Future Fire Fighter, Dancer, and Comedian

A few weeks ago I took the kids to the fire station's open house.  Tristan LOVED this last year and enjoyed it even more this year.  We didn't stay very long because it was so hot but Tristan was able to sit in a firetruck and hold the fire hose.  He has now decided that he will be a fireman when he grows up.  Tristan is very certain that this will be his job.

You gotta love the pink and red fire hats all the children got.

Cortlynn is currently is a 3 week summer intensive program at her dance studio.  She has started dancing in pointe shoes and loves it.  I was new to the pointe shoe "business" and was surprised to find out that you had to sew the elastic and ribbon into the shoe yourself.  Since I didn't want to mess it up, I called Beth at the dance studio and asked for help.  After a crash course in ballet shoe sewing-I came home and began the task of hand sewing the shoes with dental floss.  I was pretty happy with the outcome.

EVERYTIME Cortlynn gets her shoes on to practice at home--Kyra walks and dances on her toes.  She is hilarious.

The other night Kyra was being soooo silly.  She would make the loudest noise while opening her mouth as wide as it would go.  I just had to get a picture of it.  She would stop making the face and noise and give you a sweet and innocent look.  She is so full silliness.

Last week Cortlynn had a daddy/daughter pancake party for activity days and they had to wear pajamas.  Devin wasn't too keen on the idea and than went all crazy.  Check out his moose slippers.

Oh Mr. Donald Trump---get a grip already!

This past week the Miss USA organization has come under fire for being trashy, fake, fraudulent, and rigged....my response:  DUH!!!!!  I've said this for years.  Pretty much since the supreme being AKA Donald Trump, purchased it along with Miss Universe and Teen USA.  (I sure hope he doesn't lower his standards and read this post or I may just get sued.)  He is such a money hungry bully.  If someone doesn't agree with him he reverts to calling them names and threatening legal action.  I can't stand him.  Miss Pennsylvania gave up her state crown because she believes the top 5 USA finalists were chosen before the actual competition.  I say.....Duh, DUH!!!!  I told Devin that the day before.  I also have another theory that I will share.  The young lady that won had the "audience twitter question" which happened to be about transgendered contestants being allowed to compete, which also happened to be asked by the "judge" Rob Kardasian.  I personally believe Kris Kardashian (mother and manager of Rob) and Donald Trump came up with the plan of having Rob ask this women (who wins) the controversial twitter question in order for her son to be constantly shown on TV.  It wouldn't be the first time she has staged something for the benefit of her child's "career".
I admit, I didn't watch the entire show for various reasons: 
1) I had better things to do
2) I forgot
3)I can't stand the panel of "judges" who usually aren't capable of judging a hot dog eating contest let alone a beauty contest
4) I don't want to see the camera zoom into Mr. Trump
5) The entire show is hokey
6) It's like watching Toddlers & Tiaras except for all the boobs--instead of having a creepy pedophile man as a judge or MC--Miss USA has "The Donald".
7) I couldn't even laugh at the top 5 contestants answers to their questions----they were so irritating:  EX.  That is why Julia Roberts (she giggled and waited for the audience to laugh which didn't happen) was such a positive Role Model in Pretty Women.  She didn't let anyone roll over the top of her.....Oh my crap!!!!  prostitute=positive role model for women????  =Guess I better rethink my lifestyle.  ;-)

I hope The king of the bullies leaves poor Miss Pennsylvania alone and the rest of the world that doesn't believe what he believes or disagrees with him.  I hope he doesn't read this and demand my birth certificate and sue me for defamation of character.  I hope he doesn't think he will become the Vice President (nominee) because if that were to happen---God help us.  The anti-Christ has risen and the end is close at hand. 

Mr. Donald Trump---go to your penthouse in New York-look down at all the little people--sit on your toilet made out of gold---and think of the next person you will belittle and call a loser on national TV.  Just like the kids in middle school say----"It takes one to know one" and "look in the mirror".

