The Cookie Game

Shane made up this game for Family Home Evening one night. Mostly because Shane loves cookies. The rules of the game are simple. Everyone has to sit reverently for the time is takes to bake the cookies, about 7 minutes. If they talk to loud of get out of their chair (NO COOKIE FOR YOU!) yes, I get to be the cookie Nazi. It feels like an eternity for the kids, but they watch the timer and are usually reverent. For me it's quiet and peaceful. Even Shane is reverent. I think he's worried he won't get a cookie either.

The human jungle gym

It's cold outside and the kids aren't used to being in the house all day long. They have come up with their own way to keep their climbing skills up. Izze is the most daring of them all. She always wants to be the highest up. She has found an alternative when Dads not around. We have a 1/2 bath with a pedestal sink. She likes to hang upsidedown from it. It makes me a little nervous but she seems to be quite the little acrobat.

Shane the master negotiator

As many of our friends know first hand, Shane is a master negotiator. He has a crazy way of getting his friends to buy quads, rc vehicles, paintball guns, 5th wheels, cars, computer upgrades, etc...Whatever he's interested in. He loves to research his hobbies, thank you internet. Personally I think he just gets so excited about something you can't help but be sucked into his vortex. Not to mention he can justify anything to his advantage. So for all those that have been sucked into this vortex, I thought I'd give you an inside glimps at how this goes down on my side. I actually enjoy this, but I've had 14 years to develope counter measures.

Background: Shane has been waiting for this new Yamaha quad to be released and it finally did. There is only one at our local motor sports dealer and he just went to go test drive it. The following conversation happened a few hours after he got home.


Beki: Hey do you like this swimsuit? I think it's pretty cute...oh never mind it's $190.
Shane: It's great! and it gives me an idea.
Beki: I know that look...
Shane: Why don't you buy that swimsuit now even though you won't be able to use it until summer and I'll get the new 450R(quad) now even though I won't be able to ride it until summer?
Beki: hahaha...how is that even fair?
Shane: They are both things that we really want. And I think you'll look great in it!
Beki: How much is the quad?
Shane: Oh I worked them down to the best price. It's an amazing deal.
Beki: Don't you already have FIVE OTHER QUADS?
Shane: Yes but this is a NEED. It has fuel injection so I don't have to re-jet (yada yada yada)
Beki: What color is it?
Shane: White and Red, it's beautiful
Beki: Ummm...no deal I like it better in blue.
Shane: .........blank stare.......
Beki: (can't stop laughing)

The playful banter will continue for weeks or even months depending on how long I can hold out for. Some people don't believe me when I tell them Shane & I have never had a argument. How can I when I end up laughing at the end of most conversations. Shane's the cutest guy I know:)

France cont..start at the bottom

Last is the night life. You can sit around and try to watch a movie with the kids. A favorite is playing Rock Band and getting the chef to make chocolate chip cookies, or visiting one of the many parties going on. I do love the fact that you get dressed up to go out then you have to take your shoes off because no one is allowed to wear shoes on the boats. That's okay though because the supermodels they fly in are tall enough without their stilettos on.

Fifth, Back to another merry-go-round or the only park in the town. Notice there is no grass and only one piece of equipment. I thought I'd add the security protecting the strollers and diaper bags for fun. Poor guys. Shane loves to play practical jokes. He can keep a straight face through the most blatant lie, its amazing. One evening our 2 Israeli security men were going to watch a movie in one of their rooms together. Shane suggested that they would love Broke back Mountain. They had no idea what it was about and Shane explained it had won a lot of awards, it was a western. I couldn't stop laughing after they left and was still laughing 15 minutes later when they came storming up the stairs demanding to know "is this movie about homosexuals!!!??" Ah, I love Shane.

Then it's time for dinner. I love that my sister Lizzie was the first to the table and always knew what time dinner was being served. She was pregnant though, so she has a good excuse.

Fourth, We sit on the beach!! This is my favorite part. We get all the kids into the tender and the crew does everything else...Heaven. They gather and load/unload all the toys, masks, boogie boards, towels, snacks, water, sunscreen and a walky talky so you can call when you're done and they'll come get you. When the water is rough or a little deep they will even carry you to shore. I only did it once because I was in clothes and had medicine for Livy that I didn't want to get wet. I admit it was a little embarrassing. Then you just relax and let the kids run around and burn off all that energy. The little islands we went to were the best. Not very crowded and the water was shallow so the kids can play pretty far out there.

Third, time to eat lunch. Everyone loads into the tender. (small transport boat) They take you to a restaurant with a dock and I pray they have a kids menu or at least plastic cups which they never do. Then you try really hard to remember the french you learned in high school so you kinda know what you are ordering. The french like to take their time, so in other words they are slow. That's why if the kids want to eat their lunch under the table, it's fine with me. If they aren't bothering anyone, no harm done. Occasionally you see a celebrity. I tried to get a shot of Bono behind Isabel at Club 55 but some lady walked by. Then you load into the tender and go back to the big boat.

All in a day....St. Tropez, France

Second, you go to the market and ride the merry-go-round. Randomly you shop while the kids go round and round. The men look for a chair while the wives, nannies and security protect the strollers and diaper bags. (Could that be why the men are the only ones smiling in these pictures? just a thought)

First, you sit around while they try to park/wedge the $10 million yacht, in place. The French Sailboat was pretty cool. There are crowds of people watching and taking pictures hoping to see a celebrity so you put on your sunglasses and try not to disappoint them. The first year we went the port thrusters went out on another boat during some high winds and crashed into a bunch of smaller boats. On guy even abandoned ship it was good entertainment. Then the french sent a little dingy to help the 150+ ft yacht in high winds, gotta love the french.

The Christmas of Vehicles

Christmas has taken on new meaning for Shane as the kids get older. Gunnar got an Radio Controlled tank that actually shoots air soft bullets 50ft. Luckily Gunnar has no idea of this capability but Shane is waiting anxiously for the snow to melt and see what it can do. Livy got her favorite Little Einsteins rocket and characters. She quotes the little cartoons as she plays with the people and sings at the top of her lungs. (she has one of those voices that carries really well) Shane got a big kid RC rock crawler that is able to drive all over the house, couches, overruns legs and he's working on getting up the entire flight of stairs. I ended up with a new purse and a sexy pair of stilettos. I guess Shane is as excited as I am to be done with living in sweats for the last 5 years. Yeah I finally lost the baby weight!

Happy New Years resolution, I started a blog.

The snow is all new to us so we think this is great! (now that we're prepared) After shoveling for 2 days Shane went out and bought a plow for the 4-wheeler. We've had a lot of entertainment from watching cars get stuck in front of our house. It may have a little to do with Shane leaving snow speed bumps from the plow in the middle of the street that turn to ice, get covered with more snow and people have no idea they are there but I'm merely speculating. So far the snow has only inconvenienced me once when I didn't think I could make it to the gym. My solution was simple, I made Shane come get me and the kids and drive us to the gym.