If they so choose, our kids can volunteer for extra chores that we are willing to pay them for doing. They are things that I normally get around to doing if I get a chance but that aren't tragic if they go a few weeks between getting done.

Here's the chart:

Each pocket has a label with the job title, a picture (for my non-reader), and the amount we'll pay.
In each pocket there's a clipped badge with the job title and picture on the front and the job requirements on the back. Then there is no question of expectations. The kids can clip it to themselves and follow the steps on the back.
The bottom pocket on the chart holds colored index cards. Each kid has their own color. They place their color card in the pocket(s) of the jobs they are committing to do.

Some of the jobs require two people (like washing the van) so their tags are orange and there are two van washing pockets.

Individual jobs have red tags.

Only one index card can be in a job pocket. I only need one kid to wash the back door so there is only one pocket for back door washing.

Because I can have multiple weed pullers, there are four separate pockets for weed pulling.

Get it?

It works for us and fulfills our need to teach required work, optional work, and all the principles of money management.

5

"Bailey get your room clean."

"I don't want to."

"Then you won't be able to play later. Your brothers are almost done with their rooms."

(with raised eyebrows and a little head shake) "Mom, when my brothers are done with their rooms they'll come do mine for me. They always do."

Yep. That pretty much sums up the family dynamic here. We're working on that.

She's a diva, all right. But the sweetest, kindest, most compassionate one.

She adores Tyler, is best pals with Trey and loves to entertain Jack.

She cries every single day missing her Peyton.

She can strut with the best of 'em and run in heels.

After an hour of quietly working at the writing table upstairs, Bailey will bring me down the most creative ensembles of glue, glitter, paint, markers and paper. Daily.

She likes her nails done, her hair smooth and the way her sassy pink cowgirl boots look with just about anything.

She eats nothing that doesn't completely please her unless dipping it in ketchup is an option. Then she might consider it.

We sure love her. Drama and all.

Happy Birthday Bailey Bug!

Old. So very old.

This was the year of the card. Yep. The first one that points out oldness.

The front made reference to the beautiful century old redwoods in California, the inside thanked him for planting them. It made me laugh.

Robert read the card to Bailey and then said "See how I always get your mom sweet love birthday cards and she gets me cards that tell me that I'm old?"

To which Bailey responded with a head tilt, shoulder shrug, and "well, you are old, dad!"

33 big ones.

Happy Birthday Robert !!!!

2 Months

Two months ago our little Peyton passed away.

Early, early that morning I made a cement casting of his hand, covered his warm body with his fuzzy light blue blanket, and laid down next to him on our couch.

I put my arm around his panting chest, kissed his forehead, swept his beautiful orange hair over to the side and fell asleep.

When I woke up he was still.

It's still surreal. It probably always will be.

Peyton's headstone has been patiently awaiting our decision on what picture we wanted to put on it. I made all of the other decisions (with the help of the kids who were all too anxious to show me the ones they want when they die) weeks ago. We just couldn't decide what needed to go on there along with his name and dates.

Last night I was tired of looking through pictures and decided to try going another route and came up with this.

We are so grateful for this declaration. I just can't imagine never seeing Peyton again. We miss him so much.

What I've Learned in the Last 27 (and counting) Hours

Well, at least been reminded of.

Don't ask. Just let me vent.

This needed a title. (Hey, a flipping Grecian Urn got one. Blah.)

Ode to Tempting Providence

Fresh air is a marvelous luxury.
Good shows are on only when you are too busy to watch them.
Cats are overrated.
Nice people don't take themselves too seriously.
Technology is fallible.
You can never have too many wall outlets.
I sure love my kids.
Their daddy isn't so bad either :)
Walgreens photo lab just might be magic.
Sometimes cookies are a source of stress (who'd have thought?).
Tardy just means a little more family time.
Sometimes unexpected good news is way more fun then expected stupendous news.
There are good people. Good, good, people.
Happiness is relative.
So is stubbornness.
And sanity.
Cub scouts are indeed prepared.
I am usually right. Ask my kids. They think I'm psychic.

The End.

So thank you, 27 (and counting) hours of my life that I will never, ever get back. You may have just proven my kids right!

I knew you would.

So I am fully aware that this is the epitome of talking the talk without walking the walk but here it goes...

