TheHenrichsens.com

I remember when I was about 8 years old, my mother went on “strike.” We ALL remember that day. It was a Sunday and only Aaron and Kathy were free of the consequences that come when your mother goes on strike. They were still babies. She wouldn’t even take us to church. So, we stayed home and cleaned the house and frantically called all of our neighbors to see if any of them were willing to break the Sabbath and take us to the grocery store to buy her some Haagan Daaz. We were desperate. I think we even made a sign for the front door explaining that if the house was a mess it wasn’t Mom’s fault cause she was on strike.

Today I told my three boys that I was done being their mother for the day. Pretty much the same thing my mom did 22 years ago. I suppose in the 7 hours that they’ve been awake I’ve had my fill of being hit and kicked and spit at and told “no” and ignored and disobeyed. I finally caved in and let them have it. I love them desperately and I have the HARDEST time disciplining them–they are so darn cute. But their behavior is out of control and if these little boys are ever going to grow up to respect their wives, then I’m gonna have to buckle down sometime and give them a tiny dose of reality, even if they are only 3, 4 and 6. And as my sister Kathy pointed out, we never hit or spit at my mom–at least not that I can remember. And on the rare occasion that we shouted “I hate you” as we stomped up the stairs, we paid the ultimate price of the “spank stick” administered by Dad. Sure, we caused our share of trouble and there were many days we made my mother crazy, but we at least had enough respect for her that we never assaulted her in any way.

So. . . my three “adorable” little boys were marched right upstairs and tucked in their beds with a single book and told to stay there until I came to get them, which I said would be in “a very long time.” And I explained that I would not be making them dinner or snacks tonight and that they would have to wipe their own poopie bottoms and get their own drinks as well. Sounds silly to an adult, I’m sure, but my boys about fell apart at the thought of no snacks and no dinner. I realize that ultimately, the problem lies with me and the way I’ve been disciplining them day in and day out and that perhaps I’ve been letting them get away with far too much. And as a result, I need to change my parenting techniques. But for today I quit! I haven’t had a vacation, a pay raise, a bonus, a sick day, or even a pat on the back for all the mothering I’ve been doing. Today I’m taking the afternoon off and watching a stupid soap opera and eating some chocolate. Tomorrow I’ll read the book about all the things I’m doing wrong.

Yesterday, I headed out to Kathy’s house for some “belly pictures” with my sister Melanie. We’re both due in the next couple of weeks and having Kak take pictures of our bellies has become a tradition. None of our scrapbooks are complete without a few shots of our very swollen bellies. Anyway, when I showed up at Kak’s place I was greeted by several friends and family members and a great big surprise baby shower. It was probably the biggest surprise I’ve ever had and a very fun one! I don’t have any pictures to share (since I had no idea I would need a camera) but if you visit Chris’s Blog you can see pics of all the festivities. Thanks to everyone who came and for all the hard work that y’all put into the party and the fabulous gifts. And of course, thanks to Mark for taking the kids for the entire day while I got completely spoiled. It was wonderful!

Several months ago, the boys and I were having a discussion over breakfast. Hunter mentioned that he was going to baptize Ashlin and marry her in the temple. Then, Noah said he was going to marry Madison McCurdy. Denver, feeling a bit left out, said, “And I’m gonna marry Joey.” Joey is one of Hunter’s buddies from school. Noah immediately corrected Denver and said, “We don’t marry boys, Denver. We marry girls.” A little discouraged, Denver said, “But. . . I don’t know any girls.” I suggested Camrynn McCurdy (since we love the McCurdy’s so much) and Denver seemed satisfied. A few minutes later, after much thought, Denver said, “Then I will take Camrynn to the beach and we will get buried.” I’m not sure Denver has ever really figured out the difference between getting buried and married but. . . I’m not gonna worry about it too much, since no one is getting “buried” around here anytime soon.

Pizza, Dairy Queen cake, a train pinata, lots of trucks and even more friends. Thanks to all who came and made Denver’s birthday the best one yet! Happy third year, little man!

The weather today is absolutely perfect. We’re in the seventies and the breeze is blowing and we’ve spent the entire morning outside, mowing the lawn, playing chinese jumprope and letting our imaginations (and our chicken) run wild. Our windows are open and the fresh air smells so good and I’m in heaven. I could spend the entire day outside. But of course, the laundry and the dishes call and we still have a pretty big stack of library books to get through before tomorrow. So we’ve retreated back inside but hope it lasts at least a couple of days longer. Here’s yesterday and today in pics for your viewing pleasure! (Thanks to Kak for all the great beach pictures!)

My kids are cranky. Okay. . . maybe it’s their mother that’s cranky. I’m not sleeping so good at night–my back is KILLING me, but only when I’m trying to sleep. It’s really weird. Anyway, the lack of sleep puts my threshold for whining and fighting and screaming and hitting and kicking and spitting and temper tantrums at an all time low. Whether it’s the kids or just me, tonight called for extreme measures–Caramel Chocolate Sauce on Breyers Vanilla Ice Cream. So much for getting up early to workout. Anyway, just thought I’d share the recipe for anyone else that might be feeling the “it’s been a really long day” blues and might need a little pick-me-up. Go from “I’ve had it” to “mmmmm, that’s better” in a matter of minutes with this recipe!

30 caramels
1 cup chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup butter

In a microwave safe bowl, combine all of the above ingredients. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2 minutes. Stir. Heat 2-3 minutes longer or until the caramels are almost melted; stir until smooth. Serve warm over ice cream. Refrigerate leftovers.

The other day for lunch I had a spoon of peanut butter, an apple and some chocolate milk. Not the healthiest, I know, but it could’ve been worse. Anyway, when Denver caught on that I was eating peanut butter he immediately joined me at the table and asked for a spoonful. I gave him some and he gobbled it up. He asked for more and I nodded permission. He again devoured it and asked for more. “Yes Denver,” I said, “but this is the last spoonful.” Half disappointed, half excited he scooped out one more spoonful of peanut butter and then said, “But Mommy, I’m a peanut butter man.” And that he definitely is.

I just carried the little peanut butter man up to bed. He fell asleep on the couch watching his daddy play nintendo. The end of a very busy weekend. As soon as I laid him down in bed he woke up and wanted me to lay down with him. I did and I told him he needed to lay his head back down. He protested, explaining that if he laid his head down his ears wouldn’t get “coldy.” Then he said, “If you are a little boy and you have coldy ears then you need a warm sippy.” At that point I couldn’t resist his logic and left to get him his warm milk in a sippy so he could enjoy his coldy ears and go back to sleep in little boy heaven.

What would we do without our little peanut butter man?

Everyone else has already blogged our visit to the zoo so all I’ll do is post a few pics of my own and say, let’s go again on a not-so-hot day!

Mom gave me this recipe to try out. It was delicious! You might consider doubling this one–between me and Mark and the Sister Missionaries there just wasn’t enough for all of us.

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (12-ounce) can buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 cup sugar (I would reduce this to a 1/4 cup at least)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Generously grease a 9-inch square baking dish. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon and mix well with a fork. Separate biscuit dough into 10 biscuits. Cut each biscuit into quarters, and dip each piece in melted butter and coat with brown sugar mixture. Arrange in a single layer in baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the oats. Combine blueberries and sugar in a bowl and toss to coat. Spoon over oats and biscuits and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup oats. Drizzle remaining melted butter on top. Bake for 20 minutes or until cake is golden brown and center is done. Cool for 20 minutes. Serve warm.