ARCO---a dying town and "confession" time

Since I am now a stay at home mom (which I LOVE and wouldn't change) I yearn for some "me" time and/or adult conversation.  Poor Devin, when he gets home the kids attack him and want all the attention but I too want to talk to him without the kids.  I didn't know how much I enjoyed the social aspect of working until I'm home with kids 24/7.  I've taken on a new endeavor which gets me out of the house for a little bit, by myself.  I've become a mystery shopper.  Primarily it is for fast food restaurants, but I can also choose to shop cell phone stores, hardware and sporting good stores, gas stations, and retail shops.  I've told Devin that I'm going to get really fat because I am eating so much food-but it's fun.  I get fully reimbursed for any food and/or product I purchase as well as they pay me for every shop I complete.  Most of them are $7.50 but some have been going as high as $25.00.  That is pretty good since most take me 20  minutes to an hour to complete.  I'm now considering becoming a mystery shopper/merchandiser for theatres but the time commitment might be too much for me right now. 

In the last couple of weeks I've traveled to Arco on two different occasions-one for a birthday party for my nieces and another time for a  party for my grandmother.  Every time I go out to Arco I think about growing up there and the closeness you have in a small community.  I miss that and I would love my children to experience that.  BUT---Arco is a town that is slowly dying.  We stopped by the Arco Service (a gas station) at 9:10pm on a Saturday night and I was saddened by the lack of excitement.  When I was in high school this was one of the "hot" spots of Arco, especially on a Saturday night.  They usually had 2 people working behind the counter and another person cooking the pizzas;  the parking lot was always full and you had to wait to pay for your purchase,  Not this day-I was the ONLY one in the shop besides the 1 employee and the parking lot resembled a ghost town.  The entire town looks like a ghost town and shuts down by 8pm.  It is just sad. 

I have noticed that every time I travel to Arco and drive thru Blackfoot I end up having a slight episode of nervousness and anger.  Writing this now-my heart is beating faster and I'm getting a lump in my throat.  It gets so bad that I may even consider not driving thru Blackfoot and taking the longer route thru Idaho Falls.  YEARS ago --probably close to 25---we went to a 4th of  July party at a house of one of my dads co-workers.  I don't remember his name and don't care to remember his name; but I remember clearly the location of the home.  Back than children being "abused" wasn't talked about---amongst adults and especially children; but unfortunately things happened.   Over the years I've come to the conclusion that this guy was a sicko and how he made me feel was unacceptable and wrong.  I hope I haven't mentally blocked out details other that what I remember--but it isn't fair that after all of this time, he still haunts me.  Adults that prey on little kids are evil and I pray that when they are judged by God, they get their just punishment.  I've never really talked about this and very few people even know about it; I guess that isn't the case now.  I'm not going to write the details about it because I don't think that would help me--but I felt the need to write about the occurrence.  I've heard "talking" about things that are troubling or haunting you can help you cope and move on.  Maybe this will make the anger go away and when I do drive by, I won't want to drive over, beat him up and burn his home and "pool house". 

Grandma's 86th Birthday and Field of Heroes

Last Saturday we traveled to Arco to visit my grandma for her birthday.  Her health has deteriorated these last few weeks so she is now in the nursing home in Arco.  It is so hard to see your loved ones get old and unable to take care of themselves.  The little get together was nice.  My parents were there, Heather, Josh, and their children, Rhonda and Peggy, and Rhonda's son Teddy.  I'm not sure if grandma understood what was going on or why we were there-but it was nice to see her. 

Cortlynn and Grandma Norma---Norma's 86th Birthday

Grandpa Bud in his black hat

Rhonda and Peggy

These three look like they are up to something

When we were leaving the hospital the clouds around the number hill were really pretty.  Seeing this was strange-it looked more like fall weather not May 26th weather.  We also decided to visit the Lost River's cemetery and the Arco cemetery for memorial day.  The kids thought it was neat to place flowers on the graves of family members as well as some of our friends that had past away.