A great friend of mine (Vicki, for those of you who might be interested in supporting your favorite Zumba instructor/scout leader/PTO volunteer) and her walking pals are participating in their 3rd Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Tee shirts with the above logo are being sold to help raise money for the cause.

The pink will be a bit brighter and they are $10 ($12 for 2XL-3XL) each.
The back will display sponsor ads and memorials.

You can contact Vicki at raginggeese@comcast.net or you can contact me at jennajricker@yahoo.com to place an order and we'll figure out shipping/drop off/pick up details.

Thanks in advance for your support!

The Afterlife Re-Written

A brief history lesson of sorts...

The Ancient Egyptians believed that after death, the spirit made a journey to the afterlife.
This was no easy task. Lots of tests. Lots of stuff to know.

During this journey, the soul met with the heart-weighing Anubis...

The outcome was recorded by Thoth...

If found worthy, the soul was welcomed into the underworld by Isis...

The end.

See. Brief. Borderline painfully brief. But you get the idea.

In an attempt to indoctrinate my offspring, I lovingly provide toys and books that foster an interest in my interest. What can I say? I need some dig buddies.

We've got a small collection of Egyptian figures. Bailey enjoys them. I'm not convinced it's because of their historical significance.

The Journey to the Afterlife According to Bailey
(Pictures taken from another room by my fabulously zoomable camera. Semi-sadly, these were completely unstaged. Well, except the last one)...

Thoth and Anubis meet with Isis to be wed...

Isis is so excited for them and gives them a hug...

Thoth and Anubis tie the knot and lovingly kiss...

Guests start arriving for the big reception...

And get ready to dance. In a line. Yee!Haw!...

So, judging by all this I might be led to believe she's leaning towards studying the history of, um, weddings, parties, or perhaps even choreography. My guess is her specialization will end up being something like the history of fierce, sparkly, peep-toe pumps. She does like her some cute sassy shoes!

I just need to hook her up with Cleopatra. That'll win her over!

*** Update (9 hours after above post)***
Just this morning I walked into my bedroom to find nearly all of the pillows in our house lined up slightly overlapping so they all stood upright.

"Mom! I made the Great Wall of China!"

Ah!Ha! I am getting through to her! She may just be the only 4 year old with any knowledge of the Ming Dynasty.

Now if I could only get her to remember things like where she left the super glue...

1 Year

Today our baby Jack turns 1!

This post needs to be in 3 parts. Trust me.

Part 1: Happy Birthday to Our Little Sunshine

Nothing has made us laugh even on our bluest days like this little boy.

He loves bananas and 'Super Why'.

He lets me rock him to sleep at church.

He laughs when he does something he knows he's not supposed to.

He can play hide and seek with Bailey long enough to let me get stuff done.

He loves plastic cups. In large quantities. All over the kitchen floor.

He will eat just about anything and when he gets tired of eating he paints his high chair tray, and styles his hair, with his food.

He yelps, then laughs, when any of his siblings start whining.

Part 2: Congratulations!

Jack is so #5 (clearly not our first child)
We have seven house plants that sit on the floor in various rooms. He has tasted all of them. He eats crayons. Why? Because his older siblings have learned that by giving him crayons to, um, admire the color of, he leaves alone the 8.3 billion tiny legos that flood our upstairs floor. While in utero 'he' accidentally ingested his brother's steroids. He loves to play with cans he scavenges from the recycle bin. And blind cords. And the vacuum. While it's on. He is taken out of his crib and carried down the stairs every morning by Tyler. He is enrolled in "walking" class taught by highly energetic Trey. He is a multipurpose, interactive stuffed animal to Bailey. He is thoroughly loved and enjoyed by all, even the neighbor kids.

So, congratulations my little ironclad. You've survived your first year! (sporting only a small scar on your cherry cheek)

Part 3: A Blessing

We always talked about 4 kids. After Bailey we knew we were done. 4 felt right. We felt complete. We had not the slightest inclination to have another baby, and then I started seeing him. Yep, silently looking at me like "hello, I'm waiting..." After fasting and praying we knew our family was missing Jack. Not just someone, or a puppy, but Jack. I was pregnant the next month, 3 months before Peyton was diagnosed. I admit I questioned the timing of it all but like always quickly recognized the blessing it was. We have 3 very independent, capable children whom, if necessary, could make it through a day (or 3) with nothing more from me then a kiss and a back scratch each night before bed. This little boy makes me suck it up, get out of bed, quit whining and do something productive, you know, like sweep or make breakfast and all the other "mom" stuff. He's the equivalent of a drill sergeant for me. He makes me work when I flat out don't want to. Unlike any buzzed head, whistle blowing, assault rifle wielding military man, Jack does it with his bright blue Bambi eyes and ridiculously silly, toothy grin. He is such a cool kid.