Amazing that this photo was taken on May 26th....not in the fall

On Monday my parents came over  so I took them to the Field of Heroes:located at one of the High School's soccer field.  This is a memorial for all the servicemen and women that have past away in Iraq and Afghanistan since the beginning of the war.  (this doesn't include those lost in Deseret Storm)  There are over 6400 individuals that have been killed.  This memorial started just a few years ago and it is displayed during Memorial Day weekend.  All the crosses are labeled with individual names, their rank, and the date they past away; than they are placed in perfect rows.  It was just like Arlington cemetery--every direction you looked, there were perfect lines of crosses.  Sooooo much work went into this and it was amazing to see.  The atmosphere was somber and although no one was actually buried there--it still felt like a "sacred" place. 

Field of Heroes 2012

You can see the line of people on the right--this area had all the soldiers from Idaho that have been killed.  The Idaho soldiers had photos and a back story along with their crosses.  There were also a lot of flowers and arrangements left at various crosses-not only at the Idaho soldiers spots, but also the other crosses.  It really puts the loss in perspective when you visually see the crosses that represent the deaths. 

The line on the left with all of the people are ALL the causalities from Idaho

Local soldier from Idaho Falls that past away Nov 2011

These photos really don't give the full picture of the field.  I think everyone should visit this field if they have the opportunity.  This year the field actually made the national news;  what an amazing thing for a small town in Idaho that is making a little difference in the lives and memories of soldiers and their families.

Goodbye 5th Grade-Hello Summer 2012

Today was the last day of school and everyone is sooooo excited.  I'm excited to have no story problems for 3 months and Cortlynn's happy to not have her teacher anymore.  I think everyone has a teacher in their life that isn't the best and treats them like poo----well-this year was Cortlynn's year of having just that.  It was hard for me to bite my tongue some nights and not say anything negative about her teacher---REALLY DIFFICULT!  But-it's over and now it is summer time.  YEAH!!!  I posted a few photos of Cortlynn and Tristan from the first day of school and again today; the last day of school.  I'm amazed at how much both of them have changed. 

YEAH!!!!  No more School and no more 5th grade Math homework!!!!!!

Cortlynn  Sept 2011

Cortlynn  May 2012

Tristan----Sept 2011

Tristan---May 2012

Everything Cortlynn.......

I keep telling myself I'm going to keep up on my blog posts--but here it is again, almost 2 weeks since my last post.  The last few weeks have been busy at the McIntire home and I've included quite a few photos. 
Cortlynn was a Regional Participant in the PTA Reflections program this year and we attended the awards ceremony.  She received a nice certificate but unfortunately it had her last name misspelled.  So-needless to say-she was a little bummed.  (since that day-I did contact one of the coordinators and they have corrected it and we have the new one.)  She also graduated from the D.A.R.E. program.  She was able to participate in the DARE fun ride (a 4 mile bike ride) and for completing it received a really nice medal.  Last week they had the graduation ceremony and received a certificate.  She was so excited to shake the hand with the mayor (ok-fist bump, not sure if he has a phobia of 5th graders germs-no hand shakes for him).  She also had her dance recital two days ago.  Grandma Swanson was able to attend the performance--and enjoyed watching her in ballet and jazz.  I'm such a proud mom-she is a beautiful dancer and I always tear up when I watch her.  Cortlynn's best friends mother has her own business and does facials and fake lashes.  Since she needs to practice-she invited her over last week and put 70+ lashes on her.  They are so pretty.  I'm a little jealous of this; I've never had fake lashes.  ;-)

                                             
                                                Reflections Certificate (don't mind the misspelled name)

I believe I've told stories of Miss Kyra being a climber.  I just had to post a few pictures of her climbing.  We've had to hide chairs because she will move them around to get to the counter.  Little stinker.  One afternoon she actually climbed up onto the highchair to get the food Kloe (the little girl I babysit) didn't finish. 

Devin had an awards ceremony for working 15years at Fred Meyer---so we left the kiddos home with Cortlynn.  When we came home-Kyra was asleep on the couch with a yogurt package hanging from her mouth.

My little girl is obsessed with clocks.  The photo below is her reaction to the clock chiming.  She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES, clocks.

Tristan, Kyra, and I sat on the lawn and ate goldfish while Cortlynn was on her bike ride.

Tristan thought this huge flag was so cool---and it was even cooler when they lowered it and put it away.

There were soooooo many kids at the bike ride.  CRAZY!

D.A.R.E. Graduation 2012

Last week the city was checking all of the fire hydrant's.  WOW-my kids thought this was awesome! 

Cortlynn's pretty eyelash extensions

Cortlynn in her Jazz outfit and the pretty flowers she received from her parents and grandma and grandpa.

Cortlynn also had a talent show today at school and I was able to attend.  (I had 5 kids under the age of 5....so I had my mom go.  She sang a Christine Perry song and did really good.  Grandma even told me that a few around her commented on how well she did.  She is such a talented young lady.

Please November---come already.

Here it is early May and I am SOOOOOoooooo sick and tired of all the political crap you see on TV, in the Newspapers, hear on the street;  I HATE it!  I wouldn't say I am a hard-core Democrat or Republican.  I vote for the person I like, who doesn't give me the heaby jeabies---that person can be a "red" or "blue" candidate. 
I understand that living in the United States gives you "Freedom of Speech";  but not in our house.  Politics is off limits.  I will actually tell guests that it isn't allowed.  I don't understand people that are so vocal about their political views and will treat others with disrespect if they believe in something different.  Having all of the media outlets to voice opinions and thoughts makes it even worse.  Facebook is a nightmare.  I am constantly hiding political thoughts from people because I really don't want to read all the negativity and blaming.  I even had one person state the fact you need to pray for who you will be voting for and if you think your prayer is answered and you vote for a certain candidate for another 4 year term---well, I guess that's you're problem.  Because I PRAYED and God told me to vote for (this candidate).  SERIOUSLY?????  It is perfectly alright to pray for guidance and help---but to judge someone's prayers and basically tell them that they didn't receive the right answer is crap!!! 
We have always been told and taught that in the final days the world will be full of turmoil;  HELLO---don't you think the world will still be in the crapper no matter who is in office???  I think so- 
I don't think I can handle the next 6 months; I'm seriously debating not watching any news, reading any papers, and even possibly avoiding Facebook until this is over.

Another one of my "Hot Topics" would be vaccinating your children.  I can't even imagine the diseases little children had to go thru prior to the development of vaccinations, not to mention all the deaths.  I couldn't imagine losing a child.  There are sooooo many people that aren't vaccinating their children for various reasons---religious, personal beliefs, thinking the risks are too great;  I personally--think children should get vaccinated.  There are side effects in everything we do:  things we eat, drink, touch-but to have a child suffer from a disease that could have been eliminated from a shot infuriates me.  There have been so called "studies" linking vaccinations to autism: My thoughts on that....I think Autism is something no one really knows the cause.  With all the added chemicals in the foods we eat, the pollution in the air, etc--something like that causing it makes more since to me than vaccinations.  We had a little baby pass away from whooping cough last week here in Pocatello-and now there are people saying that most cases of pertussis come from vaccinated children.  Give me a freakin break.  Only about 75% of children in our school district have been vaccinated.  75% !! That is soooo scary.  It scares me that the other 25% could pass something to a baby or a child that has a compromised immune system.  Not being able to attend school because they could get sick from a non-vaccinated child is so sad and is completely unfair.  I know there are people that are strongly against vaccinations and that is fine---this is my blog and I can write what I want to write.  I'm not going to go on Facebook and call people idiots for not having the same beliefs.