Smooth as Butter

This morning my shower was interrupted by what I could only suppose was going to be a cry of some sort of injustice that was plaguing my occasionally high strung 5 year old, Trey (aka "Malibu"). I watched the vague silhouette of his body approach my shower door. I cracked it open knowing I'd see Trey and expecting to hear all about the woes he was enduring.

There he was. All dressed for school in his current favorite brown pants and skateboard shirt, one hand in his pocket, looking cute as could be with his lady-killer grin pasted on his perfectly dimpled face.

This is what I got...

"Mom can I just call you 'mommiful' instead of saying 'beautiful mommy'?"
(Think about it, it took me a sec)

Why yes Trey, I think that will be quite alright.

There are some days I'm ready to sell this kid into Egypt.
But there are far more when he "makes my heart melt like a popsicle on the fourth of July".

I'm a lucky gal...

Nature Club/Corporation/Business Opportunity

Months ago an idea was conceived in the mind of my now 9 year old. He started a "Nature Club". I was fine with it. It was a lot of talk and not much action. It gave him an outlet for his incessant need to plan and organize (no laughing- he gets it from his dad too!). Somehow his humble little nature club has made the leap from a band of boys running around the playground finding bugs to a business venture. I'm not sure when I was voted off the board but don't be alarmed if you start getting mailers soliciting donations in exchange for address return labels. I'm guessing that's next on his plan to take over the world one bug at a time.

Here's how this thing has evolved- aka How to Know You're Raising a little Churchill/Mussolini (we're really hoping it's the former rather than the latter although he does occasionally show signs of slight to moderate fascism)...

Phase:

1 Announce to your recess-mates that you've started a nature club.
2 Establish your position as absolute ruler.
3 Assign lower positions to establish order and hierarchy.
4 Schedule club meetings.

Everything up 'til this point was done at school. I know that there are an infinite number of clubs when you're a 3rd grader but let this be a warning, I'm just saying a school administrative take over might be in the works- all in the name of nature, of course.

5 Hold a meeting with a handful of kids in the backyard
6 3+ times a week
7 Pull up the flagstone patio to create a garden hose induced river roller coaster for backyard critters.
8 Use aforementioned flagstones to create a large well in which to store supplies.
9 Dig. All over. Just dig.

Fine. It's not like my backyard is a lovely manicured landscaped vision. Really, we have a trampoline and a golf flag. It's now a little(lot) muddier then it used to be and a little(lot) more un-baby-brother friendly, but fine. I have a house full of boys. It was bound to happen.

10 Establish a need for funds.
11 Present fund raising ideas to the now out of power governing board.
12 Fire the governing board (even though it is by her good grace that the club is allowed to exist)
13 Recruit little brother (there's strength in numbers).
14 Ask to go play outside.
15 Raid the garage for chairs, table, wagon, jugs of bottled water.
16 Swipe a stack of plastic cups during a pantry snack raid.
17 Stand at the end of the driveway offering cups of luke-warm water in exchange for a negotiable monetary donation. In the name of nature.

I first catch wind of this when Trey (recruited little brother) comes running in and says "Mom! The UPS guys just gave us a dollar!" I, being a very tolerant mother, sometimes, just smile and bite my tongue. When Ty comes in and says he's hired some neighbor kids to go do door to door advertising and that all he has to pay them is free water I do consider discussing the principles of business ethics with him but decide against it. The whole thing was really quite intriguing by this point.

18 Raise $11. It may not sound like a whole lot, but again, it's water. Luke-warm water. In plastic Dixie cups.
19 Stick it all in a bug jar. Where else do you store club funds?
20 Do it all over again the next day. All in the name of nature.

The most recent set up included lemonade and grape Crystal Light. Give 'em an inch...

Ty's nature blog. Disclaimer: Tyler frequently updates this on his own without prior parental consultation. Again, fired. I make no guarantee of the authenticity of claims and announcements that may be presented on his site.